Alchemy Furnace

Blacksmith General Association, Forging Room.

In a space of over three hundred square meters, a broad forging workbench stood in the center, flames occasionally rising from its surface.

Several large shelves were arranged around it, piled high with all kinds of rare metals and finished forged products.

Rumble—!!

The heavy Steel Gate slowly opened, and Yao Yan and the other three entered.

The moment he stepped inside, Yao Yan's gaze was drawn to the Alchemy Furnace before the workbench. Its body was dark red and roughly the size of ten fists. A relief of a volcanic eruption was carved onto it, giving it an imposing presence.

As they approached the Alchemy Furnace, Si Long carefully lifted it and handed it to Yao Yan. "Brother Xiao, it's basically finished. Take a look."

Yao Yan accepted it and carefully examined its inner structure. The inside was deep blue, with several dark red crystals embedded in the inner walls.

"This Alchemy Furnace was forged from Sea God Gold produced in the deep sea. Not only is it exceptionally tough and resistant to corrosion, but it can also remain stable under extreme pressure.

"More importantly, it has extremely high heat resistance and is very difficult to melt even at high temperatures," Si Long explained from the side.

With such strong pressure resistance, there's no need to worry about the furnace exploding. It really is excellent! Yao Yan praised inwardly.

"Brother Si, these stones on the inner walls are for assisting with temperature control, right?" He pointed at the dark red crystals.

"Sharp eyes, Brother Xiao!" Si Long nodded with a smile. "These stones are called Blood Flame Gold. They are extremely capable of absorbing, containing, and conducting high temperatures, allowing them to store and release heat.

"When not in use, they are sealed off by a compartment door made of Sea God Gold, where they accumulate heat.

"When additional heating is needed, just press the switch on the back to push them out. The temperature is controlled directly through Soul Power." He pointed to a slightly raised button on the back of the furnace.

"Wonderful!" Yao Yan praised sincerely.

With Soul Power allowing precise control of the temperature, there was no need to worry about flames running wild and burning the medicinal ingredients. This was exactly the design he had envisioned.

"Brother Si, your craftsmanship truly is extraordinary. No wonder you're the President of the Blacksmith Association." Yao Yan gave him a thumbs-up.

"Not at all, not at all. If Brother Xiao hadn't often provided ideas, who knew how long it would have taken me to create this Alchemy Furnace?" Si Long waved his hands repeatedly, though he could not hide the delight on his face.

Zhu Zhuqing and Wang Xiaobo listened to their conversation from the side. Though they did not fully understand it, they could tell that this Alchemy Furnace was a groundbreaking creation, and they could not help but sigh in amazement.

They had created a miracle as well!

Yao Yan gently set the Alchemy Furnace back on the workbench, then asked, "Brother Si, what kind of stone was it that you mentioned in your letter could provide a stable fire source?"

"It's this, called Fire Essence Stone." Si Long picked up two red stones from the side and struck them together. Flames immediately rose up and burned steadily.

"This stone contains pure fire-attribute energy. The flame it produces is relatively stable, long-lasting, and does not scatter sparks while burning."

He then picked up a pile of Fire Essence Stones, pulled out a square compartment from the bottom of the Alchemy Furnace, and placed them inside.

It turned out that the Alchemy Furnace was divided into upper and lower layers. The upper layer was for refining pills, while the lower layer held the burning material.

Once the Fire Essence Stones were placed into the compartment, flames instantly rose within the Alchemy Furnace, gradually filling its interior.

Watching the flames rise within the furnace, Yao Yan could not help recalling the scene of the Flame Emperor refining pills. This could be considered an indirect recreation of it.

His eyes burned with excitement as he circled the Alchemy Furnace and examined it, his heart filled with joy.

After the flames had burned for a while, Si Long circulated his Soul Power and pressed the button on the back. The Blood Flame Gold on the inner walls immediately lit up, radiating scorching heat. The intensity of its glow changed with the amount of Soul Power supplied, making it easy to control.

"Brother Xiao, what do you think?" Si Long demonstrated while looking at Yao Yan expectantly.

"Exquisite beyond compare. Brother Si, you truly are a godlike craftsman!" Yao Yan praised him sincerely once more.

"Hahaha! Brother Xiao, those words are exactly to my liking!" Si Long laughed heartily and gave Yao Yan's shoulder a vigorous pat.

Yao Yan smiled in response and watched him quietly.

Si Long truly was a rare genius. Unfortunately, his teacher Lou Gao was obsessed with forging. If he encountered Tang San in the future, he would surely follow him away.

The entire Blacksmith Association would likely end up standing against him as well.

It would be a real pity if such a genius were to fall.

If I can draw out Tang San's Hidden Weapons, or change the status of blacksmiths, perhaps I can bring them closer to my side, Yao Yan thought to himself.

As for Lou Gao, he felt that was impossible.

This was not just idle speculation on Yao Yan's part. That Medicinal Bath for tempering the body of his, if revealed, would definitely shock the entire continent.

However, to be safe, without anyone backing him, he had to keep a low profile.

His plan was to find a powerful individual or organization capable of fully supporting him before revealing himself.

Xue Qinghe might work, but she was probably caught up in court affairs right now, thinking about how to kill Emperor Xue Ye's son.

As for Dugu Bo, Yao Yan remembered that Tang San had used Realgar Wine to cure his granddaughter's poison and thus gained his attention.

But in any world, he had never heard of alcohol being able to cure snake venom. If poison were used to counter poison, then perhaps it might still be possible.

He did not agree with Tang San's method.

Besides, Dugu Bo was neither wholly righteous nor wholly evil. If you had no backing, he might kill you the moment you met.

In the end, it still came down to strength and background!

But there was no need to rush. Tang San would not come to Gengxin City for quite some time, so there was still plenty of time to prepare.

Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Yao Yan asked, "Brother Si, has this Alchemy Furnace been given a name?"

"Not yet. Do you have any good ideas, Brother Xiao?" Si Long looked at the volcano relief carved on the furnace, anticipation seeming to flicker in his eyes.

Seeing his expression, Yao Yan knew that he already had something in mind. He pointed at the volcano relief on the furnace and smiled. "Why not name it after this design?"

"Oh? It seems we truly think alike!" Si Long's eyes lit up. "How about calling it the 'Mountain Smelting Cauldron'?"

Yao Yan examined the entirely dark-red Alchemy Furnace and nodded in approval. "The name is quite fitting. What do you two think?"

He looked toward Zhu Zhuqing and Wang Xiaobo, who were idling nearby, inviting them to join the discussion as well.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly. Wang Xiaobo merely chuckled. "You two decide."

"Good! Then this cauldron shall officially be named the Mountain Smelting Cauldron!" Yao Yan and Si Long sealed the decision with a high-five.

Thus, the first alchemy furnace on the Douluo Continent finally received its name.

Over the next half month, Si Long gave the Alchemy Furnace its final refinements. Meanwhile, Yao Yan and the others remained in Gengxin City, waiting for it to be completed.

When Si Long informed them that the cauldron was ready for collection, the two of them spent another half month testing it to ensure nothing could go wrong.

It was scorched by blazing flames, struck by heavy hammers, pressed beneath ice... and more. It could be said to have endured dozens of brutal trials.

Only then did it finally earn the unanimous approval of both men!

Early one morning, at the gates of Gengxin City.

Si Long and Yao Yan clasped hands tightly, both with traces of reluctance in their eyes.

"Brother Xiao, remember to write often." Si Long gave his shoulder a heavy pat with his other hand.

"I will." Yao Yan nodded solemnly and turned to board the carriage.

The wheels slowly began to turn, carrying the three of them farther and farther away until they finally vanished from Si Long's sight. He remained standing there for a long time. When he finally came back to himself, he could only let out a soft sigh.

"Ah... such is life, with partings and reunions."

"I wonder what kind of bearing you'll have when we meet again, Brother Xiao. Surely..." He raised his head to gaze at the sky and murmured, "you'll be renowned throughout the continent by then!"

While Si Long was lost in sentiment, two figures not far away chased after the carriage!