Entering the Ranks of Alchemists

Lin Changheng performed every step with meticulous care and precision, unhurried and composed, like an artist painting a picture, possessing a unique sense of leisurely ease.

During the blending phase, he used his mana to gently guide a small jade vial of Fire Crow essence into the cauldron.

Although the Origin Cauldron within his sea of consciousness hummed in response, Lin Changheng remained unmoved.

Alchemy was the hen that laid golden eggs; to consume the essence and materials meant for refining would be to abandon the root for the branch, to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs!

How could Lin Changheng ever do such a thing?!

He continued to focus on his alchemy.

With his already profound theoretical knowledge and the added benefit of Fire Control, the practical application became even smoother.

By the time the sun was about to set, Lin Changheng performed the final pill-sealing technique. Looking at the round, pinky-tip-sized Fire Pattern Pill resting on the tray, his heart felt ethereal.

Was this the obsession that had haunted his dreams during the ten years of memories before his awakening, the thing he had been chasing all along?

Now, it was something he could refine at will!

It was nothing more than this!

From morning until dusk, Lin Changheng had finally succeeded in refining the pill.

This was merely a first-tier low-grade pill.

And it was only a single one.

If one were to refine multiple pills in a single batch, more materials would be required, and the time would be extended accordingly. For instance, Master Mo had previously refined a batch of ten, but due to his practiced methods, he had not finished until late at night.

If refining a first-tier mid-grade pill, the time would extend to two or three days.

For a first-tier high-grade pill, the refining time would be five days or more.

Lin Changheng had once heard Master Mo mention that the refining time for second-tier pills increased significantly; once a furnace was opened, it could take seven days, half a month, or even a full month of continuous refining.

"Tsk tsk... If most second-tier alchemists weren't Foundation Establishment cultivators with greatly extended lifespans, it wouldn't be strange for a Qi Refining alchemist to pass away from old age right in the middle of refining."

Muttering to himself, he picked up the tray and prepared to push the door open.

Just then, a light, hesitant knock sounded from outside the pill room.

"Shopkeeper?"

Lin Changheng paused, surprised to see Xu Qianyou standing there with a look of indecision.

"Guest Elder Mo asked for you; he has instructions. But I was worried about interrupting your rhythm while you were refining..."

Xu Qianyou chuckled, "It just so happens you've finished and come out; the timing is perfect."

"However, if you didn't succeed, it's no matter, your mindset—hm?"

As he spoke, he habitually prepared to offer a word of comfort, but he noticed Lin Changheng's excellent state. His aged eyes swept over the tray, and a perfectly round pill sat right there.

A faint scent of medicine wafted up.

Shopkeeper Xu's pupils contracted, and his beard trembled, "This, this, this... you succeeded? You really succeeded?"

"A flash of inspiration; I was fortunate to succeed."

Lin Changheng smiled calmly.

Xu Qianyou hurried past him into the pill room. Sure enough, there was no burnt smell of a failed batch, only the faint fragrance of a completed pill.

"Excellent! Heaven rewards the diligent; you have finally become an alchemist!"

Patting Lin Changheng's shoulder heavily, Xu Qianyou was moved. He beamed with joy as he produced a wooden box from his robes and carefully placed the pill inside, "Once this pill is out of the furnace, it must be stored quickly, or the medicinal properties will dissipate, which would be a pity."

After sealing it carefully, he placed it back on Lin Changheng's tray and advised him like a mentor.

"I have failed so many times that I truly forgot that detail. Many thanks for the reminder, Shopkeeper; I have learned much."

"It is nothing, nothing at all. Your success as an alchemist is a joyous occasion for you, for the Xu Family Alchemy Shop, and for the Xu Family itself. Let us go; we shall go see Master Mo together and report this happy news!"

"Very well."

Lin Changheng followed his suggestion.

As he returned the remaining five portions of unused herbs to the storage, Xu Qianyou was astonished by Lin Changheng's success rate and could not help but marvel again.

When this news reached the ears of the shop assistants, every one of them wore an expression of utter disbelief. The looks they cast toward Lin Changheng were filled with envy, admiration... and reverence.

If Lin Changheng were still an alchemy apprentice, they could have spoken to him normally, calling him "Brother Lin."

But now that he had truly become a ranked alchemist, his status within the clan and the market would undergo a earth-shattering change. They would have to bow respectfully and address him as "Alchemist Lin."

As congratulations and flattery reached his ears, Lin Changheng merely shook his head, "Master Mo has yet to confirm it; one cannot call me an alchemist yet."

"Furthermore, there is no need for this. We have known each other and worked together for many years; just call me as you always have."

Lin Changheng did not put on airs, nor did he become arrogant, but although the Xu Family assistants nodded and agreed, calling him open-minded and approachable, the reverence in their demeanor remained visible to the naked eye.

He sighed inwardly, knowing he had no choice but to let it be.

The two went upstairs, and Shopkeeper Xu immediately reported the matter to Master Mo.

A look of profound astonishment flashed across Master Mo's face. Lin Changheng had been his apprentice for eleven years—a full eleven years—and he knew him inside and out. Could he really have had a sudden epiphany and ascended to the rank of alchemist in a single day?

Without voicing any skepticism or revealing a shred of doubt, Master Mo merely deliberated and said:

"Tomorrow morning, you shall fire up three more furnaces in my presence as confirmation. As long as one batch succeeds, I will acknowledge your status as an alchemist and report it to the clan to upgrade your standing ahead of schedule. However, exempting you from your Land Reclamation duties, granting you a new status within the clan, and arranging new tasks requires further verification through alchemy within the clan before it can proceed. Do you agree?"

"I shall follow Master Mo's instructions entirely."

Lin Changheng found this arrangement reasonable and agreed immediately.

Having spoken with solemnity, Master Mo finally revealed a faint smile. "As for the matter I summoned you here for earlier, there is no need to speak of it now due to this sudden change. Return early, rest well, and prepare yourself to refine pills properly tomorrow. I look forward to you standing on your own; it will lighten my burden. These old bones of mine are truly growing weary... haha!"

With that, he patted Lin Changheng's shoulder firmly as a gesture of encouragement.

For Master Mo, being able to cultivate a new alchemist also came with no small amount of rewards.

"I will certainly not let Master Mo down." Lin Changheng nodded earnestly, his eyes burning with resolve.

Early the next morning.

The alchemy room of the Xu Family's shop began to bustle, growing hot and lively.

Master Mo pulled up a stool and sat in the corner, closing his eyes to rest.

He wished to avoid causing any unnecessary pressure on Lin Changheng through his gaze.

"Whoosh!"

The flames within the furnace suddenly surged, followed by a pungent, acrid smell of burning.

"The herbs were combined too hastily, and the alchemy seal was out of order."

From the corner came a sudden critique, sounding more like a reminder.

"Yes!"

Lin Changheng cleared the furnace, his expression steady. He collected the failed pill and continued to fire up the furnace again.

Master Mo did not speak further.

In his heart, however, he approved of the young man's state of mind.

The second batch began.

This time, Lin Changheng did not intentionally falter, proceeding with absolute fluidity.

"Hum~"

The flames subsided, and as the alchemy seal was cast, a finished pill with crimson cloud patterns flew out of the furnace, guided into a small wooden box prepared in advance.

At the same time, a fragrance of alchemy slowly wafted out, filling the entire room.

Master Mo smelled the aroma and opened his eyes. He stood up with a chuckle, looking at Lin Changheng with admiration.

"Master Mo, fortunately, I have not failed the mission!"

Lin Changheng held the wooden box and stepped forward to present the pill.