Alchemy Insights

Yang Chen returned to his room and began sorting through his thoughts.

Yang Caidie was indeed not his biological older sister. She had been picked up by the parents of this body. To put it plainly, they shared no blood relation. As for whose orphaned child Yang Caidie truly was, no one knew.

As for Yang Chen's parents, within his memories, he could not even clearly remember what they looked like. He only knew that while they were still young, they had left the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans and gone to seek their fortunes in the prosperous North Mountain County.

They had been gone for more than ten years without returning. No one knew whether they were alive or dead. Instead, they had left behind Yang Chen and Yang Caidie, two lonely children, in an extremely awkward position within the Yang family.

As the saying went, a child without a mother was like a blade of grass...

If not for Yang Caidie's astonishing talent, and the fact that at such a young age she had displayed responsibility and ability no worse than any male of the Yang family, Yang Chen would likely have been struck from the family register long ago.

But even so, if he were the former Yang Chen, then three months from now, being struck from the family register would still have been his fate.

Why?

Three months from now would be the Yang family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

This was a clan gathering every young member of the Yang family had to undergo, a test for the Yang family's younger generation. Only after passing this gathering could one be considered truly acknowledged by the Yang family. Half a year ago, the Yang family had issued a new rule: if a youngster of the Yang family failed to demonstrate the strength of Body Refinement First Level at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, they would be directly removed from the family register.

Being removed from the family register was, simply put, exile. One would gradually be pushed to the fringes of the Yang family. Whether one lived or died afterward, no one would care.

Yang Caidie knew about this as well. Yet she had completely adopted the attitude of a dead pig that feared no boiling water. As long as she was there to protect her younger brother, even if Yang Chen were removed from the family register, she would still raise him.

But Yang Chen did not want to be so pathetic that he was struck from the family register at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

"Body Refinement First Level..." Yang Chen murmured. "I'll take that as my first goal. Otherwise, if I'm struck from the family register at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and have no resources supplied to me, that will be far more troublesome."

A plan gradually formed in his mind.

What he had been best at in his previous life was uncovering a person's talent and using pill refining, all kinds of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, to nurture someone with martial potential into an outstanding genius. To him, Yang Chen's current awkward status in the Yang family and the rumors that he was utterly worthless might create some obstacles, but at the end of the day, they were nothing.

But the most troublesome issue now was resources. His position in the Yang family was far too awkward, and he had no resources at all.

He possessed a bellyful of knowledge, but his pockets were empty, poor enough to rattle.

Fortunately, he already had a clear plan in mind. He muttered, "The Yang family's most outstanding alchemist is the second-ranked among the seven Yang family masters, known as Second Master. He is the Yang family's Alchemy Master. Today happens to be the day he gives an open lecture. I hear that anyone who earns his approval will receive quite a few rewards."

Yang Chen cared greatly about those "rewards." The moment the thought arose, he immediately set off.

"Young Master, heading out?"

Within Yang Chen's courtyard, a house servant sweeping the ground smiled fawningly.

Yang Chen glanced at the middle-aged servant and nodded, though he did not have much affection for him. This servant was named Zhou Huaiyi. He was responsible for clearing miscellaneous items around the Yang family estate. He was in his thirties and always treated others with utmost respect. However, ever since Hua Wanru's betrayal, Yang Chen had become even more discerning when it came to judging people.

Zhou Huaiyi's eyes were full of slyness and rebellion. He appeared respectful, but no one knew what he was truly thinking inside.

Still, Zhou Huaiyi was merely a servant, so Yang Chen did not take him to heart. He nodded lightly without saying much, tidied his clothes, and headed straight for Second Master Yang's place.

Second Master Yang was the Yang family's most talented alchemist. Despite his age, it was said that he had already reached the level of a mid-stage Second-Rank Alchemist. He was the Yang family's number one alchemist, and even within the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans, he was an alchemist of some renown.

He alone possessed the Yang family's Alchemy Room, and that was what Yang Chen cared about most.

"Pill refining places the greatest emphasis on heat control, followed by tempering. One's control and understanding of these two determine the quality and quantity of the finished pills." Second Master Yang sat in the seat of honor within the Alchemy Room, stroking his white beard as he gave an open lecture to the Yang family's younger alchemists below.

At that moment, a sudden uproar broke out, causing Second Master Yang to frown secretly. Looking toward its source, he saw that it was merely because a Yang family youth had suddenly appeared in the classroom.

That youth was none other than Yang Chen, who had rushed over from outside.

"Yang Chen, didn't you hang yourself? How are you still able to come listen to Second Master's lecture?" a youth mocked, not concealing his disdain for Yang Chen in the slightest.

Yang Chen had always been someone many Yang family youths mocked and toyed with. In the end, it was because Yang Chen had been far too pathetic.

With someone taking the lead, waves of laughter immediately filled the room. The next moment, someone laughed loudly. "Yang Chen, when you gambled against the Wang family, you lost even your open-crotch pants. Out of three batches of pill ingredients, you couldn't refine a single pill. If I were you, I'd hurry up and hang myself. Yet you still dare to come listen to Second Master's lecture? That's simply an insult to Second Master! You've already thrown the Yang family's face into the mud, so stop coming here to shame Second Master too!"

Yang Heng, who had gambled against Yang Chen that morning, was also among them. Seeing Yang Chen arrive now, he grew even more furious.

He had no idea how Yang Chen had managed to refine four Return Bone Pills by sheer luck. He only thought Yang Chen had some skill with Return Bone Pills. Now that he saw Yang Chen here, he spared no effort in mocking him. "Yang Chen, when Second Master gives a lecture, those of us attending should naturally arrive on time. Yet you barged in halfway through. Do you have any respect for Second Master?"

Second Master Yang did not think highly of Yang Chen either. He had also heard something about Yang Chen losing to the Wang family and disgracing the Yang family's alchemists. Still, he was an elder of the Yang family. Seeing his students making such a commotion, he gave a muffled snort. "All of you are making such a ruckus. What kind of behavior is this? Do you still have any respect for me, your Second Master?"

Hearing Second Master Yang's words, the Yang family disciples did not dare act recklessly and hurriedly said, "Second Master, we know we were wrong."

Second Master Yang wore a stern expression, but he was not trying to defend Yang Chen. Without even looking at Yang Chen, he said bluntly, "Yang Chen, I began the lecture an hour ago. You barged in halfway through. Do you have any respect for me, your Second Master? Go stand in the corner and listen."

"Yes, Second Master." Yang Chen knew the rules. He bore no resentment, nor would he humiliate himself by saying anything. He simply went to stand in the corner.

Seeing Yang Chen in such a bedraggled state, Yang Heng sneered repeatedly, feeling considerably more satisfied.

Quite a few youths who had mocked Yang Chen also made faces at him, flaunting their superiority.

Yang Chen could not be bothered to stoop to the level of these Yang family youths. With his hands behind his back, he listened with an intent, meticulous expression.

This surprised Second Master Yang somewhat. In the past, Yang Chen had even dared to fall asleep during his lectures. Yet today, Yang Chen was full of energy, looking as though he truly intended to listen carefully.

Second Master Yang was puzzled, but he did not stop what he was doing. He slowly said, "I have already explained all that needs explaining. Very well. Next, I will refine a batch of First-rank pills before your eyes. This pill is called the Clear Fire Pill. It is an extremely difficult High-grade First-rank Pill to refine. If you can successfully refine this pill, you will possess the level of a First-Rank High-Level Alchemist."

"Now, I will begin refining. How much you can comprehend from my techniques will depend entirely on your own fortune."

As soon as Second Master Yang finished speaking, every Yang family disciple held their breath and carefully observed his pill refining.

Yang Chen was observing as well. Of course, though he watched, he did not intend to learn. Second Master Yang's alchemy level might be treated as a legend within the Yang family and be something others yearned for, but in Yang Chen's eyes, he was still a nobody. Yang Chen had another purpose for observing Second Master Yang's pill refining.

What intrigued him was that Second Master Yang's Alchemy techniques were vastly superior to Yang Heng's half-baked methods. It could be said that his techniques were skilled and practiced, and he had already grasped quite a few truths of pill refining.

This Second Master Yang knows to add the ingredients first, then control the fire. It seems he understands some of the finer details of pill refining, Yang Chen thought.

Second Master Yang refined the pills with great care. After roughly half an hour, a fragrance suddenly spread from within the alchemy furnace. Then Second Master Yang slapped the furnace with his palm. Accompanied by a bang, two smooth, round pills leaped out of the furnace and landed in his hand.

A smile appeared on Second Master Yang's aged face. He was clearly especially satisfied with the results. Holding the two pills, he swept his gaze across the room.

Seeing Second Master Yang's miraculous pill refining level, the Yang family disciples were filled with envy. Yet when they saw his gaze, their expressions suddenly grew solemn.

Second Master Yang rose to his feet, hands behind his back. "Tell me, I deliberately slowed down the techniques, steps, and process of pill refining just now. The purpose was to allow you to learn from it. Who among you can tell me how much you comprehended from my refining process?"

As soon as those words fell, the room went silent as a graveyard.

Second Master Yang's expression gradually darkened.

Only then did Yang Heng cautiously raise his hand and stand up.

Second Master Yang was slightly pleased. "Yang Heng, what did you comprehend? Tell me."

"Second Master, when I observed your alchemy techniques just now, you first threw in the ingredients, then used Fire Control Wood to ignite the fire. This differs from the method we were taught before, where we first lit the fire and then tempered the ingredients. I believe that when refining the Clear Fire Pill, this step is the most crucial point," Yang Heng said confidently.

Second Master Yang narrowed his eyes and sighed. "You saw only the surface, yet failed to grasp the true essence. Sit down."

He had put it rather tactfully.

Because Yang Heng's answer clearly came from the notion of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse. How had he comprehended even a shred of the surface?

He had originally believed that refining a high-grade First-rank pill here today and teaching them on the spot would allow him to uncover several Alchemy Geniuses before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Yet he had not expected such a result. Even Yang Heng, the most outstanding alchemy genius, could offer only this much.

"Is there anyone else who comprehended anything from my refining process just now?" Second Master Yang asked with a grim expression.

"Second Master, I..."

After that, several more Yang family disciples, hoping to strike it lucky, tried to answer. After all, earning Second Master Yang's favor was undoubtedly a blessing for the Yang family's younger generation. Everyone knew that Second Master Yang had no descendants. All his life's efforts had been devoted to pill refining and protecting the Yang family.

Winning his favor was equivalent to receiving Second Master Yang's true teachings.

Yet the youths' answers brought no joy to Second Master Yang. Instead, the old man's expression became increasingly unsightly, even showing signs of anger.

"Your answers have greatly disappointed this old man. You are all trying to rely on luck. Do you truly think this old man is so easily fooled? Fine, who else wishes to answer?" Second Master Yang sighed. By this point, he no longer held out any hope.

It was at that moment that Yang Chen, standing in the corner, raised his hand.

"Second Master, I think I understood something," Yang Chen said, neither pleased nor saddened.