Alchemy Comprehension

Yang Chen returned to his room and began to sort out his thoughts.

Yang Caidie was not his biological sister, but rather someone his parents had taken in. To put it plainly, they had no blood relation. As for who Yang Caidie was an orphan of, no one knew.

As for Yang Chen's parents, in his memories, Yang Chen couldn't even recall their faces. He only knew that his parents had left for the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans when they were very young and went to the prosperous North Mountain County to make a living.

They had been gone for over ten years without returning, and no one knew if they were alive or dead. Instead, they had left him and Yang Caidie, two children, to fend for themselves, placing them in a very awkward position within the Yang Family.

As the saying goes, a child without a mother is like a blade of grass…

If not for Yang Caidie's astonishing talent, showing a sense of responsibility and skill at a young age that was not inferior to the men of the Yang Family, Yang Chen would likely have been expelled from the family registry long ago.

However, even so, if it were the old Yang Chen, he would have met the same fate of expulsion from the family registry in three months.

Why say that?

In three months, it would be the Yang Family's 'Coming-of-Age Ceremony.'

This was a clan gathering that every young disciple of the Yang Family had to undergo, a test for the young members of the Yang Family. Only by passing this gathering would they be truly recognized by the Yang Family. Six months ago, the Yang Family had issued a new regulation: if the young generation of the Yang Family failed to demonstrate the strength of Body Refinement First Level at the 'Coming-of-Age Ceremony,' they would be directly stripped of their family registry.

Being stripped of one's family registry, simply put, meant banishment. They would be gradually marginalized by the Yang Family, and no one would care whether they lived or died.

Yang Caidie was also aware of this matter. However, Yang Caidie maintained a completely carefree attitude. With her protecting her younger brother, even if Yang Chen were expelled from the family registry, she would still support him.

But Yang Chen didn't want to be so pathetic as to be expelled from the family registry at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

"Body Refinement First Level…" Yang Chen murmured, "I'll set that as my goal for now. Otherwise, if I'm expelled from the family registry at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I won't have any resources, and that would be much more troublesome."

His mind gradually formed a plan.

In his previous life, his greatest strength was in discovering a person's talent and using alchemy and various rare treasures to cultivate someone with the potential for martial arts into an outstanding genius. For him, the current awkward position of this Yang Chen within the Yang Family and the rumors of his lack of talent, while they could cause some obstacles, were ultimately not a big deal.

However, the most troublesome issue now was the lack of resources. His position in the Yang Family was too awkward, and he had no resources at all.

He had all the knowledge in the world, but his pockets were empty, and he was as poor as could be.

Fortunately, he already had a clear plan in mind, and he muttered, "The most outstanding alchemist in the Yang Family is the second-ranked among the seven elders of the Yang Family, known as Second Master Yang. This person is the Yang Family's master alchemist, and today is his lecture day. It is said that if you can satisfy him, you will receive many rewards."

Yang Chen was very keen on this 'reward,' and as soon as he thought of it, he immediately set off.

"Young master, are you going out?"

In Yang Chen's courtyard, a sweeping servant smiled obsequiously.

Yang Chen glanced at the middle-aged servant and nodded, but he didn't have much affection for him. This servant was named Zhou Huaiyi and was responsible for cleaning up miscellaneous items in the Yang Family courtyard. He was in his thirties and was respectful to everyone. However, since being betrayed by Hua Wanru, Yang Xian had become even more discerning in his ability to observe people.

Zhou Huaiyi's eyes were filled with a slick rebelliousness. While he appeared respectful, no one knew what he was truly thinking.

But Zhou Huaiyi was just a servant, so Yang Chen didn't pay him much mind. He nodded lightly, said nothing more, tidied up his clothes, and headed for Second Master Yang's place.

Second Master Yang was the most talented alchemist in the Yang Family. It was said that at his age, he had already reached the intermediate level of a Second-Rank Alchemist, making him the Yang Family's foremost alchemist. He was also a renowned alchemist among the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans.

This person possessed the Yang Family's only Alchemy Room, which was what Yang Chen cared about the most.

"In alchemy, the most important thing is the heat control, followed by the conditioning. The control and understanding of both determine the quality and quantity of the final pill," Second Master Yang said, sitting at the head of the Alchemy Room, stroking his white beard, and lecturing the alchemical disciples of the Yang Family below.

At this moment, a sudden commotion arose, which made Second Master Yang frown. The source of the commotion was merely a young Yang Family disciple who had suddenly appeared in the classroom.

This Yang Family disciple was Yang Chen, who had rushed over from outside.

"Yang Chen, didn't you hang yourself and commit suicide? How are you still able to come and listen to Second Master's lecture?" one of the youths sneered, not hiding his disdain for Yang Chen in the slightest.

Yang Chen was a character that many of his fellow youths in the Yang Family mocked and toyed with. Ultimately, it was because Yang Chen was too pathetic.

With someone taking the lead, waves of laughter followed. The next moment, someone even laughed loudly, "Yang Chen, you gambled with the Wang Family and lost your underpants. You failed to refine a single pill from three sets of alchemical materials. If I were you, I'd just hang myself. Coming to listen to Second Grandfather's lecture is simply an insult to Second Grandfather! You've disgraced the Yang Family, so don't come and disgrace Second Master as well."

Yang Heng, who had gambled with Yang Chen that morning, was also present. Seeing Yang Chen arrive, he was even more incensed.

He didn't know how Yang Chen had managed to refine four Return Bone Pills by chance, only believing that Yang Chen had some skill with the Return Bone Pill. Seeing Yang Chen arrive now, he didn't hesitate to mock him: "Yang Chen, when Second Grandfather lectures, we who listen should arrive on time. You barge in halfway through; do you have any respect for Second Grandfather?"

Second Master Yang didn't have a good impression of Yang Chen either. He was also aware of how Yang Chen had lost to the Wang Family and disgraced the reputation of the Yang Family alchemists. However, as an elder of the Yang Family, seeing his students causing such a commotion, he grunted, "You are all fooling around like this; what kind of conduct is this? Do you still have any respect for me, your Second Grandfather?"

Upon hearing Second Master Yang's words, these Yang Family disciples dared not act rashly and all said, "Second Grandfather, we know we were wrong."

Second Master Yang looked stern but did not help Yang Chen out of his predicament. He didn't even glance at Yang Chen and said directly, "Yang Chen, I started my lecture an hour ago. You are interrupting halfway through; do you have any respect for me, your Second Grandfather? Now, you will stand in the corner and listen to the lecture."

"Yes, Second Grandfather." Yang Chen knew the rules and had no complaints. He certainly wouldn't say anything to humiliate himself, so he simply stood in the corner.

Seeing Yang Chen in such a pathetic state, Yang Heng sneered repeatedly, feeling much more satisfied.

Many youths who mocked Yang Chen, seeing Yang Chen like this, winked and showed off to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen wouldn't bother with these Yang Family disciples. He clasped his hands behind his back, his expression serious and meticulous.

This made Second Master Yang somewhat surprised, because this Yang Chen used to dare to sleep in class when listening to his lectures. Unexpectedly, Yang Chen was now spirited and appeared ready to listen attentively.

Second Master Yang was filled with doubt but did not stop what he was doing. He said slowly, "I have said what needs to be said. Alright. Next, I will refine a batch of First-Rank pills in front of you. This pill is called the Clear Fire Pill, and it is a high-level pill that is very difficult to refine among First-Rank pills. If you can successfully refine this pill, you will have the skill level of a First-Rank High-Level Alchemist."

"Now, I will begin refining the pill. How much you can learn from my technique depends entirely on your own fortune."

After Second Master Yang finished speaking, all the Yang Family disciples held their breath and carefully observed Second Master Yang's pill refining.

Yang Chen was also observing. Of course, while he was observing, he wasn't planning to learn. Second Master Yang's pill refining skills were indeed legendary within the Yang Family, inspiring awe. However, in his heart, he was still considered an amateur. He observed Second Master Yang refining pills with other thoughts in mind.

What surprised him was that Second Master Yang was much better than Yang Heng's half-baked pill refining techniques. His skills were proficient, and he had already grasped many of the principles of alchemy.

"This Second Master Yang knows to put the materials in first and then control the fire. It seems he knows some alchemical details," Yang Chen thought to himself.

Second Master Yang was meticulous during his alchemy, and after about half an hour, a fragrance suddenly wafted from the alchemy furnace. Immediately after, Second Master Yang clapped his hand towards the furnace, and with a bang, two perfectly round and smooth pills leaped out of the furnace and landed in his hand.

A smile spread across Second Master Yang's aged face; he was clearly very satisfied with the results of his alchemy. Holding the two pills, his gaze swept over the onlookers.

Witnessing Second Master Yang's god-like alchemy skills, the Yang family disciples were filled with envy. However, as they saw his gaze now, their expressions suddenly turned solemn.

Second Master Yang stood up, hands behind his back. "Speak up. I deliberately slowed down my methods, steps, and process during this alchemy. The purpose was for all of you to learn from it. Who among you can tell me how much you've grasped from my alchemy process this time?"

Silence fell after his words.

This caused Second Master Yang's expression to gradually darken.

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

Second Master Yang's eyes lit up slightly. "Yang Heng, what have you grasped? Tell us."

"Second Master, I observed your alchemy technique. You threw in the materials first, then used the fire-controlling wood to start the fire. This is different from the previous method our teacher taught us, where we used fire first and then prepared the materials. I suspect that for refining this Clear Fire Pill, this step is the most crucial aspect," Yang Heng said with full confidence.

Second Master Yang narrowed his eyes and sighed, "You've only seen the surface, but you haven't grasped the true essence. Sit down."

His words were quite tactful.

Because Yang Heng's answer was clearly a shot in the dark, as if a blind cat had stumbled upon a dead mouse. He hadn't grasped even a sliver of the true meaning.

He had originally thought that by refining a First-Rank High-Level pill here today and teaching on the spot, he would discover a few alchemy prodigies before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. He hadn't expected the result to be like this. Even Yang Heng, the most promising alchemy prodigy, could only offer such an answer.

"Does anyone else have anything they've grasped from my refining process just now?" Second Master Yang asked with a stern expression.

"Second Master, I..."

Following that, a few more Yang family disciples, trying their luck, wanted to answer. After all, gaining Second Master Yang's favor was undoubtedly a blessing for the younger generation of the Yang family. Everyone knew that Second Master Yang had no descendants; his life's work was entirely dedicated to alchemy and the protection of the Yang family.

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

However, the answers from these youths did not bring any joy to Second Master Yang. Instead, they made the old man's face darken, even showing signs of anger.

"Your answers have greatly disappointed this old man. Do you truly think I'm so easily fooled, trying your luck like this? Alright, is there anyone else willing to answer?" Second Master Yang sighed. By this point, he no longer held any hope.

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

"Second Master, I think I might have grasped something," Yang Chen said, neither happy nor sad.