The Director's Gift

"This is the main point I want to make in this lecture." Xu Qi'an, well-versed in the essence of excerpts, paused deliberately here, smiling as he met the eager gazes of the white-robed Warlock.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced outside the door and saw Wei Yuan Wei Yuan staring at her, and then at the stunningly beautiful woman beside him.

Who is she? How could she be so beautiful? Xu Qi'an coughed and said, "Among all things, there exist some very subtle substances, which constitute the myriad worlds we see. These substances are connected and follow certain rules. To explain with the simplest example, a single pill requires a dozen or even dozens of medicinal herbs to refine, but the effects of each herb are clearly different."

"Why? Because some medicinal herbs have similar subtle material properties, allowing them to react and blend with each other. The same principle applies to refining metals."

Xu Qi'an tried his best to use simple and easy-to-understand language, avoiding chemical terms like "atoms," which would only increase the difficulty of understanding for the Alchemist.

The Warlock present had excitement in their eyes, because they were acutely aware of the value of this knowledge.

Not only them, but also the eldest princess and Wei Yuan outside, both of whom were highly talented and learned, were interested in the more profound and obscure the knowledge. They also realized that what Xu Qi'an was talking about was a very high-level secret technique in the field of Alchemy.

The princess and the chief eunuch, of noble birth, stood there, listening patiently.

Xu Qi'an continued, "That incomplete alchemy manual contains a Mnemonic for describing the similar properties of subtle substances. I call this Mnemonic: the Periodic Table."

In an instant, rapid breathing echoed in the hall, and the white-robed officials of the Bureau of Astronomy clenched their fists tightly, filled with excitement and elation.

"I understand, I understand!" Song Qing suddenly realized, and he stood up excitedly, staring at Xu Qi'an as if seeking confirmation:

"The reason my living Alchemy failed is because they have no similar characteristics. Yes, yes, how could a cat and a tree have similar characteristics? They are completely different things."

Your interpretation is somewhat reasonable! Xu Qi'an laughed, "Senior Brother Song truly lives up to his reputation as a genius in Alchemy, with outstanding comprehension abilities."

This is the truth!

Song Qing frowned. "Although I understand your reasoning, how can we verify the similarities between living things? Where exactly is the correct direction for living Alchemy?"

Good question. I've been waiting for this moment to straighten you out.

Xu Qi'an stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as straight as a pine tree, like a great Confucian scholar who had founded a school of thought. He said leisurely, "The direction of living Alchemy is the cell."

"Cells?" Song Qing was taken aback; it was yet another unfamiliar word she had never heard of before.

Yes, cells, but before that, you'll need to consider making a microscope or something. I don't really know much about it, and it's none of my business anyway. If it succeeds, it's because I taught you well; if it fails, it's because you're not smart enough.

Xu Qi'an took out a booklet from his pocket. "This is the second blue book I gave to the Bureau of Astronomy. It contains the Mnemonic for the periodic table, my personal annotations, and the correct direction for Senior Brother Song Qing's Living Alchemy. It's all in there."

Song Qing rushed over impatiently, snatched the booklet, and began to read it eagerly.

The very first sentence: A cell is the beginning of life!

"Ha, ha, ha ha ha."

As Song Qing read, she gripped the booklet tightly and burst into laughter.

What's written in the booklet? I really want to know, I really want to know, I really want to know! The more than forty white-robed Warlock stared intently at the booklet in Song Qing's hand, their hearts pounding like a cat.

Song Qing's smile faded, and his tone became calm. "As Xu Ningyan just said, the Realm of Living Things is too profound, and your cultivation level is not yet there. Once I, your senior brother, have fully comprehended it, I will naturally pass it on to you on behalf of our master."

This "master" does not refer to Xu Qi'an, but to the supervisor.

Everyone noticed that Song Qing's knuckles, gripping the booklet tightly, had turned slightly white.

His inner excitement was far greater than what he showed.

Chemistry encompasses many fields, such as electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and quantum chemistry.

Xu Qi'an himself only had a vague understanding and did not intend to continue explaining. He also didn't want to reveal all his knowledge at once, since they weren't like Fuxiang and didn't deserve his complete instruction.

Equivalent Exchange should be a gradual and sustainable practice.

Wow~

The white-robed Warlock rose, their movements perfectly synchronized, and bowed to Xu Qi'an: "Thank you for your instruction, Young Master Xu."

Outside the door, the eldest princess witnessed everything, her expression slightly dazed.

For Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy to treat a martial artist with the respect due to a disciple is probably an unprecedented event since the establishment of the Bureau of Astronomy.

Based on this alone, Xu Qi'an is enough to leave a brief mark on history books.

Song Qing let out a breath and patted Chu Caiwei's arm beside her. "Junior Sister, the Princess is looking for you."

Song Qing had already sensed Wei Yuan's arrival, and he was the only one with the highest cultivation level present.

But since they're here, Song Qing won't disrupt the class's rhythm just because the princess is of noble birth and Wei Yuan has immense power.

Because neither the princess's nobility and beauty, nor Wei Yuan's power, are worldly matters.

Upon hearing this, Chu Caiwei turned her head in surprise and indeed saw the stunningly beautiful princess.

Xu Qi'an strode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Duke Wei."

Wei Yuan smiled and gestured to the woman in the gorgeous dress beside him, "This is the Eldest Princess."

Upon closer inspection, Xu Qi'an was stunned by the stunning beauty of the princess. He clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your recommendation, Princess."

Li Yuchun had told him that he was able to become Nightwatchers because of the recommendation of the eldest princess.

Xu Qi'an could choose not to mention this matter, but if he did, it would give the Princess a good impression of being grateful and repaying kindness.

The eldest princess smiled and nodded, her voice melodious. "Alchemy manual?"

"It was when I was young that I was guided by a master who taught me a secret alchemy manual," Xu Qi'an replied. He then told the princess or Wei Yuan that if they asked to see it, he would say he had accidentally lost it, but that the contents were already memorized.

Using the same knowledge, he slept with the white-robed official of the Bureau of Astronomy, and then slept with the Eldest Princess and Wei Yuan for free.

To everyone's surprise, the eldest princess simply smiled and didn't ask any further questions.

Cijiu is right, this princess is quite something, at least she's a very smart woman. She's really beautiful, and has a great figure too. Xu Qi'an didn't look at her directly.

A beautiful woman, with a fragrant heart, gracefully walks into the east wing. Her eyebrows are like emerald feathers, her bright eyes radiate clear and melodious sounds, her voice as pure as white clouds, echoing in all directions. How wonderful is this virtuous and talented woman, a perfect match for Xu Qi'an.

After the lecture, Wei Yuan admired the young gong player even more and said, "Come with me to see the Supervisor."

Upon seeing the Supervisor, a peak-level Warlock, Xu Qi'an's breathing quickened uncontrollably.

The top floor of the Star-Plucking Tower is an open octagonal platform, pieced together from thick bluestone blocks.

Xu Qi'an followed Wei Yuan to the octagonal platform and saw the white-robed supervisor sitting at the table with his back to them.

With his white hair like frost and his white clothes as white as snow, the old man's back view seemed unremarkable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one would find that he was far away, out of reach and unattainable.

"You've come." An aged voice called out.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Xu Qi'an had a surreal feeling that "he was talking to me."

"I am coming."

Wei Yuan, his temples frosted with white, walked to the edge of the octagonal platform, his position exactly shoulder-width apart from the supervisor.

Xu Qi'an was no novice in officialdom, and he was taken aback by what he saw.

Wei Yuan brazenly stood shoulder to shoulder with the supervisor.

"It's been a long time since I've played chess, Your Excellency, would you mind playing a game with me, Wei?"

The supervisor didn't speak, but waved his hand.

A chessboard and two boxes of chess pieces appeared out of thin air on the table.

Wei Yuan laughed, flicked the hem of his blue robe, and sat down opposite the supervisor.

"Has Your Excellency the Supervisor been paying close attention to the human world lately?" Wei Yuan asked, making his move and smoothly initiating the conversation.

"I'm old and my eyesight is failing me; I can't see clearly anymore," the supervisor said, and then placed his piece.

The two remained silent for a long time, engrossed in their game of chess.

"The leader of the Earth Sect has fallen into demonic possession," Wei Yuan said.

"Things reach their extreme and then reverse; achieving immortality through merit is not that simple," the supervisor said.

"Wei has received information that remnants of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons are lurking in the capital."

They're all minor characters.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yuan nodded in relief.

After a while, Wei Yuan casually said, "If I remember correctly, the Human Sect moved to the capital nineteen years ago. Before that, His Majesty earnestly sought the path to immortality, but the Heaven, Earth, and Human Sects ignored him."

The supervisor remained silent.

"Recently, the remnants of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons have been active around the capital. In three days, it will be the day His Majesty holds the ancestral worship ceremony. The Supervisor must keep a close watch on the capital."

"The banditry in Yunzhou is getting worse, and His Majesty has no intention of suppressing them, which is worrying."

"What are your thoughts, Supervisor, on the Alchemist behind the tax silver scandal?"

The two players placed their pieces faster and faster, until they barely needed to think, until the black and white pieces covered the entire board.

draw.

The supervisor waved his hand, making the chessboard disappear, and raised his deeply lined, aged face to gaze at Wei Yuan:

"Back when you Martial Dao, I predicted that a second-rank expert would emerge from the Great Feng, but you ultimately crippled your own cultivation."

"It's pointless." Wei Yuan shook his head.

Why not follow the Confucian Dao?

"It's boring to hang out with the scholars at the Cloud Deer Academy."

"Twenty-five years ago, I asked you if you would like to become my disciple."

"Wei is a heartless Warlock."

The supervisor was silent for a moment, then said, "Absolutely brilliant! Young friend, you've been instructing my students for me, so I'd like to present you with a gift in return."