Translator: Anubis Translations
Upon entering the Alchemy Hall, Gu Feng was immediately greeted by the fragrant aroma of medicinal herbs.
Scattered groups of disciples were gathered together, discussing terminology that Gu Feng couldn't comprehend. Some of them had faces smeared with soot, clearly the result of a recent failed alchemy attempt.
When they noticed Yan Xixi entering with a stranger, they merely showed a hint of surprise but didn't approach to inquire. It seemed they were accustomed to such occurrences.
"Do strangers often come in here?"
"Yes, disciples frequently find alchemy recipes outside and want us to craft the pills listed on them," Yan Xixi whispered in response.
"These are the areas where the elders usually give lectures." After passing a few classroom-like spaces, the temperature suddenly rose.
Yan Xixi seemed long accustomed to this, and Gu Feng didn't ask further, following her as she opened a stone door, revealing a descending staircase.
"Below is where we practice alchemy. There's a high-grade Spirit Flame there, which was..." Yan Xixi explained as she led the way.
After descending about several dozen meters, a large circular area appeared. The walls surrounding the area were lined with stone doors, and faint buzzing sounds could be heard emanating from some of them.
"The stone doors that make noise indicate someone is inside practicing alchemy. Don't go knocking on them, or if they ruin their pills, they'll blame it on you, and you'll inevitably have to compensate with Spirit Stones."
Seeing Gu Feng's cautious expression after her warning, Yan Xixi couldn't help but laugh:
"I'm kidding. Even if you bang on the stone door, those inside won't hear a thing. There are protective formations in place."
Yan Xixi found an unused alchemy room, pushed the door open, and closed the formation.
The alchemy room wasn't large, roughly the size of a room in Gu Feng's courtyard. In the center of the room stood a three-legged alchemy furnace, somewhat resembling the one used by the Taishang Laojun.
TL/N: Taishang Laojun (太上老君, Tàishàng Lǎojūn) is a Taoist deity, the deified form of Laozi, and one of the Three Pure Ones, the highest gods in Taoism. He is often depicted refining elixirs of immortality in a three-legged alchemy furnace, which your text references.
Beneath the furnace was a formation connected to the Spirit Flame, with faint flames licking the sides of the furnace. Yet, the temperature remained comfortable.
Gu Feng marveled at the ingenuity of the formation, which not only connected to the Spirit Flame but also isolated the heat. Otherwise, the alchemists would end up dried meat before they could even finish crafting their pills.
"I'm not very good at teaching. Why don't you tell me what kind of pill you're inclined to learn to craft?" Yan Xixi sat cross-legged in front of the furnace, speaking somewhat sheepishly.
"I want to craft something rare, highly profitable, and not too difficult," Gu Feng replied without hesitation.
"Do you think such a pill exists?" Yan Xixi asked with a strange expression.
"Probably not," Gu Feng rubbed his nose. "Why don't you explain the pills you know how to craft to me!"
"Alright!"
As Gu Feng listened, he took notes and occasionally inquired about the prices of various Spirit Herbs and the time required for crafting. He even pulled out a small abacus, clicking away as he calculated.
Yan Xixi found it amusing, knowing he was figuring out which pill would yield the highest profit, so she didn't interrupt.
One explained while the other calculated, and before they knew it, two hours had passed.
"So, have you decided which pill you want to craft?" Yan Xixi asked, resting her chin on her hands with a smile.
For some reason, she enjoyed watching Gu Feng, who was clearly wealthy yet still relentlessly pursued money.
"Bone Cleansing Pill. It offers the highest overall profit and is suitable for any cultivator in the Body Tempering Realm," Gu Feng said solemnly.
"Yes, Bone Cleansing Pills are in high demand, but they're also very difficult to craft. You might not be able to learn it," Yan Xixi frowned slightly.
Every disciple in the Outer Sect Alchemy Hall aspired to craft Bone Cleansing Pills, but only a few dozen could actually succeed.
Moreover, the yield wasn't high. Even working tirelessly for twelve hours a day, one could only craft two furnaces, with each furnace producing at most four or five pills.
Could Gu Feng succeed where many dedicated Alchemy Hall disciples had failed?
However, not wanting to dampen Gu Feng's enthusiasm, Yan Xixi didn't voice her doubts and simply smiled, saying, "Alright, I'll teach you!"
"I'm exceptionally talented. Just guide me directly in crafting it!" Each furnace took nearly five hours, and Gu Feng didn't have the patience to wait that long. He wanted to dive right in.
"Fine. Watching might not help you understand anyway, so you might as well get hands-on!"
Yan Xixi opened her Storage Pouch and took out dozens of Spirit Herbs, along with a small scale.
"One tael of Incense Candle Grass, three Azure Lotus Fruits, three taels of Mystic Ice Flower..."
Soon, she neatly arranged dozens of Spirit Herbs on a white cloth and placed them in front of Gu Feng.
"I've prepared all the necessary Spirit Herbs. We'll start crafting soon. I'll guide you, and you'll be responsible for adding the herbs and controlling the flame according to my instructions!"
"Got it. Seems simple enough!" Gu Feng was brimming with confidence. It was just a mechanical process. Practicing a couple of times would make it second nature. He couldn't understand why the Alchemy Hall disciples found it so difficult.
Sizzle—
A large flame burst out, turning the furnace in front of them red. The temperature in the alchemy room skyrocketed.
"Turn the flame down a bit!"
"Is this enough?"
"A little bigger!"
"How about now?"
"A tad smaller!"
"Oh, okay. Is this good now?"
"Maintain it for a while to let the furnace walls heat evenly!"
"..."
"Add the Incense Candle Grass!"
"Got it. Tossing it in—ouch! That's hot!"
"Let's start over. You threw half the Incense Candle Grass outside."
Looking at the Incense Candle Grass stuck to the outer wall of the furnace, Gu Feng's cheeks burned. The failure came too quickly. He had messed up at the very first step.
"Heh, maybe you should craft it first," Gu Feng scratched his head, embarrassed.
"It's fine. I wasn't much better my first time," Yan Xixi comforted him with a smile.
Buzz—
Yan Xixi's movements were graceful. Even the simple act of tossing Spirit Herbs was a sight to behold.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, Yan Xixi let out a soft cry: "Done!"
The Spirit Flame abruptly extinguished, and the small lid on top of the furnace burst open, along with a few pills.
Yan Xixi reacted swiftly, leaping up to catch the pills in her hand.
"How many did you craft?" Gu Feng eagerly leaned over, eyes gleaming.
"Five!" Yan Xixi smiled sweetly, inwardly relieved. She hadn't embarrassed herself in front of Gu Feng. Five pills matched her personal record for a single furnace of Bone Cleansing Pills.
"Impressive!" Gu Feng praised without hesitation, his eyes filled with admiration.
Yan Xixi's success filled him with boundless confidence.
Over the next few days, he mastered each step and began crafting on his own.
However, the results were disappointing. Despite his utmost care, furnace explosions were unavoidable.
"Alchemy is too hard!" Gu Feng's face was blackened as he lay on the ground, howling in frustration. He had never felt anything was as difficult as alchemy.
"Xixi, what exactly is alchemy talent?" After resting for a moment, Gu Feng couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know. Even the elders in the Alchemy Hall can't explain it clearly.
From what I understand, if you can craft pills successfully, that's talent! Does that make sense?" Yan Xixi tentatively asked.
"I think I understand, but I can't accept this harsh reality!"
Of course, Gu Feng understood. It was like encountering those prodigies during compulsory education. Even though they were in the same classroom, learning the same material, and spending the same amount of time, some would ace every test while he barely passed.
In short, talent is results-oriented.
If your cultivation progresses quickly and you master Martial Skills fast, you have talent. Otherwise, you don't.
"So, will you still learn alchemy?" Yan Xixi crouched beside Gu Feng, asking softly.
"Yes! For the sake of Spirit Stones, even without talent, I'll learn. I believe hard work will eventually pay off. Find me some alchemy-related books. I'll study, research, and craft simultaneously.
That Bone Cleansing Pill? It'll have to work, whether it wants to or not!"
In his bold declaration, Gu Feng didn't hear the faint, mocking laughter that echoed from deep beneath the ground.
Heh—
(End of the Chapter)
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