《Cultivating Chai》 1: Xiao Feng, The Cultivator 1: Xiao Feng awoke with bleary eyes. It took him a moment to register that he was lying down, another to determine that it was soft and comfortable and a third to conclude that he was nestled on a bed. Every inch of his body hurt, from his arms and legs to his mouth and ears. Which was why, he supposed, he was bound in medicinal bandages from head to toe, leaving only his nose and eyes uncovered. Xiao Feng wanted to scream out for help, to call another and inform them of the terrible mistake that had just occurred. ¡®A cultivator does not lose composure in public,¡¯ A voice rattled the insides of his skull, obnoxiously loud and forcefully dominant in tone. I¡¯m not a cultivator, damn you! He protested within the confines of his mind. Like I¡¯ve been trying to explain to you for the past god-forsaken hour, I¡¯m a normal college kid from a¡­ well, a world that is not this one. A student, a scholar, whatever term you prefer¡ª look man, just let me be, alright. I¡¯m not cut out for this flying swords and fighting demons business. ¡®You are in control of my body. I am but a shard of my foundation soul, latched onto yours in a desperate attempt to conserve what remained of myself. I can no longer control my body, thus you must become Xiao Feng,¡¯ The voice explained. Well then, mighty cultivator. Explain to me how¡ª and why I¡¯m in your body. The last thing I remember is leaving my dorm room to grab a cup of overpriced chai because I ran out of tea leaves¡­.oh. Perhaps unaccustomed to his silence, Xiao Feng decided to ask out of concern, ¡®Did you remember something?¡¯ A minute passed by without response. Finally, he answered, I was crossing the road. Admittedly, I wasn¡¯t all there. College is stressful, you know? I had an exam day after and it was a subject I¡¯m particularly bad at, so I hadn¡¯t been sleeping too well. Now, you¡¯re probably curious why I went out to get chai when I was dead tired, but you¡¯ve gotta understand man¡ª it¡¯s my Nectar, drink of the gods. I can¡¯t function without it. Flummoxed by the answer, Xiao Feng asked, ¡®Is that knowledge supposed to be important?¡¯ Well, the important bit comes after. See man, I might not have been paying complete attention while I was crossing the road. And the last things I remember? A loud, blaring horn, the screech of heavy tires and a loud horn screaming in my ears¡­. Damn, the evidence really is stacked against me, eh? ¡®What does that mean?¡¯ Xiao Feng asked, not understanding. It means I died, Xiao Feng. You did too, maybe at the same time? Anyway, some voodoo shit happened and now I¡¯m here, in your body. Dead, but not quite. ¡®Your soul possesses the strength of a Second Layer, Foundation Establishment cultivator. Whatever you may be, dead is not one of those things,¡¯ Xiao Feng explained. ¡®Oh and before you try to tell the sect that you are not Xiao Feng again, consider that they will brand you a demon and torture your mind, body and soul until you reveal secrets that you do not possess¡¯. Torture? Jeez man, that¡¯s a bit uncalled for, isn¡¯t it, He asked, his question a more rhetorical one. He had seen, no, forced to sit through the entirety of Xiao Feng¡¯s memories even before he understood what was happening. He had been a regular American before however long the coma he¡¯d been in had lasted, a broke college student with six figure debt to his name and a major that would make repaying it an uphill task. Oh, with a penchant for taking care of stray kittens and basically functioning on Chai. Not the heretical stuff like Chai Tea Latte, mind you. Which basically translated to Tea-Tea Latte, making about as much sense as him being another world after crossing the road without paying as much attention as he should have. No, he was talking about the real deal, from the Masala Tea that sent an electrifying kick to the brain to the sophisticated flavour of the oft pricey darjeeling tea that left a pleasant, floral aftertaste. Ironically enough, he hated green tea and found matcha tea boring at best. And the same held true for Xiao Feng, who knew more about him than he was honestly comfortable with. ¡®No, it is not. You would basically be admitting to possessing me, a hero of the Frontier Sect and destroying most of my soul in the process. We do not take kindly to demons possessing our cultivators, you see? And one capable of such a feat is a danger to our very existence on the frontier.¡¯ But I¡¯m not a demon, He replied after a few moments spent contemplating. ¡®You are not, but it took me long enough to wrap my head around the fact that you come from another world. Good luck trying to explain it to another.¡¯ Wait, wait, wait a moment. Why can you understand what I¡¯m saying, to begin with? He asked, not having realised the language barrier should have made communicating impossible. ¡®I told you already. Most of my soul was destroyed in the battle for the Zheyan Pass. The fragment that remained latched onto your soul for sustenance. Even as we speak, your soul is slowly consuming what remains of mine and our memories and emotions have already intermingled. Soon, you will consume all of me.¡¯ Silence stretched on for minutes as he took in that information. Is there any way to stop it? He asked, his thoughts a mess as he considered the true nature of the phenomenon that was transpiring. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Boisterous laughter filled his mind. ¡®I would tell you not to worry, for my soul is too damaged to seek dominion over yours. However, that is not your concern, is it? You wish to ask if there is a way to save me. Would you still be asking that question if it implied the reverse would need to take place?¡¯ Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding greatly amused within the confines of his mind. I didn¡¯t ask for any of this, He replied, unsure how else to respond. ¡®Do you remember how I, Xiao Feng, died?¡¯ I do, He replied after a pause, as memories that did not belong to him flooded his mind. Chaos surrounded him. The acrid scent of blood and ember filled the air. The cacophony of screams punctuating the air would have left him paralyzed by fear, but Xiao Feng on the other hand, moved. He moved with an unnatural swiftness, empowered by the Wind Qi he was cycling throughout his body. He was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in a battlefield where Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators existed, yet he strode forward unfettered. His scimitar shot forward with a lacerating wind edge, bisecting one demonic path cultivator after the next that dared challenge him in combat. The Demons that slyly tried to flank him fell prey to the dagger he concealed along the length of his forearm. He wasn¡¯t sure if Xiao Feng was the good guy he claimed to be as he saw the man fight like, devastating the enemies rank in his wake. Even cultivators two or three layers higher than him in the Foundation Establishment stage fell prey to his vicious charge deep into enemy ranks, unaccompanied by any of his fellow sect members. It was not loyalty to the sect that directed Xiao Feng¡¯s charge. It was hatred for the Demonic Path Cultivators. They had taken from him that which mattered to him most. For that, they would pay. They would die. For years he had been waiting for the Frontier Sect to carry out the task they had been founded for. For years he had been waiting for the Demonic Path to invade the lands they were sworn to protect, so he could finally wet his blade with the blood of those that had robbed him of everything. Xiao Feng knew where that path led. So he was not surprised when retribution came, after he slayed a man that still possessed youthful exuberance, his impressive cultivation already at the fifth layer, foundation establishment stage. An arrow devoid of sound pierced his back. It had come without warning, all his detection methods and even raw instincts failing him. The Sound Qi contained within the arrow erupted outwards, shattering his soul as quickly as Xiao Feng had killed the cultivators that had stood in his way. There was no time for contemplation, no time for goodbyes or poetically waxing last words¡­ only silence. ¡®It is nothing short of a miracle that I am still here, that I still exist. My, Xiao Feng¡¯s story ended in the battle for Zheyan Pass. There is no means or methods that can heal my soul besides demonic ones and that is the evil I have dedicated my life to fighting. I, Xiao Feng, do not regret the way I lived my life and neither shall I try to cheat death with what little remains of me.¡¯ I¡­.see, He acknowledged with a bitter expression. Why do you want me to live like Xiao Feng, then? You know I can¡¯t fight, right? And I sure as hell can¡¯t fight like you. I¡¯ll just be a shitty copy that gets other people on my side killed. ¡®I don¡¯t intend for you to follow my path. But I had to warn you, lest you get yourself killed shortly after waking up. Try to act like me, if only for a little while. Now sleep, your wounds are not yet healed.¡¯ My wounds? No I¡¯m fi¡­ne.. Before he could protest any further, he felt slumber take hold of him¡ª not noticing the warning in Xiao Feng¡¯s words until the very end.
When he awoke again, Xiao Feng was gone. No, that wasn¡¯t right. He had become Xiao Feng. He had to, if he wanted to survive in the Frontier Sect. And it was true, in a way. A part of Xiao Feng lived on through him, even now. Another thing that was gone was the pain. He still felt weak, but he was frail no longer. Mustering the strength in his arms, he forced himself to get back up to a seating position. ¡°Master!¡± A startled voice sounded out in his ears. ¡°Xiao Feng is awake!¡± The declared, her tone carrying a trace of awe if he was reading the unfamiliar language right. That¡¯s right. I¡¯m Xiao Feng now, I need to remember that, He thought, reminding himself. Slowly but surely, he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw in his swimming vision was a blurry figure clad in light purple robes. He fought his instincts to close his eyes at the influx of light flooding his vision, allowing a few moments to pass as his vision cleared. He saw a young woman with smooth black hair tied back into a ceremonial bun, a purple short-sleeved hanfu that seemed to prefer practicality over style. Her stunning silver eyes gazed into his own with concern, though there seemed to be no attachment within them. A second later the eye contact they shared was shattered, as another figure stepped in between them. His tall, imposing presence forced his¡ª no, forced Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze towards his visage, taking in his steely expression, chiselled jawline and the unflattering, jagged scar that stretched from below his right eye down to his chin. The man had lived for over a century, yet in his eyes he appeared not to be a day over thirty, with his straight silver hair cut short, He, Xiao Feng, knew this man. ¡°Elder Haoyun,¡± He spoke out loud, his voice a dry rasp. ¡°Xiao Feng,¡± The man, Elder Haoyun Liu of the Frontier Sect, a veritable middle-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator who was entire stages above him, acknowledged. He moved, his motions a blur. Before he had even recognized it, the man was supporting him, his gentle palm making sure that he would not fall backwards. ¡°The healers told me you would require months yet before you regained consciousness. And even then, there was no guarantee. How do you feel?¡± He asked and Xiao Feng could tell¡ª the concern in the man¡¯s voice was genuine. ¡°I¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, his thoughts veering towards places it could not be allowed to go as he remembered that he was very much not Xiao Feng and the real Xiao Feng had already passed away. ¡°I think I am fine.¡± Enthusiastic whispers and awed gasps sounded out behind the Elder, but Xiao Feng¡¯s attention was too focused on the man before him to pay them anything beyond the slightest flicker of attention. He watched but did not resist as the elder placed a firm palm on his chest, his expression focused as he closed his eyes. A few moments later, he opened them. There was surprise reflected in his gaze, but Xiao Feng could sense no alarm. ¡°Your soul has¡­.,¡± Elder Haoyun trailed off, his lower lip quivering from what seemed like disbelief. ¡°... completely recovered.¡± Even the observing crowd of cultivators fell silent at that revelation. ¡°When we found you, it was uncertain if you would survive. The final cultivator you killed was the son of an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator and his retaliation was as swift as it was unexpected. The Healer that first examined you administered a concoction of the Lingxi root, however he believed that the chances of you recovering were less than a single percent. Xiao Feng, do you truly remember who I am?¡± Elder Haoyun asked, his expression tense as he seemed to want to gaze into the depths of his soul. ¡°You are the Elder,¡± Xiao Feng rasped, requiring a moment to catch his breath. ¡°Responsible for the Inner Sect. I am Xiao Feng, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the second layer. It is the healing hall where I currently am, is it not?¡± He rhetorically asked, his tone calm. ¡°It¡¯s a miracle,¡± A distinctly feminine voice whispered under her breath from afar, likely one of the unseen spectators he had heard before. ¡°Xiao Feng, do you wish to know what became of the Nascent Soul that attacked you?¡± Elder Haoyun asked him, his tone sombre. ¡°Yes,¡± He answered reflexively. It was not a question of want for him, but need instead. He needed to know what the result of Xiao Feng¡¯s charge deep into the enemy¡¯s ranks was, if only to honour his unexpected benefactor¡ª and his memories that lived within and through him. ¡°That brief moment of distraction you forced the Nascent Soul into, as he was enraged by the death of his son, allowed Elder Zheng to slay him in battle. He has already declared publicly that if it were not for you offering him that distraction, it was more than likely that the conclusion would have been the opposite. You, Xiao Feng, were the primary reason behind a Demonic Path Nascent Soul¡¯s death,¡± Elder Haoyun declared with aplomb, shocking Xiao Feng as he called upon the memories he had received and understood the staggering importance of the achievement. ¡°Hero of the Zheyan Pass!¡± One cultivator boisterously declared from near the back of the room. Another call followed, repeating the same phrase. Soon, a chant had begun, comprising at least ten different voices. ¡°Silence!¡± Elder Haoyun barked out the command, his right hand raised in the air signalling for the cultivators to halt. His order was obeyed without resistance and silence filled the Healing Hall. ¡°Xiao Feng, their words are not incorrect. The honourable service you have rendered to our Frontier Sect is not something that can be measured in rewards of treasure and techniques alone. Tell me what you desire as a reward and for the face you have earned for me, I will make sure to obtain it for you. Elder Zheng too, owes you a great debt¡ª he will make sure you get your heart¡¯s desire¡±. ¡°Are you sure, Elder Haoyun?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding audibly hesitant. ¡°As long as it is with mine and Elder Zheng¡¯s ability to grant,¡± Elder Haoyun confirmed. ¡°Very well, Elder Haoyun. Then I would like to officially¡­.,¡± ¡°....Quit.¡± 2: The Alchemy Division ¡°Xiao Feng,¡± Elder Haoyun spoke, his tone sombre. ¡°Can you repeat what you just said?¡± He asked, even though the perceptions of a cultivator would not allow him to mishear in most circumstances. ¡°Elder Haoyun, I wish to quit the Martial Division of the Frontier Sect,¡± Xiao Feng repeated, his visage seeming unperturbed. He knew, of course, who he was addressing. He was well aware of the fact that the Nascent Soul Elder standing before him could survive an RPG or it¡¯s equivalent at point-blank range. Well, not just survive¡ª he was pretty sure that Elder Haoyun would come out unscathed. However, it had only been what¡­ a day? A week? He didn¡¯t know how long he had been unconscious for after that interaction with Xiao Feng, but it clearly hadn¡¯t been too long since he had assumed the role. The respect and reverence the original Xiao Feng¡¯s soul held towards Elder Haoyun did not carry over to him. The memories he could recall were just that¡ªmemories, lacking the accompanying emotion the original Xiao Feng would¡¯ve felt towards the Elder. Xiao Feng was a hero. Elder Haoyun could be offended by his words all he wanted, yet it would be unwise for him to deny the request of one responsible for saving another Nascent Soul¡¯s life. War heroes were important to the morale of any army, whether it be back on Earth or in the unfamiliar land he found himself in. After Elder Haoyun had publicly acknowledged him as one before a captive audience, he would more than likely capitulate to his demands. He would certainly not force him to stay in the Martial Division if he did not wish to be there. The surprised gasps and whispered chatters were no longer something Elder Haoyun could ignore, it seemed, as the blood rushed to his face before he commanded, ¡°Clear the room, all besides the injured. Now.¡± The sharp emphasis on the last word signalled to his audience that his directive was not made in jest. That was enough for them to all but flee the Healing Hall, allowing him only glimpses at their robes, leaving behind Xiao Feng, the other injured cultivators and Elder Haoyun. Then, to Xiao Feng¡¯s surprise, Elder Haoyun exhaled a long, weary sigh. ¡°I suppose I cannot blame you,¡± He muttered wistfully, shaking his head. ¡°While your actions have made you a hero in the eyes of the Frontier Sect, the rare few who possessed the wherewithal to observe your charge mid-battle described it as ...madness. Sheer madness. What were you thinking, Xiao Feng?¡± ¡°I wanted revenge,¡± He growled out as a wrathful impulse hijacked his body for a few brief moments. ¡°I wanted revenge,¡± He repeated again, this time willingly in a far softer tone. ¡°And now you have informed me that my actions have led to the death of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. In the crucible of life and death that is cultivation, such an accomplishment is truthfully beyond what I expected. Since I will never know the names of the perpetrators that cost me so much, took away so much from me, this¡­ it is enough. Now, Elder Haoyun, it is time I start living my life for myself,¡± Xiao Feng softly declared, his expression melancholic. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. The silence stretched on from moment to moment as Elder Haoyun contemplated his words. ¡°You wish to leave the sect, then?¡± Elder Haoyun asked, his tone resigned. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied calmly. ¡°No? Elder Haoyun questioned, not following his intentions. ¡°No, Elder Haoyun. I do not wish to leave the sect. Instead, I request a transfer to the Frontier Sect¡¯s Alchemy Division.¡± ¡°The Alchemy Division? What in the world do you intend to do there?¡± Elder Haoyun asked, his tone conveying his bafflement. ¡°I will develop my own tea, Elder Haoyun,¡± Xiao Feng calmly stated. ¡°Tea?¡± Elder Haoyun asked, his tone sounding even more baffled. ¡°The mortal drink¡ªtea? Crushed leaves steeped into water to stave away hunger during poor harvests. Why in the world would you want to make tea?¡± Elder Haoyun questioned. ¡°Not any tea, Elder Haoyun,¡± Xiao Feng corrected. ¡°I will research alchemy to develop medicinal tea that can be beneficial to cultivators. To that end, I request a small shop within the premises of the Frontier Sect.¡± ¡°A shop¡­ A simple shop pales in comparison to the rewards you could ask of me¡ª from cultivation techniques reserved for the core disciples to pills that would greatly increase your chances at reaching the Core Formation stage. Are you still sure that a shop is all you want?¡± Elder Haoyun asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I will sell the blends of medicinal tea that I refine through the shop,¡± Xiao Feng explained. Once again, there was silence. ¡°They say that cultivators who are pushed to the brink of life and death gain epiphanies. Though I have come close, it pales in comparison to you, Xiao Feng. You who survived the blow of a cultivator two whole stages above you¡­ I suppose it would be remiss of me to deny you what you seek, even if I cannot yet understand it. Very well, I will accept your resignation once you have recovered completely,¡± Elder Haoyun declared before witnesses. ¡°Thank you, Elder Haoyun. While I may not be a part of the Martial Division for much longer, I shall never forget the kindness that has been imparted to me by all of you,¡± He said, actually meaning every word. It had been a dream of his back on his real home, Earth, to open a tea room of his own once he had saved up enough money. As a broke college kid, he was about as far from making his business idea a reality as one could be, but if he was going to be given a second chance¡­. ¡°Go with pride, Xiao Feng. I do not understand what you hope to accomplish in the Alchemy Division, but that is no reason to stop you. You have done more for the sect than what most core disciples and even Sect Guardians do for it across their lifetimes. The least we can do in return is to give you the freedom to pursue what you wish to.¡± The words that needed to be said had been exchanged. Although Xiao Feng was still bed-ridden, that did not stop him from bowing as low as he could. Elder Haoyun, an esteemed Nascent Soul cultivator of the Frontier Sect, bowed to him in return¡ª granting him great face. ¡°I will see to it that you are not troubled in the Alchemy Division,¡± Elder Haoyun offered as his parting words, before he stepped outside the Healing Hall. 3: War Hero It took another five days before Xiao Feng was discharged. During those five days, there was little else for him to do other than rest and recuperate. Unfortunately for him, there were no smartphones to be found in the realm of Sephari, continent of Tian. Of course, Xiao Feng could ask one of the healers to bring him a book, but that was a trap he was wisely avoiding. He had only inherited a portion of Xiao Feng¡¯s memories, as most of his soul was destroyed by the Nascent Soul cultivator¡¯s attack. He had a decent idea of the core memories that Xiao Feng had held close to his heart and soul, like the names and personalities of important individuals like Elder Haoyun and his cultivation techniques and martial forms. However, as for Xiao Feng¡¯s reading tastes or faux pas in cultivator society when it came to asking for reading material, he had no idea whatsoever. The Martial Division was where Xiao Feng had spent the most of his time, known the most people and of course, gained the most strength. That was why he could not linger within these halls for any longer than absolutely necessary. Thankfully, Xiao Feng had no spouse that would be looking for him, otherwise he would not be anywhere near as relaxed as he was. There were two women that had hinted their interest in Xiao Feng, but the cultivator with the sole desire to refine himself into the sharpest blade had neither the interest nor the patience for such matters. He had to stay away from those two and eventually planned to distance himself from almost everyone Xiao Feng spoke to from the Martial District, besides the Elder. The consequences of having his identity exposed as an unintended body hijacker would mean being condemned to tortures better left unnamed. Still, that wasn¡¯t the reason why he didn¡¯t want to associate himself with Xiao Feng¡¯s colleagues. He just thought that it would be scummy, to call upon the relationships of a dead man and rekindle them for his own gain. The sound of approaching footsteps roused him from his reverie, as Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze shifted to the new arrival. Cultivator Fen Xu of the Healing Hall strode into his field of view with a slight smile on her face, one that seemed to grow larger as she turned her gaze to face him. ¡°Xiao Feng,¡± She addressed him with a gentle tone, her gaze looking into his own. ¡°Yes?¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°May I proceed with the check-up?¡± She asked as she had many times before, her mood seeming up-beat as she did so. ¡°Naturally,¡± Xiao Feng replied without missing a beat. Fen Xu nodded and strode forward, until she was standing behind Xiao Feng¡¯s seated figure. She placed a palm on his back and he felt a tingling sensation run across his body, stopping only after it reached a little below his navel. She retracted her palm gingerly, walking over to face him before speaking, ¡°Though it really is hard to believe after you got struck down by a Nascent Soul, the damage to your dantian has healed and your Foundation Soul has recovered completely. I see no reason to keep you in the Healing Hall any longer,¡± Fen Xu declared, a pleased smile on her face as she looked him up and down one final time. ¡°Does that mean I can leave?¡± Xiao Feng asked, having expected the outcome but still finding himself surprised when the moment arrived. ¡°Are you in a hurry to?¡± Fen Xu asked, her tone more curious than anything else. ¡°I know it¡¯s not really my place to say so, but I have been hearing too many whispers to ignore. Your fellow Inner Sect disciples seem quite lost at your decision to leave the Martial Division, especially since many of them seem to look up to you after what you accomplished on the battlefield.¡± A few uncomfortable moments passed by them as Xiao Feng did not respond. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it was not my place to say¡ª,¡± Fen Xu began to apologise, even though her status as a healer would normally place her above the ranks of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Xiao Feng, only to be cut off by him. ¡°Cultivator Fen Xu,¡± Xiao Feng began, his tone ponderous. ¡°Forgive me if I am overstepping, but if you are comfortable, can I know if you have ever lost family to the demons?¡± He asked, not alluding to the foul creatures from Earth¡¯s mythology but rather cultivators who had strayed from the righteous path, delving into forbidden methods to increase their strength like blood sacrifice and soul tampering. Fen Xu gulped as she finally remembered who she had been so casually addressing, a war hero capable of slaying cultivators many layers above him in the midst of a chaotic battlefield. She nodded twice, hoping she had not offended Xiao Feng too much. ¡°I have too,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone soft and understanding. ¡°They call me a war hero, Cultivator Fen Xu, but I am no hero,¡± He explained softly as he began to throw his sect hanfu over his bandaged arms and back. ¡°I did what I did for revenge,¡± Xiao Feng continued, as he rolled outwards the bandages that had been covering his face before discarding them. He got back up on his feet, reaching for a cloth belt that had been placed on a small side-table next to his bed and looped it around his waist before tying a knot near the centre. As he passed by Cultivator Fen Xu, he offered her a few more words out of the gratitude he felt for her treatment, ¡°But that did not bring them back, did it?¡± No, it had not. All it had accomplished was the death of the real Xiao Feng, who could have grown into a tremendous asset for the Frontier Sect if what he knew about him was even vaguely correct. He strode out of the healing hall with a wide stride, exchanging no more words with Cultivator Fen Xu, heading towards freedom. 4: Rewards 4: Xiao Feng had not expected the reception that had been prepared for him as he stepped into the Healing Division¡¯s main foyer. Not in his wildest dreams would even the real Xiao Feng expect twenty of the most talented Inner Disciples to form a honour guard facing each other for him to walk through, at the end of which stood the ever-stoic Elder Haoyun. ¡°Xiao Feng, approach,¡± Elder Haoyun commanded, leaving him with no real option but to comply. He walked forward gingerly, making sure his expression did not waver in face of the grand gesture. Cultivators did not show emotion easily, so it would almost certainly cause suspicion if he feigned tears or hugged members of the honour guard to show how moved he was. So instead, he strode forward with a calm expression, albeit still found himself from taking in the expressions of the cultivators comprising the honour guard. Xiao Feng found himself surprised, yet again. Jealousy was a common emotion back on Earth, so he had expected to encounter it soon enough in Sephari. He recalled how back on earth, a college classmate of his had thrown snide remarks at him because he had edged him out by a mere two marks. But the cultivators he angled his gaze towards, did not seem to carry any of that jealousy. Instead, he found awe in more than a few cultivators¡¯ expressions. They¡¯re looking up at me, The realisation came to him a moment later. These people were Xiao Feng¡¯s- no, my equals up until a month ago. Now they want to become like me. He wondered if, despite having acknowledged Xiao Feng¡¯s accomplishments, he was still underestimating their significance to the cultivators of the Frontier Sect. No longer trying to hide it, he allowed his gaze to sweep over the arrayed cultivators. The second emotion he picked up in their gazes and expressions was confusion. Three, no four, wore their confusion openly, unable to understand why a hero of the Frontier Sect was on his way to leave it. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. In a single cultivator''s eyes, a girl that physically appeared to be in her early twenties but had more than likely already crossed forty in reality, like most Foundation Establishment cultivators that were present, Xiao Feng picked up on a concealed, yet definite, fear. I wonder if she saw the fight, He considered, thinking back on Xiao Feng¡¯s ferocious charge, the intense focus radiating off his gaze as he cut down one enemy after the next with perfectly timed use of his Wind Qi reserves. Not surprising to find her afraid of that, I suppose, He thought. Are Xiao Feng¡¯s memories the reason why I¡¯m able to see through their intentions so clearly? I was never this observant. The moment for consideration was over as Xiao Feng came to a stop before Elder Haoyun. The Elder made a show of clearing his throat that, if Xiao Feng had to guess, was directed at the group of three healers that were peeking onto the procession from the staircase that led to the first floor, their whispered gossiping not escaping the sharp ears of combat trained cultivators. They immediately quietened down before Elder Haoyun began his address, ¡°Xiao Feng, you who shall henceforth be addressed as Xiao Feng the Undying in official address are granted three rewards for your exemplary contribution in the battle for Zheyan Pass.¡± ¡°First,¡± Elder Haoyun bellowed, his right hand moving in a flicker of motion as he reached forward and then pulled back. It took every ounce of Xiao Feng¡¯s composure to not visibly flinch when Elder Haoyun plucked a sword out of thin air. He had known of the spatial ring that the Elder possessed, though Xiao Feng had never gotten an opportunity to witness him use it. It was a slender blade that now rested upon Elder Haoyun¡¯s cupped palms, a two-handed rapier whose length was a shimmering silver drawn to a blindingly sharpened point. ¡°The Peak-Layer Foundation Establishment Artefact, Windcarver. You will not be able to draw upon it¡¯s full abilities yet, but the Sect has no doubt that you will eventually be able to,¡± Elder Haoyun declared, before offering the blade to him. Xiao Feng did not wait for any more prompting, as he reached forward to gingerly accept the rapier. The moment his fingers wrapped around its enchanting, translucent crystal hilt, Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in realisation. While the blade before him was shaped like a rapier, it¡¯s function was anything like one. The resonance between the Wind Qi nestled in his dantian and the blade, Windcarver, instinctively told him what he needed to know. He was the conductor and the wind was his choir. The tip of his blade could carve the wind into arcs of wind that he could shape to his desire, before releasing it towards his enemies. The artefact¡¯s wind attunement properties meant that the effect of his own Wind Qi would become more pronounced by a significant degree. Elder Haoyun offered him the sheathe of the blade a few moments, later, which he accepted and clasped to his waist before carefully retracting his newly owned blade. ¡°Secondly, you are awarded one thousand gold taels for your heroic act of bravery in assisting Elder Zheng,¡± Elder Haoyun retrieved a small pouch from his robe pockets and offered it to him. Xiao Feng accepted with cupped hands, noting that the pouch was way too small to contain a thousand gold taels. A low-grade spatial pouch, then. Before Xiao Feng could bow to express his gratitude, Elder Haoyun continued. ¡°Finally, as per your request, you are granted title deed to a shop within the frontier district¡¯s territory,¡± Elder Haoyun declared, before he offered him a scroll. Unable to contain his gratitude, Xiao Feng bowed to Elder Haoyun. The sound of ruffled robes echoed out as the disciples that made up his honour guard bowed to him. ¡°Rise, Xiao Feng,¡± Elder Haoyun commanded, a hint of pride leaking into his tone. He did as directed. ¡°Mei Chen,¡± Elder Haoyun called, and the black-haired cultivator next to him raised her head, reverting to a standing position. ¡°Lead Xiao Feng to the Alchemy Division. Make sure he gets there unscathed.¡± 5: Second Chance 5: Xiao Feng had naturally known that the Alchemy Division of the Frontier Sect was not actually located in the actual sect premises. To understand the why was a matter of simple political knowledge. The frontier sect was situated on the rocky, mountainous region that formed what would be a natural barrier back on earth, but meant little to an army of demonic cultivators. The Frontier Sect, a subsidiary sect of the Azure Lotus Sect, was the first and most important line of defence in guarding the relatively small territory of the righteous path sect. Only the most talented and battle-honed cultivators from the Azure Lotus Sect were allowed transfers to the Frontier Sect and Xiao Feng had been one of them, the same holding true for the black-haired Mei Chen who walked by his side as they stepped out of the shadows cast by the towering double-doors that had been opened for them. The Alchemy Division was about a two-hour descent down the side of the flat topped mountain upon whose surface the bastion that was the Frontier Sect was positioned. It was only natural not to risk their supply of alchemical pills and the prized alchemists responsible for their refinement by placing them on the danger stricken border when there was no need to. Come to think of it, Xiao Feng didn¡¯t know if the mountain was flat-topped by its nature or as terrifying a possibility as it was to contemplate, a cultivator had sliced it¡¯s top off for it to be better suited to constructing a defensive installation. Based on what little he knew about Nascent Soul and the terrifying Soul Emperor stage cultivators above them, it was not really a preposterous idea. For Xiao Feng¡¯s recently recovered status, Mei Chen showed him consideration by ambling down the mountain¡¯s side at the same, decidedly mortal pace. Xiao Feng knew, of course, that his physical body was capable of far more than the cautious, slow way he tackled the descent, but that was assuming he could channel the Qi in his Dantian to empower himself instead of injuring either himself or someone else in the process. Just because he possessed the knowledge on a subject matter did not mean that he would be able to employ it perfectly on his first try. Another reason why he couldn¡¯t wait to get to the Alchemy Division that was primarily comprised of non-combatants. There he would be able to practise his martial skills without oversight, especially without a certain Elder wondering if he was the same person when he inevitably noticed the decline in his skill, finesse and speed. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Ten minutes passed by Xiao Feng and Mei Chen in awkward silence, before the latter finally decided to speak up. ¡°Brother Xiao Feng,¡± She addressed him, her tone betraying a hint of her curiosity. ¡°Yes?¡± He replied, having dreaded the moment. He could pretend to be Xiao Feng all he wanted, but at the heart of the matter, he was not. Neither did he possess all of Xiao Feng¡¯s memories. Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t avoid conversations with cultivators of the Martial Division, unless he wanted to come under suspicion. Even the little Xiao Feng understood of the politics of the Frontier Sect told him that Elder Haoyun had not yet given up on his career in the Martial Division¡ª far from it, in fact, considering he was bestowed an incredibly valuable Foundation Establishment Artefact despite signalling that he wished to leave behind a life of combat. ¡°May I ask you a question?¡± Mei Chen asked, her tone gentle as she effortlessly hopped down from a protruding stone to a thin ledge, easily finding purchase. ¡°You may,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he took the far more easily navigable side route, slowly grappling the descent. ¡°Even Core Disciples are in awe of what you accomplished on the battlefield. There were talks of promoting you to a Guardian position even as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator¡ª an honour that is almost unheard of. So why are you leaving, Brother Xiao?¡± The sound of his own footsteps navigating the ground echoed in his ears as he considered the question. ¡°Sister Mei,¡± Xiao Feng acknowledged, his tone thoughtful. ¡°If you were given a chance, would you like to be offered what I almost was?¡± Xiao Feng asked, not doubting the veracity of her speculation. Hesitation flickered on Mei Chen¡¯s visage before she composed herself and answered, ¡°Naturally. There is not a single disciple in the Frontier Sect¡¯s Martial Division who would not seek what you could have obtained with a flourish of your hand, Brother Xiao Feng.¡± ¡°I see,¡± He considered. ¡°Even if it meant taking the blow of a Nascent Soul Cultivator head on?¡± Mei Chen¡¯s expression paled as she realized that she had overstepped. ¡°I do not mean to chastise you, Sister Mei,¡± Xiao Feng clarified, his tone soft. ¡°On the battlefield, I died once. For truly, what else can one call being struck down by a Nascent Soul?¡± He posed the rhetorical question with a dramatic flair. Mei Chen now gazed at him intently, perhaps a bit too intently, as she waited for his next words. Did I over do it? Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t the type of dude to weave hyperbole in his tales, but uh, I guess it¡¯s fine. When she reports back to the Elder, maybe she¡¯ll highlight just how much I¡¯ve changed and they will leave me alone, He thought, dismissing any concerns. ¡°Yet,¡± Xiao Feng continued. ¡°By some miracle of the Heavens, I stand before you, unscathed. Sister Mei Chen, would it not be a pity if I squandered away my second chance at life the same way, bleeding out on a battlefield without stopping to consider why the Heavens have bestowed this chance upon me?¡± ¡°Why the heavens have bestowed this chance upon you¡­,¡± Mei Chen repeated his words, the words Xiao Feng had made up on the spot, her eyes considering him in a new light¡ª almost as if she was on the verge of an epiphany. ¡°Indeed, Sister Mei Chen,¡± Xiao Feng sagely nodded. 6: The Martial Way 6: The rest of Xiao Feng¡¯s journey ended up being a sombre one, as Mei Chen no longer engaged in conversation with him besides checking with him to make sure he didn¡¯t need aid while traversing patches of challenging terrain. Roughly two hours later, they found themselves before a protruding facade hewn entirely from the same greyish-white stone that made up the mountain. Accessible via steep stone steps that Xiao Feng had carefully made his way through, the structure seamlessly blending in with the mountain. Greeting him were two thick stone pillars, their top and bottom fused with the mountain to perhaps give the impression that they were holding it aloft. The pillar to his left depicted a long-tailed dragon whose length was wreathed in a vivid depiction of powerful flames as it coiled around the pillar, its mouth open and teeth bared in a prideful roar. The pillar to his right depicted a much smaller yet no less formidable Skywing, a mythical spiritual beast whose wings stretched out four times the length of its body from head to talons. Arcs of wind blades spilled outward with the Skywing as its epicentre, depicting its fabled vicious nature. One represented fire, the other wind. The two schools of alchemy practised by the Frontier Sect, also the most efficient ones the Azure Lotus Sect was aware of. Xiao Feng took in the jade-slab portico that had the words ¡°Alchemy Division¡± carved onto its surface. Finally, he took in the reinforced metal-plated double-doors that were coated with poison-tipped spikes, noting that the defensive mechanisms in the Frontier Sect itself were not that extreme. Probably because the Frontier Sect is packed to the brim with cultivators eager to fight. Nobody is going to charge in there without a plan. The Alchemy Division though? Seemingly, not so much. ¡°Honoured Alchemists!¡± Mei Chen called out, her voice amplified with a touch of Qi. ¡°I am Inner Disciple Mei Chen, here under the direct order of Elder Haoyun. To my left is Cultivator Xiao Feng, who has sought transfer to the Alchemy Division. Please grant him entry!¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze shifted to the double-doors, wondering how long the holed up alchemists would take to respond. He was slightly surprised when one of the metal-plates from which a poisoned spike was protruding began to sink inwards, the rattle of a chain audible as it was replaced by a metal tray. ¡°Cultivator Xiao Feng, place your identification if you truly are who you claim to be,¡± A scratchy voice demanded from the other side, their words sounding out clearly. Xiao Feng allowed himself a glance at Mei Chen, who nodded and only then did he step forward and place the blue jade identification token on the tray. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The same rattle echoed out as the tray sunk in, heralding the return of the poison spike. Once it had returned to the original spot, silence once again befell the entrance to the Alchemy Division. A few moments passed by without any further question or response. Just as Xiao Feng was beginning to wonder if something had gone wrong, the silence blanketing the mountainous overhang was replaced by the whirring of a much larger chain. Xiao Feng watched with building anticipation in his gut as the double-doors guarding his path to the Alchemy Division receded inwards, creating a gap that was a little larger than what he needed to pass through. ¡°Only the alchemist aspirant, now,¡± The same scratchy voice declared, his tone firm. Nodding, Xiao Feng turned his gaze to Mei Chen. ¡°Thank you, Sister Mei Chen,¡± Xiao Feng offered, his tone warm as he did so. ¡°I was merely doing my duty,¡± Mei Chen politely replied. ¡°Still, thank you. You were considerate of me throughout the journey when you could have chosen not to be. I appreciate it,¡± Xiao Feng explained, his smile genuine as he did so. It was the regular Earth kindness his old man had drilled into him, which was basically ingrained habit at this point. He always remembered to say his pleases and thank-yous to people that rendered him a service of any kind, because that¡¯s what decent folk did. Xiao Feng had not expected a light blush to colour Mei Chen¡¯s features as she nodded, accepting his gratitude. I wonder when was the last time Xiao Feng said thank you to anyone, He thought and the answer to his question did not require more than a couple seconds to process. Apparently, cultivators were not the best at being upfront with their emotions. ¡°See you, Sister Mei Chen. Send my regards to the others, I¡¯ll miss them,¡± Xiao Feng said his parting words, before striding forward with firm steps. Perhaps it was a bit rude, but Xiao Feng did not look back even once as he stepped inside the territory of the Alchemy Division. Of course, he did not particularly mind, but it would have been a markedly un-Xiao Feng like thing to do. After all, a cultivator did not look back once they decided upon a path. Such was the way, after all. The Martial Way.
As Mei Chen watched Xiao Feng step inside the Alchemy Division, she could not help but be perplexed. Elder Haoyun had ordered her to report on Xiao Feng¡¯s behavior and highlight any inconsistencies or aberrant behavior. While the Healing Hall had granted him the all-clear, Xiao Feng was a unique case in the sense that, they had been able to find no records that hinted at even the possibility of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator surviving the blow of a Nascent Soul. Why had Xiao Feng survived when any other in his place would have instantly died? Had it been a concealed artifact, it would have been long since discovered by the healers that had operated upon him while he was unconscious. Had there been any anomalies within his Dantian, Elder Haoyun would have discovered it. Had the Demon let Xiao Feng live? Had he done something to his soul? Unlikely. A Nascent Soul cultivator would not sacrifice himself for a plot involving a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, leave alone one that belonged to the self-centered Demonic Path. However, it was true that the current Xiao Feng was much different from the brooding, ever-serious person she had seen in the Martial Division. He does not try to mimic who he used to be, makes no effort to regain what has clearly been lost. Is it not natural to change, after dying once? Mei Chen contemplated. For all intents and purposes, Xiao Feng had died once. Even the Healers treating him believed that his recovery was an impossibility. Mei Chen found herself thinking back on the words Xiao Feng had said to her, Would it not be a pity if I squandered away my second chance at life the same way, bleeding out on a battlefield without stopping to consider why the Heavens have bestowed this chance upon me? It was not the words itself that had surprised her, but rather the man who had spoken those words. Xiao Feng was a fearless dragon amongst men who had broken formation and charged deep into the enemies lines on his lonesome. He was a seeker of blood and death, who slew one enemy after the next, not pausing to consider that more than a few were stronger than him, faster than him and more experienced than him. They had died anyway. How curious. I wonder what truth you have stumbled upon, Xiao Feng, to change so much in the span of a few days. Mei Chen allowed herself a final glance at the now closed Alchemy Division gates, before her silhouette blurred in motion as she began her much faster journey back to the sect. 7: Grand Alchemist Xin Wu 7: The first difference between the Frontier Sect¡¯s Martial Division and it¡¯s Alchemy Division came in the form of an overpowering aroma that enveloped him the very moment he stepped inside the premises. It took him a few moments to register that it was not merely one aroma wafting in the air, rather a melange of many. There was a powerful scent that had a medicinal edge to it, reminding him of camphor. A sweet, cozy aroma scent that his mind associated with vanilla extract. There was a burst of strong citrus, a savory heaviness that resembled roasted garlic and many others that he could not yet place. Only as the double-doors behind him clanged shut was Xiao Feng snapped out of his reverie. He finally took note of the cultivator standing before him, his hands clasped behind his back as he studied Xiao Feng. The first thing Xiao Feng noticed was the man¡¯s aged features. Strands of gray lightly populated his otherwise balding head, his visage betraying his age in a manner few cultivator¡¯s did. Sagging cheeks, fine lines running across the forehead and thinning lips would not reflect easily on a cultivator¡¯s visage, given their resistance to physically aging and the availability of pills that allowed one to retain a youthful appearance for far longer as long as their dantian was intact. Then, he noted the aged cultivator¡¯s aura. The pressure he, or rather, his Qi was subconsciously exerting on its surroundings did not give him the same sense of casual oppression Elder Haoyun exerted. It was more diffused, gentler in comparison¡ª yet that did not change the fact that he was likely looking at a cultivator of the Core Formation stage. ¡°Never seen an old man before, kid?¡± The aged man finally broke the silence that had taken hold between them, his tone carrying a bit of a bite. ¡°Sorry, uh, Alchemist,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly apologized after realizing that he¡¯d been caught staring. ¡°That¡¯s Grand Alchemist Xin Wu to you,¡± He retorted, giving Xiao Feng the impression that he wasn¡¯t nearly as welcome in the Alchemy Division as he had been in the Martial one. ¡°Now, why exactly, are you here?¡± Xiao Feng reigned in his instinct to respond immediately and allowed himself to consider the question. From what he knew of the Martial Division, cultivators as a society seemed to attribute great importance to tests and trials. Whether they came in the form of tournament style battling or coming of age trials that involved leaving the sect and returning only after a particular task set out by the test had been accomplished. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I¡¯m probably being tested, right? He wondered, almost certain for it to be the case. ¡°I want to be an alchemist, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu,¡± Xiao Feng declared, his expression resolute and his gaze meeting the Elder¡¯s own. To Xiao Feng¡¯s surprise, Xin Wu just sighed and shook his head. ¡°Calloused hands,¡± He began, his tone sounding a bit exasperated. ¡°Recently recovered from severe injury. Well-defined physique. Firm foundation base that shows signs of regular exertion. Coiled musculature that conceals great strength. You are a Martial Cultivator through and through, so I ask again, why are you here?¡± Inwardly, Xiao Feng was shocked by the Grand Alchemist¡¯s thorough inspection. Had he seen through so much only by gazing at him? He couldn¡¯t show his surprise, though. More importantly though, he could not allow the Grand Alchemist to turn him away. ¡°Because I want to become an Alchemist,¡± Xiao Feng repeated again, his gaze earnest and his expression firm. ¡°You are not the first one, you know?¡± Xin Wu shook his head disapprovingly. ¡°Martial Cultivators that require resources to either ascend to the next stage or clear debts in their name temporarily turning to Alchemy because they look down upon the disciple and believe they will easily master it,¡± He explained, revealing what he truly thought about Xiao Feng. ¡°Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, I really want to¡ª,¡± Xiao Feng tried to explain himself reflexively, only to come to a grinding halt as Xin Wu raised his open palm before him, signaling for him to stop. ¡°However,¡± Xin Wu began. ¡°I will not turn away someone who bled for the frontier,¡± Xin Wu declared, much to Xiao Feng¡¯s elation. ¡°Thank you, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu,¡± Xiao Feng immediately bowed, the gratitude in his tone genuine. ¡°Rise and don¡¯t thank me yet,¡± Xin Wu nonchalantly replied, his expression unmoved by the display. ¡°You will be placed in a class of Qi Condensation disciples. We are currently in the middle of a teaching cycle, so it will be your duty to catch up. If you do not own a pill furnace, it will be your responsibility to purchase one at your own cost. If you still want to be here by next week, I will see to issuing you an Alchemist¡¯s robes,¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu promised, a hint of smugness betrayed in his tone. Xiao Feng did not have to scour his memories for long before the why revealed itself. Grouping a higher stage cultivator with a class of lower stage cultivators, alchemist or not, was a blatant humiliation, especially to a cultivator of the Martial Division, where strength was everything. ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Grand Alchemist,¡± Xiao Feng thanked him again. The surprise coloring Xin Wu¡¯s face was worth showing deference in Xiao Feng¡¯s book. After all, if there was one distinct discipline where he held an advantage over other cultivators, it was his complete and utter lack of pride. As a broke college kid back on Earth, he had been too busy trying to keep up with coursework and after classes, jumping from one side-hustle to the next in an effort to make a dent in his student loans to particularly care who or where the money came from. Though admittedly he wasn¡¯t too inclined to ever pick up the professional party clown gig again. Having a cake thrown in your face by a snooty rich kid wasn¡¯t fun the first time and he would rather not stick around for a second. ¡°Very well,¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu muttered under his breath. ¡°Follow me, then.¡± Xiao Feng did, down the broad passageway and into the light. 8: So, you wish to become an alchemist? 8: Whoa, Xiao Feng thought, as he took in the ethereal sight unfolding before him. He had wondered where the Alchemy Division would source the spiritual herbs needed in large quantities if it was literally situated inside a hollowed out part of a mountain. That question did not take long to answer itself, as Xiao Feng took in the silver trunked tree that dominated the center of the vast, octagonal chamber he found himself in. It¡¯s canopy was a sight to behold, its shimmering gem-like leaves and dark-wood branches enveloping the length of the chamber almost entirely. It was a magical, ethereal sight to behold, a notion only deepened by the gentle heaviness he felt in the air. He noticed that the tree¡¯s trunk was embedded in a square seedbed of sorts, the soil within a yellow ochre color. The tree¡­. It¡¯s condensing the ambient Qi to astonishing levels. It probably wouldn¡¯t last if a group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators meditated under it, but¡­, Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze turned to the dozens of seedbeds nestled under the tree¡¯s canopy in understanding. ¡°Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, may I ask you a question?¡± Xiao Feng paused to ask the question, so that the Core Formation cultivator would not simply ignore it. Xin Wu paused, before he turned his sharp gaze on Xiao Feng, a hint of annoyance leaking through as he spoke, ¡°You may.¡± ¡°That tree, it must be quite precious to have such a profound effect on ambient Qi. Why is it placed near the entrance of the Alchemy Division, where it would be hard to defend it against attack?¡± ¡°You really know nothing, don¡¯t you?¡± Xin Wu remarked. ¡°Nobody destroys a Verdant Harmony Tree, they transplant it instead. Alchemists are not killed even if our defenses our breached¡ª we are far too valuable for that. Though, admittedly, the means the demons would use to make us capitulate are far from pleasant. Regardless, guarding us is the duty of the Martial Division. In turn, it is the Alchemy Division¡¯s responsibility to prove the Martial Division with the best quality pills we can.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng nodded, his expression devoid of any anger at Xin Wu¡¯s first statement. ¡°But Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, would it not be easier to grow the plants out in the open, on forest soil that has enough earth qi diffused to aid their growth and then have cultivators ship it to the Alchemy Division?¡± ¡°Hmph,¡± Xin Wu snorted derisively. ¡°Xiao Feng, does your Martial Division teach you inferior techniques because they are easier to learn?¡± ¡°No, Grand Alchemist,¡± Xiao Feng promptly responded, even though he was still not quite sure where the conversation was headed. ¡°Then you understand,¡± Xin Wu said. ¡°We are not mortals, we are cultivators. Why should I rely on the capricious nature of the heavens, subject to wind, rain and varying levels of diffused Earth Qi within the soil when I can control every aspect right here?¡± ¡°I see now,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone genuinely sounding interested at the revelation. ¡°Thank you, Grand Alchemist.¡± All he got from Xin Wu was a quick nod, before he gestured to follow and Xiao Feng complied. Each of the octagonal chamber¡¯s inner walls housed a passageway that led deeper into the Alchemy Division, an observation that had originally prompted Xiao Feng¡¯s first question. They came to a stop before one out of seven such passageways, if he excluded the main pathway he had entered from. The words Junior Division were carved out on a jade plaque situated above the passageway, letting Xiao Feng know what to expect as he followed Xin Wu in.
As Xin Wu knocked upon a simple wooden door, Xiao Feng was hit by the realization that his life hadn¡¯t so drastically changed after all. All he had effectively done was transfer colleges from a high acceptance rate university on Earth to an elite, selective subsidiary sect of the Azure Lotus Sect. Sure, there was the whole switching planets after transmigrating into the body of a cultivator named Xiao Feng part, but he was starting to get used to it. This is really weird but¡­. I might be kind of excited, He thought. Compared to the marketing major he had eventually ended up settling for, mostly because it was, well, marketable, studying advanced pharmacology so he could brew magical tea sounded so much more fun. The sliding door slid open to reveal a violet-haired woman who was dressed in a formal light green hanfu, an embroidered patch placed above chest level depicting a lidded cauldron stitched in a bright silver. ¡®Come to think of it, that old codger has the same patch as well. His is in gold, though,¡¯ Xiao Feng thought, having noticed the patch before but hadn¡¯t gotten the time to attribute too much brain power to it. He blamed Xin Wu for that, for the Grand Alchemist¡¯s words were too biting on top of Xiao Feng finding myriad things to be fascinated by. ¡°Senior Alchemist Lan Huang,¡± Xin Wu greeted. ¡°Grand Alchemist Xin Wu,¡± Lan Huang offered in kind, her tone sounding overly polite. Xin Wu nodded at the acknowledgement before he spoke, ¡°This is cultivator Xiao Feng, a recent transfer from the Martial Division. He wishes to become an alchemist, so I am placing him under your care.¡± Surprise flashed in Lan Huang¡¯s gaze as she turned to examine Xiao Feng. He repaid the favor in kind, noting that the woman before him appeared to be in her mid to late twenties, just like Xiao Feng. That meant that she was in her early forties, again, just like Xiao Feng. I guess this is supposed to be awkward, then, He thought and indeed, noticed the hesitation on Lan Huang¡¯s slightly plump visage. Sure enough, he saw the hesitation flicker in her eyes, before she turned to Xin Wu and nodded. ¡°Very well, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu.¡± 9: Interlude: Xin Wu 9: Grand Alchemist Xin Wu allowed himself a small smile for a job well done as he watched Xiao Feng step inside the classroom after Senior Alchemist Lan Huang. It was not as though he had any particular issue with Xiao Feng. Neither had he been all that harsh with the Martial Division cultivator. No, it was the arrogance of the Martial Division that irked him to no end. Grand Alchemist Xin Wu did not knock on the Frontier Sect¡¯s doors demanding to be made a part of the border defense force. He had not trained in the martial way, had not honed and sharpened his Fire Qi for war. Battling other cultivators had never been his strength and he knew that. He acknowledged his weaknesses. Only by acknowledging your own weaknesses could you seek true strength, after all. Grand Alchemist Xin Wu had chosen the path most suited for his temperament, spending years and then decades refining his craft until he became essential to the Frontier Sect¡¯s functioning. From a recruit to alchemist, from alchemist to senior alchemist and then reaching the most coveted Grand Alchemist stage by laying down the formula for five unique pills that had not existed in the known world before his contribution. How arrogant it was for a Martial Cultivator to believe that they could overcome all his skill, those years of effort and the zealous passion required to string forth a new pill formula that was not only unique, but also useful to the Frontier Sect¡ª a chase that could just as easily resulted in nothing worth showing if Xin Wu had been any less passionate, dedicated and lucky. How arrogant it was for them to believe that they could stride into his division, learn the myriad, nigh limitless ways of alchemy and then leave, after having refined a fortune in pills. These days, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu was more than happy to let such arrogant fools trip and fall on their own. To a Martial Cultivator, coming from a world where strength was everything, their first test would be to adapt to being placed in a class full of juniors. Juniors who would be far more skilled and deft in the gentle ways of Alchemy than a Martial Cultivator, who is taught to destroy and kill from the moment he is old enough to walk. Would this Xiao Feng be able to cast aside his pride and accept that he was the clueless student instead of the experienced teacher? None of the other cultivators the Martial Division had been able to. ¡°Honored Father,¡± A cheerful voice acknowledged as Grand Alchemist Xin Wu stepped into the privacy of his office. He was not surprised to find two wooden desks placed adjacent to each other near the far wall of the room. His own desk hosted a few files stacked upon each other, an ornate hourglass and a bowl that contained five different varieties of spiritual fruit. His daughter¡¯s, on the other hand, was piled high with two different rows of files, her expression contemplative as she considered the report before her. Besides the space demarcated for her reading, the rest of the table was covered by neatly arranged inkpots, spare stationary, thick tomes that contained specialized information and other paraphernalia required for the task she was tackling. ¡°Daughter,¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu returned the greeting, a hint of pride audible in his tone. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Unlike Xiao Feng, that rabble from the Martial Division who thought he could master the Dao of Alchemy as if it was an afterthought discarded by the Heavens, his daughter was the personification of what an Alchemist should be. She had eclipsed even his own accomplishments by reaching the Senior Alchemist stage five whole years before him and she had done so while taking on most of the burden of his administrative duties so he could throw himself into his research. Now, she had gotten so efficient at it that Grand Alchemist Xin Wu could not wrest away those duties from her if he wanted to. He didn¡¯t of course. His first love, his wife and Lianhua Wu¡¯s mother, had died of Qi sickness not long after giving birth to her. His second love was his daughter, who had grown up far faster than she needed to. That left alchemy and only alchemy. There was no room for a fourth as Xin Wu pursued the pinnacle of his craft. It was also no coincidence that one of the pill formulas he had come up with reduced the odds of Qi sickness after giving birth. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was good enough to be used throughout the Azure Lotus Sect¡¯s territory. The life-saving ¡®Meixhu¡¯ pill, named after his wife, had earned Grand Alchemist Xin Wu renown throughout the land. ¡°How is the new recruit settling in? Did you make the arrangements Elder Haoyun had requested?¡± Lianhua Wu casually asked as she continued her work in an unbroken stride. ¡°Bah,¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu dismissively leaned back into his chair. ¡°I sent him to study with the Junior Division. Let me see how long an arrogant Martial Cultivator lasts in a class full of his juniors. I would wager ten gold taels that he is fuming in his seat right about now. If Elder Haoyun thinks he can forge an alchemist just by buying special treatment off me, then I¡¯ll show him just how weak-willed those so-called Martial Cultivators can be.¡± ¡°Honored father,¡± Lianhua Wu said, applying intentional emphasis on the latter half of her address and intentionally dragging the word our with a sharpness to her tone. ¡°Yes, dearest daughter?¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu snapped back to a seating position, as his daughter¡¯s sharp tone gave him the distinct impression that he had made a mistake. ¡°Did you read Elder Haoyun¡¯s letter?¡± She asked, the sharpness not leaving her tone. ¡°Yes well, no you see¡­ I- well, dearest daughter, I was quite busy with researching complications in the¨C¡± ¡°Read the letter,¡± Lianhua Wu demanded of her father, her fist gently slamming the table to make a point out of it. ¡°Yes, very well,¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu conceded, knowing better than to try and argue. He pulled the already unsealed letter out of his robe and raised it towards Lianhua Wu, before saying, ¡°See, I really did make an effort. I swear I was going to read it, but then research started going well and I lost track of time.¡± In response, Lianhua Wu crossed her arms and gave him a deadpan stare. Finally getting the message this time, Xin Wu opened the letter and began to read. ¡°War Hero?¡± He muttered the question under his breath, his expression going from mildly curious to surprised. ¡°That brat is a war hero?¡± He asked Lianhua Wu. ¡°Keep reading,¡± She replied tersely. ¡°He distinguished himself at the highest level in battle¡­ his actions possibly saved the life of Elder Zheng and allowed him to slay a Demonic Path Nascent Soul cultivator¡­.¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu muttered aloud. And then he froze. ¡°Zheng?¡± He asked the question rhetorically. ¡°Mad Wolf Zheng? A foundation establishment cultivator aided and helped Mad Wolf Zheng kill a powerful demon? Preposterous!¡± Grand Alchemist Xin Wu all but shouted, his expression incredulous. ¡°Now,¡± Lianhua Wu spoke. ¡°Do you understand why Elder Haoyun wrote to you, asking for special treatment?¡± She asked, even as she cradled her forehead with her thumb and index finger. ¡°Dearest daughter¡­. It appears that I have made a mistake.¡± 10: The Essence Cultivation Art 10: While Xiao Feng was struggling to follow what exactly the difference between adventitious and fibrous roots was, he was nevertheless finding the class quite engaging. Albeit for an entirely different reason, one that none of the students in the class or Senior Alchemist Lan Huang was even vaguely aware of. On the table before him were two different stalks of uprooted spiritual plants. One had adventitious roots and the other fibrous roots and Xiao Feng was somehow required to tell the difference between them, before listing out what the characteristics implied when it came to Alchemy. He honestly was not too interested in that, considering he was missing an entire semester¡¯s worth of knowledge. Not yet, at least. Brewing Chai was a passion of his, one that he dreamed of making a career in his old world. He would make it a reality in this one. But the new Xiao Feng, much like the old one, was not a fool. He hadn¡¯t chosen the Alchemy Division on a whim, after all. For like any competent cultivator, Xiao Feng had a secret of his own. It was no coincidence that he managed to slay one cultivator after the next on his own, uncaring of how much more powerful they were than him. There was no sudden epiphany that struck him in the midst of battle, no awakening that increased his strength by tenfold when he called for it. No, the truth was, Xiao Feng knew what he was doing. He always had. Over two decades ago, a little after Xiao Feng reached the third layer of the Qi Gathering realm, he came face to face with a brutal realization. For a cultivator left with a singular purpose, to take from the demons what had been taken from him, Xiao Feng was forced to accept a simple conclusion¡ª he could not beat his heretical enemies with the cultivation art the Frontier Sect was offering him. Of course, if he remained patient, worked his way up the ladder, from the outer sect to the inner sect and then to core disciple status, he would be awarded with the profound cultivation arts he sought. And just how long would that have taken him? Xiao Feng didn¡¯t just want his revenge, he wanted the shortest pathway to it. That meant looking where others were not willing to. The lowest of the low grade techniques available in the outer sect library, the incomplete, nameless techniques that lost a cultivator face by merely deigning to look through them. Seven incomplete techniques caused him to suffer from Qi Backlash. Two nameless techniques almost pushed him to cripple his cultivation base. These were the techniques he had chosen after sifting through dozens upon dozens of techniques. And almost all of them had brought him harm. Almost all. For there was one incomplete, nameless technique that did¡­ nothing, when he cycled his Qi to the tempo and pattern the technique prescribed. Nothing at all. Stolen novel; please report. Nothing was good. The technique mentioned that there were six stages to the technique, but Xiao Feng had only found the first three written. The last three were either torn away, lost to time or intentionally desecrated by another. But that didn¡¯t matter to Xiao Feng. He practiced the Wind Qi Art the Frontier Sect had bestowed upon him, but never forgot about the nameless, incomplete technique. Six months later, he figured it out. The Art that he would later name the ¡®Essence Cultivation Art¡¯ was an ocular technique. The Essence Cultivation Art¡¯s first stage required a trickle of Qi to maintain and true to its name, it let him see through to the essence of anyone or anything, as long as they had Qi flowing through their internal structure. So when Xiao Feng fought, not even a Nascent Soul Elder could see anything out of the ordinary. His Qi Reserves, fighting technique, artifact usage¡ª none of it exceeded what a cultivator of the Second Layer, Foundation Establishment stage out to have been capable of, when he fought in the battle for the Zheyan Pass. Of course, it was not the Frontier Sect¡¯s fault that they were unable to see through his true strength. The Essence Cultivation Art, while incredibly formidable, was far from invincible. Once cultivators of the Frontier Sect started using it en masse, they would turn the tide against the demons¡­ for a little while. Then, the Demons would find a way to adapt, like they always did and once again, there would be a stalemate. So, Xiao Feng was not to be blamed for the disappearance of a nameless, incomplete cultivation art that nobody knew of or cared for. He had incinerated it thoroughly after committing it¡¯s contents to the deepest reaches of his memory, making sure that not a single soul but him would get to pry upon his secrets. Pretty ironic, given how things turned out. However, not even in his dying moments did Xiao Feng regret his decision. He had lived his life in the pursuit of revenge and to that end, he had done everything he possibly could. The Frontier Sect enjoyed forging weapons of war out of orphans like him and in return, Xiao Feng enjoyed taking from them an invaluable secret, to further his own goals. Such was the way of cultivators in a society where cultivation was everything. Merely recalling memories of Xiao Feng¡¯s battle was enough to get his blood pumping when he had woken up with full access to his deceased predecessor''s memories. He saw. Xiao Feng saw. He did not see people, but masses of floating acupuncture gates, anchored by their dantian and interconnected by vein-like meridians. He saw the meridians down which Qi flowed from the dantian, saw as the Qi was more and more compressed corresponding to the greater number of acupuncture gates it passed by. Xiao Feng¡¯s opponents may be faster and stronger than him, but seeing where the attack was coming from turned out to be enough for him to bridge the gap. ¡®Follow the flow of Qi and the attack would betray itself¡¯ was the combat methodology Xiao Feng had devised and it had worked brilliantly until he was shot down by an attack that was so quick it superseded his reaction time. The terrifying Essence Cultivation Art was the reason the new Xiao Feng had chosen to come to the Alchemy Division. It was not as if his predecessor had been a fool. No, he had been smart and cunning when he needed to be, but his desire for vengeance had ultimately blinded him. If he had stopped to consider the way to truly defeat the Demonic Path, he would have found his way to the place where he could have made the greatest contribution. Xiao Feng could see through the essence of things and Alchemy was the art of refining the essence of many things into a singular, greater essence. Come on, He chided himself as his fifteenth attempt to use the Essence Cultivation Art on one of the uprooted spiritual plants. I have the muscle memory. My body knows how to cycle Qi instinctively. I remember how to do it. The real Xiao Feng accomplished it while facing down an army of demons, I¡¯ll be damned if I can¡¯t do it in a class full of teenagers. ¡°Essence Cultivation Art,¡± Xiao Feng mouthed without actually speaking, his gaze locked onto the spiritual plant that was placed to the right. To his surprise, he saw with the eyes his predecessor had not long ago seen through. Through the eyes that were capable of making history. 11: I just want to brew tea 11: It¡¯s so pretty, Xiao Feng thought, as he held the slender spiritual herb in his hand. It¡¯s texture and surface reminded him of ginger, but instead of forming in knobby clusters like it did on earth, it stretched out into a long line, with a cluster of thin, hair-like roots stretching outwards on one end. Of course, that was not what Xiao Feng saw. In his gaze, he was holding onto a canister of faint, liquid blue Qi that was suspended in mid-air, the roots registering as a network of meridians that were complete on some pathways and spotty on others. Perhaps because the spiritual plant had been yanked out of its original habitat. Though the most interesting thing he discovered was a floating orb that was suspended within the canister of Qi, bobbing up and down as he moved the spiritual plant around. It was faint growing fainter by the minute, but the Qi contained within the spiritual plant surprisingly did not diminish. It¡¯s not a dantian, Xiao Feng thought, contemplating on the matter. But it functions similarly. Beasts have cores from birth to house their larger than human Qi reserves, but only after reaching the Core Formation stage do their cores take on a physical form. I guess it is the same for plants, because I¡¯m pretty sure I won¡¯t find a table tennis sized ball if I cut this spiritual root open. So interested was Xiao Feng in this discovery, that he lost the focus he had been dedicating to maintaining the Essence Cultivation Art. ¡°Cultivator Xiao Feng,¡± Senior Alchemist Lan Huang called out his name, snapping his attention towards her. It took every bit of willpower he possessed for him to not reply with an annoyed ¡®what?¡¯ in response, as he abandoned his attempt at re-establishing the Essence Cultivation Art. Instead, he replied with a polite, ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am?¡± ¡°There is someone who wishes to meet you. They are waiting for you, outside the classroom,¡± Senior Alchemist Lan Huang explained, her tone oddly deferential as she held on to a small paper note. As he observed Lan Huang¡¯s expression, he noticed that there was surprise reflected in her gaze. Wonder what that¡¯s all about, He thought, before responding in affirmative, ¡°Very well, Ma¡¯am. Permission to go and meet them?¡± ¡°Permission granted,¡± She replied, the Foundation Establishment level alchemist betraying a tone of elation in her tone as she did so. Xiao Feng nodded, before scooting out of his chair and walking towards the exit. Stepping outside the sliding door and closing it behind him, Xiao Feng found himself face-to-face with a raven-haired woman. She wore the same formal light-green hanfu as Senior Alchemist Lan Huang, the embroidered patch on her robes suggesting a similar status. Her glossy hair was combed back into a neat ponytail, her light-green eyes containing depths that seemed familiar to Xiao Feng. Her figure was neither slender nor overly full, as balanced as the sense of poise and grace she was effortlessly exuding as she took his own features in. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°Cultivator Xiao Feng,¡± She began, her words calm and measured. ¡°I am Senior Alchemist Lianhua Wu. Please allow me to apologize for my father¡¯s misguided actions,¡± She offered, before bowing in apology. A flabbergasted Xiao Feng took in the bowing figure before him, not understanding what had just transpired. Wait, those gray eyes. That presence. Her status as a Senior Alchemist. Don¡¯t tell me¡­ she¡¯s that old codger¡¯s daughter? Xin Wu¡­ Lianhua Wu¡­ Of fricking course. ¡°Please rise, Senior Alchemist. I cannot see any reason why you should be apologizing to me,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly replied, his tone barely managing to keep the panic out. Lianhua Wu straightened her back, before meeting his gaze. ¡°The Alchemy Division would lose all face before the Azure Lotus sect if it came to light that we treated a war hero so poorly. Again, I request you to please accept my apology,¡± She said, her tone polite but not vulnerable. This time, Lianhua Wu did not bow. ¡°Again,¡± Xiao Feng began. ¡°Actually, can we walk while we have this conversation?¡± He asked in a lowered tone, gesturing to the class behind the closed sliding doors. The perception of a cultivator, even as weak as a Qi Gathering realm one, could likely overhear their conversation with ease. ¡°As you wish,¡± Lianhua Wu placatingly replied. ¡°So,¡± He addressed the matter only after they had walked a fair distance away from the classroom. ¡°As I was saying, I do not see the need to apologize to me.¡± Lianhua Wu blinked, her tone seeming uncertain. She peeked at Xiao Feng¡¯s expression, only to find earnestness there. ¡°Forgive me for my brazenness, but are you being sarcastic here, Cultivator Xiao Feng?¡± Lianhua Wu decided to address the issue directly instead of letting any misunderstandings fester. ¡°Uh, not really?¡± Xiao Feng replied. Perhaps you can tell me why I should be offended, He thought, finding the situation a bit amusing. Okay, more than just a bit amusing, if he was being honest. ¡°My father placed you in a class of Qi Gathering Cultivators taking their first steps towards both cultivation and the Dao of Alchemy, hoping that you would take offense at the humiliation and quit. Granted, he was not aware of who you were then, but it is still inexcusable behavior.¡± Wow, he really had it out for me. Or, really had it out for Xiao Feng, ordinary cultivator of the Martial Division. Guess it wasn¡¯t a test. I don¡¯t really care but it¡¯s weird, his daughter doesn¡¯t seem appalled by the idea, He thought, clearly not understanding something that was fundamental to the matter at hand. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°My father is not an unjust man,¡± Lianhua Wu said, her tone flaring with pride. ¡°He has dedicated his life to the Dao of Alchemy, so it is only natural for him to expect genuine interest from students. I mean no offense to you, Cultivator Xiao Feng, but the ones that have transferred before you saw Alchemy as a means to an end rather than a Dao to be cultivated. While my father greatly respects the peace the Martial Division fights for, he believes our contribution to the Frontier Sect is equally important. To that end, he has no interest in dedicating resources to students that are not interested in the craft.¡± Only the sound of their own footsteps was audible as they walked down the passageway for a few long moments, as Xiao Feng considered his response. ¡°I see,¡± He said, his tone one of understanding. ¡°But Senior Alchemist Lianhua, you need not worry about me. I still do not see any reason to take offense at the Grand Alchemist¡¯s actions. It is I who requested the transfer to the Alchemy Division and inconvenienced you all. Not only would it be brazen of me to complain about the class I¡¯ve been placed into, but it would defeat my purpose. I am here to learn, not fight.¡± It was not surprise, but shock that flickered across Lianhua Wu¡¯s visage, before she managed to compose herself. ¡°Xiao Feng,¡± She addressed him, her tone far more informal than before. ¡°What is your reason for coming to the Alchemy Division?¡± She asked the martial cultivator who did not act, behave or talk like a martial cultivator. A war hero who carried with him none of the pride foisted onto him by virtue of his title. A man who defied the heavens to cultivate, yet possessed a demeanor more befitting a mortal. ¡°Well, if I am being honest,¡± Xiao Feng smiled, genuinely smiled at Lianhua before answering,¡±I wish to learn how to brew tea.¡± 12: The Proposal 12: ¡°Tea?¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua blurted out, the carefully crafted composure she always maintained in public shattering in one particularly unexpected blow that completely snaked past her guard. ¡°Like the mortal drink?¡± ¡°Correct,¡± War Hero Xiao Feng replied with an earnest expression. ¡°Though if I wanted to make regular tea, I could¡¯ve learned that art at any regular mortal village. You see, Senior Alchemist Lianhua, I wish to brew medicinal tea.¡± ¡°Medical Tea,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua repeated, sounding dazed. ¡°So, like a concoction?¡± She managed to ask, her experience on the subject matter kicking in reflexively. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng enthusiastically nodded. ¡°I wish to learn about concoctions first, for without it I cannot start researching tea blends.¡± ¡°And, erm,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua coughed, trying to reign in the emotion that sought to overwhelm her. ¡°What do you intend to do with the medicinal tea you make?¡± ¡°Sell it, naturally. I have a shop in the Martial Division for that purpose,¡± Xiao Feng explained. Senior Alchemist Lianhua could no longer keep the emotions warring inside her at bay. First, a chuckle escaped her. Then, a delicate laughter illuminated the thankfully vacant passageway, as the mask Senior Alchemist Lianhua had been reinforcing for the years and decades since her mother had passed, cracked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua managed to explain in between bouts of laughter. ¡°I¡¯m not laughing at you¡­ I just really haven¡¯t met¡­ someone so interesting in years,¡± She explained, finally managing to reign it in. Then a blush colored her cheeks, as she realized just how far she had overstepped. Xiao Feng smiled, finding the situation quite amusing himself, ¡°I¡¯ll admit that as far as ideas go, it is pretty out there.¡± ¡°Can I ask why?¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua shyly asked, already having embarrassed herself too much before Xiao Feng to claim any semblance of pride in her tone. ¡°Senior Alchemist Lianhua, I am sure you are well aware of this, but let me ask anyway¡ª Are you aware of the greatest drawback of alchemist made pills?¡± Xiao Feng asked, delighted to having gotten the opportunity to steer the conversation. ¡°They are expensive,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua replied, her interest piqued by the conversation. ¡°Indeed,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Correct me if I am wrong, but it is not uncommon for an ordinary alchemist to lose ten tries of materials to make a single pill. This requires the pills to be priced at increasingly higher tasks, while more talented alchemists are drawn to refine higher quality pills for more powerful cultivators.¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Your understanding is rough, but mostly correct,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua replied, not requiring long to think it through. Xiao Feng nodded, before continuing, ¡°I do not know how well you know the Martial Division, Senior Alchemist Lianhua?¡± ¡°I am not too familiar with its inner workings,¡± She admitted after a pause. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng sighed. ¡°It is quite the dull, dreary place if I am being honest,¡± Xiao Feng bluntly admitted. ¡°That is¡­ an interesting perspective,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua replied, not having expected the Martial Divsion¡¯s Hero to say such disparaging words. ¡°Do not misunderstand me, Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng shook his head. ¡°The Martial Division made me who I am, gave me the strength I needed to protect what I wanted. However, the cultivators there constantly train, push themselves to their limits and obsess over getting stronger because they know, because I know that the demons will destroy us if we get complacent. However, the reward for all that training is to fight in a life and death battle that a third will not survive.¡± Taking in Xiao Feng¡¯s melancholic tone, Senior Alchemist Lianhua thought it best not to interrupt. ¡°My goal here is to learn how to give them some joy,¡± Xiao Feng continued, his tone brightening. ¡°Pills are expensive. Concoctions are cheap. A single spiritual plant can make more than ten doses at times. When pills run out in battle, and they almost certainly do run out, concoctions are used and they save lives. They saved my life. That is why my first goal is to research how to create a concoction that can rejuvenate the body after a long training session.¡± ¡°That is a noble goal,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua said, a hint of approval in her tone. ¡°And then make it taste good,¡± Xiao Feng added. ¡°That part is crucial.¡± ¡°I do not understand,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua replied, this time managing to hold her composure. ¡°If it is the equivalent of a lesser restoration pill you wish to make, what has taste got to do with it?¡± ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng rhetorically asked, chuckling. ¡°Because I need my customers to come back, of course. It is not medicine I wish to sell here, Senior Alchemist Lianhua, you can do that much better than me. I wish to sell tea. A cup of tea to share victories and jubilations over. A cup of tea to accompany as you vent sorrows and grief. A cup of tea together to make a friend. A final cup of tea together before you say farewell to your Dao Partner. I wish to entertain and be entertained, that is all.¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua could not understand what it was Xiao Feng exactly wished to accomplish, but his words¡­ his odd and eccentric words somehow managed to move her heart. ¡°I have a proposal then,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua said. ¡°By all means, go ahead.¡± ¡°To save the face of the Alchemy Division in how the matter of your admission was handled, let me be your teacher for the next six months¡±. Six months? Xiao Feng thought, finding himself staggered by the proposal. It¡¯s a great offer. It¡¯s not really an offer I can afford to refuse, if she means one on one tutoring. But six months, isn¡¯t that too long- Oh. Ohhh, Xiao Feng snapped back into the moment, as he remembered that six months wasn¡¯t really all that long for a Foundation establishment Cultivator considering they could live for two hundred years. ¡°I would be delighted to accept,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a smile. 13: The Alchemists Flame 13: ¡°So,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua. ¡°Before I teach you anything, we need to get you a pill furnace. Can you afford one, or do you wish to borrow one from the sect?¡± ¡°I can borrow one?¡± Xiao Feng questioned, his expression appearing to be a little flummoxed. ¡°Uh¡­.,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua trailed off. ¡°Father didn¡¯t tell you that, did he?¡± She asked sheepishly, before breaking into an awkward chuckle. ¡°He told me that I needed to purchase one at my own cost,¡± Xiao Feng replied calmly. Inwards though, he was anything but. Damn, He thought. That old codger really was out for my blood. ¡°I¡¯ll help you apply for a pill furnace,¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua hurriedly replied, a blush coloring her cheeks from the embarrassment she was feeling. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°I wish to purchase one. If it sends the message that I am serious about the Dao of Alchemy, that is even better.¡± ¡°Are you certain?¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua asked. ¡°Pill furnaces are known to be notoriously expensive. They start from one gold tael for the most basic one and their price can rise manifold depending on the quality.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°I can afford it, Senior Alchemist Lianhua. It turns out that becoming a war hero pays quite well.¡± ¡°Please, just call me Lianhua. If we are comparing accomplishments in our respective fields, then you would still be ahead of me by a sizable margin.¡± ¡°In our respective fields?¡± Xiao Feng flashed her a quizzical glance. ¡°I am merely a humble recruit alchemist taking his first steps in search of the Grand Dao of Alchemy.¡± Lianhua just rolled her eyes in response, clearly seeing them as equals instead of sharing a master-disciple relationship. That made sense, of course. They should¡¯ve been about the same age, considering they were both cultivators of the Foundation Establishment Stage¡¯s early layers and neither of them were prodigies when it came to ascending layers and stages. ¡°Very well, Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng said, having gotten his enjoyment out of the earlier jest. ¡°I shall oblige.¡± ¡°Good, Xiao Feng,¡± She replied, dropping the prefix ¡®cultivator¡¯ she had been using as part of his address. ¡°Now, let us be on our way.¡± He nodded and now, walked beside her. Stepping out of the Junior Division, Xiao Feng was once again dazzled by the Verdant Harmony tree and the seedbeds resting under its canopy. However, he didn¡¯t get long to appreciate its beauty as Lianhua continued walking towards a passageway that had the words Pill Treasury carved on a jade plaque fixed above the entrance. ¡°Do you know why it is necessary for you to learn pill refinement, even though it is concoctions you are interested in brewing?¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°Hmm,¡± Xiao Feng contemplated the question for the greater part of a minute before he came up with an answer, ¡°Perhaps it would be like mastering immaculate swordplay without ever understanding Qi control and manipulation. Still useful, but far less effective.¡± ¡°That is a good analogy,¡± Lianhua praised, offering him a smile that might have made his heart flutter a little. ¡°What you are attempting is hardly unheard of. Many alchemists across the years have undertaken projects where they have sought to create a concoction that surpasses the efficacy of pills. They have all failed. You must first understand the why, see for yourself the difference between the two processes and only then, will you be able to refine the formula for the concoctions you seek to make.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng replied. I guess I can¡¯t tell her that using a pill furnace might turn out to be my greatest strength. Alchemists fail because they need to first isolate the materials in a pill furnace to avoid any impurities, then control their fire or wind qi to refine and compact the materials at high temperatures. The fluctuations in their own Qi as they are willing it into the pill furnace is what lets them detect the positioning of the materials, which is incredibly difficult. Compared to that nightmare, the Essence Cultivation Art will let me see directly into the pill furnace, an ability only powerhouse cultivators that had reached the fourth stage, Nascent Soul, should have. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Lianhua, can I ask you a question?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone practically radiating curiosity as he moved to address a doubt that had been plaguing him for a while. ¡°That is why I agreed to teach you. Ask, ask.¡± ¡°I understand how fire qi attuned cultivators make good alchemists. However, what about wind qi cultivators? I know that the wind element is one of the two major schools of alchemy, but I do not see how.¡± ¡°That, Xiao Feng, is one of the first questions I get asked,¡± Lianhua answered, her lips curling up into a smile. ¡°You see, I happen to be a wind element alchemist like you,¡± She said, her expression betraying her anticipation before she clicked her index finger and thumb together. Xiao Feng took a startled step back as blue flames flared out of Lianhua¡¯s now open palm, their slow dance a sight to behold. Lianhua giggled before explaining, ¡°I guess you haven¡¯t seen that party trick before.¡± ¡°Party trick?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his heart hammering in his chest. Memories were one thing, but the current Xiao Feng was not exactly used to people conjuring flames out of his bare hands. Thankfully, Lianhua seemed to mistake his fear for his combat instinct. With a flourish of her hand, the blue flames disappeared. She resumed her walk and Xiao Feng forced himself to walk by her side, knowing that hesitating any further could lend cause to suspicion. ¡°I am a Wind Qi cultivator, Xiao Feng. Tell me, what does that statement mean,¡± Lianhua asked him, her expression still looking rather amused. ¡°It means that your dantian is attuned to the Wind Element and unless you are one of those prodigies, it means that it is the only element you are attuned to,¡± Xiao Feng explained, drawing from the well of memories his predecessor had left behind. ¡°Partially correct,¡± Lianhua said. Xiao Feng blinked. ¡°I would say that my dantian, nine parts out of ten, is attuned to the wind element. The last part, however, is divided amongst other elements like water, earth, flame and shadow. You, of the Martial Division, believe that one part out of ten, to be worthless. And indeed, the power we are capable of producing with that fraction of a fraction is insignificant. But at the same time, it means that our dantian will not reject that element.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Xiao Feng blurted out reflexively, as the complicated cultivation jargon sailed over his head. Had he been given more time with the memories he had inherited, he probably would have been able to puzzle it out¡ª if there was one thing Xiao Feng didn¡¯t pull any punches on, it was acquiring knowledge relating to cultivation, after all. ¡°To put it simply, we are not martial cultivators. We do not need to care about how quickly we can call upon our qi or how deadly it is in battle. This is an alchemist¡¯s flame cultivated by my father and passed down onto me, its properties attuned to medicinal uses,¡± Lianhua explained, once again allowing the flames to bloom on her open palm. ¡°That is¡­ ingenious,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, his tone sounding awed. Once again, he felt like Xiao Feng had been wasting his time in the Martial Division, when there was so much he could accomplish here. ¡°I am grateful to my father for sharing such a valuable alchemist¡¯s flame with me. Without it, it would have taken me far longer to reach the Senior Alchemist designation,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°What use does Wind Qi have in the process, then? Do alchemists borrow Wind Qi from each other as well, then?¡± Xiao Feng asked, hungry to know more about the process. ¡°Do not misunderstand. Wind Qi is still the primary driver in Wind Alchemy. An alchemist¡¯s flame is employed to heat the various materials down to it¡¯s essence, after which I use my Wind Qi to refine and compact across many stages depending upon the difficulty of the pill I am seeking to make.¡± ¡°So, this flame you have received from, err, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, it has further medicinal properties that can augment the effect of the final pill along with the heating part. I doubt you can do the same with Wind Qi, is that why Flame Alchemists do not borrow it?¡± ¡°Wind Qi is also quite capricious in nature. We can manipulate it with ease because we have grown up with it, but it would be a nightmare for Flame Cultivators if they try to undertake such a challenge later in life. And as you said, you cannot imbue properties into Wind Qi like you can with Fire Qi¡±. ¡°This whole thing is rather fascinating,¡± Xiao Feng admitted. ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so,¡± Lianhua replied with a smile. A few moments passed as they continued to walk towards their destination. It couldn¡¯t be far now, so Xiao Feng decided to ask the awkward question before they got to the shop, ¡°Can you buy alchemist¡¯s flames?¡± Lianhua¡¯s expression turned peculiar as she considered his question. ¡°Not from your father, of course,¡± He hurriedly blurted out. ¡°Like from a shop or some such establishment.¡± ¡°You know, Xiao Feng,¡± Lianhua said, her tone tinged with humor. ¡°If you weren¡¯t new to the Alchemy Division, I would take that as you flirting with me.¡± Oh, He thought. Buying an alchemist¡¯s flame. When she¡¯s right next to me with Alchemist¡¯s Flame. Right. Riiiiight, He didn¡¯t blame himself for not seeing through the innuendo, but that didn¡¯t stop a blush from coloring his cheeks. ¡°Oh, we¡¯re here,¡± She said, saving him from further embarrassment. ¡°And yes, Xiao Feng. You can buy an Alchemist¡¯s Flame, though you may find them prohibitively expensive.¡± Xiao Feng nodded, unsure if he had just been flirted with or if that statement was simply true. Then, they stepped into the store. 14: Old Man Jian Daoist Jian¡¯s Pill Furnace Shop left an impression on Xiao Feng from the moment he stepped onto its hardwood floor. A potbellied man sat cross legged on a wide diwan, two large cushions supporting his wide back against the wall. Arrayed before him were two story wooden shelves that supported the weight of over two dozen cast-metal pill furnaces, but that wasn¡¯t all. As Xiao Feng allowed his gaze to sweep across the rectangular room, he noticed the numerous wooden storage shelves with glass displays lining the wall. Contained within were a plethora of goods that ranged from sealed glass bottles that contained pills to robes, armor and even ceremonial clothing. Lianhua continued walking towards the potbellied man, coming to a stop before the U-shaped arrangement of wooden shelves containing the pill furnaces that boxed him in. Xiao Feng came to a stop at her side. ¡°Old man jian,¡± Lianhua acknowledged. ¡°Little brat,¡± Cultivator Jian replied, his tone carrying an air of casual disregard for the Senior Alchemist. A disregard that prompted Xiao Feng to study the potbellied man more closely. His robes were plain white, his appearance that of a middle-aged man with a salt and pepper beard and brown eyes that seemed to conceal a silent wisdom. What status did this alchemist have? Xiao Feng could not tell. ¡°I have come here because one of my students wishes to purchase a pill furnace,¡± Lianhua explained, not bothered by the man¡¯s brazenness. ¡°This kid?¡± Cultivator Jian all but exclaimed out loud, his expression scandalized. ¡°Since when did the stone-faced princess of our Alchemy Division take students?¡± Lianhua¡¯s brows visibly twitched in annoyance, before she retorted, ¡°I am not a stone-faced princess, cultivator Jian.¡± Cultivator Jian seemed equally annoyed by Lianhua¡¯s response, ¡°How many times do I have to tell you, princess. You may address me as Daoist Jian, Grandmaster Jian, Greatest Blacksmith Under the Heavens Jian or¡ª¡± ¡°Blacksmith?¡± Xiao Feng sputtered out, the confusion in his tone audible. ¡°I see that both of you lack manners. Well, they do say that the master and disciple should be like minded,¡± Cultivator Jian jabbed at both of them. ¡°Yes, I am a blacksmith, kid. Who else do you think is capable of making all of this?¡± He asked, gesturing at the dozens of pill furnaces arrayed before him. Lianhua¡¯s annoyance had clearly increased at the collective insult, though Xiao Feng could tell that it was just an exchange of friendly jibes. Before Lianhua could speak, Xiao Feng took the initiative, ¡°That¡¯s pretty amazing.¡± Lianhua froze. Cultivator Jian studied him, with surprise reflected in his gaze. Then he replied, ¡°Well, I guess I have to eat my words now. You¡¯re pretty alright, kid. But can you even afford my wares?¡± ¡°Depends,¡± Xiao Feng replied, determining that it was time to buy some respect or ¡®face¡¯ back for his mentor. ¡°How much does your most expensive pill furnace go for?¡± The smile left Cultivator Jian¡¯s visage as his gaze locked onto his own. ¡°Joking around amongst friends is fine, kid. But Daoist Jian does not mix humor and business,¡± He warned. If I take my time to research every pill furnace until I can zero in on the one most suited to my needs, I¡¯ll probably save some money. But that¡¯s not something Xiao Feng, cultivator of the Martial Division would do. This world respects boldness and looks down upon indecisiveness. More than that though, I¡¯m kinda just tired of being broke all the time. Instead of replying with words, Xiao Feng pulled out a small spatial pouch from his robe pocket, opened it¡¯s mouth by tugging at the clasp and then turned it towards the wooden shelves¡¯ surface. The sound of coins clinking against a wooden surface echoed out as both Lianhua and Cultivator Jian watched in complete astonishment at the scene unfolding before them. Xiao Feng stopped only after there were three dozen glimmering gold taels resting unguarded on Cultivator Jian¡¯s shelf. Without speaking a word, he retracted the pouch, sealed it¡¯s clasp and placed it within the safety of the robe pocket again. The silence that Xiao Feng had deliberately caused stretched on for a few moments, before Cultivator Jian broke into a bout of belly laughter. ¡°Fellow Daoist, forgive me, forgive me. It seems that this old cultivator¡¯s eyes have gotten hazy with age, to witness a dragon amongst men and yet not recognize thy grandeur. Let me fetch you the most potent amongst all my pill furnaces suited for your level!¡± Cultivator Jian declared in a cheerful, upbeat voice, his boastful, imposing personality doing a complete about-turn in a matter of seconds. Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow at the shameless behavior. He caught Lianhua staring at him, her gaze seeming concerned. Is she worried that I¡¯m overextending my finances because I¡¯m tired of being underestimated by all these people? Well, that is kinda true, but I¡¯ve got enough money to burn, Xiao Feng thought, meeting her gaze and then nodding reassuringly. Accepting the reassurance, Lianhua turned her gaze to Old Man Jian and said, ¡°Don¡¯t try to pull a fast one on my student while I¡¯m around, you hear.¡± ¡°Fast one? Hmph,¡± Cultivator Jian snorted as he flipped through a small, leather-bound diary. ¡°I would not dare do anything that risks turning away such a windfall. Now, sir, what is your name?¡± ¡°Xiao Feng,¡± He replied. ¡°Hm, haven¡¯t heard that one before. Very well then, Xiao Feng, what method do you follow?¡± Cultivator Jian asked. ¡°Wind Alchemy.¡± ¡°I see. Makes sense, with the stone-faced princess as your master. Now, since you are a foundation establishment cultivator, that rules out the Moonstone furnaces. Your Qi will have too difficult of a time trying to overcome it¡¯s natural resistance. That makes it ideal for refining pills that require high temperatures or excessive wind refinement, but without Core Formation level Qi reserves, it will just be a waste of your money.¡± ¡°How much is one Moonstone Furnace worth?¡± Xiao Feng asked, unable to hold back his curiosity. ¡°Around forty gold taels. Though I won¡¯t sell you one, even if you do have the reserves to buy it.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng replied, already having caught onto the fact that Cultivator Jian was a prideful man. ¡°That leaves Golden Sunstone furnaces and Spiritual Silver ones. Normally, I would recommend a Golden Sunstone furnace to you, given that you seem like you¡¯re just starting out. Spiritual Silver is way more conductive than the alternative, but a problem for new recruits can be that it is a bit too conductive¡ª if you¡¯re not paying attention, you won¡¯t just burn your pill, you¡¯ll also singe off your fingerprints.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re not,¡± Xiao Feng pointed out. ¡°Why?¡± Cultivator Jian¡¯s lips curled upwards into a sly smile. ¡°Do you really think that I wouldn¡¯t notice that the artifact you carry on you is made out of Spiritual Silver?¡± It is? Oh¡­ Shit. I really need to read up on this stuff, Xiao Feng thought, his expression stoic as he considered the rhetorical question. ¡°Astute,¡± Xiao Feng replied with an approving nod, as if he was the grandmaster blacksmith amongst the two of them. ¡°May I see it?¡± Cultivator Jian inquired, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Gone was the shopkeeper who had stumbled upon a golden goose and wanted to make a sale, in favor of a blacksmith who sought the pinnacle of his craft. ¡°Sure,¡± Xiao Feng replied, taking a step back to create distance before unsheathing his sword in the way his memories told him to. Holding the sword in cupped palms, he offered it to Elder Jian. He accepted it gingerly, grabbing a hold of the hilt first and then running his free hand along the length of the blade. His expression turned solemn. ¡°This quality of spiritual silver¡ª wrong,, the techniques employed in forging this blade¡­ they eclipse my own. This is not a weapon made in our current era. It has to be three, maybe four hundred years old and yet, it is in perfect condition. For the foundation establishment stage, it might as well be called the perfect weapon.¡± Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°It was given to me by the sect,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he accepted his blade and returned it to its sheathe. ¡°By the sect¡­.,¡± Cultivator Jian trailed off, before his eyes flashed with realization. ¡°You¡¯re not an alchemist, are you?¡± He asked. ¡°I am one now,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a smile. ¡°Well,¡± Cultivator Jian shrugged. ¡°None of my business, really. No, my business is to sell you a pill furnace. I can¡¯t offer you something of that quality, but unlike Martial Cultivation, where the sharpness of your blade might very well decide whether you live or die, in the Dao of Alchemy your skill eclipses all other parameters¡ª you can have the best spiritual silver furnace I have, if you want.¡± ¡°How much will that cost?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone calm even as he found himself incredibly grateful for the knowledge that had been offered to him for free. ¡°Thirty four gold taels,¡± Cultivator Jian stated. ¡°That¡¯s way too much, Old Man!¡± Lianhua protested, startling Xiao Feng. ¡°Bah thirty three gold taels and sixty silver taels, just because he¡¯s your disciple,¡± Cultivator Jian relented, but only by a bit. ¡°Thirty two gold taels, or we leave,¡± Lianhua counter-offered, her tone carrying a hint of finality. ¡°Leave and where, little girl. Where else will you find a blacksmith who specializes in forging pill furnaces? Across the border?¡± Cultivator Jian playfully mocked. ¡°Wait till I tell my father, who happens to be one of two Grand Alchemists in the entire Alchemy Division, about your brazen words,¡± Lianhua fired back, her cheeks colored red from the exertion. She¡¯s enjoying this, Xiao Feng thought, a bit flummoxed by the back and forth. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Cultivator Jian threw his arms up in surrender. ¡°Thirty two gold taels and fifty silver. That¡¯s the lowest I can do. Any less and you might as well use that sword, cut me down and take it.¡± Before Lianhua could beat down Cultivator Jian any further, Xiao Feng spoke, ¡°That¡¯s fine by me.¡± The words that were on the verge of spilling out of Lianhua¡¯s mouth froze, before she flashed Xiao Feng a scandalized look. ¡°Deal,¡± Cultivator Jian hurriedly accepted, letting Xiao Feng know that he had just gotten scammed. That was fine. Leaving a positive impression on Cultivator Jian would be good for him in the long-term. For all his eccentricities, the man seemed to be the real deal when it came to blacksmithing. And Xiao Feng could use a man like that. Grunting from the exertion, Cultivator Jian hoisted the undoubtedly heavy pill furnace on top of the wooden shelf. Xiao Feng took in the construct of luminescent silver. He studied the structure, a spiritual cauldron balanced by three, stubby legs that curled upwards and capped off by a sturdy lid. He found himself awed by the craftsmanship that went in shaping the cauldron¡¯s handles like outstretched wings, undoubtedly symbolizing the mythical skywing. The skywing¡¯s physical body was engraved near the center of the cauldron, with a part of it¡¯s wings depicted to expand outwards and join the handle. He reached for it, hoisting it with ease and placing it next to him on the wooden floor. Hopefully, that wasn¡¯t disrespectful, He thought, realizing that he had no idea what the protocol was for dealing with pill furnaces. ¡°You¡¯re pretty strong,¡± Cultivator Jian acknowledged, his tone sounding impressed but not surprised. ¡°Well, here¡¯s your change,¡± He said, pushing forward the balance of gold taels that included the extra amount he had dramatically poured onto the table, along with fifty silver taels that were stacked in rows of ten. Xiao Feng pocketed the gold taels, before turning his attention to the wares that were lined along the shop¡¯s walls. His lips slowly curled up as he found something that would do for his purpose. Xiao Feng pushed the silver taels back towards the shopkeeper before he pointed towards a slender, particularly eye-catching item. Initially, confusion clouded Cultivator Jian¡¯s visage. Then, realization struck and he offered Xiao Feng an understanding nod. ¡°Pleasure doing business,¡± He said. ¡°You can take the hairpin.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Xiao Feng replied, before walking over towards the storage shelf, slid the glass panel inwards and retrieved a delicate, blue jade hairpin that had an amethyst colored crystal inlaid on one end. Underneath the blue jade hairpin, a paper price tag was stuck to the stand it had been kept on. ¡®50 silver taels.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s a pretty hairpin. For a friend back in the Martial Division?¡± Lianhua asked him, her expression betraying her inquisitiveness. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°For you,¡± He said and gingerly offered it to her. This time, Xiao Feng had scoured his memories and confirmed that hairpins were a perfectly innocuous gift, given to friends, family or a significant other. Naturally, his predecessor had offered no such precious gifts and Xiao Feng couldn¡¯t really blame him¡ª fifty silver taels was what Xiao Feng used to make in three months, after all. Despite what the original Xiao Feng thought about the Frontier Sect, they were pretty generous once you shed blood for them. ¡°I¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, her expression blank as Xiao Feng caught her completely off guard. ¡°I can¡¯t accept this. It¡¯s too precious,¡± She said, even as a fire blazed across her cheeks. ¡°Please,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°You have already done too much for me. I would feel terribly guilty if I could not show at least a token of appreciation,¡± He pleaded his cause, his tone soothingly earnest. ¡°Fine,¡± Lianhua hurriedly replied. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll accept it. Er, so I have to assist my father with his administrative duties now so,¡± She paused, reaching into her robe pocket and pulling out a key that was tethered to a tag with a small metal ringlet, ¡°Here¡¯s the key to your room. Now you get yourself settled and I¡¯ll check in on you tomorrow. Oh, ask uh, the old man if you need directions.¡± Xiao Feng watched Lianhua walk off rather hurriedly, her right hand clutching onto the hairpin he had given her. Did I just make a mistake, Xiao Feng wondered. After she had left the shop, Cultivator Jian addressed him, ¡°You are a member of the Martial Division, aren¡¯t you?¡± He asked. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng questioned, not following. Cultivator Jian broke out into a boisterous laughter, requiring the greater part of a minute to finally answer him, ¡°You Martial Division folks really have a penchant for making enemies.¡±
I wonder what he meant by that, Xiao Feng thought as he stepped outside the Treasury sector of the Alchemy Division. Lianhua was blushing, sure. But that was probably because she wasn¡¯t used to getting gifts from her students. Cultivator Jian had implied as much himself. She didn¡¯t take on a different meaning to the gift, right? No, no, I¡¯m being preposterous. She¡¯s a forty year old woman. Maybe older. I¡¯m a twenty year old college student¡ª no way she doesn¡¯t see right through me. Wait, she isn¡¯t married, is she? Are those the enemies he was talking about? Xiao Feng shrugged and then kept moving forward. One step at a time. If an angry husband shows up, I¡¯ll deal with it then. For now, I want to get my hands on some herbs. Standing nearby to the Verdant Harmony Tree, Xiao Feng allowed himself to stand still and take in the soothing, gentle Qi ensconcing him from all directions. It was all so peaceful, so serene, that he didn¡¯t feel like moving. Unfortunately, cultivating under the Verdant Harmony Tree was not allowed. The Qi it was condensing would not be able to sustain more than a few foundation establishment cultivators drawing in Qi at the same time and Xiao Feng could not even begin to imagine the complexity in designing a functional ecosystem for spritual plants underground. Come to think of it, Grand Alchemist Xin Wu had been quite defensive when it came to the Verdant Harmony Tree- was he perhaps the architect behind the arrangement? Putting the consideration out of his mind for now, Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze swept across the eight pathways, noting that he had already gone down four of them. Namely, the entrance to the sect, the treasury, the junior division and finally, the residences. He had gotten his fair share of stupefied looks from alchemist designates as he stepped out of the treasury with a pill furnace that was more expensive than their entire class¡¯ furnaces combined. The rumors would spread, naturally. However, Xiao Feng was of the hope that the maturer alchemist designates would prefer to do the talking behind their back. Thankfully, the recruits were still preoccupied by their classes in the Junior Division, which made his way through the residential area rather peaceful. Xiao Feng was still in the process of wrapping his head around the manner in which the various alchemist designations worked, but his conversation with Cultivator Jian had given him quite enough knowledge to work with. Recruits, who were the lowest rung of social strata within the alchemy division and Alchemist Designates, that is, recruits who passed the test and were officially certified so by the Azure Lotus sect¡¯s standards, lived in different areas down the passageway labeled ¡®Residences¡¯. Senior Alchemists and the two Grand Alchemists lived in the Administrative Sector, where their offices also were. That made sense to Xiao Feng, because there was definitely knowledge they were privy to and could not share with the lower ranked alchemists. Having their residences side by side would only offer temptation. Thus, Lianhua could not get him a residence with the other Senior Alchemists even if she wanted to. Xiao Feng had been granted a room with the other recruits, because it was the only arrangement that could be made in short notice. Or atleast, that was what the warden of the recruit¡¯s living quarters, an alchemist designate, had told him. The ninth layer Qi Gathering stage cultivator could not stop gazing at him intently, even though he had been informed that Xiao Feng would be moving in today. Lianhua had pulled strings for him even here though, for whilst all the other recruits had to share a room with two others, Xiao Feng got an entire room for himself. Following the directions the warden had given him, Xiao Feng opened his dorm room equivalent, finding a single occupancy bed, one wardrobe, an attached washing area, a side-table and enough crystal lighting that he could turn on and off at a tap of his finger. He dumped the heavy cauldron on the floor, locked the door behind him and now, found his gaze fixated on the pathway that led to the botanical storage. Finally, Xiao Feng thought, as he felt the build-up of anticipation in his gut. It¡¯s unlikely that I¡¯ll find anything too miraculous, but scanning dozens upon dozens of herbs with my Essence Cultivation Art will be good practice. The seedbeds aren¡¯t great because I can¡¯t approach them without attracting suspicion and while I¡¯d love to examine the Verdant Harmony tree in greater detail, the Essence Cultivation Art isn¡¯t invincible. Even Xiao Feng never dared to use it on any of the Nascent Soul Elders, the monsters they were. He feared that they would detect his intrusion. The Divine Sense of a Nascent Soul is a terrifying ability. Projecting their soul outwards into strands they can use to sense enemies and allies alike across a sizable area means that there¡¯s no hiding secrets from them. I¡¯m really glad I got out of the Martial Division. Sorry Elder Haoyun, but I really like my privacy when I¡¯m taking a bath. 15: To learn, sir As Xiao Feng approached the pathway that led to the botanical storage, he noticed that the complexity of the melange of aromas assailing his senses only increased instead of decreasing as he distanced himself from the seedbed and the Verdant Harmony Tree. I guess an alchemist can¡¯t really rely on his sense of smell. It¡¯s too easily disoriented, Xiao Feng thought as he strode into the passageway, his expression thoughtful. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, each and every one of Xiao Feng¡¯s senses far surpassed a mortal. Breathing was not only a biological requirement for him, but it was also a way to interact with his environment, take in what information it was willing to offer. However, Xiao Feng¡¯s sense of smell was attuned to danger. The pungent smell of coagulating blood. Or perhaps, the oppressive stench of certain spiritual beasts that lurked within the Mistveil Bamboo Grove, a heavily forested region that blocked the Frontier Sect from retreating westward. Of course, such a threat would not be able to stand within the territory of the Azure Lotus Sect unless the benefits it offered far outweighed the risks of keeping it around. The Mistveil Bamboo Grove served as a training ground for cultivators that were either approaching or at the pinnacle of the Qi Gathering realm. Exposing Martial Cultivators to the very real threat of spiritual beasts under conditions of poor visibility meant that they had to rely on their other senses to supplement their sight. Oh, Xiao Feng thought, as realization struck him. It¡¯s not an alchemist problem. My predecessor was trained to ignore the myriad scents and smells of the forest in favor of aberrations and irregularities. It¡¯s a me problem, damn it. It made too much sense to ignore. As a cultivator of the Martial Division, he had instinctively learned to pick up on scents he associated with danger. It was only natural that an Alchemist trained from birth would receive a completely different style of education and training. Well, not much I can do about it. For now, Xiao Feng thought, as he took the second right down the passageway. Gently pushing open the door, he found himself taken aback by the scene unfolding before him. The first thing that stood out to him was the fact that The Alchemist¡¯s Haven was far larger, almost three times larger than Daoist Jian¡¯s Pill Furnace shop. The shelves lining the wall were a sight to behold, as Xiao Feng noticed the sheer variety of stocked vials that contained various liquid plant extracts, dried plants that were tied in tied in sheafs of five to ten and sealed jars that seemed to contain desiccated spiritual beast parts¡ª each and every item within the store meticulously labeled. Before he dove into the treasure hoard, Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze turned to the far corner of the room, where he had noticed a bored looking Alchemist Designate half-heartedly flipping through the pages of a book. It was the paraphernalia arrayed behind him, hanging from hooks on the wall. From a variety of sharp knives that ranged from very small to almost a sword to mortars and pestles, cutting boards and metal rulers. There was also a weighing scale placed on the table the alchemist designate was seated behind, one of those old school ones that used a variety of actual weights. There was no pill furnace in sight, which Xiao Feng shouldn¡¯t have been surprised about¡ª using fire near a hoard of valuable materials was a bad idea. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Xiao Feng allowed his gaze to sweep over the entire shop, noticing three more alchemist designates that seemed to be employees of the store along with a dozen or so regular customers. Well, it¡¯s about time I get this show started, Xiao Feng thought, as he walked over to one of the many shelves housing sheafs of spiritual plants. He activated the Essence Cultivation Art. Holy crap, Xiao Feng thought, as he took in the sheaf of silver-leaved ferns, seeing right through their physical structure. Their structure appeared to him in the form of a tiny, branching tree, its stem resembling a tree trunk. He noticed the tiny core bobbing up and down its stem, observing it with curiosity. However, Xiao Feng¡¯s fascination originated from an entirely different aspect. I can tell, He thought. The one that shines the brightest, possesses the greatest amount of Qi, Xiao Feng¡¯s expression was focused as he picked out one silver-leafed fern from the sheaf, holding it before him with fascination in his gaze. One of the reasons why Alchemists fail a pill refinement is because it¡¯s difficult to keep their materials¡¯ potency consistent across attempts. On the other hand, I can simply pick out the most potent materials each time while making sure they¡¯re consistent, He concluded, before putting the silver-leafed fern back. As he walked towards the alchemist designate that was manning the weighing scale, he cut off the Essence Cultivation Art. There was no backlash to his cultivation base, but Xiao Feng found it too disorienting to take in that much visual input at one time, especially when there was no need for it. He came to a stop before the alchemist designate, just as he flipped to the next page of the book he was reading. Then, the next. After realizing that the alchemist designate was entirely content to ignore him if he did not make a request, Xiao Feng spoke up, ¡°Excuse me.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± The alchemist designate tersely replied. ¡°I want these items, please,¡± Xiao Feng said, as he offered him a slip of paper he had written his request onto. Thankfully, the alchemist designate was not boorish enough to ignore his request entirely. The slip of paper was plucked away from his hands, even as the alchemist designate continued reading his book with the other. ¡°Hm,¡± He hummed in thought. Then he closed the book was reading and kept on the desk, as he considered Xiao Feng¡¯s note again. ¡°Uh, you¡¯re a new recruit, right?¡± He asked. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Xiao Feng replied with humility in his tone. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± He asked. ¡°Xiao Feng, sir.¡± ¡°Well Xiao Feng,¡± He addressed him with bafflement in his tone. ¡°Is this your idea of playing a joke on me?¡± ¡°No, sir.¡± ¡°Xiao Feng, pray tell me what you require two sets of every edible, non-toxic spiritual herb in the entire shop for?¡± He asked, as annoyance seeped into his tone. ¡°To learn, sir.¡± ¡°Look recruit,¡± The Alchemist Designate snapped. ¡°Can you even pay for a tenth of all this?¡± Xiao Feng chose to reply with his actions, as he pulled a gold tael out of his pocket and placed it on the counter. ¡°I would also require any spices you have, along with as many vials of edible spiritual beast milk you have on hand. Well, as long as it lasts at least a month before expiring,¡± Xiao Feng decided to strike while he had the upper hand and his metaphorical opponent was too dazed to protest. 16: One mans trash... ¡°Who is that?¡± A young female recruit whispered to her group of friends, trying her best to conceal her bafflement at the scene unfolding before her. ¡°No clue,¡± A male recruit standing next to her replied. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s the Grand Alchemist¡¯s long lost son?¡± He jested. ¡°Silence, you buffoon,¡± A short blonde-haired recruit hissed, mock punching the male recruit on his back. ¡°Sorry,¡± He hurriedly replied, realizing how badly his misstep could have cost him. ¡°And I know that person. He¡¯s from the Martial Division, he joined my class today,¡± The blonde-haired girl conspiratorially whispered. ¡°Martial Division? Didn¡¯t those guys only come here to make money? How does that make any sense?¡± The young female recruit who had initiated conversation on the topic asked. ¡°I¡¯m just a recruit like you, Qing. How am I supposed to know,¡± The short blonde-haired woman replied with a shrug.¡±But I can tell you one thing. Someone called him mid-class and he left soon after. Didn¡¯t come back the entire lesson.¡± They know I can hear them, right? Xiao Feng wondered as he overheard the young recruit¡¯s conversation without really intending to. Oh well, it¡¯s not like I didn¡¯t gossip in my first year. What¡¯s good tea without spicy gossip, anyway? Directing his attention away from the gossipmongering students and to the alchemist designates, he allowed himself a brief moment of basking in the smugness as the shopkeeper who had been preoccupied enough by a book to ignore the customer standing before him was now running around the shop, directing the other alchemists with names of spiritual herbs even as he deposited more in the basket he had slung over his waist. A mere five minutes later, Xiao Feng was staring down three baskets full of spiritual herbs with a scrutinizing gaze. He watched the other alchemist designates return to their posts, leaving behind only the one manning the weighing scale. ¡°As per your requirements,¡± He began, his tone sounding a little off-balance.¡°I¡¯ve given you two of each spiritual herb that is edible. The non-toxic part goes without saying. I would be stripped of my rank if I allowed you to walk out of this store with a toxic herb. As for all this?¡± he asked dramatically, knowing that there was a crowd watching the proceedings. ¡°You could grind all this together, wrap some of the mixture in paper and smoke it and nothing harmful will happen to you. Though recruit, that is most definitely not permission to try it,¡± The alchemist designate said, once again impressing upon Xiao Feng the weight of his rank. ¡°And the milk?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Well, recruit, I could sell you the milk but I¡¯m not entirely sure if I should,¡± He said. ¡°Why do you wish to purchase milk in large quantities?¡± Xiao Feng cocked his head as he stared at the alchemist designate, before replying, ¡°To drink, of course.¡± ¡°Pa-Pardon?¡± The alchemist designate queried, almost choking on his words in the process. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°To drink it,¡± Xiao Feng replied again, with a shrug. ¡°Why under the heavens would you want to drink raw beast milk, recruit!?¡± It took every ounce of the alchemist designate¡¯s willpower to not scream out his inquiry. ¡°Raw?¡± Xiao Feng questioned, his tone incensed. ¡°Who said anything about drinking milk raw? I will boil it of course. Just because us cultivators of the Martial Division hunt spiritual beasts, doesn¡¯t mean we act like them too, you know?¡± The alchemist designate blinked. ¡°You¡¯re from the martial division?¡± He asked Xiao Feng. ¡°Formerly.¡± ¡°Oh. Nevermind,¡± The alchemist designate¡¯s features relaxed, as he nodded at Xiao Feng in understanding. ¡°Hey!¡± Xiao Feng protested, but the alchemist seemed to be done exchanging banter with him. ¡°I can get you spiritual beast milk, but it¡¯s going to be expensive, even for you. And just so you know, we have pills at the Foundation Establishment stage that can recover your Qi much faster than nourishment designed for a species that is not your own. It¡¯s cheaper too, you know.¡± ¡°How much will one bottle cost?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Three Ge of milk will cost you two silver taels,¡± He replied. ¡°What spiritual beast does the milk come from?¡± Xiao Feng followed up with another question. ¡°A Bi-horn,¡± He replied. ¡°What does it taste like?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, alright. Look, drink it and find out if you¡¯re so curious. Do you know exactly how expensive that is? I make that in a month, recruit. Do you think I can afford to drink it to satiate your curiosity?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Xiao Feng replied, throwing his hands up in surrender. ¡°As long as drinking it won¡¯t do anything to me, I want five bottles of three Ge each¡±. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll grow horns,¡± The alchemist designate jibed, before he signaled to one of the other alchemists he had been directing earlier. The man in question nodded, before leaving the room. Is he calling me bull-headed? Xiao Feng thought. Well, I¡¯ll give it to him. Pretty good clap-back. ¡°He will be back from the bestiary in about ten minutes. Make yourself comfortable,¡± The alchemist designate explained. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Xiao Feng asked, completely ignoring the request to leave the alchemist designate alone. He was pointing at a large wooden basket that had a cloth bag lining its inner surface, placed at one corner of the room. It was full to the brim with spiritual herbs that seemed to be ruthlessly discarded within the bag, a far cry from the otherwise meticulously organized and well-maintained shop. ¡°Junk,¡± The alchemist designate replied. ¡°When cultivators of the Martial Division go into their expeditions into the Mistveil Bamboo Grove, they pretty much come back to us with anything that even vaguely resembles a spiritual herb. Most of them turn out either rotting, rotted or corroded spiritual herbs. We don¡¯t really know what to do with them, so they¡¯re all on sale for a fifth of the useful price¡±. Xiao Feng¡¯s practically gleamed with interest, as he gazed at the trash pile as if it were a mountain of gold. ¡°Can I look through it?¡± Xiao Feng asked. This time, the alchemist designate didn¡¯t even look surprised. ¡°You know what, anything you like from that trash heap¡ª just take it. You¡¯ve already exceeded my sales quota for the entire month, so it¡¯s on the house.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Yeah. Just remember, recruit. I¡¯m not giving you a refund once the sale is made, even if you come begging and crying at my feet in a couple of days when you realize that you just spent a fortune on herbs you don¡¯t know how to use.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t happen,¡± Xiao Feng replied, before turning around and heading to the trash heap. Now, let¡¯s see what the Essence Cultivation Art can do for me. 17: .... Another Mans Treasure Xiao Feng was content to let the alchemist designate weigh each pair of spiritual herbs that he had purchased, as he arrived before the trash heap. Essence Cultivation Art, He thought, surreptitiously activating a cultivation art that not even Nascent Soul cultivators could see through, as long as he didn¡¯t challenge them directly. His gaze was once again confronted by a visual overload, but this time, Xiao Feng had resolved himself to stay focused. Well, he wasn¡¯t lying, Xiao Feng thought as he reached out for a claw shaped spiritual fruit and held it aloft before him. In his gaze, Xiao Feng saw the true nature of the bruised fruit. He searched and searched again, but he could not find any traces of a core. That explained why the spiritual fruit was down to a quarter of its Qi reserves, that sparse amount diffused across its surface area. It seemed that as long as a spiritual herb or fruit¡¯s core remained alive, it could hold on to the Qi it had amassed from either the tree it belonged to or the bountiful soil. But the moment the core finally shattered, or shattered in the uprooting process, it lost the ability to contain that Qi. I guess I might¡¯ve gotten a bit too excited, Xiao Feng thought, as he tossed the spiritual fruit back into the trash pile. Deciding that it would take too long for him to manually scan each herb or fruit, Xiao Feng allowed his gaze to sweep across the length and breadth of the trash heap. Rotting, rotten or damaged. They probably keep these around for recruits like me to experiment with, though a third aren¡¯t even worth the price they¡¯re asking, Xiao Feng thought. It would¡¯ve been a useful resource if he was low on cash like he was supposed to be, at least in the eyes of everyone in the Alchemy Division. Not willing to give up just yet, Xiao Feng used his hand as a paddle and began to stir the sea of discarded spiritual herbs and fruit. The recruits and alchemist designates were likely observing his eccentric movements with enough unspoken judgements to go well with a few cups of chai to go around, but that was good. The more eccentric he seemed in their eyes, the less they would question the meaning behind his movements. A gleam of red flickered past his vision. Xiao Feng froze. That¡¯s not supposed to happen, He thought, before instinct kicked in. Recalling the exact spot he had noticed the glimmer of a color that did not belong in the pile, Xiao Feng began to frenetically dig. A few moments later, he was holding a small, misshapen lump of black stone. Its surface was covered in whorls, with one spiral giving way to the next. It was a thoroughly unremarkable, completely rotten spiritual fruit that should¡¯ve been thrown into the bin instead of being sold. However, Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze was trembling. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. It had a core. One that was gently pulsing, brightening and then dimming. But there was a problem. The core was red. The Qi contained within the ostensible fruit was a light red, too. When had Xiao Feng last seen a red core? On the battlefield, Xiao Feng thought. He had seen it on the battlefield, as the demonic path unleashed a squadron of Shadow Bloodhounds that peppered through his ranks. This isn¡¯t a fruit, He realized. It¡¯s an egg. Xiao Feng hurriedly began to grab spiritual fruits out of the wooden basket at random, until he had fourteen more on top of the egg he was gingerly holding onto with his right hand. He walked over to the alchemist designate, who gestured to an empty basket lying on the ground next to the veritable cash register. Xiao Feng dumped the fruits to build up cushioning, before he gently deposited the black egg on top. A moment later, the door that led to the Alchemist¡¯s Haven opened and the alchemist designate who had gone to fetch the milk, returned with five bottles carried in a sturdy metal receptacle. There we go, Xiao Feng thought. Now, let¡¯s close this deal before these alchemists realize that I¡¯m the one winning out here. Well, maybe.
Twenty minutes later, Xiao Feng finally gave up on his efforts towards trying to maintain a low profile. Three alchemist designates followed him as he ostentatiously walked across the Verdant Harmony Tree. Well, he wasn''t trying to be ostentatious, but he knew that it would be interpreted as such anyway. When Xiao Feng had realized that there was no way he could lug across three baskets full of herbs back to his room, the alchemist designate had informed him that they would be assisting him on his journey back. For such a big order, it was apparently the least that they could do. I hope Lianhua doesn¡¯t see me as a gaudy jerk after this. The writing might already be on the wall, but a man can hope, Xiao Feng thought, having genuinely enjoyed her company so far. Soon, Xiao Feng stood before the warden, who had hollered at him with a completely flabbergasted expression. ¡°Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± The warden addressed, his tone feigning sternness to mask his confusion. ¡°Yes, sir?¡± He asked. ¡°You are aware that I must inspect and log every item you take into your room, yes?¡± He asked. ¡°You are?¡± Xiao Feng questioned, his expression turning odd. ¡°But sir, earlier with the pill furnace¡­,¡± He trailed off, expressing his doubt. ¡°A pill furnace is naturally fine, Recruit Xiao Feng. Though yours is very impressive, I must say.¡± ¡°Thank you, sir,¡± Xiao Feng replied, awkwardly chuckling at the compliment. ¡°Well, place the first basket on my desk. Let¡¯s begin this log now, I don¡¯t have all day.¡± ¡°I¡¯m uh, sorry sir. I¡¯ll make sure not to inconvenience you like this in the future.¡± ¡°Now, now, it¡¯s my job, Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± He said. Xiao Feng whispered to the alchemist designates, telling them that they could leave. He had to give them due respect, after all¡ª they were alchemists and he was not. That was not a gap that money could bridge. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± He replied, before placing the first basket on his desk as instructed. 18: Interlude: Lianhua Wu From as early as she had stepped into the world of cultivation, Lianhua Wu understood the true nature of strength. It had not taken long for her to figure out that her mother, Meixhu Wu, had died, a truth pieced out of the countless clues that were left behind. In the family portraits done by a skilled painter, there was another person, a woman the young child had never seen before. In the wardrobes that were full of feminine clothes that were way too large for a child and way too unlikely to belong to her father. In the music instruments tucked away in almirahs, instruments collecting dust that she had never seen her father play and never likely would. So she had asked the question that every child brought up without one parent of two eventually ended up asking. She had asked her father, asked him how her mother died. The first time, he refused to answer. The second time Lianhua once again built up the courage to ask him, only to be denied again. The third time, a few days before she would officially join the Alchemy Division and work up from the status of a recruit, he finally told her, out of his own volition. ¡°Your mother died of Qi Sickness not long after giving birth to you,¡± He had said, his tone soft and gentle. It had taken Lianhua Wu moments to understand the implications of his words. The tears had dripped down her cheeks before she could even respond. Was it her fault then? Was she the reason her mother had died? Was that the reason why her father did not wish to tell her, all this while? The answer to her unspoken question came in the form of a gentle hug, as her father¡¯s slender arms wrapped around her back. ¡°There is no known reason for Qi Sickness,¡± Her father had explained. ¡°Childbirth is merely associated with Qi Sickness, there is no medical evidence to deem it as the cause. But mark my words, daughter. I do not need to fully understand Qi Sickness to prevent a situation like this from happening again. One day not far from now, I shall become Grand Alchemist¡ª and it shall be by the virtue of a pill that stops any more untimely deaths from happening.¡± Such fire was contained in her father¡¯s words, that even young Lianhua could understand the strength contained within them. She had lived in place of her mother. Her father loved her, he made her feel so loved, so protected, despite what she served as a reminder of. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Her father¡¯s strength created a resonance within her own heart. A small, insignificant ember of her own that sought heat from the blazing fire in her father¡¯s heart had come into existence. That was the day she had resolved to live her life with strength, to excel in the path her father so cherished¡ª even if young Lianhua hadn¡¯t recognized it yet. Her father had lived up to her word. He had created the Meixhu Pill, a pill that significantly reduced the odds of Qi sickness after giving birth. While it wasn¡¯t perfect, his work, that spanned across a decade, across countless sleepless nights, innumerable attempts as ideas, formulae and ratios were thrown at the workboard, only for them to fail and fail again and again until the most complex pill, also the final pill that he needed to become a grand alchemist, succeeded. Those years had not been easy for Lianhua. But she had not once complained to her father. She had not allowed herself to slip into despondency as she juggled her own coursework and tests as an alchemist designate while managing her father¡¯s administrative duties as a then Senior Alchemist. No, she had met the challenge with strength and resilience. Her peers had begun to acknowledge her efforts and dedication. They had come to see her as someone to be respected, to admired, a person to look up to. An ideal alchemist and a dutiful, filial daughter. The youngest amongst the present generation of alchemy division to make it to the rank of senior alchemist. However, there was nothing in life that came without a cost. Before she had even realized it, Lianhua had alienated herself from her peers. She stood alone in the spotlight and the others around her, had become too timid too approach her. She was a prized flower to be admired from afar and when her father walked, the goodwill of the thousands of lives that he had possibly saved, walked alongside him. There were plenty of people willing to talk to Lianhua. They would gladly invite her to sit next to them in the Junior Division¡¯s mess hall and they would praise her for longer than she could stomach. But Lianhua Wu had not had real friends in a very long time. She was turning forty two this year, but her life experiences consisted of her dedication to the Dao of Alchemy, managing her father¡¯s administrative duties so he could¡¯ve focused on the development of the Meixhu Pill and occasionally, when time permitted her as it seldom did, hanging out with acquaintances. So when Xiao Feng offered her a hairpin that was manifold what his salary back in the Martial Division ought to have been, even though circumstances were clearly much different now, her mind stopped working for a few long moments. She was caught completely off guard by an emotion that she had not felt in a very long time, as she blushed harder than a teenage girl. She had not felt such warmth from anyone except her father, hadn¡¯t felt so touched in years. So inexperienced she was in matters of the heart, that Lianhua Wu decided to temporarily retreat, before all but running away from Daoist Jian¡¯s Pill Furnace Shop. The old man would definitely hold it over her head, but Lianhua was in no position to care as her heart asked her a question, Should I wear the hairpin when I go to check in on Xiao Feng tomorrow? Maybe. Maybe she would. 19: The Dying Egg Xiao Feng felt a burst of nervousness build up in his gut as the warden finally came across the egg. He had considered hiding it, but he wouldn¡¯t be particularly surprised if the warden had a way to sniff any smuggled contraband out¡ª it was the alchemist designate¡¯s job, after all. Xiao Feng¡¯s expression froze when the warden took in the egg¡¯s surface with a curious expression, running his right hand across its surface to study the whorls running across its surface. He was lingering onto the egg far longer than he had done with the other spiritual herbs so far. ¡°Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± The warden finally addressed him, his tone neutral. ¡°Who sold this to you?¡± Okay, He thought. This is bad. Really bad. ¡°The Alchemist¡¯s Haven, sir,¡± Xiao Feng promptly answered. ¡°I see,¡± He replied. ¡°I believe you may have been sold a rotten spiritual fruit. In fact, most, if not all the spiritual fruits and herbs in that basket are rotten,¡± He explained, pointing at the basket that carried the produce Xiao Feng had bought from the trash pile. ¡°Oh,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone sounding a bit lost. ¡°Oh, yes. I bought those because the Alchemist¡¯s Haven was selling it for a fifth of the usual price, sir.¡± The warden raised an eyebrow at his words. ¡°Do you really need a discount?¡± He asked, sounding a bit flabbergasted by Xiao Feng¡¯s statement as he gently placed the egg in a basket, the contents of which he had already gone through. Xiao Feng sheepishly tousled the back of his head before replying, ¡°Well sir, I do expect to fail a lot, given that this is my first experience with refining pills. I thought it would be better to use cheaper materials until I get a handle over the process before I fully commit to it.¡± ¡°I see,¡± The warden replied. ¡°Well, we should be almost done here,¡± He said, glancing over to the small pile of rotten spiritual fruits and herbs that remained. ¡°Sir, would you perhaps know where I can find a source of fire? Xiao Feng decided to ask, not having gotten to that question with Lianhua before her abrupt departure. ¡°A source of fire?¡± The warden asked, as he gave Xiao Feng an odd look. ¡°Yes sir. As a practitioner of Wind Alchemy, I still need to rely on Fire Qi to refine a pill. Or at least, that is what I was led to believe,¡± Xiao Feng clarified, wondering if he had misunderstood Lianhua¡¯s words. ¡°Recruit Xiao Feng, were you planning on refining pills in your room?¡± The warden asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°Uh¡­ yes sir?¡± He replied with an uncertain look on his face. ¡°Did you not see the passageway labeled Cultivation Halls in the central foyer?¡± He asked. ¡°I did, sir. Uh, but, I thought Cultivation Halls meant that it would contain cultivation chambers and training rooms,¡± He replied, his judgment made from his predecessor¡¯s memories. A cultivation chamber was a small, sealed room where in good quality spiritual stones were placed on a bed of heated bronze coal. The reaction between the two would lead to the spiritual stones melting, releasing the trapped Qi within and causing the Qi density within that small area to skyrocket. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Those small rooms might have been the place where his predecessor spent most of his life in, often cultivating for hours at end, sometimes, even days. It was an addictive feeling, he knew. The work Xiao Feng put in was rewarded with strength, in a way that was not possible on earth. Each time he cycled the spiritual Qi through his dantian and across his meridians, effect amplified by the acupuncture points, he grew a little stronger, his qi reserves a little grander and his body, slightly more resilient. ¡°Recruit Xiao Feng, is pursuing the Dao of Alchemy not cultivation for us?¡± The warden asked him, his tone revealing a strong sense of underlying pride. If I give the wrong answer here, I might actually piss him off. That is less than ideal, He thought. Well, I never liked people to sucked up to professors back home, but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to survive. ¡°Yes, sir. Thank you for your guidance,¡± Xiao Feng enthusiastically replied, deploying his secret weapon a moment later as he bowed to the warden. Bows carried significant importance in a society that was governed by either strength or the import of one¡¯s status. A cultivator would not easily bow to another, unless they acknowledged him. ¡°Rise, rise, Xiao Feng,¡± The warden hurriedly asked him to stand back straight, clearly aware of his identity due to Lianhua. However, Xiao Feng noticed that he dropped the formal title from his address, referring to him directly by his given name. Gotcha, He thought, before doing as directed. ¡°There are not only cultivation chambers and training rooms within the Cultivation Hall, you can also reserve Alchemy Vaults that offer specialized flame burners for those that do not possess an alchemist¡¯s flame and when you have doubts, or wish to undertake research of your own, there is the Grand Library, which contains a collection of over five thousand tomes, scrolls and written records, both ancient and present,¡± The warden revealed to him, springing a pleasant surprise on Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng enthusiastically nodded at the warden¡¯s explanation. ¡°That was the last of it,¡± The warden said, as he placed the last rotten fruit back in the basket. ¡°You are free to return to your quarters.¡± Finally, Xiao Feng thought. Only after he was behind the shut and locked door to his quarters, did Xiao Feng reach for the egg, holding it in his hands as he collapsed onto his bed. He studied the egg carefully as he held it aloft before him, while lying down on the bed with his back against its soft mattress. ¡°You¡¯re dying, aren¡¯t you?¡± Xiao Feng asked, noticing that the pulsing and dimming cycle had gotten even quicker since he had originally taken notice of the egg. ¡°The warden can¡¯t tell what you are. Neither can the alchemists who tossed you into the pile. That must mean that you are either damaged, or maybe, the species that laid this egg has a very small chance of giving birth successfully. Now, that leaves me with two options,¡± He muttered. ¡°I can either wait to do anything until I research the library and find out exactly what you are. I don¡¯t expect it to be easy if multiple alchemists failed and the time it would take to do all that might exceed what little you have. Or¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, his expression looking uncertain. There was no telling what kind or nature of spiritual beast might hatch from this egg. As far as he was aware, every spiritual beast, no matter which species it came from, started at the equivalent of the Qi Gathering stage. However, its heritage decided how fast and how strong it could grow up to be. The spiritual beast in the egg could turn out to be a highly poisonous one. It may not be able to overpower him from birth, but many things had the potential to go wrong. ¡°Or,¡± He repeated. ¡°I could help you now,¡± He said, knowing that he had already decided on an answer. 20: Sleep tight, little one 20: There was really only one way Xiao Feng knew that might save the dying egg. It was unsurprisingly, not a profound or even a complex method. The original Xiao Feng had not been an alchemist and neither was he too interested in learning about spiritual beasts, besides the specific species and breeds the demonic path employed on the battlefield. The present Xiao Feng was not much different, albeit he was strongly curious about both those fields. The egg lives for now, but does it still have the strength to recover what was lost? Xiao Feng wondered. He got up from the bed and walked over to a cushioned wooden chair placed slightly before a wooden study table. Dragging the chair back a little, he sat down on it, placing his hands that still contained the wooden egg on the table. Xiao Feng took a deep breath to confront the moment of truth as it arrived. Then, in a slow trickle, he willing the Qi reserves in dantian to move. He directed the two thin strands of Qi through the acupuncture points in the abdomen and his arms, albeit with little effect as the strands were already too thin to be compressed further. Then, he allowed them to seep into the dying egg. ¡®Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump¡¯, An unfamiliar sound echoed in his mind, its tempo disconcertingly fast. It took him a few moments more to notice the undulations in the tempo, the first thump a loud, ear-piercing one, the second a receding, fading one. Xiao Feng made the connection between the sound he was hearing, no, perceiving and the cycle of it¡¯s core pulsing and dimming the Essence Cultivation Art had revealed to him. But it was too late for Xiao Feng to determine what the significance of the egg¡¯s or perhaps, the creature within the egg¡¯s heartbeat was, as the original strand of Qi he had offered was greedily devoured. If it stopped there, Xiao Feng would not be as alarmed as he was¡ª for the egg, a creature not even fully formed, tugged at the Qi flowing through his meridians. Xiao Feng instinctively fought back, as his body¡¯s survival instinct kicked in. Unfortunately, it was too late. He tried to pull away, first physically and then via his dantian, as he willed it to stop allowing the flow of Qi to his his meridians. The egg was glued to his hands and Xiao Feng had somehow lost control over his own meridian, as it took and took from him. ¡°Stop!¡± Xiao Feng had intended to scream, but voice came out weak and strained. In what felt like the blink of an eye, Xiao Feng had lost a quarter of his entire Qi reserves. Just as he resolved himself to do something drastic, the pull on his Qi ceased, the egg slipping from his grasp and clattering on the ground. Heavily panting, Xiao Feng took the next couple of minutes to get his own heartbeat back in control. Only then did he gaze at the egg laying on the ground, noting that its surface seemed unharmed, no, even fuller than before. More rounder, even though it was still a far cry from the either spherical or ovular shapes most spiritual beast eggs were supposed to be. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. His heart filled with trepidation, Xiao Feng said, ¡°Well¡­,¡± He trailed off, still shaken by the experience. ¡°That wasn¡¯t the smartest idea I¡¯ve ever had, that¡¯s for sure.¡± Only when he had calmed down enough, did he turn his gaze to the egg and activated his Essence Cultivation Art. ¡°Hm,¡± Xiao Feng hummed in thought. ¡°It has reverted to its previous state. The pulsing and dimming cycle has slowed down to what it was when I first found it,¡± He analyzed. ¡°Does that mean that the egg is no longer dying?¡± Xiao Feng had no intention to directly touch the egg again, atleast not in the near future. He wasn¡¯t exactly sure what would¡¯ve happened to him if he had run out of Qi before the egg let go. Under normal circumstances, the consequences would be limited to extreme exhaustion that would last a day or two, rendering him unfit for combat. However, those circumstances had been anything but normal, making Qi Exhaustion a very real possibility. I can die if I touch the egg again, Xiao Feng thought, as a chill ran down his spine. Granted, that was only speculation on his part, but even that was terrifying. ¡°Wait,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, as realization struck him. ¡°If it¡¯s Qi you want, it doesn¡¯t have to be mine, right?¡± Without waiting for an answer, not that he was expecting one, Xiao Feng gingerly stepped away from the egg and reached for a vial of milk, unstoppering it and pouring just a bit on the egg. It slid down its surface, without absorbing any of it. ¡°You let me go and now you don¡¯t want the milk. Are you full, then? Or do you not like milk?¡± Xiao Feng rhetorically asked the egg. Well, I guess it should be fine for now, then, He decided, reaching for the basket that contained the rotten fruit, dumping it¡¯s contents on his bed and then using the empty basket to scoop up the egg without touching it. Xiao Feng hurriedly placed the egg in his wardrobe, before contemplating what to do next. ¡°I guess I can¡¯t exactly leave you in the dark,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, even though he knew he was being unreasonable. The small egg had survived one martial cultivator and multiple alchemists manhandling it and had nearly defeated him, a foundation establishment cultivator, without lifting a finger or paw. Darkness would not be its demise, but Xiao Feng stuck in his bathroom slippers between the wardrobe door and it¡¯s wooden casing, to let it act as a stopper and let the light keep flowing. ¡°There,¡± He said. ¡°Now sleep tight, young one. I¡¯ll be back and we¡¯ll see if you like milk tomorrow.¡±
Xiao Feng had underestimated the drawbacks of owning a high-quality pill furnace. Besides the obvious, that came in the form of literally everyone and their grandparents gazing at him as if he was running away with their family inheritance, as he walked down the pathway that was labeled Cultivation Halls, the darn thing was also incredibly heavy. Oh and he was also carrying it wrong. The other, clearly more well-informed alchemists, wore specialized backpacks that had two metal railings running parallel to each other as they jutted out from the bottom and two more that ran along the cushioned back before joining them, forming a reverse - L shape to host the pull furnace, which was further secured with a strap. Clearly, their Golden Sunstone furnaces were a fair deal lighter than the hunk of metal he was lugging around by hand, his resources kept within the furnace itself before Xiao Feng had nowhere else to keep it. That old codger Jian couldn¡¯t even throw in a damn free bag after I spent over thirty gold taels at his shop. What a terrible business owner, Xiao Feng thought, wondering if this world needed marketing crash courses. No, no, those cut-throat business models can stay back in the old world. Plus, it wasn¡¯t like a martial cultivators would calmly go oh drat after realizing that he went to buy a new sword and came back with fifteen accessories that were worth more than the actual sword. Liberating cultivators of their gold came at the risk of getting liberated from life, after all, He wryly thought, amused by the imagery. Finally, he arrived before a set of double-doors, above which the words Alchemy Vaults were written on a jade plaque. It was finally time to brew some scrumptious chai. 21: It is called Chai 21: Xiao Feng wore a curious expression on his face as he stepped into the small antechamber that seemed to serve as a reception area. A single alchemist designate was seated behind a wooden counter, her expression contemplative as he jotted down notes on a half-unfurled scroll. He came to a stop before the alchemist designate, deciding that it was better not to speak until she was done. A few minutes later, she finally finished the task with a final stroke of her feather pen. She put the feather pen back to rest in an open inkpot, before rolling the scroll and placing it to the side. Only then did her gaze fall upon Xiao Feng. ¡°Yes?¡± She asked in a formal, clipped tone. ¡°I wish to book an alchemy vault,¡± Xiao Feng replied, offering her a polite smile. ¡°Are you an alchemist designate?¡± She asked, eyeing his robes for an embroidered patch only to find none. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Do you have written permission from one of your instructors, allowing you to refine pills on your own?¡± She asked a follow-up question. ¡°Uh¡­ No?¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone a bit uncertain. ¡°Then, I¡¯m afraid I cannot let you reserve an alchemy vault,¡± She plainly stated, neither surprised nor annoyed at his lack of information. ¡°Wait, wait, erm,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly replied. ¡°I don¡¯t actually want to refine a pill. I¡¯m only here to brew a concoction.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The alchemist designate made her curiosity known, her eyes conveying actual interest for the first time since their conversation¡¯s inception. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied, slowly placing his heavy pill furnace on the table before lifting its sturdy lid to reveal its contents. ¡°These are the ingredients I plan on using.¡± Clear surprise was visible on the ocean-blue haired woman¡¯s visage, as she took in the ingredients Xiao Feng had revealed. ¡°What concoction requires such expensive ingredients?¡± She asked, her tone almost sounding impressed. ¡°I am seeking to recreate a mortal concoction that was used back in the village I hail from with spiritual ingredients,¡± Xiao Feng explained, his tone conveying a yearning that was not untrue. ¡°I¡­ see,¡± The alchemist designate muttered, her expression seeming a little bit lost. ¡°Regardless, I cannot let you book an alchemy vault without the express permission of your teacher. Even alchemist designates like me have gotten injured when the pill refining process goes awry, so we have to be cautious¡±. Xiao Feng felt disappointment weigh down on him, but now that he was so close to his goal of brewing tea, he couldn¡¯t just give up. ¡°How about I keep the lid of my pill furnace,¡± Xiao Feng said, before placing the sturdy metal lid on the table and sliding it towards her. ¡°...with you. Surely, I cannot refine a pill with an incomplete pill furnace. However, the cauldron is all I need to brew a concoction". ¡°Procedure directs me to say no to you, but¡­,¡± The alchemist designate considered his request. ¡°Why do you wish to brew this concoction so desperately?¡± She asked. Xiao Feng could have lied. Maybe he should have. But in the heat of the moment, it was the truth that came to him. ¡°Somedays, on the days that are tough, I find myself longing for my old home. The familiar faces I left behind, I find myself wondering where they are now. The friends that have likely already moved on with their lives. My uncle, who I consider to be more than a father.... I wonder these days if leaving him behind to pursue my own dreams was the right decision. I can no longer return, so I wish to at least create something that lets me taste the flavors of my old home¡±. The alchemist designate looked at him in a different light, as empathy and perhaps resonance, sparkled in her eyes. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°I understand. It will cost you two bronze taels an hour to rent the alchemy vault. If there are any tools or equipment you need, you may tell me now and we shall lend it to you, free of charge. You will leave behind the lid of your pill furnace, as you have offered to. Is that acceptable?¡± She asked him. Xiao Feng¡¯s visage brightened up as he offered her a warm smile, before bowing to express his gratitude. Rising a few moments later, he answered, ¡°I would need one mortar and pestle, one tongs, a stirring spoon, a knife, a cutting board and a spare bowl.¡± ¡°That will not be a problem,¡± The alchemist designate confirmed, her tone having shifted from neutral professionalism to warm encouragement. After Xiao Feng paid his dues, he pushed open the door to the alchemist designate''s right to reveal a broad passageway that was painted in a silvery white. The diffused light emanating from the crystals lined along the ceiling gave the walls a shimmering effect. Dozens of mahogany doors, evenly spaced and facing each other, offered a powerful contrast as crafted elegance met natural beauty. Xiao Feng noticed the heavy silence blanketing the passageway, his own footfall the only sound he could hear after the door clicked shut behind him. He kept walking past the other alchemy vaults until he was standing before one marked by the number twenty four, on a wooden plaque placed above the door frame. Xiao Feng inserted the key the alchemist designate had given him after he had paid and turned it, a satisfying click echoing out as the door swung inwards. The Alchemy Vault was simple at first glance, but Xiao Feng did not take long to notice some peculiarities. The small square room he found himself in had cushioned walls including the roof, which also housed four elongated, narrow-rimmed hose fittings in each corner. The floor was tiled with an obsidian black stone that Xiao Feng hadn''t seen in the Martial Division, a red-crystal powered burner and a cushion placed before it the only other furnishings he noticed. The padded walls are probably the reason why it''s so silent outside and for that matter, inside as well. I guess it''s important to eliminate distractions from your environment when refining pills. Well, if you don''t want them blowing up in your face, that is, Xiao Feng thought, as he began setting up his new workplace of sorts. The cauldron part of the Pill Furnace was placed on top of the inert burner, the ingredients contained within placed to its right, on the obsidian flooring. The sound of a key turning sounded out behind him, though Xiao Feng was not alarmed by the intrusion. The ocean-blue haired alchemist designate walked inside, holding a metal tray upon which the equipment he had asked for rested with one addition. A small box that was padded with velvety fur rested on it, it¡¯s purpose unknown to it. Xiao Feng gingerly accepted the tray from her and placed it on the other side of the pill furnace''s cauldron. Before he could even ask, the alchemist designate spoke. ¡°The small box contains a gemstone keyed to this alchemy vault. If things go awry, shatter the gemstone and those hoses,¡± She pointed to one of the hoses at random, directing Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze to the roof, before continuing, ¡°will release a strong torrent of Water Qi that should be enough to quench the fallout of a failed pill refinement under most circumstances¡±. ¡°That¡¯s great to know,¡± Xiao Feng said, not having expected built in safety measures to this degree. ¡°I told you this before, but you would do well to always remember that refining a pill is never an easy task. While it is fleetingly rare for an alchemist to die refining a pill, injuries are fairly common and the cost of ingredients are a mental pressure onto themselves. Only when you respect your tools, understand your limits and temper your mind to adapt to the minutiae of the variables affecting the pill refinement process, will you quality as a true alchemist,¡± She explained, her tone earnest as she offered him insight that was likely to be based on her own experience. ¡°Thank you, uh, may I know your name? Sorry, I forgot to ask,¡± Xiao Feng explained himself, feeling a bit sheepish as he realized that his own enthusiasm to brew tea had caused a lapse in his usual manners. ¡°I am Alchemist Jun, currently incharge of the alchemy vaults,¡± She said, not minding his mistake. ¡°Well Alchemist Jun, you know this already but I am Xiao Feng, a recruit. I really appreciate your guidance,¡± He said. ¡°It is only my job, Recruit Xiao Feng. Feel free to ask me anything pertaining to alchemy, for it is better for me to answer now than have you make a mistake and answer to my superiors later,¡± She said, her frankness something that Xiao Feng found refreshing. ¡°Well, can I know how that burner works, then?¡± He asked. The design gave him enough of an inkling, with a rotating knob that was connected to the red crystal through a metal pipe that pierced right through to it¡¯s center. But, it was still better to ask. ¡°Have you, perhaps, joined the sect recently?¡± She asked, her tone trying it¡¯s best not to sound judgemental. ¡°Only yesterday. I transferred from the Martial Division,¡± He replied. ¡°Oh!¡± Alchemist Jun exclaimed in realization. ¡°I see. I was only curious because it¡¯s a topic that is taught very early on to recruits. That,¡± She pointed at the crystal housed in a metal construct, ¡°...is dragonstone. Contrary to its ostentatious name, it is a fairly commonly traded ore that has a simple reaction we alchemists use to our advantage. Even slight contact with Qi causes the ore to combust, though it will only do so for as long as it has access to that Qi source. If you look at the surface of the knob, you will see a hole. Twist it clockwise by half a rotation and a channel will open up on the other side, giving you a route to supply Qi with. Twist it counter-clockwise by the same half-rotation, and it will cut off your route, causing the dragonstone to once again go inert.¡± ¡°I thought the knob was for controlling the intensity of the flame,¡± Xiao Feng disclosed, looking a bit confused as he studied the burner. ¡°Why do you need the knob for that, Recruit Xiao Feng? You can simply modulate the Qi you let flow through the metal pipe to modulate the intensity of the flame. Though be warned, common dragonstone will not be able to withstand Qi that exceeds the stage of Qi Gathering.¡± Oh. Right, I can do that, He wryly thought. ¡°Thank you for your guidance, Alchemist Jun,¡± He finally decided to end the conversation, lest any other lacunae in his understanding of cultivation be revealed. Alchemist Jun nodded to him and began walking to the exit. The door to the passageway was half open, when she stopped. ¡°Xiao Feng, may I ask you a question?¡± She asked, her tone losing that formal edge. ¡°It is a personal one, so you needn¡¯t answer if you do not wish to,¡± She added. ¡°Sure,¡± Xiao Feng replied, though inwardly his heart almost skipped a beat. Please don¡¯t ask me about some complicated martial technique, He prayed to anyone that was listening. ¡°What is the name of the concoction you wish to replicate?¡± She asked, intrigue contained within her words. ¡°I don¡¯t think you would have heard of it, Alchemist Jun. It is merely a villager¡¯s concoction,¡± He replied politely. ¡°Still, I wish to know, if you are willing to answer.¡± Xiao Feng tried to conceal a slight smile, as his lips curled up in amusement, before answering, ¡°It is called Chai, Alchemist Jun.¡± 22: Dao of the Masala Chai 22: To make a cup of masala chai was a matter of following the recipe without fumbling. To make a good cup of masala chai was an entirely different matter. You could follow the exact same steps, ape a chef off an internet video movement by movement only to make the blandest tea possible and then stand there flummoxed, wondering how people could enjoy such a banal experience. However, there was no great mystery to the art of brewing masala chai, for like most disciplines, it only asked for preparation and practice. Of course, the ingredients made a difference. Good ingredients made good tea, no doubt about it. The problem was, Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t sure if what he had qualified as good ingredients. Hell, he wasn¡¯t even sure if they qualified as ingredients at all. The first step to making chai, was to take a saucepan and fill it with two cups of water. Their tall sides and typically deep bottoms made their design ideal for prolonged boiling and simmering. Acquiring fresh spring water hadn¡¯t been a challenge for Xiao Feng, considering that enough dispensers were scattered across the Alchemy Division. While spring water did not assist in cultivation and a cultivator could live without water for as long as they had their Qi reserves to sustain them, drinking water was still a very effective way of expelling impurities that built up in the body, from sources like pills and spiritual beast meat. The second step was where Xiao Feng was confronted with a bit of a problem. A fact that had come as a shock to his coffee-addicted dorm mate as he brewed him up a cup of masala chai was that there was more to the art than a single ingredient and some frothed milk. No offense intended, of course. You see, Masala Chai or just Chai in general, was all about infusion. The part about that was the frankly limitless possibilities it created. There was a whole tier list for Xiao Feng¡¯s go-to ingredients when it came to Masala Chai. The first and most essential ingredient was a small chunk of ginger, grated into fine, small pieces to make sure that the flavor was infused properly. The spicy kick it possessed was essential to the very ethos of the Masala Chai, making them an inseparable duo. Green cardamom or Elaichi was another one of his go-tos, though it needed to be ground in a mortar and pestle to release its true flavor profile, a sweet, floral spice that had citrusy notes to it. Cloves or Laung were always a good addition, the warm spice carrying an intense flavor profile, a unique combination of sweet, bitter and spicy. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. A single cinnamon stick once given the mortar and pestle treatment added a familiar, comforting aroma to the chai as its flavor profiles melded well with the others, its woody flavor adding a divine earthiness. On the days Xiao Feng wished for an extra kick, he added a few black peppercorns for their spiciness. The problem he faced on the continent of Tian, realm of Sephari, was the fact that Xiao Feng had access to absolutely none of those. The water was poured in the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron, almost double the amount required for a single cup of chai, because Xiao Feng was expecting a large amount of it to boil away as he figured out the right balance of flavor profiles and aromas. Arrayed before him were seven small glass jars, each one properly labeled. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to do this the old-fashioned way,¡± Xiao Feng muttered under his breath, as he twisted open the first jar. ¡°Firedust, eh?¡± He considered, as the jar opened up to reveal a granular spice compacted into diamond-shaped constructs. He found himself wondering if its shape was natural, or if it had been manually pressed that form for specific reasons. It¡¯s faded gray appearance certainly did not evoke the image of fire, but who really knew how it worked in the world of cultivation. His predecessor certainly didn¡¯t, considering that he would eat raw meat if it meant that he could get back to cultivating faster. Well, if the Martial Division didn¡¯t mandate it¡¯s cultivators to eat Qi-rich food prepared for them in the mess hall, anyway. The point being, his predecessor had never had any interest in the culinary arts. Xiao Feng braced himself, before popping the firedust diamond into his mouth and biting into it. The burn came immediately and its approach was torrential. Xiao Feng had felt like this only once before, when he had sampled wasabi for the time in a cheap sushi to-go restaurant without knowing exactly what it was. It was most certainly not real wasabi, just dyed horseradish, but that didn¡¯t really do much to alleviate the unnatural feeling burn in his sinuses. It had been unlike any spice he had sampled before and the same was true for firedust. Tears trickled down his chin as he tried to fake cough away the burn. Sweat beaded on forehead and Xiao Feng reached for the remaining spring water and downed it without hesitation. It did nothing for him. Just as Xiao Feng was about to sprint out of the alchemy vault he had paid for in search of more water, the burn began to fade and then, without warning, vanished entirely. ¡°Huh,¡± He said, as he stared down at his own empty palms with confusion. He felt rejuvenated instead of feeling drained, as if he had just gotten done with a long, relaxing bath. He poked his own cheek, and realized that it felt soft and supple. It was as if he had just woken from a long night¡¯s rest, his body itching for action. ¡°This is fantastic,¡± Xiao Feng said, as a wide grin stretched across his features. ¡°Man, I can make some diabolical Masala Chai with this,¡± He said, before he chuckled at his own words. Then, the smile faded, as Xiao Feng looked downwards, only to be confronted by the six glass jars that remained. The first spice had made him cry. What would the other six do? 23: Channel your inner panda 23: ¡°Oh,¡± Xiao Feng panted as he collapsed backwards from a cross-legged position onto the couch placed behind him. ¡°When I¡­ get my hands on that¡­ damned alchemist designate¡­,¡± He trailed off, waiting for the heartburn to pass. It did, only lasting a couple minutes. In truth, Xiao Feng could have cycled his Qi to clear away the effect of any foreign bodies in his bloodstream with ease if he wanted to. The same was true for most poisons, even, but in those cases there was no guarantee that he would be able to overcome its toxins. However, he did not resort to such means, because it would defeat the purpose of the exercise. As Xiao Feng took a deep breath in, glad to have gotten rid of the heartburn, he noticed the difference almost immediately. His lungs felt lighter, the air flowing in and out of his lungs with a newfound smoothness. The difference was slight, but a cultivator like Xiao Feng would not let such a change go unnoticed. ¡°Nope,¡± Xiao Feng said, as he kept the jar containing the gelatinous cubes that went by the name Cumulus Essence on the far end of the alchemy vault. ¡°I categorically refuse to make chai that gives people heartburn. Even if it did give my lungs quite the cleanse, nah. I refuse to commit sacrilege,¡± He snorted derisively. That left five spices for him to taste test. His gaze focused on what at first glance, seemed to be orange-colored pebbles. They were small in size, but not quite uniform in shape. Xiao Feng opened the jar and gingerly picked up one such pebble, finding its texture to be powdery as some orange-coloured granules dusted his hand. Xiao Feng possessed the strength to chop an entire tree in half with but a single swing of his blade, yet he found himself deathly intimidated by a simple spice that went by the name, Emberfruit Gems. A saying crept up into his mind as he navigated the dilemma he found himself in, one from his predecessor¡¯s memory¡ª ¡®Hesitation on the battlefield will kill you far quicker than your opponent¡¯s blade can¡¯. It was Elder Haoyun who had said that and it was a saying that had stuck with Xiao Feng. He plopped the Emberfruit Gem in his mouth. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes went wide from surprise as he tried to navigate the explosion of flavor in his mouth. It was very sweet, but not sickly sweet. There was a dimension to it, a weight that reminded him of the dollops of sweetened condensed milk he snuck out of the fridge with a trusty adult-sized spoon, when no one was watching, of course. Unable to wait any longer, Xiao Feng bit into the Emberfruit Gem. A loud crunch rang out and he flinched upon realizing just how hard it¡¯s surface had been. Normally he would¡¯ve cursed out whoever had the gall to name a damn pebble, a fruit, but the sweetness coursing through his mouth kept his annoyance at bay. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡°Oh,¡± He said. ¡°I was wondering what I¡¯d do about sugar, but this is great. It lacks the creamy aftertaste that condensed milk has, giving it far more versatility. Although¡­,¡± Xiao Feng sighed and shook his head. ¡°....it¡¯s way too expensive to be something I can use for commercial purposes. I can¡¯t sell a cup of chai if it ends up costing more than what a Qi Gathering cultivator makes in a month¡±. On the flipside though, I can certainly afford to drink it, He thought and found himself cheered up. He exhaled and found that there was a coolness to his breath that had not been there before. Xiao Feng inhaled and cupped his hands before him, before exhaling again. His own breath was now pleasantly sweet, in an almost floral manner. It doubles as a mouth freshener too? Damn, that¡¯s practically a cheat. Of the remaining four spices, Xiao Feng ultimately only found use for two of them. The crushed petals of the Sky Lotus were too savory to be used in Chai, though Xiao Feng himself might found use for them, considering it helped recover some of the Wind Qi the egg had stolen from him earlier. Still a far cry from an actual alchemist-refined pill but now that he already owned an entire jar, he didn¡¯t have to care much about the efficiency part. The Dark Root shavings suffered from a similar flaw. The fine shavings were less spicy than the Firedust but they were also bitter. They were perhaps the most niche spice he had come across, though he could still see many use cases. Dark Root shavings could, for example, be used for a dish that had a sweet base, to make it more savory while dulling much of the sweetness. He also noticed the influx of an inky black Qi in his Dantian. It was a small, insignificant amount compared to his Wind Qi reserves and it did not take him long to figure out what it was. Darkness Qi. Xiao Feng snuffed out the unfamiliar Qi by cycling his Wind Qi. His affinity for Darkness Qi was too low for him to make use of it and he only intended to foster one more element within its territory. That was for when he got his own alchemist¡¯s flame. The remaining two spices that worked out for him, did not have as profound an impact on the chai brewing process as Firesand or the Emberfruit Gems. Nevertheless, Xiao Feng was glad to have found them. The earth-attuned humus root, upon being finely diced, offered a rich, earthy undertone that Xiao Feng could easily introduce into his masala chai back on earth. It wasn¡¯t exactly a ginger replacement, which he had mostly given up on finding, at least directly, but it would help take a bit of the edge off the Firesand and offer rich earthiness instead. Plus Xiao Feng really liked the nature of Earth Qi resting in his dantian after he consumed some humus root. It was gentle, soothing and rejuvenating¡ª a pity he could keep it there, for he had no intention of getting used to having a Qi housed in his dantian that he did not expect to use. Finally, there was the Pureflow Gel. A gelatinous substance that was colored in a vivid shade of azure, Xiao Feng liked to think of it as water jam. Because, well, the moment his tongue made contact with the gel, it popped. The liquid flowing down his throat had a citrusy kick to it, one that was far stronger than green cardamom. It wasn¡¯t perfect for his purposes, but Xiao Feng felt like he could balance it with the divine sweetness that the Emberfruit Gems offered. Now with the ingredients for his chai chosen, all Xiao Feng had to do was channel his inner panda as he attempted to discern which of the spiritual plants he had purchased would suffice for the most important step of all. The Tea Leaves. 24: Making Masala Chai 24: Too minty, Xiao Feng thought as he chewed on a heart-shaped leaf with a pointed tip and wide base. I guess it would work for some sort of herbal tea, but I need more neutral tones for Masala Chai. Undeterred by the disappointment, Xiao Feng turned his attention to the next sheaf of leaves arrayed before him, plucking one out. This one was a long, narrow kind, it¡¯s hue a light purple. Not the appetizing leaf, if he was being honest, but every one of his ingredients had come from the Alchemist¡¯s Haven, meaning that they all had medicinal properties. ¡°Hmm,¡± Xiao Feng hummed in thought after biting into the leaf. Wow, that¡¯s unexpected. It has a savory, umami-rich flavor, as if I was biting into meat instead of a plant. Again, doesn¡¯t really work, but that¡¯s a pretty cool ingredient. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze flickered over to the dozen or so leaves he had already passed up on, his enthusiastic expression undeterred by the failure. This was what it meant, to be a pioneer in your field as you tackled unknown horizons without being certain, or even being guaranteed success. Mostly though, he was really happy to have so many hitherto unknown ingredients to play around with. As much as he loved Masala Chai, the twenty-first century that he lived in had already explored every permutation and combination of ingredients that went well with chai and published it on the internet. Now though, Xiao Feng¡¯s potential was fully unshackled. He reached for a leaf that had a pretty unique shape, it¡¯s shape resembling an open hand with all five of its fingers spread outwards except with one difference. All five of the leaflets met at a single point, from which a central stem extended downwards. ¡°That looks interesting,¡± Xiao Feng said, before reaching for the unique, bronze-colored leaf. He bit into it. ¡°Oh wow,¡± Xiao Feng muttered. ¡°That is bitter,¡± He said, his expression brightening up before he went in for another bite. ¡°Mm-m,¡± He chewed the leaves, noticing how the moisture wetting his mouth lessened the more he chewed. ¡°Astringent,¡± He declared. ¡°And boy, is it strong,¡± He said, as he swallowed the now crushed leaves. For a change, it was not a particular element of Qi that made it¡¯s way to his dantian, but instead, unattuned Qi that any cultivator always kept in his reserves for a wide variety of purposes, from voiding the mortal requirements of needing to consume food and water to empowering bodily mechanisms that included quickness of movement and the physical strength behind one¡¯s actions, like throwing a punch. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Xiao Feng generally maintained a ratio of 6:4 in favor of Wind Qi, the remaining forty percent unattuned Qi that he could either convert to Wind Qi or use it for enhancing various functions of his body. After all, he could not channel the wild and untamed Wind Qi through his fist with intent to land a physical blow without harming his own meridians. So it was safe to say that any cultivator would not mind drinking a brew that give him a little kick of unattuned Qi. ¡°It¡¯s got a bit of a burn to it,¡± He noted out loud, feeling it in his throat. ¡°But besides that, I might just have found my number one prospect.¡± Another twenty minutes of testing later, Xiao Feng finally concluded that the Mystic Palm or the five-fingered astringent leaf he had singled out earlier, was still his best shot at brewing a cup of Masala Chai. ¡°Well,¡± He said. ¡°It¡¯s time to get this show on the road.¡± Xiao Feng wrapped his hand around the burner¡¯s knob and twisted it clockwise by half a rotation, before supplying a trickle of his Qi to the red crystal. True to Alchemist Jun¡¯s words, the crystal blazed to life, its flames a rare carmine red. The spring water he had placed in the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron began to gently bubble. In Xiao Feng¡¯s free hand was one diamond of Firedust and one Emberfruit Gem. He let the most impactful ingredients bloom in the spring water first as it boiled, before reaching for a spoon and scooping out one spoonful of Pureflow gel and letting it slide into the cauldron. Finally, he sprinkled diced Humus Root across the cauldron, making sure that it¡¯s earthy notes seeped in thoroughly. Xiao Feng increased the density and rate of Qi he was supplying to the burner, watching as the flames intensified and the spring water began to aggressively boil. Flavor and color dyed the spring water into a breathtaking hue, an ethereal, shimmering silver that made Xiao Feng wonder if what he was making could even be called chai anymore. Only after five minutes had passed and there were further changes to the hue, did Xiao Feng relent on the temperature of the burner. Four Mystic Palms were plucked out of it¡¯s sheaf and slid into the water, before Xiao Feng reached for the wooden stirring spoon he had asked for earlier and began to stir. There was a change in hue once again as gentle bronze warred against ethereal silver, the bloom of the tea leaves against the already bloomed ingredients. A dark, metallic golden hue was the end result. Xiao Feng felt more like a goldsmith than a tea maker as he stirred the pool of liquid gold. He wasn¡¯t done yet, though, He unstoppered the vial of milk that he had used before to pour some out for the egg, before sniffing the bluish-white milk. He had been very consciously avoiding the decision, but Xiao Feng could not put off tasting the milk any longer. He took a sip. ¡°Right,¡± He said, before his lips curled up into a grin. ¡°Oh my lord, that is delicious,¡± He said. The concentration of spiritual Qi in the milk was much higher than any of the spiritual roots. On top of that, it¡¯s creamy consistency paired really well with the rejuvenating dose of Qi contained within and also kept it naturally cool. It tasted like flavour-less, but creamy ice-cream, if he had to put it in a nutshell. Xiao Feng poured the entire vial of expensive milk into the chai. Now, only one final ingredient remained. 25: Emberdust Blend 25: Xiao Feng watched with a muted awe as the bluish-white milk diffused into the dark-golden hued chai. Milky white spread across the landscape of dark gold, scattering away the intensity of its hue. ¡°Perfect!¡± Xiao Feng exclaimed, as the hue of the now completed Masala Chai Prototype 1: Emberdust Blend revealed itself to be a breathtaking light-golden one. The completed Masala Chai had gone from an unappetizing dark golden medicinal soup to a warm, inviting hue, the weight of the bi-horn¡¯s milk balanced out by the ample spring water Xiao Feng had used to make the Chai. Of course, Xiao Feng was not talking about the Emberdust Blend as a whole when he praised it, merely its hue. Even without having sipped the Emberdust Blend Chai, Xiao Feng knew that its cost had already exceeded the realm of what most within the Frontier Sect would be willing to pay. Heck, he wasn¡¯t even sure he could convince Elder Haoyun to try it at the price he would need to set the Emberdust Blend Chai at to turn a small profit For now though, Xiao Feng would take the victory while it was being offered to him. ¡°Now, I just need a strainer and cups,¡± He said, while turning the burner¡¯s knob counterclockwise by half a rotation, denying the dragonstone any more Qi to fuel its flames with. Xiao Feng leaned in and took a moment to bask in the aroma of the Masala Chai. The spicy notes were the most predominant ones, but it seemed like the diced humus root had done its job, as he was able to catch onto earthy notes. They had a subtler presence, much like the hint of citrus he caught onto, likely a result of using the pureflow gel. Nodding to himself, he left the alchemy vault, walking down the passageway and past it, until he was standing before Alchemy Jun. ¡°Yes?¡± She addressed, even as her gaze was fixed on the pages of a thick tome. It seemed to Xiao Feng like Alchemist Jun¡¯s work had been completed, so he decided to go ahead with the gamble he had planned. One way or the other, Xiao Feng would get his final ingredient. ¡°Alchemist Jun, sorry to disturb you,¡± Xiao Feng politely opened the conversation. ¡°I needed a strainer and two cups if you have those available,¡± He requested. ¡°Sure,¡± Alchemist Jun replied, her tone having reverted to professionalism, albeit with a friendly tint to it. She placed a cloth bookmark between the tome¡¯s pages, shutting it before she reached for a drawer handle that was built into her desk. Two ceramic cups were placed on the wooden table, followed by a double-layered strainer that had a metallic body with organic looking threads criss-crossing each other. Alchemist Jun seemed like she was on the verge of returning to reading, so Xiao Feng spoke up, ¡°Oh and Alchemist Jun, I had a request that was more personal in nature.¡± She raised an eyebrow at his unexpected statement, the question within her gaze obvious as she replied, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°If possible, erm, could you accompany me to the alchemy vault?¡± Xiao Feng decided to press forward, as asked directly. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Did something go awry?¡± She asked, as her gaze met his own. ¡°No, no, of course not. No, uh, Alchemist Jun, I wanted you to sample the concoction I have made,¡± He said, somehow managing to sound shy in the body of a heroic cultivator. ¡°Is your concoction not made out of valuable spiritual roots and spices? I am not sure if it would be appropriate for me to partake in it,¡± Alchemist Jun replied, giving a formal answer that should¡¯ve been enough to make Xiao Feng give up, had he not noticed the undertone of curiosity contained in her words. ¡°Please, Alchemist Jun. The final ingredient of Chai is having someone to share a warm cup with. No matter how heavenly a beverage may taste, it remains, at the of the day, a beverage. Chai means more to me than that, Alchemist Jun. Back in my mortal village, it possessed the power to bring people together, over conversations both warm and cold, over debates both impassioned and dull, over relationships, sometimes friendly, sometimes of the heart. It would mean a great deal to me, if you would accept.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Alchemist Jun replied, her tone sounding a bit overwhelmed. ¡°If you feel strongly about it, it¡¯s for me to refuse. Besides, I must admit¡ª you have piqued my curiosity, though I remain skeptical. Is there really such a beverage, one capable of moving hearts and minds? Let us go and find out.¡± ¡°Thank you, Alchemist Jun,¡± Xiao Feng replied as his lips curled upwards into a smile. Back in the alchemy vault, Xiao Feng¡¯s honored guest sat next to him, cross-legged, as she leaned forward and inspected the concoction he had brewed. Without further ado, he lifted the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron by it¡¯s handle, his immense strength allowing him to hold it steady as he poured a cup of Masala Chai. The strainer placed upon the ceramic cup held back the undissolved remnants of the ingredients from negatively influencing the experience. A few minutes later, two cups of light-golden hued chai were steaming before Xiao Feng and Alchemist Jun. ¡°Please,¡± Xiao Feng requested, as he reached for his own cup. Alchemist Jun accepted her own cup gingerly, as if she were afraid to spill any of the liquid. ¡°How do I drink it?¡± She asked. ¡°Small sips,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Take your time savoring it, it tastes better that way,¡± He added. Alchemist Jun nodded, her expression seeming almost intimidated as she stared down the cup of Masala Chai. There was no poison in it, naturally, the Alchemist¡¯s Haven would not have sold a recruit such spiritual herbs and she had seen for herself what herbs Xiao Feng was taking with him in the Alchemy Vault. It was just a blend of valuable medicinal herbs and yet the aroma, her very instincts as an alchemist told her that there was more to it. More than the sum of its parts. Xiao Feng and Alchemist Jun took a sip of the Masala Chai almost at the same time. The moment he sipped the Masala Chai, Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze widened in astonishment. Flavour flooded his mouth, only shortly followed after by the heat. The intense masala from the firedust had been diluted by spring water and bi-horn milk, but it was still very much there as he felt the heat tingle in his mouth. It would¡¯ve been overpowering, if it were not for the soft, delightful sugary heaven the Emberfruit Gem had unleashed on his palate, its effect only amplified by the creamy bi-horn milk. Xiao Feng swallowed the chai, feeling the burn of masala as the warm liquid flowed down his throat. Only after did the earthy, slightly tangy aftertaste reveal itself, there to be explored across repeated samplings. Xiao Feng could not stop himself from taking another sip. And another. One after that. Until he realized that his cup was empty, no more masala chai to be had. Sweat had beaded up on his forehead, yet Xiao Feng felt completely refreshed and hydrated. ¡°Erm, uh, Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± A soft, gentle voice spoke from his left, directing Xiao Feng to turn his gaze. Alchemist Jun gazed back at him, her cheeks colored a light red as she, too, had an empty ceramic cup in her hands. ¡°May I,¡± She began and then paused, as the redness on her cheeks deepened by a degree. ¡°I can pay if needed¡­. so may I have another cup of this chai?¡± She asked, her mask of perfect composure gone as she made the request. ¡°Pay?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding offended. ¡°No need. I would not be able to face my ancestors if I asked you to pay for chai. Please,¡± He gestured towards the cauldron, directing her to pour another cup. It was safe to say that the Emberdust Blend, while far from perfect, was a resounding success. 26: Alchemist Jun 26: As Alchemist Jun savored her second cup of Masala Chai, Xiao Feng took the opportunity to leave the alchemy vault and retrieve his pill furnace¡¯s lid. On his way back, he once again found himself taken aback by how silent the passageway leading to the alchemy vaults could be. To isolate sound to such a degree just showed the lengths to which Alchemists would go to just to secure a slight advantage. Xiao Feng had to be careful while using the Essence Cultivation Art for alchemy, whether it be seeing through spiritual herbs or refining a pill later on, lest one with the right knowledge and hunger see through what he was capable of. It was unlikely, but Xiao Feng knew better than to underestimate cultivators. Unsurprised to find the door to his alchemy vault locked, Xiao Feng inserted his Qi into the lock and turned it an entire rotation clockwise. It was annoying to have the door automatically lock into place once left ajar, but Xiao Feng saw the wisdom in such a decision. While alchemists might zealously seek out advantages, they were also creatures of passion. He would not be surprised if their kind lost track of time and their surroundings as they threw themselves into the depths of alchemic experimentation. As Xiao Feng stepped into the alchemy vault, he noticed that the second cup of Masala Chai Alchemist Jun had poured out for herself was now also empty. An observation that coincided with the growing blush that spread across her features. Wisely choosing to ignore Alchemist Jun¡¯s clear embarrassment. Xiao Feng seated himself at her side before he spoke, ¡°Thank you, Alchemist Jun, for honoring my selfish request. I know you must have a lot of work that I rashly pulled you away from, so I will not hold you any longer.¡± There. Xiao Feng had offered Alchemist Jun a clear out and he was certain that she would expect it. She liked the Masala Chai, not him. ¡°No, please,¡± Alchemist Jun replied hurriedly. ¡°Let me help organize this, at least,¡± She said, gesturing to the sprawl of spiritual herbs scattered across the alchemy vault. ¡°I can do it myself,¡± Xiao Feng replied, only to almost immediately recognize the error in his ways. Alchemist Jun felt indebted. Xiao Feng¡¯s memories reminded him that a cultivator hated being in the debt of another. ¡°But, your help would naturally be welcome¡±. Her expression brightened a little, as she started to wrest control from the blush coloring her features. ¡°Yes, naturally. It¡¯s the least I can do, to repay you for treating me to this hometown speciality of yours. I can tell that it was made with a lot of care,¡± She said and then offered him a pleased smile. This time, it was Xiao Feng¡¯s turn to blush a little. The two cultivators in the alchemy vault seemed to have unanimously reached the conclusion that it was best to work in silence for a little while. It did not take long for them to organize the spiritual herbs and stack the sheafs on top of one another. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze turned to the half a cup of Masala Chai that still remained within the cauldron and decided that it was better to keep it as proof of concept instead of drinking it right there and then. Unlike regular, mortal Masala Chai, the spiritual herb and spice version would not go bad. Just based on the Qi contained within the Masala Chai, it would take days before it lost a sizable amount of its reserves. He capped off the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron with it¡¯s lid, making sure to slow that process down by even longer, now that the remaining Masala Chai was preserved in an air-tight canister. ¡°You¡¯re going to need a fiber bag to carry all this,¡± Alchemist Jun said, her tone cheerful. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have one. Follow me,¡± She said, picking up the stacked herbs, before placing the jars of spices on top of it along with the empty vial of bi-horn milk. ¡°Thanks,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he moved to follow her out. Neither of them had expected a third cultivator to be present in the passageway they had just stepped out of. An alchemist designate by the patch on his robes, the cultivator who had the appearance of a man in his early twenties was securing his pill furnace on one of those specialized backpacks he had seen earlier. His gaze turned to Xiao Feng, a recruit and Alchemist Jun, most definitely not a recruit with the ajar door to the alchemy vault his only other witness. The blush that spread across Alchemist Jun¡¯s visage took even Xiao Feng by surprise. She did not speak a word, as she began to walk forward at a brisk pace, past the alchemist designate who still had half a step in his own vault, through the door, which creaked shut behind her. ¡°What are you looking at, mate?¡± Xiao Feng asked, as he met the alchemist designate¡¯s gaze and stared right back. ¡°O-Oh,¡± The words escaped his mouth before he could even craft a response. He shook his head, pushed his backpack into the border of his alchemy vault and a click sounded out as it locked into place. Xiao Feng¡¯s annoyed expression turned into a mortified one, as he came to terms with what had just taken place. Oh man, not only did I just create trouble for Alchemist Jun, the rumors this is going to encourage¡­. There go my plans of trying to stay low-key in the Alchemy Division. Maybe he should think twice before inviting a member of the opposite sex to a room smaller than a walk-in pantry. In my defense, I was too excited to think of any such ramifications, He thought. Perhaps that was enough of a defense for a golden retriever, but Xiao Feng could hardly excuse himself. When he stepped into the antechamber that served as the Alchemy Vaults¡¯ reception area, he noticed that his belongings had already been bagged up for him. Without a word, he plucked the fiber bag off the counter and moved to leave. ¡°Wait, Xiao Feng,¡± Alchemist Jun said, her voice coming across as small and delicate. He turned around. ¡°This is for you,¡± She said, as she offered him a small, leather-bound notebook that was well-worn. Xiao Feng kept the pill furnace on the ground, before accepting the gift. ¡°These are notes I made years ago, when I was still a recruit studying to become a full alchemist. Hopefully, you can make use of these,¡± Alchemist Jun said, her tone so soothingly gentle. Xiao Feng bowed low in thanks, if only to hide the burn in his cheeks. Not long after, he left, his heart still racing faster than even the Hero of the Zheyan Pass could run. 27: Gossip Girls (and boys) 27: ¡°Psst, hey, look at him. That¡¯s Xiao Feng,¡± A young female recruit whispered to a friend that was sitting next to her. ¡°Who¡¯s Xiao Feng?¡± The response came in a disinterested sounding tone from a female recruit with short amber-coloured hair asked. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear?¡± The tone of her voice dropped conspiratorially. ¡°It¡¯s only been a day since he joined our division, yet he¡¯s already courting a full-fledged alchemist.¡± ¡°What? Stop joking,¡± The amber-haired recruit replied. ¡°I¡¯ve tried talking to alchemist designates so many times and they always ignore me unless it relates to their duties,¡± She added, her tone cemented with skepticism. ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± A third person, a male recruit seated opposite them in the mess hall joined the conversation. ¡°Do either of you know Senior Alchemist Lianhua?¡± He asked. ¡°Of course we do,¡± The amber-haired recruit snapped at the uninvited addition to what was their private conversation. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡± ¡°Well,¡± He said, undeterred by her response. ¡°You know how she doesn¡¯t accept disciples despite being a Senior Alchemist, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± The female recruit who had originally initiated the conversation replied, before her friend snapped back again. ¡°She took a disciple. His name, coincidentally, happens to be Xiao Feng,¡± He explained to the clear and abject shock of the two female disciples. ¡°No way. Senior Alchemist Lianhua is the sacred flower of our Alchemy Division. If she were to accept a disciple, it would be a girl,¡± The amber-haired recruit refuted, her cheeks flaring with emotion at the clear slander to a person she very much looked up to. ¡°I¡¯m friends with old Jian. He told me that directly, face-to-face. If you wish to doubt the blacksmith-shopkeeper who makes it his business to know the going-on¡¯s within our Division, that is up to you,¡± The male disciple replied with an unbothered shrug, having said his part. Oh, that old codger, Xiao Feng, who had queued himself in the line for the buffet that had been arrayed for all recruits within the Junior Division, thought. When I see him again, I¡¯m going to show him exactly why I¡¯m valued by Elder Haoyun so much. Though¡­ I guess I need to practice my martial techniques before then, He wryly thought, only slightly annoyed. After a quick five minute wait as he waited for others before him to take their pick, Xiao Feng finally got access to a tantalizing selection of dishes. Xiao Feng ended up shamelessly going for five different types or maybe cuts of meat with a ladle full of diced spiritual roots serving as garnish for his carnivorous diet. Some cuts of seared meat were stringy, others overly chewy as Xiao Feng dug into his lunch with his simple but trusty wooden chopsticks. It was a far cry from the spiritual beast meat Xiao Feng got served in the Martial Division, but he supposed that it made sense. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. He was dining in the recruit section, so he couldn¡¯t expect to be treated like royalty. However, the more likely reason was probably the fact that alchemists didn¡¯t need to be fed Qi dense cuts of beast meat, as they were not required to maintain their physique to the standards required to participate in battle. Not all cultivators were equal at the same stage, or for that matter, the same layer. Xiao Feng was the strongest cultivator present in the entire mess hall, even though he was not the highest layer one at the Foundation Establishment stage.. Every cultivator who wished to ascend a stage was required to face Heaven¡¯s tribulation. However, not all cultivators faced the heaven¡¯s might, it¡¯s decree or any of the dozens of names and titles given to the phenomenon, equally. Martial Cultivators like Xiao Feng faced heaven¡¯s tribulation with ordinary robes clothing their physical bodies, a powerful sword in hand to not just defend themselves, but fight back against the might of the terrifying, bone-chilling thunder seeking to smite their mind, body and soul. However, Alchemists chose the easier path. They tackled Heaven¡¯s tribulation clad in expensive, often single-use armor that was reinforced to degrees that were not tenable in actual combat. They did not wish to brave death to ascend and thus the rewards the mighty heavens bestowed upon them were far from equal. Alchemists at the same stage and similar layer as Xiao Feng did not possess even near the capacity of Qi he could contain in his dantian. Their meridians were nowhere near as resilient as Xiao Feng¡¯s and their physical bodies were not capable of achieving the explosive growth he could by weight training. In a nutshell, the alchemists considered martial cultivators to be pig-headed madmen and the martial cultivators looked down them, considering them to be cowards who were too afraid to cultivate the proper way. Lunch ended up being a brisk affair, as Xiao Feng shoveled down the meat in a martial cultivator style. He didn¡¯t expect Lianhua to eat in the Junior Division¡¯s mess and she had told him that she¡¯d be checking on him today, so it was best for him to get back to his room as soon as he could. Well, that and the fact that Xiao Feng seemed to have no friends at his own level and his reputation amongst the recruits seemed to already have been sullied. Yeah, I¡¯m done here, He thought, as his superior hearing, hearing that exceeded what the alchemists were capable of mind you, picked up on a young recruit gossipping about the serial womanizer, Xiao Feng.
As he walked down the passageway that led to his dorm room, Xiao Feng contemplated the options he had when it came to dealing with the egg. Unfortunately, his ponderings came to an end as he noticed a familiar silhouette standing before his room, patiently waiting. Xiao Feng¡¯s expression froze. Normally, he would be wondering if Lianhua was doing all this on purpose, as four, yes four disciples peeked upon her from the other end of the passageway, their expressions gawking as they watched a Senior Alchemist dutifully wait for a recruit to return to his room. Instead, Xiao Feng was simply at a loss for words as he noticed that Lianhua¡¯s ponytail had been tied into a bun that was held together by the very blue jade hairpin he had gifted her. It went perfectly with the azure, floral imprint robes she was wearing, a dance of flowers represented on the tapestry that was her dress conveying an elegant beauty that only her visage could surpass. Whoa, He thought. I guess I didn¡¯t make a faux pas, after all. And then, Xiao Feng realized that he had just made mortal enemies with Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, as Old Man Jian¡¯s admonition finally clicked into place. Oh man, the whole ''can I take your daughter on a date'' is not going to fly with that stern old dude, is it? I''m going to get my chai poisoned, aren''t I, He thought wryly before making his presence known. 28: Miss Senior Alchemist 28: ¡°Hi,¡± Xiao Feng greeted Lianhua as he came to a stop before her. The Senior Alchemist studied him with an odd expression on her visage, regarding him with clear curiosity in her gaze. ¡°I have been hearing rumors,¡± She opened her address with a revelation. ¡°A lot of rumors. Just what have you been up to?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone more amused than demanding. Oh, come on, Xiao Feng thought. Is there literally anybody who doesn¡¯t know about me at this point? ¡°Uh¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, as he gestured with a quick swivel of his head in the direction of the peeking recruits. ¡°Would you perhaps like to come in before I answer that question?¡± He asked her, resigned to the well of rumors his words would cause to spring up. ¡°Sure,¡± She replied, before she gave the peeking recruits a fierce glare. They scrambled out of Xiao Feng¡¯s line of sight, but knew that it wouldn¡¯t deter them for long. Inside Xiao Feng¡¯s room, Lianhua took a seat on the wooden chair placed before the study table, while he sat on his bed. ¡°So,¡± Xiao Feng began. ¡°Before I explain everything, can you do me a favor? He asked. ¡°Depends on the favor,¡± Lianhua replied, her light-green eyes striking a stunning contrast against the azure, floral-imprint robes she was wearing. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng got up, walked over to his pill furnace that he¡¯d placed in one corner of the room before placing it on the table Lianhua was sitting before. ¡°Can you heat that? Not too much, just a couple minutes at middle-layer Qi Gathering strength, if you could?¡± ¡°What¡¯s in it?¡± Lianhua asked, her expression seeming a bit taken aback. ¡°Did you try and refine a pill?¡± She asked, her tone carrying an edge of warning in it. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°I told you, I was going to make chai, didn¡¯t I? That¡¯s why I went to the alchemy vaults yesterday," he explained. ¡°Alchemist Jun let you into the alchemy vaults?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone surprised. ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°What were those rumors you mentioned, then?¡± ¡°I heard that a recruit who had recently joined our division bought enough spiritual herbs to start a herb garden of his own. Oh and that he is a serial womanizer who can¡¯t stop asking out female alchemists the moment he lays eyes on them,¡± Lianhua explained, a teasing quality to her tone indicating that she didn¡¯t fully put her stock in the rumors. ¡°Hey!¡± Xiao Feng protested. ¡°I did no such thing. Alchemist Jun just helped me out with my concoction when I asked her to. That¡¯s all. And she only let me into the vaults after I left my pill furnace¡¯s lid outside. There¡¯s no real risk to brewing concoctions, right?¡± Xiao Feng rhetorically asked. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Uh¡­,¡± Lianhua looked at him with confusion, her grace and poise nowhere to be found as she considered what he had just said. ¡°Alchemist Jun helped you to brew concoctions?¡± She repeated, her tone sounding incredulous. ¡°Yeah?¡± Xiao Feng replied, not sure why that would be a cause for surprise. ¡°Alchemist Jun, the straight-laced bookworm who does nothing except research and ignores even my father¡¯s requests unless they¡¯re direct commands, helped you?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone seeking confirmation. ¡°Weeeell,¡± Xiao Feng considered, before answering, ¡°I only invited her after I had finished brewing the chai, because I needed someone besides me to sample it. Though she did end up being incredibly nice and helpful by giving me her notes from her recruit days. That was very kind of her," he explained. ¡°Her¡­ notes¡­?¡± Lianhua dumbfoundedly repeated. ¡°Yeah,¡± Xiao Feng confirmed, as he opened his desk drawer to reveal a well-worn, leatherbound notebook. ¡°So the rumors were true. Hmph,¡± Lianhua pouted, turning her gaze away from him in clear displeasure. ¡°Oh come on,¡± Xiao Feng protested. ¡°Look, how about you heat the pill furnace and sample some chai for yourself, alright? Then you can test for yourself if her reaction was excessive,¡± Xiao Feng challenged. ¡°Those are some bold claims for a mere concoction based on a mortal drink,¡± Lianhua replied, though interest did sparkle in her verdant eyes. ¡°You do remember that you are talking to the youngest senior alchemist in the entire division, right?¡± ¡°Well, if you¡¯re going to play hard to get, then you should also remember that you are in the presence of the Hero of the Zheyan Pass, Xiao Feng the Undying,¡± He replied with a pompous tone that was deliberately exaggerated. ¡°I still don¡¯t quite understand what draws someone like you to a place like this, but very well, bring it on, Xiao Feng the Undying,¡± She accepted the challenge with the same zeal it had been issued with. Xiao Feng watched with fascination as Lianhua heated the side of the pill furnace with her blue Alchemist¡¯s flame. As flames met metal, it was not the unpleasant, smoky odor that wafted out as one would expect, but instead a robust aroma that reminded Xiao Feng of a well-seasoned soup back on earth¡ª warm, comforting and herbal. He wondered how the properties of the alchemist¡¯s flame would modify the chai, but he did not expect a significant influence given how judiciously Lianhua was applying her alchemist¡¯s flame. ¡°There,¡± She said. ¡°All done.¡± ¡°Just a moment, Miss Senior Alchemist,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he opened his cupboard and retrieved one of six cups that had already been placed there for his perusal. He poured the Masala Chai for Lianhua with exacting care, careful not to spill even a drop. Lianhua inspected the light golden hued liquid with clear curiosity, before inhaling deeply. ¡°Is that firedust I smell? And what are those sweet notes¡ª don¡¯t tell me, emberfruit gems?¡± She asked rhetorically and then kept going, ¡°Hmm, the texture is light yet creamy. You put some bi-horn milk in here and a few other ingredients are too diluted for me to catch. Hmm, the hints of earth though¡­,¡± She trailed off, as she considered the answer. ¡°Humus root, maybe?¡± She asked. ¡°Damn,¡± The word slipped out of Xiao Feng¡¯s mouth. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to add a lot of misleading ingredients in there if I want to keep my secrets.¡± ¡°Well, how do I drink it?¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°Small sips, try to savor it,¡± Xiao Feng replied. Still seemingly skeptical, Lianhua decided to just go for it. She took a sip and her cheeks flushed slightly red. There were no words exchanged as she took another sip. Beads of sweat started to build up on her forehead, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. ¡°That is,¡± She said, her tone tinged with awe. ¡°the most delicious waste of precious ingredients I have ever tasted.¡± 29: Cheer up, Xiao Feng 29: ¡°So you like it then?¡± Xiao Feng beamed at her, his expression one of pure victory. ¡°Well¡­. Yes. But¡ª,¡± Lianhua tried to explain, but Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t willing to have any of it. ¡°Hey, you liked it,¡± Xiao Feng cut in, his expression joyous. ¡°And as you said, you are a venerable Senior Alchemist. You liking it is a good enough proof of concept for me,¡± He said, his tone perhaps a bit too enthusiastic. ¡°I do,¡± She replied, as the blush coloring her cheeks deepened a little. ¡°However, when we first met, you told me that you wished to sell this concoction of yours,¡± She pointed out, gesturing to the now empty teacup. ¡°Yeah,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his enthusiasm dampening a little. ¡°Well, it¡¯s going to be tough to sell this if you raw materials alone cost you eight silver taels,¡± Lianhua guessed and Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t particularly surprised that she had gotten it right. ¡°Though I must say, diced humus root was quite the interesting touch. Really added subtle, earthy depth to your uh, what do you call it?¡± She asked, her tone not intending to offend. ¡°The name of the concoction itself is chai, but what I served you is a specific variation of it that¡¯s called Masala Chai,¡± Xiao Feng explained. ¡°Your masala chai, then. Do you know what the full humus root is used for?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone a patient, supportive one that befitted an educator. ¡°Nope,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Though it can be used in a variety of different pills, its most important use is found in the Core Formation ranked Earth Infusion Pill,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°An Earth Infusion Pill?¡± Xiao Feng asked, the question in his tone evident. ¡°As you are well aware, to reach the core formation stage a cultivator must let heavenly thunder destroy the foundation base they have painstakingly cultivated,¡± Lianhua said, referencing the elliptic construct of Qi that rested below Xiao Feng¡¯s dantain. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied, nodding at Lianhua¡¯s words. When he cultivated, cycling his qi was done with the intention of reinforcing that elliptic Qi construct. It was a painstakingly slow process that his predecessor had only enjoyed because cycling his Qi across his body did also strengthen his physical body along with his meridians. ¡°Once the foundation base is destroyed, your meridians are flooded with liquid qi that you have gathered across years and decades. Only a few moments are all you get to impress your command over that liquid qi and compress a core attuned to their element,¡± Lianhua explained. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°Not everyone succeeds,¡± Xiao Feng recalled. ¡°Even those that do seldom achieve a perfect core,¡± he added, vaguely seeing where Lianhua was going with her explanation. ¡°Precisely,¡± Lianhua said. ¡°Foundation Establishment cultivators who had their dantian attuned to the Earth element go on to become Core Formation cultivators with an Earth core. The Earth Infusion Pill repairs damage to the Earth Core of a Core Formation stage cultivator. It also nourishes it. While the humus root is only a supporting material, it is still valuable to its refinement.¡± ¡°I see why you called it a waste of precious ingredients now,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone a little guilty. ¡°Oh don¡¯t feel down,¡± Lianhua hurriedly moved to reassure him. ¡°That was not my intention. The odds of successfully refining an Earth Infusion Pill even at the Senior Alchemist level is only still one in five attempts. Us alchemists are notorious for wasting resources yet we are allowed to persist, for such is the value of our refined creations,¡± She offered him comforting words in a gentle tone. ¡°I guess I have a long way to go before I can sell my Masala Chai,¡± Xiao Feng replied, deciding to tamp down on his planned monthly expenditure on Chai. He¡¯d feel terrible if his beverage was powered by magical ingredients required to heal someone¡¯s core, after all. ¡°How about this,¡± Lianhua¡¯s expression brightened up as the guilt she felt at putting a damper on Xiao Feng¡¯s mood was overpowered by the novelty of an idea that had just struck her. ¡°Today, I was planning on teaching you the common spiritual herbs used to refine pills at the Qi Gathering Stage. We¡¯ll still be doing that, but, how about I point out much cheaper alternatives that are similar in taste to the Mystic Palm leaf you used as the essence of your Masala Chai?¡± She proposed. Any and all trace of disappointment on Xiao Feng¡¯s visage vanished as he gazed upon Lianhua with poorly concealed awe, before asking, ¡°You¡¯d do that for me?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± She replied softly, as she turned away from Xiao Feng¡¯s intense gaze, a blush still coloring her cheeks. ¡°Well then, what are we waiting for? I¡¯ve got herbs to learn about.¡± The first impression Xiao Feng had of the Grand Library that was situated in the Cultivation Halls was that it didn¡¯t quite live up to its name. Compared to the multi-storey libraries he had visited back on earth, complete with hundreds of bookshelves that stretched as far as the eye could see, labeled according to genres and orders, designated reading areas with seating arrangements for hundreds of people, restrooms and sometimes even cafes or vending areas, the Grand Library was¡­. disappointing. That perspective drastically changed when Xiao Feng realized that every book, every scroll and every tome shelved within the Grand Library contained knowledge that could be compounded to refine pills of a thousand different kinds, from ones that healed ailments and patched up even the deadliest of wounds to pills capable of granting a cultivator the strength to fight above his layer. He was seated on a wooden table that came with attached benches, while Lianhua was sitting next to him, an open tome placed between them. Xiao Feng tried not to think about the other alchemist designates seated in the study area that overlooked the array of bookshelves that were sneaking glances at him, or more specifically, at Lianhua every few minutes, as he listened to her lesson. 30: The First Lesson 30: ¡°This is a Moonlit Dew plant,¡± Lianhua said, as her index finger traced its illustrated stem. Well, perhaps illustrated was not an appropriate way to describe it, as it seemed like the original Moonlit Dew plant had been dipped in verdant ink before being pressed against the tome¡¯s page. The structure of the plant itself was rather ordinary, with a single stem standing upright like the trunk of a tall tree. Instead of branches, there were leaves alternating in equidistant intervals on the stem¡¯s either sides from top to bottom, their shape a delicate, cupped one. ¡°Its taste has been described as minty, the effect on the body rejuvenating if consumed directly. Do you know why the leaves are shaped like that?¡± Lianhua asked, completely absorbed in the role of an instructor. She was good at it too, both patient and kind, making Xiao Feng wonder why she did not take in disciples. He supposed that the rumor-mongers were not all that hateful for having made him aware of that tidbit. ¡°Uh¡­. no,¡± Xiao Feng replied, ruffling his hair as he tried to reach for knowledge he did not possess. ¡°Try and guess,¡± Lianhua encouraged him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t bite,¡± She reassured him with a little more zeal than was perhaps required for a foundation establishment stage war hero. ¡°Erm so, the leaves are cupped right?¡± Xiao Feng mused out loud. ¡°The spiritual plant is called Moonlit Dew plan, so I¡¯m guessing that the shape of the leaves is conducive to gathering Water Qi during the night?¡± ¡°Close!¡± Lianhua chirped up in happiness, only to suffer from a burn in her cheeks a few moments later as she realized that she was being too loud for the Grand Library. ¡°Sorry,¡± She whispered under her breath, before refocusing her attention on Xiao Feng. ¡°The Moonlit Dew plant is very commonly found, even in the rocky patches of the Frontier. It gathers Water Qi through its roots during the day and instead of stockpiling it for itself, it only circulates the bare minimum it requires to live before discharging the excess Water Qi into its cupped leaves,¡± Lianhua explained, her tone soft and gentle. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng quizzed, a bit baffled by the phenomenon. ¡°The Moonlit Dew plant does not wish to be a target for herbivore beasts and it also wishes to propagate rapidly. Small, sticky seeds are concealed at the bottom of the pools of Water Qi that are held in its cupped leaves. The Jade-Plumed Swallow is a weak Qi Gathering realm beast, but few predators can ambush it due to its diminutive size and quick reflexes. It is also numerous in population,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°The Jade-Plumed Swallows,¡± Xiao Feng muttered in realization. ¡°They spread Moonlit Dew¡¯s seed across Sephari and in return, they are offered Water Qi as bait. A symbiotic relationship.¡± If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. A tender, nurturing smile graced her features as Lianhua looked at Xiao Feng with a hint of pride in her gaze, ¡°That is correct. What do you think the advantages of such a spiritual plant are?¡± ¡°They should be easily found¡­,¡± Xiao Feng guessed. ¡°And they should be cheap,¡± He said. ¡°Precisely,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°There¡¯s enough stockpiled in the junior division to facilitate hundreds of refinement attempts. You missed out on one thing, though. The Moonlit Dew plant is an excellent base ingredient for a lot of Qi Gathering realm pills. It possesses large reserves of Water Qi if harvested before nightfall, which is a fairly neutral element that does not react adversely with others like fire, earth or wind,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°Like the Pureflow Gel?¡± Xiao Feng asked, referring to the gelatinous substance he liked to think of as water jam. ¡°Precisely,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°If you were to refine a full humus root with a vial full of firedust into a pill, it would cause an explosion. However, refining pureflow gel and a full humus root together would not cause such an adverse effect. It would slightly dull the effect of the earth attunement and not be particularly useful to water element cultivators either, but by adjusting the pill formula, such weaknesses can be made up for¡±. ¡°Huh,¡± Xiao Feng hummed in thought, his gaze sparkling with interest as he took in the illustration with great interest. ¡°Where can I buy some of this to eat?¡± He asked. A laugh that was just barely masked into a hacking cough echoed from his right, as an alchemist designate tried not to attract the fury of Senior Alchemist Lianhua. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t sure about the tradeoff in such a decision, after peeking a glance at the brazen alchemist designate only to find that his cheeks had gone red¡ª it seemed to him like the man would cough himself to death first. ¡°The Junior Division, ask Alchemist Jia-Rui,¡± Lianhua replied in a smooth tone, not dignifying the alchemist designate¡¯s laughter with a change in inflection. ¡°Thank you kindly.¡± ¡°Well Xiao Feng, that should conclude our lesson for today. I¡¯ve talked to our librarian, Alchemist Fei. You are authorized to borrow up to ten books from the Grand Library. For your first one, you are to take this tome with you and memorize details of the spiritual plants and herbs I have covered today. Is that understood?¡± She asked, a little sternness leaking into her tone. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Xiao Feng replied with the utmost seriousness. He had not forgotten the weight of what he was being offered. The direct guidance of a Senior Alchemist, especially one as talented as Lianhua, was not something his vast material resources could buy. Lianhua left not long after while Xiao Feng still had to ask Alchemist Fei to make a record of the tome he was borrowing. That made sense to Xiao Feng, considering that the tome he held contained the ink-print illustrations of a hundred spiritual plants that came in all shapes and sizes. He would sooner drink coffee than let anything happen to the tome. Well, Xiao Feng thought, as he stepped outside the Grand Library. As fun as learning about alchemy and brewing chai has been, now that I am in the Cultivation Halls, it would be a waste not to test out the training rooms. I can¡¯t let my muscle memory go rusty, after all. 31: More to give 31: Xiao Feng was surprised to find that his heart rate had picked up, as he stood before the double-doors that led to the training rooms. Is this my own reaction or is this a side-effect of absorbing Xiao Feng¡¯s memories? Is it trepidation I feel, or anticipation? He considered warily. What will happen to me if I cannot fight? What will happen to me if Elder Haoyun finds out? He wondered. Maybe he could explain away the loss of skill due to the grievous nature of the injury he had suffered. But was that enough? The continent of Tian was not a peaceful land. Xiao Feng could choose not to fight, but that was no guarantee that violence would not find its way to him. For he was still a member of the Frontier Sect and the Alchemy Division was only separated by a few hours from the border his predecessor had given his life to defend. If that happens, Xiao Feng mused. I don¡¯t want this place to fall, He thought. The Alchemy Division was his new home, the only home he had left. It was the place where his ambitions could mold themselves into reality, the place where he had more than qualified teachers willing to dedicate their precious time to him. To cast away his martial origin and roots entirely, was to accept a reality where he could not fight back against those that wished to take what belongs to him. I guess I need to find out, Xiao Feng thought, as he pushed open the doors to the training rooms. Unlike the small antechamber Alchemist Jun watched over the Alchemy vaults from, the reception area of the training rooms was a large, oblong room. A cultivator dressed in pure white robes, besides a silver threaded embroidered patch that depicted a sword crossed against an arrow, was calmly sitting behind a lacquered wooden desk directly opposite himself. Xiao Feng¡¯s breathing relaxed. His knees slightly lowered, his upper body leaning forward as his hand reflexively snaked to the hilt of his blade, Windcarver. His gaze took in the cultivator on the other side of the room with exacting precision, ready to be unsheathed at the slightest hint of movement. ¡°Excellent reaction,¡± The cultivator who undoubtedly belonged to the Martial Division, praised. ¡°Too good, in fact, for an alchemist. That must mean that you are Xiao Feng,¡± He declared with a poise that told Xiao Feng that he was being expected by this man. ¡°You flared your Qi on purpose,¡± Xiao Feng accused, his expression clearly unamused. ¡°I did. What of it?¡± The Martial Division cultivator asked in a matter-of-fact tone. ¡°Have you forgotten, Xiao Feng? The demons lurk in the shadows, that is why we must be especially aware when we tread on the light.¡± ¡°I have not,¡± Xiao Feng replied, knowing that a martial cultivator had to be especially prepared for combat when he thought himself most safe. ¡°I am sure you have not, Xiao Feng the Undying,¡± The Martial Division cultivator replied, using the title Elder Haoyun had bestowed upon him. ¡°Who are you?¡± Xiao Feng asked, even though the answer was rather obvious at this point. ¡°I am merely a peak-layer foundation establishment cultivator appointed to oversee the training sessions of alchemists. I have seen war, like you, if you are curious. That makes me qualified to teach even core-formation alchemists, well, if they are willing to learn,¡± He chuckled wryly at his own words. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°I take it that they are not too interested?¡± Xiao Feng asked, thinking back on what he knew of the Alchemy Division. ¡°A few are. Some see it as exercise, others as a good way to refine their Qi control, which is essential to alchemy. Most, however, are unfit for a battlefield,¡± He stated the truth with a hint of disappointment in his words. ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng replied, not surprised. ¡°Well, I take it you are here to book a training room,¡± The Martial Division cultivator guessed. ¡°Yes.¡± The martial division cultivator opened the second drawer from the top, plucked out a key and tossed it to Xiao Feng. He caught it with ease. ¡°How did you know that I had transferred over to the Alchemy Division?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Besides the rumors floating around you, Brother Xiao? The Martial Division cultivator who was much older than him replied with a rhetorical jest before continuing, ¡°Elder Haoyun told me before you arrived. Told me to look out for you where I could, but that was rather unnecessary.¡± ¡°Well, how much do I owe you?¡± Xiao Feng asked, unsure what the martial division cultivator meant by unnecessary. Maybe he dislikes nepotism or something, He thought, wondering. ¡°Owe me?¡± The Martial Division cultivator asked, his tone sounding incredulous. ¡°Even without Elder Haoyun¡¯s request, I would not take even a single bronze tael from a cultivator who bled for the Frontier. As for a war hero? That will not happen as long as I remain standing,¡± He declared, the iron in his tone enough to inspire respect in the hearts of men and women under his command. ¡°Will that not get you in trouble with the Alchemy Division?¡± Xiao Feng asked, a bit concerned. Money was not an issue for the current him and if it helped avoid trouble for a potential ally, well, the answer was right there. ¡°Were you considering how much trouble you would get in if you broke through the demonic army¡¯s ranks and caused chaos that led to the turning point in the war?¡± The Martial Division cultivator asked him in return. ¡°Touch¨¦,¡± Xiao Feng conceded. ¡°Would you at least tell me your name?¡± ¡°I am Cultivator Lei Jiao. I did not participate in the most recent war, rather the one before that. Unlike you, I am presently untitled. The next time I face the demons though, that will change,¡± He declared, his tone carrying a bravado that had actual weight to it. After he had taken the keys from Cultivator Lei, Xiao Feng found himself in a wide chamber whose floor and walls were padded with sponge-like cushions that undoubtedly had some special properties. The bouncy and uneven terrain added another small challenge to navigating his way across the chamber, but any true martial cultivator would only welcome it. Xiao Feng was the only one behind a now locked door, which was odd, considering martial cultivators always trained in pairs and training sessions were done with many cultivators going up against each other in rotating schedules. Unfortunately, he had no one but himself to practice with. He closed his eyes. Xiao Feng focused on his breathing, felt the gentle, unattuned Qi in his dantian, held the wild Wind Qi in place that also had a place in his dantian. He unsheathed his blade, feeling the resonance with the Wind Qi in dantian almost immediately. His blade hungered for his Wind Qi reserves. Xiao Feng was almost there. The trance-like state his predecessor used to fall in while training, as he let the world slip by him¡ª his thoughts, his worries, his considerations, holding no weight in the battlefield. Only the next move, the next action, the next swing of blade mattered. To achieve such a state while his eyes were open was beyond Xiao Feng, but maybe this way, he could reach it. To his surprise and then shock, something wholly unexpected happened. His eyes were closed and even his essence cultivation art would not work with closed eyes. Yet, he saw. He saw a person before him. Dressed in pure white robes that many in the martial division preferred. ¡°I thought,¡± The man standing before him spoke, his tone, inflection and pitch identical to his own yet somehow carrying more intent behind his words. ¡°I had swung my blade for the last time. It seems the heavens feel that I have more to give, still.¡± 32: Xiao Fengs training partner 32: ¡°How?¡± He asked, his tone echoing forth the shock he felt. ¡°You know how,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng calmly replied. ¡°I am not really here, yet I stand before you,¡± He explained, his tone sounding introspective. ¡°I don¡¯t know what that means,¡± He replied, as his hands and consequently, his blade, trembled from the shock of what he was seeing. ¡°Hmm,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng hummed in thought as he unsheathed his own blade and assumed a combat stance. ¡°Are you familiar with visualization techniques?¡± He asked. ¡°Myth,¡± He replied from the bank of memories he had inherited. ¡°Perhaps,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng conceded. ¡°However, our current situation is rather similar to its myth. You wished for perfect calm, sought a refuge in your own mind¡ªaway from the troubles and whims of reality. Away from materialism and the glory. Away from it all. There, you found yourself¡­ and me.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s like a side-effect of absorbing your soul?¡± He asked, a bit dazed by the concept. What did that mean for his own sense of self? ¡°Exactly like a side-effect,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng confirmed. ¡°I am a recreation from your mindscape, the embodiment of all memories you inherited from the original Xiao Feng. I reside in your mind, but I do not belong there. That is why I stand before you.¡± ¡°I¡­.¡± He trailed off, uncertain how or what to feel about that. ¡°Do not waver,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng¡¯s tone turned stern as addressed him. ¡°Like you have inherited my memories and skills, I know everything that is to know about you by virtue of existing in your mindspace. So understand the source of hesitation, born from what you believe to be kindness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± He replied, his tone heavy with guilt. He could not even begin to understand how the white-robed Xiao Feng felt, memory recreation or not. ¡°Do not be sorry, child from Earth,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng shook his head. ¡°I am here because I lost on the battlefield. I have no regrets, nor qualms. But I do have a question. I was defeated, so why am I here?¡± He did not know how to respond to that, so he chose silence. ¡°But now, seeing you, considering your actions over the last few days, I understand,¡± The white-haired Xiao Feng revealed. ¡°Do you know what my greatest weakness was, in the end? Why I lost?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m not¡ª I don¡¯t know,¡± He stuttered in reply. ¡°I possesed a cause in me that burned the most brightly when I was facing the greatest of darkness, because the cause was worth dying for. This gave me strength that befuddled the notions of what others thought possible. Yet I lost. I lost, not because my Essence Cultivation Art was not strong enough or I did not plan thoroughly enough, no. I lost because I did not understand that a cause worth dying for also has to be one worth living for, even more strongly.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡ª I see,¡± He replied, a tone of awe in his words as he confronted a realization that had required a lifetime to arrive at. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Do you like the Alchemy Division?¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng asked him. ¡°I do, very much,¡± He replied earnestly. ¡°Do you wish for the strength to protect it?¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng asked, his tone rising in intensity by a notch. ¡°Yes,¡± The words escaped Xiao Feng¡¯s lips before he realized it. ¡°Then perhaps, you will be able to master a sword I never was able to,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng mused, as his knees bent even further, poised to burst into motion. ¡°What sword is that?¡± He asked. ¡°A sword that is struck with intent to protect instead of kill. Now brace yourself, child of Earth. The heavens have bestowed upon me a second chance and I, Xiao Feng, do not make the same mistake twice,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng declared, his tone carrying an unnerving intensity. He watched as the white silhouette blurred forward at speed that rivaled what his own physical body was capable of at its peak. He cycled the spiritual Qi resting in his dantian to the meridians in his arms and legs, hitting as many acupuncture points in the process as he could. Even then, it was all he could do to block the white silhouette¡¯s wild slash in time. There should have been no impact when their blades collided. The white-robed Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t really there¡­ right? It certainly did not like it as his own blade was stopped in its tracks and then, with a jerk on the opposing side, pushed backwards. The impact was real, the sound of clanging swords was real but there was certain dreaminess to it. It was not a blade that had intercepted his own, but rather, a memory of a blade intercepting another that was being played back by his own mind. Does this mean I will feel pain if I get cut? He wondered and his expression darkened almost immediately. That was certainly something his predecessor would relish inflicting upon him, if it meant he would get stronger, faster. The white-robed Xiao Feng was relentless as he followed through with two thrusts of his blade. The first one, he barely dodged while backpedaling. The second was batted away by a desperate swipe of his own blade, lacking any of the grace his opponent¡¯s had. He dived. He ducked. He dodged. The martial forms he was trying to imitate collapsed as the white-robed Xiao Feng pressed him faster and faster, to the point where muscle memory was all he could rely upon. Finally, the inevitable happened and a slash sneaked past his guard, aiming for his right leg. If I try hard enough, I can probably wake up and dispel this, He thought, entertaining the possibility because it sounded much better than the alternative. No, no. I asked for this. I can¡¯t run now¡ª- His eyes went wide as the moment to think passed and pain flooded his right leg. He collapsed onto the floor like a kite with its strings cut, both arms clenched tightly as he wished desperately to be freed from a memory of his predecessor being wounded in battle. ¡°Oh please, don¡¯t writhe on the floor,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng slightly grimaced as he took in the state he had left him in. ¡°Why?¡± He croaked out, noting that it was an unnatural expression for his predecessor to have. He had expected some gloating along with a lesson. ¡°You have a guest. I guess this will suffice for an introductory lesson,¡± The white-robed Xiao Feng said, before shrugging a bit helplessly. The state of focus he had fallen into, shattered and he returned to the real world. He was sprawled across the training room¡¯s floor, his forehead matted with sweat, his robes drenched much in the same way. Oh, He thought, as the realization came. I wasn¡¯t actually taking out loud, I was just thinking and that was enough. Now¡­ what guest? He turned his gaze towards the entrance of the room and finally noticed an alchemist designate who seemed to have accidentally stumbled upon the wrong training room. His expression was pale and their hands were slightly trembling, as he gazed at him with the same fright one would an ambushing demon. ¡°Uhhhh, hi?¡± Xiao Feng offered. The alchemist designate, who was a foundation establishment cultivator much like himself, shamelessly ran away without looking back even once. 33: Cultivating Rumors 33: ¡°I¡¯m telling you,¡± The alchemist designate whispered in a conspiratorial tone. ¡°Look, I know that Instructor Lei tells us that if we can reach the stage of sparring with ourselves, there¡¯s nothing left for him to teach us. But this? This,¡± He repeated in an impassioned tone to the three other cultivators sitting on the same bench as him. ¡°The recruit moved as if someone was actually there. His sword recoiled as if it had been parried. He dodged as if a demon was trying to bisect him in half,¡± The alchemist designate finished explaining, having worked up a bit of sweat as he got caught up in his own emotions. ¡°So, who won this shadow battle?¡± One of the other alchemists seated in a much smaller mess hall that was reserved for alchemist designates only and conveniently located down the residences pathway, asked. ¡°That¡¯s the scary thing,¡± the alchemist designate whispered. ¡°You would ask yourself, how could one lose to the machinations of one¡¯s own mind. But he lost! I¡¯m telling you, he lost to his own shadow,¡± He explained, his tone sounding a bit haunted. The alchemist designate to his left tried to stifle what sounded like a cough and just about managed it. The two alchemist designates sitting facing him tried to do the same and failed, before bursting out into laughter that just about fell short of guffawing in his face. ¡°I think¡­,¡± One of the laughing alchemist designates managed to speak out in between bouts of laughter. ¡°... you¡¯ve been going a bit¡­. too hard on research. Take a break, Tao.¡± The alchemist designate named Tao had no words left to retaliate with as his face went beet red. Only now did he realize how preposterous his words must¡¯ve sounded to the other alchemist designates. However, Tao knew what he had seen. I need to learn more about that recruit, He thought. There¡¯s something that¡¯s not right about him.
Back in the sanctity of his dorm room, an exhausted Xiao Feng crashed onto his bed with a groan. ¡°Oh, man, that was exhausting,¡± He complained out loud, even though he knew that the white-robed Xiao Feng was gone and would be gone for as long as he did not willingly enter that state of perfect focus again. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t sure when he would be willing to subject himself to that intense training regimen again, but there was never a question of if he would be willing to do it. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Strength was essential in the continent of Tian, Realm of Sephari. The Alchemy Division was a tranquil paradise, yes, but it stood only because of the strength of the Frontier Sect. His predecessor was willing to train him in his ways, grant him an opportunity to gain that strength¡ª not to harm or wage war, but to protect. He would not spurn such strength. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll go again in a week,¡± He contemplated. ¡°Okay, maybe three days? Learning magical martial arts isn¡¯t all that boring, now that I think about it. It just leaves me sore all around, but that¡¯s probably because I¡¯m not fighting with the proper techniques yet,¡± He mused aloud. Xiao Feng¡¯s hair was still damp, from having showered after he had dinner in the junior division¡¯s mess hall. He felt the tug of sleep weigh down on his eyelids. A touch of Qi and all that sleep would simply vanish, Xiao Feng thought. Sure, I would eventually need to sleep to pay off that debt, but my predecessor did go on without sleep for days on end because he wanted to cultivate. I really, really, don¡¯t want to artificially mess around with my sleep cycle, Xiao Feng concluded, really wary of doing something like that. Not because he hated cultivation, but because it would make him feel less¡­ human. Less mortal and more immortal. He did not wish to distance himself from a part of his mortality, the essence of the human experience. ¡°Oh right,¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s eyelids snapped open as he remembered that he¡¯d forgotten to check in on the egg. So much for sleeping on time, He thought wryly. He swung open the door to his wardrobe and took in the egg¡¯s physical form. ¡°Huh,¡± He intoned. ¡°That¡¯s interesting,¡± He muttered under his breath. Xiao Feng had poured some bi-horn milk on top of the egg and with its distinctive bluish-white color, the milk should¡¯ve left some staining on the wardrobe¡¯s insides. Should have. Xiao Feng only saw an impeccably clean wardrobe surface, with the egg resting peacefully where he had left it. He activated his essence cultivation art. Immediately, Xiao Feng noticed that the pulsing and dimming cycle had sped up, but not to the alarming levels he had witnessed before. If the egg¡¯s action of draining his Qi had stabilized it to some degree, then did it absorb the milk to try and maintain that state? ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Xiao Feng muttered under his breath as he hurriedly got up from the bed and rushed to his study table. He wrapped his hands around a vial of milk and unstoppered it. He did not hesitate as he began to pour the precious bi-horn milk on the egg, it¡¯s flow unmitigated. A sizzling sound echoed out as the milk touching the egg¡¯s surface evaporated or at least, seemed like it evaporated. Xiao Feng¡¯s lips curled up into a smile, for he knew better. After he poured the vial of milk past the halfway mark though, the sizzling stopped. The egg had once again reached a state of temporary equilibrium between life and death. For to Xiao Feng, it seemed like the tempo of the pulsing and dimming cycle had returned to what it was after the egg had gotten done absorbing his Qi. ¡°It¡¯s not enough,¡± Xiao Feng muttered. ¡°How do I save you?¡± He asked the egg, but it was himself that gave the answer as the image of a woman in floral robes popped up in his mind. ¡°Is that the only way, then?¡± 34: Morning Chai 34: Once again, Xiao Feng found himself on the battlefield. He strode forward as if he was the scion of wind itself, his expression ferocious as his blade arced forward with explosive momentum. The Demon that obstructed his path fell prey to Xiao Feng¡¯s blade, even though the trajectory of his blade was poised to intercept Xiao Feng¡¯s own. A slight flick of his wrists was all it had taken, yet it should have been impossible to pull such a move on an opponent that well surpassed his own speed. Had he not predicted the motion of the attack with the aid of his Essence Cultivation Art, that logic would stand true for Xiao Feng as well. It was a gamble even then, for seeing through his enemy¡¯s intent did not mean that it was enough to bridge the gap in their capabilities. Yet, Xiao Feng had committed to the risky maneuver anyway and his blade had struck true. Such was his focus. His determination. Most of all, his desire for vengeance. The reward for his triumph came in the form of more breathing room, more space to continue his rampage. In that moment, Xiao Feng felt the exact opposite of invincible. He was tired, his Qi reserves were down to half and the margins he was obtaining victory through were growing thinner and thinner as the enemies that came after him grew stronger. Nevertheless, he moved forward. One step, a second and then¡­ silence. The silence of the attack that struck him was so unexpected. It¡¯s speed surpassed the limits of his cognition. One moment, he was a foe to be feared on the battlefield, the next he was collapsing forward like a puppet with its strings cut. There was no avoiding it. His essence cultivation art could not guard him against threats that he was too slow, too weak to deal with. His heart filled with dread, Xiao Feng waited for darkness to claim him. Then, he awoke. Finding himself in his dorm room bed, Xiao Feng woke up with a jerk of his hands. His back seemed to be drenched in sweat and his heart was pounding at a place that could not be healthy. Deep breaths, Xiao Feng thought, as he sat up and assumed a cross-legged posture. It took him a few minutes to stabilize his pulse rate, before Xiao Feng cycled Qi through his meridians. Almost immediately, all traces of sleepiness left him and he felt refreshed, like he had just gotten done taking a warm shower. ¡°See,¡± He muttered in the direction of the wardrobe that housed the egg. ¡°This is what happens when I don¡¯t get my morning chai,¡± He complained. The egg remained silent. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Well, time to do something about it then,¡± Xiao Feng hopped onto his feet, landing against the ground with a light thump. After giving his appearance a once over in the washing area, he poured some bi-horn milk on the egg before leaving for the Junior Division. As it turned out, there was a botanical shop that sold spiritual herbs and plants in the Junior Division as well, but as Xiao Feng stood before it, he could not help but think of it more like a storage room. An alchemist designate was seated at the front of the store, her visage masked by tinted, metal-rimmed spectacles that seemed to serve a purpose, as she inspected a herb that had leaves fanning out in the general shape of a bouquet. Behind her stretched out a passageway more than a shop, with identical four-storied storage racks lining either side of the walls until the end of the passageway. A door on the other end presumably led out of the store, also likely where the hundreds of herbs piled on the racks came from. There were so numerous in quantity, Xiao Feng could not possibly feel guilty about buying as many as he wanted. ¡°Yes?¡± The alchemist designate asked, betraying a coldness to her otherwise professional tone that told Xiao Feng that she did not appreciate being disturbed. ¡°Hello. Are you Alchemist Jia-Rui?¡± Xiao Feng politely asked, determined not to give the alchemist a reason to find fault with him. ¡°I am indeed Alchemist Jia-Rui,¡± She replied, as gaze focused on him more keenly. ¡°Senior Alchemist Lianhua told me that I could purchase Moonlit Dew plants here. I would like to buy some if possible,¡± Xiao Feng said. ¡°Lianhua?¡± She repeated, before her gaze flashed with realization. ¡°You¡¯re that recruit, Xiao Feng?¡± ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am,¡± He replied. ¡°I¡­see,¡± She muttered to herself. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d imagined it, but for a moment his senses picked up on malice in Alchemist Jia-Rui¡¯s gaze. ¡°So, Xiao Feng,¡± She spoke, pronouncing his surname with a little bit more emphasis than required. ¡°How many Moonlit Dew plants do you want?¡± ¡°Fifteen,¡± He replied. ¡°That will be thirty bronze taels.¡± Xiao Feng offered a single silver tael. Only after Alchemist Jia-Rui took it and gave him his change did she move to pack the Moonlit Dew herbs. ¡°Thank you,¡± Xiao Feng offered, receiving the packet full of herbs with care. He moved to leave, but Alchemist Jia-Rui¡¯s words stopped him, ¡°A word of advice, Recruit Xiao Feng?¡± She rhetorically asked, her emphasis on his rank blatant. ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am?¡± He asked. ¡°You should stay away from Senior Alchemist Lianhua. Someone like you isn¡¯t worthy of receiving instruction from a personage of her station,¡± Alchemist Jia-Rui finally took off the mask and said what she had been thinking. Someone like you. Hm, Xiao Feng thought. She knows I¡¯m from the martial division, but I don¡¯t think she knows exactly who I am. Most alchemists seem to hold no deep interest in the goings-on within the martial division, so it¡¯s not too much of a reach. Xiao Feng swiveled his head to the side, so he could meet Alchemist Jia-Rui¡¯s gaze, before speaking, ¡°You have a very amusing sense of humor, Alchemist Jia-Rui. You should tell that particular one to Nascent Soul, Elder Haoyun. I¡¯m sure he would appreciate someone trying to elevate the honor of a war hero.¡± Turning his gaze away before he could study Alchemist Jia-Rui¡¯s expression, Xiao Feng mockingly waved goodbye to her before heading towards the Cultivation Rooms. I wonder if Alchemist Jun will like pudina chai, Xiao Feng mused, having already placed the interaction with Alchemist Jia-Rui out of his mind as he considered how he would tackle his second chai blend with the Moonlit Dew plant as it¡¯s base. 35: Pudina Chai 35: ¡°Good morning, Alchemist Jun,¡± Xiao Feng greeted with a warm smile before he set down his pill furnace on the floor. ¡°Hello, Xiao Feng,¡± Alchemist Jun tore her gaze away from the tome she was reading, her tone one of pleasant surprise. ¡°Did something pleasant happen?¡± She asked. ¡°Pleasant?¡± Xiao Feng muttered. ¡°Oh. No, it¡¯s a saying from my village. I meant to wish you a good rest of the day,¡± He explained. ¡°Ah,¡± Alchemist Jun nodded in understanding. ¡°Well, a good morning to you as well, Xiao Feng. How may I help you?¡± She asked. ¡°I would like to book an Alchemist Vault. Variable time, I¡¯m willing to pay for as long as I end up staying in there,¡± He replied. ¡°Will you be¡­,¡± Alchemist Jun realized the faux pas she was making just a few seconds too late, a light blush coloring her cheeks as she saw no way to conceal the lapse in professionalism she had just run head-first into. ¡°I will be brewing a different blend of chai today,¡± Xiao Feng enthusiastically explained, the eagerness in his tone making no note of Alchemist Jun¡¯s yearning. ¡°There¡¯s always a bit of a risk associated with trying out new blends. It might be a bit brazen of me, considering I took up your time on my last trip as well, but Alchemist Jun you are more than welcome to try some pudina chai and do me a great favor by letting me know if you like it.¡± ¡°Pudina¡­.Chai?¡± Alchemist Jun tested the unfamiliar combination of words, her tone oh so curious. ¡°Indeed. This blend isn¡¯t going to be as strong as the last one, but it is going to go heavy on the minty side of things, ¡°Xiao Feng explained. Well, I¡¯ve done my part. Lianhua told me that Alchemist Jun is as straight-laced as they come, so inviting her to goof off while she¡¯s on duty probably won¡¯t sit well with her. Though a recruit asking an alchemist for a favor? Hopefully, that would be a whole separate conversation. ¡°May I ask you a question?¡± Alchemist Jun queried. ¡°Yes, of course.¡± ¡°When we first met, you told me that you wished to recreate a mortal concoction from your home village. I thought your reason was nostalgia, a yearning for a life you cannot go back to. But now, you seem to want to improve upon that recipe. I am curious about the why,¡± Alchemist Jun admitted, her tone soft and gentle instead of accusatory. Damn, she¡¯s perceptive, Xiao Feng thought. Not for the first time, Xiao Feng was reminded of exactly who he was dealing with. Alchemist designates were not to be underestimated. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng ran his right hand through his hair. ¡°It is true that I wanted to recreate chai because I missed it¡¯s unique flavor, one that I have only encountered in my home village. But, that is not the extent of my ambition, Alchemist Jun. I wish to open a tea shop,¡± Xiao Feng boldly stated his ambitions, knowing full well how ridiculous they sounded. ¡°A tea shop?¡± Alchemist Jun asked, her confusion evident on her visage. ¡°I told you, remember?¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s lips curled up into a smile before he continued, ¡°The final ingredient of any good chai is people. Without people to share a warm cup of chai with, it is no different from a mortal drink in my eyes. That is why I must find a way to bring it to both cultivators and alchemists at a cost they can afford,¡± He explained. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Um, that is quite¡­ interesting?¡± Alchemist Jun offered, clearly a little lost as she tried to follow his train of thought. ¡°Well, that is a ways ahead of us,¡± Xiao Feng cheerfully shrugged. ¡°For now, Alchemist Jun, would you help me taste test some pudina chai?¡± He asked. ¡°Sure,¡± She replied with a tempered calm, clearly having held back most of her enthusiasm in reserve. Not long after, Xiao Feng found himself seated before his pill furnace, which was placed on top of a sturdy gas burner. It¡¯s a pity that the Alchemist¡¯s Haven doesn¡¯t have more spices. They require only a fraction of a spiritual plant or herb, so I don¡¯t need to feel guilty about using them. Well, they¡¯re expensive and only alchemists that can refine the big money pills would use something so extravagant to season their food but¡­ as long as it is research and development for my future chai blends, I don¡¯t mind the cost, Xiao Feng thought, clearly having no qualms about using the inheritance he had received from his predecessor. ¡°Now this is quite the conundrum,¡± Xiao Feng muttered as he watched the Moonlit Dew leaves infuse the boiling water, dyeing it a gentle shade of azure. Even with pudina chai, the mint itself is no more than a spice. You¡¯d still need to add tea leaves after the mint, along with the other spices have infused into the water. But the whole point of this exercise is to avoid using the expensive Mystic Palm and replace it with the Moonlit Dew, Xiao Feng mused, before deciding to go hands-on as he dipped a spoon into the mint-infused water before tasting it. Xiao Feng winced as a sharp, herbaceous taste flooded his mouth, the menthol-like flavor causing an overpowering cooling effect that was more like a burn. ¡°No, no, that¡¯s way too strong,¡± He shook his head. I need to balance the flavor. Xiao Feng reached for the jar of Pureflow Gel and scooped one then two spoonfuls into the infusion. That should dilute it a bit, He thought, but he was far from being done. Diced humus root was generously sprinkled into the infusion, as Xiao Feng figured that it¡¯s earthy undertone would balance it out some more. His gaze shifted to the firedust diamonds. Ah, I need to limit myself to half a diamond. Putting it whole will just get me a weird masala chai, He regretfully shook his head, knowing how easy it would be to balance the mint if he used a full helping of his masala. Need to keep the sugar low as well. It¡¯ll take away from pudina chai¡¯s unique, minty flavor if I barrage it with sweetness, He considered, limiting himself to half a Emberfruit Gem. After the ingredients had infused into the chai, Xiao Feng dimmed the intensity of the burner and tasted the melange. ¡°Ahhh¡­,¡± He trailed off, his tone laden with disappointment. A touch of Qi was used to clear away the minty aftertaste that remained in his mouth. ¡°There goes my attempt at keeping costs down. Maybe I can hop over to the Alchemist¡¯s Haven and get some Dark Root Shavings, but they will introduce a strong bitterness that isn¡¯t really a part of the pudina chai experience. Mmm, I guess I have no choice,¡± Xiao Feng conceded his defeat, as he reached for the remaining Mystic Palms he had on hand from his original shopping spree. He tore away one leaflet from the five-fingered palm and let it fall into the infusion. He watched the color of the pudina chai simmered from a light azure to a shimmering gemstone green. He had no idea how or why the pigments in the ingredients he had used interacted, but Xiao Feng could appreciate beauty when he was confronted by it. He pulled out another spoon from a fiber bag, and sipped at the melange. ¡°Oh,¡± Xiao Feng muttered aloud. ¡°Oh, yes,¡± He cheered, his lips curling up into a smile. While it was still an expensive cup of chai, he had managed to bring down the cost by around a fourth of the original by using less of the Mystic Palm, Emberfruit Gem and Firedust Diamonds. Half a cup of bi-horn milk was added to the infusion, Xiao Feng choosing to go light on the creaminess as was ideal for pudina chai. The mintiness had to be the driver of the flavor profile. Finally, his second chai blend was complete. 36: The first breeze of spring 36: Xiao Feng was feeling a bit nervous as he poured the now less shimmering green pudina chai into two cups, still having an entire cup¡¯s worth leftover for Lianhua by the time he was done. It hurts my heart to admit it, but pudina chai was pretty niche even back home. Alchemist Jun might be disappointed this time around, He thought, admittedly a bit dejected about it. He could only sell chai to the people if they liked the taste and considering that the very nature of cultivation seemed to encourage a utilitarian economy, his opening pitch had to pack a punch. Maybe I can add it later on if both Alchemist Jun and Lianhua don¡¯t like it. Perhaps as a connoisseur¡¯s special, something for the Elders to break bread over and feel smug about its perceived cost and exclusivity, Xiao Feng considered, unsure what their reaction would be when they realized that the most common of spiritual plants served as the core of his pudina chai. I¡¯m getting ahead of myself, Xiao Feng shook his head, before getting up and this time, taking the warm cups of pudina chai to Alchemist Jun¡¯s table. Sure, he was at the center of a whirlwind of rumors that continued to get wilder everytime he checked but if people were going to spy on his every move, then he might as well use it to his advantage and get some advertising in. Inviting her to a cramped alchemy vault also wasn¡¯t a move he intended to repeat. On the other hand, Alchemist Jun¡¯s expression brightened up at his approach, her gaze tracking the two cups of warm chai with clear anticipation. He placed one cup on her table. ¡°Oh,¡± Alchemist Jun chirped in surprise as she took in the hue of the pudina chai. ¡°This looks quite different,¡± She observed, the curiosity reflected on her visage not an unpleasant one. The hue of the pudina chai had retained some of the original shimmering green, but it was inevitable for the bi-horn milk to diffuse that effect. The end result was a healthy green instead of a sickly one, much to Xiao Feng¡¯s relief. While appearances weren¡¯t everything, a beverage had to look appetizing to some extent if Xiao Feng wished to sell it. ¡°I used a different plant this time as the base,¡± Xiao Feng explained. ¡°As I explained earlier, I need to bring costs down if I want to sell chai and turn a profit. This is my first attempt,¡± He candidly revealed to her. ¡°Well, may I taste it?¡± Alchemist Jun politely asked. ¡°Of course. Oh, but wait,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly added. ¡°Can you bring your cup closer to mine?¡± He asked. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Alchemist Jun took the odd request in stride, raising her cup towards Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng grinned and clinked the lip of his cup with with Alchemist Jun¡¯s before saying, ¡°Cheers!¡± ¡°Cheers?¡± She repeated, the question in her tone evident. ¡°It¡¯s something we used to say before drinking. A toast of sorts,¡± Xiao Feng explained. ¡°A toast to whom?¡± Alchemist Jun asked. ¡°To uhh, life I suppose? For letting us sample this warm cup of chai on a slightly chilly day,¡± Xiao Feng replied, making up an answer on the spot. ¡°Cheers, then¡± Alchemist Jun smiled at him, before clicking her cup back. Only then did she take a sip of the pudina chai followed by Xiao Feng. Alchemist Jun blinked. She took a second sip. She blinked twice this time. As Xiao Feng felt the chai flow down his gullet, he understood what Alchemist Jun was going through. The pudina chai that he had brewed had been warmed, yet it felt like a refreshingly cool, sweet liquid was tantalizing his taste buds with something it was not supposed to be. Xiao Feng felt like he had just gotten done taking a bath after a long day out under the sun, the Water Qi suffusing his dantian so soft and gentle. He could not stop himself from taking another sip, before exhaling. Placing the cup of chai on the table, Xiao Feng cupped his right hand before his mouth and exhaled again, noticing that his breath had taken on a minty aroma. ¡°Wow,¡± Alchemist Jun muttered in awe. ¡°This is so invigorating,¡± She complimented without reservation. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Xiao Feng replied, his own enthusiasm leaking into his tone. It wasn¡¯t necessarily his own preparation that had led to such wonderful results, but he supposed that there was a reason why the Moonlit Dew plant was so successful in luring in the Jade-Plumed Swallows to spread its seeds. ¡°I liked the Masala Chai you brewed earlier but I can see myself drinking this more frequently. I can tell that there¡¯s some firedust in there to balance the mintiness, but this pudina chai of yours is like the first breeze of spring¡ª cool but not cold, comfortable for it is not too warm nor chilly and energizing,¡± Alchemist Jun offered her honest critique, giving Xiao Feng exactly what he¡¯d asked for. ¡°That¡¯s so heartening to hear,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone pleasantly surprised. What was a niche drink on earth found itself new legs on Sephari, due to the magical nature of the ingredients he was using. ¡°Oh, uh, also thank you for letting me sample this,¡± Alchemist Jun replied with a slight blush coloring her cheeks, as she decided to drop the pretenses a little. ¡°No, no, the pleasure is all mine. Your feedback is worth it¡¯s weight in gold taels, Alchemist Jun,¡± Xiao Feng thanked before offering her a quick bow. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be happy to offer more feedback as long as you find it valuable,¡± Alchemist Jun gingerly replied, as if she were no longer sure if she was overstepping the bounds of what she thought professional or if she even cared any longer. ¡°Naturally,¡± Xiao Feng cheerfully replied. ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have anything to give you in return this time around. But if you ever run into queries while researching spiritual herbs, do feel free to ask. I might not be as distinguished as Senior Alchemist Lianhua, but it might be easier to learn some topics from someone who isn¡¯t a genius,¡± Alchemist Jun offered, her tone soft and gentle as she revealed that she had looked into Xiao Feng¡¯s rather unique identity within the alchemy division. ¡°Thank you, Alchemist Jun. I will be sure to take you up on that," Xiao Feng replied, wondering why her expression looked nervous before he left. 37: Alchemist Jia-Rui 37: Interlude: Alchemist Jia-Rui. Alchemist Jia-Rui had a visibly angry expression on her face as she pushed the door to her private chamber down the residences passageway open, if only slightly, before stepping inside. She was not surprised to find another sitting on bed, a man who shared most of her defining features. His azure hair was streaked with strands of vibrant jade green, his gray eyes mired in thought before he turned to acknowledge the new entrant in the room. Alchemist Jia-Rui¡¯s expression turned to one of concern as she took in her brother¡¯s features, his high cheekbones and aquiline nose that stood in contrast to her slightly plump, rounded face and button nose. ¡°I didn¡¯t have to look for him,¡± Alchemist Jia-Rui initiated the conversation, her tone echoing her dissatisfaction. ¡°Oh?¡± Alchemist Zhi-Rui remarked, a question contained in his inflection. ¡°He came to my store in the Junior Division,¡± Alchemist Jia explained. ¡°Wanted a bunch of ordinary Moonlit Dew plants.¡± ¡°And?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, an almost desperate eagerness to his tone. ¡°Did you tell him to leave Lianhua alone?¡± He asked. ¡°I did,¡± Alchemist Jia replied through pursed lips. ¡°He refused.¡± Alchemist Zhi gazed into his sister¡¯s gray irises, searching for any sign that she was jesting with him. He found none. ¡°That arrogant recruit,¡± Alchemist Zhi snarled, pure venom leaking into his tone. ¡°Does he have any idea how long I¡¯ve spent trying to get in Lianhua¡¯s good graces? Just when I was beginning to finally see progress, he comes along out of blooming nowhere!¡± He bellowed in rage, his visage taking on a pinkish-red hue from the sheer anger flowing through his veins. ¡°I understand but¡ª,¡± Alchemist Jia tried to explain, only to abruptly cut off. ¡°I¡¯m going to teach him a lesson,¡± Alchemist Zhi snarled. ¡°You will do no such thing,¡± Alchemist Jia¡¯s tone sharpened, her expression tightening as she met her brother¡¯s rageful gaze head on. ¡°Sister dearest of mine,¡± Alchemist Zhi addressed, his tone softening a little as he remembered that the one before him had done nothing to deserve the tone he had been speaking in. ¡°Surely you understand why Lianhua is so important. Must I really say it out loud?¡± Alchemist Jia¡¯s firm expression deflated a little as she listened to her brother¡¯s words. ¡°We, the both of us, do not have what it takes to become Senior Alchemists, let alone reach the Grand Alchemist designation,¡± Alchemist Zhi spoke the unadulterated truth, the fact that they had been dancing around for the last few years. ¡°Yet, our legacies need not end there. I am not proud to admit that my own talent, bestowed upon me by the heavens, is lacking. But it is a gap we can bridge. If I secure Lianhua¡¯s hand in marriage, then no matter how stuck up Grand Alchemist Xin Wu is known to be, as his son-under-the-heavens, his alchemist¡¯s flame will be ours,¡± Alchemist Zhi appealed to emotions he knew his sister would resonate with. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The plight of those who had seen the true nature of the pinnacle they were chasing only to be crushed by what they had found. ¡°What do you intend to do?¡± Alchemist Jia asked. ¡°I can drug him,¡± Alchemist Zhi said. ¡°It is a simple enough matter to arrange as long as he takes his meals in the Junior Division¡¯s mess hall. Don¡¯t look at me like that, sister. It will not leave any long term effects, just weaken him enough for me to knock some sense into him,¡± He explained his cowardly plan without an ounce of shame. Alchemist Jia shook her head, before speaking, ¡°You don¡¯t know who he is, do you?¡± She asked, her tone laden with annoyance. Realizing that there was more to it than he had initially thought, Alchemist Zhi decided to first answer the question the best he knew, ¡°A disciple from the Martial Division, here to try and make money. Don¡¯t worry, I will not underestimate him. Maybe I¡¯ll wear a mask while I send the message.¡± ¡°He is a war hero, elder brother!¡± Alchemist Jia all but bellowed, her tone shrill. ¡°He survived the strike of a Nascent Soul Demon on the battlefield. Do you know how impossible that is? There is not a single precedent before him in the entire recorded history of the Frontier Sect. You could not defeat him if he had his arms and legs chained to a mountain,¡± She angrily explained, watching as the color drained out of her brother¡¯s face. That had not been Alchemist Jia¡¯s intention, but it was better than having her brother make a grave mistake. The silence between the two siblings stretched on for minutes on end as Alchemist Zhi considered the crucial new bit of information that had been forced upon him. ¡°A war hero,¡± He muttered under his breath, his expression grim but not defeated. ¡°Do you think that is why Lianhua has decided to personally tutor him?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, the envy in his tone unmasked. Of course, it was not Lianhua he coveted, but rather an Alchemist¡¯s flame that had been refined by a Grand Alchemist of all people. ¡°Almost certainly. Though if their interactions in the Grand Library are anything to go by, they have gotten quite close,¡± Alchemist Jia explained, revealing that she had been monitoring their interactions. Alchemist Zhi was silent, except for the sound of his clenched fist striking his own thigh echoing out. His features were warped out of the frustration he felt, before he got up from the bed and began to pace around the room in thought. ¡°If you remove this Xiao Feng out of the picture, somehow managing to convince him to leave the Alchemy Division, are you truly certain you can win her over?¡± Alchemist Jia asked, her tone betraying the unease she felt at the thought of messing with a veritable war hero. ¡°I¡¯m certain,¡± Alchemist Zhi replied, as confidence returned to his firming gaze. ¡°The other alchemists think Lianhua cold, but I know that it is only a facade that she has put up. She has had a tough upbringing, with her mother tragically passing away and her father being absent for most of her growing years. It is not surprising that she chose to focus on her alchemy, to best assist her father as she could, even if it came at the cost of distancing herself from her peers,¡± He assessed, his tone devoid of any real compassion for her plight. ¡°How will that help us?¡± Alchemist Jia asked. ¡°A facade remains a facade no matter how much you wish it were real. Once I snake past the guard she maintains, her real personality will blossom. She is naive when it comes to matters of the heart, so it will not be difficult after,¡± Alchemist Zhi explained, having thought his plan through many times. ¡°That¡¯s not very honorable,¡± Alchemist Jia jested, though her tone didn¡¯t seem all that amused. Alchemist Zhi was on the verge of countering, of asking what Lianhua had done to deserve an alchemist¡¯s flame that she had very easily just inherited from her father, when a thought struck him like lightning. ¡°Honor,¡± He said. ¡°The Martial Division cultivators value honor above all. That¡¯s how we get him to leave.¡± 38: I happen to be the best 38: Xiao Feng¡¯s expression was tense as he poured Lianhua a cup of pudina chai that he had saved for her. Their one-on-one teaching session had already concluded, with Xiao Feng walking away a few herbs¡¯ worth of knowledge richer and while it was far from recompense, Lianhua had called his Masala Chai delicious. Hopefully, the pudina chai would be more treat than punishment. ¡°Why do you look like you¡¯re in the middle of an advancement exam?¡± Lianhua asked him, her tone tinged with amusement as she studied his expression. Xiao Feng, who had seated himself on his bed, was caught off-guard by that assessment, ¡°Well, uh¡­. I guess it kind of is?¡± He offered. ¡°Pudina Chai was pretty niche even in my mortal village, so I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll have as many takers for it¡±. ¡°Niche, huh,¡± Lianhua hummed in thought, her expression betraying the new-found curiosity she gazed at the cup of chai with. ¡°That is a hue I would expect from a pill, not a beverage,¡± She said, before taking in the aroma. ¡°Oh, not again,¡± Xiao Feng protested, as he made his mock-annoyance known. ¡°Moonlit Dew Plant,¡± Lianhua noted without much suspense, as the corners of her lips turned upward in amusement. ¡°You are quite cheeky, recruit,¡± She assessed, before breaking out into a small giggle. ¡°There is a saying that comes from my mortal village, Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng began, intending to match jest for jest. ¡°Quite a lot seems to come from this mortal village of yours,¡± She keenly observed, though there seemed to be no accusation in her words. Oh, uh¡­ oops, Xiao Feng thought, realizing that he¡¯d been going a bit too hard on the otherworldly wisdom. ¡°Indeed,¡± He replied sagely, mostly because he was not sure what else he could do there.¡±The saying goes, if you learn from the best, you eventually become the best,¡± He reiterated, holding back a chuckle. ¡°Are you calling me cheeky?¡± Senior Alchemist Lianhua asked, her tone sounding positively scandalized. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a broad smile. ¡°I¡¯m calling you the best.¡± Lianhua¡¯s cheeks were colored by a light blush faster than she could come up with a retort as her gaze interlocked with Xiao Feng¡¯s own for a long moment. She turned away with a ¡°hmph,¡± before she reached for the cup¡¯s handle and hurriedly took a sip. Her eyes widened in surprise as the cool, refreshing liquid flowed down her gullet. She placed the cup back on the table, took a few moments to study the taste with a contemplative expression before taking another sip. ¡°Mmm, this is quite different,¡± Lianhua voiced her first impressions, her tone neutral. Xiao Feng¡¯s heart dropped a little, as he noticed a marked difference from Lianhua¡¯s reaction to the Masala Chai. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Different?¡± He queried. ¡°It¡¯s sweet. Cool. Refreshing, too. I¡¯d love to drink some after a training session, yes. But I am too used to the effects of pills to be impressed by a beverage that is more show than purpose,¡± Lianhua revealed to Xiao Feng her honest thoughts, proving that she didn¡¯t take his aspirations of opening a tea shop as a jest. ¡°I¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, as he blinked repeatedly. ¡°... didn¡¯t consider that at all. Of course, you work with pills day in and day out. A concoction where the ingredients don¡¯t complement each other will not impress you,¡± He muttered in realization. ¡°No, don¡¯t take it that way,¡± Lianhua reassured. ¡°I really enjoyed the Masala Chai because it had a kick to it. It was refreshing in a different way, like an exciting jolt of energy. The Pudina Chai is not as punchy, not as unique. Though I see that you have limited yourself to a fifth of the Mystic Palm, reducing the costs by quite a significant amount,¡± Lianhua explained, her tone encouraging. ¡°You can even tell that?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding a bit dumbfounded. Sure, telling what ingredients he used from the aroma and taste made sense, but even the amount? He didn¡¯t think Alchemist Jun was capable of doing something like that. ¡°Well,¡± Lianhua¡¯s lips curled upwards into a cheeky smile, ¡°Like you said, I happen to be the best.¡± Xiao Feng felt his pulse rate pick up a bit as he was bested at his own game. Once again, he wondered if he should tell Lianhua about the egg and see if she was willing to help him. He liked Lianhua and she seemed worthy of her trust, but Xiao Feng had only known her for so long. He was no longer on Earth, but rather the realm of Sephari, continent of Tian. Secrets were not easily granted to others and as his predecessor had displayed, sometimes, cultivators would go to great lengths to ensure that they were the only ones in possession of a secret. What was the true value of the dying egg he had discovered? Was it valuable enough for comrades to betray each other? He wanted to trust Lianhua but Xiao Feng just didn¡¯t know enough, as that slight bit of hesitation held him back. I¡¯ll study the egg for a few more days. If it continues deteriorating, I¡¯ll bring her in. Even if I don¡¯t get to keep the egg, if I can save it¡ª maybe that¡¯s enough, He thought, deciding on a course of action. Cautiousness was good, but Xiao Feng would not allow himself to slip into paranoia and lose sight of the greater purpose. A mistake that his predecessor had perhaps, ended up making. Lianhua left not long after, leaving Xiao Feng with food for thought as he contemplated her words. Sure, he could take the easy way out and just sell chai to the martial division cultivators, but was that really what he wanted? No. To learn concoctions, I must learn how to refine pills, He thought as he walked down one of the smaller pathways that led to the mess hall. He would¡¯ve happily continued his deliberation, if it were not for a unique hairstyle catching his gaze¡ª azure hair peppered with streaks of jade green. Thankfully, it was not a woman sporting that hair style, ruling out the possibility of it being the oddly antagonistic Alchemist Jia-Rui. Xiao Feng took in the man¡¯s gait for a little longer, wondering how common that unique hair color was as the two men passed each other. Xiao Feng¡¯s raw instincts flared to life as he noticed a buildup of Wind Qi concentrating on the azure haired man¡¯s left palm. His essence cultivation art was activated on reflex and Xiao Feng was on the verge of defending himself when something completely unexpected happened. The azure haired man¡¯s left palm turned inwards instead outwards and a burst of Wind Qi was released onto his own abdomen. Xiao Feng¡¯s expression turned aghast as the azure haired man who sported a hair color eerily similar to Alchemist Jia-Rui crashed against the pathway¡¯s left wall. ¡°Recruit, what have you done!¡± A male voice bellowed at him angrily, almost as soon as the azure haired man landed against the wall with a muffled thump. Xiao Feng¡¯s inherited memories told him that the reaction from his audience was quick. Too quick. Almost as if it had been rehearsed. What the hell, He thought, completely caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. 39: Shameless Feng 39: Xiao Feng¡¯s expression was calm as he studied the group of alchemists that were encircling him, their body language aggressive and their faces conveying a spectrum of emotions that ranged from shock to anger. ¡°Did what?¡± He posed the question to the group of alchemists that had him trapped in a circular formation, giving him about six feet to work with in any direction. ¡°You know what you did!¡± An alchemist designate with fiery pink hair that was cut short accused him, a hint of malice leaking into her accusatory tone. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he saw not the person but the network of dantian, meridians and acupuncture points that comprised one. ¡°Pray tell, what accusation are you leveling against me?¡± He asked, his tone deliberately unhurried. ¡°You attacked Alchemist Zhi with a burst of Wind Qi,¡± Another alchemist designate replied, his long, wavy red hair flowing with his movement as he turned to look upon the person of his address. Xiao Feng followed his gaze, noting that a female alchemist designate had already arrived at his side, her expression one of concentration as she pressed her palm against his chest and closed his eyes. Of course, he did not need to wait for the purported healer¡¯s assessment, as he observed Alchemist Zhi through the lens of his essence cultivation art. His meridians near the left ribcage are stressed. He¡¯s injured but that burst of Wind Qi was more performative than real. The more important question is, why is he willing to go so far? What have I done to him? Could a dislike for the martial division really prompt such an extreme response? Xiao Feng wondered, knowing that he was missing something crucial but unable to figure out what. ¡°One of his ribs are fractured,¡± The alchemist designate tending to Alchemist Zhi¡¯s wounds announced, her tone feigning urgency and doing a pretty convincing job at it. The alchemist designates that were surrounding him erupted into whispers all at once, their expressions turning to disgust and rage as they directed their gazes to the source of their discontentment. Him. ¡°I did not attack this person,¡± Xiao Feng replied, knowing that he could not say that this Alchemist Zhi had attacked himself. They¡¯re all in on it, He realized, as his predecessor¡¯s instincts finally clicked to reach a conclusion. The way they had reacted, the urgency of the first accusation that was thrown at him without a shred of confusion, the quickness with which the ostensible bystanders had come together to cut off any chance of him escaping. Xiao Feng already had a feeling that a few of the alchemist designates were working against him, but all of them, even the one tending to Alchemist Zhi¡¯s wounds and conveniently declaring that he was injured? That changed the nature of the conspiracy. The whole pathway he was standing in was a set-piece for a play to be staged on and he was the main actor they had been waiting for. Xiao Feng¡¯s expression sharpened as his index and middle finger were held outwards from an otherwise clenched fist. Qi Scalpel was the name Xiao Feng had given to a simple, nameless move that his predecessor had very rarely gotten the opportunity to employ. It was not a secret technique and perhaps, barely even deserved to be qualified as a technique for it was movement that was nigh impossible to do on an opponent of the same stage. After all, to inject foreign Qi into an opponent¡¯s acupuncture points while they were moving was a hellish ask to pull off if they were anywhere near you in speed, strength and cognition. No trained martial cultivator would employ such a risky move in actual battle. However, if one were to succeed in doing so, the opponent would need to clear the foreign Qi in their acupuncture points before they would be able to resume cycling their Qi. The precious time they would require to do so was time they would be reduced to a mortal. Xiao Feng could not only visually observe their acupuncture points, he could also preempt what meridians they were cycling their Qi down. Targeting all acupuncture points was unrealistic in the midst of combat, but if he only targeted the ones the were focusing their Qi through, he could reduce cultivators to mortals and knock them out without injuring them. One of the alchemist designates could not stand still any longer, a tall, heavy-set man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with raven black hair that was neatly combed and brown eyes that regarded him with fury. He stepped into the circle, stopping only after he was face to face with Xiao Feng, the latter still taller than the former. ¡°Why did you attack Alchemist Zhi, recruit?¡± He asked in a gravelly voice, his fist clenched in fury. ¡°Like I said, I did not attack him. Are we speaking the same language here?¡± He rhetorically asked, mocking the far bulkier man. The raven black haired alchemist seemed unable to accept the humiliation, as he pulled his right fist back and poised to strike. ¡°I would not do that if I were you,¡± Xiao Feng calmly replied, all his mirth forgotten as he gazed into the man¡¯s brown eyes. ¡°Oh? Will you strike me down then?¡± He asked, the anger in his tone only rising. ¡°Like you did Alchemist Zhi.¡± ¡°I did not strike him down,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°However, if you land a blow on me, that will be legitimate cause for self-defense. So like I said, I would not do that if I were you,¡± He repeated, an iron in his voice that finally made the heavy-set man flinch as his fists lowered. They¡¯re baiting me, He thought. I guess I should be panicking considering how elaborate this set-up is but it¡¯s hard to do that when I can¡¯t really fear these alchemists. Taking a different tack, the heavy-set man retreated to using his authority, as he asked, ¡°I ask you as an alchemist designate, recruit¡ª tell me who your instructor is,¡± He demanded more than asked. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know that already. Ugh, drop the charade would you?¡± Xiao Feng chided, as if he were talking down to a group of bumbling children. ¡°I asked you who your instructor was, recruit,¡± He bellowed angrily, putting special emphasis on his rank. ¡°It¡¯s Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he considered if this was a ploy to get to her instead of him. Targeting him made little sense, after all. ¡°I¡¯ll go and get her,¡± The alchemist with the long, wavy hair offered and the others nodded in agreement. Oh man, these people are really annoying, Xiao Feng thought. Well, I can¡¯t get angry. That¡¯s what they want. He decided to adopt a calm, almost bored expression as he waited for Lianhua to come, so that the act could continue. Ten minutes later, she arrived with thundering footsteps, her cheeks flushed from what was either anger or surprise as she took in the odd gathering of people. ¡°Xiao Feng, what happened?¡± She asked, her gaze directed only at him as she came to a stop before the encirclement. Surprise flashed on Alchemist Zhi¡¯s visage, his pain forgotten for a moment as he studied Lianhua with confusion. ¡°These people,¡± He gestured to the alchemists that were surrounding him. ¡°... are accusing me of hurting that guy. Now he may be actually hurt, but I had nothing to do with it,¡± He stated calmly. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Lianhua¡¯s gaze shifted to Alchemist Zhi and indeed, there was a moment of recognition that flitted across her features. ¡°Alchemist Zhi,¡± She acknowledged. ¡°Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± Alchemist Zhi returned the greeting, before breaking out into a small cough. ¡°Xiao Feng has recently joined our alchemy division and from what I understand, he has shared a limited amount of interaction amongst even his own peers. Why would he attack you in a pathway with these many witnesses,¡± She asked him, her eyes narrowed. She¡¯s defending me. Huh, Xiao Feng thought, as unbeknownst to even him, his cheeks flushed a little. Alchemist Zhi paused for a few moments, considering the question before he responded, ¡°I must admit, Senior Alchemist Lianhua. I fear this may in part be my sister¡¯s fault.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone sharp. ¡°Please, do not misunderstand. Senior Alchemist Lianhua, we know that you are only teaching this Xiao Feng because of political considerations. My sister, you know her. You know how much Jia admires you. She has wished to become your disciple for years now and when she saw that you were forced to accept one due to¡­ unwelcome reasons, she could not stop herself from criticizing Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± Alchemist Zhi explained, his tone managing to sound vulnerable yet angry. ¡°What does that have to do with you?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone unperturbed by the appeal to emotions. ¡°A martial cultivator will not strike a woman, Senior Alchemist Lianhua. I, as her brother, was forced to take the brunt of this vicious and cowardly attack,¡± Alchemist Zhi trembled with anger, as he broke away his gaze from Lianhua to glare daggers at Xiao Feng. ¡°It is quite bold of you siblings to presume what I want and do not want,¡± Lianhua¡¯s words were slow and unhurried, yet they had an sharp edge to them that seemed very out of character for her. ¡°No, no,¡± Alchemist Zhi shook his head. ¡°That was not our intention.¡± ¡°And the rest of you,¡± Lianhua addressed the crowd of witnesses. ¡°Are you willing to testify for Alchemist Zhi¡¯s claims?¡± She asked. Nods and yes ma¡¯am¡¯s followed. ¡°I see,¡± Lianhua muttered, her expression stony. Her gaze returned to Xiao Feng. ¡°Xiao Feng, did you do it?¡± She asked. ¡°If I wanted to harm anyone in the Alchemist Division,¡± Xiao Feng began, his words slow and measured. ¡°This would not be how I would do it,¡± He stated bluntly, his words not a threat but a fact that was based on his reputation and capability. ¡°I would think as much,¡± Alchemist Lianhua nodded, her tone soft and gentle while speaking to Xiao Feng. ¡°Unfortunately, it is your testimony against eight alchemists. Alchemist Zhi, as the one wronged in this incident, I will give you an opportunity to put forth your claims to rectify the wrong that has been done to you,¡± She said, her words bitter and hollow. ¡°Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± He began, his tone turning formal even through a fractured rib. ¡°As you are well aware, I have a standing reputation amongst both my fellow alchemists and recruits. Today, a mere recruit has caught me in a cowardly blow and fractured my rib. To make the loss to both my reputation and body whole. I challenge this recruit to an alchemist¡¯s duel!¡± Alchemist Zhi bellowed, his expression firm and unyielding. ¡°Hear, hear!¡± The heavy-set alchemist from earlier bellowed and a few moments later, every alchemist designate present took up the call. Lianhua raised a hand and the chants ceased. ¡°What will be at stake in the alchemist¡¯s duel?¡± Lianhua asked, as she called upon the rules of the ancient rite. ¡°The loser of this duel,¡± Alchemist Zhi replied, his expression neutral as he passed the equivalent of a death-sentence in the world of alchemy. ¡°....shall permanently leave the Alchemy Division.¡± Silence filled the pathway, as even the recruits who had gathered to observe the drama from a turn in the pathway did not as much as whisper. ¡°I¡¯ll agree to it,¡± Xiao Feng replied, ¡°On a few conditions,¡± He added, halting the smile that was threatening to creep up on Alchemist Zhi¡¯s features. ¡°Conditions?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone sounding incredulous. ¡°First you harm me in the presence of witnesses, fracture my rib and then demand conditions? Have you no honor?¡± He asked, his tone sounding wronged. I see now, Xiao Feng thought. I finally get it. ¡°Honour?¡± Xiao Feng asked, as he pointed at the seated figure of Alchemist Zhi. ¡°You dare to bring a claim on my honor?¡± He asked, before he burst out into a boisterous, amused laughter. Xiao Feng was the only one laughing in the pathway, as the other alchemist designates wondered if he had gone mad. ¡°You are an amusing kind, Alchemist Zhi,¡± Xiao Feng complimented him with mirth in his tone before continuing, ¡°I, Xiao Feng, fought in the battle of the Zheyan Pass. I alone slew sixteen demonic path cultivators by myself, on the edge of my own blade. One of them was the son of a Nascent Soul cultivator, who struck me down by an arrow that would have claimed the life of anyone standing in this entire division. That distraction allowed Elder Zheng to claim the Nascent Soul¡¯s life in turn. That is what I have done for the Frontier. That is my honor. If you think your weak claims can besmirch my honor, then go ahead, call me Shameless Feng from now on,¡± He replied with a final laugh, not missing how the alchemist designates who had tried to frame him took cautious steps away from him. Alchemist Zhi¡¯s expression went pale as the meaning, the weight and the true import of a war hero stared him in the face. ¡°What are your conditions,¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone markedly subdued as he struggled to maintain his facade. ¡°First,¡± Xiao Feng began, ¡°Since you are an alchemist and I am a recruit, I will choose the pill we are forging for this alchemist¡¯s duel. I assume that¡¯s fine?¡± He turned his gaze to Lianhua, who nodded. ¡°It is usually chosen at random by the adjudicator, but this is an acceptable proposal to make,¡± Lianhua replied. Alchemist Zhi seemed taken aback by this proposal, likely having expected Xiao Feng to open with something much stronger. ¡°That is fine. I accept,¡± Alchemist Zhi replied. ¡°Secondly,¡± Xiao Feng spoke, ¡°I would like to make changes to the loser¡¯s conditions,¡± He stated. ¡°What changes?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone cold. ¡°I, Xiao Feng, do not fear failure. If I did, I would not be fit to be called a martial cultivator. If I lose, I will leave the alchemy division,¡± He declared with pride echoing in his tone, a moment before recruits burst into chatter, no longer able to contain their reaction. ¡°However,¡± He continued. ¡°If you, my honorable and just Alchemist Zhi, lose, then I do not require you to leave the Alchemy Division. Instead, I have a question for you.¡± ¡°Ask?¡± Alchemist Zhi replied, seeming a bit dazed by the proposal. ¡°What are you worth?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°If you lie, this alchemist¡¯s duel is off. So, how much are you worth?¡± He asked again. ¡°Worth what?¡± Alchemist Zhi replied. ¡°Your net worth. All your assets, your gold taels, add it all up. How much is it all worth,¡± Xiao Feng asked pointedly. ¡°This is¡­,¡± Alchemist Zhi trailed off, clearly panicking. ¡°I can¡¯t give you an exact figure, but it should be around forty gold taels.¡± Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, noting how a mere alchemist was manifold times richer than his predecessor had been. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°If you lose, you get to stay in the Alchemy Division and all your money, every last bronze tael, goes to Daoist Jian¡¯s Pill Furnace Shop. Any recruit who is not wealthy enough to own a pill furnace can access those resources and request one,¡± He stated. The recruits, who were watching from afar, went wild with whispers. ¡°I¡­,¡± Alchemist Zhi trailed off. ¡°... can accept that,¡± He stated, even as his features twisted into a grimace. ¡°My third condition,¡± Xiao Feng said and every gaze in the pathway locked on to him, the anticipation in the air palpable. ¡°... is that all of the people who were willing to testify against me moments ago,¡± His pointed finger swept across all the offenders. ¡°Wager ten gold taels each on you¡ª a wager that I will match. You can ask the senior alchemist if I have the funds or not.¡± ¡°He does,¡± Lianhua calmly stated, not letting any more of her emotions leak out. Alchemist Zhi¡¯s brows rose in astonishment, first gazing at Xiao Feng then at Lianhua with disbelief in his gaze. Finally, he gestured for the alchemist designates to approach. They talked hurriedly, in hushed whispers, requiring only a few minutes to reach a conclusion. ¡°All of them are willing,¡± Alchemist Zhi replied, his tone slightly wavering as things derailed even further away from his original plan. ¡°That¡¯s quite a quick decision to make, Alchemist Zhi,¡± Xiao Feng flashed a toothy grin at them. ¡°Almost like you know each other and were friends. Ten gold taels is no small sum, after all,¡± He mocked them unhesitatingly. ¡°My fellow alchemist designates are simply confident in my abilities,¡± He replied tersely. ¡°Then you admit you are bullying a recruit as a full-fledged alchemist?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°You were the one who¡ª,¡± Alchemist Zhi tried to explain, only to be cut off. ¡°Let¡¯s be done with the grandstanding, shall we. You don¡¯t like me. That¡¯s fine. My final condition is simple. Let the duel be held in four months. You know, so I can actually learn enough alchemy to beat you,¡± Xiao Feng stated. ¡°Four months?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, blinking. ¡°I had intended for the duel to take place in a year¡¯s time,¡± He replied. Is he trying to mess with my confidence? No, maybe he¡¯s actually being honest. Time works differently for these people, after all, He thought. ¡°Four months, Alchemist Zhi is all Shameless Feng needs to beat you at your own game,¡± Xiao Feng boldly declared, his voice echoing the confidence of a cultivator who was willing to brave heaven¡¯s tribulation to advance. ¡°That is my last condition.¡± ¡°I¡­ accept.¡± 40. Yes maam 40: ¡°What in the name of the Guardian Lotus was that?¡± Lianhua asked, her cheeks flushed from a melange of anger, shock and just flabbergasted confusion as they finally found themselves in the privacy of Xiao Feng¡¯s chambers. ¡°In my defense,¡± Xiao Feng offered as he allowed his body to go slack before lightly crashing onto the comfort of his bed. ¡°This wasn¡¯t exactly how I expected my day to go,¡± He explained, as his head found cushioning on a fluffy pillow that sunk in, molding to his form. ¡°He offered you a year. Why didn¡¯t you take it?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone laced with an unexpected rawness. Xiao Feng sat up as he realized that Lianhua¡¯s tone was far more hurt than he had expected it to be ¡°You know what happened back there, right?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone coming out a bit confused. ¡°I don¡¯t know the why but¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, as she reigned in the emotions that were seeping into her tone. ¡°... Alchemist Zhi and his colleagues seem to have conspired against you. I have known him for a while now and his interactions with me have always been pleasant. I just can¡¯t understand it.¡± Xiao Feng blinked, his cheeks flushing a little as he confirmed that Lianhua believed him over a full-fledged alchemist who she had known for a while. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ honored that you believe me,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone soft and surprisingly vulnerable. ¡°Why would I not?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone sharp and demanding. She paused, before holding her fingers at her lips in embarrassment. A moment later, she shook off the confusion and hurt she was feeling and continued, ¡°Alchemist Zhi may have been right when he said that I had offered to teach you due to political necessity. However, you are my first disciple. The only disciple I have ever taken on until now. Our relationship may be a temporary one, but this fact shall not change. I am on your side, Xiao Feng.¡± Xiao Feng felt his heart pound in his chest, as Lianhua¡¯s warmth and kindness threatened to melt it. ¡°Besides, I do not think one of your stature and caliber would leave the martial division, where you would have been respected and admired for the rest of your days, just to engage in violence in the Alchemy Division. It would make even less sense than Alchemist Zhi¡¯s actions,¡± Lianhua explained her thought process, which seemed well-reasoned to Xiao Feng. His own reputation eclipsed that of Alchemist Zhi¡¯s by many times, after all. ¡°Well, I would be pretty weird to leave all that behind in favor of brewing chai if I didn¡¯t enjoy it. Though¡­ I am still weird, aren¡¯t I?¡± Xiao Feng asked, sounding horrified by the thought. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Lianhua giggled. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng began, his tone reverting to normalcy as he considered how to answer Lianhua¡¯s question. ¡°Since you brought up the martial division¡­,¡± He trailed off. ¡°Yes?¡± Lianhua asked, urging him to continue. ¡°You don¡¯t expect them to just leave me, do you?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone conspiratorial. ¡°Did they not?¡± Lianhua countered, her tone sounding alarmed. ¡°They did,¡± Xiao Feng replied calmly. ¡°However, you must understand. If I am a deadly spiritual beast then Elder Haoyun is my beast master. The more prey a beast hunts, the better reward the beast master can get for it. And he is far from the only beast master,¡± Xiao Feng used an analogy to explain the delicate situation his status as a war hero put him in. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Lianhua replied, unable to see the connection between the martial division and his decisions before Alchemist Zhi. ¡°I cannot show weakness, Lianhua. If Alchemist Zhi seeks to frame and destroy me, then I must destroy him instead, on my own terms. Not just to prevent others like Alchemist Zhi from trying to mess with me again, but also to send a message to the Martial Division. To remind them that the Xiao Feng they knew is very much hale and hearty, that he is not licking his wounds in the alchemy division but rather honing an entirely new weapon,¡± Xiao Feng explained, his gaze sharp and scheming. ¡°Can you win, though? In a mere four months, do you think you can surpass an alchemist designate that has spent years upon years refining his dao?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone not biting but rather concerned and worried. Xiao Feng¡¯s lips curled upwards. ¡°Lianhua, can you tell me the three most important aspects required to become a successful alchemist?¡± He asked. ¡°Resources, practice and talent in that order of importance. Without resources you cannot practice, but with practice you can bridge a gap in talent,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°Well, you see,¡± Xiao Feng menacingly chucked. ¡°This Alchemist Zhi doesn¡¯t quite understand what it means, to besmirch the honor of a martial division cultivator and then challenge him to a duel. I will spare now expense when it comes to training, even if it costs me a hundred gold taels. Besides, I don¡¯t need to be a better alchemist than him. I just need to beat him at a single pill refinement. Four months is enough for that,¡± He revealed his plan. ¡°I still think you are underestimating him,¡± Lianhua replied, somewhat impressed by how far he was willing to go but not convinced. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be easy,¡± Xiao Feng admitted. ¡°But when has that ever stopped a cultivator?¡± ¡°That might be true,¡± Lianhua conceded. ¡°Erm, so,¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze lowered, as guilt flickered across his visage. ¡°Yes?¡± Lianhua queried, raising eyebrows at the sudden disappearance of his bravado. ¡°Well, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you about,¡± Xiao Feng revealed. ¡°You mean there¡¯s something you¡¯ve been hiding?¡± Lianhua asked, astute as always. ¡°Does that something have to do with why Alchemist Zhi went this far? Injuring his own rib cage?¡± ¡°Oh. No, no, I have no idea why that buffoon did that. If anything, I would imagine he did that to get to you for some bizarre reason. I am new in the alchemist division and while I am quite wealthy, this Alchemist Zhi did not seem to covet my resources,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly clarified, not willing to catch flak for something he didn¡¯t do. ¡°So it is as I suspected. What does he get from humiliating me like this?¡± Lianhua mused, before shaking her head. ¡°Nevermind that. What have you been hiding from me?¡± She asked, not having forgotten the revelation. ¡°Uhh¡­ so I might be trying to get a beast egg that I found in the Alchemist¡¯s Haven to hatch.¡± ¡°What?¡± The word escaped Lianhua¡¯s lips almost reflexively. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am,¡± Xiao Feng awkwardly replied, not sure what else to say. 41: Beast-Bonding Pill 41: ¡°Are you sure this is an egg?¡± Lianhua asked for the second time in the span of a few minutes, as she took in the small, misshapen lump of what appeared to be black stone, the whorls texturing its surface the only aspect that differentiated it from being completely unremarkable. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his expression a bit concerned. ¡°Just don¡¯t touch it and I¡¯ll prove it to you,¡± He advised. ¡°Why?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng''s right hand ran across his black hair as he considered the question. ¡°The first time I tried to touch it, it sapped away a quarter of my Qi reserves.¡± Fear flickered across Lianhua¡¯s expression as she hurriedly sat up and stepped away from the egg that had been placed on Xiao Feng¡¯s study table. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly added. ¡°It hasn¡¯t happened again, not since I¡¯ve been feeding the egg.¡± ¡°Feeding the egg?¡± Lianhua repeated, her tone sounding a little dazed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Give me a moment,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a vial of bi-horn milk. He unstoppered it and to Lianhua¡¯s clear surprise, poured the liquid that was easily worth two silver taels over the egg. A sizzling sound echoed out, as the stream of milk seemed to evaporate as soon as it made contact with the egg. ¡°That¡¯s¡­,¡± Lianhua stepped back even further, her expression a confusion that was very unlike her. ¡°What?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to be¡­ I¡¯ve never heard of an egg that can siphon Qi. And while I haven¡¯t worked in the bestiary extensively, knowledge of spiritual beasts and their reproductive means becomes essential once you are acknowledged as an alchemist designate. The byproducts of spiritual beasts, such as their blood extracts, bone marrow and rarely, crushed fangs or claws, become more and more common ingredients as the potency of spiritual pills increase,¡± Lianhua revealed the source of her knowledge, carrying forth a growing sense of unease through her tone. ¡°Have you ever seen an egg that resembles this one?¡± Xiao Feng asked, not nearly as startled by Lianhua¡¯s observations as she was. It was clear to him, whatever the egg may be, it was uncommon enough to escape the attention of one or even multiple alchemist designates that regularly dealt with alchemic ingredients. ¡°No,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°Those whorls are too distinctive for me to come across in my studies and not remember. Its shape¡­. Xiao Feng, how did you find out that this was an egg?¡± Lianhua¡¯s tone was sharp and incisive as she turned her gaze to face his own. ¡°Instinct,¡± Xiao Feng replied with conviction, already having expected Lianhua to ask that particular question. He only felt a little guilty, because his answer was pretty close to the truth¡ª the only difference being that his instincts were supported by esoteric essence cultivation art. As much as he appreciated how Lianhua had stood up for him, Xiao Feng¡¯s greatest secret was powerful enough for other cultivators to kill for. Telling her was not worth the danger it would place her in. ¡°Where exactly,¡± Lianhua began, her tone sounding far from convinced, ¡°was this egg kept before you found it?¡± She asked, her eyebrows raised as she took him in a new light. ¡°The alchemist designate I spoke to, called it the trash heap,¡± Xiao Feng replied, unable to keep a slight hint of amusement out of his tone. ¡°The one in charge of the Alchemist¡¯s Haven is Alchemist Yuan Bai. I can assure you, there is a very strong reason why he has been chosen for the crucial task of filtering through the multitude of spiritual herbs and beast materials we get from our friends in the Martial Division. For your instinct to surpass his and¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, as uncertainty flickered across her expression. ¡°.... even mine in this specific case, would be quite extraordinary.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s pulse rate picked up as he found his flimsy excuse being torn to shreds. Just from a single revelation, she¡¯s on the verge of uncovering my predecessor¡¯s¡ª no, my greatest secret. Senior Alchemists are terrifying, Xiao Feng thought, before considering how exactly he was going to turn Lianhua¡¯s suspicions elsewhere. ¡°Your Qi sensitivity must be very high,¡± Lianhua deduced, her tone sounding convincing. ¡°Pardon?¡± Xiao Feng asked, a bit flummoxed by the conclusion she had reached. ¡°You are quite the skilled combatant, are you not?¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°Well, yes,¡± He replied. She pointed at the egg, before asking, ¡°Do you sense Qi within that egg?¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°I¡­ do,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone even more confused. ¡°Don¡¯t you?¡± He asked. There was no way Lianhua didn¡¯t, considering that while the qi contained within the egg was faint, it would definitely not escape the senses of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. ¡°I can, but to me it is weak and stagnant. I suspect that the shell is insulating the Qi contained within it, maybe to avoid attracting the gaze of other predators. The pulse of a spiritual beast egg is normally strong and virile, cycling Qi across its membrane with every beat. I sense none of that here, making it no different to me than a spiritual plant that is separated from the earth,¡± Lianhua explained, finally revealing to him what the brightening and dimming cycles he was observing visually meant. Of course she¡¯s not going to accuse you of using an ocular cultivation art that no one except you knows to even exist, He chided himself, having let his own anxiety get the better of him. ¡°To me, I just sensed a sort of¡­ familiarity from the egg as they reminded me of the spiritual beasts I had encountered on the battlefield. My senses are honed to detect danger, so maybe that¡¯s why,¡± Xiao Feng offered, building an explanation out of thin air the best he could. ¡°That would not be surprising to me,¡± Lianhua conceded. ¡°I¡¯ve always admired the Qi sensitivity you martial cultivators manage to hone. We can practice as much as we like, but it¡¯s impossible to replicate the adrenaline rush you would get in the midst of battle.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case,¡± Xiao Feng mused aloud as a thought struck him. ¡°Why is someone like Elder Haoyun not refining pills for himself? Surely his Qi sensitivity surpasses my own by many times.¡± ¡°Excellent question,¡± Lianhua praised, a warm smile curling on her lips. ¡°Do you know why even my father would not try to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage?¡± She asked. Xiao Feng only had to scour his predecessor¡¯s memories for a moment before he had the answer on his lips. ¡°He would die,¡± He stated bluntly, knowing that cultivators did not like to mince words when it came to probabilities. Not even alchemists. Lianhua nodded. ¡°The spike in difficulty from the Core Formation stage to Nascent Soul is horrifying, if I were to put it lightly. ¡°Neither precious armor nor even the most priceless pills are enough to match even the weakest of tribulations the heavens have to offer. That makes your Elder Haoyun strong beyond my imagination,¡± She said, her words spoken with the due amount of respect. ¡°But,¡± Lianhua added, with a shake of her head. ¡°He is a martial cultivator. To him, controlling his strength means limiting it, to, at most, his blade. The fluctuations, the intricate control required to not just control, but direct your pill furnace would be far beyond him. Not because he is weak or incompetent, but, the exact opposite.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Xiao Feng muttered as he felt his horizons expand. He had believed from what he had inherited from his predecessor¡¯s memories, that strength was everything in this realm. That notion seemed to fall short when confronted with the Dao of Alchemy. ¡°What if¡­,¡± He muttered, unsure if he should voice out this particular thought. ¡°Yes?¡± Lianhua asked, with the reflexes of an educator. She knew he had something to say. ¡°What if there was someone who could do both? Trained as an alchemist, yet also talented in the martial way?¡± He asked, struggling hard to make sure his tone came out neutral. ¡°Then,¡± She said. ¡°That someone would be quite the force to be reckoned with,¡± Lianhua assessed, her gaze focused on his features. ¡°Well, I digress,¡± Xiao Feng decided to change the topic before it could lead to further conclusions that he might not like. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible that the egg is damaged?¡± He asked, his tone sounding hesitant. If Lianhua asked why he considered that as a possibility, he would claim that it was because not even a Senior Alchemist knew what it was. But the truth was, he suspected it because he knew the egg was dying and had been making efforts to stymie it. Lianhua¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, her expression looking a bit vacant as her mind processed the possibility that had just been offered. ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± She exclaimed with joy laden in her tone. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t matter how powerful the parent is, no egg should suck away Qi on contact. Because if that were to happen, then the spiritual beast that was giving birth to it would die. However, if the egg was damaged while life within it was close to being formed, then it is possible for it to instinctively seek out sources of Qi to repair itself to the original state,¡± She hurriedly explained with an infectious passion in her tone, her eyes dancing with excitement. ¡°Is there a way to save it?¡± Xiao Feng asked, caught up in her excitement. ¡°Mmm,¡± Lianhua hummed, her right cupping her chin before she gently bit on her lip, deep in thought. ¡°Do you want to save it or do you want to tame it?¡± She asked. ¡°Uhh¡­ both?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°A spiritual beast egg that can repair itself¡­ Xiao Feng, I do not think it is the kind of beast that can be tamed. Not unless you are willing to use¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, not even wanting to voice that possibility. ¡°Never,¡± Xiao Feng replied firmly, knowing that she was alluding to demonic path methods that no alchemist or cultivator belonging to the righteous path would ever touch. Lianhua nodded and Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze dimmed in disappointment. ¡°However,¡± She began, as her lips curled up into a slight smile. ¡°Due to the unique nature of this egg, there is a way.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± He asked. ¡°Well, it is risky and very difficult. There is a pill, the beast-bonding pill. It requires the alchemist to imbue a significant amount of his own Qi while refining a pill that is packed full of nutrients that a newly hatched beast requires. If used correctly, the beast you feed this pill to will see you as its parent, due to the Qi signature it felt while taking in those nutrients.¡± ¡°But, it¡¯s damaged. How do I feed it the pill if I can¡¯t¡­ Oh,¡± He gasped, amazed by the speed with which Lianhua had come up with such a brilliant plan. ¡°The beast-bonding pill contains huge reserves of Qi. It¡¯s drawbacks are equally heavy. It is very expensive to refine and the failure rate¡­ even full-fledged alchemists would only manage once in fifteen tries on average.I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be able to learn how to refine it before the egg¡­ ,¡± She trailed off, shaking her head. ¡°It may just be my gut,¡± Xiao Feng began. ¡°But I think an egg, or the infant within¡­ if it¡¯s willing to go this far to survive, it can hold out just a bit longer. Oh and Lianhua,¡± He addressed her, as his lips curled upwards in a smile that could only be described as demonic. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Tell Alchemist Zhi that I know what pill we will be refining for the duel in four months from now.¡± 42: All but one 42: Xiao Feng strode into the Alchemist¡¯s Haven with a strut, his expression cheerful as he came to a stop before the alchemist designate who manned the cash register. The alchemist designate in charge of the store, Alchemist Yu Ma, seemed to recognize him as he got up out of his chair and moved to greet him. ¡°Ah, well, look who it is,¡± Alchemist Yu Ma had a genuine smile tugging at his features as he greeted him. ¡°Just me,¡± Xiao Feng calmly replied, not letting any of his amusement leak into his tone. ¡°Nonsense,¡± Alchemist Yu Ma replied before his tone dropped to a whisper and he continued, ¡°Thanks to you, I got a bonus that was double of what I usually expect to get. And most months, I get no bonus at all. So just say the word and I¡¯ll bring over whatever it is you need, no questions.¡± ¡°Even if it¡¯s forbidden for a recruit to get access to that particular ingredient?¡± Xiao Feng asked, raising an eyebrow at Alchemist Yu. ¡°Errr,¡± Alchemist Yu hesitated, his features warping in panic. ¡°Uh, well you see, I am only here under the direction of a Senior Alchemist, so I can¡¯t quite¡ª¡± Xiao Feng smiled at him, before speaking, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry, Alchemist Yu. I am not here to ask for anything that can get you in trouble. In fact, I think you might be very pleased by what I want.¡± Alchemist Yu¡¯s eyes widened in expectation, his chest heaving once as he took a deep breath in before exhaling. Then, he asked the question that was already resting on his lips, ¡°What can I get you?¡± My body¡¯s clock tells me that about five hours have passed since Lianhua left to inform Alchemist Zhi. That should be enough of a truce period before declaring war, Xiao Feng thought as he reached for a folded note in his inner robe pocket. Unfolding it, he scanned through the list once, before speaking, ¡°I need¡­,¡± He trailed off as he noticed Alchemist Yu hurriedly move to the table housing the cash register, pulling on a drawer to reveal stationary supplies and multiple cloth-bound notebooks stacked on top of each other. Pulling out the notebook on top with one hand while palming an ink pot and feather pen with his right, he placed the latter on the table and prepared himself for a war of his own. A few moments later, Alchemist Yu had the cloth notebook supported by his left hand while his feather ink pen, now dipped, awaited command. ¡°The bone marrow of a Stoneback Ursine,¡± Xiao Feng declared, his tone bold and almost overbearing. I really don¡¯t like putting on a show, but they¡¯re going to listen in anyway, Xiao Feng thought, familiar with the nature of alchemists by now. Well I suppose when you¡¯re trapped in a stone prison and aren¡¯t really powerful enough to explore these dangerous lands, there¡¯s not all that many sources of entertainment to pass on the low-hanging ones, He considered, mostly having gotten used to this quirk of the Alchemy Division. In fact, he intended to use it to his advantage. It was not just Alchemist Zhi he intended to send a message to, after all. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Alchemist Yu asked, his tone tinged with confusion. ¡°A Stoneback Ursine is an advanced layer foundation establishment beast. As such, it¡¯s bone-marrow is¡­,¡± He trailed off, his expression hesitant as he took in Xiao Feng¡¯s calm expression. ¡°What? Please, tell me,¡± Xiao Feng politely encouraged, not intending to pass on any knowledge if someone was willing to offer it to him. ¡°Well,¡± Alchemist Yu ran a hand across his long, silky hair that cascaded down to his collarbones. ¡°The bone-marrow is fairly uncommon, because you need to kill the Stoneback Ursine without destroying its bones. It is valuable, because the Qi contained within is so concentrated that it serves as a great base for more powerful pills. Most importantly, though, it is potent. Perhaps too potent for a recruit,¡± He revealed. Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow at the last statement, finding himself compelled to ask a question in turn, ¡°Does that mean I can¡¯t purchase it?¡± ¡°It is not a toxic ingredient. Neither is it volatile, per se. Or poisonous. If you want to buy it, I cannot stop you. Nor would I want to, for it is your wealth and your choice to make. I would hardly consider myself worthy enough to tell a war hero what to do with his reward,¡± Alchemist Yu replied, disclosing that he had looked into Xiao Feng¡¯s origins. ¡°So, you know who I am,¡± Xiao Feng asked, arching an eyebrow at him. ¡°It would be remiss of me to not know,¡± Alchemist Yu placed a palm on his chest and dipped his head low as if he were graciously accepting praise. ¡°You did walk into my store as a recruit and ended up spending more than what I would expect full-fledged alchemists to,¡± He explained, with a shrug of his shoulders. ¡°How did you find out about the reward, though,¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone lowering to a whisper. ¡°I am a merchant. It is my duty to know how much coin is hidden in my customer¡¯s robe pockets,¡± Alchemist Yu replied with a gracious smile, his tone lacking any malice. ¡°So you can liberate them from their taels?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone amused. ¡°So I can liberate them from it,¡± Alchemist Yu repeated, the smile never leaving his visage. ¡°Well, Alchemist Yu,¡± Xiao Feng began, intentionally dragging his words. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There¡¯s plenty of wealth to liberate here,¡± Xiao Feng declared, handing him the paper note without further ado. Alchemist Yu gingerly received the note, straightening it out before his gaze scanned it¡¯s contents. ¡°This is¡­,¡± He lightly gasped, as disbelief reflected in his features once he finished reading through the seven ingredients written down in Lianhua¡¯s neat but not ostentatious handwriting. ¡°The ingredients of a beast-bonding pill. That is not a pill you would be able to¡ª¡± ¡°All but one,¡± Xiao Feng declared, his tone bold and loud. Alchemist Yu blinked, as Xiao Feng¡¯s words seemed to bounce off him. ¡°Pardon?¡± Alchemist Yu asked, his tone befuddled. ¡°All but one,¡± Xiao Feng repeated. ¡°Give me the ingredients I have ordered in complete sets. All but one complete set. Let it not be said that Recruit Xiao Feng does not play fair,¡± He answered, before his lips curled up into a vicious smile. ¡°You¡¯re¡ª this is for your duel with Alchemist Zhi,¡± He muttered in disbelief and for once, it did not seem like it was his ostentatious display of wealth that had taken Alchemist Zhi aback. ¡°You chose the beast-bonding pill?¡± He asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Is there anything wrong with my request?¡± Alchemist Yu paused, before shaking his head, ¡°I could not give you what you asked, if this was the only reserve of ingredients we had. However, the Alchemist Division has its own stockpile for important requests and it much exceeds what we have here. I can process your request but¡­ are you really sure?¡± Alchemist Yu asked, clearly having done his research on Xiao Feng and knowing how slim his odds were if he had really chosen the Beast-Bonding Pill. He could simply take the money and receive what has to be the biggest bonus of his life, yet he¡¯s warning me. Good man, Xiao Feng thought, a bit moved by the display of genuine concern. ¡°The decision has already been made,¡± Xiao Feng stated, his tone not wavering in the slightest. Alchemist Yu closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling before opening them to consider Xiao Feng. ¡°I understand,¡± He nodded, not pausing to ask if he had the resources to go through with the purchase as he began throwing orders at the other alchemist designates working in the store. That¡¯s two birds with stone. I show the alchemists just how vengeful I can be, while my real purpose for buying all these ingredients is accomplished. If I can just manage a single pill refinement, even if it ends up being of the lowest grade¡­ that should work. 43: Lianhuas room 43: Lianhua watched with her arms crossed as Xiao Feng trailed behind a procession of alchemist designates that had full wooden baskets slung on their backs with sturdy rope straps. Had it not been for the fact that she was waiting outside the passageway that led to the Administrative Division, they would not even be allowed to pass through the vigilant gazes of two armed guards that definitely concealed armor beneath their loose-fitting robes, an embroidered patch that depicted a sword crossed against an arrow stitched above the chest level signaled their status as Martial Division cultivators. Neither of the early-layer Core Formation Cultivators spared Xiao Feng more than a single glance, their stoic expressions and the blades sheathed on their right telling him that the Frontier Sect and by extension, the Azure Lotus Sect, greatly valued the individuals housed behind that passageway. The bustle of the central foyer had dulled as they stepped into the Administrative Division. From the artful tile mosaics running across the passageway to the potted spiritual plants that were spaced out evenly,, the change in atmosphere forced Xiao Feng to take on a more solemn expression that was at odds with his usual persona. Xiao Feng took in the offices flanking his either side with interest, making sure not to let his gaze linger even as he spotted a familiar name on one golden plaque. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be in the Administrative Division and he certainly did not wish to give Grand Alchemist Xin Wu, who was quite possibly behind that door right now, a reason to find fault with him. His gaze turned ahead, noting a break in the main passageway near its center, as it branched out into opposing directions. Lianhua took the first and only left, leaving Xiao Feng no time to muse on what lay behind the unmarked wooden double-doors at the very end of the main passageway. Instead, he found himself staring down a much shorter but equally wide corridor, not taking long to identify the residence that was labeled Senior Alchemist - Lianhua Wu. His gaze, however, was much more captivated by what lay at the end of the corridor. A mottled stone door that was in clear incongruity to the elegant wood used in the other residences, it¡¯s sheer thickness and the purported strength required to move a gateway so heavy, was self-evidently beyond what he was capable of. What in the world? Is that really a residence? Or¡­ is it more of a prison. How powerful would someone have to be to ask for a door to be made that heavy? Why? Xiao Feng mused, not having expected to stumble upon such a secret in the Alchemy Division of all places. Lianhua¡¯s expression was calm as she twisted her room key, a loud click sounding out before she gently pushed it open. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. The three alchemists stepped in after her, clearly accustomed to delivering orders in the Administrative Division. ¡°Place them next to my study table, please,¡± Lianhua directed, her tone carrying a twinge of authority that was absent when she taught him or for that matter, even addressed him. The alchemist designates complied without a word, giving Xiao Feng a few moments to sweep his gaze across what he could see of her room from his angle. Wow, He thought, as he took in a room that was three times his own in surface area, the walls colored a gentle cream that in Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes, suited Lianhua¡¯s personality. A large landscape painting that depicted the Stone fist of the Frontier, alluding to the flatter tops of the mountains that served as part of a natural defense on top of which the frontier sect was located, was hung on the wall that her study table was placed before. His gut told Xiao Feng that Lianhua was the one who had drawn the stunning painting, with its harmonizing hues of grays and whites. Two wide wardrobes lined the wall behind the study table, but they were not what had caught Xiao Feng¡¯s eye. He did his best to stifle the appreciation in his gaze as he studied the equipment rack. A wooden face dotted with dozens of hooks seamlessly melded into a more standard cabinet with multiple drawers. It was like a chiffonier but with a series of hooks where there should have been a mirror and presently, each of those hooks were occupied. From standard stirring spoons and knives of varying lengths to three entire cutting boards that were hooked at the bottom row, glass pipettes and razor sharp scalpels. There was likely more such paraphernalia in the drawers, too. The fact that stunned Xiao Feng the most, however, was that every piece of equipment Lianhua owned was forged out of spiritual silver, the same material used to forge his sword. I really doubt that I can waltz into old Jian¡¯s shop and demand him to forge a set like that for me. No, the time and effort it would require to forge spiritual silver into such precise instruments? It¡¯s almost certainly something the sect commissioned for her, Xiao Feng concluded, himself not sure how long it would take old Jian to forge a set like that. ¡°Gawking at a woman¡¯s room can be interpreted in many ways,¡± Lianhua commented, snapping Xiao Feng out of his reverie. He was so enamored by the spiritual silver tools that Xiao Feng hadn¡¯t even noticed that the alchemists had already left, leaving only him and Lianhua in the corridor. ¡°I¡­err,¡± He turned his gaze away, a light flush coloring his cheers. ¡°Sorry.¡± Lianhua giggled, her mirth echoing through her laughter. Oh, she didn¡¯t mean it, He realized, just having gotten played. ¡°Well, are you just going to stand there,¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°You¡­ want me to come in?¡± Xiao Feng asked in turn, his expression looking taken aback. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying,¡± She replied sweetly. ¡°I thought I was supposed to get my pill furnace and then we¡¯d meet at the Alchemy Vaults,¡± Xiao Feng explained his point of view. ¡°You can get your pill furnace if that makes you more comfortable, but you won¡¯t be refining anything today. Oh and as for the Alchemy Vaults, well, you¡¯re already here.¡± ¡°You have an alchemy vault in your room?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone tinged with incredulousness. Lianhua just mischievously smiled at him before retreating into her room. 44: Master and Disciple 44: Xiao Feng decided to follow Lianhua inside, not seeing a pressing need to return for his Pill Furnace if he wasn¡¯t going to be doing any pill refining today. He did his best to not stare this time around, but found that resolution failing as he noticed a weapons rack placed next to the equipment rack, which he hadn¡¯t been able to discern from his earlier viewing angle. ¡°Didn¡¯t know that you trained in the martial way as well,¡± Xiao Feng remarked as he stepped into the room through and through, before Lianhua gently pressed the door backwards and it shut with a subtle click. ¡°I may not be of much help in a demon incursion,¡± Lianhua replied modestly. ¡°But I do believe that it is important to know to defend oneself,¡± She explained. ¡°Certainly is,¡± Xiao Feng replied from experience, or well, inherited experience. His gaze shifted to the two doors situated on the wall opposite the one that housed the large painting. One door was almost identical in size to the one found in his own room, most likely leading to the washing area. The other one, on the opposite end of the wall, was a wider, thicker door, both fashioned out of the same, eye-catching pink ivory wood. ¡°Well, maybe I can repay this debt by teaching you some martial techniques one of these days,¡± Xiao Feng good-naturedly offered. A quick yet soft kick landed on his right shin, the move catching his senses off-guard because he detected no threat. ¡°Hey, what was that for?¡± Xiao Feng protested, not having expected such a reaction at all. ¡°Do not call a master-disciple relationship a debt,¡± Lianhua chastised, before turning her gaze away from him within an angry huff. ¡°Oh, uh, I didn¡¯t mean it like that. Erm, sorry,¡± He offered as embarrassment colored his cheeks. Way to go, prick, Xiao Feng thought to himself. She¡¯s already told you how important taking on a disciple is to her and you go and say that. ¡°It is¡­ alright,¡± Lianhua conceded, recognizing the genuine mistake for what it was. ¡°Make sure not to repeat it,¡± She advised, before she began walking over to the equipment rack. Xiao Feng gingerly followed, feeling a lot more conscious about his own actions. She came to a halt before the equipment rack, before reaching for the bottom-most drawer that was also the largest. Tugging it open, she revealed a Spiritual Silver pill furnace that was a more compact, sleeker version of his own, mirroring the same skywing-themed design. She held it by the handles, before coming to a stop before the wider door. ¡°I would be interested,¡± She began, her tone sounding a bit hesitant. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to teach me martial techniques, I mean,¡± Lianhua hurriedly added. ¡°Of course,¡± Xiao Feng beamed at her, as he stood at her right. ¡°If any of your fellow alchemists want to learn, I¡¯d be happy to teach them what I can as well,¡± He offered, making absolutely sure that he wasn¡¯t framing his offer as a transactional one. ¡°Thank you,¡± Lianhua replied, her smile genuine as she pushed open the door to the Alchemy Vault. Almost immediately, Xiao Feng noticed that Lianhua¡¯s vault was easily three times the size of the public access one he had paid two bronze taels to rent for an hour. I¡¯m pretty sure that Lianhua¡¯s pill furnace is custom made too, likely taking her physique into account. And this alchemy vault? These senior alchemists sure get some neat benefits, Xiao Feng thought, totally not jealous when he thought of how convenient it would be to make masala chai in the comfort of his room instead of getting in line and renting a vault each time he got the craving for it. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Lianhua addressed him only after they had seated themselves cross-legged on the obsidian-tiled floor. Her pill furnace was placed on a burner that looked identical to the one that Xiao Feng had used in the alchemy vault, except the crystal powering it was a much larger, dark amethyst instead of red. ¡°So,¡± She began. ¡°You seem to really enjoy using a pill furnace the wrong way. Do you have any idea how it is actually used?¡± Lianhua pointedly asked, her expression looking rather amused. ¡°Um¡­,¡± Xiao Feng tried to buy some time as he considered the answer. ¡°Good question?¡± Lianhua giggled. Before Xiao Feng could muster up another response, Lianhua reached for the right handle of the pill furnace and to his surprise, twisted it ninety degrees clockwise. A click sounded out and a lid that Xiao Feng didn¡¯t even know existed slid open, revealing a metal plate that completely covered any part of the pill furnace¡¯s interior that normally would¡¯ve been exposed. ¡°Huh,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, clearly not having expected the pill furnace to have that feature. ¡°What is the metal plate for?¡± He asked. ¡°That¡¯s what you get, for using your pill furnace as if it were cooking equipment,¡± Lianhua chided, though she was definitely enjoying messing with him a little. ¡°Hey, I wasn¡¯t cooking, I was making Chai. I¡¯ll have you know, that is a far nobler purpose,¡± Xiao Feng replied pointedly, striking back the best he could. ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll let it slide. Now, how do you think we add ingredients in the midst of refinement?¡± Lianhua asked. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in realization, before he said, ¡°Oh. Right. You don¡¯t just throw all the ingredients in at once, you need to do it sequentially. You taught me that, with the beast-bonding pill¡¯s formula. And you can¡¯t exactly lift the pill furnace¡¯s heavy top, that would just expose you to the volatile mixture.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°How did I not see it earlier,¡± He muttered, more to himself than to Lianhua. ¡°Do not blame yourself,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°There are certain pill formulas where you add in all the materials at once, though they are much harder to refine successfully instead of being easier.¡± ¡°Why?¡± He asked. ¡°The volatility factor of refining that many ingredients at once is certainly a major factor. But the more important one is the inference that the pill formula itself is not very developed if such a brute force method is the only option we have at hand. There is more than likely a more efficient and easier way out there, we just haven¡¯t found it yet,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°I see,¡± He muttered in understanding, nodding his head. ¡°So, I¡¯m guessing that the metal plate is to place the ingredient you want added?¡± He asked. She nodded before explaining, ¡°It is also made out of spiritual silver and if you would peer in closer,¡± She said and Xiao Feng craned his neck to get a better view. ¡°You would see that it leaves no open spaces along its circumference. No space for the refining material to splash out and hurt you.¡± ¡°Simple and efficient,¡± He commented. ¡°Indeed. And finally,¡± Lianhua reached for the right handle again, twisting it back counter-clockwise by the same ninety degrees. ¡°The lid snaps back shut and the metal plate is released, held by a thin metal joint that keeps it tethered to the side of the pill furnace but causes whatever it was holding to fall into the refining ingredients below.¡± Of course, Xiao Feng couldn¡¯t see any of that happen, but it was an ordinary enough mechanism to understand. ¡°I get it.¡± ¡°So, why did you have the alchemists deposit all these precious ingredients in my room?¡± Lianhua finally asked a question Xiao Feng had expected much sooner. ¡°They are worth thirty eight gold taels,¡± He replied with a shrug. Lianhua had an estimate in mind, of course she did, but that didn¡¯t prevent her from gasping in shock when the number was spoken aloud. ¡°So I figured, if Alchemist Zhi is petty enough to go that far to frame me, he might have tricks up his sleeve to steal my ingredients as well. Tsk, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll do something even after I generously left him a single set of ingredients behind,¡± Xiao Feng explained. ¡°You can be quite vengeful,¡± Lianhua remarked, albeit without any judgment in her tone. ¡°Hey, he started it,¡± He replied with a shrug. ¡°Either way, I doubt even he would be crazy enough to steal from your room. If those guards would even let him in¡±. ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°Now, let¡¯s put those ingredients to good use. Bring me a set,¡± Lianhua directed. ¡°Do I get to refine a pill?¡± Xiao Feng asked, with excitement bubbling in his tone. ¡°No,¡± Lianhua replied, cutting him down mercilessly. ¡°I will refine it and you shall observe. Remember that it would be nothing short of a miracle if you managed to refine a single beast-bonding pill across all those sets. Do not be in a hurry.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am,¡± Xiao Feng replied, the eagerness in his tone only slightly diminished. A Senior Alchemist giving him live instruction by refining a pill in front of him? It was a gift he would be foolish to refuse. 45: Surprise Test 45: Arrayed before Lianhua and Xiao Feng were seven different ingredients, some contained in sealed glass vials while others were kept out in the open. ¡°Now,¡± Lianhua began, before her lips curled up into a mischievous smile. ¡°It is time for a surprise test.¡± Xiao Feng blinked, requiring a moment to take in the declaration before he replied, ¡°Bring it on.¡± Lianhua seemed to have all intention to, as she reached for a vial that was full of a thick, silver fluid that seemed to be on the verge of coagulation. ¡°Identify this,¡± Lianhua commanded. ¡°Bone marrow of the Stoneback Ursine,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Why are we using this ingredient first?¡± Xiao Feng surreptitiously activated his essence cultivation art, to confirm an answer that he was already certain of. It was a great learning exercise and another way to make sure he wouldn¡¯t forget what he had already memorized. ¡°Due to its Qi Density,¡± He replied. ¡°The bone marrow of the Stoneback Ursine serves as a great base for the pill because a newly hatched beast needs nourishment and the ingredient in question contains no shortage of unattuned Qi. ¡°If that is the case, then why not feed the bone marrow to the beast directly?¡± Lianhua countered. ¡°Because a newly hatched beast would not be able to process such a vast reserve of Qi on its own. In fact, such quantities of unattuned Qi may even lead to Qi deviation if the newly hatched beast is not able to expel it. That is why we need to refine it in the first place, even if it means that a large reserve of Qi contained within the base ingredients are lost.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Lianhua complimented, accepting his answer. ¡°What is the second ingredient we refine together with the first?¡± She asked, gesturing to the six remaining ingredients that had been placed to the side of the pill furnace. Xiao Feng pointed to a second vial, full of a pinkish-red liquid that was resting inert in its glass casing, before answering, ¡°Blood extract of a lesser shadow wyrm.¡± ¡°Correct. Why?¡± ¡°Beasts that cultivate Shadow Qi from birth develop a strong resistance to most natural toxins. The hope is that the newly hatched beast adapts some of that resistance for itself.¡± Lianhua nodded, before continuing her onslaught of questions, ¡°Name the eighth ingredient.¡± Oh, a trick question, Xiao Feng thought, his lips curling in amusement. ¡°My Qi,¡± He replied. Stolen novel; please report. ¡°That is why the beast-bonding pill is so difficult to refine,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°You need to imbue your Qi while you are refining the pill, which is a challenge in and of its own. The control required for it is not something even I can successfully replicate in every attempt.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Xiao Feng muttered aloud, as eyes widened in realization. ¡°What is your success rate?¡± He asked, alluding to the beast-bonding pill ¡°Will you promise not to tell anyone else?¡± Lianhua asked through pursed lips, her expression looking hesitant as she gazed into his eyes. Xiao Feng gulped and then nodded, before saying, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°One in three.¡± ¡°I¡­ see,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as the gears in his mind whirred. A regular alchemist designate has about a one in fifteen chance. Lianhua, on the other hand, can refine a pill as complex as the beast-bonding pill once in three chances. Is that the gulf between alchemists and senior alchemists or is Lianhua particularly talented even among her ilk? Before Lianhua could move onto the next question, Xiao Feng addressed her, ¡°Lianhua.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There¡¯s one thing that I don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The burner. That crystal is different from the one I used in the alchemy vaults. But I¡¯m more confused about why you need it. Don¡¯t you have an alchemist¡¯s flame?¡± Xiao Feng asked, clearly confused about the matter. ¡°Oh. Did I not tell you?¡± She asked. Xiao Feng shook his head. ¡°The alchemist¡¯s flame isn¡¯t meant to be a replacement for the amethyst dragonstone burner. Which is just a more potent variant of regular dragonstone. I don¡¯t use it as a heat source, because that would just be too wasteful. Instead, I imbue the properties of the alchemist¡¯s flame directly onto the refining materials, loosening their old bonds as the flame makes the melange come together as one and adding new medicinal properties,¡± Lianhua patiently explained. An idea sparked in Xiao Feng¡¯s mind as he listened to Lianhua¡¯s words, but he reluctantly shelved it away for now. After class, I¡¯ll ask her. It shouldn¡¯t need much of her flame, even a thimbleful would work, Xiao Feng thought. ¡°So, you essentially use your alchemist¡¯s flame to speed up the refining process while also enriching the end result?¡± He asked, his tone thoughtful. ¡°Yes, indeed. I am a wind refinement alchemist, after all. If I was like my father, who could endlessly regenerate his alchemist¡¯s flame, I would not be so sparse with its use. Though you must understand, most alchemist flames are not even a quarter as useful as my father¡¯s. To cultivate it requires time, effort and most importantly, patience, as you try to force your body to adapt and naturally recreate it.¡± ¡°So, even if you were a flame cultivator, there¡¯s no guarantee you¡¯d be able to learn it?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°No, but having it stored within your dantian would make the process easier by several degrees. Many flame alchemists covet my father¡¯s alchemist flame, even though they do not voice their jealousy out loud.¡± Xiao Feng blinked and then took a deep breath. ¡°Is Alchemist Zhi a flame cultivator?¡± He asked. Lianhua blinked as well, as she paused to consider the question. ¡°Yes,¡± She replied. ¡°Huh,¡± He muttered. ¡°Could that have anything to do with him going after me?¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t see what the connection could be,¡± Lianhua¡¯s right palm cupped her chin as she thought the allegation through. ¡°But, it is possible.¡± Man, now I really need to take the gloves off. Alchemist Zhi is making this personal, Xiao Feng thought, as annoyance flared in his heart. ¡°Well, let us not digress any further. Tell me, Xiao Feng, what do the five remaining ingredients do?¡± 46: The laws of thermodynamics 46: ¡°Pearl Orchids are considered a delicacy amongst spiritual beasts, due to a circular bulb that is found in the center of each flower. Full of seeds, the bulb is packed with both unattuned Qi and nutrients that aid in the development of any spiritual beast,¡± Xiao Feng explained. A quick nod from Lianhua confirmed that he was on the right track. ¡°The same can be said for Cloud Moss, though I would say that the intention behind adding that ingredient has more to do with making the aroma and flavor of the pill irresistible to the newly hatched beast over merely increasing the Qi density,¡± He added. ¡°You¡¯ve been studying, I see. Good,¡± Lianhua praised, before directing him, ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°Star Anemone is an interesting one,¡± Xiao Feng remarked. ¡°Oh. How so?¡± ¡°It is the most expensive ingredient I have bought, outside of the beast materials. It is valuable because it both heals any internal wounds and clears the body of impurities the best it can. Sure, its effect is muted compared to an actual pill that is designed to heal, but it is of only auxiliary importance in the pill formula. Say, if the newly hatched beast were to come out injured or malformed,¡± Xiao Feng stated, his tone emphasizing his last point. ¡°Your concern is noted,¡± Lianhua replied, catching on to the implication, or perhaps, request, concealed in his tone. ¡°However, it is impossible to change the formula without destabilizing it. And, while we are at the mercy of the egg in this case, the odds are still weighted towards it accepting a pill that has been tested on hundreds of spiritual beasts.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng replied, though he wasn¡¯t able to completely eliminate the worry in his tone. ¡°So, tell me. What base does the Star Anemone have?¡± Lianhua asked, not relenting on her quizzing. ¡°It uses Water Qi to heal and purify,¡± Xiao Feng replied after a heartbeat. ¡°Why would we use an elemental Qi when we do not know what type of beast slumbers within the egg?¡± Lianhua asked, as a knowing smile played upon her lips. ¡°Water Qi is¡­ different,¡± Xiao Feng replied, knowing the answer but finding himself struggling to explain. It took him a few moments before the correct analogy came to his mind, ¡°If I were to be admitted in an infirmary after battle, the healer attending to me would use Water Qi to heal me. Its healing and rejuvenating properties are second to none, but more importantly, it is in the very nature of Water Qi to purify. Any living creature would instinctively understand that there will be no clash between the element in question and the one nestled in their dantian.¡± Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Close,¡± Lianhua replied, much to Xiao Feng¡¯s surprise. ¡°Sure, Water Qi heals. However, when you call the element different, you make a grave mistake. For it is not necessary for the elemental Qi itself, in its base form, to be useful to you, but its reaction with other ingredients can be invaluable as well.¡± ¡°The Sylvan Heartroot and the frost lily,¡± Xiao Feng replied, naming the two ingredients he understood the least. ¡°Go on,¡± Lianhua encouraged. ¡°The Sylvan Heartroot has an Earth Qi base,¡± Xiao Feng mused aloud. ¡°Initially, I had dismissed it as an auxiliary ingredient, but it does have a curious property. It carries a reserve of Earth Qi and unlike most other spiritual plants I¡¯ve read up on, it only disperses seeds after it becomes a full-fledged tree. To that end, it seeks to conceal itself by attracting nearby organic matter, whether it be soil or other spiritual beast plants. That¡¯s why it is stoppered in a glass vial, though it poses no harm to any living creature.¡± ¡°Correct,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°We add the Sylvan Heartroot near the end, to bring together all the refining ingredients and stabilize the melange. Most of the Earth Qi will be lost to the refinement, however a little can be beneficial to any spiritual beast, if only to develop a familiarity with the element. Don¡¯t worry, I did not expect you to guess that,¡± She explained, her tone already seeming quite satisfied with Xiao Feng¡¯s performance. ¡°Then, I suppose the Frost Lily is to balance out the temperature?¡± Xiao Feng voiced the conjecture, his brows furrowed in thought. ¡°Now you¡¯re getting the hang of it,¡± Lianhua nodded, her enthusiasm for alchemy leaking into her energetic tone. ¡°Frost Qi may seem similar to Water Qi, but in reality they could not be more different. Frost Qi does not heal, it does not purify. It does little else than lower temperature and¡­,¡± She trailed off, pursing her lips as she searched for a way to frame her answer. ¡°And kill,¡± Xiao Feng replied calmly. ¡°Yes, that,¡± Lianhua confirmed, if a bit hesitantly. ¡°The Frost Lily is added at the very end of the pill refinement, a minute or two before you shall use your Wind Qi in concert with the Fire Qi from the amethyst dragonstone burner to compress it into a pill. Do you know why?¡± ¡°Compression means heat,¡± Xiao Feng blurted out before he could even fully think through the question. Lianhua blinked. ¡°How do you know that?¡± She asked, clearly not having the answer to come so quickly. Uhh¡­ High-school physics? The laws of thermodynamics¡­ I guess I can¡¯t answer with that, Xiao Feng thought, his expression turning a bit awkward. ¡°I¡­ erm, well, that seems like the only logical answer. You add the Frost Lily onto an already heated mixture of ingredients that are packed with Qi. However, if the Frost Lily was that essential to containing heat, it would¡¯ve been added near the beginning or at least the middle. At the end, though? It means you need to mitigate the excess heat that will be generated from forcing all those Qi-packed materials into a small ball,¡± Xiao Feng rambled, managing the best explanation he could without calling upon the laws of thermodynamics, kinetics and maybe a little material science? Maybe. ¡°I¡¯m impressed, Xiao Feng. Take it as the compliment it is, because I am seldom impressed,¡± Lianhua offered, raising an eyebrow as she seemed to take him in a new light. ¡°Thank you,¡± Xiao Feng managed, as his cheeks flushed a soft red. ¡°Now, I suppose I¡¯ve harried you enough with these questions,¡± Lianhua noted as she reached for the vial containing the bone marrow of the Stoneback Ursine. ¡°It¡¯s time for the fun part.¡± 47: Act and React 47: Xiao Feng observed intently as Lianhua poured the vial full of thick, silver liquid onto the metal plate that isolated the interior of the pill furnace from the outside world. He had expected Lianhua to turn the handle, but instead she reached for a vial encasing a pinkish-red liquid that Xiao Feng was familiar with. ¡°Wait,¡± Xiao Feng muttered. ¡°Are you going to mix the two ingredients before they¡¯re inside the pill furnace?¡± He asked, a hint of concern audible in his voice, for he knew just how powerful the bone marrow of the Stoneback Ursine and the blood extract of a Lesser Shadow Wyrm were as ingredients. ¡°Why not?¡± Lianhua challenged, before gesturing to the inert amethyst dragonstone burner. ¡°Until I turn that on, these are just materials that happen to be exceptionally dense in Qi. If that alone were enough to set off a reaction, then the both of us would not be sitting this close to each other,¡± She replied, a hint of a smile playing upon her lips. Did she just smile? Xiao Feng wondered, finding no hint of amusement left on Lianhua¡¯s visage as she poured the pinkish-red liquid onto the silver marrow, watching as the color of the new mixture turned a dark orange. ¡°Hm, that is quite a dark hue,¡± Lianhua muttered before leaning in and taking in the pungent aroma of the newly formed mixture. ¡°Is that bad?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Quite the opposite, in fact. These two ingredients are quite high quality. That is not good,¡± Lianhua analyzed. ¡°Not good?¡± Xiao Feng repeated, the question in his tone self-evident. ¡°The concentration of Qi being higher than the norm will only make this more difficult for me. Do not worry though, I am not so easily deterred,¡± She declared, before twisting the pill furnace¡¯s handle counter-clockwise. A gurgling noise followed as the dark orange mixture likely settled at the bottom of the cauldron that made up the lower half of the pill furnace. ¡°I trust you will be able to defend yourself in case things go catastrophically awry?¡± Lianhua asked him, as her right hand wrapped around the amethyst dragonstone burner¡¯s knob. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Xiao Feng gave her a reassuring nod, to which Lianhua nodded. His accomplishments on the battlefield spoke for themselves. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m moving an inch from this spot, Xiao Feng thought, knowing the weight of the opportunity that was being offered to him. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Do not be startled by minor flares in Qi. Even if the refinement fails, a pill furnace is designed to insulate the fallout across hundreds of attempts. Though this number is admittedly influenced by the ingredients involved in the refinement process,¡± Lianhua explained, before she finally channeled her Qi through the burner¡¯s metal piping. Xiao Feng watched the amethyst dragonstone crackled to life. The deep-violet flames that ensconced the stone in an instant captured his attention, but he found himself leaning away a moment later as an astonishing heat crawled up his features. Jeez, that¡¯s hot, He thought, noting that Lianhua hadn¡¯t exaggerated about the amethyst dragonstone¡¯s increased efficacy. Xiao Feng shook his head, refocusing his gaze on the pill cauldron the sides of which Lianhua held with cupped hands. His essence cultivation art revealed the Wind Qi Lianhua was channeling, both to protect herself from the heat conducted by the metal pill furnace and to direct the refinement process. It took Xiao Feng a few moments to place what he was seeing. At the bottom of the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron, there were patches of bright Qi abutting each other, only a slight difference in luminescence between the two intensities he managed to identify. Hovering above it was a faint, but distinctly visible whirlwind of Qi. Minutes ticked by and Xiao Feng watched as the heat emanating from the amethyst dragonstone burner melted away the abutting boundaries between two different intensities, what he suspected to be the bone marrow and the blood essence. However, the process was not perfect, as lumps of concentrated Qi formed in regions where the flame¡¯s heat fell upon unequally. Oh, Xiao Feng thought, as the gentle whirlwind of Wind Qi impacted the circumference of the pill furnace. She¡¯s actually kneading the mixture, He thought, struggling to contain the awe as Lianhua gradually decreased the diameter of the gentle whirlwind, scattering most of the lumps that had been formed without disturbing the mixture beyond surface level. ¡°It is natural for a fire source to be imperfect in refining ingredients,¡± Lianhua began explanation, not knowing that Xiao Feng already understood her method. ¡°What I am doing is using my Wind Qi to break down concentrations of Qi that might have formed. Do you know why consistency in the refined mixture is important?¡± Lianhua asked, even as the whirlwind was reduced to a gust of wind near the center, before slowly expanding outwards in the opposite sequence. ¡°Inconsistencies, or rather, lumps in the mixture might destabilize the entire refinement,¡± Xiao Feng replied, having seen first hand why that was the case. Trying to force a lumpy mixture into a pill would only result in a powerful explosion. ¡°Good answer,¡± Lianhua replied, as sweat beaded her forehead. Xiao Feng knew that it was not the strain on her Qi that was eating at her stamina, but the focus demanded by the refining process. Unlike him, Lianhua could not see the reactions taking place in real time, she could only try her utmost to sense them. Five or so minutes later, Xiao Feng watched the whirlwind dissipate, as she deemed the refined mixture ready for the next step. While he was not surprised to find that the refined mixture was cleared of lumps and now flawless, it was still impressive. Lianhua reached for a Pearl Orchid next, allowing her hands to leave the sides of the pill furnace after adjusting the heat to a far more mellower intensity. She plucked the Pearl Orchid¡¯s bulb with practiced efficiency, discarding the rest of the flower to the side. ¡°Now, watch carefully. Every ingredient I add from here on out has a chance of destabilizing the refinement and it only gets progressively harder. A good alchemist must not only act in the way he has been taught, but more importantly, react when things inevitably go awry.¡± 48: The Final Stretch 48: Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze was fixated on the pill furnace before him, his expression one of total concentration as he watched the Pearl Orchid bulb fall towards the melange of bone marrow and blood essence. He tried to make his expression more nonchalant as he used his essence cultivation art to peer into the pill furnace, but Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t worried about Lianhua finding his actions suspicious. For her eyes were snapped shut as she directed her Wind Qi to the pill furnace, catching it before it could interact with the Qi-dense mixture. Xiao Feng watched closely as Lianhua¡¯s Wind Qi nestled around the bud, slowly letting it come into contact with the heated mixture. It began to bubble as the properties of the Qi-Dense mixture interacted with the nutrient rich Pearl Orchid bulb, the latter not melting easily due to the cooling provided by the shield of Wind Qi swirling around it. ¡°It will take you some practice, but it is quite important to learn how to shield ingredients without destroying them,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°You cannot let powerful ingredients fall directly into the already boiling mixture, such hastiness can easily lead to a surge that will ruin the refinement. Flame alchemists accomplish the same effect by modulating the heat with exacting precision, while we Wind Alchemists do so by protecting the very ingredients from a sudden flux.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that..,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off as he watched Lianhua defend the Pearl Orchid bulb with ease, letting it slowly melt away into the Qi-dense mixture instead of being consumed instantly. ¡°... quite difficult?¡± He asked. ¡°It would be a trifling task for Nascent Soul cultivators,¡± Lianhua replied, her eyes still closed as she focused on the refinement. ¡°However, for the rest of us, it is indeed quite challenging. Defeating Alchemist Zhi in a mere four months will not be easy.¡± ¡°While I did get to know about the beast-bonding pill after I agreed to fight him, it does work out quite neatly. If I want to keep the egg, I need to refine this pill much faster than that. And hey, it¡¯s not like Alchemist Zhi is going to get a lot of practice in,¡± A chuckle escaped Lianhua, but she immediately tamped down on her amusement as the Pearl Orchid bulb fully dissolved. Xiao Feng got to know why a few moments later, as two spirals of Wind Qi rose to the roof of the pill furnace, intersecting equidistantly before diffusing into a gentle umbrella of wind. He only understood the purpose of the odd technique as the Qi Dense mixture flowed upwards along the spirals, intersecting four times before it was diffused along the periphery of the pill furnace, returning to the pooled mixture near the bottom of the cauldron. I guess this is a new way of kneading the mixture, Xiao Feng thought, keenly observing the process. It¡¯s much more complex but it also seems to be more thorough. ¡°This part of the process is a bit more complicated to explain. It would be best if I showed you later, but essentially, kneading the mixture alone no longer suffices after the complexity has increased to this degree,¡± Lianhua explained and Xiao Feng could see exactly what she was talking about, both literally and figuratively. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The cloud moss dissolved much faster despite Lianhua¡¯s attempts to resist the encroachment of the heated mixture. A pungent, sickly sweet scent filled the air, no doubt a result of the cloud moss¡¯ properties. I hope that makes it attractive for the beast egg, Xiao Feng thought as Lianhua reached for the next ingredient. Star Anemone took the longest to dissolve and Xiao Feng wondered if it was the Water Qi within the flower that made it resistant to both heat and change. It was half way through it¡¯s refinement that he noticed something strange. The Qi-Dense mixture was already quite bright in intensity, but it was growing brighter at a pace that exceeded the rate that it was previously exhibiting by manifold times. Lianhua seemed to realize the anomaly as well, as tore away her hand from the amethyst dragonstone burner before wrapping both around the pill furnace. Xiao Feng watched as two patterns of Qi that could only be Alchemist¡¯s flames washed over the refining mixture from opposite directions. Instead of further agitating the Qi-Dense Mixture, Xiao Feng watched as the Alchemist¡¯s Flames burned away large concentrations of Qi effortlessly while accomplishing what Lianhua had been trying to do with the wind braiding. The end result was a far lighter, almost completely uniform solution of Qi, making it hard for Xiao Feng to believe that five different ingredients had gone into the mix. ¡°What did you just do?¡± Xiao Feng blurted out the question before he could think twice about it. Lianhua blinked and then turned to face him even as she resumed supplying heat to the burner, albeit at a much lower intensity. ¡°You could sense that?¡± She asked, her gaze reflecting a surprise that did not seem unpleasant. ¡°Well, kind of,¡± He sheepishly admitted. ¡°I guess I cheated a little,¡± Lianhua admitted, though her tone was proud. ¡°I used my father¡¯s alchemist flame,¡± She explained. ¡°Good fortune is merely a part of your ability, I would not call it cheating,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he drafted a reply from his predecessor¡¯s memories. ¡°Is that what they teach you?¡± She asked, before adding, ¡°In your martial division.¡± Xiao Feng shrugged before replying, ¡°The heavens do not make all men equal. As martial cultivators, we cannot shy away from this one truth. If my enemy on the battlefield possesses an artifact that a cultivator of his station is not expected to have, will he have mercy on me? No, that is why I will find a way to overcome him myself,¡± He explained the mindset of a martial cultivator, his predecessor¡¯s philosophies, even though parts of them still seemed alien to Xiao Feng himself. ¡°That,¡± Lianhua began. ¡°Is quite the fascinating perspective. If only you knew how many covetous gazes this alchemist¡¯s flame attracted,¡± She replied, before softly sighing. ¡°Envy only opens doors to defeat. Whatever Alchemist Zhi is after, I will make sure to teach him that lesson,¡± Xiao Feng boldly declared. Lianhua¡¯s cheeks flushed a little as she turned away from Xiao Feng, before reaching for the Sylvan Heartroot. ¡°If your senses are so keen, watch this part carefully,¡± Lianhua directed him, as she slotted the Sylvan Heartroot on the metal plate. With a twist of the pill furnace¡¯s handle, the spiritual plant spilled into the refined mixture, only to be caught by her Wind Qi. The Sylvan Heartroot turned out to be the most resistant to change, as it began to seek out the refined mixture that was simmering at low heat. Lianhua¡¯s wind Qi further helped keep temperatures down and in merely a minute¡¯s time, the refined mixture was wrapped around the dimensions of the Sylvan Heartroot. Another few minutes passed by as the Sylvan Heartroot was heated, to weaken it¡¯s bonds. Lianhua added the Frost Lily not long after and Xiao Feng watched as the amethyst dragonstone burner¡¯s heat failed to affect it¡¯s structure. ¡°This is it,¡± Lianhua said. ¡°The final stretch.¡± 49: Refinement 49: Lianhua¡¯s right hand pulled away from the amethyst dragonstone burner¡¯s knob as the Frost Lily¡¯s bone chilling Qi began to seep out upon being heated, cooling not only the refined paste wrapped Sylvan Heartroot but also dulling the effect of the amethyst dragonstone flame. Before the heat trapped within the pill furnace could dissipate, Lianhua cupped it from both directions. From her right hand, Xiao Feng watched as a torrential eruption of flames followed, mercilessly washing over the refining materials. Her alchemist flame no doubt, but Xiao Feng had not expected such a luxurious use of her precious inheritance. Almost at the exact same moment, Lianhua¡¯s Wind Qi roared to life. In the blink of an eye, the ingredients nestled in the center of the cauldron were trapped in by a perimeter of wind that was swirling around its circumference. Wind and Alchemist Flames collided to form a flaming vortex that continuously narrowed as it spiraled inwards. Xiao Feng barely managed to keep the awe from his expression as he watched Lianhua use a technique that could only be described as a fusion of her father¡¯s Alchemist Flames and her own mastery of the Wind Qi. He watched as the Sylvan Heartroot melted away, diminishing in Qi-Density while coming out lighter in color, purer before his essence cultivation art¡¯s visual acuity. The Frost Lily tried to fight against the onslaught of flame and wind. However, while the properties of Frost Qi were effective against the amethyst dragonstone flames, they did little to guard against an Alchemist¡¯s Flame. He watched as the proud flower was reduced to a pool of Frost Qi that melded with what remained of the Sylvan Heartroot. The pressure exerted by the vortex intensified as it neared the center of the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron. He watched as the mixture of ingredients was compacted together, but before Xiao Feng could even envision himself mimicking the process, the flaming vortex ensconced it whole. Suspended mid-air in the center of the pill furnace was a ball of flaming wind that was wrapped around what Xiao Feng suspected to be the beast-bonding pill, if indeed, the refinement was a success. Lianhua¡¯s eyes remained shut as she stripped away the alchemist¡¯s flames from the sphere of wind, her brows furrowed in concentration as she reclaimed her inheritance. Her low flame affinity probably makes even doing that much a challenge, Xiao Feng thought, as he admired the precision with which Lianhua retrieved the flames nonetheless. Finally, she opened her eyes and the sphere of wind holding the pill in place dissipated. Xiao Feng watched as a roughly spherical mass of highly concentrated Qi, a pill that was perhaps half the length of his thumb, clattered onto the pill furnace¡¯s cauldron. ¡°The further you get in the refinement process,¡± Lianhua began, taking a deep breath to compose herself before continuing, ¡°it gets increasingly trickier until the moment of refinement arrives. That is the trickiest moment in the entire process. Do you know why?¡± She asked. Xiao Feng shook his head, even though he had more than just an idea about the answer. ¡°The answer to that question is inextricably linked to the importance of an Alchemist¡¯s Flame. I am sure you are curious, so you might as well just ask,¡± Lianhua encouraged, a mischievous light shining in her eyes as she turned her gaze to him. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Her forehead was matted with sweat, her expression a little pale from the concentration the refinement process had siphoned out of her and even Lianhua¡¯s breathing did not have that composed rhythm one would expect from a cultivator. Yet when Xiao Feng locked eyes with her, he felt like he was seeing Lianhua for the first time. Behind the amusement in her gaze, Xiao Feng found boundless enthusiasm. In her expression, he found a zeal for pill refinement, for the multitude facets involved in selecting ingredients, for the Dao of Alchemy itself¡ª a zeal that could not be concealed. Lianhua was very much in her element and Xiao Feng would be lying if he didn¡¯t find her enthusiasm to be at least a little contagious. ¡°What are the differences between a regular flame,¡± Xiao Feng pointed at the amethyst dragonstone burner before turning his index finger towards Lianhua, ¡°and your alchemist flame.¡± ¡°Correction, an alchemist¡¯s flame,¡± Lianhua informed, before she clicked her index finger and thumb together. A moment later, a thimble-sized blue flame danced on the tip of her index finger. ¡°Come closer, now,¡± She gestured with her free hand and Xiao Feng leaned in closer to the flame. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ cold,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, his tone sounding a bit lost. ¡°Are you surprised?¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°I¡­ I thought an alchemist¡¯s flame would burn hotter than what the amethyst dragonstone burner was capable of,¡± Xiao Feng admitted. ¡°Some do,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°However, the purpose of an alchemist flame is not to burn, but rather refine. A regular flame achieves the same effect, but it is also far more wasteful. An alchemist¡¯s flame concentrates the properties of the ingredients onto a much smaller surface area, while keeping the loss of Qi as low as it can. Good alchemist flames also imbue additional effects,¡± She explained. ¡°Additional effects?¡± Xiao Feng repeated, the question in his tone obvious. ¡°Think about it,¡± Lianhua rhetorically replied. ¡°How useful is the blood extract of a lesser Shadow Wyrm?¡± ¡°Very,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Indeed. Now, if a flame cultivator were to imbibe the blood extract of a lesser shadow wyrm and succeed in his attempt to fuse it with his Fire Qi, would flames capable of granting toxin resistance not be immensely valuable?¡± ¡°They would,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone sounding hesitant. ¡°But wouldn¡¯t that be incredibly difficult and kind of¡­dangerous?¡± ¡°A martial cultivator talks about danger,¡± Lianhua chuckled, and Xiao Feng hurriedly laughed along. It was easy to forget just how threatening of a reputation his predecessor had accumulated across the years when he was leisurely discussing alchemy with a senior alchemist. ¡°Point conceded,¡± Xiao Feng replied, sounding a bit sheepish. ¡°I never said that you were wrong,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°Most attempts to refine alchemist flames fail. Merely getting to the step of cradling a flame that is capable of significantly concentrating the effect of ingredients is alone an accomplishment that would be celebrated by a Senior Alchemist.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng replied, before humming in thought. ¡°You stopped me when I used your alchemist¡¯s flame as an example. Is yours different?¡± He asked, not having forgotten the precision with which Lianhua had used the term. ¡°It is,¡± She admitted. ¡°Curious?¡± She teased. Xiao Feng shrugged, seeing no reason to deny it. ¡°While I cannot tell you all of its properties or how they came to be, I can tell you the reason why it is so coveted,¡± Lianhua offered. Xiao Feng¡¯s eagerness must¡¯ve spilled out onto his gaze, as Lianhua continued, ¡°Like a cultivator expels impurities after either facing heavenly tribulation, which is the most comprehensive way to do so, or consuming pills designed to mimic that effect, my father¡¯s alchemist flame burns away at any decay concealed within the ingredients.¡± Xiao Feng could not help but recall the lightness of color, the uniformity that was left behind after Lianhua used her father¡¯s alchemist¡¯s flames on the mixture. Impurities are accumulated while absorbing Qi from the atmosphere or consuming pills that themselves can never be free of contaminants. Decay in the life-giving Qi, small enough to escape detection but inevitable to build up over time. Only the heavens can truly cleanse the body of such impurities, but that requires a cultivator to survive tribulation. If what Lianhua claims is even somewhat true, then her father¡¯s alchemist flame is¡­ priceless, Xiao Feng thought, begrudgingly in awe of Alchemist Xin Wu. Personality aside, the man¡¯s skill was undeniable. ¡°Now, let us see how it turned out,¡± Lianhua declared, before lifting the pill furnace¡¯s top. 50: Your flame, please 50: Xiao Feng allowed his focus on the essence cultivation art to break away, as Lianhua gingerly lifted the pill furnace¡¯s top. A loud hiss sounded out as the steam trapped within the pill furnace escaped, clouding his line of sight for a moment. It cleared to reveal a small pill that was nestled carefully in Lianhua¡¯s palm. Its surface was a smatter of icy blue dotted with flecks of deep brown, making the roughly spherical pill a sight to behold. ¡°That light blue¡­ is that frost Qi?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone thoughtful. ¡°Indeed,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°When the already heated Frost Lily was refined to its limits by my Wind Qi and the Alchemist¡¯s flame, it burst. My winds made sure that instead of letting the Frost Qi contained within go to waste, it would hold the refined contents of the pill together instead.¡± ¡°I see. Did the refinement succeed?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone curious as he peered at the supposed beast-bonding pill. Even without the essence cultivation art, he could tell that it had quite the sizable amount of Qi contained within, but besides that, none of his senses were capable of assessing its potency. ¡°Mmm,¡± Lianhua hummed in thought. ¡°The answer depends on your definition of success.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Are you familiar with the four grades of pills?¡± Lianhua asked a question in turn. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Mortal, Essence, Profound and Heavenly are the four distinctions when it comes to assessing the quality of a pill. Though I¡¯m not sure how to distinguish between those grades.¡± Lianhua nodded, offering him a smile before she answered his unspoken query, ¡°Heavenly grade pills are almost never refined in day-to-day alchemy. It requires the refinement to retain nine parts out of ten of the original Qi density within the refined materials.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the criteria for Profound Grade?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Anything above five parts out of ten but below nine,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°A much more reasonable ask, yet even then¡­,¡± She trailed off, as her gaze shifted to the beast-bonding pill. ¡°It¡¯s not profound grade,¡± Xiao Feng muttered, as his thoughts inadvertently spilled out into words. ¡°Oh¡­er, sorry?¡± He hurriedly offered, after he realized that Lianhua was staring directly at him. Clearly flustered, Xiao Feng felt his cheeks heating up. Lianhua softly chuckled, clearly amused by his reaction, ¡°There is no need to be so cautious around me. I do not take offense to the truth,¡± She replied. ¡°You are correct, of course. It is not profound grade, it is merely an essence grade beast-bonding pill¡ª above two parts out of ten, below five. Do you know why?¡± He took a few moments to consider the question, before shaking his head. ¡°When do you think I was imbuing my own Qi into the refining ingredients?¡± Lianhua asked. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes slightly widened in surprise, as he realized that he hadn¡¯t taken note of the most important step. In the melange of ingredients, he had forgotten that unattuned Qi was the hardest to keep track of because it exhibited no special properties or behavior on its own. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. He found himself thinking back to the moment when he had noticed the anomaly in the Qi-Dense mixture, the rapid acceleration in brightness. Was that due to Lianhua imbuing her Qi and causing a backlash? Was that why she had been required to call upon her father¡¯s alchemist¡¯s flames? ¡°Was it the first time you called upon the alchemist¡¯s flames?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°That is an excellent answer. However, it is not the correct one,¡± Lianhua replied, her answer only seeking to further befuddle Xiao Feng. ¡°I have been imbuing my unattuned Qi into the mixture from the moment the first two ingredients were heated. I am not surprised that your senses did not pick up on it, because while my Wind Qi and Alchemist¡¯s Flames can be a threat under your battle-honed senses, unattuned Qi is harmless and will dissolve in the atmosphere if not given shape and form.¡± ¡°From the very beginning?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone betraying his surprise. ¡°Yes, albeit in small quantities. While the amethyst dragonstone flame heats the ingredients, my own unattuned Qi seeps into them. Or atleast, that was the intention,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°What went wrong?¡± He asked. ¡°I underestimated the potency of the ingredients. Or I added just a touch too much unattuned Qi at the wrong moment. There could be a myriad of reasons, but that is not the important part. The mistake caused me to rely on my alchemist¡¯s flames, thereby accelerating the process and not managing to imbue enough of my own Qi. For purposes you seek the beast-bonding pill, this grade will not suffice,¡± Lianhua admitted. ¡°I need to refine a profound grade beast-bonding pill then?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone solemn as he considered the difficulty involved in such a task. Lianhua slowly nodded her head. ¡°Well, step by step,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a shrug. ¡°Is our class for the day concluded?¡± He asked. Lianhua nodded before offering the beast-bonding pill cupped in her right palm to him. ¡°What?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°The ingredients were yours, so the pill belongs to you,¡± Lianhua matter-of-factly stated, her gaze earnest. ¡°Uh¡­ No. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m refining that pill without your help and you did all the work. No, no¨C it belongs to you,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly raised both his palms in the air, as if the beast-bonding pill was coated in a layer of poison. ¡°These were your ingredients and I am a senior alchemist. My position¡ª,¡± Lianhua tried to explain, but Xiao Feng cut her off. ¡°Consider it a loan then. It¡¯s yours until you find a beast egg of your own. You¡¯ve already done so much for me and honestly, there¡¯s already one more favor I¡¯m planning to ask of you so¡­ please don¡¯t make me take the pill,¡± Xiao Feng pleaded, his tone sounding mortified. Lianhua paused to consider his words and then blinked before asking, ¡°What favor?¡± ¡°Um, so, how would you react if I told you that the chai I made for you the other day wasn¡¯t actually chai,¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone sounding a bit nervous. ¡°Well, it was a delicious waste of ingredients and that seems to be its purpose, so, not very I suppose? Though, do go on,¡± Lianhua encouraged. ¡°You see, real chai is made from leaves that are dried and crushed in a process that requires specialized tools that I don¡¯t have. It¡¯s done to lock the flavor in the leaves, you see, before being strained after. Like an alchemical concoction. So, I don¡¯t have those tools on me right now but¡­,¡± Xiao Feng gazed at Lianhua with an expectant look. She met his gaze, her expression thoughtful until all trace of composure vanished from it. ¡°You want me¡­,¡± She trailed off, before sizing Xiao Feng up from top to bottom as if she were looking at the member of an alien species. ¡°... to use the single most valuable alchemist flame in our entire division on your¡­¡± She seemed to struggle to find the words as she gave him a disbelieving look. ¡°My leaves, yes. In my defense, I just need a thimbleful of flame,¡± He panickedly offered, leaving a tiny gap as he brought his index finger and thumb very close to each other to represent his ask. Lianhua studied him for a few moments, leading to him getting increasingly uncomfortable. Then she burst out into boisterous, unrestrained laughter. She laughed and laughed until tears threatened to streak down her cheeks. Then, as she was in the midst of trying to restrain her amusement, she replied, ¡°Sure.¡± 51: Nice 51: Xiao Feng watched intently as Lianhua held a sheaf of ten mystic palms in her left hand, her expression one of amusement as she considered his request. ¡°Are you sure you want to commit to this? My father¡¯s alchemist flame is quite adept at refining ingredients, but I have never accounted for taste as a factor in the equation,¡± Lianhua issued a final warning. ¡°Sacrifices made in the pursuit of knowledge are only noble,¡± Xiao Feng sagely replied, perhaps inflating the importance of his own cause by a few degrees. A chuckle escaped Lianhua as she shook her head, before replying, ¡°Well, I did warn you. If you wish to see your precious, or¡­ well, at least pricey herbs charred, then I am happy to oblige. Who knows, it might end up being therapeutic.¡± Xiao Feng nodded, as he activated his essence cultivation art. It was hard to study the alchemist flame¡¯s effect while it was subject to the interactions between an already complex melange of ingredients, that too, behind the pill furnace¡¯s metal housing. Up close though, Xiao Feng could see for himself the direct effect it would have on a fairly valuable set of spiritual plants. He had only asked for a thimbleful of Lianhua¡¯s alchemist flame, but she chose a much more direct approach. It only allowed him a moment to study the flare of blue flames, as it engulfed the sheaf of Mystic Palms whole. Compared to the deep, concentrated Qi originally contained within the Mystic Palms, Xiao Feng noticed the difference almost immediately. There was a lightness to the Qi that remained, even if the Mystic Palms themselves had greatly shriveled under the properties of the alchemist¡¯s flames. A minute ticked away in silence as Xiao Feng tried to discern any further change, any property besides the lightness that remained after the alchemist¡¯s flames had cleansed the Mystic Palms of impurities. He found none. I guess, at the end of the day, the essence cultivation art¡¯s immense value is limited to cultivators beneath the Nascent Soul stage. Their divine sense can see what I see, can sense the flow of Qi like I do, Xiao Feng thought. However, merely seeing Qi is not enough. If her alchemist¡¯s flame imbues properties like toxin resistance or additional nutrients, I will not be able to discern it through my sight alone. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Lianhua asked, still gingerly cupping the shriveled leaves in her right palm. ¡°Oh¡­ yeah. Yeah, sorry,¡± He apologized, before hurriedly deactivating his essence cultivation art. It was only then that Xiao Feng noticed the actual state of the Mystic Palms. The polished bronze of the Mystic Palms had faded in favor of a dull brown, its original sheen lost along with the moisture in its veins. All ten of the Mystic curved upwards, along with the flow of the flame¡ª a fact that Xiao Feng noted with interest. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. A moment later, the powerful aroma hit him. The original Mystic Palm had been bitter, astringent and had a bit of a burn to it, but Lianhua¡¯s Alchemist Flame had to have elevated it to an entirely new level, because his eyes began to water merely by being in it¡¯s immediate proximity. ¡°Uh, is that even safe for consumption?¡± Xiao Feng asked as he blinked away the buildup of tears. ¡°As safe as it was originally,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°Though you might want to adjust your recipe. It¡¯s not going to be harmful to your body, because it is still a Mystic Palm at the end of the day. That doesn¡¯t mean that it can¡¯t reduce you to tears.¡± ¡°Duly noted,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone laden with amusement. ¡°Can I borrow a mortar and pestle? Oh and a glass vial,¡± He asked. ¡°You may,¡± Lianhua replied. A few moments later, Xiao Feng had acquired what he needed from Lianhua¡¯s personal collection. She watched with piqued curiosity as Xiao Feng ground the already brittle Mystic Palms with ease, stopping only a little before the precious spiritual plants were ground entirely to dust. The resultant flakes of Mystic Palms were carefully bottled up in a glass vial before Xiao Feng stopped it with gentle movements. Too much had gone into this little vial for even the slightest amount of ingredient to be lost. ¡°What do you plan on doing now?¡± Lianhua asked, long having sealed and safely stored the beast-bonding pill she had refined. ¡°Well, unless you¡¯re going to let me try refining a pill today¡­,¡± He trailed off, the question in his tone matched only by the want in it. ¡°No,¡± Lianhua curtly replied. ¡°Rushing into this will do you no good. Tomorrow, you will recite to me the steps involved in refining the beast-bonding pill, as I have taught you. Then, I shall demonstrate the techniques I have used while keeping the pill furnace open, so you can see for yourself its intricacies. Only after, once you can reproduce that Qi control before me, will you get to waste ingredients on refinement,¡± Lianhua bluntly laid out the curriculum she had planned out for him. ¡°Hey, do you have to put it like that?¡± Xiao Feng protested. ¡°Who knows, maybe I¡¯ll get it right the first try.¡± ¡°If you managed that, do you know what that would make you?¡± Lianhua asked. ¡°Nope,¡± He replied. ¡°A senior alchemist,¡± Lianhua replied with an amused chuckle. ¡°Even I required years before I tackled the beast-bonding pill. There is a method to it, a process that must be followed. In your case, we have no option to skip forward, but no matter how deeply you wish to win, I will not allow shortcuts. Winning will have no meaning if you destroy your own foundation in the process.¡± ¡°That is quite¡­ thoughtful of you. Thank you, Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone heartfelt. Lianhua blinked. ¡°Is that all you have to say?¡± She asked. ¡°Er.. yeah?¡± ¡°I had expected you to push back more,¡± She explained, her cheeks flushing lightly with the concession. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked, a bit perplexed. ¡°Is it not the martial way, to challenge the most daunting of odds yet come out victorious nonetheless? My father will never say it out loud, but he admires you, admires those like you. To brave heavenly tribulation without external assistance, without relying on powerful armor or valuable pills, is an act nigh unfathomable to me, to us.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Xiao Feng muttered under his breath, for that was definitely not the impression Grand Alchemist Xin Wu had left upon him. ¡°Well, I may be a martial cultivator, Lianhua. But I have also been on the battlefield and I know that bravado, false or true, makes me any more or less capable of dealing with an enemy¡¯s attack. You called me your disciple, so I will trust the judgment of my master.¡± Lianhua turned away from Xiao Feng, as a wildfire spread across her cheeks. ¡°Are you going to the alchemy vaults?¡± Lianhua asked, her voice small and her tone uncharacteristically weak. ¡°Should be. After I wash up,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Can I meet you there?¡± She asked. ¡°It has been a while since I have spoken to Alchemist Jun.¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone chipper. ¡°I can make the second iteration of my masala chai for both of you,¡± He added. ¡°That would be¡­ nice.¡± 52: Masala Chai, Second Iteration
Xiao Feng was surprised to find that he had arrived second to the Alchemy Vaults, as he stepped inside only to find a familiar green-robed figure conversing with Alchemist Jun. . ¡°¡ª he wanted me to use my father¡¯s alchemist flame to refine his chai. Can you believe it?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone sounding incredulous even as she narrated the sequence of events. To Xiao Feng¡¯s surprise, the normally reserved Alchemist Juni softly giggled at Lianhua¡¯s narration before demurely replying, ¡°That does sound like him.¡± Xiao Feng would¡¯ve traded all the refined tea leaves in his possession to hear more of that conversation, but unfortunately their conversation came to an end as both women turned their gazes to face him. ¡°Uh, hi?¡± He offered, as his own cheeks betrayed his cause. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here,¡± Lianhua acknowledged, her expression seeming amused, while Alchemist Jun suddenly found the ceiling of the reception area very interesting. ¡°Here to create my magnum opus,¡± Xiao Feng replied, any embarrassment forgotten in favor of the excitement that he was essentially vibrating with. ¡°Before that, me and Alchemist Jun have been talking¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, as her lips curled up into a mischievous smile. ¡°And?¡± Xiao Feng asked, arching an eyebrow at Lianhua¡¯s expression. ¡°We¡¯d like to ask you to train with us,¡± She explained. Xiao Feng blinked. ¡°Why?¡± He asked, having been caught completely off-guard. ¡°Are you not an exceptionally skilled martial cultivator?¡± Lianhua countered. ¡°Uh, well¨C yes, but¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, realizing that he had no valid reason to turn her down. She didn¡¯t know that he was in the process of reclaiming his skill in the martial way, after all and there was no possible way for him to explain that to her. ¡°I would like that,¡± Alchemist Jun spoke up, her nervous gaze meeting Xiao Feng¡¯s. Her ocean-blue hair was drawn into an elegant ponytail by a jade ringlet, her ordinary brown eyes shimming with an earnestness that he could not bring himself to deny. ¡°I guess it¡¯s fine. Though I won¡¯t be teaching you any martial techniques, that would be both disrespectful to your current instructor and possibly damage your foundation if you haphazardly jump into it,¡± Xiao Feng replied, offering the most comprehensive reasoning he could on the fly. ¡°That is acceptable,¡± Lianhua replied, visibly pleased by the response. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°But, there¡¯s no way that I¡¯m going anywhere before brewing a pot of masala chai first,¡± Xiao Feng reminded, as his gaze turned to Lianhua. ¡°Alchemist Jun was just telling me about how she¡¯s been helping you assess the taste of your chai blends,¡± Lianhua explained, her eyes narrowing as she met Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze. ¡°I suppose the opinion of two will hold more value than that of one?¡± She asked, before offering him a polite smile. ¡°Of course,¡± Xiao Feng beamed at her. ¡°Once I¡¯ve refined the formula enough, I plan to distribute free samples to all that are willing. Feedback is worth its weight in gold.¡± Lianhua blinked, not having expected such a¡­ unique response. ¡°Very well,¡± She replied. ¡°Alchemist Jun, could we get an Alchemy Vault?¡± She asked. Alchemist Jun nodded.
¡°You know,¡± Lianhua began as she watched as Xiao Feng brought spring water to a boil. ¡°I had only brought up training before Alchemist Jun as a jest. I did not expect her to agree, given how introverted she is, but I suppose she is rather fond of you,¡± She probed. Xiao Feng chucked, before he shook his head lightly, ¡°She is fond of masala chai. The first time I offered her a cup, she immediately asked for a second.¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Lianhua hummed in thought before continuing, ¡°Well the more I thought about it, the better of an idea it seemed. Your honed senses will take you far in the Dao of Alchemy and perhaps, if you were the one teaching me, I could glean some insight.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do,¡± Xiao Feng replied as he considered the ingredients arrayed before him. ¡°Are you really a martial cultivator?¡± Lianhua asked, in a tone that was thankfully more jesting than accusatory. ¡°Last I checked,¡± Xiao Feng replied, piqued at what had brought upon such a comment. ¡°My father told me that martial cultivators like to guard their techniques and combat styles far more fiercely than even an alchemist does his flame¡¯s recipe. Is that not true?¡± She asked. ¡°To know the ins and outs of a martial cultivator¡¯s techniques is to know how to defeat them. Such weakness is only granted to those they trust with their lives. However, that is no excuse to be unhelpful. I do not need to teach you the intricacies of my techniques to help you hone your senses,¡± Xiao Feng explained. ¡°I understand,¡± Lianhua replied, before she gave Xiao Feng a thoughtful look. ¡°Now, for the fun part,¡± Xiao Feng declared, as he reached for the jar that contained firedust diamonds. One and a half firedust diamonds tumbled into the boiling water. Lianhua watched with piqued interest as he continued adding spices to the mix, all besides the sweet Emberfruit Gems and the citrusy Pureflow Gel. ¡°Are you not going to add the sweetners?¡± Lianhua asked, as she stared at the melange of ingredients with mock trepidation. ¡°Nope, decided to tweak the recipe just a bit,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his lips curling up into a conspiratorial smile. ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± He said, as he pulled out the vial full of the bitter, astringent Mystic Palms that had been refined by Lianhua¡¯s alchemist flame and then crushed into small flecks. Lianhua raised an eyebrow as the vial was unstoppered, filling the small Alchemist Vault with an overpowering aroma. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes stung as he emptied about a fifth of the vial''s contents into the already spicy mixture, his expression carrying the zeal of an artisan in his zen. The faded silver of spices warred against the dark bronze hue of chai, their battle reaching no conclusive result as Xiao Feng kept using a ladle to stir the mixture. He poured a Ge of bi-horn milk, about a third of the milk contained in his glass bottle¡ª a quantity that was proportionally far less than what he had used in the original recipe. Then, before a victor could be announced, Xiao Feng dropped in three Emberfruit Gems and a large dollop of pureflow gel in quick succession. At that moment, he knew. Lianhua and Alchemist Jun were in for a treat. 53: Raw Genius 53: Alchemist Jun peered at the reddish-gold mixture Xiao Feng was straining before her with curiosity, noting the marked change in color from his last attempt at brewing masala chai. Lianhua watched as Xiao Feng poured the newly improved iteration of his masala chai into three earthen cups that he had brought along with him. Steam rose from the piping hot chai, causing Xiao Feng¡¯s lips to curl up in anticipation. Sure, Lianhua¡¯s Alchemist¡¯s Flame was not something he could borrow on a regular basis. Something told Xiao Feng that Grand Alchemist Xin Wu would not exactly be thrilled to come across the nature of his request, so it would probably be for the best if he didn¡¯t make it a regular occurrence. That said, it wasn¡¯t as if Lianhua¡¯s father had a monopoly on Alchemist Flames. There had to be other methods of acquiring one and of replenishing it, even if the nature of the flame would be nowhere near as unique or powerful as hers. On top of that, the Mystic Palms were not an ingredient that he intended to use in the mass-market recipe. No, the Moonlit Dew Plant was already quite effective at making Pudina Chai and he could always find another, far cheaper variant for Masala Chai. Finding an astringent and bitter leaf without the mintiness could only be so difficult. It all hinged upon the taste of the reddish-gold chai before him. Had he truly amplified the taste and obtained true tea leaves upon the continent of Tian, or had Lianhua¡¯s alchemist flame simply overpowered it to the point where it¡¯s original taste and flavor was completely lost? Xiao Feng had refused to taste test the Masala Chai, Second Iteration, for that very reason. ¡°Cheers!¡± Xiao Feng offered, as he raised his own cup of piping hot masala chai in the air. Alchemist Jun mimicked his motions, though she seemed too shy to say cheers before another spectator. Lianhua simply blinked in confusion. ¡°Uh¡­ what?¡± She asked. ¡°Oh right. I think I never told you,¡± Xiao Feng mused, before nodding in realization. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just a little toast we used to do in my village. It can be to a good meal, or to anything you want.¡± ¡°To your future store then,¡± Lianhua replied after some thought. ¡°Cheers!¡± Three cups of masala chai gently clinked together as Lianhua caught on to what Alchemist Jun and Xiao Feng were intending to do. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Xiao Feng took the first sip. His lips were pressed tightly the next moment, as a powerful punch of chai rocked his tastebuds. The heat of the masala hit in almost the exact same moment as he found himself confronted by the most concentrated dose of masala chai he had ever tasted across his two lifetimes. His eyes were on the verge of watering and just as Xiao Feng thought that he had made a mistake, sweet relief flooded his mouth. No, it had always been there, but his tastebuds had just taken a few moments longer to register the saccharine goodness. He allowed the piping hot melange to flow down his gullet and what had been heat turned to warmth. A warmth that spread from his stomach and began to suffuse what felt like his entire body. The juxtaposition that had been contained in the earthen cup was too much for Xiao Feng to resist, as concentrated mystic palm liberally reinforced with firedust diamonds was balanced against the delight that were emberfruit gems coupled with pureflow jam. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze flickered to Alchemist Jun as he reached for a second sip. He blinked upon noticing that Alchemist Jun had a tear rolling down her chin, but that didn¡¯t stop her from reaching for a second sip much like he had. In the span of a minute, the three cultivators had drained the Masala Chai, Second Iteration. Sweat glistened at their foreheads, their breathing reduced to light panting but none of it could stop the slight smiles tugging at the corners of their lips. ¡°What exactly¡­,¡± Alchemist Jun placed the now empty cup back on her table, trepidation flickering across her gaze before she turning to them and continued, ¡­was that?¡± Xiao Feng instinctively moved to offer an earnest answer, but then he decided to see how Lianhua was doing first. When their gaze met, Lianhua could no longer hold back a slight chuckle. With that, Xiao Feng¡¯s own composure completely cracked as he began to laugh. A second later, Lianhua joined in and even Alchemist Jun could not help but let a giggle escape, even if she did not understand what was so funny. ¡°That,¡± Xiao Feng began, as he finally managed to wrest control over his vocal cords from his own mirth. ¡°Is the result of a martial cultivator¡¯s raw genius meeting a talented alchemist¡¯s resources.¡± That got more than a giggle out of Alchemist Jun, before she asked, ¡°I thought Senior Alchemist Lianhua would¡¯ve turned you down when you made that absurd request,¡± She said, before turning towards the person in question. ¡°You actually agreed?¡± A heavy blush colored Lianhua¡¯s cheek as she was confronted by a fellow alchemist. ¡°My disciple wanted me to demonstrate my capabilities with my Alchemist¡¯s Flame, that is all,¡± Lianhua sheepishly replied, knowing that her words would not trick anyone. ¡°Also, hey, am I the talented alchemist in that example and you¡¯re the raw genius?¡± She asked Xiao Feng, navigating the conversation away from her liberal use of her Alchemist¡¯s Flame. ¡°Ahem, well,¡± Xiao Feng suddenly found the make of his earthen cup rather fascinating. ¡°Oh right, it¡¯s getting quite late. I¡¯ll go ahead and borrow a training room for all of us, while the both of you can meet me there when you¡¯re ready.¡± Lianhua rolled her eyes at Xiao Feng¡¯s melodramatic performance while Alchemist Jun had placed a hand upon her lips to keep her from laughing. ¡°No, we can just borrow training weapons and shields if we need any. It doesn¡¯t cost much to rent,¡± Lianhua replied, before taking the lead. ¡°Let¡¯s go. You¡¯re not getting out of this one, raw genius.¡± 54: Dancing Breeze 54: Xiao Feng was disappointed to find that Cultivator Lei Jiao, Elder Haoyun¡¯s inside man within the Alchemy Division, was nowhere to be found. Instead, Xiao Feng had found a bored alchemist designate who had barely spared him a glance until she saw Lianhua standing next to him. A training room was granted to them with little difficulty, as the alchemist designate in question stumbled over her words to comply with their request. Xiao Feng stood a little distance away from the wide, oblong chamber¡¯s side, watching as the two women that had accompanied him shifted into a combat stance. All three of them had taken standard length wooden swords from a basket that was kept outside their training room. Alchemist Jun had positioned her sword before her, her knees slightly bent to allow for movement, her grip tightly clenched onto the wooden hilt. On the other hand, Lianhua had an inscrutable expression on her visage, her stance similar to Alchemist Jun, but her sword was held to the side, gripped comfortably in hands. To the untrained eye, which his own would be if it were not for Xiao Feng¡¯s memories, Alchemist Jun¡¯s stance was the aggressive one while Lianhua¡¯s seemed more defensive. The truth was much the opposite. To raise a blade without intending to strike was a sign weakness. It was to expose yourself for a counter even before the battle had begun, but more importantly, it was a revelation of fear. Lianhua¡¯s stance was different. It spoke of a readiness, a willingness to burst into motion. To parry or to counter. To react to the situation as it came, instead of giving in to a very human desire to shield one¡¯s vitals. ¡°It is two against one then?¡± Xiao Feng asked, arching an eyebrow at the two women that had been more than ready to turn against him once they entered the chamber. ¡°Two alchemists against one veteran,¡± Lianhua corrected as Xiao Feng¡¯s stomach dropped. Some veteran he was. ¡°Fine. How do you want to do this?¡± Xiao Feng asked, even as worry coiled tighter in his gut. ¡°Are you testing me?¡± Lianhua queried, before her lips arched up into an intrigued smile. ¡°Very well, both me and Alchemist Jun are Wind Cultivators. We will use our wind Qi to empower our sword blows and nothing more. I will leave the duration of the duel to you.¡± Xiao Feng pursed his lips as he considered Lianhua¡¯s suggestion, before replying, ¡°Thirty minutes then. I will use the rest of the time to give you feedback.¡± Lianhua nodded and then turned to Alchemist Jun, ¡°Do you have any taels on you?¡± ¡°A few bronze ones, why?¡± Alchemist Jun nervously replied, as she clearly found herself outside her element. ¡°I just need one,¡± Lianhua said. Alchemist Jun didn¡¯t ask any further questions, as she fished her robe¡¯s inner lining to pull out a bronze tael and offer it to her. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Lianhua nodded in thanks, before turning to Xiao Feng and tossing the coin in the air. The intention behind the gesture was obvious. Come on, man, Xiao Feng directed his thoughts inwards as he traced the path of the rotating coin in the air. You know I¡¯m not ready for this. Either you help me or I get outed as an impersonator. Or worse, I offend the two people in this place that actually care about me, He implored. ¡°Child of Earth, do you expect me to fight your battles for you?¡± The answer came in his own voice, but it was different. The tone was sharper, but that was not all. There was a hint of weariness to it that made his heart ache, but it was not something he could delve on at the moment. No, but I do need guidance if I am to not get my derri¨¨re whooped by two alchemists, He countered. ¡°Then clear your mind of distractions, otherwise I will not be able to aid you,¡± The response came, as the weariness in the tone was substituted by just a flicker of amusement. He did as commanded, allowing his worries of being found out as an imposter fade away into the background along with the odd excitement he felt at being able to practice his swordsmanship with friends. Okay, done, Xiao Feng declared. ¡°Sense the Wind Qi in your Dantian as you have done before. Let it flow into your meridians.¡± Xiao Feng kept his eyes open as he directed his Wind Qi to flow forth. ¡°Not a trickle, yet not a flood. The destination is your sword, the vehicle, your arms. Do not miss the acupuncture points in your chest.¡± He focused, directing his Wind Qi to hit two acupuncture points on his way to the arms. His body knew what to do, his muscles remembered. Xiao Feng could feel it. ¡°Let it build in strength before splitting down two opposing pathways. Good, Now, allow the Wind Qi to be amplified by the acupuncture points in each of your arms.¡± Xiao Feng felt this hands tingle with power as amplified Wind Qi flowed outward, yet to have been given a shape by him. Without command, it simply began to seep into his blade, overcoming the resistance offered by the wood with some difficulty. ¡°You already know what I ask of you, but now you must understand. Wind Qi is no mere energy, Child of Earth. You can borrow techniques and experience from my memories, but I was not nearly powerful enough to trick the heavens. You cannot take my understanding of the Dao, no one but a god can.¡± What is the Dao? He could not help but ask. He knew the definition, but the meaning escaped him just like his predecessor said. ¡°That is a question for another day. For now, understand that there are many aspects to wind. The wind can cut. The wind can sunder. The wind can harm, it can kill. But that is not the wind you seek today. You seek a gentle wind. A cool breeze on a sweltering hot day. A wind that is incapable of causing harm, a wind that seeks not violence but still wishes to protect. You will not cleave, but you will not be sundered.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s features tightened with focus as he felt himself falling into a trance-like state. A memory bubbled up in his mind. A memory that belonged to him, not Xiao Feng. It was not a pleasant memory, it was one that he had long forgotten. A radio¡¯s garbled music was overshadowed by a war of words. He was too young to understand what they meant, but the venom and anger they were spoken with were something that children knew how to translate well. Two voices warred, their every word prickling at his heart. The voices belonged to the people that had brought him into the world. That world. It was before they had split, a time where they pretended that what had broken could be salvaged. The boy knew that if he spoke up, if he made his presence known, the war would turn into a ceasefire. But he was just a boy and he sought a cure for the unease plaguing his heart. So instead of intervening, he slipped outside the house after tugging open a sliding glass door and stepped into a small garden. A gentle breeze comforted his features as the glass door behind him was shut, sealing the voices within. It was a simple memory. An ordinary one. Yet, he could understand the underlying intent behind his predecessors words. Wind curled around Xiao Feng¡¯s blade, looping around it until it¡¯s blade was completely ensconced. Xiao Feng¡¯s lips curled up as the name of the art and form he was using came to his mind. Flowing Wind Art¡ª Fourth Form, Dancing Breeze. 55: Sparring 55: Lianhua was the first one to charge at him, her ponytail bobbing in the air as she closed the distance with quick but firm footsteps. Xiao Feng could hear the song of the wind as she willed her blade into an upward slash. Her Wind Qi empowered strike was nothing to sneeze at. While it would not draw blood if it connected, it would most definitely leave a bruise or two. Xiao Feng adjusted his grip over the blade¡¯s hilt to intercept Lianhua¡¯s strike. Their wooden blades made contact and Lianhua¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as her strike sloughed off Xiao Feng¡¯s blade. The force behind her own strike was absorbed and then her blade was pushed away from Xiao Feng¡¯s, sending her stumbling to his side as he took a step backwards. Lianhua chose to retreat, knowing that if it were a real battle, the opening she had given Xiao Feng was enough for her to end it. Alchemist Jun broke into what looked like more a run than a charge, her steps more hurried than quick as she thrust her blade forward in a telegraphed strike. Xiao Feng side-stepped the attack while tipping his blade forward. Alchemist Jun¡¯s blade approached his own, only for her to be sent stumbling past him. She managed to stop herself from falling and turned. Now, Xiao Feng was flanked by Alchemist Jun and Lianhua from opposite directions. ¡°We need to attack together,¡± Lianhua called out, not a hint of amusement audible in her tone. She was taking this seriously and from the looks of it, she did not want to lose. ¡°As long as we get a single hit in, it¡¯s our win.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Xiao Feng protested, not having heard anything about that. Alchemist Jun let a laugh escape her, before she added, ¡°That sounds fair to me, Senior Alchemist Lianhua.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lianhua asked, sending Xiao Feng a glare that could cut through iron. ¡°I am self-taught and Alchemist Jun¡¯s Qi capacity is probably a third of your own. Do you have any complaints?¡± She asked. ¡°Uhh, no,¡± Xiao Feng replied, trying hard to keep the confusion from her voice. As Grand Alchemist Xin Wu¡¯s daughter, she certainly had no lack of resources. And from Xiao Feng knew of the Martial Division, there would be dozens of cultivators willing to teach her if she so much as asked. A chance to build a relationship with an alchemist was way too valuable to pass up. So why had she not leaned on those resources. No further clarification came, as Lianhua and Alchemist Jun exchanged glances and nodded.. They charged forth in unison. Xiao Feng took two steps back in quick succession, slightly throwing off both cultivator¡¯s aim. It was Alchemist Jun¡¯s hurried charge that arrived first, this time going for an overhead slash that left her wide open. Fortunately for her, the Flowing Wind Art¡¯s fourth form was meant for defense and only defense. Xiao Feng shifted his blade to guard his head from the blow, watching as the Wind Qi empowered strike connected against the top of his blade. Alchemist Jun¡¯s blade slid down the coils of wind wrapping around his sword and then, as Xiao Feng pushed away, the coils of wind pushed away with him. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Alchemist Jun was once again sent stumbling past him, but this time Xiao Feng did not have nearly as much breathing room. Lianhua was on him within moments, shifting her strategy to a non-lethal attack as she angled her blade downwards, for his legs. He was side-stepping as he met it, his blow lacking any real force. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t worried though, as Lianhua¡¯s own momentum was turned against her as the coiling wind refuted her charge. She was sent skittering away past him, sliding to a stop opposite Alchemist Jun. The two alchemists were lightly panting at this point, not used to employing their Qi and strength in such a manner. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t even winded. Lianhua¡¯s eyes shone with defiance as she readied herself for another round. Alchemist Jun didn¡¯t seem nearly as enthused, but she too prepared herself. The female alchemists charged. Xiao Feng danced. To the untrained eye, he was merely following a sequence of moves as he took two steps back and then side-stepped. But there was more to his movements as he circled away from Alchemist Jun and Lianhua¡¯s repeated attacks. In his hands, was a dancing breeze that gently repelled any strikes that sought to harm him, much like the gentle breeze had repelled dark feelings that he did not even comprehend all those years ago. In his footsteps, there was also a dancing breeze as he flitted away from attacks without making any attempt to retaliate. It was not possible to stop the flow of a breeze dancing away from you, just as much as it was impossible to harm a breeze. The dancing breeze would simply flit past you, irrespective of your anger or hatred or defiance and Xiao Feng felt like he was embodying that essence as the two alchemists struck again and again, only to be gently buffeted away without harm by the fourth form of the Flowing Wind Art. He sensed the profundity in the movements as he became one with a dancing breeze, growing closer and closer to understanding what his predecessor had meant by the Dao. Then, Alchemist Jun and Lianhua stopped chasing after them before allowing themselves to fall on the padded ground, their swords slipping their grasps. Xiao Feng¡¯s focus shattered and the dancing breeze in his hands and legs left him. ¡°You¡¯re so mean,¡± Lianhua protested, her chest heaving as she greedily gasped for mouthfuls of air. Alchemist Jun seemed to have gotten the worst of it, her face a bright red from the exertion she had forced her body through in the last thirty or so minutes. She was only a Qi Condensation cultivator, even if she was near the peak of her stage. ¡°Hey, what can I say,¡± Xiao Feng replied, offering both the alchemists a smug grin. ¡°I like winning. Besides, if I actually lost to you both at the one thing I¡¯m good at, where would that leave me?¡± Alchemist Jun seemed too tired to spare the oxygen to laugh, so she offered him a smile instead. Lianhua just rolled her eyes. Before they continue with the banter, Xiao Feng froze as his own voice questioned him within the confines of his mind, ¡°What was that?¡± Uh¡­ pardon? ¡°What form did you just use?¡± His predecessor asked him, the usual gravitas in his tone nowhere to be found. Flowing Wind Art, Fourth Form? Xiao Feng replied, not seeing what the problem was. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not it¡¯s supposed to be¡ª no, that¡¯s not how I used it. You have my memories, look through them,¡± His predecessor directed him, his tone sounding shaken. Xiao Feng did as he was asked, reaching into the bank of memories with intent. He found himself on a battlefield. An acrid stench assailed his nostrils, the cacophony of clashing swords, burning flames, whooshing wind and shifting earth assailing his ears. There more voices, more scents, but Xiao Feng focused on the man before him, the mesh of meridians, acupuncture points and dantian that stood before him and his essence cultivation art. He noticed the deep, jagged scar running across the meridians in his enemy¡¯s arm and therein, Xiao Feng saw weakness. Even if the wound had healed, damage to the meridians was not so easily reversed. The enemy charged, his fire qi empowering his sword blazing to life. Xiao Feng willed for the Flowing Wind Art, Fourth Form¡ª Dancing Breeze to come to him and a whirlwind of Wind Qi coiled around his blade. Their blades connected, and Xiao Feng pressed the Whirlwind snaking around his blade hard, to the enemy¡¯s injured side. The flaming blade flew out of his enemies hands and Xiao Feng dispelled the Flowing Wind Art. Then, his blade snaked towards¡ª- The vision shattered as he pulled away from it. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes were wide in disbelief. ¡°Do you understand now?¡± His predecessor asked. ¡°That was not my Dancing Breeze. That was not my Dao. Somehow, it was your own.¡± I think I like mine better. 56: Intent 56: ¡°Is there a reason why you didn¡¯t have someone teach you how to fight?¡± Xiao Feng asked Lianhua as all three of them sat on the padded ground in a circle. Having caught her breath, Lianhua turned to face Xiao Feng and gave him a scrutinizing look. ¡°I am an alchemist. I did not think my request for tutelage would be considered with any real degree of importance,¡± She replied, as she drummed her fingers on the floor¡¯s padding. ¡°So you just¡­ decided to learn it yourself?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone betraying the incredulousness he felt. ¡°It is not like us alchemists are not as much a part of the Azure Lotus Sect as the Frontier Sect is. The manuals and arts you have access to can be acquired with a little effort,¡± Lianhua revealed. ¡°Still,¡± Xiao Feng began, not buying her reason. ¡°There¡¯s a difference between memorizing techniques from a book and using them in practice.¡± Atleast, that¡¯s what the memories I¡¯ve got, say. ¡°Well, I¡¯m training with you now, aren¡¯t I?¡± Lianhua countered, a trickle of annoyance flaring in her tone. Xiao Feng was being told to drop it and he was wisely going to comply. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng brought his fist to his mouth as he feigned a cough, ¡°Um, so I don¡¯t really have all that much in the way of critique for you. Your instincts are quite good actually. Fighting the very natural instinct to guard your vitals means that you have a decent understanding of combat¡ª when we fought, your strikes were far harder to read than Alchemist Jun¡¯s.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Lianhua replied, her expression distant as she seemed to think over things while Alchemist Jun slightly reddened at mention of her own performance. ¡°However, if you show me your Art, or better yet, employ an aspect of it in our next duel, I could offer you something much more concrete. Even if it is still just the Flowing Wind Art that you practice.¡± Lianhua met his gaze and then nodded, a flicker of determination visible in her eyes before she blinked. ¡°Alchemist Jun,¡± Xiao Feng addressed the alchemist, his tone softening to make sure he did not offend the introverted alchemist designate. ¡°Yes?¡± She asked, her lips pursed and her expression seeming almost guilty as she waited for his verdict. ¡°Can I assume that you do not train in the martial way frequently?¡± Xiao Feng asked. Alchemist Jun offered him a quick nod. ¡°Well, then you did quite well,¡± Xiao Feng cheerily replied. ¡°I¡ª I did?¡± Alchemist Jun blinked, before scouring Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze for any signs of deception. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Xiao Feng encouragingly nodded. ¡°There¡¯s much you can learn, of course, but the same is true for me. I am a teacher no more than I am a student. The biggest critique I can offer you though, is that your blade, in its current state, lacks intent.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Intent,¡± Alchemist Jun repeated the word, her tone thankfully curious instead of dismayed. ¡°Can you tell me more?¡± She asked, her brown eyes peering into his own in search of knowledge. Xiao Feng recalled Lianhua mentioning Alchemist Jun¡¯s interest in academic reading and research and it seemed like that thirst for knowledge did not necessarily stop at the Dao of Alchemy. ¡°When I was fighting Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng said, as he recalled snippets of the battle. ¡°She charged at me with desire to strike me. Even though she realized that the odds of her landing a blow on me were low, she took the initiative and probed my defenses in search of a weakness. The intent behind her blade was victory and her sword was a vehicle for that intent.¡± Alchemist Jun¡¯s brows furrowed in confusion, before she asked, ¡°I do not understand. My sword is a weapon and my Wind Qi is the fuel for a reaction. A reaction that will propel my blade at a speed and strength that surpasses what I am capable of. What role does any of our intentions play in a reaction no more than the sum of its parts?¡± Xiao Feng sagely nodded, if only because he was flabbergasted by Alchemist Jun¡¯s assessment. He thought of falling back upon the memories he had inherited, only to freeze as he realized that he already had the answer. The Dao. His intent had willed his Wind Qi, his interpretation far gentler than his predecessor, a man forged in the crucible of war, could never imagine. Xiao Feng was not sure if his version was stronger. But it felt right and it was¡­ more than that. The wind did not belong to him, it never would¡ª but that interpretation was his. He understood why Alchemist Jun was having trouble with grasping the concept of intent. If anything, her approach should¡¯ve mirrored his own, as it was a scientific one. She saw action and reaction, but the answer lay rooted in something greater, something far more profound. ¡°Think back to the duel,¡± Xiao Feng guided. ¡°What were your intentions when you fought me?¡± ¡°I¡­ suppose I wanted to learn,¡± Alchemist Jun sheepishly offered. ¡°Is that all?¡± Xiao Feng asked, encouraging her. ¡°Um,¡± Alchemist Jun considered it, then softly sighed. ¡°I wanted to learn but I also did not want to get hurt,¡± She said, as embarrassment leaked into her tone. ¡°Nothing wrong with that,¡± Xiao Feng cheerily replied. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get hurt either. Anyone who does is either a madman or a masochist.¡± Lianhua was the first to burst into chuckles, while Alchemist Jun just stared at him like he¡¯d grown a second head. ¡°The Martial Cultivators that I have received instruction from over the years would not have agreed with your assessment,¡± Alchemist Jun revealed, though her tone sounded pleasantly surprised. ¡°Well, good thing they¡¯re not here,¡± Xiao Feng shrugged. ¡°But the point I was trying to make was, during the fight you were trying to guard your vitals and attack me. Unfortunately, you are only one cultivator, like I am and cannot accomplish everything on your own. That is why your sword strikes were telegraphed and easily parried,¡± He explained. ¡°I think I understand,¡± Alchemist Jun nodded, her eyes gleaming with interest. Then, they fell, as she seemed to remember something, ¡°But I¡ª even if it¡¯s practice, I don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°You seem to misunderstand,¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s gentle words reassured. ¡°Your intent does not have to be landing a blow on me. It does not have to be rooted in offense.¡± Alchemist Jun gave him a disbelieving look, as she asked, ¡°Really?¡± He nodded before answering, ¡°If your intent is to protect yourself, then do it. But truly allow yourself to focus on your intent. Let your Wind Qi flow to deflect, not attack. Let your footwork become an ebbing wave, let every move you make be in furtherance of that intent. Feel your body and then suffuse it with your intent.¡± Alchemist Jun stiffened, as she studied Xiao Feng with wide eyes, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard martial cultivation being described in such a manner. I¡ª thank you. I would, erm, if it¡¯s okay with you, I would like to do this again sometime in the future.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t think Lianhua¡¯s going to let me go until she manages to land a rib-cracking blow on me.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t half-bad, Child of Earth. For someone stringing words together on the spot, your guidance is perhaps more suited than any I would offer to a non-combatant.¡± Huh. A praise. Didn¡¯t know you dealt in those. 57: Food for two 57: Xiao Feng allowed himself a contented sigh as he flopped backwards onto his cushy bed. He had accomplished more than he had set out to do. A second iteration of his Masala Chai had taken form and even though it was as far as one could get from a commercial product, its taste surpassed anything he could have even dreamed of back on earth. The forays he had made into understanding his own Dao seemed to be worth their weight in gold taels, if his predecessor¡¯s reaction was anything to go by. He still didn¡¯t understand what exactly it was that he¡¯d stumbled upon and trying to seek out an answer from inherited memories had only gotten him a garbled stream of memories that had elicited a physical response from him as his pulse thundered, a cold sweat beading his forehead as his muscles tightened. The telltale sign of adrenaline flowing through his bloodstream was clear enough, but Xiao Feng could not make heads or tails of whatever profound secrets those memories contained. His predecessor had told him as much, but the temptation to try had won over him. ¡°Oh, right,¡± Xiao Feng muttered as he batted away the sleep weighing on his eyelids. As accomplished as he felt for the day, there was one more task he had to knock off before he allowed himself a nap. The wardrobe door was pulled open to reveal a black egg that was resting upon a shelf¡¯s flat surface. Xiao Feng poured three Ge of Bi-horn milk upon it¡¯s surface, watching as it sizzled away, consumed by the egg to sustain itself. ¡°Am I being selfish?¡± Xiao Feng asked the egg, even though he knew that there was no way it could understand him. ¡°Lianhua has already refined one beast bonding pill. She could save you now, or at least give you the best shot we¡¯ve got at it.¡± Unsurprisingly, there was no response from the egg. The pulsing and dimming cycle was kept under check by feeding it bi-horn milk, though Xiao Feng could tell that its baseline shifted to a slightly faster tempo with every passing day. The difference wasn¡¯t too worrying, not just yet. The egg had survived this long on its own and now Xiao Feng was supplying it with Qi-rich milk on a daily basis. He was pretty sure that what his essence cultivation art saw as a pulsing and dimming cycle was the egg instinctively cycling Qi across its being in an attempt to repair the damage to its shell before repeating the process repeatedly. It clearly wasn¡¯t a matter of lacking Qi, because the egg refused to absorb bi-horn milk once its appetite was sated. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t sure if that was because it couldn¡¯t process Qi beyond a certain quantity, the Qi wasn¡¯t concentrated enough or because it was simply too damaged to heal itself. The quickening of the pulsing and dimming cycle when it didn¡¯t get sufficient Qi suggested that the egg was forced to work harder to preserve its integrity, perhaps from what reserves it built up from ambient Qi. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. If that was the case, the egg wanted to live. Xiao Feng just had to give it the right fuel to repair itself. ¡°Give me some time,¡± Xiao Feng offered. ¡°If it looks hopeless, I¡¯ll let Lianhua take care of you.¡± Not long after, Xiao Feng flopped onto his bed and this time, he let sleep claim a hold over him.
Xiao Feng greeted the next morning with a loud yawn, his arms splaying outwards as he tried to blink the sleep out of his eyes. He had been more tired than he¡¯d thought, considering that he slept straight through dinner only to wake up the next day. Which was odd, considering that he was a foundation establishment cultivator. Even when he was sleeping, his body had been trained to fall into a rhythm of absorbing ambient Qi, if only in miniscule quantities before his dantian circulated it across his body through a network of meridians. He shouldn¡¯t have felt that tired, not unless he exhausted the entirety of his Qi reserves. Xiao Feng hummed in thought. There was not much he had done differently yesterday compared to any other day, but there was something¡ª he hadn¡¯t just channeled his own Wind Qi, no, he had also channeled his Dao. If my own strength is physical and my ability to channel and shape the wind comes from Qi, then the Dao seems to be a metaphysical force that bridges the two, Xiao Feng thought. It¡¯s like that intent I was telling Alchemist Jun about, but there¡¯s more dimensions to it. I¡¯ll need to figure it out myself. Surprisingly, Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t opposed to the idea. Fighting wasn¡¯t exactly his forte, that was true. But there was something more to the Dao, a breadth that encompassed the use of the Wind as a weapon and transcended it. It had felt good to have truly commanded the wind to move in accordance with his will, to teach a wind that had never known anything but violence that it was capable of more. That it could protect as well as it could harm. He wanted to know more. But he had also woken up with an appetite and breakfast was being served in the mess hall. His hunger for scrumptious food temporarily overcame his thirst for knowledge, so off he was. Any thoughts of a light breakfast were forgotten after he reached the mess hall, his attention captivated by a tray full of herbal flatbread that was folded near the center, its inner fold filled with chunks of saucy beast meat. He considered limiting himself to two Duskcrest Pheasant Pockets before caving in and grabbing three. To his much expected annoyance, there was no chai station near the end of the buffet, only a single juice instead. Grumbling under his breath, Xiao Feng cast aside his dignity and reached for a glass cup, before pouring himself a full serving. The Fuschia Blossom infusion was fairly unappetizing with its pinkish-purple hue, but he steeled himself and took a sip for science. To his surprise, the liquid was nowhere near as overwhelming as he had expected it to be. The floral notes meshed well with a mellow sweetness as the liquid flowed down his gullet with a velvety finish. It would go well as an accompaniment to wash down the meat pockets, but that was all. There was no masala, no juxtaposition of sweet and spicy, no personality to it beyond the miniscule amount of unattuned Qi that it had contained. Sure, it had left him slightly refreshed, but even a rock could do that as long as it was steeped in enough Qi. Fifteen minutes later, Xiao Feng washed down the last of the tangy meat pockets with what Fuschia Blossom Infusion remained in his glass. Not long after, he left in search of Lianhua. It was time to refine pills. 58: Rushed Refining 58: ¡°Are you absolutely sure you want to rush into refining pills?¡± Lianhua asked him for the second time, a note of disapproval audible in her tone. ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Feng replied. Lianhua sighed. ¡°Even if I wanted to reprimand you, I can¡¯t. You remind me too much of myself,¡± She reluctantly admitted. Xiao Feng blinked, not having expected that particular admission. ¡°Did you rush into alchemy too?¡± He asked, his tone uncertain. It didn¡¯t make sense for Lianhua to be in a hurry to master the discipline her father held command over and it made even less sense for Grand Alchemist Xin Wu to allow such a thing. ¡°Obviously not,¡± Lianhua replied, her tone sounding affronted. ¡°I mean that I happen to be about as stubborn as you, once I¡¯ve decided on a course of action.¡± Realization spread across Xiao Feng¡¯s features before he voiced the conclusion he¡¯d come to, ¡°You¡¯re talking about your decision to learn martial cultivation on your own.¡± Lianhua nodded. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked, as he failed to keep his curiosity in check. ¡°I am an alchemist,¡± Lianhua replied, her tone distant. ¡°Back then, there were too many responsibilities tugging my father in different directions. He could not have afforded any more distractions and I knew that if I expressed a desire to train in the martial way, he would not only find me a suitable instructor but also take personal interest in my growth,¡± She explained, not a hint of regret to be found in her features. ¡°So you just, uh, decided to figure it out yourself?¡± Xiao Feng asked in a bemused tone. ¡°Yes,¡± Lianhua replied with a shrug. ¡°My objective was to learn how to defend myself, not fight on the frontlines. I have no such delusions of grandeur and I am content as an alchemist. Though I must admit, my curiosity stemmed from a much more selfish reason.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°I wanted to see if there were any aspects of martial cultivation that I could apply to alchemy,¡± Lianhua admitted. ¡°Did you find any?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°I guess we will find out,¡± Lianhua replied, offering him a sly smile. Xiao Feng had to fight to keep a blush from coloring his cheeks. I guess this means that the sparring sessions will continue, He thought, as an odd happiness suffused his chest, a warmth that was tinged with nervousness. ¡°I guess we will,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone eager. He had barely scratched the surface when it came to understanding his Dao and sparring was the only path he knew to it. ¡°You know,¡± Lianhua began. ¡°I was not asking you to reconsider your decision because it would waste resources. Wealth does not seem to be a problem for you and even if it was, once you became a full-fledged alchemist, the Azure Lotus Sect itself would become invested in your growth,¡± She revealed. ¡°No?¡± Xiao Feng repeated, his tone sounding puzzled. ¡°Then why?¡± ¡°Alchemy only gets more difficult with every succeeding designation. The pill formulae evolve in complexity and the ingredients become increasingly resistant to alteration. It is better to learn the proper way once instead of spending years later on, unlearning inefficiencies in your technique.¡± ¡°That¡¯s similar to martial cultivation,¡± Xiao Feng admitted. ¡°Though, even if it wasn¡¯t for Alchemist Zhi forcing my hand, I would still have asked you for this. I want to try and save the egg on my own,¡± Xiao Feng declared, his eyes meeting Lianhua¡¯s. Lianhua was the first to break eye-contact, a soft sigh escaping her lips before she replied, ¡°Very well. I shall guide you the best I can. Do not be frustrated by failure, because you will fail. Again and again until you either grasp the essence of the required technique or you run out of ingredients.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone carrying a steely determination. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Let us begin, then.¡±
Xiao Feng sized up his own pill furnace as if it were a great foe, his expression one of sharp focus as he turned one of its handles, causing its lid to slide open and reveal a metal plate. ¡°Remember, you are not to go beyond the first step today,¡± Lianhua reminded. Xiao Feng nodded as he shifted into position. His right hand wrapped around the amethyst dragonstone burner¡¯s knob, while his left reached for the one of two open glass vials that were slotted into a wooden stand. First, he poured the bone marrow of a stoneback ursine on the metal plate, watching the thick, silver liquid spread across its surface. Then, Xiao Feng slotted the now empty glass vial back into its stand, before reaching for a vial full of pinkish-red liquid. The blood extract of a lesser shadow wyrm spilled onto the metal plate before he put away another empty glass vial. The end result of the two ingredients colliding was a light orange paste. ¡°This mixture is lighter in hue compared to when you were refining the beast-bonding pill,¡± Xiao Feng observed. ¡°Does this imply that these two ingredients are of poorer quality?¡± He asked. ¡°Astute observation,¡± Lianhua praised. ¡°You¡¯re correct, but that is a good thing. The lower Qi density in the ingredients will make it easier for you to refine them.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Xiao Feng nodded at her, before turning his attention back to his pill furnace. Hesitating no longer, he turned the pill furnace¡¯s handle back into place and watched as the lid slid back into place, sealing its contents within. He waited a minute, using his essence cultivation art to watch the last of the mixture leave the metal plate and join the pool that had formed at the base of the cauldron. Then, Xiao Feng twisted the knob clockwise by half a rotation, causing a small hole to open up on its exterior. He let his Qi flow into it and observed as it flowed down a metal pipe that led straight to the heart of the amethyst dragonstone ore. Deep-Violet flames crackled to life and Xiao Feng winced, the heat from up close far surpassing his expectations. His essence cultivation art revealed all to him and he watched as the heat from the amethyst dragonstone¡¯s flames began to weaken the border between two liquids of different qi density. His expression firmed as he channeled his Wind Qi, letting it flow through meridians and crossing acupuncture points in his chest and left arm before manifesting outside his body, cloaking his left hand in a cushion of flowing wind. Xiao Feng kept his eyes open as he pressed his left hand against the pill furnace¡¯s red-hot surface. The boiling pain he had braced himself for never came. As hot as the metal was, Xiao Feng was a wind qi cultivator and his qi reserves far outpaced a regular alchemist. The unattuned Qi that he was giving an escape through his left arm, akin to an inexperienced cultivator who had yet to learn how to efficiently channel his wind qi, diffused outwards. Some of it was lost to the atmosphere, but the rest was directed into the pill furnace, either absorbed by the heated materials or the hot air that was trapped within it. He continued letting the unattuned Qi escape through his left hand, while he waited for the right moment. The abutting border between the two liquids began to blur as the rising heat unified them, causing lumps to form in the mixture. Xiao Feng readied the flowing WInd Qi that was cushioning his hand, before his gaze flickered towards Lianhua. The Senior Alchemist was ready to intervene, as her alchemist¡¯s flame danced in the palm of her hand. The moment he lost control, she would step in. If Xiao Feng¡¯s wind qi bit too deeply into the mixture, it would destabilize and result in a small explosion. If his wind qi¡¯s touch was too light, then the lumps would remain and it would cripple his chances of successfully refining the beast-bonding pill. Thankfully for him, he could see exactly what he needed to do. While Lianhua had blanketed the mixture with a whirlwind of Wind Qi that continuously shrunk in diameter to smoothen out the entire liquid and unify it as one, Xiao Feng only needed a small whirlwind of Qi that danced from one lump to the next with what should¡¯ve been impossible adroitness. Minutes ticked by and it was not Xiao Feng¡¯s Qi reserves that were drained, but his mental ones instead as he maintained his focus over the small whirlwind of Qi, quickly dealing with with the lumps that arose from the mixture until suddenly, none remained. ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± Xiao Feng declared. Lianhua blinked. ¡°So soon?¡± She asked, her tone not at all sounding convinced. ¡°Yeah,¡± He replied. ¡°Well then, cut off the Qi supply to the dragonstone burner,¡± Lianhua directed, though she hadn¡¯t let go of the alchemist¡¯s flame that was dancing in her right palm. ¡°Won¡¯t that ruin the process?¡± Xiao Feng asked. Lianhua shook her head before replying, ¡°I have ways to preserve it,¡± She said, pointing to a small glass jar that was placed to her side, full of powder blue pills. Xiao Feng nodded and did as he was asked. The amethyst dragonstone flame sputtered out and the pill furnace fell silent. Xiao Feng stepped aside as Lianhua seated herself where he had been. Twisting the handle to reveal the metal plate, she plucked one powder blue pill and slid it onto the plate before twisting it back. A sizzle sounded out from inside the pill furnace¡¯s interior. ¡°A frost heart pill,¡± Lianhua began. ¡°It reacts to heat that has passed the boiling point and is an excellent way to both stop volatile ingredients from reacting and preserving semi-refined mixtures.¡± Xiao Feng nodded in appreciation, not having known such a useful pill existed. After a minute had passed, Lianhua wrapped both her hands around the pill furnace¡¯s handle and lifted it¡¯s entire top before she put it to the side. All that remained was the cauldron and the mixture he had refined. ¡°Now, let us see how¡¯ve perfo¡ª,¡± Lianhua¡¯s words were cut off as she gazed at an inverted dome that was fully encased in a layer of frost. Her jaw quite literally dropped open as she noticed it¡¯s perfectly smooth surface, not even a hint of a lump to be found. 59: Bonded Beasts 59: Lianhua studied the refined mixture that was now encased in a layer of frost, disbelief etched across her features. ¡°How did you¡­,¡± She trailed off, taking a moment to school her expression. Shaking her head, Lianhua once again inspected the mixture, this time, allowing her palm to glide across its frozen surface. It was as smooth as a polished mirror, its surface unmarred by blemishes or lumps. ¡°Did you practice on your own?¡± Lianhua asked, an upward lilt to her tone revealing her brimming curiosity. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied. Lianhua cocked her head, as she studied Xiao Feng in a new light. ¡°Then how?¡± She asked. ¡°I had faith that you would not destabilize the mixture, but this is beyond my expectations. If you had left a lump or two, it could¡¯ve been attributed to luck. But this, it seems like something more,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°I let my Wind Qi flow across the insides of the pill furnace. It¡¯s very hard to get any meaningful feedback through solid metal, but when my Wind Qi made contact with the mixture, there were patches that felt off to me. So I just focused my efforts on those patches and ignored the rest of the mixture,¡± Xiao Feng explained, keeping his explanation limited to the truth, even if it was not the entire truth. ¡°Just how high is your Qi sensitivity?¡± Lianhua asked, sounding a little dazed. ¡°Uhh, a little higher than average?¡± Xiao Feng sheepishly offered. Lianhua snorted, before she gave him a pointed look. ¡°Look, it¡¯s not like we had Qi sensitivity contests in the martial division,¡± Xiao Feng protested. ¡°If mine happens to be higher than the norm, then it is probably because the kind of dangers I¡¯ve been trained to sense keeps me on my toes.¡± Lianhua shook her head, before replying, ¡°If that really were the case, then the alchemy division would not exist. If anything, the nature of the threats you have honed your senses towards detecting, greatly exceed the amount of Qi that can be contained in a pill furnace. Correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but detecting a threat is only one half of the task. Whether you survive or not depends upon your reaction.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Xiao Feng conceded. ¡°If every martial cultivator also happened to be a talented alchemist, your training would look a lot different. Though, I don¡¯t really think I can offer a better reason right now.¡± Xiao Feng knew that the knowledge he possessed, the existence of the Essence Cultivation Art, was a danger to both himself and Lianhua. Even so, he really did not want to lie to her. Lianhua had shown him kindness when none was due and she had started to matter to him in a way his predecessor had never gotten to understand. So, he had compromised. He couldn¡¯t offer a better reason in the present, not just yet. The risk outweighed the reward. But that would change. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. He would make sure of it. ¡°That is fair, I suppose,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°Very well, let class conclude for today.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng protested. ¡°We were just getting to the fun part.¡± ¡°Your Qi reserves might not have been affected,¡± Lianhua said, before she reached out with her index finger and gently tapped twice on his forehead. ¡°But your concentration is far from a finite resource. It is best to let it rest and absorb what we have accomplished today.¡± Xiao Feng found himself considering Lianhua¡¯s words and it did not take him long to conclude that she was right. Physically his Qi reserves were near untouched, but that did not stop the mental weariness from setting in. He could push through it, blow back the haziness fogging his mind temporarily, but what good would that do him when his aim was to learn. ¡°Fine,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a falling lilt, his tone mollified. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look so glum,¡± Lianhua chided. ¡°Just because you¡¯re done with alchemy for the day doesn¡¯t mean that you¡¯re done learning.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Come on. You want to tame a spiritual beast egg, right?¡± Xiao Feng nodded. ¡°Then there¡¯s no place better to learn more about them than the menagerie,¡± Lianhua explained, a twinkle in her gaze.
For all intents and purposes, Xiao Feng knew that he had stepped into a different world, one separated by unknown leagues of time and space from his old one. Yet that realization hadn¡¯t truly sunk in until he took his first steps into the menagerie. Where he had expected stone tiling or wooden flooring, Xiao Feng¡¯s sandals landed on soft grass that stretched on to cover the entire cavern, if it could even be called as such. Gentle light drizzled down on them from the ceiling, its source coming in the form of countless crystals that had been embedded into the stone, likely by an Earth Cultivator. But it was not the scenery that surprised Xiao Feng, even though it was a fresh breath of air to see trees within the confines of the cave structure that the alchemists resided in. No, that honor was reserved for the dozen spiritual beasts that his senses had picked up on, his right hand instinctively finding itself wrapped around his Foundation Establishment Artefact, Windcarver. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze flickered from one spiritual beast to the next as he sized them up. There were five four-legged bovine beasts that belonged to the same species, the massive eight-foot-tall creatures laden with fatty tissue that caused their bellies to droop. Xiao Feng watched as one of the bovine beasts craned its short neck to take a bite out of a tree branch, a muted snap sounding out as it began chewing on both leaves and wood. If it were not for the two curved horns jutting out from their head, Xiao Feng would¡¯ve never associated the beast¡¯s jade green eyes, vibrant yellow fur speckled with spots of white and most of all, it¡¯s titanic build with the heavenly beast that had provided him with the creamy goodness that was bi-horn milk. His attention shifted to a gray worm that was coiled around a tree like a giant snake, it¡¯s many legs the reason for Xiao Feng¡¯s distinction. Its mandibles were bobbing up and down in a human-like chewing motion. The fact that the worm was allowed in the open before a bunch of alchemists meant that it couldn¡¯t be too dangerous, but that didn¡¯t stop Xiao Feng from shuddering before he turned his attention away. Towards the leporine beasts that zipped from one tree to the next, their silver fur shimmering under the light of the menagerie. Xiao Feng watched as one of the leporine beast¡¯s long ears whipped backwards as it bounced off the trunk of a tree and zipped towards the next one effortlessly, the ruby red gemstone in its forehead glinting as it did so. Xiao Feng counted three of the speedy menaces, before his gaze turned skywards, towards the two raven-feathered birds that flew in a tight circle, as if they were biding their time for the right moment to dive-bomb him with their sharp talons. But the one beast that gave him the most pause was the one that lay prone before the entrance to a lodge, the sleek black furred feline lazily meeting his own gaze with a single open eye, as if his presence was not worth anything more. And within that gaze was a warning¡ª that was what his instincts as a martial cultivator told him. The only door to the lodge swung inwards. ¡°Easy there! The beasts are bonded to me.¡± 60: Beast Master Zen 60: Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze focused on the tall man that stepped outside the lodge, as his grip on the hilt of his blade went slack. He studied the middle-aged bald man that was clad in gray robes, his impressive musculature apparent through the fabric. In his right hand was a thick wooden staff that seemed to have been sculpted out of a particularly dense, deep-brown tree, his expression amused as his lips parted in favor of a grin. ¡°It seems that you have already introduced yourself to Liulian,¡± The bald man noted in a cheery tone that seemed boisterous due to his particularly deep voice, before walking over to the panther-like feline who broke out into a yawn, revealing two wickedly sharp canines that seemed to be more crystal than bone, amongst a set of far more normal incisors. He sat down on the porch of the lodge, before he affectionately began to pat the vicious beast. Xiao Feng blinked as the feline melted under the bald man¡¯s touch, resting its head on his lap before shutting its eyes. Generally, green robes belong to the Alchemists and white robes belong to Martial Division cultivators. What do gray robes mean, then, Xiao Feng wondered as he studied the bald man as he petted the deadly spiritual beast. The obvious answer was staring at him, but assumptions could be deadly in the cultivation world. ¡°Beast Master Zen,¡± Lianhua greeted. ¡°I was not aware that you were back.¡± Occam¡¯s razor, Xiao Feng thought, amused by the discovery. Works even in the realm of Sephari, I guess. ¡°Few need be concerned by my coming and going,¡± Zen affably replied, his attention mostly reserved for the feline in his lap. ¡°So, how have you been, Little Li. And is that company I see?¡± ¡°I told you not to call me that,¡± Lianhua protested, even as her cheeks flushed a little. ¡°Oh?¡± Zen questioned, as he cocked his head in their direction while massaging his chin. ¡°This old man must have forgotten.¡± Lianhua rolled her eyes, not impressed by Beast Master Zen¡¯s antics. Little Li? Xiao Feng thought. That¡¯s a casual way to address a Senior Alchemist. Is he a family friend or are Beast Masters ranked higher in the social hierarchy? He wondered. Come to think of it, he couldn¡¯t detect any Qi from the man. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Beast Master Zen did not exude the demeanor of one trained in the martial way. His gaze was too soft, lacking the vigilance that had been honed across countless life and death battles and his staff was not a weapon intended to kill, no¡ª it was only a tool designed to protect oneself from harm. More than that, though, there was vast compassion in his gaze as he ran his hand across the soft, silky fur of the panther-like feline. The kind of compassion that could not be feigned. It was far too unlikely for such a peaceful man to have carved his way towards the bloody path to ascension to Nascent Soul. Xiao Feng would not dare use his essence cultivator art on one who had reached that fabled stage, but Core Formation stage cultivators were a different matter. He activated it and found his suspicions proven true. Beast Master Zen¡¯s vast Qi reserves were perfectly contained in a small, palm sized sphere that rested where his Dantian would normally have been. He should¡¯ve been a weak Core Formation Cultivator, but Xiao Feng had to stop his eyes from widening in surprise as he found that to not be the case at all. The Qi reserves in Beast Master Zen¡¯s reserves surpassed his own reserves tenfold. While it was not the pinnacle of the stage, it still meant that Beast Master Zen¡¯s position was firmly rooted amongst the strong. How? ¡°I can stop visiting, you know?¡± Lianhua rhetorically said. ¡°If you insist on treating me like a child.¡± ¡°But you are a child, Little Li. I was at your father¡¯s side not long after you came into this world,¡± Zen chided, seeming to relish at the opportunity to remind Lianhua of their history. An exasperated sigh escaped Lianhua¡¯s lips, but she did not truly seem like she took offense to his words. ¡°Well?¡± Zen asked. ¡°Are you going to introduce me to this young martial cultivator or am I going to have to ask him myself?¡± Xiao Feng blinked. Then he asked, ¡°You can tell?¡± He had switched to wearing the standard issue green robes that recruits and alchemists alike wore, even if his lacked a patch that signified his status within the Alchemy Division. Well he didn¡¯t have one and the robes let him blend in the best someone like him could. ¡°You were looking for an excuse to bisect my poor Liulian in half,¡± Beast Master Zen retorted with annoyed huff. ¡°Not that you would have succeeded, mind you, but do me the courtesy of not acting surprised when you wear your heart on your sleeve.¡± This time, it was Xiao Feng¡¯s turn to be mortified, as he sheepishly ran his hand across his hair. ¡°This is Xiao Feng,¡± Lianhua intervened, saving him anymore embarrassment. ¡°Xiao Feng, this is Beast Master Zen. He is in charge of the menagerie, though it is usually one of his disciples that are taking care of it while he roams the land in search of more beast eggs to poach.¡± ¡°I do no such thing,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°I rehouse beasts to much friendlier homes. I would never consider a barbaric act like poaching.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Lianhua replied in a deadpan voice. ¡°Nevermind that, who is this Xiao Feng to you, Little Li?¡± Zen asked. ¡°He is my disciple,¡± Lianhua replied with conviction. ¡°For now,¡± She hurriedly added as the moment passed. Beast Master Zen froze. Then he blinked and studied Lianhua, before shifting his intense gaze to Xiao Feng and then back to Lianhua. ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± He tried. Lianhua calmly met his gaze. ¡°Huh,¡± Beast Master Zen finally seemed to accept it, as he slowly started nodding. ¡°I had thought you a late bloomer, but it appears I was wrong.¡± Lianhua¡¯s cheeks began to brighten. 61: Little Li 61: ¡°He recently transferred over from the Martial Division,¡± A flustered Lianhua replied, doing her utmost to revert to a formal tone as she explained his circumstances. ¡°It would be remiss of my duties as a Senior Alchemist if I did not assist him in catching up to his fellow recruits.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it would have been,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, his tone laden with amusement. ¡°No it¡¯s¡ª,¡± Lianhua paused, letting an exasperated sigh escape her lips. ¡°He¡¯s a war hero, Uncle Zen. It would show poorly on the Alchemy Division if we did not give his needs appropriate consideration.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Beast Master Zen muttered, his gaze shifting from Lianhua to Xiao Feng as the powerful core formation cultivator studied him with new-found interest. ¡°What¡¯s a war veteran doing amongst feeble alchemists?¡± He asked. ¡°I have left that life behind,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone calm and measured. ¡°I wish to become an alchemist now.¡± ¡°Huh. That is courageous of you,¡± Beast Master Zen sagely nodded, as his inquisitive gaze searched for truth within his own. Then, his gaze turned back to Lianhua and he said, ¡°Good choice.¡± Lianhua froze for an entire moment, clearly not having expected that particular verbal riposte before she bit her lip to bring herself back into the moment. ¡°I am not sure what you mean by that, Uncle Zen,¡± She hurriedly replied, almost stumbling upon her words. ¡°But please, just help us with what we came here for,¡± She pleaded, her traitorous cheeks doing little to aid her claims. ¡°You called me uncle, Little Li. How can I possibly refuse?¡± Beast Master Zen rhetorically asked. ¡°Tell me, what can I do for you?¡± ¡°Xiao Feng wishes to learn more about beast taming,¡± Lianhua explained. ¡°Newly hatched beasts specifically.¡± ¡°Does he have a beast egg in his possession?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, before studying Xiao Feng with a scrutinizing gaze. ¡°No,¡± Lianhua replied without skipping a beat, lying for him. ¡°But he is confident in acquiring one.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded along in understanding. ¡°That sounds like a martial cultivator.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s expression went stiff. ¡°Can you help him?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone expectant. ¡°Of course, Little Li. I¡¯ll teach him the basics, though he¡¯ll have to give me a few hours of his time,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, the warm smile never leaving his features. ¡°That won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Xiao Feng confirmed, perhaps a bit too eagerly. Lianhua nodded in satisfaction, her features easing. If she wanted to hide the importance she placed on the task, she wasn¡¯t doing a very convincing job of it. ¡°I¡¯ll see you both later then,¡± Lianhua appreciatively nodded to Beast Master Zen. Not long after, she left the menagerie. The friendly smile on Beast Master Zen¡¯s visage faded as soon as Lianhua stepped out of view. Without any prompting, Liulian, the panther-like spiritual beast who was napping in his lap, got back up on all fours and let out a silent yawn before stalking away from them. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Beast Master Zen stood, gesturing with his staff, presumably signaling for him to follow. Xiao Feng did as he was commanded, even if he was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor. They walked towards the periphery of the menagerie, before turning away and walking along it¡¯s border, occasionally stepping away from trees in their path. ¡°So,¡± Beast Master Zen finally spoke, his tone deliberate and measured. ¡°Why are you really here?¡± He asked, putting emphasis on the last two words. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze turned towards the man, observing him as he walked with both his hands clasped behind his back, before he replied, ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°So you wish to play it that way. I see,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded. ¡°Tell me then, what does an insignificant foundation establishment cultivator have to do to be called a war hero?¡± ¡°I was merely doing my duty,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°In the heat of battle, I went against a cultivator stronger than myself and won when I was not expected to. The felled enemy ended up being related to a Nascent Soul cultivator who lost himself in his rage and allowed Elder Zheng the opening he needed.¡± ¡°This was the battle for the Zheyan Pass then?¡± Beast Master Zen asked. Xiao Feng nodded. ¡°I see. Do forgive this old man for his ignorance, I no longer have the heart to keep up with the particulars of skirmishes and battles,¡± Beast Master Zen explained, though his tone did not seem very apologetic. Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t quite sure where the Beast Master was going with his line of questioning, so he simply replied with a noncommittal, ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Beast Master Zen asked. ¡°Does it not frustrate you? Surely you realize that I am much more powerful than you, yet I stood aside and watched from afar as the martial division defended the lands I blithely wander in,¡± He goaded. ¡°You are not a fighter,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone level. ¡°Even if you were, why would I hold it against you? I signed up for the battle and I fought in it out of my own volition.¡± ¡°Then,¡± Beast Master Zen countered, ¡°There is no reason for you to be here. For your accomplishments in battle, the Martial Division would have invested heavily in you¡ª pills, artifacts and cultivation techniques that you could¡¯ve only dreamt of earlier would¡¯ve been yours. The glory you risked your life for was already yours and from what you have told me, a Nascent Soul is your debt. Do you really expect me to believe that you are willing to leave the heady rush of ascension through battle for, what, refining pills and raising beasts?¡± A few moments passed by them, as Xiao Feng took the time to consider his perspective. ¡°You may choose to believe what you like,¡± He replied, not expecting to convince the Beast Master. ¡°I barely survived the battle for the Zheyan Pass. The opening I spoke of earlier was a Nascent Soul Cultivator¡¯s attack that was aimed at me. I should¡¯ve died, yet I live. I left my thirst for vengeance back on the battlefield, it defines me no longer. That is all I can offer you.¡± Beast Master Zen seemed to be taken aback by the revelation, as astonishment flitted across his features before he regained composure. They continued walking at a leisurely pace, neither having expected the conversation to take such a direction. ¡°I am a selfish man, Xiao Feng,¡± Beast Master Zen admitted. ¡°I care about my beasts, to whom I am bonded. I care about the people dearest to me. I work for the Azure Lotus Sect, so I am freely allowed to explore these lands. You may disagree with my way of life, but it is the one I have chosen in this world gone mad,¡± He paused, his tone heavy. ¡°I ultimately do not care what your designs are, as long as you do not hurt what is precious to me. Perhaps you are speaking the truth. Mayhaps you are blatantly lying to me. I do not care as long as you do not hurt Lianhua. Promise me that and I shall not stand in your way.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s footsteps came to a stop just as Beast Master Zen¡¯s did and he looked the older man in the eye, before saying, ¡°She has shown me kindness when I was owed none. A home after I lost what I thought was mine. I will not hurt her, Beast Master Zen. I promise you this, on my Dao.¡± Beast Master Zen blinked, genuine surprise spreading like a wildfire across his features. ¡°I did not expect a Dao Oath,¡± Beast Master Zen admitted, clearly having been caught off guard. Then, he warmly patted Xiao Feng on the shoulder twice, before saying, ¡°Come, come. Little Li asked me to teach you, I cannot possibly let her down.¡± 62: Beast Tiers 62: ¡°Is it really okay?¡± Xiao Feng asked for the second time, as his tone betrayed his hesitation. ¡°What are you so afraid of?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his tone perplexed. ¡°Liulian is a powerful foundation establishment beast, yes. But she is bonded to me. You won¡¯t be attacked unless you try and do me harm or I command her to.¡± ¡°I understand that but¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, not wanting to offend the Beast Master but not quite sure how to convey his worried without doing so either. ¡°She is still a wild spiritual beast, right?¡± He asked, trying to keep his implication as subtle as he could manage. Beast Master Zen blinked, before he started looking Xiao Feng up and down as if he had come across a particularly rare breed of spiritual beast. ¡°You really don¡¯t know anything about beast taming, do you?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his tone almost sounding awed. ¡°Well,¡± Xiao Feng said, stretching the vowel out for dramatic effect. ¡°I know that once you bond a beast they¡¯re not going to attack you. But, I¡¯m not the one that¡¯s bonded to Liulian,¡± He tried to defend his reputation, but from the increasingly puzzled look Beast Master Zen was giving him, it was clear that he wasn¡¯t succeeding. Beast Master Zen signed, before reaching for his right hand and firmly clasping it. Xiao Feng didn¡¯t resist as his hand was pressed against Liulian¡¯s fur, before Beast Master Zen pulled away. The sleek, glossy fur was far softer that Xiao Feng would¡¯ve expected from just looking at it and once he realized that Liulian wasn¡¯t biting at him for his transgressions, he couldn¡¯t help but let his hand glide down from it¡¯s neck to the curve of it¡¯s back. The panther-like spiritual beast only slightly arched in response, contentedly leaning into the touch. Xiao Feng struggled to keep the surprise from his eyes. Even to his predecessor, spiritual beasts had always been deadly creatures, whether he encountered them in the thick of a forest or on the battlefield, under the command of the demonic cultivators that had undoubtedly used vile and taboo methods to subdue them. Xiao Feng¡¯s own logic from earth reinforced that notion. Wild animals could never truly be domesticated, for there was no knowing when their primal instincts would overcome the perceived bond that had been formed. ¡°The Martial Division must have given you quite the rounded education, eh?¡± Beast Master Zen rhetorically asked. ¡°Does Liulian look like she¡¯s about to pounce on you?¡± ¡°No,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he continued stroking the majestic spiritual beast¡¯s back, unable to conceal the amazement that was written all over his expression. A content half-smile had curled up on the panther-like spiritual beast¡¯s features, one that seemed almost human. ¡°Liulian was a year old when I found her,¡± Beast Master Zen revealed. ¡°Umbral fangs are gifted spiritual beasts that have a high affinity for darkness Qi since birth. How familiar are you with a spiritual beast¡¯s cultivation?¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°I know that they start from the Qi gathering stage, but their heritage often decides the extent and limitations of their growth,¡± Xiao Feng replied, parroting what he recalled from his predecessor¡¯s memories. ¡°Correct, but that is a very rudimentary understanding,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°Spiritual beasts have a beast core from the moment they are born. It is their organ for cultivation, like we have our dantian. However, a spiritual beast is very different from a human. They are naturally endowed and most are superior to us humans in strength, speed and reflexes. On top of that, their beast core makes them far more sensitive to Qi compared to humans, allowing them to subconsciously draw in ambient Qi from even the most barren of regions.¡± Xiao Feng scoured his predecessor¡¯s memories for an answer, only to find detailed knowledge pertaining to the behavior, attack patterns and estimated strength of specific spiritual beasts that he would be most likely to encounter on the battlefield instead of an overarching framework of knowledge. It was getting increasingly clear that his training and education had been granted to him with the explicit purpose of honing him to become a weapon to be used against the demonic path cultivators, with no real regard for his own growth as an individual or cultivator. ¡°If that is the case, why are spiritual beasts not a much greater threat to us?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone piqued with curiosity. It did not make any sense for spiritual beasts to have so many physical and spiritual advantages, especially since Beast Master Zen had made it sound like cultivating was synonymous with breathing for Spiritual Beasts. ¡°That is where your earlier statement comes into play,¡± Beast Master Zen revealed. ¡°You said that a beast¡¯s heritage decides the extent and limitations of their growth. This is true and that is precisely why we have tiers to gauge a spiritual beast¡¯s potential.¡± Tiers, Xiao Feng thought, the word causing a resonance with his predecessor¡¯s memories. There was something there, but it was blurry. He nodded, signaling for Beast Master Zen to continue. ¡°It is an imperfect scale, but nonetheless, a useful one. I mentioned earlier that a beast core is akin to a dantian. I meant that quite literally, because when a spiritual beast ascends to the next stage, there is no foundation establishment. The beast core simply evolves after being bathed in heavenly thunder. This continues until the nascent soul stage, after which the differences between human and beast cultivators rapidly decline,¡± Beast Master Zen explained. ¡°Does that mean that a Nascent Soul beast will gain sapience?¡± Xiao Feng blurted out, unable to conceal the twinge of excitement in his tone. Beast Master Zen blinked twice while considering the question. Then he chuckled, his laugh heavy with amusement. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± He replied. ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to ask a Nascent Soul Beast yourself, never met one.¡± Xiao Feng felt his cheeks sting. ¡°But I do think you are underestimating my Liulian. True beast taming involves a bonding of souls, an intermingling of thought and desire. I cannot read all her thoughts, but what she allows me to peer into is more complex than you¡¯d imagine.¡± ¡°How does that work?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Patience,¡± Beast Tamer Zen chided.¡±That is for later on in the lesson. Now, where was I?¡± ¡°Tiers,¡± Xiao Feng answered. ¡°Ah yes. Numbered one through four, there are four tiers that I personally know of. My Liulian is a tier 3 spiritual beast, which means that the highest cultivator stage her species has been recorded to have reached, is our equivalent of the Core Formation stage. None of her kind, that we know of, has reached the Nascent Soul Stage,¡± Beast Tamer Zen revealed, his tone heavy. ¡°Not one?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°The heavens are never fair, but they are just. Before the scales that is the heavenly tribulation, all of us are weighted equally. In exchange for the natural advantages granted to spiritual beasts, their tribulation far exceeds human ones in intensity, to the point where it¡¯s hard to even draw a comparison between the two.¡± 63: True Bond 63: ¡°Is the difference truly so vast?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone incredulous. His predecessor had known that Nascent Soul beasts were rare, but he had never delved deeply into the matter. Dealing with such threats would have fallen beyond his purview on the battlefield, after all. ¡°The swiftness you need to burn Qi for comes to my Liulian naturally. As an umbral fang, each member of her species possesses a natural affinity of darkness Qi and the knowledge needed to cultivate it comes to her instinctively,¡± Beast Master Zen paused, giving Xiao Feng some breathing room to absorb his words. ¡°With every breath, her beast core draws unattuned Qi from the environment. A part of it is distributed along her meridians, strengthening her bones, making her blood more resistant to infection, disease and weaker poisons and improving her already keen eyesight while the rest is used to maintain her Qi reserves,¡± He continued, his tone failing to sound objective as more than a hint of pride leaked into his tone. ¡°Don¡¯t human cultivators have arts and techniques they can use to bridge the gap?¡± Xiao Feng offered, trying to counter the assertion that had been laid out before him. ¡°What is a technique?¡± Beast Master Zen rhetorically asked. ¡°A way to cultivate your Qi with higher efficiency than the norm. What about an art?¡± He continued, his tone sounding dismissive. ¡°No more than a method of channeling the Qi you have cultivated down pathways that are most suited for combat.¡± Xiao Feng did not interject, for the definitions Beast Master Zen had offered him were accurate. ¡°Both of those things come to a spiritual beast naturally. A few may choose to improve upon those techniques, but such cases are rare beneath the Nascent Soul stage with an exception. Can you guess what that is?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, a twinkle in his gaze that hinted at the answer. ¡°Bonded beasts,¡± Xiao Feng blurted out, catching on to the hint. ¡°Correct,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°Though even then, it is not exactly a common phenomenon. Tell me, why do you wish to learn how to tame beasts? Do you have a beast egg in your possession or a way to obtain one?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his tone curious. ¡°Is obtaining an egg the only way?¡± Xiao Feng asked, not letting any of the hesitation he felt leak into his tone. ¡°Seldom is there only one path in Sephari,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°I could tame a recently hatched beast, but beyond that it is a lost cause. The same wild instincts that grant them such power will not allow them to submit to another beast, let alone a human. The historical records I have studied have recorded such attempts and they have been ugly,¡± He admitted, his tone somber. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°How so?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°It is possible to defeat a spiritual beast. It is also possible to break them. Many have tried, but the results have always disappointed them. Shattering a spiritual beasts will is to shatter their instincts. They become inert shadows of their former selves, incapable of following commands. And if their will is not truly broken, then they will either strike back against their masters or seek freedom by escaping,¡± Beast Master Zen explained. ¡°Does that make a spiritual beast egg very valuable?¡± Xiao Feng asked, seeing no reason to dance around the topic given how close Beast Master Zen was to Lianhua. ¡°Not exactly,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°What I told you is true for most spiritual beasts, not all of them. Tier 1 Spiritual Beasts in particular, are the most likely ones to feed on spiritual plants and lack most of the instincts of higher tiered beasts. While finding them in the wild unharmed is not easy, once they have been domesticated, their eggs are not particularly hard to obtain.¡± ¡°The Bi-horns?¡± Xiao Feng guessed. ¡°Indeed,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°Feeding them good quality spiritual herbs yields purer bi-horn milk, which I believe is an auxiliary ingredient in a few popular pill recipes.¡± ¡°What about the higher tier eggs?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Tier 2 beast eggs are still something that money can buy. There is no guarantee that the one who finds it has any interest in raising a beast, after all,¡± Beast Master Zen explained. ¡°But only a fool would sell a Tier 3 beast egg for coin. No, they would ask for something much greater.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his lips pursed in thought. ¡°There is a chance I might be able to acquire a beast egg, but I am unsure what rarity it will be. If such a situation comes to pass, I wish to be ready,¡± He explained and technically, not a single word he had spoken was false. What he had in his possession was a damaged beast egg, with a possible way to save it. There was no guarantee that the egg was capable of repairing itself, even if he did refine a high quality beast-bonding pill in time. ¡°Then you are learning how to refine the beast-bonding pill?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his tone intrigued. ¡°More like trying to,¡± Xiao Feng sheepishly admitted. ¡°But if there¡¯s one thing I have, it¡¯s resources. If I keep trying, I¡¯ll eventually refine one.¡± ¡°Hah, that¡¯s new,¡± Beast Master Zen chuckled. ¡°But if that was all there was to beast taming, every Elder and Grand Alchemist would have a beast following them along.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t?¡± Xiao Feng blinked, confused. ¡°The Beast-Bonding pill establishes a connection, but it is one of friendship. The newly hatched beast will sense familiarity from your Qi and that will be enough to imprint your presence upon it. They will grow alongside you and if you treat them well, they will come to your aid when you are attacked. But that is not truly a bond, not a partnership between equals,¡± Beast Master Zen explained. ¡°How do I achieve that?¡± Xiao Feng asked. If there was such a pronounced difference, then he wished to see if he could attain it. ¡°To achieve a true bond, you must first find your own soul.¡± 64: Your Soul 64: ¡°I am not a Nascent Soul Cultivator,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his tone not concealing the bafflement he felt at Beast Master Zen¡¯s ask. ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded along in agreement, seeming amused by the assertion. ¡°And?¡± ¡°Interacting with souls is supposed to fall in the territory of Nascent Soul stage cultivators,¡± Xiao Feng explained, reasonably certain in his own assertion. His predecessor would not have left such a unique and possibly useful avenue untouched in his pursuit of power otherwise. ¡°Wrong,¡± Beast Master Zen replied with a shake of his head. ¡°Reaching the Nascent Soul stage only means that your soul has become powerful enough to gain a physical form. Do you think mortals do not have souls?¡± He asked in a knowing tone. Xiao Feng blinked. His predecessor, for all his hunger for growth, had not considered that question in much depth at all. When a peak layer Core Formation cultivator was at the verge of ascension, they would shatter the core they had spent decades refining, to use it as fuel for the creation of the Nascent Soul. Nothing in the process explained where the soul came from. It had to be more than mere qi, yet it made no sense for its presence to be linked to the shattering of a core. If that were the case, then core formation cultivators that failed their tribulations or had their core shattered in the midst of battle by an enemy would ascend to the Nascent Soul stage as well. The answer was as simple as it seemed. All living beings had souls, whether that be mortals, cultivators or spiritual beasts. But then, why had the Frontier Sect not instructed Xiao Feng in seeking mastery over his soul? ¡°Why was I not taught this?¡± Xiao Feng asked, sounding a little unnerved by the realisation. ¡°The advantages you would gain in comparison to the effort are limited,¡± Beast Master Zen admitted. ¡°Gaining enlightenment over your soul will grant you great control over your dantian, meridians and qi flow, but there is no guarantee you will be able to reach that state. And even then, raw power is much more valuable on the battlefield. Though, admittedly, that is not the entire truth,¡± He admitted, his expression betraying a flicker of distaste. ¡°What is?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Not a truth that will be to your liking,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, before letting a soft sigh escape him. ¡°If I still wished to know?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Then I would have no choice but to tell you, only because she seems to value you so much,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, as he massaged his forehead with his free hand. ¡°Try and use that against me and I will let you experience first hand why an umbral fang is a Tier 3 spiritual beast.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly replied, not entirely sure if the good natured beast master was jesting with him or if he actually intended to follow through with that threat. ¡°But yes, I would be interested in knowing.¡± ¡°Look around you then,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°Do you really believe that the Azure Lotus sect sends their future elders to the Frontier Sect? To die in an endless war that has been waged since time immemorial?¡± He asked. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his expression seeming lost. ¡°Only the most talented amongst my batch were selected to be transferred to the Frontier Sect,¡± He explained from his predecessor¡¯s bank of memories. ¡°Which pavilion did you hail from?¡± Beast Master Zen asked. ¡°The Whispering Gale Pavilion,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°Ah yes,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°One of their outer sects. You most likely were amongst the most talented from that particular pavilion, but that is only a kinder way of saying that you were fodder worth training for the war,¡± He revealed. ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng replied through pursed lips, not having expected the situation to take such a turn. ¡°Are you not angered?¡± Beast Master Zen probed. ¡°I was the one who wished to fight in the war,¡± Xiao Feng replied in a matter-of-fact tone. ¡°I will admit that this is not a particularly comforting realisation to come across, but I would much rather pay the price for truth over living a lie. Thank you.¡± ¡°You are not like most martial cultivators I¡¯ve met,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, his expression distant. ¡°But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The reason why your Frontier Sect does not teach you how to seek enlightenment over your soul is because, besides it¡¯s use in beast taming, the greatest advantage it offers is to those who are being trained to become future Elders.¡± ¡°Nascent Soul,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his eyes widening in realisation. ¡°I suppose I was never expected to reach that stage, then?¡± He rhetorically asked, for the answer was too obvious to seek clarification over. He, or rather, his predecessor, had not been expected to reach the Nascent Soul stage. ¡°No,¡± Beast Tamer Zen replied. ¡°And I would not publicise this information if I were you, even though it is more of an open secret for those of us in the know.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°I came here to cultivate, not fight.¡± Beast Master Zen nodded, evidently satisfied by the response before he continued, ¡°That honor is reserved for their core disciples, the true future of the Azure Lotus Sect. In the tournaments you might have attended over the years, they would not have fielded core disciples, no, inner disciples at best. A decent number of them are relatives and scions of Elders, while the rest climbed their way up from the outer sects. Opponents that the frontier sect are expected to defeat because of the experience they have amassed from life and death battles.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Because their goal is not to crush your morale,¡± Beast Master Zen revealed. ¡°It is to raise them.¡± ¡°Are the core disciples that strong?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone burning with curiosity. ¡°Unreasonably so,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°Though I am not at liberty to tell you anything more.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng replied. Beast Master Zen patted him on the shoulder, before saying, ¡°Come now. If you are truly serious about taming a beast, then give meditation a try before resorting to the inferior method.¡± Xiao Feng walked over to a tree that was lacking any resident, be it a coiled worm or the energetic bunny-like creatures that liked to bounce around from tree to tree, seating himself in a cross-legged posture with his chest pressed against it¡¯s trunk. ¡°So, um, how do I find my soul again?¡± He asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Beast Master Zen replied in a whimsical tone. ¡°It¡¯s your soul, not mine.¡± 65: The Door 65: ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone flummoxed by Beast Master Zen¡¯s assertion. ¡°I will teach you what I know,¡± Beast Master Zen replied, as he returned to Liulian¡¯s side, taking a seat next to the sleeping umbral fang. ¡°But no, my words were not intended as a jest. The soul is a complex matter. I do not believe that even ascension to the Nascent Soul stage guarantees a complete understanding of the subject. Yours is different from mine, as is mine from yours. I can guide you towards the beginning of the journey, but the destination is yours to find.¡± ¡°Tell me what to do,¡± Xiao Feng replied, trying to keep the realisation he had just thought of from showing on his visage. ¡°Good,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded in approval. ¡°First, close your eyes,¡± He guided. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes blinked shut. ¡°Now, set your mind free of distractions. Free it from the burden of want. Do not think of the task you have set out to accomplish, for the soul is already where it belongs. Allow yourself to fall into a meditative trance, as you focus on your breathing, letting your qi flow through your dantian before cycling across your meridians,¡± Beast Master Zen directed, his tone as slow as it was soothing. Xiao Feng¡¯s breathing slowed as he began to cultivate, focusing almost all his attention on directing his dantian. ¡°Now, the only advice I have left to give you¡­,¡± Beast Master Zen trailed off, his tone thoughtful as he waited for Xiao Feng to register his words. ¡°...Is to think on what makes you, you. The burning desire in your heart that you keep concealed from others. The truths that belong to you and only you. The personality that drove you to seek glory in the martial division and the new you, the one that changed. The one that wants to become an alchemist. Do not lie to yourself and the door will open for you,¡± He explained. For ten whole minutes, Xiao Feng did as he was told. He tried to think of his burning desire to open a tea shop in the martial district. He thought of truth that only belonged to him, the fact that he was from a whole another world and admitted that on some days, it made him feel lonely. He thought of his own personality, though he found it hard to characterise his own traits. He was passionate about what he liked, always had been. He had been quite happy-go-lucky in college, but he wasn¡¯t sure if that aspect of his personality would have endured after he entered the real world. He had never been the most ambitious in class, but he did enjoy learning new things and giving it his best shot. Who he had been though, that question wasn¡¯t something he was qualified to answer. Are you going to help me, or do you want to see me squirm for another few hours? Xiao Feng thought. ¡°Maybe I should let you be. Cultivation is good for you, you should do it more often,¡± The reply came from his predecessor, his tone sounding only a little exasperated. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Drinking tea also has a lot of health benefits. Never saw you drinking any, Xiao Feng countered with a verbal jab of his own. ¡°Are you really comparing the pursuit of the Grand Dao to an unassuming mortal beverage?¡± His predecessor asked, his tone almost sounding pained. Yes, Xiao Feng replied without hesitation. ¡°I really should just let you be,¡± His predecessor replied with a sigh. Okay, okay, please, Xiao Feng hurriedly changed his tack. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a type of person that can meditate their way to their soul, but that person isn¡¯t me. If I want to save the egg and gain a partner instead of a follower, this is the only way. ¡°Beast tamers. They are interesting,¡± His predecessor replied. ¡°This Beast Master may not be a fighter, but his control over his Qi far surpasses most core formation cultivators I have met. I suspect he is downplaying the true benefits mastery over the soul provides. A pity the Frontier Sect did not find me worthy enough to impart that knowledge.¡± Is that why I couldn¡¯t sense any Qi from him without using the essence cultivation art? Xiao Feng asked, his tone intrigued. ¡°Yes¡±, His predecessor answered. ¡°His control is more suited to an assassin than a beast tamer.¡± Can you lead me to it? Xiao Feng asked, willing his words to sound hopeful. ¡°Must I?¡± His predecessor wearily asked. I don¡¯t think I can force you, Xiao Feng replied. Neither would I want to. ¡°Bah, you¡¯re bound to figure it out eventually,¡± His predecessor replied. ¡°Forget what the Beast Master told you. Focus on my voice. Not on my inflection, but instead, where my voice is coming from.¡± Xiao Feng did as he was told, looking around not with his eyes, but his mind instead. If his predecessor was leading him towards something, it could not be in the physical world. Yet, he had not chosen to appear before him. Minutes passed and his predecessor continued to talk, urging him to find the source of his voice. Xiao Feng¡¯s frustration grew with every passing moment, until suddenly, he froze. What am I doing? He asked himself. He couldn¡¯t find his predecessor by using his sense of hearing, even if they did share the same mindscape. The pathway to the soul could not be such a shallow thing. No, he had to sense it. Xiao Feng chased after the only hint he had been given. He thought back to the moment where his predecessor had revealed himself for the first time. The poise and grace he carried with himself. The calm in his gaze that concealed the iron hidden within. The serene white robes he wore that would have been anything but on the battlefield. He searched for his sensation and to his surprise, he found something that resembled it. Xiao Feng looked inwards and his perception shifted. He found himself standing in an expanse of endless white fog, a solitary door without anything to house it, the only thing of interest in his field of view. A door that he recognized. Xiao Feng was certain that the lightly scratched and somewhat dinged wooden door that was once painted matte black but now was only a faded, chipped black was supposed to lead to his mother¡¯s modest two-bedroom apartment. 66: Realization 66: Xiao Feng felt his gaze tighten as he stood before the familiar door. Admittedly, he hadn¡¯t been sure what he was supposed to expect from his soul, so it was a bit unfair of him to be unnerved by what he had found. He grit his teeth and gently twisted a metal knob whose original metallic silver hue had been corroded into a faded, bronzed patina, hoping the door was unlocked. It was his own soul, after all. Xiao Feng felt no resistance as the door swung inwards. At this point, any trepidation he felt had been won over by his curiosity, so he stepped into the haze of milky white light that was obfuscating his gaze from penetrating any deeper within. A few moments ticked by Xiao Feng as he repeatedly blinked in an effort to clear his vision. The first thing that came into focus was an ordinary dining table, translucent black glass on a bed of wood. The recognition came almost as soon as he¡¯d spotted it. His gaze turned, from the dining table to the wall behind it. As expected, he found a wall-mounted cabinet with glass casing. It was not the cabinet itself that stood out to him, but rather, the framed photos within. Photos of his mother in her younger years, of him as a child, of him in a stroller while his mother smiled for the camera. A melancholic smile played upon his lips as his gaze refocused upon the dining table, now noticing an open laptop that was placed next to a humble breakfast, a sunny side up egg placed upon a hurriedly toasted piece of bread and a glass of orange juice next to it. Had the breakfast always been there, or had it appeared after he¡¯d thought about his mother? He couldn¡¯t recall. Would his mother appear too, if he thought about her hard enough? He wryly shook his head, though his clenched fists showed that he was far from amused. Of course that wouldn¡¯t work. His mother was the most hardworking person he knew. After the divorce, she hadn¡¯t tried to find another partner. No, instead she had thrown herself in the deep end of work, taking up two jobs that had her working late nights and the occasional weekends. Even while having breakfast, she made sure to make the best of her time by catching up on her mails. She had made sure that he would not want for anything. Perhaps that was why he had become increasingly divorced from materialism in his high school years. After seeing how hard she worked to put food on the table, he just didn¡¯t have it in his heart to ask for more. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. It was only in his college years that he realised that his mother didn¡¯t actually need to work as hard as she did to pay for his tuition. As much as he resented his father for remarrying, mostly unfairly, he wasn¡¯t a bad man by any means of the definition. He had been paying for half of everything when it came to his expenses and was always kind to him on their bi-weekly sojourns, even when he didn¡¯t necessarily repay the favour. He sighed, as he took in more of the familiar furniture within his mother¡¯s dining room. He wished he had been kinder to his father. He wished he had looked deeper into his mother¡¯s motivations and realised sooner why she had thrown herself into the deep-end of work. Maybe trying to change the motivation of adults was an unfair ask and more than likely, he would¡¯ve failed. Maybe being kinder to his father wouldn¡¯t have made their family any more communicative. Perhaps, neither would his attempts to convince his mother to start reconnecting with her old hobbies and maybe consider dating again down the line have accomplished anything of note. Now though? He was forever denied the opportunity to try, separated by a gulf of space and time that he suspected not even a Nascent Soul Cultivator could bridge. He stepped away from the dining table and turned towards the seating area. ¡°What in¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off, blinking. The well-worn cabriole sofa that was placed facing a thick LCD television was as he remembered it, but the view peeking out from behind the curtains was definitely not right. His mother¡¯s apartment definitely did not overlook his college campus, yet that was exactly what he was seeing. Gingerly moving forward, Xiao Feng peeled away the curtains and took a step onto lush grass. The main campus buildings were an artful blend of modern architecture with historical accents, a red brick exterior balanced by timeless navy-blue tiling. His gaze swept across the campus as he continued walking, noticing the gymnasium to the north-east, an open pitch for football, the cafeteria with it¡¯s all-glass facade, the multi-storey student housing and a few smaller administrative buildings. At first, he was taken aback by the countless students he could see milling about campus, but as he walked closer and focused, he only found a splash of colours on a two dimensional canvas. It should¡¯ve been disturbing, but it wasn¡¯t. His mind was only recreating a scene from his memories and the individual features of hundreds of students had been lost to his long-term memory. He continued walking forward, his gaze captivated by the one exception to what he thought a rule. A man dressed in white robes that were fluttering even when Xiao Feng could not detect the slightest hint of a breeze sat cross legged on the grass, facing the direction of the main campus and well-positioned to take in its view. Curious grass it was, a dark-green in contrast to the otherwise bright, light-green grass that seemed almost artificial in comparison. The white-robed man angled his gaze in his direction. Their gazes met. ¡°You are not dead,¡± Xiao Feng said, his words not a question but a statement instead. 67: The Agreement 67: ¡°When we first met,¡± His white-robed predecessor began, his expression serene as he met Xiao Feng¡¯s surprise with a perfectly calm tone. ¡°I told you that my soul had mostly been destroyed and you were fated to instinctively consume what remained,¡± He recalled. ¡°You did,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°My words stand as true now as they did back then,¡± His predecessor declared, even though his very existence stood to seemingly disprove that notion. ¡°How?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°My soul was devastated by an attack from a Nascent Soul Cultivator, one willing to practice Demonic Path methods at that,¡± His predecessor explained. ¡°Shattered beyond repair, it would have long since dissipated if it were not for your transmigration. You absorbed my soul essence to grow rapidly, subsuming a cultivation base I could no longer maintain, inheriting both my memories and strength. Two souls cannot exist in one body and if I hadn¡¯t resisted the pull of your complete soul, I would have indeed perished.¡± ¡°I thought you told me that I could not control the absorption,¡± Xiao Feng asked, puzzled by his predecessor¡¯s words. ¡°You cannot, yet I never said that I would not fight back against the encroachment. I am trained in the martial way, after all,¡± His predecessor explained, his tone tinged by mirth. ¡°Why tell me this?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°You knew that I would discover your presence the moment I stepped into my soul,¡± He stated, certain in his conclusion. ¡°I could have,¡± His predecessor admitted. ¡°Your beast master does not actually expect you to find your soul. Any discovery that offers an advantage at the Nascent Soul stage cannot be easy to learn before it. Though admittedly, given your unique disposition, you would have eventually figured it out if you kept trying. Maybe in a year or two.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more than enough time for me to have moved on,¡± Xiao Feng replied, finding no reason to side-step around what he knew to be his own personality traits. He wanted to learn beast taming to claim the dying egg he had discovered and a year was simply too long a time for him to expect the egg to survive. No, he would move on far earlier and rely on the beast-bonding pill to establish a bond of friendship instead of a true bond, because his interest in the field had stemmed from necessity instead of desire. ¡°That is likely to have been the case,¡± His predecessor conceded. ¡°So, why?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°I do not think that my claim to this body supersedes your own. It is as you said, you are a cultivator. If someone takes what belongs to you, you fight to reclaim it. What advantage could you gain from revealing this to me?¡± He asked, unable to think of a single one unless his predecessor had withheld certain memories from him. ¡°None at all,¡± His predecessor replied, his tone perfectly calm. ¡°In my current state, I cannot wrest control over my body even if I wanted to. Neither am I capable of consuming your soul to heal my own. Revealing my existence has put me at a grave disadvantage, if anything. I am sure you can sense it, as I can sense you. As the dominant soul, you could choose to snuff my own out and I would be powerless to resist in the here and now.¡± ¡°I could,¡± Xiao Feng numbly repeated, as he sensed the sheer dominion he could choose to exert over his predecessor¡¯s soul if he chose to. Regardless of how he¡¯d come to acquire it, this was his demesne and it was far easier to rebel against a foreign presence than it was to encroach upon a complete, healthy soul. If his predecessor hadn¡¯t been as grievously injured as he was when Xiao Feng transmigrated into his body, there was no doubt in his mind that it was his soul that would¡¯ve been effortlessly shattered and dispelled¡ª- and he could not even have faulted his predecessor for doing so. ¡°It is the easiest way to secure this body and soul for yourself. A cultivator would not hesitate,¡± His predecessor offered, not at all sounding concerned about the fact that his own life, or atleast, what remained of it hung in the balance. ¡°You are a cultivator,¡± Xiao Feng countered. ¡°And you just told me your greatest weakness. It appears that neither of us make for very good ones then.¡± His predecessor allowed a rare laugh to escape him, before he nodded, ¡°It is true, though I suspect you underestimate just how severe the damage to my soul is. As resolute as my will is, I am not naive enough to believe that it is willpower alone that keeps my soul tethered to our plane. No, I suspect that it is you, or rather, your subconsciousness that has permitted my presence while your soul, that is ensconced around me even now, helps me maintain the structure of my own.¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Xiao Feng blinked, finding himself blindsided by the revelation. He had no idea how he would even begin to do something as complex as reinforcing the structure of another damaged soul with his own, yet if his predecessor¡¯s words were to be trusted, that was precisely what he had been doing. ¡°I¡¯m still surprised that you told me,¡± Xiao Feng admitted, his searching gaze locking onto his predecessor¡¯s calm one. ¡°That is hardly unreasonable of you, given that I incinerated the contents of the essence cultivation art not long after its discovery. It is not in my nature to expose my vulnerabilities,¡± His predecessor admitted, as he tapped his chin in thought. ¡°Yet to reclaim my body, I would need to either wait for your own soul to be damaged to a terrifying degree, whether by chance or because I lured you into a dangerous area beyond your abilities. Even then, reclaiming my body will not mean that the existing damage to my soul will repair itself. Just adding the burden of managing my body as I am now, might just cause it to shatter on the spot.¡± Xiao Feng tried to keep the unease from his visage as the sheer calm his predecessor discussed both his own and Xiao Feng¡¯s potential demise. Shaking his head, Xiao Feng firmly replied, ¡°I cannot believe that you have simply given up on reclaiming your body.¡± ¡°Given up? Perish the thought,¡± His predecessor dismissed him with a wave of his hand. ¡°However, it was violence that caused my near demise, not you. I do not know if it was a cosmic accident in the grand cycle of reincarnation or some force beyond my understanding that sent you here, but regardless, your own culpability in the matter is non-existent. Should I have chosen the path of violence again, I suspect that I would have found myself doomed to fall prey to the same cycle. Whether it was a year or several decades later, once again, I would¡¯ve found myself slain by a bloodied blade.¡± ¡°What alternative is there?¡± Xiao Feng asked, hoping that there was, in fact, an alternative. He didn¡¯t know if he was capable of fighting his predecessor for something that didn¡¯t belong to him, but at the same time, he didn¡¯t want to simply be banished into an eternal void. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s simple,¡± His predecessor replied. ¡°I am simply going to ask for your help.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Xiao Feng asked, utterly and completely flummoxed by the proposition. There were a dozen different ways he¡¯d imagined the conversation could go, yet he found himself completely blindsided. ¡°To once again step on the path of ascension, I need two favors,¡± His predecessor began, not at all moved by Xiao Feng¡¯s bedazzlement. ¡°The first is an alchemical pill, one of the most precious kinds. A pill that can heal the damage to a soul. I do not need it to recover my cultivation base, that I can do myself. But even such a pill would require you to reach the level of a Grand Alchemist and obtain a pill formula that even Nascent Soul cultivators would fight for. The second is a spare body.¡± ¡°A¡­ what?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his gaze warily studying his predecessor. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that, it is also an alchemical technique of some manner. Historical records have never been my forte, but Elder Haoyun once told me about an ancient elder of the Azure Lotus Sect. They called him Hundred Bodied Ming and it wasn¡¯t because of some profound technique. No, Elder Ming fought like a demon himself, but he lost more battles than he won. And yet, he would always come back. As long as the Nascent Soul remained intact, he could simply shift to a new vessel as many times as he wanted.¡± ¡°Would the new body be able to contain something as powerful as a Nascent Soul?¡± Xiao Feng asked, pretty certain that cultivation wasn¡¯t supposed to work that way. The body was strengthened alongside the soul, you couldn¡¯t simply abandon it. ¡°Whatever methods Hundred Bodied Ming had allowed him to do so, if Elder Haoyun¡¯s story is to be believed. I do not expect you to do anything nearly as impressive, though. A mortal body forged through alchemical means would mean that I am not cheating the heavens, not trying to evade my tribulation. I do not expect it to be easy, but it is a far cry from impossible,¡± His predecessor conjectured. ¡°You know that it is a long shot that I manage any of this, right?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°You have a ways to go as a cultivator,¡± His predecessor replied, nodding in agreement. Ouch, Xiao Feng thought. ¡°But you also have a tendency to undersell yourself. I would not have revealed this truth to you if I thought it impossible, even if it may have been a spur of the moment decision. Your Dao is¡­ unlike any I have seen in the martial division and your temperament is far more suited to alchemy compared to my own. Perhaps there is a reason why you¡¯re here and what I have seen is enough for me to take the chance. After all, you are the only cultivator in a thousand li foolish enough to negotiate with a remnant soul when you have all power over me.¡± ¡°I suppose I am,¡± Xiao Feng replied, a small smile playing upon his lips. Despite his predecessor having revealed that this encounter could¡¯ve gone much differently if had seen no hope in his abilities and if Xiao Feng had been more self-serving, he suspected that he would¡¯ve been headed for far more unpleasant places; Xiao Feng still found that he was not unnerved by the revelation. If anything, his predecessor had allowed him a pathway to his soul, which would have taken him ages to do on his own and had been at his mercy. There were no tricks or deception he could play within his soul, which was why he had offered him the truth. His heart felt like it had been freed of an invisible weight that had been shackling it, as the guilt he felt towards replacing his predecessor gave way to a novel determination. An agreement was struck. 68: Soul Space 68: ¡°A body is merely a vessel for the soul,¡± His predecessor explained, his expression ponderous. ¡°I believe the benefits the beast master spoke of are more of a bypass than a true increase in Qi control. Atleast, not initially.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng asked. Beast Master Zen didn¡¯t have any reason to lie to him, so he didn¡¯t think that to be the case. If he did not wish to reveal certain aspects of the soul to Xiao Feng, then it made more sense for him to have withheld that information instead of lying to him. ¡°Prior to gaining enlightenment over your own soul, you were still responsible for cycling Qi within your dantian. However, a large part of the process is delegated to the subconscious mind, with your physical body serving as a conduit that takes the message to your soul. If I have interpreted this soul space correctly, it should allow you to eliminate the need for your physical body as a conduit, allowing you to reclaim full control over your dantian and meridians while enhancing your control and reflexes.¡± His predecessor explained, his tone sounding contemplative as he laid down his theory. ¡°Because I¡¯m side-stepping the physical body as a conduit?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°Correct.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s not an improvement but rather, more a novel way of channeling my qi?¡± ¡°You are underestimating the benefits of this state,¡± His predecessor answered with a shake of his head. ¡°Sure, you are unlikely to be able to hold on to this soul space in true combat, because you are not used to pain. Even if it had been me in your stead, I do not believe that it would¡¯ve been easy for me to suffer from a physical wound and fight the instinctive desire to assess the damage with my own eyes. But you are not here to fight, are you?¡± ¡°Preferably not.¡± His predecessor nodded, before continuing onwards, ¡°Using the soul space in conjunction with the essence cultivation art will take some getting used to, but it is well within your capabilities. Moreover, I encourage you to use it in sparring. Being able to see for yourself, first hand, what you can do with a much higher level of Qi control will naturally benefit your prowess.¡± ¡°Can I do that now?¡± Xiao Feng asked, as his curiosity got the better of him. ¡°I thought you would never ask,¡± His predecessor replied, before a smirk stretched across his features. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
¡°Keep your eyes closed,¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s predecessor commanded, his tone stern. ¡°But I can still see everything clearly,¡± He protested, his tone sounding wronged. ¡°This is your soul. You impose the rules here. Let closing your eyes be associated with seeing an endless void, a blank, dark space that holds nothing of interest.¡± Xiao Feng tried to do as commanded, closing his eyes before they snapped open with a mild burst of panic. Shaking his head, he repeated the process, managing to keep his eyes close the second time. ¡°Good. Now try to visualize your body. It exists as sure as you do, so does the connection. You need to find it and hold on to the connection.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± Xiao Feng replied, his brows furrowing in concentration. Minutes bled into half an hour as he tried to strike a connection with his body, only to feel like a caveman who had been given the task of sculpting a house out of marble. Not only did he not understand the tool he had at his disposal, but the very task itself felt too nebulous to him. Until Xiao Feng recalled the sequence of events that had led him to the gateway to his soul in the first place. Recalling his own appearance seemed like a foolish endeavor, but there was a different anchor he could try and use. Xiao Feng was thankful for the dark blankness that made up his field of view, as it allowed him to focus on painting a picture of the menagerie from the perspective he last recalled. A calm lake that concealed great depths was his perception of Beast Master Zen as he recalled his likeness. Xiao Feng didn¡¯t stop there, of course, as he tried to remember everything from the hue of the barks of trees to the many spiritual beasts that resided within the menagerie¡¯s territory. The bovine beasts that were called bi-horns, the long eared leporine beasts that zipped from tree to tree, the unnerving but seemingly docile worm that was coiled around a tree¡­ Most of all though, Xiao Feng recalled Beast Master Zen¡¯s bonded spiritual beast, the umbral fang named Liulian, that was a tier 3 spiritual beast. While Beast Master Zen was not a combatant, Xiao Feng was sure that his umbral fang, which possessed an innate affinity for Darkness Qi, was more than capable enough for doing damage for the both of them. The connection that was forged was like a bolt of lightning. Had another hour passed, Xiao Feng was sure he would¡¯ve missed it. Instead, he reached for it and held on like his life depended upon it. Xiao Feng gasped as his eyes were all but flung open. Back in the real world, Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes snapped open as well. He ignored Beast Master Zen¡¯s curious gaze as he swiveled his head from left to right. In his soul space, the imagery his eyes captured was painted over the manicured lawns of his college campus. Including a life-like representation of Beast Master Zen, along with every other spiritual beast that had stepped into his line of sight. ¡°Giving up already?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his jovial expression failing to conceal the bitter tang of disappointment in his tone. Xiao Feng met the Beast Master¡¯s gaze calmly. Then, in one fluid motion, he called for every hint of Qi flowing through his meridians, before tugging. In one fluid motion, it was pulled back into his dantian with almost no resistance. There was nothing extraordinary about the action he had just committed to. Pulling one¡¯s Qi back into their dantian was essential to any task that required stealth, unless one wished to broadcast their location to every nearby cultivator. But the sheer speed Xiao Feng had did it in¡­ Beast Master¡¯s eyes went wide with disbelief. 69: The Spar 69: ¡°I wish to test something out,¡± Xiao Feng said in the soul space, while his body mirrored his speech in the real world. ¡°What is it?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, with a tone of excitement in his voice that was largely buried by the disbelief he echoed. ¡°A sparring exercise,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°If you take on the role of the attacker, I will commit to defending. I know that you are not a martial cultivator, but this is the fastest way I can assess my capabilities,¡± He explained. ¡°Do you know why I wield a staff?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, before he tapped the dense wooden staff against the ground a single time to impress the question upon him. ¡°It is ideal for self-defense if you are a Wind Cultivator,¡± Xiao Feng replied after a moment, his expression thoughtful as he watched his predecessor shake his head in the soul space. ¡°I am indeed a Wind Cultivator,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°But that is not the reason why I wield a staff. Let me ask you a question in turn. What is a martial cultivator?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, a mischievous glint in his gaze as a little of the surprise faded away. ¡°Someone who is trained to fight demonic path cultivators,¡± Xiao Feng chose to reply with an answer that his predecessor would¡¯ve given, still not having caught on to the point Beast Master Zen was trying to make. ¡°That is one definition,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded in the affirmative. ¡°However, it is also quite a limited one. As you may have guessed, I am not fond of killing. For all the atrocities the demonic path has committed across decades, they have not yet convinced me to replace my staff with a glaive and enlist in an endless war. Yet, I am no stranger to violence,¡± He explained, a sly smile playing upon his lips. ¡°The staff,¡± Xiao Feng said, as his eyes widened slightly in recognition. ¡°You use it to defend yourself from spiritual beasts without killing them.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Beast Master Zen said as he planted the staff before himself, before shifting to an odd stance that had him leaning forward upon his staff while balancing himself on the balls of his feet. ¡°To you, or rather, to the understanding you have left unvoiced, the essence of a martial cultivator is simple ¡ª a cultivator who has been trained to kill another is a martial cultivator. By that definition, I am quite far from it. However, I am quite well-experienced in defending myself against powerful spiritual beasts and as a Beast Master, as long as I escape without harm to my person, it is my victory.¡± Back in the soul space, Xiao Feng¡¯s predecessor had a conflicted expression on his face. ¡°I know very little about spiritual beasts,¡± He admitted with a sigh. ¡°I had believed myself to be amongst the upper echelon of foundation establishment cultivators within the martial division, yet it is alarming how feeble my knowledge base is outside of it.¡± Xiao Feng understood the message Beast Master Zen was trying to convey. If martial cultivation was a discipline that taught a cultivator how to defend themselves, then being content with only knowing how to deal with a single threat was either an act of arrogance or foolishness. ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng said to Beast Master Zen. ¡°Demonic Path cultivators are far from the only threat out there. To limit the definition of martial cultivation to a single threat would be to leave myself open to a multitude of others. If you are willing, I would like to trade for a primer on various spiritual beasts in the region,¡± He cautiously asked, unsure if Beast Master Zen would be willing to trade knowledge that he had to have acquired through first hand experience. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. For a moment, there was silence between the two parties, before it was punctuated by a bout of amused laughter. ¡°You continue to surprise me,¡± Beast Master Zen admitted, his tone heavy with intrigue. ¡°Your demeanor is divorced from every other martial cultivator that I have met. To so readily accept a lacunae in your teachings instead of trying to contest my statement is worthy of admiration. I am willing to charge for a great deal of things, but the knowledge you seek is not one of them. Some beast master I would be if I turned away those willing to learn about my craft,¡± He shook his head chidingly. ¡°Thank you,¡± Xiao Feng offered a light bow, if only to hide the surprise on his own features. He hadn¡¯t expected Beast Master Zen to be so forthcoming with valuable knowledge. As warm as the Beast Master¡¯s words sounded, both of them knew that they were no more than a platitude. Knowledge was the entire foundation of the sect system and Xiao Feng¡¯s predecessor had paid a hefty price for the Flowing Wind Art along with access to the Azure Lotus Sect¡¯s resources. ¡°Anyhow, let us not digress any further,¡± Beast Master Zen said, his jovial demeanor giving way to a somber expression. ¡°Did you truly touch upon the soul?¡± He asked, his own tone sounding doubtful as he posed the question. ¡°I am not certain,¡± Xiao Feng replied calmly. Without his predecessor¡¯s aid, he would have no way of confirming that it was truly his soul that he was interacting with and even his predecessor could not say for sure what capabilities and limitations his soul space had. Beast Master Zen nodded in agreement, before saying, ¡°We shall go with your suggestion then. I will limit my Wind Qi to the early foundation establishment stage for our spar. Feel free to use that artifact of yours to defend.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Xiao Feng asked, sounding a little taken aback. Windcarver was a peak layer foundation establishment artifact that had been given to him by Elder Haoyun. ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about me,¡± He replied. ¡°Though, do make sure to limit yourself to defending. Liulian might not take kindly to a wild charge at me.¡± Xiao Feng chucked at what he thought was a joke. Beast Master Zen¡¯s expression remained somber. Right, Xiao Feng thought as his smile faded and he nodded to convey his understanding. The Umbral Fang is going to try and murder me if I attack her bonded human. Why did I think that was funny, again? ¡°The spar shall continue until you tell me to stop or I judge you unfit to continue,¡± Beast Master Zen declared, his tone clipped and formal. ¡°That is fine,¡± Xiao Feng said, before drawing his blade. Even from within the soul space, Xiao Feng was sure that his heart rate had picked up as he studied the slender construction of his silver blade, his left hand sharing the burden of his right as it wrapped around its translucent crystal hilt. He could feel the resonance between the Wind Qi in his dantian and the wind attunement of the artifact, calling for him to unleash their combined potential. I guess it¡¯s too late to ask for a wooden sword instead? Xiao Feng wryly thought, knowing that he¡¯d never actually wielded an artifact before. Beast Master Zen answered his question by flipping the dense wooden staff with a single hand, so it was pointed in Xiao Feng¡¯s direction. His free hand stabilized the staff, adopting a two handed grip over it. Then, Beast Master Zen kicked off the balls of his feet, his stance already primed for explosive momentum and moved with agility that far surpassed anything such a heavy-set, muscular man should¡¯ve been capable of. Oh, crap. 70: Stunner 70: In the soul space, Xiao Feng watched as Beast Master Zen blurred forward at a speed that reached the limits of what he could keep up with despite his promise to limit his strength to early foundation establishment stage for their spar. Either it had been too long since Beast Master Zen had been at the early layers of the foundation establishment stage or he wanted to test him. Regardless, Xiao Feng had not gone into the challenge intending to disappoint. All the forms of the Flowing Wind Art were stored within the memory bank his predecessor had left him, but there was only one form Xiao Feng had practiced. A form that was precisely the reason why he¡¯d asked Beast Master Zen to attack him in their spar, a form that he had made his own. Flowing Wind Art¡ª Fourth Form, Dancing Breeze. As he had practiced before, Xiao Feng directed his Wind Qi to loop around his blade, intending to form coils of wind that would rebuff the momentum of his opponent¡¯s strike; only for him to nearly lose control on the first step. He had known that Windcarver was a peak-layer foundation establishment artifact, but neither Xiao Feng nor his predecessor had truly known what that classification meant until he channeled Qi into it. The artifact¡¯s wind attunement properties told him that his Wind Qi would be amplified, but Xiao Feng had not expected such a pronounced increase in raw effectiveness. Moreover, while he was in his soul space, the process of willing Wind Qi to flow from his dantian, passing through two acupuncture points through his meridians before it extended outside his body was seamless, lacking the usual resistance and force of will to direct it. Bring your Qi under control. Focus, His predecessor commanded from within the soul space, where he was essentially next to him, snapping Xiao Feng back from the dazed awe he felt for his artifact. He reinforced his will over the torrential Wind Qi that wished to rampage outwards and to his surprise, it complied with only the barest amounts of resistance. Coils of compressed wind wrapped around his blade¡¯s edge, ensconcing it within. A cool breeze on a sweltering hot day. A wind incapable of causing harm, a wind that does not cleave yet refuses to be sundered, Xiao Feng recalled his predecessor¡¯s words from when he was explaining the fourth form of the Flowing Wind Art. His gaze turned to his opponent, towards Beast Master Zen who was charging at him with his staff serving as a battering ram that was propelled by Wind Qi. If he got hit, it would certainly leave a bruise or two.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Xiao Feng positioned his blade to intercept the base of Beast Master¡¯s Zen staff. He should¡¯ve been nervous considering that it was his first proper combat encounter with real artifacts, but the soul space had created a layer of separation from his body that allowed him to think clearly without worrying. His body obeyed the soul¡¯s command in what felt like real-time, the boundary between thought and action the thinnest it had ever been in the soul space The wind coils wrapped around Xiao Feng¡¯s blade met Beast Master Zen¡¯s staff. For a moment, all was still as the two opposing winds reached equilibrium. Then, Xiao Feng began to push back against Beast Master Zen¡¯s assault through gritted teeth. Beast Master Zen¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as he was pushed back by the coils of Wind Qi wrapped around Xiao Feng¡¯s blade. A moment later, Beast Master Zen was forced to disengage as the fourth form of the Flowing Wind Art pushed him back by a few more steps. It was a gentle wind that rebuffed Beast Master Zen, one that had pushed him back instead of violently sending him careening away from Xiao Feng. The latter would be a far more desirable outcome on the battlefield, but this was Xiao Feng¡¯s own Dao, born of a life spent in a world that was largely at peace. Once again, Beast Master Zen charged. Once again, Xiao Feng rebuffed his attempt. The spar went on and the Beast Master began to employ a staff form of his own, one that involved a series of quick thrusts in rapid succession before pulling back and repeating the attacks at a different angle. Beast Master Zen¡¯s staff form was getting increasingly unpredictable as the spar went on and Xiao Feng had begun to suspect that the only reason he could keep up was improved perception in the soul space. As Xiao Feng grew weary of the continuous attacks on top of the Wind Qi expenditure he was forced to keep going, Beast Master Zen abruptly pulled back, throwing him off his tempo. Before he could recover, the Beast Master followed through with a heavy thrust that stretched both of his arms to their limit. Surprisingly, Xiao Feng¡¯s efforts to prepare for the thrust were in vain, as the staff struck empty air to his right. Instead of elation, Xiao Feng only felt confusion. The only way this spar was possible was because Beast Master Zen was holding back heavily. There was no way he¡¯d miss. Sure enough, the missed thrust was only setting the stage for a sweeping strike aimed at his abdomen. Right, Xiao Feng wryly thought. Had he not been in his soul space, the only possible move he could make was a hurried parry. Now though, Xiao Feng saw a different opening he could just barely exploit. He hurriedly backstepped, his body obeying the thought command with a minimal delay, hoping that he had calculated correctly as switched to a high guard stance, with his sword held above his head so it would not interfere with the trajectory of the staff. Xiao Feng had just barely managed the maneuver, a fact that he was reminded of as the flat end of the staff brushed against his robes. Just as the staff passed by him, a smile began to tug at the corners of his lips as he brought down Windcarver in a diagonal slash while maintaining the fourth form of the Flowing Wind Art. The far end of the staff was already the furthest from Beast Master Zen¡¯s center of control, so Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t surprised to see it slip out of his grip and be sent flying when his Wind Qi ensconced blade pushed the staff in the direction it¡¯s momentum was already flowing. Beast Master Zen stood there with a blank look, as stunned as he was disarmed. 71: One Month 71: ¡°That is quite the artifact,¡± Beast Master Zen finally replied, a slow smile stretching across his features as he reached out with his now empty right palm. Xiao Feng watched with a wry smile on his face as the wooden staff that he had so cleverly disarmed, flipped back into Beast Master Zen¡¯s palm almost instantaneously. ¡°So is yours, it seems,¡± Xiao Feng replied, not knowing if he should be amused or annoyed. ¡°You have discovered your soul space, then,¡± Beast Master Zen stated more than asked, his expression turning somber as he studied him in a new light. ¡°I have. Is the entrance supposed to be shaped like a door?¡± Xiao Feng asked, even though he suspected that he already knew the answer. ¡°It is your soul,¡± Beast Master Zen simply replied. ¡°If it helps you any, the entrance to mine is shaped like the mouth of a cavern, the same cavern where I found Liulian. I did not tell you this before, because I did not wish to warp your perception of your soul space.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Xiao Feng nodded from within the soul space, still not leaving it in case rediscovering it came with a whole host of challenges. ¡°I know what you are thinking,¡± Beast Master Zen revealed. ¡°Do not worry, once you open the door to your soul, it will remain open to you unless it suffers irrevocable damage. Fascinating, is it not?¡± ¡°It is,¡± Xiao Feng emphatically nodded. ¡°Do you know what it is that you have just accomplished?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his tone heavy. Xiao Feng shook his head, even though he had an inkling. ¡°The records I have studied on the soul space speak of prodigies who managed to discover their soul space in the Qi Gathering stage, geniuses that surpass the stalk of cultivators we find in the modern era by far. Yet, whether it was the Qi Gathering Stage, the Foundation Establishment Stage or the Core Formation stage, the shortest time anyone managed it was a week of meditation,¡± Beast Master Zen explained, his tone heavy. ¡°You required an hour,¡± He stated solemnly, his tone tinged by what sounded awfully like a hint of reverence. ¡°Does that mean what I think it does?¡± Xiao Feng cautiously asked, as a feeling of unease bloomed in his chest. ¡°There is nothing upon the continent of Tian that can guarantee ascension to the Nascent Soul stage. No artifact, no tamed beast, no pill, no ancestral treasure can guarantee it. However, your prodigious talent when it comes to the soul means that your odds are higher than most, even higher than those core disciples they pamper. If the Azure Lotus sect were to find out, they would call you back to the main sect and shower you with resources in hopes of gaining an elder in the future.¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Xiao Feng abruptly replied, as the unease building up in his chest finally reached its Zenith. ¡°Don¡¯t tell them,¡± He demanded more than asked, even though he was in no position to force Beast Master Zen to do anything. Surprise spread across Beast Master Zen¡¯s features, before he shook his head in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve truly left it all behind, haven¡¯t you?¡± Beast Master Zen asked. ¡°The thrill of the battle. The thirst for proving yourself. The glory. The fame. The resources that come with it. The desire to ascend cultivator stages for the sake of ascension. That artifact you wield tells me that you are valued very highly by the Frontier Sect, for they cannot afford to give out resources to the unworthy. Your skills speak even more highly of you, for I had not gone into that spar expecting to be disarmed. Who are you?¡± Xiao Feng realized that Beast Master Zen was intently staring at him, so he met his gaze. ¡°Earlier, I was Xiao Feng the Undying, Hero of the Zheyan Pass. Now, I am Xiao Feng, recruit alchemist and aspiring beast tamer,¡± He stated with an underlying determination, not a word of untruth to be found in his words. Beast Master Zen burst out into boisterous laughter, tapping his staff onto the ground repeatedly as if he were applauding a performance. ¡°Out of all the things you have said and done here today,¡± Beast Master Zen finally replied, as he reigned in most of his amusement. ¡°That has been the most surprising of all. Do not worry, Xiao Feng. I did not become a beast tamer because I enjoyed dealing with powerful sects and I certainly don¡¯t want anything to do with the political creatures that your Elders are. Do you know what the most dangerous kind of relationship is, Xiao Feng?¡± Xiao Feng considered the question, before shaking his head. ¡°Never enter into a relationship that is not one of give and take. If you are only taking, then when it comes time to give you will not be able to afford their ask, a fact that you are perhaps acquainted with. When it comes to a relationship of giving, do not offer to give something you do not have the strength to protect, even if you wish for nothing in return. Elders are the ones who take. Do not forget that.¡± Xiao Feng nodded, even though he wasn¡¯t quite sure if he understood the true meaning of what Beast Master Zen was getting at. ¡°Can I learn the true way of taming beasts now?¡± Xiao Feng eagerly asked, his excitement hard to contain. Beast Master Zen chucked, before nodding, ¡°You can, but I will not teach it to you right now. It is you who wish to be ordinary, is it not? Come back to me in a month and your accomplishment will be above the norm, but far from prodigious.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in understanding as he suppressed the disappointment he felt before replying, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded. ¡°While the soul space can offer you great boons in your cultivation, do remember that it is not a shortcut. You are no further or closer from your understanding of the Dao than you were before, you merely understand yourself better,¡± He offered a final bit of advice, before retreating to the privacy of his lodge, his umbral fang who Xiao Feng had thought to be asleep, following him in. 72: One Month (2) 72: A month slipped by Xiao Feng as he fell into a routine, his days passing by him in a structured, orderly manner that was reminiscent of his life on earth as a college student. ¡® His day opened up with a hearty breakfast, however much he may criticize the lack of chai as a beverage option, before he¡¯d spend around two to three hours practicing alchemy with Lianhua. Lianhua had deemed the ingredients required for the first step in refining the beast bonding pill too expensive to be used for practice, not unless Xiao Feng intended to follow through with the entire pill refinement. So instead, the next time he had gone to attend class, Lianhua had already prepared a lumpy mixture that she¡¯d obtained by mixing together multiple low-quality spiritual herbs. With the Essence Cultivation Art active, Xiao Feng had no reason to struggle with the kneading process. As he discovered for himself, there were two key things to keep in mind while kneading lumps in a mixture over an open flame.While the ingredients Lianhua had used in the current mixture were too weak to cause anything but a minor surge that would be contained by his spiritual silver pill furnace, the same would not be true for a melange of the bone marrow of a stoneback ursine and the blood extract of a lesser shadow wyrm. Firstly, the reason why Lianhua kneaded the melange of ingredients was to aid in the refinement process, yes, but also because unlike him, she couldn¡¯t see the lumps in the mixture and needed the feedback from her Wind Qi to get a rough idea of what was happening inside the pill furnace. Not even Grand Alchemist Xin Wu should be able to replicate the effects of Divine Sense and see through the pill furnace, though with a title like that, Xiao Feng supposed that he didn¡¯t need to. He could. The second observation Xiao Feng had made was on the necessity of fine Qi control. A lump was merely a pocket of concentrated Qi that had a risk of destabilizing the refinement process if it was corrected early on. If his Wind Qi moved too fast or cut in too deep, the Qi would flare and risk not only destabilizing the mixture, but also possibly causing the pill furnace to explode. Conversely, if Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t thorough enough, he risked leaving lumps behind. Both those observations had led Xiao Feng to create a novel method of his own, one that required the Essence Cultivation Art to function. He would first aid the heat source in refining the mixture with a whirlwind of Wind Qi that occupied nearly the entire circumference of the pill furnace, continuing until the abutting boundaries that distinguished one ingredient from another was melted away in the favor of lumps that highlighted areas where the ingredients were being particularly resistant.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Then, Xiao Feng would will the whirlwind to break off into smaller, mini whirlwinds that targeted the individual lumps that had formed. His method turned out to be far gentler and more efficient than Lianhuas, because instead of repeatedly kneading the entire mixture he simply focused upon the areas where Qi had gotten too concentrated. And it worked. Xiao Feng had downplayed his achievement by taking a week before he employed his new method because Beast Master Zen had reminded him of the dangers of being marked a prodigy. Though he supposed a part of it was inevitable, a week was far more reasonable than a day. Still, the shock on Lianhua¡¯s face when she lifted the lid of the pill furnace to reveal a perfectly uniform, refined mixture was hard to forget and Xiao Feng could understand why. Fine tuning Wind Qi to knead lumps in a mixture was more a matter of practise rather than talent and failing was part of the process. From then onwards, she had approached her lectures with a newfound zeal, as if she¡¯d started to believe that there was a method to his madness and he actually had agreed to the duel knowing he had a chance at winning, however preposterous that notion might be. They had moved on to shielding, an aspect of the process that he¡¯d found quite fun to learn. Again, far cheaper and less volatile ingredients were used for him to practice with. Catching the ingredient as it was falling into the mixture was the riskiest part, as letting it fall directly could cause an explosion in the worst case scenario, while it would always ruin the refinement even in the best case. Xiao Feng managed to do so with unerring accuracy every time, but he had some trouble with what should be the easier part. He had been neglecting his cultivation as he adapted to his life in the continent of Tian and it showed, as he found himself losing control over the shielding past the ten minute mark more than once. It wasn¡¯t a matter of qi control or difficulty, because all he had to do was to ensconce the ingredient in a layer of Wind Qi and wait for it to dissolve. But Xiao Feng lacked the focus and discipline of his predecessor and that was not something he could inherit from his memories and meandering thoughts were all it took for his focus over the ingredient to falter Two weeks of daily practice fixed that, all while Xiao Feng dedicated another two hours every day to regular cultivation in the cultivation chambers. In the past week, Xiao Feng had moved on to learning the second method of kneading the mixture, the one Lianhua used after more than two ingredients were added. She had demonstrated how weave two spirals of Wind Qi that served as tubes through which the mixture was supposed to intersect, before being diffused through a gentle umbrella of wind that returned the mixture to the pill furnace¡¯s base so that the cycle could begin anew, through her pill furnace with the top open. Xiao Feng got to see exactly how Lianhua had done it, but despite spending the past three weeks dedicated two hours to the Warrior¡¯s Temperance cultivation technique, he found himself struggling to maintain a continuously moving shape in his mind¡¯s eye for more than a few minutes. He was pretty sure that if it came down to it, he could rely upon the soul space to augment his perception and manage it, but Xiao Feng wanted to try and learn alchemy the proper way before he relied upon his unique advantages. That was why he was in the alchemy division, after all. And the best part about learning alchemy was that it also gave him insights into how he could elevate his chai to the next level. 73: Warriors Temperance 73: The Warrior¡¯s Temperance cultivation technique was fundamentally different from the Essence Cultivation Art or the Flowing Wind Art, for the same reason as to why a distinction was made between a cultivation technique and art. A cultivation art was an instruction manual that guided it¡¯s wielder to modulate existing Qi reserves in a particular pattern or rhythm that would achieve the intended result, like the Flowing Wind Art¡¯s fourth form, dancing breeze, that allowed Xiao Feng to direct his Wind Qi in a rhythm that would shield him from harm. On the other hand, a cultivation technique was a fundamentally different matter. Its aim was not to modulate the existing Qi Reserves, but to expand them. Only, it didn¡¯t stop there. The Warrior¡¯s Temperance cultivation technique was the most widely used cultivation technique in the Martial Division and it also happened to be the only cultivation technique taught to his predecessor. Based on the revelations that Xiao Feng had gotten on his predecessor¡¯s true status in the martial division, he would likely have assumed that the technique was a mediocre one. Surprisingly enough, that wasn¡¯t the case. If he had to describe the technique in one word, he would call it grueling. As he had had ample time to learn in the past month, the dantian, despite its metaphysical nature, was closer to a muscle than an organ. It was essential to his cultivation, yes and it did function like a heart, only to pump Qi instead of blood. But there was a key distinction to be made there, one that made all the difference. Warrior¡¯s Temperance was a cultivation technique that required Xiao Feng to see the dantian as both the end of the initial cycle and the beginning of the next one, a bridge between his upper body and lower body. Thankfully, the cultivation technique itself was incredibly easy to understand, so much so that Xiao Feng felt like he could perform it even without the muscle memory his predecessor had left him behind. Well, eventually. The first step was to essentially flood all the meridians in his upper body with unattuned Qi, with his Dantian outputting in a capacity that would normally only be seen in a combat scenario. The branching veins that were part of the venous network that the meridian was were filled to the brim, like the ones ending at the tip of his fingers, while the main veins were allowed to take the excess Qi to the lower body once the upper body hit its capacity. Then Xiao Feng would have to repeat the exact same process for the lower body, letting his meridians fill to the brim, including the acupuncture points where excess unattuned Qi was stored, before the Dantian opened passage to the lower body, directing all the Qi back inside after the entire body hit it¡¯s natural capacity. Once the meridians were devoid of Qi, the entire process would repeat again. However, Qi was not an infinite resource and cycling it was not a lossless phenomenon. Unlike the heart, which required a source of nutrition and hydration for sustenance, the dantian would not cease to exist if one ran out of Qi. Instead, the foundation base that his predecessor had braved heavenly tribulation for would replenish it, a process that was painstakingly slow, or he could absorb the Qi from the ambient Qi available in the environment or through a source like spiritual stones. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The faster and quicker Xiao Feng completed a cycle, the more Qi he would lose. This was because the Dantian and by extension his meridians were forcefully told that they were not adequate for him in their current state, like a muscle that had not been trained enough. The same way muscle fibers needed to be torn and regrown to become stronger, the dantian and the meridians possessed the capability to be strengthened. However, just as muscle fibers needed adequate nutrition and sleep to grow, the dantian and meridians required Qi that was already being supplied to it. That deficit of Qi was something that the cultivation chambers he was training in had already accounted for, as good quality spiritual stones were placed on a bed of heated bronze coal. After completing a cycle, Xiao Feng could easily absorb the excess Qi released in the exceptionally small chamber he was seated in, with just enough space for him to sit cross-legged a short but comfortable distance away from the heat. While absorbing Qi directly from the stone would be slightly faster, the whole point of releasing Qi into the ambient air was to make sure that his focus did not snap. Taking long breaks between each cycle would completely diminish the effects of the Warrior¡¯s Temperance technique. It¡¯s whole point was to push a cultivator to his absolute limit, to accustom his dantian to be ready to output large amounts of Qi at a moment¡¯s notice and for his meridians to be thick enough to sustain such potent amounts without suffering damage. Damage to the meridians was one of the worst injuries a cultivator could face, its repair beyond any but the greatest of healers. And for a cultivator on the battlefield, the outcome of encounters was decided in a matter of seconds, sometimes fractions of seconds. They had to be capable of calling upon their Qi at a moment¡¯s notice, but if their meridians were injured in the process, then they would fall to the next attack. It was truly the ideal cultivation technique for a warrior, but the problem Xiao Feng was facing with it was the fact that it was¡­ boorish. There had to be a cleverer way of cultivating, he was certain of that. Unfortunately, cultivation techniques happened to be even more valuable than beast eggs and Xiao Feng could see why. With a beast egg, you could raise a single beast but with a powerful cultivation technique, you could found an entire sect. The first time Xiao Feng had tried the Warrior¡¯s Temperance cultivation technique, he had tapped out mid-way through the first cycle. The thing about packing your meridians to the limit was that it made it feel like your entire muscular structure had suddenly doubled in weight, while the process constantly demanded his Qi, focus and stamina. On his second try, when he¡¯d completely managed to fill all his meridians, Xiao Feng could barely stay upright, his entire body feeling like weighed a metric ton even as his meridians began to ache from being forced to stay at full capacity. And now, he was supposed to let it all flow into his dantian in one fell swoop. He did and it felt like he¡¯d been punched in the gut with a bowling ball, before he lost focus and collapsed onto his back. Two weeks of efforts later, Xiao Feng had managed to reach a grand total of four complete cycles. Warrior¡¯s Temperance was not a cultivation technique that tested his willpower, it was a test of willpower that let his foundation base strengthen. His predecessor¡¯s highest cycle count had been a whopping eighty-two, but at the rate Xiao Feng was going, it would take him years before he reached even fifty. Willpower was not something he could inherit and it would be quite outlandish to try and match a bona-fide cultivator from the continent of Tian when he had led a far easier, accustomed to modern amenities life back on Earth. But if he didn¡¯t and someone discovered just how weak he had become, both his and his predecessor¡¯s life would come to be at risk. Possession had been an outlandish concept back on earth, but with the existence of the Demonic Path, it was something that the Frontier Sect might be capable of detecting. Waiting for his willpower to increase through repeated practice would take years if not decades, but if he didn¡¯t, he might be doomed. The only option left had been to cheat. 74: Cultivation 74: In the soul space, the rules were different. As it turned out, pain was a function of the body. From what Xiao Feng understood, the Dantian was a meta-physical organ, one that belonged to both the body and the soul. The pain he was feeling had stemmed from his body, a warning not to push his Dantian beyond its limits. A warning that Xiao Feng could choose to ignore. Sitting on a small, grassy knoll in his college campus, Xiao Feng sat next to his predecessor as they both observed his form, sitting cross-legged within the cultivation chamber, or rather, the venous structure comprised of meridians, acupuncture points and his dantian. To look inwards and monitor the venous structure while cultivating was a drain on his focus and mental fortitude. Now though, as he looked upon his body in third-person, watching as his dantian flooded his upper body¡¯s meridians, the constant demand on his attention was replaced by a scientific curiosity. It was far easier to direct the steam of Qi to his lower body¡¯s meridians when he could dedicate his entire attention to the task without being held back by an apprehension of pain that he knew would normally follow. The weight of filling his meridians to the brim was not something that Xiao Feng could avoid, because Qi resided in the soul. His arms and legs felt like lead, his entire body feeling like it wanted to collapse onto itself. Yet, Xiao Feng found it far easier to bear than before, because he could think clearly, his Qi flowed more smoothly than ever and most of all, what had felt like an unattainable goal now seemed like it was well within the realm of possibility. He willed the Qi back into his Dantian, completing a cycle without having the air knocked out of his lungs. ¡°Some would consider this a dishonorable way to cultivate,¡± His predecessor remarked as he watched Xiao Feng commit to a second cycle immediately after the first. ¡°You know, there is a saying in my old world,¡± Xiao Feng replied without looking away from the three-dimensional picture of his body that had been overlaid upon the college campus¡¯ grounds. ¡°Pray tell,¡± His predecessor replied, a note of curiosity in his tone even though he had seen many of Xiao Feng¡¯s memories. ¡°There is no honor among thieves and body snatchers,¡± Xiao Feng replied, a smirk playing upon his lips. ¡°Is that really a¡ª No. You jest,¡± His predecessor replied, with a harrumph following. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Actually, it is. Well, partly,¡± Xiao Feng revealed with a chuckle, only for his smile to freeze as the weight of filling his upper body¡¯s meridians with Qi weighed down upon him. ¡°So¡­,¡± Xiao Feng said, taking a few moments to catch his breath before continuing, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Two answers,¡± His predecessor smoothly replied, as if he had pre-empted the question. ¡°Had you asked my past self, I would¡¯ve told you that shortcuts on the path of ascension would catch up to you. Power without will is like a deadly blade with an inept wielder, one bound to crumble under the might of the heavens.¡± ¡°What about now?¡± Xiao Feng croaked out, as his meridians reached full-capacity and were now being pushed beyond their limits. ¡°Now, I would say it would be foolish to deny a path to power naught knowing where its threshold lies. The Azure Lotus Sect lied to me about much and my own pursuit of power led me to become an unwitting sacrifice to another¡¯s cause. No, to seek power means craving it. Only when you crave it do you realize its capabilities. The method you have discovered could be one amongst thousands that I have been unwitting of. Pursue it and see for yourself.¡± ¡°Like I have a choice,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a chuckle. ¡°For you it might be one of many paths, but for me, it¡¯s the only realistic way I¡¯ve got,¡± He said, before willing all the Qi that had been building up in his meridians back into his dantian in one flush motion. Fifteen cycles. From four to fifteen cycles in a single cultivation session. That was how much Xiao Feng had improved after he entered the Soul Space to cultivate. And he felt like he could keep going, even if his clothes back in the real world were drenched in sweat and his heart felt like it was pacing at the pace of a runaway horse. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± His predecessor declared, an air of finality to his tone. Xiao Feng blinked, then turned to face his predecessor. ¡°Why?¡± He asked. ¡°Return to your body,¡± His predecessor replied with a shake of his head. Xiao Feng locked eyes with his predecessor, but his visage revealed nothing. That was not a good sign. In for a penny, in for a gold tael, Xiao Feng thought, before taking the plunge. Everything hurt. Every single bone in his body hurt and it took all he had not to thrash around like a newly born infant. His nerves were flared and his soul felt like it had suffered through continuous days of manual labour. He hurriedly and equally shamelessly retreated to the soul space. ¡°You knew this was going to happen,¡± Xiao Feng declared as soon as he returned to his predecessor¡¯s side. ¡°I had my suspicions,¡± His predecessor calmly replied, sipping on a cup of chai that had certainly been pulled out of Xiao Feng¡¯s memories. ¡°You¨C ugh,¡± Xiao Feng grunted in defeat, before wearily asking, ¡°What happens if I just stay in here to recover?¡± He clearly asked, refusing to walk into any more surprises. ¡°That will not work,¡± His predecessor clearly replied, dampening the last of his hopes. ¡°Your soul needs rest to recover. If you continue staying here, it will be forced to remain awake, in a way. Delaying it will only harm you.¡± ¡°Why couldn¡¯t you have told me all this earlier, again?¡± Xiao Feng asked, before sighing out loud. ¡°That would¡¯ve defeated the purpose of your attempt, would it not?¡± His predecessor pointedly asked. ¡°You cultivators are terrifying,¡± Xiao Feng replied, accepting defeat as he returned to the real world. 75: Second form 75: Sparring with Lianhua and Alchemist Jun turned out to be the highlight of his days during the past month. Since he focused on a sword form that suited him, Xiao Feng had come to enjoy practicing with the two, even though he had to play the role of a seasoned practitioner to maintain his predecessor¡¯s image. Muscle memory and honed instinct served as the basis of his advantage over the two alchemists, but it was far from enough to deal with the calibre of enemies his predecessor once had, a chasm that not even his Essence Cultivation Art could bridge. Of course, Lianhua had too many responsibilities as a Senior Alchemist and Alchemist Jun needed to attend to her duties at the Alchemy Vaults, so it wasn¡¯t possible for them to practice in the martial way every day. On those days, Xiao Feng found himself practicing on his own. It was also where he encountered his first true setback since he had started cultivating. Flowing Wind Art¡ª Second Form, Raging Gale Xiao Feng had envisioned a powerful force of wind, one capable of uprooting trees and blowing back the clouds in the sky, his blade serving a conductor for this avalanche of sweeping wind, an unstoppable force of nature that could not be contained or limited by any in its path. For a moment there, he had felt a resonance with the wind, its tyrannical desire to be unbound by any force and unrestrained by any boundaries, to go wherever its nature willed it. Xiao Feng had felt the weight on the length of his blade, as he called upon that aspect of the wind, a Dao of the Wind that yearned for freedom. He had swung his blade, offering an initial direction to the raging gale that he had marshalled under his Flowing Wind Art, setting it free of the shackles of even his own control. The Second Form of the Flowing Wind Art, Raging Gale, was designed to drive an enemy or a group of enemies away from you, a means of self-defense without necessarily turning out lethal. That had been Xiao Feng¡¯s intention in practicing the sword form, obtaining a method to extricate himself from dangerous situations without injuring his enemies, as far as it was possible to do so. But where there should¡¯ve been a raging gale buffeting away any impediments in its path, only a light breeze followed while the rest of the pressurized air scattered in random directions. Xiao Feng tried again and again, even drawing upon his predecessor¡¯s memories, only to summarily fail each time. ¡°You cannot evoke a gale only to ask it to be merciful,¡± His predecessor had chastised him. ¡°A cultivator cannot hesitate when committing to a cut, lest he be cut down himself. Neither can a gale pause to consider which path to take. Ally or enemy, friend or foe, the raging gale will tread forth, even if it is destined to leave a trail of destruction in its wake.¡± A concept that felt simple in theory, but proved far more difficult to impose onto reality. He had managed to instinctively call upon an aspect of the Wind Dao while practising the Fourth Form of the Flowing Wind Art, Dancing Breeze. His Dancing Breeze had been markedly different from his predecessors, but when it came to Raging Gale, it appeared that his own experiences and understanding was not enough. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Borrowing his predecessor¡¯s memories did not affect his mastery over the second form, which led Xiao Feng to a realization. He could recall a roiling storm from his predecessor¡¯s memories, one that sent violent gales whipping towards the Frontier Sect as it approached. He could visualize the scene as clear as crystal, but Xiao Feng could not truly feel the majesty of the storm as one would in that moment, could not feel the screaming fury contained within the arcs of thunder that cascaded down from the very heaven, could not appreciate the beauty of the scene juxtaposed by the primal fear it invoked. That was his problem. Visualizing the Dao did not mean he understood it. Despite practicing multiple times a week along with the aid his predecessor offered, Xiao Feng had come no closer to mastering the second form on the thirtieth day than he had on his first. He had a feeling that he was progressing far too smoothly for an outsider to the realm of Sephari, let alone the continent of Tian. Thankfully, it was a problem for another day, for the month Beast Master Zen had asked for him to come back after had finally elapsed.
¡°A month has passed, then?¡± Beast Master Zen¡¯s voice sounded out from within his lodge, before the door swung inwards and he stepped outside. His Umbral Fang, Liulian, skulked behind him, a veil of darkness qi enshrouding her form. Two pools of ruby-red was all Xiao Feng could make out for certain, the rest of her form blurred by what he could only describe as more absence of light than darkness, an expanse of inky void that made her figure seem far larger than he remembered it to be. Terrifying, Xiao Feng thought. ¡°That is not how we treat our guests,¡± Beast Master Zen chided, his tone a rumble of discontentment. Almost immediately after, the disturbing veil of darkness Qi dropped, revealing the lithe black furred feline that seemed cute in comparison to the apparition she had fashioned herself after. Actually, it is kind of cute how easily Beast Master Zen can make her drop that terrifying camouflage. Like a naughty child that gets caught in the act by their father, A small smile stretched across Xiao Feng¡¯s features, as he decided that it was best to keep this particular thought to himself. ¡°I suppose I have no option but to teach you how to form a true bond then,¡± Beast Master Zen conceded with a sigh. ¡°You almost seem like you don¡¯t want to,¡± Xiao Feng replied, giving the Beast Master a searching look. ¡°Souls are a complex subject-matter,¡± Beast Master Zen replied. ¡°In the hands of the wrong person, it is dangerous knowledge to impart. Do not make me regret this decision.¡± Xiao Feng met Beast Master Zen¡¯s gaze and somberly nodded, before speaking, ¡°I will not.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Beast Master Zen replied with a slow nod before turning around and seating himself on his porch. ¡°Now reach out to Liulian.¡± Xiao Feng gave Beast Master Zen a quizzical look, but no explanation followed. The impasse awkwardly stretched on for a minute, before Xiao Feng gingerly reached out and placed his palm on Liulian, a vicious umbral fang¡¯s crown. Liulian responded with an annoyed growl. ¡°With your soul,¡± Beast Master Zen added, his voice tinged with amusement. Xiao Feng¡¯s cheeks reddened ever so slightly. 76: The Cave 76: Stepping into his Soul Space had become a matter of habit for Xiao Feng, so much so that he no longer required his predecessor¡¯s guidance to find his way to the door. But once he was standing before Liulian, or rather, her imagery that had been overlaid onto his soul space, Xiao Feng found himself flummoxed. Beast Master Zen had told him to reach out to Liulian with his soul, but he hadn¡¯t the faintest idea how to accomplish that. He turned to face Beast Master Zen, only to be met by a placid expression. Perhaps it was another one of those methods that had to be discovered rather than taught, the kind that seemed to be quite common when it came to the discipline of beast taming. Or maybe it was a test, intended to be a measure of his talent or some other parameter he was not yet aware of. There had to be a reason why Beast Master Zen was withholding knowledge from him, but that observation did not bring him any closer to solving the mystery before him. How exactly did one reach out with their soul? ¡°What is the soul?¡± Xiao Feng asked his predecessor, who was lounging upon a plush diwan that he had likely summoned from his memories. He could only influence a small patch of land in Xiao Feng¡¯s soul space, a fraction of his sprawling college campus, but it appeared that his predecessor had found a way to make his stay comfortable at least. ¡°An interesting question,¡± His predecessor replied as he plucked out a cherry colored spiritual fruit from a glass bowl placed upon a side table adjacent to the diwan. ¡°A soul works in conjunction with your body, housing the dantian, acupuncture points and your meridians. That is as far as the technical definition goes.¡± ¡°That definition feels incomplete,¡± Xiao Feng replied, as he turned to give his predecessor a searching look. ¡°That is because it is,¡± His predecessor replied with a shrug, before taking a bite out of the pear-shaped spiritual fruit. ¡°You have taken over my dantian, acupuncture points and meridians, yet I still remain myself. Mortals who lack spiritual roots cannot cultivate, but that does not mean that they do not possess a soul. If I had to guess, the soul is what defines a person, what distinguishes me from you and you from the rest of Sephari.¡± ¡°Like a Qi Signature, the ingredient that the Beast Bonding Pill uses to make a newly hatched beast look up to you like a parent?¡± Xiao Feng asked, theorizing out loud. ¡°A Qi Signature is more like a scent that you can be tracked down by. A soul is far more complex and if I knew the full answer to your question, I suspect I would be at a much higher cultivation stage than foundation establishment,¡± His predecessor replied, a note of amusement audible in his tone. ¡°So¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off with a sigh. ¡°How do you think I should go about this?¡± He asked. ¡°Did you know that taking a step back and choosing to take your time to observe your surroundings instead of running headlong into its designs opens you up to a world of insights you would¡¯ve never noticed before?¡± His predecessor asked as he took another bite of the cherry-colored spiritual fruit.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡°Uh¡­ what?¡± Xiao Feng asked. ¡°You have inherited my memories, you know the life I have led. There was no breathing room, no time to reflect and consider the weight of my actions, to understand the cycle I was trapped within. I was an unmoored raft up against the currents of a raging river, incessantly driven forward without knowing my destination.¡± Xiao Feng somberly nodded, realizing that his predecessor was touching upon a deeply personal experience. ¡°The Beast Master told you to reach out with your soul instead of your physical form. Nothing he said suggested that there was anything wrong with your approach itself,¡± His predecessor calmly explained. Xiao Feng blinked, taking a moment to process what his predecessor was suggesting before he blurted out, ¡°It can¡¯t be that simple.¡± ¡°Maybe it isn''t. Maybe it is,¡± His predecessor replied. ¡°You see cultivation as a mystical art, but to those born in the realm of Sephari it is merely an occurrence in nature, the natural way of the world.¡± Xiao Feng slowly nodded, not having realized himself that his approach to cultivation in general had been that of an outsider. ¡°Well, not like I have anything to lose,¡± Xiao Feng declared with a shrug, before focusing his gaze on Liulian. Extending his palm forward, he gently placed his hand on Liulian¡¯s crown, this time with his soul alone while his physical body remained inert. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, his eyes widened in shock as he was flooded with sensory feedback in the form of emotions instead of one of the five senses. He felt a primal instinct rumbling on the surface, a viciousness that was driven by the natural, evolutionary instinct to survive in the ruthlessness of the untamed wilderness. Beneath that, Xiao Feng found contentment derived from the environment, from the comfort that the menagerie offered to spiritual beasts. Even deeper, there was a surprisingly pure warmth and affection, a child-like desire to please that was directed in the Beast Master¡¯s general direction. And those were only a fraction of the multitude of emotions he was picking up on, many too subtle or mercurial for him to identify. Xiao Feng was almost certainly headed down the right direction, so he reached even deeper in search of greater truths. Only to find himself stumbling backwards and just barely avoiding a fall, as he found himself confronted by a furious umbral fang with its jaws unhinged in a snarl as it approached, its size twice that of the sitting Liulian, who had not moved from the spot, while sharing identical features with her. In attempting to reach for Liulian¡¯s soul it appeared that he had given the female umbral fang a pathway to his own, a realization that struck him as he raised both hands up in the air in surrender. ¡°I just want to get to know you,¡± Xiao Feng hurriedly replied, not even sure if Liulian could understand his words but deciding that it was worth a try anyway. Liulian''s soul paused in its approach, turning her head in Beast Master Zen¡¯s direction. Then, she nodded in a display of a remarkably human-like gesture, before turning around and walking towards the opposite direction. Xiao Feng was confused by the sudden change in demeanour, only to be confronted by another surprise as he discovered that the mouth of a murky cave had superimposed itself on his soul space, in the direction Liulian was moving towards. Liulian came to a stop before the cave entrance, before barking sharply a single time. Moments passed, yet Liulian¡¯s form remained before the entrance, simply waiting. What the umbral fang wished to communicate was clear. Xiao Feng just wasn¡¯t sure if he was brave enough to follow and his predecessor was nowhere to be found. 77: Mayhem 77: Moments passed by him as Xiao Feng remained rooted to the spot. Logically, he knew that he had given no reason for Beast Master Zen to harm him and if the true bond was as intimate a connection as it seemed, neither should Lianhua. But that did little to assuage his instincts, a natural fear of the unknown. Following an umbral fang much more powerful than himself into a murky cave that led into its soul wasn¡¯t something to be done lightly, preferably not at all. Yet, Xiao Feng didn¡¯t have much of an option. It was he who had discovered the beast egg and it was also him who had asked Lianhua to arrange for this opportunity. He clenched his teeth and took a step forward. Liulian barked again, in a softer pitch than before. Xiao Feng turned his gaze to the umbral fang, only to be met by her own. Two deep pools of ruby red intently stared at him, before offering him a quick nod. Is she encouraging me? Xiao Feng wondered, blinking away in surprise as his gaze refocused on the murky cave. One step after the next led Xiao Feng to the mouth of the cave, until he was but a step away from entering. Even from up close, he could not discern what lay on the other side, a canvas of deep brown and muted black obscuring his gaze. Xiao Feng allowed himself a deep breath to collect himself, angled his gaze to confirm that Liulian was still at his side and then took two quick steps into the murky cave before his resolve waivered to logic. Darkness ensued. His sense of sight was the first to go, enshrouding the world in a sea of nothingness. There were no scents to be found in the void, nothing physical for his form to interact with. Regret and terror filled Xiao Feng¡¯s heart as he realised that he had lost himself to an endless expanse of nothingness, a world untouched by the luminescence and warmth of light, the myriad wonders of nature and the beauty of the continent of Tian, of the alchemy division, of his alchemy lessons with Lianhua, of sparring with Alchemist Jun, of wrangling advice from his predecessor and of life itself. Only the sanctuary of his mind remained as Xiao Feng floated in the vast expanse, stripped away of his five senses. Xiao Feng hadn¡¯t even begun to come to terms with the reality of what had transpired, when the earth beneath his feet began to rumble. With a loud snap, his five senses returned to him in a jumble of movement. The terror he had been feeling lessened to a deep sense of unease, as he realized that all his senses felt profoundly wrong. Xiao Feng an unnatural strength in his arms and legs as he all but glided across the ground, albeit in a manner that felt completely bizarre to him as his legs kicked off the ground in unison, only for his momentum to be caught by his hands as they muffled his landing, before he repeated the motion. No, not hands, Xiao Feng thought, as he angled his gaze to his limbs only to find furred forelimbs with small, pointed razor-sharp claws that mirrored the glossy black color of his fur. Instead of panic, understanding flashed in Xiao Feng¡¯s ruby-red eyes as he allowed his gaze to sweep across his immediate surroundings. If Xiao Feng could still gasp, he would have. Instead, choked bark escaped his snout as he realized that he galloped amongst a pack of Umbral Fangs that all dwarfed him in stature. A feeling of warm affection arose in his chest as his gaze stopped at a female Umbral Fang, marked by streaks of silver running across its slender tail, that loped next to him, her casual stride enough to match Xiao Feng¡¯s gallop. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. There was a sense of contentment in Xiao Feng¡¯s heart as he kept pace with the female Umbral Fang as they proudly strode across the forested region. His acute sense of hearing picked up on the panicked flight of other spiritual beasts, a sense of pride welling up in his chest as lesser spiritual beasts fled in the face of their majesty. The time to hunt would come later, as it always did. This was not the first time their pack had crossed a territory unchallenged and it would not be the last. The ear-piercing trumpet of an unknown beast cut through the rhythm of their pack¡¯s charge. The earth beneath their feet trembled as the umbral fangs around him, alongside him came to a grounding halt. His own form collided with the female umbral fangs as she curled around her path to stop him. A light thump sounded out as they collided, but instead of pain there was only surprise as he mewled in confusion. The female umbral fang before him turned her attention forward without paying him heed, baring her teeth and growling in a low rumble. For a moment, there was silence. Then, two massive trees that made up the forest¡¯s canopy creaked and crunched before tipping to the side as a towering spiritual beast revealed itself, it¡¯s pillar-like forelimbs causing the earth beneath to rumble as it strode forth to block their path. The strength of its beast core crashed down upon him with the strength of a cascading waterfall, causing him to drop down to his knees. Even a dozen umbral fangs standing atop each other could not compare to the hulking beast before them, its skin covered in tawny skin from head to toe. An earthy gemstone was embedded in the centre of its forehead, two tree-trunk sized tusks curving from behind its snout. Dense muscle rippled underneath its fur, its hulking frame casting a shadow behind it that was more befitting of a small hill. Never before had he beheld a creature of such strength. Even the brightest core amongst the umbral fangs was but a candle before a wildfire when compared to the elephantine creature¡¯s core. For a moment, there was silence. Then chaos broke out as the umbral fangs howled in unison and a thick blanket of darkness subsumed their figures. Panic thrummed in his heart as the blanket of darkness enshrouded his form, as even his ruby-red eyes that were attuned to the dark failed to see through it. Before the blanket of darkness could encroach upon the elephantine spiritual beast¡¯s form as their favored pack hunting method, it trumpeted in defiance, stomping its right forelimb against the earth. Three spikes shaped from the earth, each as thick as the elephantine spiritual beast¡¯s limbs, cut across the blanket of darkness the umbral fangs hid within, at such a speed that they had naught but a fraction of a moment to react to the swell of earth Qi. The blanket of darkness half collapsed, revealing the broken forms of half a dozen umbral fangs, while the survivors howled in both horror and grief from between the risen spikes of blood drenched rock. A roar of command echoed out from the pack leader and a moment later the blanket of darkness collapsed, as the Qi within was reshaped into crescent arcs that were sent slicing towards the elephantine spiritual beasts form. Darkness met earthen fur and clumps were sheared away, leaving light cuts across the beast¡¯s hulking form. Then the umbral fangs split away, intent on flanking the elephantine spiritual beast from it¡¯s sides and back. Leaving only his quivering form and the female umbral fang, whose form was ensconced in a layer of darkness as she protectively stood before him. Xiao Feng watched as the Umbral Fangs¡¯s lithe frames flitted around and under the beast¡¯s torso, tearing light gashes open with both darkness and now extended fangs. In response, the elephantine spiritual beast¡¯s Qi flared and in what felt like a moment, it¡¯s trunk was enveloped in a layer of rock that connected to a heavy block of solid stone, akin to a long-handled warhammer. The beast swung it¡¯s head and with it, it¡¯s snout, causing the block of stone to arc into the side of an umbral fang with such speed and force that it was reduced to a mist of blood. Terror welled in Xiao Feng¡¯s heart and he found himself rooted to the spot, when the female umbral fang turned. She pressed her snout against his own before turning her gaze into the distance, an urging bark telling him to flee. But Xiao Feng remained rooted to the spot, his quivering legs unable to find the will to move forward. Moments passed and the female Umbral fang grew more and more insistent, before her eyes widened in panic. She picked him up by the cuff of his fur and dove forward. The cloying smell of blood filled the air as Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in panic, only to realize that it wasn¡¯t his own. A whimper escaped the female umbral fang as she pulled away from him, letting him notice the paw-sized puncture wound that had punched through her abdomen. The female umbral fang placed a single paw on his forehead and with it came a swell of darkness Qi. He found his form ensconced in a darkness so deep that the light fled from him, yet he could see through it as clear as day. The female umbral fang looked him in the eyes, her ruby-red matching his own and no communication needed to be exchanged. This time, he turned around and ran. 78: Alone 78: Xiao Feng¡¯s lithe form glided across the landscape, his heart hammering in his chest as he galloped away from the site of carnage with every ounce of strength he could muster. A base survival instinct kept a grief he did not fully comprehend yet from overwhelming him, from turning back and leaping into the fray. Never before had he come across a cultivation as vast as the sun and never again did he hoped to, as time blurred away with the environment. He ran and ran until his breath rasped, his chest heaved and his limbs burned from the exertion, both uncaring and incapable of keeping track of the time that had passed. The sounds of battle, of the clash between darkness and earth, had faded from his ears, that terrible creature¡¯s Qi no longer perceivable by his senses. He stood before the mouth of a murky cave, not knowing how he had gotten there. His keen senses told him that the cave was empty, but that did not mean it was abandoned. Still, as he curled his form to look behind him, to the path he had taken to get there, a shudder ran across the length of his body as he remembered the visceral terror the lone spiritual beast had carved upon his soul. Without hesitating any further, he stepped inside the cave. What little light flowed into the tunnel tapered off a little past the entrance, the lip of the rock jutting out from above to act like a natural, jagged awning. Darkness once again enveloped him, but this time his piercing ruby-red eyes could see clearly through it. There was more to darkness than the absence of light, a concept onto itself. He could tell, because it felt cool and refreshing upon his skin and moreover, it resonated with his own limited reserves of Darkness Qi. But in that moment, having pushed himself beyond his limits to flee while being consumed by terror and grief, there was little he had the energy besides curling up into a ball near the back wall of the shallow chamber. Before he knew it, sleep took a hold over him.
It was the metallic tang of fresh, qi-rich blood that Xiao Feng awoke to, the sound of crunching bone and tearing flesh ringing out in the air in a savage symphony. Panic flooded his Xiao Feng¡¯s heart as the events of the past day flitted in his mind, reminding him that he no longer travelled amongst his kind, that he was on his own and that a terrifying predator unlike anything he had seen before lingered in a forest they had traversed before. Only one memory kept panic from consuming him, the fact that the mouth of the cave had been too diminutive for the massive elephantine spiritual beast to follow him in. As his senses focused, he realized that there were not one, but two beast cores within the small chamber, both somehow not having detected his presence. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. One beast core was weak and growing weaker by the second, as numerous cracks spiderwebbed across its surface through which Qi was diffused in the atmosphere. With every passing moment, the Qi leakage intensified and Xiao Feng would be surprised if the beast core lasted more than the next few minutes. The other beast core was half-spent but whole and recovering at a pace that felt rapid, almost like a cultivation session. But beasts did not cultivate, for they had no need to cultivate. Their core would draw from the ambient Qi and strengthen them both internally and externally, as sure as their lungs would draw breath. Xiao Feng was not surprised to see the hefty form of a four-legged spiritual beast digging into the flesh of a lithe, slender beast, its elongated neck, double-jointed limbs and oval pupils speaking of a creature evolved for mobility and speed over endurance and deadliness. He was no stranger to either of the spiritual beasts, both the predator and its glassy-eyed prey. His gaze focused on the larger, fur cloaked beast, its stout form rippling with dense musculature as it craned its neck to feast on the lithe spiritual beast¡¯s qi-rich flesh. Its beady eyes matched the hue of its fur, an ash gray that was distinctive without being particularly eye-catching. Before him was a predator and its core was denser than his own, even when it was half full. The beast was older than him, having lived longer in the wilds, yet it was not the elephantine spiritual beast, not a creature he had no hope of besting. He had run from the elephantine spiritual beast, but he would not run from the ash-hued beast. For he was an Umbral Fang and besides that hulking monstrosity of a beast, they were the predators in this land. The layer of darkness Qi ensconcing his form explained why he hadn¡¯t been detected. Despite his exhaustion, the fear and the terror, it appeared that the habit his pack had ingrained in him through habit had stuck. Had it been any other element, anything but darkness, Xiao Feng would have been ripped apart in his sleep. But Darkness Qi possessed a curious property, one that let him shroud his own beast core along with his form. Nestling himself in the back of the cave likely had saved his life, for Darkness Qi would have done nothing if the ash furred beast had bumped into his physical form. He had run once. He would not do so again. The ash-furred beast had its back towards him, an observation Xiao Feng intended to exploit. Instead of inching closer for the kill, he blurred forward. Darkness Qi muffled the sounds of his footfall, but it was only a matter of seconds before the predator caught onto his presence. His claws swiped forth twice in quick succession, one from his right then left, severing the soft flesh in the diamond-shaped area that made up the back of its hindlimbs¡¯s knee. The ash-furred beast¡¯s hindlimbs buckled as he moved past them, leaping for its visage as a pained growl escaped its throat only to sputter out as two wickedly sharp canines dug into it. A swipe of his claw blinded the ash-furred beast in its left eye, making it clear that he had caught the larger creature completely off guard. The beast¡¯s dying struggles, as it thrashed about wildly and unleashed spikes of ice across the cavern floor in an attempt to gouge him, earned him more than a few long but shallow wounds. Ultimately though, given his proximity to the creature, the element of surprise with which he had struck and having blinded it in one eye, the ash-furred beast could not impale him with a decisive strike without impaling itself with its own element. As the ash-furred beast crumpled, Xiao Feng once again found himself alone. 79: Velour 79: Hours blurred into days as time ebbed away, yet Xiao Feng did not leave the cavern. There was a very real possibility that the elephantine spiritual beast still lurked the lands outside his hard-fought shelter, but in truth, that was not enough of a reason to keep him confined within the darkness. Umbral Fangs did not let fear dominate them, for they were the ones to instill it in others. Yet, everything he had ever known had been ripped apart from him by the elephantine spiritual beast in a matter of seconds, it¡¯s might unlike anything ever witnessed before in these lands. Even now, his instincts, that of a predator, could not think of a way to fell the vicious titan. What was he to do when his shadows could not pierce its fur and his claws could not render its flesh? His own beast core was naught but a fragment of a fragment in the face of the radiance of the sun, the vast beast core that dwarfed his own by hundreds of times. The fact that his pack had not come to get him was telling of the results of the battle. He wished to howl out in mourning, yet even that reprieve was robbed from him out of fear for attracting the elephantine spiritual beast. The ash-furred beast¡¯s meat would last her a few more days, the qi that had suffused into the flesh keeping it from rotting. But beyond that, he did not know where to go or what lands to hunt in. It was then, in the depths of a cavern enshrouded in a darkness that resembled that of his own heart, that she heard the light footfall of a slow-approaching creature. The footfall carried a rhythm that was unfamiliar to him, a repeating one-two echoing hollowly against the gravelly ground. Based on the sound alone, the approaching creature could not be much larger than himself, yet, it did not stop a familiar terror from welling up in her heart. For unfamiliar had come to mean danger and that was enough of a reason for him to ensconce himself in a layer of darkness qi that smothered her core. The creature came to a stop near the entrance of the cave, revealing its form without stepping inside. His own ruby-red eyes pierced through the darkness and landed upon the creature that had intruded upon his hideout, taking in its unfamiliar form. It was as tall as her mother when she stood up on her hindlegs to reach for spiritual fruits, which made it shorter than most dangerous spiritual beasts they encountered. The creature was draped in a layer of stylized animal leathers, its own visage lacking fur as its lower lip curled upwards. The creature¡¯s calm gaze pierced through the veil of darkness and regarded his own, a length of wood that gave him an odd feeling held loosely in his right hand while a leather satchel was swung over his left shoulder. His paws lacked claws and a pair of bamboo sandals sheltered his feet, neither eliciting a sense of wariness from him. ¡°To think you survived an encounter with a Nascent Soul,¡± The furless beast declared, a note of awe audible in his tone. A part of him understood the language, yet it failed to sway the part of him that did not. He was a spectator here, the deep growl at being addressed leaving his throat in a menacing rumble not his own. ¡°It is both of our good fortunes that you survived,¡± The furless beast stated, as he took a step into the cave as if he were unaware of the danger he was inviting upon himself. A menacing growl repeated itself, this time deeper and more bloodthirsty. The only reason he hadn¡¯t attacked yet was because he was wary of the unknown, even if the furless beast before him was not emanating a lick of qi. The furless beast took another step forward and the primal blood coursing within his veins could take the insult no longer. With Darkness Qi thrumming around him, his form blurred forward. In the dimly lit cavern, his form was already difficult to perceive, but there was no need to take chances. Zig-zagging forward to confuse the furless beast¡¯s perception. Finally, she kicked off the ground with her hindlimbs, using her forelimbs to guide her charge as she lunged for the furless beast¡¯s neck. Only for the furless beast to respond as if he had expected such a maneuver, swing his wooden staff before him defensively as if it would protect him. It did not, but the wall formed out of Wind Qi that buffeted him back towards the far cave wall he had approached from, domineering in force yet gentle enough for him to be pressed against the wall without harm. His fears had proved true. The furless beast wielded his element with a control and finesse that he had never seen before, yet that did not stop him from impulsively charging again and again in an effort to fell this new threat. What the furless beast lacked in power, he made up for in finesse and four more times, he found himself pressed against the cave wall, his state more resembling a hapless puppy than the predators that umbral fangs were. ¡°Now now,¡± The furless beast said, his tone gentle as it was soothing. ¡°I believe that will suffice for an introduction,¡± He said, as he unclasped his satchel and pulled out a slab of marbled meat. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Where Xiao Feng had expected an attack, the furless beast tossed the slab of meat in an arc, causing it to land at his feet. ¡°I¡¯ll be seeing you tomorrow,¡± The furless beast said with a nod and a smile, before departing. Xiao Feng did not follow.
Hours passed and Xiao Feng did not leave the cave. Neither did Xiao Feng feast on the scrumptious slab of meat that lay before him, too wary of the furless beast for that. Yet, while the terrors outside prevented him from leaving, it did little to satiate his hunger. Compared to the day''s old meat from the ash-furred beast, the fresh slab of marbled meat sang to his appetite and nothing smelled off to her. Ultimately, he gave in to his hunger and dug into the most scrumptious meat he had ever had ever sampled.
Every day, without fail, the furless beast returned. For the first few days, he continued to fight only to be haplessly pinned against the cave wall, yet the furless beast still left behind a new slab of meat for him. What manner of a beast offered its hunt to another, he did not know. Yet, it had been made clear to him that he could not defeat this furless beast and neither did it mean him harm, for it had ample opportunity to render his skull from his form. Finally, the umbral fang, who was the last of its pack, gave up the fight, content to let the furless beast present its offering and leave. Two weeks had passed before the furless beast made its move. It stepped forth, into his cavern and kept walking beyond, its staff tapping against the floor as it walked towards him, stopping only until a single step separated the two. He growled in defiance, despite knowing the futility of it and waited for the furless beast to lunge so he could counter with fangs of his own. ¡°I mean you no harm, child,¡± The furless beast spoke, his tone soft and soothing. ¡°Surely you understand that by now.¡± The growl left his muzzle as he closed his eyes, the cold embrace of fear overwhelming him as he waited for the end to take him. Both the elephantine spiritual beast and this furless beast were beyond his capability to fight, there was no need to deny the truth any longer. A palm nuzzled his crown, but the pain never followed. When he opened his eyes, a new world greeted him. Soft grass nestled his crouched form beneath him. Gentle light drizzled down from the ceiling, emanating from crystals embedded in the cavern¡¯s stone. Trees dotted the cavern, a lodge resting in the centre, but neither were enough to catch his eye. No, that honour was reserved for the spiritual beasts resting in the area, weak creatures that he saw as prey living in harmony. ¡°This is my home,¡± The furless beast stood next to him, a proud smile on his visage as he introduced him to the environment. Earlier, what had been nothing but garbled, accented speech to a part of him, was now something that was understood. Not the speech itself, but rather, the meaning behind it. He barked in reply, as he tilted his head in curiosity. ¡°It is a sanctuary,¡± The furless beast replied after nodding in understanding. ¡°All the beasts are linked to me with a bond that is older than, I daresay, even your mighty race. A bond of equals, vyn kareth se tyn kareth.¡± The furless beast spoke in another language, one which was unfamiliar to both the beast and the spectator, yet they understood the meaning of the words. ¡°My blood is your blood.¡± Xiao Feng barked again in protest. The furless beast laughed in response, before shaking his head, ¡°There can be no lies in the realm of yul, where souls overlap. My race is not a kind one and like yours, it is strength above all that defines one''s status in the world. But if you choose to walk alongside me, no one will question your presence. You will be safe, protected from the dangers of the wilderness and I will see to it that your strength is honed, so you never have to feel that fear again.¡± He barked twice in agitation. ¡°The Nascent Soul?¡± The furless beast rhetorically repeated, before a sigh escaped him. ¡°That is a strength beyond the both of us, I am afraid. See for yourself,¡± He waved his wooden staff in a flourish. Xiao Feng found himself living through another set of memories, one that depicted the furless beast¡¯s travel through the wilderness, that terrifying surge of strength that he had detected from afar and the sight of carnage he had come across days later in careful search for what remained. Few bodies remained and none were intact, the forest rendered into a canvas of shattered trees and crumpled flesh. Whatever had transpired in the forest, the furless beast had no role to play in it besides locking onto his trail and following him into the tunnel. Xiao Feng howled after the vision ended, both in fury and in grief. He did not know how long had passed before calm returned to him and he offered the furless beast his own memories in turn. ¡°It is my good fortune that I did not encounter that tier four,¡± The furless beast said with a shudder in face of such might. ¡°If you wish for revenge, I will not stop you. Nor can I. The bond I seek is one of equals, the companionship of a lifetime.¡± Tears stung at his eyes as he barked a question in response. ¡°In return?¡± The furless beast gave him an understanding nod. ¡°Strengthen yourself so you can fight alongside me when it comes to it. Defend your brothers and sisters with all your might, so the events you have borne witness to can never repeat itself. Fight for a cause. Fight for your new pack.¡± Xiao Feng approached the beast master, his ruby red eyes locked onto his own. ¡°Vyn kareth se tyn kareth,¡± The words escaped his mouth, the pronunciation impeccable even though he lacked the vocal cords for such accuracy. The beast master repeated them. ¡°Vyn rayse se tyn rayse.¡± ¡°My flesh for your flesh.¡± ¡°Vyn velour se tyn velour.¡± ¡°My soul for your soul.¡± With those final words, the world was engulfed in a blinding white light and Xiao Feng found himself back in the real world, stumbling backwards from Liulian. 80: Mutual Curiosity 80: Xiao Feng stumbled backwards before his instincts kicked in and he managed to prevent himself from falling. His gaze met Liulian¡¯s, her ruby-red eyes intensely staring into his own, before he pulled away to face Beast Master Zen. ¡°Not what you expected, I presume?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, as he stood next to his umbral fang, Liulian. ¡°That was¡­,¡± Xiao Feng trailed off as he searched for the words to describe the experience he had just borne witness to, taking in a sharp breath of air as he recalled the ethereal experience. In what Beast Master Zen had called the Realm of Yul, Xiao Feng had experienced a reality where one¡¯s sense of being was laid bare, an existence that had no place for falsehoods or deceit, no possibility of lies and trickery, leaving behind only the truth in all its weight. ¡°...beautiful,¡± he concluded, unable to stop himself from speaking his true thoughts even though it might not have been the words his predecessor would¡¯ve chosen. A throaty laugh escaped Beast Master Zen as he regarded Xiao Feng with an amused expression before replying, ¡°It is heartening that you believe so. That is not a statement most cultivators would agree with, after all.¡± Oops, Xiao Feng thought, as he tried his best to keep his expression blank. He wondered where he had messed up, but nothing in his predecessor¡¯s memories could shed a light. Be it a true bond, umbral fangs, a Tier 4 spiritual beast, the mysterious Realm of Yul or even a particularly jovial Beast Master, his predecessor knew next to nothing about all of them. ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Feng finally asked, before the silence could stretch out into an awkward one. Jovial the Beast Master might be, but he was nothing if not perceptive. After all, he had been the one to discover the site of the umbral fang epic battle with the elephantine spiritual beast and from there, he had managed to track down Liulian to a small cave despite her darkness Qi smothering her core and shielding her from observation by a cultivator. Lying to him at this stage would do him no good, so he just had to own up to his feelings. ¡°You felt it, did you not? The Realm of Yul,¡± The Beast Master rhetorically asked before continuing, ¡°The longer you roam the continent of Tian, the more clearly you will come to realize the similarities between the world of beasts and the world of cultivation. Be it martial cultivator or alchemist, it is ultimately their strength or their personal prowess that decides the pecking order, much like how the strongest amongst a pack of umbral fangs is chosen to lead it. Grand Alchemist Xin Wu did not reach that designation without proving his mettle and in doing so, did the cultivators of the Azure Lotus a great favour, the same way your Elders would not have been granted such prestige without proving themselves in battle.¡± Xiao Feng nodded along, even though he was yet to see the point Beast Master Zen was trying to make. He only hoped that he would not be called upon to elucidate upon it. ¡°A true bond is, at its very essence, a bond of equals. How many cultivators would be willing to subject themselves to the Realm of Yul? The strongest amongst us have gotten to that stage by the might of their ambition, skill and more often than not, their ruthlessness. They can lie to others, they can even lie to themselves, but they cannot lie in the Realm of Yul. Those with an impure heart cannot conceal it and those untainted by such greed often do not possess the strength to acquire a beast egg, let alone confront a spiritual beast. Do you remember the words?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, as Xiao Feng hung onto his every word out of his thirst for knowledge. ¡°Vyn kareth se tyn kareth,¡± Xiao Feng repeated the first line of the true bond, though his own pronunciation seemed broken compared to what he recalled. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°My blood is your blood,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded, before continuing, ¡°It means that you will bleed for your bonded beast before you allow a single drop of her blood to be spilled.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in realization as he understood the gravity of the true bond, of the oath concealed within those words. ¡°Indeed,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded upon seeing the realization in Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes. ¡°You will not allow for her flesh to be broken before your own is sundered. But most important of all is the final line, the real essence of the true bond. ¡°Vyn velour se tyn velour,¡± Xiao Feng solemnly recalled, certain that he did not understand the true gravity of them yet. ¡°My soul is your soul, a declaration made in the Realm of Yul, where souls intersect. Do you understand the weight of those words?¡± Beast Master Zen asked, his expression intense as he pinned him down with his gaze. Xiao Feng¡¯s mouth went dry as he shook his head. ¡°Blood, flesh and soul are the three ingredients that make both man and beast. To offer all three, but most of all the third, the soul, is to create a bond between man and beast, a tether that loops around both our souls. If Liulian were to die tomorrow, my own core would crack if not shatter entirely. If I were to pass on before her, it would be her beast core that suffers a similar fate. But there is more to the bond,¡± Beast Master Zen paused, his lips curling up as he witnessed the shock that flitted across Xiao Feng¡¯s expression, before he continued. ¡°The strength of my soul, the vitality of my blood and flesh as a Core Formation cultivator strengthen her own, for I am the longer lived amongst us two. As such, Liulian too will enjoy a life longer than most of her kind. The bond also allows us to communicate telepathically, to share certain senses even. It would take a great deal of concentration, but I could see through her eyes if I wished to.¡± ¡°Liulian is the only one you share a true bond with, isn¡¯t she?¡± Xiao Feng finally asked, making the observation out of his own lived experiences instead of his predecessor¡¯s memories. Beast Master Zen¡¯s jovial smile only grew wider before he answered with a nod, ¡°Astute. Do you understand now, why most cultivators would not look favourably upon a true bond?¡± Xiao Feng slowly nodded, taking a moment to compose himself before he answered, ¡°It is easy to say the words. But to actually mean them, that is another matter entirely. Though Liulian¡¯s memories, I witnessed the Realm of Yul and I could tell that there was not a single lie to be found. Had you hesitated in the slightest, had you tried to conceal your intentions or not meant for a bond of equals to form, had you sought to exploit Liulian¡¯s strength for your own purposes, the bond would not have taken root. ¡°Correct,¡± Beast Master Zen nodded, a melancholic sigh escaping his lips. ¡°That is why there are few worthy of the title of Beast Tamer and fewer still that know what it means to become one.¡± ¡°I¡­ when I touched Liulian with my soul, was that the Realm of Yul?¡± Xiao Feng asked, for the idea confused him. ¡°No,¡± Beast Master Zen softly replied. ¡°You reached out to Liulian with your soul and she let you glimpse upon a set of memories she wished you to see. The Realm of Yul requires both parties to lower the defenses ensconcing their soul and lay themselves bare before they can enter it.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Xiao Feng nodded in understanding. Then he hesitated, before asking, ¡°What happens if you try and enter a true bond and fail?¡± Beast Master Zen hummed in thought, examining him with a keen eye as he answered, ¡°Then you are fated to earn a friend at most, never a companion. The minds of mortals are malleable, but for those who have stood before heavenly tribulation carry a willpower that is born out of understanding who they are. I would not say it impossible, but it would be exceedingly difficult.¡± Xiao Feng hesitated again, but he decided he was in too deep for there to be any point to dancing around the matter, ¡°This information is more valuable than I think, isn¡¯t it?¡± Beast Master Zen erupted into roaring laughter, requiring more than a few moments to calm himself, ¡°Given that I have just revealed my greatest weakness, I would hope so. The question is, is it valuable enough to satiate my own curiosity?¡± Xiao Feng only needed a moment to realize what Beast Master Zen was talking about. 81: The Wager 81: As Xiao Feng walked back to his dorm room, he couldn¡¯t help but think upon the truths that had been revealed to him. A true bond was a far heavier responsibility than Xiao Feng had expected, which presented him with a question that he had not seen coming. Do I even want to enter into a true bond? He wondered. His goal in the continent of Tian wasn¡¯t to become a Beast Master or a cultivator and his second chance at life wasn¡¯t something Xiao Feng wanted to spend doing something he didn¡¯t want to do. Alchemy would play a key role in his plans to come and he would have his own shop in the martial division, but what of life beyond that? If he had only heard the true bond being described to him, Xiao Feng had a feeling that he would not have much interest in it. But he had felt it for himself, the realm of Yul where souls intersect. A world of no lies, falsehoods or deceit could gain a foothold, a pure world where the worries of flesh and blood were left behind in favour of the truth of the soul. In the realm of Sephari, where allies were a step removed from competitors and competitors a step from enemies, Beast Master Zen had a true friend. A friend that would never betray him, her life tethered to his own, his truths open to bear for herself and a bond that could only be severed by death. His predecessor could not claim to have had such a connection in this world and Xiao Feng could not blame him, for there was never a time in the world of cultivation where his own talent had not been used against him, the half-truths fed to him and his mortal parents first leading him to the Azure Lotus Sect and from there onwards, the Frontier Sect, where he defended the peace of their lands with his blood, sweat and tears. Xiao Feng would make sure that his predecessor regained a body of his own, he owed him that much at the very least, but from there onwards, his decisions would be his own to make. Their paths were bound to diverge, fated to even, of that he was certain. Could he truly walk away from a bond as beautiful as the one he had witnessed? A connection forged by a pact as nature itself? Beast Master Zen had told him there were many names the language he and Liulian had spoken the pact into existence with, from Ancient Tongue to Elder Speech, but there was one he believed to be fitting of the language that was part spoken word and part intent¡ª Beast Tongue. Tethering his soul to a spiritual beast was not a decision hastily made, especially if he wanted to be around long enough to see profits from his Chai shop, but Xiao Feng had a feeling that he wouldn¡¯t truly know until he laid eyes on the hatched beast. When he returned to Beast Master Zen tomorrow with the egg, he supposed he would know what species it belonged to and if it was still possible to hatch.
After helping himself to a late lunch, Xiao Feng headed over to Lianhua¡¯s room in the administrative sector. Seated before the spiritual silver pill furnace, Xiao Feng sat next to Lianhua in her private Alchemy Vault. The Senior Alchemist had demonstrated the weaving technique at his request, using her fine control over Wind Qi to funnel the mixture of ingredients upwards through two spirals of Wind Qi that intersected multiple times before unfurling into a gentle umbrella of Wind Qi that returned the mixture to the pill furnace¡¯s base so the process could be repeated until uniformity was achieved. Even his predecessor hadn¡¯t been used to the fine control required for alchemy, so it was fair to say that Xiao Feng would need a few more weeks before he managed the weaving technique, which was just a more thorough way of kneading the mixture of ingredients. But he could not wait any longer. Vyn velour se tyn velour, He thought, the weight of words in Beast Tongue having been made clear by Beast Master Zen. Had he not known the meaning of those words, had he not seen the umbral fang¡¯s memories as his own, Xiao Feng could have continued to practice alchemy at his own pace. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Now, however, Xiao Feng could not continue to waste time when the beast he was willing, or would be willing, to pledge his soul to was fighting for its life, in wait for the Beast Bonding Pill that he had promised to refine. From the moment Xiao Feng had stepped into Lianhua''s room, he had already entered his soul space. With his physical body no longer needed as a conduit to convey the intentions of his soul, his reactions were quicker, his reflexes improved and most importantly, his control over Qi augmented due to the lag between his soul and body being eliminated. Xiao Feng had complete control over his dantian and taking advantage of the clarity of mind the Soul Space offered him, his Qi would flow down the meridians he designated without resistance. With practiced motions, Xiao Feng ignited the amethyst dragonstone burner, keeping his right hand on the knob both so he could supply the Qi the amethyst dragonstone needed to emanate it''s scorching heat and modulate its heat by varying the supply, or cut it off entirely by turning the knob. With his Essence Cultivation Art active, Xiao Feng could see the insides of the cauldron as clear as day, noting the inconsistencies in the mixture from the comfort of his soul space. As the heat rose, Xiao Feng knew that he needed to act before the mixture was burnt to a solid crisp. Forming the initial weave was where Xiao Feng had been having the most trouble, the need for constant motion causing either his concentration or control to fail before he managed the umbrella of wind. So this time, Xiao Feng decided to try a slightly different approach. Instead of pressing his left hand against the pill cauldron, he shielded the tips of his fingers with Wind Qi and placed them against the surface of the cauldron. A moment later, he began to shift his four fingers in an undulating, wave-like motion, curling them forward with the index-finger in front before pulling back with his pinky finger leading the charge. Using the rhythm of that pattern as a reference point, Xiao Feng began to build the two spirals of wind, watching the inconsistent mixture rise and then intersect, before continuing the rise and intersecting three more times. Then, with a jerk, Xiao Feng hurriedly pressed against the pill furnace¡¯s side with his Wind Qi shielded palm, causing an umbrella to bloom outwards before the two spirals could intersect again. ¡°I have it!¡± Xiao Feng blurted out as he watched the umbrella return the kneaded mixture back to the base, where the second cycle was beginning again. ¡°Already?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone too gentle to disturb him but even then the surprise was audible. A wave of excitement rose in his chest and with it, a gout of Wind Qi escaped his palm, destabilizing the established weave. Xiao Feng could feel the heat in his cheeks as he sheepishly pulled away from the pill cauldron, cutting off the heat to the amethyst dragonstone burner. ¡°Uh, well, I¡­ had it,¡± Xiao Feng sheepishly muttered, even though there was no doubt in his mind that today was the last class he needed to practice the weaving technique in. ¡°That was quick,¡± Lianhua teased, a giggle escaping her own lips as she faced him. ¡°Hmph,¡± Xiao Feng let a huff escape him, crossing his arms as he saw Lianhua gazing upon him. ¡°It¡¯s a small distinction, that¡¯s all,¡± He added, feigning a pride that would be more suited for his predecessor. Which he supposed was the point. ¡°Is it?¡± Lianhua asked, her gaze twinking with mischievousness. ¡°Skilled cultivator you may be, but your growth already surpasses every recruit I have heard of in this batch. Are you trying to claim your Senior Sister¡¯s designation for yourself?¡± She asked, feigning hurt. Knowing well that the gulf that separated him and Lianhua couldn¡¯t be surpassed by aping a few techniques, he amusedly replied, ¡°Perhaps. The Senior Alchemists would be honored to have such an honorable cultivator like myself join their ranks, after all. Say, Senior Sister Lianhua, how about a wager?¡± Xiao Feng slyly asked. ¡°You sure enjoy putting yourself on the losing end of those but, I shouldn¡¯t,¡± She coyly replied, a note of intrigue in her tone. Noting that she hadn¡¯t refused, Xiao Feng continued, ¡°I¡¯ll wager a gold tael that I¡¯ll manage the weaving technique in the next try.¡± Genuine surprise flitted across Lianhua¡¯s features, not at the amount wagered, but at the open declaration contained in his words. ¡°Is that so?¡± She asked, her expression scrutinizing as she looked from Xiao Feng to the pill furnace. Before Xiao Feng could continue, she plucked the pill furnace¡¯s lid with a casual flick of her wrist, before depositing it to the side. She drew in a sharp breath as she inspected the cauldron¡¯s contents, noting a reduction in the small but numerous inconsistencies marring the mixture¡¯s surface in a way that could not be achieved by the original kneading method, the inconsistencies too small to be targeted by a whirlwind of Qi. ¡°And if I lose?¡± Lianhua asked a moment later, a tremble to her words that she quickly suppressed. ¡°Then we brew a cup of chai. Together.¡± 82: See for yourself 82: On his second attempt, Xiao Feng opted for a slightly different tactic. In his soul space, besides the modest area that belonged to his predecessor, he was the sovereign. As such, he could choose what portion of his sight was overlaid onto his college campus¡¯ grassy lawn. Lianhua¡¯s scrutiny as a Senior Alchemist would be welcome under most circumstances, but for now, she was proving to be distracting in more ways than one. The padded walls of the alchemy vault that served as the background to his pill furnace was the first to go. An active thought was all it took for it to blink out of existence. Xiao Feng now had a clear view of his college campus in the distance, with manicured lawns dotted with flowerbeds creating a perfectly idyllic backdrop for refining pills in. Much better than that stuffy room, anyway, Xiao Feng thought, glad to be breathing fresh air again. Transitioning the scene in his soul space to a different one wasn¡¯t something Xiao Feng could do yet and perhaps he would never be able to, so he was glad for the comfortable location that had been recreated from his memories for him. Xiao Feng¡¯s gaze flickered to Lianhua¡¯s visage, noting that her focus was on the pill furnace, an anticipation to her features that she couldn¡¯t quite keep out. You know what, she can stay, Xiao Feng decided as he refocused on the pill furnace, hoping that the burn in his cheeks didn¡¯t spill over to his physical body. Disciplining his mind from drifting any further away, Xiao Feng ignited the amethyst dragonstone burner, putting the new set of pre-mixed ingredients to a simmer. The heat would soon turn that into a boil, but this time Xiao Feng would be ready. Moving four fingers in an undulating, wave-like motion like before, Xiao Feng used the movement as a reference point to build up the two spirals of wind that carried the heated mixture upwards, intersecting four times as it did before under his command. This time, Xiao Feng didn¡¯t slap his palm against the pill furnace¡¯s side, a gesture that he now recognized as erroneous. Instead, he began to move his thumb in a circular pattern across the surface of the knob that allowed him to funnel Qi into the amethyst dragonstone, thereby igniting it. He continued both motions, with the undulating, wave-like motions with one hand to represent the rising, intersecting spirals while the circular motions of the thumb heralded the bloom of the umbrella of wind that bloomed outwards before the mixture could collide with the roof of the pill furnace, returning the purer melange back to the bottom of the base so the process could continue. The second method of kneading the mixture was a constant cycle, so it was only natural that any motion to aid in its visualization would need to be continuous as well. It seemed obvious to him in hindsight that slapping his palm against the pill furnace would cause that focus to waver, but it was one of those things that you had to experience to realize. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The weave held for the first cycle and a flutter of excitement rippled across Xiao Feng¡¯s mind, but his focus remained reserved for the pill furnace. With his Essence Cultivation Art, Soul Space and a Senior Alchemist as a teacher, he reminded himself that success wasn¡¯t a possibility to chase, rather a milestone that was demanded of him by his future true bond. Two cycles. Three cycles. Four cycles. By the fifth cycle, Xiao Feng could see a very noticeable difference in the impurities dotting the mixture. It was one thing to know that the kneading method was more efficient at eroding smaller impurities than the first and another to see it working while the Wind Qi was under his command. His efforts were bringing him results and that was exciting. It had to be the twenty-fifth or perhaps the twenty-sixth cycle¡ª Xiao Feng had lost track¡ª before he stopped seeing even the slightest hint of impurities for him to weed out. As far as he could tell, he¡¯d done it. As he was leaving his Soul Space, Xiao Feng wondered why his predecessor hadn¡¯t shown himself the entire time he was in there. Now that he thought about it, he hadn¡¯t seen his predecessor since the Umbral Fang, Liulian had entered his soul, or at least intersected it. Xiao Feng had been sure that he had found a good spot to hide from the Umbral Fang¡¯s detection, given that Liulian had certainly been wise enough to report the presence of a second soul in his soul space if she detected it and the consequences of such a discovery would have been catastrophic for the both of them. Still, he should have revealed himself by now. If an attack from a Nascent Soul, which seems to be the earth equivalent of an anti-aircraft missile, didn¡¯t take him out then he¡¯s probably fine, Xiao Feng thought, though a part of him couldn¡¯t help but be concerned anyway. If he doesn¡¯t knock on my door in a day, I guess I¡¯ll go looking. Concealing his concern for now, Xiao Feng stepped out of his soul space and returned to the real world. He returned to Lianhua openly staring at him, her gaze studying him with no lack of curiosity, ¡°Well?¡± ¡°You can inspect the results, Senior Alchemist Lianhua,¡± Xiao Feng decided to go with a stiffly formal approach this time around, though a note of amusement still escaped into his tone. ¡°Is that so, Recruit Xiao Feng?¡± She asked, giving him a teasing look. ¡°Should I prepare myself for another one of your successes?¡± There wasn¡¯t a hint of meanness to Lianhua¡¯s question, only mirth, so Xiao Feng reacted appropriately by clutching his heart and slumping his neck closer to his chest dramatically, ¡°You wound me, Senior Sister Lianhua. But do not worry, as my honour is tied to your own, I will never make the same mistake twice.¡± Instead of receiving a quip back, an awkward silence seemed to fall over the pair. Xiao Feng straightened his back, his gaze peeking at Lianhua¡¯s visage, only to find that her cheeks had gone a light pink. Oh, Xiao Feng thought, realizing that he had been a bit too ambiguous in tying his honour to Lianhua¡¯s, having forgotten to mention the Master-Disciple relationship. ¡°W-Well then, let me see for myself,¡± Lianhua seemed to stumble over her words in a rare lapse in composure as she reached for the pill furnace¡¯s lid. Xiao Feng¡¯s face went as hot as the hot steam escaping the freshly refined mixture. 83: Only my wealth 83: Lianhua¡¯s expression turned from one of intrigue to one of astonishment as her keen gaze inspected the fully refined mixture that was now resting at the base of the pill furnace. Plucking a spiritual silver ladle from the hooked display, Lianhua began to stir the refined mixture in search of inconsistencies. A few minutes passed as she continued through her inspection, even using a few bouts of her Alchemist¡¯s Flame to assess the purity of the mixture. ¡°This is¡­,¡± Lianhua softly whispered, her gaze shifting from the refined mixture to Xiao Feng. ¡°How did you do it?¡± She asked, the life returning to her tone, taking the shape of a curiosity that was palpable. ¡°Does that mean I pass?¡± Xiao Feng cheekily asked, cracking an impish smile. ¡°I¡ª Well, yes, I suppose so, as long as you actually refined the mixture using the correct kneading method,¡± Lianhua corrected herself, seemingly caught off-guard by Xiao Feng¡¯s success. ¡°Did you?¡± She asked, her tone lilting upward like a pleasant wind chime to come across as teasing. Xiao Feng dramatically clutched his heart and leaned inwards slightly before replying, ¡°You wound my pride, Senior Alchemist. As an honourable righteous path cultivator, I would never stoop so low as to try and circumvent my way around a wager.¡± Lianhua raised an eyebrow at his words, before reminding, ¡°What about all those sets of ingredients you bought out from the Alchemist¡¯s Haven so Alchemist Zhi couldn¡¯t get practice refining the Beast-Bonding Pill?¡± Xiao Feng ceased the act of being physically wounded by Lianhua¡¯s question, straightening up and upturning his chin before he boisterously replied, ¡°The terms of the wager said nothing about letting the other party acquire ingredients from the Alchemist Haven. Wealth, naturally, is a part of one¡¯s strength and so is magnanimity¡ª let the one set of ingredients I left for him not be forgotten.¡± Lianhua laughed, her expression one of mirth and her cheeks a little flushed from the amusement. However, her expression slowly sobered and when her gaze met Xiao Feng¡¯s, her visage could only be described as solemn. ¡°The second method of kneading the mixture, the weave as it is commonly known, is something that has been devised through the experimentation that includes trial and error across thousands of refinements of many wind alchemists. There are more complex methods out there, but in alchemy, it is the method that can be taught to others easily while having a relatively low draw on your focus that is valuable,¡± Lianhua explained, as she paused to let the words sink in. ¡°Do you understand?¡± Xiao Feng slowly nodded, trying to convey that he wasn¡¯t taking her words frivolously. ¡°That said, being easy to teach does not imply it is easy to apply in actual refinement. I do not doubt your skill, but it is more of a matter of practice. Sensing Wind Qi through the pill furnace, manipulating it into two spirals that carry a volatile mixture upwards and keeping your focus on continually kneading the mixture in a cycle, while keeping the next ingredient and the overall refinement in mind¡­ you understand what I am trying to convey, yes? A single lapse in your concentration and the entire refinement, along with its valuable ingredients, are reduced to an impure, unusable and volatile mess.¡± ¡°I do,¡± Xiao Feng met her gaze and offered her a respectful nod. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°The proof lies before my eyes, so I cannot dispute it. Yet, you do understand that your rate of growth when it comes to understanding the refinement method of the Beast-Bonding Pill has far surpassed my own, as a Senior Alchemist?¡± Lianhua asked, her tone uncomfortably formal as Xiao Feng¡¯s stomach dropped. Beast Master Zen had already warned him that talent came with a price in the cultivation world. It was his predecessor¡¯s talent that had gotten him sent to the Frontier Sect, all without him even knowing that he had become a pawn in another¡¯s game and he should have paid the ultimate price for it, had it not been for the cosmic misunderstanding that summoned him to the Realm of Sephari. I need to reply carefully, Xiao Feng decided, before speaking, ¡°It was luck that allowed me to survive the attack that should have ended my life in the Battle for the Zheyan Pass. But my accomplishments were earned, hard-fought for by crossing blades with demons that were superior to me in cultivation strength and skill, yet it was they who fell before my charge, their resolve faltering in the face of my own. Yet, resolve alone cannot win a duel between cultivators. My sensitivity to Qi exceeds what someone at my layer should be capable of, that is part of the reason why I prevailed.¡± His predecessor had decided that the essence cultivation art was not to be revealed and as Xiao Feng discovered more about the Azure Lotus Sect and the Continent of Tian, the more convinced he became that his predecessor¡¯s judgement had been correct. Yet, Lianhua was a friend and she was also a Senior Alchemist, a designation that heavily implied an inquisitive nature. Withholding the truth from her was something that would hurt him as her friend, but the Senior Alchemist¡¯s curiosity might end up putting both of them into danger if she realized what his cultivation art could do. I can just hope for the best now, Xiao Feng thought. My skill is too unreasonable for a novice at alchemy, yet my clumsy movements have almost certainly made it clear to Lianhua that I am a beginner at this. Better to let her hear it from my mouth and have it over with. ¡°I can¡¯t say I am surprised,¡± Lianhua replied after a moment, only confirming Xiao Feng¡¯s suspicions. ¡°But I must admit, it is fascinating to discover that your sensitivity is at par with, or even exceeds my own despite the years of training and practice separating us. It is also, quite frankly, a little intimidating, so it would be best if you kept this aspect of your ability to yourself for now. The confidence with which you channel your Qi and your eyes do give away much to one keenly observing you,¡± She revealed. Oh crap. And here I thought I was overexaggerating Lianhua¡¯s capabilities. Note to self- don¡¯t piss off powerful alchemists, Xiao Feng managed to keep his face from giving away any more of his emotions, or atleast, he thought he did. ¡°I am not one to flaunt my abilities,¡± Xiao Feng replied with a nod. ¡°Only my wealth.¡± A chortle escaped Lianhua, before she shook her head and continued, ¡°If you truly are here to continue down the path of an alchemist, then the Senior Alchemist designation will not be out of your reach if you pursue it earnestly. But you are already talented enough in the Martial discipline, if it came out that you were capable of reaching the designation of Senior Alchemist as well¡­,¡± Lianhua trailed off, as her lips thinned as she considered the consequences. The Azure Lotus Sect will get interested in me, Xiao Feng thought, filling in the part Lianhua hadn¡¯t voiced out loud. His conversation with Beast Master Zen had revealed the true nature of the sect to him and he had no intentions of being caught up in the games of powerful cultivators. ¡°It is a good thing that can doesn¡¯t mean that I will. I no longer have an interest in stuffy designations or intimidating titles, that is why I left the Martial Division in the first place. As long as this can remain between us?¡± Xiao Feng asked, trying to keep his voice as calm as he could. ¡°It is under the banner of the Azure Lotus Sect we operate, but it is the brave cultivators on the Frontier that keep us safe from the demons,¡± Lianhua replied with a degree of seriousness he had yet to see from the Senior Alchemist, her gaze intense and her tone as firm and unyielding as spiritual silver. ¡°I will not betray the trust of one that has bled to keep me and everything I hold dear safe, be assured.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Xiao Feng replied with an earnestness that belonged entirely to him, dropping the martial cultivator act entirely for a moment. ¡°Now, I believe I have a wager to collect on.¡± 84: Unexpected Encounter 84: Xiao Feng bit back the urge to whistle as he walked back to his room, just about managing to bite back the grin that threatened to stretch across his visage. It wouldn¡¯t do if an alchemist designate saw him grinning ear-to-ear as he returned from the administrative sector; there were enough rumours floating around about him already. Even though his concentration was spent for the day, Xiao Feng had walked away having learned the weaving technique with enough clarity that he was confident in repeating it as many times as he needed to, albeit with assistance from his soul space. Only one major lesson remained before Xiao Feng could practice refining the Beast Bonding Pill with its pricey ingredients instead of cheap substitutes and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder how difficult the last step would be. Compressing the amalgamation of refining ingredients that were stabilized by the addition of the Sylvan Heartroot and cooled down by the Frost Lily into a pill required him to exert a dangerous amount of pressure with his Wind Qi while maintaining fine control and unlike Lianhua, Xiao Feng did not possess an alchemist¡¯s flame, let alone one bestowed by a Grand Alchemist. If the refining mixture destabilized in the midst of Xiao Feng trapping it in the centre of a vortex formed entirely out of his Wind Qi, not to mention one that continuously narrowed as it spiralled inwards, thereby progressively increasing the pressure on the volatile mixture, well, he didn¡¯t need to be officially recognized as an Alchemist Designate to see how disastrous the results would be. A failure at the earlier steps might have its backlash contained within the pill furnace, but Xiao Feng couldn¡¯t say the same for a failure at the final step. No, the cascading failure of three powerful sources of Qi, namely his Wind Qi that was being used with an intensity that was not seen previously in the refining process, the volatile Qi of eight different ingredients in the process of being refined into one and the Fire Qi from the amethyst dragonstone burner pushed to maximum intensity. Unlike Lianhua, Xiao Feng did not have an alchemist¡¯s flame that would concentrate the properties of the ingredients down to a smaller surface area, making the now excess melt away under the pressure of Wind Qi and the heat of the amethyst dragonstone burner¡¯s Fire Qi far quicker than usual. Of course, these were just the properties of a regular alchemist¡¯s flame. Lianhua¡¯s alchemist flame was naturally on another level, as it burned the decay out of the ingredients and thereby increased their medicinal potency. Actually, now that I think about it, Lianhua¡¯s flame was given to her by her father, Xiao Feng realized. The cultivator who wishes to bond with the beast egg must imbue their Qi into the mixture if the hatched beast is to recognize it. She knows this, yet she used her father¡¯s alchemist flame. If it doesn¡¯t interfere, then she should be able to aid me with the process, at least in practice. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Xiao Feng could no longer hold back a smile as he realized that his disadvantage wasn¡¯t as large as he¡¯d thought. Sure, defeating Alchemist Zhi in their duel would be a bit more difficult than expected but Xiao Feng¡¯s duty to his future bond, vyn velour se tyn velour, took priority over the political machinations of a disgruntled alchemist. I¡¯m close, Xiao Feng thought. A few more days of practice was all he¡¯d allow himself, before committing to refining the Beast Bonding Pill, even if it meant burning all but one set of ingredients to ash. He had been keeping a close track of the pulsing and dimming cycles and if Xiao Feng wasn¡¯t mistaken, the intervals were getting incrementally quicker, albeit by small accelerations in tempo. The beast egg was having to work harder to keep itself alive, but Xiao Feng hadn¡¯t gotten any closer to healing it. In the coming few days, that would change. Xiao Feng heard the approaching footsteps before he rounded the corner, so he made sure to straighten out his back and walk at a calm, dignified pace. Anyone entering the administrative division had to be a Senior Alchemist at the bare minimum, or someone carrying out business for one, so it was definitely best to avoid irking them. Azure hair peppered with streaks of jade green that was tied into a short ponytail. High cheekbones and an aquiline nose down which two gray orbs stared him down. Of course, Xiao Feng had to have run into the one alchemist designate that had a vendetta cut out for him. Well, there goes diplomacy, Xiao Feng thought as he met Alchemist Zhi-Rui¡¯s cold gaze with a surprised one, the corners of his mouth twitching once as he did so. ¡°Recruit Xiao Feng,¡± Alchemist Zhi noted in a deliberately clipped tone, though he kept his voice low. ¡°What business does one of your stature have in these halls? Surely, a war hero such as yourself would not try and sneak into a restricted passageway?¡± He asked, with a tone that was cold as his expression. Right, there¡¯s no way this is a coincidence, Xiao Feng thought. I bet he has three friends hiding to the sides of the passageway¡¯s entrance, waiting for me to get angry so they can ¡°witness¡± another one of my ¡°infractions". Though¡­ damn. I might temporarily be Lianhua¡¯s disciple, but declaring that I am freely coming and going from her quarters is going to be trouble¡­ ¡°You need not worry about my business, Alchemist Zhi,¡± Xiao Feng replied in a carefree tone that was followed by a nonchalant shrug. ¡°Though, perhaps what you are doing here is Grand Alchemist Xin Wu¡¯s concern.¡± ¡°Do not invoke the Grand Alchemist¡¯s name frivolously, Recruit. Remember that I outrank you as you give me a suitable answer,¡± Alchemist Zhi demanded, his tone carrying feigned anger even as he kept his voice low. ¡°Is that so, Alchemist Zhi?¡± Xiao Feng dramatically raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Well then, I was trying to find Grand Alchemist Xin Wu. You see, I heard that an Alchemist Designate by the name of Zhi-Rui was coveting his alchemist¡¯s flame enough to plot against his precious daughter.¡± Xiao Feng watched as the disdain that seemed to be carved onto Alchemist Zhi¡¯s feature cracked apart with the grace of brittle pottery meeting hard ground, his expression going a little pale as he blinked thrice in rapid progression, as if blinking enough times would wake him up from a dream. 85: Xiao Fengs Pride 85: ¡°You¡­You dare?¡± Alchemist Zhi asked, as the confusion evident upon his visage was substituted with rage, the colour returning to his cheeks in a flush of fury. ¡°A puny recruit dares to question an alchemist designate¡¯s integrity? With a word, I could have those robes stripped from your back and have you cast out of these halls!¡± He snarled, his voice held low in an effort to control a rage so visceral that it was practically radiating from his gaze, yet still failing to hide a tremble that snuck into his furious declaration. Did I actually get it right? Xiao Feng couldn¡¯t help but wonder upon seeing Alchemist Zhi-Rui¡¯s impassioned outburst, given that they both knew who was scheming against the other. Lianhua did tell me that this Zhi-Rui was flame cultivator and I get why any alchemist attuned to the element would want an alchemist¡¯s flame that can burn the impurities out of ingredients, so this could all be some misguided attempt to make Lianhua accept him as her disciple but¡­ isn¡¯t that a bit too childish? He considered. ¡°You are only an alchemist designate yet, Zhi-Rui. If you had such authority, I would already have been kicked out of this division,¡± Xiao Feng aloofly replied, matching Alchemist Zhi¡¯s hateful gaze with a placid one of his own. ¡°I only need to ask and witnesses will be here before you can step out of this pathway,¡± Alchemist Zhi replied with a sneer, his disdain for Xiao Feng written all over his expression. ¡°Perhaps there is no need for you to dishonour yourself in this farce of a duel we have arranged. No, perhaps I should let the entire division know that I caught you trying sneak into Senior Alchemist Lianhua¡¯s quarters, recruit. A scandal of that scale will have you kicked out within the hour, war hero.¡± For a moment, the world seemed to still as Xiao Feng gazed into Alchemist Zhi¡¯s hateful gray eyes. Then, his entire demeanour changed in what felt like an instant, as his back was held ramrod straight, his shoulders squared, his knees slightly bent and his as sharp as a sword as he spoke, ¡°You would bring my honour into question?¡± He asked, his tone eerily calm. ¡°All this is your doing, not mine, outsider,¡± Alchemist Zhi unflinchingly replied, his tone barely above a whisper to make sure that their contents didn¡¯t escape beyond the intended recipient. ¡°Though I suppose, I am still willing to give you a chance. Take your words back and the duel can go on as planned. I have already expended my last favour with Grand Alchemist Ming in inviting her to officiate our little duel, so it would be quite a loss to see that go to waste when I am confident in succeeding in two out of the three attempts.¡± Xiao Feng continued to stare at Alchemist Zhi for a second longer, before he let a laugh escape his lips. It was a slow, menacing laughter that rumbled from deep within his chest, before he shook his head and addressed Alchemist Zhi in a solemn tone that was very unlike him, ¡°You do not understand who it is you address, do you?¡± He rhetorically asked. The rage ebbed a little from Alchemist Zhi¡¯s gaze as a glimmer of caution crept in, yet it was seemingly not enough for him to step away. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Do you see this blade strapped to my waist?¡± Xiao Feng asked as he wrapped his right hand around his peak-layer foundation establishment artifact, Windcarver¡¯s hilt. ¡°Do you understand it¡¯s significance, alchemist? No, of course you don¡¯t, or you not would be here, before me, threatening my honour.¡± Alchemist Zhi flinched upon noticing that Xiao Feng had wrapped his hands around his artifact¡¯s hilt, but managed to hold his ground. ¡°The blade itself does not matter. What matters is the reason it was given to me, Alchemist. Not a single Alchemist in this division has reached the Nascent Soul stage and not a thousand of you could stand up to one. They do not call me a war hero because I fought in the battle for the Zheyan Pass, Alchemist. They not call me a war hero because I fought and slew one demon after the other, until the count had reached over two dozen, a good quarter of those well-above my cultivation layer. No, Alchemist, the only reason they call me a war hero is because I angered a Nascent Soul, a walking god amongst mortals and the pinnacle of the battlefield and lived to tell the tale,¡± Xiao Feng revealed, his tone as tranquil as a lake yet carrying an undercurrent of firmness. His voice dropped to a whisper and he leaned inwards before continuing, ¡°The enemy Nascent Soul struck at me and in doing so, allowed Elder Zheng to exploit the opening. He perished, yet here I stand, alive and well.¡± Finally, the rage fled Alchemist Zhi¡¯s visage as he took a step backwards, followed by another. ¡°I am v-valued by Grand Alchemist Ming. If you h-harm me, you will be expelled from the righteous path,¡± Alchemist Zhi stuttered. ¡°Harm you?¡± Xiao Feng asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°I am a honourable cultivator of the righteous path. It is your prerogative to invite whoever you wish to the duel, your reasons your own. I will honour the judgement of a Grand Alchemist, as I will the the terms of the duel. That is my pride, Alchemist Zhi, not that I expect you to understand. Our dispute shall be decided in the world of alchemy and alchemy alone.¡± Xiao Feng saw a little tension ebb from Alchemist Zhi¡¯s worried expression, but Xiao Feng couldn¡¯t let the troublesome alchemist leave just yet. With two quick steps he covered the distance separating them, positioning himself to Alchemist Zhi¡¯s side as he placed his free hand on his shoulder. ¡°Do remember one thing though,¡± Xiao Feng leaned in as he conspiratorially whispered. ¡°The next time you think of falsely maligning my honour with another one of your schemes, do ask yourself one question,¡± He activated his Essence Cultivation Art as he caught Alchemist Zhi¡¯s panicked gaze. ¡°Are these witnesses of yours faster than my blade?¡± Xiao Feng did nothing to interfere as Alchemist Zhi hurriedly pulled away from him, turned around and began to walk away from him as fast as he could without outright breaking into a run. Instead, his gaze turned to his side as he mentally asked a question, So? How¡¯d I do? His predecessor was leaning against the pathway¡¯s right wall, his figure clad in pristine white robes, as he answered, ¡°Still too nice, but I suppose you can¡¯t help it.¡± Xiao Feng clicked his tongue in annoyance, Well maybe I would¡¯ve done better if a certain someone came back sooner. ¡°If I had not, that beast would have discovered me. The only way for me to mask my presence against a soul vastly more powerful than either of ours was to go to sleep. Child of Earth, you have no inkling how difficult it is to wake up in a realm that cannot perceive time¡±, His predecessor explained. Oh and that last line, maybe we will make a martial cultivator out of you yet. 86: I know the type 86: So why did you tell me to use the Essence Cultivation Art on him? Xiao Feng asked as he returned to the Administrative Division, carrying a woven basket in his left hand whose contents were covered by a layer of thin cloth. You know, it¡¯s not like it actually does anything to people. ¡°You look down upon the greatest cultivation art in my possession?¡± His predecessor¡¯s voice rumbled in his mind, his tone laden with an arrogance that Xiao Feng had yet to find a way to fully emulate. Well, it¡¯s not so much so that I look down upon it as it¡¯s incomplete, Xiao Feng cleverly pointed out. ¡°Tch,¡± His predecessor clicked his tongue, a feat that was as impressive as it was metaphorical given his lack of a physical form. ¡°You are mistaken if you believe the direct application of a cultivation art is the only way to utilize it in combat. If you hope to pass as a martial cultivator, you must learn to see battle for the never-ending war that it is.¡± The war? Xiao Feng asked. ¡°If war and conquest was decided by brute strength alone, the Frontier Sect would not have been able to hold the Zheyan Pass¡±, His predecessor revealed. ¡°There are no depths those demons will not descend to in their unending quest for power, no taboos that will make them hesitate and no life too sacred. There is no shame in admitting the demonic path is stronger than the righteous, for that is where the weight of our convictions stem from. Yet it is their disregard for order, that reckless arrogance and their hateful rage that made one of the enemy¡¯s commanders lash out at me despite the opening it would create. Elder Zheng did not let the opportunity slip by him, but if it was not the strategies that have been developed taking into account centuries of fighting the demonic path that were being employed, we would not have survived long enough for the winds of fate to change¡±. Is this a metaphor on the importance of strategy? Xiao Feng asked, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Not strategy,¡± His predecessor answered. ¡°Observation. Be it a one-on-one spar or a situation where you are outnumbered ten-to-one on the battlefield, you must first understand what tools the enemy has at his disposal, akin to how a commander assesses the number of cultivators and their cultivator stages on the opposing force before developing any strategy. The way a cultivator moves, any pecularities in their approach, their choice of clothing and armor, the make of their weapon artifacts, all reveals crucial information to one that is paying attention. Do you want to know how?¡± Tell me, Xiao Feng replied, finding himself captivated by the martial theory his predecessor was offering him. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°As you can imagine, I have sparred with my peers hundreds of times and I have faced true demons on the battlefield. It is observation that has taught me the difference between theory and reality, for once cultivators cross into the foundation establishment stage, our five senses are significantly enhanced and the same stands true for our opponents. Thus, we are trained to rely on no single sense to make judgements in the heat of battle, for while it is easy to trick one sense, confusing two senses simultaneously is not an easy feat at our cultivation stage,¡± His predecessor stated, revealing a facet of his training Xiao Feng hadn¡¯t given much consideration to. ¡°Yet, in sparring, I discovered that all but the most exceptional amongst my peers still relied heavily upon their sense of sight, whether that be due to most of them coming from mortal upbringings or because it remained the simplest form of information to process. Their eyes betrayed their intentions, far from always but enough times to give me an advantage over them, while my own gazed right through them, as if they were naught but air. It is unsettling to fight such an opponent, even on the battlefield.¡± As impressed as Xiao Feng was by the revelation, he found himself biting back the laughter that was threatening to escape his lips as he asked, Do you think Alchemist Zhi is afraid of me now? ¡°To borrow a phrase from your home planet, I believe he is scared out of his wits¡±, His predecessor replied, a note of amusement audible in his tone. ¡°Though I have come across a cultivator like him before, one so fixated on their ambition that they come to think of it as a right. Do not expect him to give up though, for his type cares not for who they have to trample upon to get where they want to be.¡± Wouldn¡¯t want him to, Xiao Feng cheekily replied. Oh and make sure to scan your meals with the essence cultivation art from now on, His predecessor added. Uh¡­ you think he¡¯s going to try and poison my food? Xiao Feng asked, his surprise spilling out onto his expression. ¡°He cannot best you in combat and he is an alchemist designate¡±, His predecessor pointed out. ¡°Like I said, I know the type.¡± Xiao Feng¡¯s visage blanched. An amused laugh sounded out in Xiao Feng¡¯s mindscape, which was very uncharacteristic coming from his predecessor, before he continued, ¡°Do not fret so, Child of Earth. I am sure he won¡¯t go beyond a mild paralytic or two, he still expects to win after all.¡± I was going to thank you for the lesson, but you know what, nevermind, Xiao Feng rolled his eyes as he continued walking towards Lianhua¡¯s quarters. ¡°You would do well to remember that small advantages can turn into a cascading victory if you gather enough of them; and from what I have vicariously learned of the Dao of Alchemy, the lesson seems to be an interdisciplinary one,¡± His predecessor chided, though Xiao Feng didn¡¯t miss an undertone of amusement. I will, Xiao Feng replied with an appropriate amount of seriousness before adding, Now, let me focus on the discipline that doesn¡¯t involve evil demons and poison-happy alchemists, thank you very much. 87: Senior Alchemist Sheng 87: ¡°What is it that you are noting down?¡± Lianhua asked as she watched spring water bubble in the now clean pill cauldron. ¡°Nothing important,¡± Xiao Feng replied, entirely too nonchalantly. ¡°Is that so?¡± Lianhua asked with an upward lilt to her tone, her expression one of amusement as she leaned forward to peek at his notebook. ¡°All you had to do was ask, you know?¡± Xiao Feng chided, feigning disapproval with a shake of his head as he offered the new leather-bound notebook to Lianhua. ¡°I did, though,¡± Lianhua said with a huff, as she gingerly accepted the open notebook, clasping it with both her hands. ¡°Differences between concoctions and refined pills?¡± Lianhua read out loud, a strong note of intrigue audible in her tone. ¡°Well, we are currently making a concoction,¡± Xiao Feng pointed out. ¡°I thought you held your Chai in higher regard than a mere concoction,¡± Lianhua teased. ¡°I do,¡± Xiao Feng replied. ¡°But it is not enough. I can improve the taste, I can substitute expensive ingredients for far cheaper ones and with enough trial and error, I can develop a recipe that does not compromise on taste while retaining useful medicinal properties, but in the eyes of Alchemists, it will only be an affront to their craft, albeit quite the scrumptious one. And under the stern gazes of my Martial Division brothers and sisters, unless I can prove that my chai has properties that can be beneficial to their cultivation in some manner, they will not spend their hard-earned taels on my tea shop.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Lianhua turned, her searching gaze meeting his own as the corners of her lips quirked upwards in a mischievous smile. ¡°So, you wish to develop a concoction that has the efficiency of a pill, then?¡± She asked. ¡°Eventually,¡± Xiao Feng admitted. ¡°Getting the taste right at an affordable price remains the most important task in the short term, but stopping there feels like I¡¯d be doing a disservice to my goal. Unless I find a way to offer true value to both alchemists and martial cultivators, my customers will be limited to aficionados and wealthy elders.¡± To his surprise, a chuckle escaped Lianhua before she posed another question to him, ¡°Xiao Feng, how do you suppose concoctions came to be in the first place?¡± He blinked, not having expected the conversation to take a turn. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m not sure,¡± Xiao Feng truthfully replied. ¡°Neither am I,¡± Lianhua admitted. ¡°But all records you can find on the matter agree that concoctions came far before the first pill was refined on the continent of Tian. It is not a stretch to imagine that cultivators who stumbled across ingredients containing medicinal properties would seek other such spiritual plants and fruits, then try to discover a way to combine those medicinal properties into a more potent form. To put it simply, it is widely agreed upon that concoctions were the first shape the Dao of Alchemy took.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Now that you¡¯re explaining it to me, it does seem kind of obvious,¡± Xiao Feng sheepishly admitted, as he massaged his chin in thought. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that by trying to improve the medicinal properties of my concoctions, I am in fact, regressing as an alchemist instead of progressing?¡± He asked. ¡°Not quite,¡± Lianhua refuted. ¡°Refining a pill requires training as an alchemist for months if not years, not to mention the cost of failed pill refinements and the difficulty in procuring more ingredients adding to the final cost. You are not the first alchemist to be aggrieved at our inability to do more, to serve more cultivators and even mortals on far grander scales and I daresay, you will not be the last. You have spent time on the frontlines, yes?¡± Xiao Feng nodded. ¡°Then you must be familiar with the Lingxi Root Concoction,¡± Lianhua deduced. Xiao Feng¡¯s eyes widened in recognition, as he all but blurted out, ¡°It saved my life.¡± Lianhua blinked twice in rapid succession, as she took in the revelation before slowly nodding, ¡°The primary ingredient in refining a Soul Restoration Pill is the Lingxi Root, which is not a particularly rare or valuable spiritual plant. However, the assistance of Earth Cultivators is required in sensing and collecting the Lingxi Roots, their cores are found deep within the earth, connected to unassuming shrubbery on the surface through which the Lingxi Roots draw in the Wind Qi they need to survive along with the Earth Qi they are steeped in. As you would well know, Earth Cultivators are the best counters to Flame Cultivators, the same way the Lingxi Root is highly resistant to Fire Qi. It requires being heated to very high temperatures to be refined, but without a high degree of control over the heat source, it would just be burnt to a crisp along with its medicinal properties. An alchemist¡¯s flame is the ideal way of refining Lingxi roots alongside a strong heat source, but you know how rare they are now.¡± ¡°Then how was a concoction made in the first place?¡± Xiao Feng asked, puzzled by the revelation. ¡°In his memoir, Senior Alchemist Sheng described his first and only experience on the battlefield as a profound waste of cultivator life. Back then, the demonic path threat was poorly understood by the reigning clans and sects, and as such, hundreds of weaker cultivators were caught in the crossfire of Nascent Soul Elders and their exchanges in the battle he had witnessed. The Water Cultivators present were well equipped to deal with physical wounds, but there was little they could do to aid in recovery from soul damage and neither were battles at the Qi Gathering or Foundation Establishment level supposed to be capable of dealing such a vicious and rare form of attack. Even amongst Core Formation level cultivators, attacks capable of striking the soul are fleetingly rare, so this was an understandable oversight,¡± Lianhua explained and he couldn¡¯t help but be drawn into the story, having gotten fleetingly little history out of his predecessor¡¯s memory bank. ¡°Senior Alchemist Sheng had been called upon the battlefield because the healer in charge of maintaining their pill repository had died in a previous skirmish and to his abject dismay, he had been ordered to reserve the Soul Restoration Pills for Core Formation and higher stage cultivators. An order that he did not disobey, for he was only an alchemist in the face of cultivators and one that ultimately would have had little effect on the total number of casualties¡ª there weren¡¯t enough pills, not nearly enough,¡± Lianhua paused for effect and it worked, as Xiao Feng found it too difficult to suppress his curiosity. ¡°What did he do?¡± ¡°On that day? Nothing,¡± Lianhua replied. ¡°But the events of the day had left such an impact on Senior Alchemist Sheng, that he dedicated the next decade of his life in discovery of a method to turn the Soul Restoration Pill into a concoction, a notion that attracted nothing but mockery and disappointment from his fellow Alchemists, who thought such a feat to be impossible.¡±