Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Alchemy Talent

"Controlling the flame during alchemy is crucial. Flames are categorized into mild flame, small flame, medium flame, and large flame. This is just a basic classification. The higher the grade of the elixir, the higher the requirement for the flame. Some elixirs even demand constant flame modulation," explained Mu Yuanfeng.

Mu Chen nodded, indicating he understood.

"This is a faint flame," Mu Yuanfeng demonstrated by drawing a small flame from the Earth's Fire vein.

"This is a small flame..." The flame in Mu Yuanfeng's hand grew significantly.

"This is the medium flame..." Mu Yuanfeng demonstrated the five different flames in sequence.

Mu Chen watched intently. He had read about the various flame strengths and types in books, but firsthand observation and experience far surpassed mere descriptions. In alchemy, having a competent master guiding you saved a lot of effort compared to exploring on your own.

Muyuan Feng gazed at Muchen and inquired, "Did you get a clear view?"

Mu Chen nodded and replied, "I saw clearly."

Mu Yuanfeng was taken aback. He had expected Mu Chen to say he hadn't seen clearly, which would prompt another demonstration. In his time, his mentor had shown him five times before he could adequately gauge the flame's intensity.

"Now, you try," said Mu Yuanfeng.

Mu Chen nodded, drawing a small flame from the ground's fire vein, precisely matching the intensity demonstrated by Mu Yuanfeng, and demonstrated the five flames in turn.

Mu Yuanfeng swallowed hard. Genius! How had he not realized before that his son was such a prodigy? Regret weighed on his heart.

"Father, was it correct?" Mu Chen turned to ask Mu Yuanfeng.

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, striving to remain composed, "It was right. You grasped it well."

Mu Chen exhaled in relief, "That's good."

"Since you're just starting with alchemy, start with spiritual liquid," pondered Mu Yuanfeng.

Muchen nodded and replied smoothly, "Yes."

Spiritual elixirs are typically for external use. They skip the condensation step required in pill refining, making them somewhat simpler to produce. The effects of a spiritual elixir aren't as immediate as those of pills, and they work more gradually. Additionally, spiritual elixirs have minimal side effects, unlike pills which can cause toxicity if consumed excessively.

With a wave of his hand, Muyuan Feng materialized ten spiritual herbs beside him. "These are the herbs for forging the Body-enhancing Elixir. I'll demonstrate the method to you now."

Muchen stepped back to allow Muyuan Feng to demonstrate.

"Did you see clearly?" Mu Yuanfeng concluded his demonstration and looked to Mu Chen.

Mu Chen nodded, confidently stating, "I saw clearly..."

Two hours later, Mu Yuanfeng and Mu Chen emerged from the alchemy chamber, Mu Yuanfeng seemingly walking on air.

Inside, Mu Yuanfeng had shown Mu Chen the methods for two types of first-grade spiritual liquids and three kinds of first-grade elixirs. For each one, Mu Chen mastered it after just one demonstration. There was one elixir, the Tranquil Heart Pill, which Mu Yuanfeng accidentally failed once, but Mu Chen succeeded immediately.

Muchen looked somewhat listless, yet his eyes sparkled with astonishing brightness.

"Younger brother, what's happened to Muchen?" Muyuan Hang asked.

Mu Yuanfeng chuckled, "He was affected by the heat."

Mu Yuanhang looked at Mu Chen, "Second Brother, he's still young. Was it necessary to introduce him to alchemy so early? Look at him; he seems almost overwhelmed by the heat."

Mu Yuanfeng replied with a soft smile, "He's at the right age now."

"How's Chen'er's talent for pill refining?" Muyuan Hang inquired.

Mu Yuanfeng gave a wry smile, "He's just started learning. How can one determine talent so quickly?"

Muchen gave a shy smile, admitting, "I find pill refining fascinating, but I'm not good at it."

Muyuan Hang chuckled, patting Muchen's shoulder reassuringly, "Chen'er, refining isn't achieved overnight. Take your time."

Muchen nodded, acknowledging, "I understand."

Muyuan Feng watched Muyuan Hang's retreating figure, a faint sneer crossing his heart.

After discussing with Mu Chen, they decided to conceal his talent. In Mo City, the Mu family wasn't the only prominent clan. If other families learned of Mu Chen's abilities, he'd be in danger.

Possessing such an exceptional son yet unable to flaunt him publicly, Mu Yuanfeng felt uneasy. However, for Mu Chen's safety, Mu Yuanfeng had to endure it.

...

"Muchen, your pork knuckle." Amu handed the delicacy to Yeshi with an envious look.

Yeshi gazed at the pork knuckle, feeling a bit uneasy. This Muchen, sending him pork knuckles without visiting, what was the point? Did he see him as a pig?

Yeshi bit into the pork knuckle with intensity, as if he had a vendetta against it.

"Yeshi, missing Master Mu?" Chen Da teased.

Yeshi clenched his teeth, retorting, "Why would I miss him? He's so mean."

Chen Da responded light-heartedly, "Yeshi, if you miss Master Mu, go visit him. You don’t have to wait for him to come to you."

Lost in thought, Yeshi frowned, "He's busy refining pills. Even if I go, he won't have time for me."

"You won't know if he has time until you actually go there!" Chen Da urged.

Ye Shi pondered and found himself tempted.

"Master Yeshi, someone's looking for you." A servant announced.

Yeshi's heart raced, asking nervously, "Who's seeking me?"

"It seems to be the attendant from Master Mu's side," the servant replied.

Yeshi's emotions swirled, "Only the attendant? Master Mu didn't come himself?"

The servant shook his head, "I didn’t see him."

Yeshi composed himself, washed his hands, and stepped out.

"Young Master Yeshi." Ren San greeted him with respect upon seeing him.

Yeshi blinked, studying Ren San, "What brings you here?"

Ren San handed over a food box, "This is from Master Mu for you."

Accepting the box, Yeshi hesitated, then finally blurted out, "Where is he?"

"Master Mu has been intensely devoted to his pill studies recently. He's quite exhausted and is now resting," Ren San explained.

"Did he successfully refine a pill?" Yeshi asked, slightly annoyed.

Ren San chuckled ruefully, saying, "Alchemy isn't as simple as you might think."

Yeshi smirked, "I figured as much."

Ren San: "..."

"Master Yeshi, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Ren San said.

"Wait." Yeshi hesitated before stopping him.

Ren San looked at him inquiringly, "Is there something else?"

"Tell him not to be too hasty, to take his time. Don't push himself too hard. After all... after all... with his clumsy ways, even if he toils day and night, he might not succeed in creating the elixir," Ye Shi warned Ren San with a fierce look.

Ren San shrugged, replying, "I will convey your message to the young master."

Ye Shi hesitated for a moment, then called back Ren San with a blush, saying, "Perhaps... perhaps don't mention it to him after all."

Ren San observed Ye Shi's demeanor and nodded, "Alright."

Ye Shi watched Ren San's departing figure, feeling a heavy weight in his heart.

Zhuang Yu walked on the main street, coincidentally witnessing the scene of Ye Shi bidding farewell to Ren San.

"Young Master Ye Shi," Zhuang Yu called out, stopping Ye Shi from entering a doorway.

Ye Shi glanced at Zhuang Yu, noticing that by her side stood Lan Ruofeng, whom he'd seen at the auction.

"This is Ruofeng," Zhuang Yu introduced.

Ye Shi nodded to Lan Ruofeng, greeting, "Hello."

Ye Shi pursed his lips, thinking to himself: Zhuang Yu is quite resourceful, winning him over so swiftly. It seems the Ice Lotus Water has already been acquired by her.

"Ruofeng is a level-two alchemist," Zhuang Yu informed Ye Shi.

Ye Shi paused in surprise, commenting, "That's quite impressive." A young alchemist of the second level is indeed rare.

Lan Ruofeng studied Ye Shi, feeling an odd sense of familiarity. Although Ye Shi was not conventionally handsome, Lan Ruofeng felt they had met before, and there was an intimacy between them.

"Have we met before?" Lan Ruofeng inquired.

Ye Shi shook his head, responding, "I don't believe so." They had encountered each other at the auction, but Lan Ruofeng might not have noticed him.

Zhuang Yu observed Ye Shi, sensing an unusual aura about him. Ye Shi, with his unremarkable looks, shouldn't be captivating, yet Mu Chen seemed utterly enchanted by him. Now even Lan Ruofeng was looking at Ye Shi differently.

Turning to Lan Ruofeng, Zhuang Yu said, "Ruofeng, I have some private matters to discuss with Ye Shi."

Lan Ruofeng nodded, "I'll check out the herb shop nearby and pick you up later."

Zhuang Yu agreed with a nod, "Alright."

Ye Shi watched Lan Ruofeng's retreating figure, feeling a peculiar sensation. His instincts told him that his fate was intertwined with this man, even to the point of self-sacrifice.

Silently shaking his head, Ye Shi thought: Why would I sacrifice everything for such a person? That's just nonsensical.