Book 3 Chapter 5: First Attempt at Alchemy - Martial God

Chapter 5: First Attempt at Alchemy He fingered the herbs lightly on the ground, marveling at the discovery that after channeling wood-based qi, he could not only sense the vitality within the herbs inside the cauldron, but even now, while gently caressing the herbs, could feel their life energy. Among the herbs brought in by He Wu De were enough materials for two batches, from which He slowly selected the best. After a moment, He separated the herbs into two portions, naturally choosing the batch that felt more vibrant and energetic. He Wu De stepped forward to inspect the selection carefully. Ever since he'd learned his lesson of being expelled from the sect, he always meticulously checked the herbs before commencing alchemy. Fiddling with the two batches, He Wu De suddenly let out a surprised grunt, glanced up at He with a look of puzzlement, and the longer he compared, the thicker the puzzlement grew in his eyes. Curious, He asked, "Grandfather, is there something wrong with the herbs I picked?" With a wry smile, He Wu De replied, "Yi Ming, how did you manage to select these herbs?" Blinking twice, He answered honestly, "I felt these herbs seemed a bit better, so I chose them." The muscles on He Wu De's face twitched slightly as he said, "That's the reason?" "Yes." He nodded earnestly, bewildered. After a long pause, He Wu De sighed, "What a pity." He looked at his grandfather, not understanding the sudden sentiment. "Yi Ming, do you know that the herbs you just selected are indeed the better quality ones? To pick the best quality out of a bunch of identical herbs with no mistakes is something even I might not achieve flawlessly," sighed He Wu De endlessly. "But you've grasped the essence just a month after touching these herbs. Such talent, even your master may find it far out of reach." A slight blush crossed He's cheeks; he wasn't identifying the quality so much as sensing their vitality. But this method was clearly not one his grandfather could use, so he kept it to himself out of modesty. He Wu De sighed again, "Your intuition with herbs is exceptionally rare. This is the innate talent of a consummate alchemist, but alas, you do not pursue the path of fire and wood." Seeing his grandfather shaking his head repeatedly, He found it amusing. He wanted to speak, but ultimately held back. Not saying it now, he thought, but when he succeeded in alchemy, he'd give the old man a pleasant surprise. With this thought, pride welled within him, bringing about a sensation of childlike excitement in his grandfather's presence. He Wu De stood up, took a few steps back, and shook his head, "Yi Ming, the earth fire here is too intense. I won't stay. Once you're done with the alchemy, come out on your own. I'll wait for you at the door." He agreed and promptly saw his grandfather out. Once He Wu De left the alchemy room and felt the coolness of the main hall, he let out a long breath. Using earth fire and the bronze cauldron made it easier to form pills, but the heat was unbearable for most people. Even for those at the pinnacle of postnatal cultivation with fire techniques, enduring the dan-making room's high temperatures was no small feat. A shadow suddenly passed by; Yao Dao Ren had unknowingly appeared before him and asked, "Wu De, is Elder He alone inside?" He Wu De quickly bowed, "Master, Yi Ming wanted to try alchemy on his own after watching me. Since it's just materials for fasting pills, I allowed it." Yao Dao Ren nodded, then shook his head, "Too hasty." He Wu De gave a wry smile. He shared a similar sentiment but differed in perspective with his master. Yao Dao Ren hoped that He Yi Ming would one day take over Ling Yao Peak. However, He Wu De did not desire that. In his view, He Yi Ming was a rare cultivation genius, not an alchemy genius. Rather than dispersing his limited energy, He believed it was better for Yi Ming to understand the struggles of alchemy early and dedicate himself to martial arts. As Yao Dao Ren led He Wu De to the center of the hall, the two began to chat, rekindling the warmth of a relationship from over forty years past, resonating within the cave once more. ※※※※ After sending off his grandfather, He did not immediately start the alchemy process. Instead, he sat down with a calm heart, recalling everything he'd seen and heard. This seemingly superfluous exercise was crucially important. Images and scenes began to swirl in his mind, as if alive, and only after He was sure he had grasped all the finer details did he open his eyes and calmly stand up. Even though it was his first time making pills, He felt no joy or sorrow, completely submerged in a state of mindfulness. He opened the cauldron, retrieved the floral dew and herbs, and placed them inside without deviating from the order and quantity set by He Wu De. Yet, while their preparation appeared similar, there remained subtle differences. He Wu De followed the ancients’ method verbatim, but He infused his entire being into it, never neglecting the vitality of the herbs soaked in dew under his continuous observation. Slowly, he noticed something peculiar: each herb had its distinct vitality, with characteristic traits. Originally, intermixing was improbable, but under the influence of the dew, slight change began to occur. Some vitality remained as unyielding as a millennium-old mountain, while others began to merge, forming a new kind of vitality. Of course, given the plethora of herb types and He's inexperience as a novice in alchemy, he sensed various differences without understanding their meanings. When he finally completed all the steps and soaked them for a quarter-hour, He covered the cauldron, gently tapped the tower beneath it. Immediately, a fiery red glow emerged from the gap, and the temperature of the bronze cauldron began to rise gradually. His mind focused to an extraordinary level. While his task involved rudimentary pill-making rather than high-grade pills, for He, this was a pivotal moment; failure was not an option. Layer by layer, his qi penetrated the cauldron, and he soon discerned the benefits of this particular cauldron. It seemed especially suited for qi, presenting only minimal obstruction, only slightly more than his personal sword. This singular feature confirmed the cauldron's significant value. With a deeper understanding of the alchemy chamber, He found himself increasingly astounded by the wealth of Hengshan Sect. By comparison, the furnace used by Xie Zhien seemed like a child's toy. Inside the cauldron, under He's perception, the herbs and dew were undergoing fascinating transformations. Different vitalities, catalyzed by the fire, quietly underwent various changes. The different herbs each transformed uniquely. When He Wu De performed the process, He had only paid partial attention, not fully investing his focus. Thus, his initial sense was only of the overall vitality, without distinguishing individual herbs. But now, personally involved, alone in the chamber, he felt free to observe as he wished. His hand rested lightly on the cauldron, unphased by the searing temperature. Through contact, his qi embraced every change within the cauldron. As the herbs' properties and vitalities emerged and combined into a chaotic medley, despite his exhaustive efforts to unravel their compositions, he found no breakthroughs. Eventually, he resigned in defeat. The knowledge of alchemy was vast and profound, beyond the grasp of one recently initiated. To hope for complete mastery without years of study and experimentation was futile. If He Wu De were present, he'd marvel at the few times He checked the cauldron during the process—a key trait for crafting higher-grade pills in the future. While crafting lower-level pills, there wasn't much to fuss over. However, when it came to concocting Xiantian Golden Pills, one must not prematurely open the cauldron; the entire process relied solely on Xiantian qi to explore the cauldron's contents. Thus, even within the entire Hengshan Sect lineage, only Yao Dao Ren possessed the ability to craft Xiantian Golden Pills. Finally, after enduring two hours, He Yi Ming’s eyes began to gleam with anticipation, sensing that the final step was approaching. At this moment, he suddenly felt that the fire within the cauldron was too weak. The sensation came out of nowhere, arising abruptly as he was attuned to the herb's vitality. Instantly, he made a decision. He reached out and tapped gently underneath the bronze cauldron. The tower-like mechanism retracted slightly, and the earth fire's temperature doubled, making the cauldron’s red hue appear even more vibrant. Fully concentrated on the transformation of the herbs, a slight smile curved His lips. Though he'd resolved that even if this attempt failed, he could try again with the remaining materials, it seemed he was succeeding. Furthermore, the vitality of the finished pills seemed likely to surpass those crafted by He Wu De. After a brief wait, He executed a quick double-palm strike, returning the tower to its original shape and effectively sealing off the earth fire. After a moment of contemplation, He placed his hand gently on the cauldron lid. Though the lid was still blisteringly hot, he paid it no mind. With a bit of force, he lifted the lid. A rich fragrance promptly filled the air. He flared his nostrils twice, satisfied with the aroma, which was far more potent than the fasting pills his grandfather had made. Peering into the cauldron, He was momentarily stunned. Inside were twenty complete pills; unlike the ones his grandfather made, these fasting pills were white. He picked one up gingerly, watching it twirl in his hand. Even with his self-control, he felt a strong urge to swallow it. Naturally, He Yi Ming was not about to try it lightly. After contemplating for a moment, He put the pills into a jade bottle. Twenty white pills, each the size of a baby's fingertip joint, barely took up space, easily fitting into a standard jade bottle. After storing the pills securely, he pushed open the alchemy room door. He looked up to find Yao Dao Ren and his grandfather sitting outside, seemingly waiting for him. Yao Dao Ren smiled and asked, "Elder He, how does it feel to craft pills for the first time?" He Yi Ming smiled slightly and replied, "Thank you for your concern. It felt..." he pondered, then sincerely added, "Though not fully grasped, I've learned much." He was being earnest; the fusion and the birth of various peculiar changes were beyond his mastery. Yet, the direct experience through qi sensing was more invaluable than studying countless medical texts. Yao Dao Ren nodded and smiled warmly, “The art of alchemy is profound. Failure in a first attempt is perfectly reasonable.” He Yi Ming was slightly taken aback and replied, "Elder Yao, actually, I succeeded in making the fasting pills." Yao Dao Ren and He Wu De were both shocked. To succeed on the first try, could it be that He Yi Ming was not only a genius in martial arts but also exceptionally gifted in alchemy? Clearing his throat, He Yi Ming added, "However, these pills seem a bit different from the ones my grandfather made." The two elders exchanged a glance, then relaxed. Yao Dao Ren smiled, “That’s not a problem. For a first attempt, even refining waste pills is commendable.” He Yi Ming simply handed the jade bottle over. He Wu De received it with a sense of appreciation, marveling at He Yi Ming's abilities. To produce any pills on a first attempt was remarkable, and he only wished Yi Ming had trained in the dual paths of fire and wood. Instinctively, he opened the bottle. Suddenly, his expression froze, and his nostrils flared rapidly, riveted by the white pills inside. An overwhelming sense of chaos filled his mind, threatening the stability of his world. Yao Dao Ren, initially oblivious to the bottle, was offering comforting words. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of a peculiar aroma. He quickly inhaled twice, his expression shifting dramatically before he turned to look at the stark white within the bottle, his face displaying an unusual mix of surprise and intrigue. "Wu De, where did these pills come from?" Yao Dao Ren couldn’t help but ask. He Wu De, snapping out of his daze, quickly replied, “Master, Yi Ming just crafted them.” Yao Dao Ren was stunned for a while, then suddenly turned to inquire, "Elder He, did you truly make these pills yourself?" "Yes," He Yi Ming stated seriously, realizing by now that the white pills were somewhat extraordinary. Yao Dao Ren’s eyes shone with a hidden light, filled with the awe of discovering a rare treasure when looking at He Yi Ming, causing him a slight discomfort and shivers to run down his spine. After a long pause, Yao Dao Ren frowned deeply, muttering to himself, “Impossible, impossible. Without the dual qi of fire and wood, how could one precisely control the last crucial bit of heat?” He Yi Ming chuckled softly. Having no intention to hide, he straightforwardly raised his hands. No explanation could compete with firsthand experience. The motion instantly drew the attention of both elders, their gazes honing in on him. Soon, He's hands began to undergo an extraordinary transformation. His left hand emitted a vivid red glow, radiating a certain amount of heat. Though not as extreme as the earth fire, any informed observer would recognize the mark of a mastery in a fire-based art. Meanwhile, his right hand visibly withered as though a mysterious force had swiftly absorbed its moisture, leaving a hand akin to that of ordinary elderly folk—a hand resembling a claw. Of course, Yao Dao Ren and He Wu De knew that He's right hand wielded immense power, so much so that Yao Dao Ren himself might not easily suppress it. Seeing the starkly different hands, Yao Dao Ren and He Wu De fell silent, their gazes fixated in awe. Simultaneously, they raised their heads to look at He Yi Ming's innocuous face, both thinking the same astonishing thought: This boy had mastered four of the foundational elements simultaneously. Was he even human?