Chapter 214 - 174: Tenth Layer Origin, Astonishing Utility
Chapter 214: Chapter 174: Tenth Layer Origin, Astonishing Utility
"Then I must thank you. I will also do my utmost."
The two men rose, clapping each other on the shoulder. They looked like the dearest of friends; even an outsider would have marveled at their bond.
...
After seeing Chef Zeng off, Lin Changheng was quite pleased.
’It’s not their many requests for Alchemy I’m worried about, but the thought of them having no requests at all!’
As long as the demand was consistent, Lin Changheng could treat the Huang Family as a stable channel for acquiring Demon Beast Essence Blood.
Dealing with other families might have involved some difficult requests.
But for the Huang Family, which was focused on developing its Spirit Chef Skills, this was a perfect fit. It was like putting the finest steel to the sharpest edge.
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Changheng entered the Alchemy Room as usual to begin his work.
Aided by his comprehension of two separate Tier Two Lower Grade Alchemy Inheritances, his skills had advanced yet again.
In a batch of ten, he could now produce one Masterpiece Quality Tier Two Lower Grade Pill.
This was a tremendous improvement.
Many Tier Two Alchemists were stuck at this stage, unable to progress.
In truth, being able to refine a Masterpiece Pill was considered the entry ticket for advancing to Middle Grade Alchemy, signaling the potential for a breakthrough in skill.
The glow from the furnace fire illuminated Lin Changheng’s face. His execution of the Pill Formula was effortless, calm, precise, and swift. His movements flowed like water, possessing an inherent beauty. Any onlooker would find the experience of watching his Alchemy to be utterly captivating.
After completing a stage of the refinement, Lin Changheng walked over to the side of the Alchemy Room. Taking advantage of the long interval, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.
He had specifically set up a Spirit Separation Array here. Cultivating inside it wouldn’t affect the furnace fire or the pill formation.
At the same time, his Divine Sense spread out to constantly monitor the furnace fire. He was actually performing Dual Tasking!
This was the powerful Utility from the Origin Treasure Seed·Tenth Layer!
...
「One year ago.」
On a similar late night, Lin Changheng once again had his Essence Blood drawn by the Primordial Cauldron.
Within the Primordial Cauldron, the central Gold Treasure Seed reached Perfection.
Origin Treasure Seed·Ninth Layer
Spirit Stealing: 100/100
...
[Essence Blood Full. Spirit Stealing Success!]
Origin Treasure Seed·Tenth Layer
...
[Available to Refine into Human Race Lifebound Talent: Divided Mind]
[Currently Refined: Clear Heart Celestial Gift: Desire Control (Fourth Layer); Enhanced Enlightenment Heavenly Gift·Cave Source (Fifth Layer)]
"Divided Mind? Dual Tasking?"
Lin Changheng was stunned.
He was instantly reminded of the "Left and Right Mutual Struggle Skill" from the martial arts epics!
A martial arts master with an Innocent Heart who learned this skill could use each hand for a different purpose, even executing different techniques simultaneously, to create combined or separate attacks. Their power would instantly double.
But the Cultivation Realm was different; drawing a square with the left hand while drawing a circle with the right was a basic feat.
Dual Tasking wasn’t particularly difficult either.
A Qi Cultivation Middle Stage Cultivator, for instance, could control two Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts at the same time—attacking with both, or using one for offense and one for defense. This was all commonplace.
This left Lin Changheng with a doubt: ’If that’s all it is, the power doesn’t seem to match the Utility of the other Treasure Seeds.’
’What’s more, this is the final Treasure Seed for the Celestial Gift of Clear Heart. It can’t be this simple.’
’Could there be some other, more profound aspect to it?’
[Refined into: Celestial Gift of Clarity: Divided Mind]
Lin Changheng immediately put it to the test.
At first, his eyes held a hint of doubt, but then they began to brighten. They grew brighter and brighter, until they were completely filled with profound surprise.
"So that’s how it is!"
It turned out that the scope of this Divided Mind ability was far broader than he’d imagined. It allowed him to perform completely disparate tasks simultaneously!
The examples he’d considered before all fell within the realm of Magical Combat. The tasks weren’t that different, and an ordinary Cultivator could manage them in parallel.
But what about "controlling array flags with one’s left hand while wielding a sword to slay enemies with the right"?
Or "comprehending a Cultivation Technique while simultaneously drawing a Talisman"?
Or even "studying Array formations while simultaneously performing Alchemy and Fire Control"?
This level of Dual Tasking, where the activities were so vastly, fundamentally different, was something the vast majority of Cultivators were incapable of.
But now, Lin Changheng could do it. He could perform such tasks without one interfering with the other!
...
After experiencing the various wonders of Celestial Gift of Clarity: Divided Mind, Lin Changheng was exhilarated. He tried cultivating his technique while performing Alchemy, but discovered it was not feasible. It was far too dangerous, and he immediately abandoned the thought.
Executing a Pill Formula required circulating and outputting Magical Power. Cultivation, on the other hand, involved channeling Spiritual Qi and circulating Magical Power.
The two currents of Magical Power each had their own paths of circulation, but the body’s meridians and Qi Veins were finite...
When he attempted it, the two currents nearly collided. It could have easily torn his meridians apart and ended his cultivation journey.
From this, he deduced the rules:
Dual Tasking to think about two different things at once: possible.
Thinking about one thing while physically doing another: also possible.
However, simultaneously performing two disparate actions that both required Magical Power: not possible!
This was a fundamental principle, etched into his mind. Lin Changheng was determined never to violate it.
As a result, Lin Changheng could now make use of time that would have otherwise been wasted.
For example, refining a Tier Two Lower Grade Pill often took a full seven days. With no one to watch the fire or tend the furnace for him, he could not step away.
This was an incredible waste of time.
But now, he could seize every available moment. While performing Alchemy and executing a Pill Formula, he could contemplate his Cultivation Technique, Arrays, and even other aspects of the Alchemy Dao.
During idle periods, such as waiting for the Hidden Refining process, he could immerse himself in cultivation, using his divided mind to watch over the furnace.
Before he obtained Celestial Gift of Clarity: Divided Mind, Lin Changheng had often pondered another problem:
he desperately needed an Alchemist to assist him, or perhaps he should just take on a disciple.
But he had far too many secrets that could not be exposed, so he was always torn.
Now, with the Utility of this Treasure Seed, the problem was solved, and he dismissed the thought entirely.
...
At that moment, a strange yet harmonious scene unfolded in the Alchemy Room.
The furnace fire burned on its own, Hidden Refining the Elixir within, completely unattended. Beside it, a man sat cross-legged, engrossed in his own cultivation, refining Spiritual Qi...
From time to time, a blazing aura would even burst from the man’s body, causing the temperature to spike so sharply that the very air seemed to twist.
It was as if he were competing with the Pill Furnace for heat...
It was worth noting that in the year that followed, the Origin Treasure Seed continued to absorb his Essence Blood. The process had slowed, however, as if it were about to undergo Metamorphosis.
Origin Treasure Seed·Tenth Layer
Spirit Stealing: 12/100
Metamorphosis: 0/10
...
「Three days later.」
Deng Changsheng, dressed in a gold robe, arrived at the door after receiving a message from Lin Changheng.
The moment they met, he chuckled ruefully. "Alchemist Lin, this Outer Lake residence of yours is wonderful, but it’s just so far from the Inner City."
Lin Changheng also smiled, offering some encouragement. "Then you just need to break through to Foundation Establishment sooner. A distance like this would be nothing then, would it?"
"That’s true," Deng Changsheng said, scratching his head. He sighed. "But for a Loose Cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment without any backing... how could it be that easy?"
"I’ve been quite pleased with your work. If you keep it up, and you happen to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill Main Medicine in the future, bring it directly to me. I promise I will refine the Foundation Establishment Pill for you, free of charge."
Lin Changheng had just dangled an irresistible offer.
"Truly?" Deng Changsheng blurted out in delighted surprise. Realizing his lack of composure might seem disrespectful, he quickly corrected himself, bowing respectfully. "Then, I must thank you, Alchemist Lin."
"It’s nothing."
Lin Changheng didn’t mind, gesturing for Deng Changsheng to sit.
"If I may ask, Alchemist Lin, why have you summoned me today? Is there any way I can be of service?"
Deng Changsheng was still in a state of barely restrained excitement. After all, the fee to have a Foundation Establishment Pill refined was enough to crush a Loose Cultivator.
"Haha, for you, this is right up your alley."
Deng Changsheng had an inkling of what was coming, but he continued to listen respectfully.
"Yes. I plan to refine another Foundation Establishment Pill. I need you to spread the word for me: the group is still short one person and one set of ingredients. Any interested parties may come and visit."
Lin Changheng said calmly.
"Consider it done." Deng Changsheng immediately shot to his feet, his posture exuding utter commitment. "I’ll handle it as soon as I get back. I will not disappoint you."
Seeing Deng Changsheng adopt the air of a subordinate, Lin Changheng didn’t reject or correct him, but simply sighed to himself.
’Resources move the hearts of men, and the Foundation Establishment Pill more so than anything,’ he thought. ’All the world’s Loose Cultivators, bustling to and fro... it is all for this.’
"Sit down. I have more questions for you."