Chapter 416 - 266: Alchemy Dao Advancement, Tier Two Upper Grade
Chapter 416: Chapter 266: Alchemy Dao Advancement, Tier Two Upper Grade
This had to be Elder Kong’s cultivation grotto.
CREAK!
The door to the cottage was ajar. Elder Kong stood in the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back, his back to him, gazing at several stalks of emerald bamboo. The masterly aura he had exuded during the ceremony had subsided, replaced by an air of greater peace and profundity.
"This junior, Lin Changheng, pays his respects to Elder Kong."
Lin Changheng stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Elder Kong slowly turned, a gentle smile on his face as his gaze fell upon Lin Changheng. "There’s no need for such ceremony. I noticed during the lecture that your mind was elsewhere, endlessly contemplating. It seems you’ve had some insights, but also some lingering doubts?"
Lin Changheng was moved, realizing the elder had been paying attention to him. He answered candidly:
"You have a discerning eye, Senior. The principles of ’Spiritual Nature’ and ’Harmony and Unity’ you spoke of were truly enlightening. They’ve given this junior a new understanding of the Alchemy Dao, and even of my own Cultivation. It’s just... I’m still unclear on many points about how to integrate this philosophy into practice, especially when it comes to refining higher-Grade Elixirs."
Elder Kong nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with his frankness and aptitude.
"Have a seat."
He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he sat down at the stone table, casually summoned a nearby tea set, and began to methodically brew tea. His movements were as smooth as flowing water, natural and harmonious.
Lin Changheng sat down across from him as instructed.
"Alchemy is like brewing tea."
Elder Kong spoke slowly as he worked. "The water’s temperature and timing are the Skill; the quality of the tea leaves and water are the materials. But to blindly pursue exquisite Skill and precious materials is merely a lesser approach."
He poured boiling water into the teapot, watching the leaves unfurl and drift. "The key lies in ’intent.’ You must perceive the nature of the tea leaves, understand the temperature of the water, and grasp the perfect moment for them to fuse. Let the tea, water, fire, vessel, and even the surrounding breeze and bamboo shadows all exist in harmony. Only then can you create a truly fine cup of tea."
"Tier Three Alchemy is the same."
Elder Kong pushed a cup of fragrant Spirit Tea in front of Lin Changheng. "A Pill Formula is static, and Medicinal Materials are inert. But every single medicinal plant, depending on its age, origin, and the hour it was harvested, will have subtle differences in its Spiritual properties."
"A true Pill Master should not be entirely bound by the Pill Formula. Instead, you must ’listen’ to the pleas of the Medicinal Materials. Use your Divine Sense to guide them, to find balance amid their conflicts, and to spark new life in their fusion. This is Spiritual Nature. This is Harmony and Unity."
He pointed at Lin Changheng. "Previously in your Alchemy, you focused too much on ’controlling’ the Flame, striving for absolute precision. That is a solid foundation, but to become a Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist, or even a Tier Three Alchemist, you must learn to ’guide’ and ’let go,’ to resonate with the Medicinal Properties."
These words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, striking at the very core of Lin Changheng’s current predicament!
He had been stuck at the bottleneck for a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist—producing three Masterpiece Pills in a single batch—precisely because after mastering increasingly precise Flame control, he could not find a way forward.
’Guide... let go... resonate with the Medicinal Properties...’
Lin Changheng muttered to himself, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter as many points of confusion were instantly cleared!
Seeing him in this state of enlightenment, Elder Kong simply smiled and quietly sipped his tea.
After a long while, Lin Changheng finally emerged from that profound state. He rose and gave Elder Kong a deep bow. "This junior... understands! Thank you, Master Kong, for your illuminating guidance!"
Having received such enlightening guidance, Lin Changheng had changed his form of address to "Master Kong."
This guidance was far more valuable than any Pill Formula Secret Manual; it had shown him the path toward a higher Realm of the Alchemy Dao!
Elder Kong made a gesture as if to help him up, clearly quite pleased with the title "Master Kong." He laughed and said, "It is good that you understand. But the path is one you must still walk yourself. Go now, and properly digest what you have learned today."
Lin Changheng thanked him solemnly once more, then departed, his heart brimming with excitement.
’What a pity, what a pity.’
Elder Kong watched Lin Changheng depart in the company of the Immortal Envoy, his eyes filled with appreciation. Lifting his teacup, he sighed to himself. ’If my own Alchemy Dao hadn’t stagnated, if I had made my breakthrough years ago, I could have taken this boy as my disciple. He might have been able to restore our school to its former glory and fulfill my late master’s final wish...’
’But now, Lin Changheng already has one foot in the door of Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemy. It would be pointless to take him on as a disciple.’
He felt there wasn’t much more he could do to help him.
...
For the next month, Lin Changheng remained in a temporarily rented grotto, never once stepping outside.
He devoted his entire being to the furnace fire.
He was completely immersed in Alchemy.
An unknown amount of time passed before a pure and rich fragrance, growing ever more potent, wafted from the furnace. Lin Changheng instantly focused all of his Heart and Spirit.
His hands formed the signs for the Pill Collection Technique, and a beam of Spiritual Light shot precisely into the Pill Furnace.
VMMMM—!
The Pill Furnace emitted a clear, resonant hum. The lid flew open, and ten streaks of light shot out in a continuous stream, as if drawn by some force. They landed with a series of crisp clinks upon a White Jade Plate that had been prepared beforehand.
Lin Changheng immediately fixed his gaze on the plate, his attention instantly captivated by three of the pills!
These three pills were completely different from the other seven. They were translucent and crystalline, as if carved from the finest glass, their surfaces perfectly round and flawless. A faint, gem-like luster seemed to flow just beneath the surface.
They were, unmistakably, Masterpiece Elixirs!
Three Tier Two Middle Grade Masterpiece Elixirs.
HAAAAH—
Lin Changheng let out a long breath. The tension in his Heart and Spirit suddenly eased, and a wave of joy and accomplishment washed over him. A bright glint flashed in his eyes, and he couldn’t help but whisper:
’I finally did it! Three Masterpiece Pills! This means... I’ve truly reached the peak of Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemy!’
But he didn’t stop. After a short rest to recover his Magical Power and Energy, he started a new batch.
He decided to strike while the iron was hot and attempt to refine a Tier Two Upper Grade Elixir.
An insight remains just an insight if it only stays in one’s mind. Only by putting it to the test, by applying and challenging it through practice, can it become fuel for growth and progress.
When the furnace lid cracked open and the flames died down once more, he looked at the single, perfectly formed, emerald-green Genuine Pill in his hand.
Only then did he finally break into a smile.
Though no laughter echoed in the grotto, an indescribable feeling of exhilaration and pride filled his chest!
’A Tier Two Upper Grade Elixir... I, Lin Changheng, have finally refined one today!’
Once this step was taken, the path forward would be clear!
It also meant that he now possessed the ability to aim for Tier Three Alchemy!
In truth, every small step on the Alchemy Dao was a barrier that stumped countless Pill Masters. Many were stuck at Tier Two Middle Grade for their entire lives, unable to advance even an inch.
But through his own insight, Elder Kong’s guidance, and his own long period of reflection, he had finally used this single emerald-green Genuine Pill to break through the barrier!
This meant that from this day forward, he, Lin Changheng, was a true Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist!
He was now qualified to be a guest of honor for many powerful factions!
...
Once he was finished, Lin Changheng sent messages to Elder Kong and Bai Hengwan, informing them of his success.
In his message to Elder Kong, his words were sincere. It was purely to express his deepest gratitude for the prior guidance, and he stated frankly that without the elder’s pointers, it would have been impossible for him to reach the threshold of the Tier Two Upper Grade so quickly.
The message to the latter was a simple update for an ally, meant to demonstrate his own increase in value.
This point, too, was crucial.
He had no intention of waiting for their replies, however. Lin Changheng simply stated his intent to depart at the end of the Jade Talisman’s message.
And so, he naturally would not get to see—
—how, in the bamboo cottage by Fusheng Lake, Elder Kong, who had been stroking his beard while reading a Pill Scripture, found his customary gentle and composed expression freezing solid the moment he received the Jade Talisman’s message, replaced by a look of undisguised astonishment!
’Tier Two Upper Grade? How long has it even been?’
Even with his vast experience and mental fortitude, Elder Kong couldn’t help but lose his composure for a moment.
He knew full well how difficult it was to cross the threshold from Tier Two Middle Grade to Upper Grade. Lin Changheng’s rate of progress was simply faster than he had ever anticipated.
After his astonishment, a look of even deeper appreciation and anticipation flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Meanwhile, in another exquisite and magnificent palace, Bai Hengwan was in the middle of handling some affairs. After reading the contents of the Jade Talisman, she shot up from her jade throne. Her beautiful eyes were wide and her red lips were slightly parted, her face a mask of utter, incredulous shock!
And joy!