Chapter 54- The Second Test 

Juanxiu listened intently as Xiannu Yindao explained the nature of the second test.

"This is the practical examination," Xiannu said. "You will be given a set of procedures that you need to follow. However, be aware that while the procedure may be accurate, there is a 100% chance that a problem may occur during the process. Your task is to determine the presence of the problem and solve it while performing the procedure."

Juanxiu nodded, feeling the weight of the task at hand. He had always been confident in his practical abilities, but he also knew that this test would not be easy. Xiannu handed Juanxiu a scroll with the procedures written on it, and he began to study it carefully.

Juanxiu was ready for his next challenge in the practical examination. Xiannu explained the nature of the test and its importance in their training as alchemists.

The test would require Juanxiu to extract the juice from the most fragile creature in the 6th Universe, known as the Moonlit Butterfly. It was a delicate creature and even the slightest error could lead to its death, preventing the extraction of its valuable alchemical property.

Next, Juanxiu need to cook the Crystaline egg of the Ice Wyvern without melting the ice shell. This is a difficult task as the shell of the egg was made of ice, and it had to remain intact to preserve the valuable properties of the egg.

Juanxiu must then pick the 5th leaves of the mandrake root without waking it up, as the healing property of the ingredient would vanish if it were to awaken. It is a delicate task, as the mandrake root was known to have powerful roots that could trap and harm anyone who approached it.

Finally, Juanxiu will harvest the honey from the emperor bees. These creatures possessed a special kind of poison sting that could poison a person's cultivation. The procedure required Juanxiu to wear a special suit and extract the honey carefully, avoiding the sting of the bees.

The final step of the test was to combine all the ingredients and produce a potion. Xiannu provided Juanxiu with a detailed procedure, which involved heating the juice of the Moonlit Butterfly and adding it to the Crystaline egg of the Ice Wyvern. Then, Juanxiu has to add the 5th leaves of the mandrake root and mixed it with the honey of the emperor bees.

This is a recipe for a potion known as the Elixir of the Moonlit Butterfly. It was a powerful potion that could revive even a mythical creature as long as its flesh is still intact.

Juanxiu approached the Moonlit Butterfly with caution. The creature was as delicate as a cobweb, its wings thin as silk and almost transparent in the moonlight. He could feel his heartbeat quicken as he knew the importance of this first task. The juice from the Moonlit Butterfly was the most valuable ingredient for the alchemical potion he was tasked to create, but extracting it without killing the butterfly was a feat that only the most skilled alchemists could accomplish.

He took a deep breath, calming his nerves and focusing his energy. He knew that even the slightest misstep could end in disaster, so he approached the butterfly slowly, his movements measured and precise. He could feel the pressure mounting with each step, but he pushed on, determined to complete the task.

When he was finally close enough, he reached out his hand, carefully cupping the butterfly in his palm. He could feel its wings flutter against his skin, and he held his breath, afraid of disturbing the delicate creature. He then closed his eyes, focusing his energy and calling upon his knowledge of alchemy.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and began to chant an incantation, his voice low and steady. A soft glow emanated from his hands, enveloping the butterfly and extracting the juice without harming it. He could feel the delicate balance he had struck between the forces of life and death, and he knew that he had succeeded.

With a sense of triumph, Juanxiu opened his hand and looked at the butterfly, which remained unharmed, fluttering its wings gracefully. He then collected the juice in a small vial, ready to move on to the next task. With a sense of satisfaction, he knew that he had just passed the first test, and the road to passing the basic exam was one step closer.

Juanxiu approached the next task with determination, knowing that even the slightest mistake could ruin the entire examination. He was tasked to cook the Crystaline egg of the Ice Wyvern, an egg that was encased in a delicate shell of ice crystals. It was a difficult task, as the heat from the cooking process could easily melt the ice shell, ruining the valuable alchemical properties within.

Juanxiu set up his cooking station, carefully placing the egg on the heat source. He used his inner energy to control the heat, making sure it was just enough to cook the egg but not enough to melt the ice shell. As he cooked, sweat dripped down his forehead, his eyes fixed on the egg as he monitored its progress.

As the egg neared completion, Juanxiu noticed that the ice crystals were beginning to crack, the heat getting too intense. But he did not panic, instead, he quickly summoned a gust of cool air, surrounding the egg with a chilling breeze that prevented the ice from melting. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the egg finally cook to perfection, the ice shell intact.

Juanxiu then carefully removed the egg from the heat, admiring its delicate beauty. He could feel the potent alchemical properties within, knowing that this egg was a valuable ingredient for any alchemist. He smiled with pride, grateful for his quick thinking that allowed him to successfully complete this task.

Juanxiu marched to the third ingredient, the mandrake root, his heart racing as he knew the danger it posed. The root was surrounded by a thick bed of leaves and tendrils, making it difficult to reach the desired fifth leaves. He took a deep breath and slowly reached out, his hand shaking slightly as he got closer. The leaves of the root seemed to glow with an inner light, and the fifth leaves were a deeper green than the others, making it easier to identify.

Juanxiu knew that the slightest mistake could awaken the root and release a scream that would destroy his ear drums. He knew that he had to be careful, and he remembered a technique he had learned in his training. He began to hum a soothing melody, and as he did, the leaves of the root began to sway and rustle softly. He continued to hum, his hand moving ever so slowly closer to the fifth leaves.

Finally, he was able to pluck the fifth leaves, his hand steady and sure. He did not hear a scream, and the root remained asleep. He let out a sigh of relief and put the leaves in his basket. Juanxiu continued to hum the soothing melody as he moved away from the root, making sure not to disturb it. He had successfully procured all the ingredients he needed, and he was one step closer to completing the alchemical potion.

On to the fourth ingredient. Juanxiu took a deep breath and put on the protective armor made from the scales of a Fire Dragon. He knew that the hive were highly guarded by the dangerous creatures, the emperor bees and one wrong move would mean death. As he approached the hive, he could already feel the aggressive aura of the emperor bees.

The emperor bees were the size of his palm, with golden and black striped bodies. They swarmed around Juanxiu as he approached the hive, their stingers glowing with a poisonous aura. Juanxiu felt the protection of his armor gradually weakening as the emperor bees attacked it. He could feel the armor getting lighter, as if the bees were sucking the energy out of it.

Juanxiu's heart raced as he tried to collect the honey without getting stung. The armor was almost at its breaking point, the protective shield flickering in and out. He had to act fast or he would never leave the hive alive. With quick thinking, Juanxiu used his inner energy to create a barrier of flame around himself, keeping the emperor bees at bay.

Despite the odds against him, Juanxiu was able to successfully gather the honey from the emperor bees. He breathed a sigh of relief as he removed the armor, grateful for its protection. The experience had been a close call, but he had completed the task and procured the necessary ingredients for the alchemical potion.

Juanxiu had collected all the ingredients needed for the alchemical potion, but as he prepared to mix them together, he realized that their properties were conflicting. Despite the detailed procedure given to him, he knew that simply following it would result in the ingredients losing their properties and becoming useless.

He re-read the instructions, heating the juice of the Moonlit Butterfly and adding it to the Crystaline egg of the Ice Wyvern, then adding the 5th leaves of the mandrake root and mixing it with the honey of the emperor bees. However, he needed to find a way to preserve the properties of the ingredients.

Juanxiu thought about the different solutions he could use to combine the ingredients without losing their properties. He remembered something that Xiannu had taught him, a simple yet powerful technique that Xiannu called the Alchemical Touch. This technique involved using one's own spiritual energy to stabilize the ingredients and harmonize their properties.

Juanxiu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He concentrated on his spiritual energy, and gradually, he could feel it growing inside him. He opened his eyes and placed his hand over the bowl containing the ingredients. He then began to pour his spiritual energy into the bowl, and as he did, he could feel the ingredients starting to resonate with each other.

The juice of the Moonlit Butterfly glowed with a soft blue light, while the Crystaline egg of the Ice Wyvern sparkled like diamonds. The 5th leaves of the mandrake root glimmered with a warm green light, and the honey of the emperor bees shimmered with a rich golden light. All of these lights were slowly merging, creating a magnificent display of colors.

With a final burst of energy, Juanxiu combined the ingredients, and in an instant, the lights faded away. In the bowl was a shimmering, silver liquid that seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy.

Juanxiu looked at the liquid in awe. He had done it. He had combined the ingredients to create the most profound and majestic alchemical potion he had ever seen.

Xiannu would be proud of him.

Juanxiu's hands trembled as he carefully placed the finished alchemical potion on the table in front of him.

"Well done, Juanxiu," Xiannu's voice boomed, "You have successfully completed the task. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed."

Juanxiu was completely at a loss for words, he had worked so hard to complete this task and yet Xiannu was making it seem like it was nothing.

Juanxiu stood feeling proud of himself for successfully completing the second test. But his pride was quickly shattered when Xiannu asked him if he was ready for the third test.

"Juanxiu, are you ready for the third test?" Xiannu's voice echoed in the chamber. "It's best that you prepare well before taking this one. It's unlike any other test you've taken before."

Juanxiu felt a knot form in his stomach. He knew that Xiannu wouldn't ask such a question if the third test wasn't going to be extremely difficult. He took a deep breath and told Xiannu that he was ready.

"Very well," Xiannu replied. "You will find the details of the third test in the scroll that I will give you. Good luck, Juanxiu. May the Tao of the Heavens and the Earth be with you."