Alchemy Techniques

The next morning, Ming Long brought 4 other people along with Sheng Tian to the forest. Their group consisted of 3 vital tempering experts, 2 mind tempering experts, and the young Sheng Tian.

The village folk mostly have simple names, and most would go by their surnames. This is because they viewed it as a way of communicating easier.

The vital tempering experts go by Feng, Wu, and Shu, while the mind tempering experts aside from Ming Long go by Fang and Yang.

In the secular world, this small group of people alone could be considered a great power that most would have to bow down to. Of course, when it came to the cultivation world, they would not be at the top, but are still considered decent elites.

Ming Long rubbed the boy's head, "We're gonna take you hunting with us for a while and train your basics before the elder of the sect arrives"

Furthermore, they planned to give Sheng Tian various supplements that would make his body better suited for cultivation. A mortal can safely consume spiritual herbs up to the second rank, and any higher might kill them.

Unlike regular mortals however, Sheng Tian has already consumed rank 3 herbs before and tempered his body to a ridiculous degree, so it's safe to say that his limit is not just that.

Ming Long handed him a thin book that read, Elementary Sword Arts.

"This is a book on simple sword techniques, you should take a look through it when you have the time"

"Alright"

Sheng Tian took the book and quickly stored it inside his robes.

The boy didn't really need the book, as the knowledge he had gained from the old man included such simple things along with a lot more. Even so, he took it as not accepting it would most definitely be suspicious. 

Suddenly, Ming Long held up his hand and gestured for everyone to get down. They all crouched behind bushes and looked through the gaps.

Not too far ahead, 2 lions around 1 meter tall were laying down on the grass. Their hides were dark brown in color and their claws gleamed in the light.

"2 Rank 1 Earthen Lions," Senior Feng said.

He turned to Ming Long, "They might be weak to us, but Sheng Tian is but a little boy right now. Should we kill one and let him take the other one on?"

Ming Long thought for a moment before turning to the boy in question, "Can you handle it?"

Sheng Tian peeked through the bush again and at the resting lions. If he rushed in quick enough to kill one, the other shouldn't be much of a problem.

He nodded his little head up and down, to which Ming Long chuckled.

"Alright boy, get in there! Just remember to pull back if things get difficult"

Sheng Tian nodded and drew a short sword he had taken from the warehouse. Holding the sword in his right hand and the sheath in the other, Sheng Tian circled around the greenery, trying to get to a better spot.

Finally, he stopped behind a tree which was only a few meters away from one of the Earthen Lions who just so happened to be sleeping.

Whoosh!

Dashing forward, Sheng Tian thrusted his sword forward towards the neck of the Earthen Lion. 

Squelch!

His sword plunged deep, drawing blood. The beast died while sleeping, not even knowing what had killed it.

Meanwhile, the other Earthen Lion just realized what had happened. Standing up on all fours, the beast growled before lunging forward.

Unfortunately, Sheng Tian couldn't free his sword from the neck of the first lion quick enough and was forced to back away. Thankfully however, he was quite quick, leading to the lion colliding into its companion's corpse.

Clang!

The loosened sword was freed from the corpse's neck, to which Sheng Tian grabbed after diving forward. He then rolled to the side to dodge a set of razor sharp claws.

Ming Long's eyes widened, "He's quick"

Senior Shu chuckled and smacked Senior Feng's shoulder, "Your concern was not needed after all! Hah! Our boy is a genius!"

Senior Yang sighed in relief, "I thought he was going to get himself killed. Thank god..."

Senior Fang stroked his chin, "He really is a genius, did you all see those moves?"

Village children often have great senses, though Sheng Tian's performance was phenomenal. While they stayed composed now, there was sure to be a great celebration once they got back.

Meanwhile, Sheng Tian barely managed to dodge another lunge from the Earthen Lion by ducking under it.

Thanks to his small frame, he was unscathed and pointed his sword up.

"Roar!"

Blood spilled over his clothing as he left a long but shallow cut in the beast's underbelly. Right before the lion could land, Sheng Tian swung his sword horizontally, leaving a cut on one of its hind legs.

The Earthen Lion lost its balance once it landed, to which Sheng Tian took advantage of this. Leaping up, the boy landed on the back of the staggering beast and stabbed his short sword directly into its neck, killing it.

Thump!

Sheng Tian collapsed onto his butt and wiped his sweat, "Whew!"

All of the seniors ran forward, showering Sheng Tian in praise and expressing their glee. 

Ming Long patted Sheng Tian's head, "You greatly surpassed our expectations! I thought I had to run in and save you!"

The boy crossed his arms, "Well you didn't have to"

""Hahahaha!""

After a while, the laughter died down and the seniors stored the corpses of the lions into their spatial pouches.

"Alright," said Sheng Tian's uncle, "Let's cut it short today and go back"

Once they got back to the village, they shared Sheng Tian's feat with the other villagers. Naturally, everyone was joyful and prepared a feast as a celebration.

Being the one this feast was for, Sheng Tian was forced to stay till the very end, with countless people patting his head or shoulders.

After this tiring ordeal, Sheng Tian waited till things quieted down before sneaking out of bed. He went into the forest where it was quiet, bringing with him the spatial pouch he had been gifted.

Inside was a 3 by 3 by 3 cubic meter space that he used to store several things from the warehouse.

Sitting down with his legs crossed, Sheng Tian looked inside his sea of consciousness. There, he reviewed alchemy techniques that he could use with his current strength. He needed an alchemy fire technique and an alchemy controlling technique.

After half an hour, he found 2 secret techniques which interested him greatly.

"Tri-colored Alchemy Flame, forms a 3 colored flame that is easy to control and removes all impurities if mastered"

"Nine Dragon Alchemy Control, a technique that can suppress even the most violent of herbs in a cauldron"

Sheng Tian then took out a cauldron half as tall as he was. It was made of iron, and slightly rusty, making Sheng Tian sigh.

"This will have to do for now"

He waved the spatial pouch and took out several spirit herbs, before looking through various recipes in his head.