Chapter Forty Eight - I learn of Essences and Cold refining

Leon learned several things he'd not known during their conversation, all these words of wisdom coming from the Head of Sunset Peak of Maimai's Sect.

Firstly was the matter of flame wisps. 

In this world and many others, there were such things called elemental essences.  These weren't the same as elemental spiritual energy, being spiritual energy more pure of a certain elemental in a similar way oxygen was to air.  However, where there was elemental spiritual energy, there was often an elemental essence formed in the same region.  Some said they were a type of spirit, some said they were a product of aspects coming together, there were some that even claimed they were a ghostly type of spirit beast.  This latter was felt by most to be untrue as they could not be tamed and those under 500,000 years had no intelligence and those under 50,000 years had little or no instincts or awareness.

Wisps were a type of these essences, could be said as the weakest type and most numerous, though even then they were quite rare.  Then there were elemental sprites and elemental souls, the last being the strongest of the three and as rare as hen's teeth.  Also, very few cultivators would dare integrate these into their innersea for the risk to their bodies and souls was extremely high, death was not the worst outcome but having their soul's disintegrate and never able to reincarnate.  But while the risk was high for integrating essence, the rewards were invaluable.

For example, the Head of Sunset peak's flames counted as just one.  There would be an increase to cultivation, even at the tough, highest peaks that struggled to see benefit through cultivating.  One's combat powers would obviously be improved, the body would experience improved resistances to most elements, even immunity to their own.  One's senses to their own element would increase, meaning that a person of metal element could sense all locations where metal could be found in a certain distance while before it would just be concentrated sources.  They could also sense the pureness and quality.

However, there was restrictions; a person could only integrate an essence that matched them, a fire root to a fire essence and it was much more difficult if a person had two or more roots of different elements, impossible if one's body contained conflicting ones.  Those with single secondary roots were unlikely to find an essence that shared theirs, unless they were direct weaker versions of the five main roots, such as ice is to water.  Sun obtaining an air wisp was almost as difficult as Pike obtaining a fire soul.  As for someone like Leon, who contained a lone body root, the likelihood was so remote it could be considered as likely as a single wealthy person from his previous world, winning five different countries lotteries jackpots on the same weekend.

Best not to think about.

However that was not the only thing that he learned. 

Maimai seemed to have been a little upset that she would never be able to use this fire method like her sister, her element was wood.  This was still good for alchemists as often the herbs they grew were healthier and better quality than a person without, but also they had more instincts when it came to combining correct amounts in their cauldrons.  If Maimai's control over her spiritual energy and the fire beneath her cauldron was better, it was unlikely she would be weaker than her sister in terms of alchemy.  However, Maimai's spiritual energy was very much linked to her emotions and her mind was wired in a way that better suited a martial artist in terms of alertness, so her concentration was also less solely focused and more sharp, fit to burst into action.  Hence cauldron explosions from these bursts or Pill failure from outside distractions.

Uncomfortable at seeing her upset, the often shut-in Head alchemist decided to reveal a different, advanced path that actually would be difficult for both of them, but interesting nonetheless.  The creation of pills using the Cold refining method.

There were a small, little known range of pills that had to be formed through this unusual method.  Naturally all were considered very rare and advanced pills by those who had the knowledge.  Also, it was rumoured that some pills that were created by fire methods could also be formed this way, but the Head had strong fire roots, so he'd never much experience nor talent in the Cold refining method and couldn't be sure if this had any truth to it.

"He didn't go into much detail," Maimai rubbed her stomach feeling as if Leon's food was definitely no worse than that of the Food Hall, yet it was much more pleasant to share in this private space, "I guess he was trying to say that there were things even he could not do well, so to make me feel better."

Leon smiled before helping himself to a second bowlful of food.  "I will also s-stick t-to what I c-can d-do," Leon said in response.  "N-not worry about w-what I c-can't."

"Yes," Maimai agreed.  She'd not been upset about the whole fire thing to be honest, more that she'd be unlikely to have a chance to run off one day and seek out a wood wisp and gaining the benefits in order to become even better a martial artist!  Daddy didn't want his fair daughters to come home touched by a little dirt or with crumpled silks and Heaven's forbid she ever was wounded!  Scratched by a twig?  That twig must burn!  Bruised due to a fall?  That rock that tripped her must be destroyed!  And fight with someone?  Are you kidding me?!

Ah, speaking of which, if daddy did realise the dangers of alchemy, there would likely be consequences because of that as well.  She should speak to Merylin about covering up their activities and burying the truth.  What her father didn't know...

When their father tried to make excuses to come and watch the Interschool exchange, something he'd never bothered about before, he found that the Head of Sunset Peak expressed an interest to do so in his place.  The Sect Leader had to pause and give the man face; he was his elder of several hundreds of years and he was aware that the elder was interested in his little girls' talents (actually, it was just Merylin, but no daughter outshone the other in the Sect Leader's eyes).  If one Peak's Head left the Sect for a time, then it was not wise for him to weaken the sect further by also leaving, even if it were a short while.  He did try many ways to get around it, but the other elders expressed their displeasure, so he had to give up on it.  He sulked for a whole ten days, but that is a different story.