Chapter 103 Alchemy, Xiao Family Brothers

Having successfully escaped from the Tager Desert, Yun Tianming did not return to Mo City on the border of the Jia Ma Empire. He speculated that Queen Medusa might be lurking near Mo City, so he temporarily changed direction and headed south to settle in a smaller city called Rock Desert City.

This was a small city built on the desert, which had once suffered a major invasion by the Snake People Tribe. To save military expenditure, the Jia Ma Empire had contracted the defense lines of its borders, withdrawing the imperial army to Mo City.

Without official constraints, Rock Desert City became a paradise for mercenaries and various other factions.

Yun Tianming, covered in injuries, settled in an inn to quietly recuperate.

"Although my body has suffered severe burns, with Qi Method and Pill treatment, the issue shouldn't be significant."

Yun Tianming glanced at the item placed on the table, emitting a dreamlike blue light, marveling at it as a natural treasure nurtured by the earth. With the presence of the Green Lotus Platform, the Green Lotus Core Flame appeared tranquil, akin to a baby lying comfortably in a cradle. Occasionally, the flame flickered, resembling a baby seeking nourishment.

He took out a bottle of Amethyst Lion Birth Essence from his Spatial Ring and dripped a bit onto the Green Lotus Platform. As pure fire attribute energy, it would quickly be absorbed by the latter. Satiated by the essence, the Green Lotus Core Flame emitted a more peaceful energy fluctuation, maintaining minimal combustion of the flame.

"Devouring the Heavenly Flame is akin to a life-or-death gamble; thorough preparation is essential."

Reflected in his eyes was the flicker of the Green Lotus Core Flame, as Yun Tianming restrained the desire within him to devour the Heavenly Flame.

Now, he possessed the necessary pills for devouring the Heavenly Flame, and even a higher-level one than the Blood Lotus Pill, the Bloody Imprisonment Pill, which would enhance his resistance to the Heavenly Flame. Once he healed his injuries, the success rate of devouring the Heavenly Flame should be relatively high.

"No," he muttered.

"Controlling the Heavenly Flame requires a Qi Method cultivated in the fire element."

Yun Tianming shook his head.

Currently, he practiced a wood attribute Qi Method, theoretically unable to manipulate tangible flames. Yet, relying on his formidable Soul Power, he could forcibly control the seventh-grade Beast Flame within him. However, this was already pushing the limits. To wield the even more potent Heavenly Flame, he needed a Qi Method attuned to the fire element.

With a flick of his fingers, he retrieved a fiery red scroll from his Spatial Ring.

This was the item of a Fourth Grade Alchemist he had previously stolen, obtaining a Black Rank High-level fire attribute Qi Method. After systematic enhancement, it could be upgraded to an Earth Rank Low-Level Qi Method.

If he were to switch to this Qi Method, Yun Tianming would lose the healing properties of the wood attribute. However, the fire attribute possessed strong offensive capabilities, greatly boosting his combat prowess. Coupled with the Heavenly Flame, not only could he defeat opponents of higher ranks, but even confronting Dou King-level experts head-on wouldn't be a problem!

"Perhaps not, switching Qi Methods would take at least a year or so."

"Moreover, obtaining the Flame Mantra later would require dispersing effort and retraining, which would consume too much time in the long run."

After careful consideration, Yun Tianming abandoned the idea of exclusively cultivating the Earth Rank fire attribute Qi Method for now.

Another significant reason was that practicing ordinary Qi Methods wouldn't directly enhance one's Dou Qi by devouring the Heavenly Flame. However, the peculiar nature of the Flame Mantra Qi Method allowed for several consecutive star-level upgrades by devouring the Heavenly Flame directly. Additionally, the Heavenly Flame could refine Dou Qi, eliminating the fluctuations within it.

Yun Tianming didn't want to miss out on this opportunity for several consecutive star-level upgrades. He decided to keep the Green Lotus Core Flame for now, gather a team, head to the Black-Corner Region to eliminate Han Feng, seize the Flame Mantra, and then make further plans.

...

A month later, through the conditioning of Qi Method and Pills, Yun Tianming not only recovered from his injuries but also smoothly advanced to the level of a 2-Star Dou Grandmaster. During this period, Yun Tianming also spared time to study the art of alchemy.

"Hmm~"

Yun Tianming infused fire attribute Dou Qi into the medicine cauldron, forming a violently churning purple-black flame. With his left hand, he released wood attribute Dou Qi to temper the ferocious Beast Flame, following the principle of wood nurturing fire. At this moment, the flame became more enduring and controllable. Dual attributes of wood and fire were essential prerequisites to become an Alchemist.

"Next, the ingredients to be added for the Blood Clotting Powder are: one Blood Clotting Grass, one Lively Fruit, and two Poppy Flowers."

Following the instructions in the prescription, Yun Tianming added the medicinal ingredients into the cauldron one by one.

As the temperature of the flame rose, he immediately adjusted it downwards.

Purifying the medicinal ingredients.

Removing impurities.

Although Yun Tianming had only recently started learning alchemy, thanks to his powerful Soul Power, he could quickly grasp the details of alchemy that ordinary Alchemists would need extensive training to master, after just a few attempts.

Before long, pills of pale red color flew out of the cauldron, landing in Yun Tianming's hands.

"First Grade Pill: Blood Clotting Powder, capable of quickly stopping bleeding wounds."

"First Grade Pill: Detoxification Pill, able to neutralize some toxins."

"With a success rate of over seventy percent. Now, can I consider myself a First Grade Alchemist?"

Yun Tianming thought that he shouldn't have any problems passing the examination at the Alchemist Guild at this point.

Next, Yun Tianming began to attempt the refinement of Second Grade Pills.

He retrieved a prescription from his Spatial Ring and read the information contained within using his soul.

"The complexity of refining Second Grade Pills seems to have increased a lot."

Yun Tianming retrieved a large quantity of medicinal ingredients from his Spatial Ring and poured them into the cauldron in batches, as if they were worthless.

After all, these medicinal ingredients were obtained through stealing, so he didn't feel any remorse wasting them.

Controlling the fire, refining the medicinal ingredients, removing impurities, and condensing them into pills.

"Boom!"

A thick smoke rose from the cauldron, turning the medicinal ingredients into a lump of ashes.

"As expected, it's not that easy."

Yun Tianming waved his hand, opening the window to disperse the pungent smoke.

"Continue!"

And so, thick smoke continued to emanate from Yun Tianming's room, causing great distress to those staying in the same inn. However, nobody dared to knock on his door to disturb him. Anyone with a bit of discernment knew that the person in the room was refining pills, a noble Alchemist!

Especially in the border town of Rock Desert City, the status of an Alchemist was above everyone!

Upon receiving the news of an Alchemist staying at the inn, the mercenary groups of Rock Desert City prepared generous gifts and personally visited to pay their respects.

"Sir, you're quite young. I am Luo Bu, the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group."

"Young master, you seem to be an important figure from the Imperial Capital. Could you honor us with a drink at my West Wind Mercenary Group?"

"Respected Alchemist, I am Xiao Ding, the leader of the Desert Metal Mercenary Group, and this is Xiao Li, the second-in-command."

Facing the influx of mercenaries, Yun Tianming couldn't muster the slightest interest. Among these people, the strongest was only a 1-Star Dou Grandmaster. They were just a bunch of weaklings, with whom he had nothing to discuss.

However, upon hearing the names Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, Yun Tianming glanced at them briefly.

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