Chapter 120: Alchemy and Guidance

In the vast desert, a majestic and enormous city stood proudly.

Surrounding this city, amidst the monotonous yellow sand, there were surprisingly many huge stones scattered around.

This place was the true core territory of the Snake-People Tribe and also the location of Medusa's temple.

In the eastern area of the city, within a grand hall.

This was where Wei Yang and Xiao Yan resided as esteemed guests of the Snake-People Tribe.

Around the nearby corridors and plazas, patrol teams with solemn faces ensured that no one would intrude.

Beautiful and alluring maidservants of the Snake-People, scantily dressed in sheer veils, stood ready at the entrance of the hall.

Inside the hall, black flames flickered subtly, raising the temperature significantly higher than outside.

A bronze cauldron, half the height of a person, was placed at the center of the hall.

In front of the cauldron, three figures sat cross-legged on cushions, facing it.

A handsome young man in a black brocade robe rapidly changed the handprints, as if plucking leaves and flowers, or resembling a thousand-handed Buddha, leaving shadowy afterimages in the air.

Next to him, a youth clad in black clothes watched attentively, engrossed.

Beside them, an old and ethereal figure stroked his beard, occasionally offering casual critiques and guidance.

They were Wei Yang, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao.

Time passed.

Within the cauldron, the black flames roared.

They split into dozens of flames, each with a different temperature, enveloping and refining the medicinal ingredients.

Each flame operated independently.

Within the flames, the original forms of the medicinal ingredients had long vanished, leaving behind either viscous or thin pure liquid, which was being nurtured and purified by the flames.

At this stage, the first phase of refining medicine, purifying and refining the medicinal properties, was complete.

Next was the crucial step.

Condensing the pill!

Wei Yang changed the handprint.

"Slow down!" Yao Lao calmly instructed, "Wei, don't rush. Continue nurturing it for a moment longer."

Wei Yang paused his hand movements, looking somewhat puzzled at Yao Lao.

"Lower the temperature a bit," Yao Lao instructed again.

Wei Yang had no choice but to comply.

"Lower it a bit more... Hmm, that's about right. Maintain this temperature and gently nurture for a quarter of an hour, constantly sensing the changes in the internal medicinal properties and adjusting the temperature slightly," Yao Lao nodded approvingly.

Then he criticized, "Young people are impatient, lacking steadiness. You just finished refining the ingredients and immediately think about condensing the pill. Are you in a hurry now?"

"Refining and purifying, this step cannot be rushed in the slightest. You must have patience. Don't rely on having unique flames to save time. This bad habit needs to be changed, or you'll suffer for it later on!"

"You both must remember that refining and purifying is crucial. It directly impacts the pill quality and even the success rate."

"Cooking soup, you know? Without enough fire control, how can you make a delicious broth? It's the same in alchemy. Fire control is paramount."

"Alchemy is an art, and each pill is a finely carved piece of art. You must devote yourself fully. This is an attitude!" Yao Lao lectured.

"Yes, teacher!" Wei Yang and Xiao Yan nodded earnestly, obediently receiving the lesson.

Wei Yang addressed Yao Lao as 'teacher' during lessons, otherwise as 'senior.'

Regardless of any transactional relationship between them, when someone earnestly teaches you, calling them 'teacher' is a form of respect for their kindness.

After this desert journey, Wei Yang could be considered half a disciple of Yao Lao.

The favor of imparting knowledge was substantial, bearing a sense of camaraderie.

Yao Lao not only resolved doubts but also corrected many small details and flaws that Wei Yang hadn't noticed.

During this time, Wei Yang was like a small sapling in the desert desperately absorbing nutrients, growing robustly.

"This isn't your fault, considering you entered the path midway, without a proper teacher or systematic guidance."

Yao Lao stroked his beard, "Reaching your current level through self-study and exceptional talent is quite impressive. However, you still need to correct these small flaws."

"These are experiences summarized by predecessors, mistakes they've made. There's no need for you to repeat them."

"Thank you, teacher," Wei Yang nodded gratefully.

"Ah, humble and eager to learn, acknowledging mistakes and correcting them, a promising student indeed!" Yao Lao smiled approvingly, satisfaction and relief in his eyes.

As a mentor, guiding a talented student was fulfilling, even if the student wasn't an official disciple.

Frankly, within the community of alchemists, it's a small and fairly cohesive circle.

Like the Alchemist Guilds in local areas or the Pill Tower in the Central Plains, these are loose organizations formed purely by alchemists.

Knowing their value, alchemists often band together for protection, forming a formidable force.

They instinctively maintain the collective interests of their group, though internal competition is unavoidable.

But against external challenges, they stand united.

Most alchemists also strive to pass down and promote alchemy.

Many widespread pill formulas outside are the result of generations' research and improvement, selflessly shared.

Encountering talented individuals, most alchemists willingly offer guidance, even finding joy in it.

Alchemists, at times, are very proud of their knowledge, yet in other moments, they are remarkably open-minded.

In essence, they're a rather paradoxical group.

"Alright, the time is right, condense the pill!" Yao Lao reminded.

Instantly, Wei Yang altered the handprint, softly exclaiming, "Condense!"

Within the cauldron, the black flames started to gather, converging toward the center, eventually forming a large flame, as if a palm-sized black sun, hovering within the cauldron.

Inside the black sun, the essence of various medicinal liquids began their first contact!

Boom!

As the liquids collided, different medicinal properties clashed, forming a cluster of distinctly colored liquids.

An energy ripple emanated, causing the black sun to tremble slightly, yet it remained stable.

The weakened energy ripple spread, striking the inner wall of the bronze cauldron.

Buzzing~

The entire bronze cauldron, half a person's height, trembled slightly from the impact.

Yet Wei Yang remained calm, untroubled by the cauldron's durability.

This bronze cauldron was given by Yao Lao, one of his collections, so its quality was unquestionable.

At the very least, crafting this peak fifth-grade Dou Ling Pill was more than sufficient.

The cost was Yao Lao repaying a debt for Xiao Yan, settling the outstanding debt from borrowing Huang Tier Advanced Dou Technique, Wild Lion Roar.

In essence, Wei Yang made a profit.

A high-quality cauldron's value surpassed Huang Tier Advanced Dou Techniques in an alchemist's eyes.

"Eventually, I'll kill Han Feng and seize his Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron," Wei Yang thought secretly.

He lacked nothing but a good cauldron!

Always lacking!

With his soul talent and strength, reaching and even peaking at seventh-grade might not take long.

"The Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron, one of the Heavenly Cauldrons, will eventually be mine."

So Han Feng, you're my target.

No one can protect you, not even the Soul Hall. I've said it!