106: Mixing the medicinal liquid

Mo Xuan said he was going to the Alchemy Department's medicinal storage pavilion, but in reality, he was going to find the other elders of the Alchemy Department.

Mo Xuan was not skilled at mixing medicinal liquids; he was most famous for rigorously refining pills that had a complete Pill Formula.

How many times in a lifetime could one encounter such an unconventional task?

Li Changhai, one of the ten great elders of the Alchemy Department, and Huang Dashan were currently maintaining medicinal ingredients there.

Mo Xuan couldn't help but walk over and say indifferently.

"If the two of you were to acquire an earth core fire jade marrow, how would you balance its medicinal properties?"

Hearing this, Li Changhai and Huang Dashan suddenly looked up, a hint of astonishment flashing in their eyes.

"earth core fire jade marrow?!"

Li Changhai's voice rose several pitches, and he nearly dropped the jade bottle in his hand.

"Old Mo, where did you get such a good thing?"

Huang Dashan stood up immediately, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"This item contains the essence of earth fire. If its properties can be perfectly balanced, it is enough to refine a peak Fifth-Grade pill, or even attempt a Sixth-Grade one!"

Mo Xuan snorted coldly, pretending to be unconcerned.

"Cut the nonsense. I'm just asking if you have a method."

Li Changhai rubbed his hands and chuckled.

"Old Mo, that's not cool. You have such a good thing and didn't notify us beforehand? What, are you afraid we'll steal it?"

Mo Xuan glanced at him.

"Stop joking around. If you have a method, say it. If not, I'll go find someone else."

Huang Dashan pondered for a moment and said.

"Although earth core fire jade marrow is good, its fire nature is volatile. If used directly in refining, it might cause the cauldron to explode. It needs to be neutralized with water-attribute spirit herbs, supplemented by auxiliary materials to stabilize its medicinal properties."

Li Changhai nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Ice Spirit Spring and Dark Yin Ganoderma are both excellent choices. If we can find a few more water-attribute demonic cores, the effect will be even better."

Mo Xuan frowned slightly.

"I can acquire the Ice Spirit Spring and Dark Yin Ganoderma, but water-attribute demonic cores..."

A hint of cunning flashed in Li Changhai's eyes.

"Old Mo, if you are willing to give us a portion of the marrow, we can help you solve the demonic core problem."

Mo Xuan snorted coldly.

"Dream on! I'll give you one-tenth at most. Take it or leave it!"

Huang Dashan laughed heartily.

"One-tenth is enough! Old Li, don't be greedy, this deal is worthwhile!"

Li Changhai sighed, feigning helplessness.

"Alright, alright. Who told us we were old friends? But Old Mo, where exactly did you get this marrow?"

The corner of Mo Xuan's mouth twitched imperceptibly, and he said indifferently.

"That Stinky Kid Donghua picked it up in the mountains."

"Picked it up?!"

Li Changhai and Huang Dashan simultaneously widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Are you kidding us? Can a treasure like earth core fire jade marrow be casually picked up?"

Mo Xuan was too lazy to explain and turned to leave.

"Believe it or not, I'll bring the item tomorrow. You prepare the auxiliary materials."

Li Changhai quickly shouted.

"Hey, wait! Old Mo, your Disciple has such good luck, why don't you take us with you next time he goes into the mountains?"

Mo Xuan waved his hand without turning his head.

"Dream on!"

Returning to the alchemy room, Jiang Donghua was listlessly fiddling with the medicinal ingredients on the table. Seeing his master return, he immediately rushed forward.

"Master, how was it? Do we have a method?"

Mo Xuan glanced at him and said indifferently.

"Yes, Li Changhai and Huang Dashan agreed to help, but they want one-tenth of the marrow."

Jiang Donghua blinked.

"One-tenth? They certainly know how to take advantage."

Mo Xuan snorted.

"It's better than the cauldron exploding."

Jiang Donghua chuckled, leaning closer and whispering.

"Master, actually, I still have a few small bottles of marrow here that I didn't take out."

Mo Xuan was startled, then narrowed his eyes.

"Stinky Kid, holding out on me?"

Jiang Donghua scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.

"It was just in case!"

Mo Xuan stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Alright, you've grown some guts."

Jiang Donghua shrank his neck and quickly changed the subject.

"Master, when should we start refining the medicine?"

Mo Xuan pondered for a moment and said.

"Tomorrow, perhaps. Rest well tonight, gather your energy, and assist me tomorrow."

Jiang Donghua's eyes lit up.

"Yes! Master, don't worry, I definitely won't disgrace you!"

Mo Xuan looked at his Disciple's excited appearance, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, but his tone remained strict.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. If anything goes wrong tomorrow, see how I deal with you!"

Jiang Donghua stuck out his tongue, turned around, and slipped away to cultivate.

Everything Jiang Donghua had was extracted, but since that item couldn't be consumed directly and he was completely clueless about mixing medicinal liquids, he could only hand everything over to his master.

The next day, Mo Xuan's alchemy room was packed with people.

Three Fifth-Grade Alchemists gathered together, which was a rare sight even in the Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department.

Li Changhai, Huang Dashan, and Mo Xuan himself, the three of them each occupied a corner.

Jiang Donghua stood to the side, his eyes wide open, afraid of missing any detail.

"Kid, watch closely!"

Li Changhai grinned, flipped his palm, and three Fifth-Tier water-attribute demonic cores floated up, emitting bursts of cold air that slightly suppressed the volatile fire nature of the earth core fire jade marrow.

"Your master is an expert at refining pills, but when it comes to mixing medicinal liquids, you have to look at us!"

Huang Dashan also chuckled, flicked his sleeve, and dozens of auxiliary materials flew out, arranging themselves into a formation in mid-air.

Mo Xuan snorted coldly but did not refute, only staring intently at the changes in the liquid, clearly acknowledging the two men's claims.

Jiang Donghua swallowed, feeling shocked.

"So alchemy can be done this way?"

Li Changhai formed hand seals, faint blue light appearing on his fingertips. Strands of cold air wrapped around the marrow, slowly permeating it.

"The fire nature of the earth core fire jade marrow is too fierce; refining it directly can easily cause the cauldron to explode, so we must tame it first!"

He explained to Jiang Donghua while manipulating the process.

"Your master's rigorous method of refining pills is fine for ordinary pills, but when encountering special materials like this, one must be flexible!"

Huang Dashan also joined in, a wisp of azure flame appearing on his palm, slowly drawing out the medicinal power of the Ice Spirit Spring and Dark Yin Ganoderma, turning it into a thin stream that merged into the marrow.

"Mixing medicinal liquids focuses on the word 'balance'!"

He said proudly.

"If the fire is too strong, suppress it with water; if the water is too cold, neutralize it with fire. If an Alchemist only knows how to follow a Pill Formula, what difference is there between him and a chef cooking rice?"

Mo Xuan frowned slightly but did not refute, merely saying coldly.

"Cut the chatter, focus, and don't let the cauldron explode."

Li Changhai laughed heartily.

"Old Mo, you're just jealous!"

Huang Dashan also teased.

"Exactly! Your Disciple is watching here, don't be a sore loser!"

Jiang Donghua watched from the side, dumbfounded.

Finally, after two hours of balancing, the violent fire nature of the earth core fire jade marrow was perfectly suppressed, transforming into a pool of viscous liquid that was reddish-crimson with a faint dark blue glow, suspended in mid-air and emitting astonishing energy fluctuations.

"It's done!"

Li Changhai wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Mo Xuan proudly.

"How about that, Old Mo? Do you admit defeat?"

Mo Xuan snorted coldly, but a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

"Barely acceptable."

Huang Dashan laughed heartily.

"Stubborn!"

Jiang Donghua couldn't help but ask.

"Master, can we proceed with the refinement now?"

Mo Xuan nodded.

"Yes, the balancing is complete. The rest is my business."

Li Changhai patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder and smiled.

"Kid, did you learn something today? Remember, the most important thing for an Alchemist is not memorizing the Pill Formula, but knowing how to adapt!"

Huang Dashan also agreed.

"That's right! Although your master is formidable, there are some things he truly can't teach you!"

Mo Xuan glared at the two of them.

"Get lost, don't delay my refining!"

Li Changhai and Huang Dashan exchanged smiles, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Before leaving, Li Changhai didn't forget to look back and wink at Jiang Donghua.

"Kid, come visit my place when you have time. I'll teach you some real skills!"

Mo Xuan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and directly shut the door.

Jiang Donghua scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.

"Master, they are quite interesting..."

Mo Xuan glanced at him and said indifferently.

"Don't let them mislead you. The foundation of alchemy is still the path of the pill; flashy techniques are merely supplementary."

Jiang Donghua nodded quickly.

"Yes, Master!"

Mo Xuan took a deep breath, a wisp of flame ignited in his palm, and the temperature of the entire alchemy room suddenly soared!

"Donghua, watch closely. This is the true path of alchemy!"

Mo Xuan looked at the medicinal liquid in the ten jade bottles before him, which shimmered with a moist luster. He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, and fine beads of sweat trickled down his cheeks from his temples.

He raised his hand to wipe his face, which was slightly pale. Clearly, continuous refining for over ten hours had taken a significant toll, even on a Fifth-Grade Alchemist.

"Master, is this medicinal liquid really that potent?"

Jiang Donghua stared at the jade bottles, his eyes filled with curiosity and eagerness.

Mo Xuan glanced sideways at him and sneered.

"Don't believe it? Then why don't you try it?"

Mo Xuan's gaze made Jiang Donghua feel uneasy, but due to his youthful nature, he couldn't help but speak stubbornly.

"I'll try it! I refuse to believe that such a mild-looking medicinal liquid could do anything to me."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab a jade bottle.

"Slap!"

Mo Xuan slapped the back of his hand. The force was moderate, but it made Jiang Donghua grimace in pain.

"Stinky Kid, this is not the way to seek death!"

Mo Xuan snorted coldly, took out a crystal-clear jade spoon from his storage ring, and carefully scooped out a single drop of the liquid, dripping it onto the table.

"Hiss—"

With a soft sound, the hard bluestone tabletop was instantly corroded, creating a thumb-sized hole with edges as smooth as a mirror, without even a trace of scorching.

Jiang Donghua widened his eyes, his throat involuntarily bobbing.

"This... this..."

"What 'this'?"

Mo Xuan put away the jade spoon and said indifferently.

"The earth core fire jade marrow is originally condensed from the essence of earth fire. Even after being balanced, its medicinal properties are still incomparably overbearing."

"If you consume just this one drop, the Dou Qi inside your body will likely instantly run wild, causing minor damage to your meridians or severely crippling your cultivation."

Jiang Donghua swallowed, awkwardly retracting his hand.

"Master, I was wrong."

Mo Xuan snorted, put away the jade bottles one by one, leaving only one on the table.

"This bottle is for Lei Lie and the others. I will seal the rest for you to use after you break through to the Dou Ling stage."

Jiang Donghua nodded, then suddenly remembered something and hesitated.

"Master, will Senior Brother Lei Lie and the others be able to handle it?"

Mo Xuan glanced at him.

"They are at least High-level Dou Ling, or even half a step into the Dou King realm, so they will naturally be fine. Do you think everyone is as reckless as you?"

Jiang Donghua scratched his head and chuckled.

Mo Xuan looked at him in this manner, shook his head helplessly, yet a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

"Alright, I'm tired after all this fuss. Go deliver the medicinal liquid to Lei Lie, and then come back and cultivate properly. Stop thinking about running off all the time."

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Donghua carefully picked up the jade bottle. Just as he was about to turn around, he heard Mo Xuan add.

"Remember, hand it directly to Lei Lie and the others. Don't secretly drink it halfway."

"Master! Am I that kind of person?!"

"Hmph, hard to say."

Jiang Donghua didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He solemnly placed the jade bottle into his storage ring and walked toward the door.

Behind him, Mo Xuan watched his retreating figure, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upward.

"This kid is becoming more and more like I was back then."