83: Chapter 83 Lecture

Yao Chenzi had appeared at a corner of the hall at some point, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, giving a slight nod.

Yun Ming saw him but was unaffected, continuing with his lecture.

Halfway through, he suddenly changed tack, interjecting some of his own understanding. These insights were gleaned from between the lines of the 'Introduction to Alchemy Scripture,' some of which even Yao Chenzi had never heard before.

Yao Chenzi's brow lifted slightly, a flicker of interest appearing in his eyes.

Time passed quickly.

Yun Ming glanced at the water clock in the corner; there was only about the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn left. He looked at the earnest faces below the platform and was suddenly struck by a playful idea.

"Alright, the serious part is over," he shifted gears, his tone changing from the previous seriousness and rigor to a casual one, "There's a little time left. Let me tell you something interesting."

The Disciples were all taken aback in unison.

Interesting?

Yun Ming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely, "When you practice Alchemy, have you ever thought about what else Medicinal Pills can have besides their medicinal effects?"

One Disciple tentatively offered, "Pill fragrance?"

"Yes, pill fragrance," Yun Ming nodded, "But that's just the most basic. Have you ever thought, can Medicinal Pills have a taste?"

The audience below was even more bewildered.

"Taste?"

"Yes, taste," Yun Ming put down his teacup, "For example, apple flavor."

One Disciple couldn't help but laugh, then quickly covered his mouth.

Yun Ming didn't mind and continued, "Add a bit of Green Spirit Fruit peel, and the refined spring return pill will carry a faint fruity aroma. Add a little Moonlight Dew, and the fragrance can last even longer. Of course, this affects the medicinal efficacy a tiny bit, but if it's just for regular consumption, it's not a big problem."

One Disciple's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"If you don't believe me, go back and try it," Yun Ming spread his hands, "The Materials aren't expensive anyway."

Another Disciple asked, "Elder, some Medicinal Pills have a coarse texture, turning into residue when chewed while swallowing. So, how can one make pills melt in the mouth?"

Yun Ming thought for a moment, "For first-grade pills, you can add a little Frostgrass. Remember, only a tiny bit; too much will disperse the medicinal properties. Keep the heat steady during refinement to allow the medicinal power to fuse evenly. After the pill is formed and cools down, it will naturally melt in the mouth."

The questioning Disciple nodded repeatedly, quickly recording the information into a Jade Slip.

A female Disciple who seemed a bit lively raised her hand, "Senior, Senior, is there a way to make two different Medicinal Pills eaten together produce a different taste?"

Yun Ming was amused, "For example?"

The female Disciple thought and gave an example, "For example... cucumber flavor?"

Yun Ming actually gave it serious thought. After a moment, he said, "There's a pill called the Emerald Condensation Pill. Its main ingredient is Green Vine Root, which inherently carries a bit of a greenish Qi. If you first take an Emerald Condensation Pill and then a regular Qi Nourishing Pill, you will indeed have a refreshingly cool taste in your mouth."

The female Disciple's eyes sparkled, "I'll try it when I get back!"

In the following time, the atmosphere completely went off the rails.

Some asked if Medicinal Pills could be made sweet, some asked if they could be made sour, some asked if they could be made spicy to go with wine, and some asked if they could be made to cause burping after eating. Yun Ming answered what he could and honestly said he didn't know for the ones he couldn't, suggesting they figure it out themselves.

Yao Chenzi stood in the corner, his mouth slightly agape, not closing for a long while.

He looked at the young man speaking eloquently on the platform, then at the few Disciples below listening with great interest, even starting to ask questions proactively, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Having lived for several hundred years, this was the first time he had seen anyone lecture on Alchemy like this.

This... this is most improper?

He instinctively wanted to step forward and interrupt. He had just taken a step when he suddenly stopped.

He recognized those Disciples below. Several were the 'hard cases' of the Alchemy Hall, with poor foundations and low Comprehension Ability, often drowsy during regular lectures. But now, each of them had astonishingly bright eyes, and one had even raised his hand to ask a question for the first time.

Yao Chenzi withdrew the step he had taken.

Forget it.

As long as they learn something, who cares how he lectures.

Another half-stick of incense later, the water clock's indicator finally reached the end.

Yun Ming clapped his hands and smiled, "Alright, time's up. That's all for today."

The Disciples stood up, still not quite satisfied. Someone wanted to ask more but was stopped by Yun Ming waving his hand, "There's another one next month. Come back then."

Only then did the Disciples reluctantly disperse, not forgetting to bow to him as they left.

Yun Ming packed his things and walked down from the platform, only to see Yao Chenzi standing there, his expression inscrutable.

"Elder Yao," Yun Ming cupped his hands in greeting.

Yao Chenzi was silent for a moment, then said, "The lecture... was indeed good. Solid foundation, clear logic. Those lads listened much more attentively than usual."

Yun Ming smiled, "Thank you for the praise, Elder."

"However," Yao Chenzi paused, a trace of helplessness in his tone, "those wildly imaginative ideas of yours later on, just think about them yourself. In future lectures, try to talk less about such things."

Yun Ming nodded with a serious expression, "The Elder is right. This Junior will remember."

Yao Chenzi looked at him, feeling that this kid agreed too readily, not like he would really change.

But he didn't say anything more, just waved his hand and turned to leave.

Yun Ming watched him leave, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Remembering is one thing; whether to change is another matter.

He walked out of the lecture hall. The sunlight outside was just right.

The next day, what Yun Ming didn't expect was that his reputation had already spread throughout the Outer Sect.

It started with the seven Disciples who attended yesterday's lecture. After returning, they spread what Yun Ming had said, adding their own embellishments. Things like 'the new steward's lectures are interesting,' 'he taught us how to refine apple-flavored Medicinal Pills,' 'he even knows how to make pills melt in the mouth,' 'eating two different pills together can taste like cucumber'—spread in all sorts of ways, becoming more and more outrageous.

By the afternoon, some Outer Sect Disciples were already inquiring, "When is that new steward's next lecture?"

Even some Inner Sect Disciples heard the news and sent people to ask: Could they sit in?

Hearing all this, Yun Ming just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

He had more important matters.

At that moment, he was standing in his Immortal Cave, surveying this small world where he would reside long-term.

The Quiet Room needed Formation arrays for Cultivating; the Alchemy Room needed a Pill Furnace and medicinal herbs arranged; the living quarters needed to be made comfortable; around the spirit spring in the courtyard, some Spiritual Plants could be planted...

He stood in the courtyard. Sunlight fell, shining on him, warm and cozy.

Jiu Jiu poked its little head out from his embrace, looking around, and chirped, "Jiu?"

Yun Ming looked down at it and smiled, "From now on, this will be our home."

"Jiu!"

Yun Ming took out the two Formation sets and began setting up the Immortal Cave.

The Mystic Light Element Hiding Formation covered the entire Immortal Cave, concealing all auras; the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Array was buried underground, ready to be activated for defense at any time. As he worked, he muttered, "Now I finally feel a bit safer. That wall-climbing thief last time really gave me a scare."

Jiu Jiu perched on his shoulder, tilting its little head to watch him work, chirping from time to time, "Jiu!"

As if saying: Master is right!

After setting up the Formations, Yun Ming clapped his hands and sat down to rest on a stone stool in the courtyard. Jiu Jiu jumped down from his shoulder, landing on the stone table. Its round little body wobbled, almost falling over.