58: Chapter 58 Pill Fire!

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Huo's eyes as he continued his questioning, "Then what about 'Cold Pith Grass'?

Which medicinal properties does it conflict with?"

"Cold Pith Grass, a first grade spirit herb, cold in nature... It has a violent medicinal conflict with yang-type spirit herbs such as 'Solar Fruit' and 'Cinnabar Leaf'.

They cannot be refined in the same furnace; otherwise, their properties will damage each other, and it might even cause a cauldron explosion."

"Another question: how do you distinguish 'Seven-Star Moon Orchid' from its counterfeit, the 'False Moon Orchid'?"

"True and False Moon Orchids can be identified by observing their leaf veins.

The genuine article has seven leaf veins arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper, with a faint flow of moonlight within them;

The counterfeit's veins are messy, possessing the form but lacking the spirit, and its roots lack that refreshing, subtle fragrance..."

Xiao Huo threw out question after question, ranging from common spirit herbs to obscure varieties.

From medicinal properties to growth environments, the scope grew broader and the difficulty increased.

However, Qin Yan answered every single one fluently.

Not only did he provide the standard answers accurately, but he often elaborated on relevant precautions and practical application cases.

He was like a walking encyclopedia of spirit herbs.

The more Xiao Huo asked, the more shocked he became.

His gaze toward Qin Yan shifted from initial skepticism to surprise, and finally to complete numbness and disbelief.

When Qin Yan once again perfectly answered an obscure question about the subtle differences between "Ambergris" and "Whale-Fall Grass," Xiao Huo finally stopped his questioning.

He opened his mouth, and after a long silence, he suddenly slapped his thigh and blurted out a curse that was slightly unbecoming of his status as a mentor:

"Holy shit! You kid... are truly a monster!"

Qin Yan was stunned by this sudden "praise."

Xiao Huo clearly had no intention of explaining.

He no longer doubted; he was now completely certain that this time, he had truly picked up a treasure!

"Alright, alright, no more testing!"

Xiao Huo waved his hand, his voice tinged with emotion. "Master believes you! I didn't expect it, I really didn't expect it..."

He calmed his emotions and looked at Qin Yan, saying solemnly, "Since you have already mastered the Complete Explanation of Low-Grade Spirit Herbs, then in the path of alchemy, you can be considered to have... half-entered the gate."

"Half-entered the gate?" Qin Yan was somewhat confused.

"Correct," Xiao Huo explained patiently. "To truly begin refining pills, you must have a thorough understanding of the basic materials of alchemy!

Alchemy materials are mainly divided into two major categories: first are the 'spirit herbs' you just mastered, and second is 'spirit meat'."

"Regarding alchemy materials, you have already mastered low-grade spirit herbs.

So, mastering the Complete Explanation of Low-Grade Spirit Meat should not be a major problem for you.

After all, the varieties of spirit meat are far fewer than those of spirit herbs."

At this point, Xiao Huo casually brushed his right hand in front of him, and a simple ring on his finger flashed with a faint light.

A book appeared out of thin air in his hand.

This scene made Qin Yan's eyes widen, his mind instantly occupied by the question of how the book had appeared.

Xiao Huo handed the book to Qin Yan: "Here, this is the Encyclopedia of Low-Grade spirit meat.

It records in detail what spirit meat is, its classification, grade identification, refinement methods, characteristics, and storage precautions, and so on.

Your next task is to firmly commit the contents of this book to memory as well!"

Qin Yan hurriedly reached out to take the heavy book, while unable to resist asking curiously, "Teacher, just now... how did you take the book out?"

Xiao Huo smiled slightly and shook the ring on his finger: "A little gadget, a 'Storage Ring.' It has its own internal space, making it convenient to store things.

When your cultivation is higher in the future, you will naturally be able to have one too.

Now, focus on the book in your hand."

"Yes, student understands."

Qin Yan suppressed his curiosity and returned his attention to the Complete Explanation of Low-Grade Spirit Meat in his hands.

"Understanding alchemy materials is only the first step of alchemy, the foundation."

Xiao Huo continued his teaching, "The second step is that you need to master 'Pill Formulas.'

A Pill Formula records the precise materials, ratios, order of addition, heat control, and condensation techniques required to refine a certain pill.

You don't need to worry too much about this; our Modu University of Martial Arts has a deep heritage.

We have a vast reserve of Pill Formulas. As long as you can become an official alchemist, you won't have to worry about lacking suitable recipes to learn."

"And the third point, which is also a crucial point,"

Xiao Huo's expression became exceptionally serious, "You must possess your own 'Pill Fire'!"

"Pill Fire?"

Yet another new term.

"Exactly, Pill Fire!"

Xiao Huo confirmed, "Pill Fire is the soul of an alchemist; it is the fundamental basis for extracting medicinal properties, fusing spiritual liquids, and ultimately forming the pill!"

He looked at Qin Yan and changed his tone: "However, this third point is still too far away for the current you.

To possess your own Pill Fire, your martial cultivation must at least reach the Fourth Rank Martial Artist realm before you can refine your own Pill Fire."

"A Fourth Rank Martial Artist? Only then can one have Pill Fire?"

Qin Yan was completely stunned, his face written with bewilderment. "Then... then how did Senior Sister Lu Youyou become an alchemist?

I remember her alchemy skills have already reached the second stage high-tier?"

Lu Youyou was only a First Grade Martial Artist; it was impossible for her to have her own Pill Fire.

"Her?" Xiao Huo laughed and explained, "What she uses for alchemy is not her own Pill Fire, but 'Beast Fire' or 'Natural Spirit Fire.'

Many low-grade alchemists use these kinds of external flames."

"Beast Fire is taken from the beast cores or heart fires of certain fire-attribute fierce beasts or alien races;

Natural Spirit Fire is a strange flame nurtured within nature itself.

Although these two types of flames can also be used for alchemy, they both share a common flaw—instability!

Because they do not belong to the alchemist themselves, they cannot be controlled as easily as one's own limbs or perfectly mastered.

Therefore, they can usually only be used to refine some low-grade pills that aren't of a high rank."

Xiao Huo looked at Qin Yan and said, "When you start learning alchemy in the future, the flames you use in the early stages will also be of this type."

To give Qin Yan a more direct impression, Xiao Huo slowly raised his right hand.

With a "poof" sound on his palm,

A ball of blazing yet docile orange flame ignited out of thin air, emitting a heart-palpitatingly high temperature,

Yet it was perfectly restrained by him within a small space.

Immediately afterward, that ball of orange flame, as if possessed of life, suddenly split and transformed into six lifelike fire dragons!

The fire dragons circled and danced around Xiao Huo, their faint roars emitting terrifying energy fluctuations.

The surrounding air distorted violently due to the extreme heat.

The shifting light and shadows made Xiao Huo look like a deity in command of fire!

Seeing this scene, Qin Yan's pupils constricted, and a massive wave of shock surged in his heart!

This had already exceeded his understanding of "martial techniques"; it was more like a mastery over the energy of heaven and earth!