Free Web NovelChapter 63: Chapter 63: Fire-tailed Golden Rat
Lin Changheng had no idea what outrageous theory his actions had sparked in Xu Xuzhong, but he didn’t care either.
After leaving the Wind and Rain Pavilion, he headed straight for the Hundred Refinements Hall.
But halfway there, a graceful figure stood fixed in his path, her beautiful eyes curving as she smiled at him.
"Feiyue, out so early today? Are you headed to the Hundred Refinements Hall? Perfect, we can go together."
Lin Changheng smiled faintly and walked up to the tall female cultivator to greet her.
In the Xu Family, Talisman Making and Alchemy shared a single hall, simply divided into left and right sections.
"Brother Lin, it seems you’ve come from the direction of the Gui Feng Dojo. It looks like the clan truly values you now that you’re a Middle Grade Alchemist."
Tantai Feiyue’s elegant voice drifted over, sounding as if she were merely sighing with emotion, but Lin Changheng detected a strange undercurrent in her emphasis on "Middle Grade Alchemist."
"I have indeed been busy these past two weeks and failed to call on you for your guidance, Commandery Princess. It was my oversight. I hope you’ll be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue had been friends for many years and had long since figured out each other’s personalities.
"Oh, I wouldn’t dare be so presumptuous. I was simply afraid that after Brother Lin’s promotion to Middle Grade Alchemist, our old friendship might not be good enough for you anymore."
Tantai Feiyue clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward, her exquisite figure on full display as she spoke with deliberate intent.
Hearing this, Lin Changheng’s smile vanished. He suddenly adopted a serious expression and said, "Feiyue, please rest assured. You should know what kind of person I am. Do you take me for someone who is ungrateful and disloyal?"
"No... that’s not what I meant at all..."
Seeing how seriously Lin Changheng was taking this, Tantai Feiyue was about to explain, but he continued speaking.
"I would never dare to forget the friendship between us. Let alone now as a Middle Grade Alchemist, even if I one day advance to Upper Grade or become a Tier Two Alchemist, this will not change."
Seeing Lin Changheng’s earnestness, Tantai Feiyue’s pretty face also grew solemn. She stretched out a delicate hand and, pointing to the heavens, declared, "Of course I believe Brother Lin, a million times over... As for Feiyue’s heart, Brother Lin should understand it well. The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulty, and finding a true friend and confidant is not easy. I will never betray this bond!"
Suddenly, two Xu Clan Members walked by. They cast astonished glances at the pair, as if curious about what could have made this man and woman swear such solemn oaths to each other.
The interruption made Lin Changheng suddenly realize the strangeness of the atmosphere. All this talk of "my character" and "Feiyue’s heart"... it sounded as if they were exchanging lovers’ vows. He immediately reached out and pulled down the Commandery Princess’s raised, delicate hand.
Tantai Feiyue had a similar feeling. A faint blush crept up her fair, pretty face, leaving her flustered.
Then her fingertips trembled. The warmth from Lin Changheng’s palm seemed to scald her, and she hurriedly snatched her hand back. The blush deepened, spreading from the tips of her ears to the side of her neck, making her snow-white skin appear even more translucent. Even the small Cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye seemed to grow a shade more vibrant.
Lin Changheng gave a light cough, his fingers, hidden in his sleeve, unconsciously rubbing together, chasing the lingering warmth from where he had touched her soft hand.
On some impulse, he couldn’t help but ask, "Commandery Princess, about what you just said... ’Feiyue’s heart’..."
"The heart to devote myself to the Talisman Dao, of course! Mm, I have a heavy workload of Drawing Talismans and cannot afford to delay. I’ll be taking my leave..."
The Commandery Princess forced herself to appear calm, managed a quick salute, and then her figure transformed into a streak of light, darting into the distance and startling a tree full of roosting birds.
Amid the flurry of feathers, Lin Changheng picked a flower petal that had landed on his shoulder and suddenly let out a low chuckle.
Whatever thoughts flashed through his mind, his feet didn’t stop, carrying him to an Alchemy Room in the Hundred Refinements Hall.
Lin Changheng immediately started the furnace and began his Alchemy.
He was Refining the Burning Breath Pill.
It was a Tier One Middle Grade Elixir, and its Pill Formula was from the Xu Family.
After Lin Changheng advanced to Middle Grade Alchemist, the Xu Family had offered him a choice of three Middle Grade Elixirs. Only the general Medicinal Materials and Alchemy difficulty were shown; all other details were hidden.
He had spotted the Burning Breath Pill at a glance. It was a Fire Element Middle Grade Elixir, and among its Medicinal Materials was a supplementary ingredient called Fire-tailed Golden Rat Essence Blood.
Lin Changheng’s gaze had sharpened, and he had immediately decided that he must refine this Pill and no other.
One had to understand that the Demon Beast Essence Blood used as an ingredient for a Middle Grade Elixir was unlikely to come from a Demon Beast with a Mortal Filth Bloodline; it was most likely from one with a Muddy Evil Bloodline.
And so far, he had only ever obtained one of that kind. frёewebnoѵēl.com
The Essence Blood of the Flame-tailed Spirit Fox.
But he had never come across the Wood Element Muddy Evil Bloodline Essence Blood he needed for his Cyan Wood Snake Treasure Species’s Metamorphosis. He just lacked an opportunity.
Lin Changheng also knew that the Xu Family had offered these Pill Formulas not just because there was a demand for the Elixirs, but also because their Medicinal Materials were relatively easy to find and gather. Otherwise, offering them would be pointless; after all, even the most gifted housewife can’t cook a meal without rice.
Three hours later, Lin Changheng, looking slightly fatigued, opened the door to the Alchemy Room.
He instructed the apprentice waiting at the door, Xu Liucai, "Go and watch the furnace fire."
"Yes, Master Lin."
Xu Liucai, who had lost some of his greenness and gained a measure of maturity, immediately accepted the order respectfully and headed into the Alchemy Room.
He had been an apprentice tending the furnace for Lin Changheng ever since the latter was just an Entry Tier Alchemist.
One could say he had witnessed Master Lin’s entire journey to becoming a Middle Grade Alchemist.
Fortunately, Master Lin didn’t hoard his knowledge. He would offer pointers from time to time, which led to moments of sudden enlightenment for Xu Liucai. His understanding of the Alchemy Dao grew in leaps and bounds, and he even had hopes of making a Tier Breakthrough to become a Pill Master within two years.
This was an immense opportunity, one that Xu Liucai cherished dearly.
"By the way, where is Xu Liuhui?"
Lin Changheng asked suddenly.
Ever since Lin Changheng had been promoted to Middle Grade Alchemist, the Xu Family had assigned another apprentice to help tend the furnace.
The reason was simple: Refining a Middle Grade Pill took longer than a Lower Grade Pill, typically two to three days.
This meant that it was difficult for a single Alchemy Apprentice to manage such a long stretch. Forcing it would lead to exhaustion and its attendant risks.
Therefore, having two Alchemy Apprentices watch the fire in shifts could significantly mitigate such risks.
It had become an unwritten rule in the Alchemy Realm.
Xu Liuhui was the apprentice assigned by the Xu Family. She was a member of their own clan; after all, the chance to study under a Pill Master was rare, and one should keep such benefits within the family.
"It’s my shift today. She should be at home resting."
Xu Liucai turned and replied respectfully.
"Mm. When I come back to apply the Pill Formulas, go to her home and summon her. I plan to start another furnace of Pills later today."
Lin Changheng instructed directly.
’Refining only one furnace of Pills at a time was undoubtedly a waste of time.’
’As long as one staggered the timing for applying the crucial Pill Formulas, it was possible to refine two furnaces of Pills simultaneously.’
’However, it was an extreme test of one’s understanding of the Alchemy Dao, mastery of the Pill Formulas, and control over the Flame.’
’If a Pill Master could only work on a single task at a time, or if their skill level was insufficient, they would likely become flustered, mix up the Pill Formula sequence, and end up with two exploding furnaces.’
Xu Liucai’s eyes widened in astonishment, but then he remembered this was Master Lin speaking, and he suppressed his surprise with a sense of acceptance. "Yes."
’Although Master Lin always sent him away during critical moments like applying the Pill Formulas, adding ingredients, or Extracting the Pill, he had this gut feeling that Master Lin’s skill in the Alchemy Dao was immense—absurdly so.’
’He just had no proof and couldn’t say it to anyone.’
’But Master Lin’s recent promotion to Middle Grade had indirectly proven it.’
’Perhaps his feeling wasn’t wrong.’
"Go on."
Lin Changheng waved his hand and entered a nearby Quiet Chamber to meditate.
