Free Web NovelChapter 201: Chapter 200: Spring Garden (Middle)
Zhang Ya asked expectantly, "I’d like to meet your master. Is that possible?"
Hearing Zhang Ya’s words, the crowd couldn’t help but turn to look at Xiaxia. They, too, were extremely curious about her master. What kind of person could produce a disciple like Xiaxia? If Xiaxia was already a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, then could her master be a King-grade Alchemist?
The common rumor was that Xiaxia’s master was a student from Qig Mountain Academy. How could they possibly believe such baseless talk?
How could that be possible? freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Xiaxia smiled faintly. "My master is very busy. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you."
Everyone was a little disappointed to hear that.
Zhou Long said regretfully, "That’s a real shame. I have some questions, and I thought we might be able to discuss them."
By "discuss," Zhou Long meant as an equal. He was different from the others; even before a King-grade Alchemist, he would maintain his pride.
Xiaxia smiled. "Why don’t you ask anyway? I can try to answer. And if I can’t, surely someone in this crowd can help you?"
Zhou Long chuckled inwardly. ’You think you can answer something that even I can’t figure out?’ Still, there were some things he couldn’t say aloud.
Zhou Long stated his puzzle: "I’ve always been confused by something. An ancient text states that Lian Gen is a superior medicinal ingredient, and it’s even considered a Sixth-Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure. Consuming it raw can increase one’s cultivation. So why does the cauldron explode whenever it’s used in alchemy?"
Everyone was stunned to hear this. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
A Sixth-Grade Alchemist couldn’t help but frown and say, "That’s not right, Master Zhou. Lian Gen can’t be used in alchemy. That’s common knowledge."
Wan Yu, also an Eighth-Grade Alchemist, nodded and said, "That’s right. The Yang nature of Lian Gen is too fierce. In alchemy, there’s no Heavenly and Earthly Treasure that can neutralize it."
Zhou Long shook his head and smiled, saying proudly, "I’ve found some information about Lian Gen in ancient records. This Lian Gen is actually an excellent material for alchemy. If Lian Gen is added to certain Pill Formulas, it can raise the grade of the resulting pill."
What!? It can raise the grade of a pill?
Could Lian Gen really be so incredible? Everyone was shocked at first, but then their faces lit up with ecstasy.
Anything that could raise a pill’s grade was of the utmost importance. To think Lian Gen possessed such a miraculous property.
Wan Yu said excitedly, "Brother Zhou, is this true?"
"Of course it’s true," Zhou Long said with a nod. "It’s just that using Lian Gen in alchemy is clearly impossible. That’s why I’ve been wondering why the ancient records say this. Is there something else we haven’t discovered?"
After speaking, Zhou Long turned to Xiaxia. "I wonder, can you answer this question for me?"
Xiaxia frowned deeply. After a long pause, she sighed. "I haven’t learned even a fraction of my master’s skills. I’m not sure about this... but I’m certain my master would know."
The crowd was disappointed to hear Xiaxia’s words. She might have said that, but none of them believed her master would know such a profound secret.
"I taught you this before. You’ve just forgotten."
At that exact moment, Xiaxia heard a familiar voice. She spun around and exclaimed in delight, "Master!"
Xiaxia’s face was overflowing with excitement, her hands tightly gripping Wen Qingye’s arm.
Hearing Xiaxia’s cry, everyone turned to look at Wen Qingye.
’This young man is Xiaxia’s master? Is this for real? But... shouldn’t he be a King-grade Alchemist? Some old monster?’
Wen Qingye smiled and nodded in gratification. "Not bad. You’re already a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. It seems you haven’t been slacking off."
The corners of Xiaxia’s mouth turned up slightly as she said proudly, "Of course not! I’ve been diligently studying the Alchemy Dao every single day."
Meanwhile, the people from Qig Mountain Academy had also noticed the situation with Xiaxia.
Yann Xiangyang looked at Xiaxia not far away in astonishment and said, "That Xiaxia is really her. I always thought it was someone with the same name. She’s a Fifth-Grade Alchemist now."
"So she’s Wen Qingye’s disciple?" Yann Chuxue also glanced toward Xiaxia, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. "Does that mean Wen Qingye’s skill in alchemy surpasses Xiaxia’s?"
The Qig Mountain Academy students seemed to realize something, and their minds were thrown into turmoil.
’That’s right. Yann Chuxue was correct. If Xiaxia is already a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, then what about Wen Qingye?’
In an instant, the way everyone looked at Wen Qingye changed completely. He had never mentioned it, but it turned out his skill in the Alchemy Dao was this incredible.
At that moment, Zhou Long stepped forward and looked at Wen Qingye. "You’re Xiaxia’s master?"
Wen Qingye nodded. "That’s right."
"From your tone just now, it seems you know about this Lian Gen," Zhou Long said, his eyes fixed on Wen Qingye.
Xiaxia quickly said from the side, "Of course! My master definitely knows."
The surrounding Pill Masters watched Wen Qingye dubiously, their eyes filled with suspicion.
Wan Yu stepped forward and reminded him, "Young friend, as Brother Zhou said, this Lian Gen is an alchemy ingredient recorded in ancient texts. Nowadays, no one uses Lian Gen in alchemy. It’s okay if you’re not familiar with it."
Wen Qingye smiled slightly. "Lian Gen is the root of the Eight-Treasure Tree. It grows perennially underground in dark, damp places. The leaves of the Eight-Treasure Tree are a Second-Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure, and the Eight Treasures Fruit it produces is a Fourth-Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure. But its most precious part is the root. Because the roots of the Eight-Treasure Tree are intertwined and connected together, it’s called Lian Gen."
Wen Qingye didn’t speak loudly, but upon hearing his words, a jolt went through the hearts of the Pill Masters. The hair on their arms stood on end, and they listened with rapt attention, terrified of missing a single word.
"The inherent nature of Lian Gen underground is extremely fierce, but this nature is suppressed by the subterranean Yin Qi. When you use it for alchemy, you inevitably stimulate its fierce nature. However, because the Yin Qi on its surface hasn’t been removed, the cauldron explodes."
Watching Wen Qingye explain everything in such a detailed and logical manner, they couldn’t help but become completely absorbed, listening in silence.
Zhou Long couldn’t help but ask, "So, you’re saying we just need to remove the Yin Qi from the Lian Gen?"
Wen Qingye nodded but didn’t speak.
The surrounding Pill Masters were overjoyed at this revelation.
"Wonderful! Does this mean that Lian Gen is really as useful as the rumors say?"
"I can’t wait to go back and try using this Lian Gen in my alchemy!"
...
The surrounding Pill Masters were all speaking excitedly. If the banquet weren’t about to begin, they probably would have already left.
Wan Yu’s brow was still tightly furrowed. "Removing the Yin Qi from Lian Gen probably isn’t simple, is it?"
Wan Yu’s words made everyone pause. ’That’s right... removing the Yin Qi from Lian Gen probably isn’t so simple, is it?’
Wen Qingye simply smiled and said nothing, leaving everyone to look at each other, at a loss.
Zhou Long gave a dry laugh, his face flushing red as he said, "Young friend, would it be possible for you to tell us the method?"
It was common knowledge that such a Secret Technique was not to be shared with outsiders. The fact that Wen Qingye was willing to explain the cause was already incredibly generous.
Seeing this, Wan Yu quickly interjected, "These are guarded secrets. If this gentleman is unwilling to share, that’s perfectly understandable."
The other Pill Masters were a little disappointed to hear Wan Yu’s words. ’Why would Wen Qingye be willing to share such a profound secret with them?’ But they all understood the sentiment.
"It’s no trouble to tell you," Wen Qingye said with a smile.
"You are truly magnanimous, Young Master! Thank you!" Zhou Long said hurriedly.
The other Pill Masters all jolted, their eyes glued to Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye said slowly, "To completely purge the Yin Qi, the Lian Gen must undergo nine steamings and nine sun-dryings. That is, you must steam the Lian Gen nine times and sun-dry it nine times. I trust you all know how to do that."
"We do, we do."
"Of course we do."
The surrounding Pill Masters stammered, each one speaking incoherently in their excitement.
Upon hearing this, Wan Yu’s pupils trembled as he looked at Wen Qingye. "May I ask for your name, Young Master? I will remember the debt of gratitude I owe you."
Zhou Long also nodded vigorously. "Yes, how should we address you, Young Master? I, too, will remember this kindness today."
The surrounding Pill Masters all looked at Wen Qingye with gratitude, filled with immense admiration. ’If we mastered such a secret,’ they thought, ’we’d surely keep it to ourselves. How could we ever just tell everyone like this?’
Wen Qingye waved his hand dismissively. "There’s no need for that. My name is Wen Qingye."
