Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 27: Chapter 26: Perfect Elixir

”Yii’er, what did you just say?” Third Elder Xiao Chong asked incredulously.

Xiao Yi smiled and joked, ”What’s the matter, I remember that Uncle Xiao Chong isn’t of the age to be hard of hearing yet, am I right? I said, I am also a First-grade Alchemist. Is there a problem?”

”Really a First-grade Alchemist?” The Third Elder really felt he was hard of hearing, and even thought he was hallucinating.

”Really.” Xiao Yi smiled and nodded.

”Really! Hahahaha.” The Third Elder burst into ecstatic laughter, not taking to heart the earlier jest about his ability to hear.

The moment Xiao Yi nodded, the atmosphere in the entire place came to a sudden stop, only the laughter of the Third Elder kept echoing.

”Good, very good.” After the Third Elder had stopped laughing, he nodded forcefully, at a loss for words to express his satisfaction with Xiao Yi. The only words that surged into his mind were ’good’ and ’very good’.

”Let’s go,” Xiao Yi said with a light smile, feeling a sudden warmth flow through his heart.

He knew that the Third Elder was genuinely rejoicing.

Among all the clan members present, perhaps all would be astonished and commendatory towards his displayed talent in Cultivation and qualifications as an alchemist—it was the approbation and friendliness towards a prodigy.

But it was only the Third Elder whose simple concern for him transformed into satisfaction and relief followed by an ecstatic outburst of joy.

This was the sincere joy that only existed between family.

”Hold it right there.”

Suddenly, another voice rang out in fury.

Without thinking, it was known that this aggravating voice belonged to the Fifth Elder.

”Fifth Elder, what do you want at this hour?” Xiao Yi turned his head coldly and glanced at him.

”Xiao Yi, don’t speak nonsense and make empty claims,” the Fifth Elder shouted in anger, ”You, too, a First-grade Alchemist? Go deceive the ghosts!”

”Exactly.” Xiao Ruokuang mocked disdainfully, ”With your meager talent, you want to become an alchemist? That’s truly a gross falsehood.”

”I believe, you simply wish to avoid punishment by fabricating lies,” Xiao Ruokuang declared, convinced that Xiao Yi was lying.

As these two spoke, not only did the clan members but also the elders seated at the Elder’s Seat show expressions of doubt.

Second Elder frowned and said, ”Xiao Yi is only 16 this year, right? At such a young age, how could he possibly be a First-grade Alchemist? As far as I know, to become an Alchemist, not to mention the issue of aptitude, one also needs a rich knowledge of alchemy.”

The Second Elder continued, ”But, based on Xiao Yi’s performance these days, he doesn’t seem like someone who would speak utter nonsense. Great Elder, what do you think?”

The Great Elder, as a distinguished Third-grade Alchemist, was the most authoritative in this matter.

After pondering for a while, the Great Elder said, ”To become an Alchemist, one indeed needs a rich knowledge of alchemy. Moreover, even with the knowledge, one also has to study pill recipes, master the steps of refining, and accumulate experience in alchemy.”

”Choosing materials, warming the furnace, adding ingredients, controlling fire, solidifying pills, opening the furnace... the series of steps are very complicated. Moreover, one cannot be a fraction of a second off in timing, as this is required to produce a First-grade Elixir and become a First-grade Alchemist.”

”Such stringent requirements mean there are two prerequisites to become an Alchemist. One, the guidance of a great master, and two, ample learning time.”

”But as far as I know, Xiao Yi only borrowed the Alchemy Record from the Alchemy Hall half a month ago, and besides, there have been no Alchemist to guide him in our family.”

The Great Elder didn’t make a definitive conclusion but offered his analysis.

Meanwhile, on the Martial Arts Arena, the Fifth Elder, with a triumphant look as if about to expose Xiao Yi’s lie, said, ”Xiao Yi, do you think you can evade punishment with these petty tricks?”

Xiao Ruokuang taunted, ”Xiao Yi, I have a Second-grade Alchemist as a teacher in the Mystic Fire Sect. Plus, with the elders’ devoted training and four years of hard study, I finally managed to refine the Body Tempering Pill not long ago, and became a respected First-grade Alchemist.”

”The way of Alchemy is so difficult; yet you, young and inexperienced, boldly claim to be a First-grade Alchemist. Heh, you are merely inviting ridicule.”

In Xiao Ruokuang’s eyes, becoming a First-grade Alchemist after four years of study was already an incredible feat.

Fifth Elder barked directly, ”Xiao Yi, you’ve injured a family Alchemist and now lie in front of the elders, attempting to deceive the family’s seniors. Hmph, the combined punishment for these two offenses, I believe even eighty strokes of the rod is too light. Someone, take down this scoundrel.”

Back on the Elder’s Seat, after the Second Elder heard the Great Elder’s analysis, he sighed, ”So, it seems Xiao Yi is really lying.”

Unexpectedly, the Great Elder shook his head and said solemnly, ”No.”

”Oh?” The Second Elder was taken aback.

The Great Elder suddenly revealed a smile, saying, ”My previous analysis was based on common sense, aiming at the ordinary person. As for Xiao Yi, based on his performance in recent days, do you think he is ordinary?”

”What do you mean, Great Elder?” asked the Second Elder, slightly puzzled.

”Hehe.” The Great Elder, who was always serious, now smiled broadly and said, ”We must know, this world has its prodigies. Naturally, we cannot judge geniuses by common standards.”

”Hm?” The Second Elder’s eyes suddenly brightened, asking, ”Do you think he is that kind of prodigy?”

The Great Elder said with a smile, ”Whether he is an Alchemist or not can be proven with a single test. Such a easily disproven lie, only a fool would tell. And given Xiao Yi’s performance, he is evidently a Martial Arts prodigy. Since he is not a fool, that proves that he would not tell such a lie.”

The Great Elder, who had lived a lifetime, had sharp judgment and trusted he hadn’t misjudged Xiao Yi.

Meanwhile, the Fifth Elder was publicly declaring to capture Xiao Yi, even preparing to take action.

The Second Elder suddenly shouted, ”Everyone stop, whoever dares to touch Xiao Yi will answer to the clan’s law.”

”Ah?”

The Second Elder’s loud cry made everyone show expressions of surprise and doubt.

The Fifth Elder exclaimed angrily, ”Second Elder, what are you implying here? Do you actually believe the exaggerated lies of that braggart Xiao Yi?”

”Xiao Yi, do you dare to refine elixirs in public?” The Fifth Elder, not daring to question the Second Elder directly, aimed his accusations at Xiao Yi.

”Why would I not dare,” Xiao Yi responded coldly.

”Good, on the brink of death and still so obstinately defiant.” The Fifth Elder sneered, ”Someone prepare the ingredients, I will expose Xiao Yi’s lies before everyone.”

At this moment, the Third Elder spoke up, ”Fifth Elder, if you doubt Yì’er, I certainly doubt Xiao Ruokuang. Who knows, his claim of being a First-grade Alchemist may just be boastful talk.”

”Nonsense!” the Fifth Elder scolded, ”Ruokuang’s identity as an alchemist is verified by the Mystic Fire Sect. How could it be like Xiao Yi’s, a childish boast without any proof?”

The Third Elder sneered, ”This is the Xiao Family, not the Mystic Fire Sect. I am only asking Xiao Ruokuang, do you dare to engage in alchemy right here in public?”

”Hmph,” Xiao Ruokuang snorted. ”No problem, I’ll let someone like Xiao Yi see that not just anyone can be a First-grade Alchemist.”

...

Soon, ingredients were laid out on the Martial Arts Arena.

Xiao Ruokuang picked several portions for the Body Tempering Pill with arrogance, glanced disdainfully at Xiao Yi, and started refining.

Xiao Yi, on the other hand, took only one portion of materials.

”What’s going on?” the clanspeople murmured in confusion, ”Alchemy has a large chance of failure; what does it mean for Xiao Yi to take only one portion of materials?”

”Could it be he is so confident that one portion is enough for a successful refinement?”

The Fifth Elder sneered, ”Facing death and still pretending.”

Xiao Yi and Xiao Ruokuang both began their alchemy.

However, as they had just begun, Xiao Ruokuang and the Fifth Elder saw Xiao Yi’s alchemy furnace and instantly sneered, ”It’s just a low-grade Gold-plated Furnace. Its refining effects are already inferior, I’d like to see how he embarrasses himself this time.”

The Third Elder, standing nearby and stomping his feet anxiously, thought, ”Oh no, Yì’er, since you know how to perform alchemy, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could have prepared a Three-Spiral Furnace for you. Ah, what are we going to do if the refining fails?”

A Gold-plated Furnace cost around two hundred taels, a mere ordinary Alchemy Furnace.

Whereas the Three-Spiral Furnace was the standard for a First-grade Alchemist, which was the kind Xiao Ruokuang was using.

Everyone watched the two of them with bated breath as they went through the process of refinement.

On the Elder’s Seat, the Great Elder was also watching intently, his gaze deep and solemn.

He didn’t believe he could be wrong about a person, but still, a hint of doubt lingered.

Time slowly passed, and as Xiao Ruokuang used the Three-Spiral Furnace, his alchemy speed was faster, yet he had already failed twice.

In contrast, Xiao Yi was still working with his first batch of materials.

After another ten minutes, both furnaces began to emit waves of Dan Fragrance that refreshed the soul.

Several minutes later, both ended their alchemy at the same time.

Xiao Ruokuang was the first to lift the lid off the Medicine Furnace, casting a proud glance at Xiao Yi.

In the furnace was the finished product: the Body Tempering Pill.

From the Elder’s Seat, the Great Elder peered down, saying approvingly, ”Not bad, refining successfully on the third attempt is no small feat for your age. That’s quite impressive.”

After looking at the Body Tempering Pills, the Great Elder nodded, ”The Elixirs are well-formed. Though not of top quality, they are acceptable. Xiao Ruokuang, you indeed meet the standards of a First-grade Alchemist.”

And then, Xiao Yi also opened his Alchemy Furnace.

The moment the Alchemy Furnace opened, the rich Dan Fragrance instantly spread across the entire Martial Arts Arena and even wafted to the Elder’s Seat and the other clanspeople.

”Such a rich Dan Fragrance,” the Great Elder exclaimed, quickly looking over. And at a glance, he was taken aback.

”The Elixir is flawless, round and translucent, with a dense fragrance that signifies the ingredients were fully utilized in the Body Tempering Pill. Impressive, truly impressive. Such alchemy skill is nothing short of perfect,” the Great Elder didn’t hide his admiration.

”Perfect Elixir?” the clanspeople exclaimed in shock, ”How is that possible? Although it’s just the lowest grade of Body Tempering Pill, to refine it perfectly, wouldn’t that demand decades of accumulated experience? How did Xiao Yi do it?”

”And he succeeded with just one batch of materials, right? A prodigy, this is absolutely the work of a prodigy.”

”Who would have thought Xiao Yi wasn’t just a Martial Arts prodigy but also a genius Alchemist—Heaven bless the Xiao Family!”

On the Elder’s Seat, the Great Elder’s face beamed with joy.

”Ever since the Family Head disappeared, I’ve been worried for a full ten years,” the Great Elder said to himself. ”Now it’s all good; the son he left behind is even more exceptional than him. Excellent, the Xiao Family has a worthy successor, and I can rest easy. A sixteen-year-old First-grade Alchemist, my own alchemical knowledge finally won’t have to rely on that dunce Bailian.”

However, just as he was brimming with contentment, his expression suddenly sharpened, and he thundered, ”You dare?”

On the Martial Arts Arena, Xiao Ruokuang had, at some point, positioned himself behind Xiao Yi with his Postnatal First Layer Cultivation fully unleashed, aiming a palm strike at Xiao Yi’s back.