C17 Breakthrough!

"Is someone there?"

Ling Chen, hearing a noise outside his room, discreetly stowed away the Body Tempering Liquid and approached the door. Opening it, he found a charming young woman waiting outside.

She was endearingly cute, with features that were like a work of art and skin as smooth as jade. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with a lively intelligence. Dressed in a light gray crop top and sky-blue shorts, her long, slender legs were on display, giving her an aura of pure, captivating innocence.

"Hello, can I help you with something?" Ling Chen inquired, his curiosity piqued.

At his emergence, the young woman paused, momentarily taken aback.

Such a charismatic man!

Ling Chen might not have been strikingly handsome, but he exuded an indefinable presence, particularly in his eyes, which conveyed a maturity seldom seen in his peers.

"When did such a man arrive at Empire Academy?" she wondered silently, but quickly regained her composure. "Hello, I'm Liu Shishi. I've been making pills in the room next to yours. May I ask what you're doing in there?"

"Making pills," Ling Chen replied succinctly, his curiosity undiminished. "Is there something you need?"

"Well," Liu Shishi began, collecting her thoughts, "my friend and I were making pills next door, but suddenly a wave of intense heat from your room made it impossible for us to continue our work in peace. I'm not sure what you're doing in there, but I wanted to ask if you could please be mindful and try to keep the furnace temperature under control."

As she spoke, a tinge of disappointment crept into her voice.

A seasoned alchemist should be able to effortlessly regulate the temperature of their furnace. In her eyes, Ling Chen's apparent lack of control suggested he was a novice.

"It looks like this handsome guy is just a beginner," Liu Shishi mused to herself.

Ling Chen, hearing her concern, felt a touch of embarrassment.

The Body Tempering Liquid was a potent concoction, naturally running hotter than typical pills. He had been doing his utmost to manage the heat, unaware that it had been enough to inconvenience others.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice," Ling Chen said with an apologetic tone.

"It's fine, just be more mindful next time," Liu Shishi nodded, showing understanding and not giving him a hard time.

"But..."

As Liu Shishi was about to walk away, Ling Chen spoke up softly, "To show my regret, I should mention that your friend's pill appears to have been incorrectly refined."

Liu Shishi paused mid-step and turned around in astonishment. "What do you mean?"

With a smile, Ling Chen explained, "Judging by the scent of the pill wafting from your friend's room, it contains snow lotus, vine leaves, stalkless powder, and crisp red. If I'm not mistaken, these are the components for the Elixir of Eternal Youth, right?"

At his words, Liu Shishi's eyes widened, her surprise growing even more pronounced.

Was he spot on?

"How did he know? Has he reached the second step of alchemy, the sense of smell?" she wondered, her mind in turmoil as she regarded Ling Chen with newfound respect.

It was common knowledge that alchemy consisted of three major realms: sight, smell, and touch. Sight was something many alchemists could achieve, using their eyes to observe the ingredients and deduce the pill being concocted.

The second realm, smell, required using the nose to identify the pill's components. This was a formidable challenge for many alchemists, as it demanded not only an extensive knowledge of ingredients but also exceptionally keen senses. In the whole of Suinsa County, only a select few could claim such a skill.

"So, what should I do?" Liu Shishi asked instinctively.

"Try adding some ginseng," suggested Ling Chen with a chuckle.

"Ginseng?" Liu Shishi frowned slightly, "Isn't ginseng used to replenish Qi? The Elixir of Eternal Youth is for beauty and skincare. How are they related?"

Unfazed, Ling Chen replied calmly, "While ginseng does replenish Qi, it's also a crucial ingredient for the Elixir of Eternal Youth. It's well-known that Qi is the origin of all life, and vital essence is a critical element of the human body. With abundant vital essence, one can live a long, youthful life. But without it, one will succumb to the signs of aging, losing teeth and hair."

The true efficacy of the Elixir of Eternal Youth lies in replenishing the human body's essence. Without adding refined ginseng, the elixir you produce would be merely a hollow shell, devoid of essence. If someone were to take it, they might see a reduction in wrinkles at best. However, by incorporating refined ginseng, the essence is restored, and the elixir's full potential is unlocked!"

"This..."

Liu Shishi was agape, wonder sparkling in her eyes.

"Essence? Qi? Spirit?"

"Now I get it. How did I miss such a simple concept? No wonder Susu and I have never been successful. We were missing this crucial element!" Liu Shishi chided herself, smacking her forehead.

"Oh, I can be such a blockhead!"

Liu Shishi stuck out her tongue, then lifted her head with a grin. "Thank you, handso—"

Her words hung unfinished as she realized Ling Chen had vanished.

"That guy!" Liu Shishi pouted, grumbling discontentedly, "How does he just disappear without saying anything?"

I was about to ask his name!

"No matter, I must hurry and share this great news with Susu!" With a giggle, Liu Shishi darted into the room like a sprightly butterfly.

Half an hour later.

"Buzz!"

A clear, resonant hum echoed from the furnace as a rich aroma wafted out in waves, eventually filling the room.

In front of the cauldron, both girls beamed with delight.

"Did it work?" Su Wanqing asked incredulously. "Shishi, you were right! After adding the ginseng, we actually succeeded in refining the Elixir of Eternal Youth!"

Overjoyed, Su Wanqing planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Shishi, you're truly a genius!"

"Not at all." Liu Shishi, slightly grossed out, wiped her cheek and replied, "I only learned about this method just now. I can hardly believe it worked..."

Disbelief laced Liu Shishi's voice.

"You just found out? Shishi, what exactly happened?" Su Wanqing inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Liu Shishi recounted the entire encounter without omitting a detail.

As Su Wanqing listened, astonishment flickered in her eyes. She spoke earnestly, "Shishi, considering what you've said, this young man might have already mastered the second stage of alchemy! Is he truly our classmate? To have reached the second stage at such a young age is remarkable!"

"It's true," Liu Shishi confirmed with a nod. "He looks to be around our age, so he must be a student at the Empire Academy!"

Genius!

That was the word that sprang to mind for Su Wanqing.

Her own teacher had only advanced to the second step of alchemy at forty, and the president of the Suinsa Branch had reached that stage at fifty-one. Yet the person Liu Shishi mentioned had reached the first step as a mere teenager?

Beyond genius, Su Wanqing couldn't think of any other words to describe him.

"Shishi, do you know the boy's name?" Su Wanqing inquired.

"I don't," Liu Shishi sighed, her expression one of wistful loss.

Considering the vastness of the Empire Academy, she wondered if they would ever cross paths with him again.

A flicker of hope sparked in Liu Shishi's heart.

Next time, she resolved to learn his name for sure!

...

After classes, Ling Chen arrived home and summoned several servants to fill a large bucket with clear water.

He then carefully added a single drop of Body Tempering Liquid to the bucket.

What followed was nothing short of miraculous.

That one drop turned the entire bucket golden, and the scent of the medicine swiftly permeated the air, offering an immediate sense of well-being.

Ling Chen scooped up a bit of the golden liquid, watching it cascade through his fingers back into the bucket.

"Hmm, the potency seems just right," Ling Chen murmured, his face breaking into a satisfied grin.

The Body Tempering Liquid was incredibly potent; taken in its undiluted form, it could rupture a warrior's body. It was only after dilution with water that its strength became suitable for Ling Chen to use.

The golden liquid in the barrel wafted a fragrant aroma. Ling Chen leaned over the edge and inhaled deeply, the scent coursing through his nostrils and seemingly awakening every organ in a wave of comfort.

After securing the door, Ling Chen disrobed and gingerly stepped into the barrel. The water's soothing warmth enveloped him, and the medicinal liquid caressed his skin, as if invisible, tender hands were gently massaging every inch of his body.

The sensation of comfort allowed Ling Chen to let out a long, relieved sigh.

As soon as he submerged himself in the wooden barrel, the spiritual power within the Body Tempering Liquid seeped through his skin and infiltrated his body. This spiritual power wove through him like spider silk, finding its way into every crevice, and flowed like a gentle stream through every inch of his flesh and blood.

Eventually, the spiritual power converged like rivers into the sea, streaming towards Ling Chen's dantian. With this influx of spiritual power, his dantian grew increasingly full and robust.

Ling Chen's hands formed the cultivation seal.

The Wheel of Existence revolved within him, guiding the spiritual power to become structured and harmonious, rather than random and disordered.

It spiraled through Ling Chen's body, round after round...

The young man's breathing became smoother, each inhale and exhale hinting at an underlying pattern.

A soft glow seemed to envelop him, enhancing the allure of the already handsome youth. As Ling Chen continued to absorb the power...

The potency of the liquid slowly diminished.

The golden hue of the liquid in the barrel also started to clear.

Ling Chen remained motionless, as if in deep meditation.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a faint golden aura over his tousled hair. His eyes shut tight, lips slightly pursed, he exuded an air of resilience, adding a masculine charm to the young Ling Chen.

Time...

Time drifted by.

From daylight to dusk, from the setting sun to a sky dotted with stars, Ling Chen remained still, prompting one to wonder if the boy in the barrel had turned to stone.

Until the following morning...

"Crack!"

A crisp sound echoed from the youth's bones.

Following this sound, the boy in the barrel shuddered slightly and finally stirred, his eyes slowly opening.

A flash of brilliance darted across his gaze.

"Phew..." Ling Chen exhaled deeply, feeling the surge of spiritual power within him. A contented smile spread across his face as he murmured to himself, "Just one night, and I've ascended from the Fifth Heaven to the Sixth Heaven of the Warforged realm?"