Chương 66: 1.66 Perks of having a master~

"Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about alchemy. How much do you know about it?" Ling Xin asked casually.

"I purchased a first-grade, low-tier alchemist inheritance before," Ning replied.

"So I know the basics. As for actual practice, I don't have much experience, only occasionally working as a helper to an alchemist friend." As he spoke, Ning took out the inheritance jade slip he had bought.

"Oh, this one?" Ling Xin glanced at it and nodded.

"I remember this. It's quite basic, but it at least covers the theoretical foundation you need to memorize. How much of it have you learned?"

"I've memorized it all," Ning said.

"Then that's fine." Ling Xin simply nodded. Ning blinked.

"Don't you want to test me or something, Master?" he asked. After all, he had spent countless hours studying that inheritance in his spare time, so he thought there would be some test or something.

"Eh? I should test you?" Ling Xin looked genuinely surprised, as if the idea had never crossed her mind. After all, this was her first time teaching a disciple. Ning's lips twitched when he saw her naive expression. He sighed softly.

"No need, Master. Please continue."

"Alright." Ling Xin smiled casually and continued.

"Hmm. I noticed that your spiritual attributes are quite varied. However, I mainly practice fire-based alchemy. Is that okay with you?" Ning nodded, then asked curiously, "Are there other types of alchemy? I've never heard of them."

"Of course," Ling Xin replied.

"There is water-based alchemy, wood-based alchemy, and several others."

"Water-based alchemy is often used for large-scale refinement. It takes a very long time, usually months to a year, for a single batch. However, it has many advantages. The medicinal properties are gentle, the toxicity is extremely low, and the yield is quite high."

"Besides water-based alchemy, there are other methods as well."

"Wood-based alchemy, for example, allows one to plant a special tree and cultivate spiritual fruits that possess the effects of pills. However, such inheritances are extremely rare. At least, I've never personally seen one."

"As for metal-based and earth-based alchemy," she continued thoughtfully, "I've only heard about them in ancient records. With the changes in heaven and earth, those methods have gradually become lost arts." Ning found all of this extremely interesting. After all, this was the first time he had come into such close contact with real alchemical knowledge. Everything he previously knew came from that barebones inheritance.

"Anyway, little Ning, I have a request," Ling Xin said suddenly in a cute tone, completely lacking the dignity expected of a Foundation Establishment master.

"Little Ning?" Ning's lips twitched at the nickname.

"Um… you know, despite how I look, I'm actually older than you," Ling Xin explained awkwardly.

"It's just that I cultivated quickly, so my appearance became… even younger." She sighed, clearly a bit bothered by it. Ning was stunned. This was the first time he had heard someone complain about cultivating too quickly.

"Anyway," Ling Xin continued, "I wanted to ask if I could use my divine sense to probe your body."

"Probe my body?" Ning froze instantly. For a moment, he thought his new master wanted to conduct some human experiment. Normally, Ning would not have such thoughts facing someone like Ling Xin, but the first impression had been quite explosive, so he was alert. Seeing Ning's terrified expression, Ling Xin quickly waved her hands.

"I mean, I want to check whether you have a special physique! I've never seen someone with all five attributes before. You might have a special physique like mine, the Pure Fire Spirit Body." Hearing that explanation, Ning calmed down. Special physiques were another type of talent, different from spiritual roots. Certain people were born with bodies naturally compatible with specific Dao paths, allowing them to develop unique abilities.

For example, the Pure Fire Spirit Body made cultivating fire techniques effortless and even greatly increased the power of such techniques. In fact, there had long been a debate about whether special physiques should be considered a type of supernatural power.

"Please be careful," Ning said, extending his hand. With that, Ling Xin took Ning's hand and sent a strand of divine sense into his body.

"Hmm?" After probing for a few breaths, Ling Xin frowned slightly. She found nothing unusual, aside from the fact that her new disciple's physique was more robust than it appeared on the outside.

"It seems you don't have a special physique," she said.

"With your spiritual attributes, I thought you might possess a Five Elements Spirit Body. But it seems I was mistaken."

"I–is that so?" Ning replied, his expression somewhat sad. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. With his system panel, he already knew he had no such thing. Still, he needed to act the part.

"Yes. Most people only have one or two attributes at most," Ling Xin said. Then, seeing Ning's slightly dejected expression, she quickly added, "But it doesn't matter! As your master, I'll make sure you won't be inferior to anyone." Ling Xin patted her chest confidently as she declared this.

"Also, I see you're only at the beginning of the sixth stage," Ling Xin said while looking Ning over thoughtfully.

"Without spiritual sense, you can only concoct low-tier pills for now." She nodded to herself as if forming a plan.

"I saw in your information that you don't have any flame technique suitable for alchemy. How about I teach you one right now?"

"Yes, Master." Ning nodded. This was one of the greatest benefits of having a master. Not only did they serve as powerful backers, but they also taught techniques directly. And most importantly, for free.

"Hm. In that case," Ling Xin said proudly, placing her hands on her hips, "I'll teach you the signature fire-control technique of our Spiritual Flower Peak for Qi Condensation." She rummaged through a pile of jade slips nearby before finally pulling one out. [Crimson Flame Control Technique.] After handing the manual to Ning, she waved her hand casually.

"Read through it first and get the general idea. I'll clean up the mess from the failed experiment." Before Ning could respond, Ling Xin disappeared in a flash. Ning lowered his gaze and began reading the manual. The more he read, the more surprised he became. Even from the brief overview, the technique was clearly at least Spirit Grade, since it had multiple cultivation stages.

"So generous…" Ning muttered to himself. After all, this was the first Spirit-grade technique he had ever obtained, not counting the Pure Eyes technique, which remained of unknown rank. A moment later, Ling Xin suddenly reappeared. Her clothes were still perfectly pristine. She had simply stuffed the entire laboratory mess into her storage pouch.

"So, what do you think, little Ning?" she asked cheerfully. Ning ignored the nickname.

"Rather than simply producing fire," he said, "this technique teaches cultivators to shape spiritual flames like living creatures. That way they can temper pills, refine metals, and even control the internal essence of spiritual herbs." Ling Xin blinked.

"That's right! You understood the gist of it very quickly." She straightened slightly and cleared her throat.

"Ahem." After all, this was her first time teaching someone. She tried her best to look dignified.

"The Crimson Flame Control Technique has five stages," Ling Xin declared grandly.

"Each represents a deeper mastery over the nature of flame." She tapped the first section of the manual.

"The Ember Awakening Technique is the birth of a fire seed. The cultivator gathers spiritual qi and nurtures a spark of vermilion flame within the furnace, giving life to the foundation of all future transformations." Ning nodded slowly. His mind automatically translated the lofty description. An ability he developed after reading countless metaphoric and poetic descriptions in techniques. So… basically, create a stable flame that won't go out during refining. Ling Xin moved to the next section.

"The Twin Flame Manifestation divides the fire seed into two living streams. Guided by spiritual sense, the cultivator commands them like twin dragons, each carrying different fire intent." Ning thought for a moment. In other words, split the flame so you can control two heat sources at the same time. Ling Xin continued.

"The Thousand-Layer Flame Seal weaves countless threads of fire into layered structures. Each strand carries slightly different intensity, allowing the alchemist to nurture delicate herbs while tempering stronger materials." Ning looked at the diagram. Right… different temperature levels for different ingredients. Ling Xin then tapped the fourth stage.

"The Vermilion Sun Fire Wheel causes the layered flames to revolve around the furnace like the sun circling the heavens. This endless cycle harmonizes the fire and stabilizes the furnace." Ning imagined the rotating diagram. Basically… rotate the flame so the heat spreads evenly. Finally, Ling Xin rested her finger on the last section.

"The Heavenly Core Convergence gathers every scattered flame into a single radiant point. Fire qi, will, and spirit unite into one blazing core, condensing the essence of heavenly fire." Ning reread the explanation. So… compress everything into one spot to make the flame stronger. Ling Xin closed the manual slowly.

"When a cultivator reaches this level," she said solemnly, "the flame is no longer ordinary spiritual fire. It becomes a manifestation of pure fire essence." Ning nodded seriously. In his mind, the explanation arranged itself neatly. Stable ignition. Multiple heat sources. Temperature control. Heat circulation. Energy compression. Despite the grand names, it was essentially just a very advanced flame-control system.

"So," Ling Xin suddenly asked, trying to look wise, "My dear disciple, what have you understood?" She remembered Ning mentioning earlier that masters were supposed to test their disciples, so she immediately applied the idea. She was very clever like that. Ning ignored Ling Xin's slightly smug expression and calmly explained his understanding. As she listened to his explanation using straightforward and practical terms, Ling Xin blinked repeatedly.

Why did it sound completely different from what she had just explained? Yet, when she thought about it carefully, the essence of the matter seemed to be the same. For a moment, she was speechless. Why had her majestic explanation suddenly become so mundane when spoken by the little disciple of hers?

"A-ahem." Ling Xin coughed lightly.

"Your comprehension is quite good." Fortunately, she wasn't the type to dwell on such things.

"So! Your next task," she said energetically, "is to properly master the first level of this technique. Once you can do that, you can start producing pills." Then she leaned forward mysteriously.

"And after that… I'll teach you the super secret awesome legacy of our alchemy lineage." Ning raised an eyebrow. Super secret awesome legacy? Considering that his master had casually handed him a Spirit-grade technique during their first meeting, whatever she promised next surely wouldn't be worse.

"I understand. Thank you, Master. I'll do my best," Ning said seriously.

"Good!" Ling Xin smiled proudly. She felt her first teaching session had gone extremely well. Just as expected of herself. Then Ning suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right, Master. I prepared a small gift for you as thanks for your teaching." He handed her a box filled with sweets and cakes that he had prepared the night before. As someone who followed the dao of preparation, Ning had already asked around about his new master after hearing the senior brothers talk about her in such ominous tones. That was why he hadn't been surprised by Ling Xin's youthful appearance.

After all, this was a cliché xianxia world; it was not surprising for old cultivators to look like lolis, right? Of course, despite all his preparation, he had never expected to be bombed the moment he reached the door. That only made him understand why this peak had such a 'famous' reputation. But because of that chaotic introduction, he had forgotten about the meeting gift earlier.

"Oh!" Ling Xin's eyes lit up instantly.

"These are sweets! I've never seen these before!" She looked at Ning with increasing approval.

"You're quite filial." Her satisfaction only grew after tasting them.

"These are delicious!" Ning nodded calmly. As expected, the information he gathered was correct. Master Ling Xin had an undeniable sweet tooth. Watching her happily eating sweets while looking like a young girl, Ning couldn't help thinking, it kind of matches her appearance. Of course, he wisely kept that thought to himself.... Thanks for reading~ A/N: Was sick af. It was quite a pain literally. I will slowly write more chapters now I feel quite fine. Sorry for the delay guys. Stay healthy.