Chương 67: 1.67 Upgrades~

Ji Ning was not a genius. At least, not in the traditional sense, this was something Ling Xin had quickly noticed after teaching him for a few days. The Crimson Flame Control Technique was one of the easier yet well-balanced flame techniques she had mastered. It was widely used because of its stability and practicality for alchemy. Rather, this technique was actually made for alchemy For Ling Xin, learning it had been effortless.

She had grasped the technique within a single day and could already use it smoothly by the second. For her little disciple, however, things had been different. It had taken Ning five full days just to properly ignite the first stable ember. Of course, five days was still far faster than ordinary cultivators, many of whom required several weeks to reach the same stage.

But compared to Ning's previous achievements, his performance in the outer sect examination and his frightening comprehension of theory, it felt slightly… underwhelming. But after observing him for a few more days, she finally understood the reason for the inconsistency. Once Ning managed to get started with the technique, his progress suddenly accelerated. In fact, it accelerated dramatically.

It was as if, after wandering aimlessly through a dense forest for several days, he had suddenly discovered the main road leading straight to his destination. The change was so obvious that even Ling Xin, who had initially been rather casual about teaching, began to feel curious. That curiosity was finally satisfied when she flipped through Ning's personal notes on the technique. Page after page was filled with dense writing.

From the first attempt to the hundredth, Ning had recorded everything in meticulous detail. Each trial had been carefully documented, the flow of qi, which meridians were used, the timing of ignition, the stability of the flame seed, even the subtle differences caused by small adjustments. Some lines were crossed out. Others had arrows and corrections written beside them. There were even small diagrams showing how the flame behaved under different conditions.

To Ling Xin, who had always relied on instinct when learning fire techniques, the notebook looked almost absurd. Who in their right mind would record every single failure like this? But as she continued reading, she slowly realized something. Those messy-looking notes were not random at all. They were a process. A process of testing, eliminating mistakes, refining conclusions, and gradually discovering the most efficient method. Each failed attempt had been analyzed. Each small success had been refined.

Step by step, Ning had built his own understanding of the technique. Only then did Ling Xin finally understand. Ning possessed an ability that many cultivators lacked. He was extremely good at summarizing and applying knowledge. For Ling Xin, whose special physique was naturally aligned with fire, learning fire techniques had always been almost instinctive. She could comprehend them effortlessly, as if manipulating flames were simply part of her nature.

The moment she read a technique, she could intuitively feel how the spiritual qi should flow through her meridians. Even the timing of flame control and the subtle tricks involved in stabilizing the fire came naturally to her. She did not need to think about it. Her body simply knew. For Ning, however, things were completely different. He lacked that natural instinct. Instead of relying on intuition, Ning approached the technique like someone solving a complicated puzzle.

Only then would he begin practicing seriously. Because of this, his initial progress appeared slow. But once he grasped the structure of the technique, his speed of improvement increased dramatically. Ling Xin stood nearby, watching quietly. In Ning's palm floated a small crimson flame. The flame flickered steadily as he guided it through the air, slowly shifting its position according to his will. Although the movement was still slightly stiff and awkward, the flame itself remained stable.

This was the first real step of the Ember Awakening Stage. Many cultivators considered simply igniting the flame to be enough for the first step. But Ling Xin naturally had higher standards. In her view, only when the flame could remain stable without scattering or collapsing could it truly be considered the starting point of the stage. Ning knew this very well. Because of that, he devoted most of his time to mastering this new technique. It also helped that he had begun to notice a pattern.

As his mastery of other techniques improved, especially his two fire spells, he found it increasingly easier to learn new flame arts. The first fire spell he had ever learned had taken him seven days to grasp. This one had taken only five. Of course, part of that progress came from his relentless practice. With the help of recoverable spirit stones and his relatively abundant qi reserves, he could practice repeatedly without worrying too much about exhaustion. Still, the improvement also proved something else.

The stronger his foundation became, the easier it was for him to comprehend and learn other techniques. Ling Xin crossed her arms and nodded with clear satisfaction.

"As expected," she declared confidently, "my teaching skills must have played an important role." Ning, who heard this from the side, felt the corner of his mouth twitch slightly. While he certainly wouldn't deny that his master had provided him with resources and a technique to learn, most of the actual work had been done by himself. After all, being a genius in cultivation did not necessarily mean someone was also a genius in teaching.

Whenever Ning asked for detailed guidance, Ling Xin usually replied with things like: Stolen novel; please report.

"It should feel natural." Or,"You'll understand once you do it a few more times." Ning had long since learned that most of the figuring-out would have to be done on his own.

"Master," Ning said casually, "what kind of support did you actually give me?" After spending several days together, he had already understood Ling Xin's personality quite well. She was a very relaxed person who didn't care much about strict master-disciple etiquette. Otherwise, if he had ended up with a strict and rigid master, his days would definitely not have been this easy. Ling Xin thought about it seriously for a moment.

"Does moral support count?" she asked cautiously. After thinking about it, she seemed to realize that she hadn't actually provided much practical help. Ning stared at her for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Well… I suppose it does." And so, another peaceful day of master and disciple interaction came to an end..... [Golden Bell Armory] Ning met up with Sun Jing upon entering the shop. The first thing he noticed when he saw him was his face, or rather, how haggard he looked, with dark circles under his eyes.

"What happened to you?" Ning asked, staring at the zombie-like face looking back at him. Sun Jing sighed heavily.

"My family forced me to work here. Brother Ning, you wouldn't believe how much work I have to do every day. It's all because I didn't qualify to enter the inner sect in this competition. My family forced me to put more emphasis on weapon refining now." He sighed again.

"I remember how free I used to be back then, doing whatever I wanted. Now I have to work ten hours a day. You can see my hardship just by looking at my face." Sun Jing spoke his story with great, heart-wrenching pain written all over his face. Ning understood the reason. After failing to enter the inner sect this time and considering his mediocre spiritual roots, Sun Jing's family had obviously decided it was better for him to focus on his craft now.

It made sense since, that would be a better use of Sun Jing's talents.

"Your family is doing this for your own good," Ning said enviously. Since Sun Jing's family had decided he should focus on weapon refining for now, they had obviously provided him with materials, instruction, tutors, and even access to their unique inheritance. As for Sun Jing's complaint about having to work ten hours a day, Ning could only say that this guy didn't understand the hardships faced by others. Even he himself worked at least twenty hours a day, whether studying or cultivating.

Fortunately, Ning practiced the Jade Skin Technique, so dark circles never appeared no matter how sleep-deprived he was. Otherwise, with his daily routine, his face would look even more haggard than Sun Jing's.

"Anyway, I already told my cousin to bring your stuff," Sun Jing said as he led Ning inside. Ning had given Sun Jing his bow and arrows to be upgraded. After all, it was about time for his bow to get some attention and be upgraded now that he had some spirit stones.

"Um, but this time I'm here for an alchemy cauldron," Ning said.

"Oh right. You've been accepted by Senior Ling Xin as a disciple. Congratulations," Sun Jing congratulated, his tone genuine. He was happy to see his friends doing well.

"It's nothing," Ning replied, waving it off.

"My master said it was about time I bought a cauldron now that I've reached some level of control over spiritual flames."

"I see. Then follow me." Sun Jing led Ning toward the inner section of the armory. Compared to the weapon racks in the front, the atmosphere here was noticeably calmer. Several cauldrons rested on carved stone platforms, each radiating faint spiritual fluctuations. Sun Jing spread his arms dramatically.

"Welcome to the heart of every alchemist's career, the Alchemy Cauldron Room. Here you can find cauldrons ranging from the most basic to ones that will perfectly suit your needs." Ning crossed his arms.

"You suddenly started sounding very salesman-like at the end."

"That's the result of my training as well," Sun Jing replied proudly.

"You know how my cousin is. She can't talk to customers properly at all. She even made puppets that behave exactly opposite to her personality so she wouldn't have to deal with people."

"Overall, she's a very shut-in person. That's why someone like me has to shoulder the burden of this store." While Sun Jing was giving a speech about how the store wouldn't function without him, Ning tried to warn him.

"Um… Sun Jing, can you look behind you?" Ning said hesitantly, noticing the dark aura forming behind the clueless man.

"What do you mea-" Sun Jing's words cut off as he turned around and saw the blank face of his cousin.

"…" Ling Yao stared at Sun Jing expressionlessly. Her eyes were calm, but terrifying. Sun Jing immediately straightened up.

"I was just telling my good brother Ning that this shop wouldn't have succeeded without you, Cousin Ling Yao."

"…" Ning watched as Sun Jing became increasingly panicked. It was quite something to see the normally carefree Sun Jing under so much pressure. Fortunately for him, Ling Yao turned her attention to Ning.

"Your bow has been upgraded. And your special arrows have been made." She handed the items to Ning before turning to leave. Just before disappearing, she said one final thing to Sun Jing.

"I will check on your progress later." This single sentence promising pain later sent shiver down Sun Jing's spine. He can foretell he would have a rough time later.

"Tsk. Why didn't you say something sooner?" Sun Jing complained.

"Because it was funny," Ning replied this answer so innocently that it made Sun Jing's lips twitched.

"You know, Brother Ning, people who do things like that don't get discounts." Sun Jing could only say this one sentence, before he sighed. Then he pointed at the arrows.

"Also, are these the exploding arrows you asked my cousin to make?" Besides upgrading his low-grade bow Love to high grade, Ning had also commissioned several special arrows. He had quite a few ideas, exploding arrows, arrows equipped with talismans, and other variations. This was his first experiment with them.

"Yes," Ning said.

"Senior Ling Yao used compressed spirit powder and explosive talisman inscriptions to make these arrows." Ning felt quite satisfied with adding yet another weapon to his arsenal. These should be named the 'f*ck everything in that direction' arrows, Ning thought to himself, satisfied with his naming sense. Meanwhile, glancing at the wicked smile Ning wore while looking at those arrows, Sun Jing silently prayed for the poor person unlucky enough to face them.

"Well, anyway," Sun Jing said, "let's continue looking at the cauldrons."

"This one is called the Green Smoke Herb Cauldron," Sun Jing introduced, gesturing toward the first cauldron. The vessel was made of dark green alloy, its surface engraved with curling vine-like patterns.

"Low grade, First Rank," Sun Jing explained.

"But it's quite reliable and good for beginners with weak qi reserves."

"How much?" Ning asked.

"Five hundred spirit stones." Ning nodded slightly but didn't show much interest. Sun Jing noticed immediately. He moved to the next platform.

"This beauty is the Flameheart Tempering Cauldron." The cauldron was forged from reddish metal, its surface etched with faintly shimmering flame patterns.

"Mid grade, First Rank." Sun Jing tapped the inscription lines.

"A Heat Stabilization Array has been inscribed on this cauldron. It keeps the flame temperature steady so herbs don't burn. For beginner alchemists who panic when the fire gets out of control, this is the perfect cauldron." Ning nodded before asking, "My master said that a cauldron used by an alchemist should be something suitable for long-term use. Do you have anything better?" In truth, Ning had initially asked Ling Xin if she had a spare cauldron he could use for the time being.

However, she had simply shaken her head and said no. Throughout her entire journey as an alchemist, she had only ever used a single cauldron. She had never needed another. Moreover, she had advised Ning to choose something top-grade, preferably one that had the potential to advance in rank later on. According to her, an alchemist needed to become deeply familiar with their cauldron, its heat flow, its qi circulation, even the subtle responses of the inscriptions engraved upon it.

Only then could they refine pills with true precision. A cauldron like that would accompany an alchemist for many years. Switching between different cauldrons too often would only disrupt that familiarity and make refining more difficult. Ning understood the reasoning. That was why, even though it would be expensive, he wanted something better.

"I see. Then take a look at this one," Sun Jing said, leading him to another platform.

"This is the Origin Spirit Cauldron."

"Top-grade First Rank. It has three major inscription arrays." He pointed to the engraved patterns one by one.

"Heat Stabilization Array-prevents flame fluctuations."

"Spirit Circulation Array-keeps qi flowing evenly during refinement."

"Essence Condensation Array-compresses medicinal vapor so pill purity increases."

"For beginner alchemists, this combination alone can increase success rates by nearly ten percent. Moreover, this cauldron can be upgraded easily once you reach Foundation Establishment." Ning walked around the cauldron slowly. Its structure was sturdy, its inscriptions balanced. Moreover, it looked quite plain, something Ning actually liked.

"How much?" he asked. Sun Jing glanced at the tag.

"Eight thousand two hundred spirit stones. But for you, just eight thousand." Even Ning paused for a moment. Eight thousand was a lot of spirit stones. Sun Jing crossed his arms.

"I know that look. You're calculating whether it's worth it." Ning nodded honestly. Sun Jing shrugged.

"A top-grade cauldron like this can last for decades. More importantly, for a newcomer, such a cauldron can actually keep you safe since it can contain the inevitable explosions beginners like you tend to cause. Similarly, since this one has a growth structure, upgrading it later won't require replacing the entire thing."

"Those are some good points." Ning ran his fingers lightly across the engraved flame patterns. The inscriptions resonated faintly with spiritual energy. After a moment, he nodded.

"I'll take this one." Sun Jing blinked. In fact, he was quite surprised to see Ning being able to for such a cauldron, since he knew how poor Ning usually was.

"It seems you've earned quite a few spirit stones," Sun Jing said. Ning shrugged.

"This is just an investment. If I'm going to learn alchemy, I might as well start properly." Sun Jing laughed.

"Fair enough. Then, including the four thousand spirit stones for upgrading your bow and arrows, your total comes to twelve thousand spirit stones." Ning handed over twelve mid-grade spirit stones, his heart aching slightly.

"Alas," Ning muttered, "who would have thought that money disappears once you spend it? Mysterious… how bizarre." He sighed.

"At this rate, I'm going to be broke very soon."... Thanks for reading~