Chapter 374: Chapter 327: Alchemy Prodigy (Part 2)
"She appears respectful, but isn’t she secretly holding a grudge?"
"Moreover..."
He furtively glanced at Dai Shu and whispered, "I once saw a manuscript in grandfather’s study, titled ’Red Beauty Chart’."
"It records thirty-six types of women with special features, and this Dai Shu has the rare ’Inner Charm Body’ face."
"She excels at bewitching monarchs and charming hearts. Don’t be fooled by her young age; she’s naturally adept at manipulating men’s psychology."
Zheng Chengwu hadn’t finished speaking when Xu Fengxiong lost interest in listening.
What ’Red Beauty Chart’?
What ’Inner Charm Body’?
It’s all nonsense!
No matter how special Dai Shu is, she’s still a cultivator now; she won’t be added to the harem to become a concubine!
"Crown Prince, Your Majesty should be arriving soon, so you better keep your voice down."
"Why don’t you believe me? Heh heh, it seems such a calamity-inducing woman can only be subdued by me, the Crown Prince..."
Zheng Chengwu swaggered and said, "Just let me gather my energy to subdue this unparalleled enchantress~"
On the other side.
Lu Qing’er, Xia Houling, and Dai Shu stood together, but there was still a faint display of hierarchy between them.
Among the three, undoubtedly Lu Qing’er took the lead, while Xia Houling and Dai Shu looked more like maids attending to Lu Qing’er.
Lu Qing’er was born into the Lu Clan, the younger sister of the current Empress, Lu Lin’er, and her spirit roots were exceptional as well, being Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, slightly inferior in speed only to Xu Fengxiong’s Gold Attribute Celestial Spirit Root.
Thus, she’s been the leader among the three women.
"Qing’er, you see that sneaky Crown Prince Zheng Chengwen, presumably gossiping about us yet again!"
Dai Shu immediately spotted the frequent glances from Zheng Chengwen and whispered to Lu Qing’er.
Lu Qing’er was three years younger than Dai Shu but had a calmer demeanor. She glanced at Zheng Chengwu and then turned back:
"Sister Dai, you know the Crown Prince’s temper. Although mischievous, he means no harm, just avoid him."
"After all, he’s the Heir of Prince Xian and our fellow cultivator."
"Qing’er is right, but today is the day Your Majesty comes to meet us, and if this trivial matter causes offense to Your Majesty..."
"Your Majesty..."
Lu Qing’er also furrowed her delicate brows, still holding great respect for this ’brother-in-law’ of hers, Your Majesty.
If Your Majesty overhears, or someone reports to Your Majesty...
With thoughts lingering, she couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed with Zheng Chengwen.
Just then, footsteps sounded, and Tianxingzi walked in.
"Your Majesty hasn’t arrived yet. Settle down quickly and do not make noise."
"Yes, teacher!"
At Yuelong Palace, Tianxingzi is the main instructor for them.
Aside from him, there are also Xiong Gang and Xuan Jizi.
The subjects taught include Five Elements Cultivation Technique, simple arrays, talismans, and so on.
Of course, as cultivators, they surely wouldn’t teach their true skills to the seven, as they’re not disciples.
What they teach is merely common knowledge in the Cultivation Realm.
"Greetings, teacher!"
The seven saluted, and Tianxingzi merely nodded lightly.
"Seven days ago, I issued each of you a Tier One Elixir recipe ’Gold Stone Pill’ and its refining method. How have your attempts been?"
Gold Stone Pill, one of the thirty-six Tier One Elixirs recorded in the ’Green Grain Pill Technique.’
Upon inspection, there was ample Spiritual Medicine stored, so Zheng Yi had it distributed to the seven, testing whether any of them have Alchemy Talent.
As soon as he spoke, the expressions of several changed slightly.
There was tension and embarrassment, as well as confusion and headache.
Seeing this, Tianxingzi directly asked, "Xu Fengxiong, where’s the elixir?"
Xu Fengxiong smiled wryly and said, "Teacher, I’m truly lacking in Alchemy Talent. I might as well spend the time to practice Object Control Technique more."
Zheng Chengwen also spoke, "Yes, teacher. The recipe is like celestial script; perhaps only the staff at the Imperial Hospital can understand it."
Seeing the situation, Tianxingzi also shook his head and said, "Among you seven, has anyone succeeded in refining it?"
To Tianxingzi, Your Majesty has oversimplified Alchemy.
As one of the most prevalent and practical arts in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, few master Alchemy, and it’s very precious.
He’d never heard of the Gold Stone Pill.
Yet, Your Majesty used it as a way to test new disciples.
It’s somewhat... far-fetched.
Such a new recipe, even veteran Alchemists need several trials to possibly succeed in refining it.
Seven newcomers, who’ve been in the Cultivation Realm for less than two years...
As I was thinking, a small hand gently raised in the air.
"Sir, sir, I, I think I’ve successfully practiced it..."
Tianxingzi’s expression shook as he hurriedly looked over, only to see Xia Houling raising her small hand, anxiously looking at him.
Everyone around was taken aback, especially Dai Shu.
"Houling, did you succeed?"
"Xia Houling?"
"How can she refine pills?"
"Is it true...?"
"Hmm..."
Xia Houling’s face immediately turned red, somewhat uneasy.
Tianxingzi said, "Xia Houling, right? Don’t be nervous. You say you’ve successfully refined the Gold Stone Pill; do you have evidence?"
"Yes..."
As she spoke, she took out a jade bottle from her bosom and handed it to Tianxingzi.
"Sir, please see, this should be the Gold Stone Pill..."
Tianxingzi looked suspicious, but still tilted the jade bottle, and a golden-yellow elixir appeared in his hand.
"Golden-yellow color, with the scent of gold and stone, and a dusty surface; it enhances the aptitude of Gold and Earth Attribute Spirit Roots and can improve the cultivation of Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators..."
"It is indeed a Gold Stone Pill. How did you accomplish it?"
Xia Houling cautiously answered, "My, my father used to be a doctor; he taught me about some herbs."
"I, I just followed the refining method issued by Sir."
"Xia Houling, did you succeed on the first try?"
Suddenly, a voice echoed, and several people quickly turned around to see Zheng Yi strolling in, surrounded by Chen Liancang and others.
Everyone immediately stood up, respectfully saying:
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise."
Zheng Yi nodded, his gaze still fixed on Xia Houling.
Xia Houling promptly nodded and said, "Reply to Your Majesty, I only used one chance, as the amount of herbs issued by Sir was only enough to refine one batch."
"That one batch produced about five pills."
"Succeeded in one try..."
Zheng Yi was quite surprised. Could it be that Xia Houling is a once-in-a-million alchemy prodigy?
Today, with some leisure time, Zheng Yi specifically came to the Yuelong Palace to check the cultivation progress of several young cultivators here.
Among the seven, Xu Fengxiong was the oldest, with the highest cultivation and the strongest Spirit Root aptitude.
The others, whether it was Zheng Chengwen, Shi Xiaofeng, Tong Tao or the three girls Lu Qing’er, Xia Houling, Dai Shu, were far behind him.
Unexpectedly, upon arrival, Xia Houling had successfully refined the Gold Stone Pill using just one opportunity.
Indeed... a genius!
Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Well done, I have many pill recipes, and you can try refining other elixirs when the time comes."
"Your humble subject accepts the command."
Zheng Yi said, "I originally came to the Yuelong Palace today to check your cultivation progress, but Xia Houling has given me quite a surprise."
"By the way, Xia Houling, what is your current cultivation level?"
"Reply to Your Majesty, the disciple’s current cultivation level is just Third-layer Qi Cultivation."
"I remember you’re just ten years old, right? Cultivating for a year and a half and reaching Third-layer Qi Cultivation is quite commendable."
Zheng Yi nodded, and with a flip of his hand, a miniature alchemy furnace the size of a palm appeared in his hand.
"This furnace is called ’Celestial Fragrance Burner,’ and it is a top-grade magical artifact, which shall be your reward for this inspection."
As soon as the words fell, everyone’s face changed, particularly Tianxingzi.
These disciples new to cultivation might not know what a top-grade magical artifact represents, especially a top-grade alchemy furnace.
Tianxingzi, as a senior in the cultivation realm, certainly knew.
A top-grade alchemy furnace is nearly extinct across the entire Great Yu Cultivation Realm!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xia Houling didn’t know the value of the Celestial Fragrance Burner but still respectfully accepted the decree and expressed her gratitude.
"Alright."
Zheng Yi spoke, "Today, each of you will undergo inspection. Those who have progressed in cultivation and who practice diligently will all receive rewards!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty...!"
Just as Zheng Yi was deep within the Yuelong Palace, a figure also arrived at Celestial Longevity Mountain.
"This place is Celestial Longevity Mountain, the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land?"
