Chapter 36: Chapter 36: A Bit Crude
At first, what Qin Ya described was indeed the refining method for the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill. The logic was clear, and the steps were flawless.
But gradually, Qin Ya grew more animated as he spoke, even adding some of his own improvements. Not only did his method considerably increase the efficacy of the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill, but it also significantly improved its stability.
The Alchemists present, being teachers at Mingxin Academy, were naturally no amateurs. At first, they were puzzled by Qin Ya’s improvements, but upon careful consideration, they were struck by the profound brilliance of his ideas and realized they were highly plausible.
And so, they each began to work through the process in their minds...
"Adding Cang Ye and Blood Ginseng Root... can enhance the efficacy of the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill, and using the Eight Desolates Fire Control Technique to heat the Furnace Cauldron will accelerate the pill’s formation..."
"When collecting the pill, using the Clear Clouds Nourishing Pill Method can not only perfectly absorb the Pill Qi but also further purify the Elixir..."
"That concludes my analysis of the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill."
After he finished, Qin Ya cleared his throat, looked at the dumbfounded Liu Qing, and said lightly, "Teacher Liu, I wonder if you have any differing views on the refining technique I’ve described. Please, enlighten me."
’Enlighten him?’
Upon hearing this, Liu Qing’s expression became awkward. After listening to the refining technique Qin Ya described, he had already performed a deep analysis of it in his mind.
He himself was a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, and the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill was merely a First-Grade Elixir. With his abilities, combined with Qin Ya’s improvements, he could naturally determine that the method was entirely feasible.
’For a young man to have such insights into the Alchemy Dao is truly extraordinary. When I was his age, I was just a lowly Alchemy Apprentice, merely organizing herbs by my master’s side.’
’It’s enough to drive a man mad, comparing people like this.’
"Ahem, you’ve spoken very well."
Qin Ya smiled faintly and addressed the other teachers. "I believe there are other Alchemists present. Does anyone else have a different opinion on what I’ve said? Please, feel free to speak your minds."
The few Alchemists among the teachers looked at each other, speechless. They couldn’t have even imagined such an exquisite refining technique, so how could they possibly comment on it? Nor did they have the audacity to try.
Huaa Que laughed to himself. ’Now you all see how terrifying this monster is.’ He had complete faith in Qin Ya’s skill in the Alchemy Dao. Although he didn’t know its full extent, he knew that for him, it was absolutely beyond reach.
’This kid is a complete and utter alchemy monster!’
Although Yun Yu and the other Special-Level Teachers were not Alchemists, they could tell from the Alchemists’ reactions that Qin Ya’s skill in the Alchemy Dao was by no means low. Even Liu Qing couldn’t find a word of rebuttal.
"Since no one has any questions, it’s my turn to pose one. Teacher Liu, if you please: the refining technique for the First-Grade Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill."
Although Liu Qing was surprised by Qin Ya’s insights into the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill, he still did not consider Qin Ya his equal.
In the Pill Realm, some Alchemists specialized in refining a certain type of Elixir. Their understanding of that specific Elixir could far exceed that of other Alchemists of the same grade and could even be more profound than that of some higher-grade ones.
In his eyes, Qin Ya was just such an Alchemist.
’He must have a profound understanding of the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill, perhaps from dedicating his entire being to studying it, but he’s likely clueless about other Elixirs. It’s a classic case of overspecialization.’
Upon hearing Qin Ya’s question, he sneered. ’I am a great Fifth-Grade Alchemist; how could a mere First-Grade Elixir possibly stump me? Besides, among First-Grade Elixirs, the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill isn’t even considered high-level, but rather middle-to-low tier.’
It was typically taken by ordinary people to build up their bodies.
"The Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill requires a total of eighteen ingredients. They are Tiger Whip, Xunlong Seed, Master Fuqu, Mountain Ginseng..."
"First, use a fierce fire to break down the ingredients. Add the Mountain Ginseng, Tiger Whip, and so on in sequence. Because the medicinal properties of Mountain Ginseng and Master Fuqu clash, the Fire Manipulation Technique used after this stage should be primarily gentle..."
Liu Qing spoke eloquently and with effortless ease. He had the Pill Formulas and refining techniques for hundreds of First-Grade Pills memorized, knowing them by heart. Forget just reciting the method for the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill; he could refine one with ease and guarantee a ninety percent success rate.
For a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, a First-Grade Pill was simply too easy.
The few Alchemists among the teachers nodded to themselves. They could also refine the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, but Liu Qing was truly worthy of being a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. The refining technique he described progressed from simple to profound, each step detailed to a masterful degree.
After he finished, Liu Qing glanced at Qin Ya. Seeing him silent, he assumed the boy was overwhelmed by his skill and said lightly, "This old man has spoken. What are your thoughts?"
"Heh, Teacher Liu is truly worthy of being a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. Although the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill is only a First-Grade Pill, your ability to explain it to such a degree reveals the depth of your skill."
"Indeed. While what Young Friend Qin said has some merit, Teacher Liu is a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, one of the few leading figures in the Yunxiao Empire’s Pill Realm. The difference in their levels is self-evident."
"Truly. Teacher Liu has really opened our eyes. After hearing your words, I can’t wait to go back and refine this Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill myself! We are in absolute awe."
Before Qin Ya could even speak, the other Alchemists were already shamelessly flattering Liu Qing. He had merely explained the simple Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, but from the way they talked, one would think he had been describing some celestial medicine.
Logically speaking, the difficulty of refining the Profound Pure Gathering Essence Pill was several levels higher than that of the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, yet they hadn’t complimented Qin Ya in such a way. Clearly, status and position made all the difference.
One was a youth with some skill in the Alchemy Dao but whose cultivation was only at the Profound Origin Realm. The other was a renowned Fifth-Grade Alchemist, famous throughout the Yunxiao Empire, with powerful cultivation. The gap between the two was obvious.
Seeing Liu Qing’s rather smug expression, Qin Ya scoffed inwardly and spoke with indifference. "What Teacher Liu said about the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill is indeed perfectly accurate, which is to be expected of a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. However, in my opinion, the technique is still a bit crude."
As soon as he said this, Liu Qing’s expression froze. The other Alchemists found it laughable. A mere child claiming a Fifth-Grade Alchemist’s technique was crude? If that wasn’t a joke, what was?
’He really doesn’t know his place.’
’He thinks a little skill gives him the right to be arrogant. How absurd.’
Liu Qing’s face darkened, and he grew furious. He had never been spoken to like this before, let alone by a youth who looked to be only fifteen or sixteen. He said in a cold voice, "And what brilliant insight might you have!"
Qin Ya cleared his throat and said lightly, "Although the Dragon Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill is only a First-Grade Elixir, is simple to refine, and has a high success rate, the quality of the finished pill is extremely unstable and difficult to guarantee."
"Teacher Liu’s refining technique can indeed produce a pill, and much more efficiently at that, but it does not solve this problem. In fact, to a certain extent, it will exacerbate this instability."
"You just said a gentle Fire Manipulation Technique should be used, and I don’t deny that point. But compared to using the Soft Cloud Fire Technique, I believe the Infinite Yin Yang Fire Technique would be better. Not only..."
"Furthermore, if you were to replace the potent Mountain Ginseng with the slightly milder Blood Ginseng..."
As Liu Qing listened to Qin Ya’s step-by-step explanation, his sullen face gradually changed to one of shock and uncertainty. Soon, a thoughtful expression appeared.
