Chapter 105: The Dao of Alchemy Overflowed!
The Great Furnace...
After returning from the medicinal pool to his room, Bai Rulong took off his boots and lay on the heated brick bed, while Ji You sat on the bed, his brow slightly furrowed.
He had known for a long time that each of the Seven Great Immortal Sects possessed a Heavenly Dao Sacred Artifact.
The Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion held the Xuan Yuan Orb, Tianshu Academy held the Heavenly Book, Yan Shuyi held the spirit mirror, and Dan Sect held the Great Furnace.
Ji You was unsure if what he saw in the gurgling void was the Dan Sect's Sacred Artifact.
But—
It was rusty.
It seemed the Human Race's Heavenly Dao truly had a problem.
But how could I see it?
Phew, I saw quite a lot tonight.
First, I saw a bare Sacred Artifact, then I saw a bare daughter.
Ji You then sat upright on the bed and tried to use his Divine Thought to fly again. Vaguely, he no longer saw any trace of the Great Furnace; all that remained was the boundless distant sky that all cultivators could see.
It seemed that, like Tianshu Academy, Sacred Artifacts could not be observed from just any location. Yuan Caiwei's medicinal pool was a place similar to Tianshu Academy's Wudao Field.
“Indeed, Brother Ji usually acts like a slacker outside, but he’s secretly practicing at Bishui Lake Garden every night.”
“?”
The next morning, the Tianshu Academy Disciples had their breakfast at Yuheng Hall.
During the banquet yesterday, You Buyu and He Lingxiu revealed their plans to depart today.
Tianshu Academy's visit to Lingjian Mountain to seek the Dao should have been swift and decisive, ascending the mountain, brandishing their swords, and returning victorious to greatly enhance Tianshu Academy's prestige.
Staying in Dan Sect might make outsiders think they lacked confidence.
However, the Dan Sect Master was extremely hospitable and arranged an Alchemy demonstration, saying it was for the Tianshu Academy Disciples to observe, as if to display Dan Sect's profound heritage through this event.
But Yuan Li perhaps didn't know that his daughter had shown even more to a certain Tianshu Academy Disciple last night.
“The atmosphere in Dan Sect today seems a bit strange.”
“Yes, there seem to be many fewer Disciples.”
“When I came, I saw some Disciples heading up the mountain.”
“Is it because of that mysterious pill light from Shake Light Hall last night?”
He Lingxiu and You Buyu were conversing at the same table when they saw a group of Dan Sect Disciples whispering to each other, then walking out of the hall.
At this moment, Ji You and his group, who had already come out from the backyard, arrived at Yuheng Hall for their meal.
Because He Lingxiu had previously felt that Ji You's Qi changed greatly every day, she couldn't help but scrutinize him again today, her eyes slightly stunned.
This time, it wasn't just Ji You; she felt that Ban Yangshu, Pei Ruyi, Wen Zhengxin, and even Bai Rulong's aura had become much stronger.
Most importantly, Ji You's skin also seemed incredibly smooth, truly like a fair-faced Young Master.
Although cultivators advocate for great freedom above the immortal Dao, female cultivators still want to take a second look at handsome men.
What did these people do in just one night?
Seeing He Lingxiu's questioning gaze, Ban Yangshu and the others pretended to be calm and found a corner seat.
None of them could look at You Buyu now, otherwise they would always remember how pitiful he was.
The food was quickly served, with Dan Sect Disciples spooning out portions for everyone.
Ji You only asked for a bowl of plain rice and then began to eat.
Ban Yangshu, like He Lingxiu, looked around: “Yesterday, many Disciples were coming in and out of Yuheng Hall, but there are fewer today?”
Wen Zhengxin nodded: “They should have gone up the mountain. Last night, the highest Shake Light Hall suddenly emitted pill light. I heard from a few Dan Sect Disciples that there was an overflow of the Dao of Alchemy in the Inner Courtyard, causing half of Dan Mountain to be surrounded by pill Qi. Inner Courtyard Disciples all went to comprehend the Dao, and Outer Sect Disciples also went to the medicinal pool.”
“Medicinal pool?”
“Yes, the function of the medicinal pool seems similar to Tianshu Academy's Wudao Field.”
Speaking of the medicinal pool, Wen Zhengxin couldn't help but look at Ji You sitting beside him.
Ji You was also deep in thought at this moment, musing that judging by the Dan Sect Disciples' reactions, an overflow of the Dao of Alchemy should not be a common occurrence.
He wondered if this was related to the furnace he saw last night.
He was not a Dan Sect Disciple; although the Dao of Alchemy and the Immortal Dao both originated from the Heavenly Dao, they were still two different things.
Ban Yangshu, seeing his solemn expression, couldn't help but ask: “Today's dishes seem to taste better than yesterday's, Junior Brother, won't you try more?”
Ji You snapped back to reality and said with a solemn expression: “No, I'll just eat some rice simply. I'm afraid I'll be drugged by Yuan Chen and sent back into the medicinal pool.”
Ban Yangshu held his breath, thinking, “Junior Brother really feels like he got the short end of the stick last night, huh.”
“Didn't you consider that You Buyu was the one who suffered the most in this matter?”
Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi were smiling faintly from the side, only Bai Rulong looked utterly bewildered, feeling like he wasn't on the same wavelength as them.
Just then, You Buyu, who had finished his meal, passed by them, glancing sideways at them: “This is Dan Sect, not Tianshu Academy's Outer Courtyard. Don't wander around aimlessly, lest Dan Sect thinks Tianshu Academy has no rules, and don't embarrass me.”
Afterward, the Tianshu Academy group followed the Dan Sect Disciples to the Alchemy room to observe their Alchemy process.
To You Buyu's disappointment, Yuan Caiwei did not come today.
Then, the Dan Sect Disciple assigned to Alchemy began to display formulas, retrieve Medicinal Pills, put them into the Pill Furnace, and demonstrate the wondrous uses of the Xuanyu Dan Hand.
Contrary to external speculation, the profoundness of Dan Sect's Dao of Alchemy did not lie in temperature, Pill Furnaces, or medicinal ingredients; the key was in the Xuanyu Dan Hand.
It was just like when Yuan Chen treated the refugees outside the city that day, using pill Qi and pill light to catalyze the Medicinal Pill's efficacy.
During the Alchemy process, the Dan Sect Disciple would continuously control the dispersion of the Medicinal Pill's properties in the Pill Furnace with the Xuanyu Dan Hand, either releasing or suppressing them.
Even with just two medicinal ingredients, under the control of the Dan Hand, there would be myriad changes in effects.
Either removing medicinal properties while retaining toxicity, or removing toxicity while retaining medicinal properties.
Ji You watched for a long time, thinking that it was no wonder the Dan Sect Master wanted to show them this; it was to inform Tianshu Academy of their Dan Sect's irreplaceable characteristics.
Just then, a 'clang' sound was heard.
A sound came from the human-height bronze Pill Furnace, as if something had exploded.
Immediately after, the Alchemy Disciple trembled all over, and the jade color of his hands began to fade.
“Failed?”
“That Alchemist is a bit distracted—”
“I can tell, it's like comprehending the Dao being interrupted by distracting thoughts.”
“Junior Brother, what do you think is the reason?”
“Perhaps it's because of the inner sect's pill light.”
The Alchemist performing Alchemy here was from the Inner Courtyard, named Wen Bin, an Alchemist with a different surname, a Disciple of the Wen family from Liang Province, with extremely high Alchemy talent, having already reached the top fifth grade.
And the reason for his distraction was indeed as the Tianshu Academy Disciples had guessed.
The overflow of the Dao of Alchemy from the Dan Sect's Great Furnace began at dusk yesterday and continued until now, and no one knew when it would end.
The reason Dan Sect Disciples flocked to it was that such an event had not occurred for several hundred years.
It was said that almost all who had witnessed the overflow of the Dao of Alchemy from the Great Furnace back then were no longer alive, and missing this opportunity meant not knowing if they would ever have another chance in this life.
Wen Bin was originally an Alchemist with a different surname, so he couldn't help but overthink things.
However, his assignment to demonstrate Alchemy to Tianshu Academy was decided yesterday afternoon. After all, he was considered an Alchemist with a very high success rate in the Inner Courtyard.
And the overflow of the Dao of Alchemy appeared at dusk yesterday, which had nothing to do with whether he was an Alchemist with a different surname.
But in anxiety, people always think a lot and make uncontrolled mistakes.
At this moment, Wen Bin's face was extremely grim, and he heard footsteps approaching.
Yuan Chen strode over and, without a word, took over the Pill Furnace with his Xuanyu Dan Hand. The bronze Pill Furnace, which had been on the verge of collapse, gradually stabilized.
He had actually been secretly watching from the side, but hadn't dared to enter, after all, last night, he had caused a big commotion.
But as it concerned Dan Sect's reputation, he couldn't just watch Senior Brother Wen ruin the Medicinal Pill, so he had to personally intervene. Pill light emanated from his hand, resolving the unstable medicinal properties and refining another type of Medicinal Pill with the same ingredients.
After a long time, the pill light within the Pill Furnace continuously overflowed, and pill Qi rushed out of the Pill Furnace. Upon opening the Pill Furnace, pill light scattered in all directions.
“The Medicinal Pill is complete.”
“As expected of a direct Disciple of Dan Sect...”
At this moment, Yuan Caiwei also entered the hall. Seeing the rich pill light in the Pill Furnace, her heart finally settled a little.
She had tossed and turned last night, having countless dreams that she couldn't speak of to others. She hadn't intended to come today, but hearing that her younger brother had gone to Yuheng Hall, she hurriedly rushed over, fearing he might cause more trouble.
But seeing this scene, she felt much relieved.
Although her younger brother was usually undisciplined and always came up with strange ideas, he could always handle things—
Yuan Caiwei stood with her hands behind her back before the Pill Furnace, observing meticulously, occasionally whispering a few words to Yuan Chen, her expression calm, but she never dared to turn her gaze towards the Tianshu Academy group.
Ban Yangshu stood behind, looking at the Eldest Daughter of Dan Zong, whose expression was as usual, and thought, “How can she be so calm? Was what happened last night an illusion?”
“Lady Caiwei.”
“Hmm?”
Yuan Caiwei turned her head and saw You Buyu approaching: “Young Master You, what is the matter?”
You Buyu was slightly startled, realizing that Yuan Caiwei's tone carried a sense of distance, even more so than before: “Uh, we are departing today. I don't know when we will meet again, so I came to bid farewell.”
“Then—then I wish you all a safe journey.” Yuan Caiwei turned her gaze to a spot on the left.
“?”
You Buyu followed her gaze, wondering why Lady Caiwei was staring intently at Bai Rulong.
Ji You also looked at Yuan Caiwei at this moment, and saw her eyes suddenly tremble slightly, thinking to himself, “Sure enough, whether or not it was Yuan Chen's scheme, Yuan Caiwei truly coveted my body.”
Dan Sect is too terrifying. I wanted to get something out of it, but I almost left something behind instead.
If I go to Lingjian Mountain, I'm afraid I'll be chopped to death.
“Brother Ji, did you notice that Lady Caiwei seemed to be looking at me just now?”
“Yes, that's why I say you live the happiest.”
Afterward, everyone left Yuheng Hall and went to the backyard to pack their bags.
Yuan Chen also left the Alchemy room at this time, following behind the group, and like last night, walked into the Ding-character room like a quail.
He also knew that what happened last night was too significant, and he had been restless all night. He had originally thought that he wouldn't meet his brother-in-law when Tianshu Academy descended the mountain today, but in the end, he followed along.
“Brother-in-law, my sister asked me to wish you a smooth journey and help her say hello to Sister Shuyi—”
Ji You turned to look at him, and after a long deliberation, he spoke: “You have nothing to do in Dan Sect, come with me to Lingjian Mountain.”
Yuan Chen looked up at him: “What for, to Lingjian Mountain?”
“I might get hit by one less sword.”
“No, no, I'll stay in Dan Sect. I love the Dao of Alchemy the most.”
Just then, Ji You suddenly frowned, looking outside as if he sensed something.
At this moment, a strong wind suddenly rose on Dan Mountain. In a short while, the wind and waves began to rush straight to the mountain peak.
(Today, I looked through the outline and found a mistake. The Dan Sect's teaching Sacred Artifact is not the Immortal Cauldron, but the Great Furnace. This is a correction.)
(Also, I will definitely not abandon female characters or write tragic endings. I have read everyone's comments. As I said before, I need to try new writing styles instead of being stuck in the same mindset.)
(Actually, this book is ultimately heading towards a chaotic world, a state of disorder. In short, please be patient and read on. I will try my best to write well. Please continue to follow.)