Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-361-2-30041322

"Water alchemy? What’s that?"

"Alchemy, but with water?"

"That’s absurd, how can alchemy work without fire? How would you extract the medicinal properties from the spirit herbs?"

"That’s not possible."

The alchemists shook their heads, but no one openly criticized him anymore and just casually dismissed his proposal. Even Xuan-Jing cast a silent look of derision at Lu Ping.

In the midst of the crowd, Xuan-Yan and Xuan-Yue glanced over the alchemists, then saw the same look of surprise when their eyes met. Clearly, these two had heard about the Spirit Water Vein Nourishment Pellet before.

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu also viewed Lu Ping with amazement. After some consideration, he responded, "The rumor about water alchemy is true, and I have personally collected various pellet recipes that use this method. However, water alchemy is eccentric and almost impossible for conventional alchemists who cultivate in the elements of fire or wood. In addition, the concocting time is much longer, and every cauldron can only make two pellets at most. These factors compounded together have led to water alchemy almost dying out in the cultivation world. It gained my interest for some time, but it didn’t work out in the end and I didn’t bother with it since."

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu would certainly never lie about this matter, nor were the alchemists ignorant enough to question his words. So, it seemed like the water alchemy Lu Ping brought up was actually real!

This surprising discovery changed their opinions of him and they began to see him as more of an equal.

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu closed his eyes in contemplation and said, "Water alchemy… it might just work. Although difficult, it is perfect for this situation. Their pellets are the gentlest when releasing their medicinal efficacies, making them the best for recovery. However, water alchemy hasn’t been heard of for centuries. Where would we find any for Xuan-Sen’s injury?"

Xuan-Sen’s disciple and descendant were initially overjoyed, but their hopes were quickly beaten down again. This time, they looked more despondent than ever.

Even the calmest Xuan-Sen opened his eyes in surprise, but he quickly returned to normal and closed his eyes again to meditate.

Lu Ping used this time to take out a jade pellet, passing it to Great Ancestor Tian-Lu with both hands, "Junior Granduncle, please take a look at this recipe. Is it suitable for Junior Uncle Xuan-Sen’s injury?"

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu looked at Lu Ping in surprise again—he didn’t think this disciple would not only know about water alchemy, but even had a pellet recipe. Taking the recipe, he gave it a simple glance and knew it was their best shot at recovering Xuan-Sen’s injuries.

"Spirit Water Vein Nourishment Pellet! What a name, it perfectly describes what it does! With this, the chances of recovery might be even better than expected!"

As soon as he said this, the alchemists were bestirred while Xuan-Sen’s disciple and descendant even shivered from excitement.

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu passed the jade scroll back to Lu Ping and said with a smile, "Xuan-Ping, I almost forgot that you’re Tian-Ling’s disciple. Surely, you are a water-element cultivator. So, I presume you have some insights in water alchemy too?"

A Master Alchemist… who was a water-element cultivator?!

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu’s words shocked the room. As alchemists, they had always been focusing on Lu Ping’s alchemy level and never his cultivation, so it was their first time learning that Lu Ping was actually a water-element cultivator!

Not only was his alchemy unaided by his cultivation base, the water-element would actually drag him down. Despite that, he still worked his way up and became a Master Alchemist on his own. Abruptly, the disdain on their faces turned into admiration and approval.

Even Xuan-Yan who had openly expressed his discontentment towards Lu Ping shook his head with a bitter smile.

Lu Ping answered humbly, "In the East Ocean, I treated a cultivator who suffered from almost the same injury as Junior Uncle Xuan-Sen. However, the cultivator was in the Peak Blood Condensation Realm, and the pellet used was a half-step Core Forging Realm pellet. By comparison, Junior Uncle Xuan-Sen is in the Late Core Forging Realm—I worry the pellet’s efficacy will not suffice."

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu frowned when he heard that a similar incident had occured in the East Ocean before. Xuan-Sen lifted his head and exchanged a look with Xuan-Yue and Xuan-Yan, as if they were quietly communicating among themselves.

Then, Great Ancestor Tian-Lu laughed softly and said, "Don’t worry, I’ve read the pellet recipe. Even though it cannot fully heal Xuan-Sen’s bloodlines, it will bring him back from the brink. I can then concoct the Health Prosper Pellet for him myself. This way, even though Xuan-Sen will never reach the Avatar Realm, he can recover almost all of his cultivation base. This outcome is better than being left crippled."

Xuan-Sen smiled warmly. "I’m grateful enough to live, let alone recover from this state. Even without this injury, my chances for the Avatar Realm were slim to begin with anyway. Junior Nephew Lu, do not pressure yourself, your best efforts will be more than enough for me."

At the mention of the Health Prosper Pellet, Lu Ping raised his eyebrows furtively for a split second, then he quickly answered, "Rest assured, this junior will do his best."

Great Ancestor Tian-Lu waved his hand casually, "You are a Master Alchemist. The Spirit Water Vein Nourishment Pellet may have an amazing effect, yet it remains a half-step Core Forging Realm pellet. If you give it further study, you might be able to elevate it to a true Core Forging Realm pellet. Together with the Health Prosper Pellet’s medicinal efficacy, Xuan-Sen’s injury will not only fully recover but may also break through to the Eighth Layer.

"The human-monster war will only escalate with each passing day, so we urgently need this pellet’s effect. The better the pellet, the more disciples we can save, and the higher the chances that the sect will win the war. Xuan-Sen will stay with me for three months, so make sure to do your best. Remember, you are a Master Alchemist."

Lu Ping was initially shocked by these words, but after further examination, he realized that the Great Ancestor just gave him one of the most valuable pieces of alchemical guidance he had ever received.

The Great Ancestor was right—even though Lu Ping was a Master Alchemist, he had merely followed the recipes to concoct the pellets. In other words, he was more like a skilled worker than a true master.

Among the alchemists, there were three titles related to Master Alchemist.

The first one was Quasi-Master Alchemist, which was an honorable name to refer to those who weren’t Master Alchemists, but possessed the skills of one;

The second one was Imposing Master Alchemist, which was an unofficial title for Master Alchemists who were skilled but not innovative;

The third one was Master Alchemist, which was the official title for respected and honored Master Alchemists who had proved their ingenuity through the creation of a new kind of Core Forging Realm pellet.

With Great Ancestor Tian-Lu declaration, the matter was now closed, and the alchemists could relax. Some left while others stayed a little longer to deliberate amongst themselves until the discussion finally ended.

After that, news quickly spread between the Enlightened Masters on Tian Ling Mountain.

Master Alchemist Lu Xuan-Ping was actually a pure water-element cultivator; he had learned the eccentric ways of water alchemy that was once regarded as mere rumors and long lost from the cultivation world; and he could concoct a type of water alchemy pellet that was extremely effective for recovering severe injuries, especially those affecting one’s cultivation foundation.

All of a sudden, the low-spirited atmosphere in Zhen Ling Sect had turned lively. It was also at this time that many quick-witted Enlightened Masters noticed Lu Ping’s increasing authority within the sect.

However, Lu Ping was oblivious about the potential value of water alchemy, and subsequently, the associated changes in the sect. At present, he was fully focused on Great Ancestor Tian-Lu’s guidance that he create a Core Forging Realm pellet based on the Spirit Water Vein Nourishment Pellet.

…

A few days later, it was the day where Hu Lili would open her cave-dwelling, as well as the day of the Zhen Ling Side Hall competition. Lu Ping already promised Hu Lili his attendance on that day, and had accepted Shi Lingling’s request to do alchemy in the side hall.

Lu Ping had formulated a big plan in his mind, which was…

Because Hu Lili’s open house and the Zhen Ling Side Hall competition would soon commence, their usual group of friends had all returned to Tian Ling Mountain over the past few days.

This was the second time their gang had gathered since Lu Ping return to the North Ocean. Naturally, they all talked about their experiences during the past few years, while Lu Ping listened quietly with a smile, piecing together Zhen Ling Sect’s current situation from their words.

"That said, the monster race has deliberately increased its attacks at the sect’s border?"

"That’s right, they were previously centered around Di Kun Island in the southeast. However, after Great Ancestor Tian-Ling’s Avatar Forum, the monster race has increased its attack frequency and intensity. They’ve targeted the northwest, east, and southeast areas. The sect has been forced to give up the mini islands and establish a new line of defense using the small islands as nodes."

Lu Ping listened to Ji Zi-Xuan, then looked at Chen Lian who nodded back in confirmation. He quietly improvised the big plan he was brewing in his mind.

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