mynovelonline Chapter 122 Alchemy
Chapter 122 Alchemy
As if by telepathy, Xu Xiaoxiao headed straight for Jiang Jingzhi's courtyard. As soon as she reached the gate, she was repelled by a barrier.
Xu Xiaoxiao reached out and touched the courtyard of her senior brother. "When did you set up a magic array there?" Then she began to study how to break the array.
Just as she began to ponder, Mu Zhusheng sensed someone breaking through the formation he had set up and stepped out.
He saw his junior sister digging a hole in the ground like a rabbit.
"Junior Sister, what are you doing?" Mu Zhusheng stood behind her, but she didn't even notice, probably because she was too engrossed in digging.
"I'm breaking the formation," Xu Xiaoxiao answered without thinking, her hands still digging with a small shovel.
It took him a while to realize what was happening. "Second Senior Brother, what are you doing here? When did you come out of seclusion?"
It jumped up instantly, shaking off a lot of dirt and looking a bit slippery.
Mu Zhusheng couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Hahaha, junior sister, you're so cute!"
"When you were learning about formations before, you didn't study properly. Once a formation is set up, there's a barrier at the bottom as well. Even if you dig ten meters, you won't be able to break through it."
Xu Xiaoxiao realized she was being rather funny, so she quickly cast a purification spell on herself and patted her clothes a little embarrassedly. "There are so many formations, and each one has a different way to break them. How could I possibly remember them all? Besides, I've tried many methods before resorting to this last resort." Her voice trailed off.
"Being able to come up with such a method shows that Junior Sister has made progress. It's okay, Senior Brother will teach you slowly later," Mu Zhusheng said affectionately, patting the little head on his chest.
"Second Senior Brother, what are you doing in Senior Brother's courtyard?" Xu Xiaoxiao asked, tilting her head.
"Speaking of which, I have good news for you. I've successfully refined the Venomous Qi Pill. My senior brother is currently in seclusion suppressing his vengeful energy. It's all thanks to my junior sister's alchemy jade slip; otherwise, I don't know how long it would have taken to complete the pill."
Mu Zhusheng was genuinely grateful to Xu Xiaoxiao for bringing the jade slip; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to advance to the ninth-level alchemist so quickly and refine the spirit-grade malevolent energy pill.
"Wow, Second Senior Brother, you're amazing! It's such a pity I can't witness you refining pills in person!" Xu Xiaoxiao jumped up happily, looking at Mu Zhusheng with her bright, intelligent eyes.
"Junior Sister deserves the most credit. These pills are top-grade, and their effects are a hundred times better than before. Keep them safe." Mu Zhusheng took out more than a dozen bottles of newly refined pills and gave them to Xu Xiaoxiao.
Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly and carefully put the pills into her storage ring. In the cultivation world, it's impossible to do without pills. Top-grade pills are priceless and hard to find. She never expected her second senior brother to be so generous as to give her more than a dozen bottles at once.
"Second Senior Brother, you're so kind! I'll definitely find lots of good things for you in the future!" Xu Xiaoxiao hugged Mu Zhusheng's arm, truly moved.
Xu Xiaoxiao grabbed Mu Zhusheng's arm and said anxiously, "Second Senior Brother, let's go see Eldest Senior Brother quickly, I haven't seen him for so long."
Mu Zhusheng smiled and nodded, then led Xu Xiaoxiao into the courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet and peaceful, filled with spiritual plants. A gentle breeze rustled through the plants, making them whisper as if they were telling a story.
Jiang Jingzhi's secluded room is located deep in the courtyard, surrounded by a faint halo of light, exuding a mysterious aura.
Xu Xiaoxiao tiptoed to the door and looked through the crack in the window. She saw that her senior brother Jiang Jingzhi was sitting cross-legged on a futon with his eyes closed. His spiritual energy was surging around him. His face was slightly pale, but his expression was very resolute.
Xu Xiaoxiao said softly with heartache, "Senior Brother looks so tired."
Mu Zhusheng gently patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Junior Sister, don't worry, Senior Brother is a lucky man and will definitely be able to suppress the evil energy."
After leaving Jiang Jingzhi's courtyard, Xu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zhusheng sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.
Xu Xiaoxiao rested her chin on her hand and asked curiously, "Second Senior Brother, tell me quickly how you refined the Qi-Burning Pill! Does that alchemy jade slip really have such a great effect?"
Mu Zhusheng smiled and nodded, then began to patiently explain: "Junior Sister, that alchemy jade slip is truly a treasure. It records many unique alchemy methods and techniques, from which I have benefited greatly."
As he spoke, he gestured in the air with his hands, demonstrating to Xu Xiaoxiao the key steps and essentials of alchemy.
Xu Xiaoxiao listened with great interest, occasionally asking questions, which Mu Zhusheng patiently answered one by one.
At this moment, the sunlight shone on them, bathing them in a golden glow. The surrounding spiritual plants seemed to be listening quietly to their conversation, and occasionally a few spiritual birds flew by, chirping crisply, adding a touch of vitality to this tranquil scene.
Mu Zhusheng looked at Xu Xiaoxiao with anticipation in her eyes and said, "Junior Sister, how's your cultivation going lately? Why don't we cultivate together? I can give you some pointers."
Previously, he was the only one protecting his senior brother, and he was always thinking too much, so he couldn't calm down and cultivate properly. Now, at least there is someone to accompany his senior brother.
Xu Xiaoxiao jumped up excitedly, clapping her hands and saying, "Okay, okay, Second Senior Brother, you have to teach me properly."
So the two went to an open space in the courtyard and began to cultivate.
Xu Xiaoxiao circulated her spiritual energy, and a soft light gradually emanated from her body. She closed her eyes tightly and focused intently on guiding the spiritual energy to flow through her body.
Mu Zhusheng watched her quietly from the side, occasionally offering reminders and corrections to her posture and the path of her spiritual energy.
After a while, Xu Xiaoxiao slowly opened her eyes, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said somewhat dejectedly, "Second Senior Brother, why do I feel like I'm progressing so slowly?"
Mu Zhusheng chuckled and teased her, then earnestly advised her: "Junior Sister, if your cultivation is still slow, what will those cultivators in the immortal world think, who take hundreds of years to break through to Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, or even remain at Foundation Establishment until the end of their lives? You are already one hundred and thirty years old and have reached the mid-stage of Golden Core, which is something many people dream of. The path to immortality is long and arduous. As long as you guard your true heart, Junior Sister, you will surely ascend to immortality."
"Yes, we must all be together. Master, Senior Brother, we must all walk to the end together." Xu Xiaoxiao looked firmly in the direction of Mu Zhusheng and Senior Brother.
The afterglow of the setting sun gradually dyed the horizon red, giving Jiang Jingzhi's courtyard a beautiful cloak.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zhusheng finished their cultivation and stood side by side in the courtyard.
Xu Xiaoxiao tidied her slightly messy hair, looked up at Mu Zhusheng, her eyes full of longing: "Second Senior Brother, after listening to so much from you today, I want to study alchemy more. Maybe I can help everyone more in the future."
Her cheeks were rosy, like ripe apples, and her bright eyes sparkled with eager anticipation.
Mu Zhusheng nodded slightly, her slender fingers tapping the table lightly, making a rhythmic sound. She smiled and replied, "Since Junior Sister has this intention, that's good. I still have some rare medicinal herbs in my alchemy room, which are perfect for you to practice with. Let's go, I'll take you there."
Having said that, he took the lead and strode forward, his clothes fluttering gently in the wind, exuding a sense of freedom.
The two arrived at the alchemy room, where a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.
Rows of neat medicine cabinets were filled with various bottles and jars, as well as some strange herbs that emitted a faint glow.
Xu Xiaoxiao, like a cheerful little deer, skipped and hopped through the crowd, occasionally letting out exclamations of surprise.
Mu Zhusheng followed behind at a leisurely pace, occasionally reaching out to explain the properties and uses of the medicinal herbs to her, his eyes full of patience and care.
After selecting the medicinal herbs, Xu Xiaoxiao couldn't wait to go to the alchemy furnace, her hands tightly gripping the incantation seal, and tried to condense the fire.
But the flame flickered and smoldered as soon as it appeared to rise, and it looked like it was about to go out.
She frowned, pouted, and looked annoyed: "Oh dear, I can't even get a fire going."
Seeing this, Mu Zhusheng stepped forward, took her small hand, and gently instructed, "Junior Sister, don't rush, spiritual power should be output slowly like this..." With his help, the flame gradually stabilized and burned vigorously.
Xu Xiaoxiao's face lit up with a smile again. She turned to look at Mu Zhusheng, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Second Senior Brother, thanks to you."
As the elixir was placed into the furnace, the two stood guard by its side, and as time passed, the fragrance of the elixir filled the air.
Xu Xiaoxiao stared intently at the alchemy furnace, her hands unconsciously clenching, her heart filled with anticipation.
Finally, the furnace lid was opened, and several round pills rolled out. Although their quality was not as good as those refined by Mu Zhusheng, they still shimmered with a faint light.
Xu Xiaoxiao cheered and carefully put away the pill, excitedly saying, "Second Senior Brother, I succeeded!" Mu Zhusheng smiled at her, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Junior Sister is indeed exceptionally intelligent, and she will surely surpass you in the future."
I never expected my junior sister to have such a talent for alchemy. She succeeded in making a pill on her first try, even though it was a low-grade Rejuvenation Pill. It was much better than what ordinary alchemists could do.
"You need to practice your fire control techniques more; it's very important for mastering alchemy."
"Hmm, is Second Senior Brother going to refine some high-quality pills? Is his own fire control technique not enough? Will he need to use external fire sources?" Xu Xiaoxiao also raised her question.
“Junior Sister, you’re right. If your own fire control technique isn’t pure enough, you need to use a fire source. Although my attribute is fire, it’s not enough for refining high-level pills. Later, by chance, I obtained the Nine Yang True Fire, which made my pill refining process so smooth.” Mu Zhusheng said, releasing the Nine Yang True Fire into her palm for Xu Xiaoxiao to observe.