Chapter 4943 — The Dinner Invitation
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Only thus could one satisfy the refining conditions of the vast majority of Xuan-rank pills. Otherwise, if one truly relied solely on one's own spiritual-root attributes, then more than half of all Xuan-rank pills would have been lost to the ages. Take the Earth-Solidifying Pill: it required metal, wood, earth, and fire spiritual-root attributes all at once, and the refiner had to be a Xuan-rank alchemist besides—how many such people could be found in all the world?
Only by mastering the advanced technique of simultaneously simulating true qi of all the basic elemental attributes could one meet the threshold for refining most Xuan-rank pills; otherwise it was sheer nonsense.
This was the compulsory introductory course for Xuan-rank alchemists. Without mastering this advanced technique, one could never hope to become a Xuan-rank alchemist—no depth of seniority, no wealth of experience, would avail. It was a chasm fixed between Yellow-rank and Xuan-rank alchemists, one that many Yellow-rank seventh-grade alchemists could never cross in their whole lives, and could only gaze upon with sighs.
In fact, not only Xuan-rank alchemists—many Yellow-rank alchemists too had mastered a similar technique. Elder Bai had once said that by converting through the proper oral formulas, one could achieve the effect of simulating alchemical fire; an alchemist without water spiritual roots, for instance, could simulate and catalyze water-attribute alchemical fire. But such a technique allowed only a single simulation; to simulate several attributes at once was impossible. The two were as different as heaven and earth.
It was just as a schoolchild can effortlessly master arithmetic yet stands utterly daunted before higher mathematics: the two techniques might seem alike in essence, but in truth a vast and insurmountable threshold lay between them.
And a mere single simulation was plainly insufficient to meet the demands of Xuan-rank pill refinement. Any given Xuan-rank pill called for several attributes at once—how could single simulation possibly cope?
Anyone else wishing to become a Xuan-rank alchemist would have to cultivate this compulsory introductory course to consummate perfection, yet Wei Zhao was an exception.
Before this he had never even heard of it, and so naturally did not possess this advanced technique—but then he had no need of it at all, for he was himself a freak with all eight spiritual-root attributes, and so by nature satisfied the refining conditions of more than nine out of ten Xuan-rank pills. This threshold that left others gazing in awe was to him as good as nonexistent.
Though Zhuang Yifan was a great expert of the late Heaven-Opening stage, he was no alchemist, and so naturally understood none of the intricacies involved. Hearing Wei Zhao speak thus, he breathed a great sigh of relief; whatever the case, it was enough that the man had agreed to help.
"Whether this attempt succeeds or not, this Zhuang thanks Master Lin in advance. I have already ordered a banquet prepared to welcome Master Lin and wash away the dust of his journey. As for the alchemy, there is no hurry—Master Lin may well rest and recover for a time first." Though inwardly frantic with anxiety, Zhuang Yifan dared not show the slightest sign of haste, and instead appeared thoroughly considerate. "Having just come out from the Giant's Path, and then fighting a bout with the likes of Zang Zili, Master Lin must be weary, surely?"
"Ha ha, then I shall put Chairman Zhuang to the trouble. I will come this evening." Wei Zhao smiled faintly, and simply passed over the latter question in silence. Were he to speak the truth, he truly feared it would wound Zhuang Yifan's pride; better to keep a low profile.