Chapter 45: Alchemy for Dummies

Chapter 45: Alchemy for Dummies

Waking up before the roosters crowed wasn't something I experienced in some time. Being on the road, our sleep schedule became more lax compared to when I was running the shop back home.

Traversing the sect's surrounding areas kept me active and chipper, despite the slight mental fatigue from reviewing my knowledge and trying to gain every fragment of understanding I could from my lesson with Elder Zhu.

"Over there is the training grounds. The third-class disciples are doing their morning drills, as you can see." Feng Wu pointed from the distance.

Following his finger, I stared at the clearing filled with a few dozen disciples, my age or younger, following along an intricate dance of palm strikes and sweeping kicks. It was similar to Feng Wu's strikes, the first stance of the Lotus Palm. It looked like they were here for a substantial amount of time already. That's true dedication!

At the forefront, an older man was leading the group and shouting the moves they performed. Compared to Feng Wu's, the disciples couldn't hold a candle in terms of speed and precision. Although that didn't mean I could beat them in a fight. They were far more agile than I was, that's for sure.

"Do they train like this everyday? That's incredible!"

Feng Wu dipped his head. "Of course. Although our combat prowess falls short of the Silent Moon and Whispering Wind sect, we are diligent. One cannot be at their mental peak without some form of martial training."

Feng Wu then led me further into the sect's serene landscape, and the shouts of the working disciples grew fainter as we walked away.

"As you already know, the alchemy pavilions are to the east, and the administrative buildings are to the north. As a guest, you won't need to venture to those places often," Feng Wu mentioned casually, his words floating by like the gentle wind.

We then approached what appeared to be a breathtaking structure a vast, shimmering greenhouse. The sunlight reflected off the crystalline material, scattering rainbow hues in every direction. It was awe-inspiring and reminded me of the greenhouses from Tranquil Breeze Farm. Smaller, and more compact, but still eye-catching in its own right.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

"This is our sect's prized possession, the Crystal Alchemy Greenhouse," Feng Wu said with a hint of pride in his voice.

I couldn't help but get closer, my fingers lightly grazing the crystalline glass. "This... it's just like the greenhouses from Tranquil Breeze Farm. This isn't regular glass, is it?"

Feng Wu chuckled. "Good eye. The process might be similar, but the crystals we use are specially treated with alchemical methods, enhancing its properties and making it the perfect environment for the more uncommon herbs grown here."

The greenhouse was divided into several sections, each dedicated to a particular herb or plant vital for alchemy. Walking inside, I felt an immediate change in the atmosphere. It was warm, humid, and charged with a soothing energy. My senses tingled with every step, drawn to the various fragrances that filled the air. The beauty of the blooming flora, the shimmering leaves, and the vibrant colors all around was a sight to behold.

"Each section has a dedicated caretaker, ensuring the perfect growth conditions for the herbs. Our sect might be smaller, but we take pride in the quality of our alchemy ingredients," Feng Wu continued, leading me deeper inside.

I saw various plants, most of which I wouldn't have seen in my lifetime without traversing to Crescent Bay City. I spotted a vine of Breezesong Fruits, small in number but an eye-catching addition to the greenhouse. Even the Moonlit Grace Lilies were being cultivated in a small patch. They were still in an immature state, but clearly thriving under the conditions set by the Verdant Lotus sect.

Every few steps, he would pause, allowing me to appreciate the unique plants and explaining their uses and importance in the world of alchemy. I was lost in a trance, captivated by the harmony of nature and alchemy. Tianyi had wandered off from sight, but through our bond I could feel her contentment and knew she was safe.

Several plants glowed in soft, luminescent colors, and water features were artfully placed around, adding to the serenity. In the heart of the greenhouse, a tranquil pond, surrounded by exotic plants and filled with koi of myriad colors, stole my breath away. Their graceful movements, combined with the gentle trickling of water, created an ambiance of peace.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, not wanting to disturb the tranquility.

Feng Wu smiled, "It's the pride and joy of our sect. Our founder believed that being close to nature and understanding its rhythm was essential for alchemy."

Time seemed to stand still as we continued our walk. Each plant, each sound, and each scent only deepened my admiration for the sect and its dedication to the art of alchemy. Before I knew it, we had reached the exit.

"It seems we ended up spending too much time here. Come find me after your class, and I'll show you where your ingredients are, alright?" Feng Wu said. "I'll be in the training compound around the time you finish so look for me there."

I entered the alchemy pavilion, the familiar aroma of herbs and elixirs filled my nostrils, a blend of comfort and excitement. Disciples moved with purpose, and I immediately noticed the uniformity of their attire. Third-class disciples, judging by the sheer number, donned pristine white robes, accentuated with delicate green trims that seemed to reflect the very essence of the Verdant Lotus Sect.

Compared to them, I stuck out awkwardly in my maroon robe, a far cry from the calm and serene colors that surrounded me.

I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. My fingers began to move, handling the herbs and tools with practiced ease. The repetitive motions of grinding and measuring that I had done countless times at my shop now came to my rescue. The room felt silent except for the occasional rustle and scrape of tools.

He observed silently, his face betraying no emotion. After what felt like an eternity, he straightened up and looked around the room. "This is how it's done," he declared, pointing at my table. "Mimic his precision, his technique. That's the foundation of alchemy."

I could feel my face heat up with both pride and embarrassment. The weight of dozens of pairs of eyes was heavy upon me, yet the small nod of appreciation from the first-class disciple made all the anxiety worthwhile. The foundation laid by my years of herbalism had somehow, unexpectedly, set me on the path of alchemy with a strong footing.

The rest of the lesson was unexpectedly informative. Instructor Xiao-Hu delved into topics and methods of alchemy that I had never even considered. With each explanation, I found myself understanding why he was so severe. The foundations of alchemy were delicate, and a small slip in the process could result in an inferior product. He wasn't being overly strict; he was teaching us the importance of precision and the cost of carelessness.

Once the class ended, I was approached by a few third-class disciples, including the duo who had earlier lent me their tools.

"That was some impressive skill you showcased earlier," the girl with the braid said, a genuine smile on her face. "Is that why you were brought in from the outside?"

I chuckled, "Actually, it's my experience as a herbalist that probably gave me an edge. Alchemy and herbalism share some foundational principles."

The young man with the bun added, "I guess that makes sense. Among us third-class disciples, not many have a strong talent for alchemy. Most of us gravitate towards martial arts or other departments."

"You're saying none of you are alchemists?" I asked in surprise.

He laughed, "Well, some of us try, but we've never seen someone so young handle herbs with the finesse you showcased today."

The girl added, "Many of us are still finding our footing. It's said that one's path in the sect often finds them, rather than the other way around."

Our conversation flowed naturally as we introduced ourselves. The girl with the braid was named Li Na, and the young man was called Han Wei. They were both disciples who were trying to harness their talents and were part of a close-knit group within the third-class disciples. It turned out they were younger than me, almost by half a decade! That was hard to believe, seeing them so young yet so capable. i wouldn't hold a candle to these disciples when I was their age. I felt old...

As we continued talking, Instructor Xiao-Hu approached. My heart rate picked up a bit, recalling the stern gaze he'd fixed me with earlier.

"Kai Liu," he addressed. I straightened up immediately.

"Yes, Instructor?"

"Meet Elder Zhu at his office after this. He wishes to speak with you."

I nodded in understanding, "Of course."

Before turning away, Xiao-Hu added, "Oh, and in future classes, your butterfly companion should not be present. It's too... sparkly. It could be a distraction for the others."

I glanced over to where Tianyi was hovering, her wings giving off a soft luminescence. Suppressing an embarrassed smile, I replied, "Understood, Instructor."

As Xiao-Hu walked away, Li Na and Han Wei exchanged amused glances.

"It looks like you're making quite an impression already," Han Wei said with a playful smirk.

Li Na nudged him gently, "Leave him be. At least he didn't get reprimanded for forgetting his tools."

I laughed, "Thank you both, really. Hopefully, we'll have more opportunities to learn together."

They nodded in agreement, and with that, I made my way towards Elder Zhu's office, wondering what the esteemed Elder wanted to discuss.