Chapter 43: Learning the Art of Alchemy

An Emperor of Alchemy—such a rare and magnificent existence on the Spirit Martial Continent—held a revered status, standing steadfastly at the absolute pinnacle of supreme might!

To say nothing of an Emperor of Alchemy, even a King of Alchemy, who ranked just beneath an Emperor, was treated as an esteemed guest of the highest order by every empire and sect across the continent, commanding extraordinary reverence!

Within the entire soaring empire, boasting a population of several billion, there were merely three Kings of Alchemy!

If becoming a King of Alchemy was already exceptionally arduous, one could easily imagine how infinitely more difficult it was to ascend to the rank of an Emperor of Alchemy—a feat as difficult as climbing straight to the heavens!

Yet the Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor was actually capable of instructing martial artists on how to cultivate themselves into an Emperor of Alchemy!

Faced so abruptly with a heavenly scripture defying all natural laws, how could Qin Lang fail to be utterly astounded?

Suppressing the tumultuous excitement surging in his chest, Qin Lang shifted his focus, and the gleaming, golden Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor automatically drifted open.

"The Dao of Alchemy is simultaneously the Dao of the Heart and the Dao of the Soul. Along this boundless and distant path, infuse your heart and soul, and the path to becoming an Alchemy Emperor is assured!"

Merely upon beholding the very first sentence inscribed within the sacred volume, Qin Lang felt as though a pail of refreshing water had been poured over his head on a scorching day, bringing instant enlightenment. A profound understanding blossomed in his heart, as if a vast and luminous grand highway had manifested before him, unfurling leisurely into the distance!

"Chapter on Aptitude..."
"Chapter on Soul Power..."
"Chapter on Spiritual Herbs..."
"Chapter on Pill Refining..."
"Chapter on Pill Formulas..."
"Chapter on Dual-Soul Pill Refining..."
"..."

Page after page of introductory and explanatory text appeared before Qin Lang's eyes. At times he frowned, at times he nodded, at times he scratched his head in thought, and at times sudden understanding dawned upon him. The entire person became completely lost and entranced.

Before long, Qin Lang fully understood why countless martial artists existed, yet those capable of becoming alchemists were few and far between!

Due to the rigorous and demanding requirements concerning natural aptitude, comprehension, and soul power, aspiring to become an alchemist was an exceptionally daunting endeavor. Often, only a single alchemist would emerge from among tens of thousands of people!

To Qin Lang's knowledge, the town of Qingfeng, with a population approaching one hundred thousand, included only two First-Grade Alchemists, counting the Supreme Elder among them!

"No wonder a dual martial soul was prerequisite to uncovering the secret of this jade pendant. This Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor is tailor-made entirely for martial artists possessing dual martial souls!"

Having comprehended the contents within the sacred volume, especially the explanations in the *Chapter on Dual-Soul Pill Refining*, Qin Lang wore an expression of intense excitement. With this Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor in his possession, did that not mean he too could become an alchemist?

Given the scarcity of the profession, coupled with the immense demand for medicinal pills among the martial artists of the Spirit Martial Continent, even a First-Grade Alchemist commanded immensely high status and was revered by thousands!

For a time, the entirety of Qin Lang's mind and spirit became totally immersed within the Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor, completely oblivious to his surroundings!

"Young Master hasn't stepped out of his room for ten whole days now. Could something be wrong?"

Yun'er cast an anxious gaze toward Qin Lang's chamber, her pretty eyes filled with worry.

Had it not been for the occasional sounds of excitement drifting from inside the room, Yun'er would have already burst right through the door. Even so, she remained utterly uneasy, pacing back and forth anxiously outside Qin Lang's quarters.

*Screeech!*

At that exact moment, the door swung open. Qin Lang stepped out, his eyes narrowing slightly against the warm, brilliant sunlight, though his face still radiated an unmistakable and irrepressible excitement.

The Sacred Tome of the Alchemy Emperor was simply too powerful!

Following ten days of study and enlightenment, Qin Lang harbored a faint intuition that his current understanding of the Dao of Alchemy had already reached the level of a First-Grade Alchemist!

The only thing lacking now was continuous practical experience in pill refining!

Ye Keqing had truly bestowed upon him a magnificent gift!

It was well worth his ten years of unwavering persistence toward her!

Truly, good people received good rewards!

"Let's go, Yun'er, accompany me to see the Supreme Elder!"

The Supreme Elder was one of the only two alchemists in Qingfeng Town. Having delved deeply into the Dao of Alchemy for a long time, he undoubtedly possessed a wealth of experience and insight. Qin Lang intended to seek his guidance.

Yun'er was momentarily startled, and before she could even reply, her small hand was gently grasped by Qin Lang as he hurried energetically toward the family's martial arts pavilion.

Along the way, every member of the Qin family who caught sight of Qin Lang looked at him with gazes filled with reverence and excitement.

The current Qin Lang was already the undisputed number one among the younger generation of Qingfeng Town, an object of their deepest admiration!

At the entrance of the Qin Family Martial Arts Pavilion.

"Senior Brother Qin!"

Seeing Qin Lang approach in the company of Yun'er, the two family guards stationed at the entrance of the martial arts pavilion beamed with smiles and hastily bowed in greeting.

"Mmm."

Nodding slightly, Qin Lang led Yun'er directly into the pavilion.

"Supreme Elder!"

Upon entering the main hall of the pavilion, Qin Lang immediately spotted the Supreme Elder, who was dozing lazily upon a rattan rocking chair.

"Qin Lang!" The previously sleepy-eyed Supreme Elder cast his gaze upon Qin Lang, his aged eyes suddenly brightening. He had heard all about Qin Lang's stellar performance and the formidable strength he displayed during the Tianfeng Mountain youth trial tournament, prompting a smile filled with profound interest to spread across his face. "You rascal, what brings you to look for an old man like me?"

This kid Qin Lang had first guided him to perfect the Qin family's peerless legacy, the Formless Fist, elevating its grade from the Yellow-rank High-grade to the Xuan-rank Low-grade;

Following that, despite his own extreme skepticism, Qin Lang had successfully located the Heavenly Ice Flower and accomplished body refinement for Yun'er;

And finally, during the Tianfeng Mountain youth trial tournament, he had unleashed absolute might, defeating Huang Bo—the former number one youth of Qingfeng Town—with a single move!

The Supreme Elder found that Qin Lang seemed capable of offering unexpected surprises every single time!

Could it be that this time he was bringing yet another surprise?

A flicker of anticipation stirred within the Supreme Elder's heart.

However, he quickly shook his head to dismiss the thought. Qin Lang's feats thus far were already defying the natural order, but after all, he was merely a fifteen-year-old youth; how could he possibly bring yet another astonishing surprise?

"I wish to study and seek guidance from the Supreme Elder regarding the art of alchemy!"

Qin Lang stated his purpose straightforwardly.

"Oh? You wish to become an alchemist?"

The Supreme Elder smiled faintly.

"Though your martial soul's star rating and growth rate are both commendable, those alone are far from enough to make you an alchemist! For an alchemist, natural talent and comprehension are of the utmost importance, coupled with relentless practical refining before one can finally be called a qualified alchemist! Considering that our Qingfeng Town, with a population of hundreds of thousands, has merely two alchemists, it is not hard to imagine that aspiring to become one is as difficult as ascending to the azure heavens! Are you certain you still wish to study the art of alchemy?"

The Supreme Elder spoke at length, finally letting his inquiring gaze fall upon Qin Lang.

"This junior is willing to give it a try!"

Resolve flickered in Qin Lang's eyes as he replied with absolute certainty.

"Supreme Elder, please grant the Young Master an opportunity to learn alchemy!"

Yun'er chimed in with earnest pleading. An alchemist was an immensely revered profession on the Spirit Martial Continent; if the Young Master could become an alchemist, it would naturally be the icing on the cake, securing a boundless future!

"Very well!"

After a brief hesitation, the Supreme Elder nodded.

It would naturally be best if Qin Lang possessed a talent for alchemy, and even if he lacked it, it would not matter.

Given his martial soul's star rating and cultivation speed, his future accomplishments would still be limitless!

"Follow me!"

With a wave of his hand, the Supreme Elder led Qin Lang and Yun'er into a sealed stone chamber. Right in the center of the chamber stood a pitch-black, tripod-style alchemy furnace standing as tall as a man.