chapter 12 “Alchemy and Formation”

Lu Yan had at last completed the Trial of Patience, and though it had not been the physical trial he had expected, it had granted him an inner peace like no other. He had discovered that true cultivation was not simply about mastering Qi or perfecting swordsmanship—it was about harmonizing with the world around him. Yet, despite the tranquility he had found, something remained unsatisfied. His thirst for a deeper understanding still burned brightly within him.

Now, back at his base within the high cliffs where the cultivation temple stood, Lu Yan looked out across the valley below, the wind brushing against his face as he stood on the edge. He could feel the flow of Qi, the rhythm of nature—everything was as it should be. Yet, despite the clarity and peace he now carried in his heart, there was an undeniable urge to grow further, to delve deeper into the secrets of the universe.

His hands clenched into fists. There had to be more. The hours of meditation, the days spent refining his body and spirit, all of it had been focused on control—control over his Qi, control over his mind. But even now, as he stood atop the cliffs, the stillness that had once seemed so fulfilling now felt like a plateau.

Lu Yan turned and entered the temple, the heavy doors groaning as he pushed them open. The room was dimly lit, candles flickering along the stone walls. It smelled of incense and herbs, the aroma of past meditations and teachings lingering in the air. His eyes scanned the room and fell on the ancient scrolls lined up on the shelves. Each one contained knowledge—techniques, wisdom passed down through the ages. But what caught his eye was a scroll that lay open on a wooden table at the far end of the room.

Alchemy. Formation.

Those words seemed to call to him, as though the universe itself was pulling him toward this new realm of cultivation. Lu Yan approached the table, his breath steady as he ran a hand across the yellowed pages. The teachings were ancient, written in a language that seemed to shimmer with hidden meanings. He had heard of alchemy and formation before, but it had always seemed distant—too complex, too elusive for someone who had only recently begun to walk the path of a true cultivator.

But now, the hunger in him could no longer be ignored. He knew that in order to reach the next level, he would have to embrace these practices, to weave the threads of the universe into something greater. The scroll outlined the basics of alchemy—how to combine materials, harness their energies, and create powerful elixirs and pills that could enhance cultivation, heal injuries, or even extend life.

"Alchemy is not a mere manipulation of materials. It is a communion with the energy that resides within all things. To craft elixirs, you must first learn to recognize the flow of Qi in the materials you use, and understand their essence."

Lu Yan closed his eyes, the room fading into darkness. In his mind, he began to see the world in a new light. The herbs, the minerals, even the simplest of ingredients—each one pulsed with Qi. He could see it now, the subtle movements of energy within them, like tiny currents running through the veins of the earth.

He reached out with his senses, gathering Qi from the air, from the earth beneath him. Slowly, he directed it toward his hands, feeling the power surge as he began to manipulate the energy. He took a handful of herbs—ginseng, a rare flower with healing properties, and some crushed jade powder—and set them before him.

The scroll instructed that each ingredient had its own resonance with Qi, its own frequency. In order to create something new, he needed to align the frequencies of the ingredients, blend them together in harmony, and then infuse them with his own Qi. The challenge wasn't just in the combination, but in finding balance—the right amount of energy, the right flow.

His fingers moved deftly, picking up each herb and placing it in a mortar. He could feel the resistance of the materials, the way the Qi seemed to wrap around them, testing him. He focused harder, his breathing steady as he poured his Qi into the mix. The herbs began to glow faintly, their essence awakening to his touch.

But it wasn't enough. The mixture felt incomplete—like something was missing. Lu Yan furrowed his brow. He could feel the Qi dancing in the herbs, but the true power wasn't being unlocked. The answer came to him suddenly—formation.

Just as a sword strike required precision, a formation required structure. The Qi he had summoned needed to be directed, to be molded into the right pattern. He closed his eyes again, remembering the ancient symbols he had seen in the scrolls. Symbols of power, of binding energy, of directing it.

He spread his hands out before him, feeling the Qi swirl in the air, then carefully began to shape it. He drew symbols in the air with his fingers, watching as the Qi responded. Slowly, the symbols began to materialize before him—complex patterns that seemed to hum with energy. They flowed into the herbs and minerals, intertwining with them, reshaping them into something new.

The process felt both slow and fast, like time itself was bending around him. The symbols glowed brighter, the mixture of herbs in front of him now pulsing with Qi. A bead of sweat formed on his brow, but he did not waver. His concentration was absolute.

Then, with a final surge of energy, he pressed his palms together, completing the formation. There was a sudden burst of light, and the room was filled with the sound of a deep, resonating hum, as though the universe itself had acknowledged his success.

When the light faded, Lu Yan opened his eyes. In his hands was a small vial, glowing faintly with a golden light. He held it carefully, feeling the powerful energy contained within. It was a healing elixir, one that could not only restore the body but also replenish the Qi. The creation felt perfect, flawless.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then a grin spread across his face. This was only the beginning.

But his work was far from over. The realm of alchemy was vast, and each elixir, each pill, each creation was a step toward greater mastery. He began to study the scroll more deeply, learning not just how to create, but how to enhance his own Qi through the process of alchemical formation.

Days turned into months as Lu Yan immersed himself in the study of both alchemy and formation. The temple became his sanctuary, the room filled with the faint glow of his experiments. He created elixirs for strength, for recovery, for meditation. Each creation was better than the last, his understanding deepening with every success.

But it was the formations that truly intrigued him. The more he worked with them, the more he realized their potential. By combining alchemy with formations, he could create not only powerful pills but also magical formations that could protect, heal, or even attack. The possibilities seemed endless.

He had learned much, but he knew that the true path of a cultivator was never-ending. There would always be more to learn, more to discover, more to achieve. And with the mastery of alchemy and formation, he had taken a giant step forward.