chapter 22 “Alchemy and Forest Manifestation”

Lu Yan sat in stillness within his humble temple, the crackle of the fire the only sound breaking the silence, occasionally interrupted by the whisper of wind from outside. The air in the room was heavy with the scent of herbs, and the cauldron before him simmered quietly, releasing faint wisps of vapor that danced in the dim light. Though his thoughts were focused, his mind remained troubled by the complexity of the task at hand.

In this moment of frustration, Lu Yan knew that further progress could not be made through mere effort alone. His Formation and Cultivation had brought him far, but to advance, he needed resources beyond his reach—resources tied to ancient powers. The Ancestors' Beasts, guardians of forbidden knowledge and rare alchemical materials, were the only beings capable of providing what he sought. Yet, their aid was never given freely.

Without hesitation, Lu Yan made the decision to ask the Ancestors' Beasts for the resources he required. He understood the gravity of this decision. Such a request would not come without cost, for the Ancestors' Beasts were not entities to be approauched lightly. Their resources were priceless.

Lu Yan's heart steeled as he set his resolve. He would not attempt to gather herbs or materials on his own this time. His path forward lay in asking the Ancestors' Beasts, whose wisdom and resources could transform his alchemical pursuits. The price would be steep, but he was prepared to face it, for his path as a cultivator was defined by sacrifices made for greater power.

He approached the Ancestors' Beasts with respect, and after a moment of silence, they granted his request, providing him with the rare resources needed for his alchemy. 

His fingers trembled as he ground a handful of herbs into fine powder. These were common plants, but their medicinal properties were potent when handled with care. The air was thick with the scent of crushed leaves and roots, but his mind remained focused on the task at hand. The journey had begun only recently, yet the frustration that came with failed attempts already began to gnaw at his patience.

He had spent hours, days, perfecting the basics. The goal was clear—to refine the ingredients, to draw out their essence, and create an elixir that could heal wounds or restore Qi. Yet, even with the powerful resonance of his Forest Manifestation guiding him, the results were inconsistent. Some attempts ended in failure, others simply fell short of what he envisioned.

But failure, he knew, was part of the process.

Lu Yan began with the simplest of herbs—ginseng, grass, and a few flower petals. The recipes he followed were ancient, passed down through generations of cultivators. The steps were familiar to him, yet each time he performed them, the outcome varied.

His hand trembled as he placed the crushed ginseng into the cauldron. He focused, drawing upon his Qi and sending it through the formation etched into the ground beneath the cauldron. The energy should have flowed smoothly, but it resisted. The power surged in unpredictable ways, distorting the heat of the fire, causing the ginseng to burn.

A sharp explosion of violet smoke filled the air, and Lu Yan pulled back, coughing. The cauldron rattled as if protesting his inadequacy. His face twisted in frustration.

"I should have known better," he muttered under his breath, wiping his hands on his robes. Despite the failure, he refused to give up. He spent the next several hours studying the scrolls, retracing the ancient words, but nothing felt right. His connection to the energy of the herbs was off. He needed to try again—this time with more focus, more precision.

With careful precision, Lu Yan plucked the herbs from the untouched corners of the wild, selecting only what nature had offered him. These were not the common varieties he had attempted to refine earlier. These were powerful, untouched by human hands, pulsing with an energy far purer than anything he'd encountered.

The stag—a majestic creature with silver antlers—watched him as he knelt beside the roots of an ancient tree. Lu Yan's Qi resonated with the forest's energy, and the stag turned, leading him to a grove where strange flowers bloomed. The petals shimmered with an inner glow, their fragrance sweet yet intoxicating.

Taking only what was needed, Lu Yan returned to his temple. His connection to the forest seemed to amplify his Qi, his control over the energy of the plants more refined. He could already feel the difference as he began grinding the fresh herbs, the energy from them responding almost instantly to his touch.

As he placed the mixture into the cauldron, he found out he can use his Forest Manifestation Rank 3 to guide the Qi into the Herbs. Unlike before, the energy flowed smoother, more controlled. The cauldron seemed to hum in response, the fire beneath it crackling with more intensity, as though it recognized his presence.

By now, Lu Yan had grown accustomed to the rhythm of alchemy, though the process still felt far from perfect. His hands moved with greater precision, but his mind raced with doubt. Was his Qi flowing correctly? Were the energies in the herbs aligned properly? He couldn't afford another failure.

The herb mixture simmered in the cauldron, a gentle steam rising from it. The aroma was sharp but soothing, promising something potent. This time, the ingredients were blending more harmoniously, their energies merging without resistance. Lu Yan's brow furrowed in concentration as he poured his Qi into the mixture.

The transformation was faster then before undeniable. The herbs began to glow faintly, their energies refining before his eyes. The fire beneath the cauldron burned brighter, and a warm golden light radiated from within it. For the first time, Lu Yan felt as though he was truly in control.

4 hours passed before the liquid in the cauldron began to settle. Lu Yan exhaled, his body exhausted but his mind focused. He reached out and lifted the flask from the table, inspecting the contents. The liquid swirled within, a pale gold, shimmering with energy.

His body ached from days of non-stop work, his Qi taxed from the strain of refining the herbs. But Lu Yan was undeterred. He had come this far. This time, he would master the art of refinement.

The herbs were rare, a blend of vibrant leaves, roots that pulsed with dark energy, and petals that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Lu Yan studied the recipe once more, ensuring that he understood each step. But the forest outside called to him, and he felt the familiar pull of his Forest Manifestation, urging him to draw closer to nature.

He stepped into the forest again, this time guided by instinct, his Qi resonating with the environment. The air was thick with energy, the trees stretching high above, and the earth beneath him humming with life.

By the time he returned to his temple, the materials in his hands seemed almost… alive. His connection to them was deeper than before. When he began the process of refinement, it was as if the herbs themselves were eager to cooperate, responding more quickly to his guidance. He could feel the Qi flowing seamlessly, the fire burning with purpose, not just heat.

two days passed. The cauldron rattled faintly, and then there was silence. Lu Yan opened his eyes, revealing a glowing vial in his hand. The liquid inside was clear but glimmered with an otherworldly radiance. He felt the energy within it, felt the power it could unleash. The breakthrough had come.