The Alchemist’s Path Begins - Part 2

Elder John paused for a moment, letting his gaze rest on the flickering lamp beside him, then shifted his full attention back to Robert.

"Most stop at Junior Alchemist," he said.

"They get comfortable crafting pills for the clan or small markets. To truly bring the Osborn name back to life, you'll have to do a lot more than that.

He motioned toward the far side of the room, where a timeworn tapestry was displayed—faded yet still grand.

Emblazoned on it were the emblems of fire, earth, water, metal, and wood, all surrounding a fiery cauldron.

"That", he said, "represents the Five Paths of Alchemical Mastery. But first, let's talk about the tiers. The world of alchemy, like cultivation, has stages—each more demanding than the last."

Robert leaned forward slightly, his attention razor sharp. Elder John raised one hand, fingers extended.

"Master Alchemist"

"That's the first true peak. A Master can refine high-grade pills with consistent purity.

Three-lined purity is the standard, and four-lined pills, while rare, aren't impossible. They can concoct enhancement pills capable of helping cultivators break through bottlenecks—or even purge inner demons."

"But more importantly…" He paused, voice low.

"Masters understand pill intent.

"When an alchemist's intent aligns perfectly with the pill's purpose, the pill's effectiveness can exceed what the recipe alone would produce."

"Robert's eyes lit up. That kind of skill could change lives—or save them. Elder John smiled faintly, as if remembering his path. "Next comes"

"Grandmaster Alchemist".

"Few ever reach it. Fewer still survive long after doing so. At this level, one doesn't just refine pills. One creates them. Grandmasters craft original recipes, weaving spiritual insight and decades of experience into every step."

"Their pills don't just restore—some alter fate. The Bone Reforging Elixir. The Soul Lantern Pill. Even the fabled Undying Flame Capsule."

Robert's breath caught. He'd heard of those names in old legends. "Of course", Elder John added, "the cost is steep. A grandmaster might spend years gathering ingredients or crafting a single flawless product."

He stood and walked over to a locked jade chest, which rested against the wall. From it, he retrieved a scroll sealed with six wax imprints—each one etched with sigils of fire and purity.

"Crafted by a grandmaster centuries ago," he said softly. "It's a blueprint for a pill so potent that even holding it demands spiritual resistance."

Robert felt his pulse rise as Elder John carefully placed it back. "And after Grandmaster?"

Robert asked, barely above a whisper. The elder's smile vanished.

"Epic Alchemist".

"Once bound by borders, their names now resound through the empires like legends."

Alchemists whose pills can revive those on the brink of death or extend a dying cultivator's life for a decade with a single dose."

"At this level, the cauldron becomes a battleground. It's not just herbs and fire anymore—it's soul, fate, and risk. Fail, and you might lose your cultivation. Succeed, and the heavens themselves may take notice."

Robert's heart thundered. With a respectful demeanour, Robert stood and lowered his head.

"Thank you, Elder," he said, his voice firm with gratitude. "Then I'll start the practice. I won't waste this opportunity."

Elder John gave a little nod of approval. Great! You can find the private practice rooms on the first floor. They've been unused for a while, but they're still properly sealed. Take whichever one suits you."

Robert bowed deeply. "Understood."

He turned and exited the chamber with renewed purpose in his steps, the elder's words still echoing in his mind.

Alchemy will test you harder than any sword. But if you rise… you'll torch your name into history.

The corridor outside was quiet, the spiritual torches lining the walls flickering with a warm, golden glow.

Descending to the first floor, Robert passed rows of sealed practice rooms. Most advanced ancient symbols etched into their doors—fire sigils, suppression arrays, and insulation wards designed to contain unstable flame or failed refinement explosions.

After a few minutes of scanning, he found one that felt right—modest, but sturdy. The room bore a faded carving of the Osborn flame sigil, nearly worn down by time. As he placed his hand on the spiritual node, a delicate shimmer of light danced to life beneath his fingers. The door creaked as it swung open.

The room inside was dim but tidy, its stone walls laced with faint spiritual threads that shimmered under the low light.

At the centre stood a worn alchemy furnace. Nearby, a stone shelf held an assortment of common herbs, with a basin of water resting beside it.

A jade lamp flickered to life as Robert stepped in, illuminating the space in soft green light. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

No turning back now. Opening the herb rack, he examined the options available. These materials were basic and entry-level, but they were precisely what he was searching for.

"Start with the basics," Robert reminded himself, recalling Elder John's guidance. Minor Bone Mending… Clarity Root… no. I'll begin with the Energy Rejuvenation Pill. It was a foundational pill for low-stage cultivators—restoring lost stamina and spiritual strength. Every clan disciple used them during training.

They were easy to consume but not easy to make. A perfect starting point. The system chimed softly in his mind.

[System Assistance Available: Pill Blueprint – Energy Rejuvenation Pill]

[Difficulty: Basic Tier]

[Main Ingredients: Spirit Grass, Faint Yang Root, Silverdew Extract]

[Recommended Flame: Low Blue or Soft Yellow]

Robert carefully selected the herbs he needed from the shelf and set them down neatly next to the furnace.

He ground the Silverdew into a smooth paste, cut the Faint Yang Root into uniform pieces, and trimmed the Spirit Grass with great care. Then, he ignited the furnace.

The spiritual flame flickered to life, pale blue at first before settling into a steady golden shade. His hands were steady.

His concentration is steadfast and unwavering. He carefully added the herbs one at a time, sticking to the system's instructions while drawing on the knowledge he had absorbed from the library.

Grind. Warm. Infuse.

The cauldron hissed softly as steam began to rise. He rotated the flame intensity slightly—too low, and the paste would fail to bind. Too high, and the Spirit Grass's essence would burn out. The spiritual energy in the room stirred. The ingredients began to coalesce, dancing inside the cauldron in soft pulses of light. His heart beat faster. Then—

There was a faint pop, and a puff of smoke filled the air. Robert tensed up, narrowing his eyes in concentration.

The contents were starting to stabilise, and the binding process was underway. He clenched his teeth, carefully adjusting the flame in tiny increments. He kept a close watch for the moment when the mixture would begin to swirl clockwise—that would be the sign that the pill core was taking shape. And then—

Foom. A soft pulse echoed inside the cauldron. Robert quickly lowered the flame and brought the cauldron to a rest. He opened it cautiously. Inside, nestled within the smoky mist, lay a single, round pill—faintly glowing, marked with a shallow spiral line.

[System Notification: Pill Refinement Successful – Energy Rejuvenation Pill (One-Line Purity)]

Robert stared for a moment, then smiled. It wasn't perfect. But it was real. His first pill.

He held it in his palm and felt the faint warmth of spiritual energy within. "This… is only the beginning."