"Alchemists are divided into five ranks. The Rank 1 Medicine Apprentice stage is primarily about familiarizing oneself with the medicinal properties and characteristics of various herbs. The Rank 2 Pharmacist stage involves being able to independently concoct pills according to a medicinal formula. The Rank 3 Grandmaster Alchemist goes a step further on the basis of the first two, mastering the control of medicinal properties to the ultimate degree, capable of creating their own formulas and establishing their own sects—hence they are honored as Grandmaster Alchemists. As for Rank 4..."
Luan Hongyi's eyes revealed a trace of yearning as he continued, "Rank 4 is known as a Great Grandmaster Alchemist. The pills refined by beings of this level have already transcended the realm of ordinary medicine, possessing the ability to turn decay into magic. Even if the exact same formula is refined by a Rank 4 alchemist, its effect will be more than ten times that of an equivalent pill of supreme quality; such pills are known as spirit pills. As for Rank 5, that is already a legendary existence. I only know that alchemists of this level are called Medicine Kings; beyond that, I know nothing..."
Hiss!
Sha Wei was listening so intently that he didn't realize until boiling tea spilled over and scalded his palm, causing him to draw a sharp breath and snap back to reality.
This was also Mu Yunshang's first time hearing about the distinctions among Rank 5 alchemists.
However, the girl didn't entirely believe Luan Hongyi's words, instead blinking her dark, watery eyes and staring at Ning Wuque for confirmation.
"Just as Grandmaster Luan said, to break through to a Rank 4 alchemist, one must be able to brand spiritual patterns onto the pills during the refining process, effectively imparting spirituality to them. Yet this method of breakthrough is held in the hands of a mere handful of people; ordinary folks cannot touch it at all."
Ning Wuque smiled faintly and continued, "If I'm not mistaken, Grandmaster Luan must have sought out the orthodox method of breakthrough in vain, and thus took a desperate gamble and tried—"
Grandmaster Luan offered a bitter smile, implicitly conceding to Ning Wuque's conjecture.
Sha Wei was pinching his earlobe with fingers burned bright red. Seeing that Ning Wuque still hadn't mentioned the reason why Luan Hongyi was not long for this world, he asked with some impatience, "Young Master Ning, after talking for so long, you still haven't said what's wrong with my master's ancient technique!"
Luan Hongyi said nothing, only staring straight at Ning Wuque.
"Don't rush. Everything in this world revolves around cause and effect; I need to explain the cause first so that you can better accept the effect. The reason a Rank 4 Great Grandmaster Alchemist can refine spirit pills is because their spiritual perception is extraordinarily powerful compared to ordinary people, allowing them to guide the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the pills during refining to form spirit patterns containing spirituality. Therefore, to step into the rank of a Rank 4 Great Grandmaster Alchemist, one must enhance their spiritual perception!"
Ning Wuque picked up his teacup and took a light sip before continuing, "I can be certain that the ancient technique Grandmaster Luan obtained is precisely one for enhancing spiritual perception. Furthermore, this technique indeed enhances spiritual perception; if everything went smoothly, Grandmaster Luan could indeed use it to break through into the ranks of the Rank 4. You have practiced this technique for about half a year. At first, your spiritual perception did indeed increase, but starting three months ago, the body hair on you began to grow more thick and dense, and your mind has been in a state of abnormal excitement, leaving you unable to sleep at night..."
Bang!
A crisp sound startled everyone.
Luan Hongyi paid no mind to the shattered teacup lying on the floor; his body involuntarily rose from his seat, and he looked at Ning Wuque in disbelief, his breathing turning ragged. "Y-y-you, how do you know these things?"
This was a secret that even his only direct disciple, Sha Wei, didn't know!
How could Ning Wuque know it so clearly?
At that moment, Luan Hongyi already believed seven tenths of what Ning Wuque had said in his heart.
Actually, he had vaguely felt that something was amiss with his body. It was just that over the past few months, aside from the problems Ning Wuque mentioned, he hadn't noticed any other abnormalities, and thus hadn't paid it too much mind.
Yet now, the four words "not long for this world" kept echoing relentlessly in his mind.
Ning Wuque lowered his head and took a sip of tea. Intent on winning Luan Hongyi over as an ally, he naturally had to put on enough airs.
When it came to manipulating human hearts, he certainly wasn't lacking in such methods!
Seeing that Ning Wuque still hadn't spoken, Luan Hongyi felt anxious inside, but knowing this was Ning Wuque's way of driving up his price, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Young Friend Ning, as long as you can solve my problem, you will be my Luan's second father. From this day forth, I, Luan, shall follow your lead and look to you in all things without a single word of dissent..."
"Grandmaster Luan is being too polite. Actually, the reason you developed these symptoms is because the ancient technique you practice is missing its most crucial part. Right now, you are merely blindly increasing the strength of your spiritual perception, but your body cannot bear a spiritual perception that has suddenly grown too strong."
The corners of Ning Wuque's mouth curled up slightly. He set down his teacup and slowly spoke, "Just imagine: if you replaced the primary medicinal herb in a pill formula with a thousand-year-old aged herb while keeping all the auxiliary herbs the same, what do you think the consequence would be?"
Beside him, Sha Wei subconsciously blurted out, "The age of the herbs matched to every pill has strict requirements. If you only enhance the quality of the primary herb, in the end there's only—"
Sha Wei's voice cut off abruptly.
He stared fiercely at Luan Hongyi.
Luan Hongyi's face was deathly pale, his forehead covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.
He had also thought of this outcome—a cauldron explosion!
In pill refining, it's a cauldron explosion.
Then what about substituting a human body?
Naturally, it meant certain death!
Luan Hongyi's heart pounded wildly, his eyes bloodshot. Suddenly, with a dull thud, he dropped to his knees before Ning Wuque, and with an expression of utmost solemnity, said, "Young Master, save me!"
"Grandmaster Luan, quickly get up! If you do this, you'll extinguish my fortune! I will naturally do my utmost to help you, please get up..."
Ning Wuque hurried forward to support Luan Hongyi and help him rise.
The moment Luan Hongyi knelt, he knew that this number one figure in Nanjiang City's alchemy world, a dignified Rank 3 Senior Grandmaster Alchemist, had been completely won over by him.
Chapter 11: His Surname is Ning!
Hundred Herbs Hall.
Inside the inner hall.
Having stood up with Ning Wuque's support, Luan Hongyi stubbornly refused to return to the master's seat.
Instead, he stood there with his hands hanging down respectfully before Ning Wuque. "Young Master Ning, from now on you are my Luan's second father. In your presence, how could I ever take the master's seat? Come, come, please sit!"
Luan Hongyi insisted on having Ning Wuque and Mu Yunshang sit in the positions of honor.
Unable to refuse, Ning Wuque could only take Mu Yunshang by the hand and sit down.
Looking at Luan Hongyi standing respectfully before him, and Sha Wei, who still hadn't recovered his wits and wore a blank expression, the corners of Ning Wuque's mouth hooked upward slightly. He gave a light cough and said, "Grandmaster Luan..."
"No, no, no, Young Master Ning, from now on you can just call me younger brother Hongyi, or little Luan. In your presence, I am unworthy of the title of Grandmaster!" Luan Hongyi waved his hands protestingly.
The corners of Ning Wuque's mouth twitched violently. "... "
How old are you?
And how old am I?
Ignoring Luan Hongyi's request, Ning Wuque went straight to the point. "Grandmaster Luan, might you let me take a look at that incomplete scroll of the ancient technique?"
Though he already had some guesses in his mind, out of caution, he still needed to see it with his own eyes.
"Of course!"
Luan Hongyi nodded hastily.
He pulled open his clothes, fished a yellowed animal skin out from a hidden pocket inside his undergarment, and respectfully handed it to Ning Wuque.
Ning Wuque was somewhat speechless.
He hadn't expected Luan Hongyi to be so cautious as to carry the animal skin recording the ancient technique right against his skin.
Unfolding the animal skin, he glanced over it roughly.
Ning Wuque nodded. "Just as I expected, it is indeed this secret technique."
"Oh? Young Master Ning has seen this technique before?" Luan Hongyi asked with curiosity.
"You could say that!"
Ning Wuque brushed him off perfunctorily.
Of course he had never seen it before, but among the nine generations of inheritance from the Sword Ancestor, one generation had walked the path of the Dao of Elixirs, and this very secret technique was one that Sword Ancestor had casually created during that lifetime.
It belonged to the most rudimentary method for enhancing spiritual perception.
Ning Wuque said, "This technique is called the Transforming Spirit Art, consisting of internal and external volumes. The internal volume enhances spiritual perception, while the external volume records the matching medicinal formulas. Only by practicing both the internal and external volumes simultaneously—using the pills from the formulas to strengthen the body as a vessel while enhancing spiritual perception—can one achieve internal-external unity and advance side by side. But what you have is merely the internal volume..."
"Y-young Master, do you happen to have the external volume?" Luan Hongyi rubbed his hands together, asking tentatively.
Ning Wuque smiled and said, "Prepare the brush and ink!"
"What are you standing around for? Why aren't you going to prepare them?"
Luan Hongyi kicked Sha Wei, who was still in a daze.
A moment later.
Amidst Sha Wei's resentful gazes, Ning Wuque's brush danced like a flying dragon and a startling snake, writing down the contents of the external volume of the Transforming Spirit Art from his memory.
"Here are the one hundred and eight medicinal formulas recorded in the external volume, along with their corresponding usage methods. Practice the internal and external volumes together with these. I believe that with your aptitude, within three years, our Southern Frontier will give birth to a Rank 4 Great Grandmaster Alchemist!" Ning Wuque tossed the external volume to Luan Hongyi.
Luan Hongyi received the external volume with extreme care.
Just by glancing through it roughly, he understood that Ning Wuque's words were no idle boast.
Treating it like a precious treasure, Luan Hongyi carefully folded the external volume and tucked it back into the hidden pocket of his undergarment against his chest.
He looked at Ning Wuque with a complex gaze.
A moment later.
Under the incredulous stares of everyone present, Luan Hongyi dropped to his knees once more before Ning Wuque. Without the slightest hesitation, he delivered three loud kowtows, then, raising a red and bruised forehead, spoke with utmost sincerity: "I, Luan Hongyi, thanks to Young Master Ning's saving grace, have been spared from death. I am willing to take you as my master and swear never to betray you for all eternity. I only hope my master will accept this disciple!"
This Luan Hongyi had risen from humble beginnings, born merely to an ordinary family.
Later, he followed a Rank 2 pharmacist to study, stepping by step climbing to his current position.
Naturally, he was no ordinary fool.
Seeing that Ning Wuque, at such a tender age, could diagnose the flaw in his cultivation of the ancient technique at a single glance, and even casually write down the external volume of the Transforming Spirit Art before tossing it to him so nonchalantly, told him everything.
All of this indicated that in Ning Wuque's eyes, the Transforming Spirit Art—which he, Luan Hongyi, regarded as a supreme treasure—was nothing more than a common trinket.
Could it be that Ning Wuque possessed even more profound things?
Secret techniques stronger than the Transforming Spirit Art?
It was precisely this thought that brought about Luan Hongyi's desire to become a disciple.
"M-master, have you lost your mind?" Sha Wei was utterly dumbfounded.
The events of today were far too fantastical for him; the mental impact was simply staggering!
"Unfilial disciple, why haven't you knelt to your grandmaster yet?"
Luan Hongyi landed a slap on the back of Sha Wei's head, sending the latter stumbling forward onto his knees alongside him before Ning Wuque.
Using a hand the size of a frying pan, Luan Hongyi pressed Sha Wei's head down toward the ground. Three consecutive dull thuds rang out, leaving Sha Wei's head spinning, until under Luan Hongyi's urging, he said to Ning Wuque, "Grand-disciple Sha Wei pays respects to Grandmaster..."
Ning Wuque frowned slightly. While he did intend to bring Luan Hongyi into his fold, he had no plans to take on disciples. "Forget about taking disciples, you two should get up!"
"Master, if you won't accept this disciple, this disciple will kneel here forever!"
Luan Hongyi stiffened his neck and replied. Seeing the hesitation on Ning Wuque's face, he could only look to Mu Yunshang. "Mistress, please help this disciple persuade Master!"
"..."
Mu Yunshang's pretty face blushed slightly at being addressed as "Mistress." However, she also knew that for Ning Wuque right now, absorbing Luan Hongyi into his forces would be a massive help, so she said, "Brother Wuque, why don't you just take him in?"
Ning Wuque sighed. "Very well, since Yunshang has spoken, I will accept you as my disciple!"
"Master, Mistress, please accept this disciple's bow!"
"Grandmaster, Grand-mistress, please accept this grand-disciple's bow..."
Luan Hongyi and his disciple went through another round of triple kowtows.
"Get up, all of you!"
Ning Wuque waved his hand. "Since you have entered my sect, as your master I naturally cannot be stingy."
He walked straight over to the desk and began writing furiously.
A moment later.
Ning Wuque flicked one of the pages of paper toward Luan Hongyi. "Hongyi, that Transforming Spirit Art of yours is merely the most elementary method for enhancing spiritual perception. Even though it can allow you to step into the Rank 4 ranks, it will exhaust your potential, leaving you with no hope of reaching Rank 5 in this lifetime. This volume of the Starry Sky Visualization Method can lead you straight to Rank 5; practice this one from now on, and within half a year you will be able to enter the Rank 4 realm!"
"Thank you, Master! Master's grace of rebirth, this disciple will never forget for as long as I live!"
Luan Hongyi put it away as if it were a supreme treasure, feeling all the more proud of his decision to take him as master.
Just look at that!
Had he not become a disciple, he would have been stuck cultivating the Transforming Spirit Art.
Yet now, he had obtained the Starry Sky Visualization Method, which led directly to Rank 5!
Moreover,
if he had practiced the Transforming Spirit Art, it would have taken three years to enter Rank 4.
Now, switching to the Starry Sky Visualization Method, he could enter Rank 4 within half a year.
The gap between the two was as vast as heaven and earth!
Beside them, Sha Wei looked at Ning Wuque with a face full of anticipation.
Ning Wuque tossed the remaining piece of paper to him. "You are currently just a Rank 1 Medicine Apprentice; profound visualization methods are useless to you. This is the 'Elementary Understanding of Alchemy' I just casually wrote down, which can help you advance straight to Rank 3. Once you reach the level of a Rank 3 Senior Grandmaster Alchemist, I will have your master pass the Starry Sky Visualization Method on to you!"
"Thank you for the bestowal, Grandmaster!" Sha Wei said hastily.
Ning Wuque waved a hand.
Although he had only just arrived in Nanjiang today and hadn't even managed to step through the gates of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, his harvest was by no means small.
With a disciple like Luan Hongyi by his side, at least from now on in Nanjiang, he would no longer be a rootless duckweed!
Carefully tucking away the Starry Sky Visualization Method, Luan Hongyi respectfully asked, "Master, this disciple intends to invite all the various factions of Nanjiang to hold a master-accepting banquet. I wonder where Master's estate is located? Shall we hold it at your mansion, or should this disciple select another venue?"
"A master-accepting banquet won't be necessary! Besides, I only just arrived in Nanjiang today and haven't had time to purchase property yet!" Ning Wuque said.
Right now, he only wanted to keep a low profile, cultivate his strength, and take the martial arts top scholar examination next year.
So that he could grandly and gloriously marry Mu Yunshang.
"What? Master hasn't purchased property yet? Oh dear, oh dear, this is all this disciple's fault. How could I let Master have nowhere to settle?"
Luan Hongyi slapped his thigh in profound self-reproach, then said, "Master, this disciple happens to have a vacant three-courtyard estate in the southern part of the city. If Master does not disdain it, you can move right in."
Sha Wei chimed in from the side as well, "Grandmaster, this is a token of Master's sincere devotion, please accept it!"
"This..."
Ning Wuque hesitated, but didn't refuse outright. "Very well, in that case, we'll stay at your villa!"
"Master, I'll have Xiaowei arrange a carriage right away to take you and Mistress to the estate!"
Luan Hongyi announced, then—as if worried that Ning Wuque might misunderstand and think he was being neglected—he explained, "This disciple still has some matters to attend to. Once I've finished dealing with them, I will come to the estate to see you!"
"Mn!"
Ning Wuque didn't think much of it.
A moment later.
He took Mu Yunshang and boarded a carriage heading toward the south of the city.
After the three of them left, Luan Hongyi emerged from the Hundred Herbs Hall. Gazing in the direction where Ning Wuque had departed, he muttered softly to himself, "Master treats me with a kindness akin to a second birth and a second father; how could I ever let the old man suffer any grievance? This master-accepting banquet, I must make it grand, lively, and earn every bit of face for Master!"
Before long, all the prominent figures across various industries in Nanjiang City received a bombshell piece of news.
The master of Hundred Herbs Hall, vice president of the Nanjiang City Alchemist Guild, and dignified Rank 3 Senior Grandmaster Alchemist Luan Hongyi would be holding a grand master-accepting banquet one month from now.
This news was like a thunderclap from a clear blue sky.
It dealt a shock wave to every noble and powerful family in Nanjiang City.
This was the undisputed number one figure in the Southern Frontier's alchemy world!
And yet he was going to take a master?
What kind of terrifying existence could that person possibly be?
Only...
Luan Hongyi hadn't leaked any information about Ning Wuque whatsoever.
Even with everyone exhausting all their efforts to investigate, they only managed to find out one piece of intelligence.
Luan Hongyi's master had the surname Ning!
Aside from that, they knew absolutely nothing.
It was precisely this mystery that made everyone all the more expectant for this master-accepting banquet seven days later...
Chapter 12: Southern Frontier Trembles, Ninth Layer of Qi Refining!
Southern Suppression Prince's Estate.
Su Qingluan gazed at the invitation in her hand with a grave expression. "Luan Hongyi is actually taking a master? He is our Southern Frontier's number one alchemist, and even the Prince has to treat him with three parts courtesy. Exactly who could possibly become his master?"
"Reporting to the Princess, news regarding Grandmaster Luan's master is scarce indeed; your subordinate only managed to find out that the other party's surname is Ning!" In front of Su Qingluan, a middle-aged man in black spoke in a low voice.
"Surname Ning?"
Su Qingluan was stunned, and Ning Wuque's figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
However, she quickly dismissed the thought.
"I must be losing my mind; why on earth would I think of that brat?"
Su Qingluan shook her head with a chuckle, then said, "The Prince is not in the estate, and it is inconvenient for Ouyang Jing and me to attend the banquet. So be it. Have someone look into Luan Hongyi's preferences; this Princess will personally prepare a generous gift and have the Second Young Master represent our Southern Suppression Prince's Estate to attend the banquet."
"Understood!"
The middle-aged man acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Meanwhile,
in another luxurious courtyard within the prince's estate.
Ouyang Jing narrowed her eyes, her gaze gleaming with excitement. "This person is actually able to make Luan Hongyi take him as master and even makes such a grand fanfare to hold a master-accepting banquet; his background is bound to be extraordinary. Hu'er, if you can forge a connection with that great adult, it will be of immense benefit to both me and the Ouyang Family."
"Mother, in my opinion, rather than trying to cling to some senior of unknown background, it would be better to directly take Luan Hongyi as a master. As long as I become Luan Hongyi's disciple, I'll be able to reach that senior just the same!" A fair-skinned youth with cherry-red lips, dressed in luxurious embroidered robes and with eyes full of cold malice, spoke in a low voice.
He was none other than the Third Young Master of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, Ouyang Jing's biological son Mu Yunhu.
"My child's mind is nimble, far surpassing that blockhead Mu Yunlong!"
Ouyang Jing's eyes lit up as she smiled and said, "I've heard that Luan Hongyi is passionately fond of antiques, calligraphy, and paintings. Fifty years ago, your maternal grandfather accidentally obtained a peerless masterpiece of divine art. When Mother gets her hands on it and presents it to Luan Hongyi as a congratulatory gift, I am certain he will be utterly unable to refuse that divine art and will undoubtedly take you as his disciple!"
The exact same scene was playing out among the major factions in Nanjiang City.
While the major factions of Nanjiang City were shaken by the news of Luan Hongyi's master-accepting banquet,
Ning Wuque—the very instigator of this entire affair—had arrived at the courtyard located in the southern part of the city under Sha Wei's guidance.
With a gentle gaze, Ning Wuque looked at Mu Yunshang, who was hopping about like an elf, looking around here and there inside the courtyard. He smiled and said, "Yunshang, stay away from the pond, be careful not to fall in!"
"Brother Wuque, come over quickly!"