plumnovel Chapter 77 The Library
Chapter 77 The Library
Flames licked the bottom of the furnace as it slowly turned.
"The art of fire control is divided into three levels."
"The first level is to focus on the fire first. Where the mind goes, the flame follows. This is the beginning."
As he spoke, the flame beneath the alchemy furnace swelled and shrank, sometimes fierce and sometimes gentle, moving as if controlled by his own arm.
"The second level is fire divided into yin and yang. Yang fire is fierce and used to smelt metals and stones, while yin fire is gentle and used to nourish spiritual medicines."
"Only when one can control the two freely with spiritual awareness can one be considered to have entered the inner sanctum."
The flame suddenly split into two streams, one crimson like blood, the other bluish-white like jade.
Two flames alternately lick the bottom of the furnace; when it is red, the furnace body vibrates slightly, and when it is bluish-white, the furnace body is stable.
"The third level is the spiritual connection of fire, where the flames possess a spirit, can discern the properties of medicines, know when to advance and retreat, and understand what to take and what to discard. This is the ultimate achievement."
The two flames merged again, transforming into a palm-sized firebird that flew around the furnace, sometimes landing on top and sometimes diving into the bottom, full of spirituality.
The disciples in the hall watched intently, some letting out soft gasps of amazement.
Zhang Lin's gaze narrowed slightly.
With the enhanced Danxia secrets from the system, he had already mastered the Danxia fire control technique and could transform fireballs into Danxia true fire. However, that was done by brute force, which was different from the effortless and controlled fire control he was experiencing now.
The system gave him "techniques," while He Chuan demonstrated "the Way."
Techniques can be learned quickly, but the underlying principles require comprehension.
He Chuan extinguished the flames, and the illusory image of the alchemy furnace dissipated.
"Today I will not discuss specific formulas for elixirs, but only the principles of fire control. When you return, you must practice diligently and not slack off." He paused, "If you have any questions, you may ask now."
After a moment of silence in the hall, a young disciple sitting in the front row raised his hand.
"Elder He, I have a question."
"speak."
"I have only recently awakened my spiritual consciousness. When refining pills, I often find that the flames are uncontrollable. Even though I intend to gently nurture them with a low flame, the flames are always too intense, burning the medicinal herbs. They are not even as useful as pill charcoal. How can I solve this problem?"
He Chuan glanced at him: "What fire-based spell do you practice most diligently?"
"Reporting to the elder, it is a flamethrower."
"The characteristic of the Flame Bullet is its fierce and domineering nature. You've already developed the habit of using it to nourish spiritual herbs, which is like cooking a chicken in an ox-cooked cauldron," He Chuan said calmly. "After you go back, reduce the heat of the Flame Bullet to one-tenth and practice for three days. You will naturally understand the key to it."
The disciple seemed to be deep in thought, then clasped his hands in thanks.
Another person stood up: "Elder He, this disciple would like to ask, how do different grades of alchemy furnaces affect fire control?"
"Good question." He Chuan nodded. "The higher the grade of the alchemy furnace, the stronger its ability to withstand flames, and the greater the margin for error in controlling the fire."
"If a lower-grade alchemy furnace is used to refine a higher-grade pill, even a slight deviation in the heat will ruin the entire process. However, if a top-grade alchemy furnace is used to refine a lower-grade pill, even with rough heat control, the pill can still be successfully produced."
He paused, then changed the subject: "But the alchemy furnace is ultimately an external object. A true master alchemist can refine top-grade pills even with just a clay pot."
"You must not put the cart before the horse."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lin's heart stirred.
He recalled the embarrassing situation he had when he tried to refine elixirs in a clay pot: the furnace cracked, the elixir was destroyed, and the efficacy was less than 30%.
Later, the Hundred Refinement Bronze Furnace was strengthened, and the success rate of pill production reached 100%.
He Chuan is right. The alchemy furnace is an external object, but external objects can indeed make up for one's own shortcomings.
Before he became a master alchemist, strengthening his alchemy furnace was the fastest shortcut.
Several more disciples asked questions, which He Chuan answered one by one.
The sermon lasted for an hour, then the bronze bell rang again, and He Chuan got up and left.
The disciples gradually dispersed, some leaving in a hurry, others discussing in small groups.
Zhang Lin walked out of the preaching platform, where Yu Youwei was already waiting outside.
"Did you understand?" he asked.
Yu Youwei nodded: "I understand some of it, but whether I can actually do it in the future is another matter."
Zhang Lin smiled and said, "Those who can do it immediately after this lesson are geniuses; those who can't are just ordinary people."
The two left the preaching platform and walked down the bluestone road. When they reached the fork in the road, Zhang Lin stopped.
"Go to the Sutra Repository and see if there are any cultivation techniques that suit your constitution."
Yu Youwei nodded and followed beside her.
The Sutra Repository is located in the valley between Cuiping Peak and the main hall of Cuiping Peak. It is a three-story pavilion with blue bricks and gray tiles, upturned eaves, and an ancient plaque hanging under the eaves with the three characters "Sutra Repository" written in vigorous strokes, which faintly reveal a profound sense of Taoism.
In front of the pavilion is a bluestone square, in which several ancient pine trees are planted, their branches and trunks gnarled and twisted, their age probably several hundred years.
The pine needles, dark as ink, blocked out the sun, casting a cool shadow over the entire square.
It was nearly noon, and there weren't many people in the square.
Two or three outer disciples emerged from the pavilion, holding Taoist scriptures and jade slips in their hands, and conversed in hushed tones.
Zhang Lin climbed the steps and pushed open the door to enter.
The first floor of the Sutra Repository is extremely spacious, with more than ten rows of sandalwood shelves arranged neatly. The shelves are filled with jade slips, silk books, bamboo slips, and other items of various kinds, creating a dazzling array.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and old paper, which blended together to create a calming atmosphere.
Several long tables were placed near the window, where several disciples were copying texts, their pens scratching softly.
An elder in grey robes sat behind a table at the entrance. He was about forty years old, with a gaunt face and his eyes slightly closed, as if he were asleep.
Zhang Lin walked closer and bowed respectfully.
"Elder, outer disciple Zhang Lin wishes to examine the cultivation technique."
The gray-robed elder opened his eyes, looked him up and down, and said in a hoarse voice, "A new disciple? Did you check the cultivation technique to see if you know that contribution points are required?"
"This disciple understands," Zhang Lin replied. "May I ask, Elder, are there any cultivation techniques suitable for those with the Profound Yin Physique in the Scripture Pavilion?"
Upon hearing this, the gray-robed elder's eyes flashed with surprise, and he glanced at Zhang Lin again.
"The Profound Yin Body?" He pondered for a moment. "There are a few Yin-attribute cultivation techniques in the Scripture Pavilion, but their lineage is not high, and Yin-attribute cultivation techniques are not our sect's forte."
The gray-robed elder took out a thin book from his sleeve, flipped through a few pages, and said, "The 'Mysterious Yin Technique' is a superior cultivation method that can be practiced to the point of perfect Qi Refining. It does not require Foundation Establishment inheritance and requires 800 contribution points."
"The True Explanation of Cold Ice, Qi Refining Chapter, same as above, requires 1200 contribution points."
"The Taiyin Refinement Method, Qi Refining Chapter, incomplete. It can be cultivated to the late stage of Qi Refining and requires 600 contribution points."
"Just these three doors?"
"Just these three." The gray-robed elder closed the booklet. "As I've said before, Yin-attribute techniques are not our sect's forte."
"These three techniques were copied from other sects at the exchange conference. Their quality is average, and they are far inferior to the complete inheritance of our sect's superior techniques."
He paused, then said, "If your companion has a fire-type or wood-type Dao body, our sect has plenty of superior cultivation techniques."
"But the Xuan Yin Body... I advise you, if you really want to go far on this path, you might as well go to other sects later. The 'Tai Yin True Explanation' of Biluo Palace is the authentic Yin attribute cultivation method."
Zhang Lin frowned slightly.
Biluo Palace and Danxia Sect are known as the "Twin Jewels of Yunmeng". They are both located in Yunmeng Continent and share a spiritual vein.
The two sects have been on good terms for generations, with disciples frequently visiting each other and even often marrying each other.
But that's for later.
Yu Youwei is currently a nominal disciple of the Danxia Sect. She has no contribution points, no spirit stones, and not even a decent cultivation technique.
He paused for a moment, then asked, "How do I obtain contribution points to exchange for the 'Mysterious Yin Technique'?"
The gray-robed elder said, "Contribution points can be obtained at the Cloud Water Hall."