Su Yan followed Xu Zhongdao into the Pill Chamber, where he saw a large, black cauldron.
"First, separate and arrange the herbs by category. I'll show you how to process them shortly." Xu Zhongdao said, changing into different clothes and tying back his hair.
"When I refine the Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill, I need to concentrate fully on controlling the cauldron, and I need an assistant. I could have brought someone from the Hundred Herb Hall or asked Old Song to help, but I'm worried about interference, and I'm also worried that the old fellow will get too agitated." Teaching Su Yan was Song Qi's request, but the main priority was safely refining the Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill.
Su Yan arranged the herbs as instructed. "Elder Xu, the herbs are ready." He turned around and was instantly surprised. Xu Zhongdao was on the floor, lighting a fire beneath the cauldron. Charcoal spread under the cauldron, and sparks from the flint ignited the charcoal.
Xu Zhongdao noticed Su Yan's surprise and chuckled: "Why, did you think alchemy was some profound, mysterious art?"
Su Yan didn't know how to respond: "I thought it would be a little more fantastical. I didn't imagine this..."
"That's high-grade elixir refining." Xu Zhongdao tossed the flint aside and fanned the charcoal to intensify the flame. "High-grade elixir refining not only uses True Essence but also incorporates the Beast Spirit True Intent, plus the Primal Energy of heaven and earth. Those are the techniques used by master's from Overlord Sects like the Beast King Sect and the Pill Profound Sect, usually for elixirs of Third-Order and above."
'So that's how it is? That makes sense. The first three stages of the Body Forging Realm can't even cultivate True Essence, so alchemy couldn't be as fantastical as I thought.'
"Elder Xu, if Third-Order and above requires that, what about First and Second-Order?"
"Well, the First-Order is right here." Xu Zhongdao pointed. "Mortal Fire Alchemy. While we call it refining, it's more accurately compounding medicine." Xu Zhongdao tossed the Dark Scarlet Root into the cauldron and began controlling the flame. "A First-Order elixir involves blending the medicinal properties of various herbs, using boiling, roasting, and grinding to formulate a medicine that stimulates properties beyond the individual herbs."
Xu Zhongdao was highly proficient at compounding medicine. While instructing Su Yan, he quickly dried the Dark Scarlet Root.
"Watch closely." He then threw other herbs in, forcing out their juices and blending them with the Dark Scarlet Root. "Matching the medicinal properties, neutralizing toxicity, and stimulating potency—that is the essence of compounding medicine. This is especially true for First-Order Treasure Medicines, which cannot be guided by True Essence in the cauldron."
"What about Second-Order?"
"The Vitality Nurturing stage can cultivate True Essence. When True Essence leaves the body, it can be introduced into the cauldron to harmonize the medicine's properties and guide the heat, greatly enhancing the efficacy. That is a Second-Order elixir. If a True Intent expert can infuse their Beast Spirit True Intent into it, the effect is even stronger—that is a trueSecond-Order elixir."
Xu Zhongdao added a few more herbs and said: "The Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill barely qualifies as a Second-Order elixir, but it is one of the weakest."
Su Yan felt inspired, thinking: 'If the Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug consume refined elixirs, their progress would be even faster.'
Xu Zhongdao stopped talking. As the ingredients were added, the flame gradually died down. He removed the dried ingredients, placed them in a grinding tool, and began to grind them by hand. After about half an hour, he produced two bottles of dark red powder.
"Take this and try it. I want to see your endurance limit so I can make further adjustments." Su Yan accepted the specially formulated Red Skin Powder. Though the quantity was smaller, these two bottles cost twice as much as the Red Skin Powder sold by the Hundred Herb Hall.
Su Yan thanked Xu Zhongdao again. The two left the Pill Chamber and headed straight for the back courtyard to test the medicine's effects without resting.
When they arrived, Song Qi was standing in the courtyard, practicing his stance. He had removed his long blue robe, revealing a muscular physique covered in scars. Though old, his body was strong, his blood energy surging and roaring like thunder, his stance as powerful as a Qingyang goat splitting a mountain.
'The Great Accomplishment Stance Skill... Is this the blood energy of the Blood Circulation stage? It looks like a great river.'
Su Yan noticed with his peripheral vision that two large wooden tubs were set up, one of which showed signs of recent use. Dregs were scattered nearby, emitting a faint medicinal scent. Xu Zhongdao was preparing for Song Qi's treatment, and Song Qi himself was continuously activating his meridians in preparation.
Song Qi sensed their arrival and finished his practice.
"Young man, that tub over there is yours. The servant will add the hot water."
Su Yan nodded and strode over. The servant had already added several buckets of hot water. The specially formulated Red Skin Powder was poured in, instantly turning the large wooden tub a deep crimson, seemingly boiling. Su Yan felt a hot, pungent, spicy wind hit him before he even got in.
'This stimulus is several times stronger than the previous Red Skin Powder.'
"What are you waiting for, young man? The Golden Ape Martial Academy's Inner Door assessment is coming soon." Xu Zhongdao sounded eager, whether out of amusement or genuine curiosity about Su Yan's talent.
Su Yan didn't hesitate. He stripped naked save for his shorts, revealing his sharply defined muscles, bones, and skin—the perfect model of a martial physique. He stepped into the wooden tub, quickly submerging his entire body.
The moment he entered, it felt as if fire was searing his skin. Despite achieving Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining, he felt agonizing pain all over.
'It hurts! Even Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining can't fully block this!' Su Yan's face changed. Immense pain swept across his skin, making his expression incredibly strained. His veins bulged, and his skin showed signs of corrosion and damage from the medicinal liquid.
'Golden Ape Stance Skill!'
The fierce pain, like an endless tide, relentlessly swept across every inch of his skin. The medicinal power, mixed with toxicity, continuously corroded his skin membrane. His body turned crimson, and visible damage appeared on his skin. Su Yan suppressed the agonizing pain and began circulating the Golden Ape Stance Skill in the tub, experiencing a true duality of ice and fire.
'This young man is truly ruthless.' Xu Zhongdao was shocked by Su Yan's appearance. The erosion of his skin was already causing blood to seep out. If this toxicity were applied to an ordinary person, they would be lucky to survive, likely shedding their skin like a peeled shrimp. Even a Great Accomplishment in Skin Refining practitioner found this torment unbearable.
"Young man, mobilize your blood energy! Absorb the medicinal power and repair your skin membrane! The medicine, the skin membrane, and the blood energy must form a three-in-one cycle. This will push your refined skin to a higher level, harmonizing it with the Golden Ape Jade Body Art!"
'Golden Ape Jade Body Art?' Su Yan registered Xu Zhongdao's words, but he was too preoccupied to think. He focused on refining his skin membrane according to Xu Zhongdao's instructions. The tonic part of the medicine, which contained flesh-and-muscle-generating herbs, was now also taking effect. Su Yan's skin membrane was being destroyed and rapidly repaired simultaneously.
To the agonizing, fiery corrosion, a strange crawling, nibbling sensation, like ants, was added. The combination of pain and itchiness was almost unbearable, making Su Yan's veins bulge.
This torturous cycle lasted a full two hours until all the medicinal power was completely absorbed. Su Yan leaped out. His skin and muscles were completely crimson. His blood energy surged, and he performed a perfect Golden Ape Stance. His muscles moved in unison, and white mist enveloped him, constantly rising from his body—a manifestation of his surging blood energy or just water vapor, he couldn't tell.
After a long while, Su Yan finished his practice, his eyes bright and sharp as blades.
[Body Forging Realm: Skin Refining 37/400 (Great Accomplishment)][Golden Ape Stance Skill: 24/400 (Great Accomplishment)]