[Chapter 101: Completed]
Daniel decided to act immediately.
After a rush of busy work, it was time for the Transmutation step. He carefully poured the fused medicinal liquid from the induction pot into the prepared pressure cooker. Turning on the high-heat stove, he closed the lid and began pressurizing.
While waiting, Daniel kept sensing the energy flowing through the medicinal liquid, continuously weaving Alchemical Signs to prevent the liquid's power from dissipating.
Finally, the pressure rose, and the regulator spun smoothly. Daniel adjusted the Alchemical Sign and began the Transmutation Phase.
His face was serious, eyes focused as he continuously monitored the liquid's energy changes, carefully deciding which signs to employ.
Time ticked away. Then Daniel shifted his sign one last time and commanded, "Transmutate!"
A moment later, surprise flickered across his expression.
Within his senses, the mass of medicinal liquid had actually succeeded in forming into a soild mass.
He exhaled slowly, cautioning himself not to celebrate too soon. The elixir wasn't complete yet.
After Transmutation comes Separation.
If the Sign was off, everything done so far would be wasted.
Separation divides the large solid mass into smaller, individual units. Only during this crucial Separation can the Elixir achieve a harmonious balance between sovereign and subordinate ingredients.
Only such Elixirs would be effective.
One batch could yield up to twelve units at most; exceeding that was impossible. How many could be separated relied entirely on the Alchemist's skill.
Anyone who could separate eight or more was already exceedingly powerful. Some could only manage one. Worst yet, some couldn't separate any, resulting in a dangerous explosion.
Daniel's expression grew solemn. He changed the Alchemy Sign again and began the Separation process.
Not seeing inside the pot and relying solely on the energy feedback made this all the more challenging.
But that's exactly how real Alchemy Furnaces operated.
So Daniel didn't mind.
Beads of sweat slowly formed on his forehead.
His hand movements didn't falter.
Then, suddenly -- "pfft..." -- a muffled sound came from within the cooker.
Daniel's expression tightened, but his hands didn't stop their precise movements.
Another "pfft..." sound followed, signaling another failed attempt at separation.
After more than ten intense minutes, Daniel finally ceased his hand movements.
A smile slowly blossomed across his face again.
After allowing the pressure to stabilize, Daniel turned off the heat and carefully removed the pressure regulator.
Once the pressure fully dissipated, he gingerly opened the lid.
Inside, he found a few small yellow solids.
Joy surged through Daniel's chest -- to have successfully separated seven units on his very first batch.
And this was done only using an induction cooker and a pressure cooker.
He wondered: what might he achieve with a true Alchemy Furnace?
Of course, without access to Alchemical Fire, even the best Alchemy Furnace wouldn't outperform his current tools.
...
The Separation was complete.
The final step: Retrieval.
This wasn't achieved by simply grabbing the solids. Their residual Alchemical Fire hadn't yet faded, and touching them directly would cause them to erupt -- triggering a dangerous explosion.
Waiting for the Alchemical Fire to naturally subside would mean losing some of the Elixir's potency.
Instead, specialized Elixir Collecting Signs were needed.
Daniel took a crystal bottle prepared ahead of time, formed a hand seal, and softly chanted, "Retrieve!"
Instantly, the soild Elixirs leapt out of the cooker and settled into the bottle.
Only then was the Alchemy process truly finished.
...
Daniel poured one out onto his palm. It was small, warm-yellow, faintly glowing with a gentle luster.
A smile unconsciously spread across his face.
He had actually refined Elixirs using just an induction cooker and a pressure cooker.
Placing the Elixir in his mouth, it melted into a stream of pure Spiritual Energy, flowing through and nourishing his body.
His smile deepened.
This Elixir was genuinely effective.
Looking with newfound respect at the induction cooker and pressure cooker on the table, Daniel realized these modest appliances combined had effectively become an Alchemy Furnace.
...
After a long moment, Daniel calmed his excitement and began meditating to recover.
Though Alchemy wasn't combat, the Mental Energy and Magical Power it demanded were just as taxing as battle.
Once fully restored, Daniel began his second batch of Alchemy.
The second batch went smoothly too, producing six Elixirs this time.
The third batch improved further, yielding eight Elixirs.
But with his medicinal ingredients now exhausted, Daniel could only wait for news from his contact.
Pouring another Spirit Transformation Elixir into his mouth, Daniel felt it instantly convert into pure Spiritual Energy, merging seamlessly into his body.
'Unfortunately, even though this Spirit Transformation Elixir contains Spiritual Energy, it has little effect on me now,' he thought. 'Ordinary people would only absorb a fraction of this energy; most would be wasted. But even that small portion should provide excellent nourishment -- healing minor injuries and illnesses. It's almost as effective as sacrificing to the Moth Monster, in some ways. Maybe I should take these out and sell them?'
After some thought, Daniel took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.
...
After a moment, he found Robert Downey Jr.'s number.
He dialed, and the call was swiftly answered.
"Mr. Cross, it's truly rare to get a call from you. What can I do for you?" Robert's tone was surprised and warm.
Daniel kept his voice steady.
"I have some good news."
"What kind of news?" Robert's voice grew expectant.
Daniel explained, "I've recently created a magical item, what we call Elixirs. They're extremely beneficial to the human body. If you're interested, perhaps--"
Before Daniel finished, Robert interrupted eagerly, "Interested! Very much so. Susan and I will come to your place shortly."
A smile crept across Daniel's lips.
Robert's enthusiasm was greater than he had expected.
Of course, that was built on all the miraculous things Daniel had demonstrated before.
Robert promised to come -- and he actually did.
...
Over an hour later, Robert Downey Jr. and Susan arrived at Daniel's home.
After exchanging greetings, Robert said with impatience, "Mr. Cross, can you show us those Elixirs you mentioned?"
Susan's eyes were equally curious, fixed attentively on Daniel.
Daniel smiled slightly and flicked his hand.
A crystal bottle appeared in his grip.
Though Robert and Susan still marveled at Daniel's ability to conjure items out of thin air, they were already somewhat used to it.
Their attention was on the crystal bottle itself.
They watched closely as Daniel slowly poured a small, round, pale yellow sphere from the bottle.
"This is an Elixir?"
Both stared intently at the Spirit Transformation Elixir resting in Daniel's palm.
"That's right," Daniel said. "Taking it will resolve minor injuries and illnesses. It also expels Evil energy, making the body healthier."
Hearing this, Robert instantly recalled the final ritual of the Luck Ceremony -- wasn't its effect the same?
"How much?" Robert asked bluntly, not expecting such an item for free. If Daniel had offered it without cost, they would have been suspicious.
Daniel slowly raised one finger, signaling the price was about to be set.
*****
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