Gate of Immortality

Chapter 182: Unexpected Results

Yang Shi put away his hammer as he looked at his semi-finished pill cauldron. " Hmm! Now, time for Spirit diagrams." Yang Shi's called upon his Azure Lotus primordial spirit as his eyes became azure. He calmed his mind as he held his carving pen.

" The Spirit diagrams of a cauldron should resonate with Wood and Fire elements. Wood and Fire is actually opposite element, but in alchemy, Wood and Fire support each other." Yang Shi thought. " I should make it as a middle tier Spirit grade cauldron." Yang Shi decided. " I will draw Verdant Flame Diagram.

Yang Shi's hand nimbly carved the Spirit diagrams on the bottom of the cauldron. It was very different than the Spirit diagrams of weapons. So Yang Shi wasn't hasty as he carved slowly.

"CLANK* Yang Shi gave the final stroke as the entier Spirit diagram glowed with faint light. Yang Shi stopped as he gazed at the pill cauldron. " Hehe. My first try is good." He smiled with satisfaction.

" Although this looks good now, it lacks a little finishing." Yang Shi suddenly thought of something as he began to polish the cauldron.

He remembered the old wuxia shows on Earth. Their cauldrons looked much luxurious, like a fine piece of art. Yang Shi shaped the handle like the jaws of dragons. Then he also made so designs all over the cauldron. 

After that, he took some metal powder and smelted then. After that, he used the smelt as spray paint over the cauldron. It wasn't some exceptional move, but these little things made the cauldron look beautiful. The smelted metal gave it a golden glow.

" And the last thing." Yang Shi smirked as he wrote his name on the bottom of the cauldron. " Hehe, no one can steal my work." He chuckled.

Just because of these designs, rich buyers won't hesitate to pay the double or triple price from the original one. 

Yang Shi took almost four hours to forge this cauldron. Then he sat back as he channeled his Spiritual qi to relieve his body.

............................................

" I wonder if Brother Yang completed his cauldron. Hmm, Forging a cauldron isn't an easy task. Even Master Zhuo takes more than half a day to forge a cauldron." Liu Jiang thought as he walked to the house of Yang Shi.

" But, I am not worried about the cauldron. What if the cauldron of Master Zhuo didn't have any issue? What if it's me, who is unable to concoct Floating Cloud Pill." Liu Jiang became worried.

" Bah! I don't care about it anymore. Let the heaven decide." Liu Jiang smiled wryly as he shook his head. But there was slight anticipation in his heart to get some kind of surprise.

He actually took a detour to buy more time for himself. But then, at last, he reached the doorsteps of Yang Shi's house. He knocked on his door as he shouted, " Brother Yang! It's me, Liu Jiang!."

" Ah, Liu Jiang, Come in." Yang Shi shouted from inside. Liu Jiang nodded as he opened the door. But when Liu Jiang glanced inside, he became stunned. He couldn't move his gaze from the cauldron he saw.

" This...This the cauldron you forged?" Liu Jiang stammered. " Why? It's not good?" Yang Shi frowned. Since this was his first time, he couldn't say that there is no fault in it.

" No, I mean... This looks too good." Liu Jiang's eyes glowed with excitement as he rushed to that cauldron. He hugged it as he began to inspect.

" Wow, these carvings looking so beautiful. And these dragons like handles look so cool. Eh? What kind of Spirit diagrams is this? It looks like a Flame type Spirit diagram, but it's much complex." Liu Jiang said.

" Everything is alright. You better test it." Yang  Shi shook his head. " Right now?" Liu Jiang was startled. " Why not?" Yang Shi shrugged. " Well, Then, I am getting herbs." Liu Jiang nodded Then he rushed to the treasure hall to buy medicinal herbs.

" I am back. I have bought three sets of medicinal herbs." Liu Jiang said. " En, You can use the alchemy room here." Yang Shi nodded. Liu Jiang put his cauldron as he sat beside it. With a flick of his hand, a Spirit Fire emerged.

" This is my Beast Spirit Fire. A Heat breathing Sparrow. It was from a half-step Ancient Beast." Liu Jiang smiled proudly. " Tsk, don't get distracted." Yang Shi chuckled. " Hehe." Liu Jiang chuckled as he lighted the cauldron. At first, he began to adjust the intensity of the flame.

" Wow, I can easily control this cauldron." Liu Jiang nodded as he focused on refining the pill. For refining a pill, there are three most crucial steps.

First, choosing the right medicinal herbs and the order of putting herbs. Second, adjusting the flames with your Spirit Fire and extract the essence from the herbs. Lastly, condense the essence to concoct the pill.

Although Yang Shi never refined a pill, even without the memory of Samsara Emperor, he can still understand the process. He had read all books about alchemy in the Golden Fire Tower in his leisure time, so he knows one or two things.

Floating Cloud Pill is a rank two pill. It was used for meditation. By eating this, one can calm their mind while they cultivate. Its effect was better than other, same type of pills of rank two. 

But of course, it's also very hard to concoct. It's even harder than refining some easier rank three pills. That's why it's one of the pills an alchemist needs to refine to become an adept alchemist. It's like giving a sort of exam.

" Pungent Green Grass, Purple Silk Flower, Earth Serpent Herb..." Liu Jiang muttered as he three herbs in the cauldron. Yang Shi sat on the side as he watched the process with rapt attention.

" REFINE!" Liu Jiang shouted as the flames blazed around the cauldron. The herbs slowly melted as Liu Jiang controlled the flame. After two hours passed, Liu Jiang's hands moved.

His face was focused as he knew that this was the most important part of the pill concoction. The liquid essence gathered as they slowly became solidified. Yang Shi also became tense as he watched the process.

" Condense!" Liu Jiang finally stopped as the cauldron began to rumble. After that, one could hear a soft popping sound from it.

" Could it be...." Yang Shi clenched his fist.

" Sigh!" Liu Jiang sighed. " It failed..." He muttered.

" Failed, huh." Yang Shi thought. He got up as he checked the cauldron.

" Brother Yang. This cauldron is really good. But it seems my skills aren't enough. Hah, but at least, I don't have to go to that Master Zhuo for another cauldron." Liu Jiang laughed bitterly.

" Hehe, Little Jiang, you don't have to feel bad." Yang Shi chuckled. He turned the cauldron as black residue fell to the ground. From that pile of ashes, he took out something.

It was a deformed pill, with two pill rings. 

" Heh, Still a pill nonetheless." Yang Shi chuckled.