Chapter 77: Alchemy Apprentice

"It's getting late, it's time to go out." Junior Brother Bai Ming stood up and opened the door.

Damp air entered his nostrils. Junior Brother Bai Ming saw no one before him. Gazing at the distant mountain forest, he was somewhat stunned.

"The Senior Brothers didn't come today. Were they delayed by something?" Junior Brother Bai Ming was somewhat confused, but didn't pay too much mind to it.

Feeling a wave of boredom, he simply sat cross-legged on a rock to the side and began to absorb the spiritual energy in the air.

Wisps of spiritual energy poured into his body, repairing the spiritual roots within him.

"Whoosh—"

The sound of air being sliced through came from nearby.

Junior Brother Bai Ming opened his eyes. "Senior Brothers, why are you… Ah, never mind, it's not you."

An old man wearing a bamboo hat and simple clothing walked over slowly. His figure was somewhat thin, but his gait revealed a certain sturdiness.

His expression was somewhat stern, and his eyes revealed the sharpness of an eagle.

Junior Brother Bai Ming hurriedly stood up and bowed. "Greetings, Master."

The old man's face was full of wrinkles, and the corners of his mouth lifted stiffly, revealing a hint of a smile. "You're a quick-witted one. However, this old man has never acknowledged you as my disciple."

Without hesitation, Junior Brother Bai Ming bowed deeply. "I beg you, Senior, to accept me as your disciple."

The old man stroked his white beard. "Your heart is quite sincere, but this old man already has two disciples. Taking on another would be a bit too much to handle."

Hearing this, Junior Brother Bai Ming had already prepared himself to be driven away, and even planned to go rely on that Giant Lizard first.

"However, this old man is lacking an Alchemy Apprentice. If you are willing to take the role, you may stay." Elder Xuancao narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Thank you, Master." Junior Brother Bai Ming was overjoyed.

The old man did not refute this, stroking his white beard as he looked toward the other side.

Above the sky, two figures were rushing toward this place.

"Greetings, Master." Senior Brother Wei Yu and Senior Sister Tao Yu bowed simultaneously.

"It seems that while this old man was away, many things happened here." Elder Xuancao's voice was deep.

Senior Brother Wei Yu glanced at Junior Brother Bai Ming to the side and cupped his hands. "I hope Master will accept him. Junior Brother Bai has exceptional talent, it's just that his spiritual roots have not fully recovered yet."

Elder Xuancao smiled. "This old man has already accepted him just now, taking him on as an Alchemy Apprentice."

His body stiffened. Senior Brother Wei Yu's expression changed slightly, the corners of his mouth drooping unnaturally, as he murmured, "This…"

Senior Sister Tao Yu's expression shifted, but in the end, she did not say anything more.

Elder Xuancao waved his sleeve. "It's getting late. You should go gather herbs today."

"We will follow your command, Master." Senior Brother Wei Yu cupped his hands and secretly signaled with his eyes.

Noticing Senior Brother Wei Yu's signal, Junior Brother Bai Ming stepped forward, preparing to leave together.

"He stays. Just the two of you go to gather herbs today," Elder Xuancao said calmly.

"Then I shall respectfully see off Senior Brother and Senior Sister." Junior Brother Bai Ming took a step back and waved his hand.

Feeling the emptiness where his right arm should be, Senior Brother Wei Yu turned around helplessly and sighed softly.

A streak of golden light shot into the sky, carrying the two of them away.

Watching the golden speck disappear in the sky, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt some doubt in his heart; he had naturally noticed Senior Brother Wei Yu's little action.

But he did not understand the meaning behind it.

Senior Brother Wei was truly acting strangely today.

What exactly was wrong?

"I heard your spiritual roots are severely damaged. Let this old man take a look." A hint of interest appeared in the depths of Elder Xuancao's eyes.

Hesitating for a few breaths, Junior Brother Bai Ming walked in front of Elder Xuancao.

A surge of green spiritual energy emanated from Elder Xuancao's palm, subsequently enveloping Junior Brother Bai Ming's entire body.

"This type of injury is quite interesting. It wasn't caused by an enemy, but rather looks like damage caused by overuse," Elder Xuancao laughed.

"Master has keen insight." Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression was respectful.

Elder Xuancao clasped his hands behind his back. "Today, I happen to be refining a medicinal pill related to recovering spiritual roots. When the time comes, I can let you try it."

Junior Brother Bai Ming looked somewhat happy. "Thank you, Master."

"It seems this matter has troubled you for a long time. Then why not start refining the pill now?" A hint of kindness appeared on Elder Xuancao's face.

"Start now?" Junior Brother Bai Ming was somewhat excited.

"Don't you want to recover sooner, you brat?" Elder Xuancao teased slightly.

"No, it's just that this disciple only understands the basics of herbal knowledge, and even that was taught by Senior Sister. I'm afraid I might ruin the quality of your pill, Master." Junior Brother Bai Ming's words were somewhat worried.

"When this old man refines pills, I don't need the medicinal assistant to do much. At most, you'll just need to fetch a herb or two. Just watch from the side," Elder Xuancao said in a relaxed tone.

"Yes, Master."

The two arrived at a hidden cave.

The air here was dry, and the light was dim. Apart from some gravel, there was nothing else.

The ceiling, which should have been somewhat damp, was unusually free of any water marks. The rock overhead was pitch-black and smooth, not stained by a single trace of moisture.

Compared to the outside, the air lacked a bit of natural flavor and was rather bland, as if it had been deliberately treated.

Gazing at the rock overhead, Junior Brother Bai Ming pondered a bit about this place.

This cave had been specially designed this way.

The entire style was extremely minimalist, without even a hint of vitality.

However, precisely because of this, it reduced many interfering factors for alchemy.

A soft light came from not far away; it seemed they had reached the innermost layer of this cave.

A large, two-meter-tall furnace stood in the center of the cave. Its lid fit perfectly, and beneath the furnace, a mysterious magic array was faintly glowing.

"Disciple, go watch over there. You might even be able to learn something." Elder Xuancao pointed in a direction.

Receiving the instruction, Junior Brother Bai Ming obediently walked to the side, where he could see the furnace in the center as well as Elder Xuancao's movements.

Elder Xuancao lightly waved his sleeve, and a pile of varied medicinal herbs was enveloped in spiritual light, floating in mid-air.

Spirit Jade Leaf, Emerald Light Leaf.

Squinting his eyes, Junior Brother Bai Ming carefully identified them, but could only recognize two of the medicinal herbs.

Following Elder Xuancao's movements, the furnace lid quickly lifted into the air, and fire appeared at the bottom, the complex magic array beneath it emitting a bright light.

He waved his sleeve again.

A scent of blood began to permeate the scene.

Clusters of spiritual beast flesh and blood floated in the air, still stained with some blood.

Elder Xuancao stretched out his hand to form a seal, and some thick spiritual liquid was produced within the large furnace.

The medicinal plants entered the interior of the furnace in a specific order, merging into the spiritual liquid.

After stewing for three or four hours, the fire suddenly flared up.

The spiritual beast flesh and blood that had been floating in the air for a long time fell into the spiritual liquid with a plop, mixing with the half-melted medicinal plants.

"Puff—"

The furnace lid closed, bringing up a burst of white steam.

Watching from the side for a long time, Junior Brother Bai Ming was frequently amazed, while simultaneously thinking of another matter.

Judging by this progress, this medicinal pill would not be completed in a single day.

That was not a bad thing.

Elder Xuancao stared at the furnace, stroking his white beard. "It should be finished in about three days. During this period, it only needs to be gently nurtured."

"Did you see the steps just now clearly?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming said respectfully, "This disciple has already engraved them in his heart."

"How much you can learn depends on your own aptitude. From here on, you will be responsible for nurturing it." Elder Xuancao yielded his position.

Receiving the instruction, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt somewhat apprehensive in his heart, stepping forward to mimic Elder Xuancao's method of controlling the massive furnace.