Book 2: Chapter 18: Mortal Alchemist

Book 2: Chapter 18: Mortal Alchemist

Yin watched the flames burning underneath the cauldron, as she carefully held the spirit herbs in her hand. The flames were light now, simmering beneath the cauldron as she threw in spirit stones to adjust their intensity whenever they started to dim. Trying to focus, she listened to Lu Jie talk.

“Qi gathering pills. The most basic pills that we know of, and the first one I’d learned to make. The ingredients are simple, needing just spirit grass. Technically, all pills are just variations of Qi gathering pills, as any you may eat will provide you with Qi. What we’re making is a step above, a Qi crystal. It uses more water, to dilute and pull out the Qi from the crushed herbs into a solution and then evaporate it in vapours that we condense and crystalize,” Lu Jie said, standing behind her.

“The first step is simple. Fill half of the cauldron with water,” he said, and Yin nodded.

Taking the jug full of water from what looked to be a water spirit stone, she poured it into the cauldron. The water sloshed around, as the fire flickered beneath the cauldron, and she stepped back, waiting for further instructions.

“Now, as the water heats, grind the spirit herbs into a paste and then put it into the cauldron.”

Yin nodded, going to the mortal and pestle she’d set nearby. Carefully taking a few strands of spirit grass, she began to crush the herbs, feeling as if she could breathe a little easier, the more she did.

A while later, a thick green paste remained in front of her, filled with crushed spirit grass. Taking the herbs, she went to the cauldron, and began to put all the spirit grass inside.

“The flame is dimming,” Lu Jie said, and Yin noticed he was right.

Quickly, she picked up a spirit stone nearby, tossing it in, before she realised her mistake. The flames erupted as they ate the spirit stone, and Yin jumped back with a yelp.

Lu Jie grabbed her by the shoulders as she almost fell, spilling the spirit grass paste on the ground. Feeling embarrassed, she looked up at the boy’s smiling face, and dipped her head. “I-I’m sorry.”

“it’s alright. Just focus on finishing the job,” Lu Jie said, and Yin nodded, walking back to the cauldron as she put the last of the spirit herbs inside.

The herbs mingled within the water, mixing as a green tinge began to spread in the liquid inside the cauldron.

“Normally I’d stir and cycle the Qi, but you may have to use a ladle,” Lu Jie said.

Yin nodded. Looking around a table, she found a wooden spoon and used it to stir the mixture around. The process felt oddly reminiscent of cooking to her, and the thought made her smile.

“What is it?” Lu Jie asked.

Then, she saw a shift, as a cracking noise came. She moved closer, and gently touched the liquid, finding the surface cold and hard.

A green smooth slab was in front of her. Taking a spoon, she cracked a corner with a strike, as it shattered, and took a small piece. Slowly, she put it in her mouth, as the crystal began to melt slowly. It was cold and... watery.

“Yeah, unfortunately that’s just ice,” Lu Jie said, patting Yin’s shoulder. “But hey, you did better than I would’ve. This isn’t easy to do without any Qi sense, and you’ll have to practice and find the right balance in all the steps.”

Yin nodded, understand his words. Yet despite everything, she could not help but feel disappointed at the result. How foolish of her. To think she would manage to do the task of cultivators so easily, and within a single attempt.

“I-I’ll do better next time,” she told Lu Jie, turning around to look up into his eyes, as she firmed her resolve. She would not be disheartened easily. She knew this would be tough, and she intended to stick to it.

“I know you will,” the boy said with a smile, before his gaze went to the crystals. Picking one up, he put one in his mouth and chewed as the crystal cracked. Quietly, he hummed to himself. Silently, he pressed a palm against the slab which shattered with a quiet crackle in thousands of tiny pieces.

Yin watched the boy in confusion, as he swept through the ice, picking and separating pieces and parts one by one, as he sorted through the shattered crystals. At last, he picked one tiny grain, before putting it in his mouth. Nodding, he picked another, and handed it to Yin.

Looking down, Yin stared at the little crystal in confusion, before looking up at Lu Jie. “Umm... what is this for?” she asked.

“Eat that and you’ll see,” Lu Jie said.

Yin hesitantly put the crystal on her tongue, and for a moment almost didn’t feel it touch as it fizzled away. Moments later, she felt a familiar warmth flow through her body, almost imperceptible this time, but definitely there.

Yin’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Lu Jie.

“It’s imperfect, but it seems you didn’t completely fail my dear student,” Lu Jie said, and Yin stared at the boy, unbelieving.

“I... did it?” she asked, unsure if she’d heard him right. Yet the words that came next, shook her far more.

“Yes, you did, Yin. Congratulations, you can officially call yourself an Alchemist now Yin. Perhaps the first Mortal Alchemist ever.”

Yin looked down at her hands, and then at the tray behind her. She had done it. So simply, so abruptly that none of this felt real to her. But she’d done it. She’d just done Alchemy.