Lan Yu’er still looked ice-cold and replied: “I don’t know how strong you are, but are you telling me that you have already done the things Hall Master Old Yang said? That’s pure nonsense. Just because you discovered some things I don’t know, you can’t forget yourself. Your foundation is still lacking.”
“Heh heh, it’s boring if Senior Sister just says that. How about this? You can test me. If I have truly finished the task, you must let me go; otherwise, I’ll lose face and give you a thousand-year-old golden snow lotus.”
Ling Xiao said with a smile.
After interacting with her for two days, he had basically figured out her nature.
She was truly cold outside but warm inside.
Therefore, it was fine to joke with her.
“A thousand-years-old golden snow lotus! Are you truly willing to part with it?”
After a moment of silence, she said: “Fine. Since you are so confident, I will test you. If you pass my test, not to mention going to challenge those outer disciples, even if you want to challenge inner disciples, I won’t stop you.”
“I don’t dare to challenge inner disciples yet. Also, Senior Sister Lan can’t ask me questions from outside these books; otherwise, I can only give up.”
Ling Xiao said.
“Rest assured, everything will be within them.” Lan Yu’er looked at Dai Yuling who was at one side and said: “Yuling, you will serve as witness.”
“I naturally believe in Senior Sister. You can ask the questions.”
Ling Xiao looked at the sky outside. It was still early. As long as he arrived before noon, it wouldn’t be regarded as an automatic loss.
In fact, even if there were no witnesses, Lan Yu’er wouldn’t ask any question outside those books. One should know that most alchemists had to study those books for three to five years before they even started alchemy. As for truly comprehending them, it would take at least ten years or even decades.
That was a small success.
Lan Yu’er was very talented and intelligent, and her comprehension power was naturally very strong. She was truly a peak genius in both martial arts and alchemy.
However, it still took her several years to achieve small success. As for achieving her current level, it took her nearly ten years.
One should know that she had practiced alchemy since she had been just nine years old.
This Ling Xiao’s insight is not bad. His comprehension power is also pretty good, but his mental state is very impetuous. This time, I must teach him a good lesson so that he will not dare to be such a show-off in the future. If he studies steadily, then perhaps, he might truly become a good alchemist as hoped by Hall Master Old Yang.
In short, she didn’t believe that Ling Xiao had studied those books. It was already pretty good if he had just finished reading them in these two days.
As for studying them?
Was he still a human?
“First question, it’s also the most basic. What is a ‘pill medicine’?”
Lan Yu’er asked.
This question was indeed the most basic; however, a layman might not know it.
“Tracing back to the origin as well as the development of alchemy and pill medicine, pill medicine can be traced back to the immemorial martial artists’ alchemy. It is also the continuation and development of it.
Alchemy and pill medicine were inseparable. Without the immemorial human martial artists, it would be impossible to have the current pill medicine innovation.
Pills were pioneered by the Medicine Masters of the immemorial martial artists. In the immemorial era, a pill had two meanings: one was immortal pills and the other ordinary medicine.
The professional title of immemorial Medicine Masters who refined pills was being an alchemist, which referred to using a furnace cauldron to refine metal and stones, compound medicines, and make immortality golden pills.
Alchemy appeared very early in the Heavenly Dragon Continent. About 100,000 years ago, Alchemist Li Shaojun refined eating and drinking utensils into golden pills.
About 50,000 years ago, Alchemist Wei Boyang wrote <Yinyang Combination>, which used yinyang to analyze golden pills. He was reputed to be the ‘Eternal Pill King.’
About 1,000 years ago, Alchemist Ge Huang summarized the state of alchemy that was circulating and wrote <Immemorial Pill Scripture>, which divided alchemy into divine pills, golden liquid, and gold, jointly calling them a golden pill.
…”
Ling Xiao answered in great length starting from the first appearance of alchemy 100,000 years ago, he described its progression to modern times. Not only did he clearly answer Lan Yu’er’s question, but he also explained it in great detail.
He even said some secrets that she usually didn’t pay attention to.
“Okay, you passed the first question, but that question was relatively simple. The second question will not be as easy.”
Although Lan Yu’er was surprised, she looked calm on the surface.
“Wait a minute, Senior Sister, how many questions will you ask? You have to make it clear first. Otherwise, it’ll be meaningless if the time for the challenge passes.”
Ling Xiao said.
“Don’t worry, I will ask four questions in total.”
“Well then, ask.”
“Second question, explain the relationship between <Fire Control Technique> and medicinal materials.”
This question seemed simple, but it was actually complicated. Many alchemists wouldn’t completely understand it until they died.
Their alchemy would then only result in failure.
However, Ling Xiao was not an ordinary person.
He smiled and replied, “In the end, Fire Control Technique is mastering the heat control and use of fire.
Heat control was easy to understand: large fire, small fire, medium fire, low heat, and so on. Since the characteristics of pills were different, the flames required were also different. Moreover, the flames had to be constantly adjusted during alchemy.
In addition, flames were divided into Common Flame, Martial Flame, Samadhi True Flame…”
Ling Xiao’s answer was not only meticulous, but it was also completely correct. Even if Lan Yu’er wanted to find some problems, she couldn’t.
“Third question, it involves a practical application, but it is still a basic application. Listen carefully: you have an ordinary golden snow lotus coupled with various supplementary medicinal materials, what is the best pill formula? How is it carried out?”
This question basically involved the professional task of alchemists.
On one side, Dai Yuling was obviously nervous.
Theoretical questions could be solved easily with a good memory. But professional questions required understanding. They couldn’t be solved with simple memory.
Outside the door, no one knew that Hall Master Old Yang had already returned. He, however, stood there listening to the conversation inside. At this moment, he had a solemn expression while stroking his beard.
He was very satisfied with Ling Xiao’s answers to the first two questions.
However, he felt that Lan Yu’er was a bit too impulsive and hasty for asking this question. Even if Ling Xiao’s comprehension were good, he wouldn’t be able to answer such a professional question.
“What, worried?”
The puppy on his shoulder transmitted his voice.
“I’m a little worried. This kid is indeed a genius, but it has been only two days. Moreover, he studied by himself, and no one taught him alchemy skills. How can he understand this?”
Hall Master Old Yang smiled bitterly.
Inside the room, Dai Yuling also reminded Lan Yu’er, “Master, isn’t this a bit too excessive?”
“Why? Isn’t he so intelligent? How come he can’t answer it?”
In fact, Lan Yu’er was a bit too excited. She found that Ling Xiao’s comprehension power was actually much better hers. For a moment, she forgot her goal and wanted to see his limits.
“Of course, I’ll choose ‘Golden Snow Lotus Disperse Yuan Pill’.”
Ling Xiao calmly replied.
In fact, this question was not difficult for him.
“Continue!” Lan Yu’er said with some surprise.
