Refining medicine is different from making medicine, but the process is similar to alchemy.
To be precise: alchemy is a "beggar's version of alchemy".
The "alchemy technique," also known as the "minor alchemy method," is related to, but not the same as, the true alchemy method.
In many schools of Daoist alchemy, the prerequisite for learning alchemy is "the art of refining medicine".
No matter how renowned or skilled a physician is, without a lineage of medical knowledge, it is difficult to enter the realm of alchemy.
As Bai Cang stood before the medicine cauldron, his calm and composed demeanor immediately silenced the entire room.
Everyone stared at him intently, not even daring to blink.
Even if no one believed that he had truly mastered the real "art of alchemy," his aura and demeanor were indeed somewhat frightening, inspiring awe in all who beheld him.
"boom!"
The next moment.
Bai Cang placed the silver frost charcoal under the medicine cauldron and picked up the fine iron palm-leaf fan, fanning it vigorously.
As true energy was poured into it, a faint red light appeared, instantly igniting the silver frost charcoal.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Bai Cang, wielding a fine iron palm-leaf fan, unleashed a barrage of attacks at the medicine cauldron.
Its powerful and heavy stance seemed to weigh as much as a thousand pounds.
That is indeed the case.
This fine iron palm-leaf fan can barely be considered a half-baked magical artifact, bearing the mark of a half-baked forbidden technique, and weighing a hundred pounds when infused with true qi.
If one has not cultivated true qi or lacks strength, one cannot even pass the "ignition" stage.
Refining medicine is physically demanding, and so is refining elixirs.
Otherwise, why would alchemists seek out "fire-starting boys"?
It's just to save myself some trouble and avoid the hardship of heavy physical labor!
As the saying goes: laymen watch the spectacle, experts watch the details.
The high-ranking officials on the platform all cast strange glances at Sun Hongbo upon seeing this.
Chef Huang Tianba said with a face full of apology, "Elder Sun truly lives up to his reputation as a seasoned pharmacist. His methods of training disciples are beyond our reach!"
Regardless of whether Bai Cang truly knows how to refine medicine, just by looking at his "ignition technique," one can tell that he has definitely refined true qi.
It's highly likely that the first meridian has already been opened, and the internal energy is already quite substantial.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to activate the forbidden magic within that refined iron palm-leaf fan and continue outputting it without changing expression.
A sixteen-year-old second-rate expert—who wouldn't be confused?
Chen Anping, who was once "exceptionally talented" and caused a sensation, was nothing more than "having mastered the Hunyuan stance and generated true qi on its own".
In layman's terms, it means refining a wisp of true energy, barely breaking through to the third rank.
This alone is already "overwhelming the entire audience" and "showing off one's talents," let alone a sixteen-year-old second-rate master.
"Hmph, let's see what happens next." Sun Hongbo grumbled, but didn't even glance at Chef Huang Tianba, his eyes fixed on Bai Cang.
I still prefer your defiant attitude from earlier; try to get back to that.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Before long, with Bai Cang's continuous output, the medicine cauldron had turned bright red.
This is the "heated furnace," an essential step before refining medicine.
"Sizzle!"
The next second.
Bai Cang picked up the large yellow gourd beside him, and poured the mountain spring water, which was faintly emitting cold air, into the medicine cauldron.
In just a moment, the icy spring water began to boil, bubbling and gurgling.
Ganoderma lucidum, Polygonatum sibiricum, ginseng...
Bai Cang placed the various prepared medicinal herbs into the cauldron one by one.
Then came another burst of output, as he vigorously fanned himself with a fine iron palm-leaf fan.
Under his control, his true energy seeped into the medicine cauldron through the fan, creating a unique environment that was both hot and stable, gradually melting the medicinal herbs inside into a paste.
"Isn't this just stewed soup?"
Just then, some mischievous person in the audience said something that immediately resonated with many.
"Yes, isn't this just making soup?"
"Is this all there is to alchemy? I could do that too!"
"If we add an old hen, it will look even more like it."
"Nonsense, winter melon and pork rib soup is the most delicious."
"My assessment is: it's not as good as stewed old duck with dendrobium and black-eyed peas, that's the real nourishing dish."
"Goodness, you've all made me hungry!"
Perhaps out of jealousy, the crowd below the stage started to jeer.
All sorts of noises, like a tidal wave, rushed towards Bai Cang.
On the high platform, Bai Cang remained unmoved, but Sun Hongbo's face had darkened.
As the saying goes: Lies don't hurt, but the truth is the sharpest knife.
In essence, alchemy is not much different from making soup.
Therefore, he almost never concocts medicine in front of others, because he can't stand such ridicule.
May I say that?! What's the difference between this and pooping in public?
But it was precisely because of this that he broke through the defenses!
"The younger generation is ignorant, Elder Sun, please don't take it to heart."
The bigwigs on stage were all suppressing their laughter, not daring to look at Sun Hongbo's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.
In the end, it was Xu Jia who spoke up, offering a reassuring remark to Sun Hongbo.
Then he winked at Jiao Cilian, signaling him to quickly take control of the situation.
Watching Sun Hongbo make a fool of himself is certainly something to be happy about.
Who told him to rely on the abbot's favor and always act superior, without understanding anything about "uniting the masses"?
But if they really anger him and he complains to the abbot, they'll all be in deep trouble.
Even if Sun Hongbo can't bring himself to do something so shameless, they still can't stand it if he cuts off their access to cultivation resources like pills in the future.
Seeing this, Jiao Ci dared not be negligent and immediately led the dormitory stewards to sternly reprimand everyone and order them to be quiet.
Seeing this, Sun Hongbo's expression softened slightly.
He simply snorted and said, "Can alchemy and cultivation be compared to making soup?"
What followed were some incomprehensible phrases, such as "The art of alchemy is profound and complex," "It emphasizes the spirit rather than the form," and "Just mastering the control of the fire is enough for you to study for a lifetime," which filled the high platform with a joyful atmosphere.
"True Qi is truly amazing. It seems to be formless and intangible, yet it can influence external objects. I wonder what mysteries True Essence and Magic Power hold."
Bai Cang focused intently, channeling his inner energy into his eyes and nostrils, constantly monitoring the changes in the properties of the medicine cauldron.
This is called the "Qi Observation Method." By observing the state of the medicine cauldron and alchemy furnace, one can determine the degree to which the medicinal materials have been melted, whether the medicinal properties have been properly integrated, what stage the process has reached, whether new medicinal materials need to be added, and whether the heat needs to be adjusted, etc.
Of course, the "Qi Observation Method" is a type of "Danfa" (alchemy), which cannot be mastered by those who are not practitioners.
Bai Cang is currently using the "Qi Observation Technique," which, like the "Alchemy Technique," is a low-end, basic version, mainly derived from the medical techniques of "observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation."
Another half hour passed, and Bai Cang's forehead was covered with beads of sweat the size of soybeans.
A faint, pleasant fragrance also wafted from the medicine cauldron.
The originally boiling liquid gradually condensed into a dark brown paste.
"It's finally done!"
Bai Cang felt the loss of his internal energy and couldn't help but exhale a breath of stale air.
Even just refining the lowest grade of "Minor Nourishing Pill" was already making him so strained.
If it were a real elixir, without sufficient cultivation, one wouldn't even qualify to start the furnace.
Some of the most miraculous elixirs, in particular, are said to take months, years, or even decades to prepare.
This is more than just physical labor; it's practically an exhausting experience for an old man!
"boom!"
With a thought, Bai Cang slapped the medicine cauldron, and the paste-like substance jumped out of the cauldron. Under the stimulation of true energy, it automatically condensed into a pill the size of a longan and landed on the "elixir plate" next to it.
A familiar, rich medicinal fragrance immediately filled the nostrils of everyone present.
"This is... a minor health-preserving pill?"
"He actually succeeded?!"
"Could he really be a genius at alchemy?"
In an instant, while the audience below was still bewildered, the bigwigs on the stage couldn't help but exclaim in surprise and stood up in unison.
Sun Hongbo darted forward and instantly appeared in front of Bai Cang.
"Teacher, I have not failed you!"
Bai Cang calmly looked up and grinned.
There was a feeling of relief, like finally letting out a pent-up feeling.
Everyone stand up and keep laughing!
Hey, you idiot! Speak up!!!
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