Chapter 619: The Cyclic Alchemy Method

The Luo Snake inner core was the most essential part of a seventh-level Mortal Transcendence peak spirit beast, carrying the lifelong cultivation of a Return to One realm expert. Such a violent thing, even the guild leader would find it difficult to suppress. Could a mere sixth-level Mortal Transcendence alchemist like Luo really succeed?

Dong dong dong!

Amid the crowd's doubtful gazes, a thunderous sound came from within the furnace, like a beating drum or a muffled thunderclap in dark clouds. The lid rose and fell, and the violent power seemed ready to burst forth at any moment. It appeared that if not suppressed, it would explode immediately.

“Oh no, the furnace is going to explode…”

Everyone clenched their fists.

As alchemists, they could easily see the situation. Normally, to avoid an explosion, one would channel true qi to suppress the violent power within. But now, the alchemist was Luo, whose strength was utterly insufficient to handle such fierce energy in the furnace.

“Guild Leader…”

A five-star alchemist couldn't help but look over, his face full of anxiety.

“This alchemist didn't ask for our help; it's best not to interfere…”

Knowing this was a test for Alchemist Luo, the guild leader waved his hand.

Although he had the strength to suppress the furnace explosion, rushing in without being asked would be a great disrespect.

“Don't worry. The situation looks critical, but if the fire is withdrawn, it might not explode…”

Clenching his fist, the guild leader pondered inwardly.

Though the scene before him seemed very dangerous, lowering the flame temperature immediately should still alleviate it.

Others might find it hard to control the flame, but this was a basic alchemy lesson; Alchemist Luo could do it easily.

Just as he was thinking about what method she would use to lower the temperature, he heard the young man not far away continue: “Increase the flame! Channel true qi!”

“Increase the flame?”

The guild leader was stunned, his face turning pale, and he couldn't help shouting: “That will cause an explosion…”

Rumble!

Before the words faded, the furnace seemed to boil over completely. The violent energy shook the ground, causing cracks to appear. Heat waves swept through, blowing Alchemist Luo's hair and robes into the air.

“Run! It's about to explode!”

“This is a seventh-level Mortal Transcendence Luo Snake inner core! Once it explodes, the entire hall won't survive!”

“Madman! A true madman! How can anyone alchemize like this…”

…

All the alchemists in the hall were so terrified their legs went weak, and many turned to flee.

A seventh-level Mortal Transcendence peak inner core, once detonated, would have power comparable to a peak seventh-level Mortal Transcendence expert's attack. Though the hall was spacious, it would likely not withstand such violent force and would turn to ash in an instant.

Powerful alchemists might be able to withstand such a calamity for a while, but one-star, two-star, three-star, and four-star alchemists staying here would die without knowing how. Of course they would run.

Creak! Creak!

Amid the chaotic noise, the furnace reached its limit, on the verge of exploding at any moment.

Cold sweat broke out on Alchemist Luo's forehead.

Though she knew the other's alchemy skills were formidable and should be able to control it, experiencing it firsthand still sent chills down her spine.

“Don't panic!”

Just as she felt a bit flustered, a calm voice sounded behind her.

Turning around, she saw the young man not far away, his expression as light as clouds and wind, as if he didn't care at all whether the furnace would explode!

Seeing his demeanor and hearing his magnetic voice, Alchemist Luo's heart steadied somewhat, and her slightly trembling body calmed down.

“Use the Falling Flower technique and add Qiying Grass!”

Then she heard his words in her ear.

Raising her eyebrows without hesitation, Alchemist Luo quickly threw the Qiying Grass beside her into the furnace.

Rumble!

As the herb entered, it seemed to ignite a fuse, and the furnace jumped even more violently.

“Add Mianhua, Ciyeqing…”

The voice continued.

Knowing there was no turning back, Alchemist Luo kept throwing herbs into the furnace.

As more herbs were added, the furnace jumped more fiercely, but strangely, no matter how it jumped, it didn't explode.

It clearly seemed unable to bear any more, yet for some reason, it hovered at that critical point, unable to break through.

Everyone noticed this bizarre phenomenon and looked at each other in confusion.

Suddenly, the guild leader seemed to recall something, his face flushing red, his whole body trembling with excitement.

“I know… How is this possible?”

“What is it, Guild Leader? What did you recall?”

A five-star alchemist couldn't help but look over, and the other alchemists also focused their gazes, wanting to hear his explanation.

“If I'm not mistaken… this is the long-lost… Cyclic Alchemy Method!”

Clenching his fist, his voice hoarse from too much excitement.

“Cyclic Alchemy Method?”

Everyone was baffled.

They had never even heard the name, let alone knew it.

“This alchemy method is said to have been created by a super alchemy fanatic. Because it was too dangerous during pill refinement, countless people were blown to death, and eventually no one dared to experiment anymore, so it disappeared into the river of history… I happened to come across a record in an ancient book while browsing. I thought it was just a legend, but… it turns out to be real!”

The guild leader's teeth chattered.

“This…”

The more impressive he made it sound, the more curious everyone became.

Seeing their expressions, the guild leader knew what they were thinking and didn't hide it: “You've all seen that this furnace is on the verge of exploding at any moment, yet… it hasn't exploded!”

“Mm!” Everyone nodded.

If it were them alchemizing, it would have exploded long ago, but for some reason, the furnace jumped wildly without exploding!

It was hard to understand.

“Whether it's a furnace or anything else, for an explosion to occur, there is a critical point. I don't need to explain that, do I?”

The guild leader said.

“Right!”

Everyone responded.

Whether explosion or anything else, it's a matter of quantitative change leading to qualitative change. Only when the unbearable limit is reached does it truly explode.

Just like water: only at zero degrees does it freeze, only at one hundred degrees does it boil. If it doesn't reach that point, no matter how cold or hot, it's futile.

The same goes for the furnace: if it doesn't reach the critical point, no matter how violently it jumps, it can't explode.

“Do you mean… this alchemist knows exactly where the critical point for the furnace explosion is and deliberately controls it below that, so even if it wants to explode, it can't?”

One alchemist recalled something, his pupils contracting in disbelief.

The others also erupted in murmurs.

“Each furnace has a different critical point, and different materials also cause changes. How can he determine when the critical point is and dare to do this?”

Theoretically, controlling below the critical point prevents explosion, but… how do you find that critical point?

The furnace, environment, flame, herbs, true qi level, control technique… any difference changes the critical point. How can this guy be sure it won't explode at that point?

It's like walking on the edge of a cliff; one misstep and you fall. No one can be sure… But judging by his tone and expression, he is exceptionally confident. Where does that confidence come from?

“I don't know how he knows the critical point either, but he certainly did it. Whenever the furnace was about to explode, he added a herb. The herb carries spiritual energy that can suppress the violence… That is, just before explosion, adding a herb delays the explosion a bit. As the medicinal power is consumed, it becomes unbearable again, so another herb is added… Repeating this cycle, like a spiral, gave the method its name!”

The guild leader explained slowly.

“Cyclic Alchemy Method… I see. But what are the benefits of this method?” one alchemist couldn't help asking.

Since this method exists, it must have advantages that other methods cannot match; otherwise, no one would take such a great risk.

“Benefits? Of course there are benefits!”

The guild leader swallowed his saliva: “Everyone knows that inner cores are the hardest things to refine. To melt them, several hours of intense flame are needed, and the hardest part is that during those hours, you must watch constantly and cannot leave; otherwise, the furnace is likely to explode!”

“Mm!” Everyone nodded.

The inner core is the most precious part of a spirit beast, and also the most violent.

Like steel, it's not easy to refine. Every refinement deters many alchemists and gives them headaches.

“And when the furnace is about to explode, it means the inner core is also about to explode, releasing its power most intensely!” the guild leader continued.

This was easy to understand: if the power weren't released so fiercely, it wouldn't drive such a huge furnace to the point of cracking.

“With the power released intensely, it melts fastest. Maintaining this state, what would normally take several hours to melt the inner core might take less than ten minutes to completely dissipate!”

The guild leader said.

“This…”

Everyone was stunned.

Such a dangerous alchemy method was just to melt the inner core in the shortest time?

Wasn't that too reckless?

Cultivators have long lives; sometimes a closed-door session lasts a month or two. Time means little to them. To save a few hours, creating such a dangerous method… What was he thinking?

“It's not just about saving time!”

Seeing their expressions, the guild leader shook his head: “When the inner core is in its most violent state, it merges more easily with other herbs, and the fusion effect is better… If used for pill refinement, not only is the time reduced, but the pill's grade will certainly be superior!”

Only then did everyone understand.

“Look, the herbs are all added, and the refinement is about to succeed…”

As they were discussing, the guild leader's expression tightened, and everyone looked over.

They saw Alchemist Luo flick her wrist, throwing in the last herb. The furnace shook violently, the lid flashed open, and a stream of pale golden liquid shot out like a fountain.

Instantly, a rich fragrance filled the air, and spiritual energy descended from the sky, making it hard for anyone to restrain themselves.

“Rich fragrance attracting spiritual energy… This is… a sixth-grade medicine?”

The guild leader's pupils contracted.