With the materials ready, the next step was the alchemy process.
Terra Su’s expression turned solemn; he never took alchemy lightly.
“Little Celestial Fire.”
Terra Su called out, and the Celestial Fire infant leapt out from his embrace.
Placing his palm on the infant’s forehead, Terra Su extracted a wisp of Celestial Fire power and merged it into his Alchemy Flame. Instantly, his Alchemy Flame ascended to the fifth grade, significantly increasing its potency.
Seeing the now slightly weakened Celestial Fire infant, Terra Su realized that he had been extracting its power without providing it with pure fire-attributed rare treasures to absorb. If this continued, its strength would only diminish.
To maintain or even enhance the Celestial Fire infant’s power, it needed pure fire-attributed rare treasures to devour.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find something for you to absorb soon,” Terra Su reassured the infant.
The Celestial Fire infant brightened up, “Thank you, Master,” and returned to Terra Su’s embrace.
With a whoosh, a flame ignited in Terra Su’s palm, marking the official start of the alchemy process.
An alchemist with an internal Alchemy Flame didn’t need to manipulate an Alchemy Furnace; instead, they controlled the Alchemy Flame directly. This method was tens of times more precise and flexible than using a furnace, which is why truly powerful alchemists always used their Alchemy Flame.
Heating the cauldron, adding materials, refining, merging… Terra Su’s movements seemed simple and ordinary, yet they contained a unique rhythm. Each action was executed to perfection, so much so that even a complete outsider could sense a magical cadence in his process.
Indeed, it was a rhythm, akin to watching a work of art.
Half an hour later, Terra Su extinguished the flame, his forehead covered in fine sweat.
“The power of the Celestial Fire is indeed formidable. Controlling an Alchemy Flame infused with even a wisp of Celestial Fire is challenging with my current soul power.”
Celestial Fire was a source of power prepared for experts like the Alchemy Sovereign or Alchemy Emperor. For Terra Su, at just fifteen years old, even controlling a wisp of Celestial Fire was a significant challenge.
However, when Terra Su lifted the lid of the elixir cauldron and saw four Purple Flame Elixirs emitting a gentle purple glow, his fatigue vanished.
“I managed to refine five Purple Flame Elixirs in total, one of fifteen-star quality and four of twelve-star quality.”
Terra Su’s eyes sparkled. This was the first time since his rebirth that he had refined a fifteen-star quality elixir. The power of the Celestial Fire was indeed extraordinary.
He set aside the fifteen-star Purple Flame Elixir and placed the other four twelve-star elixirs into a bottle.
Donning a black cloak that concealed his face, Terra Su ensured no one would recognize him.
With the Purple Flame Elixirs in hand, Terra Su headed out. At the door, he ran into Gu Qianyin.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” Gu Qianyin asked, eyeing his black cloak.
“I’m heading to the Five Treasures Hall to consign some items for tomorrow’s auction,” Terra Su replied casually.
“I’ll go with you,” Gu Qianyin offered. She was a person of her word; having promised to be Terra Su’s personal guard, she intended to protect him without fail.
Without objection, Terra Su led Gu Qianyin to the Five Treasures Hall.
Upon entering the hall, a clerk warmly greeted them, “What can I help you with today?”
“I’m here to sell something,” Terra Su said, altering his voice. “Bring out your appraiser to value my items.”
The clerk, not recognizing Terra Su due to his changed voice, asked, “Are you looking to consign your items for our auction tomorrow?”
“Exactly.”
“What are you selling?” the clerk inquired.
“Elixirs.”
“Elixirs?”
At that moment, a voice interjected. It belonged to a middle-aged man, around fifty, wearing a gleaming alchemist badge. He looked at Terra Su’s cloaked figure with disdain.
“Who do you think you are, hiding like that? Do you think any random elixir can be auctioned here? Only the most precious elixirs qualify. Do you have anything of that caliber?”
As he spoke, the man eyed Gu Qianyin with admiration. Despite her veiled face, her poise and aura made her stand out, clearly a beauty.
“Master Wei!” The clerk quickly greeted the man and introduced him to Terra Su, “This is Master Wei Youde, a first-grade alchemist from Linxiang City, here for the auction.”
Wei Youde puffed out his chest arrogantly, glancing at Gu Qianyin. However, she remained indifferent, showing none of the awe or admiration that ordinary people displayed upon meeting an alchemist.
Unaware of Gu Qianyin’s stoic nature and her background as the daughter of the Star Luan Gate Master, Wei Youde was disappointed by her lack of reaction.
Beside Wei Youde stood a woman, her appearance somewhat attractive but marred by excessive makeup. She eyed Gu Qianyin with jealousy.
The clerk, trying to appease both sides, smiled and said, “I’ll fetch the appraiser right away.”
Soon, the clerk returned with a scholarly-looking man in his forties, introducing him as “Appraiser Zhao.”
Appraiser Zhao, with a magnifying lens in hand, said, “Allow me to appraise your items.”
“Hold on!” Wei Youde interrupted, “Let me appraise them. As a first-grade alchemist, my expertise in elixirs should be on par with your appraiser.”
Appraiser Zhao, slightly displeased but restrained by Wei Youde’s status, smiled and said, “As long as the customer agrees.”
Wei Youde provocatively said to Terra Su, “How about it? Show me your elixirs. Or are they so common that you’re afraid to let me see them?”
It was clear to everyone that Wei Youde was trying to impress Gu Qianyin. Oblivious to how transparent his intentions were, he continued his charade with smug satisfaction.
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