DSE Chapter 119: Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill Recipe (Patreon)

Over the next few hours, Elder Feng took Slifer through a whirlwind tour of basic alchemy. They covered everything from proper cauldron selection to flame control techniques. Slifer found himself genuinely fascinated, absorbing the information like a sponge.

"Now," Elder Feng said, gesturing to a row of small cauldrons, "each of these is suited for a different type of pill. This jade one is excellent for pills dealing with wood element energy. The copper one is best for fire-based concoctions."

Slifer examined each cauldron carefully. "And this black one?" he asked, pointing to an ominous-looking cauldron at the end of the row.

Elder Feng's eyes gleamed. "Ah, that's for more... specialized pills. The kind our sect is known for."

Right, Slifer thought. Demonic cultivator stuff. I should probably learn that too, even if I don't plan on using it.

As they moved on to ingredient preparation, Slifer couldn't help but ask, "Elder Feng, how did you become interested in alchemy?"

The old man's expression softened slightly. "It was many years ago," he said, his voice taking on a distant quality. "I was but a young disciple, not much older than your Fenlock. There was an epidemic sweeping through our sect, and our alchemists were working day and night to produce enough healing pills."

He paused, a faraway look in his eyes. "I was fascinated by their work, the way they could take simple herbs and minerals and create something that could take lives just as much as they could save them. From that day on, I knew what my path would be."

Apart from the ‘take lives’ part, the old coot isn't so bad after all, Slifer nodded.

Elder Feng snapped out of his thoughts, his usual gruff demeanor returning. "Yes, well, enough of that. Let's move on to pill formation techniques."

As the lesson continued, Slifer found himself gaining a new appreciation for the complexity of alchemy. It wasn't just about throwing ingredients into a pot and hoping for the best. There was a rhythm to it, a delicate balance of energy manipulation and precise timing.

"The key," Elder Feng explained, demonstrating with a small flame dancing above his palm, "is to maintain consistent heat while gradually infusing your own spiritual energy. Too much at once, and you'll destabilize the entire mixture."

Slifer watched closely, trying to memorize every detail. This is way more complicated than I thought. No wonder I nearly blew myself up earlier.

As the day wore on, Elder Feng covered topics ranging from ingredient compatibility to the finer points of pill condensation. Slifer's head was swimming with information, but he found himself eager to learn more.

Finally, as the light outside the cave began to dim, Elder Feng stepped back from the workbench. "Well," he said, eyeing Slifer critically, "you've absorbed more than I expected. Perhaps you're not entirely hopeless after all."

Coming from Elder Feng, Slifer realized this was high praise indeed. "Thank you for your instruction, Elder Feng," he said, bowing slightly. "I've learned a great deal."

Elder Feng harrumphed, but Slifer could see a glimmer of satisfaction in the old man's eyes. "Yes, well, don't get too full of yourself. You've barely scratched the surface of true alchemy."

He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Still, I suppose you've earned a demonstration of real skill. Choose any Nascent Soul or below pill, and I'll show you how a true master works."

Slifer held back a smirk as he thought of an idea. "Well, I've always been curious about the Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill. I've heard it's quite challenging to create. Perhaps you could demonstrate that one?"

Elder Feng's eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening in surprise. A moment later, his face flushed red with embarrassment. He coughed, averting his gaze.

"The Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill? That's... well..." Elder Feng mumbled, stroking his beard nervously. "I'm afraid I don't have that recipe. In fact, our sect doesn't possess it either."

Slifer feigned innocence. "Oh? I thought surely a skilled alchemist like yourself would know such a renowned pill."

Elder Feng's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How do you even know about that pill, Supreme Elder? It's not common knowledge." He studied Slifer's face intently, then his expression darkened. "Wait a moment... You didn't... steal it, did you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Elder Feng," Slifer said carefully.

The old alchemist snorted. "Don't play coy with me. It wouldn't be the first time you've... acquired things that don't belong to you. Need I remind you of the Frost Phoenix Elixir incident?"

Oh great, Slifer thought. The old man still hasn’t gotten over that incident. Why was the Original such a thief…?

Elder Feng leaned in close, his voice low and urgent. "Listen well, Supreme Elder. Whoever had that pill recipe won't have a simple background. If you've taken it from someone powerful, you could be bringing down a world of trouble on our sect."

He straightened up, his expression serious. "I won't ask where you got it. But be careful. Don't drag the Black Rose Sect into your schemes this time."

I didn’t think he’d jump to such a conclusion…Slifer thought, his mind racing. Well, this complicates things. But maybe I can still turn it to my advantage.

"Your concern is noted, Elder Feng," Slifer said. "But let's say, hypothetically, that I did have access to this recipe. Would you be interested in... working together to create it?"

Elder Feng's eyes narrowed, a mix of suspicion and intrigue dancing across his face. He stroked his beard, eyeing Slifer with a calculating gaze.

"Collaborate, you say?" Elder Feng mused, his voice low. "That's a dangerous game you're proposing, Supreme Elder. The Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill isn't just any pill. It's the stuff of legends."

Slifer leaned in, keeping his voice steady. "And who better to bring a legend to life than the most skilled alchemist in our sect?"

Elder Feng's chest puffed up slightly at the compliment, but his eyes remained wary. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Supreme Elder. But..." He paused, clearly torn between caution and curiosity. "If you truly have access to this recipe, it could revolutionize our sect's standing."

Now we're getting somewhere, Slifer thought.

"It really could," Slifer agreed. "Imagine the power our disciples could attain with such a pill at their disposal."

Elder Feng nodded slowly, his eyes taking on a distant look. "The success rate for Core Formation would skyrocket. We could produce more high-level cultivators than any other sect in the region."

"Exactly," Slifer said, pressing his advantage. "And you, Elder Feng, would be the one to make it all possible."

Elder Feng studied Slifer for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sighed. "I must be going senile to even consider working with you. But... very well. If you can produce this recipe, I'll work with you on creating the Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill."

Slifer allowed himself a small smile. "Excellent. I knew I could count on your expertise, Elder Feng."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Elder Feng grumbled. "I haven't agreed to anything beyond examining the recipe. If I deem it too risky or if I suspect it's a forgery, the deal's off. Understood?"

Slifer nodded solemnly. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from an alchemist of your caliber."

Elder Feng harrumphed, but Slifer could see a glimmer of excitement in the old man's eyes. "Well then, Supreme Elder. Let's see this miraculous recipe of yours."

Slifer reached into his spatial ring, retrieving the recipe he had purchased from the System shop. He handed it over to Elder Feng, watching closely as the alchemist's eyes scanned the contents.

Elder Feng's eyebrows rose higher and higher as he read. His fingers trembled slightly, and Slifer could practically see the gears turning in the old man's mind.

"This... this is..." Elder Feng muttered, his voice filled with awe. "It's genuine. I can hardly believe it, but... this is the real Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill recipe."

He looked up at Slifer, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Do you realize what you've brought me, Supreme Elder? This isn't just a powerful pill recipe. It's a game-changer. With this, our sect could..."

He trailed off, shaking his head in wonder.

Slifer nodded, attempting to look wise and all-knowing. "I understand the significance, Elder Feng. That's why I brought it to you. I know you have the skill to bring this recipe to life."

Elder Feng clutched the recipe tightly, his eyes darting around as if expecting someone to leap out and snatch it away. "We'll need to be careful. Very careful. The ingredients alone will be a challenge to gather without raising suspicion."

"Leave that to me," Slifer said confidently. After all, I've got a handy System shop to supply whatever we need.

"And of course," Slifer added, "I'll need you to continue teaching me the art of alchemy. If we're to work together on this, I'll need to understand the intricacies of pill creation."

Elder Feng nodded absently, his attention still focused on the recipe. "Yes, yes, of course. We'll need to... wait." He looked up sharply at Slifer. "Is that what this is about? You're bribing me with this recipe to teach you alchemy?"

Slifer held up his hands defensively. "Not at all, Elder Feng. Think of it more as... a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get access to a legendary pill recipe, and I get to learn from the best alchemist in our sect. Everybody wins."

Elder Feng snorted, but Slifer could see the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Flattery and bribery. You're a piece of work, Supreme Elder."

"I prefer to think of it as resourcefulness," Slifer said with a grin.

Elder Feng shook his head, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Fine. We have a deal. But don't think this means I'll go easy on you. If you want to learn alchemy, you'll work for it. Understood?"

Slifer bowed slightly. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Elder Feng."