by Feng Yise
This was an extremely challenging test towards the alchemist's mental strength, soul strength, and familiarity with the seals.
In the beginning, Feng Ruoqing did quite well. But around the mid-stage of the refinement, it was clear that her strength was failing. Small beads of sweat started appearing on her forehead, and she looked like straining herself.
Puff!
A black cloud appeared.
The pills were ruined . . .
Feng Ruoqing stomped her feet angrily and shouted at Ye Yuan, "Again!"
Ye Yuan looked at Feng Ruoqing but did not say anything and immediately went to prepare the herbs.
This time around, Feng Ruoqing finally saw how Ye Yuan prepared the herbs, and she was left utterly speechless.
Ye Yuan grabbed at this herb and grabbed again at another herb. After that, he threw them into a jade container and started mashing them; appearing highly irresponsible.
However, Feng Ruoqing was unable to open her mouth to scold him. That was because she knew that the medicine essence Ye Yuan refined, regardless of quality or precision, was much better than her doing it.
Just how in the world did this guy do it? Could it be that his hands were measurement tools? How did he know exactly how much was required?
The way Ye Yuan prepared the herbs was really too casual . . .
Seeing Feng Ruoqing's expression, Ye Yuan gave a dry cough and laughed awkwardly. "This . . . came from family teachings. You are also aware that my father is an Alchemy Grandmaster. I was forced since young. Haha . . . Haha."
Feng Ruoqing glared fiercely at Ye Yuan. Believe my foot!
But she also knew that Ye Yuan would not tell her the truth, so it was pointless to ask.
After 15 minutes, Ye Yuan finished refining the medicinal essence once more.
Feng Ruoqing swallowed a Tier 2 Qi Returning Pill. After meditating for a while, her essence energy had more or less recovered.
Looking at this, Ye Yuan was secretly dumbstruck. Just what was this Feng Ruoqing's background?
A Tier 2 Qi Returning Pill naturally was not much in Ye Yuan's eyes. But it was not something common in the State of Qin. The price was very high.
Feng Ruoqing casually took one out to eat and did not even blinked.
Also, that Red Lotus Cauldron, it was absolutely a high-grade medicine cauldron in the State of Qin. Ordinary people simply could not get a hold of it.
It seemed like this Teacher Feng had a very powerful backing!
The result of the second try of the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique was inevitably another failure.
Following this, the third time, and then the fourth time. Not even once did it succeed.
The medicinal essence would basically turn into a black cloud of smoke when refining at the latter stages, becoming ruined.
Feng Ruoqing became increasingly depressed, and she actually knew that the reason why she could last only up to the latter stages was due to the medicinal essence Ye Yuan refined, as well as his control over the fire. Otherwise, she might not even have lasted to the late stages!
Just how in the world do I master this damn Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique?!
"Again!" Even though there were Tier 2 Qi Returning Pills to recover essence energy, in reality, Feng Ruoqing already could not hold on much longer from such an intense day of refining.
Ye Yuan looked at Feng Ruoqing again and felt a little conflicted in his heart.
"What are you looking at?! Go prepare the herbs!" Feng Ruoqing barked irately.
Ye Yuan did not go to prepare the herbs but sighed instead. He walked to the table and grabbed a piece of paper and two brushes.
Feng Ruoqing was curious about what Ye Yuan took the brush and paper for, so she went toward him.
It was only to see Ye Yuan holding one brush each with his left and right hand, then he simultaneously drew two shapes on the paper. His left hand drew a circle, while his right hand drew a square.
"Don't train anymore. This way of training won't work. We will see again after you master this."
After he finished, Ye Yuan passed the two brushes over to Feng Ruoqing. Yes I know it is contradicting. But even Xuanhuan doesn't exist :P
Chapter 51 - Feng Zhirou
"Train? What's the point of this training?" Feng Ruoqing asked blankly.
Ye Yuan shrugged his shoulders and said, "Up to you whether you want to train or not. If you keep on training the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique like you did just now, then you might as well find a way to directly increase your soul strength. It isn't so easy to jump ranks to battle."
"Tch. What's so hard about this? I will draw right now for you to see!" Feng Ruoqing refused to concede.
Saying that she pushed Ye Yuan aside and also drew on the paper.
But as she drew, the right hand became a circle. Furthermore, an uneven circle.
"I don't believe this!"
Feng Ruoqing drew again. She concentrated on making her right hand's drawing into a square. The result was that the right hand drew a square, and the left hand also drew a square!
After a few more times, Feng Ruoqing was thoroughly defeated.
"Why is this so hard?! Not drawing anymore!"
Feng Ruoqing threw the brush aside in a fit like a little girl throwing a tantrum. Where was the proud and cold female teacher?
"It's because it is difficult; that's why I asked you to draw it. Train well. After you master this, you shouldn't be far from crossing the entry threshold of the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. Alright. I've already taught you the secret. I don't need to be your assistant for the next few days anymore, right? I'm leaving."
"Halt! Do you think that you can hoodwink me by coming up with this crap? If you dare to walk out today, I will make the dean expel you! If you don't believe me, just try!" Feng Ruoqing was livid.
Ye Yuan came up with some dubious thing and said that it would help in mastering the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique. Was it not insulting her intelligence?
"Aunt, who are you arguing with?" At this moment, a girl dressed in white martial outfit pushed the door open and entered.
This person was similarly a stunning beauty, with watery almond-shaped eyes like a crescent moon, and a slender waist that looked like it had no bones. Silky hair flowed down her shoulders; she wore white colored martial clothing while carrying a sword, giving off a heroic spirit.
Looking closely, this girl and Feng Ruoqing's eyebrows had some similarity. No wonder she called out 'Aunt.'
It was just that the age difference between this aunt and niece pair was too small. They looked just like sisters instead.
Ye Yuan had never seen this girl before, but he quickly figured out who this white-clothed girl was.
The most popular instructor in the Dan Wu Academy was Feng Ruoqing, and the most popular female student was Feng Zhirou.
Who could such a stunning beauty with the 'Feng' surname be other than Feng Zhirou?
It was just that Ye Yuan previously did not link these two together, and he did not know that the two of them were actually aunt and niece.
Feng Zhirou looked at Ye Yuan and looked at the disheveled looking Feng Ruoqing; she was stunned. She immediately cried out, "You scoundrel! To actually dare molest my aunt! I'm going to teach you a lesson!"
Finishing, she did not wait for Ye Yuan's explanation, and a sword already flashed in front of Ye Yuan's c.h.e.s.t like lightning.
Ye Yuan did not expect this girl to be so unreasonable; indiscriminately striking with her sword to harm him.
He wanted to evade, but Feng Zhirou was rank three on the Martial Roll of Honor; a figure that Ye Yuan simply could not hope to match.
Being locked down by Feng Zhirou's sword qi, Ye Yuan was actually unable to move. Even Instant Flash became sluggish.
This was a lethal sword.
This unforeseen situation occurred too quickly. Feng Ruoqing clearly did not manage to react in time either. Even if she wanted to help, it was alrea
dy too late.
"Ah!" Feng Ruoqing screamed and shut her eyes in fright.
In the time of crisis, Ye Yuan could not be bothered to conceal his abilities. In a flurry, he executed an Absolute Yang Finger.
Ding!
Following the crisp sound was the sound of the sword's edge slicing open the skin.
Ye Yuan pushed Instant Flash to its limit at the same time he used his finger, dodging this sword by a hair's breath. Even so, he still suffered some injuries. The sword's edge made a cut on his right arm.
"STOP!" Feng Ruoqing was shocked by Feng Zhirou's action and hurriedly called out for her to stop.
She had the intention to stop it just now, but she was way too slow.
After practicing the Yin-Yang Separation Flow Technique for such a long time, both her essence energy and mental strength was already completely dried up. How could she possibly stop Feng Zhirou's attack?
Watching Feng Zhirou's sword stabbed straight towards Ye Yuan's c.h.e.s.t, Feng Ruoqing's heart leaped to her throat. Who knew that Ye Yuan would miraculously evade this lethal attack?
Feng Zhirou also did not expect her sword to be evaded by Ye Yuan. She saw through Ye Yuan's strength at a glance, only at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm. Someone at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm actually managed to dodge her sword?
Even though Feng Zhirou only used 30% of her strength and not her full power, it should still not have been evaded by a Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm.
Especially Ye Yuan's finger just now. The impact even made the web between her thumb and index finger go numb. How was this possible?!
"Zhirou! What are you doing?!" Feng Ruoqing asked angrily.
Only now did Feng Zhirou realized that she seemed to have gotten into trouble. She playfully stuck out her tongue and said, "A man and woman staying together in a room. I saw you lose your temper, and your clothes were also disheveled, so I thought . . ."
Feng Ruoqing blushed heavily at what she said. "If you continue saying nonsense, watch me tear your mouth! We have been refining pills all this while. Ye Yuan is the assistant that I invited! When will you fix your mischievous attitude?! Otherwise, you will cause a disaster sooner or later!"
Feng Zhirou pouted her lips and said in an aggrieved tone, "Aunt, I was wrong okay? I won't dare to next time."
"Why haven't you apologized to Ye Yuan yet?" Feng Ruoqing asked furiously.
Before Feng Zhirou even apologized, Ye Yuan erupted first.
He really had enough of it today! He was driven like a duck onto a perch, forced to become some bullshit assistant for Feng Ruoqing. The result was that Feng Ruoqing was such a noob that he could not even bear to look on anymore.
He taught Feng Ruoqing the method on how to dual-task. But the result was that instead of expressing her gratitude, this woman refused to stop bothering him.
And now, there was this completely unreasonable Feng Zhirou who jumped out, nearly killing him with her sword!
Ye Yuan barely managed to get this life. If he were to die again, then he would be screwed.
"What apology?! I've really had enough of the two of you aunt and niece! One keeps pestering me, and the other is savage and unreasonable! I came here to help out of goodwill, and the result was that I nearly lost my life! Just who did I provoke?! This Young Master can't stand this frustration anymore! Feng Ruoqing, if you have the ability, then just get me expelled! If this place won't keep me, there will be a place willing to take me! Farewell!"
Finishing, Ye Yuan strode out of the door.
Feng Zhirou was originally ready to make an apology but was rebuffed by Ye Yuan; she could not help it but become angry. "Who's that? He's so bad tempered! Just now, I didn't make clear of the situation. But didn't he only suffer some light injuries?"
Feng Ruoqing did not stop Ye Yuan this time. But after hearing Feng Zhirou grumbling, she inevitably became annoyed. "Look who's talking?! That sword of yours nearly killed him just now, and you are still acting so righteous! Imperial Brother really spoiled you! When I go back this time around, I'll definitely report all of your misdoings in the academy to Imperial Brother to make him ground you!"
The moment Feng Zhirou heard 'ground,' she immediately grabbed Feng Ruoqing's arm and begged, "Good Aunt, I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. Please, please don't snitch on me to Imperial Father. I don't want to stay in the palace all day."
"Humph! If you don't want to be grounded, then fine. Turn around and go apologize to Ye Yuan! Remember, it's apologizing! If Ye Yuan doesn't accept your apology, then just wait to be grounded. I will tell Imperial Brother all about your matters, one by one!" Feng Ruoqing was in a panic now. If Ye Yuan were really killed by Feng Zhirou just now, then she would probably live in guilt for the rest of her life.
Chapter 52 - Going to Apologize
"Alright, alright! I will go, okay?! I will definitely apologize properly to that fellow and ask that great man to not harbor grievance for my past wrongdoing. Alright?" Feng Zhirou did not have any choice, so she could only agree.
"That's much better! Oh right. Why did you suddenly come to look for me?" This niece had always avoided her in the academy. She definitely came to find her today because of some matter.
"Aiya. If you didn't mention, I would have forgotten about it already. It's all because you interrupted me!" Feng Zhirou looked like she was suddenly enlightened.
". . . . . ."
"Actually, I came to say goodbye to you. I'm going back to the capital in five days to participate in the Alchemy Master test. After I passed the test, I will be the same as you, an Alchemy Master!" Feng Zhirou exclaimed proudly.
"With the way you are, you still want to be an Alchemy Master? Talk again after you pass." Feng Ruoqing took her down a peg without hesitation.
Advancing as an alchemist was entirely different from the martial path. To advance to Alchemy Master, the first requirement was to cultivate and reach the Spirit Condensation Realm. But that did not mean that one could become an Alchemy Master just by advancing to the Spirit Condensation Realm!
Feng Zhirou already reached Spirit Condensation Realm long ago, but she never passed the Alchemy Master test, even though she was top three on the Alchemy Roll of Honor. From this, it was clear just how rare and respected the position of Alchemy Master was.
Feng Zhirou pouted and said, "What kind of aunt are you? You actually cursed your own niece to fail the test!"
Feng Ruoqing ignored her and muttered to herself, " Oh. Is it a group test again? I wonder how far Ye Yuan can go. With his standard, becoming high-rank Alchemy Apprentice shouldn't be an issue, I think. Zhirou, I will go along with you tomorrow to visit Ye Yuan. I want him to go take the alchemist test together with you."
"Hehe. Aunt, you still said that nothing was going on between you two. Every time you open your mouth, it's all Ye Yuan." Feng Zhirou laughed at her.
"Damn lass. It looks like you are really asking for a beating!" Feng Ruoqing was totally embarrassed. The aunt and niece pair started wrestling each other.
After messing around for a while, Feng Zhirou suddenly thought of something and asked, "Ye Yuan . . . I suddenly find this name really familiar. Oh right! Is it the Ye Yuan who fought in the deathmatch?"
"You only realize this now? He is the hottest topic of discussion in the academy recently. I'm sure you aren't aware of it yet. Just this morning, he took on three tests consecutively and joined the ranks of the Earth Rank students with his Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm cultivation. Zhirou, he might become a powerful rival to you in the not too distant future!" Feng Ruoqing said solemnly.
Feng Zhirou opened her mouth wide and exclaimed in amazement, "He's that amazing? It looks like our State of Qin's Dan Wu Academy has been quiet for far too long. Looks like things are finally going to become interesting."
Feng Zhirou left, and Feng Ruoqing unexpectedly picked up two brushes, and she started diligently drawing squares and circles on the paper over and over again.
. . . . . .
The next day, Feng Ruoqing and her niece went together to Ye Yuan's residence but was turned away at the door by Lu-er.
"My apologies to the two of you. My young master is recovering from his wounds, and he said that he won't meet with anyone," Lu-er said emotionlessly.
Feng Zhirou immediately lost her temper. "Hey! Didn't he just suffer from some light injuries?! My aunt and I already came here to apologize. What else does he want?"
Lu-er was lovable and adorable, but when it came to Young Master, she was completely stern.
Yesterday, when Young Master came home with injuries, her heart ached for a long time. Now that Feng Zhirou was totally insincere with her apology and even swaggered around, she obviously did not need to be polite.
"Light injuries? I don't understand. You clearly injured someone, but you are still so stuck up in front of other people's house. Who taught you such manner? An apology like that is too precious, so save it for yourself. Our family's Young Master dare not accept it. I only pray that you stay further away from our family's Young Master. I'm not going to see you out!" Lu-er directly chased them away.
Feng Zhirou was about to retort when Feng Ruoqing quickly clamped her mouth shut. This lass is only good at ruining things!
"Miss Lu-er, it's all our fault. Please don't be mad. Actually, Zhirou this lass didn't have any ill-intentions. She is just straightforward and outspoken, and she is always rash when doing things and ended up injuring your young master. In reality, she feels really guilty in her heart. It's just that her mouth is unforgiving. You mustn't try to gain back face with her. One of the reasons we came to look for your young master was to apologize. The other is that we have some important matters to look for him. Just let us go in," Feng Ruoqing said amicably but was much more sincere.
Right then, Ye Yuan's voice sounded from within the house. "Lu-er, tell them that I'm not in!"
". . . . . ."
". . . . . ."
". . . . . ."
The three people outside the house were collectively speechless.
Feng Zhirou was infuriated by Ye Yuan's attitude and was about to rush into to dice Ye Yuan into pieces, but she was pulled back by Feng Ruoqing.