Chapter 728 Ancient Sect
In the art of alchemy, Chen Yang was not only influenced by his master but also diligently studied ancient texts over the years.
Some ancient texts on elixirs described the use of medicinal herbs in a manner directly opposite to many herbs with similar names today.
Chen Yang speculated that this might be due to differences in cultivation methods between ancient times and the present. After all, even the methods of using medicinal herbs could affect their properties.
Furthermore, only wild herbs nowadays possessed the same medicinal properties as described in ancient texts.
Chen Yang had learned of another method to refine medicinal herbs by removing their unnecessary properties.
This method was known as "Embracing One and Maintaining the Center."
Of course, Chen Yang had only heard of this technique; he had never personally attempted it.
The method used by the Zhou family's alchemists previously involved utilizing the terrain for refining pills.
However, "Embracing One and Maintaining the Center" employed not only the terrain but also maximized the combined power of heaven, earth, and man.
"Follow me!"
Before Chen Yang's words could fully register, his figure vanished. Cha Shan and Zhou Zeyao had no choice but to quickly follow. They were unsure what special discovery Chen Yang had made, but they could tell from his words that Chen Yang was exceptionally excited.
Chen Yang paid no attention to the various palaces around him, heading directly towards the central one.
This palace was shaped like a giant cauldron. Even before approaching, Chen Yang could feel an intensely scorching heat radiating from it.
"My heavens, what is this? A room for refining pills? The design is truly bizarre!" Zhou Zeyao stared at the palace before him, finding it hard to believe such an architectural style existed.
Cha Shan, on the other hand, was unfazed. He had entered every accessible room in every building here.
He had been inside this particular palace more than once.
There was nothing particularly special inside, only some unidentifiable jars and bottles.
"Wrap your entire body with internal energy before entering, otherwise, you'll be burned by the Earth Fire within."
As Chen Yang spoke, his excitement was evident. The Earth Fire was the crucial component that had allowed the Zhou family's alchemists to refine pills successfully.
Although after their success, it had been ignited by heavenly lightning, causing the Earth Fire to erupt and reduce everything to ashes.
However, refining pills with Earth Fire was something every alchemist dreamed of!
If used skillfully, Earth Fire could not only enhance the properties of a pill but even elevate the energy of the medicinal herbs to a higher level.
The Zhou family's alchemists had consumed a vast amount of their resources and the entire mountain to barely manage to utilize the Earth Fire.
This unknown sect, however, could freely control the burning of Earth Fire!
The moment Chen Yang's hand touched the doorframe, a searing heat surged into his mind.
Earth Fire did not just burn the physical body; more importantly, it could scorch one's spiritual power.
Fortunately, Chen Yang's spiritual power had already been strengthened. Although the intensity of the Earth Fire made him uncomfortable, he could endure it with gritted teeth.
Just as Chen Yang was about to push the door open, a terrifying scream suddenly erupted from behind him.
Chen Yang immediately turned around and saw Zhou Zeyao pounding his head with his hands.
"Lao Zhou! What's wrong!"
As Chen Yang moved to approach Zhou Zeyao, Zhou Zeyao hurriedly raised his hand to stop him. "It's nothing, just a headache!"
Zhou Zeyao took a few steps back. After recovering, he panted and said, "This Earth Fire can burn my spiritual power."
Seeing Chen Yang's confused gaze, Zhou Zeyao forced a wry smile and tapped his head. "At most, my spiritual power is half-formed, a fusion of residual spiritual energy. Spiritual power is my weakness; I can't withstand this thing. You go in by yourself; I'll look around elsewhere."
Hearing this explanation, Chen Yang finally realized that Zhou Zeyao's spiritual power indeed seemed to have issues.
After all, it was a fusion of two residual spiritual energies; a defect was normal.
"Alright, be careful on your own."
After Zhou Zeyao left, Chen Yang turned to Cha Shan. "Your spiritual power isn't afraid of Earth Fire?"
Cha Shan rolled his eyes. As he drifted towards the palace, he said, "My spiritual power is complete. Why would I be afraid of Earth Fire? Besides, I was born here, and I'm extremely familiar with this Earth Fire. How could it harm me?"
As Cha Shan spoke, Chen Yang clearly felt the Earth Fire parting a path for him.
"You were born here? Then you must be very familiar with this place. Do you know about this..."
Before Chen Yang could finish, Cha Shan waved his hand dismissively. "Don't ask me. I've only been to a few palaces. I have no idea what these things are for, and I have no memories of it."
Cha Shan's tone was somewhat impatient, and Chen Yang sensed a fluctuation from him.
It seemed Cha Shan was reminded of Master Weng, who had taken care of him.
After they both entered, Chen Yang immediately spotted the actual alchemy cauldron.
Besides that, the jars and bottles on the wall also caught Chen Yang's attention.
"Elixirs?" Although Chen Yang was skeptical, he hurried over.
Chen Yang did not open the bottles but instead sensed the contents within.
When he felt that there were indeed elixirs in the bottles, Chen Yang's eyes lit up.
Elixirs!
There were real elixirs!
If his previous conjectures were correct, then this sect before him was undoubtedly an ancient sect.
The elixirs of an ancient sect, if they could be preserved to this day, even if their efficacy had greatly diminished, their research value was absolutely unique!
Chen Yang suppressed his inner excitement, placed the elixirs in his embrace, and began to search for another crucial item.
The elixir recipes!
This was an item of even greater value than the elixirs themselves.
However, after searching everywhere, Chen Yang found nothing else besides some medicinal herbs.
Looking at the herbs he had collected, Chen Yang fell into contemplation.
Chen Yang believed he had seen enough medicinal herbs, yet he recognized none of the ones in his hand. He had no recollection of them.
However, these were still herbs from an ancient sect, so Chen Yang would not discard them carelessly. He placed them back into their original storage boxes.
Chen Yang felt that the reason these herbs could be preserved for so long might be due to the boxes themselves.