Chapter 416: The Impromptu Alchemy Conference
[Task Issued: The Nine Provinces Alchemy Conference is being held as scheduled. You possess the legacy of the Heavenly Fire Immortal Abode, with peerless flame control techniques and the growing cauldron “Hundred Schools Cauldron”. In alchemy, you are unmatched among peers. What you need now is an opportunity to make your name. Please establish your reputation at the Nine Provinces Alchemy Conference.]
[This task cannot be abandoned]
[Task rewards: One immortal pill recipe, one Devouring Heaven Flame, one wisp of Primordial Yellow Qi]
Jiang Li looked at the task with a strange expression.
He felt he had skipped too many abandonable tasks, making even the task descriptions seem unfamiliar now.
When had he inherited the Heavenly Fire Immortal Abode? And when had he obtained the “Hundred Schools Cauldron”?
Most importantly, since when did he know alchemy?
Jiang Li then remembered – the Heavenly Fire Immortal Abode was a place where heavenly flames descended. Alchemists and spirit chefs often argued about its proper use.
Should it be for pill refining or cooking?
Spirit chefs emphasized maximizing ingredients’ inherent effects. Their dishes could benefit even Unity Stage cultivators, forming a formidable faction that rivaled alchemists.
“There was indeed a task sending me to the Heavenly Fire Immortal Abode, but it seemed boring and abandonable, so I skipped it.”
The Hundred Schools Cauldron was similarly a reward from some abandoned task.
“As for alchemy, it must be the system forcibly making me learn it.”
“After skipping so many side quests, I’ve finally encountered one I can’t skip.” Jiang Li sighed.
He had no pressing need for alchemy – when necessary, he could just ask Su Wei, the master of Alchemy Peak.
“But the Nine Provinces Alchemy Conference is held every thirty years. Since it was held five hundred years ago, there shouldn’t be one now.”
Jiang Li thought this task would be shelved, but upon inquiry, he learned an impromptu alchemy conference was being organized at the Spirit Herb Sect of the Great Sui Dynasty.
Arriving at the Spirit Herb Sect, Jiang Li found alchemists gathered from across the Nine Provinces.
“I heard the conference is held every thirty years. Why the early event?” Jiang Li asked an alchemist.
“You clearly aren’t from our circle, lacking insider knowledge.”
“Do enlighten me.”
“After the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal enlightened spiritual treasures, most behaved properly by signing contracts and maintaining good relations with their owners. Some even married their treasures like the Luban Sect.”
“But we alchemists are different. We’re proud, and so are our cauldrons. We often argue about who should have the final say.”
“And the outcome?”
“There is none. During arguments, cauldrons become emotional, flames fluctuate wildly, temperatures become unstable, ultimately producing ruined pills. It’s unclear whether these failures should be credited to the cauldrons or us.”
“The worst conflict occurred at the Alchemy Peak of Dao Sect. Master Su Wei stepped down, replaced by the Crimson Sun Cauldron.”
Jiang Li thought privately that the Crimson Sun Cauldron, which refined pills for eleven hours daily, was less a peak master and more an automated pill machine.
Unaware of this, the alchemist continued: “The Crimson Sun Cauldron’s success emboldened all cauldrons. They demanded similar status, calling us mere ‘fire-stoking boys’.”
“Eventually, this escalated into today’s impromptu Nine Provinces Alchemy Conference – a showdown between alchemists and cauldrons to determine superior pill-making skills!”
Sighing, the alchemist added: “If only Human Sovereign Jiang would intervene.”
“How so?”
“Everyone knows Human Sovereign Jiang’s unparalleled alchemy skills – using heaven and earth as his furnace, faith power as fuel, yin-yang energies as flames, producing Eight Scenes of Ascension phenomena beyond immortal pills.”
“To him, alchemy transcends technique, reaching conceptual heights we dim-witted folk cannot fathom.”
“I’ve even heard he refined a supreme pill that took female form and now accompanies him.”
“Truly! I have proof.”
Noticing Jiang Li’s odd look, the alchemist produced a book titled “Reborn as a Pill, Cradled in Alchemy Saint Jiang Li’s Palm.”
“……”
The book had even demoted him from Human Sovereign.
Jiang Li realized he’d found the source of these rumors about himself.
“By the way, why are you here, fellow daoist?”
“I’m Jin Li, here to compete in the Unity Stage division.”
“A Unity Stage senior! My apologies.” The alchemist immediately grew respectful, imagining Jiang Li as a recluse understandably unaware of current alchemy affairs.
“I see an acquaintance. Excuse me.”
Taking leave, Jiang Li approached someone unrelated to alchemy.
“Sword Sovereign, what brings you here?”
“Who?” The Sword Sovereign didn’t recognize Jiang Li’s altered appearance.
“Me, Jiang Li – well, currently going by Jin Li.”
“Human Sovereign? Why are you here?” The Sword Sovereign was startled.
“I asked first.”
“I’m here for the alchemy conference.”
“You know alchemy?” Jiang Li only knew of the Sword Sovereign’s sword expertise.
“Somewhat, but I specialize in refining sword pellets. Recently I’ve tried compressing infinite sword qi into pellets, but kept failing. I thought alchemy might share similarities. Since it’s in Great Sui where my sword sect resides, I decided to compete and learn.”
“And you, Human Sovereign?”
“Here to compete too.”
The Sword Sovereign relaxed: “I worried suppressing my cultivation to Unity Stage would be bullying, but now the Human Sovereign joins me.”
“Though with your alchemy skills, you’ll truly be unmatched here.”
“You’ve heard of my alchemy?” Jiang Li was surprised – apparently only he didn’t know about his own skills.
“Some rumors.” The Sword Sovereign was modest.
“Ahem! Since everyone’s gathered, let the competition begin!”
The speaker was none other than the triumphant Crimson Sun Cauldron.
“Now let my fire-stoking boy Su Wei make an announcement.”
Enraged, Su Wei hammered the cauldron with her fists, sending its lid flying. The cauldron fought back fiercely, only to be beaten harder, howling in protest.
Spirit Herb Sect Master Huang Chengdan watched resentfully as Su Wei and the cauldron stole his sect’s spotlight.
But seeing Su Wei’s overwhelming display of force against the cauldron, he dared not intervene.
Damn it! Who knew this unassuming alchemist packed such power?
What kind of alchemist forsakes pills to cultivate brute strength?
Su Wei declared: “I now announce the First Impromptu Nine Provinces Alchemy Conference officially open!”
Below, alchemists and cauldrons stood divided, eyeing each other competitively, eager to settle their rivalry through this contest.