“Just… the Great Zhou World and the Phantom Spirit World are completely different!”
Wu Ming, with a bitter expression, said, “To revive the art of alchemy, the first step is to integrate the herbal knowledge from both worlds… establish a comprehensive pharmacological system, and conduct analyses of medicinal properties…”
This was an extremely challenging task, in no way inferior to analyzing the rules of heaven and earth, yet Wu Ming was enthusiastic and immediately began experimenting.
“All methods are interconnected. If I can successfully create Beast Nourishment Pills using materials from the Phantom Spirit World, it would mean a significant advancement in my understanding of the Phantom Spirit World’s natural laws…”
This would complement the analysis of Dao techniques and enhance his combat power, naturally bringing great benefits.
Wu Ming lit the furnace, plucked the petals of the Three-star Flower, and threw them into a clay pot.
Gurgle! Gurgle!
Bright yellow flames joyfully licked the bottom of the pot, the boiling water inside bubbling and making loud noises.
The petals dissolved instantly upon contact with the water, releasing a fragrant aroma. Wu Ming quickly pinched the seeds from a One-stripe Grass and squeezed out the juice.
The One-stripe Grass was a deep green with a silvery stripe on its surface and bore a cluster of purple, pearl-like fruits at its stem, which were the favorite food of herbivorous phantoms.
Sizzle!
The purple juice dripped into the clay pot, instantly solidifying the liquid inside into a jelly-like substance that bubbled with a gelatinous texture.
“Alchemy techniques cannot be used in the Phantom Spirit World… Fortunately, Beast Nourishment Pills are the most basic type of pill and can be made using ordinary fire, and the process isn’t too complicated. Finally, lotus dew is used to shape the pills, followed by drying…”
As Wu Ming was pondering, he noticed the purple gel inside the pot bubbling violently and emitting black fumes.
“Not good!”
His expression tightened, and immediately, most of the potion in the pot turned black, emitting a foul stench that made people wrinkle their noses.
“Failed…”
Wu Ming scooped up a spoonful of black sludge, a glint of insight flashing in his eyes: “The medicinal properties of the One-stripe Grass are ultimately not as mild as the Pearl Grass from the Great Zhou World… and there was also an error in controlling the temperature…”
He had mentally prepared for this failure.
Even though he had mentally rehearsed everything, theory and practice were entirely different. During actual operations, there were too many unexpected possibilities.
Complaining and blaming fate were futile. What he needed to do was gather experience, record data, and steer his approach toward the correct direction.
“Still… reaching this stage on the first experiment is quite good…”
After carefully documenting the results, Wu Ming’s face lit up with joy: “Originally… I thought I would have to experiment hundreds or even thousands of times… but now it seems the progress can be significantly accelerated!”
Such substitution experiments could potentially fail tens of thousands, even a hundred thousand times.
But the current progress indicated one thing.
Wu Ming’s eyes sparkled: “The essence or rules of this world are still very similar to those of the Great Zhou World… If that’s the case…”
The more similar the worlds, the more aligned their fundamental principles, meaning the formulas would not need significant modifications, and alternative materials would be easier to find, increasing the chances of successful experiments.
According to Wu Ming’s estimation, if they were in a world like the Divine Ghost or Star Constellation, which were very similar to the Great Zhou World, it might take fewer than a hundred attempts to successfully create the Beast Nourishment Pill.
“Thankfully, with the three thousand spirit coins provided by Dongfang Dieyu, I can afford enough materials for over a hundred experiments… Not to mention the other techniques for strengthening spirit beasts from the Beast Taming Sect…”
Wu Ming stared at the gray wolf.
“Woof…”
The gray wolf suddenly sensed a great malice and instinctively tucked its tail, letting out a frightened whimper…
…
Three days later, at the entrance of the Dongfang family estate.
Dongfang Yue and Dongfang Ao were dressed in tight black suits, their expressions cold, while three teenagers with clearly impatient expressions followed them.
“This is outrageous!”
One of the teenagers, a well-groomed young man with rosy lips and white teeth, complained: “That Dongfang Shuoming is just a bastard with no remarkable talent as a Spirit Tamer, and his contracted phantom is only a gray wolf… Why should we wait for someone like him?”
Although the other two teenagers didn’t voice their opinions, their expressions showed agreement.
“This is the decision of our Penal Code Division. Do you have any objections?”
Dongfang Ao, arms crossed, suddenly opened his previously closed eyes, a piercing gaze that made the three lower their heads: “We dare not!”
“We clearly informed everyone it would be at dawn…”
Dongfang Yue glanced at the sky. The thin fog was nearly gone, and golden sunlight filtered through the gaps: “That already gave him a chance. If he doesn’t arrive on time, we naturally won’t wait any longer! That’s called discipline and law. You are all elite seeds favored by our Penal Code Division, and you must understand this principle. Do you get it?”
“We have learned our lesson!”
Faced with actual members of the Penal Code Division, these rookie Spirit Tamers naturally nodded like pecking chicks.
The sun rose higher, and when even Dongfang Ao began to show signs of impatience, Dongfang Shuoming finally appeared at the gate.
“Sorry, everyone! I’m a little late!”
Wu Ming’s face bore an apologetic smile, but his heart was filled with excitement: “The last attempt was successful! After ninety-eight failures, I finally created a Beast Nourishment Pill… truly… what incredible luck!”
Successfully creating it once meant he had found the right direction and formula. Naturally, the success rate would rise rapidly in the future.
Moreover, fewer than a hundred failures, compared to the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands that many alchemists endured without success, was merely a drop in the ocean, further reinforcing a certain suspicion Wu Ming had.
“Hmph! You finally realize you’re late? Do you know how much time you’ve wasted making us wait so long?”
The well-groomed young man sneered.
“Alright, alright! Dongfang Song, maybe Shuoming really had something important!”
Dongfang Yue said: “Dongfang Shuoming, this is Dongfang Song. The two beside him are Dongfang Hongyan and Dongfang Yunhe. They are the companions who will be training with us this time!”
“Hello, everyone!”
Wu Ming felt helpless inside but managed a bright smile on his face.
He had seen these people a few times in Spirit Taming classes, knowing they were among the more talented students and had chosen quite good phantoms.
Among them, Dongfang Song and Dongfang Yunhe were young boys, still immature, while Dongfang Hongyan had jade-like skin, almond eyes, and a peach-blossom face, already showing signs of becoming a beauty despite her young age.
“There’s no need for further introduction. This is Dongfang Shuoming!”
Dongfang Song sneered with a mocking smile: “The famous bookworm at the academy… the only apprentice who contracted an ordinary species phantom. Your reputation is truly well-known!”
Wu Ming shrugged, indifferent to such provocations. He usually couldn’t be bothered to respond.
What did he care what others thought? Besides, that was all before Dongfang Shuoming became strong; it had nothing to do with him now.
Therefore, he simply smiled slightly without defending himself.
This calm and composed attitude slightly surprised Dongfang Yue, who realized that this youth was mature beyond his years, explaining why he had gained the favor of the higher-ups.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Seeing that Dongfang Shuoming wasn’t provoked, Dongfang Song was momentarily taken aback. Before he could say anything else, Dongfang Ao directly ordered.
“Hmph! Fine!”
Dongfang Song quickly turned around, leaving a dashing back view for Wu Ming: “The training at the Star Fire Mountains is quite arduous. I advise you to withdraw early, otherwise if your gray wolf gets taken away by some wild beast, don’t blame me for not warning you in advance!”
…
The forest was lush and green, with strange rocks scattered about.
“Back to the Star Fire Mountains again!”
Wu Ming looked at the familiar scenery on both sides, a sense of nostalgia appearing on his face.
“The outskirts of the Star Fire Mountains are not dangerous, with only juvenile wild phantoms appearing. It’s the best time for you to train your young wolves. Why don’t you release your phantoms quickly? These beast-type phantoms are best raised in the mountains and forests from a young age to enhance their wildness. Their sense of smell and navigation abilities will greatly assist you in surviving and exploring in the wild…”
Dongfang Yue explained in detail: “If a wolf beast has truly exceptional talent, after staying in the mountains for a long time, it may even spontaneously awaken the [Wild Heart] talent. This talent provides combat bonuses in forest environments, enhances recovery speed, and improves hiding ability!”
“Thank you for reminding us, Sister Yue!”
Dongfang Song and the others nodded repeatedly, flashing summoning lights from their hands, releasing several wolf-type phantoms.
The Dongfang family was famous for taming wolves, and the initial choices for family members were mainly wolf-type phantoms, making it convenient for unified training.
“Awooooo!”
In the flashes of light, several wolf pups appeared, clearly more lively in the wild environment.
Dongfang Song summoned an Elite-type Iron-claw Wolf, its claws and teeth as black and lustrous as refined iron, looking menacing.
Dongfang Yunhe’s phantom was a Wind Wolf, also an Elite-type, with wind attributes, agile and nimble, even surpassing the Iron-claw Wolf in size.
However, Wu Ming was particularly interested in the phantom summoned by Dongfang Hongyan: “It’s actually a Goose-wing Wolf!”
Appearing beside Dongfang Hongyan, the wolf pup was slender and graceful, with a pair of underdeveloped wings on its back, sparse feathers revealing pink skin underneath.
This was the rare Goose-wing Wolf, an Elite-type with flight attributes, extremely rare and valued, even comparable to Outstanding-types.
Even Dongfang Song and Dongfang Yunhe couldn’t hide their envy and jealousy upon seeing the Goose-wing Wolf.
“Good!”
Dongfang Yue nodded approvingly: “Hongyan, your Goose-wing Wolf is a rare phantom. It’s the weakest in its juvenile stage, so you must protect it well. Once it reaches the Battle Soldier level and its wings fully develop, it will gain the ability to fly, allowing it to avoid most dangers, which is very suitable for you…”
Dongfang Song concealed his envy and turned to Wu Ming: “Dongfang Shuoming… where is your gray wolf? Why don’t you release it so we can take a look?”
“Feeling defeated and trying to find superiority through me?”
Wu Ming inwardly shook his head but, seeing everyone’s gaze turn towards him, shrugged and casually touched his summoning bracelet: “Gray wolf!”
“Awooooo!”
A gray light flashed, and a large gray shadow leaped out, landing on all fours and letting out a wolf howl.
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