“What are the three major conditions?”
“These three conditions are exactly the three essential elements of alchemy – energy, vessel, and ingredients – as our Dan and Ding Dual Cultivation Sect teaches!” Hun Yuan Zi began expounding some new principle that Yang Hao had never heard before, once again demonstrating his legitimacy as a true master.
“What three elements? Never heard of them,” Yang Hao obediently listened attentively, determined not to be tricked by Hun Yuan Zi again.
“The three essentials of alchemy are energy, vessel, and ingredients. Energy refers to power. Because alchemy varies in nature, different types require different sources of power and kinetic energy. Some pills need intense fire, while others require icy force. The thousands of degrees of high temperature previously required for alchemy are one form of energy. The vessel refers to the container for alchemy, commonly known as the cauldron. Different cauldrons possess unique capabilities and additional powers, enabling the creation of various pills. As for the ingredients, they are simply the raw materials for alchemy. Ordinary pills require common materials, while advanced pills demand particularly rare and precious ingredients.”
“Oh, I see,” Yang Hao quickly grasped the concept. He had now become quite accustomed to Hun Yuan Zi’s teaching method of letting him experiment first before providing systematic instruction. “So, what conditions are required to cultivate the Nine Heavens of Ice and Fire?”
“In terms of energy, the Nine Heavens of Ice and Fire requires the use of penetrating cold ice force and the true fire within the cultivator’s body as kinetic energy,” Hun Yuan Zi explained one by one. “As for the vessel, it must be a pair of cauldrons that complement each other in yin and yang.”
Yang Hao thought for a while, then suddenly clapped his hands. “These don’t seem difficult. I think I have all of them. I have ice force from my ice blade, and I’ve already mastered true fire. As for the vessel, I also have the Golden Essence Cold-Sealing Cauldron and the Golden Essence Flame-Sealing Cauldron, which are perfect for alchemy.”
“The key issue isn’t there,” Hun Yuan Zi still looked unconvinced. “If it were only these two conditions, it wouldn’t really be considered difficult. The real challenge lies in the ingredients. The Nine Heavens of Ice and Fire requires a complex array of medicinal ingredients. Other auxiliary materials are relatively manageable, but the two most important core ingredients are treasures of the human world and extremely difficult to find.”
“What kind of medicinal ingredients are so hard to find?” Yang Hao wasn’t quite convinced, because they were currently on the planet Remon. Even within the entire empire, Remon was a treasure trove of plants and medicinal herbs. Due to Remon’s unique geographical environment, the planet was divided into two halves. One side was affected by volcanic activity in the planet’s core, resulting in abnormally high geothermal activity and a scorching climate. The other side, lacking stellar illumination for years, was extremely cold. Under these two completely different climatic conditions, countless precious medicinal herbs and plants found their suitable environments. Therefore, whenever the Imperial Senate needed plant-based medicinal ingredients, they would send people to Remon to collect them. Yang Hao, having cultivated to this day and created numerous pills, had rarely encountered situations where he couldn’t find the necessary herbs.
“These two medicinal ingredients are respectively called Fire Child and Frostfish. The Fire Child is a red plant that resembles a young child. This plant can only survive in extreme heat, under temperatures unbearable even for the human body. In the past, people have only seen this divine herb in coalfield fires that have burned for thousands of years. Since such environments are completely inaccessible to humans, for hundreds and even thousands of years, cultivators have only heard of this herb but have never actually seen it,” Hun Yuan Zi elaborated on the rarity of these ingredients. “The Frostfish is even rarer. They live beneath thick layers of ice. Legend says that Frostfish only exist under icebergs hundreds of meters thick. I’ve lived for thousands of years, and I’ve never even heard of anyone who has successfully found one.”
Hun Yuan Zi’s words seemed to completely cut off Yang Hao’s path. However, looking at Yang Hao’s expression, he clearly hadn’t given up immediately: “The conditions required for the Fire Child and Frostfish to survive do exist on Remon. Therefore, it’s highly likely that these two ingredients can be found here.”
“But who will go get them?” Hun Yuan Zi asked directly. “Can you dig for the Fire Child inside the planet’s core? Can you drill through hundreds of meters of ice?”
“I can’t…” Yang Hao felt quite disheartened, but he persisted stubbornly, “But I still want to find a way. Otherwise, my loved ones and friends will surely die. Even if it’s just for them, I must keep trying.”
Yang Hao rarely showed such determination, but this time, he had clearly made up his mind.
He was willing to do absolutely anything to successfully create the Nine Heavens of Ice and Fire.
At night, Remon was a small planet governed by a monarchy. Due to its sparse population and vast land, the royal family’s rule was extremely stable, making it one of the most solid cornerstones within the empire’s federation.
The most important city on Remon was its capital. To outsiders, this bustling metropolis actually existed solely to protect the royal palace.
Millions upon millions of people couldn’t even match the value of a golden palace wall, which perfectly described Remon’s current situation. The royal family’s supreme authority was clearly reflected in the palace’s appearance.
The most prosperous central area of the capital was completely enclosed. The land capable of supporting the lives of tens of millions was separated into an independent world by golden walls. Within the palace grounds, there were no buildings taller than three stories, no crowded structures—only a seemingly tranquil natural environment.
Even high-ranking imperial officials who had seen the grandest sights would marvel at Remon’s royal palace, for what was presented here wasn’t just magnificent palaces, but almost a complete natural conservation area.
Plants, animals, and royal family members lived together in this absolutely harmonious natural environment in a strangely peaceful manner. On the surface, it seemed like merely a quiet conservation zone.
However, once an intruder entered, everything changed completely. Thousands upon thousands of royal guards and swordsmen seemed to emerge from underground, rushing from all directions to tear the intruder to pieces.
Therefore, even the boldest space pirates understood well: you could steal from anywhere, but never, ever attempt to rob Remon’s royal palace. Even though several grand storage halls within the palace contained the world’s most precious treasures, it simply wasn’t worth risking your life.
The moonlight was as smooth as water, and the sky was perfectly dark—matching exactly the color of Yang Hao’s dark clothing.
Yang Hao was now inside the royal palace’s natural conservation area, having unfortunately been lost for almost an hour.
“This is so frustrating!” Yang Hao clenched the piece of paper in his hand, looking left and right without understanding anything. “Can this even be called a map? It’s more incomprehensible than any heavenly scripture.”
“Your little girlfriend’s work is too careless,” Hun Yuan Zi was also quite dissatisfied.
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