Alchemies

Chapter 49: 7 Elements

Ma Rong began to explain the various elements and the synergy of the elements between them.

“So, the first thing you need to know is 5 normal elements and 2 higher elements.”

Alex listened to him attentively, his eyes focused on what he was saying.

"The "two higher elements are Yin and Yang. Yin is an element associated with darkness, cold, or the moon. Which is the element associated with light, heat, or the sun. These two elements themselves are quite strong, and may be dangerous if not properly cared for."

“When together, based on what the alchemist can do, Yin and Yang can eliminate each other, and make the pills neutral, or help each other to become stronger, or, and make pills with very volatile energy. You should always think twice if you have to handle one of these elements in one pill, especially if the two are combined."

Ma Rong was teaching Alex about elemental affinity and alchemical ingredient alignment and how it could make or break a pill.

“Five normal elements are Wood, Fire, Water, Earth, and Metal. These elements, similar to the 2 higher elements, can cancel out the strength of other elements or make them stronger. This was the most difficult thing to trace in the pill making process. You should know how the elements of each material interact with each other."

“For example, if you put an ingredient with fire element in it and another ingredient with water element in it, then the resulting pill will have low fire element power, or low water element strength. This is because when water and fire elements mix, they fight each other, and stronger enemies remain. Water tries to put out fire, while fire tries to evaporate water."

“Other example, if you enter a material with fire element in it and another material with wood element in it, then the resulting pill will always have a higher fire element power. This is because when wood comes into contact with the material.Fire, it feeds the fire, making it stronger."

"There are 5 ways these elements can interact with each other. They can 'Enable' other elements, 'Control' other elements, 'Flood' other elements, 'Deactivate' other elements, or 'Destroy' other elements."

"Just like a wood 'Empowering' fire by feeding it, water can 'Enower' wood to make it grow. Earth can 'Control' water by absorbing it. Metal can 'Destroy' a fire by dissipating its heat and dissipating its energy. "

“Five elements affect one of the other elements, in 5 different categories. Knowing what it does, and which elements you can use is very important when making pills with higher harmony.”

Ma Rong reached into his bag and took out a piece of paper. It was a small talisman, which he then handed over to Alex. Alex caught the amulet and quickly scanned it with his spiritual senses. He soon realized what it was.

Ma Rong continued, "That paper contains all the knowledge I know about the various elements and their interactions with each other. Be sure to read it when you have free time."

“Remember, sometimes there are ingredients that do not contain any elements, but they are very rare, and easiest to handle. These ingredients can be combined with other ingredients.

He then moved on from the current topic and began to discuss the original topic.

“Even two different materials taken from the same plant can differ in terms of age, energy level, and sometimes even in its elemental affinity.”

Alex looked at his new cauldron while wondering how good the cauldron was to use.

“Sometimes, the recipe itself may have flaws. Perhaps the alchemist who made the pill wrote something wrong, which is why the pill never reached 100% alignment.”

“What I want to say is, even though you might do everything right according to the prescribed recipe, and still only get world-class pills. And that's the first lesson you need to learn when you're trying to do it. Pill Making. You will never make the perfect pill. The Reason is out of your control and you have to be satisfied with the end result."

“Now, let's talk about recipes. How many recipes do you know?” she asked.

Alex thought for a moment, and said, “more than 200”. Ma Rong was surprised to hear that. “Where did you learn so much?” she asked.

"The library is on the top floor." He answered simply.

“And you can remember all 200 recipes in the library? You should only have one night to remember all that.” He's still surprised.

Alex smiled slightly and said, "Teacher, with the spiritual sea, we also get eidetic memories. I remember everything I read."

"really?" Ma Rong tried to see if he could remember something and realized that he was right. He also has a eidetic memory now.

Okay, what pill did you make before? she asked.

"Eh, Qi Enhancing Pills?" She asked. It was the first and only pill he had made until now.

“Yes, take the ingredients, and make a pill. I'll see what you're doing,” Ma Rong walks up next to him and sits next to him.

Alex looked into his bag and quickly found all the ingredients needed for the Qi-enhancing pill. He had already made this pill before and was very familiar with it.

This time, because he had spiritual awareness, he decided there was no need to go into focus mode to gain more time in handling the ingredients. Now, he could divide his attention between 5-6 tasks. If he were to do that on the various aspects of pill making, he was confident he could definitely become an earth level alchemist by the time he had to go to the Tiger Sect.