CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 105: NING YAO

"Really giving it to me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll research it?"

Despite the strict patent laws for protection, healers often remain wary of each other, afraid that their peers will steal their essential techniques.

Almost nobody would do what Li Xing did, giving a new medicine they developed along with detailed instructions freely to another healer.

"Whether you use it or study it, since I’m giving it to you, it’s entirely up to you. However, my medicine isn’t that easy to replicate."

Ning Zhun solemnly put away the Plum Blossom Box and said to Li Xing:

"Li Xing, for a healer, getting good medicine makes it hard to resist the urge to study it. But don’t worry, whatever I discover in my research will stay with me, and will not be shared with a second person, nor will I replicate or produce similar medicines for profit."

Li Xing nodded: "I trust you." Pausing for a moment, Li Xing continued, "You didn’t come to see me today just because you heard of my reputation, right? If you have something to say, speak directly. I don’t like beating around the bush."

Ning Zhun blushed, hesitantly said: "Actually... I came to ask a favor on someone else’s behalf."

"Oh? What do they want from me?"

"To accept an apprentice."

"..."

Ning Zhun sighed, honestly explained the situation:

"My family is quite famous in the healer circle, with many senior healers emerging from it. My sister, Ning Yao, has been obsessed with Alchemy since childhood. Normally, having such a diligent younger generation is good for the family, but the problem is that Ning Yao is a Fire Elemental Spirit and doesn’t have the aptitude to be a healer."

"The elders in the family have been pressuring her, overtly and covertly, to abandon Alchemy and focus on becoming a martial master, but Ning Yao refuses to listen. Even if only as an amateur healer, she insists on pursuing Alchemy. Having an amateur emerge from a prestigious healer family is quite embarrassing if known, so the family is very dissatisfied with Ning Yao’s actions. If not for my father pleading, the Family Head would have likely expelled Ning Yao from the Ning family."

"My sister has been wise since a young age, but she’s resolute when it comes to Alchemy, more immovable than a nine-headed bison. I thought instead of letting her waste her time and energy blindly, I’d find her a mentor, which is why I’m asking you."

Li Xing had been an amateur healer for some years as well, and with peers often being rivals, let alone the divisions between mainstream and non-mainstream paths, he sympathized with Ning Yao’s situation but still had doubts:

"Since the Ning family has many senior healers, why not ask them to take Ning Yao as an apprentice? Why come to me? Aren’t the Ning family’s healers, who are both talented and related, more invested than an outsider?"

"Because Ning Yao’s method of alchemy is the same as yours, through the Ancient Method. I believe you’re the most suitable mentor for her."

This unexpected information intrigued Li Xing. He didn’t expect there would be others on the Qianyuan Continent who practiced alchemy with a medicine cauldron like him, making him quite eager to meet this Ning Yao.

"So that’s how it is. No wonder. Let Ning Yao come by when she has time, and we’ll meet."

Ning Zhun was overjoyed and immediately said, "She’s waiting outside for the news; I’ll call her in right now!" With that, he rushed out like a gust of wind.

Li Xing expanded his Divine Sense to follow discreetly, seeing Ning Zhun run to a street alley opposite a shop, where a girl was eagerly waiting.

Upon Ning Zhun’s arrival, she quickly approached him; they exchanged a few words, and the girl jumped with a cheer, then meticulously fixed her hair and outfit in front of the shop’s glass door. Once satisfied, she followed Ning Zhun into the shop.

Li Xing retracted his Divine Sense, smiling gently. This girl reminded her of an old acquaintance.

When Ning Yao saw Li Xing, she was both excited and nervous, her cheeks redder than her hair, her hands fidgeting awkwardly.

Li Xing mused, besides their height difference, Ning Yao was the spitting image of Li Sha, right down to the freckles on their noses.

Li Sha was Li Xing’s cousin; they were close in age, got along well, and were the best of friends among the younger generation of the Li family.

Li Sha was the love child of an Eastern Cultivator and a Western Witch. Despite having no Spirit Root, she perfectly inherited her mother’s talents, excelling in Black Magic and Divination Techniques, leading the Western magic community at a young age. The Blood Sacrifice Ring that protected Li Xing was a gift from Li Sha.

"Are you Ning Yao?"

Ning Yao quickly nodded, her eyes bright like stars: "Master, you look even better in person than on the live stream!"

Li Xing chuckled: "Don’t call me Master; we’re about the same age, just call me Li Xing."

Ning Yao’s complexion turned pale instantly. She glanced at Ning Zhun, then at Li Xing, her eyes reddening: "You don’t want to accept me?"

"I’m still young, not a Heaven Rank healer. Taking in an apprentice now would be seen as arrogant. Ning Zhun has told me about your situation. Meeting another who practices Ancient Alchemy like I do is delightful, and I admire your bravery and determination. Rest assured, even if we’re not master and apprentice, I will help you with any alchemy problems you encounter."

Hearing this, Ning Zhun breathed a sigh of relief, but Ning Yao seemed particularly insistent on becoming an apprentice and was not satisfied with Li Xing’s response.

"If you won’t let me call you Master, then I’ll call you Master Li. Master Li, ever since watching the Harssas preliminary livestream, I’ve been captivated by your alchemy. After hearing from my brother that you also utilize the Ancient Method, I decided I must become your apprentice. If it’s not convenient for you to accept me now, then I’ll wait until you’re willing!"

Ning Yao’s stubbornness made her even more like Li Sha.

"Being my apprentice isn’t easy; you need talent, comprehension, effort, and luck. How many of these do you have?"

"I—" Ning Yao bit her lip, contemplated for a moment, then said, "I think I have all except talent."

Li Xing laughed: "When you say talent, you’re referring to a Wood Element Spirit, right?"

Ning Yao nodded, harboring this as an everlasting regret.

Li Xing: "I started alchemy at seven, before discovering my Wood Element Spirit or knowing how to harness the Wood Element, yet it didn’t affect my alchemy results. Do you know why?"

Ning Yao and Ning Zhun both shook their heads.

"Because Ancient Alchemy Technique tests your control over fire. The role of a Wood Element Spirit in alchemy is minimal. You being an A-grade Fire Elemental Spirit is precisely the best talent for the Ancient Alchemy Technique."

In the cultivation world, the best fire sources for alchemy are Abnormal Fires, next Earth Fire, and lastly, Dantian Fire. The first two are rare, with Dantian Fire being the most common.

However, in the Qianyuan Continent, most people lack the complete set of upper, middle, and lower Dantian, hence they can’t conjure Dantian Fire. Thus, those who naturally wield the Fire Element are the most suited to become Alchemists.

Ning Yao, in disbelief, asked: "Master Li, are you saying I have a knack for alchemy?"

Li Xing nodded: "That’s right."

One would think this would make Ning Yao jump for joy, but instead, she burst into tears, crying aloud for a while before stopping, then solemnly bowing to Li Xing.

"Master Li, thank you for helping me see my true self! Whether or not I become your disciple, in my heart, you’re my revered master!"

Li Xing extended her wrist, connecting her communicator with Ning Yao’s, saying:

"I’ll send you some articles; they’re my insights on alchemy over the past few years. They are comprehensive and should address most of your questions in alchemy. If after reading, you still wish to learn from me, we’ll discuss it when I get back from the competition."

"Thank you, Master Li—!"