Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Earth Sovereign-Level Prescription

Tears streamed down as Little Black, the useless one, failed to step forward; not a single gesture of agreement or push, just a flood of tears.

The thoughtful expression on Xu Wen's face left Mu Yuanshan and the others slightly astonished. By all accounts, they had offered more than enough benefits—at least, for a child from a poor family, they had bestowed status, wealth, and even brought out the Earth Emperor-level magic manual, regarded as a family heirloom by the Hortonklin Clan. Fame, fortune, and power were all laid before him. Were Xu Wen not still a child, perhaps even beauties would have been readied for him.

Yet, despite the avalanche of advantages, the newly initiated inner disciple remained unmoved. The three elders exchanged looks, beginning to doubt whether the youth before them had truly grasped the words of the clan leader and Elder Xu.

As the patriarch of the Hortonklin Clan, Mu Yuanshan secretly rejoiced that he had not, ten days earlier, heeded the conservative advice of some elders to merely tempt with an inner disciple steward position.

Had Xu Wen gone to the Imperial Capital’s ‘Azure Cloud Academy’ bearing such a nominal post, the Hortonklin Clan would have been instantly dimmed, losing all its luster.

Over a thousand clans like Hortonklin, mere minnows, were forced to bow beneath the mighty super-clans and the imperial family. Even the old fellows at Azure Cloud Academy boasted extraordinary backgrounds!

If Xu Wen’s talent for alchemy and fire magic were discovered, the Hortonklin Clan, which had only provided him with three months of training, might be cast aside without hesitation.

Though the clan would suffer no real loss, failure to win the loyalty of a gifted youth would be enough to invite ridicule from the world...

At this moment, Xu Wen raised his head, his gaze resolute, as if a decision had been made.

Eight pairs of eyes instantly focused on him.

Mu Yuanshan asked, “Have you decided?”

Xu Wen nodded, answering with resolve, “Since Master says that without a solid foundation, one cannot properly cultivate Earth Emperor-level magic, I have decided to compete for a place at Azure Cloud Academy. Three years from now, I shall return to try again!”

Elder Xu was caught off guard by Xu Wen’s refusal, “Xu Wen, you must understand—even direct descendants of the Hortonklin Clan may not have the opportunity to cultivate ‘Earth Emperor-level’ magic!”

“I know, Master. That is why I dare not attempt it lightly, lest I disappoint you, the clan leader, and the elders. Rest assured, Master, I will work even harder at Azure Cloud Academy, solidifying my foundation, before returning to study the treasures left by our predecessors.” These words were spoken with unwavering determination, leaving Mu Yuanshan and the others with no room for persuasion or retention.

The three elders fell silent.

Xu Wen’s reaction was wholly contrary to their expectations...

If he truly left the Hortonklin Clan for Azure Cloud Academy, his talents would surely attract the attention of many powerful organizations.

They could not let such a rare genius slip from their grasp.

But without a compelling reason or argument, forcing him to stay would backfire!

For a moment, the four were at a loss for how to proceed...

Seeing this, a well-concealed smile flickered in Xu Wen’s eyes. Yet, he broke the silence in the hall with a tone of curiosity and inquiry, “Patriarch, I have a question—may I ask?”

“Speak,” Mu Yuanshan nodded.

“Just now, Master said that aside from magic and combat skills, the Earth Emperor-level manual also includes alchemy and forging. I’d like to know—what distinguishes Earth Emperor-level elixirs from ordinary ones?”

Mu Yuanshan was momentarily taken aback, then turned to Elder Xu. Such questions were best left to the Elder of the Medicine Peak.

Elder Xu coughed, explaining, “Earth Emperor-level elixirs are derived from ordinary elixirs, but their effects are superior; they are combinations of various elixirs...” Hearing this, Xu Wen unconsciously revealed a look of sudden understanding.

So that’s how it is!

In the game world of his past life, aside from fixed alchemy techniques, there existed a path for players to experiment and discover new methods. By chance, Xu Wen had tried and even become obsessed with such pursuits for a long time.

By placing elixirs with different properties into a specially crafted high-grade cauldron, using rare ingredients as catalysts, one could filter out the essence of each and fuse them to create new varieties.

Of course!

The difficulty of combining different finished elixirs was extremely high—not only requiring a deep understanding of their properties, but also a stroke of luck... Even so, the failure rate exceeded eighty percent!

Some lucky successes did not always result in advancement; most would lose their original properties and become ‘waste pills’. Only a very few would succeed.

These successful, mutated varieties were likely the ‘Earth Emperor-level’ elixirs mentioned by his Master, surpassing their peers in potency and fully deserving to be compared with higher-tier ordinary elixirs, their value several times greater.

As for the levels above Earth Emperor—such as Mystic Sky—they must possess even more remarkable properties: chaotic, primordial, akin to the spiritual and sacred medicines in the game.

If that’s the case...

Xu Wen had a few ‘compound recipes’ memorized, though their grades were unclear. He only began tinkering with them after reaching the realm of master alchemist, using rare high-grade materials like ‘Reverse Scale Essence’, ‘Millennia Stone Milk’, ‘Seven-Star Dual Magic Core’, ‘Devil Jellyfish Tentacle’, ‘Elf Tears’—all exceptionally difficult to obtain.

He only vaguely recalled a handful of lower-grade recipes, thanks to a few novice alchemist followers who insisted on discussing them with him.

“What kind of elixirs?” the elders questioned.

“Why do you ask?” two of them inquired skeptically.

“Oh, I know my access isn’t enough to learn Earth Emperor-level recipes. I just wish to understand their effects. Ever since childhood, I’ve loved gathering herbs and studying their properties and alchemical techniques. If I knew the effects of such elixirs, it might inspire me,” Xu Wen answered, half in earnest, half in jest.

No sooner had he spoken than the left elder snorted and laughed, “You mean, if you know the properties of Earth Emperor-level elixirs, you could, by pondering them yourself, create new recipes? How naive.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Xu Wen quickly replied, aware that Earth Emperor-level elixirs, regarded as the clan’s greatest treasures, were the life’s work of master alchemists who might never create even one. His words had indeed been childish, and it was no wonder Elder Zhang was angry. He hastened to amend, “I only think that alchemy is about luck as much as experience. If I happened to stumble upon something, like the ‘Drunken Breeze’ elixir, I’d have nothing to worry about for the rest of my life.” His words, neither humble nor arrogant, mixed with a childlike perspective, quickly dispelled the elders’ irritation.

Only Mu Yuanshan gazed at Xu Wen, whose tone was neither servile nor overbearing, for the first time with indecision in his eyes.

Ignoring Elder Xu’s expectant glance, he pondered for a moment.

At last—

“No need to speak of properties. As for Earth Emperor-level alchemy, I can authorize your Master to teach you everything... Don’t be so surprised. I’ll have your Master teach you only one recipe.”

“Patriarch?!”

“Yuanshan!”

The two elders exclaimed in shock.

How could this be allowed? Letting a newly initiated disciple who has yet to pledge loyalty take Earth Emperor-level alchemy to Azure Cloud Academy—even if only one recipe—if leaked, it would be a severe blow to the Hortonklin Clan!

Mu Yuanshan, however, ignored their astonishment, declaring firmly, “You may compete for a place at Azure Cloud Academy, but remember: this recipe must not be divulged to anyone—not even clan disciples!”

“I understand!” Xu Wen replied.

“Very well. Since you’re headed to Azure Cloud Academy, your estate will be entrusted to your father. Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of him. As for you, if you need anything, just ask your Master.” Mu Yuanshan paused, his gaze settling firmly on Xu Wen’s youthful, upturned face, and enunciated each word slowly, “Three years from now, the Hortonklin Clan will open its doors to welcome your return!”

“Don’t let me down!”