Chapter 59: You Really Know How to Assess!

In the backyard of the Zhaoyue Tingfeng Pavilion within the Pot Heaven.

Those locations and materials related to cultivation arts were naturally brought from the Cultivation World by Su Ping in advance and placed here.

In order to maintain his aura and sense of mystery, Su Ping continued to have the White Crane Boy come out to meet with Zhou Xuan.

And he arranged for an assessment of relevant arts.

Su Ping was still very familiar with the process of assessing related talents.

After all, when there was no Fishing Game to help, he had often worked for his fellow disciples in the Outer Sect to raise cultivation resources.

Zhou Xuan stood in place and took a deep breath for quite a while before gritting his teeth and approaching the alchemy furnace.

Looking at the bronze-colored alchemy furnace that reached his waist, even though Zhou Xuan had thought about this scene while studying,

when it came time for the test, he still couldn't help but feel his heart race and his palms sweat.

Fortunately, he was already a Cultivator who had achieved Qi Refining, and after his nervousness faded slightly, the knowledge in his memory surfaced.

"Three stalks of Black Iron Grass, six Red Jade Fruits..."

"No! According to the book, the ratio of Red Jade Fruit to Spirit Spring water should be one to five, and it needs to be adjusted with Datura solution."

"And white sugar, it needs to be added in the amount of one jin, two liang, and three qian!"

Zhou Xuan operated with nimble hands and feet, using a clever electronic scale for weighing.

He also used graduated test tubes and glass water bottles to draw water.

In this regard, Su Ping did not make things difficult for Zhou Xuan; he was still very open-minded and supportive of the path of complementing technology with cultivation.

Things that could be used, were easy to use, and were available, should be vigorously supported!

"No, I feel like there are some places I haven't figured out!"

After the actual operation, Zhou Xuan realized that the things in the books were a bit deep, and from the very beginning of the preparation, many problems emerged that had no standard reference answers.

After all, none of those cultivation materials were ever exactly the same as what was written in the books.

There were simply too many complicated things to consider.

"Guard the Dao and clarify far-reaching virtues, the divine truth responds to Great Harmony, ambition succeeds in proclaiming the Jade Canon, uprightness performs the Profound Code..."

"Hoo... The solar Dao is grand, the Profound Sect reveals its wonders."

Zhou Xuan silently recited the mantras of various sects from his cultivation, and gradually, he actually calmed his heart completely.

As he channeled his Dharma Power into the Fire-Driving Flag, he gave a light shout: "Fire, come!"

Boom! The Fire-Driving Flag spewed flames into the bottom of the alchemy furnace, igniting the spirit wood charcoal there.

In an instant, a faint scent of pine permeated the air, which also refreshed Zhou Xuan's spirit.

One hour later.

Having finished a round of Body Tempering practice and currently drinking Tiger Bone Wine and eating roast beef in the master's room, Su Ping heard a loud bang! He couldn't help but turn his head sharply toward the backyard.

"It exploded?"

Su Ping entered the perspective of the White Crane Boy.

He immediately discovered Zhou Xuan, who had turned into a black charcoal and was coughing, though he was not seriously hurt.

And the alchemy furnace, which had its lid blown off and a large hole broken in its side.

"Wait, this is... a partial success, right?"

Su Ping looked closely and found that inside the broken alchemy furnace, there were actually seven or eight formed Waste Pills.

"For a first attempt at alchemy, the furnace explosion should be a matter of heat control, and this alchemy furnace is just a cheap item used by Loose Cultivators; subsequent improvements will be much better."

"But to have results on the first attempt at alchemy, even if they are just Waste Pills from Five-Grain Pills that don't even count as a First Tier pill recipe,"

"that is also extremely rare!"

"This child... has the aptitude to become an alchemist!"

Su Ping was happy in his heart, secretly sighing that with this talent, Zhou Xuan had already allowed him to recoup that little investment.

Yet he did not come forward to praise him, but instead had the White Crane Boy instruct Zhou Xuan to continue the assessment.

And he gave the other party a barely passing grade in alchemy to prevent them from becoming arrogant.

Zhou Xuan did not know that most entry-level disciples often ended up with nothing to show for their first attempt at alchemy.

To want to blow up a furnace, one must first have the ability to blow it up. Zhou Xuan thought the barely passing grade was because the White Crane Boy saw his effort and pitied the result.

He went to the side of the small stream, drew water to wash his body slightly, and then began the next assessment.

In the way of Talismans, Zhou Xuan spent half an hour proving that in this path, even if he had a little talent, it wasn't as if he had absolutely none at all.

Even when copying, Zhou Xuan could not draw a single talisman with spirit.

However, in terms of making talisman paper, it was passable; at the very least, it was faster than when Su Ping was working odd jobs back in the day.

This also showed that Zhou Xuan might have some talent in artifact crafting, but it wasn't much, not enough to support him in traveling far on this Great Dao.

Finally, the farming part.

Well, as long as it's not a special Spirit Body related to planting, there's actually not much difference in farming.

It's all just following the book, watering, fertilizing, and weeding on time.

Farming in this Pot Heaven, where Spirit Qi is abundant and there are no pests, is actually easier, as one only needs to water and fertilize according to the crops' needs.

On those two Spirit Fields of less than ten square meters, Zhou Xuan loosened the soil, dug holes, and planted the Spirit Grass seeds.

After watering and fertilizing, the preparatory work for this assessment was considered complete.

"In cultivation arts, you are unqualified in Talismans and artifact crafting."

The White Crane Boy followed Su Ping's instructions, keeping a straight face as he said sternly to Zhou Xuan: "Fortunately, you barely passed in alchemy, and farming depends more on care and responsibility."

"After you tend to these two fields until harvest, I will give a final assessment based on the output of the Spirit Fields."

"This will require you to stay here for seven to fifteen days."

"Do you agree?"

Zhou Xuan nodded in agreement upon hearing this; only a fool would refuse the chance to stay in a place so abundant in Spirit Qi!

"The Immortal Master has instructed me that if you encounter an assessment that takes a long time, I can send you back for a trip first, so as not to worry your family due to a long absence."

After White Crane Boy finished speaking, Zhou Xuan continued to nod in approval.

Indeed, while he would be enjoying himself for one or two weeks, there was no need to make his mentor and family worry.

He had already thought of an excuse for his leave: he would say he had encountered a mental barrier in his cultivation and was preparing to travel to see the great rivers and mountains of the world.

Because it was a journey to temper his heart, he would not carry any communication tools, so being unreachable would be perfectly reasonable.

Several hours later.

Zhou Xuan returned once again to the Pot Heaven.

Immediately, he saw that the alchemy furnace had been replaced with a new one.

At the same time, White Crane Boy had placed a thatched cottage, similar to a tent, beside the fields for him.

After performing a Daoist salute to thank White Crane Boy for the thatched cottage, Zhou Xuan walked into the house.

He saw the simple straw bedding placed inside, as well as daily necessities, food, and water.

Although life seemed arduous, Zhou Xuan revealed a satisfied smile.

As long as he could continue to stay in this Yunlai Immortal Realm to soak up Spirit Qi.

Never mind a thatched cottage, even sleeping under a bridge and drinking the northwest wind would be perfectly fine.

White Crane Boy prepared to leave and reminded Zhou Xuan: "You are not yet a Formal Disciple, so do not leave the backyard, otherwise you will easily provoke the wrath of the stationed divine beast."

"When you have free time, you may read books, and you may even continue to attempt alchemy."

"I will come over every day to replenish any damaged items or materials."

"Little Daoist, you have a talent for alchemy; do not let this gift go to waste!"

"Many thanks to Immortal Master White Crane for the reminder!"

"Zhou Xuan will never forget the kindness shown today!"

Zhou Xuan did not dare to call him White Crane Boy; he hurriedly thanked him gratefully, and then, after watching White Crane Boy spread his wings and fly away.

Little Daoist Zhou Xuan, having retracted his envious gaze, first checked the Spirit Field to be sure, then returned to the front of the alchemy furnace to begin the second alchemy attempt of his life!

(End of this chapter)