Chapter 28

When Song Li arrived at the alchemy room, Yun Lin first threw him a book about flame manipulation, saying, "Flame manipulation is the most important ability for an alchemist and the foundation of becoming one. So, I want to see if you have any talent in this area first. If not, there's no point in trying anything else; it definitely won't work."

Song Li nodded, took the thick book, and started flipping through it.

The fire control techniques inherited from the Fire God Zhu Rong could even manipulate the "Emperor of Ten Thousand Fires," a flame so dominant that ordinary fire was no match. The book Yun Lin gave her son was written by his father, a Saint Alchemist, covering everything from basic to intermediate, advanced, and micro manipulation, essentially a comprehensive guide to flame manipulation. It was fortunate that Yun Lin had such resources, as most alchemists didn't have such advanced textbooks to study. However, in Song Li's eyes, the fire control techniques recorded in this top-tier textbook were very easy to understand. "The Scarlet Emperor's Purple Flame Technique" was the pinnacle of fire control techniques, the foundation of all fire control methods. With this as a base, Song Li found it effortless to understand these branch techniques.

So, his reading speed was very fast, and it wasn't an exaggeration to say he read ten lines at a glance. He barely glanced at a page before flipping to the next, and the alchemy room was filled with the sound of pages turning.

Yun Lin initially gave her son this book on flame manipulation with the intention of letting him know the difficulty and possibly give up. She naturally wanted her son to inherit her legacy and become the most respected alchemist on the continent. However, she knew this was impossible and didn't want him to waste time in this area. The book was complex and profound, and even as a mid-level alchemist, Yun Lin found it very challenging to understand, especially the advanced fire control techniques, which she still found incomprehensible. As for the most advanced micro manipulation, just a glance made her dizzy and disoriented, and she couldn't continue.

But how did this book end up in this state with her son? When Yun Lin read this book, it sometimes took her several hours to fully understand a single page. Why did this kid read it so quickly, as if he were just skimming through it?

Yun Lin's gaze met Song Xinghai's, and both could see the suspicion in each other's eyes.

"Madam, did you give him the Imperial Capital Gossip Weekly or the Holy Lion City Beauty Pictures? Why is this kid reading so fast?" Song Xinghai was quite puzzled.

"Damn Imperial Capital Gossip Weekly, I gave him the most profound book on fire control!" Yun Lin gritted her teeth, thinking, "This brat, I thought you were quite ambitious, but you dare to fool your mother? Do you think you're playing a game, treating such a difficult book like a picture book? Are you making a fool of me?"

"What? You mean this kid is reading a book on flame manipulation?" Song Xinghai was instantly shocked!

Even though he was a layman, having a fire enthusiast by his side, he was often influenced and had some understanding of alchemy. He knew that flame manipulation was the most difficult skill for an alchemist to master, and the profound techniques in the book were even challenging for Yun Lin, a mid-level alchemist. How could Song Li, a child who didn't understand anything, read it so quickly?

This kid must be joking! To dare to play tricks on his parents, Song Xinghai was furious and was ready to kick him!

"Don't rush, wait a bit. At this speed, he'll finish the book soon. I'll test him later and see how long this brat can keep up the act!" Yun Lin said calmly.

"Alright, we'll wait. If this kid doesn't show any results, I'll spank him." Song Xinghai said angrily.

Although their son had improved a lot recently, he was still young and prone to arrogance. As parents, they loved their children but also needed to educate them when necessary. If he couldn't understand the book but pretended to be smart in front of his parents, that was deceit. If left unchecked, it would be disastrous. So, Song Xinghai was really prepared to discipline Song Li once his trick was exposed.

Song Li naturally heard his parents' conversation but didn't pay much attention. Logically, he had no reason to understand fire control techniques. His parents' doubts were justified. No one would think he had the "Emperor Fire Seed" and knew the "Scarlet Emperor's Purple Flame Technique," the pinnacle of fire control techniques, making ordinary techniques easy for him.

He quickly finished the thick book, or rather, "flipped" through it, which took about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"So, son, did you understand it?" Yun Lin smiled, but Song Li could sense a hint of menace in her smile. Knowing his mother, this was the prelude to her losing her temper.

"I understood it." Song Li was confident and not afraid.

This brat, even daring to fool his mother. Yun Lin's smile faded, and her eyes narrowed. She said coolly, "Really? How much did you understand?"

"Most of it." Song Li used a relatively conservative term. If he said, "These are too simple," his mother might slap him.

Even his conservative statement sounded like boasting to Yun Lin. She wanted to immediately lose her temper and twist his ears, but she restrained herself. She needed to expose his lies with facts before taking action. Otherwise, if he said he understood, what reason would she have to discipline him?

"Since you understood it, that's great. I just finished a batch of alchemy pills, the 'Three Transformations Reversion Pill' I gave you last time. However, there are about ten defective pills, perfect for you to practice. Let's see how much you really understand." Yun Lin said with a half-smile, thinking, "Brat, let's see you brag. I have plenty of ways to deal with you, and I'll expose you right away."

In the field of alchemy, the ability to control fire is divided into twelve levels based on the perception and manipulation of flames: Level 1 can master eight subtle changes in flames and manipulate them skillfully, Level 2 can master sixteen changes, Level 3 can master thirty-two changes, and so on. Levels 1 to 4 are considered basic, Levels 5 to 8 are intermediate, and Levels 9 to 12 are advanced. Above Level 12 is the "Heaven" level, where one can master infinite changes in flames. This ability is god-like, and no such genius has ever been heard of on the entire Nebula Continent!

Yun Lin's current fire control ability is at Level 3, allowing her to master thirty-two changes in flames. Her "Three Pure Flame Rock Fire" has forty-nine changes, so she cannot fully control it. The "Three Transformations Reversion Pill," a low-grade earth-level alchemy pill, requires thirty-six temperature changes during its preparation. Since Yun Lin can only control thirty-two changes, some pills inevitably fail to form due to insufficient flame temperature, becoming "defective pills."

In this batch, Yun Lin had thirteen defective pills, which she planned to use to challenge Song Li. If he said he understood everything, let him demonstrate. She would make him beg for mercy.

"Alright, I'll give it a try." Song Li's indifferent attitude made both parents furious. Song Xinghai immediately wanted to give his son a beating, but Yun Lin held him back.

Yun Lin put the thirteen defective pills into the furnace, ignited the fuel at the bottom with the seed of her "Three Pure Flame Rock Fire," and gestured invitingly, saying, "Son, come on."

Song Li stood beside the alchemy furnace, his expression calm, showing no signs of pressure.

Given his current understanding of alchemy and his cultivation level, he could only refine low-grade human-level alchemy pills, the lowest level for an alchemist. However, Song Li's fire control ability was exceptionally strong. In his case, it was almost impossible to assign a level. If his cultivation level were high enough to fully utilize the "Emperor Fire Seed," his fire control ability would definitely be at the "Heaven" level, as the "Emperor Fire Seed" has infinite changes, and he could perfectly control it, thus mastering infinite changes in flames.

Currently, his cultivation level and understanding of techniques are at a basic level, so he can only sense sixty-four changes in flames, placing him at Level 4. However, his level would improve with his cultivation, making it difficult to assign a specific level to his fire control ability.

With the lowest level of alchemy skills and exceptional fire control ability, Song Li could refine low-grade earth-level alchemy pills. Due to his precise control of flames, there would be almost no defective pills.

Yun Lin's "Three Pure Flame Rock Fire" has forty-nine changes, and Song Li can control sixty-four changes, so he would handle it with ease.

He tried to use his mental energy to sense the defective pills in the furnace and found that they weren't truly defective. They just didn't receive uniform heat due to his mother's insufficient control over the subtle changes in flames. If he could remelt them and precisely control the flames to ensure uniform heating, these pills could be saved.

His idea was undoubtedly correct, and Yun Lin understood the principle. However, to complete this process, one needed to fully control the "Three Pure Flame Rock Fire." Yun Lin still couldn't precisely control seventeen temperature changes, so she could only watch helplessly. If she could do this, she could ensure that every batch of low-grade earth-level alchemy pills would be successfully refined without wasting any ingredients. This was practically impossible.

For any level of alchemist, producing defective pills is a common occurrence. The more skilled the alchemist, the fewer defective pills, but no one can guarantee zero defects. Only those who have reached a god-like level of fire control can ensure this. Such individuals are extremely rare on the continent, perhaps only a handful.

---

**End of Chapter**