Chapter 61

Li Mu walked into Qin Lie's small house.

Inside, discarded spirit boards were scattered haphazardly, many broken into small pieces, some charred black like charcoal, and emitting a foul burnt smell.

"You guy..." Li Mu smiled bitterly and said, "It's even messier than before you came. You said you would clean up the shop for me, but this is how you do it?"

Qin Lie's face was full of embarrassment, and he chuckled, "When I get busy, I just can't take care of it. It will be better after this period."

Li Mu nodded, "Yes, when you focus on something, you don't pay attention to other details. Most accomplished alchemists have this quirk. Once they start, they become fully engrossed and ignore other aspects of life, completely unaffected by trivial matters."

"Does Uncle Li understand alchemy too?" Qin Lie was surprised.

Shaking his head, Li Mu said calmly, "I don't understand alchemy, but I know an alchemist. That guy has many quirks. Normally, he's like someone with a cleanliness obsession, always keeping everything clean and tidy, and taking several showers a day. However, once he starts alchemy, he becomes incredibly messy, can go days without eating or bathing, and only returns to normal when he stops."

"That senior must be extraordinary," Qin Lie said with respect.

Li Mu smiled, neither confirming nor denying, "You've been locking yourself in your room, practicing spirit array diagrams without eating or sleeping. Your perseverance and focus are no less than his, but... this isn't necessarily the absolute right method. Sometimes, a bit of relaxation and a shift in focus can lead to unexpected results when you return to your work with a calm and composed mind."

Qin Lie's expression became serious, and he said earnestly, "Please, Uncle Li, give me some advice."

"I wouldn't say it's advice. I'm just sharing a habit of my friend, hoping it might inspire you," Li Mu pondered for a moment and continued, "When my alchemist friend encounters a barrier while refining a spirit artifact or drawing a spirit array diagram, and can't break through, he usually takes a complete break for a while."

He looked at Qin Lie and said, "That guy would step away from alchemy, indulge in pleasures, drink strong liquor, and find a woman to let loose with, completely forgetting about alchemy and the problems that trouble him. After a few days, all his pressure and fatigue would be released, and his tense nerves would relax..."

"Then, he would start again, continuing the unfinished alchemy, refocusing on the problems that troubled him. Often, he would break through the barrier, find solutions, and handle the unfinished problems with ease."

Li Mu smiled and added, "His method is extremely effective. You can try it; you might be pleasantly surprised."

"Shift focus, temporarily free yourself, completely forget about alchemy, let your mind become calm, release the pressure, and then start again..."

Qin Lie pondered silently, his eyes gradually brightening, sensing the subtlety of Li Mu's advice.

"Thank you, Uncle Li," he said sincerely.

Waving his hand, Li Mu indicated that there was no need for such formality, then invited him, "Let's have a drink in the courtyard. A friend will be over soon, and you can keep me company, just chat casually."

"Sure," Qin Lie put down the spirit board and walked out of the room with him to the small courtyard.

Under a lush tree in the center of the courtyard, there was a stone table and stone stools. The table was already set with wine and dishes, the aroma of the wine wafting through the air.

Li Mu had Qin Lie sit down, raised his wine bowl, and said, "Come, let's drink and chat."

"Do we not wait for him?" Qin Lie was surprised.

"No problem," Li Mu smiled calmly, drank a bowl himself, and then exhaled the alcohol contentedly, "Don't be shy, drink up. This wine is very good."

Qin Lie took a sip as instructed, then suddenly started coughing loudly, his face turning red.

He had never drunk such strong liquor before!

That one sip felt like a burning fireball in his throat, and once it reached his stomach, it felt like molten iron, scalding him so much he almost cried out in pain.

"Cough, cough, this wine, this wine is so strong!"

Qin Lie felt a burning sensation all over his body, his stomach aching fiercely, his face as red as blood.

"First time drinking is like this, but you'll get used to it," Li Mu chuckled, "If you can't handle it, you can dilute it with water. Once your stomach gets used to it, you can take small sips."

"Then I'll dilute it..." Qin Lie didn't insist and immediately went to find water, returning a while later with a large pot of water.

Li Mu was speechless, then smiled and watched him without speaking.

Qin Lie brought the water pot over, ready to dilute the wine, but suddenly paused, his eyes widening in surprise.

The burning sensation in his stomach was gone, replaced by a warm, pleasant feeling spreading through his body. The rich, strong aroma of the wine seemed to flow through his throat, leaving a lingering, indescribable beauty. This drinking experience was something he had never felt before.

A drowsy, half-drunk, half-awake sensation also gave him a sense of enjoyment.

"Good, good wine..."

After a while, he burped, put down the water pot, and picked up the wine bowl again, his face still red. He took another small sip, closed his eyes, and silently felt the burning sensation in his throat and the heat in his stomach, his face showing a hint of intoxication.

Li Mu was slightly surprised and kindly reminded him, "This wine is indeed very strong. Your body might not handle it well the first time. It's best to dilute it to avoid hurting yourself."

"It's fine, I can handle it," Qin Lie said, his eyes slightly glazed.

Just two small sips, and he was already a bit drunk, more so than after ten bowls of wine in Ling Family Town.

"I won't say more. You know your limits. Just take it easy," Li Mu looked at him deeply, smiled, and nodded, "Xiao Bing is coming..."

As Qin Lie was slightly stunned, a large wolf dog with snow-white fur walked in from outside.

The wolf dog was over a meter long, with fur as smooth as silk, and eyes that seemed to have a human-like intelligence, shining with wisdom...

It came over and sat on another stone stool like a person, grabbed the wine bowl with its paws, and drank it down.

The large bowl of strong liquor was quickly finished, and its eyes showed a look of enjoyment, followed by a contented burp.

Qin Lie watched the sudden appearance of the wolf dog, feeling amazed, and asked, "Uncle Li, this is?"

"That's the friend I mentioned," Li Mu smiled, then happily stroked the wolf dog's white fur. The wolf dog seemed to enjoy it, closing its eyes and sitting still.

"Qin Lie, to become a true alchemist, just practicing spirit array diagrams is not enough," Li Mu thought for a moment and said, "Certainly, spirit array diagrams are the core and essence of spirit artifacts, the most crucial factor in determining their rank."

He looked at Qin Lie, "But for a true alchemist, you must also know how to combine and refine various spirit materials to form a 'vessel.' Only after forming a 'vessel' can you draw spirit array diagrams on it. You are practicing the final step of alchemy, but the processes of breaking down, mixing, melting, and refining materials into a 'vessel' seem unfamiliar to you?"

"That's true," Qin Lie's face was calm, but he said bitterly, "I'm just a half-baked alchemist, not a true one, and no one has taught me how to refine materials into a 'vessel.' I only know a few spirit array diagrams, so I had to start from there."

"I see," Li Mu pondered for a moment and said, "You should go to the Star Cloud Pavilion and apply to be an assistant to Yao Tai. Yao Tai is an alchemist at the Star Cloud Pavilion. Although his expertise in spirit array diagrams is average, he has some insights into combining and refining materials into a 'vessel.' You can learn from him."

Qin Lie's expression changed, and after some thought, he asked, "Alchemists only teach their apprentices alchemy knowledge, sometimes even keeping secrets from them. Will Yao Tai... accept me? Will he share his experience in refining materials into a 'vessel'?"

"Ha ha, alchemists guard the core spirit array diagrams as if they were their lives, but they are generally not too cautious about refining materials into a 'vessel.' This part can be learned through observation and practice without detailed guidance. The true core secrets of alchemists are always the spirit array diagrams, which they are reluctant to teach even to their apprentices."

Li Mu smiled at him, "In this area, you don't need to learn from him, right?"

"Will he accept me?" Qin Lie's eyes grew brighter, moved by Li Mu's words, "Most alchemists are reclusive and proud, hard to get along with, and many people compete to be their apprentices or assistants. I don't know if Yao Tai will be willing to take me in..."

"Try it and see," Uncle Li smiled meaningfully.

"Alright, I'll report to the Star Cloud Pavilion tomorrow and see if I can be transferred to Yao Tai's side," Qin Lie said boldly, emboldened by the alcohol.

"Qin Lie, the outside world is vast, and you are just starting out. Being young... is truly wonderful," Li Mu sighed.

"Uncle Li, do you know about the outside world? Can you tell me more?" Qin Lie asked, lost in thought.

"I traveled a lot when I was young, went to many places, met many people, and learned many things..." Li Mu nodded, took another sip of wine, his eyes slightly red, and his voice low, "The continent we stand on, named Chiluan, has over a hundred Greenstone-level forces like the Star Cloud Pavilion and the Ice Shatter Manor. There are also over a dozen Black Iron-level forces like the Senluo Hall and the Seven Evils Valley."

"However, above that, there are only two Bronze-level forces... These two Bronze-level forces have dominated the Chiluan continent for hundreds of years, occupying the best cultivation resources and the highest-quality mines. They command over a dozen Black Iron-level forces like the Senluo Hall and the Seven Evils Valley, controlling the lives and destinies of all beings on this continent, with the power to decide the fate of lower-level warriors."

Li Mu paused, looked deeply at Qin Lie, and smiled faintly, "In the Spirit Realm, there are many continents like Chiluan. The top forces on the Chiluan continent are only Bronze-level. But on other continents, there are Silver-level forces, and even Gold-level forces! Those continents... are even vaster, more prosperous, and have wonders beyond your wildest dreams!"

Qin Lie listened with excitement, as if seeing grand and magnificent scenes, his mind drifting to those beautiful other continents.

"Uncle Li, you know so much, so you must have been to many places?" Qin Lie said with admiration.

"Yes, I have been to many places, wandering and drifting for most of my life. In the end, in the end... sigh," Li Mu looked desolate, his words trailing off, and he sighed deeply, drinking the strong liquor in his bowl, lost in silent reminiscence.

...

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