Refining the First Dragon Essence Pellet in History (1)
1094 Words
Zhu Yuan wore a deeply worried face as senior elder Feng Xiao carefully evaluated his essays but his heart was as calm as the tranquil sea as he awaited elder Feng Xiao's astonishment and praise.
However elder Feng Xiao's face was still stern as he put down the first essay and picked up the second one.
"Hmm.. Not wrong but not detailed enough... hmm" elder Feng Xiao whispered to himself as he put down the essay and picked up the third sheet of parchment and duly studied it with his wizened experienced eyes.
Zhu Yuan's heart started to fill with uncertainty. Something was off.
"Sigh... not quite up to standard as well ... but ... hmm " elder Feng Xiao's whispers made Zhu Yuan start working up a cold sweat. He did not however interrupt the senior instructor but waited for him to finish reviewing all the essays.
"Esteemed senior..... you seem not pleased. Did I not answer the essays correctly?" Zhu Yuan could not take it any longer.
Senior elder Feng Xiao was silent for a long period of time. His face was stern and he looked lost in thought.
In truth Feng Xiao was lost for words in astonishment. The essays he read were simply impeccable. It had been years since he had evaluated such a bright talented individual and at such a tender age. If he was take these essays to his peers they would think it a huge joke if he told them who the owner of these intricate perfect work was. This level of knowledge was at par with theirs!
"Esteemed senior .... How is the results of the second phase?" Zhu Yuan asked yet again this time the worry on his face was real and heavy.
"Ahem.. cough .. cough.. well they are all correct but not satisfactory. Some key details are missing. Hmm... This is troublesome." Elder Feng Xiao collected himself and started his performance.
"So I ... I did not manage to pass..." Zhu Yuan's frown deepened as he looked very confused and did heartened.
" I must be impartial to the extreme, but also looking at your age, considering that you are our youngest examinee in history. These errors can be attributed to slight inexperience."
Zhu Yuan frowned and looked at elder Feng Xiao's stern face.
"Could this old codger be lying to me."
But looking back he saw no reason for the senior elder to do so. Feng Xiao's demeanour from the very start was honest and impartial.
"But how could the mysterious divine azure vine have any sort of flaw."
Zhu Yuan recalled the bizarre dream like encounter with the divine existence deep in the unknown cave. The vast boundless essence he experienced. He did not know a single thing about the mysterious vine but deep in his heart he could not put it to fault, not even for a fraction of a second.
Zhu Yuan had previously tried to sense its existence within his soul and mind but to no avail , so all that was left were endless questions.
"However weighing up everything, I can give you an evaluation of a pass. But just barely. Just barely."
"Young scholar Zhu Yuan, you have exhibited a once in a century talent. It is my duty as an elder practitioner and instructor to give you a chance at the final phase of the masters exam."
" I thank esteemed elder for your kindness." Zhu Yuan beamed at once, his worries fading.
"Don't thank me yet. You have to put forth your very best efforts on this last phase of the masters examination. There can be no margin of error. Whether you pass or fail will depend on your next performance."
Zhu Yuan nodded vigorously and keenly looked to the last table that was in front of him.
"Alright. Let's continue."
"Before us are the various ingredients for refining a pellet known as the Fiery Volcano Pellet. Perhaps you have heard of it."
Zhu Yuan nodded.
"Yes, its a fire attribute enhancement pellet used to increase the power and quality of fire attribute cultivation arts."
"Very good. This is the last test. Refine a Fiery Volcano Pellet with at least 80% potency using what is displayed in front of you. On the side is a brief description of the steps for refinement. This is the refining kilnthat you will use. You have four hours."
"Remember, I need your best efforts. All the best."
Seeing Zhu Yuan already engrossed on the table before him, elder Feng Xiao slowly backed away. As he turned, a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Trying to play around with this old man. Hmmph you are still too green! Hohoho... now let's watch a proper show."
What elder Feng Xiao had put before the oblivious Zhu Yuan were not the the ingredients and technique for refining the Fiery Volcano Pellet but for refining the Dragon Essence Pellet!
Discovered deep in the archaic underground Yen dynasty ruins of the Southern Sky Province, the half burnt ancient scroll that contained the Dragon Essence Pellet technique had caused a huge uproar in the entire Celestial Sky Continent.
The precious scroll was incomplete but the information they had managed to recover proved that this pellet was unparalleled. For it exponentially increased the might of all fire attribute cultivation arts five fold! and all dragon attribute arts seven fold!
The Imperial Celestial Palace had placed a one thousand golden spirit jade reward to any master pellet refiner who successfully refined the now infamous Dragon Essence Pellet. For ten years the best of the best had embarked on this extremely enticing opportunity at once, first in secrecy then afterwards after long periods of unsuccessful attempts they had joined hands but this Dragon essence had proved entirely impossible to refine.! It remained elusive to date.
"Alright, young brat. Let's see if you are able to achieve the unimaginable.!" Senior elder Feng Xiao smiled as he sipped his cup of sweet hot jasmine tea in pleasure from behind his secret window.
His breathing was shallow and slow, his eyes glued to this young pellet practitioner who birthed in him great expectation and joy. At this moment even if the room he was in started to burn senior elder Feng Xiao would not budge from his seat.
*****
N:B
100 bronze spirit stones = 1 silver spirit stone.
100 silver spirit stones = 1 golden spirit stone.
Red Eagle Town inhabitants refer to the bronze spirit stones as normal spirit stones as they were but a small town but upper existences and hegemons in the Celestial Sky Continent also use silver & golden spirit stones as we shall come to see later on.
So the 1000 golden spirit stones reward offered by the Celestial Imperial Palace = 10,000,000 bronze spirit stones!
*****
- Writer
