The First Venerable of All Paths

"It's done! I've succeeded!"

Holding the smooth pill in his hand, Old Man Jiang was so excited that he looked like he was about to shed tears.

The Three-Fire Mystic Pill, above which grade is only considered third grade.

However, from another perspective, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this pill is ranked fourth or even fifth grade.

This is because the flame required to refine this elixir needs to combine the elements of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

It refers to three types of flames: Heaven, Earth, and Man, not just any three types of flames.

How many people in this world can gather all three of these flames?

How many people can refine the Three Fire Mystic Pill?

When Jiang Laotou first saw the recipe for the Three Fires Mystic Pill, he even thought for a moment that the recipe was fake.

How could anyone possibly create such a formula and refine such an elixir?

But now, after personally refining the Three Fire Mystic Pill, Old Man Jiang was excited as he looked at the pill in his hand.

He almost cried tears of joy.

"Young friend Fang, we succeeded!"

Old Jiang stepped forward, patted Fang Xuan's shoulder forcefully, and said excitedly, "We did it!"

"Master Jiang's alchemy skills are extraordinary; I admire him greatly."

Fang Xuan smiled calmly, appearing quite composed.

For him, refining a Three-Fire Mystic Pill was not a particularly remarkable thing.

But he didn't want to discourage Old Man Jiang.

"Stop flattering me, you brat."

Old Jiang said irritably, "You deserve the greatest credit for the successful refining of this elixir."

Old Jiang was telling the truth.

These three Fire Mystic Pills were indeed made possible thanks to Fang Xuan.

This young man, despite his young age, is already perfect in alchemy techniques, control of flames, timing, and use of his divine soul.

Before this, he thought his disciple Chen Qing was very outstanding.

But after seeing Fang Xuan, Old Man Jiang felt that the rebellious disciple was a good-for-nothing.

"Teacher, I also helped with that, okay?"

As luck would have it, Chen Qing stepped forward and said something at that moment.

"Get out, I don't want to see you."

Old Jiang rolled his eyes and spat directly onto Chen Qing's face.

"I......"

Looking at his teacher, who was smiling like a kind father to Fang Xuan, Chen Qing felt utterly hopeless, as if the sky were about to fall.

"Young man, I don't like beating around the bush."

Old Jiang asked, "Do you have a master or apprentice?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan immediately understood what the other party wanted to say.

He smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kind words, senior. I already have a master."

"I see."

Although he had expected it, Old Man Jiang was still somewhat disappointed upon hearing this.

"I should have known."

Old Jiang sighed, but forced a smile and said, "If you don't mind, you can stay at the medicine garden for a while. I have some questions about alchemy that I'd like to ask you."

"teacher......"

"Old Jiang..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing and Xiao Jinyu were both stunned.

In their eyes, their teacher (Master Jiang) was a master in alchemy.

Countless people treated him as an honored guest, spending half their fortune to seek elixirs from him, yet to no avail.

Even when Xiao Jinyu repeatedly tried to invite Elder Jiang to oversee Tianbao Tower, he refused without hesitation.

Even this medicine garden, if it weren't for my teacher's sake, I probably wouldn't have been able to get in.

However, the teacher (Master Jiang) actually took the initiative to invite Fang Xuan to stay temporarily in the medicine garden.

This is the first time in history that this has ever happened.

"Even I don't get this kind of treatment."

Xiao Jinyu's red lips curled slightly, looking inexplicably aggrieved.

Fang Xuan was also taken aback for a moment, and quickly cupped his hands and said, "Senior, you are too kind to this junior. I am unworthy of the words 'please instruct me'."

"Alright, I don't like pretentious people."

Old Jiang waved his hand and said, "This matter is settled."

As he spoke, he tossed the Three-Fire Profound Pill to Xiao Jinyu and said, "Little Koi, the pill is finished. Find a place to cultivate in seclusion. I have to discuss alchemy with Fang boy and don't have time to entertain you."

Xiao Jinyu caught the pill instinctively, somewhat bewildered.

Am I being rejected?

Not to mention him, even Chen Qing was speechless, and said with a wry smile, "Jinyu, let's go. Teacher probably can't take care of the two of us for the time being."

Looking at the two who were already having a heated discussion, Xiao Jinyu could only smile helplessly.

"All right."

Having obtained the Three Fire Mystic Pill, Xiao Jinyu prepared to take his leave and break through to the next level.

"Fang Xuan, I'll come pick you up in a few days."

Xiao Jinyu bowed and said, "Elder Jiang, I'll take my leave now. I'll come back another day to thank you for your help with alchemy."

"Let's go, let's go."

Old Jiang waved his hand impatiently, chasing Xiao Jinyu away as if he were being shooed away.

And so, Fang Xuan settled down in the medicine garden.

To be precise, it's not about living there.

Because Old Man Jiang didn't give Fang Xuan any time to rest.

Aside from giving Fang Xuan two hours to meditate and regulate his breathing, Old Man Jiang would spend the rest of the time discussing alchemy with him.

From pharmacology to the combination of medicinal materials, alchemy techniques, fire control, and even the selection and identification of alchemical cauldrons, the two were involved in all of these fields.

During their conversation, Old Man Jiang discovered that Fang Xuan could not only easily answer some of his questions about alchemy, but also draw inferences from them, giving Old Man Jiang countless inspirations.

He never imagined that a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy could have such insights and understanding of alchemy.

"A prodigy, truly a prodigy!"

Old Jiang sighed, "I really don't know what kind of outstanding alchemy master could have taught such an excellent disciple as you."

To say that I am not envious is a lie.

While envious, Old Man Jiang was even more shocked by the identity of Fang Xuan's "teacher".

Not only are they skilled in teaching, but they can even help them refine the Phoenix Clan's symbiotic divine fire.

Just thinking about this strength and background made Old Man Jiang feel a chill.

Ten days.

Old Man Jiang insisted that Fang Xuan stay for ten days.

Of course, during this time the two not only talked about alchemy, but Old Man Jiang also gave Fang Xuan some pointers on martial arts cultivation.

He even personally used the Earth Heart Flame to help Fang Xuan improve his mental state.

With his improved mental state, Fang Xuan's cultivation naturally broke through to the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm.

In addition, Fang Xuan's spiritual power has also improved.

He's only a thin layer of sandpaper away from becoming a second-grade Soul Master; a gentle poke is all it takes to break through.

"Are you sure you want to leave?"

At the entrance of the medicine garden, Old Man Jiang looked at Fang Xuan with lingering affection, his face full of reluctance.

"I've troubled you during this time, senior."

Fang Xuan bowed and said, "But I have important matters to attend to and dare not delay."

"All right."

Upon hearing this, Old Man Jiang stopped insisting and sighed, "Since that's the case, I won't force you. If you ever pass through Mingyang County in the future and still remember this old man, please come and sit in my medicine garden."

"Thanks to your support, senior, I have benefited greatly during this time."

Fang Xuan solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "If there is an opportunity, I will definitely come to visit you."

"Very well, then I'll be waiting for that day."

Old Jiang laughed heartily, then took out a book and handed it to Fang Xuan.

"Senior, this is...?"

Fang Xuan was taken aback.

"These are my insights from years of spiritual practice."

Old Jiang said, "Although it can't compare to your teacher's, it's still a token of my goodwill, and I hope you won't refuse it."

Chen Qing, standing nearby, was completely stunned.

That represents the culmination of the teacher's life's work in martial arts and alchemy.

He once secretly glanced at something and was scolded by the teacher and made to kneel for three days and three nights.

Now, the teacher just casually gives it away?

At this moment, Chen Qing felt neither jealousy nor envy.

What he sensed was the teacher's high regard for Fang Xuan.

As for him?

He was the teacher's only disciple. Not to mention these insights, everything in this medicine garden belonged to him.

Why offend Fang Xuan for the sake of someone the teacher values?

"How could that be?"

Fang Xuan said, "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder; it would be disrespectful for a junior to decline."

He took the book with both hands and solemnly put away the "Nine Chapters of the Herb Garden" written by Old Man Jiang himself.

"That's right."

Old Jiang's smile widened. He glanced at the carriage at the alley entrance and said meaningfully, "Alright, let's go quickly, or that girl Jinli might complain to me."

Sitting in the dragon carriage, Xiao Jinyu naturally heard these words, rolled her eyes slightly, and spat out a curse under her breath.

That old lewd man is shameless.

"Then I'll take my leave, senior. Take care."

Then he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Qing and said, "Brother Chen, take care!"

"Take care of yourself!"

Chen Qing returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, his face beaming with a warm smile.

After Fang Xuan boarded the carriage and slowly drove away, Chen Qing sighed softly, his eyes filled with a sense of melancholy.

"It's better to let it go sooner rather than later."

Seeing his apprentice's state, Old Man Jiang said meaningfully, "You should stop thinking about that girl, Little Koi."

"Yes, it's time to let it go."

As if he had just thought of something, Chen Qing suddenly showed a determined look on his face.

"teacher."

"Spit it out if you have something to say."

"This disciple wishes to go out and gain experience."

"Um?"

Old Jiang was taken aback, looked at his student, and said, "Are you serious?"

"Seriously."

Chen Qing nodded solemnly and said with a wry smile, "I don't want to be left too far behind by him."

I've found out the details in the last few days.

Fang Xuan, besides being a third-grade alchemist, is also a celebrity in the entire Southwest Three Regions.

The Blood Fiend Gang, the Wen family, and the Ming family were all directly or indirectly destroyed by this person.

He is even a formation master and a sword cultivator!

Faced with such a prodigy, he couldn't even muster a trace of jealousy.

Yes, there is only endless pressure.

Having goals is a good thing, but we shouldn't be too ambitious.

Old Jiang timely poured cold water on the situation, saying with schadenfreude, "If you take that kid Fang as your goal, be careful your Dao heart doesn't become clouded."

"Teacher, am I still your student?"

Chen Qing clutched his chest, looking somewhat injured.

Even if one's heart is clouded by worldly desires, it's still better than having no goal at all.

Chen Qing clenched his fists: "Mingyang County is too small. I want to go out and explore."

"Go if you want to."

Old Jiang turned around and walked into the medicine garden.

"If you're not doing well, don't come back. I can't afford to lose face like that."

Chen Qing's expression hardened, and he bowed respectfully.

"Teacher, rest assured, your disciple will certainly not let you down."

Old Jiang kept walking, but a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

Just as fledgling birds must leave the nest and eaglets must spread their wings to emerge from their cocoons and soar into the heavens, so too must fledgling birds be able to emerge from their cocoons and soar into the sky.

Inside the carriage.

Fang Xuan looked at Xiao Jinyu, his brows furrowing slightly.

"How did you get hurt?"