Chapter 110: Gathering Qi and Refining Gold

Qi Xiao restrained his excitement and returned to the office.

[Congratulations on successfully completing an alchemical supply task. You have been rewarded with the "Introduction and Advanced Manual of Qi Extraction Alchemy."]

Alchemy, having evolved over more than a hundred thousand years under the guidance of wizards, has branched into numerous schools. Mainstream disciplines like Metallurgy, Rune Craft, and Potion Brewing are well known, but there are also unique systems such as Shaping Alchemy, Universal Alchemy, and Natural Alchemy. Qi Extraction Alchemy is one such system, and it carries considerable prestige.

The reason is simple yet profound—it saves money and is highly convenient.

Qi Extraction Alchemy enables practitioners to draw the essential "Qi" they require directly from the air, using it as raw material for alchemical processes. This Qi is often pure and manifests in various forms, making alchemy both straightforward and nearly costless. Naturally, many alchemists hold this school in high regard.

Unfortunately, the threshold for entering Qi Extraction Alchemy is extremely high. One must possess a mental power exceeding twenty points to have any chance of capturing those ubiquitous yet distinct forms of Qi in the atmosphere. Wizards with mental power over twenty are exceedingly rare, and becoming an alchemist on top of that is even rarer. This explains why, despite multiple improvements and the invention of auxiliary instruments that have lowered the difficulty, Qi Extraction Alchemy has nearly faded into obscurity.

Yet none of these drawbacks applied to Qi Xiao. His mental power was naturally as high as twenty-three points. It would not be an exaggeration to say this alchemical discipline was tailor-made for him. Now, having unexpectedly acquired the manual, he was naturally thrilled.

Qi Xiao did not return to the island but instead settled into the office’s recliner, closing his eyes as he began to study the manual.

Three days passed in a blur before Qi Xiao slowly opened his eyes, a look of amazement crossing his face. The mysteries of Qi Extraction Alchemy far exceeded his expectations. According to the text, this art was originally created by a genius alchemist who combined it with cultivation methods from another vast realm. Different locations and environments yielded different kinds of Qi, each with various applications, demonstrating an expressive power comparable to crafting extraordinary materials from thin air—truly awe-inspiring.

Qi Xiao concentrated his magical energy into his left hand, palm open. A swirling current of Qi quickly gathered, and before long, an almost imperceptible strand of Qi appeared in his palm.

He observed it carefully for a while, then dispersed it with a wave of his hand. Since he had yet to begin training, the Qi he gathered was chaotic and nearly useless for alchemy. Moreover, the environment was ordinary, and the Qi contained only faint magical power, hardly different from using a magic crystal for alchemy.

Just as Qi Xiao stepped out of the office, a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes brightened instantly upon seeing him and hurried forward. “Master Qi Xiao, I have delivered the Night Whisperer you requested. May we discuss the custom alchemical commission?”

Qi Xiao fixed his gaze on the youth. He recognized him from a few days ago—the first wizard to approach him. Qi Xiao was somewhat surprised; unlike the others who clearly represented factions, this young man seemed to be alone.

But it made no difference to Qi Xiao. Once he accepted a commission, he would honor it. He nodded and invited the blonde youth into the office, casually instructing his staff to post a sign outside indicating the Night Whisperer had been received.

The young man had handed the Night Whisperer over to the shop staff immediately upon arrival today, clearly anxious to avoid losing it to someone else. Qi Xiao, having already instructed Marshall and Dimott, was in no rush to retrieve the flower. Once inside the office, he asked, “May I know your name?”

The blonde youth took a wooden chair at Qi Xiao’s invitation and spoke softly, “I am Aubremas, from the Kadagen family of the Kingdom of Therran. I have come to ask for your help in brewing a potion that restores youth and beauty…”

Qi Xiao’s eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected such a request. “There are plenty of such potions on the market, many quite effective. Even if I brew one specially, it would only differ slightly in ingredients, and the effects would be largely similar.”

Aubremas smiled wryly. “The one I seek is different. It’s intended for a mortal—my mother. She is naturally fond of beauty and has long yearned for such a potion. Recently, her hair has begun to fall out, worsening her anxiety. Rest assured, I am willing to pay well. The effect need not be extraordinary, just effective…”

His tone revealed a deep helplessness. He could not bear to watch his mother sink into despair day by day, and so he sought out a rising alchemist to commission this custom brew, hoping it would lift her spirits.

Qi Xiao pondered for a moment and nodded. “You are truly filial. I will attempt it soon. It will take about two weeks to a month. Leave me your address, and I will notify you by carrier pigeon once it is ready.”

Aubremas expressed his heartfelt gratitude. Qi Xiao waved off the thanks. “No need to rush to thank me. I might not succeed, and that would be awkward for us both. But if I can brew it, rest assured the effect will be excellent. Potions effective on wizards only become more potent for mortals.”

As Aubremas left the hall, Qi Xiao’s figure flickered, and he appeared by the lakeside.

After two quick transfers, he returned directly to his room and retrieved a stack of documents from a cabinet, flipping through them.

Once one becomes a wizard—even a mere apprentice—there are many ways to extend life and preserve appearance. But for mortals, matters are far more complicated, as many extraordinary powers prove fatal to them upon contact.

Mortals in the wizarding world, if free from disease and properly nourished, can easily live to about 120 years, with some even reaching 150.

Upon becoming an apprentice wizard, one immediately gains at least 500 years of lifespan to experiment with. Numerous spells exist to extend life, and certain schools like Nature Magic further enhance longevity. However, apprentices see little fundamental change in the essence of life, so whether low or high rank, their lifespan remains around 500 years.

Once a wizard, living thousands of years becomes effortless. Wizards possess far more methods than apprentices for prolonging life. There are countless spells for longevity, and many first-rank wizards have lived over ten thousand years. Yet, despite their vast "physical lifespan," extending the "spiritual lifespan" is far more challenging.

Qi Xiao had little research in this area but had heard that achieving true knowledge benefits spiritual longevity. As for legends—whether wizards or practitioners of other disciplines—he had never heard of any legendary figure dying of old age. Such beings always prepare contingencies, and even if they fall, resurrecting after millennia through these backups is commonplace. This is precisely why the Eternal Ice Ash carries such fearsome renown.