Chapter 128: Alchemy

Ye Tian hurried to the library and spotted Acanala reading behind the counter. Next to her, on a shelf, the little eagle stood on a folding fan. Seeing Ye Tian approach, it flapped its wings to signal its presence. "It’s going to be a long time before you can fly!" Ye Tian reached out his arm, and the little creature hopped onto it.

"You've gotten heavier!" Ye Tian chuckled, stroking the little creature’s feathers. The unfledged eagle looked rather gray, but the down beneath appeared dark, suggesting it would eventually grow into a black eagle.

"Let’s go for a walk," Ye Tian said to the eagle, which flapped its wings in agreement. Ye Tian reached out to pet the "furball monster" on the table. It seemed to have grown chubbier and even softer, feeling incredibly pleasant to the touch.

"This is a library, keep it down!" Clearly, the girl was still upset about what had happened earlier. "Oh, come on, don't be angry anymore!" Ye Tian glanced around. "I really wasn't lying to you; I'm going out to have someone forge a weapon for me."

"Hmph!" The girl let out a huff. Ye Tian smiled and turned to leave. "Take it for a walk too, and don't get it dirty!" With that, the furball monster on the table leaped into Ye Tian’s arms.

"Hehe, alright, I'm off!" Ye Tian placed the little eagle on his shoulder and left, carrying the furball monster.

"How cute!" There was no denying that the furball monster’s snow-white fur and round body could captivate many girls. However, these young noble ladies, proud of their status, would never come over to bother Ye Tian, so he walked along the path with peace of mind.

"Hehe, I haven't really explored this place even after being here for so long." Ye Tian had been here for several months, but apart from a trip to the Beast Domain, he didn't even know where the campus walls were, let alone wander around. This time, acting under orders to take the little creatures out for a stroll, Ye Tian specifically sought out areas with pleasant scenery.

"Instructor Lifi, why are you here?" By a deserted little lake, Ye Tian saw Lifi drinking alone. He hadn't seen her for a while. "It’s you!" Lifi scrambled up in a panic, eyeing the wine bottle beside her and preparing to kick it into the lake.

"Don't, you'll pollute the environment!" Ye Tian stomped his foot, causing the bottle to vibrate upward, and Lifi’s kick missed. She glared at him without a word. "I’ll clean it up later," Ye Tian quickly added.

"What are you doing here?" Lifi asked, sounding displeased. "Taking a walk, and taking them out for a stroll!" Ye Tian lifted the furball monster in his arms. "Wow, so cute!" Lifi didn't mind the creature at all; she reached out and snatched it away. "Where did you buy it?"

"On the street outside. That was the only one, no more left." Ye Tian shrugged. "Give it to me?" Lifi asked. "I'll pay." Ye Tian hurriedly said, "It's not mine; it belongs to Miss Acanala."

"Tch!" Lifi made a sound, but she didn't have the heart to toss the little creature back to Ye Tian, instead holding it in her arms and stroking it gently. Ye Tian watched the fluffy creature with envy; it must feel very comfortable, otherwise, why would she be nuzzling it so much?

"Giggle!" Lifi laughed softly. The little creature was soft and gentle, and it didn't seem to mind Lifi’s attention. "I really want one too," Lifi sighed. "Isn't that easy? Just go buy one," Ye Tian said.

Lifi glanced at Ye Tian without saying a word. "Why aren't you keeping Her Majesty the Queen company?" Ye Tian asked curiously. "How did you know that?" "Why shouldn't I know?" Lifi teased, fiddling with the furball monster. "I also know you two know each other."

"That..." Ye Tian scratched his cheek and looked away. "Grell, the guy who turned the Imperial Capital upside down—I didn't expect you to be hiding in the academy. Do you know that many people are looking for you?" Lifi stole a glance at him.

"What do they want with me?" Ye Tian curled his lip. "And how do you know all this?" "I know a lot of things. Do you want me to report them to you one by one?" Lifi asked without looking up. "What, are you planning to silence me?"

"No, what are you thinking?" Ye Tian said helplessly. "I don't kill people." "Oh, so it really is you," Lifi smirked. "Lord Grell!" "So you were just guessing. It seems you have a deep connection with the Queen." Ye Tian rubbed his nose. "Are you the daughter of some minister or prince?"

"Your intellect is truly admirable," Lifi said coolly. "No wonder you were able to run Prince Ludi in circles. I am the daughter of Prince Field, the Empire's Minister of Finance. If you calculate it strictly, I am a distant cousin of the Queen."

"So, you're a princess too!" Ye Tian rubbed his nose. "Should I bow?" "Forget it. You’ve even managed to bring down a prince; what else is there you wouldn't dare to do?" Lifi looked up at Ye Tian. "Grell, what are you all plotting?"

"I don't understand," Ye Tian smiled. "Prince Dirufi’s visit to the academy isn't exactly public knowledge, but any information broker could verify it. A prince-mage never steps into the Imperial Capital in his lifetime, so coming here doesn't violate his oath. What are you really planning?" Lifi stared at him.

"What do you want?" Ye Tian asked. "Freedom. I want freedom!" Lifi said firmly. "You once promised the princess her freedom; now, please help me. Give me my freedom!"

"This..." Ye Tian rubbed his nose. "As long as you can give me my freedom, I will agree to any condition, even my own body," Lifi said through gritted teeth. "I think I can still satisfy your interests."

"Am I really that lecherous?" Ye Tian sighed, feeling depressed. "Well? Will you promise me?" Lifi asked. "I can't promise you that because I have no idea how to go about it. The Leixina incident happened because Ludi wanted to kill me, so I fought back. I have no leads regarding your situation, so I don't know what to do."

"Freedom—is giving me a simple, basic freedom really that much trouble?" Lifi said, sounding disappointed. "It is very troublesome. Freedom is the most troublesome thing there is. How about this: tell me your troubles. I can only offer you some ideas; as for whether they will work, I cannot guarantee," Ye Tian said earnestly.

"An arranged marriage." Lifi looked at Ye Tian reluctantly and spat out the words. "Hehe, that is indeed a very common occurrence," Ye Tian rubbed his nose. "Hmph! You’d better come up with a foolproof plan, or else! You know the consequences!" Lifi threatened with a sly smile.

"Forget it, I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Ye Tian turned to leave. "You... waaaah!!!" Lifi immediately crouched down and began to sob, clutching her shoulders. "Good grief." Ye Tian hurried back, and she immediately grabbed him. "I say, Honorable Instructor Lifi, we can't be this unreasonable, can we?"

"I don't care!" Lifi acted like a little girl. "Anyway, this matter is in your hands; you must think of a safe method." Ye Tian scratched his cheek and suddenly asked, "With your strength, you are fully qualified to refuse the other party. Why don't you just do that?"

"This..." Lifi hesitated. "It's because of my grandfather. My grandfather and my fiancé's family are old friends. It’s essentially a childhood engagement, but I truly have no feelings for that man."

"Well, I can only say I'll look into it," Ye Tian spread his hands. "But I don't think there's much hope, otherwise you wouldn't be hiding in the academy. By the way, who is your fiancé?"

"Nick Diagomsky." "What, the Captain of the Guard?" Ye Tian recalled that handsome young man he’d seen the other day. Come to think of it, they did look like quite the match! Ye Tian looked Lifi up and down, stroking his chin. "Actually, it’s an honor for him to have his eyes on you."

"Get lost!" Lifi snapped, and the air around them began to crackle and pop. "No, no, there’s a way!" Ye Tian quickly said. "Really?" Lifi brightened, and the elemental energy in the air vanished instantly. "Would I dare lie to you?"

"But my father has been pressing me very hard lately. He has already written three letters demanding I go back, and this time Nick coming here was also my father's idea. Can you really help me?" Lifi asked cautiously. "I really can, but you must listen to me unconditionally!" Ye Tian said seriously.

"I can do that!" Lifi said happily. "You're thinking too simply!" Ye Tian suddenly snorted. "What if I asked you to kill your father? Would you be willing?" Lifi's expression changed instantly. She looked at Ye Tian, but his expression was grave; he didn't look like he was joking.

"Grell." Lifi's lips twitched. "If you can promise to listen to me unconditionally, then I guarantee your marriage will be canceled. Otherwise, I cannot make any promises to you!" Ye Tian said solemnly. "Go back and think about it. I won't force you. Remember, it must be unconditional, because I really might make you kill your father."

"Oh? What brings you to my place?" Old Man Ralph put down the bottle in his hand and smiled at Ye Tian. "Nothing much, just came to see you and tell you something." Ye Tian told Ralph about the Bruyer situation, and the old man acted as if his seat was on fire, ready to bolt out immediately.

"Is it really that urgent?" Ye Tian grabbed the old man, and no matter how he struggled, Ye Tian wouldn't let go. "I tell you, you brat, why do you always bring me trouble!" Old Man Ralph turned his head helplessly. "Let go!"

"Don't do that. You’re not very trustworthy; if I let go and you run off, where am I supposed to find you?" Ye Tian chuckled. "Fine, I won't run," Old Man Ralph slumped his head. "Hehe, you really can't leave. Since you're here, why don't you keep me company while I refine some pills."

"No, I'm in a bad mood!" Old Man Ralph refused. "Alright then, I'll go by myself!" Having said that, Ye Tian turned and walked toward the pill-refining room Ralph had specifically set up. "Wait, you don't know how to handle that stuff. I'll go with you!" Ralph ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the unknown and trotted after him.

"I say, being an alchemist is a very serious business; you must have a calm heart. How come you suddenly thought of refining pills out of the blue?" Ralph asked curiously. "There are some things I need to think about," Ye Tian laughed. "First, I need to find some things; I'm not sure if you have them here!"

"Don't you dare underestimate me!" Ralph immediately shouted in dissatisfaction. "What don't I have here!" "I wouldn't be so sure! By the way, do you know what cinnabar is?" Ye Tian asked. "What?" Ralph was stunned. "Never heard of it."

"Then that's a problem. It's a red powder, you know, it can be used for seals," Ye Tian said. "Wait, ink paste? Wait a moment, let me check!" Ralph ran off and returned shortly after with a red box. "Look, is this it?"

"What is this?" Ye Tian opened the box to reveal a soft, red substance inside. "This is ink paste," Ralph said. "No." Ye Tian picked up a bit to smell it. "It doesn't smell right."

"Is it absolutely necessary?" Ralph asked, sounding disappointed. "Not necessarily, but without it, mercury cannot be added; otherwise, the toxicity cannot be neutralized. By the way, did you prepare the charcoal fire I asked for?"

"Why would I prepare that? Have you forgotten what I do?" Ralph said indignantly. For a master alchemist, maintaining a small flame was a piece of cake. "No, old man, pill refining requires both a high heat and a low simmer. You have to steam it with high heat first, then roast it with low heat. You think it's that easy?" Ye Tian said helplessly.

"Then what do we do? Use firewood? As long as there’s enough firewood, it should work, though the pills might turn out a bit inferior." Ye Tian thought for a moment. "By the way, I have some good stuff!" Ralph clapped his hands and ran off.

"Look at this!" Ralph opened his hand, and a fire-red orb the size of a fist appeared in his palm. "What is this?" Ye Tian asked curiously. "This is an energy crystal, a product of ancient times. The manufacturing technology has been lost, but fortunately, it can be recharged, and it’s already fully charged," Ralph explained.

"And the heat output?" Ye Tian frowned. "Don't worry, it won't be much lower than the old man's furnace, and the temperature is controllable," Ralph laughed. "That's great." Ye Tian nodded. "Let's use it."

"Alright, here and here!" Ralph found the energy slot of the pill furnace, which the Goblins had specifically left behind in their design. Ye Tian had originally planned to use flame-coal, but with such a good item, it wouldn't be so troublesome.

"Hehe, let's begin!" Ye Tian opened the lid, threw all the ingredients in, poured in some water from heaven, and closed the lid. "Ignite!" Ye Tian ordered. Ralph waved his hand, and the energy crystal began to glow brighter, emitting a scorching heat.

"Too high!" Ye Tian shouted. "Oh!" Ralph channeled his mana to control the temperature of the crystal. "Still too high!" Ye Tian yelled. A puff of steam erupted from the furnace's exhaust valve. "Whoosh!!!"

"Lower!" Ralph hurriedly channeled his mana, and the steam finally subsided, turning into thin wisps of smoke. "Is it okay now, Grell?" Ralph asked, nervously wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It's fine now. All that's left is to observe," Ye Tian said, staring at the furnace.

"How long will it take?" Ralph asked. "I don't know!" Ye Tian rubbed his nose embarrassedly. "Actually, this is my first time refining pills!"