C136 Golden Swirl(1)

According to the "Soul Refinement Method," when a person first opens their spiritual core, their soul energy is as small as a firefly's light. With gradual practice, this light slowly grows stronger. However, Woo Zhengyang discovered that within his spiritual core was a world filled with white light, so vast that he couldn't even see its boundaries.

Just the Ice Crystal Fire Hall alone occupied an area as large as a wealthy family's estate, representing countless fireflies' worth of soul energy. In this world of white light, Woo Zhengyang also found something both familiar and strange: a golden vortex.

On that day in the orchard, a flash of inspiration had plunged Woo Zhengyang into a mysterious vortex. Back then, the vortex was black and small enough to fit in his fist. Now, within Woo Zhengyang's spiritual core, the vortex had turned golden and grown to the size of a millstone. Streams of golden light swirled around it, resembling a sky full of stars right before his eyes.

The soul energy surrounding Woo Zhengyang was gradually drawn into motion by this golden vortex. With each rotation of the vortex, Woo Zhengyang could feel his soul energy growing stronger.

Woo Zhengyang had never practiced any soul-cultivating techniques, yet he possessed such formidable soul energy. The answer was clear.

After a long moment, Woo Zhengyang snapped out of his shock and withdrew from his inner world. He had initially thought the golden vortex had vanished after altering his body, but to his surprise, it still existed, hidden within a mysterious realm. If not for this chance encounter, he might never have discovered it.

Although he found the golden vortex, its true nature remained a mystery to him, as his mind couldn't penetrate it. Woo Zhengyang had grown accustomed to its enigma and quickly set it aside to focus on his study of alchemy.

With his soul energy already so powerful, he didn't need to worry about the "Soul Cultivation Method." Instead, he began exploring the three key steps of alchemy.

First, controlling fire: using soul energy to manage the intensity and range of flames. Second, refining herbs: employing soul energy in tandem with fire control techniques to purify and enhance the essence of medicinal materials. Third, pill formation: combining soul energy with the principles of formations to enhance, balance, or counteract the effects of various herbs, ultimately forming different kinds of pills.

These three steps are crucial in the process of alchemy, each one vital to success.

The key is that while this method is easy to learn, it's challenging to master. Only through repeated practice can one become proficient. To excel in the art of alchemy, both talent and patience are essential.

However, Woo Zhengyang felt surprisingly familiar with these three techniques. Suddenly, he focused his mind and delved into his inner sanctuary. He noticed that the golden vortex, which usually spun slowly, began to whirl rapidly as he attempted the alchemical techniques, stirring his soul energy into a storm.

The mysterious golden vortex, the sudden appearance of mastery in martial arts, and the grandmaster level in formations! Woo Zhengyang seemed to have grasped the crux of the matter.

"Could it be that alchemy can also be perfected quickly?" Woo Zhengyang thought excitedly. He had considered this possibility before, but the sudden, profound state was hard to control, and he didn't dare to get his hopes up. Now, feeling this way, he couldn't help but be thrilled. If this were true, crafting the Dragon Saliva Pill might not take six months after all.

In his excitement, Woo Zhengyang set aside the three alchemical techniques, eager to test his theory. It was then he realized he had nothing to practice on. Finally, his gaze landed on the alchemical cauldron.

Woo Zhengyang took a few steps to the cauldron and placed his hands on it, channeling his soul energy. A mysterious sensation emerged, as if this energy was a bridge connecting him to the cauldron. With a mere thought, the lid of the cauldron opened effortlessly—a feat that even Liang Ruoxuan's father struggled with. This was the advantage of having strong soul energy.

Surveying the cauldron, Woo Zhengyang noticed that despite years of disuse, it was still connected to the underground fire source. Without hesitation, he activated the fire array beneath the cauldron. Flames surged rapidly, filling the interior and even leaping out, startling him. Regaining his composure, Woo Zhengyang began to control the flames.

Initially, he was quite unfamiliar with the process, but after running through the technique once, the awkwardness vanished. What was once a complex method of fire control now felt natural to him. Under his command, the flames responded fluidly, flaring and dimming at will.

At this moment, Woo Zhengyang was certain he had entered a profound state. With just one use, he could master the three techniques of alchemy with ease.