On the stone slab was a blooming sunflower, its bright yellow color unaffected by the age of the stone slab. At the center of the three sunflowers, each contained a wonderful hexagram, filled with different magical characters. At first glance, these three sunflowers seemed like a word-filling game.
But these magical characters greatly shocked Ge Zheng's eyes. Normally in equations, different symbols and patterns are used to represent raw materials, while magic characters represent the process. However, this alchemical equation on the stone slab was exactly the opposite, using magic characters to represent raw materials. Among the magical characters within the three hexagrams of the sunflower, none represented the alchemical process.
Magic characters were used to indicate the raw materials, thus the patterns were used to represent the alchemical processing.
The three sunflowers did not grow in soil. The one on the left grew on a tortoiseshell, the one on the right grew on a river, and the middle one was the strangest, growing on a dissected corpse!
There were light red clouds in the sky, which should indicate "dyeing," the final process of alchemy.
The entire pattern appeared very harmonious, both in color and layout. Although Ge Zheng had never studied Western painting, he could still sense the feeling conveyed by the picture.
The tortoiseshell indicated a crucible, so if a crucible was used, the contents of this sunflower must be burned. But if that were the case, why use a sunflower to express it? Ge Zheng delved further and, for some reason, suddenly associated the sunflower with the corona he had seen on the Ge Gate martial arena. Then, it dawned on him: was sunlight used for heating?
The method of using sunlight for heating had never been used on the Star Refining Continent, not even by Parachelso, but Ge Zheng knew. He looked at the materials in the sunflower, all of which were biological, such as animal horns, animal bones, and only two types of metal, both with very low melting points. This phenomenon made Ge Zheng more confident in his speculation. The speed and heat of sunlight heating must be lower than burning by magical fire, and the melting point of the materials cannot be too high. However, sunlight heating naturally had its advantages; sunlight belonged to the light element, was holy and continuous, and had unexpected benefits for the fusion of certain magical materials.
The river under the sunflower on the right, Ge Zheng guessed, required water bath heating. The neck of this sunflower seemed to be spiral like, and after a moment of contemplation, Ge Zheng understood: it was a condensing device with a helical coil.
The sunflower in the middle was rather strange, as it was growing on a dissected corpse. Dissection represents dissolution, which also implies "purification." In alchemy, dissection does indeed have the meaning of "purification" and "refinement." Ge Zheng looked at the materials in the sunflower and concluded that it was a refinement process.
After processing the three sets of raw materials, it was time for the final step, the "red cloud layer" of the equation. However, Ge Zheng still didn't understand how to achieve this "dyeing" process.
The circular red cloud looked like a large pot. After staring at the cloud for a long time, he suddenly turned the stone slab over. Looking at it from that angle, he immediately understood: the cloud was a simplified melting furnace. Ge Zheng grinned; this equation was very old but surprisingly simple.
The materials had been prepared, but before proceeding with alchemy, Ge Zheng had an important task to do: making a solar furnace.
The solar furnace was simple; Ge Zheng had seen the blueprints in the mountain gate. It was a huge bowl-shaped structure made on the ground, with reflective interiors concentrating sunlight at a focal point.
For Ge Zheng, this was not too complicated, and in half a day's work, he made three solar furnaces.
After processing all the raw materials and heating them on the solar furnace, he obtained three different semi-finished products. Then, he mixed the three semi-finished products in the laboratory's melting furnace to melt them into one furnace.
Initially, he thought the alchemy would be successful this time. But in the final step, Ge Zheng encountered a problem.
Generally, as long as the steps on the equation are followed, the final form of the alchemical work does not need to be worried about by the alchemist, as each step of the equation is meticulously designed to produce the final product. If an alchemist needs to determine the final form of the work, such as using irrigation methods, the equation would have an indication explaining the form of the final product.
This equation did not have such an indication, so Ge Zheng believed that he didn't need to worry. However, to his surprise, the materials in the melting furnace had turned into a paste, showing no sign of forming. This made him a bit anxious because controlling the timing of alchemy was crucial, and even with temperature control by flame clothing, if the melting time was prolonged, the batch of materials would be scrapped.
He looked at the equation several times, but found no clue about the form of the product. As the melting furnace was emitting red smoke, the materials had become useless.
Although the materials for this batch were not as expensive as the saber he had made, they were still costly. If it weren't for fetching ten thousand gold coins in the end, it would have left him broke.
He had spent thirteen hundred gold coins on the raw materials to make armor for that mysterious person. Now, the wasted batch had cost six hundred gold coins. Helpless, Ge Zheng had to purchase another batch. Calculating the remaining coins he had, he had less than seven thousand six hundred coins.
There were no labels on the stone slab, and Ge Zheng had wasted a lot of raw materials, failing at the final point. He was deeply frustrated. He stared at the stone slab for a long time, unable to discern any clue. Every symbol and magical character seemed to have its own meaning, and he couldn't figure out why he hadn't succeeded.
The square stone slab made Ge Zheng suddenly think of a jigsaw puzzle: could this stone slab be a small piece of a larger equation? If that were the case, the information would indeed be insufficient.
As he brushed the stone slab with his hand, Ge Zheng felt some protrusions in his palm. He picked up the stone slab again and carefully examined it. In the cloud, between the lines and at the intersection of the lines, there were small protrusions. Some of the magical characters in the sunflower also had protrusions above some letters. He found a piece of paper, compared the positions on the stone slab, and marked those protruding points on the paper, creating a chaotic distribution of ink spots.
However, Ge Zheng was not discouraged. He connected these points with lines, and a pattern appeared before him.
All the lines were connected with solid lines and seemed a bit unclear. He found another piece of paper and retraced the lines. Then, comparing it with the previous paper, some lines were changed to dotted lines. At this point, a peculiar-looking part appeared on the paper.
"What is this?" Ge Zheng frowned. This thing was obviously a component, but not complete; what use would it be to make it?
Ge Zheng decided not to worry about it for now and proceeded with the production. He repeated the failed process, creating a mold with clay. After completely dissolving the three semi-finished products, he poured them into the clay mold. Once cooled, he shattered the clay to reveal a strangely-shaped part.
Holding it in his hand gave a feeling of neither gold nor iron, indicating that the alchemical process had completely changed the nature of the raw materials.
He had almost gone broke, and the result of the equation turned out to be junk. Looking at the stone slab in his hand, Ge Zheng couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Could it be intentional; the person who gave it to me didn't want me to carefully examine it, because he knew that this beautiful-looking equation was actually worthless…"
While evaluating it in his hand, he then noticed something unique— the material of the front and back of the stone slab appeared different. Although the front was colored, some carvings revealed that its material was much finer, and it was a light yellow color, while the back was greyish-white.
Ge Zheng observed the stone slab from the side and found that the greyish-white layer was faintly colored, making it not so easy to detect on the stone.
For an average person, separating the two might be difficult, but for an alchemist, this was simple. This operation, known as layered dissolution, only required finding the right solvent to dissolve the greyish-white layer without damaging the stone itself. After experimenting a few times, Ge Zheng used a solvent to remove the greyish-white layer, revealing the original stone beneath.
"Is this a treasure map?" Ge Zheng looked at the lines on the back of the stone slab. He couldn't be sure if the person who gave it to him had discovered the secret on the back of the stone slab. Whether it was a treasure map was not yet certain, but it was definitely a map.
At the left of the map were carved two lines: "Yunduan Canyon, Dry Rock Ice Chamber."
Yunduan Canyon was located within the Dandela Empire in the northern part of the Austa Empire, surrounded by the desolate and uninhabited Hagnar Plain, spanning three thousand miles. The strength of the Dandela Empire was not inferior to that of the Austa Empire, and their unique magical cultivation methods made them stand out, making their legion of mages one of the best on the continent.
The words "Yunduan Canyon, Dry Rock Ice Chamber" had been lingering in Ge Zheng's mind for the past few days. He had a feeling that this stone slab equation was extraordinary, and the product he made according to it was not a waste. The key to the value of this product lay in this treasure map.
He toyed with the component he made: could it be the key to a treasure trove?
After struggling with it for several days, Ge Zheng finally made a decision: maybe it really was a treasure. As much as he would like to return to Earth, he felt he couldn't just stay in the Wishan City to make money. Curiosity can kill, and Ge Zheng didn't have nine lives.
After deliberating this for some time, Ge Zheng was determined. All of his actions were aimed at returning to Earth, so he should stay honest and stay in Wishan City to earn gold. But curiosity killed the cat, and Ge Zheng didn't have nine lives.
After tormenting himself for days, Ge Zheng made up his mind: maybe it was a treasure after all. With such a grand excuse, there was nothing to stop him from going to the Yunduan Canyon. Ge Zheng spent two days preparing, first informing the mysterious person that he would be going on a long journey and might not be able to help him with alchemical challenges for a while. He then made several spatial rings filling them with food and water.
Space rings were essential magical items for adventurers, and Ge Zheng made his own rings. While third-level alchemists could make space rings, Ge Zheng's theoretical knowledge, based on the ritualist’s theory, allowed him to easily create storage rings with a space of ten cubes or more. This was considered a level ten magical item on the Starry Sky Continent.
Leaving his faithful Dunke in charge of the alchemy shop, Ge Zheng set out on his journey north to the Hagnar Plain.
Meanwhile, one of the most powerful men on the mainland, Emperor Meijev IV of the Austa Empire, was admonishing his Royal Guard Captain, the twelve-tier top-notch warrior Rogers: "It's been three days! The Imperial Treasury has been robbed for three whole days, and yet you have no clues. Are my Royal Guard just for show?" Rogers remained composed, clenched his fist against his chest, and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, Heinrich is no ordinary person. To be able to open the treasury's door made of Sea-Sinking Iron, he must have obtained a divine artifact! However, I have investigated all the divine artifacts on the mainland that can open the Sea-Sinking Iron door, and they are all safe. Your Majesty, those who possess these divine artifacts all have tremendous power on the continent, so if..." Emperor Meijev IV coldly snorted, "You mean someone among those people is secretly aiding Heinrich.” This was the Royal Council Chamber, and Rogers spoke freely, "I suspect that someone has bought Heinrich to steal from Your Majesty's treasury, otherwise why would she only take the Moon Goddess' Crown?"
Meijev IV's face turned cold, murmuring to himself, "Who could it be?" Rogers remained silent and bowed. Now was not the time to speak, and the Emperor would have to judge who the enemy was himself.
In the mist-covered valley, the birds were not yet awake, the insects had been restless all night, and even in the early morning, they lazily lingered in their nests. The dew hung on the spider webs, enveloping the entire valley in a warm silence.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the woods. He moved swiftly through the trees, as fast as lightning, yet his clothes did not catch on any branches. Like an elusive shadow, he darted through the thickets without even disturbing the birds in the treetops.
The shadow stopped abruptly as it emerged from the woods. Outside the woods, at the bottom of the valley, lay a tranquil lake. A layer of wispy mist drifted over the water, resembling a window that flickered in the wind. Next to the lake, stood a half-man-high stone stele, engraved with two ancient characters: Cloud Lake.
As the figure paused, it became clear that he was a tall and sturdy man, exuding confidence in every movement. He looked at the stele with a determined gleam in his eyes, and his chiseled jaw softened slightly.
"Xiaochan, I'm here," he said gently to the stele. As if in response, the mist on Cloud Lake slowly parted, as if a giant hand had reached out, embracing the man. As the billowing mist faded before his eyes, he found himself standing in a graceful and translucent spherical palace within Cloud Lake.
A tender voice came from behind him, "You've returned." The faint greeting, spoken by her, carried endless comfort. Delicate hands brushed the dust off him, and as he smiled, he turned around, catching a glimpse of a peerless beauty. The watery eyes conveyed genuine concern.
A warm feeling filled his heart as their hands met, their eyes locked in a daze. The lady across from him suddenly chuckled, pulling back her hand, "If people on the continent knew that Heinrich, one of the top three thieves, who was known for his toughness, also had such tender moments, they would all be taken aback." She told her maid, "Xiaosa, fetch some water for Hein to wash his face. Look at all this dust on him." Heinrich also chuckled, pulling her fragrant shoulders close and burying his face in her hair, intoxicated, "Ah, the familiar scent. It's a good thing I've returned, or I might never smell it again..."
"What were you doing?" the lady Xiaochan asked sternly. "My Cloud Lake can sustain itself, let's live here peacefully and not worry about the chaos outside..."
Before she finished, Heinrich buried his face in her fragrant hair, his palm open, emitting a silver light that sparked a ethereal glow. The palace, made entirely of transparent crystal, allowed for clear visibility from any room. The ethereal glow, transmitted through the spherical crystal palace, even outshone the rainbow-like light of the lake, leaving it dim in comparison.
Even the various colored fishes in the lake were captivated by the ethereal glow, swimming around the crystal palace and reluctant to leave.
"Moon Goddess' Crown!" Xiaochan exclaimed, looking at Heinrich with astonishment. "You really went and came back!" Heinrich smiled slightly and gently placed the necklace around Xiaochan's jade-like neck, "Yes, I did, and I returned intact, hehe."
Tears filled Xiaochan's eyes as she held the gem in her hands, and she leaned into Heinrich's embrace. With a contented smile, Heinrich ventured to steal the "Moon Goddess' Crown" from the Imperial Treasury, risking his life and planning for half a year, not just for this moment.
The Herculean task of capturing a beauty, elusive as a fish in repose, lay in Heinrich's account of how he successfully raided the Imperial Treasury and evaded the "Nine-Verse Dragon Slay" move by Rogers. Despite the obvious absurdity that Heinrich must have got away unharmed, Xiaochan still couldn't help but pause and turn pale.
"I’m fine, see?" Heinrich confidently patted his chest. "What's wrong with Rogers? He couldn't do anything to me." Xiaochan looked at him in bewilderment, "Hein, are you really at the level of the Thirteenth-tier War God?" Heinrich chuckled embarrassedly, "Of course not...I emerged unscathed thanks to a person, an alchemist!"
Xiaochan's puzzled gaze shimmered like the mist over Cloud Lake. It was Heinrich's favorite, her eyes that spoke volumes. She didn’t need to ask; he knew what she wanted to know. "I stumbled upon an alchemy shop in Wanshan City and decided to pay a visit. The alchemist's skills were exceptional, and despite the modest merchandise in his store, I was intrigued. I asked him to try and, unexpectedly, he agreed. Later, using that piece of Sea-Sinking Iron, he forged an armor for me. When Rogers struck with his move, the armor managed to withstand seventy percent of the force, and I escaped unscathed, even scaring the foolish Rogers and halting his pursuit."
Rogers was no fool; in fact, he could rank among the top thirty super warriors on the mainland, which was why he dared to confront Emperor Meijev IV without feeling inferior.
As Heinrich enthusiastically recounted his tale, he failed to notice Xiaochan, the person in his arms, who had lowered her head and was now looking at him with a strange glint in her eyes.
A powerful alchemist... very well, very well...
Heinrich fell into a deep sleep on the soft swan's feather bed, exhausted from a half-year of travel. Meanwhile, Xiaochan, with a deceitful facade, ventured into another room.
"Xiaosa!" Xiaochan, who had shed her innocent appearance, turned into a relentless woman. "Go to Wanshan City. If that alchemist is as extraordinary as Heinrich says, ensure you bring him back to me."
"Understood!" Xiaosa did not move, a shadow seeped out from her body and melded into the crystalline palace, dissolving into the azure waters...