Imparting Knowledge:

"What is alchemy?" It was a question which had haunted people since ancient times.

Some called alchemy, the science of making medicines. Some called it a mysterious art which can make elixirs. Some called it a mad science. Some called it wizardry and some even called it evil. No matter what it was, one thing was for sure; people were always interested in alchemy and thus in alchemists.

Rigel was sitting beside a pond and was observing it as if trying to find some hidden mystery within those clear waters.

Rudra, who was observing Rigel, said in a small voice, "What do you see Rigel? Why is this pond so calm? And why aren't there any ripples on its surface even though there are plenty of fish in it?"

Rigel frowned slightly as he sat there. The pond was crystal clear so he could see many fish swimming underneath the surface of the water and yet, the water surface remained calm except for the occasional trembling. It was a natural phenomenon. Many would see it in everyday lives except no one would wonder how it is possible.

Rudra continued to explain and said, "The movement of the fish is an active action. Thus, it is 'Yang'. The ripples in the water are the result. Thus, it is 'Yin'. Together they are the 'Yin-Yang'.

Rigel, the concept of Yin-Yang is the foundation for Taoism. The idea of cultivation comes from the Taoism. Upon practicing the teachings of Taoism, one is called a Taoist. We also call them cultivators.

There are Yin and Yang everywhere around us, Rigel. The wind is the Yang; the ripples are the Yin. The Sun is the Yang; the moon is the Yin.

Yin and Yang always coexist. They are always in equilibrium. However, that changes when the Yin or the Yang is disturbed. Now touch the water."

Rigel listened carefully to Rudra and reached the pond. The calm waters now were no longer calm. Ripples upon ripples could be seen on its surface.

Rudra nodded his head and said, "Now, you are the excess Yang that has invaded this system which was in equilibrium. The Fish have learned to be as subtle as possible. The water has adjusted itself to the movement of fish. However, you are the foreign element which has changed that equilibrium."

Rigel nodded his head in deep thought. Even though he had seen the pond and such phenomenon often, he had never thought about the underlying principles behind it.

"Now, as for the reason why I am telling you this, it should be obvious Rigel. The Yin-Yang is present everywhere in nature including alchemy. In fact, the Yin-Yang is the most basic and also the most important concept which will determine your alchemic skills." Rudra explained with a serious voice and continued, "The alchemic fire is the Yang. The ingredients are the Yin.

Neither Yang nor Yin can dominate the other. A strong Yang will crumble the balance and vice versa. Now, who is an alchemist? What is the difference between the various alchemists? And why do we differentiate them when the underlying principle is the same for all levels of alchemy?"

Rigel narrowed his eyes in serious thoughts and said, "Because of the difference between their understanding of alchemy."

"Correct yet, incorrect," Rudra said with a laugh. "Correct as in each alchemist has a different level of understanding. Incorrect as in, it is not the alchemy that he needs to have an understanding of, it is the processes which happen alongside it."

"Rigel, the result of any alchemical process is obtained when the Yin and Yang form a complete circle, "The Taijutsu or the Yin-Yang circle." At the border of the Yin will be the Yang and at the boundary of the Yang will be the Yin. At the point where they meet will be the result."

"The more powerful your Yin and Yang are, the tougher it is to reach the result. That is the difference between the various alchemists. Unless you have the skill, strength, senses, and the ability, you will fail to produce a high-level pill."

Rigel listened to everything with all his heart. To him, this lore was a treasure trove. The art of alchemy though not very rare was still kept secretive for obvious reasons. A grandmaster who was willing to share his lifetime of insights was rarer than the elixir itself.

Why would anyone share all his insights? For money? For fame? In fear of their life. None of these would be able to alter a grandmaster's will. Besides, any grandmaster would also be a master practitioner with many experts owing him favors.

Why would anyone in their right mind try to get on his bad sides? What Rudra spoke made perfect sense to Rigel. In just under a few minutes, he was able to see the world in a different light. He was able to understand the basis of alchemy. The science of the alchemy.

Rudra then smiled lightly and said, "Rigel, now tell me what is this pond?"

Rigel stared at the pond. It wasn't very large. Just over thirty meters wide and seven meters in depth. It was just a small ditch which had accumulated water and would most probably dry up in summer.

Rudra laughed and said, "It is the container. This pond contains the Yin-Yang of nature here. Thus, it is the barrier which bears the pressure of carrying the reactions.

In alchemy, the cauldron bears the Yin-Yang of reactions. Thus, it is an essential part of the alchemy."

Rigel nodded his head and asked in a worried voice, "I don't have a cauldron. How can I learn alchemy without a cauldron? I doubt I can get one with my current resources."

Rudra laughed and said, "Rigel, possessing a cauldron should be your last worry for now. The present you who haven't even learned to catalyze substances shouldn't worry about a cauldron or pill concoction."

Rigel frowned and said, "That's not true. I do know how to catalyze substances. Frank taught me how and I have refined poisons before."

Rudra nodded his head and said in a calm voice, "I am aware of that fact. However, what you learned wasn't alchemy. It was a simple concoction.

Let me tell you, the potency of the Poison Lady will increase by at least three times if I concoct it. Do you know why? It is mainly because of the catalysis.

Using your cultivation base as a source and your divine sense as your eyes, you try to extract the properties hidden within each substance. That is catalysis.

Remember Rigel, no substance in this world is pure. Every substance has something to it which makes it impure because there can be no pure Yin or Yang in nature. Such a material can not exist unless it is a Heavenly treasure.

By catalyzing, you bring out the pure Yin or Yang within the substance which will increase the reactions potency."

Rigel listened with rapt attention and remembered every sentence. Rudra laughed and said, "Alright, enough of learning the lore. You will learn more about alchemy by personally experiencing it. I doubt you have ever seen an alchemist at work."

Rigel's was confused as he asked, "Where will I find an alchemist who will let me see him at work?"

"You won't," Rudra said with certainty. "All alchemist try to hide their skills unless it is necessary to show them. You will be watching me. I will concoct for you."

"What? How? You......... you can come out of the Black Pearl?" Rigel asked in a shocked voice.

Rudra laughed and said, "Not with my physical body but I can use a spiritual form."

Rigel's face turned grave as he asked in a small voice, "What if Tal finds out?"

Rudra laughed and said, "Oh! I didn't tell you yet, right? Tal isn't the guardian of the Locker. He is my trusted servant who has served me since my early years.

He was just acting according to my orders. So you need not worry about him."

"But he tried to kill me," Rigel said with a cold voice. He then continued and said, "You tried to kill me."

A sudden wind blew in the forest as a divine Will surged out from Rigel's body and took the shape of a young man. The Young man had pitch black eyes and white hair. He looked as if he was in his mid-twenties but his eyes, they were wise beyond his years. As he looked at Rigel, he smiled lightly and said in a light voice, "Did I?"

Rigel looked at the spiritual figure flying before him and stuttered, "Rudra." He was finding it hard to believe that the young man before him was the one who was imparting him the lore of alchemy just a few minutes ago.

As if he had sensed Rigel's uneasiness, Rudra smiled lightly and said, "Don't be fooled by my appearance kid. I have lived longer than you can imagine.

Tal saved your ass while you were sleeping like a log. Don't be fooled by the way the world lets you see things. When you can see past the illusion of falseness the world projects before you, you step into the realm beyond simple truth which is known as Dao.

Rigel immediately calmed his mind and asked in a somewhat cold voice, "Alright, I was hasty, but that doesn't change the fact that you put me in a dangerous position. How are you going to redeem my trust in you?"

Rudra began to laugh loudly and said, "Stop acting tough kid. We both know who is currently in charge. It is impossible for you to control me with your words. So don't think about such nonsense.

Bring our all the medical ingredients you have in your bag of holding. Let me see if I can find something of use."

Rigel groaned in dissatisfaction. No matter how he tried to take advantage of the situation, Rudra always managed to see past his front. Rigel wanted to establish an order of authority between them but every time, it ended with Rudra showing him the difference in their experiences.

Rudra wouldn't get angry, and he wouldn't fall for provocation. In front of him, Rigel felt like a little child.

As Rigel was thinking, Rudra dug through the small pile of medical ingredients and selected an odd looking root. He then laughed and said, "Boy, your luck isn't bad. Do you know what this is?"

Rigel looked at the root and casually answered, "It is an asparagus root." Asparagus was a commonly found medical herb, and he did indeed have a few roots.

Rudra however smiled and said, "No, this is not an asparagus root. It is a Gamalgam root, a rare herb and is usually confused as an Asparagus root due to the similarities. I must say that you are lucky since you found this root.

With this, I can refine a third level pill but before that, I need one more ingredient. The spirit core of a level three spirit beast."

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