Heaven Road
4. Opening the door of destiny

"Gather the Qi you have gathered on the surface of the Dantian and then start to solidify!" Yao He gave instructions to Yin Sheng to raise his cultivation. Yin Sheng who was still in his lotus mode obeyed his Master's words.

Hot steam started to come out from Yin Sheng's body signaling Yin Sheng had successfully raised his cultivation to the Qi forging realm stage 2.

"Not bad... You can easily understand the formation of the dantian layer even though it was only the first time you tried."

"All thanks to Master's guidance..." Yin Sheng paid his respects to the Master.

"But I don't feel any difference which means Master."

Thaq...

A story landed onto Yao He's head. "You just ascended from the Qi Forging realm stage 1 to stage 2. Of course there is no meaningful change. What do you think it's gonna be like?"

"Pardon the impatient disciple of Master?"

"Don't be too proud of our strength and ability... Recall... Above the sky is still the sky... You have to keep practicing to be able to reach the highest heavens." Yao He behaved like a wise elder who was enlightening.

"Murid understands Master... But Master..."

"What else?"

"Where is the highest sky?"

Thaq...

"That's a stupid parable... Basic tadpole brain..." Yao He felt Yin Sheng was testing his patience.

"Continue meditating... If you continue to absorb Qi I'm sure in one week you've gone up a level again." Yao He gave additional instructions. The Qi absorbed from Snaketail Ape still remained a lot, just gather a little more and Yin Sheng would be able to form a second layer or Qi Forging stage 3.

Yin Sheng did his Teacher's instructions obediently. He meditated without complaining for a week. Yin Sheng only rested when he was eating and shitting. The rest of them are used for meditation.

Occasionally when Yin Sheng meditation will get a vision from Azhura's eyes. A vision that showed his mother was fighting a black-robed man.

The first time seeing the vision Yin Sheng cried, remembering his mother who had died. But the more often the vision is displayed, Yin Sheng realized that Azhura's eyes were teaching determination and also sword techniques used by his mother.

After Yin Sheng ascended to the Qi Forging realm Cultivator stage 3, he began to be able to regulate Qi smoothly. Yao He also began teaching how to make and use talismans. Because only with the Yin Sheng Talisman can create Dao Magic which will be very useful when making pills or fighting.

The days of Yin Sheng were filled with practicing and hunting. Yao He gave a packed schedule to his only disciple. It was not that Yao He was in such a hurry to make Yin Sheng strong. Yao He was only self-conscious, if the condition of his body was already getting weaker.

Releasing Azhura's eyes at Yin Sheng was a decision she never regretted, but it also had a huge impact on her body. Yao He was a Black Alchemist who deeply understood the structure of the organs of the human body. He knows very well inside the current condition of his body. Yao He did not know when he would end his life.

Judging by the current conditions, being able to last more than five years was already a great achievement for Yao He. Yao He simply did not want to, everything he knew and had achieved all this time to just die when he died. Yin Sheng was the only hope to keep everything he had done all this time alive.

"Sheng..." Yao He called his only student to sit down with him.

Three years they have lived together. The closeness of both of them is as good as father and son. The three years had also made Yin Sheng's body grow to be even more gallant. Every day consuming the Magical Beast meat made the already strong bones and muscles of Yin Sheng grow stronger. Even if only seen with the naked eye, people would think Yin Sheng had turned 17 years old.

"Yes Master..." Yin Sheng saluted.

"This is an Alchemist badge. I want you to keep it. I can't give you anything of value, because all my valuables are just herbs and materials hundreds of years old. Only this badge can I give as a symbol that you are my disciple."

Yin Sheng shed tears upon hearing the words of his Master. "Teacher... Is the teacher going to die? Why is the teacher talking like that?"

Thaq...

"Basic student of insubordination! You pray that I die soon?" Yao He cussed himself hearing the words of his disciple.

"It's not so Teacher... The teacher said as if the teacher would say goodbye." Yin Sheng stroked his head which felt a little bumpy.

"That's it... Your words are always plain but heartbreaking."

"This badge will come in handy if you pay a visit to the Alchemist Association later..."

"Guru Alchemist Association?" Yin Sheng put on a confused face. I felt like I just heard this this time.

"Really... In this continent..." Yao He explained the existence of the Alchemist Association as well as the other two great powers namely the Sect and the Kingdom. The relationship and cooperation between the three of them also did not escape Yao He's explanation.

But Yao He also did not escape explaining the hidden competition between the three powers. Each of them still try to be the best even though it is not overt.

The most striking in being the best was the Sect. The number of Sects in this Twinpillar Mountain Kingdom alone was already overwhelming. Ranging from 1-star to 10-star Sects. Each of the Sects adheres to a different flow, broadly distinguishable into two. Black flow sect and white flow sect.

Those black and white flow sects often engaged in ridiculous battles. Fighting each other to prove their true cultivation idealism. That was why the Sect often attempted to recruit Alchemists personally. Making the Alchemist work for the Sect to prepare the resources used by the Sect to thrive.

"Is the Alchemist Association silent Teacher seeing its members recruited by the Sect?"

"The "Alchemist Association is an independent organization. They have no territory, only a supporting organizational structure. Being an Alchemist does not mean they will be tied to the Alchemist Association."

"The Alchemist Association will always try to help every Alchemist, but every Alchemist is under no obligation to help the Alchemist Association when needed. Provided the Alchemist paid a monthly tribute to the Alchemist Association, then the Alchemist would always be a member of the Alchemist Association as well as be protected."

"Murids understand Master..." Yin Sheng paid his respects to his Master.

"When you adventure later. Never tell anyone if you are my disciple to anyone but the Chairman of the Alchemist Association. Just show him this badge and he will know if you are my disciple, I have already put a trace of my Qi on this badge. And only he would know if it was a trace of my Qi. The rest they'll only know if you're a disciple of a great Alchemist."

"Why Teacher? Isn't Master's name so famous out there? Supposedly by knowing I'm Master's student I'll be more helped."

Thaq...

"Don't go against your master's orders... Not a few Sects were heartbroken at me because I rejected their offer to join them. If they knew you were my disciple, they would definitely make calculations for you."

"They didn't dare to fight me because my relationships and strength couldn't be underestimated. But if it is my student who is still developing and has no relationship, it will be different story. They will definitely make calculations if you refuse to join their Sect. Stay low, it's the easiest way to walk."

"Murids Understand Teachers..." Yin Sheng once again saluted, noting correctly what his Master said in Yin Sheng's heart and mind.

"For those high-quality pill recipes, I don't think I need to say and write them down. I'm sure Azhura's eyes will show it to you when you're ready."

"One more thing... Never show Azhura's eyes to anyone, especially to the Empire's side. Those eyes are a blessing, but they can also be a curse to their owner."