Strongest Family System Chapter 15 15: The Alchemist’s Path Begins - Part 1

Robert footsteps gently reverberated against the marble floor as he strolled through the calm stone hallways of the Osborn Clan library.

Though the Osborn na had once inspired awe, now it lingered like dust in forgotten corners.

But Robert wasn't here for mories. He didn't have ti to waste.

"If I can figure out alchemy," he thought, "maybe... just maybe, I can bring the clan back—step by step."

The system helped, sure. It showed him how to do it right. No guesswork, no wasting herbs.

With this power, he wouldn't have to depend on overpriced pill rchants or owe favors to rival clans.

Success wasn't just about silver or status. For him, it was the power to make his path and stand proud again. To bring back what the Osborns had lost—real strength, built without anyone's leash.

Tall shelves surrounded him, weighed down by dust-covered scrolls, brittle old books, and ti-worn jade slips.

A faded fragnt—this was all that endured of the clan's ancient glory.

He stopped at a section marked by a worn sigil carved into the stone: dicine & Alchemy.

Hundreds of scrolls were arranged with careful precision, bound in silk, and locked with spiritual seals.

Few mbers of the clan had explored this knowledge in many years.

Robert placed his hand gently on the wooden rack.

"System," he whispered. "Compile all the knowledge about alchemy, herbs, and pill refinent—everything."

For a heartbeat, there was silence.

Then

[System Response: Acknowledged]

[Scanning nearby content…]

[Compatible Knowledge Sources Detected: 148 Scrolls, 23 Books, 11 Jade Slips]

[Beginning absorption process…]

[Estimated Ti: 10 Minutes]

Robert used all ten minutes to their fullest.

He grabbed a heavy, worn-out book—Fundantals of Pill Fla Control—and headed for an old stone bench by the window.

As he flipped open the book, he began to read slowly, allowing his eyes to take in every diagram and note within, marking the fire attribute affinities.

Learn about the perfect fla temperatures and the various furnaces that alchemists utilized in their experints.

Ti passed steadily as Robert read in silence, the golden light of morning pouring through the window onto the pages.

In the background, the system was quietly gathering information, getting him ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

System response:

[System Update: Knowledge Absorption Complete]

[Pill Refinent Skill Unlocked: Basic Tier Unlock]

[You may now view recipe blueprints, pill grades, and herb compatibility.]

Robert drew in a slow breath, closing the book with a quiet sigh.

He set it back on the shelf and didn't linger—his steps quickened as he moved away.

He turned and left the library without saying anything, walking west towards the Alchemy Hall.

It was a lesser-known wing of the Osborn Clan, folded between the herbal gardens and the mountain spring walls.

Most clan mbers rarely visited this section, not because it lacked value, but because alchemy asked for more than just passion—it called for skill, precision, and a steadfast patience.

As Robert opened the door, he entered the alchemy room, where the air felt heavy with the aromas of dusty herbs, ash, and a subtle whiff of sothing burning. It was likely the last gasps of an old fire, just hanging on.

The rows of furnaces stood silent and cold, unused for who knows how long.

A handful of disciples shuffled about in threadbare grey robes, heads bowed low, caught in that endless loop of trial, error, and starting over again.

Compared to the martial halls or training grounds, this place was quite concentrated.

As Robert made his way along, he couldn't help but notice just how few there were—maybe only five in total—passing by at a steady pace.

But it was the foundation for everything: healing, growth, and breakthroughs.

Robert inhaled slowly, savoring the faint scent of herbs drifting through the Alchemy Hall.

He knew rushing in without the right guidance wouldn't get him far.

The system could help, sure—but real mastery ant building a solid foundation first.

For that, he knew he had to have a chat with the one overseeing this sacred place.

He stepped through the narrow corridor toward the rear wing of the hall, where a softly glowing seal guarded a simple wooden door.

With a polite knock, the spiritual ward sparkled briefly before fading away.

"Enter," ca a calm but firm voice.

Robert entered the elder chamber after opening the door with a smooth motion.

Inside, the air was thicker with a dicinal aroma.

Dozens of alchemical instrunts lined the shelves—cauldrons, jade mortars, sealed jars of spirit herbs.

Behind a wide desk sat a silver-haired elder dressed in deep green robes, his face calm, with sharp eyes that seed to pierce through spirit and soul alike.

Elder John, the overseer of the Alchemy Hall, had a reputation for his remarkable senses.

So, when he caught sight of Robert, his expression shifted to one of surprise.

He stood tall, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Robert Osborn! Have you begun your cultivation?"

Robert took a step forward, his posture calm, and offered a deep, courteous bow.

"I've reached the sixth stage of Body Tempering," he said, keeping his tone steady.

Elder John paused for a mont, clearly taken aback. His brows lifted, and then a quiet, surprised laugh slipped out.

With a hint of surprise, he smiled. "That was quite the rise."

"From nothing but waste, you've risen to beco a Level 6 cultivator!"

It's incredible.

Very good." His eyes sparkled with a hidden pride.

"What brings you to my dusty corner of the clan?"

"I wish to learn alchemy," Robert said earnestly.

Elder John studied him for a long mont, then nodded. "Sit."

Robert obeyed.

"Alchemy," the elder intoned, "is a sacred art passed down through generations."

Not just throwing herbs in a cauldron.

It demands a harmony of fire, wisdom, and inner strength.

There are levels to it, just like cultivation."

He raised a finger.

"Apprentice Alchemist—that's where it all begins," Elder John said, his voice carrying the weight of experience but laced with warmth.

"Most overlook this stage, thinking it's too basic. But without a solid start, no one ever reaches the top."

Silence followed his statent. He leaned back, eyes steady, allowing the gravity of his words to take root.

"At this stage, your main job is to get to know the herbs. Not just their nas, but what they do, how they react with other ingredients."

Understanding different kinds of herbs—like spirit roots, spiritual leaves, toxic plants, and stabilizing agents.

Understanding how herbs interact—so enhance each other, others neutralize, and so can beco lethal if combined carelessly.

"You'll start with basic concoctions. Pills like the Minor Bone nding Pill, Clarity Root Pill, Spirit Awakening Pearl, and Lesser Detoxification Pellet. These help with recovery, awareness, or removing mild poisons."

"Once you've built enough confidence with the basics, you step into what we call the Junior Alchemist stage," he said, folding his hands behind his back. "This is the mont where the journey truly begins to unfold."

He turned slightly, eyes locking on Robert.

"At this level, you're no longer just an apprentice copying instructions. You begin refining pills on your own—without soone standing over your shoulder."

He paced slowly across the hall as he spoke, his voice low but deliberate.

"You'll deal with herbs that don't behave the way you expect. So burn too fast. Others refuse to bind properly. Learning to manage spiritual fla intensity is crucial—it's more art than science."

Robert listened intently, absorbing every word.

"Grinding, drying, and extracting the essence… none of these processes can be rushed."

And once you start producing mid-tier pills, you'll also need to recognize refinent quality—so pills glow with one line of purity, others with two, maybe three if you're lucky and skilled."

Elder John gave a soft chuckle.

"You'll soon be working on pills like the Vital Surge Pill, Flowing Qi Pellet, Ironblood Restoration Pill, and the Silent Core Capsule.

These aren't just harder—they require a deeper understanding of timing, balance, and fla control."