"That’s a common problem," she said. "These mass-produced talismans don’t have refined inscriptions. They weren’t made to handle high-precision control. That’s fine for beginner-level training, but it limits how much finesse you can apply."
Han Yu frowned. "So how do most alchemists get past this?"
She held up three fingers.
"There are a few thods."
"One," she said, folding down a finger, "is obvious. You improve your Spirit Qi control even further. That way, you don’t need to make as many micro-adjustnts—you simply hold the right temperature the whole ti."
Han Yu nodded slowly. "But that takes ti."
"Exactly. That’s why most Outer Court disciples plateau quickly. They don’t want to spend three years just learning how not to burn their pills."
She raised a second finger. "Two. You invest in or borrow a dedicated Fla Array. These are array inscriptions specifically built to channel fire-type spirit energy more precisely. They’re set up around the cauldron and controlled with hand seals or specific rhythm inputs. They respond faster, and they’re far more stable."
Han Yu perked up. "That sounds better. How much does one of those cost?"
"Even the cheap ones? Tens of thousands of rit points," Li i said flatly. "Good ones? Upwards of a hundred thousand. You’d need to be in the Alchemy Peak to borrow them for free."
"...Of course."
She then raised a third finger, and her tone shifted slightly—quieter, more serious.
"But the third thod—the best thod—is to cultivate your own Alchemical Spirit Fla."
Han Yu blinked. "A... spirit fla?"
Li i nodded, her gaze drifting to the cauldron.
"A true alchemist doesn’t rely on talismans or external flas forever. They refine a spirit fla attuned to their own Qi—one that listens to their will directly. With such a fla, the alchemist can manipulate temperatures as easily as moving a finger. It’s fast, intuitive, and more importantly, it resonates with your body and spiritual pathways."
Han Yu’s eyes widened. "That... sounds amazing."
"It is," she replied, her voice turning reverent. "A personal spirit fla is considered the soul of an alchemist. It’s part of your core path—shaped by your energy, your Dao, even your temperant. Once refined, it becos a second heart. With it, you can attempt real, high-grade pills. Even foundation pills for Nascent Soul experts require a spirit fla."
Han Yu absorbed this silently, his mind turning rapidly.
Soul cultivation had already enhanced his ntal clarity, his perception, and even his mory. And if he could master an alchemical spirit fla...
The possibilities were vast.
Li i, mistaking his silence for intimidation, added gently, "Don’t rush it. Most Outer Court disciples can’t even begin to think about a personal fla. You need specific techniques, compatible spirit materials, and a lot of foundational experience."
"What about you?" Han Yu asked, curious. "Do you have a spirit fla?"
She smirked. "Of course I do. Took four years and almost lted half my courtyard getting it stabilized."
"Sounds like a fun day."
"It wasn’t. My hair slled like burned lotus root for a week."
Han Yu chuckled.
But deep down, his resolve solidified.
He would get a spirit fla too.
No matter how hard it was.
He looked down at the cauldron, where his three successful pills sat on a clean tray. The faint fragrance of vitality and wood essence hung in the air, a quiet testant to his progress.
Three pills out of six attempts. A decent start.
But Han Yu didn’t aim to be decent.
He aid to be exceptional.
And with his soul cultivation, his ambition, and Li i’s reluctant ntorship—he would carve his own path into the Alchemy Peak.
The two continued to talk about alchemy before a small shock was delivered to Li i.
Li i stared at Han Yu for a long second, then slowly blinked as if trying to process what he’d just said.
"...You’ve been cultivating for two years now. You’ve fought people, survived ambushes, refined pills, and you don’t even know your elental affinity?"
Han Yu scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin. "I an... I’ve gotten by without knowing it, so it never really felt urgent. Is that bad?"
Li i’s hand slowly lifted... and smacked into her forehead with a soft thud.
She groaned. "Are you serious right now?"
"...Maybe?" Han Yu offered.
Li i gave him a blank look that sohow conveyed both pity and exasperation. "You’re trying to learn alchemy. You just asked about refining a Spirit Fla, which is one of the most sensitive and dangerous techniques in pill refinent. And you don’t even know the basic foundation needed for it?"
Han Yu raised his hands in mock defense. "Hey, no one gave a manual when I joined. Everyone just said ’go cultivate,’ and then I got ambushed, nearly killed, went on missions, joined a conspiracy, uncovered traps—"
"Enough, I get it," she cut in, waving him down with both hands. "But still—this is basic cultivation knowledge! You should’ve gone to the Spirit Attunent Stone the mont you entered the sect."
Han Yu blinked. "The what now?"
Li i gave him the most exhausted sigh he’d heard in weeks. "The Spirit Attunent Stone. You place your hand on it, and it reveals your elental affinity. Every major sect has at least one. Ours is in the Inner Court’s Hall of Guidance."
"Oh. Well, that explains why I never saw it," Han Yu said. "I never had reason to go there. Also, most of the Inner Courtyard stuff was off-limits when I joined."
"I swear," Li i muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You’re like a talented idiot with no instruction manual. The Hall of Guidance and the Spirit attunent stone are still open to most people."
Han Yu shrugged. "I’m still alive. That’s got to count for sothing."
"It does," she admitted reluctantly. "But if you’re serious about alchemy, you need to stop relying on pure instinct and actually learn the damn basics."
He nodded, more serious now. "Alright, teach then. What exactly does affinity do when it cos to Spirit Flas?"
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