Looking at the giant character "Xuan" in the void, Qiao Yunyun was stunned.
"It's actually reached the highest level, Heavenly rank." Qiao Yunyun smacked his lips and, with a strong push, put his dislocated jaw back into place.
Zhang Ergou retracted his palm and asked curiously, "Master, how is soul power ranked?"
"Soul power is divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Qiao Yunyun explained to Zhang Ergou at a moderate pace. "The ranking of soul power corresponds to the cultivator's realm. Generally, Yellow rank soul power corresponds to the Foundation Establishment stage, Profound rank to the Golden Core stage, Earth rank to the Nascent Soul stage, and Heaven rank to the Spirit Transformation stage."
"Under normal circumstances, soul power is much harder to cultivate than one's cultivation base, so it's already good if many cultivators' soul power levels match their cultivation."
Qiao Yunyun glanced at Zhang Ergou.
"Soul power is also called divine sense. To become an alchemist, one must possess divine sense that ordinary people do not have. In this regard, you are indeed much stronger than others."
"Have you specifically practiced any techniques to train divine sense before?"
Zhang Ergou shook his head. He had never practiced divine sense, only body and qi refinement.
"In that case, you are truly a naturally gifted alchemy prodigy." Qiao Yunyun said with a smile, clearly surprised by a disciple like Zhang Ergou, who had naturally strong divine sense.
"Master, is there any difference between them?"
Zhang Ergou asked in confusion.
"Of course there is. The difference is huge. Divine sense is something mysterious and profound. People with strong soul power generally have higher comprehension abilities than ordinary people. When condensing the primordial spirit, they have an innate advantage that others cannot match."
"Master, what is the primordial spirit?"
Zhang Ergou took a sharp breath. In less than fifteen minutes, what Qiao Yunyun had said had opened another door for him.
"The primordial spirit is a level higher than divine sense. When a cultivator breaks through the Spirit Transformation realm, they can have the qualification to condense a primordial spirit. With a primordial spirit, one can truly reach the realm of immortality."
As Qiao Yunyun spoke, his eyes were filled with longing and reverence. "When a cultivator condenses a primordial spirit and it leaves the body, they can achieve the state where the primordial spirit is immortal and the physical body is indestructible."
Zhang Ergou rubbed his nose, finally feeling the difficulty of cultivation.
He was currently only at the small Foundation Establishment stage. "Master, does that mean if one's cultivation realm cannot break through to the Spirit Transformation stage, there is no way to condense a primordial spirit?"
"Things are not absolute," Qiao Yunyun took a deep breath. "There are always exceptions. It is not unheard of for cultivators to condense a primordial spirit at the Spirit Transformation stage, but it is quite rare."
Speaking of this, Qiao Yunyun seemed to remember something, paused for a moment, and then continued, "The world is vast and boundless. There are many anomalies favored by heaven. I once accidentally saw in an ancient book that there is a mysterious and ancient race that is born with a primordial spirit."
"What kind of race is that? They are so powerful?"
Zhang Ergou asked in surprise.
"The Elves."
"Elves?" Zhang Ergou felt a strange sensation upon hearing the name of this unfamiliar race and became even more impressed by Qiao Yunyun's knowledge and experience.
Today, his eyes had been opened. The knowledge Qiao Yunyun had imparted to him in such a short time had surpassed his previous understanding.
Indeed, the world was vast, and there were many things in it that he should revere.
"Your soul power is far superior to your cultivation. When you reach the Spirit Transformation stage, perhaps you will truly be able to condense a primordial spirit," Qiao Yunyun sighed.
As an alchemist, he even envied the strength of Zhang Ergou's soul power.
"Who knows what the future holds?" Zhang Ergou chuckled, but he didn't take it to heart.
It was still too far away to consider these things now.
In the inner hall of the Precious Elixir Pavilion, Qiao Yunyun took out the prepared medicinal ingredients.
The medicinal ingredients were laid out one by one before Zhang Ergou. Many of them were unfamiliar to him, and there were over thirty types in total.
Just by looking at the variety of ingredients, Zhang Ergou felt that alchemy was much more complicated than refining the Qi Condensation Pill he had made before.
"The most important aspects of alchemy are the control of soul power and the manipulation of flames," Qiao Yunyun explained some common knowledge about alchemy as he organized the ingredients.
"Zi Lin told me that you had refined a Qi Condensation Pill yourself before, so you should be familiar with some of the basic techniques of alchemy."
"Your spiritual fire combined with your superior soul power will greatly assist your alchemy success rate."
Qiao Yunyun turned his head and gave Zhang Ergou a meaningful look.
"Perhaps your achievements will far surpass mine, and it is possible for you to become a higher-level alchemist."
"Me? How is that possible? Master, please don't tease your disciple. I've only just started learning alchemy,"
Zhang Ergou was taken aback and then replied humbly.
"You possess spiritual fire and soul power that ordinary people do not have. You have exceptionally good conditions, which is also a blessing from heaven," Qiao Yunyun nodded. "But do not slack on your cultivation. The difference between a genius and a true master is often the lack of persistent effort."
"With your talent, if you also cultivate diligently, you might even surpass that old fellow Gu Yong in the future!"
"Gu Yong?" Zhang Ergou was startled. Who was this person?
"Gu Yong is the most famous alchemist on the Continent of Yinzhou, and also the only alchemist on this continent who has reached the seventh rank."
"Although he does not belong to any faction, his influence is unparalleled. There are very few people on this continent who can provoke Gu Yong." Su Dan Novel Network
Zhang Ergou did not expect Qiao Yunyun to compare him to the top experts on this continent, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
It wasn't that he lacked confidence, but rather that the gap between them was too great.
"Zhang Ergou, what do you say, do you have the confidence to be an alchemist who surpasses all ages?" Qiao Yunyun asked, staring at Zhang Ergou with a half-smile.
"Master, should I have it or not?" Zhang Ergou retorted.
"Hahaha, you little rascal!"
Alchemists held a special status on this continent. No cultivator was willing to provoke a high-level alchemist.
Unless it was a deep-seated hatred, alchemists were usually supported by famous sects. Even Gu Yong, who didn't belong to any faction, had countless powerful acquaintances.
"I've said what I need to say. How much you can comprehend depends on you," Qiao Yunyun said, pulling Zhang Ergou to the alchemy furnace.
"Now, I will begin to teach you how to refine the first type of pill. Watch carefully, I will only demonstrate it once."
Saying this, Qiao Yunyun conjured a blue flame from his palm. It was clearly not an ordinary flame, but it was still somewhat different from Zhang Ergou's spiritual fire.
It should be a beast fire.