Overlord of Heaven and Earth

The reason alchemists are so highly sought - after lies in a pivotal factor: their scarcity is truly remarkable.

To embark on the path of becoming an alchemist, one must first possess the innate talent for alchemy. Those with such a talent are not just a rare find; they are akin to a needle in a haystack. One might say they are a one - in - ten - thousand occurrence, or perhaps even more astonishingly, a one - in - nine - million rarity. After having this fundamental prerequisite, another indispensable element comes into play—an abundance of alchemical herbs and prescriptions.

Let's put it this way: even if a small or medium - sized faction stumbles upon an individual with alchemical talent, they often find themselves in a helpless situation. The countless herbs and prescriptions required each demand an exorbitant amount of source power. Should one genuinely aspire to cultivate this person into a proficient alchemist, it might well take the entire fortune of a family to stand a slim chance. Consequently, when a small or medium - sized faction discovers someone with alchemical potential, they usually have no choice but to reluctantly abandon the idea.

As far as Gu Feng is aware, within the entire Gu family, there is merely an alchemist at the first - grade high - level apprentice rank. Moreover, this individual was not nurtured by the Gu family itself but was recruited at a substantial cost. The Gu family may be regarded as a significant force within the Ziyun Kingdom, yet on the grand scale of the Wilderness Continent, it is but a minuscule entity.

In the entirety of the Ziyun Kingdom, the highest - ranked alchemist has only reached the second - grade elementary apprentice rank. It is rumored that the royal family of the Ziyun Kingdom expended nearly one - third to two - thirds of the national treasury's wealth to train this alchemist. Bear in mind, this is the investment of an entire nation! Although the Ziyun Kingdom is negligible among the numerous countries on the Wilderness Continent, this clearly demonstrates the arduousness of training an alchemist. This further accentuates the exalted and preeminent status of alchemists on the Wilderness Continent.

"Nine, nine - grade grand, grand, grandmaster - level al, alchemist?!" Gu Feng recollected the words that had recently resounded in his mind, and his heart was immediately thrown into turmoil, as if an eighteen - level hurricane had been unleashed within. His heart, which had just managed to calm down slightly, now became even more tempestuous.

"Good heavens! A nine - grade grandmaster - level alchemist!" Gu Feng could scarcely fathom the colossal stir such a figure would create on the Wilderness Continent if still alive.

"Perhaps," Gu Feng conjectured excitedly, "perhaps all the forces across the entire Wilderness Continent would engage in a bloody battle to win his favor."

Gu Feng was acutely aware that no force on the Wilderness Continent could possibly hire someone as extraordinary as Tian Yisheng. It should be noted that currently, the highest - ranked alchemist on the entire Wilderness Continent has only attained the sixth - grade elementary alchemist rank.

Suddenly, Gu Feng remembered that aside from the previous statement, there seemed to be another.

"Before my passing, I left this memory record for my successor." Gu Feng recalled this sentence and was instantly rendered speechless.

"Specifically leaving this memory record for my successor. Does that mean... I am the successor? The successor of a nine - grade high - level grandmaster - level alchemist?" Gu Feng was so overwhelmed by this unexpected windfall that he was momentarily unable to react. He simply stared wide - eyed, sitting cross - legged on the dusty ground, his face adorned with an expression of utmost complexity.

Gu Feng had never dared to dream that he would have the opportunity to become the successor of a noble alchemist, let alone the successor of a nine - grade high - level grandmaster - level alchemist who far surpassed all other alchemists on the Wilderness Continent.

However, Gu Feng's elation was short - lived. Tian Yisheng's memory record in his mind soon echoed once more.

"But if you wish to become my Tian Yisheng's successor, you must undergo three trials: the test of the heart, the test of the will, and the test of talent. Only by successfully passing all three trials can you obtain my Tian Yisheng's inheritance and be deemed worthy of becoming my disciple!"

The voice in his mind halted abruptly at this point, as if patiently waiting for Gu Feng to absorb these words.

"Only by passing the three trials of the heart, the will, and the talent can one acquire the inheritance? The test of talent is surely to evaluate the alchemist's aptitude for alchemy. But I've never heard of the tests of the heart and the will." Gu Feng felt that over the years, he had perused quite a number of books on alchemists. Although he couldn't claim to be an expert in the field of alchemy, he was certainly not a novice. Yet, upon hearing of these two tests at this moment, he was completely at a loss.

"Forget it. What does it matter? It's just three tests. Even if it means traversing a mountain of swords, wading through a sea of fire, or braving the depths of an oil - pan hell, I will definitely push through!" Since he couldn't fathom the meaning, he ceased to worry about it. Gu Feng's furrowed brows now relaxed completely, and his eyes, as brilliant as stars, sparkled with an unwavering determination.

"Regarding cultivation talent, I'm truly lacking. But I refuse to believe that I don't even possess the talent for alchemy! Even the most ordinary alchemical talent would be sufficient for me to cast off my current menial status! This is my last hope. Whether I can carve out my own realm in the future hinges on whether I can seize this once - in - a - lifetime opportunity!"

Gu Feng clenched his fists tightly. He had long been weary of the mockery and humiliation he had endured in the Gu family over the years. So this time, he was determined to do his utmost to pass the tests, come what may. Even if it cost him his life, he would never regret it! Dying in this pursuit was surely better than remaining a despised menial in the Gu family.

As if in response to Gu Feng's innermost thoughts, Tian Yisheng's aged voice, which had previously faded away, resounded once again in Gu Feng's mind.

"Among these three trials, the tests of the heart and the will are my Tian Yisheng's unique methods for selecting successors. Others merely need to pass the final test of talent to become alchemists. But to become my Tian Yisheng's disciple, one must pass these two tests of the heart and the will." Tian Yisheng's aged yet imposing voice reverberated deep within Gu Feng's mind. Although this was merely an unconscious memory record left before his passing, the overwhelming power of his presence still made Gu Feng feel a bit breathless. However, far from deterring him, this only served to strengthen Gu Feng's resolve to pass the tests and seize this opportunity!

"This is just a memory record, yet it exudes such a powerful aura. If he were still alive, I'm afraid I would be on the verge of suffocation just standing before him!" Gu Feng felt the extraordinary might of Tian Yisheng, a might exclusive to those of high standing, and his heart was filled with a maelstrom of emotions.

The memory record did not pause due to Gu Feng's excitement. Tian Yisheng's aged and imposing voice rang out once more in Gu Feng's mind: "To put it simply, the first trial is to examine the alchemist's mental state. If an alchemist lacks the mental state befitting an alchemist, even if they manage to become one, they are by no means a competent one and will never be able to progress to a high - level alchemist in their lifetime."

"The second trial is to test the alchemist's willpower. Without a strong will, one cannot become a top - tier alchemist."

"As for the third trial, this is an assessment that all alchemists must endure and is arguably the most crucial aspect of becoming an alchemist—the test of alchemical talent. Without alchemical talent, everything else is nothing but empty words." After Tian Yisheng's memory record concluded, it paused again, evidently giving the recipient time to digest the information.

"The mental state of an alchemist? The willpower of an alchemist? The talent of an alchemist?" Gu Feng repeated these phrases, pondering deeply in his heart.

If he could discern the profound implications, he would be more confident during the trials. Even if he couldn't, at least he would be mentally prepared.

After approximately a quarter of an hour, Gu Feng was still at a loss. At this moment, Tian Yisheng's aged voice sounded again.

"Successor who is ready to face the trials, the trials commence now! First, proceed to the medicine garden outside and gather several herbs, then respond to me. Use your own consciousness to answer." As soon as the words were spoken, Gu Feng felt some information suddenly flood his mind.

"Gather ten blood ginsengs, ten dog - tail fruits, and ten Xialin flowers." The names and appearances of these three herbs materialized in Gu Feng's mind.

"So these are all herbs! No wonder I feel invigorated all over when I take a breath. Now it all makes sense!" Gu Feng stepped out of the bamboo house, surveyed the strange flowers and herbs covering the ground, and felt the comfort in his body, suddenly understanding the situation.

But then, Gu Feng thought of a question that filled him with excitement.

"There are so many herbs here, and they were all planted by Tian Yisheng, a nine - grade high - level grandmaster - level alchemist. Presumably, their quality is extremely high. If I were to take one out and sell it, how much source power could I obtain? No! It should be said, how many months' worth of source power!!" Gu Feng's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the herbs all around, his mind racing with excitement.

"If you fail to become my disciple, don't even think about taking anything out of my Myriad Medicine Space." Tian Yisheng, as if anticipating the successor's thoughts about these herbs, had left this record before his passing, instantly dispelling Gu Feng's ideas.

Gu Feng smiled faintly, not in the least deterred. Disciple? I will most certainly become one.

This place was replete with strange flowers and exotic herbs, truly living up to its name of "Myriad Medicine Space." Countless precious herbs grew here haphazardly, like the most common of flowers and plants, in every nook and cranny. It took Gu Feng nearly an hour just to locate the three herbs—"blood ginseng," "dog - tail fruit," and "Xialin flower."

The blood ginseng, true to its name, was a vivid shade of red, like freshly spilled blood. As soon as Gu Feng unearthed it from the soil, the blood - red ginseng root, still caked with dirt, emitted an exotic fragrance that was impossible to ignore, capable of invigorating the senses with a single whiff.

The dog - tail fruit, as the name implies, was shaped remarkably like a curved dog's tail, thus earning its appellation.

The Xialin flower resembled a violet, with a beautiful blend of golden and pink hues, making it an absolute delight to behold.