Eternal Cultivation of Alchemy

Bai Jingshen stood in the air for a long time staring at the 8 glowing orbs of light that represented 8 different Creations, all of which had the potential to become something grand.

Every other person had to mull over for years as to what Creation it was they wanted. They never had a choice but to choose a single one.

And here, Alex had 8.

The surprise was just unbeatable. His attention was pulled away by something behind the 8 glowing orbs. Something red had flashed in between them that he hadn't noticed before.

He moved to the side, getting a better picture of what it was.

"What… is that?" he asked, moving closer this time. "That looks like a human. Like… you."

"It's one of my Blood techniques," Alex explained. "It's a… pseudo-Creation, formed entirely by Blood aura. It's a… transformation-type ability."

"A pseudo-Creation? That sounds fascinating," Bai Jingshen said.

"It does," Alex said. "And it makes me quite strong too. Although, it also makes me go slightly mad, so I am not inclined to use it as often. When I use it, I get bloodlusted, and can't stop."

"You should've trained with it more then," Bai Jingshen said. "Maybe there is a way to stop it."

"Maybe. I'm just hoping that when it fully forms one day, the side effects will disappear, but who knows what will happen," Alex said.

"I'm quite curious to check it out if we have the opportunity later," Bai Jingshen said. "But for now, let's go back to these 8 Origins."

Alex nodded. "Of course. What do you want to know?" he asked. "Do you want the technique I used to get them? I wouldn't mind sharing them."

"Have you shared them with others?" Bai Jingshen asked.

"Aside from us there? Yes, to my disciple," Alex said. "My Alchemy disciple."

"As long as you are sure she won't share the technique, that's fine," Bai Jingshen said. "It's just not the sort of technique that should easily spread."

"Wouldn't it be fine if it spread?" Alex asked. "I don't want to hold a monopoly on techniques that others can use to help themselves if possible."

"No, it's better to not let others know about it. A few people knowing this is okay. But if everyone were to learn, it would be a disaster for the world," Bai Jingshen said.

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because of the lack of Qi," Bai Jingshen said. "You know about the degradation of Qi, do you not? If we allow all Immortals and Divinities to suddenly have multiple Creations, the amount of Qi they will use to make those will double and quadruple. The consumption rate will increase, and the already barely sustaining Qi-replacement will get even worse."

Alex frowned for a moment before nodding. "I see what you're saying," he said. "Yeah, I seemed to have ignored the fact that creating these Origins costs a lot of Qi too. And then I have to feed it so much aura too. That would be a lot of Qi used up."

Bai Jingshen nodded. "Keep the technique to yourself. Maybe share it with a few people you trust, but not with everyone. We can't let it spread at the very least."

Alex nodded. "I understand completely. I'll keep it close to my chest."

Bai Jingshen turned back toward the Origins. "Now then, since you have 8 of these, you surely have thought about what you want to get. I heard you got Pearl the arm of a Primordial. What did you get for yourself?"

"I… don't know," Alex said. "I have a few ideas for what I want, but there are still a few I don't know."

Bai Jingshen turned toward him. "Oh! Do say what you have thought so far. Maybe I could help suggest some that would work for you."

Alex thought for a moment. "I technically will have 7 Origins," he explained. "I have promised one to Godslayer. He is dying, so he wishes to pass along all his knowledge and memories to me before he turns into just a regular spirit."

"Godslayer?" Bai Jingshen asked in surprise. He turned around. "That's right. You used to hold that sword spirit. Where is he?"

"Somewhere inside the water. He's dying, so he's hibernating right now so that he doesn't end up wasting much of his energy. I need to breakthrough and let him take over one of my Origins so nothing of who he is goes to waste."

"Does it have to remain?" Bai Jingshen asked. "Are the memories of a mad sword spirit that important?"

"The mad sword spirit happens to hold the memories of an Artifact God. Would you call them unimportant?" Alex asked.

Bai Jingshen's eyes narrowed. "He… he holds the memories of an Artifact God?" he asked.

"More accurately, he is the Artifact God. I don't understand much either. When I let him use my Origin, I might understand more," Alex said. "Godslayer has told me that what he plans to do with my Origin will be an inheritance of a sort. I would happily use one of them if I were to inherit the memories of an Artifact God."

Bai Jingshen nodded quickly. "No, absolutely. If you're correct about who he is, then you're right. You can't waste that opportunity. Knowledge is power after all."

It took him a moment to get his expression under control. "Okay, one of them is for Godslayer. What about the other 7?" he asked.

"Yes, one of them will be the Sun," Alex said.

"The Sun?" Bai Jingshen asked. "Like the technique you used to have?"

"Not exactly," Alex said. "Unlike just a ball of Fire and Yang, this will be a true Sun aura. Exactly like the one that you get while you're out in space. Given how dangerous the sun's aura is outside, I thought it would be perfect for me to get it."

"That… that would be quite a strong Creation, if you were to succeed," Bai Jingshen said. "But is it possible? How do you plan to absorb the aura of the Sun?"