Seeing Ling Luoyi leave, the five noble ladies looked at the two Tianxing grass in their hands, which were not very different, and felt a little uneasy. They had never met Qiu Yuanxi, but they knew that Ling Luoyi's friends were definitely not ordinary people. They did not know Qiu Yuanxi's temper and were afraid of offending her if they were not careful.
Qiu Yuanxi saw their unease and smiled, "You don't need to be so nervous, I'm not a monster."
Upon hearing this, the five noble ladies shook their heads in unison and said they dared not.
"Alright, since Xiao Luo'er has entrusted you to me, I naturally cannot fail her trust. I will tell you the difference between these two Tianxing grass."
Qiu Yuanxi sat closer, placed the Tianxing grass in their hands on the stone table, and pointed to the leaf veins, saying, "The leaf veins of Tianxing grass change with its growth, and this change basically occurs once every hundred years. The leaf veins of five-hundred-year-old Tianxing grass are green, like this one."
Qiu Yuanxi pointed to the Tianxing grass that Ling Luoyi had taken out earlier and said, "It's just that this Tianxing grass has just reached five hundred years, and the color of its leaf veins is still relatively light."
The five of them looked in unison. Indeed, the leaf veins of this one were light green, but the veins were smaller, and the surrounding leaves were light green, making the color difference not obvious.
Qiu Yuanxi pointed to the other one and said, "This one is greenish, but the overall leaf veins are still green. Its age should be over four hundred years, but less than four hundred and fifty years."
The five looked again and nodded repeatedly.
Seeing the four who answered incorrectly looking a bit dejected, Qiu Yuanxi comforted them, "Those who answered correctly can be happy for themselves, and those who answered incorrectly need not be discouraged. The test points given by Xiao Luo'er were inherently difficult. Not to mention that you are currently only alchemy apprentices, so it is normal to answer incorrectly. Moreover, even some first and second-grade alchemists would mistake the age of this Tianxing grass, so you have even less reason to be discouraged. Xiao Luo'er should have given you a very thick book, and what I'm saying is all in the book. Go back and study it well."
"Yes." Even though Qiu Yuanxi had comforted them, the four of them were still in a bad mood.
Seeing that they were still dispirited, Princess Bei Yue did not dare to provoke them and remained silent.
Qiu Yuanxi took out five jade rings and handed them to them, saying, "One for each of you."
The five obediently took them and carefully observed the jade stones. The jade stones were shaped like bracelets, each about the size of an adult woman's palm. In the center of the jade stone was a small green crystal. For some reason, the small crystal stopped in the center of the jade stone, and no matter how they placed it, the small crystal remained motionless in the center of the ring.
Qiu Yuanxi took out another similar jade stone and said, "This is a teaching jade stone. I will demonstrate how to use it."
The five of them listened intently, their eyes fixed on Qiu Yuanxi's actions, afraid of missing anything.
Qiu Yuanxi picked up the jade stone and said, "This is for demonstrating the alchemy process. For example, if you want to refine a Replenishing Spirit Pill, you just need to say 'I want to refine a Replenishing Spirit Pill' and lightly tap the crystal in the middle."
As Qiu Yuanxi spoke, she also made movements with her hands.
The five watched as Qiu Yuanxi tapped the crystal in the middle after speaking. The crystal suddenly split into two and moved to the sides until it touched the ring. Then, an image was projected from the center of the ring. In the image, a person was refining alchemy, and as the person added medicinal ingredients to the cauldron, the name of the medicinal ingredient was also labeled next to the image.
The image was very detailed, from checking the prepared spiritual herbs before refining to the final formation of the pill. The image was so clear that they could even recognize who the person was – it was Ling Luoyi, who had just left. kuAiδugg
After the image finished playing, the small crystals merged into one and returned to their original position in the center of the jade stone.
Qiu Yuanxi put the jade stone away and looked at the five stunned people, smiling gently, "Do you all know how to use it now?"
The five nodded blankly.
Seeing this, Qiu Yuanxi couldn't help but sigh again. The things that Xiao Luo'er concocted were truly astonishing to everyone who saw them, without exception.
The Second Princess instantly came back to her senses and, thinking of the significance of the jade stone Qiu Yuanxi had given them, exclaimed, "Can we learn alchemy?!"
Hearing the Second Princess's exclamation, the other four also looked at Qiu Yuanxi in shock.
Qiu Yuanxi nodded and said, "Your teacher's examination of you today was to decide whether you could learn alchemy. Since you have passed, you can naturally learn alchemy."
"But wasn't Princess Bei Yue the only one who passed? We all answered incorrectly."
"Being able to identify Tianxing grass is enough. There are many spiritual herbs similar to Tianxing grass, and the differences are subtle. Being able to recognize this as Tianxing grass shows that you are careful enough. As for the age, go back and study the book your teacher gave you. If you have any uncertainties in the future, just take out that book and flip through it. I have also read that book, and while it may not record all spiritual herbs, it is sufficient for the low-level continent."
"Yes. Then we will return to our residences. Please trouble you to inform our teacher."
"You may. By the way, your teacher might be very busy in the future, so there's no need to come over unless it's necessary. The teaching jade stones contain many methods for refining pills, and the book is also sufficient for spiritual herbs. If you truly have any problems and cannot see her, then ask her aunt. I remember her aunt is also an alchemist, and she was taught by her."
"Yes." The five bowed obediently and then left.
After they left, Qiu Yuanxi also sensed the crowdedness in the front courtyard of the Ling Manor. She did not want to go out, so she stayed in Qingyin Pavilion, enjoying a moment of leisure.
On Ling Luoyi's side, she had already reached the garden at the boundary between the back and front courtyards of the Ling Manor. She could sense that after turning another corner, she would meet the two princesses of the Longqing Kingdom who had specifically asked to see her.
The Longqing Kingdom had a total of twelve princesses, and only five had reached adulthood. The Longqing Emperor would certainly not allow princesses who had not reached adulthood to be envoys to a subordinate country. Moreover, the three elder princesses were already married, and not to their own country. Therefore, only those two could come.
As expected, when Ling Luoyi turned the corner, she saw Shangguan Yuning and Shangguan Yuxuan looking anxious and frequently gazing in the direction of the back courtyard.
When the two saw her arrive, their joy was undeniable, with happiness showing in their eyes and brows, dispelling their previous anxiety and annoyance.
"Miss Ling, you're finally here!" Shangguan Yuning's voice was a little hoarse due to her excitement.
Ling Luoyi saw them but did not bow. She said impolitely, "What business do the two princesses have with me? I remember I said I do not receive guests. If there is anything to discuss, please find my grandfather directly."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yuning and Shangguan Yuxuan exchanged a glance, then glanced at the Ling Manor maid who was leading them. They said to their own maids, "You may all withdraw. This princess has important matters to discuss with Miss Ling."
"Yes." Shangguan Yuning and Shangguan Yuxuan's maids hesitated for a moment before obediently retreating a few steps.
Seeing this, Ling Luoyi also said to the maid leading her, "You can go back too. I'll be here."
"Yes, Miss."
Seeing that Shangguan Yuning was still hesitating whether to speak, Ling Luoyi spoke up, "Fourth Princess, Fifth Princess, there is a pavilion over there. Let's talk there. Fifth Princess can use this time to think about whether to speak or not."
"Alright."
The pavilion was not far away, only about twenty steps. As they got closer to their destination, Shangguan Yuning gradually made up her mind.
The three of them sat down. Ling Luoyi poured three cups of tea and offered them to drink.
"Fifth Princess, have you decided?"