Shi Wenjun was just as flustered.
When their Fourth Uncle commented on Lin Jin’s pelletization technique, she too vaguely sensed that it shared some familiarity with one of the Shi family’s secret pelletization techniques.
The Shi family was a family of alchemists so of course, their pelletization techniques were kept strictly confidential. This manifested itself in the golden rule that their techniques were not to be taught to anyone who didn’t share the same surname.
Under normal circumstances, even Shi Wenjun would not have been considered worthy of learning them.
This was because she was a girl.
Daughters were meant to be married away and once wedded, she would cease to be a member of the Shi family.
However, Shi Wenjun’s situation was special. The family specifically got her a live-in son-in-law, a husband that would marry into her family. In other words, her children would bear the Shi family’s surname. This was why she was exempted from the family rules.
Of course, Shi Wenjun was allowed to learn their family’s secret techniques having done that.
Meanwhile, her husband, Wu Chenwei, was treated as an outsider by her family. Hence, it was impossible for him to practice their inherited teachings.
This was the Shi family’s rules.
Seeing how Lin Jin’s pelletization technique resembled one of their secret methods, they turned to look at Shi Wenjun. It was obvious what they were thinking; they were suspecting that she had disclosed their family secrets to Lin Jin.
This matter was a huge deal. Such acts were punishable under the family’s laws.
Even as the current head of the family, Shi Wenjun would have to be disciplined nonetheless.
“Wenjun, you…” Shi Wenbing looked baffled. However, Shi Wenjun answered with a straight face, “I’ve constantly adhered to the family’s rules and have never violated them.”
She meant to say she didn’t teach Lin Jin anything.
“Furthermore, today is my first time meeting Appraiser Lin so how could I possibly teach him any pelletization secrets?” Shi Wenjun added.
Upon hearing this, the group nodded in agreement. Still, it was hard not to deny how much Lin Jin’s pelletization method resembled their family’s technique. What other possible explanations could there be?
Did Lin Jin perhaps learn it in secret?
Their gazes immediately turned hostile.
Stealing another’s confidential techniques was taboo and a violation of basic ethics. If this ever turned out to be true, it might lead to grave consequences.
Their Fourth Uncle glanced at Shi Wenjun and said, “Wenjun, we trust you. I’ve been observing Appraiser Lin’s performance carefully. Although it does look like our family’s Hexlight Whisking Technique, the similarities are merely superficial. There are some fundamental differences in the details.”
The group focused their attention back to Lin Jin.
Upon closer scrutiny, it was just as Fourth Uncle had said. Although there was semblance on the surface, there were still fundamental differences.
Not only was it different, but there was also a huge contrast.
Lin Jin’s technique seemed to be much more complete. Even some of the flaws in their original technique were removed in Lin Jin’s procedure.
It was as if this secret technique Lin Jin had performed was the orthodox method while the Shi family’s version was merely an offshoot theory.
Having thought of something, Fourth Uncle’s expression changed and he began to seem excited.
“Wenbing, close the doors!”
The others were startled by Fourth Uncle’s odd behavior. Shi Wenbing complied at once, closing the doors.
Fourth Uncle was looking at Lin Jin as he said in a small voice, “You’ve all read our ancestor’s compositions when learning pelletization, haven’t you?”
The group nodded.
Those who have learned the family’s pelletization technique from a young age would first start with reading their ancestor’s composition. Not only did the material contain pelletization incantations, but it also contained family rules and their ancestral regulations.
“In our ancestor’s composition, he stated that he was originally a traveling doctor who sold medicine and pills. An ordinary man through and through. But one fateful day, he came across an ancient pelletization mantra. He achieved great enlightenment which birthed our family’s secret pelletization techniques and that in turn, gave rise to a glorious century for our family. In other words, our Shi family’s techniques all came from the pelletization mantra our ancestor perused back then. Do you still remember the name of that mantra?” Fourth Uncle asked quietly.
The group gasped. “This Spiritual Mantra of Pills!”
“That’s right!”
Fourth Uncle had never looked so excited before.
“It’s the Spiritual Mantra of Pills. Our ancestor stated that the Shi family’s pelletization techniques were derived from the information he got from the Spiritual Mantra of Pills. It was a pity however that what he saw back then was only a fragment of the complete mantra. He found it carved on the walls inside a large tree and when he returned to copy it down, he was met with an ancient forest that was burned down to the ground. Maybe it was God’s will, but our ancestors did mention that if we ever come across techniques that resembled ours but was much more superior, it must be extracted from the original Spiritual Mantra of Pills!”
The group finally understood.
Composing themselves to study Lin Jin’s performance in greater detail, indeed, the man’s technique was much more complete and profound. When they linked it back to what their ancestor had stated in his composition…
The answer was clear.
Their breathing grew erratic and even Shi Wenjun was excited.
When they looked at Lin Jin once more, the disdain and skepticism were gone from their eyes. In its place was now excitement and respect.
Because this Appraiser Lin was most probably someone who knew the authentic Spiritual Mantra of Pills as mentioned in their ancestor’s composition.
Back then, their ancestor had been starving and freezing during his travels. It was when he took refuge inside the hole of a tree did he stumble upon the Spiritual Mantra of Pills carved into the tree’s walls. He didn’t have a brush or paper with him at the time so he couldn’t record it, but thanks to his wits and amazing memory, he memorized the teachings. However, bits of it were forgotten by the time he returned. Even after he began studying pelletization and gradually filled up the blank spaces of the mantra, it still couldn’t compare to the original. The disparity in quality was far too significant.
Hence, the prospect of meeting someone who potentially knew the Spiritual Mantra of Pills got them riled up.
The more they observed, the more certain they were of the answer.
Fourth Uncle’s face was flushed from the exhilaration. He spoke softly, “If we can learn the original Spiritual Mantra of Pills, our Shi family can definitely soar to greater heights. This was also the wish of our ancestor.”
Now came their next problem.
How would they learn it?
The group looked apprehensive at first. It was fortunate that they were able to get a closer look and verify that Lin Jin didn’t steal their technique. Had they simply interrogated Appraiser Lin instead, things might have turned ugly.
Lin Jin who was focused on pelletizing his six shadow beast soul pill obviously didn’t know what the Shi family was thinking. He was currently creating the pill in accordance with the instructions given by the Museum of Deadly Beasts.
This was just like copying homework from one’s friend.
And he had arrived at the final stage.
The pill inside the furnace was gradually taking shape. Although the pill had yet to solidify, Lin Jin could see the spherical shape being translucent like a crystal clear ice pill.
There was even an iciness to the pill.
Using fire to create a shadow pill was so challenging that average alchemists wouldn’t dare to attempt it.
However, at the crucial timing when the pill was about to form, the flames within the furnace stirred as if a beast soul was roaring and wreaking havoc inside.
The pill seemed ready to crack.
Lin Jin recalled how the Shi family declared this furnace to be cursed. That whenever it came to pill formation, the process would always fail.
This was probably because of the beast soul causing trouble in the furnace.
Lin Jin knew this beast soul likely belonged to the Rank 4 Boyi. This aberrant was apparently resentful of being turned into a pill furnace so it was only normal for it to cause destruction.
Had it been anyone else, they would have been powerless and could only watch as the pill shattered into pieces. But Lin Jin had a solution.
Maintaining the pelletization seal with one hand, he invoked a beast deterrence spell with the other. In an instant, the intermediate Beast Deterrence ability he got from the museum overwhelmed the beast soul inside the furnace.
The intermediate Beast Deterrence ability could subdue beasts Rank 4 and below, no matter if the creature was dead or alive.
The Boyi inside the furnace shuddered. As if it had been struck by a bolt of lightning, it began trembling and shrunk back in fear, refraining from causing any more trouble.
Simultaneously, the pill was created.
When the Shi family members saw how Lin Jin managed to use the accursed furnace to create a pill, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
They had been too focused on Lin Jin’s pelletization technique earlier that they forgot one key thing.
This was a beast skull furnace that even their ancestor couldn’t use. The Shi family’s master alchemists had tried it as well but no one could successfully form a pill with it.
In spite of the odds, Lin Jin suceeded.
Lin Jin wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to face the Shi family. Only then did he notice the passionate gazes directed at him.