The Eternal Supreme Chapter 2

The students exchanged looks of pure shock. The explanation Li Yunxiao had just provided was nowhere to be found in their textbooks.

However, Luo Yunshang had processed every word clearly!

Her eyes narrowed as she blurted out, “If that logic holds, then increasing the sky crystal sand during the forging process should always yield better results. Why is it, then, that when carmot is melted with red copper, adding more sky crystal sand actually increases the chance of failure?”

This specific dilemma had plagued her for days, and no amount of mental effort had provided a solution. It was the source of her recent gloom. By shouting the question now, she no longer appeared to be testing Yunxiao; instead, she looked like a student desperately seeking guidance.

The entire class stared at her, mouths agape. Was this really the same icy, erudite, and aloof Teacher Luo they knew?

Maintaining his relaxed posture, Yunxiao answered with composure, “The reason is that while red copper is technically a metal attribute, its essence leans heavily toward the fire element. This gives it a natural affinity for melting carmot. Because of this, alchemists frequently use carmot to enhance weapons made of red copper. However, the presence of sky crystal sand changes the dynamic entirely.”

He paused momentarily. Noticing the intense thirst for knowledge on Yunshang’s face, a small smile played on his lips as he was reminded of the disciples who once followed him. “Since sky crystal sand carries a water attribute, it suppresses the fire nature of the red copper. Consequently, the more sand you introduce, the more you weaken the red copper's capacity to integrate with the carmot.”

“Of course! That makes perfect sense!” Yunshang’s eyes sparkled with sudden realization. “So that was the flaw! No wonder my attempts failed. What is the fix?”

“It is quite simple. Treat the sky crystal sand as if it were an impurity and utilize refinement essence to eliminate it,” Yunxiao remarked, a trace of amusement in his gaze.

“Ah!” Yunshang cried out once more. “How could I have been so blind to such an obvious fix!”

She began performing rapid mental calculations, visualizing the entire forging sequence until it reached a successful conclusion. Her expression brightened, and a joyful smile radiated from her face.

“Wait... where did Li Yunxiao go?”

A wave of gratitude washed over her, accompanied by profound shock. How could a boy dismissed as a martial arts loser possess a deeper understanding of weapon crafting than her—a certified advanced apprentice alchemist?

With such incredible talent for alchemy, his prospects were far greater than any path in martial arts. Could a student like this truly be called a failure?

Reflecting on his history, she felt a pang of guilt for neglecting such a brilliant talent under her own tutelage.

“He... he just walked out of the room...” a student answered timidly. The way the class looked at Luo Yunshang had become decidedly strange.

“What?” Yunshang’s brows shot up in irritation. “He dared to slip away while my class was still in session?”

The student looked away quickly, muttering softly, “Didn't you say that if he answered correctly, he didn't have to stay? I'd have left too if I were him.”

“Bam!”

Yunshang slammed her hand onto the black iron lectern, leaving a visible palm indentation that terrified the students. The room fell into a deathly silence. “Which one of you heard me say such a thing?”

Her sharp gaze scanned the rows of students. Those she looked at began to tremble, frantically shaking their heads as their complexions paled. “No, you never said it! We were mistaken! Teacher Luo said no such thing!”

Yunshang let out a cold snort. “Class dismissed! Pass a message to Li Yunxiao: if he misses my next lecture, I will throw him into the tenfold gravity chamber for three full days!”

“Three days!”

A collective gasp filled the room as they watched Luo Yunshang storm out, kicking the door open as she rushed toward the Alchemy Hall.

“Can someone explain what just happened?” Du Feng was the first to break the silence, standing up to approach a taller boy. “Boss, what’s the deal?”

The tall student, Lan Fei, appeared to lead the group as several others gathered around him. “How should I know?” he snapped. “It looks like that brat Li Yunxiao has been studying weapon crafting on the side.”

“Impossible!” Shangguan Qing shouted, his eyes wide. “Could a kid with zero martial talent actually be a forging prodigy? What do we do now?”

“Pa!”

Lan Fei smacked him with a book, looking annoyed. “What prodigy? He’s just read a few extra manuals! Becoming an alchemist takes far more raw talent than being a warrior. How can he pursue weapon crafting when he hasn't even opened a single chakra?”

“The boss is right!” the group chimed in, though their eyes betrayed a mix of conflicting emotions.

Lan Fei shoved Shangguan Qing aside, noticing another group of students whispering in the corner. He sneered and raised his voice, “Nobody tells Li Yunxiao what Teacher Luo said. If he actually shows up to the next class... hmph!”

The threat in his tone caused the others to turn white with fear. Under his cold stare, they lowered their heads in silent resentment.

He continued arrogantly, “Skinny Chen, Fatty Han, and you girls—Ruxue included—don't even think about tipping him off! If Li Yunxiao shows his face in the next class, I’m holding you all responsible!”

These students were Li Yunxiao’s usual companions and the primary opposition to Lan Fei’s clique.

Qin Ruxue’s expression turned icy. She clenched her fist and snapped back, “I’m going to tell him. What are you going to do about it? I dare you to touch me!”

Whoosh!

Lan Fei’s temper flared. He marched up to the front and punched the black iron lectern, leaving a shallow fist mark in the metal.

“An indentation in black iron! Has Lan Fei already opened seven chakras and gathered Yuan energy?”

“Is that even possible? If all seven chakras are open, he’d be in the Origin Realm—a true warrior! And he’s only fifteen!”

“Even if he isn't fully there yet, he's incredibly close. A fifteen-year-old warrior... another prodigy has risen in the State of Tianshui!”

The room buzzed with excitement and envy. Lan Fei basked in the attention, pointing a finger at Ruxue. “You might be a princess, but with my talent, His Majesty wouldn't care if I taught you a lesson once in a while.”

Ruxue turned pale with rage. She was ready to charge him until Chen Zhen and Han Bai, Yunxiao’s loyal friends, pulled her back.

“Princess, we don't have the strength right now,” Han Bai whispered. “It’s better not to provoke them.”

The class consisted of children from Tianshui’s elite, naturally split into two factions. The children of civil officials followed Lan Fei and Shangguan Qing, while the offspring of military leaders followed Li Yunxiao and Han Bai.

Because the princess despised the arrogance of Lan Fei’s group, she had always aligned herself with Li Yunxiao’s side.

While the classroom remained in an uproar, Li Yunxiao was already strolling through the streets of the capital.

As his memories returned, his soul had begun to regain its former potency. His divine sense was the first thing to strengthen. He took a moment to mentally scan his own physical condition.

“This body is quite a mess. It’s no wonder they thought I had no potential. Many of the hidden Meridians have withered, making it impossible to store power. That explains why the chakras won't open. I’ll need to repair this vessel first... it seems regaining my full strength will take some time.”

He looked toward a massive structure in the distance and began walking. “This is the Tianshui capital... I recall Yang Di was from this place. I wonder if he’s at the Association of Alchemists? Things would be much simpler if I could locate him.”

The Association of Alchemists held massive influence across the entire Heavenly Martial Continent. Their towers were always the most prominent landmarks in any city, commanding universal respect.

Yunxiao gazed at the tower. While it was modest compared to the ones he had frequented in his past life, it felt incredibly familiar.

A stone tablet near the entrance bore an inscription: “Association of Alchemists, Tianshui Branch, Year 1001 of the Tianwu Calendar, Yang Di.”

“The tablet was placed in the year 1001? That was the year Yang Di reached the rank of third-tier alchemist and took over this branch. I wonder if he’s still around.”

Though Yunxiao had lived in Tianshui for fifteen years, a branch president was far above his previous social standing. The highest-ranking alchemist he had ever encountered was Liang Wenyu, a mere second-tier alchemist.

The tower had no visible guards; no one was foolish enough to cause trouble there, and the hidden defenses made it one of the most secure locations in the kingdom.

He entered the building. The interior hall was vast, much larger than the exterior suggested. The space was filled with a noisy, bustling crowd, making it feel more like a vibrant marketplace than a quiet association.

“Welcome to the Association of Alchemists!”

A soft, melodic voice reached him. A beautiful woman in elegant attire smiled warmly at him. “How may I assist you, young master?”

She was a receptionist, a standard fixture in every association branch. In his previous life, such women would have greeted him with deep, trembling bows. He hadn't experienced such a casual, friendly greeting in a very long time.

Yunxiao gave a small smile. “Young master?”

The receptionist, Lu Yao, laughed softly. “You are certainly the youngest guest I’ve helped today! What brings you here?” While she maintained a professional smile, she was secretly observing him.

Most first-time visitors to the tower were either visibly nervous or overwhelmed, and children usually clung to adults. Yet Li Yunxiao stood there with total serenity, looking around the hall with a relaxed air. It was the unmistakable poise of someone who had seen the world.