My health recovery is incredibly fast.

Mars Allen, student of Curious Alchemy

Allen...

Do I know anyone with that last name? ...Xia Zuo narrowed his eyes, recalling a man with brown hair and a receding hairline...

Ten years ago, during the test of the Mage Temple expedition team, a total of five members appeared.

Professor Allen was one of them. He was a disciple of Master Kolas and wore black-rimmed glasses, looking like a serious alchemical researcher.

"Oh~ I remember now." Xia Zuo laughed.

“He did some disguise at the time.” Mars gestured to his face. “My family background is somewhat special on Starry Night Island, so it’s better to keep a low profile.”

"I see." Xia Zuo looked at the other person's name tag. "Are you also here at the Temple for further studies?"

"Yes, that's a topic that's been discussed for a while."

Mars extends his right arm forward. "Come on, let's talk as we walk."

The two walked along the canal toward the alchemy school's buildings, up the steps in front of the main entrance, through the tall archway, and into the hall filled with stone pillars, the marble underfoot spotless.

The ceiling is a single sheet of transparent glass, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds onto the marble floor. As Xia Zuo walks on it, he has the illusion of strolling among the clouds.

“You’ve learned how to craft artifacts at the proficient level, so you must know which step is the most difficult when using a transmutation array to craft artifacts,” Mars said as they walked.

After his physique changed, his voice also became different, becoming deeper and more resonant, but his smile remained as warm as ever, making people feel very approachable.

Xia Zuo quickly adapted to the differences between Mars and his memory, and nodded, "Of course. The most difficult step is controlling the temperature of the high-temperature crucible."

“Yes! That’s right. My innate spells are perfect for sensing temperature.” Mars brushed the hair from his forehead, revealing his hair roots.

At the roots of his pale golden hair, there was a touch of fiery red.

The book "Introduction to Meditation" records the characteristics of various meditation methods at Xingye Academy.

The meditation method for the discipline of colossal creation is the "Furnace" meditation method.

This meditation method can only accommodate the fire element, earth element, and a portion of the wind element.

It can completely eliminate the dissipation of elements, but at the cost of being unable to practice other meditation methods, not even basic meditation methods.

The hair turning completely fiery red is a characteristic of advancing to a higher level in the [Furnace] meditation method.

The red at the roots of Mars' hair indicates that he has mastered this meditation technique to the intermediate level.

“The shockwave spell is one of the best detection spells. After my father learned that my innate spell was shockwave, he came to the temple and discussed it with the alchemy masters in the inner sanctum. He managed to secure a Category 2 alchemist talent immigration quota with additional conditions.”

Mars let down his hair, spread his hands, and said:

"I must switch to the [Forge] meditation method and, after becoming a master-level artifact maker, complete the advancement assessment to master-level colossus maker."

"So you're swinging a hammer every day now?" Xia Zuo joked.

"Haha~ Yes." Mars laughed a few times, his tone somewhat helpless. "I didn't want to do this either. But at the time, my father was short of points to redeem three immigration slots at once. If I had accepted the additional conditions, I could have saved a lot of money."

“However…” Marston paused, then said:

"After I truly practiced the [Furnace] meditation method, I realized that I hadn't made the wrong choice. Shockwave magic and this meditation method are a perfect match."

"I can easily sense complex temperature changes."

"No matter how difficult the test questions are or how challenging the testing environment is, I always pass with a perfect score. About two months ago, Master Tyson in the temple took a liking to my talent for magic and alchemy and recruited me into the temple, granting me permission to study the science of giant creation within the temple."

Xia Zuo followed the other person into a spiral staircase.

He glanced at the sky beyond the railing on his right and asked:

"Does doing this mean you're getting to use your advanced training opportunities after becoming a master-level colossus creator ahead of time?"

“Yes.” Mars nodded. “Master Tyson sent me to the temple to teach me through indoctrination so that I could learn the science of colossus as quickly as possible. After I finish learning the science of colossus, I will be assigned to work in other regions. When I advance to a high-ranking mage or get further training opportunities, I will make up for this advance training opportunity.”

Xia Zuo nodded thoughtfully.

So far, he is certain that the other party is unaware that a pureblood mage is standing in front of them.

On the night of the initiation ceremony, Rexor said that the fact that Shazor was a pure-blooded mage was a highly confidential matter, and basically no one except those in the inner sanctum of the temple would know his identity.

Mars should not be among those in the know, as he has not yet undergone the ceremony of loyalty.

In his eyes, Xia Zuo was still that Rosac man with great learning talent and amazing willpower.

"I'll take you to see Master Adanavados first, and then I'll take you to your dormitory."

“Thank you, Senior Mars,” Xia Zuo said sincerely. “Ten years ago, you brought me into the academy. Ten years later, you introduced me to the Temple. Time really flies.”

Mars reached out and patted the other person's arm, "Why are you being so polite with me?"

Chapter 30 Mantle

Xia and Zuo were currently halfway up a tall tower. Outside the corridor was an endless sky, and about one or two hundred meters above them were the lowest clouds. Looking down, there was a dense forest stretching from their feet to the horizon.

The wind at high altitudes was fierce and swift, but as it approached the tower, it was blocked by a light green magical barrier, turning into a gentle breeze that passed through the corridor.

"Let me show you around the outer hall," Mars said, leading Shazo up the stairs.

"We are currently in the outer sanctuary's teaching area. The various areas of the sanctuary are not in the same place and can only be reached via teleportation crystals. Generally speaking, we will not have the opportunity to travel to other areas."

Mars looked at Xia Zuo and said:

"Never use Wind Walk to leave the teaching area and float in the nearby sky. Those light green magical barriers look thin and weak, but they are actually a complex magic array set up by the tower mages. They are extremely powerful, combining protection and detection, and will shoot down any illegal targets in the air."

Xia Zuo nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't do that."

“Your route will be fixed for the next two months.” Mars pointed to the steps behind him. “We’ve arrived at the first-floor lobby of the Alchemy School’s teaching area. The teleportation plaza with the fountain sculptures is the meeting point for the teaching areas of the four schools. You can wander around the fountain plaza, but don’t go to the teaching areas of the other schools unless you are invited.”

Mars pointed ahead, "Go up, and you'll find the masters' offices, classrooms, and dormitories, corresponding to the second to fourth floors. There will be a floor plan in the lobby of each floor, so you won't get lost."

As soon as Mars finished speaking, the two arrived at the end of the spiral staircase.

This is also a hall with marble floors, reflecting the sky.

Xia Zuo marveled at the structure of the tower.

Just now, in the lobby on the first floor, the sky was visible through the glass windows in the ceiling.

Ascending the spiral staircase to the second-floor lobby, Xia Zuo was able to confirm that he was directly above the first-floor lobby.

Theoretically speaking, this layout would cause the second-floor lobby to block the skylight of the first-floor lobby…

But the view through the skylight in the lobby on the first floor is of blue sky and white clouds…

While Xia Zuo was lost in thought, Mars rummaged through his alchemy pouch and pulled out a pendant, saying:

"Put it on, and you'll be able to enter through a specific doorway, just like back in Starry Night Academy."

Xia Zuo took the pendant and put it around his neck.

Mars glanced around the empty hall. “It’s class time now, so there’s not much of a person here. There are about 40 students in the Alchemy School’s teaching area. They’re here for further studies, just like you and me. They learn theoretical knowledge in the morning and have experimental classes in the afternoon. If you use Enlightenment Spells to impart knowledge, you’ll only encounter some of them in the afternoon and evening.”

Xia Zuo paused for a moment, sensing something was amiss, then quickly realized what was happening and asked:

"You mean they'll be using the same alchemy lab as me? But I chose poison alchemy and biological materials science, does that mean they'll be too?"

“This is the second thing I want to tell you.” Mars pulled Shazo along and led him toward the doorway by the wall.

"The teaching model in the outer hall is different from that in the academy. Students are not divided by subject, but by mentor. Students under the same mentor will attend classes and do experiments together."

Mars looked at the puzzled Xia Zuo and smiled:

"When I first arrived, I was just as confused as you, but I later realized that this is the best teaching model at the master level."

Mars paused for a moment, "Just like the poison alchemy you're learning. If you choose to pair it with potion alchemy, another master will become your mentor."

"Master Adanavados was in charge of teaching in both poison alchemy and bioalchemy, and his students were all master alchemists specializing in these two fields of alchemy."

"Including you, there are a total of 5 people who follow him to learn these two alchemy arts. Among them, you are the only poison alchemist, while the other 4 are newly promoted master-level biological materialists."

"Hmm~ I understand." Xia Zuo nodded.

"However, this is not the real reason for distinguishing students in this way."

Mars paused for a moment, then emphasized:

"This is what my mentor, Master Tyson, said:"

"Mastering a particular form of alchemy is merely the beginning of an alchemical career."

"The intersection of different disciplines can spark wondrous ideas, as fiery as the heat of a high-temperature furnace—this is the most fascinating aspect of alchemy."

Mars resumed his normal tone and said:

"In the temple, although we may possess master-level aptitude in a particular alchemy discipline, we cannot call ourselves masters. To be called a master, one must possess a self-created alchemical system."

"Like Master Adanavardos."

"He successively advanced to become a master of alchemy in four fields: poisons, living things, rare items, and oils. Master Adanavardos is renowned for his mastery of poison alchemy because the first alchemy he learned was poison alchemy."

"If you wish to continue studying the alchemy of artifacts and oils following Master Adanavados's learning path after you have been promoted to Master of Bioalchemy, he will still be your mentor."

Mars pointed to himself, "As for me, after advancing to the level of a Master-level Colossus Creator, I will follow Master Tyson's learning path to continue studying other alchemy. This is a kind of inheritance of learning paths and methods, which can help us avoid detours when learning multiple alchemy disciplines..."

Xia Zuo picked up the thread, "Like a 'mantle' being passed down, right?"

In the previous life, the term "衣钵" (yibo) originated with a certain religious connotation, and later came to refer generally to the ideas, knowledge, skills, etc., passed down from the older generation.

However, in the common language of the Eastern Continent, the term "衣钵" (yībō) originates from the everyday matter of "a father passing on his clothes to his children." In a specific context, it refers specifically to the relationship between two similar individuals, where the younger person grows and develops by following the life path taken by the older person.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. That's what Master Tyson said too," Mars laughed.

"The fusion of different alchemical techniques produces unique products. Products from both poison alchemy and biological materials alchemy can also be used in other alchemical fields, with rare artifact alchemy using them the most. Perhaps, I will use the products you create in the future."

Mars stopped Shazo from asking a question and gestured towards the doorway in front of him. "Alright, go in quickly. I'll wait for you here. Let Master Adanavados tell you what the dual products of poisons and bioalchemy are."

“Okay, Senior Mars.” Xia Zuo stepped into the doorway.

...

The office of Master Adanavardos.

The floor extends tens of meters beyond the vertical walls of the tower, and a huge hemispherical glass dome covers the floor, serving as both the ceiling and the office wall.

The office is filled with tall glass display cases, inside which biological specimens either float in the air or are immersed in transparent liquid.

An elderly figure emerged from the depths of the room. "Hehe~ Xia Zuo, you've come."