One of the girls in the class walked over to the boy I had just spoken with. She, with a bun in each hand and a smile, handed the boy one of the buns. In response there was a clear and obvious reaction. The boy's face gave a similar look of confusion he had earlier. The girl smiled and tilted her head to the side.
"Let's eat together, okay?" She said, sitting down next to the boy.
"Yes!" The boy replied.
It was a heartwarming sight. Not all of these children here had difficult backgrounds. However, there were in fact a great many of them that did. So seeing them like this was quite the sight. But, all good things must come to an end. And so did the extra lunch time. Why? Because they devoured the steamed buns like Wu Kuang devoured Starfields.
"Alright, now that I am certain you're all fed, I'll begin with the lesson…" I said, diving into the lesson right after seeing a room full of eager nods. Everything went smoothly until two hands went up. "Hmm, a question? You first." I said, pointing to one of the boys. He was the same one from before.
"Great Lord, I… Why do we use the common Red Clover herb and berry leaf grass instead of the red spiritual leaf grass? Wouldn't it make it easier to produce?" The boy asked, shocking the room with such a question.
"Ahahaha! You have a good head on your shoulders. A great talent. The short answer is that it is better not to do this. There are many reasons. But two stand above the rest. First Red Spiritual grass is not cheap, second it is used in far more recipes as the main ingredient than I care to admit. You may learn of them in the future." I answered with a laugh. As Xia Ning Chang giggled a little bit.
"Thank you, Great Lord!" The boy said, and then paused. "So it is that the method is harder but less expensive while not impacting the production of other essential pills?" The boy concluded in a tone indicating he both understood and desired a confirmation he understood properly.
"Indeed. Besides that the difficulty isn't too far apart so it is easier if we set the bar to be performing that level of refinement at least 70% of the time. You may be seated now." I replied with a nod. "Next." I said pointing to the other child, this time it was a girl slightly older than the boy.
"Great Lord Temporal Thunder, I wonder if we swapped out the Brown Splendor Spice for clear minnow water and Lotus oil, for the women's pill recipe. And for the men's pill… Lotus water and minnow oil?" the girl asked.
I was stunned at first. The boy from before was one thing… But this girl accurately made the change to my recipe, the one I made to give to the Ancient Divine Spirits.
"And what do you think that would accomplish, exactly?" I asked, raising my brow. Curiously awaiting the girl's answer.
"Replying to the Great Lord! I Believe it would allow for the fertility of Monster Race and Ancient Divine Spirits to be increased in a similar fashion. Even if it is a little more expensive and a higher refinement difficulty, given the oil and water mixtures." The girl explained, a little bit shaken and nervous now that I questioned her.
"Mother Xia, you didn't tell her these things did you? She came up with this on her own right?" I said, instantly appearing directly in front of the girl.
"It is all her own doing. I think she might have…" Xia Ning Chang smiled softly and happily.
"What is your name?" I asked, placing my hand on the girl's head, and activated my heavenly eyes.
"Answering Great Lord, my name is Qiaolian. I do not have a family name." She replied, nervous up until she felt a warm comfort come over her easing her nerves.
"There is no reason to be nervous little Qiaolian. You should be proud of yourself, you managed to figure out the recipes I made for the Divine Spirits. And on top of that… You have the same special physique that my second mother has. You will definitely go far. However, you seem to have some impurities that will inhibit your growth. I've taken the liberty and purged them with lightning. Those forces will no longer keep you down. And you should feel quite good now. Let me know if you feel off." I smiled, lifting my hand to dry the inevitable tear that formed. I then looked at Xia Ning Chang. "Mother Xia…" I started… But she already knew. She was clearly waiting for this.
"Little Qiaolian, I am willing to take you as my disciple. Are you willing to worship me as your master?" Xia Ning Chang smiled, looking at Qiaolian warmly.
"Yes! Master Xia!" Qiaolian said with a bright smile knowing exactly what this offer meant.
Qiaolian's future was secured and she was now akin to my little junior sister. Though there is still a bit of difference between a martial relative and a blood relative. Even still, she just went from familyless to having a place under the house of the strongest family in Starboundary. Not a bad thing in the slightest.
"Now then as for you? What was your name?" I asked, turning to the boy.
"Answering the Great Lord, my name is Xiaoli, He Xiaoli." The boy answered quickly.
"Good, as of today I will permit an Alchemy Master to accept you as their disciple as well. Though, since you don't have a special physique, perhaps Senior Ji Ying could accept him. Unless Mother Xia has her own thoughts?" I said.
"Hmm, I believe that he wouldn't turn He Xiaoli away. But… No, he is the best choice. Because he Xiaoli's elder sister could start working for him directly as a maid or assistant. She would surely not be treated poorly either. I'll run the suggestion by my senior brother Ji Ying." Xia Ning Chang said, having thought about it a little bit.
"Good, then… I think I'll end the lesson here. It seems like someone else smelled the steamed buns. Seriously, can't she resist them for just a little instead of drooling by the door." I said, glancing at the door to the room, meeting my eyes with Mother Smiles.