Chapter 63：The 7 Elements (1/2)

Ma Rong started explaining the different elements and the elemental synergy between them.

”So, the first thing you need to know is the 5 normal elements and the 2 higher elements.”

Alex was listening to her very intently, his eyes focused on what she said.

”The two higher elements are Yin and Yang. Yin is the element associated with dark, cold, or moon. Yang is the element associated with light, heat, or sun. These two elements on their own are quite powerful, and maybe dangerous if not taken care of properly.”

”When together, based on what the alchemist can do, the Yin and Yang can cancel each other out, and make a pill neutral, or help each other to become even stronger, and make a pill with highly volatile energy. You should always think twice if you have to deal with either of these elements in a pill, especially if they are together.”

Ma Rong was teaching Alex about the elemental affinity and alignment of an alchemy ingredient and how that would make or break a pill.

”The 5 normal elements are Wood, Fire, Water, Earth, and Metal. These, similar to the 2 higher elements, can cancel overwhelm another element or make it stronger. These are the hardest thing to keep track of in a pill-making process. You have to know how each ingredient's element interact with each other.”

”For example, if you put an ingredient with the fire element in it and another ingredient with the water element in it, then the resulting pill will either be a low fire elemental strength, or a low water elemental strength. This is because when water and fire elements mix together, they fight each other, and the stronger enemy remains. The water seeks to extinguish the fire, while the fire seeks to evaporate the water.”

”On another example, if you put an ingredient with the fire element in it and another ingredient with the wood element in it, then the resulting pill will always be of a higher fire elemental strength. This is because when wood comes in contact with the fire, it feeds the fire, making it stronger.”

”There are 5 ways these elements can interact with each other. They can either 'Empower' the other element, 'Control' the other element, 'Overwhelm' the other element, 'Weaken' the other element, or 'Ruin' the other element.”

”Just like wood 'Empowers' fire by feeding it, water can 'Empower' wood to make it grow. Earth can 'Control' water by absorbing it. Metal can 'Ruin' fire by taking its heat away and de-energizing it.”

”All 5 elements do something to one of the other elements, in all of the 5 different categories. Knowing what does what, and which ones you can use is very important when making pills with higher harmony.”

Ma Rong reached into her bag and took out a piece of paper. It was a small talisman, which she then handed over to Alex. Alex caught the talisman and quickly scanned it with his spiritual sense. He soon realized what it was.

Ma Rong continued, ”That paper has all the knowledge I know of about the different elements and their interaction with each other. Make sure to read that when you have free time.”

”Just remember, there will sometimes be ingredients with no elements, but those are incredibly rare, and the easiest to deal with. They get along with every other ingredient.

She then moved on from the current topic and started going into the original one.