After carefully discerning that there were no unusual circumstances inside or outside the house, Li Man'er entered the space.
The Scarlet Flame Lotus Cauldron stood quietly in the courtyard, like a visiting guest.
Alchemy, also known as the art of yellow and white, became popular after the Qin and Han dynasties. It was a very expensive endeavor, requiring not only cinnabar and mercury but also gold and silver. Poorer Daoists simply could not afford to refine elixirs.
Their Xuan Yi alchemy was entirely different from that of those Daoists. They primarily used medicinal herbs, and the efficacy of the elixirs they refined varied completely with the herbs used.
Li Man'er selected over a dozen prepared medicinal herbs, sliced them, ground them into powder, and gradually added them to the cauldron.
Only one drop of Spirit Mist Spring was added, representing a very high cost.
The saltpeter and nitre used by ancient alchemists were extremely dangerous substances. Combined with sulfur and charcoal, an explosion could collapse the alchemy chamber.
Later generations researched many fuels that could be used for alchemy. Although the ingredients were similar to those used by the ancients, the proportions were meticulously balanced and precise, achieving high-temperature combustion, low ignition points, and long burning times.
Science, after all, progresses. All modern scientific research is based on the achievements of the ancients, and there is nothing to be proud of in that.
Li Man'er continuously monitored the color and temperature of the flame. Their Xuan Yi alchemy was far less mystical than depicted on television, with no "Samadhi True Fire" or "Thunder Fire," nor cauldrons that could fly up and down. They simply refined quietly, added ingredients, and watched the cauldron to prevent it from exploding.
More than half an hour later, the herbs in the cauldron seemed to have fused together, and the medicinal aroma slowly emanated. The fire at the bottom of the cauldron gradually extinguished. Li Man'er put on thick heat-resistant gloves, lifted the cauldron, added honey, shook it rapidly a few times, and then placed it back.
Once the fire at the bottom of the cauldron was completely extinguished, this batch of elixir was almost ready. Unlike the round elixirs obtained immediately upon opening the furnace in movies and television dramas, Li Man'er's method of refining merely integrated the essence of all the medicinal materials. After refinement, a medicinal paste would form at the bottom of the cauldron. This paste needed to be completely scraped out, divided into equal portions by weight, and then rolled into balls.
This process, divided into rolling methods and coating methods, was fundamental to pharmaceutical preparation.
Thinking about it, the scene of Xuan Yi alchemy was rather unbearable to look at, seeming rather unrefined from any perspective, but it was the most realistic.
The Chinese medicine pills and pastes sold in pharmacies nowadays are made similarly, except that they use machines instead of cauldrons.
Li Man'er found a scale, divided the medicinal paste into small portions of nearly equal size, then rolled them all into round pills. She then coated them with honey, placed them on a plate, and returned them to the cauldron. The residual heat from the cauldron's fire was used to thoroughly dry the pills before they could be removed.
Li Man'er timed it precisely to remove the pills. She then used pre-cut square pieces of oiled paper to wrap each pill, twisting the top of the oiled paper to seal it. This task was then completed.
"The process of making medicine was incredibly smooth; I just don't know about its efficacy." The batch of pills she made was for treating asthma.
In ancient times, asthma was a stubborn illness, basically incurable. Even royal families had no good solution for it. It was said that Empress Zhangsun died of asthma.
Her prescription was sound, and the medicinal ingredients were of good quality. The Spirit Mist Spring water alone was enough to increase ordinary medicinal efficacy threefold. Combined with the Scarlet Flame Lotus Cauldron, she wondered what kind of miraculous existence this medicine would be.
She would have to find a test subject to try it out another day.
Li Man'er stored the medicine in the medicine cabinet, gave the Scarlet Flame Lotus Cauldron in the courtyard a simple wipe-down, and then exited the space.
She had only been lying down for about fifteen minutes when she heard footsteps at the door. The person quietly pushed open the room door, first glanced at the ice basin inside the room, and then placed another stick of incense by the window.
Li Man'er knew it was Lüyī who had come; she recognized the girl's footsteps.
According to the night duty roster, it was Lüyī's turn tonight. However, Li Man'er disliked such arrangements and did not allow the maids to stay overnight in the outer room. She was a living person with hands and feet; even if she were thirsty or hungry in the middle of the night, she wouldn't need someone to attend to her.
After Lüyī left, Li Man'er also drifted off to sleep.
Before dawn the next day, Li Man'er entered the space, changed into modern athletic wear, and began practicing martial arts in the small courtyard of the space.
Li Man'er had practiced martial arts since she was five years old. She had trained in traditional martial arts, cultivating Qi through internal martial arts and strengthening bones and muscles through external martial arts, enduring considerable hardship. She had also trained in Muay Thai, Sanda, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, never daring to neglect any form of combat, no matter how difficult or tiring. She gritted her teeth and persevered because she knew that these skills were not learned in vain; they could save her life at critical moments.
Since obtaining the space, Li Man'er's strength had also been increasing. Her strength often surpassed that of ordinary men. All of this was due to the Spirit Mist Spring.
Thus, it can be said that for a person to succeed, talent alone is not enough; postnatal effort is particularly important. This is what people often refer to as ninety-nine percent effort plus one percent talent.
However, in reality, without that one percent of talent, the ninety-nine percent of effort might be in vain.
But regardless, she could be considered blessed by heaven. She had both talent and sufficient effort. More importantly, heaven seemed to favor her exceptionally, granting her many transmigration benefits, which could be considered cheat codes!
After practicing martial arts in the space, Li Man'er changed back into her sleeping clothes and then left the space. She rested on the bed for a few more minutes before getting up.
Hearing the movement outside, the maids quickly pushed open the door and entered, arranging the washbasin, clean clothes, towels, and other items in order to serve Li Man'er as she got up.
The wicked old society!
Li Man'er felt that she was increasingly developing the idea of becoming a parasite. With money in hand, why would she lack someone to serve her?
"Miss, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat first, or would you like to exercise in the courtyard first?"
Li Man'er simply replied, "Of course, I'll exercise first. Only by exercising well can I eat more heartily."
The maids were long accustomed to this and could only cover their mouths and giggle.
Li Man'er also urged Lüyī and Zǐyān to practice with her, "You two promised so well initially, but now one after another you've gone back on your word. Inconsistent words and actions are not good."
Zǐyān wore a pained expression. "Miss, please don't mention it. After practicing with you last time, my old back ached for three full days."
"My maidservant is the same; my legs were swollen, and my arms felt like they weren't my own," Lüyī said curiously. "I truly don't know how you manage to keep going, running, jumping, and practicing martial arts. I really can't learn it; please spare me this time!"
Li Man'er shook her head and changed her clothes. "As you wish!"
She practiced a set of the Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard and some grappling movements. Only when her body was slightly sweating did she stop.