Kai stood outside Elder Xiao's practice alchemy room, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. The corridor was quiet, with only the occasional muffled sound of bubbling liquids or clinking glassware from behind the closed door.

He'd been waiting for nearly an hour, but patience was a virtue he'd learned to cultivate since arriving in this world. Also, he knew better than to interrupt an elder during their work.

I hope this isn't a waste of time, Kai thought, glancing at the door. But if anyone can help me with this elixir, it's Elder Xiao.

Just as Kai was considering whether to come back later, the door swung open. Elder Xiao stepped out, his eyes widening slightly as he noticed Kai.

"Disciple Kai?" Elder Xiao said. "I didn't expect to see you back so soon. Is everything alright?"

Kai bowed. "Elder Xiao, I apologize for the unexpected visit. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

The elder waved his hand dismissively. "Not at all. I was just finishing up some experiments. What brings you here?"

"Well, Elder, I've been making progress with the Heavenly Thunderstorm cultivation method, and I've reached a point where I need a Thundercore Elixir to continue."

Elder Xiao's eyebrows rose. "Ah, so you're trying to awaken the Storm's Core already? Impressive progress, young Kai."

"Thank you, Elder," Kai said. "However, I've run into a small... problem."

The elder's expression turned curious. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Kai felt his face grow warm with embarrassment. "Well, you see, I don't currently have enough spirit stones to purchase the elixir. I was wondering if... if perhaps you might be willing to provide one as a loan? I promise I'd pay you back as soon as possible."

Elder Xiao's brow furrowed. "A loan? But Kai, you should still have plenty of spirit stones left from your stipend. Unless..." His eyes narrowed. "You've invested it all in that little trading business of yours, haven't you?"

Kai's silence was answer enough. He managed a sheepish smile. "Hopefully, spirit stones won't be a problem for much longer if this works out."

The elder sighed, shaking his head. "Ah, you young people. Always chasing after material gains. I wish you'd focus entirely on alchemy, but I suppose that's too much to ask."

Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Elder Xiao held up a hand, his expression growing serious. "Disciple Kai, I don't give out loans like that, no matter how talented the disciple. It sets a bad precedent."

Kai's heart sank. He hadn't expected outright rejection. "I... I understand, Elder. I apologize for troubling you."

An awkward silence fell between them. Kai was about to excuse himself when Elder Xiao's stern expression softened into a smile.

"However," the elder said, a glint in his eye, "loans won't help you in the long run. Instead, why don't I coach you to produce the elixir yourself?"

Kai blinked, caught off guard by the offer. "But... isn't the Thundercore Elixir an intermediary-level concoction? I'm still just a Novice Alchemist."

Elder Xiao nodded. "Indeed it is. But it's also something that talented Novice Alchemists can create with proper guidance. In fact, I made my first Thundercore Elixir when I was only a Novice myself."

"Really?" Kai couldn't hide his surprise.

The elder chuckled. "Don't look so shocked, young Kai. With my guidance, I believe you're more than capable of creating this elixir."

Kai felt a surge of excitement. Learning to create the elixir himself would be far more valuable in the long run than simply being given one. "Thank you, elder."

"Excellent," Elder Xiao said, gesturing towards the open door. "Come inside, and we'll get started."

Kai followed the elder into the alchemy room, his eyes darting around to take in the various apparatus and ingredients lining the shelves. Elder Xiao moved to a large bookshelf and began rifling through several scrolls and notebooks.

"Now, where did I put that recipe..." the elder muttered.

Seeing Kai's curious look, Elder Xiao explained, "Don't worry, I know the recipe by heart. But you'll need a written version to study. Even though I'll be guiding you, I won't be holding your hand through every step."

Kai nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I didn't say anything, Elder."

"No, but I could practically hear you thinking it," Elder Xiao retorted good-naturedly. "Ah, here we are!"

He pulled out a slightly yellowed piece of parchment and handed it to Kai. "The recipe for the Thundercore Elixir. Read it carefully."

Kai accepted the parchment with both hands, his eyes scanning the contents:

Thundercore Elixir Recipe

Ingredients:

* 3 Lightning Lotus petals

* 1 Thunder Quartz crystal (crushed)

* 2 drops Storm Serpent venom

* 1 Azure Cloudberry

* 5 strands of Skysilk

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Instructions:

* Begin by infusing the cauldron with lightning-attuned Qi.

* Crush the Lightning Lotus petals and Thunder Quartz together, using Essence Extraction to draw out their properties.

* Add the Storm Serpent venom, using Elemental Fusion to combine it with the crushed ingredients.

* Introduce the Azure Cloudberry, applying Qi Infusion to enhance its spiritual properties.

* Weave the Skysilk strands through the mixture, using Stability Control to maintain balance.

* Apply Spiritual Resonance throughout the process to attune the elixir to lightning-based cultivation methods.

* Simmer for one hour, maintaining a constant flow of lightning-attuned Qi.

* Cool and condense into liquid form.

Warning: Extreme caution required. Improper balance may result in volatile reactions.

As Kai finished reading, he nodded to himself. The recipe didn't seem overly complex, but he knew from experience that alchemy was often trickier than it appeared on paper.

"Well?" Elder Xiao asked, watching Kai's expression closely. "What do you think?"

Kai looked up from the parchment. "It doesn't seem too difficult, at least in theory. And it looks like I won't need to learn any new techniques – the five basic alchemy skills should cover everything."

The elder nodded. "Good. Now, are you ready to begin?"

Kai rolled up his sleeves, a determined glint in his eye. "Yes, Elder. I'm ready."

Elder Xiao gestured towards a nearby workstation. "Then let's get started. I'll provide the ingredients for your attempts but I expect to be paid back in full."

I had hoped the situation was like the Qi Gathering pills but I guess the elder doesn’t want me to take advantage of him, I don’t blame him, he’s already been more helpful than I deserve.

As Kai moved to the workstation, Elder Xiao gathered the necessary materials. Soon, everything was laid out neatly before him: the Lightning Lotus petals with their faint electric glow, the Thunder Quartz crystal, a small vial of viscous Storm Serpent venom, a plump Azure Cloudberry, and the gossamer-thin strands of Skysilk.

Kai took a deep breath and began by channeling his Qi into the cauldron, focusing on the lightning aspect of his qi. The cauldron hummed faintly, a few sparks dancing along its rim.

"Good start," Elder Xiao commented from where he stood observing. "But be careful not to overdo it. Too much lightning Qi at this stage can destabilize the entire process."

Nodding, Kai adjusted his Qi flow, tempering it slightly. He then picked up the Lightning Lotus petals and Thunder Quartz, placing them in a mortar. As he began grinding them together, he applied his Essence Extraction technique, drawing out the inherent properties of both ingredients.

A fine, glittering powder began to form in the mortar, occasionally emitting tiny sparks. Kai carefully transferred this into the cauldron, where it settled into a gently swirling mass.

"Now for the tricky part," Elder Xiao warned as Kai reached for the vial of Storm Serpent venom. "Remember, only two drops. Any more and you risk a violent reaction."

Kai's hand was steady as he uncorked the vial and tilted it over the cauldron. One drop fell, then another. As soon as the second drop hit the mixture, Kai quickly pulled the vial away and recorked it.

Immediately, he began applying his Elemental Fusion technique, working to combine the venom with the powdered ingredients. The mixture in the cauldron began to bubble and spark more vigorously.

"Careful now," Elder Xiao cautioned. "Keep your Qi flow steady."

Kai gritted his teeth, concentrating hard on maintaining the delicate balance. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he reached for the Azure Cloudberry. He dropped it into the cauldron and began applying Qi Infusion, enhancing its spiritual properties.

The mixture in the cauldron took on a faint blue glow.

So far, so good.

Next came the Skysilk. Kai carefully picked up the delicate strands and began weaving them through the mixture, using his Stability Control technique to maintain balance. This was perhaps the most challenging part yet – the Skysilk was so fine that it threatened to dissolve instantly in the bubbling concoction.

"Steady hands," Elder Xiao murmured. "Let the Skysilk guide your movements."

Kai tried to relax, allowing his hands to move more fluidly. To his surprise, he found that the Skysilk seemed to almost weave itself, drawn by the currents in the mixture.

Throughout the entire process, Kai had been applying Spiritual Resonance, attuning the elixir to lightning-based cultivation methods. Now, as the last strand of Skysilk disappeared into the mixture, he increased this resonance, feeling the elixir harmonize with his own Qi.

"Excellent work so far," Elder Xiao said, a note of approval in his voice. "Now comes the true test of patience. Maintain a constant flow of lightning-attuned Qi for the next hour."

Kai nodded, settling into a comfortable stance. He regulated his breathing, establishing a rhythm that allowed him to maintain a steady flow of Qi into the cauldron. The mixture continued to bubble and spark, occasionally emitting small flashes of light.

As the minutes ticked by, Kai found his concentration wavering. Maintaining such precise Qi control for an extended period was more challenging than he'd anticipated, especially with qi capacity at the Qi Refining realm. Sweat dripped down his back, and his arms began to tremble slightly.

"Focus, Kai," Elder Xiao's voice cut through his fatigue.

Kai closed his eyes briefly, picturing the swirling vortex of lightning Qi flow through his meridians and into the mixture.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Elder Xiao spoke again. "Time's up. Now, cool and condense the mixture into liquid form."

With a sigh of relief, Kai began to draw back his Qi, allowing the mixture to cool. As it did so, he used his Qi to shape it, condensing it into a small vial of glowing blue liquid. Occasional sparks danced across its surface.

Kai stepped back from the workstation, his legs wobbling slightly, more from the fatigue than the extended period of standing still. He looked at Elder Xiao expectantly.

The elder approached, looking closely at the vial. He picked it up, examining it from all angles. After what seemed like an eternity, he set it back down and turned to Kai.

"Well," Elder Xiao began, his face unreadable, "you've certainly produced... something."

Kai's heart sank. "It's not right, is it?"

Elder Xiao shook his head. "I'm afraid not. While you've managed to create an elixir, it lacks the proper balance and potency to be a true Thundercore Elixir. Consuming this would be... unpleasant, to say the least."

New Item Created: Thunder Fizzle Elixir

Description: A botched Thundercore Elixir.

Warning: If consumed, it could generate unpredictable lightning in the user's meridians, potentially disrupting Qi flow for weeks. May attract lightning strikes during storms.

Reading the warning, disappointment washed over Kai. He'd been so sure he was doing everything correctly. "What went wrong, Elder?"

The elder stroked his chin. "Tell me, Disciple Kai, where do you think you made mistakes?"

Kai furrowed his brow, thinking back over the process. "Well... I think I might have been too cautious with the Storm Serpent venom. And perhaps I didn't maintain a consistent enough Qi flow during the simmering stage?"

"Those are indeed part of the problem," Elder Xiao nodded. "But there's more to it than that. Your Essence Extraction was too aggressive – you drew out too much from the Lightning Lotus petals, which threw off the balance from the very beginning. And your Spiritual Resonance wasn't quite attuned correctly – you were resonating more with your own Qi than with the lightning aspect specifically."

Kai listened intently, mentally noting each point of critique. "I see."

The elder smiled. "Don't be discouraged, Disciple Kai. No one creates a perfect Thundercore Elixir on their first try. Even I failed multiple times before succeeding."

This admission made Kai feel slightly better. "How many attempts did it take you, Elder?"

Elder Xiao chuckled. "More than I care to admit. But each failure taught me something valuable. Now, are you ready to try again?"

Kai nodded. "Yes, Elder. I won't give up until I succeed."

"That's the spirit," Elder Xiao said approvingly. He gestured to a fresh set of ingredients he had prepared while Kai was working. "Let's try again. This time, focus on gentler Essence Extraction and more precise Spiritual Resonance."