For Benjamin Franklin, William Graham felt genuine admiration: the old man's many creative ideas had truly opened his eyes. Not to mention, when he first arrived in this world, the bottle of enlightenment potion he drank that allowed him to understand any language—William Graham had never even imagined such a thing before. Emma Green, this magical alchemical creature, amazed him even more. As for Benjamin Franklin, he also held William Graham in very high regard. For someone so young to already be on par with himself, given time, his future would be limitless. The title of the greatest alchemist in the Star Refining World would surely be passed on to him one day.

Unknowingly, it had already been half a year since he arrived here. William Graham still harbored some hope in his heart that he could return to his previous world. Not to mention anything else, the child in his junior sister’s womb was his own flesh and blood. She was alone at the sect, and even though the master was taking care of her, it could never be as attentive as if he were there himself.

However, over the past six months, he had repeatedly asked Benjamin Franklin about it, and the answer he received was: that summoning was merely a coincidence, with odds so small they could be ignored. Even if the exact circumstances were recreated, there was no guarantee of success. Therefore, William Graham was basically unable to return.

Even so, William Graham was not resigned to his fate. He memorized the summoning magic ritual from Emma Green. Benjamin Franklin no longer had those magical materials, but once he collected them, he would try it no matter what.

William Graham let go of his inner misgivings and sincerely sought guidance from Benjamin Franklin. On one hand, he was very curious about Benjamin Franklin's alchemy; on the other, though he never said it aloud, he understood that if he wanted to return to Earth, he would have to start with the magic that summoned him here. He knew nothing about this, so naturally, he needed to consult Benjamin Franklin as much as possible. However, since William Graham had already formally taken a master, he could not betray his teacher or ancestors, so he only sought advice from Benjamin Franklin and did not acknowledge him as his teacher.

“Ge, I see you’re very interested in alchemy. How about I teach you alchemy? Don’t worry, we’re just exchanging knowledge. In return, you’ll also have to teach me your alchemy.” Benjamin Franklin proposed. William Graham considered it. The Golden Core Path of the Ge School could not be easily shared, but the Ge School’s library was vast, containing many classics from other sects, which could be used to exchange with Benjamin Franklin.

After a day of rest, Benjamin Franklin officially began teaching William Graham alchemy.

“To learn alchemy, the first question is: what is alchemy?” On the grass outside, the white-haired and bearded Benjamin Franklin wore a loose, snow-white craftsman’s robe. In front of him sat the humble and eager William Graham. The old and the young truly looked like a respected mentor guiding his student.

What is alchemy? William Graham had no concept in his mind and shook his head in confusion. Benjamin Franklin spoke at length: “Some people think alchemy is just the technique of turning lead into gold. That’s the most superficial and foolish understanding. Others believe alchemy is the pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone, but that view is too narrow. In my opinion, alchemy is the art of elevating certain substances to a higher level, and at the same time, through the control of matter, it is the art of elevating those who strive to unravel the secrets of matter to a higher state of existence.”

“Today, let’s talk about some basics. To be a qualified alchemist, there are three compulsory subjects: alchemy, magic, and appraisal.” Benjamin Franklin and William Graham sat together on two stones in the morning sun. It didn’t feel like a formal lesson, but more like a casual conversation.

“Alchemy goes without saying—it’s the foundation. Alchemy is closely related to magic, so you must also know something about magic. Even if you’re not proficient, you can’t be ignorant of it. As for appraisal, you need it to judge the quality of your creations. Without it, you wouldn’t even know if your work was a success or a failure, which would be a real embarrassment. Moreover, once you master appraisal at a high level, it can help you see the subtle world more clearly, which is extremely helpful for alchemy.”

“In addition to these three compulsory subjects, alchemists have a wide range of elective courses, mainly including: astrology, occult studies, martial arts, battle qi, linguistics, cryptography, medicine, divination, witchcraft, theology, and so on…”

William Graham interrupted him: “Sir, I can understand astrology and occult studies, but why do we have to learn cryptography? And what about martial arts and battle qi? Didn’t you tell me that ordinary people can’t practice both magic and martial arts? If magic is a compulsory subject, then how can we also train in martial arts and battle qi?”

Benjamin Franklin smiled kindly: “Ge, you misunderstood me. When I say electives, I mean you just need to learn about them, not necessarily practice them. As an alchemist, you’ll inevitably have to craft some weapons. If you don’t understand the martial arts and battle qi of the users, how can you create works that meet their needs? So this knowledge is essential. Besides, I also suggest you practice some martial arts yourself. Even if you can’t develop battle qi, at least you can strengthen your body. Alchemists often neglect their health, and as a result, many die young, leaving behind unfinished formulas. That’s truly a pity!”