alchemist       
noun [ C ] uk/ˈæl.kə.mɪst/ us/ˈæl.kə.mɪst/
 炼金师
a person who uses or seems to use alchemy (= attempts to to change ordinary metals into gold)
  For thousands of years, alchemists tried to figure out how to turn lead into gold.  炼金术士花了几千年琢磨点铅成金的办法。 
 Bankers were like modern-day alchemists who could create wealth from mere paper.  银行家宛如现代炼金师,可以从纸张里创造财富。 
 See: alchemy
 - More examples
 - Medieval alchemists never did brew up gold, but modern chemists tinkering with the elements do yield priceless materials.
 - The dishes evolved by the new breed of culinary alchemists are not the sort of thing you can make in five minutes.
 - Klee's art studio was once described as an alchemist's lair.
 - She has an alchemist's talent for making history live and breathe.