……

Perhaps it was Wang Shouye’s “astonishing” statement that was too shocking, as everyone present seemed a bit unable to digest it immediately, their expressions somewhat strange, and the atmosphere slightly eerie.

However, those present were all shrewd people, and it didn’t take long for a big shot to recover.

“Hahaha~ It’s Clan Head Wang Shouzhe who is truly impressive~ He cultivated such an outstanding alchemist without making a sound.” Yuwen Jinghong laughed and cupped his hands towards Wang Shouzhe, “This child has successfully become a disciple of the Pill Cauldron Sage, and his future achievements will surely be extraordinary. Congratulations~ Congratulations~”

Hearing this, the other big shots also came to their senses, congratulating Wang Shouzhe one after another, their words naturally filled with flattery and clear intentions of forming connections.

The speed of their change in attitude was as if their previous disdain and disruptive actions had nothing to do with them.

“It’s nothing~ nothing~”

Wang Shouzhe was secretly thrilled, but he wouldn’t dismantle their facade at this moment. He exchanged compliments with them, remaining humble and courteous throughout, his demeanor impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

Qian Xuefu and Yuwen Nianjing were also feeling quite complicated at this moment. On one hand, they were both rendered speechless by Wang Shouye’s “ignorance,” and on the other hand, they were genuinely happy for him.

In terms of resources and wealth, Qian Xuefu, after all, came from the Purple Mansion’s Qian Clan, and even if the clan didn’t favor him with too many resources, the foundation of the Purple Mansion’s clan was there, and his resources were actually not much less than Wang Shouye’s.

It was clear that the gap in strength could not be simply explained by “resources.”

Perhaps it was Wang Shouye’s sincerity and focus, undisturbed by external factors, that had forged his current strength~

Qian Xuefu admitted that he could definitely not achieve this.

“Brother Shouye, from now on, we are fellow disciples.” He quickly adjusted his mood and joked with Wang Shouye, cupping his hands, “As the elder brother, you’ll have to look after me, your little brother~”

“Don’t say that, what ability do I have?” Wang Shouye scratched the back of his head embarrassedly. This was the first time he had experienced such a scene, and he was really at a loss for what to do.

In a corner, Si Xinghai squinted at Wang Shouye’s back, his eyes showing a rare seriousness and scrutiny.

Gu Hanyu caught a glimpse of the interaction between the young people and smiled, feeling very happy for Wang Shouye.

When she had given advice to Wang Shouye in the past, what she appreciated most was his down-to-earth and diligent attitude, which was why she was willing to speak well of him. And now, Wang Shouye’s performance had proven that she had not misjudged him.

Seeing the harmonious scene around him, and how the big shots who had just been surrounding the Dongfang family had now turned to Wang’s Clan, Dongfang Bohua’s face was embarrassed, feeling completely out of place in the current environment.

At this moment, the Dongfang family had become a joke.

He frowned deeply and grabbed Dongfang Yuxi.

“Ancestor, I…” Dongfang Yuxi turned to look at his own Ancestor, his face still in a state of shock. He still hadn’t recovered from the huge impact.

“Let’s go.”

Seeing him like this, Dongfang Bohua originally wanted to scold him, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything more and could only drag him out.

At this point, there was no need for the Dongfang family to stay any longer. If they didn’t leave now, were they going to continue to lose face?

Soon, Dongfang Bohua, Dongfang Yuxi, and the others who had accompanied the Dongfang family to the Tianyuan Pill Workshop all left.

At this time, Gu Hanyu also received a message from the Pill Cauldron Sage.

“Qian Xuefu, Si Xinghai, Wang Shouye, follow me, the master wants to see you.” She called out to the three of them and then bid farewell to the big shots present.

Everyone understood that this was the formal ceremony to become disciples.

They naturally wouldn’t obstruct, and after exchanging a few polite words with Gu Hanyu, they watched the four enter the inner hall.

“Sister Hanyu, what kind of person is the master?” Wang Shouye asked nervously as he followed behind Gu Hanyu, “Is there anything I should pay attention to when I meet him?”

Qian Xuefu and Si Xinghai heard this and, although they didn’t speak, pricked up their ears.

Gu Hanyu chuckled: “Don’t worry~ Aside from being strict in alchemy, the master is very easy to talk to and has a pleasant personality.”

As they spoke, the group had already entered the depths of the Tianyuan Pill Workshop and stopped in front of a room.

“Here we are, come in~”

Gu Hanyu pushed the door and entered, with Wang Shouye, Qian Xuefu, and Si Xinghai quickly following.

The room was unexpectedly simple, without any luxurious decorations or exquisite furnishings, except for a huge bookshelf against the wall, densely packed with various books.

Under the bright light, a gray-robed elder was sitting cross-legged behind a low table, leisurely flipping through a scroll.

Clearly, this elder was the Pill Cauldron Sage.

“Master.” Gu Hanyu approached, respectfully raising her hand in salute, “They have arrived.”

Hearing this, the Pill Cauldron Sage put down the scroll and glanced at the three.

Qian Xuefu, Si Xinghai, and Wang Shouye hurried forward, respectfully performing a deep bow: “Greetings, Master.”

Following Gu Hanyu’s lead, the three each stepped forward, offered tea to the Pill Cauldron Sage according to the ritual, and after completing the ceremony of becoming disciples, they sat down again at the side of the Pill Cauldron Sage, waiting for his questions with restraint.

“I don’t have many rules here, no need to be too formal.” The Pill Cauldron Sage glanced at the three, his tone calm, “I already have a rough idea of your abilities in alchemy. However, since you three have entered my tutelage, I also need to have a relatively detailed understanding of your cultivation situation to provide guidance. Introduce your cultivation situation.”

With that, he looked at Qian Xuefu.

“You first.”

“Yes, Master.” Qian Xuefu quickly responded respectfully, then began to introduce himself, “I am thirty-seven years old, at the second layer of the Spirit Platform Realm, awakened with the Li Fire Bloodline, currently at the middle stage of the second level.”

Hearing this, the Pill Cauldron Sage nodded slightly, his expression quite satisfied: “Not bad.”

Qian Xuefu, receiving praise, unconsciously puffed out his chest, a hint of pride in his demeanor.

Among his many direct cousins, his talent was quite good, having awakened a bloodline from birth. When he was in the Qi Cultivation stage, his great-grandfather Qian Jingde even spent a huge sum to buy him a Marrow Cleansing Pill, raising his bloodline to the middle stage of the first level.

If not for this, he wouldn’t have been given key cultivation by the clan and become an alchemist.

Now, his bloodline talent was among the best in the younger generation of the Purple Mansion’s Qian Clan, with only a few direct descendants slightly stronger than him.

“I am thirty-five years old, at the first layer of the Spirit Platform Realm, also awakened with the Li Fire Bloodline, and due to some previous adventures, I am currently at the high stage of the second level,” Si Xinghai said in a calm tone.

What?

High stage of the second level?

Qian Xuefu’s face suddenly fell, and he shrank his neck, not daring to say more.

“Very good, very good.” The Pill Cauldron Sage showed a look of appreciation, “Xinghai, as a lone cultivator, it’s not easy to have come this far. Let’s not mention the bloodline for now, just your perseverance alone is incomparable to others. If you can find a way to step into the third level of the bloodline in the Spirit Platform Realm, you won’t be inferior to those outstanding talents from the academies. As long as the opportunity is sufficient, you have a chance to step into the Purple Mansion Realm.”

“Thank you for the Master’s praise and favor.” Si Xinghai was slightly excited, with the Master’s words, his future was now a clear path.

As an alchemist, while the consumption is great, it is also very profitable. Otherwise, Si Xinghai would not have been able to come this far.

Finally.

The Pill Cauldron Sage’s gaze fell on Wang Shouye, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration. Initially, he took Wang Shouye as a disciple partly because of his good examination results and partly because of the face given by the Commandery Prince.

But unexpectedly, he was so promising and surprising, easily defeating Dongfang Yuxi and saving the face of the Pill Cauldron Sage.

“Shouye, tell me about your situation.” The Pill Cauldron Sage said warmly. He had already decided that even if this child’s bloodline was a bit weaker, he would find a way to enhance it.

“Reporting to Master.” Wang Shouye answered honestly, “My bloodline was originally quite ordinary, but my fourth brother found a way to advance my bloodline. I am now twenty-eight years old, at the peak of the first layer of the Spirit Platform Realm, with a third-level Li Fire Bloodline.”

What?

Third-level Li Fire Bloodline?

Qian Xuefu felt like he was about to collapse, having felt a bit relieved when he heard him say his bloodline was ordinary, only to be followed by the mention of a third-level bloodline! This kid, he’s not content until he drives people mad, not content at all.

Si Xinghai was also shocked beyond belief, his eyes somewhat vacant, and the little pride he had was shattered.

“Very good, very good!” The Pill Cauldron Sage laughed heartily, “I didn’t expect, I really didn’t expect, this time I truly picked up a treasure, casually accepting a disciple, and he turns out to be a prodigy!”

Even a Purple Mansion Sage would find it difficult to casually accept a prodigy as a disciple. After all, prodigies of this level are either in various holy lands or are the pillars of extremely powerful families.

Although not every prodigy will eventually step into the Purple Mansion Realm, the probability is much higher compared to those lesser prodigies.

Wang Shouye felt deeply moved.

He now finally understood how much effort his fourth brother had put into him. He also finally realized how profound the family’s foundation was. After all, his bloodline in the Wang Clan was hardly noteworthy…

……

Almost at the same time as Wang Shouye became a disciple.

In Longzuo Commandery, the Purple Mansion Academy.

As a branch of the Lingyun Holy Land, the Purple Mansion Academy held an extraordinary status within Longzuo Commandery, occupying a vast area. It not only directly took over an entire mountain range rich in spiritual veins but also named it after the academy, calling it “Purple Mansion Sacred Mountain.”

Within the Sacred Mountain, there were not only various peaks and sects led by several Sages of the academy, as well as various trial grounds, medicinal gardens, pill halls, and spirit beast gardens, but also many academy buildings with various functions.

It was these complex and multifunctional buildings that formed the basic network of the entire academy.

Near the entrance of the academy, there was an ancient and charming complex of buildings known as “Qianqiu Hall.”

This Qianqiu Hall was an important administrative institution within the academy, where disciples received and submitted academy tasks, as well as exchanged credits for materials.

Qianqiu Hall had accompanied generations of academy disciples and witnessed countless disciples grow from nobodies into influential figures.

Outside Qianqiu Hall.

There was a large square paved with thick bluestone, with a large beast pen built on one side.

The beast pen could store the mounts of academy disciples. With just a few credits, there would be someone to feed and take care of them. Disciples without mounts could also rent spirit mounts from the beast pen when going out on tasks or returning home to visit relatives, making the journey much faster.

The mounts varied greatly, from first to third-level spirit beasts, including majestic and extraordinary spirit horses of various types, as well as large and steady spirit bulls. There were also camels, elephants, and even turtles, as well as extremely rare flying mounts.

Because the various peaks and sects occupied a vast area and were scattered throughout the entire Purple Mansion Sacred Mountain, ordinary horse mounts could not adapt to such complex terrain, and their speed could not meet the demands of academy disciples, making spirit beast mounts the preferred choice for traveling.

However, spirit beast mounts were expensive and beyond the reach of most academy disciples to buy and maintain.

At this time, academy disciples could rent spirit beast mounts from the academy. One credit could rent a mount for a month, saving a lot of time.

However, there were always some academy disciples who were too poor to even afford to rent spirit mounts from the academy, so they had to rely on their legs and body techniques to travel.

Lu Xianghui, born in a small ninth-rank family in Langzuo Wei.

After developing for eight or nine hundred years, within the territory of Langzuo Wei where large families were established, due to the gradual solidification of social strata and clear division of interests, the survival of lower-rank families became particularly difficult. Most lower-rank families had to semi-attach themselves to eighth-rank families, becoming part of their production chain, specifically responsible for planting and producing raw materials for them, thus securing a tiny space for survival.Eighth-rank noble families often need to attach themselves to seventh-rank families, becoming a part of the latter’s industrial chain.

Thus, the hierarchy is clear and distinct.

For lower-ranked families to advance further, the difficulty is much greater than in remote defense cities like Changning Wei.

Therefore, the academy has become a pathway for many lesser families to rise. If a member of the family can attain a high position within the academy, the entire family will gain more opportunities and potentially leap across social strata.

Lu Xianghui, blessed with exceptional talent from a young age, reached the peak of the lower-grade A-level. His family scrimped and saved, sparing no effort to nurture him.

Fortunately, Lu Xianghui lived up to expectations. Four years ago, he stood out in the preliminary selection of Langzuo Wei’s assessment and then passed the re-examination at Zifu Academy, becoming an honored ordinary disciple.

On the steep mountain path, Lu Xianghui was using a movement technique to hasten his journey.

With each step, he traversed more than a yard, his body leaving behind a faint blue shadow.

This was one of the superior movement techniques from the Yuanshui Tianhu lineage of Zifu Academy—”Water Shadow Flow.”

It wasn’t a technique known for speed, but at advanced levels, one could move like water—tangible yet formless, even creating illusory water shadows, unpredictable and powerful.

During his years at the academy, Lu Xianghui diligently practiced while actively undertaking academy tasks. From running errands to simple tasks like tilling spiritual fields, harvesting, and repairs, he could earn about thirty to forty credits a year.

Don’t underestimate these credits; each was worth about ten Top Gold according to the academy’s valuation. Lu Xianghui relied on these credits and the annual two hundred Top Gold resource subsidy from his family to gradually establish himself in the academy.

He even saved some credits to exchange for the Yuanshui Tianhu lineage’s “Yuan Water True Scripture” Qi Cultivation chapter and the first two layers of the “Water Shadow Flow” and “Yuan Water Spirit Shield” techniques.

Given his current situation, he estimated that by the age of thirty-eight or thirty-nine, he would complete the long journey of the Qi Cultivation realm and be eligible to apply for breakthrough materials from the academy, including the “Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

Of course, the academy wouldn’t provide such precious breakthrough materials for free but would offer them in advance against future credits. However, once reaching the Lingtai realm and with a significant increase in strength, earning credits would become easier, and he could gradually repay the debt.

Moreover, by then, he could covertly support his family’s development. As his family prospered, the support they could provide him would increase, creating a virtuous cycle.

Thus, Lu Xianghui’s life at the academy was full of motivation.

His favorite tasks were those that involved running errands, which not only earned money but also allowed him to practice the Water Shadow Flow technique.

Yuanshui Tianhu was quite far from Qianqiu Hall, and when some senior sisters and brothers wanted to exchange items, they often couldn’t be bothered to make the trip, so he took on their requests.

Just seven or eight yards from Qianqiu Hall’s square, Lu Xianghui suddenly increased his speed, leaping through the air and pulling a long, faint blue water shadow behind him before landing steadily on the thick bluestone ground.

“Phew~”

Lu Xianghui exhaled a breath of turbid air, revealing a satisfied smile. After over two years of hard practice, he had perfected the first layer of “Water Shadow Flow.” Next, he would cultivate the second layer, which would make his errand-running even faster.

“Brother Lu, congratulations, not only has your cultivation reached the middle stage of the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, but you’ve also mastered the first layer of Water Shadow Flow,” said a tall and sturdy young man nearby with a grin.

Lu Xianghui followed the voice and bowed politely, “It turns out to be Brother Jiang from Changchun Valley. I see Brother Jiang’s face is like warm jade, his aura restrained; I’m afraid you’ve already stepped into the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation. Congratulations, Brother Jiang.”

This Brother Jiang, named Jiang Kangpeng, was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old and had entered the academy three years before him. Although they were not disciples of the same lineage, they became acquainted through undertaking various small academy tasks.

Jiang Kangpeng had a good temperament and had given Lu Xianghui a lot of guidance and help in the early days, which Lu Xianghui remembered gratefully.

The two walked towards Qianqiu Hall together, chatting as they went.

Inside Qianqiu Hall, as usual, many disciples gathered to receive tasks and exchange credits.

Recently, due to the triennial academy competition, there were particularly many disciples coming to exchange credits. The disciples in charge at Qianqiu Hall happened to have someone on leave, and for a while, they were too busy to cope, so the others waited in the corridor, chatting in small groups.

With many disciples in the academy and each peak and lineage relatively independent, there were always interesting or sensational events happening every day, providing plenty of topics for discussion.

However, what they talked about the most was the recent academy competition.

Before each recruitment, the academy would hold a competition among the disciples to test their learning outcomes. The winning lineage could have priority in choosing some of the new disciples that everyone valued.

After the competition, the disciples from each peak and lineage would receive corresponding credit rewards based on their performance. Some who performed exceptionally well might even be selected by a senior to become core disciples or even personal disciples.

Naturally, those who performed well and had good results became the center of everyone’s discussions, especially the core disciples of each peak and lineage.

“This competition, Brother Zong Sheng and Brother Jian Ye from the Xuanbing Hall lineage really stood out. In my opinion, the next core disciple of Xuanbing Hall will likely be chosen from among them.”

“And Brother Le Xian from the Yuanshui Tianhu lineage also performed brilliantly in the competition. I was right there at the time, tsk tsk tsk~ that strength, really amazing~ core disciples are indeed core disciples, we can’t even come close.”

“I heard that Tianyuan Shangren is planning to take a personal disciple this year. Isn’t Brother Le Xian striving so hard for that spot? I think he’s very likely to get his wish this time.”

A few young disciples gathered together, talking about what they had seen and heard the day before, all with looks of admiration and excitement.

“Alas~ It’s a pity that personal disciples don’t participate in the competition, otherwise, we could have witnessed the elegance of personal disciples.” One disciple sighed with regret.

Another disciple snickered, “Hey~ If personal disciples participated in the competition, where would the core disciples have a chance to shine? Besides, the first prize for the under-sixty age group in the competition is only three hundred credits. Personal disciples wouldn’t even care about that.”

“I heard that Lingtai realm personal disciples are granted a hundred credits each month, more than we earn in a year. Even Lingtai realm core disciples get a fixed thirty credits per month. If it weren’t for competing for the spot of personal disciple, they wouldn’t need to participate so actively in the competition.”

At this moment, Lu Xianghui and Jiang Kangpeng were also among the chatting crowd, their hearts surging with excitement. It was just a pity that they were only in the Qi Cultivation realm and had no qualifications to participate in the competition.

Even if they reached the Lingtai realm and participated in the competition, they would only be there to make up the numbers. To truly stand out and bask in glory in the competition, one would need to be an outstanding disciple of the Lingtai realm with at least a second-layer bloodline.

As the academy disciples were talking.

Suddenly, a massive elephant-shaped spiritual mount stepped onto the square, its thunderous footsteps making the ground seem to tremble.

Lu Xianghui’s eyes lit up, “Isn’t that Brother Zhang Xiuping from Xiaoyao Peak and his spiritual mount, the Ancient Blood Spirit Elephant?”

Zhang Xiuping was a core disciple of Xiaoyao Peak, now at the fourth layer of the Lingtai realm, but since he was over sixty years old, he no longer participated in the triennial competition.

However, his reputation remained very loud. At over sixty years old, having broken through to the mid-stage of the Lingtai realm, it was almost certain that he would reach the Tianren realm in the future.

He was naturally one of the idols many young disciples admired.

After storing his Ancient Blood Spirit Elephant, Zhang Xiuping walked towards Qianqiu Hall, and many respectfully greeted him.

Before sixty, Zhang Xiuping was very prominent, liking to spar everywhere. Now, he had become much more reserved, nodding in response to the salutes from Qi Cultivation realm disciples.

As Lu Xianghui was paying his respects to Zhang Xiuping, suddenly, a lively voice reached his ear, “Hello, brother, are you a disciple of the Yuanshui Tianhu lineage?”

Lu Xianghui quickly turned around, only to see a girl dressed plainly and looking rather ordinary greeting him.

“Hello, sister,” Lu Xianghui returned the greeting, “I am Lu Xianghui, indeed an ordinary disciple of Yuanshui Tianhu. May I ask sister…”

He glanced at her and couldn’t discern her cultivation level, thinking that she might be wearing a concealment device.

“My name is Wang Liyao, and I am a disciple the academy is preparing to recruit this year.” The “plain-looking” Wang Liyao said very politely.

This “plain-looking” Wang Liyao was naturally Wang Shouzhe’s own daughter.

…