Chapter 16: Inner and Outer Sect Disciples and Alchemists

Cao Xuan's reason for choosing this task was simple: Protector Ye was in charge of the Pill Furnace Chamber at the Medicine Refining Peak of Azure Cloud Sect.

The so-called pill refining disciples were, in truth, assistants who processed medicinal materials for the alchemists within the Pill Furnace Chamber. When no one was refining pills, he could naturally sneak in and use the chamber himself.

Of course, this presupposed that he knew how to refine pills. As long as nothing went wrong, all would be well; but if an accident occurred and the furnace exploded, he would be held accountable.

Yet, in this matter, Cao Xuan was quite confident. After all, the insight from the perfected “True Explanation of the Pill Dao” lingered within him. Though he could not recall what pills he had refined before, the feeling of alchemy remained. He believed that the moment he touched the pill furnace, it would come back to him as naturally as riding a bicycle after a long time—the ease and familiarity would still be there.

As for handling medicinal materials, it was almost laughable. With the “Compendium of a Thousand Spiritual Herbs” at his side, how could he possibly struggle with mere ingredients?

The disciple from the Task Hall felt somewhat helpless at the moment. He had assumed that this outer disciple, requesting a task from the Medicine Refining Peak, must possess talent not only in cultivation but also in alchemy.

But it turned out he was merely arrogant. Pill refining talent is exceedingly rare—even more so than talent for cultivation. More importantly, it requires years of accumulated study and experience.

From his perspective, Cao Xuan’s identity token contained no relevant experience. One simply cannot conjure skills out of thin air. Consider the junior sister from earlier—she might truly become an alchemist one day.

But for now, Cao Xuan was an outer disciple, and his status was not something a mere prospective outer disciple could challenge. He could only grit his teeth and hand over the identity token and task voucher.

“Senior brother, I can’t confirm this here. Perhaps you should take your identity token and task voucher to the Medicine Refining Peak and seek Protector Ye’s personal assessment. If he approves, the task will naturally take effect.”

The Task Hall disciple had worked here for years and was adept at handling such situations. If the task issuer agreed to the requirements, the hall had no objections.

Someone like Chen Qianru, who advanced step by step from simple tasks to more complex ones, had it much easier. After accepting the task, she only needed to report briefly before beginning.

But someone like Cao Xuan, attempting to cut corners and take on a task with no experience, would likely earn a scolding from the protector. By then, it would no longer be his concern—he had already explained the stakes. If you insist on taking the task without experience, there’s nothing more he can do.

Of course, if the senior brother truly possesses talent, even without experience, the protector might be willing to nurture him. That’s why some outer disciples try their luck.

Upon reflection, the Task Hall disciple guessed that Cao Xuan was probably one of those. Having just broken through to become an outer disciple, with a clear path ahead, he wished to join the Medicine Refining Peak and become an alchemist. But he hadn’t prepared while still a prospective outer disciple, so now he was gambling, hoping his talent might catch the eye of the sect’s protectors and elders.

Watching Cao Xuan head toward the Medicine Refining Peak, the Task Hall disciple shook his head. “What a pity. If it were any other protector, he might still have a chance.”

“But Protector Ye is the grandfather of Senior Sister Ye Caixuan, the master of Medicine Refining Peak!”

“He’s extremely strict about alchemy talent and everything related to pills.”

“If he goes up knowing nothing, he’ll surely suffer!”

“Protector Ye knows full well that I’m just a prospective outer disciple—I wouldn’t dare offend an outer disciple. By then, it’ll have nothing to do with me!”

…

After accepting the task, Cao Xuan didn’t linger and set off for the mountain where Medicine Refining Peak was located.

The Azure Cloud Sect sat atop the Azure Cloud Mountain Range, which stretched for thousands of miles. Though the Medicine Refining Peak was named after a single summit, it was actually a vast region.

Apart from the main peak, there was the Spiritual Medicine Valley, the Spirit Herb Garden, and the Earthfire Peak—all part of Medicine Refining Peak’s territory.

The Pill Furnace Chamber he was heading to lay within Earthfire Peak, under the domain of Medicine Refining Peak.

Using the “Heavenly Gang Walking Steps,” he traversed the Azure Cloud mountains. Anyone watching would marvel at the elegance of his movement technique.

Yet Cao Xuan knew how to conceal himself. When encountering fellow disciples, he merely circulated his true energy to lighten his body and hasten his pace. Only when alone did he employ the full technique.

Soon, Earthfire Peak, which should have taken two days to reach, was arrived at in just half a day.

Watching the wisps of smoke rising from the mountains—a clear sign of pill refining—Cao Xuan sighed.

“Low-ranked disciples, without proper spells, waste so much time just traveling for a task!”

Indeed, this was why Cao Xuan didn’t want sect tasks to interfere with his cultivation. In one month, half the time was spent traveling, the rest on tasks, leaving only scraps for true cultivation.

If one lacked pill supplements and possessed ordinary spiritual roots, who could ever achieve real progress?

“Working the sect tasks becomes the main occupation, and cultivation turns into a side job!”

Cao Xuan once more lamented the sect’s system of capital.

“I’ve heard that, once you become an inner disciple, you only need to complete a few ‘projects’ each year to receive eighty spirit stones a month. It’s so unfair.”

Arriving in the Azure Cloud Sect, most disciples merely became parts of a massive machine, muddling through. But Cao Xuan, with eyes from a previous life, saw through it all. Truth be told, only inner disciples and above were true beneficiaries of the sect system.

He shook his head, banishing these idle thoughts, and took his task voucher to Earthfire Peak.

Along the way, enforcement disciples and arrays blocked the path, but with the task voucher, he passed unobstructed.

Azure Cloud Mountain Range, Earthfire Peak, Pill Refining Hall!

Cao Xuan gazed at the sprawling, majestic complex of halls, knowing the Pill Furnace Chamber was within.

He took in the unique scent in the air, the fragrance left behind by years of pill refinement.

“This feels much like visiting a pharmacy in my previous life,” Cao Xuan remarked with a smile.

From time to time, outer disciples with the first mark would smile knowingly at his actions, recognizing him as a newcomer. Inner disciples with two marks hurried past, barely sparing a glance at a mere outer disciple.

Cao Xuan surveyed the hall, noticing that some inner disciples wore waist tokens shaped like pill furnaces, marking them as alchemists.

When these inner disciples approached the Pill Refining Hall, they drew the attention and respect of all present, who saluted them with cupped fists.

“Look! It’s Senior Brother Yang Fan—not only did he break through to the eighth layer of Qi Training last month, but he also passed the Medicine Refining Peak’s alchemist examination and became a sect alchemist!”

“And there’s Senior Brother Ding Qing, a ninth-layer Qi Training alchemist. I’ve heard a protector at Medicine Refining Peak wants to take him as a personal disciple, once he breaks through to Foundation Establishment.”

“Today’s my lucky day—I brought some medicinal materials. Perhaps I’ll get a chance to ask a senior brother to refine some pills for me!”

“…”

The surrounding chatter soon pushed Cao Xuan, the newcomer, from everyone’s memory; no one paid him any mind.

“You must be new here!”

At that moment, a voice sounded in Cao Xuan’s ear.