Chapter 19: The Alchemy Disciple Examination

Protector Ye had originally thought that Cao Xuan would ask, “What herbs are needed for the Qi Gathering Pill?” Although he could answer, he would still sneer, “You don’t even know what medicinal ingredients you need to process—how can you call yourself an alchemy apprentice?” It was, admittedly, a bit of a deliberate challenge. In the Alchemy Hall, depending on their experience, alchemists generally preferred seasoned apprentices, as they had assisted in refining many pills and were familiar with most required herbs, handling them swiftly.

Such apprentices were rare, of course; to be so skilled meant one was nearly ready to become a formal alchemist. Most apprentices, when faced with unfamiliar pills, would be told by the alchemist what ingredients were necessary. Before processing, apprentices would also mention any herbs they hadn’t handled before, and the alchemist would instruct them on the spot. Only then would all the herbs be processed together and handed over for the pill refinement.

Thus, apprentices began unskilled, but with constant guidance, they gradually became familiar with all the herbs. In the sect, these alchemy apprentices were not only fulfilling sect duties but were also, in a sense, apprentices training to become future alchemists.

Protector Ye’s intent in making things difficult for Cao Xuan was his disdain for those who aimed too high without the basics—otherwise, it was entirely normal for a novice to be unfamiliar with the necessary herbs.

Now, as Cao Xuan stood beneath the Yellow Ganoderma, Ye could no longer push further. He produced his token, waved it in the air, and the restriction vanished.

At this, Yang Fan hurriedly said, “Protector Ye, use my alchemist’s token, otherwise if the offering is deducted from your share…”

Protector Ye waved him off, saying indifferently, “I’m testing the junior myself. I don’t care about a few spirit stones. Besides, if you fail your refinement later, I’ll hold you accountable anyway.”

His meaning was clear: not only was he testing Cao Xuan, but Yang Fan as well.

Hearing this, Yang Fan quickly fell silent.

Cao Xuan picked up the basket and skillfully took down the Yellow Ganoderma, ginseng, and Qi-Gathering Orchid. He then searched the herb shelves but found neither flour nor wheat for grinding.

Ye and Yang Fan had been surprised to see Cao Xuan so adeptly select the right herbs—could this young man truly be capable? But when he continued searching, they grew impatient.

“What are you looking for? Don’t you even know which herbs are needed?”

Cao Xuan replied respectfully, “I’m looking for wheat or flour!”

At his words, Protector Ye’s eyes narrowed, while Yang Fan snorted, “Flour? Do you take this for making steamed buns?”

Cao Xuan was momentarily taken aback. He’d consumed Qi Gathering Pills for a month; with his affinity for plants, he could recall every herb and even their ages with clarity. It was clearly ten-year Yellow Ganoderma, five-year ginseng, fifteen-year Qi-Gathering Orchid, and a small amount of flour.

Uncertain of the exact recipe, he had even sought out herbs of the corresponding ages on the shelves.

With a swish, Protector Ye flashed before Cao Xuan and snatched the herb-laden basket from his hands.

“Ten years, five years, fifteen years…”

Yang Fan was utterly bewildered. What did the ages matter? Weren’t the three herbs enough for the Qi Gathering Pill?

Protector Ye, however, immediately demanded, “What’s your name, and how do you know Cai Xuan?”

Ye Hong, as the protector of the Alchemy Peak, had practiced alchemy for over a century. Apprentices were beginners, often ignorant of pill recipes, which only recorded the basic ingredients. The more detailed the recipe—listing quantities, heat levels, and herb ages—the more valuable it was.

These specific ages, and the addition of flour, were unique enhancements to the recipe that Ye Hong himself had developed over the years to improve the pill’s quality and success rate.

He scrutinized Cao Xuan, whose appearance and cultivation were unremarkable. Was he just a smooth talker? In that instant, Ye Hong looked at him with the scrutinizing gaze of a father-in-law—though he was, in fact, Master Ye Cai Xuan’s grandfather.

“So, that girl has even taught our family’s pill recipe to you?”

Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder this boy dared to take the assessment—he’d entered through Cai Xuan’s backdoor.

Cao Xuan gave his name, but didn’t understand Ye’s muttering.

Yang Fan was about to inquire when Protector Ye interrupted, “Enough. Go process these three herbs. If you do it well, you’ve passed.”

Cao Xuan was puzzled. Why did this old man react so dramatically? And who was this Cai Xuan? It took him a moment to realize she was Senior Sister Ye Cai Xuan of Alchemy Peak.

In any case, the test was simply to process these three ingredients.

He soon moved to the preparation table. First, he ground the Yellow Ganoderma into powder, trimmed the root hairs off the ginseng, and prepared the Qi-Gathering Orchid.

With the Thousand-Spirit Flora Manual, Cao Xuan was intimately familiar with every herb and had mastered their handling. For the basic Qi Gathering Pill, nothing special was required. His insights told him that different herbs could be processed in various ways for different pills—he knew eighteen methods for ginseng alone. But lacking the recipes, he didn’t know which method paired with which pill. For the Qi Gathering Pill, the simplest preparation sufficed.

Sure enough, watching Cao Xuan’s deft work, Yang Fan stepped up and pinched the Yellow Ganoderma powder between his fingers. “Not bad—you really know your stuff!”

Protector Ye Hong also came forward. In truth, the processing was beautifully done, clearly the work of an old hand. Yet he only said, “So-so, barely acceptable. You’ve passed the assessment.”

With a wave, the mission token stamped itself and merged into the hall’s void. Cao Xuan was now formally accepted into the Alchemy Hall, his foot halfway into Alchemy Peak.

Cao Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. He’d cleared the first hurdle on his alchemy path.

Just then, a voice sounded in his mind.

“Boy, I don’t care how you know Cai Xuan, but I advise you not to set your sights on her. You’re just a fourth-level Qi practitioner. Even as an apprentice, you’re worlds apart from Cai Xuan. Maybe my strictness over the years has made her rebellious, but in a hundred years, she’ll still be herself, while you’ll have returned to dust…”

Cao Xuan tried to reply, but Protector Ye stopped him with a look, ignored Yang Fan, and left without another word.

Cao Xuan was utterly bewildered. From what he’d gathered, he seemed to have gotten involved with this Protector Ye’s relative—was this the “breaking up the couple” stage?

Yang Fan watched Ye Hong leave, glanced at the now-unlocked herb shelf, and his eyes lit up.

“So, Junior Cao, want to see your senior brother show off a bit?”