In the main hall of the Purple Sky Sect, a group of elders were sitting upright and still. All of their gazes were focused on the figure standing in the middle of the hall, as straight as a spear.
Under Nangong Changle's orders, a medicinal cauldron was quickly brought up, as well as the spiritual herbs required to refine the Muscle Growth Pill.
Like the Dew Returning Pill, Qi Nourishing Pill, Muscle Growth Pill … many people knew of these common pill formulas, but not many people could refine them.
"Alright, now that everything is here, let us see your strength as a second grade alchemist. If you truly reach the second grade, this old man will accept you as my disciple," Nangong Changle said as he stroked his beard.
The expressions of the other elders weren't very good. It was as if they didn't want Ling Xiao to truly be an alchemist.
Although alchemists were extremely respected in the eyes of everyone, only the strongest cultivators were the true rulers of this continent.
Unless Ling Xiao was able to become a fourth or fifth grade alchemist in the future, he definitely wouldn't be able to compare to an Earth Sovereign.
"Then this brat will have the guts to embarrass himself in front of the Sect Master and the elders." Ling Xiao bowed towards the crowd, then glanced at Yun Mengqi. Faintly smiling at her, he began to refine the pill.
Ling Xiao was already a third grade alchemist, but he still couldn't announce his status for now. Otherwise, it would be too shocking. First, he would let them know that he was a second grade alchemist. With his age, he believed that it would be enough to attract their attention.
Peng!
A spiritual herb was picked up by Ling Xiao and thrown into the medicinal cauldron. A small flame quickly ignited.
When an expert made a move, it would be obvious.
Nangong Changle's eyelids twitched, and his expression changed slightly. The others also focused their attention on Ling Xiao.
The spiritual herb that fell into the medicinal cauldron instantly withered, and a few drops of its medicinal essence were extracted.
Ling Xiao's movements didn't stop, and the spiritual herbs on the table were thrown into the medicinal cauldron one after another.
Very quickly, the entire hall was filled with the medicinal smell of the spiritual herbs.
"Old man Nangong, this kid is really an alchemist!" said the Peak Lord of the Crafting Peak, Yan Zhen, who had the best relationship with Nangong Changle.
Nangong Changle heavily nodded his head and replied, "Just by looking at his skillful control of fire, he is definitely not someone an ordinary first grade alchemist can compare to. How old is this kid? Even if he hasn't reached the second grade, I still have to take him in. His Alchemy Tenbin is probably a bit higher than mine. When I was his age, I barely reached the first grade."
All the Elders looked at Ling Xiao, who was refining pills, with complicated expressions on their faces. No one knew what they were thinking.
An hour later, as Ling Xiao's palms pressed down, he shouted, "Condense!"
Peng!
The muffled sound of the medicine cauldron setting off was extremely ear-piercing and loud in the silent hall.
"Phew, the pills are done. Elders, please have a look." Ling Xiao gently wiped the sweat from his forehead and then took out the eight pills from the medicine cauldron.
Why were there eight pills and not ten?
This was naturally Ling Xiao's intention. Right now, he did not want others to know that his success rate was as high as a hundred percent. Otherwise, he was afraid that others would look at him like a monster.
Even though he had only refined eight pills in one go, this was enough to stun everyone present, especially Nangong Changle, who was an alchemist.
He took the pills from Ling Xiao and observed their color and smell, and a happy expression appeared on his face.
"Good … good pills, and even better. From now on, you will be this old man's disciple." Nangong Changle praised Ling Xiao repeatedly.
"Disciple Ling Xiao greets Master!" Ling Xiao took the opportunity to kneel and salute Nangong Changle.
This time, the expressions of the elders who wanted to take Ling Xiao as a disciple became extremely ugly, especially Mu Huai, who looked like he was about to burst into tears.
Those with an attribute purity of seventy percent were called geniuses, and those with eighty percent were called peerless geniuses. Then those with ninety percent were called monstrous geniuses. As for those with one hundred percent pure attributes, what kind of existences were they?
It was rare to see one with one hundred percent pure attributes in a few hundred years, or even a thousand years. And now, there was one living in front of him. Unfortunately, he could not take him as a disciple. How could he not be upset?
This made him feel even worse than if his wife had been snatched away.
However, the other had already gone through the ceremony of taking him as a disciple. How could he still have the nerve to steal him?
"Alright, since Ling Xiao has become a disciple of Medicine Peak, he is now a disciple of Medicine Peak. However, while refining pills, you must not neglect your cultivation. Do you understand?" Yun Xiong, who was sitting on the highest seat, tried to smooth things over.
"Yes, Sect Master. This disciple will remember," Ling Xiao replied.
"Alright, you can all disperse." Yun Xiong had not expected this result. Seeing the ashen faces of the Elders, he no longer planned to discuss anything else and immediately waved his hand to disperse the meeting.
"Let's go. Accompany me back to Medicine Peak." Nangong Changle very kindly said to Ling Xiao.
Medicine Peak had the least number of disciples compared to the other peaks. This was because the requirements to become an alchemist were extremely harsh, and Tenbin was also extremely particular about them.
Nangong Changle was already extremely satisfied to be able to find a good disciple from Tenbin this year. But he had never imagined that there would be an even more outstanding disciple joining them. How could he not be wild with joy?
Ling Xiao once again bowed to the crowd, then glanced at Yun Mengqi before resolutely leaving with Nangong Changle.
"I really don't know how to describe this brat. I can only hope that the path he has chosen is correct." Yun Xiong sighed in his heart.
In truth, in his heart, he still hoped that Ling Xiao would focus on cultivating. But since things had already reached this point, he could only let it be.
… …
A day later, on top of a mountain peak that was filled with spiritual qi.
"Boss, so you're a second rank alchemist! You're too unkind! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Hua Xiaogui exclaimed in admiration as he looked at Ling Xiao.
He had just been brought to Medicine Peak by an attendant when he discovered that Ling Xiao had already arrived. Only now did he find out that Ling Xiao was also an alchemist, and had even reached the second rank.
Ling Xiao laughed. "You didn't even ask me, so is there a need to tell me? Furthermore, I'm afraid that if I tell you, you'll suffer a huge blow. Boss, I'm just being considerate."
"Look at what you're saying. In the future, we'll be fellow disciples. Boss, you have to take good care of me!" Hua Xiaogui said in an extremely fawning manner.
But now, in front of Ling Xiao, he really couldn't compare. Before, when he hadn't known that Ling Xiao was an alchemist, he would often flaunt his first rank alchemist skills in front of Ling Xiao.
But now, whether it was martial strength or alchemy, he was far inferior to Ling Xiao. This time, he more or less felt inferior in his heart.
Ling Xiao patted Hua Xiaogui's shoulder and said, "Little Turtle, your Tenbin is not below mine. As long as you're willing to work hard, one day you'll surpass me."
"Boss, I know you're comforting me. But for the Three Year Promise, I'll definitely become a third rank alchemist." Hua Xiaogui clenched his fist and said confidently.
"En, that's right. But your first task right now is to break through to the Mystic Realm. Otherwise, it'll be difficult for you to become a second rank alchemist." Ling Xiao nodded in response.
"I also know this. That old man in my family often nags that I must break through to the Mystic Realm and change my attributes before I can refine second rank medicinal pills. But right now, I'm only a middle stage Mystic Realm cultivator. Moreover, I've eaten medicinal pills to increase my rank. Wanting me to break through to the Mystic Realm in a short period of time is easier said than done!" Hua Xiaogui said in distress.
Ling Xiao looked at Hua Xiaogui's bitter face and his heart moved slightly.
He had long regarded Hua Xiaogui as a brother. Although this kid's strength was a bit lacking, he was very loyal. This was something Ling Xiao knew in Purple Sky City.
"Since you're my brother, Ling Xiao, I'll help you." Ling Xiao secretly made up his mind.
This determination made Hua Xiaogui become a high rank alchemist that was admired by tens of thousands of people in the future.
"Little Turtle, will you recognize me as your boss for the rest of your life?" Ling Xiao asked very seriously.
When Hua Xiaogui saw that Ling Xiao was so serious for the first time, he immediately restrained his casual attitude and nodded heavily to Ling Xiao: "Boss, what are you saying? On the way to Purple Sky Sect, only you treated me as a friend. Although I, Hua Xiaogui, don't have much ability, I will not betray my friends and brothers. Boss, you'll always be my boss. Even if I block a knife for you, I won't frown."
"Good, good brother. From now on, you're my brother, Ling Xiao." Ling Xiao patted Hua Xiaogui's shoulder heavily and said. After a pause, he said: "Little Turtle, I'll now teach you a set of cultivation method. This set of cultivation method must not be easily known by others. Moreover, it's also extremely useful for your future alchemy, so you must keep it a secret."
"Bo … Boss!"
Hua Xiaogui was so excited that he wanted to say something. He knew that for Ling Xiao to instruct him so seriously, this Xuan Technique was definitely extraordinary.
He trusted Ling Xiao's words very much. After all, Ling Xiao had never lied to him. Just like before, when he said that Wu Sixue would definitely be his, wasn't the opportunity given to him now?
"When I'm the boss, you don't need to say anything. I'll now recite the chant for you. You have to remember it well." Ling Xiao interrupted Hua Xiaogui's words and then passed on the cultivation method of "Cloud Pushing Energy" to Hua Xiaogui.
Cloud Pushing Energy was originally a set of fire attribute cultivation method. Moreover, the cultivation speed should not be slower than those high level Xuan Techniques.
As long as Hua Xiaogui learned this Cloud Pushing Energy, he would definitely be able to break through to high level Mystic Realm within half a year. At that time, he would be able to take the elixir and break through to Mystic Realm wouldn't be a problem.
Hua Xiaogui naturally didn't know that Ling Xiao was thinking about him like this. However, just based on the fact that Ling Xiao passed on the chant to him, he was moved to the point that he was in a mess.
He decided in his heart that in this life, he would definitely follow in his boss's footsteps.
Hua Xiaogui's comprehension was average. After Ling Xiao passed on the chant to him, he had to repeatedly explain it many times. Only then did he slightly comprehend some of the essentials.
Ling Xiao also didn't force him. He could completely master it all at once. In any case, he had plenty of time. It was good to let him slowly cultivate and comprehend it.
"Boss, am I stupid? I don't even know these essentials of the chant!" Hua Xiaogui said with a downcast face.
"It's alright. Right now you've already understood more than half of it. If you spend a bit more time, you'll be able to remember everything!" Ling Xiao comforted him.
"Thank you, Boss. I'll work hard!"