Chapter Sixteen: Studying the Art of Alchemy

Lin Qingzhu continued, "These are not concerns for you. Senior Brother Fu Xin spent his entire life crafting the 'Shadow Sword Technique,' but due to insufficient cultivation, he was defeated by Yi Hong."

"The two made a pact that their respective successors would eventually face each other to settle the score. Since you have taken the Shadow Sword, you must fulfill Senior Brother Fu Xin's dream."

Lu Xingchen nodded firmly. "This is my duty. However, who is the successor of the 'Spirit Transformation Sword Technique'?"

"Hu Junfeng, the chief disciple of Spirit Sword Peak and the only Saint Son of the Lingxiao Sect."

"Oh..."

Lu Xingchen felt a headache coming on.

The man was already a Saint Son, while he was merely a new disciple. How was he supposed to fight that?

Lin Qingzhu chuckled softly. "Work hard, young man. Since Senior Brother Fu Xin chose you, he must have had his reasons. I have great confidence in you."

Lu Xingchen could only offer a bitter smile. "I will do my best."

"By the way, Peak Master, why don't you recruit other disciples?"

"Because I am not skilled in martial arts; I only teach alchemy. The disciples of Little Bamboo Peak are all recommended by other peaks and only admitted after passing my tests. The entrance examination for new disciples is merely a formality for me."

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen was shocked.

The most noble profession in the Tianyuan Continent was undoubtedly that of an alchemist. This was because the profession required extremely high talent, and training an alchemist was immensely time-consuming. Any quality of medicinal pill was priceless in the market. No wonder Lin Qingzhu, despite being only at the Martial Master level, could become a Peak Master—she was an alchemist!

Lu Xingchen asked excitedly, "Since you chose me, does that mean I have the talent to become an alchemist?"

Lin Qingzhu shook her head slightly. "No, I am simply honoring the memory of Senior Brother Fu Xin. If you wish to study alchemy, come to the summit of Little Bamboo Peak tomorrow, and I will test you."

"As you command!"

Lu Xingchen found an empty room at the foot of Little Bamboo Peak, cleaned it up, and enjoyed a relaxing bath.

Meanwhile, in a room halfway up Tongtian Peak, a beautifully dressed woman with an exquisite face was sitting on a cushion, meditating. A scrawny youth stood before her.

"Junior Sister Xiao Yue, I have inquired. Lin Wanqing and Lu Xingchen both passed the entrance exam, and their results were excellent."

"Lin Wanqing ranked first and joined Spirit Sword Peak. Lu Xingchen ranked tenth and joined Little Bamboo Peak."

Hearing this, Xiao Yue opened her eyes sharply and said in a low voice, "Lin Wanqing was a recognized martial arts genius back in the Great Yan Kingdom, so her taking first place is acceptable."

"But how did Lu Xingchen get tenth? That piece of trash... is he actually trying to turn things around?"

The scrawny man continued, "If you have a grudge against Lu Xingchen, Junior Sister Xiao Yue, I can teach him a lesson for you. It would be no trouble at all."

"No, Senior Brother Wang Li, I don't want a lesson. I want Lu Xingchen dead!"

Wang Li was startled. "We are all fellow disciples; is there really a need to go that far?"

Xiao Yue revealed a sweet smile, but her words were venomous. "My feud with Lu Xingchen is life-or-death. Please do me this small favor, Senior Brother Wang Li. If you can kill him, I will agree to become your Dao companion."

Hearing this, a flash of excitement lit up Wang Li's eyes.

"Since you are begging me so earnestly, Junior Sister Xiao Yue, I will help you this once! However, Lu Xingchen is a member of Little Bamboo Peak, which makes it difficult to act. Please be patient and wait for a while."

"Of course!"

After Wang Li left, Xiao Yue sneered. Lu Xingchen, it would have been fine if you had stayed a piece of trash, but now you have actually managed to stand up again. Although I am not sure if you know about the assassin I sent, I will not gamble. You must die! As for that Wang Li, he is nothing but a clown. The man I, Xiao Yue, marry must be a true prodigy, at least on the level of Senior Brother Hu Junfeng.

The next morning, Lu Xingchen rose early, washed up, and went to the summit of Little Bamboo Peak. A beautiful, fair-skinned woman was waiting expectantly.

"You must be Junior Brother Lu Xingchen, right? My name is Wang Dongxuan, the chief disciple of Little Bamboo Peak. The Peak Master asked me to fetch you!"

Lu Xingchen was slightly surprised. She looked only a few years older than him, yet she was already a Four-Star Martial Master. Her cultivation alone wasn't extraordinary, but as the chief disciple, she was certainly an alchemist. That was impressive.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Dongxuan!" Lu Xingchen bowed slightly.

They arrived at Lin Qingzhu's alchemy room, where she began to test Lu Xingchen's talent. The most important requirement for an alchemist was a powerful soul. The strength of one's soul was innate and progressed slowly with cultivation, but generally could not be altered by external means. Therefore, powerful alchemists were usually powerful martial artists, which made them even more precious.

Lin Qingzhu extended her right hand, placing her index finger on Lu Xingchen's forehead, and said softly, "Relax your body; I am going to test your soul power."

Lu Xingchen closed his eyes and relaxed as instructed. A moment later, Lin Qingzhu withdrew her finger. Lu Xingchen opened his eyes abruptly and asked expectantly, "How is it, Peak Master? Can I study alchemy?"

Lin Qingzhu coughed lightly and said gently, "Average. A bit behind Dongxuan, but you meet the standards for studying alchemy. Come here every morning to learn."

Lu Xingchen was overjoyed and agreed repeatedly.

In the following time, Lu Xingchen learned the fundamentals of alchemy from Lin Qingzhu. After an hour of study, a cold system notification rang in his ears.

[Congratulations to the host for studying alchemy for one hour. Gained one profession experience point!]

???

This works too?

Lu Xingchen immediately checked his system panel.

[Host: Lu Xingchen]
[Realm: Three-Star Martial Master]
[Experience: 200/400]
[Exchange Points: 720]
[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Heavy Strike (20), Berserk (16), Blade (20)]
[Profession: Apprentice Alchemist (1/10)]

Under the "Profession" tab, a change had indeed appeared. So, he had no barriers to studying alchemy; as long as he put in the time, he could keep leveling up.

Hahaha!

Who needs talent when you're cheating? Not me! Surpassing Wang Dongxuan was just a matter of time!

After spending the morning with Lin Qingzhu, Lu Xingchen earned three profession experience points before returning to his room to rest. As he left, he specifically sought out Wang Dongxuan.

"Senior Sister Dongxuan, let me ask you about someone."

"Who is it? I'm busy cultivating every day, so I might not know everyone in the sect."

"Do you know Xiao Yue?"