Return

Early the next morning, everyone gathered at the entrance of the cave dwelling, ready to set off for the Alchemist Association with Shi Yu.

Channeling their spiritual energy, the group employed their respective movement techniques as they headed down the mountain. In the blink of an eye, they covered dozens of feet, the fierce wind howling past them.

Seeing Shi Yu darting effortlessly through the forest, her feet barely touching the ground and leaving almost no trace of footprints with each step, Zhou Yang was astonished by her composure. He could not help asking, “Little Yu... what is your current cultivation level?”

Shi Yu glanced sideways at Zhou Yang. “I have only just reached the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm.”

Because her divine soul had grown increasingly profound, unless she actively released her aura, even those several layers above her would find it difficult to gauge her true strength.

Zhou Yang gasped softly, shaking his head with a laugh. “That puts me to shame.”

He was quite a few years older than Shi Yu—twenty-six this year—and was only at the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm himself, which already made him a standout among the younger generation in his clan.

But compared to Shi Yu... Although the young girl before him possessed a serene demeanor, one could still glimpse a touch of lingering youth in her features. She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen.

Reaching the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm at her age was a top-tier talent even among the prominent cultivation families in the main city—not to mention that she was also an alchemist.

“Your talent is extraordinary, young friend. In the future, you will surely reach the peak and make a name for yourself across the Five Continents.” Elder Zhou praised her with a smile before glancing at the three Zhou siblings. “You three must work harder as well.”

The three accepted his admonition humbly. “Yes.”

After chatting briefly, everyone focused on their journey and soon arrived at the Alchemist Association.

Perhaps word had spread that the president and elders of the Alchemist Association were returning from the exchange conference today, for the association was far livelier than usual. The entrance bustled like a crowded market, with people constantly arriving bearing gifts to strike up conversations with Wen Wen and Master Ji.

Shi Yu looked over and saw that most of the visitors wore shimmering, fine silk robes embroidered with family crests or merchant firm insignia. At a glance, they were all prominent figures in the main city.

Yet their demeanors were remarkably humble, their conversations mostly consisting of asking when the president would arrive or offering polite words about how hard Master Ji had worked while overseeing the association during this period.

Medicinal pills were indispensable in a cultivator's life, whereas alchemists were rare and precious.

Thus, the lofty status of the Alchemist Association, where alchemists gathered, was evident.

Seeing these figures—usually far out of reach—behaving with such courteous humility and smiling faces toward the Alchemist Association, passing onlookers envied alchemists all the more.

Watching the surging crowd, Shi Yu sighed helplessly and turned to the others. “Shall we wait here for a bit?”

No one objected, nodding in agreement.

Nearby, Master Ji managed to maintain a polite smile at first as he dealt with the guests. But after a while, unable to take it any longer, he called Wen Wen over to entertain them while he leaned against the main gate and stared at the sky, checking whether a cloud boat was approaching from afar.

After waiting half the day without a sign, Master Ji thought to himself, Why aren't they back yet? Don't tell me something went wrong on the road.

Shaking his head, Master Ji shifted his gaze and happened to spot Shi Yu and her companions. Instantly perking up, he waved at her. “Little Yu'er! What are you standing over there for? Come on over!”

As soon as his words fell, the crowd in front turned around to follow Master Ji's gaze.

The young girl's delicate skirt fluttered gently without a breeze, and her black hair fell to her waist like floating clouds.

“Could this be the one...?”

“Is the spirit robe she's wearing made of Mist-Cloud Silkworm silk? If I recall correctly, two bolts of Mist-Cloud Silkworm silk were sold at the auction, bought by Master Ji to gift to a junior, right?”

“Since Master Ji values her so much, it seems the rumors are true—this young lady truly possesses great skill in alchemy.”

...

Since Master Ji had called her by name, Shi Yu had no choice but to walk over.

“Girl Yu, how are your preparations for the Tier-2 alchemist certification exam coming along?” Master Ji asked with a beam, deliberately raising his voice a bit.

Hearing this, the surrounding crowd instantly burst into a commotion, followed by a chorus of sharp gasps.

A Tier-2 alchemist?!

Shi Yu walked up to his side. “I certainly can't let you down, Master Ji.”

“Even if you end up refining a piece of candy, this old man would eat it happily. How could I be disappointed?” Master Ji chuckled, throwing a quick glance at the crowd whose ears were perked up nearby.

It was common knowledge how difficult it was for an alchemist to advance. Among artifact refining, alchemy, array formations, and talismans, every path was extraordinarily complex and intricate. Remaining at Tier-1 for one's whole life was a common occurrence.

Anyone who could advance to Tier-2 within ten years was considered a genius.

Reaching Tier-3 meant one could serve as an elder in the main city's association, which went to show how arduous each step upward was.

Yet how old was the girl before them?

A flurry of discussion broke out immediately. The crowd looked at Shi Yu with a mix of complex emotions, ranging from envy to calculated intrigue.

Master Ji had deliberately brought up this matter in front of everyone after careful consideration.

In alchemy, talent was certainly important, but resources were equally indispensable. Practicing and studying alchemy was no theoretical endeavor; it required a constant supply of countless spiritual plants and equipment.

As a result, the wealth required was an astronomical figure.

Most alchemists served prominent families, sects, or merchant firms to secure these resources, though this naturally came with restrictions and obligations.

Master Ji had asked Shi Yu before and knew she had no intention of serving a family or sect. He harbored a subtle concern that a lack of resources might delay her mastery of alchemy.

Speaking up now was his deliberate way of dropping another hint about her alchemical talent in front of these prominent figures from the main city.

Afterward, people would naturally come seeking Little Yu'er's services. Commissioning an alchemist paid handsomely, so Little Yu'er wouldn't have to worry about resources for the time being.

As for the Tier-2 alchemist examination... even if she failed, so what? Failing on the first try was perfectly normal!

The important thing was that everyone knew their Girl Yu had this potential.

Shi Yu naturally understood Master Ji's thoughtful intentions, though she could hardly explain the whole truth.

She did lack resources—no cultivator ever had enough. In a sense, the path of cultivation could be called a path of contending for resources.

It was just that what she lacked was mostly cultivation resources. As for alchemy... her mastery was already fully maxed out, so she didn't need to spend extra resources practicing it.

Refining low-grade pills offered little benefit to Shi Yu at her current level.

After chatting for a few more moments, Shi Yu suddenly heard several voices from the crowd.

“A cloud boat! It's flying this way—is that President Song and the others?”

“It bears the flag of the Alchemist Association! It really is them!”

Shi Yu looked up and saw a cloud boat speeding through the sky. In mere moments, it closed the distance, coming to a halt directly above the Alchemist Association.

The members of the association who had traveled far to Hengze Prefecture's main city for the Alchemy Exchange Conference had finally returned.

Leading the way was the president, clad in a green robe, who stepped down from the cloud boat first. Several elders and association alchemists followed behind him.

None of them looked happy; their expressions carried faint traces of gloom and resentment.

Everyone present was shrewd enough to notice the mood immediately.

Harboring their own guesses, the onlookers lowered their voices as they stepped forward to greet them, terrified of stepping on the alchemists' toes, not daring to utter a single word about the exchange conference.

They simply presented gifts and offered cautious greetings, expressing polite condolences for the arduous journey.

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries with the visitors who had come specifically to pay their respects, President Song could barely maintain a polite smile. He sighed to Master Ji, who stepped up to greet him, and said, “Let us talk inside.”

With that, he cupped his hands to the crowd. “Everyone, we are weary from our long journey and unable to host you properly today. Please forgive us.”

“Of course, of course.”

“Think nothing of it, President Song. We can gather another day.”

“Then we shall take our leave. Please rest well, everyone.”

...

Master Ji sighed inwardly, knowing that this attendance at the exchange conference had likely gone no better than usual.

He called softly to Shi Yu, “Let's go, Girl Yu. We'll talk inside.”