Wang Zhen's Hostility

Following Lin Zixue, Li Chengjie passed through the winding corridors within the Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion.

The air was steeped in the rich fragrance of countless herbs, mingled with the faint Pill Fire Aura that lingered year after year.

From time to time, cultivators clad in uniform pale-blue apprentice robes or higher-ranking alchemist robes hurried past. Whenever they saw Lin Zixue, they respectfully saluted her. When their gazes passed over Li Chengjie, they carried traces of curiosity and scrutiny.

"Alchemist Li, this is the Hall of Affairs." Lin Zixue stopped before a rather spacious hall. Above its entrance hung a plaque bearing the three words "Hall of Affairs" in bold, dancing strokes.

People bustled in and out of the hall, making it quite busy.

Directly opposite the entrance stood a long row of counters, behind which several Steward Disciples were handling affairs.

Lin Zixue walked straight toward a relatively older steward with a stern face.

"Senior Brother Zhang." Lin Zixue greeted him with a smile.

When the steward surnamed Zhang looked up and saw Lin Zixue, he squeezed a trace of a smile onto his severe face. "Junior Sister Lin. What brings you here?"

Li Chengjie stepped forward and respectfully offered Elder Jin's token with both hands. "Senior Brother Zhang, I am Li Chengjie. By Elder Jin's order, I have come to complete my admission procedures and collect the items required for a Registered Apprentice."

Steward Zhang accepted the token and verified it. After giving Li Chengjie another few looks, a nearly imperceptible flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. He seemingly had not expected Elder Jin to personally take in a Registered Apprentice with no background whatsoever. He nodded and said in a businesslike manner, "Since it is Elder Jin's instruction, there is naturally no issue. Junior Disciple Li, please wait a moment."

He turned and retrieved from the cubbies behind him a set of pale-blue apprentice robes, a Standardized Token, a small booklet, and a low-grade Storage Bag that did not appear to hold much.

"This is your Identity Token, apprentice attire, Pill Pavilion Regulations, and this month's Basic Supplies. They contain three sets of Harmony Qi Pill ingredients. If you succeed in refining pills, you must turn over eighty percent of the pills; the remainder belongs to you. You may also sell them to the Pill Pavilion at seventy percent of market price. If you fail, you bear the loss of the materials yourself. Every month, you must complete a quota of at least ten batches of basic pills. Specific tasks can be accepted here. The details regarding Contribution Points and additional Spirit Stone rewards are all in the booklet. Read it carefully."

Li Chengjie accepted the items and swept his divine sense over the Storage Bag. Sure enough, it held only three sets of Harmony Qi Pill ingredients, looking rather pitiful. His expression did not change as he said respectfully, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang. I will certainly abide by the regulations and diligently refine pills."

Once the procedures were complete, Lin Zixue led Li Chengjie to the Residential Area for Registered Apprentices.

"The residences for Registered Apprentices are all on the outer edge of the Pill Pavilion, so the conditions may be somewhat worse. I hope Alchemist Li will bear with it," Lin Zixue explained as they walked. "However, the Spiritual Energy here is still far denser than in the outer city, which will benefit your cultivation as well."

The Residential Area consisted of rows of simple, connected cottages. Each room was equipped with basic soundproofing and Protective Restrictions.

Lin Zixue found an empty room for Li Chengjie and handed him a jade talisman for controlling the restrictions.

"Alchemist Li, you have only just arrived, so be careful in all things. The Pill Pavilion... is not entirely peaceful either. Competition and friction are unavoidable." Lin Zixue hesitated, but ultimately reminded him in a low voice, "If you encounter any difficulties, you may come find me in the inner courtyard. Outside of completing your quota tasks, study the Dao of alchemy more. Advance to Official Apprentice as soon as possible; only then can you gain more resources and respect."

Li Chengjie felt grateful in his heart and solemnly thanked her again. "Fairy Lin, I will remember the kindness of your recommendation and the favor of your guidance for as long as I live. I will not disappoint your expectations."

Lin Zixue gave him a radiant smile. "Just call me Zixue. Settle in and familiarize yourself with the surroundings first. I still have assignments from my master, so I'll be heading back now."

After seeing Lin Zixue off, Li Chengjie shut the door and activated the crude Protective Restriction. Only then did he let out a slight breath of relief.

Li Chengjie looked around the tiny room, scarcely larger than a single square zhang. Apart from a bed, a table, and a Prayer Mat, it contained nothing else. Though simple, it gave him a long-lost sense of stability.

At least, he was safe for the time being.

Li Chengjie picked up the Pill Pavilion Regulations and began reading through it carefully.

There were quite a few Rules, but at their core, they were nothing more than completing tasks, not privately passing on the Pill Pavilion's techniques, not engaging in Internal Strife or murder, and so on.

The uses of Contribution Points made his eyes light up. They could be exchanged not only for higher-level pill formulas and Jade Slips on alchemy techniques, but also cultivation manuals, Dharma Artifacts, and even guidance from high-ranking alchemists. They were practically the hard currency within the Pill Pavilion.

"Ten batches for the quota... three sets of ingredients..." Li Chengjie rubbed the free herbs between his fingers, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

For someone accustomed to practicing in large quantities at Qingshi Market, these few resources were truly a drop in the ocean.

If he wanted to improve quickly, he had to find a way to earn more Spirit Stones to buy materials himself.

Over the following days, Li Chengjie kept a low profile. During the day, he either accepted low-paying but time-consuming and laborious Herb Processing tasks at the Hall of Affairs, or familiarized himself with the area around his little cottage.

Li Chengjie conducted himself discreetly and remained polite to everyone. Before long, he had gained a rough understanding of the Registered Apprentice area.

There were quite a few Registered Apprentices here, most of them at Qi Refining Level 6, and their attainments in alchemy varied greatly.

Most of them looked at this newcomer with indifference or faint rejection in their eyes.

Li Chengjie did not care. He had come here to earn Spirit Stones and replicate experience.

One morning, Li Chengjie was preparing to head to the Hall of Affairs to see whether there were any new tasks. The moment he stepped out of his room, he saw a group of Registered Apprentices gathered not far away, apparently discussing something. Their eyes kept darting in his direction.

"That's him? The one Senior Sister Lin personally recommended?"

"He looks utterly ordinary. Qi Refining Level 5, and I heard he's some unaffiliated first-rank mid-grade alchemist?"

"Hmph, who knows what kind of luck he stumbled into, to actually catch Senior Sister Lin's eye and even enter Elder Jin's notice..."

"Shh, lower your voices. He's coming over."

The murmurs died down, but the scrutiny in their gazes—and a thread of barely perceptible jealousy—remained.

Li Chengjie's expression was calm, as though he had heard none of it, and he headed straight toward the Hall of Affairs.

Just as he reached the intersection, however, a figure blocked his path.

The newcomer wore the robes of a Flowing Cloud Sect Inner Disciple. He was tall and handsome, but an inextinguishable arrogance lingered between his brows. The way he looked at Li Chengjie was even more openly filled with scrutiny and... hostility.

Li Chengjie recognized him. He was Senior Brother Wang, the man who had appeared alongside Lin Zixue at Li's Pill Pavilion in Qingshi Market that day.

"You are Li Chengjie?" Wang Zhen looked Li Chengjie up and down, his tone cold and carrying an air of superiority.

"That would be me. Greetings, Senior Brother Wang." Li Chengjie stopped and cupped his hands in a neither servile nor overbearing salute.

Wang Zhen snorted coldly. "I heard that Junior Sister Zixue took pity on you after seeing you reduced to such a state, and only then recommended you to Uncle Jin?"

Li Chengjie's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He sensed the edge directed at him in the other man's words, but still answered, "Indeed, I was fortunate enough to receive Fairy Lin's... Senior Sister Zixue's favor, and Senior Jin's mercy. They gave me an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Wang Zhen's lips curled into a mocking arc. "Li Chengjie, you should know your place. The Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion is not some little backwater like Qingshi Market. What matters here is inheritance, is foundation! You're a Rogue Cultivator with no backing at all—just because you stumbled upon a bit of fortune, you think you can soar to the heavens in a single step? Junior Sister Zixue has little experience in the world and is easily blinded by superficial displays. I advise you to honestly complete your assigned quota. Don't entertain thoughts you shouldn't have, and don't bring trouble upon Junior Sister Zixue! Otherwise..."

Wang Zhen did not finish his words, but the Spirit Pressure of Qi Refining Level 7 descended slowly upon Li Chengjie like an invisible mountain range. The warning could not have been clearer.

The surrounding Registered Apprentices all held their breath, watching from afar without daring to approach. Their expressions varied—some gloated, some sympathized, while others remained indifferent.

The Mysterious Flame Art quietly circulated within Li Chengjie's body, resisting that Spirit Pressure. His expression remained calm, and he even showed a perfectly measured trace of puzzlement. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand Senior Brother Wang's words. I joined the Pill Pavilion only to find a place to settle down and make a living, and to study the Dao of alchemy. I have never harbored any improper thoughts, much less dared to bring trouble upon Senior Sister Zixue. May I ask why Senior Brother Wang says this?"

Seeing him play dumb, Wang Zhen's gaze turned even colder. Just as he was about to say more, a crisp voice tinged with displeasure came from nearby:

"Senior Brother Wang! What are you doing here?"

Lin Zixue strode over quickly, her pretty face slightly darkened. Her gaze swept between Wang Zhen and Li Chengjie before settling on Wang Zhen.

The coldness on Wang Zhen's face vanished the instant he saw Lin Zixue, replaced by a gentle smile. "Junior Sister Lin, I was merely passing by. I heard that this newly arrived Junior Disciple Li was recommended by you, so I came to greet him. I also thought I'd remind him of the Pill Pavilion's Rules, lest he be unfamiliar with the proper limits upon arriving here and cause some trouble that drags you into it."

Lin Zixue clearly did not believe that explanation. She walked to Li Chengjie's side, her tone protective. "It's true that I recommended Alchemist Li, but you and I both witnessed his alchemy skills firsthand. Master Jin only permitted him to enter the pavilion after personally testing him. I trust his character, so there is no need for Senior Brother Wang to concern himself with reminding him. If Senior Brother Wang has nothing else to do, you should hurry and prepare the alchemy task Master assigned you."

Being so openly protective of Li Chengjie before everyone made Wang Zhen's face tighten. He cast Li Chengjie a dark look, then forced a smile at Lin Zixue. "Since Junior Sister says so, I was meddling unnecessarily. Farewell."

With that, he snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left.

Watching Wang Zhen's departing back, Lin Zixue turned to Li Chengjie and said apologetically, "Alchemist Li, I'm sorry. Senior Brother Wang... he has a somewhat impatient temperament and may have misunderstood you. Please don't take it to heart."

Li Chengjie shook his head, speaking sincerely. "Senior Sister Zixue, you think too highly of me. Senior Brother Wang is merely concerned and thus confused. I understand. I cannot thank you enough for repeatedly standing up for me."

Seeing him respond this way, Lin Zixue's expression softened slightly. She continued, "Just focus on cultivating and refining pills here. So long as you follow the Rules and improve your skills, no one will be able to trouble you without cause. If you lack Contribution Points or materials, you can take on more Herb Processing tasks in the early stages. They may be arduous, but bit by bit, they will add up."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister." Li Chengjie nodded in acknowledgment.