Taking a Disciple

Thus, Xiao Yi Xian recited the medicinal properties, growing location, and reactions after consumption of that herb as if listing treasures from her own collection.

Gu He then asked about several more herbs, and Xiao Yi Xian answered every question fluently.

"It seems you're quite familiar with medicinal herbs. Next, I'll test your aptitude—namely, your Soul Power and bodily attribute. By the way, I still don't know your name," Gu He said, looking at Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian nervously clutched the corner of her clothes. "Senior, everyone calls me Xiao Yi Xian. How do I undergo the Soul Power and bodily attribute tests?"

"First, we'll test your Soul Power. In a moment, I'll place one finger on your forehead and use it to exert pressure on your soul. The longer you endure, the greater your soul foundation and the better your aptitude for a pharmacist's Soul Power. If you can last the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, you'll be qualified to become a pharmacist." Gu He explained while holding up one finger.

"Are you ready?" Gu He asked as he took out an incense stick.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded rather nervously.

A tiny flame rose from Gu He's fingertip and lit the incense. He infused it with Fighting Energy and thrust it into the ground. The incense easily pierced the ground, which was already as hard as refined iron, and began to burn slowly.

Gu He pressed his finger directly against Xiao Yi Xian's forehead, mobilizing a small portion of his Soul Power to simulate pressure upon her soul. Encountering such a strange force for the first time, Xiao Yi Xian frowned in discomfort. But remembering that she had to endure for more than one incense stick's time, she closed her eyes and fought with all her strength against the heavy sensation, as though something was constantly being piled into her mind.

After one incense stick had burned out, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on Xiao Yi Xian's forehead. Gu He took out another stick, lit it, and continued increasing the pressure on her soul. When the second stick burned out, Xiao Yi Xian was already swaying on the verge of collapse, barely holding on through gritted teeth. Gu He shook his head and withdrew his finger, recalling his Soul Power as well.

As the pressure on her soul suddenly vanished, Xiao Yi Xian fell uncontrollably toward the ground. Gu He gently caught her by the waist, laid her flat on the hillside, and fed her a fifth-grade Soul Awakening Pill.

Under the effects of this supposedly weakened version of the Soul Clearing Pill, Xiao Yi Xian quickly regained consciousness.

Seeing herself lying on the ground drenched in sweat, Xiao Yi Xian blushed and sat up. "Thank you, Senior. Did I pass?"

At the same time, she pulled her clothes tighter around herself.

"Your Soul Power passes. Lasting two incense sticks means your aptitude is average. Next, we'll test your bodily attribute. A pharmacist's body must possess a trace of wood within its fire attribute. Without that trace of wood, violent flames cannot aid in forming the final pill; instead, they will cause the refinement to fail." As though he had found a talented young person, Gu He patiently explained it to Xiao Yi Xian.

"How do we test bodily attributes?" Xiao Yi Xian asked uneasily. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Having already passed two tests, this final test of attribute aptitude instead made her increasingly anxious.

"You haven't reached the Dou Zhe stage yet, so we can't determine your bodily attribute through your Fighting Energy. However, there is another method. By directly sending a trace of Fighting Energy into your body, I can sense exactly what attribute you possess and whether you're suited to become a pharmacist." Thinking that he was poaching Xiao Yan's future companion, Gu He excitedly licked his lips.

"Give me your hand. I'll test you now. The result will be known very quickly."

Having reached this final step, Xiao Yi Xian was terrified that her path to becoming a pharmacist would end before it even began because of her bodily aptitude. Yet this test could not be avoided. So, like a child afraid of an injection, she held out her hand to Gu He and silently prayed, resigning herself to fate.

Gu He held Xiao Yi Xian's soft, boneless little hand and sent Fighting Energy into her body, carefully sensing her physique to see how her still-unawakened Calamity Poison Body differed from that of an ordinary person.

Gu He first sensed Water Attribute energy within Xiao Yi Xian's body, though it was rather chaotic. Only after searching more carefully did he discover faint traces of other attribute energies. In other words, Xiao Yi Xian had no aptitude whatsoever for becoming a pharmacist, and her cultivation aptitude was poor as well. No wonder that in the original work, despite being several years older than Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan had already become a Dou Master while Xiao Yi Xian was still only a one-star Dou Zhe. If not for the awakening of her physique, reaching the Dou Huang realm would have been quite difficult for her. Even now, she was merely at the seventh stage of Fighting Energy.

As he probed deeper into Xiao Yi Xian's body, he discovered a strange energy hidden within her cells. However, the energy's activity was currently very low. It seemed that the medicinal catalyst needed to activate it was required before it could unleash its terrifying power.

Gu He knew that this energy was the cause of the Calamity Poison Body. He did not stimulate it, instead allowing it to remain quietly within Xiao Yi Xian's body. He would see later whether he could find a way to erase this energy or allow Xiao Yi Xian to control it, thereby completely resolving the Calamity Poison Body, this ticking bomb.

Gu He released Xiao Yi Xian's hand and said to the tense-looking girl, "You do not possess the aptitude of a pharmacist. Your primary attribute is water, which is completely opposite to the fire containing wood that a pharmacist requires."

Upon hearing Gu He's words, Xiao Yi Xian's face turned pale. The exhaustion left behind by the Soul Power test also seemed to grow heavier at that moment.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's expression, a trace of pity flashed through Gu He's eyes. However, Xiao Yi Xian was innately unsuited to become a pharmacist. Not even a Dou Di could change that, so he had to make it clear and dispel her unrealistic hopes as soon as possible.

"However, you're fortunate. Both my cultivation and alchemy have reached a bottleneck, and I happen to have some free time. Although your physique is unsuited for becoming a pharmacist, it is extremely special and quite rare even across the entire continent. Therefore, I can accept you as a registered disciple and teach you cultivation techniques. Of course, if you're still interested in alchemy, I can teach you some knowledge that does not involve fire control—only common medicinal knowledge and the effects produced by different combinations of medicines." As though unable to bear seeing Xiao Yi Xian like this, Gu He added.

"Thank you, Senior. I hope Master can teach me alchemical knowledge as well. I'll plan my time properly and won't let it interfere with my cultivation. I'll also cultivate diligently and won't bring shame upon Master in the future." Xiao Yi Xian froze for a moment, then excitedly knelt on the ground.

Gu He helped Xiao Yi Xian up. "There are only more rules when entering my school. Once you have entered, there won't be so many restrictions."

"Oh, right. Now that I've accepted you as my disciple, I still don't know who else is in your family. You'll need to live in the valley for the next few months. I'll make arrangements for your family."

"My parents passed away long ago, and I have no other family. I currently work as a pharmacist at the Myriad Medicine House." Perhaps recalling some of her past hardships, Xiao Yi Xian spoke softly.