Zhao Jin Hu (Two-in-One)

Joining the Alchemy Hall meant becoming an official disciple of the Qinghua Sect.

As a Golden Core Sect, Qinghua Sect held its disciples to high standards.

Take Qin Shuang, for example. Only with a High-grade Spiritual Root and an unblemished family background had he been accepted into the sect.

Chen Sheng had taken the "special talent route," earning his place in the sect records through his alchemy skills.

Inside the Pill Alliance, the alchemy chamber was on rotation duty.

Wisps of blue smoke curled through the air as the Purple-Gold Furnace hovered silently.

The lingering essence of the pills from the assessment still remained in the air.

"Once you enter our Alchemy Hall, you become an official disciple of the Qinghua Sect and must go to the sect to register in the Jade Book."

"You must also go to the sect to collect the standard disciple robes, jade token, and the like."

Li Changyang smiled faintly.

"My rotation duty is nearly over anyway."

"Come. This old man will give you a lift!"

Chen Sheng respectfully cupped his fists.

"Thank you, Elder!"

Li Changyang nodded lightly. He pressed one hand against Chen Sheng's shoulder, and with a sweep of his sleeve, a gentle yet immense force wrapped around Chen Sheng.

"Go!"

Boom—!

A dense, almost tangible earthen-yellow Escape Light suddenly surged forth, enveloping the two of them as they shot into the sky like a meteor tearing across Chang Kong!

It was Chen Sheng's first time experiencing the flying speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

It was several times faster than his own "leisurely" flight on a Dharma Artifact.

They streaked through the clouds, dragging a white trail of air several miles long behind them. They broke the sound barrier, and their piercing shriek carried for ten miles!

In just one hour,

they crossed two thousand three hundred miles.

Then—

a vast mountain range, stretching from heaven to earth, wreathed in clouds and layered with emerald peaks, appeared before them.

It was Qinghua Mountain, the Qinghua Sect's sacred grounds.

The mountain gate was immense. Palaces and pavilions flickered in and out of sight amid seas of clouds and rosy light, surrounded by countless streams of auspicious radiance.

An ancient jade pendant at Li Changyang's waist flashed faintly, and the surrounding clouds parted one after another.

The Guardian Array ahead silently opened like the surface of water.

Without slowing, the yellow Escape Light shot straight toward Azure Cloud Peak, a towering pillar that pierced deep into the clouds.

At last, the Escape Light faded.

They landed atop Azure Cloud Peak, before a majestic Main Hall with soaring eaves and ornate brackets.

The Revered Alchemy Hall.

"Come."

"Yes!"

Chen Sheng followed closely behind him.

They had just reached the hall entrance

when a horse-faced cultivator in the Alchemy Hall's standard robes hurried over.

"Ah! Elder Li has returned to the mountain? Disciple Zhao Jin Hu greets Elder!"

His face was piled with fawning smiles, and he bent deeply at the waist. When he raised his head, his gaze flicked over Chen Sheng for an instant.

Li Changyang glanced at him, pointed at Chen Sheng behind him, and tossed over a jade slip.

"This is a newly admitted disciple of the Pill Alliance."

"His basic information is inside. I'll leave him in your care."

Li Changyang's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable weight.

Zhao Jin Hu respectfully accepted the jade slip with both hands and bowed even lower.

"Yes! Rest assured, Elder! Leave him to this disciple! I'll make sure everything is handled properly!"

"Take care, Elder."

Li Changyang gave Chen Sheng a slight nod. With a light shake of his sleeve, he transformed into a pale yellow Escape Light and vanished toward the depths of the peak.

Only after the Escape Light had completely disappeared into the clouds

did Zhao Jin Hu straighten up. His gaze returned to Chen Sheng, chin raised as he forced out a professional fake smile.

"This Junior Disciple Brother is truly impressive!"

"I am Zhao Jin Hu, an acting hall steward disciple. May I ask Junior Disciple Brother's name?"

Chen Sheng smiled as well and returned the salute with cupped fists.

"My name is Chen Sheng."

Zhao Jin Hu's smile did not change.

"So it is Junior Disciple Brother Chen!"

"Please follow me. This humble elder brother will first take you to register your records."

Chen Sheng nodded.

"I'll trouble Senior Brother Zhao."

They passed through corridors and deep halls.

Zhao Jin Hu kept probing indirectly.

Chen Sheng responded without revealing anything.

Inside the hall, at the Records Office.

While recording the Jade Book,

Zhao Jin Hu saw Li Changyang's evaluation in the jade slip.

Chen Sheng, twenty-eight years old, possessed extraordinary talent. His attainments in fire control and Pill Condensation were profound, nearly reaching perfection.

He could be called the peak of First-grade Alchemists. Within the hall, those capable of standing alongside him numbered no more than five!

The signature was unmistakably Li Changyang's mana imprint!

Boom!

Zhao Jin Hu's fingers suddenly tightened around the jade slip.

Unconcealed shock flashed across his long, thin horse face.

He had actually received such an evaluation from Elder Li?

Peak first-grade alchemy skills—his future was boundless!

No wonder Elder Li had personally escorted him here?

Perhaps one day, he might even enter an elder's tutelage?

As he thought this,

Zhao Jin Hu looked at Chen Sheng again. The smile on his face grew even wider, now carrying a hint of warmth.

"Junior Disciple Brother Chen! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Come, come, come. Registering your records is a minor matter and will be done at once!"

He personally took up the brush and entered the information into the Jade Book. His movements were swift, and his tone was enthusiastic.

"It's recorded. Next, this humble elder brother will take you to collect your allotment, robes, jade token, monthly Spirit Stones, and Contribution Points. Not a single item will be missing!"

Not long after,

under Zhao Jin Hu's guidance,

Chen Sheng received the new disciple's allotment.

The Alchemy Hall's standard robes felt cool to the touch, yet they were woven from high-quality ice silkworm spirit silk.

They came with Formations for dust removal and temperature control.

The identity jade token was dark and warm. The core Formation Patterns of the Alchemy Hall were engraved on the front, while his name was inscribed on the back.

There was also a small bag containing thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones as his first month's allowance.

At the same time, twenty initial Contribution Points were automatically added to his identity jade token.

Finally, Zhao Jin Hu led Chen Sheng before a massive pavilion protected by strict restrictions. It was constructed entirely from Ink Jade spirit bamboo, with fluorescence flowing across its surface.

It was the Law Transmission Hall!

Zhao Jin Hu pointed at the pavilion.

"This is our Alchemy Hall's Law Transmission Pavilion."

"As a newly admitted disciple, according to the rules, you may choose one inheritance from the lower three floors."

After a pause,

Zhao Jin Hu lowered his voice.

He leaned close to Chen Sheng's ear and spoke in the earnest tone of someone with experience.

"When selecting a method inside, you must be extremely cautious. Do not be dazzled by grand names; see whether it truly suits you."

"This opportunity is rare. Junior Disciple Brother, you must choose carefully. There are several traps inside, and people fall for them every year."

Zhao Jin Hu had been overly warm throughout the journey.

Chen Sheng had already grown somewhat wary.

Hearing this now, he understood. This was where Zhao Jin Hu wanted some benefit!

What needed to be spent had to be spent. The Dao path mattered most, and this was no time to be frugal.

With that thought,

Chen Sheng immediately took five hundred Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and quietly slipped them into Zhao Jin Hu's sleeve.

"I ask Senior Brother for your guidance!"

At the sight of the Spirit Stones,

Zhao Jin Hu's heart skipped a beat.

This Junior Disciple Brother Chen was truly generous.

Clear hesitation appeared on his horse face.

After a moment,

Zhao Jin Hu resolutely pushed the Spirit Stones back and spoke meaningfully.

"What is Junior Disciple Brother doing? Do you look down on your senior brother?"

"This senior brother admires Junior Disciple Brother's alchemy skills and naturally will not hide anything from you. You and I are fellow disciples; we should get along well in the future."

Hearing Zhao Jin Hu emphasize "alchemy skills" and "get along well,"

Chen Sheng immediately understood.

Zhao Jin Hu did not want Spirit Stones. He wanted to invest in a favor.

Chen Sheng had not expected a favor from him to be worth so much.

It seemed he had underestimated himself.

Thinking of this,

Chen Sheng also intended to build connections within the sect. He was not afraid of owing favors; they could simply exchange what each needed.

He nodded solemnly.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. This kindness will remain in my heart."

At those words, Zhao Jin Hu was immediately delighted.

"Junior Disciple Brother, listen as I explain..."

The Law Transmission Pavilion.

The first floor mostly contained first-grade inheritances of the Way of Alchemy.

Beginning from the second floor, there were many ordinary second-grade inheritances.

The third floor contained more refined second-grade inheritances.

Chen Sheng entered the pavilion.

A layer of spiritual light flowed through the space.

Ten thousand jade slips were arranged on both sides.

Chen Sheng swept his gaze across them swiftly, inwardly marveling that a Golden Core Sect truly possessed extraordinary foundations. The sheer number nearly dazzled him.

Without stopping,

he climbed the Ink Jade stairs to the second floor and looked around.

Then he ascended to the third floor.

There were fewer inheritances here, yet there were still several hundred.

"Three Yang Alchemy Canon: Fire Control Chapter," "Comprehensive Guide to a Hundred Herbs," "Introductory Record of Alchemy Cauldrons"...

One second-grade inheritance after another, rare beyond measure in the outside world,

and even capable of causing bloody storms,

now lay before Chen Sheng, within easy reach.

His breathing could not help but grow shallow.

Hundred Herbs, fire methods, Pill Condensation...

To be honest, Chen Sheng wanted them all!

Only after a long while did he suppress the turmoil in his heart.

"There will be opportunities in the future."

"Now, I'll first choose the inheritance best suited to me."

Meanwhile.

Chen Sheng slowly recalled Zhao Jin Hu's "golden advice."

"Besides this one opportunity to choose freely."

"Under normal circumstances, every inheritance here requires Contribution Points in exchange. The more Contribution Points it costs, the more profound and exquisite the corresponding inheritance."

"Some people come in and are dazzled by the choices, unable to decide, so they often pick the inheritance with the highest Contribution Point requirement."

"That is completely stepping into a trap."

"The inheritance chosen this way is naturally exquisite, but can you actually learn it?"

"For example, on the third floor, there is a set of Pill Collection Incantations created by a Third-rank Grandmaster. It is exceptionally profound."

"But its entry difficulty is also extremely high."

"Some experienced Second-grade Alchemists have failed even to get started, let alone us."

"A few years ago, a senior brother relied on his own talent and ultimately wasted more than ten years."

"Junior Disciple Brother Chen's talent in the Way of Alchemy is undoubtedly outstanding, but there is no need to take such a risk."

"I have several inheritances to recommend. Their entry difficulty is not high, they progress step by step, and their upper limits are also extremely high."

"More importantly, these inheritances have many annotations left by predecessors, which can guide you forward as well..."

Chen Sheng had not wasted this favor.

Zhao Jin Hu explained everything in meticulous detail and could be said to have given it his all.

Now, it was time for Chen Sheng to choose.

On the eastern side of the third floor.

Chen Sheng picked up two inheritance scrolls.

"Mysterious Origin Alchemy Record · Foundation Chapter"

"Yin-Yang Harmonization Manual · Pill Condensation Section"

These two were the inheritances requiring the most Contribution Points on this floor. Both were parts of Third-rank inheritances; even after being divided apart, they could still be classified as Second-grade High-rank.

Chen Sheng carefully read the basic descriptions of the two inheritances.

His eyes could not help but brighten as he sighed inwardly:

"As expected of something created by a Third-rank Grandmaster. It truly is unfathomably profound."

Chen Sheng shook his head.

He decisively set down both inheritances.

He still chose the safer path.

Not long after.

From among the dozen or so inheritances Zhao Jin Hu had recommended, Chen Sheng selected a fire-control inheritance.

Among the essential arts of alchemy, fire techniques came first.

Chen Sheng's Thousand Silk Myriad Strands Incantation had already reached the peak realm of Ten Thousand Strands. There was no further room for advancement.

Now.

A more profound fire technique could rapidly improve his skills in the Way of Alchemy.

"Circulating Heaven Melting Star Furnace"

A Second-grade mid-tier inheritance with four levels in total, progressing step by step.

Once cultivated to great mastery, it could combine one's mana with flames and evolve a fiery domain within the furnace, like the movement of miniature heavenly stars circulating through the heavens.

Within it, one could divide and form fierce fire, gentle fire, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, and flames of various other attributes...

It was exceedingly mysterious!

Outside the Law Transmission Pavilion.

When Zhao Jin Hu saw Chen Sheng emerge, he immediately went up to greet him.

He looked at the inheritance Chen Sheng had registered. Sure enough, it was one he had recommended.

Chen Sheng solemnly clasped his fists.

"Many thanks for Senior Brother's golden advice!"

A gratified smile bloomed across Zhao Jin Hu's face.

"You and I are fellow disciples. We still have a long road ahead of us!"

Geniuses who achieved earthshaking accomplishments at a young age were often arrogant and headstrong.

Those as modest and open-minded as Chen Sheng were truly rare.

As Zhao Jin Hu thought this.

Chen Sheng's standing in his heart rose several notches!

Since he had already done him a favor, he might as well see it through!

Zhao Jin Hu gritted his teeth.

"Come! This senior brother will accompany you to the Administrative Affairs Hall. New disciples must receive an assignment."

"This first job cannot be handled carelessly!"

His eyes gleamed.

"This senior brother happens to know two senior brothers in charge there!"

"I'll pick a better assignment for you!"

The sect was not a charity.

Naturally, it would not raise disciples for nothing.

These routine administrative duties were one of a disciple's responsibilities.

Administrative Affairs Hall.

At this moment, it was packed with people, with cultivators on rotation streaming through without end.

The Light Screen on the notice board scrolled continuously, displaying all kinds of assignments, locations, and Contribution Points.

"Hundred Herbs Garden, Area A, medicinal plot number seventeen caretaker. Annual offering: 180 Contribution Points..."

"Artifact Hall, Earth Fire auxiliary duty. Annual offering: 300 points. Requires pure fire-attributed spiritual power..."

As Chen Sheng walked along, he found everything novel.

Zhao Jin Hu led him directly to a secluded little pavilion and found an acquaintance.

Not long after.

Zhao Jin Hu successfully used his connections.

He secured Chen Sheng an administrative assignment that paid well and required little work.

—Teaching at the Pill Alliance. He only needed to work sixty days each year, for five hundred Contribution Points, which could also be exchanged for five hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

The official took Chen Sheng's identity jade token.

He rapidly tapped and traced across a crystal stele.

A moment later.

A new black task token floated over to Chen Sheng.

Zhao Jin Hu asked with a hint of pride:

"Junior Disciple Brother Chen, how is this assignment?"

No braving the elements while tending medicinal plots, no expenditure of spiritual power guarding Earth Fire, far from the sect's miscellaneous affairs, and with the Pill Alliance's extensive network available to expand.

"Excellent! Thank you for troubling yourself over this, Senior Brother!"

Chen Sheng took the token. It felt warm and smooth in his hand.

This relaxed, stable assignment with its generous Contribution Points was exactly what he needed most right now.

Zhao Jin Hu smiled.

"As long as Junior Disciple Brother is satisfied!"

Then his expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice.

"Remember this heartfelt advice from your senior brother: you must not exchange Contribution Points for Spirit Stones."

"In the sect, Contribution Points are the true hard currency."

"Cultivation techniques and inheritances, Spirit Pills and wondrous medicines, spiritual Weapons and treasures... even Foundation Establishment Pills can all be exchanged with Contribution Points."

"Even if you are short on Spirit Stones, do not exchange them through the sect's channels. It is far too disadvantageous."

"Find familiar and reliable senior brothers or senior sisters to exchange with privately. You can get double the amount."

In the end, Zhao Jin Hu repeatedly emphasized:

"Of course, if you can avoid using them, do your best not to touch them. Saving them to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill is what truly matters."

Chen Sheng nodded seriously.

Through the sect's channels, twenty thousand Contribution Points could be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill.

Compared with the frantic competition for them outside.

He naturally understood the value of Contribution Points.

Finally, Zhao Jin Hu quietly advised him:

"Junior Disciple Brother, you should spend more time around Elder Li."

"Visit when you should visit, and ask for guidance when you should ask."

"If he had not given you such a high evaluation, even if I stepped in, this cushy post would never have gone to you."

"Of course, Elder Li giving you such high praise shows that he has great expectations for you..."

As he spoke, he patted Chen Sheng on the shoulder, his gaze meaningful.

Chen Sheng nodded earnestly.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother!"

This chapter combined two chapters into one and directly completed the entry process.