Apprenticing Under Xuan Hao

As the first ray of dawn streamed through the window and fell across Liu Xi's increasingly handsome face, he let out a soft breath and woke from his cultivation.

Over the years, as his soul power had grown and his stronger soul could support cultivating through the night, Liu Xi had begun trying to replace sleep with cultivation. By now, he no longer slept at all.

A smile curled across Liu Xi's lips as he thought, I'm getting closer and closer to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi's peak. Feeling my Dou Qi grow stronger and stronger—this really is addictive!

Today, he would be visiting Master Xuan Hao at the City Lord's Mansion. After washing up, Liu Xi changed into the fitted white outfit his mother had specially prepared, making him look exceptionally spirited. Clothes made the man, and saddles made the horse. If he wanted to win others' favor, talent alone was not enough; naturally, he had to present his best self.

Once he was ready, he went before his parents, and they first had breakfast together. Just before he left, his mother, Li Yue, carefully smoothed every crease in his clothes and gently reminded him with a warm smile, "Xi'er, you already have great talent. It doesn't matter whether you become an alchemist or not. You'll always be Mother's good child."

"Mother, don't worry. I'll definitely become an alchemist." Liu Xi was well aware of his talent for alchemy, so he naturally answered his mother with complete confidence.

"Let's go!" Liu Ming, standing beside them with a stern expression, smiled faintly as he looked at the confident Liu Xi. He had always been proud of his son's talent.

Master Xuan Hao had always lived in the City Lord's Mansion, so the selection was being held there as well. Liu Ming took Liu Xi by carriage to the vicinity of the City Lord's Mansion. The closer they got, the more crowded the streets became. Aside from those bringing their children to seek apprenticeship, even more people had come simply to see an Alchemy Master with their own eyes.

Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Other than the alchemists trained by the major sects themselves, most were gathered within organizations such as the Alchemist Association. And the one who had come to Lin City this time was a Third-Rank Alchemist Master. That was why the city had become so empty, much like crowds flocking to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Fortunately, the City Guard was maintaining order and had reserved a special passage for the boys and girls participating in the selection.

Before long, an armored commander stepped out. He shouted to the onlookers outside the City Lord's Mansion, "By order of the City Lord, all unrelated persons are to leave at once. Those under fifteen years old who have reached at least the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi may step forward and enter for the next round of aptitude testing."

An uproar erupted all around. Those requirements were no joke!

"No way, you have to be under fifteen and already at the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi? How many people can meet that?"

"My child is only fourteen and has already reached the Sixth Stage of Dou Qi. He's just one stage short!"

"What does that count for? My child has reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi, but unfortunately, he's already sixteen!"

The families who met the requirements were overjoyed, while those who did not looked utterly dejected. More people who had come merely to see an Alchemy Master discussed the matter among themselves, lamenting that becoming an alchemist's disciple truly was not easy.

The commander spoke again, "Silence. Those who meet the requirements may enter and await the next round of testing."

Seeing that it was time, Liu Xi said something to Liu Ming before walking straight into the City Lord's Mansion. Led by an attendant, he headed to the Martial Arts Arena within the estate for the second test. By the time no more newcomers entered, there were only around thirty people in the arena, more than twenty of them youths.

After finding a place to stand, Liu Xi looked around. Most of the people in the Martial Arts Arena were quite familiar to him, and naturally, they knew him well too. They all said,

"Big Brother Liu Xi, you're here too."

"Big Brother Liu Xi, your talent is so good. You'll definitely succeed in becoming a disciple, right?"

"Exactly. If it's Big Brother Liu Xi, there definitely won't be any problem."

Liu Xi looked at their anxious faces. Though they were flattering him, they also wore hopeful expressions. Alchemists were the most sought-after profession on the continent. If there was a chance to study it, no one would refuse.

Although Liu Xi was full of confidence, he still said modestly, "I've heard that alchemists require special talent. Everyone has a chance. Who knows whether I even have that talent?"

At that moment, a middle-aged man in gray robes entered the Martial Arts Arena with a squad of soldiers. The soldiers carried a stone stele into the arena.

Bang!

The soldiers set the stele down before the gathered boys and girls. The gray-robed middle-aged man took his place before it and accepted a list handed over by a soldier behind him. He then addressed the youths.

"The stele before you can determine whether you possess the talent to become an alchemist. When I call your name, step forward, place your hand on the stele, and channel your Dou Qi into it."

"First up, Zhou Qiang."

Meanwhile, in the main hall not far from the Martial Arts Arena, the Lin City Lord sat in the seat of honor with a strained smile. He clasped his hands toward Xuan Hao and asked, "Master, does my daughter truly have no talent for learning alchemy?"

Xuan Hao wore an Alchemist Robe and held a teacup in his hand. His mostly white hair was neatly combed behind his head, and he bore an arrogant expression. After hearing the question, he replied, "Lin City Lord, although your daughter possesses Fire Attribute Dou Qi, true pill refinement requires not only Fire Attribute Dou Qi, but also Wood Attribute Dou Qi to regulate the medicinal properties. Only then can a pill truly be formed."

After saying that, Xuan Hao spoke no more. He had not held much hope for this trip to Lin City in the first place. If he wanted to find a disciple to inherit his legacy, it seemed he would have to keep searching.

Back in the Martial Arts Arena, under everyone's watchful eyes, the stone stele lit up.

"Liu Xi meets the requirements. Someone, take Liu Xi to see Master Xuan Hao."

The Martial Arts Arena instantly erupted into commotion.

"Just as expected, Big Brother Liu Xi has talent for alchemy!"

"They're taking Big Brother Liu Xi to become his disciple, right?"

Having confirmed that he truly possessed talent for alchemy, Liu Xi could not help feeling a surge of excitement. He followed behind a soldier to meet his future teacher.

After being announced, he entered the main hall. He first identified the people present, then bowed and said, "This junior, Liu Xi, pays respects to the City Lord. This junior pays respects to Master Xuan Hao."

The Lin City Lord was rather surprised upon seeing Liu Xi. He knew of Liu Xi; despite his young age, he had already reached the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi and possessed extraordinary cultivation talent. He had not expected him to now prove capable of alchemy as well.

As Xuan Hao looked at the respectful and courteous youth before him, whose childishness had not yet fully faded, a delighted smile appeared on his face. He asked, "Child, how old are you? What stage is your Dou Qi at?"

"This junior is eight years old and currently at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi," Liu Xi answered clearly.

The smile on Xuan Hao's face grew wider and wider until he burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha! I've found a treasure."

Gradually restraining his laughter, he said to Liu Xi, "Child, are you willing to take me as your master?"

Liu Xi reacted swiftly as well and replied, "Liu Xi pays respects to Teacher!"

Seeing that Xuan Hao had already accepted Liu Xi as his disciple, the Lin City Lord could not help feeling sour. The man he had invited had taken someone else as a disciple. After recovering himself, he said, "Congratulations, Master, on gaining such a fine disciple."

Liu Xi also breathed a sigh of relief. Once he became Xuan Hao's disciple and learned the Alchemy Art, he would count as someone who had mastered the core technology of the Dou Qi Continent. Looking at the teacher before him who helped him to his feet, he felt that the more he looked at him, the more pleasing he seemed.