Apprenticeship

Jia Ma Empire's Top Ten Experts, ranked third: a Dou Emperor Expert and a Rank 6 Alchemist.

Xiao Li was a little stunned. This was a major figure. Although Rank 6 Alchemists had the nickname "fart," that was Venerable Yao's opinion. In the Jia Ma Empire, even across the Northwest Continent, Rank 6 Alchemists were honored guests.

(Original text: Old Man Yao said, "A Rank 6 Alchemist is nothing but a fart in my eyes.")

"Master Wang, President Wang, this junior has been discourteous."

Xiao Li immediately bowed to Wang Ming. After all, he was just a small fry. Though he had some talent and his clan had some standing, he could not be disrespectful before a Dou Emperor, much less a Rank 6 Alchemist.

With just one word, the other party could wipe out the Xiao Clan. Xiao Li had still been planning to lie flat once Xiao Yan came out.

Cultivation? Impossible. There was no way he would cultivate in this life. He would just wait for his Dou God Bloodline to awaken and soar all the way to Dou Sheng, enough to get by.

Of course, that was merely Xiao Li mocking himself. The Xiao Clan would face countless disasters in the future, and he had to do his best to prevent his clansmen from dying.

The Xiao Clan had raised Xiao Li for nine years. Ever since his talent had revealed itself, the clan had spared no effort in nurturing him. He was not some beast who did not know how to repay kindness. The Xiao Clan was his home now! He would protect it!

Wang Ming coughed. "Ahem, don't scare the little fellow. Perhaps this old man expressed himself poorly just now. Little fellow, your name is Xiao Li, right? Just call this old man Old Wang. I don't really like being called President Wang."

"Alright, Old Wang. How are you going to examine my body?" Xiao Li asked.

Wang Ming said with a smile, "Hehe, come over here and let this old man place his hand on top of your head."

Xiao Li walked straight up to Wang Ming and looked at him expectantly.

Xiao Li had some idea of what Wang Ming wanted to do. He was probably checking whether he had the talent to become an Alchemist. As a Transmigrator, having a powerful soul was only natural.

Xiao Li had been able to speak at one year old, and by two, he could already read and study. Those were all benefits of having a powerful soul.

An Alchemist needed more than a powerful soul; there were also requirements for one's attributes. First, one's own attribute had to be fire. Second, within that fire attribute, there had to be a trace of Wood Qi to serve as a catalyst when refining medicine!

Xiao Li knew that he possessed Fire Attribute Dou Qi, but he did not know whether he had that trace of Wood Qi.

Alchemists were the most popular and wealthiest profession on the Dou Qi Continent. Once one became an Alchemist, one could either grow rich and famous or become brothers with the Soul Hall.

Wang Ming extended a hand and placed it on Xiao Li's head, then closed his eyes.

Very soon, Wang Ming opened his eyes. They were filled with delight and madness.

"Hahahahaha! Heaven truly has eyes!" Wang Ming threw back his head and laughed.

Xiao Ting, the Dou Spirit Elders, and even Xiao Li were all startled by Old Wang's reaction.

"Hahahaha, I've lost my composure, lost my composure. This old man is simply too happy." Wang Ming was extremely agitated. His eyes burned as he looked at Xiao Li.

"Little fellow, do you want to become an Alchemist? You were born with strong soul perception, and your Fire Attribute Dou Qi contains a trace of Wood Qi. You have excellent potential to become an Alchemist.

"How about it? If you want to become an Alchemist, then take this old man as your teacher."

As soon as Wang Ming said this, the expressions on Xiao Ting's and the Elders' faces defied description. Excitement, shock, foolish grins—they looked as though several old men had gone mad.

Xiao Li was also quite excited, grinning from ear to ear. No matter how mature he was inside, he would still get carried away when his wish came true.

"Disciple Xiao Li pays respects to Teacher."

Xiao Li respectfully performed the apprenticeship ceremony before Wang Ming. There was no other reason—this was a powerful backer.

Don't be fooled by the fact that a Rank 6 Alchemist was not considered high-level and even carried the refined nickname of "fart." One had to remember that not everyone could speak like Old Man Yao. Old Man Yao was at the Dou Venerate Peak, perhaps even the Nine Revolutions Dou Venerate Peak, as well as a Rank 8 Alchemist Peak.

For an ordinary Dou Wang clan, being able to cling to the thigh of a Rank 6 Alchemist was already something to celebrate in secret. With a Rank 6 Alchemist personally teaching you how to refine medicine, what more could you ask for?

"Good, good, good! This old man's legacy can finally be passed on. Old Xiao, prepare a room for this old man. I will stay for a few days and instruct my newly accepted disciple."

Wang Ming took Xiao Li's hand and instructed Xiao Ting.

"Yes. I guarantee Old Wang will be satisfied," Xiao Ting said with cupped hands.

Wang Ming said with a smile, "Li'er, take a walk with this old man. Show this old man around your Xiao Clan."

"Alright, Teacher."

One old and one young figure gradually walked away.

The Great Elder was somewhat dazed. "Hiss—am I dreaming? Li'er became President Wang's disciple? Second Elder, pinch me. Am I dreaming?"

Smack—

The Second Elder directly slapped the Great Elder across the face, and it was quite loud. The Great Elder's face turned red.

"Wo Cao! You fucking slapped my face! Are you looking to die?!" The Great Elder was stunned by the blow. Once he came to his senses, he immediately grabbed the Second Elder by the throat.

"Didn't you tell me to do it?"

"I told you to pinch me, not slap me!"

"Hahahahahaha! Alright, alright, it's real! The Xiao Clan's rise is just around the corner! In the future, the Xiao Clan will produce a Dou Emperor and a Rank 6 Alchemist. Hahahahaha, I don't even dare imagine it."

"Exactly, exactly."

"Li'er, tell this old man: what do you think the process of refining medicine is?"

Wang Ming stroked his beard and smiled.

Xiao Li was somewhat puzzled. "The process of refining medicine? Do you mean the process of refining medicinal ingredients into pills, or whether there is some meaning behind the refining process?"

Wang Ming became increasingly satisfied with Xiao Li. He had asked many people this question. They either stammered or spouted a pile of nonsense, but the process of refining medicine was, in truth, the process of purifying medicinal ingredients into pills.

However, Wang Ming was curious about the meaning behind that purification process and what Xiao Li thought of it.

Wang Ming said kindly, "Then, little fellow, what do you think is the meaning of the process of refining medicine?"

Xiao Li fell into deep thought. The scope of something like meaning was rather broad.

Xiao Li said somewhat awkwardly, "Teacher, this disciple cannot put it into words."

Wang Ming shook his head and patted Xiao Li's head. "It's alright. Just speak according to what is in your heart."

Xiao Li nodded. "I think the meaning of refining medicine depends on the person. Some people value the power, fame, and status that refining medicine can bring them, while others simply love refining medicine.

"There is no need to speak of those who chase fame and profit. Those who love refining medicine treat the process as a form of enjoyment. They do not pursue the result of refining medicine; they enjoy the process itself."

Wang Ming nodded in satisfaction. "Hehe, you can be taught, you can be taught. Li'er, this teacher of yours enjoys the process of refining medicine. Just as you said, this teacher enjoys the pleasure within that process."

On the other side of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital, atop a majestic mountain range barely more than ten li from the empire's capital, this mountain was also called Misty Cloud Mountain because of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Misty Cloud Mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one path leading to the summit. It was a dangerous location that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Moreover, Misty Cloud Sect disciples patrolled the entire mountain strictly, making the whole range resemble a small fortress.

Today, the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Leader, Yun Shan, returned to the sect with a little girl from outside.

"Sect Leader, who is this?" The Elders in the Sect Master Hall looked at the timid little girl behind Yun Shan in confusion.

"Elders, this child and I are fated. I have accepted her as my disciple and bestowed upon her the name Yun Yun. She will be the next Sect Leader of our Misty Cloud Sect.

"Come, Yun'er. Greet the Elders."

The little girl named Yun Yun was somewhat afraid, but she still gathered her courage and said softly, "Greetings, Elders."