Wu Xueli

At the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, Han Changming was busy crafting talismans. A stack of completed Chain Fireball Talismans sat on the table, while discarded scraps of blank talisman paper lay scattered around him.

Before long, another Chain Fireball Talisman was successfully crafted.

Han Changming set the talisman aside, intending to continue his work, when a Sound Transmission Talisman flew into the room.

Han Changming put down his talisman brush, wondering what urgent matter could have prompted someone to send him a sound transmission.

He crushed the talisman, and Han Changshuo's excited voice suddenly rang out: "Ninth Brother, I passed the alchemy assessment! It's all thanks to the two bottles of spirit water you gave me. Are you free right now?"

Han Changming vaguely guessed the reason for Han Changshuo's call, and he was genuinely happy for him from the bottom of his heart.

He was also curious to know how much of a boost the spirit water provided for alchemy.

He put away his crafting tools, opened the door, and stepped out.

Han Changshuo was talking to Han Changjiong; Han Changshuo's face was full of smiles, while Han Changjiong wore an expression of envy.

"Second Brother, congratulations!" Han Changming offered his well-wishes.

"Ninth Brother, this is all thanks to you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to pass the alchemy assessment," Han Changshuo said gratefully, his tone sincere.

He suddenly remembered something and added, "Ninth Brother, do you still have any of that spirit water? Could you sell me some?"

Han Changming shook his head and said, "I don't have any left. I bought it from a rogue cultivator to use for refining cinnabar, which helps increase my success rate in talisman making. I gave the remaining two bottles to you. Second Brother, did that spirit water really provide a boost to your alchemy?"

"It did, the effect was quite good. Of course, my success rate for refining Qi Accumulation Pills was already fifty percent; the spirit water simply improved the yield. If a novice were to use it, the effect might not be as significant. After all, spirit water only serves as an aid; the final yield still depends on the alchemist's own skill."

Han Changming wasn't surprised. Spirit water was, after all, only an auxiliary tool. The spirit water he had given Han Changshuo was diluted at a one-to-two ratio; if it had been undiluted, the effect would surely have been even better.

"Hehe, Second Brother is now a disciple of the Ocean Listening Pavilion. Don't forget about us brothers in the future."

Han Changshuo smiled slightly and said, "We are all family; we should help each other. Seventh Brother, Ninth Brother, once I pass the final test tomorrow, I will host a banquet for you at the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant. Let's celebrate properly."

After chatting for a while, Han Changshuo took his leave.

"Ninth Brother, that's not very fair of you. You had spirit water that increases the success rate of talisman making, yet you didn't share any with me and gave it all to Second Brother."

Han Changming chuckled, took out two boxes of cinnabar, and handed them to Han Changjiong, saying, "Seventh Brother, how could you say that! I only just obtained that spirit water myself. These two boxes of cinnabar were refined using it, so take them! Next time I buy more, I will definitely share some with you."

"That's more like it. Thanks." Han Changjiong beamed with joy and accepted the two boxes of cinnabar.

After a few more words of small talk, Han Changming returned to his room to continue crafting talismans.

The following evening, Han Changshuo hosted a grand banquet at the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant to treat his fellow Han Clan members.

He had successfully passed the assessment and become a disciple of the Ocean Listening Pavilion.

"Thank you all for your care over the years. When I am away from the clan, I entrust you to look after my father and mother. If I have the time, I will return to the clan to visit."

"Changshuo, don't worry! We have several clan members already in the Ocean Listening Pavilion. Once you arrive, you can contact them, and they will provide you with some assistance. You are different from them; you have a specialized skill, which will allow you to go further. You have never traveled far from home before, so upon joining the Ocean Listening Pavilion, make sure to make plenty of friends. It is difficult to go far on your own," Han Deling advised earnestly.

"I understand, Seventh Aunt."

Han Changming took a bite of food and asked casually, "Second Brother, are there many Qi Refining cultivators joining the Ocean Listening Pavilion this time?"

"Quite a few. There were over a hundred people participating in the test with me. I don't know how many will pass. One Ice Spirit Root cultivator appeared and was taken away on the spot by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Ocean Listening Pavilion," Han Changshuo said with a hint of envy in his tone.

The cultivation speed of an Ice Spirit Root cultivator was relatively fast, and they were considered to have excellent talent. Not to mention special spirit roots, the Han Clan hadn't even produced a dual spirit root cultivator.

"An Ice Spirit Root cultivator? Do you know which cultivation family they are from?" Han Deling asked.

"It seems to be a small family with the surname Wu. I've never heard of them."

"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Changshuo, you are now a disciple of the Ocean Listening Pavilion. Do not make enemies, and when you encounter trouble, try to be patient. Don't create conflicts with your fellow disciples, and make more friends. The doors of the clan will always be open to you; if you need the clan's help, just send someone back with a letter," Han Debiao instructed with heartfelt concern.

Han Changshuo nodded and said, "I understand, Fifth Uncle. I will."

An hour later, the banquet concluded.

Returning to his residence, Han Changming sat cross-legged on his wooden bed to meditate and cultivate.

In a quiet pavilion, a beautiful woman in her early thirties wearing a green dress sat in the main seat, a faint smile on her face.

Standing before her was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl in a white dress.

The girl had delicate features, a round face, and a pair of cute dimples, making her look like a porcelain doll.

The woman in the green dress was Lu Yun, a Golden Core cultivator of the Ocean Listening Pavilion. She was in the middle stage of the Golden Core realm and was a third-tier alchemist.

"I didn't expect to receive a special spirit root disciple this time. Not bad. Are you willing to become my apprentice?" Lu Yun asked kindly.

"Disciple Wu Xueli pays respects to Master."

The girl in the white dress knelt and kowtowed three times to Lu Yun.

"Good. From now on, you are my disciple. You have a senior brother and a senior sister above you; you will meet them once we return to the Ocean Listening Pavilion. For now, stay by my side and don't wander off," Lu Yun instructed.

"Yes, Disciple understands," Wu Xueli replied obediently.

Half a month later, at the exit of Kuixing Market, hundreds of cultivators gathered to see them off, Han Changming among them.

Lu Yun released a White Giant Python over thirty zhang long. The python had a golden fleshy crown on its head, and its body was covered in white scales the size of a fist.

All the Ocean Listening Pavilion disciples, including the new recruits like Han Changshuo, stepped onto the back of the White Giant Python.

"Let's go."

The White Giant Python let out a strange hiss and flew off into the distance, disappearing into the horizon before long.

"The female disciples of the Ocean Listening Pavilion are truly beautiful; Second Brother is a lucky man." Han Changjiong wore a lecherous expression as he muttered to himself.

Han Changming couldn't help but laugh and shake his head; no matter the time or place, Han Changjiong's mind was always on women.

"Alright, Changshuo has left, let's head back! Work hard on your cultivation and your duties. Changshuo is putting in the effort, so you cannot afford to be slack," Han Deling instructed.

Upon returning to his living quarters, Han Changming took out a blue porcelain bottle and drank all the Spirit Water inside.

Once the Spirit Water hit his stomach, it transformed into a stream of pure spiritual energy that flowed through his limbs and bones.

Han Changming hurriedly circulated his cultivation technique to refine this pure spiritual energy, and soon, a vast expanse of yellow radiance appeared around him, enveloping his entire body.