Alchemy Examination

"New benefits!"

Shen Long curiously took the Storage Bag, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and his face lit up with joy.

On Sky Tiger Peak, ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator receive an annual stipend of 700 Spirit Stone. Those selected as 72 Talents Outstanding Cultivators receive three times the cultivation resources of ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, amounting to 2,100 Spirit Stone. In addition, they receive two bottles of He Yuan Pill annually.

"Thank you very much, Uncle Li and Uncle He."

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

"This is what you deserve. Right now, the Five Sects of Qin are fighting fiercely against the Four Sects of Zhao. You have made a great contribution, so you don't need to go to the front line anymore. Focus on your cultivation and strive to make new contributions in the future."

Li Hua encouraged him.

According to the plan of the Five Sects of Qin, they would make their move after ascertaining the specific strength of the Four Sects of Zhao. The Spirit Control Sect sent people to the Azure Cloud Mountain Range to investigate and confirmed the existence of a Golden Jade Ore Vein. After that, they launched the war ahead of schedule, on the grounds that the Four Sects of Zhao had allowed Evil Cultivator to enter Qin Kingdom and harm Spirit Control Sect disciples.

The Five Sects of Qin and the Four Sects of Zhao clashed fiercely on the border. However, the Spirit Control Sect seized the initiative and occupied the Golden Jade Ore Vein. Of course, the Spirit Control Sect could not keep such a large piece of the pie to itself, otherwise the other four sects would not have helped them.

The Five Sects of Qin jointly mined the Golden Jade Ore Vein. Since it was the Spirit Control Sect that discovered the Golden Jade Ore Vein and seized it first, the Golden Jade Ore Vein Spirit Control Sect naturally took the lion's share.

"Yes, disciple will certainly strive to achieve new merits."

Shen Long readily agreed, his expression respectful.

"Alright, that's all for you. You can go back now."

Li Hua waved his hand, signaling Shen Long to leave.

Shen Long had just returned to Sky Tiger Peak when he saw Qian Dafu at the entrance.

"Junior Brother Qian, why are you back?"

Shen Long was somewhat surprised to see Qian Dafu.

"The Five Sects of Qin are at war with the Four Sects of Zhao. I was ordered to return to the General Headquarters to escort cultivation resources to the front lines. I heard that Senior Brother Shen has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Where have you been? I haven't heard from you for over ten years. I thought something had happened to you!"

Qian Dafu said slowly.

In order to deal with the Four Sects of Zhao, the Spirit Control Sect mobilized a large number of disciples and cultivation resources. Qian Dafu was also transferred back to escort supplies to the front line.

"I went out on a mission and only recently returned. Didn't Senior Sister Ye and Senior Brother Qin go with you?"

Shen Long asked curiously.

"No, they've probably been sent to the front lines. It's been over a decade, and you've already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Your cultivation speed is incredible!"

Qian Dafu asked in surprise.

"It was just luck, nothing to worry about."

Shen Long humbly stated that his cultivation speed far surpassed that of most Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Spirit Control Sect, mainly due to feedback from the Golden-Winged Wind Peng.

Other disciples of the Spirit Control Sect will also receive feedback from their Life-Bound Spirit Beast, but the purity of their Life-Bound Spirit Beast Bloodline Purity is at most level two, so the feedback is not as strong as that of the Golden-Winged Wind Peng.

Will you also participate in this major battle?

Qian Dafu asked.

"No, I just returned from a mission and don't want to participate in this major battle."

Shen Long explained, then, as if remembering something, said, "Come in and talk! Junior Brother Qian, I have something to ask you."

Shen Long invited Qian Dafu into Green Lotus Garden and served Qian Dafu tea.

After finishing a cup of tea, Shen Long got down to business. "Junior Brother Qian, which of our sect's senior uncles is the most skilled in alchemy?"

"The most powerful? That's hard to say. Senior Uncle Qin Shuo is probably the most famous! He's a disciple of Grandmaster Liu. You want to learn alchemy?"

Qian Dafu asked casually.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he also studied alchemy, talisman making, and weapon crafting, but he had no talent for it and wasted a lot of Spirit Stone.

"I can already refine mid-grade pills, but in the long run, I want to apprentice under a Third Rank Alchemist."

Shen Long said.

He's already one of the 72 Talents, which is good enough, but he can do even better.

He wasn't worried that becoming an apprentice would expose the Spirit Control Tower. As it stands, the Spirit Control Tower is just a spatial treasure, with miraculous effects in hatching Spirit Beast Egg Spirit Insect, but other than that, it's nothing special.

If Shen Long could become an apprentice of a Third Rank Alchemist, his Dao Path to immortality would be easier, and he would also gain access to more cultivation resources and Pill Formula.

The Pill Formula treasured by the Spirit Control Sect are not open to all disciples; only high-level Alchemist are qualified to view some of the rarer Pill Formula.

"You can refine mid-grade pills now?"

Qian Dafu was utterly shocked.

"Hmm, do you have any good ideas? If you could become a disciple of Master Qin, I won't treat you unfairly."

Shen Long said.

"This is not a good matter. There are plenty of Foundation Establishment Cultivator who want to become Master Qin's disciples, but Master Qin is away and hasn't returned yet. You won't even be able to find anyone to become his disciple. However, you can first participate in the Alchemist assessment and take a position in the Heavenly Pill Hall. Master Qin's descendant also works in the Heavenly Pill Hall. You should first build a good relationship with her and then proceed slowly."

Qian Dafu suggested.

"Thanks, Junior Brother Qian."

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

"Hehe, it was nothing, it's no secret. By the way, I heard you opened a shop, how about I join you? I'll offer two thousand Spirit Stone."

Qian Dafu asked, his face full of anticipation.

"Great! I couldn't be happier, but aren't you supposed to be escorting cultivation resources? Do you have time to manage that?"

Shen Long asked curiously.

"I don't have time right now, but the war will eventually end, and then I'll have time."

Qian Dafu said.

"That's true. Alright! Count you in. Be careful. Oh, and keep an eye out for powerful Spirit Beast Spirit Bird for me. Price is no problem."

Shen Long said.

"No problem, leave it to me."

Qian Dafu patted his chest and agreed.

After chatting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qian Dafu took his leave.

After seeing Qian Dafu off, Shen Long released the Snow Wind Sparrow Snow Wind Sparrow, walked onto its back, and gently patted its back. The Snow Wind Sparrow Snow Wind Sparrow its wings, creating a gust of cold wind, and flew into the sky.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the Snow Wind Sparrow appeared above a high peak. At the foot of the mountain was a Golden Stele more than ten feet tall, with the three silver characters "Heavenly Pill Peak" written on the plaque. More than 90% of the Alchemist of the Spirit Control Sect worked in the Heavenly Pill Hall, and Heavenly Pill Peak was the location of the Heavenly Pill Hall.

Shen Long had already inquired with Qian Dafu and learned that to work at the Heavenly Pill Hall, one needed to pass an examination and become Alchemist.

At the top of Heavenly Pill Peak is a vast Bluestone Square, where a Cyan Palace over ten zhang tall stands, with the three golden characters "Heavenly Pill Palace" inscribed on its plaque.

Two Qi Refining Cultivator guard the entrance to the Heavenly Pill Palace Hall, and cultivators come and go from time to time.

The Snow Wind Sparrow landed at the entrance of the Heavenly Pill Palace. Shen Long got down, put away the Snow Wind Sparrow, and walked towards the Heavenly Pill Palace.

"Uncle-Master, do you Access Token?"

One of the guards felt that Shen Long looked unfamiliar and stopped Shen Long.

"No, I'm here to participate in the alchemy assessment. I want to become Alchemist. Please inform them that my name is Shen Long, and I live in the Green Lotus Garden on Sky Tiger Peak."

Shen Long said.

"So it's Uncle-Master Shen. Please wait a moment, Uncle, I'll report right away."

The guard turned and walked into the Heavenly Pill Palace.

After a while, a man of medium build in a golden robe came out. He looked Shen Long up and down and asked, "Junior Brother Shen, do you wish to participate in the alchemy assessment?"

"Hmm, is there something wrong?"

Shen Long asked.

"No, but according to the rules, you'll have to pay for your own alchemy materials, and I'll be observing the alchemy process. You'll only pass the test if the success rate reaches 40%."

"That's what the man in the golden robe said."

"No problem. May I ask how I should address you, senior brother?"

Shen Long asked politely.

"He Yue, come with me!"

The man in the golden robe said, then turned and walked into the Heavenly Pill Palace.

Shen Long responded and quickly followed.

He discovered that there was a Green Stone Corridor on each side. On the left-hand Green Stone Corridor, many Qi Refining Cultivator were going in and out, but on the right-hand Green Stone Corridor, he did not see anyone.

"Junior Brother Shen, would you like to participate in the first-tier or second-tier Alchemist assessment?"

He Yue asked.

Newly Foundation Establishment Cultivator learn alchemy and, after successfully refining pills, often participate in the first-tier Alchemist examination. If they pass the examination, they will be given tasks to refine Second-tier Medicinal Pill.

"Second-tier Medicinal Pill, please! I can refine He Yuan Pill and Yellow Apricot Pill."

Shen Long said.

Do you have any materials and Alchemy Furnace on you? Are you carrying them yourself, or should I provide them?

He Yue said.

"I brought it with me!"

Shen Long said.

"That's fine! Come with me!"

He Yue walked towards the Green Stone Corridor on his right, Shen Long followed.

After walking for about twenty steps, they reached the end and appeared at the door of a Stone Chamber. He Yue opened the door, and a Stone Chamber about a hundred feet in size came into view. They went inside and closed the door.

"You can refine the pills here! I'll watch from the side and won't disturb you. There's no time limit. Just refine the Yellow Apricot Pill He Yuan Pill, three portions of each kind of pill, how about that?"

He Yue said.

"No problem."

Shen Long agreed and took out the Crimson Crow Cauldron and alchemy materials.

He sat quietly for half an hour before beginning to refine the elixir.

He Yue created a Soundproof Barrier for himself to prevent himself from disturbing Shen Long, and remained silent.

The update is a bit late today, only one update for now.