Please Advise Me, Senior Brother

Jiang Lu was left utterly at a loss by the news. She had truly never imagined that she would have a chance to enter the Alchemy Institute.

After all, within the Alchemy Institute, even a cultivator who merely sorted spiritual plants was an official disciple of Medicine King Pavilion. The benefits they enjoyed were worlds apart from those of apprentices.

Although apprentices were also considered disciples of Medicine King Pavilion, carrying the identity of an apprentice was ultimately different.

Official disciples, on the other hand, could be directly accepted as disciples by elders, formally gaining connections and backing. When they went out in the future, others would look upon them more highly as well.

Though she did not wish to admit it, that was the reality now. If she wanted to go far, she could not do it alone. If she had the chance, she would certainly take a master.

"Of course I am willing. Thank you, Senior Brother."

Jiang Lu's voice was excited. After speaking, she looked toward Master Wen and did not see any displeasure on his face.

She had entered Medicine King Pavilion to help Master Wen share his workload. Now that she was leaving, his cultivation time would naturally decrease.

When Master Wen saw Jiang Lu looking at him, he was moved. This girl was still asking for his opinion even now.

She was a good girl. It was time for her to look higher.

"Girl Jiang, go on."

"Since that is the case, Junior Sister Lu, pack up and let us go."

Jiang Lu nodded, quickly ran back into the courtyard to pack her things, then brought the two Spirit Beasts with her as she followed behind Chen Qi.

After walking some distance, she turned to look at the courtyard shrinking farther and farther away, her heart filled with wistfulness.

It seemed...

She had now set foot upon her own path of cultivation in the Immortal Cultivation Realm. She had a premonition that entering the Alchemy Institute was only the first step. In the future, she would go farther and farther.

Her heart suddenly swelled with lofty ambition. The path of cultivation was nothing more than a pursuit of immortality; perhaps one day, she might even have the chance to tear open space and return to her original world for a look.

"Junior Sister Lu, after entering Courtyard One, you will first sort spiritual plants. Once you have finished sorting them, you may also go assist the various disciples and elders in refining pills, and learn along the way."

As he spoke, he winked at Jiang Lu.

Jiang Lu covered her mouth and smiled. "I understand, Senior Brother Qi."

Chen Qi chuckled when he saw this. It was good that she understood. She truly was a clever one.

"Junior Sister Lu, there is no need to feel embarrassed. We all came up this way. Learning in advance will benefit your future cultivation. You may study all the details when the disciples refine pills. The more you listen and the more you watch, the more it will benefit your future pill refining."

Jiang Lu nodded, and her impression of Medicine King Pavilion improved further. Although there might be selfish motives behind it—the disciples could refine better pills this way—it brought countless benefits to the disciples.

After all, Medicine King Pavilion's alchemists could leave the pavilion. It was equivalent to learning a skill here and then going out to find work. With such broad-mindedness, she could accept even a little selfishness.

Jiang Lu followed Chen Qi into the main courtyard of Alchemy Courtyard One to pay respects to Courtyard One's master, a third-grade alchemist.

Though he was only third-grade, in this remote little city, he was already considered a top-tier alchemist. He was also West River City's only third-grade alchemist. His cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and there were not many people here who could afford to provoke him.

The other courtyards were all overseen by second-grade and first-grade alchemists.

"Alchemist Lin Wei, this is the apprentice Jiang Lu whom the elder mentioned to you before."

Chen Qi stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, and introduced her.

Lin Wei lifted his eyes and looked Jiang Lu over. Under his gaze, Jiang Lu's expression stiffened somewhat. As expected of a Foundation Establishment expert—just one look made her tremble.

Their strength was separated by an entire major realm. This was the oppressive feeling brought by strength.

"Alchemist Lin Wei."

Jiang Lu steadied herself and cupped her hands toward him, copying Chen Qi's manner.

He nodded. Sensing Jiang Lu's stable cultivation, he could not help but give her another look. When she had entered that day, she had only been at the Qi Refinement First Layer. Yet she had suddenly leapt three levels in only a few days, and her foundation was still so solid, her cultivation not the least bit unstable. That was truly rare.

She must have put her heart into it, which showed that she had a steady temperament.

If her mind had been unstable, she would have long since been dazzled senseless by such a fortuitous opportunity and would not be able to go far in the future.

"Mm, your temperament is not bad. Chen Qi has already told you, yes? Go sort spiritual plants first. If you get the chance, you may try refining pills."

"Thank you, Alchemist Lin Wei."

Jiang Lu nodded and followed Chen Qi to the sorting area to learn.

The spiritual plants needed to be sorted with great care, then processed and prepared properly so that the disciples could use them directly when refining pills.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu relaxed. She knew all of this already, and after observing for a while just now, she had also gained an understanding of some of the finer details.

Sure enough, opportunities were reserved for those who came prepared.

Senior Brother Chen Qi had brought her here and let her directly observe the other disciples at work. It was not as though he had no intention of giving her a show of force. After all, how long had she been here before becoming their most direct competitor?

Fortunately, she had prior experience, so none of this was difficult for her.

After Chen Qi showed her around, he began assigning her work. The other disciples' gazes swept covertly toward Jiang Lu, carrying an air of waiting to enjoy the show.

Jiang Lu turned a deaf ear and kept her eyes straight ahead, focusing only on completing the task in her hands.

The disciples who had been waiting for entertainment were delighted. They had all come through this before, flailing about in utter confusion. Now, seeing a newcomer like this, they naturally wore expressions of eager anticipation.

But as Jiang Lu sorted the spiritual plants one by one, skillfully processed them, and placed them into their corresponding trays...

Everyone froze where they stood.

Why was this different from what they had imagined?

Should she not have been flustered and overwhelmed, then approached them with a wronged expression to ask for help? They would then arrogantly refuse her, and after a few rounds, pretend to reluctantly teach her?

What was this supposed to mean?

Self-taught talent?

Their gazes all turned toward Chen Qi in unison. He was the one who had brought her here, so he had to explain.

Feeling the resentful stares from all around him, Chen Qi's mouth twitched. He nearly crushed the spiritual plant in his hand.

Why were they looking at him? How was he supposed to know? He had merely brought her here according to instructions.

Then he took a deep breath and stepped forward to ask her.

Knowing how these people were, they were clearly settling the score on his head. If he did not give them a satisfactory answer, the next few days would be difficult for him.

He thought the same as they did. Their umbrellas had all been torn to shreds, so why should this person's umbrella remain unscathed?

A disciple's life was incomplete if they had not been tormented!

"Junior Sister Lu, have you learned how to process spiritual plants before?"

He asked with some curiosity.

Hearing this, Jiang Lu stopped what she was doing, her face filled with confusion. Had she done something wrong? She had just seen them all handle the plants this way.

Then she tilted her head and looked at him.

"Senior Brother Qi, have I done something wrong? I have not learned this before, but the books said to do it this way. Please advise me, Senior Brother."

After speaking, she looked at him with sincere eyes brimming with a thirst for knowledge.

Chen Qi: ...

Everyone: ...

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