Please Advise Me, Senior Brother

Jiang Lu was left 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 a formal disciple of Medicine King Pavilion. The treatment they received was worlds apart from that of an apprentice.

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

Formal disciples, however, could be directly accepted as disciples by elders, officially gaining connections and backing. When they went out into the world in the future, others would also look upon them more highly.

Though she did not want 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 saw no displeasure on his face.

She had entered Medicine King Pavilion in order to help Master Wen share his workload. If she left now, Master Wen would have less time to cultivate.

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

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

"Go on, Jiang girl."

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

Jiang Lu nodded and swiftly ran back into the courtyard to pack. She brought her two spirit beasts and followed behind Chen Qi.

After walking some distance, she turned to look at the courtyard growing smaller and smaller behind her, her heart filled with melancholy.

It seemed...

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

Her heart suddenly brimmed 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 temporarily sort spiritual plants. Once you finish sorting them, you may also assist the disciples and elders in refining pills, learning 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. 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 through this way. Learn in advance so it will benefit your future cultivation. You may study every detail while the disciples refine pills. The more you hear and see, the more it will benefit your future pill refinement."

Jiang Lu nodded, her impression of Medicine King Pavilion improving further. Though they might have selfish motives—this method allowed their disciples to refine better pills—

It brought countless benefits to the disciples. After all, Medicine King Pavilion's alchemists were free to leave. It was equivalent to learning a craft here before 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 its 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 led by second-grade and first-grade alchemists.

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

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

Lin Wei lifted his eyes and looked at Jiang Lu. Under that gaze, her expression stiffened slightly. As expected of a Foundation Establishment powerhouse—just one look made her tremble.

Their cultivation levels were separated by an entire major realm. This was the oppression brought by strength.

"Alchemist Lin Wei."

Jiang Lu steadied herself and cupped her hands toward him, imitating Chen Qi.

He nodded. Sensing Jiang Lu's stable cultivation, he could not help giving her another look. When she had entered before, she had only been at Qi Refinement First Layer. Yet in only a few days, she had suddenly leapt three levels. Her foundation was unexpectedly so stable, and her cultivation was not at all unsteady. That was truly rare.

She must have put in the effort. It showed that she possessed a calm and steady temperament.

Anyone with an unstable temperament would already have been blinded by this fortuitous opportunity and would not travel far on the path ahead.

"Mm, your temperament is good. Chen Qi has explained things to you, yes? Go sort spiritual plants first. If the opportunity arises, 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 prepared and processed properly. That way, when the disciples refined pills, they could use them directly.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu relaxed. She knew how to do all of this, and after observing for a while just now, she had also gained an understanding of several details.

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

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

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

After Chen Qi showed her around, he began assigning her work. The other disciples' gazes swept over Jiang Lu from time to time, carrying looks of anticipation for a good show.

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

The disciples who had been waiting for a show were filled with smug delight. They had all gone through this before, flustered and scrambling about. Now that they saw a newcomer like this, they naturally wore expressions of eager amusement.

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

Everyone froze where they stood.

Why was this different from what they had imagined?

Should she not have been flustered and aggrieved, coming to beg them for help? Then they would proudly refuse her, and after a few rounds, reluctantly pretend to teach her?

What was this supposed to mean?

Self-taught?

Their gazes all turned toward Chen Qi in unison. He had brought her here. He had to explain.

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

Why were they looking at him? How would he know? He had merely brought her here as instructed.

He then took a deep breath and stepped forward to ask.

Knowing these people's habits, they were clearly putting this debt on his head. If he did not give them a satisfactory answer, the next few days would not be easy for him.

He thought the same way they did. Their umbrellas had all been torn to shreds, so why was this person's umbrella still perfectly intact?

The life of a disciple who had not been ravaged was incomplete!

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

He asked curiously.

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

Then she tilted her head and looked at him.

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

After speaking, she looked at him with sincere eyes brimming with the desire for knowledge.

Chen Qi: ...

Everyone: ...