An alchemist's apprentice! A reward from the Firmament Ledger

"But that lord also said that even if I only started cultivating now, I could still become an Alchemist. He was willing to take me as his disciple."

"Of course I agreed, but he didn't take me as his disciple right away. He said he first needed to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range to find a few medicinal ingredients for refining a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill."

"I didn't know what that was, so I simply agreed. But I ended up waiting almost an entire Zi Month."

"Just when I thought that lord had gone back on his word, he suddenly appeared in my courtyard, covered in wounds."

"I looked after him for a few days. Then a powerful magical beast suddenly appeared in Deercry Village. The Alchemist rushed out to fight it, and I was knocked unconscious by the shock waves. When I woke up..."

Chu Zhou was clever. He had woven a story around the random identity the Firmament Ledger had assigned him.

Aside from the part about an Alchemist taking him as a disciple, all the other information was true.

Nine parts truth and one part falsehood, passing fiction off as fact.

The Firmament Ledger's arrangements were surely flawless. Even if Ya Fei doubted his account and sent someone to investigate, they wouldn't uncover anything.

The key was that he truly had the talent to become an Alchemist. Both his Dou Qi attribute and his soul perception met the requirements, and were outstanding enough to withstand scrutiny.

The original novel he knew hadn't mentioned whether a person's Dou Qi attribute could be tested during the Dou Qi stage. It only said that cultivators couldn't practice cultivation methods until they became Dou Zhe.

But Yao Chen had known that Xiao Yan had the talent to become an Alchemist, and cultivators could practice Dou Techniques during the Dou Qi stage. Xiao Yan, for instance, had practiced the Fire-Blowing Palm, which suited his Dou Qi attribute. Presumably, one's Dou Qi attribute could be tested at that stage.

Chu Zhou was gambling that Ya Fei had a way to test his talent as an Alchemist and would use her shrewd business sense to invest in him.

Even a mere First-Rank Alchemist like Liu Xi could become an honored guest of the Jia Lie Family and help squeeze the Xiao Clan's room for survival.

He believed his talent as an Alchemist made him a highly valuable investment.

"Qin'er."

Ya Fei had been carefully observing Chu Zhou's every move. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss.

Based on her own knowledge, she already believed seventy or eighty percent of what he had said.

Alchemists below the fourth rank couldn't directly produce True Flame. They had to rely on the unusual conversion process within a Medicine Cauldron's fire ports to turn Fire Attribute Dou Qi into flames suitable for refining medicine.

Those of the fourth rank and above could condense the Dou Qi in their bodies directly into tangible flames. They could summon flames with their bare hands to refine medicine without relying on a Medicine Cauldron for conversion; the cauldron served to amplify their power.

The Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill was an extremely rare pill that could directly improve a Da Dou Shi's cultivation. Even she had only heard of it, never seen it.

Chu Zhou only had three-stage Dou Qi. Since he could provide those two pieces of information, his story was very unlikely to be fabricated.

That meant Chu Zhou was someone a Fourth-Rank Alchemist had recognized and intended to take as a disciple.

Such talent deserved her attention and a little effort.

"Miss Ya Fei!" Qin'er entered the room and bowed.

"Go invite Master Gu Ni here." Ya Fei's voice was melodious and pleasing.

"Yes." Qin'er lowered her head and withdrew.

A glimmer flashed in Chu Zhou's eyes. It worked.

Master Gu Ni was the Mittel Auction House's chief appraiser, as well as a second-rank Alchemist.

By asking her maid to fetch Gu Ni, Ya Fei clearly intended to verify his talent as an Alchemist and assess his investment value.

"Have a seat." Ya Fei gestured toward the guest seat beside her.

A small stool stood in front of the desk for visitors to sit on.

"Thank you, Miss Ya Fei." Chu Zhou didn't refuse, but he still acted reserved as he walked over and sat down.

"You came to tell me about your talent as an Alchemist because you want me to support your training?" Ya Fei suddenly asked after Chu Zhou sat down, a shrewd expression on her face.

"Yes." Chu Zhou didn't conceal his intentions and answered directly. "I think an attendant makes little difference to your Auction House, Miss Ya Fei. Anyone can be an attendant. If I work here as one, I should be thanking you for giving me a job."

"But if I can become an Alchemist, even the lowest-ranked First-Rank Alchemist, I'll be able to repay you."

"As for whether you support my training, I won't insist. That's entirely up to you, Miss Ya Fei."

Chu Zhou framed his intentions around repaying her kindness, his gaze frank and open.

He really did intend to "repay her kindness." If Ya Fei was willing, he wouldn't mind offering himself to her and putting his body to work.

"Mm." A little more appreciation appeared in Ya Fei's eyes as she smiled and nodded. "You're right. Anyone can be an attendant, but not everyone can be an Alchemist. If you become one, you really could help me a great deal."

Even the lowest-ranked First-Rank Alchemist could create more value than all the Mittel Auction House's attendants combined, despite requiring some investment in their early training.

Ya Fei changed the subject and began asking about Chu Zhou's past.

Chu Zhou had prepared in advance and answered calmly, maintaining his persona as a frail scholar.

Before long, the maid Qin'er entered the study with an elderly man dressed in blue. His hair was somewhat gray, but his face glowed with health.

The old man's blue robes weren't as luxurious as Ya Fei's clothes and even looked quite ordinary. Yet a faint sheen flowed over them, making it clear they were no common garment. His unremarkable, aged face bore an air of pride he could hardly conceal.

"Miss." Master Gu Ni cupped his hands in greeting, his tone respectful.

"Uncle Gu Ni." Ya Fei smiled brightly and gestured toward Chu Zhou. "Sorry for the trouble. I asked you here because of this newly hired attendant."

"He says a Fourth-Rank Alchemist once recognized his potential and wanted to take him as a disciple. I'd like you to test his talent."

"Oh?" Gu Ni's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at Chu Zhou.

Rarity made things valuable, and Alchemists were no exception.

The two basic requirements for becoming an Alchemist ruled out ninety-nine point nine percent of people.

Could this young man, whose only apparent merit was his rather good looks, really possess such talent?

"Master Gu Ni, please!" Chu Zhou rose and walked up to him.

"Mm." Seeing how openly Chu Zhou conducted himself, Gu Ni began to believe him a little, and approval entered his eyes. He reached out, took Chu Zhou's wrist, and injected his own Dou Qi while probing him with his soul perception.

A few breaths later, he withdrew his hand with an approving expression. "His Dou Qi attribute is indeed fire with a trace of Wood Attribute. His soul perception is exceptional, stronger than mine was before I became an Alchemist."

In fact, Gu Ni felt that Chu Zhou's soul was even stronger than his own.

This was definitely a promising talent worth nurturing!

With that thought, Gu Ni gave Ya Fei a meaningful look.

Perceptive as she was, Ya Fei immediately smiled. "In that case, Uncle Gu Ni, why not let Chu Zhou become your Alchemist's apprentice? You can start by teaching him some knowledge of alchemy."

"If he truly has talent, we can provide further support for his training."

Gu Ni nodded at her words, then looked at Chu Zhou. "Are you willing?"

"I am." That's exactly what I wanted, Chu Zhou thought, immediately accepting. "I'll be relying on your guidance from now on, Master Gu Ni."

Just then, an ancient, supreme voice rang out in his mind and those of countless "players."

[Firmament Ledger announcement]: Chosen One "Chu Zhou" has become the first Chosen One to unlock the secondary profession of Alchemist. He is awarded a world announcement and a Firmament reward: the special physique "Myriad Medicine Clarity Body."

Chu Zhou: ?

All players: ??