As Elder Changchun sat down, he casually took the apprenticeship applications Sun Jian handed him. Feeling how thick the stack was, he asked in puzzlement, "Why are there so many applications?" Sun Jian smiled. "Your alchemy skills must be so profound that everyone wants to become your disciple, Master. The peak master and the other elders haven't received even half as many as you."
"Enough flattery."
After a moment's thought, Elder Changchun quickly understood why he had received so many applications this year. "The peak master only takes one disciple, so ordinary applicants don't dare apply. That old rabbit Liyang's reputation is rotten, and the male disciples avoid him like snakes and scorpions.
"Red Pine is in seclusion, and Danyang favors the great lineages, so everyone can only choose me."
As he spoke, he opened the first application.
"Disciple Zhao Chunhe, twenty-one years old. I have studied Pill Dao since childhood and can now refine Blood-Energy Powder and brew Body-Tempering Soup..."
He had studied Pill Dao since childhood, yet at twenty-one he could only refine Blood-Energy Powder and brew Body-Tempering Soup? How could he have the nerve to flaunt something so embarrassing as a qualification? Elder Changchun immediately labeled him useless and tossed his application aside.
In his eyes, someone like this was worse than someone who had never touched Pill Dao. With a complete novice, he could at least gamble on their talent. Someone who could still only brew Body-Tempering Soup at twenty-one was unquestionably a waste.
"You've read these applications, haven't you? Any promising prospects?" Elder Changchun asked.
"Yes!"
Sun Jian stepped forward and pulled out several applications. "This one, Jiang Yuan, can already refine Qi Gathering Pills consistently. He's crossed the threshold of Pill Dao. This one, Han Feng, is this year's Fourth of the Ten Elites.