Showing Off

The Central District of the Underworld Emperor Holy City.

Two figures strolled leisurely through the bustling street, surrounded by the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the lively haggling of cultivators.

Lu Qing'an's gaze swept over the shops lining both sides of the road. All sorts of pill shops and treasure stalls were densely packed together, and the air was filled with a mixed medicinal fragrance.

The city was much more prosperous than he had imagined, and the cultivators coming and going were generally of high cultivation level; even those at the Sovereign Realm were only considered mid-level here.

"Brother Lu, we've arrived." Li Wensong stopped, a smile playing on his lips, and pointed ahead.

Lu Qing'an followed his gaze, her pupils dilating slightly.

It was a colossal building shaped like Pill Cauldron, entirely crafted from a crystal that emitted a hazy, multicolored light. Every facet of the crystal was flawless, with light flowing and refracting within it, as if life itself was breathing within it.

The building's surface is engraved with dense arrays of runes, which appear and disappear at different times.

The entire structure is a hundred feet tall, with the cauldron-shaped body standing on three legs. The lid of the cauldron is covered by a faintly visible barrier of light, which is clearly the core protective formation of the entire structure.

The overwhelming sense of weight and depth is not something that can be achieved through mere accumulation of luxury; rather, it is the aura that only a truly powerful and influential force can cultivate.

"This is truly an extraordinary gesture." Lu Qing'an nodded.

Li Wensong smiled and said, "Brother Lu, the Nether Emperor Holy Sect has a particularly good relationship with the Heavenly Dao of the Five Elements, so its main industry is alchemy. In the Holy City, alchemy is the biggest pillar industry, so as long as you can join the Nether Emperor Alchemy Guild, you can directly join the Nether Emperor Holy Sect."

After listening, Lu Qing'an shook his head, smiling somewhat helplessly, "But my alchemy skills are only so-so. This matter should be handled by Dao of Alchemy Master or that kid Xu Xuanyu; they are the professionals."

This isn't modesty; it's the truth.

Lu Qing'an had a clear understanding of his own abilities; he was good at murder and arson, but as for alchemy...

He's hardly ever opened a furnace in his entire life.

Li Wensong's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression as he looked at him. "Brother Lu, you're underestimating yourself. You've already mastered the rules perfectly. Using the rules to learn alchemy is a piece of cake for you."

He paused, his tone carrying the certainty of someone who had experienced it firsthand. "I've utilized the Rule of Cause and Effect and mastered a considerable amount of alchemy knowledge, which is enough for me to join the Nether Emperor Holy Sect. You have a deeper and more extensive grasp of the rules than I do, so it will only be easier for you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qing'an raised an eyebrow and looked at him thoughtfully.

"What you're saying... makes some sense."

The power of rules is the most fundamental power in the universe. No matter how skill is cultivated to its ultimate level, it must eventually return to the level of rules.

The essence of alchemy is nothing more than the control of medicinal properties, the management of heat, and the guidance of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Ultimately, these are all rules.

Now that he has mastered the relevant rules, alchemy should indeed not be a difficult task for him.

Lu Qing'an didn't think any further and simply closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into his body, and he sensed those powers that were as responsive as his own limbs.

The Rule of Fire flow through the meridians, scorching and dynamic, with each vein of flame clearly visible.

The Rule of Wood gently intertwine within, carrying the primal essence of herbal and medicinal properties.

There was also the sharpness of gold, the flow of water, the weight of earth... all the rules related to alchemy were awakened within him at this moment, like lighting one lamp after another.

Then comes the most crucial step.

The Rule of Cause and Effect.

Lu Qing'an activated the Rule of Cause and Effect, bringing out all the causal connections between himself, Dao of Alchemy Master, and Xu Xuanyu over the years regarding alchemy.

Countless images flashed through his mind.

The focused expression on Dao of Alchemy Master's face as he concentrated on controlling the fire Pill Furnace; Xu Xuanyu's diligent and meticulous technique as he ground the medicinal herbs; their every successful deduction of Pill Formula, their every analysis and adjustment after a failure, and even the muscle memory and intuitive judgment accumulated through day after day of repetitive practice...

All the experiences, insights, and skills, organized according to the Rule of Cause and Effect, flowed like trickles into a river, all merging into Lu Qing'an's understanding.

The previously independent forces of rules within him began to intertwine and merge at this moment, arranging and combining in a completely new way.

A moment later, Lu Qing'an opened his eyes again.

Lu Qing'an smiled inwardly.

So this is the true application of the Rule of Cause and Effect. No wonder those who have mastered the Rule of Cause and Effect are so powerful.

He raised his right hand, and a cluster of blue flames emerged from his fingertips. The flames danced quietly, their temperature restrained yet containing terrifying heat capable of instantly refining heavenly-grade medicinal herbs.

With a casual flick of his wrist, the flames vanished, replaced by a wisp of pale green wood-attribute Spiritual Qi that condensed into a phantom pill in his palm before disappearing without a trace.

In just a few breaths, he had transformed from a complete novice in alchemy into a fairly competent Alchemist.

"While it can't compare to the geniuses like Dao of Alchemy Master, it should be enough."

Lu Qing'an silently assessed his own level and came to a relatively satisfactory conclusion.

"Alright, let's go in." Lu Qing'an patted Li Wensong on the shoulder and strode towards the gate of the Pill Cauldron building.

Li Wensong followed behind, watching Lu Qing'an's retreating figure, secretly marveling at his own performance.

It took him three whole days to master alchemy knowledge by relying on the Rule of Cause and Effect, but Brother Lu did it in the blink of an eye.

The difference is truly enormous!

Half an hour later.

Deep within the Alchemist Guild, in an exquisitely decorated registration room, Lu Qing'an and Li Wensong had just completed the final assessment process.

An elderly man in a gray robe, his face full of wrinkles, was diligently processing their registration. His cloudy old eyes were now gleaming with a sharp light, and his gaze toward the two of them was so intense it was almost burning with desire.

The old man's gaze shifted back and forth between the two, finally settling on Lu Qing'an. His face beamed with a smile, "You two! Your alchemy skills are exceptional. Would you be willing to join our Nether Emperor Holy Sect?"

Lu Qing'an noticed that the old man's gaze lingered on his face for an unusually long time. The look in his eyes wasn't the sharpness one would use to assess strength, but rather a strange feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

They looked at it as if it were some rare object, which made him feel slightly uneasy.

"This old guy, did he realize that I'm not simple? But why is he staring at my face?" Lu Qing'an remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he felt a little awkward.

Li Wensong nodded readily. "We are all Rogue Cultivator, and that's exactly what we're thinking."

Upon hearing this, the old man burst into laughter, even smoothing out the wrinkles on his face. "Very good! How many rules have you cultivated? Which rules do you mainly cultivate? Have you cultivated a certain rule to its limit, to the point that you can condense the Great Dao?"

The question was directed at both of them, but the old man's gaze kept glancing towards Lu Qing'an.

He was calculating his options rapidly.

Alas, the number of talented disciples in the sect is decreasing, and signs of a talent gap have already appeared. As the chief elder of the Alchemist Guild, he has been troubled by this matter for many years.

If he could recruit these two top geniuses, wouldn't his status within the sect skyrocket? A significant increase in resources and influence would be a certainty.

Moreover, judging from these two, they are definitely not ordinary people!

Especially this extraordinary young cultivator, his temperament and appearance were something he had rarely seen even in all his years of life.

To grow up to be this good and cultivate to this level, one must be a chosen one with both exceptional talent and good fortune!

Lu Qing'an felt uneasy under the increasingly intense gaze of the old man, sensing that the old fellow was thinking something strange.

But before he could react, Li Wensong spoke up.

Li Wensong's lips curled slightly, revealing a perfectly measured, calm smile, "I specialize in the Rule of Cause and Effect, and will soon be able to go to the Heavenly Dao of Cause and Effect to participate in the assessment."

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression froze instantly.

Immediately afterwards, his eyes widened suddenly, and his whole body trembled violently as if struck by lightning, almost dropping the registration Jade Slip in his hand.

He stared at Li Wensong, his lips trembling, his voice trembling. "You! You say you cultivate the Rule of Cause and Effect?!"

His tone and expression suggested he had heard something utterly unbelievable.

Li Wensong maintained his faint smile and asked in return, "What, is there a problem?"

Lu Qing'an watched from the side, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Well done, Wensong! Your pretentious manner is half as impressive as mine!