The righteous path punishes Heaven

Chapter 17 A Lucky Break

"No, I have to find a place to stay no matter what," Zhang Yunling muttered to himself as he walked slowly down the road.

He had already walked around most of the huge sect that morning. Along the way, besides the buildings along the roadside whose purpose was unknown, he saw the Qiankun Hall in the center of the sect, the large martial arts arena on both sides, and several tall pavilions in a symmetrical arrangement. Zhang Yunling did not enter them rashly.

Only after another grand hall appeared before him did Zhang Yunling snap out of his thoughts and look up at the plaque above the door: Alchemy Room.

He suddenly slapped his forehead. That's right! He can refine medicine! If he does well in this alchemy room, he might be able to promote Xu Tianli from an ordinary outer disciple to a higher status, thereby directly changing to a new cave dwelling. Wouldn't that solve the problem at its root?

Without hesitation, Zhang Yunling removed the black cloth from his face and walked straight into the alchemy room. The moment he stepped inside, the abundant spiritual energy within cleansed his entire body from head to toe, a feeling that made him extremely comfortable. He had indeed come to the right place; wasn't this much better than the treatment of ordinary cultivators who spent their days holed up in their caves practicing mindlessly?

The main hall is lined with all sorts of rare and exotic herbs, which are irrigated by fountains shaped like cauldrons. The spiritual energy permeating the air comes from these herbs and spring water.

Zhang Yunling didn't stare for too long, fearing it would arouse suspicion. He turned his head and saw a disciple walking out of the inner room. Judging from the disciple's black and white robes, his hands behind his back, and the token with the character "Dan" on it hanging on his chest, it was clear that this person was a Dan master from the Qiankun Dao sect.

"Senior brother, may I ask... how do I join the alchemy room and become a sect alchemist?" Zhang Yunling asked politely, his face beaming with smiles. The disciple he had stopped didn't answer immediately. Instead, he first sized Zhang Yunling up and down, then spread his divine sense to probe him before finally replying:

"I observe that you possess abundant spiritual roots, indeed a promising talent for alchemy. My name is Zhang Ze, a third-grade alchemist from the Qiankun Alchemy Studio. If you are truly interested in joining our studio, I can inquire with the elders on your behalf. However..."

Zhang Ze changed the subject, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you're only here because of the sect competition Elder Wang announced at the mountaintop today, then I advise you not to be delusional. Our alchemy path isn't one where just any ordinary cultivator can take advantage of the chaos. Everything requires comprehension. You should think this through carefully. If you're truly sincere, I might be able to lend you a hand."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunling was overjoyed, but at the same time became somewhat wary. He cupped his hands and bowed slightly, saying, "I sincerely want to join the alchemy room. This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but something I have been preparing for. If this matter succeeds, I will definitely repay Senior Brother Zhang's kindness!"

Zhang Ze smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's good. I just came back from Elder Sun's place. If you're really ready, you can come with me now to meet the elder and mention this matter."

“Alright!” Zhang Yunling smiled broadly and followed Zhang Ze up to the second floor. The first floor of the alchemy room was a herb nursery, while the real alchemy furnace was located on the second floor and above. Zhang Ze led Zhang Yunling up the stairs, and all the rooms along the way had their doors tightly closed. Some of them even had a faint fragrance of pills emanating from them.

Only after reaching the top floor did they arrive at a room that looked slightly different from the other alchemy rooms. Zhang Ze gently knocked on the door, then respectfully bowed and said, "Disciple Zhang Ze has important business to discuss with Elder Sun."

There was no sound from inside, but the door opened by itself, and a rich fragrance of sandalwood wafted out. Zhang Ze turned around and whispered to Zhang Yunling, "Junior brother, you must be polite in your words and actions, and never offend the elders." Zhang Yunling nodded in agreement, and the two of them entered the room together.

The room was very spacious and filled with all kinds of rare medicinal herbs. The several alchemy furnaces with their still burning fires placed against the wall also showed the room owner's strong alchemy skills.

In the center of the room, beside a tea table, an elderly man in purple robes, sitting cross-legged on a futon, raised his hand and closed the door as if it were empty. He then asked, "Zhang Ze, we just finished discussing the sect competition. What brings you back now?"

Zhang Ze smiled and replied, "Reporting to the elder, I have indeed returned on business. My junior brother here wishes to join our alchemy room. What do you think?"

After saying that, Zhang Ze tugged at Zhang Yunling's sleeve and pulled him closer. Elder Sun's slightly closed eyes slowly opened, and after a brief look, he casually said, "Since that's the case, then let's go. This old man will test the child's foundation."

Upon hearing the elder's words, Zhang Ze's smile deepened, and he hurriedly urged Zhang Yunling to come over, "Are you ready? It's a good opportunity for your senior brother to see what your foundation is like."

Elder Sun waved his right hand, and a blue book flew out from the bookshelf beside him. He picked it up and looked at Zhang Yunling, saying, "This book contains the essential knowledge of herbs and plants required for first- and second-grade alchemists. I can let you read it first, and then I will ask you some questions about it."

After saying that, Elder Sun threw the book in his hand to Zhang Yunling. To his surprise, Zhang Yunling did not open the book to look at it immediately, but returned it to Elder Sun.

"I already have some knowledge of plants and trees, so there is no need for me to review them. Please feel free to test me, Elder."

Faced with the young man's confident attitude, Elder Sun couldn't help but smile slightly on his serious old face. "Child, since I became the chief elder of this alchemy room, I have seen many disciples like you. Let me make this clear: if you answer even one of my questions incorrectly, you can leave immediately."

Zhang Yunling, still confident, nodded in agreement. Elder Sun's expression immediately turned serious, and he asked in a deep voice, "Since you have some knowledge of herbs and plants, I must ask you, do you know the effects of the Blue Crystal Flower?"

Zhang Yunling answered without hesitation: "Blue Crystal Flower is a very common herb. Its effect is to make the spiritual energy it comes into contact with more solid and pure. It is often used as the main ingredient in some low-grade pills. For example, the first-grade pill Qi Condensation Pill is based on this herb."

Elder Sun smiled upon hearing this and continued to increase the difficulty: "What type of herb is the Earth Dragon Vine?"

"It has both earth and wood attributes, but earth is the main attribute and wood is the secondary attribute."

What kinds of herbs are needed to refine a Grade Two Spirit Heart Pill?

"Usually, one Spirit Heart Pill requires one Blue Crystal Flower, two Water Grasses, and one demon core from a first-tier water-attribute demon beast. The refining process requires simmering over a low flame throughout, and adding one's own divine sense to nourish it. Only when the pill is finally completed can it enhance one's own divine sense and instantly restore physical strength."

He was asked a dozen more questions in a row, and even some about third-grade pills and rare and precious herbs. Zhang Yunling handled them with ease and answered them in detail.

These elaborate explanations astonished Elder Sun, a sixth-grade alchemist, who thought to himself, "I didn't realize this kid had some skills. I need to step up my game!"

At that moment, Zhang Yunling caught a glimpse of the herb planted in the room. There was a herb that he desperately needed. Just as he was about to speak, Elder Sun followed his gaze and saw the herb. He immediately asked, "Boy, do you recognize this herb?"

Zhang Yunling chuckled and said somewhat shyly, "Reporting to the elder, I have only heard of it but have never actually seen it. However, if I am not mistaken, this herb should be Xuanlong Ginseng."

"That's right, it's the Xuanlong Ginseng! If you can describe the effects of the Xuanlong Ginseng and the pills that can be refined from it in detail, I will consider you to have passed the test!"

Zhang Yunling smiled and nodded, speaking eloquently: "This Xuanlong Ginseng is an extremely rare and precious natural treasure. It possesses all five attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and the power of the five elements does not conflict with each other, making it very stable. In addition to being able to refine high-level pills such as the Grade 3 Meridian-Breaking Pill, the Grade 4 Xuanlong Pill, and the Grade 4 Sun and Moon Myriad Life Pill, most importantly, it can be used as the main ingredient for the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill."

Zhang Ze, standing behind Zhang Yunling, was completely dumbfounded. Elder Sun, too, stared blankly at the disciple who appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, his mind reeling. "This child is so young, yet he has such a profound understanding of plants..."

Elder Sun suddenly stood up, pointed to a pill furnace in the distance and said, "Good! Next, you go and take that Xuanlong Ginseng and refine a medicine for me. If you can refine it, I will immediately appoint you as a third-grade alchemist! But if you can't refine it, then all of this is just empty talk and a waste of effort. From now on, you will stay in the alchemy room as a handyman disciple. Go!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunling was first stunned, then overjoyed and burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Good! Elder, you're so generous!"

Without further ado, actions speak louder than words. Zhang Yunling patted the patched, tattered storage bag at his waist, from which two pre-refined Gold Element Pills and Water Element Pills flew out.

Elder Sun waved his hand, and the fire in one of the alchemy furnaces near him immediately went out. The unfinished pill inside was also casually tossed out. Zhang Ze, standing nearby, stared intently and saw that the half-finished pill that had been thrown away was actually a Grade 5 Yuanji Pill!

Just to make room for this disciple, he casually threw away a fifth-grade pill? Elder Sun must be arguing with this junior brother. He even went so far as to bring out a high-grade herb like the Xuanlong Ginseng, probably hoping to see Zhang Yunling fail at refining the pill so he could save face.

After all, it's just a high-level medicinal herb that I've only heard of but never seen. To use it directly for alchemy on the spot, even if someone has some background in alchemy, they shouldn't be this monstrous.

Elder Sun also wore a solemn expression, and he and Zhang Ze watched Zhang Yunling's movements closely. Suddenly, the man let out a loud shout, and the alchemical fire reignited, sending the two Foundation Establishment Pills in his hand flying into the cauldron to begin refining.

Soon, seeing that the fire was just right, Zhang Yun rushed towards the location of the Xuanlong Ginseng, uprooted it, and threw it into the alchemy furnace. At the same time, he unleashed his divine sense, frequently displaying spells in his hands, and skillfully manipulated the alchemical fire.

Elder Sun, who had initially been somewhat confident, began to doubt himself after witnessing Zhang Yunling's methods: "This...could this kid have actually managed to refine it? When did the sect start hiding such a talent...?"

Zhang Ze's palms were sweating profusely as he nervously watched Zhang Yunling's hands, which were focused on controlling the alchemical fire. He hadn't expected that this ordinary junior brother he had met by chance would have such amazing alchemical skills, and he, as the senior brother, was gradually beginning to admire him.

A moment later, it was time to condense the pill. Zhang Yunling shouted and raised both hands at the same time. The pill fire burned fiercely and soared into the sky. A golden pill flew out of the cauldron. It was the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill!

"The pill is complete!!"

He actually managed to refine it?! This Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill is a top-grade third-rank pill that requires a special formula to refine, and this disciple was able to refine such a perfect Foundation Establishment Pill in just one attempt!

Zhang Ze was utterly astonished. Although his cultivation was already at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, the Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill was of no use to him. But his junior brother's alchemy skills were so far superior to his own, making him feel somewhat ashamed. Initially, he had treated Zhang Yunling with the demeanor of a senior, regarding him as an ordinary junior disciple, but now...

Elder Sun slammed his hand on the tea table, shattering the teacups, and burst into laughter.

"Good! Good! You little brat, you're hiding your true strength, pretending to be weak to deceive others, huh! Hahahaha! I always keep my word, so I'll give you this Xuanlong Ginseng, and immediately appoint you as a third-grade alchemist in the Qiankun Dao alchemy room!"