Early the next morning, Senior Brother Liheng took Erdan and Goudan away.
Shu Han waited for an hour. Senior Brother Liheng returned, holding a jar, and led him alone toward the Rear Mountain.
The morning mist on Yandang Mountain was chilly. Shu Han walked along the stone steps for a long time before catching sight of a few other fellow disciples. He couldn’t help asking, “Senior Brother Liheng, the Dragon Profound Sect is so large, why do I rarely see the other Senior Brothers?”
“That is because our Dragon Profound Sect has few members to begin with. Including those on external duties, there are only seventy-three of us.”
Senior Brother Liheng continued to explain, “Children who can awaken Spirit Roots are already one in ten thousand. For your Shu Village to produce three at once is exceedingly rare. Ah, if Senior Brother Zhang were still alive, it would surely be a great merit.”
“Senior Brother, where are we going? It seems we are heading down the mountain.”
“I am taking you to the Second Elder.”
“Big-Headed Kid, our Dragon Profound Sect has three Elders in total. The First Elder is responsible for imparting techniques, the Second Elder handles medicine refining and artifact crafting, and the Third Elder manages daily miscellaneous affairs within the sect. The vast majority of disciples study under the First and Third Elders. However, in terms of prestige, the Second Elder is second only to the Headmaster.”
Shu Han grew puzzled. “Didn’t they say my aptitude is very poor? Why am I being assigned to the Second Elder?”
“Because the Second Elder does not concern himself with disciples’ cultivation, and his temperament is rather unpredictable. I am not trying to frighten you, Junior Brother, but once you arrive, you must obey respectfully and never anger him. Otherwise, even the Headmaster cannot protect you!”
Senior Brother Liheng’s words made Shu Han shiver.
He understood now. Being sent to the Second Elder was not for cultivation, but to perform menial labor.
A quiet disappointment settled deep in his heart.
At the end of the stone steps, a valley shrouded in faint blue smoke came into view.
A rich medicinal fragrance drifted from the valley, instantly refreshing anyone who smelled it.
Soon, a tall pavilion appeared within the valley, the hazy blue smoke rising directly from its roof.
As Shu Han walked forward, Senior Brother Liheng suddenly grabbed his arm.
“Do not move! Ahead lies the Second Elder’s Four-Pole Heavenly Sword Formation. Entering without permission means death by flying swords!”
At that moment, a flash of spiritual light erupted from the pavilion, and a flying sword shot straight toward them. Shu Han flinched in terror, but Senior Brother Liheng remained utterly calm.
The flying sword halted right before them, spiritual light flickering on its hilt as an aged, impatient voice issued from the blade.
“It is not yet time to collect medicine. Get out!”
Senior Brother Liheng bowed respectfully to the flying sword. “Reporting to the Second Elder, this disciple Liheng, under the orders of the Third Elder, has brought a newly recruited child to be placed under your tutelage for your command. Furthermore, when this disciple went down the mountain last time, I obtained a jar of fifty-year-old Huadiao Wine and have brought it especially as an offering to the Elder.” Get faster updates on NovelPing.
“Fifty-year-old Huadiao Wine!”
“Indeed, indeed, you are thoughtful! Bring him in and meet me at the Alchemy Pavilion.”
“Understood!”
Guarded by the hovering flying sword, Senior Brother Liheng led Shu Han toward the Alchemy Pavilion.
Along the way, Shu Han could not help but cast sideways glances at the flying sword. It felt truly miraculous that this exquisitely crafted treasure sword could not only float in the air but also transmit human speech.
A strong yearning stirred within him as he wished he could possess such a treasure one day.
Upon entering the Alchemy Pavilion, the first thing that greeted them was a massive two-story bronze furnace!
Bright red charcoal burned at the base of the furnace, and the surging heat made the entire pavilion stifling. Shu Han began sweating profusely the moment he stepped inside.
A white-haired old man sat before the bronze furnace. The instant the old man opened his eyes, Shu Han felt his mind ring with a dull hum. Moments later, the old man’s gaze shifted to the jar of wine in Liheng’s arms. With a slight wave of a withered hand through the empty air, the wine jar flew automatically into his palm.
He removed the lid, sniffed it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction. “Fifty-four years and then some. Not bad, not bad.”
“As long as Martial Uncle is pleased.”
Turning his gaze to Shu Han, the old man asked, “Why would Old Ning be willing to send a disciple to me? I had an agreement with Old Dragon Profound long ago-I do not take disciples or teach cultivation; I only handle alchemy and artifact refining!”
“Martial Uncle, it is like this. This child possesses Five Spirit Roots, which is why the Third Elder sent him here to handle chores.”
“Five Spirit Roots? No wonder those old fools gave up on him and dumped him on me. What a fortunate little brat. Very well, leave him here.”
Fortunate? Since when were Five Spirit Roots considered fortunate?
Shu Han could only force a bitter smile.
With a wave of the old man’s hand, two dark pills flew into Liheng’s grasp. Overjoyed, Liheng bowed deeply. “Many thanks to Martial Uncle for the pills! This disciple will certainly-“
Before he could finish, the old man dismissed his flattery with a cold scold. “Nagging and dawdling! If there is nothing else, get lost!”
As Liheng scurried away in disgrace, Shu Han grew rigid with tension, clutching his small bundle and standing frozen in place. Seeing this, the old man glared fiercely. “What are you staring at, you foolish kid? Kneel and pay respects to your master!”
Frightened, Shu Han dropped to his knees and hurriedly kowtowed a dozen times, his head striking the floor loudly.
“Enough! Foolish kid, if you keep kowtowing, you will knock a hole right through my alchemy pavilion with that big head of yours. Get up and follow me!”
Rising to his feet, the old man said leisurely, “Upon entering my gate, this master will neither impart the Dao nor teach cultivation methods. I will only assign you tasks. Do them well, and there are no rewards; do them poorly, and the punishment will be severe. Do you understand, boy?”
Shu Han nodded hurriedly.
“However, if you manage to pick up even a fraction of skill from this old man, it will be more than enough for you to live in great wealth and glory in the mortal world.”
Pointing toward the massive bronze furnace, the old man issued his first order. “This furnace refines the pills for the entire sect, and the fire at its base must never be allowed to go out. Every morning you must go to the valley entrance to collect firewood. The pre-chopped century-old fruit wood is delivered daily; if there is ever a single day’s delay, this master will show you no mercy!”
With that, the old man walked toward the inner chamber. Shu Han saw a massive, two-story tall cabinet lined with countless densely packed drawers. The old man tossed a thick stack of manuals onto him and asked, “Boy, you can read, can you not?”
Shu Han replied with trembling caution, “Master, the immortal masters previously hired a teacher to instruct us.”
Nodding slightly, the old man said, “Good. This is my medicine cabinet, which stores the various herbs cultivated and gathered by the sect. This manual records the properties and locations of every herb. You have one month to memorize them all. When I refine pills in the future, you will be the one responsible for fetching the materials.”
After inspecting the inner chamber, the old man led Shu Han to the backyard.
A neat patch of medicinal fields filled the rear courtyard, heavy with the fragrance of growing herbs. Shu Han looked closely and was stunned to see thousands of stalks of Fufang Grass growing right before him. The spiritual herb that he had begged for previously grew here as common as chives in a backyard garden.
“Watering and fertilizing them daily is also your duty. The manual details the exact schedules and quantities for every spiritual herb. There must be no mistakes. Should any spiritual herb wither, this master will refine you into medicine instead!”
Terrified by the old man’s fierce expression, Shu Han nodded frantically.
The old man then tossed him a token.
“With this token, you may enter and leave the valley freely without being struck down by my Four-Pole Heavenly Sword Formation. Now, if you have any questions, ask them before I leave.”
Clutching the token tightly, Shu Han gathered his courage and asked, “Master, what about my cultivation?”
“You still wish to cultivate? Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit, you stubborn little wretch!”
Suppressing his fear, Shu Han stubbornly nodded once more.
“Forget it!”
Pulling a thin manual from his pocket, the old man flung it at Shu Han as if discarding trash.
“This is the Dragon Profound Sect’s Dragon Profound Three Revolutions Divine Art. Just practice according to it. Do not ask me any questions! This master has never cultivated such a wretched technique in his life!”