Chapter 474: Chapter 473: Choosing
Originally, the numerous alchemists in the Pill Treasure Hall had been the ones left over after selections by the three Grand Elders. Whether in terms of alchemy skill or potential, they were far inferior to the original batch that had followed the three Grand Elders.
Now, a group of alchemists with some potential, like Zhang Hee, had suddenly been pulled away by Elder Dan Jun. Moreover, this happened right as a new elder arrived, about to select registered disciples. This naturally made them think.
*To become an Immortal Cultivator, who among them wasn’t a person with a perceptive mind?*
*Everyone felt a distinct atmosphere.*
...
In the following days, Bai Ziyue stayed in his cultivation residence, quietly focusing on his practice.
Even without using soul energy and spirit stones for training, the dense spiritual qi within Qingxu Mountain’s spirit meridian significantly enhanced his cultivation efficiency.
In just a few days, he felt a noticeable change in himself, and the accumulation of divine thought power within his body also became a bit more substantial.
In such an environment, he was confident that, even without relying on external aids, he could complete his first transformation within half a year, thereby breaking through the shackles of his current realm and advancing to the mid-stage Divine Realm.
On this day, Bai Ziyue finally stepped out of his cultivation residence and headed to the Pill Treasure Hall.
"How is Elder Kunlun doing these days?"
Dongfang Ming greeted Bai Ziyue warmly and said,
"Quite well. This time, I need to trouble Elder Dongfang,"
Bai Ziyue nodded slightly and then said.
"Elder Kunlun is too polite. The Sect Leader instructed me to make proper arrangements, and I naturally wouldn’t dare to disobey.
Besides, your alchemy skills are incredibly profound. In the future, I might need to consult with you frequently. I hope you won’t find me bothersome then,"
Dongfang Ming laughed and said.
"Naturally not."
Bai Ziyue waved his hand, chuckling.
"Elder Dongfang, Elder Kunlun.
All the alchemists are waiting at the square. Shall we begin selecting registered disciples?"
At that moment, a cultivator who looked like a steward walked over and asked.
Dongfang Ming couldn’t help but direct his gaze toward Bai Ziyue.
"Let’s head over and take a look first,"
Bai Ziyue nodded. He was here to select disciples, so he naturally wouldn’t hesitate.
"In our Pill Treasure Hall, alchemists above third-grade are few, but ordinary alchemists are not scarce.
I remember that there are over a hundred second-grade alchemists registered, five hundred first-grade alchemists, and over two thousand alchemy apprentices. The entire Pill Treasure Hall has more than three thousand people.
Even if we, along with True Monarch Dan Chen, have already selected some alchemists for training, there should still be some promising talents left.
You can carefully select a few. If you find some hidden potential alchemists and help them advance from first-grade to second-grade or from second-grade to third-grade, the gain would be significant.
By the way, you can select a total of ten second-grade alchemists, fifty first-grade alchemists, and one hundred fifty alchemy apprentices to become your registered disciples.
Subsequently, you will oversee their alchemy affairs,"
explained Dongfang Ming along the way.
"That’s quite a number,"
Bai Ziyue nodded slightly. Soon, he arrived at the square and saw at a glance the hundreds of people scattered on the square.
All these people were wearing alchemist’s robes. From their attire, Bai Ziyue could clearly discern their alchemy tiers.
"Seventeen second-grade alchemists, one hundred and three first-grade alchemists, five hundred and fifty-one alchemy apprentices... What is going on? Why are there only this many people?"
Dongfang Ming’s face changed, and he instantly turned his gaze toward the steward.
He had just boasted about the thousands in the entire Pill Treasure Hall. Even accounting for those selected by the three Grand Elders and True Monarch Dan Chen, there should still be nearly two thousand.
Yet here, they couldn’t even gather a thousand.
Bai Ziyue was momentarily stunned, quickly sensing something was amiss.
None of the first or second-grade alchemists present belonged to the first-grade high-tier or second-grade high-tier levels; most were at the initial-stage level.
Moreover, whether it was an illusion or not, these alchemists appeared to be slightly older, clearly indicating limited potential.
A thoughtful expression appeared in his eyes.
"A few days ago, Elder Dan Jun and Elder Guohuo took on a substantial batch of pill-making tasks from the Internal Affairs Hall, so they specifically recruited a group of alchemists to handle it..."
The steward wiped cold sweat from his brow and cautiously explained.
"It seems some are not too welcoming toward me,"
Bai Ziyue said with a cold smile, then shifted his gaze to the group of alchemists on the square.
With a thought, he instantly executed the Great Cave Observation Technique.
Instantly, all the alchemists present were silently under his investigation.
The Great Cave Observation Technique was a top-tier investigation spell. It could not only reveal the Immortal Technique Realm of various cultivators and the treasure light on their bodies but even provide hints of their emotions, such as joy, anger, sorrow, and distress.
Initially, he had relied on this technique to easily discern the authenticity of the Divine Power Techniques written by Master Xu San.
Now, he could naturally use this technique to easily determine who held hostility toward him, whose thoughts were impure, and who harbored resistance among them...
"Elder Kunlun, the quality of this batch of alchemists is too poor. Give me two days, and I’ll select a batch for you.
Additionally, my Danxia Peak has a few registered disciples with decent alchemy skills. I’ll also share them with you at that time,"
Dongfang Ming quickly said, looking at Bai Ziyue.
"No need, this batch is actually quite good,
and I already have someone in mind."
Bai Ziyue waved his hand and suddenly flicked his fingers. A burst of spirit light instantly shot forth from his hand.
Immediately, the spirit light divided like raindrops, quickly splitting into two hundred and ten points and landing directly on the Alchemists.
"Anyone touched by my spirit light shall become my registered disciple, starting immediately. You will also reside in my Fire Spirit Peak and refine Spirit Pills.
By the way, my name is Bai Ziyue. My Daoist name is Kunlun, High-tier Third-Grade Alchemist. You may call me Elder Bai, Kunlun Elder, or Master Kunlun."
Bai Ziyue looked at these Alchemists, casually introducing himself.
"High-tier Third-Grade Alchemist?"
Everyone inhaled sharply.
They had initially thought Bai Ziyue was merely an Initial-Stage Third-Grade Alchemist. But unexpectedly, his alchemy prowess was so formidable.
He even surpassed Master Dan Jun, who was reputed to be the next Hall Master candidate, but only possessed the strength of a Middle-Tier Third-Grade Alchemist.
"I’ve been chosen?"
Chen Fan’s breathing became rapid, his face full of disbelief.
He had just become a First-grade Initial-stage Alchemist and was considered the weakest among First-grade Alchemists. *He actually had no confidence at all.*
The result was a pleasant surprise for him.
"Moreover, the most important thing is, Kunlun Elder is a High-tier Third-Grade Alchemist... Doesn’t that mean his alchemy skills are second only to Hall Master Dan Chen?"
His eyes widened in excitement.
*He had never thought before he could become a registered disciple of a High-tier Third-Grade Alchemist.*
If he could gain guidance from him, or even just receive casual tips during his alchemy sessions, it would certainly immensely elevate his alchemy skills.
*At this moment, he couldn’t help but recall Zhang Hee and others, who had bragged with hubris a few days ago.*
His eyes flashed with a hint of sympathy.
He already understood that they were only temporarily ’borrowed’ by Bixia Peak for alchemy and were not meant to be registered disciples.
Missing such an opportunity was undoubtedly a huge loss.
"Kunlun Elder, how could you decide so hastily?
Also, you’ve only selected seven second-grade alchemists, not even ten..."
Dongfang Ming said anxiously.
"It’s fine.
I also selected fifty-three first-grade alchemists, didn’t I?"
Bai Ziyue gestured dismissively.
"But the alchemy work of these registered disciples is linked to your achievements.
Furthermore, you might not know that lower-level alchemists often have a low pill success rate and produce lower-tier spirit pills, making it hard to ensure returns. And cultivating them requires resources.
If the gains cannot balance expenses, or even leave profits, Hall Master Dan Chen might not mention it, but someone will surely speak out.
Especially with Master Dan Jun displaying evident hostility now..."
Dongfang Ming explained quickly.
"Thank you, Elder Dongfang, for the reminder."
Bai Ziyue nodded but said nothing more.
...
Three days later, at Fire Spirit Peak.
"Three Third-Grade Pill Furnaces, thirty Second-Grade Pill Furnaces, and three hundred First-Grade Pill Furnaces have all been stocked.
Moreover, the tasks assigned to us have also been finalized.
Among First-grade Spirit Pills, ten thousand Qi Storage Pills, five thousand Kaiyang Pills, five thousand Blood Spirit Pills...
In Second-grade Spirit Pills, one thousand Nourishing Essence Pills, five hundred Blessing Source Pills, five hundred Vitality Pills...
All corresponding herbs and spiritual materials have been stocked too. According to customary practice, we received twice the amount of spiritual materials.
However, the alchemists at Fire Spirit Peak generally have low expertise, naturally affecting pill success rates. If tasks are unmet, Elder, you’ll have to supplement the lacking parts."
The steward assigned to Fire Spirit Peak looked at Bai Ziyue with concern.
"Don’t worry, I have my ways to handle it."
Bai Ziyue merely nodded and then said, "Notify everyone, whether alchemist or alchemy apprentice, that today they can freely receive three portions of alchemy materials they excel in from the storage. Begin alchemy.
I want to assess their alchemy skills."
"Yes!"
The steward responded promptly and quickly disseminated the notice.
Half an hour later.
On a flat area of Fire Spirit Peak, more than two hundred people simultaneously took materials and officially began alchemy.
Bai Ziyue sat cross-legged on a plain spot, eyes lightly raised, and employed the Great Cave Observation Technique to inspect everyone’s alchemy, showing no change in expression even if someone experienced failure at the start.
...
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