Senior Sister, Please Help Me Practice

Chapter 68: The Great Pill Refining Competition

Sacred Pill Elder?

Chu Ming was momentarily stunned, but then suddenly realized, carefully examining the old man with a white beard in front of him. His cheeks involuntarily twitched.

Does he really look like Santa Claus?

"Deacon Chu, could you please come with me?" Sacred Pill Elder stroked his beard and smiled, his tone exceptionally sincere. This dispelled Chu Ming's concerns, but he still felt a bit puzzled.

Why would the Lord of the Sacred Alchemy Hall be looking for me?

Could it be that he found out about me destroying the alchemy room and not settling the debt?

Such a prominent figure shouldn't bother with such a trivial matter, right...

With a nervous heart, Chu Ming followed Sacred Pill Elder to a simple tea house deep in the bamboo forest.

After the two of them sat down, neither spoke first. They waited until a steward brought a pot of tea before Sacred Pill Elder broke the silence.

"Would you like to taste it?"

Seeing Sacred Pill Elder pouring tea and offering a cup, Chu Ming cautiously held it with both hands and took a sip.

In an instant, the rich aroma of the tea spread from his tongue to his whole body, causing a surge of spiritual energy.

"Mmm~" Chu Ming narrowed his eyes and hummed in satisfaction, unable to resist praising, "Good tea!"

Even though he didn't understand tea tasting, judging from the slightly bitter yet sweet taste in his mouth, this tea was indeed of high quality!

"This tea is called Jade Mountain Leaves. It is harvested from the peak of Jade Peak Mountain and undergoes eighty-one processes to enhance its fragrance. It has the effect of clearing the mind and nourishing the spleen," Sacred Pill Elder said with a sip, stroking his beard and smiling.

"It's my favorite tea."

"It is indeed excellent."

After the compliments, Chu Ming put down his teacup and asked somewhat cautiously, "So, Lord, is there something you wanted to discuss with me today?"

"Can't I invite you to drink tea without any reason?" Sacred Pill Elder smiled faintly, causing Chu Ming to smile wryly.

"As the overseer of the entire Sacred Alchemy Hall, you must be busy with daily affairs. It is fortunate for me to have the opportunity to meet with you."

"Even though I oversee the entire Sacred Alchemy Hall, I still cannot find a young genius in alchemy like you!" Sacred Pill Elder couldn't help but sigh, then looked at Chu Ming's slightly puzzled eyes and said softly.

"I have a favor to ask of you this time."

"Please tell me," Chu Ming said respectfully. Seeing this, Sacred Pill Elder stroked his beard and looked out the window at the swaying bamboo, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness.

"I want you to represent our Heavenly Evolution Sect's Sacred Alchemy Hall and participate in the Great Pill Refining Competition jointly organized by the five major sects..."

"!?" Chu Ming's expression was slightly stunned, followed by confusion on his face.

In the Northern Domain, in order to promote cultivation exchanges among disciples of various sects, expand their horizons and gain experience, the five major sects would hold various events from time to time, such as cultivation exchange meetings, pill refining competitions, and so on.

As one of the five major sects, the Heavenly Evolution Sect naturally sent disciples to participate every year.

However, isn't this kind of thing usually done by senior brothers and sisters from the inner sect?

Why is it my turn this time?

Seeing Chu Ming's perplexed and confused expression, Sacred Pill Elder seemed to see through his inner doubts and sighed softly before helplessly saying, "I know you may have some doubts about this matter, but you are the only one in the entire Sacred Alchemy Hall who is qualified to participate."

"I don't quite understand," Chu Ming sincerely asked.

"Although you have achieved some accomplishments in the path of alchemy, you are still too mediocre compared to the many geniuses. This matter concerns the face of the Heavenly Evolution Sect. Shouldn't you find senior brothers and sisters from the inner sect to participate?"

"If only I could find them..."

Sacred Pill Elder took a sip of tea, his tone somewhat desolate.

"Deacon Chu, you don't know this, but our Heavenly Evolution Sect mainly recruits disciples who have talent in cultivation. We rarely accept those who have exceptional talent in alchemy."

"As a result, the young disciples in our Sacred Alchemy Hall are becoming worse with each generation. On top of that, there are sects like the Vast Ocean Alchemy Sect among the Five Great Sects, which specifically cultivate alchemy. Most cultivators with talent in alchemy are recruited by them..."

"Bang!"

Before Chu Ming could say anything, Sacred Pill Elder angrily slammed the tea cup on the table.

"I have repeatedly reported to the elders of the inner sect in recent years, asking them to increase support for alchemy, and to increase the funding for the Sacred Alchemy Hall. But it has all fallen on deaf ears!"

"They say things like 'alchemy is a vulgar technique, if you want to cultivate, you must focus on improving your cultivation level'."

"..."

Chu Ming nodded sympathetically and waited until Sacred Pill Elder's emotions calmed down a bit before taking a sip of tea and helplessly saying, "But Master, with my limited skills, wouldn't it be embarrassing for me to participate?"

"If a sixteen-year-old Fifth Grade alchemist is considered embarrassing, then the entire Heavenly Evolution Sect will be ashamed."

"Poof!"

Chu Ming was choked and sprayed a mouthful of tea, which was then casually dispelled by Sacred Pill Elder with his spiritual power. A mischievous smile that didn't match his age appeared on his old face.

"Do you think you've hidden it well and I can't see through it?"

"..."

Chu Ming awkwardly wiped the corners of his mouth and couldn't help but mutter in his heart.

How did he figure out that I'm a Fifth Grade alchemist after such a short time? Can't even pretend anymore?

"How did you figure it out?"

"At a glance."

Sacred Pill Elder chuckled and pointed to his own head.

"Your spiritual power is already comparable to a cultivator in the Foundation Building realm."

"So high?"

Chu Ming widened his eyes in surprise.

Although he had expected the level of his spiritual realm, he didn't expect it to be so high!

Why does it feel like I'm gradually becoming a genius without even realizing it?

No, this is not good. I have to pretend to be ordinary!

Just as Chu Ming was lost in thought, Sacred Pill Elder lightly tapped the table with his finger, his pupils filled with enthusiastic admiration and approval.

"Deacon Chu, have you considered it?"

"Well..."

Chu Ming scratched his head, about to say something, but was interrupted by Sacred Pill Elder.

"Don't think about refusing for now."

"First of all, there are no requirements for achievements in the alchemy competition. After all, with the existence of the Vast Ocean Alchemy Sect, it's as difficult as reaching the sky to achieve good results."

"So, you just need to maintain the face of our Heavenly Evolution Sect."

"?"

Seeing Chu Ming's confusion, Sacred Pill Elder chuckled.

"Not only the disciples of the Five Great Sects participate in this alchemy competition, but also many talented disciples from various sects in the Northern Region come to learn and exchange."

"So, as long as your final result is higher than the disciples from other sects except the Five Great Sects, it's enough."

"..."

Chu Ming scratched his head, having something to say but feeling embarrassed to say it.

I haven't even said that I want to participate, why do you sound like I'm definitely going to participate?

"Of course, our Sacred Alchemy Hall will also provide you with some subsidies and rewards."

Sacred Pill Elder leaned down, whispering with a hint of mystery.

"Deacon Chu, do you know anything about the Heavenly Evolution Divine Wood Art?"

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(End of this chapter)