Chapter 3: Grade 1 Alchemist

Chapter 3: Grade 1 Alchemist

Back at her abode, Xiao Hong pulled out several jade slips from the bag that Deacon Lu had given her and scanned the jade slips one by one with her Divine Sense.

The best part of having Divine Sense - according to Xiao Hong - was the ability to directly memorise massive amounts of information at an insane speed. Just one sweep with the Divine Sense and you can directly imprint it in your memory.

While it did not help in actually comprehending the contents, it definitely made it easier.

With Divine Sense all she needed to do was browse through the contents of the jade slip for a few minutes and - Bam! You have memorised thousands of different herbs and their properties.

If she had this back on earth her life would have been so much easier. Shaking her head and stopping useless thoughts she continued scanning.

When she'd finished going through all of them, she received a notification from the system.

Ding! Discovered Profession Guide Book: Alchemy (Grade 1). Use 1 remaining slot for learning?

"Yes."

Done! Set Slot 4: Profession Guide Book: Alchemy

Using default energy source...

Done! Estimated learning time: 29 Days 4 hours

To speed up please find better energy sources

Once again, out of nowhere, she felt a large amount of information appear in her mind.

Ingredients, their interaction with each other, with heat, with the cauldron, with the atmosphere, with the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth... All sorts of information appeared in her mind one by one. At the same time, the system also simulated the process of refining pills over and over in her mind, forming a muscle memory of sorts. After the system was done, it would feel as though she had refined the said pills thousands of times each.

While the system was mastering Alchemy for her, she pondered on how to go about becoming a 1st-grade Alchemist.

Going for the test as soon as she was done was a big no-no. She wanted to come off as a prodigious alchemist and not an old-fogie-possessed-my-body and is now cultivating again.

Going too late was also not conducive to her. She couldn't be low-profile either, doing things at an average speed. Her looks didn't allow her to be low-profile no matter how much she wanted to!

So, the best option was to look like an extremely talented junior alchemist worth investing in. With this, people will believe her talent in alchemy and underestimate her battle prowess. This was an effective way of buying time until she could fend for herself.

While Senior Brother Chen had been chattering away, he'd told her a lot of information about how much alchemists were valued: A 1st-grade alchemist received far better treatment than an outer sect disciple did. 2nd and 3rd grade alchemists received treatment equivalent to Outer Sect Deacons and Elders, respectively. A 4th grade received better treatment than inner sect disciples while 5th and 6th grade alchemists received treatment that was no worse than Inner and Core Elders. The only 7th-grade alchemist of Purple Spirit Sect - Master Su - received better treatment than the Deputy Sect Master. Even the Sect Master was respectful to him and all his demands were met.

Prodigious junior alchemists also were valued immensely by the Sect and received even better treatment. Chen Yu also told her that he'd become a 1st grade alchemist in just 2 years and reached 2nd grade in 3 more. Thus was quite valued by the sect.

The fastest one to become an alchemist was Master An, who as of now was a 5th grade Alchemist and was also the sole true disciple of Master Su. He had become a 1st grade alchemist in 5 months, 2nd grade in seven and 3rd grade in a year.

Therefore, she decided to be 'slightly less talented' than this Master An.

She had to be valued by the sect so that some random young master wouldn't throw his weight - read ancestors - around in front of her.

She had heard plenty of rumours about how a young master took a fancy to a particular girl because of her beauty, played with her and threw her aside when he was bored. The most infamous was Mo Tong, having done this multiple times with no consequences.

Though, this was mostly because the sect didn't really give a shit about outer sect disciples: to the sect, the outer disciples were just cheap labour that could be easily replenished. The sect wouldn't offend an Inner Sect Elder by punishing his relative over some worthless Outer Sect disciple.

When she learnt of all this from old Xiao Hong's memories, it had chilled her blood at the blatant disregard for human rights. This was the sorrow of the weak, and there was nothing she could do about it.

These things also became the driving force behind her planning.

Plus this Mo Tong fellow apparently had his eye on her, further strengthening her resolve.

Otherwise, with her character, she would be quite content with slowly cultivating while earning money in a low-profile manner.

Having fleshed out her plans, she sunk into the haze of secluded cultivation.

7 Months passed by in a flash and Xiao Hong had turned 16 earlier this month.

Xiao Hong stood up from her cultivation pose and stretched her body.

'Let's take a bath.'

Bathing had become her favourite pastime.

In the bathroom, Xiao Hong was once again staring at her naked self in the mirror. She had grown slightly taller from her initial 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches. At the same time, other parts of her body also had grown as if to maintain the sensual figure.

"Hmm..." she cupped her breasts and whispered to herself, "These fellows seem to have grown quite a bit. Now they don't even fully fit in my hands."

She smirked as she felt the supple softness in her hands.

Thus, she took her longest bath ever.

***

After taking an unusually long bath, she came out wrapped in a towel.

She sat down and intoned: "STATUS"

[Ding!

Name: Xiao Hong

Age: 16

Lifespan: 400 years

Primary profession: Cultivator

Secondary Profession(s): Alchemist (Grade 1)

Inventory (3.375m3): Empty

Cultivation Base:

Essence: 2nd Layer of Sky Spirit

Physique: 3-star Ancient Godling (Initial Divine Sea Equivalent)

Soul: 2nd stage Red Soul (Peak Sky Spirit Equivalent)

Cultivation Method: Celestial God Essence Cultivation Method, Ancient God's Physique Scripture, Spirit God's Soul Cultivation Method

Skills:

Soaring Crane Sword (Lowest-Grade) - Small Accomplishment

Flash Step (Lowest-Grade) - Small Accomplishment

Battle Prowess: High (Early Divine Sea Equivalent.)

Automatic Cultivation Slots: 4

Slot 1: Celestial God Essence Cultivation Method

Slot 2: Ancient God's Physique Scripture

Slot 3: Spirit God's Soul Cultivation Method

Slot 4: Empty

Details: Speed is 2.125x per Method

]

She noticed how her Physical Cultivation seemed to have blazed ahead.

'It seems I am quite talented in Physical Cultivation?'

"Now, I'm completely broke..." She looked sadly at the two piles of ashes as if she'd lost a piece of her heart. She was slowly, but surely, becoming a money-grubber.

Shaking her head, a determined look came over her face.

"Today's the day."Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

Indeed, about five hours from now there will be an assessment for 1st grade Alchemists.

In the past 7 months, she had attended Alchemy lectures that were held, showed ample participation during said lectures and showed she was a prospective genius alchemist - by showing understanding far beyond that of the normal disciples.

Now all she had to do was pass the test and certify herself as a 1st grade alchemist, and she would get a steady source of income.

***

At the foot of the Alchemy Hall's mesa, a figure in red-golden gracefully landed.

And as soon as she landed and her Qi coating dispersed, the usual hullabaloo wherever she went started. At first, it had been irritating but gradually she learned to get used to it; at some point, it even became a useful resource for her. For example, she once learned that bitch Mo Tong had been seen lurking around in the vicinity of the Alchemy Hall.

From then on she landed much further away, scouring the place thoroughly with her Divine Sense. Depending on the result, she would decide whether to attend the lecture or not. A special thing she discovered about her Divine Sense was that it was undetectable to cultivators. Even a Nirvana Realm couldn't detect her. However, she speculated her Divine Sense would still be detected by Fusion and above.

"Hey! Look, look! Junior sister Xiao Hong really came! Does that mean the rumours are true?"

"It looks like it!"

"I heard from my cousin that his master was quite optimistic about her and believed that she would be able to take the 1st-grade exam within a year!"

"But it's been only... what? Half a year?"

"... Maybe she's here to, uh, broaden her horizons? Experience the exam before actually properly attempting it?"

"Maybe? These geniuses rarely make sense. Especially compared to plebs like us. It's entirely possible she's her for real."

"She's beautiful today too..."

"... Senior sister, if you like her then you might as well give it a try."

"Good idea! I'm going to introduce myself during the checking for lady cultivators in the pill-refining exam!"

"... They assigned a deviant pervert like you as an invigilator? I really want to crack open the head of that person and check his brains."

Xiao Hong's ears perked up at the last exchange.

"Tell me the truth, little girl."

Xiao Hong was stunned. How did he see through her at a glance?

Looking at her surprised look, he explained: "Your demeanour while answering questions was quite steady. You answered calmly, precisely and to the point. From this, I can tell you're not a hasty person no matter how excited you are. You are someone who can keep their calm, making it very unlikely for you to make such a decision. Therefore, you definitely need the status of an alchemist as a support. Hmm. Perhaps the Punishment Hall? Only that comes to mind. Ah yes. It is indeed, isn't it? Your face says it all. I recently heard that Inner Elder Mo's nephew was throwing his weight around in the Hall a little while ago."

Incidentally, to old fogies his age, a 'little while' meant a few months to half a year or even a year. This was because their perception of time changes as they age, and is drastically different from juniors.

"Does that have something to do with you?"

Xiao Hong was dumbfounded yet again. However, she calmed down soon enough. She realised that she shouldn't underestimate these old fellows; because despite them having spent most of their time in closed-door cultivation, they still were far more experienced than her in their understanding of humans. Whatever little experience she had in understanding the human heart, it was not much in front of these old monsters.

Therefore, she decided to directly tell the truth, from Lin Fan's death to Mo Tong's visit to the Alchemy Hall. She even told them the unsettling rumours about Mo Tong.

"Hmph! That little beast dares to touch a genius of our Alchemy Hall? See if I don't break his-"

"-Elder Meng." Elder Dong interrupted.

"Ahem"

On the other hand, Elder Fang's gaze was cold. "Are you sure about those rumours?"

"I don't know about the accuracy of those rumours. But I believe there is no smoke without fire. So I want to stay as far away as possible from him."

"Hmm. Very well. I'll allow you to take on the practical test now. Come with me." said Elder Fang as she strode out with Xiao Hong obediently following behind her.

***

As Xiao Hong followed Elder Fang along the hallway, she realised how much she underestimated these cultivators, forgetting her resolution of not basing them on the cultivation novels she'd read back on earth; while there may be similarities, they were still people who lived for a long time and had seen too many things.

Thus, she decided to change her plans.

She decided that displaying the image of an honest and simple girl who liked alchemy and sought the Dao was the best. The greatest deception she will ever use is the cliche trope of hiding her strength.

At the same time, she was more determined to find a powerful backing. Who knows when she'd unknowingly be used as a pawn in someone's plan and end up dead or worse? She wanted to be the chess master, not the piece.

Arriving at a Hall that was larger than the previous assessment hall, Xiao Hong broke out of her thoughts.

***

Elder Fang entered her room and made her way to the three elders sitting on a similarly elevated table. The difference was that in the middle of the room was a cauldron half the size of a human with flames flickering beneath it.

Xiao Hong felt very slight qi fluctuations from Elder Fang as she used qi transmission to say something to the three Elders. Generally speaking, even cultivators of the same stage couldn't sense other cultivators using qi transmission, but due to the overpowered cultivation methods she practised her sensitivity to qi was frankly monstrous.

As they were talking with qi transmission the elders turned to look at Xiao Hong. Apparently, the rightmost elder's comprehension of the Dao of Expressionless and Indifference was not up to the mark and he raised his eyebrow. Xiao Hong felt strangely smug.

"Hm. Very well, Elder Fang; we'll make an exception and advance her assessment." said the man in the middle who also sported a Grade 4 badge. Turning to Xiao Hong he continued with a pointed look, "We, however, won't show any leniency in our assessment."

"Disciple thanks the Elders for their generosity." she cupped her hands with a slight downward tilt of her head.

"Hm. Go to the adjoining room. A disciple will check you for any means used for cheating."

"Disciple understands."

Nodding, she walked into the said room, where she found a familiar senior sister.

The senior sister, who had looked up, was quite surprised.

"E-Eh? J-Junior Sister Hong? Aren't you here for the first two assessments today?"

She was quite surprised. She had specially asked the Deacon to give her the shift for inspection of disciples for all days, surprising the Deacon.

She liked girls. Which the Deacon didn't know. So he happily assigned her the job, while praising her for her hard-working nature.

The senior sister was especially excited for tomorrow because there was a certain girl she had an eye on, who was now in front of her; a day earlier. Thus, she was quite unprepared and accidentally called her out in a much more familiar manner than she intended. After all, she had many dreams, fantasies and imaginary situations involving Xiao Hong. The most prevalent was one where they were a happy couple, calling each other intimately while doing special things.

Xiao Hong cocked her eyebrow at the rather familiar way of address. But she didn't mind. It was a senior sister after all. She had to be lenient. She also recognised the voice and the face as the one who wanted to spend a night with her.

"Mhm, but there were some special circumstances, so mine was brought forward." She didn't fully explain.

"Ah! My name is Qiao Guiying. A 2nd grade alchemist." She gave her name even though she didn't need to.

"Nice to meet you, Senior Sister Guiying." She flashed a beautiful smile at the now-named senior sister, making her slightly flustered at the equally familiar way of address.

"A-Ahem. I need to check you for anything that can be used for cheating. Is that fine?"

"Mhm." Xiao Hong nodded in assent.

"Then I'll be rude," she said and started to pat her down... and continued patting her down...

Xiao Hong's expression was slightly strange. She wasn't entirely sure before, but she was completely sure now. This girl definitely had a thing for her.

She looked at Qiao Guiying carefully and nodded. Looking to be in her early twenties, she was a young woman in her prime. With slightly curly, dark brown hair, a heart-shaped face, willowy brows, a pair of clear, deep blue eyes, a shapely nose and sculpted lips. Her body was probably the most sinful one she'd laid eyes on until now, with huge peaks that almost burst out, a supple waist and wide hips.

She licked her lips as a smirk appeared on her face, 'Hehe~'

"Senior Sister, are you done?" she asked, the smirk only widening at the flustered reaction and the gentle bounce:

"A-ah? Y-yeah! I'm done! You're clean!"

"Then, I'll be going~! Wish me luck!"

"Y-yes! Best of luck junior sister Xiao Hong! I know you will dazzle the Elders!"

"Hehe~ With Senior Sister's blessings there's no way I'd not!" She walked out after hugging the surprised senior sister.

A while later, the senior sister opened her hand and looked at a piece of paper, which she opened to read:

"Bai Yu Peak, 247"

The senior sister blushed up to her ears.

"How indecent!" and skipped back to her seat with a spring in her step. No one knew what was indecent: her thoughts or Xiao Hong's implication behind giving her the note.

***

She returned from the room with a fake serious and focused expression on her face.

"Hm. You may begin. Refine a bottle of Qi-returning pills of at least 'good' quality. You have 3 tries." said the Elder in the middle.

'Not too hard, not too easy. Well, for beginner alchemists at least.'

A pill's efficacy could be ranked by quality, which was, from low to high:

Trash grade, which meant exactly that: it was useless and would bring more harm than good. A waste of ingredients.

Acceptable grades can be consumed. 50% of the medicinal efficacy of the ingredients is maintained.

Good grades are of a better quality, and you don't have to worry too much about pill poisoning; unless you take too many in too short a time. This is the most widely circulated quality in the market and can therefore be considered average quality. Up to 70% efficacy.

High grades. Even if you take too many, you are more likely to die from an explosion of too much energy than due to pill toxin. Up to 80% efficacy.

Top-grade medicinal pills can maintain up to 90% efficacy of the ingredients used. Very rare. This grade can only be achieved by really talented alchemists.

Supreme: Up to 99% efficacy is maintained. Only absolute geniuses are able to refine this quality of pills and even then it is mostly by luck. Or when some Master Alchemist refines a low-tier pill.

Perfect: 100% efficacy. It is basically a myth. Even a 7th-grade alchemist can't do it while refining a 1st-grade pill.

Xiao Hong decided to refine a High-quality pill to show off her talent. Even though she could refine perfect-grade pills, it would be too eye-catching to do that. Even if she was somewhat starting to like all the attention, that was too much.

Taking a deep breath, she started pre-processing the ingredients, separating the required parts of the herbs with a practised hand. Leaves, roots, stems, sap etc were all separated into different containers.

Done with the pre-processing, she moved over to the cauldron and used the flame control method to intensify the flames, before expertly throwing the ingredients one by one and refining them.

Finally, after all 37 ingredients were fully refined, she gathered them into small round pills before turning up the heat.

After keeping them in that state for a while, she slowly decreased the flames' intensity before completely lowering it to be the same as before.

On the elders' side, the four of them looked at the girl in front of them gracefully refining the ingredients like she had been doing this all her life.

The other 4th-grade alchemist, Elder Lu, turned to Elder Fang, who was now seated on his right and queried with a strange look on his face, "... You're saying she is a beginner?"

Elder Fang's eye twitched, "... Apparently"

The look on his face became even stranger, "Another monster. Great! I feel like my 'talent' in alchemy is actually fake now. Mhm, I must only be a normal person."

He'd been there for only two exams in his life: the first time he'd received a blow due to a certain monstrous prodigy. Now that he had somewhat gotten past that setback, he received another one.

The elders on each side had dark faces, 'Dammit! If you are normal, then what are we? Trash?'

But they didn't dare say it out loud. Wasn't it good to have face? Why would they want to throw it away?

Just as they were monologuing, Xiao Hong completed the condensation of pills with a hand seal.

"Elders, this disciple is done." She looked up at the few people who were staring at her with strange expressions.

'Oh my, did I accidentally fuck up?' She looked down at the bottle of still warm High-quality pills, 'Nope, these are perfect.'

'Perhaps I looked too beautiful while refining and they ended up enchanted?'

She became nervous, 'I wouldn't mind Elder Fang but others are a no-go.'

Looking at the increasingly nervous Xiao Hong, he misunderstood, "Relax, disciple Xiao Hong. We were just surprised at your proficiency in refining pills. Please bring over the pills"

She did so.

"Hm. High quality! Not bad, not bad at all!" Elder Lu snatched it over before exclaiming. Passing the bottle to the others, he looked at Xiao Hing and said, "You pass! Here is your alchemy badge, from today onwards you are an alchemist of the Purple Spirit Sect! I hope to see you working hard in your pursuit of Alchemy."

He passed over a badge made of black spirit jade and imprinted with a single golden pill and the words 'Grade 1' under it.

"Definitely Elder Lu! I'll do my best to live up to your expectations!" said excitedly before imprinting her mark on the badge and fixing it on her chest.