Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 147 - 147 93 Alchemy Assessment_1

147: 93 Alchemy Assessment_1 147: 93 Alchemy Assessment_1 “New Benefits!”

Shen Long curiously took the storage bag, his divine sense swept over it, his face lit up with joy.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators of Tianhu Peak received an annual salary of seven hundred spirit stones, but being selected into the Seventy-Two Showcases meant access to three times the cultivation resources of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, which was two thousand one hundred spirit stones, and on top of that, they received two Heyuan Pills each year.

“Thank you, Master Uncle Li, Master Uncle He.”

Shen Long expressed his thanks.

“This is what you deserve.

Now that the five sects of Qin Country are clashing with the four sects of Zhao Country, and you have made great contributions, there’s no need for you to go to the front lines anymore.

Cultivate well and strive to make new achievements in the future.”

Li Hua encouraged.

According to the plan of the five sects of Qin Country, they had to get a clear understanding of the specific strength of the four sects of Zhao Country before taking action.

Spirt Control Sect had sent people to the Green Cloud Mountain Range to inspect, and upon confirming the existence of a Jinlang Jade mine, they initiated the war early, with the justified cause being the four sects of Zhao Country allowing evil cultivators to enter Qin Country and harm the disciples of the Spirit Control Sect.

The five sects of Qin Country and the four sects of Zhao Country were battling it out at the border.

However, Spirit Control Sect seized the initiative and had already occupied the Jinlang Jade mine.

Of course, such a large cake couldn’t be monopolized by Spirit Control Sect alone, otherwise, the other four sects wouldn’t provide their assistance.

All five sects of Qin Country mined the Jinlang Jade mine together, but since it was Spirit Control Sect that discovered the vein and occupied it first, it naturally took the lion’s share.

“Yes, disciple will definitely strive to make new achievements.”

Shen Long promised readily, his expression respectful.

“Alright, nothing more for you here, you can go back now.”

Li Hua waved his hand, dismissing Shen Long.

Shen Long had just returned to Tianhu Peak when he saw Qian Dafu at the gate.

“Junior Brother Qian, how come you’re back?”

Seeing Qian Dafu, Shen Long was a bit surprised.

“The five sects of Qin Country have gone to war with the four sects of Zhao Country.

I was ordered to return to headquarters to be responsible for escorting cultivation resources to the front lines.

I heard that Senior Brother Shen advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Where have you been?

I haven’t heard from you for over a decade, and thought something happened to you!”

Qian Dafu said slowly.

Spirt Control Sect mobilized a large number of disciples and cultivation resources to deal with the four sects of Zhao Country, and Qian Dafu was also called back to escort the supplies to the front lines.

“I was out on a mission and only recently returned.

Didn’t Senior Sister Ye and Senior Brother Qin come back with you?”

Shen Long asked curiously.

“No, they’ve probably been dispatched to the front lines.

After so many years, you’ve advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Your cultivation speed is too fast!”

Qian Dafu exclaimed in amazement.

“It’s just luck, nothing more.”

Shen Long said modestly.

His cultivation speed far exceeded that of most Foundation Establishment cultivators in Spirt Control Sect, mainly due to feedback from the Gold-Winged Windroc.

Other disciples’ life-bound spirit beasts also provided feedback, but their beasts’ purity of bloodline was at most two, not as strong as the feedback from the Gold-Winged Windroc.

“Will you also participate in this great war?”

Qian Dafu asked.

“No, I’ve just returned from a mission and don’t wish to take part in this war.”

Shen Long explained.

Something came to his mind, and he said, “Come inside to talk!

Junior Brother Qian, I need to consult with you on something.”

Shen Long invited Qian Dafu into Qinglian Garden and served him tea.

After a cup of tea, Shen Long brought up serious business, “Junior Brother Qian, which uncle in our sect is the most skilled at alchemy?”

“The most skilled?

That’s not easy to say, but Master Uncle Qin Shuo’s name is quite well-known.

He’s a disciple of Grandmaster Liu.

Are you planning to learn alchemy?”

Qian Dafu casually asked.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had also learned alchemy, talisman crafting, and artifact refining but possessed no talent, wasting a huge amount of spirit stones.

“I can already refine mid-grade elixirs, but looking towards the future, I wish to take a third-order alchemist as my master.”

Shen Long said.

Being one of the Seventy-Two Showcases was already quite an honor, but he knew he could aim higher.

He wasn’t worried that taking a master would expose the Spirit Control Tower; as of now, it was merely a spatial treasure that was incredibly effective in hatching spirit beast eggs and spirit insect eggs, and there was nothing particularly remarkable about it otherwise.

If he could become a disciple of a third-order alchemist, Shen Long’s path would be all the smoother, and he would have access to even more cultivation resources and pill formulas.

The pill formulas treasured by Spirit Control Sect weren’t open to all disciples, and some rare formulas were only available for high-order alchemists to peruse.

“You can already refine mid-grade elixirs?”

Qian Dafu’s face was full of shock.

“Hmm, do you have any good ideas?

If I could become a disciple under Master Uncle Qin, I won’t let you down.”

Shen Long said.

“That’s not easy to do.

There are too many Foundation Establishment cultivators who want to take Master Uncle Qin as their master.

Moreover, Master Uncle Qin has not returned from his trip, so even if you want to take him as a master, you won’t find him.

However, you can start by participating in the alchemist assessment and take up a post at Tiandan Hall.

Master Uncle Qin’s descendants also work there, so build a good relationship with her first and take things slowly.”

Qian Dafu suggested.

“Thank you, Junior Brother Qian.”

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

“Heh, it’s nothing, just lending a hand.

And about that shop you opened, can I join in?

I’ll put in two thousand spirit stones.”

Qian Dafu asked, his face full of anticipation.

“Sure, I’d love to!

But aren’t you supposed to be escorting cultivation resources?

Do you have the time to manage this?”

Shen Long asked curiously.

“I don’t have time right now, but all wars come to an end.

Once it’s over, I’ll have plenty of time,”

Qian Dafu replied.

“That’s true.

Alright then, I’ll count you in.

Just be safe, and by the way, keep an eye out for any powerful spirit beasts or spirit birds; price is no object,”

Shen Long said.

“No problem, leave it to me.”

Qian Dafu promised, patting his chest.

After a leisurely chat over a cup of tea, Qian Dafu took his leave.

After seeing off Qian Dafu, Shen Long released his Snow Wind Sparrow, stepped onto its back, and gently patted it.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the sparrow stirred up a cold breeze and flew towards the high sky.

In less than half an hour, the Snow Wind Sparrow appeared above a high peak.

At the foot of the mountain, there was a golden stele over ten zhang high with “Tiandan Peak” inscribed in silver letters.

Over ninety percent of the alchemists from the Spirit Control Sect worked in the Tiandan Hall, which was located on Tiandan Peak.

Shen Long had already asked Qian Dafu; to work in the Tiandan Hall, one had to pass an exam to become an alchemist.

At the top of Tiandan Peak lay a sprawling Azure Stone Plaza with a blue palace over ten zhang high.

“Tiandan Palace” was inscribed on its plaque in golden letters.

There were two Qi Refining Cultivators guarding the entrance of Tiandan Palace, with cultivators coming and going.

The Snow Wind Sparrow landed at the entrance of Tiandan Palace, and Shen Long dismounted and put it away before walking towards the palace.

“Uncle, do you have a pass?”

One of the guards found Shen Long somewhat unfamiliar and stopped him.

“No, I’m here to take part in the alchemy exam.

I want to become an alchemist.

Please let them know that I, Shen Long from Qinglian Garden on Tianhu Peak, have arrived,”

Shen Long explained.

“Oh, Uncle Shen, please wait a moment, I’ll report this immediately,”

the guard said before turning to enter Tiandan Palace.

After a short while, a golden-robed man of medium stature came out, sized up Shen Long, and asked, “Senior Brother Shen wishes to take the alchemy exam?”

“Yes.

Is there a problem?”

Shen Long inquired.

“No problem, but according to the rules, you need to provide your own alchemy materials, and I have to observe the process.

You need to achieve at least a forty percent success rate to pass the exam,”

the golden-robed man explained.

“No problem.

May I know how to address Senior Brother?”

Shen Long asked politely.

“He Yue.

Follow me,”

the golden-robed man declared, turning back into Tiandan Palace.

Shen Long replied and quickly followed.

He noticed that there were two stone corridors, one on each side.

The left corridor was busy with Qi Refining Cultivators, but the right one seemed deserted.

“Junior Brother Shen, do you wish to take the exam for the first-rank alchemist or the second-rank?”

He Yue inquired.

Newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivators who learned alchemy and successfully concocted an elixir would often take the first-rank alchemist exam.

After passing, they would receive tasks to concoct first-rank elixirs, and as their proficiency improved, they would begin to craft second-rank elixirs.

“Second-rank elixirs.

I can concoct Heyuan Pills and Yellow Apricot Pills,”

Shen Long said.

“Do you have your own materials and alchemy furnace, or do you want me to provide them?”

He Yue continued.

“I have them with me!”

Shen Long responded.

“Good!

Then, follow me,”

He Yue led the way down the right corridor, and Shen Long followed.

After about twenty paces, they arrived at the end and stood before a stone chamber.

He Yue opened the door, and they entered a hundred-zhang-sized chamber and shut the door behind them.

“You can perform your alchemy here.

I’ll watch from the side without disturbing you.

There’s no time limit.

Just concoct Yellow Apricot Pills and Heyuan Pills, three sets of materials each.

How does that sound?”

He Yue proposed.

“No problem,”

Shen Long agreed, taking out his Scarlet Crow Cauldron and the alchemy materials.

He sat quietly for a quarter of an hour before beginning the alchemy process.

He Yue applied a soundproof barrier to avoid disturbing Shen Long and watched in silence.