Chapter 10

"Are you interested in learning alchemy?"

Leaving the study, Lu Bei told Bai Jin about his intention to further his studies, but the latter found it very puzzling, thinking that Lu Bei was just having a sudden whim.

"It’s not a sudden whim, Senior Sister. I’m very serious."

Lu Bei said solemnly, "I want to learn a craft. Not to mention that having more skills is always beneficial, and having more options means more paths to survival. Just the fact that alchemy is a necessary skill for our kind, getting an early start is a good thing."

"Junior Brother, you have just barely entered the realm of cultivation. It’s too hasty to start learning alchemy at this point. You should focus on cultivation and solidify your foundation."

Bai Jin shook her head and said, "If you lack elixirs for cultivation, just say so. When I’m not around, you can find Senior Sister Zhu, and she will meet your needs."

Bai Jin suspected that Lu Bei lacked a sense of security. The Three Clarity Peak was too impoverished, with few cultivation resources. Moreover, being young and proud, he was unwilling to ask for help, which led to his desire to learn alchemy.

Without learning alchemy, there would be no experience, and without experience, one would have to diligently cultivate, and diligent cultivation would mean he wasn’t a genius anymore.

Lu Bei muttered to himself, then straightened his face: "Senior Sister, to be honest, I spend all day cultivating, and you don’t let me go out. I’m bored and want to find a hobby to pass the time."

"Junior Brother, your reasoning is sound. I was shortsighted."

Bai Jin nodded, accepting this reason.

Sending Lu Bei to the Dashing Pass’s alchemy room to learn alchemy without leaving the premises would ensure he wouldn’t be harmed by the dangerous world. With Zhu Yan watching over him, it was indeed a good way to pass the time.

This way, it would also prevent him from sneaking out when she wasn’t around.

"I’ll speak to Senior Sister Zhu on your behalf. It shouldn’t be a problem."

"Then I’ll trouble you, Senior Sister."

Lu Bei nodded and, as he turned to leave, suddenly thought of something and said with a strange expression, "Senior Sister, weren’t you in a hurry to return to the Lingxiao Sword Sect? Why aren’t you in a rush now?"

"……"

Bai Jin’s face immediately turned red. She only said that she needed to buy some items in Dashing Pass, all women’s things, and told Lu Bei not to ask more.

Can you even call yourself a woman?

By the facts and logic, your disciple’s daughter is the one who should be called a woman!

Lu Bei’s mouth twitched, but he was sensible enough not to say it. His goal was already achieved, and it was time to leave.

……

The next day, Bai Jin left early, planting three sword talismans on Lu Bei’s hand, saying they would protect him in times of danger.

Zhu Yan, who was unhappy, bid farewell to Bai Jin and took Lu Bei in a carriage to the Huangji Sect’s base in Dashing Pass.

Dashing Pass, as the county seat and capital of Dongqi County, had the largest population and economy. The presence of the Huangji Sect further boosted the county’s prosperity.

Without mentioning other factors, just the economic benefits brought by wealthy royal descendants like Zhu Yan were not insignificant.

First, the land prices soared.

Second, the Huangji Sect’s Dashing Pass base had daily replenishments and consumption of elixirs and array diagrams, with merchants and immortal sects coming and going, generating a substantial tax revenue.

The key point was that the Huangji Sect’s base in Dashing Pass was located in a valley to the west of the county, far from the county center, yet the number of shops along the roads remained high.

The entire valley was leased by the Huangji Sect, divided into several areas for different departments.

The alchemy room area was filled with pavilions and green trees.

At first glance, it seemed there were no strict defenses, but in reality, the formations were intricately linked. If it weren’t for Zhu Yan’s guarantee and the proof at the entrance, Lu Bei would have been taken to a small black room by a man jumping out of the bushes after just a few steps.

Zhu Yan was in charge of the alchemy room’s accounts, working under a chief accountant and two colleagues. Her main job was to mix days, and she could basically ensure a 15-day attendance in a month, which earned her the praise of her superior.

Don’t ask why, it’s because she’s surnamed Zhu.

Zhu Yan was very self-aware. People respected her not because of her, but to avoid trouble. Therefore, she had no airs and greeted everyone with a smile, making friends everywhere.

With her help, Lu Bei quickly found a job in the alchemy room.

Intern alchemist.

His mentor, Lin Bohai, was an experienced alchemist, a 20-year veteran of the alchemy room, born in the Huangji Sect, and trained systematically in alchemy.

Lin Bohai looked at Lu Bei with a helpless expression, seeing his eager look, which made him even more helpless.

As a veteran, the most headache-inducing were the newbies who came through connections. Ignoring them would be bad, but managing them...

To put it bluntly, managing them would be a nightmare!

Fortunately, life in the alchemy room was dull and monotonous, and Lin Bohai had a lot of experience dealing with newbies. He was confident that within three months, Zhu Yan’s distant relative would give up.

He composed himself and said kindly, "Lu Bei, have you ever practiced alchemy before?"

"No."

"No problem."

Lin Bohai nodded, as expected. He stroked his beard and smiled, "It’s not a problem. Watching someone else do it is enough, and it’s easy to pick up."

"I haven’t watched either."

"……"

Lin Bohai fell silent for a moment, realizing this wasn’t a newbie but a young master looking for trouble.

Considering Zhu Yan’s identity, this young master’s family background wouldn’t be bad either. He might be bold and possibly surnamed Zhu, hiding his identity to find amusement.

That would be even simpler.

Lin Bohai led Lu Bei to a single-person alchemy room on the second floor, equipped with a desk, tea, and a window offering a beautiful view of the valley.

Spending a long time here, not only would one’s tea-making skills improve, but it would also strengthen one’s desire for freedom.

This was how Lin Bohai usually dealt with young masters and misses.

"Lu Bei, the path of alchemy is profound and complex, and it’s hard to explain in words. After years of research, I’ve come up with four words."

Lin Bohai raised four fingers and said firmly, "There’s nothing difficult in the world, only familiarity through practice!"

"Master Lin is absolutely right."

Lu Bei nodded in agreement. He felt the same way; there was no need to complicate things, as his personal panel would handle everything.

After that, he brought several comprehensive alchemy foundation books, some cheap herbs, and tools, and told Lu Bei to practice while reading. If he had any questions, he should write them down on paper, and Lin Bohai would answer them the next morning.

"The alchemy furnace is here. Try your hand at it. I have a batch of elixirs to complete, and the fire is a bit too strong, so I can’t stay to accompany you." Seeing Lu Bei enthusiastically measuring the herbs, Lin Bohai quickly slipped away.

From a personal standpoint, Lin Bohai didn’t like Lu Bei. The reason was very practical: mentoring a disciple was time-consuming and costly.

The salary of an alchemist was pitifully low, both in official and civilian sectors.

The reasons on the official side were too complex, but in the civilian sector, alchemists had a success rate. Each batch of elixirs could be divided into high-quality, standard, and failed elixirs.

When luck was good, a batch could be all high-quality. When luck was bad, a slight tremor of the hand could ruin the entire batch.

Therefore, the raw materials for each batch were always in excess, allowing alchemists to have some leeway in their consumption.

The main income of alchemists never came from their salary. Experienced alchemists made money from the raw materials. After a batch of high-quality or standard elixirs, the remaining raw materials were pocketed and sold for profit.

Due to this uncontrollable rule, the monthly salary of alchemists became increasingly low, a tacit acknowledgment allowing alchemists to earn extra income using their experience and skills while completing their assigned tasks.

As a complete newbie, Lu Bei would definitely consume a lot of materials, and part of that would be attributed to Lin Bohai. Although Zhu Yan had guaranteed that he wouldn’t need to worry about the consumption, he couldn’t risk it. If the consumption was too high and the other party turned against him, could he really fight against the royal family?

"Whatever, who am I to be so magnanimous! The alchemy room is dull, and I doubt this young master will stay for long."

Lin Bohai stroked his beard, giving Lu Bei ten days, at most ten days. If Lu Bei could last ten days, he would do a headstand to make an elixir.

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Thank you to 'Still Came to Read the Official Version', 'Collect 16 to 25-Year-Old Beautiful Girls', and 'P0cKy' for the alliance support. They are all familiar faces, and I appreciate your continued support.

Speaking of which, the one who collects beautiful girls, wasn’t that ID banned?

Unbelievable, it’s actually back.