Chapter 77: Senior Sister Zhong Yu
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Senior Sister Zhong Yu
"I’d like to shorten my guard duty at the Earth Fire Hall, reducing the original term to five years," Zhang Chi continued.
With the help of items like the Eye of the Spirit Spring and Spirit Tea, he was confident he could reach the Qi Cultivation Peak within five years, so there was no need to remain stationed at the Earth Fire Hall for so long.
Besides, he no longer cared about that paltry number of Contribution Points. More importantly, he knew this was a trivial matter for Fu Hongchang.
In the past, asking for such a small favor would have been an imposition, but now, it was an opportunity to strengthen their relationship.
Otherwise, even if he had gone directly to the Sect Hall with his request, the Sect would never have fined him many Spirit Stones once they learned he was a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist.
"That’s easy. A simple word from me can solve it. In fact, I guarantee you won’t be fined, and you won’t even lose any of your monthly Contribution Points. But since you’ve seen the light, why not just cancel the assignment altogether?"
As expected, Fu Hongchang readily agreed.
"I haven’t completely made up my mind, and I’ve grown accustomed to using the free Alchemy Rooms there. It’s also very quiet, so I don’t mind staying a while longer," Zhang Chi said, offering a simple excuse.
"Alright. Suit yourself. But as I’ve said, if you change your mind, come find me anytime."
Fu Hongchang didn’t think too much of it and dropped the subject.
He then took out a Communication Talisman, spoke a few words into it, and sent it directly to the Sect Hall.
"It’s done. You just need to go over and re-register. The compensation for guarding the Earth Fire Hall will remain unchanged." Fu Hongchang received a reply shortly after and said with a smile.
"Thank you, Elder."
Zhang Chi immediately cupped his fist in thanks.
"Don’t mention it. By the way, since you’re now a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist, you should take on some missions to refine Demon Soul Pills. The Sect collected a large number of Demonized Monster Pills during the last assessment. The number of Demonized Beasts has also been on the rise lately, so we’re overwhelmed with Demon Pills and have no one to refine them."
"The Sect is in dire need of disciples like you, whose Alchemy skills have reached the Tier One Middle Grade," Fu Hongchang added.
"Understood, Elder."
Heeding the advice, Zhang Chi immediately went to accept the missions.
The Pill Hall even gave him the Pill Formula for the Tier One Demon Soul Pill.
Of course, Zhang Chi had already secretly obtained it from the Inheritance Hall, but he kept that to himself.
From now on, he could also openly sell Tier One Middle Grade Demon Soul Pills.
This elixir was quite similar to the Gathering Essence Pill, except its main ingredient was a Demon Pill, and it also had some beneficial effects for Body Refining.
Afterward, Zhang Chi went to the Sect Hall and successfully changed the term of his guard duty at the Earth Fire Hall.
"You’re Zhang Chi, right? My name is Zhong Yu. Let’s exchange contact information. When I come to you for elixirs in the future, you’ll have to give me a discount, okay?"
The person who greeted Zhang Chi was none other than Senior Sister Hongyi from his last visit. She had already been notified by Fu Hongchang that Zhang Chi wanted to change his assignment’s term and that he had become a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist.
Therefore, she wasn’t surprised to see him, but she was still deeply impressed.
She was usually cold and aloof, but this time she offered a rare smile and even took the initiative to give him her contact information.
"Of course, Senior Sister Zhong."
Zhang Chi readily agreed. He wasn’t about to refuse a beautiful senior sister asking for his contact information.
He knew, however, that it was likely just a casual gesture on her part.
After all, she was at the Qi Cultivation Peak and normally wouldn’t have any need for Tier One Middle Grade Elixirs.
But now, he clearly had enough status for her to take him seriously and make his acquaintance.
After that, Zhang Chi returned to the Earth Fire Hall.
That very day, seven or eight fellow disciples who had heard the news came to visit him. Another ten or so sent Communication Talismans to congratulate him on becoming a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist, saying they wanted to treat him to a feast at the Drunken Immortal Tower in the Marketplace.
The disciples who visited all brought small gifts—nothing too expensive, but still of some value.
These were all disciples he had met while attending lectures and consulting texts at the Inheritance Hall.
In truth, they were merely nodding acquaintances who rarely interacted.
Some had even mocked him behind his back for being swindled by the Xie Family.
But now, it was as if these people had all become his dearest friends overnight.
’It seems the status of a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist carries a lot more weight than I expected!’
After entertaining these disciples and promising to sell them elixirs at a discount in the future, they finally left, satisfied.
Zhang Chi, meanwhile, couldn’t help but be secretly amazed.
On second thought, though, it wasn’t so strange.
After all, new disciples in the Outer Sect generally reached the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage in under a year, or a year and a half at most for the slower ones.
However, most disciples would spend seven or eight years at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, so the demand for Tier One Middle Grade Elixirs was naturally immense.
That was why the Sect placed such great importance on Tier One Middle Grade Alchemists.
Of course, that went without saying for Tier One Upper Grade, Peak, or even Tier Two Alchemists.
For now, most of the visitors were disciples at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage. If Zhang Chi’s Alchemy skills were higher, more people would surely come, and they would have higher Cultivation levels and status.
’I didn’t expect to make such a splash, but the impact is limited. It shouldn’t cause too much trouble,’ Zhang Chi thought.
This also reaffirmed his decision to keep his meteoric progress in Talisman Making a secret. It was the wise choice.
"Senior Brother Zhang, congratulations."
"Yeah, who would have thought you’d become a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist so quickly, Senior Brother. We’ll definitely be looking to buy elixirs from you from now on."
Just then, Qin Susu, He Shi, and He Yan arrived at the Earth Fire Hall, gifts in hand. They had even brought Zhao Yi along with them.
Looking at Zhang Chi, the four of them were filled with a mix of emotions.
Back when Zhang Chi was swindled and chose to guard the Earth Fire Hall, he had been so withdrawn that they had worried he had no future.
And yet, in just over a year, he had become a Tier One Middle Grade Alchemist.
On top of that, his Cultivation hadn’t fallen behind in the slightest.
In their own group, meanwhile, He Shi had only just recently become a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master.
Before Zhang Chi’s Alchemy "breakthrough," they had already reached the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage. Their personal need for Spirit-Storage Pills had diminished; they mostly resold them, and the profits weren’t very high.
But things would be different from now on. Tier One Middle Grade Elixirs were more expensive, and they needed them personally.
"Haha, of course. Come in, have a seat. As it happens, I have a batch of Spirit-Storage Pills for you to resell. I also have some Gathering Essence Pills, though not many."
"I only just had my breakthrough, after all!"
Zhang Chi laughed and led them into the Earth Fire Hall, toward the quarters the Sect had assigned him for his watch.
"Really? That’s fantastic!"
Qin Susu and the others were overjoyed.
Although they had come to celebrate, they hadn’t actually expected Zhang Chi to have any Tier One Middle Grade Elixirs for sale.
For one, he had likely just made his breakthrough.
For another, plenty of people had already visited. Even if Zhang Chi had some in stock, they figured it would have been sold by now.
But it was now clear that they had underestimated his capabilities.
At the same time, they were touched, knowing that Zhang Chi considered them friends and had specifically set aside these elixirs for them.
"Haha, come, have some tea."
"Alright, thank—wait, is this... Cloud Mist Spirit Tea?"
Zhang Chi had casually served the tea, but Qin Susu and the others couldn’t help but stare, their eyes wide with disbelief.