Chapter 231: Promise of Alchemy Lessons

“Already planning on establishing your foundation, Chen Yang?” Senior Brother Qing An called out as he strolled in, followed by Senior Brothers Fan Xiao and Lu Feng.

“Junior Brother just completed the Qi Diversion stage of his technique." Senior Brother Yuan Shen replied on Yang’s behalf.

“Oh?” Senior Brother Lu Feng said as he took a seat on Yang’s other side. “Then I believe congratulations are in order.”

Yang gave a bow of his head as he thanked him.

“This is excellent news,” Senior Brother Fan Xiao said as he turned to Yang. “Chen Yang, it's good that you took the opportunity to cultivate while we wait to hear back from the sect.” He glanced at Yang curiously as he asked. “You have plenty of time to establish your foundation. Is there a particular time you are aiming to get it done before?”

“No.” Yang gave a slight shake of his head. “I believe my cultivation so far has been advancing at a good pace, especially with the technique I cultivate. I’d rather take it slow and steady than hurry it along to meet some arbitrary deadline.”

Yang noticed all his Senior Brothers looking at him in approval.

Senior Brother Lu Feng gave a firm nod. “That is the right mindset to have. Far too many cultivators have ruined their potential in their thirst for quick progress."

“Indeed,” Senior Brother Qing An said. “The more solid your foundation is, the greater your core and eventually your Nascent Soul. And those are what will ultimately decide your cultivation potential.” He shook his head. “Many cultivators only realize this after reaching the Nascent Soul Stage and spend the long lifespan afforded to them searching for treasures to improve their potential, at which point it's almost impossible.”

Yang nodded in agreement. “I always planned on going the steady route since a Senior Sect Brother from the outer sect hall stressed the importance of it to me.” He didn’t forget to give credit where it's due. “It also helped that the sect provided ample help to outer sect disciples, so I never felt the need to rush my cultivation.”

“That is indeed the reason we are the largest sect by number of disciples, and probably one of the strongest in terms of overall strength as well.” Senior Brother Zhen Hao added as he summoned more goblets of wine and passed them on to their Senior Brothers.

Yang agreed. “I really consider myself lucky to have become a part of White Cloud Sect.”

“How exactly did you end up here anyway? Mortals more often than not admire sword sects or alchemical sects if they know anything about cultivation.” Senior Brother Yuan Shen asked. “Of course, unless they have connections with cultivators, then they may have more awareness of the present situation than most mortals. And even then, White Cloud Sect isn’t as desirable as others because it takes longer for our cultivators to advance realms initially.”

“I didn’t have any sect in mind. My friend was the one who desperately wanted to join the Azure Sword Sect once he heard about it. I just went along with him because it was a chance to embark on the cultivation path.” Yang let out a wry smile. “But as soon as the trial started, it became painfully clear that I had no fate or affinity with the sword path.”

“Which is ironic,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao said with a snort, “considering you just received a sword technique from a higher-tier world cultivator.” 

“Received is too mild a word for how I got it.” Yang gave a self-deprecating smile. “But I do feel it's wasted on me. If asked, I would have preferred anything over a weapon technique, maybe some high-grade talisman inscriptions, rare alchemy recipes, or even a formation, but alas, that Senior practically stabbed this technique into my mind.”

Senior Brother Qing An let out a snort as he looked at him with an amused smile. “Only you, Junior Brother. Anyone else would have cried tears of joy at receiving such a technique."

“It might not be as simple as the first technique that ran through that Senior’s mind, Junior Brother.” Senior Brother Lu Feng interjected. “I’ve given a lot of thought to your description of what happened in that mountain fortress. It's clear that Senior was aware of all the goings-on in that place, especially since you had drawn his attention somehow.” 

Senior Brother Lu Feng looked at him intently. “There is no reason he would not have already seen all the skills and capabilities you had employed so far. After all, usually sword cultivators start out young; it's not something you choose on a whim.” He let out a cold smile as he continued. “And unless he was particularly incompetent, he would have also come to know your lack of affinity as soon as he invaded your mind.”

Yang sat up straight. “Do you believe he intentionally gave me a technique I had no affinity for?”

Senior Brother Lu Feng simply looked into his eyes as he said. “No, I believe he was aware of far more than he let on regarding you, and there is likely much to this technique that you will only become aware of with time.”

Yang thought it over for a moment before admitting to everyone. “He actually outright stated his awareness of my ‘special physique,' but he refused to tell me anything about it. He said if I lived long enough, I would figure it out myself. He also mentioned he had a feeling that I may cross paths with his actual self in the future.”

“I would believe him if I were you,” came Senior Brother Fan Xiao’s voice as Yang turned to look curiously at him. “Cultivators, especially high-realm ones, often have some awareness of fate and possibilities. You experienced an aspect of it when you took out that painting in our first meeting. Only at that time, it was the painting that was powerful enough to induce such a feeling.”

“I also have a feeling that we will come across each other again. Not anytime soon, but there is a feeling of inevitability." Yang said as he finally put words to an underlying feeling he had carried since he left the fortress.

Seeing the merry atmosphere that had now become solemn, Senior Brother Zhen Hao broke the silence that seemed to have fallen at Yang’s words.

“Well, if you ascend before me, I hope you will drag me up with you.” Senior Brother Zhen Hao joked.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to ask Senior Brother Xiao Zhan to haul you up with him since he will definitely ascend before any of us?” Senior Brother Qing An asked, teasingly indulging in the ridiculous fantasy.

“Am I insane?” Senior Brother Zhen Hao snorted into his goblet. “He will probably tow me up just to toss me back down as a punishment for daring to attempt a shortcut.”

Everyone let out a chuckle as the lingering tension dissipated.

Senior Brother Fan Xiao turned to Yang. “Chen Yang, we didn’t have a chance while we were inside the secret realm, but now that we have some time to rest as we await word from the Sect Master, I believe it's time I fulfill my promise to begin your alchemy lessons.”

Yang practically lit up at hearing the words. “Really?” he asked eagerly. “When can we start?”

Everyone, even Senior Brother Fan Xiao, let out a small laugh at Yang’s eagerness. “Soon, Junior Brother. But you must promise to spend some time studying other areas of cultivation as well.” Senior Brother Fan Xiao looked at him sternly. “And I don’t mean just talismans. I’ve noticed that while you are talented in what you set your mind to, you are sorely lacking when it comes to techniques."

Yang felt embarrassment creep up on him at his words.

“Don’t take it to heart, Junior Brother,” Senior Brother Qing An said. “Senior Brother Fan Xiao isn’t saying this to shame you, but rather to encourage you to address the areas where you are lacking.” He gave Yang a reassuring smile. “You are talented. That is clear enough from the quality of your talismans, your speed of cultivation, and how quickly you learned the basics of the Myriad Silk-Splitting Needle Arts He Su Ye gave you.” The reassuring smile turned admonishing. “But you must spend time improving the skills you actually need rather than merely focusing on what you enjoy.”

“I have seen your desire to learn alchemy and other cultivation arts.” Senior Brother Fan Xiao gave him a rare smile. “But as cultivators, we need to have a wide variety of skills if we intend to survive and thrive in this world.”

Yang gave a slight bow of his head to him. “I have also realized my shortcomings in many areas after we entered the secret realm.” Yang admitted. “I already intended to continue to improve my Myriad Silk-Splitting Needle Arts and expand my range of techniques.”

“Good,” Senior Brother Fan Xiao said, visibly pleased. “That is exactly what I wanted to hear from you. Now back to my promise to teach you alchemy.”

“Amongst the things I’ve gifted you, I want you to learn the cleaning and basic flame techniques as well as the first ten herbs listed in the herb identification manual. Only then will I guide you to refine your first pill.”

Yang felt a wide smile spread across his face, knowing exactly what he would spend the rest of the day doing.

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