Chapter 102: Ascending the Peak to Visit the Mountain Gate

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Ascending the Peak to Visit the Mountain Gate

The disciple nodded, his expression softening considerably. "Alright! My name is Wang Feng. Since you have this ability, I’ll announce you. You two wait here and don’t wander off. I’m going to report to the Steward on duty."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Wang," Chen Yue said, cupping his hands.

Wang Feng said no more. With a flicker of his body, he hurried through the mountain gate, his figure quickly disappearing around a bend in the path.

Once Wang Feng had left, Chen Yue turned to Shen Dujiang beside him and asked with concern, "Boss Shen, is your wrist alright?"

Shen Dujiang flexed his wrist, which was still sore and numb, and shook his head with a wry smile.

"It’s nothing serious. That Wang Feng wasn’t using his full strength, just teaching me a lesson. The bone’s fine; it’ll be better after a day or two of rest. The disciples of this Panshi Sect are really strict about their rules. There aren’t even any other disciples around here."

Chen Yue nodded, his gaze fixed on the simple, heavy mountain gate. He said in a low voice, "An upright sect culture is a good thing. If the Panshi Sect is really as the rumors say—internally righteous and willing to recruit Alchemy Masters—then this could be a great opportunity for us.

Then, I can not only establish a foothold, but if the situation inside the sect is decent, I might also be able to recommend Master Lin. He doesn’t know any Martial Arts, so he needs protection all the more."

Hearing this, Shen Dujiang nodded. "You have a point, Chen. If both you and Master Lin can secure a foothold within the Panshi Sect, even just as outer sect members, Old Hu and I will have more confidence when conducting our business outside. It’s always nice to have the shade of a big tree, after all."

The two said no more and stood quietly before the mountain gate, waiting for Wang Feng to return.

About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Feng’s burly figure reappeared at the end of the mountain path, with another disciple following him.

Wang Feng walked up to Chen Yue and nodded. "Chen Yue, come with me. The Steward wants to see you."

He then glanced at Shen Dujiang. "Friend, please wait outside the mountain gate. Do not wander about."

Chen Yue gave Shen Dujiang a meaningful look. Understanding, Shen Dujiang cupped his hands, retreated to a large boulder by the roadside, and sat down to wait.

Chen Yue silently followed behind Wang Feng, stepping through the mountain gate of the Panshi Sect.

The scene inside the gate was completely different from the mountain path outside. A main road, about ten feet wide and paved with green flagstones, snaked upward, leading deep into the mountains.

Ancient trees towered over the path, and through gaps in the woods, one could occasionally glimpse the ornate eaves of buildings. The air, aside from the fresh scent of vegetation, carried the faint, clanging sound of metal striking stone.

Wang Feng was clearly a man of swift action. As soon as they passed through the gate, his pace suddenly quickened, and he raced up the main path.

Though his Body Technique was not as refined as Chen Yue’s Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, it was steady and swift. Each step covered over ten feet, demonstrating his solid foundation.

Chen Yue remained silent, his footwork flowing naturally. Though his strides seemed small, he effortlessly kept pace, staying a steady three to five steps behind Wang Feng. His breathing was even, his expression relaxed, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard.

Despite the incline of the path, for him, it was like walking on flat ground.

Up ahead, Wang Feng was filled with surprise. He hadn’t looked back, but a Martial Artist’s perception of qi was incredibly sharp.

He could clearly feel Chen Yue shadowing him, showing no sign of falling behind.

’As a Panshi Sect disciple at the Bone Forging realm,’ Wang Feng thought, ’the Body Technique I’ve practiced, while not top-tier in the sect, has been fully tempered. It’s far better than what a common Loose Cultivator would know.’

’This Chen Yue is just a Loose Cultivator, also at the Bone Forging realm. How can his Body Technique let him keep up with me so easily?’

’Interesting.’

A competitive glint flashed in Wang Feng’s eyes. He secretly put more force into his steps, quietly increasing his speed by thirty percent. His figure shot forward even faster, creating a faint whistling sound.

Chen Yue sensed the change in speed. His eyes flickered as he instantly understood Wang Feng’s intentions.

After a moment’s thought, he decided against continuing to follow with ease. Instead, his footwork became slightly disorganized, subtly letting the distance between him and Wang Feng grow. He made it look like he was struggling to keep up.

Sensing Chen Yue gradually falling behind, Wang Feng couldn’t help but let a smug smile grace his lips.

’Just as I thought. I wasn’t even using my full strength before.’

He didn’t accelerate further, maintaining a pace that allowed Chen Yue to just barely keep up as they hurried toward a spot on the mountainside.

A short while later, they arrived at a wide, open platform on the mountain.

The platform was built against the mountainside, with several halls and pavilions of gray walls and black tiles scattered about.

Here, the air was suddenly thick with the fragrance of herbs, mixed with the faint smell of smoke and the distinct aromas of various medicinal ingredients.

Most of the disciples coming and going wore clothing slightly different from Wang Feng’s. Their auras were relatively tranquil, lacking some of the martial ferocity of the disciples training outside.

Wang Feng stopped before a large hall with a plaque above its entrance that read ’Hundred Herbs Pavilion.’ He explained to Chen Yue:

"This is the sect’s Dan Peak. It manages all affairs related to Elixir alchemy, herb cultivation, and the like. Disciples with talent or skill in alchemy usually cultivate and serve their duties here.

If you really pass the assessment, you’ll likely be spending most of your time here in the future."

Chen Yue looked around. In the square before the hall, disciples were sorting and drying herbs. From a side hall, he could faintly glimpse the glow of Pill Furnaces. People came and went, and while not boisterous, the place had a busy and orderly atmosphere.

He nodded and then asked a crucial question. "Senior Brother Wang, if I enter Dan Peak and become one of its disciples, will I still be able to practice the sect’s Martial Dao Cultivation Techniques?"

Wang Feng glanced at Chen Yue, seemingly unsurprised by his question, and replied:

"Of course. Disciples of Dan Peak are also disciples of the Panshi Sect. The Sect Rules don’t prohibit Dan Peak disciples from practicing the Martial Dao.

However, the primary duty of a Dan Peak disciple is to perform alchemy for the sect, so there are different priorities when it comes to resources and time for cultivation. But as long as you make sufficient contributions, you can still apply to study anything from basic Entry Level Cultivation Techniques to more advanced Martial Arts."

Wang Feng paused before adding, "Besides, Dan Peak disciples have their advantages. If disciples from other peaks fail to break through to a required realm within a certain time, or once they reach a certain age, they may be sent away to manage the sect’s various enterprises, far from the core of the Sect.

But it’s different for Dan Peak disciples. As long as their alchemy skills remain sharp and they can continuously provide Elixirs for the sect, they won’t be easily dispatched elsewhere, even if their cultivation progresses slowly. They can stay within the sect long-term."

Chen Yue nodded. ’That arrangement seems reasonable,’ he thought. ’It ensures a steady output from the Pill Masters while also giving them a path to improve themselves.’

’For me, being able to cultivate in peace, obtain resources, and access the Sect’s Martial Arts is the ideal situation.’

"I understand. Thank you for clearing that up, Senior Brother Wang," Chen Yue said, cupping his hands.

Wang Feng said no more and led Chen Yue into the main hall of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

The hall’s interior was spacious and bright. Rows of tall medicine cabinets lined the walls, filling the air with a thick, medicinal aroma.

In the center stood several wide tables covered with various herbs, where a few disciples were busily working.

Wang Feng walked straight to a man in his forties seated behind a table to the left and cupped his hands respectfully. "Martial Zhao, I’ve brought him. This is the one who claims he can refine the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill."

The middle-aged Steward, Zhao Weiyuan, who was addressed as Martial Zhao, put down the Pill Formula scroll he was reading. He looked up, his calm gaze landing on Chen Yue, who was standing behind Wang Feng.

"Hm."

Zhao Weiyuan gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on Chen Yue for a moment before he asked, "How many years have you been studying alchemy?"

Chen Yue stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. "Replying to Martial Zhao, I have been practicing the Alchemy Dao for two or three years now."

"Two or three years..."

Zhao Weiyuan repeated the phrase noncommittally. ’Two or three years... It’s not a long time, but it’s not short, either. Someone with average talent might have just reached the Entry Level, while a person with exceptional talent could already be attempting to refine various High-tier Elixirs.’

He asked no more questions, simply pointing to a corner of the hall. A standard-issue Copper Alchemy Furnace, about half a man’s height, was already set up there. On a small table next to it lay a neatly arranged set of all the herbs required to refine a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

"In that case, refine a batch of Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills for me, right here and now. The ingredients are prepared, and you may use the Pill Furnace," Zhao Weiyuan said, his tone flat and betraying no emotion.

"Yes."

Chen Yue agreed, showing no sign of stage fright. He walked over to the Pill Furnace and first meticulously inspected all the herbs on the small table, confirming their type, quantity, and quality.

Then, calming his mind, Chen Yue lit the fire, preheated the furnace, and began adding the herbs.

Chen Yue’s movements were skilled, steady, and fluid. His control of the heat was precise and rhythmic, and his timing for adding the ingredients was impeccable.

His technique wasn’t flashy, but it carried an air of calm experience, making it clear he knew the refinement process for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill by heart.

Zhao Weiyuan had been watching casually, but as he observed Chen Yue’s actions, his expression slowly grew serious and focused.

As a Dan Peak Steward and an Alchemy Master himself, he had a sharp and discerning eye.

After only a few moments, he could tell from Chen Yue’s steady fire-control technique that this young man was not making empty boasts; he truly possessed a solid foundation in the Alchemy Dao.

’As long as nothing unexpected happens, the quality of these Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills will be quite good.’

Although Wang Feng, standing to the side, knew nothing of alchemy, he had been in the Panshi Sect for years and had seen plenty of his martial brothers conduct alchemy.

Watching Chen Yue’s fluid and graceful form, so utterly different from the novice disciples he usually saw, the last wisp of doubt in Wang Feng’s mind dissipated.

Half an hour passed by in silent, focused refinement.

PSSH...

With a soft sound, Chen Yue used a Soft Force to pop open the lid of the Pill Furnace.

He reached out and, with a guiding motion, two smooth Elixir Pills, still warm from the furnace and exuding a faint herbal scent, landed on the Jade Plate he had prepared.

Chen Yue had deliberately controlled the final number and quality of the pills. With his current mastery of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to produce four high-quality pills in a single batch if he had given it his all.

But being a newcomer, he didn’t want to draw too much attention. He refined only two pills and kept their quality at an upper-mid level, enough to showcase his ability without being astonishing.

Zhao Weiyuan rose and walked to the Jade Plate. He picked up one of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills, brought it to his nose for a sniff, examined its color against the light, and even scraped off a bit of powder to taste.

After a moment, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face. He placed the Elixir back on the Jade Plate.

"Not bad. Solid fundamentals, stable Pill Formation, and acceptable quality. Wang Feng, take him to be registered. As of today, he is an outer disciple of our Dan Peak."

Zhao Weiyuan paused, looked at Chen Yue, and asked, "Right, what is your name?"

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Chen Yue cupped his hands again. "My name is Chen Yue."

"Chen Yue. Good!"

Zhao Weiyuan made a mental note of the name and waved his hand. "Go on, get the registration done. Someone will arrange your living quarters and handle the subsequent matters. Now that you are a member of the Panshi Sect, you must abide by the Sect Rules. Cultivate your Alchemy Skill and Martial Arts diligently. Do not slack off."

"Yes, I will heed Martial Zhao’s teachings," Chen Yue responded respectfully.

A smile spread across Wang Feng’s face as he turned to Chen Yue. "Junior Brother Chen, congratulations! Follow me."

Outside the mountain gate, Shen Dujiang was still waiting for news.