Qin Yu quickly lowered his head.
Obviously, anyone who could appear here must have a significant status, and absolutely must not be offended.
But it seemed that the so-called Master Zhao was not present.
Though Qin Yu had never seen him, he'd heard that Master Zhao was already over a hundred years old.
There was clearly no one here who matched that description, and it was obvious that the beautiful mother and daughter before him were the true hosts.
Steadying himself, Qin Yu bowed and said, "I am Qin Yu, greetings to my elders!"
"No need for formalities!"
Yin Qinghe spoke, her jade-like hand gently raising, and even across the distance, Qin Yu felt himself helped upright.
So strong!
Qin Yu sensed the woman before him could easily suppress him, so he became all the more cautious.
"Qin Yu, has your Spiritual Power already broken through to the Entry Middle Tier?"
It was Zhao Mengli who spoke. Compared to other matters, for one so devoted to alchemy, she clearly cared more about Qin Yu's talent in Spiritual Power.
At this point, Qin Yu saw no need to hide anything. After all, joining the herb hall, he was there to learn alchemy methods and techniques, so he replied respectfully, "Yes!"
"Are you a cultivator from outside the city?"
"Yes!"
Although they had anticipated as much, hearing Qin Yu admit it with his own lips still brought a small shock to the mother and daughter.
Yes, shock indeed!
If Qin Yu's bone age were over fifty or sixty, it would be astonishing, but not as moving as it was now.
Especially since Qin Yu still lived outside the city, and without a master to guide him, had had to rely solely on his own wits and talent to reach this point.
How difficult was that?
This was precisely the path Master Zhao himself had walked.
As Zhao's Dao Companion, Yin Qinghe of course knew very well!
To speak truthfully, Master Zhao's situation back then was a little better than Qin Yu's; during his travels, he had managed to obtain some Alchemist inheritance.
At this age, to have reached Entry Middle Tier relying entirely on his own talent—any Alchemist in Lin Xian City would be more than happy to accept him as a Direct Disciple!
"Did you come here seeking a master?"
Yin Qinghe forced down her emotions, making herself appear calm as possible.
"This…"
A slight change passed across Qin Yu's face, some hesitation showing—if Master Zhao wasn't here, how could he formally become a disciple?
Yin Qinghe saw his thoughts at a glance. Not wanting to miss such a prodigious talent, she said, "Though my husband is away, I can temporarily take disciples on his behalf."
Seeing Qin Yu still hesitate, she added, "You need not worry. My husband's lifetime of alchemical insights are all compiled into books. If you are willing to enter under him, I can impart them to you on his behalf."
With Master Zhao away, all matters of Danxin Herb Hall could be entrusted to her, the mistress of the house and Master's wife.
It could be said that even without Master Zhao present, with those insights, Danxin Herb Hall could still cultivate another Alchemist!
Of course, without personal instruction, the process might be just… a tiny bit more tortuous.
"This could work…"
Qin Yu pondered inwardly. In any case, seeking a master was something he'd have to do eventually, and he had a favorable impression of Danxin Herb Hall.
Of course!
This absolutely was not because of anything else!
Not at all!
"If so, it's settled!"
"On my husband's behalf, I'll exercise this right and take you as disciple. All your treatment will be according to the standards of a Direct Disciple. In addition, each month you may receive three... no, five lower-grade Spirit Stones!"
"In the years ahead, as long as you remain steadfast and devoted to alchemy, our Danxin Herb Hall will not be stingy with rewards!"
Five per month—that's sixty lower-grade Spirit Stones in a year!
This treatment was far beyond Qin Yu's expectations. With the time he spent on alchemy now, he might not even make half that much in a year!
Indeed, as long as one has talent, there's a future wherever one goes.
And all this was due to being able to earn Flame Points, which allowed his Spiritual Power to improve so rapidly.
Just as Yin Qinghe instructed preparations for the tea ceremony of accepting a disciple, Zhao Mengli clung to her arm. Immersed in alchemy most days, with free time she could not help but think of her father: "Mother, when is Father coming back?"
Yin Qinghe glanced at the humble Qin Yu, not wishing to say much more. The charming and seductive beauty on her face grew somewhat unnatural: "Your father most likely encountered a fortuitous chance and will return after some time."
Qin Yu, hearing this, didn't find anything amiss.
But there was something he needed to discuss.
"Sen—…"
"Still calling me Senior? From now on, call me Master's wife."
Yin Qinghe interrupted him, her tone kindly, drawing him closer.
Right now in Danxin Herb Hall, there were almost no entry-level Middle Tier alchemists left, and with Qin Yu so young, who could say he might not go further?
"Master's wife."
Qin Yu changed his form of address swiftly, respectfully saying, "I have one request, and hope Master's wife can grant it."
"What request?"
Yin Qinghe's smile stiffened slightly, a trace of panic flashing across her charming face.
Don't tell me he wants to take advantage of Danxin Herb Hall's decline and, relying on his talent, make exorbitant demands?!
Yin Qinghe almost refused outright.
In truth, Qin Yu's behavior bordered on being disrespectful, perhaps even a little… greedy?
The terms she'd already offered were exceedingly generous!
But she truly could not bear to let Qin Yu go.
For one with such talent—not to say once in a hundred years, but at least once in several decades.
She could only tread carefully, probing his intentions.
As long as it wasn't too excessive…
It might not be impossible to agree.
Still, her opinion of Qin Yu fell greatly, and unlike earlier, her attitude cooled considerably.
"Master's wife, I have already founded a household, with a wife and a sister-in-law, the three of us depending on each other."
"I simply ask that Master's wife allow them to live with me, and in return I am willing to forgo the monthly five Spirit Stones."
Qin Yu did not raise his head, respectfully stating his request.
If this request could not be met, no amount of favorable terms would make him stay.
Yin Qinghe froze, her alluring peach blossom eyes full of deep astonishment and shock. She blurted out, "That's all?"
"Ah?"
"Is this your only request? Just this?"
Yin Qinghe was momentarily lost. Originally, she thought Qin Yu would make some outrageous demand; though she felt reluctant, she had steeled herself to pay even more dearly.
But never did she expect that all Qin Yu wanted was simply to have his wife and sister-in-law join him in daily life!
"Where did you originally live?"
"Spring Rain Lane."
"Spring Rain Lane…"
Yin Qinghe repeated softly. She only knew there was such a narrow alley outside the city, but had never set foot in it—yet she understood what kind of environment it was.
No wonder Qin Yu's cultivation realm appeared so low.
In such an inconspicuous alley, nearly all living there were just ordinary common folk.
The young man before her emerged by virtue of his own talent, yet still did not forget his wife and sister-in-law back home.
To call him loyal and sentimental would not be an exaggeration!
In times such as these, those who still value feelings are all too rare, and perhaps even seen by some as out of place.
Given Qin Yu's position now, he could easily cast aside his ordinary Dao Companion and sister-in-law and find a Dao Companion of greater talent to aid his progress.
Yin Qinghe suddenly found herself curious about him, even wishing to observe him more closely.