Chapter 10: The Apprentice with His Own Plans
The crowd pressed closer as Lin Xuan set the smaller, less mature Moonfire Ginseng into the portable furnace.
He could feel their stares—disbelieving, mocking, curious—but his mind was already focused on the process.
Step one: Cleanse each herb of surface impurities with a slow, steady flame. The herbs shimmered as their qi bloomed under controlled heat.
Step two: Blend the yin-aligned and yang-aligned herbs in alternating layers, letting their essences weave together naturally.
Step three: Introduce the Moonfire Ginseng root, its balanced energies binding the mixture into harmony.
The Empyrean Pill Scripture's teachings flowed through him like an old friend's advice.
He wasn't copying a recipe—he was conversing with the ingredients.
The crowd's murmurs began to fade as the air filled with the same warm, intoxicating fragrance from before. Elder Danfeng's eyes narrowed, watching the way Lin Xuan shifted the flames—not with brute force, but with precision and subtlety rare even among master alchemists.
Finally, with a low ding, the furnace lid rose.
Inside sat not one, but two perfectly rounded pills, both gleaming with silver-and-gold sheen.
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Shocking the Hall
A collective gasp rippled through the hall. Even Elder Danfeng leaned forward, inspecting the pills with an expert's eye.
"…Heaven-grade," he murmured. "And twin refinement on your first public attempt. Do you understand how rare this is?"
Lin Xuan gave a small shrug. "I had good herbs."
The elder let out a short laugh. "And a good liar you are, too. This is skill—skill most alchemists spend decades to achieve."
He straightened, voice carrying across the hall. "From this day forward, I, Elder Danfeng, take Lin Xuan as my direct disciple!"
The hall erupted in whispers. Direct disciples of the sect's alchemy elders were afforded immense privileges—personal guidance, access to rare herbs, priority in the mission hall… and political protection.
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The Offer
After the crowd began to disperse, Danfeng lowered his voice. "You're talented beyond your years, Lin Xuan. Under my guidance, you could become one of the greatest alchemists of this age."
Lin Xuan kept his expression polite.
In truth, he doubted Elder Danfeng could teach him more than the Empyrean Pill Scripture already contained. But the status of a direct disciple came with exactly what he needed—time and protection.
Protection to grow stronger without constantly watching his back.
"I accept, Master," Lin Xuan said, bowing with just the right measure of respect.
Danfeng smiled broadly. "Good. Then from now on, you'll reside in the alchemy peak's direct disciple quarters. Prepare yourself—your training begins tomorrow."
[System Alert: Became Alchemy Master direct disciple, upgrade token X3]
Lin nodded in silent acknowledgment to the system.
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Shadows in the Hall
As the elder left with his new disciple, a pair of eyes followed them from the second floor balcony.
The gaze belonged to Elder Qiu Wansheng, another alchemy elder—one whose influence was second only to Danfeng's within the hall. His long, narrow fingers tapped against the railing as he watched Lin Xuan go.
"That fragrance…" he murmured to himself. "Even Danfeng's own refinements haven't reached that purity in years."
His lips curved into a thin smile. "A hidden genius in the outer ranks, and Danfeng just happens to 'find' him? Hmph. Let's see how tightly you hold onto your secrets, boy."
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A Calculated Step Forward
Back in his small courtyard for the night, Lin Xuan stored his new pills in the Evervault and sat cross-legged.
Becoming Danfeng's disciple was a calculated move. The elder might think he'd just gained a promising student, but in reality…
"This just buys me time," Lin Xuan thought. "Time to grow, time to learn, and time to prepare for the day when no one in this sect can touch me."
Outside, the moon hung high over Stormwind Peak, silver light glinting off the helmet-shaped forge beside him.
And somewhere on the alchemy peak, a rival elder was already plotting how to make him give up the very secrets he guarded.