Qing Xuanling and Qing Wentian stepped into the Alchemy Hall, unaware of the powerful undercurrents threatening to shatter the clan.

  Both gazed around the hall with quiet astonishment—it was their first time entering. Pills were typically distributed through the clan's Wealth Hall. Cases where young people abused the pills and ended up poisoned were not uncommon, so until one turned twenty, one could not buy pills within the clan.

  The first floor brimmed with a potent medicinal aroma. Alchemy apprentices hurried back and forth while elders and seniors barked constant orders. It was a bustling, chaotic scene.

  Qing Wentian's eyes widened. "Incredible—I thought the Alchemy Hall would be a serene place where silence reigned!"

  "Alchemy is a craft demanding fiery will and decisive action," Qing Xuanling shook her head. "I doubt you'll find a group of alchemists who match your idealized expectations."

  Though Qing Xuanling had practiced alchemy for barely over two days, that was enough for her to understand. It hadn't been difficult—she had a true alchemist right beside her: Xuan Dan.

  She believed the fervent, passionate gaze Xuan Dan wore while refining pills embodied the very essence an alchemist should possess.

  'Unfortunately, I'm not an alchemist myself—I don't feel especially at ease here. Xuan Dan would adore this place.'

  Qing Xuanling sighed and approached the sole elder stationed behind a counter. The man dozed at his post, a gourd of wine cradled loosely in his hand.

  "Elder, this young lady humbly requests your guidance," Qing Xuanling bowed respectfully. "Where may I take the examination to obtain the official alchemist title?"

  The elder, who had initially ignored her, snapped awake. His withered eyes scanned Qing Xuanling from head to toe.

  "You—a greenhorn girl—wish to take the alchemist examination?!" he snorted forcefully. "Do you think alchemy is a joke, child?!"

  His thunderous voice instantly drew every gaze on the floor.

  The elders and seniors merely glanced over before returning to their work—reckless youths overestimating their talent were nothing new. But the apprentices, most near Qing Xuanling's age, immediately twisted their faces in scorn.

  "Isn't that the so-called 'pearl' of the Qing family? Look—she's circling the true pearl again! Betting she plans to use her connection to snag the title without lifting a finger!"

  "Ugh—damn nepotism will ruin the clan at this rate!"

  "Tsk, relax—the Alchemy Hall won't bow to some youth's status, no matter how 'gifted' he is!"

  The corner of Qing Xuanling's lip twitched. They'd even twisted the Young Master's cherished words into mockery.

  She shook her head and met the elder's faded eyes squarely. "I do not believe alchemy is a joke, Elder. On the contrary—I take it with utmost seriousness. Believe me: I risked my life long before I ever considered standing here."

  The elder swallowed. Her gaze—forged through sacrifice for a singular purpose—had momentarily overwhelmed him. Such resolve was rare in one so young…

  '…Should I give her a chance?'

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  As he hesitated, a young man sidled up and sneered.

  "Elder Gong, I know you dislike being harsh with youths—but are you seriously considering giving this girl a chance?" He shook his head. "She's infamous. Spends all her time on field exercises yet remains the slowest cultivator in her generation!"

  "How could she possibly study alchemy when she can't even advance her cultivation? Last I heard, she's still stuck at the second layer of Qi Refinement! She couldn't possibly refine pills!"

  Elder Gong opened his mouth to defend his leniency—but deflated upon hearing her supposed cultivation.

  "Sigh… I'm sorry, child, but if Alchemist Lin speaks truth, I cannot—"

  "And what if I am an alchemist?" Qing Xuanling cut in, voice icy. "Besides, when did I ever claim I was still at the second layer of Qi Refinement?!"

  Her third-layer cultivator aura erupted—startling Elder Gong and Alchemist Lin alike.

  She fixed Alchemist Lin with a killing glare. Normally, she ignored mockery—she was used to it. But this man was obstructing her path.

  Qing Xuanling could endure much… but never interference with her road to immortality.

  Alchemist Lin's eyes narrowed, amused. "Oh? The little 'pearl' has learned to bark. But your breakthrough doesn't change the impossibility of learning alchemy in what, one month? Two? You expect us to believe you mastered it in that time?"

  Murmurs swelled around them. Many were stunned by her advancement—many had assumed she'd never break through again.

  But the girl's next words were like pouring water on boiling oil.

  "And what if I did? Will you reward me if I prove it? Or why do you obsess over how I spend my time?" Qing Xuanling stood firm, voice rising. "If not—stop wasting my time and vanish!"

  Qing Wentian covered his mouth. *Sister Xuanling looks absolutely magnificent right now!*

  Even Elder Gong was stunned by her audacity. Alchemist Lin's face flushed crimson with rage—he'd never been spoken to this way since becoming an alchemist at twenty-one. His pride shattered.

  "Ha! Well, well—I admire your spirit," he forced a provocative smile. "You're right. Since I meddled where I shouldn't, I'll offer compensation: succeed, and I'll give you three personal pill's recipes I acquired on my travels. Fail—and you'll never set foot in this Alchemy Hall again!"

  Silence fell. No one expected such a wager. Before alchemist Lin could clarify—

  "I accept!" Qing Xuanling roared. "I accept! Everyone here is witness—he must hand over three high-grade recipes if I become an alchemist!"

  Alchemist Lin's eyes bulged. He never mentioned high-calorie recipes! He opened his mouth to protest—but was cut off again.

  "Whoa! How generous is the Alchemist Lin!" Qing Wentian clapped enthusiastically, eyes sparkling. "Truly fitting for someone who achieved alchemist status so young! It would be such a shame if he broke his word before this entire hall, wouldn't it?"

  The room erupted in murmured praise for alchemist Lin's "generosity." The man himself stood rigid, eyelid twitching violently.

  '…I've walked straight into a trap!'

  Seizing the moment, Qing Xuanling turned to Elder Gong. "Elder—may we proceed directly to the practical examination? No need to waste Alchemist Lin's precious time."

  The alchemist certification exam had two parts: theoretical and practical. Normally, theory came first—without knowledge, skill was impossible. Cases like Xuan Dan's—once-in-a-lifetime geniuses who grasped a hundred truths from one—were vanishingly rare.

  That was why Qing Xuanling had hesitated to come. Her theoretical knowledge was thin. But alchemist Lin's interference had handed her an opening.

  "I have two bottles of the first pills I ever refined—might you appraise them?" She handed Elder Gong the bottles Xuan Dan had crafted. "Qi Recovery Pills and Brave Pills."

  Elder Gong nodded absently—then froze at "Brave Pills."

  "You've created a full bottle of Brave Pills?!" he exclaimed in disbelief. "These are among the few low-grade pills capable of influencing mental state—and one of the most difficult to refine!"

  "Don't exaggerate, Elder—they're merely unremarkable low-grade pills," Qing Xuanling demurred with practiced humility. "Shall we enter the practical examination hall to conclude this swiftly? I also have many questions for you, Elder…"

  She followed the visibly excited Elder Gong toward the examination chamber—not before flashing Alchemist Lin a mocking smile.

  Alchemist Lin gritted his teeth and hurried after them. His ominous premonition intensified with every step.

  Qing Wentian trailed behind, eyes blazing with excitement. *It's been ages since anything this entertaining happened!*

  Officially recognized as a high-tier clan seed, he received the finest manuals, techniques, and pills—but also endured relentless restrictions: endless cultivation, constant instruction. He had never witnessed with his own eyes how the pride of an arrogant young master was shattered.

  His gaze burned toward Qing Xuanling.

  'Please—make that arrogant Alchemist Lin lose every shred of face!'

  Qing Wentian's only regret? Not having sunflower seeds on hand.