The flames instantly engulfed the entire room, and the explosion from the Rosefinch Hall shook the entire Medicine King Palace. In no time, countless disciples rushed over from all directions.
“Quick, put out the fire!”
Someone started directing the efforts to extinguish the fire, but the flames were too fierce. Not only did they destroy the room where the explosion occurred, but they also ignited the two adjacent rooms.
Seeing this, Feng Fei’s face turned green. How did a simple Spirit Flame test turn into such a disaster?
On the surface, Chu Xinghe seemed petrified with fear, but inside, he was practically singing a happy tune.
Burn it all… It would be best if the entire Rosefinch Hall burned down. If the Great Elder got angry enough to expel him from the sect, that would be perfect.
***
However, Chu Xinghe’s hopes were quickly dashed. The news of the explosion and fire in the Rosefinch Hall reached the Great Elder, who immediately came with others. With the combined efforts of the Great Elder and several other elders, the flames were eventually extinguished.
Although the entire Rosefinch Hall wasn’t burned down, seeing the Great Elder and others covered in soot, Chu Xinghe knew he had succeeded.
“Who was it!” The Great Elder’s voice shook the entire Rosefinch Hall. In an instant, no disciple or elder dared to speak.
Feng Fei looked at Chu Xinghe with a deathly expression, knowing that this time, Chu Xinghe was probably done for.
“Feng Fei! What happened!” The Great Elder turned his gaze to Feng Fei.
Feng Fei hurriedly got up from the ground and said, “Great Elder, it was an accident today…”
Feng Fei didn’t dare to hide anything and explained the situation of Chu Xinghe testing the Spirit Flame. After finishing, he added, “I ask the Great Elder to calm down. Although Junior Brother Xinghe was involved today, as his supervising senior brother, I failed to prevent it and should also bear responsibility. Please don’t blame Junior Brother Xinghe entirely!”
What a good person!
Chu Xinghe felt a bit regretful as he looked at Feng Fei beside him. He had indirectly caused trouble for Feng Fei, yet Feng Fei stood up to take the blame for him. This Senior Brother Feng filled Chu Xinghe’s heart with gratitude.
“Was it you?” But the Great Elder ignored Feng Fei and flashed directly to Chu Xinghe’s side.
“Yes! Great Elder, it wasn’t as Senior Brother Feng said. Senior Brother Feng had explained all the precautions to me, but I didn’t pay attention, leading to this result. All the fault is mine alone. Please don’t punish Senior Brother Feng!”
Hearing Chu Xinghe’s words, Feng Fei was also shocked. He hadn’t expected Chu Xinghe to take all the blame himself. Previously, rumors had spread about Chu Xinghe taking the blame for a fellow villager, but later, it was said that the villager had his arm broken, and rumors suggested Chu Xinghe and the villager were actually not on good terms, just pretending.
But now, Feng Fei just wanted to slap those who spread such rumors!
Look at this! Even in such a situation, Junior Brother Xinghe didn’t shirk responsibility but instead took it all on himself to avoid punishment for Feng Fei. How could Junior Brother Xinghe be as the rumors said?
Just as Feng Fei was moved to tears, the Great Elder suddenly spoke, “Was it really you?”
“Absolutely! Xinghe feels guilty for the Great Elder’s guidance and knows his sins are grave. Please punish me severely!” Chu Xinghe’s face was full of guilt, but inside, he was overjoyed!
Expel me from the sect! Quickly expel me from the sect. If not, at least revoke my elite disciple status.
If I can’t reach the peak Martial Emperor level, becoming a Third Grade Grand Martial Master would be fine too. Jumping from a First Grade Martial Artist to a Third Grade Grand Martial Master sounds great.
But Chu Xinghe didn’t receive the punishment he expected from the Great Elder. Instead, the Great Elder pulled him into another Spirit Flame testing room and pointed to the Earthly Flame, “Come! Repeat what you did earlier!”
“Huh?” Chu Xinghe was dumbfounded. What was going on?
“Quick, do it again!” The Great Elder looked eager.
Chu Xinghe, unable to understand what was happening, glanced at the Great Elder and the others, who were equally confused. Clearly, no one understood what the Great Elder meant.
But Chu Xinghe couldn’t care less. If you want to see an explosion, fine… I’ll give you another one!
Sitting cross-legged as before, Chu Xinghe began injecting his spiritual power into the Earthly Flame. As before, the flames turned orange. This time, no one suppressed Chu Xinghe, so he went all-in!
All his spiritual power was injected into the Earthly Flame, and in an instant, the crimson-gold flames reappeared. Along with the crimson-gold flames, the pill furnace began to hum, a sign of an impending explosion.
But when Chu Xinghe thought the Great Elder would stop him, he found that the Great Elder and the other elders watching were all looking at him with changed expressions.
What was going on?
Just as Chu Xinghe was puzzled, a cry similar to the one during the previous explosion rang out. With this cry, a loud bang followed, and the pill furnace exploded again!
At the moment of the explosion, the Great Elder shielded Chu Xinghe and took him out of the room, as flames engulfed the entire room.
“Rosefinch Spirit Flame! It’s the Rosefinch Spirit Flame!”
“Yes! It’s truly the Rosefinch Spirit Flame. God bless our Grand Sky Sect! After four hundred years, our sect has finally birthed the Rosefinch Spirit Flame again!”
The sudden exclamations left everyone dumbfounded. Chu Xinghe looked at the Great Elder holding him, whose face was now filled with shock and unconcealed joy instead of coldness and blame!
At this moment, everyone finally understood why the Great Elder, upon discovering the explosion, didn’t get angry but instead asked Chu Xinghe to do it again.
It turned out he sensed the extraordinary nature of the flame, with a hint of the hidden Rosefinch Spirit Flame. Uncertain, he had Chu Xinghe try again.
This time, everyone saw it. After the flames turned crimson-gold, the Rosefinch Spirit Flame was drawn out from the earth’s core.
The true rise of the Grand Sky Sect should have been four hundred years ago when the sect birthed several peerless experts, including Lu Changfeng, known as the Medicine Saint, who possessed the Rosefinch Spirit Flame. It was thanks to this flame that Lu Changfeng became the closest to a Medicine God.
It was also due to Lu Changfeng’s alchemy skills that the Grand Sky Sect continuously rose, with its alchemy becoming the best in the world.
But for four hundred years, Lu Changfeng mysteriously disappeared, and much of his inheritance vanished. The Rosefinch Spirit Flame became a legend. Over the four hundred years, many grandmasters of alchemy emerged from the Grand Sky Sect, but none reached Lu Changfeng’s heights.
Yet today, this explosion revealed the Rosefinch Spirit Flame!
The Rosefinch Spirit Flame summoned by Chu Xinghe moved everyone.
After four hundred years, the Grand Sky Sect finally had another disciple capable of wielding the Rosefinch Spirit Flame.
The Rosefinch Hall was named after the Rosefinch Spirit Flame. Four hundred years ago, it was Lu Changfeng; four hundred years later, it’s Chu Xinghe!
The Great Elder was as excited as a child, and the other elders looked at Chu Xinghe with great enthusiasm. Only Chu Xinghe himself… was confused…
This… wasn’t the result I wanted…
What about the punishment? What about the seriousness of the explosion? What does this mean now?
After much hesitation, Chu Xinghe decided to speak up, “Great Elder, every country has its laws, and every family has its rules. Even if I truly possess the Rosefinch Spirit Flame today, the crime of causing two explosions cannot go unpunished. Please, Great Elder, administer justice.”
As soon as Chu Xinghe said this, not only the Great Elder but also the disciples of the Spirit Crane Palace were moved.
Listen… this is what you call character! This is what you call magnanimity!
Junior Brother Xinghe had just been promoted to an elite disciple, yet he showed no arrogance. Today, he became the first person in four hundred years to possess the Rosefinch Spirit Flame. Everyone knew that Junior Brother Xinghe’s future was promising.
Yet in this situation, Junior Brother Xinghe didn’t lose himself. He remained deeply remorseful for causing the explosions and even asked the Great Elder to punish him. What kind of character is this?
Even some disciples who were envious of Chu Xinghe earlier couldn’t help but admire him now. Chu Xinghe truly wasn’t an ordinary person.
“Hahaha… good… good… good…” With three ‘goods,’ Chu Xinghe knew things were going south.
Sure enough, the Great Elder looked at Chu Xinghe with satisfaction and said, “As expected of the disciple I chose. To cultivate martial arts, one must first cultivate virtue. I’ve seen too many young people with extraordinary talent but lacking in virtue. Today, your words bring me comfort, comfort indeed… The Medicine Saint has a successor!”
“God bless Grand Sky!” A group of people congratulated again.
“Xinghe, although the explosion today was caused by you, it wasn’t your fault. How could an ordinary pill furnace withstand the Rosefinch Spirit Flame? The explosion was inevitable, so you are not guilty. However, your words today have enlightened me. I’ve punished too many disciples for explosions over the years, which was wrong. From today, if a disciple causes an explosion due to an unintentional mistake, they will not be punished!”
As soon as the Great Elder said this, the disciples were overjoyed!
“Thank you, Great Elder, for your generosity!” Countless disciples saluted the Great Elder, and Shen Chun, whom Chu Xinghe had met in the dining hall earlier, was moved to tears.
“Hehe… if you want to thank someone, thank your Junior Brother Xinghe. Without him, how could I have overcome my obsession?” The Great Elder chuckled, stroking his beard.
“Thank you, Junior Brother Xinghe…” A group of Spirit Crane Palace disciples saluted Chu Xinghe again, their eyes filled with goodwill.
“Alright, from today, I and the other elders will personally teach you the art of pill refining. Xinghe, don’t let your Rosefinch Spirit Flame go to waste!”
“Ah… thank you, Great Elder…” Chu Xinghe was on the verge of tears.
If only he could be expelled from the sect, he could reach the peak. Now, he was going to be drilled daily by a group of old men. Damn it, is there no justice?
The Great Elder and the other elders left, and Feng Fei, along with a group of Spirit Crane Palace disciples, immediately surrounded Chu Xinghe.
“Junior Brother Xinghe, we must thank you again today.”
“Junior Brother Xinghe, from today, if anyone dares to touch you in the Spirit Crane Palace, they’ll be against all of us.”
“Junior Brother Xinghe is righteous. I once believed the rumors that you ordered someone to break Chu Cheng’s arm. Now, I feel ashamed.”
“Rumors stop with the wise! How could Junior Brother Xinghe be such a person? I’ll investigate who spread these lies and deal with them!”
“No need to investigate. I heard today in the outer sect that it was Chu Cheng himself who said it!”
“Nonsense! That bastard hasn’t even seen Junior Brother Xinghe since being demoted to the outer sect. How could he have ordered anyone to harm him? That bastard must be twisted because Junior Brother Xinghe became an elite disciple. I’ll deal with him!”
The crowd was so agitated that Chu Xinghe began to doubt whether he was responsible for that incident.
“Brothers, please… Chu Cheng might have his reasons for slandering me. But since we are from the same village, I already feel guilty about his demotion to the outer sect. If you harm him, how could I live with myself?”
Hearing Chu Xinghe’s words, the brothers’ resolve became even stronger!
Listen! This is character!
Two young men from the same Hillside Village, yet the difference in character is so vast!
Perhaps it was Chu Xinghe’s words that had an effect, as the senior brothers from Spirit Crane Palace indeed did not lay a hand on Chu Cheng.
But they chose another method!
Stop the medicine!
That’s right, although the treatment for outer disciples in the Grand Sky Sect cannot compare to that of the inner disciples, it is still the number one sect in the world. Even the resources for outer disciples are far superior to those of inner disciples in ordinary sects, and even many major sects cannot compare.
And when it comes to pills, they naturally come from Spirit Crane Palace. It can be said that all the pill resources of the entire Grand Sky Sect are provided by Spirit Crane Palace.
Each faction would collect their pill resources at designated times and distribute them to their disciples according to their share.
But this time, the outer sect did not receive any pills. The reason was simple: a shortage of supplies.
Initially, the outer sect didn’t think much of it. After all, they were the outer sect, and it wasn’t unusual for them to be the first to be cut off during a shortage. But when they asked when the supply would be replenished, the answer was that it couldn’t be!
This made the outer sect anxious. What? Are outer disciples not human? It’s one thing to bully us in private, but now it’s out in the open?
Just as the outer disciples were about to confront the Great Elder, a message came from Spirit Crane Palace.
“What? It’s because of that bastard Chu Cheng!”
“He said Chu Xinghe broke his arm?”
“Nonsense… Chu Xinghe never even went to the outer sect. I was there that day. It was people from his former team visiting him, and he spoke out of turn, which led to him being beaten like that!”
“I heard this guy has always been a tyrant to his team members.”
“Damn it! Just because of this bastard, we can’t get our pills? It seems the people from Spirit Crane Palace said he slandered their Junior Brother Xinghe, and they couldn’t stand it anymore?”
“I don’t care. Watch me beat this bastard to a pulp!”
No one knows better than Chu Cheng how ruthless a group of outer disciples who can’t get their pills can be.
After a few days of rest, although Chu Cheng was still bruised and battered, he could at least get out of bed and walk. Chu Cheng swore! Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west! Don’t underestimate a poor youth!
One day, Chu Cheng vowed to return to the inner sect as an emperor!
And the first thing he would do is make Chu Xinghe kneel before him and call him father!
He would break not just his four limbs… no! All five!
But just as Chu Cheng was fantasizing about wielding a divine sword in his left hand and a divine technique in his right, the door was kicked open by a group of outer disciples.
“So you’re the damn Chu Cheng!” A senior brother who looked like a Bighead Carp tilted his head and looked at Chu Cheng.
“Senior brother… what’s the matter… I… I’m Chu Cheng, what can I do for you…” Chu Cheng fell from heaven back to earth, but soon earth couldn’t hold him, and the gates of hell opened.
Once the group of outer senior brothers confirmed that the person in front of them was Chu Cheng, they didn’t care about anything else and pounced on him for a brutal beating!
No one could say exactly how long the beating lasted, but everyone knew how long it would take for him to get out of bed.
Half a year…
***
After this brutal beating, the news reached Spirit Crane Palace. When the outer disciples went to collect their pills again, the scarce supplies were no longer scarce… The outer disciples not only received their rightful share, but the Bighead Carp who led the beating was even rewarded with a bottle of Body Tempering Pills by the senior brothers of Spirit Crane Palace!
This… was great. Teaming up to beat Chu Cheng became a daily routine for the outer disciples.
Chu Xinghe also received the news, and when Feng Fei brought it to him, Chu Xinghe looked pained and distressed: “Senior Brother Feng, how am I supposed to handle this…”
“Junior Brother Xinghe, you’re joking. What does this have to do with you? Or with Spirit Crane Palace? Chu Cheng is narrow-minded. When he was a team leader, he bullied others. I’ve thoroughly investigated this matter. Moreover, he was beaten and falsely accused you, which is truly infuriating. The outer sect’s actions were driven by righteous indignation, naturally punishing this scoundrel!”
Feng Fei’s words left Chu Xinghe at a loss for how to respond. Damn, bullying people can be justified so righteously? Senior Brother Feng, I misjudged you!
But why do I find it so appealing?
Speaking of Chu Cheng, Feng Fei had also inquired about him. Both Chu Cheng and Chu Xinghe came from Hillside Village. Although they were from the same village, Chu Xinghe was an orphan, his parents having died when he was young, and he grew up relying on the villagers’ charity.
Chu Cheng, on the other hand, had a wealthy father in the village and was a local tyrant from a young age. Chu Xinghe being bullied by Chu Cheng was a common occurrence.
Even from Chu Xinghe’s former teammates, it was learned that after entering the Grand Sky Sect, during an outside trial, this guy had even broken Chu Xinghe’s arm. However, the teammates all said that Chu Xinghe was broad-minded and never reported the incident.
The usually gentle Feng Fei was truly angered after hearing this!
What? Bullying an honest person?
Bullying my Junior Brother Xinghe from childhood was one thing, but daring to act recklessly after joining the sect, even Feng Fei couldn’t stand it!
“Almost forgot the main matter while talking about this. Junior Brother Xinghe, the Great Elder is waiting at Medicine King Palace to teach you various basics today. You’re the first to have the Great Elder personally teach you the basics of alchemy.” Feng Fei, though envious, knew that Chu Xinghe was extraordinary.
With the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, he was destined to reach the pinnacle in the future.
“Ah…” After hearing Feng Fei’s words, Chu Xinghe was helpless… Actually… I never wanted to learn alchemy… I’ve heard that learning alchemy requires memorizing all sorts of tedious knowledge, and my memory is really terrible… I can’t do it…
***
But saying more was useless. Under Feng Fei’s guidance, Chu Xinghe arrived at Medicine King Palace.
In the center of Medicine King Palace, a pill furnace with the shadow of a Rosefinch was extremely dazzling. This was the Rosefinch Furnace, the treasure of Medicine King Palace!
It was the pill furnace of the Medicine Saint Lu Changfeng. With the Rosefinch Furnace and Rosefinch Spirit Flame, Lu Changfeng swept across the world of alchemists, making everyone bow in submission, establishing the Grand Sky Sect’s reputation as the best in alchemy.
However, in the four hundred years since, no one could use the Rosefinch Furnace, as it couldn’t be activated without the Rosefinch Spirit Flame.
At this moment, the Great Elder was already standing beside the Rosefinch Furnace. He looked at the furnace and then at Chu Xinghe, as if seeing a future where the Rosefinch Furnace would once again ignite with the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, leading the Grand Sky Sect to new heights.
“Disciple Chu Xinghe (Feng Fei) greets the Great Elder.”
The two of them saluted the Great Elder together.
“Feng Fei, you’ve worked hard. Go and teach the other disciples.”
“Disciple obeys.”
Feng Fei left Medicine King Palace, leaving only the distressed Chu Xinghe and the hopeful Great Elder.
In the following time, the Great Elder began by talking about the Rosefinch Furnace, recounting the story of the Medicine Saint Lu Changfeng to Chu Xinghe.
It was an interesting story… but… I don’t want to learn alchemy… Chu Xinghe felt even more distressed.
“Alchemy begins with identifying herbs. From today, I will personally teach you various methods of identifying herbs. The path of alchemy is difficult, but with the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, the future belongs to you.”
What is boredom? Chu Xinghe understood it in just half an afternoon.
What Moonlight Herb… Moon Nether Herb… Moon Soul Herb… Big brother… they all look exactly the same, how do you tell them apart? With only slight differences in patterns? Chu Xinghe felt like his eyes were about to explode, unable to see any difference at all.
Compass of Misfortune… Isn’t this a punishment? This is more painful than being confined!
Feeling utterly miserable inside, Chu Xinghe had no way out. Why is it so hard to be expelled from the sect? I just want to become a Martial Emperor in a second.
Chu Xinghe had thought before, would pointing at the Great Elder’s nose and cursing him get him expelled for betraying the sect?
But the result of betraying the sect isn’t expulsion; it’s death by a thousand cuts!
I want to be expelled, not reincarnated, and the Compass of Misfortune seems to have restrictions against overly deliberate actions.
To court death, you have to do it just right; that’s the hard part. Chu Xinghe was looking at the three herbs while thinking, damn… is this Compass of Misfortune a system?
Logically, shouldn’t a system provide all sorts of help to let me rise against the odds? Since getting the Compass of Misfortune, there’s been no help at all… Various tasks are like beauties placed there to attract me, but I’m not allowed to touch them, what’s that supposed to mean?
“Xinghe, identifying herbs isn’t something that can be done overnight, you needn’t be discouraged.” Seeing Chu Xinghe’s dejected face, the Great Elder thought it was because his first day of learning didn’t go well.
“Thank you, Great Elder… How long will it take to learn?”
“I started identifying herbs as an apprentice, and it took me only five short years to master the properties of seventy percent of the herbs in the world.” The Great Elder stroked his beard and chuckled.
“Fi… Five… years?”
“Ahem… Xinghe, you may not know, my talent isn’t top-notch, but it appears once in a century. Mastering seventy percent in five years is unmatched in the world. If one’s aptitude is slightly worse, mastering three to five percent in ten years would be the limit.”
Crack… A thunderclap exploded in Chu Xinghe’s ears.
Ten years? Three to five percent?
And that’s for those with slightly worse talent? What about someone like me who doesn’t even want to learn? Twenty years… thirty years? Chu Xinghe seemed to see himself, old and gray, still sitting here distinguishing between Moonlight Herb and Moon Soul Herb, wondering what the hell the difference was.
“Alright, today’s lesson ends here. You can go back and rest. Come back tomorrow morning for more.” The Great Elder smiled as he sent off the wooden-like Chu Xinghe.
***
Chu Xinghe walked back, woodenly greeting the senior brothers he passed. Now living in Spirit Crane Palace, sharing a room with Feng Fei, this was a special arrangement by the Great Elder.
Seeing the dazed Chu Xinghe return to the room, Senior Brother Feng Fei was also taken aback, but then he thought of the Great Elder’s strictness. It was normal for Junior Brother Xinghe to be scolded on his first day of learning.
“Junior Brother Xinghe, the Great Elder is strict, but his alchemy skills are unparalleled. You must work hard while learning from him.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Feng… I’ll try my best…” Chu Xinghe replied woodenly, not wanting to try, just wanting to die.
“What did the Great Elder teach you today?” Feng Fei continued the conversation.
“Identifying herbs… Moonlight Herb is Moonlight Herb… Moon Nether Herb is Moon Nether Herb, Moon Soul Herb is Moonlight Herb… Damn it…” Chu Xinghe’s mind was a mess.
Feng Fei nodded understandingly: “Junior Brother, don’t be discouraged. Identifying herbs is indeed difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, the Great Elder will surely teach you more advanced Fire Control Techniques. It won’t be as tedious then. And with the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, you’re the only one who can use the Rosefinch Furnace. The future is limitless, but don’t be reckless like the first time. If you damage the Rosefinch Furnace, it won’t be good.”
Feng Fei patiently reminded Chu Xinghe.
But Chu Xinghe only heard one thing from Feng Fei’s words…
Damage the Rosefinch Furnace?
Is there such a good thing?
The Rosefinch Furnace is a supreme treasure left behind by the Medicine Saint, Lu Changfeng.
For four hundred years, the Grand Sky Sect has tried every conceivable method but still cannot reactivate the Rosefinch Furnace.
The final conclusion is that only the Rosefinch Spirit Flame can activate the furnace.
Thus, the Grand Sky Sect has been waiting for someone with the Rosefinch Spirit Flame to appear.
Similarly, the Rosefinch Furnace is a symbol of the Medicine Saint for the Grand Sky Sect, a divine artifact in the hearts of countless people.
And if such a divine artifact were to be destroyed… being expelled from the sect seems unlikely, after all, I possess the Rosefinch Spirit Flame. Just for that, the only way I’d be expelled is if I slaughtered the Sect Master’s wife and daughter.
But if I really did that, they’d probably want to chop me into pieces rather than just expel me.
So getting expelled is not an option, but being punished is inevitable.
Punishment can also help me rapidly improve, right?
Destroying the Rosefinch Furnace, and then having the Great Elder demote me to the outer sect and confine me for three to five years out of anger, seems reasonable. With that, becoming a Martial Grandmaster is just around the corner.
Thinking of this, Chu Xinghe had a new goal and was filled with determination.
Moonlight Herb… Moon Nether Herb… Moon Soul Herb… all sorts of herbs… Chu Xinghe spent half a month memorizing them, and although he made occasional mistakes, the Great Elder was still quite satisfied.
In the Great Elder’s words, Chu Xinghe is an unpolished gem that he would carefully carve.
***
One morning, Chu Xinghe arrived at the Medicine King Palace, greeting his senior brothers. Shen Chun approached from the side, “Junior Brother Xinghe, in a few days, the Spirit Tomb will open. All the inner disciples of your batch will enter the Spirit Tomb to choose a Spirit Weapon. Have you decided what kind of Spirit Weapon you want?”
“Spirit Tomb? Spirit Weapon?” Chu Xinghe was confused.
Besides the Moonlight Herb, Moon Nether Herb, and Moon Soul Herb, what did he know about Spirit Weapons?
After reaching a certain time as an entry disciple, everyone in the Grand Sky Sect enters the Spirit Tomb, where countless Spirit Weapons reside. Each disciple can find their own Spirit Weapon, and once recognized by it, they can become its new master. However, the more powerful the Spirit Weapon, the harder it is to gain its recognition.
So choosing the right Spirit Weapon is crucial.
After all, a Spirit Weapon becomes one’s life-bound treasure, a lifelong companion.
Chu Xinghe’s cultivation level was that of a Martial Artist. Although he spent a lot of time studying at the Medicine King Palace, his spiritual power growth didn’t fall behind at all.
Are you kidding? What kind of place is the Spirit Crane Palace?
A pill sanctuary!
Disciples elsewhere get only a few pills each month? Even if they train hard every day, their progress is limited.
But for Chu Xinghe, a few pills? Ha… not a chance!
Chu Xinghe practically consumed pills like candy every day. Whenever he ran out, he didn’t even need to ask; a senior brother would promptly deliver more.
Plus, with the ten Spirit Gathering Pills rewarded by the Great Elder, Chu Xinghe, who barely trained, had a cultivation level no less than his hard-training peers, perhaps even better.
But when it comes to choosing a Spirit Weapon, Chu Xinghe really had no experience.
“It seems Junior Brother Xinghe isn’t very familiar, but don’t worry. As long as you know what type you like, I’ll find a way to get the specific location for you.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Shen Chun!”
“Not at all, we should be thanking you. Besides, with the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, it’s not impossible for you to lead the Spirit Crane Palace in the future. When that time comes, we’ll rely on you!”
“Senior Brother, I dare not say that. I’ve never thought of it. I’m too new to the sect to dream of such things. I only hope to train well in the Spirit Crane Palace and assist my senior brothers in the future.”
Comfortable!
Shen Chun felt comfortable hearing Chu Xinghe’s words. Even if you know you might not surpass others in the future, when someone lowers themselves and respects you like this, how can it not feel good?
So this junior brother, I’ll definitely support him!
“Rest assured, Junior Brother, leave the Spirit Weapon matter to us. We’ll find the most suitable one for you!”
“Thank you, senior brothers,” Chu Xinghe said gratefully.
“Alright, don’t delay any longer. The Great Elder is waiting for you.”
“Yes… take care, Senior Brother.”
After seeing Shen Chun off, Chu Xinghe returned to the Medicine King Palace. The Great Elder was not in his usual spot but standing beside the Rosefinch Furnace.
“Disciple Chu Xinghe, greets the Great Elder.”
“Xinghe, after studying with me for so many days, do you find identifying herbs dull?”
“I dare not say… but since the Great Elder asks, I won’t hide it. It is a bit dull.”
As soon as Chu Xinghe said this, the Great Elder laughed. He liked Chu Xinghe for his humility and honesty.
Since Chu Xinghe entered the Spirit Crane Palace, the Great Elder had been observing his every move.
He was extremely respectful to his senior brothers and never showed arrogance because of his Rosefinch Spirit Flame. In just a month, everyone in the Spirit Crane Palace, whether disciple or elder, liked this kid.
This made the Great Elder immensely satisfied with Chu Xinghe. Even when facing him, Chu Xinghe answered truthfully, even if the answer might displease him or lead to punishment. Chu Xinghe never shied away from speaking his mind.
The Great Elder had been annoyed, even considering punishing Chu Xinghe, but ultimately, a disciple willing to speak the truth is far better than a sycophant who only flatters.
The Great Elder genuinely wanted to treat Chu Xinghe as a personal disciple, not just because of the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, but also because of Chu Xinghe’s disposition.
He wanted to groom Chu Xinghe as the future leader of the Spirit Crane Palace. The Great Elder’s biggest concern was others’ dissatisfaction, but Chu Xinghe’s performance over the past month won everyone over.
He even won over the Great Elder.
Seeing the Great Elder’s gentle gaze, Chu Xinghe had no idea what the elder was thinking. Otherwise, he would have said… Is that honesty? I’m just trying to dig my own grave… I’m begging for punishment, Great Elder, please.
“Today, we won’t study dull things. I’ll teach you the art of fire control, and you can try communicating with the Rosefinch Furnace!”
Chu Xinghe was stunned, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sky!
Have I finally made it?
“Yes!” Chu Xinghe was so excited he almost wet himself.
“The art of fire control first…” The Great Elder explained a series of things, none of which Chu Xinghe heard until the elder said, “The Rosefinch Furnace is a divine artifact. Remember not to act recklessly; the Rosefinch Spirit Flame is fierce and must not harm the furnace.”
“I will remember!”
Chu Xinghe remembered all the ways that could harm the Rosefinch Furnace.
Today is a good day… everything I wish for comes true!
A divine artifact, right? The Rosefinch Furnace, right? Today, it’s you. Once I destroy the Rosefinch Furnace, not even the Great Elder can save me!
Following the Great Elder’s guidance, Chu Xinghe began communicating with the Earthly Flame. Soon, the Rosefinch Spirit Flame was drawn out, but Chu Xinghe didn’t act recklessly. He continued to follow the Great Elder’s instructions, step by step, maneuvering the Rosefinch Spirit Flame closer to the furnace.
It’s not that Chu Xinghe didn’t want to make a bold move, but the Great Elder was present. Performing a mental lapse in front of him? Not that he feared the elder discovering it, but the elder’s methods were terrifying. One move, and he’d suppress it. If Chu Xinghe wanted to act again, it would be difficult.
So on the surface, Chu Xinghe dared not show any transgression.
When the Rosefinch Spirit Flame touched the Rosefinch Furnace, the previously dormant furnace suddenly began to tremble!
“It’s reacting!” The Great Elder was incredibly excited.
The trembling Rosefinch Furnace began to transform, and soon the Rosefinch phantom hovering above started revolving around the furnace.
“Just as expected… just as expected…”
The Great Elder was moved to tears.
“Indeed, only the Rosefinch Spirit Flame can rejuvenate the Rosefinch Furnace! Four hundred years! The Grand Sky Sect has waited four hundred years! The Rosefinch Furnace has returned!”
The Great Elder was beside himself with excitement, and the activation of the Rosefinch Furnace drew the attention of the Spirit Crane Palace elders. Soon, countless elders rushed over, and upon seeing the furnace reignited, they too were overwhelmed with emotion.
“God Bless Grand Sky!” the elders shouted in unison.
Their gazes all fell on Chu Xinghe, and at that moment, everyone looked at him with gratification. With the Rosefinch Spirit Flame and the Rosefinch Furnace, the Grand Sky Sect’s alchemy skills would surely reach new heights.
The Rosefinch Spirit Flame receded, and the Rosefinch Furnace returned to normal. A group of elders surrounded the Great Elder and Chu Xinghe, continuing to chant “God Bless Grand Sky.”
“Today is a great day for both our Grand Sky Sect and Spirit Crane Palace, the greatest in four hundred years. We must drink to this!”
“Drink we must!”
Several elders spoke, and even the usually stern Great Elder smiled, saying, “By my order, Spirit Crane Palace shall not prohibit alcohol today!”
“Whoo…” The elders cheered and jumped up.
***
The news spread, and the Spirit Crane Palace disciples shouted with joy.
Spirit Crane Palace was the only place in the Grand Sky Sect where alcohol was banned, as the Great Elder disliked it.
Even for happy occasions, disciples could only substitute tea for wine, but today was a four-hundred-year celebration, and this wine must be drunk!
In the Spirit Crane Palace kitchen, the chefs were busy, their pans and woks sparking with flames.
Various delicacies were served, and the feast was set at the Medicine King Palace.
The Great Elder first raised a glass to honor the ancestors and martyrs of the Grand Sky Sect.
Then he toasted the Medicine Saint, Lu Changfeng.
Finally, he raised his glass to drink with everyone. After several rounds, the Medicine King Palace was filled with laughter and joy. Many came to drink with Chu Xinghe, as today’s great celebration was thanks to their Junior Brother Xinghe.
But Chu Xinghe couldn’t hold his liquor and soon turned red-faced and tongue-tied.
Seeing that Chu Xinghe couldn’t drink anymore, Feng Fei quickly stepped in to block the drinks for him, and the senior brothers were amused by Chu Xinghe’s drunken state, so they stopped urging him to drink.
***
It wasn’t until late at night that the banquet finally ended. The Great Elder and the other elders left first, followed by other disciples who gradually departed.
Chu Xinghe appeared drunk, but it was just an act. After sending off the already tipsy Feng Fei, Chu Xinghe told the senior brothers to leave first, saying he wanted to help clean up.
This gesture naturally earned him more praise from the senior brothers, who all exclaimed about his virtue!
Chu Xinghe didn’t know where the virtue was, but once everyone left and he was alone in the Medicine King Palace, his gaze fell on the Rosefinch Furnace…
So… next… let’s do something virtuous.
Heh heh… Little Rosefinch, let big brother take good care of you…
