Chapter Thirty-One: Entering the Alchemy Chamber

He lit the furnace, tended the fire, added the medicinal ingredients, calculated the time, extinguished the flames after three hours, and let it settle for another hour...

Although he had only brewed the Three-Luster Moonlight Powder twice before, Ying Chen had already mastered the process with ease.

Meanwhile, the others also began their preparations, and soon the hall was filled with heat and activity. Occasionally, someone made a commotion—whether through error or by design to distract others was unclear.

But Ying Chen remained focused, following his own method and carefully controlling each step.

Soon, four hours passed in a flash. Ying Chen formed a seal and opened the alchemy furnace, releasing a fragrant aroma that drifted through the air.

The scent was rich and invigorating; anyone familiar with the Three-Luster Moonlight Powder would recognize immediately that the medicine was a success.

A young attendant entered at the sound, examining the powder Ying Chen had produced, with a hint of surprise in his gaze.

Though this batch was not as perfect as the previous one he had crafted, it retained at least eighty percent of its potency—an upper-tier quality even by market standards.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother. With a top-grade medicine, passing the examination is all but certain,” the attendant said, clasping his hands. “However, please wait a moment until the others have finished.”

Ying Chen nodded and closed his eyes to rest.

The others were not all making the Three-Luster Moonlight Powder; different recipes required different times. Nevertheless, these were all low-grade spiritual medicines, so none were too complicated.

Within two hours, everyone else had finished as well. No one produced a complete failure, but the quality varied. The best among them had retained only sixty to seventy percent of the medicine’s efficacy, far inferior to Ying Chen’s result.

This actually surprised Ying Chen. While the attendant’s favoritism had given him a certain advantage, he didn’t expect the disparity to be so great.

Could it be that he truly had some talent in this field?

But on reflection, Ying Chen realized he had studied all twelve medical texts of Elder Gu in preparation for this, thoroughly learning the pharmacology. It was only natural he would outperform others.

What he didn’t know was that everyone who sought entry into this field had also studied pharmacology extensively.

…

The attendant examined each person’s product, collecting a sample from some, scraping a piece from others, and then instructed everyone to wait as he went deeper into the main hall.

Before long, he returned and selected a few from the group, announcing, “Congratulations. You are now apprentices. Someone will come shortly to help you get acquainted.”

Then, to the remaining two, he said, “Your luck wasn’t with you this time. Please try again in the future.”

Yet Ying Chen alone was neither selected nor dismissed.

He was still puzzled when the attendant turned with a smile and addressed him, “Senior Brother Ying, please come with me. Master Zhu wishes to see you.”

Ying Chen nodded in gratitude and followed as the attendant led him into the depths of the hall.

After several turns, they arrived at a quiet chamber, where Ying Chen once again met Daoist Zhu.

Surprisingly, Daoist Zhu looked nothing like the busy figure he had been earlier. Instead, he was leisurely reading a Daoist classic, his manner serene. Beside him was a beautiful woman, who dutifully poured his tea.

Ying Chen’s gaze was drawn to her for a moment. It was not out of desire, but because, despite her exquisite features, there was no trace of human expression on her face. Though she moved fluidly, she exuded no vitality, only an aura of death and chill.

Ying Chen immediately realized—she was not alive, but a corpse!

“The Yin Corpse Nourishing Technique?” The name sprang to mind, but Daoist Zhu did not seem like one who practiced such sinister arts.

“Perhaps it’s just an ordinary method of corpse refinement...” he mused.

While Ying Chen pondered, the attendant saluted Daoist Zhu and announced Ying Chen’s arrival.

Daoist Zhu waved him out, then shifted his gaze to Ying Chen.

In the next moment, he even managed a faint smile. “Junior Brother Ying,” he called.

He pointed to the seat beside him, getting straight to the point. “I’ve already reviewed your results in the recent examination. You achieved an excellent score, didn’t you?”

Ying Chen raised an eyebrow and, neither arrogant nor humble, admitted as much, then sat down beside Daoist Zhu.

Daoist Zhu nodded slightly. “In that case, you should be admitted to the society, correct?”

Ying Chen replied, “After the examination, Senior Sister Qu told me to visit the White Bone Hall when I had time, but I haven’t had the chance yet.”

“Oh...” Daoist Zhu said indifferently. “No matter, it will happen sooner or later.”

He tapped his finger thoughtfully on the table before speaking again. “I’ve seen the medicine you refined.”

“With your skill, it would be a waste for you to do menial chores any longer.”

Ying Chen’s heart stirred. “Then, Senior Brother, what do you propose?”

“In my opinion,” Daoist Zhu said, “you’re already qualified to be an apothecary. Start with the Three-Luster Moonlight Powder, and in time, as you master other formulas, you can expand your repertoire.”

Ying Chen could not help but feel delighted.

He knew that apprentices in the alchemy chamber usually started with preparing ingredients and basic mixing, gaining free access to more pharmacology and alchemy knowledge along the way. Only after mastering more formulas and demonstrating skill could one be promoted to apothecary.

He had come to Elder Gu’s alchemy chamber prepared for this path, but he had not expected it to go so smoothly.

Could it really be that fortune had simply fallen into his lap?

Yet Ying Chen didn’t believe Daoist Zhu would grant him such favor for nothing.

He calmed himself and asked, “Thank you, Senior Brother. But if I become an apothecary, is there anything I should be aware of?”

Daoist Zhu gave a slight smile.

“I won’t hide it from you,” he said, sipping his tea. “I’m giving you this opportunity partly to help a fellow society member, but also because there’s profit to be made.”

“Once you’re an apothecary, the alchemy chamber will assign you medicinal ingredients and tasks.”

“Each time, you’ll receive ten sets of ingredients, and you must produce at least six batches of top-grade medicine to fulfill the quota.”

“That’s a firm requirement. If you fall short, you’ll have to supply the ingredients yourself to make up the difference. But if you succeed...”

Ying Chen understood instantly—if he succeeded, the leftover ingredients would be his to keep!

The profit Daoist Zhu spoke of was now obvious.

“In that case,” Ying Chen asked carefully, “how should I share the ingredients with you once I become an apothecary?”

“Share the ingredients?” Daoist Zhu shook his head and held up five fingers. “I’ll provide sales channels and guarantees for your medicines—fifty-fifty split.”

He added languidly, “Within this alchemy chamber, every apothecary, high or low, operates under the same arrangement.”