Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 1003: Chapter 548: Acknowledging a Master

”Master Yu, if a cultivator really gains recognition from the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod’s artifact spirit, will the Taichu Sect actually send the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod away?” Li Shiming asked curiously.

The Tai Chu Treasure Tripod, carrying the Taichu name, indicates how highly the Taichu Sect values it.

”Amitabha Buddha, the Taichu Sect has used this tripod for countless alchemy master gatherings for over three thousand years, and not a single alchemy master has successfully claimed it!” Master Guang Nian from the Lianhua Temple said aloud.

Although Master Guang Nian is a monk, he might be an alchemy master himself. As he rarely participates in the intrigues among cultivators, he maintains a sincere nature, speaking very directly. Li Shiming didn’t sense any malice against the Taichu Sect in his words.

”Master Guang Nian, this is not right; the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod is right here, and each time you all try repeatedly. If it were truly claimable, it would’ve been taken long ago!” Master Yu disagreed and retorted.

He knew very well that the sect placed the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod here, hosting gatherings for alchemy masters almost every time. Each time it attracts many alchemy masters to come on their own due to its influence.

One should know that alchemy masters are extremely busy, rarely having the time to spare; even a major sect’s invitation might struggle to gather various alchemy masters at once.

But with the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod, it’s different; a top-tier pill furnace is enough to attract alchemy masters.

Master Yu is even more aware that the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod hasn’t been claimed for over three thousand years and similarly remained unclaimed after spending a thousand years within the Taichu Sect.

Such a spirit-having artifact, if unable to find a master in the long term, will keep its spirit in a constant depletion state, unable to receive spiritual energy replenishment from a master, gradually weakening until the spirit perishes.

Thus, upon discovering the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod’s spirit is too peculiar and cannot be claimed, the Taichu Sect released it, openly stating that any alchemist master could claim it, and they would send the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod away.

”The Tai Chu Treasure Tripod’s spirit is too obstinate; even my Buddhist teachings cannot enlighten it!” Master Guang Nian shook his head helplessly.

”Master Li, how about you give it a try!” Master Yu smiled as he spoke to Li Shiming.

”Indeed, let Master Li try; if he truly claims it, it would be enough to make Master Yu heartache!” Master Guang Nian also laughed.

”I’m quite interested in seeing the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod!” Li Shiming’s curiosity was piqued, and he nodded.

He approached the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod, and two alchemy masters beside it saw him coming and made way.

If they could’ve refined and claimed it, these two alchemy masters would’ve long done so.

Li Shiming released his divine sense to contact the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod, surprisingly, he smoothly established communication with its spirit.

The spirit didn’t engage in any other exchanges but simply posed an alchemy-related question.

The question was quite challenging, but with the help of his life-bound artifact IBMz15, Li Shiming easily answered it.

The spirit didn’t stop probing and quickly asked a second question, again raising the difficulty level.

Li Shiming quickly acquired the answer from IBMz15 and conveyed it via divine sense to the spirit.

Question after question, the spirit almost covered every alchemy process, with depths so challenging that without IBMz15, the calculation and knowledge scope would have been beyond reach for normal alchemy masters.

Even if answering was possible, it would require substantial time to ponder, yet the spirit gave very short durations.

”What do you think, how many levels can Master Li pass?” Master Guang Nian asked with a laugh.

It’s rare to have a new alchemy master join the gathering and undergo the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod’s spirit’s test.

All the alchemy masters present had also faced the spirit’s trials, with progress varying among them.

Though the spirit’s test cannot truly assess an alchemy master’s caliber, those who can answer more questions, pass more levels, assuredly have non-subpar alchemy abilities.

Most importantly, every alchemy master here unanimously believes that alchemists who pass more levels reflect greater potential in their alchemy aptitude and room for improvement.

”At most ten levels!” Master Jiang Hong replied with mild tone.

He knew Li Shiming well, as he was the one who introduced him into the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

Despite feeling somewhat envious of Li Shiming’s demonstrated alchemy level, his capability was indeed high; however, his youth and loose cultivator background were notable.

Even though Li Shiming received the Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s alchemy legacy, the time had been too short, the exposure to top-notch alchemy knowledge minimal and hence weak in fundamentals.

Calling ten levels was indeed Master Jiang Hong estimating generously for Li Shiming.

”Seems like Master Jiang isn’t optimistic about Master Li!” Master Yu’s eyes gleamed as he said with a soft smile, ”I predict Master Li can pass fifteen levels!”

He noticed Master Jiang Hong’s attitude toward Li Shiming wasn’t as amicable as rumored, with some hostility, despite rumors that Master Li had been introduced to the sect by Master Jiang Hong.

Nine alchemy masters stood by, watching Li Shiming while discussing the spirit.

Suddenly, they collectively stopped talking, turning their gaze to Li Shiming and the Tai Chu Treasure Tripod.

The Tai Chu Treasure Tripod’s surface shimmered with brilliance, and Li Shiming’s divine sense entered its interior — something that had never happened before.