Stealing Immortal

Chapter 79: Chapter 78: A Casual Move

「7:00 AM.」

The sun rose in the east. Chen Qingyang walked alone down the street, watching countless hurried figures reflected in the glazed tiles of the rooftops.

This place was like a massive academy, with all sorts of functional palaces, scripture pavilions, Alchemy Rooms, and high towers. There were Daoist canons and other scriptures, as well as residential houses and small courtyards. And then there were the Foundation Establishment Masters’ Dao Fields, suspended mid-air among the gazebos and pavilions.

He wasn’t hurrying, nor was he hesitant. Compared to the people on the street, Chen Qingyang was the calmest of all. He took the Token from his robes and glanced at it carefully. It was inscribed with the word: Bingshen.

Chen Qingyang looked around, then continued walking. It took him a long time to find this place.

It was a moderately sized palace with many windows on all four sides, all of which were currently wide open. Through them, one could see many Pill Furnaces lined up inside.

They were all the same style and size, like an elixir workshop established by the Tai Xu Sect.

The palace’s placard had no other words, just the simple inscription ”Bingshen.” A few people were standing at the entrance, seemingly discussing something. The gate was guarded by two old men in Profound Black Daoist Robes who seemed completely oblivious to the conversation happening outside.

”I am Xu Ningyuan. Might I ask which peak Junior Brother is from?”

The man who stopped Chen Qingyang was about forty, with long hair, a short beard, and a pale, slightly chubby face. Chen Qingyang glanced around; the few others who had gathered also looked quite old. ’No wonder they’re calling me Junior Brother,’ he thought. ’It’s because I look the youngest.’

”May I ask what you all are...?”

The man who called himself Xu Ningyuan explained, ”Junior Brother may not be aware, but the few of us are also here at the Bingshen Alchemy Room to participate in this elixir competition. Most of us are here for the first time and aren’t very confident, so we were just discussing at the entrance whether it’s better to take a risk or play it safe. May I ask for Junior Brother’s name?”

He was very polite, bowing with his hands clasped as he spoke. Chen Qingyang returned the gesture. ”I am Chen Qingyang, from the Four Golden Peaks.”

One of the men was taken aback for a moment, while another became surprised. ”My, my, Junior Brother Chen is truly talented to have come from there...”

Hearing his remark, others naturally grew curious and asked what the Four Golden Peaks was, which led to another round of idle chatter. Just like that, Chen Qingyang was inexplicably drawn into their conversation.

”Fellow Junior Brothers, I’ve been practicing alchemy for nearly fifty years. If it’s just Tier Three Elixirs, I can do it with my eyes closed—nine out of ten batches will be a success. But I’m an ambitious man, and I want to try my hand at a Tier Four Elixir. After all, everyone knows Tier Three is just the entry level. Tier Four is what makes you a true member of the Pill Institute...”

After he finished, everyone started talking over each other again.

”I don’t have that concern. I might not even succeed with one out of ten batches of Tier Three Elixirs. If I get lucky today, great. If not, it’s no big loss!”

”Haha, you’re an interesting one. I’m not like you; my success rate is much higher, but even I don’t dare attempt Tier Four. Normally I’m almost certain of success, but right now I’m extremely nervous.”

”...That’s right. A bit of idle chat can help us all relax.”

After listening to them chat for a while, Chen Qingyang finally understood what was going on.

’Of course,’ he mused. ’With the help of Stealing Immortal, how could I ever have these worries?’ His biggest concerns on the Four Golden Peaks were how to survive and how to obtain more Immortal Seedlings.

”May I ask, Senior Brothers, is the difference between Tier Three and Tier Four that significant to the Pill Institute?”

That one sentence made everyone freeze again. They exchanged glances, and looks of disdain inevitably appeared.

”Junior Brother Chen... so you’re the real newbie here. You don’t know anything at all!”

...

It was the kind-hearted Xu Ningyuan who spoke to Chen Qingyang. ”Never mind, never mind. Let me explain the stakes to you. Everyone knows that ordinary elixirs are divided into Tier One through Tier Nine. From the Pill Institute’s perspective, being able to refine a Tier Three Elixir barely gets your foot in the door. You can get some support from the Pill Institute and obtain the necessary Pill Formulas, but it’s very limited.”

”But reaching Tier Four, especially for an Outer Disciple with our level of cultivation, is considered very promising. After all, many peaks don’t specialize in the Alchemy Dao, so talented individuals are often overlooked. Refining a Tier Four elixir is enough to prove one’s talent. After that, with the Pill Institute’s training, reaching Tier Five becomes much easier.”

This group was talkative, and chattering all at once, they managed to explain the situation clearly.

Chen Qingyang ignored their condescension and just continued, ”Then... what are the requirements for an Outer Disciple to enter the Separation Dragon Pill Institute to study?”

”PFFT!” As soon as he said it, someone burst out laughing. ”I think this kid isn’t just a newbie, he’s a bit of an idiot too.”

With one person starting, the rest couldn’t help but sneer. ”Don’t you think that question is a bit out of your league? If you really had talent, a gem like you wouldn’t have been buried until now.”

”I bet this kid doesn’t know a thing. He’d probably struggle to even refine a Tier Two Elixir, especially since he was recommended by a place like the Four Golden Peaks!”

’Though his appearance was young, Chen Qingyang’s mentality was the same as ever. Arguing with insignificant people over insignificant things is meaningless. The world is vast; there will always be frogs in wells.’

”Everyone, I think you should watch your mouths. What makes you so special? You’ve just seen a little more of the world, that’s all...”

Xu Ningyuan spoke up, silencing the crowd. Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped toward him. ”Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Xu. In my eyes, these people are nothing special. They’re not worth caring about!”

”You...” Now being mocked in return, some of them grew angry. But Xu Ningyuan said, ”Enough, enough. There’s no point in talking anymore. Let’s just go to the competition. We’ll let our skills do the talking.”

”That’s reasonable. What Senior Brother Xu said is reasonable.”

”Haha, I’d love to see what this kid can manage to refine.”

...

The group went over and gathered in front of the two gatekeepers. The two men would ask for their names, confirm their Tokens, and ask which elixir they intended to refine.

Chen Qingyang had arrived last, so he naturally ended up at the back of the line. At the group’s urging, Xu Ningyuan was the first to go up.

”Senior Brothers, I would like to attempt the Tier Four Spring Rain Pill.”

The two men facing him were quite cold. ”Here, there’s no ’attempting.’ Tier Four is Tier Four. Are you sure?”

Xu Ningyuan glanced back at the expectant looks of the crowd and finally gave a reluctant nod.

”Alright, next.”

The one who went up this time was the man who had laughed the loudest at Chen Qingyang earlier. ”Senior Brother, I’ll play it safe, just enough to pass. Tier Three. Yes, the Tier Three Spring Rain Pill.”

The next few people all chose the same elixir, and all of them chose Tier Three. Bringing up the rear, Chen Qingyang finally understood. ’This elixir must be the easiest among Tier Three and Four elixirs to refine, making it the most suitable for the exam.’

’Could it be that the great Pill Institute’s selection test is filled with such a motley crew? Or is my own rank just so low that I can only be grouped with people like this?’

’Hmm, on second thought, it can only be the latter.’

When it was Chen Qingyang’s turn, the people in front of him didn’t go inside but stood by the door, waiting for him. ”Senior Brothers, Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder. Chen Qingyang.”

The man who was about to take his Token paused noticeably. ”Are you sure? Tier Four?”

The man glanced inside before saying to him, ”Fortunately, we prepared enough ingredients. I hope you’re not just being arrogant.”

Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. ”Thank you, Senior Brother.”

The people behind him started murmuring again—some sneered, some were surprised. It was just like when he first met Liu Tao; this was the common thread of human nature.

Chen Qingyang simply gave a slight nod to Xu Ningyuan before entering and sitting down before a Pill Furnace.

”Silence! Anyone who makes another sound will be expelled!”

In the center of the Alchemy Room was a raised platform, upon which sat an old man in black robes. He was seated on the floor, holding a Duster.

The group at the door, who had been getting louder and louder, heard the reprimand and dared not make any more noise. They immediately came in and found their own places to sit.

The old man at the head of the room continued, ”I, this old man, will be supervising this Alchemy Room’s test. You will have only one chance to refine your elixir. If you make a mistake midway, I will expel you. You must refine the elixir you registered under your name. If there is any discrepancy, you will also be expelled.”

His eyes swept over the crowd, his presence full of pressure. His cultivation was clearly higher than theirs. ”If a pill has not been formed within four hours, you will also be considered to have failed. Now, begin!”

At his command, many people scrambled to find their ingredients, afraid of wasting even a single second.

Not far from Chen Qingyang was Xu Ningyuan. A grim look was on his face; he was likely regretting his earlier arrogance.

Chen Qingyang remained unhurried, sitting still in his spot. It was enough to make one think he had given up without a fight.

”Why aren’t you moving?” The old man’s voice drifted down from above.

”I’m waiting for them to finish picking. The chaos would disrupt my Mental Realm.”

At that, the old man said no more. The people picking out ingredients clearly sped up. By the time Chen Qingyang stood up, he was the only one left in front of the shelves.

He had refined countless batches of the Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder, so he proceeded methodically, starting from the selection of ingredients. The old man above kept his gaze on him. When he saw how Chen Qingyang handled the ingredients, he was slightly surprised. When he then saw his Fire Control, his surprise was joined by the dismissal of his earlier concerns.

Chen Qingyang’s mind was entirely focused on the elixir. He had to give his all to create the best possible batch of Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder.

Finally, he entered the ”Late Fire” stage.

He noticed that Xu Ningyuan, who had been next to him, was long gone. It seemed his batch of elixirs had failed, and he had left early.

One by one, people left, while others looked pleased. By the time Chen Qingyang’s ”Late Fire” stage was over, there were still people remaining.

The old man took the pills from the Pill Furnace, inspected them meticulously, then announced loudly, ”Chen Qingyang of the Four Golden Peaks has refined three Tier Four Yang Replacement Powders in one batch! Quality... excellent!”

Even the people listening at the doorway couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.

A Miscellaneous Task disciple.

A Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder.

Three pills in a single batch, all of them excellent.