Chapter 12
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Chapter 12: Becoming an Apprentice
Lin Zhi Shou\’s words left Zhou Luo deeply stunned.
He gazed at the old man before him with a shocked expression, his face growing animated as he followed up, \"Yes, absolutely yes. Becoming Uncle Shou\’s apprentice would be an immense honor for me.\"
Initially, he had assumed that revealing his talent would only secure him some cultivation resources from the family.
Never had he imagined Lin Zhi Shou, a first-level Pill Master, would propose making him an apprentice.
Even though he himself was also a first-level Pill Master…
Becoming the apprentice of such an esteemed figure as Lin Zhi Shou meant his status would rise significantly again. It would also better prepare him for refining first-level potions himself later on.
That was totally an unexpected joy.
\"Hmm, come to Shouchun Garden tomorrow after dinner,\" instructed Lin Zhi Shou, then turned and walked out of the room.
Everyone hurried to see him out.
Once Lin Zhi Shou had left, Lin Qing Han couldn\’t help looking at Zhou Luo. \"What did Grandpa Shou want?\"
Lin Yi Yi chimed in eagerly, \"Yes, husband. Why would someone as important as Grandpa Shou come here? Was it good news?\"
Lin Fei Ying and Lin Zi Er both watched him with curious expressions.
Zhou Luo then explained about his success in refining the potion.
\"You actually succeeded in refining it?\" A flash of astonishment crossed Lin Qing Han\’s face.
\"You are so amazing, my husband,\" said Lin Yi Yi, gazing at him admiringly.
Lin Fei Ying and Lin Zi Er remained quiet, but their gazes towards Zhou Luo were exceptionally gentle.
\"Luck, it was all luck,\" Zhou Luo replied modestly.
For the four women, however, it was far more than just luck.
They were all astounded by Zhou Luo\’s talent, and utterly delighted that he had earned the family\’s recognition.
After all, Zhou Luo\’s rise meant their own statuses would improve too.
That very evening, Lin Qing Han prepared an enormous feast to reward Zhou Luo.
Simultaneously, the other three women also resolved to show their skills that night, properly rewarding him.
Meanwhile, the other sons-in-law also heard about the important figure Lin Zhi Shou\’s visit to Zhou Luo and his intention to take him on as an apprentice.
When they learned Zhou Luo had already secretly taught himself to become a legitimate Pill Master, their eyes reddened with envy and resentment.
Though the family hadn\’t given him tangible rewards, Lin Zhi Shou taking him as an apprentice was enough to make the other sons-in-law grind their teeth in frustration.
Some even spent a fortune buying stacks of pill-making manuals, hoping to teach themselves and replicate his success at leaping the dragon gate.
The next morning, Xu Changsheng visited once more.
His face still wore the same warm, pleasant smile as he offered his congratulations the moment he entered.
\"It\’s just been good luck,\" Zhou Luo said modestly from his seat on the courtyard stone stool.
\"I could see Brother Zhou was extraordinary even earlier,\" Xu Changsheng stated earnestly.
Immediately after, he tried subtly finding out exactly how Zhou Luo had taught himself pill-making.
to see if there was any hidden trick.
Yet this petty scheme was naturally seen through by Zhou Luo, whose responses were watertight, leaving Xu Changsheng no choice but to leave empty-handed.
…
That evening, Zhou Luo arrived at Shouchun Garden, Lin Zhi Shou’s residence, filled with anticipation.
There, he also encountered the young man he had seen earlier at the Herb Hall—Lin Nian.
The moment Lin Nian spotted him, his face darkened. \"Grandpa Shou is waiting for you inside,\" he said coldly.
Zhou Luo nodded and headed inward.
But as he passed by, he suddenly heard the young man mutter under his breath:
\"Remember your place. Thinking you can climb the branches and become a phoenix? Keep dreaming.\"
Zhou Luo paused briefly but ignored him, continuing onward.
In the alchemy room, Lin Zhi Shou stood before the furnace, his expression tense and serious.
Seeing that he was refining a potion,
Zhou Luo tactfully stepped aside to observe in silence.
Lin Zhi Shou was refining a first-level potion called the \"Longevity Spirit Pill.\"
Consuming this pill could prolong life and slow aging, ranking it among the top-grade first-level potions.
First-level Pill Masters themselves were further classified into four minor grades: lower, middle, top-level, and supreme.
A lower-grade first-level Pill Master, often called an entry-level Pill Master, was a stage most cultivators with potential could eventually reach—it was merely a matter of time.
This was precisely why Lin Xin had previously believed Zhou Luo wasn’t worth cultivating.
Progressing from there to the middle first-level grade was the hardest leap.
Often, only those who reached this tier were regarded as genuine first-level Pill Masters.
Lin Zhi Shou, however, was the Lin Family’s sole top-level first-level Pill Master, granting him a highly respected status.
Thus, becoming his apprentice was an exceptionally fortunate opportunity.
Not only the other sons-in-law, but even within the entire Lin Family\’s collateral branches, only Lin Nian possessed this qualification.
Since it was a top-level first-level pill, even Lin Zhi Shou had to proceed with utmost caution.
Yet Zhou Luo, observing nearby, knew this refinement was likely to fail.
Sure enough.
Not long after, a muffled thud erupted from the furnace. The medicinal herbs within instantly turned pitch black, releasing an acrid smell of scorching.
The pill coalescence had failed.
Lin Zhi Shou looked regretful, though not overly disheartened.
After all, refining a top-level first-level pill involved frequent failures.
\"You\’re here?\"
Lin Zhi Shou noticed Zhou Luo, greeting him casually before moving to sit in a nearby chair.
Zhou Luo very observantly poured him a cup of hot tea.
A glimmer of approval flashed in Lin Zhi Shou\’s eyes.
He said leisurely,
\"Starting today, come here every evening to help.\"
\"Understood,\"
Zhou Luo replied with a humble posture.
\"You may ask your questions now,\"
Lin Zhi Shou remarked, sipping his light tea.
Next, Zhou Luo presented his long-prepared, carefully selected questions.
These covered nearly all difficulties a beginner might face.
Lin Zhi Shou patiently explained each one.
When the discussion concluded, practical work began.
Just then, Lin Nian also entered.
Lin Zhi Shou instructed both to attempt refining the Vitality Pill.
Confident, Lin Nian successfully produced four pills swiftly.
Zhou Luo also succeeded,
but yielded only one.
Lin Nian despised the result,
unaware this skill took him nearly ten years of rigorous cultivation.
Zhou Luo had achieved it in less than a year.
Lin Zhi Shou then began lecturing them on pill refining techniques.
Though meaningless to Zhou Luo—already a top-level first-level Pill Master—he attentively took notes.
The instruction lasted several hours.
During this time,
Lin Zhi Shou demonstrated refining a middle first-level potion.
Late that night,
Zhou Luo dragged his weary body home.
Listening to Lin Zhi Shou\’s lessons was sheer torment for a Pill Master of his level.
Yet, to maintain his apprentice status,
he endured it.
As he lay down,
Lin Yi Yi nestled close,
resting her head on his chest with a sweet smile.
\"Husband,
are you tired?\"
Seeing her lovely face with its teasing hint,
he rolled over.
\"Tired?
Impossible.\"
…
In the days that followed,
Zhou Luo cultivated during the day,
apprenticed at Shouchun Garden by night,
and returned home to labor in fulfilling his fathering ambition.
He worked harder than an employee working nine-to-nine,
six days a week.
But persistence bore fruit:
through his diligent efforts,
his other two wives also conceived.
