Chapter 31: Transferred to the Alchemy Hall, Xiao Wusheng Wishes to Accept a Disciple
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Xiao Wusheng beamed with joy, gently lifting Yu Xian up by the arm. Smiling, he said, “Good, good! Come, follow me to find Su Mofeng. From today onward, you are a disciple of my Alchemy Hall!”
Yu Xian forced a smile and nodded, following behind Xiao Wusheng.
He was happy to be joining the Alchemy Hall—but he couldn’t bring himself to smile.
The jade pendant on his chest… would no longer grow warm.
The treasure his mother left behind, one that helped him find ore, had spared him countless hardships over the past seven months.
If not for that jade pendant, even if he had seven whole years instead of months, Yu Xian likely wouldn’t have reached his current level.
He pressed his hand to his chest, eyes growing more determined.
His mother’s help ended here.
From now on—he would walk his own path.
Xiao Wusheng walked swiftly, clearly eager to finalize Yu Xian’s transfer into the Alchemy Hall.
He truly liked this boy’s alchemy technique—he was a rare talent!
And most importantly—he was only sixteen years old! With so much potential for growth, Xiao Wusheng had a feeling that under his guidance, this boy could one day become a great alchemy master.
They soon arrived at the Hundred Mines Hall.
Xiao Wusheng bypassed the main hall and led Yu Xian down a side path toward the rear palace.
Several guarding disciples stood at the entrance, but they recognized Xiao Wusheng and did not block him, instead bowing respectfully as they allowed him through.
“Su Shidi! Still cultivating? If you’re not, then come out already!” Xiao Wusheng called out loudly upon entering, paying no mind to whether Su Mofeng was actually cultivating.
“Tch, you really have no manners.”
A calm voice replied. From behind a curtain, a man in brocade robes stepped forward.
“You say I have no manners? Where were your manners when you needed pills? You didn’t complain then!” Xiao Wusheng rolled his eyes, then gestured to Yu Xian. “Anyway, I’m here for something simple—I’m taking this kid with me.”
Su Mofeng stepped fully into view. Tall and handsome, he looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old—a clear prodigy who had cultivated to this level at a young age.
“You want someone?” Su Mofeng glanced at Yu Xian and sighed. “Why come to me for something so small? I barely manage the Hundred Mines anymore. Everything’s handled by Chu Jiang. Just tell him I approved it.”
“You really enjoy being a hands-off boss, huh? Fine, I’ll take your word so Chu Jiang doesn’t play dumb with me,” Xiao Wusheng laughed. “Keep cultivating hard. Hope you condense your Golden Core soon!”
As Xiao Wusheng left, Su Mofeng quietly watched them go before vanishing back behind the curtain.
“Su Mofeng may be the acting overseer of the Hundred Mines, but he leaves everything to others,” Xiao Wusheng explained as they walked. “He’s talented and diligent—might reach Core Formation by twenty-five!”
“Twenty-five?” Yu Xian echoed, unsure if that was considered fast or slow.
“Twenty-seven to reach Foundation Establishment, fifty to complete it, and then twenty-five more years to form a Golden Core… seventy-five years old and in the Core Formation realm—that’s rare! I provide him with pills partly to build connections,” Xiao Wusheng sighed.
Though Xiao Wusheng himself was also at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, he was nothing compared to Su Mofeng.
He likely had no chance of ever advancing, regardless of how many pills he consumed—unless he encountered some massive opportunity.
Despite appearing middle-aged, he was actually 131 years old. He only looked this way because he’d built his foundation when he was in his thirties or forties—locking his appearance in place.
Su Mofeng, in contrast, had indeed established his foundation while still young.
Yu Xian said nothing, understanding that these were simply Xiao Wusheng’s musings.
They soon arrived at the Hundred Mines’ main hall.
As the esteemed Alchemy Hall master, many knew Xiao Wusheng. His arrival had already been reported to the Hundred Mines’ vice master—Chu Jiang.
Before Xiao Wusheng could even ask for someone to fetch him, Chu Jiang came out with a hearty laugh.
Yu Xian narrowed his eyes slightly. He remembered Chu Jiang—it was the same man who had greeted him seven months ago when Elder Quan Dao brought him in, wearing a sycophantic smile.
But now Chu Jiang’s expression was calm, not fawning—clearly, Xiao Wusheng wasn’t someone he needed to butter up.
As he got closer and saw Yu Xian standing beside Xiao Wusheng, a trace of confusion flashed in Chu Jiang’s eyes.
He’d only seen Yu Xian once—on the day Quan Dao brought him. After handing the boy off to a steward named Huang Hanxiao, Chu Jiang had told him to get rid of the kid quickly and never followed up.
He had nearly forgotten the boy entirely.
And yet… here he was again.
Still in the White Cloud Sect?
Had Huang Hanxiao disobeyed his instructions? But that guy died three months ago…
Internally annoyed, Chu Jiang kept smiling. Out loud, he asked, “What brings you here today, Brother Xiao?”
“I need a favor,” Xiao Wusheng said casually, giving Chu Jiang the basic courtesy due a fellow cultivator, though he clearly outranked him.
“Oh? What sort of favor?” Chu Jiang raised a brow.
“I’m here to take this boy with me. He’s joining the Alchemy Hall,” Xiao Wusheng replied, clapping Yu Xian on the shoulder.
Chu Jiang’s smile faltered.
His brow furrowed. “As vice hall master, I don’t have the authority to approve inter-hall transfers.”
“No matter. Brother Su Mofeng has already agreed. I’m just here to follow protocol,” Xiao Wusheng said, unconcerned.
Chu Jiang hesitated.
And Xiao Wusheng’s smile slowly faded.
“What’s the meaning of this, Brother Chu?” Xiao Wusheng asked coldly.
Such a trivial matter—he only needed a nod. Why was Chu Jiang stalling?
Clearly, he was trying to make things difficult.
Xiao Wusheng’s gaze darkened with rising anger.
Chu Jiang looked Yu Xian up and down before saying, “Brother Xiao, come with me. We need to talk—privately.”
Xiao Wusheng frowned. “Whatever it is, say it here. Why be secretive?”
Chu Jiang chuckled dryly. “It’s not a matter of secrecy, but others might misunderstand. Please, just follow me.”
With that, he turned and walked toward a side hall.
Xiao Wusheng frowned, glanced at Yu Xian, and said, “Wait here. Let me see what this is about.”
“Okay,” Yu Xian nodded.
He had a vague idea what Chu Jiang might be bringing up.
After all, it had always been about Quan Dao—the inner sect elder who wanted Yu Xian out of the sect from the beginning.
After a short while, Xiao Wusheng returned—his face dark and stormy.
Chu Jiang, meanwhile, was still smiling.
Yu Xian had a bad feeling, though he kept his expression calm.
After all, he wasn’t officially part of the Alchemy Hall yet. If this failed, he would just go back to where he was before.
Xiao Wusheng stood in front of him. His expression softened.
“Chu Jiang has agreed. You’re coming with me to the Alchemy Hall,” he said.
Yu Xian blinked.
Chu Jiang’s smile froze on his face.
“Brother Xiao, what did you just say?” he asked, stunned. “Did you not understand what I just told you? Defying Elder Quan Dao isn’t—”
“I didn’t defy anyone,” Xiao Wusheng interrupted coldly. “I’m simply transferring a disciple. Su Mofeng already approved. That’s all.”
He turned to Yu Xian, clapped his shoulder, and said with conviction, “Let’s go. From now on, you’re one of mine. So long as you follow the rules, no one can touch you!”
Yu Xian looked at him in stunned silence—then nodded firmly.
Chu Jiang stood frozen, eyes twitching. But he could do nothing.
Xiao Wusheng had come to him only for formality’s sake. With Su Mofeng’s prior approval, he had no right to interfere.
As the two walked away, Chu Jiang gritted his teeth.
This boy was now under the Alchemy Hall’s protection.
Which meant he no longer had any way of removing him from the sect.
He had to report this to Quan Dao immediately. It was the only way to avoid blame later.
Chu Jiang knew all too well—people in power hated being kept in the dark. Better to admit failure early than to try and cover it up.
With that thought, he hurried toward the inner sect.
Meanwhile, Yu Xian and Xiao Wusheng returned to the Alchemy Hall.
They walked in silence for a while, until Yu Xian asked, “Master, did someone from the inner sect threaten you?”
“Oh? You noticed?” Xiao Wusheng raised an eyebrow. “To be honest, I’m curious myself. Elder Quan Dao is a Core Formation cultivator. Why would he go out of his way to kick you out? If you really offended him, he could have just killed you. Why all the trouble?”
Yu Xian gave a bitter smile. “I honestly don’t know. He was the one who brought me into the sect. Could it be because I have a low-grade wood spirit root?”
“What? You weren’t recruited through the usual channels?” Xiao Wusheng narrowed his eyes. “Why did he bring you in?”
Yu Xian explained how he had accidentally activated an Ascension Token, leading to his encounter with Quan Dao, who then brought him to the sect only to abandon him after testing his spirit root.
“You said… an Ascension Token?”
Xiao Wusheng’s voice grew sharp. He immediately looked around, then hurried Yu Xian back to his personal cultivation hall.
Only once they were safe inside did Xiao Wusheng speak again.
“You’re saying you awakened an Ascension Token? And it’s now in Quan Dao’s possession?”
Yu Xian nodded. “Yes.”
“No wonder…” Xiao Wusheng muttered, eyes flashing.
But then he sighed, shaking his head. “Still, it’s probably for the best the token isn’t in your hands. Otherwise, you really might be in danger. Don’t worry—Quan Dao won’t act rashly. That nonsense from Chu Jiang was just paranoia.”
Yu Xian couldn’t help but ask, “Master… what is the Ascension Token?”
Xiao Wusheng’s expression returned to calm. “Child, some things you’re better off not knowing right now. Just remember—you’re a disciple of the Alchemy Hall. Focus on cultivation and pill refining. Once your strength grows, you’ll naturally come to understand.”
“Yes, Master. Thank you,” Yu Xian bowed.
He could tell Xiao Wusheng was genuinely looking out for him.
Sometimes… knowing too much was a curse.
After seven months in the Hundred Mines, Xiao Wusheng was the first person to treat him kindly.
Even if it was partly because of his talent—it was still kindness.
“All right, enough chatter,” Xiao Wusheng said. “Tell me—who taught you alchemy? Did someone in the Alchemy Hall mentor you?”
Yu Xian scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “No, Master. I just read Alchemy Compendium and Myriad Pill Records, then bought a few pill recipes and experimented on my own.”
“You taught yourself!?”
Xiao Wusheng stared at him in disbelief. Then sighed, exasperated. “Genius. A real genius.”
Yu Xian scratched his head, even more embarrassed.
Alchemy… felt just like making medicine.
Be careful. Be patient. Follow instructions to the letter.
Back when he’d brewed medicine for his mother, he was even more meticulous.
Every word from the doctor—he followed precisely.
And yet… even with perfect care, he couldn’t save her…
Looking at the shy, blushing young man in front of him, Xiao Wusheng couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle his hair.
“Yu Xian,” he said seriously. “I wish to formally accept you as my disciple. I will personally teach you the Dao of Alchemy. Are you willing?”
