58: Chapter 58 Apprentice of Herbal Medicine, First Ignition of the Elixir Fire

Hundred Herbs Hall is a giant in the Medicinal Pill industry of Tianfeng Kingdom. Becoming its apprentice would not only grant access to systematic Alchemy knowledge and stable practice Materials, but also allow him to use its reputation to establish a foothold in Tianyong City and obtain more resources and information. As for the ancient Legacy, he would just need to use it carefully.

Lin Ye hesitated no longer, straightened his robes, and stepped into the branch of Hundred Herbs Hall.

The hall was filled with the pungent scent of herbs, assistants were busy behind the counters, and Cultivators came and went in an endless stream. He walked straight up to a middle-aged Cultivator who looked like a manager and explained his purpose.

"Applying to be an Alchemy apprentice?" The manager looked Lin Ye over. Seeing that he was young, his cultivation was decent (displayed as Qi Refining Stage 4), but his clothing was ordinary and he did not look like he had an Alchemy background, he said indifferently, "Do you know the rules for recruiting apprentices at our Hundred Herbs Hall? You must pass three assessments: First, identify one hundred basic medicinal herbs; second, a fire control test; third, refine a designated first-grade Low Grade Medicinal Pill. Those who pass must also sign a ten-year contract, during which you are not allowed to refine pills for others privately or leak our hall's Pill Formulas. Have you thought this through?"

"This one understands, and is willing to try." Lin Ye cupped his hands.

"Hmm, come to the back hall tomorrow at the hour of the dragon to take the assessment. This is a Jade Slip containing the illustrations and introductions of the one hundred basic medicinal herbs. Take it and study it; there will be a random spot check tomorrow." The manager handed over a Jade Slip and said no more.

Lin Ye took the Jade Slip, returned to the inn, and immediately immersed his consciousness into it.

The one hundred medicinal herbs recorded in the Jade Slip were mostly common auxiliary herbs for refining first-grade Medicinal Pills. Although he had not studied them systematically, he recognized more than half from his many adventures in herb gathering and reading the insights of ancient Cultivators. He forcibly memorized the rest and combined them with the descriptions in the Alchemy insights of the "Green Wave Art."

The night passed without incident.

The next day at the hour of the dragon, Lin Ye arrived at the back hall of Hundred Herbs Hall on time. There were seven or eight other young men and women participating in the assessment, all at Qi Refining Stage 4 or 5. Some looked nervous, others feigned calmness.

The assessment was hosted by an Alchemist at the Early Stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage surnamed Hu. Alchemist Hu had a ruddy complexion and gentle eyes, but carried an inherent air of authority.

For the first stage, identifying medicinal herbs, Alchemist Hu randomly took out twenty actual medicinal herbs or pictures and asked for their names, medicinal properties, and common uses. Relying on his superior memory and the assistance of the ancient Cultivator's insights, Lin Ye answered eighteen correctly and missed two obscure ones. His score was above average, and he passed smoothly.

The second stage was the fire control test. There was a simple test formation in front of them, requiring the use of one's own Spiritual Qi to generate and maintain a stable flame, and to change its temperature and form according to requirements. This demanded extremely high precision in controlling Spiritual Qi.

Lin Ye stepped forward and circulated the "Ice Soul Sword Art." However, he did not output icy Spiritual Qi, but deliberately guided the relatively "gentle" water-attribute part, transforming it into a "water-moistening fire" with a hint of chill. A stable, pale blue flame rose from his left palm. Following his thoughts, the flame grew and shrank, the temperature changed evenly, and he could even separate a tiny wisp of flame to outline a simple pattern in the air.

"Oh? Water-moistening fire? That is rare. The control is precise, and the stability is excellent. Not bad." A flash of surprise appeared in Alchemist Hu's eyes, and he nodded. Lin Ye's control over Spiritual Qi was already far beyond his peers due to cultivating the "Ice Soul Sword Art" and his many life-and-death battles, so he passed this stage easily.

The third stage was to refine a "Qi Recovery Pill," the most basic first-grade Low Grade Medicinal Pill. Three portions of Materials were provided, and one furnace had to be successfully refined (at least three pills, quality not limited).

This was the most difficult stage. Many apprentices who performed well in the first two stages failed in the practical operation.

Lin Ye took a deep breath and walked to the simple Pill Furnace assigned to him. Although he had never personally refined a pill, the ancient Cultivator's insights described the steps of Alchemy, heat control, timing of adding medicinal Materials, and guidance of Spiritual Qi in great detail; he had already simulated it many times in his mind.

Lighting the fire, preheating the Pill Furnace, adding the first auxiliary herb, "Dew-Condensing Grass"...

He was fully focused. Every step was strictly in accordance with the insights, while simultaneously adjusting the heat based on his keen perception of Spiritual Qi. The pale blue water-moistening fire burned quietly under the Pill Furnace, and the temperature was stable.

Half an hour later, a faint herbal fragrance wafted from the Pill Furnace.

Open the furnace!

At the bottom of the furnace lay five round, pale white Medicinal Pills. Although there were slight flaws on the surface, they were indeed successfully refined!

"Five pills! A success rate of fifty percent! The quality... slightly above Low Grade. Not bad. To have such a result on the first attempt shows talent and Heart-Nature." Alchemist Hu checked the Medicinal Pills, a look of satisfaction on his face. "You are called Lin Han? Are you willing to join my Hundred Herbs Hall and become an apprentice under my tutelage?"

"This Disciple is willing!" Lin Ye bowed and saluted.

Of the others participating in the assessment, only two passed, and both were accepted by other alchemists.

Just like that, Lin Ye became an Alchemy apprentice at Hundred Herbs Hall, studying under Alchemist Hu.

After becoming an apprentice, Lin Ye's life became regular and busy.

During the day, he studied and did odd jobs in the Alchemy room in the backyard of Hundred Herbs Hall. Alchemist Hu was skilled in refining water and wood attribute Medicinal Pills, had a gentle temperament, and taught with patience. From the most basic handling of medicinal Materials and maintenance of Pill Furnaces to the refining of various first-grade Low Grade and Medium Grade Medicinal Pills, Lin Ye learned hungrily. His solid Spiritual Qi control ability and superior memory soon made him stand out among the apprentices, and he was deeply loved by Alchemist Hu.

Alchemist Hu even privately taught him a few unique fire control techniques and methods for purifying medicinal Materials.

Lin Ye would also "ask for advice" or "unintentionally" mention some exquisite insights from the ancient Alchemy experience (hiding the source) at appropriate times, which often made Alchemist Hu's eyes light up, and the Master-Disciple relationship became increasingly harmonious.

With the help of the resources of Hundred Herbs Hall, Lin Ye began to try to refine Medicinal Pills that were useful to him. He first refined a few furnaces of "Rejuvenation Pills" and "Antidote Pills" to practice, and his success rate and quality improved steadily.

A month later, with the tacit approval of Alchemist Hu, he began to use the benefits of an apprentice (he could use a certain amount of basic medicinal Materials and Pill Furnaces for free every month) to try to refine "Mystic Yin Pills."

The Mystic Yin Pill was a first-grade High Grade Medicinal Pill, and the difficulty of refining it was far greater than the previous ones. He only had a small portion of the main ingredient, mystic yin true water, stored in his bone ring, so he had to succeed in one go.

In the first attempt, due to insufficient control over the cold nature of the "mystic yin true water," the energy inside the Pill Furnace conflicted when the main ingredient was fused, leading to a furnace explosion, and the Materials were destroyed.

Lin Ye was not discouraged. He carefully reviewed the process, combined the ancient Cultivator's insights with Alchemist Hu's guidance, and adjusted the heat and the way of guiding Spiritual Qi.

In the second attempt, he was even more careful. The pale blue water-moistening fire wrapped around the Pill Furnace, and his Divine Sense closely monitored every change inside the furnace. When he added that drop of precious mystic yin true water, he immediately turned the flame into an extremely gentle and yielding state, using the icy Spiritual Qi of the "Ice Soul Sword Art" as a guide to slowly lead the power of the true water to fuse with the other medicinal liquids.

The whole process was like walking on thin ice, and sweat appeared on his forehead.

Two hours later, the Pill Furnace shook slightly, and a cool, refreshing herbal fragrance with a faint aura of mystic yin permeated the air.

Open the furnace!

Three dragon-eye-sized Medicinal Pills, deep blue throughout, with faint cloud patterns on the surface, lay quietly at the bottom of the furnace.

Mystic Yin Pill, success! And the quality reached Medium Grade!

Lin Ye was ecstatic in his heart and carefully put away the Medicinal Pills. With these three Mystic Yin Pills, the conflict between the residual cold poison of the Mystic Flood Dragon and the foreign energy in his body could hopefully be completely resolved!

He took a Mystic Yin Pill and immediately sat cross-legged to refine it.

The Medicinal Pill entered his abdomen, turning into a pure, cool, yet extremely heavy medicinal power that quickly surged to his limbs and bones. The last trace of stubborn cold poison at the wound on his left shoulder melted like ice and snow, and the fragile balance of ice and fire in his body, under the reconciliation of this pure mystic yin medicinal power, actually became more stable and harmonious. The icy Spiritual Qi became purer and more condensed, and even faintly carried a trace of the heavy characteristics of mystic yin true water.

Although his cultivation level did not break through, his Foundation was more solid, and the quality of his Spiritual Qi had improved significantly.

"Good pill!" Lin Ye opened his eyes, feeling refreshed. He felt that his current state was even better than before he was injured.

In the following days, Lin Ye completed his apprentice homework while using the remaining two Mystic Yin Pills and the resources of Hundred Herbs Hall to Cultivate steadily. His cultivation was steadily moving towards the Late Stage of Qi Refining Stage 5. The "Mystic Jade Body" was also steadily advancing towards the third layer under the reconciliation of ice and fire and the nourishment of Medicinal Pills.

He would occasionally take on some tasks issued by Hundred Herbs Hall related to herb gathering or guarding the herb fields to earn extra contributions and Spirit Stones, while also honing his actual combat skills.

On this day, Alchemist Hu called Lin Ye to the quiet room.

"Lin Han, you have been an apprentice for two months. You are diligent, talented, and your progress in the Dao of Alchemy is rapid. Your Master is very pleased." Alchemist Hu stroked his beard and smiled. "There is a matter at hand, which may be an opportunity for you, but it also carries some risks."

"Please speak, Master." Lin Ye said respectfully.

"Three days from now, our Hundred Herbs Hall, in conjunction with Wanbao Tower and the Divine Weapons Pavilion, will organize a team to head to the 'Misty Valley' to collect a batch of rare herbs. Among them is an important auxiliary ingredient for refining the 'foundation establishment pill', the 'Jade Marrow Ganoderma'. This trip will be led by Elder Chen of our Hundred Herbs Hall, who is in the Foundation Establishment Stage. We need several capable apprentices to accompany the team, responsible for identifying, collecting, and initially processing the herbs. I have recommended you." Alchemist Hu said.

Misty Valley? Lin Ye had heard of this place. It was located several hundred li southeast of Tianyong City, covered in light gray mist all year round. The terrain inside was complex and it was rich in various rare herbs, but it also concealed quite a few dangers, with even second-rank Yao Beasts appearing.

"This mission offers generous contributions. If you can distinguish yourself, you might be able to become an official Alchemist ahead of schedule and receive more resource allocation. However, there are indeed risks in the valley; it is common for people to be lost in past years. Do you... wish to go?" Alchemist Hu looked at Lin Ye.

It was both an opportunity and a test.

Lin Ye pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "This Disciple is willing to go. Many thanks for your guidance, Master."

"Good!" Alchemist Hu nodded with satisfaction. "Then prepare yourself. Three days from now at the Chen hour, gather at the east gate of the city to depart. Remember, keep close to the team, follow Elder Chen's arrangements, and safety comes first."

"This Disciple understands."

Three days later, at the east gate of Tianyong City.

Lin Ye met up with four other Hundred Herbs Hall apprentices (two men and two women, with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining Stage 4 to 6). The team was led by Elder Chen of the Hundred Herbs Hall, an elderly man with a refined face and sharp eyes, who was at the Early Stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage. In addition, there were three Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators sent by each of Wanbao Tower and the Divine Weapons Pavilion, as well as several Middle Stage Qi Refining guards.

The team consisted of fifteen people, riding in three special carriages pulled by "Wind-Running Beasts", speeding towards the Misty Valley.

Along the way, Lin Ye silently observed his teammates. The Hundred Herbs Hall apprentices were familiar with each other. The people from Wanbao Tower were dressed in luxurious clothing with arrogant expressions. Those from the Divine Weapons Pavilion mostly had sharp auras and carried weapons.

The team leader, Elder Chen, did not speak much, but when his gaze swept over everyone, it carried an inherent pressure.

Two days later, the caravan arrived at the outskirts of the Misty Valley.

Looking ahead, there was a stretch of rolling hills shrouded in light gray mist. The mist did not disperse, obscuring the line of sight, and Divine Sense probing was also significantly interfered with.

"Get off the carriages and enter on foot. Everyone follow closely and do not leave the team without permission. The mist has a slight hallucinogenic effect and suppresses Divine Sense; make sure to wear your Mind-Clearing Talismans properly." Elder Chen ordered in a deep voice, stepping into the mist first.

Everyone followed closely behind.

Once they entered the mist, the light suddenly dimmed, and visibility was less than ten zhang. The air was filled with the smell of damp soil and rotting plants, along with a faint, strange aura that made one feel uneasy.

The Mind-Clearing Talisman emitted a faint light, keeping Lin Ye clear-headed. He circulated his Ice Soul Sword Art, and the icy Spiritual Qi flowed within his body, giving him strong resistance to this type of damp, gloomy environment.

Under Elder Chen's leadership, the team moved deeper into the valley along a vague path. Along the way, Elder Chen would stop from time to time to instruct the apprentices on how to collect some medicinal herbs growing in rock crevices and near tree roots.

Relying on his solid knowledge of medicinal herbs and his extraordinary observational skills, Lin Ye quickly found several good auxiliary herbs. He processed them properly and placed them into special jade boxes, causing Elder Chen to nod slightly.

The deeper they went, the thicker the mist became, and the surroundings grew increasingly silent, with only the sound of everyone's footsteps and heavy breathing.

"Be careful, ahead is the 'Miasma Zone'. Take your Miasma-Avoiding Pills." Elder Chen reminded them.

Everyone took the Medicinal Pills and continued forward. The surrounding trees became twisted and grotesque, and colorful poisonous mushrooms and foul-smelling swamps began to appear on the ground.

Suddenly, from the mist to the front-side, a rustling, bone-chilling crawling sound was heard.

"On guard!" Elder Chen shouted in a low voice, a whisk Magical Artifact already appearing in his hand.

Swish, swish, swish! Several black shadows darted out from the mist, pouncing towards the team!

It was the "Mist Shadow Snake"! A first-rank gregarious Yao Beast. It was not large, but its speed was extremely fast, its mouth contained deadly poison, and it was adept at using the mist to hide!

"Ah!" A Middle Stage Qi Refining guard from the Divine Weapons Pavilion reacted a bit slowly and was bitten on the calf by a Mist Shadow Snake, his face immediately turning black as he stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Save him! Form a defensive formation!" Elder Chen swung his whisk, sweeping away several Mist Shadow Snakes, while simultaneously casting a clear light that covered the poisoned guard, temporarily suppressing the toxicity.

The team was instantly in a flurry. The Cultivators from Wanbao Tower and the Divine Weapons Pavilion each used their own methods to kill the Mist Shadow Snakes. The Hundred Herbs Hall apprentices hid behind the guards, watching nervously.

Lin Ye did not panic. His eyes were sharp, capturing the trajectory of the snake shadows darting through the mist. When a Mist Shadow Snake silently pounced from the side-rear towards a panicked female apprentice, he joined his fingers like a sword with his right hand, and a condensed, icy Sword Qi struck first despite being launched later, precisely pinning it to the ground.

The female apprentice turned back, saw the dead snake on the ground and Lin Ye withdrawing his hand, and a flash of gratitude appeared in her eyes.

The battle ended quickly, and the Mist Shadow Snakes were wiped out, but the poisoned guard's condition was not good and he needed to be detoxified immediately.

"This place is not suitable for a long stay. First, retreat from the Miasma Zone to detoxify Guard Li!" Elder Chen made a prompt decision.

The team slowly retreated.

However, just as they were about to exit the Miasma Zone. Rumble—! The ground suddenly shook violently!

The mountain wall not far ahead collapsed in the tremors, revealing a pitch-black, bottomless cave entrance! A surge of even purer, yet also more violent Spiritual Qi, mixed with a strong medicinal fragrance, gushed out from the cave entrance!

At the same time, a terrifying aura that made one's heart palpitate, filled with brutality and greed, also slowly awakened from the depths of the cave!

"Not good! It's... a Peak second-rank Yao Beast! Run!" Elder Chen's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply.

However, it was already too late.

Inside the cave, two huge, lantern-like scarlet lights lit up. Accompanied by a deafening roar that seemed to come from the ancient wilderness, a massive black shadow slowly poked its head out of the cave...

It was actually a terrifying Yao Beast shaped like a lizard, but with a single horn on its head, its whole body covered in thick rock armor, and a body length exceeding five zhang!

The pressure it emitted far exceeded that of the Green Wave Pool's Black Flood Dragon, having shockingly reached the Peak of the second rank, equivalent to the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment Stage!

"Rock-Armored Earth Dragon! How could there be such a Yao Beast here?!" A knowledgeable Cultivator from Wanbao Tower exclaimed, his voice filled with despair.

The Rock-Armored Earth Dragon's scarlet vertical pupils swept over this group of "ants", finally fixing on Elder Chen. Seemingly sensing the Foundation Establishment Cultivator aura emanating from him, a flash of brutal interest appeared in its eyes.

It opened its huge mouth and let out a roar, shaking the surrounding mist into a roll and causing mountain rocks to fall with a rustle. Immediately after, its thick hind legs kicked hard, and its massive body, with an agility that did not match its size, rushed towards the team, the earth trembling and cracking beneath its feet!

"Form a formation! Block it!" Elder Chen's eyes were splitting with rage as he unleashed his whisk, turning it into a sky full of white silk threads, entangling towards the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon. At the same time, he threw out a cyan shield Magical Artifact to protect everyone in front of him.

The Foundation Establishment and Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators from Wanbao Tower and the Divine Weapons Pavilion also attacked one after another, the light of Magical Artifacts and Spells lighting up as they bombarded the Earth Dragon.

However, the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon's defense was terrifying. Those attacks landed on its thick rock armor, mostly leaving only shallow white marks. It pushed against the attacks, smashed the phantom of the cyan shield with one headbutt, and its huge tail swept horizontally, directly smashing two dodging-too-slow Middle Stage Qi Refining guards into meat paste!

"It's no use! Can't block it! Scatter and run!" Elder Chen spat blood and flew backwards, shouting hoarsely.

The team collapsed instantly, and everyone scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing for their lives into the mist in different directions.

The moment the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon appeared, Lin Ye did not hesitate to rush towards a direction opposite to the cave where the mist was relatively thin, fully unleashing his Mystic Jade Body and movement technique, and sped away!

Behind him, came the angry roars of the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon, the screams of the Cultivators, and the roaring explosions of Spells.

Cannot stop! A Peak second-rank Yao Beast is definitely not something he can contend with!

However, he had just rushed out less than a hundred zhang when, in the mist ahead, a hair-raising "rustling" sound and a strong, foul, fishy stench suddenly came again.

Immediately after, seven or eight Yao Beasts, gray-black all over, shaped like wild wolves but larger, with eyes flashing with eerie green light, slowly walked out of the mist, blocking his path in a fan shape.

[Miasma Wolf], a first-rank Middle Stage gregarious Yao Beast, likes to eat carrion, has a ferocious temperament, and often haunts places with toxic miasma.

Wolves in front, Earth Dragon behind (possibly pursuing).

A desperate situation, descended once again.