Chapter 20 | The Max-Level Big Shot Ascends by Picking Up Scraps!

Jiang Lu was caught completely off guard by the news. She had truly never imagined that she would have the opportunity to enter the Alchemy Division.

After all, in the Alchemy Division, even a cultivator who only sorted spiritual plants was an official disciple of the Medicine King Pavilion. The treatment they enjoyed was on a completely different level compared to apprentices.

Although apprentices were technically considered disciples of the Medicine King Pavilion, carrying the status of an apprentice made things quite different in the end.

Official disciples, on the other hand, could be directly taken in by elders as disciples, giving them official connections and backing. When they went out in the future, others would naturally hold them in higher regard.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, such was the reality. To go far in this world, one could not do it alone. If she had the opportunity, she would definitely seek a master.

“Of course I am willing. Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Jiang Lu's voice carried a hint of excitement. After speaking, she looked over at Master Wen, but saw no sign of displeasure on his face.

After all, she had entered the Medicine King Pavilion to help lighten Master Wen's workload. Now that she was leaving, Master Wen's cultivation time would inevitably be reduced.

Seeing Jiang Lu looking at him, Master Wen felt a wave of warmth in his heart. This girl was actually still seeking his opinion even now.

She was a good child, and it was time for her to aim higher.

“Girl Jiang, go ahead.”

“In that case, Junior Sister Lu, pack up your things and let's go.”

Jiang Lu nodded, quickly ran back to the courtyard to pack her things, and then followed Chen Qi with her two spirit beasts in tow.

After walking a short distance, she turned to look at the courtyard, which was growing smaller and smaller, a sense of melancholy rising in her heart.

It seemed...

She had truly set foot on her own path of cultivation in the cultivation world. She had a premonition that entering the Alchemy Division now was merely the first step, and she would go much further in the future.

Her heart suddenly swelled with lofty aspirations. The path of cultivation was ultimately a pursuit of longevity. Perhaps in the future, she might even have the chance to tear through space and return to her original world to take a look.

“Junior Sister Lu, after you enter Courtyard No. 1, you will temporarily sort spiritual plants. Once you're done sorting, you can also go and assist the other disciples and elders in refining elixirs, taking the opportunity to learn a thing or two.”

He said, winking at Jiang Lu.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu covered her mouth and giggled. “I understand, Senior Brother Qi.”

Chen Qi grinned at her response. It was good that she understood; she truly was a clever one.

“There's no need to feel embarrassed, Junior Sister Lu. We all started out this way. Gaining an understanding beforehand is beneficial for your future cultivation. You can learn from the details of how the other disciples refine elixirs. The more you hear and see, the more it will benefit your own elixir refining in the future.”

Jiang Lu nodded, her impression of the Medicine King Pavilion improving even further. Although there might be some self-interest involved—since doing this allowed disciples to refine better elixirs—

it still offered countless benefits to the disciples themselves. One had to know that the alchemists of the Medicine King Pavilion were allowed to leave. It was equivalent to learning a skill here and then going out to find employment. With such broad-mindedness, she could overlook any minor self-interest.

Jiang Lu followed Chen Qi into the main courtyard of Alchemy Courtyard No. 1 to pay her respects to the courtyard master, a Tier Three alchemist.

Although he was only Tier Three, he was already considered a top-tier alchemist in this remote little city, and was the only Tier Three alchemist in Xijiang City. His strength had also reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, making him someone very few dared to provoke here.

The masters of the other courtyards were all Tier Two or Tier One alchemists.

“Alchemist Lin Wei, this is the apprentice the elder mentioned to you before, Jiang Lu.”

Chen Qi stepped forward, bowed in greeting, and introduced her.

Lin Wei lifted his gaze to look at Jiang Lu. Under his scrutiny, Jiang Lu's expression stiffened slightly. As expected of a Foundation Establishment powerhouse, just a single glance from him made her tremble slightly.

Their strength was separated by an entire major realm; such was the pressure brought by a difference in power.

“Alchemist Lin Wei.”

Jiang Lu steadied her mind and bowed to him, mimicking Chen Qi's posture.

He nodded. Sensing Jiang Lu's stable strength, he couldn't help but observe her a bit more closely. When she had first entered, she only had the strength of the first layer of Qi Condensation. Now, she had suddenly leaped three layers. Only a few days had passed, yet her foundation was remarkably solid, and her strength showed no signs of instability. This was truly rare.

She must have put in a lot of effort, which proved that she possessed a steady mind.

If she were someone with an unstable mind, she would have long been lightheaded by such an opportunity and wouldn't go far in the future.

“Mm, your temperament is not bad. Chen Qi has already explained things to you, right? Go and start by sorting spiritual plants first. If the opportunity arises, you can try refining elixirs.”

“Thank you, Alchemist Lin Wei.”

Jiang Lu nodded, then followed Chen Qi to the sorting area to learn.

She needed to sort the spiritual plants very meticulously while also processing them. Once the spiritual plants were properly processed, the disciples could use them directly when refining elixirs.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu felt relieved. She already knew how to do all of this, and after observing for a moment just now, she had also grasped some of the finer details.

As expected, opportunity favored the prepared.

Senior Brother Chen Qi bringing her here to directly watch the other disciples' operations might have been a subtle attempt to put her in her place. After all, she had only just arrived, yet she had already become their direct competitor.

Fortunately, she had prior experience, so this was not difficult for her.

After guiding her through the process, Chen Qi began assigning her tasks. The other disciples cast furtive glances at Jiang Lu, their expressions full of anticipation for a good show.

Jiang Lu turned a deaf ear to them, keeping her eyes forward and focusing solely on doing her assigned tasks well.

The disciples who had originally gathered to watch the show felt smug. They had all gone through this phase themselves, and it had been an absolute chaotic mess. Now, seeing a newcomer, they naturally expected to enjoy the same spectacle.

However, as Jiang Lu sorted the spiritual plants one by one and skillfully processed them before placing them into their respective trays, everyone froze in place.

Why was this different from what they had imagined?

Shouldn't she be flustered, looking aggrieved as she asked them for help, only for them to haughtily reject her a few times before reluctantly teaching her?

What was the meaning of this now?

A self-taught genius?

Their gazes shifted in unison toward Chen Qi. He was the one who had brought her here; he had to explain.

Feeling the complaining glares from all around, Chen Qi's lips twitched, and he nearly crushed the spiritual plant in his hand.

Why were they looking at him? He didn't know either! He had only brought her here according to instructions.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward to ask.

Knowing these people's typical behavior, they would definitely blame him for this. If he didn't give them a satisfactory answer, his life wouldn't be easy for the next few days.

In fact, he shared their sentiments. After all, their own umbrellas had been shredded to pieces when they first arrived; why should this newcomer's umbrella remain perfectly intact?