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墨書 Inktalez
Looking at Su Ziqing's expression, Zuo Dao knew that he had already drawn the other person in.
"Actually, this is just for practice. There are at least another seventeen or eighteen types of pills I haven't had the time to refine. Otherwise, the Second Elder wouldn't only have these four types in hand," he said, feigning a look of regret.
Su Ziqing's hand trembled, nearly dropping the pills onto the ground.
"What do you mean?" His tone was somewhat strained. Seventeen or eighteen types, plus the four he had—didn't that mean this kid's master could refine over twenty types of pills? He remembered that the few Star Diamonds in the palace could only manage about ten types of Dao Dan. Who on earth was this kid's master? If those old geezers in the palace found out, there would be chaos.
Thinking of those people in the palace made him shiver involuntarily. He had barely escaped from that place and would rather die than return. Just like that, Su Ziqing recalled his miserable life back then and felt a wave of sorrow wash over him.
"Second Elder, why are you crying?" Zuo Dao found it strange; it was just a few types of Dao Dan—did it really warrant such deep emotion?
However, by now, he had come to understand what kind of organization Doushuai Palace was. To put it in terms from his past life, the people from Doushuai Palace were a group of researchers who were indifferent to worldly matters.
Su Ziqing was jolted awake from his thoughts by Zuo Dao and quickly composed himself; he still needed to maintain his dignity in front of this junior.
"I am Zuo Dao." Earlier, when Kun Ru Tao left, he had already shared some basic information about Zuo Dao with him, which was how he knew the other person's name.
"What is it, Second Elder?" Zuo Dao lowered his attitude since he needed something from him.
"Where is your master now? I wonder if he has time for a visit." Upon saying this, Su Ziqing realized his words were slightly off and quickly corrected himself: "I mean, could I possibly visit him?"
"I want to know where he is too." As soon as Zuo Dao heard this, his mind involuntarily recalled the extremely irresponsible Drunken Old Man; it had been a long time since they last met!
Hearing Zuo Dao's words, Su Ziqing felt a bit regretful. He understood that someone like Zuo Dao's master wasn't someone just anyone could meet; such individuals weren't easily accessible.
"Alas, what a pity!" Su Ziqing sighed. If only he had the fortune to meet that old man, perhaps his Dan Badge could have been upgraded once more.
"What’s there to regret? That old man isn’t worth much; he probably kicked us aside and went off to enjoy himself somewhere!" People are often like this, saying one thing while thinking another. Although Zuo Dao harbored deep resentment towards the Drunken Old Man, he genuinely missed him.
Zuo Dao's words resonated with Su Ziqing. He could sense the bond between Zuo Dao and his master. Wasn’t his own relationship with that old codger similar?
"I, Second Elder, just need to concoct any kind of Dao Dan, right?" Perhaps feeling that they had talked too much before, Zuo Dao got straight to the point; he hadn’t forgotten why he came here.
"Go ahead; I’ll wait for you here." Su Ziqing was a decent person. Generally, during Alchemy sessions, Alchemists wouldn’t allow others to be present, except for their disciples or those they trusted deeply. This was also a way to avoid suspicion.
"Aren't you going in to take a look?" Zuo Dao was completely unaware of some rules regarding the Alchemical Path. Su Ziqing’s actions made him feel that there must be some grand scheme behind it.
"Do you allow me to observe?" Now it was Su Ziqing's turn to be surprised. The refining of Dao Dan was most sensitive to disturbances, and everyone had their own unique techniques. Although he was curious about Zuo Dao's master, he didn’t believe that someone as young as Zuo Dao could manage it.
"Forget it." With Su Ziqing acting this way, Zuo Dao felt that the other party must have ulterior motives. "Let’s just do it here."
Before Su Ziqing could react, Zuo Dao took back a Transformation Pill from his hand.
"Let’s make do with this." Zuo Dao summoned a flame from within and began refining the Dao Dan right in front of Su Ziqing under the bright sunlight.
This didn’t faze Zuo Dao at all, but it scared Su Ziqing half to death. He hurriedly set up Restrictions around them to prevent anyone from watching.
In truth, Zuo Dao never cared whether others would steal his techniques. When refining aphids among the Nine Monoliths, he often had Heterodox disciples observing, and he was happy to let them learn a thing or two.
With his current level of Alchemy, he could already refine a Nine Paths Pill from this Dao Dan; that is, one pill of Nine Paths. However, what he was about to refine was merely a Second-Grade Pill. Little did he know that even a Second-Grade Pill would leave Su Ziqing so frightened that he might lose sleep over it.
Su Ziqing never expected that Zuo Dao would refine a Second-Grade Pill on the spot. When this thought crossed his mind, he couldn't help but chuckle at himself. After all, any Alchemist capable of producing a Second-Grade Pill was at least a bearer of the Golden Dan Emblem.
However, everything that followed shattered his expectations completely.
Zuo Dao allowed the Heterodox Cultivators to observe his Alchemy process because he considered them as his own. But Su Ziqing was merely an elder of Xuming Hall; although they had some mutual interests, he wouldn't be foolish enough to expose his Alchemy techniques.
The Alchemy method he chose was one called "Creating Something from Nothing." The greatest advantage of this technique was that even if others learned it, they wouldn't gain anything substantial. After all, if something doesn't exist, what can you truly obtain?
As Su Ziqing watched Zuo Dao's dazzling techniques, he felt as if his vision blurred; he seemed to see something yet also felt like he saw nothing at all.
But now he finally understood what Zuo Dao was doing.
A Second-Grade Pill! If he wasn't mistaken, Zuo Dao was indeed refining a Second-Grade Pill. With his perspective as a Dao Dan Master, it was easy to see that Zuo Dao was handling the process with ease, clearly leaving room for maneuvering. It was evident that the other party could produce at least three Dao Dans or even more.
He no longer had the mood to observe Zuo Dao's techniques; instead, he felt incredibly fortunate. If it weren't for his sudden decision to come to the Assessment Hall to study Transmutation, he wouldn't have encountered Zuo Dao.
Regarding having Kun Ru Tao as a disciple, he felt no resentment at all and began to think about how to reward him properly.
Zuo Dao's methods were swift, and his refining speed was impressive. Although Void Bright belonged to a lower domain, the Celestial Essence within it was certainly incomparable to that of the Great Celestial Domain.
The path of Void Brightness was more complete, containing more Great Dao than the Great Celestial Domain. Soon enough, the Second-Grade Pill took shape in his hands.
When Su Ziqing reverently received the Second-Grade Pill from Zuo Dao, tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
"Master is saved! Master is finally saved!" he murmured repeatedly. The Transformation Pill in his hand had undergone significant changes. Previously, it only had a faint golden pattern hidden within; now it bore an additional azure pattern. The entire Dan Body was pure white, with two Dao Dan patterns swirling around like two flying dragons.
There was no overflow of the Elixir of Spirit Transformation, nor was there any external release of Dan Radiance. However, within the Dan Body, one could sense two streams of energy, one golden and one azure, flowing gracefully.
It was an extreme form of restraint. This was a pill that could only be seen in the hands of someone at the level of a palace master!
The Golden Path and Wood Path were perfectly fused within the pill, without any concern for the efficacy leaking out. This was because Zuo Dao had skillfully wrapped the entire pill using a unique technique. Even thousands of years later, it would not lose its potency.
Su Ziqing gradually quieted down, though his hands still trembled slightly as he held the pill.
"What exactly is your Realm?" Su Ziqing began to regard this Cultivator before him with newfound seriousness.
"I'm just here for the Silver Dan Badge Assessment; gold is too exhausting, and I don't have the time," Zuo Dao replied with a teasing tone. However, Su Ziqing no longer doubted him.
He did not return the Second-Grade Pill to Zuo Dao but instead tucked it away into his own robes.
"Consider it a favor owed to you by this old man. I also hope you won't disclose what happened today. Furthermore, I will certainly provide assistance within my means. What do you think?" Su Ziqing's attitude had completely changed; he spoke to Zuo Dao in a tone of negotiation.
"What should I do about the Second Elder then? Can I participate in the Danbi? As long as I can observe throughout," Zuo Dao seized the opportunity to propose a condition.
"You really don't need to participate," Su Ziqing said, looking at Zuo Dao with a complex expression. With such skill, participating in Danbi would indeed be akin to bullying others, just like Zuo Dao had done previously. If not for his own firm will, he would have been crushed by Zuo Dao by now!
"With your Alchemical Path cultivation, there's no need for you to take part in such competitions. But why do you want to participate?" Su Ziqing began to inquire. If it was for fame, Zuo Dao only needed to present the Second-Grade Pill; that would be more effective than any Danbi.
"Because I have two Red Beauties whose cultivation has been lost due to certain reasons. I've tried many methods without success in restoring them. Participating in Danbi is merely to gather insights and learn from other excellent Alchemical Path techniques to see if I can solve this problem," Zuo Dao had nothing to hide; he wasn't afraid of being exposed. The Two Women were resting well in Moubei, and he was completely at ease regarding their safety—unless he were to die himself.
"I see," Su Ziqing nodded. Although there are two branches of alchemy, they originate from the same source. A healer knows Alchemy; a skilled Alchemist can heal themselves. Even if one reaches Star Diamond Level, they may not necessarily know all the pills beneath that level.
"Actually, you don't need to look into it anymore. The Centennial Danbi is merely a means for us at Doushuai Palace to select disciples. If you hope to gain something from it, that's impossible," Su Ziqing interjected. "However, we do have some ancient jade slips in our palace that you can take a look at."
"That sounds great." Zuo Dao had not held much hope for the Danbi, but Su Ziqing's suggestion turned out to be an unexpected gain.
"It's just that we generally do not allow outsiders to view them," Su Ziqing hesitated. He was not unwilling to help, but due to the rules of Doushuai Palace, he had to be cautious.
Zuo Dao quickly understood the other's predicament.
"What if I were your disciple?"
As soon as Zuo Dao finished speaking, Su Ziqing thought to himself, "That absolutely won't do. Your Alchemical Path has already surpassed mine; taking you as my disciple would be a disgrace for me!"
"This is just a title. In front of outsiders, we can act as master and disciple, but privately we can do as we please. You could even let me be your master!" Zuo Dao didn't genuinely want to be Su Ziqing's disciple; having a Drunken Old Man was enough for him.
Su Ziqing realized what Zuo Dao meant.
"I see. Then let's do it your way. I will get your Dan Badge for you shortly; this way, you will have an identity and it will be more convenient for you to enter and exit Xuming Hall."
Su Ziqing was obsessed with alchemy, but that didn't mean he was oblivious to the ways of the world. He understood Zuo Dao's words; the other party wasn't trying to take advantage of him by claiming him as a disciple; it was more of a commitment. Overall, Su Ziqing felt that this arrangement was beneficial for him.
Xuming Hall would gain an Alchemist, and most importantly, his master finally had hope for recovery. However, he knew that now wasn't the right time; he needed to understand Zuo Dao better before speaking up. Zuo Dao had heard Su Ziqing's mutterings but chose not to respond immediately since they were not well acquainted yet. If he acted too hastily, it might leave a bad impression on Su Ziqing. After all, he still had some time and opportunities to build a good relationship with him while staying in Void Bright.
The thirty-three branches of Doushuai Palace were distributed across thirty-three locations, with each branch's Palace Master being an Alchemist. This was one of the rules of Doushuai Palace; if one hadn't reached this level, they could forget about becoming a branch leader. This structure reduced conflicts within Doushuai Palace and allowed for more cultivation.
The Silver Alchemy Emblem still fell under the authority of the Second Elder. He was torn between giving Zuo Dao silver or gold. If he were to grant Zuo Dao the Golden Dan Emblem, it would inevitably involve the Heart-Moving Palace Master, but he had his own selfish reasons and did not want Zuo Dao exposed. At the same time, he knew that Zuo Dao wouldn't care about such things. However, clarity in communication was still necessary.
When he shared this situation with Zuo Dao, he couldn't help but smile. He didn't want to draw attention; having a Silver Alchemy Emblem was already enough. If he were to acquire a Golden one, it would only make his presence known throughout the Thirty-Three Cities. It was important to stay low-key.
Upon receiving the Silver Alchemy Emblem, Zuo Dao realized that it was silver in color, but it was definitely not made of silver. If he wasn't mistaken, the entire Dan Badge was crafted from Fallen Star Iron.
"This is yours now. As long as you infuse a trace of your essence into it, you'll have recognized it as yours," Su Ziqing said, feeling somewhat guilty. It was meant for an Alchemist, yet she had given him a Dan Badge intended for a Dao Dan Master.
"Come on, Second Elder, don't be like that. If you feel guilty, just give me another Bronze Dan Badge," Zuo Dao had already thought this through. The Bronze Dan Badge would serve as his public identity; unless in special circumstances, he wouldn't reveal the Silver Alchemy Emblem.
Su Ziqing pondered for a moment but did not refuse Zuo Dao. An Alchemist possessing two Dan Badges within Doushuai Palace wasn't unusual. Some low-profile Alchemists did this as well.
By the time Zuo Dao stepped out of Xuming Hall, it was nearly nightfall. The registration area was still bustling with activity; all the Alchemists from Void Bright had gathered for this grand event, and even Alchemists from other regions were mingling among them. He couldn't help but marvel at the influence of Doushuai Palace.
"Young Master Zuo, you're out!"
In just a moment's time, Kun Ru Tao spotted him and hurried over to greet him. This person before him was his benefactor! His current status hadn't been made public in Xuming Hall yet, but he could already imagine the stir that would ensue once Second Elder publicly accepted him as a disciple.
"Kun Shixiong, you're still here," Zuo Dao greeted him.
"It's always like this; there are even more people this year," Kun Ru Tao replied with a broad smile. One couldn't help but feel elated during joyful occasions. "I haven't thanked Young Master Zuo yet!"
"No need to be so polite; I've already called you Kun Shixiong. If you keep being so formal, we won't feel like family," Zuo Dao gave Kun Ru Tao a knowing look.
Kun Ru Tao was taken aback; it seemed something must have happened during his absence from the Assessment Hall. Otherwise, Zuo Dao wouldn't have said such things.
"Second Elder has accepted me as a disciple too," Zuo Dao whispered in Kun Ru Tao's ear.
Kun Ru Tao felt a mix of doubt and then relief as the situation changed. He was a smart man, and it was clear that Su Ziqing taking him as a disciple was an unusual occurrence. However, once he connected it to Zuo Dao, he quickly understood.
"Then congratulations, Junior Brother Zuo," Kun Ru Tao said with a smile.
"Congratulations to you too. Brother Kun, we are family now," Zuo Dao replied with a grin. His words were also a test for Kun Ru Tao. When he noticed that Kun Ru Tao did not show any signs of jealousy, he realized that this senior brother was indeed a person of good character.
Hiding one's emotions in front of Zuo Dao was not an easy task.
"Today is a day of great joy; why don't we celebrate?" Zuo Dao's suggestion was quickly agreed upon by Kun Ru Tao. After Kun Ru Tao went back to handle some matters, he soon returned and led Zuo Dao to a tavern.
In truth, Kun Ru Tao was now essentially the only disciple of Su Ziqing, and many future matters would inevitably involve him. Zuo Dao thought it wise to strengthen their relationship early on, and Kun Ru Tao shared the same sentiment.
The tavern was chosen by Kun Ru Tao, indicating that he was a regular there. Upon entering, they were welcomed by the shopkeeper into a private room, where food and drinks were promptly served.
"It seems like you come here often, Brother," Zuo Dao remarked as he observed the room's decor.
The private room was exquisite, with all the furniture crafted from Spirit Wood, which had calming properties beneficial for cultivators. Alchemy consumed a lot of mental energy.
"You know that alchemy is hard work; whenever I have free time, I come here to relax for a bit," Kun Ru Tao said as he set aside all formalities and poured wine for Zuo Dao.
"This cup is for you, my brother. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
With no outsiders around, Kun Ru Tao sincerely expressed his gratitude, even changing his tone.
"To that title of brother, let's drink!" Zuo Dao responded heartily and downed his drink in one go. He knew that if he didn't let Kun Ru Tao toast this cup, he would never feel at ease.
"Good," Kun Ru Tao said, "from now on, if anyone has a problem with you, they have a problem with me. Although I may not have much ability, as long as we are brothers for life, even if I die, I will seek justice for you."
Zuo Dao frowned at this. "What are you talking about on such a joyous day?"
Kun Ru Tao replied, "I know my own situation. If it weren't for you, the Second Elder would never have taken me as a disciple."
"Some things don't need to be said; we both understand," Zuo Dao said as he raised his cup again. He felt that Kun Ru Tao was also a pitiful person. If it weren't for his appearance, Kun Ru Tao might have ended up living and dying in Xuming Hall.
"By the way, how did the brother's assessment go?" Kun Ru Tao quickly changed the subject.
"Guess," Zuo Dao teased, knowing that his situation would eventually come to light.
"Silver or gold?"
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