Chapter 48 : Alchemy

As soon as Chen Yuyang finished speaking, before Tai Lingxuan could respond and before Gu Qiushui even had time to react, Yun Lian couldn’t help but raise her voice:

“What do you mean by being uninterested in the Way of the Sword?”

“You—aren’t you planning to achieve anything in swordsmanship?”

Chen Yuyang looked at Yun Lian with some puzzlement.

What did it have to do with her whether he intended to continue cultivating swordsmanship or not? Why was she so worked up?

Still, Chen Yuyang answered truthfully, though he spoke facing Tai Lingxuan.

“Yes, I have no intention of it. Receiving the senior’s inheritance was purely by chance.”

“I intend to follow my own path.”

“Well said, such ambition!” Gu Qiushui immediately clapped his hands in admiration. “No wonder you’re my little junior brother!”

Tai Lingxuan also gave a slight nod, her eyes gleaming with appreciation.

Although, with a complete sword intent at hand, Yuyang choosing the path of sword cultivation would be like a fish in water.

But since it wasn’t Yuyang’s own desire, what use was forcing it?

Daring to say he wanted to cultivate his own path—even if it was youthful ignorance—it was only right as his master to fully support him.

“This is sword intent, and a complete one at that… not cultivating swordsmanship seems like such a waste.”

But Yun Lian was confused, her eyes wide with disbelief.

How many sword cultivators spent their whole lives without comprehending even a shred of complete sword intent?

From Yun Lian’s perspective, Chen Yuyang had been ridiculously lucky to have fused a complete sword intent—someone with such a rare gift—what else could he possibly pursue if not the Way of the Sword?

Moreover, the junior sister and master both didn’t criticize him but instead showed full support…

“A waste it may be, but this is not the path Junior Brother Yuyang wants to take. What’s the use of cultivating it then?”

Gu Qiushui smiled gently and patted Yun Lian on the shoulder.

“However, little junior sister, you seem quite attached to swordsmanship and have excellent talent. You can learn a lot from Yuyang.”

“Though he doesn’t cultivate swordsmanship, he can still guide you.”

Listening to Gu Qiushui, Yun Lian felt even more conflicted, her heart brimming with unwillingness.

Her learning from him?

From this guy who was younger than her, whose sword skills weren’t as good as hers, and who didn’t even plan to cultivate swordsmanship—just happened to be luckier than her…

Yet Gu Qiushui’s words were indisputable.

Even if Chen Yuyang just unleashed this sword intent for Yun Lian to perceive, it would greatly benefit her.

Yun Lian felt a little angry.

It wasn’t fair.

She had trained diligently in swordsmanship since childhood, treating the sword as her second life…

Why should he surpass her so much just by luck?

If it were her who possessed this sword intent, that would truly be making the most of it…

Biting her lip unwillingly, Yun Lian lowered her head and grudgingly agreed.

Tai Lingxuan saw it—Yun Lian was clearly wounded.

Putting herself in Yun Lian’s shoes, Tai Lingxuan somewhat understood.

This girl had grasped a trace of sword intent at such a young age, something that couldn’t be explained by talent alone—her hard work played a crucial role.

But someone who barely tried, who gained the sword intent by luck, had easily surpassed her in sword comprehension.

That was the biggest blow.

“Ahem, Yun Lian, you don’t need to be disheartened. Everyone has their own path.”

“What you need to do is hold firmly to your true heart. Your resolve to prove the Way through the sword shouldn’t be something so fragile, so easily broken!”

Tai Lingxuan put on a stern expression and reprimanded.

Her words, charged with spirit-cleansing power, brought Yun Lian back to her senses instantly.

Right, right!

Why should I be jealous of him?

I’m the one who wants to prove the Way through the sword!

My path is my own sword path.

It’s just one complete sword intent.

Given time, I will comprehend it too.

There’s nothing to envy or covet—that’s his fate.

Whether he cherishes it or not has nothing to do with me!

On the contrary, if he doesn’t cherish that fate, then isn’t it like my fate by default?

Thinking this, Yun Lian’s eyes brightened.

“Thank you for your instruction, Master! Your disciple understands now.”

She cupped her fists and said gratefully to Tai Lingxuan, then gripped her sword again.

“Master, let’s continue practicing swordsmanship.”

“All right.”

Tai Lingxuan agreed, and under her guidance, Yun Lian and Gu Qiushui began refining their perception of the first sword in the Canglan Sword Technique.

Since Chen Yuyang said he was uninterested in the Way of the Sword, he stayed aside without joining in.

Two hours later, the lesson concluded.

Both Yun Lian and Gu Qiushui had made new breakthroughs and left to cultivate on their own.

Tai Lingxuan put away her sword and looked back at Chen Yuyang, who had been watching quietly the entire time. She smiled softly and asked:

“Yuyang, are you truly uninterested in the Way of the Sword?”

“Yes, Master.”

“That is somewhat regrettable. However, your little junior sister is talented in swordsmanship. If she comes to you for guidance, don’t hold back.”

Tai Lingxuan continued.

Chen Yuyang smiled wryly and shook his head.

“Master, am I that kind of person to hide knowledge?”

Tai Lingxuan paused, her smile growing even brighter and more beautiful.

Indeed, if Yuyang were selfish, he wouldn’t have stored thousands of top-grade spirit stones with himself for over a hundred years, nor handed over nearly all his gains from the Ziyang Secret Realm.

“I’ve judged you unfairly with a petty mind.”

“By the way, Master, have all the materials for the Condensed Gold Pill been gathered?”

Chen Yuyang asked.

That was also why he stayed here waiting.

“The herbs are all collected… but, Yuyang, are you really confident? That’s a third-grade pill.”

Tai Lingxuan expressed some concern.

After all, the cost of materials alone was over six hundred top-grade spirit stones.

If the pill failed, the sect couldn’t afford it.

“I’m about seventy percent sure.”

Chen Yuyang smiled faintly but didn’t say too much.

“Seventy percent is more than enough!” Tai Lingxuan’s eyes brightened with excitement. “In that case, let’s go to the alchemy room now.”

Chen Yuyang nodded and surged into the air with his qi.

Side by side, the two headed toward the alchemy room.

“Yuyang, is there anything you need me to help with?”

On the way, Tai Lingxuan asked gently.

Chen Yuyang’s eyes shifted, half-jokingly replying:

“If Master wants to help, you can wipe my sweat.”

“All right, you brat!”

Tai Lingxuan lightly slapped the boy’s head, her pretty face instantly flushing.

She scolded, “You’re learning bad habits on the outside, daring to tease your master now?”

Chen Yuyang made a serious expression, smiling with eyes slightly narrowed.

“Master, I’m serious. If sweat gets into the herbs, the pill will fail, and I can’t afford to be distracted during refining.”

“Just have little Yiyi wipe it for you then,” Tai Lingxuan huffed, turning her face away to hide her blush.

“But that’s because Master wants to help,” Chen Yuyang shamelessly smiled, causing Tai Lingxuan to roll her eyes inwardly, secretly sighing.

This kid has gone a bit rogue after one trip out.

But…

Feeling her heart pounding faster, Tai Lingxuan surprisingly found she rather liked this.

She pressed her lips and said no more.

Before long, the two arrived at the alchemy room.

Pushing open the door, a few specks of dust floated down from the lintel, illuminated clearly by the sunlight streaming through the window.

By one side stood a lounge chair, on which a fair and delicate girl around seventeen or eighteen lay sprawled lazily, legs ungracefully apart, collar loose, her delicate chest half-exposed, a string of glistening drool hanging from the corner of her mouth.

This was Liu Yiyi, a disciple from the outer sect usually responsible for cleaning the alchemy room.

Seven years ago, Liu Yiyi’s hometown suffered a flood disaster.

Separated from her family among the refugees, she collapsed on the roadside from hunger and cold, and was attacked by wild dogs.

Fortunately, at death’s door, she was found by Tai Lingxuan.

Unfortunately, Liu Yiyi was of ordinary talent, possessing the lowest grade first-grade mortal spiritual root, so she could only be an outer sect disciple.

After years of cultivation, she was still only at the third layer of Qi Refinement.

“Ahem ahem!”

Tai Lingxuan cleared her throat sternly in front of Liu Yiyi.

The girl, who had been asleep a moment ago, immediately woke with a start, eyes wide as she hastily stood and bowed.

“Master!”

Tai Lingxuan didn’t scold but sighed lightly and tapped her head once as a reprimand.

“Yiyi, you’re no longer a child. Be more mindful.”

“Cultivate diligently every day and don’t be lazy.”

“Yes, Master.”

Liu Yiyi answered quickly, though how sincere those words were, no one knew.

But Tai Lingxuan said no more.

A first-grade mortal spiritual root was unsuitable for cultivation; Liu Yiyi’s path to immortality was clearly limited.

Cultivation for her was merely strengthening her body, with little real significance.

Liu Yiyi herself had little ambition in cultivation.

As long as she wasn’t hungry, she was satisfied.

“Oh, Junior Brother Yuyang is here too.”

Seeing the young man beside Tai Lingxuan, Liu Yiyi recalled her earlier posture, her pretty face blushing as she quickly tidied her overly loose collar.

Her eyes secretly glanced at the handsome youth.

Junior Brother Yuyang, I hope he didn’t see…

“Senior Sister Yiyi, prepare the spirit stones. I’m going to refine the pill soon.”

Chen Yuyang smiled kindly at the girl.

“All right, I’m going now.”

Snapping back to attention, Liu Yiyi quickly turned and ran to the storage room to fetch over a dozen low-grade spirit stones, placing them at fixed points beside the alchemy furnace.

Once done, she swiftly looked back, her eyes full of expectation toward the handsome young man.

With the spirit stones laid out, the formation beneath the alchemy furnace activated, spiritual energy flowing, and the furnace emitted a deep humming sound.

Inside, a flame flickered, red and blue intertwined.

“Master, the herbs.”

Chen Yuyang turned toward the beautiful and mature woman.

Tai Lingxuan nodded slightly and began taking jade boxes out one by one, placing them on the table beside the furnace.

Chen Yuyang rubbed his hands and strode up to the table, a ball of solar fire rising in his palm.