ALL NOVEL Chapter 24: Chapter 24:Reunion with Li Ban
Zhang Hao continued to follow Zhao Ming's steps along the stone paths of Qingchuan Sect. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on them, and a faint scent of herbs filled the air.
"Senior Zhao Ming, how many disciples are there in Qingchuan Sect?" Zhang Hao asked, his curiosity piqued, especially after learning about the Dragon and Tiger List.
Zhao Ming halted and glanced back at Zhang Hao, smiling as he replied, "Qingchuan Sect has a multitude of disciples, with about a thousand outer sect disciples and around a hundred inner sect disciples. Of course, there are also the elders, the sect leader, and some seniors who are in seclusion for cultivation."
Zhang Hao was taken aback; a thousand disciples was far more than he had imagined. He couldn't help but picture the grand scene of a thousand people cultivating together, a spectacle of overwhelming momentum.
"Aside from the Dragon and Tiger List, are there any other ways to be promoted from the outer sect to the inner sect?" Zhang Hao inquired further, this being his most pressing concern.
Zhao Ming pointed to the arena ahead and said, "In addition to the challenges of the Dragon and Tiger List, the sect holds a grand competition annually, and those with outstanding performance can be directly promoted to the inner sect. Naturally, if you achieve a breakthrough in cultivation and are noticed by an elder, you may also have the opportunity to join the inner sect directly."
Zhang Hao nodded, his goal becoming clearer. He aimed to train diligently, striving to stand out in the grand competition or win the favor of an elder. He was determined to return to the inner sect as soon as possible and reunite with Li Bao and Lin Yue.
"By the way, the next outer sect grand competition seems to be in about two months. It should be time to register soon," Zhao Ming added.
Zhang Hao noted this information in mind.
As they walked and talked, Zhao Ming introduced the various facilities of the sect to Zhang Hao. They first arrived at the alchemy hall, where Qingchuan Sect's medicinal pills were refined. As soon as Zhang Hao entered, he was greeted by a rich aroma of medicinal herbs. Several disciples were busy in front of the furnaces, holding various medicinal materials and adding them to the pill furnaces in a specific order.
"Senior Zhao Ming, are all these medicinal pills refined by us?" Zhang Hao asked curiously.
Zhao Ming nodded, "Yes, our Qingchuan Sect has its own alchemists who are responsible for refining the pills needed by the sect. Of course, you can also learn alchemy; it's a very useful skill."
A longing for alchemy welled up in Zhang Hao's heart. He remembered the alchemists from novels in his previous life, each one superior and capable of refining magical pills that could transform people and even bring the dead back to life.
The temperature inside the alchemy hall was much higher than outside, and the air was filled with the fragrance of various medicinal materials, invigorating the spirit. Following Zhao Ming, Zhang Hao entered an alchemy room where a single alchemist was working. He was a middle-aged man with a stern expression and focused eyes, his movements steady and forceful.
"This is Elder Sun, who has a profound understanding of alchemy in Qingchuan Sect," Zhao Ming introduced.
Elder Sun glanced up at them, nodded slightly, and then continued to concentrate on his work. In front of him was a massive pill furnace, with fierce flames and the scent of medicine wafting from within. Elder Sun continuously adjusted the heat, adding medicinal materials to the furnace in a specific sequence, each movement precise.
Zhang Hao stood by, quietly observing. He could feel Elder Sun's passion and dedication to alchemy, the ultimate pursuit of his craft. He silently resolved to learn alchemy in the future, if not for anything else, then for the "coolness" factor.
Suddenly, a shout from the other side of the alchemy hall broke the tranquility. Zhang Hao and Zhao Ming exchanged glances and hurried over.
"What's going on?" Zhao Ming asked.
A disciple, sweating profusely and looking dejected, replied, "Senior Zhao Ming, my alchemy failed, and the pill furnace exploded."
Zhang Hao looked at the mess and couldn't help but laugh. The scene reminded him of TV dramas from his past life, where alchemists always seemed inscrutable, and it turned out that real-life alchemy also had a humorous side.
"It's okay, alchemy failures are common; take your time," Zhao Ming comforted.
Zhang Hao looked at the disciple, amused by the thought that alchemy was not an easy task, and he decided to learn this skill in the future.
At that moment, a chubby figure squeezed through the door—it was Li Bao. Upon seeing Zhang Hao, his eyes lit up.
"Zhang Hao, what are you doing here?" Li Bao ran over excitedly.
Zhang Hao smiled and patted his shoulder, "I'm visiting the alchemy hall. How about you? I heard you were taken in by Elder Sun as a disciple?"
Li Bao nodded proudly, "Yes, Elder Sun said I have a talent for alchemy, so he took me as his apprentice."
Seeing Li Bao's smug expression, Zhang Hao teased, "You better be careful not to blow up the pill furnace."
Li Bao chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm going to be the master alchemist of the future; I won't make such amateur mistakes."
Suddenly, Elder Sun's voice rang out behind them, stern and forceful: "Li Bao, what are you doing here? Get back to your alchemy!"
Li Bao's expression instantly shifted from pride to a pained one as he replied, "Elder Sun, my alchemy just failed, and the pill furnace exploded."
Elder Sun's face darkened, and he sternly said, "Failure is the mother of success. Go back and keep trying until you succeed."
With a resigned nod, Li Bao dragged his feet back to his pill furnace. Zhang Hao, watching Li Bao's dejected figure, couldn't help but laugh.
"This is for you, don't tell Elder Sun," Li Bao whispered as he caught up with Zhang Hao, panting from the effort.
"It will help with your cultivation," Li Bao said before returning to his pill furnace with a pained expression.
Zhang Hao looked at the pill in his hand, a dark, round one resembling a modern chocolate.
"This isn't a common pill; that chubby Li Bao really cares about you," Zhao Ming remarked, looking at the pill in Zhang Hao's hand thoughtfully.
"Pill for washing marrow, what is that?" Zhang Hao asked, puzzled.
"It's a pill used to expel more impurities from the body. After taking it, the effectiveness of your cultivation will be significantly greater for a while. Each inner sect disciple is only given one a month," Zhao Ming explained.
Zhang Hao was touched to hear this; he didn't expect Li Bao to give him something so important. In Zhang Hao's heart, Li Bao had become his good brother. He told himself he must not let Li Bao down, to train hard, and to strive for good results in the upcoming outer sect competition in two months, so he could reunite with Li Bao and Lin Yue as soon as possible.