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Cheng Yan: "......"

Were those two little brats really fighting over **Wen Chi**?

Honestly, he couldn't picture it at all.

**"Who started this rumor?"** Cheng Yan asked, his face darkening.

The junior disciples hesitated before lowering their heads.

**"We're not sure exactly, but many people saw Chi Yu storming into the alchemy room that day."**

Rubbing his temples, Cheng Yan **sighed and scolded them**.

**"Two kids barely past eleven—what could they possibly be fighting about? You all, on the other hand, are wasting time gossiping. Go take an extra year's worth of alchemy tasks as punishment!"**

Although **he didn't quite believe the rumors**, he couldn't ignore them completely. So, he hurried over to the **alchemy rooms**.

Upon arriving, he **used his divine sense to check inside**—only to find **Chi Yu and Qin Shu sitting on meditation cushions, chatting happily while holding a communication jade slip**.

They looked **completely at ease**—nothing like the **fight** the rumors described.

If they **had** fought, honestly, it'd be hard to tell who'd win.

Cheng Yan **knocked four times** before pushing open the door, just in time to hear:

**"Senior Sister is amazing at alchemy now! But regular furnaces keep exploding on her, Master—what do we do?"**

He **paused in surprise**, before turning his gaze to the **two bright-eyed girls looking up at him**.

Then, his eyes **landed on the furnace in the center of the room**—a **purple-gold alchemy furnace**.

*"Wait... isn't that Master's furnace? Did he personally give it to them?"*

Before he could figure it out, both girls **cheerfully greeted him**.

**"Senior Brother!"**

Cheng Yan regained his composure. He took in the scent of **pill fragrance** in the room and casually asked,

**"You two managed to refine pills?"**

Qin Shu and Chi Yu **nodded enthusiastically**.

He raised an eyebrow.

**"Both of you?"**

They **nodded even harder**.

Cheng Yan **smirked**.

**"Looks like Wen Chi's guidance was useful after all."**

Qin Shu's **smile immediately dropped**.

**"Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother's furnace rent was outrageous! I had to pay him nine hundred and sixty pills!"**

Even **Cheng Yan**, who considered himself **worldly**, inhaled sharply at that.

**"Nine hundred and sixty?! Wen Chi's really not afraid Master will come after him for this?"**

Qin Shu chuckled. Cheng Yan then turned to **Chi Yu** and asked,

**"Junior Sister, you succeeded in pill refinement too?"**

This was **unexpected**.

Most **beastkin only possessed a single spiritual root**, which limited their ability in **alchemy, artifact refining, and talisman crafting**.

Chi Yu, having a **pure fire spiritual root**, was even more specialized—**refining pills should've been impossible for her**.

*"So how did she manage it?"*

If **other beastkin found out**, they'd definitely be **envious**.

Then, his **sharp eyes** caught sight of a **scattered piece of paper** on the floor—filled with **detailed notes on refining times for herbs of different ages**.

*"This handwriting... It's Qin Shu's."*

Cheng Yan was **stunned**.

*"This method... could actually make alchemy accessible to all cultivators?"*

**No fire spiritual root? No problem—just use Earth Fire.**

**No wood spiritual root? No problem—just memorize the refining times.**

His mind raced with **possibilities** before landing on one **conclusion**:

**"I need to talk to Master."**

Before leaving, though, he **advised** the girls,

**"Cultivation is important, but so is taking breaks. Don't forget to step outside once in a while."**

Qin Shu **nodded obediently**.

**"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother!"**

As soon as **Cheng Yan left**, Qin Shu **turned to Chi Yu**.

**"Senior Sister, want to go out for a bit?"**

Chi Yu shook her head.

**"You go ahead. I just got started—I want to practice a little more."**

Qin Shu agreed. She had **other business to take care of anyway**.

---

### **Meanwhile, Outside the Alchemy Hall...**

As soon as Qin Shu **stepped out**, she noticed **people looking at her strangely**.

*"Huh? Why is everyone acting weird?"*

She had **no idea what the rumors were saying**, so she **ignored it** and **headed to complete some sect tasks**.

Afterward, she **pulled out the crane feather** given to her by Rui Ming and sent a message.

**"Senior Brother Rui Ming, are you there?"**

His reply **came instantly**.

**"I'm here! Junior Sister, where are you? I'll come right away!"**

Qin Shu **smiled** and told him her location.

Given that **Rui Ming was a wind-element beastkin**, he flew **exceptionally fast**. But when it was **Qin Shu calling him**, he flew even **faster**.

In just **fifteen minutes**, he arrived.

Upon landing, he **transformed into human form** and **excitedly greeted her**.

**"Junior Sister! Did you come to play with me?"**

Qin Shu **laughed**.

**"Senior Brother, I can refine pills now!"**

Rui Ming **looked even happier than she did**.

**"Junior Sister is amazing!"**

Qin Shu, now **rich in pills**, generously handed him **ten bottles of top-grade restoration pills**.

**"I made these myself! I promised before—I'll take care of all the pills you need for cultivation!"**

Rui Ming **was overjoyed**.

Beastkin weren't **as complicated** as humans—they **openly accepted kindness** and **returned it in kind**.

He put the **pills away**, then **summoned a large pile of spiritual herbs** from his storage space.

**"Since you're an alchemist now, I'll give you all these herbs! I have plenty!"**

Qin Shu's **jaw nearly dropped**.

Most of the herbs were **above third grade**—there were even **three extremely rare spiritual plants among them**.

Even **her entire stash of top-grade pills** wouldn't be enough to trade for a **single one** of those plants!

**"Senior Brother, this is too much!"**

Rui Ming, however, simply replied,

**"Didn't you say you'd provide my cultivation pills from now on? Or was that a lie?"**

Qin Shu **quickly shook her head**.

**"No! If you don't believe me, I'll swear on my Dao heart!"**

Rui Ming **waved his hands**.

**"No need! These herbs are useless to me, but you can turn them into valuable pills!"**

Seeing his **genuine sincerity**, Qin Shu **accepted the herbs**.

She silently decided to **make special beastkin pills for him in return**.

**"Senior Brother, I'm planning to visit Chijin City. Want to come along?"**

Rui Ming's eyes **lit up**.

**"Yes!"**

---

### **Chijin City: A Bustling Market**

Although **Chijin City** wasn't as **lively as major trade fairs**, it was still **a thriving hub**.

At the **main street entrance**, a **new fortune-telling stall** had popped up.

A **white banner**, emblazoned with **bold, flamboyant characters**, read:

**"Divine Calculations and Mystic Wisdom."**

Qin Shu **remembered how Sui Han had refused to read He Xin's fortune last time**.

Maybe she could **try asking this fortune-teller**?

But first, she had to **see if they were any good**.

Approaching the stall, she saw the **stall owner casually scrolling through a jade communication slip**.

She **cleared her throat** and **called out tentatively**—

**"Immortal Master, do you read fortunes?"**