Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

Jiang Ling had a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as her master, which seemed like a great advantage, but in the end, she didn't get much real benefit. She had to fight hard to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, and even when refining magic weapons, she had to borrow spirit stones.

It's better not to have such a "backer".

So from the very beginning, Wu Fan had made up his mind.

Instead of participating in the Hundred Arts Assessment, I will find a way to join the Pill Hall from within the sect later.

His certainty was naturally based on something.

During the days of the disciple-acceptance ceremony, he spent a few spirit stones to bribe an outer disciple and obtain some inside information.

However, he couldn't openly express these thoughts, so Wu Fan immediately put on a regretful expression, sighed repeatedly, and cupped his hands to Wang Pei, saying:

"Senior brother, you may not know this, but I'm new here and a bit slow-witted. During the apprenticeship ceremony, I was so focused on registering to enter the valley that I missed the news about the Hundred Arts Assessment. By the time I realized it, the assessment was already over. I've been regretting it every day. After much thought, I can only ask you to help me think of a way to see if you can make an exception for me."

Wang Pei stared at Wu Fan's expression meaningfully for a moment, then deliberately feigned difficulty and shrugged:

"Junior brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the miscellaneous tasks for this batch of new disciples are all personally assigned by the head steward in charge of general affairs. Everyone has their own responsibilities, and the rules are very strict. I'm just a lowly outer sect steward disciple, and I don't have much power. It will be difficult for you to change the allocation of miscellaneous tasks."

Upon hearing the word "difficult," Wu Fan's lips curled into a smile.

He had anticipated that Wang Pei would say that. These words, though seemingly a rejection, were actually an implication that the benefits were not enough.

If it really couldn't be done, Wang Pei would simply refuse directly, and would never be so vague.

Wu Fan said no more, and with a wave of his hand, several more low-grade spirit stones instantly appeared in his palm.

He quietly slipped the spirit stone into Wang Pei's hand, his tone becoming increasingly earnest:

"Senior brother, I know this matter is difficult for you. This small gift is nothing but a token of my respect. I would be extremely grateful if you could do your best to help me find a solution."

Touching the spirit stone in his hand, Wang Pei's troubled expression vanished instantly, replaced by a smile. He calmly put the spirit stone into his storage bag and patted Wu Fan on the shoulder:

"Junior brother, you're too kind. We're all from the same sect, so helping each other is only right. Please wait a moment while I think about it and see if there's a way that satisfies both sides."

Wang Pei pretended to be deep in thought, his brows furrowed.

He didn't care whether Wu Fan was telling the truth or not, nor did he care why Wu Fan was unwilling to participate in the Hundred Arts Assessment.

Which disciple of Falling Star Valley doesn't have their own little schemes?

For him, as long as he could get spirit stones, it was just a small favor, so why not?

Two breaths later, Wang Pei slowly opened his eyes, a hint of difficulty appearing on his face, and his tone becoming more serious:

"Junior brother, your senior brother has actually thought of a way, but in the end, you still have to fight for it yourself. Your senior brother can only help you build a bridge and guide you, but he can't make the decision."

Wu Fan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Please speak, senior brother. I will do my best whenever I have the chance and will never let you down."

Wang Pei looked around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering his voice and whispering in Wu Fan's ear:

"Chief Steward Wang, who oversees miscellaneous affairs in the outer sect, is a member of my clan. I can pass on a message for you and arrange for you to meet him. Whether it works out or not depends entirely on your own abilities and luck."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Wu Fan's eyes, and he bowed again in thanks.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother. I am deeply grateful and will repay your kindness if I have the opportunity in the future."

Wang Pei waved his hand, his smile widening:

"No need for repayment; fellow disciples should support each other. I'll take you to see Chief Administrator Wang now. Remember, the proper etiquette and words to say when they meet—I don't need to remind you again, do I?"

"Junior brother understands!"

Wu Fan nodded in agreement.

The two left Cangyan Slope side by side and headed towards the outer gate's general affairs hall.

Along the way, Wang Pei pulled Wu Fan aside and gave him a few more instructions.

Before long, the two figures appeared in front of the General Affairs Hall.

The General Affairs Hall wasn't particularly grand; it simply had blue brick floors, an open wooden door, and four long solid wood tables inside. Several disciples dressed in outer sect robes were tidying up some accounts.

Wang Pei led Wu Fan straight into the hall, without stopping, and headed directly to the innermost cubicle.

Upon entering the cubicle, one could see a middle-aged monk dressed in a dark blue deacon's robes, writing at his desk.

"Master Wang, your disciple Wang Pei has brought a newly initiated junior brother with him today. He has something important to ask you."

Wang Pei bowed respectfully, his tone humble.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator slowly raised his head.

He had a slightly chubby face, a lazy air about him, and somewhat cloudy eyes.

His gaze slowly fell on Wu Fan, who was standing behind Wang Pei, scanning him carefully from head to toe before speaking in a calm tone:

"Oh? A new disciple this year? What brings you here?"

Wu Fan quickly stepped forward, respectfully cupped his hands, and said sincerely:

"Disciple Wu Fan has only recently entered the valley and was assigned the menial task of tending the medicinal herb fields. However, I have been studying alchemy since childhood and have now reached the level of a first-grade high-level alchemist. Today, I humbly request that Headmaster Wang grant me the opportunity to be transferred to the Alchemy Hall. I will certainly do my best and be diligent and conscientious, and will never delay any affairs of the Alchemy Hall, nor will I let down the Headmaster's trust."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zongzhi's previously cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. His gaze lingered on Wu Fan for a moment before turning to look at Wang Pei, who was already standing beside him.

Wang Pei quickly gave him a subtle wink.

Wu Fan immediately understood and took out a brown cloth bag that he had prepared beforehand, presenting it with both hands.

Mr. Wang reached out and took the cloth bag, weighed it between his fingertips, a smile playing on his lips, and casually put it into the storage bag at his waist.

He hesitated for a moment, cleared his throat, and softened his tone:

"Since you understand alchemy and are even a first-grade high-level alchemist, keeping you in the medicine field would indeed be a waste of your talent. I, the head alchemist, have always cherished talent, so I will help you see which department in the alchemy hall is short-handed."

After saying that, he raised his hand and picked up a bamboo slip engraved with runes from the table.

That was a magical artifact used by the sect to record the appointments and vacancies of its disciples.

With a slight movement of spiritual energy at his fingertips, the bamboo slip slowly unfolded, and lines of golden characters flowed across its surface.

After a dozen or so breaths, Chief Executive Wang put away the bamboo slips and looked up at Wu Fan:

"The Alchemy Hall is divided into five sections: Refining Medicine, Gathering and Cultivating Medicine, Appraising Medicine, Storing Medicine, and Transmitting Elixir. As an alchemist, you should naturally enter the Refining Medicine section. However, while the other four sections also have entrance examinations, they are not considered rigorous. Only the Refining Medicine section requires a strict examination to confirm that your alchemy skills are truly up to par before you can be admitted. Junior Brother Wu, do you dare to accept this examination?"

Wu Fan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting again:

"This disciple dares to do so! Thank you, Headmaster Wang, for giving me this opportunity, and thank you, Senior Brother Wang, for the introduction! I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

President Wang waved his hand and took out a dark gold token from under the table.

He tossed the token to Wu Fan:

"Take this token and go to the outer alchemy room of the alchemy hall to find Uncle Chen. Tell him that I sent you there, and he will test you."

Wu Fan accepted the token with both hands and bowed again to express his gratitude:

"Thank you, Master Wang! This disciple will head to the Pill Hall now."

Just as he turned to leave, Mr. Wang's voice rang out again:

"etc."

Wu Fan stopped upon hearing the sound, turned around, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"How can President Wang teach me?"

President Wang said in a deep voice:

"Uncle Chen in the outer alchemy room of the alchemy hall is aloof and stubborn. He values ​​solid alchemy skills the most and cannot tolerate any falsehoods or perfunctory statements. If you really have some ability, he will treat you differently; but if you exaggerate and your alchemy skills are not proficient, you will fail the test. Not only will you not be able to change your job, but you will also be embarrassed. Don't blame me for not warning you in advance, and don't blame me for not giving you a chance."

Wu Fan paused, then slowly turned around:

"Junior brother understands! This opportunity to be transferred to a different administrative position is already a great favor from my two senior brothers. If my own skills are insufficient and I fail the assessment, I will not dare to utter a single complaint. I will simply consider it as my lack of proficiency and work harder in the future."

Mr. Wang nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand:

"Go."

Wu Fan bowed to Chief Executive Wang and Wang Pei again, then turned and walked out of the General Affairs Hall.