The Legend of Fangren

Chapter 143 The Promise of Becoming an Apprentice

Of course, Zhu Huan'e also had her own little schemes.

While imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts, she could also take the opportunity to thoroughly examine the young master's physique—cough cough, I mean his aptitude, since such a naturally formed elixir is truly a treasure for alchemists.

She then explained, "I know that you cannot sense Xuan Qi, but your constitution is special and your five senses are different from ordinary people."

"What is the difference?"

"Young master, do you still remember that night's auction? Your sense of smell for elixirs is extraordinary. The next day, when you came to my alchemy room, you could smell the place where I was storing elixirs with just one sniff. Such sensitivity to the aroma of medicine is exactly what an alchemist needs."

Fang Shi said, "But I am ultimately unable to sense profound energy. Even if I could identify spiritual herbs and elixirs, how could I refine them?"

"Hehe, so this shows that young master doesn't understand alchemy." Zhu Huan'e had already prepared her reasons. Even if Fang Shi couldn't sense Xuan Qi, or even if he couldn't smell anything, he still had to be a good candidate for alchemy today. She continued, "The path of alchemy is rooted in pharmacology. Alchemy and medicine are inseparable. To learn alchemy, one must learn medicine. In the method of alchemy, the step of condensing the pill requires the most precise control of Xuan Qi, which is a difficult point. However, for medicine to become an pill, it must first be medicine. Preparing and adjusting medicine is also difficult, and even more important. Many alchemists downstairs still practice alchemy together. If young master learns the principles of adjusting medicine, why can't he become an alchemist? It's just that the method of condensing the pill requires asking others for help."

Fang Shi found this to make some sense. Thinking about the principles of pharmacology, he figured it wouldn't be a loss to learn them, so he asked, "So, if I were to become your disciple, I would need to have a fellow disciple?"

"No need, no need. I have never taken on any disciples before. If I were to take you in, you would be my only disciple."

"Ah, then who should I accompany?"

"Of course, it is with me, your teacher~" Zhu Huan'e smiled charmingly, giving Fang Shi goosebumps all over.

What do you mean by "master"? I have a master! You're taking advantage of me before I've even agreed to anything. I'll go and reason with my master right now.

Fang Shi ultimately decided to politely decline, but Zhu Huan'e said, "Having a master is fine. There are thousands of paths to cultivation, and what your master teaches is different from what you teach. There is no conflict, so it's natural for you to become my disciple. Even a father has to distinguish between his adoptive father and biological father, let alone his master. There are three thousand great paths, all leading to the same destination, each with its own mysteries. How can one comprehend everything with only one master?"

At this point, even Luohe said, "Fangzi, learning some pharmacology wouldn't be a bad thing."

"no----"

He Zi, where did your arrogance go when you went upstairs? Please, be even more arrogant, don't get turned so easily.

But Luohe understood the meaning in his eyes, and said in a pitiful voice, "But I just saw those pills downstairs, they're so expensive! If we knew how to make them ourselves, we could save some money."

Waaaaah—Hezi, you're such a thrifty and hardworking girl.

Since that's the case, well then. In the world of martial arts, it's always good to have more skills. Besides, Fang Shi has grand plans for the future, and pharmacology is an essential way to protect people.

"Then I am very grateful for your favor, boss lady."

"Alright, alright." Zhu Huan'e smiled broadly, taking advantage of the joyous occasion, and declared that she would not accept Fang Shi's three thousand coins.

Fang Shi insisted on giving it to him, because he was not going to become a disciple now, but would wait until he had gone to the Li Huo Hall to see Luo He off before returning. He explained the reason to Zhu Huan'e.

Having received the promise, Zhu Huan'e was not in a hurry. Instead, she worried about the Luo River for her future apprentice: "In that case, the pills I mentioned earlier won't be enough. In that case, I'll use some of my own spiritual herbs to refine some better pills for you."

"Oh, how could I possibly accept this?" Fang Shi said politely, but whenever Zhu Huan'e brought up the safety of the Luo River, he didn't know how to refute her.

Alright, alright, Hezi, you'd better be very careful with these pills. We sold ourselves to get them for you.

And so, when Fang Shi left the alchemy shop, he was completely distracted, as if he had signed a contract to sell himself into servitude.

"What's wrong with you two? Did you accidentally buy something too expensive? You look so upset."

Back at the inn, Sister Qu immediately asked.

But the reason she asked this was because she hadn't kept her hands to herself during the day and had accidentally bought some ridiculously expensive things. She was now feeling the pinch and wished that a few other people like her would appear to share her psychological burden.

Unfortunately, Luo He was holding a pile of precious pills, his eyes sparkling.

Sigh, how come I didn't notice before? He Zi is actually a money-grubber. When faced with such a cheap deal, he didn't even feel jealous and just had the heart to sell his childhood friend.

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but it's great that no inexplicable chaotic situations have occurred.

On another note, the master-apprentice relationship with the proprietress is much clearer than the so-called "friendship" mentioned earlier, which may be a good thing.

At this moment, the elder walked in, saw that everyone was there, and waved his sleeve, saying, "It's about time, let's set off."

The group finally left Emerald City and boarded a merchant car.

Recently, Emerald City has had a lot of supplies, which has led to an increase in the number of caravans coming and going. Among them is a caravan that travels to and from Li Huo Palace. Everyone paid a little money and got on the carriage to set off.

The location of the Li Huo Palace is also at the southeast border. As the caravan traveled along, the surrounding lush forests gradually turned into barren rocky plains, and then into high mountain valleys full of cliffs, and the climate began to get hot.

No beasts could be seen on the ground, but many bird-winged mythical beasts flew overhead.

The southern boundary belongs to fire, and the yin and xuan aspects manifest as feathers.

Ecologically speaking, the southern border is relatively barren, and only winged birds that fly in the sky can easily survive there.

This also means that many cultivators in the Southern Realm possess long-range weapons such as bows and crossbows. Bows and crossbows have always been imbued with various spells and techniques, thus requiring extremely high forging skills. In addition, fire is the element that overcomes metal, which is also the element that refines metal. Therefore, the art of weapon crafting is most prosperous in the Southern Realm.

The Li Huo Palace is located on a steep, rocky canyon, a place rarely visited by people. The only reason it is situated here is because there is a fire spring in the canyon wall. It is a natural fire spring that gushes out from a secret realm underground. The fire seed is of the fourth grade and has been flowing continuously for hundreds of years. Such a precious source for refining weapons is rare, so the Li Huo Palace was built.

As the caravan entered the Li Huo Canyon, the surrounding air seemed to heat up a bit more. If you pressed your ear against the stone wall beneath your feet, you could hear a booming sound—like a furnace spewing fire. The Li Huo Palace was cleverly constructed, situated precisely at the most turbulent point of the fire spring. It was surrounded by suspension bridges with iron chains, and the path ahead was a steep mountain cliff walkway, making it undeniably dangerous.

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