Translator: CinderTL
Seeing the female cultivator take out her Communication Jade Slip to send a message, Song Wen hurriedly stopped her.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait. May I first ask why you wish to recruit me as an Inner Sect Elder?"
The female cultivator replied, "Senior, you may not be aware, but the sect is currently in dire need of Pill Refiners, especially high-level ones like you. Therefore, any Third-Tier Alchemist is being considered for recruitment into the Inner Sect."
Song Wen pondered for a moment, realizing that joining the Wu Ji Sect's Inner Sect would make it easier to achieve his goals. He nodded in agreement.
"Then I'll trouble you, Fellow Daoist."
"Senior, you're too polite."
The female cultivator used her Communication Jade Slip to send out a message.
Not long after, a cultivator arrived.
The newcomer's appearance caught Song Wen completely off guard, as well as the female cultivator's.
"Greetings, Demon Lord Master."
The female cultivator was the first to react, speaking respectfully and bowing.
Then, Song Wen seemed to realize who it was, a look of excitement spreading across his face.
"Junior Gou Jun greets Demon Lord Master. To witness your presence in person is a fortune I've been blessed with for three lifetimes."
Ye Hua nodded slightly. "Where did you cultivate before?"
Song Wen said, "Reporting to the Demon Lord, this junior previously cultivated on Su Wu Island in the Northern Region."
Su Wu Island had once been a gathering place for rogue cultivators in the Northern Region.
Now, the entire Northern Region had fallen into the hands of the Demon Race, making it impossible for Ye Hua to verify Song Wen's identity.
In truth, Ye Hua hadn't even considered verifying it. Within the Wu Ji Sect, a Late Golden Core cultivator like Song Wen couldn't possibly cause any trouble.
Ye Hua said, "I have a test for you. If you pass it, I can guarantee you the position of Vice Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall. If you fail, but you truly possess genuine Pill Refining skills, you can still become an Outer Sect Elder of the Alchemy Hall. Normally, Hall Master Le Liang of the Alchemy Hall would oversee this test, but he has other matters to attend to, so I will personally administer it."
Upon hearing the name 'Le Liang', Song Wen felt a vague familiarity. However, having encountered countless cultivators, he couldn't immediately recall who this person was.
Maintaining a composed expression, he clasped his hands and said, "This junior will do his utmost and will not disappoint the Demon Lord."
Following this, Song Wen followed Ye Hua to a secret chamber in the External Affairs Hall.
"Refine a batch of Five Elements Pills," Ye Hua instructed.
The Five Elements Pill is one of the most commonly consumed pills by Golden Core cultivators to enhance their cultivation. Nearly every Third-Tier Alchemist can refine this pill.
"Yes," Song Wen replied.
He glanced at the secret chamber, which was only a few dozen feet long and wide. A dangerous thought flashed through his mind.
In such a confined space, with Ye Hua completely unguarded, he was confident he could kill him silently, absorbing his cultivation and soul.
However, the thought vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Song Wen didn't act on it.
His current cultivation level was still some distance from the peak of Nascent Soul Stage. Now wasn't the time to devour Ye Hua's cultivation.
Moreover, Ye Hua's death would undoubtedly alert Yin Shuo.
Song Wen sat cross-legged on the floor, summoning a Mid-Grade Magic Treasure-level Alchemy Furnace. He then channeled his Spiritual Power, using a fire-elemental spell to ignite a cluster of yellow flames.
"You don't have spiritual fire?" Ye Hua suddenly asked.
"Reporting to the Demon Lord, this junior does possess spiritual flames, but they are not suitable for pill refinement."
As Song Wen spoke, his right hand twitched slightly.
A cluster of ghastly green flames rose into the air—the Nether Corpse Cold Fire, which he hadn't used in a long time.
"Begin refining pills. If you pass the assessment successfully, I will bestow upon you a spirit flame suitable for pill refinement," Ye Hua said.
"Thank you, Demon Lord."
Song Wen cast his spell flame into the bottom of the pill furnace, then added one Spirit Herb after another, refining their essences into liquid.
The pill refinement process went smoothly. In just an hour, he had refined over a dozen Spirit Herbs.
"That's enough. You have passed the assessment. No need to continue," Ye Hua said.
As a Fourth-Tier Pill Refiner, Ye Hua had observed Song Wen for the entire hour and could see that his Pill Refinement Technique was extraordinary, making him one of the best Third-Tier Alchemists.
"From today onward, you shall be the Vice Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall of the Wu Ji Sect," Ye Hua added.
Song Wen quickly rose, his face flushed with excitement as he clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
"This subordinate will do his utmost to repay Master's kindness and will never disappoint your high expectations."
Without any visible movement, a pale blue flame about the size of a washbasin suddenly appeared in front of Ye Hua.
He raised his hand, forming a sword finger, and gently sliced through the blue flame.
A fist-sized cluster of flames immediately separated from the main body.
"This flame is neutral and balanced, perfectly suited for alchemy. I shall bestow this small portion upon you."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Song Wen's eyes.
It was no other than the Earth Core Refining Flame—the very same spiritual fire Ye Hua had used for alchemy.
Could such a coincidence truly exist?
Did Ye Hua's alchemy also rely on the Earth Core Refining Flame?
"Thank you, Demon Lord."
Though his heart was filled with doubt, Song Wen's face was contorted into an expression of tearful gratitude.
Ye Hua nodded. "Go to the External Affairs Hall and find Xi Xuan. She will guide you to the Law Enforcement Hall to craft your soul lamp and help you choose a Cultivation Cave."
Xi Xuan was the female cultivator from the External Affairs Hall.
Half an hour later.
Wu Ji Sect, West Cloud Peak.
Song Wen entered a Cultivation Cave located halfway up the mountain.
The Wu Ji Sect was built around Corpse King Valley, with dozens of peaks of varying sizes surrounding it.
West Cloud Peak was one of them, boasting over twenty Cultivation Caves, all belonging to Golden Core cultivators. However, many were currently vacant.
Song Wen's Cultivation Cave spanned roughly five acres, brimming with Spiritual Qi and fully furnished. For a Golden Core cultivator, it was a true paradise for cultivation.
After setting up a Breath Concealment and Spirit Isolation Array, followed by a defensive Formation, Song Wen settled in comfortably.
Half a month later.
A slightly aged voice suddenly echoed outside the cave.
"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, I am Hall Master Le Liang of the Alchemy Hall, here to pay my respects."
Hearing this, Song Wen immediately ended his cultivation. He went to the cave entrance, dispelled the Restriction, and pushed open the stone door.
When he saw the person standing outside, he finally remembered who Le Liang was.
Le Liang had originally been an Outer Sect Elder of the Wu Ji Sect. Song Wen had met him years ago when assisting Ye Hua in refining the Life Returning Pill. It was then that he had obtained information about Five-Colored Gold from Le Liang in exchange for a wisp of Earth Core Refining Flame.
For reasons unknown, Le Liang had since been promoted to Inner Sect Elder and appointed Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall.
However, Le Liang's Pill Refinement Technique was undeniably unique.
At that moment, Song Wen also realized the origin of the Earth Core Refining Flame in Ye Hua's possession. Le Liang had likely obtained the flame from him, cultivated and amplified it, and then gifted a wisp to Ye Hua.
"Hall Master Le Liang, please, come in," Song Wen said warmly.
(End of the Chapter)
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