Igniting the Pill Fire, adjusting the Spirit Sand, channeling Mana, fusing Spirit Medicine...
Every step of Pill Refinement is steeped in intricate knowledge and meticulous technique.
When Han Yi used Spirit Charcoal to ignite the Pill Fire, the Hua Jia Elder, seated above among the three Stewards, visibly brightened. Han Yi's fluid, practiced movements revealed a deep understanding of Pill Refinement, a skill only possessed by Alchemists with extensive experience.
The Hua Jia Elder unconsciously glanced at Han Yi again, his attention now fully focused.
The red-faced young man in his thirties and the plump woman in her forties, initially indifferent, now straightened their postures and exchanged nods of acknowledgment, their interest piqued by Han Yi's performance.
Yet they remained silent. Though few disciples passed the Sect Return Assessment, some still managed to succeed.
Before even half an incense stick could burn, Han Yi withdrew his Mana with a practiced motion. He tapped the lid of the Pill Furnace, releasing a wisp of Pill Aura.
Inside the furnace lay ten white Qi Nourishing Pills, each the size of a fingernail.
Han Yi retrieved a jade bottle he had prepared beforehand. With a single, deft gesture, he guided the pills into the bottle and presented it to the Hua Jia Elder.
The elder poured out a pill, scrutinizing it closely. He sniffed its aroma, then swallowed it whole.
After a thorough examination, a satisfied expression spread across the Hua Jia Elder's face.
"Qi Nourishing Pills—ten successfully refined. While their quality falls within the average range, they're among the finest of their kind. With further refinement, they could reach standard quality."
"Not bad, not bad at all," he murmured.
"What's your name?"
Han Yi's heart leaped with joy at the question. He hastily replied, "Martial Uncle, this disciple is Han Yi."
"Good, very good," the elder repeated.
The Hua Jia Elder passed the jade bottle to the two stewards beside him, who performed the same evaluation. After a moment, they nodded in approval, clearly concurring with the elder's assessment.
"Excellent. You've passed the Sect Return Assessment."
"I am Shen Yu, Vice Peak Lord of Little Azure Cloud Peak. If you desire a better courtyard, come find me on Azure Cloud Peak tomorrow, and I'll arrange it for you."
No sooner had Shen Yu finished speaking than the two stewards addressed Han Yi for the first time since he had entered the room.
Luo Qi, a red-faced young man in his thirties, smiled warmly. "I am Luo Qi from Little Raging Fire Peak. Our peak ranks among the top ten Outer Peaks. If you're interested, you can also come to me, and I'll arrange your transfer."
The voluptuous woman chuckled, covering her mouth, and extended her own olive branch: "Little Sea-Viewing Peak has many female disciples. If you come, I'll introduce you around."
Though joy flickered across Han Yi's face, his heart tightened with wariness.
He had initially believed he held an advantage. If he poured all his effort into Pill Refinement, he could undoubtedly produce standard-grade Qi Nourishing Pills.
But such a feat would be far too astonishing.
Standard-grade Medicinal Pills could only be refined by a handful of high-level Qi Refining Alchemists, even among the Inner Sect's most outstanding.
Imagine the implications: in just one year, focusing solely on his Alchemy Technique, he would transform from a mediocre Outer Sect Alchemist into the Inner Sect's most exceptional.
Such a leap was unprecedented—a feat that most Outer Sect Disciples struggled their entire lives to achieve.
This rapid progress would inevitably attract unwanted attention and suspicion.
Many would speculate he had obtained some mysterious inheritance and seek to seize it for themselves.
Without sufficient strength to protect himself, exposing such terrifying Alchemy skills would leave Han Yi feeling dangerously vulnerable.
Noticing Han Yi's obvious delight, the Hua Jia Elder chuckled softly. "Very well, the assessment concludes here for today."
"You've passed. Take this Assessment Token and return to Vermilion Bird Peak to complete the registration process."
"As for your future assignment, you may choose any Outer Peak you desire, according to your own preferences."
The Hua Jia Elder didn't press Han Yi further, and the other two elders remained silent. They had only been impressed by Han Yi's exceptional Pill Refinement skills, which surpassed even those of some Inner Sect Disciples. It was this unexpected talent that had prompted their impromptu recruitment offer.
The Profound Pill Sect boasted over a hundred Outer Peaks, each fiercely competitive for disciples and resources. Strictly speaking, disciples themselves were a valuable resource—indeed, the most crucial one.
Han Yi glanced gratefully at the Hua Jia Elder, noting the name he had used, Shen Yu. He accepted the Assessment Token, thanked them, and cautiously withdrew.
Stepping out of the Alchemy Hall, Han Yi took a deep breath, his spirits soaring. He gazed at the ethereal sea of clouds surrounding Black Tortoise Peak, a world apart from the terror he had felt when first crossing over and seeing the same sight. Now, his heart surged with exhilaration.
"Hahaha! Hu Hansan is back!"
"From now on, I'll lay low until the end of time, until I'm invincible, until I become an immortal. This old man will never leave this mountain again!"
Han Yi secretly resolved to succeed.
Many disciples passing by on their way to the Sect Return Assessment, observing his demeanor, guessed he had passed the test and looked at him with envy.
Even the sociable man who had left the Alchemy Hall earlier, still bitter about his own failure, glared at Han Yi with jealousy but refrained from provoking him, knowing it would only invite trouble.
"Little Raging Fire Peak, Luo Qi... I've heard that name before. Back when I first transmigrated, Senior Brother Guan Di assigned me a task to earn points: to be a test subject for Luo Qi's pills on Little Raging Fire Peak."
As Han Yi walked back to Little Spirit Void Peak, Luo Qi's name and the associated information surfaced in his mind.
He also knew about Little Sea-Viewing Peak, where the plump, forty-year-old woman resided—one of the peaks with the highest concentration of female Outer Sect disciples.
Han Yi shook his head. With so much uncertainty about his future, he had no time to consider finding a Dao Companion.
Actually, now that he had calmed down,
he genuinely contemplated moving to Little Azure Cloud Peak. Shen Yu, the Vice Peak Lord there, undoubtedly possessed the strength of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement. With Shen Yu's recommendation, he would essentially have a powerful backer, making life on Little Azure Cloud Peak far more comfortable than on Little Spirit Void Peak.
But then he reconsidered. Accepting this favor might bring unforeseen complications upon transferring to Little Azure Cloud Peak.
Moreover, Little Azure Cloud Peak was also an Outer Peak with a Second-Tier Spirit Vein, barely superior to Little Spirit Void Peak.
If it had been an Inner Peak, he would have moved there without hesitation.
Most importantly, Han Yi simply needed a stable environment. Since both Little Spirit Void Peak and Little Azure Cloud Peak were Outer Peaks, they were essentially the same to him.
Why bother with the hassle?
He decided to lie low for a while longer.
By the time he returned to Vermilion Bird Peak, he had solidified his decision. He found the Senior Brother on duty, presented his Assessment Token, and explained his situation.
The Senior Brother looked surprised but cheerfully processed Han Yi's paperwork.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Han, on returning to the Sect! I'm sure you'll achieve great things and make a name for yourself in the future."
Based on past experience, anyone who caught the eye of the Assessment Steward and transitioned from being an Outpost Disciple back to an Outer Sect Disciple had typically made significant progress in their Alchemy Technique. Such individuals were worth befriending, at least in terms of alchemy skill.
"Just lucky, just lucky," Han Yi replied modestly.
"What should I call you, Senior Brother?"
The Senior Brother smiled. "My name is Ma Yu."
"Senior Brother Ma, could you check if my previous courtyard has been reassigned? If not, would it be possible to reclaim it?"
Han Yi was a sentimental person. Returning to a familiar courtyard would be ideal.
Ma Yu nodded, checked the registry, and smiled. "What a coincidence! It's still available."
Han Yi's face lit up with joy. It was still there! After a moment's thought, he understood why.
His courtyard was relatively secluded, bordering the rear mountain peaks. It was likely that only new disciples with little status or influence would be passively assigned to such a remote location.
But Han Yi didn't mind. As long as it had a Second-Tier Spirit Vein, it was enough. He had plenty of Spirit Stones for everything else.
"Senior Brother Ma, could you help me apply to reclaim my courtyard?"
"No problem at all. I'll take care of it right away," Ma Yu responded promptly, logging the details. He then went to the storage room and retrieved Han Yi's original courtyard certificate.
Moments later, he had completed all the formalities and handed the documents to Han Yi.
Han Yi repeatedly expressed his gratitude, while Ma Yu felt equally satisfied. This was akin to Junior Brother Han owing him a favor. Should Han Yi ever rise to prominence, this goodwill could prove beneficial.
That was precisely why Ma Yu had gone above and beyond to assist him. Such were the advantages of his position in the Management Hall.
Meanwhile, Han Yi left Vermilion Bird Peak and headed straight for Little Spirit Void Peak. Only after returning to his familiar courtyard and activating its private Courtyard Formation did he finally relax completely.