When Ling Tian heard the old man's words, he immediately recalled the towering nine-story pagoda painted in a deep shade of violet. A wry smile crossed his face as he muttered inwardly, "Ji Lian… the name truly suits the shape of this pavilion."
But he quickly dismissed the thought and asked the old man with curiosity, "Is the Ji Lian Pavilion truly suitable for studying alchemy?"
The old man let out a booming laugh, his eyes locking onto Ling Tian as if he were peering at someone who had just emerged from under a rock. His voice dripped with mockery: "You ask if the Ji Lian Pavilion—the very pavilion whose branches spread across the entire Eastern Continent, recognized by alchemists far and wide as the Sacred Ground of Alchemy—is suitable for learning alchemy?"
With that, the old man erupted into uncontrollable laughter, each chuckle punctuated by phrases like, "In all my years, I've never heard such a foolish question… or perhaps, the older one grows, the more foolishness they witness."
Seeing the old man's antics, Ling Tian's chest swelled with barely contained anger. He turned toward Ling Yan, whispering awkwardly, "Let's go." With that, he began moving toward the exit of the inn, Ling Yan at his side.
It seemed the old man noticed Ling Tian's intention to leave. His laughter faded, replaced by a calm voice: "Wait, boy. There's something I must tell you."
Ling Tian paused, glancing back in mild confusion.
"Boy, why not abandon this pursuit of alchemy and become a clown instead? Truly, I haven't laughed this heartily in years." The old man's laughter roared again.
Rage surged through Ling Tian at his words, so fierce he almost spat blood. Yet, he restrained himself, spinning away as he cursed under his breath, "Damn this old man."
After leaving the Xi Chun Inn, Ling Tian lifted his gaze to the violet nine-story pagoda looming in the sky, muttering to himself, "The Sacred Ground of Alchemy… I can hardly wait to go."
With that, he began making his way to the Ji Lian Pavilion. As he walked, he noticed the city was divided into three distinct social layers. The western sector was densely populated, filled with aging houses, foul odors, and a multitude of beggars, with only a few farmers like himself.
The city center, the bridge between east and west, bustled with life. Here, farmers and townsfolk mingled. Houses and shops appeared well-maintained, the aroma of food filling the air, accompanied by a cacophony of noises.
But it was the eastern sector that truly astonished him. Population was sparse, and most traveled by carriage. Farmers dominated this area, with only a handful of townsfolk. Luxurious houses and shops lined the streets, which were kept immaculately clean.
To the northeast of the city lay the Ji Lian Pavilion, the most opulent district of all.
Standing before it, Ling Tian reflected on the city's social hierarchy with a trace of irony. "It seems, whether in the mortal realm or here, society always has its layers. Well… I can hardly complain. I was once a young master in Qinghe City. Now, the roles have reversed; I cannot begrudge the existence of social strata."
Shaking off the thought, he lifted his head, eyes fixed on the Ji Lian Pavilion. Whispering with anticipation, he murmured, "Ji Lian Pavilion… I wonder what awaits me here."
Stepping inside with Ling Yan, Ling Tian found the interior as grand as its exterior—but oddly empty.
A violet carpet stretched to the middle of the first floor, where it formed a circular pattern branching toward doors set between nine pillars, each carved with a purple dragon.
At the far end of the hall, Ling Tian spotted a beautiful girl in a white robe adorned with alchemical symbols, her expression stern as she leaned on the reception desk, reading a book with boredom. Behind her was a door marked with a simple herb engraving. Above it, a board displayed meticulously arranged papers, diminishing in number toward the left.
A wooden staircase on the left of the reception desk led to the second floor.
"As expected from a pavilion famed as the Sacred Ground of Alchemy," Ling Tian thought, stepping closer. But a strong scent of herbs struck his senses.
Quickly, he realized the aroma emanated from the room behind the girl.
"How many spirit herbs must there be for their scent to be this powerful? If I had this many, money would never be a concern again," he mused, eyes gleaming with greed.
Suddenly, the girl's indifferent voice cut through his thoughts: "I suggest you wipe that greedy look from your face before I kick you out."
A shiver ran down Ling Tian's spine, instantly erasing any trace of greed from his eyes. Embarrassed, he scratched his head and apologized: "I'm sorry… anyone would be greedy seeing the sheer number of spirit herbs behind that door."
Internally, he panicked: She didn't even lift her head… how did she know I was greedy?
The girl calmly continued reading: "I know. But that's no excuse. Do you know why you haven't been kicked out yet?"
Ling Tian blinked, curious.
"Because you sensed the subtle change in scent concentration when you reached the center of the hall. Most people only notice when they are very close."
Her gaze shifted slightly, now tinged with excitement. "But you noticed it so quickly, which means your mental strength surpasses ordinary people. You have great potential to become an alchemist."
Ling Tian was stunned. Her perceptive mental power allowed her to deduce so much from the faint difference in scent. Though he knew his own superior mental strength, he could not show it openly. Instead, he smiled, feigning amazement: "Really? I could have potential to become an alchemist?"
"Of course," she replied. "But you must undergo several tests before we can confirm whether you truly can become an alchemist."
"When can I take the tests?" Ling Tian asked eagerly.
"Now," she answered calmly, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
She produced a communication stone. "Uncle Yuan, come quickly! There is someone who may have the potential to learn alchemy."
Ling Tian's mind reeled: A communication stone… even ordinary Foundation-building farmers struggle to obtain one. And now it's in the hands of a mere chi-condensing girl. He inhaled deeply, realizing just how formidable the Ji Lian Pavilion truly was.
Moments later, an elderly man in a white robe adorned with alchemical symbols appeared. Disheveled white hair and a messy beard betrayed someone interrupted from an important task.
"You'd better not be playing tricks, Xiao Yao," he said sharply. "Or your punishment will be doubled."
Xiao Yao smiled awkwardly. "Uncle Yuan, I'm not tricking anyone. He sensed the difference in herb concentration from the center of the hall," she said, pointing at Ling Tian.
Yuan Li looked at Ling Tian with curiosity. Ling Tian opened his mouth to respond, but an invisible pressure pressed down, like he had only felt from his father.
This pressure, without even releasing an aura… he's not wrong. This is a Foundation-building farmer, Ling Tian thought, shocked.
He quickly concealed his thoughts and answered, "Yes."
Yuan Li was slightly surprised by how quickly Ling Tian resisted the pressure, but he dismissed it. Anyone who spent enough time around Foundation-building farmers could do the same.
Quietly, he said to Ling Tian, "Follow me." He led the way to a room on the left.
Ling Tian nodded and followed.
Suddenly, Xiao Yao pleaded, "Uncle Yuan, may I come and watch? It's truly boring here."
Yuan Li didn't look back. "Punishment is punishment. You cannot complain. If your father finds out, I will also gat punished."
Xiao Yao slumped back in boredom, yet Ling Tian now understood her background: Makes sense… no ordinary chi-condensing farmer would possess a communication stone.
With a wry smile, he followed Yuan Li into the room.