Spring passes and autumn comes, in the blink of an eye, half a year has gone by.
In a room within the Pill Furnace Hall, Zhang Yao sat behind a desk and put down the book in his hand:
"Ah..."
He stretched lazily, moved his body a bit, and with a slight thought, called out the attribute panel.
Name: Zhang Yao
Talent: Primordial Energy Spring, Essence Qi Transformation
Skills: Herb Mastery (50%), Taiyi Pile Skill (65%), Alchemy (12%)
"Not bad, my alchemy skill has increased a bit."
A slight smile appeared on Zhang Yao's face.
In the past half year, his life has been very regular, the Taiyi Pile Skill has been steadily increasing, and he has learned new skills.
To be clear, being able to learn the new alchemy skill is somewhat related to Lord Guan Yuan.
Since Lord Guan Yuan returned to secular life, Lord Guanlu, who took charge of the Pill Furnace Hall, had some changes in his mindset.
Given the age of the newly appointed Lord Dugu, he could at least manage the Zangzhen Pavilion for twenty years. With no hope of further advancement, Lord Guanlu started considering future matters.
He secretly watched and tested the Daoist children in the Pill Furnace Hall and quickly chose Zhang Yao.
First, Zhang Yao's progress in Taiyi Pile Skill was astonishing, and Lord Guanlu was greatly amazed upon discovering this, believing that the Palace Master must have overlooked a hidden gem.
Second, Zhang Yao handled himself much more maturely than his peers, pleasing Lord Guanlu naturally, which filled him with satisfaction.
Two months ago, Lord Guanlu began to reduce Zhang Yao's trips to gather herbs, often keeping him by his side to personally teach him pharmacology, herb properties, and alchemy.
Though until today, the formal apprenticeship ceremony has not been held, making him an inner disciple is a matter just waiting to happen.
"The cultivation of the Taiyi Pile Skill slows down the further it progresses."
"However, I'm just a bit more than a month away from reaching the 70% proficiency of the Realm of Great Success."
Looking at the data on the panel, Zhang Yao pondered in his heart.
The progress in Taiyi Pile Skill and alchemy has left him very satisfied, making the future look promising.
Only Herb Mastery is stuck at the 50% mark and hasn't progressed for several months.
He initially guessed that the problem wasn't with himself, but with the knowledge within the Pill Furnace Hall, which has its limitations.
The elixirs produced at the Pill Furnace Hall are generally common, beneficial ones like those that boost the middle Essence, invigorate blood circulation, strengthen the spleen and stomach, or replenish kidney deficiencies.
If they match the symptoms, they are very effective, and even if they don't, they won't harm anyone, making them safe to sell externally.
This led to most of the knowledge on the identification, harvesting, and processing of herbs being focused on this specific set, lacking coverage of more diverse herbs.
"If it's stuck, it's stuck. Anyway, 50% is good enough."
Zhang Yao thought, not caring too much in his heart.
For the herb knowledge needed at the Pill Furnace Hall, he's already quite proficient. Lord Guanlu personally tested him before deciding to teach him alchemy early.
"Knock, knock, knock."
At this moment, a few knocks sounded from outside the door.
Zhang Yao's expression changed slightly, and he looked towards the door, saying, "Come in."
The door opened, revealing a registered Daoist in his twenties. He first saluted Zhang Yao with hands clasped before speaking: "Junior Brother Qingxu, Master calls for you."
"Hmm."
Zhang Yao nodded, got up, and returned the salute: "Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Don't mention it."
The young Daoist was very courteous, maintaining a humble posture.
Compared to half a year ago, Zhang Yao's status in the Pill Furnace Hall can be said to be completely different now.
Anyone with discerning eyes can see how much Lord Guanlu values Zhang Yao; formally taking him under his wing is just a matter of time.
Since Lord Guanlu has no inner disciples yet, should Zhang Yao enter the sect, it would mean he's likely to head the Pill Furnace Hall in the future, and no one dares to offend him.
Moments later, Zhang Yao arrived at the main hall, seeing Lord Guanlu. He immediately bowed ceremoniously.
"Rise."
Lord Guanlu looked at him, smiling a little: "How well have you read the Scripture of Longevity and Essence Protection?"
"To report to Master,"
Zhang Yao straightened up, confidently saying, "I have memorized it completely, able to recite it backward flawlessly."
"Oh?"
Though Lord Guanlu had expected this, he still couldn't help showing a hint of surprise upon hearing it, and immediately said, "Good, let me test you..."
He casually tested a few sections of the scripture, to which Zhang Yao responded fluently, word for word.
"Good, good, good!"
Lord Guanlu stroked his beard with a smile, showing satisfaction: "Your memory is remarkable, it seems your talent in the Taiyi Pile Skill is even more outstanding than I imagined."
He said, jokingly: "To think I once regretted the Palace Master overlooking you, now I feel a bit lucky to have gained a bargain."
Hearing this, Zhang Yao also smiled slightly and said, "It's the affinity between Master and me."
Just like half a year ago, the failure of Lord Guanlu in the competition for the position of Lord Dugu was bad for him, but it was great news for Zhang Yao.
If Lord Guanlu had succeeded, and a new Lord Hall Master was appointed, whether he could have such a fate today would be hard to say.
The wonder of worldly affairs lies in this.
"Come here, Qingxu."
Lord Guanlu beckoned, letting Zhang Yao sit by his side to explain some key points of the Scripture of Longevity and Essence Protection.
Of course, Zhang Yao listened intently, with full concentration, not daring to miss a thing, occasionally asking questions, which Lord Guanlu patiently answered.
He had already learned from Lord Guanlu that once one becomes a high-ranking Lord Hall Master, they also qualify to cultivate the sect's secret profound skills.
Even if due to age and talent, their achievements in Daoist Profound Skill don't match the true transmissions of the Shangqing Pavilion, they are by no means comparable to ordinary people.
Therefore, Zhang Yao is very diligent in his alchemy studies, as it's both his future livelihood and crucial to his eventual takeover of the Pill Furnace Hall.
Amidst the explanations and questions, more than an hour passed quickly.
"Hmm, that's it for today, then."
Lord Guanlu glanced at the sky outside and indicated: "Go to the dining hall for a meal, rest early tonight, come again in the morning."
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Yao got up, gave a respectful bow, and left the Pill Furnace Hall.
The few high-ranking officials in Qingping Palace and the true transmissions of the Shangqing Pavilion have food cooked especially for them, delivered directly by the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, not dining with others.
However, if Zhang Yao officially joins under Lord Guanlu, he might as well get by conformably, eating privately with Lord Guanlu, with no one minding this little thing.
"Looking at Lord Guanlu's attitude, maybe in ten days or half a month, he'll propose to officially accept me as a disciple."
As Zhang Yao walked to the dining hall, he felt quite delighted.
"Once I officially enter, the treatment will be different."
"I might even find a way to let Lord Guanlu reveal my talents to the Palace Master, maybe gain early access to the sect's secret profound skills?"
"Though the chances are slim, it's not entirely impossible..."
Thinking of this, Zhang Yao felt full of motivation, seeing promising prospects ahead.
Such a life may seem dull to those ambitious transmigrators, but he felt content.
"Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother Qingxu!"
Just entering the dining hall, a few Daoist children from the Pill Furnace Hall came running, their meals already prepared for him.
If the registered Daoists in the Pill Furnace Hall treated him with respect, the younger Daoist children only tried to curry favor and flatter him.
Perhaps there's envy or jealousy, but it's hidden deep inside, not daring to be openly shown.
"Thank you, Junior Brother."
Zhang Yao accepted it unhesitatingly, receiving the meal bowls, sitting down at the long table.
The Daoist children from the Pill Furnace Hall sat beside him, eating and casually chatting:
"... Really? Is this news true?"
"Definitely true. I heard it from several senior brothers at the Guest Hall when I came back from gathering herbs. Many pilgrims have mentioned it over the past couple of days."
"Another group of rogue soldiers passed by again. Life downhill truly is unstable."
"Yes, it's better here on the mountain..."