Chapter 89: Gu He’s Dark Past, the Scramble Among the Crowd

I recall that the Grand Elder had once warned me that such a person would arrive, and urged me to guide him attentively. Could it be him? At this thought, Gu He hurriedly put away the pill in his hand, furtively glanced around, and whispered to Xiao Yan Ying, "How many people know about this matter?"

Xiao Yan Ying shook her head quickly, but before she could raise her hand, Gu He's mustache curled up in delight. "Ha ha! Heaven has eyes—it has sent me a precious disciple!"

With that, he dashed off toward the Spirit Peak where Luo Qingqiu resided.

Just as Xiao Yan Ying had said: young, possessing a strange flame, able to refine a fourth-grade pill with pill patterns—wasn't that the sign of a prodigy in alchemy? Under his guidance, perhaps this youth could reach the level of a ninth-grade alchemist. Then, he would become the master of a ninth-grade alchemist—a title that would resonate far and wide.

He now regretted it a little, wondering why he had been so absorbed in studying that eighth-grade pill formula earlier. If only he had gone to instruct him, the youth would surely have been awed by his vast knowledge and already be his disciple!

Regret filled his heart, and his steps quickened.

"Yan Ying, it's not your fault. He asked us to explore the pill formula together, didn't he?"

"But that old Gu is truly sly! With such a situation, he wanted to reap the benefits alone. Though his rank is high, in certain aspects, we are more skilled than he is!"

Before long, several old men entered the room, their faces bristling with anger. All were seventh-grade alchemists, with one eighth-grade among them. Their expressions were a spectacle.

They had come to discuss pill formulas and, by a strange twist of fate, overheard the news.

Xiao Yan Ying sighed helplessly. She had wanted to remind Gu He that his old friends might already be at the door, given he had invited them to study together. If you don’t let others know, perhaps they’re already listening right outside.

Now, truly, he had hoisted the stone only to drop it on his own foot.

"Oh dear, excuse me! I suddenly feel the need to relieve myself..." An opportunistic alchemist found an excuse and slipped away.

Soon after, angry shouts came from outside. "Old Zhao, your quarters are on another Spirit Peak! What are you doing at the Grand Elder's place? Are you planning to relieve yourself there?"

Instantly, the alchemists inside lost their composure—there was a loud scramble, and not a single figure remained.

Xiao Yan Ying shook her head at the scene. When she had sought a master, it was nothing like this!

In her mind, Ling Tian's face appeared, her eyes flashing with determination. "So you are that prodigy of swordsmanship, Tian Ling, and now possess such talent in alchemy as well. Is there anything in this world you cannot master?"

She rather wished Ling Tian would take her as his master; then she could follow him and learn everything he knew.

Wait—no, even if they are not master and disciple, they are fellow disciples. Seeking his advice on some matters wouldn't be excessive, would it?

At this, Xiao Yan Ying placed her hands on her hips. "Yes, that's right! I must prove to him that I can refine a proper fourth-grade pill!"

...

Meanwhile, Gu He explained his purpose to Luo Qingqiu, who informed him of Ling Tian's room.

Seeing Gu He's flustered state and his lavish praise of Ling Tian, Luo Qingqiu herself was bewildered.

What was going on? Wasn't this his first time in the pill room? How did he suddenly become the genius alchemist, a ninth-grade master, in Gu He's words?

Something wasn't right—how had he learned alchemy? Had Luo Changsheng failed to report this? That seemed unlikely.

Despite her questions, she was full of joy. If even Gu He, an eighth-grade alchemist, praised him so highly, Ling Tian's talent in alchemy must be extraordinary. He must have inherited his mother's gifts.

She remained hidden, watching from the shadows, curious to see how Ling Tian would reveal his talents.

Gu He, having learned Ling Tian's whereabouts, wasted not a moment and went straight to his door.

"Young friend Tian Ling, forgive the intrusion. I am Gu He, an eighth-grade alchemist. Might I trouble you to come out for a talk?"

His tone was calm, even admiring.

Inside, Ling Tian finished cultivating and, hearing the visitor's introduction, was intrigued. Was this a case of the elders coming to settle accounts after the younger ones?

Seeking explanations?

Yet, as soon as the thought arose, he chuckled. That was unlikely—Luo Qingqiu was here; how could Gu He dare cause trouble?

An eighth-grade alchemist? His mother was a ninth-grade alchemist!

But, since Gu He was here, surely with Luo Qingqiu's approval, it was worth meeting him.

With a creak, Ling Tian opened the door to find the sprightly old man waiting outside.

"Youth, you have an exceptional bearing and talent. Have you considered becoming my disciple?" Gu He got straight to the point.

Ling Tian sized up Gu He—a body saturated with the scent of pills, truly a veteran of the alchemy path.

Gu He sensed his abruptness and quickly offered Ling Tian a way out: "No need to feel pressured. I am merely asking your opinion. Even if you decline, I can still guide you..."

"Very well, then I decline." Ling Tian nodded before Gu He could finish.

Gu He was at a loss. Was he really so unworthy in Ling Tian's eyes? He was an eighth-grade alchemist! Eighth-grade!

Did Ling Tian know how many people begged to become his disciples? Now he came in person, only to be so flatly refused?

Gu He regretted his words, wishing he could slap himself. Why had he given Ling Tian an easy out?

His face darkened.

Ling Tian smirked, finding Gu He rather amusing. Refuse him, and he was displeased.

But Gu He, for all his eighth-grade credentials, simply didn't impress Ling Tian.

"Youth, perhaps you misheard—I am an eighth-grade alchemist," Gu He insisted, face stinging but unwilling to give up. With Ling Tian's talent, it was worth sacrificing his pride. Pride meant little if only the two of them knew of his rejection.

Before Ling Tian could reply, a cheerful voice rang out from afar: "He made it quite clear, didn't he? If he doesn't wish to be your disciple, don't force him!"

Gu He's face darkened further. It was none other than the group of alchemists who, upon hearing the news, rushed over.

They knew that, to make Ling Tian a disciple, they would need the Grand Elder's permission; their own status was insufficient. But Gu He was different—he was the first to reach eighth grade and might soon attain ninth, the chief alchemist of Pill Peak.

If he lacked the qualifications, then perhaps no one at Pill Peak did.

They had searched long and hard, only to stumble upon this opportunity. Arriving just in time to hear Ling Tian refuse Gu He was a stroke of luck.

He had rejected Gu He, not them. Why should they worry?

If he could turn down Gu He, it was no shame to be refused themselves. It was worth a try—perhaps he would accept after all.

"You lot—just following your noses?" Gu He glared at his colleagues, displeased. Of course he was; he had handed them the upper hand.

"Young friend, I hear you refined a fourth-grade pill with pill patterns—a remarkable talent. I happen to specialize in pill patterns. Would you consider apprenticing under me?" Lin Hai, another eighth-grade alchemist, stepped forward to invite Ling Tian.

His research differed from Gu He's. Gu He focused on pill formulas, hoping to attain ninth grade through supreme recipes. Lin Hai sought to elevate the quality of pills, aiming for ninth grade through perfection.

All told, he was more aligned with Ling Tian—both cared about pill patterns.

"Young friend, alchemy requires calmness, but working alone can be lonely. I have two disciples, both quite beautiful..." A seventh-grade alchemist, seeing the eighth-graders make their invitations, tried to offer something novel—young men, after all, had strong desires...

Heh heh...

But before he could finish, he was slapped and sent flying, vanishing from sight.

The others felt a chill down their spines, forgetting that this Spirit Peak belonged to the Grand Elder. Clearly, the Grand Elder did not wish to entice disciples through vulgar means. Everyone quickly composed themselves and offered proper invitations.

After all, Luo Qingqiu was an emperor; they dared not entertain other thoughts.

Luo Qingqiu was indeed annoyed—how could that old rascal make such comments to a child?

Ling Tian wore a wry smile—he had only visited the pill room, and now a crowd of old alchemists had their eyes on him.

Their unabashed, burning gazes unsettled him.

Goodness, would they trick him into something unspeakable?

He shook his head—such thoughts were absurd.

"Gentlemen, I appreciate your kindness, but I already have a master. I truly must decline."

Ling Tian waved his hand, signaling for quiet, forced to take this approach.

The alchemists showed expressions of regret. They should have guessed—how could Ling Tian refine such pills without a master's guidance?

They naturally assumed Ling Tian only had Luo Qingqiu as a master, and since she did not practice alchemy, they acted as they did.

Gu He abandoned his hope of recruiting a disciple, but still humbly asked, "Young friend, you used Seven Star Grass in refining the Spirit Tempering Pill. This method is unheard of. Might you reveal its secrets?"