Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

Is your hand rusty?

Only six Qi and Blood Pills refined from one cauldron?

Upon hearing this, Cao Yu’s eyes widened again, as if he had heard something extremely shocking.

The plain-looking young man before him seemed to be just over twenty, appearing to be the youngest among the five applicants in this batch.

The assessment provided each person with three sets of materials and gave three days; the passing standard was a success rate of 30% for refined pills per cauldron. In reality, this standard wasn’t low; even some experienced seventh-grade alchemists couldn’t take it lightly.

This young man surnamed Sun began refining directly after merely glancing at the pill formula, achieving not only refinement on the first cauldron but also an astounding 60% success rate.

This was truly astonishing.

In an instant, Cao Yu’s expression changed several times—from daze to shock, then his eyes lighted up, followed by his cold face becoming kind and even somewhat flattering.

One must know that Gu Xue’Er, who had dazzled everyone at the previous grand competition, is now only a seventh-grade alchemist at the tender age, a direct disciple of one of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion’s Pavilion Masters.

And that was the result of Pill Cauldron Pavilion’s careful nurturing. If this young man Sun had received the same resources as Gu Xue’Er from the start, even if he hadn’t surpassed her, he certainly wouldn’t lag far behind.

"Struck gold... If I take this young man back, it would be a great merit, and before long, he may become the leader of our Alchemy Hall!"

An excellent pill master commands respect wherever placed; many people try to curry favor, and even the big personalities of major forces must show some respect.

"Sun Li, no, Sun the Alchemist... I am Cao Yu, and earlier, it was my oversight in failing to recognize your greatness, for which I apologize."

Cao Yu’s thoughts raced, and he immediately introduced himself with amiable demeanor, no longer stating aloofly, "I’m Cao."

"Sun the Alchemist, may I take a look at the elixir?"

"Sure."

Su Mu stepped aside, and Cao Yu walked over. Upon seeing the six Qi and Blood Pills with clear pill patterns in the pill furnace, his pupils shrank again.

Though not an alchemist, he had consumed many Qi and Blood Pills and could discern at a glance that the six pills refined in this batch were of notably high quality, significantly superior to those circulating on the market.

Immediately, Cao Yu swallowed silently, feeling his mouth dry and tongue parched.

Su Mu was just a ’Seventh-Grade Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artist,’ yet Cao Yu’s attitude showed reverence and caution as if facing a superior.

Alchemy, artifact refining, and talisman making all demand talent, and age is highly valued; youth implies greater potential, high malleability, and abundant energy.

Human energy and time are limited, and no matter how talented, focusing intensively on alchemy naturally neglects cultivation, difficult to balance, hence alchemists’ cultivation often isn’t high.

Even skilled alchemists, as they age, may suffer stunted progression, causing energy decline, thus struggling with large-scale alchemy.

After all, once started, alchemy can last three to five days, or even ten to fifteen days or more, during which almost no sleep is taken.

The mental and physical high load is not something ordinary people can endure.

"Sun the Alchemist, I must first take these Qi and Blood Pills for testing and will provide feedback shortly. May I know your residence?"

"Of course, I will be staying at Linfu Inn in the north of the city for a few days."

"Sun the Alchemist, may I escort you?"

Cao Yu respectfully collected the elixirs into a porcelain bottle and immediately escorted Su Mu out of Qiancao Hall before hastily leaving.

"Someone came out so quickly... seems this person was eliminated."

"This person looks to be just over twenty, clearly not an alchemist, likely hoping to muddle through with minimal skill."

Seeing Su Mu quickly led out, the onlookers whispered, and those initially considering registering for the assessment promptly retreated.

However, some were not disheartened. A man around forty, with an amiable face, paced over.

"Young brother, excuse my interruption, could you inform me of the Qiancao Hall alchemist assessment content?"

The speaker’s polite tone made Su Mu slow his pace.

"The assessment is for refining Qi and Blood Pills, but the pill formula has been altered slightly."

Upon hearing this, the inquiring man showed surprise—it’s not just any Qi and Blood Pill but a specialized one, evidently raising difficulty further.

"May I ask how many cauldrons you’ve refined?"

"One cauldron."

One cauldron?!

The man was even more astonished upon hearing this, then sighed, dismissing his intention to register—not only requiring special Qi and Blood Pill refinement but also having only one chance; he knew his alchemy skill well.

"Thank you for informing me, forgive the disturbance..."

The man gave a slight bow to Su Mu before silently turning away, while Su Mu said no more and headed north of the city.

Before long, a joyous call startled the man.

"Fifth Uncle, why are you here?"

A young woman, around twenty-five or six, of handsome appearance quickly approached, Shangguan Ke spoke with surprise.

"Ah, it’s Third Miss."

"Fifth Uncle, just call me Ke’er... Fifth Uncle, why the sighs, has something happened?"

Hearing her words, the man shook his head and sighed before sharing briefly about the Qiancao Hall alchemist assessment.

"Fifth Uncle, Qiancao Hall is under Pill Cauldron Pavilion’s influence, a formidable entity, surpassing even elite forces like the Three Gates and Four Families in the Ancient Qingzhou; their recruitment naturally involves stringent assessments..."

"Moreover, Fifth Uncle, you’re just over forty, still young! Since you haven’t registered, how can you presume failure?"