"You don't want to go?" Sect Master Xuanji glanced at the Grand Elder.
"I don't want the phoenix egg, so why would I spar with him?" the Grand Elder quickly replied. "Besides, I have a contracted beast. And who knows if the phoenix egg is even with him? I was just going to ask to give the disciples below a proper answer."
"The disciples of my Tianxuan Sect all have ironclad resolve. Whatever they want, they seek with their own abilities. Stealing from others is not a source of shame, but a cause for pride. Such individuals are unworthy of being disciples of my Tianxuan Sect," Elder Xuanji said calmly. "You may go."
"Yes, Sect Master."
After the Grand Elder departed, a figure flashed in. Sect Master Xuanji glanced at him. "You've decided to return."
"Master, how is my junior disciple?"
Sect Master Xuanji sighed. "Fan Li, you will investigate someone for me, but you must not let anyone know."
"Who?"
The face of Xiao Man flashed in Sect Master Xuanji's mind. "When I first saw her, I couldn't see through her fate. Now... she is probably not what I imagined."
"Master, who are you talking about?"
"A girl."
Fan Li's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer. "Master, could this girl be my junior disciple's beloved?"
Sect Master Xuanji shot him a glare. "Beloved? I fear she will take your junior disciple's life!"
Fan Li's smile vanished. "This woman is vicious and intends to harm my junior disciple?"
Sect Master Xuanji's brows furrowed. "I can't see through this woman's intentions, which is why I am being extremely cautious. I left a mark on her. Follow my mark, and you will find her."
"After I find her, what are the plans?" Fan Li asked his master, looking at him. "Should I kill her or spare her?"
Sect Master Xuanji remained silent for a long time without answering. Seeing his master's difficult predicament, Fan Li understood that he didn't know how to proceed. He couldn't help but smile.
"It seems she cannot be touched." Fan Li casually lay down on a chair. "My junior disciple's nature is such that once he sets his mind on something, not even ten oxen can pull him back. If this girl is truly his beloved, and I were to interfere, he'd likely fight me to the death."
"I didn't tell you to touch her."
"If you don't want me to touch her, then what is the point of me going?" Fan Li asked with a smile. "Master, please think carefully. What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Go and investigate this woman for me. Why is she pestering Ze Fang!"
Fan Li raised an eyebrow. "Master, are you sure it's this girl pestering my junior disciple, or is it my junior disciple pestering this girl?"
Sect Master Xuanji was momentarily choked. Come to think of it, it was indeed his son who was pestering the girl, even after he had become a child again. But it was precisely this that made him uneasy.
"Fan Li, you only need to confirm one thing: look into this girl's character for me," Sect Master Xuanji said slowly. "If she is a good person, I will not obstruct them. But if her heart is cruel and malicious, I worry your junior disciple will suffer."
Fan Li laughed heartily. "For my junior disciple's lifelong happiness, I, as his senior brother, will naturally do my utmost. If this girl is a good one, I will protect her for my junior disciple."
"Go. If she is devoted to protecting Ze Fang, then so be it. If she poses a threat to Ze Fang's life, then you... kill her."
"Your disciple obeys."
Xiao Man obtained Elder Yao's letter of recommendation and entered the Alchemist Association. Elder Qiu of the Alchemist Association watched Xiao Man enter and asked with a smile.
"Young sir, what brings you here?"
"May I ask if Senior Lu Shi, Elder Lu, is in?"
"Elder Lu is out on business, and his return date is uncertain. If you are looking for him, you may have to come back in a few days."
Xiao Man nodded in understanding, took out Elder Yao's letter of recommendation, and handed it to Elder Qiu with both hands. "Senior, this junior is here to take the alchemist examination."
Elder Qiu took the letter of recommendation and opened it. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. "You were recommended by Elder Yao!"
"Yes, Senior."
"Young sir, please follow me." Elder Qiu immediately led Xiao Man inside. "Young friend, please fill out this form first."
"Alright." Xiao Man finished filling it out quickly. Elder Qiu took it and looked it over. "Young sir, how has Elder Yao been recently?"
"Quite well," Xiao Man replied. "Eating well and sleeping well."
Elder Qiu looked at Xiao Man with some suspicion. "Eating well and sleeping well?"
"Of course, eating well and sleeping well. After all, Young Master Shui's illness has been cured."
Elder Qiu's eyes lit up, and he grabbed Xiao Man's arm. "Young Master Shui's illness has been cured? Is this true?"
"Naturally, it is true."
"Do you know who cured it?" Elder Qiu asked excitedly.
"My master," Xiao Man replied with a smile.
"Is Young sir's master a very skilled alchemist? Could you introduce us to him?"
Xiao Man sighed with great helplessness. "Senior, my master is traveling. Before he left, he told me to come to the Alchemist Association to take the alchemist examination and then find a position as an alchemist to support myself."
Upon hearing this, Elder Qiu lost interest. "Did Elder Yao mention when he would return?"
"He didn't say," Xiao Man inquired, "May I take the exam now?"
"Of course. To obtain an alchemist's badge, you must first pass a written exam. Please follow me." Elder Qiu led Xiao Man into a small room. Inside the room sat an old man with a grey beard, who was dozing with his legs crossed.
"Elder Sun, there's a junior here to take an examination. He's recommended by Elder Yao."
The elder who had been dozing immediately opened his eyes upon hearing Elder Yao's name. His gaze fell on Xiao Man. He then opened the drawer to his right, took out a set of exam questions, and handed it to Xiao Man.
"The questions. Finish them within one hour."
Xiao Man took the questions and sat down. Her gaze swept over the problems. They were mostly common medicinal herbs, with a few rare ones mixed in, but none of them were difficult for her. She immediately picked up her brush and began to answer.
Elder Sun's gaze was fixed on Xiao Man's face. Seeing that she didn't even furrow her brows, a gleam flashed in his eyes. He closed his eyes and continued to feign sleep. There was still plenty of time in the hour; he could sleep a little more.
However, before Elder Sun could fall asleep, he heard Xiao Man's voice. "Elder Sun, I'm finished."
Elder Sun sat up and looked at the incense burner beside him. The incense had only burned halfway. He had given her the most difficult set of questions, and this child had actually finished them!
Elder Sun took the exam questions and read through them. The more he read, the more shocked and incredible he found it. By the end, he couldn't help but smile. No wonder Elder Yao had recommended him; he truly had some skill.
"You passed the written exam. This is your examination card. You can proceed to the next stage for herb identification. After passing that, there is the final stage of alchemy. Based on the grade of the pills you refine, you will receive the corresponding alchemist's badge."
"Thank you, Elder Sun."