C11 Profession Alchemist Apprentice

A path blanketed with moss made Wang Yipao's trek decidedly uncomfortable.

The ground was slick with neglect; how many years had it gone without a sweep?

At the path's end, a quaint wooden hut belched forth a relentless stench.

It hardly seemed a dwelling fit for an alchemist.

Yet, this was their intended destination.

The Small Sword Sect's Alchemist Elder - Xumu.

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Nine question marks sparked a gleam in Wang Yipao's eyes. His Appraisal Technique failed to identify any attributes, indicating the stranger's level surpassed his own by a whole grade.

In other words, they were at the Foundation Stage!

For a level nine faction to boast an NPC of the Foundation Stage was unheard of.

This suggested that the Small Sword Sect might have a direct connection to a level eight faction.

A stroke of misfortune could be a hidden blessing.

Wang Yipao scrutinized Elder Xumu with care.

"Elder Xumu, Junior Brother Yipao has secured the brown scorpion king poison for you," Jian Wuxin stated with deference.

At that moment, the elder, who had been seated before the pill furnace, opened his eyes. "Is that so?"

"Junior brother, quickly present the brown scorpion king poison," Jian Wuxin urged Wang Yipao with a subtle prompt.

Without delay, Wang Yipao relinquished the item in question.

"Excellent! This is a superior quality brown scorpion king poison. Indeed, quite excellent," Elder Xumu praised, repeating his approval thrice. Then, from the tattered sleeve of his robe, a tome took flight, gently settling into Wang Yipao's grasp.

In the blink of an eye, the task was complete. Wang Yipao's Phantom Secret Art advanced to the second level, and his cultivation ascended to the third grade of Qi Refining.

His attention turned to the tome.

Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor - Apprentice Volume

Purpose: Capable of advancing the Inner Canon to the second level, and refining Qi Refining Pills at the highest proficiency.

User Eligibility: First Grade of Qi Refining

Without a second thought, Wang Yipao committed himself to learning from the volume.

An emblem of an apprentice alchemist materialized on his interface, albeit at level zero. To elevate it, he would need to engage in pill refinement.

As Wang Yipao was about to inquire further, Elder Xumu preempted him, "The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor is a revered treasure in the art of alchemy. Though I've only bestowed upon you the apprentice volume, should you amass the subsequent chapters, you might even craft the most exalted of immortal pills. Dedicate yourself to its mastery. Should you perfect the apprentice volume before my departure, I may well impart the subsequent chapter to you."

Upon hearing this, Jian Wuxin quickly shot Wang Yipao a look, signaling, "Aren't you going to thank the Elder?"

"Thank you, Elder!" Wang Yipao exclaimed, clearly catching the hint.

This indicated he still had a chance to advance his secondary profession within the Small Sword Sect.

"Alright, I need to get back to pill refining. You two may take your leave now."

Elder Xumu effectively dismissed them.

Jian Wuxin and Wang Yipao promptly excused themselves.

"Junior brother, count yourself fortunate. Elder Xumu is seldom this gracious with Small Sword Sect disciples. He's not even this cordial with the other elders. Not only did he bestow upon you the apprentice volume of the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor, but he's also offered you the chance to obtain the subsequent volumes. You've got to put in the effort and meet the criteria. Before long, the Small Sword Sect will merely serve as a stepping stone for you, and one day, you'll surely make your way into the esteemed Snowmouth City," Jian Wuxin said, beaming.

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother. I'll double my efforts to live up to your and the Elder's expectations," Wang Yipao responded, bowing with his fists clasped.

Jian Wuxin nodded in acknowledgment and departed.

"I'm on my way to riches," Wang Yipao thought, his spirits soaring.

The secondary profession was a big deal!

Wang Yipao wasn't sure about others, but within Divine Wind, no one had taken on a secondary profession before he left.

"First, I'll acquire some medicinal herbs and pill formulas to start refining. Then, I'll find some training grounds to practice and improve my cultivation," Wang Yipao announced on the World Channel.

Jian Yipao: Will pay top dollar for level one and level two medicinal herbs and pill formulas.

Almost instantly, his friend list was flooded with requests.

"Huh? This name!" Wang Yipao narrowed his eyes in recognition.

Immortal Sword Jiulong!

Why him of all people?

It made no sense for the Immortal Sword Club to sell these items to him.

Even if they lacked an alchemist subclass for now, they would undoubtedly need one eventually.

But that wasn't the main concern. The real kicker was that Immortal Sword Jiulong possessed a key to the Secret Realm. Entertaining a peculiar notion, Wang Yipao clicked to confirm the friend request.

"Brother Sword Immortal?"

After adding Immortal Sword Jiulong as a friend, he glanced at Wang Yipao's level.

Third grade Qi Refining.

That couldn't be right, could it?

How could a pro gamer have such meager strength?

Maybe it's a fake account?

Perhaps with a space added or something.

So, with a hint of skepticism, he reached out.

"It's me, but I'm not a Sword Immortal anymore. Divine Wind let me go. Why? Is Immortal Sword Club looking to sell me something?" Wang Yipao didn't seem to mind and was quite forthright.

Immortal Sword Jiulong was taken aback.

He had heard about the tough times Divine Wind Sword Immortal was facing at Divine Wind.

But he hadn't expected things to be this bad.

This was a professional player, for crying out loud!

Had Divine Wind lost their minds?

Yet, seeing Wang Yipao's level, Immortal Sword Jiulong hesitated.

If Wang Yipao's abilities were truly this modest, he might not fit into the Immortal Sword's professional ranks.

It's the same old story with clubs; ultimately, it's the benefits that speak.

But they wouldn't be ruthless, at least not to the point of expelling someone from the club.

"Haha, that's possible, but honestly, I think a partnership would be more substantial." Immortal Sword Jiulong kept his expression neutral.

He suspected Wang Yipao might have a secondary profession as an alchemist.

That was the very assistance he needed most at the moment.

Immortal Sword Jiulong was, of course, hoping for a direct collaboration.

"Partner up?" Wang Yipao let out a knowing chuckle.

He wasn't sure about the future of alchemists.

But for now, they were a rare breed. Among those who had just tried to add him as a friend, many were from various clubs, including the general manager from Divine Wind.

But Wang Yipao hadn't accepted any of them.

So, his chuckle alone was telling enough.

He was confident Immortal Sword Jiulong would understand the implication.

"Yes, a sincere partnership," Immortal Sword Jiulong insisted, as if he hadn't caught the chuckle, emphasizing his words.

"Is this a threat?"

"Of course... Ah? No, Jian, no, Yipao, I wasn't threatening you at all!"

Immortal Sword Jiulong was caught between laughter and tears.

"Why aren't you playing by the book?"

Did I come off as threatening to you?

"Then why the heavy tone?"

"I was merely conveying my sincerity!"

"Sincerity is measured by tone now? You'll be done in by your own sincerity one of these days."

"Bro, let's cut to the chase. I've secured a key to a Foundation Stage Secret Realm. It allows me to bring a five-person team inside. You get my drift? I'm proposing a partnership. I'll supply the medicinal herbs and pill recipes, and you'll craft some pills for us within three days. In return, I'll bring you into the Secret Realm. Naturally, we'll need to ink a contract first."

Immortal Sword Jiulong felt awkward continuing the charade.

Jian Yipao's rhetoric nearly twisted his internal monologue into something adversarial.

If rivals with their own keys got their hands on those pills, it would be a setback for him.

So, Immortal Sword Jiulong pragmatically offered up a spot as compensation.

Supplies in the Secret Realm were essential, after all.

The pills from a regular shop wouldn't meet their needs, especially not with other teams in the mix.

"Wow, feeling generous, are we?"

"I'm familiar with your reputation; I wouldn't dare haggle with you."

"Good, you're teachable. Otherwise, you'd be facing my public auction technique."

"Great One, let's put the divine powers aside. We're in a bind, so shall we partner up?"

Immortal Sword Jiulong was torn between amusement and frustration.

At the same time, he was directing his men to verify Jian Yipao's claims about Divine Wind and himself.

If Jian Yipao was still tied to Divine Wind, things could get complicated.

He was secretly hoping for a rift between Jian Yipao and Divine Wind.

"Sure thing. We can draft a virtual contract whenever you're ready. You set the terms, but play it straight—no tricks. Otherwise, I'll just partner with someone else. Believe that?"

"I have faith in you—there's no one else I'd trust more!"

Upon hearing about the opportunity to sign a virtual contract, Immortal Sword Jiulong couldn't contain his excitement.

Once the contract is inked, it won't matter even if his ties with Divine Wind remain intact—what difference would it make!