Chapter 1329: The Miserable Lives of the Alchemy Room Disciples

When people spoke of alchemists, the first image that usually came to mind was a rather scholarly middle aged man with a refined air, or an elderly figure with white hair and a youthful face.

At the very least, one might imagine someone like Ling Feng, young and gifted in the Dao of alchemy.

Yet an alchemist built like an ox and towering like a mountain completely overturned those expectations.

Is this fellow really an alchemist?

The corner of Ling Feng's mouth twitched slightly. Judging from the explosive brute force radiating from this man, he could somewhat understand why people regarded this place as a den of demons.

After taking a single punch from this monster, one would probably start questioning life itself. Who would still have the strength to complete any task afterward?

Ling Feng glanced around. Every disciple here looked as though they had been tormented to the brink of collapse. They were skin and bones, their eyes sunken and dark, as if a light breeze could knock them over.

It was hard to imagine what kind of suffering they endured on a daily basis!

"You are the newcomer, right?"

Master Ye's massive palm, broad like a fan, slapped down hard on Ling Feng's shoulder twice. He had clearly expected Ling Feng to be knocked flat by the blow. Instead, the youth stood firmly in place and met his gaze directly, showing not the slightest fear or hesitation.

"

Hehe,

this time an interesting brat has shown up!"

A cold smile crept onto Master Ye's face. He nodded slightly and said calmly, "Very well. Manager Sun Pei, you may leave. I will personally discipline this boy!"

"Then I will take my leave."

Manager Sun quietly broke into a cold sweat for Ling Feng.

Sigh, this kid looks stubborn to the core, he is probably doomed!

"

Hey,

kid. What is your name?"

Master Ye fixed his gaze on Ling Feng. Those eyes, as large as bronze bells, made Ling Feng feel uncomfortable all over.

"Ling Feng!"

Ling Feng took a deep breath and answered evenly, neither servile nor defiant.

"My name is Ye Xiong."

Ye Xiong crooked a finger toward a disciple nearby and said casually, "Lu Yu, take this newcomer to familiarize him with the daily tasks. I will give you one hour. Once that hour is up, work begins."

"Yes!"

The outer sect disciple named Lu Yu trembled all over when Ye Xiong's gaze swept across him. He hurried over to Ling Feng and said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Ling, please follow me!"

"

Mhm.

"

Ling Feng nodded and followed Lu Yu to a warehouse at the rear.

"Junior Brother Ling, the Dan Ding Grand Hall[1] of our Earth Realm mainly refines Divine Formation Pills and Spirit Nurturing Pills for the daily cultivation needs of the outer sect disciples. Every month, the required quantity is enormous, so success rate and efficiency are placed above everything else."

"As a result, the alchemists here rely on the disciples' assistance to refine as many pills as possible each day. The processing of ingredients and the entire purification process are handled by the disciples, while the alchemists only need to control the fire. This greatly increases efficiency."

As Lu Yu explained, he took various medicinal ingredients from the shelves one by one and identified them for Ling Feng.

Ling Feng listened quietly and thought to himself,

This method is fine for mass production, but ordinary martial practitioners can't reliably judge an herb's age, and their purification is uneven. Even with skilled refiners, the pills won't be high quality.

"These are the pill formulas for the Divine Formation Pill and the Spirit Nurturing Pill. I will help you memorize them as quickly as possible."

Lu Yu looked at Ling Feng seriously and continued, "If you do not want to be beaten, you better memorize the formulas and the characteristics of every ingredient. Master Ye's requirements for materials are extremely strict. If there's any problem with the age or freshness, we'll end up badly."

"

Mhm.

"

Ling Feng nodded. These pills were something he could refine even with his eyes closed. He hardly needed instruction on how to identify the ingredients.

About half an hour later, Lu Yu saw that Ling Feng had already memorized the formulas and continued, "Aside from identifying ingredients, the second step is refining medicinal strength and removing impurities. Master Ye created a simplified extraction method himself. Even non-alchemists can master it quickly. I will demonstrate it three times first. If there is anything you do not understand, ask afterward."

Lu Yu was clearly very afraid of Master Ye. Throughout the entire process, he was extremely cautious and explained every step in painstaking detail, terrified that Ling Feng might make a mistake and drag him into punishment as well.

"One last thing. After the alchemy is finished, the accumulated furnace ash must also be cleaned every day."

Ling Feng nodded. With such a large volume of repeated refining, the build up of furnace ash could not be ignored. Otherwise, it would affect the success rate.

"Alright. I have memorized everything."

Ling Feng gave Lu Yu a faint smile. "Thank you, Senior Brother Lu."

"Junior Brother Ling, listen to my advice. No matter the time, never appear relaxed or lazy. Smiles are a luxury for people like us."

Ling Feng shrugged. At that moment, a thunderous roar sounded from outside. "Hey, are you done in there? Bring out the prepared ingredients now!"

"Yes!"

Lu Yu jolted in fright, hurriedly lifted a tray of ingredients, and rushed out at full speed.

Even so, Master Ye still cursed loudly, "You useless trash. I gave you one hour, yet you wasted an extra thirty breaths. After today's tasks are finished, stay behind and receive thirty lashes!"

"Yes..."

Lu Yu had long since been ground down of all sharpness. He could only tremble and endure in silence.

"Where is the newcomer?"

Cold light flickered in Ye Xiong's eyes as he saw Ling Feng walking out of the warehouse at an unhurried pace.

"Brat, do you know that you also wasted thirty breaths?"

Ye Xiong frowned deeply and stared at Ling Feng. "You will stay behind today as well and receive thirty lashes!"

Ling Feng curled his lips slightly and said calmly, "I came here to help with alchemy, not to be beaten. If I complete my tasks properly, what right do you have to strike me?"

"

Mhm?

"

Ye Xiong's aura surged as those bronze bell eyes locked onto Ling Feng. "Brat, what did you say?"

Lu Yu and several other disciples nearby were all trembling in fear. They stared at Ling Feng in shock.

Has this kid gotten tired of living?

Only Ling Feng stood firmly in place and said loudly, "I do not like repeating myself!"

"

Hahahaha!

It seems you are very confident in yourself! Good. Very good!"

Ye Xiong burst into loud laughter. "Then, boy, you will handle these ingredients. If there is even the slightest mistake, I will skin you alive!"

"Gladly!"

Ling Feng stepped forward and walked straight to the alchemy furnace. He raised his brow and smiled. "Master Ye, you better watch carefully!"

1. Was using Pill Cauldron Grand Hall, switched back to Dan Ding for more flavor :D ☜