He helped Pang Yu out of respect for their old friendship, not for any reward.

Upon hearing this, Pang Qinhai’s expression turned serious. "Chief Chen! This... this is just a small token of my appreciation, not a reward! You must accept it. Otherwise, I truly won’t be at ease!"

He extended the hand holding the brocade box slightly, his eyes filled with sincerity and persistence.

Chen Qing sighed inwardly as he looked at Pang Qinhai.

He understood Pang Qinhai’s intentions. This wasn’t just about gratitude; it was a way to maintain their old friendship.

If he insisted on refusing, it would seem distant and only make Pang Qinhai more uneasy.

Chen Qing fell silent for a moment. "Very well. It’s hard to refuse such kindness, Captain Pang. I’ll accept this token of your appreciation."

He reached out, took the brocade box, and placed it on the nearby tea table without opening it.

Seeing Chen Qing accept the gift, Pang Qinhai finally broke into a relieved smile. "You’ve put it well, Chief Chen. I’ll remember this!"

Afterward, Chen Qing and Pang Qinhai chatted for a while about the recent changes in Gaolin County and news from the Prefecture City.

Seeing that his goal was accomplished, Pang Qinhai didn’t dare disturb Chen Qing’s Cultivation any further and tactfully rose to take his leave.

Chen Qing personally saw the two of them to the courtyard gate.

Once they were out of the Cyan Wood Institute and walking on the stone path toward the main gate, Pang Yu could no longer hold back. He muttered in a low voice, "Dad, doesn’t the Wutai Sect have stronger branches like the Geng Metal Institute and the Gui Water Institute? I heard the Cyan Wood Institute... isn’t exactly top-tier among the Five Institutes, and that Master Li... doesn’t really manage things. I want to try for the Gui Water Institute or the Geng Metal Institute."

Pang Qinhai stopped in his tracks. His face darkened instantly, and he berated his son in a low voice, "You fool! What do you know?! A Five Elements Root Bone might be decent in Gaolin County, but here in the Wutai Sect’s Outer Courtyard, you’re nothing! Do you think you can just pick and choose which institute of the Inner Courtyard to join? It depends on whether you can reach the Transmutation Force Realm, and whether any of the Deans will even take an interest in you! It’s an incredible stroke of luck just to be able to enter the Inner Courtyard. How dare you be so picky?"

He looked at his son’s still defiant face and continued his stern lecture, "Chief Chen agreed to look after you—out of respect for our old friendship—once you enter the Inner Courtyard on your own merit. That’s a heaven-sent opportunity! Do you have any idea how many people couldn’t get that even if they begged? Get rid of those arrogant and ignorant notions! From now on, whenever you see Chief Chen, you must be completely respectful, humble, and polite. His words are gospel! Do you hear me?"

Chastised so severely by his father, Pang Yu shrank back and didn’t dare to argue. He replied sullenly, "Yes, Dad. I understand."

Pang Qinhai looked at his son, then glanced back toward the Cyan Wood Institute, his heart a swirl of complex emotions.

He patted his son’s shoulder.

"Remember what I told you. Train hard, and don’t waste this incredible opportunity."

....

After seeing Pang Qinhai and his son off, Chen Qing had just returned to his courtyard when he saw Luo Xinyi approaching in a hurry, holding a newly transcribed register.

"Chief Chen."

Luo Xinyi bowed respectfully and presented the register. "This is the cross-review list for the new batch of Outer Courtyard disciples applying to enter the Inner Courtyard. According to custom, it requires Master Li’s review and approval."

Chen Qing took the register and flipped it open, his gaze sweeping quickly over the columns of names and the brief remarks on their aptitude and Cultivation.

They were all ordinary disciples with Five Elements or Six Forms Root Bones, most having just entered the Transmutation Force Realm. There were one or two who had reached Great Success in Transmutation Force, but they were already quite old.

He knew that very few from this batch would likely succeed in entering the Inner Courtyard.

Chen Qing nodded. "Understood. I’ll take it to Master Li now."

Luo Xinyi acknowledged and stepped aside.

With the register in hand, Chen Qing turned and walked toward the rear courtyard of the Cyan Wood Institute.

He pushed open the unlatched gate to the rear courtyard, and a wave of warm air mixed with the fresh scent of herbs and plants washed over him.

In the rear courtyard, Li Baichuan was seated cross-legged beside an ancient, unadorned Pill Furnace.

The fire in the furnace was no ordinary flame, but a cyan Pill Fire fueled by his own pure True Astral. It gently licked the base of the furnace, causing its body to glow a faint red.

’Astral Force!’

The sight made Chen Qing’s heart stir.

’No matter how neglectful he is of his duties, Li Baichuan is still an Astral Force master.’

’Otherwise, why would He Yuzhou have appointed him as the Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute?’ 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Wisps of cyan smoke curled up from the mouth of the furnace, carrying a peculiar fragrance that was both refreshing and slightly pungent.

Li Baichuan’s eyes were slightly closed, as if immersed in the profound mysteries of the Alchemy Path. His fingers would occasionally tap the air, seemingly adjusting the delicate balance of True Astral within the furnace.

Chen Qing lightened his steps as he approached, then simply waited in silence.

He waited until Li Baichuan had completed a Minor Circulation of his True Astral and slowly exhaled a long stream of white vapor.

"Master Li."

Only then did Chen Qing step forward, presenting the cross-review list with both hands. "The review list for the new batch of Outer Courtyard disciples, for your inspection."

Li Baichuan glanced at the register, then casually gestured with his chin toward a small table beside him that held a brush and ink. "Just put it there. I’ll look at it later."

Clearly, his mind was entirely focused on the Elixir in the furnace; he had little interest in such trivial matters.

Chen Qing did as he was told, placing the list on the small table.

He didn’t leave immediately. His gaze fell upon the cyan smoke rising from the Pill Furnace.

’This is a rare opportunity!’

Chen Qing took a deep breath, his expression calm. "Master Li, you work hard at your Alchemy. Forgive my impertinence in disturbing you, but I have recently encountered some confusion in my training and was hoping to ask for your guidance."

Without raising his head, Li Baichuan kept his focus on the Pill Fire. "Speak."

Chen Qing said in a low, serious voice, "Master Li, you once mentioned that the general principles of the True Insights of Primordial Five Elements True Astral are missing, making it difficult to manifest its Primordial Power. I wouldn’t dare hope for that, but I was wondering if Master Li knows of any method to harmonize and suppress conflicting True Qi within the body?"

Li Baichuan’s control over the fire faltered for a moment. He slowly turned and looked at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing did his utmost to suppress the five restless streams of True Qi, not allowing the slightest hint of their chaotic auras to leak out.

"Five Elements Cultivation? You’ve got some lofty ambitions, kid."

Li Baichuan chuckled.

A chill went down Chen Qing’s spine. ’This old fox might have sensed something,’ he thought, but his expression remained impassive. He simply clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "If Master Li knows of a Secret Technique or a Technique to harmonize and suppress conflicting True Qi, I would be grateful to learn of it."

Li Baichuan stared at Chen Qing for several seconds before finally speaking, his voice slow and deliberate. "Fine. You have some sense, kid. You know who to ask. And considering how dutiful you’ve been, this old man is in a decent enough mood today to point you in the right direction."

Chen Qing’s heart leaped. He clasped his hands again. "Please enlighten me, Master Li."

Li Baichuan’s tone shifted as he pointed to the Pill Furnace. "However... as I’m refining this batch of Elixirs, I find myself in need of a crucial catalyst: a single drop of Essence Blood from a hundred-year-old Red-eyed Poison Python."

"This substance is extremely yang and potent, containing immense vitality. It is the perfect choice to harmonize several of the cold, yin-natured primary ingredients in the furnace."

He shot Chen Qing a meaningful glance.

’Red-eyed Poison Python Essence Blood!’

A chill ran through Chen Qing.

’This is no easy thing to obtain!’

Pythons were rare enough, but Poisonous Pythons were exceptionally vicious. A hundred-year-old specimen would have strength at least comparable to that of a Late-stage Embracing Pill expert, to say nothing of its deadly venom and the treacherous locations they typically inhabit.

’Perhaps I could find a beast like that deep in the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp... Jiang Bohong is active in that area year-round. I wonder if he has any leads?’

’I’ll see if I can buy a drop, even if it costs a fortune.’

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Chen Qing clasped his hands and declared, "I will do everything in my power to find it for you, Master Li!"

"Mm. Go on, then."

Li Baichuan nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze back to the Pill Furnace. "Remember, come find me again only after you have the Essence Blood."

Chen Qing said nothing more. He bowed respectfully, then turned and walked steadily out of the rear courtyard.

’This Old Deng... he really won’t do a thing unless there’s something in it for him...’

Chen Qing cursed inwardly as he stepped out of the rear courtyard.

....