The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 447 - 565: You’re Still Young

Chapter 565: You’re Still Young

"Cough, cough..."

A soft, measured cough echoed through the grand hall. Though gentle, the sound carried clearly, reaching every ear. Instantly, everyone present fell silent, heads turning toward the source.

It was Old Manager Qian, the Chief Manager of Wangyuelou, wearing a benevolent smile across his aged, lined face. His presence commanded respect without the need for force.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice calm but imbued with authority, "today marks the brewmaster assessment, held once every fifty years by Wangyuelou."

"This evaluation will directly determine the locations of your work assignments for the next fifty years."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle in. "The contents of this assessment have surely been explained to you by your respective managers. Therefore, we will proceed directly to the main task."

He gestured lightly toward the platform. "Our assessment will be based on two signature spiritual liquors, chosen by the Head of Wangyuelou and the Chief Brewer. These will be used to test each of you today."

Currently, Wangyuelou offered over thirty varieties of spiritual liquor for sale. Almost every cultivator who visited Wangyuelou could find a liquor suited to their own stage and taste. However, among these thirty-plus varieties, only ten were considered true signature liquors—those that defined Wangyuelou’s reputation.

Signature liquors were unique, unparalleled, and consistently outsold all others. While other liquors could be brewed with general competence, signature liquors demanded perfection. A single flaw could jeopardize the entire batch.

At this moment, the head of Wangyuelou, Yan Jiang, stood with a light expression, a faint smile playing across his lips. Unlike the imperious, godlike figure he was as a master of the Imperial Realm, today he was simply an examiner.

He stepped forward first, making a few words of explanation before selecting the first signature liquor: the "Hundred Flowers Brew." Its taste was gentle, well-balanced, and highly versatile—a favorite among lower-stage cultivators, those still refining their bodies, gathering Qi, or absorbing spiritual energy. It was relatively straightforward to brew, making it a common choice for assessments.

Next, the Chief Brewer, Old Master Li, chose a more challenging liquor, "Memory of a Lifetime." Unlike the Hundred Flowers Brew, this was a high-end concoction intended for upper-stage cultivators. Its ingredients were rare and costly, its brewing process complex, and only a master brewer of exceptional skill could create its subtle, refined essence.

Memory of a Lifetime was more than just a beverage—it could evoke profound contemplation in the drinker. Some who consumed it even experienced sudden breakthroughs in cultivation, entering states of enlightenment. The liquor demanded not only precision in taste but also mastery of the intended spiritual ambiance.

When the challenge was announced, the expressions of brewers and managers alike shifted noticeably.

"The Hundred Flowers Brew is standard," someone muttered. "It’s often chosen, so there won’t be much differentiation here. But Memory of a Lifetime... that’s rarely selected."

"It’s true. The Hundred Flowers Brew is made so frequently that almost everyone is proficient. Memory of a Lifetime, however, is rare, so it’s a true test of a brewer’s skill."

"Looks like this assessment will really hinge on Memory of a Lifetime to separate the masters from the novices," another added.

Veteran brewers who had served Wangyuelou for centuries were unfazed. They had brewed every signature liquor countless times; each step was second nature to them. For newcomers, however, the situation was vastly different. They wore anxious expressions, aware that their lack of experience with this particular liquor could cost them a high score.

A low ranking would mean being assigned to a barren, underdeveloped continent—a harsh and unproductive posting. Manager Qiu sighed silently.

He knew Fang Chu’s capabilities intimately. Every batch of Memory of a Lifetime he had ever brewed had been personally observed by Qiu. Fang Chu had only brewed it twice, far fewer than the seasoned veterans, yet those two attempts had already shown remarkable insight.

Qiu patted Fang Chu’s shoulder, trying to ease any tension. "You’re still young. Fifty years is just a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things."

It was clear he expected Fang Chu to rank near the bottom this time.

Fang Chu merely nodded. "I understand. I will do my best," he said calmly.

Indeed, Fang Chu had only officially brewed Memory of a Lifetime twice for Wangyuelou. But that did not mean he had not been preparing in private. Over the years, whenever he was not cultivating or engaging in other tasks, he had devoted himself entirely to mastering the art of brewing. He had studied every liquor in the Wangyuelou repertoire, brewed countless personal batches, and even made minor improvements in secret.

There was no need to reveal the full extent of his preparation to Qiu; he preferred to let his results speak for themselves.

Chief Manager Qian’s voice rang out across the hall, loud and clear. "The challenge has been set. You may begin. Each of you has one month to complete both liquors."

For a liquor like the Hundred Flowers Brew, the experienced brewers could easily complete it within a day or two. Memory of a Lifetime, however, was an entirely different matter. Its complex process, rare ingredients, and precise techniques required meticulous care, making it laborious and time-consuming.

A one-month timeframe was tight but sufficient, designed specifically to test the brewers’ true mastery and composure under pressure.

Qiu reminded him, "The stone tables at the front have markings. Find the one labeled for Qingzhou; that’s where you’ll brew your batch."

The brewers moved to their designated tables. Each workstation was protected by independent formation arrays, ensuring that no one could interfere with another’s process. Once activated, the arrays isolated the brewers from external distractions, allowing complete focus. Meanwhile, the examiners on the high platform could observe each step to prevent cheating.

Fang Chu located the Qingzhou table without difficulty. On the table were all the pre-arranged tools and ingredients necessary for both liquors. He first separated the materials for the Hundred Flowers Brew, setting them aside, and then gathered those required for Memory of a Lifetime. The remaining items were neatly stacked aside, not to be wasted.

Brewing the Hundred Flowers Brew was straightforward. Almost every brewer chose to complete this first, leaving the more challenging Memory of a Lifetime for last. Fang Chu followed the same strategy, fully aware that the difficulty would lie in the latter liquor.

With his materials ready and his mind clear, Fang Chu prepared to begin. One could almost feel the silent tension in the air, a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. This assessment would determine not only his immediate posting but also his influence and trajectory within Wangyuelou for the next half-century.

Fang Chu inhaled deeply, steadying himself. In his mind, he had already devised subtle improvements to the Memory of a Lifetime recipe, ones that no other brewer could anticipate. This was more than a test of skill—it was a chance to display innovation and mastery.

The first challenge had begun.