Such descendants of cultivators did not receive much care within the Sect.
The Sect's responsibility was limited to free cultivation until adulthood; if they possessed cultivation talent after reaching adulthood, they would continue to cultivate within the Beast Taming Sect and receive a subsidy until they reached the Golden Core; if not, they would be arranged to go down the mountain to learn a trade for livelihood, which was considered fulfilling their responsibility.
Although the initial intention was good, that subsidy ironically made them susceptible to bullying.
And this bullying was often related to the Law Enforcement Hall.
If one was not on good terms with the Law Enforcement Hall, doing such things could indeed be life-threatening. Therefore, either the Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall personally participated, or they manipulated from behind the scenes or helped cover up the facts. In any case, a way could always be found.
“Yes, that’s why I find it tricky,” Qing Feng said with a somber face.
Once the matter erupted, it would surely last for a while, making life difficult for the Law Enforcement Hall during that period. But to solve it completely, Qing Feng believed it was impossible.
After all, the arrogance of the Law Enforcement Hall’s Disciples had a long history; the Sect granted them too much power to counterbalance other unruly Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, making most Disciples afraid to act rashly.
Such a situation had persisted for thousands of years, and some of the current high-ranking officials had experienced it themselves when they were young, subconsciously believing it to be correct.
So, perhaps punishing a group of people could bring a few hundred years of peace.
However, after the storm subsided, those who remained would inevitably seek revenge.
While complete retaliation was unrealistic and akin to seeking death, as the source, no matter who was bypassed, Qing Feng would not be.
“I’ll help you contact Senior Sister Han Su,” Qin Yue suggested.
Although Han Su Fairy was of the same generation as Qin Yue, she was nearly three hundred years old and had reached the Nascent Soul Realm, earning the deep respect of the Sect's Disciples, with many female cultivators viewing her as a role model.
More importantly, Han Su’s father was the Chief of Han Ming Peak and the Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall, Yuan Qing True Lord, and her Master was Sect Leader Mu Zhengting.
With a dual background, combined with her own talent and beauty, even though her cultivation was not among the top three in the Beast Taming Sect, she was one of the most unprovokable figures.
If she supported Qing Feng, even if the people of the Law Enforcement Hall had more courage, they would not dare to act rashly.
“So, I’ll have to prepare an extra portion every day from now on?” Qing Feng asked.
“Exactly.” Qin Yue and Yan Yi said in unison, “And you’ll have to send copies to us.” After speaking, they exchanged smiles, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Qing Feng once again felt the world’s malice and suddenly said, “It’s about half a year until Dan Refining Peak recruits external alchemists, isn’t it?”
“That’s right, you’re not thinking of trying, are you?” Yan Yi asked.
“Indeed.” Qing Feng nodded, indicating that while a reliable backer was important, if the relationship wasn't deep enough, it was still necessary to have a backup plan.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Qing Feng considered being even more secure and planned to become an alchemist.
In this era, alchemists held a high status; after becoming an alchemist, within the limits allowed by Sect laws, one could even disregard the regulations of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Furthermore, the Sect granted many conveniences and privileges to alchemists.
This aligned with Qing Feng's initial plan, but there were two problems: first, he already had a Master, and the procedures to go to Dan Refining Peak were complicated; second, it was unrealistic to be proficient in alchemy, artifact refining, formations, and combat, as this would interfere with his cultivation.
Therefore, Qing Feng would only dabble in alchemy when encountering an insurmountable bottleneck or when his cultivation was extremely high.
But now the situation had changed; he felt he could at least try, even if he only obtained the lowest-grade First-Rank Alchemist title.
Yan Yi questioned, “You’ve never been exposed to elixirs before; can you memorize over ten thousand types of herbs within three months?”
“Many sword cultivators also choose to learn alchemy simultaneously, but the threshold is very high.”
Qing Feng replied, “It should be fine, I’ll give it a try. Even if I fail, I’ll continue cultivating.”
“There are only three years until the Ziyan Sword Debate. If you want to be an unofficial alchemist, you’ll use up one-sixth of that time. Are you sure about this?” Yan Yi asked.
“I’m sure. So, what are the requirements to become an alchemist?” Qing Feng asked.
Yan Yi said seriously, “Talent.” Upon seeing Qing Feng’s surprised expression, she explained that while there were requirements like fire-attribute constitution, the most important thing was talent.
Speaking of True Fire, Qing Feng was curious if there was a cultivation method for Samadhi True Fire.
Yan Yi chuckled, saying that Samadhi True Fire was extremely rare, with very few masters.
If Qing Feng possessed Samadhi True Fire, he would be warmly welcomed directly into Dan Refining Peak.
Qing Feng secretly thought that there seemed to be a cultivation method for Samadhi True Fire in his dreams, and perhaps he could give it to Yan Yi. As for its origin, he could just find any excuse.
“If you truly want to learn, I can teach you. I’m preparing to break through to a Third-Rank Alchemist these few days, and you can Just right act as my protector and observe my alchemy process,” Yan Yi said.
“Thank you, Senior Sister Yan Yi,” Qing Feng sincerely thanked her. He understood that Yan Yi had just broken through and was busy trying to reach Third-Rank Alchemist, and her asking him to accompany her was entirely for his benefit.
“It’s just returning a favor,” Yan Yi responded lightly, picking up the clear tea in front of her and taking a small sip. It indeed tasted good.
Qing Feng nodded silently, thinking that he hadn't left Chen Ming Peak for the past six months, and getting into Dan Refining Peak in another six months should be much easier.
As long as nothing major happened again.
No one should be so ignorant as to cause trouble at this critical moment, right!
…
Han Ming Peak, in the inner Disciple's courtyard.
A Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect looked at a slightly older Disciple with pleading eyes and said, “Senior Brother, I have submitted all my tasks for this month. This is a keepsake left by my mother. Please be lenient.”
“Hmph! You think such a small thing is enough to get it back? Come back to me next month after you complete your tasks,” the Senior Brother said with disdain, spitting.
“Senior Brother, this is not appropriate. If you insist, I will go to the Martyr’s…” The young Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect wanted to mention the “Martyr’s Shrine,” but before he could finish, the Senior Brother slapped him to the ground, his face instantly swelling.
“Martyr’s Shrine? It would have been better if you hadn’t mentioned it. Since you did, if I don’t teach you a lesson, you won’t know how powerful I am.” With that, he unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks until the Disciple was barely breathing before he stopped.
A Disciple nearby whispered worriedly, “Senior Brother, is this really okay? Will it cause bigger trouble?”
“What big problem could there be? He’s just a Qi Refinement Disciple, and the path to the Law Enforcement Hall is blocked by us. What can he do?” the Senior Brother said disdainfully, “If he’s really got guts, why doesn’t he just die? Does he have the courage? He’s a good-for-nothing.”
The others thought the same and said no more, continuing on their way.
In the secret chamber, the alchemical fire burned fiercely.
Yan Yi, dressed in plain clothes, sat cross-legged, her slender fingers rapidly forming seals and sending them into the Dan Refining Furnace, precisely controlling the heat.
The key to alchemy lay in mastering the heat; even a slight error would ruin the elixir.
Although Yan Yi’s comprehension and skill had reached the Third-Rank, she couldn't refine Third-Rank elixirs because her cultivation hadn’t advanced to Foundation Establishment. After this breakthrough, she decided to attempt refining Third-Rank elixirs.