Feiyin sat cross-legged on his bed, running a finger over the cool surface of the jade slip resting in his palm. Bai Yu y curled beside him, the small white snake’s rhythmic breathing a steady presence in the otherwise quiet room. Across from him, Ren leaned back against the wooden wall, arms crossed, occasionally gncing at the jade slip in his own hand. Yue had her legs tucked under her, flipping through hers with quiet focus, while Shen Mu muttered under his breath as he absorbed every detail of his section, his fingers drumming lightly on his knee.

  Feiyin exhaled softly, letting the flickering candlelight guide his thoughts.

  Alchemy.

  It was a path he had only heard about in passing, but now that he had begun to truly study it, he understood why it was one of the most respected professions in the cultivation world. It was a craft that shaped the foundation of power.

  Every major sect, cn, and kingdom relied on alchemists. Whether it was refining pills to boost cultivation, forging artifacts that strengthened warriors, or creating medicines that could push a body past its limits, alchemists pyed a role in every corner of cultivation.

  And yet, true alchemy could only begin in the Qi Condensation Realm.

  It was Essence Qi that allowed ingredients to be refined, merged, and transformed into something greater. Without it, the process was limited—more technique than true cultivation. But Feiyin wasn’t discouraged. He had expected as much.

  Even without stepping into Qi Condensation, he could still begin.

  Novice Alchemists were those who had yet to refine with Essence Qi, but they could still practice refining basic Tier-1 products—low-level pills and artifacts that only required precise control over materials rather than actual Essence Qi manipution.

  It was a test of skill, discipline, and understanding.

  To be officially recognized as an Novice in the Saint Alchemy Branch, one needed to refine at least three different Tier-1 products with a success rate of no less than 40% and a purity of at least 80%. That was the bare minimum requirement.

  Feiyin’s lips curled slightly.

  He had no intention of just meeting the minimum. He would surpass it before even entering the branch.

  Alchemy wasn’t just a side skill—it was a profession that demanded mastery. It wasn’t enough to merely refine pills; alchemists were ranked by their ability, separated into clear tiers that determined their influence and status.

  Novice Alchemist – Those still building their foundation, refining only Tier-1 products.

  Apprentice Alchemist– Capable of consistently refining Tier-1 products with minimal failures.

  Essence Alchemist – The true start of an alchemist’s journey, requiring mastery of Qi-infused refinement.

  Profound Alchemist – Those skilled enough to refine mid-tier products, gaining significant recognition.

  Master Alchemist – Capable of creating high-tier pills and artifacts, sought after by powerful cultivators. The branch master of the Saint Alchemy branch is rumored to be at such a rank.

  Their creations were categorized in a simir fashion, divided into tiers based on their effectiveness.

  Tier-1 – Basic products, useful for those in the Meridian Opening Realm or below.

  Tier-2 and Tier-3 are considered as low-tier products. They are more refined, aiding early Qi Condensation cultivators.

  Tier-4 to Tier-5 are prized mid-tier products, able to help those who have stepped beyond elemental infusion.

  Tier-6, which are high-tier products, are rarely circuted outside of elite circles, as they are used by those who can rival sect leaders, having stepped into the higher phases of the qi condensation realm, such as the Manifestation phase.

  Feiyin leaned back, closing his eyes for a brief moment, letting the information settle.

  His path had never been clearer.

  First, he would build his strength within the menial disciple section. That way, when he stepped into the Saint Alchemy Branch, he wouldn’t be just another disciple struggling to keep up—he would already be at the forefront.

  With that status, he could gain resources, influence, and access to knowledge that others couldn’t.

  More importantly… he could position himself to strike from within.

  A rustling sound pulled him from his thoughts.

  Shen Mu was still absorbed in his jade slip, his fingers idly tracing invisible lines on his thigh, his expression sharp and analytical. It was an expression Feiyin had grown used to seeing. Shen Mu didn’t just read—he dissected, analyzing every word with a precision that came from years spent in an apothecary shop, surrounded by herbs, medicines, and calcutions.

  Feiyin knew that while Shen Mu had always been focused on healing, he wasn’t ignorant of poisons either. Every medicine had its opposite. It was knowledge that could save or destroy.

  On the other side of the room, Yue stretched, rolling her shoulders before flipping the jade slip shut. Her golden eyes flickered with quiet determination.

  The Saint Body Branch.

  A natural path for her, given her beastkin heritage, but Feiyin could see in her expression that it wasn’t just about lineage. She had chosen it for herself, not just because of what she was, but because of what she wanted to become.

  Ren, on the other hand, had gone with the Saint Spirit Branch.

  Feiyin wasn’t surprised. Ren always followed his instincts, even when he didn’t fully understand them.

  “Formation arts, huh?” Feiyin murmured, gncing at him.

  Ren smirked. “It felt right.”

  Feiyin nodded. That was enough.

  Then there was him. Alchemy.

  It was the missing piece, the path that resonated with him in ways he hadn’t expected.

  He could feel the world, hear its osciltions, and now… he would learn how to shape them into something tangible.

  Alchemy wasn’t just about throwing ingredients into a cauldron and hoping for the best. It was about bance, resonance, and control. When an alchemist refined a pill or an artifact, they weren’t just mixing materials—they were harmonizing them.

  The best alchemists could refine their products to such perfection that the world itself acknowledged them. Natural runes would form, imprinted onto their creations, marking them as something greater.

  That was what true mastery looked like.

  Feiyin exhaled slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. Alchemy was another missing piece.

  If he became an alchemist, he wouldn’t just gain status—he would gain power.

  His mother had always told him: "Alchemists are money-making machines. No faction can survive without them."

  She wasn’t wrong. If he rose high enough, he could infiltrate the heart of the sect. And from there…

  Feiyin’s grip on the jade slip tightened.

  One step at a time.

  Across the room, Yue yawned, leaning back against the wall. “So, what’s the pn?”

  Feiyin met her gaze, then gnced at Ren and Shen Mu. They had chosen their paths. Now, they had to walk them.

  “For now,” he said, slipping the jade slip into his robe, “we grow.”

  They weren’t just menial disciples.

  They were future forces to be reckoned with.

  And soon, the Saint Spirit Sect would realize that keeping them here…

  was the worst mistake they could have made.