Chapter 242: Wang Qingqi and Su Bingbing

In an alchemy room at Bailing Sect, Wang Qingqi sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Not far in front of him, an alchemy furnace was engulfed in roaring flames, and he looked tense. In a corner, an elder wearing a red daoist robe, with thin cheeks and a long goatee, stood silently.

Half an hour later, a rich herbal aroma wafted from the alchemy furnace. Wang Qingqi formed a hand seal and channeled a spell into the alchemy furnace. The flames quickly died down, and the furnace lid flew up, landing steadily on the ground.

The red-robed elder quickly approached the furnace. Inside, he saw nine green pills. He picked up a green pill with two fingers, examined it for a moment, then popped it into his mouth. He praised, "Excellent. The color is vibrant, the pills are perfectly formed, and the spiritual energy is abundant. Qingqi, Spirit Nourishing Pills are high-grade Tier 1 elixirs, and your success rate is now consistently at 70%. With this skill, you can graduate as an alchemist."

"This disciple is foolish. Without master's meticulous guidance, I would never have achieved this today," Wang Qingqi humbly said, wiping the sweat from his face.

The red-robed elder was named Lu Zhong, one of the few mid-grade Tier 2 alchemists at Bailing Sect. Seven years ago, Wang Changsheng sent Wang Qingqi to Bailing Sect, using his connections to request Lu Zhong to teach Wang Qingqi. The Wang family provided all the materials for alchemy, and in addition to a substantial annual stipend, they would send Lu Zhong a gift during festivals.

Carrying the heavy responsibility of his clan, Wang Qingqi endured hardships and served as Lu Zhong's alchemy attendant for three years, first learning to identify herbs and theoretical knowledge of alchemy. Though called an alchemy attendant, he was essentially a general helper. Lu Zhong had taken on seven alchemy attendants in total. After three years, due to his excellent performance, Wang Qingqi was promoted to alchemy disciple, studying alchemy directly under Lu Zhong. After four years of diligent study and extensive practice, he finally became a high-grade Tier 1 alchemist.

"Master? I am not your master. If you truly consider me your master, then consider staying at Bailing Sect? According to our agreement, once you became a high-grade Tier 1 alchemist, I would no longer teach you alchemy. If you return to the Wang family, it will be very difficult to refine Tier 2 elixirs without guidance. As long as you are willing to stay, I can personally plead with Senior Uncle Guang to allow you to join Bailing Sect. I can then continue to teach you alchemy. With your talent, becoming a Tier 2 alchemist is only a matter of time." Lu Zhong's tone was full of temptation.

Wang Qingqi shook his head and bowed respectfully to Lu Zhong. He said solemnly, "Once a teacher, always a teacher. My clan spent a vast amount of spiritual stones to send me to you to learn alchemy. Now that I have achieved success, it is my duty to return to the clan and contribute. While staying at Bailing Sect certainly offers better prospects, as a sect disciple, I would not have enough time to refine elixirs for my clan. This disciple's mind is made up; please do not try to persuade me further."

Hearing this, Lu Zhong sighed deeply. He had trained many Tier 1 alchemists for Bailing Sect and also for cultivation families, but Wang Qingqi was his favorite. Wang Qingqi was hardworking and deeply respected his teacher. Lu Zhong genuinely hoped Wang Qingqi would stay at Bailing Sect, but despite repeated attempts to persuade him, Wang Qingqi's stance remained firm; he was determined to return to his clan and contribute.

"Since your mind is made up, so be it. You are now a high-grade Tier 1 alchemist, and you no longer need to study alchemy with me. You may leave Bailing Sect."

"There's no hurry, Master. I've discussed it with my Second Aunt, and we plan to host a banquet to thank you for your guidance and training. After this farewell, I don't know when I will see you again. Please don't decline. The banquet is scheduled for the day after tomorrow."

Lu Zhong nodded with satisfaction and accepted.

***

In a quiet courtyard, Wang Changxue and Su Cheng sat in a stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting. A dainty little girl in white was chasing a giant red flying beast. Wang Changxue gazed at the little girl with a benevolent expression, her beautiful eyes filled with doting affection.

"Oh dear!" The little girl in white stumbled and fell forward.

"Bing'er, be careful!" Wang Changxue exclaimed. With a flick of her hand, a golden rope shot out, swiftly wrapping around the little girl's waist and pulling her back to her side.

"You naughty girl, how many times have I told you? If I hadn't been watching, you would have fallen." Wang Changxue gently flicked the little girl's nose, feigning anger, her tone full of indulgence. The little girl in white was her only daughter, Su Bingbing, who possessed an Ice Spirit Root.

Wang Changxue and Su Cheng were married by Guangdongren's command. The couple treated each other with respect, and their life together was quite pleasant. After Su Bingbing was discovered to have an Ice Spirit Root, Wang Changxue doted on her even more, cherishing her as if she were a fragile treasure.

"All you do all day is play. You don't put enough thought into your cultivation. A spirit root only means cultivation will be easier for you in the future; reaching higher levels requires diligent practice." Su Cheng said, his face stern, adopting the demeanor of a strict father.

Su Bingbing pouted and retorted, "I'm already at the second level of Qi Refining, and Cousin Uncle hasn't even reached the first level yet!" Feeling that Foundation Establishment was hopeless, Wang Minglong, with Wang Changxue's help, married a female Qi Refining cultivator. They had a son, Wang Changxuan, who was the same age as Su Bingbing, but Wang Changxuan's aptitude was poorer, possessing a four-spirit root, making Foundation Establishment essentially hopeless.

"Cousin Uncle is Cousin Uncle, and you are you. Do you only intend to cultivate when Cousin Uncle reaches the second level of Qi Refining?" Su Cheng's tone grew more serious.

Hearing this, Su Bingbing pouted, threw herself into Wang Changxue's arms, and whined, "Mom, Daddy is always scolding me!"

"Alright, dear. Bing'er is still young; don't scare her. At her age, we hadn't even reached the second level of Qi Refining yet! Bing'er is already doing very well." Wang Changxue smoothly intervened, appearing as a doting mother.

Su Cheng shook his head and sighed, "You! You only know how to spoil her. Sooner or later, she'll be ruined by you. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now and might not be back for the next two days. Keep an eye on Bing'er and don't let her just play all the time."

"Dear, Qingqi is already a high-grade Tier 1 alchemist and plans to return to Wang Family Fort. I intend to host a banquet the day after tomorrow to thank Senior Brother Lu for his guidance to Qingqi. Don't forget about it."

Su Cheng was a little surprised. "He became a high-grade Tier 1 alchemist so quickly? Bailing Sect is a long way from Wang Family Fort. Should I send someone to escort him?"

Wang Changxue smiled faintly and said, "Qingqi has considerable talent in alchemy, and with Senior Brother Lu's careful guidance, he was able to become a Tier 1 alchemist so quickly. Changping happens to be returning to Wang Family Fort, so he can escort Qingqi back."

"Alright, I understand. I'll be there for the banquet on time. Also, remember to prepare some gifts for Changping to take back. Your family always sends generous gifts for Bing'er's birthday, so I should also show my appreciation."

"Yes, I know. Go ahead and take care of your matters. I'll handle this."