At this moment, within the Treasure Pill Pavilion, an inner sect elder paid a visit. Furthermore, she was a female elder, possessing a beauty as if a celestial maiden had descended.
If Zhang Ergou were present, he would undoubtedly recognize this woman as the same one he encountered at the back mountain.
This person was none other than the inner sect elder, Chi Yu.
"Junior Sister, for what reason do you visit my Treasure Pill Pavilion today?" Qiao Yunyan expressed a slight surprise at Chi Yu's arrival.
"It's all thanks to the Sect Leader Senior Brother forcing me. He wants me to find a disciple in the outer sect to cultivate. Alas!" Chi Yu scratched her head with a hint of helplessness.
"May I ask what requirements Junior Sister has?" Qiao Yunyan nodded slightly upon hearing this. Given the relationship between Chi Yu and the Sect Leader, this matter must be treated with utmost seriousness and could not be taken lightly.
"A Foundation Establishment realm disciple would suffice. Their age shouldn't be too great, preferably around seventeen or eighteen years old."
Chi Yu shrugged. Truthfully, she was somewhat resistant to taking on a disciple.
However, she dared not defy the Sect Leader's decree.
"Indeed, Junior Sister, it is about time you took a disciple. There are no small number of talented disciples in the outer sect. You will have your pick then."
"Taking a disciple, taking a disciple! Why do all you Senior Brothers say the same thing!" Chi Yu rubbed her temples, sighing helplessly.
Qiao Yunyan stroked his beard and chuckled, ceasing to dwell on the topic.
"Junior Sister, have you heard that Shi Wuheng of Beast Taming Peak obtained a fourth-grade pill recipe from the black market? The Five Beast Coagulating Blood Pill recipe!"
Upon hearing the Five Beast Coagulating Blood Pill recipe, Chi Yu's delicate eyebrows furrowed. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "I have heard. Hasn't Senior Brother Shi come to seek Senior Brother Qiao's assistance?"
Within the Misty Sect, Qiao Yunyan was the sole alchemist. Moreover, Qiao Yunyan was already a fifth-grade alchemist capable of refining fifth-grade pills.
Therefore, his status within the Misty Sect was exceptionally noble.
"Shi Wuheng did indeed come to me, but I am also powerless regarding that recipe." Qiao Yunyan shook his head in frustration, a trace of defeat appearing on his face.
"Even Senior Brother has no solution?" Chi Yu's face was filled with astonishment. When it came to alchemy, who else was there in the Misty Sect besides Qiao Yunyan!
"This matter requires careful planning. Not only are the medicinal ingredients for the Five Beast Coagulating Blood Pill extremely difficult to find, but the conditions for refining it are also exceptionally stringent," Qiao Yunyan slowly stated, stroking his beard.
"Master, I've come to learn alchemy from you!"
Just then, Zhang Ergou entered the Treasure Pill Pavilion. His voice arrived before his presence was seen.
"Senior Brother, when did you take a disciple? How come I didn't know?" Chi Yu looked at Qiao Yunyan with confusion.
Qiao Yunyan smiled without answering.
Zhang Ergou entered the Treasure Pill Pavilion and only then realized something was amiss. His gaze immediately fell upon Chi Yu, who was seated beside Qiao Yunyan.
Out of habit, Zhang Ergou turned to flee.
However, before he could take two steps, a powerful suction force pulled at his body, dragging him back forcefully.
The one who acted was naturally Chi Yu.
Grabbing Zhang Ergou and pulling him close, Chi Yu smiled at him, "Little fellow, why do you run every time you see me? Am I that terrifying?"
"N-not terrifying!" Zhang Ergou replied with a sheepish grin.
"Then why do you run every time you see me?" Chi Yu glared with her beautiful eyes. "It was the same last time at the back mountain of Chunyang Peak, and it's the same this time!"
Her pair of intelligent, beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Ergou. Chi Yu was full of questions regarding this little fellow who ran whenever he saw her.
"Junior Sister, you've met my disciple?" Qiao Yunyan was taken aback and asked.
"I saw him last time at the back mountain of Chunyang Peak. He ran when he saw me. I don't know what this little fellow is afraid of about me!"
Hearing this, Qiao Yunyan's brows furrowed. He was faintly worried, having heard about Zhang Ergou's knack for causing trouble. "Zhang Ergou, did you do something unspeakable?"
"Disciple did not!" Zhang Ergou stated resolutely, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
"Then why did you run when you saw Elder Chi Yu?"
"You are Zhang Ergou?" Before Zhang Ergou could answer, Chi Yu spoke, clearly surprised that the young man before her was Zhang Ergou.
"Junior Sister has heard of him?" Qiao Yunyan was surprised.
"How could I not have heard of him!" Chi Yu glared at Zhang Ergou, a half-smile on her lips. "The matter of Zhang Ergou defeating over a dozen true disciples from Xiayang Peak and Qiuyang Peak in the martial arts training ground has already reached the inner sect!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ergou awkwardly touched his nose. He hadn't expected his deeds to spread so quickly. They always said that good deeds never leave the house, while bad news travels a thousand miles.
In such a short time, he had already become famous...
"Zhang Ergou, do you want to become my disciple and study more profound techniques in the inner sect?" Chi Yu asked Zhang Ergou with a light smile.
Zhang Ergou was immediately stunned. He hadn't expected Chi Yu to have any intention of taking him as a disciple.
Whether to agree or not, Zhang Ergou found himself in a dilemma for a moment.
At this point, Zhang Ergou understood that the female elder before him and the woman from the beast forest that day were definitely not the same person, but he didn't know what their relationship was.
If he became Chi Yu's disciple, he had a sense of impending danger.
"Hurry up and agree!" Although Qiao Yunyan was somewhat resigned to Chi Yu poaching his disciple, for Zhang Ergou's future, he chose to support Chi Yu's action.
Seeing Zhang Ergou still contemplating, Qiao Yunyan couldn't help but step forward and give him a kick.
"Have you considered it?" Chi Yu stared at Zhang Ergou, a mysterious smile gracing her lips.
"Elder, if I agree, can I go to the inner sect to cultivate?" Zhang Ergou asked tentatively, looking at Chi Yu's radiant face.
"Of course, it won't be that simple. Only if you pass the test and enter the inner sect will you be qualified to become my disciple."
"Disciple understands."
"This is excellent. If you manage to enter the inner sect, I will reward you with a secret cultivation technique," Chi Yu smiled charmingly and lightly moved her steps, instantly flying out of the Treasure Pill Pavilion.
Her smile caused Zhang Ergou to be lost in thought for a moment.
"Kid, the person is gone, and you're still staring!" Qiao Yunyan's teasing voice reached his ears, jolting Zhang Ergou back to reality.
"Let's go. Starting today, you will follow me to learn alchemy." Qiao Yunyan pulled Zhang Ergou towards the interior of the Treasure Pill Pavilion.
Upon entering the inner hall, Zhang Ergou saw an alchemy furnace, about three feet tall, standing before him. The exterior of the furnace was engraved with the Four Divine Beasts.
The Four Divine Beasts were Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
In addition to the Four Divine Beasts, some complex runes were also engraved on the alchemy furnace.
Looking at the alchemy furnace before him, compared to the alchemy furnace in his storage ring, it was like comparing the heavens to the earth.
The gap between the two was immense. However, his Purple Gold Furnace had other functions that were yet to be discovered.
"Place your hand on this alchemy furnace. As your master, I will help you test your soul power level," Qiao Yunyan said directly, ignoring Zhang Ergou's surprise.
"Soul power level? What is that?" Zhang Ergou had never heard of it before.
Although curious, he obediently placed his hand on the alchemy furnace. This furnace seemed to be more than just for refining pills.
Hum!
As soon as Zhang Ergou touched it, the alchemy furnace emitted a buzzing sound.
Subsequently, a brilliant spiritual light shot out from the top of the furnace, converging above into a giant character "玄" (Xuan).