By the time Li Daozi reached the Alchemy Hall, it was already flooded with people. Thousands of people like him come here to try their luck and get a fortune. But if it was that easy, there wouldn’t be so few core alchemists. Li Daozi sighed. “It seems that I have to wait here for two nights to register. Since that’s the case, I have to find free time and come back another time. For now, let’s head to the library and study.”

Making a quick decision, Li Daozi arrived at the library which was in absolute contrast to the register hall. The library was as huge as a football field but the people present are hardly five or six. Wait. What is football? Li Daozi shook his head as he quickly arrived in front of the librarian. The librarian was middle-aged but had a profound look in his eyes.

“Senior, I have a dream to pursue the dao of alchemy but I’m still too green and can’t judge a book. I hope Senior instructs me.” Li Daozi said respectfully.

The librarian was amused and chuckled. “The ‘108 Mild Rare Potent Poisons’ would be a good start-up!”

Li Daozi was flabbergasted. Why would I study poisons right off the bat? Li Daozi understood that poisons were a branch of alchemy but wouldn’t he need the basic knowledge before he started with the poisons. Li Daozi looked at the librarian who looked uninterested in dealing with him anymore. ‘Well, even if he is making fun of me, I have nothing to lose.’ With that in mind, he searched for the recommended book.

He soon found the book and sat in the library to study it. He started reading it with a bored mindset. Along the way, his interest picked up. Soon, there came a point where he refused to even blink. Reading the last page of the book, he got up with a satisfied expression. What shocked him was that it was already midnight by the time he finished reading the book! The librarian was still in his usual seat reading a book.

“I want to issue this book.”

The librarian's eyes twitched. “Sure! Be sure to return it by next week.”

***

Coming home, he had his usual bath and sat in a meditative pose to cultivate. After completing one full cycle, he slept.

He woke up at dawn and went to the Old Song’s garden which was quite near to his hut. “Hopefully I will get those herbs in this garden.” Li Daozi was friends with Old Song and occasionally came to his garden to get herbs. Today he came here to get the materials for brewing the first mild rare potent poison - Snake’s tail catches fire! Aside from the weird name, the poison is quite potent. It is of the paralysis type. It can make a person immobile for two hours. Of course, it only works up to the Fifth Layer of Qi Condensation. Nonetheless, Li Daozi was fascinated by the effects.

“This has to be the Eleven Meridians Plant.”

“This seems to be the Morning Light Grass….”

“Ah! Dull …..”

….

After collecting thirty eight herbs, he returned to his hut. He was very excited to brew a potent poison. Putting the required materials at his side, he brought a semi-oval container. “This should work… probably.” He dipped all the herbs on the container and lit a fire. Li Daozi was at a loss when he realised that he had nothing left to do after this. He could watch the herbs turning to yellow then slowly to green. “Purple indicates success. Green and black indicates failure. This means that the temperature was too high. Looks like I have to try again.”

Li Daozi wasn’t surprised by the turn of incident and wasn’t disheartened at all as if it was something familiar. Even he himself was surprised at his own thinking process. It has to be said that Li Daozi was a very mature and smart person and although he expected a failure, he knew he was going to be a bit sad. But he hadn't expected that not only will he not feel sad, he's instead motivated.

He again tried.

Failed!

Again!

Failed!

Again!

Success! In his fourth try, he finally succeeded and got a light purple paste. He was exhausted because he has used up seventy percent of his qi essence in controlling the temperature. Without any delay, he rested and with nothing to do, he looked through the '108 Mild Rare Potent Poisons'. "The dao of poison is really convenient. It can be used by me to avoid countless troubles and also eliminate them…" Speaking till this point, he didn't dare to speak more.

Li Daozi bitterly smiled. "What is wrong with me? Since when did I become so casual about life and death? These are definitely dangerous thoughts." Removing such thoughts, he fell asleep.

***

"Sect Master. Young Miss Bing is ready and is waiting for you." A black robed man said in a deep tone. In front of him was the Sect Master of Mount Yaluo Sect. Very few people in the continent could contend with him.

Sect Master merely smiled. "Tell that lass that I'm coming."

The black robed man nodded as he hesitantly spoke. "Sect Master, don't you think that your decision was a bit too hasty?"

"I'm not omnipotent. My judgement could be wrong." The Sect Master tactfully refused to speak any more of this matter which the black robed man understood.

"I have reports that the Liang Family was the one behind the Tyrant Black Hall incident. I have always felt that the Family Head is up to something. Now I'm even surer."

"Liang Family, is it? How long can we hold them for if we were to engage in an all-out war?" The Sect Master asked with an easy smile.

"Five years at most!"

"I see. For now, investigate the Demon. If I have to estimate, and then it will be no more than five years.” The black robed man sighed.

“That’s good! In fact, perfect! You go now. I’ll do what I can.” The Sect Master happily smiled without a care for the world.

Although the black robed man was taken aback, he didn’t question further. He quietly departed. A while later, a beautiful sixteen year old girl came.

“Listen, lass. I have only one instruction for you today - don’t show off your abilities!”

“Disciple will follow Master’s orders.” Young Miss Bing respectfully said.

***

Li Daozi woke up from his sleep in the evening. He rubbed his face. “What’s with the dream? Why am I seeing it over and over again?” He pondered about it for a while but eventually shook his head. “It should be about time. I should start getting ready.” With that in mind, he wiped his face with water, wore a fairly new robe and went to Young Master’s residence.

When he was halfway there, he met Young Master Gu who was coming to his hut to get him. “Young Master Gu looks great today. It is this servant’s blessing that he can accompany Young Master Gu to such an auspicious gathering.” Li Daozi flattered without any reservations.

In response, Young Master Gu snorted and replied, “Remember my words. Don’t get into trouble or else, not even if I can save you.”

Li Daozi secretly wondered. ‘If you were so worried about me, why are you even bringing me there?’ But he didn’t dare to say that out loud. “This servant understands.”

While chatting, they soon reached the Silver Pavilion. Needless to say, the Pavilion was very large. The ignorant Li Daozi was smittened by its breath-taking appearance. The moment he entered the outer quarters of the pavilion, he heard a sweet voice. “Cousin Li Daozi! You’re here too?”

Li Daozi immediately knew the speaker. It was his Great Uncle’s second daughter, Li Wenqing. She is one of the most talented youths present in the current Li Clan. Although they were closely related, his father’s talent was not much different from his. His father’s elder brother, on the other hand, is an extremely talented expert. His daughter is even more talented as her mother came from a mysterious tribe. Although she cannot be called the most talented among the younger generations, she is still considered a talent even in a huge sect like Mount Yaluo.

“How is Cousin Wenqing doing?” Li Daozi was somewhat close to this cousin. Therefore, he started a conversation.

Li Wenqing swirled her red hair around as she sweetly smiled. “I am doing fine. What about Cousin?”

Li Daozi bitterly smiled. “It’s going a bit tough for me.”

Li Wenqing was a smart person and immediately understood his situation as she switched the topic. “By the way, do you know someone who has some knowledge in regards to alchemy? You probably don’t know but I recently became an Apprentice Alchemist. There is a pill I have been given to prepare but without an assistant, it’s a bit difficult...”

Li Daozi’s eyes lit up. “Unfortunately, I don’t have friends who are interested in alchemy…. Ah! I have some knowledge in regards to poisons but I don’t know if it will work…” He obviously lied. He has a friend who is also an Apprentice Alchemist.

As he was finished speaking, Li Wenqing suddenly clasped his hands with her own. “That will wor- in fact, it’s the best! Please Cousin! You have to help your little sister! ”

Li Daozi put on a reluctant expression and finally sighed. “Fine. Do you have some fatigue pills?”

“Yes. If you want them, I’ll give you a lot!” Li Wenqing wasn’t exaggerating. She is an Elite Disciple with the cultivation of 6th level Qi Condensation; so naturally, the Sect gave her more importance.

During their whole conversation, Gu Han was standing beside them and listening to their conversation. He made a strange face at Li Daozi and was secretly astonished. So this timid guy is actually smart, huh.

“Mount Yaluo Sect welcomes the Sect Masters of Two Swords Sect!”