Hundred Herbs Peak, as its name suggests, was the peak within the Sky Profound Sect with the richest spiritual energy, most suitable for cultivating spiritual herbs and medicines.
In stark contrast to the desolate and dilapidated Lesser Peak, this place was a paradise for cultivators. The entire peak was shrouded in a visible, light green mist of alchemy, a mixture of pure spiritual energy and rich medicinal fragrance. Along both sides of the mountain path were well-tended medicinal fields everywhere, growing various rare spiritual herbs that were hard to find in the outside world, with the youngest being at least several decades old. The air was filled with an intoxicating fragrance; a mortal living here for a day would be cured of all illnesses and have their life extended.
However, to Yue Qingqian, who was currently carefully maneuvering her flying sword to land in front of the mountain gate, every wisp of air here seemed to be filled with unknown dangers.
She strictly adhered to the teachings of her senior brother, Lin Fan.
Before landing, she had quietly crushed a "Passerby A Talisman." The talisman turned into an imperceptible breeze and merged into her body. Instantly, her entire temperament underwent a marvelous change. The original agility of a young girl and the sharp edge of her extraordinary talent were completely concealed, replaced by an ordinary, unremarkable feeling that would make her unnoticeable in a crowd.
She kept the "eye contact avoidance principle" firmly in mind, keeping her head down and her gaze fixed on the three feet of ground in front of her, absolutely avoiding eye contact with any disciples walking towards her, successfully avoiding several potential "karmic encounters."
When she arrived at the courtyard of the alchemy room where Elder Liu was holding the "Public Alchemy Class," twenty to thirty young inner sect disciples had already gathered there.
Yue Qingqian's gaze quickly swept over them, and she immediately labeled these people in her mind with the "risk tags" her senior brother had taught her.
The group over there, circled up and talking loudly, was the "Social Butterfly Group," risk level: High.
The one alone in the corner, with a cold gaze and exuding a "do not approach" aura, was the "Aloof Protagonist Template," risk level: Extremely High.
And the one surrounded by everyone like stars around the moon, with a handsome face and a gentle smile, looking flawless, was the "Number One Key Avoidance Target" marked in her senior brother's intelligence report—the one hailed as the "Number One Alchemy Genius" in the sect, the grandson of the Alchemy Hall's elder, Li Haoran. Risk level: Super Dangerous!
Yue Qingqian took a deep breath and immediately activated the "marginalized survival strategy" that her senior brother had formulated for her. She found the most inconspicuous corner, stood quietly next to a thick bush, and tried her best to become a part of the background.
However, even though she was being so low-key, trouble sometimes still came looking for her.
"Huh? This junior sister looks a bit unfamiliar. How come I've never seen you before?" a slightly frivolous voice sounded beside her.
Alarm bells rang in Yue Qingqian's heart. She looked up and saw a handsome disciple in blue, but with a hint of arrogance in his eyes. She immediately matched him with her senior brother's intelligence database—Wang Teng, inner sect disciple, one of Li Haoran's top followers, with an ostentatious personality who liked to show off in front of newcomers.
Yue Qingqian immediately, quietly, took out an "Awkward Conversation Ender Talisman" from her storage pouch. At the same time, a shy, timid, and inarticulate expression appeared on her face as she replied in a small voice, "Hello, Senior Brother. I... my name is Yue Qingqian, a disciple of the Ninth Peak."
"The Ninth Peak?" Wang Teng's brow arched, a flash of contempt in his eyes. "Oh, that legendary retirement peak. No wonder I've never seen you. Junior Sister, how did you get Elder Liu's recommendation letter? Did you get lucky somehow?"
These words carried obvious doubt and provocation.
Just as Yue Qingqian was about to crush the talisman to end this dangerous conversation, another gentle voice came to her rescue.
"Junior Brother Wang, do not be rude."
The central figure surrounded by the crowd, Li Haoran, walked over with a smile. He first nodded apologetically to Yue Qingqian, then said to Wang Teng, "Elder Liu has a discerning eye. The person he recommends naturally has their own merits. The fact that Junior Sister Yue can come proves that she has a talent that we lack."
He spoke, and Wang Teng immediately shut his mouth and respectfully stepped aside.
Li Haoran turned to Yue Qingqian, the smile on his face as warm as a spring breeze, leaving no room for fault. "Junior Sister Yue, my name is Li Haoran. My grandfather often mentions Elder Liu to me, saying his achievements in the Dao of alchemy are unfathomable. It is truly my honor to be able to listen to Elder Liu's teachings alongside you today."
His words and actions were perfect. He had saved his follower from embarrassment, shown goodwill to Yue Qingqian, and praised Elder Liu in the process, making himself appear humble and polite.
The surrounding disciples, especially a few of the female ones, looked at him with even more admiration.
However, in Yue Qingqian's heart, the alarm was blaring at its loudest!
Perfect! Too perfect! Senior Brother had said that the more perfect and suave a person seemed, the more dangerous a center of a karmic whirlpool they were! She absolutely could not get involved with him!
She immediately activated the second emergency plan her senior brother had taught her.
The shyness on her small face quickly turned into a flattered panic. She said incoherently and stammeringly, "S-Senior Brother Li... you... you're too kind! I... I don't know anything, I was just lucky... to... to be able to see you is my honor... I..."
She perfectly portrayed the image of a young disciple from a remote peak who had never seen the world and was so nervous upon meeting a famous figure in the sect that she couldn't even speak clearly.
This performance successfully dispelled any interest Li Haoran had in continuing the conversation. In his eyes, this Junior Sister Yue might have some talent in a certain area, but her temperament and worldly wisdom were not up to par, making it difficult for her to be in the same circle as him.
He smiled politely, said, "Junior Sister, there's no need to be nervous," and then turned back to the center of the crowd.
Yue Qingqian watched his retreating back and let out a long sigh of relief in her heart, feeling as if she had just won a hard-fought battle.
Just then, the heavy stone door of the alchemy room slowly opened, and an old man in a gray alchemist's robe with a rigid, stern face walked out. It was one of the three great elders of Hundred Herbs Peak, Liu Changqing.
His gaze was as sharp as a falcon's, sweeping over every disciple present. When his eyes fell on Yue Qingqian in the corner, they paused for a moment, and a rare, almost imperceptible hint of approval appeared on his serious face.
In his view, Yue Qingqian's calm, composed personality—not arrogant, not fond of socializing, and content with solitude—was simply born for the Dao of alchemy!
"Come in, all of you," Elder Liu said faintly, his voice hoarse and majestic. "Today, I will teach you the foundation of the Dao of alchemy—the art of fire control."