Refining Ruins Cauldron

"Does he really think the Pill Hall is some cushy job? That's a deadly place! Does this kid think he's tough enough to survive?"

"What good is a tough life if the alchemy furnace explodes? Even a Foundation Establishment expert would be severely injured, if not killed! Let alone a mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator, especially one with mixed spiritual roots!"

"Don't end up not even having a proper burial!"

Everyone offered their opinion, but no one felt sorry for Gu Qingyun.

Many were indifferent, while others gloated...

The location of the Pill Hall is not far; even if you can't fly, you can get there in no time.

At the entrance, the two large characters "Dan Tang" are branded on a wooden plaque.

The wooden plaque is durable and antique, suggesting that it was made of high-quality materials.

Zhao Xingsheng led Gu Qingyun inside.

Even from a distance, you could smell a strong medicinal fragrance. Now, once you're inside the courtyard, the smell is even stronger.

Those coming and going were all disciples dressed in gray robes, presumably the uniform of the Pill Hall.

Zhao Xingsheng did not immediately tell Gu Qingyun to follow, but instead said something first.

"Wait here for now."

He then went ahead and entered the middle room.

Gu Qingyun didn't say anything and obediently stood there waiting.

The layout here is rather simple, not luxurious at all, but the various decorations are very well organized, giving it a comfortable feel at first glance.

Even the houses on both sides are arranged in a neat and orderly manner.

Gu Qingyun also saw many rooms storing medicinal herbs and spiritual herbs, arranged on both sides of the road, with nameplates on them.

Presumably, this was to make it easier to find what one needs.

The alchemy rooms are located directly in front, and currently only four are visible.

Two of the rooms were glowing with firelight, their doors and windows tightly shut, suggesting that someone inside was likely refining elixirs.

A short while later, Zhao Xingsheng came out with an old man.

The old man was also dressed in a gray robe, his temples were already gray, and although his face was thin, his eyes were bright and piercing.

With just one glance, he noticed Gu Qingyun standing in the courtyard.

Those eyes were incredibly penetrating; Gu Qingyun stood there, feeling as if his entire body had been seen through.

Another Foundation Establishment expert!

Moreover, judging from his aura, the person in front of me is probably even more powerful than Long Qing!

"one person?"

The old man spoke slowly, his tone tinged with surprise.

"Yes, this person has only been in the menial service for a short time. His name is Gu Qingyun, and he has a mixed spiritual root."

Zhao Xingsheng changed his attitude from before, his tone became more ingratiating, and he even bent his back slightly.

"A mixed spiritual root?"

The old man visibly frowned upon hearing this word.

Although his expression was unreadable, there was a hint of surprise in his tone.

Gu Qingyun quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed with his hands clasped.

"Greetings, Elder. This disciple, Gu Qingyun, indeed possesses mixed spiritual roots."

The old man's expression softened, and he stopped looking at Gu Qingyun.

"Fine, one person it is. The Pill Hall is short-handed right now."

"In a little while, Zhao Xingsheng will tell you all the rules, so remember them well."

After saying this, the old man didn't utter another word and turned to go back to his room.

Zhao Xingsheng slowly exhaled, and even his speech became a little more relaxed.

"Alright, from now on, you'll be a handyman in the Pill Hall, and you won't need to worry about the herb garden anymore."

As he spoke, a smile clearly appeared on his face.

"Remember, that was Elder Huo Qian. From now on, his words are the rules, and there must be no deviation!"

Zhao Xingsheng spoke solemnly and earnestly about the rules to Gu Qingyun.

"From now on, be more careful in your words and actions. Don't even think about slacking off in front of Elder Huo Qian. If you anger the elder, you'll bear the consequences."

Although he didn't say what the consequences would be, Zhao Xingsheng's eyes said it all.

This Elder Huo Qian is probably not a easy person to serve!

"Alright, there's nothing else. Come with me. You'll be staying at the Dan Hall from now on."

Gu Qingyun obediently followed behind, her mind racing.

Elder Huo Qian is not only a Foundation Establishment Realm expert, but also quite accomplished in alchemy.

If I could win his favor, I might even learn a trick or two of alchemy.

Even if only first-grade pills can be refined, with the existence of the Refining Ruins Cauldron, there are endless possibilities!

Just thinking about it made Gu Qingyun excited.

But that's all for later. My top priority right now is to survive in the Pill Hall and secure a place for myself!

Even if it's just the lowest-level odd jobs!

Having figured this out, Gu Qingyun felt much more relaxed.

He obediently followed Zhao Xingsheng to their future residence.

However, at that moment, it suddenly became lively outside.

"What?! Fairy Ziyan has come to the Pill Hall?!"

"What are you standing there for? If you don't want to die, hurry up and clean up!"

"Run! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

"..."

The disciples of the Pill Hall seemed to have seen a ghost, and they all ran away in a panic.

Even Zhao Xingsheng's expression changed drastically. He quickly pulled Gu Qingyun into a side room and gave her many instructions.

"No matter what happens, you absolutely must not leave the house, and you must not make any noise!"

After saying that, without waiting for Gu Qingyun's reply, she closed the door and ran out.

Gu Qingyun looked completely bewildered.

Out of curiosity, he still pried open a crack in the door to scout out what was happening outside.

A young girl dressed in purple arrived quietly, her demeanor composed and poised.

The woman was quite beautiful, with an ethereal air and skin as white as snow.

Her high ponytail added a touch of heroism to her appearance, making her look like a fairy descended from heaven.

However, this fairy-like figure did not receive widespread popularity.

When everyone saw her retreat, it was as if they had seen a ghost.

Some who couldn't run away in time could only huddle against the wall, heads down, not even daring to look the girl in the eye.

"What wind blew Fairy Ziyan here? I am sorry I failed to greet you properly!"

Zhao Xingsheng bowed and scraped, hurrying to greet him, afraid of being slighted.

The girl glanced at him, then immediately looked away, her expression indifferent.

"Where did Elder Huo Qian go?"

"The elder is in the alchemy room. You can go there to find him, fairy."

Zhao Xingsheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with a forced smile.

Upon hearing this, Fairy Ziyan was too lazy to waste words with him and went straight to Elder Huoqian's alchemy room.

Gu Qingyun's location was precisely on the only way to the alchemy room.

Although it was only a crack in the door, Fairy Ziyan still managed to catch a glimpse of it.

That condescending, disdainful gaze, as if looking down on ants, was utterly cold.

With just one glance, Gu Qingyun felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but shudder.

"come out!"

As soon as those two words were uttered, Gu Qingyun knew it wasn't a hallucination; the other party had clearly discovered him.

He obediently pushed open the door and came out.

Gu Qingyun believed that if he hesitated even slightly, he would become a cold corpse in the next second.

"Did the fairy call me?"

"Not bad, you like peeping so much, then come and do chores for this fairy."

The Purple Smoke Fairy was clean and efficient, without the slightest hint of cunning.

Zhao Xingsheng, standing behind him, paused for a moment and quickly stepped forward to chime in.

"Forgive me, Fairy, but this lad is new here and doesn't know the rules. Letting him assist is a waste of your fine elixirs!"

Upon hearing this, Fairy Ziyan frowned, and her gaze toward Gu Qingyun became even more disdainful.

With a casual wave of his hand, an invisible force struck Gu Qingyun.

This sudden move gave Gu Qingyun no chance to react at all.

boom!

His body flew backward like a cannonball.

Gu Qingyun slammed into the wall and suddenly coughed up blood.

But Fairy Ziyan ignored her completely, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

They're nothing but ants; whether they live or die is none of my business.

It wasn't until Fairy Ziyan entered the alchemy room that Gu Qingyun finally regained his strength and struggled to his feet, leaning against the wall.

"Wow!"

He coughed up another mouthful of blood...