Immortal Cage - Chapter 22 Face-to-Face Interview
Inside the alchemy stone hall, the smell of blood, sulfur, and saltpeter was particularly strong. Yu Lie stood at the doorway, feeling as though he was at the entrance of a slaughterhouse. Then, his eyelids twitched again as a sudden, miserable sound echoed in the stone hall. Several diligent dao disciples were suddenly entangled by the hair of a pregnant female daoist, lifted up, and thrown into the alchemy cauldron with a thud.
Miserable cries continued to sound out, not just one or two, but a total of eight! Garlic Nose also witnessed this scene and asked in shock, "What... what is happening here?" The smiling alchemy hall dao disciple at the door suppressed his smile and glanced over, his mouth curling in a cold snort, "A bunch of fools, daring to meddle and sneak around while the alchemist is at work."
The alchemy hall dao disciple shook his head, "I thought the alchemist's luck was good, and there would be fewer deaths. I didn't expect there would still be quite a few deaths every month." Yu Lie and Garlic Nose were stunned upon hearing this, immediately understanding. The huge tiger body was too large to fit into the cauldron, requiring the dao disciples to cut and transport it, providing ample opportunities for mischief.
The leading dao disciple meant that the dao disciples in the stone hall had stolen the flesh of the just-slain seventh-grade monster and were discovered by the female daoist on the cloud platform, hence the punishment. Yu Lie immediately felt puzzled, "Alchemy is conducted every month, yet there are people stealing medicine every month... Are there really so many fearless individuals?" Garlic Nose beside him also had the same doubt. His face turned pale, exchanged a glance with Yu Lie, and moved his lips.
Both of them wisely chose not to say another word, retracting their gaze and catching up with the leading alchemy hall dao disciple. The alchemy hall dao disciple had already turned around, facing away from the two, saying, "You've broadened your horizons, now hurry up! The days when the alchemist is working are also the days when the hall masters of the alchemy halls meet. Follow me to pay respects at the mountain peak, so you won't have to run around from place to place."
Yu Lie started walking, replying, "Yes," tightening the dao robe on his body. Although the hall was bustling with activity and the dao disciples were working fervently, for some reason, the hall felt increasingly cold and bone-chilling, devoid of any warmth, with the air becoming damp and cold.
Yu Lie and Garlic Nose followed the leading dao disciple, walking like ants in the vast stone hall, and soon entered a dim corridor, arriving at an underground chamber. The chamber was not an ordinary cave but connected to the main hall of the stone hall, with the bases of eight huge cauldrons sunk in, serving as pillars for the underground chamber. Each cauldron had a figure sitting beneath it, seemingly in charge of the fire for the female daoists above.
However, these people were not fully focused; the chamber was filled with noisy chatter, sounding like croaking frogs. As soon as Yu Lie stepped into the chamber, he heard someone laughing heartily, "It seems the alchemist's skills have stabilized, only taking eight medicine people as bait today."
"Hehe, at this rate, it won't make us constantly use up favors and go to other dao halls to ask for servants." When Yu Lie and Garlic Nose entered the chamber, the noisy discussions abruptly stopped. The two stood at the doorway, and gazes fell on them, scrutinizing them from head to toe.
The leading alchemy hall dao disciple also lost his previous casual and cheerful demeanor, quickly bowing to the eight hall masters under the cauldrons, calling out, "The appointed child of the hall, leading the two newcomers here, greets all the hall masters." After the leading dao disciple spoke, a rustling sound filled the chamber, and someone laughed sharply, "The juniors from the town, we have more distinguished guests."
"Who still needs people under their command, any vacancies? My Scale Armor Hall is currently in need of medicine slaves, not children. Forget about comfortable positions, we don't even have any laborious positions left." A series of hushed discussions erupted in the chamber.
Yu Lie eagerly listened, and finally heard someone speak slowly and methodically, "A few months ago, a junior in the hall was not diligent, concocted his own medicine, and died. I've been keeping a position vacant, and it seems someone has been eyeing it, but no one with credentials has come..."
"Oh! The newcomer is really lucky, able to enter Senior Fang's Medicine Hall and serve by his side." Upon hearing this, Garlic Nose and the leading dao disciple waiting couldn't help but glance at Yu Lie. Yu Lie himself felt a surge of joy in his heart.
The Medicine Hall was responsible for organizing medicines and managing alchemical texts in the alchemy hall! The hall not only stored a large number of alchemical texts and prescriptions but also received numerous alchemists every month, submitting various medicines for inspection and adjustment.
Such a hall was considered prestigious and valuable, offering ample opportunities for learning, precisely the ideal position Yu Lie had been hoping for! Yu Lie immediately expressed his gratitude to the old daoist from the Dao Scripture Institute in his heart, "Senior Yu is indeed thoughtful!"
When he received the bronze token, Senior Yu had simply instructed him to enter the alchemy hall with the token, assuring him that the position would be excellent, and even if there were no vacancies, one would be made for him. Therefore, Yu Lie was unaware of the specific position he would be assigned, but upon hearing that only the Medicine Hall had vacancies, he felt that his timing was indeed perfect.
If he had come earlier, there would have been more vacant positions, and the Medicine Hall's hall master might not have accepted him; if he had come later, the position in the Medicine Hall might have been filled, and the forcibly arranged position would not compare to that of the Medicine Hall.
Overjoyed, Yu Lie's vision blurred, and someone had already walked up to him. The person's dao robe fluttered, with white beard stubble under the chin, exuding a strong medicinal fragrance, indicating a profound understanding of alchemy. This person was the Senior Fang mentioned by the other hall masters.
Senior Fang looked at Yu Lie with a gentle smile, showing a kind expression, and asked, "Who gave you the bronze token?" Yu Lie pondered for a moment and replied, "Senior Yu from the Dao Scripture Institute."
Upon hearing Yu Lie's response, Senior Fang did not speak immediately. Yu Lie vaguely felt that something was amiss. He raised his head slightly and noticed a hint of delight in Senior Fang's eyes.
Senior Fang blinked and finally said, "Since Senior Yu arranged for you to come and you hold the bronze token, I cannot neglect you." He cleared his throat and asked, "Young man, are you here in the alchemy hall to learn genuine alchemy or fake alchemy?"
Yu Lie found the question rather strange. He squinted his eyes and did not answer directly but bowed respectfully, saying, "I am ignorant and do not know what constitutes genuine alchemy or fake alchemy. I ask Senior Fang to enlighten me."
Senior Fang stroked his beard and said, "True alchemy involves preparation, grinding, fire, and medicine separation... each step is indispensable. It is the true craftsmanship in your hands, starting from the smallest details, gradually gaining true insights."
"Fake alchemy involves memorizing alchemical texts, reading prescriptions, studying extensively, concocting one's own medicine, and dying from it, like the junior who died in our hall. Now, young man, which path do you wish to pursue?" Yu Lie furrowed his brow even more deeply.
The choice presented was obvious to even a fool! This made Yu Lie suspicious, wondering if the person in front of him was testing him or if there was deception involved. Therefore, after contemplating, Yu Lie did not follow the other's words but took the initiative to say, "Thank you for clarifying, Senior. I came to the alchemy hall to learn about detoxification, healing, advancing in the dao, and the art of consuming and refining elixirs for cultivation. I believe that both practical experience and theoretical knowledge are essential to have a chance at longevity."
Yu Lie gritted his teeth and bowed, saying, "I report to Senior that I also wish to learn the art of longevity!" Longevity does not mean eternal life but refers to longevity, specifically indicating cultivators with a lifespan of over two hundred years. For those with aspirations in cultivation, seeking longevity is a personal mission, desiring a long life.
As soon as these words were spoken, a surprised voice sounded in the chamber, piquing the interest of the other hall masters, with some chuckling softly. However, what made Yu Lie feel uneasy was that after bowing, he glanced up and saw Senior Fang frowning, pinching his beard in silence, his expression turning displeased.
Suddenly, Senior Fang, with a kind smile, said, "Excellent! Since you have such a clear mind, you may choose a position in the lower ranks of the alchemy hall according to your preference. If you are not satisfied with one, I will personally give you a few more chances until you are content."
Senior Fang continued amiably, "As for the position in the Medicine Hall, I will reserve it for you for now. Once you have rotated and advanced from the lower-ranking position, gaining experience, and then enter my hall, I will teach you diligently."
"In this way, with both practical experience and theoretical knowledge, you will surely learn the art of longevity you mentioned!" Upon hearing this, Yu Lie's heart skipped a beat.