BLOODLINE TEMPERING: Transforming From Worm To Dragon

Chapter 31: My Tree

Out of the seven elders in this Outer Grotto, perhaps Elder Mang Shu's fame was at rock bottom. There's not much to speak about here, as the elder was too low profile. If it were not for Elder Wei Xuan's remark, he'd still be known by Chen Tu and Qin Lei as the "Nameless Elder."

Many disciples mistook him for the Book Pavilion Elder. However, he was, in fact, the person in charge of the Training Hall. The Pavilion Elder was a woman and the only female elder of the Blood Refining Grotto.

Meanwhile, Elder Wei Xuan wasn't as low profile as the former, but he too was considered one of the few. The only thing that kept elevating his fame in this Outer Grotto was none other than his expertise and position as an alchemist.

As a matter of fact, he was one of the two alchemists in this Blood Refining Grotto, responsible for all the pills available for purchase in Outer Grotto.

He was considered the fourth of seven elders, with Elder Mang Shu at rock bottom. But in terms of cultivation, perhaps the combination of six elders wasn't the match against the latter.

As one of the two alchemists of Blood Refining Grotto, it wasn't absurd to say that this elder refined a third of the pills used by everyone. Furthermore, suppose this doesn't elevate his status. In that case, his occupation as an alchemist of the Heavenly Alchemist Association is definitely worth mentioning.

Yes.

Elder Wei Xuan and another elder from the Inner Grotto were officially recognized members of this Continent's superpower, the Heavenly Alchemist Association. As titled alchemists, they could summon rain and wind, even private forces to do their bidding.

Furthermore, this is just a fraction of their power.

The Heavenly Alchemist Association was differentiated into four statuses and titles. The starting point was known as Bronze Titled Alchemist. Those with this title were said to be able to refine pills fit for Golden Core Layer cultivators.

After Bronze, was naturally the Silver Titled Alchemist. It was then followed by Gold Titled and Heaven Titled.

(Reminder: The cultivation layer starts from (Bronze) Body Tempering - Spiritual Condensation - Golden Core | (Silver) Spiritual Ocean - Spiritual Land - Spiritual Palace | (Gold) Origin Infant - Origin Transformation - Heaven Ascension)

The alchemist will be further categorized into four tiers within that title, starting with Low-Middle-High and Peak.

Both alchemists in the Blood Refining Grotto are currently members with Lower-Tier Bronze Titled Alchemist status. Although it merely a lower tier status, this alone allowed them to be considered on par with the county governor in social standing.

Even the county's officials would have to greet these alchemists with full respect if necessary.

"Are you done, junior brother?" Qin Lei asked. His way of addressing Chen Tu also warmed up slightly. Although it was a little fast to openly name Chen Tu as a junior brother, they'll have to get used to it eventually.

After all, the number of disciples below Elder Wei Xuan was five people, seven if it included them both. But they must remember that out of everyone, only one disciple was accepted as the elder's Official Disciple.

His name was Tang Yun Long.

"I'm thinking of studying this Language Jade." Chen Tu answered.

"In that case, let's get back to our room. We'll be meeting each other at the Spiritual Garden the next morning." Qin Lei said. He's in a hurry to return to his room as well. And that's how the two separated after arriving at the disciple's accommodation.

Since there's nothing much to worry about the Crimson-Tailed Pheasants, Chen Tu can check them out tomorrow morning.

The habit he had gotten used to made Chen Tu open the window immediately after entering his room. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, which already had an imprint, Chen Tu immediately closed his eyes and placed the piece of jade on his forehead.

As this was his first time, Chen Tu took his time to familiarize himself with the process. When a strand of his Spiritual Energy made contact with the Language Jade, Chen Tu felt like he was brought into a world full of "words."

(Is this place inside the jade?)

Chen Tu guessed. And in response to his Spiritual Energy, his writing and reading lesson began. Words in all kinds of patterns and shapes started to get injected into Chen Tu's brain while his consciousness was learning the correct way to read and write.

Perhaps it was due to his potential, but Chen Tu's learning is ridiculously fast. His undisturbed attention also helps him memorize the letters and how they should be written. To Chen Tu's surprise, there was a hint of Spiritual Flow when writing.

If he could not follow the stroke accurately, the meaning behind the word would appear lackluster and weak.

(Does writing also deeply connected to cultivation? I wonder what kind of amazing ability it could be to produce an effect after writing...)

Chen Tu was deeply absorbed in learning until the outside was getting noisier. Feeling that it started to disturb him, Chen Tu decided to stop there.

(The sun is up? How long had I been studying?)

Chen Tu immediately left his cultivation spot and got a change of clothing before stepping out of his room. It seems that this was the first time he woke up late.

Although it was yet to be the working hour, the short time meant Chen Tu wouldn't have time to check on the pheasants. He even had to skip breakfast to ensure he wouldn't be late for the assignment in the Spiritual Garden.

...

...

"I'm wondering, old Mang. You're a fella well-known for being lazier than a sloth. What makes you suddenly feel like taking a disciple?" Elder Wei Xuan said as he stood at another trunk on the same tree.

Perhaps nobody realized that except the seven elders and a few Golden Core Cultivators, nobody could climb or come close to the tree. This is also part of the reason why nobody has approached the tree over these years.

"Answer me, Old Wei. When did you last see a disciple coming over to my tree?" Old Mang asked.