Chapter 48: The Foundation of the Mysterious Star Pavilion

Pei Linfeng’s expression darkened.

What he despised most were clueless newcomers lacking any sense of tact. He had already offered a graceful way out, yet the fellow dared to continue pestering him.

"Show consideration?" Pei Linfeng sneered, shoving the document back toward Chu Xing. "You are merely a menial laborer; do you think you are worthy of my consideration? The Hall of Elixirs has its own rules, and if I say today is out of the question, then it is out of the question! Do you not understand human speech?"

His voice suddenly rose, instantly drawing the attention of everyone inside the grand hall.

Chu Xing suppressed the rising anger in his chest, picked up the document, and maintained a restrained tone: "Senior Brother, I come under the orders of Elder Fu. If matters are delayed due to Senior Brother, and the Elder chooses to place the blame—"

"You still dare to use Elder Fu to pressure me?"

Before Chu Xing could finish, Pei Linfeng felt a surge of rage rush straight to his head.

How noble was the identity of an alchemist? Usually, who did not approach him with the utmost courtesy and respect? Yet today, he was being publicly contradicted by a mere menial who disposed of slag, and the fellow even used Elder Fu to pressure him! How could he possibly swallow this insult?

Pei Linfeng slammed his palm onto the desk and sharply rebuked, "It seems that unless I teach you a lesson, you will never learn what rules mean!"

Just as the atmosphere grew tense to the breaking point, a cold, clear voice echoed from behind the counter.

"What is all this commotion?"

The noisy hall instantly fell silent.

The anger on Pei Linfeng’s face froze. He whipped around, his arrogant expression instantly replaced by a flattering and respectful smile.

"Senior Sister Mu! Why have you graced us with your presence?"

A beaded curtain behind the counter was parted, and a figure draped in pale purple slowly emerged.

The newcomer was none other than Mu Wanqing.

Ignoring Pei Linfeng entirely, her cold, clear gaze locked straight onto Chu Xing, softening almost imperceptibly for a fleeting second.

"Give the items to me."

Hearing this, Pei Linfeng froze in place.

One had to know that this Senior Sister was usually aloof and indifferent to everyone. Why would she suddenly take the initiative to speak up for a menial laborer today?

He stared at Mu Wanqing, then whipped his head around to glare fiercely at Chu Xing.

That gaze was filled with shock, bewilderment, and jealousy.

Senior Sister Mu... not only knew this menial laborer, but intended to handle his paperwork personally? How could this possibly be!

Chu Xing handed over the document.

Mu Wanqing accepted it, then personally retrieved a brand-new identity token and a set of keys from beneath the counter, handing them over to Chu Xing.

"This is your identity token and the key to your residence. Follow me."

As she passed the items over, her slender, fair fingers accidentally brushed against Chu Xing's fingertips.

Chu Xing’s heart fluttered. Mu Wanqing, however, reacted like a startled rabbit, quickly withdrawing her hand as a delicate flush crept up the tips of her ears. Not daring to look at Chu Xing again, she turned on her heel and walked briskly toward the inner hall.

This subtle interaction was captured entirely by Pei Linfeng, who stood watching from the side.

He watched with his own eyes as Chu Xing—a lowly menial disciple—not only received a personal reception from Senior Sister Mu, but the two of them also seemed to share a certain... ambiguity of which he was completely unaware.

The venomous fire of jealousy instantly blazed furiously in his heart.

If this fellow were some exceptionally talented prodigy, it would be one thing, but he was merely a menial disciple. This was something he simply could not tolerate.

Mu Wanqing led Chu Xing out of the main hall of the Hall of Elixirs. Behind them, numerous tangible gazes felt like needles pricking their backs.

Envy, suspicion, confusion, and undisguised hostility were on the verge of piercing straight through Chu Xing's retreating figure.

Under Mu Wanqing's lead, the two turned into a more secluded path lined with lush green bamboo.

"Senior Sister, where are we going?" Chu Xing asked out of curiosity.

"First, I am taking you to your quarters," Mu Wanqing replied in a calm tone. "You are now an inner sect disciple, so you naturally have your own independent courtyard. There is no need for you to return to the outer sect's menial quarters."

Before long, the two stopped in front of a secluded little courtyard. The courtyard was not large, but it was exceptionally tranquil and elegant. Several stalks of emerald bamboo grew by the entrance, and the spiritual energy within the courtyard was infinitely richer than that of the outer sect's menial quarters.

"This place... is arranged for me?" Chu Xing asked, somewhat surprised.

This location was vastly superior to the dilapidated little courtyard he had previously stayed in.

Mu Wanqing handed him a key. "This will be your residence from now on. It is quite peaceful here, and no one will disturb you."

Pausing for a moment, her gaze swept inadvertently toward a cloud-shrouded peak in the distance, and she added, "I live on that peak ahead. It is not far. If you have any important matters, you may come find me at any time."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister." Chu Xing accepted the key, looked toward the opposite peak, and felt a warmth bloom in his chest. It seemed that entering the inner sect of the Hall of Elixirs was not a bad deal after all; should any issues arise in the future, he could always seek out Senior Sister.

"Let's go. Now I will take you to familiarize yourself with your duties."

The two turned around and stepped back onto the path leading to the Hall of Elixirs. Whispers of probing gazes drifted around them once more. Chu Xing could sense that most of these glances did not come from ordinary disciples, but rather from those clad in alchemist robes.

"Does it feel a bit different?"

Mu Wanqing's soft voice broke the silence. She seemed long accustomed to being the center of attention, yet this time, she cared more about the feelings of the person beside her.

"Different is an understatement," Chu Xing smiled wryly. "I feel like a rabbit that wandered into a pack of wolves. The looks those Senior Brothers are giving me make them want to tear me apart alive."

Hearing this, Mu Wanqing actually let out a light laugh. "You certainly have a way with descriptions. But you aren't wrong; in the Hall of Elixirs, alchemists truly hold a transcendent status."

She slowed her pace and patiently explained, "Alchemists are inherently noble and scarce. Looking across the entire Northern Star Domain of the Yongchang Dynasty, our Profound Star Pavilion is the sole sect that has established a dedicated hall solely for alchemists. Even the Azure Cloud Sect, another overlord of the Northern Star Domain, merely retains a few guest alchemists and has never formed anything resembling the scale of a Hall of Elixirs."

Her tone lacked its usual aloofness, sounding instead like someone sharing the pride of her homeland with a friend.

"Therefore, whether it is neighboring sects of all sizes or wandering martial artists, anyone seeking high-tier elixirs must come to our Profound Star Pavilion. One could say that the Hall of Elixirs... is the true foundation of the Profound Star Pavilion."

Listening to this, Chu Xing was filled with yearning. He had never imagined that a mere branch hall of a sect could possess such immense influence.

"Then how many alchemists are there in our Hall of Elixirs?"

"Not counting medicine apprentices who are still learning, there are sixteen officially registered alchemists."

"Sixteen..." Chu Xing nodded, then asked out of curiosity, "Then what rank of alchemist are you and Elder Fu?"

Hearing this question, Mu Wanqing's tone filled with deep reverence for her master: "My master, Fu Lingchuan, is a Heavenly Grade Lower-Tier Alchemist. Even across the entire Yongchang Dynasty, he is considered a rare, phoenix-feather-and-unicorn-horn figure. As for me... I am currently only at the Earth Grade Mid-Tier."

"Only?" Chu Xing looked at her with an earnest expression. "Senior Sister need not be overly modest. In my eyes, your methods are already akin to those of immortals."

Given the extreme scarcity of alchemists, even an Earth Grade Mid-Tier alchemist was undoubtedly an extraordinary existence!

Moreover, Mu Wanqing was so young and beautiful, appearing to be barely in her early twenties. To have reached such a realm at such a tender age made her talent nothing short of monstrous.

Mu Wanqing felt somewhat embarrassed by his straightforward praise, her cheeks warming slightly as she quickly changed the subject. "Since alchemists are so scarce, aren't you curious... why only our Profound Star Pavilion possesses a Hall of Elixirs?"