Chapter Four: Chi Yushu

Over the next few days, Qu Yiqiu made it a habit to visit Mu Yunqin every morning to check on his condition, and in the afternoons, she attended alchemy lectures at the Hall of Arts. The blue jewel, ever since she had claimed it with her blood, had vanished—seemingly fused into her very being. With a mere thought, Qu Yiqiu could enter and exit that ethereal realm at will.

Every night, she would hide herself within that space to cultivate. Time flowed identically inside as it did outside, yet the concentration of spiritual energy was incomparable to the world beyond. After grasping the jewel’s abilities, Qu Yiqiu found herself with a new ambition: she intended to become an alchemist.

The age of antiquity had been the golden era for alchemists. Yet, as centuries passed and chaos reigned, most ancient alchemical formulas were destroyed, with few surviving in their entirety. The legacy of those master alchemists was nearly severed, leading to the current state where alchemy skills were generally mediocre, alchemists were scarce, and their status all the more exalted.

For Qu Yiqiu, this was nothing but a blessing. Within her universal cultivation marketplace, everything from ancient formulas to alchemical treatises could be found in abundance, available for her to choose as she pleased. She had no fear of missing out on genuine alchemy techniques. The only obstacle was her lack of cultivation experience points, preventing her from purchasing too many items. If she wished to quickly gain exposure to the art of alchemy, attending lectures at the sect’s Hall of Arts was the simplest path.

Qu Yiqiu casually selected a meditation cushion and sat down. She had arrived early today, so many cushions around her were still unoccupied. Closing her eyes, she recalled the alchemy content from the previous day.

A clear voice sounded above her. “Junior Sister Qu, may I sit beside you?”

Qu Yiqiu opened her eyes at the sound, gazing upwards with a slight arch of her brow. “You may, but are you sure you wish to sit here, Senior Brother Chi?”

Chi Yushu, first disciple of Su Xichen. Ever since the incident at Half-Step City, Mo Qingli had fallen out with Su Xichen, and the two peaks had not communicated for over a hundred years.

Chi Yushu settled himself beside her in a gentle manner. “Since you have agreed, I am quite sure.”

Qu Yiqiu overheard the soft murmurs of nearby disciples and shrugged. “Senior Brother Chi, you’ve already reached the Foundation Establishment stage—do you still need to attend introductory alchemy lectures?”

The Hall of Arts’ lecturers were themselves only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Chi Yushu smiled subtly, turning to look at her. “Did you not inquire about today’s lecturer before coming?”

Qu Yiqiu blinked at his handsome features. “Are you the lecturer today, Senior Brother Chi?”

He nodded lightly and asked, “Junior Sister Qu, I heard there’s a new male disciple on your Little Flat Peak lately?”

“Yes, that’s my junior brother, Mu Yunqin,” Qu Yiqiu replied simply.

Chi Yushu seemed intrigued, continuing, “Do you know what cultivation level Junior Brother Mu has reached, and whether he’s participated in any sect missions?”

“His cultivation is at the ninth level of Qi Training, and I don’t think he’s taken part in any sect missions yet.” Qu Yiqiu felt somewhat bitter; she herself had trained for ten years to reach the fifth level, but this fellow, after absorbing half a lifetime of Mo Qingli’s cultivation, had jumped straight to the ninth.

A hint of surprise flickered in Chi Yushu’s eyes. “What is Junior Brother Mu’s aptitude?”

“He—” Qu Yiqiu began, only to be interrupted by a female voice.

“Senior Brother, why are you sitting here?” Qu Youyou walked over, casting a quick glance at Qu Yiqiu.

Chi Yushu’s brows knitted slightly. “Junior Sister, what brings you here?”

Qu Youyou smiled sweetly. “I came to the Hall of Arts, of course, to hear Senior Brother lecture!”

“How did you know I was assigned to teach here?” Chi Yushu asked, puzzled.

Qu Youyou laughed, “The news of Senior Brother lecturing at the Hall of Arts has spread throughout the Sky Evolution Sect. I doubt there’s a female disciple inside the sect who doesn’t know!”

With that, she flicked her gaze sideways at Qu Yiqiu.

Qu Yiqiu caught the underlying implication—she was being accused of deliberately cozying up to Chi Yushu.

She replied calmly, “Senior Brother Chi, the lecture is about to begin. If you wish to discuss Junior Brother Mu further, you can visit Little Flat Peak and speak to me directly.”

Chi Yushu glanced at the throng of disciples, rose, and said, “Very well.”

Once he had left, Qu Youyou dropped all pretense, her expression turning openly scornful.

“Qu Yiqiu, after ten years in the sect, do you still not understand the relationship between your master and our Nine Sword Peak? Senior Brother Chi would never go to your Little Flat Peak!”

Qu Yiqiu responded carelessly, “He can come or not as he pleases! The lecture’s starting—if you want to listen, sit quietly; if not, leave at once.”

“You—!” Qu Youyou had wanted to continue her rebuke, but seeing the impatience on the faces of the other nearby disciples, she could only grit her teeth and sit down.

“Hmph, don’t think that a few words from Senior Brother Chi today will improve relations between our peaks. Those of Little Flat Peak will never set foot on Nine Sword Peak!” she threatened, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.

Qu Yiqiu glanced at her coolly, silently mouthing, “Shut up,” before turning away and ignoring her.

At the same moment, Chi Yushu’s voice rang out from the lectern, drawing Qu Youyou’s attention.

She turned away in annoyance, dropping the matter.

“It has been written: Of all things in alchemy, the most difficult is the mastery of fire. Fire is the grand secret of the One Truth. If an alchemist truly grasps this fire, what need is there to fear failure in refining the elixir? A thousand volumes of alchemical lore, all are hidden within the mastery of fire.

…

Thus, I believe the most critical element in alchemy lies in the control of fire.”

Qu Yiqiu listened with relish to Chi Yushu’s lecture, thinking to herself that he was indeed worthy of being Su Xichen’s first disciple; in just a few words, he had laid bare the core principle of alchemy.

An hour later, Chi Yushu’s lecture drew to a close.

“In the future, stay away from Senior Brother Chi. Your master would hardly enjoy seeing you pestering disciples from Nine Sword Peak,” Qu Youyou said, a mocking smile on her lips.

Qu Yiqiu suddenly rose, looking down at her. “You are unbearably noisy. If you don’t want to hear Senior Brother Chi’s lecture, you could have left early!”

Her voice was unrestrained, drawing the attention of all the remaining disciples in the Hall of Arts. Even Chi Yushu, still standing on the lectern, looked over.

Qu Youyou’s cheeks flushed under his gaze, and she hastily explained, “I didn’t mean Senior Brother’s lecture was bad—his teaching is excellent! I never wanted to leave!”

“Then tell us, which part of Senior Brother Chi’s lecture did you find best?” Qu Yiqiu’s eyes sparkled with amusement; she knew Qu Youyou hadn’t listened at all, likely spending the whole time cursing her.

Qu Youyou stammered, unable to offer any coherent answer, her face reddening in frustration.

“All right, I understand Junior Sister’s intentions. Now Senior Brother Li is about to begin his lecture. So as not to delay everyone, you may discuss matters with me privately,” Chi Yushu interjected at just the right moment.

Qu Youyou visibly relaxed.

Qu Yiqiu felt a touch of regret.

The next lecture, by Senior Brother Li, concerned the crafting of talismans—a subject in which Qu Yiqiu had little interest. She left the Hall of Arts and returned to Little Flat Peak.

At the entrance to her own cave dwelling, she spotted Mu Yunqin standing outside.

“How did you get out of bed?” Qu Yiqiu called to him from behind.