At that moment, streaks of flowing light shot out from within the mountain stronghold. Knowing that if they didn’t retreat they’d be swarmed, several Foundation Establishment cultivators below immediately spun around and bolted, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

"Purple Ice Lake really is dangerous," Lu Chang’sheng mused to himself.

Seeing that the enemies had retreated, Zhong Mountain and the others promptly turned to thank Lu Chang’sheng.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

"If not for you, even if we didn’t die this time, we would’ve been torn to pieces."

"Your puppetry beast is getting stronger and stronger."

The crowd showered him with compliments.

Moments later, Sect Leader Yan Yu arrived with several Foundation Establishment cultivators. Seeing everyone unharmed, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Learning that Lu Chang’sheng had stepped up in the moment of crisis, Yan Yu was both shocked and deeply grateful.

"If I’m not mistaken, Fellow Daoist, you haven’t stepped into Foundation Establishment yet, have you?"

"That’s right."

"To have such strength before reaching Foundation Establishment—your proficiency in Qi Cultivation is no small matter." Yan Yu did not hesitate to praise him.

"I dare not claim so, compared to all of you, I still have a long way to go. Honestly, I’m just scraping by thanks to my puppetry technique," Lu Chang’sheng replied humbly.

With Yan Yu, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, present, Lu Chang’sheng relaxed considerably.

Entering the stronghold, Lu Chang’sheng did not rest, and immediately joined the upper echelon for deliberations.

However, Huang Yun and Zhao Li weren’t present. When asked, it turned out the two were currently being guided by spiritual light into the Inheritance Spirit Array.

Because the Immortal Sects that obtained the Guiding Disc buried themselves in cultivation, no one knew how far each side had progressed. But Yan Yu informed Lu Chang’sheng that Fuyun Mountain, which possessed the most Guiding Discs, might have already gotten far ahead.

Just as he finished speaking, suddenly magical power fluctuations emanated from a nearby courtyard.

Next, Huang Yun, Zhao Li, and He Feng stepped out from within.

"Dean Huang Yun, what happened?"

"Fuyun Mountain just stepped into the Second Academy."

Huang Yun had no time to greet Lu Chang’sheng, and quickly began recounting what they’d just witnessed in the Inheritance Spirit Array.

The Fuyun Mountain group had appeared outside the classroom of the Second Academy, even glancing back at them.

Moreover, they detected the fluctuation of someone stepping into the academy through the array’s aura.

This only confirmed further that what the mentor was imparting was the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s alchemical inheritance.

"Who knows if there are more academies, but we’ve got to pick up the pace. I have a feeling that the more people enter the Second Academy, those who haven’t made it inside by then will be eliminated."

"There are limited spots in the academy."

After exploring for over a month, Huang Yun and the others learned many of the rules.

Lu Chang’sheng listened as they described the regulations.

Through the path of Pill Refinement—lighting up all the pills laid out along the way—one could unlock the road to the second classroom.

And then there was the First Academy’s knowledge of alchemy.

Also, as time passed, the Inheritance Spirit Array was gradually fading away.

Next up was the selection.

Huang Yun was essential, and so was Lu Chang’sheng; in terms of alchemy strength, Lu Chang’sheng was indisputably Good Beast Sect’s second best.

That meant, a choice between Zhao Li and He Feng.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao Li’s alchemy skills are a bit higher than He Feng’s, but I think it’s best to send He Feng in. For one thing, he’s the future of the Good Beast Sect, and this opportunity is a huge boost for his advancement to second-grade,"

Huang Yun explained.

He was admittedly a little partial; in his view, Zhao Li’s alchemy had about reached its peak—no point wasting the chance on him.

Zhao Li was a bit displeased, but could not object.

"Thank you for nurturing me, Master." He Feng, knowing he’d gotten the spot, was full of gratitude.

If his teacher hadn’t spoken up, he knew he’d more likely be the one left out.

Huang Yun nodded and said, "Rest assured, right now there’s no one in the sect more suited than you."

Though he could feel the end approaching, he refused to just accept it. The closer people are to death, the more they fear it.

Even if this opportunity didn’t help him break through, he’d leave the Good Beast Sect and seek fortune in the greater realm.

"That Alchemist Lu may not have much potential for further advancement, but his alchemy skills are no joke. If you wish to run the Alchemy Institute in the future, he’ll be a major ally."

Huang Yun added.

"I’ll make sure to build a good relationship with Alchemist Lu." He Feng nodded, realizing he needed to adjust his attitude.

He couldn’t be as arrogant as before.

"Sigh, Dean Huang Yun is clearly grooming He Feng as the next Dean," on the other side, Lu Chang’sheng, Zhong Mountain, Zhao Li, Wu Feng and the others gathered together.

They were all from the Alchemy Institute and maintained fairly good relations.

"If you ask me, Fellow Daoist Lu should be the best candidate for Dean. Huang Yun is playing favorites," Wu Feng grumbled, still resentful over being kicked out today.

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head, "Fellow Daoist Wu Feng, you flatter me. My talent really doesn’t compare to He Feng’s."

No one argued further. For now, they needed to preserve as much inheritance as possible from the other Immortal Sects. As for securing the complete Profound Turtle Alchemist’s legacy, that was wishful thinking—Fuyun Mountain and Heaven-Burning Valley were still above them.

When Heaven-Burning Valley was mentioned, Lu Chang’sheng was truly surprised. A sect with Nascent Soul True Monarch alchemy lineage shouldn’t be interested in the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s inheritance.

"Actually, it’s not the real Heaven-Burning Valley. You should know, two came recently from the Valley, and those two also recruited Zhou Lin," Ning Zhao reminded.

"Both are Foundation Establishment cultivators, especially Zuo Lin—his alchemy skills have soared in recent years and he’s now a second-grade alchemist."

"Rumor has it he can even refine Perfect Pills."

Zhong Mountain said to Lu Chang’sheng, "Last time when I asked for a Perfect Pill for the Little Fire Cloud Beast, it was likely made by that guy."

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t have the heart to expose him, and sighed inwardly.

Those two were tenacious, sticking around so long just for the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s legacy.

"That Zhou Lin’s become a second-grade alchemist too. The three of them together outclass our Good Beast Sect."

"And Fuyun Mountain is even more formidable."

Zhao Li brought up Fuyun Mountain.

Fuyun Mountain had several Foundation Establishment cultivators, all specialized in alchemy—including Fairy Yunxia.

"Fairy Yunxia?" Lu Chang’sheng’s expression turned slightly dazed.

"Yes. Fairy Yunxia is utterly devoted to the alchemy Dao; rumor has it she’s even involved with Heaven-Burning Valley’s alchemist," 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

This was a bit of spicy gossip, known only among Foundation Establishment level cultivators.

Since it involved a bigwig of Fuyun Mountain, Zhao Li didn’t elaborate, to avoid giving people ammunition.

As Foundation Establishment cultivators themselves, none wanted to offend a powerful peer with a strong backing.

Lu Chang’sheng understood Zhao Li’s caution. The hierarchies among loose cultivators were clear-cut, and so it was among the Immortal Sects.

Those attackers earlier were Foundation Establishment from other Immortal Sects. They dared target Good Beast Sect, but wouldn’t touch a sect like Fuyun Mountain.

"Has anyone figured out the specifics of the Inheritance Spirit Array?" Lu Chang’sheng now only wanted to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.

Everything else could wait.

Three days later, Lu Chang’sheng, busy refining pills in his room, was notified that Huang Yun and He Feng had both recovered their spiritual sense and could open the Guiding Disc.

Soon, the three were drawn into the Inheritance Spirit Array by the disc’s spiritual light. As soon as they landed, a wave of magical power rippled forth, ringing out like the sound of bells and chimes.

At the start of the Refining Pill Dao, He Feng and Huang Yun, preparing to refine pills, saw three figures appear at the front door of the Second Academy.

"It’s those three from Heaven-Burning Valley."

"Someone else has unlocked the path of Pill Refinement." Huang Yun’s face darkened—they’d only lit up less than half of their own pill pathway.

"He Feng’s talent matches theirs, but he still lacks a little seasoning." Huang Yun sighed.

Meanwhile, Lu Chang’sheng realized he was already seated in the academy. In front of him was a cultivator not unlike an ordinary scholar.

Profound Turtle Alchemist?

Maybe, maybe not.

Lu Chang’sheng thought that the one explaining alchemy knowledge before him seemed quite different from the image of Le Ziren.

But whether or not it really was the Profound Turtle Alchemist, he didn’t bother to care; what mattered was that the alchemy being taught was quite unique.

Lu Chang’sheng instinctively opened his Light Curtain Panel, and saw that, except for the formulas he’d already mastered, the rest of his pill recipes were all pulsing ceaselessly.