They came here mainly to maximize their own gains; with three people exchanging alchemy insights, another listener might mean another benefit.

A group looked for a spot to sit down.

Then, they focused their attention on Huang Yun up front.

Though called an exchange, really it was mostly Huang Yun speaking; it had become a habit, since among those who entered the Inheritance Spirit Array, Huang Yun’s alchemy skills were the strongest.

Earlier, before Lu Chang’sheng arrived, Zhao Li, as a second-grade Alchemist, had been able to contribute a bit; now, though, Lu Chang’sheng was new—most figured he wouldn’t have much insight yet.

But before long, Lu Chang’sheng began to speak, responding to Huang Yun’s questions.

At first, Huang Yun wasn’t fond of it, thinking Lu Chang’sheng was showing off rather than sharing any real understanding.

After all, even he had needed to enter multiple times before grasping anything significant.

Unexpectedly, the things Lu Chang’sheng said made a lot of sense.

Some points, even he hadn’t thought of before.

A hundred people, a hundred perceptions; even with the same teacher, disciples never turn out exactly alike.

That’s the purpose of such exchanges.

The others watched as Lu Chang’sheng spoke with confidence, their eyes flashing with surprise.

"I didn’t expect Alchemist Lu to be so capable."

Sect Leader Yan Yu was also among those listening; although he cultivated the Dao of talisman papers, he’d dabbled a bit in alchemy too, but for either talismans or alchemy, his studies hadn’t been very deep.

People like them, who’d grown up in an Immortal Sect, hadn’t often delved into the hundred arts of cultivation—instead, they’d focused solely on strengthening themselves.

Before, Yan Yu had heard that Ning He had run off to Platinum Immortal City and almost got into a fight with Zhang Qing from the Supreme Profound Sect. He’d thought Ning He rather reckless then, but now—Ning He’s eye for talent was truly top notch.

"It’s just a pity about the Immortal Dao Spirit Root."

Yan Yu thought to himself that while Lu Chang’sheng’s performance showed extreme insight into alchemy, in the Spirit Realm, it’s the Immortal Dao Spirit Root that really matters.

Without cultivation, no matter how outstanding your other talents, you can’t turn them into real power.

Lu Chang’sheng gave those nearby a gentle smile, then withdrew his spiritual power.

If you want to fight with the other Immortal Sects over Profound Turtle Alchemist’s inheritance, you can’t hide your strengths; compared to each sect’s chief alchemists, he still had a long way to go.

The only edge he had was his Golden Finger.

In certain ways, his Golden Finger boosted his powers of comprehension—so long as he wasn’t limited by his cultivation realm, he could learn at a speed far above ordinary geniuses.

For the next three days, everyone gathered here for exchanges and practice.

The pill required for the Refining Pill Dao was an extremely rare elixir called the Grass Returning Pill.

Through these exchanges, Lu Chang’sheng picked up a lot of knowledge about the Grass Returning Pill; once he passed the first school here, he’d dive right into refining it.

Three days passed quickly. The trio’s Spiritual Sense had largely recovered, so they decided to enter the Inheritance Spirit Array again.

Lu Chang’sheng appeared once more in the school; the teacher resumed the lecture.

This process repeated a few times, and by the fourth round, that day, Lu Chang’sheng felt his Spiritual Sense weakening. Knowing he was close to his limit, he suddenly caught the teacher looking his way.

"Well done."

Lu Chang’sheng blinked in surprise, and in the next moment, his whole body turned into a ray of light and vanished.

"What did the teacher mean by that?"

Back at the base, Lu Chang’sheng fell into deep thought; he’d never heard of the teacher ever showing such an attitude toward students before.

"Alchemist Lu, Dean Huang Yun and the others are waiting for you!"

A cultivator quietly reminded him.

He’d been waiting here just for Lu Chang’sheng; he didn’t expect Lu Chang’sheng to come out and just stand there unmoving, so he couldn’t help but prompt him.

"I’ll head over right away." Lu Chang’sheng didn’t dwell on it—this didn’t seem like a bad thing.

"Maybe I should discuss it with Huang Yun and the others."

That night, the exchange session paused for a bit, and Lu Chang’sheng went to find Huang Yun to ask about it.

When he heard, Huang Yun furrowed his brow, thinking awhile before saying, "Perhaps your powers of comprehension triggered some functions of the Inheritance Spirit Array, causing the teacher to praise you so directly."

"Keep an eye on it in the future; if anything interesting happens, let me know."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded. He wondered if he was just overthinking—but still, Huang Yun seemed to treat him more kindly than before.

······

"By order of the Immortal Mountain, tomorrow I’ll be heading to Yu County to teach. If you wish to continue learning about alchemy from me, you may come on your own."

That day, as Lu Chang’sheng listened intently to the teacher’s lecture, the teacher suddenly stopped and announced from the podium.

Just as Huang Yun and the others had said, the teacher dissolved into starlight and left.

Which placed them in the second classroom.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, we’ve been waiting for you."

Lu Chang’sheng walked out of the first classroom, soon coming upon Huang Yun and He Feng beside the Refining Pill Dao.

Huang Yun set aside his work at the alchemy station and pointed to a newly appeared alchemy furnace not far away.

He looked at Lu Chang’sheng, somewhat puzzled. Based on what Lu Chang’sheng had shown at the exchange meeting, his understanding was deep, so why had he stayed at the first classroom for so long?

Could it be that Lu Chang’sheng had studied something different from the rest? 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

But soon enough, he couldn’t help feeling impressed.

Lu Chang’sheng approached the alchemy furnace, and quickly got to work. Since he’d learned the formula for the Grass Returning Pill at the first classroom, he could start refining right away.

After just a few tries, green streaks of light shot out from Lu Chang’sheng’s pill furnace, landing right onto the Refining Pill Dao.