The situation in the second classroom wasn’t much different from the first; aside from the three of them, everyone else’s faces were a blur, as if the moment they entered, their forms were veiled in mist.

Invisible, and unmentionable.

It was as if there existed a spatial barrier between everyone present.

Only the master teacher on the podium continued lecturing as usual.

The only difference was, Lu Chang’sheng kept feeling that the master teacher’s gaze would occasionally land on him, with a hint of approval.

"Exceptional comprehension."

Lu Chang’sheng knew his speed of understanding must have met the master teacher’s expectations, so he felt neither anxious nor impatient.

For him, only what’s in your belly truly belongs to you; as long as the Alchemist Profound Turtle’s legacy hadn’t fallen into his hands, there was no chance to relax.

The others from the Immortal Sects felt the same.

Except that as time went by, many sect alchemists started sensing something off—apparently, the master teacher frequently glanced at a certain spot during lectures, and the face, now clear and ordinary, showed a trace of satisfaction.

This intensified the pressure on everyone; even though the master teacher looked nothing like the famed Alchemist Profound Turtle, as described in rumors, nobody dared claim he couldn’t be the Profound Turtle.

After all, the master teacher presiding over the Inheritance Spirit Array might simply be a tool fashioned by Alchemist Profound Turtle, and any face could hide the old trickster himself.

"I wonder which sect’s alchemist is sitting at that spot, to have such ability."

Many alchemists were intrigued.

Some guessed it was Alchemist Zuo Lin from Heaven-Burning Valley. Zuo Lin was a gifted talent to begin with, and coupled with the foundation of Heaven-Burning Valley, he seemed most likely to win the favor of Alchemist Profound Turtle.

However, the three from Heaven-Burning Valley themselves knew for certain it wasn’t any one of them.

"Someone actually topped Senior Brother Zuo Lin?" Zhou Lin said, astonished.

Only by interacting with Zuo Lin could one grasp the depth of his talent; his Immortal Dao Root Bone itself was Upper Grade C, and he even had a Grade C Spiritual Body.

The combination of the two definitely rivaled the average Lower Grade B Spirit Root.

Still, next to him, Cao Wei had a different take, "That’s hard to say. Profound Turtle probably cares a lot about background when selecting his inheritor. Fellow Daoist Zuo Lin carries our Heaven-Burning Valley’s alchemy lineage, so maybe when refining the Grass Returning Pill, it became apparent. If so, it’s normal not to be favored by Profound Turtle."

Zhou Lin nodded knowingly.

Cao Wei sneered, "Profound Turtle’s pretty reputable in Little Cold Realm, but honestly, to those of us from Heaven-Burning Valley, he’s nothing special."

"Enough. Stop discussing. Focus and listen." Zuo Lin interrupted, a trace of impatience in his voice.

To him, there was still some to gain from Alchemist Profound Turtle’s lectures; he had no desire to let their chatter throw off his mindset.

As for who got Profound Turtle’s attention, it didn’t matter,

The True Monarch’s legacy of Heaven-Burning Valley was leagues above anything a non-Golden Core alchemist could offer.

"If not for my master’s order to learn from all traditions, I wouldn’t waste this much time here."

Zuo Lin figured his teacher must have arranged this to help him prepare for inheriting the Celestial Burning True Monarch’s legacy.

From what he knew, the ancestor of Heaven-Burning Valley—the inheritor of Celestial Burning True Monarch—needed a solid foundation built up.

That’s why the people of their lineage spent so long at the Qi Cultivation stage.

Cao Wei gave a dry laugh, turning and nodding at Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin was used to it by now. As fellow Heaven-Burning Valley disciples, Cao Wei’s standing was far below Zuo Lin’s, so the latter wouldn’t always bother to save Cao Wei’s pride.

If only he could join Zuo Lin’s lineage.

There was a trace of complexity in Zhou Lin’s heart.

"It might be someone from Fuyun Mountain," a voice sounded in his mind.

Zhou Lin steadied his heart and mind, glanced at Zuo Lin and Cao Wei, worried they’d notice.

"Relax. Out there, I’d be more concerned, but in here it’s much better."

Another voice replied.

Zhou Lin let it go; after all, the other was a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator, far more knowledgeable than him, a newcomer to Foundation.

"Fairy Yunxia of Fuyun Mountain almost joined Heaven-Burning Valley back then. In the past hundred years, she’s accepted many disciples with real talent in alchemy, and now all of them have accomplished quite a lot."

Zhou Lin listened quietly, gaining a deeper understanding of Fuyun Mountain.

······

Inside the second classroom, the master teacher’s lectures obviously shifted and changed a lot.

Lu Chang’sheng was coming to new realizations about the Alchemy Dao.

"Alchemist Profound Turtle’s teaching style really gets at the most fundamental points. It’s given me a much deeper understanding of the Alchemy Dao."

Lu Chang’sheng was absorbed, completely immersed; every day, he saw his Pill Formula for Foundation Establishment and Cyan Spirit Pill improving at a lightning pace.

A day’s progress might rival that of a whole month’s effort before.

He wasn’t about to let up, listening attentively—as if he were a parched sponge, soaking up water without stop.

"The Inheritance Spirit Array might look like it keeps everyone separated, but who knows how it really works. If something goes wrong and I get ejected, that would be a loss."

The Inheritance Spirit Array isn’t completely foolproof. Any array can be cracked; if Alchemist Profound Turtle were at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul level, none here would worry, but he’s only at Foundation, and there are plenty of Foundation cultivators here.

No one could guarantee he didn’t have methods to interfere with them.

Lu Chang’sheng glanced to the side—He Feng was burying himself in study, a hint of red in his eyes.

Suddenly, He Feng’s figure turned into a ray of light and vanished.

Right after, Lu Chang’sheng heard a sigh from beside him.

Soon, Zhong Mountain, wandering about the outpost, spotted the somewhat dejected He Feng.

"Fellow Daoist He Feng."

He called out a few times before He Feng snapped back to reality.

Asked about what happened in the Inheritance Spirit Array, He Feng’s eyes flashed with irritation; he didn’t answer, just turned and left. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Did he eat Fire Stone or something?"

That irritated?

Zhong Mountain muttered under his breath.

"Maybe my Fellow Daoist Lu made him so withdrawn?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s performance lately had made plenty of bigwigs stare in shock—even Zhong Mountain had to admit, Lu Chang’sheng’s talent in alchemy exceeded his own.

"Fortunately, his Immortal Dao Spirit Root isn’t great, otherwise the Little Fire Cloud Beast would be off the table for me."

This time, Lu Chang’sheng hadn’t brought the Little Fire Cloud Beast along—the little guy was too young; something unexpected could easily end in tragedy.

Zhong Mountain hadn’t seen the Little Fire Cloud Beast in a while and actually missed him; he’d recently managed to buy a few Perfect Pills, and planned to cozy up to the Little Fire Cloud Beast on his return, laying groundwork for future advantage.

"Just seventy more years at most."

Zhong Mountain mused—although he only had a few more decades of lifespan than Lu Chang’sheng, still, it was something, right?

Who knows, by then, maybe the Little Fire Cloud Beast could help him reach new heights?

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