D-grade, average Spirit Root Talent—this was truly beyond what the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar had anticipated.

The Inheritance Spirit Array wasn’t his own creation, and its selection mechanics were quite particular, so his original plans had never accounted for this.

He hadn’t expected such an oversight here at all, and it caught him completely off guard.

"No, this might not be real."

After a moment of shock and anger, the soul avatar suspected that Lu Chang’sheng might have tricked him.

"The Inheritance Spirit Array ranks third tier—how could some minor Qi Cultivator stand out amongst a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

The Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar snapped to alertness, thinking that Lu Chang’sheng must have sensed something and lied to him.

But since it had been so long since the array was set, even he, as the soul avatar, couldn’t fully control the ’Master’ who formed the core of the inheritance.

"Still, it’s worth probing him a little."

The Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar quickly calmed down. He felt Yue Ling’s gaze upon him, which might spell trouble ahead.

······

Master’s expression was grave, and with weighted tone, he said, "Do you understand what you’re saying? Such slackness will never earn my legacy."

Lu Chang’sheng immediately played at anxiousness, replying, "I’ll redouble my efforts, Master!"

"Fine, fine!" Master’s face eased, and continued, "You may not realize how weighty my legacy is."

He began describing in detail just how valuable his ’legacy’ was.

First, there were thirty-six plots within the herb garden, filled with rare medicinal plants he’d gathered on his travels across many regions—some even third grade.

There were also magical artifacts, pills—an abundance of treasures.

To most Golden Core elders, such wealth would be irresistible.

Yet, the more Lu Chang’sheng listened, the more he was certain he couldn’t touch these things.

"Just mastering the Peach Embalming Child Skill isn’t enough to safely handle a Foundation Establishment master like this. If he wants me to take these goods so eagerly, there’s another plot here."

The Profound Turtle Alchemist wasn’t some ordinary figure. Lu Chang’sheng didn’t believe he could outplay him; best to keep his head down.

"I’ll learn only what I can."

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng so willing to heed advice, Master’s expression returned to calm, and he continued the lesson.

Whether out of concern for Lu Chang’sheng’s state, most of his teaching focused on cultivation of the Alchemy Dao, only inserting Peach Embalming Child Skill insights at rare moments.

Days passed one after another.

Lu Chang’sheng felt no drain on his Spiritual Sense; it seemed that after clearing the trial, the spiritual drain became so slight that they could linger in the Inheritance Spirit Array for a long time.

"There’s surely intent behind the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s arrangement... but it benefits me, too."

This way, he could focus entirely on learning.

Not everyone would pass this trial—once those eliminated left, it would spark another round of commotion.

For a chance at the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s legacy, it was entirely possible Immortal Sects would take dangerous gambles.

"Alchemy is the union of various elements—the more complex the pill, the more it needs a stable binding method, balancing all elements..."

Lu Chang’sheng sat on a block of blue stone, watching Master in the distance.

The other was lecturing, his topic pointing straight to the arcane mysteries of the Alchemy Dao.

Lu Chang’sheng called up the Light Curtain Panel and saw that his Foundation Establishment Pill Formula experience was rising at a vividly obvious rate, and the Entry requirement time was ticking down like a countdown.

After a long while, the Profound Turtle Alchemist spoke his final verdict, defining this alchemical arcana as ’Yin-Yang Structure.’

"Yin-Yang Structure is the most balanced path in existence. Comprehend yin and yang, and the Alchemy Dao opens to new heights."

As his words faded, Lu Chang’sheng saw his mastery of the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula break into Entry level.

"How’s your progress on the Celestial Essence Bright King Technique?" Master asked then.

"Still not close to Entry," Lu Chang’sheng replied, showing a touch of shame.

Master’s expression soured, but in his face Lu Chang’sheng glimpsed a hint of concealed helplessness.

This gave him insight: the Master before him was bound by certain limitations, able to fulfill only the role of an inheritor.

Sure enough, though Master looked annoyed, in the days ahead his teaching was still earnest.

Only, the lesson focus now shifted from Alchemy Dao to Peach Embalming Child Skill.

"Is this because he knows I’ve noticed something wrong with the Peach Embalming Child Skill, so wants to make my life harder by lessening his teachings on Alchemy? Or did my slacking trigger the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s preset?"

Lu Chang’sheng dared not be sure—still, Master truly was the image of a legendary alchemist; to Lu Chang’sheng, such a mentor was rare indeed, so he forcefully quieted his restless thoughts and continued to listen.

But to the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar, the situation was perfectly clear.

"He really has seen through the Peach Embalming Child and Mother Skill."

The soul avatar didn’t hesitate further and made his judgment instantly.

He’d released the Celestial Essence Bright King Technique as a condition for inheriting the legacy, but it still couldn’t make Lu Chang’sheng devote himself to cultivation. What other reasons could there be?

"With the seed of my Peach Embalming Mother Skill inside him, even with D-grade average Spirit Root, Entry should be possible by now."

In the Peach Embalming Child and Mother Skill, the Mother skill was primary; the mother could monitor all aspects of the child skill.

Yet Lu Chang’sheng’s mastery of the child skill was still stalled before Entry.

"I have a method that will help you clear these trials quickly!"

The Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar transmitted this to Yue Ling.

"Why didn’t you say before!" Coldness filled Yue Ling’s gaze. They were now endlessly adjusting their dance steps to match the reviewers seen in the mirror—the adjudicators of the test.

It was degrading for everyone, though not all shared the same moral bottom line.

Once one person tried, everyone’s sense of shame dropped accordingly.

If he dares to dance, why shouldn’t I?

Especially with the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s legacy on the line—even Fairy Yunxia from Fuyun Mountain didn’t hold back.

But Zuo Lin from Heaven-Burning Valley crossed his arms with a mocking grin, watching the spectacle.

The Profound Turtle Alchemist’s legacy was nice, but there was no way he’d stoop to this.

"Interesting! Interesting! No wonder he’s got such a notorious reputation!"

While the others were riled up by his words, suddenly, a flash of Spiritual Light appeared—the figure in the mirror marked Yue Ling as Passed.

A ray of guiding light drew him directly into the bronze door.

After that, more quickly followed, passing the trial and being drawn inside.

"I didn’t tell you so you wouldn’t overthink. As with the earlier trial, once I act, the challenge changes."

"This time, the trial difficulty just dropped as a result."

In Yue Ling’s mind, the Profound Turtle Alchemist’s soul avatar echoed with a helpless tone. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Yue Ling’s heart grew wary; he suspected the Profound Turtle Alchemist had ulterior motives, but seeing that others had beaten him to the punch, he let it go.