Volume One: Entering the Path Chapter Twenty-Five: The Alchemy Division

After Li Xi announced the end of class, some students who had been waiting impatiently dashed out of the classroom, as if eager to immediately verify what he had said. As everyone filed out, the once-crowded room swiftly grew quiet, leaving only a handful of people behind.

Ye Junze, watching the others hurry away, felt no such rush. He calmly packed up his belongings before rising slowly and making his way toward the door. As he passed by Li Xi, something seemed to occur to him, and he paused to ask, “Teacher Li, I don’t think you’ve told us our course schedule yet?”

Li Xi looked up and replied, “Ah, Junze, your schedule will be sent to you later through ‘Yingze.’ Don’t worry about it.”

“I see. Thank you, Teacher Li.”

“No need to thank me. Don’t slack off—work hard at your cultivation. I have high hopes for you,” Li Xi encouraged him.

“I will. Goodbye, Teacher Li.” With that, Ye Junze waved and headed for the door.

After Ye Junze left, Li Xi saw that only a few people remained in the classroom. Once the last had gone, Li Xi checked around to make sure nothing was left behind, then departed with peace of mind. As he walked, he mused to himself, “There are a few quite gifted freshmen this year. I should report this to the higher-ups as soon as possible.” With this thought, his pace quickened as he walked deeper into the Department of Daoist Arts.

...

Unlike the others, Ye Junze did not hurry back to his dormitory after leaving the classroom. Instead, he wandered around the area belonging to the Department of Daoist Arts. He had arrived in a rush that morning and hadn’t had a chance to properly explore the place where he would be studying. Now, with time on his hands, he took pleasure in leisurely strolling about.

At this hour, the Department of Daoist Arts was livelier than it had been that morning. Students were everywhere, engaged in their own affairs, with a few, like Ye Junze himself, wandering idly.

To Ye Junze, this was what a school ought to feel like. As he walked, he assessed the atmosphere and appearance of the department. The more he saw, the higher his opinion grew. By the time he had toured most of the area, he felt completely satisfied and finally decided to head back to his dormitory.

Before leaving, Ye Junze looked up once more at the so-called main peak. In the distance, the mountain was still shrouded in mist, exuding an air of mystery—as if its secrets could never be known without ascending it oneself. “I wonder when I’ll be able to go up there and see for myself,” he thought, shaking his head. “No point thinking so far ahead. Better to focus on cultivation for now.” With this resolution, he set off slowly toward the dormitory.

Not long after, Ye Junze returned unhurried to the Qian Building. As he walked toward his room, he saw Wang Dongdong opening the door. Just as Ye Junze was about to greet him, Wang Dongdong spoke first.

“Hey, Junze! Just got back too? Haven’t eaten yet, right? Come on, let’s eat together. I’ve been wanting to tell you about what happened in the Alchemy Department today.”

Ye Junze, always curious about the other departments, immediately agreed. “Sure.”

After the two of them ordered their food as usual, Wang Dongdong couldn’t wait to recount his morning.

“Junze, let me tell you—wow, there are so many beautiful girls in the Alchemy Department. I feel like I’ve reached the pinnacle of my life,” Wang Dongdong exclaimed excitedly.

“Be serious. It’s not like any of them have anything to do with you,” Ye Junze retorted, his tongue as sharp as ever.

Having gone a whole day without being roasted by Ye Junze, Wang Dongdong was caught off guard by the jab and could only reply resentfully, “Can’t you let me have my beautiful fantasies for a moment, Junze? Does it really pain you to go a day without stabbing me in the heart?”

“Sorry, go on.”

Wang Dongdong composed himself and continued, “Okay, I’ll be serious. When I got to the Alchemy Department, I saw this huge, tall mountain, completely shrouded in mist—you couldn’t see a thing. Our teacher said ordinary students aren’t allowed up there, which just makes it more intriguing.”

“Yeah, the Department of Daoist Arts has something similar,” Ye Junze replied.

“Then we checked in and received a manual called ‘The Art of Danqing.’ After that, we started learning how to cultivate. According to our teacher, I have some talent.”

“Oh? How far did you get?” Ye Junze asked, intrigued.

“I managed to sense qi and draw spiritual energy into my body. What about you, Junze?”

“Me? I completed a small circulation,” Ye Junze replied nonchalantly.

“What? A small circulation? Are you serious, or did I mishear you?” Wang Dongdong exclaimed in astonishment.

“Yes, a small circulation. Why?”

“You can say something like that so calmly? That’s just like you, Junze! Do you know what our teacher said about people who could complete a small circulation right from the start? That’s the mark of a true prodigy!”

“Don’t get so worked up. You’re a cultivator now—try to be a little more composed,” Ye Junze said, feigning annoyance.

“Junze, you really are my brother. I knew following you was the right choice. Master, please look after your humble disciple!” Wang Dongdong said, eyes shining with anticipation.

Ye Junze waved his hand dismissively. “Enough, it’s no big deal. You should focus on your own cultivation. Your teacher must have told you about the dormitory cultivation method, right?”

“He did, yes.”

“Then make the most of it. Try to complete a small circulation yourself today. I believe in you,” Ye Junze teased.

“Alright, I’ll take that as a blessing from you, oh great genius,” Wang Dongdong replied with a grin.

At that moment, their food arrived. Wang Dongdong’s eyes lit up. “Finally! I’m starving after running around all day. Come on, Junze, let’s eat.”

And so, the two of them ate together, chatting about everything they had seen and heard that day.

Time slipped quietly by.