Chapter 101: Chapter 100: Master Yunding’s Obsessive Perfectionism

“Okay.”

With a wave of his hand, Master Yunding made a row of herbs appear on the table.

“Pick out those with a neutral attribute.”

“Yes.”

Ouyang Yun glanced over them and, after careful observation, selected three or four of them within just a few breaths.

“Cold attribute.”

“Yes.”

“Qi Gathering.”

“Yes.”

“Nourishing Qi.”

“Yes.”

…

Every requirement Master Yunding presented, Ouyang Yun was able to accurately select the herbs based on their medicinal properties.

The herbs on the table were replaced again and again.

Each time, Ouyang Yun could very precisely select the herbs.

Master Yunding nodded, showing no strong emotions on his face.

With another wave, a new batch of herbs appeared on the table.

“Neutral, reinforcing Qi, and nourishing Qi combined as one.”

This batch of herbs was not listed in the previous booklet.

The gaze Master Yunding gave Ouyang Yun was no longer as indifferent as before.

Ouyang Yun’s face took on a serious expression.

What he didn’t know was that generally, when Alchemists guided their disciples, they would never do this. Often they explained the attributes and characteristics of each herb directly.

Only after the disciples truly entered did they have the initial ability to judge the properties of unfamiliar herbs.

But now, Master Yunding skipped the teaching step entirely.

He wanted to see if Ouyang Yun could find patterns among three thousand types of herbs.

Ouyang Yun carefully examined, even breaking off a small piece of some herbs to lightly taste.

One herb after another was taken up by Ouyang Yun.

Ouyang Yun showed a hesitant expression, picking up one of the herbs and respectfully handing it to Master Yunding.

Master Yunding’s face showed a satisfied expression.

“Among this pile of herbs, there are two with such medicinal properties. For you to accurately find one exceeds my expectations.”

Master Yunding’s tone was full of praise, having forgotten his earlier ridicule of Ouyang Yun.

“Please, mentor me,” Ouyang Yun said respectfully, cupping his hands.

“There is also this one, the Yin Yang Ice and Fire Grass, half of which is cold in nature, and the other half is hot. Separated, they can be considered as two entirely different attribute herbs; combined together, they become another. This is the synergy between herbs; different herbs combined alter their medicinal properties accordingly…”

“External fire control, precision of the Divine Sense, and the potency of the medicine all influence the quality of the pill…”

“Only the most meticulous operation combined with bold imagination can produce perfect pills…”

Master Yunding paused, realizing he had started teaching unwittingly.

“Very good. What is your name? You are very much to my liking.”

“Ouyang Yun.”

“Ouyang Yun? A fine name.”

“Come, you have passed this test of herbology.”

“But some Medicine Gatherers and physicians have an even higher aptitude for herbology than you do, so this is not particularly outstanding.”

Master Yunding firmly grasped Ouyang Yun’s wrist.

“Hmm, you have Fire and Wood Spirit Roots.”

“This is my unique Fire Control Technique; this is the recipe for the First Grade pill, Gathering Yuan Powder.”

“In one month, present me the Gathering Yuan Powder, and you will become my disciple.”

Master Yunding said calmly.

“Yes!”

Ouyang Yun respectfully accepted the two pieces of Record Jade.

Master Yunding casually tossed out a Pill Cauldron and then gracefully departed.

Ouyang Yun’s mind quickly immersed itself in the Record Jade.

He was unaware that other Alchemy Dao lineages initially only tested for innate fire control ability and sensitivity to herbology.

Some Fire Cultivators are strong with fire control, while some Medicine Gatherers and physicians have a deep understanding of herbology, but those who excel at both are few and far between.

On top of that, there needs to be a strong natural judgment and control capability with the Divine Sense.

Adding to that the prerequisite of Fire and Wood Spirit Roots, the filter leaves very few candidates.

Typical Alchemy Dao lineages test for herbology, fire control, then examine Divine Sense talent and Fire and Wood Spirit Roots.

If passed, one is considered to have Alchemy Dao talent.

But there is a long journey from entry to refining a First Grade pill.

Being able to refine a First Grade pill qualifies one as part of the Alchemist ranks, and being able to refine even just one kind of pill represents a continuous stream of resources.

Ouyang Ruyu saw Master Yunding walking out and respectfully saluted him.

Master Yunding nodded and said, “You can go back.”

Seeing that Ouyang Yun hadn’t come out, Ouyang Ruyu paused, then a look of joy appeared on their face.

“Yes!”

Ouyang Ruyu departed.

Off to the side, Huo Ling was filled with surprise. She stepped forward to bow and then asked, “True Master, did that young man pass your test?”

Master Yunding glanced at Huo Ling, merely saying calmly, “Becoming my disciple is not that easy.”

Huo Ling fell silent, respectfully seeing Master Yunding off.

Master Yunding previously had no disciples.

With Master Yunding’s status, some major families would go to great lengths to find potential Alchemist candidates to send to him as disciples, hoping to win his favor.

However, Master Yunding has extremely strict, even harsh, standards for his disciples.

Alchemist aptitude is hard to find; generally, finding one or two disciples is considered lucky, destined to pass down the legacy. But with Master Yunding, any disciple who displease him at all would not be accepted.

Foolish people are not accepted, those who react slowly are not accepted, overly jumpy ones are not accepted, arrogant ones are not accepted, straightforward and dull ones are not accepted…

In Jiang Ming’s view, Master Yunding could be described as someone with a strong obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Anything that doesn’t suit him in the slightest will make him extremely uncomfortable. Good aptitude with a bad personality? No. A pleasant personality but poor aptitude? No. Both good but not pleasing to the eye? Still no.

This is why Ouyang Ruyu privately comments on Master Yunding as having a peculiar temperament.

If he wants something, it must be the best.

After Master Yunding left, Huo Ling began to deliver the herbs that Master Yunding required to Ouyang Yun daily, along with some Spirit Stones and spirit-infused meals to replenish Ouyang Yun’s losses.

A month later.

Master Yunding arrived at the Cloud Cauldron Pavilion as scheduled.

Huo Ling greeted him.

“Has he emerged?”

“No, he hasn’t.”

In Master Yunding’s eyes, there was a hint of regret.

It was hard to find a candidate matching all his requirements; could it be that the most crucial step wasn’t taken?

Who knows when the next candidate like this will appear.

Despite his slight hesitation, Master Yunding chose to open the door to the inner hall.

Ouyang Yun’s hair was disheveled, his demeanor slightly unkempt.

Master Yunding frowned slightly, then he glanced at what was in front of Ouyang Yun and was mildly surprised.

“Senior?”

“Senior, this is the Gathering Yuan Powder I developed over the past month.”

“However, the quality is not to my liking, so I tried several times. Please correct me.”

Master Yunding, seeing the gradually improving quality of the Gathering Yuan Powder in front of Ouyang Yun, slowly revealed a smile.

[In the Nine Rivers Calendar year 7906, you were apprenticed under Alchemist Master Yunding.]

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