Chapter 48: The System's Compulsory Command!

Back in his cave residence atop the Alchemy Peak, Cao Xuan once again meticulously reviewed the Foundation Establishment Pill’s recipe. Over the past few days, in addition to his regular cultivation, he had also mentally rehearsed the process of refining the Foundation Pill several times. Now, he was ready to head to the grand alchemy hall on Earthfire Peak.

Though the sect’s assessment had ended, Cao Xuan’s mind was still preoccupied with the Foundation Pill formula. He had not even bothered to collect the dual-striped azure robe that marked him as an inner disciple.

Upon arriving at the alchemy hall, Cao Xuan happened to run into Senior Brother Yang Fan, who quickly pulled him aside. Yet, seeing the alchemist’s token hanging at Cao Xuan’s waist, Yang Fan harbored no doubts about his alchemical skills.

Only then did Cao Xuan belatedly realize the number of disciples around him pointing and whispering. Indeed, this was the Alchemy Peak, not some other corner of the Azure Cloud Sect. Here, no one would overlook an alchemist marked by the token at his waist, even if they ignored a stray pill rolling across the floor.

"Uh... wait for me just a moment!" Cao Xuan abruptly left the alchemy hall, leaving Yang Fan bewildered.

Half an hour later, when Cao Xuan returned, he was clad in the inner disciple’s robe adorned with two azure stripes. The whispering immediately ceased. The alchemy disciples all lowered their heads respectfully to their work, only occasionally sneaking a glance to see which senior brother had arrived.

"How’s this? Not so out of place anymore, right?" Cao Xuan said to Yang Fan, who was currently flirting with a female alchemy disciple nearby.

Having been left behind by Cao Xuan, Yang Fan, out of boredom, had approached a pretty junior sister, jesting, "Junior Sister, how old are you? I don’t recall seeing you before in the alchemy hall. Are you an alchemist? Interested in refining pills with me?"

Just as Yang Fan was in the midst of his banter, someone spoke to him. "Who are you... Junior Brother Cao?!" He stared at Cao Xuan, now dressed in new robes with a changed aura, and nearly failed to recognize him.

Well, the aura hadn’t changed that much—Cao Xuan was still Cao Xuan, the azure robe still an azure robe, only now it bore two stripes instead of one, marking him as inner sect. But this was the Azure Cloud Sect; donning the two-striped robe signified the status of an inner disciple, and at least seventh-layer Qi Condensation cultivation.

So, when Cao Xuan wore the one-striped outer disciple robe, people felt free to gossip. But in the face of a two-striped inner brother, all anyone could do was bow their heads in respect.

"Hey, Qianru, you’re here in the alchemy hall? Why didn’t you tell me?" Chen Qianru had been annoyed by Yang Fan’s incessant chatter, and just as she was relieved to see another senior brother approach, she realized with surprise it was Senior Brother Cao Xuan. Two-striped azure robe, alchemist’s token at his waist—an inner sect alchemist.

[Ding~ Chen Qianru’s favorability +1]
[Ding~ Current favorability with Chen Qianru: 91. You have gained a lottery draw!]

‘Oh? An unexpected bonus,’ Cao Xuan mused inwardly. ‘So after reaching ninety in favorability, each point above still grants a draw.’

‘Is this because we haven’t seen each other in a while, or is it my rise in status?’ Seeing his favorability increase, Cao Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. Truly, in any world, rising in status brings new benefits.

"Wait, you two know each other?" Yang Fan asked in surprise.

Before Cao Xuan could reply, Chen Qianru had already run behind him, grabbing his hand. "Senior Brother Cao, when did you become an alchemist? I was going to surprise you!"

"Sigh, I’d hoped to become an alchemy disciple together, but you’ve already become an alchemist."

"Wait, I just realized—I can assist you while you refine pills!"

Well, Yang Fan could see it clearly now—this wasn’t just an acquaintance; their relationship was far from ordinary. He felt a pang of regret. Talented and spirited female disciples like this were rare in Azure Cloud Sect. Whether it was Chen Qianru or Lin Miaoxuan, there were always plenty of infatuated male cultivators at every stage of their cultivation.

But Cao Xuan’s generosity stood in stark contrast to those who only talked sweetly but never offered anything tangible. In the past, even when male cultivators fawned over Chen Qianru, she would at least reply with a polite smile. Earlier, when Yang Fan tried his luck, she hadn’t rejected him outright.

He thought that as an inner sect alchemist, she might be more generous—offering to teach her alchemy or letting her assist him. But in the end, all he got was empty promises. Chen Qianru thought, now that she had officially become an alchemy disciple, she no longer needed to rely on anyone bringing her along.

If you want to court a girl, but can’t even spare a single pill, you’re nowhere near Senior Brother Cao.

Yang Fan felt a twinge of disappointment. With his status, he’d never failed to make a junior sister laugh. Yet today, the only one who showed him no interest happened to be the prettiest, and she already belonged to someone else.

"Alright, enough with the flirting, you two. I was planning to refine pills today, but now I’ve lost the mood. I’m out of here!"

Chen Qianru didn’t even glance at Yang Fan; her eyes were fixed solely on Cao Xuan. "Senior Brother, you look so good in that robe! Are you here to refine pills today? Let me assist you!"

Cao Xuan was about to refuse when the system prompted him.

[Host, rest assured: for any female cultivator whose favorability exceeds ninety, as long as you make a sincere request, she will never refuse and will carry it out to the letter.]

Hmm? So if I ask her to... cough, keep a secret, she’ll do so unconditionally.

With this in mind, Cao Xuan nodded and said solemnly to Chen Qianru, "The pills I’m refining this time are important. Qianru, you must keep it a secret for me."

"When they’re done, I’ll share some with you, but don’t tell anyone else."

The Foundation Pill was the key to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Though Cao Xuan saw these fairies as tools to gather resources, he’d always consider them when he had something good.

Upon hearing Cao Xuan’s earnest tone, Chen Qianru immediately straightened up. Though she didn’t know what pill he was refining, she trusted her senior brother without hesitation.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Cao. If the medicine is so important, you should keep it for yourself. I won’t breathe a word!"

Looking at her serious expression, especially the fleeting glint in her eyes that only he could see, Cao Xuan couldn’t help but marvel at the system’s power. No matter how trustworthy someone was, there could never be a true one hundred percent guarantee of secrecy.

Yet, in that instant, he felt a strange certainty—Chen Qianru would never reveal that he had refined a Foundation Pill, even at the cost of her life.

Cao Xuan scratched his head. "It’s not that serious. Just keep it to yourself!"

Chen Qianru, however, remained perfectly calm. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I won’t tell a soul!"