"Of course, Second Uncle doesn't need to worry."
Bai Shengyi walked out with Bai Yu.
Bai Yu asked, "Your grandfather said your alchemy talent is extraordinary, with dual wood and fire spirit roots. Why didn't anything show up during the test back then?"
This was not only his point of confusion; Duke Rong was even more perplexed. Duke Rong had only realized last night that Bai Shengyi's alchemy didn't use external fire but spiritual fire. He was so excited that he overlooked his conflict with Bai Shengyi and instructed Bai Sicheng to proceed with the ceremony as usual.
Dual wood and fire spirit roots, a natural alchemist, as if born for the future of the Bai family.
"Who knows?" Bai Shengyi shrugged. "Second Uncle, speaking of which, I also wanted to ask you for advice. Do you have any recommendations for alchemists and pill masters at the academy?"
"You still want to refine pills?" Bai Yu was surprised.
Bai Shengyi nodded.
Bai Yu: "From an elder's perspective, I advise you to choose one and research it thoroughly. Both the path of pills and the path of medicine are vast and profound. It's difficult to master one thing when you try to do two things at once. However, it's up to you. As for recommendations..."
He paused.
"Elder Mo Shuxin of Zhen Dan Peak has extremely high attainments in pills. Qian Ying of Qian Xiao Peak and Zheng Wuxin of Lian Yao Peak are both sixth-tier alchemists, top-notch in this era. It would be good if you could become their disciple, but I lean more towards Zheng Wuxin."
"Why?"
"You'll know when you enter the academy."
Bai Shengyi said "Oh" and asked about her biological father's condition. Upon learning that he was not in mortal danger, she felt relieved.
"I will be leaving the capital this afternoon for training. Do you have any more questions?"
Bai Shengyi shook her head, "Not for now."
"Then take this as a congratulatory gift."
"Thank you, Second Uncle."
Neither of them was particularly talkative. After discussing important matters, Bai Shengyi escorted Bai Yu out of the mansion. She then opened the storage bag, intending to see what it contained.
"Wow! Second Uncle really understands me!"
The storage bag contained nothing else but spirit stones, of high, medium, and low grades. Bai Shengyi roughly counted: 500 high-grade, about 1000 medium-grade, and around 3000 low-grade. Bai Shengyi instantly became rich.
"I can do it again!"
Bai Shengyi happily clenched her small fists and skipped to her courtyard. Upon hearing voices inside, she composed herself and walked in with a stern expression.
"Yu Yue, the Young Family Master was so mediocre before, but now she has suddenly reached Foundation Establishment. Do you think she might have achieved it by consuming pills?"
"Don't spread baseless rumors."
"Brother Yu Yue, Third Brother might not be speaking without basis. Sister Rongrong came to find me yesterday and also mentioned that the Family Master left the Third Miss with many pills before he left. Who knows if it was those pills that caused... caused... Third Miss!"
A startled exclamation, and the eight people who were seated all stood up and turned to look at the woman slowly walking in, all of them surprised.
Although they had been chatting, they had also been paying attention to the outside. How had they not heard any movement?
Bai Shengyi was dressed in formal attire, her lips slightly pursed, her expression cold, making people dare not look directly at her.
She walked through the eight people, her peripheral vision not sweeping over them at all, and directly sat down on the stone bench where they had been sitting. She spoke calmly.
"Let's introduce yourselves one by one first."
Her gaze never rested on the eight people, clearly showing that she didn't consider them worthy of her attention.
"Brother Yu Yue..." The group felt a bit of resentment. They didn't listen to Bai Shengyi but looked at the man in the center.
He was dressed the same as the other seven, but his aura was outstanding, making him immediately noticeable.
"My name is Bai Yu Yue." Bai Yu Yue's gaze was slightly heavy. "Foundation Establishment second layer, Fire Spirit Root cultivator."
As Bai Yu Yue spoke, the rest reluctantly followed suit.
"Bai Ling, Foundation Establishment first layer, Water Spirit Root."
"Bai San, Foundation Establishment first layer, Wood Spirit Root cultivator."
"Bai Liu, Foundation Establishment first layer, Wood Spirit Root."
"Bai Jiu, I am also a Foundation Establishment first layer Wood Spirit Root."
"Bai Yun Song, Foundation Establishment first layer, Metal Spirit Root."
"Bai Qiu Niang, Foundation Establishment first layer, Water Spirit Root."
The last one was the young girl who had discovered Bai Shengyi earlier. About thirteen or fourteen years old, she stammered, unable to say a word after a long time.
The seven of them waited for her to speak. Seeing Bai Shengyi look over, they assumed Bai Shengyi would encourage her to speak, thereby showing her magnanimity and tolerance as the Young Family Master. Little did they know...
Bai Shengyi clapped her hands. "Alright, since the introductions are done, I have a few requirements for working under me..."
"Wait! I haven't introduced myself yet!" The young girl shrieked, interrupting Bai Shengyi. As the most talented among the eight, she had never been so directly ignored.
Bai Shengyi said coldly, "First, recognize your own identities. If you don't understand, then go back to where you came from and scram!"
The young girl shrieked, "On what grounds do you decide this!"
"On the grounds that I am the Young Family Master," Bai Shengyi glanced at her indifferently and continued, "Second, since you are my people, you must be loyal. If you have ulterior motives, you can leave now!"
The young girl opened her mouth to get angry again but was pulled by Bai Qiu Niang beside her. She reluctantly shut her mouth.
"Third, I only want capable people. If you want to retire here, you can leave!"
"Fourth..."
"Fifth..."
"...Alright, I haven't thought of the eighth point yet. Do you have any questions?" Bai Shengyi clapped her hands and tilted her chin, gesturing to the group.
Her series of actions had neither appeased nor favored them, nor had she disregarded them due to their backgrounds. It was completely beyond the expectations of the eight.
Even if they had any plans or strategies before, they could no longer use them. Several people exchanged glances and signaled to each other.
"Since there are no..."
"I have one!" The young girl jumped out. "Since you are the Young Master, shouldn't you show us your strength? We must be convinced."
"Oh? Do you all think so?" Bai Shengyi curved her lips and looked at the eight people.
The reactions of the eight varied. Bai Yu Yue and Bai Jiu nodded directly, and the others hesitated before nodding.
"Fine, come on, all eight of you attack together." Bai Shengyi said lightly.
The young girl snorted, "You said it yourself, so don't blame us for ganging up on you. Take this!"
As soon as she spoke, wood spiritual energy transformed into countless flowers, and the rotating flowers surged towards Bai Shengyi. The flowers looked beautiful but were extremely dangerous and sharp.
Just as they were about to touch Bai Shengyi's face, a hint of green suddenly appeared in front of Bai Shengyi!
A vine grew wildly, its leaves like gaping mouths, accurately devouring all the flowers.
The young girl was about to move when she was caught off guard by a whip-like vine!
Seeing this, Bai Jiu, Bai Liu, and Bai San charged forward simultaneously. Wood spiritual energy instantly filled the entire courtyard.
The originally gentle spiritual energy became a weapon to be relied upon. The surrounding wood elements were rapidly extracted. After a few moves, the large banyan tree in the courtyard turned from lush green to withered yellow.
Bai Shengyi's face also turned green, then yellow, then green again.
The others hadn't noticed yet and charged forward in a string.
Bai Yu Yue said, "Forgive me."
Bai Shengyi wasted no words, directly revealed the Reincarnation Brush, and unleashed a "Confinement" character towards everyone.
"Master, Little Vine Leaf can handle them alone!"
Seeing that Bai Shengyi was actually using the Reincarnation Brush, the Qing Meng Vine felt a sudden sense of crisis and attacked the eight people with even more vigor.
The eight people couldn't break through the "Confinement" cage and were crowded together, unable to exert their full strength. They could only watch as the Qing Meng Vine's tendrils lashed out.
Ten breaths later, all eight were defeated!
Tightly bound by the vines, they lay on the ground in neat rows.
Bai Shengyi, however, hadn't changed her seated posture. She looked down from above, coldly at the group.