The Wolf King’s eyes bulged as he bellowed, "Your attitude is truly terrible! I’m going to file a complaint about you later."
Zhou Xi flew into a rage, rolled up his sleeves, and barked, "Do you believe I can give you a thrashing right here and now?"
"Pfft!"
The Wolf King shot Zhou Xi a contemptuous glance and bolted from the great hall.
"What a jerk."
Zhou Xi cursed, then turned to Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong, saying, "You two had better keep an eye on it. Don’t let it run amok in the Holy Temple."
"We understand, Elder."
Qin Feiyang nodded, irritated as well.
This Rogue Wolf really couldn’t stay out of trouble, no matter where it went. It seemed the only way to keep it tame was to lock it up in the ancient fortress.
Zhou Xi turned to the elder in white and chuckled, "Old brother, you stay here and watch. I’ll take them to the cultivation room."
"Get lost!" Zhou Dong dismissed Zhou Xi impatiently with a wave of his hand.
"The cultivation room?"
Qin Feiyang furrowed his brows and quickly asked, "Elder Zhou Xi, could you arrange an alchemy chamber for us?"
"An alchemy chamber?" Zhou Xi looked dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Zhou Dong, who had just sat down, rose abruptly, looking bewilderedly at Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong.
"What’s the matter?" Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong asked, puzzled.
"Are you both also Alchemists?" both elders asked simultaneously.
Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong nodded.
"Haha..." Zhou Dong, initially disgruntled, now roared with laughter.
However, Zhou Xi, who’d been previously smug, now wore a bitter expression.
Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong watched their strange reactions.
"AHEM!" Zhou Dong also realized his lapse in composure. Suppressing his laughter, he said with a smile, "Aren’t you curious why Zhou Xi’s and my reactions are so peculiar?"
They nodded. It wasn’t just peculiar; it was extremely peculiar.
"Alright, let me explain."
"The Holy Temple is divided into two factions: the Elixir Palace and the Martial Palace."
"As for the nature of the Elixir Palace and the Martial Palace, I believe you should understand without me needing to elaborate."
"Although Zhou Xi and I are both Steward Elders, I belong to the Elixir Palace, while Zhou Xi belongs to the Martial Palace," Zhou Dong explained with a smile.
"So that’s how it is," Qin Feiyang murmured, then asked, "Does the clothing you wear have any special significance?"
"You even noticed that. You’re truly meticulous."
"Indeed. In our Holy Temple, those who wear black are Martial Artists, while those who wear white are Alchemists," Zhou Dong explained.
Qin Feiyang came to a sudden realization.
At this point, Zhou Xi sneered, "Don’t get too complacent, Zhou Dong. While they may be Alchemists, their martial arts talent is even more astounding."
Zhou Dong’s brows creased at hearing this.
Indeed! They were so young, yet already War Kings. Such talent was as rare as a phoenix feather and a qilin horn. It seemed their alchemy talent could hardly compare!
"No. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions so early. Let’s first test their spiritual power."
Zhou Dong murmured, taking out a palm-sized Crystal Stone. He chuckled, "This is a Spiritual Stone. Come, test your spiritual power."
Lu Hong said, "Elder, there’s no need to test. I only have Level Five spiritual power."
"Level Five?" Zhou Dong looked disappointed. "Hearing is believing, but seeing is the truth. Test it again." Zhou Dong seemed reluctant to give up.
Lu Hong, somewhat helplessly, placed his hand on the Spiritual Stone.
BUZZZ!
The Spiritual Stone vibrated five times. Lu Hong began to feel faint and quickly withdrew his arm.
"Haha!" Zhou Xi burst out laughing, turned to Zhou Dong, and said smugly, "Now you should give up, right?"
"Alas, it’s fate!" Zhou Dong sighed.
But the next moment, he looked expectantly at Qin Feiyang.
"Don’t bother testing. His spiritual power definitely isn’t high either," Zhou Xi said dismissively.
It’s impossible for someone to be a prodigy in both martial arts and alchemy.
"None of your damn business, you meddler!" Zhou Dong glared at him, then turned to Qin Feiyang and said with a smile, "Quick, test yours."
"Do I really need to test it?" Qin Feiyang frowned.
"Of course," Zhou Dong said without hesitation, his expression quite tense.
"Alright!" Qin Feiyang nodded and reached out to touch the Spiritual Stone.
BUZZZ!
The Spiritual Stone immediately began to vibrate.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four times.
By the fifth vibration, both elders were staring intently at the Spiritual Stone.
BUZZ!
Upon the sixth vibration, Zhou Dong’s eyes suddenly sparkled.
Then, the seventh time!
The eighth time!
The ninth time!
At this point, Qin Feiyang still hadn’t felt faint; his spirit was quite full.
Should I stop now?
he hesitated.
Zhou Dong laughed heartily. "Excellent, excellent! With Ninth Level spiritual power, you’re considered outstanding even in the Spirit State."
"What?"
"Ninth Level spiritual power is only considered outstanding?" Qin Feiyang’s eyebrows rose.
He decided to continue the test.
BUZZ!
A few moments later, the Spiritual Stone vibrated for the tenth time.
"Impossible?" Lu Hong’s pupils contracted.
Doesn’t Qin Feiyang only have Ninth Level spiritual power?
"He actually has Level Ten spiritual power! There are only three people in the entire Holy Temple who possess this!" Zhou Dong exclaimed in astonishment.
"Three?" Qin Feiyang frowned.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
Finally, he withdrew his hand, pretending to be dizzy.
"Done?" Zhou Dong was taken aback.
Qin Feiyang massaged his forehead, apologizing, "Elder, I’m sorry; I only have this much talent."
"No, no, no!" Zhou Dong hurriedly waved his hand, laughing. "Level Ten spiritual power is already as rare as a phoenix feather!"
Zhou Xi shook his head. "No, although Level Ten spiritual power is very rare, it still doesn’t compare to his martial arts talent."
Zhou Dong shouted angrily, "What are you trying to say? I’m telling you, if you dare try to snatch him, don’t blame me for turning hostile on the spot!"
Zhou Xi said contemptuously, "Why are you getting so agitated? I was just stating a fact."
"Do I need you to state it? You’re just a dog trying to catch mice—a real meddler!" Zhou Dong snorted coldly.
"I..." Zhou Xi was immediately furious, but then his lips curled into a smirk. "I can’t be bothered to waste words on you."
He turned to Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong.
"Although the ultimate choice is in your hands, I want to remind you: don’t bite off more than you can chew."
"Don’t waste your martial arts talent for Alchemy."
"If you choose the Martial Palace, I, this old man, guarantee you will enjoy the best treatment and receive focused cultivation."
"But if you choose the Elixir Palace, to put it bluntly, you’ll just become stepping stones for others."
"Especially you, Lu Hong. With only Level Five spiritual power, you won’t receive any significant attention at all," Zhou Xi said earnestly, his words full of earnest advice.
Qin Feiyang smiled. "I still choose the Elixir Palace."
Lu Hong followed, "Wherever he goes, I go."
Zhou Xi’s face darkened, extremely annoyed.
So all that persuasion was for nothing?
"Haha..."
"Zhou Xi, don’t waste your efforts."
"They have outstanding talent, yet they still chose Alchemy. Do you know what that implies?"
"It means they have absolute confidence that it won’t hinder their cultivation."
"In other words, they don’t need your Martial Palace to nurture them at all."
Zhou Dong laughed heartily, a touch of ridicule in his eyes.
Zhou Xi shouted angrily, "Will you die if you don’t speak?"
Zhou Dong grinned smugly. "Qin Feiyang, Lu Hong, let’s go. This old man will take you to an alchemy chamber."
Zhou Xi called out, "Wait! What about that wolf? It surely must enter the Martial Palace, right?"
"You ill-mannered old geezer, is this king supposed to be familiar with you?"
"Why should I go to the Martial Palace?"
"Are you begging this king?"
"If you beg this king, this king might just grant you some face."
The Wolf King, who had been hiding outside, strutted in, looking mockingly at Zhou Xi.
Hearing this, Zhou Xi was driven to fury and lunged at the Wolf King, shouting, "You wolf whelp! See if I don’t beat you to death today!"
"Things are looking hairy, let’s bail!"
Startled, the Wolf King once again bolted from the great hall like a wisp of smoke.
"Ah, Zhou Xi, a melon plucked by force isn’t sweet. You should just calm down!" Zhou Dong said, glancing triumphantly at Zhou Xi. He then led Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong out of the great hall cheerfully.
With a wave of his hand, he swept up the two humans and the wolf, soaring into the sky towards the area behind the reception hall.
Along the way, Lu Hong and the Wolf King were utterly stupefied.
The Holy Temple was immense. It almost occupied half of the central city area.
Everywhere, there were towering palaces.
There were even mountain ranges in the distance, lying on the ground like humongous pythons.
There were even crystal blue lakes, rushing rivers, and giant ancient trees that a dozen people could not encircle.
This was like a small independent world!
To think that such a place existed within a city was simply too awe-inspiring!
「Reception Hall」
Zhou Xi was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing restlessly, his face etched with anxiety.
No! I absolutely cannot let all of them enter the Elixir Palace. But this is their own wish... What should I do? I’ve got it! I’ll go tell the Law Enforcement Elder and the Hall Master! Let them go to the Elixir Palace to demand the recruits!
At this thought, Zhou Xi transformed into a streak of light, flying out of the reception hall towards a distant palace behind it.
Simultaneously, Zhou Dong led the two humans and the wolf to a stop in front of a small square.
Opposite them was a massive ancient castle, pitch-black like ink, emitting an ancient aura.
Engraved above the castle gate were three large characters: Elixir Fire Palace!
Every now and then, some young people would go in and out.
At the entrance of the ancient castle, two middle-aged men were seated. Both wore white clothes, and their auras were unfathomably deep.
As the two humans and one wolf arrived, the Disciples in the square stopped in their tracks, gazing curiously at the newcomers.
The crowd was filled with curiosity.
Are they new Disciples? Why is there a wolf? Can it perform Alchemy too?
Zhou Dong led the two humans and the wolf to the gate and said to the two middle-aged men with a laugh, "Old partners, this old man has brought some new people for you."
The two middle-aged men looked at each other.
One of them said suspiciously, "Seeing you grinning from ear to ear, have you brought some good prospects?"
"Certainly." Zhou Dong patted Qin Feiyang’s shoulder and chuckled, "This lad is Qin Feiyang. He possesses Level Ten spiritual power."
"What?"
"Level Ten spiritual power!"
The two middle-aged men’s eyes widened.
The surrounding Disciples also looked at Qin Feiyang incredulously.
"Greetings, Elders."
"Greetings, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. I am new here. Please look after me in the future," Qin Feiyang said, cupping his hands.
With a sunny smile on his face, he appeared approachable and very polite.
"Junior Brother Qin, you are too humble."
"Exactly, it’s us who should be asking for your care."
The Disciples laughed and replied one after another.
It seems this new genius Junior Brother isn’t an arrogant and supercilious person.

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