It had been a full year since Qin Shu joined the sect. Though she still resided in the novice disciples' quarters, she had grown accustomed to the daily routine and cultivated diligently. Her goal was simple: survive, improve her cultivation, and avoid unnecessary trouble.

One day, while heading back to her small room from the herb garden, she ran into her neighbor, He Xin. He Xin, a fellow novice disciple, was carrying a stack of books almost as tall as she was. Qin Shu couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Sister He Xin, are you moving to the library permanently?" Qin Shu teased.

He Xin pouted. "Don't joke about it! Senior Brother Cheng Yan assigned me this reading list. I'm supposed to finish it all in three days. How is that even possible?"

Qin Shu raised an eyebrow. "Senior Brother Cheng Yan? Who is he?"

He Xin's face lit up, and she launched into a full explanation. "Cheng Yan is one of the core disciples under Lingxu Zhenren. They say he's already reached the fourth stage of alchemy refinement. He's been supervising the novice disciples lately. Haven't you seen him?"

Qin Shu shook her head. She usually avoided large gatherings, and her focus was on her own studies. The name Cheng Yan didn't ring any bells.

"You're so lucky," He Xin sighed. "Senior Brother Cheng Yan hardly ever visits our herb garden. I only met him because I went to the Mission Hall yesterday. He's strict, but... let's just say his appearance makes it easier to tolerate."

Qin Shu couldn't suppress a chuckle. "He must be very impressive for you to praise him like this."

He Xin grinned, her frustration momentarily forgotten. "Oh, he is. You'll understand if you meet him. But for now, I need to get through these books."

As He Xin hurried off, Qin Shu returned to her room, pondering the name Cheng Yan. She decided to make a trip to the Mission Hall herself to see what all the fuss was about.

The Mission Hall was bustling with activity when Qin Shu arrived. Disciples of all levels were gathered, checking mission boards and submitting completed tasks. The air buzzed with chatter and the faint hum of spiritual energy.

Qin Shu approached the novice section, where missions suitable for beginners were posted. As she scanned the board, a deep, steady voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Are you Qin Shu?"

She turned to see a young man dressed in the sect's elegant core disciple robes. His features were sharp and refined, and his piercing gaze seemed to see straight through her. This must be Cheng Yan.

Qin Shu quickly bowed. "Yes, Senior Brother Cheng Yan."

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I've heard about you from the herb garden overseer. You've been diligent in your studies. However, theory alone isn't enough. Have you attempted any practical alchemy yet?"

Qin Shu hesitated. She'd spent most of her time reading and memorizing texts, but the opportunity to practice was rare. "Not yet, Senior Brother."

Cheng Yan frowned slightly. "That won't do. Follow me."

Startled but curious, Qin Shu followed him to a side room within the Mission Hall. The room was filled with various alchemical tools and ingredients. Cheng Yan gestured for her to sit at one of the workstations.

"Let's see what you can do. Try refining a basic Spirit Boost Pill. The materials are here," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Qin Shu's heart raced. This was her first time attempting alchemy under supervision. She took a deep breath, recalling everything she had read about the process. Carefully, she selected the ingredients and began.

The process was nerve-wracking. She controlled her spiritual energy as best as she could, but halfway through, the mixture started to destabilize. Just as she was about to panic, Cheng Yan stepped in.

"Focus on the flow of your energy. Don't rush," he instructed.

His calm demeanor helped steady her nerves. Following his guidance, Qin Shu adjusted her technique, and the mixture stabilized. After what felt like an eternity, she completed the process. The result wasn't perfect—the pill was slightly discolored—but it was intact.

Cheng Yan picked up the pill and examined it closely. "Not bad for a first attempt. You have potential, but you need more practice."

Qin Shu bowed again. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

He nodded. "Keep working hard. The sect values disciples who are willing to learn and improve. If you need help, you can come to me."

With that, he left the room, leaving Qin Shu alone to process the experience. She looked at the pill in her hand and smiled. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

Back in her room that evening, Qin Shu recounted the day's events to He Xin. Her friend's reaction was exactly as expected.

"You met Cheng Yan? And he taught you personally?" He Xin exclaimed, her eyes wide with envy. "Why don't I ever have such luck?"

Qin Shu laughed. "It wasn't luck. He just happened to be at the Mission Hall. And I think he's more interested in whether we're serious about improving."

He Xin sighed dramatically. "Still, you're so lucky. Senior Brother Cheng Yan is not only skilled but also so..."

Qin Shu raised an eyebrow. "So what?"

He Xin blushed and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what did he say about your pill?"

"He said it wasn't bad for a first attempt," Qin Shu replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

He Xin clapped her hands. "See? You're on the right track! Maybe one day you'll become a core disciple too."

Qin Shu shook her head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, I just want to focus on improving little by little."

The two friends chatted late into the night, their spirits lifted by the day's events. Though the path of cultivation was long and arduous, moments like these reminded them why they continued to persevere.