"You have a fire spiritual root, but the root value isn't high—only seventy-one," Cheng Yan replied respectfully.

Hearing this, Master Lingxu's furrowed brows relaxed. "It's fine. A root value of seventy-one might make cultivation difficult, but it's sufficient for alchemy."

As the master and disciple conversed, the restrictions outside the cave residence seemed to be triggered. Master Lingxu formed a hand seal, and soon a sound-transmitting talisman flew in.

"Lingxu, it's been a while. I trust you've been well!"

Master Lingxu frowned upon hearing this. "Why is Swordmaster Wang suddenly visiting?"

Swordmaster Wang was a senior elder of the Sword Sect. He was rarely at the sect, always either fighting or on his way to find someone to duel.

Three years ago, he suddenly returned and went into seclusion.

Everyone assumed he had encountered an opportunity during his travels and was preparing to break through. Yet, to this day, there had been no progress.

"Could he be here to request alchemy services from Master?" Cheng Yan speculated.

Master Lingxu lightly shook his head, finding it unlikely.

Swordmaster Wang's path was one of slaughter. Based on his usual approach, he sought breakthroughs through combat. Apart from replenishment pills, he never consumed any other type of elixir.

"Never mind, I'll invite him in and ask directly."

He lifted his hand to lift the restrictions and personally went out to greet the visitor.

"Swordmaster Wang, have you emerged from seclusion? Have you made progress?" he asked with a smile, stroking his beard.

Swordmaster Wang appeared middle-aged, with a broad sword strapped to his back. His sturdy frame radiated strength, suggesting he had made advancements in physical cultivation.

Hearing Master Lingxu's inquiry, he shook his head and replied frankly, "No progress. It seems the time has not yet come."

His tone was calm, showing he didn't mind the lack of progress. His unshakable mindset was evident.

Just as Master Lingxu was about to ask the reason for his visit, Swordmaster Wang spoke first. "Master Lingxu, I heard you're planning to take on a final disciple?"

Master Lingxu was even more puzzled. What did taking on a disciple have to do with him? Surely, he wasn't suggesting himself as a candidate?

Even if he did, Master Lingxu wouldn't agree. After all, what use was a high single-attribute gold spiritual root with no fire spiritual root at all?

"I do have such plans," Master Lingxu replied with a slight nod, his brows furrowed.

Swordmaster Wang carefully observed his expression before tentatively proposing, "Master Lingxu, our Sword Sect has a disciple with a fire spiritual root value of ninety-nine. Would you consider taking her as your final disciple?"

Master Lingxu's eyebrows twitched at the mention of a fire spiritual root value of ninety-nine. He couldn't help but question it. "A genius like that, and you're willing to send her to my Alchemy Sect?"

They weren't children. Unless there were ulterior motives, such talents would typically be closely guarded.

Swordmaster Wang sighed and explained, "To be honest, we're after your Spirit-Cleansing Golden Elixir. Besides, the girl, Chiyu, has shown interest in alchemy. If she washes her roots, she'll become a celestial root with a perfect value of one hundred. By then, whether it's for alchemy or swordsmanship, she'll excel."

Of course, he was reluctant to part with such an outstanding disciple. However, since this was Chiyu's choice, he would respect her wishes.

Moreover, the Sword Sect was notoriously poor compared to the wealthy Alchemy Sect. They had nothing to offer that could tempt Master Lingxu.

Master Lingxu chuckled coldly, his hands clasped behind his back as he turned away. "You're trying to strike quite the bargain here, aren't you?"

Swordmaster Wang awkwardly scratched his nose. "It's not entirely one-sided. After all, you'd gain a celestial-root disciple."

Master Lingxu waved his sleeve, clearly uninterested. "Not happening."

For an alchemist, talent was secondary. The key was comprehension.

Seeing Master Lingxu's firm stance, Swordmaster Wang gritted his teeth and offered, "Years ago, I captured a fire spirit during my travels. If you agree to take Chiyu as your disciple, I'll gift it to you."

Fire spirits, birthed from the world's pure fire essence, were the dream companions of alchemists. No one understood flames better than them.

With the help of a fire spirit, the quality of elixirs could increase by an entire grade, and the success rate of alchemy would improve significantly.

However, such spirits were extremely rare. They appeared only once in tens of thousands of years. Despite this rarity, capturing them had become increasingly common, making ownership even more difficult.

If not for taking Chiyu as a disciple, Swordmaster Wang would've sold the fire spirit long ago.

"I already have a fire spirit. What use is another?" Master Lingxu dismissed, shaking his head.

His mind was still set on Qin Shu, a particularly talented young girl with exceptional comprehension. She was a far better candidate to inherit his alchemical legacy and might even bring greater glory to his lineage.

"What about gifting it to one of your disciples, Cheng Yan or Wen Chi? Neither of them has one yet," Swordmaster Wang pressed.

He feared rejection, as the fire spirit was the only thing he could offer.

After pondering for a moment, Master Lingxu finally decided. He turned to Swordmaster Wang and said, "I can accept Chiyu as a disciple, but she isn't suitable as my final disciple."

Swordmaster Wang was overjoyed. Whether she was a final disciple or not didn't matter. He only cared about the Spirit-Cleansing Golden Elixir.

"No problem!"

Seeing his delighted expression, Master Lingxu added indifferently, "As my disciple, I'll naturally ensure her needs are met."

Swordmaster Wang breathed a sigh of relief. "On behalf of my disciple Chiyu, I thank you, Master Lingxu."

After Swordmaster Wang left, Cheng Yan frowned deeply.

What seemed like a settled matter had suddenly changed.

However, Qin Shu's talent and sharp mind were undeniable.

If necessary, he could break his own precedent and take on a disciple himself.

Though a cultivator at the Golden Core stage could technically accept disciples, Cheng Yan and Wen Chi, being young and impatient, had never considered doing so.

"Master, about Qin Shu..." Cheng Yan began, intending to voice his idea.

Unexpectedly, Master Lingxu interrupted. "This year, we'll take both Chiyu and Qin Shu as disciples. With Chiyu drawing attention, no one will notice that little 'waste'."

Despite calling Qin Shu a waste, the smile on his face betrayed his true feelings.

Cheng Yan was momentarily stunned but quickly understood.

With a prodigy like Chiyu overshadowing her, Qin Shu would indeed avoid unnecessary scrutiny.

Unaware of these developments, Qin Shu returned to her residence and spent the night meditating.

Just as she prepared to attend the second round of trials, she received a message talisman from Senior Brother Cheng Yan.

The earthy talisman burned to ashes before her, carrying Cheng Yan's cold voice.

"Master has decided on his disciples. The remaining trials are canceled."