CHAPTER 328: START OF THE ORIENTATION

Not even half an hour’s time later, Han Yu sensed movement outside the waiting chamber.

Two figures walked up the steps of the outer court orientation hall—both robed in fine garments marked with the Alchemy Peak’s sigil, and both exuding calm yet profound auras.

It was the two junior elders: Elder Xuan, the middle-aged woman with calm, hawk-like eyes and a long braid that trailed down her back, and Elder Zhou, a slightly plump, mustached man who looked like he belonged more in a teahouse than a pill refining hall—until one noticed the array-etched cauldron ring on his finger and the heavy pill pouch hanging from his side.

Han Yu immediately rose and gave a deep, respectful bow.

"Junior Han Yu greets Elder Xuan and Elder Zhou. This disciple is honored by your personal guidance."

It wasn’t just courtesy. He figured if he wanted to gain a good foothold here, he might as well start with some earnest flattery. A little bootlicking never hurt, especially when done with grace.

Neither elder’s expression changed much, maintaining their serene elder-like demeanors, but Han Yu was no longer someone who relied on just appearances. His eyes casually observed the wisps of golden-yellow energy forming beside them—eight emotions energy, radiating joy.

’They’re pleased.’ He smirked inwardly. ’Good. That means I’m on the right path. Might as well keep it up.’

"Let’s not waste time," Elder Xuan said with a nod. "We have quite a bit to show you. Follow us."

Elder Zhou chuckled. "Don’t worry, we won’t make you memorize a compendium today."

Han Yu smiled politely and walked behind the two elders as they stepped out into the open stone walkway of the Alchemy Peak’s outer court. The light morning fog had lifted, revealing clear skies and a brilliant sun hanging above the peak, illuminating the surroundings.

They led him past the central corridor, toward a large structure carved into the mountainside itself—a structure shaped like a dome, with radiant pill formation arrays inscribed on the walls. Pill cauldrons, carved in stone, flanked its massive gate.

"This is our Outer Court Alchemical Library," Elder Xuan said, her voice tinged with pride. "Most newcomers think we restrict knowledge here, but that’s far from the truth."

Han Yu tilted his head as he observed the grand structure. "Truthfully... I thought only beginner-level texts and recipes would be available here."

Both elders let out light laughs at that.

Elder Zhou spoke, amusement clear in his voice. "What would be the point of that? If someone has the talent to learn beyond their realm, why should we clip their wings?"

Elder Xuan nodded in agreement. "We don’t punish ambition here, Han Yu. If anything, we encourage it. You’ll find books on everything from basic pill compression to advanced theories of tri-phase concoctions. If you have the insight, you’ll benefit."

Han Yu blinked. That was far more open than he expected.

Inside the library, the air was thick with the scent of aged paper, ink, and medicinal herbs. Wooden shelves—carefully maintained with spirit-preserving lacquer—lined the entire interior in concentric circular sections.

The layout was unusual; rather than a conventional grid of bookshelves, this one resembled alchemical arrays, the books placed in specific patterns like the nodes of a formation.

He could already tell there was some kind of subtle spiritual resonance at work, and the entire place exuded the feel of organized knowledge—a quiet, pulsing brain of the peak itself.

"The books are arranged by subject and complexity," Elder Xuan explained as she gestured around. "You’ll find everything from herbology, pill theory, flame manipulation, cauldron maintenance, to failed pill case studies and even obscure spiritual plant records."

Han Yu tried to contain the rising thrill in his chest. His gaze swept the nearest shelf. One title caught his attention:

’The Principles of Triple-Pulse Refinement in Multi-Spirit Pill Extraction.’

He itched to pull it out and start reading right away.

"If I may ask, what kind of knowledge does the Inner Court library have that this one doesn’t?" Han Yu asked, still drinking in the sight of it all.

"The Inner Court library has content up to the very peak of what an alchemist in the Spirit Realm can learn," Elder Zhou said. "It’s more focused. You’ll find annotated scrolls, detailed refinement sequences from famed elders, and breakdowns of higher-grade pills not available down here."

"Also, advanced books that detail how to form pill spirits, use twin flame cauldrons, and things like resonance synthesis," Elder Xuan added. "Of course, those techniques are far too complex for most, but if someone can comprehend them..."

She didn’t finish the sentence.

Han Yu could imagine what that meant—wealth, prestige, and perhaps the right to craft legendary pills.

"What about the Core level and the top of the peak?" he asked, unable to help himself.

The two elders shared a glance.

"The Core level has similar information as the Inner Court," Elder Xuan said, "but it contains more complete records of certain high-level pill formulas—very rare, and very expensive. Many of them are sealed behind merit point locks."

"As for the very top," Elder Zhou said, his tone dropping slightly, "you shouldn’t concern yourself with that. That area is forbidden unless you’re given explicit permission by the Peak Master or a High Elder. It is not a matter of merit, but of status and responsibility."

Han Yu gave a solemn nod. "Understood, Elders."

Still... he couldn’t help but glance up the mountain through the tall window slits, trying to imagine what kind of secrets were hidden in that forbidden zone.

Ancient pill flames? Lost pill refining legacies?

Or perhaps... forbidden alchemical techniques?

The two elders watched him silently as he lingered on the view. Neither said anything, but Elder Zhou smiled subtly, while Elder Xuan looked thoughtful.

After a brief pause, they moved on, guiding him through the rest of the outer court: the communal pill refining chambers (which were a bit crowded), the resource exchange pavilion (where one could exchange merit points for ingredients), and the talisman inscription hut where many alchemists enhanced their cauldrons or registered pill symbols.