Nine Astra Skies

“Come on Grandpa, let’s leave. They don’t wish to see us.” Ye Chen urged as he looked over to the doors of the East Court bitterly. Master Li must have made some sort of deal with the Yun Clan. Otherwise, why would he only attend to them? The fact that even a high ranking apothecary could be easily swayed showed just how underhanded the Yun Clan was.

Ye Chen clenched his fist. He would probably make more foes than friends just by having the thought of wanting to bring the Yun Clan down. If the Yun Clan intended to continue to bully them, he would give them hell even if it meant shaking the heaven and earth.

This would be the ultimate battle between the Ye and Yun Clan to decide the rightful victor once and for all!

Ye Changxuan was a little disappointed. “Let’s go.”

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“There’s no need for you to be upset, Grandpa. It’s not like being an apothecary is all that.” Ye Chen consoled Ye Changxuan. He knew his grandpa far too well. For years, Ye Changxuan spent his life giving his all to the clan so he never settled down nor had kids. The only thing that mattered to him was his people. He knew none of the members in the Ye Clan had an aptitude for fire elemental spells and so on hence none stood a chance to be an apothecary. However, deep down, he still had a glimmer of hope that the clan could see the birth of an apothecary someday to bring the clan years of prosperity and peace that it so desperately sought.

Ye Changxuan nodded. “You’re right, let’s go.” He was disappointed but certainly not defeated.

The two returned to their guest room in the South Court which was coincidentally situated next to Mo Feng and the rest.

The little guest house at the East Court.

The scent of burning incense filled the room. Yun Yiyang had it specifically planned for Master Li after being informed of his quirks. A man dressed in ashen robe sat on one of the stools across the guest hall. He was in his forties, yet his skin complexion mirrored that of a youth and his mannerisms spoke of a certain class. The man filled his cup with tea, took a sip, and sent the two servants away.

“Master Li, this is the Yun Clan’s finest young martial artist. At eighteen years old, he’s already attained the top spot of rank seven.” Yun Yixuan pointed out politely. He was getting butterflies in his stomach just facing Li Xu.

Even when it came to the King of Donglin County, Yun Yixuan barely felt an ounce of pressure. The King of Donglin County addressed a high ranking apothecary with the utmost respect.

“A seventeen or eighteen-year-old attaining the top of rank seven, impressive. I wonder how his mastery over the fire elemental spells and his control over his Celestial Chi like though?” Li Xu remarked indifferently. He had met many so-called prodigies in his lifetime but those who were fit to be an apothecary were far and few.

“Please go ahead and assess him, Master Li.” Yun Yixuan bowed in respect.

Yun Yifei, too, followed suit and bowed.

“Come here.” Li Xu motioned.

Yun Yifei walked over to Li Xu’s side and obediently held his right hand out.

Li Xu placed his hand over Yun Yifei’s wrist, sensed the Celestial Chi coursing in Yun Yifei’s body and continued, “The Yun Clan’s Concentrated Celestial Construct is of water and earth elemental properties. Going by that alone, the members of the Yun Clan aren’t cut out for fire elemental spells. Interestingly, your boy here seems to exhibit a certain degree of talent over the element of fire.”

Both Yun Yixuan and Yun Yifei were elated after hearing what Li Xu said.

“One in a hundred people tends to demonstrate mastery over fire elemental spells. On the other hand, to seek an individual with great control over their Celestial Chi is as rare as finding a needle in a haystack. I’ll now assess your control over Celestial Chi,” Li Xu replied indifferently as he glanced at the two. Yun Yixuan and his boy were optimistic. Back then, he was lucky to be considered the Master Apothecary’s disciple because he was the only one in a few millions who had shown outstanding control over his Celestial Chi. The Master Apothecary was never one to settle for mediocrity!

Li Xu proceeded to grab a handful of Indian Sandalwood ash by the side. As he did so, not a single speck of ash stuck to his hand. The ash stayed put while it floated in mid-air as if heeding his command. Yun Yixuan shuddered just by looking at such a display of skills. Just based on that skill alone, even his brother, Yun Yiyang, would never accomplish such a feat.

Li Xu placed the ash on the table and continued, “I want you to place your hand two inches above the ash and draw the most complex figure that you can imagine using your Celestial Chi.”

Yun Yifei was taken by surprise with his words. Who would have imagined such a test ever existed? When it came to choosing a disciple, most apothecaries would typically instruct their candidates to attack the wooden dummy. Then, they would assess the candidate’s control over their Celestial Chi based on the blows the dummy sustained. To place the hand two inches above the ash and draw a figure using one’s Celestial Chi, was not that a little too difficult?

Yun Yifei was feeling anxious now. He hesitated for a moment, placed his hands above the pile of ash, and channeled his Celestial Chi. His arms were beginning to feel a thousand ton heavier and traces of sweat formed at his forehead. The Celestial Chi enveloped the ash, causing it to spread. Then, he proceeded to draw the shape of a sword rather wobbly though outlines of the picture remained rather distorted.

After a brief moment, it was clear that Yun Yifei had depleted his Celestial Chi reserve. He was panting heavily and drenched in sweat.

Even Yun Yixuan, who stood by the side, was kept on the edge of his seat. Had it been him who had attempted the test, he might not have had what it took to draw a sword either. It was certainly not an easy feat to concentrate one’s Celestial Chi on their hand and draw in mid-air. Master Apothecary Xuanyi’s twisted ways of testing his candidates were truly horrifying.

“Did he meet the mark, Master Li?” An anxious Yun Yixuan asked Li Xu.

Li Xu shook his head. “Yun Yifei’s control over his Celestial Chi is considered decent for an average person. With the guidance of a proficient master and diligence, he’ll be a low ranking apothecary in due time but it’s not enough if he wishes to enroll in my school!”

It was a bittersweet moment for Yun Yixuan and Yun Yifei. Sweet because Yun Yifei had demonstrated the potential to be an apothecary, bitter because he would not be able to enroll in Li Xu’s school to train under Master Apothecary Xuanyi which made it a missed opportunity.

“Have some mercy, Master Li, at least make Yun Yifei the apothecary’s apprentice,” Yun Yixuan begged. “If you do that, the Yun Clan will offer you a valuable gift.”

Li Xu’s expression turned cold. “Consider your offer rejected. He doesn’t possess the necessary talents to be the apothecary’s apprentice. The apprentice’s job is to keep watch over the fire. If he messes up and destroys an entire furnace of medicinal pill, you can’t possibly make up for the loss even if you were to offer the Yun Castle!”

Yun Yixuan smiled in embarrassment. “Pay no attention to me, Master Li. That was a slip of tongue. I hope you’ll forgive me.” He regretted his words the moment he had said them and felt like slapping himself across the face. Li Xu was a high ranking apothecary, why would he ever need money? It was just like Li Xu had said, all the combined fortune in the Yun Clan could not possibly make up for a furnace full of medicinal pills.

“Please leave.” Li Xu waved his hands as he was unamused.

“Have a good rest Master Li, you’ve had a long journey.” Yun Yixuan glanced at Yun Yifei and soon, the two quickly took their leave.

Once outside the doors of the East Court, Yun Yixuan let out a sigh of relief. Li Xu gave him one hell of pressure back there.

“Li Xu is so full of himself.” Yun Yifei protested. He was considered the best among everyone here and yet Li Xu thought that he was an ill fit to be an apothecary’s apprentice. Just thinking about it pissed him off.

“Mind your words.” Yun Yixuan looked over to Yun Yifei and cautioned him sternly, “If Li Xu ever finds out what you have said, he’s going to give the Yun Clan hell, you hear me?”

“Can Li Xu do that?”

“Why would I ever lie to you?” Yun Yixuan glared at Yun Yi Fei.

Sensing Yun Yixuan’s anger, Yun Yifei kept his mouth shut.