Chapter 26: The Assessment for Promotion to Blue Guard

Completing the transfer of cultivation methods and breaking through took little more than a day. The most pressing matter now was to visit the Examination Office and initiate his application for Blue Guard status.

Blue Guards were usually cultivators at the mid-stage of the Spirit Refining Realm, enjoying benefits far superior to those at the early stage. They received a set of “uniform” made from spiritual silkworm silk, twenty spirit stones each month, a small 5×5 storage pouch, a leaf-shaped flying artifact, and other items such as talismans and spirit food. Among these monthly benefits, what intrigued Cao Chengyu most was the flying artifact.

Normally, cultivators could only soar through the skies upon reaching the Dao Body Realm, but Spirit Refining cultivators, possessing spiritual power, could control artifacts and take to the air ahead of time. Though their speed was inferior to those in the Dao Body Realm, it was still flying—ascending to the heavens. The thrill of conquering the sky was a romance unique to men.

The flying artifacts issued by Skywatch Tower were crafted from bamboo grown on Azure Bamboo Mountain, a location known for its third-grade low-tier spiritual bamboo, particularly Thunder Bamboo. The leaf-shaped artifacts were produced in batches from first- and second-grade spiritual bamboo leaves. Even so, these artifacts, which allowed cultivators to take flight, were in high demand.

Thinking of soaring among the clouds filled Cao Chengyu with excitement. His purpose in cultivating was simple: seeking longevity, freedom, and following his heart. The path of immortality was long and uncertain; only by remaining true to oneself could one hope to glimpse the immortal way.

He arrived at the Examination Office on the second floor of Skywatch Tower and, after submitting his request for promotion, was met by a middle-aged woman. She was one of the chief examiners, responsible for Blue Guard promotions and removals. Her age was apparent, yet her name did not appear on the rankings, indicating her appearance and aptitude were nothing remarkable.

After meeting Cao Chengyu, she inquired about his intentions.

“Cao, as per your previous records at the Task Hall, you have two options for promotion to Blue Guard. The first is to undertake a solo demon-slaying mission to prove your strength. The second is to refine a mid-grade first-tier pill to demonstrate your alchemical skills. You registered yourself as proficient in pill and artifact refinement, so you may choose either.”

“I understand,” Cao Chengyu replied, nodding. He didn’t deliberate long before deciding on pill refinement.

The cultivation technique he had acquired encompassed first-tier pill and artifact refinement, divided into low, mid, and high grades. The first tier corresponded to the three stages of the Spirit Refining Realm, while second-tier alchemists had reached the Dao Body Realm.

The woman was unsurprised by his choice, though a trace of sarcasm flickered in her eyes as she smirked.

“In that case, follow me to the pill room. If you succeed within a day, you pass.”

“Very well.”

Cao Chengyu was puzzled. Had he somehow offended her? Or was it the poison-testing mission record at the Task Hall that provoked her? He remained silent as he was led to the pill room designated for examinations, keeping cautious and refraining from displaying any dissatisfaction.

“There is a recipe here for mid-grade first-tier Yellow Sprout Pill. You have ten sets of ingredients. If you succeed once within a day, you pass. Take this token and insert it into the slot beside the furnace to begin.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll begin now.”

“Good. There will be an attendant outside the door. Notify him when you’re done, and he’ll inform me.”

With a nod, Cao Chengyu entered the pill room. Outside, the older woman cast a contemptuous glance at the door and whispered into a sound-transmitting talisman.

“Lord Liu, Luo Yuzhu’s paramour is taking the Blue Guard promotion exam. Should I…”

Soon after, a woman’s voice responded from the talisman.

“No. Let him climb a little higher—then I’ll deal with him and that whore Luo Yuzhu myself!”

The voice was sharp and venomous, tinged with madness—a hint of past trauma.

Inside the pill room, Cao Chengyu sensed the woman’s unusual attitude. However, after verifying the room and materials were all in order, he could only maintain vigilance while focusing on his promotion.

The main ingredients for the Yellow Sprout Pill were Spirit Grass and Yellow Sprout Fruit, both possessing the ability to absorb spiritual energy. Auxiliary ingredients included Returning Mushroom, White Moss, Boundless Water, and Yellow Root Powder.

A single batch could be completed within half an hour.

With his mastery at the peak of first-tier pill refinement, making the Yellow Sprout Pill was effortless. In less than half an hour, a batch yielded twelve pills, all perfectly formed.

Yellow Sprout Pill served mid-stage Spirit Refining cultivators; its effects were mediocre among pills but could be produced in quantity.

With his skill and ten sets of materials, Cao Chengyu failed none. Each batch produced twelve perfect pills, totaling 120. He set aside the two with the lowest quality and, using the impurities left from prior refining, disguised them as pill ash and poured them into the furnace’s base.

Thus, the ash matched that produced by nine sets of materials—flawless.

The remaining 118 perfectly formed pills became his private stash.

This was, in fact, a customary perk for alchemists seeking promotion—not only Cao Chengyu, but all others did the same.

The greater one’s skill, the greater the rewards, and Skywatch Tower turned a blind eye; those with talent deserved their fill, not the loafers.

Since he’d decided to conceal his true ability, he acted accordingly.

Cao Chengyu consumed several Yellow Sprout Pills and cultivated, maintaining a pace that would see him emerge at sunset.

After swallowing six pills, he stepped out at the appointed hour, handed the two inferior pills to the attendant, and waited for the older woman to arrive.

“These are the pills you refined?”

“Yes.”

“Very well. You pass the examination. Here is your Blue Guard token. The third and fourth floors are now open to you. When you break through to the late stage of Spirit Refining, you may attempt the Purple Guard exam.”

“Understood.”

After receiving his token, he needed to collect his monthly benefits at the third and fourth floors’ Treasure Hall. Cao Chengyu, disinclined to linger, took his leave.

Once he departed, the woman entered the pill room, inspected it, and finally focused on the ash at the furnace’s base, muttering to herself,

“True to form—just another good-for-nothing propped up by Luo the Poisonous. Aside from his looks, he’s utterly useless.”

After a pause, she took out the two Yellow Sprout Pills and sniffed them.

“These two must be his best effort… Well, not bad, actually.”

The Treasure Hall on the third and fourth floors was larger than the first and second, though its layout was identical, even down to the placement of each building. The symmetry was impeccable.

He collected his new attire, spirit stones, storage pouch, and the standard flying artifact.

Cao Chengyu then returned to the first floor’s privileged dormitory.

Although Blue Guards had their own dorms, they lacked a small spirit-gathering array and did not provide Jade Spirit Rice.

By comparison, the “apartments” on the first floor were far more comfortable.