Bai Shun had left after they discussed things further for an hour or so, he had promised to help Shu He to help him out with sparring starting next week which he was happy about, as easy as it was to head on over to the Battle Division, there wouldn't always be someone available when he was free.
But one thing was weighing on his mind.
'What could Chao Shi have to give me?'
He had been thinking about it since Bai Shun left yet not a single thing came to mind, it must be something significant since he went out the way to get Bai Shun to tell him.
He finds it weird because, truthfully he wasn't very close to Chao Shi, in fact he basically only knew him for those few days he was in Green-gate, after that he hadn't seen him since, he was far closer to Bai Shun who had helped him out through the years before he entered the sect.
So for Chao Shi to specifically note that he wanted to give Shu He before going in to closed door cultivation that was lasting more than 3 years at this point, it had to be important.
Shu He sighed, he couldn't figure it out; He'd just have to wait and see when he leaves his reclusive cultivation, however long it would take.
His eyes closed as he laid back on his bed, his mind sunk into a deep sleep as it spun with the storm of memories and thoughts of the past day.
…
Today, Shu He once more stood at the bottom of a long and winding flight of stairs that wrapped around one of the many sect mountains, after a few seconds of mentally preparing himself he began walking steadily up the steps.
The last time he was here, the stairs were empty, but right now there were other disciples and even elders passing by up and down here and there.
This time, Shu He only took just over 15 minutes to make his way to the top, his increased cultivation certainly helped but he felt much better than the first time, he only felt a slight shortness of breath as he hopped off of the last step and stood before the grand tower.
Beneath the grand arch connected to a surrounding metallic fence that encompassed the flat plateau atop the mountain he stood, staring deeply ahead of him.
'The Alchemy Tower! I've returned, finally.'
He smirked as the glanced at the beautiful brickwork that shimmered with a green energy, he knew now that it was Alchemic Qi, he didn't know for sure what reasoning they had for infusing the structure with Alchemic Qi, but he guessed it was some sort of enhancement that improved the performance of alchemy within.
That or they're just showing off, either is likely.
Just as he had seen walking up to the summit, there were actually people entering and leaving the Alchemy Tower like tourists, the doors were stuck open as they had no time to close.
"I wonder if this is how it normally is…" He remembered that last time the receptionist lady, Tao Ru had told him that the tower was in the middle of a competition so they couldn't be disturbed, since it's likely over now, people have returned to ask for their services.
Without waiting any longer, he joined the crowd and made his way inside the lobby that was completely empty the last time he entered, now it was filled with lines of people waiting to have their request heard, there were also plenty of others strewn about speaking in groups.
Shu He could spot a few alchemists here and there, maybe they were listening to requests personally or maybe they were talking to acquaintances, but they were easily noticeable because of their different coloured robes.
'Now that I think about it, why do they have different coloured robes? The other divisions don't, I think some of the elders only have a unique overcoat.' He pondered as he walked around, looking here and there.
There seemed to be about 6 receptionists this time based on the lines so the front desk was chocked full of people, he couldn't even see who was at the front.
He activated his 'sight' to get a better look since he didn't feel like struggling past the crowd.
'Hmm, I don't recognise any of these people…' he sighed slightly, deactivating his sight, he was hoping that Tao Ru would be here since she knew him, it would make things easier.
'Guess I'll just pick a line and wait' he thought as he stepped to the back of the shortest line.
…
'Of course….'
Shu He had been waiting nearly an hour now, he had joined the shortest line since that felt like the obvious thing to do, but in the end he had to have picked the line with the pickiest and most annoying customers that took the longest, so he winced as he watched the other lines fly by while his moved at snail's pace.
Of course he considered moving line, but then he kept thinking that if he did that this line would suddenly go fast and the others slow.
He couldn't help but sigh in frustration, even in the world of cultivation, you can't escape ques.
Finally, the person ahead of him left and he could finally speak to the receptionist.
"Welcome to the Alchemy Tower, I apologise for the wait, what can I do for you today?" The man asked politely and professionally, much unlike the greeting Tao Ru had given him that day.
Shu He reached into his robe and pulled out the scroll 'Beginners Guide to Alchemy' and placed it on the desk.
"I'm here to take the exam to become an Alchemist."
The receptionist paused, and stared blankly at the scroll before speaking "…I'm sorry, you're here to take the exam?"
"Yes, that's what I said" Shu He affirmed "Is something wrong?" he asked, getting an odd feeling from the receptionists expression.
The receptionist smiled wryly "Not really, it's just that you need to head to the second floor for that, if you present the scroll you'll be allowed up".
It was Shu He's turned to stare blankly for a moment.
"£$%^!"
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, thanks for telling me..." He sighed, having wasted an hour lining up.
"If I may ask, who was it that gave you that scroll? They should have briefed you better…" The receptionist asked curiously.
"A lady named Tao Ru" Shu He said without hesitation, since she didn't explain it properly.
"Senior Tao?! Never mind… I wish you best in your exam!" The receptionist jumped in fright before he waved Shu He off.
"Okay? Thanks?" He nodded as he walked off.
'What's with that reaction? Is she actually someone important?' He pondered as he made his way to the staircase in the corner of the room, there wasn't anyone guarding it, so he just began to make his way up, he had to go up multiple flights of stairs since the roof for the bottom floor was so tall, eventually he came to another pair of double doors.
In front of the double doors was another member of the Alchemy Division standing with a bored look on his face, the moment he saw Shu He approaching he took at look at his robe and immediately straightened up.
"This floor is restricted to Alchemy Division members only, please leave!" He said, putting on a staunch expression that was the polar opposite of his previous bored one.
Like before, Shu He held out the scroll he had been given by Tao Ru and spoke "I'm here to take the Alchemist exam".
The young man looked at the scroll and then back at Shu He's face, then back before walking up to him and picking up the scroll, looking it over and opening it.
"It's real…" He spoke quietly.
"Uh, yeah, do you get fakes often?" Shu He looked at him oddly.
'It was free, why would people fake it?'
"T-that's not what I meant, I just, uh, didn't expect someone to come take the test!" He exclaimed.
"Wait… what was I supposed to do in this situation again…" He murmured to himself.
"Right!" His expression brightened "You! Wait there! Don't move! Don't even think of entering!" He said as he opened the double doors and dashed between the crack, leaving Shu He alone.
"…Is this place going to be alright?" Shu He couldn't help but wonder based on the quality of their guards.
…
After another half an hour of waiting, Shu He was leaned against the wall wondering what better things he could be doing with his time.
Until the door suddenly burst open, followed by words of complaint.
"Why do I have to be the one to test a new disciple?!" The voice of a woman echoed in the small stairway.
"Please Senior Tao, you're the only one free right now!" The young man was basically pleading by her side.
"What?! Are you saying I'm just lazing around?!"
"That's not what I said!" He exclaimed, practically crying in fear as he attempted to quell his senior.
Shu He's closed eyes opened.
'Senior Tao?'
As he looked over he saw the young man pleading to a woman clad in alchemist robes, her brown hair tied up in a bun with two jade pins holding it in place.
'What are the chances?'
"It's been a while, Senior Sister" He said, greeting her.
She turned to look at him, frowning "Senior Sister? Who are you?"
'Eh? Does she not remember me?' Shu He paused mid wave.
Surely she didn't forget someone she met a month ago and spoke to face to face?
"Oh! I remember you!".
'Of course she wouldn't'.
"You're that new disciple that almost blew up the arena in the Newcomers Tournament! Shu He!"
"…Ah".
'She forgot' He wanted to sigh.
"I mean yes I'm that person but-"
"Why are you here?" She asked suddenly.
"Like I said before-"
"Someone like you can't want to be an alchemist!" She concluded.
"Wait, what do you mea-"
"Are you here to cause trouble, just so you know we aren't pushovers!"
"Look here, I-"
"Still insistent, well then i-"
"LISTEN TO ME YOU RUDE WOMAN!"
The stairwell plunged into silence, Shu He was fuming as his face was slightly red, Tao Ru's face was filled with disbelief and the young man filled with panic.
"Rude?! He just called me rude didn't he?!" She turned to the young man distancing himself from them in questioning, who nodded meekly.
"I called you it last time, I called you it this time, and I'll call you it again if you don't listen to people when they're trying to talk!" Shu He berated her.
"Huh? We've met before?" She said, startled.
"Yes! You gave me the damn scroll to learn alchemy!".
"I did?" She suddenly paused with a deer in headlights look in her face as she traced her memories while staring at Shu He.
"…I did, didn't I?" She spoke as a flash of realisation crossed her face.
Shu He sighed finally "Yes".
"B-but you can't blame me, I thought you'd give up! We basically never get new applicants here!". She stammered as she tried to justify herself.
"Well I'm here now, and I want to take the exam, are you the one running it?"
Tao Ru cleared her throat "Right, Yes, I am! Let me double check, do you think you've reached a sufficient level in Extraction to take it?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't".
"Have you reached Meridian Awakening? Have you got a converted core flame?".
"Yes, and No"
"Great then, follow me and I'll guide you to take the exam!" She said, happily shifting gears as she opened the door.
"Ju Shi, return to what you were doing." She spoke to the young man as she passed.
"Right…" The young man spoke reluctantly, completely confused by the flow of events.
'I hope the Alchemy Division isn't full of nutters...' Shu He thought as he followed Tao Ru through the doors that closed with slam behind them.