Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

How far had the rumors spread this time?

Even within the Tianxing Sect, disciples had started discussing it.

"Did you hear? There's someone in the market district who's even more ostentatious than Yun Jin from Tianjian Peak!"

"??? Don't say 'ostentatious'—be polite, call it 'showing off.' But I don't believe it! There's no way anyone could outshine Junior Sister Yun in that regard!"

"Word is, four days ago, this person passed the first-rank pill-refining assessment at the Alchemy Pavilion—and she did it on the street while snacking on sunflower seeds. The worst part? She didn't clean up the shells. And the even worse part? People collected those shells, saying they wanted to soak up some of her genius aura."

The Tianxing Sect disciples: "???"

If we're talking about snacking on sunflower seeds, that does sound a lot like Yun Jin!

Are all geniuses these days into eating sunflower seeds or something?

Yun Jin was a sword prodigy.

And this one was an alchemy genius?

Did that mean they, too, had to snack on more melon seeds to become geniuses?

"She's taking the Second-Rank Alchemist exam next! And this time, she announced it in advance. Made a whole show out of it and invited everyone to come watch. Are you going?"

"Let's go, let's go! Let's all go together!"

A crowd began heading toward the marketplace.

Nearby, Ye Danxia overheard the conversation between a few senior brothers and quickly stepped forward, hoping to join in. But as soon as they noticed her, their expressions changed. The chatter stopped instantly. They looked at her with polite, overly formal smiles.

"Junior Sister Ye."

Respectful, but distant.

Ye Danxia had intended to say something but suddenly felt stifled and wronged. What had she done to deserve this cold shoulder? Why was everyone acting so indifferent toward her now?

Was it because of Second Senior Brother?

But... all she had done was cry about it a little. It wasn't like she could control his actions. And Yun Jin hadn't even been harmed. If anyone had gotten the worst of it, wasn't it her?

Ever since that incident, people had started avoiding her. Even before she could walk up to them, they would dodge away like she carried some kind of plague.

What unforgivable crime had she committed to deserve this?

Tears welled up in Ye Danxia's eyes. She looked at them and said pitifully, "Senior Brothers, I just heard you chatting happily and wanted to join in…"

"We weren't talking about anything important," one of them replied with the same forced politeness.

Chen Hao had ruined his dantian for Ye Danxia.

Gu Jinghong had lost his freedom for Ye Danxia.

None of them dared to get involved with this junior sister with a Heavenly Spirit Root ever again. Best to stay far, far away.

Ye Danxia's eyes turned red with tears. "I don't understand what I did wrong for all of you to hate me like this. I just wanted to join your conversation…"

As she spoke, her tears fell.

The group of senior brothers looked at one another, unsure of how to respond. One of them, clearly soft-hearted, seemed ready to comfort her, but another quickly tugged him back.

"We were just talking about a genius alchemist showing up in the marketplace," one finally said. "We're going to check it out. If you're interested, Junior Sister, you can go on your own."

With that, they grabbed the soft-hearted one and hurried away, as though afraid she might follow them.

Ye Danxia's tears dried instantly. She clenched her jaw.

They didn't want anything to do with her?

Fine!

Then they'd better never come crawling to her when she became a supreme powerhouse!

Hmph!

And what was so great about some "genius alchemist" anyway?

Her master had already helped arrange a meeting with the Peak Lord of Shendan Peak. Even if she didn't join the Shendan Peak, she'd still be half a disciple under Huo Lie's lord.

She would learn alchemy all the same.

And once she became a genius alchemist too, she'd love to see how they'd all react!

Thinking this, Ye Danxia turned and marched back to the great hall. Her master had said today was the day she would be introduced to the Huo Lie Peak Lord. Before, she hadn't been all that interested in alchemy.

But now?

She was going to become a grandmaster.

Alchemists held immense status. When that day came, even Yun Jin would have to admit that her little bit of talent was nothing in comparison. Disciples from every sect had started arriving. Even before the exam began, the viewing platform was packed tight.

Watching the growing crowd, Ming Heng could only rub his temples. He started to wonder if he had made a mistake. Alchemy was supposed to be the most mysterious and noble path of all.

Where was the mystery now? Where was the nobility?

But it was too late to back out. The tiger was already saddled. All he could do was brace himself and see it through. When the time came, a graceful melody floated through the air.

It was composed by Yue Zhao himself. He said it was called Laughing Proudly in the Jianghu.

The piece was grand and elegant, instantly drawing attention. Those who understood music nodded with appreciation.

Truly a song worthy of the heavens.

Yun Jin tried hard not to laugh. "Senior Brother, I didn't know you had such a talent."

Yue Zhao waved it off modestly. "Just dabble in it a little."

Yun Jin chuckled softly.

She decided to keep her patience.

The more she could help her senior brother build up socially embarrassing moments, the better. When he finally discovered that she had also been to that other world, his reaction would be all the more priceless.

"Little Junior Sister, it's your cue," Yue Zhao said.

As she had requested, flower petals floated down from the sky. Yun Jin held a parasol with exaggerated grace and stepped onto the central platform.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to my performance show… wait, no, my alchemy assessment," Yun Jin corrected herself quickly after noticing Ming Heng's grim expression.

Ming Heng gripped a nearby disciple's wrist tightly. "She knows today is a solemn, formal examination, right?"

The disciple grimaced. "I think… she knows?"

Ming Heng's grip tightened further.

The disciple winced in pain, not daring to say another word.

"This alchemy test will last four hours, from day to night," Yun Jin explained brightly. "Though the time is long, the fun will be even longer. We've prepared various exciting performances throughout. I guarantee, it'll be worth your while!"

The crowd: "???"

Wait. Weren't they here for an alchemy examination?

Since when did those include stage performances?

And she was worried they'd get bored over four hours?

How considerate of her!

[+15 Emotional Value.]

[+20 Emotional Value.]

[+18 Emotional Value.]

No single massive spike, but the sheer volume of small gains added up.

That was good enough.

Ming Heng clenched his teeth. "Is it too late for me to change my mind?"

No one answered him.

He glanced to the side.

The disciple whose wrist he had been crushing was now clutching his arm in pain, too hurt to speak.

Ming Heng quickly let go.

The disciple sighed in relief. Forget whether Yun Jin's exam was serious or not. At this rate, his hand might give out first.

Once the emotional value readings stabilized, Yun Jin beamed. "Now then, let's welcome today's official examiner—Master Ming Heng!"

Another round of music started playing.

Yun Jin nearly burst out laughing.

Had her senior brother gone insane? He had chosen the opening theme from If You Are the One as Ming Heng's entrance music!

Ming Heng felt numb.

"Who am I?"

"Where am I?"

Oh, right.

He was Ming Heng.

The traitor to the entire alchemy world.

The man who single-handedly dragged pill-refining down from its pedestal.

And from this day forth, his name would be etched onto the pillars of eternal shame.