Resplendent – Chapter 484

Chapter 484: Luck Is Also Strength

“That’s… Grand Pharmacist Jiang’s son, right? And that little girl—who is she? Why is she getting such special treatment from him?” A young pharmacist, who had just changed into a fourth-level pharmacist robe, couldn’t help but ask.

Beside him, a slightly older fourth-level pharmacist, looking around thirty, shot him a sidelong glance and said with a hint of pride, “Are you blind? Didn’t you hear how Young Master Jiang addressed her? Little Aunt Master! She’s the last disciple of the Sage Apothecary, and Young Master Jiang’s Aunt Master!”

“Heavens! I didn’t expect the Sage Apothecary’s last disciple to be so young!” The younger pharmacist exclaimed in mild astonishment.

The older fourth-level pharmacist sighed, with a touch of envy, and said, “Did you see the pharmacist robes they just received? Level 6! Jumping from Level 3 straight to Level 6. Sure enough, a great teacher produces exceptional students!”

The younger one sighed: “Too bad we weren’t born with such luck! I bet these two won’t stop here. Senior Brother Ding, what do you think?”

The older pharmacist hesitated for a moment and said, “You mean… these two are going to participate in the Senior Pharmacist examination? That’s not easy at all. It usually takes years of experience. They’re just too young…”

“Too young? Don’t forget, the Sage Apothecary’s Junior Nephew, Baili Yunji, also became a Grand Pharmacist in his teens. Heroes emerge young; never underestimate the young!” The younger pharmacist laughed and patted his chest.

The older one smiled and patted his shoulder, “Promising as always, Brother Wang. Are you going to continue participating in the exam in the coming days?”

“Of course! Even if I’m not confident, it’s about taking part! And what if I succeed?” The young pharmacist, once hesitant, now felt a sense of clarity and determination. Give it your all—win or lose, at least there will be no regrets!

“Alright! After hearing what you said, I’ll accompany you and give it a try!” The older pharmacist laughed heartily.

Jiang Zhongtian trailed obediently behind his Little Aunt Master, constantly apologizing, full of regret. 

She must have misunderstood me teasing her about her height. Height is a taboo topic for her; I shouldn’t have touched it. How could I forget?

In fact, among her peers, she wasn’t that short… Well, maybe just a little. But she was still young, so she might catch up later. Why worry so much?

He noticed Gu Ye stop and head back toward the exit, peering inside. Curiously, he asked, “Aunt Master, who are you looking for?”

Gu Ye ignored him. Finally, she spotted the person she had been searching for in the crowd. She waved and called out, “Lin Nuo, over here!”

Lin Nuo, holding the pharmacist robe and badge he had just received, felt as if he were dreaming.He couldn’t believe it was real. His hands trembled slightly as he carefully checked the collar of the robe; indeed, there were six embroidered lingzhi mushrooms.

He…He had leapt from a Level 3 pharmacist straight to Level 6! Something he never even dared to imagine! Originally, he hadn’t had the slightest confidence in passing even the Level 4 exam, and now…

“Junior Brother Lin, how did you do?” asked a pharmacist named Li, whom Lin Nuo had met at the gathering. 

He emerged from the exam area looking dejected. He had passed yesterday’s Level 3 assessment but had been stopped at today’s intermediate pharmacist exam.

Seeing the new pharmacist robe in Lin Nuo’s hands, he felt a twinge of envy. But since Lin Nuo was naturally one level above him, thinking that made him feel somewhat better.

Lin Nuo took a few deep breaths and hadn’t had time to respond when a clear, melodious voice called his name. He rushed forward in three quick steps, a wave of warmth rushing to his eyes. His voice caught slightly as he said, “Master, I… I am now an intermediate pharmacist!”

“Congratulations! Huh? You even got Level 6 qualification. Well done!” Gu Ye was also somewhat surprised. 

With Lin Nuo’s current level, reaching Level 5 would already have been impressive. She hadn’t expected such a big surprise!

“Excuse me!!! Level 6??” The surnamed Li who had followed behind Lin Nuo was stunned. Peering over, he saw the deep-blue collar embroidered with six neat lingzhi mushrooms.

He was utterly shocked. Within just over ten days, Lin Nuo had made such incredible progress, and all because he had been chosen as an apprentice by the disciple of the Sage Apothecary? 

And that was only as an apprentice. 

If he were formally taken as a disciple… That’s the power of having a master! With a good teacher, how many detours could one avoid!

Lin Nuo struggled to calm his excitement, smiling through tears as he said, “It was just luck. In my group, all the main and auxiliary materials for the Four-Processed Xiangfu were available. I’ve been practicing the Four-Processed Xiangfu tirelessly these past days, and it just worked!… I didn’t expect to be rated as Level 6.”

“Luck is also part of skill. The Four-Processed Xiangfu technique is inherently complex. I taught you the most complicated method, and your ability to master it so quickly is inseparable from the effort you’ve put in. Are you thinking of trying the senior pharmacist assessment?”

These days, Lin Nuo had spent all his time outside of eating and sleeping practicing pharmacy, working tirelessly and refining every detail. Gu Ye wasn’t surprised at his results.

Lin Nuo shook his head in embarrassment and said, “This was just a stroke of luck. My current level isn’t enough to be considered a competent intermediate pharmacist. I want to try again in three years to break through to Level 7…”

“That’s good. You can’t become a master in one bite. The path of a pharmacist has no shortcuts. You have to advance steadily, step by step,” Gu Ye said, her eyes showing appreciation for Lin Nuo. 

Her little apprentice wasn’t someone who aimed too high too fast; she had judged him correctly.

“Um… do you still need an apprentice?” 

Gu Ye turned her head and saw the proud young man from the first pharmacist gathering. This sixteen- or seventeen-year-old junior pharmacist had already changed into a Level 2 pharmacist robe, his cheeks slightly flushed, looking at her with a hint of shyness.

Gu Ye thought for a moment and said, “Gu Pharmaceutical will be relocating to the capital in the near future. By then, I may need several assistants. If you’re interested, you can come and participate in the assessment!”

The young pharmacist suddenly lifted his head, and a dazzling light shone in his eyes. He nodded vigorously and said, “I’m interested! I’ll definitely sign up. I-I will work hard to become a qualified assistant!”

The surnamed Li also stepped forward, licking his lips nervously and asking, “Miss Gu… can I…?”

“Anyone under twenty-five who passes the assessment has a chance to join Gu Pharmaceutical!” Gu Ye nodded at him.

The surnamed Li was overjoyed. He had occasionally overheard that the reason Young Master Jiang had such a sudden breakthrough in pharmacy was because he had received guidance from Miss Gu at Gu Pharmaceutical… 

If she could teach strangers so diligently at gatherings, she would certainly be even more generous with her own assistants! Thinking this, his heart burned with excitement.