Under Gao Ming's guidance, Yang Kai quickly arrived at the nearest Spirit Peak. This place appeared to be the Mysterious Pill Sect's Guest-Greeting Peak, which housed a Guest-Greeting Hall. Upon arriving, a young maidservant led Yang Kai into a side chamber to rest.
Gao Ming said, "Master Yang, please wait here for a moment. I've already sent word to the Lord, and he should be arriving shortly."
Yang Kai gave a slight nod. "Much appreciated."
Gao Ming cupped his fists, turned, and left, leaving Yang Kai alone in the chamber to wait.
After waiting for the better part of an hour with no sign of Gao Xinpeng, Yang Kai had nothing to do, so he stood up and walked out, planning to look around at his leisure.
The maidservant he had seen earlier followed closely behind him. Yang Kai glanced back at her but didn't pay it much mind. After all, he was a newcomer here and unfamiliar with the surroundings. Having someone around wasn't the worst thing—if he got lost, he could at least ask for directions.
The Guest-Greeting Peak sat at the outermost perimeter of the Mysterious Pill Sect. Being arranged here didn't surprise Yang Kai. He wasn't technically a disciple of the Mysterious Pill Sect yet, so he naturally had no qualification to enter the inner territories.
The scenery atop the Guest-Greeting Peak was quite pleasant. Various buildings were scattered about in an orderly fashion, and the spiritual energy between heaven and earth was remarkably rich.
After wandering around for the better part of half a day, Yang Kai returned to his guest room—just as Gao Xinpeng hurriedly arrived.
"Young Brother Yang, I've kept you waiting!" Gao Xinpeng was his usual self, putting on a warm and enthusiastic show when they met. "It just so happened to be my turn today to pass on teachings. I was lecturing a group of juniors on the art of pill refining, so I was delayed a bit."
"You flatter me, Senior Brother. I haven't been waiting that long," Yang Kai replied with a faint smile, inviting Gao Xinpeng to take a seat.
Gao Xinpeng looked him up and down, then nodded. "Young Brother Yang has reached Heaven Grade now, hasn't he?"
Yang Kai laughed. "I have your Superior Grade Ten-Turn Wuxin Pill to thank for that."
Gao Xinpeng waved his hand dismissively. "Even without my Ten-Turn Wuxin Pill, you would have advanced just fine. Your talent and aptitude are truly astonishing." His tone shifted, and his expression grew serious. "Young Brother Yang, Gao Ming must have told you the reason I asked you to come?"
Yang Kai nodded. "My pill refining skills originated from the Mysterious Pill Sect, one way or another. Though I have no formal title, I can still be considered a disciple of the Mysterious Pill Sect."
"Exactly right." Gao Xinpeng tapped the table lightly. "Here's the situation. The last time I returned, I reported your matter to the Sect. The higher-ups took it very seriously—after all, it involves that particular individual—which is why they had me bring you into the Sect. However, before that happens, there will be a test to verify whether your skills are consistent with our Mysterious Pill Sect's lineage of pill refining!"
"A test?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "What exactly will be tested?"
Gao Xinpeng smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Young Brother. The content of the test is simply to refine a Ten-Turn Wuxin Pill. The pill recipe you possess is the best proof, and the higher-ups will be observing personally. All you need to do is perform as you normally would. Of course, they might ask you a few questions, but I'm sure that won't trouble you."
Yang Kai thought to himself that this was the most worrisome part. Simply refining a Ten-Turn Wuxin Pill wouldn't be a problem—he had obtained the recipe from Gao Xinpeng, so there would be no issues there. But if they asked about his supposed master, he'd be completely in the dark. All he knew was that the man had one extra finger and wasn't young.
Despite the helplessness he felt inside, he betrayed none of it on his face. "When will this test take place?"
"That depends on the higher-ups' arrangements, but it should be within the next few days. Be ready at all times, Young Brother. When there's news, I'll come to notify you." Gao Xinpeng seemed to have other matters to attend to and stood up in a hurry after finishing. "Originally, since Young Brother traveled such a great distance to come here, I as your Senior Brother should host a welcome banquet for you. But I'm swamped with duties today and simply can't manage it. I'll owe you this welcome feast and make it up to you later."
Yang Kai rose to see him off. "Go ahead and attend to your business, Senior Brother. Don't worry about me."
"Then I'll be off for now." With that, Gao Xinpeng hurried away.
Yang Kai saw him to the door, then turned back and resumed his meditation.
The night passed uneventfully. The next day, after waiting half a day with no word, and lacking any cultivation resources to use, Yang Kai grew restless and decided to go out. He wandered around the Guest-Greeting Peak once more but found it just as tedious, so he tracked down the maidservant and asked, "There's no problem if I go down the mountain for a stroll, is there?"
The maidservant curtsied gracefully. "In response to the Master's question, Alchemist Gao instructed that you may do as you please here. You simply need to return each evening."
"Oh, then there's no problem." Yang Kai said this and headed down the mountain.
Earlier, when he had followed Gao Ming up the mountain, he'd only taken a brief look at the Return to Dependence Platform and hadn't paid much attention to the scenery along the way. Now, descending the path and watching the sea of clouds churn below, he found the view quite refreshing.
When he reached the mountainside, he noticed a steady stream of people converging in one direction. Those who had come from the foot of the mountain to seek pills were all heading that way.
Recalling the information Gao Ming had shared, Yang Kai quickly realized that the Pill Inquiry Pavilion must be over there—the place where outsiders came to request pills.
Curiosity piqued, Yang Kai turned and headed toward the Pill Inquiry Pavilion. Along the way, he overheard quite a few people chattering among themselves as they walked.