She Qingqing, yet another disciple with a Wind Attribute Spirit Root.
Though young, she is highly adaptable. For a cultivator of her age to start learning Alchemy is not too late.
Despite having Fire, Wood, and Wind Three Spirit Roots, her Main Spirit Root is Fire, making her quite suitable for Alchemy—a promising Alchemist in the making.
"With a foundation in Spirit Medicine knowledge, cultivating her is much easier."
Lu Ping had no objections to training She Qingqing to become an Alchemist.
After thirty years of Secluded Cultivation, he knew very few Sect Disciples, let alone having detailed knowledge about them; this he could not do.
The system could only provide basic information.
If Lu Zhiwei could recommend She Qingqing, then she surely had the value for such a recommendation.
"I have some understanding of the Alchemy Dao. I can try to train an Alchemist for the Sect, but before we start, you should ask She Qingqing if she is willing to learn Alchemy."
"If she agrees, go to the Library Pavilion and find some Alchemy-related books for her, instructing her to read them thoroughly to build a solid foundation."
"Getting started with Alchemy is relatively simple."
After all, training an Alchemist is no child's play. It has to be something She Qingqing herself is willing to do.
Mentioning this, Lu Ping recommended a few books.
"Take note."
"These four books—'Chu Kingdom Alchemy Annotation,' 'Alchemy Theory,' 'Beginner's Guide to Alchemy,' and 'Qingxi Records'—are highly educational and indispensable; other Alchemy-related books can be selected as needed."
The above-mentioned books are those Lu Ping had read when he first studied the Alchemy Dao. He had deep impressions of them, and the Sect's Library Pavilion still housed them.
The 'Qingxi Records' deserves special mention here.
This book comprises some of Lu Ping's casually recorded insights into Alchemy, covering stages from entry to Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three.
The book bears this name to commemorate his mentor 'Qingxi Daoist.'
Qingxi Daoist was originally an Alchemy Elder in an Ancient Sect in Lingxi State. When Lu Ping was young and traveling, he joined this sect, followed Qingxi Daoist to oversee the Sect's Medicine Garden, and then became an apprentice in Alchemy, thus forming a master-disciple bond, which allowed Lu Ping to delve step by step into the Alchemy Dao.
However, later on, due to a conflict between this sect and others that led to a devastating war, the sect soon vanished from the Cultivation Realm. Ensnared by past grudges, Qingxi Daoist had to flee from Lingxi State, thus parting ways with Lu Ping.
This separation lasted over two hundred years without meeting again.
Currently, the 'Qingxi Records' is preserved in the Sect's Library Pavilion.
Thinking about the Library Pavilion, Lu Ping hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Is the Library Pavilion's collection complete?"
Previously, the Sect had not inquired in advance about having an Alchemist, which led to the embarrassing situation of exchanging for the Crescent Pill formula without having an Alchemist in the Sect.
This time, mentioning the Library Pavilion, Lu Ping decided to confirm things clearly.
If the Library Pavilion lacks books, and many have not been passed down, they can only be acquired externally.
As for the 'Qingxi Records,' after all, it was written by Lu Ping himself. He could have Lu Zhiwei bring paper and pen, spend some time reciting it, and have Lu Zhiwei jot down the key knowledge.
Lu Ping's memory is quite excellent, especially when it comes to Alchemy Knowledge.
"Father, rest assured."
Lu Zhiwei said, "The Library Pavilion has always been well preserved. After I obtain She Qingqing's consent, I'll proceed according to your instructions."
Lu Ping's guidance on what to read was entirely unexpected for Lu Zhiwei.
She initially thought Lu Ping would not involve himself in training an Alchemist, letting her or Lu Yuanshan handle it as they saw fit, never expecting Lu Ping to take such an interest.
In fact, what she didn't know was that Lu Ping's actions were also compelled by circumstance.
An Alchemist certainly needed to be nurtured, and the Sect cannot lack talent in this area.
If they were to recruit Alchemists externally, given Cyan Mountain Sect's current foundation, it was too weak, and those Alchemists would likely not even glance this way, not to mention recruitment.
If external recruitment was not feasible, they had to personally train and select promising seedlings from within.
Can't blame it, Cyan Mountain Sect is now rebuilding from the ashes and facing hardships.
As the Ancestor, it was also fitting to make the best use of resources and contribute where possible.
With the Communication function available, once She Qingqing encounters issues she doesn't understand, it'd be quite easy for Lu Ping to impart some Alchemy Knowledge.
After giving seeds and elixir formulas, Lu Ping didn't dwell more on the topic of Alchemy. He finally emphasized one thing.
"I heard from Distant Mountain that Chaoge disappeared without reason, and there's been no word since."
Saying this, Lu Ping felt uneasy.
"Send some personnel to continue inquiring about her whereabouts. Regardless of whether she's alive or dead, there needs to be a conclusion."
His wife's disappearance for so many years weighed heavily on Lu Ping's heart.
Even if the chances of finding her were slim, as long as there was the slightest hope, Lu Ping would not give up.
"Yes."
Mentioning Li Chaoge, Lu Zhiwei's tone dropped suddenly.
She dearly missed her mother.
Over these years, her elder brothers never gave up on the thought of finding their mother. Yet, after searching for so long, a satisfactory result was still elusive.
The father and daughter shared their melancholy for a while, and then Lu Ping had Lu Zhiwei step back.
Lu Zhiwei, heavy-hearted, bid farewell and gradually disappeared from Lu Ping's sight.
Watching his young daughter walk away alone, Lu Ping let out a slight sigh, images of a graceful and gentle woman overlapping with Lu Zhiwei's retreating figure in his mind.
So alike, truly too alike, even Zhiwei's silhouette resembles yours so much.
Chaoge, where are you now…
Lu Ping fell into a long period of yearning, only regaining his senses when dusk fell.
"At any rate, Chaoge is merely missing. Compared to an early demise or natural death, it's somewhat better; at least there's a chance of survival."
"May you be safe and sound. With me here, I hope to await the day of your return in the Sect."
Speaking to himself, Lu Ping calmed his thoughts and spent some time contemplating the matters of the Sect.
He needed to plan a lot of things now, requiring careful thought.
With the previous series of actions, the Spiritual Peach Tree has been planted, Lu Zhiwei's Dao Heart revitalized, and the Sect could cultivate Moon Grass again.
After awakening, with his considerable effort, the Sect finally began to turn towards positive development, which brought Lu Ping a sense of relief.
But ultimately, the biggest issue facing the Sect hasn't been resolved yet.
The overall strength of the Sect remains too weak.
Throughout the whole Cyan Mountain Sect, the strongest holds a Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation. Additionally, the disciples' strength ranges between First-Layer Qi Cultivation to Sixth Layer.
Given Cyan Mountain Sect's current strength, it's quite difficult to establish a foothold in Lushan County.
The only saving grace is that, due to the protection of the Sect Establishment Order, Cyan Mountain Sect will likely not face destruction in the next ten years, and Hengyue Sect would not dare to launch a major offensive.
But this is all it ensures, just a guarantee of survival, maintaining the dignity of a Sect with great difficulty.