Daily life of a cultivation judge

"If the facts check, we will do all we can.." answered Yang Qing.

"It's all I ask.."Xin Zephyr said as she raised her head.

Yang Qing exchanged a glance with Luo Meili, who seemed to read the thoughts behind the glance as she nodded.

"Good.." thought Yang Qing.

Su Jinjing's absence meant she was more than likely confirming the story given by Xin Zephyr, especially when it touched on the identity of Long Zemin and whether he was a member of the Ocean Refining Crucible Pavilion or not.

From what Yang Qing knew about the Pavilion it was a rank 3 organization with five blue grade alchemists who other than being blue grade alchemists were also palace realm experts.

The five blue-grade alchemists started out as wandering alchemists with no backing. They peddled their trade wherever it took them, till finally, it landed them in a mysterious realm that seemed to belong to some long-forgotten alchemists of an unknown rank.

It was rumored that everything the Ocean Refining Crucible Pavilion was today or will ever be is tied to what they found within that mysterious realm. 

From what Yang Qing knew, the name of the pavilion itself was born out of a treasure they found within that mysterious realm. It was said that the five alchemists found an artifact in the form of a crucible within that mysterious realm.

The crucible was rumored to have an effect that enabled alchemists to mix volatile ingredients with ease in the preparation phase before they mixed it in the cauldron. It not only worked with spiritual herbs but spiritual metals and minerals too, reducing the burden on the alchemists when mixing the different ingredients.

The crucible also had an ocean pearl that produced gentle qi that renewed and strengthened the alchemist's soul and spiritual essence, enabling them to brew potions and pills longer. This came in handy when dealing with complex recipes and ingredients.

With the crucible in hand along with other resources they likely harvested from the said mysterious realm, the five alchemists grew in strength and repute, and in a few short 100 years, they graduated from a ragtag of wandering alchemists into founders of a top-tier alchemy organization with five blue grade alchemists, who were palace realm experts to boot.

Yang Qing did read that occasionally they would don their earlier identities as roaming alchemists. They would offer guidance, heal, or produce potions and pills for those they came across in need. Of course, they did it under disguise.

That tradition was something they continuously upheld and demanded of their members. Every member was required for at least three months every two years, to wander around the continent plying their trade and offering their services to whoever they came across, irrespective of background.

It was a tradition that garnered them a favorable reputation among the masses and other growing organizations, and even aspiring alchemists with a sense of justice and adventure in them

"Come to think of it, one of the instructors of herbology is acquainted with one of their founders, it should be Instructor Lu Bei if my memory serves me well. He was interested in their crucible because of his research into mineralogy and metallurgy of different spiritual minerals and metals.."  wondered Yang Qing as he recalled an instructor from his first year at the Institute.

The instructor was a blue-grade herbologist with an interest in metallurgy and spiritual metals and minerals as they relate to herbology. He had the idea of using molten spiritual metals and minerals as fertilizer for his spiritual plants and see the changes that they would bring about.

Yang Qing knew about it because he had been enlisted in said experiments up until he graduated. The reason for his enlistment was his ability to promote the vitality of plants around him.

The pay wasn't bad for a student as he was given 2 merit points per day and he got to take home any leftover materials from the experiment. Yang Qing was able to occasionally afford to dine well at the various restaurants around the Order because of those scraps.

"If Su Jinjing doesn't find anything, maybe I can have him ask their founder if they know Long Zemin or Shi Huang.." thought Yang Qing as he brought his attention back to the case.

"Next should be you.." Yang Qing said, pointing to the middle-aged man next to Xin Zephyr.

"Thank you for the opportunity.." the middle-aged man said as he cupped his fists in both greeting and gratitude.

"My name is Wu Shen and I am the chief instructor and elder of the Flowing Fist Sect. Just like Xin Zephyr has said we met up close to three months ago to help the Hua Clan ward off the tricolored white-eyed tortoise as they dealt with the red pine flame porcupine.

We managed to stop the tricolored white-eyed tortoise, or so we thought before I did something I constantly warned the disciples of not doing, which is dropping your guard before the opponent is truly down.

In our complacency, we celebrated our victory too early which the tricolored white-eyed tortoise took full advantage of and turned the tables on us.

Had it been determined and willing to risk, we would likely not be here today.." said Wu Shen with a sigh of exasperation.

Yang Qing could understand why Wu Shen was hard on himself. The Instructors at the institute advocated for the same ideals when they trained them. 

When you see an opponent, evaluate them well and even go as far as to overestimate their abilities even if they're a few levels weaker than you.

After evaluating them, decide what you want, whether is it to restrain them, take their lives, or run. You choose that which has the highest odds and once you decide, do not hesitate or hold back in the slightest because the opponent will not do so.

A blunder like what Wu Shen and the rest did, was something that would land them the worst torture of their lives from the Instructors until the lesson sunk in.