Ye Qin rubbed his temples, uncertain which invitation to accept.

Logically, the Island Master of Great Glazed Island should be the more formidable one. Otherwise, he wouldn't command the spirit-energy-rich Great Glazed Island, leaving the Lesser Island Master to govern the Small Glazed Island. However, even the Lesser Island Master was not someone he could afford to offend. Fortunately, Ye Qin did not have to trouble himself over the choice of invitation.

Seeing Ye Qin hesitate, the young cultivator in azure guessed his dilemma and immediately stated, "Both Island Masters are already awaiting your presence at the main peak of Great Glazed Island, within the Glazed Hall. Please proceed!"

"It is better to obey respect than to decline," Ye Qin considered briefly, accepted both invitations, and decided to make the trip. While other Foundation Establishment cultivators might ignore such summons, since he resided on Glazed Island, he absolutely could not easily offend the two Golden Core cultivators governing it. He wondered why the two Island Masters wished to see him. It was likely related to his alchemy. He would have to adapt as the situation dictated.

Escorted by the stout man in azure and the cultivator in jade, Ye Qin flew on his artifact towards the Glazed Hall, situated halfway up the main peak of Great Glazed Island. Although this was merely a small island in the East Sea, the Glazed Hall on the main peak rivaled those in the Central Lands in grandeur and splendor. It appeared like a celestial palace resting on a misty immortal island, inspiring awe.

Inside the hall, the two Golden Core cultivators were already seated. One Island Master was corpulent and robust, while the other was significantly shorter and leaner, reserved and taciturn. Both appeared to be in their late seventies or eighties. With their spiritual pressures suppressed, it was impossible to discern who possessed higher cultivation. Additionally, dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators in azure and jade stood on either side of the hall, clearly the trusted subordinates of the two Island Masters. Near the Island Masters stood several elders clad in plain, long green robes.

"This junior, Ye Qin, pays respects to the two Island Masters!" Upon entering the hall and surveying the assembled cultivators, Ye Qin immediately bowed to the two leaders.

"Hahaha, Martial Nephew Ye need not be so polite. I am the Island Master of Great Glazed Island; my surname is Zhao. You may call me Great Island Master Zhao. This gentleman is surnamed Wang, the Island Master of Small Glazed Island; call him Lesser Island Master Wang." The stout Golden Core ancestor boomed with great enthusiasm. "I hear you are a disciple of a renowned immortal cultivation sect in the Central Lands, famous for its exceptional alchemy. You must come from a distinguished lineage to nurture such an alchemy prodigy." "I dare not presume!" Ye Qin felt slightly constrained under the gaze of the two masters and replied respectfully.

He offered no defense regarding his origins. Glazed Island was separated from the Central Lands by tens of thousands of miles of ocean; the two Golden Core ancestors could not possibly investigate. Since the Island Masters mistakenly believed he was the descendant of a major immortal cultivation family, he would let them continue in that error. It saved him from fabricating reasons to explain his surprisingly high level of alchemy.

"Oh, hehe. Martial Nephew Ye has likely guessed why Island Master Wang and I summoned you. My purpose is simple. Our Great and Small Glazed Islands have several alchemists who are usually very proud of their skills. But compared to yours, their alchemy appears rather lackluster. I heard from some islanders that your success rate for refining mid-tier spirit pills reaches as high as eighty percent, far exceeding ordinary alchemists. Is this true?" Island Master Zhao fixed his gaze on Ye Qin and inquired.

The three or five elders in plain green robes standing nearby looked rather awkward. They were precisely the "overly proud alchemists" mentioned by Island Master Zhao.

"It is true. For commonly used mid-tier spirit pills, ranks four to six, my success rate ranges between eighty and ninety percent," Ye Qin stated truthfully. He saw no need to conceal this. After all, even in the Central Continent, certain alchemists possessing exceptional innate talent could achieve such success rates.

"Then tell us, what is your success rate when refining high-tier spirit pills, such as those of the seventh rank?" Island Master Zhao suddenly asked.

"Seventh-rank spirit pills?" Ye Qin paused, seemingly in contemplation.

In the hall, the two Golden Core ancestors grew instantly tense. Even the surrounding cultivators, like the elders in the plain green robes, were extremely anxious. This was the true crux of the matter; the real reason the two Golden Core ancestors had summoned Ye Qin to the Glazed Hall. Even though the two Island Masters were Golden Core cultivators, they, like all cultivators, deeply valued spirit pills, as these directly impacted their cultivation progress.

After careful consideration, Ye Qin continued, "Seventh-rank spirit pills are high-tier, and the difficulty of refinement is far greater than mid-tier pills. However, I occasionally helped elders in my sect refine high-tier pills in the past. My success rate was at least twenty to thirty percent."

Upon hearing this, the Glazed Hall erupted in a wave of shock and murmurs. The way the cultivators looked at Ye Qin instantly changed—it was a look of immense envy, admiration, and even worship.

For an alchemist to mature is an arduous journey. In the cultivation world of the Central Lands, alchemists are typically categorized into seven levels: Alchemy Page, Alchemy Apprentice, Alchemist, Alchemist Master, Alchemy Grandmaster, Alchemy Patriarch, and Alchemy Divine Master. Alchemy Pages learn basic refining techniques from their masters. Alchemy Apprentices can begin experimenting with opening furnaces themselves. Only upon becoming an Alchemist do they gain a higher standing, earning respect from other cultivators. During the stages of Alchemy Page and Apprentice, alchemists constantly consume precious spiritual herbs, resulting in massive financial losses; they operate at a deficit. Only after achieving the rank of Alchemist can they barely become self-sufficient. There is a widely circulated saying in the Central Lands cultivation world: "A poor cultivator does not practice alchemy." For cultivators from small families or ordinary rogue cultivators, aspiring to become an Alchemist is purely a fantasy, burning spiritual herbs and stones like firewood. Countless small families in the Central Continent have declined precisely because they attempted to cultivate alchemists. Only wealthy, established families dared to support the training of alchemists. Moreover, this only accounts for reaching the rank of Alchemist. An Alchemist can refine pills for others and earn a small fee. However, these earnings are often immediately consumed by their own cultivation needs, achieving only self-sufficiency. Little wealth can be accumulated. Only by reaching the level of Alchemist Master, possessing superior alchemy skills and having numerous cultivators seeking their services, can one truly earn substantial spirit stones. This is when the alchemist's bitter struggles yield great rewards. Virtually every Alchemist Master is never short of money. However, reaching higher levels, such as Alchemist Grandmaster, requires innate talent; otherwise, it remains a pipe dream. The best time to ascertain if an alchemist possesses talent is during the Alchemist stage. Before becoming an Alchemist, no one knows if they have the potential. Once they reach the Alchemist rank, the potential of most refining talents is largely realized, making it easiest to spot inherent ability. If, at the Alchemist level, it becomes clear that the individual lacks the talent for greater achievements, it means all prior massive investments were wasted. For this very reason, only major immortal cultivation sects with abundant resources and manpower dare to cultivate alchemists to higher tiers like Alchemist Master. On Glazed Island, the majority of cultivators with refining skills are merely at the Alchemy Apprentice level. These ordinary Apprentices garner no special attention; entrusting them with precious herbs is sheer waste. Only a select few cultivators on the island are recognized Alchemists. The several elders in the plain green robes standing near the two Island Masters are precisely the Alchemist Masters—the highest-level alchemists on Glazed Island. Yet, even they cannot achieve more than a ten percent success rate when refining seventh-rank spirit pills; some cannot refine them at all. But Ye Qin’s success rate for seventh-rank pills reached twenty to thirty percent—significantly higher. Skilled alchemists are highly sought after everywhere. Although many Alchemists pass through Glazed Island, very few are willing to settle down.

The two Island Masters were energized, exchanging looks that revealed sheer delight. Ye Qin’s appearance meant that the same quantity of high-tier spirit materials could yield nearly double the number of spirit pills. Every portion of high-tier spirit material was immensely precious.

"Excellent!" Island Master Zhao slammed his palm against his chair with elation. "I never expected Glazed Island to attract an Alchemy Grandmaster! This is a tremendous stroke of fortune. Our Glazed Island has always been poor in spiritual herbs; with an Alchemy Grandmaster like you, think of how many precious high-grade spiritual herbs we can conserve. My reason for summoning you today is very simple: I hope you will serve Great Glazed Island and become our Chief Alchemist. I assure you, a cultivator with your profound skills will be treated exceptionally well." Lesser Island Master Wang, hearing this, instantly bristled, frowning. "Brother Zhao, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to monopolize him? He settled on Small Glazed Island; he is one of ours." "...Hahaha, Martial Nephew Ye is but one person. He can only go to Great Glazed Island or Small Glazed Island. Why don't we let him choose himself?" Island Master Zhao spoke with considerable confidence. He and Lesser Island Master Wang had vied for dominance over the Great and Small Glazed Islands for a century. While no decisive victory had been achieved, Zhao had consistently maintained the upper hand. He trusted Ye Qin was astute enough to recognize where true power lay between the two islands. If Ye Qin made the "wrong" choice, it was no matter; he would simply seize the person, as he feared no confrontation with Lesser Island Master Wang.

"Hmph, choose? Have him refine pills for both of us simultaneously. That settles it and avoids hurting the harmony between our two families," Lesser Island Master Wang, knowing his strength could not surpass Zhao’s, was not foolish and saw a way to resolve the matter. Without waiting for Zhao’s consent, he turned directly to Ye Qin. "Boy, both Great and Small Glazed Islands require a Chief Alchemist. Are you willing to serve as the Chief Alchemist for both islands?" Ye Qin paused, momentarily stunned. Chief Alchemist for both islands? Did this Island Master Zhao intend to bind him to Glazed Island? Ye Qin rapidly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. The advantages and disadvantages were starkly apparent. With the backing of two Island Masters, his safety on the island was virtually guaranteed. Both were Golden Core cultivators, meaning they naturally required seventh-rank or higher spirit pills. Producing such high-tier pills was extremely difficult; otherwise, the two Island Masters would not have reacted with such ecstasy upon learning his refining standards. The price he had to pay, however, was the obligation to refine high-tier pills of the seventh rank and above for these two masters, which would restrict his freedom to some extent.