So, You Want to Be a Spiritual Alchemist

Joanna Zuo stared at his cold, unfeeling back. She crouched on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Seeing this heartbreaking scene, Grace frowned deeply.

The 'Lily' they kept mentioning was actually Lily Xu, who used to be Joanna Zuo's fellow disciple.

Lily Xu was exceptionally talented, just like Grace, possessing a Celestial Five-Element Root.

She was beautiful too, as pure and delicate as a pear blossom—so pale and lovely, always looking so pitiful.

Too bad she was a complete bitch!

Whoever had power or influence, she would seduce them.

First, she hooked up with Andrew Zhao. But when the Zhao family fell from grace, she latched onto someone even more powerful—Prince Tuoba Zun.

She helped him with all sorts of schemes, and even nearly got Emperor Tuoba Hong killed.

In her previous life, Grace joined the Vermilion Spirit Alliance and battled Lily Xu for over a decade. In the end, she finally managed to destroy her and claimed the position of Alliance Leader...

Back then, she had no idea that Lily Xu hooking up with Andrew Zhao would hurt Joanna Zuo so deeply...

Grace walked over and called out, "Sister Joanna."

Joanna Zuo wiped her eyes, turned to look at her, and after a moment of recognition, asked in surprise, "Are you... Grace?"

"It's me," Grace replied with a smile. "Sister Joanna, I came to see you. Is this a good time?"

"See me?"

"I wanted to ask you about the Spirit Alliance's recruitment," Grace said.

Joanna Zuo said, "Come on, let's talk upstairs."

Grace nodded.

Joanna Zuo held a high position in the Vermilion Spirit Alliance. She had her own exclusive Alchemist's Pill Room, with a lounge attached to the side.

She brought Grace to the lounge and poured her a cup of tea.

"Sister Joanna, you only saw me when I was little, and you still recognize me?" Grace asked with a smile.

When she was a child, Joanna Zuo hadn't married yet, and they had met a few times.

"Of course I recognize you. You haven't changed much—just prettier than you were as a kid," Joanna Zuo said, giving her a once-over.

"You haven't changed either. Still so young and beautiful."

Joanna Zuo smiled bitterly and asked, "Did you come to the Vermilion Kingdom all by yourself?"

"I came here to visit a friend, and thought I'd drop by to see you as well," Grace said. "I wanted to ask if the Spirit Alliance is recruiting new members this year?"

"Yes, they are. Why do you ask?"

"I want to join the Spirit Alliance, so I came to ask you about it."

"You? That's probably impossible." Joanna Zuo gave her a strange look. "Even if you want to be like Bobby and run errands for the Alliance, you still have to be a Spirit Practitioner."

"You might not know, Sister Joanna—I already have a spirit root. And it's a Celestial Five-Element Root."

"What?" Joanna Zuo stared at her in shock. "Weren't you born without a spirit root? How do you have one now?"

"I have no idea how it happened. I didn't have a spirit root as a kid, but then, sometime around last September or October, it just appeared."

"That kind of thing can happen? I've never heard of it!" Joanna Zuo exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's pretty strange!" Grace agreed.

"So, you want to become a Spiritual Alchemist?"

"Mm-hmm."

"But the entrance exam for the Spirit Alliance isn't easy. Some Spiritual Alchemists study for decades and still can't pass. You just got your spirit root—are you sure you can do it?"

"I've got a great mentor, so I should be fine," Grace said confidently.

"Alright then, just go sign up when you're ready."

"Sister Joanna, do you know who will come to Blue Moon Spirit Alliance for the assessment?"