Settling the Dust

With this in mind, his expression filled with apprehension, he said, "This disciple is new here and doesn't really know any of the Elders. Perhaps..."

The Elders' eyes lit up, but the sentence trailed off. Elder Liu smiled and said, "Just say what you want to say. No one will blame you." As he spoke, his smile was exceptionally kind.

Seeing that the Elders had all nodded, Yue Qianchou put on a look of great difficulty and hesitantly said, "I wonder if the Elders could tell me what their skills are? This disciple wants to choose one that suits me." His voice lowered as he spoke.

As soon as he said this, the Elders, who had been gathered in a circle, became lively, each introducing their own abilities. The disciples gathered far outside had no idea what the Elders were doing, it felt just like a market where people were selling goods. The disciples exchanged bewildered glances.

"My cultivation has already reached the early Tribulation stage. Taking you, a mere child, as a disciple is no problem."

"Hmph! There are a few here who haven't reached the Tribulation stage. As for me, my extraordinary techniques would be a shame to leave without a successor."

"How many can even use your techniques without reaching the Nascent Soul stage? Yue Qianchou, come to my Artifact Refining Pavilion! I'll refine a few top-notch magic artifacts for you to defend yourself and defeat enemies. It would be quite worthwhile."

On the surface, Yue Qianchou was exceptionally respectful. Listening to the Elders shamelessly boasting about themselves, he was inwardly overjoyed. These Elders might be renowned figures in the Cultivation World, but when gathered together, what difference were they from ordinary people? This was probably a case of scarcity creating value; when there were too many, they naturally depreciated.

After listening respectfully for a long time, he didn't find many people with special abilities. Everyone was just talking about how high their cultivation was, how powerful their magic treasures were, and how many people from the Demonic Path they had killed. But this wasn't what he wanted. What did I care how high your cultivation was? Cultivation couldn't be transferred to me. What use were powerful magic treasures? I don't even have the strength for Sword Flight. Even if I were given magic treasures, I couldn't use them! And those who flaunted their kills as a badge of honor were simply perverts. Didn't they know the most important thing I wanted was someone who could help me achieve Foundation Establishment?

Speaking of which, Yue Qianchou himself was not entirely clear. Currently, perhaps no one in the Cultivation World dared to say they could definitely help someone achieve Foundation Establishment. At best, they could only say they would give you a few Foundation Establishment Pills or provide guidance and experience during the process. Moreover, the conditions for disciples on Fu Xian Island were already much better than those of other sects. Although Foundation Establishment Pills were considered relatively precious elixirs, each disciple had three chances to achieve Foundation Establishment. Conversely, the requirements were also stricter than other sects; those who failed to achieve Foundation Establishment in three attempts would definitely be expelled from Fu Xian Island, as such disciples had almost no future in cultivation.

Therefore, no Elder dared to say, "I can definitely help you achieve Foundation Establishment." If anyone dared to say that, they would likely be ridiculed mercilessly.

Listening to them all, only the words of Elders Fei, Guan, and Huang, whom he had met in the Sect Master's room earlier, made Yue Qianchou feel a flicker of interest. Elder Fei was in charge of the Myriad Fragrance Garden, where some of the spirit herbs were priceless treasures. If he became Elder Fei's disciple, the spirit herbs listed on the jade slips containing pill recipes he possessed would have a source.

Elder Guan was in charge of the Alchemy Pavilion, which could refine various elixirs. What attracted Yue Qianchou the most was that the Foundation Establishment Pills for the 'Newcomer Tournament,' held once every ten years, were almost all refined by Elder Guan's Alchemy Pavilion.

Elder Huang's Artifact Refining Pavilion was renowned throughout the entire Cultivation World. The magic treasures he refined were even known to him when he was in the Qingguang Sect. A top-quality magic treasure was no less valuable than a cultivator's life. Yue Qianchou had personally witnessed the power of a magic treasure battle at the Qingguang Sect's Spirit Stone mine, and he was still deeply impressed.

He had already preliminarily decided that the master he would choose would be one of these three, but he had to consider carefully for his future in the Cultivation World. The biggest hurdle he currently faced was breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage; without breaking through, everything else was just talk.

Although the Myriad Fragrance Garden under Elder Fei had many spirit herbs, he didn't know how to refine elixirs. What use would it be to become his disciple? Would he eat spirit herbs as food? Or would he steal spirit herbs to sell for money? The lifespan of someone in the Qi Refining stage was not that long. Once he died, would they all be passed down as inheritance? To pass down an inheritance, there had to be a recipient! What use were so many spirit herbs and so much money if he couldn't break through to Foundation Establishment?

If he had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Elder Huang's Artifact Refining Pavilion would be a good choice. Getting a few more magic treasures would be fantastic, but going there now was a bit unrealistic. He couldn't use the magic treasures even if he got them, so having more would only be for inheritance.

It seemed Elder Guan was the best choice! As long as he learned the skill of refining elixirs, even if he was kicked out of Fu Xian Island for failing to achieve Foundation Establishment, he would have a trade to rely on. At worst, he could slowly gather spirit herbs and refine Foundation Establishment Pills himself. He refused to believe that he couldn't break through to Foundation Establishment even if he ate Foundation Establishment Pills like food! Moreover, judging by the old fellow's arrogant demeanor, it seemed others were a bit afraid of him. From this, it could be seen that alchemy was a good profession. Secondly, he wouldn't have to worry about offending others by becoming his disciple; the old fellow's arrogance should provide him with support. Furthermore, he had a straightforward temper and should not be difficult to deal with.

With this thought, Yue Qianchou made up his mind. He ignored the buzzing sounds of the Elders like flies, his expression resolute, and his determined gaze fixed on Elder Guan, who was enthusiastically spewing saliva at the other Elders.

Everyone noticed Yue Qianchou's reaction and knew he was about to make his choice. Their chatter stopped. Some Elders even showed expressions of anticipation.

"All of you are talking nonsense... uh!" Elder Guan, standing in front of Yue Qianchou with his back to him, was in the middle of a passionate tirade. Suddenly, he noticed everyone's reaction and turned around, seeing Yue Qianchou looking at him. The renowned 'Alchemy Fanatic' couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The token's fate now depended on Yue Qianchou's word.

Yue Qianchou took a step forward and bowed to Elder Guan, saying, "This disciple, Yue Qianchou, sincerely implores Elder Guan to accept me as your disciple." He then knelt down.

Instantly, the Elders who had been arguing for so long were stunned. Expressions of regret and sorrow appeared on everyone's faces. Elder Guan was taken aback, seeming to disbelieve it for a moment, then he reacted and laughed heartily, "Good, good, good, Yue Qianchou! I agree to take you as my disciple. Get up quickly, get up, there's no need for such formality." He then personally helped Yue Qianchou up and laughed wildly at the sky.

His triumphant laughter spread outwards, as if he were happier than if he had refined a peerless divine elixir. Yue Qianchou, who was closest, felt his ears go numb from the laughter.

Cheng Gengqing, standing nearby, had witnessed quite a spectacle today. The Elders, who were usually dignified and held high status, were saying anything for a mere token. He couldn't help but admire Yue Qianchou's courage; if he were in such a situation, he truly wouldn't know what to do. However, he wondered if there might be any negative consequences. Thinking this, he secretly glanced at the Elders' reactions, and indeed, their expressions were not good.

"Everyone, why are you still lingering here? Do you want to congratulate me? I appreciate the thought, but please clear the way! I'm taking my newly accepted disciple back to the Alchemy Pavilion, haha..." Elder Guan said, holding Yue Qianchou's wrist and laughing heartily. He was too happy today. Regardless of whether he obtained the Fu Xian Token or not, just being chosen from dozens of Elders was enough to make him happy, especially seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, as if they had swallowed a fly.