Dust Settles

Thinking of this, he said nervously, "This disciple has only just arrived and truly knows nothing about the elders. How about..."

The elders' eyes lit up. They waited for quite a while, yet no follow-up came. Elder Liu finally said with a smile, "Say whatever you want. No one will blame you." The smile on his face was exceptionally kindly.

Seeing all the elders nod, Yue Qianchou put on a deeply troubled expression and said hesitantly, "Could the elders tell me what skills you possess? This disciple would like to choose one suitable for myself." His voice grew quieter and quieter as he spoke.

The moment those words were spoken, the elders gathered in a circle immediately became animated, each one eagerly introducing his own abilities. The disciples standing far away outside had no idea what the elders were doing. It felt like a marketplace where vendors were selling their wares, and they all looked at one another in bewilderment.

"This elder has already reached the early Tribulation stage. Becoming the master of a little brat like you is hardly a problem."

"Hmph! How many people here haven't reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage? It would be a terrible waste if I didn't find a disciple to inherit my extraordinary spells."

"Of the spells you know, how many can be used before the Nascent Soul Realm? Yue Qianchou, you should come to my Artifact Refining Pavilion! I'll forge you several fine magical artifacts for self-defense and defeating enemies. That would be far more worthwhile."

On the surface, Yue Qianchou remained exceptionally respectful as he listened to the elders disregard their status and boast about themselves. Inside, he was already laughing himself to the heavens. These elders might have been renowned figures in the Cultivation World, but when piled together, how were they any different from ordinary people? Perhaps this was why things were valued for their rarity. Once there were too many, their worth naturally fell.

After listening respectfully for a long time, he had not discovered many with any special abilities. Everyone was merely talking about how high their cultivation was, how formidable their magical treasures were, and how many demonic cultivators they had killed. But none of that was what he wanted. What did it have to do with him if their cultivation was high? Their cultivation could not be transferred onto him. And what use were powerful magical treasures? He did not even have the strength for Sword Flight. Even if they gave him magical treasures, he could not wield them! And those fellows proudly showing off their killing were simply perverts. Didn't they know what he wanted most was someone who could help him successfully achieve Foundation Establishment?

In truth, Yue Qianchou himself did not understand this very well. At present, probably no one in the Cultivation World dared claim they could definitely help someone successfully achieve Foundation Establishment. At most, they could give someone a few Foundation Establishment Pills, offer guidance during the process, and provide a little experience. Besides, Fu Xian Island disciples already enjoyed much better conditions than disciples of other sects. Although Foundation Establishment Pills were fairly precious medicinal pills, every disciple had three chances to attempt Foundation Establishment. On the other hand, the rules were also harsher than those of other sects. Anyone who failed all three attempts would certainly be expelled from Fu Xian Island, because such disciples had virtually no future in cultivation.

Therefore, no elder dared say, "I'll definitely help you succeed in Foundation Establishment." If anyone dared utter those words, he would likely be mocked until not a shred of dignity remained.

After listening back and forth, only the words of Elders Fei, Guan, and Huang—the three he had seen earlier in the sect leader's room—stirred Yue Qianchou's heart somewhat. Elder Fei controlled Myriad Fragrance Garden, where some spirit herbs were so valuable they were practically priceless. If he took Elder Fei as his master, the spirit herbs listed on the jade slips containing his pill formulas would be accounted for.

The Alchemy Pavilion controlled by Elder Guan could refine all kinds of medicinal pills. What attracted Yue Qianchou 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 famous throughout the entire Cultivation World. Even in the Qingguang Sect, he had heard of the magical treasures it forged. A fine magical treasure was no less than a cultivator's life. Yue Qianchou had personally witnessed the power of magical treasures in battle at the Qingguang Sect's Spirit Stone mine, and even now, he remained deeply shaken.

He had already tentatively decided that the master he would choose would be one of those three. But if he wanted to survive in the Cultivation World in the future, he had no choice but to consider things carefully. The greatest hurdle before him now was breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. If he could not break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, everything else was empty talk.

Although Elder Fei's Myriad Fragrance Garden had quite a few spirit herbs, what use was taking him as a master when he could not refine pills? Was he supposed to eat spirit herbs as food? Or steal spirit herbs and sell them for money? The lifespan of the Qi Refining stage did not seem very long either. Once he kicked the bucket, were all those things supposed to become an inheritance? Even an inheritance needed someone to leave it to! What use were so many spirit herbs and so much money if he could not break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm?

If he had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, Elder Huang's Artifact Refining Pavilion would have been a good choice. It would be wonderful to get his hands on several magical treasures. But going there now was somewhat unrealistic. Even if he were given magical treasures, he could not use them. No matter how many magical treasures he obtained, they could only become an inheritance.

It seemed Elder Guan was the best choice! As long as he learned the art of alchemy, even if he failed Foundation Establishment and was expelled from Fu Xian Island someday, he would still have a trade to rely on. At worst, he could slowly gather spirit herbs in the future and refine the damn Foundation Establishment Pills himself. I refuse to believe that if I eat Foundation Establishment Pills like rice, I still won't break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm! Besides, this old fellow looked incredibly badass. Everyone else seemed somewhat afraid of him. From that alone, it was clear that alchemy was a good profession. Better still, he would not have to worry about offending the others by becoming his disciple. This old fellow's arrogant air should be enough to back him up. And his temperament was straightforward, so he should not be hard to deal with.

Having thought this through, Yue Qianchou made up his mind. The buzzing of the elders around him, like a swarm of flies, no longer entered his ears. His expression turned resolute, and his firm gaze fell upon Elder Guan, who was spraying spittle as he argued with the other elders.

Everyone noticed Yue Qianchou's reaction and knew he was likely about to make his choice. Their words all stopped. Some elders even revealed expectant expressions.

"They're all talking fucking nonsense... uh!" Elder Guan, standing in front of Yue Qianchou with his back to him, had been cursing to his heart's content when he suddenly noticed everyone's reaction. Turning around, he saw Yue Qianchou looking at him. The world-famous Alchemy Fanatic could not help becoming a little nervous at this moment. Who would receive the token depended on Yue Qianchou's single sentence.

Yue Qianchou stepped forward and bowed to Elder Guan. "This disciple, Yue Qianchou, sincerely begs Elder Guan to accept me as his disciple." With that, he knelt and kowtowed.

At once, all the elders who had been arguing for half the day were dumbfounded. Expressions of regret and grief soon appeared on their faces. Elder Guan froze, seemingly unable to believe it. Then he came back to his senses and burst into loud laughter. "Good, good, good! Yue Qianchou, this old man agrees to accept you as his disciple. Get up, get up. No need for such ceremony." As he spoke, he personally helped Yue Qianchou up and threw back his head in wild laughter.

His triumphant laughter rolled out in waves, as though he were even happier than if he had refined an unparalleled divine pill. Yue Qianchou, standing closest to him, had his ears numbed by the sound.

Cheng Gengqing had truly broadened his horizons today. The elders, usually so imposing and high in status, would actually say anything at all for the sake of a single token. He could not help admiring Yue Qianchou's courage. If he had encountered such a situation himself, he truly would not have known what to do. But would this lead to any bad consequences? Thinking this, he secretly glanced at the elders' reactions. Sure enough, none of their expressions looked good.

"Everyone, why are you still gathered here? Could it be that you wish to congratulate me? This old man appreciates the sentiment. You should all make way first! I'm taking my newly accepted disciple back to the Alchemy Pavilion, hahaha..." Elder Guan said with a laugh, gripping Yue Qianchou's wrist. He was simply too happy today. Never mind whether he had obtained the Fu Xian Token; merely standing out from dozens of elders was enough to delight him, especially with the expressions on their faces as though they had swallowed flies.

.