Returning to the Sect

Hearing this, Liu Yuanchen was somewhat surprised.

There were not many Spirit Stone Veins on the Red Wasteland. Most were controlled by the three major powers: the Azure Elixir Sect, Demoncloud Sect, and Iron Cauldron Mountain.

Whenever a Spirit Stone Vein appeared, it would usually bring a bloody storm in its wake.

As early as a year ago, he had guessed that the Azure Elixir Sect and Demoncloud Sect might erupt into war.

He had also already devised a response.

He would return to the Azure Elixir Sect's mountain gate and display his alchemy skills to protect himself.

Demoncloud Sect had always focused on harassment. It seemed they merely wanted a share of the spoils while causing trouble for the Azure Elixir Sect, without any intention of launching a direct war.

So Liu Yuanchen had continued staying at Yujin Mountain, making money through alchemy while tending to Qingstone Mountain Blessed Land.

He had thought a war between the two sects would not break out, but now that a Spirit Stone Vein had been discovered, the risk of war had greatly increased.

"What grade is that vein? Has word gotten out?"

Zhang Jingcheng gave a bitter smile. "If word hadn't gotten out, would I have been worked into this state?

"The ones who discovered the vein were rogue cultivators. By the time we received the news, those rogue cultivators had already dug out quite a few Spirit Stones."

"We were short on manpower and had no way to wipe out the rogue cultivators. We could only drive them away, so the news was bound to leak.

"The Demoncloud Sect's evil cultivators have always been harassing us. They must have already obtained reliable information."

"As for the scale of the vein, it is still difficult to determine.

"Our Guard Hall disciples tried digging it out. We could excavate three to four hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones in a day."

Liu Yuanchen was shocked. "How many? Three or four hundred? And that was only a trial excavation?"

If a Spirit Stone Vein produced less than ten thousand Spirit Stones annually, it was considered a small vein.

An annual output of ten thousand to one hundred thousand Spirit Stones made it a medium-sized vein.

Anything over one hundred thousand Spirit Stones a year was a large vein.

Three or four hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones a day meant over a hundred thousand in a year. It was unquestionably a large vein.

And that was not even formal mining, only a trial excavation.

Once mining artifacts were put to use and large numbers of rogue cultivators were recruited, doubling the output would be effortless.

Across the entire Red Wasteland, there were no more than a handful of large Spirit Stone Veins.

Now that a large vein had appeared, even though Blackcloud Ridge was shrouded in Black Mist at night, it could not stop the Azure Elixir Sect from mining it.

This time, not only did Demoncloud Sect have designs on it, but Iron Cauldron Mountain to the north likely wanted a share as well.

A great war could begin at any moment. If he did not get away soon, he would likely become cannon fodder.

"What countermeasures do the sect's higher-ups have?"

Zhang Jingcheng sighed softly. "What countermeasures could there be? They have set up a grand formation over there and dispatched disciples to guard it in shifts.

"Besides that, they sent people to spread rumors and muddy the waters around Blackcloud Ridge."

Liu Yuanchen could not help laughing. "No wonder the rumors around Qinghe Town have become more and more absurd lately. They say Brush-Stand Mountain has an ancient sect ruin with countless inheritances from ancient cultivators.

"They also say Immortal Mountain has traces of an immortal's ascension, along with inheritances left behind by that immortal.

"Meanwhile, this is the first I've heard of the Spirit Stone Vein at Golden Ao Mountain.

"So the sect was the one spreading all that."

Zhang Jingcheng looked helpless. "Those tricks can only fool small factions without intelligence networks. They are completely useless against Demoncloud Sect.

"Over the past three days, we have fought the Demoncloud Sect's evil cultivators more than ten times.

"If they did not have solid intelligence, why would Demoncloud Sect's evil cultivators cross thousands of miles of wilderness to risk their lives at Golden Ao Mountain?"

"This battle will probably be impossible to avoid. We Guard Hall disciples will certainly be the first batch of cannon fodder.

"Spirit Apothecaries like you, Junior Brother Liu, whose skill is not all that high, will probably be the second batch.

"It will not be long before we are fighting side by side."

Liu Yuanchen chuckled. "Cousin, you are overthinking it. I am no longer just a First-Rank Mid-Grade Spirit Apothecary."

Zhang Jingcheng was puzzled. "Then what else could you be?"

Liu Yuanchen took out several fine-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills. "I am also a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master.

"As far as I know, during the sect's many wars throughout history, Alchemy Masters were rarely sent onto the battlefield.

"Even three hundred years ago, when Demoncloud Sect launched a massive invasion and surrounded the mountain gate, only First-Rank low- and mid-grade Alchemy Masters were sent into battle.

"Though a large Spirit Stone Vein is important, it cannot compare to the mountain gate being besieged."

Zhang Jingcheng was completely stunned. "An Alchemy Master? And a First-Rank High-Grade one at that?"

Liu Yuanchen smiled. "Of course. In a dump like Yujin Mountain, how could I cultivate without learning a trade?"

Zhang Jingcheng recalled the matter of buying pills. "Blackcloud Ridge has been unstable over the past year, and pill prices have doubled.

"You should have made a fortune long ago as a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master. Yet you were still haggling with me over those few Spirit Stones just now?"

Liu Yuanchen argued, "Alchemy Masters do not have many Spirit Stones either.

"Pills may be expensive now, but the costs are high too. The Spirit Herbs on the market have gone up by seventy to eighty percent.

"There are also delivery expenses, pills needed for cultivation, Spirit Stones spent buying artifacts, and all kinds of spiritual materials needed for body tempering. Those are all expenses.

"After deducting costs and expenses, there really are not many Spirit Stones left.

"I even sold those pills to you at a loss just now."

"Enough, let's not talk about this pointless nonsense.

"It has only just passed noon. Let's set out early and return to the mountain gate."

Zhang Jingcheng was somewhat unwilling. "I was planning to bathe and rest at your place first."

Liu Yuanchen looked as though he hated to see iron fail to become steel. "What bath? Go back looking exactly like this.

"The higher-ups might pity you and, to reassure people, reward you with some Spirit Stones.

"What a shame. I should not have given you those pills just now.

"That exhausted look of yours would have shown how hard you worked and helped you ask for a bigger reward.

"Wait for me. I'll pack up the cave dwelling first, then I'll accompany you back to the mountain gate."

Zhang Jingcheng did not understand. "What are you going to the mountain gate for?"

"The Chen Household has people in the sect's middle ranks and still holds some influence over the higher-ups.

"The sect's conscription order will probably arrive before long.

"If I do not flaunt my identity as an Alchemy Master and catch the attention of the sect's higher-ups, my name will certainly be on that conscription order.

"When that time comes, even if I throw away my identity as an Alchemy Master, I will still have to go to Golden Ao Mountain to make pills."

Once he left, he would probably never return to Yujin Mountain again.

Naturally, he had to take all his belongings with him.

After busying himself for a while, Liu Yuanchen emerged from the cave dwelling.

He patted the storage bag at his waist, and an eagle-shaped boat over a zhang long appeared in the open space before the cave dwelling.

After boarding the little boat, he looked at Zhang Jingcheng, who was standing nearby in a daze. "Cousin, what are you staring blankly for? Get on."

Zhang Jingcheng boarded the little boat blankly. Liu Yuanchen poured spiritual power into the rudder, and the boat slowly rose into the air before speeding north.

Only after a long while did Zhang Jingcheng recover from his shock. "Cousin, is this a flying artifact?"

Liu Yuanchen nodded. "You are already sitting on a flying boat. Why even ask?"

Zhang Jingcheng leaned over the side, looking down at the mountains below.

"This is the first time in my life I've flown into the sky."

After a long while, Zhang Jingcheng asked, "Cousin, this flying boat should be able to travel around three hundred li in one shi chen.

"At this speed, it must have cost five hundred Spirit Stones, right?"

Liu Yuanchen shook his head. "No. This Eagle-Feather Flying Boat was worth eight hundred Spirit Stones."

Zhang Jingcheng said angrily, "You just said you had barely any Spirit Stones, yet you even took the last few Spirit Stones I had on me."

Liu Yuanchen looked helpless. "This flying boat also falls under expenses. When I went out to sell pills, rogue cultivators besieged me several times.

"I had no choice but to grit my teeth and buy this Eagle-Feather Flying Boat.

"The delivery expenses I mentioned before were the Spirit Stones consumed by this Eagle-Feather Flying Boat."

The two chatted along the way. Two shi chen later, the mountain gate came into view in the distance.

Ahead, two mountain peaks stood to the east and west, with a rainbow bridge spanning the space between them.

A plaque hung on the southern side of the covered bridge, bearing the three words "Azure Elixir Sect."

Beneath the covered bridge was a long stone-paved road leading deep into the mountain gate.

Two Late Qi-Nourishing Stage disciples stood guard below the rainbow bridge.

The Eagle-Feather Flying Boat slowly descended before the three gates. A disciple guarding the mountain gate called out, "State your names."

Liu Yuanchen and Zhang Jingcheng stepped off the flying boat and each took out their disciple tokens.

"Shennong Hall disciple Liu Yuanchen. I was ordered to guard the Spirit Fields at Yujin Mountain and have returned to the mountain gate today on business."

"Guard Hall disciple Zhang Jingcheng. I was ordered to guard Golden Ao Mountain for one month. I have completed my assignment and returned to the mountain gate today."

The two gatekeeping disciples inspected their disciple tokens. Finding no issues, they allowed them through.

Liu Yuanchen put away the Eagle-Feather Flying Boat and followed the stone road into the mountain gate.

It was not that flying boats could not be used within the mountain gate. Rather, several layers of formations protected the perimeter.

Before those formations, one could only travel on foot and could not fly.

Forcing one's way through would trigger attacks from the formations.

The attacks of a fourth-rank formation were no joke.

After following the stone road for more than ten li, Liu Yuanchen finally released the flying boat. The two boarded it and flew deeper into the mountain gate.

Before long, as the flying boat passed a small hill, a disciple on the hill was practicing spells.

Liu Yuanchen deliberately paused above the hill for a moment. "Senior Brother Wu, it has been a long time. Have you been well?"

The man examined Liu Yuanchen closely, then glanced at the Eagle-Feather Flying Boat. "So it is Junior Brother Liu from Shennong Hall. Judging by your outfit, it seems Junior Brother has made a fortune."

Liu Yuanchen waved a hand. "I spent these past years guarding Spirit Fields at Yujin Mountain. With nothing to do in my spare time, I learned alchemy.

"Unexpectedly, I had a decent talent for it. I am now a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master and have earned some Spirit Stones."

After chatting for a few moments, the Eagle-Feather Flying Boat left the hill and continued toward the depths of the mountain gate.

Zhang Jingcheng found it strange. "Cousin, I remember that ever since you entered the sect, you have always kept a low profile. When did you become so flamboyant?"

Liu Yuanchen chuckled. "Now that I have become a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master, who do you think will be the unhappiest?"

Zhang Jingcheng answered without hesitation. "Naturally, the Spirit Plant Hall steward. He is from the Chen Household, and the Chen Household has never gotten along with either of our families.

"He kept making trouble for you in past years, forcing you to flee to Yujin Mountain to avoid disaster."

Liu Yuanchen smiled. "Exactly. I have only just turned nineteen, yet I am already a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master.

"With my ability to earn Spirit Stones, my chances of breaking through to the Sea of Qi Realm in the future are extremely high. Becoming a second-rank Alchemy Master is practically guaranteed.

"When that happens, I will certainly become the steward of Elixir Hall.

"Among all the sect halls, Elixir Hall holds the highest status. Shennong Hall can only rank second.

"Once I become Elixir Hall's steward, every Chen Household disciple within the sect will stand below me."

"The Chen Household has suppressed our two families for seven or eight hundred years by relying on its influence within the sect.

"Once the Chen Household disciples in the sect are beneath me, it will be our two families' turn to bully the Chen Household."

"The Chen Household naturally does not want to see that happen, so they will certainly find a way to deal with me.

"For example, they could use their connections within Elixir Hall to suppress the news that I have become a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master and conceal it from those above.

"As long as the conscription order comes down with my name on it, then even if I am an Alchemy Master, I will still have to obediently go to Golden Ao Mountain."

Zhang Jingcheng suddenly understood. "I get it. Your showing off is also to spread the news first, so everyone in the sect knows you are a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master.

"Once word spreads among the lower ranks of the sect, the higher-ups will soon learn of it.

"Even if the Chen Household wants to suppress the news, they will not have the ability."

Liu Yuanchen sent Zhang Jingcheng to Guard Hall. Whenever he encountered fellow disciples along the way, he would go up and chat for a few words.

Naturally, he would always casually mention that he was now a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master.

He wandered around the mountain gate for nearly one shi chen. Only when the sun was setting did he arrive at Azure Pill Peak, where Elixir Hall was located.

Azure Pill Peak was majestic, its base covering nearly a hundred li in every direction.

At its summit was a gently sloping plateau over ten li wide, with Elixir Hall's main hall standing at its center.

Azure Pill Peak was where the Azure Elixir Sect had first risen. Cracks within the mountain's rock led directly to earthfire.

The Azure Elixir Sect's founding ancestor had used those cracks to draw out the earthfire and establish Earthfire Chambers, thereby laying the foundation of the Azure Elixir Sect.

The Eagle-Feather Flying Boat landed a hundred zhang away from Elixir Hall's main hall. Liu Yuanchen put away the flying boat and walked step by step to the entrance.

He bowed toward the hall doors. "Shennong Hall disciple Liu Yuanchen has now become a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master. In accordance with sect rules, I have come to Elixir Hall to undergo assessment."

Within the Azure Elixir Sect, Alchemy Masters held considerable status.

No matter which hall a disciple belonged to, as long as they became an Alchemy Master, they could come to Elixir Hall for assessment.

If they passed, they would receive a monthly subsidy from then on.

The higher one's alchemy skill, the greater the subsidy.

A First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master could receive an additional subsidy of twenty Spirit Stones every month, apart from their salary.

The sect's higher-ups attached great importance to this assessment. The stewards of Elixir Hall took turns assessing disciples.

A cold voice sounded. "Come in."

Liu Yuanchen entered the main hall with utmost respect and saw a simply dressed middle-aged cultivator seated in the main seat.

When he entered, the middle-aged cultivator looked up at him. "I am Zheng Qian, steward of Elixir Hall.

"Liu Yuanchen, before you even came to Shennong Hall for assessment, word that you are a First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Master had already spread throughout the entire sect.

"I deliberately waited here for you to see what capabilities you possess."

Although Zheng Qian's words carried a hint of reproach, Liu Yuanchen did not care in the slightest. He was even secretly delighted.

Since Zheng Qian had already heard of it, the news had likely reached the higher-ups as well.

Even if the Chen Household wanted to cause trouble, it was already too late.

Liu Yuanchen immediately put on a respectful expression. "This disciple only resorted to this measure for self-protection."

Back then, at Shennong Hall, the disciples had been oppressed by their enemies.

With nowhere to turn for help, they had no choice but to leave the sect to protect themselves.

They settled in the remote lands of Yujin Mountain.

Over the past few years, they had painstakingly studied Alchemy Art.

Only after achieving some success did they dare return to the sect.

Fearing their enemies would interfere, they had spread the news in advance.