Taking office at the Pill Hall

"Thirteenth Sect Heir, have you come for a look around?"

Sharp-eyed and quick-tongued, Xi Bazì recognized the leader of the five as Zhou Dekai, the Thirteenth Sect Heir, and hurried forward to ease the situation.

"Allow me to introduce him, Sect Scion. This is Elder Mu Bai, a newly appointed elder of our sect. He just obtained approval from the Housing and Construction Hall and plans to establish a cave abode here."

"Oh? So you are Elder Mu. Fate certainly keeps bringing us together!"

Zhou Dekai looked directly at Mu Bai and offered a slight cupped-fist bow.

"Mu Bai pays his respects to the Thirteenth Sect Heir. Thank you for helping me out of that predicament last time."

Not daring to put on airs, Mu Bai hurried forward and returned the cupped-fist bow.

"A trifling matter, not worth mentioning. Rather, Mo Deqian failed to recognize you and nearly committed a grave error by offending an elder. He should be thanking me."

"Does the Thirteenth Sect Heir have any instructions?"

"I had intended to find a cave abode on Hundred Flowers Peak. This spot looked excellent, but I hadn't expected Elder Mu to have already chosen it. You have a fine eye, Elder Mu. I can only bear the pain of parting with something I love..."

Seeing that the Sect Scion wanted this plot, Mu Bai thought that the entire Spirit Taming Sect belonged to his family anyway, so he might as well yield it. Fortunately, Zhou Dekai was not unreasonable. After each urged the other to take it, Zhou Dekai took his leave, his four attendants following him.

"The Thirteenth Sect Scion broke through to third-level Soul Power cultivation a few days ago, earning the right to establish an independent cave abode. The more influential Sect Scions are all at the third level or above as well. Some are out gaining experience, while others have established cave abodes and entered secluded cultivation. All are seeking great opportunities and competing for the position of Heir to the Sect."

After Zhou Dekai left, Mu Bai was in no hurry to establish his cave abode, and Xi Bazì first gave him a detailed account of the Sect Scions' circumstances.

"But only three Sect Scions are truly strong contenders: the First, Third, and Fifth Sect Scions. All have reached third-level peak cultivation, and each has several elders supporting him."

"So that's how it is. It seems I must be careful about getting drawn into their struggle to become Heir to the Sect. Choose the wrong side, and I could be doomed beyond redemption!"

Those of low station should not overstep; a weak horse should not gallop. Mu Bai knew which matters were beyond his place to meddle in.

Once he had established his independent cave abode, he no longer had to worry about prying eyes. Mu Bai took out the Crow Cauldron, placed ten Soul Crystals inside it, and watched it for a while. Seeing no change, he sat cross-legged and began practicing the Flying Immortal Scripture. The concentration of vital essence here was actually greater than at Qing Mao's Estate on Spirit Command Peak. Mu Bai pondered this and supposed it had to do with the course of the earth veins here. Sheltering wind and gathering essence, embracing water and encircled by mountains-it truly was such a place.

Mu Bai calmed his mind. With every inhalation and exhalation, each breath returned to its root. The milky-white, light and ethereal vital essence of heaven and earth had liquefied, circulating through the meridians within him in repeated cycles.

At dawn, Mu Bai slowly awoke. Examining the abundant vital essence within his body, he felt quite satisfied. When he checked the Crow Cauldron, the ten Soul Crystals inside had indeed vanished without a trace, leaving only a thin layer of residue.

"So it really was the Crow Cauldron absorbing the Soul Crystals' Soul Power. This method must help the Ancestor restore his soul." Delight appeared on Mu Bai's face, but worry soon followed. "But just how many Soul Crystals will it take? Probably no small number!"

The Three-Legged Crow Cauldron was the tribal artifact of the Haibei Tribe. Restoring the Artifact Spirit Ancestor was a duty he could not shirk. Mu Bai decided that no matter how many Soul Crystals it cost, he could not give up.

As for Soul Crystals, he would simply have to find a way to earn them.

The pills he had refined and stockpiled in Silver Frost Forest had been mostly consumed on the journey to the Spirit Taming Sect. He had then traded his remaining pills to Xi Bazì and Sweet Potato Boy for Soul Crystals, leaving him without a single pill. As for the thousand-odd Soul Crystals he possessed, he had no idea how many days they would last the Crow Cauldron.

"I really am fated to be poor. The Soul Crystals haven't even warmed in my hands before they're gone. I'll take things as they come. A home with people in it isn't poor, and a skill can keep a man fed. I can keep refining pills. Besides, with my title as elder, I can collect a substantial monthly stipend... But surely they won't keep paying me for nothing?"

Unexpectedly, just as he was pondering this, Mu Bai looked up to see two sect members arriving on flying swords.

"Reporting to Elder Mu, we have come bearing an appointment from the Sect Master!"

"Thank you both for your efforts. May I ask what the instructions are?"

Seeing Mu Bai offer them a cupped-fist bow and speak so amiably, without the slightest air of an elder, the two could not help feeling favorably toward him.

"We wouldn't presume to give instructions. By order of the Sect Master, Elder Mu is appointed Pill Hall Deputy Hall Master and is to assume office today."

With that, one of them presented a White Jade Token, inscribed with "Pill" on one side and "Deputy" on the other. It looked rather similar to the Elder Token in Mu Bai's possession.

My cultivation is still low. Being given a deputy hall master's position is quite good.

Mu Bai was very satisfied with this appointment. As he hurried toward the Pill Hall in flight, he planned how to be a competent deputy.

In the few days since joining the sect, he had toured more than half the vast Spirit Taming Sect with Xi Bazì and Sweet Potato Boy, so he naturally knew where the Pill Hall was. It stood in a place called Spirit Command Valley, where earthfire was plentiful. There was also an extensive herb garden growing varieties rarer than the herbs scattered throughout the sect, and their ages were quite astonishing as well.

The Pill Hall's Alchemists not only refined pills for the sect's consumption but also sold a small annual surplus in Spirit Command City, bringing in considerable income. It was a department of considerable standing within the sect, secretly guarded by many powerful cultivators.

Mu Bai landed before the Pill Hall's entrance, but there was not a soul in sight. Only after entering and walking several dozen paces did he see a young herb boy sorting medicinal herbs laid out to dry in the sun. Seeing Mu Bai approach, the boy did not come forward to greet him.

"Young fellow, may I ask where everyone in the hall is?"

"They're discussing matters in the central hall."

"Do I go straight ahead?"

"That's right!"

Are even the Pill Hall's servants this aloof? Puzzled, Mu Bai could only pass through the halls and continue straight ahead. Glancing to either side, he saw rows of Alchemy Chambers. Tongues of earthfire flickered in every room, each furnished with an ancient-looking Pill Furnace. It really did look like a place for refining pills. This was Mu Bai's first time seeing a real Pill Furnace and a real Alchemy Chamber.

As he walked, he counted roughly sixty Alchemy Chambers on either side. Clearly, the Spirit Taming Sect had close to a hundred Alchemists at the very least. A great tribe had gone so far as to exterminate another tribe over a single Alchemist, yet the Spirit Taming Sect supported nearly a hundred. Such was the might of a sect.

After walking for nearly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mu Bai saw more than a hundred people seated in the central hall ahead. An oily, plump middle-aged man occupied the principal seat in the center, presumably the Pill Hall Master. Chairs lined both sides of the hall in orderly rows, occupied by nearly a hundred Alchemists of varying ages.

Seeing Mu Bai approach, the Alchemists stopped talking. Silence fell as they all looked toward him. The Hall Master in the principal seat merely raised his head to glance at Mu Bai before narrowing his eyes again.

A falling needle could have been heard. Mu Bai thought they meant to put him in his place right from the start.

Walking up to the hall, Mu Bai cupped his fists and declared clearly, "I am Mu Bai. Though lacking in ability, I have been appointed Pill Hall Deputy Hall Master. My respects to the Pill Hall Master and greetings to my fellow cultivators!"

The Hall Master remained seated upright, as though he had heard nothing. Everyone else likewise stayed silent, watching Mu Bai with a look that said they wanted to see how he would get out of this.

They're determined to make a fool of me and humiliate me, Mu Bai thought. As the saying goes, to please a superior, deliberately show your own foolishness. But I've only just arrived, and I absolutely cannot offend this man. Shall I give him a laugh?

Having decided, Mu Bai let out several cries of "Ooh, ah! Ooh, ah!" and made exaggerated hand gestures, waving his hands about in the hall like a mute. At the sight, everyone burst into laughter.

A bunch of fools. Can't you see I'm treating you all as mutes?

Mu Bai muttered inwardly, but joined them in laughing aloud.

"Deputy Hall Master Mu, how humorous! How humorous..."

The Pill Hall Master was also overcome with amusement and rose to his feet, laughing heartily.

"I am Zhu Da, the Pill Hall Master. I imagine you've heard of me, Deputy Hall Master Mu. On behalf of the Spirit Taming Sect's Pill Hall and its ninety-eight brothers and sisters, I welcome your arrival!"

As Zhu Da spoke, applause rang out from both sides of the hall, so orderly and enthusiastic that it seemed rehearsed.

"Our Pill Hall shoulders the arduous task of supplying cultivation pills to the sect's more than three hundred thousand members. We are the foundation of our sect's prosperity and urgently need fresh blood as young and promising as Deputy Hall Master Mu to join us. I believe his arrival will surely take our Pill Hall's work to new heights. I also believe that, by uniting, helping one another, and treating each other with affection in our work ahead, we will surely forge bonds as deep as those between brothers and sisters. Working diligently and living happily have always been the guiding principles of our Pill Hall, and I believe they will give Deputy Hall Master Mu the warmth of home. Finally, I propose that we once again give a warm round of applause to welcome Deputy Hall Master Mu into our great Pill Hall family!"

Standing at the front of the hall and facing everyone, Zhu Da spoke like a cascading river, his torrent of words rich with feeling and expression. Everyone listened with rapt attention and complete concentration. The moment Zhu Da finished speaking, the ninety-eight Alchemists on either side of the hall rose in unison, their backs ramrod straight, and once again erupted into thunderous applause that continued for a long time.

"Thank you for your address, Hall Master. In this brief time, Hall Master Zhu has introduced the Pill Hall's mission, its guiding principles, and the deep bonds between fellow cultivators, allowing me to feel profoundly the pride, honor, happiness, and joy of being a member of the Pill Hall. In his speech, the Hall Master also laid out clear expectations for a newcomer like me. Though I feel the pressure, his words have also stirred my courage and motivation to devote myself to striving for the Pill Hall's glory. I hereby promise that, in my work ahead, I will put public duty before myself, hold myself to strict standards, work diligently, and be a good companion whom the Sect Master can trust, the Hall Master can be satisfied with, and everyone can accept. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to Hall Master Zhu and all my fellow cultivators for your warm welcome. Allow me to bow to you here, and I hope you will all look after me in the days ahead!"

"Excellent! Let us once again welcome Deputy Hall Master Mu with warm applause!"

Clap, clap, clap...

Everyone once again burst into thunderous applause.

"Come, Deputy Hall Master Mu. Allow me to introduce everyone to you..."

Zhu Da stepped down from his seat, warmly took Mu Bai's hand, and introduced the ninety-eight Alchemists present one by one. Mu Bai exchanged cupped-fist greetings and pleasantries with each of them.