The Jade Spring Sect decided not to notify its subordinates about the addition of a third-tier Alchemist, but the higher-ups showed sufficient respect.
The magnificent dragon-shaped chariot passed through the white jade mountain gate, which resembled a crouching white crane, crossed the sea of clouds, and landed in the inner sect under the watchful eyes of the Jade Spring disciples.
Immortal Guest Peak was created by the Jade Spring Sect to welcome distinguished guests.
The dragon-shaped chariot slowly landed atop the sacred peak, outside the main hall.
As soon as Gongye Chun came down, he saw a series of white figures standing in front of the hall.
Gongye Chun looked up and saw this Golden Core True Person with long, black hair reaching her waist, adorned with a jade hairpin. Her hair was simple yet stunningly beautiful, and as she walked, she was accompanied by the rustling shadows of falling snow plum blossoms.
He then realized that this must be True Person Mei from the Jade Spring Sect.
True Person Bo was the second to dismount from the dragon chariot. He nodded to True Person Mei, then walked to her side, looked at Gongye Chun, and said with a smile, "Please forgive me, Elder True Person, but my sect leader is currently in seclusion and cannot easily go out."
Gongye Chun said he dared not, and looking around, he felt that the original Spring-Returning Mountain was too crude. He sighed deeply and said, "Truly a great sect with a thousand-year history, with extraordinary bearing... I am old and frail, and it is already a blessing from heaven that I can spend my remaining years here. How dare I trouble the sect leader to come again?"
"I hope the old True Person doesn't mind."
When True Person Mei spoke, the aloofness on her face disappeared, replaced by a gentle and graceful smile, leaving everyone present somewhat stunned.
The personal welcome from the two True Person of the Jade Spring Sect was a great honor for Gongye Chun Gongye Chun, which put him at ease and dispelled his last bit of worry.
A moment later.
Inside the main hall.
Several Jade Spring Sect Foundation Establishment from the Jade Spring Sect were already here. Upon seeing Gongye Chun, they performed the etiquette of juniors and respectfully invited this third-level Alchemist into the banquet.
To welcome this third-tier Alchemist, the delicacies served were naturally not ordinary; they were specially prepared by a second-tier spiritual chef from the Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
After this show of courtesy, Gongye Chun felt a slight warmth in his heart.
True Person Bo, being the most accomplished and senior among those present, raised his jade cup and said gently to Gongye Chun, "Elder True Person, drink this cup, and we will be fellow disciples from now on."
"Please rest assured, whether you choose to enjoy your retirement or seek further breakthroughs, the entire sect will support you. There will be no more such disgraceful events as those at Spring-Returning Mountain."
The wine was certainly not ordinary either.
True Person Bo took the lead, and True Person Mei and the other Foundation Establishment also raised their wine cups and toasted Gongye Chun one by one. The old True Person quickly said, "You two are too kind. I am unworthy of such hospitality."
Gongye Chun drank the spirit wine in his cup in one gulp.
The wine was amber in color, with a mellow and lingering taste. A warm current slid down his throat, instantly transforming into pure and gentle Spirit Power that spread throughout his body, giving his aging body a slight nourishment.
"Good wine!"
Gongye Chun couldn't help but praise it, saying that even with his hundreds of years of experience, he had rarely tasted such a high-quality spirit wine.
True Person Bo laughed and said, "Of course! This is something our junior brother, the sect leader, has been saving for a long time. Every jar we drink is one less jar left!"
Yi Chongyue was also at the table, and like a straight man, he exclaimed in surprise, drawing everyone's attention.
"If it weren't for the old True Person's good fortune, we wouldn't be able to drink it today!"
Everyone at the table burst into laughter.
The atmosphere at the gathering was harmonious. True Person Bo and True Person Mei sometimes discussed Dao of Alchemy and pharmacology with Gongye Chun, and sometimes introduced the local customs and interesting stories of the Jade Spring Sect. Their words were friendly and natural, without any sense of condescension.
Gongye Chun's tense State of Mind gradually relaxed without him even realizing it.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
Just then, a beam of light descended into the hall from outside. The newcomer was Yan Nanlai, the father of Yan Heng, the peak master of Tianquan Peak, and the head of Yulu Hall.
The Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, a second-tier Alchemist, entered with a broad smile. His gaze fixed on Gongye Chun, he immediately stepped forward, displaying the proper etiquette of a junior, and bowed, saying, "Are you a third-tier Alchemist, Senior Gongye?!"
Gongye Chun narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "I wonder who you are...?"
Yan Nanlai introduced himself, and the latter laughed, saying, "When Chongyue came to congratulate me on my birthday, he mentioned you, saying that your Dao of Alchemy skills were profound, even surpassing his. Now that I see... I was right!"
Yan Nanlai hurriedly said, "No, no, I dare not," then took out a jade box and handed it to Gongye Chun, saying humbly, "Originally, with your skill as a third-level Alchemist, you should be in charge of the Jade Dew Hall. However, since you have just arrived, you will need some time to adapt. Therefore, I can only ask you to take on the position of guest elder."
Gongye Chun waved his hand, becoming serious. "The sect's willingness to take in an old man like me is already an immense favor. How could I dare to ask for more?"
Yan Nanlai handed over was Gongye Chun's identity jade token, which was also linked to his official duties.
The Jade Spring Sect would certainly not let go of his skills as a third-level Alchemist, but considering his advanced age, they gave him the position of guest elder.
He is in charge of refining third-tier pills, and in his spare time he can also teach first-tier Alchemist to cultivate more Alchemist for the Jade Spring Sect. Ideally, he should be able to produce one or two more second-tier Alchemist before he dies.
If we could cultivate a third-tier Alchemist... that would be even better!
Gongye Chun knew this, but Jade Spring Sect acted and spoke eloquently, showing both respect and status, so he couldn't harbor any resentment.
True Person Bo picked up the conversation, saying, "Besides that, the disciples you brought will be divided into inner and outer sects according to their cultivation levels, and will be treated equally, without distinction."
Gongye Chun nodded, indicating that this was the proper way.
That's only natural.
The Jade Spring Sect cannot allow a Small Spring-Returning Mountain to appear behind its own sect.
Those disciples brought from Spring-Returning Mountain must be dispersed and integrated into the original disciple group to cultivate their sense of belonging. Over time, it will naturally be impossible for another mountain to emerge.
In addition, Liu Wenyan, the only grand-disciple brought by Gongye Chun and Foundation Establishment Early Stage, was also given the position of outer sect elder according to his cultivation level and had a good salary. However, it would take some time for him to truly integrate into the core of the sect.
Nowadays, there are very few True Disciple left in the sect.
The welcome banquet concluded successfully in a joyful atmosphere for both hosts and guests.
Yan Nanlai and Yi Chongyue, both second-tier Alchemist, spent a long time chatting with Gongye Chun.
He took his leave as night deepened, saying that he would invite Gongye Chun to the Jade Dew Hall another day.
Within Sunken Jade Valley, there are numerous spiritual peaks in the mountains. The Expenditure Hall had long ago arranged for people to sweep and clean out one of these spiritual peaks as a place for Gongye Chun and his disciples to stay.
After seeing Yan Nanlai Yi Chongyue off,
Standing on the terrace at the summit, Gongye Chun gazed at the magnificent scene of the inner Jade Spring Sect under the interplay of moonlight and spiritual light, and was filled with many emotions.
"Grandmaster, this place is wonderful."
Liu Wenyan had lost count of how many times he had uttered this sigh, his eyes filled with longing.