Gongye Chun and his disciple hid in the vast Jade Spring Sect, they could easily remain hidden for ten years or so.
However, he also brought with him hundreds of disciples from Spring-Returning Mountain.
These disciples scattered into the inner and outer sects, and the sudden appearance of so many new faces naturally attracted attention.
Two weeks later.
The Jade Spring Sect announced to its inner and outer disciples, and indeed to the entire Jade Spring Dharma Lineage, that a third-level Alchemist had joined the sect.
The news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing quite a stir both inside and outside the Jade Spring Sect, and even throughout the entire Jing Kingdom.
"Have you heard? The sect has recruited a new third-tier Alchemist!"
A third-tier Alchemist?! Really?!
"It's absolutely true! It's all over the Expenditure Hall. This new Elder Gongye Chun was personally invited back from the Wu Country by Master True Person Bo! It's said that he was originally the Supreme Elder of Spring-Returning Mountain, with profound attainments in Dao of Alchemy!"
" Spring-Returning Mountain? That's the Wu Country sect famous for its alchemy? I heard they've been having fierce internal strife lately. This Elder Gongye might be..."
"Shh! Watch your words! How dare you and I discuss such matters so casually? However, Gongye also brought quite a few disciples from Spring-Returning Mountain, I heard there are over a hundred of them, all of whom have been scattered and assigned to various parts of the inner and outer sects."
"Over a hundred people? Wow, that's quite a commotion! I wonder if these newcomers will... hehe."
"Who cares? It's a good thing for us! With one more third-tier Alchemist, the sect can definitely refine more third-tier pills. The sect has treated us well, and with our overall strength increasing, we'll have more face to show when we travel in the future. Don't you think so?"
That makes sense!
In recent days, similar discussions have been commonplace, both domestically and internationally.
The addition of a third-tier Alchemist is a huge boost to the overall strength and reputation of the Jade Spring Sect.
This is not only a good thing for those lower-level disciples, but also a great thing for those who are cultivating from the Foundation Establishment stage.
Some of the third-tier Pill Formula formulas that the Jade Spring Sect could only treasure and keep hidden away are now finally being put to use.
Chen Shuangbai had heard quite a few things.
However, he didn't have the time to manage these matters, and before he could even rest peacefully for a few days, Luo Tao called him to go on duty.
"During your leave of absence, our Evil Hunting Hall has accumulated a lot of official business. Please go and take care of it."
Like a wilted eggplant, Chen Shuangbai had no choice but to leave her beloved cave abode to deal with the official duties delayed by the heads of several departments due to insufficient authority.
Although he complained, he handled things relatively quickly.
[ Suspended Sword Hall ]
Chen Shuangbai sat behind a jade table, on which sat a small golden incense burner with a crane in flight. Wisps of fragrance rose slowly from the burner, filling the entire hall with a sense of peace.
The handsome Daoist priest held a vermilion brush in his right hand, adding his annotations to the processed Jade Slip, while his left hand rested on his knee, his five fingers moving nimbly as he twirled a shimmering, crystalline pearl.
This is a precious pearl containing the power of Grand Yin, which he obtained from a clam spirit who had defected from the Treasure Light Cave at sea.
It was said to have been stolen from its master, but it ended up in Chen Shuangbai's hands, fulfilling his destiny.
I've had this precious pearl for some time now.
The Grand Yin energy contained within the pearl has been almost entirely absorbed by the [ Great Yin Dao Fruit ] in the sea of consciousness.
Chen Shuangbai looked inward at himself and saw that his Dao Fruit had regained its Mingguang and clear light, which made him feel a little better.
However, even after all the Grand Yin energy contained within it was stripped away, this precious pearl still contained many mysteries.
This precious pearl is of the water element, nourished by the moonlight, and contains a trace of metal. It is a rare natural water-elemental material, especially suitable for refining water-elemental or moonlight- and metal-related Law Treasure artifacts. It can also be used as a medium for casting certain profound water-elemental Law Technique.
Chen Shuangbai played with the warm, slightly cool pearl in his left hand, feeling the flowing water-like spiritual energy within it and the faint, sharp metallic quality. He pondered how to utilize this object.
But as he was idly idling around, he suddenly remembered that when he left the sea, Gao Hao from the Jade Wave Immortal Market had also given him two pearls that were over two hundred years old.
Unlike the Moonlight Treasure Pearl, these two pearls were conceived by Foundation Establishment Clam Spirits who absorbed the essence of the sun and moon within their bellies for hundreds of years before giving birth.
It is a pure water-elemental spiritual material.
Chen Shuangbai placed the three beads—two large and one small—on the jade table in front of him, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
"Never mind... I'll find an opportunity to ask the Book Spirit in the Book Collection Cave."
"Coincidentally, it's been quite a while since I've gone to chat with this person."
And so.
The single bead that was originally held in her left hand has now become three beads. This is not just a simple quirk, but rather a process that allows these three beads to absorb Chen Shuangbai's aura, so that they will be more effective in the future, whether they are refined into Spirit Artifact or used as a medium for casting spells.
Having considered this, Chen Shuangbai stopped there and picked up his vermilion pen again to review official documents.
As dusk settled, Chen Shuangbai put down his vermilion brush, looked at the now-empty jade table, and smiled with satisfaction. Then, he rose into the light and left the [ Suspended Sword Hall ].
He was heading towards Deer Deep Waters Peak when, halfway there, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura and stopped.
The aura swiftly landed beside him, manifesting as Fu Qianlan's heroic and graceful figure.
" Qianlan... you're back?"
Fu Qianlan traveled at sea for even longer than Chen Shuangbai. Only after Fu Qianlan returned from Wu Country did this fellow villager appear to have rushed back from afar, and...
Chen Shuangbai raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "You've also Foundation Establishment Middle Stage?"
Fu Qianlan raised an eyebrow and said, "You... too?"
That's all.
Chen Shuangbai subtly released his concealed aura, surprising and delighting Fu Qianlan.
Surprisingly, he had been guided by a senior figure, and through numerous adventures and trials on the seas, he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage at an extremely rapid pace. Yet Chen Shuangbai had already broken through much earlier?
The good news is... this old friend has also broken through, so at least he's not so lonely on the path to immortality.
In just a few breaths, Fu Qianlan's mind was racing, but her face showed no great surprise or joy. She simply nodded and smiled, "Several years of traveling at sea have been quite a tempering experience."
"Sharp!"
Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan had a brief chat, discussing getting together with He Qi in a few days, and then the two parted ways.
One went to Deer Deep Waters Peak to seek Yi Chongyue, and the other Snow-Listening Peak to seek True Person Mei.
On the way to Deer Deep Waters Peak, Chen Shuangbai looked at the many spiritual peaks shrouded in clouds and mist ahead. She was happy for Fu Qianlan, but along with her happiness, she also felt a bit curious.
"Every time he travels, he makes progress... Could this fellow villager of mine be one of those people blessed by fate, as they say?"