Cultivation: Being Immortal - Chapter 146
Five Elements Sect – The main gate hall
The sect leader Qin Quan and a few elders are accompanying Pill King Li Ruoxu. At the moment, Li Ruoxu is still covered in soot and looks tired. They didn’t talk for long and let Li Ruoxu rest, inviting him for a proper banquet tomorrow.
“The Nascent Soul Achieving Pill is ready! It’s of the highest quality. Li Ruoxu truly lives up to his reputation.”
After Li Ruoxu left, Qin Quan excitedly said that the reason Five Elements Sect invited Li Ruoxu was to refine a Nascent Soul Achieving Pill, which is the best among various infant cultivation treasures.
However, even though the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill is only of the fifth grade, it is the most difficult among the fifth-grade pills. Even a sixth-grade alchemist would find it challenging to successfully refine it. Although Five Elements Sect has sixth-grade alchemists, they are not as skilled as Li Ruoxu. To ensure the success of pill formation, they invited Li Ruoxu to refine it in person.
“I greatly admire Li Ruoxu’s alchemy skills. He truly deserves the title of Pill King.”
Pill Hall Master, an elder with a Nascent Soul, spoke from the side. He is a sixth-grade alchemist of Five Elements Sect, but he knows that his alchemy skills are inferior to Li Ruoxu’s. If he were to refine this pill, it might be successful, but the quality would not be as good. Reaching a medium-grade level would already be considered great, but the efficacy of the pill would be much lower.
“Junior brother, don’t underestimate yourself. The resources of Five Elements Sect are not comparable to those of independent cultivators. In a few more years, you will definitely surpass Li Ruoxu.”
Qin Quan spoke and comforted, saying that even though the Alchemy Sect was powerful, they were not as good as an independent cultivator. In fact, they were quite embarrassed.
Pill Hall Master didn’t respond to this. With his rich knowledge, he became an experienced and excellent Alchemist. But to become a top Alchemist, talent is essential. In terms of talent, Li Ruoxu is truly strong.
If he wants to surpass Li Ruoxu’s level, his only chance is to break through to the Soul Changing stage, with a higher realm, stronger spiritual awareness, and purer spiritual power, in order to surpass him. As for the technique, it’s better to forget about it.
“Senior Martial Brother, how is the ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill determined?”
“Let’s follow the old rules. It will be announced six months in advance, and anyone who has achieved Golden Core Perfection can sign up. The Presbyterian Church will evaluate it at that time.”
Qin Quan said that the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill is different from other pills. To ensure its effectiveness, only one pill is produced from each batch. If there were nine pills, it wouldn’t be so troublesome; everyone could just have one.
Now, with so many disciples competing for it, it is inevitable that there will be some hidden struggles. This is not just ordinary benefits; it is the most basic core interest and it is extremely important.
········
Six months later, all the disciples who had achieved Golden Core Perfection in the Five Elements Sect gathered in the main hall of the sect. There were a total of nine people, all of them high-ranking members of the Five Elements Sect. They were either Deputy Hall Masters in charge of certain halls, or responsible for key locations. Some were over four hundred years old and their vitality was starting to decline, while others were in their thirties and still looked young and energetic.
(Translated by Gravity Tales 😌)
“Belonging to the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill has always been one of the most important matters for our Five Elements Sect. This time, as the Infant Condensing Fruit ripens, we have invited Pill King Li Ruoxu to come and refine it into a pill. Today’s decision is about determining the ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill.”
“The conditions for owning the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill, like the Building Foundation Pill and the Five Elements Golden Fruit Pill, include aptitude, understanding, age, and contributions to the sect…”
Qin Quan spoke to everyone, and next to him appeared fourteen people. They were not all at the Nascent Soul stage, some were at the Golden Core Period. But they represented the right to choose on behalf of their masters, which was probably already arranged beforehand.
“According to the rules, six people will be eliminated in the first round of selection. The selection criteria include aptitude, requiring either a Single Spiritual Root or Five Spiritual Roots; understanding, a superior level of understanding; age, below four hundred years old; and contributions, a minimum of one million Merit Points within the sect.”
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Qin Quan continued. If it were other sects, those with Five Spiritual Roots would have no chance at all. But the Five Elements Sect is different. We have certain techniques that are compatible with Five Spiritual Roots. In the future, their achievements may not be lower than those with a Single Spiritual Root.
As soon as Qin Quan spoke, a few people immediately showed despair on their faces. These conditions didn’t allow any shortcomings. Some had high contributions, but exceeded the age limit, while others had excellent Spiritual Roots but perhaps average understanding. They could only be eliminated.
“After deliberation by the Presbyterian Church, Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall Jin Yu, Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall Zhang Wanjing, and Pill Hall Deputy Hall Master Fang Yu have been selected. The other six people should not feel disheartened. There is always a way for talented individuals, both within and outside the sect. In the Yun State and the vast land, there are still opportunities to be found. Achieving the Infant Condensing stage doesn’t necessarily require the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill. If any of you have any clues, the sect will surely support you.”
Qin Quan continued. The Nascent Soul Achieving Pill is just one of the opportunities to reach the Infant Condensing stage. There are other treasures that can also help in this cultivation stage. Some might even be able to advance forcefully without relying on any treasures. Cultivation is full of endless possibilities.
“The six disciples stood by as spectators, also serving as witnesses to the ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill this time.”
Someone on the side said, then a disciple brought six chairs and let the six people sit down. They are all high-level members of the sect, this time they are considered witnesses.
“Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, Jin Yu. He has a wood Spiritual Root qualification, excellent comprehension ability selected by the sect, responsible for the Internal Affairs Hall for seventy-six years. He is hardworking and accomplished. His expertise is a fifth rank Spiritual Farmer. If Jin Yu breakthroughs into the Nascent Soul stage, he will surely cultivate a large number of high-level spiritual herbs for our Five Elements Sect, greatly benefiting the sect…”
“Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, Zhang Wanjing. He possesses a golden Spiritual Root qualification, excellent comprehension ability selected by the sect, responsible for the Internal Affairs Hall for one hundred and two years. He is hardworking and accomplished. His expertise is swordsmanship. During the Foundation Building stage, he defeated five sword cultivators of the same level from the Cloud Sword Sect consecutively. If Zhang Wanjing breakthroughs into the Nascent Soul stage, the strength of the Five Elements Sect will surely rise to new heights…”
“Deputy Hall Master of the Pill Hall, Fang Yu. He has a fire-type Single Spiritual Root accompanied by a thunder-type Spiritual Root. He has an excellent comprehension ability selected by the sect, responsible for the Pill Hall for sixty-five years. He is hardworking and accomplished. His expertise is pill refining. He is already a fifth-grade high-quality Alchemist. If Fang Yu breakthroughs into the Nascent Soul stage, he will surely be able to…”
Then there was an introduction of the situations of the three people, Jin Yu, Zhang Wanjing, and Fang Yu. They all emerged from countless disciples of the Five Elements Sect and have no weaknesses in various aspects. The only thing to consider is their expertise.
Jin Yu is an expert in Spiritual Farming. Among the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, apart from a few Nascent Soul Elders, he is one of the top-rated. And Fang Yu is even more of a Pill Hall expert, second only to the Pill Hall Master, making him the second most important figure in the Five Elements Sect.
On the other hand, Zhang Wanjing’s information is intriguing. He chose to highlight his skills in combat and fighting, but his fighting experience stopped at the Foundation Building stage because after forming the Golden Core, he entered the Internal Affairs Hall and no longer needed to personally wield his sword.
This is very disadvantageous for Zhang Wanjing, but he dares not mention it. His other expertise is managing the sect, and because of this, he has offended countless people.
“Elders, please cast your votes to eliminate one person.”
Qin Quan looked at the elders and said, giving them one hour of time.
Soon, everyone began whispering and whispering, no one knew what they were saying, but the end result was that Zhang Wanjing was the first one to be eliminated.
“Wanjing, sorry, the other two are more suitable than you.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle.”
Zhang Wanjing didn’t say anything. In terms of strict conditions, he was indeed a bit inferior. This is fair.
“Next is the final ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill. Please elders make a decision.”
Qin Quan didn’t waste time, and continued, giving another hour of time.
“Jin Yu, you didn’t make it.”
In the end, Qin Quan told Jin Yu that the sect chose Fang Yu this time.
Advanced Spiritual Farmer is important, but Alchemist is even more important. The sect can buy more spiritual medicines from outside or capture monsters in the Wilderness, but they can’t do that with Alchemists. That’s why they invited Li Ruoxu this time, and it cost them a lot. If it wasn’t for Li Ruoxu, they would have had to seek help from the Zhonghang Sect, and the cost would have been even higher. If they try to make the medicine themselves and fail, the cost would be even higher.
So, a high-level Alchemist is more important to the Five Elements Sect than a high-level Spiritual Farmer because they can create more value.
“Yes, Martial Uncle.”
Jin Yu looked sad. He had done a lot of work for this Nascent Soul Achieving Pill, but he still couldn’t convince all the elders.
“The ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill has been decided. Disciples, you may leave. Fang Yu, come with me to the forbidden grounds so you can break through to the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle.”
“Wait a moment.”
Just as everyone agreed, Zhang Wanjing suddenly spoke up.
“Wanjing, what else do you have to say?”
“Regarding the ownership of the Nascent Soul Achieving Pill, I have no objection, but Zhang Wanjing has something to say today.”
“You go ahead.”
“I request to go and guard the Wilderness town.”
“Nonsense, Wanjing, do you know what kind of place Wilderness is? How many Golden Core disciples have died there in the past hundred years?”
Qin Quan’s face changed dramatically. His worst fear had come true. Zhang Wanjing was going to give up and go to Wilderness. He really didn’t want Zhang Wanjing to leave because Zhang Wanjing balanced the conflicts within the sect. Without Zhang Wanjing stirring things up, the sect’s higher-ups would become completely united.
“Yes, in the past hundred years, the sect has lost nine Golden Core disciples, and Yun State has lost no less than forty Golden Core disciples in Wilderness.”
“Well, then…”
“Of course, I am confident. Vice Hall Master Jin, how about we have a friendly match and let the elders see?”
Zhang Wanjing said to Jin Yu. Jin Yu’s face immediately changed, and he quickly shook his head to refuse.
“Don’t worry, I have taken off my real name. You have always doubted me, so I’ll give you a chance.”
“Zhang Wanjing, when did I ever doubt you? Don’t say things like that.”
Jin Yu said anxiously. Is this something that can be said in public?
“You, who are timid like a mouse, think you can be the Deputy Master of the Internal Affairs Hall? Hmph.”
“Zhang Wanjing, you..”
“If you don’t believe me, then fight me.”
“I..”
“Anyone within the sect, below the Nascent Soul stage, who thinks I, Zhang Wanjing, am not suitable for this important role, can come forward.”
Zhang Wanjing looked around arrogantly, and the other seven Golden Core masters didn’t respond. They could see Zhang Wanjing’s intentions; unless they had a grudge against him, they would not start a fight at this moment.
“Master, look, no one is willing to fight.”
“Wanjing, be cautious.”
“I have made up my mind.”
“Alright, as you wish.”
Qin Quan gritted his teeth and said. With Zhang Wanjing being so firm, what else can he do?
“Thank you, Master.”
“Disciple will leave first.”
“Respected elders, until we meet again, let’s get along well.”
Zhang Wanjing laughed heartily, then turned to the crowd and said, before leaving. The Nascent Soul Elders present had varying expressions, making the atmosphere extremely tense for a while.