"Exactly! Such talent belongs to the entire sect, not just your peak!"
"Hmph! Don't act righteous. You all rushed here just as fast as I did!"
"What nonsense! I was already on my way before you even noticed!"
"Lies! Shameless lies!"
In an instant, the dignified elders began arguing like a group of stubborn old men, their voices rising one after another, completely ignoring their status and image.
Spiritual energy fluctuated slightly around them as they glared at each other, each trying to outtalk the others.
One of them suddenly stepped forward, his expression serious.
"This child clearly has a strong affinity with alchemy. Didn't you notice the faint fragrance within that golden light? He should join my Medicine Peak!"
"Medicine Peak? You only know how to play with herbs!" another elder scoffed. "With such talent, he should cultivate combat techniques and dominate the battlefield!"
"Ridiculous! Are you trying to ruin him?!"
"Ruin? I'm saving him from becoming a useless pill maker like you!"
"You dare insult me?!"
The argument grew increasingly chaotic, voices overlapping, accusations flying, and yet—
Not a single one of them asked Xiao Feng what he wanted.
Standing below, Xiao Feng watched the scene with a strange expression.
He had just become the center of attention, yet somehow felt like a piece of treasure being fought over in a market.
'Do they… even remember I'm here?' he thought silently.
Just as the situation was about to spiral completely out of control—
A new pressure descended from the sky.
It was not violent.
It was not explosive.
But it was absolute.
The moment it appeared, the entire space seemed to freeze, and even the nine arguing elders abruptly fell silent, their expressions changing as they turned toward the source.
An old man slowly walked through the air.
His steps were unhurried, his movements simple, yet every step seemed to resonate with the heavens themselves.
His robes were plain, his appearance ordinary, but his presence carried a weight far beyond the nine elders combined.
The moment they saw him, all nine elders bowed.
"Greetings… Fifth Supreme Elder."
The crowd was stunned.
Supreme Elder.
One of the ten most powerful figures in the entire Heavenly Dao Sect.
Someone far above even the peak masters.
The old man glanced at the nine elders, his gaze calm yet sharp.
"You all gathered here for so long," he said slowly, "and not one of you thought to inform me?"
"Upon that, you all are fighting like cats and dogs in front of these youngers. Do you want to ruin our sect's reputation? Did any of you ask him whom he wishes to follow?"
His tone was not loud, but it carried a faint displeasure.
The Medicine Peak elder immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
He opened his mouth, wanting to explain that the last time he had gone to report something, he had been chased out and nearly beaten for disturbing the elder's cultivation—
But he wisely kept those words to himself.
Instead, he lowered his head silently.
'Finally, someone with sense of humor, had come.' Even Xiao Feng sighed in relief.
The Supreme Elder snorted lightly before shifting his gaze, landed on Xiao Feng.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
But then, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Within that calm gaze, a sharp brilliance flashed, as if he had seen through everything, directly into the depths of Xiao Feng's body.
"The aura of a Pill Bone…" he murmured faintly, a trace of interest appearing on his otherwise indifferent face.
That was the true reason he had come.
He stepped forward, his figure appearing before Xiao Feng in an instant.
"Boy," he said, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable authority, "are you willing to become my disciple?"
The moment those words were spoken, the nine elders were stunned.
Did not the Supreme Elder just said that you should ask about his own opinion?
"This…!"
"Supreme Elder, you…!"
They wanted to protest, but none of them dared to speak openly.
This was not just any elder.
This was the Fifth Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
The number one alchemist within the sect, even the Sect Master had to show him respect.
He is known for his unpredictable temper, doing whatever he pleased, rarely teach disciples and almost never appearing in public.
And now—
He was personally asking Xiao Feng to become his disciple.
Xiao Feng, however, was momentarily stunned. It seems that he had spoken his words too quickly. This old man is even more shameless than the other nine.
But it's not out of the question to take him as his teacher. However he did not even recognize this person.
How did he know that this person is perfect for his teacher?
Seeing his hesitation, the old man seemed to read his thoughts and let out a light cough.
"I am the Fifth Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect," he said casually.
"As for my alchemy… I wouldn't call myself the best, but in this entire continent, there are not many who can surpass me."
His tone was calm.
But the meaning behind it was anything but.
Xiao Feng's eyes flickered slightly, there was no need to think further.
Such an big thigh… grab it as fast as possible.
"I am willing," he said without hesitation.
The Supreme Elder nodded, satisfied.
"Good."
He paused briefly, then asked, "Which family do you come from?"
Xiao Feng's expression remained calm. "I have no family. I was expelled from my clan. I have no connection with them anymore."
The old man looked directly into his eyes. For a moment, silence lingered between them.
Then, he laughed.
"Haha! Good! Very good!"
There was a hint of coldness in that laughter.
"They will regret it." With a wave of his sleeve, he turned around. "From today onward, you are my first personal disciple."
His voice carried across the platform, filled with unquestionable authority.
"Remember my name—"
"Alchemy Supreme… Shi Bodong."
The nine elders could only watch in silence as Xiao Feng was taken away, their earlier arguments now completely meaningless.
And just like that—
The weakest boy on the mountain peak… had stepped directly into the highest path.
/
A flicker of darkness passed through Xiao Feng's vision. For a brief moment, everything around him blurred.
The next instant, his senses returned, but the world before him had completely changed.
He now stood upon another mountain.
This peak was far quieter and secluded, yet the moment he took a breath, he could clearly feel the difference.
The spiritual energy in the air was denser, richer, almost tangible, flowing gently like an invisible tide that nourished his body with every inhale.
Mixed within it was a faint fragrance of countless medicinal herbs growing in harmony with the environment.
"This," the old man's calm voice sounded beside him, "is my personal mountain."
Xiao Feng turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings. Unlike the grand and imposing structures of the main sect, this place was surprisingly simple.
There were no magnificent palaces, no towering halls, only a modest courtyard with a small wooden house standing quietly at its center.
Around it, patches of spiritual soil nurtured rows of medicinal herbs, each one radiating faint vitality. Their leaves swaying gently as if breathing along with the mountain itself.
It was a place of tranquility.
A place that seemed detached from the chaos of the outside world.
"Follow me," Shi Bodong said, already walking ahead without waiting for a response.
Xiao Feng did not hesitate and followed closely behind, his steps steady as he observed everything carefully.
The further they walked, the more he noticed the simplicity of the place, yet beneath that simplicity lay an unmistakable depth.
Every herb planted here was rare, every arrangement carried a certain natural balance, as if this mountain itself had been shaped into a perfect environment for alchemy.
They soon arrived at the backyard.
There, a simple wooden chair had been placed under an ancient tree.
Shi Bodong walked over and sat down casually, yet the moment he did, his previously relaxed demeanor faded slightly, replaced by a trace of seriousness.
"Come here," he said.
Xiao Feng stepped forward.
"Give me your hand."
Without hesitation, Xiao Feng extended his right hand.
Shi Bodong grasped it lightly, his fingers resting on Xiao Feng's wrist as a strand of invisible divine sense silently entered his body.
Although with his cultivation, he could have seen through everything at a glance, a detailed inspection still required a closer examination.
For a few moments, silence filled the air.
Xiao Feng did not move.
Shi Bodong did not speak.
Only the faint rustling of leaves could be heard.
Then, Shi Bodong's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So it truly is a Pill Bone…" he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of rare approval. " also innate type."
He released Xiao Feng's hand and leaned back slightly, his gaze now carrying a deeper meaning.
"You should know that in the path of alchemy, strength alone is not enough," he began slowly. "To touch the true essence of pills, one must first comprehend what we call… Pill Intent."
** Cultivation Realms divided in fifteen realms, with each realm had nine stages-
Qi Refining, Spirit Condensing, True Spirit
Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Life and death, Void Ascension
Saint Realm [Saint, Saint King, Great Saint]
Supreme Realm [earth Supreme, sky Supreme, Heaven Supreme]
Emperor Realm [Quasi Emperor, Great Emperor] **