April the thirtieth, only four hours remained. Chapter one update complete. I'll grab some food first, then return tonight to continue writing. By midnight, I aim to release another chapter. Today, I gained over three hundred and forty monthly passes in one go—many thanks to all the readers. The Grand Master "kaboka" contributed a hundred passes single-handedly; truly magnificent. Qing Shui Xi Yang has officially advanced to the Grand Master level, and Nvlnvpuyfj2671e's fan value has also climbed to third place. And to the numerous other readers—every subscription, every reward, every recommendation ticket and monthly pass. Baili thanks every single reader who sent their blessings.
“Inviting the Divine Alchemist Master to become a Guest Elder of the Heavenly Dao Alliance? I would be honored to hear the details,” Ye Qin’s expression flickered slightly, yet he quickly regained his composure. He knew the Heavenly Dao Alliance placed immense value on Divine Alchemist Masters, but bestowing upon him the title of Guest Elder was beyond his expectation. He was uncertain of the role of this Guest Elder.
“Precisely. I have come today to personally confer upon you the position of Guest Elder for the Northern Sect Lineage of the Heavenly Dao Alliance Grand Council. You will become a member of the Elder Council, holding status equal to all Elders of the Grand Council, and you are permitted to attend the highest-level meetings of the Grand Council. Of course, becoming a Guest Elder of the Heavenly Dao Alliance does not preclude you from continuing to hold the Elder position in the Purple Sword Palace.”
“As the Guest Elder of the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s Northern Sect Lineage, your status is supremely respected, reporting directly to the Northern Sect Master. Apart from myself, no other cultivator may issue commands to you. This includes the other Sect Masters of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.”
“As a member of the Elder Council of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, you possess immense powers of adjudication. You will come to understand this point gradually in the future.” “I now bestow upon you a Heavenly Dao Alliance Guest Elder Token.”
Sect Master Yu retrieved a black token from his storage pouch and stated with utmost solemnity, “Possessing this Guest Elder Token grants you a special ‘Right to Immunity from Death.’”
“You have the right to refuse assignment to any perilous mission; the paramount consideration must always be the safety of your own life. Even during times of war between Immortals and Demons, you retain this privilege. Should the Palace Master of the Purple Sword Palace demand you execute a dangerous task and you are unwilling, you may present this Guest Elder Token and refuse outright.”
“This privilege also extends to any grave crime you might commit—even killing a highly significant member—you will not face capital punishment from the Heavenly Dao Alliance. At most, depending on the severity of the crime, the Alliance will sentence you to a term of imprisonment, with the maximum penalty being perpetual incarceration.”
“This immunity from death is enjoyed exclusively by the Guest Elders of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Other cultivators, including Palace Masters and Elders of the major Immortal Palaces under the Alliance’s jurisdiction, cannot access such privilege. You can appreciate how weighty the title of Guest Elder is.” Sect Master Yu finished speaking, looked at Ye Qin, and chuckled, “With the Guest Elder Token and the immunity privilege, no one will dare provoke you easily. My scouts reported that some core disciples from the Northern Immortal Palaces provoked you recently. Once you possess this token, they will only avoid you and dare not offend you again. Naturally, those core disciples lacked proper restraint, and you need not stoop to their level.”
“I have not taken those incidents to heart,” and I will not deliberately seek trouble with them.”
Ye Qin shook his head slightly and inquired, “Since I possess such great privileges, I presume there must be a price to pay?! I wonder what that price is?”
Sect Master Yu nodded with satisfaction. “To enjoy the privileges of a Guest Elder, you must provide compensation in return. Your sole duty will be to refine Nascent Soul Pills.” “You must refine a specific quantity of Nascent Soul Pills each year, commensurate with your current rank in alchemy. Furthermore, every single Nascent Soul Pill refined must be handed over to the Northern Sect Master of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. It is strictly forbidden to sell or gift them privately to any other faction or individual cultivator.”
“The Nascent Soul Pill concerns the destiny and fortune of the Heavenly Dao Alliance; it is one of their most crucial strategic reserves. Every single Nascent Soul Pill will be officially recorded and used as rewards for major missions issued by the Alliance.”
“If Nascent Soul Pills sold privately by you appear on the open market, disrupting the order of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, the consequences will be dire. You will be sentenced to permanent imprisonment, incarcerated forever within the dungeons of the Heavenly Dao Alliance headquarters, never to see daylight again. This point must be etched into your memory!”
“Moreover, your identity as a Divine Alchemist Master will remain a secret of the Heavenly Dao Alliance; I will not disclose it. Naturally, you should also refrain from revealing it easily to avoid unnecessary trouble. As for other spiritual pills of the tenth rank or higher that you refine, they fall outside this regulation and you are free to sell them. However, it is best to sell them to the Heavenly Dao Commerce Guild. The Guild will help you keep this secret, minimizing the risk of exposing your identity as a Divine Alchemist Master and drawing unwanted attention.”
“Of course, if you are willing to return to Baifu City with me, I can make arrangements; all security will be handled by the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and spiritual herbs will be supplied without limit. If you are unwilling to be constrained, I will not force you. I can arrange personnel to ensure your safety. The choice is entirely yours.”
Ye Qin immediately straightened up and clasped his hands respectfully. “Rest assured, Sect Master, I have noted this, and absolutely no Nascent Soul Pills will flow out from my hands.” At this moment, he understood that the Heavenly Dao Alliance maintained extremely strict control over the Nascent Soul Pill. To obtain one, one must receive it from the Sect Master’s hand, having rendered immense merit to the Alliance.
It was no wonder that on the Desolate Spirit Island in the Blood Sea, countless Golden Core cultivators desperately sought entry into that ancient treasury, braving immense risks, just to acquire Nascent Soul Pills that were outside the jurisdiction of both the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance. Seeing his agreement, Sect Master Yu IV then handed the Guest Elder Token into Ye Qin’s hands.
Ye Qin solemnly accepted the palm-sized black token from Sect Master Yu.
It felt incredibly heavy, supremely hard, and he could not discern its material.
On the front of the token, a crack of lightning split the sea—the very emblem of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. On the back, the stern, majestic golden characters reading “Heavenly Dao Alliance Northern Sect Lineage Guest Elder” were engraved. The edges of the token were inscribed with various ancient runes.
“Here is the refining formula for the Nascent Soul Pill, along with the spiritual herbs for ten pills. Study them well! You have only recently advanced to the Small Divine Art Master of Alchemy, so you likely cannot refine such a twelfth-rank spiritual pill yet. After decades, when your alchemy skills are more mature, you must begin refining Nascent Soul Pills for the Heavenly Dao Alliance.”
Sect Master Yu then produced a storage pouch filled with spiritual herbs.
Ye Qin’s face lit up as he accepted the pill formula and the ingredients.
He had originally planned to take some time to visit the various commerce guilds in Linhai City to search for the Nascent Soul Pill recipe. Sect Master Yu providing the formula now saved him considerable effort.
“All of the above concerns official Heavenly Dao Alliance business, which I have concluded according to custom.”
Sect Master Yu’s demeanor grew increasingly benevolent, appearing exceptionally warm. “Now, in my capacity as an elder, I wish to discuss a personal matter with you!”
“Please speak, Sect Master,” Ye Qin’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.
“My lifespan is approaching its end; I am barely sustained by a single breath. Counting carefully, I have only a few short years left to live. When I pass, the position of Northern Sect Master of the Heavenly Dao Alliance will soon be inherited by another cultivator from an Immortal Palace. In my life, I have held high status and enjoyed all honors; I have no regrets.”
Sect Master Yu sighed at this point, “It is only that I cannot rest easy regarding Baifu Palace, fearing it will decline thereafter. I propose a transaction with you: of the Nascent Soul Pills you refine in the future, apart from the portion owed to the Heavenly Dao Alliance, there should be a small surplus. I hope you can deliver this small portion to Baifu Palace. My Baifu Palace will provide you with sufficiently generous returns in exchange for the Nascent Soul Pills.”
“Isn’t this violating the Alliance’s prohibition on private sales!?”
Ye Qin was startled.
Once Sect Master Yu passed away, and another Immortal Palace cultivator inherited the Northern Sect Master position, he certainly could not continue delivering Nascent Soul Pills to Baifu Palace.
“Heh, of course I know this violates the decree. I resort to this desperate measure out of necessity. Once I am gone, the decline of Baifu Palace is inevitable. Obtaining a few more Nascent Soul Pills might allow it to sustain itself a little longer.”
Sect Master Yu gave a wry smile, hiding nothing, “Therefore, I am discussing the terms of our trade with you now. Elder Ye, mention any request you have; as long as it is feasible, I will grant it. Only you, I, and a few others know of this transaction—it will never be leaked to outsiders. As long as it is handled properly, Heaven and Earth will know, and there will be no risk whatsoever.”
Even as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, he possessed his own private desire to see his descendants maintain their status in the Eastern Sea for a longer period. Perhaps with time, Baifu Palace might experience a turn of fortune, produce a few genius cultivators, and have a chance to contend for the grand position again.
“This…”
Ye Qin remained silent for a considerable time.
In this reception hall, there were only him, Bing’er, Sect Master Yu, and two Nascent Soul cultivators from Baifu Palace; there was indeed no need to fear a leak. More importantly, as long as Sect Master Yu lived, he possessed the immense authority of the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s Northern Sect Master; it was difficult for Ye Qin to refuse now.
Just as Sect Master Yu thought Ye Qin was unwilling to agree, he finally spoke, “‘If the Sect Master is willing to help me with one favor, I am willing to enter into this transaction with you.’”
“Speak,” even the steady face of Sect Master Yu could not conceal his joy.
“I possess a skeletal demon that has cultivated to the peak of the ninth stage of the Golden Core realm, on the verge of the Nascent Soul bottleneck. I worry that it cannot survive the perilous Great Heavenly Tribulation, so I have made it cease all cultivation. I wonder if the Sect Master could lend a hand to help it pass the Great Heavenly Tribulation?”
“A skeletal demon at the ninth level of Golden Core? This kind of creature is quite rare in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.”
Sect Master Yu was surprised. “Ensuring its successful passage through the Great Heavenly Tribulation is likely ten times more difficult than for a normal Golden Core cultivator. If I intervene, I am confident I can help it pass the Great Heavenly Tribulation. However, I do not have much time left. If it is to undergo the tribulation, it must be done soon.”
“Thank you, Sect Master. The skeletal demon’s tribulation should occur within a few months, after it breaks through the peak of the ninth stage!”
An hour later, after finalizing the details of the transaction, Sect Master Yu’s Nine Luan chariot departed from Linhai City.
The security lockdown in the city districts was subsequently lifted.
Everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
There were murmurs among the cultivators regarding the purpose of Sect Master Yu’s visit to Linhai City, but no one knew the true reason.
Inside the swiftly departing Nine Luan chariot, Sect Master Yu was conversing with the two Baifu Palace Nascent Soul cultivators.
“Sect Master, even if he is a Divine Alchemist Master, given your status as a Sect Master, it was unnecessary to lower yourself so much before a mere late-stage Golden Core cultivator. Even… setting aside your identity as the Sect Master.”
“Silence. Elder Ye is likely only a century old now. After cultivating for some time longer, his attainment of the Nascent Soul stage is imminent. He has nine hundred years of potential lifespan ahead of him; his future prospects are boundless and will be extremely important to Baifu Palace. I only fear he would have demanded terms if I hadn't offered them. As long as he agrees to my terms, everything is negotiable. Within half a year, I will lend him my aid. I hope that in the future, he abides by today’s promise. 1 person, 1 day, 1 recommendation ticket!”
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