Chapter 29: An Offer of Glory

Yun Shan's face was ancient, his hair a shock of gray. He and Jia Xingtian were from the same generation. Their cultivation levels were also frustratingly similar—both were stuck at the very threshold of the Dou Zong realm, sighing in despair. Without some kind of fortuitous encounter, they would likely never cross that barrier in their lifetimes. The end was not far away.

Yun Shan had poured his entire life into the Misty Cloud Sect. The thought of dying like this, with so much left undone, filled him with a bitter reluctance.

It is our duty to restore our former glory!

He dreamed of the Misty Cloud Sect becoming the overlord of the entire northwestern region, its name spoken with reverence. He had seen the royal family's wariness, but to be honest, he had no personal desire to control the Jia Ma Empire. His ambitions were not the same as his Great Elder, Yun Leng's.

Their fundamental goals were different from the royal family's. It was entirely possible for them to coexist. It was just that his mind was now completely consumed with breaking through to the Dou Zong realm; he had no energy for sect affairs. His disciple, Yun Yun, was too indifferent to politics, and under the influence of ambitious elders like Yun Leng, the relationship with the royal family grew more tense by the day. To outsiders, it looked as though the Misty Cloud Sect was on the verge of rebellion at any moment.

"Hehehe... Yun Shan, you had better think carefully before you answer. You only have one chance."

Opposite Yun Shan, a figure was shrouded in a black robe, its form nearly melting into the oppressive gloom of the secret chamber. Even the face was impossible to see.

Gloomy. Bizarre.

That was Yun Shan's impression of this person. Judging by the limited information he had, he could guess that this "Hall of Souls" they mentioned was no upright or honorable force.

"I need some time to think," Yun Shan said, not agreeing immediately. Deep down, he wanted nothing to do with such shameful powers; it went against the very tenets of the Misty Cloud Sect. He didn't refuse outright, however, hoping to delay and wait for a better opportunity. In the meantime, he would make one final, desperate push to break through the Dou Zong barrier on his own.

If he succeeded, he would have no need for these shadowy figures. He would tell them to get as far away from him as possible.

If he failed... this could be his fallback plan.

Simply put, the Hall of Souls was his backup option. An old scoundrel's last resort.

"Haha, I hope you can make a wise decision," the voice from the black robe cackled. "You don't have much time left. Something... very interesting happened in the palace today. You may not have received the news yet. The royal family has been secretly cultivating a genius. He is no older than sixteen, yet he already possesses the strength of a Da Dou Shi. He is invincible in battles against those of the same level."

"The people in this northwestern region are short-sighted; they don't know what that means. This Protector can tell you plainly: as long as that boy doesn't die young, he is guaranteed to become a Dou Zong. If his opportunities are great enough, he may even become a Dou Zun. A Dou Zun is no ordinary person, not even in my Hall of Souls."

"By then... hehe, I don't think I need to say more. Given the current relationship between your Misty Cloud Sect and the royal family, it's a question of whether you will even be allowed to survive."

"This Protector will give you three months to consider. My Hall of Souls does need an eye in the Jia Ma Empire, but that eye does not have to be you. That is all I have to say."

Protector Wu laid out the pros and cons with the direct, persuasive talent of a pyramid scheme leader.

Yun Shan's face was as dark as storm clouds. He didn't even notice when the Protector left, a testament to the turmoil in his mind. He had been thoroughly shaken.

At the same time, his wariness of the Hall of Souls deepened. They even had a Dou Zun powerhouse, yet with such a background, they still acted like rats in a sewer, afraid to be seen. How could they be so reviled that they had to hide from the world?

The Other Side

Chen Guan listened for half an hour as Yaoyue's lesson finally concluded. She was as happy as a child who had just been let out of school, a reaction that made Fa Ma shake his head in helpless amusement.

His gaze shifted to the young man beside her. He found that Chen Guan had been listening with far more serious attention than Yaoyue, the actual student. The comparison was stark.

"Yue'er, go and refine a batch of Energy Accumulation Pills to solidify your foundation," Fa Ma said. "I'm going to have a chat with little friend Chen."

Yaoyue's smile froze. She pouted, shooting a glare at Chen Guan as if to say, 'This is your fault. Now I have extra homework.' Then she stomped angrily down the stairs. Chen Guan spread his hands with a helpless shrug.

"What do you think of my Alchemist Association?" Fa Ma asked, taking out a tea set and casually starting a new topic.

Chen Guan quickly took the set and began to prepare the tea himself. He considered his words carefully before answering. "They are very proud, but they have the capital to be. Alchemists are simply not on the same level as ordinary people. It is like this in the Jia Ma Empire, and I believe it is much the same elsewhere."

"Hahaha, your evaluation is quite pertinent," Fa Ma sighed with a smile, but his words couldn't hide his disappointment. "They are more than just proud. Most are just beginners, blinded by their status. It's normal for them to look down on others."

"The more one learns about alchemy, the more one feels its complexity and grandeur. It is a path that can lead to the heavens."

"Even an old man like me has only grasped the tip of the iceberg. I am old now. I likely won't be able to advance to the sixth rank in my lifetime. It is a great regret."

"But what disappoints me even more is that there is no true successor in the guild. Gu He, the champion of the last Grand Alchemist Competition, is now known as the Pill King, but he has almost reached the end of his path. It is unlikely he will break through to the seventh rank. Even if he succeeds, it would be a hundred years from now. Besides, his personality is such that he feels little loyalty to us."

"So, don't be fooled by the guild's apparent size. In reality... it's better not to mention it."

Chen Guan quietly brewed the tea and listened. It was an honor to be a sounding board for such an important figure. He was a little curious, though, why Fa Ma was telling him all this. Aside from the ceremony, this was the first time they had truly met. Wasn't this a bit much?

"Senior, you worry too much," Chen Guan said. "Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years. The last competition produced a Pill King, and the next one may as well. Besides, Yue'er has great talent for alchemy; she just likes to play."

As a 'prophet,' Chen Guan knew Fa Ma's worries were unfounded. The next champion, Xiao Yan, was a truly stunning talent. The Pill King Gu He was nothing in front of him.

"Haha, let's hope so," Fa Ma chuckled. "Yue'er is indeed quite good. It won't be difficult for her to surpass me in her lifetime."

"Your own cultivation talent is astonishing; no one in the empire can compare. However, boring cultivation is bound to become tedious. To be honest, when you made your move at noon, I sensed that your soul strength was extremely high, even stronger than my own. With that kind of soul perception, if you were to become an alchemist, I'm afraid your progress would be terrifying."

After talking in circles for so long, Fa Ma had finally gotten to the point. A hint of fervent hope shone in his eyes. It felt a bit like poaching from the royal family, but he couldn't bear to let such a good seedling go to waste. He had to propose it.

He had to maintain his face, of course. Fortunately, the Alchemist Association had never interfered in the empire's affairs, so Jia Xingtian shouldn't hold a grudge. The only thing he was unsure about now was whether the boy even possessed a trace of the wood attribute.

***

(End of Chapter)

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