Pill Alliance Headquarters, Heaven-Class Quiet Chamber.

The air was filled with the scent of burning incense and the merging of earth flames.

Dozens of alchemists sat cross-legged, holding their breath and focusing their minds.

On the central Ink Jade Pill Platform.

Chen Sheng stood tall, guiding a strand of spiritual fire with his fingertips, weaving a complex flame meridian map in mid-air.

"Fire control is like plucking strings; the focus is in the fingers, not entirely in strength. Where the mind reaches, even sparks can be turned into gentle softness around the fingers..."

His voice, clear and steady, echoed in the quiet chamber.

In the front row, two young men sat side by side, surprisingly He Ping'an and Zhang Li.

Chen Sheng's gaze swept over the two.

He hadn't expected two people from such vastly different backgrounds to become friends through shared interests.

There's no need to mention He Ping'an.

As his first disciple, Chen Sheng had nurtured him into a High Grade Alchemist, feeding him every step of the way.

Zhang Li, on the other hand, was a descendant of an old acquaintance, with commendable comprehension abilities.

Chen Sheng would occasionally give him special guidance.

Now he too had become a Middle Grade Alchemist, leisurely keeping up his family's pill shop.

Soon, the lesson ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

In the corner, a young man in a deep blue coat walked out, bowing deeply to the pill platform.

Chen Sheng looked at the young man:

"Hanchi, is there something you need?"

Chen Hanchi, from a side branch of the Chen Clan that towers over the sun.

He was once a spirited young lad.

Years had passed.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators in his branch had passed away, and like fallen trees, the family fell into decline rapidly.

Fortunately, Chen Hanchi was resolute in character, with no sign of decadence, instead becoming even more diligent, never missing Chen Sheng's classes.

Chen Sheng had high hopes for him, sometimes giving him special guidance, and now he too was a Middle Grade Alchemist.

Chen Hanchi raised his head, meeting Chen Sheng's gaze with great reverence, but today there was an added heaviness:

"Master Chen, I have come to bid farewell."

Chen Sheng heard this and nodded gently.

He did not inquire about the reason; it was nothing more than internal family strife, an unavoidable fate.

Feeling a sigh in his heart, Chen Sheng took a High Grade Talisman from his storage pouch and offered a few encouraging words:

"The affairs of the world are ever-changing, meetings and partings are uncertain."

"Remember, to be able to yield and stretch is to be a true man!"

"Hanchi, I wish you a long and prosperous immortal path!"

The talisman was warm and hefty in his hand.

Chen Hanchi felt a warmth in his heart, tears glistening in his eyes, and he quickly clasped his fist:

"I will remember Master Chen's great kindness forever!"

With that, Chen Hanchi turned, his steps determined, showing not a hint of reluctance.

On the pill platform.

Chen Sheng watched that solitary figure disappear down the corridor, gently shaking his head.

In the cultivation realm, full of treacherous currents and skeletons everywhere...

This farewell, who knows, might be a final goodbye.

At this moment.

He Ping'an came closer, whispering an explanation:

"Master, I heard from my grandfather that the Chen Clan is now splitting the various branches, and Hanchi's branch, without a Foundation Establishment, will be relocated who knows where?"

Chen Sheng, hearing this, lightly nodded:

"I see."

"It seems the Chen Clan indeed has tough days ahead."

At the same time.

In Chen Sheng's heart, he remembered:

"Like duckweed, tossed by waves, one is at the mercy of the tides."

"Rely on mountains, and they collapse; rely on people, and they run. Only by strengthening oneself can one find freedom!"

...

Several days later.

Fenghua Immortal City.

Wanxiang Tower, still the elegant Guan Chao Pavilion.

The aroma of spiritual cuisine and jade dew spirit liquid filled the air.

Chen Sheng and Zhao Jinhua were drinking together.

Years ago.

It was here that Chen Sheng welcomed him with a cleansing banquet.

Years later.

Still here, Chen Sheng was bidding him farewell.

After several years of duty, Zhao Jinhua was about to return to the sect and enter seclusion for Foundation Establishment.

Zhao Jinhua put down the jade cup, sighing softly:

"The scene years ago when Junior Brother welcomed me with a cleansing banquet is still vivid."

"Yet today has come to parting."

"Truly, time flows like water, never to return!"

Hearing this, Chen Sheng laughed heartily, raising his cup:

"Time ages, but the heart does not."

"This time when Senior Brother returns, you'll surely succeed!"

Hearing this, Zhao Jinhua's face was filled with ruddiness, with no sign of refusal, his eyes radiant with sharp determination.

Clearly, over the years, his gains have been significant, and he is determined to achieve Foundation Establishment!

Zhao Jinhua raised his cup repeatedly, smiling:

"Let us brothers encourage each other, encourage each other, haha!"

Chen Sheng, hearing this, was also full of smiles:

"I'll take your kind words, Senior Brother."

Speaking of which

these years, Chen Sheng's gains have also been substantial.

Taking advantage of the opening of the Secret Realm, he used his connections in the Immortal City to acquire three Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects in total.

Two to refine mana, one to enhance Spiritual Sense and promote Divine Sense, costing fifty-eight thousand Spirit Stones.

If it weren't for the 'fertility bonus'.

Chen Sheng would have almost emptied his savings.

In the midst of laughter, Zhao Jinhua suddenly smiled mischievously, his eyes filled with teasing:

"Junior Brother, after this farewell, when we meet again, you should not call me Senior Brother but Elder instead."

Chen Sheng burst into laughter, responding loudly:

"Elder Zhao!"

"Junior Brother awaits in the Immortal City, hoping you will sing a grand song, don't let me wait in vain."

Zhao Jinhua, hearing this, laughed heartily and clinked cups with Chen Sheng heavily:

"I definitely won't disappoint Junior Brother's expectations."

The two raised their cups and drank heartily.

Soon, after three rounds of drinks, it was time to part.

The two clasped hands and wished each other longevity in the Immortal Dao.

At this moment.

The jade token at Zhao Jinhua's waist heated up, a message arrived, he swept it with his Spiritual Sense, and suddenly looked at Chen Sheng,

Zhao Jinhua exclaimed, full of shock:

"Junior Brother…!"

Chen Sheng keenly sensed it:

"Senior Brother, what's the matter?"

Zhao Jinhua took a deep breath, a mix of ecstatic joy and astonishment, laughing as he congratulated:

"Don't worry, it's not a bad thing, it's a great thing!"

"I must congratulate you, Junior Brother."

"I just received a message from the main hall, the Pill Hall has issued a special task for you."

Chen Sheng was a bit puzzled:

"A special task?"

Zhao Jinhua nodded, explaining:

"Yes, and most importantly, it was issued in the name of the Pill Hall. Generally speaking, only the Hall Master and the two Vice Hall Masters have this authority."

"Junior Brother has received such favor, entered the higher levels' field of vision, isn't that a great thing?"

Chen Sheng, hearing this, felt a faint unease.

He had joined Qinghua Sect halfway and was not familiar with the directions of the higher-ups.

Moreover, he was always cautious and prepared.

According to Chen Sheng's current plan, taking steady and sure steps, Foundation Establishment was not considered difficult.

Now, with this twist, entering the gaze of the higher-ups might mean being drawn into conflicts, facing faction disputes, and being unable to control his destiny!

A few days ago.

Chen Sheng had just sighed about 'Chen Hanchi's helplessness'.

To the sect's higher-ups, isn't Chen Sheng just 'a leaf on the water'?

To him, it might not necessarily be a good thing.

Chen Sheng expressed his thoughts to Zhao Jinhua.

Zhao Jinhua simply laughed, patting him on the shoulder to comfort:

"Junior Brother is overthinking this."

"If it were other halls in the sect, with factional struggles, then it would be hard to say!"

"Our Pill Hall has always been dominant, with the Hall Master presiding in peace!"

"Tasks from the Pill Hall are always meant to cultivate talented alchemists, no one dares to meddle recklessly."

"Junior Brother can enjoy this privilege, there's no worry about Foundation Establishment, even if the Pill Hall has to support you all the way."

Saying this.

A deep envy flashed in Zhao Jinhua's eyes.

Compared to his 'years of hard work', Junior Brother Chen's exceptional talent almost guaranteed his entry.

Chen Sheng nodded lightly upon hearing this:

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for clearing up my doubts."

Soon after.

The Cyan Jade Disc of Qinghua Disciple at Chen Sheng's waist also began to vibrate and heat up intensely.

Streams of light flickered one after another.

Several Elders who had once served in the Alchemy Alliance, including Li Changyang, all well-informed, sent their congratulations one after another.

Zhao Jinhua laughed heartily:

"See, everyone is here to congratulate you."

"This is before the news has spread, Junior Brother is now like a needle piercing the bag, his edge naturally revealed."

"Tomorrow, when the news gets out, it will truly be a case of who in the world doesn't know you!"

With Zhao Jinhua's words.

Chen Sheng showed a humble smile, not forgetting to offer a few words of blessing for his senior brother's success in Foundation Establishment.

Zhao Jinhua, hearing this, immediately laughed out loud:

"Then today, I will bask in Junior Brother's fortune."

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