Raise a sword!

Late at night, Qin Yuan returned from Danhuo Peak to welcome Jiang Peng back.

The welcoming banquet was personally organized by Jiang Peng.

Mei Jinhe finally got to eat the sweet braised pork.

This little girl is incredibly shrewd; she's already got Jiang Peng's personality figured out perfectly.

After the meal, Jiang Peng went to Qin Yuan's room to drink tea and chat.

Compared to when I first met Qin Yuan several years ago, he looked much older and his energy and spirit had weakened.

"Senior Brother Liu passed away in a rather aggrieved manner. When news of Zhao Shan'ao's affair came back, we were talking about the Southern Ming Sect. Upon hearing what Zhao Shan'ao had done, Senior Brother Liu vomited blood and fainted on the spot... He was bedridden for three days, but ultimately he couldn't hold on."

Jiang Peng said it was a pity.

Jiang Peng didn't have much interaction with Elder Liu, but she knew that he was always upright and honest. Although he seemed like a nice guy, he was also very resourceful.

Danhuo Peak, a vital entity concerning the development of the sect, constantly influences the interests of the sect's more than twenty peaks and countless cultivators.

Elder Liu managed this place so well, which speaks volumes about his abilities.

"Senior Brother Liu left his alchemy insights to me. You can take a look at them later... He learned the alchemy tradition of the Cangshan Sect. Although it is not as good as our Danyang lineage, it still has many merits."

"Yes."

"Zhao Shan'ao is currently under house arrest by the sect. The Enforcement Hall might send someone to ask you about his affairs. What are your thoughts on that?"

"Answer truthfully." Jiang Peng said frankly, "This person was ultimately forced into this situation. The culprit was that sorcerer... He couldn't even be called an accomplice. At least when he lured me out, he remembered to let me escape and even blocked my way."

Elder Qin nodded slightly and said, "If that's the case, Zhao Shan'ao can save his life... That's good, and Senior Brother Liu's life's work can still be passed down."

The conversation between the master and his apprentice continued until dawn.

Besides the trivial matters in the Pill Hall, Qin Yuan also taught Jiang Peng a lot of insights about alchemists after reaching the late stage of the first rank, as well as several pill formulas for the late stage of the first rank.

That's the advantage of having a master.

The pill formulas he obtained were not only the formulas themselves, but also the many problems Qin Yuan encountered when he first started learning, as well as some little-known alchemy techniques.

After their conversation, Jiang Peng felt she had gained a lot and planned to start refining first-tier late-stage pills in a few days.

Jiang Peng even wanted to try and see if she could reach the level of a second-tier alchemist with her late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, just like her master.

The fragrant king wood, a spiritual material I picked up from Qian Laosi, has been sitting in my storage bag for far too long.

This item is the main ingredient of the "Wood Spirit Pill," a pill that aids in foundation building. Both the Wood Spirit Pill and the Foundation Building Pill are second-tier pills.

Jiang Peng has reached the point where he should prepare the Foundation Establishment Pill, and it's time to start making preparations.

...

Three days later, Jiang Peng was summoned by the sect leader.

They traveled all the way to the main peak of Cangshan Mountain and finally arrived at the sect's main hall.

When Jiang Peng arrived, there were already many disciples waiting in the hall. These were all members of the previous trip to Cang Kingdom.

Clearly, this summons is for the sect to reward those who have made contributions.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a gray-blue Taoist robe walked from behind the hall to the front of the crowd in the open space in front of the main hall.

The newcomer was none other than Chu Chun'an, the sect leader of the Cangshan Sect.

The disciples bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Sect Master."

"No need for formalities," Chu Chun'an said gently, raising his hand.

Jiang Peng immediately felt a gentle force lifting her up. Looking around, she saw that her fellow disciples were doing the same.

"Your contributions this time have been recorded in detail by the sect, and the corresponding sect tribute has already been distributed."

"In addition to the sect contribution, the sect has decided to open the sect treasury and allow everyone present to choose a magic weapon as an extra reward."

After discussing the rewards, Chu Chun'an brought up the matter of the Spirit Transformation Pool.

"The Spirit Transformation Pool was accidentally discovered by the sect's Supreme Master Lü in the Earthly Roar Mountains. It later became a battleground for the three sects. It was only through Master Lü's intervention that our sect was able to retain the majority of the Spirit Transformation Pool."

"So, of the three slots available for this Spirit Transformation Pool opening, one belongs to Junior Nephew Sun... Do any of you have any concerns?"

Naturally, no one said a word.

The sect leader even brought up a Golden Core cultivator, implying that the existence of the Spirit Transformation Pool was thanks to Master Lü.

Now that the direct descendants of Master Lü want to use the Spirit Transformation Pool, who dares to say no?

Sun Yinxi also contributed a lot to this mission, at least on the surface, she actively competed for the spot.

"I hope you will not harbor resentment when I bring this up, understand?" Chu Chun'an said frankly.

The disciples responded.

Chu Chun'an's gaze then fell on one of the true disciples standing at the front.

This person's name is Cheng Kaihai, and he is also a very skilled disciple.

He has the cultivation level of the peak of Qi Refining. I heard that he killed dozens of evil cultivators in the mountains and forests before, including many of them who were also at the peak of Qi Refining.

He has the cultivation level of the peak of Qi Refining. I heard that he killed dozens of evil cultivators in the mountains and forests before, including many of them who were also at the peak of Qi Refining.

"The second spot belongs to Junior Nephew Cheng. He slew fourteen enemies, nine of whom were late-stage Qi Refining cultivators... Does anyone have any concerns about giving him the spot?"

Still, no one spoke.

Chu Chun'an nodded.

The next moment, his gaze fell on Jiang Peng.

"The third spot will be given to my junior disciple Jiang Peng. You all know what he did."

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes fell on Jiang Peng.

Yes, everyone knows that this Junior Brother Jiang severed the arm of a Foundation Establishment evil cultivator with a single sword strike.

It could even be said that a significant reason why the Foundation Establishment evil cultivator was quickly captured by the sect elders was that he was unexpectedly defeated by this Junior Brother Jiang.

So even less people spoke up.

But just then, a somewhat deep voice rang out from outside the hall.

"Sect Master, Junior Nephew Jiang is just an inner disciple, and his cultivation level is not even at the ninth level of Qi Refining... Wouldn't it be a bit of a waste to give him a spot in the Spirit Transformation Pool?"

Jiang Peng turned around and saw a hunched old man leaning on a cane slowly walk into the main hall.

Chu Chun'an's gaze also fell on this person.

He simply cupped his hands slightly, addressed him as "Uncle-Master Jiang," and then said nothing more.

Sun Yinxi, standing next to Jiang Peng, explained in a low voice, "This is Elder Jiang He, the junior brother of two Golden Core cultivators in the sect... He has a very high seniority in the sect, so the sect leader addresses him as 'Uncle-Master'."

At the same time, Jiang He frowned.

"Sect Master, didn't you hear what I said?" Jiang He urged. "I think the last spot in the Spirit Transformation Pool should..."

"Uncle-Master, please wait." Chu Chun'an waved his hand calmly and said, "Someone else will answer you about this matter."

"Who?"

Chu Chun'an raised an eyebrow, as if he had detected something, and chuckled, "Uncle-Master, she's here."

The next moment, the voice of the Peak Master of Rainbow Garments rang out.

"You old geezer, you have a problem with the spot I decided on?"