Immortality and cultivation begin with alchemy and accounting.

"The matter of training troops is of great importance, and it not only concerns our three branches, but also involves the Clan Guard Hall..."

Bai Jinghe took a sip of tea and was about to speak.

Suddenly, a messenger came running up the mountain from outside the pavilion, "Third Elder, Bai Qingbai, the Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, has come to pay his respects!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinghe was taken aback: "Uncle Qingbai, what is he doing here at this time?"

Although Bai Qingbai was also a senior member of the Third Branch, he was nominally Bai Jinghe's subordinate.

However, the two had very different personalities, and Bai Jinghe did not like this uncle.

There was no other reason than Bai Qingbai's excessive love.

Despite having no children, he treated many of the younger alchemists in his third branch as if they were his own flesh and blood.

From time to time, the internal council of the three branches would propose some policies and subsidies that would benefit young, low-ranking monks.

For lower-level cultivators, the benevolence of those in higher positions is a good thing.

However, for those in positions of power, having subordinates who are too philanthropic is not a good thing!

The resources of the three branches are limited. If they are mostly used to cultivate younger disciples like Bai Qingbai did, there will be less to spend on other things.

This is why Bai Qingbai's personality is not likable.

Unfortunately, Bai Jinghe's current cultivation level is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and he has to entrust Bai Qingbai to help him refine many of the pills needed for ordinary cultivation.

Many times, he had no choice but to give Bai Qingbai face.

If he really angers this old man and he refuses to refine second-tier pills for him, his losses will be huge!

Bai Jingyu chuckled and said, "Uncle Qingbai, what brings you here? May I listen in?"

As he spoke, he made an evasive gesture.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinghe waved his hand: "It's alright, they're probably here for business with the Third Branch."

After saying that, he sighed: "Uncle Qingbai... this year he forced me to transfer some contribution points from the third branch's treasury to the contribution pavilion to give the third branch disciples a discount when purchasing spiritual items, which consumed a lot of resources in the third branch's account. This time, it may not be a good thing."

"Third brother, why don't you stay and listen in?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jingyu's expression darkened slightly.

He understood Bai Jinghe's meaning: if Bai Qingbai made any further requests, Bai Jinghe would find it inconvenient to refuse directly, and he needed Bai Jinghe's help to persuade Bai Qingbai.

But he really didn't want to be the bad guy and offend Bai Qingbai, a second-level alchemist, for no reason.

He could only look down at his nose and his mind, as if he didn't understand.

Seeing his cousin's behavior, Bai Jinghe sighed inwardly.

Before long, Bai Qingbai arrived at the bamboo pavilion.

"Uncle Qingbai, what brings you to Huating Mountain?"

Although he disliked Bai Qingbai, Bai Jinghe was still reasonably polite on the surface.

He forced a smile and greeted them.

"Greetings, Eleventh Elder!"

"Jing Yu is here too?"

Bai Qingbai did not act arrogantly due to his age. He politely bowed, glanced around, and greeted Bai Jingyu as well.

Bai Jingyu nodded and said with a smile, "The family is not going to use force against Jinlan Island. It involves the cooperation of five families."

The Supreme Elder issued a decree stating that before setting off, the troops should conduct some training in the Inner Sea, allowing the disciples of each family to familiarize themselves with the terrain.

"I have come today to report the progress of this matter to the Third Elder."

Bai Qingbai suddenly understood, "I see!"

He spent most of his time behind the scenes refining elixirs and had little involvement in the family's wars, neither understanding them nor having much interest in them.

After a few brief questions, he got straight to the point: "I've come here today because of the No. 8 Fire Vein."

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinghe's face darkened: "Uncle Qingbai, could it be that you've come for the ownership of the No. 8 Fire Vein?"

As I've already said, the four branches' desire to compete for the fire vein was agreed upon by the Supreme Elder and the Head of the Family, and it was a matter that was voted on by the Family Council.

Everything must be done according to the rules set by the family council; there can be no further changes!

After saying that, he suddenly felt a headache.

Bai Qingbai approached him more than once for the sake of this No. 8 Fire Vein, hoping that he would intervene from the family level and forcefully keep the Fire Vein in the Third Branch no matter what.

If he were to take a firmer stance at the family council meeting, it might be possible to preserve the fire vein.

However, the current elder is getting old and it is time to find a successor.

At this critical juncture, Bai Jinghe really didn't want to disobey the decision made by the Supreme Elder.

To avoid angering the Supreme Elder and causing his entire lineage to suffer a setback.

Another crucial point is that the Supreme Elder came from the fourth branch of the family.

Bai Jinghe felt that the Fourth Branch's move to seize the No. 8 Fire Vein might have been at the behest of the Supreme Elder, who wanted to secure some benefits for the Fourth Branch before his death.

If that's the case, he shouldn't interfere at all.

"It's just a mid-grade first-level fire vein. Even if you give it away directly, what difference would it make?"

"How could a single lineage rise or fall because of a mid-grade first-level fire vein?" Bai Jinghe thought to himself with dissatisfaction.

He came from the Clan Guard Hall and, although he was in charge of the Third Branch, he had no experience in alchemy and many of his ideas differed from Bai Qingbai's.

Bai Qingbai stroked his beard and said, "It's not that. Since the family council has already made a decision, it's indeed difficult to change it."

"However, I remember during the family council meeting, they said that as long as a cultivator in the younger generation reaches the middle rank of the first level, they can leave behind the No. 8 Fire Vein for our third branch?"

Seeing Bai Qingbai's confident demeanor, Bai Jinghe was taken aback, a thought stirring within him.

He glanced at Bai Qingbai discreetly and tentatively asked, "A mid-level alchemist among the younger generation?"

Bai Qingbai nodded: "Some time ago, I gathered three outstanding young people and conducted training for Bishui Dan."

One of them, Bai Xuanjing, has now achieved a success rate of about 30% in producing Azure Water Pills, meeting the requirements for a mid-grade first-tier alchemist.

"Baek Hyun-kyung?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinghe unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Bai Jingyu immediately thought of the person he had seen at Bai Xuangu's house a few days ago.

Thinking about this, he was suddenly somewhat surprised.

However, seeing Bai Jinghe hesitate, he assumed that Bai Jinghe, like himself, had no impression of Bai Xuanjing.

But for some reason, as if he had something to consider, he didn't say anything.

Instead, Bai Qingbai added with a smile, "Eleventh Elder may not know, but Bai Xuanjing is Bai Xuangu's younger brother..."

The reason for mentioning Bai Xuan Gu is that he has now been promoted to the position of commander, and his status has increased.

In Bai Qingbai's opinion, being able to keep the No. 8 fire vein inside the third house was a good thing in itself.

And this first-tier mid-grade alchemist was Bai Xuangu's younger brother, so it just so happened that he was doing Bai Xuangu a favor.

It couldn't be more perfect.

Upon hearing Bai Xuangu's name, Bai Jinghe's eyes flickered, and he forced a smile.

"So he's Xuan Gu's younger brother. It's a good thing that the younger generation has gained a mid-grade first-level alchemist."

"In this way, the No. 8 fire vein doesn't need to be given to the fourth branch."

Seeing Bai Jinghe's approving expression, Bai Qingbai stroked his beard, feeling that today's matter might be successfully completed.