Immortality and cultivation begin with alchemy and accounting.

Once the demon had had its fill of playing, Bai Xuanjing put it back into his spirit beast pouch and turned to flee towards Daoping Island.

Upon returning to the courtyard, two small figures immediately rushed over, each grabbing one of Bai Xuanjing's legs.

"Uncle!"

It was Bai Mingyuan and Bai Ling'er, brother and sister.

Bai Xuanjing smiled and patted the heads of the two children.

In the courtyard, Bai Xuangu sat upright, chatting and laughing with Bai Jingming.

The kitchen was staffed with several ordinary people to help Wu Yuxiu process various medicinal herbs and ingredients in preparation for cooking.

"You're quite diligent, aren't you? Tomorrow is the clan assembly, and even if everyone else is working hard in their cultivation, they still need to rest for a day. But you've gone out to refine pills again!"

Upon seeing Bai Xuanjing, Bai Jingming immediately made a joke.

On the eve of the clan gathering, the Bai family cultivators would often invite close clan members to gather together for a reunion dinner.

Bai Jingming would have been here at this time in previous years.

Bai Xuanjing was not surprised by his appearance.

"I've met my second uncle. It was someone who asked me to refine pills. I'm about to leave home, so I need to fulfill my promise as soon as possible to avoid breaking it."

Bai Xuanjing smiled and explained.

Bai Xuanle didn't want Bai Qingshan to know that he had someone refine the Demon-Feeding Pill, so Bai Xuanjing didn't go into details either, lest Bai Jingming tell Bai Qingshan after drinking too much spirit wine.

Fortunately, Bai Jingming didn't ask any further questions.

The best way for alchemists to build relationships and cultivate goodwill is to help others refine elixirs, so this is not uncommon in the third branch of the family.

The elders mostly encourage this.

"Many families in the Haoran Sea have clan associations, but their scale and duration vary."

Our Bai family's clan association tradition originated in the time of the Sixth Ancestor.

Back then, the Sixth Patriarch served the Liuyun Sect and could not see them often. They could only gather together once every three years when he returned to the Liuyun Sect to report on his duties.

"Since then, the tradition of holding clan gatherings every three years has gradually developed!"

Bai Jingming looked nostalgic and casually mentioned the origin of the Bai family association.

"Now that the Bai family is based in the Canghuang Islands, the family disciples are sent out for most of the year. These three clan gatherings have made it possible for us to have a chance to meet once every few years."

Both Bai Xuanjing and Bai Xuangu nodded.

The three chatted for a while, reminiscing about their predecessors and Bai Jingyuan.

"Speaking of which, the matter of the No. 8 Fire Vein should be almost resolved by now, right?"

As he spoke, Bai Jingming looked at Bai Xuanjing and asked a question.

He was the steward in charge of alchemy for the third branch, and he knew more about the No. 8 Fire Vein.

However, the information is also limited.

He was unaware, at least of all, of Bai Qingbai's efforts in recent days to develop the No. 8 Fire Vein.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuangu's heart stirred, and he looked at Bai Xuanjing.

"No, I'll still be assigned to Autumn Maple Island next year." Bai Xuanjing shook his head.

"How could that be? Last time we met, didn't you say that the Azure Water Pill had a success rate of nearly 30%, and that Uncle Qingbai had also helped you apply for the No. 8 Fire Vein?"

Bai Jingming was somewhat surprised.

Two days ago, he unexpectedly ran into Bai Xuanjing, and the two had a conversation.

"Could it be that he failed the court examination?"

"That shouldn't be the case. I haven't heard anything about a court exam being held recently. If there were one, someone should have notified me to attend..."

The third branch of the Bai family were promoted from alchemists through a court examination.

In reality, it was a gathering of the stewards in charge of alchemy from the three departments and respected elders.

The newly promoted disciple immediately began refining pills.

Ten portions of medicinal materials are needed to make three batches of pills to pass the test.

However, a court examination is not a mandatory requirement.

Generally speaking, as long as Bai Qingbai, the head of the Alchemy Hall, approves, one can be promoted directly without a court examination.

That's why Bai Jingming had this doubt.

Bai Xuanjing shook her head: "Grandpa Qingbai said it was related to the family war. After the war, I can go to the No. 8 Fire Vein to take up my post. He didn't tell me the specific details."

Upon hearing this, Bai Jingming became even more puzzled.

On the contrary, Bai Xuangu's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something.

After a moment's hesitation, he spoke with a somewhat grim expression, "Could it be that I failed to pass the Eleventh Elder's test?"

"Eleventh Elder, Bai Jinghe..."

Bai Jingming looked at Bai Xuangu and frowned, saying, "Didn't he take good care of you in the Clan Guard Hall, even promoting you to commander?"

"Now that Xuanjing's alchemy skills have been recognized by Uncle Qingbai, how could he not pass his test?"

Bai Xuangu took a deep breath, his gaze profound, and said, "Uncle Jingming, you are not a member of the Clan Guard Hall... I rarely mention the Clan Guard Hall's dirty deeds, and there are many things you don't know."

"During my years in the Clan Guard Hall, I did gain the approval of the Hall Master, the Second Elder, Bai Jingxiu, but Bai Jinghe has never shown me any favors!"

"Even the commander of this clan guard hall... is promoted because of my improved cultivation and meritorious service. According to the rules and regulations of the clan guard hall, he should be promoted."

Not only did Bai Jinghe not naturally recommend me out of consideration for our shared lineage, but he also voiced his opposition at the council meeting.

The Second Elder, Bai Jingxiu, is one of only two Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators in the Bai family, and also the sect leader of the second branch.

This person is in charge of the Clan Guard Hall; not only is his cultivation profound, but his power is also immense.

The reason why the third branch of the family sided with the second branch was largely because Bai Jinghe also came from the Clan Guard Hall and was considered Bai Jingxiu's direct subordinate.

Judging from Bai Xuangu's words, Bai Jingxiu and Bai Jinghe, who seem to be very close, still have disagreements regarding his position as commander.

Thinking of this, Bai Jingming frowned even more.

Although one can sense that in recent years, due to the impending death of the Supreme Elder who will pass on the false elixir inheritance, the atmosphere within the Bai family has been somewhat turbulent.

However, he is not good at scheming and has been away from home for many years, so his ability to analyze matters within the family is really limited.

For a moment, he was a little confused about the situation.

"There's something I've been holding back for a long time. Since you're here today, Second Uncle, I'll ask you. You're the closest elder to me in the Bai family right now, so please give me your opinion."

Bai Xuangu couldn't help but stare intently at Bai Jingming.

"What is it?"

Bai Jingming subconsciously looked at Bai Xuangu.

Bai Xuanjing was also taken aback, sensing something was amiss in Bai Xuangu's words.

Some time ago, Bai Jingyu personally came to hand over the mission to Bai Xuangu.

The two of them seemed to be in a pretty good mood at the time.

Bai Xuanjing thought the two had a good relationship, and with Bai Xuangu's promotion, he subconsciously felt that his older brother might also be a close subordinate of Bai Jinghe.

Looking at it today, it seems that this is not the case?

Upon realizing this, he immediately began to listen attentively.

As brothers, he and Bai Xuan Gu were bound by a relationship of shared prosperity and shared loss.

He didn't know much about the internal factions within the Bai family, nor was he personally involved, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be affected.

Even if one is out in the ocean refining pills, how can one truly reside in a windless place?

Bai Xuanjing then remembered that some time ago, Bai Xuangu seemed to have something he wanted to say but didn't, and Wu Yuxiu subtly stopped him.

It seems like the truth will be revealed today?