Eternal Cultivation Of Alchemy

The large hall gave an ethereal feel with stained glass giving way to colors of all sorts in the room. The hall was long like a throne room, with giant empty beast seats on all sides, leading all the way to the very front where a gigantic white and gold seat lay on a raised platform.

The walls were covered with golden torches that burned eternally in white flames. The rest was empty, which echoed the merest whispers made inside the room.

To Pearl, he had yet to see a place as grandiose as this one in the entire palace.

To Bai Jingshen, this was a place he had come to only 3 times in the past.

The first time he was brought into this room was along with 11 other Immortal realm White Tigers when they were told that they were chosen to represent the White Tigers this time to keep the treaty between the humans and the Heavenly Beasts alive.

After that, he had never thought he would ever come to this room again. But he had to do so a second time.

The second time he had come here was to explain to the patriarch and all the seniors what had transpired in the other world—why he had abandoned his duties, and why his family had chosen to return to this world.

That was the time he had stood here before dozens of his ancestors and told them about a world that did not exist. A unique world with not just Qi, but something called mana and spiritual energy.

A place wholly unlike their own.

A place called Earth.

He remembered the disbelief they had shown back then, as well as the fascination. That was the first time in his entire life as a White Tiger that he was forced to reveal a truth he had kept hidden for his entire life.

It was the truth that he was secretly a very, very talented cultivator.

Not many had taken it well, but he had the patriarch’s favor back then, so he had gotten away with very little punishment. Furthermore, it was thanks to this that he had been allowed to return to the lower world once again with his family.

The third and last time he had come to this room was just a few centuries ago when he returned to this world after fulfilling his duties. After learning what he had to say, the patriarch had been rather disappointed back then.

So hopefully, he would be quite happy today.

“My deepest wishes to the patriarch,” Bai Jingshen said and bowed.

Pearl quickly bowed as well.

Atop the main seat sat the beast that was the patriarch. It was an old white tiger with a long flowing white beard. Its eyes glowed with a golden light that seemed to pierce straight into one’s soul.

The patriarch of the White Tiger, Bai Zuiqiang, looked quite similar to the Progenitor himself. The only difference Pearl could see was the design of the stripes. Other than that, it was pretty much the same figure.

“Bai Jingshen, you twit. This better be who I think it is,” the voice of the patriarch of the White Tiger came as a loud boom to everyone’s ears.

“Fear not, patriarch. I have successfully brought you my descendant,” Bai Jingshen said. “Pearl, this is our patriarch.”

“I am honored to have met you, patriarch,” Pearl said quickly.

The patriarch stared at Pearl for a long moment. “State your name, child.”

“My name is Shouchuang, patriarch,” he stated.

“Your entire name!”

Pearl glanced toward Bai Jingshen for aid, but Bai Jingshen didn’t look toward him in that moment. He faced the patriarch and thus didn’t help.

Since the truth was to come out sooner or later, he decided to tell the truth.

“My name is Qing Shouchuang.”

Bai Fulin gasped next to the door to the hall, her head turning to look toward Pearl. Her feet moved slightly, but she didn’t know what she was to do here.

“So Jingshen wasn’t lying,” the patriarch said. “Then I shall make this decree. Henceforth, you will be named Bai Shouchuang. You will forgo the rest.”

Pearl looked confused. “What?”

“Are you in disagreement?” the patriarch asked. “You have heard me clearly. Your name is now Bai Shouchuang. You will no longer be of the Qing family.”

Pearl stared in stunned silence for a moment, trying to look toward Bai Jingshen for help, but he still didn’t look toward Pearl.

Pearl looked from his great-grandfather to his patriarch and realized that they must all be in agreement. They must all think that he should change his name.

“No…” he said in almost a whisper.

“What did you say?” the patriarch asked, his voice shaking the great hall.

Pearl felt fear creep into his bones from the patriarch’s words alone. But despite his fears, he had to speak.

“N-No!” he said audibly this time.

“NO?”

“No,” Pearl replied. “I will not change my name. This is the name my father and mother gave me. I will not change it, patriarch. Forgive me.”

“You dare go against my words?” the patriarch asked.

Pearl began taking in deep breaths but he stood resolute. “This is the name my father and mother chose for me. Even if it is you telling me, patriarch, I will not change it. Please do not force me.”

The patriarch finally got off his seat, his face a mask of anger, and walked down to where Pearl was. The pressure his Celestial realm cultivation base emanated was enough to shake Pearl to his very core.

But despite the patriarch’s strength and Pearl’s fears, Pearl stood resolute before the behemoth, not daring to take his eyes away.

The patriarch looked down at him for what felt like a long time before his pressure disappeared. And his face that was once full of anger vanished just as quickly, replaced by a smile.

“Not bad,” the patriarch said. “I like young cubs like you who can stand for what they believe. You’ve passed my test.”