Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

”Now, Eastern Wasteland lacks a Holy Land, South Border has no Great Powers, West Desert’s Buddhist Sect is closed, and North Sea is a scattered mess. Although our Tianyuan Daoist Sect is greatly weakened, it remains the strongest Holy Land in the Mountain Sea Realm!”

”With deep foundations, and our generation’s exhaustion of all mental efforts, we can finally restore the glory of the Daoist Sect!”

”At that time, we shall fulfill our predecessors’ ambition, unify Mountain Sea and flatten Cangwu!”

As the words fell, they reverberated compellingly within the Daoist Temple.

Among the four Great Hall Masters, three wholeheartedly echoed in unison.

”Restore old mountains and rivers, revive the Daoist Sect’s glory!”

”Unify Mountain Sea and flatten Cangwu!”

Hall Master Hui Yuanhong of All Stars Hall, though a step behind, quickly added, ”This Hall Master shall strive as well!”

Zhou Yunshen stroked his beard, ”Alas, though my heart wills it, I’m powerless and may not witness that day.”

Everyone knew the state of his lifespan, understanding that he spoke the truth.

Zhan Bingtao laughed heartily, ”Although Friend Zhou may not see it, your descendants possess exceptional talent, destined to surpass their predecessors. At that time, he will surely be the iconic figure of our Tianyuan Daoist Sect’s younger generation, leading Zhou Family and Tianyuan’s youth to charge bravely forward, invincible!”

All eyes fell upon Zhou Fuqiu behind him.

Zhou Yunshen waved, and Zhou Fuqiu stepped forward at the right moment.

”Just as well, while this old man is still here, today we shall determine his master!”

Momentarily, silence fell over the assembly.

Zhou Yunshen nodded at Zhou Fuqiu.

The young man hesitated no more and released the mana fluctuation.

In that moment, everyone was amazed.

”Golden Core?”

”No, it’s the Foundation Establishment Stage!”

”So fast?”

Zhou Yunshen, stroking his beard, said, ”As you can see, Fuqiu’s progress is amazingly swift. He can completely skip the foundational learning at Seven Stars Academy and directly enter cultivation in the Four Halls. I do not wish for him to waste time, hence today’s arrangement. I wonder, which friend is willing to accept him as a disciple.”

Today’s Tianyuan Daoist Sect is far from its peak glory.

Due to the decline of talents, even the Twelve Great Houses have dwindled to nine, making the sect eager for talent.

Sole reliance on the traditional clan system cannot quickly cultivate many strong individuals.

Thus, the once declining mentor-disciple system has naturally risen.

The establishment of Tian Nan Dao Palace and the rule of selective disciple acceptance by the Four Great Hall Masters are specially enforced by Tianyuan Daoist Sect to quickly restore its Yuan Qi.

Such a system is not limited to Tian Nan Continent; it’s similarly enforced in Li Bei and East Yuan.

If anyone previously worried about the newly established rules of the Daoist Ancestral Court in the Rotten Stalemate Mountain Range, Zhou Fuqiu’s utterly age-defying cultivation level dispelled all hesitation among the Four Great Hall Masters in the Daoist Temple.

Such an extraordinary talent must be brought under the sect’s wings!

Hui Yuanhong was the first to speak.

”Our All Stars Hall is willing to accept Zhou Fuqiu as a disciple!”

The remaining three halls were not far behind, each expressing their intentions.

Zhou Yunshen smiled contentedly at this spectacle.

”You all wish to accept Fuqiu as a disciple, but he is only one person!”

This was a problem.

Zhan Bingtao raised an eyebrow, ”Zhou Fuqiu, what do you think about this?”

Was the decision-making power handed to this twenty-one-year-old young man?

Calmly Zhou Fuqiu said, ”I do not know the cultivation directions, teaching philosophies, or individual capabilities of the four seniors. I am unsure who best fits me, and would like to further consider it.”

Further consideration?

Everyone paused, then amusedly watched the young man.

Was he setting conditions?

Despite the favor of four True Masters, he dared to set conditions.

Yet, no one took offense, becoming instead more approving of Zhou Fuqiu.

Cultivation requires not only talent but a strong mindset.

From the initial meeting, through Zhou Fuqiu’s demeanor and now his bold request from True Masters, his mindset was clearly outstanding.

Hui Yuanhong spoke again, ”I am the Master of All Stars Hall, specializing in Earth Element, which may seem a mismatch for you. But All Stars Hall has inherited much of the former Star Gate’s essence, countless classics within, covering the world’s Five Continents. Once in All Stars Hall, there will surely be something suitable for you!”

Next, another spoke promptly, ”I am of Long Ting, Master of Longevity Hall, Supreme Elder of Dragon Family. If you are willing to apprentice under me, the Path of Longevity is within reach, and even our family’s True Dragon Divine Skill can be taught to you.”

In a violet robe, Zhang Bairen cleared his throat, ”Though nominally the four halls are equal, Ziwei Hall is ultimately ranked first. In my possession is Tianyuan Daoist Sect’s most orthodox cultivation method; as a sect disciple, you should join Ziwei Hall.”

Qing Lan Fairy, who had spoken little earlier, now discreetly brushed her delicate face and said calmly, ”I am the winner of the Five Hundred Year Grand Competition, apprenticed under Chun Yuan Great Power, and have long comprehended Law’s True Intent. If your goal extends beyond the Nascent Soul Realm, then you should choose me.”

Once the four laid out conditions, they didn’t wait for Zhou Fuqiu to choose before engaging in mutual critique.

”Inheriting much of Star Gate’s essence, Friend Hui, you are overly confident. I happen to know you only joined the Elder Seats last, inheriting a position left by an Alchemy Saint after Ascension.”

”True Dragon Divine Skill, but mere form, no substance. Without any real Divine Power, exceedingly high thresholds.”

”Tianyuan Daoist Sect’s orthodox cultivation method? Each of our four halls possesses it!”

”Qing Lan Fairy is too arrogant, you’re only at the Middle Stage Nascent Soul yourself, how dare you talk of Path of Divinity Transformation!”

...

Amidst the chaos, Zhan Bingtao heavily coughed once.

”Such loss of decorum!”

The hall instantly fell silent.

Then, Zhan Bingtao looked at Zhou Fuqiu.

”The four halls are remarkable, with your talent, any choice of guidance among them promises successful Core Formation and Infant Condensation. As for the Divine Transformation, that requires greater personal effort.”

”Make your choice and provide an answer!”