Chapter 105: Five-Colored Canopy
In the blink of an eye, several months passed.
In front of the contribution list at the main peak of the Qinghua Sect, it was crowded with cultivators who came to exchange resources.
At the very top of the list, the "Tier Three Elixir" category, which had long been vacant, suddenly added two new entries.
"Tier Three Replenishing Essence Pill requires 100,000 contribution points"
"Tier Three Heart Protection Pill requires 120,000 contribution points"
"Tier Three Elixirs?!"
A young Qi Cultivator rubbed his eyes, full of disbelief:
"Didn't the sect say Tier Three Elixirs are a foundation, reserved only for the Fake Pill Ancestor's use? Why are they suddenly on the contribution list?"
Beside him, a cultivator spoke with excitement:
"It must be another Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster emerging in the sect!"
"Only a Tier Three Grandmaster can reliably refine Tier Three Elixirs and dare to offer them for exchange to cultivators, otherwise where would so much stock come from?"
These words, like a stone thrown into a lake, instantly stirred ripples among the crowd.
Cultivators speculated about who this "Tier Three Grandmaster" might be — some said it was a hermit elder from the Pill Hall breaking through, others said it was external aid invited by the main peak.
Until a steward from the Pill Hall passed by, smilingly revealing the truth: "It's Hall Master Chen," and only then did everyone realize.
"Hall Master Chen, the one who was a Quasi-Tier Three Grandmaster?"
"Oh my heavens, just a few years ago, Hall Master Chen had only started refining quasi-tier three elixirs, and now shortly after breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he's become a Tier Three Grandmaster?"
"Truly worthy of being the closed-door disciple of Grandmaster Dragon Void, his talent is simply terrifying!"
The news seemed to grow wings, spreading throughout the entire Qinghua Sect in just one day.
The atmosphere in the Pill Hall was one of sheer excitement, with stewards bustling to share the news and apprentices eager to start learning.
With a Tier Three Grandmaster holding fort, not only could the Pill Hall gain more sect resources.
But they would also have the opportunity to engage with Tier Three Alchemy and perhaps even become disciples or protégés of a Tier Three Alchemist.
Li Min and Hu Bao were undoubtedly the happiest, having now formally entered the line of true inheritors.
The four elders of the Pill Hall were currently gathered in the Alchemy Room, looking at a Tier Three Replenishing Essence Pill on the table, their eyes full of emotion.
Elder Wang, now one hundred ninety-three years old, had been immersed in the Alchemy Dao for nearly two hundred years, fully aware of the difficulty of reaching from "quasi-tier three" to becoming a "Tier Three Grandmaster."
He admitted that with his 'mediocre talent', he had failed to break through to quasi-tier three throughout his life!
"The Hall Master is truly an extraordinary person."
Elder Wang picked up the elixir, his divine sense sweeping over the lively pill spirit within, his tone filled with genuine admiration and sighs:
"A few years ago when he became a quasi-tier three grandmaster, I thought he could aspire to tier three, never did I expect in just a few years, he'd become a Tier Three Grandmaster."
"This speed is unprecedented in history!"
Elder Li added, his eyes full of gratitude:
"It all owes to the Old Hall Master's wise discernment, taking him in as a closed-door disciple back then, which led to today's achievements."
"Had the Hall Master been snagged by another sect, how could our Pill Hall enjoy today's glory?"
Elder Zhao suddenly spoke, his tone filled with anticipation:
"Do you think, with the Hall Master's talent, can he become a Tier Three Middle Grade Alchemist in the future?"
"In the Pill Hall's three-thousand-year history, we've had two Tier Three Middle Grade Alchemists who left behind the 'Cyan Simurgh Longevity Pill' and 'Profound Essence Barrier-Breaking Pill' formulas."
"Unfortunately, no one has ever managed to do it again. If the Hall Master can refine them, our Pill Hall could once again reach its former glory!"
Elder Sun nodded repeatedly:
"That's reasonable!"
"The Hall Master is only a little over eighty years old, with plenty of lifespan ahead; given enough time, not to mention Tier Three Middle Grade, even Tier Three High Grade might not be impossible!"
The four elders, speaking one after another, were filled with longing for the future.
They knew that with Chen Sheng, the immensely promising Tier Three Grandmaster at their helm, the Pill Hall's status in the sect would naturally rise!
...
Three days later, at the Qinghua Main Hall on Qinghua Sect's Piaomiao Peak, the atmosphere was solemn.
Beside the round jade table at the center of the main hall, sat five figures exuding immense presence.
Four Master Fake Pills, plus a mid-stage Golden Core Sect Leader, Hua Taixuan.
At the end of the jade table, there was a noticeably weaker presence—Chen Sheng.
Just three days prior, with the confirmation of his becoming a Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster, the sect held an emergency apex meeting, unanimously deciding to incorporate Chen Sheng into the sect's core decision-making group.
This was the first time in Qinghua Sect's history that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had entered the apex meeting, breaking the tradition of "only Fake Pill and higher cultivators could participate."
Chen Sheng, sitting at the end, felt the fervent stares of four Master Fake Pills and Hua Taixuan, prompting a wry smile.
Their looks were like seeing a rare treasure, filled with anticipation and respect.
He had long known from the core inheritance left by Dragon Void Daoist the significance of a Tier Three Alchemist to a sect.
A Tier Three Alchemist could consistently supply tier three elixirs for a sect, enhancing the combat power of high-tier cultivators, and could even determine the sect's influence in the region.
The elixirs left behind could even become a foundation of the sect!
Chen Sheng took the initiative to speak, offering a respectful salute:
"Fellow Masters."
"The difficulty of refining Tier Three Elixirs, I believe, is common knowledge to all. The materials are expensive and scarce, with a high consumption rate."
"If anyone has intentions to exchange or commission a refinement, please feel free to gather the materials and visit the Pill Hall to find me."
"I must first clarify two points: one, the alchemy fee will be charged according to the usual rules, no less; two, if any failures occur during the refining process, I hope everyone will not lay blame."
Master Lin Xian was the first to laugh heartily, his tone generous:
"Do not worry, Grandmaster Chen!"
"Refining Tier Three Elixirs is inherently challenging; having the opportunity is already fortunate, why would we blame you?"
The other Fake Pill Masters chimed in:
"We will rely on you in the future, Grandmaster Chen. As long as you can refine Tier Three Elixirs, doubling the alchemy fee is no problem!"
"I also have some Tier Three Spiritual Materials collected in my early years. I'll deliver them to the Pill Hall tomorrow. Please help refine a 'Tier Three Heart Protection Pill'."
Hua Taixuan observed everyone's enthusiasm and said with a smile:
"Hall Master Chen, feel free to use the Tier Three Spiritual Materials stored in the Sect Treasure Vault if you need them. Consider it the sect's support for you to enhance your alchemy skills."
His thoughts were deeper than those of the other Fake Pill Masters—while they sought merely healing and essence-replenishing pills,
he, as a Golden Core Cultivator, hoped Chen Sheng could refine a "Tier Three Essence Enhancement Pill," or even a "Profound Essence Barrier-Breaking Pill," to help him reach mid-stage Golden Core.
Once the room grew quieter, Hua Taixuan shifted his tone to one of solemnity:
"I propose today to celebrate the addition of a new Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster to our sect with a celebration ten days from now."
"Additionally, one of the Three Treasures of Qinghua, the 'Five-Colored Canopy,' will be temporarily bestowed upon Hall Master Chen."
"What?!"
These words shocked the four Fake Pill Masters, who exchanged glances.
Chen Sheng was also deeply moved.
Though he had never seen the Three Treasures of Qinghua, he had long heard of them.
The three treasures were all crafted by the joint efforts of Tier Three Array and Artifact Refining Grandmasters from the sect's history.
They were the "Five-Colored Canopy," "Seven Wheels and Seven Revolutions Divine Light Banner," and "Qinghua Heaven-Shining Seal."
Each is a Tier Three Middle Grade Magical Treasure, intricately linked with the Spirit Veins and Mountain Protection Array beneath Qinghua Sect, amplifying their power significantly when used within the sect.
Among them, the "Five-Colored Canopy" excels in defense, reputedly rendering the sect impervious to myriad spells.
Though exaggerated, it can withstand a full-force attack from a Golden Core Cultivator inside the sect and continually draw power from the Spirit Vein without concern for mana depletion.
As the current head of the Pill Hall, Chen Sheng had inherited the hall's defensive measures.
But compared to the Five-Colored Canopy, two Tier Three Defense Talismans and one Talisman Treasure were worlds apart.
Hua Taixuan spoke confidently:
"I have the 'Seven Wheels and Seven Revolutions Divine Light Banner' for protection, sufficient for crises in and out of the sect."
"But Hall Master Chen is our only Tier Three Alchemist; his safety is crucial to the future supply of elixirs and must be ensured."
"The Five-Colored Canopy is unparalleled in defense within the sect. Giving it to Hall Master Chen ensures his peace of mind to refine elixirs without being disturbed."
He paused and added:
"Of course, the Qinghua Three Treasures have ancestral rules—they must not be taken beyond the sect's boundaries. If Hall Master Chen leaves, the Five-Colored Canopy must be returned to the Main Peak Vault for my safekeeping."
These statements were reasonable, explaining the reason for the gift and setting limitations, leaving the four Fake Pill Masters no grounds for objection.
When it came time to vote, Hua Taixuan's proposal passed unanimously.
Following this, the meeting turned into a "competition for interests" among the Fake Pill Masters.
Each master argued fervently, and only after Hua Taixuan mediated to prompt mutual compromise did the disputes settle.
As the meeting drew to a close, Hua Taixuan's tone suddenly shifted to one of gravity:
"News from the Li Xiao Sect indicates that demonic cultivators in southern Chu Country have become extraordinarily rampant lately, with rumors of Fake Pill Realm demonic cultivators and even minor sects being annihilated."
"Upon returning, each of you must enhance your district patrols, eradicate the demonic cultivators, and ensure the safety around our sect."
"Fake Pill Realm demonic cultivators?"
Elder Li snorted coldly, his tone disdainful:
"The Core Formation resources in Chu Country are monopolized by our Three Sects; ordinary Loose Cultivators can barely reach Foundation Establishment, let alone create Fake Pill demonic cultivators!"
"In my view, it might be a case of a thief crying thief!"
Master Lin Xian agreed:
"Fellow Daoist Li makes sense."
"Perhaps it's the work of an ambitious schemer spreading rumors with ill intentions."
Hua Taixuan nodded slightly:
"That possibility exists, but we cannot take this lightly. Demonic cultivators are usually cunning, and if Fake Pill demonic cultivators do appear and go unchecked, it will eventually lead to a catastrophe."
"All of you must remain vigilant. Report to the sect immediately upon sighting any demonic cultivator traces, and do not act on your own."
"Understood!"
Everyone responded in unison.
After the meeting, Chen Sheng followed Hua Taixuan to the Main Peak Vault to receive the Five-Colored Canopy.
Inside the vault, a palm-sized, light-blue canopy floated silently on a jade shelf. Its surface was inscribed with five-colored runes, emitting a gentle yet substantial spirit light.
Hua Taixuan handed the treasure to Chen Sheng, advising:
"This treasure requires Divine Sense for refinement and should be connected to your aura. Within the sect, you need only a thought to deploy its defense, so use it wisely."
Receiving the Five-Colored Canopy, Chen Sheng bowed in salute:
"I will not disappoint the Sect Leader and the sect's trust, dedicating myself fully to refining elixirs to serve the sect."
NOVEL NEXT