Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 527 Alchemy Conference
—Two years later, Pingrong County
Morning mist clung to the mountain ridges, and dewdrops hanging from pine needles trembled in the dim light.

The damp air, carrying the bitter scent of fir, filled his nostrils. As He Chang led his golden-haired donkey across the thick layer of dark brown pine needles, the stone wall ahead seemed to be edged with gold. Several deep roars suddenly rang out, startling the orioles huddled on the cliff edge, which took flight and tore through the morning curtain.

The grass in the old donkey's basket rustled in the mountain breeze, covered with a layer of rotten fruit smell that He Chang couldn't quite place, which only made him feel more depressed.

"Sigh, the top-level assignments at the Good Deeds Hall are as difficult as ever. If I had known this, I would have stayed by my mother's side and focused on my spiritual practice. Why bother with all this trouble outside?"

He Chang sighed softly at his failure to find the medicinal herbs listed by the Good Deeds Hall, while gazing at the golden-haired old donkey whose fur was becoming increasingly lustrous. A hint of envy even flickered in his phoenix eyes.
"Senior Donkey is lucky. After taking a few pills in a daze, his advancement was completed naturally, without any sign of hard work."

The golden-haired old donkey, who was chewing on white alfalfa, seemed to sense He Chang's intentions and even showed a hint of indifference on its face in a very human-like way.

It didn't make a sound, but just glanced down between its hind legs, which made He Chang immediately understand and gradually the envy on his face fade away.

"That's right, it's obvious. How could Uncle let Senior Donkey take advantage of the sect for no reason?"

He Chang had no idea about the background of the pill that Han Yundao fed to the old donkey back then, nor did he know when his opportunity to establish his foundation would arrive. But after taking another look at the empty space between the golden-haired old donkey's hind legs, his resolve to pursue the Dao strengthened even more.

There's not much to say about the journey from Guo County back to Zong. The campaign to eradicate evil cultivators, which Duan Anle has been in charge of for the past few years, has already yielded remarkable results.

In particular, Sect Leader Kang deliberately hung the heads of two superior cultivators on the Chongming Sect's archway. Those local tyrants of Yunjiao Prefecture who were originally going to put up a stubborn resistance have now become very obedient.

Even if they felt that Kang Dabao's rule was too strict and they couldn't live freely, they could still sell their property and move their clan to live elsewhere.

Wufeng Shangxiu, who had just established the Zhanglong Court in Dingzhou, was still in its early stages. He welcomed wealthy families with their own strength, and given Wufeng Shangxiu's gentle methods, it was indeed an excellent place to go.

The sect leader Kang did not stop these kinds of people anymore.

On the contrary, Chongming Sect even used its connections with the Fei family to purchase two manned flying boats from Wanbao Trading Company at a low price, specifically for the migration of mortals. They then assigned their capable disciples to run a business of migrating mortal clans for other families.

Business has been booming in the last year or two. If you really think about it, it's not much less profitable than the Chongming branch he operated in Jiachou Military Village.

After that, they set up the Baojia system in various counties and trained local militias. These tasks were tedious, but Emperor Chongming and his men were already quite adept at them.

However, setting up this framework is only the first step. How to ensure that these benevolent policies are sustained, how to ensure that the people are prosperous and the resources of the people are fully utilized by Emperor Chongming and the Marquis of Wuning, is also a test for Emperor Chongming.

Because the counties in the prefecture were much more peaceful than before, and He Chang was leading a castrated donkey that looked like it was not a good animal, he did not encounter any dangerous things along the way.

On the contrary, he gained a lot of convenience because of the disciple's token with the six-leaf blue lotus Dao seal engraved on his waist.

These conveniences were earned by Chongming Sect through countless bloody deaths for his disciples. However, He Chang, having grown up under the tutelage of Sect Leader Kang, had also learned to be cautious and prudent.

Just before returning to Chongmingzong in the evening, after a few days' journey, He Chang, exhausted once again, refused the host's offer to send his most beautiful concubine to serve him in bed.

Ignoring the latter's deeply saddened gaze, he waited until he had replenished his food and water before bidding farewell and continuing his journey.

"No wonder several of my fellow disciples in the Punishment Hall said that there have been more and more criminals among our fellow disciples lately. No wonder Senior Uncle Ye has repeatedly warned us to be careful of the honey-stained golden hooks outside."

Not long after he finished expressing his feelings, he rode his old donkey for another half day before finally meeting his fellow disciples returning from the other direction when the moonlight was at its brightest.

"Junior Brother Shan is back too. I heard from Junior Brother Han of Shangu Hall that you went home to visit your family. Why are you back so early?"

When Shan Yong, who had been called by He Chang, saw that the former also showed some joy: "Hello, Senior Brother He. I should have returned a few days ago, but I went to Han Ya Mountain to pay my respects to Master on the way, which delayed me for a while."

"Oh, so you went to see Uncle Niu (Niu Kuang). How is he doing these days?"

"He's good in every other way, except for his inability to break his habit of drinking. He often takes Uncle Sun (Sun Fu) with him, which makes Junior Brother Zhu Yunsheng quite anxious."

"That's the same. Last time, when Uncle Zhou was drinking, Uncle Ye said a few words to him, but he wouldn't listen. It was only after sending Senior Brother Duan to call Senior Sister Zhou back that he was able to be subdued for a while."

The two, having not seen each other for a long time, were deeply engrossed in conversation and walked under the moonlight until sunrise without stopping. However, not long after dawn, they saw a group of people dressed in xiezhi robes slowly approaching from a distance.

"Tie Liuyun's men?!" He Chang immediately dropped his warm expression, and Shan Yongyi beside him also became solemn, their eyes burning as they looked at the group of people.

"Stop."

He Chang abandoned his usual gentle demeanor and, despite only being a Qi Refining cultivator, dared to speak coldly to the leading True Cultivator in front of him.

Perhaps because he had been able to run rampant and rarely faced setbacks over the years, the True Cultivator of the Demon-Slaying Division, dressed in the uniform of a gang leader, was taken aback for a moment after hearing the voice, before frowning and speaking in a harsh tone: "And who are you, you little rascal, from?!"

Before He Chang could react, Shan Yong had already shouted, "You motherfucker! Try saying that again!"

"What an arrogant little cultivator!" The head of the Demon Suppression Division would not tolerate such arrogance from a junior, which immediately enraged him. However, before the Demon Suppression Division soldiers could make a move, the two men in front of him revealed the Chongming Sect True Inheritance Tokens at their waists.

"People from the Chongming Sect?!" The head of the Demon-Slaying Division narrowed his eyes, the killing intent in them yet to materialize, when He Chang on the other side spoke loudly: "We are disciples of the Chongming Sect. What are you doing here?!"

"Why should the Demon-Suppressing Division discuss matters with a junior like you? Do you even have ears to hear about important military and national affairs?!"

Just as Zhenxiu from the Demon-Calling Division was about to utter a mocking sneer, he felt a chilling gaze fall upon him.

He was puzzled as to which junior was so bold when he turned his head and saw the golden-haired old donkey with its gleaming mane staring intently at him. A rather human-like sneer seemed to be playing on its lips.

This True Cultivator of the Demon-Crossing Division, being someone favored by a superior cultivator like Tie Liuyun, was naturally no ordinary person. However, after only a brief glance at the old donkey, he could see that the latter's fierce killing intent was growing stronger.

"This old donkey has such strong spiritual energy, I may not be able to defeat it this time!" The True Cultivator of the Demon-Crossing Division suddenly gripped the iron ruler in his hand tightly. Only when he felt a bit of warmth coming from the dead object did his expression, which had been on high alert, gradually calm down.

"Why does the Demon-Slaying Division have to come to my Yunjiao Prefecture to do its work?! This place was just granted to my sect leader by the Emperor himself, so it is entirely my sect leader's private property. It is none of your business to come here and show off your power."

The head of the Demon-Slaying Division paused, taken aback by He Chang's sharp shout, then his face flushed red. When he finally spoke, he practically forced out the words through gritted teeth:
"Is this not the king's land? How can we not be allowed to devote ourselves to the king's affairs and endure hardship here?!"

Upon hearing this, Shan Yong chuckled coldly, inwardly cursing, "How many days has this scoundrel been wearing this Xie Zhi skin?! My family has been the lackeys of the Kuang family since the founding of our sect by Master Zhang. Do you think we can be manipulated by someone like you with your so-called righteousness?!"

He glanced at He Chang's expression beside him, and after confirming that there was no change in his expression, Shan Yongcai spoke coldly again: "Whether the foreman has worked hard or not, this junior does not know, nor is he capable of discerning it. Therefore, please move to my clan's territory so that you can personally explain to Marquis Wuning?"

The demon leader was furious and was about to make a move, but then he saw the two beasts and the dog opposite him and knew that his chances of winning were not great. So he snorted coldly and left.

Shan Yong and He Chang each released a talisman, while Shan Yong followed the golden-haired old donkey and fiercely rammed into the Demon-Slaying Division's formation.

Blood splattered on the ground along with human lives. The demon's face was ashen, and although he wanted to leave, his pride held him back. So he had no choice but to face the old donkey as an opponent and remain locked in a stalemate.

Seeing his men fall to the ground one by one, the head of the Demon Slayer Corps disregarded their lives and instead felt ashamed of himself. However, the golden-haired old donkey's description of the flames was so authentic that the head of the Demon Slayer Corps felt that he alone could not salvage the situation.

Even if they were to leave now, it wouldn't be an easy task. The head of the Demon-Slaying Division had barely managed to escape from the golden-haired old donkey's demonic flames when his pursuers arrived the next moment.

Even Shan Yong and He Chang never imagined that they could summon a fake alchemist to come and help them.

An old cultivator simply drew four streaks of spiritual light with his brush, and they shattered the robes and protective aura of the Demon Exorcist Chief.

These family members dressed in black robes were then no different from fish and meat on a sticky board.

Seeing that all the members of the Demon-Slaying Division had been captured by this old cultivator, He Chang straightened his clothes and composed himself before daring to step forward and respectfully bow, saying, "Junior He Chang thanks Commander Gun for his protection."

"Haha, there's no need for such politeness. I don't even need to lift a finger; that brat from the Demon-Slaying Division won't escape either."

Compared to before, Gunshilu has lost much of his former glory. If He Chang and Shan Yong knew his imposing appearance back then, they might still be able to recognize some of it, but even if they didn't know his former appearance, they could still see that he had aged considerably.

However, he didn't seem to care much about this matter. After settling a line of soldiers from the Demon Extermination Bureau, he turned around and said to the two of them in a gentle voice, "I happen to have some important business to attend to at your sect. I'd like to travel with you two young friends."

"That is indeed my wish, and I dare not ask for it!"

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It was only when the three of them were traveling together that He Chang learned that Gun Shilu had also brought his juniors to the "Alchemy Conference" that Chongming Alliance was about to hold, which was specifically for recruiting alchemists into the sect.

Since his last seclusion, Headmaster Kang has attached great importance to the cultivation of alchemists in the sect.

Not only did it enable disciples like Qi Ke under He Wanying's tutelage to become advanced alchemists, but it also vigorously promoted alchemists to join the sect, clearly preparing for some major event.

However, alchemists among independent cultivators are extremely rare, and those who can catch Kang Dabao's eye are even fewer. This has forced Chongming Sect to open its doors wider in order to attract alchemists from various schools.

But each family's alchemist is a precious treasure, and only when they are at their wits' end will they be willing to offer them up.

Therefore, the recent gains have been meager. If the Anshan Gun family is truly willing to entrust their daughter to him, it would be a shot in the arm for the matter that Headmaster Kang is currently promoting.

Gun Shilu's flying boat was a generous reward from Kuang Liuting back then. Even though for various reasons, the former has had little contact with this noble Kuang family recently, the vehicle was still quite comfortable and could still be considered a luxury item among alchemists.

But when the four of them landed under the Chongming Sect's archway, the place had already become lively.

Normally, capturing the head of the Demon-Catching Division is quite common within the Chongming Sect, so there's no need to report it to the sect leader.

Regardless of his seniority or past favors towards Chongming Sect, Gunshilu was able to be considered a truly distinguished guest by most of the Chongming Sect's disciples, especially since he had responded to the sect's call.

Therefore, He Chang did not dare to be negligent. He did not even go to the Good Deeds Hall to wipe away the unfinished task. Instead, he carefully instructed another disciple of Chongming and then rushed into the great formation.

He Chang's identity was indeed extraordinary, and Gun Shilu had a good relationship with the high-ranking members of Chongming Sect. Before long, He Chang had already prepared the tokens for the two members of the Gun family, and led them with a group of fellow disciples to a pill refining field where the earth fire was blazing.

The Gun family descendant who came to Chongming Sect with Gun Shilu was called Gun Fangmu. Before he discovered his talent for alchemy by chance, he was not considered an outstanding descendant in the Gun family.

Therefore, regardless of his knowledge and vision, Gun Fangmu was not very good, and this was the first time he had ever seen such a lively scene.

There were hundreds of identical bronze medicine cauldrons laid out along the white jade steps, with flames licking the runes cast from black iron on the base of each cauldron.

Alchemists of different temperaments moved among them, the wind stirred up by their flicking sleeves stirring up the thick medicinal mist, revealing their profiles that were illuminated by the firelight.

Someone was squatting on the steps pounding medicine; the crisp sound of the stone pestle striking the bronze mortar seemed to carry a hint of anticipation for the future.

Not to mention Gun Fangmu, even Gun Shilu was amazed by the sight before him.

"As expected of a Golden Core sect, it's to be expected that they possess such an aura."

After the two members of the Gun family had finished drinking tea inside, Kang Dabao led a third-level alchemist with an extraordinary demeanor into the arena.

(End of this chapter)