You're just a single demon beast? I have a whole army of beast tamers!

When Qin Shou returned to the Shui family's shop, it was already dark.

Elder Liu followed behind him, laughing all the way. His usually indifferent face couldn't hold back any longer. He pushed open the door to the back hall first, glanced back at Qin Shou, and said in a low voice:

"Seven lines, Qin Gongfeng, you are truly a hidden master."

In all my years with the Shui family, I've never seen the patriarch cultivate seven runes.

"Good luck," Qin Shou said.

"This is hardly luck." Elder Liu shook his head. "The Alchemy Conference is held once every hundred years, and even the direct disciples of the Three Immortals Sect only produced six-path patterns."

You, a mere retainer from the Five Immortal Cities, have overshadowed everyone else.

With this skill alone, your future success is only a matter of time.

Qin Shou did not respond to this.

He sat down at the table, poured himself a glass of iced tea, took two sips, and then said:

"What do you think the Shui family will say about my joining the Three Immortals Sect?"

Elder Liu paused for a moment, then slowly sat down opposite him.

He had clearly considered this question as well, and after a moment of silence, he said, "The Shui family will release them."

"What if we don't release it?"

"That's the Three Immortals Sect," Elder Liu said. "The Three Immortals Sect occupies three of the chairs at the highest point of the Three Immortals Immortal Realm."

The Myriad Demons Sect is quite arrogant, yet it doesn't dare to act arrogantly in front of the Three Immortals Sect.

The five Shui families combined could hold off a Golden Immortal, but even if they could, they wouldn't be so foolish as to confront the Three Immortals Sect head-on.

Qin Shou nodded.

He was naturally aware of this as well.

The fact that the sect leader of the Three Immortals Sect personally offered the land was no longer an invitation, but rather a way to save face.

If the Shui family tries to stop them, it would be a public slap in the face to the Three Immortals Sect.

Shui Chenyuan is such a shrewd person, he wouldn't do such a thing.

As the two were talking, they heard footsteps coming from behind the shop.

The shopkeeper, Shui Jia Zhenxian, pushed open the door and entered.

This person's surname is Zhou, he has a broad face, and his cultivation level is at the early stage of True Immortal.

After entering, he glanced at Qin Shou, but his face did not show the same joy as Elder Liu's; instead, it carried a hint of displeasure.

"Qin Gongfeng's return is just in time."

The True Immortal surnamed Zhou stood at the entrance and said, "I already know about what happened at today's assembly."

Did you discuss joining the Three Immortals Sect with the Shui family?

Qin Shou put down his teacup: "Not yet. I'm waiting for a message from the clan."

"Since there isn't one, you should at least ask the clan what they think."

The Zhou family immortal said, "You eat the food of the Shui family and use the water of the Shui family. The Shui family sent you to participate in the Alchemy Conference, and you immediately agreed to join the Three Immortals Sect."

If word gets out, what will others think of the Shui family?

Elder Liu frowned, about to speak, but Qin Shou raised his hand first.

He looked at the Zhou-surname True Immortal, his expression calm, his tone even:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have indeed received care from the Shui family over the years."

But the pills I refine cost at least fifty or sixty thousand low-grade immortal crystals, if not ten thousand.

Three pieces are delivered per batch, occasionally four, and these are all recorded.

When I think about it, I feel I've done right by the Shui family.

The expression on Zhou's face changed.

Qin Shou continued, "Besides, my leaving the Shui family doesn't mean I've severed ties with them."

My three Daoist partners are all daughters of the Shui family, and the elixir offerings I promised the clan leader every hundred years still stand.

The position of guest elder of the Three Immortals Sect is only beneficial to the Shui family.

The Zhou-surname immortal stood at the door, remaining silent for a long time.

Qin Shou's words did not break off relations, but they clearly explained the advantages and disadvantages.

He was neither a servant raised by the Shui family nor a slave sold to the Shui family.

Moreover, now that the sect leaders of the Three Immortals Sect have spoken, the Shui family can't stop them.

The Zhou-surname immortal was no fool after all; he remained silent for a while, then his expression softened slightly.

"I can't make the decisions you're making."

I will send a message back to my clan immediately.

"Stay in the Immortal City for the next few days and await news from your clan."

"Okay." Qin Shou nodded.

The immortal surnamed Zhou turned and left.

Elder Liu watched him leave before whispering, "That man spoke rudely, but don't take it to heart."

He was from a collateral branch of the Shui family and had managed the shop for twenty years; the old clan rules were ingrained in his bones.

"It's alright," Qin Shou said. "I've said what I needed to say."

If the Shui family wants to continue to suppress me, then we'll have to deal with the rest later.

Elder Liu nodded and said nothing more.

Qin Shou sat for a while longer, then got up and went back to his room.

He closed the door, set up two layers of restrictions, and then sat cross-legged on the couch.

He appeared relaxed during today's final match, but in reality, he had expended a significant amount of his immortal spiritual energy.

Five seven-patterned immortal pills were made in one furnace, with the wood element protecting the medicine and the six orifices of the small heavenly circulation supporting the output of immortal spiritual power.

An ordinary first-grade alchemist would be exhausted after refining the third pill.

He meditated for two hours.

When I opened my eyes again, it was almost midnight outside the window.

"Your seven marks today have certainly stirred up quite a storm in the Three Immortals City."

Shen Liuli's voice came from Zhenyuan Immortal Mansion, tinged with a hint of amusement.

Qin Shou chuckled lightly but didn't reply.

He knew that Shen Liuli had witnessed the entire scene from his perspective while inside Zhenyuan Immortal Mansion.

He asked, "Do you think exposing these seven markings is ultimately a benefit or a drawback?"

Shen Liuli paused for a moment, then said, "The advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

The Three Immortals Island is the largest power in the Three Immortals Realm. Now that you have caught the eye of the Three Immortals Sect Master, it's like having a protective charm.

If the Myriad Demons Sect wants to make a move against you, they'd better think twice before considering the Three Immortals Sect.

The Shui family will no longer dare to easily manipulate you.

"What are the downsides?"

"The downsides are also obvious."

Shen Liuli said, "The Three Immortal Realms are not just one Golden Immortal power."

The Long family is located in Haibei, and Yunshan Pavilion is no less impressive.

Once the news spreads that you, a pseudo-immortal, have refined seven-pattern alchemy, you'll become a hot commodity.

Some will try to win you over, while others will try to kill you.

Especially those forces that are at odds with the Three Immortals Sect would not want to see the Three Immortals Sect gain another powerful alchemist.

Qin Shou nodded: "I thought of that too."

But the Shui family can't offer me much protection, much less the path to becoming a True Immortal.

"The Five Immortal Cities is too small."

That's why I say the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Shen Liuli said, "The Heavenly Mandate Palace you asked about before is a top-tier Golden Immortal power. If they knew you were here, they wouldn't give you time to grow slowly."

You must improve your cultivation level before they find you.

The Three Immortals Sect is the best place to go right now.

At least there, you can safely attempt to become a True Immortal.

Qin Shou grunted in response.

He took out a jade bottle from his sleeve.

The bottle contains the Nine Souls Elixir.

He bought it from Wanxiang Pavilion and obtained it through the Long family's connections.

He held it in his hand; the bottle was icy cold, and the fragrance of the elixir was extremely faint.

He whispered, "Next, the most important thing is to break through to the True Immortal realm."

I plan to settle down on Xiaoxuan Island after the conference ends.

The Taiyi Daoist Temple is also on the island. If I could go there, it would be of great use to me in opening my immortal apertures.

"That's not all."

Shen Liuli said, "Although you are now holding the title of guest elder of the Three Immortals Sect, a guest elder is not a direct descendant."

You'd better find a master.

Whether it's a Mystic Immortal or a Golden Immortal, that's fine.

With this connection, you can truly say you've established yourself within the Three Immortals Sect.

Qin Shou pondered for a moment and said, "The matter of becoming an apprentice depends on fate."

What I lack most right now is not a mentor, but time.

"As long as I can refine the Nine Aperture Immortal Pill on Little Mystic Island, and combine it with the Nine Soul Immortal Pill, I'll have a 70% chance of breaking through to True Immortal."