Chen Xixing interrupted with a smile, stepping forward to pat his back:
"Ninth Brother, there's no need to be so formal."
"Handling family matters is just patchwork. Only by the brothers improving their cultivation can the Chen Clan have a firm foundation. Your Golden Core is truly the family's stabilizing needle."
Chen Sheng laughed heartily upon hearing this:
"Alright, alright, we're all family. No need to be so modest with each other."
"Xixing, give the order. Let's have a grand banquet, invite the third and fourth generation juniors over. I want to see how many new faces have appeared over the years."
Chen Xixing quickly agreed, turning to quietly instruct the clan members behind him.
Soon, clear chimes rang throughout Yunlan Mountain, with nine bell tolls echoing in the valley, a signal used only during major celebrations in the Chen Clan.
...
The banquet was set on the plaza in front of the family ancestral hall.
A thousand cyan jade tables were arranged according to seniority, with dishes made from Spirit Rice and Demon Beast meat, and Jade Liquid Nectar brewed from Spirit Fruits placed on them.
In less than an hour, guests from all sides began arriving one after another.
The Fake Pill clan leader of Suiyang Lin Clan, along with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, arrived stepping on clouds, presenting a Tier Three Spirit Grass as a congratulatory gift.
Families allied through marriage with Chen Xilong also sent people to deliver congratulatory letters, with gifts piled in the corner of the ancestral hall, shimmering with various Spirit Lights.
Afvallen na je 50ste komt neer op één simpel ding!Ouvert
Chen Sheng sat at the main seat, dressed in a dark Daoist robe trimmed with gold, with the storage ring at his waist occasionally emitting a faint glow.
In the face of visiting cultivators, whether Golden Core or Fake Pill, he nodded with a smile, occasionally commenting on the spiritual materials they brought.
Upon seeing the dew droplets on the Soul Condensing Grass leaves sent by Suiyang Lin Clan, he kindly remarked:
"This grass must be watered with morning dew to maintain its spirituality. Clan Leader Lin is indeed very attentive."
This attitude brought smiles to the faces of the visiting cultivators.
As an Inner Sect Elder of the Three Elements Dao Sect and a Tier Three High Grade Alchemy Grandmaster, Chen Sheng's status was coveted by countless cultivators, so receiving a comment from him was a great honor.
After three rounds of drinks, Chen Xixing brought a group of brightly dressed juniors in front of Chen Sheng.
Most of these children were between ten and twenty years old, with the youngest being held in the arms of a clan uncle, their curious big eyes examining this legendary patriarch.
Chen Sheng's gaze swept over them slowly, nodding lightly, although inevitably, the quality had declined.
Among his hundred children, seventy percent had High Grade Spiritual Roots, with only over twenty having Middle Grade Spiritual Roots, and even standouts like Chen Xihua with Earth Grade Spiritual Roots.
Yet among these third and fourth generation juniors, some had sluggish spiritual qi around them, clearly indicating they possessed Lower Grade Spiritual Roots.
Even more had no Spiritual Roots and were not brought before Chen Sheng.
A boy with a hair knot was pushed to the front, his spiritual root purity reaching High Grade steadily, drawing a few more glances from Chen Sheng.
"Not bad, is this your grandson?"
Chen Xilong quickly replied:
"Indeed, his name is Chen Xiaolin, and he just tested for High Grade Water Spirit Root last year."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, indeed believing in qualitative change from quantitative evolution. Chen Xilong's many descendants were not born in vain, as some did have good qualifications.
He took a blue jade pendant from his storage ring, engraved with a Water-Introducing Pattern:
"This 'Water Absorption Pendant' is for Xiaolin, it will be beneficial for cultivating with a Water Spirit Root."
The boy received the jade pendant timidly, and as soon as he touched its surface, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes — the pendant spontaneously drew out his internal spiritual power, forming a small water blossom in his palm.
"Thank you, Ancestor!"
Chen Sheng chuckled at this and remarked, "Already calling me Ancestor in the fourth generation?"
"Child, you should call me Great-Grandfather."
The boy quickly nodded and obediently called him Great-Grandfather.
At this moment, Chen Xihua approached with a wine glass, Five-Colored Pill Qi swirling around him, causing even the wine in the glass to emanate a colorful glow.
Following him were several young Golden Core Cultivators.
"Father, these are my sect brothers and sisters I met at the sect, and they are here to celebrate too."
The group quickly cupped their hands: "Greetings to Elder Chen."
Though all were Golden Core, their statuses clearly differed.
After successfully achieving Core Formation, most Inner Sect Disciples lacked Tier Three Skills, so they couldn't immediately serve as elders of various paths but had to first function as Inner Sect Stewards, gradually transitioning.
Since cultivation itself is arduous, many focus solely on cultivation and only gradually elevate other skills to Tier Three after Core Formation, before entering the ranks of elders.
Chen Sheng glanced over them, smiling lightly, exchanging jade scrolls with them:
"I have no other expertise, only some decent alchemy skills. You are welcome to visit Nine Cloud Peak in the future."
Upon hearing this, they displayed looks of surprise and quickly responded, "Thank you, Elder."
The clamor of the banquet faded like a receding tide, and the night over Yunlan Mountain returned to tranquility.
Chen Sheng and Chen Xihua stood side by side at the edge of the Observation Cloud Platform, gazing at the gradually extinguishing lights below the mountain.
Soon, two streams of golden light suddenly leaped from their spot, streaking through the night sky like shooting stars, swiftly heading towards Nine Cloud Peak.
The stone door of the cave mansion on Nine Cloud Peak slowly opened in the golden light, the rotating door axle emitting a dull sound.
Inside the cave, the Luminous Bead still emitted a gentle light, illuminating the stone chamber like daylight.
Chen Xihua expertly lit the incense burner first, the aroma of purple sandalwood rising in spirals and quickly permeating the entire cave mansion.
He then retrieved a set of gleaming white Jade Tea Set from his Storage Pouch.
Inside the pot was fresh water drawn from the Spiritual Spring, rapidly boiling under the stimulus of Spiritual Power. Water droplets condensed into mist at the pot's mouth, which he skillfully guided into the teacup.
Soon enough, a cup of fragrant tea with a green hue was presented, its surface covered with a layer of fine bubbles; the tea fragrance carried a slight bitterness, yet left a sweet aftertaste.
"Father, please have some tea."
Chen Xihua held the teacup with both hands, bowing slightly as he presented it to Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng received the teacup, his fingertips touching the slightly cool jade rim, and took a gentle sip. The tea traversed his throat smoothly, a warm Spiritual Power flowing gently through his meridians.
He set the teacup down, his gaze falling on Chen Xihua. Although the Five Elements Pill Qi around him was restrained, the vigorous energy of a newly-formed Golden Core could still be sensed.
"Since you've formed your core, what plans do you have next?"
Arts uit Antwerp: 's Ochtends komen er wormen uit je lichaam. Probeer hetOpen
Chen Sheng's voice resonated in the quiet cave mansion, carrying a trace of inquiry.
Chen Xihua straightened up, contemplating briefly before speaking:
"I plan to take on some external rotations and garrison duties. Firstly, to serve the sect, and secondly, to travel and broaden my experiences."
Chen Sheng nodded lightly upon hearing this.
Chen Xihua's talent in Sword Dao and Body Refining surpassed the norm, yet his aptitude in Alchemy Dao and Arrays was ordinary; even with personal guidance from Chen Sheng, improvement was hard.
Moreover, practical combat is paramount in Sword Dao and Body Refining — shutting oneself away would only lead to stagnation.
"Since you have decided, then go ahead," Chen Sheng picked up the teacup and sipped again. "However, there's no need to rush. At least complete the refinement of your Lifebound Flying Sword and nurture your Sword Pill."
Chen Xihua's Lifebound Flying Sword was crafted from Tier Three Top Grade West Sea Profound Iron — of excellent quality.
Currently, it's merely a Quasi-Tier Three Spiritual Artifact, requiring the nurturing of one's own Pill Qi day and night to advance into a Tier Three Magical Treasure, then merge with the Golden Core, transforming into a Sword Pill.
Chen Xihua quickly nodded:
"I understand, Father. I will prepare properly and not disappoint your expectations."
After Chen Xihua bowed and withdrew, silence returned to the cave mansion.
Chen Sheng sat alone on the Cold Jade Bed, gazing at his reflection in the Bronze Mirror, yet his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to a previous lifetime.
The visage of Chen Yuquan gradually took shape in his mind.
Sadly, among the active Tier Three Cultivators in Yue Country, there wasn't any trace — he most likely had fallen, perhaps along the perilous journey across the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.
"The quest for Dao is arduous indeed!"
Chen Sheng sighed lightly in his heart; only with the memory of Hundred Generations of Reincarnation and countless opportunities for redo could he painstakingly reach his current mid-stage Golden Core.
But what of ordinary cultivators?
Perhaps on one expedition they might confront a High Tier Demon Beast; perhaps in one altercation over a Spiritual Object, they might incur enmity; or perhaps in one minor error during cultivation, they might face death and the dissolution of Dao, vanishing completely from this world.
...
Another twenty years flew by like a snap of the fingers.
Three Elements Immortal City!
The City Defense Array outside the city walls exuded a faint purple glow throughout the year, while inside the city's streets bustled like a dragon; robes of the cultivators flitted, now and then flashing with colorful Spirit Light.
The Gathering Pill Square, situated in the city's southeast corner, was paved with Cyan Ink Jade. Twelve Dragon Coiling Stone Pillars stood around the square, with pill furnace engravings atop each pillar glimmering like metal under the sunlight.
Today, the plaza thrummed with human voices as an Alchemy Conference hosted by the Pill Vein of the Daoist Sect took place here.
The purpose of this Alchemy Conference — also to welcome talents from all pools!
If one's performance stood out, they would have a chance to be enlisted into the Pill Vein, thus entering Three Elements Dao Sect.
At this moment, over a hundred cultivators clad in various Alchemist Robes were neatly aligned, each with a White Jade Pill Platform before them.
Prior rounds of competition had ensued, with thousands of alchemists participating and gradually being whittled down to the current hundred slots!
Those who made it this far were the cream of the crop among Tier Two Alchemists.
On the high platform located at the plaza's north, five purple sandalwood chairs were arranged in a row, the chair backs engraved with Pill Patterns subtly flickering with Spirit Light.
Chen Sheng sat second from the left, the black alchemist robe with gold trim bearing the unique Flame Cloud Pattern of a Tier Three Alchemist.
As his gaze swept over the crowd below, the surrounding murmurs instinctively hushed slightly.
"Grandmaster Dust Transformation and Micro-Image Grandmaster, both are emblematic figures in their respective domains — who would've thought they'd attend."
"It seems the Dao Sect holds this conference in high regard indeed."
"Micro-Image Grandmaster is so young!"
"I heard he improved a High Grade Tier Three Pill Formula — the Dust-Reduction and Barrier-Breaking Pill — which even Han Lou True Monarch personally praised."
"Among the five judges, he's the youngest, yet seated second to the left, his stature speaks volumes."
In Yue Country, the left side is honored, so the position where Chen Sheng sits represents his second place among the five.
The first in rank is Master Dust Transformation, sitting at the center. As a Tier Three Top Level Alchemist and a direct disciple of Han Lou True Monarch who represented him here, he is most deserving of this spot.
The whispers from the audience flowed like a tide, but nobody dared to discuss loudly.
Nowadays, the influence that Chen Sheng holds within the Dan Vein of the Three Elements Dao Sect is no longer like before—not only is he an Inner Sect Elder, but he also manages several top-tier Spirit Plant Gardens and a top-tier Pill Workshop within the Dan Vein, making him a figure of real authority.
On the high platform, Master Dust Transformation, sitting in the central position, gently stroked his beard. Dressed in a Moon White Daoist Robe, with the hem embroidered with lifelike Immortal Cranes, he exuded an aura of grace.
"Fellow Daoist Micro-Image, it's been a long time, I fear your alchemy skills have improved once again?"
He spoke with a smile, his tone carrying a sense of familiarity.
Chen Sheng shook his head:
"I cannot claim improvement; the further one goes, the more difficult progress becomes. Do several fellow Daoists also feel the same?"
The other three judges nodded in agreement. Although they were also Tier Three High Grade Alchemists, none dared to act overly confident in front of Chen Sheng.
Everyone knew that this Micro-Image Grandmaster not only had superb alchemy skills and was on the verge of becoming a Tier Four Grandmaster
but was also adept at improving pill formulas. In the realm-breaking field, he was second to none, and perhaps someday they would come to seek his help.
Master Dust Transformation laughed heartily, then turned to the other three:
"Next month, Danqing Hall will open a course; I wonder if the three fellow Daoists have the time?"
The three judges immediately agreed when they heard this, showing Master Dust Transformation a lot of respect.
Chen Sheng also gently nodded and slowly spoke:
"One or two sessions is feasible."
Nowadays, the cultivators asking him to refine elixirs could line up from Nine Cloud Peak down to the mountain's foot, so he really didn't have time for daily lectures.
Master Dust Transformation had a look of understanding flash in his eyes and laughed loudly:
"That's enough!"
"In those days, when Fellow Daoist Micro-Image lectured on 'The Path of Inference Fire' at Danqing Hall, the rushing students broke the threshold, and many disciples listened through the windows outside."
"This time will surely stir up another wave!"
As he was speaking, a clear voice came from the center of the square.
An Outer Sect Elder dressed in a Golden Core Cultivator's Robe came onto the platform, swung the duster in hand, and his voice resounded across the square like a loud bell:
"Today's competition is not limited by pill formulas; each may refine the pill they are skilled in! The five Grandmasters will score, the top twenty will enter the Outer Sect, and the top five will enter the Inner Sect!"
"The competition begins!"
Before the voice had died away, the crackling sound of Pill Furnaces being lit erupted from below the stage.
Over a hundred alchemists acted simultaneously, with blue wood fire, purple earth fire, and white celestial fire dancing beneath the Pill Furnaces. Various Spiritual Materials were swept up by Spiritual Power and placed into furnaces in an intricate order.
For a moment, the square was steaming with Spiritual Mist, and Pill Fragrance wafted everywhere, as if it were an ocean woven from flames and aroma.
Five vast Divine Senses enveloped the entire square like an invisible net.
When Chen Sheng's Divine Sense swept over the cultivators, it was as if it carried a magnifying glass, clearly observing even the smallest fire control gestures.
His gaze lingered slightly on a certain alchemist—that was Chen Xihuo.
At this moment, Chen Xihuo was controlling his breath and concentrating, refining a "Condensed Water Lotus." The Pill Furnace in front of him glowed with a faint blue light. The Water Spirit Pill being refined ranked as Tier Two Top Level.
Chen Xihuo's fingers formed a seal, with Spiritual Power flowing into the Pill Furnace like water, controlling the fire with not the slightest error, clearly putting in significant effort.
Chen Sheng also nodded slightly; he had personally guided this pill formula, and Xihuo's performance today was very stable.
Actually, if it weren't for Chen Xihuo participating in the event, Chen Sheng wouldn't bother to serve as a judge. For him, it was a complete waste of time; he would rather refine a furnace of elixirs.
"Is this the offspring of Fellow Daoist Micro-Image?"
Master Dust Transformation's Divine Sense also focused on Chen Xihuo, his tone carrying a touch of approval: "His fire control technique indeed has the style of your Dao."
Chen Sheng nodded subtly: "This is my son Xihuo; his aptitude is decent."
The other three judges, upon hearing this, all laughed:
"Fellow Daoist truly has many outstanding children, much to be admired!"
Their words were half flattery, half truth.
Among Chen Sheng's numerous children, five were merely Inner Sect disciples, and other offspring also achieved various accomplishments. Over the years, the Chen Clan was very prominent in Three Elements Immortal City.
Even the families of several Nascent Soul True Monarchs had begun to intermarry with the Chen Clan, showing great favor towards Chen Sheng's lineage.
A judge with a goatee stroked his beard:
"Judging by his technique, entering the top twenty is assured."
Another judge chimed in: "I think the top five is possible."
Chen Sheng, however, shook his head:
"It's enough if he enters the Outer Sect; he's still too young."
In the field, nearly ten alchemists were on the brink of becoming Tier Three Alchemists, currently refining Quasi-Tier Three Elixirs. Forcibly pushing Chen Xihuo into the top five could spark criticism.
With Chen Sheng's current status, as long as Chen Xihuo enters the Outer Sect and gradually progresses, advancing to the Inner Sect would be effortless.
There is absolutely no need for behind-the-scenes manipulation; Chen Sheng's presence here is solely to ensure Chen Xihuo receives a fair environment.