Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

”Why have you returned so early?”

In the quiet cave mansion, an elderly woman asked.

Cang Long stood there gracefully and replied respectfully, ”After a period of wandering, with a set goal, continuing to drift outside would only be a waste of time.”

”Oh?”

The former Sect Master of the Ice Castle raised her eyebrows and inquired about the journey.

Cang Long narrated in detail, starting from departing Yu Ding, traveling across the Six Realms, to having footprints all over the Eastern Wasteland.

”That unclaimed Great Territory, half a year after I left, was renamed as Tianji Zen Domain. Hui Ping, a high monk from the West Desert, cleansed the filth, established the Tianji Zen Sect, and erected the Demon Suppression Tower to subdue countless demons.”

”As I saw, Beihai Ning Yuzhuo, infamous for his restraint in killing and with a formidable background, was also subdued within the Tianji Zen Sect.”

”At that moment, I realized that the Golden Core Period is merely the starting point of the Great Dao Path.”

The old Sect Master nodded and agreed profoundly, ”I feared you might become arrogant due to your youth and Golden Core Realm achievements. However, after such a tempering, you have indeed gained something. Yes, the Golden Core Period may allow you to dominate a small area, but in the Immortal Cultivation World, it’s impossible to wield true power. At the slightest pressure from a Nascent Soul expert, one would be as vulnerable as sand.”

After a sigh, she asked, ”What do you think of Han Zhan?”

Cang Long spoke frankly, ”Friend Han is indeed a rare cultivation genius in the world. Moreover, he is relentless in his pursuit of the Great Dao. During our travels, I never saw him slack in his daily cultivation; even in Spirit Qi deprived areas, he often manipulated puppets to hone his combat skills.”

”Is that all?” Although the old Sect Master was satisfied with this assessment, she could hear unspoken sentiments in Cang Long’s words.

Cang Long hesitated for a moment, then decided to express her true thoughts.

”This person can be a friend, but only a friend, not a Dao Companion.”

”He is too scheming, with significant calculations, even when traveling together, one must be cautious.”

”I agree to ally with Luo Yun Sect, but I am unwilling to form a marriage alliance!”

The old Sect Master fell silent upon hearing this.

She scrutinized her last beginner disciple intensely.

Finally, she let out a relieved sigh.

”As you wish!”

In truth, she couldn’t bear to let such an outstandingly talented disciple marry into another sect.

Cang Long was pleased, ”Thank you, Master!”

”But!” The old Sect Master suddenly changed the subject, catching Cang Long off guard with her request, ”You must immediately take over my position and become the master of the Ice Castle!”

Cang Long had anticipated this day would come, but hadn’t expected it so soon.

She hesitated and said, ”Master, you are still in your prime; it’s the perfect time to display your abilities. Moreover, I have been focused on cultivation all these years and am unfamiliar with sect affairs. Isn’t this too hasty?”

The old Sect Master sighed and waved her hand.

”Not rushed, not at all rushed.”

”Since my journey to the Sky-reaching Secret Realm, I’ve been gravely injured and have barely been holding on. Do I, with this head full of white hair, look like I’m in my prime?”

”Besides, there are other sisters who can assist you in handling mundane sect affairs, so there’s no need to worry.”

”Lastly!”

She paused, then smiled, ”I also need a reason to deal with Luo Yun Sect!”

Indeed, how could the sect master of a Golden Core Great Sect marry out?

This was the best reason.

Even allies would find it hard to excessively criticize.

After hearing this, Cang Long no longer refused and immediately knelt down.

”Disciple obeys!”

...

A year later, witnessed by thousands of disciples at the Ice Castle, Cang Long took over the position of sect master from the old Sect Master.

On this matter, the sect members of the Ice Castle had some confusion but not much doubt.

The old Sect Master’s prestige, Cang Long’s outstanding performance during the Beast Tide, and her extraordinary cultivation talent all proved that she was the most suitable leader for the turbulent Ice Castle.

After assuming the role, although Cang Long persisted in her cultivation, the shortage of manpower at the Ice Castle inevitably kept her busy.

Her first action was to apply to the Yu Ding Sword Sect to indicate that the Ice Castle would no longer participate concerning the Sky-reaching Secret Realm.

This signified relinquishing this portion of the interest as a representation of the Ice Castle.

She then dispersed the lower order disciples of the Ice Castle widely among various Immortal Cities in the Yu Ding Realm, both to handle mundane affairs and for their trial.

During this process, she assigned an additional task to the sect members of the Ice Castle.

Pay attention to mortals with Spirit Root, and recruit them to the Ice Castle.

If they encounter any rogue cultivators with a clean background and certain skills, they can also be invited as guest elders of the Ice Castle.

As for Luo Yun Sect, after negotiations, they also reached certain collaborative terms.

Which include, but are not limited to, regular disciple exchange matches, resource swaps, and advancing or retreating together, among others.

This was the external action, while internally, she redistributed a large number of resources, vacated by the few Golden Core cultivators injured due to the Sky-reaching Secret Realm, to lower order disciples with talent to aid their cultivation.

Moreover, through her meticulous combing and unraveling, she managed to uncover and clean up some personal details within the sect.

The most significant of which was concerning the chief Pill Refiner of Ice Castle!

”Sister Xiao Rou, do you need my help with your Dao Companion issue?”

Under Cang Long’s industrious governance, in just a brief century or two, the Ice Castle showed signs of revitalization.

The number of sect members exceeded ten thousand, with outstanding disciples emerging one after another.

Even Golden Core cultivators were steadily replaced after the passing of the old Sect Master and senior figures.

Gu Xiaorou was among them.

At this moment, Golden Core Early Stage Gu Xiaorou bit her lip upon hearing Cang Long’s words.

After a while, she shook her head with difficulty.