CHAPTER 858: CHAPTER 858: HONORARY ELDER

The arrival of people from the Dan Sect excited the entire Qingshan Sect. After all, aside from those new to the cultivation world, who hasn’t heard of the Dan Sect’s reputation?

The eccentric old man stood quietly watching from the side. Although he admired Chen Nan, he needed to see Chen Nan refine the seventh-grade elixir pills with his own eyes to be completely assured.

Chen Nan was not nervous under the watchful eyes of so many people. As usual, he selected a set of herbs and began refining.

Even without using the Heaven-Burning Flame, refining seventh-grade elixir pills was a breeze for him.

If it weren’t for the lack of sixth-grade spiritual medicine, Chen Nan would have attempted to refine sixth-grade elixir pills.

One by one, spiritual medicines were thrown into the pill furnace, instantly swallowed by the pill fire. Everything was so harmonious and natural, as if alchemy should be this way.

Even the eccentric old man was captivated by Chen Nan’s alchemy silhouette and technique, feeling even more delighted in his heart.

After several months of alchemical practice, Chen Nan’s speed in refining elixirs had significantly improved; every step became second nature, and he could complete them with his eyes closed.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chen Nan’s elixirs were completed, and a rich fragrance wafted from the pill furnace.

A single scent rejuvenated the spirit.

Chen Nan extinguished the pill fire, opened the pill furnace, and placed all the elixirs into a jade bottle, handing it to the eccentric old man.

"Good, as expected!"

Although the eccentric old man held Chen Nan in high regard before, he thought Chen Nan might need a few attempts to succeed in refining the elixirs.

After all, being able to refine seventh-grade elixirs would qualify one as a seventh-grade alchemist. Some alchemists would even claim the title for themselves after just one success.

Seeing Chen Nan’s skilled techniques and his unfazed demeanor after producing the elixirs showed that Chen Nan’s usual alchemical practice was just the same.

He ultimately underestimated Chen Nan!

Opening the porcelain bottle, the scent of the elixirs rushed forth; the eccentric old man took one, observed it in his hand, and even consumed one, showing a satisfied smile.

"Not bad, indeed genuine seventh-grade elixirs, and their efficacy is slightly stronger than ordinary seventh-grade elixirs. You can rightly be called a genuine seventh-grade alchemist!"

As his words fell, he took an iron token from his storage bag, with the number "seven" inscribed on the back, to prove that the owner of this token was a seventh-grade alchemist.

"Let your blood refine it, and this token will be bound to you. Should your alchemy skills improve, you can go to the Dan Sect to upgrade the grade."

The eccentric old man carefully handed the token to Chen Nan.

"Thank you, senior!"

Chen Nan was overjoyed. An alchemist of the Dan Sect represented authority, and now that his alchemical skills were recognized, it meant his recent efforts had not been in vain.

The eccentric old man, in good spirits, cheerfully patted Chen Nan on the shoulder.

"You don’t have to keep calling me senior. My name is Song Shuhu, just an unremarkable little elder in the Dan Sect."

"Now that I’ve tested you, we could be considered to have a half-master relationship."

Chen Nan didn’t stand on ceremony, cupped his hands, and said, "Alright, Elder Song."

Seeing that Chen Nan’s alchemy qualifications had been acknowledged by the Dan Sect, the disciples of the Qingshan Sect started cheering.

"Senior Brother is too strong!"

"Even the elders of the Dan Sect came to personally test Senior Brother, who can compare?"

"With Senior Brother holding the fort at Qingshan Sect, how could we not flourish?"

Qing Yao stood quietly behind Qing Xuan, gladly happy for Chen Nan but, not being particularly fond of crowds, did not immediately step forward to congratulate him.

The awkward Tang Zhirou approached Chen Nan, arms crossed, with an expression of reluctant admiration.

"Congratulations, but one day, I’ll surpass you!"

"Ambitious, I’m looking forward to it."

Chen Nan gave a thumbs up, having figured out the way to deal with Tang Zhirou: praise her and agree with her, and she would be happy the whole day.

Watching Chen Nan’s spirited demeanor, Song Shuhu felt old.

"It’s a pity such a good seedling can’t be brought back to the Dan Sect, it’s a huge loss."

He sighed and shook his head, but suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed in his mind.

"Right, if he doesn’t follow me, then why don’t I just follow him? Someday, he’ll be moved by my sincerity and willingly acknowledge me as his master!"

Once he figured it out, Song Shuhu approached Chen Nan directly.

"Young man, I see your alchemy skills are extraordinary; do you mind discussing them with me?"

Hearing this, Chen Nan quickly cupped his hands, "I couldn’t ask for more!"

His alchemy skills were entirely self-taught from the ’Qingshan Pill Technique,’ with no exposure to other alchemy methods.

Thus, hearing Song Shuhu offering to discuss alchemy made him excitedly eager.

Moreover, although it was said to be a discussion, Chen Nan knew it was more like guidance.

After a grand banquet was thrown at the Qingshan Sect, the event hosts, Chen Nan and Song Shuhu, were nowhere to be found.

After searching extensively, a disciple finally returned to report.

"Sect Leader, Senior Brother and Senior Song are in the alchemy room; the two seem to be discussing alchemy techniques."

"Hahaha, those two are truly eager." Jiang Zheng chuckled helplessly, "Oh well, let them be."

"If we could keep Song Shuhu here, wouldn’t the Qingshan Sect have a powerful backing?"

However, Jiang Zheng knew this was wishful thinking. An alchemist of the Dan Sect, whose cultivation seemed to have reached the high-level Golden Core Stage, wouldn’t stay in such a small place.

Who knew that the next day, Song Shuhu would approach Jiang Zheng.

"Sect Leader Jiang, I wish to stay at your Qingshan Sect for a while; is that possible?"

Jiang Zheng seemed very surprised, "Of course, but may I ask, why does the senior wish to remain at Qingshan Sect?"

"No particular reason, just that Qingshan Sect has beautiful mountains and waters. My discussions on alchemy with young friend Chen Nan were very rewarding, and I’m reluctant to leave."

Song Shuhu chuckled, recalling how the discussion with Chen Nan revealed that while Chen Nan’s alchemy ranking may not be high, his unique ideas on alchemy were numerous.

Especially the path Chen Nan was on as an alchemist, which relies on previous medical abilities to fully understand the effects and conflicts of spiritual medicine, allowing him to conduct alchemy with ease and without failure.

But to Jiang Zheng, these sounded like mere excuses, as if he wasn’t interested in his apprentice and wasn’t willing to give up?

Consequently, he presented his own condition.

"Senior, it would be wonderful if you could stay, so I would like to invite you to serve as an honorary elder at Qingshan Sect!"

Song Shuhu, of course, saw this as Jiang Zheng wanting to bolster Qingshan Sect’s prestige with his name.

For Chen Nan’s sake, he didn’t hesitate and readily agreed.