"Disciple Raoni greets the vice-leader."
Raoni spoke quickly, looking shocked. However, Alm and Bruno were internally assessing the old man in front of them. He was at the peak of divine cultivation, and as an alchemist, his spiritual energy was moderately superior to that of an ordinary cultivator at the same level.
Alm and Bruno felt something warm and primal emanating from his bloodline—it was the Fire Phoenix bloodline, no doubt about it. To top it off, a dark and heavy karma surrounded the elder. He had clearly committed cruel acts throughout his life, so heavy that even for cultivators, rarely did one see such sinister karma.
This vice-leader was the second most powerful figure in the sect, someone with real authority. Even the sect leader couldn’t ignore his words, and he was always ready to take over at the slightest failure of the leader.
The vice-leader looked seriously at Raoni and said, "I received a detailed report about the recent test. You’re really talented. However, if a young person doesn’t become a bit wild, they waste their youth. If you clearly have power, why let others intimidate you?"
"But... I don’t like to fight. I prefer to be obedient; it’s just my character," Raoni replied shyly. Even so, Bruno noticed he turned slightly red, as if he didn’t even believe his own words.
"That’s not good. We need to moderate his character," the vice-leader commented, shaking his head.
"Senior, why not take him on as your apprentice? That way, Raoni would have the confidence and support to act when needed," suggested Zemuo.
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"Hm, good idea. But... my status is complicated. I don’t take on disciples out of fear of the pressure that would fall on them. Not just anyone can be my apprentice. If I accept him, there has to be at least a fair trade…" The old man spoke calmly, his eyes fixed on the young man, who looked a bit confused.
The vice-leader narrowed his eyes and slowly spat. "Maybe, if he ever manages to create something of high level, I’d consider taking him on…"
Internally, Alm and Bruno’s eyes shone darkly. But externally, Raoni seemed to grasp the ’subtle’ message and quickly reacted.
"Sir, check this out. I know I’m humble, but they said it was something good; maybe it’s enough." He pulled out a sealed pill and handed it to the vice-leader.
"Hm? Is this the pill you made during the test?" the old man asked, analyzing it, and the young man nodded in confirmation. "I heard it was impressive... hm, it could be considered mediocre on a low scale, but it’s actually useful."
Alm and Bruno nearly let out a sarcastic smile. Was the old man not ashamed to extort a young guy? Pretending it was something low-level, even knowing he wouldn’t be able to create an Unmatched Pill himself.
"Alright, despite everything, it’s something rare to see. You could say it’s a fair trade. Raoni, from now on, you’re my apprentice. You can call me Master Baiaku," said the vice-leader, putting the pill away. He was just there to steal it, and accepting any disciple cost him nothing. Raoni, on the other hand, trembled, stunned.
"What are you waiting for? Shouldn’t you hurry and call your master?" Zemuo said quickly, excited. His status would also rise by bringing Raoni into the sect.
"Apprentice greets master," Raoni said, helplessly bowing.
The vice-leader nodded and then grabbed a cup of wine, saying, "Good. Now that you’ve been accepted, it’s important to know the crucial things about the sect. I have high expectations for you…"
Everyone sat down, and the old man began explaining about the Phoenix Cry Sect. It was vital for Raoni to know who to trust and who to help.
Historically, the sect was divided into three factions: the conservative faction, the radical faction, and the opportunists, who remained neutral. The radical faction wanted to use the sect’s power to crush other sects and expand indefinitely; while the conservative faction preferred to focus on internal matters, like creating increasingly capable alchemists.
Recently, after major changes in the universe caused by heroes, the sect found itself in a desperate situation for not having focused on producing Empyreans. Although they wouldn’t be destroyed, their status would considerably decrease over time.
In response, a fourth faction emerged, causing significant changes within the sect.
A new category of disciples was created, known as Phoenix Feather Disciples. Among them, the common disciple categories from other sects emerged: red, gray, and black.
Phoenix Feather Disciples were trained for battles, fighting in sealed worlds to ensure the sect’s survival and growth. The most distinguished among them were named heroic disciples.
Alchemists from the Heroic Pill Hall could also become heroic disciples. The only reason this was possible was due to the sect’s mastery over the Nine Red Lotuses world.
This legendary place was, in fact, an entire planet, sealed from any cultivator by a powerful formation. It was only opened every ten thousand years, and it would be opened again soon.
The planet was inhabited by fire beasts born with traits of a primordial bloodline. The main goal of those who entered was to capture and absorb the bloodline of these creatures.
An alchemist doesn’t focus so much on direct cultivation. They use pills to strengthen themselves and prefer that others fight in their place. However, compared to ordinary cultivators, they have a slightly superior soul power and extremely precise control over the laws of fire.
If an alchemist acquires a dense bloodline from the creatures of that place, they can create an invincible and terrifying flame. With their impeccable control over these flames, combined with secret soul techniques purchased by the sect, they become capable of directly confronting other cultivators.
Besides that, they have their own pills for support, turning them into true ’winged tigers,’ able to consume and use a ton of different and unpredictable pills. This combo makes them extremely tough opponents to deal with.
That’s the theory, at least. In practice, you rarely see an alchemist willing to fight since most prefer to focus 100% on alchemy. They tend to be fearful and cowardly. Even with powerful bloodlines, without a strong will, it’s all useless. That’s why the Phoenix Feather disciples were created.
"Recently, a peculiar disciple has emerged in the sect," the vice-leader began, sounding a bit irritated.
"He’s a prodigy brought in by the leader’s daughter. He entered as an alchemist, with an impressive talent for refining pills. But shortly after joining the Heroic Pill Hall, he took the test to become a Phoenix Feather disciple. And surprisingly, he was even stronger in battle than refining. Now he’s a heroic disciple. He’s at the same cultivation level as you. His name is Almin, and he’s your target."
Zemuo added, "Soon, you’ll get the chance to acquire that powerful bloodline. If you can outdo him in alchemy, with your strong soul power, you’ll be able to face him easily. Since the sect values alchemists more than warriors, Almin will lose his title of heroic disciple to you."
Zemuo, the vice-leader of the sect, Cinoi, and even Alci’s master were all members of the radical faction. Meanwhile, Almin, when he was just an alchemist, refused to pick a side, staying neutral. Later, he joined the Phoenix Wing disciples, making him an enemy to them.
"But... that Almin is also going to the Nine Red Lotus world. Isn’t he going to get the bloodline?" Raoni asked thoughtfully.
The vice-leader scoffed in disdain. "Don’t worry about that. Now that I’ve accepted you, I’m betting everything on you. I’ve called in some favors and guarantee that disciple won’t have time to get the bloodline. Now, it’s all up to you."
Raoni nodded, excited. Internally, though, Alm and Bruno stayed calm. Does he think he can harm his brother? Only if it’s in another life.
Alm and Bruno had given Almin one of the hundred karmic blessings from the convention, along with some karmic fruits.
Almin didn’t publicly reveal this, but with those hidden cards, it would be simple for him to reach the level of Ancestral Empyrean. He also mentioned there was a pill in the Dao of the God of Alchemy to maximize that convention prize, so he wouldn’t use it just yet.
These fools really believe they can surpass Almin. In alchemy, that’s absolutely impossible since he holds the Dao of the God of Alchemy. In combat, it would be like an ant against an elephant. Almin was trained by Alm and Bruno, and he wouldn’t feel the slightest pressure.
As they continued talking, Alm and Bruno asked more detailed questions, gathering valuable information. They discovered that the sect possessed the technique to create an Empyrean. In the past, an alchemist had created an unmatched pill with eleven rings, which was offered to a hero, making a significant impact.
In return, that alchemist received the technique to form an Empyrean, but the sect never actively used it. Only now, with the changes in the universe, have they started creating several Empyreans.
For the sect, creating an Empyrean and making them a Conqueror isn’t a tough task. They have some unmatched pills that provide support for that process. That’s why everyone thinks Almin is just a Conqueror. And if Raoni stands out, he could also become one without too much trouble.
"You can go now. I still have some things to discuss with them." The vice-leader waved Raoni off, "Tomorrow, you should present yourself to the Heroic Pill Hall, and that’s where it all begins. Get mentally prepared."
Raoni nodded, and Cinoi accompanied him outside. A few minutes later, the vice-leader also said goodbye to the High Elder. He seemed to be barely able to wait.
Once he got to the central parts of the sect, he chose an isolated area and activated a formation that hid him from the outside world. Then, he released the unmatched pill from its seal, and a heavenly tribulation descended discreetly on the spot.
With no difficulty, he overcame the tribulation. Then he held the unmatched pill in his hands, a gleam in his eyes. Sitting in meditation, he pulled out another pill. If anyone saw, they’d be completely stunned: it was a second unmatched pill!
"Hehehe, excellent. Who would’ve thought that after ten thousand years of guarding this nearly useless pill, another perfect one would show up to match it? Finally, I’m going to surpass that old bastard!"
He laughed, excited, and without hesitation, swallowed both pills. He closed his eyes in meditation, and, silently and hidden from the outside world, a faint black Qi began to form on his forehead.
***
The next morning, the emergency bell echoed throughout the Phoenix Cry Sect.
"Raoni, something terrible happened! Your master... has died!" Cinoi burst into Raoni’s room with a desperate look on her face.