The central square of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect was already packed with people.
Tens of thousands had gathered, creating an incredibly spectacular scene.
With Li Cheng's arrival, the square instantly erupted!
"Look quickly, our sect's most powerful Eighteenth Elder has come!"
"I heard that the Eighteenth Elder is recruiting disciples. Hurry, if you're noticed by him, you'll soar to the skies!"
"Don't push, the Eighteenth Elder is mine..."
In the blink of an eye, the crowd surged towards Li Cheng.
"Silence!"
At the center of the square, the Sect Master stood abruptly, his powerful True Yuan energy sweeping out, suppressing the entire venue!
The crowd, which had just been boiling with excitement, suddenly fell silent, no one daring to act recklessly in the face of an elder's overwhelming pressure.
Li Cheng had just landed on the viewing platform when he saw all the elders fixing him with resentful gazes, including the Sect Master.
Li Cheng shrugged speechlessly, "You're acting like a bunch of resentful women, no need for that, carry on, I'm just here to watch!"
Having said that, Li Cheng casually found a seat to sit down.
Of course, the elders felt resentful, because with Li Cheng's arrival, these tens of thousands of disciples all rushed to become his apprentices!
They were worried that if Li Cheng said they were fated with him, how could they recruit anyone?
Wouldn't they all be snatched away by Li Cheng?
"Little Uncle Master, are you planning to find a few fated individuals today?" the Sect Master asked, his voice carrying a mix of resignation and concern.
Li Cheng shrugged, "It all depends on fate. Sect Master, please proceed with your duties."
With that, Li Cheng saw the Seventh Elder, a flicker of joy crossing his eyes. Calling upon his True Yuan, he moved his chair to sit beside the Seventh Elder.
The Seventh Elder, who had been sitting upright, visibly hesitated before speaking, "Little Uncle Master, do you need my help with alchemy?"
The Seventh Peak is the Alchemy Peak, and the Seventh Elder is the most impressive Pill Master of the sect.
"Can you make a Tribulation Crossing Pill?" Li Cheng asked curiously.
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone's ears perked up.
A Tribulation Crossing Pill, as the name implies, is a Spirit Pill that helps cultivators overcome their lightning tribulations.
'Little Uncle Master isn't rushing to cross his tribulation but is busy recruiting disciples. Could it be he's worried about failing the tribulation?' The Elders all had this thought crossing their minds.
The Sect Master's eyes sparkled. If that was the case, then they must procure a Tribulation Crossing Pill for the Little Uncle Master at all costs!
"This… I am sorry, Little Uncle Master, the Tribulation Crossing Pill is the most precious and difficult Spirit Pill to make in the world. I don't have that ability!" the Seventh Elder said with an embarrassed expression.
"No worries, I was just asking," Li Cheng said with a smile.
He didn't need a Tribulation Crossing Pill; even before his enlightenment, he was confident he could easily cross the tribulation.
Now that he had mastered the Three Temporal Laws, crossing the tribulation would be even easier.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Li Cheng was taken aback. Why didn't he feel that imminent sensation of being able to trigger a tribulation anymore?
"Little Uncle Master, after the Inner Gate's opening ceremony concludes, I will personally go to the Pill Sect to procure a Tribulation Crossing Pill!" the Sect Master said, interrupting Li Cheng's contemplation.
In the entire Kunlun Southern Region, only the Pill Sect could make Tribulation Crossing Pills.
However, given their high value, even with the Sect Master's status, there was no guarantee he could obtain one.
But for the sake of ensuring the Little Uncle Master's successful tribulation crossing, he was prepared to go all out!
Li Cheng hurriedly shook his head, "No need, no need, I was just asking. Actually, I want to understand the Alchemy Dao."
Hmm?
All the high-ranking members simultaneously turned their attention to Li Cheng.
No, don't!
Please don't delve into other paths. Recruiting disciples has already taken up so much time, and if you start exploring the Alchemy Dao now, when will you be able to ascend?
Stroking his beard, the Seventh Elder spoke with a serious expression, "Little Uncle Master, it's not my place to refuse as your junior, but a person's energy is limited. I do not recommend that you delve into the Alchemy Dao."
Of course, Li Cheng didn't actually want to practice alchemy. His statement was just meant to build rapport with the Seventh Elder to make it easier to win him over later!
"The Alchemy Dao is difficult, isn't it?" Li Cheng inquired.
The Seventh Elder pondered, looked at Li Cheng then around at the many high-ranking officials, as if seeking their consensus.
Li Cheng, however, sensed that these individuals were communicating with one another through their Spiritual Sense.
But their spiritual sense communication was no different from speaking right into Li Cheng's ear, as he heard everything loud and clear.
After all, Li Cheng's spiritual sense was much, much stronger than theirs.
"Elder Seven, give a copy of your Alchemy Dao insights to our Junior Uncle, so he might see the difficulty and back off."
"Absolutely, we can't let Junior Uncle take an interest in the Alchemy Dao!"
...
Li Cheng pretended not to hear.
Elder Seven cleared his throat unwillingly and took out a jade slip, "Junior Uncle, the Alchemy Dao is indeed not easy. Please, take a look at my insights recorded in this jade slip."
Li Cheng took the jade slip, "I suppose not even your True Disciples have received this, have they? Elder Seven, you are too kind. I'll have a look and return it in a few days."
As he spoke, Li Cheng casually stored it in his storage ring.
He really wasn't interested in it!
He would hold onto it for a few days, poach his talent, and then return it.
"Junior Uncle, if there's nothing else, let's get started!" the Sect Master changed the topic.
Li Cheng nodded, "Don't mind me, you guys go ahead!"
Everyone was used to it; when it came to sect affairs, the Junior Uncle never got involved.
The Inner Gate's Mountain Opening Ceremony began!
Li Cheng was bored, and the system was too weak, able only to sense within a range of just over two miles whether a disciple met the requirements. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands!
With that thought, Li Cheng delved into his Nascent Soul, directing it to fly out and swiftly pass over the plaza.
Soon, Li Cheng's Nascent Soul had finished its circuit of the plaza and returned to his body.
"System, how is it? Are there any disciples that meet the requirements?"
[None.]
What?
Li Cheng's face was a picture of incredulity. Seriously? Not a single one among tens of thousands of people?
"I just don't buy it!"
Li Cheng clenched his teeth secretly, and the Nascent Soul flew out again. This time, Li Cheng was intent on inspecting the entire sect!
With a million disciples, Li Cheng refused to believe that only one from the Seventh Peak met the criteria.
Soon enough, the Nascent Soul returned, but the outcome left Li Cheng stunned!
"Such a huge sect, with over a million disciples, and only Yun Tianqiong and that little girl from the Seventh Peak meet the requirements?"
[Correct!]
"Alright, achieving enlightenment is trickier than I thought, but it's not a big problem!"
Undoubtedly, the more disciples there were, the more chances of enlightenment he would have.
Since he could only find two disciples within the sect, he would look elsewhere once he had harvested the 'crops' sufficiently.
For now, he would focus on poaching that little girl from the Seventh Peak.
Just before, Li Cheng had specifically gone to check out the Seventh Peak, where the green arrow pointed to a girl around fifteen or sixteen years old. Judging by her attire, she was not an Inner Sect Disciple but a Pill Child of the Seventh Peak.
If she was just a Pill Child, then it would be much easier to deal with!
With that thought, Li Cheng pulled out the jade slip given by Elder Seven and delved into it with his mind to check its contents.
A moment later, Li Cheng pretended to ponder deeply.
As expected, Elder Seven couldn't help but ask, "Junior Uncle, how is it?"
The other Elders perked up their ears too.
Alchemy Dao, how could it be so simple?
If it were that easy, there would be Pill Masters everywhere.
Li Cheng mused, "I have grasped something. Elder Seven, could you do me a favor?"
Elder Seven, looking suspicious, clasped his hands, "Please speak, Junior Uncle!"
Li Cheng grinned, "Since I've gained an insight, I'll need a Pill Child. Elder Seven, I ask for your permission to poach from your corner."
"No way, Junior Uncle, you should find a Pill Child from another peak. My Pill Children from the Seventh Peak are not to be taken!" Elder Seven refused outright without a second thought.
Li Cheng shrugged, "I'll take her as my disciple, a True Disciple!"