Chapter 447: Famous Throughout Central Plains
Xiao Ze hesitated for a moment. He had many things to handle in the future, and staying at the Pill Tower as a chief might affect his plans.
"Is there some difficulty?" the Great Elder asked, noticing Xiao Ze's hesitation. "If it's truly impossible, the Pill Tower won't force it."
Xiao Ze's current strength made him an ideal candidate for the chief position. Usually, the process to become a chief wasn't so simple. It required several rounds of selection, and in the end, candidates would compete by showcasing their alchemy skills. The one who produced the highest quality pill would be chosen.
However, Xiao Ze's case was different. A Ninth-Rank Alchemist was a rare occurrence in the Pill Tower's history. To become a Ninth-Rank Alchemist, one's soul strength had to be extraordinary, a barrier that had kept the Pill Tower from seeing a Ninth-Rank Alchemist for over a thousand years.
The Great Elder said, "Xiao Ze, if there's a challenge, you can speak up. After all, the position of the chief is not merely about doing tough jobs. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people vying for it."
The Great Elder smiled, "The Pill Tower has three chiefs. Unless there's an urgent matter, one chief can handle it. Moreover, even if you need to travel, we old folks will be here to oversee things."
His words reassured Xiao Ze. If he had to handle all the duties, it might impede his training. It would be better to choose someone else more suited for the position if that were the case.
"In that case, I'm willing to take on the role of chief," Xiao Ze finally agreed.
The others present were thrilled by Xiao Ze's acceptance. The Holy Spirit Saint was happy for her friend's advancement, while the three chiefs felt reassured. Tian Lei Zi laughed heartily, patting Xiao Ze on the shoulder.
"Xiao Ze, I've long wanted to hand this position over to you. But it wasn't suitable before; you were too young, and showing too much promise might bring trouble," Tian Lei Zi said with a smile.
The Great Elder, looking content, chatted with Xiao Ze for a long time. At his stage, he had few desires left, and seeing the Pill Tower thrive further was deeply satisfying. Xiao Ze becoming a Ninth-Rank Alchemist would greatly benefit the Pill Tower.
Soon, a sensational piece of news spread across Central Plains, rapidly stirring up excitement. The Pill Tower announced a change in leadership, with Xiao Ze stepping up as the new chief.
If that were the only news, it might not have caused such a stir. However, the announcement also revealed that Xiao Ze had become a Ninth-Rank Alchemist. This information grabbed the attention of countless powerful figures and hidden factions in Central Plains.
Many reclusive elders, whose cultivation had reached a bottleneck, hoped to seek Xiao Ze's assistance. A Ninth-Rank Alchemist could potentially help them break through their limits and advance their Dou Qi realm.
The emergence of a Ninth-Rank Alchemist attracted countless powerful individuals to the Pill Tower, all hoping for Xiao Ze's help. Factions also rushed to congratulate Xiao Ze and the Pill Tower, bearing lavish gifts to build ties.
A Ninth-Rank Alchemist was a legendary figure, rarely seen but always revered. The creation of any Ninth-Rank pill would spark intense competition among factions, with even Dou Saints clashing over it.
The arrival of a Ninth-Rank Alchemist meant that Central Plains was abuzz with excitement. The Pill Tower, recognizing the opportunity, accepted many of these powerful individuals as patrons, strengthening its ranks in anticipation of any potential retaliation from the Soul Hall for the death of the Grand Heavenly Master.
Xiao Ze's new status as a Ninth-Rank Alchemist and chief of the Pill Tower quickly made him the most prominent young alchemist in Central Plains. This period kept him extremely busy, handling various delegations from other factions.
These factions came bearing gifts, hoping to be remembered by Xiao Ze. They sought to ensure that if they needed a Ninth-Rank pill in the future, they could turn to him.
One hidden sect even immediately requested Xiao Ze to refine a Ninth-Rank healing pill for their supreme elder, offering any price. Xiao Ze was astonished by their eagerness but understood their desperation. Such figures were vital to the stability and prosperity of their factions.
Xiao Ze did not refuse their request, especially since they provided the pill formula. Agreeing to refine the pill, he would gain a precious Ninth-Rank healing pill formula, in addition to the generous compensation they offered.
In the palace, Xiao Ze reviewed a book detailing the rewards offered by the sect. Flipping through it quickly, he was impressed by the sheer value of their offer.
"It's a good thing I'm an alchemist. Otherwise, these kinds of rewards could bankrupt anyone," he mused, extracting a pale green scroll. An ancient aura emanated from it, indicating its long history.
This was the Ninth-Rank pill formula provided by the sect.
(End of chapter)