Chapter 61: Honorary Elder
Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Honorary Elder
’Holding a celebratory banquet is just a pretense. The real goal is to show off our strength to the surrounding mountain factions!’
Xu Chang’an sighed to himself as he refined his Elixirs.
It was certainly a good thing that a second Foundation Establishment Great Demon had appeared on Langlang Mountain.
With two Foundation Establishment Great Demons presiding, Langlang Mountain’s situation would undoubtedly improve greatly.
On Langlang Mountain, the assembled Demons were all stirred up, busily preparing for the celebratory banquet three months away.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Langlang Mountain sent invitations to all of the more than twenty surrounding mountain territories, each presided over by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Among them was Lujiao Mountain.
As the banquet drew closer, more and more Demons gathered on Langlang Mountain.
As a Vanguard of Langlang Mountain, Xu Chang’an was naturally qualified to attend the grand banquet.
However, this was a gathering of many demon factions, and there were extremely powerful Demons in attendance.
He was only seated in an outer position.
But Xu Chang’an was happy with that.
During the banquet, a magisterial Jin Yuanba announced that the Grand Elder was now the Second King of Langlang Mountain.
Langlang Mountain had entered the Era of Two Kings!
The assembled Demons celebrated together!
The two kings of Cyan Snake Mountain and Wild Boar Mountain took the initiative to bow their heads and present congratulatory gifts.
After the celebratory banquet, the situation on Langlang Mountain returned to its former state of calm.
Throughout this process, Lujiao Mountain made no move.
They sent no representative to the banquet, nor did they issue any statement.
Afterward, Xu Chang’an heard from Jin Ling’er that Lion’s Mane Cave seemed to have some complaints about Lujiao Mountain.
Lujiao Mountain was currently having a headache dealing with its relationship with Lion’s Mane Cave and couldn’t be bothered with Langlang Mountain.
’The tree that stands tallest in the forest will be snapped by the wind.’
’Lujiao Mountain has been expanding aggressively in recent years. I’m afraid they’ve crossed a line with Lion’s Mane Cave!’
’The regional situation doesn’t have much to do with me for now.’
’While things are still stable, I should focus on building my foundation. That’s the right path.’
A few days ago, Bai Yuhu, Yu Ruyan, had sent a letter. In it, she first exchanged some intelligence with him.
Then, she mentioned that she was preparing to attempt a breakthrough to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer within six months!
She also casually asked about Xu Chang’an’s Cultivation progress and how his Alchemy Skill was coming along.
The letter ended with well-wishes for a smooth and unobstructed Demon Path.
’As expected of someone with Demon King Bloodline, preparing to break through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer so quickly.’
Xu Chang’an sighed in admiration.
Yu Ruyan had entered the Late-stage Qi Refining after Jin Ling’er, yet she was attempting to break through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer before her.
Xu Chang’an replied honestly in his return letter.
He estimated that with another two years of accumulation, he should be able to attempt Refining Top-grade Elixirs.
His Cultivation was just one step away from the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
Over the past few years, he had kept in constant contact with both Bai Yuhu and the Yellow Wasp Spirit.
They exchanged letters from time to time.
The Elixir trade with the Yellow Wasp Spirit had become regular and established.
Xu Chang’an also began to increase his supply of Elixirs, even providing Middle-grade Elixirs.
Perhaps due to some fortuitous encounter, the Yellow Wasp Spirit’s Cultivation had unexpectedly broken through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
In that region, Yellow Wasp Mountain had made quite a name for itself.
...
Time flowed like water; in a flash, another two years had passed.
Without the pressure from Lujiao Mountain, Langlang Mountain, with its two presiding Foundation Establishment Great Demons, developed extremely quickly.
Every year, many Little Demons joined Langlang Mountain.
The Alchemy Hall also took in quite a few new Alchemy Apprentices.
Sixteen years after joining the mountain, this little Gray Rat Demon had become a major figure in the Alchemy Hall...
No, within Hundred Arts Peak, he was now a pivotal Demon.
Just a few days ago, he had successfully refined a Top-grade Elixir and been promoted to High-grade Alchemist!
In the way of Alchemy, Xu Chang’an had become the face of Langlang Mountain.
On the very day his certification was approved, several Sequence Elders from Elder Peak personally went to the Alchemy Hall, where the Third Elder presided over his investiture ceremony.
He was named an honorary Elder of Langlang Mountain and bestowed with a Middle-grade Magical Artifact.
His semi-annual stipend was set at fifty Demon Stones and twelve bottles of Qi Replenishing Pills!
On the night of the ceremony, Elder Peak specially arranged a small-scale banquet.
It was to celebrate Langlang Mountain’s newly minted honorary Elder.
"Grey Rat, oh, no, Elder Grey Rat, you’ve gone much farther than me!"
Xiong Da congratulated Xu Chang’an, drunk.
His words were slurred, whether from the alcohol or something else, it was hard to say.
All these years, he was still a Standard-Bearer, rotating between mountain patrols and gate-guarding duties.
His Cultivation was stuck at the peak of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, unable to break through no matter what.
"Xiong Da, hold fast to your original heart."
"As long as you know you’re on the right path, that’s enough!"
Xu Chang’an comforted Xiong Da.
After the banquet, he personally went to Xiong Da’s residence.
He left behind an Elixir and departed.
What he left was a Tier-Breaking Elixir, a Qi Gathering Pill, something even more expensive than a Middle-grade Magical Artifact.
If Xiong Da could just overcome his mental block, he could step into the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
Then, with the help of the Tier-Breaking Elixir, reaching the Late-stage Qi Refining would be within his grasp!
"Grey Rat..."
Watching Xu Chang’an’s departing figure, Xiong Da’s eyes unexpectedly welled up with tears.
Three months passed just like that.
Xiong Da emerged from his seclusion, having successfully broken through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
When Elder Peak received the news, they promoted him to a Vanguard of Langlang Mountain and bestowed upon him a suit of Vanguard Armor.
"Grey Rat, thank you. If it wasn’t for you..."
Xiong Da’s eyes were bloodshot and brimming with tears as he looked at Xu Chang’an.
"Don’t thank me. You were the one who managed to walk out of it!"
Xu Chang’an smiled serenely.
He was very happy that Xiong Da had managed to pull through.
That blockhead’s obsession was too strong!
He nearly cornered himself in a dead end.
Another half a year passed after Xiong Da’s promotion to Vanguard.
Another letter arrived from Yu Ruyan, stating that she had successfully broken through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
If she could then smoothly break through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Red Cloud Mountain would allow her to go out and gain experience.
At that time, she would come and find Xu Chang’an.
Naturally, Xu Chang’an welcomed this.
In his reply, he again exchanged pleasantries and also explained his recent situation.
He had successfully been promoted to a High-grade Alchemist, and his Cultivation had also broken through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit also sent a letter, saying he had found a Dao Companion and would be getting married soon.
He hoped Xu Chang’an could make the trip to witness the ceremony.
At the same time, he expressed his hope of producing an heir with good Bloodline talent.
If the talent was good, he was determined to send the child to Red Cloud Mountain.
Xu Chang’an replied that he had been busy with matters recently and feared it would be difficult to get away to attend the wedding on Yellow Wasp Mountain.
However, he still expressed his congratulations to the Yellow Wasp Spirit.
In the letter packet for his reply, he enclosed a few bottles of Middle-grade Elixirs as his congratulatory gift.
Just when Xu Chang’an thought his days on the mountain would continue on so peacefully, simply, and harmoniously...
Jin Ling’er personally came to visit, looking for him at the Alchemy Hall.
"Elder, for you to visit personally, is there something important?"
Xu Chang’an greeted her with a smile.
"Grey Rat, how many times have I told you? You saved my life. You can just call me Ling’er!"
"Besides, you’re an Elder now yourself. There’s no need to be so distant."
Jin Ling’er wore a long gown with gold embroidery, a pleasing sight to behold.
As always, she preferred to appear in her Illusory Transformation into human form.
Xu Chang’an shook his head, sticking to his own ways.
Jin Ling’er shook her head with a wry smile.
"Grey Rat, you..."
After some brief pleasantries, Jin Ling’er revealed the purpose of her visit.
"You want me to go to the Marketplace and serve as the Chief Alchemist!?"
Xu Chang’an asked in astonishment after hearing her purpose.