Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2517 - 925: Bearing the Coffin, Subduing Spirits and Demons

"Why are you back so soon?"

Within the serene cave dwelling, the elderly lady posed the question.

Cang Long remained poised as she answered with deference, "Having roamed for a stretch, now that I possess a firm purpose, lingering aimlessly abroad would merely squander my efforts."

"Oh?"

The previous Sect Master of the Ice Castle lifted her brows and probed into the travels.

Cang Long recounted everything thoroughly, from leaving Yu Ding, journeying through the Six Realms, to leaving traces across the Eastern Wasteland.

"That unclaimed Great Territory, half a year following my departure, got renamed to Tianji Zen Domain. Hui Ping, a prominent monk from the West Desert, purified the corruption, founded the Tianji Zen Sect, and built the Demon Suppression Tower to contain numerous demons."

"From what I observed, Beihai Ning Yuzhuo, notorious for his mercy in slaying and backed by a powerful lineage, ended up tamed inside the Tianji Zen Sect as well."

"In that instant, I understood that the Golden Core Period serves only as the initial step on the Great Dao Path."

The old Sect Master nodded deeply in agreement, "I worried your youth and Golden Core Realm feats might breed arrogance in you. Yet, through this ordeal, you've truly matured. Indeed, the Golden Core Period lets you rule a minor region, but in the vast Immortal Cultivation World, it grants no real authority. A mere push from a Nascent Soul powerhouse would scatter you like dust."

With a soft sigh, she questioned, "What are your views on Han Zhan?"

Cang Long responded candidly, "Han is truly a scarce genius in cultivation across the lands. What's more, his drive for the Great Dao never wavers. On our journeys, he never eased up on his routine practice; even in zones lacking Spirit Qi, he frequently wielded puppets to sharpen his battle prowess."

"Is that everything?" Though the old Sect Master approved of the evaluation, she detected hints of deeper feelings in Cang Long's tone.

Cang Long paused briefly, then chose to voice her honest opinion.

"This man can serve as a companion, but strictly as a friend, never a Dao Companion."

"He's far too cunning, full of deep schemes, so even while journeying side by side, constant vigilance is required."

"I consent to an alliance with Luo Yun Sect, yet I refuse any marriage ties!"

The old Sect Master grew quiet after these words.

She examined her final novice disciple with keen intensity.

At last, she released a breath of relief.

"As you desire!"

In reality, she couldn't stomach seeing such a brilliantly gifted disciple wed into another sect.

Cang Long felt delighted, "Many thanks, Master!"

"However!" The old Sect Master abruptly shifted topics, surprising Cang Long with her demand, "You need to step up right away and claim the role of Ice Castle's leader!"

Cang Long had foreseen this moment's arrival, though not quite this swiftly.

She wavered before saying, "Master, you're still at your peak vigor; it's ideal for showcasing your talents. Plus, I've devoted these years solely to cultivation and know little of sect management. Wouldn't this be overly abrupt?"

The old Sect Master let out a sigh and gestured dismissively.

"No haste, truly no haste at all."

"Ever since venturing into the Sky-reaching Secret Realm, I've carried severe wounds and have scarcely endured. With this crown of white hair, do I appear to be at my prime?"

"Furthermore, fellow sisters stand ready to aid you with everyday sect duties, so fret not."

"Finally!"

She halted, then grinned, "I require a pretext to confront Luo Yun Sect!"

After all, how could a Golden Core Great Sect's leader be married off?

This provided the perfect justification.

Even partners in alliance would struggle to object too harshly.

Upon hearing this, Cang Long stopped resisting and promptly knelt.

"Your disciple complies!"

...

One year onward, before thousands of Ice Castle disciples, Cang Long formally succeeded the old Sect Master as sect leader.

Regarding this shift, Ice Castle members felt some puzzlement but little skepticism.

The old Sect Master's renown, Cang Long's stellar feats amid the Beast Tide, and her exceptional talent in cultivation all confirmed her as the prime choice to guide the unstable Ice Castle.

Once in charge, though Cang Long kept up her cultivation, the Ice Castle's lack of hands inevitably occupied her time.

Her initial move involved petitioning the Yu Ding Sword Sect to declare the Ice Castle's withdrawal from Sky-reaching Secret Realm matters.

This meant yielding that share of benefits on behalf of the Ice Castle.

She then spread the Ice Castle's junior disciples across multiple Immortal Cities in the Yu Ding Realm, for managing daily tasks and undergoing trials.

In the midst of this, she gave the Ice Castle members an extra duty.

Watch for mortals bearing Spirit Root, and bring them into the Ice Castle.

Should they spot rogue cultivators of pure origin with useful abilities, those could be welcomed as guest elders for the Ice Castle.

As for Luo Yun Sect, following talks, they settled on some joint agreements.

These encompassed, without limitation, periodic disciple sparring events, exchanges of resources, and mutual support in advances or retreats, to name a few.

This covered outward efforts, but inside, she reallocated vast resources, freed up by the handful of Golden Core experts harmed in the Sky-reaching Secret Realm, toward promising junior disciples to boost their cultivation.

Additionally, via her careful sorting and resolution, she exposed and purged certain internal sect issues.

The gravest among them involved the Ice Castle's head Pill Refiner!

"Sister Xiao Rou, would you like my assistance with your Dao Companion matter?"

Beneath Cang Long's diligent leadership, within a mere century or two, the Ice Castle began to flourish anew.

The membership swelled past ten thousand, with remarkable disciples rising successively.

Even Golden Core experts got steadily renewed after the old Sect Master and elders departed.

Gu Xiaorou ranked among these newcomers.

At that instant, Gu Xiaorou in early Golden Core Stage pressed her lips together upon Cang Long's remark.

After some time, she reluctantly shook her head.