185: Chapter 185 You Don't Want to Go?

"Revered Master, what is the attitude of the Main Wu Family Branch?"

"Unclear." Elder Qingmu shook his head. "The Main Wu Family Branch hasn't interfered in this matter, at least on the surface. The Side Branch found Elder Lu Yuan themselves and provided the rewards. The main branch didn't stop them, but they didn't help either. I can't see through the twists and turns in this."

Su Cheng stood in the wind for a moment, sorting through the various threads of this chess match.

The first thread: Immortal Master Lü Yuan wanted him to handle the Spirit Medicine soothing. This was the optimal choice from a technical level, and he had no reason to refuse. Assisting Elder Lu Yuan in Alchemy would allow him to accumulate contribution points, build connections, and learn things—the same logic as with the huayuan pill last time.

The second thread: Elder Zhao of Xuanguang Peak had interceded to recommend his own Disciple, driven by a struggle for interests. This layer had nothing to do with Su Cheng personally; it was a game between Golden Core Elders. As an Early Foundation Establishment Stage Disciple, he had no standing to participate directly, nor should he.

The third thread was the most subtle: the Wu Family.

Su Cheng had established the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce in the Prefecture City, and Zhenpin Pavilion's business spanned two prefectures. He would inevitably deal with the great clans of the Prefecture City in the future.

The Wu Family was a Nascent Soul great clan. He had only just learned about the rift between the direct line and the side branches.

Helping the Side Branch with Alchemy was equivalent to placing a weight on the scales between the direct line and the Side Branch.

Done well, it was making a connection; done poorly, it was taking a side.

He currently had no idea how deep the waters were within the Wu Family. To rush in blindly would be foolish.

However, he couldn't ignore Immortal Master Lü Yuan's side either.

The Foundation laid by their cooperation on the huayuan pill was fresh. This Third-Rank Alchemist held a very high opinion of him and was a key connection for his long-term operations within the Danding Sect.

If he became hesitant because of the Wu Family's deep waters, his relationship with Elder Lu Yuan would cool down.

He couldn't afford to offend either side, and both sides carried risks.

But then again, he was just an assistant; this wasn't his problem to worry about.

"Revered Master, I've thought about it. I cannot take the initiative to fight for this."

Elder Qingmu waited for him to continue.

"Elder Elder Lu Yuan wants to use me, and Elder Zhao wants to replace me—this is a matter between two Golden Core True Persons. As an Early Foundation Establishment assistant, I have no standing to fight for it, nor the qualifications to block it. Whoever decides, I will simply follow the arrangements."

Su Cheng glanced at his Revered Master and said with a solemn expression:

"So my meaning is, Revered Master, you don't need to help me fight for this slot either. We just need to wait for the result to come out."

Elder Qingmu looked at Su Cheng in confusion, not understanding for a moment why his Disciple seemed so indifferent to such a good opportunity.

"You don't want to go?"

"It's not that I don't want to go," Su Cheng phrased it frankly. "It's that whether I go or not shouldn't be pushed by our Qingmu Peak."

If Elder Elder Lu Yuan withstands Elder Zhao's pressure and insists on using me, then I will naturally do my best to do the job well.

But if Elder Elder Lu Yuan eventually takes a step back and switches to Elder Zhao's Disciple instead..."

He paused.

"Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing."

Elder Qingmu's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had thought of something, and he understood why Su Cheng had asked about the Wu Family's internal situation.

He knew Su Cheng was connected to the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce in the Prefecture City, but that chamber was only a second-rate power after all, with its strongest members being at the Foundation Establishment Peak.

It was impossible for them to be involved with a Nascent Soul great clan like the Wu Family, but since it was Su Cheng's request, he would let it be.

In truth, Elder Qingmu wasn't keen on Su Cheng showing his face everywhere either. His Qingmu Peak was originally very low-profile, focusing only on the study of the Dao of plants and Alchemy.

But since Su Cheng arrived, Qingmu Peak had become quite lively. Although there were many benefits, Elder Qingmu still preferred a more peaceful and stable life.

“Fine, since you have made your own decision, I will not involve myself in this matter. Let them fight over it. However, if Elder Lu Yuan ends up using you after all, I will naturally strive to secure more benefits for you.”

The look in Elder Qingmu's eyes as he watched Su Cheng was full of appreciation.

“Thank you, Revered Master!”

Su Cheng didn't lay out all the calculations in his heart, but the logic was actually not complicated.

If Elder Lu Yuan couldn't withstand Elder Zhao's pressure and took the initiative to give up on using him, the result would actually be most beneficial to Su Cheng.

First, Elder Lu Yuan had a good impression of him. Their cooperation on the huayuan pill had laid a Foundation, and Elder Lu Yuan thought very highly of his Spirit Medicine processing abilities.

If he couldn't hold his ground this time due to external pressure, Elder Lu Yuan might feel he owed Su Cheng a debt.

A sense of indebtedness from a Third-Rank Alchemist would be repaid in other ways in the future. That was how debts of gratitude worked.

Second, not being used meant he wouldn't have to get involved in the muddy waters of the Wu Family's Side Branch.

He currently knew nothing about how deep the pool of water was between the Wu Family's direct and side lines.

The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce's grand layout in the Prefecture City hadn't even started yet. Getting involved with any side of the Wu Family too early would be planting a landmine for himself.

Third, Elder Zhao's side wouldn't become his opponent.

Su Cheng hadn't actively fought for it and hadn't blocked the other's Disciple. After all, he had no say in the matter.

This way, when they met in the Sect in the future, everyone could be polite without any grievances.

Of course, even if he was eventually sent, he would suggest bringing Elder Zhao's Disciple along.

In summary: as long as he didn't actively fight for it, no matter how it ended, he wouldn't lose.

Of course, there was no need to explain these twists and turns in too much detail to his Revered Master.

Su Cheng cupped his hands: "Revered Master, if there's nothing else, I will return to my Immortal Cave."

Elder Qingmu was in no hurry to dismiss him. Instead, he sat down on a rock, looking Su Cheng up and down with a different tone in his voice.

"Wait."

Su Cheng was puzzled upon hearing this.

"You've been in the Sect for nearly a year now, haven't you?" Elder Qingmu sat with one leg curled on the rock and the other dangling. "As your Revered Master, it seems I haven't properly taught you much. Do you have any difficulties in your cultivation?"

Su Cheng thought for a moment and did not hide anything.

"My cultivation speed isn't fast. My Cultivation Technique doesn't pursue quick results. Building the Foundation is slow but solid, so I'm not in a hurry about that." He paused for a beat. "However, regarding my Divine Soul, the progress is even slower than I expected."

Elder Qingmu's brow furrowed. The most important thing for an Alchemist was the strength of their Divine Soul.

"What level has your Divine Sense reached?"

"Just reached the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage."

"Middle Stage?" Elder Qingmu was stunned, his gaze toward Su Cheng becoming more scrutinizing. "Your cultivation is only at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, but your Divine Soul has already reached the Middle Stage?"

This kind of progress was extremely difficult for an ordinary Cultivator.

The Divine Soul strength corresponding to Early Foundation Establishment cultivation was usually at the lower end between the Early and Middle Stages. To be able to touch the threshold of the Middle Stage was already considered extraordinary talent.

But Su Cheng said he had "just reached" it, and his tone didn't convey pride, but rather dissatisfaction.

"I still find it too slow," Su Cheng stated frankly. "I selected a few Divine Soul Spells in the Dharma Transmission Pavilion earlier. The threshold to cast them is Late Stage Foundation Establishment Divine Soul strength, which I currently cannot reach."

"How did you push your Divine Soul to this level? It's impossible to be this fast relying solely on daily cultivation."

"I used spirit nurturing pills before coming to the Danding Sect," Su Cheng did not hide it. "I bought them on the black market in the Prefecture City and took several over time."

Elder Qingmu's expression changed. It seemed he hadn't expected Su Cheng to have used spirit nurturing pills.