280: Chapter 280: The top ten are enough.

Elder Qingmu fell silent, seemingly thinking about how to maximize the benefits of this information.

Su Cheng stood quietly to the side.

After a long while, Elder Qingmu stood up and said casually, "Alright, I'm going out for a bit. You go back first and wait for my news."

He didn't say where he was going or what he was doing.

Su Cheng didn't ask further; he gave a bow and exited the Immortal Cave.

He returned to his cultivation room, transformed the wanbao mirror back into its Pill Furnace form, and continued the Alchemy he had just interrupted.

Su Cheng's hands didn't stop moving, but his mind was calculating. Since his Revered Master told him to wait for news, it meant there was a way forward; he just needed to wait.

Elder Qingmu set out from Qingmu Peak and arrived at Zixiao Peak, where the Alchemy Hall was located.

The summit of Zixiao Peak was shrouded year-round in a pale golden pill mist, formed by the condensed medicinal Qi that had escaped during the refinement of countless batches of Medicinal Pills over thousands of years.

The Alchemy Hall's Council Hall was built on the summit, with two bronze Pill Furnaces standing thirty feet tall in front of the hall, their fires burning day and night.

Elder Qingmu submitted a visiting card in front of the hall, and after waiting for about fifteen minutes, a Disciple led him inside.

There were only two people in the Council Hall.

Sitting in the center was the Head of the Alchemy Hall, Head Xu Changqing, at the Peak Golden Core Stage, a top-tier third-rank Alchemy Great Master of the Danding Sect, and a very senior figure within the Sect.

Sitting on the left was the Deputy Head of the Alchemy Hall, Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊, at the Late Golden Core Stage, who specialized in the fire element and was known for his notorious temper.

"Junior Brother Qingmu, it's rare to see you on Zixiao Peak," Head Xu Changqing said in a flat tone, putting down the Pill Formula Jade Slip in his hand. "Is something the matter?"

Elder Qingmu cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Xu, Senior Brother Zhao, I've come today to share some news with the Alchemy Hall. However..." He paused. "This news is significant, so I'd like to discuss some terms with you two first."

Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 frowned. "What kind of news requires terms beforehand? Qingmu, you're making this sound like a business transaction."

Head Xu Changqing was not in a hurry and asked, "Tell us the news first. The Alchemy Hall is not a place that goes back on its word. If the news is truly valuable, you won't lack for benefits."

Elder Qingmu didn't beat around the bush either. Since Head Xu Changqing had said so, he directly revealed the news about the Soul-Severing Ravine.

Two Nether-molt Pythons at the Peak Golden Core Stage.

Eight Golden Core True Persons from the Pingling Prefecture entered the valley together, but all escaped with severe injuries.

Two prefectures are contending for it; there is suspected to be a great Opportunity at the bottom of the valley.

As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 slammed his hand onto the armrest. "Nether-molt Pythons at the Peak Golden Core Stage? Two of them?"

Head Xu Changqing was not as expressive as Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊, but he was also deep in thought.

"Is the source of this information reliable?"

"My Disciple Su Cheng, whom both of you should know," Elder Qingmu replied. "He obtained the news from an external channel. I didn't ask for the specific source, but he isn't one to talk nonsense."

Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 was already calculating. "Peak Golden Core demon cores, python blood that can be used in over ten types of third-rank pills, not to mention the python bones and gallbladder... Senior Brother Xu, if this is true..."

"I heard you." Head Xu Changqing raised a hand to stop him, his gaze returning to Elder Qingmu. "The news is indeed of significant value. Speak, what do you want?"

Elder Qingmu had been waiting for exactly those words.

"Two conditions." He held up two fingers. "First, a copy of the spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula for my Disciple, Su Cheng. Second, give him twenty percent of the harvest from this trip."

Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 couldn't sit still. "The spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula? Qingmu, are you mad? That is a core Pill Formula in the Alchemy Hall's vault, which historically only the top three in the Alchemy Hall Competition are eligible to read! You, an Elder from an outer Peak, are asking for it just like that?"

"And twenty percent of the harvest?" Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 snorted again. "You only brought a piece of news, and you want twenty percent?"

Elder Qingmu was neither hurried nor annoyed, waiting for Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 to finish before speaking. "Senior Brother Zhao, Su Cheng's talent in the Dao of Alchemy is exceptional; he even defeated Shen Qing of Xuanguang Peak in the last contest. Moreover, this news is of immense value. Giving him a Pill Formula isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 snorted coldly. "Defeating Shen Qing earns him a core Pill Formula? News is just news; whether it's truly valuable is yet to be seen. With the Alchemy Hall Competition approaching, if we just give out the Pill Formula like this, how will the other participating Disciples see it? Rules are rules; they cannot be changed because of this."

Head Xu Changqing finally spoke up. "The Pill Formula indeed cannot be given away casually; that is the rule."

He paused and looked at Elder Qingmu. "However, the Alchemy Hall Competition is in a few months. If your Disciple can make it into the top ten, it can be considered proof of his strength. At that time, the Alchemy Hall can make an exception and allow him to transcribe a copy from the vault. The pill is for personal use only and must not be leaked."

Elder Qingmu thought for a moment and nodded. "Top ten, that's acceptable. What about the second condition?"

"Twenty percent is out of the question," Deputy Head Zhao Ming渊 said firmly. "Five percent, at most."

"Fifteen percent," Elder Qingmu countered.

"Ten percent." Head Xu Changqing made the final decision, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Junior Brother Qingmu, the news is indeed valuable, but this is all it's worth. The Alchemy Hall can afford ten percent; any more would be excessive."

Elder Qingmu nodded helplessly. "Fine, ten percent it is."

He didn't argue further. Head Xu Changqing was the Head of the Alchemy Hall and held a prestigious status; speaking to this extent was already giving him Face.

The spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula plus ten percent of the harvest already far exceeded his expectations before coming here.

"Then it's settled. Thank you, both Senior Brothers." Elder Qingmu stood up and cupped his fists.

"Wait." Head Xu Changqing stopped him. "Regarding the Alchemy Hall Competition, have your Disciple prepare well. Although it's only the top ten, the Disciples of my Alchemy Hall are no pushovers."

Elder Qingmu thanked him again with a nod and then turned to leave.

After returning to Qingmu Peak, Elder Qingmu called Su Cheng to his Immortal Cave.

"The matter has been settled."

Su Cheng stood before the stone table, listening as his Revered Master finished explaining the Alchemy Hall's conditions one by one.

"The spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula, top ten would suffice. Ten percent of the harvest from the Soul-Severing Ravine."

Su Cheng was stunned for several breaths.

He had originally just wanted to pass the news up to let his Revered Master gain some favor within the Sect and see if he could get some benefits along the way.

He hadn't expected his Revered Master to directly negotiate for the spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula.

The spirit nurturing pill—how long had he been planning for this Pill Formula? From observing Elder Lu Yuan's Alchemy to planning to fight for the top three in the Alchemy Hall Competition, all his efforts were for this single Pill Formula.

"Now, the top ten is enough."

The difference between the top three and the top ten? After learning about previous competitions, Su Cheng knew all too well.

In the Alchemy Hall Competition, the participants were all Alchemy geniuses at the Foundation Establishment Stage, including many veteran alchemists who had cultivated for decades or even a century. They had exotic fires, spiritual bodies, and precious artifact pill furnaces, with all sorts of trump cards appearing one after another.

The top three meant having to break through from among these people. Although he had the creation furnace and the Nether Abyss Exotic Fire, and even the enhancement of the Qi of Creation, his time since joining the Sect was short and his cultivation was still low. Lacking accumulated experience, he still felt somewhat uncertain.

"But the top ten? With his current setup, it was a sure thing."

"Revered Master," Su Cheng bowed. "Thank you."

Elder Qingmu waved his hand. "No need for thanks; you brought the news. However, there's one thing you must remember: once you obtain the spirit nurturing pill Pill Formula, it's for personal use only and must not be shared. This is the Alchemy Hall's bottom line."

"This Disciple understands."

"Also, regarding the matter at the Soul-Severing Ravine, the Alchemy Hall is already mobilizing personnel." Elder Qingmu's tone became solemn. "This time, they will likely mobilize people from the Law Enforcement Hall."