322: Chapter 282 322: Chapter 282 The Servant Disciple was very happy to hear Jiang Tang’s words, fearing only that serving this Elder would be difficult.
“Elder, if you have any requests, just give the order.
I will do my best to fulfill them as long as they are within my capabilities.”
Jiang Tang smiled and shook his head, saying, “No need to be so tense; I won’t be staying here for too long anyway, since I am only a nominal Elder in the Immortal Sect.”
“Elder, if you’re not in the Immortal Sect, where else would you go?
Everyone knows I’m envious of being able to serve an Elder.
Wherever you go, can you take me with you?”
“Wanting to stay by my side and follow me forever is no easy feat.
Your current cultivation is inadequate, but since you are so eager, I’ll point you towards a clear path.
Take this Secret Manual and cultivate with it.
If you can make a breakthrough within these few days, that would mean you still have a chance to follow me.”
Jiang Tang had also been a Servant before and knew well the Servant Disciples’ desire to climb the social ladder.
Effort alone wasn’t enough; opportunity played a crucial role, as it had for him.
He gave others a chance, and whether they could follow him depended on the person himself.
If someone could not even support themselves despite being given an opportunity, he did not need such people following him.
“Thank you, Elder Jiang Tang, for your cultivation.
I will do my utmost within these few days.”
This Servant Disciple had not expected to encounter such an opportunity after less than a day by the Elder’s side.
His hands trembled as he held the Secret Manual, and his grateful gaze fixed on the Elder.
He swore in his heart to seize this opportunity.
Jiang Tang smiled casually, finished his breakfast, and strode down the mountain.
The Alchemy Hall was situated mid-mountain, and when he arrived, the disciples there greeted him without yesterday’s coldness, their lips curling into smiles:
“Elder Jiang Tang, the Peak Master instructed us yesterday that all disciples of the Alchemy Hall must listen to your teaching.”
Surely there is a senior brother here?
And the Peak Master’s Direct Disciples, where is the Peak Master at this moment?”
“Elder Jiang Tang, the Peak Master has gone into retreat.
He said not to disturb him unless he comes out.
Some of the Peak Master’s Direct Disciples and the senior brother are in the main hall.”
“Oh, then everyone come in!
There’s no need for anyone to stand guard here.”
As Jiang Tang spoke, he conjured a barrier at the entrance of the Alchemy Hall.
Unless someone had a higher cultivation level than his, they could not enter without his permission.
He wanted to see if, under his jurisdiction, anyone would still dare to oppose him—like fish trapped in a barrel.
Jiang Tang smirked, curious to see if, with the Peak Master out of the picture, his disciples would challenge him.
The gatekeeping disciple obediently followed behind Elder Jiang Tang into the main hall.
Listening in on the Elder of the Alchemy Hall could provide a chance to learn some advanced alchemy skills.
Jiang Tang entered the Alchemy Hall and saw no one seated in the master’s chair.
The others were sitting on various stools, with only one stool left empty.
Other disciples of lower status stood on either side of the room.
As someone appeared at the doorway, their eyes were all drawn to the entrance.
Having either seen Jiang Tang before or having heard of him, they were all surprised by his youth and looks upon seeing him again or for the first time.
The senior brother watched Jiang Tang intently.
Although he was over forty and appeared to be in his twenties, he was still a middle-aged man.
And yet, his cultivation level was not as high as that of the man before him.
This young man in his twenties had a cultivation level beyond their ability to discern, indicating that he was far beyond their reach.
How could such a pretty face possess such high cultivation?
Could his alchemy skill be genuine?
The senior brother did not believe that this man held such high alchemy skill and was eager to challenge the nominal Elder’s alchemy prowess.
If this man was all talk, his position as Elder would need to be relinquished.
He wanted everyone in the Immortal Sect to see this man’s true face and laugh at him.
To watch him, with solely a handsome face, charm the ladies while the senior brother himself, despite being a good catch, had yet to find a companion.
How could this upstart dare to woo the female disciples in his presence?
“Greetings, Elder Jiang Tang.” Except for the senior brother who remained silent, the other disciples and Direct Disciples faced this inscrutable man with respect, not daring to show off in front of an Elder sent down by the Sect Leader.
Wouldn’t that be like showing off one’s skill with a broadsword in front of Guan Gong?
Even if they hadn’t witnessed his prowess, they knew better than to speak illy of someone so highly regarded by the Sect Leader.
After all, it wasn’t any of them who had ascended in rank.
In the Immortal Sect, as long as one’s cultivation reached the Golden Core Stage, one could become an Elder.
But there were restrictions on becoming an Elder: did they have any special talents?
Without any special skills to boast of, one might have the title of Elder but no real authority.
Those talentend enough to become Elders could wield influence on their respective peaks and even take in Direct Disciples.
Mostly Foundation Establishment Stage disciples were present, and the arrogant senior brother was yet to automatically advance to Elder status due to his fixation on alchemy over cultivation.
Despite reaching middle age, he remained at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.
The senior brother eyed the position of Elder with intense desire but refused to let go.
“Hmm, good day to you all.”
Jiang Tang took a seat at the empty chair.
He didn’t wait for them to serve tea, pulling out his own tea set from his Storage Bag.
A cup of tea after breakfast was better than being an Immortal.
The author’s disciples around him, whether standing or wanting to polish shoes, were eager to serve tea to the Elder.
But catching sight of the senior brother’s dark expression—knowing that next to the Peak Master, he held the most authority—they dared not outshine him by shining shoes for the newcomer Elder.