Chapter 311: Soul Skill

"Hehe, ordinary people naturally have to wait for a long time before they can take over, after all, the Eight Great Elders must be eighth-tier alchemists. Even if someone's soul breaks through the Spirit Realm like you, their alchemy skills cannot keep up. But you are different. You already demonstrated eighth-tier strength last time, so naturally, you can take over."

"Of course, if you feel it's too abrupt, you can choose to adapt for a while. However, you must think it over. After succeeding as one of the Eight Great Elders, besides enjoying the benefits, you also have obligations to fulfill." Xuan Kong Zi reminded him.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly at the words. There was no such thing as a free lunch in the world. While enjoying benefits, there were obligations that must be fulfilled, which was only natural. He was also mentally prepared for this.

However, he didn't feel the need to take over immediately since he was planning to go out.

Xiao Ming expressed his thoughts.

"Old Xuan, I want to take over after some time. In a few days, I'm going out."

"Oh? In that case, it's up to you," Xuan Kong Zi was a little surprised, but he did not inquire about Xiao Ming's reasons for going out.

"If you encounter any danger, you can use our Pill Tower's name. Most of the forces in Central Plains will still give us face," Xuan Kong Zi added.

Not only did they give face, but in Central Plains, there were hardly any forces that would confront Pill Tower head-on. This was because Pill Tower had recruited the majority of the alchemists in Central Plains and had a strong appeal. Even without mentioning Pill Tower, Xiao Ming's strength as an eighth-tier alchemist was enough to intimidate a lot of people.

"I understand," Xiao Ming nodded, and Xuan Kong Zi smiled faintly.

"Although you haven't chosen to immediately succeed as one of the Eight Great Elders, it's only a matter of time. Let me tell you about some of the benefits of becoming one of the Eight Great Elders."

As Xuan Kong Zi spoke, Xiao Ming gradually gained a concrete understanding of the powers and responsibilities of the Eight Great Elders.

There was no doubt that the Eight Great Elders of the Pill Tower were all powerful individuals. Everyone present, except for Xiao Ming, was a Dou Venerate-level powerhouse and an eighth-tier alchemist.

Naturally, they could not spend every day dealing with trivial matters.

Only in the case of major events, such as the Five Great Clans' assessment, Elder Selection, and conflicts with other forces in Central Plains, would someone appear to preside over them.

Under the Eight Great Elders were many ordinary elders and stewards. In normal times, only three of the Eight Great Elders needed to stay at headquarters, and the others were free to go out. It could be said that they were very leisurely.

When it came to benefits, they were also extremely generous. The Eight Great Elders were qualified to access the Pill Tower's Book Collection at any time, could obtain certain medicinal herbs from the Pill Tower's Herb Warehouse, had access to the pill recipes in the Medicine Hall, the right to enter the Dou Technique Pavilion, and even had the ability to call upon Pill Tower's power when traveling outside.

It was normal for the Eight Great Elders to have such rights as they were already high-level members of the Pill Tower.

After briefly discussing these matters, Xiao Ming was taken away by Qiu Ling to another location.

As the sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Xuan Yi expressed her concern, "Is it wise to grant him these privileges right away? We know very little about him after all."

Other elders chimed in, "Yes, although Xiao Ming is talented, we should still observe him for some time before granting him such privileges."

Xuan Kong Zi replied with a smile, "We have already investigated and found out that Xiao Ming comes from Jia Nan Academy, and his background is traceable. There is no need to worry too much."

"Jia Nan Academy?" The Eight Great Elders were no longer doubtful after hearing this.

As the top academy in the Dou Qi continent, the Jia Nan Academy still held a certain reputation in Central Plains. Since Xiao Ming came from there, there was nothing to doubt.

They were initially skeptical because Xiao Ming's sudden appearance was too abrupt, but now that his background had been confirmed, they had no reason to object. Instead, they warmly welcomed this kind of prodigy like Xiao Ming to join the Pill Tower.

...

Of course, Xiao Ming, who had left, didn't know about the discussion between Xuan Kong Zi and the other elders regarding him. At this moment, he received a blue jade token and a badge from Qiu Ling's hand.

"This is the Eight Great Elder Jade Token and the badge of a low-grade eighth-tier Alchemist," Qiu Ling seemed to understand what Xiao Ming was thinking and said.

"Is the Eight Great Elder Jade Token given to me in advance?" Xiao Ming asked, as this was a credential of the Eight Great Elders and he had not yet taken over as an Elder.

"This is the intention of Association Head Xuan Kong Zi," Qiu Ling explained with a smile.

Xiao Ming was astonished and nodded. "Please thank Old Xuan for me, First Elder Qiu Ling."

"I will convey your gratitude to him. Oh, and take this. You should be able to use it," Qiu Ling said as he took out a scroll from his storage ring and handed it to him.

Xiao Ming accepted the scroll with some doubts and scanned it, only to be shocked by the five big characters written on it: "Soul Skill: Soul Spirit Lock."

"A Soul Skill?" Xiao Ming murmured.

"Yes, alchemists' souls are abnormally strong. If used effectively, their soul power is not weaker than that of a cultivator's Dou Qi. This Soul Spirit Lock is also a pretty good Soul Skill. You can study it, and after you go back, if you're particularly interested, you can go to the Soul Technique Pavilion to browse. But remember, these Soul Skills and Dou Techniques are not allowed to be disclosed outside," Qiu Ling explained while stroking his beard.

"Thank you for reminding me, First Elder Qiu Ling. I'll visit the Soul Technique Pavilion if I have the chance," Xiao Ming replied with gratitude. He had long been curious about Soul Skills and was pleasantly surprised that Qiu Ling could give one to him directly.

"Now you can take a look around and get familiar with the Pill Tower headquarters."

Watching Qiu Ling leave, Xiao Ming tightened the scroll in his hand but didn't immediately look at it. Instead, he chose to put it in his storage ring.

After hanging the Eight Great Elder Jade Token on his waist, Xiao Ming began wandering around the Pill Tower.

During his stroll, he encountered several teams of patrolling guards and alchemists wearing elder attire. When they saw Xiao Ming, they were momentarily stunned, but after noticing the Eight Great Elder Jade Token on his waist, they understood who he was.

Only someone as young as Xiao Ming, who recently refined an eighth-tier pill, could become one of the Eight Great Elders.

After realizing this, everyone greeted him with a smile, and Xiao Ming naturally couldn't ignore them, and returned the smile. This made them amazed that Xiao Ming was truly as rumored, without much arrogance.

Xiao Ming wasn't aimlessly wandering around the Pill Tower. He was looking for the Herb Warehouse. However, the Pill Tower was so massive that he had to ask for directions before finally finding it. After showing the token to the storage elder, he was allowed to enter.

Upon entering the Herb Warehouse, Xiao Ming was stunned by the sight before him.

Every two meters, there was a twenty-meter-high herb rack, and the number of racks was so vast that he couldn't even see the end of them.

Xiao Ming was truly envious, and he felt that his collection was nothing compared to this. But soon he calmed down and started looking for the herbs he needed.