"I abstain."

The other senior and junior brothers have all learned alchemy, needing pill furnaces or pills, but he needs neither.

Ji An’s eyes flickered, and he said:

"I also abstain."

Only that Four Symbols Spirit Furnace would be of use to him, but it would soon be beneath his level; better to leave it for fellow sect members who need it more.

He can already attempt to refine pills of the Chao Origin Stage level now and plans to acquire a Tier Two High-Grade Pill Furnace in the future.

Zhu Qinghao felt a secret joy in his heart and said:

"Now there are only eight of us fellow brothers left. As for the pills, we can take what we need, and the remaining three pill furnaces should be distributed according to our alchemy capabilities.

This way, the furnaces can be put to better use, thereby serving the sect. What does everyone think?"

His words clearly showed selfish intentions. In terms of alchemy capabilities, the disciples who had been apprenticed earlier naturally had an advantage due to their extensive experience.

This statement united some people, and immediately someone responded.

"I agree with Senior Brother Zhu’s proposal."

Du Huaiyuan curled his lip and said:

"I would like to ask Senior Brother Zhu, how do we distinguish the high from the low in alchemy capabilities?"

"By calculating from various dimensions, such as the types of pills refined, success rates, and the number of high-quality pills. That way is the fairest."

"But it’s been decades since we embarked on the Immortal Path compared to our senior brothers. Such a long time gap is hard to bridge. I think we should each refine our best Foundation Establishment Pill as a basis."

Du Huaiyuan said flatly, cultivating the Water Element Cultivation Method, using Water Technique Alchemy, without the need to use the master’s handed-down pill furnace.

However, he couldn’t stand the opposing side making remarks that disadvantaged them, as alchemy is a craft that demands experience, clearly aiming to exclude them.

"Junior brother is mistaken in saying this. Those with strong alchemy capabilities obtaining better furnaces can contribute more to the sect, which our master has always taught us to do.

Therefore, I believe having more comprehensive abilities is the most important right now."

Li Lingyu sarcastically said:

"Future contributions of an alchemist could benefit the sect the most. I think we should calculate potential based on age and cultivation.

Since being accepted as formal disciples by the master, our alchemy capabilities are not vastly different. With enough alchemy practice, experience naturally becomes enriched."

The other party clearly wanted the pill furnace, yet seemed righteous, which she disliked.

The crowd erupted into quarrels, divided into two factions, with Zhu Qinghao at the head of one group of older disciples and Du Huaiyuan’s group of three.

Zhong Yuefei sighed softly. With the unexpected death of Senior Brother, Zhu took the position of ’acting senior brother’, but lacked the responsibility.

Not even days after the master’s demise, such a conflict arose, with what little camaraderie between fellow brothers further estranged.

When the quarrel subsided slightly, Zhong Yuefei spoke:

"No matter how we divide it, there will always be disputes. Why not auction these pill furnaces on-site and evenly distribute all proceeds? That’d be the most fair way."

Du Huaiyuan laughed and said:

"I agree, Senior Sister Zhong’s words are fair. Those harboring little schemes should learn well!"

Of the master’s five older disciples, he only had a friendship with Senior Sister Zhong.

Li Lingyu and Mu Qingwan nodded simultaneously, "I agree."

Zhu Qinghao looked sullenly at Zhong Yuefei, transmitting:

"Junior sister, what benefit do you gain by doing this? Going by my method, the Four Symbols Spirit Furnace would be yours.

We are in the majority, and our votes will decide the outcome in my favor!"

Zhong Yuefei kept her head down, lips sealed, unimpressed by the other’s blatant intentions.

There was no need for things to escalate to this point; wouldn’t it be better if everyone stayed amicable?

She had decided to limit her interactions with Senior Brother Zhu and others in the future.

She couldn’t fathom why some couldn’t see the current state, given that their branch of cultivators had clearly risen, yet others still supported proposals undermining unity.

Ji An solemnly stated:

"Although I abstain from the allocation, I believe I should have the right to speak. I agree with Senior Sister Zhong’s suggestion."

The fellowship brought together under the master now seemed destined to drift apart.

Without conflicts of interest, everyone appeared kind and generous, but now hostile; his expression grew somber.

His relationship with the others was also moderate at best, so he sided with Senior Brother Du and the others.

Liu Yu coughed and said:

"I agree with Senior Sister Zhong’s suggestion. Since things have come to this, it’s better to auction off the pills too, keeping everything clear and distinct."

The vote was six to four, with the two Chao Origin Stage cultivators on the same side. Zhu Qinghao glowered at Zhong Yuefei, having no choice but to concede:

"Alright."

Ji An transmitted separately to Li Lingyu and Mu Qingwan:

"Senior sisters, if you need a pill furnace, feel free to bid confidently; I can lend you some spirit stones or resources."

The master’s cherished pill furnaces, each a top grade.

Li Lingyu replied with a smile via transmission:

"Thank you, let me bask in the glory of the landlord!"

Mu Qingwan shook her head slightly and transmitted back:

"Senior Brother Liu promised to help me, so I won’t trouble you, junior brother."

Zhong Yuefei clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s gaze, and said:

"For the auction proceedings, how about we let Junior Brother Ji or Junior Brother Liu host? What does everyone think?"

"Agreed, with two Chao Origin Stage cultivators hosting, I believe everyone agrees. Let’s begin!"

Du Huaiyuan laughed. The fact that Ningcui Cliff birthed two Chao Origin Stage cultivators was a popular story in the sect.

Most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators may not have seen Ji An and Liu Yu in person but were aware of this news.

Ji An nodded towards Liu Yu and said:

"Senior brother, it’s your turn."

...

With affairs settled, during the pill auction, everyone took what they needed without much disturbance.

However, when it came time to auction the pill furnaces, it stirred up a ’storm of blood and wind’.

Zhong Yuefei secured a Tier Two Spiritual Artifact Pill Furnace, while Li Lingyu and Mu Qingwan each acquired a Tier One Top Grade Pill Furnace, with prices driven much higher than having a similar model custom-made.

Unlike other magical artifacts, second-hand pill furnaces are often more in demand among alchemists as long as their internal dharma prohibitions remain undamaged.

Due to long-term pill refining, furnaces develop a unique spirituality, believed by alchemists to help increase pill formation success rates.

When they divided the auctioned resources, Zhu Qinghao and his associates exchanged a few polite words before leaving.

Ji An looked on with deep eyes and gently shook his head, saying:

"Master often said we should help each other, but in the end, it was a one-sided expectation."

He and Zhu Qinghao, among others, didn’t become bitter enemies, but future interactions seemed unlikely.

Once, Zhu Qinghao sought him out with Chen Xingyun, and ever since, Ji An’s relationship with this senior brother had become very tepid.

Du Huaiyuan let out a cold laugh, saying:

"Senior Brother Zhu and we were never really the same kind. I once asked for his help; his words were pretty, but when I truly needed assistance, he was nowhere to be found."

During the early days of the demon calamity, when he was refining pills at Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City under Zhu Qinghao’s direct supervision, some unpleasantness occurred between them.

Zhong Yuefei lifted her previously bowed head and said:

"Everyone is busy with cultivation or various matters; our comings and goings might inevitably decrease, but why not gather every few years to maintain our bonds?"

If not maintained, even deep friendships will gradually fade over time.

Due to different experiences, people will find themselves lacking a common language.

"Sure," Du Huaiyuan was the first to agree with a smile, saying:

"Junior Brother Ji is now in charge of Ningcui Cliff, so he should make the arrangements."

Currently, his relationship with Ji An remained good, devoid of any profit motives, but if ever a rift arose, he planned to step away from the friendship.

He was well aware of his circumstances and did not entertain hopes of breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage; the remaining time in his life was meant to enjoy.

Du Huaiyuan instinctively swallowed as the food at Red Flame Peak was delicious beyond imagination, with Tier Two ingredients not easily enjoyed by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Liu Yu smiled, nodding: "Agreed."

"I agree too," others echoed in unison.

Ji An patted his chest and laughed heartily:

"Haha, no problem, leave it to me. I’d like to invite everyone to visit Red Flame Peak before I venture out on my journeys."