Chapter 322: Internal Strife in the Tao Family, a Fine Show!

*Longevity Starts from Being an Alchemy Grandmaster*, Main Text, Chapter 327: Internal Strife in the Tao Family, a Fine Show! Regarding Luo Chen, regardless of what opinions the Tao family cultivators held,

they still followed etiquette when arranging his accommodation, granting him the best treatment reserved for distinguished guests.

It was a detached small courtyard with spiritual energy concentration comparable to a Tier 2 mid-grade cave dwelling.

All three daily meals consisted of spiritual food rich in spiritual energy.

Additionally, they arranged for two maidservants to attend to him, as well as two male Qi Refining cultivators at his beck and call.

After settling Luo Chen in, Tao Yisheng hurried away.

"Senior Danchenzi, do you need us to prepare a bath and change of clothes for you?"

Looking at the two young, beautiful maidservants with bright eyes and white teeth,

Luo Chen waved his hand. "No need. You two go outside and wait!"

The two maidservants exchanged a glance and left the living room in tacit understanding.

After they left,

Luo Chen spread his spiritual sense to sweep across the small courtyard, and only after confirming there were no surveillance methods did he heave a sigh of relief.

Being a newcomer in a strange place,

it was better to be cautious.

Taking out a book, Luo Chen began to read casually.

At first, he was quite relaxed, but the more he read, the more absorbed he became.

What he was reading was none other than the *Shanghu Alchemy Compendium* that the Peerless Fairy had gifted him back then.

This was also one of the only two Tier 3 alchemy insight classics in his possession, besides the *Qingyuan Alchemy Compendium*.

Moreover, unlike Qing Yuanzi, who had luckily refined Tier 3 pills through the Pill Nourishing Technique and thus advanced to a Tier 3 alchemist,

the author of this *Shanghu Alchemy Compendium* was a genuine Tier 3 alchemist themselves!

Luo Chen had obtained this book long ago,

but had gained little from it.

The reason was that some of the alchemy theories and techniques within it were vastly different from orthodox alchemy.

Orthodox alchemy often spoke of taking from the surplus to make up for the deficiency.

For instance, if a main ingredient in a pill formula had properties that were too strong, one would need to take another main ingredient to compensate for the flaw,

either by neutralizing, stimulating, or weakening it.

But the records in this *Shanghu Alchemy Compendium* followed a different path.

It advocated taking materials of the same origin and making the most of them.

Because they were born of the same body, there was inherently less repulsion.

Thus, the success rate of pill formation was quite high.

Several alchemy techniques recorded within it even involved directly utilizing the inner cores of demonic beasts to refine pills.

"This style of alchemy actually has similarities to the Emperor's Flowing Pulp."

Luo Chen muttered to himself.

The main ingredients for the Emperor's Flowing Pulp required seeking the flesh, blood, and bones of the same type of demonic beast.

Counting it up, it also belonged to materials of the same origin.

"I wonder where the Peerless Fairy obtained such a strange alchemy book?"

Luo Chen shook his head and stopped dwelling on this question.

Instead, he focused intently on the parts that were vaguely described or even obscure and difficult to understand.

He was about to participate in an alchemy competition.

Being able to increase his alchemy strength by even a fraction was worth it.

It was not just for Tao Wan's sake, but also an effort for himself.

Over these years, he had read through all the alchemy classics from Danyuanzi, the Geng family, and the Li family, thoroughly absorbing their essence.

Yet, there were still many things he did not understand in this *Shanghu Alchemy Compendium* at hand.

While Luo Chen was diligently studying alchemy,

in the Tao family council hall at Little Nanshan, following a sharp, cold snort, the meeting that had been arguing all afternoon was declared over.

Tao Wan looked coldly at the old man being escorted away by the crowd, her slender eyelashes narrowing slightly.

Tao Yisheng approached.

"Sister, I have already brought Luo Chen back."

"Have you arranged everything?"

"Arranged him in Mohe Garden. Additionally, I've had Xiao Peng and the others serve him at all times." Speaking of this, Tao Yisheng's face showed some dissatisfaction. "Brother Luo traveled thousands of miles to come here; even if our Tao family didn't go out to welcome him, we should at least have held a welcoming banquet! As a result, because of these messy matters, we neglected him..."

How could Tao Wan not know that they hadn't fulfilled the duties of a host?

But...

"These matters are not 'messy' at all!"

She sighed.

"If I want to fight for that Dao Seed position, I am bound to clash with people like Shangguan Yan and He Yuanqing. Behind every one of them, there is a Jin Dan True Person backing them."

"The Patriarch and the others are afraid that if I fail to compete, I will end up offending those people instead."

"In case the other side settles scores later, the Tao family will surely not have an easy time."

Tao Yisheng was stunned.

He really hadn't thought that deeply.

Everyone was from the same sect; competing for the Dao Seed position was an open and honest battle of the true disciples. Was there really such a thing as settling scores later?

Looking at his sister, whose brow was filled with fatigue due to the family's sordid affairs,

he forced himself to say, "Not fighting might allow us to survive for a while, but how can we be secure for a lifetime?"

Tao Wan looked at him in surprise.

"Hah!"

"You've matured quite a bit! You didn't have this realization before."

It was rare to be praised by his sister.

Tao Yisheng scratched his head. "I spent a long time at the Luo Tian Association last year, and many cultivators there hold this philosophy. According to them, Luo Chen started the Luo Tian Association from scratch and fought his way up every step of the way. In all the battles, big and small, he always overcame the strong with the weak and never compromised."

Environment can shape a person!

Likewise, a new environment can also influence a person!

Tao Yisheng, born into the Tao family of Qingdan Valley, previously did not know the dangers of the world.

But after Foundation Establishment, having been outside for ten years, he had learned a thing or two.

Especially this year at the Luo Tian Association!

Tao Wan looked at her younger brother, who had sprouting green stubble on his chin, a thoughtful look appearing on her face.

Suddenly.

"Yisheng, do you want to be the Patriarch of the Tao family?"

Tao Yisheng was stunned and subconsciously said, "But hasn't the position of Patriarch been held concurrently by the Clan Leader for over a hundred years?"

The corners of Tao Wan's thin lips curled up slightly.

"You said it yourself, it's been over a hundred years!"

"Some things should change!"

"Fight for the Patriarch position?"

Luo Chen looked at the woman opposite him in surprise.

She wore a long green dress, and three thousand strands of black hair cascaded behind her like a waterfall, reaching her slender waist.

Tao Wan smiled slightly. "Yes. Seeing that you are bored here, Fellow Daoist, why not come along to observe the ceremony and witness the birth of our Tao family's new Patriarch."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

That was interesting!

Tao Wan sought him out today, not to provide the pill formulas and Core Formation insights he wanted, but instead abruptly brought up this matter.

Looking at her smile, Luo Chen realized that perhaps the key to obtaining those things lay in today's so-called "struggle for the Patriarch position."

"The struggle for the Dao Seed hasn't even begun, yet you want to fight for the Patriarch position first."

"Interesting, interesting!"

Luo Chen stood up. "To be able to witness the birth of the Tao family's new Patriarch, Luo is honored!"

Tao Wan shook her head. "It's not me, but Yisheng."

"Oh?"

At this, Luo Chen was truly surprised.

When Luo Chen arrived at the Tao family venue, there were already hundreds of cultivators present.

A single glance, and he saw over a dozen Foundation Establishment true cultivators.

Such a force, if placed in Lanxiancheng, would be one of the top overlords!

"No wonder people like Tantai Jin and Tao Wan previously dismissed my Luo Tian Association. Compared to this, it really is the difference between a firefly and the bright moon."

He did not feel inferior because of it.

After all, this was a great clan that had produced Jin Dan cultivators.

Even if it had declined, it should still have this kind of foundation.

Sweeping his gaze, he saw Tao Wan and Tao Yisheng.

Behind them stood five Foundation Establishment true cultivators.

As for the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, they all stood behind an old man with white hair and beard.

The current Tao family Clan Leader, Tao Daonan!

A great cultivator at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment!

While he was sizing others up, others were also intentionally or unintentionally staring at him.

Tao Daonan glanced at him, then looked at Tao Wan, and let out a cold snort.

"Xiao Wan, you proposed to re-establish the Patriarch according to clan rules, and I agree."

"But what is the meaning of inviting an outsider to watch?"

Tao Wan showed an arrogant smile. "Outsider? What do you mean? Danchenzi is a consultant for our Tao family; he is already a part of our Tao family. How can you call him an outsider!"

"Consultant? In the hundreds of years of our Tao family, we have never hired a consultant from the outside!" Tao Daonan said tremblingly. "Besides, without the Patriarch's consent, who can appoint a consultant?"

Tao Wan restrained her smile and snorted coldly.

"That is why we must re-establish the Patriarch today!"

After saying this, without waiting for Tao Daonan to ramble on, she waved her hand directly.

"Yisheng!"

Tao Yisheng took a deep breath, stepped out from behind her, and met everyone's gaze openly and honestly.

"To be the Tao family Patriarch, one must meet three conditions: Foundation Establishment realm, alchemy skills, and true disciple status. Now I meet all three conditions, and you, Clan Leader, are advanced in years and have been stripped of your true disciple status by the sect; it is time to abdicate and let the virtuous take over."

"Today, I, Tao Yisheng, wish to ascend to the position of Patriarch. Who supports this, and who opposes it?"

The words were spoken neither too fast nor too slow, and the firmness within them was clearly audible.

The group of Foundation Establishment cultivators standing behind Tao Daonan looked at each other in dismay.

No one expected that Tao Yisheng, who had been away for over a decade, would want to be the Patriarch the moment he returned.

One must know, for the past hundred years, the position of Patriarch had always been held by the Clan Leader!

This was not just a seizure of power.

Once the course was changed, the interests involved would be enough to drastically alter the internal structure of the Tao family!

These two siblings...

Amidst the silence of the crowd, Tao Daonan's aged face was extremely gloomy.

He knew this was Tao Wan's instruction.

According to common sense, he should indeed pass these powers to the younger generation.

But some things, how could they be let go just because one said so?

"I am old, and it is indeed time to abdicate and let the virtuous take over."

As soon as these words were spoken,

a chorus of clamor came from behind him.

"Clan Leader!"

"Grandfather!"

"You cannot!"

Tao Daonan raised his left hand slightly, using his many years of prestige to suppress the clamor.

His gloomy gaze fell on Tao Yisheng.

"But Yisheng, you are still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. To hand over such a large Tao family to you, I am truly not at ease."

Tao Yisheng glanced at Tao Wan, and under her encouraging gaze, he steadied his mind.

He looked at the Clan Leader without fear.

"I have already reached Foundation Establishment, so there is no such thing as being too young. Among us true cultivators, only those who achieve first are the leaders!"

"Besides, inexperienced in the ways of the world?"

"With the help of all the elders, I believe I will soon be familiar with all the affairs of the Tao family."

These words were reasonable and well-founded.

Tao Daonan could no longer refute them.

But!

"Actually, I have long had the intention of abdicating and yielding to a worthier successor. For these past few years, Yichen has been helping me manage all sorts of trivial matters."

"If I am to step down, he has even richer experience."

"Moreover, he is also a true disciple of the Qingdan Valley and is qualified to assume the position of Family Head."

As he spoke, Tao Daonan looked toward Tao Wan.

"I believe that letting Tao Yichen be this Family Head would be more beneficial to the Tao family!"

Tao Wan let out a cold snort.

"Why waste so much breath? We are all disciples of the Qingdan Valley, so let us follow the traditions of the Qingdan Valley."

"Since there is no difference in cultivation realm, then let us determine the winner by alchemy!"

As soon as these words were spoken!

Everyone present nodded in tacit agreement.

Tao Daonan even gave the sandalwood table a heavy slap, "It is a deal!"

Following this, there was no more unnecessary talk.

The members of the Tao family soon became busy, preparing all the utensils and various medicinal herbs needed for alchemy.

The "outsider" Luo Chen sat in the corner the whole time, watching this scene with great interest.

He did not come from a family background, although he had come into contact with many family cultivators.

But he had only heard rumors about the internal strife and struggles within these immortal cultivation families.

Looking at it now, it actually had a unique charm!

Verbal sparring, not yielding an inch.

Although the tempers were high, the sense of proportion was clearly well-maintained.

It stands to reason that if one wants to gain a foothold within a family, strength is very important, just like Tao Wan, who dared to strike out on her own.

At the same time, interpersonal relationships cannot be neglected.

Otherwise, under fixed interests, how to distribute them into one's own hands depends on the weight of the knife used by the person carving the meat.

Now, what Tao Wan wants to do.

Is clearly to fight to be that person carving the meat!

No, it is not that simple yet.

Once she becomes the person carving the meat, then those within the family who originally surrounded Tao Daonan will lean toward her because of their interests.

In this way, the internal situation can be pacified.

And she can then, without any worries, go outside to expand the "meat" that the Tao family can obtain.

"This is the approach of pacifying the interior before resisting the exterior!"

Luo Chen murmured in his heart, and he could not help but think more highly of the woman who was surrounded by cultivators like stars around the moon.

Just as he was secretly observing Tao Wan.

A pair of beautiful eyes happened to meet his gaze.

"Fellow Daoist, shall we go to the alchemy room together?"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow; could he participate in such a secret matter?

Naturally, he would not refuse, and he could also take the opportunity to understand the alchemy attainments of other alchemists in the Qingdan Valley.

"Then let us go together!"

On the forest path, a man and a woman walked side by side.

Behind them, five Foundation Establishment cultivators followed.

A faint, clear fragrance drifted between their noses; it was unclear whether it was the fragrance of the woman beside him or the scent of the chrysanthemums on both sides of the path.

"Fellow Daoist Tao, you have a lot of confidence in Yisheng!" Luo Chen said.

Tao Wan curled her lips, "I have even more confidence in Tao Daonan's grandson, Tao Yichen!"

"Oh?" Luo Chen was puzzled.

Tao Wan's lips curled upward, "For these years, he has indulged in family power, and his alchemy skills have long been thrown to who knows where. He has the empty name of a second-tier alchemist, but whether he can still refine second-tier elixirs, I'm afraid even he himself has no confidence!"

Luo Chen suddenly realized.

No wonder she dared to be so confident.

"Besides, Yisheng has been by your side all the time these past two years; don't you have confidence in him?" Tao Wan's gaze shifted and fell on Luo Chen.

Luo Chen smiled.

"Then let us wait and see in a moment!"

And on the other side.

The Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator of Tao Daonan's branch was following closely behind him at this moment, his face full of worry.

"Patriarch, how could you be so careless as to agree to a competition of alchemy? Yichen has been helping you handle mundane affairs too much these years, and his alchemy skills are simply not up to par."

Tao Daonan's expression was calm and unhurried.

He said indifferently: "If Tao Yichen's alchemy skills are not up to par, could it be that Tao Yisheng's are?"

"This competition is for refining our Tao family's unique Colorful Chrysanthemum Elixir, which is of the second grade."

"Tao Yisheng is just someone with empty theories; he definitely won't be able to refine it in a short time."

The mid-stage cultivator beside him was stunned.

He asked in confusion: "If neither can refine it, then what is the point of this competition?"

Tao Daonan sneered, "In this way, wouldn't we just return to the beginning?"

The beginning?

The cultivator was stunned, and then suddenly realized.

What was mentioned at the beginning was that Tao Yichen's experience in managing family affairs was richer, right?

He could not help but praise, "That Tao Wan is arrogant and only focused on the struggle for the Dao Seed; how could family internal affairs be that simple."

"The Patriarch is truly wise!"

Tao Daonan smiled without saying a word.

Inside the spacious alchemy hall.

Two golden bronze cauldrons stood impressively.

The earth fire was raging, occasionally spitting out flames, yet held back without erupting.

The medicinal fragrance was rich, spreading in all directions.

Two figures stood on either side of the bronze cauldrons, each with several Qi Refining cultivators behind them, standing by in battle array.

Tao Daonan glanced at Tao Wan opposite him, then waved his hand.

"Begin!"

After the words fell.

Tao Yisheng and Tao Yichen, these two of the same generation, simultaneously cast spirit arts, activated the formation, and drew the raging earth fire from the underground cavern.

Portions of medicinal herbs, with the assistance of their respective medicinal apprentices, were also sent to their hands like an assembly line.

Luo Chen watched this scene with great interest.

Suddenly, a voice came to his ear.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, watch carefully; this is the second-tier cultivation elixir recipe I prepared for you."

"The Tao family's unique second-tier elixir, the Colorful Chrysanthemum Elixir!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Luo Chen's original mindset of just watching a show changed instantly.

A pair of spirit eyes became deep and bottomless, and wisps of spiritual energy, unnoticed by others, constantly surged toward his eyes.

Under his gaze.

Every action of the two people refining the elixir was fully captured.

Inside the bronze cauldrons, the various medicinal herbs undergoing constant transformation, and all the changes, were also fully in his mind!