The pills didn't take long to take effect, and by the time the conversation ended, a putrid smell spread through the air, reaching the noses of Elder Zhao and the young disciples.
Everyone wrinkled their noses in disgust and used spiritual energy to block their nostrils, filtering the air from impurities and eliminating the strong, unpleasant odor.
Still, the stench made them back away from the disciples who had taken the pills.
The old men, now covered in a black, foul-smelling liquid, slowly began to rise, trembling.
But with each passing second, as energy circulated freely through their bodies—now free of the impurities that had hindered them—they became more stable.
Gradually, they all stood up with shining eyes.
"Amazing!" Said the toothless old man, Hui Lang, 99 years old, clenching his fists with excitement and straightening his back, no longer hunched.
The old men looked at each other happily, unable to help but think that joining the Infinite Dao Sect was the best decision they had made in their entire lives.
These old men only looked old now—their movements didn't differ from those of a young man. Such were the benefits of spiritual energy strengthening the body.
They then looked excitedly at Elder Zhao and ran in his direction.
Elder Zhao widened his eyes when he saw the group of old men running—and this time, actually running.
But his surprise wasn't from seeing them run. It was from seeing them run toward him covered in impurities.
He quickly raised a hand and shouted:
"STOP! You stink!"
His shout froze the old men in place, and they suddenly realized their condition and became embarrassed.
Especially because they had been directly scolded by the elder, who bluntly said they stank.
One of the old women in the crowd even pouted, upset.
'That's not something that should be said to a lady like me!' She thought, slightly irritated.
"Go and clean yourselves up, then come back. In the meantime, I'll hand things out to the others. I ask that everyone wait after receiving their items. The sect has an announcement to make." Elder Zhao first addressed the elders, then explained seriously to everyone.
While the old folks went to wash up, he began distributing the standard equipment and techniques.
Fortunately, the Inner Elder of the Refinement Pavilion, Ting Zao, was able to forge Founder-Tier equipment using Refiner-Tier materials thanks to his position bonus. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had enough materials to equip so many disciples. Not even the sect's elders had Founder-Tier materials to craft their robes.
The marrow-cleansing pills that were given to the elders also used only Refiner-Tier materials, but under the alchemy of Elder Dan Hong, they became Founder-Tier pills.
As for the marrow-cleansing pills, it's important to note that if they were merely Refiner-Tier, they wouldn't be very useful to cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage and normally wouldn't even be produced for that reason. Their effects are too weak to cleanse a cultivator's body of impurities. Unfortunately, mortals can't consume spiritual materials—except for spiritual rice—since they would explode without spiritual veins. Otherwise, these pills would be a blessing for martial artists.
But Founder-Tier pills are still extremely useful for these elderly cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage. However, their materials are very rare—some even harder to find than Core-Tier materials.
Some ingredients used in Refiner-Tier pills are also as rare as those of the Founder-Tier, but the Shi family still had a few seeds, and with the help of the Outer Elder of the Alchemy Pavilion—who could make plants grow—the problem was easily resolved.
Combined with Dan Hong's position bonus and synthesized alchemy skills, that's how these rare Founder-Tier pills came to be and started being handed out like candy.
Soon, the elders returned and also received their items and techniques, along with the sect's general explanations.
After many explanations, it was finally time for the final announcement.
"All right, with everything said and done, it's time for the sect's announcement. First, the sect does not currently have a fixed location. We're on a nomadic route. But don't worry, our sect will provide methods for you to cultivate even while we're on the move and without spiritual veins. That way, you won't lose time or life expectancy."
He gave the first announcement and, before the elders with low life expectancy could grow worried, he reassured them.
The elderly disciples let out sighs of relief. Although they were curious about how the sect would accomplish that, they weren't inclined to doubt a sect that handed out valuable Founder-Tier marrow-cleansing pills, high-grade artifacts, and other amazing resources to "useless" old folks like themselves.
"Secondly, it's about time. Our sect will remain on Black Rock Mountain for six months before moving to the next location. So you'd best begin settling your affairs before coming with us." He spoke firmly.
This time, the crowd wasn't shocked. They simply nodded in agreement.
Elder Zhao didn't give them the option to leave or stay — they didn't have that choice. Joining a sect was a decision made only once in a lifetime, with rare exceptions.
When someone joined a sect, they were tying their fate to it. They couldn't just leave after obtaining techniques and enjoying the sect's benefits. That would be considered betrayal, and any disciple who tried such a thing would be relentlessly hunted by the sect.
This was common sense in the cultivation world. A rogue cultivator had no restrictions, but once one became a sect cultivator, they no longer had the freedom to go wherever they pleased or stay wherever they wanted.
It was a choice they made knowingly when they joined the sect. The sect provided ways to reach higher levels, and in return, they had to offer their loyalty until death.
And Aotian wouldn't be an exception. His disciples would gain many benefits by following him, but he wouldn't allow them to leave whenever they pleased just because he had a modern mindset.
They were aware of their decision, and Aotian wouldn't treat them badly in any way. He only wanted their loyalty. If they couldn't even give that in exchange for everything he offered, there were others who would — and he wouldn't be merciful with traitors.
"Well, if you have a situation like family depending on you and you want to bring them along, the sect can provide transport. But it must be proven and authorized by the elders of the Punishment Pavilion before that happens." He noticed some of them looked worried and gave them an alternative.
Aotian wouldn't be a tyrant and would try to help his disciples with their struggles. After all, such small things cost nothing besides a little more space on the flying boat.
"Now, the main reason I called everyone is that during the six months the sect will remain here, we will launch a resource exploration campaign in the area. This campaign is expected to last four months, and the sect will provide transportation to the locations and bring you back after the campaign. Therefore, those interested should prepare for four months away before they can return." Elder Zhao said seriously, and the disciples' eyes lit up.
Missions meant rewards.
And Elder Zhao didn't disappoint.
"This campaign will have a high contribution point value, and those who participate can at least secure enough resources to break through to Foundation Establishment by the end. Therefore, your participation is highly recommended. The sect has thoroughly analyzed the resource points to which you will be sent, and no accidents should occur during the mission — unless you cause them yourselves." Elder Zhao said firmly, assuring it wouldn't be dangerous for the disciples.
The disciples were thrilled with the news. For those who didn't even have much hope of reaching the peak of Qi Refinement, they couldn't help but wonder if Foundation Establishment might truly be within their reach now that they were in the sect.
They wouldn't have had so many doubts if they had already used the cultivation techniques they had just received. The proof was in the trembling bodies of the nine disciples from the previous recruitment, who had already cultivated with the sect's techniques and were visibly excited.
Though everyone remained somewhat cautious about these missions that were both guaranteed safe and highly rewarding — after all, nothing too good is easy to believe in this world — they chose to trust, after seeing the sect's wealth, handing out founder-tier items like candies.
Besides, every cultivator is willing to take risks in pursuit of immortality, and an illusory danger wouldn't be enough to stop them… except for Cang Song, who was still hesitant about whether he would go.
He was the rare type of cowardly and overly cautious cultivator who just wanted to isolate himself for years and become immortal without anyone noticing.
"These are all the announcements. If you wish to participate in the mission, go to the Mission Pavilion. You have two days to decide. After that, the expedition will proceed with or without you."
With that said, he didn't wait for the disciples to process what he had said and turned around to leave.
But the disciples behind were in an uproar and, quickly forming a crowd, ran to the Mission Pavilion.
Apparently, no one was going to miss the opportunity… including the new elderly disciples.