After reviewing the list, Ziche Min's expression grew extremely grave.
After a long pause, Ziche Min finally let out a soft sigh. "Shao Yuan, the ingredients for the Cauldron Heaven Pill are indeed rare. However, from what I know, they can still be gathered on Myriad Abyss Island. The cost is high, but it falls within what our Eternal Sacred Land can bear."
"Then let's procure them — the sooner we have everything gathered, the better. Once the ingredients are in hand, I can refine genuine Cauldron Heaven Pills."
The one thing Jiang Chen least wanted to waste right now was time.
He felt that going around in circles had become far too convoluted. He preferred cutting through the Gordian knot. So he hoped these matters could be resolved as quickly as possible.
Only then could he devote himself wholeheartedly to the confrontation with Xiahou Zong.
It was a fated duel — one that would happen sooner or later. But Jiang Chen did not want to find himself still fretting over how to secure the Eternal Sacred Land's backing when Xiahou Zong emerged from seclusion.
He wanted to face Xiahou Zong with a clear and undistracted mind.
Ziche Min did not deliberate for long. After a brief moment, he nodded firmly. "Very well. In the realm of pill refining within the Eternal Sacred Land, I can make many decisions on my own. Procuring these ingredients should be within my reach, given my connections on Myriad Abyss Island. However, organizing a grand pill-refining event will require discussion and approval from the three Holy Sovereigns. Only when they give their consent can it proceed. Otherwise, with my efforts alone, without the Sacred Land's full support, it would be very difficult to bring about."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "This matter benefits the Sacred Land in every way and harms it in none. I'm certain the three Holy Sovereigns have no reason to refuse."
Jiang Chen was naturally confident. If this matter could not earn the Sacred Land's support, he would have to question the Eternal Sacred Land's capacity for sound judgment altogether.
"Good. I'll go petition the three Holy Sovereigns right away."
Jiang Chen nodded. "The sooner, the better."
"You're not coming with me?" Ziche Min was taken aback.
"I'll sit this one out," Jiang Chen said. He felt it was best to leave this matter to Elder Ziche to handle. If he went along himself, it would come across as too eager.
He also wanted to see whether the three Holy Sovereigns truly had the resolve to act.
When the three Holy Sovereigns heard that Ziche Min was requesting an audience, they did not keep him waiting. Ziche Min's standing within the Eternal Sacred Land was now virtually irreplaceable.
As one of the Ten Great Elders, he was the pillar of the Sacred Land's pill-refining domain. Even the three Holy Sovereigns could not afford to slight him.
That said, Ziche Min understood proper etiquette. Before the three Holy Sovereigns, he put on no airs of superiority and approached with great respect to pay his respects.
The Grand Holy Sovereign smiled, clearly quite satisfied with Ziche Min's attitude.
"Elder Ziche, you've come to see us in such a hurry — there must be something pressing. I hear Shao Yuan has applied for a Sovereign-tier mission, Flames of Vengeance? Is Elder Ziche backing him on this?"
The Second and Third Holy Sovereigns also watched Ziche Min with amused expressions. This trio of Holy Sovereigns was equally interested in the matter.
However, given their stature, they could not appear too eager. So when Ziche Min came to see them, they naturally seized the opportunity to ask.
Ziche Min nodded. "This subordinate has come precisely for this matter."
"Hahaha, so it seems Elder Ziche has indeed been stoking the flames behind the scenes." The Grand Holy Sovereign laughed, then his eyes sharpened with a glint of shrewdness as he asked in a measured tone: "Elder Ziche, then how much confidence does this Shao Yuan actually have in completing this mission?"
"Indeed. From what I've heard, that Shi Xuan is already considered a grandmaster-level figure in the alchemy world of the Hundred Spirits Kingdom. Among all Ten Great Kingdoms, he's reportedly ranked within the top six. Shi Xuan is no easy opponent."
"No easy opponent at all," Ziche Min said, his expression somber. "I told Shao Yuan the same thing. But the young man is very resolute."
"Oh? So it wasn't Elder Ziche who urged him to take on this mission?"
"No." Ziche Min shook his head with a bitter smile. "In truth, I'd hoped he would take a more measured approach, advancing step by step. But he's in a bit of a hurry right now."
The Grand Holy Sovereign was somewhat puzzled. "Given Shao Yuan's current achievements and reputation, there seems to be no particular need for him to rush."
Ziche Min hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "His haste has its reasons. He is truly desperate to earn the Sacred Land's full support."
"Heh heh. With his talent, the Sacred Land will certainly support him. It's his decision to take on this mission that seems a bit premature. If the mission fails, it will be a blow to his image and his reputation." The Grand Holy Sovereign was genuinely concerned about this.
A talent like this should be carefully nurtured by the Sacred Land, with every effort made to build a positive image around him. A failed mission would inevitably produce negative repercussions.
Moreover, as a newly inducted disciple, Shao Yuan still had plenty of time to prove himself. There was absolutely no need to take such a risk.
"Elder Grand Holy Sovereign, I've raised all of these points with him. Unfortunately, his mind is made up. I wasn't able to dissuade him."
"This young man doesn't seem like the impulsive type. Could he really be that confident about this mission?"
"He does appear to be extremely self-assured. He assured me that he has a sixty to seventy percent chance of completing the mission — provided that Shi Xuan accepts his challenge. To that end, he and I discussed many of the finer details..."