Sect Master Luo Qiang sat in his private quarters, a frown creasing his brow. He drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, lost in thought. His drumming was shortly interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.

Luo Qiang's brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't expecting any visitors at this hour.

"Come in."

The door swung open, revealing Elder Xiao. The Master Alchemist's eyes were bright with excitement.

"Luo Qiang," Elder Xiao began as he strode into the room. "I’m glad I was able to get a hold of you, I have urgent news that just couldn't wait."

Luo Qiang raised an eyebrow. "What is it, old friend?"

Elder Xiao's lips curved into a smile. "It's about your disciple. He's a prodigy."

The Sect Master's eyebrows rose slightly. He had expected great things from Shen Yu, but for Elder Xiao to be this excited... "Shen Yu has shown promise in alchemy as well?"

Elder Xiao shook his head, his excitement growing. "No, not Shen Yu. I'm talking about Kai Thorn."

Luo Qiang's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Kai Thorn? The one with the strange mark? Explain, Xiao."

Elder Xiao took a deep breath, as if trying to contain his enthusiasm. "I just finished overseeing the Novice Alchemy Examination. Kai's performance was... extraordinary."

The Sect Master leaned forward in his chair, his interest fully captured. "Go on."

"First, his pill creation was flawless. For someone who claimed to have only started learning alchemy three days ago, it was unheard of. Not even my master learned pill making that fast," Elder Xiao's eyes gleamed as he spoke. "But it was his performance during the oral examination that made me certain."

Luo Qiang listened intently as Elder Xiao recounted the events of the examination. With each passing moment, his eyebrows rose higher.

"I posed theoretical scenarios far beyond novice level," Elder Xiao continued. "Questions that brute memorisation couldn’t answer, questions that would challenge even some of our Intermediary Alchemists. And Kai... he answered them all. His answers weren’t correct of course, but he provided insights that I've rarely seen in cultivators four times his age."

The Sect Master's eyes narrowed. A prodigy in alchemy. This boy could be even more valuable than I first thought.

"His understanding of alchemical principles, his ability to think on his feet, his willingness to take calculated risks - it's all there, Luo Qiang," Elder Xiao said, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and excitement. "This boy has the potential to become a Master Alchemist. Perhaps even..."

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Elder Xiao paused, as if hesitant to voice his next thought.

"Perhaps even what?"

"Perhaps even surpass me one day," Elder Xiao finished, his voice barely above a whisper.

The weight of those words hung in the air between them. For Elder Xiao, widely regarded as one of the greatest alchemists of their generation, to make such a statement was no small thing.

Luo Qiang sat back in his chair, processing this new information. An Immortal Rank talent, and now this. The heavens truly are smiling on this boy...

"I see," the Sect Master said slowly. "And what do you propose we do with this information, old friend?"

Elder Xiao's eyes lit up. "I want to take him as my disciple."

The words hung in the air for a moment. Luo Qiang's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dark passing behind them.

"No," he said, his voice firm. "The boy is my disciple."

Elder Xiao's excitement faltered, replaced by confusion. "But Luo Qiang, surely you see the potential here? With my guidance, he could become one of the greatest alchemists our sect has ever produced."

The Sect Master shook his head again. "I understand your enthusiasm, Xiao, but my decision stands. Kai Thorn will remain under my tutelage."

Elder Xiao's brow furrowed, his earlier excitement giving way to suspicion. "Why are you so adamant about this, Luo Qiang? I know you're not usually this invested in disciples. Your focus has been on your own breakthrough for centuries now. It's not like you have time to dedicate to training them. You barely give that boy, Wang Lin, any time at all!"

The Sect Master opened his mouth to respond but found himself struggling to articulate a reason. His hesitation didn't go unnoticed by Elder Xiao.

Seeing the Sect Master's hesitation, Elder Xiao's eyes widened in realization. "I hope you're not thinking of using the boy for... that."

The Sect Master's silence was all the answer the elder needed.

"Luo Qiang," Elder Xiao sighed. "That method won't work. We've tried it before, remember? The cost is too high, and the chances of success are negligible."

"But if we use the boy, it might work this time!" Luo Qiang burst out, his carefully maintained facade cracking for a moment. "You've seen his talent, his unique abilities. He could be the key, Xiao!"

Elder Xiao shook his head sadly. "Listen to yourself, old friend. This isn't the way. Think about what you're suggesting."

The two old friends stared at each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Elder Xiao saw the desperation in Luo Qiang's eyes, the hunger for advancement that had consumed him for centuries.

"Luo Qiang," Elder Xiao said softly. "It would be better to nurture the boy. Guide him, teach him. One day, he might help you breakthrough through his own achievements and discoveries. Isn't that a better path than... the alternative?"

The Sect Master's shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of centuries seeming to press down on him. For a long moment, he was silent, lost in thought.

Finally, Luo Qiang looked up, meeting Elder Xiao's gaze. "Perhaps... perhaps you're right.”

A hint of a smile tugged at Elder Xiao's lips. "Of course I'm right. I usually am, you know."

Luo Qiang snorted, "Don't push your luck, old man." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Very well. The boy will remain my disciple, but... you can teach him whatever you'd like. His alchemy training will be in your hands."

A wide smile spread across Elder Xiao's face. He gave a small bow to the Sect Master. "Thank you, old friend. You won't regret this decision."

As Elder Xiao turned to leave, Luo Qiang called out, "And Xiao?"

The elder paused at the door, looking back.

"Keep me informed of the boy's progress," Luo Qiang said. "I'm... curious to see how he develops."

Elder Xiao nodded, a sad look briefly passing in his eyes. As he walked out of the room, Luo Qiang could hear him muttering excitedly about potential successors and breakthrough theories.

As the door closed behind Elder Xiao, Luo Qiang leaned back in his chair.

Patience.

The path to immortality is a long one.

What's a few more centuries of careful planning and preparation?