Longevity begins with alchemy master

Four figures were moving forward at a leisurely pace along the mountain path.

The man and woman at the head of the group were talking excitedly.

"The boss is finally here! We don't have to keep our tails between our legs in the yard anymore!"

"That's you, Zhou Yuhao, not us. I don't know what you're afraid of. We're all about the same age, at about the same level, and have received the same guidance and instruction. You're not necessarily worse than them!"

"Sister Yuwei, that's not how it works! I wasn't afraid, I just didn't want to cause trouble for the family. Now that the eldest brother is here, we have a backer in Yuheng Academy, and even in the entire Seven Star Academy!"

Zhou Yuwei shook her head. "I'm afraid that's not necessarily true."

Zhou Yuhao was puzzled, but as he ventured deeper into the mountains, he gradually came to his senses.

With the arrival of the eldest brother, he already has his own independent cave dwelling. Could it be that he skipped the basic courses of the Seven Star Academy?
If that's the case, his idea of ​​currying favor with someone powerful will fall through.

Feeling frustrated, he turned around and snapped, "You two, hurry up!"

Zhou Yuwei stopped him, "There's no need to rush. They haven't been in a good mood lately. This trip to visit Brother Fuyou is just a way for them to relax."

"They're still in a bad mood?" Zhou Yuhao snorted. "Zhou Ping'an received the attention of the cultivation master as soon as he arrived, and he's been getting extra help from him every day. His cultivation hasn't progressed at all; it's purely because he's not putting in the effort. As for Zhou Yuqi?"

Zhou Yuhao skipped over the plain-looking Zhou Ping'an and his gaze fell on the sorrowful-looking man behind him, his face showing considerable displeasure.

In his view, although Zhou Yuqi was a member of the Zhou family, he was not worthy of joining the Tiannan Dao Palace at all, and he didn't know what connections he had to get in by sheer luck.

Even so, their performance after joining was far inferior to his and Zhou Yuwei's.

The real reason Zhou Yuhao disliked him was that after joining the Dao Palace, this guy didn't get close to the Zhou family, but instead got close to the scions of other aristocratic families.

This infuriated Zhou Yuhao!
Once I meet the boss, I'm determined to make him teach Zhou Yuqi a lesson!
The four of them continued forward until the plaque of Chaoxi Palace was finally faintly visible.

But they stopped in their tracks in the square in front of the palace.

Here, dozens of cultivators, men and women, were gathered, and none of them looked very old.

However, the spiritual energy emanating from them far surpassed that of the four members of the Zhou family.

Zhou Yuwei's expression hardened slightly: "They are all Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Zhou Yuhao asked timidly, "What are they doing gathered here? Are they here to cause trouble for the boss?"

It's no wonder Zhou Yuhao guessed that way; the situation on the scene seemed to be just like that.

"Kuang Pingzhang requests an audience with Junior Brother Zhou!"

"Zhou Fuyou, what are you doing hiding in there?"

"Yuan Xuesong of Lishan, please come out of the palace to meet me, Senior Brother Zhou!"

Similar sounds could be heard from time to time at the scene.

Whether it was hurling provocations or polite requests for an audience, the area outside the Chaoxi Palace was incredibly noisy.

But the Chaoxi Palace remained silent in the face of these voices, offering no response whatsoever.

Zhou Yuhao and his three companions stood at the very back of the crowd, trembling slightly.

"How about we skip seeing the boss today?"

Zhou Yuwei hesitated for a moment, and also felt that today might not be the day to see Zhou Fuyou.

But before they could leave, someone in front of them suddenly turned around and saw them.

"Oh, it's Junior Sister Yuwei and Junior Brother Zhou. What are you doing here?"

Zhou Yuwei's expression tightened, and she respectfully bowed, saying, "Yuwei greets Senior Sister Xiang!"

The three members of the Zhou family standing nearby also bowed respectfully.

They knew this Senior Sister Xiang; she was an outstanding disciple of Yuheng Academy who had successfully established her foundation two years ago and had become a disciple of Houtu Hall, nominally a nominal disciple of the Hall Master, Fairy Qinglan.

Xiang, the senior sister, smiled and accepted their greetings, then said, "It's nice to come out for a stroll on your day off, but this isn't exactly a good place for sightseeing. Zhou... um? Your surname is Zhou?"

As if realizing something, the smile on Xiang Shijie's face disappeared.

Her last sentence was somewhat abrupt and quite loud, attracting the attention of some people around her.

Then, the previously noisy crowd quieted down.

The gazes cast upon them made the four Qi Refining stage members of the Zhou family feel as if a mountain was pressing down on them.

Zhou Yuwei's face was pale, but she forced herself to say, "Senior Sister Xiang, we've taken the wrong path. Let's take our leave now!"

Xiang Shijie smirked, "You haven't come to the wrong place. Since you're here, why not go and meet your Zhou family relatives?"

As she said these words, the crowd parted to make way.

Zhou Yuwei swallowed hard, knowing that she couldn't leave today.

She steeled herself and walked towards the gate of Chaoxi Palace under the watchful eyes of everyone.

I was incredibly anxious.

If Mayfly Brother opens the door, he'll probably get into big trouble.

But what should they do if Mayfly Brother doesn't open the door?
Amidst this conflicting mix of anticipation and trepidation, the gates of Chaoxi Palace slowly opened inward.

A figure in white calmly walked out.

"It's the boss!"

Zhou Yuhao exclaimed and rushed over.

Zhou Yuwei, along with the remaining Zhou Yuqi and Zhou Pingan, quickly bowed and greeted them.

"Come in!"

Zhou Fuyou said something indifferently and let the four of them enter the main hall of Chaoxi Palace.

Then he turned around and was about to go back.

But behind him came a strange, sarcastic voice.

"Junior Brother Zhou, why didn't you greet all the senior brothers and sisters? Does the Zhou family, a prestigious Nascent Soul clan, not even teach us this basic etiquette?"

These words immediately drew echoes of agreement.

“That’s true. The Zhou family is a small family overseas, unlike our aristocratic families in the Central Plains who are very courteous.”

"In my opinion, Junior Brother Zhou should go to the Seven Star Academy to study for a while, at least to learn the hierarchy and etiquette of our Tianyuan Dao Sect before we talk about anything else."

"Having suddenly risen to a high position, it's easy to become arrogant and complacent. But I must advise you, junior brother, that young people shouldn't be so conceited!"

These voices were so shrill that they stood out in the crowd.

The red coral, which had its back to them, slowly turned around, revealing the young man's indifferent face.

Zhou Fuyou looked at them coldly, "What do you want to do?"

This question stumped everyone.

Zhou Fuyou stepped forward, stood on the steps, and looked down.

"First of all, I have already formally become your master. According to seniority, you disciples who have not yet formally become your masters should respectfully bow to me and address me as senior brother!"

"Secondly, if you look down on my Zhou family, why didn't you say anything when my Zhou family's ancestor paid homage at the mountain a few days ago?"

"at last!"

Zhou Fuyou had one hand behind his back and the other in front of him.

"If you're here to provoke us, then just attack! Who's going to do it?"

These consecutive words caused the faces of the Foundation Establishment cultivators to turn red.

Even some people who just wanted to watch the show felt that Zhou Fuyou was far too arrogant.

He had only just joined the Tiannan Dao Palace; how could he compare to the seniors who had been cultivating here for decades? He was truly courting death!

However, before they could reply, Zhou Fuyou had already made his move.

Make hand gestures simultaneously, one hand in front and one behind.

next moment!
boom!
Streaks of black energy shot into the sky, instantly enveloping the entire area.

The Qi Sea rises to the sky, and dark clouds press down on the city!
As Zhou Fuyou pressed down with one hand, everyone was utterly shocked.

"How dare he?"

"One person against everyone?"

"It's just looking for death!"

But when the powerful airflow pressed down, all the anger turned into screams.

The spell collapses upon contact.

The magical artifact's spiritual light was dim.

Even if someone used magical artifacts, they would become shaky and unable to escape the black sky under the impact of the black air currents.

"Humph!"

With a cold snort, Zhou Fuyou suddenly pressed down with another palm strike.

The ground trembled slightly within a radius of several miles, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators were powerless to resist, their defensive measures beginning to crumble layer by layer.

Some of the weaker individuals even developed an eerie bluish-gray complexion, clearly indicating they had been poisoned. Not enough!
Suppressing dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators single-handedly was a difficult task for Zhou Fuyou.

So from the very beginning, he used his strongest killing move.

Now that he's made his move, he'll make sure everyone feels the pain! He'll show everyone that Zhou Fuyou is not someone to be trifled with!

Zhou Fuyou's expression hardened, and he was about to unleash a third palm strike!
Just then, a voice came from above.

"Junior brother, that's enough."

Zhou Fuyou raised an eyebrow and made a hand seal with one hand.

In an instant, the pitch-black sky that had been suppressing the entire area dispersed into streams of black air, returning to Zhou Fuyou's body like swallows returning to their nests.

Everyone felt incredibly fortunate to have escaped death.

The gaze directed at Zhou Fuyou was now filled with awe and fear.

"Sister!"

Shi Miaoyin smiled and nodded at Zhou Fuyou, then turned around and scolded, "Get out of here!"

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators who wanted to get to know Zhou Fuyou hurriedly and hastily retreated in a sorry state.

After Chaoxi Palace quieted down, Shi Miaoyin said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I've been negligent in disciplining you."

"It's alright." Zhou Fuyou wasn't particularly angry; he had roughly guessed that this would happen.

After all, he had smoothly become a disciple of his master as soon as he arrived, and had also obtained the most coveted Xuan-class cave dwelling among all Foundation Establishment cultivators. There would always be those who didn't know their place and would come to provoke him.

The only thing I didn't expect was that the scale of the operation would be so large!

It might also be related to the fact that the commotion caused by the ancestors when I went into the mountains was too great.

Zhou Fuyou looked at Shi Miaoyin and asked curiously, "Senior Sister, did you come here specifically to help me out after hearing the news?"

Shi Miaoyin gave a wry smile. "With your abilities, Junior Brother, you don't need me to help you out. I've only come today because Master asked me to inquire if you have any embryonic natal magic weapon that you've already refined."

Zhou Fuyou's eyes lit up instantly.

"No! What I'm using now is a weapon-making treasure bestowed upon me by our ancestor. But the coral robe I'm wearing was refined by our ancestor, so it has the quality of a true artifact and the defensive capabilities of a high-grade magic treasure."

After receiving the general information, Shi Miaoyin nodded slightly.

"Just as Master thought. Next, I will send you some illustrations of famous water-type magic treasures from the Tianyuan Dao Sect. You can choose carefully, and then the Houtu Hall will refine them for you. You don't need to worry about the materials."

Zhou Fuyou sought it but could not obtain it.

After a cultivator forms their core, they can nurture a magic weapon as their natal magic weapon, which they use for cultivating both their physical and spiritual aspects.

Those who want the cheapest option will naturally cultivate ready-made magic weapons.

However, the true disciples of major sects naturally do not take such shortcuts, but instead choose to create their own unique magical artifacts.

Judging from the current situation, his master values ​​him highly. He even thought about refining a magic weapon embryo for him before he even formed his core.

"I won't disturb your family reunion any longer. If there are similar situations in the future, you can let me know directly."

Shi Miaoyin glanced at the four people peeking into Chaoxi Palace, then left a communication talisman and took her leave.

After she left, Zhou Fuyou lightly flicked her sleeves and stepped into the hall.

He was greeted by four pairs of eyes that were filled with either admiration, awe, or even envy and jealousy.

"Boss!"

"Mayfly Bro!"

"ephemera……"

Zhou Fuyou waved his hand and took the high seat.

"Long time no see, how have you all been these years?"

Upon hearing this, the four of them poured out their grievances.

Clearly, the Dao Palace cultivation life that young people outside envy so much is not as easy as they imagine.

There are factions, cliques, competition, and suppression here as well.

Aside from interpersonal relationships and worldly affairs, cultivation itself is a very difficult and painful thing.

The one who received the most attention was Zhou Ping'an, who had a five-elemental-root constitution.

But he was also the most disappointed person in the entire Yuheng Academy.

His cultivation progress was incredibly slow; the massive investment of resources seemed to vanish into thin air, and his advancement in realm was always the slowest.

Zhou Yuwei and Zhou Yuhao, for example, have already reached the late stage of Qi Refining.

Zhou Ping'an is only at the third level of Qi Refining, far from the middle stage. It is said that the Jade Balance Academy is already considering giving up on training Zhou Ping'an.

Clearly, cultivating all five elements simultaneously would be extremely stressful for a young person.

Zhou Ping'an, who was only twenty-one years old, looked somewhat old at this moment.

Zhou Yuqi wasn't much better off. His spiritual root aptitude was average, and it was his father who pulled some strings to get him in through an auditing spot.

They already face discrimination, their cultivation speed is slow, and recently they received a message.

"Mayfly, are my father and mother really dead?"

Facing those sorrowful eyes, Zhou Fuyou remained completely calm.

"You can ask the family elders about this matter."

Zhou Yuqi opened her mouth, but finally slumped weakly into the chair.

Zhou Fuyou didn't care about his thoughts, and in fact, he didn't care much about the situation of the other Zhou family members either.

Our meeting today is merely for the sake of the clan's unity; it's just a superficial gesture of support for them.

Cultivating in the Tiannan Dao Palace requires relying mostly on oneself.

After joining the Dao Palace and laying a foundation in the Seven Star Academy, you can choose a hall to join as a disciple after advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Only by advancing to the Golden Core stage can one formally become a disciple of the Four Great Hall Masters.

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators rely more on the guidance of their Golden Core senior brothers and sisters as a substitute teacher, as well as their own personal understanding, for their daily cultivation.

This is actually why so many people came to Chaoxi Palace together today.

Zhou Fuyou rose to prominence in one step, bypassing the efforts of ordinary people for several years, decades, or even hundreds of years, and directly became a disciple of the Azure Fairy. How could this not drive people crazy with envy?

After a brief reminiscing, the four members of the Zhou family took their leave, not daring to disturb Zhou Fuyou any further.

In the evening, the eldest sister brought Zhou Fuyou an illustrated guide.

This is an illustrated guide to magical artifacts!
In the encyclopedia, most of the area is sealed, but one-fifth of it has been unlocked.

Clearly, this is why Master wanted Zhou Fuyou to choose a suitable magic weapon in advance.

Zhou Fuyou enjoys reading these kinds of books, as they broaden his horizons and allow him to accumulate knowledge far exceeding what he has gained in his limited years.

The magical treasures marked in the magical treasure encyclopedia are not ordinary items.

Besides describing the name, power, advantages and disadvantages, they also record the battle achievements of the owners who used such magical artifacts.

Zhou Fuyou was increasingly delighted as she looked at the different kinds of flowers, feeling that each one suited her perfectly, yet each one seemed to lack something.

"My future can never be limited to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms. The magic weapon that I cultivate with both my life and body must also have enormous potential!"

"Therefore, the magic weapons of these cultivators who have only cultivated to the Golden Core stage or Nascent Soul stage must have some kind of flaw."

"I want the natal magic weapon that a Nascent Soul cultivator once refined!"

Zhou Fuyou turned to the last page.

On it, a bead shone brightly.

"Dinghaizhu!"

……

Deep in the azure sky.

I don't know how much time has passed, I only feel that the universe is in a state of chaos.

A Taoist priest was sitting cross-legged.

He sat there quietly, but his aura was like a sharp sword, ready to pierce the sky at any moment.

Suddenly!

The Taoist in black suddenly opened his eyes, and hundreds of acupoints all over his body trembled.

Countless sword energies surged forth, forming a crimson storm in the void.

Right in the center of the storm, the black-clad Taoist stared in astonishment at a seed in his palm.

"After twenty years, the Sword Manual has finally been cultivated to the Grandmaster level."

"But what exactly is this seed formed from sword energy? There's no record of it in the Thousand Transformations Sword Scripture?"

"Could it be a special change in spells brought about by the system after advancing through various spells in the past?" (End of this chapter)