New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 67 Paid Consultation, Immortals (Subscription Request)
It was almost 10 a.m. when Yuan Zhu woke up early in the morning, and no one was home. After washing up, he ate the cold breakfast that had magically appeared on the table. Then, he put the golden finger in his pocket and headed straight for the gold shop near [Fire Fang].

The cleaning company's location is close to the city center, and there happens to be a nightclub bar called Red Romance and a brothel nearby, where underground boxing matches are often held, so it is very easy to sell gold.

Of course, it may not be a coincidence that [Fire Fang] is opened in this location, but it is specifically designed to serve this consumer area.

After getting off the bus, Yuan Zhu found a pawnshop on the side of the road in just 5 minutes. It looked like a long-established shop, trustworthy, so he pushed the door open and walked in.

Less than 10 minutes later, he came out with 700 yuan in cash. I was a little dissatisfied. It was a bit surprising that he only offered 700 yuan for such a thick gold finger.

According to this situation, if he sells this golden Buddha statue, it will only be worth tens of thousands of yuan. Isn't it a bit too cheap?
"If you bargained, you might be able to get a few more dollars, but the shopkeeper saw that you were rich and just took away a small amount from you," the elf analyzed.

Yuan Zhu: "I'm indeed wealthy and don't care about that little change at all. I'm just surprised by the value of Running's currency. Is it a bit too strong, or is the RMB too weak? I don't even plan to exchange that golden Buddha statue for cash. Gold still makes me feel at ease."

Xiao Latiao: "Don't forget, we have some valuable treasures buried in the woods on the outskirts. When the hype has died down, we can dig them out. We don't have to sell them on the black market. We can sell them directly to [Happy House] and earn Mao Mao Wang points!"

"Yes!" Yuan Zhu nodded, walked quickly into [Fire Fang], and went straight to the boss's office on the second floor.

"Hey! Why are you here again, Yuan kid? Didn't I tell you to take a two more days off and read the "Exorcism Manual" I gave you carefully? Why, do you feel that you have mastered it thoroughly and can't wait to show off your skills?" The boss sat up straight, opened the drawer, and began to look through the file of the haunted house.

Yuan Zhu had no intention of confronting the haunted house right away, so he quickly spoke up to stop her: "Wait, I didn't come to the company to ask for a task. You said you could introduce me to the [Rain Courtyard] and consult me about learning supernatural powers. Boss, you haven't forgotten, right?"

"How could that be? I just didn't expect you to be so impatient. It seems that you were quite shaken by what happened the day before yesterday. Wait, I'll write you a letter of recommendation."

The boss took out a piece of letter paper and a pen from the table and started writing quickly.

Yuan Zhu waited patiently, feeling particularly strange. In his two lifetimes combined, this was the first time he had encountered such a retro method. He actually needed to write a letter to enter the academy.

So he didn't understand and asked, "Boss, if I didn't have this letter, could I have gotten into Rain Courtyard?"

On Earth, getting into a university was easy. Especially since his age and appearance put him in the prime of his life. He was also full of Earth talent, had a certain air of a test-taker, and, with the added bonus of his "Mao Mao Wang" uniform, was quite intimidating. As long as he was confident and composed, entering a prestigious place like the academy wouldn't be difficult.

"What good things are you thinking? Without this letter, the guard will break your legs. How many people does [Yuyuan] recruit in a year? You can't get in at all, so take it and don't lose it. Oh, and bring some extra money before you go to [Yuyuan]. If you don't have enough, you can borrow from me. But I heard that you are quite good at making money, so you shouldn't need this consulting fee."

As he spoke, the boss folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope. Then he added a little sealing wax, stamped it with the seal of the Fang of Fire, and signed his name on the back of the envelope.

Yuan Zhu: "How much is the consultation fee?"

"One or two hundred, maybe? I'm not sure. After all, when I go to Yuyuan, I'm the one who collects the money."

The boss leaned back in his chair, picked up his unfinished cigarette, and puffed at him arrogantly and proudly: "What? Are you dissatisfied, or envious? When you become stronger, you can also be invited to teach and earn money from those nerds. Come on, come on, don't disturb me reading the magazine."

Waving Yuan Zhu away impatiently, the boss picked up the fashion magazine with revealing clothing and began to read it with relish.

After receiving the letter of introduction, Yuan Zhu did not stay. After briefly checking the map at the first-floor entrance, he found the bus number he should take and went straight to [Yuyuan].

Yuyuan, the full name of Running Municipal Gem Processing and Mineral Exploration College, is a truly prestigious institution with a history of over a century, almost two centuries. Its history is older than any other university in Taixi, and it's considered Running's most prestigious reputation.

Before the "Toilet Duel," my predecessor had also admired this university and had done some research. Among its most famous majors were "Geology, Industrial Engineering, Underground Drilling, Gem Processing, and Dangerous Zoology..."

When he first learned about these majors, he didn't think anything of them, assuming they were just about underground mining or mechanical engineering. He didn't realize anything was wrong with the university until its predecessor collapsed. He simply thought the tuition was expensive, over $1 per semester, and starting at $8 for four years. It was outrageous.

My predecessor gave up the idea of going to college on the spot, and directly accepted the commission to work as an engineer in a lighting factory.

Looking back now, attending university was a safe and legitimate way to access extraordinary knowledge. Taixi University students were able to carve a bloody path through the bubble world, even with a human head on their shoulders. It made no sense that the more ancient [Rain Academy] could only train ordinary miners and mechanics.

Xiao La Tiao: "I guess that 'Old Industrial Department' should be 'Industrial Totem'! And 'Dangerous Biology' might be the ghost version of 'Fantastic Beasts in the Pot'!"

Yuan Zhu played with the envelope in his hand. "It will be revealed soon. Let me realize the unfinished dream of my predecessor! I wonder how much value [Yuyuan] has left now? I heard that when Taixi established the academy, he took away many professional courses and precious books from Running. Now it seems that these were not just ordinary professional courses taken away, but also the inheritance of extraordinary knowledge and power."

As his level improved, his understanding of Running also became more profound. Although his predecessor worked hard to give away heads, he lived in a fog, not realizing that what he longed for was right within his reach.

Now, Yuan Zhu possessed the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture], and without even having to work hard, all sorts of extraordinary phenomena lined up to find him. Now, he was no longer chasing power, but rather a variety of factions lay before him, ready for him to choose from!
"We're here!" After more than an hour, the bus stopped at the intersection not far from the gate of [Yuyuan].

After getting off the bus, Yuan Zhu noticed that many passersby, like him, had come specifically to see this ancient academy. Some tourists even took out brick-sized cameras and struck various poses, snapping photos.

Yuan Zhu also looked over. What could he say? [Yuyuan] truly had a rich history. Its architectural style was a perfect blend of Eastern and Western civilizations. The red walls were mottled, giving it a sense of age. Outside the gate, two rows of ancient cypresses had grown thick and strong, and the bluestone slabs on the ground were covered with moss.

Yuan Zhu walked forward, passed the tourists who were afraid to approach, and arrived at the gate. He was then stopped by the middle-aged security guard, who politely asked him what he wanted.

He pulled out a letter from his boss and passed inspection without a hitch. Then he was lost. The interior of Rain Courtyard resembled a scenic spot more than a university. It was enormous, but the buildings were arranged in a haphazard, scattered arrangement.

He looked at the sign at the entrance and realized there were five brick teaching buildings. In addition, there were dormitories, a library, a laboratory building, a cafeteria, an observatory tower, a zoo, a botanical garden... all scattered haphazardly.

"Huh? They even built a zoo?"

Yuan Zhu had already determined that this university had no layout at all. Functionality and practicality were not the only considerations, but aesthetics and scenery.

How these buildings were built harmoniously and in accordance with the style of this large park was a matter of feng shui. He also saw a cemetery and a church on the sign.

"Isn't this college offering any Undead major?" Filled with curiosity, Yuan Zhu walked towards Teaching Building No. 1, intending to find a crowded place to ask.

"Handsome boy, what are you doing? Do you need your sister's help?"

Just as he was looking around, slowly admiring the scenery of [Rain Courtyard] with the mentality of visiting a park and sightseeing, a female voice came from behind him. It was an older sister who was more mature than him and had a beauty score of above 7 points. She looked at him with ill intentions and approached him attentively.

"I don't think you look like a student of Yuyuan. Is this your first time here? Do you want me to be your tour guide and show you around? I'll take you to see some good things..." The young lady made a warm invitation.

After all, Yuan Zhu is tall and strong, with a tender and wild appearance. Coupled with the luxury uniform of [Maomao Wang], he looks very appetizing and very challenging.

In the Huangliang Township in my dream last night, Xin Niang fell at the feet of Zhuzi's uniform and chest muscles, holding his hand and refusing to let go.

"Uh, what's the good news?"

"Of course it's a werewolf! You have seen works about werewolves and vampires, but have you ever seen a real werewolf?" The young lady asked Yuan Zhu in a tone as if she was using Ultraman to seduce a child.

He had never seen a werewolf, but had you ever seen a filthy bone mad eggplant, a Buddha eggplant, a Buddha corpse ghost, or a bloody cassock? Which one wasn't more exciting than a werewolf? Yuan Zhu: "Werewolf? Is it related to [Dangerous Zoology]?"

"Oh? You know a lot about it. It is indeed a school under the major of [Dangerous Animals]. What do you do, young man? You look extraordinary, but it seems that you have not yet officially come into contact with supernatural powers." After the topic of supernatural came up, the young lady also became serious. She did not reveal too much information, but instead questioned Yuan Zhu.

"Well, I'm here for consultation. Where should I go to consult professional questions related to 'supernatural powers'?" As he spoke, he shook the letter in his hand.

After seeing the wax seal on the envelope, without even opening it, the young lady suddenly realized, "So it's [Fang of Fire]! I know, I've even taken Mr. Cui's class."

"Boss? What did he say?"

"The general performance and countermeasures of the [Fire Extinguishing System] aren't very useful. He only comes once a semester, so he's just general knowledge. Since you were recommended by Mr. Cui, if you have any questions, tell me. I'll charge you half price, how about that?" the young lady offered. "Nice to meet you. My last name is Chen. I'm a sophomore majoring in [Hazardous Biology] and studying the [Herbal Studies] school."

Yuan Zhu: "Are herbal medicines dangerous? And you're just a sophomore, can you provide consulting services?"

Senior Chen laughed. "To be honest, if you take this letter to the Academic Affairs Office, they'll just assign you to a junior and send you packing. I'm a sophomore, but I feel I'm no worse than a junior, so I'm more than capable of handling a layman like you. The only questions you'll ask are about common sense, not core, advanced knowledge. Even a freshman can handle them. Plus, I'll only charge you half the price."

Yuan Zhu asked again: "Then why are there no seniors from the senior year?"

"Internships, graduation internships, all going to the [Spiritual Realm]. Who would care about your little money? My tuition for the day is almost 200, 100 in the morning and 100 in the afternoon. Now I accompany you around the college, and it's more than the consulting fee. You're still picky. Come on, sister will take you to the zoo and we can talk while we walk."

Yuan Zhu was confusedly grabbed by the arm by the elder sister, turned in another direction, and went to the zoo.

Senior Chen: "What do you want to ask? Have you encountered extraordinary phenomena at work, or have you been contaminated? Or perhaps you want to choose a safe and reliable power system and systematically study and get started?"

"You know this as well?!"

"Tsk, those of you who come here for paid consultations usually have these few questions. It seems you're the last type. By the way, what's your name, brother?"

"Yuan Zhu."

"That sounds great! Xiao Zhuzi, tell me what you think. Do you have a system you're interested in?"

Yuan Zhu shook his head: "I came here to consult because I don't understand. What extraordinary systems does this [Yuyuan] have? Is there anything worth recommending?"

"Extraordinary power isn't something you can just randomly compare strength, potential, and safety to find the right, strongest one. When it comes to strengthening, it's more about 'compatibility'—is it right for you? The higher the compatibility, the faster you'll get started, and it'll also be safer, more stable, and faster to improve. And what constitutes a perfect match? Besides physique and bloodline, it also considers soul, personality, and financial resources... So instead of comparing strength and weakness, it's better to choose the one that interests you the most. Intuition is often the most accurate."

"I advocate the [School of Knowledge], and I learn from the heart!"

"Wow! You even know this. Don't choose the [Knowledge School]. It's too disgusting. It's hard to get started, the leveling is slow, and you have to deal with skulls. How can you sleep at night? Let me tell you first, our [Rain Academy] has a total of five majors: [Gemology, Minerals, and Geology Department], [Old Industry Department], [Dangerous Biology Department], the [Law Department] added ten years ago, and the [Nightmare School] where the white people from the east came to engage in international exchanges and cooperation a few years ago."

Yuan Zhu: "Why are there only five majors?"

"Talent? That's a broad category. Under each specialty, there are many schools. For example, the [Herbal Medicine School] I belong to."

"Senior, what's so dangerous about this [Herbal School]? And it's not an animal!" Yuan Zhu asked when he didn't understand.

The young lady sneered: "Haha, silly boy, do you think [immortals] are animals or plants? Are they dangerous?"

Yuan Zhu was stunned. "Immortal? Wait, is this immortal you're talking about a Kunlun Qi Refiner?"

He had a recollection of this. The path to becoming a Kunlun Immortal was to implant the roots of a peach into one's flesh, gradually replacing the blood vessels and nervous system. Therefore, becoming a Kunlun Immortal was indeed considered a dangerous plant or animal.

"Wow! You know quite a lot. But how dare a small, shabby place like Running openly dissect and study a Kunlun Immortal?"

Yuan Zhu said quietly, "I heard that there was an immortal from overseas who was found in a pot in a restaurant."

Senior Chen gave him a long look. "You know too much! I only learned this news a few days ago. Your [Fire Fang] intelligence channels are truly extraordinary."

Yuan Zhu opened his mouth but didn't mention being taken to the Investigation Bureau. My intelligence channels are beyond your expectations!

"Ahem! The [Herbal Medicine School] I belong to studies that overseas immortal. It's not part of the [Kunlun Immortal Dao System], but it's very closely related. It's derived from the 'Kunlun Immortal Method' and has connections with an alien race from the outer universe."

Yuan Zhu quickly answered, "Is it a plant from the Plant Universe?"

"..." This time it was the young lady's turn to look resentful. "With your level, is it necessary for you to come for consultation?"

Yuan Zhu: "That's all I know, I've revealed everything. Go on, what exactly is your [Herbal Medicine School] researching?"

The senior student looked at Yuan Zhu and decided to take it seriously. She couldn't lose face. "The [Yuyuan] herbal medicine school is dedicated to dissecting the overseas immortals, analyzing and studying their power systems, and pursuing the secrets of immortality. The [Overseas Immortals] are a group of 'free and easy immortals' who have a close connection with Kunlun, but are not influenced or restricted by the [Kunlun Mother Tree], and are able to achieve absolute freedom."

Yuan Zhu was excited. It was time to absorb knowledge again, especially the "cultivation of immortality" that he was best at and most interested in. The [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture] needed this kind of information.

Xiao Latiao even said: "Empty her! Empty her quickly!"

Yuan Zhu: "A true Kunlun Immortal must be controlled by the Kunlun Mother Tree?"

The senior student nodded. "The Five Immortals of Kunlun, from initiation to advancement, every stage and every realm are inseparable from the [Kunlun Mother Tree]. They need to extract different [Immortality Elixirs] from the roots of the Peach Tree. At each realm, they must consume elixirs before attempting a breakthrough. It's not so bad at the lower levels, but at the higher levels, they are bound by the constraints of the [Yaochi Fairyland]... You've also read Journey to the West, right? It describes the grand scene of thousands of immortals coming to pay homage to the Peach Banquet."

Hearing this, Yuan Zhu felt something was amiss. He, a paid consultant who had taken the bus, and a top-student girl in a dress were seriously discussing the "Yaochi Wonderland," the "Kunlun Mother Tree," the "Immortality Elixir," and the "Immortal Technique of Immortality." And the key point was, these things actually existed!?
Yuan Zhu just felt that this style of painting was too discordant!
Is this all just for my 50 yuan consultation fee? Can a Kunlun cultivator really obtain the Elixir of Immortality from the Peach Tree?

Why does this Kunlun system sound more and more like Earth's [external alchemy]? However, in mythology, the Queen Mother of the West's sect has indeed been popularizing the practice of taking medicine to ascend to heaven since the Han Dynasty.

"Uh... I haven't seen it. What is this Journey to the West to Exorcise Evil about?"

Yuan Zhu was not sure whether the Duling version of "Journey to the West" was the Earth version of "Journey to the West".

"Journey to the West, a novel you boys love. It tells the story of Xuanzang, the founder of the Faxiang School, who journeyed westward, slaying demons and releasing the evil within him. "Releasing evil" means releasing the evil within him. He slaughtered his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood until he reached Mount Lingshan, took the Buddha's head, and re-established Buddhism."

"Hiss..." Yuan Zhu took a breath of cold air. I have never seen this before!

(End of this chapter)