Druid Fairy

Chapter 164 Seven Treasures Soul-Stabilizing Pill

Li Mengze successfully refined the Nine-Pattern Pill, winning first place in the prefectural trial and being appointed as the chief alchemist among the royal family's young disciples by Elder Zhao on the spot.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire Songling Prefecture within a single day.

For a time, the name "Li Mengze" became the hottest topic in the streets and alleys, teahouses and restaurants of the prefecture.

From commoners to immortals, everyone talked about it with great interest, exaggerating its mystique and portraying it as a future literary star descended to earth in the Dao of Alchemy.

Inside Su Qingxue's Dan Tang courtyard.

The master and apprentice sat facing each other, with a pot of tea on the stone table, its aroma filling the air.

"Teacher, I would like to offer you a toast."

Li Mengze stood up and respectfully poured tea for Su Qingxue.

"You child..." Su Qingxue looked at her increasingly composed and handsome disciple, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

I'm happy, of course I'm happy.

The fact that her student, whom she had personally mentored, had soared to great heights and become famous throughout the capital was her greatest pride as a teacher.

But what followed was a deep sense of reluctance.

Like a fledgling bird that has been carefully nurtured for a long time, now with full plumage, it is about to fly into the wider and more dangerous sky.

"Going to the capital is not the same as staying in the prefecture."

Su Qingxue put down her teacup and gently advised, "That place is right under the emperor's nose, where powerful and wealthy people abound, and geniuses are as plentiful as rain. Although you are talented, your temperament is ultimately a bit too calm, and you don't know how to scheme. You must be more careful in everything you do, don't trust people too easily, and don't offend anyone easily, especially that Princess Qingyang. Her mother is the emperor's own sister, and her status is extremely high. You..."

"I understand." Li Mengze nodded, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. His teacher was truly worried about him.

Just then, several hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Elder Zhao rushed in like a gust of wind, his usually stern face beaming with a smile.

He was followed by several eunuchs, carrying various brocade boxes and jade caskets, clearly there to deliver rewards.

"Elder Zhao." Su Qingxue quickly stood up and bowed.

"No gifts, no gifts!"

Elder Zhao waved his hand and looked at Li Mengze, "With a solid foundation and abundant energy, you are a natural-born alchemist! Mengze, I am several decades older than you and have never taken on a disciple in my life. Would you be willing to become my last disciple, Zhao Wuji's last disciple?"

This sudden declaration of accepting a disciple stunned Su Qingxue, who was standing to the side.

Elder Zhao holds a prestigious position in the royal family's alchemy academy and is known for his high standards. Many scions of noble families have tried to become his disciples but have been turned away. Now, however, he is taking the initiative to accept a disciple.
Li Mengze was also taken aback, but he had been enlightened by Teacher Su and felt deeply indebted to her, so he was about to politely decline.

"Elder, your kindness is too great for me, but..."

"Mengze, no!"

Before he could finish speaking, Su Qingxue interrupted him with a serious expression.

She looked at her disciple and said softly, "Elder Zhao is a highly accomplished senior in alchemy, a figure of great stature throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty. His willingness to condescend to accept you as his disciple is a blessing you have accumulated over many lifetimes, and an opportunity for your future path. How can you let this opportunity slip by because of my humble status as your mentor?"

After speaking, she turned around and bowed respectfully to Elder Zhao: "Elder Zhao, it is my honor that Mengze has gained your favor. Although I have been his mentor, I know that I am not very talented. He is a rare gem, and keeping him here will only hinder his progress. If you are willing to accept him, I hope you will take him in and carefully polish him. If he can become a useful person in the future, I will be honored and grateful!"

Su Qingxue spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

Elder Zhao was taken aback at first, then clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes full of praise as he looked at Su Qingxue: "Hahaha, good! Well said! I admire Master Su's broad-mindedness and foresight!"

Li Mengze looked at his teacher, his heart filled with emotion that words could not express.

He took a deep breath, no longer hesitated, and knelt down properly before Elder Zhao to perform the formal apprenticeship ceremony.

"Disciple Li Mengze greets Master!"

"Good! Good disciple! Please rise!"

Elder Zhao quickly helped him up, established a master-disciple relationship on the spot, left several boxes of rewards, gave him a few more instructions, and rushed back to the capital, clearly to pave the way for Li Mengze.

…………

After spending a few more days at the academy and completing the handover procedures, Li Mengze embarked on his journey home before heading to the capital.

When the horse-drawn carriage entered the county town, the streets were practically deserted.

The people were overjoyed, eager to see the legendary "Immortal of Alchemy" favored by the royal family. They all stood tall and proud, feeling honored to be part of the group.

The magistrate of Yunshui County, who was said to have been in seclusion for several years and had no interest in worldly affairs, actually held a banquet and personally welcomed him!
He was usually aloof and arrogant, and never showed any respect to others.

But the way he looked at Li Mengze today was filled with an unprecedented fervor.

"This must be your nephew, sir! You are indeed a man of exceptional talent and extraordinary bearing!" The magistrate stroked his beard and greeted him with a smile.

He thought to himself with a sigh, "Truly, it's all about timing and fate! Li Pingcan is just an ordinary mortal, yet he has given birth to such a prodigy! They've risen to prominence in one fell swoop. The Li family will likely become one of the most prestigious and influential families in Yunshui County, no, in the entire Songling Prefecture!"

Thinking about this, he felt even more strongly that he had to cultivate a good relationship with this potential future star.

"My dear nephew, you must be tired from your long journey back to your hometown. I have prepared a small feast at my residence to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey..."

Faced with this excessive enthusiasm, Li Mengze simply responded politely, but inwardly he found it somewhat amusing.

Is this what my second uncle often said, "When one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven"?

They politely declined the magistrate's invitation to a banquet and the convoy returned to Peach Blossom Village.

The Li family mansion was already adorned with red decorations.

Grandpa Li Rongzhou smiled kindly, Qin Shi asked him about his well-being, and Mother's eyes welled up with tears as she repeatedly said, "You've lost weight."

Li Mengjin, the younger brother, still had that cool demeanor, approaching people in a generous and open manner, his eyes filled with admiration and a fighting spirit to catch up.

What surprised Li Mengze the most was meeting his younger sister, Li Mengyue, for the first time.

The little girl was exquisitely beautiful, like a porcelain doll, with a pair of big, dark eyes full of curiosity.

Li Mengze had thought that the little girl would be a bit shy at their first meeting.

Unexpectedly, when Li Mengyue saw him, she was not intimidated at all. Instead, she exclaimed "Yay!" and ran over with her short legs, grabbing his leg tightly.

"elder brother!"

She tilted her head up, her voice soft and sweet, her face beaming with a bright smile, "Brother smells so good and comforting!"

What she was referring to was naturally the natural, grassy scent that blended seamlessly with Li Mengze's aura.

A thought struck Li Mengze, and he squatted down, reaching out to gently touch her little head. A pure and gentle moonlight energy emanated from his sister's body, making him feel refreshed and relaxed.

'Such pure healing power…' Li Mengze thought to himself in surprise, 'This little girl is exceptionally talented!'

The brother and sister hit it off immediately. Li Mengyue was like a little shadow, sticking to her brother all day long, asking all sorts of questions, and even clinging to his hand, saying she wanted to sleep together at night, which made Li Mengze both laugh and cry.

In the stillness of the night, in Li Pingcan's study.

Li Mengze told his father in detail about his upcoming trip to the capital.

"The capital..."

After listening, a complex look flashed in Li Pingcan's eyes. That was the center of the entire Great Yu Dynasty, a vortex of power, and a place where opportunity and danger coexisted.

"It's good that you're going." He nodded. "A towering tree can't grow in a greenhouse. It's time for you to go out and explore the world."

He stood up, walked to his son, and spoke with a father's love and instructions: "The capital is a mixed bag, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Remember, you should not have the heart to harm others, but you must be wary of others. Don't be stingy with the spirit stones I gave you. Use them when you need to, whether it's to build relationships or to buy resources. The most important thing is to stay alive."

"Also, try not to provoke that county princess named Wei Ling'er. But if she goes too far, there's no need to be afraid of her. Being afraid might not be useful anyway. With your Master Zhao protecting you, she won't be able to cause any trouble."

"You must also pay close attention to the spiritual materials that your father instructed you to investigate, such as the 'Blood Maple Forest.' This matter is of great importance, so remember not to make a fuss about it."

Li Mengze nodded heavily: "I have remembered it all."

"Bring out your alchemy furnace," Li Pingcan said again.

Li Mengze did as instructed and took out the bronze alchemy furnace.

Li Pingcan took the alchemy furnace, flicked his finger, and several pieces of material shimmering with different lights appeared out of thin air. There were crystal clear jade stones and jet-black metals, each of which exuded extraordinary spiritual energy fluctuations.

Profound runes flew from his fingertips and merged into the materials. The materials rapidly melted, transforming into streams of light that etched a complex and exquisite array pattern onto the surface of the bronze furnace.

"Buzz!"

With a soft hum, the surface of the alchemy furnace flashed, and an even more profound and concentrated aura emanated from it.

"Father has added an array to your alchemy furnace."

Li Pingcan handed the upgraded alchemy furnace to his son, saying casually, "In the future, when you refine pills, it will help you gather fire elemental power better and prevent accidental explosions. It's just a little gadget; you can use it for now."

Li Mengze took the alchemy furnace and felt the mysterious array fluctuations on it, his heart filled with immense shock.

This is no small trinket!

This ability to casually set up formations and refine artifacts is something even royal family formation masters would be far behind!
How many secrets is my own father still hiding?

…………

"boom!"

A valuable glass cup was smashed to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Wei Ling'er's pretty face was contorted with rage, her chest heaving violently, her eyes filled with sinister fury.

"Li Mengze!"

She spat out the name through gritted teeth, as if she wanted to devour it whole, "What right does a country bumpkin have? What right does he have to step on my head, this county princess!"

Her innate pride was completely suppressed by Li Mengze.

What she found even more unbearable was Li Mengze's nonchalant attitude, as if he had everything under control.

It wasn't fear, nor was it flattery; it was a calm that came from the bottom of his heart, a kind of... disregard for her, the county princess!
This disregard made her feel angrier and more humiliated than any direct confrontation.

'If I can't have it, no one else can!'

An extremely obsessive thought began to grow wildly in her mind.

'Since I can't beat you at alchemy, then this county princess will make sure you can't move an inch in the capital!'

She coldly ordered, "Pass down my message! At the Pill Refining Bureau, all the monthly resources allocated to Li Mengze must be withheld. Not a single spirit stone, not a single herb, can be obtained by him!"

"Also, spread the word! Say that Li Mengze is of lowly birth and immoral character. He used some underhanded evil magic during the trial to manage to refine the pill. He's nothing but a fraud!"

…………

Upon arriving at the capital city of Dan, Li Mengze's days were indeed not easy.

Although Wei Ling'er's methods were underhanded, they were truly disgusting.

With Elder Zhao around, the monthly allowance would naturally not be cut off, but those rumors also made many colleagues who were originally curious and well-intentioned towards him keep their distance and adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

Li Mengze didn't care about this.

Those who are innocent will remain innocent; the more they try to explain, the harder it is to clarify the situation.

A truly intelligent person wouldn't believe these rumors, otherwise wouldn't it be saying that Elder Zhao is blind?
The best approach is to quietly wait for the rumors and controversies to subside, or to create an even bigger event to dispel these baseless rumors.

He chose the former.

Li Mengze spends his days quietly in his alchemy room, either reading or meditating, as if everything outside is irrelevant to him.

His "lying flat" posture, which others saw as weakness, only made Wei Ling'er more and more irritated.

When one plan failed, she devised another.

On this day, the Dan Mansion issued a mission.

Wei Ling'er secretly manipulated the situation, directly passing on a hot potato that all alchemists would avoid to Li Mengze.

The task was to concoct an antidote for an elderly prince of the royal family.

This old prince had made great contributions to the dynasty in his early years, but when he was exploring the cave of an ancient cultivator, he was poisoned by a strange poison called "Seven Deadly Poisonous God Mist".

This poison is incredibly strange, neither a poison nor a curse, yet it can continuously corrode a cultivator's soul and life force. We have searched for renowned doctors and consulted numerous alchemists, but all have been helpless against it.

Now that the old prince is on his deathbed, the Dan family is desperate and has put this task up for the best.

This is simply an impossible task.

"It's over, Li Mengze is probably going to be in trouble."

"Of all people to offend, they had to offend that female devil, Princess Qingyang."

"Even the elders of the Pill Palace are helpless against this 'Seven Deadly Poisonous Gods' miasma. What can a mere youth like him possibly do?"

Wei Ling'er was even more smug, waiting to see Li Mengze make a fool of himself in disgrace.

Li Mengze frowned slightly as he held the jade slip that recorded the old prince's illness and toxicity.

He had indeed seen similar records in the "Herbal Spirit Realm".

This poison is extremely potent, and conventional antidotes are indeed ineffective.

To find a cure, we must find another way.

He locked himself in the alchemy room and did not come out for three days.

Through the Danfu's channels, they purchased a large number of spiritual materials that seemed to have nothing to do with detoxification.

On the fourth day, just when everyone thought he had given up, the gates of the Dan Mansion were pushed open.

Li Mengze, holding a jade bottle, walked up to Elder Zhao.

Inside the bottle was a pill that flowed with seven-colored light and exuded a powerful life force.

The moment the elixir was produced, the room was filled with a unique fragrance that instantly invigorated anyone who smelled it.

He said calmly, "This pill is called the 'Seven Treasures Soul-Strengthening Pill.' It uses poison to fight poison, and then uses seven kinds of spiritual objects containing enormous life force to strengthen the body and nourish the vital energy. It might be worth a try."

(End of this chapter)