Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

"You're here, why did you bring anything!"

Despite this, Master Liu naturally accepted the spiritual fruits and wines that Wu Fan offered.

The alchemist, dressed in a green robe, was in his sixties, yet his temples showed no signs of age.

Her complexion was rosy like the sunset, her eyes were clear like a stream, and her back was straight like a pine tree, giving her a vibrant and energetic appearance.

"My achievements today are all thanks to Master Liu's teachings. I brought a small gift to visit my mentor, hoping you won't find it offensive."

Wu Fan said very sincerely.

"You little rascal, hahaha! When did you become so eloquent?"

Master Liu laughed heartily and stepped aside to make way for him, "Come in and sit down."

Wu Fan followed Liu Danshi into the house, and the two sat down for a long talk, reminiscing about the past.

After more than half an hour, seeing that it was getting late, Wu Fan got up to say goodbye.

"Wu Fan".

Master Liu called out to him, stroking his long beard, and said slowly, "I have been in the Hundred Pill Hall for decades. As someone who has been through it all, I have some advice for you."

"Please speak, Elder Liu. I am all ears." Wu Fan bowed respectfully.

"Now that you are a resident alchemist at Bai Dan Tang, just focus on doing your job well."

After Liu Danshi finished speaking, she looked at him meaningfully and asked, "Do you understand?"

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Elder Liu."

Wu Fan bowed again, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and then turned and left.

Watching Wu Fan's departing figure, the kindness and gentleness in Liu Danshi's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by icy coldness.

On the other side, Wu Fan, who had just left, was pondering repeatedly Liu Danshi's sudden admonition.

He was well aware that there were factions within the Bai family and had no intention of getting involved in the conflict.

But I feel that what Master Liu said today is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

Wu Fan pondered for a moment, but ultimately failed to grasp the deeper meaning. He could only shake his head and keep the matter to himself for the time being.

......

A year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Thanks to the spirit-gathering array in his residence, Wu Fan's cultivation speed is 10% faster than in his previous courtyard. This translates to saving him nearly two months of arduous cultivation time per year.

He was quite satisfied with this progress.

Even more gratifying is that this year, his success rate in refining Spirit Gathering Pills far exceeded the standard, breaking through to 60% and achieving profitability.

With the aid of the Spirit Gathering Pill, his progress accelerated even further. By this calculation, he would be able to reach the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining in just over two years and attempt to break through to the fifth level.

He also tried to refine a high-quality version of the Spirit Gathering Pill, but the success rate was too low, so for now he can only keep it for himself to take occasionally.

Nowadays, in addition to refining Spirit Gathering Pills every month, he also prepares some high-quality Qi Induction Pills, and he lives a rather comfortable life.

After a year of dedicated practice and exploration, his understanding of the Five Elements magic has become increasingly profound.

Logically speaking, cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining have limited spiritual energy reserves and are unable to cast long-range, flexible killing spells. Even if they manage to simulate them, they are merely imitations with greatly reduced power.

This is all due to insufficient control over the spell.

Take the Fire Serpent Technique from his major, the Crimson Fire Manual, for example. When an ordinary mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator uses it, it can only condense a winding stream of flames with a range of just five zhang.

Although this stream of flames can barely bypass low-level defenses like earthen wall spells and accurately entangle the opponent's limbs, continuously burning and depleting the opponent's protective spiritual power, it ultimately lacks a bit of agility and cannot be considered a true "fire serpent".

However, Wu Fan's Fire Serpent Technique was not only perfect in form and spirit, but also had a range of seven zhang and a power far exceeding that of other cultivators of the same level.

He vaguely sensed that the higher his cultivation level, the deeper his understanding of the Five Elements magic, and the stronger the power of the magic he could unleash.

Is not this nonsensical?

The higher one's cultivation level, the stronger one's strength will naturally be.

Thinking of this, he chuckled to himself.

He immediately got up and went out for a stroll.

Although the living and cultivation environment has improved a lot since moving into the Hundred Pill Hall, it has lost some of its tranquility, and I no longer have the chance to enjoy the moon alone and calm my mind.

Therefore, every now and then, Wu Fan would take advantage of his free time to go out for a stroll, wait until night to look at the moon for a while, and then return home after calming down.

He was in a good mood today, so he wanted to enjoy the moon again.

As soon as I stepped down from the first floor of the Hundred Pills Hall, a familiar voice reached my ears: "Why did you say you didn't have any premium Qi-Inducing Pills when I came to buy them, yet that person just now managed to get a bottle? What's the logic behind that?"

The one who spoke was a man, the same man who had brought the spirit rice with his cousin Wu Xiaowan last time.

At that moment, Wu Xiaowan was also standing beside him.

"Jing Lang, forget it, I'll just use a regular Qi-Inducing Pill."

Seeing that her husband's stubbornness and pride had flared up again, Wu Xiaowan quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

How dare they run wild in Bai Dan Tang?

"I'm so sorry, sir."

The attendant apologized sincerely, but his expression was somewhat flustered. "That person was a regular customer of our Hundred Pills Hall. He has a gold card and a spending limit. He had already reserved that bottle of premium Qi-Inducing Pill. He did not mean to neglect you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jing's anger intensified.

His family's business was often ridiculed, so he tried his best to dress like a young master from a prominent family, hoping to appear distinguished in front of others.

This preferential treatment from the servants undoubtedly stung his pride once again.

"Then let me ask you, how many spirit stones are needed to get a gold card?"

Zhou Jing stared at the attendant, his voice loud and clear, attracting the attention of the surrounding cultivators who were browsing the shop.

Wu Xiaowan quickly grabbed his arm again: "Jinglang, stop fooling around, let's go."

But Zhou Jing was too emotional to listen to anything and kept questioning the servants.

The attendant was at a loss for words when Bai Zhuo, the head of Baidan Hall, hurriedly stepped forward, first scolding the attendant a few times, and then patiently explaining to Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing's emotions gradually calmed down, and Wu Fan thought the matter was over. Unexpectedly, Zhou Jing heard something and suddenly roared again, attracting the attention of everyone in the store once more.

Wu Xiaowan looked extremely embarrassed and could only keep advising her from the side.

Although Wu Fan had no real feelings for this cousin, his second uncle genuinely cared for him.

Seeing Wu Xiaowan in such a predicament today, I decided to step forward and help her out of respect for my second uncle.

Besides, Zhou Jing was just trying to save face, so we should just give it to him.

Wu Fan stepped forward and asked, "Manager Bai Zhuo, what's going on?"

Upon hearing Wu Fan's voice, the four people present all turned to look.

"So it's Master Wu Dan. I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Bai Zhuo quickly stepped forward and briefly explained the whole story.

Seeing the person in charge being so respectful to Wu Fan, Wu Xiaowan and Zhou Jing were both stunned.

Wu Xiaowan, in particular, looked puzzled.

Why was the person in charge so polite to her "useless" cousin, whom she remembered?

This completely shattered her understanding, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Wu Fan feigned sudden realization and said to Wu Zhuo, "So that's how it is. Manager Bai Zhuo, these two are my cousins ​​and friends. I wonder if I could use my authority as a resident alchemist to sell them a bottle of premium Qi-Inducing Pills?"

"If Master Wu has asked, then of course we can. Please wait a moment."

As Bai Zhuo spoke, he led his attendants toward one side of the hall.

Wu Fan then turned to look at Wu Xiaowan and said gently, "Xiaowan, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Wu Xiaowan snapped out of her daze and quickly returned the greeting: "So it's Brother Wu Fan, long time no see."

As she spoke, she tugged at Zhou Jing beside her and introduced him, "This is my cousin, Wu Fan, whom I told you about."

He then introduced Wu Fan, "This is my husband, Zhou Jing."

"Oh, it's my brother-in-law! It's a pleasure to meet you," Wu Fan said, nodding.

Upon hearing Wu Fan's words, Zhou Jing was stunned, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

He subconsciously glanced at Wu Xiaowan beside him and saw that she also looked incredulous before he realized that he hadn't misheard.

How did Wanmei's useless cousin with inferior spiritual roots suddenly become the resident alchemist of Baidan Hall and have such a high status?

The respectful attitude the person in charge showed him just now was not feigned.

It wasn't until Wu Xiaowan gently tugged at his sleeve that Zhou Jing snapped out of his daze. He quickly composed himself, awkwardly cupping his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Brother Wu Fan, oh no, Brother-in-law. I was out of line just now, please forgive me, Brother-in-law."

Wu Fan nodded slightly. "It's nothing, just a minor misunderstanding."

Wu Xiaowan, who was standing to the side, finally recovered from her shock. Her gaze swept over Wu Fan, and she was shocked again. "Qi Refining Level 4?"

My previous disdain for this cousin had long since vanished, replaced by deep doubt and curiosity.

She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking softly, "Brother Fan, you...you're now a resident alchemist at Hundred Pill Hall?"