Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

In the alchemy workshop, an oil lamp lit on a long solid wood table, illuminating the three faces with their different expressions.

Su Dabao appeared very reserved, feeling at a loss as to what to do with Su Mali, his aunt who had suddenly appeared to claim kinship.

He didn't believe it at first, but he accepted the fact only after the other party produced letters from his grandfather and father.

Sensing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Liu Xingmo picked up the book "Basic Magic" on the table and said, "My father-in-law is truly a legendary figure! He's traveled all over the country his whole life, even venturing to the other side of the world. Thanks to him, I'm able to learn Western magic."

"Grandpa is really amazing! My dad said that among rogue alchemists, very few have reached the third level like him!" Su Dabo also turned his gaze to the old book, then scratched his head, "My family also has foreign spells that Grandpa sent us, but we've never been able to understand them..."

When discussing her field of expertise, Su Mali explained in detail: "Western magic and Central Plains magic are fundamentally the same, both being methods of using energy. However, in the actual learning process, two completely different ways of thinking are required."

Liu Xingmo added, "In short, you need to be good at math. You can put aside magic for now, figure out math first, and then it will be much easier to learn later."

"What's so good about this foreign stuff?" Su Dabao's face showed bitterness. "Grandpa wants me to learn alchemy so he can advance our family's techniques to the fourth level. But I'm useless, sigh!"

"Don't be discouraged, Da Bo. You just lack a suitable educational environment." Su Mali smiled gently. "Let me teach you the basics of alchemy, and together we will carry on our father's legacy."

"This... I!" Su Dabao hesitated for a moment, then put aside his worries and a determined look appeared on his face. "Okay, I'll listen to you, Auntie!"

"Alright, Da Bo. I also have some questions about alchemy in the Central Plains that I need your help with," Su Mali said.

Liu Xingmo watched this scene with satisfaction, then unfolded the package he was carrying: "Da Bo, come on, have some fruit!"

On the solid wood table, nestled in yellowed oil paper, are five fist-sized, brightly colored, round berries.

They emitted an eerie interplay of warmth and coldness, casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room.

The flame inside the glass lampshade flickered and seemed to dim.

Su Dabao's eyes widened, his profile illuminated by the firelight looking somewhat comical: "I'm not seeing things, am I? This is a Xuan-grade spiritual herb!"

Liu Xingmo shoved the fruit directly into the stunned youth's hand: "This is top-grade Xuan-level Schisandra chinensis, perfect for cultivation. It will greatly benefit your practice!"

"I can't accept this, Uncle!" Su Dabao's hands trembled as if the berries in his hands were hot irons. "These things are too precious, no, no!"

"Hey! We're family, no need for formalities. You've already called me uncle, how could I be stingy?" Liu Xingmo grabbed another piece of fruit and stuffed it into his wife's hand. "Let's all eat together, don't be shy."

Su Mali raised the bright red fruit with her fair hand, opened her small mouth, bit through the skin, and ate the glistening, juicy flesh.

Su Dabao looked left and right, then gritted his teeth and took a big bite of the Schisandra chinensis in his hand.

He swallowed the fruit whole, then quickly stuck out his tongue to lick the juice off his fingers.

He felt the effects of the medicine in his stomach, his whole body shuddered, and he ate even faster.

Sumali noticed something was amiss and asked, "Da Bo, are you about to be promoted? You should eat the remaining three as well."

"No, I really can't accept this!" Su Dabao waved his hands repeatedly, then sat down on the ground and entered a meditative state.

The oil lamp burned quietly, emitting a straight wisp of black smoke.

The firelight illuminated the man's profile on the ground; it was neither black nor white, neither round nor square, as simple as a stone.

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali sat down and waited patiently, refilling the oil lamp with oil again and again.

Around midnight, Su Dabao slowly woke up.

He exhaled a long breath of white air, and a bright fire flashed in his eyes.

He murmured, "Wow! Is this a Xuan-grade spiritual medicine? It has such effects just from being eaten raw, allowing me to advance from the third level of the first rank to the fourth level, saving me several years of hard work!"

"It's because you have a solid foundation; the elixir only acts as a catalyst." Sumali forcefully stuffed another bright red fruit into her nephew's hand. "Just take it and use it to stabilize your cultivation. Otherwise, you might rush into a breakthrough and leave behind problems."

"Okay, okay." Su Dabao held the gleaming red fruit in both hands, looking at it with a wandering gaze, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hahaha!" Liu Xingmo immediately laughed. "Da Bo, you want to save the good stuff for your little girlfriend?"

"No! Xiaomei is just my classmate!" Su Dabao quickly waved his hand. "My relationship with her is completely innocent!"

Liu Xingmo chuckled to himself, "Hehehe! I haven't even said who it is yet, and you've already given yourself away. You're too honest, kid!"

"No! Really..." Su Dabao's face turned red, and he didn't know how to explain.

Su Mali shook her head and scolded, "Da Bo! You've made a mistake. How can you say that the girl and you are completely innocent? If you don't go after her, are you just going to watch her fall into another man's arms?"

"Me! Me..." Su Dabao suddenly stood up, his lips moving but he couldn't say anything.

"Here, take all of these!" Liu Xingmo wrapped up the remaining three fruits. "Hurry up and use them to win the girl's favor. You have to act when the time is right, or you'll make a foolish mistake again."

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Aunt!" Su Dabao picked up the package, bowed deeply, and said, "I, Su Dabao, will repay you even if I have to do anything for you!"

Liu Xingmo smiled generously: "We're all family, don't be so polite."

Next, Su Dabao insisted on returning to the Metasequoia Restaurant. They had an internal rule requiring timely reporting.

The main gate of the fortress.

The starlight was dim, the moon had set behind the western mountains, and the black sky was faintly tinged with blue.

Su Dabao bid farewell and left.

Liu Xingmo watched the man's figure disappear into the grass and asked, "Mary, what do you think of your nephew?"

"A pretty good young man, isn't he?" Sumali held the oil lamp, her bright eyes reflecting the firelight.

"That's right, they deserve to be nurtured." Liu Xingmo nodded. As a reincarnated person, he occasionally had the mindset of an elder, and didn't really consider himself a young person.

Su Mali said softly in a cool voice, "I never imagined that I would have so many relatives in this world."

"Whether you feel lonely or not is a matter of mindset." Liu Xingmo took his wife's hand. "Mary, you've been lonely for a long time."

"Mmm." Sumali also squeezed her husband's hand.

A mountain breeze swept across the foot of the mountain, carrying the scent of dew.

The two held hands even tighter, feeling each other's warmth in the chilly dawn.

The black sky turned a shade of blue.

The two turned around and went into their home.