Cultivation begins with the Druid panel

Chapter 167 The Method of Hybridization

Following the old man upstairs, the two discovered that the shop was a hidden gem. The second floor was a small teahouse, which was even more crowded than the first floor. Everyone in the teahouse was holding a book, seemingly studying something.

The old man noticed their curiosity and took the initiative to explain, "The children here are studying pharmacology, preparing to try to become alchemists. Of course, studying here is not free; each person needs to pay three low-grade spirit stones per month."

Lu Lin and Shen Luo suddenly realized.

Then, the two of them were led to a private room by the old man. The room was very private and well soundproofed. The old man poured tea for them and was very respectful.

"It's quite a coincidence. I wasn't planning on staying in Fengcheng. I came today because Miss Guo is studying alchemy. But I never expected to run into you, young master."

"Young master, please don't stand on ceremony. Consider those two Blood Spirit Pills as a small gift from this old man to you."

Lu Lin naturally didn't give the other party that chance, saying, "Master, you're too kind. I can afford these two Blood Spirit Pills. Besides, the shopkeeper of this pill shop shouldn't be you, Master. I won't put you in a difficult position."

Upon hearing Lu Lin's words, a hint of regret flashed deep in the old man's eyes, but he quickly let it go.

He understood that someone like Lu Lin could not be won over and befriended by just two Blood Spirit Pills.

"May I ask what brings you to Fengcheng today, young master? To be honest, although I don't often visit Fengcheng, I am quite familiar with some of the shops here. Perhaps I can recommend some to you, saving you a lot of trouble?"

This time, Lu Lin didn't stand on ceremony and said succinctly, "I've come to buy some spirit plant seeds. As you know, Master, I'm a spirit plant master, and I need to cultivate some spirit plants."

The old man nodded repeatedly and then said, "Young master, you've got a good opportunity. I happen to have some news that might be useful to you."

"Oh?" Lu Lin asked, somewhat curious.

"Does the young master know about the Kirito Escort Agency?" the old man asked.

Upon hearing the words "Kirito Escort Agency," Lu Lin's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded and said, "Of course I know about it."

"The Kirito Escort Agency has a base in Fengcheng. However, the Kirito Escort Agency's headquarters was uprooted by the Cliff Academy some time ago, which left the Kirito Escort Agency's base in Fengcheng as unclaimed land. Since the Kirito Escort Agency has carried out several missions to transport spiritual plant seeds, there might be something that you want at their base, young master."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lin immediately laughed: "Since Master knows about this, why don't you go yourself?"

"Huh?" The old man shook his head and said, "Young master, you don't know this. The Kirito Escort Agency is backed by the black market. Although the agency has been destroyed, the black market still exists. And I am one of the cultivators who make a living from the black market. The wealth in the Kirito Escort Agency's stronghold is certainly tempting, but compared to what I make a living from now, the risk is still too great."

In layman's terms, the old man was afraid of losing his job, or even his life.

Shen Luo chuckled, then turned hostile towards the old man, saying, "So, you intend to use us as pawns?"

Lu Lin agreed with Shen Luo.

After all, the old man's current actions do indeed raise such suspicions.

However, Lu Lin remained calm and said, "Master, please speak frankly about what you want. We are all intelligent people. The reason you've stayed here is probably because you covet the things in this stronghold, rather than to help Miss Guo learn alchemy, right?"

The master laughed heartily, fearing that Lu Lin and Shen Luo would be unhappy, and quickly said, "Neither will be affected, neither will be affected."

"There's a pill formula in the Kirito Escort Agency's outpost, the formula for the Lingyu Great Ring Pill. If you two seize that outpost, could you give me the pill formula? That way, we'll be even." At this point, the old man finally revealed his secret to the two of them, no longer hiding anything.

But Lu Lin refused.

"This matter risks offending people in the black market. If you, Master, don't say anything, it would be a bit unreasonable," Lu Lin said with a smile.

Shen Luo nodded in agreement.

The old man was clearly prepared, immediately taking a scroll from his sleeve and handing it to Lu Lin: "Since I have a request, I naturally have something to prepare. This scroll contains what I obtained many years ago; it records a method for hybridizing spiritual plants..."

"In order to keep the secret techniques from being passed on, do you think this offer is enough, young master?"

Lu Lin was taken aback and immediately took the scroll in his hand and unfolded it. He was clearly surprised that the old man in front of him had such a good thing in his hand.

The method of hybridization is as valuable to plant masters as elixir formulas are to alchemists.

Even at the Cliffside Academy, Lu Lin never saw them openly discuss hybridization methods.

Shen Luo didn't understand why the scroll was so rare, but he could tell from Lu Lin's expression that Lu Lin was very interested, so he didn't make things too difficult for the old man in front of him.

In his opinion, the old man in front of him had no right to negotiate with them, since the old man was only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and he could kill him with a flick of his wrist.

If they kill the old man, his belongings will naturally be theirs.

Why add another "transaction" procedure?

Lu Lin quickly glanced through the scroll in his hand, then put it away. He nodded to the old man before him and said, "The transaction is complete. However, this scroll seems to be only half complete. You should have the other half, right?"

The old man nodded: "After the matter is settled, I will naturally offer the other half of my hands."

Lu Lin understood the other party's actions.

Lu Lin then asked, "Then the exact location of the stronghold—Master should know, right?"

"Of course, of course."

The old man nodded and took out another map from his sleeve. The map was not large, only marking the area within twenty miles of Fengcheng. The old man marked the area on the map with vermilion, indicating that the marked location was the stronghold of the Tongren Escort Agency.

Upon seeing the map, Lu Lin couldn't help but take a deeper look at the old man.

Kirito's镖局 (Kirito Escort Agency) has a very well-hidden location, and ordinary people would never have the chance to find out about it.

But the old man in front of him knew.

There are only two reasons for this.

One possibility is that the old man had a close relationship with Kirito's镖局 (Kirito's镖局), and another is that the old man might actually be a member of Kirito's镖局.

It seems we need to be more careful with this deal; it would be terrible if we were set up.

Thinking to himself, Lu Lin smiled and put the map away: "Then let's set off now. It's getting late, so we need to hurry."

After saying that, Lu Lin looked up and glanced out the window.

Dusk is about to pass, and night is about to fall.

Moreover, dark clouds were gathering in the sky, indicating that it was about to rain.

The old man nodded: "Then I will await your good news, young master."