When it comes to cultivating immortality, it naturally starts with upgrading the herb garden.

For the next few days, nothing major happened, and Song Chen continued his daily alchemy and cultivation routine.

Time flies, and four years have passed in the blink of an eye.

No. 21, Wanjing South Lane.

A young man with exquisite features, fair skin, and deep eyes was refining elixirs.

The alchemy furnace was churning violently, giving the impression of an impending explosion, but the young man controlled it with ease, effortlessly preventing its collapse.

Before long, a rich aroma of elixir wafted from the furnace. Upon opening the furnace and taking out the elixir, one batch yielded nine-tenths of the original elixir, while one batch was of inferior quality.

The Purple Qi Breakthrough Pill that I refined.

This person was Song Chen four years later.

His cultivation level was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, almost within reach of the tenth level.

The three spiritual seas within his dantian are unparalleled and boundless, with most of the bottom portion already crystallized. He can break through to the tenth level of the Great Perfection realm in at most one month.

However, with the aid of fourth-grade pills, Song Chen estimates that he can break through to the tenth level of Qi Refining in two weeks.

As for magic, it's still the same old thing, but he's become more skilled than before, and has even developed brand-new combination moves, which greatly increase its power.

[Remember the fastest online novel website: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]

Life is not always smooth sailing.

The path of alchemy then encountered obstacles.

Although one can freely refine third-grade pills, without being able to break through to the fourth grade, all else is out of the question.

Song Chen had already reached the fourth-grade alchemist level, but he encountered the same situation as in the sword path, unable to advance any further.

The same situation occurred twice.

This made Song Chen ponder the reason, but he couldn't find the answer due to his limited cultivation level.

He planned to break through his cultivation level first before considering matters of alchemy and swordsmanship.

The alchemy furnace settled, and calm returned.

Song Chen didn't stop moving. Instead, he split the Purple Qi Breakthrough Pill in two and took out another pill with an extremely ethereal aura.

It was named "Xinping Dan" by him, and it was formed by replacing the two different third-grade pills.

Now, Song Chen is going to place the Purple Qi Breakthrough Pill and this pill together.

The replacement process went smoothly.

Everything went incredibly smoothly, just like a master craftsman's skill, without a single ripple.

Two red patterns.

Song Chen was unable to refine fourth-grade pills, yet he could produce them on his own in this way.

The Pill Refining Technique seems to have an upper limit. He has replaced it no less than a hundred times, but he has never managed to get three pill patterns. It seems that two pill patterns are the limit.

The newly formed pill is called the "Spirit Condensation Pill".

The effect is five times stronger than the pill obtained by exchanging two second-grade pills before!

Song Chen now cultivates by taking this pill.

It initially had excellent results, but later became mediocre. Fortunately, by increasing the dosage, it can still achieve good results.

After exchanging the pills, Song Chen left the room and walked outside.

There's no other reason than that today is a special day.

The Zhang family's four-year contract has expired.

The Song Chen of today has changed with time.

Even if a Qi Refining Level 10 cultivator were to make a move, they might not be able to do anything to him, so he no longer needed the Zhang family's protection.

At the same time, he also wanted to carry out his plan to exterminate the entire Zhang family.

Firstly, it's because the tenth-level cultivator from the Zhang family hasn't shown up for many years.

There are rumors that he died in the mouth of a Foundation Establishment demon beast that came ashore during the tide a few years ago.

Secondly, with the contract expiring, Song Chen already possesses the strength and no longer needs to hide it.

It's not just about avenging the deaths of my parents from my previous life, but also about seeking justice for Jiang Shuyan and for the time I was bullied by Aunt Jiang under the moon!

That's just how Song Chen is. He survives when he's weak, but once he's strong enough, he immediately seeks revenge!

Of course, all of this requires careful consideration.

He was not prepared to act rashly; it would be most appropriate to investigate thoroughly before taking any action.

Song Chen boarded the flying boat, moving with the wind like a shadow, and arrived at the Zhang family mansion in the blink of an eye.

Xie Qingshang and the others had already arrived at their destination, looking dejected and gloomy, their lives seemingly bleak.

Song Chen glanced around and noticed that Luo Feng was missing.

"Is he dead?" he wondered to himself.

This is not surprising. Luo Feng dared to take risks and make risks for his future and resources. It is not unreasonable that he encountered unexpected events on his path of seeking the Dao.

Just as Song Chen was thinking this, an elderly figure landed in front of everyone on a flying boat.

The old man's eyes were enigmatic yet exceptionally bright. His white hair gave him an air of otherworldly grace, and his face, covered in pockmarks and wrinkles, was particularly striking.

Song Chen looked up, then quickly looked away.

do not know.

The old man's eyes held a hint of mockery when he saw Song Chen, which puzzled him.

When the others saw the old man arrive, they instinctively assumed he was a cultivator who had come to sign a new contract, and they all stepped forward to ask him questions.

"Grandpa, are you going to take us to sign a new contract?" Xie Qingshang asked with a forced smile.

The old man looked bewildered upon hearing this, frowned, and replied, "I don't know!"

After saying that, he strode to the front of the crowd, looking very imposing.

A figure streaked through the air in an arc, flying with the wind, and landed in front of the group.

It's a pipe.

He had aged considerably, with graying temples.

The initial feeling of high spirits and complete control disappeared, replaced by an air of old age.

Song Chen thought to himself, 'Could the rumors be true? Is the Zhang family patriarch dead?'

Before Song Chen could think further, Zhang Guan scanned the crowd and said:

"Everyone's here! You've all completed your four-year terms, right? Follow me."

Xie Qingshang looked left and right and said, "Luo Feng hasn't arrived yet!"

Before Zhang could explain, the old man angrily retorted:

"Xie Qingshang! If you're blind, I'll gouge your eyes out for you!"

Everyone was shocked.

Song Chen could not hide his surprise.

His memory of Luo Feng was still that of a young man with a full head of beautiful hair and boundless energy.

He looked at the old man's face repeatedly.

Only then did they notice that the old man's eyebrows and brows did indeed bear a resemblance to Luo Feng's!

Zhang Guan's eyelids drooped, and without saying a word, he led the way towards the open space behind the Zhang family mansion.

Upon arriving at their destination, Zhang Guan stood in front of the group, turned around, and said, "Take turns attacking me with all your might. You only have one chance."

"Don't worry, I won't fight back. This is just a test of your cultivation. As long as you injure me or your cultivation level meets the standard, you'll pass!"

When he spoke the second half of the sentence, his tone carried a hint of arrogance.

Upon hearing this, Song Chen raised an eyebrow slightly.

This testing method is extremely arrogant.

This technique can only be used when there is a significant difference in strength between the two sides. If the difference is even slightly greater, the tester will suffer annihilation.

However, this method also has its advantages.

That would both prevent the group from using special methods to conceal their cultivation levels and enhance Zhang Guan's prestige among them, making future management easier.

Zhang Guan was certain that none of the people among them could surpass his strength, which is why he dared to make such a bold statement!

"I'm afraid I can't let you have your way!" Song Chen thought to himself.

Zhang Guan's words gave hope to several people who had not yet broken through to the later stages.

They began to pin their hopes on vague and uncertain possibilities.

What if I don't break through to the late stage, but my combat power reaches that level?

With this in mind, Wang Sandou shouted, "I'll go first!"

He was the first to step forward.

But Song Chen could tell that there was a clear weakness in his voice.

"The first one to be eliminated has been born!" Luo Feng mocked.

Upon hearing this, Wang Sandou, already tense, became even more stiff and actually tripped and fell on flat ground!

He struggled to his feet, and while still unsteady on his feet, he suddenly unleashed several streaks of light, hurtling towards Zhang Guan!

Faced with a sudden attack.

Zhang Guan seemed not to have reacted, standing still until the attack was only a foot away from him before he raised one hand to forcefully block it.

In an instant, smoke and dust rose everywhere.

"It's done!"

Wang Sandou laughed, "This is my signature move. Combined with a sneak attack, its power is comparable to a full-force strike from a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator!"

"Mr. Zhang, I apologize for the inconvenience!"

He even bowed and apologized, saying, "I'm afraid I don't need to sign this contract!"

Luo Feng curled his lip and said, "What kind of skill is it to ambush goods!"

A chill ran through him: 'What kind of method is this? If I were to encounter it head-on, wouldn't I either be dead or maimed?'

Thinking of this, Luo Feng's gaze towards Wang Sandou changed slightly, no longer as arrogant as before.

Everyone thought Wang Sandou had succeeded, some secretly admiring him, others secretly envying him.

But then, when the smoke and dust cleared...

Wang Sandou was dumbfounded.

The group of people stood there, stunned.

Zhang Guan patted the dust off his shoulders; he was completely refreshed, as if he had just come out of the bath, and his clothes were not wrinkled at all.

He smirked, revealing his gleaming teeth, and said:

"Sixth level of Qi Refining? What did you just say?"

Song Chen remained expressionless upon seeing this.

This is the difference between the late stage and the middle stage of Qi Refining.

In terms of the total amount and quality of spiritual energy, as well as physical strength, it is a complete and utter crushing victory in every aspect, with very little possibility of defeating someone of a higher level.

Wang Sandou's eyes trembled, his heart was filled with despair, and a look of sorrow appeared on his face.

He tried to outsmart them by summoning a flying boat in an attempt to escape.

The old contract required those who failed to meet the requirements to sign a twenty-year contract, but there was a major loophole in the contract.

That means the contract must be initiated in person before it can be signed.

As long as the Zhang family is not given the opportunity to initiate the contract, they can keep fleeing, thereby indirectly getting rid of the contract!

Upon seeing this, Zhang Guan's expression turned cold, and a terrifying aura burst forth from his body. He slapped the air with his right hand, and spiritual energy condensed into a giant palm, which directly knocked Wang Sandou down!

At the same time, a piece of crimson and yellow paper landed in front of Wang Sandou, who was stuck in the crater.

Contract activated!

Wang Sandou, half-dead, raised his hand like a walking corpse, about to press it onto the contract, while shouting, "No!"

A contract is not something that one's will can resist.

His blood-stained hand pressed uncontrollably onto the contract!

Contract signed!

The contents of the contract flooded into Wang Sandou's mind.

A wave of despair washed over him, tears and snot streaming down his face, and he uttered a mournful sound:

"I don't want to explore secret realms. Didn't we agree that we could get married?"

The others broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.

The secret realm is extremely dangerous.

Even if Wang Sandou spent the last twenty years exploring secret realms of the same level, he still wouldn't have enough lives to survive.

Moreover, how could the Zhang family only allow him to explore secret realms of the same level?

This clearly cannot extract all the value.

"Alright! The Zhang family will accept your twenty years!"

Zhang Guan turned to Wang Sandou and said simply, then turned to the four pale-faced men and said:

"Who's next?"

Wang Jiu lowered his head, bit his lip, and stepped forward, saying, "I accept my fate. No need for the test, just sign it!"

Zhang Guan nodded and took out the paper.

Wang Jiu immediately pressed his fingerprint on the contract, examined its contents, and exclaimed with ecstatic joy, "It's a marriage!"

Luo Feng was speechless, wondering what was so exciting about this.

To breed for the Zhang family, the mate isn't chosen by you; it could be a tank or a dinosaur.

Furthermore, once the child is born, whether or not they are qualified is no longer your concern.

Not to mention that daily life consists of nothing but breeding. Even if there is some rest time, the energy will be exhausted, and there will be no hope of immortality.

Song Chen remained silent.

Luo Feng stroked his long white beard, confidently stepped forward, and said, "I'll go next!"

Song Chen and Zhang Jiu did not object.

"Come on!" Zhang Guan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Luo Feng's eyes flashed with light, his hand transformed into a palm, spiritual energy gathered in his palm, and he slammed it out, striking Zhang Guan!

Zhang Guan extended a finger and pointed it at Luo Feng's palm, stopping his attack.

The others looked at Luo Feng with a mixture of admiration and respect.

Although this person was extremely old, his cultivation had indeed broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining.

Luo Feng shook his head as if mocking himself, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Mr. Zhang is truly remarkable!"

Zhang Guan smiled calmly and said slyly, "That's right!"

Luo Feng waved his hand and walked out of the mansion, saying, "I'm leaving now! See you again someday!"

But Zhang Guan grabbed his shoulder, holding a contract in his hand, and said:

"Wait! Qi Refining Level 6! Sign the contract!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiu lowered his head and looked away, not daring to look at Luo Feng.

Wang Jiu, who had just finished signing the contract, was gloating and covered his mouth while laughing.

Song Chen remained calm, as he had anticipated this, though he clenched his fists slightly.

Luo Feng's expression stiffened: "Mr. Zhang, you're joking. I'm already at the seventh level of Qi Refining, how could I only be at the sixth level?"

Zhang Guan unleashed his imposing aura and coldly said, "What? You're not convinced?"

Facing this momentum, Luo Feng gritted his teeth as if to resist.

After struggling for a long time, he didn't make a move. He simply took the contract, pressed it down, and stood next to Wang Jiu.

Luo Feng's back was hunched, making him look like an old man in his seventies or eighties. His eyes had lost their sparkle and were dull and lifeless.

I'm really getting old!

Zhang Guan's gaze fell on Song Chen and Xie Qingshang: "Who wants to go first?"

Song Chen turned to look at Zhang Jiu.

Zhang Jiu seemed to understand immediately and stepped forward: "Let me go first."

Zhang Guan's cheek twitched slightly, and he clicked his tongue inwardly: ".....Fine."

Zhang Jiu assumed a fighting stance, took out the wooden sword, wrapped it around his forearm, and thrust it at Zhang Guan.

Song Chen sized up Zhang Jiu: "Eighth level of Qi Refining, quite fast cultivation speed, and his spells are much stronger than before, he must have replaced them with higher-level spells."

Zhang Guan's expression shifted slightly as he cast a spell, creating a void barrier around himself. The wooden sword pierced the barrier with a loud thud.

Luo Feng's eye twitched; he looked at Zhang Jiu as if he were a monster.

Wang Jiu swallowed.

The barrier was barely visible, with a tiny crack appearing at its center.

Zhang Guan's expression changed, his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Jiu.

Zhang Jiu seemed oblivious, continuing to exert force, causing the wooden sword to sink deeper and deeper, already piercing more than three-tenths of the barrier.

It was about to break.

Zhang Jiu sighed.

Zhang Guan seized the opportunity, and the illusory barrier trembled, repelling Zhang Jiu.

Luo Feng and his companions failed to see the problem, their faces showing a hint of mockery as they secretly laughed to themselves.

Panting heavily and covered in cold sweat, Zhang Guan announced, "Sixth level of Qi Refining, sign the contract!"

A contract fell beside Zhang Jiu.

Xie Qingshang stared at Zhang Jiu in disbelief, thinking to himself, "A wise person knows when to yield!"

She stepped forward and, like Wang Jiu, signed the contract directly.

She glanced at Song Chen disdainfully from the crowd and made a face, as if that would give her a chance to win.

Song Chen wasn't angry; he simply stepped forward leisurely, concealing his aura.

Luo Feng looked at Song Chen with disdain, as did Wang Jiu.

Zhang Guan didn't pay any attention to him; his gaze was fixed on Zhang Jiu in the distance.

No one had high hopes for Song Chen.

That's to be expected, as he has always kept a low profile.

"I'm in."