Gou Zai created a blessed land in the immortal abode

Li Chengming followed the Kong family soldiers up the mountain for a while, and then saw a large courtyard in front of him.

The tribal soldier turned to look at Li Chengming and nodded, saying:

"Please wait here for a moment, Immortal Master, while I go and inform him."

Although these tribal soldiers are merely mortals, they share the surname Kong. Li Chengming nodded slightly and said politely:

Thank you for your trouble.

The soldiers turned and quickly entered the courtyard. Li Chengming waited for a moment, and then saw them return.

"Immortal Master, please."

Li Chengming stepped into the courtyard, and the first thing he saw was a tall locust tree with a canopy that cast a cool shade.

The courtyard is simply furnished, with stone tables and benches arranged in a pleasing manner, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Sitting in the pavilion was not the old man Li Chengming had expected, but a young and sharp-looking face.

Kong Chengli.

"It's him!"

Li Chengming was somewhat stunned. He had clearly announced that he was there to visit Elder Kong Shaowen, but instead it was this sword cultivator.

Inside the pavilion, Kong Chengli, with a ruddy complexion and dressed in fine clothes, was brewing spiritual tea, with a precious sword beside him.

Kong Chengli glanced at Li Chengming as he entered the courtyard, and a smile immediately spread across his face. He stood up to greet him and said:

"Fellow Daoist Li, it's been a long time."

Suppressing his doubts, Li Chengming quickly walked to the pavilion, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Kong, it's been a long time."

Kong Chengli knew he had doubts, so he took the initiative to explain:

"I heard that you came up the mountain to see my uncle, but unfortunately my uncle is currently in seclusion refining elixirs and has no intention of receiving guests, so he sent me to see you instead."

"I see."

Li Chengming knew that Kong Shaowen was an alchemist; he had seen him refine elixirs in his shop several times.

When it came out of the furnace, the aroma of the elixir filled the air, clearly indicating that the alchemist was an excellent one.

Please take a seat.

Kong Chengli pointed to the seat opposite him, and Li Chengming then carefully sat down.

As Kong Chengli poured him a cup of tea, he said:

"It has been a long time since we last met at the market. I haven't thanked you for your sneak attack that day. Please forgive me."

"I merely cast a spell; my victory over that evil cultivator was entirely due to your swordsmanship."

Kong Chengli smiled, not dwelling on the matter, and changed the subject:

"What brings you to my uncle today, Fellow Daoist Li? Please speak freely. My uncle instructed me to do my utmost to help you."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengming did not state his purpose directly, but instead lowered his head and pondered for a moment.

Before he arrived, he had expected not to see Kong Shaowen, but he never expected to see Kong Chengli.

However, he couldn't let the trip be in vain, so Li Chengming forced a smile and said softly:

"In the past few days, I have exhausted all my spirit stones in order to break through to the middle stage of Qi Refining. Today I have come to visit Elder Kong in the hope of borrowing some spirit stones to purchase a pill furnace."

"Alchemy furnace?" Kong Chengli paused in his movements, his gaze sweeping over Li Chengming with surprise.

"You know alchemy?"

"No." Li Chengming shook his head decisively.

"But I want to give it a try."

"What kind of pill do you want to refine?"

"Spirit Gathering Pill".

Li Chengming is able to cultivate top-grade Spirit Gathering Grass and has a thorough understanding of its medicinal properties, so attempting to refine Spirit Gathering Grass is the safest option.

"I see."

Kong Chengli responded, fiddling with the tea set in his hands. After a moment of silence, he asked again:

"How many spirit stones do you need?"

Li Chengming didn't actually know how many spirit stones he should ask for, because he was unaware of the value of the Earth Fire Jade, but for a treasure of the Qi Refining level, thirty or forty spirit stones would probably be enough.

"Hmm... thirty or forty yuan, I guess."

"Thirty or forty yuan isn't much."

Kong Chengli muttered something under his breath, then took the five-colored pouch from his waist and placed it on the table.

"There are forty-five spirit stones in this storage bag. That should be enough to buy a pill-refining furnace. If it's not enough, you can come back to me later."

"Forty-five spirit stones..."

Li Chengming looked at the five-colored bag on the table and felt a slight tremor in his heart.

He had only met Kong Chengli a few times. Although they had a bond of fighting together against the enemy, he was still somewhat surprised by how generous Kong was.

"I am unworthy of such kindness from Fellow Daoist Kong."

Li Chengming declined with a cupped hand, but his gaze couldn't help but linger on the storage bag for a moment longer.

That's forty-five spirit stones!

He had never seen so many spirit stones in his entire life.

Kong Chengli picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, took a sip, and smiled nonchalantly:

"Fellow Daoist Li, there's no need to be so polite. A mere few dozen spirit stones are nothing compared to my precious sword."

Li Chengming was stunned by these words of wealth and power.

The Kong family truly deserves to be the foremost family in Youyang County.

Having money means being arrogant!

"Moreover, I observe that you act with composure. Since you dare to start refining pills, you must already have a plan in mind."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengming gave a bitter smile to himself.

He had no real plans; he had simply watched Kong Shaowen refine pills a few times at the Kong family shop, and with the added blessing of the immortal mansion's pill-refining room, he had developed the idea of ​​trying it himself.

But this cannot be said outright.

"Fellow Daoist Kong, you flatter me. I simply don't want to spend my whole life cultivating spiritual plants, so I'd like to give it a try."

"That's how it should be!"

Kong Chengli clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with even greater admiration:

"Most of the retainers on Cuiyuan Peak only know how to collect their monthly salary and live a life of leisure. It is rare to see someone with such ambition as you, fellow Daoist."

As a sword cultivator, Kong Chengli naturally looked down on those who were content with the status quo.

In his eyes, as a seeker of the Way, one must strive!

Struggle against Heaven, struggle against the Way, struggle against man!

At worst, one will die. As long as one dies in the pursuit of the Great Dao, one will die without regret.

So he picked up his teacup and offered a respectful toast to Li Chengming from afar:

"I offer tea in place of wine to wish my fellow Daoist success in the Dao of Alchemy."

Li Chengming quickly raised his cup in response.

At Kong Chengli's urging, Li Chengming stayed on the mountain for one night.

Li Chengming also took this opportunity to inquire with Kong Chengli about the Earth Fire Jade and learned that there was a small market town at the foot of Guangling Mountain.

Many independent cultivators have arrived recently; perhaps they will find the Earth Fire Treasure Jade.

In addition, after learning that Li Chengming had broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, Kong Chengli originally intended to have a discussion with him.

But Li Chengming refused repeatedly, as he had no desire to fight with a sword cultivator.

That's just asking for a beating.

…………

The next morning.

Li Chengming walked down the mountain path, pondering his next plan.

"With these forty-five spirit stones, it should be enough to purchase the Earth Fire Jade and the Demon Saliva Jade. I just don't know if there will be any left over so I can buy a demon beast."

After descending the mountain, walking along the main road, you'll see a tea stall beside the official road, with a few crooked tables and chairs, an earthen stove for boiling water, and several ordinary travelers taking a break and drinking tea.

Li Chengming glanced at it from afar, but didn't stop, turning into a path leading south.

After walking for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Chengming suddenly found himself in a clearing in a dense forest.

It was bustling with people coming and going, extremely lively.