Gou Zai created a blessed land in the immortal abode

He took out a jade slip from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Li Chengming:

"This is my pass to Liu Family Market. If you come to the market to buy or sell spiritual materials in the future, you can enjoy a 20% discount with this pass. Also, if you change your mind, you can come to me at any time."

Li Chengming glanced at the jade slip, then at Liu Yunhe, and reached out to take it:

"Thank you, Second Young Master."

You're too kind.

Liu Yunhe picked up his wine glass. "Come on, let's drink."

The two shared a drink, and the atmosphere eased.

Liu Yunhe asked some more questions about alchemy, and Li Chengming answered a few trivial questions without being perfunctory or revealing anything important.

About half an hour later, Li Chengming got up to take his leave.

As they went downstairs, Zhao Yuan followed, looking apologetic.

"Brother Li, I was unaware of the Second Young Master's request to see you beforehand... He only instructed me after the banquet had begun."

Li Chengming glanced at him and smiled:

"It's alright, Brother Zhao had no choice in the matter."

Zhao Yuan sighed, hesitated, and finally just cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Brother Li, please be careful on your journey."

Li Chengming nodded, left the restaurant, and walked out along the street.

Watching Li Chengming's departing figure, Liu Yunhe's face was stern. At this moment, a person walked up to him.

"Second brother, this boy doesn't want to join my Liu family. Should I go and force him...?"

"No."

Liu Yunhe said coldly:

"This person is highly regarded by the Kong family. If we forcibly capture him, we will only offend the Kong family."

"But the Zhao family issued an ultimatum, demanding that we hand over all the talisman inheritances within three years."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunhe remained silent.

Since the Zhao family patriarch broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, the Zhao family has become increasingly arrogant and domineering.

Several months ago, the Zhao family patriarch personally ascended the main peak of the Liu family and ordered the Liu family to hand over all the inheritances of the talismanic arts within the clan within three years.

Moreover, he swore an oath that no member of the Liu family would ever again practice the art of talismans.

The Liu family only has one ancestor in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. In the past, they could rely on the Kong family to mediate, so the Zhao family would not really take action.

But now, the Kong family is struggling to protect themselves, let alone take care of the Liu family.

"well……"

…………

It was already evening when we returned to Guangling Mountain.

Li Chengming was summoned by Kong Shaowen and reported on the banquet he attended that day, but omitted the specific conditions Liu Yunhe had offered to recruit him.

"Liu Yunhe wants to see you in person?"

Kong Shaowen put down the prescription in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly. "This junior has always been arrogant. For him to personally intervene, it seems the Liu family is truly in a hurry."

"urgent?"

Li Chengming keenly grasped this word.

Kong Shaowen glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and slowly said:

"Do you know that the Liu family is in a rather precarious situation right now?"

"The Zhao family patriarch broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage half a year ago, and since then the Zhao family has acted recklessly."

"A few days ago, the Zhao family patriarch personally went to the Liu family and forced them to hand over all their talisman inheritances. He also made the Liu family members swear never to practice the talismanic way again."

Li Chengming's heart skipped a beat:

"Wouldn't this destroy the Liu family's foundation?"

"Exactly."

Kong Shaowen sneered, "The art of talismans is the foundation of the Liu family. Without talismans, the Liu family will have no resources for cultivation. In thirty to fifty years, the Liu family will revert to a small Qi Refining clan. The Zhao family's actions are undoubtedly aimed at annihilation."

"So the Liu family is just going to sit here and wait for their doom?"

Kong Shaowen picked up the teacup and gently blew on it.

"But the Liu family only has one Foundation Establishment stage ancestor. How can they compete with the Zhao family? They are now recruiting alchemists everywhere. They must be looking for another way out."

Li Chengming suddenly realized.

No wonder the Liu family is so generous; they are preparing for a family transformation.

With the Zhao family cutting off their talisman business, the Liu family had to find a new source of income.

Alchemy is undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

They don't need alchemists who can refine highly sophisticated pills; what they urgently need right now are alchemists who can mass-produce low-level pills.

"Master Kong, the Zhao family is putting the Liu family under such pressure, won't the Kong family do anything about it?"

Kong Shaowen was silent for a moment, then sighed:

"The Kong family is currently preoccupied with its own problems; how could they possibly have the capacity to care about others?"

Li Chengming was taken aback.

Neither of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Kong family was a match for the Zhao family patriarch.

Seeing that Li Chengming was puzzled, Kong Shaowen explained:

"Young Li, do you know that to break through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, one must observe the scenery and gather inspiration to build a foundation for the Dao? For Foundation Establishment cultivators, each small advancement is a hurdle. In the late stage of Foundation Establishment, one can use the real scenery of the Dao foundation to cast spells, which is incomparable to the early and middle stages of Foundation Establishment."

"So, even the Kong family is powerless to interfere with the Zhao family?"

Kong Shaowen did not answer directly, but simply put down his teacup and looked out at the twilight.

"The Kong family has two Foundation Establishment cultivators, one in the mid-stage and the other in the early stage. If they join forces, they might be able to hold their own, but to directly confront a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator... that would be difficult."

"However, these things are not for us to worry about for now. Your task now is to refine pills well and break through to the late stage of Qi Refining as soon as possible. Cultivation is the foundation; everything else is illusory."

"Although the Zhao family is powerful, they will not easily provoke the Kong family."

"Disciple understands."

Li Chengming rose, bowed, and left the courtyard.

It was already late at night when I got back to my place.

He sat by the window, gazing at the cold moon on the horizon, his thoughts churning.

Today's events made him even more aware of the grim situation in Youyang County.

Li Chengming couldn't believe what the other party would do, that a Foundation Establishment family had been forced into this situation.

"Phew... at least the Kong family is still safe."

Li Chengming cleared the clutter from his mind and said in a deep voice:

"The most urgent task is to focus our attention on alchemy and cultivation."

"Later, the spirit stones obtained from alchemy can be used to purchase supplies and upgrade all first-tier buildings in the immortal mansion to second-tier."

…………

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the past three years, Li Chengming has focused his efforts on three types of pills: the Spirit Gathering Pill, the Golden Marrow Pill, and the Water Spirit Pill.

Li Chengming used the Water Spirit Pill to improve his cultivation level, while the Golden Marrow Pill was given to the Kong family.

As for the Spirit Gathering Pill, it was taken to the market to be sold.

Among them, the Spirit Gathering Pill is the simplest. Li Chengming can now refine it with his eyes closed. He can consistently produce seven pills per batch, and most of them are of superior quality.

The Spirit Gathering Pill is very popular in the market.

The Water Spirit Pill and Golden Marrow Pill are more complicated, but after three years of refinement, the success rate is now stable at around 60%, with each batch producing at least four or five pills, all of medium quality or above.

During this period, Li Chengming also gave Kong Xuan advice on alchemy on several occasions.

This also significantly improved Kong Xuan's alchemy skills.

The two lived and ate together in the same courtyard for three years, and their relationship did become much closer.

"Brother Chengming."

The courtyard gate was gently pushed open, and Kong Xuan walked in carrying a bowl of spiritual porridge, smiling broadly.

Three years have passed, and Kong Xuan has grown into a graceful young woman, with her advantages gradually becoming apparent.