Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

Inside the room, Li Xiuyuan sat cross-legged, circulating the [Minor Forging Yuan Refining Fire Technique].

After circulating his internal energy through countless cycles, Li Xiuyuan exhaled a breath of turbid air after half an hour.

"Relying solely on meditation and cultivation is still not fast enough."

Li Xiuyuan took out a spirit stone from his storage bag, which crumbled when he squeezed it in his palm.

Several streams of pure spiritual energy dissipated and were slowly refined by Li Xiuyuan, transforming them all into his own magical power.

Li Xiuyuan gradually became wealthy through alchemy.

He looked at the panel:

[Immortal Lord: Li Xiuyuan]

Lifespan: 30/35

[Spiritual Root: Mid-grade Fire Spiritual Root (Twelve Strands of Fire Spiritual Aura)]

[Realm: Qi Refining Level 3: 5/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Lesser Yuan Refining Fire Technique, Advanced Level: 88/100]

"Refining spirit stones to improve cultivation is much faster than meditation. No wonder those disciples of immortal sects and aristocratic families can reach the late stage of Qi Refining in just a few decades. After that, they can slowly refine their skills and achieve a profound and smooth magical power, thus naturally reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Huh, you want me to go to the Lingbao Pavilion?"

……

The alchemy room of Lingbao Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Li, could you perhaps demonstrate the elixir here on the spot, so I can verify your claim?"

At the head of the table, Huo Fentian, dressed in a superior robe with crimson flame patterns, wore a kind and approachable smile, showing no airs of being the head of the Lingbao Pavilion.

He knew this person's reputation. Despite his kind and elder-like demeanor, fifteen years ago, the name "Burning Heaven Three Blades" was renowned throughout the rogue cultivator community.

"Elder Huo, then this junior will make a fool of himself."

Li Xiuyuan knew that the other party also wanted to see his true abilities, which suited his wishes.

Showcasing one's alchemy talent is also a way to increase one's social standing.

Of course, it shouldn't be too pretentious; it just needs to fit his reputation as a "late bloomer."

Li Xiuyuan didn't hesitate and went straight to the alchemy platform. Instead of starting the furnace, he closed his eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Huo Fentian remained calm. He had seen it all before, and alchemists all had their own habits.

Half an hour later.

Li Xiuyuan opened his eyes, poised to strike, and began to light the furnace with a hand seal.

All in one go!

With complete concentration, Li Xiuyuan's gaze was firm, and his hand seals moved as if he were dancing gracefully.

Refining medicine, purifying, combining medicine... every movement was smooth and effortless, without the slightest hesitation.

Huo Fentian observed this and nodded slightly.

Half an hour later.

A faint fragrance of the Qingxin Dan (a type of medicinal pill) filled the alchemy room.

Li Xiuyuan slowly took out the two pale blue pills that were enveloped in spiritual light.

"Excellent, young friend Li's alchemy skills are indeed as extraordinary as Old Ghost Du said!"

Huo Fentian couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Li Xiuyuan took the handkerchief handed to him by his servant, wiped the sweat from his brow from the exertion, and humbly cupped his hands, saying, "It's all thanks to the superior alchemy furnace and medicinal herbs; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to refine two Qingxin Pills!"

Li Xiuyuan was not being self-deprecating; indeed, the alchemy furnaces, earth fire, and even medicinal herbs provided by Lingbao Pavilion were of far superior quality to those he used.

"Young friend Li, my Lingbao Pavilion can provide you with a mid-grade alchemy inheritance. If you make further progress in alchemy, my Lingbao Pavilion can also provide a high-grade alchemy inheritance."

"All you need is for Brother Li to provide a certain amount of low-grade first-tier pills each year, and to complete a special mission..."

Li Xiuyuan pondered, "Lingbao Pavilion is indeed a major sect; these conditions aren't too harsh."

He was provided with alchemy skills and cultivation resources every month.

He only needs to deliver the pills on time and complete the assigned alchemy tasks.

In other words, he worked for Lingbao Pavilion, and his reward was a mid-grade alchemy inheritance and a salary of spirit stones.

"Lord Huo, isn't this fifteen-year contract a bit too long? I'm already over thirty and still aspire to reach the Foundation Establishment stage..."

"At least ten years. You should know that our Lingbao Pavilion will also provide you with a cultivation cave with abundant spiritual energy, and even alchemy materials will be provided by us."

"Lord Huo, could the annual amount of pills required be reduced by 20%? I'm willing to complete two more pill-refining tasks in return..."

Li Xiuyuan was just politely haggling, but in his opinion, he had gotten a great deal!

He always maintains peak condition when the alchemy materials are supplied by the Lingbao Pavilion.

In other words, he would use materials from the Lingbao Pavilion to refine pills, hand them over to the pavilion, and keep the rest for himself.

With the added backing of Lingbao Pavilion, it's a win-win situation!

"From now on, we'll be colleagues, so there's no need for such formality! Just call me senior brother!"

"You flatter me, you flatter me! I will do my best to help you, my senior brother!"

Except for a 30% reduction in the number of pills submitted the previous year, the number will remain the same thereafter. According to the agreement, Li Xiuyuan still needs to complete the pill refining task.

Most of these tasks are done by other factions who register their names on the Lingbao Pavilion and receive corresponding rewards.

Platforms like Lingbaoge take a commission, but the actual executors are all outsourced people.

The lives of sect disciples are all very precious, so they would not bother with a few spirit stones.

The tasks range from transporting goods to seeking a spiritual partner, or offering a large sum of money for a child, and some even involve paying someone to commit murder.

There are specialized combat cultivators for tasks like murder and cargo transportation, while he only needs to complete the alchemy task.

……

"A low-grade robe? I never thought I could fit into such a short one!"

Pang Dehai personally saw him off, and Li Xiuyuan stroked the moon-white robe he was wearing with great affection.

It has a silky smooth texture and is not only dust and fire resistant, but also has a certain degree of defensive capability.

If placed in the mortal martial arts world, this would be a legendary artifact that is impervious to swords and spears, and immune to water and fire!

"No wonder there's such a huge gap between Qi Refining cultivators!"

Li Xiuyuan was filled with emotion. This low-grade robe produced by the Blazing Fire Sect had a certain degree of defensive power against spells from mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Not to mention those early-stage rogue cultivators who don't even have magical artifacts and can only wield ordinary swords, spears, and halberds, they probably can't even break through the defense of a magic robe!

"The Spirit Treasure Pavilion even assigned cultivation caves. If I had broken through to the lower-grade alchemist level earlier, I wouldn't have had to endure over a decade of hardship!"

After a moment of reflection, Li Xiuyuan walked towards the small house with a radiant face.

He went back and packed a few things; he was moving.

Becoming an external alchemist of the Lingbao Pavilion grants the pavilion's protection and a monthly stipend of ten spirit stones.

As our ancestors said, it's all about connections when you're out in the game!

It's nice to have some shade under a big tree!

……

"Knock knock knock!"

I had just arrived home and was getting ready to unpack when I heard a knocking sound at the door.

"Huang Dali?"

Two months had passed since Huang Dali was last seen off. When he reappeared, a look of joy appeared on his already aged face.

When Li Xiuyuan opened the door, Old Huang grinned, revealing his teeth.

Li Xiuyuan keenly noticed that Old Huang's left foot was bent, as if he had fallen from a height.

"Fellow Daoist Li, thanks to your Mind-Clearing Pill, otherwise the Huang family's only son would have died out."

"If it weren't for your Uncle Li, this brat would be dead already!"

At this moment, a young man in a magnificent robe stepped out from behind Old Huang, his usual respectful smile now appearing somewhat perfunctory.

Li Xiuyuan also noticed that Huang Jun was wearing a Taoist robe.

"Thank you so much, Uncle Li, for saving my life!"

Before Li Xiuyuan could think it over, Old Man Huang grinned from ear to ear and said, "This kid escaped death and passed the entrance exam for the Blazing Fire Sect as if he had suddenly seen the light."

No wonder, Li Xiuyuan suddenly realized. Looking at Huang Jun's expression, it was clear that he was young, successful, and full of vigor.

"Old Huang, you can enjoy your retirement now."

The two had a good relationship, and Li Xiuyuan was genuinely happy for him. Old Huang looked so cheerful that no one could feel any malice towards him.

"grandfather!"

Clearly, Huang Jun, who had become an outer disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect, felt that he was not on the same wavelength as rogue cultivators like Li Xiuyuan, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

In the future, he will become an inner disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect, and even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, no longer the person who mingled among rogue cultivators and peasants.

Old Huang's expression froze, his face showing indescribable embarrassment.

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly saw Li Xiuyuan wearing a Dharma robe and couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Li, is this the Lingbao Pavilion?"

The robes bestowed by Lingbao Pavilion naturally bear special markings symbolizing one's status.

"Indeed, the inheritance of alchemy is extremely rare, and only these powerful forces possess it."

The implication was that he had joined the Lingbao Pavilion.

"I see, that's wonderful! By the way, these are the spiritual materials you asked me to collect!"

Old Huang also had a big smile on his face, and took out a cloth bag from his pocket.

"What I've achieved is nothing compared to Xiao Jun. Joining the Blazing Fire Sect, his path to immortality is truly promising!"

Hearing Li Xiuyuan's praise, Old Huang was overjoyed. All these years he had risked his life for the sake of the Huang family's lineage.

The two congratulated each other, and Old Huang couldn't wait to go and show off to his friends.

"Old Huang's show-off nature hasn't changed."

Li Xiuyuan smiled as he saw the grandfather and grandson off, put away the bag of spiritual herbs, and prepared to return to his house.

It seems like everyone has a mid-grade spiritual root.

Huang Jun's joining the Blazing Fire Sect filled him with both envy and a touch of melancholy.

The word "chance" is truly wondrous.

If it were him in the past, he might have envied such a wonderful start to his sect, but now he also has his own opportunities, so he won't let a little contempt affect his emotions.

Ascending to the path of immortality is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Steady progress is the key to long-term success; the past decade or so has only brought minor hardships.