Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

"Master Li, I still have some treasures in my possession. If you could offer some guidance, I would gladly pay any price, as long as it is within my power, and I would do anything to help you!"

The one transmitting the message was Zhang Hong.

His words were extremely serious, almost as if he had completely abandoned his status as a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator and a disciple seeking instruction, pleading with an attitude akin to a disciple seeking guidance.

Upon hearing this, Li Shen raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly surprised.

He never expected that this seemingly rigid alchemist would have such a burning and persistent desire for the Dao.

They are not bound by their status at all.

Li Shen's use of the Thousand Refinements and Myriad Transformations Hand was naturally anticipated.

Since we've chosen the Zhao family, appropriately strengthening their power will be beneficial in dealing with the situation later.

The Wild Wolf Gang, Tang Wu of the Tang family, and the demonic cultivators who have infiltrated the market—these are all threats that Li Shen currently faces.

Especially the Wild Wolf Gang. Given their modus operandi, once they discover that their second-in-command has been murdered, they will eventually trace the clues back to themselves through Liu Rou.

As far as he was concerned, as long as the other party did not send out Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Shen could handle the situation with ease.

But Liu Rou is different.

She also bears the important responsibility of helping Li Shen cultivate Yin Ninghua, so we can't let her make any mistakes.

Therefore, as long as the Zhao family can ensure that he has no worries about the future, that will be fine.

As for today's events, he believes that the Zhao family's senior members present will handle them properly.

As for the Thousand Refinements and Myriad Transformations Hand technique, even Li Shen himself hadn't fully mastered it. Without considering sharing his alchemy insights, he could only impart a portion of it.

However, this is precisely the part that those lacking in comprehension may never fully grasp its true meaning, even in their entire lives.

Li Shen hesitated for a moment, then replied telepathically:

"This matter is easy to discuss. I, Li, have only recently acquired some of the knowledge and skills of my predecessors. The art of alchemy is vast and profound. I am also a beginner and cannot be considered to be giving guidance. At most, we can only exchange ideas."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong felt a surge of warmth in his heart and almost lost his composure.

I never imagined that after living for nearly eighty years, I could once again feel that same surging passion I had when I first entered the Dao of Alchemy.

He suppressed his excitement, maintaining a stern expression on his face, only secretly clenching his fist in his sleeve, his knuckles turning slightly white.

Li Shen stopped talking and refocused his attention on the field.

The atmosphere inside the venue remained electric.

The two sides argued back and forth, spitting as they exchanged words.

Not long after, Zhao He, the elder in charge of alchemy in the Zhao family, stepped forward.

"alright."

As soon as those two words were uttered, the oppressive aura of the eighth level of Qi Refining was released.

The disciples immediately fell silent and all looked over.

"What happened today must not be revealed to anyone, not even a whisper. Anyone who violates this rule will be severely punished according to clan regulations!"

Zhao He said coldly.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and unanimously agreed.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yue seemed to feel that it wasn't safe enough, so he made everyone take turns making a solemn oath against their inner demons before allowing them to leave.

Before long, only Li Shen, Zhang Hong, and Zhao He remained in the alchemy room.

With no outsiders present, Zhao He, though interested in Li Shen's alchemy techniques, remained outwardly reserved, while Zhang Hong dropped all pretense.

He rushed forward, taking two steps at a time, his eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

The three of them made their way to a quiet room behind the alchemy room.

After activating the soundproofing array, Li Shen answered Zhang Hong's questions one after another.

The "Thousand Refinements and Myriad Transformations" technique, left by Shi Yong, has six levels in total, and Li Shen has only comprehended the first level so far.

He only taught the first level.

Even so, the lecture lasted for a full two hours before the two decided to let Li Shen leave.

However, Li Shen also gained a lot.

With Zhang Hong's introduction, Li Shen directly demanded the main and auxiliary materials for Yuanhe Pill or Juqi Pill.

Zhang Hong was also very savvy, and with a wave of his hand, he gave away two hundred-year-old Qingling Ginseng.

As for Zhao He, seeing that his own alchemist had already given it, how could he not give it to him?

As a family elder, he could certainly produce a hundred-year-old spiritual plant.

Li Shen acquired two century-old Blazing Sun Grasses.

At this point, the main ingredients for the Qi Gathering Pill and the Yuan He Pill have been collected, and only some auxiliary ingredients are needed before the refining process can begin.

As long as no valuable intelligence emerged, Li Shen spent his days drawing talismans and refining pills, renting training rooms to cultivate, improving his skills, teaching at the Talisman Academy on time, and also giving private lessons to Lin Xiaoxiao when he returned home. He would also occasionally visit Liu Rou's house to keep an eye on the progress of the Yin Ning Flower.

It is worth mentioning that whenever Li Shen taught at the Fu Academy, Zhao He and Zhang Hong would arrive early to wait and ask him questions, usually for two hours at a time.

This resulted in the disciples of the Talisman Academy always seeing two late-stage Qi Refining elders standing expressionlessly behind them during each class.

Li Shen, who had attended the class, could clearly sense that they were listening very attentively.

The twelve hours of a day are crammed full like this.

Li Shen sometimes couldn't help but sigh that there really wasn't enough time.

Two and a half months later.

Li Shengang had just finished teaching and was preparing to return to the courtyard.

They sensed a powerful pressure coming from above.

Like the other cultivators around him, Li Shen stopped and looked up.

Eighteen Foundation Establishment cultivators swept past them head to head.

Six people riding swords, six people traveling by boat, and six people riding cranes drew envious glances from those around them.

"They are Foundation Establishment cultivators from the three major sects. If I could achieve Foundation Establishment in this lifetime..."

"Dream on! Foundation Establishment Pills aren't that easy to obtain!"

Amidst the clamor, Li Shen stood still, watching the eighteen Foundation Establishment cultivators depart into the distance, his robes fluttering in the wind stirred up by the spiritual pressure.

He was also touched.

"Riding a sword and sailing a boat, roaming the heavens and earth—one day, I too will become a true cultivator of immortality!"

Having made up his mind, he withdrew his gaze and continued walking.

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators must be on their way to Laoshan to investigate the situation of the demonic beasts.

As long as the number of monsters meets the ideal balance of the three elements, the Monster Hunting Tournament will end.

Contribution points will soon be settled, and Foundation Establishment Pills are undoubtedly the target of exchange for the four major families and some Qi Refining stage cultivators who are preparing to establish their foundation.

Five hundred contribution points can be exchanged for one.

In other words, you would need to kill six ordinary late-stage Tier 1 monsters to exchange for one.

Foundation Establishment Pills are rare, not only because their formula is firmly controlled by the three sects, but also because even if one manages to obtain one, the spiritual materials needed for refining them are extremely difficult to find.

The secret realm jointly controlled by the three sects is currently the safest known method.

As for whether there are materials for Foundation Establishment Pills in the depths of Laoshan Mountain, apart from the three sects, basically no one in the market dares to take the risk.

This not only means you'll be entering the territory of second-tier monsters, but you might also be targeted by third-tier monsters and become their dessert.

The slightest misstep could bring devastating damage to the family.

Li Shen only has 186 points on hand, so forget about exchanging them for Foundation Establishment Pills.

As for the contribution points of those who died at Li Shen's hands, Li Shen had no intention of claiming them fraudulently.

The reason is still that the risk is too high.

Even if he disguises himself, if the other party finds out, it's something he can't handle right now.

Moreover, if the other party is determined, they will most likely lie in wait in the shadows. As soon as they see someone hand over the corresponding token, that person will definitely be the murderer.

The reward notice from the Song family is still posted outside.