A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Sword-Forging Servant and Ascending to Immorta

Chapter Fifty-Seven: I won't follow anyone; I just want to be a useless steward.

Zhou Lingxuan's words, though silent, were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the tense atmosphere in the courtyard.

Chen Baichuan's flying sword hovered in mid-air, its sharp sword aura somewhat subdued.

The beautiful woman stopped holding the alchemy furnace, and the surging flames inside gradually subsided.

The two of them looked at Zhou Lingxuan, who was sandwiched in the middle.

Zhou Lingxuan sighed, released his grip on the flying sword and the alchemy furnace, took two steps back, and distanced himself from the two divine weapons.

He first bowed to the beautiful woman.

"Elder Shen, I am just a blacksmith and know nothing about alchemy. Going to the alchemy hall would only cause you trouble."

Then he turned to Chen Baichuan, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"Elder Chen, as you can see, my old bones are failing, my lifespan is coming to an end. In a place like the Weapon Hall, where I deal with earth fire and refined iron every day, I'm afraid I won't last more than a few days before I have to go my own way."

These words were reasonable and the tone was extremely humble.

An old man nearing the end of his life refused offers from two major sects, wanting only to spend his final days in peace.

Chen Baichuan frowned, about to speak, but Zhou Lingxuan didn't give him the chance.

"I appreciate the kindness of the two elders."

"I'm quite used to living in this abandoned hall; it's quiet and undisturbed."

Zhou Lingxuan glanced around the courtyard, which was ravaged by the aftermath of the battle, and then changed the subject.

"Since Steward Qin left, we've been short of a steward. Why don't you two elders speak to the higher-ups and ask me to take over as the steward of this abandoned hall? It would be a good way to find a place for me to retire."

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

The eyes of the several deacons from the Weapon Hall that Chen Baichuan brought almost popped out of their sockets.

The elders of the Weapon Hall and the high-ranking members of the Pill Hall were vying for him, and the conditions they offered were more and more outrageous.

But this old man didn't want either of them, and instead wanted to apply for a dead steward position that nobody wanted.

What kind of brain circuit is this?

Chen Baichuan and Elder Shen were also stunned.

They had considered that Zhou Lingxuan would bargain, that he would wait for a higher price, but they never expected that he would make such an absurd request.

"Brother Zhou, you..."

Chen Baichuan hesitated for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out a few words.

"Are you kidding me?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Zhou Lingxuan asked seriously.

To make his argument more convincing, he turned around and pulled over the blood-covered boy next to him who was staring blankly at his sword.

Lei Yang stumbled and almost fell as he was pulled.

"As you two elders have seen, I just took in a little one. He has no father or mother, and he's quite pitiful."

Zhou Lingxuan patted Lei Yang's shoulder with just the right amount of force, which was both affectionate and helped him straighten his misaligned bones.

"I have to stay and take care of him; I can't just leave him alone in this abandoned hall."

Lei Yang's mind works extremely fast.

Although he didn't understand why Zhou Lingxuan would give up a promising future and insist on staying in this wretched place, he instantly grasped Zhou Lingxuan's meaning.

This old man is making excuses!

Lei Yang's eyes reddened; the tears he hadn't shed while enduring the knife wound came suddenly.

He looked at Zhou Lingxuan, his voice trembling with tears, and called out in a clear, crisp voice.

"grandfather!"

That cry of "Grandpa" was so sincere and heartfelt, it was truly moving.

All eyes in the courtyard instantly focused on Lei Yang.

Chen Baichuan's lips twitched.

A crack appeared on Elder Shen's usually expressionless face.

Zhou Lingxuan mentally gave the kid a thumbs up, but on the surface he put on a kind and distressed look and reached out to touch Lei Yang's hair, which was still standing on end.

"Good child, don't be afraid, Grandpa is here."

Lei Yang took the opportunity to hide behind Zhou Lingxuan, revealing only a pair of bloodshot eyes as he warily looked at the two elders in front of him, appearing utterly pitiful from being overly frightened.

Now, Zhou Lingxuan's reasoning was completely confirmed.

An elderly man, all alone, and his equally lonely grandson live together in a dilapidated house, relying on each other for survival.

Who wouldn't feel sorry for this scene?

Elder Shen frowned slightly and stared at Zhou Lingxuan for a long time, seemingly trying to determine the truth of his words.

Zhou Lingxuan met her gaze calmly, without the slightest hint of evasion.

He knew that for a pragmatic person like Elder Shen, forced relationships wouldn't work.

Rather than forcing an unwilling person back to the alchemy hall, it's better to try a different approach.

As expected, Elder Shen remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Are you truly unwilling to enter the Alchemy Hall?"

"The will is willing, but the strength is insufficient."

Zhou Lingxuan's answer was watertight.

Elder Shen's gaze fell on him, then swept over Lei Yang behind him, and finally settled on the three-legged Flowing Cloud Furnace.

She suddenly understood something.

Zhou Lingxuan didn't not want to, but he couldn't.

He probably has more secrets than she imagined. Staying in this lawless area of ​​the abandoned hall is the safest option for him.

Having figured this out, Elder Shen stopped insisting.

But she didn't want to leave empty-handed.

Zhou Lingxuan saw through her thoughts and offered his bargaining chip at the right time.

"Elder Shen, although I cannot go to the Pill Hall, I will remember what happened to Xue Yi."

"When I have more money in the future, I can forge another alchemy furnace for her. I can't say my technique is more refined, but I guarantee it will be just as flawless on the inner wall as this one."

Upon hearing this, Elder Shen's expression immediately changed.

She came here in person today, partly to recruit talent, and partly to verify the replicability of this alchemy furnace.

If Zhou Lingxuan could only rely on luck to obtain this one statue, then its value would be greatly reduced.

But now, he has personally promised to create another one!

What does this mean?

This means that Dantang can continuously obtain top-quality alchemy furnaces of this quality!

A wild weapon-refining master who can consistently produce top-quality alchemy furnaces is far more valuable to befriend than to forcibly tie him to the alchemy hall.

Elder Shen quickly weighed the pros and cons.

The stern look on her face dissipated, replaced by a barely perceptible smile.

"Master Zhou, you flatter me."

"Since you have made up your mind, I will not force you."

With a wave of her hand, the three-legged cloud furnace in the courtyard quickly shrank and flew back into her palm.

"It's fine if you stay in the abandoned hall. If you need anything in the future, just let Xue Yi come to the alchemy hall to find me."

That's a well-chosen statement; it both curries favor and paves the way for future cooperation.

After speaking, Elder Shen took out a jade bottle from his storage bag and handed it to Xue Yi, who was standing next to him.

"This is the longevity pill you requested before. Since Master Zhou has helped you so much, consider this pill as a deposit from the Pill Hall."

Xue Yi took the jade bottle, quickly walked to Zhou Lingxuan, and presented it with both hands.

"Thank you, Master Zhou."

She glanced at Zhou Lingxuan gratefully, her eyes filled with admiration and apology.

She now realized just how much trouble her seemingly clever move had caused Zhou Lingxuan.

The old man, however, effortlessly resolved the situation and even managed to get the elixir for her.

Zhou Lingxuan accepted the jade bottle without hesitation.

"Please thank your master for me."

Elder Shen nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave with Xue Yi and the people from the Pill Hall.

They came with great force, but left peacefully.

In the courtyard, only Chen Baichuan and his few stewards remained.

There were also the triangular-eyed group, who were completely dumbfounded and bound by the spirit-suppressing lock.

As soon as the people from Dantang left, Chen Baichuan became extremely anxious.

He looked at Lei Yang on the ground, then at Zhou Lingxuan who had a calm expression, and stamped his feet anxiously.

Because there were outsiders present, he couldn't say many things explicitly.

Especially the secrets about forging swords to achieve enlightenment must not be revealed even a single word.

At that moment, he felt a tightness in his chest, unable to breathe, and his old face turned bright red.

"You...you..."

Chen Baichuan pointed at Zhou Lingxuan, mumbled something for a long time, and finally stomped his foot.

"Come with me!"

He grabbed Zhou Lingxuan's arm with terrifying strength, practically dragging him towards the workshop next door.

Zhou Lingxuan was pulled so hard that he stumbled, and quickly gave Lei Yang a wink.

"Take care of your wound first, I'll be right back."

Lei Yang nodded, holding the Wind and Thunder Sword, and warily watched the detained servants.

Chen Baichuan dragged Zhou Lingxuan into the workshop and swung his hand behind his back.

An invisible barrier of spiritual energy descended instantly, completely isolating the small workshop from the outside world.

No sound from outside can get in, and no sound from inside can get out.

After doing all this, Chen Baichuan released his grip and stared intently at Zhou Lingxuan, his eyes looking like he wanted to devour him.

He gritted his teeth and practically forced out a sentence.

"Are you stupid!"

"Those people in the Pill Hall know absolutely nothing! They only see the furnace; they have no idea what path you've chosen!"

Chen Baichuan was so angry that his chest heaved violently. He pointed at the abandoned hall outside, his voice trembling.

"Staying in this dilapidated place means we have no spiritual materials, no earth fire, and no experience from our predecessors to draw upon!"

"You'll never get through that path in your entire life!"