Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 453 Pill Tribulation
Whether we can be together all the time in the future or not, at least not today.

In front of her disciple, Ye Tinglan could no longer be intimate with the man, and could only ask in a serious tone, "What did Gu Zhanting say when he summoned you just now?"

Lu Xingzhou carefully observed Dugu Qingli's expression: "Mediating the Huo family's affairs, and... and his coveting you."

Ye Tinglan: "..."

Dugu Qingli: "?"

Dugu Qingli naturally knew nothing of this, but Ye Tinglan couldn't have been completely oblivious after all these years; she had known all along. However, being exposed by this young man was incredibly shameful, and she couldn't help but sneer, "He's dreaming. He actually told you something like this directly? What did he say?"

Lu Xingzhou recounted the conversation in general terms, and then added, "He didn't say it so directly on the surface, but when it comes to men's affairs, those who know, know."

How come she knows everything? Dugu Qingli felt that she now understood men's affairs. So that's what they looked like, that's what they smelled like... But no matter how she listened, she couldn't hear any covetousness in this conversation.

But he couldn't help but say, "Yes, you all understand each other, after all, you both like nuns who have been around for a long time."

Lu Xingzhou turned his head away, his face contorted in anger.

Ye Tinglan's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent: "Dugu Qingli!"

Dugu Qingli also turned her head to the side.

Ye Tinglan glared at her disciple for a long time before her tone finally softened: "Qingli, I..."

Dugu Qingli interrupted, "No need to explain to me, I'm not the one who's the master."

Ye Tinglan: "..."

After struggling to find the right words, he could only sigh and continue the conversation: "Judging from this, he actually hates you."

"Yes," Lu Xingzhou said. "The Vice Minister's flatbread is my last chance. If I know what's good for me, I might still be able to use it. If I don't, then he'll be looking for trouble to deal with me."

Ye Tinglan said apologetically, "I've given you such a troublesome enemy... I..."

"What are you saying?" Lu Xingzhou stepped forward to hug her: "To be able to snatch Mr. [the gentleman] from an enemy of this caliber, I..."

Dugu Qingli took a step forward, and Lu Xingzhou almost hugged her sword.

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Ye Tinglan was also very embarrassed. Some things were sweet when the two of them talked about in private, but once there was a white-haired guy standing next to them, everything felt wrong.

So what exactly was the point of keeping this lousy apprentice in the capital?

So he could only desperately try to change the subject: "It's quite strange that he's still willing to give you a chance, promising you high-ranking positions and generous salaries."

“He felt a certain amount of guilt towards Tangtang, which influenced some of his decisions, but not much. At most, it slightly suppressed his murderous intent, but it would still rise up sooner or later. In fact, he told me to go back home for the New Year after my graduation exam at Dan Academy and to get married to Tangtang... I thought about this carefully and even wondered if there was a possibility that he might kill me on the way.”

Ye Tinglan was startled: "Very likely."

"It's alright." Lu Xingzhou said in a relaxed tone: "If I really want to leave the capital, I will disguise myself and leave quietly. It won't be easy to ambush me on the way."

"What if we go all the way and wipe out the Heavenly Sword Sect again?" Ye Tinglan said worriedly, "Then I'll go back to Xia Prefecture with you."

Lu Xingzhou paused for a moment, then suddenly frowned and fell into deep thought.

Ye Tinglan asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Could it be that they're trying to use this to get you transferred out of Beijing?"

Ye Tinglan paused for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

Gu Zhanting loves to scheme behind people's backs. Everyone has been exposed to this many times before, so they're a bit wary. Any little thing he does can make people suspect something's fishy.

But what was the purpose of transferring Ye Tinglan away from the capital? After thinking about it, it seemed pointless.

Lu Xingzhou thought for a while but couldn't come up with a solution, so he said, "I'll invite another guest to attend the ceremony."

Ye Tinglan said, "You wouldn't be thinking of inviting Long Qinghuang to keep things under control, would you?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "Jiang Duxu."

Ye Tinglan's eyes widened; this time, the expressions of the master and disciple were unusually synchronized.

If Gu Zhanting really tries to send someone to deal with Lu Xingzhou or the Tianxing Sword Sect, only to find that the one in charge is a low-level Qian Yuan, then the trouble will be even greater than if the Imperial Preceptor were in charge.

But has Jiang Duxu's cooperation gone this far?

Lu Xingzhou handed over the jade slip containing the plan for refusing ascension that Jiang Duxu had given him earlier: "Jiang Duxu was afraid that if you gave you the plan directly, you would lose control of the cultivators' desire to break through, so he put me in charge. Actually, I didn't have much to control, so I naturally discussed it directly with you."

Ye Tinglan felt relieved, took the jade slip and scanned it. Sure enough, she wasn't immediately tempted: "Then what's your opinion?"

In reality, if Jiang Duxu had given it to her directly on the spot, without Lu Xingzhou present, it's hard to say what she would have thought. Now that it's been a few days, and Lu Xingzhou is handing it over to her, Ye Tinglan's reaction naturally becomes to first hear the little man's opinion.

Jiang Duxu's move was quite prudent; the old man had clearly seen through the subtle feelings between men and women.

Lu Xingzhou said, "You should first determine whether it is feasible. If it is indeed feasible, then we will plan how to increase the success rate, such as whether there is a better solution for this colorless realm magic weapon."

Ye Tinglan replied confidently, "If it can truly achieve the concealment effect he described, then it is indeed possible to deceive everyone. However, this Buddhist method..."

Lu Xingzhou pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "We need to find an opportunity for you to go and see the sacred mountain of the demon race in person."

Ye Tinglan looked him up and down: "Is the sacred mountain of the demon race yours?" Lu Xingzhou coughed and remained silent.

Previously, in front of the gentleman, I only said that Long Qinghuang was a kindred spirit.

"Is this how you treat people?" Ye Tinglan grabbed his collar: "Tell me honestly, what exactly happened?"

Dugu Qingli's voice came from the side: "That's probably how others see you and his so-called teacher and disciple."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Ye Tinglan's face flushed red and then turned pale, her anger choked her. After a long while, she angrily threw her hand off Lu Xingzhou's collar: "I will think about this matter myself. Does my Tianyao Holy Land need to rely on those horned and scaly monsters? What a joke."

After saying that, he pulled Dugu Qingli away, saying, "Let's go back first. Don't think about the Ice Demon anymore."

This apprentice now keeps making sarcastic remarks, making it impossible to have a proper conversation.

Dugu Qingli was pulled away by her master, her blue eyes coldly fixed on Lu Xingzhou's face as she left, her expression saying, "You just wait." Lu Xingzhou shuddered and covered his forehead.

What kind of mess is this...?

Fortunately, at least because of this incident, the Ice Demon will probably no longer have a place in Little White Hair's heart for the foreseeable future...

…………

After seeing off the white-haired master and his apprentice, Lu Xingzhou was still somewhat listless as he sat back down in his chair, so he decided to go home.

There was another important matter that had come to an end in the last couple of days, which was the graduation exam of Dan Academy that I had discussed with Gu Zhanting.

When they got home, Anuo was already sitting by the alchemy furnace with her hands tucked in, practicing alchemy diligently. It was a rare sight for the child.

It's clear that even Ah Nuo takes this matter quite seriously.

Lu Xingzhou once desperately needed this status to qualify himself to propose marriage to Shen Tang. Now, it's not so important anymore; he already has the title and official position, so it doesn't matter anymore. It's A'nuo who cares more about it now.

For the "ghost child" who once hid in the shadows and dared not face anyone, this was a new identity, the highest institution of alchemy in an empire.

The chubby girl doesn't usually say it, but she cares a lot. For example, she gets upset when her classmates don't recognize her, and her little face is always a bit melancholy...

Originally, she was just like other children who attended private schools, and she could have classmates.

Lu Xingzhou strolled over to A Nuo's side to look. A Nuo was intently watching the situation through the small window of the alchemy furnace, her hands clasped in her sleeves, and she didn't even bother to pay attention to her master.

Lu Xingzhou didn't disturb them and observed for a while.

Ah Nuo is now practicing first-grade pills. The success rate isn't very high, but she does succeed occasionally. This level is already among the best in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, enough to easily defeat half of the teachers at the Pill Academy.

From this stage onward, there was no longer any possibility of refining multiple pieces in one furnace; no one had that kind of confidence.

As for quality, it's already quite an achievement if it can be forged...

Furthermore, according to Ye Tinglan's teachings, at this stage, the production of pills requires precise timing, and some special types of pills also require special types of fire. The flame is no longer merely used for high-temperature refining and fusion; the flame's own properties have begun to influence the pill's effects.

Just like the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir in the Mahayana Notes, it requires the Samadhi Fire.

Of course, these aren't necessary for exams, but if we're considering future success, then we must find new sources of inspiration. A'nuo needs them, and Lu Xingzhou needs them too.

If you are going to leave the capital to return to Xiazhou to get married, you should probably consider not rushing back to the capital and should first think about your personal cultivation.

Too many mundane affairs are hindering Lu Xingzhou's personal cultivation progress, which is one of his current pain points. Reaching the second rank may seem fast, but he lacks methods, magical treasures, and even more secret techniques. Currently, his ability to advance beyond his rank relies on the numerical superiority of his superior cultivation techniques and combat skills. However, if he encounters an opponent with equally superior techniques, he risks being overtaken.

Little White Hair also wants to find a place to cultivate, can we go together?
As she pondered, the faint fragrance of the elixir wafted out, and Anuo's practice was successful.

The furnace lid slowly rose, and a first-grade pill, radiant with light, emerged from the furnace opening. Lu Xingzhou squinted at the pill's patterns, his heart skipping a beat: "Top-grade."

Ah Nuo was also very happy. She tried to practice making first-grade pills, but the failure rate was extremely high. Let alone top-grade pills, she had only managed to make one two or three times in all the days she had been practicing at home.

Just as he was about to take it, Lu Xingzhou suddenly stopped him, cautiously looking up at the sky.

No movement.

Ah Nuo scratched her head: "What's wrong, Master?"

“According to records, pills at this level can still produce top-grade ones, which implies ‘seizing the creation of heaven and earth,’ and there’s a high probability of a calamity.” Lu Xingzhou looked up at the sky with some confusion: “Why didn’t you have one? Is it because your talent for communicating with plants is considered cheating, so you didn’t have a calamity?”

Ah Nuo said, "The first time I got a top-grade pill, there was a really funny mishap. A little demon jumped out of the void to snatch the pill, but I killed it."

Lu Xingzhou nodded. This kind of calamity of greed is caused by pills. This is why many pill refiners need a protector when refining pills. Pill refiners themselves have low combat power, and they are even weaker after refining pills. If a demon jumps out at this time, it can easily kill the pill refiner, so a protector is needed.

Of course, this is meaningless for muscular people; any small monsters that jump out will only get smashed flat.

"But why not this time?"

Ah Nuo said, "Later, we tried another top-quality one, but it didn't come up either. Could it be because the demon was killed and then it never came up again?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "That's impossible. Were there any other differences in the alchemy process these past few times, whether there were calamities or not?"

Anuo scratched her head: "The first time, Yuyu wasn't around, and I was sleeping in the room. The next two times, Yuyu was beside me, does that count?"

(End of this chapter)