He fell off a cliff but unexpectedly gained a cultivation inheritance.

The Huashan Secret Realm has been closed for half a year, and the herb garden on Qinglan Peak has become lush and green, while the alchemy room is filled with a rich aroma of herbs year-round. In the past six months, apart from his daily cultivation without fail, Zhang Bufan has spent almost all his time in the alchemy room. With the alchemy insights left by Daoist Xuanqing and the complete pill formulas brought back by Kunlun, his alchemy skills have improved by leaps and bounds. From a success rate of 30% when he first tried to refine the Youth Preservation Pill, he can now consistently refine top-grade Xuan-level pills, and his techniques have become increasingly skillful and exquisite.

That afternoon, the earth fire in the alchemy room gradually subsided, and the lid of the furnace was gently lifted by a surge of spiritual energy. Four pure white pills, gleaming with a faint pearly light, flew out of the furnace and landed steadily on a jade plate that Zhang Bufan had prepared beforehand. As soon as the pills were taken out, a clear and unique fragrance filled the air, lingering in the alchemy room for a long time. The pills on the jade plate were round and full, with golden patterns faintly visible on their surface, which was the mark of a top-grade Xuan-rank Youth-Preserving Pill—such quality was rare even in the hands of a Di-rank alchemist.

Zhang Bufan picked up a Youth-Preserving Pill. The moment his fingertips touched it, he could feel the pure energy it contained, gentle and not harsh, slowly seeping into his body, causing a comfortable warmth to spread throughout his meridians. A satisfied smile appeared on his face, his eyes filled with a sense of accomplishment—this was a masterpiece he had spent half a month carefully selecting spiritual herbs from the Xuanqing Secret Realm and repeatedly experimenting to refine. A pill for his beloved naturally had to be of the highest quality; there was no room for carelessness.

Zhang Bufan turned and took out three lustrous mutton-fat jade bottles from his storage ring. These bottles were all carved from warm jade, effectively isolating them from external stimuli and slowing down the loss of the pills' effects. He carefully placed the three Youth Preservation Pills into the bottles, tightened the stoppers, and then held the remaining pill in his palm before tilting his head back and swallowing it. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, carrying a slightly sweet taste, and slid down his throat into his stomach.

The next second, a warm current of energy suddenly erupted from his abdomen. It wasn't as violent as spiritual power, but rather as gentle as the warm spring sun. It quickly spread throughout his body along his meridians, eventually seeping into every drop of blood and every cell. Zhang Bufan sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed the energy within him. He felt as if the cells in his body had been awakened, their activity instantly increasing dramatically. His body, which had been slightly fatigued from refining pills, now radiated a vibrant vitality. The minor wear and tear on his meridians was slowly repaired, the flow of blood and energy beneath his skin became smoother, and even the spiritual energy around him became more dynamic.

He clearly sensed that the energy of the Youth-Preserving Pill was firmly locked deep within his cells. As long as his body wasn't completely dead and there was still spiritual energy to support it, these cells could maintain their current regenerative activity, and his flesh and skin would remain frozen in their youthful state, refusing to age with time. "What miraculous effects!" Zhang Bufan thought to himself in amazement. A few seemingly ordinary, centuries-old spiritual herbs, refined through a specific ratio and exquisite alchemy techniques, could produce such heaven-defying effects. He felt even more awe for the power of alchemy to turn the rotten into the miraculous, and his determination to delve deeper into this path became even stronger.

While overjoyed, Zhang Bufan also felt a pang of regret. He had already learned from the pill formula's annotations that the Youth-Preserving Pill was only effective for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Once a cultivator broke through to the Core Formation stage, their physical body would be reshaped by spiritual energy, resulting in a qualitative leap in their physique. The energy of the Youth-Preserving Pill would then have difficulty penetrating the cells, naturally losing its effectiveness. As a modern person who had lived in the mortal world for thirty-eight years, he understood better than anyone the importance of appearance to women—if this Youth-Preserving Pill could be used by mortals, countless wealthy women and powerful figures would probably spend their entire fortunes to snatch it up, just to retain their youth.

Even in the world of cultivation, women's innate love of beauty has never changed. Although advancement in cultivation can significantly extend the duration of youth—Foundation Establishment cultivators can maintain their youthful appearance for decades, and Core Formation cultivators can even preserve their beauty for a century—the traces of time will eventually appear, and no one can truly achieve eternal youth. The Youth-Preserving Pill breaks this rule, but unfortunately, it is limited to the Foundation Establishment stage, which greatly diminishes its value.

Zhang Bufan lightly tapped the wall of the alchemy furnace with his fingertips, calculating in his mind: Foundation Establishment stage female cultivators mostly have limited resources, and even if they know the effects of the Youth Preservation Pill, they may not be able to afford too many spirit stones to buy it; but Core Formation stage cultivators are different. They are all high-ranking members of various sects or aristocratic families, with considerable wealth, especially those female cultivators whose youth is fading and about to lose their beauty. In order to retain their beauty, they will definitely empty their storage bags to compete for it. If he could improve the Youth Preservation Pill to be effective for Core Formation stage cultivators, its value would increase at least a hundredfold. At that time, whether it was exchanging for cultivation resources or accumulating the sect's foundation, it would be twice as effective with half the effort.

However, this thought could only be suppressed for the time being. A youth-preserving pill effective for Core Formation cultivators would need to be at least of Earth-grade quality. This required not only core spiritual materials over a thousand years old, but also a Core Formation cultivator themselves—only the spiritual power and divine sense of a Core Formation cultivator could precisely control the refining temperature and the rhythm of material fusion for Earth-grade pills. With his current peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, he was simply powerless to attempt it. "Once I advance to Core Formation and my alchemy skills improve further, I can try to improve the Youth-Preserving Pill formula," Zhang Bufan secretly resolved. If he succeeded, he would have no more worries about resource reserves in the cultivation world.

The most urgent task at hand is to deliver the refined Youth-Preserving Pills to the rightful recipients. Yue Ling'er has already broken through to the Core Formation stage, so the Youth-Preserving Pills are useless to her. They can only be saved for a suitable Foundation Establishment stage fellow disciple to give her in the future. Of the remaining three, one should be given to Ye Qingxue, and the other should be given to Liu Yan'er. Back in the Kunlun Secret Realm, he had promised to help Liu Yan'er refine a Youth-Preserving Pill and would give her one if she succeeded. Giving it to her now would not only fulfill his promise but also further bring them closer together.

Zhang Bufan carefully put away the jade bottle containing the Youth-Preserving Pill, turned and left the alchemy room, heading towards the inner courtyard of Qinglan Peak. Ye Qingxue was currently in seclusion, cultivating, a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounding her, her late-stage Foundation Establishment aura becoming increasingly refined. Hearing a knock at the door, she slowly opened her eyes, dispelled her spiritual energy, got up and opened the door. Seeing Zhang Bufan, a gentle smile instantly appeared on her face: "Husband, are you finished refining the pill?"

"Yes, I brought you something good." Zhang Bufan smiled and walked into the room. He took out a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Ye Qingxue. "This is a newly refined Xuan-grade top-quality youth-preserving pill. After you take it, your appearance will be frozen in its current state. Even if your cultivation level increases in the future, you will still be able to maintain this appearance."

Ye Qingxue took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and immediately sensed the pure energy within. Hearing Zhang Bufan's words, her eyes lit up with surprise, her face filled with disbelief. What woman doesn't yearn for eternal youth? At thirty-seven, with her late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, she looked like she was around twenty-five, at the peak of her beauty. Taking the Youth-Preserving Pill now was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity. She looked up at Zhang Bufan, her eyes filled with adoration and overwhelming love, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Thank you, my husband, this is too precious."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Zhang Bufan gently stroked her hair, his tone tender. "Take it quickly. Freshly made pills are the most potent. Take it now for the best results. I'll protect you and prevent any outside disturbances while the medicine is working."

Ye Qingxue nodded obediently, took out the Youth-Preserving Pill from the jade bottle, and swallowed it. After the pill entered her stomach, she sat cross-legged on the futon, focusing all her energy on circulating the medicinal effects. Zhang Bufan stood guard beside her, his fingertips swirling with spiritual power, forming a simple defensive array, while his divine sense constantly monitored her condition to ensure the medicine was successfully absorbed by her body. Seeing the radiant glow gradually appearing on Ye Qingxue's face and her aura becoming increasingly gentle, Zhang Bufan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Half an hour later, Ye Qingxue slowly opened her eyes. A glint of light flashed in her eyes, and her skin glowed with a faint pearly sheen. She looked even more beautiful and charming, and even her temperament became more lively. She got up and walked to Zhang Bufan's side, gently nestled in his arms, and said softly, "Husband, I feel so comfortable. It's as if every cell in my body is full of vitality."

Zhang Bufan smiled and put his arm around her. "It's good that the effect is good. You can focus on stabilizing the effects of the medicine. I'll go and deliver a Youth Preservation Pill to Senior Sister Liu. I promised her that, and this pill will help her retain her youth." Ye Qingxue nodded obediently. She was open-minded and sensible, and knew Zhang Bufan's feelings for Liu Yan'er. Instead of objecting, she smiled and reminded him, "Husband, be careful on the road and come back soon."

After bidding farewell to Ye Qingxue, Zhang Bufan took out his Silver Essence Flying Sword and leaped onto its blade. The sword transformed into a dazzling beam of light, soaring into the sky and hurtling towards Yanbo Peak. Qinglan Peak and Yanbo Peak were over fifty kilometers apart, and the journey took only a few seconds by sword flight. From afar, Yanbo Peak was shrouded in mist, its peaks layered with verdant green, and its slopes covered in spiritual flowers. The scenery was completely different from the serene beauty of Qinglan Peak, possessing a hazy, gentle beauty that perfectly matched Liu Yan'er's alluring yet aloof temperament.

Zhang Bufan maneuvered his flying sword and slowly descended, landing outside the Wanglan Pavilion atop Yanbo Peak. As soon as he landed, he saw Liu Yan'er standing by the railing, her gaze fixed blankly on Qinglan Peak. Her pale purple robes billowed in the mountain wind, her hair fluttering in the breeze, and her alluring face bore a hint of melancholy and longing. She was completely unaware of his arrival. Clearly, in the past six months, Liu Yan'er's yearning had never faded; every day she had stood in this pavilion gazing at Qinglan Peak, pouring out her longing.

Zhang Bufan slowed his steps and walked forward gently, calling softly, "Senior Sister Liu." Liu Yan'er stiffened, turned around abruptly, and upon seeing Zhang Bufan, a flash of panic crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by surprise. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice trembled almost imperceptibly, "N-N-Junior Brother Bufan? What brings you here?"

Seeing her like this, Zhang Bufan understood. He smiled gently and raised the jade bottle in his hand: "Senior sister, I promised to give you a Youth-Preserving Pill when I refined it in Kunlun half a year ago. This is a top-grade Xuan-level Youth-Preserving Pill that I just refined. It can freeze your appearance in the current state. It is just right for a cultivator like you who is half a step into the Core Formation stage."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan'er's gaze fell upon the jade bottle, her heart churning with overwhelming emotions. She naturally knew the value of the Youth-Preserving Pill, especially one of the highest-grade Xuan-level quality. Zhang Bufan had not only gifted her a Core Formation Pill and spiritual spring water, but now he was offering her such a priceless treasure. This generosity and thoughtfulness made her already captivated heart burn even hotter. Looking into Zhang Bufan's gentle eyes, she was momentarily speechless, her shyness, gratitude, and admiration intertwined, transforming into a soft light in her eyes that lingered for a long time.

A mountain breeze wafted by, carrying the fragrance of spiritual herbs and the alluring scent of the Youth-Preserving Pill, gradually creating an ambiguous atmosphere within the Wanglan Pavilion. Zhang Bufan, observing Liu Yan'er's flushed cheeks and bright eyes, didn't press her. Instead, he handed her the jade bottle, his voice gentle: "Senior Sister, please accept it quickly. It's best to take it while it's still fresh. I'll protect you outside the pavilion; no one will disturb you."

Liu Yan'er took the jade bottle, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against Zhang Bufan's. A jolt of electricity instantly coursed through her body, making her cheeks flush even more. She nodded gently, her voice barely audible: "Thank you, Junior Brother." Watching Liu Yan'er turn and walk to the futon in the pavilion to sit down and prepare to take the pill, Zhang Bufan slowly walked out of the pavilion, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the distant mountains, his heart filled with anticipation—this Youth-Preserving Pill might be the final key to unlocking Liu Yan'er's heart.

The clouds and mist still swirled around Yanbo Peak, and the refreshing fragrance of the Youth-Preserving Pill gradually spread, intertwining with the mountain's spiritual energy. After Liu Yan'er took the pill, a faint halo emanated from her body. The medicinal effects slowly circulated throughout her body, nourishing not only her skin and cells but also gradually calming her heart, which had been restless due to longing. She could clearly feel the changes in her body and the sense of security brought by the steady figure outside the pavilion. She secretly made up her mind to confess her feelings soon, no longer hiding her affection for this junior brother. Half a year of longing had been too painful; she didn't want to wait even a day longer.