You're just a single demon beast? I have a whole army of beast tamers!

There is still one year left before we depart for Sanxian Island.

Qin Shou had his schedule extremely full.

During the day, he would pretend to be practicing alchemy in seclusion in a quiet room, but in reality, he would enter the treasure-gathering gourd space.

Time in this space is ten times longer than outside; one day here is equivalent to ten days outside.

He soaked in the Immortal Spirit Power Pool for two hours every day, and spent the rest of his time pondering elixirs.

He can now refining the Five-Character Essence Condensation Immortal Pill stably.

Each batch of pills yields five pills, four of which have five lines, and one of which occasionally has six lines.

However, the pattern was not clear and appeared and disappeared intermittently, so it could not be considered a true six-path pattern.

Qin Shou tried dozens of batches and gradually figured out the proper heat control.

When adding the main ingredient, the fire should be reduced by three-tenths, and the medicinal properties should be dispersed before using the wood method to promote growth.

This method can only be used by alchemists who have mastered both the fire and wood elements; ordinary first-grade immortal alchemists simply cannot do it.

Shen Liuli has been busy these days.

She looked after Qin Jiuqing in the space, and at the same time helped Qin Shou take care of the newly built Immortal Spirit Power Pool.

Although the spiritual energy in the pool is not as great as that of the genuine immortal pool on the Three Immortal Islands, it has the advantage of being undisturbed.

She soaks in the water for an hour every day, and her spiritual energy has been converted to 80% of its original level.

"Give me two more years, and I'll be fulfilled," Shen Liuli said.

"No rush."

Qin Shou stood by the pool, "After I break through to True Immortal, this space will change again."

The immortal spiritual power should be even greater by then.

It's safer for you to cultivate here than outside.

"Has the Shui family made any moves in the past five years?"

Shen Liuli asked.

"No. It's just that the fighting in the western border is a bit more intense than it was two years ago."

Last month, another mine owned by the Shui family in the north was raided.

"The Myriad Demons Sect hasn't traced us yet."

"No," Qin Shou said. "They just think Shen Liuli is still at the Shui family's house."

"We're currently locked in a stalemate with the Shui family, so they won't be paying attention to a nobody like me for the time being."

Shen Liuli sighed softly:

"Once I break through to the True Immortal realm, I will definitely go to the Myriad Demons Profound Sect in person and cause them some trouble."

"That day will come," Qin Shou said, without offering any further advice.

In the last year outside, Qin Shou visited the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion three times.

He exchanged four-patterned pills for a batch of immortal crystals, and also learned about the Three Immortal Islands Pill Dao Conference from the gray-robed elder.

Previous tournaments were held in Danyin Immortal City in the center of the Three Immortal Islands, consisting of three rounds: preliminary, semi-final, and final, with the questions set by the Three Immortal Sect.

There were at least several hundred alchemists who came to participate.

Only the top three can obtain the Taiqing Immortal Fire, and only the top ten can obtain a spot in the Taiyi Daoist Temple.

"With Fellow Daoist Qin's current level, making it into the top ten shouldn't be difficult."

The old man in gray smiled and said.

"Where is the Taiqing Immortal Fire?" Qin Shou asked.

"The Taiqing Immortal Fire is awarded only to the first place winner."

First, the pill must have five distinct patterns, and the resulting elixir must be flawless.

The gray-robed elder lowered his voice, "If I may be so bold as to say something, Fellow Daoist Qin, if you could produce a few Five-Element Patterns, this conference might hold a great opportunity."

Qin Shou remained calm: "The Five Paths Pattern is not so easy to refine."

The old man in gray laughed and didn't ask any further questions.

After Qin Shou returned from Wanxiang Pavilion, he summoned Shui Yao to the quiet room.

Shuiyao now frequently visits the Shui family's Immortal Spirit Pool, and has soaked in it twice in the past year, converting her Immortal Spirit into 55%.

She has an impatient nature and always feels things are slow.

Qin Shou didn't let her go again, fearing that the transformation would be too rapid and damage her foundation.

"You're going to Three Immortal Islands, can't I come with you?" Shuiyao pouted.

"You stay and watch over the house. Neither Shui Yingyue nor Shui Rou are good at fighting. If anything happens to the Immortal City, only you can protect the children."

"Even if the Myriad Demons Sect comes, I can't defeat them."

"The Shui family will not allow the Ten Thousand Demons Sect to invade the Immortal City."

Qin Shou said, "If it really comes to that, take the children to the family ancestral hall. There's an array there that can hold out for a long time."

Shuiyao didn't say anything more.

Qin Shou took out several jade bottles from his storage bracelet and handed them to her:

"Here are a few ninth-grade Clear Thunder Pills and Foundation Strengthening Pills."

If something really happens, don't be stingy.

Shuiyao took it and nodded emphatically.

A month before his departure, Shui Chenyuan summoned Qin Shou to the main hall once again.

There were also two gray-robed True Immortals in the main hall this time, both of whom were elders of the Water Clan.

Qin Shou recognized one of them; he was the old man surnamed Xun who guarded the Immortal Spiritual Energy Pool back then.

The other person had a pale golden complexion and was taciturn.

"These are Elder Xun and Elder Liu. They will protect you on your trip to the Three Immortal Islands," Shui Chenyuan said.

Qin Shou clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two of them.

The elderly man surnamed Xun returned the greeting, and Elder Liu simply nodded.

Shui Chenyuan took out a storage bag: "There are 50,000 low-grade immortal crystals here."

If you come across the Nine Souls Elixir at an auction, just go ahead and bid.

If that's not enough, the clan will provide more.

Qin Shou's expression shifted slightly as he accepted the gift: "Thank you, Clan Chief."

The reason the other party was able to readily hand over 50,000 low-grade immortal crystals was because they wanted to squeeze more immortal crystals out of him.

"I asked you to take Elder Xun there because he spent his early years on Three Immortals Island."

He knew the ways of Danyin Immortal City well.

Elder Liu is in charge of your safety.

Let's avoid any unexpected complications on this trip.

"I understand."

Shui Chenyuan glanced at him and suddenly asked:

"Do you have any dealings with the Wanxiang Pavilion in the east of the city?"

Qin Shou felt a chill run down his spine.

He thought he had done it discreetly, but the Shui family had already discovered it.

His expression remained unchanged: "Yes. I occasionally go there to buy a few pills."

"Behind the Myriad Elephants Pavilion is the Long family, the Beast Taming Immortal Clan."

It's fine for you to deal with them, but if they openly solicit business, you should be prepared for the worst.

"Don't worry, clan leader. If I wanted to leave, I wouldn't have waited until today."

Shui Chenyuan nodded and said nothing more.

After leaving the main hall, Qin Shou walked as usual, but in his mind he reassessed the Shui family's spies.

If the Shui family knows about the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion, the Myriad Demons Sect might also be able to find out.

Fortunately, he always changed his clothes when he went there, and he never brought anyone with him when he left the Shui family's house.

But there are no secrets in this world.

When she got home, Shui Yingyue had already packed her things.

She folded several clean robes for Qin Shou and stuffed some spiritual fruits and tea into his pocket.

Shui Rou handed over a thin booklet: "This is the family's income and expenditure of immortal crystals over the years. Take it with you so you know what's going on."

Qin Shou opened it, glanced at it twice, and then closed it again: "You can manage it."

Shui Rou's lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing more.

Qin Shou called Qin Shuang to his side.

Qin Shuang has grown into a young woman, her eyes and brows even more serene than Shui Yingyue's back then.

Qin Shou asked about her cultivation level and then tested her on the basics of alchemy, which Qin Shuang answered steadily.

Qin Beast nodded:

"While I'm away, please help Shui Rou take care of her younger siblings."

Qin Shuang responded softly.

Qin An and Qin Lie stood at the door, while Qin Yan, holding the wooden bird, hid at the back.

Qin Shou glanced at the children, then turned and went back to the quiet room.

That night, Qin Shou did not cultivate.

He sat in the treasure gourd space for a long time.

The light from the five-colored tree fell on his shoulders, and colorful spheres slowly swirled around him.

He took out the Nine Souls Immortal Pill, held it in his hand, and felt the icy chill emanating from the pill.

"After becoming a true immortal, I will stay with you."

Shen Liuli's voice came from behind.

Qin Shou didn't turn around: "You guard Jiu Qing."

"I will naturally guard it."

Shen Liuli sat down next to him. "But you shouldn't always be alone."

Qin Shou turned his head to look at her.

Moonlight filtered through the mist above, illuminating half of her face, making it appear as white and smooth as jade.

He suddenly reached out and took her hand.

"When we return from the Three Immortal Islands, we'll hold a birthday celebration for Jiuqing," he said.