Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

"Fellow Daoist Han, there's no need for such formalities. We are the ones who have taken the liberty of disturbing you."

Su Mu and his companion returned the greeting with clasped hands. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they followed Han Li into the cave.

Since arriving here, Su Mu had been discreetly observing Han Li. Seeing that he indeed had an ordinary appearance, he secretly sighed inwardly.

Is this the future infamous Old Devil Han? Indeed, he is unassuming in appearance but possesses profound hidden talents.

The three took their seats in turn, and Han Li took out a pot of spirit wine and poured it for everyone.

"Haha, I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Han to be such a connoisseur of wine! It seems that besides Fellow Daoist Xiao's place, I now have another good place to drink and chat."

Jin Qing raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes immediately lighting up.

Upon hearing this, Han Li turned his gaze to Su Mu, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist Xiao is not only proficient in alchemy, but also has some knowledge of spirit wine?"

Since receiving the communication talisman last time, he had made a special trip to Tianxing City Market to inquire about it.

This alchemist Xiao's reputation was indeed well-deserved; he had refined many extraordinary pills that Xiao had never heard of before, each of which greatly excited him.

His biggest goal today was to get to know Xiao Yan. If he could acquire some pill formulas through this connection, that would be ideal.

Su Mu smiled faintly: "These are just minor details, nothing to brag about. However, I do have some experience in alchemy. If Fellow Daoist Han needs anything in the future, please feel free to ask."

Jin Qing shook his head repeatedly from the side.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is too modest! Fellow Daoist Han, you are unaware that Fellow Daoist Xiao's alchemy skills are unmatched in the entire Tianxing City. The line of cultivators outside the city wanting him to refine pills stretches all the way to the outskirts of Tianxing City!"

Han Li suddenly understood, nodded repeatedly, refilled their wine cups, and said sincerely:

"To be honest, I also have some knowledge of alchemy, but compared to Fellow Daoist Xiao, it is nothing. I will have to learn more from Fellow Daoist Xiao in the future."

His previous success in alchemy was entirely due to the small green bottle's ability to accelerate the ripening of spiritual herbs. He only managed to barely succeed in making pills thanks to the abundance of herbs and repeated trials. If he could take this opportunity to further improve his alchemy skills, that would be ideal.

Su Mu smiled slightly, casually took out a jade box, and gently pushed it in front of Han Li.

"Of course, of course. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Han to be a fellow practitioner. We should definitely keep in touch in the future. Consider this Crimson Essence Pill my congratulatory gift for your Core Formation."

Jin Qing, who was standing nearby, quickly took out a brocade box and handed it over as well.

"My wealth is not as abundant as Fellow Daoist Xiao's, but this spiritual tea can help calm the mind and spirit. I hope Fellow Daoist Han will not find it offensive."

Han Li was slightly startled. These two were being far too polite. He had heard of the Crimson Essence Pill before, which could purify one's own magical power. The fact that they were giving it to him so easily made him a little wary.

But then he remembered how the two of them had observed his formation outside the mansion, and a few guesses began to form in his mind.

Could it be that these two people came specifically to befriend him because they admired his expertise in formations?

Han Li felt a sense of unease, but on the surface he showed an expression of being flattered. He quickly accepted the gift, then took out two jade bottles and handed them to Su Mu and Jin Qing.

"I cannot accept such a generous gift without giving it to you. Each of these jade bottles contains a Youth Preservation Pill, which can preserve your youthful appearance forever. I hope Brother Jin and Brother Xiao will accept it."

"A youth-preserving pill?"

Jin Qing took the pill bottle, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He did not expect that this Fellow Daoist Han was really proficient in alchemy. Although this pill was not very rare, it was quite practical.

"In that case, it's Kim who benefits."

Jin Qing chuckled and accepted it without hesitation.

Su Mu also put away the Youth-Preserving Pill and smiled slightly at Jin Qing.

"Fellow Daoist Han has been in seclusion for decades, so he must not be very familiar with the recent situation in the Chaotic Star Sea. If Brother Jin feels that he has gained an advantage, he might as well enlighten Fellow Daoist Han, so that Fellow Daoist Han will not suffer losses in the future."

After saying that, he looked at Han Li and began to explain:

"Brother Jin has a wide circle of friends, and his great-uncle is none other than Jin Kui, the current Grand Elder of the Star Palace. If Fellow Daoist Han has any questions, please feel free to ask Brother Jin."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Han Li's eyes, and he immediately raised his cup to bow to Jin Qing.

"I never imagined Brother Jin had such a profound background. I happen to have a lot of questions, so I would be grateful if Brother Jin could enlighten me."

Jin Qing patted his chest and laughed heartily.

"Brother Han, please ask away. I will answer to the best of my knowledge!"

Su Mu watched quietly as Jin Qing explained things to Han Li. He casually took out a pot of monkey wine and refilled it for the three of them, only occasionally offering a few words of agreement.

After a while, Han Li had roughly figured out the current situation in the Chaotic Star Sea and the details of the major forces in Tianxing City, and his mind became clear.

"I never imagined the situation would become so complicated. I've already exhausted all my opportunities by managing to reach the Core Formation stage. It seems best not to get involved in this mess now."

Jin Qing nodded upon hearing this, her tone slightly somber.

"Brother Han is right. Even I dare not get involved in such a turmoil. It would be much more comfortable for you to go on adventures with me and a few fellow Daoists in the future."

Just then, Su Mu's gaze fell upon the layers of formations within the cave, and he suddenly spoke:

"Judging from the layers upon layers of intricate formations here, could it be that Fellow Daoist Han is a master of formations?"

Han Li felt a surge of confidence, thinking to himself, "Just as I thought," but he calmly replied, "Fellow Daoists, you flatter me. I only have a slight understanding of formations. The one who truly deserves the title of Grandmaster of Formations was an old friend of mine, but unfortunately, he passed away long ago."

My condolences to Brother Han.

Jin Qing first offered a word of comfort, then patted Han Li's shoulder warmly.

"To be honest, while you were in seclusion, Fellow Daoist Xiao and I were drawn to the array formations of this cave dwelling and longed to make your acquaintance, but we never had the chance. Meeting a master of array formations like Brother Han today has truly made my trip worthwhile!"

Su Mu, who was listening from the side, found it a little strange. He thought to himself that Jin Qing seemed to have used the same excuse when he first befriended him.

Han Li quickly cupped his hands again, his expression showing great enthusiasm.

"In that case, I will rely on Brother Xiao and Brother Jin from now on. Although I have some knowledge of formations, I am really not good at killing. If there are any problems in the future, I will have to trouble Brother Jin to take care of me."

"No problem, no problem, leave it to me, brother!"

As soon as Jin Qing finished speaking with a smile, she suddenly had a strange sense of déjà vu and immediately glanced at Su Mu without making a sound.

Su Mu only returned his smile with a faint one.

At this moment, Han Li's heart stirred. He remembered that he was about to refine his natal magic weapon and urgently needed spiritual bamboo materials. The two people in front of him had extensive connections in Tianxing City, which might save him a lot of trouble. He immediately asked:

"Brother Jin, Brother Xiao, I am planning to forge an artifact that requires spirit bamboo that is over a thousand years old, preferably a unique type of spirit bamboo with special properties. Do either of you have any relevant information?"

"A thousand-year-old spirit bamboo?"