Immortality and Cultivation: I can extract entries from all things.

Fang He packed up and returned home; the pharmacy was quiet.

Su Yun'er was organizing medicinal herbs behind the counter. When she saw him enter, she only raised her head slightly and gave him a nod before continuing to work with her head down.

She held a withered herb in her hand, gently rubbing the leaves with her fingertips, as if judging its quality.

Fang He didn't disturb her and directly lifted the curtain of the inner room.

Master Wu Dan sat in a chair by the window, with a small stove warming tea in front of him.

The tea smoke curled upwards, but the old man did not sip it as usual; instead, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rested.

A yellowed prescription book lies nearby, its pages worn and frayed at the edges.

"Master," Fang He called softly.

Master Wu opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused, before focusing on Fang He's face two breaths later.

"I'm back."

The voice became hoarse, like sandpaper grinding wood.

Fang He sat down opposite the old man and noticed that his right hand was trembling slightly.

The water in the teacup rippled slightly, but Wu Danshi was unaware of it as he slowly reached out to pick up the cup.

"Over at the alchemy workshop..."

"good."

Fang He continued, "We made a net profit of fifteen or sixteen spirit stones in the first month. Captain Chen was very satisfied with the Water-Avoiding Beast Pills and ordered another batch."

Master Wu nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips, but it quickly faded. He put down his teacup, spilling a few drops of tea that left dark stains on his clothes.

"That's good."

He paused, his gaze drifting towards the door. "Yun'er...have I caused you any trouble these past few days?"

"No," Fang He shook her head. "She's efficient."

"This child..."

Master Wu sighed, his gaze suddenly drifting into the distance. "Six years ago, she came to Qing'ao Island, filthy and so hungry she could barely stand. I asked her where she came from, but she wouldn't say. When I asked her name, she only uttered the two words 'Yun'er.'"

Fang He listened quietly.

He had never heard Master Wu mention these things.

"She was only ten years old then. I saw that she was quick and hardworking, so I kept her to work odd jobs at the pharmacy. I thought that after raising her for so long, I could find her a good family to marry into..." Master Wu's voice lowered, "But with my health, I'm afraid I won't live to see that day."

Fang He's heart sank.

He knew that Master Wu was getting old, but these days when they met, the old man always seemed calm and collected, and never mentioned his lifespan.

The meaning behind these words is already clear.

"Master..."

"I am ninety years old this year."

Master Wu interrupted him, his eyes suddenly becoming exceptionally clear. "A rogue cultivator who has lived to this age should be content. But... what about Yun'er?"

The old man slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the doorway.

Su Yun'er had finished tidying up the medicinal herbs and was squatting by the door sweeping the floor.

They moved quietly, as if afraid of disturbing the conversation inside.

"She's stubborn and inflexible. I took her in six years ago, and she's been grateful ever since, insisting on staying by my side. Other girls her age would be thinking about getting married, but she just spends all her time drying herbs, sorting them, and tending the stove."

A bitter smile appeared on Wu Danshi's lips.

"Alchemy? She can't learn it. She tried making Qi-restoring pills more than ten times, and the furnace exploded every time. Her spiritual root is too poor, and she can't control her spiritual energy. But she is an expert in identifying medicinal herbs. She can tell the age and origin of a herb just by smelling it."

Fang He looked at the slender figure outside the door.

It turns out she wasn't just silent; she also had a past he didn't know about.

"I don't have much to my name."

Master Wu continued, "This pharmacy is rented, and the items are worth several dozen spirit stones. There's also an improved formula for the Qi-Nourishing Pill, which is 20% more effective than those on the market. These..."

He paused, as if carefully considering his words.

"I wanted to leave it to Yun'er. But... how many days can she, a young girl, survive on this Qing'ao Island with just these few things?"

Fang He understood.

Master Wu Dan entrusted not only Su Yun'er with his life, but also her future.

"Young friend Fang,"

Master Wu turned to him, his gaze earnest. "You are a smart and capable man. I would like to ask you... to look after her for a while. It doesn't have to be much, just give her a place to stay, and don't let her end up on the streets."

Fang He remained silent.

Taking care of someone involves more than just providing food.

This means responsibility, and it means that from now on, Su Yun'er's affairs will be Fang He's affairs.

He had just established himself in the Pill Refining Hall, and he was still gathering resources for Foundation Establishment. Adding another burden would only make things worse...

But he looked into Wu Danshi's eyes.

In those eyes, there was expectation, pleading, and even more so, the sorrow of helplessness.

A 90-year-old man, nearing the end of his life, had only one thing he couldn't let go of: the orphaned girl he had taken in six years ago.

Fang He suddenly recalled the scene when she transmigrated.

Alone and without any relatives, he woke up in a thatched hut by the Spirit Field.

If he hadn't activated his cheat ability in time, what would have become of him?

He spoke calmly, "Master, I can let her stay at the pharmacy. But let me make this clear beforehand."

All I can offer is a place to stay and food to eat. Nothing else… I can give.

Master Wu Dan was stunned.

It seemed they hadn't expected Fang He to be so blunt and leave no room for negotiation.

But a hint of relief, even a touch of appreciation, quickly flashed in the old man's eyes.

"clear."

He nodded. "I'm not asking you to marry her. It's just... to give her someone to rely on. I don't trust anyone else."

Fang He nodded: "Then it's settled."

Wu Danshi took out a copper key from his pocket and placed it on the table.

The key was worn smooth, with rounded edges.

"This is the key to the pharmacy. The herbs, alchemy furnace, utensils, and the improved alchemy formula inside are all for Yun'er. If you want them, feel free to use them. Just one thing: don't let her go hungry."

Fang He looked at the key but didn't immediately take it.

"Master, I can't take these things for free."

"What do you mean by taking it for free?" Master Wu laughed. "You agreed to take care of Yun'er, that's the exchange. One thing at a time."

"But I..."

"No buts." Master Wu's tone suddenly hardened. "I've been in the pill business for seventy years. What kind of people haven't I seen? You're an honest man; you won't mistreat her. That's enough."

The old man took a breath and lowered his voice: "As for that pill formula... I admit I was being nosy. If you can use it to earn spirit stones, that's your skill. As for Yun'er's share, you can give her whatever you think is appropriate."

Fang He looked at Wu Danshi's aged face and suddenly realized something.

The old man used all his last possessions to find a powerful backer for Su Yun'er.

As for himself, he might close his eyes anytime tomorrow, or next month, and never open them again.

"Master..."

Fang He's throat tightened slightly. "Don't worry."

Master Wu closed his eyes and softly murmured "Mmm".

Outside the door, Su Yun'er had already put down the broom at some point.

She stood by the threshold, one hand gripping the doorframe, her knuckles white. Her other hand was tightly clenching the hem of her clothes, her knuckles protruding.

She heard the whole conversation.

Every word felt like a needle piercing my heart.

But she didn't cry. Her eyes were just very red, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she never fell.

"Yun'er".

Master Wu called her.

Su Yun'er took a deep breath and pushed the door open to come in.

She knelt before Master Wu, her forehead lightly touching the ground, without saying a word.

"Don't blame your master," Wu Danshi said gently. "Your master is doing this for your own good."

Su Yun'er remained kneeling, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Seeing this scene, Fang He felt a mix of emotions.

"Get up," said Master Wu. "From now on... follow Master Fang and work hard."

Su Yun'er slowly raised her head, her eyes were as red as blood, but her gaze was bright and stubborn.

She turned to Fang He, her voice hoarse: "Master Fang, I... I won't eat and stay for free. You can ask me to do anything, just don't send me away."

Fang He looked at her, this sixteen-year-old girl, whose eyes held fear and unease, but even more so, an almost stubborn strength.

"Okay," he replied. "The pharmacy still needs to open, so you continue to manage it. We can talk about other things later."

Su Yun'er stared at him for a few seconds, as if trying to confirm whether his words were true or false.

Then, she bowed again and kowtowed to both Wu Danshi and Fang He.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master Fang Dan."

When she stood up, her legs felt a little weak, but she steadied herself by holding onto the chair.

Master Wu waved his hand, seemingly exhausted: "Go on, go about your business."

Su Yun'er left the room and gently closed the door.

Master Wu leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, his face deathly pale.

Fang He looked at him and suddenly asked, "Master, your health..."

"An old problem."

Master Wu opened his eyes and said calmly, "My lifespan has come to an end; it cannot be forced. But you..."

He paused, "Don't follow my example. When I was young, I also had the chance to establish my foundation, but I missed it because I lacked a few spirit stones. Now... it's too late to say anything."

Fang He remained silent.

He knew that what Master Wu Dan said was true.

At ninety years old, in the late stage of Qi Refining, lifespan is about to end, and one will be stuck at this stage forever.

This is the fate of unaffiliated cultivators at the bottom of society.

If resources are insufficient and opportunities are lacking, one may be trapped in one state of mind for a lifetime, until old age and death.

"you……"

Fang He wanted to say something to comfort her, but found herself unable to say anything.

Master Wu laughed instead: "No need to comfort me. Life and death are predestined, and I take it all in stride. There's only one thing. I'll leave Yun'er in your care."

"I will."

Master Wu nodded, as if he had put down the last stone.

Fang He stood up: "Master, I will come to see you again tomorrow."

"Go."

As I stepped out of the pharmacy, it was already dark. Streetlights were lighting up one by one, and the sound of waves could be heard in the distance.

Su Yun'er was organizing medicinal herbs behind the counter when she saw him come out. She paused for a moment and looked up at him.

Fang He stopped in her tracks: "You..."

"I know."

Su Yun'er interrupted him, her voice very low, "I've always known about Master's health. It's just... I didn't dare to say it."

Fang He looked at her.

The girl's face was expressionless, but something was surging in her eyes, as if she had been suppressing her emotions for too long and was about to break down.

"Don't worry."

Fang He said, "I won't kick you out."

Su Yun'er nodded, her throat moved, but she didn't say anything more.

Fang He turned and left, her steps much heavier than when she arrived.

He could sense that something was changing. It wasn't his cultivation level, nor spirit stones, but a responsibility, a trust, a promise he couldn't evade.

Inside the pharmacy, Master Wu sat alone, his tea long since cold. He picked up the yellowed prescription book and gently stroked its cover, as if caressing something precious.

Outside the window, moonlight streamed in, illuminating the wooden sign that read "Wu's Pharmacy" at the entrance of the pharmacy. A breeze blew, and the sign swayed gently, making a creaking sound.

It's like some kind of omen.

-

a few days later.

When Fang He came to the pharmacy again, Su Yun'er had already gotten up early, swept the floor, wiped the counter, and neatly arranged the medicinal herbs on the shelves.

Seeing him enter, she put down her work and said softly, "Good morning, Master Fang."

"Good morning." Fang He looked around. "Where's Master?"

"In the inner room." Su Yun'er's eyes flashed. "She coughed badly last night and didn't fall asleep until dawn."

Fang He's heart sank. Without asking any further questions, she lifted the curtain and went inside.

Master Wu lay on the bed, covered with a thin blanket, his face ashen and his breathing shallow. Hearing movement, he barely opened his eyes.

"They're here."

"Master, you..."

"It's nothing," Master Wu waved his hand. "It's an old ailment. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Fang He knew he was lying. His appearance was clearly a sign that his time was coming to an end.

But he didn't expose it.

"Yun'er," Master Wu looked towards the door, "go and get that jar of Qi-Nourishing Pills from the counter."

Su Yun'er immediately turned around and went out, and returned a short while later with a small porcelain jar.

Master Wu gestured for Fang He to take it: "This jar contains five mid-grade Qi-cultivating pills. Take them; they're just right for your breakthrough."

Fang He didn't take it: "Master, this..."

"Take it."

Master Wu's tone left no room for argument, "To break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, you need good pills. I don't need these here."

Fang He looked at the jar of pills, then at Master Wu. There was no hesitation in the old man's eyes, only a resolute calmness.

"...Thank you, Master."

Master Wu smiled, a faint smile, but one of relief: "Go, go cultivate. Don't linger here."

Fang He knew this was an order to leave. He took the porcelain jar, gave the old man a deep look, and turned to leave the room.

Su Yun'er stood in the outer room, her eyes fixed on the inner room door. Seeing him come out, she asked in a low voice, "Master, he..."

"It's alright," Fang He said. "Let him rest."

Su Yun'er bit her lip and didn't say anything more.

Fang He left the pharmacy and walked along the path on Qing'ao Island. The sea breeze blew in from afar, carrying a salty, fishy smell.

He held the jar of pills in his hand; the porcelain jar was icy cold.

He could sense that Master Wu's time was running out.

But that's the fate of a cultivator.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are predetermined; lifespan is fixed. All he could do was agree to that entrustment and take care of Su Yun'er.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a little self-deprecating.

He himself is still struggling to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, yet he already has to shoulder the fate of another person.

But that's alright.

It's better than being all alone. At least... there's someone in the pharmacy who knows how to handle medicinal herbs, and someone to help with the alchemy. I won't have to do everything myself like before.

He gripped the porcelain jar tightly and quickened his pace to walk back.

He was about to break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining. He needed to stabilize his cultivation as soon as possible, and then... then no matter what happened, he had to be able to protect the people around him.

Even if it's just a trust.