I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Xu Zhou returned to Red Maple Valley.

I have already ordered the second-tier alchemy furnace during this trip to the Chamber of Commerce.

However, even the Thousand Veins Merchant Guild doesn't have a pill furnace of this caliber in stock; they have to import it from elsewhere.

All things considered, it will take at least until next month.

Xu Zhou wasn't in a hurry about this.

In any case, he had already figured out the refining method of Yi Mu Xuan Dan in recent days. Now that the alchemy furnace was damaged, it was good to be able to put it on hold for a while.

So he simply focused his attention back on the array formation.

Inside the wooden house.

Xu Zhou raised his hand and flipped through his storage bag, taking out several yellowed pages of paper.

Each sheet of paper contains a small array drawn on it.

The array patterns were not complicated; in fact, they could be described as simple. If the first-tier array masters in the market were to see them, they would probably doubt whether this thing was even worth studying.

Xu Zhou looked at these array diagrams with a rather serious expression.

These are what he obtained from his transaction with Cui Donglin today.

Xu Zhou's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled the conversation at Zuixianju.

This was the first time both sides had truly exchanged their insights on array formations, so they were both quite cautious.

What Cui Donglin gave were just a few basic formulas.

What Xu Zhou taught were only some minor techniques for setting up arrays with spirit wood, focusing more on the cultivation of spirit wood used for arrays, and did not involve the true core of the Thousand Wood Array.

Even so, the two of them still seemed to have a lingering sense of unfinished business during their conversation.

Especially Cui Donglin.

When the other party heard about the idea of ​​setting up a spirit wood array, although he remained calm on the surface, the look in his eyes became noticeably more serious.

Ultimately, the two agreed that if they found the material useful after studying it, they could return to Zuixianju next month to exchange their insights.

As for whether the other party will come again next month, Xu Zhou is quite confident.

The techniques he taught today were mostly very basic, but they still included a key technique for setting up a spirit wood array.

If Cui Donglin takes this to heart, he will most likely be eager to try it when he gets back.

However, the other party will most likely get stuck in some in-between position halfway through the research.

After all, the technique Xu Zhou described was not complete to begin with.

The two sides were only exchanging ideas for the first time, and neither side was willing to reveal all their secrets.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Let's take a look at the formations of these arrays first."

Then, he looked down at the array diagram in his hand again.

Although these fixed patterns are simple, many of their formation variations are clearly completely different from the formation methods of the Mu Kingdom.

In particular, some of the methods for transforming spiritual energy gave Xu Zhou a sense of sudden enlightenment.

He vaguely felt that if he could acquire more fixed patterns and study them for a longer period of time, it would open up a new perspective on his array formations, making future skill learning much easier.

He quickly became engrossed in it.

Time passed slowly, and I don't know how much time had gone by.

Xu Zhou suddenly frowned.

"etc..."

He picked up one of the diagrams again and examined it carefully.

A moment later, his face darkened.

"That old bastard."

The array formation in his hand looked quite normal on the surface, similar to other formations.

The deeper one delves into the analysis, the more one will feel its profound mystery, far surpassing other basic formulas, clearly indicating that it is not an ordinary product.

However, when Xu Zhou deduced the most crucial change in the array pattern, he was surprised to find that the array pattern was missing at this point.

Ironically, the missing part is the most important change in the entire pattern.

It's stuck in a rut, neither here nor there, leaving you feeling uneasy and frustrated.

Xu Zhou stared at the half-formed array pattern for a long time, but he still couldn't deduce it smoothly.

He remained silent for a long time, and finally had no choice but to give up.

"It seems I'll have to ask again next month."

...

After their first transaction, Xu Zhou and Cui Donglin would visit Zuixianju every month thereafter.

Although they initially remained tentative, after several exchanges, both sides gradually began to reveal their true capabilities.

Ultimately, Xu Zhou's spirit wood array formation is only a small part of his array-making skills. Even if he were to teach it all, it wouldn't make much difference to him.

Similarly, the array formations in Cui Donglin's possession were mostly collected casually and would have little value even in the Zhu Kingdom.

The reason they always keep a secret is twofold: firstly, they are afraid that the other party will stop exchanging items; secondly, since both parties are array masters, it is beneficial for them to meet and talk frequently.

As the two interacted frequently, they each learned a great deal about the formation techniques that the other was good at, and both were very satisfied.

on the other hand.

While Xu Zhou was studying the Dao of Arrays, he did not forget the Dao of Alchemy.

Once the alchemy furnace was delivered, he was finally able to continue practicing his techniques.

And so, several months later.

The air inside the wooden house was filled with the fragrance of incense.

Pale blue mist slowly dissipated from the cracks in the alchemy furnace, carrying a rich vitality of wood element, which even stirred the surrounding spiritual energy.

Xu Zhou stood in front of the alchemy furnace, his eyes fixed on the changes inside.

This continued for several hours.

As the final incantation was performed, the previously somewhat restless spiritual energy gradually stabilized.

A moment later, a slight vibration suddenly came from inside the alchemy furnace.

hum.

Xu Zhou's expression shifted slightly.

The next moment, a rich medicinal aroma suddenly spread from the furnace.

"Did it work?"

He immediately raised his hand and opened the alchemy furnace, where several dark blue pills lay quietly at the bottom.

Although it looks ordinary on the surface, the essence of wood contained within it seems to diffuse and slowly affect the surroundings.

Xu Zhou quickly took out a jade bottle, put the pills in it, and then felt relieved.

He slowly exhaled.

"Yi Wood Mystic Elixir"

At that moment, he felt a slight sense of disorientation.

Since entering the world of cultivation, he has spent decades studying alchemy, starting with the Yellow Sprout Pill and gradually exploring until now.

Now, they have finally successfully refined a second-tier elixir suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This also means that from this day forward, he has truly entered the ranks of second-tier alchemists.

"All these years of hard work have finally paid off."

Xu Zhou remained silent for a long time before finally smiling slightly.

He then opened the jade bottle, took out a Yimu Xuan Dan (a type of medicinal pill), and swallowed it.

The elixir melts instantly upon entering the mouth.

The rich wood elemental energy immediately spread throughout the body, and as the Longevity Technique slowly circulated, the medicinal power was gradually refined.

Xu Zhou immediately perked up.

Although the Yi Mu Xuan Dan is specifically for cultivators using wood-element techniques, the Longevity Technique has no attribute shift and does not reject wood-element spiritual energy.

In the cultivation world, among Foundation Establishment cultivators who practice the Five Elements techniques, Wood Element cultivators already make up a considerable portion.

That's why he chose to prioritize studying this elixir.

It can be used for personal cultivation, and there is no shortage of sales channels.

In the following days, Xu Zhou opened the furnace several more times.

As he practiced alchemy more and more, his technique gradually became more skillful and stable.

Although there are still occasional failures, the success rate of pill production has been gradually improving.

After confirming that the quality of the pills was not a problem, he kept some of the Yi Mu Xuan Dan for his own cultivation, and gave the rest to Wang Mo to sell on his behalf.

Yi Mu Xuan Dan is, after all, a second-tier pill. Even if only a small amount flows into the market, it quickly attracts the attention of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market.

Those who practiced the Wood Element Technique immediately devoured all the pills.

Xu Zhou also reaped a large number of spirit stones.

A month later.

He gradually realized that something was wrong.

In the wooden house.

He looked at the storage bag and ledger containing spirit stones on the table, his brows furrowing slightly.

After a moment, he sighed softly.

"Is this all there is left?"

Xu Zhou originally thought that after becoming a second-tier alchemist, his income from spirit stones should far exceed that during the Qi Refining period.

But once he actually started refining and selling pills, he discovered that things were far from simple.

The price of Tier 2 medicinal herbs is much higher than that of Tier 1 medicinal herbs.

He consumed and refined most of the Yi Mu Xuan Dan he made himself.

The remaining portion flowing into the market can still earn a considerable amount of spirit stones, but it's still much more than just refining Qi Condensation Powder.

However, after deducting the cost of medicinal materials, the profits were far less impressive than expected.

If you accidentally blow up the furnace, it might not even be as good as refining Qi Condensation Powder.

Xu Zhou fell silent for a moment.

During his Qi Refining period, he made a near-guaranteed profit thanks to his skillful refining of Qi Condensation Powder. This was also because there was a large quantity of low-grade medicinal herbs, most of which were grown within the sect, making them inexpensive.

But once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, everything changes.

Tier 2 medicinal materials are either rare or have many requirements regarding their age.

This Yimu Xuan Dan requires many spiritual herbs that are over a hundred years old to be refined into a pill with acceptable medicinal properties.

With the cost of medicinal materials skyrocketing, it's almost impossible to accumulate wealth like during the Qi Refining era by relying on elixirs.

"It's hard to imagine that an alchemist could be in such a predicament."

"However, if the medicinal materials can be supplied steadily, the alchemist shouldn't be in such a difficult situation."

Xu Zhou pondered that outside of the Mu Kingdom, there should be other powerful forces that could reliably provide materials for a century and whose strength surpassed that of the Golden Flame Sect.

He just can't get in touch with it.

He shook his head slightly, putting the matter aside for the time being.

"It's not bad. At least I can refine pills myself and don't have to worry about the source of auxiliary pills. As long as I pay attention to the refining process, I can accumulate some spirit stones."

"Finally, I've gained a firm foothold in the Foundation Establishment stage and can slowly begin to accumulate strength."

At this point, Xu Zhou had already planned his future cultivation strategy.

He only needs to study the inherited scriptures to slow down his lifespan, just like refining qi, while accumulating cultivation and various foundations. After one or two hundred years, he will naturally attempt to form his core.

Thinking about this, Xu Zhou fell into deep thought.

How can he accumulate the foundation for Core Formation?