I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

On the morning of the third day.

The courtyard is off-limits to minor movements.

Xu Zhou opened the courtyard gate and saw Ge Liancheng standing outside, looking somewhat tired.

He carried a heavy storage bag in his hand, which naturally contained a medical heritage composed of several thick books.

Ge Liancheng breathed a sigh of relief after handing over the inheritance, and said with a smile, "Junior brother is quite lucky. This inheritance was originally recorded in a jade slip, which would normally require time to copy. Fortunately, there happened to be a set in the storeroom, so I quickly moved it over."

Xu Zhou accepted the inheritance and, without delay, quickly vacated the alchemy room.

After taking over the alchemy room, Ge Liancheng breathed a sigh of relief.

If he had known earlier that Xu Zhou had a different background, he would never have gotten involved in this mess.

He cursed the other stewards of Baicaotang in his heart, hating that they knew everything but made him the one to stick his neck out.

If I really offend the Xiao family, all my years of hard work will have gone down the drain.

Fortunately, the result was good.

Having obtained the alchemy room, he had at least partially resolved things with Xu Zhou, without truly breaking off relations.

Therefore, when Xu Zhou left the alchemy room, he saw him off with genuine respect.

Xu Zhou had no attachment to the alchemy room.

Although the alchemy room is valuable, it seems less important compared to a complete inheritance.

Although it's just the inheritance of medical skills, it's still the inheritance of knowledge. Letting him apply for the inheritance himself would not only cost a lot, but whether he could even get it approved is another matter entirely.

After all, with Ke Yanfeng absent, the other deacons were not so easy to talk to.

Having inherited the legacy, although he no longer had a cave dwelling to live in, he still had the identity of an alchemist, so he didn't have to worry about where to stay.

Before deciding where to go next, he first went to Song Rou's residence.

If it weren't for Song Rou's help, how could Ge Liancheng have given in so easily?

Although he did know Xiao Bing, their relationship was merely acquaintance. If Xu Zhou were to personally inform Ge Liancheng about this, the latter would likely not care at all. Only someone of considerable influence like Song Rou could subtly probe, and only then would Xiao Bing's connection be effective.

Xu Zhou had initially thought that since he and Song Rou hadn't worked together for a long time, she might not be able to help him. But to his surprise, when he met her a few days ago and made his request, Song Rou immediately agreed.

Now I have to personally visit to express my gratitude.

When Xu Zhou arrived, Song Rou, dressed in an elegant long dress, came to greet him.

Years have passed, and the once slightly naive girl has now blossomed into a graceful and stunningly beautiful young woman. Upon seeing Xu Zhou, a blush rose on her face, accompanied by a gentle smile that would captivate anyone.

Even Xu Zhou was secretly amazed by the changes the other person had undergone over the years.

He thanked Song Rou and presented her with several recipes he had developed himself. These recipes contained various types of yin-type spiritual water, representing his insights gained during this period.

Song Rou happily accepted it and carefully placed it close to her body.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, then Song Rou changed the subject, asking, "Now that you no longer have the alchemy room, Senior Brother, what are your plans for the future?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment before replying, "I'll find a place to stay within the sect for now. I've accumulated enough contribution points, so I'm not worried about that. If all else fails, I have other plans."

Song Rou nodded, her eyes smiling. "In that case, Senior Brother, would you like to stay with me for a while? As for payment, just help me refine pills, like we did before when we worked together."

Xu Zhou looked up and met her gentle gaze, and his heart couldn't help but flutter slightly.

Seven years ago, Song Rou asked him almost the same question. He politely declined then, thinking she wouldn't bring it up again, but he didn't expect to hear it again today.

Such sincerity moved him, and he almost nodded in agreement.

But he suppressed the turmoil in his heart and did not agree immediately.

He rejected her back then because he was busy with cultivation and had no time for anything else, and it is the same now.

Especially if you already have secrets, it's best not to get too close to others before you have enough power.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Zhou's gaze gradually returned to calm: "Never mind. I want to continue to cultivate diligently afterward. Before reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining, I shouldn't have much time to be distracted by other things."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Song Rou's eyes, then she sighed softly, "I see."

But she quickly regained her smile: "Senior brother has his own plans. It seems I was presumptuous. I hope senior brother will not take offense."

As if she didn't care, she casually continued, "However, Senior Brother just mentioned that you plan to stay in the sect temporarily. Do you have any other plans?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "I just suddenly realized that the sect has many spiritual lands outside, which should also need alchemists, right?"

The so-called spiritual lands of sects are the outposts of the Golden Flame Sect. Almost all spiritual lands contain rare resources, but unfortunately, they cannot be moved by the sect itself, so the sect needs to send people to guard them and collect the resources regularly.

The places Li Zelei had visited, such as the Fire Cave and the secluded valley, were spiritual sites of this kind.

Xu Zhou suddenly realized that such spiritual places are often quite dangerous, and the elixirs used for healing and defense should be in high demand there, so it might be a good place to go.

Song Rou was slightly taken aback, but her eyes lit up: "Senior Brother thought of this? That's right. The sect does send alchemists to be stationed in various spiritual lands. If you want to go, you can apply for such a mission at any time."

Her tone became a bit lighter: "The treatment of these dispatched alchemists is actually quite good. They not only have their own alchemy rooms and furnaces, but the alchemy tasks are not too heavy, yet the rewards are considerable."

In addition, these sect's spiritual lands occasionally produce rare medicinal herbs, which senior brothers can purchase immediately, avoiding the price difference when exchanging them within the sect. If they're lucky, they might even be able to snag some rare items from the outside world.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou did not immediately nod, but instead frowned slightly.

Noticing Xu Zhou's unusual expression, Song Rou couldn't help but ask, "What are you worried about, Senior Brother?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a while before saying, "However, I still feel that these spiritual lands are somewhat dangerous. Although each spiritual land has a safe zone where alchemists should not encounter danger, my cultivation level is not high, so I am hesitant."

He paused slightly, then sighed: "Logically speaking, there aren't many alchemists in the sect, so they should be protected. But if the spiritual land really encounters danger, I'm afraid we might not be able to take care of everyone."

Song Rou chuckled upon hearing this: "Senior brother, you've misunderstood."

Think about it carefully. If you were a high-level cultivator, and your sect was in danger, with disciples in peril, and you had an alchemist and other ordinary disciples in front of you, who would you save?

Xu Zhou was taken aback at first, then his brows relaxed.

The answer is self-evident.

Ordinary disciples, unless their cultivation level is far superior, are absolutely no match for alchemists.

He couldn't help but chuckle: "I see."

The sect doesn't need to issue orders to protect alchemists. In fact, alchemists are the rarest people in the cultivation world, and as long as there are people around, they don't need to worry about their safety at all.

Song Rou nodded happily: "It seems that Senior Brother has figured it out."

"Let me put it this way," she said slowly, "if there really is danger, the other cultivators in the camp will definitely prioritize the safety of the alchemist. Unless the danger is great enough to kill everyone, the alchemist will definitely be the last one to be harmed."

Alchemists are highly sought-after figures in the cultivation world. Countless people are willing to curry favor with you, and with their protection, you have absolutely no need to worry about your safety.

Xu Zhou grasped this point with just a little thought.

A bottle of Yellow Sprout Pill, worth fifteen contribution points, attracted fierce competition among early-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

But for him, as an alchemist, refining the Yellow Sprout Pill was a piece of cake.

Although everyone's cultivation level was clearly at the early stage of Qi Refining, there was a gap due to the preciousness of the pills.

Xu Zhou sighed inwardly, realizing that he had been in the Hundred Herbs Hall for too long, surrounded by alchemists, making it difficult to perceive the differences between them.

The only outsider he had was Li Zelei, but this senior brother was no ordinary person. Over the years, he had risked his life and escaped death several times, so the profits he had earned were naturally not to be taken for granted.

It was also because Li Zelei's cultivation level improved rapidly that the Yellow Sprout Pill refined by Xu Zhou gradually lost its appeal to him, which caused him to miscalculate his identity as an alchemist.

However, after Song Rou's reminder, he quickly understood the pros and cons.

"Sending alchemists to other regions is indeed a viable idea."

Xu Zhou nodded, then asked, "However, it sounds like the treatment for dispatched alchemists is quite good, so why do most people from Hundred Herbs Hall stay within the sect and are unwilling to go?"

Song Rou smiled helplessly and said, "Senior brother, think about it. If you were the kind of cultivator who wanted to climb the ladder of authority and build connections, would you be willing to become an outlying alchemist?"

Xu Zhou chuckled to himself.

Also.

Baicaotang claims to have over a hundred alchemists, but only about fifty are resident. The rest are either living in seclusion or have been dispatched as alchemists.

That makes sense.

After Xu Zhou understood, he cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Junior Sister. I will think about it carefully when I get back, and perhaps I will accept this kind of mission and go to the sect's spiritual land."

"Then I wish you success in your cultivation in advance, Senior Brother." Song Rou returned the bow.

After Xu Zhou left, he did not immediately take on any overseas assignments. Instead, he sought out Li Zelei and other sect cultivators to subtly inquire about the situation of the dispatched alchemists.

After careful confirmation, I realized that my previous assumptions were correct. Going to work as an outlying alchemist should not be too dangerous; on the contrary, it would have many benefits.

However, some preparation is still needed before making a final decision.

Ultimately, no matter how much protection one has, it is still on the edge of a perilous sacred land.

To ensure one's own safety, it is necessary to find some means, at least to ensure that one can protect oneself in the early stages of Qi cultivation.