I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Several months later, Xu Zhou left the Golden Flame Sect and headed to the sect's sacred ground, Thousand Wood Forest.

The Golden Flame Sect controls over a dozen spiritual lands, each with its own unique rare resources and dangers. The Thousand Wood Forest is located very close to the Golden Flame Sect and is considered a relatively resource-rich spiritual land, abundant in many rare medicinal herbs. It is said that even one of the auxiliary ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills can be found there.

As for danger, Thousand Wood Forest is also a relatively peaceful spiritual land. The only threats to cultivators are some demonized giant trees. As long as they are dealt with properly, they rarely threaten the safety of cultivators.

Because of the low risk and high reward here, ordinary cultivators might not even have the opportunity.

Xu Zhou hadn't expected to come here; he had simply submitted his mission application, only to be assigned here, leaving him puzzled.

Regardless, since it was his first time venturing out of the sect for training, Xu Zhou made thorough preparations.

His magical power was weak, and he couldn't use ordinary magical artifacts, so he bought dozens of talismans, such as fireball talismans and golden shield talismans, all based on Li Zelei's recommendation, in order to be able to deal with various emergencies.

In addition, he spent a large sum of money to buy a mid-grade talisman, the Wood Escape Talisman.

Since he's heading to the Thousand Trees Forest, his surroundings must be filled with trees. He can use any danger he encounters to trigger it and escape.

Xu Zhou knew his magic power was insufficient, and he did not seek to kill the enemy; he only wanted to save his own life.

There were quite a few of these talismans, and the price of the Wood Escape Talisman was comparable to half a bottle of Qi-Inducing Dew. An ordinary cultivator might not even be able to afford so many contribution points.

However, after Xu Zhou became an alchemist, he did not spend any money for seven whole years. He saved all the rewards from alchemy tasks, and now he did not feel any pain when he took out this money.

He secretly sighed, thankful that he had chosen the method of cultivation that required patient accumulation. If he had been a beginner, he certainly wouldn't have been able to arm himself to such an extreme level.

Only after everything was prepared did he arrive at the Thousand Tree Forest.

Not long after he arrived, he met the garrison manager of Qianmu Forest and finally understood why he was able to come here.

Upon seeing her, Xu Zhou was taken aback, not expecting to meet her here.

He immediately bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Senior Sister Ke."

The person before him was Ke Yanfeng's younger sister, Ke Qiaoshu, whom he had met once before.

Today, Ke Qiaoshu's demeanor is quite different from before; she is more dignified and moving, giving people a sense of aloofness and unapproachability.

Facing Xu Zhou, Ke Qiaoshu simply nodded: "Rou'er has already told me about your affairs. I can't interfere with the matters of Baicaotang, but since you're in Qianmu Forest, I can guarantee your safety for the time being."

Xu Zhou's heart stirred, and he finally understood why Song Rou was so supportive of him coming out.

After expressing her sincere gratitude, Ke Qiaoshu frowned slightly: "So many years have passed, and your cultivation has not improved at all. It's a bit of a disappointment to my brother."

Xu Zhou did not argue, but simply nodded in agreement.

After a moment, Ke Qiaoshu's tone softened slightly: "Fine, now that we're in Thousand Wood Forest, let's focus on our cultivation and not get caught up in those frivolous thoughts we had at Hundred Herbs Hall."

As Xu Zhou thanked her, he couldn't help but feel confused, sensing that his senior sister seemed to have some prejudice against him.

Ke Qiaoshu didn't elaborate on this point, paused slightly, and then asked gently:

"By the way, was there anything amiss before my brother set off?"

Xu Zhou carefully recalled the last time he saw Ke Yanfeng, then shook his head: "Senior Brother Ke didn't say anything. I only found out he went out to gather herbs after he left."

"All right."

Ke Qiaoshu's tone carried a hint of undisguised disappointment as she waved her hand: "Your accommodations have been arranged, and the alchemy room has been cleaned and prepared. It's just waiting for the earth fire formation to be completed before you can use it."

"Stay in the Thousand Trees Forest and cultivate diligently. Do not wander around until you have achieved a certain level of cultivation."

From then on, Xu Zhou stayed there.

Ke Qiaoshu treated him somewhat distantly, with the unique coldness of the Ke family. Fortunately, she still took good care of him and arranged a cave dwelling for him in the center of the safe zone, where the spiritual energy was abundant and it was very suitable for cultivation.

In the days following his arrival, people came to visit him one after another, allowing Xu Zhou to gradually learn about the general situation of the other cultivators in the area.

This Thousand Wood Forest spiritual land is overseen by a Foundation Establishment elder, but that elder is in seclusion in a cave somewhere in the forest. Normally, the Thousand Wood Forest is managed by three late-stage Qi Refining stewards, one of whom is Ke Qiaoshu.

In addition, there were two alchemists living in the camp, who held a high position, almost second only to the steward on duty.

However, these two alchemists mostly live in seclusion and are rarely seen.

Xu Zhou quickly learned why his two fellow practitioners were acting this way.

Within a few days, more than a dozen groups of people had visited his cave.

At first, he was happy to welcome them, but as time went on, more and more people came.

Later, it got to the point where people were queuing up in front of the cave entrance, and some even argued and fought over who got to be in the front row. Xu Zhou finally realized something was wrong.

In the end, he could only hang a sign outside his cave saying "Do Not Disturb While Cultivating" in order to find some peace and quiet.

"Alchemists attract more attention than I imagined."

Xu Zhou recalled the people he had met in the past few days, all of whom had been very enthusiastic.

Few of them actually came to him seeking elixirs; most said they were just bringing gifts, treating it as an introduction. As a result, the value of the gifts he received over the past few days exceeded what he had previously spent on talismans.

The remaining small group directly expressed their desire for cooperation, wanting Xu Zhou to provide them with various pills every year. Of course, the reward was equally generous, something even late-stage Qi Refining cultivators couldn't ignore.

Xu Zhou did not immediately refuse, but asked if the reward could be changed to the inheritance of skills.

Unfortunately, whenever this question was asked, the other party would look embarrassed and shake their head helplessly.

In the end, Xu Zhou politely declined everyone's requests.

Perhaps a few years ago, he would have kept a few people to work with.

But now, what he wants is different.

Xu Zhou understood perfectly that as an alchemist, he had no shortage of contribution points or spirit stones.

What truly attracts him is always the inheritance of skills and valuable resources for cultivation techniques.

And these are things that others cannot provide.

Since that's the case, he doesn't need to waste time and energy on useless contribution points. He should stick to the plan, honestly cultivate and read scriptures, and continue to pass the time.

Given enough time, you'll accumulate contribution points and spirit stones.

...

On the third day after closing the door, someone came to visit.

Xu Zhou had received the news beforehand and released the cave's restrictions in advance to bring the person in.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yan Xun."

The newcomer was an elderly man with a weathered face and graying hair, speaking gently. Upon seeing Xu Zhou, he approached with a smile: "This must be Junior Brother Xu. Indeed, you are a promising young man."

Xu Zhou smiled sheepishly: "I dare not accept such praise. I have only cultivated some youth-preserving techniques, which is why I appear young."

"Oh, I see."

The old man Yan Xun didn't elaborate on this topic, only saying, "Let's take a look at Junior Brother Xu's Earth Fire Formation first."

"Alright, please, senior brother."

Yan Xun was another alchemist in Thousand Wood Forest, and he was eighty years old, which was quite old even for a Qi Refining cultivator. Seeing no hope of breaking through, he decided to stay here and retire.

Although he was old, he still possessed the skills of a mid-grade alchemist, so Xu Zhou treated him with great courtesy, and the two quickly became acquainted.

Yan Xun had some basic knowledge of formations, and even if not much, it would be easy for him to help set up a basic earth-fire formation.

However, the art of formations is indeed complex, and it takes about an hour to complete the setup.

With nothing else to do, the two chatted casually for a while.

Both of them were alchemists, and their conversation mainly revolved around this topic. After talking for a while, Yan Xun couldn't help but sigh, "Junior Brother Xu has so many ingenious ideas about alchemy; it has given me a lot of inspiration. Given time, I think Junior Brother might become a master of alchemy."

Xu Zhou smiled slightly, then sighed: "It's a pity that Baicaotang has strict control over the inheritance of alchemy, making it difficult to exchange for."

"That's true."

Yan Xun had clearly also been troubled by the rules, and said with a wry smile, "Everything else in the sect is fine, but they are too strict about these inheritances. I've never even seen them myself."

Xu Zhou asked, "Senior Brother Yan has been a disciple for many years and is a mid-grade alchemist. Is it possible that you couldn't obtain this alchemy inheritance?"

Yan Xun sighed: "It's not that simple."

The sect strictly controls these inheritances and won't easily delegate them. On the surface, it's said that only mid-grade alchemists are eligible to apply, but in reality, being eligible is one thing, and actually getting the job is another.

Xu Zhou's expression changed slightly.

He recalled asking Ge Liancheng to help him apply for a medical inheritance, but the other party looked worried and only reluctantly agreed after he promised to give up his alchemy room. At the time, he thought the other party was just putting on an act, but later he realized that applying for an inheritance also came with its own benefits.

He still had no idea how much of a benefit he would receive.

He pressed on, "May I ask, Senior Brother Yan, how exactly does one apply for this alchemy inheritance?"

"If you have exceptional talent, or know a Foundation Establishment Elder or something, then it's not that difficult."

Yan Xun paused briefly before continuing, "If neither of those apply, then we must provide the sect with sufficient benefits, such as a large number of contribution points or spirit stones."

Xu Zhou pressed further, "Approximately how many contribution points would be enough?"

Yan Xun glanced at him: "How much have you saved up over the years?"

Xu Zhou gave a number.

Yan Xun gently shook his head: "Perhaps we'll have a chance if we increase it tenfold."

Xu Zhou's face darkened upon hearing this.

As an alchemist, his accumulated savings over the years amounted to only three or four thousand. According to Yan Xun's plan, he would have to wait another seventy years to obtain a share of the inheritance.

And this is just one form of inheritance. Baicaotang has more than one form of inheritance. If you want to have them all, you have to pay even more.

It's just some inherited knowledge that can be copied at will, is it really necessary to regulate it so strictly?

Yan Xun sighed: "That's why most people in the sect spend their days thinking about how to curry favor with the elders. Those with Foundation Establishment connections are more powerful than those without."

Senior Brother Xu, if you are truly determined, remember to prepare early. Don't just focus on cultivation and then find yourself hopeless when the crucial application period arrives, wasting your time in vain.

Xu Zhou thanked him for the reminder and began to make plans in his mind.

He does need quite a few contribution points, but at least he knows the approximate amount, so he has a goal.

As for personal connections, we'll have to find another way.