I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Fang Sheng hesitated only slightly before agreeing to Xu Zhou's request.

In the outside world, top-grade spiritual herbs and century-old tree spirits may be very scarce, but in the Thousand Wood Forest, these two are not difficult to find.

In particular, Xu Zhou did not limit the types of spiritual herbs and tree spirits. As long as one could go deep into the Thousand Tree Forest, one would always encounter one of them within a few days.

After identifying their destination, the team headed deeper into the forest.

Fang Sheng was clearly very familiar with the Thousand Wood Forest, and even when he was distracted by conversation, he could still maintain control over the direction of their journey and their safety.

Although this was Xu Zhou's first time in such a dangerous place, he had made ample preparations before setting off. Now, fully armed and protected by several cultivators, he appeared relaxed in his demeanor.

With the possibility of continued cooperation in the future in mind, the two consciously got to know each other and soon began chatting enthusiastically.

After a brief conversation, Xu Zhou learned that Fang Sheng was a descendant of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, but unfortunately, he lacked talent. That's why his family found a way to help him cultivate in Qianmu Forest.

Fang Sheng also knew that Xu Zhou was an outer disciple.

Upon learning of this, his expression paused almost imperceptibly.

Most cultivators of the Golden Flame Sect reject outer disciples, mainly because outer disciples come from ordinary backgrounds, have low potential, but occupy resources within the sect, which is disliked.

As one of the inner disciples, Fang Sheng also had a similar habit.

But he immediately remembered something.

The person in front of me is a master alchemist.

The difference is significant.

He also knew how strict the Hundred Herbs Hall's assessment of its apprentices was; even within the inner sect, very few people could enter. Only a select few who had prepared well in advance, starting to study the classics of medicine years beforehand, could pass the assessment; the vast majority of people didn't even qualify for the assessment.

Xu Zhou, who came from the outer sect, actually passed the assessment that year. After more than ten years of training, although his cultivation level was not high, he had become a genuine alchemist.

The hardships involved are unimaginable to ordinary people.

Thinking of this, his expression gradually became serious.

"Master Xu," he said, cupping his hands in greeting, "it seems I underestimated him before."

He paused, his tone now more sincere: "I've inquired about the Hundred Herbs Hall's assessment. Even those who prepare for years in advance find it difficult to enter the inner sect."

He then gave a slight wry smile: "Although I have the protection of my family and am not lacking in cultivation resources, I am still only at the fourth level of Qi Refining."

Master Xu came from an outer sect, yet he's managed to get to where he is today. If it were me, I might not have been able to make it this far.

Fang Sheng's words made Xu Zhou think more highly of him.

Regardless of the circumstances, a person who can openly admit their own shortcomings already surpasses many others.

"Senior Brother Fang, you flatter me," he said with a smile and a shake of his head. "Whether you're from the outer sect or the inner sect, you're all trying to go further on the path of cultivation based on your own abilities."

Senior Brother Fang has family support, while I have some talent in alchemy. But the path of immortality ultimately depends on how far one can go. As for background and abilities, they are merely means to an end.

Upon hearing this, Fang Sheng immediately felt a connection with him.

The two chatted happily as they walked, while the other team members remained silent, focusing instead on guarding against potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

After walking for half a day, the group stopped to rest for a while.

Xu Zhou was positioned in the center of the group, while the others patrolled and kept watch around him in order.

Although Fang Sheng was the squad leader, he was not arrogant and participated in the patrol as well. After the two who were initially on guard duty returned, he left with another squad member named Kong Jinche.

After walking a little further, Kong Jinche couldn't help but ask, "Senior brother, is this guy surnamed Xu really as amazing as you say?"

Fang Sheng was slightly taken aback, then his expression turned serious: "You don't think I was just trying to comfort him, do you?"

"Isn't that right?"

Kong Jinche slightly curled his lip: "No matter what, he's just a low-grade alchemist. It took him nearly twenty years to reach this level; is that really considered impressive?"

"Fool," Fang Sheng sneered, "You have no idea how difficult the Hundred Herbs Hall's assessment is. Haven't you heard of Fairy Song Rou?"

Kong Jinche looked puzzled: "I know her, she's that genius alchemist from Baicaotang? Many people say she has a limitless future, but what does that have to do with Xu Zhou?"

Fang Sheng sneered: "That Fairy Song, like Alchemist Xu, is also from the outer sect."

Kong Jinche's expression froze.

Fang Sheng continued, "The Hundred Herbs Hall's assessment is more difficult than you can imagine. Not just anyone can become an alchemist. Apart from Song Rou, only Alchemist Xu was able to enter the Hundred Herbs Hall from the outer sect."

Even if his talent is not as good as Song Rou's, the fact that he passed the assessment shows he is no ordinary person. How could being from an outer sect background possibly limit him?

"Is it really that miraculous?" Kong Jinche still didn't believe it.

Fang Sheng said, "Don't underestimate him just because he's only a low-grade alchemist now. I'm sure he'll achieve great things in the future, and he might even become a high-grade alchemist."

Building a good relationship with him now might not be very useful in the short term. But in the long run, you'll realize just how beneficial it is to have the acquaintance of a top-tier alchemist.

Kong Jinche dared not refute, after all, he also knew how popular top-grade alchemists were.

Let alone him, even his elders would probably be respectful and fawning upon meeting a top-grade alchemist. If they were to actually befriend such a person, they would be laughing in their sleep.

"Really?" he whispered.

Fang Sheng was too lazy to persuade him, and simply said, "In any case, he can at least become a mid-grade alchemist. You should at least try to curry favor with someone like that, right?"

I heard before that this Alchemist Xu seems to be interested in a marriage alliance with an inner disciple, hoping for a powerful alliance. I remember you have a younger sister who is quite beautiful; would you like to introduce her?

Kong Jinche was shocked: "That won't do! My sister is the apple of our eye; she's only sixteen this year. How can we let this guy have her?"

Fang Sheng shook his head: "You're overthinking things. Even if you wanted to introduce them, they might not even need it."

The two didn't say anything more, but simply completed their patrol according to procedure and then returned to rejoin the others.

Not long after, the group set off again.

...

He didn't care how the rest of the team viewed Xu Zhou.

After entering the Thousand Wood Forest, aside from superficially talking to Fang Sheng, he focused all his attention on observing the surrounding environment.

With years of experience in deep learning, he has also developed some tricks that allow him to use his mind for two purposes to a limited extent, and these came in handy at this moment.

The trees in the Thousand Trees Forest are not of just one type, but rather many different kinds of trees grow wildly, with an incredibly rich spiritual energy.

Among them, you will occasionally see a unique tree, such as one that can hurt people with its vines, one that can attract bees with its fragrance, or even one that can sing, which is amazing.

Xu Zhou's horizons were broadened, and he saw many trees that he had only seen in books before, making up for his lack of experience.

As we delve deeper, the variety of tree species gradually diminishes. Some of them we've never even seen in books, and we can only roughly determine their characteristics.

When faced with these types of trees, Fang Sheng, as a precaution, would often arrange for a small team to take a detour to ensure safety.

Occasionally, the team encounters unexpected situations, such as a member accidentally stepping on a trap vine. Fang Sheng, who is always in the center of the team, will quickly take action to cut the vine and eliminate the trouble for the team.

And so it went on the second day.

After a night's rest, everyone was full of energy, but their pace of progress slowed down.

This place is already in the center of the Thousand Trees Forest, and there is always the possibility of encountering tree spirits that have awakened their spiritual power. We must deal with them with caution.

As they were walking, Xu Zhou suddenly turned his head to look to one side, a hint of doubt on his face.

Seeing that he was slowing down, Fang Sheng stopped and looked over: "What's wrong?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment, then pointed in that direction: "Shall we go take a look over there?"

"Did you find something?" Fang Sheng asked curiously.

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment and then said, "Did you see those antler flowers growing on those trees just now?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Fang Sheng nodded: "I saw it. This thing is very common in the woods."

Xu Zhou nodded and said, "The Deer Antler Flower has a characteristic: when it sprays its seeds, it will go in the direction where the wood element spiritual energy is dense."

The larger antler flowers we just saw generally graze southwards, while the smaller ones all spread northwards. This suggests there's a strong wood elemental source in that direction. It's either a wood spirit or a rare spiritual plant.

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but show expressions of suspicion.

Kong Jinche curled his lip in disdain and muttered under his breath, "If it were really that simple, how come we didn't know?"

Fang Sheng also had some doubts.

If what Xu Zhou said is true, then the ability of the deer antler flower to help them identify the forest environment should have been something I heard about from others long ago, instead of waiting for Xu Zhou to tell me.

He hesitated for a long time before finally nodding and saying, "Let's go take a look over there."

Since they don't have a specific goal right now, and Xu Zhou said there's something in that direction, they might as well go and take a look; it won't delay them either way.

So the team changed direction and slowly moved north.

Initially, the people walking in front were really worried about encountering the wood spirit, so they moved with extreme caution.

However, as they continued forward, the area ahead remained remarkably quiet, showing no signs of danger whatsoever.

Several members of the team wore disdainful expressions. If Fang Sheng hadn't privately reminded them, they might have spoken up right now to mock Xu Zhou's judgment.

Xu Zhou, however, remained expressionless.

After all, he had only deduced the nature of the deer antler flower, as it was not recorded in the medical classics.

He wasn't sure if his deduction was entirely correct, but such judgments based on book knowledge are inherently biased.

If you're wrong, just go back to the original path.

He was wondering whether he should tell Fang Sheng to replan the route.

Suddenly, Fang Sheng stopped abruptly, his expression first brightening with joy, then he shouted in a deep voice:

"Watch out, everyone! There's a sentient wood spirit ahead!"