I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Over the course of five years, Xu Zhou taught his apprentices alchemy. Relying on his extremely solid foundation in pharmacopoeia and a vast amount of medicinal resources, he enabled his four apprentices to make rapid progress in their alchemy skills.

They did live up to expectations; just last month, Yuan Ce successfully refined a pill on his own and became an alchemist.

Not to be outdone, Zhang Yuan and Zhou Sijin also applied for the alchemist assessment and passed it successfully.

Although they wanted to stay and continue their studies, their respective families had high expectations of them. In the end, the three of them left to run their own alchemy workshops.

Recalling how they left, Xu Zhou felt a pang of emotion.

Especially Yuan Ce, who usually has an arrogant demeanor, almost shed tears while speaking, which is really funny to think about.

Xu Zhou still remembers that when Yuan Ce first joined the alchemy room, he was still arrogant and wanted to show off his talent in front of him.

Not long after, when he saw Xu Zhou answer questions so easily and casually, he lowered his head completely and didn't dare to say anything more.

Now, only Ge Mo remains.

When Xu Zhou first took Ge Mo under his wing, he was very worried about just how poor her talent really was.

But in reality, he was quite impressed with this taciturn apprentice.

Although he didn't talk much and his face was expressionless, he was extremely serious about his work, spending an entire day in the alchemy room without even realizing it.

He may lack talent, but his patience far surpasses that of others.

If Xu Zhou hadn't confirmed that she also got tired, he would have almost thought that she had the same physical condition as him.

"Although Ge Mo is rather taciturn, rarely even answering questions, her progress is quite fast when she studies on her own."

"The so-called lack of talent may just be due to an unsuitable environment."

Xu Zhou smiled slightly.

"Times have changed, and people have changed."

Over the past five years, his own cultivation has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. Three months ago, he fully mastered the "Cold Sleep Visualization Method" and began to cultivate his own divine sense.

However, spiritual awareness is not something that can be acquired quickly. Before it is mastered, he cannot view the jade slips, causing his learning source to be temporarily interrupted.

"Wait a little longer, and soon you'll be able to exchange for the Dao of Alchemy inheritance."

Over the years, Xu Zhou has focused on teaching and refining elixirs, accumulating a considerable number of contribution points.

Although he spent a lot of money teaching the apprentices, the elders behind the apprentices would not let their teacher suffer a loss, and each of them gave him a considerable reward.

Therefore, even though Zhang Yuan and the others only stayed for a little over five years before completing their apprenticeship and leaving, and could no longer help with alchemy, it was still a win-win situation for Xu Zhou.

However, the inheritance of alchemy is indeed expensive. In the end, it will take several more months to exchange for the inheritance.

Xu Zhou has never been in a hurry; a few months is nothing, he can wait.

He is now fifty-three years old, yet he still maintains the appearance of a refined young man. This is because he has devoted most of his time and energy to studying classical texts in recent years, and his physical age is still only around twenty-five.

Although there are no learning resources at the moment, it's a good time to relax and enjoy the life of a normal cultivator.

Xu Zhou was practicing his magic in his cave when he suddenly sensed a slight movement in the restrictions within the cave.

"Someone came to the door."

He arrived at the entrance of the cave and saw a familiar figure.

Li Zelei waved to him and said with a smile, "Long time no see, Junior Brother Xu, how have you been?"

Xu Zhou chuckled and shook his head, then led him into the cave, saying, "It's been a bit quiet lately. I didn't expect you to come here so soon, Senior Brother. What a coincidence."

"If Junior Brother Xu is bored, you can come to my house more often," Li Zelei laughed. "Zhu'er and Chen'er were asking you when you're coming the other day."

Xu Zhou sighed helplessly, "They're probably just after the sugar pills I brought."

Since the birth of Li Zelei's eldest son, his family has gained two more sons.

Xu Zhou would visit his home every now and then, and each time he would bring gifts for the family's three children. After visiting so often, the children naturally grew to love this kind and generous Uncle Xu.

The two entered the cave and sat down. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Zhou asked, "So, what brings you here?"

Li Zelei's face immediately showed displeasure: "What are you saying? Can't you come and see your junior brother if there's nothing wrong?"

Xu Zhou shook his head: "Your three children, one has just started cultivating at the Breakthrough Realm, and the other two, Breakthrough Bamboo and Breakthrough Dust, are almost at the age to start cultivating. Do you have time to come out and catch up with me?"

Li Zelei blushed and shook his head: "You can't hide anything from me."

"So what is it?"

Li Zelei considered his words for a moment, then said, "Junior brother, you should know that there is a sacred place called Sunset Valley in the west of Mu Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou's expression changed slightly.

According to the scriptures in the library, Sunset Valley is a wasteland with few resources, and apart from some strange wild beasts, it is not too dangerous.

However, over the years he has also gotten to know many fellow disciples of high status and has begun to come into contact with some sect secrets.

And this Sunset Valley involves one of these secrets.

"Are you referring to the hidden realm in Sunset Valley?"

Li Zelei was about to explain in detail when he heard Xu Zhou say it himself. He was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Junior Brother is right, it is indeed this secret realm."

He continued, "Although Sunset Valley itself doesn't have many resources, that secret realm is extraordinary. It's said that a Nascent Soul cultivator spent decades personally opening it up, and it contains many precious resources. It's even said that the main ingredient for Foundation Establishment Pills can be found there."

However, entering this secret realm isn't easy. Besides needing a large number of contribution points, you also need connections within the sect.

He chuckled and said smugly, "I've been having good luck lately. I've gotten in touch with the Transmission Hall and have a chance to buy a way into the secret realm."

Xu Zhou frowned slightly: "You want to borrow contribution points from me?"

Li Zelei shook his head: "No need for that, I have enough contribution points."

However, this secret realm is filled with rare medicinal herbs. If someone completely unfamiliar with them went in, they wouldn't know what to bring back.

He smiled and looked at Xu Zhou: "So, I thought of Junior Brother Xu."

"Given your understanding of medicinal herbs, you will surely gain a great deal if you come with me."

Xu Zhou chuckled lightly and said indifferently, "I'm not going."

"Junior brother, don't refuse so quickly!"

Li Zelei's anxious expression reminded Xu Zhou of his mischievous son: "There are so many rare medicinal herbs in this secret realm! Even if you don't find any you need, taking them out and handing them over to the sect would be worth a lot of contribution points."

Xu Zhou shook his head decisively: "It's easy to say, but this secret realm is too dangerous."

He tapped his finger lightly on the table: "I'm a practitioner of medicine. Every year, people injured in the secret realm have to be carried to Hundred Herbs Hall; I've seen it all."

Li Zelei smiled awkwardly: "Junior brother, don't worry. There are five slots for entering the secret realm at a time. Besides you, I can invite three more experts. Four late-stage Qi Refining experts will protect you, and you will definitely not be in danger."

"That won't work either," Xu Zhou shook his head. "The people who were carried to Baicaotang are all in the late stage of Qi Refining. They will be injured if they encounter danger. If I, a mid-stage Qi Refining alchemist, run in, I will die on the spot if I'm not careful."

He was more concerned about danger than any so-called opportunity.

He would never go to a place like that.

Li Zelei sensed the resistance in Xu Zhou's tone and felt helpless.

"Have you thought this through? If you miss this opportunity, who knows when the next one will come?"

Xu Zhou said firmly, "Don't worry, I will never go to such a secret realm unless I am absolutely certain of my survival."

"Okay, okay."

He sighed with some regret: "However, after I finish exploring the secret realm, I would like to ask Junior Brother Xu for help in selling some medicinal herbs."

As you know, there would be significant losses if these medicinal herbs were handed over directly to the sect. I remember you know quite a few alchemists at Hundred Herbs Hall; could you introduce me to some people interested in medicinal herbs?

"That's no problem at all." Xu Zhou could definitely do it.

Li Zelei was overjoyed: "Then thank you very much, junior brother. I will give you half of the profits from selling them as a reward."

After finishing this matter, Li Zelei didn't rush to leave, but instead looked around Xu Zhou's cave dwelling:

"Speaking of which, Junior Brother Xu just mentioned that it's been a bit quiet lately?"

Xu Zhou immediately realized something and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Li Zelei laughed heartily: "Junior brother, would you be interested in taking on a disciple?"

"Are you talking about your second child or your third child?" Xu Zhou asked.

"It's the third child."

Li Zelei said slowly, "I want him to learn some medicine from you, so that he can prepare for the future Hundred Herbs Hall assessment."

Xu Zhou was quite clear about what Li Zelei wanted to do.

When he took the entrance exam for Baicaotang, he encountered many inner disciples vying for apprenticeship spots.

Li Zelei wanted to follow the path of these inner disciples, learning the medicine classics while his child was still young, so that he could have an advantage in future assessments.

Xu Zhou frowned slightly: "Chen'er is still young, so we don't need to consider this for now."

Li Zelei sighed: "You know Chen'er's situation. When Yue Niang was pregnant with him, she had a miscarriage, and the boy has been weak and sickly since he was a child."

I think he probably doesn't have much of a future in cultivation. Rather than wasting his time on it, he'd be better off learning a skill, at least then he'd have something to rely on.

Xu Zhou remained silent for a moment.

He had already sensed something was amiss with Li Zelei's description. He had originally planned to ask the other party in a few years if they wanted to teach the child some medicinal knowledge.

I just didn't expect Li Zelei to make such a quick decision, after all, that kid Li Pochen is only four years old this year.

After a long silence, he looked up at the other person.

"It is possible."

However, I'm quite strict when it comes to teaching. If the child can't handle it and comes home crying, you'll have to help me calm down your sister-in-law.

Li Zelei was overjoyed upon hearing this, his joy even surpassing his previous expression.

"Don't worry, teach him however you need to. Yue Niang just spoils him a bit too much. If he doesn't experience some hardship, how will he establish himself in the cultivation world?"

The two then finalized the agreement and agreed to send the child over in a few days.

After seeing Li Zelei off, Xu Zhou sighed inwardly.

He did want the alchemy room to be a little more lively, but not in this way.

"It's time to find a few more apprentices. I can ask Steward Zhang in a few days."

Before he could prepare the gifts and set off, someone else came to visit.

This time, the visitor was completely unexpected by Xu Zhou.

Standing outside the door was none other than his long-lost classmate and senior, Xiao Bing.

Behind him stood a reserved-looking young man.