I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

A few days later, Xiao Jingwen began to visit and learn from him.

Xu Zhou didn't give him any special treatment. He simply explained his teaching method as usual, piled the medicinal herbs on him, and sat in the corner as usual.

However, things are different now than usual.

He has finished reading "The Method of Cold Sleep Visualization" but has no learning resources at hand, so he can only use "The Spirit Implantation Gate" as a pastime.

He used his extra energy to observe Xiao Jingwen.

Over the course of several days, Xiao Jingwen's performance was neither outstanding nor bad.

Compared to Xiao Bing in Xu Zhou's memory, Xiao Jingwen's familiarity with the pharmacopoeia was even greater, and he had indeed put in a lot of hard work in this area.

When processing medicinal herbs, one often only needs to be told the method once to remember it. Occasionally, mistakes are made, but these are usually due to oversights in details, not a lack of understanding.

Logically speaking, such an apprentice should be considered easy to manage.

But Xu Zhou had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

After spending three days together, he finally figured out what was wrong.

Xiao Jingwen rarely asks questions on his own initiative.

When encountering unfamiliar medicinal herbs, he would try repeatedly on his own until he could process them successfully. He would only ask for help when he truly couldn't solve the problem.

After asking the question, they won't say another word.

Xu Zhou has taught several apprentices and has paid attention to the situations that might occur to them.

People like Zhang Yuan and Zhou Sijin, with average talent, are overjoyed when they learn new things. It's only when they learn too much that they feel a bit bored and need to rest in time.

Yuan Ce, with his exceptional talent, was initially quite arrogant. However, after spending a few days with him and discovering Xu Zhou's terrifyingly strong understanding of the fundamentals of the Materia Medica, he lowered his head in respect and adjusted his attitude accordingly.

Those who are more reserved, like Ge Mo, seem to be immersed in their own world, which is another kind of style.

But Xiao Jingwen is different from all of the above.

Although he appeared to be studying, he actually had no enjoyment of learning whatsoever; it was as if he was merely completing a task.

Realizing this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Xiao Jingwen might be a good apprentice, but clearly, his heart isn't in it.

From then on, Xu Zhou paid less attention to him and treated him as just an ordinary apprentice.

In any case, Xiao Bing's meaning was very clear: as long as he taught normally and wasn't fired, that was fine. Otherwise, things could proceed as they normally would.

Xu Zhou then approached Steward Zhang and recruited several more apprentices. Once the number of people in the alchemy room increased, Xiao Jingwen became less conspicuous.

Once his apprentices were on the right track, he began to work on his own affairs.

It's time to exchange for the Daoist alchemy inheritance.

...

This time, Xu Zhou didn't ask Deacon Zhang about the application for inheritance; instead, he went directly to Deacon Yuan.

Less than half a day after the application was submitted, Deacon Yuan told him to pack up and go see a senior.

Xu Zhou was immediately startled.

To be addressed as a senior by Deacon Yuan speaks volumes about the other party's status.

He followed Deacon Yuan to the depths of the Hundred Herbs Hall, then through a long corridor, and arrived at a garden.

In the garden, a monk in white robes stood in the center, strolling and admiring the spring scenery, seemingly unaware that someone was approaching.

Deacon Yuan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Master, the person has arrived."

"let me see."

Xu Zhou immediately realized that the other person was looking at him and bowed, saying, "This disciple greets Senior."

"So you want to exchange for the Dao of Alchemy inheritance?" the white-robed cultivator asked.

"I am indeed your disciple."

"His cultivation level is a bit low, and his age... isn't young either."

The white-robed cultivator then asked, "Other mid-grade alchemists like you have given up on advancing further and started enjoying their lives. Why do you still want to apply for the inheritance?"

Xu Zhou said earnestly, "In any case, this disciple also wants to witness the pinnacle of alchemy, so that I will not have wasted my life."

"Hmm, let me think about it." The white-robed monk remained noncommittal.

Deacon Yuan said from the side, "Master, this is Junior Brother Xu's reflections on alchemy. I hope you will take a look."

He took out a booklet from his pocket, which was Xu Zhou's alchemical insights that he had compiled over the years and given to him in advance.

The white-robed monk took the booklet and casually flipped through a few pages.

Afterwards, the booklet was returned to Steward Yuan.

"You do have some insight."

The white-robed cultivator said calmly, "Since that's the case, I will pass on a lineage of alchemy to you."

He said to Deacon Yuan, "Take him and get a copy of the 'Hundred Refinements to Elixir' manual."

Xu Zhou was overjoyed and immediately bowed, saying, "Thank you, senior!"

"Let's go," the white-robed monk waved his hand, "Don't disturb me while I'm admiring the flowers."

Xu Zhou dared not say more and soon left with Deacon Yuan.

Soon, he finally got his wish and received the long-awaited Daoist alchemy inheritance.

Xu Zhou seized the opportunity to hand over a storage bag, which the other party accepted without batting an eye. Only then did the old man smile and say, "Congratulations, Junior Brother, on achieving your wish. You must study diligently in the future and strive to make further progress in the Dao of Alchemy."

After saying goodbye, Xu Zhou immediately returned to his cave.

Without a moment's delay, he casually hung up the cave's protective barrier and immediately took out the alchemy inheritance, carefully perusing it.

But after this one glance, his expression changed from initial excitement to astonishment, and then gradually turned gloomy.

He quickly scanned the book, closed it, and frowned.

"This is... the lineage of alchemy?"

He glanced again at the storage bag containing the inheritance; apart from the book in his hand, there was nothing else.

To be fair, this classic text truly deserves to be called a legacy. The key points of alchemy techniques recorded within are profound, and even a simple glance at them greatly inspired Xu Zhou.

However, this book is rather thin.

No matter how profound the knowledge of Daoist alchemy recorded in the tradition may be, it cannot withstand long-term study.

Xu Zhou was still unsure, so he opened it again and read it over once more.

This time, he finally gained some understanding of this legacy.

"So this is the 'Hundred Refinements to Elixir' manual."

"The term 'hundred refinements' refers not only to elixirs but also to alchemists. To achieve success in the art of alchemy, one must undergo a hundred refinements."

"It does record many alchemy techniques, but that's about all there is to it. Alchemists who want to improve their understanding will need a lot of practice."

Xu Zhou's expression was rather unpleasant.

He was unsure whether all alchemical traditions were like this.

But at least, the medical traditions I've seen are not like this.

A proper transmission of knowledge should involve extensive classical texts and require years or even decades to fully master, rather than just a booklet that only records a few techniques.

The more he flipped through the pages, the more he frowned, and most of his initial joy at receiving the inheritance dissipated.

"If you only read this 'Hundred Refinements to Elixir' manual, you can finish learning it in a few months. After that, if you want to improve, you'll have to rely on alchemy."

"Although the pills I refine don't necessarily have to be of the highest grade, I can't enter a deep learning state while refining pills, so I can't help lock in the loss of my lifespan."

Xu Zhou found this result hard to accept.

He needed to learn how to slow down the passage of time, which is why he spent so much time searching for and reading ancient texts. If he couldn't stop his lifespan, he might as well focus on cultivation.

According to the description in "The Hundred Refinements of Elixir", to reach the level mentioned therein, one would need to dedicate oneself to alchemy for decades to have any chance of becoming a second-tier alchemist.

Xu Zhou put down the books and paced back and forth in the cave.

Finally, he stopped and shook his head.

"This legacy has been of limited help to me."

"Perhaps it was unintentional, or perhaps that senior thought I was too old and just wanted me to focus on alchemy."

"If it's the latter, then even if I accumulate enough contribution points to exchange for other inheritances in the future, he might consider it disrespectful. Doesn't that mean I can no longer apply for the Hundred Herbs Hall's inheritance through the traditional methods?"

"This matter is of utmost importance and must be carefully verified."

Xu Zhou hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to ask for clarification.

He went out again, found Deacon Yuan, and respectfully asked what was on his mind.

Surprisingly, Deacon Yuan did not immediately deny it after hearing this.

"Master may not really think so, but in my opinion, it makes sense."

He slowly said, "Junior brother, think about it carefully. There are so many alchemists in the sect, but only so many medicinal materials for alchemy. Why should we give them to you?"

Other inheritances require rare medicinal herbs as practice aids, but the "Hundred Refinements of Elixir" can improve your skills even when refining low-grade elixirs, making it your best choice.

Xu Zhou remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "But this disciple is not content with only reading this 'Hundred Refinements to Elixir' manual. If possible, I would like to see other inheritances."

Deacon Yuan glanced at him, his tone turning colder.

"Do you really want another lineage?"

Xu Zhou did not deny it.

Deacon Yuan sighed and said slowly, "Don't think about it."

If you were to ask again now, in my master's eyes, that would be considered a lack of resolve. That wouldn't be ambition, but greed.

Deacon Yuan paused for a moment, then continued, "You know your own situation: low-grade spiritual root, nearly fifty years old, and no background."

"Techniques, secret arts, and skills passed down through generations—these are the foundation of any sect. So many people want them, why should we give them to you?"

Xu Zhou frowned and asked, "Is there really no other way?"

Deacon Yuan looked at him for a long time, feeling a pang of pity, and sighed softly.

"no."

Although she was soft-hearted, her reply was resolute.

Xu Zhou sighed inwardly, finally realizing that this path was temporarily unfeasible.

He didn't say much, respectfully thanked Steward Yuan for informing him of this, and then left without looking back.

Looking at his retreating figure, Deacon Yuan couldn't immediately discern Xu Zhou's emotions.

"I hope he can handle it."

Then, Deacon Yuan shook his head self-deprecatingly: "What can I do if I can't stand it? The sect is powerful. Without a background or talent, I can only accept my fate."

Xu Zhou returned to his cave and casually opened all the restrictions, isolating the inside from the outside.

Once the room was completely quiet, his gaze fell on the table. The "Hundred Refinements to Elixir" was still lying there.

He fell silent and remained motionless for a long time.

Since entering the sect, he has been cultivating at Baicaotang. Although his talent is only average, after years of study, he has long developed a passion for alchemy and has really thought about pushing it to its limits.

But now, it's clear that this path is no longer viable.

Xu Zhou suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Fine."

"I don't necessarily have to obsess over alchemy."

"As long as I can continue learning, it doesn't matter what I learn."

He closed the "Hundred Refinements to Elixir" book, didn't look at it again, and casually put it into his storage bag.

Then, he took out a jade slip from his storage bag and placed it on the table.

"Since you can't continue learning alchemy, why not try learning formation techniques?"