I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Li Pochen's aptitude has been improved. Although the previous pills did not improve his aptitude as expected, they still provided a slight improvement.

This has a completely different meaning!

After returning home, Xu Zhou refined several more batches of pills according to the formula, trying to find the real reason that could improve aptitude.

However, after personally testing them, I found that the medicinal properties of these pills were completely different.

Some can improve qualifications, while others have no effect at all.

Moreover, it has nothing to do with the order of administration; the difference lies clearly in the pills themselves.

Xu Zhou was immediately puzzled.

No matter how he tried to understand it using medical or alchemical techniques, he couldn't explain why these low-grade medicinal herbs could have the legendary effect of the "Heaven-Mending Pill".

After thinking about it for a long time, he realized that he might have been overthinking things.

"Since we can't figure it out using the methods of alchemy and medicine, perhaps the problem isn't with the formula, but rather with the medicinal ingredients themselves?"

Xu Zhou immediately checked the medicinal herbs he had used for alchemy.

After a thorough cleaning, it was finally discovered that the problematic medicinal herb was named "Muyue Teng".

The Moon-Moon Vine is not a rare medicinal herb, and its medicinal properties have nothing to do with improving one's aptitude.

Most likely, something unexpected happened to the batch he was using.

Xu Zhou followed the trail and discovered that almost all of the previous batch of Moonlit Vine were medicinal herbs that Li Zelei sold after entering the Sunset Valley Secret Realm last time.

I was wealthy enough at the time to buy the medicinal herbs directly without reselling them.

This batch of Moonlit Vine had been sitting in the storage bag for a long time, and it wasn't until now that it was taken out to refine medicine. Unexpectedly, a portion of it was refined into the medicinal effect of "Heaven-Mending Pill"!

"How did we end up back in Sunset Valley?"

Xu Zhou frowned inwardly.

After using them before, the Moonlit Vine in his possession had been completely exhausted.

Half of the "pseudo-Heaven-Mending Pill" he refined was given to Li Pochen, while he consumed the other half himself.

His spiritual root aptitude also improved slightly during this process, and his cultivation speed was a bit faster than before.

However, when I tried to think of more, I didn't know where to start.

He questioned Li Zelei again, but the other party had no memory of the Moonlit Vine. He only remembered picking it casually somewhere in the secret realm, since it wasn't anything rare. He didn't remember anything else.

Seeing that they couldn't get an answer from the questions, they probably had to go to the secret realm to find out the details.

After much deliberation, Xu Zhou decided to suppress the matter for the time being.

He will definitely go in the future, but definitely not now.

"Entry slots to the Sunset Valley Secret Realm are extremely valuable; even I or Senior Brother Li would find it difficult to come up with the spirit stones directly."

"Even if we manage to buy a spot, going in to search for treasure is far too dangerous. Unless... we can get a few more powerful fellow disciples to help us."

Xu Zhou shook his head slightly.

"Now that we know the cause lies with the Muyue Vine, there's no rush."

"It's not too late to take it when I have more resources and a wider network."

...

Two months later.

Upon receiving news from Xu Zhou, Song Rou visited him again.

"Senior brother, I heard that the Clearing Obstacle Pill has been successfully refined, is that true?"

Song Rou arrived in a hurry, her face showing some urgency.

Xu Zhou smiled faintly, took out a jade bottle and placed it on the table: "I have not failed in my mission."

Song Rou's expression brightened, and she reached out to take it.

"Junior sister, wait a moment."

Under Song Rou's questioning gaze, Xu Zhou carefully explained, "Junior Sister, if you want to take the Clearing Pill, you need to pay attention to a few taboos."

This elixir is used to cleanse the meridians of toxins, so although its name includes the word "cleansing," it is actually a potent medicine. When taking it, one must remember not to be injured or ill, otherwise it will be harmful.

Secondly, it's important to note that you should not engage in combat with anyone for six months after taking the medication.

Xu Zhou's expression was serious: "If the taboo is violated, not only will the Clearing Pill not work properly, but it will also harm oneself."

Song Rou was slightly taken aback: "These taboos can't be removed?"

Xu Zhou shook his head: "It's a pity that these taboos are also characteristics of the Clearing Pill, and they are difficult to remove by adjusting the pill formula."

Song Rou remained silent for a while before saying, "There shouldn't be any problem. Thank you for reminding me, Senior Brother."

After all, for alchemists like them who live in the mountains, the number of times they have fought with others in their lives can be counted on one hand, and it is almost impossible for them to fight with others.

Xu Zhou's initiative to remind him was also out of a sense of urgency.

"Thank you for your hard work for me all this time, senior brother. I will never forget what I promised you."

Song Rou took out a storage bag and handed it over: "This is a small gift, I hope you will accept it, Senior Brother."

Xu Zhou didn't stand on ceremony and took it.

Subsequently, Song Rou's essence and cultivation technique were extracted and destroyed on the spot.

Their collaboration thus came to an end, and both were satisfied.

When Song Rou left, she walked faster than she had come, without looking back.

Xu Zhou stood still for a long time.

"Judging from Junior Sister Song's appearance, she will probably be busy with Foundation Establishment for a long time to come."

"The next time we meet, either she'll have successfully established her foundation, or she'll have failed completely and given up entirely."

Xu Zhou's thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he sighed and returned home.

...

Having finished the deduction of the Clearing Pill, Xu Zhou finally emerged from seclusion.

He had planned to return to his previous life, but to his surprise, several people came to his door the very next day as soon as the information about his release was released.

Even more remarkably, there were a few late-stage Qi Refining cultivators among them, whom were rarely seen in the past.

After receiving several people, Xu Zhou finally came to his senses.

His status is different from before.

Just like when he was in the Thousand Wood Forest, as a low-grade alchemist, he was enough to be looked up to by early-stage Qi Refining cultivators and treated with respect by mid-stage cultivators.

Now that he has become a top-grade alchemist, his status has naturally risen to a higher level.

Now, even when facing a Foundation Establishment seed within the sect, he must treat them with utmost respect.

The reason he hadn't visited earlier was twofold: firstly, he had just advanced in his cultivation and his skills were still somewhat raw; secondly, he had been in seclusion for a full year afterward, and no one dared to disturb him.

Now that we've finally emerged from the pass, people are naturally coming to our door.

After realizing the problem, Xu Zhou quickly established rules.

Those who are nameless and rude will not be seen.

It's not that he's become arrogant because of his high status; it's just that if no threshold is set, it will be worn down by the crowd.

Only after this rule was added did Xu Zhou finally have some peace and quiet.

On average, only one or two people can actually see him each month.

On this day, an acquaintance came to our residence.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Deacon Zhang, Li Pochen did not hesitate at all and immediately notified Xu Zhou.

Soon, Xu Zhou brought Steward Zhang into the mansion, where several apprentices prepared tea to entertain him.

"What brings you here, Deacon Zhang? Is there something you need my help with?"

Xu Zhou knew that the status of a top-grade alchemist at Baicaotang was different from before.

After becoming a top-grade alchemist, he had ample autonomy, even when dealing with stewards. If he was in a bad mood, he could even refuse any tasks assigned by the hall.

All that's needed is to lend a hand when Baicaotang plans to refine some rare elixirs.

Refining this kind of pill is both a test and a training ground for alchemists. Therefore, when Xu Zhou learned that Steward Zhang had come to visit in person, he immediately thought of this matter.

Deacon Zhang looked slightly embarrassed and shook his head: "I'm really sorry, but I've come here not to refine rare pills, but for other important matters."

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou was not disappointed and simply said, "Please speak freely, sir. I will do my best to help if I can."

Deacon Zhang felt a warmth in his heart and immediately said, "Actually, the sect recently received a batch of orders and urgently needs a large number of high-grade healing pills."

"After thinking about it carefully, I remembered that you studied the 'Hundred Refinements of Elixir,' which requires a large number of elixirs. That's why I wanted to come and ask if you would be willing to take on this order."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou thought it was a good idea.

Although he wasn't refining rare pills, he had only been promoted to the upper grade for a year, so such an opportunity was unlikely to come his way.

While ordinary healing pills are easy to refine, a large quantity of high-grade healing pills can still provide him with many opportunities to practice and further improve his alchemy skills.

He didn't agree immediately, but instead asked, "This disciple would also like to know, what is the reward for this order?"

Deacon Zhang replied, "Don't worry, all the medicinal herbs will be provided by the sect, and you can keep 30% of the spirit stones obtained in the end."

Xu Zhou nodded slightly.

Thirty percent is not a small amount.

After all, the medicinal materials for pills of this grade are not cheap. As long as the sect is in charge, allowing him to earn 30% is practically free money.

He then said, "In that case, I should be able to accept it."

Steward Zhang looked pleased and said, "Thank you very much. There aren't many top-grade alchemists in the hall to begin with, and most of them are currently in seclusion. You've really helped me solve a troublesome matter."

"I'm relieved to have the Hu family's order in your hands."

Xu Zhou's heart skipped a beat.

"May I ask, steward, is this order from the Hu family?"

Deacon Zhang nodded: "That's right, what's wrong?"

Xu Zhou showed no outward change, only smiling as he asked, "I'm a little curious, why do they suddenly need so many healing pills?"

"Oh, I haven't told you about this yet."

Steward Zhang stroked his beard and said carefully, "Recently, a newly emerging family surnamed Fang in the Yan Kingdom has been expanding its influence on the border between the two countries, and has thus become enemies with the Hu family."

The two families have been at war for several months, with casualties on both sides. The Hu family has run out of medicinal pills and had no choice but to purchase them from a sect.

Xu Zhou couldn't help but frown.

If this war could force a Foundation Establishment family to exhaust its elixirs, it must be quite large in scale.

The question remains: "Why aren't the sects taking action at the border between the two countries?"

"The sect cannot intervene."

Steward Zhang immediately said seriously, "At the very least, this matter is just a fight between two families, but if the sect gets involved, then things will become very different."

The sect can only send some Qi Refining cultivators to help; if any Foundation Establishment cultivators go, the situation will become unmanageable.

Seeing that Xu Zhou's expression was not right, Deacon Zhang comforted him, "Don't worry, this kind of war has happened before. It will only affect families in various places, and it won't affect us."

"Just focus on refining the pills and make some money while you're at it; you don't need to worry about anything else."