I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

"Elder Gu?"

Xu Zhou had never heard of this person before and looked puzzled.

Song Rou introduced at the right time: "Elder Gu is an elder of Baicaotang, and one of the few elders who can reside permanently in the sect's mountain gate. In terms of his prestige, it is appropriate to call him the head of Baicaotang."

He also oversees many of the traditions within the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment.

"Does Elder Gu often wear white robes?"

Song Rou was slightly taken aback: "Senior brother, you've seen him before?"

Xu Zhou nodded.

When he obtained the "Hundred Refinements to Elixir" book, he met the other party under the guidance of Steward Yuan.

At the time, they did not know that the other party was Elder Gu, but since Song Rou said that Elder Gu was one of the few people who could reside permanently in the mountain gate, it was probably this person.

After he recounted the story, a hint of joy flashed across Song Rou's face.

"If that's the case, then senior brother should really go and see him."

"I've heard that Elder Gu is a reclusive man who doesn't easily meet people. Since he met you once before, he must admire you quite a bit, and perhaps he still does now."

Xu Zhou fell into deep thought for a moment.

...

After saying goodbye to Song Rou, Xu Zhou hesitated for a few days in his cave.

Not long after, he received a second letter from the Thousand Pulse Chamber of Commerce.

This letter was not written by Manager Huang, whom they had known before, but by another elder of the Chamber of Commerce.

Aside from some flattering words, the letter stated the specific price of the second-tier inheritance.

Upon seeing the price, Xu Zhou fell silent.

If he were a Qi Refining cultivator, he would need to refine pills continuously for at least twenty or thirty years to accumulate enough spirit stones to buy this set of inheritances.

Of course, the letter also mentioned that if Xu Zhou was willing to help the Chamber of Commerce with some small things within his ability, the Chamber of Commerce would also lower the price accordingly.

However, judging from the other party's words, even if the price is indeed reduced, it is probably not cheap.

Those so-called "small things" are by no means easy. If you really wanted to do them, it would probably take twelve or twenty years.

"It seems we can't count on the Chamber of Commerce for the time being."

"Unless I achieve success in alchemy and accumulate enough resources in the future, I can still fill some skill gaps through the Chamber of Commerce."

"In that case, I'll have to go see Senior Brother Gu."

In the end, Xu Zhou set off again and returned to the mountain gate.

Upon arriving at Baicaotang, his visiting card was quickly accepted.

After passing through a series of somewhat familiar corridors, Xu Zhou arrived at a somewhat familiar garden once again.

Beneath the garden stood a handsome monk in white robes.

The other person had a cool and aloof expression, seemingly without much emotional fluctuation.

When he looked at Xu Zhou, his eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something.

"I remember you."

The white-robed cultivator stared at him for a long while before calmly saying, "You are the mid-grade alchemist that Xiao Yuan brought back then."

After exchanging greetings, Xu Zhou nodded: "I didn't expect that you would still remember me, Elder."

"Not many people come to me seeking the Daoist alchemy lineage, and even fewer can write down half of it. I have a deep impression of you."

The white-robed cultivator casually pointed, indicating that Xu Zhou should sit on a wooden chair in the garden for a detailed discussion.

After the two sat down, the white-robed cultivator spoke:

"My name is Gu Huayin, you can just call me Senior Brother Gu."

Gu Huayin continued, "I heard you want to seek a second-tier alchemy inheritance?"

Xu Zhou nodded: "After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, I felt that my foundation was insufficient, so I dared not hope for further progress in my cultivation. I only wanted to continue to focus on studying alchemy."

Upon hearing this, Gu Huayin nodded as if satisfied.

"You are quite focused on alchemy, which is very good. I will always remember you."

However, the second-tier inheritance is extremely precious and of great importance, and should not be easily passed on to outsiders.

Logically speaking, newly established Foundation Establishment cultivators should continue to complete a series of tasks for the sect for about twenty years, contributing sufficient benefits to the sect, before they are allowed to apply for this part of the inheritance.

Xu Zhou frowned slightly.

He had long understood the immense value of inheritance.

But twenty years is far too long.

He wouldn't mind waiting that long, but without learning resources or sufficient second-tier pills to aid his cultivation for twenty years, it would be equivalent to wasting twenty years of his lifespan.

This is quite detrimental to his plans.

Fortunately, Gu Huayin continued speaking:

"However, I have high hopes for you."

"If you're willing, we can make a deal: I can pass on a Daoist alchemy technique to you ahead of time."

Xu Zhou fell silent immediately.

After a long pause, he cautiously asked, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

Gu Huayin only looked at him: "Don't worry, it's not a difficult thing."

My only hope is that after you begin studying Daoist alchemy, you will write me a reflection on your alchemical journey every five years.

Xu Zhou was secretly surprised.

Gu Huayin continued, "Don't be surprised. I've asked you about the same thing more than just you. I've asked every alchemist I've taken a liking to."

"Don't worry, I don't covet your alchemical insights. I just want to observe a bit and learn by analogy."

Xu Zhou couldn't help but ask curiously, "May I ask, Senior Brother, what exactly is the purpose of these alchemy insights?"

Gu Huayin smiled slightly.

"There are more than a dozen lineages of alchemy in the Hundred Herbs Hall. Over the years, we have carefully maintained them, which has consumed a lot of the sect's energy."

I intend to organize and merge some of the existing traditions to create a completely new tradition, while eliminating the outdated ones.

Therefore, I intend to entrust these traditions to you newly promoted second-tier alchemists, so that you may study them, taking the essence and discarding the dross. Ultimately, by gathering everyone's insights and inspiration, a new tradition will be created.

He smiled and looked at Xu Zhou: "Of course, if the inheritance is successful, the sect will not forget the contributions of all of you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou was also amazed.

Gu Huayin continued, "Over the years, five people have agreed to cooperate with me. I still have two inheritances left, and I originally planned to spend some time studying them thoroughly myself."

Unexpectedly, you have achieved Foundation Establishment. Your performance during your Qi Refining was also quite satisfactory to me. You are a suitable candidate.

So, Junior Brother Xu, would you be willing to help me?

Xu Zhou fell silent for a moment.

His mind was racing as he weighed the pros and cons of cooperating with them.

Xu Zhou quickly made a decision.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Since you have a request, I am naturally willing to share your burden."

In that instant, he had figured it out.

If he doesn't agree to Gu Huayin's request, he might have to wait twenty years to obtain the second-tier inheritance, which would be a huge loss for him.

If one agrees, not only will one immediately receive the inheritance, but one can also make friends with Senior Brother Gu.

When the lineages are truly merged in the future, he will have been a part of it to some extent, and the sect will surely reward him accordingly, and will not disappoint him.

With that thought in mind, Xu Zhou finally decided to agree.

Gu Huayin's lips curled up slightly, clearly very satisfied with his reply.

"In that case, choose the inheritance you desire."

Gu Huayin took out two jade slips from her storage bag and placed them on the table.

Xu Zhou tentatively asked, "Senior Brother Gu, may I have both?"

Gu Huayin seemed to have guessed that he would ask this question, and immediately shook her head.

"Although we need your help, these inheritances are ultimately the sect's assets, and cannot be handed over to you directly on the surface."

"Letting you choose one is the most I can do. If I give you another one, the Supreme Elder will investigate, and I will inevitably be implicated. Therefore, you can only choose one."

Xu Zhou felt a pang of regret, but there was nothing he could do.

Gu Huayin continued, "The alchemical traditions represented by these two jade slips are the 'Thirty-Six Methods of Shengqing' and the 'Miscellaneous Elixir Chapters' respectively."

The former, "The Thirty-Six Methods of Shengqing," records numerous alchemy techniques based on the wood and water elements. If you study this book, you can master all the alchemy techniques based on the wood and water elements within ten years at most.

The latter, *Miscellaneous Treatises on Alchemy*, is a work that is half alchemical text and half medicinal text. Although it does not contain the methods of the true alchemical path, diligent study will gradually enhance one's understanding of alchemy.

Xu Zhou hesitated slightly.

Finally, he turned to ask, "May I ask, senior brother, which of these two inheritances do you find most time-consuming to learn?"

"time consuming?"

Gu Huayin was clearly taken aback.

This was the first time in all these years that he had heard someone ask such a question.

However, he still gave his answer: "If we really have to compare, then the Miscellaneous Writings are naturally more difficult."

"Then, may I choose this book, 'Miscellaneous Writings'?"

Gu Huayin shook her head: "Do you want to choose one that is more valuable?"

However, I must state this clearly: although the "Miscellaneous Elixir Manual" is more difficult to learn, it does not mean that one's achievements after mastering it will necessarily surpass those of the "Thirty-Six Methods of Shengqing".

The difficulty lies solely in the fact that it was created a long time ago. Although it has been revised and supplemented since then, many of the techniques used are now outdated.

Are you really going to choose this one?

Xu Zhou cupped his hands and said, "I hope Senior Brother will allow me to do so. I do indeed prefer this book, 'Miscellaneous Elixir Manual'."

Gu Huayin fell silent.

After a long pause, he nodded slightly: "Very well."

Now that you have made your choice, I will entrust this "Miscellaneous Writings" to you. I hope you will study it diligently in the years to come and live up to my expectations.

The jade slip felt slightly cool to the touch.

Xu Zhou looked down at the inheritance in his palm, and a long-lost sense of peace arose in his heart.