Cultivation begins with harvest.

The meeting was not chaired by anyone, and Yang Qingfeng was only responsible for keeping the overall situation in order to prevent chaos and disorder.

Everyone gathered in their own small groups for discussions. This style of free discussion surprised Chen Guang. He had thought it would be a group discussion led by someone, but it turned out that everyone chose their own group area for a small discussion based on their own characteristics.

Cultivators can come and go freely.

The circle Chen Guang belonged to mainly consisted of young apprentices from the Yantang alchemy school, all of whom were alchemists. Their discussions and exchanges revolved around fire, medicine, and pills. Chen Guang was only proficient in the techniques of the Changxing Jushui school. Apart from that, he sought answers from the detailed explanations in the Chixin Danjuan. Although he didn't reveal his ignorance, the other alchemists gradually realized that Chen Guang was only better at certain pills and did not exhibit the extraordinary talent for alchemy that everyone imagined.

However, some of his insights are unique and sharp, which also shows that he has real talent and insight.

Chen Guang didn't linger in this circle for long. Most of the time, he listened to what others said. Although he was somewhat moved, it was only a little bit. It was better to go back and bury himself in studying the Red Heart Elixir Scroll.

The hierarchy is there.

Other circles included those who refined weapons, engaged in magical duels, and tamed beasts. Yang Qingfeng moved among these groups, and Chen Guang followed suit, choosing to listen to some that interested him.

……

"Therefore, although spirit beasts are intelligent, their personalities are more deeply ingrained. If one can perceive a spirit beast's personality early on, one can decide whether to train it sooner."

"when--"

Just as Chen Guang was listening to a disciple from the Life Hall recount the art of beast taming, a clear bell rang out, drowning out the discussions of all the cultivators. Yang Qingfeng stood in the center, struck the small bell in his hand, and said with a smile, "Everyone, this small meeting is now over. It's getting late. Those cultivators who are still interested, please find a suitable place to continue."

Chen Guang then looked out the window and saw that the sky was getting rather dark.

When you're focused, time flies by.

One by one, the cultivators rose and left, some alone and some in groups.

Zhang Zhaoyu walked over and observed Chen Guang's expression: "Fellow Daoist Chen, would you like to continue attending our small alchemy meeting? Senior Brother Yang's gathering is just to provide an opportunity for exchange. If you feel that you can continue to exchange ideas in depth, then you need to contact him privately. To be honest, Senior Brother Yang cannot lead any transactions. Otherwise, the nature of the meeting would change, and it would not be so easy to hold the meeting."

Chen Guang then realized: "So, those who need to make transactions contact each other in this way?"

Zhang Zhaoyu clapped his hands: "Fellow Daoist's insight is brilliant. Our small gathering will be held in the 'Spring Bamboo' private room on the third floor. If you are interested, please come and join us."

Zhang Zhaoyu did not linger and walked towards another lone cultivator who had demonstrated extraordinary alchemy skills.

After Zhang Zhaoyu, three more cultivators invited Chen Guang to a private meeting. One was from the Shengling Hall, and the other two were cultivators who simply wanted to make a deal.

In the end, Chen Guang still attended Zhang Zhaoyu's small meeting.

"Yang Qingfeng is cultivating his reputation. Those cultivators who benefited from such small gatherings will remember him. Perhaps it's not that simple. By holding this gathering at the Hongxiang Restaurant, including the private meetings, the restaurant's profits are obvious; he may very well have profited."

Having figured this out, Chen Guang didn't have any other thoughts. Without his amazing performance in the five-year competition, even if he wanted to gather people, no one would pay attention. Therefore, his ability to make friends was crucial.

Chen Guang went downstairs and entered the private room named Chunzhu on the third floor.

The house inside was made of lush green bamboo, decorated with black, gray, and yellow accents, which prevented the space from feeling too gloomy. In the center of the house was a bubbling hot spring with strange rocks and swimming fish. Around the hot spring were cushions and jade tables. Looking at this scene, Chen Guang couldn't help but marvel. Hongxiang Restaurant had indeed put in a lot of effort. The environment was quite elegant. Renting such a private room must have cost a fortune.

The six cultivators, who had met before, sat in various positions in the room and nodded to Chen Guang.

Chen Guang also found a seat and quietly sipped his tea, listening to the occasional casual conversations among the other cultivators. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Zhaoyu led two cultivators into the private room. Zhang Zhaoyu took the main seat and chuckled, "Everyone, let's finish this quickly. This Spring Bamboo room can yield 3,600 grains of rice per hour. Let me start by offering my humble opinion: I'm very interested in Fellow Daoist Chen's unique Crimson Fusion Pill formula. I wonder if you would be willing to part with it?"

Chen Guang met Zhang Zhaoyu's friendly gaze, not expecting the other party to be so direct: "Of course, but what price can you offer, fellow Daoist?"

"Please write down a brief prescription for the pill so I can take a look."

"Okay." Chen Guang agreed. Writing a simplified version would reveal something to a Yantang disciple like Zhang Zhaoyu, but it would definitely not be enough to see through the entire pill formula.

As Chen Guang picked up the paper and pen on the table to write, the other cultivators were finally moved as well.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I heard you want to refine a batch of high-quality Qingzhao Pills. I have a piece of naturally formed 'Grass and Insect Fragrance' here..."

"Everyone, I would like to request a recipe for the Heart-Shaking Pill that does not require 'Night-Fragrance Fruit' or 'Hawthorn Branch'..."

Although there were few cultivators, the items they brought out were all of high quality. If placed in Fanglin Hall, they would be just like the Skywing Butterfly Scale Powder, something they wouldn't bring out unless asked.

After Chen Guang finished writing the prescription, he handed it to Zhang Zhaoyu. Zhang Zhaoyu pondered for a while and then asked two questions, which Chen Guang answered one by one. Zhang Zhaoyu became more and more satisfied with the answers.

"Fellow Daoist, please name your price."

"I want a century-old elixir."

Zhang Zhaoyu frowned: "In terms of price, I'd accept six or seven thousand, but a hundred-year-old elixir..."

Zhang Zhaoyu shook his head.

Chen Guang took another piece of paper and wrote a few strokes. Zhang Zhaoyu looked at it and his brows immediately relaxed. He took out a jade box, inside which was a warm rice stalk as smooth as red jade—a hundred-year-old fire rice.

Chen Guang was slightly taken aback. Fire Rice is an advanced version of rice, which is completely fire-oriented. It is not easy to cultivate and has the effect of making blood special and immune to cold. It is considered a relatively uncommon spiritual medicine.

Being unafraid of the cold is, to some extent, a defense against the attributes of yin and cold.

After all, feelings are also a form of attack.

However, among the hundred-year-old medicinal herbs, such as the Five Grains, it is considered the lowest value.

"I can add a thousand yuan," Zhang Zhaoyu said, noticing that Chen Guang was not very satisfied.

"What if my pill formula were even more detailed?" Chen Guang was going all out. After all, the Crimson Heart Pill Scroll belonged to him and had no inheritance restrictions. He could give away as much as he wanted, so why not take the opportunity to make a profit?

"Could it be even more detailed?" Zhang Zhaoyu was also surprised and pondered, "If it could be twice as detailed, I would be willing to offer another hundred-year-old Fire Rice."