Although Cao Changjing had left Cangzhou for over thirty years,

he was once a direct disciple of the lord of Burial Armament City, so he had seen his fair share of grand occasions.

As the leader of Tian Sha Hall, Di Nü Feng found the current decorations acceptable enough in her heart.

As for Li Xuanxiao, there was no need to say more.

What Miao Zhishun arranged might be impressive for other cultivators, but for these three, it was hardly anything special.

The banquet thus began amid this awkward atmosphere.

Miao Zhishun said, “I’ll first offer you a cup. You saved my daughter’s life and are a benefactor to my family.

We have fine wine and food for a few days. When you leave, I will surely prepare a generous gift.”

Cao Changjing could tell the other party was hinting for them to leave.

So, he glanced at Li Xuanxiao.

Li Xuanxiao raised his cup;

naturally, he understood what was implied but pretended not to hear.

“Thank you, Uncle Miao, for your warm hospitality. I’m afraid I’ll be a bother in your esteemed place for some time.”

Miao Zhishun did not respond;

the smile on his face faded slightly, and he took a sip of wine.

Cao Changjing didn’t know if Li Xuanxiao truly didn’t understand or was pretending.

Regardless, Cao’s personality was such that if he encountered an unavoidable situation,

but if the host clearly hinted for him to leave, he would turn around and say goodbye immediately.

That was just how Cao Changjing was;

he would never lower his head.

Li Xuanxiao then said, “I heard that the alchemists of Snowveil Commerce have left.

I happen to be skilled in alchemy. If Uncle Miao doesn’t mind, I’m willing to offer my humble assistance.”

“Ah!”

Miao Zhishun waved his hand, declining, “You’re our guest;

it wouldn’t be right to make you work. Just leave it to me.”

Li Xuanxiao smiled slightly, showing no embarrassment from being rejected, then took out a few pills from his storage ring.

“These are some alchemical pills I recently refined. I hope Uncle Miao will inspect them.”

Miao Zhishun reached out and accepted the flying pills.

Though not a professional alchemist, with his years of cultivation and knowledge of pills,

he could still discern their quality by carefully observing the faint medicinal energy they emitted and their surface texture and color.

Although these pills were not particularly outstanding to a Fusion Transcension-level expert like Miao Zhishun,

they were excellent choices for cultivators with specific needs.

They might not satisfy high-level cultivators like him, but for others, these pills would undoubtedly provide considerable help and enhancement.

“Did you refine these pills?” Miao Zhishun asked.

“Yes.”

Miao Zhishun hesitated slightly.

Having one more alchemist was no burden;

having one less was a loss.

He was about to refuse when Li Xuanxiao added,

“If Uncle Miao doesn’t mind, I can start refining pills tomorrow.”

This time, Miao Zhishun did not reject him again, nor did he pay much attention.

The reason Li Xuanxiao proposed taking the initiative to refine pills was twofold.

First, the previous series of battles had severely damaged his vital energy.

Alchemy was an enormous undertaking that required absolute precision.

Li Xuanxiao needed time to recover.

Second, he wanted to leverage the power of Snowveil Commerce.

It seemed the young Caishen wasn’t fully in control yet and still needed her father’s support for decisions.

So, Li Xuanxiao had to prove his worth.

...........

The next day,

early in the morning, Li Xuanxiao arrived at the alchemy room.

It seemed Miao Zhishun truly did not consider him important.

It was only after asking the servants along the way that Li Xuanxiao finally found the alchemy room.

However, the scale of Snowveil Commerce’s alchemy room was quite large. Even after finding the place,

without guidance, he didn’t know where to enter.

At that moment, a young alchemist in white robes walked out.

It was easy to tell he was an alchemist because of the fire smell from the cauldron and the fragrance of herbs on him.

That scent was very familiar to Li Xuanxiao.

“Excuse me, is the alchemy room this way?”

The young alchemist glanced at Li Xuanxiao.

“Who are you?”

“A newly arrived alchemist,” Li Xuanxiao replied.

“Is that so?”

“I hadn’t heard that a new alchemist was coming. Follow me.”

The young alchemist muttered as he led Li Xuanxiao into the alchemy room.

“Master, there’s a new alchemist!”

Entering the alchemy room, the young alchemist loudly called out.

The alchemist who was busy selecting herbs turned around and said, “Go ask the master! Don’t just bring anyone in here without proper identification.”

The young alchemist pouted but didn’t dare show his displeasure.

He took Li Xuanxiao outside again and said unhappily,

“Wait here, I’ll ask someone.”

Li Xuanxiao smiled faintly and didn’t mind.

...........

After several turns, the young alchemist first found the steward,

then through the steward met Miao Zhishun, who was with Caishen.

“Alchemist?”

Miao Zhishun was writing at his desk and snorted lightly when recalling the banquet.

“Truly lacking any self-awareness.”

“What’s wrong with Father?”

Caishen asked confusedly.

She hadn’t attended the banquet that day and didn’t know what happened.

Miao Zhishun said carelessly, “Nothing. Since he wants to refine pills, let him. If those pills from last night were truly his work, it proves his alchemy skills are decent.”

The young alchemist heard disdain in his tone.

So when he returned and saw Li Xuanxiao waiting, his attitude softened a bit.

“Come with me.”

Then he led Li Xuanxiao back into the alchemy room.

After informing his master, he began introducing the alchemy room to Li Xuanxiao. Googlᴇ search novel(ꜰ)ire.net

“The alchemy room has nine floors in total, with eight entrances on each side per floor.

They’re connected by spatial talisman formations. The higher the floor, the purer the spiritual energy.

Each room is an independent refining chamber, and ancient alchemy formulas appear on the walls according to the alchemist’s cultivation level, matching the corresponding pill grades...”

The young alchemist walked ahead, chatting smoothly.

He glanced sideways at Li Xuanxiao behind him.

Hmm?

The young alchemist’s expression suddenly changed.

Li Xuanxiao had already started casually touching things.

“Don’t touch things recklessly here.”

“Got it. Where should I refine pills?”

The young alchemist pointed to an empty spot. “Here will do.”

Many alchemists had left, so plenty of spots were open.

“If you don’t understand anything, just ask me.”

Li Xuanxiao didn’t waste time. Once he reached the alchemist’s spot, he grabbed some herbs and tossed them into the cauldron.

With a whoosh, the gentle fire flared up.

The young alchemist turned his head in disbelief, furrowing his brows tightly.

“What are you doing?”

“Refining pills.”

Li Xuanxiao said.

“What kind of pills?”

“First, some ordinary Qi-nourishing pills to test the cauldron and the fire’s intensity,” Li Xuanxiao replied.

The young alchemist stared at Li Xuanxiao for a while, then reminded him,

“Pay attention to your focus!”