CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 76: PLOTTING FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT

In the following month, Li An cultivated while continuing to adapt to life in White Tiger City, and he also, intentionally or unintentionally, gathered information about the city’s medicines and Alchemists.

He easily learned about Gu Hong and her master’s situation, as Gu Hong’s master was a Second Grade Alchemist, a well-known figure in the city.

However, they were not living well.

Gusongxi had rarely been refining pills in recent years because his lifespan was nearing its end, and further exhausting his energy would only hasten his demise.

Gu Hong could also refine Second Grade Pills in recent years, but her success rate was still quite low.

Once, Li An distantly passed by the pill shop run by Gu Hong and her master and saw the busy Gu Hong inside the shop.

She, as always, was diligently managing the shop, with added traces of weariness over the years.

Moreover, Li An heard a rumor from Manman that Gu Hong was on bad terms with her senior brother, Zhang Deyi, who was well-regarded over at White Tiger Mountain, leading to significant figures there disliking Gu Hong and her master.

This caused Gu Hong and her master to live quite difficultly in the city.

After careful consideration, Li An did not choose Gu Hong and her master as his first choice for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill!

Instead, he saw them as a backup option.

Firstly, since Gu Hong and her master were being targeted, seeking them out for pill refining would merely cause trouble for himself.

Secondly, after surviving Zhao Xian’s Story, he became incredibly cautious.

Who knows if the Demon Sect might have laid a trap here?

He still planned to find an opportunity to give the Primordial Soul Beast Crystal Core to Gu Hong, but not now.

"Luo Yong, a First Grade Alchemist, whose master is none other than Second Grade Alchemist Zhang Deyi..."

"Zhang Deyi is quite well-known in White Tiger City and has multiple experiences refining Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Li An pondered, and Luo Yong seemed like a potential direction.

Meanwhile, Li An also began purchasing materials for refining arrays, started crafting mid-to-high-level arrays, and consigned them to a store for sale. Each month’s income, after paying the city entry tax, daily cultivation expenses, etc., left him with a surplus of only about ten pieces.

This income level was not even as good as when he was at Qingyang Market.

The main reason is that his heart was cautious, unwilling to reveal his Talisman Master identity right away.

With a Demon Sect in the shadows watching him, he felt restless day and night!

Before Foundation Establishment, he aimed to minimize all risks.

However, Li An currently had over ten thousand Spirit Stones, so it was sufficient.

Days passed like this, one after another.

In the blink of an eye, six months later.

Li An, under the identity of Wei Ming, thoroughly settled in White Tiger City, the years passing quietly like waves.

Only during this time, the news about Xu Qiuhui becoming the seventeenth disciple of White Tiger Master was finally made public, and the apprenticeship ceremony was held, causing a stir, with property prices in Li An’s area doubling, supply failing to meet demand.

This evening, Li An knocked on Alchemist Luo Yong’s door.

"Mr. Wei, what brings you here?"

Opening the door was not Luo Yong but a concubine of his, named Wang Yue, with a beautiful appearance.

"I have urgent matters to visit Alchemist Luo, and I bring a humble gift, hoping you can deliver it for me—"

Li An directly took out a set of high-level array and handed it to Wang Yue.

Wang Yue, being around Luo Yong, naturally recognized its worth. Upon seeing it, her eyes sparkled: "Mr. Wei, please wait a moment."

She immediately took the array inside.

A short time later.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Wei’s visit brings light to my humble abode, please come in quickly!"

Luo Yong came out laughing, his face obviously much warmer this time, shedding the previous aloofness.

Because now that Li An could craft high-level arrays, it indicated that Li An had become a high-level Array Master!

Meaning they were now on the same level.

Moreover, the array that Li An gifted him was very targeted, enhancing his control over the heat during alchemy.

Naturally, he paid more attention to Li An, treating him as an equal.

Upon entering Luo Yong’s residence, Wang Yue served tea for the two, while Li An and Luo Yong exchanged pleasantries.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, giving me such a generous gift, it must not be just for this cup of tea, right?"

Luo Yong asked leisurely.

Li An said, "Alchemist Luo, your insight is indeed sharp,"

He promptly took out several pieces of parchment and handed them to Luo Yong, saying, "Actually, my visit as Wei Ming is to seek guidance."

Luo Yong took the parchment, glanced over it, and couldn’t help showing a hint of gravity in his eyes.

The parchment was filled with alchemy-related content.

The more he read, the more astonished he felt.

Initially, it simply described some First Grade Pill refining, but even that gave him a profound sense of benefit.

It felt like listening to earnest teachings from an elder in the Alchemy Dao!

Even though he was a First Grade Alchemist, and a disciple of Second Grade Alchemist Zhang Deyi, he could still gain much from such thorough explanations.

And towards the end, he became even more astounded because parts of the knowledge... seemed beyond the realm of First Grade Pills.

But Second Grade!

"Fellow Daoist Wei, where did you obtain this?!"

He suddenly lifted his eyes, staring directly at Li An.

Li An replied, "Fellow Daoist Luo, please tell me first if there’s anything wrong with this material?"

He humbly sought advice.

"Of course not!"

Luo Yong said, "If I’m not mistaken, this must be the lifetime’s essence of a Second Grade Alchemist!"

His words began to carry excitement.

Luo Yong’s aptitude was only average among Alchemists, so he was never highly valued by Zhang Deyi, making it nearly impossible to obtain a Second Grade Alchemist’s legacy in this lifetime.

But now, what Li An presented...

Gave him hope.

So, how could he not be excited?

Li An nodded, "No problem... then I can rest assured!"

He addressed Luo Yong, "To be frank, Brother Luo, I acquired this by accident. It seems related to the Alchemy Dao, but unfortunately, I can’t recognize its true value and dare not study it hastily, which is why I ask for Brother Luo’s help to appraise it."

After speaking, he reached for the parchment.

But didn’t move it, as Luo Yong held it tightly.

"Alchemist Luo?"

Li An gently asked.

Only then did Luo Yong let go, but still stared at the parchment, asking, "Brother Wei, is this the only copy you have?"

Li An nodded, "Yes."

Luo Yong pondered for a moment, "Brother Wei, if you wish to learn the way of alchemy, merely having this isn’t enough."

"You need someone to guide you!"

Li An’s eyes lit up, looking at Luo Yong.

"Brother Wei, giving me such a valuable gift today and sharing my interests, I’m willing to be your guide..."

He gazed deeply at Li An.

He was certain that Li An surely possessed the legacy of Second Grade Alchemy Pills!

But Li An only transcribed a part of it.

Thus, using this pretext, perhaps he could later unearth Li An’s legacy.

He hadn’t directly asked for it, nor tried to buy it, as that might alert Li An.

Hearing this, Li An was overjoyed, "Thank you, Brother Wei, in fact, my visit as Wei Ming was to seek guidance from Brother Luo!"

Immediately, Li An eagerly sought advice from Luo Yong, who spared no details, sharing much knowledge with Li An.

It wasn’t until late at night that they finished their conversation, both leaving satisfied.

"It’s my first time seeing the master so happy; Mr. Wei, you’re truly lucky."

While bidding farewell, Wang Yue remarked a word.

Bidding the two farewell, Li An returned to his residence.

He once again tallied the current resources he had on hand.

"Just one more herb needed to complete the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe."

Building a good relationship with Luo Yong was preparation for refining pills.

Getting his master, Zhang Deyi, to help would be best, as he had extensive experience with Foundation Establishment Pills, making it very reliable.

The parchment Li An showed him contained some of Gusongxi’s alchemy insights, along with parts from a fragmented legacy of a Second Grade Alchemist he had acquired in his previous life.

He had made some modifications to the wording of Gusongxi’s insights and that alchemist’s legacy to ensure Luo Yong couldn’t trace it back.

Offering Luo Yong hope made it easier to connect with Zhang Deyi through him.

After all, Zhang Deyi was quite renowned in the city, and for someone like Li An to approach him rashly, firstly, would probably go ignored, and secondly, it carried risks.

Matters with Luo Yong couldn’t be rushed; they needed to proceed slowly...

Recently, it was also time to enhance the collection of Spirit Medicine...

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Li An got up and opened it, finding in front of him an incredibly alluring woman, adorned in a black long dress, her skin as white as snow, her waist alluring, truly a beauty!

"I am Guo Xiaoxiao, having heard a new neighbor arrived, I came to visit."

She introduced herself.

Although Li An’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, inwardly, his heart sank suddenly...

On this woman, he felt a long-unseen aura...

Demonic Qi!

...