Over the next month, Li An continued his cultivation while gradually adapting to life in White Tiger City. At the same time, he casually and subtly gathered information about medicinal ingredients and alchemists throughout the city.
It didn’t take him long to learn about Gu Hong and her master. After all, Gu Hong’s master was a Second-Rank alchemist, a relatively well-known figure in the city.
However, they were not doing well.
Gu Songxi, her master, had ceased refining pills in recent years due to the imminent end of his lifespan. Continuing to expend his mental and spiritual energy would only hasten his death.
Gu Hong had recently become capable of refining Second-Rank pills herself, but her success rate was still rather low.
Once, Li An passed by the pill shop run by Gu Hong and her master from a distance. Through the window, he saw Gu Hong busily managing the store.
She was just like he remembered—except now she bore the weariness of time and hardship.
Moreover, Li An had heard from Manman a piece of insider gossip: Gu Hong had fallen out with her senior brother, Zhang Deyi, who was highly favored on White Tiger Mountain. As a result, some powerful figures there held ill will toward her and her master.
This led to their difficult circumstances in the city.
After weighing everything, Li An decided not to make Gu Hong and her master his first choice for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
They would remain a backup.
First, if Gu Hong and her master were already being targeted, hiring them might just draw trouble to himself.
Second, after the disaster involving Zhao Xianchuan, Li An had become exceedingly cautious.
Who knew if the Demon Sect had laid another trap in this city?
He still intended to give Gu Hong the Essence Soulbeast Core, but the timing was not yet right.
“Luo Yong, a First-Rank alchemist—his master is the Second-Rank alchemist Zhang Deyi…”
“Zhang Deyi is very well-known in White Tiger City and has plenty of experience refining Foundation Establishment Pills.”
Li An pondered. Luo Yong might be a viable option.
Meanwhile, he had also begun purchasing materials to craft formations. He started producing mid- and high-grade formations and consigning them to a shop for sale. After covering his city tax and daily cultivation expenses, he was left with a profit of just over ten spirit stones per month.
This income was even lower than what he had earned at the Bright Sun Market District.
This was mainly because he had been intentionally cautious—avoiding exposing his identity as a Talisman Master so soon.
With the Demon Sect watching from the shadows, he barely dared to rest at night.
Before reaching Foundation Establishment, he would minimize all risks.
That said, Li An wasn’t in need of spirit stones at the moment. He still had over ten thousand in reserve, so he was doing fine.
And so the days passed, one after another.
In the blink of an eye—six months.
Under the name Wei Ming, Li An had fully settled into White Tiger City. Time flowed like a quiet stream, and peace prevailed.
In the meantime, news that Xu Qiuhui had officially become Master White Tiger’s seventeenth disciple was finally made public. The formal disciple ceremony had been held, stirring considerable commotion. The “housing prices” in Li An’s district had doubled overnight and were now in short supply.
One evening, Li An knocked on Alchemist Luo Yong’s door.
“Mister Wei, what brings you here?”
The one who answered was not Luo Yong himself but a concubine named Wang Yue—a lovely woman with refined features.
“I have something important to discuss with Alchemist Luo. Here’s a humble gift—please deliver it to him.”
Li An handed her a high-grade formation.
Wang Yue, being around Luo Yong, naturally knew quality when she saw it. The moment she laid eyes on the formation, her eyes lit up. “Please wait, Mister Wei.”
She took the formation and went inside.
Before long—
“Hahaha! Daoist Wei, what a delight! Your visit brings glory to my humble abode—please come in, quickly!”
Luo Yong emerged with hearty laughter. This time, his demeanor was markedly warmer. The arrogance he once held was completely gone.
Because now, it was clear that Li An could craft high-grade formations—he was a high-grade Formation Master.
Now on the same professional tier, Luo Yong had no choice but to treat him as an equal.
Moreover, the formation Li An had gifted was clearly customized to help control flame precision during pill refinement.
Naturally, Luo Yong took him seriously now and even treated him with genuine regard.
After they entered the residence, Wang Yue served tea while the two exchanged pleasantries.
“Daoist Wei, a gift like that surely isn’t just for a cup of tea, is it?” Luo Yong asked with a meaningful smile.
“Alchemist Luo, your insight is as sharp as ever,” Li An replied. He took out several sheets of parchment and handed them over. “Truthfully, Wei Ming came here today to seek your guidance.”
Luo Yong glanced at the parchment, and his expression grew solemn.
The pages were densely filled with alchemical insights.
The more he read, the more stunned he became.
It started with techniques related to First-Rank pill refinement, but the clarity and depth of explanation made him feel as if he were receiving personal guidance from a seasoned master of the Dao of Alchemy.
Even as a First-Rank alchemist and disciple of Second-Rank alchemist Zhang Deyi, he had rarely encountered such clear and profound instruction.
And further in—
There were things that didn’t even belong to the realm of First-Rank pills—
They were Second-Rank!
“Daoist Wei, where did you get this?!” Luo Yong suddenly looked up, eyes fixed on Li An.
“Before that, may I ask… is there anything wrong with what you read?” Li An asked modestly.
“Of course not!”
Luo Yong said, “If I’m not mistaken, this is likely the legacy of a Second-Rank alchemist—possibly his life’s work!”
Excitement was already creeping into his voice.
Luo Yong had only average talent among alchemists, which was why Zhang Deyi never paid him much attention. Becoming a Second-Rank alchemist himself had always seemed like an unattainable dream.
But what Li An had shown him—
Gave him hope.
How could he not be excited?
Li An nodded. “Good. Then I can rest easy.”
He added, “To be honest, I came upon this by chance. It seemed to be alchemy-related, but I wasn’t confident in my knowledge, so I didn’t dare study it. That’s why I sought your expert eye.”
He then reached to retrieve the parchment.
But it wouldn’t budge—Luo Yong was gripping it tightly.
“Alchemist Luo?”
Li An spoke softly.
Only then did Luo Yong reluctantly let go, though his gaze lingered on the parchment. “Brother Wei… is that your only copy?”
“Yes,” Li An replied.
Luo Yong hesitated, then said, “Brother Wei, if you truly wish to learn alchemy, this alone won’t be enough.”
“You’ll need a mentor.”
Li An’s eyes lit up as he looked at Luo Yong.
“Since you’ve gifted me something so valuable and seem to share my interests, I would be honored to guide you myself…”
He gazed meaningfully at Li An.
He was certain Li An possessed a true Second-Rank alchemy legacy—but had only copied down part of it.
So he offered mentorship as a way to gain Li An’s trust—perhaps to gradually draw out the full inheritance.
He didn’t ask for it directly or offer to buy it. Doing so might raise suspicion.
Li An, looking sincerely moved, said, “Thank you, Brother Luo. In fact, I came here today hoping to ask for your guidance!”
He immediately began seeking instruction in alchemy. Luo Yong, eager to earn his favor, explained everything in detail.
The two spoke late into the night before finally parting ways.
“I’ve never seen the master this happy. Mister Wei, you must be very lucky,” Wang Yue said as she walked him to the door.
After bidding farewell to the two, Li An returned to his residence.
He once again reviewed the resources he currently held.
“I’m still missing one herb to complete the Foundation Establishment Pill formula…”
Getting close to Luo Yong was part of the plan to prepare for pill refinement.
Having Zhang Deyi—Luo Yong’s master—personally refine the pill would be ideal. The man had extensive experience with Foundation Establishment Pills and was the most reliable option.
The parchment Li An had shown was a blend of alchemical notes from Gu Songxi and parts of a fragmented Second-Rank alchemy legacy from Li An’s previous life.
He had edited the descriptions and terminology carefully so Luo Yong wouldn’t be able to trace their origin.
Giving Luo Yong a taste of hope would help him serve as a bridge to Zhang Deyi.
After all, Zhang Deyi was a high-profile figure in the city. If someone like Li An approached him directly, he’d likely be ignored—or worse, put at risk.
As for Luo Yong, things had to progress slowly, step by step...
It was also time to step up his search for rare spiritual herbs...
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Li An rose to answer—and standing before him was a stunningly beautiful woman in a long black dress. Her skin was as pale as snow, her waist slender and elegant—a true enchantress in human form.
“This one is Guo Xiaoxiao. I heard there’s a new neighbor in the area, so I came by to greet you.”
She introduced herself with a soft smile.
Li An’s face showed no visible change—but inside, his heart sank instantly…
From this woman’s body…
He sensed a long-lost aura—
Demonic Qi.
…
(End of Chapter)