Chapter 337: Dan Lingzi

Chu Liang walked out of the Boundless Palace with a smile.

Venerable Wen Yuan had just informed him that the higher-ups of the Mount Shu Sect ultimately decided to go with the second proposal, leasing the rights to the Red Cotton Peak to Chu Liang.

It was a ten-year lease, which was not an issue. For cultivators of their level, a period of ten years was not very long. However, during this period, if Chu Liang did anything that violated the sect's rules or resulted in reputational damage, Mount Shu would reserve the right to terminate the contract at any time.

Chu Liang was not surprised that the elders reached this conclusion.

The first loan plan he proposed was quite ordinary. He wouldn't lose, but the Mount Shu Sect wouldn't gain anything out of it either. Although it was the least troublesome option, requiring only repayment of the money, the Mount Shu Sect was unfortunately short of funds and naturally didn't want to take on more burden.

When they heard the second proposal, almost all of the four elders rejected it.

No one knew what Chu Liang might come up with. Given the current state of Berry Wonderland on Silver Sword Peak, there was a chance that he would do something extravagant on Red Cotton Peak. Mount Shu, after all, was a traditional immortal sect. The market Small gatherings among disciples were normal, but anything too grand would be hard to accept.

The elders unanimously believed that the sect's reputation was more important than anything else!

However, when they heard the third proposal, which required lending a legendary artifact to Di Nufeng, all the elders fell silent.

Currently, Di Nufeng was already unmatched among the thirty-six peak masters, and even the Four Guardian Elders might not be able to tie her down. Once she had her hands on the two legendary artifacts, there would be no one in Mount Shu, except for Venerable Wen Yuan, who could fight her.

At that moment, all the elders of Mount Shu were reminded of the fear of being dominated by Di Nufeng...

It would be one thing if it happened on Mount Shu, but what if she went out and caused trouble?

Di Nufeng was already arrogant and domineering, causing plenty of problems for Mount Shu. If she became invincible among all cultivators below the eighth realm, it would be a disaster...

The elders unanimously agreed that compared to this, the sect's reputation would be less important. The second proposal now became negotiable.

Compared to his esteemed teacher, Chu Liang, as a young disciple, understood the gravity of situations and would not do anything too outrageous. Even if he did, Mount Shu retained the right to revoke the lease at any time.

In the end, the elders decided to approve Chu Liang's proposal to lease Red Cotton Peak.

This was exactly what Chu Liang had hoped to achieve.

Of the three plans, the first was actually the one he wanted the least.

He had spent so much money. Even if he could get some of it back with interest, it wouldn't mean much over the span of several years.

Although the third proposal would make his teacher stronger, there was no telling how many times he would be able to call upon his teacher's strength. Additionally, there were risks involved. Therefore, when he proposed it, he felt slightly anxious.

The second proposal offered the most flexibility.

As Chu Liang reflected on how he had transitioned from being the second-in-command of Silver Sword Peak to the leader of Red Cotton Peak, his heart swelled with pride.

...

The next day, Chu Liang headed to Taotie City again.

Previously, he had purchased the gourds of fruit-flavored Spirit-Concentration Pills at a high price and later asked the Pavilion of Celestial Fate to help him contact the seller. The Pavilion of Celestial Fate told him that they could help him send a request to the seller, and if the seller agreed, a meeting could then be arranged.

The seller's name was Dan Lingzi, a rogue alchemist from the Northern Regions who spent most of the year living in Taotie City.

Nowadays, many alchemists and artificers were drawn to settle in Taotie City because it was the most convenient place for business. Therefore, Chu Liang's meeting with this alchemist was also scheduled in Taotie City. However, upon arriving at the agreed address, he noticed that the alchemist's quality of life was not particularly high.

The small courtyard was cluttered with miscellaneous items, mostly damaged alchemical furnaces and discarded materials, essentially cultivation trash.

The main house had only a small hall where Dan Lingzi was waiting.

He was dressed in a long robe, giving the impression of a middle-aged man. His cultivation level appeared modest, likely at the third or fourth realm, and his face was etched with numerous wrinkles.

"Senior Dan Lingzi," Chu Liang greeted as he approached. "I have long admired your work, which is why I came to see you today. I hope my visit did not disturb you."

"No disturbance at all," Dan Lingzi replied with a smile. "I heard that Young Hero Chu is a top disciple of Mount Shu. I read in the reports about a young hero from Mount Shu that killed Taowu with a sword. Was that you?"

When the Pavilion of Celestial Fate contacted the seller, they naturally provided more details about the buyer's identity to alleviate any concerns.

"Yes, that's me," Chu Liang replied with a smile.

"I really didn't expect one of the top prodigies of the nine provinces to be the buyer of my pills," Dan Lingzi said as his face lit up with pride.

"Senior Dan Lingzi, I can only say that your fruit-flavored Spirit-Concentration Pill is a work of genius!" Chu Liang said earnestly. "You are simply the most talented alchemist I have ever met."

Dan Lingzi looked as though he had found a real friend who understood him, but his excitement quickly faded into dejection. "Alas, besides you, no one else appreciates my masterpiece. They all say that my fusion pills are childish and that it's wishful thinking to sell them at a high price just because of the added flavors..."

"Ignore the idle chatter," Chu Liang said, waving his hand dismissively. "This is a groundbreaking method that can revolutionize the field of alchemy! Geniuses are often misunderstood at first, but people will eventually recognize your extraordinary talent. I am just the first, but I will certainly not be the last!"

Upon hearing this, Dan Lingzi was greatly encouraged. He asked excitedly, "Young Hero Chu, did you come today to get more of my fusion pills?"

By fusion pills, he naturally meant the ones with fruit flavors.

"I wanted to ask if you have any other fusion pills aside from the Spirit-Concentration Pills," Chu Liang inquired.

"There is also the Qi-Gathering Pill," replied Dan Lingzi.

"Just these two?" Chu Liang asked again.

"Uh..." Dan Lingzi scratched his head in embarrassment. "I could certainly make other types of fusion pills, but as of now, I only know how to make these two. I haven't tried fusing other types of pills yet."

"...” Chu Liang felt momentarily speechless.

It seemed that this alchemist's skills weren't even as good as his own, yet he had become a full-time alchemist.

The fact that he hadn't starved to death yet really showed how low the cost of living in Taotie City was.

Still, Chu Liang complimented him, "Esteemed Senior, just with these two blended pills, you have enough to make a name for yourself in the history of alchemy in the Nine Provinces!"

"Not at all, not at all," Dan Lingzi replied, a bit dizzy from the flattery but remaining humble.

Chu Liang continued, "Instead of buying more pills, I am more interested in learning the technique to fuse flavors into the pills. Esteemed Senior, would you be willing to teach me?"

At this point, Dan Lingzi looked troubled and said, "This is a unique secret method I have painstakingly developed over half my life. I can only teach it to my disciples. How can I teach it to outsiders?"

"I am willing to pay five thousand Vermillion-Bird coins," Chu Liang said. "Although this secret method is worth far more than that, it is indeed all the wealth I have at the moment."

"Young Hero Chu, you are obviously a person of exceptional talent and brilliance. You will surely be able to carry forward my secret method," Dan Lingzi said seriously. "Since you sincerely hope to learn the art, how can I be selfish with it?"

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Thank you, Esteemed Senior Dan Lingzi!" Chu Liang exclaimed.

"However..." Dan Lingzi hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Even if you learn it, you may not be able to use it. I was able to master this secret technique because of a fortuitous encounter I had when I was young, which allowed me to wield Xuan Yang Divine Fire despite being at the fourth realm of cultivation. Without the ability to control a divine fire that is hot enough, you will not be able to do this..."

Whoosh—

Before he finished speaking, a surge of golden-red flames rose from Chu Liang's palm, flickering dangerously.

"Esteemed Senior, is this divine fire hot enough?" he asked.

"This is..." Dan Lingzi's eyes widened in shock. "Phoenix Spirit Divine Fire!"