However, the appearance of this person gave Lu Chang’sheng a bit of insight into Zhang Yu’s intentions.

"Zhang Yu probably has a grudge with certain people—maybe she’s trying to use me as a tool!"

Lu Chang’sheng was just beginning to grasp the situation, but he wasn’t clear on the specifics.

Still, he knew that as long as he remained cautious enough, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

The two who had secured the quota entered the inner hall along with Alchemist Luo.

"Fellow Daoist, is there something you need?"

A servant below saw he hadn’t left and asked.

"I’d like to have an audience with Alchemist Luo. Could you grant me this small favor?"

"Apologies, Alchemist Luo is quite busy and I’m afraid—"

The servant responded directly.

In the past, some people had tried to request pills from Alchemist Luo in private, unwilling to give up, but all such little schemes ended in failure.

Alchemist Luo was not a man without temper.

Yet at this moment, Lu Chang’sheng brought out the token Huang Yun had given him.

"That—that’s the Yunluo Order!"

The servant’s expression changed slightly, and his gaze toward Lu Chang’sheng grew much more respectful.

"Please wait here just a moment, Fellow Daoist."

The servant hurriedly turned and left.

Inner hall.

Alchemist Luo explained a few things to the two who’d obtained a spot, then let them leave to await results.

This alchemy would take three to five days at the earliest, or as long as ten days to half a month.

Zhang Yu and her companion understood, not daring to raise any objections. They simply left the required items for this time and turned to go.

Upon walking out, an excited Zhang Yu caught sight of the hurried servant, and curiosity stirred in her heart.

As the alchemist approached, she dared not linger and hurried off.

"Cultivators from the lower ranks just always have all sorts of little schemes." Zhang Yu’s actions didn’t escape Alchemist Luo’s Dharma Eye.

Still, he said nothing—after all, he himself had come from humble beginnings, and understood their mentality.

After asking the servant, he learned someone had come bearing the jade token. Instantly, a delighted look flashed across his face.

He immediately went out to meet Lu Chang’sheng.

Yet, upon learning Lu Chang’sheng came from the Guangnan Domain, the joy on his face faded somewhat.

"I consider Fellow Daoist Huang Yun a good friend. Since you’ve brought his jade token, acquiring this Foundation Pill is not a problem."

"Thank you very much, Alchemist Luo."

"No need—just wait patiently for a few days."

Lu Chang’sheng immediately stood and thanked him again. Though he noticed Alchemist Luo’s expression had seemed odd, he didn’t press the matter.

He left behind the required resources for a mid-grade Foundation Pill as requested and then departed.

"So, Huang Yun has really fallen to this point!"

His jade token was not something given away lightly—he’d have to see genuine potential in someone first.

Now, it seemed Huang Yun was truly lacking in prospects.

Moreover, in Alchemist Luo’s view, Huang Yun might have actually seen potential in Lu Chang’sheng by giving him the token.

Unfortunately, when Alchemist Luo used his Dharma Eye just now, he was surprised to find that Lu Chang’sheng’s spirit root was nothing remarkable.

"I didn’t think someone would arrive with the jade token just to request a Foundation Pill."

As his power and standing grew, the value of each previously-given jade token had multiplied several times over.

Yet to many among the lower cultivators, a highly valuable Foundation Pill was only marginally useful in their hands.

"Clearly, staying too long in a small domain really dulls your perspective and ambition. If not for my interest in the Peach Blossom Festival’s slot, I wouldn’t be lingering here at all."

The Peach Blossom Festival includes both grand and smaller gatherings.

With his strength and status, in many domains he could snag a seat at a lesser gathering, but to reach the main event, he’d have to use another route.

······

Lu Chang’sheng returned to his residence, letting out a sigh of relief. The pill-seeking trip had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Once he obtained that mid-grade Foundation Pill, his own Foundation Establishment should be all but assured.

With his current Immortal Dao Spirit Root, it would’ve been impossible. But now, having achieved Great Success in the Cyan Spirit Pill Formula, he could attempt to refine a perfect Cyan Spirit Pill.

With the aid of a perfect Cyan Spirit Pill, his Cyan Spirit Body’s cultivation speed would surely rise to a new level.

With this in mind, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help himself—he drew out the ingredients and pill furnace to begin refining immediately.

Given his alchemy skills, crafting a Cyan Spirit Pill—barely below second rank—posed much less difficulty. Of course, this was also due to his formula having surpassed the Great Success stage.

After more than ten days, Lu Chang’sheng succeeded in refining a perfect Cyan Spirit Pill.

"With my current strength, making a perfect Cyan Spirit Pill is still a stretch—most come out as top- or high-grade at best."

The Elixir Ascension Technique was truly a superior alchemy technique, and had contributed a great deal throughout his refinement process.

However, this White Cloud Cave Mansion technique also had its limits—it only remained effective for first rank pills. At second rank, its effects diminished sharply.

"Is Alchemist Lu present?"

Just then, the warning spirit array Lu Chang’sheng had set up sounded with a voice.

Zhang Yu had come again—and this time she wasn’t alone. At her side was a hulking, iron-tower-like man.

Lu Chang’sheng did not invite them in; he’d already guessed they weren’t here for a friendly chat.

As expected, after some initial pleasantries, Zhang Yu, seeing Lu Chang’sheng unmoved by her approach, could only say helplessly, "Fellow Daoist, you must’ve come all this way to see Alchemist Luo. Surely you’re not planning to just walk away empty-handed?"

"I won’t lie, I do feel somewhat unwilling. But I’ve never enjoyed seeking the spotlight or stirring up trouble, so I haven’t thought about claiming your Foundation Pill." Lu Chang’sheng looked straight at Zhang Yu.

"Heh—no need to pretend, fellow Daoist. That’s a mid-grade Foundation Pill we’re talking about—worth several million spirit stones."

The iron-tower brute sneered coldly.

Ordinary Foundation Pills go for hundreds of thousands or even a million lower spirit stones; for mid-grade pills, several million isn’t unreasonable.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled without replying.

The iron-tower man clearly had a temper; about to lose it, Zhang Yu quickly held him back and looked at Lu Chang’sheng. "You have impressive self-control, fellow Daoist. Yet this time, you may have no choice."

"According to our sources, Alchemist Luo will leave the Black Flame Water Domain in no more than ten years. Judging by the limited number of chances he’s offered, it’ll be nearly impossible for you to get another shot."

Zhang Yu appeared confident, "So this might truly be the last opportunity."

Lu Chang’sheng’s curiosity was piqued; what Zhang Yu said seemed to touch on Alchemist Luo’s reasons for staying here.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yu herself did not know the details. But when talking about Alchemist Luo’s departure, she patted her chest and swore "it’s definitely true."

"Most of us who’ve found this place have unimpressive Immortal Dao Spirit Roots. Trying to break the Foundation bottleneck with ordinary pills is next to impossible. But with a mid-grade Foundation Pill, our chances rise greatly."

"There’s hope for Foundation Establishment!"

Admittedly, Zhang Yu’s way with words was far superior to the iron-tower brute’s blunt force approach.

"The Foundation Pill is crucial, but how exactly do you plan to seize it?"

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng’s interest piqued, Zhang Yu hurriedly replied, "At this stage, we have no choice but to take it by force."

"Once it’s done, I’ll give the other mid-grade Foundation Pill to you, Fellow Daoist. How about it?"

Zhang Yu said.

To her surprise, Lu Chang’sheng looked at the towering brute in astonishment. "This fellow Daoist has no objections?"

"He’s my sworn brother, I can speak for him." Zhang Yu answered, "To be honest, I have my own private reasons for this. Now that I’ve gotten my hands on a Foundation Pill, others are bound to covet it too. So, that’s why I want you to join us. With your strength, the three of us have an excellent chance at the other Foundation Pill."

"It does sound good—but as I said before, I’m just timid by nature, not much good at fighting."

Lu Chang’sheng spoke slowly, making both Zhang Yu and the iron-tower brute’s faces change just a little.