Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 362: The Wei Family of White Crane Island
Lin Mengbing saw Shen Xuan’s expression, feeling both shocked and delighted. He hurried forward, smiling as he said, "Congratulations to Master Shen for your successful retreat!"
"Congratulations to you too!"
Shen Xuan replied with a smile.
Lin Mengbing examined Shen Xuan’s complexion for a moment and asked, "How was Master Shen’s harvest?"
"Luck was on my side. I managed to advance by chance."
Lin Mengbing comforted, "Failure is quite normal. We alchemists all go through immense difficulties..."
"Wait a minute!"
His eyes suddenly widened as if hearing something unbelievable!
"Master Shen, you advanced? You’re now a Tier Two Alchemist?"
"Just by chance."
Shen Xuan said with a smile.
He appeared calm and composed.
As if it was just a trivial matter.
By chance?
Where in the world is there so much luck!
Among Tier One Alchemists, those who smoothly advance are one in a hundred.
In the entire Divine Sword Sect, there are three hundred alchemists, but only one Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist!
And this Master Shen before him, according to Junior Brother Hu, has been practicing Water Technique Refining for just over a year!
"Master Lin, are you alright!"
Seeing Lin Mengbing as if in shock, Shen Xuan felt amused.
To become a Tier Two Alchemist from a novice in just over a year is indeed incredible.
However, Shen Xuan had excellent conditions and a top-tier alchemist inheritance.
Plus, he spared no expense, refining pills day and night to hone his skills.
It’s no exaggeration to say that his achievements are solely due to his own efforts.
The Mysterious Jade Talisman hadn’t played any special role.
It was just used to display his alchemy proficiency.
"Master Shen, you truly are a prodigy! Your talent in alchemy is something Lin can only admire!"
Lin Mengbing came to his senses and remarked with admiration.
Back then, to advance to a Tier Two Alchemist, he spent over ten years, consuming countless resources.
Yet this Master Shen did it in just over a year, using only materials for a hundred Tier Two Spirit Pills.
Incredibly simple.
No matter how he tried to console himself, Master Lin’s heart still felt sour.
Is this the difference between a genius and the ordinary?
Meanwhile, he had no idea.
Shen Xuan was comparable to a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator, spending over two hundred thousand spirit stones in just over a year.
An ordinary Tier One Alchemist, lacking such prowess and unwilling to spend money like him, could not advance so easily.
"By the way, Master Lin, let’s settle the alchemy room fees!"
"Alright, alright! Master Shen, please wait a moment."
Soon, the bill was ready.
"Alchemy room rent thirty-six thousand, earth fire fee twenty-eight thousand, Spiritual Qi fee twenty-two thousand, and Spiritual Spring fee sixteen thousand, totaling one hundred and three thousand spirit stones."
Lin Mengbing pondered for a moment, then smiled warmly and said, "Let’s make it an even hundred thousand spirit stones!"
"Thank you for your consideration, Master Lin."
"No need for thanks!"
Returning the Command Arrow, paying the spirit stones.
"Master Lin, I’ve been quite worn out. I’ll head back to the inn to rest first."
"Alright! In a couple of days, I’ll personally visit you."
"I will be sure to prepare a warm welcome."
The two exchanged pleasantries.
Shen Xuan left the Alchemy Hall and returned to the Sect Inn.
Watching Shen Xuan’s distant figure, Lin Mengbing stood in a daze for a long time.
It took him a while to come back to his senses and he sighed deeply.
"Another genius alchemist!"
"I wonder if he can be brought into the sect!"
Reflecting upon himself.
Eighty years old, his vitality fading, with little hope of breaking through the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.
A Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist, that’s his limit.
Yet Master Shen, in just one year, advanced to a Tier Two Alchemist.
Judging by his manner, gentle and elegant, with vigorous vitality, his future path and alchemy potential are boundless!
He had no idea that Shen Xuan was one hundred and twenty years old.
The reason for his vigorous vitality without signs of aging is the main cultivation technique "Divine Hidden Sea Technique," which inherently has health benefits.
Added to that are various Demon Beast Bloodline Talent Skills and Body Refining Technique "Nine Revolutions True Spirit Transformation" at Great Success, making his flesh body formidable enough to match a Fake Pill Master.
That’s why he appears youthful and energetic.
Returning to the Sect Inn.
Shen Xuan comfortably soaked in a hot bath, relaxing completely, and rested early.
The next morning, someone came to visit.
"Wei Yafei congratulates Master Shen!"
Wei Yafei seemed a bit embarrassed, her face slightly flushed.
Wearing something light, every part of her, wherever she could reveal, was exposed, skin as sublime as snow, the fragrant scent of fresh youth wafting over.
Clearly, Wei Yafei came well-prepared.
Shen Xuan opened the door and invited her inside.
"No need for formalities. Fellow Daoist Wei, please sit. Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
Wei Yafei sighed inwardly.
This attempt at probing has failed again.
Master Shen merely gave her a glance.
All of those deliberately accentuated assets didn’t capture his gaze for even a moment.
"Master Shen, I was originally waiting in the Alchemy Hall."
"But later I had matters to attend to in the Divine Sword Pavilion."
Shen Xuan waved his hand.
"That’s a minor issue, no need to mention it. Fellow Daoist Wei, if you have something, speak plainly!"
Wei Yafei’s face turned red, she stood up and curtseyed politely.
"Master Shen, do you have any plans? Are you considering joining our Divine Sword Sect?"
"I’m sorry. I already informed Shopkeeper Hu before, I have unavoidable reasons that prevent me from joining the sect."
"I see!"
Wei Yafei deflated instantly.
The waves in front seemed to have calmed a bit too.
"However, I might settle with a cultivation clan, does Fellow Daoist Wei have any recommendations?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yafei’s eyes perked up, instantly revitalized.
"Master Shen wishes to become a tributor in a cultivation clan? That couldn’t be easier!"
"The seven clans outside Weihai City, aren’t they at your disposal to choose from!"
"Yafei dares to recommend, disregarding familial ties. The Wei Family on White Crane Island is quite excellent..."
Then, Wei Yafei began to praise the Wei Family with exaggeration.
Speaking of its thousand-year heritage, descendants of true masters, a pure family ethos, a well-known reputation, generous benefits, and so forth.
Making the White Crane Island Wei Family seem unparalleled in the world.
Shen Xuan listened to Wei Yafei’s self-praise with a smile.
Using the need for careful consideration as an excuse, he politely escorted Wei Yafei out of the inn.
...
In the days that followed.
Lin Mengbing from the Divine Sword Sect visited again.
He reiterated the Divine Sword Sect’s desire to recruit him.
Shen Xuan politely refused.
In his words, Shen Xuan revealed that he only wanted to find a cultivation clan to temporarily settle down.
After Lin Mengbing left.
The powerful cultivation clans near Weihai City visited one after another.
Shen Xuan entertained each with a smile, stating he would consider carefully.
Until this day.
Wei Anyue, the current Patriarch of the Wei Family on White Crane Island, came personally with generous gifts.
The two closed the inn room door for a private meeting.
Patriarch Wei was about two hundred years old, in Foundation Establishment Perfection, looking aged, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle’s.
Shen Xuan understood that, although Patriarch Wei was quite old, he still possessed considerable combat strength.
At this moment, Patriarch Wei was also silently amazed.
He could see that Shen Xuan was over a hundred years old.
But his blood and energy were vigorous and abundant, full of vitality, with no signs of decline.
Moreover, this person seemed to possess some kind of magical treasure that concealed his aura.
Even with his Foundation Establishment Perfection Divine Sense probing, he couldn’t determine Shen Xuan’s true realm cultivation.
"I heard from Yafei that Alchemist Shen and the junior Wei Yaqian in our clan have an old relationship?"
Patriarch Wei said casually.
With eyes as sharp as an eagle, he and Shen Xuan locked gazes, staring intently.
"I do not know Fellow Daoist Wei Yaqian."
"However, I had a friend who had been kind to me and unfortunately passed away recently. Before he died, he asked me to take care of Wei Yaqian and her child, should anything happen, to settle past graces and grievances."
Shen Xuan said calmly.
Such matters were quite common in the Cultivation Realm.
Cultivators go out to explore, enter Secret Realms, hunt demon beasts, seek opportunities, and so on.
They all face risks.
It’s very possible they may never return.
Before leaving, they often arrange for trusted friends to take care of their loved ones.
"May I know how Alchemist Shen’s friend is addressed?"
"Wu Junjie."
This was the alias used by Wu Wenping while associating with Wei Yaqian.
Patriarch Wei nodded, retracting his gaze, his expression becoming more amicable.
"I heard Alchemist Shen is a Water Technique Alchemist?"
"Yes. I cultivate Water Techniques."
The topic was steered by Patriarch Wei towards alchemy skills.
Only then did Shen Xuan realize that the Patriarch was quite knowledgeable about Water Technique Refining.
"Ah! When I was young, I also tried Water Technique Refining."
"However, this path is rather profound, and I was hindered by family affairs and had to stop at Tier One Upper Grade, regretting it deeply!"
Shen Xuan chuckled.
As the patriarch of a cultivation clan, managing family affairs is of utmost importance.
Next is improving personal combat power.
As for the Alchemy Dao, it’s merely a bonus.
Its presence or absence doesn’t affect the patriarch’s status.
"I have previously dedicated myself to researching Water Technique Refining, prepared for many years, and have a bit of confidence in my heart. This time I went all out, focusing on refining for over a year, and successfully advanced to Tier Two in one stroke."
Shen Xuan explained with a smile.
"Would Alchemist Shen be willing to become an Honored Guest Elder of the Wei Family?"
Patriarch Wei offered terms.
He proposed establishing a dedicated Tier Two Cave Mansion for Shen Xuan to cultivate.
An annual salary of fifty thousand Spirit Stones.
The Wei Family would provide materials, Earth Fire, and the Spiritual Spring, while Shen Xuan would refine Tier Two Spirit Pills for them, with remuneration based on the quality of the refined pills.
There would be a stipulated amount of pills to refine each year.
If the amount exceeded, both parties would discuss separately.
Additionally, the Wei Family asked Shen Xuan to consider taking on a few alchemy apprentices.
The term of service would be twenty years.
After twenty years, both parties would assess the situation and renegotiate the contract.
Alternatively, Shen Xuan could leave of his own accord, and the Wei Family would not obstruct him.
Shen Xuan took a look.
The terms for an Honored Guest Elder were those typically used by powerful clans.
Many conditions left room for negotiation and modification.
"The term is too long, make it eight years!"
Shen Xuan estimated that he would almost reach the sixth level of Foundation Establishment after eight years.
By then, he would reevaluate the situation and decide whether to remain with the Wei Family on White Crane Island.
"The Tier Two Cave Mansion must be Tier Two Middle Grade."
"The salary is too low, make it a hundred thousand a year."
"The remuneration for refining will be explicitly calculated at a 40% success rate. If it exceeds 40%, I will receive 70%. If it is below 40%, it will be deducted from my salary."
"For alchemy apprentices, the number cannot be capped. Of course, if there are talents in the Wei Family’s Immortal Seed skilled in the Alchemy Dao, I am willing to instruct them."
"Add a clause that any Tier Two Water Attribute Demon Beast Essence Blood obtained by the Wei Family is to be preferentially sold to me at market price."
Shen Xuan specifically explained: "For my alchemy, I require Tier Two Water Demon Essence Blood to ’dot’ the medicine, and the higher the quality, the better."
In Water Technique Refining, there is originally a ’dotting’ step.
Using rare spiritual objects to alter the materials in the Pill Furnace.
Shen Xuan used the Essence Spirit Water from the River and Sea Map.
It could also be transformed using high-tier Water Demon Essence Blood.
Upon hearing the conditions set by Shen Xuan.
Patriarch Wei negotiated with Shen Xuan for a while.
Their main differences were about the term of service and the number of alchemy apprentices.
On the matters of the Cave Mansion, salary, alchemy commission, and preferential sale of Water Demon Essence Blood, Patriarch Wei had no objections.
Clearly, Patriarch Wei knew that it would be difficult for the Wei Family to keep Shen Xuan for an extended period.
Thus, the contract term was as long as possible.
Regarding alchemy apprentices, it concerned the long-term development of the Wei Family.
The Wei Family ancestors chose White Crane Island to create their foundation, being Water Technique cultivators themselves.
Their descendants also primarily were Water Attribute cultivators.
It was rare to encounter someone like Shen Xuan, a Tier Two Water Technique Alchemist, and Patriarch Wei would naturally not let go of such an opportunity.
Everything was negotiable.
Cultivating Water Technique Alchemists for the Wei Family was the most important.
Shen Xuan did not relent on the contract term.
But regarding alchemy apprentices, after some thought, he limited it to two people, and they must pass his assessment.
After some argument, Patriarch Wei saw Shen Xuan’s firm stance.
He had to agree.
Ultimately, the two signed the Wei Family service contract.
However, the name Shen Xuan signed was "Shen Changsheng."
The spiritual power imprint used was not the Main Technique [True Ice Heart Technique], but the [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique].
This spirit contract did not bind Shen Xuan in any way.
