Chapter 35: Personally Invited

Chen Zhao subtly tugged at the corner of his mouth, his expression still respectful:

"I was unaware of Master Zhang's arrival, and failed to greet you properly—please forgive my oversight."

"No need for such formalities."

Zhang Sifan laughed heartily, clapped him on the back, and invited him upstairs to a private chamber.

Activate the Concealment Array.

Only then did Zhang Sifan's expression turn slightly serious, and he smiled softly:

"To outwit Fang Zijing, and yet be the chief of Juxian Pavilion—this man must be brilliant in both wit and talent. To know him is truly fortunate."

"Lately, Fulong Mountain has undergone repeated anomalies; rumors say its middle layer holds countless treasures, yet miasma blocks entry—within it, one cannot meditate or recover Qi, and prolonged exposure leads to demonic deviation. If I gain his aid, success will be swift."

His words radiated warmth, making one feel an instant sense of closeness.

But Chen Zhao caught the hidden meaning.

He was flattering him first, to trap him into accepting.

He feigned helplessness and bowed:

"Previously, I relied entirely on Elder's strategy. I am shallow in talent and intellect, and merely a Registered Disciple—I can hardly assist you, Master."

Zhang Sifan's expression did not change; he patted Chen Zhao's shoulder and said:

"Why belittle yourself, younger brother? With your skill in refining Qingxin Pills, with more effort, Nourishing Spirit Pills should be within reach."

With proficiency and understanding of this type of pill, refining its advanced version becomes much easier.

If another disciple faced such courteous treatment from a prodigy, they would likely cry out, "A scholar dies for one who understands him!" and immediately agree.

Moreover, this prodigy has a Foundation Establishment Elder behind him—following him means boundless glory in the future.

"Thank you, older brother, for your favor—but,"

Chen Zhao shifted his tone,

"Your status is noble—why not seek a higher expert in Dan Tang?"

"Second-grade Alchemists won't waste their spirit on this, and they're too proud. Among First-grade Alchemists, few can refine this pill."

"Among them, you are of Juxian Pavilion—I trust my father's judgment."

Zhang Sifan showed no anger; his eyes brimmed with confidence.

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Indeed, for a Second-grade Alchemist,

refining a First Grade Upper Tier pill takes an extremely long time—better to spend that energy refining Second Grade Pills.

And Nourishing Spirit Pills have a single effect; even if advanced further, they merely aid stillness and spirit-nourishment—useful only for practice, with extremely low returns.

Yet Master Zhang is fixated on this.

It seems the miasma in Fulong Mountain's middle layer is strong.

Think deeper still—perhaps Evil Cultivators have emerged, linked to this middle-layer anomaly.

"Chen Alchemist, are you truly refusing me?"

Seeing Chen Zhao unmoved,

Zhang Sifan sighed softly, patted his shoulder, then leaned close and whispered in his ear:

"Younger brother, I've read the records—you claimed that when you encountered a Robber Cultivator, you fought desperately but lost, and barely escaped."

"Yet Zheng Daocai, whose Wind-Riding Art is unmatched, died instead—and yet his Wind-Riding Art ended up in your hands. Could there be suspicion of fratricide?"

Hearing this, Chen Zhao instantly went on alert.

This man is coarse on the surface but sharp beneath—he's studied me closely.

The Wind-Riding Art was obtained from the Storage Bag of a withered old woman.

Yet in their testimonies, the withered old woman should still be alive.

Then where did Chen Zhao obtain the Wind-Riding Art?

"Wan Bao Lou does not sell Upper Grade Yellow-level techniques, and none exist below the mountain—your extraordinary fortune is indeed considerable."

Zhang Sifan chuckled softly, as if he had already seized Chen Zhao's weakness.

Chen Zhao felt a flicker of surprise, but his expression remained calm.

Indeed, Wind-Riding Art is relatively rare—among Registered Disciples, it would never appear in large quantities.

But it is merely one technique, not irreplicable.

If one encounters a high-level master who imparts it, or exchanges equally, acquiring it is not impossible.

"What do you think, older brother?"

Chen Zhao subtly stepped back, showing no panic.

To Zhang's elder, Juxian Pavilion is also a money tree—he won't tear the veil.

"My opinion doesn't matter—what matters is you. If you can refine Nourishing Spirit Pills, even if the records are burned, what does it matter?"

Zhang Sifan chuckled.

It seems he only wants the pills, not the truth.

"Give me ten portions of Spirit Medicine, and I'll do my best—I make no guarantee of success."

Chen Zhao feigned resignation.

Zhang Sifan laughed loudly, then deactivated the Concealment Array,

"Why the long face, younger brother? I'll give you twelve portions of Spirit Medicine. If within a month you refine four pills, when I return from exploring the treasure, I'll share one opportunity with you!"

Then he released a Purple-Green Pill Furnace, patted it, and said:

"This furnace is yours to keep. First Grade Upper Tier—whether I succeed or not, take it as earnest money."

Before all eyes.

Chen Zhao, as if forced against his will, reluctantly accepted the Spirit Medicine and the Pill Furnace.

But little did they know.

In his Storage Bag, he already had ready-made Pill pellets.

This was an opportunity delivered straight to his door, and Zhang Sifan's public announcement had even granted him a favor.

And this Pill Furnace was far superior to the one at Juxian Pavilion, greatly aiding his Alchemy.

As expected.

The He Family Brothers, seeing Zhang Sifan not only give the Pill Furnace but also offer additional opportunity, could not help but be astonished and envious.

A month later.

Zhang Sifan knocked on Chen Zhao's Alchemy Chamber and saw him inhaling and exhaling, his cultivation having further advanced.

"Senior Brother, I sincerely apologize—I've worked day and night and barely managed three Pills. Please take back your deposit."

Chen Zhao rose shakily, appearing utterly drained.

He was Qi Refining Fifth Layer—successfully completing this task was absurd.

The other party clearly intended this, and he had no wish to expose it.

"Why are you being so formal with me? The things I give you, how could I possibly take back?"

Zhang Sifan wore a generous smile, took the Pills, and then departed gracefully.

Liu Chen, seeing this, could not help but exhale in relief.

If this old employer's commission failed, how could they face Elder Zhang?

"Chen Alchemist truly is extraordinary—how could you have received such an opportunity from Young Master Zhang? We're utterly envious."

The He Family Brothers spoke in unison to offer congratulations, exchanging glances with slightly unnatural expressions.

"Just luck."

Chen Zhao bowed, giving them no chance to probe further.

To refine this Pill, he used only two portions of Spirit Medicine.

Not only did he gain time to cultivate, but he also saved the leftover Spirit Medicine as a substantial illicit income.

In the following half-month.

Business at Juxian Pavilion remained booming.

The quota for First Grade Upper Tier Pills had been reached, and Inner Sect Disciples no longer requested Pills.

Chen Zhao was suddenly idle.

After Zhang Sifan left, the He Family Brothers grew even more courteous toward him, even beginning to voluntarily share his burdens.

He seized the chance to cultivate, swallowing over a dozen Huanglong Pills.

Still, when he replenished his Qi, he would step out for fresh air and casually gather rumors from outside.

The He Family Brothers were perfectly content with this.

"Several Spirit Medicine shops downstairs have shut down—everyone wants to come to Juxian Pavilion to ask us to refine Pills. I suspect it's tied to Evil Cultivators."

"True. Evil Cultivators lurk in the mountains; they dare not harvest herbs, so their businesses naturally collapse."

The He Family Brothers chatted idly beside the Pill Furnace.

"More Evil Cultivators?"

Chen Zhao's expression turned strange.

Since the Murong De incident, he had grown increasingly familiar with Evil Cultivators.

Evil Cultivators are not like leeks in the field.

Practicing Evil Techniques carries constant risk of sudden death; those who succeed are exceedingly rare—even Murong De lost his soul.

As he pondered this.

He Chengdao handed him a letter, saying:

"This morning, Sister sent a letter. I saw you were absorbed in Alchemy, so I didn't dare disturb you."

Chen Zhao took it and looked.

The letter was covered in Pill ash and fingerprints, with a few saliva stains.

He looked up and saw the He Family Brothers wearing expressions of reluctant parting—suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.

These two seemed perfectly normal in daily life—how could they have such a fetish?

He unfolded the letter.

There was only one line of text.

Brother Chen, regarding your entry into Dan Tang, could you come to my Cave Abode for a chat?