44: Chapter 44 The Snow-White Peak Master!

Gu Changsheng returned to Cave Dwelling No. Ding 97, and the stone door closed with a boom.

He did not delay for even a moment, immediately taking out the 'Hundred Herbs Interpretation' Jade Slip and several qing ling flower seedlings, placing them before him.

A thousand-foot tower rises from the ground; if he wanted to seamlessly dump a massive amount of spirit-calming incense in half a year, he had to have a basic grasp of the alchemy process now.

At the very least, he had to be able to put on a convincing act.

The method for processing qing ling flowers described in 'Hundred Herbs Interpretation' was extremely simple: one only needed to nurture them with one's own wood-attribute Qi, remove their Impurities, and then dry them over a low flame.

Gu Changsheng circulated the Qi from the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture within his body, and a wisp of gentle cyan energy overflowed from his fingertips, cautiously wrapping around a qing ling flower seedling.

However, there was a chasm between theory and practice.

The gentle Qi he had imagined appeared incomparably rough the moment it touched the fragile seedling.

With a soft 'poof,' the little blue flower instantly withered and then turned into a pinch of black ash.

Gu Changsheng's expression did not change as he took out another one.

This time, he reduced the intensity of his Qi output by ninety percent.

The Qi slowly seeped in, the meridians of the seedling were clearly visible, and everything seemed to be going smoothly.

But just as he was preparing for the next step, a tiny fluctuation in his Qi caused the seedling to once again be unable to bear the load, and it withered on the spot.

Failure.

Try again.

Failure.

Failed again.

For seven consecutive days, Gu Changsheng shut himself in his Immortal Cave, almost reaching the point of forgetting to eat or sleep.

Inside the Immortal Cave, a thick smell of burnt vegetation permeated the air.

On the stone floor in front of him, there was already a thick layer of black ash—the remains of dozens of qing ling flower seedlings.

He sat cross-legged, looking at the last intact seedling in his hand, and fell into deep thought.

"Is this thing harder than Cultivating the sword art?"

He couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Cultivating the Azure Origin Sword Art, although also boring, at least allowed him to feel a trace of weak progress every time he circulated his Qi.

But this alchemy was a completely different matter.

It didn't require the strength of power, but rather a nearly harsh, precise control. If the Qi was one part too much, it would burn; if it was one part too little, it would be ineffective. The requirements for the coordination of Divine Sense and Qi reached a perverted level.

This wasn't Cultivating to become an immortal; this was clearly research and development of precision instruments.

And it was the kind of R&D with an extremely low success rate that burned money.

He finally understood why Alchemists in the Sect had such high status and were all filthy rich.

This was a technical barrier built up by countless Spirit Stones and Heaven And Earth Treasures.

"This won't do; I can't keep messing around on my own."

Gu Changsheng made a decision.

He didn't have many qing ling flower seedlings left, and his startup capital was stretched thin. If he kept consuming them like this, let alone stocking up on goods, he wouldn't even be able to afford the necessary Cultivation resources for this month.

He had to find a professional to provide some guidance.

But as a newly admitted Inner Sect Disciple, his words carried little weight; who would be willing to guide him for no reason?

Just as he was at his wit's end, the mao hour arrived.

Those familiar pale gold characters appeared in his mind right on time.

【daily intelligence refreshed】

【Intelligence 1: Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak, Si Yuanzhi, is in a very good mood because her newly accepted grand-Disciple, Li Yan, has displayed astonishing talent for Cultivation. At this moment, she is personally guiding Li Yan's Cultivation inside Wen Yuechan's pavilion.】

【Supplementary note: If you go to seek guidance now, there is a ninety percent chance of receiving her instruction.】

【Risk assessment: Low.】

【Intelligence 2...】

Gu Changsheng directly ignored the information that followed; his entire focus was firmly gripped by the first piece of intelligence.

Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak, Si Yuanzhi!

Wen Yuechan's Revered Master, a genuine Late Foundation Establishment Stage great Cultivator!

A ninety percent chance of receiving guidance!

Gu Changsheng's heart uncontrollably started beating faster.

This was truly someone delivering a pillow just as he was getting sleepy.

The guidance of a Late Foundation Establishment Stage great Cultivator, even if it were just a few words, would be enough to make him suddenly enlightened, worth a hundred times more than his own closed-door self-study.

This kind of low-risk, high-reward Opportunity was exactly what he dreamed of.

He couldn't wait!

Gu Changsheng immediately stood up, cast a Cleansing Spell to remove the burnt smell and dust from his body, and changed into a brand-new Inner Sect Disciple outfit.

He adjusted his aura to the level of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer Early Stage. He looked refreshed, possessing both the sharp spirit of a young Disciple and the composure gained after two years of closed-door Cultivation.

After doing all this, he pushed open the stone door, turned into a green rainbow, and headed straight for Hundred Herbs Peak.

A moment later, that familiar pavilion of Wen Yuechan was already before his eyes.

The wooden door of the pavilion was slightly ajar, and from inside came the faint voice of a woman, slightly lazy yet full of authority, as if she were explaining something.

Gu Changsheng adjusted his robes, stopped three steps away from the door, and bowed in salute.

"Disciple Gu Changsheng requests to see Senior Sister Wen."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the pavilion.

The talking inside stopped abruptly.

A few breaths later, that lazy female voice sounded again, carrying a trace of an elusive smile.

"Yuechan is in closed-door cultivation; you may come in."

Gu Changsheng felt a shiver in his heart and pushed the door open to enter as instructed.

Inside the pavilion, incense curled, and the Spiritual Qi was intense.

Li Yan's small figure was sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, her little face tense, as if she were fully circulating her Cultivation Technique.

And on the main seat, a woman wearing a luxurious purple dress was leaning back in a relaxed posture.

She was supporting her chin with one hand, and next to her other hand was a purple gold gourd; a faint scent of wine drifted through the air.

One long, shapely leg was crossed casually, and the silky skirt slid down along her perfect curves, revealing a section of skin so white it was dazzling, which was somewhat blinding in the dim pavilion.

Gu Changsheng's gaze only touched it for a moment before he lowered his head sharply, not daring to look a single bit more.

An invisible pressure enveloped him.

That was not the pressure of Qi, but an aura naturally emitted by someone who had long held a high position.

Under this aura, any lies and disguises seemed pale and ridiculous.

"Raise your head."

Si Yuanzhi's voice sounded.

Gu Changsheng raised his head as instructed, only daring to look at her collar.

"Wen Yuechan is in closed-door cultivation; what do you seek her for?"

Gu Changsheng maintained his bowing posture, his tone respectful, and answered clearly and logically.

"Reporting to the Peak Si Yuanzhi, this Disciple exchanged for a copy of 'Hundred Herbs Interpretation' at the Scripture Pavilion a month ago, wanting to try refining some Medicinal Pills, but I have failed repeatedly. I came today intending to ask Senior Sister Wen for advice on the key points, not expecting to disturb the Peak Si Yuanzhi's quiet cultivation. This Disciple deserves death."

His explanation was seamless, and every part of it could stand up to scrutiny.

After hearing this, a look of interest finally appeared on Si Yuanzhi's beautiful face.

She looked at the young man before her who was neither servile nor overbearing, able to remain calm even when facing her; this kind of Heart-Nature was rare among young Disciples.

"That girl Yuechan, her talent is good, but her temperament is too cold; she only knows how to Cultivate all day, like a block of ten-thousand-year black ice."

Si Yuanzhi picked up the purple gold gourd beside her, tilted her head back to take a swig, her throat bobbing; her posture was indescribably free and easy.

She wiped the wine stain from her lips, and her beautiful eyes landed on Gu Changsheng again.

"She cannot teach you these miscellaneous arts that require patience."

She leaned forward slightly, and an intoxicating scent of wine, accompanied by a wave of heat, rushed towards him.

"Tell me, what is it you don't understand? You may ask me."