Listen to me, and I will guide you on the path to immortality!

The goatee old man, however, was in no hurry, a mysterious smile appearing on his Face.

"Fellow disciples, since you are attending the auction at my Pill Treasure Pavilion, naturally, things will be different."

"Although this woman lacks a Spiritual Root and cannot cultivate, she is an excellent prospect for a Body Cultivator. She practices Mortal Jianghu martial arts, specifically the Iron Cloth Shirt, making her skin extremely tough. Her Mortal swordsmanship is also superb."

Before he finished speaking, another woman was pushed onto the stage.

This woman looked to be only eighteen or nineteen years old.

She had snow-white skin and black hair, and wore a tight black and red dress. Although bound by a Magical Rope, she radiated an undeniable, imposing heroism.

Her gaze was cold, like an ice-tempered blade, sweeping indifferently over every Demonic Cultivator below the stage.

"Not bad, not bad. I happen to need to refine a Soul Shattering Drum. This woman's skin is fine and tough, making her perfect for skinning and crafting the drum. What is the starting price?"

Shi Tong, who had just bid on the female Qi Refining Fourth Layer Cultivator, continued, his tone filled with cruel excitement.

Hearing this, the young woman on the stage instantly turned pale.

She knew she had fallen into a Demon Den and would likely meet a terrible end, but she never expected to be skinned alive and die.

A flicker of terror finally appeared in those cold eyes.

"The starting price for this woman is ten Spirit Stones."

"Ten Spirit Stones... I'll take her!" Shi Tong grinned and casually called out.

A calm voice rang out from the corner.

"I offer fifteen Spirit Stones!"

Lin Yuan slowly stood up.

Swish!

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on this unremarkable old man.

Shi Tong also turned his head, and upon seeing it was Lin Yuan, he was momentarily stunned, then burst into a strange laugh.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Lin, at your age, have you finally come around? Do you want a taste of a Mortal woman too?"

Lin Yuan ignored his teasing, merely cupping his fists toward him.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, I have taken a fancy to this woman. How about you let me have her?"

It is not easy for Cultivators to earn Spirit Stones.

Fifteen Spirit Stones could buy seven qi gathering pills.

When refining something like the Soul Shattering Drum, using Yao Beast hide would yield better results.

Shi Tong grinned, weighing the options for a moment.

Offending an Alchemist, even if only a Ninth Rank Alchemist, over a Mortal woman was not worth it, especially since he might need Lin Yuan's help with Alchemy someday.

"Since Fellow Daoist Lin has spoken, I, Shi Tong, will grant you this Face!"

Having successfully bid on what he wanted, Lin Yuan paid the money and took the goods.

A Restriction had already been placed on this woman. Lin Yuan only needed to reapply the technique to control her life and death with a single thought.

"What is your name?"

Leaving the auction, Lin Yuan walked ahead and asked without turning his head.

"Han Shuang."

Han Shuang followed behind Lin Yuan, watching his slightly hunched figure, and murderous intent suddenly rose in her heart.

With her skill, she could snap the old man's neck in just one breath.

Freedom was right before her eyes.

Her footsteps unconsciously lightened, and the Qi and blood within her body began to surge secretly.

"The methods of Immortals are beyond your imagination."

Lin Yuan's voice remained calm, as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

"The moment the thought of acting against me arises, I have over a dozen ways to make your Divine Soul vanish."

The instant his voice fell, an extremely cold and terrifying pressure descended like an invisible mountain!

Han Shuang felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, instantly freezing on the spot, unable to move even slightly.

The surging Qi and blood were instantly frozen solid.

Only then did she truly feel the terrifying power contained within this seemingly aged body before her.

That was a dimension that Mortal martial arts simply could not contend with.

The pressure vanished as quickly as it came.

Han Shuang gasped for air, her back completely soaked in cold sweat.

"Furthermore, unlike those Demonic Cultivators who skin and pull tendons to refine Magical Artifacts at the drop of a hat, you can rest assured."

Lin Yuan's tone remained calm.

"I bought you because my cultivation has reached a critical juncture, and I don't want to be distracted by mundane affairs. I need someone to look after my daily life."

"Moreover, if you take good care of me, I can offer you some guidance in my spare time; it's not impossible for you to step onto the path of cultivation!"

Hearing this, Han Shuang's eyes shone with pleasant surprise. Having witnessed the methods of Immortal Cultivators, her heart naturally yearned for it.

Not only was her life no longer in danger, but she also had the possibility of entering cultivation.

"Thank you, Immortal Master!" Han Shuang quickly bowed in reverence.

Lin Yuan nodded and released the black wood shuttle from his Storage Pouch.

"Get on!"

Lin Yuan stepped onto the black wood shuttle and spoke.

Han Shuang leaped up, landing gracefully inside the black wood shuttle.

The black wood shuttle circled once in mid-air before carrying her toward the residence halfway up the mountain.

The black wood shuttle slowly descended, raising a gentle breeze in a quiet small courtyard.

Han Shuang stepped out of the shuttle, and when her feet touched the solid ground, her legs went soft, and she nearly stumbled.

The experience of Flying Through The Air was simply too overwhelming for a Mortal like her.

"This place is my residence."

Lin Yuan's voice came from ahead, old, yet carrying undeniable authority.

"The side room on the west is empty. You can clean it up and move in."

"Remember, without my permission, you are not allowed to step half a pace out of this courtyard. You should be clear about how dangerous the outside world is."

"Yes, Immortal Master." Han Shuang lowered her head and replied respectfully, completely concealing the myriad thoughts in her heart.

Lin Yuan said nothing more and walked straight into the main room on the east side.

He was not in a hurry regarding Dual Cultivation to boost his attribute points.

A forced melon is not sweet. This matter required slow planning, letting her see the reality for herself and make the "correct" choice; that was the long-term strategy.

What he needed was a willing tool, not a burden he constantly had to guard against.

The door creaked shut, separating the inside from the outside.

He took out the Pill Formula for the condensing yuan pill from his Storage Pouch and slowly spread it out on the table.

He carefully studied every ancient character and every step on the Pill Formula, repeatedly simulating the entire Alchemy process in his mind.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice... He practiced the process in his mind more than ten times consecutively, anticipating all possible accidents and ensuring there were no omissions left.

Only then did Lin Yuan stand up and pat his Storage Pouch.

The Pill Furnace landed on the ground in response. Immediately after, several pieces of Spirit Charcoal emitting a faint red glow, along with dozens of Spiritual Materials required for refining the condensing yuan pill, were taken out one by one and neatly arranged on the floor.

Spiritual Power was channeled.

The Spirit Charcoal instantly ignited, and flames rose... Time quietly flowed by.

Less than half a day passed in a flash.

"Open!"

Lin Yuan activated a Spell Seal and let out a low shout.

The lid of the Pill Cauldron popped open instantly!

Three streaks of light shot out from it and were firmly caught by him.

A trace of almost imperceptible joy finally appeared on Lin Yuan's wrinkled old Face.

He hadn't expected to succeed on his very first attempt at refining the condensing yuan pill.

He remembered clearly that when he first started learning to refine the qi gathering pill, he failed more than ten furnaces consecutively before barely grasping the basics.

As expected, all three condensing yuan pills were Low Grade.