42: Chapter 42 The deeper the water, the bigger the fish.

Li Zhiyi left a word and walked away carrying the food box.

Chu Sheng sat in the courtyard, his mind racing.

longevity elixir.

A Grade 2 pill.

Why would Li Qingshan, a Grade 1 high-rank alchemist, want to refine this?

Why of all things a longevity elixir?

He thought of the Liu family ancestor in the simulation whose lifespan was nearing its end.

"The same drama is about to play out here in Qingshi Town as well."

The Li family estate was in the east of the town, a step below the Lin family's.

Li Zhiyi had been waiting at the entrance early; she jogged up to meet him, "Attendant Chu! You're finally here!"

Chu Sheng chuckled, "No need for such formalities."

Li Zhiyi stuck out her tongue, "My father is waiting for you in the Alchemy Room; he even made an exception and tidied it up."

The fragrance of herbs filled the Alchemy Room, where a gaunt old man sat in a daze before an alchemy furnace.

"Father, Attendant Chu is here."

Li Qingshan snapped out of it, stood up to offer a seat, and scrutinized Chu Sheng for a moment.

"An eighteen-year-old Grade 1 alchemist. When I was eighteen, I was still stoking the fire for my master."

"It's just luck."

Chu Sheng offered a few humble words.

Li Qingshan suddenly looked at Li Zhiyi.

"What does Attendant Chu think of this girl?"

Li Zhiyi's face flushed crimson instantly.

Chu Sheng gave a dry cough, "She's intelligent and charming, a good girl."

Li Qingshan shook his head.

"She just lacks talent. I've taught her for five years, and she can't even refine a Grade 1 low-rank Blood Qi Pill."

He paused, "I invited you here today for two things. First, I want to see you refine a pill with my own eyes. Second..."

He took out a yellowed pill recipe.

"A longevity elixir, Grade 2 low-rank. I've spent three years gathering the materials, and there's only enough for two attempts. If it can be refined, perhaps I can live a few more years."

Chu Sheng took the recipe. It was similar to the longevity and spirit prolonging pill from the simulation, though slightly less difficult.

"Why look for me?"

Li Qingshan gave a bitter smile.

"Alchemists are scarce in Qingshi Town. I've been pondering this for half a year and failed every time. Hearing from Zhiyi that you refined a top-grade Marrow Cleansing Pill, I thought perhaps you could see the trick to it."

Chu Sheng nodded, "I'm willing to give it a try."

Inside the Alchemy Room, the two sat facing each other.

As the first set of materials was added, Chu Sheng controlled the heat while Li Qingshan assisted.

The process was smooth and fluid, but at the final moment of pill condensation, Chu Sheng intentionally let his spiritual power fluctuate slightly.

*Bang.*

It failed.

Li Qingshan sighed and comforted him instead, "Don't take it to heart; I've failed over a dozen times myself."

Chu Sheng looked ashamed, but he was secretly laughing.

Of course he could have succeeded, but he couldn't.

A young alchemist who had just revealed himself to be Grade 1, succeeding on his first attempt at Grade 2?

That would be too monstrous.

With the second set of materials, Chu Sheng was more serious, yet he still fell short at the final moment.

Li Qingshan was silent for a long time. He gave a long sigh and walked to the window, his back hunched.

"What a waste of materials... I saved for three years."

Chu Sheng walked over, "Senior, there might be other ways."

Li Qingshan turned back, a flicker of hope in his eyes. Seeing Chu Sheng shake his head, it dimmed again, and he asked Li Zhiyi to see the guest out.

At the courtyard gate, Li Zhiyi whispered, "You failed on purpose just now, didn't you? I saw how steady your fire control was."

Chu Sheng paused. Even her old man hadn't noticed; how did she know? He turned to look at her.

"Sixth sense."

Li Zhiyi winked and smiled, "Don't worry, I won't tell my father."

Chu Sheng smiled and turned to leave.

Leaving the Li family home, he looked back at the weathered stone lion.

"Li Qingshan... what exactly is he in such a hurry for?"

...

Returning to the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, Chu Sheng organized the information.

Li Qingshan wanting to refine a longevity elixir meant his lifespan was nearly exhausted.

But rumors said Li Qingshan wasn't that old, around seventy or so.

For a mortal, that might be considered seventy years old, but in Qi Induction, each additional rank grants another ten years of life. By that calculation, Li Qingshan was only halfway through his journey and wasn't even as old as the Lin family head.

Unless there was something else going on with the Li family.

He remembered the great demon from the simulation and those mortals who were treated as blood food.

He found Steward Lin and probed him indirectly.

Steward Lin said, "The Liuyun Mountain Range was purged over a decade ago by the Commandery Princess and the City Lord. The great demons fled into the depths, so the outskirts are relatively safe."

Chu Sheng was lost in thought.

Song He was Han Li's man, Han Li was backed by the Qinglan Sect, and beneath the Qinglan Sect was a great demon...

"I have to dig for clues from Song He."

The next evening, Chu Sheng went to Black Wind Hollow again.

This time, he went up the mountain openly and boldly.

Song He personally came out to greet him, his face covered in smiles.

After three rounds of drinks, Chu Sheng scrutinized Song He.

The fellow had dark circles under his eyes and was listless—the Spirit-Eroding Powder was taking effect.

After a few words of concern, Chu Sheng changed the subject, "Stockade Master Song, you're familiar with the Liuyun Mountain Range, aren't you?"

Song He's eyes flickered.

Chu Sheng sighed, "I'm looking for a medicinal ingredient from the depths. I heard there used to be great demons, so I don't dare enter recklessly. I'm looking for someone familiar with the terrain to lead the way."

Song He stammered, "I only operate on the outskirts; I don't dare go into the depths."

"I heard the Commandery Princess led a purge over a decade ago. It should be safe now, right?"

Song He's expression changed.

Chu Sheng stared at him and suddenly smiled.

"Stockade Master Song, let's speak plainly. Where did the 'goods' you've been sending to the Qinglan Sect all these years come from?"

Song He turned deathly pale, and his wine cup fell to the floor.

"Don't be nervous."

Chu Sheng waved his hand, "I'm not here to investigate you. I'm just curious what that person wants those things for."

Cold sweat poured down Song He's forehead. After trembling for a long time, he finally whispered.

"They're sent to the Qinglan Sect. But I really don't know what they're for! I'm only responsible for capturing people and handing them over to Master Han's men. I didn't dare ask about anything else."

"What happened to those people afterward?"

"They all died... it seems they were fed to something. I haven't seen it and didn't dare ask!"

Chu Sheng was shaken.

That great demon. As expected.

He stood up and walked to the window, then turned back and said.

"Stockade Master Song, I won't tell anyone about today's conversation. But let me remind you—doing too much of this kind of business will bring retribution sooner or later."

Reaching the door, he turned back again and smiled.

"You haven't been feeling well lately; you should rest up. If one day... well, that wouldn't be good."

With that, he pushed the door open and left.

Song He slumped to the ground, his face as pale as paper.

...

Returning to the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, Chu Sheng gazed at the night sky.

Song He's words confirmed his suspicions.

The Qinglan Sect was indeed using living people to feed that great demon; they were likely plotting something big.

Could the beast tide in the third simulation also have been their handiwork?

Han Li was responsible for transporting the supply.

And the incident where the Commandery Princess purged the demon race was likely not simple either.

"The water is getting deeper and deeper."

He walked into the Alchemy Room, looked at the second-hand furnace, and curled his lips, "The deeper the water, the bigger the fish."

Touching the qing feng sword in his robe and feeling the Rank 4 spiritual power within him, his heart gradually settled.

"The fourth simulation is in three days."

"This time, I'm going to dig even deeper."