Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 76: Scheming Foundation Building

In the following month, while Li An continued to cultivate, he also intentionally or unintentionally gathered information about the various medicines and alchemists in Baihu City.

He also easily learned about the situation of Gu Hong and her master. After all, Gu Hong's master was a second-grade alchemist and quite well-known in the city.

However, they were not living well.

In recent years, Gusongxi rarely made pills because his lifespan was coming to an end, and exerting too much effort would accelerate his own death.

In recent years, Gu Hong could also refine second-grade pills, but her success rate was relatively low.

One day, Li An walked past the pill shop opened by Gu Hong and her master from a distance and saw Gu Hong busy inside the shop.

She was just as before, managing the shop and working hard, but with a touch of weariness.

Moreover, Li An also learned a small piece of information from Manman. Gu Hong and her senior brother Zhang Deyi had a falling out, and Zhang Deyi was highly regarded in Baihu Mountain, so there were important figures in Baihu Mountain who didn't like Gu Hong and her master.

This also made it difficult for Gu Hong and her master to live in the city.

After considering everything, Li An did not choose Gu Hong and her master as his first choice for refining Foundation Building pills.

They were only backup options.

Firstly, since Gu Hong and her master were being targeted, it would be troublesome for him to go to them for pill refining.

Secondly, after the incident with Zhao Xianchuan, he became extremely cautious.

Who knew if the demonic cult had set up any traps here?

He would still find an opportunity to give the Yuan Soul Beast Crystal Core to Gu Hong, but not now.

"Luo Yong, a first-grade alchemist, whose master is the second-grade alchemist Zhang Deyi..."

"Zhang Deyi is well-known in Baihu City and has experience in refining Foundation Building pills multiple times!"

Li An pondered, Luo Yong seemed to be a good direction.

At the same time, Li An also started to purchase materials for refining formations and began making intermediate and advanced formations. He also found a shop to consign them, but the monthly income, after paying the city entrance tax and daily cultivation expenses, was only a little over ten pieces.

The income level was even lower than when he was in Qingyang Fang Market.

This was mainly because he had concerns and didn't want to expose his identity as a talisman master right away.

With a demonic cult secretly watching him, he couldn't sleep or eat in peace!

Before Foundation Building, he wanted to minimize all risks.

However, Li An currently didn't lack spirit stones. He still had over ten thousand pieces, so it was enough.

Days passed one by one.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

Li An settled down in Baihu City completely under the identity of Wei Ming. Time flowed peacefully and calmly.

However, during this period, the news about Xu Qiuhui becoming Baihu Zhenren's seventeenth disciple finally became public, and the ceremony of apprenticeship was completed, causing a stir. The "housing prices" in the area where Li An was located directly doubled, and demand exceeded supply.

One evening, Li An knocked on the door of the alchemist Luo Yong.

"Mr. Wei, is there something you need?"

The one who opened the door was not Luo Yong but a concubine he kept named Wang Yue, who had a beautiful appearance.

"I have important matters to discuss with Alchemist Luo. This is a small gift, please pass it on for me—"

Li An directly took out a set of advanced formations and handed it to Wang Yue.

As she followed Luo Yong, she naturally knew the value of it. At this moment, her beautiful eyes lit up. "Mr. Wei, please wait a moment."

She immediately took the formations and went inside.

Not long after.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Wei, welcome! My humble abode is honored by your presence. Please come in!"

Luo Yong had already walked out with a big smile. This time, his face was noticeably more enthusiastic, and the condescending coldness was gone.

Because Li An could now refine advanced formations, it meant that he had become an advanced formation master!

They were now on the same level.

Moreover, the formations Li An gave him were very targeted and could enhance his control over the heat when refining pills.

Naturally, Luo Yong began to value Li An and treated him as an equal.

Entering Luo Yong's residence, Wang Yue served them tea, and Li An and Luo Yong exchanged pleasantries.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, you've brought such a generous gift. I assume you didn't come just for this cup of tea?" Luo Yong asked leisurely.

Li An said, "Alchemist Luo has keen eyes."

Li An immediately took out several pieces of parchment and handed them to Luo Yong, saying, "In fact, I, Wei Ming, came here to seek advice."

Luo Yong took the parchment and glanced at them, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness.

These parchments were filled with information about pill refining.

The more he read, the more he felt amazed.

At first, it was just some descriptions of refining first-grade pills, but it already gave him a sense of great gain.

It was as if he was listening to the earnest teachings of a senior alchemist!

Although he was a first-grade alchemist and Zhang Deyi's disciple, he could still gain a lot from such insightful explanations.

And as he continued reading, he became even more shocked because some of the knowledge... seemed to be beyond the scope of a first-grade pill.

It belonged to the second-grade!

"Wei Fellow Daoist, where did you get this thing?!"

He suddenly looked up and stared straight at Li An.

Li An said, "Fellow Daoist Luo, please tell me first if there is anything wrong with this thing."

He humbly asked for advice.

"Of course not!"

Luo Yong said, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be the lifelong inheritance of a second-grade alchemist!"

He was already getting excited as he spoke.

Luo Yong's talent in alchemy was only average among alchemists, so he had never received much attention. It was almost impossible for him to obtain the inheritance of a second-grade alchemist in his lifetime.

But the thing Li An presented in front of him...

Gave him hope.

So how could he not be excited?

Li An nodded, "No problem... then I can rest assured!"

He turned to Luo Yong and said, "I don't hide it from Brother Luo, this thing came to me by accident. It seems to be related to the path of alchemy, but unfortunately, I don't understand the true meaning of it and dare not learn it rashly. That's why I asked Brother Luo for help."

After speaking, he reached out to take the parchment.

But Luo Yong held it tightly.

"Master Luo?"

Li An spoke softly.

Only then did Luo Yong let go, but he still stared at the parchment and said, "Brother Wei, is this the only copy you have?"

Li An said, "Yes."

Luo Yong pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Wei, if you want to learn the way of pill refinement, this thing alone is not enough."

"You need someone to guide you!"

Li An's eyes lit up as he looked at Luo Yong.

"Brother Wei, you have given me such a generous gift today, and our interests seem to align. I am willing to be your guide..."

He looked at Li An with a profound gaze.

He was certain that Li An must have the inheritance of a second-grade alchemist!

But Li An only transcribed a part of it.

So, using this as an excuse, he might be able to get Li An's inheritance later.

He didn't directly ask for it or offer to buy it, as that might raise Li An's suspicion.

Upon hearing this, Li An was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Brother Wei. In fact, the reason Wei Ming came here today is to ask Brother Luo for guidance!"

Immediately, Li An humbly sought advice from Luo Yong, who spoke without reservation and shared a lot of knowledge with Li An.

It wasn't until late at night that the two of them returned home, feeling satisfied.

"I've never seen the master so happy before. Mr. Wei, you're really lucky."

When bidding farewell to the two of them, Wang Yue couldn't help but comment.

After saying goodbye, they returned to their respective residences.

Li An once again took stock of the resources he currently had.

"I'm still missing one medicinal ingredient to complete the Foundation Building Pill formula."

Building a good relationship with Luo Yong was preparation for pill refinement.

If he could get Luo Yong's master, Zhang Deyi, to take action, it would be the best. This person had a lot of experience in refining Foundation Building Pills and was the most reliable.

The parchment Li An showed him was some alchemical insights from Gusong Creek, combined with a partial content of the incomplete inheritance of a second-grade alchemist that Li An obtained in his previous life.

He made some modifications to the wording of Gusong Creek's alchemical insights and the second-grade alchemist's inheritance to ensure that Luo Yong couldn't trace their origins.

He wanted to give Luo Yong hope so that he could use him as a bridge to Zhang Deyi.

After all, Zhang Deyi was well-known in the city. If Li An, in his current role, were to approach him directly, he would most likely not even see him, and there would also be risks involved.

The matter with Luo Yong couldn't be rushed; it had to be taken slowly...

Recently, he should also strengthen his collection of spiritual herbs...

At this moment, someone knocked on the door.

Li An got up, opened the door, and saw an incredibly beautiful woman standing before him. She was wearing a black dress, with snow-white skin and a graceful figure, truly a stunning beauty!

"I am Guo Xiaoxiao. I heard that a new neighbor has arrived, so I came to visit."

She introduced herself.

Although Li An's expression remained unchanged, his heart sank...

He sensed a long-lost aura from this woman...

A demonic aura!

...

(End of this chapter)