Become an honored guest elder, engaging in mutual flattery,
Enjoying food and drink at public expense, toasting and feasting...
This series of procedures was experienced in a previous life, so in this life, it's just a formality.
Plus, I've been pondering over the matters of the Celestial Secret Pavilion, so after the third round of drinks, when my fellow cultivators planned to go to the Celestial Immortal Tower in the inner city to discuss the ways of Yin and Yang with the fairies there, I, Li Jizhou, politely declined and instead invited Lu Zhenhua to an elegant teahouse.
"Dear brother, could it be that you're shy?" Lu Zhenhua knew Li Jizhou in detail, aware that before he was sixteen, he hadn't lost his virginity, and after that age, he devoted himself to cultivation. So, although he's already twenty-two, he's still practically a virgin.
He merely thought he had the mind of a child.
"Brother Lu, please don't tease me; it's just that..." Li Jizhou smiled slightly, just about to explain.
Lu Zhenhua, speaking from experience, advised:
"Ah, dear brother, listen to my words,
In our cultivation, we emphasize harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity, where heaven and earth signify Yin and Yang!
Yin and Yang complement each other, which is the way of humanity!
Besides... the pleasure in it, ah, can elevate one to immortality!
In our cultivation, we all yearn for immortality, yet as time fades, cultivation becomes dull. Without any amusements, how dull immortality would be!
It may even give rise to a heart demon.
In my humble opinion, it's not wrong to cultivate diligently, but you must never bind yourself.
As the saying goes, when one is full of energy, it overflows. This is the natural order.
Occasional amusement is more conducive to cultivation!"
"Brother Lu's advice will be remembered!" Li Jizhou nodded in agreement.
Of course, he understood these principles well; everything has its limits, and anything too extreme doesn't align with the great Dao of heaven and earth. He would never play the role of a hypocritical defender of the Dao.
However, he wouldn't let those amusements cloud his judgment either; with his survival still unsecured, how could he spare any thought for such diversions?
"But, today I do have another matter to discuss."
"Oh? Please, do share, dear brother."
"Brother Lu, are you familiar with the Celestial Secret Pavilion?" Li Jizhou asked.
"The fame of the Celestial Secret Pavilion is known to all. Why do you ask? Do you have some connection with it?" Lu Zhenhua's interest was piqued.
"Honestly, I previously relied on their official report from the Celestial Secret Pavilion to predict fluctuations in talismans," Li Jizhou smoothly brought up his remarkable predictions from three years ago.
"There's such a thing? Tell me more!" Lu Zhenhua's excitement was palpable.
Without delay, Li Jizhou concealed his true intention of monitoring the big picture and detailed the factors in the report that might influence the price fluctuations of talismans.
"Is that so!" Lu Zhenhua repeatedly praised and resolved to subscribe to the report the next day.
"However, when I went to renew my subscription at the Celestial Secret Pavilion today, it turned out..." Li Jizhou recounted his encounter at the pavilion today.
"Forced buying and selling?" Lu Zhenhua initially surmised.
"No! The Celestial Secret Pavilion, with its deep background, is mainly renowned for its credibility; it's impossible for them to tarnish their reputation with such acts." He immediately dismissed his guess.
"There must be reasons unbeknownst to outsiders!" Lu Zhenhua concluded firmly.
This conclusion coincided with Li Jizhou's own assessment.
However, Li Jizhou's information was entirely based on the pavilion's report, making it hard to accurately grasp the pavilion's mode of operation.
"Rest assured, dear brother, I have some connections at Inverted Mountain and won't take long to uncover their motives."
"I eagerly await news!" Li Jizhou cupped his hands.
After parting ways with Lu Zhenhua, Li Jizhou restocked his necessities, including supplies for Guagua and Demon Beast Pills, then headed back.
"Ji Zhou, come." Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he heard Pharmacist Zheng's voice through his divine sense.
Without hesitation, Li Jizhou walked towards Pharmacist Zheng's yard.
Fearing it might be his final instructions, as his life force was nearly depleted and he had matters to entrust to him.
"Senior." As soon as he entered the courtyard, Li Jizhou's gaze slightly altered.
Once a visage of old age but with a spirited demeanor, Pharmacist Zheng now looked extremely aged, as if his whole body was just a skin wrapping over withered wood.
His eyes were cloudy, gaze unfocused, breath faint, and his cultivation level had dropped to the Qi Cultivation layer.
"It matters not, come over here." Pharmacist Zheng, sitting on a grand master chair, weakly gestured.
Li Jizhou approached at his call.
"Sit down."
"I have reached the end of my life, holding on just to take another look at your dual cultivation progress."
Li Jizhou nodded, understanding his mentor's thoughts. It was to give himself a bit more peace of mind before leaving, so he did not hide anything and took out the Spirit-Transforming Powder and its antidote that he had prepared.
"Senior, for the past three years, I have not dared to slack off. I have always kept your aspirations in mind. Now I've made some progress. Please guide me, Senior."
"Hmm? In just three years, you're already able to concoct such potent poison?" Pharmacist Zheng's thin old face showed a hint of surprise.
"It's all thanks to the insights and teachings from you, Senior."
"Promising youth worth teaching!" Pharmacist Zheng laughed.
He then reached out and took the Spirit-Transforming Powder.
Seeing that he was about to test the poison on himself, Li Jizhou frowned slightly. At this moment, Senior Zheng's life was nearing its end, his cultivation level had greatly dropped, and his bodily functions were not what they used to be. Li Jizhou cautiously said, "Senior, this poison..."
Pharmacist Zheng saw through Li Jizhou's concern and immediately smiled, "Ha, young lad, my old name... hmm, never mind, it's of no benefit to you. However, you need only know that I've spent my whole life deeply studying the Poison Scripture, and though I've presented myself as a pharmacist, how could I be concerned with the poison concocted by a fledgling like you?"
After saying this, Pharmacist Zheng directly uncorked the bottle.
"Interesting? It's colorless and tasteless... it has the effect of dissolving Spiritual Qi... also induces slight numbness... similar to Bone-Softening Powder."
"Where did you find this poison recipe?"
"My family was poor, and I had no Spirit Stones to buy poison recipes. This recipe was developed through my in-depth study of the Poison Scripture and the Medical Scripture, mainly relying on the insights recorded by you, Senior," Li Jizhou said sincerely.
"Developed through independent research? You..." Pharmacist Zheng's eyes widened instantly, but just as he was about to say more, he felt a wave of weakness throughout his body.
The next moment, all his magical power was gone.
His whole body slumped in the grand chair; he was unable to move except for his eyeballs.
He even lacked the strength to open his mouth.
"Senior?" Li Jizhou was astonished.
"Senior!"
Without hearing any words from Pharmacist Zheng, he saw his mentor's eyes rolling, gradually losing strength, and his eyelids were almost closing.
"My fault!" Li Jizhou hurriedly opened the antidote and brought it beneath Pharmacist Zheng's nostrils.
After a while, Pharmacist Zheng's breath gradually recovered.
But his body was still weak and limp.
Only his once pallid old face was now flushed red.
Li Jizhou clearly sensed that his breath had awakened, but he kept his eyes tightly shut.
Hesitating for a moment, not wanting to waste time, Li Jizhou hesitantly spoke up, "Senior, don't mind it. You were just a bit careless just now, mainly because your life is nearing its end and your cultivation level has declined. Otherwise..."
"Cough, cough~ Ah, yes, I'm already a dying man, yet unknowingly, I fell asleep. Xiaoli, the poison you've concocted is quite good. It shows your extraordinary talent. I've felt assured about what I've entrusted to you," Pharmacist Zheng feigned a stretch.
"Senior, your vision is truly sharp!"
"Hmm~" Pharmacist Zheng deeply scrutinized Li Jizhou, but his heart was in turmoil.
He had spent a lifetime studying the Poison Scripture, creating toxic substances mostly based on the recorded recipes, with few made through his own research.
The main reason was that the recipes he developed couldn't compare to those in the Poison Scripture in efficacy.
However, he deliberately hadn't passed on the recipes to Li Jizhou, fearing that Li Jizhou would repeat the mistakes of his life.
Who would have known that Li Jizhou was a born master of poison!
In just three years of study, he had managed to concoct such a potent toxin.
Earlier, just a breath of that toxic gas, Pharmacist Zheng realized that even if his cultivation hadn't declined, he might not escape the outcome of losing all his magical power.
And the antidote he prepared could swiftly neutralize the poison.
Such poisoning and detoxifying skills could only be described as monstrous!
Completing his life aspiration should not be a difficult task.
While feeling pleased, he also felt a slight concern in his heart.
"Xiaoli, in my later years, I have exhausted my resources to create that antidote, leaving you with near to nothing. However, there's one thing I must say."
"I am all ears, Senior!" Knowing that when a person is near death, their words are kind, Li Jizhou didn't mind listening to the senior's experience and lessons.
"Those who possess great power must be even more cautious. Otherwise, once irreversible consequences occur, it will be difficult to release oneself for the rest of their life."
"I shall remember it, Senior!" Li Jizhou respectfully acknowledged.
However, in his heart, he was not fully convinced.
What Pharmacist Zheng referred to as difficult to release from, was perhaps only in his mind!
He was ultimately just a small character at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and the time he lived, the things he experienced, were perhaps not as much as what Li Jizhou experienced in his previous life.
Moreover, it was clear that Pharmacist Zheng did not have the mentality of a strong cultivator, nor the aspiration for eternal life.