Driven to Serve Me, Obtaining Appearance-Preserving Pills

Pharmacist Lan gazed at the shimmering waters of Little Willow Marsh, a place that resembled a paradise on earth.

She recalled five years ago when, facing Zhou Ning who had been demoted to this place, she subtly felt superior and, relying on her newly acquired pharmacist skills, even gave Zhou Ning a critique in front of Lin Qing.

However, who could have imagined that just five years later, the other party had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, causing the Su Household a great headache.

Pharmacist Lan landed in front of the small island, curtsied, and said, "I apologize for coming uninvited, Senior Zhou."

Zhou Ning showed little interest in the Qi Refining, his expression indifferent. "What is it?"

Despite the woman's flowing dress, gentle face, and serene demeanor, he only wanted to cultivate.

Pharmacist Lan volunteered, saying, "Senior Zhou, I have resigned from my position in the Su Household and am now a free person. I am concerned that Senior Zhou is just entering the Foundation Establishment and may be short-handed, so I have come here to seek a job."

As Jia Tingwan looked at the respected Pharmacist Lan on Luyou Island, who had actually taken the initiative to work for Zhou Ning, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease.

Zhou Ning declined, saying, "My family is just a small business, we don't need any more help. You can go back to where you came from."

What would he need a pharmacist for? A formation master would be more suitable!

Moreover, this woman might be an inside agent sent by the Su Household.

The Pharmacist Lan was rejected, which she had expected, so she wasn't embarrassed. Instead, she introduced herself, saying, "Although I am only at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm, I am an outstanding first-level pharmacist and also possess the skill of physiognomy."

She mustered her courage, looked at Zhou Ning, and boldly said, "I observe that Senior Zhou's gaze is focused and unwavering, concealing his sharpness, indicating that you have been having a smooth period recently. However, although your spiritual energy seems peaceful, it is slightly stagnant, suggesting that you may have some worries or concerns in your heart."

Jia Tingwan was stunned.

Zhou Ning did have some worries, such as the concern that Su Changshuo might suddenly break through and then go crazy, not even consolidating his realm, and immediately come out of seclusion to fight him.

There are also many tedious tasks such as collecting the medicinal materials for the Settling Liquid Pill and third-tier spirit jade.

He became interested. "Oh? Can you tell if someone is hostile towards me?"

The Pharmacist Lan seized the opportunity and said, "I can do it, unless that person has cultivated a special concealment technique."

Zhou Ning nodded. The Scent-Smelling Insect that Scholar Xu had given him back then still had some use, but unfortunately it was ineffective against the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.

"Senior Zhou, if you have any request, I am willing to share your burdens!"

Zhou Ning paused for a moment and said, "You want the fortuitous opportunity to Foundation Establishment?"

When Pharmacist Lan's intentions were exposed, she was not embarrassed, which is only human nature.

She has been stuck at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer for quite some years. Unless she is willing to marry a middle-aged or elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator, she has no hope of ever Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

She had been content with just getting by in the past, but ever since she learned that Zhou Ning had achieved Foundation Establishment, the longing in her heart had become increasingly difficult to suppress.

Every night, as she gazes in the mirror, she thinks of decades to come, when her beauty has faded and she will never again enjoy this leisurely life.

A sense of fear arose within her; she was unwilling to accept that outcome.

I decided to give it a try.

"The Dao Path Foundation Establishment is one I aspire to."

Zhou Ning stared at Pharmacist Lan.

Since Old Jia was transferred to Cuiwei Lake to observe the movements of Long Mountain Island day and night, he has lost one of his errand runners.

This girl is intelligent and decisive; she's quite a promising prospect.

If he could travel on his behalf, it would indeed save him a lot of cultivation effort.

Zhou Ning tossed out a Storage Bag: "Serve me for ten years, and if I am satisfied, I will reward you with a Foundation Establishment material."

After saying that, he turned and went back to the courtyard.

In Fortune Star Market, Pharmacist Lan, being Qi Refining cultivator, must use the main gate.

The Storage Bag Zhou Ning gave him contained only an identity token and a stack of Xuan paper covered with writing.

"Senior Zhou probably wants me to promote him. This is important; it concerns whether I can satisfy him. I must handle it well!"

Pharmacist Lan is gentle and has an outstanding temperament, making people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze. Even though she only stayed in Fortune Star Market for a short time, she still made many friends.

She went to the garden where her small circle of friends usually composed poems. "Alchemist Xu, Talisman Master Bai, I have a favor to ask of you."

She showed the rice paper.

A group of the Qi Refining Realm craftsmen stared intently at the scene.

The inscription read, "I am Zhou Ning. In the past, I joined the Azure Mystic Sect, and there were some minor setbacks. However, the Azure Mystic Sect had its own reasons for what happened back then. I can only say that my current achievements are inseparable from the Azure Mystic Sect. I praise the Azure Mystic Sect. Qingxuan will always be my home, and its doors will always be open to me."

Finally, Zhou Ning also stated that he is currently a nominal guest elder of the Azure Mystic Sect and sells pills in Little Willow Marsh, including second-tier Foundation-Fortifying Pill and True Essence Pill, at low prices with discounts for bulk purchases.

The distinguished-looking Alchemist Xu paused, taken aback: "This—"

The other craftsmen also looked at Pharmacist Lan with disbelief on their faces.

The Pharmacist Lan is usually good at organizing various lantern festivals and discussing the refined pleasures of life with the cultivators. He often makes sarcastic remarks about the scions of aristocratic Aristocratic Clan and praises how carefree their carefree lives are, subtly revealing a hint of pride—they may have low cultivation and no future, but they are free!

Often, after a lantern festival, the lesser cultivators felt their souls cleansed. They realized that higher cultivation was fraught with too many constraints, and lower cultivation was a life of hardship. They, the artisans, were undoubtedly the happiest group of cultivators in the world.

So, in such a short time, they've already latched onto Zhou Ning master cultivator at the Foundation Establishment? And even helped him issue such a vulgar announcement?

Two hot-blooded young craftsmen shouted, "Pharmacist Lan, you've changed!"

The Pharmacist Lan's expression remained unchanged. "I haven't changed. I'm simply searching for the pure land within my heart."

Those so-called "You are not a fish, how can you know the fish's joy?" and "Sitting in a well and looking at the sky, is it also happy?" were nothing more than excuses she made for her ordinary and hopeless Dao Path!

When a true fortuitous opportunity to Foundation Establishment's foundation is presented before one's eyes, who wouldn't rush to seize it?

Two months later.

Pharmacist Lan traveled far and wide, and her publicity efforts were very successful.

Zhou Ning often finds guests arriving unexpectedly while he's at home.

Without further hesitation, half a month ago, Zhou Ning used the nail-patterned talisman given to him by True Person Lu to retrieve the Spring of the Spirit Eye and fix it to the quasi-second-tier Spirit Vein of Little Willow Marsh.

Although Su Youyou had previously used earth vein spiritual objects to nourish a first-tier Spirit Vein, thus improving it, that was only temporary and barely enough for Zhou Ning's cultivation.

The Cultivation Method he practiced in the Land of Wei, the Immortal Foundation [Que Flowing Fire], requires a very high quality of Spirit Vein.

After the Spring of the Spirit Eye is transplanted, as a primordial spiritual object derived from a high-level Spirit Vein, it is used to nourish a low-level Spirit Vein, which can subtly transform and upgrade it.

Given time, Little Willow Marsh may even become a near-third-tier Spirit Vein.

Standing beside the Spring of the Spirit Eye, Zhou Ning stretched out his six meridians, frantically absorbing and exhaling Spiritual Qi, increasing his cultivation speed by another ten or twenty percent.

"Having Pharmacist Lan help me with the work outside has definitely made things much easier for me."

"However, this woman is quite cunning and will require some skill to control."

He recalled the news reported by Pharmacist Lan.

Tier 3 spirit jade is a spiritual material for the Core Formation Realm cultivators. It cannot be bought in the surrounding markets. One piece once appeared at the auction of Forget-Return Market, but she didn't bring enough Spirit Stone and watched helplessly as it was auctioned off.

This item is related to Zhou Ning's life and fortune, and he is determined to obtain it.

The Jade-Casting True Gold Talisman, condensed from third-tier spirit jade, after being nurtured, would be fearless even if Su Changshuo broke through to the Core Formation, and Zhou Ning used seven of them at once, along with the Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils of Truth to seal his Law Treasure.

He had Pharmacist Lan hold the token and ask Sun Gui of Fortune Star Market. They learned that a female cultivator from the Zhao Household who was False Core cultivator had two pieces, but was unwilling to exchange them.

Of course, if Zhou Ning is willing to offer an outrageously high price, the female cultivator will definitely agree.

He just didn't want to be taken advantage of, and besides, he spent a lot of time studying alchemy, and he didn't even have enough Spirit Stone for himself.

Zhou Ning waved his hand, and a pile of wooden boxes appeared, including five-hundred-year-old Rouge Mulberry, Mist Hibiscus Flower, and Ice Silk Begonia—

Most of them were found in Su Baoqing's Storage Bag. This young man was in charge of the Su Household's Laiqiu Herb Garden, so it is estimated that he stole from the garden. With his unique channels, he actually managed to collect a large number of rare and precious spirit medicine.

Zhou Ning then had Pharmacist Lan gather the ingredients for two sets of the Appearance-Preserving Pill.

"Hmph, with this in hand, wouldn't a middle-aged woman with False Core be screaming and offering up a third-tier spirit jade?"

The Appearance-Preserving Pill is very famous in this world, known to everyone, but it is also extremely rare. There are very few spiritual items that can compare with it, such as the Snow Cherry Spirit Fruit. However, this tree is extremely difficult to cultivate and requires years of consumption, making it unsuitable for exchange.

The Appearance-Preserving Pill would be more suitable. This product can not only preserve your appearance for thirty years, but also nourish and moisturize your skin, fade dullness and blemishes, and make your skin delicate and radiant, with an elegant charm.

"Let's start refining them. Hopefully, we can make a few!"

This pill is quite difficult to make, mainly because it takes a long time.

Zhou Ning summoned five-hundred-year-old Rouge Mulberry, slowly simmering them into a paste, and then refining the main ingredient—

He concentrated intently on the practice for five whole days, until his Divine Sense was Zhou Ning. Fortunately, the Soul-Nurturing Wood Jade Pendant nourished his soul, keeping him alert at all times.

He opened the jade bottle, dripped pre-chilled spiritual spring water into the Pill Furnace, and then flicked his finger. "Condense!"

"Haha, it's done!"

Zhou Ning patted the Pill Furnace, and five pills flew out, their color resembling Jia Tingwan's lips, a young girl's pale pink.

He examined the shimmering pink pill and sighed, "Not only are the medicinal ingredients scarce, but it's also quite difficult to refine. No wonder so few remain in the world!"

He recalled the Qi Refining cultivator from the Qilin Pavilion saying that it could be bought for thirty Spirit Stone, Zhou Ning him at all!

Even if it were just a matter of enduring five days of this, two or three Alchemist probably wouldn't be able to withstand it.

"But perhaps my Pill Furnace is too inferior--"

The Falling Blood Pill Furnace, a gift from Miss Su Yunjin years ago, was gradually becoming unable to withstand Zhou Ning's abuse.

"I'll have one custom-made by the Duan Household!" Zhou Ning thought to himself.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

In the pavilion by the pond on the island, Jia Tingwan and Pharmacist Lan sat facing each other, enjoying delicious snacks while gazing at the rippling blue waters of Little Willow Marsh.

Pharmacist Lan looked at Jia Tingwan, who was sitting upright.

She recalled that when this woman was Alchemist Tang's medicine boy, she was never even given a seat of honor when she went to eat. Now, however, she had become Seventh Layer of Qi Refining cultivator.

She thought to herself, "If I let Senior Zhou work hard for me for ten years, perhaps I really could be rewarded with Foundation Establishment materials—"

She had once guessed that since Zhou Ning had successfully Foundation Establishment, he probably possessed more than one fortuitous opportunity to Foundation Establishment.

Of course, this is just speculation, but it's worth a try; nothing in this world is ever 100% certain.

What's ten years if it's for a chance at immortality?

Without extraordinary talent and an outstanding family background, this is the only path for a low-level cultivator.

Another cultivator flew in from outside the island. He was at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining and landed outside the formation. He cupped his hands and said, "Fairy Lan, I would like to purchase a bottle of Spirit Essence Pill!"

The Pharmacist Lan naturally began his business, popping out a jade bottle. "One hundred and thirty catties of spirit rice."

The cultivator's face lit up with joy; it was indeed cheap, as a bottle sold for 135 jin outside.

He still tried to bargain. "Could you make it a little cheaper—"

"Cannot."

"Okay."

He took a large bag of spirit rice from his Storage Bag, placed it in a clean place, and rubbed his hands together.

"Come often in the future. If you buy a lot, I'll give you a discount," the Pharmacist Lan said with a smile.

Upon seeing the gentle demeanor of Pharmacist Lan at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the cultivator was deeply moved. "Of course, of course!"

Then, stepping on the green leaf Law Artifact, it flew away contentedly.

Pharmacist Lan made a sale but didn't think much of it.

These were the stockpiled pills Zhou Ning had asked her to sell. As for the hundred or so jin of spirit rice she earned, it wasn't a large sum; she could earn that much by treating people herself.

Jia Tingwan looked at her and suddenly said, "The cultivators outside all say that Alchemist Zhou has really gained a great help since hiring you. They say that you, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator, are beautiful, kind-hearted, and gentle."

The Pharmacist Lan smiled gently, "So what if Qi Refining Ninth Layer? The higher your cultivation, the more you need to let go of your arrogance and treat others with kindness. As the saying goes, 'Even those who have seen the vastness of the universe still cherish the deepest grass and trees.'"

Only by doing these things can one achieve the state of mind of a spiritual practitioner and have everything go smoothly.

"I've heard that Alchemist Zhou often sold Clear Eyes Powder to his disciples at a low price on Cuiwei Lake. I suppose he had this kind of altruistic mindset!"

Jia Tingwan was impressed but didn't understand, unlike herself, who was always clumsy.

Another cultivator with a horse-like face flew in from the sky, standing on a flying boat above the island. His face was flushed with health, and he took out a megaphone-shaped magical Law Artifact, shouting, "Alchemist Zhou, I've come to buy medicine!"

This trumpet-shaped Law Artifact is incredibly powerful. Zhou Ning, who had just emerged from seclusion, frowned upon hearing it.

He lightly touched the ground with his feet and leaped into the sky.

The cultivator immediately displayed a boastful air and said, "Alchemist Zhou, I want to do a big business deal with you!"

Zhou Ning: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"Six bottles of Azure Essence Pill! I want to buy six bottles of Azure Essence Pill!" He looked at Zhou Ning expectantly, hoping to get Zhou Ning's approval.

Zhou Ning's face darkened, and he snapped, "What poor bastard from some small Lineage calls this a big deal? Three Spirit Stone!"

The cultivator's face stiffened, and with an awkward smile, he handed over three Spirit Stone.

Zhou Ning tossed out a jade bottle. "Here are two bottles of Spirit Essence Pill for you."

The horse-faced monk left, filled with gratitude.

Jia Tingwan looked at Pharmacist Lan: "He's insulting others for being poor, hasn't he forgotten his roots!"

Pharmacist Lan took a deep breath and composed himself. "For cultivators, acting according to their nature is another path to immortality. Senior Zhou's actions are upright and honest, and he has a clear conscience, which I admire!"

Why did Jia Tingwan feel that something was wrong?

Zhou Ning called out, "Pharmacist Lan, I need your help—"

In an instant, before a figure in the distance even arrived, the voice preceded it.

"Alchemist Zhou, a second-tier Spirit Vein has been discovered at Emerald Screen Mountain, eighty miles west of Little Willow Marsh. This matter must be prioritized for the Ye Household; you must not interfere!"