Returning It to Its Rightful Owner

How did this person cultivate so quickly?

Foundation Establishment cultivators can be called ancestors, while those in the Late Qi Refining are considered minor experts among ordinary Rogue Cultivator.

Countless cultivators spend their entire lives stuck at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, unable to advance an inch.

Zhou Ning chuckled and said, "I was originally Middle-Grade Spirit Root, so what's so strange about me reaching the later stage?"

Su Wen did the math in her head and realized it was still within the normal range. After all, this young man didn't lack resources, and he seemed to be around thirty-two or thirty-three years old.

Even that peasant Yuan Dahu has broken through to the late stage, so it's not exactly heaven-defying.

Su Wen thought of her own Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivation and immediately felt at peace.

So what if Seventh Layer of Qi Refining?

Without Foundation Establishment Pill, he'll just have to stay in the Late Qi Refining stage for the rest of his life and focus on refining pills for the Su Household.

Moreover, it's possible that the pill won't be refined for much longer.

Su Wen looked at him with a strange glint in her eyes.

Little Willow Marsh is involved in a conflict with the Chen Household. If he goes there and stays for a few years, his survival rate is probably only 20%, and he will likely die.

Fortunately, she has gained access to a lot of resources within the clan in recent years through Zhou Ning.

It's not a big deal that this kid is dead.

Moreover, Su Wen has already found a new person, and by leveraging this person to elevate her status within the clan, securing a Foundation Establishment resource is just around the corner!

With this thought in mind, her tone turned much colder. "Zhou Ning, when you became Alchemist, your clan lent you their Pill Furnace out of consideration for your hard work."

"Now that the clan needs to train new Alchemist to pass on the torch, let's return the Cloud-Pattern Pill Furnace to the Su Household!"

Zhou Ning was taken aback upon hearing this.

Is this a case of discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose?

However, this is very much in line with the Su Household's way of doing things.

He already had the Falling Blood Pill Furnace that Su Yunjin had given him before her death, so he wasn't lacking anything.

He immediately presented the Cloud-Pattern Pill Furnace, expressing his gratitude. "I, Zhou, am deeply grateful for the Su Household's cultivation; I will certainly repay them in the future!"

At the same time, he felt a pang of regret. Judging from the situation, Su Wen probably thought he was going to die in Little Willow Marsh.

It would be a real shame if the Su Household didn't let him continue refining pills; they wouldn't be able to profit from him anymore.

Currently, the wars in the outside world have led to a shortage of Alchemist, and although the price of pills has fallen slightly after reaching its peak.

However, for each batch of pills, the Su Household only needs to provide the raw materials to earn half a percent of the profit, which is easily seven or eight Spirit Stone a year.

Even if Zhou Ning's success rate in obtaining pills is only 30%, he can still earn a 5% profit.

However, his regular elixirs, such as the Spirit Essence Pill, can produce more than seven pills.

The net profit is about ten times that of an ordinary Alchemist.

Land of Wei's unique alchemy techniques were truly ingenious, making Zhou Ning incredibly wealthy.

It was more profitable in the first two years, when the price of elixirs was higher and the materials were cheaper.

"I hate it, but earning Spirit Stone this way is really satisfying."

After I go to Little Willow Marsh, I'll have to go out and buy materials myself, and sell them directly.

Although you earn more, there are bound to be many troubles involved.

Su Wen was unaware of Zhou Ning's thoughts. Seeing Zhou Ning's grateful expression, she felt a pang of emotion.

Alchemist Zhou was still a useful dog; it's a pity to kick him away like this.

If it weren't for the strict supervision within the clan, she might have even considered collaborating with them privately to earn Spirit Stone.

Su Wen put away the Pill Furnace, glanced at him again, shook her head, and left on the jade mirror magic Law Artifact.

Zhou Ning glimpsed two letters slipped under the door.

He picked it up and saw it was from Gu Xiangning, who informed him again that she would be going to the Azure Mystic Sect a small gathering soon.

Before heading to Little Willow Marsh, I'll first visit Azure Mystic Sect, and then go directly to Little Willow Marsh upon my return.

The second letter was sent by Fang Tianyu.

"He's broken through to the Foundation Establishment?" Zhou Ning exclaimed in surprise.

On second thought, it makes sense; this person was already at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and had survived the secret realm.

Even Gu Xiangning, who is only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, has gained a considerable amount, let alone someone like Fang Tianyu.

Attend his Foundation Establishment ceremony--"

Well, since I'm going to have to go anyway, I might as well go to all the places I'm going on the way.

Just as Zhou Ning was about to push open the door to enter the courtyard, Old Jia led his granddaughter Jia Tingwan over.

He glanced at Zhou Ning, fully aware of his impending transfer, and said, "How about we invite Scholar Xu over for a small get-together tonight?"

"Can.

Old Jia chuckled, "A new restaurant called Ling Shan (spiritual cuisine) has opened on Luyou Island, especially their cold-dressed pork head—it's incredibly authentic! I'll stop by and buy some on my way!"

Having said that, he rode the wind and departed.

Only Jia Tingwan, a young girl, remained.

Yes, she's grown up now. Jia Tingwan was dressed in a light-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with delicate features and a slightly naive look in her eyes.

She glared at Zhou Ning with her almond-shaped eyes. "Young Master, will you teach me alchemy today?"

She used to call him "Master," but Zhou Ning thought she was too stupid and refused to take her as a disciple.

Upon hearing her words, Zhou Ning thought to himself that he had now achieved mastery of both his Law Power and Divine Sense.

I felt like even my thoughts were working faster.

Teaching a little girl would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?

He stood with his hands behind his back, displaying the arrogance typical of Alchemist: "Alright, today I'll teach you how to refine the Stasis-Clearing Pill."

Half an hour later.

Zhou Ning stared at the blackened dregs in the furnace for a long time without saying a word.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead, "Wan'er, I should have known better than to let your grandfather go buy pig's head."

Jia Tingwan sat on the side like a little duck, looking bewildered, and asked, "Huh? You don't like it?"

Zhou Ning: "Because we already have a pig's head at home."

Jia Tingwan looked left and right. "Where's the pig's head?"

Zhou Ning fell silent.

After a long while, Jia Tingwan cautiously glanced at him and said, "Grandpa said there are no students who can't learn, only teachers who can't teach."

Zhou Ning's lips twitched. This girl had been too well protected by Old Jia; she seemed a bit naive and inexperienced.

He was just about to find an excuse to get her to leave when he suddenly noticed a figure in white silk floating outside the formation, carrying two colorful chickens in its hand.

The formation master Su Youyou came to visit.

Zhou Ning's expression remained unchanged, but thinking of the loopholes left in the formation, a sense of disgust arose in his heart.

I'll find an excuse today to sever ties with them.

He stepped outside, a smile plastered on his face, "What brings a fairy to my humble abode? Could it be that ill-informed pheasant has disturbed your refined pleasure once again?"

Su Youyou remained noncommittal.

Zhou Ning then instantly killed the seven-colored pheasant, slit its neck, and bled it out.

Jia Tingwan squatted down and watched.

Normally, she would have said goodbye by now, since similar situations had happened before. Fairy Su was aloof and didn't like others around when she ate.

However, Jia Tingwan seemed hesitant to speak today.

Zhou Ning didn't say anything, but silently plucked the feathers, processed the pheasant, and then prepared the side dishes.

Although he was a cultivator, he often indulged in his appetite, as the spiritual creatures in the cultivation world were often extremely delicious.

Zhou Ning's family has some shiitake mushrooms picked from the hill behind their house, which have been drying for several days.

It was stewed directly with the seven-colored pheasant, and then the rice was pounded into flatbread and baked on the side of the pot.

He took some time to slice the Frost Jade Peach, squeezed out the sweet juice from the sugarcane, stewed it with snow lotus seeds, and then added some ice after it cooled.

During that time, I went to the lake and caught an unlucky little fish, which I then braised.

In less than half an hour, all three dishes were ready.

Then, under Su Youyou's slightly surprised gaze, he called out, "Wan'er, where are you going? Stay and have dinner."