Chapter 168: Late

‘I knew you were curious. ’

Wei Zhong showed a wry smile:

"To be honest, I didn't know how I seriously injured Brother Xunyang that day. It was completely unintentional."

Seriously injuring Xunyangzi did Wei Zhong no good at all. Not only was he in the limelight, but he also refuted his own low-key practice.

He even paid a large amount of compensation to heal the trouble caused by this turmoil. Although the compensation was nothing to Wei Zhong, no one would dislike him for having many spiritual stones.

At the same time, it is possible to provoke an enemy that Wei Zhong does not want to provoke. Wei Zhong looked at Xunyangzi in front of him.

‘Fortunately, the other party was tolerant and had no intention of pursuing anything further. ’

Wei Zhong did not want to become an enemy of a Yuanying family.

"On that day, I just used the physical cultivation method that I have practiced. I never expected that it would be so powerful and would injure fellow Taoists. I'm really sorry..."

Wei Zhong said a lot, but it was just an apology. In addition, the move came from his own body cultivation method, but he did not mention the more detailed parts.

When Xunyangzi heard this, he sighed:

"I didn't expect that Fellow Taoist is a person who cultivates both Dharma and Body. If I learned about this the next day, I would definitely not fight with Fellow Taoist."

The method of body cultivation in this world is not a simple method of body training, fists and kicks, but is very similar to spiritual methods. Just like Yi Liu's thunder method and the Gang Qi in Wei Zhong's body, this special energy is very close to the spiritual method of magic.

As long as you don't get close to the enemy, no one will think of the art of physical cultivation.

"My fellow Taoist must have reached a very high level in physical cultivation, otherwise he wouldn't have such a terrifying killing move."

Wei Zhong nodded:

"It's really not a serious move, and it makes fellow Taoist suffer."

Xunyangzi shook his head:

"But it takes time to recuperate. It's just that I can't practice for a month. Fellow Taoist, don't blame yourself."

Wei Zhong asked about his recovery in recent days and learned that the Yunji Chamber of Commerce attached great importance to him.

Senior Du Longfeng even personally prepared a training plan for him, in which all the elixirs and treasures were provided by the Yunji Chamber of Commerce.

"It seems that the Yunji Chamber of Commerce still values ​​the identity of fellow Taoist."

Xunyangzi chuckled:

"Just a business partner. Not to mention others, Daoist Fellow Wei must have become quite famous during this time, right?"

Wei Zhong smiled bitterly:

"Fellow Taoist Xunyangzi, please stop teasing me. I just want to practice steadily, but I have no intention of earning fame..."

Recalling Wei Zhong's various behaviors, Xunyangzi also roughly understood that Wei Zhong was a monk who was pure in heart, low-key in practice, and did not like such reputation.

"The rumors about me in the Chamber of Commerce are very unpleasant. Some people even say that Pindao is a spy sent by other forces. The purpose is to seriously injure fellow Taoists and cause a conflict between the Yunji Chamber of Commerce and the Puyang family."

"It's quite whimsical."

Xunyangzi chuckled:

“All in all, after experiencing this incident, the fact that fellow Taoists are powerful has left a mark on the Yunji Chamber of Commerce.

“It will be a lot easier for fellow Taoists if they want to make a difference in the Chamber of Commerce in the future.

"Not only that, this name must be hidden even if you want to, and it will probably spread throughout Yunzhou City soon.

"Fellow Taoist, why not take advantage of this opportunity and find a chance for yourself..."

Wei Zhong couldn't help but shake his head: "Such a name is a disaster for me, not a blessing!" ’

After that, Wei Zhong expressed condolences to his injury, then said goodbye and retreated from the peak.

Walking to the mountainside path, a disciple of Dan Palace came forward to greet him. He cupped his hands in greeting:

"I'm Du Yun, I've met fellow Daoist Wei."

Wei Zhong looked at the unfamiliar face in front of him, not knowing why he stopped him, and returned the greeting with his hand:

"I've met fellow Taoists, don't you know?"

The other party smiled and said:

"My father, Du Longfeng, has specially invited fellow Taoists to come and meet him."

‘That Nascent Soul monk, no wonder. But what does this person want to do with me? ’

Wei Zhong stretched out his right hand and pointed to the road ahead:

"Please also ask Fellow Daoist Du to lead the way."

The latter turned around and walked ahead, leading himself onto a wide stone road, twisting and turning along the mountains, and finally went deep into a hall.

Here Wei Zhong saw the old man from three days ago. He was older than what he had seen then, with gray hair and beard, and a body that was sitting in a cross-legged posture.

Wei Zhong couldn't help but wonder whether the Yuanying elder was also approaching the end of his lifespan.

However, with due respect for his seniors, Wei Zhong still stepped forward and bowed:

"Junior Wei Zhong has met senior Du."

The latter nodded, holding the file in his hand and said:

"Wei Zhong, a casual cultivator, became a guest of our merchant association hundreds of years ago with the skill of spiritual wine. Later, he moved to Luohe Mansion and began to show his talent in alchemy. In just over a hundred years, he became a third-level alchemist. Quite famous locally.

"Is what I said right?"

Wei Zhong was not surprised by the other party's remarks. Wei Zhong had already seen the public information about him within the Chamber of Commerce. There was not much worth noting in it, and it did not involve his own secrets.

This is the information that Shan Qin promised to Wei Zhong. Now even Du Longfeng, the general manager of the Qi Palace, and the special elder seat have been deceived by it. It must be the instruction of Shan Ji, the leader of the Chamber of Commerce.

"What Elder Du said is correct."

"It took more than a hundred years to become a third-level alchemist?"

Du Yun, who was not familiar with Wei Zhong, was shocked when he heard what his father said.

He has practiced Taoism for nearly four hundred years, and with the support of his Nascent Soul father, he is only a third-level alchemist.

This Wei Zhong is just a casual cultivator. How can He De have achievements comparable to his own?

Wei Zhong said with a smile:

"There are actually some discrepancies in the description. I started to involve alchemy as early as the foundation building and the beginning of my cultivation. It's just that my alchemy skills are poor and difficult to put on the stage.

"The subsequent achievements all depend on the poor Taoist's willingness to invest," Wei Zhong's face showed a hint of pain, "Years of accumulation have turned into food for the growth of alchemy."

Du Longfeng shook the file in his hand:

"In any case, the fact that you can reach such a point on your own at such an age is far beyond ordinary people."

Turning to look at Du Yun:

"Even compared to this unfilial son like me, he is much stronger."

Du Yun hesitated when he heard the words, and then heard Wei Zhong reply:

"How can a wild alchemist from the countryside compare with Mr. Du?"

Du Longfeng chuckled:

"In fact, he is as smooth as a casual cultivator."

Then he stopped his playful thoughts and asked Wei Zhong:

"To what extent has the alchemy skill reached now? Can a top-grade third-level elixir be refined?"

Wei Zhong couldn't help but sigh at how closely the Chamber of Commerce concealed his information. Even Wei Zhong's sale of this elixir to the Chamber of Commerce was not recorded, otherwise Du Longfeng would not have asked about this at all.

"Already refined."

"Oh, what's the success rate?"

"Haoyuan Pill, top grade 1/12, Soul Nourishing Pill, half of 10..."

After hearing what Wei Zhong said, Du Yun's face became a little gloomy. He didn't expect that Wei Zhong really surpassed him in alchemy skills as his father said.

On the contrary, Du Longfeng's brows relaxed a lot:

"With a few inheritances and no guidance from teachers, it is rare to reach this point..."

Wei Zhong was thinking about Du Longfeng asking him what his purpose was when he suddenly heard:

"Now I want to accept you as my disciple, are you willing?"

Wei Zhong suddenly looked up and couldn't figure out what medicine was being sold in his gourd.

‘Be happy to see the hunter, or exclude dissenters, or both? ’

Wei Zhong lowered his head and seemed to be lost in thought.

Du Yun on the other side looked shocked. He didn't expect that his father, who asked him to invite Wei Zhong here, actually wanted to recruit a disciple.

Wei Zhong looked struggling, thinking over and over again, and finally said:

"Senior, please forgive me, this junior is used to being lax!"

Du Longfeng was not very angry at Wei Zhong's rejection, and just sighed:

"That's all, I'm just saying casually. You can't be a master or a disciple to me, but we are both members of the same palace. If you have any questions about alchemy in the future, you can ask me."

"Thank you, senior!"

Wei Zhong chatted with him for a few words, but when he saw that the other party was not very interested in talking, he recognized him and left.

Seeing Wei Zhong leaving the main hall, Du Yun couldn't help but come closer and said to Du Longfeng:

"What does the father mean by accepting him as his disciple?"

Du Yun still doesn’t know what kind of person his father is?

In the early years, Du Longfeng was indeed very high-spirited and accepted many disciples, but none of these people have been able to make it to the present. Either their alchemy skills are mediocre or their cultivation is low, and they have not been able to survive these long hundreds of years.

After experiencing all this, Du Longfeng had no idea about his disciples, and later he only taught classes in the Alchemy Palace and did not accept any disciples.

Why did you suddenly change your temper today?

"Decades ago, there were rumors about a new fourth-level alchemist within the Chamber of Commerce. I asked around but couldn't get any information.

"Even though I asked Shanjie for questions, he didn't reveal any information."

"Father, do you think that the fourth-level alchemist is this person?"

Du Longfeng shook his head:

"It's just a guess, it can't be true. According to this person's experience, he probably only made alchemy for two hundred years, and entering the realm of third-level alchemy is enough to be called a dragon or a phoenix among people.

"If it's the fourth level, I'm still far behind, even Jie Yuanrui..."

Du Longfeng had a trace of recollection in his eyes and was unable to finish the remaining sentence.

"Then why today?"

Du Longfeng sighed:

"Whether Wei Zhong is the fourth-level alchemist or not, his talent in alchemy is enough to attract the attention of the Chamber of Commerce.

"Same is true for me!"

He looked up at Du Yun:

"Your alchemy skills were taught by me personally and took longer, but your achievements are not as good as those of Wei Zhong. Can't you still see the difference?"

Du Yun felt his face burning.

‘Although my Alchemy talent is mediocre, I am still considered to be among the best in the Alchemy Palace. ’

"I know you are arrogant and think you have a place in this alchemy palace.

"I don't blame you for that. If I had a Nascent Soul father and a fourth-level alchemy master, I might be even more arrogant than you.

"But now is no longer the time to be arrogant!"

When Du Yun was in trouble, his father continued to explain:

"The third-level alchemist may still be a figure in other mansions in Yunzhou, but in the Alchemy Hall of the Yunji Chamber of Commerce, he is just an ordinary first-level alchemist.

"One more and one less does not have much impact. But the fourth-level alchemist is different. Each one is a pillar and treasure of the Chamber of Commerce. They are the foundation for the development of the Chamber of Commerce and are indispensable.

"If we can get that fourth-level alchemist under our sect, our Du family will be able to stay in the Chamber of Commerce for at least hundreds of years."

"But, didn't father say that Wei Zhong wasn't..."

Du Longfeng waved his hand to interrupt:

"Who can say for sure whether it's right or wrong? Maybe he lied."

"this······"

Du Yun was surprised and didn't know why his father concluded this.

"Even if it isn't, it doesn't matter. It won't do any harm to our Du family to make friends with a third-level alchemist.

"In the future, you should get closer to Wei Zhong. Also, take back your arrogance. After all, our Du family will not be as good as it was yesterday. It is inevitable that it will decline..."

When Du Yun left the hall, his brows were frowning, as if he was thinking about what Du Longfeng had just said.

He didn't even notice when his fellow disciples greeted him.

'Why does my father have such an attitude? Is he lying about his life span of one or two hundred years? '

Du Yun was puzzled.

'Instead of making friends with Wei Zhong, a mere third-level alchemist, I should get close to the two famous fourth-level alchemists in the hall.

'Although he is a Jindan cultivator, he has been in this alchemy hall for a hundred years and has been recruited by my father.

'In terms of the value of his relationship, he is higher than that of Wei Zhong.

'Why is this? ’

Du Longfeng, who stayed in the hall, breathed a sigh of relief:

“I hope Yun’er can listen to what I said!”

In Du Longfeng’s opinion, what Yunji Chamber of Commerce needs is not a third-level alchemist like Du Yun, nor the two fourth-level alchemists in the hall except himself.

The life span of a Jindan cultivator is only 600 years at most, and it takes at least 400 to 500 years to enter the fourth level. Some even need 500 to 600 years, or they can’t even see the fourth level scenery at the end of their life span.

In a nutshell, the growth time and benefits are far from proportional.

Most fourth-level alchemists who have reached the Jindan level have mediocre skills and are limited by their life span, so they can’t continue to cultivate in this way. The level of fourth-level alchemy is not very good, and it is very difficult to achieve a balance between income and expenditure for the Chamber of Commerce.

The master-disciple inheritance is even more problematic. When people are old and weak, they are devoted to the way of alchemy, so how can they have time to cultivate disciples. Even if they pass down the alchemy, they themselves only have a superficial understanding of the fourth-level alchemy. Isn’t it misleading the students?

In short, these are all drawbacks caused by insufficient lifespan.

If you want to make the Yunji Chamber of Commerce flourish, the only solution is to have Nascent Soul Alchemists with long lifespans. Relying on the succession of the Jindan Alchemists is just a temporary solution.

"The reason why the Chamber of Commerce has only two halls, the Qidian Hall and the Dandian Hall, is because of the existence of the three of us.

"Now that Jie Yuanrui has passed away, I don't seem to live long either, so only Shan Gu is left.

"Knowing that a new fourth-level alchemist has appeared, Shan Gu must be overjoyed. Even if he has to sell everything, he will think of ways to support him to the Nascent Soul stage."

The departing Wei Zhong naturally didn't understand what these Nascent Soul bigwigs were thinking. He just thought that what happened just now was just a friendly exchange between the members of the Chamber of Commerce, a small episode.

He didn't take it to heart.

'But Du Longfeng looked old, and it seemed that he was not far from the end of his lifespan. '

Thinking of Jie Yuanrui who had left, Wei Zhong couldn't help shaking his head.

‘The sun is setting!’