A century-old Longevity Pill was enough to help a powerful aristocratic family overcome a period of decline...
It was enough for a top cultivator on the verge of passing away to break through their cultivation bottleneck and have a chance to defy fate...
At the very least, or perhaps the unluckiest, they could at least make proper arrangements and leave behind their legacy.
The role of a Longevity Pill was truly immense.
...
After a moment of contemplation, Wu Li took out the five first-grade Wind attribute divine abilities that countless ancestors of the family had created, modified, and collected.
Wu Tao browsed through the first four jade slips, which recorded first-grade Wind attribute divine abilities, and felt a sense of disappointment.
It wasn't that these first-grade Wind attribute divine abilities were fake. It was just that these four Wind attribute divine abilities fell short of what Wu Tao needed.
The fifth first-grade Wind attribute divine ability was named "Throne of Wind Control."
According to the jade slip, after mastering the Throne of Wind Control, one could freely manipulate the Wind attribute spiritual energy between heaven and earth, as if they were the king of wind.
After completing this transaction, Wu Li subtly inquired about Wu Tao's identity.
Wu Tao, half-truthfully and half-falsely, revealed his identity as an alchemist to Wu Li.
Being in an unfamiliar place, it was unrealistic to expect to make a name for himself immediately.
Ultimately, no matter what, he needed to find the most reasonable way to hide and protect himself.
The identity of an alchemist, especially a Grandmaster Alchemist, was undoubtedly the best shield for him.
Alchemists, using their cauldrons, refined spiritual herbs and spiritual medicines, transforming them into potent elixirs for cultivators to use.
This alone was impressive enough. However, in addition to alchemy, all alchemists also possessed healing abilities.
The path of cultivation often involved conflict, where it was either life or death. Even if one survived, they would likely be injured.
If the injuries were not severe, it was manageable...
However, if the injuries were serious and could not be healed by oneself, one would need the help of an alchemist to recover fully.
From this, one could see the preciousness of an alchemist.
Even a second-class aristocratic family like the Wu family, which could independently manage an entire prefecture, did not have a Grandmaster Alchemist overseeing it.
They only had two or three Master Alchemists, who were treated like treasures.
There were more ordinary alchemists, but not too many, only a dozen or so.
...
It wasn't because the Wu family's conditions were poor, but rather because alchemists were so rare that many families didn't even have alchemy apprentices.
Upon hearing that Wu Tao was an alchemist, Wu Li's expression changed instantly.
He smiled at Wu Tao and said, "This humble one was unaware of young friend's esteemed identity. As ignorance is no offense, I hope young friend will forgive me..."
Both in his words and demeanor, Wu Li was as polite as he could possibly be!
Seeing this, Wu Tao felt a bit helpless. It seemed the identity of an alchemist was indeed very influential.
With just a few words from him, this person's attitude had completely shifted...
However, as Wu Tao was contemplating, Wu Li's mind was also racing with his own subtle thoughts.
In fact, when it came to this matter, it was better to err on the side of caution.
Whether it was true or false, if he treated Wu Tao with respect, he might be able to persuade him to take on a nominal guest elder position in the Wu family.
In that way, the truth of the matter could be ascertained.
"Your esteemed presence here at our Pavilion of Rare Treasures is truly an honor!"
"Guards, prepare the VIP lounge for tea, young friend, please..."
After giving instructions to his subordinates, Wu Li gestured for Wu Tao to enter, and Wu Tao, not being overly modest, swaggered into the VIP lounge amidst the complex gazes of many.
Outside, many cultivators were lamenting that this trip had indeed been worthwhile.
Led by Wu Li, Wu Tao slowly entered the VIP lounge.
The VIP lounge, while perhaps not extravagantly luxurious, was certainly beautifully designed, clearly intended to entertain distinguished guests.
Following Wu Li, Wu Tao stepped on the floor made of lumina wood and couldn't help but marvel at the Wu family's profound heritage, which was beyond his own comparison...
"Young friend, to have become a Grandmaster Alchemist at such a young age, your future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary."
"Alchemists are exceedingly rare in the Great Jin Kingdom, making them highly sought after by all major families. May I ask which family young friend belongs to..."
After only a couple of sentences, Wu Li was already probing for information about Wu Tao's background. However, Wu Tao was no novice who had just stepped out into the world...
Wu Tao was well aware of Wu Li's subtle intentions.
"Hahahaha, I am truly a rogue cultivator. I simply cannot bear the constraints of a structured life, which is why I have never joined any family..."
Wu Tao's reply was still a mixture of truth and falsehood.
...
Wu Li frowned, inwardly cursing!
Initially, Wu Li thought this young man seemed to lack intelligence, and that he could easily extract information with a casual question.
However, it now appeared that he had misjudged. This young man's schemes ran very deep.
He had given Wu Li the possibility of recruiting him, but also increased the difficulty of this possibility.
If Wu Li wanted to impress him, he would have to offer more benefits.
If Wu Tao had claimed to have a powerful backing, Wu Li could have investigated and tried to navigate the situation to see what could be done.
If this young man had no backing, the situation would be much simpler, akin to a business negotiation, where they could slowly talk, gradually increase the stakes, and try to recruit him...
But this fellow before him claimed to be a free spirit, unconcerned with fame or fortune...
This meant that to recruit him, Wu Li would have to start with a high offer, otherwise, it would be rather embarrassing...
As for his claim of being a free spirit, it was merely an excuse to extract better terms.
Those who emerged into the world were all driven by self-interest.
A refusal simply meant the price offered was not high enough.
If he were truly indifferent to fame and fortune, why would he emerge into the world? Wouldn't it be better to stay in the deep mountains and old forests?
Although Wu Li was a Nascent Soul cultivator, given the current scarcity of alchemists in the Zi Prefecture's cultivation world, Wu Tao's status as a Grandmaster Alchemist would be no lower than his own, anywhere.
In fact, in sects that were extremely short of alchemists, a Grandmaster Alchemist's status would even surpass that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Wu Li had no doubt that if Wu Tao agreed to join their Wu family at this moment, even if he demanded that all their high-ranking members come to greet him, the family patriarch would immediately rush over at top speed as soon as the news reached him...
Several women in silk dresses, carrying a pot of spiritual tea, were approaching with light steps.
"Nonsense! How can you serve such inferior tea to a distinguished guest! Bring me the Silver Foam White Tea at once!"
Upon smelling the tea, Wu Li immediately roared at the maidservants. His words stunned them.
Silver Foam White Tea?
This Silver Foam White Tea was a renowned and precious tea produced in Mingze County. Its annual yield was only twenty to thirty catties.
It could be said that even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators could not afford to be treated with Silver Foam White Tea.
And now, Wu Li was directly requesting Silver Foam White Tea?
For a moment, almost all the maidservants looked at Wu Tao with an extremely peculiar expression.
"It's alright, it's alright. I am but a rustic person. No matter how good the tea, I cannot discern its taste?"
Wu Tao was actually indifferent. Whether it was Silver Foam White Tea or tea from a roadside stall, it was all the same to him.
However, in Wu Li's view, perhaps the young man was just being polite!
A Grandmaster Alchemist, and a Grandmaster Alchemist without any backing – how great was his value?
Those who reached the Grandmaster Alchemist level could even refine Nascent Soul level pills.
How many cultivators were there in the Great Jin Kingdom? And how many cultivators needed elixirs and medicinal pills?
Wu Li didn't know about other things, but he remembered that countless years ago, their Wu family was a small clan, and a Master Alchemist joined them out of gratitude for saving his life.
It was with the help of this Master Alchemist that their Wu family grew stronger step by step.
After this Master Alchemist passed away, his legacy remained with their Wu family.
It was precisely because of this Master Alchemist's legacy that their Wu family reached its current position.
Therefore, there was a saying in the cultivation world: a powerful cultivator could temporarily change the fate of a sect.
A Grandmaster Alchemist, however, could ensure the long-term prosperity of a sect.
Following Wu Li's instructions, the maidservants quickly removed the spiritual tea. After the time it took an incense stick to burn, a refreshing aroma wafted from afar.
Wu Tao closed his eyes slightly and took a breath. He was almost intoxicated by the scent.
"Please, young friend, do try our Mingze County's specialty, Silver Foam White Tea. This tea has a pleasant aroma, calms the mind, refreshes the spirit, and is full of spiritual energy, which also helps considerably with cultivation."
As Wu Li introduced it with pride, the maidservant had already placed a pot of freshly brewed Silver Foam White Tea before Wu Tao.
Wu Tao reached out, picked up the teacup, gently lifted the lid, and took a slight whiff. The aroma and spiritual energy almost made him feel entranced.
He blew gently, and the swirling vapor in the cup resembled true dragon and phoenix qi. Taking a small sip, as the tea flowed down his throat, Wu Tao's expression changed!
The spiritual energy in the tea was exceptionally pure. Upon entering his body, it dissolved and gradually circulated through all the meridians of his body.
In a moment, Wu Tao felt that all his meridians had been nourished.
An unprecedented sense of ease made Wu Tao feel as if he was floating like an immortal, soaring into the heavens.
Wu Li, on the other side, felt much the same. Although he had tasted this Silver Foam White Tea countless times,
Every time he savored this Silver Foam White Tea, it made Wu Li indulge in it!