Starting from iron smelting

Lu Xiuyuan took a look at the successfully refined foundation-building pill and knew that he could no longer watch the fun and show off. To survive in this place, you must either be truly invincible or a grandson. Undoubtedly, Lu Xiuyuan was very good at pretending to be a grandson.

He had already figured out how to please his superiors and knew how to show a submissive attitude at critical moments. This was one of the experiences he had gained from working in the firewood shop for many years.

The young Taoist snorted coldly, disdaining Lu Xiuyuan's flattering expression. He stroked his long sleeves and turned away, as if he didn't care about Lu Xiuyuan's existence at all. Seeing this, Lu Xiuyuan knew that something was wrong, and didn't dare to waste time, so he turned around and ran towards the door.

He quickly arrived at the door and saw the basket placed at the door, which was the Huanglong wood core he needed to carry. Lu Xiuyuan put the basket on his shoulder without hesitation and quickly followed the young Taoist's steps without any hesitation. He knew that at this critical moment, any mistake could lead to the failure of the mission, which was absolutely unacceptable to him. Although Lu Xiuyuan was quite dissatisfied with the young Taoist, he also knew that this was not the time to vent his emotions.

The young Taoist's pace obviously did not allow Lu Xiuyuan to slow down at all. He walked at a very fast speed, as if he wanted to reach the destination in the shortest time. Lu Xiuyuan followed closely behind him, carrying a basket with a yellow dragon wood core, ready at all times, fearing the slightest mistake.

During the whole process, Lu Xiuyuan tried to maintain a low-key and diligent image. After all, the mission was paramount at this time, and he could not relax because of his personal emotions. In this busy background, the young Taoist priest and Lu Xiuyuan formed a special and strange picture. They were like shadows, one in front and one behind, and walked hurriedly. This scene attracted the curious eyes of the people watching on the roadside, and many people talked about it.

On the way, the young Taoist's face was covered with dark clouds, as if he was shrouded in a cold atmosphere. His expression was as cold as ice and snow, and his eyes revealed a ruthless sharpness.

Deep down, he was full of disdain and annoyance towards Lu Xiuyuan's existence. The young Taoist walked silently, as if calculating a chess game with undercurrents. The conspiracy and calculations in his heart made his face full of haze, but all of this was deeply hidden under his cold appearance. The young Taoist cursed secretly, and waves of resentment emerged in his heart.

For him, this mission was already an unpleasant job, but Lu Xiuyuan stole his limelight and, as a mortal, pointed fingers at the immortal cultivators.

Thinking of this, the gloom on the young Taoist's face became even thicker. The young Taoist couldn't help but think that since Lu Xiuyuan knew their secret, even if he completed the mission, he might not be able to save his life. This kind of thing must not be known to another person. Once someone knows it, his situation will become even more dangerous.

"We were delayed on the road today for so long. If it weren't for that old man's meddling, this person would have died without anyone noticing." The young Taoist priest was full of dissatisfaction and complaints. He even felt resentment towards the old man. If he hadn't insisted on showing us the rubbish alchemy furnace, the Huanglong wood core would have been sent to the master by now, and this person would definitely not be alive until now. Moreover, the master would blame us for wasting time.

Lu Xiuyuan's heart was filled with turmoil. He had never thought that the situation would become so complicated. He began to feel uneasy and nervous. He thought that by improving the alchemy furnace, he could win the approval of the white-haired old man and get better treatment. However, he found that the white-haired old man seemed to be obsessed with alchemy and did not praise his improvements too much.

This made Lu Xiuyuan feel disappointed and frustrated, and his inner expectations and plans were dashed. He originally wanted to take this opportunity to get some protection and help, but now it seems that all this seems to be wishful thinking. The white-haired old man did not show any special concern for him, which made him feel more uncertain about the future.

However, what worries Lu Xiuyuan more is the situation he is in now. The young Taoist's attitude towards him makes him feel awkward, and his cold eyes reveal his resentment and dissatisfaction towards him. He understands that he has become the focus of this conflict, and this situation is not what he expected.

"The current situation is that not only do I have to face the following problems alone, but the young Taoist priest also resents me for speaking out for me. I'll just take it one step at a time." Lu Xiuyuan took a deep breath, trying to find some comfort in his heart.

He knew that things had already happened, and he could not change the attitude of the white-haired old man, nor could he change the young Taoist's dissatisfaction with him. The only thing he could do now was to face it calmly and take it one step at a time.

Lu Xiuyuan followed the young Taoist priest to an exquisite cottage. Although the cottage was small, it looked very elegant, surrounded by green bamboos and blooming flowers, just like a residence for immortals. The young Taoist priest knocked on the door respectfully and reported softly: "Master, I am here with you, Lu Xiuyuan."

A faint response came from inside the house, and the young Taoist gestured for Lu Xiuyuan to come in, his expression revealing a hint of indifference. Lu Xiuyuan felt a little cold in his heart, he knew that getting along with this monk might be difficult, but at this moment he could only obey and move forward.

When Lu Xiuyuan opened the door, his eyes lit up. What came into his sight was a skinny old man, wearing a dark purple Taoist robe, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the hall. The old man's face looked simple and vicissitudes, his eyes were deep and full of spirit, as if he could see through the troubles of the world. His eyebrows were slightly frowned, like the precipitation of years, exuding an atmosphere of transcendence.

The place where the old man sat was a carefully arranged layout. On an old low table, there was a teapot and a pair of teacups, exuding the fragrance of tea. In the corner was a screen with a landscape painting on it, making the whole space more peaceful and tranquil. The whole cabin was bathed in a faint aura, making the air fresh and peaceful.

The furnishings in the house reflect a strong Taoist style, with vases, screens, and decorations dotted in, each of which looks elegant and sophisticated. The swaying bamboo and flowers outside the window complement the ancient furniture, outlining a tranquil and simple picture.

The old man looked at Lu Xiuyuan deeply, as if he could see through his heart. Under the old man's gaze, Lu Xiuyuan unconsciously felt a little nervous. He secretly swallowed his saliva and tried to appear calm.

The young Taoist priest stood aside silently, with a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. His eyes were completely different from the old man's, sharp and mocking, as if he was mocking Lu Xiuyuan's performance.

The purple-robed old man's eyes were deep and calm, and he seemed to be able to see through everything through his eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice like a melodious guqin: "Why did you delay for so long this time? Where is Li Er? Why didn't he come this time?"

Just as Lu Xiuyuan was about to speak and explain, he was interrupted by the young Taoist priest. The young Taoist priest quickly walked to the purple-robed old man and leaned over to whisper something.

His expression was cunning and gloomy, as if he was plotting something. The young Taoist's whisper made the purple-robed old man frown slightly, and he looked at Lu Xiuyuan, as if he was thinking deeply. Lu Xiuyuan's heart sank, and he waited nervously for the old man's reaction.

At this time, the purple-robed old man stood up from his seat and walked towards Lu Xiuyuan. Lu Xiuyuan was extremely nervous. The purple-robed old man's eyes swept across the basket in his hand like a knife. Those wood cores obviously did not meet the old man's expectations, which made Lu Xiuyuan's heart even colder.

The old man said angrily, "How come the wood core is of such poor quality? All the spiritual power inside is gone. What's the point of using it? Li Er is really getting better at being a clerk. Jia Ren, go and kill this guy."

This sentence was like a bolt from the blue, shocking Lu Xiuyuan's heart and almost making him lose his balance. A trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, and he instantly fell into an unprecedented desperate situation. Lu Xiuyuan had deduced countless possibilities in his mind, but he did not expect to be directly sentenced to death by the big boss.

Lu Xiuyuan's heart was like a raging storm, with beads of sweat the size of beans sliding down his forehead. Facing the reproaches from the purple-robed old man, he really didn't know what to say. Li Er's plot, the young Taoist Jia Ren's insidiousness, and the purple-robed old man's difficulties seemed to have sentenced Lu Xiuyuan to death the moment he agreed to go to Beishan Forest Farm.