Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

"Wow..."

Beside the herb field, only the sound of the array gently bestowing spiritual rain could be heard.

Seeing that Yuan Shen was still hesitant, Fatty Han quickly continued to persuade him:

"Senior Brother Yuan, think about how long it's been since your disciples' salaries were increased?"

Don't you want to liberate yourself and take this opportunity to make a move?

This is a long-term investment; the earlier you buy, the more cost-effective it is, and the longer you use it, the more you profit!

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shen couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Is it my own fault that my salary hasn't increased?

Is it because I haven't tried hard enough?

It was ordained by fate.

In terms of talent, how could I possibly compare to my senior brothers?

In terms of family background, even the fat man in front of me comes from a wealthier family than mine, at least they can produce a weapon refiner.

His parents and grandparents were at most ordinary low-level Qi Refining cultivators. They had exhausted the savings of three generations in order to join the Spirit Medicine Valley...

Even in the art of cultivating immortality, one can only choose the inferior spiritual plant master.

Moreover, this formation couldn't possibly be sold to only one person.

Once all the disciples of the medicinal plant masters have their own formations, everyone will have time to compete internally, which is just like going back to square one, isn't it?

However, the only consolation is that the time saved is indeed one's own, allowing one to focus more on cultivation.

I didn't lose out, but my two junior brothers made a killing.

"I bought it, how long will it take to receive the customized version?"

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Zaian reassured Yuan Shen.

"Brother Yuan is the first customer, it will be done today."

.........

And so, Lu Zaian and Fatty Han successfully completed their first transaction.

The rest of the process went exceptionally smoothly...

When they went to other medicinal herb fields to inquire, 99% of the disciples expressed their willingness to place orders.

Even if it's not to make time for the competition, it's for the convenience of future cultivation.

After walking around the medicinal field, Fatty Han clutched a storage bag in his hand as if it were his second lifeline, his expression one of excitement.

"I've struck gold! I've pre-ordered seventy-three sets of formations, totaling over ten thousand spirit stones! The deposit alone is four thousand spirit stones! Hahaha, I'm making a killing!"

Lu Zaian picked his nose, glanced at Fatty Han beside him, and said helplessly:

"Are you that excited? You'll only get about 3,800 yuan, but don't forget about the cost."

Upon hearing this, Fatty Han stopped abruptly and looked at Lu Zaian with a reproachful expression.

"Why remind me? Compared to you, Junior Brother Lu, I suddenly can't be happy at all."

"Hmm... Compared to you, I'm actually happier."

Lu Zaian was also greatly stimulated by this huge sum of money, and he made a rare joke.

And so, the two went back to prepare their materials.

Some were refining array plates, others were engraving array patterns; everyone was busy as bees...

Lu Zaian also deepened his understanding of array patterns through repeated engraving.

They are more adept at setting up first-tier low-grade formations.

The speed has also increased from two hours to one hour per set.

Even array plates that rarely make mistakes and are basically undamaged by engraving.

Busy times fly by.

It wasn't just Lu Zaian and Fatty Han who were busy with their money-making schemes.

All the disciples of Lingyao Valley were mobilized for the year-end competition, and a restless atmosphere permeated the entire valley.

Some disciples chose to go into seclusion, refusing outside visitors and focusing on their cultivation.

Some disciples chose to use their contribution points to exchange for magical treasures and elixirs.

The Spirit Gathering Hall - Spirit Treasure Hall was completely sold out by the disciples as soon as the sect's mission was announced.

The hall for exchanging treasures was almost worn down by the disciples coming and going...

"Junior Brother Lu's formation is indeed profound; it has been a great help to us!"

"That's right. I was blind before. When I first met Junior Brother Lu, I really couldn't believe that you were actually a formation master."

"I've made up my mind. Once I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I'll also learn the art of formations."

"Haha, anyone can brag..."

A large group of disciples gathered in the rows of houses next to the medicinal fields of Lingyao Valley.

They had all paid a deposit to receive the formation.

Lu Zaian and Fatty Han brought over a stone table and began selling array plates in an orderly fashion.

Lu Zaian personally handed over the formation and explained some precautions to them.

Fatty Han was in charge of collecting and verifying the money. He received a large amount of spirit stones, and his smile stretched from ear to ear.

After sensing the profound mystery of the formation, they all praised Lu Zaian to the skies.

However, just as there was praise, there was also criticism.

Because Han Pangzi's way of counting money was so annoying, it also aroused the dissatisfaction of some disciples, who secretly spread rumors and jealousy among themselves.

"That fatso is a real opportunist; he's always eyeing the spirit stones in our pockets."

"That's right, and that guy surnamed Lu, what's so great about a formation master? His cultivation is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining."

It might have taken decades to develop this mere first-tier low-grade formation; at his age, he's destined never to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

And we all still have a bright future…

"Well said. What's the use of earning so many spirit stones? You probably won't be able to spend them all even if you die."

Of course, these slanderous and jealous words were not actually spoken aloud, but were only transmitted between a few disciples.

That's human nature; jealousy can turn into envy and motivation, or it can turn into disgust and slander.

However, compared to other sects, the atmosphere in Lingyao Valley is already quite good.

If it were some ruthless demonic sects, how could they possibly allow a Qi Refining Level 4 guy to earn so many spirit stones?

This is also why Lu Zaian dared to take the plunge.

.........

Far from the medicinal herb field, a seven-story pavilion stands, filled with a faint fragrance of medicinal pills.

The fifth floor of this building offers an excellent view, overlooking the houses where many of the spirit plant master disciples live.

At that moment, an old man with a compassionate and kind face appeared silently by the window, like a ghost.

He stared silently in the direction of Lu Zaian, a hint of daze in his eyes, as if he could see past events or a familiar figure through the scene before him.

"...Didn't that junior inherit Old Xiao's alchemy memories? How did he become an array mage?"

It was his words that saved Lu Zaian from the ordeal of having his soul searched.

It was only because of his friendship with Lao Xiao that he did it on a whim.

It now seems that the tradition of alchemy is truly about to disappear forever.

After a long silence, the old man gave a soft, bitter laugh, his tone filled with nostalgia and helplessness.

"The formation master is not bad, it's a pity that if he were thirty years younger, he might have had a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage..."

Old Xiao, if only you had put more effort into cultivation back then, you would probably have reached the Foundation Establishment stage long ago... How could you have died at the hands of the Fire Refining Sect...

Although your apprentice is quick-witted and intelligent with decent talent, he lacks a down-to-earth attitude.

Foundation building is not difficult, but it is not suitable for alchemy.

Without you now, the Pill Pavilion is truly boring, with no one to debate the Dao of alchemy with.

However… it will be soon. The Valley Master has already seen through the Fire Refining Sect's conspiracy, and your revenge will be served soon…”

The old man muttered to himself, his voice audible only to himself.

The medicinal fields fall under the jurisdiction of the Pill Pavilion.

As an elder of the Pill Pavilion, he took the initiative to suggest that Lu Zaian be placed here.

Therefore, over the past six months, the old man had secretly observed Lu Zaian several times, but Lu Zaian's cultivation level prevented him from noticing.

He discovered that this junior was indeed a calm, diligent, and dedicated individual, bearing some resemblance to his old friend Xiao Fenlin.

However, he was also hampered by age, which almost cut off his path to foundation building.

"The path of cultivation is both so short and so long; when and where can one find immortality..."