Proving Immortality Starting with Hextech Runes

After a long while, once everyone's emotions had calmed down a bit.

Lin Miaoyin took a deep breath and carefully put away Xiao Muwan's letter.

Then, her gaze swept over Chen Xu and Wang Tiezhu, and she said softly:

"According to Senior Sister Xiao's letter, we probably have no choice but to take this Cleansing Pill if we want to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining."

"Among the required materials, the Sanqing Flower and Jade Marrow Fungus are rare, but with a little effort, they can be found."

She paused, her tone becoming somewhat heavy: "It's just that demon cores with water and wood attributes... are quite difficult to find."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu nodded, pondering to himself.

First-tier demonic beasts have not yet developed intelligence, and those capable of condensing a demon core are extremely rare, perhaps one in ten thousand.

Only demonic beasts at the Foundation Establishment stage have a significantly higher probability of condensing a demon core.

Such treasures are naturally not easy to acquire.

Without this, the Cleansing Pill is just empty talk.

However... I happen to have three water-attribute demon cores.

What Chen Xu didn't expect was that Xiao Muwan would leave this letter in advance, it seems she had been mentally prepared for this.

As for the recipe for the Cleansing Dust Pill, Chen Xu did not doubt its authenticity.

Lin Miaoyin, an alchemist, has been immersed in the art of alchemy for many years.

They have a keen ability to judge the combination of various medicinal properties.

A moment later, Chen Xu took out a pale blue demon core and said:

"I happen to have a water-attribute demon core here, so I'll give it to Fellow Daoist Lin first."

"This..." Lin Miaoyin's beautiful eyes widened instantly as she accepted the demon core in disbelief.

She had thought it would take a long time to gather all the materials needed to refine a batch of Cleansing Dust Pills.

I didn't expect to get one of the most difficult materials to find so quickly.

At this point, Chen Xu continued, "As for the other materials, you'll have to figure that out yourselves, okay?"

He paused, then added, "The ingredients for a typical elixir should yield five to seven pills."

"I'll offer one demon core in exchange for one Cleansing Pill; that should be more than enough."

"Of course, no problem!" Lin Miaoyin snapped out of her daze and quickly replied.

"Don't worry, senior brother! Senior brother Wang and I will find the Jade Marrow Fungus and the Three Purities Flower as soon as possible."

"However... the other wood-attribute demon core might not be so easy to find..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu did not reply.

After all, he had already produced a water-attribute demon core, which was enough.

However, considering his speed in breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining, Chen Xu thought for a moment and took out another demon core, saying:

"I have a water-attribute demon core here. It should be easier to exchange this for a wood-attribute demon core."

"But this demon core is hard to come by, so I won't give it away for nothing."

He paused, glanced at the two of them, and continued, "Once the Cleansing Pill is successfully refined, we will remove the three pills needed by the three of us."

"The rest are all mine, how about it?"

After all, demon cores are rare and valuable. Chen Xu isn't some pushover; exchanging value is the norm in the cultivation world.

Wang Tiezhu was somewhat surprised to see Chen Xu take out another water-attribute demon core from his storage bag.

However, due to his low spirits, he didn't say much, but just kept drinking one cup after another.

Lin Miaoyin, standing to the side, looked at the second demon core in front of her, her heart filled with turmoil.

These Foundation Establishment Demon Cores are incredibly precious, yet Chen Xu could casually produce two of them!

Such a gesture made her feel that Chen Xu was becoming increasingly unfathomable.

Then, suppressing her shock, Lin Miaoyin solemnly said, "That's only right!"

"With this water-attribute demon core as a bargaining chip, finding a wood-attribute demon core will be much easier."

"Within six months, Miaoyin will do everything in her power to find the wood-attribute demon core, living up to her senior brother's expectations!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu nodded slightly.

As for how Lin Miaoyin obtained the wood-attribute demon core, that was none of Chen Xu's business.

The atmosphere at the gathering remained somber. The three sat in silence for a while longer before dispersing.

The night was as still as water, and the cool moonlight shone on the bluestone road of Hansongfang Market.

Chen Xu looked at Wang Tiezhu, whose steps were heavy, and patted him on the shoulder: "Senior Brother Wang, please accept my condolences."

Wang Tiezhu remained silent upon hearing this.

As the two passed a pool of water, Wang Tiezhu suddenly slowed down.

He looked up at the lonely, cold moon in the night sky, his voice weary: "Junior Brother Chen, tell me, why is the path of cultivation so cruel?"

He seemed to be asking Chen Xu a question, or perhaps blaming Heaven for its cruelty.

Chen Xu did not reply, but simply stood silently to the side.

Wang Tiezhu was silent for a moment, then said, "When my spiritual root was discovered, I became a disciple of the Cold Pine Sect."

"I always thought that when I became successful, I would repay my parents and give them and my little sister a good life..."

His words were broken and filled with melancholy:

"But now, I've been a member of the Cold Pine Sect for almost ten years, and I still haven't found a chance to go back."

Three years ago, my family finally managed to send a message through someone, saying that my younger sister... had gotten married.

Wang Tiezhu's voice choked up for a moment, "She married a carpenter from the neighboring village, named something like Lin Mazi. They said he was a fairly honest man."

"But I didn't even get to see her get married."

"Since then, I've never received a word from home again..."

"And now, I'm watching my friends leave one by one."

"I just want to leave this place, to leave this damn immortal sect!"

"Go back to your hometown, whether you farm or forge iron, and live a simple, ordinary life."

Then, Wang Tiezhu turned his head, his bloodshot eyes staring straight at Chen Xu, his gaze filled with confusion:

"Junior Brother Chen, tell me, what are we striving for by risking our lives to cultivate immortality? What is the reason...?"

A night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness.

Chen Xu stood there silently, unable to speak for a long time.

The path to immortality is long and arduous, the road ahead uncertain. Who can easily answer this question?

Once you embark on the path to immortality, there is no turning back.

In his previous life, Chen Xu was an ordinary person who accomplished nothing.

Now that I've come to this world of cultivation, I'm still living in a daze, subservient to others. How can I be content with that?

Wang Tiezhu longs for a simple, warm life and a down-to-earth, stable existence.

But what Chen Xu pursues in this life is longevity and the power to control his destiny.

This is his obsession, and also his regret for his past life, which he felt was mediocre and unfulfilling.

In this life, Chen Xu only wants to know...

Just how magnificent and breathtaking is the view from the mountaintop?

It has inspired countless brilliant minds throughout history to flock to it, like moths to a flame, vying for it one after another...

After a long silence, Chen Xu finally spoke: "Senior Brother Wang, the path to immortality is rugged, and the mortal realm is no easier."

"To control your own destiny, you must have enough strength."

"If you truly feel that this path is not what you desire, leaving is certainly an option."

Upon hearing this, Wang Tiezhu opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

After saying this, Chen Xu did not linger and turned to walk towards the small courtyard by the fishpond.

The view from the mountaintop... he absolutely had to see it for himself.

For this, I would die a hundred times without regret.