Cultivation Begins with Marrying into an Immortal Family

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Chapter 27: Making Pills

The next day, Lin Zhi Shou jolted awake, springing up from his bed as he warily scanned his surroundings.

The room remained utterly silent, untouched by any disturbance.

Frowning deeply, Lin Zhi Shou climbed out of bed and began inspecting every corner.

Last night, after drinking water, he had felt his mind grow heavy with drowsiness.

He had suspected then that he might have been poisoned.

In that instant, an instinct to cry for help surged within him, but the potion’s force struck too swiftly. Darkness swallowed his vision, and consciousness slipped away.

This was the state he awoke to now.

After an exhaustive search, he discovered no missing items nor any peculiar additions to his room.

“Strange,” he murmured, sinking into a chair consumed by bewilderment.

Thump, thump, thump —

A knock sounded at his door.

“Enter,” Lin Zhi Shou commanded.

Zhou Luo promptly pushed the door open, his face lit with a warm smile. “Uncle Shou, you’re awake?”

“Did something happen last night?” Lin Zhi Shou inquired.

He noticed something was off after all, Zhou Luo thought inwardly, relieved at his own forethought.

“Uncle Shou, there was indeed an incident last night. Someone attempted to sneak into your room,” Zhou Luo lowered his voice conspiratorially.

“Who would dare?” Lin Zhi Shou’s expression darkened.

“Unknown. Fortunately, I witnessed it and summoned help quickly enough to chase off the intruder,” Zhou Luo replied with feigned gravity.

“Did Tian Xia Restaurant intervene?” Lin Zhi Shou probed, suspicion lingering.

“Yes,” Zhou Luo confirmed with a nod.

To reinforce this tale, he summoned the very man from last night.

Though baffled by the Lin Family’s motives, the man remembered the antidote remained in Zhou Luo’s grasp. He played his part diligently.

“Rest assured, Tian Xia Restaurant will investigate this matter thoroughly,” the man declared with solemn conviction.

“Hmph. Notify me of any findings,” Lin Zhi Shou conceded, choosing to trust the account for now.

As Zhou Luo escorted the man from the room, he discreetly pressed a pill into his hand.

“Did matters concerning the Lu Family conclude as planned?” Zhou Luo murmured, his voice barely perceptible.

“They did. Please reassure your master he need not worry,” the man responded, tension melting from his shoulders as his fingers closed around the antidote.

…

The martial skills competition for the Spiritual Pill Conference was held within the Li Family’s alchemy place.

Naturally, the contest centered on pill furnacing expertise.

Lin Zhi Shou led Zhou Luo and Lin Nian directly toward the Li Family residence.

As soon as he arrived at the Li Family’s alchemy place, Lin Zhi Shou beamed with satisfaction and began chatting with Pill Masters from other long-life families.

The actual pill-refining competition hadn’t started yet, so while some were strolling around, others were pondering over Alchemy Techniques.

"Zhou Luo."

Just as Zhou Luo was examining whether the furnace in front of him was a magical artifact, a pleasant female voice sounded behind him.

Zhou Luo turned to look.

His gaze landed on a beautiful woman with an elegant figure. She wore a white floral-patterned dress, her tiny waist accentuating long, jade-like legs. Most striking were her eyes—bright and crystalline like blue gemstones.

"You are?" Zhou Luo asked, puzzled.

He had seen her before—yesterday at the Spiritual Pill Conference, seated in the Wang Family’s section. Likely a Pill Master from their clan.

"Wang Yu Wei," she stated directly.

Zhou Luo suddenly recalled: Wang Yu Wei was the fourth-place scorer in the written examination—this very beauty before him.

"Can I help you?" Zhou Luo inquired, still confused.

"Do you know the refinement method for Bi Shui Dan?" Wang Yu Wei fixed her eyes on him, cutting straight to the point.

In yesterday’s written examination, one question tested knowledge of Bi Shui Dan refinement techniques.

As a top-level first-level pill, despite having existing records, Bi Shui Dan’s refinement exceeded the expected scope for these young practitioners—mere novices or newly certified Pill Masters.

But since Zhou Luo scored ninety-seven, he must have correctly answered that ten-point question.

"Well…" Zhou Luo hesitated, glancing first at Lin Zhi Shou. Seeing the elder engrossed in cheerful conversation, he lowered his voice. "I’d just happened to read about it… so I remembered."

"Truly?" Wang Yu Wei’s beautiful eyes brightened. She suddenly grasped his right hand and pulled him aside.

Once certain no one noticed, she looked earnestly at him, her delicate face serious. "Could you tell me?"

Zhou Luo froze.

Logically, long-life families should document Bi Shui Dan’s refinement. How could this beauty—chosen by her clan for the conference—remain ignorant?

Detecting his doubt, a flicker of sorrow crossed Wang Yu Wei’s eyes as she whispered, "My family forbade me from learning it."

Her answer stunned Zhou Luo.

The Wang Family wouldn’t share Bi Shui Dan’s method with her?

This top-level first-level pill primarily healed injuries and aided repair of water-based spiritual roots. Clearly, deeper secrets lay hidden.

Recklessly assisting her was unwise; provoking the Wang Family giant would bring Zhou Luo no benefits.

"My apologies… due to family reasons, I cannot disclose it," Zhou Luo said awkwardly.

Disappointment dimmed Wang Yu Wei’s eyes. She lowered her head slowly, emotions clearly subdued.

"If you need Bi Shui Dan… why not purchase one instead?" Zhou Luo couldn’t help but ask.

Yet she offered no answer. Only giving him a profound look, she murmured politely, "Apologies for disturbing you."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Staring at that retreating figure, Zhou Luo gently shook his head.

Indeed, every family had its own troubles.

Just then, family head Li Shuntian arrived.

Everyone immediately stood in reverence, and Zhou Luo returned to Lin Zhi Shou’s side.

"What about the Lu Family?" Li Shuntian asked the assembled few, puzzled.

The crowd exchanged glances, giving no answer.

Li Shuntian checked the time before turning to the middle-aged man beside him. "The martial skills competition is about to begin. Zehou, go and ask."

Li Zehou accepted the order and left.

Others took their seats in their designated sections.

Soon, Li Zehou rushed back with an anxious expression. "Father, the Lu Family has left."

"Left? They abandoned this Spiritual Pill Conference?" Li Shuntian’s brow creased slightly.

"According to Tian Xia Restaurant, they hurriedly departed after breakfast—unknown what happened." Li Zehou reported truthfully.

Bewilderment spread across the faces of those present.

Only Zhou Luo understood—his poison had taken effect.

To punish the Lu Family, he’d instructed a Tian Xia Restaurant worker to lace their spirit cuisine with purgatives like the Spirit Leakage Pill he’d brewed.

Though non-fatal, it would certainly make them suffer.

"Never mind. If the Lu Family won’t attend, proceed with the other participants," Li Shuntian declared.

Per tradition, this martial skills competition would select five individuals to train at the Qinyuan Sect.

The Lu Family’s three top-ten contenders all withdrew, leaving only seven competitors.

Shortly, Li Family servants placed seven furnaces at the center.

Zhou Luo and the other six stood before them, awaiting the start.

Judging duties belonged to the Li Family’s top-level first-level Pill Master, alongside Pill Masters from long-life families like Lin Zhi Shou observing nearby.

Seated, Lin Zhi Shou no longer radiated smugness—his expression was stern.

Pill brewing differed starkly from theoretical exams.

The latter relied on book knowledge; the former demanded genuine skill.

He knew Zhou Luo’s foundations remained shallow.

Uncertainty filled him.

Before the furnace, Zhou Luo wore focus.

Being one of seven vying for five spots meant he needn’t reveal excessive talent in alchemy.

Overexposure might rouse Lin Zhi Shou’s suspicion.

"Begin," Li Shuntian’s voice announced sharply.

Participants moved aside to select medicinal herbs.

The competition imposed no restrictions—each could brew their most assured potion.

Judges would score based on performance.