Chapter 003: The Elixir of Immortality

Xu Fu looked at Wu Mian with a strange expression for a while, the corners of his mouth curling up as he half-jokingly said: "You certainly think highly of yourself, but it is a pity that although you hold the title of a practitioner, you have not learned a single bit of the practitioner’s arts under my tutelage. It is indeed puzzling how you can still cling to the lineage of the practitioners. " At this point, the smile on the Grand Master’s face faded somewhat, and after a pause, he continued: "Although you are fated to be unrelated to the lineage, you do have some connection with me, as I have a few small items to hand over to you ... ... "

When it comes to Xu Fu's several disciples, the master of the great square revealed a strange expression on his face. After a brief pause, he murmured, "They are not blessed with such fortune." After saying this, Xu Fu intentionally or unintentionally changed the subject, looking at Wu Mian and said, "Since it is destined that you see through the illusion, then let it be so; what was meant for Li Si shall be inherited by you."

Meanwhile, inside the preaching hall, an old and a young Taoist were engaged in another conversation.

After Wu Mian finished speaking, Xu Fu merely smiled faintly, drank the honey wine in his hand in one gulp, and then casually said: "The illusion just now is not considered a sophisticated technique, but only those with a specific constitution can see through it. Originally, it was aimed at Li Si, but unexpectedly, it ended up benefiting you instead." At this point, Xu Fu let out a slight sigh, paused for a moment, and continued: "In terms of talent, Li Si's aptitude is still above yours. It was originally aimed at Li Si, but unexpectedly, it ended up benefiting you instead." At this point, Xu Fu let out a slight sigh, paused for a moment, and continued: "In terms of talent, Li Si's aptitude is still above yours. Unfortunately, his mind has been overshadowed by the title of the Grand Chancellor. Even if he sees through the illusion, his mind is confused, and he cannot be certain whether what he sees is truly real.

Xu Fu had not finished speaking when Wu Mian's expression changed. His gaze shifted from the pill to Xu Fu, and he said to the Grand Master: "Then what about Emperor Shi Huang? Can His Majesty's constitution withstand the properties of this medicine?"

Guangren's words served to extricate Guangxiao from his predicament, and the gaze of the white-haired woman finally shifted away from Guangxiao. Several individuals with white hair turned their attention to the preaching venue, which had already closed its doors. After exchanging glances, they fell silent and almost simultaneously departed for their respective destinations

Upon seeing the elixir in Wu Mian's hands, Xu Fu smiled slightly and said, "You guessed correctly; the system of Emperor Shi Huang is similar to yours and Li Si's, and it is even more suited to the properties of this medicine than both of you..."

However, even so, the changes in Wu Mian's expression did not escape Xu Fu's keen observation. The Grand Master looked at Wu Mian with a half-smile and said, "With your once-in-a-thousand-years temperament, even if you were given the elixir, it wouldn't amount to much of a benefit."

After listening to Xu Fu's words, Wu Mian still had some things he could not understand. He said again, "What about those white-haired senior disciples of the Grand Master? Surely they cannot be blind to it as well?"

At this point, Xu Fu glanced at Wu Mian's hand holding the pill, paused for a moment, and then continued to speak to Wu Mian: "If you want to know, I will tell you, I am avoiding disaster. The end of the First Emperor is approaching. If I have not left by then, I will be urgently summoned to the side of the First Emperor. Regardless of whether I can save the First Emperor or not, it will be a calamity that could lead to the extermination of our sect. So, do you understand what I am saying?"

Wu Mian still did not wait for Xu Fu to finish speaking, and once again interjected in his characteristic tone, which carried a hint of sarcasm: "Since there is already an elixir for immortality, why are you, Master Da Fang, still going out to sea to search for it?" Wu Mian originally had one last remark, asking if he was going to look for the medicine for reincarnation, but considering Xu Fu's status, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Wu Mian's words left Xu Fu momentarily stunned. Although he could see that Wu Mian had a naturally harsh demeanor, he never expected him to be so cruel as to openly mock him. After a brief pause, Xu Fu suddenly burst into laughter and said to Wu Mian: "Your temperament is indeed one in a million; fortunately, you have encountered me..."

Wu Mian then reached out to take the wine cup, took a shallow sip, and then set it down. Xu Fu was not bothered by this; instead, he asked, "This is brewed by my own hands, how is it? What does it taste like?" Wu Mian looked up at Xu Fu and after a long pause, replied in a nonchalant tone, "If the maritime skills of the Grand Master are as poor as your winemaking skills, then there is no need to set sail in search of immortals. You might as well go directly to the Dragon King of the Sea to seek the elixir for reincarnation."

After finishing this sentence, the smile on his face slightly faded, and he changed his tone to continue, saying: "Do you know why I kept you here alone?"

Guangren glanced at the cold and frosty Guangti, then looked at Guangxiao behind him and another white-haired man. After a slight sigh, he said: "It is getting late, everyone should return to their respective positions and begin the prayers for blessings and protection."

As the words fell, Xu Fu had already taken out a wax pill the size of a pigeon egg from his sleeve, saying: "This is a secret of our Taoist practitioners." At this point, the Grand Master crushed the wax skin with his two fingers, revealing a black pill inside. Looking at this pitch-black pill, Xu Fu continued: "This is an elixir of immortality refined by the previous generation's Grand Master based on ancient celestial formulas. Unfortunately, the unique properties of this elixir can only be endured by a very small number of individuals with special constitutions..."

The top figure among the practitioners of the Way lowered himself to pour him a cup of honey wine and personally handed it over. Wu Mian stared at the full cup of honey wine for a moment, not immediately reaching out to take it. Xu Fu looked at the young practitioner in front of him and laughed heartily, saying: "Honey wine is meant to be drunk; you won't be able to taste its flavor just by looking at it."

Wu Mian slightly nodded and replied: "If we cannot save the First Emperor, it will provide Zhao Gao with a pretext to deal with the Grand Master, which will implicate our sect of practitioners. If we save the First Emperor, it implies that the elixir of immortality has taken effect. With such a miraculous medicine, why would we still need to venture out to seek the immortal mountains? In the eyes of Zhao Gao and his associates, Grand Master, what else could it be but a plot for rebellion?"

In response to Wu Mian's sudden question, Xu Fu did not seem angry; the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, giving Wu Mian a look that was half-smile, half-unknown, and said: "Oh, it seems you understand something..." At this point, the Grand Master paused for a moment, then flicked his right index finger, sending a dark shadow flying towards Wu Mian's face. Wu Mian instinctively extended his palm to block it, and immediately felt an unusual sensation in his palm. When he grasped it in his hand, it was none other than the elixir of immortality that had originally appeared in the hands of Grand Master Xu Fu.

After a moment of silence, Wu Mian took a deep breath and looked up at Xu Fu, asking in return: "Was it really me that the Grand Master wanted to keep from the very beginning?" Xu Fu looked at Wu Mian with a somewhat unusual expression in his eyes: "Please continue..."

After listening, Xu Fu smiled slightly and said, "You are not far off in your guess, but there is still something I need to tell you about the elixir of immortality. Even with a constitution like yours, it does not guarantee that you can pass the final test. Have you seen my disciple Guangren? His constitution is the same as yours, but after taking the medicine, he experienced a reaction that was incompatible with the drug. It was only with some external assistance from me that Guangren was able to preserve his life. Originally, there was a small item that I intended for him to inherit, but now he does not dare to hope for it. His constitution is the same as yours, but after taking the medicine, he experienced a reaction that was incompatible with the drug. It was only with some external assistance from me that Guangren was able to preserve his life. Originally, there was a small item that I intended for him to inherit, but now he does not dare to hope for it. It seems that it will have to be passed on to you."

At the moment this sentence was spoken, Wu Mian's breathing began to quicken slightly. Just now, when Xu Fu dismissed all the disciples and left only him behind, Wu Mian had already guessed that such a result would occur. However, after the Grand Master made the matter explicit, he found himself somewhat unaccustomed to it. After hesitating for a moment, Wu Mian suppressed the pounding of his heart and looked at Xu Fu, saying: "Grand Master—are you not going to pass on the teachings of the Fangshi to me?"

Before being called the white-haired woman Guangti, she had some grievances with Guangxiao. She turned her head and cast a cold glance at Guangxiao. Her long white hair, originally hanging down to her waist, slowly began to spread outwards. This action caused the expressions of the three people beside her to change dramatically. Except for Guangren, both Guangxiao and the remaining white-haired man took a step back simultaneously. After standing firm, Guangxiao's expression remained unpredictable, clearly showing his apprehension towards Guangti's actions. After hesitating for a moment, Guangxiao took a few steps back at an angle, retreating all the way to stand behind Guangren before finally stopping.

After everyone left the dojo, Xu Fu poured two more cups of honey wine. After picking up one cup for himself, he handed the other cup to Wu Mian. This gesture from the Grand Master made Wu Mian feel somewhat uncomfortable

Mian Sheng was born as a palace servant. Although he became a court sorcerer, his low status meant that he mostly performed menial tasks. Ever since Wu Mian's parents passed away, almost no one has treated him kindly. Coupled with his naturally harsh disposition, his social relationships have deteriorated to the extreme; not to mention friends, there are hardly a few people he can even converse with.

The Grand Master wished to retain Li Si. Wu Mian continued, meeting Xu Fu's gaze: "That is why there were the three trials just now. Unfortunately, Li Si had a shallow connection with the Grand Master, and after three attempts, two were in vain. Wu Mian, overestimating his own abilities, revealed the techniques. The Grand Master then changed his mind, replacing Li Si with Wu Mian.