A faint smile appeared on Wang Zhan's lips as he took the medicine pills without the slightest hesitation.

"So if I say it's good stuff, you just take it as good stuff. Aren't you afraid I'd kill you?"

Hu Xianfeng glanced at Wang Zhan, moving to his side with a playful grin.

Wang Zhan gave a nonchalant shrug and replied with a smile, "It won't benefit you to poison me. I believe you won't harm me. After all, if I were to die, it would be no fun for you, right?"

"You're rather interesting, young man."

After taking the medicine pill, Wang Zhan's complexion improved significantly.

It was clear that this medicine was indeed a powerful healing elixir. It seemed Hu Xianfeng had no intentions of deception.

With a smile in his eyes, Wang Zhan approached Hu Xianfeng and reached out his hand, asking, "Do you have any more of these amazing things?"

Hu Xianfeng rolled his eyes at him, looking rather irritated. "You sure seem pleased, lad."

"Giving you one pill is already very charitable. Do you know how difficult it is to produce these medicine pills?"

Wang Zhan squinted and thought about it. The taste of the pill lingered in his mind. It was indeed miraculous; I felt my strength gradually returning after taking it. This pill must have been charged with the Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi, which would explain its effectiveness. To be able to do that, he must...

Suddenly, Wang Zhan's eyes widened as he turned to Hu Xianfeng. "If I am not mistaken, your cultivation has reached the realm of a Tribal Patriarch, hasn't it?"

Even though it was only a slight level difference, the gap was huge. I was very clear about the terrifying gap between myself and Hu Xianfeng.

Hu Xianfeng, standing close by, shrugged and asked curiously, "Why are you concerning yourself so much?"

"I'm not your enemy, why do you care so much about this?"

Wang Zhan shrugged with a smile and finally said awkwardly, "Isn't it because I want to see the strength of your cultivation? After all, we are tied together now; if you become stronger, it's to my advantage too. It would remove our worries should we encounter a strong enemy. And most importantly, I want to ask how to enter the realm of the Tribal Patriarch."

Lately, Wang Zhan had encountered many tough demonic beasts, including a recent Lion-Tiger Beast. Normally, once a stronger demonic beast was defeated, one's cultivation level would increase considerably. But not this time; his cultivation had plateaued. This puzzled Wang Zhan, until he realized that entering the realm of the Tribal Patriarch likely required vast experience.

Having already sustained serious injuries from a level 9 demonic beast, if I bump into more level 9 demonic beasts, won't I be done for? Despite being pressured by the System to undertake advanced battles, it doesn't mean I can't handle demonic beasts of a higher level. After all, I have many tricks up my sleeve. Currently, I can rely on my equipment to overpower level 7 or level 8 demonic beasts, but facing a level 9 demonic beast requires me to play my trump cards. Not to mention, I might still end up in a desperate situation. It was like what just happened. If it hadn't been for Hu Xianfeng's timely appearance, I would've been dealt with by those bounty hunters. Even though their abilities were weak, I was weakened and my cultivation greatly reduced, making it difficult to handle them.

Hu Xianfeng moved to stand beside Wang Zhan and gave him a light punch on the shoulder, laughing. "What are you pondering this time, lad?"

Wang Zhan grinned and quickly spoke, "Since we meet by fate, I have an unconventional request. I wonder if you could grant it?"

"Let's hear it."

Hu Xianfeng looked at him suspiciously.

Wang Zhan scratched his head, then, without hesitation, blurted out, "It's actually simple. I just want you to teach me alchemy. Since you can make such powerful elixirs, I should be able to as well. And it would benefit both of us."

"You've learned some skill indeed. But what benefits does that bring me?"

Hu Xianfeng sulked off to the side, gazing out the window with his arms crossed, clearly ignoring Wang Zhan's intentions.

"Think about it, Old Man. If I don't learn alchemy, I'd inevitably need to constantly ask you for elixirs. Look at the elixirs you produce; they take so much effort and care. I surely couldn't just mooch them off you. Besides, I don't have anything valuable to exchange, so you'd be the one losing out in the end. So, I carefully considered it: if you teach me alchemy, wouldn't that be mutually beneficial?"

Wang Zhan looked at him with a beaming smile, clearly waiting for a response.

Meanwhile, Hu Xianfeng shook his head and pointed at Wang Zhan's head. "Don't think I don't know what scheme you're cooking up by saying all this to me. You just want to learn alchemy, that's all. But how could I possibly teach you this art so easily?"

"Do you know how many young people followed me around when I was younger, hoping to take me as their master?"

"But every single one has been rejected by me. What makes you think you are any different?"

Wang Zhan sighed, shook his head helplessly, and proceeded to walk away.

"Since you think we're no different, then fine. I won't waste any more of your time here. You can just stay here by yourself, you lonely old man."

As he finished speaking, Wang Zhan left the house.

Hu Xianfeng originally thought it was just a joke. But after waiting for a good while without Wang Zhan returning, his expression turned sour. Clenching his fist, he scowled, "Damn kid, playing this trick on me. If I knew you were this kind of person, I wouldn't have saved you, let alone wasted my elixir on you. Infuriating!"

After grumbling for a bit, he adjusted his sleeves, walked over, plopped down onto a chair, and then said, "Kid, you killed bounty hunters. Their companions won't let you off easily. I want to see if you truly have the guts. If so, just roam around this area, and before long, those bounty hunters will take care of you."

After a while, Hu Xianfeng scratched his head and sighed. "It was hard enough to find a kid I actually liked. He wouldn't really just leave like this, would he? If that's really the case, then it's truly troublesome."

Should I go and look for him?

Hu Xianfeng got up and walked to the door, but hesitated again and started to mutter to himself.

No! If I go out to find that kid now, wouldn't that mean I've already compromised? That would be playing right into his hands. This kid is cunning; he's got a bit of my style when I was young. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After hesitating for a while, Hu Xianfeng eventually walked back into his room, obviously not planning to pay Wang Zhan any more attention.

I already gave Wang Zhan that elixir, so he should be mostly recovered by now. Unless he runs into an extremely formidable opponent, Wang Zhan should be able to handle it. Besides, I know Wang Zhan isn't a fool. If he really can't deal with those people, he'll naturally come back to my house to meet up with me.

With this in mind, Hu Xianfeng no longer had anything to worry about. He lay down directly on his bed; having been busy all day, he was naturally a bit tired.

While Hu Xianfeng rested comfortably, Wang Zhan had already left Hu Xianfeng's house and was wandering in the forest.

It had to be said, Hu Xianfeng's elixir was truly remarkable; Wang Zhan could even feel his own cultivation rapidly recovering.

Even if I encounter a level 9 demonic beast now, although I might not be able to confront it head-on, making a safe retreat wouldn't be too difficult.

Every few steps Wang Zhan would stop and glance back, but he didn't notice anything amiss.

After doing this a few times, Wang Zhan finally said with a frustrated look, "I can't believe that old geezer really didn't come out to meet me."

I originally thought this method might force Hu Xianfeng to give in and teach me some alchemy techniques. I never expected him to completely ignore me, not even showing a trace.

Thinking of this, how could Wang Zhan not be angry?

After walking some distance, Wang Zhan suddenly heard the sound of wind whipping past from behind.

His expression changed instantly, and he swiftly turned around to look behind him.

I initially thought some demonic beast was stalking me, but to my surprise, standing before me were several men dressed in black. I could feel an extremely strong murderous aura emanating from them.