"You don't need to come in." After Li Xuan entered the room, Elder Zeng glanced at Qiu Zhen and said before entering and closing the door. Qiu Zhen forced a wry smile. If it were anyone else, he would have been displeased, but this person was from the General Pavilion. Qiu Zhen knew that even the Grand Pavilion Master of the General Pavilion was very respectful of Elder Zeng.
A sixth-grade alchemist was the treasure of the Treasure Pavilion.
"Elder Zeng, could you tell me about the trouble you've encountered?" Li Xuan was somewhat surprised when Elder Zeng didn't allow Qiu Zhen to enter, which showed the significance of a sixth-grade alchemist.
Elder Zeng stared at Li Xuan and was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Young friend, I cannot see through you. But it's good this way. If you were an ordinary person, I would have to doubt if you are truly that person's disciple. May I ask, how did you know I have less than ten years left to live?"
"Qi Observation Technique. It can reveal a person's strength. Once cultivated to perfection, it's not difficult to see one's lifespan. However, if the opponent's strength is too great, they can conceal their aura, and you won't be able to observe it. If you wish to cultivate it, I can give it to you." Before Li Xuan could ask, Yi Qin's voice sounded in his mind.
Li Xuan's heart leaped with joy. He immediately looked at Elder Zeng and smiled, "My master once taught me a Qi Observation Technique. With this technique, I was able to see that Elder Zeng's lifespan is not long."
"Qi Observation Technique... Ancient Qi Observation Technique!"
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, Elder Zeng pondered for a moment and then was greatly astonished. At this point, Elder Zeng was certain that Li Xuan was indeed that person's disciple. An ancient medicinal prescription and the ancient Qi Observation Technique were enough to prove everything.
"Young friend, you are truly blessed to have been accepted by such a master." Elder Zeng said with a sigh, "My name is Zeng Ming, and I am already one hundred and eighty-five years old. Although I know everyone has an end, and I shouldn't have any unrealistic expectations, I'm not afraid to be laughed at. Since my time, my descendants have been getting worse with each generation. Five years ago, my great-grandson and his wife had a daughter, and unexpectedly, she was born with a natural Dao root. Since she began studying alchemy with me, her understanding of the Dao of Alchemy is even beyond my own. In just half a year, she has become a third-grade alchemist. Given enough time, her future achievements will certainly not be below mine, and it's not impossible for her to far surpass me."
"A natural Dao root. If that's true, she'll far surpass this old man. With enough time, she'll at least become a Heavenly Alchemist. Perhaps a Divine Alchemist is not impossible either." As soon as Zeng Ming finished speaking, Yi Qin's voice sounded in Li Xuan's mind again. Li Xuan was already accustomed to Yi Qin's sudden pronouncements, but he was surprised that Yi Qin placed such high importance on a natural Dao root.
"Elder Zeng, are you worried that after you pass away, there will be no one to care for your great-great-granddaughter? With your current status, even if your descendants are not capable, you should be able to care for a little girl, right?" Li Xuan asked, somewhat perplexed. Zeng Ming had mentioned living over one hundred and eighty years, which meant he must be a powerful expert at the Martial Emperor realm.
As is widely known, ordinary mortals live for less than a hundred years. After stepping into the Spiritual Master realm, lifespan increases by twenty years. Spiritual Soul realm, twenty years; Martial King realm, twenty years; Martial Emperor realm, thirty years. Everyone's destiny is different, but it is absolutely impossible to exceed a lifespan of two hundred years, unless one can break through to the Martial God realm. Legend has it that Martial God realm experts can live for five hundred years, but Li Xuan did not know if this was true. However, it is incredibly difficult to become a Martial God realm expert. At least, Li Xuan knew that there were none in the Tianyun Kingdom.
A Martial Emperor realm expert, and also a sixth-grade alchemist. The combination of these statuses made their influence not ordinary. Such a family, by all rights, should be able to care for a little girl. Even if that little girl was a natural Dao root, it should be enough to protect her growth.
"Young friend, you are unaware. I have an enemy. His identity and strength are not inferior to mine. As long as I am alive, things are relatively fine. But once I die, with my incompetent descendants, they will likely be quickly suppressed and killed by that person. It doesn't matter if those useless people die, but I cannot bear to see my great-great-granddaughter suffer because of it. The path of alchemy is already difficult. If a genius of alchemy were to perish because of me, I would deserve ten thousand deaths." Zeng Ming said with a bitter smile.
"Elder Zeng, what is the matter that you sought out my master for?" After listening to Zeng Ming's words, Li Xuan's opinion of him rose considerably. He had initially thought Zeng Ming only wanted guidance from Senior Yi Qin, but it seemed that was not the case at all. Furthermore, Zeng Ming could accept the fate of his descendants, so he would not be reluctant to part with his great-great-granddaughter. What Zeng Ming cared about was the Dao of Alchemy. If Zeng Ming's words were true, his great-great-granddaughter would surely bring prosperity to the Dao of Alchemy once she grew up. If she perished because of Zeng Ming, then Zeng Ming would truly be a sinner of all ages.
"Being able to understand ancient alchemical arts, your master's Dao of Alchemy must be above mine. I had originally hoped to beg your master to accept my great-great-granddaughter as a disciple, so I could die with peace of mind. I have waited here for five days, hoping to perhaps meet your master. But I never expected... alas, it is all fate." Zeng Ming sighed with a complex expression.
Li Xuan fell silent. He had not expected that a medicinal prescription casually mentioned by Yi Qin would attract someone like Zeng Ming. As for Zeng Ming's request, Li Xuan was also in a difficult position. Moreover, Yi Qin was within his Town Prison Ring, and if she had any thoughts, she would surely speak. But at the moment, Yi Qin was silent, and Li Xuan did not dare to ask.
"So be it. Today, I have had a good chat with you, young friend, and my heart feels much lighter. Now that matters are concluded, I shall take my leave. If you ever visit the capital, young friend, you are welcome to visit the General Pavilion of the Treasure Pavilion." Seeing that Li Xuan did not speak, a look of relief flashed in Zeng Ming's eyes, and he then stood up and clasped his hands in greeting. Although he had not met the one with ancient alchemical arts, it was not a wasted trip to meet his disciple.
"Alright." Li Xuan nodded. Since Yi Qin still had not spoken, Li Xuan naturally could not say much more.
"Elder Zeng." Zeng Ming pushed open the door, and Qiu Zhen immediately bowed and called out.
Zeng Ming nodded slightly. After glancing at Qiu Zhen, he pondered for a moment and said, "I must thank you this time. Although things did not go as smoothly as planned, you have completed your mission. Upon our return to the General Pavilion, I will speak a few good words for you."
"Thank you, Elder Zeng!" Qiu Zhen was overjoyed and bowed to Zeng Ming again.
"Please wait a few days. Also, if young friend needs anything, you must help with all your might." Zeng Ming nodded, and this favor was now repaid. He let out a light sigh and stepped forward to descend. However, a voice soon rang out, and Zeng Ming's feet stopped in mid-air, frozen.
"Elder Zeng, I can accept disciples on behalf of my master."