"Slow down and eat."
Gu Ningshuang smiled and handed over a cup of spiritual tea.
"The first time I ate it, I almost fainted from the spiritual energy."
Qin Yurou elegantly sliced the fish sashimi, jokingly said.
"Last time, Ningshuang even broke through a small realm, it really startled Shen."
Amidst the laughter and chatter, Gu Sheng’s gaze wandered between Gu Ningshuang and Xu Lingsu.
He suddenly recalled the events from years ago in Tianlang City... Gu Ningshuang had secretly given him healing medicine, and Qing’er even saved his life.
"Ningshuang."
Gu Sheng took out a delicate storage ring.
"This is for you."
Gu Ningshuang’s eyes widened.
"This- this is too precious!"
Shen Qingtan glanced at the ring and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, it has a space of thirty cubic meters? It’s worth at least five thousand contribution points on the market."
"Accept it."
Gu Sheng pushed the ring over.
"Let it be a belated birthday gift for you."
Qin Yurou chimed in from the side.
"Ningshuang, don’t refuse, look at Junior Sister Xu, she’s envious to the point of being dazed."
Xu Lingsu hurriedly lowered her head when she heard this, her ears turning red.
Seeing this, Gu Sheng took out a smaller storage bag from his chest.
"Lingsu, this is for you. The space isn’t large, but it’s enough for daily necessities."
Xu Lingsu accepted it awkwardly, her voice as soft as a mosquito.
"Th-thank you, Senior Brother Gu..."
As the sun set behind the mountains, Gu Sheng stood up to bid farewell.
Shen Qingtan escorted him to the workshop exit and whispered.
"Are you going to Linyin Pavilion?"
Gu Sheng nodded.
"I have some elixir pills to refine."
"That Tantai Xueling..."
Shen Qingtan hesitated.
"Never mind, take care."
Underground City, Linyin Pavilion.
Tantai Xueling, dressed in purple, was flipping through account books on the top floor.
A maid hurriedly entered.
"Pavilion Master, Young Master Gu has arrived."
"Quickly invite him in!"
Tantai Xueling tossed aside the account book and turned to the screen door.
"Qingxuan, your savior is here."
Xie Qingxuan walked out slowly, a smile appearing on her pale face.
"Big brother Gu has finally arrived."
When Gu Sheng stepped into the reception hall, Tantai Xueling had already instructed someone to prepare spiritual tea.
She smiled radiantly.
"Young Master Gu, Qingxuan talks about you every day."
Xie Qingxuan glared at the Pavilion Master in embarrassment and saluted Gu Sheng.
"Big brother Gu, don’t listen to the Pavilion Master’s nonsense."
After some pleasantries, Gu Sheng got straight to the point.
"Pavilion Master Tantai, I wish to borrow the Alchemy Room of your pavilion."
Tantai Xueling’s eyes flashed brilliantly.
"Oh? What pills does Young Master Gu wish to refine?"
"A few kinds of fourth-grade elixir pills."
Gu Sheng took a sip of tea.
"As compensation, I can teach the Pavilion Master a few elixir recipes that will reduce the cost of refining fourth-grade elixir pills by half."
With a "clatter", Tantai Xueling’s teacup fell to the ground.
She was oblivious, staring intently at Gu Sheng.
"Is this true?"
Gu Sheng nodded calmly.
"Certainly."
Tantai Xueling suddenly rose, her purple dress fluttering without wind.
"Let’s go to the Alchemy Room now!"
The Underground Alchemy Room of Linyin Pavilion is even more luxurious than that of the Holy Academy.
The walls are embedded with hundreds of luminous pearls, and in the center are two entirely scarlet pill furnaces, their bodies covered in intricate array patterns.
"These are ’Twin Flame Heart Furnaces,’ top-grade Earth Rank."
Tantai Xueling proudly introduced.
"Less than ten exist in the entire Eastern Domain."
Gu Sheng approached the pill furnace, gently stroking its surface.
"Not bad, just right for use."
Tantai Xueling eagerly asked.
"What elixir recipes will Young Master Gu teach me?"
Gu Sheng did not answer directly but suddenly formed a sealing gesture with both hands.
Two clusters of cyan flames leapt from his palms, flying towards the two pill furnaces.
With a "boom," both pill furnaces were simultaneously engulfed in blazing fire.
Gu Sheng chuckled lightly.
"Not only is it not diminished, but if you master the timing, the efficacy can be increased by five percent."
As the time of an incense stick burning passed, the aroma in the alchemy room became so strong it nearly solidified.
Gu Sheng suddenly clasped his hands together, and with a low shout.
"Condense!"
Both pill furnaces buzzed simultaneously, their lids automatically opening.
Two pills, as smooth as jade, slowly rose, hovering in mid-air, their surfaces flowing with nine distinct patterns.
"Nine-striped Pill!"
Tantai Xueling exclaimed in shock, covering her red lips with her slender hand.
"And they were refined simultaneously!"
She stepped forward quickly to examine the pills closely.
"Both the Replenishing Essence Pill and Blood Replenishing Pill are of perfect quality... How is this possible?"
Gu Sheng stored the pills, casually tossing one to Tantai Xueling.
"Care to try?"
Tantai Xueling took the Blood Replenishing Pill, smelling it lightly, immediately feeling her Qi-Blood slightly boil.
"Such strong medicinal power!"
She looked up at Gu Sheng, her eyes full of complex emotions.
"To refine Nine-striped Pills while multitasking, this has surpassed the realm of ’practice makes perfect.’"
Gu Sheng adjusted his sleeves, speaking calmly.
"As long as you understand the properties of the herbs and the changes in timing, the nine-striped is not a difficult task."
"Perhaps for you, it may be so."
Tantai Xueling smiled bitterly, shaking her head.
"In the whole Northern Territory, fewer than five can stably refine Nine-striped Pills, and they all specialize in one type of elixir pill."
She suddenly spoke seriously.
"Gu Sheng, can your alchemy methods be applied to Linyin Pavilion?"
Gu Sheng stored the other pill furnace, pondering for a moment.
"Yes."
Tantai Xueling hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.
"Really? This improved elixir recipe is worth a fortune..."
"Consider it a thanks for the help from Linyin Pavilion."
Gu Sheng interrupted her, his eyes sincere.
"However, the core technique needs me to personally teach, ordinary pill masters find it difficult to grasp."
Tantai Xueling nodded happily.
"Naturally! I will immediately arrange for the best three pill masters in the pavilion to learn from you."
She hesitated for a moment, then added.
"About Xie Qingxuan... how do you plan to handle it?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World