No matter what opinions the cultivators of the Tao family held toward Luo Chen, they still followed protocol. As an honored guest, he was offered the finest hospitality.0

The courtyard that was prepared for him had spirit energy as dense as that of a second-tier mid-grade cave residence. He was also served with spirit dishes brimming with spirit energy three times a day. In addition, he was assigned two female attendants for care and two male Qi Refinement cultivators at his disposal.0

After ensuring Luo Chen was settled, Tao Yisheng excused himself and hurried away.0

“Senior Dan Chenzi, would you like us to prepare your bath and fresh clothes?” one of the attendants asked softly.0

Luo Chen glanced at the two youthful and beautiful handmaidens with bright eyes and waved his hand. “That won’t be necessary. Please wait outside.”0

The attendants exchanged a glance before bowing and quietly retreating.0

Only when they had left did Luo Chen sweep his spirit consciousness across the courtyard. He checked every corner for surveillance formations and hidden probes. After confirming there were none, he finally let out a quiet breath of relief. He was still a stranger in this land, and caution remained his best shield.0

Settling in the courtyard, he took out a book and began reading casually. At first, he turned the pages leisurely, but the deeper he delved, the more absorbed he became.0

The book he held was none other than Shang Hu Alchemy Insights, gifted by Fairy Ruthless. Aside from The Treatise of Qing Yuanzi, it was the only third-tier alchemical manual in his possession. And unlike Qing Yuanzi, who had relied on nurturing techniques to luckily refine a third-tier pill and reach the third tier, the author of Shang Hu Alchemy Insights was a genuine third-tier alchemy master!2

Luo Chen had acquired the book long ago, yet he had gleaned little from it at the time. The reason was that many of its alchemical theories and methods diverged...0