Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 453 Zhangcao Valley! A single "Junior Brother" reveals the vicissitudes of life!

"However," Eunuch Wei changed the subject, "Emperor Jianwen is stronger than Emperor Hongwu. The late emperor was a mortal, and no matter how much he struggled, there were limits. Emperor Jianwen is now a cultivator, and with the blessing of incense and secret techniques, he might actually be able to forge a path."

Chen Fan put down his bowl and wiped his mouth: "I hope so."

After the meal, Eunuch Wei cleared the dishes, while Chen Fan brewed a pot of tea.

The tea leaves were wild spiritual tea picked by Shi San from the edge of the spiritual field. Although they could not compare to those famous teas, they had their own unique mountain and wild fragrance.

The two sat at the table, slowly sipping their tea.

The last rays of the setting sun slanted in through the window, casting golden spots of light on the table.

"Speaking of which," Eunuch Wei suddenly said, "how's your cultivation going lately? How far are you from the late Nascent Soul stage?"

Chen Fan took a sip of tea: "It's still a bit lacking. The Nascent Soul realm becomes increasingly difficult to break through. I estimate it will take at least another three to five years."

"Three to five years..." Eunuch Wei clicked his tongue, "That's not a short time. But with your talent, it shouldn't be a problem."

Chen Fan smiled but didn't say anything.

He knew his own situation well. After cultivating to the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, his progress slowed down significantly.

This is not just a matter of accumulating spiritual energy, but also a matter of comprehending the Great Dao.

If Chen Fan had not comprehended the concept of cause and effect, he would never have possessed combat strength far exceeding that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator!

"Take your time," Eunuch Wei comforted him, seeing what he was thinking. "Cultivation is something that can't be rushed. I've seen you take steady steps over the years, which is much better than those who are eager for quick success."

Chen Fan nodded: "That's true."

The two chatted for a while longer, until the teapot was almost empty.

The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and the moon in the bowl slowly rose, casting a soft glow on the ground.

Eunuch Wei yawned: "I'm too old to stay up late. Make yourself at home, I'm going to bed."

"Go ahead." Chen Fan stood up. "We're going home too."

The two said goodbye in the courtyard.

Chen Fan returned to the Imperial Horse Stables and lit an oil lamp.

The dim light illuminated the simple room, and on the table was the half-bowl of spiritual water he hadn't finished drinking that morning.

He sat down and took out the piece of nourishing wood from his pocket.

The dark wood gleamed with a warm luster under the light, and when held in the hand, one could feel its gentle power that nourished the soul.

"With this, Tianxiangzi's injuries should improve by another three percent," Chen Fan murmured.

He carefully put away the Nourishing Wood, then took out several other materials from his storage bag and began to prepare the medicinal liquid.

These are prepared for Tianxiangzi. Although Nourishing Wood is good, its effect is limited when taken directly. It needs to be combined with other spiritual herbs and refined into Nourishing Liquid to maximize its medicinal effect.

Chen Fan was skilled and quickly prepared a medicinal liquid, which he then put into a jade bottle.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief after doing all that.

After preparing the divine elixir, Chen Fan saw that dawn was approaching!

Thinking that since I still have time, I might as well go back to Caogu!

Without hesitation, he vanished from the house in an instant!

A streak of bluish-gray light streaked across the sky, and in less than half a day, people had arrived at the mountain range where Grass Valley was located from the Great Abyss Imperial City.

Chen Fan concealed his aura and landed beside the familiar blue stone tablet at the valley entrance. The fragrance of herbs still lingered in the valley, and three bamboo houses stood quietly in the center of the herb field.

He didn't disturb Gu Daozi and Old Man Long, but went straight to the familiar cave area behind the mountain.

As Chen Fan passed by the Pill Nourishing Hall, where alchemists were once assessed, he paused slightly, glancing at the magnificent hall, and many old memories flooded his mind.

At that time, he was just a minor cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm. He followed Tian Xiangzi here, chattering all the way, in search of the Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients.

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Chen Fan arrived at the cave dwelling where he had once briefly lived.

The stone chamber remained the same, and the flowers and plants in front of the door seemed even more lush than before. However, what made Chen Fan stop in his tracks was the familiar figure standing in front of the cave.

Dressed in a simple white gown, with a slender figure, it was none other than Tian Xiangzi. She was bending down, gently stroking an unknown spiritual herb in front of the cave entrance. Her profile appeared exceptionally soft in the afternoon sunlight, her eyes somewhat unfocused, as if she were recalling something.

Chen Fan stood still, not immediately stepping forward. Tian Xiangzi, however, seemed to sense something and slowly turned around.

Their eyes met, and both of them were taken aback.

A hint of surprise flashed in Tianxiangzi's eyes at first, but then that surprise turned into a gentle smile, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

"Junior Brother Jidaozi, you've arrived?" she said softly, her voice no longer as rough and unrestrained as it used to be, but instead carrying a touch of the gentleness unique to women. "I thought you wouldn't arrive for several days."

Chen Fan stepped closer, a rare gentle expression on his face: "The spiritual liquid was ready, so I thought I'd send it over as soon as possible. Your injuries haven't healed yet, why aren't you resting in the alchemy room, instead of coming here?"

"I got bored lying down for too long, so I came out for a walk." Tian Xiangzi smiled, her gaze returning to the cave. "Before I knew it, we arrived here. I remember when you first came to Grass Valley, you also stayed in this stone chamber."

Chen Fan followed her gaze and nodded: "Yes, you were the one who brought me here back then. You said, 'Fellow Daoist Jidaozi, why don't you stay here for the night? I'll come find you tomorrow morning.'"

He imitated Tianxiangzi's tone from back then, trying his best to be gentle, but the words "fellow Daoist" still carried a sense of unfamiliarity and formality.

Upon hearing this, Tian Xiangzi chuckled, her pretty face slightly flushed: "Your imitation is nothing! My voice wasn't...that strange back then!"

She paused, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes, "But you remember it so clearly. Back then, you wore a mask, looking unapproachable, yet your alchemy skills were incredibly proficient."

"Since I'm new here, I should be cautious." Chen Fan walked to the stone bench in front of the cave and casually brushed away non-existent dust with his sleeve. "Want to sit down?"

Tianxiangzi nodded and sat down opposite him.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the vines above the cliff, casting dappled shadows on the two people, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere.

"Speaking of which," Tianxiangzi said, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Chen Fan with bright eyes, "I was quite surprised when you first tried to refine pills at Tianxiang Tower. I took out the ingredients for the Qi Condensation Pill to test you, thinking it would be a routine process, but I didn't expect your technique to be so smooth and efficient. In less than a quarter of an hour, you produced the aroma of the pill, and it was even a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill."

Recalling the past, Chen Fan smiled slightly: "Back then, I was only thinking about passing the test and entering the Grass Valley to find the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill, so I naturally put in my best effort. As for you, I still remember the look of surprise in your eyes when you were testing the pill."

"How could I not be surprised?" Tian Xiangzi gave him a reproachful look. "In the Grass Valley, anyone who can consistently refine top-grade Qi Condensation Pills must be at least an experienced second-grade alchemist. You're just a rogue cultivator from out of town, wearing a mask. Who could tell your skill level? I thought I'd run into a disciple from some major sect on an excursion."

"Then you took me back to Grass Valley, and the next day led me to the Pill Refining Hall for the assessment," Chen Fan continued, his thoughts drifting back to that day.

"A lot of people gathered in front of the hall, and that fellow Guang Anzi even made some provocative remarks."