Ascension City was quickly known as the City of Elixir, and Qi Zhiheng became a very popular alchemist.

As Ascension City gained more and more attention, Qi Zhiheng summoned Chu Huaifeng to his side.

Qi Zhiheng rarely needed to summon Chu Huaifeng. Usually, Chu Huaifeng would handle things himself and just have Xiong Shuang report them.

Qi Zhiheng summoned Chu Huaifeng this time because he had something to instruct him on.

Tong Zixing has already resolved Rong Yu's matter. The fact that the Tribulation Transcending cultivator of the Extreme Fire Clan is a demonic cultivator has already spread throughout the Central Continent. Rong Yu did not die in the end, but after becoming a cripple who could no longer cultivate, he aged considerably and his lifespan was not much longer.

Although it has been proven that the Extreme Fire Sect has nothing to do with this matter, the Extreme Fire Sect will inevitably be affected by such an incident. In addition, they have lost the only Tribulation Transcending stage expert in their force, which will inevitably lead to a reduction in their territory in the near future.

Besides buying pills from Qi Zhiheng, people with demonic energy also sought help from Buddhist practitioners to expel the demonic energy from their bodies.

As for the Netherworld Fire, no one knew that Qi Zhiheng had fused with it. After all, it was a fire seed belonging to demonic cultivators, and the next opening of the secret realm wouldn't happen for another twenty years. By the time these people went to search for the Netherworld Fire again in twenty years, anything could happen. It was possible that the Netherworld Fire had escaped because of its master's death, or perhaps the Daoist cultivators simply couldn't open that formation. At least, he didn't believe that any Nascent Soul stage cultivator could open that formation.

Even better if it can't be opened, because the next time will be forty years from now! These forty years in Zhongzhou are not Qi Zhiheng's forty years! It's still unknown what heights he can reach in forty years.

However, at present, Ascension City is indeed too conspicuous. Although it is still a small city with limited resources, power and manpower, and many Mahayana cultivators in the city, there are no Tribulation Transcending cultivators in charge. It is inevitable that some forces with ulterior motives will be eyeing it covetously.

He needs a cultivator at the Tribulation Transcending stage.

Just then, Chu Huaifeng pushed open the door and walked in: "City Lord, did you need something from me?"

Qi Zhiheng pulled out a chair and sat down, gesturing for the other person to sit as well. Then he poured a cup of tea for both of them.

"Have you encountered any trouble lately?" Qi Zhiheng casually asked him.

Chu Huaifeng took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and said, "The current situation is still manageable. Although there are many outsiders, most of them are only here for the pills. Many others also want to join the city. According to you, they have all signed contracts, and those who were unwilling to sign contracts have been sent away."

Qi Zhiheng asked, "How long do you think this situation can last?" His tone was relaxed, as if he were chatting casually with a friend.

Thinking of this, Chu Huaifeng's expression became more solemn: "City Lord, I'm afraid if you continue to shine so brightly, our small city will not be able to bear it. To be honest, I am a little worried about the safety of the city. I am only a Mahayana stage cultivator. If an enemy really invades, I'm afraid I won't be able to withstand so many."

Qi Zhiheng's lips curled into a smile, his words carrying the allure of profit: "I want to ask you, do you want to reach the Tribulation Transcending stage?"

The cup in Chu Huaifeng's hand was instantly crushed by him.

No Mahayana cultivator doesn't yearn for the Tribulation Transcending stage. Long ago, when Tong Zixing reached the Tribulation Transcending stage, a flame ignited in his heart—a longing for the Tribulation Transcending stage.

Chu Huaifeng was very dedicated to the affairs of the city. It wouldn't be accurate to say that he was completely loyal to Qi Zhiheng. Rather, it was the debt of saving his son, the contractual relationship, and the slight conflict of interest that put him on the same side as the city.

Later, after learning that Qi Zhiheng possessed a pill that could increase the probability of a breakthrough for those in the Mahayana stage, he became even more diligent in his work in Ascension City. His only reason was to obtain a pill from Qi Zhiheng that could help him break through.

He did want to buy one from Qi Zhiheng, but unfortunately he was short of money...

Over the years, he has spent almost all his savings to treat his son's illness, and he simply doesn't have enough resources to buy a top-grade level nine pill.

Chu Huaifeng suppressed the burning desire for the elixir within him and said in as calm a tone as possible, "Of course I want to."

Qi Zhiheng patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Relax a bit. Everyone wants to reach the Tribulation Transcending stage. If my cultivation level weren't insufficient, I would also want to reach the Tribulation Transcending stage."

Then, he became serious: "Your cultivation is already at the peak of the Mahayana stage. It's time to take it a step further."

Chu Huaifeng waited quietly for Qi Zhiheng to continue.

Qi Zhiheng did not disappoint him. He took out a medicine bottle, placed it on the table, made a slight tapping sound, and then pushed the medicine bottle in front of Chu Huaifeng: "You help me, I will give you resources. It's fair. Take this pill. I'll wait for your good news."

Chu Huaifeng's gaze never left the medicine bottle from the moment it was released. He took the bottle, exhaled, and said, "Thank you very much, City Lord. I will certainly serve you more diligently in the future."

Qi Zhiheng waved his hand: "Go back and hand over everything to the cultivators you know, then go into seclusion. I'm still waiting to be protected by you."

Chu Huaifeng laughed, a very sincere laugh: "You're joking. Even if I reach the Tribulation Transcending stage, I'm afraid I'm still no match for you."

Qi Zhiheng smiled but didn't speak, which was a tacit agreement as he didn't refute the meaning of those words.

Chu Huaifeng was merely a shield that Qi Zhiheng wanted to push forward to protect him from some covetous people, but if the other party really intended to betray him, Qi Zhiheng would not let it go unpunished!

A few days later, Chu Huaifeng announced that he was going into seclusion.

During Chu Huaifeng's seclusion, Qi Zhiheng also paid close attention to the developments in the city. Fortunately, apart from those seeking pills, not many unexpected events have occurred so far.

If there's anything unexpected happening in this city, it has to be the alchemists who created it.

Originally, there weren't many alchemists in Shengxian City, just ordinary ones. However, ever since Qi Zhiheng's reputation as a level nine alchemist spread, it has attracted many alchemists to come and see what this so-called Dancheng was really like.

Qi Zhiheng did not refuse the entry of these alchemists. He even formed an idea in his mind: since this place is called Pill City, he might as well turn it into a Pill City.

Qi Zhiheng first went to see his grandfather Qi Dong, and then asked his uncle Gu Qinglin to come along.

After the three gathered, Qi Zhiheng revealed his purpose: "I want a pill tower built specifically for alchemists, placed in the center of Ascension City. I want Ascension City to become the holy land for alchemists throughout the Central Continent."

He then looked at Gu Qinglin and asked, "Uncle, can you forge such a magical artifact?"

Gu Qinglin was momentarily speechless: "Although I haven't forged one yet, there should be some relevant information recorded in some books. Forging such a spiritual weapon will probably not be easy. I need to study more ancient texts."

Qi Zhiheng said, "I have quite a few books here, Uncle, you can take a look." These were books taken from Yang Yitian's immortal palace. As for whether the contents were more profound than those in the books in his pavilion, he wasn't entirely sure, since he wasn't familiar with the art of weapon crafting.

Qi Zhiheng then turned to Qi Dong and said, "Grandpa, we still need to discuss what to put in the Pill Tower. The tower will definitely need to hold a lot of books related to alchemy, but as for what to put there, we need to think about it carefully."

He was particularly interested in the alchemist's holy land that Qi Zhiheng mentioned. He already had an immense passion for alchemy, and upon hearing such inspiring words, he was naturally thrilled. He grabbed Qi Zhiheng and asked for a new alchemy book, and began to examine it without delay.

Gu Qinglin requested to enter Qi Zhiheng's space. There were too many books and materials here, and it was impossible to read them all in a short period of time. Entering the space would allow him to grasp the knowledge more quickly.

Qi Zhiheng simply put his grandfather inside as well. He himself went to check on Yang Yitian's physical training progress.

Yang Yitian's body refinement progress has entered the next stage, and he is still soaking in the medicinal soup.

Noticing Qi Zhiheng's arrival, Yang Yitian opened his eyes: "Are you done with your work?"

Seeing Yang Yitian sitting in the bathtub, Qi Zhiheng suddenly felt a sense of awe. It was an extremely attractive quality, and he didn't know if it was because Yang Yitian's cultivation had improved, but he had gained an aura that only a person in a superior position could have.

Qi Zhiheng couldn't resist and stepped forward to kiss Yang Yitian's lips.

Yang Yitian closed his eyes, and the two kissed for a long time before separating.

Qi Zhiheng and Yang Yitian locked eyes: "It seems the time for the medicinal bath has already passed."

Yang Yitian nodded slightly: "Just now."

Qi Zhiheng lifted the person out of the water, not caring that the water had soaked his clothes.

With a water-controlling spell, they dried themselves off, and Qi Zhiheng carried Yang Yitian to the bed. Qi Zhiheng took off his clothes and began to enjoy the food in front of him.

(Ten thousand words omitted.)

Afterwards, Yang Yitian rested his head on Qi Zhiheng's arm and talked about what had happened recently: "Actually, I've been having a lot of dreams lately."

"Dreaming?" Qi Zhiheng looked down at Yang Yitian: "What dream? Was I in it?"

Yang Yitian choked for a moment, but still honestly said, "Without you..." He then became slightly guilty.

Qi Zhiheng pinched his nose: "Which wild man did you dream about again?"

Yang Yitian rubbed his nose and said, "You can't blame me for this. I think it's a side effect of merging with the Immortal Palace. I dreamed about a lot of things related to Immortal Lord Hanqing."

Qi Zhiheng recalled the cold-faced man in the painting, and realized that he really did fit Yang Yitian's aesthetic.