Passing through several villages and mountain peaks, a deep valley comes into view, known as Dusk Valley, which is also the location of the Bai Family.
Chen Sansi still chose not to reveal his true identity and even deliberately did not rush to visit the Bai Family, fearing being recognized.
The intention to harm others should not exist, but one must be wary of others.
When they were still two miles away from Dusk Valley, two people responsible for guarding the mountain gate came to inquire.
"This gentleman, what brings you here?"
Chen Sansi truthfully replied, "I am a loose cultivator from the mountains and wilderness. I noticed the noble family’s notice as I passed by. I happen to be a Second-tier Alchemist, so I came to see if there is a chance for cooperation."
The young man’s tone immediately softened, and he introduced himself, "I am Bai Ange, a junior from the Bai Family. Come with me, I will take you to meet the Family Head and the clan leader!"
"Thank you for the trouble."
Chen Sansi nodded slightly and then entered the valley.
Inside the valley, the scene of the Bai Family was different from what he imagined. It wasn’t as strictly disciplined as the Li family, but rather had an air of earthly human life.
Along the way, he could see many children playing, old people playing chess under the trees, young women whispering secrets, and in the distance, groups of men were practicing martial arts in the Spirit Veins. Patrolling individuals exchanged greetings with clan members returning with spiritual beast corpses.
According to the information Chen Sansi obtained, the Bai Family consisted of about two hundred Martial Cultivators, spanning four to five generations. The current generation’s rulers were divided into five branches.
Bai Linxun, with whom he had some previous relations, was in charge of the second branch and was referred to as Bai Second Uncle.
Leading the way, Bai Ange was the eldest son of Bai Family’s Third Master.
The two chatted as they made their way to a lakeside halfway up the main peak, where a towering pavilion known as ’Lake View Tower’ stood.
"Please wait, senior. The Family Head is entertaining guests today. Allow me to go and report first."
In less than half a cup of tea’s time, Bai Ange returned, making a gesture of invitation: "This way, please, senior."
Chen Sansi then ascended to the top floor.
This was a scenic teahouse. At this moment, two people were sitting in the main seat, one being Bai Second Uncle Bai Linxun. The other, with a short beard, appeared to be of an age to know destiny, and using Qi Observation Skills, he seemed to have reached the True Power Middle Stage.
In the guest seat sat a cultivator with a goatee, his hair half-white, his cultivation at around Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
"Haha, I am Bai Liangbi!"
The middle-aged man in the main seat stood up to greet, "I am the current Bai Family Master. May I know your esteemed name, brother?"
Chen Sansi gave his name.
He had lived on Little Bamboo Peak for a long time, and his reputation as an alchemist was quite reliable.
This point was important; no one would want to cooperate with someone of unknown origins, especially someone without a fixed residence, which was even more unreliable.
Currently, many families, including the Li family, were at odds with the Bai Family and did not rent shops to them, but it’s not to the extent of preventing loose cultivators from interacting with them.
For instance, the old man Mo Zhu often sold talismans to the Bai Family.
"Then I will take my leave."
As they exchanged pleasantries, the Daoist with the goatee stood up to bid farewell, giving Chen Sansi a meaningful glance before leaving.
"Please have a seat, Daoist Xiao Feng."
The Bai Family Master, Bai Liangbi, ordered tea to be served and got to the point, "Daoist Xiao Feng, are you willing to become an alchemist tribute to our Bai Family?
"Most of the elixir pills our Bai Family needs are Martial Arts Elixirs. If we can cooperate smoothly, the Fire Veins, Pill Furnace, and materials would be provided by us. Fellow Daoist would only need to be responsible for refining."
"Before formal cooperation, fellow Daoist still needs to try refining elixir pills to show us the quality. I hope fellow Daoist doesn’t mind."
Chen Sansi agreed immediately.
Bai Liangbi called out, "You take Daoist Xiao to the Fire Veins to try refining the elixir pills."
Bai Linxun stood up and said, "Daoist Xiao Feng, please follow me."
Leaving Lake View Tower, the two headed north.
Chen Sansi also took the opportunity to see the core area of Dusk Valley.
Though Dusk Valley wasn’t large, it was comprehensive, with not just a Medicine Garden but also a Refining Workshop, Alchemy Room, and spiritual beast breeding area.
Bai Linxun specifically emphasized that the Medicine Garden was forbidden territory for the Bai Family. Without the permission of the Family Head or Ancestor, any trespasser was viewed as a thief.
It was well-known that the Bai Family had an excellent Medicine Garden, supposedly capable of cultivating Second-tier Spirit Plants, considered a core family asset.
Unfortunately, the family had many medicinal materials but no alchemist of their own.
Refining elixir pills required mana.
Within Dusk Valley, over two hundred people were present, but only a few had Spirit Roots. Yet, either their Cultivation Talent was poor, with insufficient Divine Sense to refine Second-Tier Elixirs, or they were simply too inept in the path of alchemy.
They had no choice but to continue collaborating with outsiders.
Currently, besides him, there was another Second-tier Alchemist, who was the person previously in Lake View Tower, named Zhangsun Miao, who had been living in Dusk Valley for two years.
The so-called Fire Veins were basically the Earth’s Fire. The Bai Family possessed a First Rank superior Spirit Vein, plus a branch of Second-tier Fire Veins, enabling them to pass down their heritage for hundreds of years.
The Alchemy Workshop wasn’t large, only consisting of seven or eight stone houses, with half of them still empty.
Under the guidance of the other party, Chen Sansi entered a stone house where a teenage girl had already prepared in advance.
"Mr. Xiao, allow me to explain the rules."
Bai Linxun explained, "Next, this niece here will assist Mr. Xiao in alchemy. She will throw the elixir pills into the Pill Furnace and inform you of each step’s heat. However, during the process, you must blindfold yourself and cannot peek at the materials."