75: Chapter 75: Elder Zhang Joins the Mu Family 75: Chapter 75: Elder Zhang Joins the Mu Family “Open it quickly and see.” Mu Can looked at the excited Zhang Lao and pointed to the small jade bottle as he spoke.

“Yes, Zhang Lao, open it and take a look.” The apothecary’s assistant also looked at Zhang Lao with anticipation.

He knew about the incident and realized that the elixir in front of him might be the one to treat Zhang Lao’s illness.

The apothecary assistant had complex feelings towards Mu Can, ranging from initial disdain to current admiration and even reverence.

This is how it is in the Mortal World, where strength is revered, and it is why Alchemists are particularly respected.

Otherwise, members of the Alchemist Association wouldn’t carry themselves with such pride.

Zhang Lao took a deep breath to compose himself and gently opened the small jade bottle on the table.

As soon as the bottle was opened, a refreshing fragrance wafted out, permeating the entire second floor with a unique aroma.

A half-black, half-white elixir was poured into the palm of Zhang Lao’s hand.

At this moment, tears streamed down Zhang Lao’s face, and his wrinkled face was covered with tears.

It was not just the joy of being able to heal the soul, but also the tears of extreme happiness from an Alchemist who, after twenty years, saw hope of practicing Alchemy again.

The apothecary’s assistant was also in tears at this moment.

He was an orphan who had been left to fend for himself on the streets.

If it weren’t for Zhang Lao’s rescue, he might have died on the streets long ago, and he had always regarded Zhang Lao as a father.

“Indeed, it is the Yin Yang Balance Pill.” Zhang Lao said to himself as he looked at the elixir in his palm.

According to the records in the books, the Yin Yang Balance Pill is half black, half white, smooth as jade, and emits a fragrant aroma when exposed to the air.

What Zhang Lao didn’t know was that this unique aroma was the result of the Soul Power being materialized and released by the auxiliary ingredients in the pill.

It could also be described as the scent of the soul.

“Zhang Lao, quickly take this elixir.” Mu Can watched Zhang Lao with a gentle smile always on his face.

Zhang Lao held the elixir and slowly walked over to Mu Can, bending his body and bowing deeply to him.

“What are you doing, Zhang Lao?

I cannot accept this.” Mu Can quickly helped Zhang Lao up.

“If it weren’t for your assistance, I would have never known if I could ever return to the path of Alchemy in this lifetime.

This bow, you truly deserve.

I am willing to guard the Mu Family for you,”

said Zhang Lao, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Mu Can.

“Please take the elixir first.

If the Yin Yang Balance Pill is exposed for too long, it will affect its efficacy,” Mu Can hurriedly said.

The unique aroma was the result of the overflow of Soul Power, and indeed, if left too long, it would cause some loss of medicinal efficacy.

Zhang Lao gently placed the elixir in his mouth, and his slow movements were filled with a sense of ceremony.

At this moment, what he was consuming wasn’t just an elixir, but a hope, a hope that would allow him to become an Alchemist again.

As the elixir entered his mouth, its fragrance instantly filled his entire palate, slowly rolling down into his abdomen.

Zhang Lao felt a slight warmth in his lower abdomen.

A strength spread from his belly to his entire body.

“Ah.” Zhang Lao felt as if his entire body, like an infant in warm water, was so comfortable that he hummed contentedly.

“It’s changed, it has changed.” The apothecary’s assistant exclaimed joyfully, seeing the black marks on Zhang Lao’s face starting to fade.

As the efficacy of the medicine took effect, the marks on Zhang Lao’s face gradually faded, signifying that the chaotic powers of the soul were being harmoniously integrated.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the markings on Zhang Lao’s face had all disappeared.

Upon opening his eyes, an air of might rose from Zhang Lao, and his Cultivation actually progressed from the mid-phase of the Martial King Realm to the late-phase.

It seems that the healing of Soul Power has also taken Zhang Lao’s cultivation a step further.

After another half a stick of incense’s time, Zhang Lao slowly opened his eyes, the black markings on his face had all disappeared, and even the wrinkles had been greatly reduced.

“Congratulations to Zhang Lao for returning to the Alchemy Dao,” Mu Can said as he saw Zhang Lao’s appearance and offered his congratulations.

“Thank you, young friend.” Zhang Lao stood up, giving a deep bow once again.

Mu Can helped Zhang Lao up, asking with a joyful face, “What level of strength does Zhang Lao have now?”

“By sheer luck, I’ve reached the peak of the Martial King Realm,” Zhang Lao’s face also revealed a hint of joy.

He hadn’t expected that after nearly twenty years of torment from the Yin Yang imbalance, he would still be able to reach the peak of the Martial King Realm.

For every loss, there is a gain, and for every gain, there’s a loss.

After suffering from headaches for these twenty years, who could have imagined that once the turbulent Soul Energy was restored to normal, even his cultivation level would rise a notch.

“Why doesn’t Zhang Lao try his hand at alchemy?” Mu Can suggested.

Zhang Lao’s eyes brightened; Mu Can’s suggestion had indeed made his hands itch.

He gently took out the Alchemy Cauldron he had kept hidden and placed it on the table.

The Alchemy Cauldron looked spotlessly clean; clearly, its owner often took it out to wipe it.

As the cauldron was opened and the fire started, a series of dazzling operations followed, and four Gathering Spirit Pills appeared in Zhang Lao’s hands.

By successfully creating four pills in one go, Zhang Lao showed Mu Can the true strength of a Pill Master from the Mortal World.

“Passable,” Zhang Lao observed the elixirs in his hand and slowly spoke.

“Ha ha ha, in my lifetime, I’ve finally returned to the Alchemy Dao,” Zhang Lao laughed heartily, immensely pleased.

“Congratulations to Zhang Lao,” Mu Can also congratulated him at just the right moment.

Zhang Lao handed over the Spirit Pills in his hand to Mu Can.

“Young friend, I will go with you to the Mu Family now, at last I can practice alchemy again.”

His tone was filled with pleasure, much like a drunkard who has been deprived of liquor for more than twenty years and sees it once again.

“Ha ha,” Mu Can also laughed heartily.

When words turned into action, and after handing the Jade Box to Mu Can, Zhang Lao began his journey of relocation.

For a cultivator, moving was a piece of cake, and the value of a storage tool was indeed displayed in the ease of moving.

Zhang Lao’s arrival made the Mu Family’s Elder beam with joy; the significance of a Pill Master to a family was self-evident.

Even more so, this Pill Master was also a peak Martial King Realm expert.

Zhang Lao completely filled the biggest gap the Mu Family currently had.

After the disappearance of the Mu Family’s old ancestor, the Mu Family’s top combat power had already begun to dwindle, completely losing the deterrent effect against other families.

Now it was different.

With Zhang Lao, it was as if they had an anchor stabilizing the sea.

During this time, an ample supply of elixirs could also allow the Mu Family’s young and strong generation to grow rapidly.

With the Elder’s deliberate hospitality, Zhang Lao did not stand on ceremony either, and so host and guest were both thoroughly pleased.

In the end, it was decided to build a Pill Tower next to Zimu Cliff for Zhang Lao.

Until the Mu Family fully regained its strength, Zhang Lao would stay there, protect the Mu Family, and provide some necessary elixirs for the younger generation.

After all, he had come to express gratitude, and Zhang Lao readily agreed.

The Elder’s gaze towards Mu Can grew even more fervent; his most favored junior had managed to invite a true Alchemist to reside in the Mu Family, what an incredibly challenging feat.

PS: I continue to wish everyone a happy new year; as the novel has reached this point, we are entering the solo period.

I will persist and finish telling this story.