Just as Lu Chuan was about to touch Lu Li to confirm whether she was really a man, the system spoke up.
"Congratulations, host, on completing the mission.
Rewards have been issued: Encyclopedia of Alchemy
Alchemy Technique Beginner's Guide
Point store update."
In an instant, Lu Chuan's mind was flooded with knowledge about alchemy, from identifying the cultivation of spirit herbs to knowing which herbs and quantities were needed for pill refinement. He could recite all of this information effortlessly.
Although his practical skills in Alchemy Technique were only at the beginner's stage, he already had extensive theoretical knowledge of alchemy.
Lu Chuan's current true strength was at the Foundation Building Late Stage, but he appeared to be only at the Qi Refining Late Stage on the surface.
To upgrade to the Golden Core realm, he needed the pill required for the breakthrough to the correstponding stage, which was extremely rare even in the Immortal Gate. Lu Chuan couldn't openly ask his sect master for it, so he could only secretly refine it himself.
He didn't know the success rate, but it was easy for him to refine the pills needed for the Foundation Building Stage, while the pills mentioned earlier required a bit more effort.
"System, what's this update in the point store?"
"Considering the host's diligent completion of tasks, here are some small benefits for you.
The distribution method for villain points has changed, and the items in the store are more practical.
As long as the host is by the protagonist's side and makes the protagonist feel negative emotions, the system will distribute points. These points can be used to purchase pills and other items that the host's current level requires."
Opening the store, Lu Chuan's eyes fell on the Origin Returning Pill, Qi Condensation Pill, Heavenly Origin Pill, and various detoxification pills and items from Earth.
The Origin Returning Pill was used to heal flesh wounds, the Qi Condensation Pill could restore spiritual energy, and the Heavenly Origin Pill could heal spiritual trauma.
These three types of pills were essential for cultivators, and they were all available in the system store, ready to be purchased at any time.
This gave Lu Chuan some confidence in surviving in the cultivation world.
If I can't defeat my enemies, I can just consume pills until they're worn out.
"Host, the pills in the system store are of good quality and affordable. They only cost ten points. Hurry up and make the protagonist feel miserable."
Lu Chuan felt Lu Li moving in his arms and quickly put away the system.
"Senior Brother Lu Chuan, what just happened? How...how did I end up being held by you?"
When Lu Li spoke, she couldn't meet Lu Chuan's gaze. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks as her soft body rubbed against his. Lu Li wanted to break free from Lu Chuan's embrace.
From childhood to adulthood, Lu Li had never had any contact with men other than her father and two older brothers, let alone being held in someone's arms.
Lu Li felt her face burning hot, her forehead feeling heavy, she wanted to find a place to hide.
"I am a man, I am a man..." Lu Li reassured herself.
With her soft and fragrant hair, delicate and youthful face, and the blush on her face due to shyness, Lu Chuan couldn't help but feel infatuated.
Luckily, he was now a cultivator at the Foundation Building Stage, with far greater control over his body than an ordinary person. Otherwise, he would suspect that he would have a reaction at this moment.
Damn it! Does that mean I can accept anyone as long as they are cute and beautiful, even if they are a man?
No, I am a serious person! I absolutely won't engage in any male-male CP with the protagonist.
Are all those fairies who like the male lead in the novel just shota-con?
To change his mood, Lu Chuan wanted to try earning points from Lu Li.
As long as Lu Li felt negative emotions, it would be enough.
"Lu Li, you're so weak, you can't even withstand this bit of pressure. How can you become a capable man like this? I'm a bit disappointed in you."
"Senior Brother Lu Chuan is right," Lu Li showed weakness.
When Lu Li heard Lu Chuan say that she couldn't become a capable man, she knew that her identity as a woman hadn't been exposed. She immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
There might be spies sent by her imperial brothers in the Immortal Gate. If her identity as a woman was exposed, she might be hunted down by assassins.
'Besides, I can't withstand the pressure of a Saint. It's really impressive that Senior Brother protected me in his arms. Senior Brother really thinks highly of me.'
Lu Chuan waited for the system prompt, but there was no familiar sound for a long time.
'What's going on? Is the system not daring to make a sound in front of the protagonist? Could it be that Lu Li didn't feel any negative emotions? Could it be that he's a masochist?'
Thinking of the original work's Lin Qingxue, who was not the gentle and kind elder sister he was familiar with, but a cold and icy female sword immortal, Lu Li's fondness for her in the original work came to mind.
The credibility of Lu Li being a masochist increased a bit.
"Lu Li, stop daydreaming. Have you forgotten what Elder Wang Song said before? Hurry up and leave the Sacred Land."
Is Senior Brother Lu Chuan actually concerned about me?
Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, with a good heart but a harsh mouth.
Lu Li thought of her own master.
"No wonder Master took a liking to Senior Brother Lu Chuan, their personalities are so similar," Luoli thought to herself.
Lu Chuan was unaware of Lu Li's thoughts, as he was still waiting for the system to allocate him points.
As they emerged from the Sacred Land, they found a crowd of people outside, including not only the previous disciples of the Immortal Gate, but even some elders who rarely left their seclusion.
'Is there a conference going on?' Lu Chuan wondered.
Seeing the two of them emerge unharmed from the Sacred Land, Lin Qingxue hurriedly ran towards them.
Lu Li had thought that Master was worried about her and had prepared a few words to appease her.
But who could have expected that her beautiful Master would completely ignore her and instead run straight for Lu Chuan.
"Lu Chuan, what happened in the Sacred Land? Are you okay?" Lin Qingxue reached out her slender hand to touch Lu Chuan's face.
In that instant of contact, Lu Chuan felt a surge of energy. He felt Lin Qingxue's hand was as cold as ice.
Lin Qingxue was very worried about him.
"In the Sacred Land, the Patriarch just spoke to us. We're fine," Lu Chuan said softly.
Elder Wang Song also came to their side, excitedly asking, "So it really was Patriarch Li Luo! What did he say to you?"
Lu Li replied, "Elder Wang, I fainted at that time, so, it was only Senior Lu Chuan who had a conversation with the Patriarch. If you want to know, you should ask him."
After coming out, Lu Li felt that her body had undergone some changes.
Her body felt lighter, her thoughts became clearer, and she found herself thinking faster.
She even had a feeling that her cultivation speed must have increased significantly compared to before.
Clearly, there hadn't been such a big change when she finished her meditation, so she was curious about what had happened after she fainted.
"It definitely wasn't something good," Nangong Xi muttered.
Nangong Xi saw Lu Chuan tightly holding the hand of his goddess, and thought about how he hadn't even touched Lin Qingxue in so many years. He suddenly felt a surge of anger, his face turning green with jealousy.
"Nangong Xi, you better keep quiet," Elder Wang shouted at Nangong Xi. He was eager to know what the Patriarch had said in the Sacred Land.
After all, the Patriarch was the founder of the Immortal Gate and the creator of the cultivation techniques. He hadn't appeared for tens of thousands of years, but he came out specifically to meet Lu Chuan.
Everyone present had their attention focused on Lu Chuan.
Lu Chuan recounted the Patriarch's gift of the complete version of the "Longqing Jue" in the Sacred Land and the matter of the Patriarch giving Lu Li the "Bone-Cleansing and Marrow-Washing Technique," but he concealed the fact that he had drained the Dao Rhyme and that the Patriarch had given him the golden talisman.
"Who is Lu Chuan, for the Founder to personally pass on his teachings?"
"I've heard about him a some time ago. He is a disciple of the sect master and previously defeated the prestigious disciple Sima Dong and won the inner sect's new student competition."
"I've also heard about him. I thought he only had talent in martial arts, but I didn't expect his talent in cultivation to be so extraordinary."
"Don't forget, he comprehended in the Sacred Land this time and persisted until the end! No wonder the founder took notice of him."
After hearing what Lu Chuan said, the crowd around them went from quiet to noisy, and everyone was enthusiastically discussing Lu Chuan.
Luo Li expressed her gratitude, saying, "Indeed, Senior Brother Lu Chuan, I am not as good as you in swordsmanship, and I am far behind you in the cultivation of the Dao. I am also indebted to senior brother for the great benefits I have received. I will never forget this favor."
When the founder was passing on the teachings to Lu Chuan, Lu Li was by his side, so the founder also took special care of her.
Cleansing the meridians and refining the marrow is the dream of every cultivator who has just stepped into the path of cultivation. It requires the collection of more than a dozen types of millennium spirit grasses in order to achieve the effect of the Qi Refining Stage, and the conditions are extremely demanding.
"I envy Lu Li. If I had been by Senior brother Lu Chuan's side at that time, maybe I could have also received the founder's rewards."
"Actually, I've always thought that Lu Chuan senior brother is very handsome. I'm going to take the initiative to approach him next time."
"Forget it, Lu Li's time of comprehension in the Sacred Land is almost the same as Lu Chuan's. Could you have persisted as long as him?"
Several female cultivators who participated in the comprehension of the Sacred Land admired Lu Chuan greatly and were extremely envious of Luo Li, expressing their sighs around them.
"It's good as long as nothing happens."
Lin Qingxue heard many female disciples, and even young and beautiful female elders, showing interest in Lu Chuan, so she advised Lu Chuan.
"After today, Lu Chuan, don't let yourself be trapped by love affairs, especially wasting time and talent on matters between men and women, disappointing the favor of the founder."
Nang Gongxi refused to accept reality and still retorted, "Hmph, it's just luck. Lu Chuan happened to be present when the founder was passing on his teachings. Maybe the founder came to see my disciple."
As a mentor who boasted about his disciples but was inferior to others, he was thoroughly slapped in the face!
Many elders and disciples who couldn't stand Nan Gongxi's behavior let out a sigh of relief when they saw his helpless retort and his livid face.
Wang Song, who had been silent for a long time, was contemplating how to ask Lu Chuan to contribute the complete version of the "Changqing Jue".
If Immortal Gate had the complete version of the "Changqing Jue", the sect's strength would definitely rise by more than one level.
If it really couldn't be done, he could reluctantly accept this son-in-law with boundless prospects for the sake of his daughter.
Su Lianlian, hidden in the crowd, saw all of this and revealed a malicious smile.
"Interesting. Lu Chuan, you have surprised me for the second time."
Su Lianlian's undercover plan was finally making progress.