"No matter what, the child must attend Second High School."
"I married into your Ge Family, working like a horse for over ten years. Now I have just this one request, and if you don't agree, I'll cause trouble every day."
The voice of a woman, loud and slightly reminiscent of a shrew, rang out.
As Lu Yuan tried to listen more closely,
the courtyard gate opened.
A middle-aged couple came out, the man bearing a slight resemblance to the old Ge master.
Without a doubt, the two were father and son.
As for the woman, the answer was naturally evident.
They merely glanced at Lu Yuan, said nothing, and left on their own.
Seeing this, he did not inquire further and walked directly into the courtyard: "Old Master Ge, I've come again."
Not far away, the old master's face looked somewhat displeased, but upon seeing Lu Yuan, he relaxed slightly and said directly, "Xiao Lu, watch over my medicine for me."
After speaking, he ignored the latter's reaction and went straight into the house.
Lu Yuan smiled and began tending to the medicine stove.
Beside it,
the Meridian Heaven-Repairing Furnace he needed was still piled up in the corner.
After a long time, the old master finally emerged from the room, holding a bankbook, his brows furrowed as if faced with some difficulty.
But he did not speak, approaching Lu Yuan: "Xiao Lu, I've lived for decades and know there's no unexplained kindness. You've been helping out every day lately; there must be something you need, just say it. As long as it's not excessive, I will consider it."
Being in one's sixties or seventies, if you can't see through such things, it would be a life lived in vain.
"To be honest, Old Master, I have a particular fondness for collecting ancient artifacts."
Lu Yuan didn't hesitate to say, "I quite like your medicine stove. I hope you can part with it; the price can be discussed."
Since he had already broached the topic, there was no need to hide anything.
"It's not about the money."
The old master shook his head, bringing out the Meridian Heaven-Repairing Furnace: "This has been passed down in my family for countless years. For anyone else, I wouldn't give it away. But since you want it, take it."
Although the interaction was short, he could tell the young man in front of him was decent.
Otherwise, who would be so patient to come here every day?
Just to help an old man?
Completely impossible.
As for money, though he needed it, he genuinely didn't care much.
"Thank you, Old Master."
Hearing this, Lu Yuan nodded, knowing that using money wouldn't persuade him.
However, he understood the concept of reciprocating favors, so after a brief thought, he said, "I know you have a granddaughter, Old Master. She just graduated from elementary school, right? Is she planning to attend Second High School in Hu City?"
"You heard all that?"
The old master nodded: "Yes, Second High has better educational resources. That's my daughter-in-law's idea, but our family doesn't have a Hu City residency, so it's difficult."
"Difficult because you haven't found the right help. Why not ask if I have a way?" Lu Yuan smiled.
"Oh? You have connections?"
The old master was taken aback, knowing that such schools typically required connections to get in.
"Not really."
"Then...?"
"I have money."
"...."
Upon hearing this, the old master sighed.
He truly didn't want to accept, but his daughter-in-law had made such a fuss that he had no other choice.
In the end, he stood up silently, went back inside, and took out an ancient book to hand to Lu Yuan: "This is a family heirloom, said to contain methods for alchemy and medicine. I've studied it for many years without understanding it, initially intending to pass it to my son."
"But in today's society, traditional Chinese medicine is outdated, so if you're interested, you can have it."
"Thank you, Old Master."
Looking at the ancient book in his hand,
Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile.
Indeed, it documented Immortal Ge's alchemy techniques.
And to effectively use the Meridian Heaven-Repairing Furnace, this book was absolutely essential.
It was also one of his objectives.
Though it wasn't useful now, once the mutation began and the new era arrived, it would have unimaginable value.
"I should be thanking you."
The old master waved his hand, sitting back down to brew medicine.
The old and the young chatted for a long time, though Lu Yuan was mostly the listener.
Before leaving, he said one last thing: "Old Master, if you ever need help, you can contact me."
He had already given his number to the old man earlier.
The reason for his offer was also to establish a good relationship.
Another point was that Lu Yuan vaguely remembered the old master's granddaughter gaining some fame in the future.
Perhaps they might cross paths in the future, and he could lend a helping hand.
Very soon,
Lu Yuan drove away without stopping anywhere and headed straight home.
He had completed everything he needed in Hu City, and next was to acquire the last two items.
But before that, some preparation was required.
The mutation was drawing closer.
Just as Manager Lin had said before, the outside world was chaotic; it was necessary to have the ability to protect oneself.
Upon returning home,
Lu Yuan first placed the eleven-story pagoda in the basement.
Then he filled a basin with clear water and placed the Meridian Heaven-Repairing Furnace on the table.
The furnace looked ordinary, quite old, and even inside, seemed covered with a thick layer of dust and dark impurities.
If it were anyone else, they would surely attempt to clean it.
But upon seeing those impurities, Lu Yuan's eyes were filled with an irrepressible smile: "The Meridian Heaven-Repairing Furnace was used by Immortal Ge for alchemy. After each successful batch, some essence would remain within the furnace. Though these essences have existed for millennia, they are still effective."
"All that's needed is to dissolve them with clear water, then pour it into a bath to temper the body and enhance physical fitness."
In the previous era, his ability to temporarily stand his ground in the New Era was due to these Elixir Essences.
They were one of the few things discovered that could affect the body before the global mutation.
With them,
Lu Yuan was confident he could gain a superhuman physique in a short time.
And if he succeeded, when the mutation came, he would gain even more benefits.
At this moment, he said nothing more.
Following familiar methods, he dissolved the Elixir Essences with clear water.
He then filled the bathtub, and when it was ready, poured in the water from the furnace.
The water now emitted a slight fragrance, and a careful look revealed wisps of purple light shimmering on its surface, looking extremely mystical and special.
After all, Immortal Ge is a legendary Immortal.
"Now, it's time to begin."
Lu Yuan took a deep breath and, without hesitation, immersed his whole body into it, even submerging his head.
This night marked the day of his first transformation!