They even stole the medicine meant for feeding dogs.

Guided by Zu Xianxian, Qi Yuan successfully entered the Pill Saint Sect, which was extremely mysterious to outside Cultivators.

Mountains and peaks overlapped, ancient trees towered into the clouds, and even the air was permeated with faint traces of the fragrance of Medicinal Pills.

A stream, winding like a jade belt, flowed through a vast expanse of lush bamboo forest, murmuring as it went, while various rare and exotic beasts played and flew about from time to time—a scene of pure tranquility and beauty.

Beside the stream stood a stone Immortal Cave with an ancient style and vast area.

"Brother Qi, this is my Great-Grandfather's Pill Room. He is currently inside practicing Alchemy. You wait here first, I will go in and announce your arrival."

Arriving at the door, Zu Xianxian gave Qi Yuan a sweet smile, then ran lightly into the interior of the Immortal Cave.

Qi Yuan smiled and nodded. After watching her disappear, he began to examine the surrounding environment.

He didn't expect that the dignified Pill Saint, Zu Chengzhi, would live in such a simple place, which could even be called shabby. He was clearly a fanatic obsessed with the Dao of Alchemy.

Just now on the road, he had only described to Zu Xianxian some so-called investigative techniques he had seen in TV dramas from his previous life, which immediately caused the young girl to regard him as a celestial being, and her favorability visibly skyrocketed, practically treating him as an idol.

This also allowed Qi Yuan to completely relax. Even if the Pill Saint was unsociable, he would surely give some face to a guest brought back by his great-granddaughter and Personal Disciple, right?

"Woof, woof, woof—"

Just at this moment, several happy barks suddenly came from not far away. Qi Yuan followed the sound and saw a black-furred spirit dog wagging its tail, running over excitedly.

This Qi Refining level 7 spirit dog was about a foot in size and looked a bit like a pastoral dog from his previous life, but its fur was pure black, and there was a crescent-shaped silver mark on its forehead, making it look quite spirited.

The little black dog was not big, but its movements were extremely agile. In an instant, it darted to Qi Yuan's feet, raised its neck, and started wagging its tail frantically, seemingly begging for food.

Being able to pass through the Restriction outside the Immortal Cave and appear here, this silly dog clearly had a background. Qi Yuan thought for a moment, then took out a bottle of Qi Gathering pills from his storage bracelet and tossed one on the ground.

This kind of Medicinal Pill was of no use to him, but the dog system had previously determined that he was in the Qi Refinement Stage and frantically issued top-grade Qi Gathering pills as mission rewards, causing him to inexplicably obtain a huge pile of them.

It wasn't any better now. Ever since he entered the Foundation Establishment Realm, the dog system finally stopped force-feeding him top-grade Qi Gathering pills, and the rewards changed to top-grade Foundation Cultivation Pills, which were still useless...

"Woof, woof, woof—"

Just as he was secretly complaining, the spirit dog had already picked up the Qi Gathering pill from the ground and ate it.

After eating this Qi Gathering pill, the little black dog immediately revealed a human-like look of enjoyment, and then, as if currying favor, rubbed its whole head against Qi Yuan's pant leg, its tail wagging even more happily.

Qi Yuan found it interesting, so he simply took out two more Qi Gathering pills and threw them on the ground.

Just at this moment, a loud shout suddenly came from his ear:

"Young man, wait!"

What?

Before he could react, a figure flashed past his eyes, and with lightning speed, picked up the Medicinal Pills on the ground.

Qi Yuan looked closely. The person in front of him had graying hair, was about sixty years old, wore a washed-out gray cloth Daoist robe, was short and thin, and was unremarkable, the type you would absolutely never find in a crowd.

At this moment, this strange old man stared fixedly at the two top-grade Qi Gathering pills in his hand, his eyes filled with heat and excitement, just like a stray dog that had been hungry for many days suddenly seeing a meat bun.

"Woo, woo, woo—"

The little black dog, whose Medicinal Pill had been snatched away, immediately got anxious and started baring its teeth and snarling at the old man, until it was picked up by the arriving Zu Xianxian and held in her arms, while she scolded:

"Black Tooth, do not be rude to Great-Grandfather."

Ah?

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was immediately shocked, having the feeling of an idol collapsing in front of him.

He didn't expect that the famous Pill Saint Zu Chengzhi would be like this. It was one thing for his appearance to look ordinary, but to even snatch the Medicinal Pill fed to a dog...

The old man, while twisting his handlebar mustache, muttered to himself:

"This poor Daoist did not misjudge. Good pill, good pill indeed! Although it is only the lowest level Qi Gathering pill, whether it is the Materials, the heat, or the method of refining, it is flawless and has no defects."

"Because the medicinal properties are firmly locked in the pill, the effect of these two Qi Gathering pills is several times stronger than ordinary top-grade Qi Gathering pills. What is even more valuable is that these two Medicinal Pills do not have even a trace of pill poison."

"Miraculous skill, truly miraculous skill!"

Seeing this scene, Qi Yuan didn't know what to do. He wanted to go up and say hello but felt awkward.

After all, the man had just told him to "wait", and he had still thrown the Medicinal Pills on the ground, causing the dignified Pill Saint to personally lie on the ground to pick up the Medicinal Pills. It was indeed a bit unseemly.

Just as he was hesitating, Zu Chengzhi had already set his eyes on him and said with excitement:

"This little friend, where did you get this Medicinal Pill? Can you tell this old man?"

"Also, if you are willing to part with it as a gift, this old man will definitely reward you heavily!"

So it was because the quality of the Medicinal Pill given by the System was too perfect that it caught Zu Chengzhi's attention!

Realizing this, Qi Yuan suddenly understood.

As expected of a System product, it was terrifying. Even the most basic Qi Gathering pill could make a Pill Master show this expression. It was simply freaking awesome!

"Ahem, Senior is too polite. It's just two Qi Gathering pills, not worth mentioning. Please feel free to accept them. As for the origin of the Medicinal Pill..."

Qi Yuan hesitated slightly and casually prevaricated: "These Medicinal Pills were obtained by this Junior by chance from an ancient ruin. This Junior also does not know their specific origin."

"Is that so?" Zu Chengzhi looked at him with a smile that wasn't a smile. "This poor Daoist can guarantee with his life that this pill has definitely not been out of the furnace for more than a year. Isn't your ancient ruin a bit too new?"

Damn it, truly worthy of being a professional. He saw through the flaw at a glance.

Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly bit the bullet and explained:

"Senior's Wisdom Eye is like a torch, this Junior admires you. Actually, the Great Master who refined the Alchemy once told this Junior not to reveal their identity, so this Junior had to choose to hide it. I hope Senior will forgive me."

"No matter."

Zu Chengzhi nodded understandingly, then said with a face full of admiration:

"Indeed, there are mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people. Compared to the mysterious Great Master you mentioned, I, this so-called Pill Saint, am like a clown, not worth mentioning."

"There is a saying: If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening. If one day I could get to know that Alchemy expert and listen to their teachings, this poor Daoist would have no regrets in this life."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan scratched his head helplessly.

Good heavens, asking the System to take him as an apprentice? Has this Pill Saint lost his mind?