Li Yundong's casual remark immediately piqued everyone's curiosity. Rong Jun burst into laughter, his eyes filled with derision: "Dragon liver and phoenix gall?

Where in this world would such a thing exist?" Shen Wancai also spoke, curiosity lacing his tone, "Young Master Li, can you conjure up dragon liver and phoenix gall?" Li Yundong merely smiled, "What's stopping me?" With a flip of his hand, the onlookers saw a tiny, thumb-sized, pitch-black pill resting in his palm. Li Yundong announced, "This is the dragon liver and phoenix gall!" The crowd erupted in laughter.

"Are you joking? What kind of dragon liver and phoenix gall is this?" Rong Jun scoffed dismissively, "This is dragon liver and phoenix gall?

Do you take us all for fools?" Li Yundong, however, spoke with utter seriousness, "Has anyone here ever seen a dragon?" The assembled group froze, exchanging bewildered glances. Li Yundong then asked, "Then has anyone seen a phoenix?" Rong Jun said, clearly displeased, "Have you seen one, then?" Li Yundong raised the pill high in his hand and chuckled, "I have seen them, or rather, this is the immortal elixir crafted from dragon liver and phoenix gall.

Taking it grants longevity." No one believed him, offering only shakes of their heads and amused smiles. Some, mindful of Shen Wancai's presence, refrained from speaking harshly, but Rong Jun just guffawed, "This thing is dull and black; are you sure it won't kill someone?" Su Chan, standing nearby, blinked as she gazed at the small pill.

A thought surfaced secretly in her mind: Isn't this Sister Ziyuan's Nine-Revolving Jade Dew Pill? Hearing Rong Jun's barb, Li Yundong showed no irritation.

He simply smiled at the crowd and said, "Whether it kills someone or not, won't we know if someone tries it?" The pill was so dark, and its origin and ingredients utterly unknown. Though the "Young Master Li" so highly regarded by Shen Wancai claimed it was dragon liver and phoenix gall...

who would believe it? Rong Jun inwardly sneered: I might as well claim I was raised on dragon liver and phoenix gall!

Who is he trying to fool? Seeing that not a single person dared to test the medicine—not even Shen Wancai, who merely chuckled idly from the sidelines—Li Yundong smiled again and returned the pill to his storage.

The little girl looked upon the surrounding people with utter disdain. She snorted inwardly, muttering, Dragon liver and phoenix gall cannot compare to this Nine-Revolving Jade Dew Pill!

Aside from the Three Supreme Immortal Elixirs, this is a First-Grade Immortal Elixir, priceless! These people pass up such a superb elixir—they truly don't know quality when they see it!

When Rong Jun saw Li Yundong putting the pill away again, he couldn't resist pressing, "Didn't you say you were going to conjure dragon liver and phoenix gall?" Li Yundong feigned surprise, "But I already did! What I just showed you was the dragon liver and phoenix gall!" Rong Jun mocked, "Do you think we are three-year-old children?

If that counts as immortal magic, then I can do it too!" Li Yundong smiled and said meaningfully, "Precisely because no one has ever seen dragon liver and phoenix gall, when I present the real thing, no one is willing to believe it. Can you blame me for that?" Rong Jun started to scoff again, but Shen Wancai couldn't help but laugh loudly, mediating the situation.

"Alright, alright, Young Master Li was just joking with everyone. Don't take offense." Seeing Shen Wancai intervene, the others joined in the laughter and soon dispersed.

Shen Wancai noticed that Li Yundong watched the departing crowd with an expression devoid of embarrassment or anger. Instead, his gaze was filled with a profound, meaningful sense of reflection and a detachment bordering on pity for the masses, as if a celestial being were looking down upon the fleeting lives of mortals, lamenting their foolishness and sympathizing with their ignorance.

This look struck Shen Wancai deeply. A thought moved him, and he instinctively asked, "Young Master Li, that thing you mentioned...

is it truly dragon liver and phoenix gall?" Li Yundong smiled and looked at Shen Wancai, saying, "Mr. Shen, why don't you try it?" Shen Wancai hesitated, but in that moment of indecision, Li Yundong chuckled, "Never mind, I was truly joking.

Please don't take offense, Mr. Shen." Shen Wancai laughed it off with a slight chuckle, "Young Master Li is truly amusing..." Yet, not long after, he asked again, "Young Master Li, I have a question I wish to ask.

May I?" Li Yundong smiled, "Is there anything you cannot ask?" Shen Wancai considered for a moment, then stated very seriously, "Are there truly immortals in this world?" Li Yundong paused, "Mr. Shen, why the sudden question?" Shen Wancai spoke with a touch of melancholy, "After attending the Di San Xian ceremony last time, I was privileged to witness your astonishing divine skill, Young Master Li.

It made me realize how vast the world is, how many wonders exist, and how many hidden talents abound! Since returning, I have constantly pondered what I saw that day.

I even privately consulted several magicians, and they all assured me such feats are impossible through mere stage trickery. That's why I concluded they must be immortal arts, things that shouldn't exist in the mortal realm." "Yet, I saw them with my own eyes!

This leads me to suspect that immortals do exist in this world, and that both you and Immortal Ziyuan are living gods!" Shen Wancai said earnestly to Li Yundong, "Young Master Li, can you tell me, are there really immortals in this world?" Li Yundong felt a wave of empathy. Hadn't he himself, once upon a time, been just like Shen Wancai—suddenly confronted with a power that transcended worldly logic, causing him to doubt and question his previous understanding?

Li Yundong smiled and replied, "Ge Hong once said: In the myriad things under heaven, what is there not? Especially when immortal beings fill the bamboo scrolls.

If the path to immortality exists, why should it be absent? In essence, all manner of things happen in this world, and immortals are certainly among them.

We cannot use our limited comprehension to measure an infinite world and conclude that what we haven't witnessed or encountered does not exist." Shen Wancai sighed slightly and nodded, "That makes sense! In the past, I would have dismissed such talk as nonsense.

But after witnessing Immortal Ziyuan's abilities at the Tea Art Competition and your skills at Di San Xian, I realize I have been living like a frog at the bottom of a well!" With that, Shen Wancai turned back to Li Yundong with utmost gravity, "Then... Young Master Li, are you an immortal?" Li Yundong let out an involuntary laugh, "Me?

Of course not!" Although Shen Wancai had anticipated this answer, he still asked with a hint of disappointment, "Then who in this world are the immortals? And where did you learn your abilities, Young Master Li?" Li Yundong smiled and pulled Su Chan forward, saying, "She is my initial mentor!" Shen Wancai looked at the delicate, beautiful young girl and found it hard to believe she was Li Yundong's primary teacher.

However, seeing the seriousness in Li Yundong's expression, he remarked with genuine surprise, "Truly, one cannot judge by appearance; knowledge recognizes no seniority, and the capable deserve to be teachers!" Su Chan looked slightly embarrassed, giggling, "Oh, no, I didn't teach him much!" Then, she looked up at Li Yundong with clear admiration and worship, adding, "I only taught him a little bit of cultivation practice before, but now he has become incredibly, incredibly strong—far more powerful than me!" Shen Wancai exclaimed with admiration, "That still speaks to a great teacher producing a brilliant student!" Su Chan didn't try to take the credit, smiling cheerfully, "No, Sister Ziyuan is the true master. If there are immortals in this world, I believe she is one of them!" Shen Wancai clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "I agree, absolutely agree!

Miss Ziyuan certainly possesses the aura of an immortal! I don't know what the Moon Goddess Chang'e looks like, but Miss Ziyuan must be even more beautiful than her!" Li Yundong chuckled, "Mr.

Shen, you flatter us too much. I will thank you on Ziyuan's behalf.

But tell me, Mr. Shen, why the sudden inquiry about immortals?" Shen Wancai's smile slowly faded.

He unconsciously touched his left chest, let out a deep sigh, and said, "Young Master Li... you don't understand!

Why is it that almost all wealthy and powerful men in this world are often believers in gods and spirits? When I started from nothing, I never believed in ghosts or gods; I dismissed it all as superstition!

But the wealthier and older I become, the more I start believing in it! Why is that?" Shen Wancai lamented, "Because we fear death!" Shen Wancai gestured toward the opulent hall and the scene of rich indulgence within the villa.

"When I was young and had nothing, dying held little regret. But now, I possess nearly everything a man could desire...

Yet, time and sickness can cruelly snatch away everything I own! I have no means to transcend or resist this!

Even an emperor as mighty and powerful as Emperor Wen of Han would 'pitifully question the spirits in the dead of night rather than concern himself with the common people' because he, too, feared death!" Li Yundong listened silently, saying nothing. Shen Wancai continued, "I heard that Laozi lived over a hundred years, Peng Zu lived eight hundred, and Qingcheng Master Li Babai also lived eight hundred years.

Are these stories true?" Before Li Yundong could answer, Su Chan eagerly interjected, "Of course they are true! They are recorded in various historical accounts; why wouldn't they be true?" Shen Wancai smiled, "In the past, I would certainly have argued that historical records aren't necessarily true.

But now, even if they are false, I desperately wish they were true! Young Master Li, I know you are no ordinary person.

If you know of any method for true immortality, or even just a way to extend life, please tell me. I will reward you handsomely!" Saying this, he turned and beckoned to Shen Hui and Shen You, who had been listening intently nearby.

"You two, come here." Shen You and Shen Hui exchanged a glance, then reluctantly walked over. Shen Wancai addressed Li Yundong with great solemnity, "Young Master Li, I have an audacious request, and I hope you will grant it out of respect for my standing." Li Yundong inwardly sighed bitterly, thinking: Here we go again, another request for discipleship?

Shen Wancai said, "Young Master Li, whether you are an immortal or not, I am deeply impressed by your skills and capabilities. I hope you will take them on as students—even if it means simply having them serve you tea and water by your side every day..." Shen You immediately bristled: His father wants me, the heir to the Shen family, to serve tea and water to someone else?

Are you serious? Shen You couldn't hold back his indignation.

"Dad, how many times do I have to say it? I refuse to become his student!" Shen Hui immediately chimed in, supporting him, "Exactly!

Can't you respect our wishes, Dad?" Shen Wancai shot them a fierce glare. "In this house, I have the final say!" Li Yundong also sighed, saying, "Mr.

Shen, I understand what you mean, but you can't force a melon to ripen. If they are unwilling, forcing others won't help." Shen Wancai grew anxious and started to speak again, but Shen You cut him off, "Did you hear that?

He's right, you can't force things, Dad. Why don't you just leave it alone!" Anger surged into Shen Wancai's face, turning it deep purple.

He began to cough violently, raging, "You two, are you trying to anger me to death?" At this sight, Li Xiaoxian rushed over, gently rubbing Shen Wancai's back. She snapped at Shen You, "Can't you just comply with your father once?" Shen You retorted angrily, "Has he ever once complied with me?" Shen Wancai, his rage fully ignited, bellowed, "You want me to comply with you?

Fine! We'll see when I'm dead!" Shen You was left speechless, his face turning red, and he immediately vented his frustration onto Li Yundong, shouting, "It's all your fault!

If you hadn't come, none of this would be happening! Why must you always oppose me and make things difficult for me?" Shen Hui felt a pang of agreement and added, "Yeah, yeah!

If you hadn't come, everything would be fine!" Seeing the two of them gang up on Li Yundong, Su Chan immediately stepped in front of him, shouting angrily, "You are not allowed to talk to him like that! He wouldn't be here if you hadn't invited him!

You people are ungrateful and keep targeting Yun Dong—it's despicable!" Then, she grabbed Li Yundong's hand and said, "Yun Dong, let's go. Don't lower yourselves to argue with these kinds of people!" Li Yundong remained unruffled, cheerfully patting Su Chan's hand.

"The world laughs at my madness, but I laugh at their blindness. Come on, girl, let's leave!" With that, the two departed hand-in-hand.

Shen Wancai watched Li Yundong and Su Chan leave, and suddenly felt a surge of fury rush straight to his head. He began to cough violently.

During one desperate gasp for air, his face turned completely purple, his vision went black, and he pitched backward, collapsing! A moment of chaos erupted in the hall, filled with gasps of alarm.

Shen You immediately threw himself beside Shen Wancai, crying out, "Oh no, Dad's having a heart attack! Mom, go get his medicine quickly!" Li Xiaoxian, panicked, bolted toward the stairs.

At that moment, Shen Wancai's second and third wives, having heard the commotion upstairs, also hurried down in distress. Li Xiaoxian dashed into Shen Wancai's bedroom and threw open the medicine cabinet.

Just as she reached for the bottle to rush downstairs, her movements suddenly froze. The anxious expression on her face slowly settled, vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister smile.

Li Xiaoxian twisted off the cap, walked into the adjoining washroom, lifted the toilet lid, and poured the entire contents of the life-saving pills down the bowl! Then, she extended a slender, elegant finger and pressed the flush button!

With a rush of water, those vital pills disappeared completely...