"I want to refine elixirs!"

Since the Third Elder proposed retiring into seclusion with Lian, Su Xuan immediately brought up alchemy. Once the elixirs were refined, he could return to the world at the foot of the mountain, and no one would have to worry about the current mess.

"Refining elixirs is no problem."

Lian happily agreed to Su Xuan's request, saying, "The Huo Yun Furnace is in the Elixir Hall, ready for use at any time." But then she immediately turned to the Third Elder. "However, our plan to go into seclusion simply won't work."

The Third Elder listened and, surprisingly, didn't argue. He was keenly aware that with Immortal Mountain's power, they could be found no matter where they hid. The idea of seclusion was nothing more than a beautiful fantasy.

Just as he thought, Lian continued, "Unless we can completely leave this world, just like Ancestor Meng did!"

The Third Elder shook his head bitterly. Ancestor Meng had vanished overnight, leaving no trace in the mortal realm. Who knew how he had left, where he had gone, or if his destination was even the fabled place of legend? None of them possessed Ancestor Meng's heaven-defying arts, so how could they possibly leave?

Lian then looked at Su Xuan and said, "Young Master Su, you have done me a great favor. Once you have refined your elixirs, you should leave. I can handle the affairs here on my own."

A delicate woman, trying to shoulder consequences too heavy for anyone to bear?

Su Xuan gently rubbed his forehead and slowly said, "I do have an idea that might just work..."

"What is it?"

At his words, both the Third Elder and Lian focused their gazes on him.

Su Xuan pondered for a moment before explaining, "It's a strategy similar to the 'golden cicada shedding its shell,' but not in the truest sense."

He then proceeded to outline the unpolished plan that had just occurred to him.

"I can disguise myself as Feng Zhengyuan and take the Nirvana Phoenix to Immortal Mountain to complete the mission.

"That way, the Ten Cauldrons Sect can stay out of it. The disaster you suffered last night should be more than enough to atone for your transgressions.

"Once I'm at Immortal Mountain, it won't have anything to do with you whether I'm expelled for intentionally making a mistake or I find my own reason to leave..."

After hearing Su Xuan's plan, the light in the Third Elder's and Lian's eyes first brightened, then dimmed once more.

There were parts of the plan that just didn't add up. For instance, could Su Xuan flawlessly impersonate Feng Zhengyuan without being recognized by Immortal Mountain? And with the Nirvana Phoenix dead, how could he take it with him? He surely couldn't bring a corpse to Immortal Mountain, could he?

Su Xuan was aware of their doubts and concerns but didn't elaborate. Instead, he took out the Thousand Faces Stone and silently recited the incantation. His face distorted for a moment before transforming into the spitting image of Feng Zhengyuan! Having dealt with the man before, Su Xuan was able to mimic his mannerisms and demeanor to perfection.

The Third Elder and Lian were momentarily caught in the illusion. It was as if Su Xuan truly *was* Feng Zhengyuan, without a single flaw to be seen.

"My mount is waiting for me just outside the Ten Cauldrons Sect's gate," Su Xuan said. "I can use the same method to transform my mount into the Nirvana Phoenix. The only condition is that the phoenix's body is still here. I need to see it with my own eyes. So, does the plan sound a bit more credible now?"

"Its body is still here, perfectly preserved," Lian replied in astonishment.

Before her voice had even faded, she suddenly fell to her knees before Su Xuan with a thud, bowing her head low without uttering a word. She just knelt there.

He was risking his own safety to ensure everyone else's!

The Third Elder also wanted to kneel and express his gratitude. If Su Xuan went through with this, he would be guaranteeing a lifetime of happiness for him and Lian.

"Please, don't do this!" Su Xuan immediately protested in distress. "I'm a junior. It's really awkward for you to keep kneeling to me! Besides, the way you're kneeling makes it seem like I won't be coming back, as if I'm going to die at Immortal Mountain."

Only then did the Third Elder help Lian to her feet.

Su Xuan continued, speaking to Lian, "Actually, what you said earlier served as a wake-up call. The people from Immortal Mountain aren't fools. Even if you took all the blame, a simple investigation would reveal that I was behind many of these things. Even if I hid back home, they would find me, which would inevitably implicate many more innocent people. What a mess! It's better for me to take the initiative and make a trip to Immortal Mountain myself..."

"Young Master Su, let's refine the elixirs!" Lian, at a loss for how to express her gratitude, wanted to quickly help Su Xuan with his own troubles.

"Alright!" Su Xuan nodded. "Please lead the way, sister-in-law."

Hearing this, Lian's face flushed red as she glanced shyly at the Third Elder, looking just like a young girl again.

The Third Elder's old face also reddened. He said to Su Xuan, "Brother Su, when you get back from Immortal Mountain, you must let me treat you to a drink. I really don't know... how to thank you!"

"As long as it's for your wedding, that will do," Su Xuan joked.

"Uh..." The Third Elder opened his mouth and, casting aside his shame, declared, "It must be for our wedding!"

The two exchanged glances and then burst into hearty laughter.

Lian pursed her lips and smiled along, unable to remember how many years it had been since she last laughed.

Afterward, Lian led Su Xuan to the Elixir Hall and into a sumptuously decorated elixir chamber. There, she presented him with the Huo Yun Furnace, a cauldron capable of refining top-grade elixirs.

"Wow, it's pristine!" Su Xuan exclaimed in admiration the moment he saw it.

The Huo Yun Furnace was untainted by a single speck of dust or any trace of soot. It gleamed with a noble metallic luster, looking as if it had just been forged and never used.

"It is very new," Lian explained. "Fu Yong treasured this furnace immensely. He used to say it was the Ten Cauldrons Sect's greatest treasure. However, no one in the sect could produce top-grade elixirs, and ordinary ones didn't require the Huo Yun Furnace. As a result, it remained idle. Disciples were only tasked with wiping it regularly, which is why it has come to look newer and newer."

Just as she finished speaking, before Su Xuan could reply, Lian suddenly bowed deeply. "Young Master Su, this Huo Yun Furnace is yours!"

A smile graced the Third Elder's face.

Su Xuan felt somewhat embarrassed. "I couldn't possibly accept this!"

"There is nothing improper about it," Lian said solemnly. "Putting aside what you're about to do, what you did last night alone merits this gift of the Huo Yun Furnace."

The Third Elder chuckled. "Brother Su, just accept it. After this is all over, Lian and I will go into seclusion. We can't very well carry such a huge furnace with us, can we? It would expose us easily. Besides, you have that transportation technique, don't you? Taking this cauldron would be a piece of cake for you."

"Please, Young Master Su, accept it," Lian pleaded once more.

Su Xuan rubbed his chin. He knew the Third Elder had a point, so he said reluctantly, "In that case... I'll accept?"

Lian and the Third Elder smiled in relief. "Accept it, accept it!"

In the next second, a system prompt sounded in Su Xuan's mind.

DING!

"Congratulations, Host, for acquiring a supreme treasure of heaven and earth..."

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