Gu Zuo always felt that his way of thinking was a bit abnormal.
For Houtian martial artists breaking through to Xiantian, there was the Xiantian Pill. For a Xiantian Realm breaking through to the Immortal Realm, there was also a kind of medicinal pill. It was called the Dust Molting Pill. Molting the dust corresponded to shedding one’s mortality, so one could see what it did just from the name.
However, he’d never heard of a second method that used blood for refining. One could only follow the prescription and find some precious medicinal herbs to conduct the refinement.
Thinking up to here, Gu Zuo’s shoulders slightly sagged.
As a proper Human-Level Pharmacist, it stood to reason that any Human-Level Medicinal Pills were ones that he should be able to refine. But even if they were human-level, they could still be divided into low, mid, and high ranks. As a result, because he was a Xiantian Realm stage one, the ones he could refine were the basic pills that were suitable for Houtian and Xiantian martial artists to take. He couldn’t guarantee that he could successfully refine some especially difficult Xiantian medicinal pills; let alone, one of the hardest medicinal pills — The Dust Molting Pill.
It was better that he didn’t aim too high.
Moreover, the most useful pills for the current them were still the Xiantian Realm medicinal pills!
— Ninety nine percent of the Inner Sect’s disciples were all Xiantian.
Dragon One and Dragon Two carefully listened to Gongyi Tianheng’s instructions and felt that what he said was very reasonable. They decided to increase their comprehension and strove to get a clear understanding as soon as possible to better develop themselves and serve the young master.
Tianheng was also considering what powers he wanted to absorb and to give it a try...
Suddenly, Gu Zuo’s psychic power trembled. He abruptly turned his head and looked toward that mountain cave!
Lots of mysterious qi energy was wafting out over there. This kind of qi energy seemed to be — The feeling of being on the verge of breaking through to the Xiantian Realm?
Tianheng’s thoughts turned: "Dragon One, go take a look."
Dragon One’s body promptly shot out and flew over. His speed was at least ten times faster than before. In the blink of an eye, he already reached the front of the mountain cave. After checking things inside, he hurriedly launched himself back: "Young master, the three pharmacists are all making breakthroughs."
Gu Zuo stared blankly: "All of them are breaking through together? That’s possible?"
Not only were the ages of the three pharmacists different, their apt.i.tudes were also different. Each day was spent refining pills and practicing cultivation methods. Were these breakthroughs happening during a short period of time or all at once?
Tianheng thought about it, and understood in a flash: "They rebuilt their attribute cultivation methods and had laid solid foundations many years ago. Their current speeds being this fast isn’t surprising. Besides, although I don’t know how pharmacists cultivate, if an individual was to break through to Xiantian, rather than having their hearts affecting from being watched by others tirelessly practicing everyday, the matter of simultaneous breakthroughs really isn’t impossible."
Gu Zuo was also thinking about such a matter, and he immediately felt even happier.
Don’t think that pharmacists mainly relied on techniques. If one’s true qi reserves weren’t big or pure enough, their hand seals wouldn’t be completely supported when refining a cauldron of medicinal pills. There was no way to become a mid grade pharmacist. It was probably because these three pharmacists were previously stuck in their cultivation methods that they weren’t able to advance to Xiantian for many years. Now that they’ve advanced, their corresponding hand seals and pill refining techniques would certainly develop by leaps and bounds!
This would save him a lot of trouble!
Gongyi Tianheng’s mood was also pretty good.
The group simply walked to the front of the mountain cave and waited for the people inside to finish breaking through.
Gu Zuo smilingly said: "Once they’ve finished breaking through, refining the Anti-Aging Pill won’t be as challenging as before."
Tianheng slightly nodded: "We can already open a shop on Qingyun Sect’s Market Street."
Gu Zuo tilted his head: "To sell the Anti-Aging Pill?"
Tianheng smiled: "The Qi Generating Pill, Rejuvenation Pill, Qi Linking Pill, Revitalization Pill, Snowy Ginseng Pill, Bone Replenishing Pill, Meridian Replenishing Pill...as well as the extremely limited wonder-pill — The Anti-Aging Pill."
Gu Zuo listened to his big brother’s recitation, and instantly understood.
Unwittingly, he could already refine so many "published" medicinal pills...
Originally, the business of opening a shop needed a framework built up while in the Outer Sect. But before the official start, they’d already entered the Inner Sect — Initially, they never expected that they would have such fast speeds.
However, having an Inner Sect disciple’s ident.i.ty would undoubtedly ensure the opening of a shop on the Sect’s Market Street. Not only would others need to give them a bit of face, the material benefits and treatment would be much better.
In the end, the Sect encouraged its disciples to actively develop side occupations.
Gu Zuo knew intuitively: "Then, after they come out, I’ll hand over a few pill prescriptions."
Tianheng smiled: "Separate them."
Gu Zuo understood: "Snowy Ginseng Pill, Bone Replenishing Pill, and Meridian Replenishing Pill — One person gets one type of prescription. Anti-Aging Pill will be given to the three of them. The other four types of pills are very common, so they should know the pill prescriptions."
Gongyi Tianheng ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair: "Just as Ah Zuo says."
Gu Zuo couldn’t help rubbing against that hand. His mood was also especially good.
As the two talked, the peculiar reaction from within the cave had already ended.
Zhang Mingyuan and the others walked out of the cave. After seeing Tianheng, they sincerely paid their respects, but their smiling expressions couldn’t be concealed: "Many thanks to our boss for conferring the favor of the cultivation methods. We can’t return this kindness, so we can only pledge our lives and serve our boss!"
After breaking through to Xiantian, the three didn’t have evidence of previous vicissitudes and the entire person glowed radiantly. They looked youthful, like they were less than twenty years old. Moreover, their spirits also appeared young. Especially Zhang Mingyuan — He originally looked very old, but now his hair was black like a robust middle-aged man.
— Although Xiantian martial artists couldn’t recover their youthful vigor nor extend their lifespans, there was no need for doubts that their bodies could recover to their optimum states through the effects of Xiantian true qi.
Gongyi Tianheng smiled: "In the future, just do your best in your work."
After he finished speaking, he gestured to Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo understood and said: "Three sirs, I shall transfer these prescriptions to you all under the young master’s orders. Please take out a piece of paper and brush so I can write down what I know."
Zhang Mingyuan and the others were naturally very happy. There wasn’t enough time to say anything; they scrambled in a rush, worried that if they were too slow, their boss would feel regret. They were scared of arriving late and that there would be a shortage of prescriptions.
Very quickly, three batches of paper and brushes appeared before Gu Zuo. It seemed as if they had come to a prior agreement. The thing brought out by each person wasn’t a single sheet of paper, but rather a book with writings of their previously acc.u.mulated prescriptions. At this time, there was no doubt that they were willing to take it out to express their sincerity.
Gu Zuo also didn’t hesitate, and he reached out to grab a brush. He started writing on the book handed over from the most senior fellow, Zhang Mingyuan. As for the prescriptions on the earlier pages, he didn’t spare them a glance.
To be honest, he was convinced that the medicinal pills Zhang Mingyuan could’ve acc.u.mulated were already in his Human-Level Medicinal Pill Catalog. As a result, he wasn’t very curious. What’s more, the pills in that pill catalog already let him reap endless benefits. He really wasn’t in any need to covet other people’s stuff.
Following that, Gu Zuo gave three separate pill prescriptions to three people.
Zhang Mingyuan had the most experience, and he was given the Meridian Replenishing Pill, which was the hardest to refine; then for the forty-something year old w.a.n.g Cheng and Fang Zhiyao, who now looked a little more than thirty, the former got the Bone Replenishing Pill and the latter received the Snowy Ginseng Pill.
With one person in charge of blood, one person in charge of bones, and one person in charge of meridians, this collaborative division of labor encompa.s.sed the needs of the great majority of martial artists.
After Gu Zuo finished writing the prescriptions, those three pharmacists had their eyes filled with infatuation and they couldn’t bear to part with them. But at this moment, he instead told the three of them: "Three sirs, don’t rush into your research just yet."
Zhang Mingyuan and the others were startled awake, and their expressions were a little embarra.s.sed: "Yes, please speak."
Gu Zuo pursed his lips: "The pill prescriptions given to you all right now can’t be exchanged privately. Wait until those refined pills are high grade and your skill proficiency is unmatched. Then you can bring them to the young master to have a look. If you pa.s.s, then you can obtain a prescription. If you delay the young master’s affairs in order to research the prescription..."
He actually wasn’t too good at threatening people: "...You wouldn’t even realize the young master’s methods."
Gongyi Tianheng heard this and his eyes couldn’t help crinkling in a smile.
While this wasn’t his command, it was very amusing.
His little pharmacist was really becoming more and more...cute.
Zhang Mingyuan and the others’ hearts trembled, and didn’t dare get any big ideas: "Please rest a.s.sured, boss. We certainly wouldn’t do anything in private."
With cultivation methods and pill prescriptions, even as pharmacists, they wouldn’t be arrogant at inappropriate times. Moreover, they had some understand that if they tightly followed their boss, they could obtain even more stuff in the future.
In that case, abiding by the rules was something that needed to be done.
After that, Gu Zuo also had a dignified smile: "However, there is a prescription you all can study together."
Zhang Mingyuan and the others’ eyes shined, recalling some of their innermost thoughts: "Could it be—"
Gu Zuo nodded: "Correct. It’s the Anti-Aging Pill."
Zhang Mingyuan and company were emotionally moved.
The Anti-Aging Pill was like a miracle. It was one of the pills they wanted to study the most!
At once, Gu Zuo made copies of the pill prescription and gave it to them. He also let them attempt the Anti-Aging Pill before studying the remaining prescriptions. Merely, because the Anti-Aging Pill’s medicinal herbs were rare, each person could only get five batches of herbs. Once all attempts failed, they wouldn’t be able to continue applying for more.
After Zhang Mingyuan and the others heard this, their incomparable excitement cooled down.
Indeed, they couldn’t be too wasteful...
Then, the three pharmacists cupped their hands like the prescriptions they held were treasured objects, and squeezed into the cave once more. Their heads went in and didn’t come back out.
Gu Zuo watched Gongyi Tianheng smile and cheerfully went to observe the field that had already been sprinkled with the Spirit Jade Vitality Decoction. He wanted to take a look at its state of recovery...
Meanwhile, Tianheng sat cross-legged under a tree.
Without knowing why, he would operate his cultivation method without any shelter. As he faced the blazing sunlight and the endless stars and bright moon in the night sky, he could sense the fantastic and slight circulations through his whole body.
At the same time, he had a sudden flash of realization. At first, there was only the initial part of the cultivation method, and now it had progressed with a huge chunk of edits.
He didn’t have any worries about this kind of continuation, at least at the Xiantian Realm.
The Tiandu Body... The Tiandu Body...
Gongyi Tianheng even felt that so long as he immersed himself within this heavenly area, the trajectories of the true qi pathways could be clearly captured by him.
In addition, for any peculiar power eruptions — There was only the lack of an opportunity.
Several days later.
Many matters occurred outside of the valley, but Gu Zuo, Gongyi Tianheng, and the others were still living in seclusion and they didn’t care too much about the Inner Sect’s unstable situation.
The division of labor between everyone had been well-defined long ago. Dragon One was responsible for the shop. Dragon Two took care of watering the field. The five enslaved martial artists also built the pharmacists’ house in the valley.
Gu Zuo looked over the field that had once been eroded by all kinds of powers. Now, many impurities had basically been dissolved by the Spirit Jade Vitality Decoction. They could try tilling it.
Hence, those enslaved martial artists had a new a.s.signment — On that field, they would plant Scarlet Blood Rice and water it with Growth Hastening Decoction. They would get results eventually.
On top of that, many good things happened one after another.
Zhang Mingyuan was worthy of being a lowest-rung pharmacist with tons of experience and self-discipline. After breaking through to Xiantian, it could’ve been said that he was well prepared. In such a short period of time, not only could he refine the Qi Linking Pill and Revitalization Pill — Although they were mid grade at most — He set out to attempt even the Meridian Replenishing Pill’s prescription, which was only given to him a few days ago. After blowing up his cauldron several times in a row, he refined a low grade Meridian Replenishing Pill. This kind of progress exceeded expectations. It was an outstanding performance.
Gu Zuo inspected the medicinal pill refined by Zhang Mingyuan.
Perhaps because Zhang Mingyuan’s attribute leaned towards the wood element, the qi energy of the pill he refined was gentle. Taking it should garner the type of medicinal properties that were gentle as well.
It was considered to be comparatively good stuff.
Gu Zuo was naturally not stingy with his praise.
Zhang Mingyuan also clearly saw that while this little pharmacist appeared to be the boss’ attendant, he was trusted deeply. As for refining medicine, this piece of supervising was almost completely left to this teenager to handle. Moreover, although this teenager didn’t have a high age, his foundations were very st.u.r.dy. Despite not knowing his pill refining level, his pill checking level was still very good — He’d never made an error in his judgment.
Thinking that this teenager’s prospects were even more vast than his own, Zhang Mingyuan’s bearing to Gu Zuo was very respectful.
He earnestly listened to whatever Gu Zuo said.
While w.a.n.g Cheng and Fang Zhiyao were a bit inferior in pill refining, such that they could merely refine the Qi Linking Pill and Revitalization Pill and they still had some errors with heat control for the Bone Replenishing Pill and Snowy Ginseng Pill, with the pa.s.sing of time, they should also smoothly accomplish it.
Then, there was Gu Zuo himself.
He refined many Anti-Aging Pills in advance and had completely finished refining Fu Manduo’s "merchandise". In addition, he also brewed wine, refined even more Growth Hastening Decoctions, and examined Tianheng’s body. Gu Zuo also formulated another medicinal cuisine list to give to Tianheng and switched to another medicinal decoction for him to soak in.
Besides that, he also needed to practice his own cultivation method and train the psychic power in his Tianfu Acupoint. He couldn’t be careless about gathering medicinal qi. After so much time, he still wasn’t skilled enough with those previous item books. He needed to reflect over them even more; he needed to consolidate the knowledge of those pill prescriptions and everything else again.
It was very busy, but it was also very enriching.
As usual, after Gongyi Tianheng meditated for a round, he said to Gu Zuo: "I need to head to the Martial Scripture Pavilion to thumb through some martial skills. Ah Zuo, you’ll head to the Medicine Pavilion and take the pharmacist evaluation."
Gu Zuo stared blankly: "The opportunity’s finally here?"
Tianheng said: "In Qingyun Sect, all categories of attribute cultivation methods related to pharmacists, medicine refinement hand seals, and so on are still regarded as common things. It shouldn’t be a harmful matter so long as you don’t reveal too much. For this, remember not to overextend yourself; you can’t use cultivation methods of the system inheritance. Switching to other hand seals to conduct the demonstration will suffice."
After all, it was a big sect. Adventures weren’t as superficial like in the Cangyun Empire. Some corresponding fortuitous encounters that existed definitely weren’t rarely seen here.
At this time, his little pharmacist could enter the limelight, and show off his own strength.
Human nature was always like this —
In this world, if what one revealed surpa.s.sed onlookers too much, they would inevitably be envied by others. And if one was only somewhat strong, they would be regarded as important by others and would be nurtured as a "genius".
Gu Zuo’s expression was heavy and he prudently nodded his head: "I’ll be mindful."
Tianheng chuckled: "Ah Zuo also doesn’t need to be too nervous. This time I’m afraid I’ll need to use some time to thumb through the martial skills, so I won’t be accompanying you. Dragon Two will go with you and will be at your beck and call."
Gu Zuo paused.
To be honest, going alone to take the evaluation without his big brother accompanying him... He really wasn’t used to it.
But he still responded immediately.
Because he also understood his big brother’s intentions — He’d always wanted to try handle a matter by himself. This was his big brother’s kind regards, to prevent a future tragedy where he wouldn’t be able to react if by any chance his big brother couldn’t be with him.
After taking a deep breath, Gu Zuo felt that this would be his journey.
He would certainly do his best... Ahem, properly conceal himself.
It was said that Gu Zuo would be going alone, but they could still journey together on the way there.
The Medicine Pavilion and the Marital Scripture Pavilion definitely weren’t far apart. After calling a flying wild beast down and riding for fifteen minutes, they were already approaching the inner zone of the Qingyun Sect’s Inner Sect.
Hidden from view within the mountains and forests, there was a piece of wide, open s.p.a.ce with quite a few towering buildings. Very many martial artists came and went, either in large groups or as lone first-timers.
The tallest, largest, and most majestic location was the Martial Scripture Pavilion.
Gu Zuo looked at Gongyi Tianheng: "Big brother, good luck."
Tianheng smilingly faced him, and waved his hand: "Ah Zuo also needs to be more careful."
Gu Zuo earnestly nodded and turned around, leading Dragon Two away.
The Medicine Pavilion was still at a location several kilometers to the right. Compared to the Martial Scripture Pavilion, it was much more peaceful. It was probably because, although the number of pharmacists in the Qingyun Sect wasn’t small, it wasn’t like the martial artists who bustled around in huge crowds.
Under the guidance of their elders, pharmacists in two’s and three’s entered the interior of the Medicine Pavilion.
The matters that the Medicine Pavilion primarily supervised were the pharmacist’s proof of ident.i.ty, the pharmacist evaluation, the pharmacist’s allowance, and the exchange of some resources between the pharmacist and the Sect.
The entrance had several martial artists on guard. When they saw Gu Zuo leading Dragon Two, they obstructed the two’s way.
"Who has come? What’s your purpose?"
Gu Zuo hastily replied: "Pharmacist Gu, a nominal disciple. I’ve come here to take the Human-Level Pharmacist Evaluation. This sir is Dragon Two, a bodyguard martial artist."
The gatekeeping martial artists saw the two both reveal nominal disciple tokens, and there was also a pharmacist’s voucher in Gu Zuo’s hand. They were convinced of Gu Zuo’s statements and nodded their heads: "The pharmacist may enter. Would the martial artist please wait outside?"
Gu Zuo complied with the stipulation and nodded towards Dragon Two.
Dragon Two retreated a step and stood tall and straight on the side like a boulder or the root system of a stubborn tree.
After that, Gu Zuo entered the Medicine Pavilion.
Just as he entered, he smelled a permeating medicinal fragrance that disseminated from within. In the blink of an eye, a string of medicinal ingredients names flashed though Gu Zuo’s mind: Chariot Seeds, White Fortune Gra.s.s, Dragon’s Beard Roots, Tortoise Blood Gra.s.s, Dragon-Tiger Gallbladder, Phoenix Claw Flowers...
Immediately following that, he snapped out of it and shook his head.
Sigh, it truly was an occupational habit.
At this time, Gu Zuo had the intention of taking a measure of the set-up within the Medicine Pavilion.
What caught the eye was a gigantic pill cauldron. It was at least several dozen meters tall and, from the ground up, the top nearly reached the roof of the large building. It was filled with a simple yet ancient bearing. Having acc.u.mulated the qi energies of many kinds of medicinal pills within, there seemed to be a distinct barrier here for deposits over a long period of time, which fermented a kind of distant, far-away flavor.
It was very daunting.
Yet, he wondered what kind of person could use this pill cauldron to refine pills.
There were many things that Gu Zuo could now refine, but even if it was a large-scale cauldron, he didn’t have one that was this enormous. What’s more, the gigantic cauldron also carried a dense feeling of history and vicissitudes, enticing one to have the urge of giving it a try.
— He was thinking a bit too much. He definitely didn’t come here to look at a pill cauldron.
It was just a moment of carelessness that he was attracted by the pill cauldron.
Once Gu Zuo came back to his senses, he discovered that there was a white-bearded, chubby old man off to the side. He twirled his mustache and smiled at him: "Only a person who genuinely likes refining medicine could look at this Qingyun Cauldron and stare at it with infatuation like that."
Gu Zuo chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Apologies, this disciple is absent-minded... May I ask this senior where a disciple can go to take an evaluation and how to go about it?"
The chubby old man nodded with appreciation: "Follow this old man and remember the way."
Gu Zuo obediently went.
"Your name?"
"Gu Zuo."
"Age?"
"Almost seventeen."
The old man’s brush stopped: "You’re actually very young."
After that, the questions continued.
"Which evaluation?"
"Human-Level Pharmacist: Low level pharmacist."
"Which medicinal pills will you select?"
"The Rejuvenation Pill, Qi Generating Pill, and Qi Linking Pill."
The old man’s brush paused again: "It seems you have a lot of confidence in yourself."
Gu Zuo was slightly embarra.s.sed: "These kinds of medicinal pills are ones that I’ve refined..."
The old man didn’t continue recording.
He only raised his eyes to look at Gu Zuo. He spoke in a business-like manner: "Outside of the evaluation, a pharmacist usually only needs to refine one type of pill that is suitable to Houtian martial artists. One would then be called a low level pharmacist. However, when in my Medicine Pavilion, pharmacists need to refine at least two types of pills to pa.s.s the evaluation."
Gu Zuo nodded: "This disciple understands."
The old man said: "The evaluation of low level pharmacists only allows the use of five Earth Fires and you can only make use of two batches of medicinal ingredients. If you can’t refine the medicinal pills, then the evaluation is a failure. If you refine fewer than three pills, it will also count as a failure."
Gu Zuo totally understood these kinds of rules and prepared earlier.
— In actuality, these rules didn’t hinder him at all.
The old man’s instructions were more or less finished. He was going to let Gu Zuo enter a Earth Fire Room in preparation for the pill refinement evaluation. Because his impression of Gu Zuo was pretty good, he was also going to send Gu Zuo directly to the Ley Line Hall’s room. In addition, he gave Gu Zuo an Earth Fire Slip, which allowed him to smoothly enter that Earth Fire Room.
However, the road to happiness was always strewn with setbacks.
Just at this moment, a crisp voice suddenly echoed from another side hall: "Is the low grade Earth Fire Room already taken? Isn’t there still another one left? I need this room!" He was clearly despotic and bossy, "You there! Move back, and let me take the evaluation first! How can the mid grade and higher Earth Fire Rooms allow me to exhibit my skills?!"
Gu Zuo: "..."
Was this considered being shot at even when lying down?
