This appearance...seemed somewhat familiar?
The simple and honest-faced young man immediately recalled the two people he’d just met, who were extremely similar to Hai Tian’s description. At that time, he only went over to resolve any grudges with the other party on behalf of his little Junior Sect Brother. The names of each side hadn’t been communicated, so he didn’t know if it was really those two. But if they were... Then, he wanted to rejoice even more. Fortunately, that teenaged pharmacist didn’t look like the type to hold grudges, and that handsome young man also accepted his good intentions. Otherwise, if they weren’t happy, the following procedures for the medicinal pill transaction would be far from good.
Because his mind was thinking about these things, something showed on the simple and honest-faced young man.
When Hai Tian saw this, he suddenly asked: “What? Junior Sect Brother Huo Jing, do you also know them?”
Huo Jing forced a smile: “I don’t know if it’s them. That handsome guy’s temperament was natural and graceful, and he wore a sapphire-blue brocade robe. His height was about eight handspans tall. And both his eyes were spirited; they looked very extraordinary. That teenaged pharmacist also had jet-black and glossy eyes. He was extremely delicate and pretty, and had a quick-witted feeling amid his considerations.
He continued: “The pair didn’t seem like master and servant. Instead, they were like brothers, except they were much closer than ordinary brothers. It would make one’s heart bear feelings of admiration.”
Hai Tian heard what was said, and pondered slightly: “Then, it’s probably them. Within the Inner Sect, there are many people with outstanding bearings. There are also many teenaged pharmacists. Likewise, there are many both sides accompanying each other. However, if the two are not only accompanying each other, but are also so close as to give one a peculiar feeling at first sight, then I’m afraid that it can only be the two of them.”
The others hadn’t met Gongyi Tianheng nor his constant companion, the teenaged pharmacist Gu Zuo. Thus, they all felt somewhat interested, and listened attentively one by one; especially when Hai Tian and Huo Jing were both praising those two people. It immediately piqued their curiosity, and they couldn’t help wanting to get to know them — As for whether they could be friends, that depended on whether they would hit it off or not.
However, Hai Tian now knew that Huo Jing had recognized them, and recalled Huo Jing’s previous expression. He continued to ask: “Junior Sect Brother Huo, why were you like that just now—”
Huo Jing hesitated slightly. He didn’t know if he should say it or not...
The matter was over, so it should’ve been okay to sweep it under the rug. If it wasn’t explained, how should they respond if they met those two again in the future? If it was misunderstood by them, it wouldn’t be pleasant.
Hai Tian increasingly realized that something was wrong.
Amid Huo Jing’s silence, that round-faced teenager reacted to their conversation and involuntarily blurted out: “My Senior Sect Brothers are saying that those two people are the ones selling us the medicinal pills?!”
Hai Tian saw something from his reaction, and his expression grew severe: “Junior Sect Brother Qi Youle, what have you done?”
Qi Youle’s expression suddenly changed, but he wasn’t the type who refused to admit his wrongdoings. He clenched his teeth, revealed the entire matter from before: “Previously, when my Hundred Rivers League was suffering greatly, it made me depressed all day long. So I went to the puppet gates to drive away my worries. Then, I saw a person...”
Once Qi Youle’s recounting was finished, the expressions of everyone present underwent some subtle changes.
Qi Youle had a very combustible temper. If he was in a bad mood, it was normal for him to mumble to himself and vent his anger. However, while this didn’t matter to the people of the Hundred Rivers League, outsiders and strangers would certainly take the time to find and scold him. That Gu Zuo was already considered having a good temperament for only secretly glaring at him a few times. If the one Qi Youle met also had a combustible temper, wouldn’t he incur that person’s hatred immediately?
Luckily, Huo Jing had always behaved with integrity, and he had more or less settled this matter.
Hai Tian furrowed his brows: “Junior Sect Brother Qi, learn from your mistakes. Fortunately, this time hasn’t caused any serious repercussions. In the future, this temper of yours needs to be corrected.”
Chastised, Qi Youle said: “I, I understand...”
Hai Tian sighed: “However, when I come into contact with them later, I’ll need to tactfully express my apologies to them. If we’re going to be associating with them for a long time, we’ll need something to show for it. Previously, they were unaware that we are members of the Hundred Rivers League, so it’s better for us to take the initiative visit them before they find out.”
Qi Youle promptly stated: “I’ll go, too!”
Hai Tian glanced at him, his voice indifferent: “You were originally going to go. Just don’t interrupt. They’ll easily know my purpose in coming when they see you and I. An apology gift will also be prepared.”
To make up for his mistake, Qi Youle could only say yes again and again.
At this moment, Huo Jing also said: “At that time, I’ll also come along.”
Hai Tian nodded his head: “That’s fine, you have some goodwill with those two.”
Just like this, it was settled. The other Hundred Rivers League members mocked Qi Youle for a while, and Qi Youle’s face blushed a deep red, but he had nothing to say. He only thought that he needed to be even more careful in the future. However, whether he could successfully restrain himself till then, that was another matter.
It could only be said that Qi Youle was quite determined right now.
Since the day they came back, Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo rarely moved about together.
Gu Zuo was preoccupied with his task, refining medicine and cultivating arduously at all times. Meanwhile, as Tianheng cultivated, he also went to the puppet gates, gravity rooms, and other places to temper his physical body, sharpen his willpower, and increase his real combat experience.
Tianheng’s performances gradually attracted the attention of many people. His ability to pass through the puppet gate’s sixth checkpoint with his Xiantian stage three realm was quite praiseworthy. It also made some no longer view him as the lowest of the low-ranking disciples or a no-name character. At the same time, there were many who took the initiative to befriend him.
Even though the current Tianheng was an Inner Sect disciple with a small amount of fame — The matter of him being the owner of Medicine of Life was slowly revealed.
However, in Xu Lingxiu’s eyes, Gu Zuo, who used his psychic power to conceal the truth, was still only presently Xiantian stage two. But although it was like this, Gu Zuo’s improvement speed was still ridiculously fast for a pharmacist. Fortunately, because Xu Lingxiu had been squeezing himself dry and using up his true qi to refine Steadfast Heart Pills for a long time, there would be an improvement every time he took a medicinal pill to recuperate afterwards.
At the present time, he also had a breakthrough and became a Xiantian stage three disciple. Under the circumstances of being one stage higher than Gu Zuo, although his attitude was less arrogant, he still didn’t feel that he himself couldn’t compare to Gu Zuo.
Meanwhile, the frequency that Gu Zuo met Lu Jiusi in the Violet Tower increased tremendously.
Lu Jiusi would often meet with him, wanting to conduct some specious enticements. Only, it was a pity because Xi Yangyun and Xu Lingxiu had been investigating the whole time. What’s more, because they hadn’t found the truth, they had increased their efforts in the investigation, preventing him from continuing his scam. Now, he could only place his hopes upon the dark hand that he previously put to use... However, the few people he’d set his dark hand upon were arduously cultivating in the valley every day. They basically never went out of the Sect to adventure. Moreover, with their strength, it was also impossible for them to leave the valley before they broke through to Xiantian.
For a period of time, Lu Jiusi was unable to act somewhat. This kind of mood made the ever-patient him slowly become somewhat irascible. His deeper thoughts would flit across his face quite a few times.
Although Xi Yangyun and Xu Lingxiu were busy and hadn’t really discovered anything, they had unwittingly stopped caring about Lu Jiusi as much as they did in the past. And because Lu Jiusi was no longer so cool-headed, he also hadn’t discovered this subtle difference — Just like a quietly unloaded naval mine, it would loudly explode when the time came!
In the blink of an eye, a large amount of time had passed.
During this time, Hai Tian came once more to receive the transaction of medicinal pills, and he had brought along Huo Jing and Qi Youle. This was a tacitly understood apology. Gongyi Tianheng waved a large hand and received the gift, which naturally showed that he didn’t take offense at all. Gu Zuo still didn’t find Qi Youle pleasing to the eyes, but since Qi Youle didn’t chatter about the matter of his big brother anymore, he didn’t lower himself to Qi Youle’s level — Gu Zuo’s temperament really was pretty good.
Immediately following which was Tianheng’s coming-of-age ceremony for his twentieth birthday.
Because his clan was far away, his ceremony could only be held in the valley. While not many people came, it was considered very bustling. Zhao Yuheng, Fu Manduo, and the others all came without exception. Hai Tian brought several people over, and Xi Yangyun and Xu Lingxiu gave face. In addition, some old friends Tianheng and Gu Zuo previously knew were also invited. After they arrived, they discovered that, among those whom the current Tianheng made friends with, there were many who were already far beyond their reach. The debut of Tianheng’s network was towering and lofty.
After the ceremony, they chatted about business with each other. Fu Manduo, who obtained the most advantages, was naturally fully satisfied and left with a protruding belly. The others also obtained some benefits and were all very carefree.
As for the delivered congratulatory gifts... There were all kinds of things.
After the people left, Gu Zuo followed Tianheng into the house, and watched him “open his presents”.
Gongyi Tianyang, Gongyi Mingxia, and the other children were all very curious. Seeing that Tianheng didn’t block them, they couldn’t help scampering over to take a look.
Tianheng’s expression was very calm. He first opened some monetary gifts, and put away a large handful of letters containing golden banknotes. Shortly after, the ones he looked at were Fangcun Cloths, whose insides were fairly mysterious. He picked one up. The thing inside tumbled out and landed onto the table.
It was a block the size of a clenched fist. It was a densely radiant ore, and the qi energy it emitted was very strange. With one look, it would make a person feel that it was extremely magical and they wouldn’t think about letting it go.
This was undoubtedly an excellent thing.
Gu Zuo asked: “Big brother, this is?”
Tianheng said: “If I’m not mistaken, it should be Blazing Iron. It’s an exceptionally good material for forging spirit weapons.”
When everyone in the room heard this, they all said: “Oh, so it’s like this!”
After that, Tianheng opened up the second Fangcun Cloth. What fell out...was also a lump of ore.
This lump of ore was covered in specks of Star Sand. The color and luster was a deep ocean blue. It was very beautiful.
Gu Zuo asked again: “Big brother, what’s that?”
Tianheng replied: “Star Charmed Iron. It’s also material for forging spirit weapons.”
Gu Zuo: “...”
Immediately following that was the third Fangcun Cloth. It was still an ore, and its surface was marbled with rings upon rings of elegant vein lines. It was stunningly beautiful.
Gu Zuo: “...And that?”
Tianheng: “Rainbow Stone.”
Gu Zuo supplemented: “Something for forging spirit weapons?”
Tianheng nodded his head: “Correct.”
Gu Zuo: “...”
There were items one after another from a few comparatively important people — Even the two collaborative gifts of Xun Suying and Liu Wuyan, who both arrived hand in hand, were precious ores. The ores also didn’t lack the function of forging spirit weapons.
Gu Zuo was speechless.
In the end, did Zhao Yuheng and them all think that his big brother had a huge shortage of weapons... Ores, one and all. Did anyone dare to have a bit of creativity or imagination?
On the contrary, when Tianheng saw this, he showed a smiling expression: “That spear of mine really can’t keep up with my current realm, but it’s the one I’m accustomed to using. Later, I’ll have someone gather up and collate these ores. They’ll be integrated into a spear, which will act as a personal weapon.”
Gu Zuo looked at those ores.
Okay. Those guests who gave presents were also considered to have helped a friend in need.
Sure enough, with these things, Gongyi Tianheng quickly went to find someone from that Spirit Weapons Pavilion. The trip took several days. After returning, he took out a spear and familiarized himself with it.
That spear tip bore the sound of a cold wind, and its might was unmatched. Its original body was silvery-white, but it had now become a black-gold luster.
When brandished, flecks of golden florets emerged on the spear’s body. And when the golden florets scattered, Tianheng’s internal true qi also bubbled out. Unexpectedly, it all converged together, forming a scene of dazzling and resplendent gold! Moreover, in the wake of that spear moving faster, that resplendent gold became reddish-gold. And Tianheng, who’d also been enshrouded in this layer of reddish-gold, became like a venerable god, and glowed with an extremely terrifying majesty!
Gu Zuo, who’d been stung by that radiance, retreated several steps back. His realm was the highest, but he still ended up like this. Gongyi Tianyang and the other children who wanted to watch Tianheng wield his spear were all forced to retreat further and further back. They all felt like they were going to be burned.
That type of eruptive heat wasn’t the same as a flame’s heat. Rather, compared to a flame, it was scarier, hotter, purer, and held a type of destructive power! Whomever it touched would be enveloped and melted by this radiance. And if anyone was awed by it, they wouldn’t dare to look directly at it.
A terrifying power!
However, Gu Zuo knew that this was the ability of his big brother’s second set of bone pearls.
What the first set of bone pearls absorbed was poison... What power did that second set absorb? He looked at that power, and felt that it was absorbing the heat of the sun, no matter how one looked at it.
If it really was like this, then the Tiandu Body’s formidability was going to increase again!
After shaking his head, Gu Zuo didn’t hurry to ask. Rather, he quietly appreciated Tianheng’s spear skills.
Although his big brother’s realm hadn’t changed, he still became stronger...
After a while, Gu Zuo received Xu Lingxiu’s invitation letter. He had just seen Xu Lingxiu during Tianheng’s ceremony not long ago. Currently, he didn’t need to go to the Violet Tower everyday, so what matter did that Xu Lingxiu find him for?
However, Gu Zuo also didn’t intend on refuting Xu Lingxiu’s face. Since the other side had invited him, what would it be like if he didn’t go?! As a result, after he called out to Tianheng, he promptly led the Tianlong Guard protecting him and proceeded towards the Violet Tower.
Sure enough, Xu Lingxiu was already waiting for him.
During this period of time, he’d finished refining the proper quantities of Steadfast Heart Pills. Now he had nothing to do and no longer needed to refine pills day and night like before. But because he got used to refining pills during that time, he wanted to refine some more now that he had nothing to do.
When he saw Gu Zuo arrive, Xu Lingxiu just happened to be putting away his pills. After quickly collecting these medicinal pills into a jade bottle, he extended a hand and pointed towards an empty room, just like every time before: “Sit.”
Gu Zuo sat down: “Senior Sect Brother Xu asked me to come over. It’d be fine to just let the messenger say it. No need to be that formal.”
Xu Lingxiu raised an eyebrow: “If there wasn’t any proper business, why should I have called for you?”
Gu Zuo immediately straightened his clothes and sat upright: “Respectfully listening to the words of Senior Sect Brother Xu.”
Xu Lingxiu’s expression also became proper: “This time, I want you to go with me to participate in the Pill Battling Assembly.”
Gu Zuo stared blankly: “Pill Battling Assembly? What’s the Pill Battling Assembly?”
Xu Lingxiu wasn’t impatient this time around. On the contrary, he carefully explained to Gu Zuo: “The Pill Battling Assembly is a distinguished meeting of pharmacists, which is held in the Qingyun Continent’s Danyun City. The age or realm doesn’t matter; the pill battles are based only on the certified pharmacist’s rank. If you win, you can get lots of top-notch, rare medicinal herbs!”
If Gu Zuo was only a little interested when he heard the first part, his eyes shined when he heard what came after: “Rare medicinal herbs? Which ones? How many can be obtained?”
Xu Lingxiu coldly harrumphed: “Of course there’s many rare herbs. Otherwise, with my position in the Sect, why would I still need to participate in that nuisance of a Pill Battling Assembly? Naturally, there are many for me to choose from!
He continued: “Danyun City is good at breeding medicinal herbs. When we’re refining pills, aside from the herbs harvested from the mountains and fields, the rest mostly come from Danyun City. And the medicinal effects of the herbs the city breeds aren’t at all inferior to the medicinal herbs in the wild. Instead, some medicinal effects are even more mellow and rich. The city also has herbs of all categories and product grades. So long as one can pass one round of pill battles, there’ll be medicinal herbs to obtain. Even if you lose there, there’ll be many city residents bringing their own herbs to sell during that time. Then, you can pick the things you like.”
Gu Zuo listened, and his heart was moved even more.
Ah, medicinal herbs... Ah, top-notch medicinal herbs!
Of course, he believed that so long as it was an herb he needed, his big brother would do his best to find it for him. However, his big brother needed to focus on cultivating; his mental and physical efforts couldn’t all be spent on this endeavor. In addition, some herbs could only be encountered and not sought after, and were very difficult to find nearby. If he went to that Danyun City, he would buy and hoard any useful medicinal herbs he saw. When it was time to use them, there wouldn’t be any need to be concerned... Wasn’t this even better?
Merely, if he went, he would have to go by himself.
Gu Zuo was a little hesitant.
If he went to Danyun City, would he be unable to bring his dear big brother along? It wasn’t that he needed to be together with his big brother. Rather, he’d never been so far away from him before. A trip there and back was estimated to take a long period of time. Even if there were other people on hand, his heart still trembled, thinking that it wasn’t safe.
Gu Zuo’s hesitation was naturally seen by Xu Lingxiu. He was very haughty, but he wasn’t an idiot. With only a single consideration, he recalled something.
In a sour mood, Xu Lingxiu looked over: “Junior Sect Brother Gu, are you unwilling to go?”
Gu Zuo promptly shook his head.
Xu Lingxiu choked back his anger: “Then, do you want to ask your family’s ‘young master’?”
This time, Gu Zuo nodded.
Xu Lingxiu: “...”
Gu Zuo and him stared at each other for three seconds.
Xu Lingxiu’s brows furrowed: “This is your own matter. Could it be that you still need another person to act as your owner?!”
Gu Zuo heard the meaning within Xu Lingxiu’s words. He thought about it, and said with a smile: “It’s not exactly what Senior Sect Brother Xu thinks.”
He said “not exactly” because his current status was still Tianheng’s subordinate, but it actually wasn’t the case in his heart.
Gu Zuo was a modern person. When he first started out with Tianheng, he was able to consider himself as the other party’s employee. However, it was absolutely impossible to consider himself as a genuine servant. Working oneself to death? Single-minded loyalty? Devoting one’s life to His Majesty? It was only because he’d interacted with Tianheng for a long time that his feelings had changed. As a result, he valued Tianheng’s opinions from the bottom of his heart.
Although he didn’t know how the brothers of other families got along, Gu Zuo nevertheless realized that, in this other world, he had close feelings for Tianheng. With each passing day, his dependance upon Tianheng was gradually deepening. This kind of dependence was like depending on one’s parents or one’s closest person — To be unwilling to part from them and to listen to their opinions, that was purely human nature.
Moreover, Gu Zuo believed that he himself hadn’t completely integrated into this other world. There were many matters where he’d listen to his dear big brother’s words more, so that he would be duped less — En, he definitely wasn’t saying that Xu Lingxiu wanted to harm him. He also believed that Xu Lingxiu’s nature wouldn’t do that sort of thing.
This was only a habit. A type of natural precaution.
Xu Lingxiu was still dissatisfied. He waved his sleeve, and drove Gu Zuo out: “Out, out, out! Since that young master won’t allow you to leave, then just go back and ask him! I’ll only tell you this: If you go, you can bring a bodyguard, but you can’t bring that Gongyi Tianheng. He’s been in the Inner Sect for many months, but there’s still a mission that hasn’t been completed yet! He can forget about that mission if he goes with you!”
Gu Zuo didn’t know anything about a mission, but he heard the seriousness within Xu Lingxiu’s words. He also didn’t delay. He stood up, and smiled at Xu Lingxiu as he said: “Many thanks to Senior Sect Brother Xu for still thinking about me. I’ll go back at once, and I’ll give Senior Sect Brother Xu a reply within a day.”
Xu Lingxiu coldly harrumphed: “Go, go, go! Get going!”
Gu Zuo “got going”.
Soon, he returned to the valley. Tianheng had also just finished operating a round of his inner cultivation method. At this moment, he was about to stand up to practice a full-body martial skill. When he saw that Gu Zuo had returned, he smiled: “Ah Zuo, did you receive another scolding?”
Gu Zuo pursed his lips.
In the past, if he came back early, it was because he really had received a scolding...
But this time wasn’t the case.
Gu Zuo directly said: “Big brother, Senior Sect Brother Xu wants to bring me to the Pill Battling Assembly. He said I can get lots of rare medicinal herbs. I also want to experience the situation of that Pill Battling Assembly, so I came back to ask you for your opinion.” He hesitated, “Additionally, although I guessed that big brother probably can’t accompany me there, Senior Sect Brother Xu spoke of a mission. What’s that about?”
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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