Gongyi Tianheng looked at the two shifty-eyed local tyrants in front of him, and slightly raised an eyebrow: “Oh? You guys mean that you can bring me to places that have a few ten-thousand year old ancient ingredients?”
Suddenly, he quietly laughed: “But there are two of you. I don’t know who I should go with.”
The two tyrants looked sallow-skinned. Although their appearances didn’t resemble one another, their temperaments were exactly the same. At this moment, they glanced at each other, and their eyeballs rolled.
Hearing this, the person on the left said: “That ancient ingredient of my old master is a good product that’s been kept for a special occasion. If a client doesn’t have enough status, ordinary people wouldn’t even know about it.”
The person on the right said: “My family’s madam comes from an ancient aristocratic family. Because the family’s status had declined and it wasn’t able to secure a matrilineal marriage, she was instead married off to another family. That stalk of ancient ingredient, which was passed down through the generations, then became the madam’s dowry. It has always been deemed a precious treasure. If it wasn’t for the madam’s only son meeting a disaster recently, she wouldn’t have been willing to sell this family heirloom.”
The two people said: “Our ancient ingredients can be encountered, but they can’t be sought after. Young master, you mustn’t miss this opportunity.”
After that, they continued to speak: “If this pharmacist likes it, why not take a look at both? This young master, who possesses a magnanimous and ample family background, shouldn’t mind these one or two stalks.”
Tianheng heard what was said, and lowered his head to looked at his own little pharmacist: “Ah Zuo, what do you think?”
Gu Zuo lightly sighed: “I want to see both...”
Tianheng made the final decision: “Then, we’ll check both out. If they’re useful, we’ll buy them.”
Gu Zuo’s heart warmed: “If they’re not good enough, I won’t waste big brother’s gold!”
Those two tyrants were overjoyed when they saw that the business was about to be completed, but after hearing Gu Zuo’s words, they spoke in loud voices: “Rest assured, sir pharmacist! They’re ancient ingredients of exceptional quality. They certainly won’t leave you disappointed!”
Gu Zuo nodded his head, his heart also held some expectations.
Who knew if the ancient ingredients of the two factions that came forward were really that good?
Tianheng said: “Please lead the way.”
After the two local tyrants communicated with each other, they decided on which person’s faction they’d go to first. One tyrant would remain at a certain location — Without a sentry’s permission, that secret area wouldn’t allow the other tyrant to enter. As a result, Tianheng also understood the rules, and didn’t pry.
At this moment, the first local tyrant led the two ahead.
Gu Zuo and Tianheng followed closely.
This tyrant led them in a roundabout path through several small alleys, before reaching another gloomy alleyway. It was all basically pitch-black, and only the glow of a dim, yellow light from a deeper part brought a bit of brightness.
Gu Zuo saw this and felt a little scared.
Why did this look like they were documenting a ghost movie... Generally speaking, if the people who lived here didn’t have great skills, they were swindlers who were especially good at cheating others, right?
He hoped this place was the former. He didn’t want to have their time wasted with the latter.
The tyrant trekked towards the glow with uneven steps on the road. It didn’t take long for the group to approach the yellow light. At this time, Gu Zuo discovered that the place with the yellow light was clearly a very small medicine store. After opening the door, there was probably only four square meters of floorspace. The interior was also very cramped, with things piled up to the brim. It seemed bizarre and shocking.
Gu Zuo’s gaze swept over, and his eyes suddenly shined.
The carapace of a Golden Stone Ox, the nectar of a Myriad-Water Ceramic Flower, the gallbladder of a Black-Water Profound Serpent, the golden armor of an Earth Bull... These were all very rare! Although the Myriad Medicine Tower also had some, the amounts of each were few. If the time came where it was really used, there might not necessarily be enough! This place was practically giving him a pillow as he was about to sleep!
He casually looked at the many rare and precious medicinal ingredients. What would be the age and variety of the ancient ingredient collected by that store owner?
His expectations were getting bigger and bigger!
Just when Gu Zuo was thinking this, a shriveled shadow suddenly appeared in front of him.
He jumped in fright! How silent!
Of course, after being scared, there were some lingering fear. With his psychic power, it was impossible for even an Immortal Realm martial artist to get close without being discovered by him. However, he didn’t sense this person at all.
Tianheng’s expression also slightly moved.
Because Gu Zuo wasn’t a martial artist, it was very normal for him to miss something when he wasn’t paying special attention. But Tianheng was different. As a martial artist, it could be said that he was on guard at all times when coming to such an unfamiliar place. However, under this kind of vigilance, he didn’t detect anything, too.
...This old man wasn’t simple.
The shriveled shadow was a short and small old man.
His height was only up to Tianheng’s waist, and his eyes were turbid. It seemed like he already had one foot in the grave.
At this moment, the old man looked at that local tyrant, and then glanced at Gu Zuo and Tianheng again. In a hoarse voice, he said: “Do you want ancient ingredients?”
Gu Zuo promptly said: “I do!”
That previous bit of uneasy thinking was immediately tossed to the side by him.
Tianheng smiled and spoke with great etiquette: “Old sir, I’ve heard that you have a commodity reserved here for safe keeping. Therefore, we’ve presumptuously come, wanting to seek it.”
The turbid eyes of the shriveled old man shook: “Okay. Wait a moment.”
At this time, the tyrant quietly withdrew and disappeared.
During business transactions, even though he was a local tyrant, he also couldn’t be a spectator here.
Tianheng patted him placatingly: “Don’t be scared. The strength of that old sir far exceeds that of you and me. That’s why we can’t track the trajectory of his movements.”
Gu Zuo nodded, and his madly beating heart slowly returned to normal.
Following that, Gu Zuo’s eyes were dazzled. That shriveled old man had appeared in front of him again.
He looked at Gu Zuo, and unhurriedly extended his hand out.
Clutched in between his fingers was something that was writhing unceasingly — It looked like a small, emerald-green person.
Gu Zuo looked at this in surprise. His steady mood just now was thrown into disorder once more.
This, this was —
In his mind, he swiftly searched through the information of those medicinal ingredients. After that, he obtained an astonishing answer.
Gu Zuo blurted out: “—Extempore Grass Spirit?”
Tianheng hadn’t read the item books that Gu Zuo obtained later on, and naturally didn’t understand the meaning in Gu Zuo’s words. He opened his mouth: “Ah Zuo, what’s an Extempore Grass Spirit?”
Gu Zuo quickly replied: “An Extempore Grass Spirit is a stalk of a hundred-thousand year old Extempore Grass that has formed spirituality. This time’s Extempore Grass isn’t just any ordinary Extempore Grass. It has become a type of spirit medicine...”
Yes, that shriveled old man was truly incredible.
He previously seemed nothing special, but with an outstretched hand, he had casually taken out a stalk of spirit medicine!
One needed to know that even the Myriad Medicine Tower’s spirit medicines were all well preserved inside the fifth floor’s secret storehouse, and it was necessary to establish a sufficient natural environment for the others. That was what one would call prudent protection. But here, the shriveled old man had directly brought out a stalk of spirit medicine...like it was just a stalk of weeds.
But how could an Extempore Grass Spirit be a weed?
The reason why this thing was called “extempore” was because it was a type of holy product in medicine refining. According to the text of the item books, ordinary Extempore Grass was capable of upgrading the success rate of medicine refinement. Extempore Grass of a certain age could substitute other medicinal grasses of the corresponding age, becoming one of the medicinal ingredients of certain types of pill prescriptions. As for this kind of Extempore Grass Spirit right now, one would only need its juice to replace the ingredient of any type of Human-Level medicinal pill!
— To put it simply, if Gu Zuo needed to refine a Human-Level medicinal pill, even if it was a pill suited for Immortal Realm consumption, he would only need to throw in the Extempore Grass Spirit’s juice if he was short of a plant-type medicinal ingredient. This type of medicinal pill would also still be refined successfully.
Moreover, the medicinal properties wouldn’t have any changes at all!
Extempore, without preparation, as one wished — This was the pharmacist’s intent!
The shriveled old man said straightforwardly: “Do you want it or not?”
Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Zuo replied: “I want it!”
The shriveled old man said: “One million gold.”
Tianheng smiled. In the vicinity of the shriveled old man, a small mountain of gold was already piled up: “Please kindly accept this offering.”
The shriveled old man was very blunt. He swung his arm, and the Extempore Grass Spirit flew straight into Gu Zuo’s hands. Gu Zuo grabbed the small emerald-green person. As he held it with both hands, he discovered that this wasn’t a transformed, little person. Rather, it was a stalk of dark-green, human-shaped medicinal ingredient that was thick as an arm. Its entire body circulated with brilliance, and it was very beautiful.
Gu Zuo held the Extempore Grass Spirit and swiftly received it into his storage space.
In the blink of an eye, the other medicinal ingredients in that storage space region made room for its position. Only a few stalks, which were likewise spirit medicines, floated relatively close by.
The shriveled old man waved a hand, and the gold on the ground was also put away by him.
“Do you want more?”
“I want!”
It was only after Gu Zuo answered like conditioned reflex that he discovered that the shriveled old man had asked another question.
However, after he finished replying, he still turned his head to look at Tianheng — Just one stalk of spirit medicine cost a million gold. Although this price was comparatively cheap with regards to spirit medicines, this actually wasn’t cheap for their little household. In the end, he wasn’t mindful with his words...
Tianheng patted his head: “This is an opportunity.”
Gu Zuo sucked in a deep breath, and nodded his head.
Okay. In fact, he also understood clearly... This shriveled old man wasn’t an ordinary person. He decided that if he could get a hold of several stalks, then several stalks it would be!
That shriveled old man wasn’t concerned about what they were talking about. When Gu Zuo replied affirmatively, he had already vanished and reappeared during this sequence of events.
This time around, what appeared in his hand was a twisting flower. It possessed flower petals that were gorgeous to the point of eeriness. Its roots were very long, and would flap around like constantly wriggling tentacles.
Clearly, it was also spirit medicine!
One could imagine that if someone went to touch this stalk of spirit medicine, there was a big probability that they would be bound, attacked, and gobbled up by the tentacles until there was nothing left. After that, they would instead become food for this flower.
Gu Zuo recognized this thing. It was actually called the Fantasy God Flower. It was said to be a spirit flower, but in reality, it should’ve been a type of bloodthirsty, monster flower — A poisonous flower! Its petals probably weren’t suited for refining normal medicinal pills, but were actually a good material for Trick Pills and Poison Pills. When refining medicinal pills for bewitching or confusing people’s senses, the effects would be even more extraordinary!
Such a toxic spirit medicine was even harder to come by than other ordinary spirit medicines!
Gu Zuo asked: “Excuse me, old sir. How much for this ingredient?”
He rarely acted in a genteel manner, but this was really too exciting.
The shriveled old man said: “One million gold.”
Gu Zuo’s eyes widened.
Unexpectedly, he still only wanted a million gold? Shouldn’t it have been more expensive?!
On the contrary, Tianheng didn’t say anything. Tianheng directly piled up the gold next to that shriveled old man’s leg so he could collect it.
Gu Zuo similarly obtained the Fantasy God Flower, which the shriveled old man had thrown over, and properly put it away.
Immediately following that, the shriveled old man continued to ask, and Gu Zuo continued to buy without the slightest hesitation.
Each stalk was a spirit medicine, each one was very special, and each one was only a million gold.
After an entire ten stalks, the shriveled old man closed his mouth at last.
Gu Zuo’s frame of mind hadn’t been able to remain calm for a long time, and the waves in his heart were moving up and down.
However, he didn’t try to continue inquiring. Today’s harvest had already far exceeded his ideals.
Ten million gold and ten stalks of spirit medicine.
If these were set out during normal times, this would’ve basically been impossible. If it was at an auction, perhaps not even ten million gold could’ve purchased a single stalk.
This old sir...was truly too strange.
After obtaining these spirit medicines, Gu Zuo deferentially paid his respects to that shriveled old man.
One could say that he bought the spirit medicines at a cabbage’s price... Although he didn’t know what thoughts were in the other side’s mind, he didn’t believe that the other side wasn’t aware of the spirit medicines’ true value.
After hesitating for a moment, Gu Zuo still couldn’t help asking: “Old sir, the prices of these spirit medicines is somewhat too cheap...”
Actually, what he wanted to say was — “Don’t tell me you aren’t making a loss?”
The shriveled old man said nothing. He just turned around and went deeper into the medicine store.
Then, the lantern went out.
Gu Zuo: “...”
Tianheng put his hand on Gu Zuo’s shoulder, leading him outside: “He’s not worried about selling the spirit medicines. If what the old sir wanted was gold, he certainly wouldn’t have needed to send that local tyrant out to solicit business. Ah Zuo, this person was probably an eccentric who should’ve taken a fancy to your medicine refining skills. If you want to express gratitude, then do some more research on the paths of medicine refinement, and that would be sufficient repayment for this old sir’s favor to you.”
Gu Zuo finished listening, and solemnly nodded his head: “I will.”
The next moment, a beam of yellow light enveloped the area, illuminating the road ahead for them.
Tianheng faintly smiled: “It looks like I’ve guessed correctly.”
Gu Zuo turned his head around and glanced over. He only saw that lantern floating outside, and didn’t see the appearance of that shriveled old man. He didn’t say anything, and only solemnly nodded his head again.
He would certainly give it his all!
After getting the ten stalks of spirit medicine which the shriveled old man had half-sold and half-gifted, the two followed the other local tyrant to find that madam. Although the medicinal ingredient was also a top-notch ancient ingredient, in actuality, it was bought with less than a hundred thousand gold. After this, they strolled around Medicinal Ingredient Street, and plundered the Myriad Medicine Tower a few more times. Not counting the previous spirit medicines, the gold spent on medicinal ingredients was also over ten million.
The upsurge of wind and waves wasn’t small. Gu Zuo acted as a wealthy and willful young pharmacist, and Gongyi Tianheng acted as a great family’s young master who indulged his pharmacist. The two were recognized by many people. At the later stages, people stood around and watched them from time to time. Without any better option, Gu Zuo had to withdraw back to the City Lord’s Mansion. He had fun refining pills.
A few days later, Gu Zuo bade farewell to Xu Lingxiu.
Xu Lingxiu frowned and said: “This place has numerous pharmacists. Why do you want to leave early when there’s so many strong points to learn and absorb?”
Gu Zuo forced a smile and said: “Previously, when I was purchasing medicinal ingredients, there were some...”
When Xu Lingxiu heard these words, his furrowed brows loosened a little bit.
He actually knew that Gu Zuo hadn’t been having a great time recently, but he could also comprehend Gu Zuo’s fondness for medicinal ingredients. When he had enough money, he wanted to obtain even more good things. This was to be expected.
Xu Lingxiu thought about it again. Gu Zuo possessed an inheritance, and he had also drawn from the experiences of many others some time ago. So, there was nothing wrong with wanting to leave early. Xu Lingxiu still needed to stay here for a while longer. After returning, he could tell Junior Sect Brother Gu some things.
After thinking it over, Xu Lingxiu’s expression relaxed.
At this moment, Tianheng smiled and said: “I won’t keep it from Senior Sect Brother Xu. When I went on this mission, I unexpectedly found a place with many medicinal herbs, which Ah Zuo should like. Only, since I’m not a pharmacist, I was afraid that I’d injure the herb’s roots when harvesting them. Therefore, I came here in order to invite him along to pluck them. Right now, some time has already passed. If we’re late, I’m also worried that those medicinal herbs will be taken away by someone else. So, I want to leave in advance.”
Gu Zuo: “...”
His big brother was fabricating a story again.
He had deceived this little prince many times already...
Xu Lingxiu finished listening to Tianheng’s explanation, and his expression looked a bit better: “Since it’s like this, Junior Sect Brother Gu and Junior Sect Brother Gongyi will leave first.”
Gu Zuo promptly showed a smile: “Many thanks, Senior Sect Brother Xu!”
After this, Gu Zuo and Tianheng said goodbye to Xin Bailin. Following which, they arrived at that tavern and took along Tianyang and the Ling Clan siblings. After everything was prepared and settled, they departed Danyun City.
On the back of a gigantic wild bird, a group of people sat together in two batches.
Tianheng and Gu Zuo naturally sat at the very front. As for Tianyang, he’d been staying with the Ling Clan siblings for the past few days, and their relationship had also become closer.
Gu Zuo took out a pill refining cauldron, and simply started refining pills.
He felt that since his dear big brother had spent so much money to buy medicinal ingredients for him, he should make the most of all this time and work hard. He strived to earn back the money his big brother spent on him as early as possible!
Tianheng was aware of Gu Zuo’s way of thinking. He directly picked up the few item books that Gu Zuo had recently obtained, and sat beside Gu Zuo to leisurely flip through them.
Although he wasn’t a pharmacist, he wanted to know about some matters related to the field of medicine refinement to expand his own knowledge — Otherwise, if he encountered an opportunity in the future, but didn’t recognize it, then wouldn’t that just be too pitiful?
Ling Ziwei and Tianyang were also in the middle of chatting.
Tianyang’s face was blank, but there was a spirited look in his eyes: “Young Lady Ziwei might not know, but Brother Ah Zuo’s medicine refining skills are a rare sight in the world. Refining a cauldron of medicinal pills doesn’t take longer than a joss of incense. In the Sect, almost all of our medicinal pills are refined by Brother Ah Zuo. The product grades of the ones refined are also extremely high, which gives our clan brothers more opportunities to improve their strength...”
Ling Ziwei listened very attentively. When Tianyang stopped speaking, she echoed what he said: “Sure enough, very powerful. Such skills like Pharmacist Gu’s are enviable...”
Tianyang said: “Still, my big brother is also extraordinary. Young Lady Ziwei, you also might not know, but big brother’s health had been very poor since childhood. However, with great perseverance, he strengthened the businesses in the clan more than ever before. Later, he obtained the pill prescription that Brother Ah Zuo brought, and recovered completely. In a short one or two years, he reached a level that would take others ten to twenty years to attain.
He continued: “Afterwards, he fought through the Hundred Countries Tournament and smoothly entered the Sect. And he became Xiantian with extremely fast speeds. Currently, he stands firmly in the Inner Sect...”
Ling Ziwei’s thoughts wandered far away, and her smile was simple and pure: “Benefactor is so powerful. No wonder Pharmacist Gu is willing to follow him.”
Tianyang nodded his head: “Right! Big brother treats Brother Ah Zuo better than he treats me, his biological younger brother! At that time, when they were getting to know each other, big brother still couldn’t practice martial arts. Brother Ah Zuo also couldn’t refine medicine. Afterwards, they helped one another, and everything changed...”
Ling Ziwei tenderly said: “Young Master Tianyang is also amazing. Your future prospects are limitless.”
Tianyang’s face reddened: “I’m still inferior compared to big brother and Brother Ah Zuo.”
Ling Ziwei spoke softly: “That’s not true. Young Master Tianyang is very amazing.”
Ling Ziqi watched on from the side, and silently sighed.
His little sister... unexpectedly had her first awakening of love.
Even towards that white-eyed wolf Ling Tianen, who grew up together with her from a young age, his little sister had never acted this way before.
Logically speaking, their benefactor had saved their lives. Young Master Tianyang was the benefactor’s younger brother, and his personality and looks were very impressive. Ling Ziqi should’ve approved of his little sister and Tianyang interacting. But his little sister still had a secret on her, so his heart couldn’t help but worry.
What to do...
Ling Ziqi originally thought that, after this matter ended, he would bring his little sister away to not cause any trouble to their benefactor. But now, his little sister had a favorable impression of Young Master Tianyang. Young Master Tianyang also didn’t seem like he was adverse to this. How could Ling Ziqi be willing to break his little sister’s heart? It was just that this affair was truly difficult to handle.
Perhaps...he needed to let their benefactor know about the matter of his little sister, too?
He really hesitated.
Gongyi Tianyang and Ling Ziwei simply didn’t know that Ling Ziqi was racking his brain over this. This boy and girl pair had been getting along for the past few days, and had long developed good feelings for each other. Both of them wanted to get more intimate and to understand each other better.
As a result, Tianyang, who was normally obstinate and unperturbed, talked non-stop as he explained matters to Ling Ziwei. And no matter what Ling Ziwei heard, she only yearned to look upon Tianyang’s seemingly shining side-profile.
Emotional matters couldn’t be controlled by people.
In the front, Gu Zuo had just refined a cauldron of pills and quickly put the finished products away.
Soon after, he tugged Tianheng’s sleeve and quietly said: “Big brother, Tianyang and Young Lady Ling seem to have secret feelings for each other...”
Even Gu Zuo had taken notice of this matter, so Tianheng, who had such a meticulous mind, naturally had long known about it. He simply said: “Tianyang has also grown up. If there’s a woman he admires, he can court her.”
Gu Zuo poked Tianheng’s arm: “But you see, big brother, there seems to be something wrong with Young Master Ling.”
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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