However, Gu Zuo’s words could only prove that his level was above average and that his specialized knowledge was relatively precise. This couldn’t prove that he could treat Xiao Tianqi’s deep-seated problem.
Hence, following this, the martial artists of the Hundred Rivers League cast their expectant gazes upon Gu Zuo and waited for his next words.
When Gu Zuo talked about his specialty, he was still very capable of awing others: “Therefore, there are three points that currently need to be handled. The first is to expel that ball of cold yin qi. The second is to treat Senior Sect Brother Xiao’s wounded lungs. The third is to strengthen his wounded lungs, and to restore the internal environment that was imbalanced by the cold yin qi.”
In short, since Xiao Tianqi had such a powerful metal-attributed constitution, his lungs were his biggest weak point. When his other organs were in equilibrium, his lungs needed to be several times more powerful. Otherwise, it was very easy to be exploited.
The martial artists of the Hundred Rivers League nodded their heads again.
This was something that they also knew about. Those high-level pharmacists had similarly diagnosed this.
The next step was the most crucial one.
Gu Zuo glanced at these people, and faintly murmured: “The second and third points are easy to handle. The most pressing matter is still expelling the cold yin qi. As yin and yang restrain one another, rather than expelling this portion of cold yin qi, it would be better to directly transform it. As such, what Senior Sect Brother Xiao needs is to have medicinal pills with the power of true yang.”
Hearing this, Hai Tian’s eyes shined.
That’s right. That cold yin qi was practically a weed with deep roots and a solid stem. Wanting to expel it without excessively deepening the injuries in Xiao Tianqi’s lungs was truly too challenging. Even other Immortal Realm martial artists had no way of accomplishing this point — Xiao Tianqi himself was also at the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, wouldn’t he have had a better understanding of himself? Could it be that he couldn’t have done it himself?
Moreover, even if a Grand Elder were to act, their enormous powers would probably be spent on a very painstaking effort. However, what kind of a personage was a Grand Elder? When one reached this realm, they would spend practically all their time in secluded cultivation. How could they undertake a task for an Inner Sect Immortal Realm disciple? Even if this disciple was a brilliant younger generation, it was no good! If Xiao Tianqi was going to lose his life, perhaps there’d be a small chance after paying a big price. But the current state of affairs was that Xiao Tianqi was having a hard time making minor improvements. He wasn’t going to die... For this small matter, who would dare to disturb the Grand Elders who were comprehending the true meaning of the path of martial arts?
There was no other alternative. They still could only let the pharmacists act.
Most of the methods that the previous pharmacists mentioned were to ask powerhouses to conduct the expulsion. This point was quickly overruled. There was also a small number of pharmacists who mentioned that they could use medicinal pills that carried heat to conduct a suppression.
Pills that carried heat were generally fire-attributed medicinal pills. With regards to martial artists who practiced fire-attributed cultivation methods, swallowing this kind of pill had a boosting effect. After Xiao Tianqi took them, the heat inside radiated out, which somewhat inhibited the cold yin qi. This prevented the cold yin qi from continuously proliferating. Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to bring it under permanent control.
Generally speaking, pharmacists who mentioned that they had medicinal pills that could suppress it also usually had the corresponding pill prescription. Just like those previous pharmacists who mentioned that they could only use expulsion methods, could it be that they didn’t know that they could also conduct a neutralization? They were aware of this. Only, they didn’t have a prescription for it, and they weren’t willing to mention it and lose face.
Those who later mentioned that they could suppress the cold yin qi were usually holding onto fire-attributed pill prescriptions. It was also their medicinal pills that kept Xiao Tianqi from worsening the whole time. It was only now that there was another flare-up.
Currently, it was Gu Zuo who mentioned this concept of “the power of true yang”.
Hai Tian and the others suddenly thought of something. Could it be possible that they had succeeded by a lucky stroke? Did this Junior Sect Brother Gu truly have this kind of pill prescription? If he really had it, then it couldn’t have been better!
In a split second, Hai Tian opened his mouth in a hurry: “Junior Sect Brother Gu, do you have—”
Gu Zuo saw his anxiety, but also didn’t go to tantalize their appetites. He nodded his head and said: “Indeed. I have a prescription. However, this prescription is only suitable for Xiantian Realm martial artists...”
The expressions showing in Hai Tian and the others’ eyes immediately dimmed.
Then, Gu Zuo promptly said: “But if I can refine top grade medicinal pills, then it’ll still work.”
These twists and turns caused several gasps and bated breaths. Playing with the hearts of Hai Tian and the others also left them with perturbed states of mind. Eventually, it was only when Gu Zuo completely finished speaking did they begin to seriously ponder.
Hai Tian asked: “If it’s top grade, it’ll really be useful?”
Gu Zuo earnestly said: “It’s just like Qi Linking Pills. As far as Immortal Realm martial artists are concerned, the ordinary medicinal effects will be next to nothing. If it’s top grade Qi Linking Pills, the effects will be stronger and comparatively better than the low grade pills that Immortal Realms commonly take for replenishing true qi. The medicinal pill I’m talking about is called the Minor True Yang Pill. The medicinal effects are very fierce. Even if it’s low grade, the pill is rather strong to Xiantian martial artists. To Immortal Realm martial artists, the effects are very weak...”
Hai Tian blurted out: “And what if he takes mid grade or high grade pills in large amounts?”
Gu Zuo replied: “Large amounts will naturally provide some assistance, but if this happens, the amassed impurities will be very great. After transforming the cold yin qi with great difficulty, the meridians and flesh will instead be clogged by impurities. As such, cleaning it up will also be very challenging. It’s not too cost-effective. Thus, it’s best that we use top grade Minor True Yang Pills as much as possible. Not only will the course of the treatment become shorter, but there also won’t be any side-effects afterward.”
Speaking like this, Gu Zuo’s psychic power swept past his big brother for an instant.
Actually, there was a simpler method that would achieve the desired effects even faster. It was to allow his big brother to use his own power of the sun to expel the power of cold yin in Xiao Tianqi.
However, Xiao Tianqi and Gu Zuo were no more than strangers to each other. And Gongyi Tianheng was the person whom Gu Zuo was the closest to. He wanted to help Xiao Tianqi — Firstly, because this was to draw in external help for his big brother. Secondly, because he found the He Clan unpleasing to the eyes. At the same time, he couldn’t bear to watch such a genius like Xiao Tianqi being reduced to this. Hai Tian and the others’ sincerity had also somewhat moved him emotionally. But no matter how many reasons there were, they all couldn’t compare to Tianheng’s own safety and stability.
Tianheng’s power of the sun was indeed very efficacious. However, the so-called time he would need to spend was only short compared to a treatment that purely used medicinal pills. If Tianheng really came over to conduct the expulsion, then it would take over a month at the very least. And in this month, how much could Tianheng’s strength improve? How many contacts could he befriend? How many ancient records could he browse through in the Martial Scripture Pavilion? All of it would be squandered on Xiao Tianqi here. Even if his strength improved afterwards, it wouldn’t be cost-effective when put all together.
After making such a decision, Gu Zuo just waited for the Hai Tian and the others’ reply.
Hai Tian took a deep breath, and turned his head to have a proper discussion with the other couple of Immortal Realm martial artists. Of course, they didn’t want to refuse Gu Zuo’s treatment method. Rather, they were thinking about what to give Gu Zuo as a reward, as well as how to manage those medicinal pills... In any case, there was a light at the end of the tunnel at long last.
Gu Zuo stood together with Tianheng, and silently talked to Tianheng about his previous opinions.
Tianheng had a smile on his face as he patted Gu Zuo’s head. He returned the transmission.
[Ah Zuo’s considering things on my behalf, which make this elder brother’s heart very happy.]
Gu Zuo’s face warmed up.
[Big brother, that Minor True Yang Pill is actually something that I found long ago for big brother’s use! After taking this medicinal pill, big brother can cultivate that type of power even faster than by simply absorbing the power of the sun!]
Tianheng’s gaze softened even more.
[Then, this elder brother will be waiting for Ah Zuo’s Minor True Yang Pills.]
Gu Zuo showed a great, big smile.
The enthusiasm in his heart grew bigger and bigger.
Ah, this was two birds with one stone.
Off to the side, Hai Tian and the others also finished their discussion.
Because of their familiarity, it was still Hai Tian who went over first. His bearing carried a bit of eagerness as he said: “We don’t need to trouble a third-party for this matter. If Junior Sect Brother Gu doesn’t mind, would it be possible for you to come refine the Minor True Yang Pills? No matter the price, Junior Sect Brother Gu just needs to say the word.”
On the contrary, Gu Zuo was a little perplexed.
Why didn’t this Hai Tian suggest buying the pill prescription? Of course, it was impossible for him to sell this kind of pill prescription, which was especially useful to his big brother. However, could it be that the other party trusted him this much?
On the side, Tianheng looked at Gu Zuo’s expression, and immediately understood his way of thinking. Soon after, Tianheng gave a smile. His little pharmacist was still somewhat pure.
Hai Tian’s behavior was honorable, but in the end, he was still a person who carried the burden of the Hundred Rivers League for Xiao Tianqi. How couldn’t his heart possibly have any twists and turns? Just like this time around, it was only natural that Hai Tian wanted the pill prescription. However, asking someone to treat an illness while simultaneously seeking the other party’s pill prescription — This kind of matter was truly unreasonable. One couldn’t act so rashly at the start.
As a result, Hai Tian and the others’ thoughts were certainly like this.
Firstly, they couldn’t be certain of the usefulness of the Minor True Yang Pills. So they first asked Gu Zuo to refine them. If the effects were good after testing, then they would reconsider the matters of the next step. Secondly, under the precondition that the medicinal pills’ effects were good, if Gu Zuo could refine them all the way through, then it would be a pleasant partnership. And if Gu Zuo wasn’t able to refine enough pills, then they could purchase the pill prescription at that time. This was likewise good business.
It was just that Tianheng didn’t feel that he needed to talk to Gu Zuo about this kind of thing so cautiously. It went without saying that this was of no great matter. Moreover, after Gu Zuo learned from this, he would be more perceptive. He would be able to accumulate experience, too.
Hence, Tianheng just said: “Ah Zuo, this is fine.”
Gu Zuo heard Tianheng say this, and didn’t give it too much thought. He immediately said: “Senior Sect Brother Hai, I won’t guarantee that I can refine top grade Minor True Yang Pills.”
Hai Tian’s heart stirred.
From Gu Zuo’s words, he actually heard a strong sense of self-confidence — At the very least, this Junior Sect Brother Gu was confident that he could refine Minor True Yang Pills. Only the product grades couldn’t be guaranteed.
At once, Hai Tian’s heart relaxed. He smiled and said: “Rest assured, Junior Sect Brother Gu. So long as you’re willing to do it, regardless of the product grades of the Minor True Yang Pills, my Hundred Rivers League is willing to accept them. I’ll just ask Junior Sect Brother Gu to quote a price. At worst, those with low grades will be put aside for other uses later on.”
Gu Zuo listened, and pursed his lips: “This is also considered a custom-made medicinal pill... The Minor True Yang Pill’s refining process is very complicated. There are twenty-eight types of medicinal ingredients needed. Among them, twenty-seven aren’t too hard to find. Only, the main ingredient must be Fierce Yang Grass, Profound Yang Flowers, Colored Yang Spirit Fruits, Yang Flame Snake Galls, or other objects that contain the power of true yang. Fierce Yang Grass is the best among them. I’ve tried refining this type of medicinal pill before, and it was done fairly easily. If I use the Spirit Devouring Pill Refining Method, then I can also try refining some top grade Minor True Yang Pills, but the wasted medicinal ingredients will greatly increase...”
This speech was relatively long. Although Hai Tian and the others were worried, they still listened patiently and attentively.
In addition, as they kept listening, they gradually understood Gu Zuo’s implications.
Gu Zuo continued: “If you want me to refine Minor True Yang Pills, you’ll have to ask all the Senior Sect Brothers in the Hundred Rivers League to bear the responsibility of gathering all the medicinal ingredients. Deliver it all to my family’s young master for me to refine them. My young master will send someone to deliver each medicinal pill I successfully refine. Additionally, the product grades won’t be taken into account.
“Don’t mind the low grade ones. Because the effects will be minimal to Senior Sect Brother Xiao, I’ll give them for free. If it’s mid grade, my Senior Sect Brothers will pay me fifty gold. High grade is a hundred gold. If it’s top grade, it’ll be two hundred gold.”
Everyone from the Hundred Rivers League heard Gu Zuo’s request, and their minds inwardly calculated.
“If my Medicine of Life sells Minor True Yang Pills externally, low grades will be fifty gold, mid grades will be a hundred gold, and high grades will be two hundred gold. As for top grade pills... Those won’t be sold publicly.
“Furthermore, if Senior Sect Brother Xiao takes the Minor True Yang Pills, it’ll certainly show results. Only, I’m unable to give a fixed number for the amount that he needs to take. These Senior Sect Brothers can first gather a portion of the medicinal ingredients. After Senior Sect Brother Xiao takes some Minor True Yang Pills and the medicinal effects are reckoned, then you can gather even more ingredients.”
After hearing this, Hai Tian and the others also finished calculating. Their faces also carried smiling expressions.
Gu Zuo really hadn’t laid a trap for them. It could be said that this price was relatively cheap. The current question was how many pills Gu Zuo could refine and how high his pill refining rate was.
Naturally, the higher his pill refining rate, the more profitable it would be. Otherwise, it would be a really unlucky matter to squander large amounts of medicinal ingredients while obtaining only a few finished products... Nevertheless, one couldn’t blame the pharmacist.
But regardless of what guesses they had about Gu Zuo’s pill refining rate, Hai Tian and the others were still inclined to allow Gu Zuo to refine the pills. After all, apart from Gu Zuo, they hadn’t heard of anyone else possessing this pill prescription. Also, Gu Zuo had said that he had refined it before. Thus, rather than giving it to other pharmacists and letting them fumble around and waste medicinal ingredients, it was better to first take a look at the results of Gu Zuo’s refinement.
After making up his mind, Hai Tian agreed very resolutely: “It’ll be done according to Junior Sect Brother Gu’s words.”
Gu Zuo also liked straightforward people: “Since it’s like this, then I’ll be leaving first with my young master. After my Senior Sect Brothers have gathered the medicinal ingredients, directly sending them to my young master will be okay.”
After that, the people on both sides didn’t say too many superfluous words. One side swiftly ran out to gather medicinal ingredients. Hai Tian had specially given Gu Zuo ten thousand in golden banknotes as a “medical consultation fee”. Meanwhile the other side clutched the golden banknotes and took their leave. On the road, Gu Zuo’s eye curled, and he couldn’t stop a glittering smile from appearing.
Two people were sitting on a wild bird.
Gongyi Tianheng lightly pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek: “Ah Zuo, why are you this happy?”
Gu Zuo was simply radiating with delight: “Big brother, based on an ordinary pharmacist’s high level of refining the Minor True Yang Pill, I can embezzle lots of medicinal ingredients. With the deducted ingredients, I can refine Minor True Yang Pills whose product grades are even purer for big brother. At that time, big brother’s strength will certainly improve even faster! The money that big brother saves can then be used for many other matters!”
As it turned out, it was for himself... When Tianheng looked at Gu Zuo, his eyes were filled with warmth: “Rest assured, Ah Zuo. As your elder brother, I’ll definitely let you refine medicine in peace.”
Gu Zuo was very happy: “I have faith in big brother!”
Soon, they returned to the small hill.
Because Tianheng still wasn’t an Immortal Realm martial artist, he hadn’t given this place a name yet — Presently, naming it wasn’t justifiable. Similarly, the dwelling inside also hadn’t been given a name.
Gu Zuo and the others didn’t care about this. At this time, they returned. Gu Zuo waved a hand at Tianheng, and promptly squeezed into his medicine refining palace hall.
He needed to seize the moment and refine the enhanced version of the Minor True Yang Pill!
— What was the enhanced version?
With a serious face, Gu Zuo sat down in front of an enormous pill cauldron in the large palace hall. On the left and right were several large bundles of prepared medicinal ingredients. Placed between his crossed legs was a jade bowl. And gently clasped in his hand was a giant Saturn Peach. It alternated in red and white colors, and it was as big as a water jar.
Flowing-Flames Saturn Peach.
Spirit medicine.
Correct. Right now, Gu Zuo wanted to use a stalk of spirit medicine to refine Minor True Yang Pills for his big brother.
Logically speaking, if one wanted to use spirit medicine, it shouldn’t be used on medicinal pills that were below Golden-Level. However, Gu Zuo didn’t think so — He was thinking that his big brother’s Tiandu Body was too precious. If Tianheng was going to be stronger than other people in all respects, then Gu Zuo need to use the best things in all respects!
This didn’t mean that Gu Zuo was being extravagant. Rather, while he previously believed that he had already been very good to Tianheng, in actuality, it was far from enough.
And such a discovery was from those five newly-obtained Golden-Level item books.
In the few Golden-Level item books on medicinal cuisines, decoctions, and pills, there were many prescriptions written down that used spirit medicines to refine the body, expand the meridians, and nurse one’s health. Among them, there was one that had no less than twenty pages that used spirit medicines and precious wild beast’s blood essence to form a medicinal decoction which improved the body and inner qualities of young children. This allowed them to walk ahead of ninety-nine percent of martial artists at the start of childhood!
Undoubtedly, this kind of luxuriant method could only be accomplished by the richest and most financially-capable talents. But since this prescription was written down, it meant that there was definitely someone who did this.
Gu Zuo didn’t know what kind of a person would do this, but he also understood that his big brother, who had the Tiandu Body and who had such good aptitudes, had never done this.
This made Gu Zuo’s heart feel uncomfortable.
As one mended the pens after the sheep escaped, it still wasn’t too late. Since he currently possessed spirit medicines, then he would do what ought to be done.
This type of Minor True Yang Pill was actually a simplified version of the True Yang Pill. The genuine True Yang Pill was a Golden-Level medicinal pill, and it directly used spirit medicines to act as the main ingredient. And if one wanted to have its effects received within the limits of Xiantian martial artists as much as possible, then the best main ingredient was a stalk of spirit medicine that had passed through a dilution.
When his big brother reached the Immortal Realm, who knew if he could to obtain even better spirit medicines? Good medicines were ones that were used. On the contrary, if they weren’t used now and he got better ones in the future, then these would be washed out, or he might give them to others to use, or simply sell them. In the end, it was still better to give them to his big brother to use now!
After his mind finally turned clear, Gu Zuo unhurriedly breathed out.
In that case, the first step was to dilute the spirit medicine.
Gu Zuo focused his attentions. In the space between his eyebrows, a silver ray of light quickly flickered.
This was such a big Flowing-Flames Saturn Peach. In actuality, he only needed an extremely small amount...
A tiny silver needle swiftly flew out from between Gu Zuo’s eyebrows. It pricked that enormous Saturn Peach and disappeared in the blink of an eye. In the next second, a drop of dark-red peach juice tremblingly emerged from the pierced peach skin. Gu Zuo quickly used his psychic power once more to sweep it up. In an instant, it fell into that small and exquisite jade bowl!
A perfectly-round drop of peach juice rolled around the jade bowl like a strangely-colored drop of mercury. And like a pearl, it was extremely beautiful with its sparkling translucence.
But Gu Zuo didn’t have the time to appreciate it right now. He took advantage of the fact that the spirit medicine’s medicinal effects hadn’t burst forth too far. Both his hands moved continuously, and he promptly took out several herbs for chopping. The herbs immediately fell into that jade bowl and mixed with the peach juice!
In the blink of an eye, a puff of white gas erupted, which nearly formed a small trail of smoke. At the same time, the peach juice dissolved under the effects of the medicinal herbs, as if it had melted with those herbs... In a brief period of time, it filled more than half of the jade bowl. It formed a light-red colored liquid that flowed like precious stones. It had practically merged with the jade bowl.
At this time, Gu Zuo flicked his finger, and the Earthen Core Flame appeared. It dropped below that giant pill cauldron.
At the exact same time, he sensed the true qi in his body rapidly disappearing, which greatly alarmed him.
He was urging a Wondrous Fire when his realm was insufficient. Sure enough, this wasn’t a matter that a person should undertake! However, in order to avoid wasting the spirit medicine, Gu Zuo decided to go through with it!
Under the effects of his psychic power, numerous medicinal ingredients rapidly flew out, and fell into that enormous pill cauldron. Meanwhile, Gu Zuo constantly used his hand seals. The Wondrous Fire’s effects weren’t comparable to those of an ordinary blaze. After the ingredients entered the cauldron, it didn’t even take a few seconds for it all to swiftly melt into medicinal liquid!
Gu Zuo seemed to be as nervous as when he first started refining medicine. He was cautious and solemn, and didn’t dare to make the tiniest mistake. His fingers moved extremely quickly and they even appeared to form countless shadows, but a person wouldn’t have been able to make out a single trace!
In a couple breaths of time, the medicinal liquid automatically separated and formed sixteen balls of liquid. At this moment, the pill cauldron produced sizzling noises. Those drops of medicinal liquid were also gradually congealing like they were about to turn into pills. This moment was when he was going to throw in the diluted spirit medicine juice!
Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Zuo bent his finger and flicked it at the jade bowl.
The present Gu Zuo used his power very precisely. Sixteen drops of spirit medicine juice promptly shot out and rushed into that pill cauldron. While Gu Zuo rapidly utilized his hand seals again, the drops of juice fused with those sixteen balls of liquid!
In a split second, the liquid balls congealed!
Sixteen medicinal pills were refined successfully, and they shot out very quickly. A strand of milky-white medicinal qi also suddenly rose up!
Gu Zuo had joy on his face. He reached out a hand and scooped up those medicinal pills. The medicinal qi was also deposited in his storage space. Immediately following this, he withdrew the Earthen Core Flame!
Once these three steps were reached, he finally gasped a breath of air.
This was truly too tiring... Fortunately, top-grade enhanced versions of the Minor True Yang Pill were successfully refined!
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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