Because of Gongyi Tianheng’s tact, this trip had been quite rewarding for Qingyun Sect. Not only was there a disciple with a special constitution, there were also rare pill prescriptions. Compared to the other organizations who instead came back empty-handed and had lost many people, they had truly done far better.
Tianheng, Gu Zuo, and the others were very satisfied with their harvest. During the journey back, Tianheng had displayed those smooth and slick communication skills of his, and had left a good impression on the many people of the Sect Master’s bloodline. While it couldn’t be said that he was able to completely make friends with them, nor was he regarded importantly by them, so long as he left this impression, he could certainly have endless benefits at the right time in the future.
The journey went smoothly — Or rather, under the urgent prompting of Elder Zhong and the Sect Master’s trusted aides to hasten the flying ship, the other forces didn’t have enough time to react in any way. They had already flown extremely far. Even if the people behind wanted to chase after them, it was absolutely impossible to do so.
In just a few days, they reached Qingyun Sect.
Gu Zuo returned to that small valley. Meanwhile, Tianheng followed Elder Zhong into the depths of the Sect’s core area to pay a formal visit to the Sect Master. In Qingyun Sect, the Sect Master was the powerhouse whose strength was the highest. One would always see the dragon’s head, but never its tail. Even Core Disciples and True Apprentices didn’t have the rights to see him. This time around, if it wasn’t for the great importance placed upon the inheritance, that Tianheng was involved in the matter, and that it was needed for him to explain the state of affairs again, it would’ve been impossible for Tianheng to see the Sect Master as well.
But no matter what, the worth of a disciple who met the Sect Master was always distinctive.
What could be concealed from Elder Zhong wouldn’t necessarily be concealed from the Sect Master. With regards to the matter of his dear big brother seeing the Sect Master, it wasn’t that Gu Zuo wasn’t worried, but there was nothing he could do about it. Gu Zuo could only place his trust in Tianheng.
On the aspect of luck, the Tiandu Body should’ve been very good.
Gu Zuo shook his head, and restrained his unease.
The Ling Clan siblings had likewise gone their separate ways. Ling Ziwei wouldn’t be coming back, but he couldn’t be sure about Ling Ziqi. But with Ling Ziwei present, his affairs probably wouldn’t turn out too bad.
Gu Zuo instructed the Tianlong Guards to handle any affairs, and placated the worried Tianyang. Then, he took out those newly-obtained item books, and started to slowly flip through them.
Although he didn’t have the ability to refine Golden-Level medicinal pills right now, he could gain an understanding at an earlier time or even give it an occasional try… At the very least, he would know what was going on when he encountered such a situation in the future.
Gu Zuo gradually became fascinated as he kept reading.
The refining methods of Golden-Level medicinal pills, medicinal cuisines, and medicinal decoctions were more than twice as mysterious as that of Human-Level medicine. The degree of complexity of those prescriptions were far beyond comparison.
Gu Zuo read through it all. Just when he went to check his inventory of the medicinal ingredients he purchased once more, Tianheng returned. His expression didn’t contain the slightest trace of reluctance, and his complexion was very tranquil. Sure enough, it seemed that the results weren’t bad at all.
Gu Zuo promptly put down his book, and stood up to welcome Tianheng back: “Big brother, are you alright?” He paused before asking, “The Sect Master, what does he look like?”
Tianheng laughed in spite of himself: “The Sect Master was magnanimous. After a bit of questioning, that was it. As for the Sect Master’s appearance, I actually don’t remember it too well. I only vaguely feel that he was a man with an overbearing presence. He had a soaring charisma and a type of awe-inspiring spirit, which one can’t help but admire.”
Gu Zuo blanked a little bit: “How can you not remember?”
Tianheng faintly murmured: “It’s probably because a powerhouse with strength like the Sect Master has a type of ability to make others overlook their appearances and only revere their qi emissions.”
Soon after, Tianheng ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair, and faintly smiled. His words had an unquestionable self-confidence: “In the future, there will come a day when you and I will be able to do the same.”
Gu Zuo couldn’t help smiling, too: “Whatever big brother says.”
At this moment, Tianyang, who was off to the side practicing martial arts, walked over a little hesitantly: “Big brother, Young Lady Ling, she…”
Tianheng looked at his biological younger brother. He nodded his head and said: “Young Lady Ling’s constitution is special. Naturally, she is greatly valued. Right now, she has been received as the disciple of the head apprentice under the Sect Master. That head apprentice is an Elder with true authority, who is also a half-step Atomic Realm martial artist. With the new pill prescriptions in hand, it’d only take a hard push and perhaps he’ll become the next Atomic Realm powerhouse. At this moment, Young Lady Ling is a True Apprentice with a number of senior sect brothers and sisters. Her status is extraordinary.”
Tianyang heard this, and his face had an expression that had a hint of relief, but also a hint of disappointment.
Tianheng raised an eyebrow: “Tianyang, are you sure of your feelings for Young Lady Ling?”
Tianyang’s face reddened slightly in silent acknowledgment.
Tianheng said: “Since it’s like this, you should redouble your efforts from this day forth. If not, Young Lady Ling’s strength will make rapid progress while it’ll be impossible for you to catch up to her.”
Tianyang’s originally blushing complexion paled at this moment, but the expression in his eyes was resolute.
Tianheng was slightly satisfied: “That set of jewelry is suitable for the Moon Siren Body. I was going to give it to you to act as a betrothal gift, but now I’m afraid it can only act as an item to curry favor. If you really want to get together with Young Lady Ling, you’ll have to use absolute strength to force others to hold their tongues.”
Tianyang had already swept aside that previous hint of disappointment. He spoke firmly: “Yes, big brother.”
Once the two brothers finished speaking, Gu Zuo interjected: “Tianyang, if there are any medicinal pills you need, just say the word. At that time, big brother can gather the medicinal ingredients for you and I’ll refine them. In this aspect, you’ll never fall behind those so-called genius disciples.”
Tianyang’s heart warmed, and he said: “Many thanks, Brother Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo withdrew and turned to face Tianheng’s gentle gaze. He didn’t know why his face reddened, but these peculiarities quickly dispersed.
Perhaps, within his subconscious mind, some things couldn’t be recalled nor understood.
Gu Zuo had just come back from Xu Lingxiu’s place — Because Gongyi Tianheng’s small hill was still under construction, they still couldn’t move for the time being.
He had returned to the Sect two days ago. After this news had been made known to Xu Lingxiu, Gu Zuo was called over by someone. And the purpose of the one who called him over also wasn’t outside of Gu Zuo’s expectations. It was to bring him to see an Elder with true authority who had deep connections to Xu Lingxiu — This was also an Elder who had a high standing in the Pharmacist Hall.
That Elder wanted to see Gu Zuo. Naturally it was for the sake of the Spirit Devouring Pill’s pill prescription.
Danyun City had long obtained this pill prescription. They should’ve researched it for a period of time, and perhaps many finished goods had come out of it. As such, Qingyun Sect also knew of this information and wouldn’t let themselves lag behind their opponents.
When Gu Zuo came over this time around, he knew that Xu Lingxiu had strived for two types of payment for him.
The first type was naturally the same payment that Danyun City had given. From the Sect, two stalks of spirit medicine had been allocated to Gu Zuo to obtain the pill prescription.
The second type was to use contribution points to act as an exchange. And the number of those contribution points reached a shocking ten thousand points — Although this pill prescription only had a single sheet and didn’t have three types of precious pill prescriptions that were suitable for Atomic Realm martial artists, it wasn’t the least bit inferior in terms of contributions.
As far as Inner Sect disciples were concerned, contribution points were very important. If it was before, it would’ve been important to Gu Zuo as well. But now it seemed a bit like chicken ribs.
This thing was used to exchange for some precious medicinal ingredients or to enter some special areas of the Sect. Yet, Gu Zuo was now backed by Tianheng, who also had more than ten thousand contribution points in hand — In the past, the most Tianheng spent was at the Martial Scripture Pavilion, but the Martial Scripture Pavilion was now completely open to him. Thus, contribution points didn’t have too many applicable uses. Naturally, it could all be given for Gu Zuo’s use! What’s more, Tianheng’s current privileges allowed him to purchase many things that disciples with insufficient rank were unable to buy. There were even discounts…
As a result, without the slightest hesitation, Gu Zuo chose the two spirit medicines.
The more spirit medicines, the better. He wasn’t someone who would turn a blind eye to them!
Merely, on the selection of spirit medicines, Gu Zuo was somewhat unsure.
His original intention was to stockpile some with different types and attributes. But just when he was about to make his selection, for some reason, he recalled the reddish-gold power that his big brother employed. Subconsciously, he made an exchange for two other spirit medicines — Both contained the power of the sun, and carried threads of heat.
Afterwards, he didn’t have any regrets.
Once he bade farewell to Xu Lingxiu, Gu Zuo went back.
Only, after Gu Zuo entered the courtyard and returned to his room, what he saw was a Gongyi Tianheng whose body was completely soaked with sweat — Gu Zuo’s heart was startled. He rushed over with his mind drawing a blank.
“Big brother, what’s wrong?”
Tianheng’s complexion was flushed red.
Originally, his beautiful appearance was like the bright moon on a cold night. People would admire it, but they wouldn’t dare to profane it in the slightest. At this moment, his complexion seemed even more beautiful than the setting sun, and it had become another type of beauty. It would make a person want to touch him, but due to that serene expression, one would shyly retract their hand.
But this kind of thought only flickered in Gu Zuo’s heart for an instant and immediately faded away. Right now, what he cared about even more was why his big brother suddenly became like this.
— Could it be that something had gone wrong during his cultivation?
Because Tianheng had been practicing a self-made cultivation method that he created based on his own comprehension, Gu Zuo couldn’t help worrying.
Thus, Gu Zuo didn’t hesitate to rush over and grab Tianheng’s wrist: “Big brother, don’t resist.”
Tianheng seemed to be in extreme pain, and only managed to grunt in affirmation.
Gu Zuo held his breath, and used his psychic power to swiftly investigate Tianheng’s body.
During this check, he immediately discovered that there was actually a power of an extremely cold yin. It wandered through his meridians as if it wanted to rush into his bone pearls. At the same time, it burned his blood, turning the equilibrium within his body into a complete mess. It also made his meridians, which weren’t that tenacious to begin with, show signs of rigidity and brittleness.
Gu Zuo was very anxious.
What, what was this power?
T/N: According to the author, a section of this chapter contains outdated information, which conflicts with the later parts of the novel. Due to the rules at JJWXC, the author can’t delete this section because it would be lowering the word count of a VIP chapter. Following the wishes of the author, this section has been removed in this translation.
Thanks for the correction, Charysa.
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