During this period of time, what needed to be mentioned first was that Gu Zuo had figured out how the Wondrous Metal had hidden itself.
In fact, it wasn’t anything special. It had divided its own body into fragments, and hid each bit into a piece of Jet-Black Origin Iron.
After Gu Zuo discovered this, he couldn’t help speechlessly holding his forehead.
In other words, if he wanted to collect the Wondrous Metal, he had to break open every piece of Jet-Black Origin Iron, and reassemble it one at a time… From work that tested a person’s intelligence, it had turned into work that was physically intensive. This was simply providing the full experience.
Jet-Black Origin Iron wasn’t a hard ore that was difficult to break apart. On the contrary, it was classified as a type of soft iron. Its main use was to increase spirituality, but an additional function was to increase a weapon’s ductility and flexibility.
But no matter how soft the iron was, it was still an ore. Gu Zuo took a dagger, and handled this tedious matter at a sluggish pace. It was a bit miserable.
Later on, Gongyi Tianheng muffled his laughter. Naturally, he sat next to Gu Zuo, and they worked together.
Gu Zuo originally felt that this painstaking matter wasn’t quite befitting of an aristocratic family’s young master. Although he was distressed, there was another corner of his heart that made him want to do things with his big brother. It felt comforting and intimate… Afterwards, he regretfully asked his big brother to stop and rest.
However, Tianheng wasn’t willing to let Gu Zuo work all by himself. Tianheng patted his head, and continued.
Gu Zuo’s head was patted, and his heart became soft and a bit sour. He obediently stopped rejecting.
By the time they reached the sect, the two had broken open all of the Jet-Black Origin Iron ores with high efficiencies, and had extracted the Wondrous Metal within.
This type of Wondrous Metal was also unusual. As each and every grain was removed, they resembled iron chunks of various sizes. However, once all of them were taken out, the entire pile combined in the blink of an eye. It formed a light-gold, gelatinous material, which was approximately the size of an adult’s clenched fist. This clump was as soft as mud, but it was also as clean and bright as glass.
At this time, Gu Zuo recognized it: “Myriad Manifestation Supple Gold! A yin-aligned Wondrous Metal!”
Once Tianheng carefully scrutinized the Myriad Manifestation Supple Gold, he put it away: “Ah Zuo, we should disembark.”
Upon arriving at their own large manor and compound, Tianheng passed like thunder and moved like the wind. He instructed his subordinates to come over and move the remains of the Jet-Black Iron Ore, as well as the surplus portions of spirit medicines that Gu Zuo picked out, into the storehouse. However, none of the other incomparably precious things could be revealed to anyone.
Inside the two’s room, Gu Zuo took out the Wondrous Water: “Big brother, this matter shouldn’t be delayed. Channel this thing into your body so that it can properly protect your kidneys.”
After he finished speaking, Gu Zuo suddenly felt embarrassed.
It was a kidney supplement… After that, he swiftly tossed out this train of thought, and brought his own way of thinking back onto the right track.
Meanwhile, Tianheng said: “If I absorb the Wondrous Water, I might need to enter seclusion for a few days. Now that I’ve obtained some good things, I should separate a portion to show filial respect to master.”
Gu Zuo thought about the spiritual source&#k2026; Ah, right! There was a large bottle of spiritual source. Currently, they weren’t able to use it, but that couldn’t be said for the head of the Blood Transformation Palace Hall. Tianheng’s master had treated him with such generosity, so it was only natural that he reciprocated with one or two good things in his possession.
As a result, Gu Zuo nodded without the slightest hesitation: “What big brother says is right.” He thought of something, and said, “I have also received lots of care from the palace master. He should have many spirit medicines with less than forty percent spirituality, but as for the ones with fifty to sixty percent spirituality, I’ll give one stalk to the palace master… Will it be okay to count this into big brother’s filial piety?”
Tianheng heard what Gu Zuo said, and his expression slightly softened: “Many thanks, Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “Ah, is there still a need to be this courteous between me and big brother? If it isn’t for the fact that I need to stockpile more medicinal ingredients here, it would be fine to give all of it to the palace master. The palace master treasures big brother and protects me. I need to express both of our gratitude to him as well.”
Tianheng’s gaze softened even more, but he didn’t say much else on this topic. He only ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair: “Ah Zuo, store half of the spiritual source into the storage space. Your elder brother will take the rest to deliver it to master.”
After he finished speaking, Tianheng took out that long-necked bottle, and handed it over to Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo caught it, and his arms buckled… So heavy!
Fortunately, his current strength wasn’t just for show. He swiftly steadied his grip, and took off the cover.
After that, he focused his thoughts, and extracted half of the spiritual source inside. He condensed the liquid into a ball as it hovered within a region of his storage space. Following which, he handed back the bottle with the remaining half of the spiritual source.
Tianheng smiled, turned around, and departed: “Ah Zuo, I’ll be going to pay my respects to master.”
In the back, Gu Zuo waved his hand: “Big brother, come back soon!”
Once Tianheng’s receding figure disappeared, Gu Zuo went to his own medicine refining room, took out some of the source sand, and started researching.
The first task he currently faced was this — Originally, the source sand had formed from the integration of the impurity-free mud and radiated energy. As such, when pill refining, would the impurity-free mud have to be filtered out, or would it be refined in its entirety? If it was filtered out, the radiated energy wouldn’t have anything to adhere to. In the end, would the energy precipitate as pure crystals, or would the energy simply fade away?
This was quite a headache…
On the other side of things, after Gongyi Tianheng walked out of the residence, he summoned a wild bird. He jumped onto it, and flew directly to the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.
In front of the Blood Transformation Palace Hall, there were many guards. All of them were iron-blooded, austere, and filled with vigilance. However, when they clearly saw the wild bird land, and realized that the visitor was Tianheng, their expressions became deferential.
They all recognized Tianheng, and knew that this was an all-star prodigy.
Moreover, they understood that, if Tianheng could make breakthroughs at a steady pace and could set a sufficient reputation for himself in the future, then the position of the young palace master couldn’t be entrusted to anyone except for him!
As a result, the guards treated him with extreme respect.
Tianheng gestured at the crowd of guards: “I have come to pay my respects to master. I hope that these sirs will notify him.”
The guards naturally responded with dutiful voices, and quickly sent someone to make a report. At the same time, their impressions of Tianheng improved.
With Tianheng’s identity, nothing would’ve happened if he charged straight inside. However, he was willing to wait here, which gave them face.
How could the dignity of an all-star prodigy make them unhappy?
Soon, the guard who made the report returned: “The palace master is inside the palace hall. Prodigy Gongyi Tianheng, please enter!”
Tianheng slightly nodded his head. After that, his figure flashed past. His entire person had already appeared over a hundred meters away. With another faint movement, he vanished through the palace gates.
The eyes of the numerous guards were overwhelmed with shock.
This kind of body technique was even faster than when he came last time!
Not long after, Tianheng entered the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.
At this time, the palace hall was empty. Only the Blood Transformation Palace Master was still inside.
As before, the exceptionally handsome palace master was wearing a full-body, blood-red robe. At this moment, he looked towards the arriving Tianheng, and his eyes contained a kindly and amiable gaze. It would cause a person’s heart to feel calm and comfortable.
He smiled: “This apprentice has smoothly returned and has secured the reputation of an all-star prodigy. It comforts this teacher’s heart.”
Tianheng also smiled: “This disciple has finally lived up to master’s expectations.”
The master and apprentice shared a few words. Overall, it was about the Blood Transformation Palace Master’s concern for Tianheng and Tianheng’s experiences while eliminating the flood dragon. In addition, he answered some questions that Tiangheng posed, and gave some pointers and explanations.
For a time, it was rather warmhearted.
Afterwards, Tianheng spoke: “Reporting to master, my return was a few days late. It was due to an invitation given by Hundred Skies Sect’s Prodigy Qi Xuanao to explore a cave abode. This disciple obtained some benefits inside. I’ve brought these benefits to offer them to master as a small token of this one’s sincerity.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master was somewhat surprised. He couldn’t help raising an eyebrow: “Oh?”
Truly, he found this situation to be outside his expectations.
Of course, this wasn’t saying that other disciples wouldn’t show filial respect to him. Merely, it hadn’t been that long since he had accepted Tianheng as an apprentice. With Tianheng’s savings, he shouldn’t have anything in his possession that could be given to him. Besides, a prodigy-level apprentice differed to some extent compared to other apprentices. Many prodigies were inordinately proud of their own abilities. Any thoughts of reciprocating to their masters wouldn’t arise for a long time. What’s more, this was an all-star prodigy.
Originally, the Blood Transformation Palace Master had made preparations. He wanted to spend even more time teaching and guiding so that this apprentice could develope a sense of belonging to the Blood Transformation Palace Hall. Yet now, this all-star prodigy suddenly said that he wanted to show filial piety…
But it had to be said that the Blood Transformation Palace Master truly felt gratified.
And once he got a clear look at what his apprentice had offered, the qi emissions of his entire body surged!
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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