This was a teenager with a refined and elegant appearance. His stature was neither tall nor short, and his qi emissions were pure and unsullied. His hair, which reached slightly past his shoulders, was tied at the back of his head. At this moment, the smile that stretched across his face glittered brilliantly. His entire person gave off a cheerful disposition.
It was strange, but people would feel that this teenager ought to have had a very good temperament with a single glance.
Lian Xinzi and the others watched as the panting teenager came to a stop in front of the brocade-robed young man. The teenager’s hair was ruffled by the other, and it seemed that the relationship between the two was quite close. These sworn brothers and sisters thought about the sentiments between themselves, and the sudden vigilance within their hearts eased greatly. A rather favorable impression of that little teenager also arose — It was like they were looking at the Xue Shen who still hadn’t sank into a melancholy caused by his ailments.
Gongyi Tianheng saw how eager Gu Zuo was, and ruffled his hair. He was in a good mood: “I’m out.”
Gu Zuo immediately asked: “How did the absorption go?”
Tianheng smiled: “Everything has been absorbed. And my realm had a minor breakthrough.”
Gu Zuo sent out his psychic power, and carefully explored. Sure enough, he found that his family’s big brother had advanced from the low Immortal Realm to the mid Immortal Realm. At once, he was even happier: “Congratulations on another breakthrough, big brother!”
Although the time between these divisions appeared somewhat brief, the breakthroughs between major realms were comparatively difficult — Generally speaking, once a martial artist’s comprehension reached a certain level, they could attempt to make a breakthrough in major realms. Prior to breaking through, they would’ve already cultivated the embryonic form of the next realm. Once they broke through, the embryonic form would truly take shape and the route of cultivation would be set. The following four minor realms were actually a comprehensive process of accumulations and understandings.
When Tianheng was at the Xiantian Realm, his accumulations were robust. His plans for the Immortal Realm were complex, and there were many things he had comprehended. However, in the Immortal Realm, he needed to simultaneously deepen these comprehensions and accumulate profound qi until his qi oceans further stabilized. Once his comprehensions progressively improved to a deeper level, he could touch upon the barrier of the Atomic Realm.
As a result, Tianheng’s minor realm breakthrough wasn’t actually so strange.
Hearing Gu Zuo’s congratulations, Tianheng’s smile widened. He said: “But Ah Zuo… This elder brother has just come out of seclusion, and he has heard that you’ve accepted several medicinal slaves. What plans do you have?”
Gu Zuo’s face reddened, and he mumbled: “Um, this is…”
Before Gu Zuo could stammer out an explanation to his big brother, the pair’s conversation had already struck the remaining people dumb like a sudden clap of thunder.
…Including Ming Wanzhu, who discovered that the situation wasn’t right outside and went to search for the others while carrying Xue Shen on her back.
At this moment, Chang Min and the others recalled the words Tianheng previously spoke — “I’ll let the one who accepted you guys be the one to explain.” Their gazes couldn’t help falling onto Gu Zuo.
Could it be that the one who received them, that senior in the black cloak, was actually this seemingly harmless teenager? It was too far from what they imagined!
In an instant, the five brothers and sisters were firmly rooted on the spot.
Incredulity flashed through their minds — How was this possible?!
Tianheng became aware of these people’s sluggishness, and raised an eyebrow: “Why aren’t they able to recognize Ah Zuo?”
Gu Zuo exasperatedly tugged on Tianheng’s sleeve cuff: “Big brother, I was wearing the cloak when I accepted them…”
Before Gu Zuo finished speaking, Tianheng got out a bit of unfinished meaning from it. He slightly nodded his head, and his tone of voice was somewhat telling: “It looks like Gu Zuo’s experiences have been rather substantial while this elder brother was in seclusion.”
Gu Zuo felt embarrassed: “Actually, I just took a trip down the mountain&#k2026;”
After that, Gu Zuo started to slowly tell Tianheng about what he went through. As he spoke, the two walked towards the summit.
The five sworn brothers and sisters who were left behind exchanged glances. They didn’t dare to follow. Their bodies were frozen stiff.
After Tianheng and Gu Zuo’s figures disappeared, Yu Fei talked slowly: “Say, you guys… If a person just changes a set of clothes, can the difference in feelings he gives others be this big?”
Ming Wanzhu and Xue Shen were left speechless.
Lian Xinzi barely managed to speak: “P-probably?”
As for Chang Min, he had always been the cool-headed one. At this time, he said: “Don’t make random guesses. Regardless of the outward appearance or temperament of the person who accepted us, we only need to perform our duties well.”
The others nodded their heads one after another.
It was just that, after accepting the facts, their expressions were somewhat subtle — Including Chang Min’s.
Sure enough, they thought about that sinister and grim pharmacist who treated them with grace, power, and prestige. Yet, this teenager was lively, cute, intimate, and pure to this brocade-robed young man. It was a bit…hard to get used to.
Back to Gu Zuo. He hadn’t seen his family’s big brother for a dozen or so days. At this time, he pulled on Gongyi Tianheng’s sleeve, and didn’t let go. His mouth smoothly narrated his tale. For any matters, great or small, none were omitted.
After he finished talking about his dealings with Shopkeeper Fang, Gu Zuo asked with some hesitance: “Big brother, I got in touch with Shopkeeper Fang like this, but it shouldn’t cause any hindrances to you, right?”
Tianheng shook his head, and said with a smile: “No harm done. With Ao Ying and the others by your side, there ought to be very few impulsive people in Shijue City who wouldn’t know what’s good for them. It doesn’t matter whether you show your face or not. However, if you’re outside of Shijue City, you need to be careful. You must always be mindful of ignorant people taking risks.”
Gu Zuo was completely relieved: “I also think that it shouldn’t matter inside the city. It’s just that the price was somewhat excessive after the medicinal pill was auctioned, and I became worried.”
As a result, he had draped the cloak over his shoulders and frightened the others to intimidate Shopkeeper Fang.
Tianheng broke into laughter: “Ah Zuo did a pretty good job.” Shortly thereafter, he said, “Your way of thinking is also correct. Right now, your elder brother is still at a fledgling stage. It’s better to build wine stores first since we can’t recruit staff members for medicine stores. Our reserves are insufficient, too. Presently, the subordinated pharmacists you’ve acquired can barely allow numerous battle slaves to cultivate without any issues.”
Gu Zuo obtained Tianheng’s approval, and revealed a great, big smile.
Immediately after that, Tianheng asked: “Just now, are those five individuals going to be Ah Zuo’s helpers?”
He naturally didn’t think they were true medicinal slaves. It was only because he was Gu Zuo’s guardian. If the other party was marked with a Medicinal Slave Brand, he certainly would’ve been able to sense it. And there clearly weren’t any brands on those five people.
Gu Zuo told Tianheng about the matter of these five brothers and sisters: “I saw that they were sincere in their request, and it seemed that the feelings between them were good. I also had a bit of sympathy for that Xue Shen. However, I couldn’t tell if these experiences were real or fake, so I wanted to test them. In the end, I gave them four trick pills, and they swallowed the pills without the slightest hesitation… I believe that they should be very loyal and righteous people. If I accepted them, they would be indebted to me.”
Tianheng spoke with praise: “Not bad. It looks like their friendships are quite profound.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head as he followed along: “If they weren’t willing to take the ‘medicinal poison’, it wouldn’t necessarily mean that what they said was false. However, it would at least prove that, in their hearts, their friendship with Xue Shen wasn’t as important as they claimed. If that was the case, I would’ve needed to find someone to investigate their real situation. If their experiences were real, I could’ve sold some flawless pills to them through Shopkeeper Fang. Though, the prismatic pill would’ve been out of the question. But now it’s different…
“Big brother, I feel that they can be nurtured. Such people can be great helpers. Moreover, once I tell them that the trick pills aren’t actually medicinal poison, they’ll certainly be grateful to me. At that time, they’ll be even more devoted!”
Speaking up to here, Gu Zuo supplemented: “I observed Xue Shen, too. He didn’t turn into a dark and petty person due to this misfortune. On the contrary, he was appreciative of his older brothers and sisters. He should be someone who can be raised as well. I feel that I can give him the prismatic pill after another short period of observation.”
A river of words spilled from his lips. Tianheng looked at his confident appearance, and couldn’t help reaching out a hand to ruffle his hair again: “Now that Ah Zuo has the means to manage his subordinates, this elder brother is reassured.”
Gu Zuo giggled: “I learned a thing or two when I promised to supervise the pharmacists for big brother. Although I’m sympathetic to this group’s plight, I’ll consider how they’ll be treated specifically, and I won’t casually make friends with them… Otherwise, it’ll definitely make trouble for big brother. Currently, big brother has nothing to fear. But when all is said and done, we’re still relying on Ten Ultimates Sect and the palace master. We haven’t reached the point when we can act willfully and brazenly.”
Tianheng heard this, and his gaze softened: “With Ah Zuo considering things wholeheartedly on this elder brother’s behalf, this elder brother couldn’t be happier.”
Gu Zuo’s heart warmed up: “Big brother has been considering my needs the whole time, too! I’m the happy one.”
Two people looked into each other’s eyes. The atmosphere was tender and warm.
After staring at one another for a short while, Gu Zuo felt that this moment was a bit too tender. A bit of carelessness might expose his inner thoughts. He hurriedly changed the subject: “Speaking of which, while researching the source sand, I can already dissolve seventy to eighty percent of it. However, that discrepancy of ten to twenty percent still isn’t good enough. I need to find even more different types of medicinal ingredients for testing. Also…”
It had been a long time since Tianheng heard Gu Zuo chatter. At this moment, he quietly listened to Gu Zuo’s words, and occasionally answered or agreed. The mood was joyous and harmonious.
Unwittingly, several hours passed by.
In the afternoon.
With Tianheng’s permission, Gu Zuo summoned those five brothers and sisters.
Of course, the group wouldn’t truly climb up to the summit. Instead, there was a flat meadow just below the top of the mountain. Tianheng and Gu Zuo were sitting over there while they waited.
After seeing that Gu Zuo’s real appearance was completely different from what they imagined, no matter how much Ming Wanzhu and the others told themselves not to mind, there wasn’t any way for them to completely stop thinking about it.
As a result, when Gu Zuo looked at them, he discovered that they all had complicated moods.
Gu Zuo: “…”
He knew that there was a bit of a contrast, but it didn’t need to be like this.
After that, Gu Zuo smiled: “All of you, sit down.”
The five brothers and sisters exchanged glances, and obediently sat across from the pair.
Gu Zuo directly stated: “Previously, because Shopkeeper Fang was present and because I wanted to test you guys, I decided to disguise myself. My name is Gu Zuo. I’m a golden-level pharmacist, and the prismatic pill really was refined by me.” Then, he pointed to the person next to him, “This is my big brother, Gongyi Tianheng. He’s also Ten Ultimates Sect’s all-star prodigy. We’ve just joined Ten Ultimates Sect, and we’re under the jurisdiction of the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.”
Ming Wanzhu and the others sucked in deep breaths. They looked at the two people with gazes filled with astonishment.
Without the cover of the cloak, they could see that Gu Zuo’s age hadn’t reached twenty. If someone his age could refine a prismatic pill, just how formidable were his innate skills? In addition, there was Gongyi Tianheng. Yes, they also knew that Ten Ultimates Sect had received an all-star prodigy, which was a rare sight once every hundred thousand years. They once had a thought — If they could get in touch with this person, perhaps there was hope for their little brother’s full recovery. However, they knew that this was nothing more than a delusion.
But now, that delusion had turned into reality. The person before their very eyes was actually the all-star prodigy!
Even more frightening was that there was such a gifted pharmacist to assist the all-star prodigy by his side. Moreover, the closeness of their relationship was comparable to a pair of brothers. It was to the point that they were even more intimate than most brothers!
While the five wouldn’t say that this kind of relationship could conquer every obstacle, it was extremely stable and firm.
Right now, the two were newcomers. Their realms still weren’t high enough. But what if a few more years passed? Once they were fully-fledged, what kind of terrifying forces could they bring up?
At this time, the last trace of unwillingness hidden deep within the bottom of their hearts finally disappeared.
To be this person’s medicinal slaves, even though they were merely medicinal slaves, was counted as their stroke of good luck.
Gu Zuo continued: “In order to give Shopkeeper Fang a dose of restraining fear, I presented myself with that attitude. What you guys swallowed wasn’t medicinal poison. Instead, it was a type of trick pill. It was also considered a test. If any of you harbored malicious intentions, your stomachs would ache for a period of time. I would detect this, and chase you all out.
“The number of times this trick pill can flare up is only once. However, if you guys have sincere thoughts, the effects of this trick pill will automatically disappear after about half a month, and it won’t really do anything to you.”
Sure enough, just as Gu Zuo previously thought, the gratitude in the eyes of the five brothers and sisters practically overflowed after listening to Gu Zuo’s recounting.
They had already prepared themselves for the worst. They didn’t expect that the other party wasn’t actually that harsh… This was an unexpected happiness!
Gu Zuo inwardly nodded his head. After that, he said: “At the present time, I’m not accepting any medicinal slaves, but my big brother needs workers. I really like your moral characters, so I wanted to ask if you guys are willing to become my big brother’s subordinates? But you also don’t need to worry. There’s no harm if you’re not willing. Since I admire the friendship between you guys, I can give you medicinal pills. I have some flawless pills here. You only need to purchase them at the market price.”
T/N: Thanks for the correction, Charysa.
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