This wasn’t a lie. One couldn’t focus on how Gu Zuo was currently refining flawless pills. At his level, the fact that there weren’t any prismatic pills was enough to indicate his shortcomings with this pill — It wasn’t a deficiency in the general sense. Rather, it was due to Gu Zuo’s young age. He also hadn’t completely determined his inner self. As a result, even though this was a self-created pill, it was incapable of forming a Pill Note Mantra Echo.
That’s right. If anyone wanted their self-created medicinal pills to obtain Pill Note Mantra Echoes, which could promote the comprehensions of a martial artist, the pharmacist’s own comprehensions needed to be sufficient, too!
Gu Zuo performed this refinement again and again, feeling like he was fumbling around for something that wasn’t there amid the perfectly flawless pills. Although it seemed like He Zizhang had taken advantage of the fact that Gu Zuo produced more pills than many pharmacists on the market, this was really more like a process of gaining proficiency for him. As for the finished products, there was nothing wrong with letting his fellow disciples use these pills to develop their own organizations.
Because He Zizhang and the others were too embarrassed, Gu Zuo had no choice but to tell them about his ambition to create prismatic pills.
He Zizhang couldn’t help being shocked: “Sure enough, Pharmacist Gu has lofty aspirations!”
Meanwhile, Huai Tianhe’s expression was a little excited: “If you really can refine prismatic pills, then that really couldn’t be better!”
Yuan Zang nodded his head, too.
It could be said that, during such a short period of time watching Gu Zuo refine pills, the three people’s impressions of Gu Zuo were constantly refreshed. They all felt that no matter what achievements Pharmacist Gu had in the future, they wouldn’t make mountains out of molehills…
Since Gu Zuo talked about this, He Zizhang and the others didn’t refuse anymore.
Gu Zuo quickly refined the medicinal pills of the remaining attributes for them. Fortunately, He Zizhang and the other others trusted Gu Zuo from the very beginning, which was also why the spirit medicines they brought over were available in every attribute. As a result, the total number of pills they harvested in the end was as many as seventy to eighty. If utilized properly, even taking into account the failure rate, this could provide them with thirty or more Noble Realm martial artists!
When He Zizhang and the others were about to leave, they still thanked Gu Zuo multiple times.
At the same time, they were overjoyed that their youngest junior brother had this kind of pharmacist by his side — Gu Zuo possessed such incredible skills. When they needed to refine complex medicinal pills in the future, they wouldn’t have to think of every possible method to seek help from other powerful pharmacists!
After the three senior brothers and sister left, Gu Zuo thought of something, and sat in front of the pill furnace to refine again.
This time around, what he used were the spirit medicines stockpiled within his own Divine Medicine Palace Hall. Similarly, there was one stalk of spirit medicine with forty-percent spirituality for each of the five elements. In the end, because the refinements were done even more meticulously, each refinement produced a dozen or so pills.
Gu Zuo took ten of each pill, and put them in different jade bottles. Then, he placed these jade bottles into a large wooden box. After calling for a battle slave, he had the box delivered to the Blood Transformation Palace Master.
The palace master had taken good care of him. Since he created a type of pill prescription that could be used regularly, he had to inform the Blood Transformation Palace Master. Thus, if there was anything he could do to help, everyone could have an amicable talk.
Even if it was…him and big brother fulfilling their filial duties.
Gu Zuo didn’t know what the Blood Transformation Palace Master thought about after receiving this box of pills, but what the battle slave brought back were several stalks of bright and shimmering spirit medicines as well as some other rare medicinal ingredients. These things acted as gifts of reciprocation.
As far as Gu Zuo was concerned, the more spirit medicines, the better. These rare medicinal ingredients were also the kind that Gu Zuo wouldn’t have been able to gather on his own. Now, all of these things belonged to him, which improved Gu Zuo’s mood.
A few days later, a young man wearing a light-yellow robe suddenly appeared outside the manor grounds.
This person was from the Ardent Earth Palace Hall. Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng had never been acquainted with him, but it wasn’t known why this person came here. Could it have been that something happened to Senior Sect Brother Huang, who joined the Ardent Earth Palace Hall?
In any case, Senior Sect Brother Huang could be regarded as a good friend of Gu Zuo and big brother…
Gu Zuo became a little anxious after seeing this member of the Ardent Earth Palace Hall, but quickly calmed his state of mind. He stepped forward and asked: “May I ask if this senior brother has come to the manor to provide any instructions?”
The member of the Ardent Earth Palace Hall was very polite: “I wouldn’t dare give any instructions. This one has come to deliver something to Prodigy Gongyi.”
Gu Zuo blanked: “Deliver something?”
Could it really be Senior Sect Brother Huang? No, Gu Zuo immediately denied that train of thought. The Huang Ji he knew had a bright and clear temperament, but was more straightforward in the way he handled matters with others. There was no need to overthink things.
Fortunately, the young man from the Ardent Earth Palace Hall quickly revealed the answer: “Some time ago, the honorable prodigies competed for profound qi veins. During the relocation, we had to rely on the hundred-year link of the Black Dragon Jades. My Ardent Earth Palace Hall was in charge of excavating and separating the profound qi veins. And now that all of the qi veins have been relocated to the Profound Veins Secret Land within the sect, everything can be returned to their rightful owners.”
Once he finished speaking, the yellow-robed young man smiled. As he made a sweeping motion across the table, seventeen Black Dragon Jades immediately appeared on the table’s surface. The jades came in different sizes and glowed with a faint, black light.
The yellow-robed young man continued: “These are the Black Dragon Jades owned by Prodigy Gongyi. Please take them back.”
Gu Zuo took one look, and put away the numerous Black Dragon Jades.
These jades were handed over to the sect before Gu Zuo and Tianheng went to the Pill King Conference. Now that these jades were back in their possession, they could go bring back their own qi veins.
The yellow-robed young man didn’t linger. After returning the Black Dragon Jades to Gu Zuo, he quickly turned around and departed.
Gu Zuo, who was left behind, was holding a piece of Black Dragon Jade. He didn’t know what he ought to do.
Luckily, Gu Zuo wasn’t left in this predicament for too long. Soon after the person from the Ardent Earth Palace Hall departed, signs of activity could be heard from the location of Tianheng’s seclusion. Big brother had come out.
This time around, Tianheng had a confident and thoughtful look on his face, which showed that he had gained certain benefits in the process of this secluded cultivation.
Gu Zuo handed over the Black Dragon Jades: “Big brother, what do you think?”
Tianheng smiled: “Follow me. We’ll go to the Profound Veins Secret Land, and withdraw several profound qi veins.”
Gu Zuo had no objections, and only said: “Okay, big brother.”
But in his heart, he was very curious.
Who knew what kind of place that Profound Veins Secret Land was like&#k2026;
The Profound Veins Secret Land was located inside an extremely large valley within Ten Ultimates Sect. It was surrounded by all kinds of formations that acted as restrictions. As for the size of this valley, one wouldn’t be able to see the edges of the valley at a glance. Encircled with mountains on all sides, not even traces of the mountain peaks could be seen.
In front of the secret land, many armor-clad martial artists were patrolling. In addition, there were several hidden places that suddenly caused Gu Zuo to have somewhat of a reaction. He knew that there were pharmacists with formidable psychic powers in those places. While they refined medicinal pills, they were also on guard.
When some people from certain organizations saw Gu Zuo and Tianheng arrive together, their expressions changed slightly. Meanwhile, several others suddenly turned vigilant as they watched these two strangers approach.
Tianheng revealed his Black Dragon Jades.
Upon seeing this, the guard in front of the secret land understood the reason for the two’s arrival. Right away, he moved out of the way, and said: “Insert the Black Dragon Jades here.”
He faintly altered his steps, and something was exposed.
This was a stone platform.
The indentations on the stone platform were quite unusual. There were as many as a dozen of these notches, which were used for inserting the Black Dragon Jades.
Gu Zuo glanced at Tianheng.
At this time, Tianheng took out a piece of Black Dragon Jade, and unhurriedly inserted it into the notch.
The next moment, a clear, whistling sound like the cry of a dragon came from within the valley.
Then, a person’s voice resounded in the distance: “Don’t be alarmed. This is due to the Black Dragon Jade’s activation. This is what happens when a qi vein is about to be removed by someone.”
After stepping outside, several guards who still wanted to go over and investigate halted their footsteps.
Shortly thereafter, the pair saw a majestic figure flashing through the valley. In that person’s hand, he actually used a wisp of surging qi energy to loosely hold something that flickered with clear lights and reached three hundred meters long.
This plaything was the true appearance of the qi vein. It was usually hidden inside mountain peaks. Even while other people were competing over it, the qi vein wouldn’t take action easily. But now, it had been captured and brought out. On the contrary, this actually broadened Gu Zuo and Tianheng’s horizons.
And the person who grasped the qi vein was very familiar to Gu Zuo’s eyes — Wasn’t he the Ardent Earth Palace Master who took in Senior Sect Brother Huang Ji back then?
Indeed. The techniques practiced by the Ardent Earth Palace Hall were related to the earth. And if one wanted to move qi veins, it required an exceptional powerhouse to take action. To say the least, the rank of this exceptional powerhouse had to be at the Royal Realm, right? Within the Ardent Earth Palace Hall, the palace master was just the right powerhouse who practiced earth-attribute techniques. It was only natural that he was also responsible for moving the qi veins previously. Even though the relocation was now completed, if any prodigies or other people wanted to install the qi veins without any problems, the assistance of the Ardent Earth Palace Master was indispensable.
Gu Zuo curiously asked: “Big brother, how should we deal with this qi vein?”
Tianheng smiled: “This qi vein will be placed where the battle slave residences are located. Another one will be taken and placed in the large courtyard where the pharmacists gather. As for the other various qi veins, if this elder brother’s subordinates want one, they can only find their own ways to exchange for it.”
Of course, Tianheng needed one for himself, too.
What he wanted was likewise a three-hundred-meter qi vein, which would be placed inside the mountain peak where they lived. The height of that mountain peak happened to be a little more than three hundred meters, so it could be properly settled at that time.
The martial artists, pharmacists, and others would each occupy one qi vein. They were all three-hundred-meter small qi veins, so it wasn’t too much trouble to move them.
At this moment, the Ardent Earth Palace Master had already captured one of them. Now, he opened his mouth to ask: “Sect Nephew Gongyi, where do you want to put this thing?”
Qi veins could only be picked up and put down one at a time. There was no other way.
Having heard what was said, Tianheng raised his voice: “Sect Uncle, please go over here!”
While he was speaking, Tianheng and Gu Zuo soared into the sky, and guided the Ardent Earth Palace Master toward a certain direction — That direction was precisely the location where the battle slaves normally lodged and trained.
The Tianlong Guards had already been following Ao Ying and the other battle slaves for training for a long time.
Although they had tempered themselves many times due to their sudden increase in strength when they were in the Cangyun Empire, none of those experiences could compare to the hardships they faced while training under the battle slaves. However, they also knew that, after obtaining such incomparable physical aptitudes from their family’s young master, what they needed to do was to unearth their potentials by going through these hardships. This way, they could truly serve their young master — Back when the young master departed, they had to stay behind because of their lack of ability. It was at that moment they had such thoughts. Now that they finally had the ability to continue following their young master, they naturally would never slack off!
Consequently, even though Dragon One and the others sensed that some of the battle slaves actually harbored feelings of rejecting or excluding them, they still worked hard and gave it their all. They never did things halfheartedly in the slightest.
Gradually, since the Tianlong Guards never caused any trouble, never made envious comparisons, nor put on airs because they were trusted more by their master, the battle slaves’ impressions of the Tianlong Guards unexpectedly improved.
At the request of several Ascendent Realm powerhouse leaders, even more battle slaves started to observe and emulate the capabilities of the Tianlong Guards. This was an attempt at forming a type of mutually-beneficial relationship where their roles didn’t interfere with one another.
The Tianlong Guards didn’t come here to impede Gongyi Tianheng. With the goodwill of another batch among their young master’s subordinates, they naturally cooperated to the best of their abilities, tossing out a peach and getting back a plum.
For the time being, the relationships between both sides were pretty good.
On this day, the Tianlong Guards were receiving the guidance of some battle slaves. All of a sudden, a shadow appeared high in the sky. Cast down from above, there was an overwhelming pressure that spread across the heavens and covered the earth.
Everyone was immediately on the alert.
Dragon One abruptly shouted in a deep voice: “Young master is here!”
At almost the exact same time, the other Tianlong Guards sensed the unusual changes in their bloodline. Right away, their hearts loosened: “As expected of the young master. He actually caused such a spectacle.”
Hearing what was said, the battle slaves also relaxed a little.
At this moment, Ao Min, who was staying inside the Battle Slave Courtyard, felt his heart move — These Tianlong Guards were extremely sensitive to the young master. It seemed that this wasn’t his misconception?
After such thinking, he couldn’t help but look upon the existence of the Tianlong Guards even more favorably.
Shortly thereafter, Tianheng’s voice came down from above: “To all battle slaves and Tianlong Guards, retreat five kilometers away! Don’t linger around this place!”
Although the numerous subordinates felt it was strange, their response was immediate. They swiftly moved back, making room for this tract of land in front of them.
In just a few breaths of time, not a single person remained in this place, which was originally teeming with many battle slaves.
Tianheng was quite satisfied, and spoke behind him: “Sect Uncle, please go ahead.”
The Ardent Earth Palace Master watched as Tianheng’s vocalized orders were strictly obeyed, and gave straightforward praise: “Not bad at all.”
Once he finished speaking, he didn’t drag things on, and threw down the qi vein in his hand. Soon after, he performed many hand seals, allowing that flickering and fluorescent, three-hundred-meter object to sink into the ground. Even though it was extremely unwilling, it vanished beneath the surface bit by bit!
At the same time, an incredibly rich atmosphere of profound qi welled up within the Battle Slave Courtyard. This was precisely the dense qi emissions left behind by the qi vein before it sank into the ground.
Following this, what needed to be done was to bore several holes along the qi vein’s acupoints to form qi pockets. This would provide for the cultivations of the battle slaves and Tianlong Guards who resided here.
However, these qi pockets primarily existed above several nodes of the qi vein. Rather than forcibly digging at other locations, it was better to dig directly into the nodes.
With Tianheng’s permission, the Ardent Earth Palace Master casually shook that qi vein. Right away, as many as fifty-something nodes promptly exploded. The profound qi practically formed pillars as it rocketed into the sky!
The entire Battle Slave Village trembled from the impact of such a huge eruption of profound qi!
Tianheng took a brief glance, and said: “There are fifty-five qi pockets here. Among them, the Tianlong Guards will occupy twenty percent, which accounts for eleven spots. As for the remaining forty-four spots, they will go to the battle slaves.”
The numerous subordinates listened, and also felt this was fair. At once, they expressed their thanks.
At this time, all of the battle slaves and Tianlong Guards understood. Not only would the location where they lived increase in the concentration of ambient profound qi in the future, it would also provide a place with even more abundant profound qi when they needed to undergo secluded cultivation!
Undoubtedly, this would be of great benefit to the improvement of their strength… And the bestowal of this qi vein evoked greater feelings of love and respect for their young master. They also felt even more gratitude.
After the first qi vein was arranged, Tianheng went back to the Profound Veins Secret Land, retrieved that first piece of Black Dragon Jade, and inserted the second piece.
In the same way, it was still the Ardent Earth Palace Master who grabbed the next qi vein, followed Tianheng, and brought it to the courtyard where the pharmacists lived on the manor grounds.
On the other hand, Gu Zuo went straight to the pharmacists’ courtyard long ago. He opened his mouth, and called on all the pharmacists to leave this place regardless of whether they were refining medicine or not.
Although the numerous pharmacists were puzzled, when all was said and done, they were still adherents. After Gu Zuo gave his orders, they swiftly ended whatever they were dealing with. Under the guidance of Wu Xing and the others, the pharmacists left the manor at flying speeds.
The Ardent Earth Palace Master arrived just in time, and Gu Zuo also cleared out of the way.
Tianheng ruffled his hair with a smile, and spoke to the palace master: “Sect Uncle, please place the qi vein under the courtyard and break open the qi pockets.”
The Ardent Earth Palace Master took swift action. Compared to the last time, his work was somewhat smoother, and he quickly settled everything.
This time around, even more qi pockets were opened up. Unexpectedly, there were a little more than eighty of them. It was just that their positions were in different places. After the pillars of profound qi dashed into the sky, all of the original houses in those places were blown away. The pharmacists who lived there would have to hurriedly switch residences.
For these things, Gu Zuo had already called over Wu Xing, and instructed him to swiftly make arrangements.
Meanwhile, Tianheng had gone to the Profound Veins Secret Land once again to fetch the third qi vein.
Wu Xing looked at the qi vein that belonged to the pharmacists. He was also incredibly excited: “Pharmacist Gu, this is—”
Gu Zuo was aware that Wu Xing was rather ambitious, and smiled at him: “Previously, you guys knew that big brother seized many qi veins for the sect. Of course, he also obtained some for himself. Right now, there aren’t many people under big brother’s command, so he’s only using three-hundred-meter qi veins. In fact, apart from these three qi veins, there are quite a few that are even longer.”
Wu Xing listened patiently. With his intelligence, he already understood something at this time.
Gu Zuo’s words were indeed things that he liked to hear: “Wu Clan Head, if you want to revitalize the Wu Clan, I’m afraid that you can’t do without a qi vein of your own. And according to my big brother’s intentions, the qi veins he possesses are enough for him to cultivate. As for those extra ones, he won’t be stingy when it comes to rewarding his subordinates…”
Wu Xing’s eyes lit up: “What does Pharmacist Gu mean?”
Gu Zuo smiled and said: “So long as you can make enough contributions, big brother won’t be stingy with the qi veins. If his subordinates are capable, even if they didn’t need it last time, they can find a way to use their own contributions in exchange for it.”
Wu Xing took a deep breath: “This subordinate understands. Many thanks for the reminder, Pharmacist Gu.”
Gu Zuo said: “The Wu Clan Head’s work is organized and his capabilities are out of the ordinary. This Gu also hopes that you can properly handle matters for big brother. The stronger the Wu Clan, the thicker the foundations of my big brother… Only, the Wu Clan Head must consider how to handle things. You mustn’t do a poor job just because you’re impatient for quick results. My big brother isn’t the type of fool who can be easily dealt with.”
Naturally, Wu Xing’s attitude was also very respectful: “Pharmacist Gu, rest assured. The Wu Clan’s loyalty in the young master is undivided. We absolutely won’t forget favors or violate justice.”
He was quite attentive, and roughly understood some of Gu Zuo’s temperament. At this moment, he spoke candidly: “What’s more, there are few people in the world who are as broadminded as the young master. They wouldn’t treat my clan so carefully and value them so much.”
Gu Zuo was pleased with Wu Xing’s “forthright” words, so he didn’t say much else. He only patted Wu Xing’s shoulder: “Work hard.”
Afterwards, he soared into the air, supported himself with his psychic power, and traveled straight to the “home” that belonged to him and big brother.
Floating high in the sky, Tianheng stood in front of the mountain peak, and gave orders the head manager, second manager, and several attendants.
Gu Zuo arrived at Tianheng’s side: “Big brother, it’s our turn.”
Tianheng smiled at Gu Zuo, but his eyes were carefully observing the structure of the mountain peak: “Ah Zuo, take a look with your psychic power. Inside this mountain, what are the tendencies of the terrain? Where would it be more appropriate to place the qi vein and open the qi pockets?”
Gu Zuo understood what his family’s big brother meant.
This place was where he and big brother lived. While they couldn’t put too many qi pockets at the summit, some places below the mountain peak needed a concentrated amount of qi pockets. This would accommodate a portion of the people who cultivated here.
No requests were made for the last two places because the terrain was relatively flat and it was difficult to alter the qi veins. However, within the body of the mountain, the qi vein’s “vascular system” could differ to some extent.
As a result, Gu Zuo quickly launched his psychic power into the mountain. Moreover, the speed it spread out and extended through the mountain was extremely fast.
The Ardent Earth Palace Master was holding the qi vein, but he was only waiting on the side.
Gu Zuo knew that holding onto the qi vein required a large consumption of energy, and didn’t dare to hesitate for long. Therefore, after a swift look, he told Tianheng everything he saw.
Tianheng also did his own observations. He pondered slightly, and said: “Sect Uncle, is it possible for you to find out how many nodes this qi vein has?”
The palace master laughed: “What’s so difficult about that?”
His bright and piercing gaze quickly scanned the qi vein in his hand. Shortly thereafter, he pointed out the locations of all the nodes on the qi vein.
As expected of the powerhouse entrusted with this matter. The Ardent Earth Palace Master’s insight was top-notch. Compared to when Tianheng and Gu Zuo examined the mountain, he was even faster.
Tianheng’s complexion faintly changed. After thinking deeply for a short while, he combined his request with the knowledge of those nodes, and informed the palace master.
The Ardent Earth Palace Master nodded his head: “A trivial thing.”
Once he finished speaking, the qi vein wasn’t released as casually as the last two times. Instead, the qi vein twisted and bended. It almost sank one joint at a time as it breached the body of the mountain.
Hence, this three-hundred-meter qi vein meandered inside the mountain according to Tianheng’s request, forming a vascular system that pleased both Gu Zuo and Tianheng.
At the summit, qi pockets were dug out for the two nodes with the most exuberant and vigorous profound qi. Slightly below the summit, there were several more. As for the place where guests were originally received, there were even more nodes.
Finally, it was the bottom of the mountain. The distance between each node was quite far.
After everything was settled, the Ardent Earth Palace Master made a grasping motion. From far away, the third Black Dragon Jade flew back into his hand, and was directly tossed to Tianheng. Meanwhile, the palace master gave a long laugh, and departed just like that.
T/N: Retroactively changing a few terms of address.
Thanks for the correction, Charysa.
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