At the foot of Tianyao Mountain, there was a large compound comparable to a royal palace, covering more than ten acres.
Su Hao and 30 others followed the Daoist to the front yard.
He secretly observed the Daoist from the back of the group.
【Name】 Lin Zhishan
【Realm】 Qi Refining Seventh Layer
【Aptitude】 Wood Affinity (White), Apothecary (Blue), Bai Xuan Gang Body (Incomplete, Blue)
Wood Affinity (White): A low-level Wood Affinity Aptitude, possessing the lowest level of affinity for Wood Spiritual Qi.
Apothecary (Blue): Possesses a certain talent in identifying medicinal Materials and Alchemy, as well as Alchemy efficiency.
Bai Xuan Gang Body (Incomplete, Blue): An Intermediate Wood Affinity Aptitude, with unique effects on plants. Spiritual Power can nourish a hundred herbs, sublimate Medicinal Pills, and provide a considerable bonus to the power of Wood Affinity spells. Note: Due to insufficient Aptitude, the Aptitude is incomplete, and the incomplete Aptitude cannot take effect!
“Qi Refining Seventh Layer…”
Su Hao frowned in thought. In terms of strength and Realm, Lin Zhishan could only be considered average among that group of black-clad Disciples. Yet, he held a considerable position. Was it because of his ability in Alchemy?
“I am Lin Zhishan, an Alchemist. Most of the Medicinal Pills in the Golden Light Sect's Outer Sect come from my hands!”
Lin Zhishan scanned the entire area, paused for a breath, then changed the subject, “You people would have been on a dead end.
Those sent to Huanxi Peak would be exploited by those sluts, day and night, until they died of exhaustion.
Those sent to Dead Man's Peak would be played with like mice by those Vicious Beasts, slowly eaten!
Those who go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall won't have it easy either. They'll have endless work every day, and most people will die suddenly within a month. If they die, their bodies will also be fed to Vicious Beasts!”
He spoke of their intended fate with a half-smile.
Before he finished speaking, the entire area was already in an uproar.
What kind of place was this? It treated human lives as mere Materials.
Su Hao’s calmed emotions once again spiraled into panic.
Among the 30 people, Su Hao’s performance was still relatively good.
Lin Zhishan looked at the fearful expressions of the crowd, and the smile on his face became increasingly mischievous, “But if you follow me, it will be different. This is your residence. The west courtyard has many independent courtyards, one for each person. You can choose freely, and specialized personnel will be responsible for your food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
You will wear silk and satin, eat delicacies, and drink fine wine and morning dew.
If you want to play with women, that’s also fine. I will regularly have people send some beautiful women to serve you.”
“…”
Su Hao couldn’t feel happy at all.
The others were uneasy. Just moments ago, they were told they would be treated as waste, and now they were offered the treatment of honored guests?
Lin Zhishan waved a hand, and the servants who had been waiting on the side began to distribute silk bags one after another.
“Inside the bag is a bottle of Yangxin Pill, 20 pills per bottle. You are to take one pill every day. This Medicine is a good thing. It replenishes blood, nourishes the heart, and strengthens the five internal organs. Mortals who take it can prolong their lives. Occasionally, even some imperial relatives from the Imperial Dynasty come to seek this precious pill.”
“Besides the Yangxin Pill, there’s also a small booklet, which is a Cultivation Technique called 'Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian'. This is also a good thing, a top-grade Wood Cultivation Technique of our Golden Light Sect!
Given your status, normally, you wouldn’t even be qualified to touch a Cultivation Technique.
If any of you manage to get started with the 'Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian' Cultivation, I will take him as a Named Disciple. In other words, you will be able to join the Golden Light Sect and become a true Cultivator.
It doesn’t matter if you are illiterate or don’t understand. I will have people regularly explain the Cultivation methods within to you.”
He spoke endlessly, emphasizing the origin of the small booklet.
A thin booklet of only five pages was actually a Cultivation Technique?
Su Hao couldn't help but flip through it, but he couldn't understand the Cultivation content for a while.
“Can we Cultivate?”
Someone asked incredulously.
“Of course! Humans are the spirits of all things. Even the most foolish person has the opportunity to become a Cultivator.
However, even for a third-rate Sect, the threshold for joining requires a certain Aptitude and talent. The better the Aptitude, the higher the potential, the faster the Cultivation speed, and the less likely one is to encounter a Bottleneck.
Under normal circumstances, without some talent, you wouldn't even have the chance to become an Outer Sect Disciple!
The opportunity is before you, so cherish it well.” Lin Zhishan glanced at the person who spoke.
“But why would you…?” That person couldn't help but continue to ask.
“Why would I give you special care?” Lin Zhishan continued, his eyes flickering, and he said gently, “Naturally, because Medicine Slaves also have a threshold. Only if you are qualified can you become a Medicine Slaves and help me. Helping you is helping myself!”
“As long as you do your best and let me see your sincerity, even if you don't become Medicine Slaves, I will naturally have people send you down the mountain, allowing you to leave safely.”
“So that’s how it is.” The young man and some others looked at Lin Zhishan’s spring-like smile and couldn’t help but lower their guard.
This time, they truly had great luck, encountering a benevolent old Immortal.
“Now, you will first take one Yangxin Pill. First, experience the miraculous effect of this precious pill. With its help, you will have the opportunity to Cultivate the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian.”
Lin Zhishan put away his smile.
Su Hao poured out a Yangxin Pill.
This Medicinal Pill had a fragrant scent, mixed with the aromas of many flowers, and no medicinal smell could be detected at all.
Some people poured out the pills, looked at them a few times, and then swallowed the Medicine.
And there were still some people, like Su Hao, looking around, still hesitating.
Lin Zhishan remained silent, but his gaze gradually became stern, just watching everyone.
An uncontainable powerful aura oppressed the entire area.
Su Hao trembled all over, not daring to hesitate any longer. Even if it was poison, he had to eat it…
Not long after taking the nourishing heart pill, his whole body felt warm and his blood circulated smoothly. His spirit, which had been greatly alarmed, also greatly improved.
This Medicine seemed to be able to cure all diseases!
“Alright, now you can choose your own courtyards and rest well. But remember, this Medicinal Pill is very precious. If you waste it or act in defiance, don’t blame me for turning ruthless!”
After Lin Zhishan confirmed that everyone had taken the nourishing heart pill, he left after giving a cold warning.
…
“Excuse me, what exactly is this Medicine Slaves?”
After Su Hao selected a small courtyard, he stopped a servant.
The servant said expressionlessly and coldly, “Naturally, they are servants who assist Daoist Lin in Alchemy, so they are called Medicine Slaves, or Medicine Servants. This is an opportunity envied by countless people, Sir, you must cherish it well!”
“…”
Su Hao asked more than ten servants, and they all gave similar answers.
He always felt there was a problem, but he couldn't do anything about it. Asking more questions would only attract attention.
He helplessly returned to his room to study the small booklet, 'Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian'.
“If one refines the body to transform Qi, one should take the key principles from the 'Inner Canon': the reversal of Zi-Wu is called stealing the machine, and the return of breath to the root is called guarding simplicity…”
“Cultivation Technique 'Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian — Medicine Slaves Chapter' has been read. Do you wish to comprehend it?”
The content of the Cultivation Technique was profound and abstruse. With Su Hao’s original knowledge base, he couldn't understand the content at all.
But suddenly, with a “ding” sound, a voice rang out.
Su Hao’s eyes lit up. That mysterious ability was not as useless as he had thought!
“Comprehend.”
With a thought from Su Hao, those obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient texts automatically transformed into more direct and simple content.
In just over ten breaths of time, he understood how to Cultivate this Cultivation Technique.
Understanding is understanding, but the normal Cultivation effect critically depends on one's personal Aptitude and talent.
However, this Cultivation Technique was rather special, simple and easy to learn, and at the same time, the medicinal power of the nourishing heart pill could play a crucial role.
Su Hao explored for an entire night and had already absorbed part of the medicinal power of the nourishing heart pill. As long as he took a few more nourishing heart pills, he would be able to master the circulation of Qi and completely get started!
There's something fishy about this Cultivation Technique!
The content was incomplete, and the Qi circulation routes were pitifully few.
“This kind of Evil Path Sect, which kills people at the drop of a hat, would suddenly produce such a good person, providing us with good food and lodging, and even giving us Cultivation Techniques?
Let others be the guinea pigs!”
Su Hao thought for a moment. He was on the verge of getting started and circulating Spiritual Qi, but he stopped Cultivating.
Five days passed in a blink of an eye.
In terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, it was even better than what royal descendants and nobles enjoyed.
However, they could not leave Tianyao Mountain, nor could they go to the mountain peak. Other places were free to move about.
As for the Yangxin Pill, one pill per day was mandatory. There were dedicated people monitoring, and several people had already been severely beaten for not taking it.
There were specialized Cultivators who explained the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian, but no one forced them to Cultivate.
Waking up one day, Su Hao suddenly discovered that besides his Fire Essence Sword Body, he actually had an additional Aptitude!
【Name】 Su Hao
【Realm】 None
【Aptitude】 Fire Essence Sword Body (Blue), Medicine Person (Gray)
Medicine Person: A special Aptitude formed by the accumulation and transformation of the nourishing heart pill’s medicinal power. Effect: When taking Medicinal Pills, it can purify effective components, concentrating all medicinal essence into the heart. Upon Perfection, the heart can become nourishment for a specific Aptitude!
“?”
Su Hao was stunned. He thought he was careful enough not to Cultivate that Cultivation Technique, but he still fell victim!
Was the problem with the Medicinal Pill?
And this Aptitude was to make himself a container for extracting and purifying Medicinal Pills, nourishment for a certain Aptitude!
“I succeeded! I’ve gotten started with the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian, developed Qi sensation, and drawn Qi into my body!
I can become Master Lin’s Named Disciple and join the Golden Light Sect! Hahahaha! I’m a Genius!”
Loud laughter came from afar outside the house.