Ge Lao Si was already surrounded by a group of people.
“Congratulations, congratulations.”
“Old Ge, you’ve made it big now, don’t forget us brothers in hardship.”
“Exactly, you must say a few good words for us in front of Immortal Master Lin.”
“…”
A group of people congratulated him, speaking over each other, their gazes more or less filled with envy. Why could this shorty be the first to enter the sect!
Su Hao heard the commotion and stepped out of the courtyard, seeing Ge Lao Si, who was surrounded like the stars around the moon.
【Name】 Ge Lao Si
【Realm】 Qi Refining First Layer
【Aptitude】 Medicine Slaves (White): By taking Medicinal Pills, effective components can be purified, concentrating all medicinal essence into the heart. Upon Perfection, the heart can be used to make a certain main Medicinal Material for Medicinal Pills that enhance Aptitude; a necessary Material for Bai Xuan Gang Body!
“Medicine Slaves?”
Su Hao pondered, “Is the white Aptitude ‘Medicine Slaves’ a level higher than the gray Aptitude ‘Medicine Person’?”
Just as he was about to get closer, he suddenly stopped.
Some of the people around Ge Lao Si had also changed.
【Name】 Ye Kun
【Realm】 None
【Aptitude】 Medicine Person (Gray)
“Ye Kun, Zhao Shisan, Li Ming…”
Including Su Hao himself, a total of eight people had acquired the Aptitude of Medicine Person!
“It must be because of the Yangxin Pill!”
Su Hao completely confirmed his guess, his expression extremely gloomy.
Su Hao now fully understood Lin Zhishan’s sinister intentions.
He was simply treating them as humanoid tools, to be used at any time!
But… what could he do?
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, only Su Hao was restless.
Soon after, a paper crane emitting black mist landed in the courtyard.
Lin Zhishan, with his immortal-like demeanor, floated down gracefully.
“Immortal Master Lin!” Ge Lao Si was extremely excited. As soon as he saw Lin Zhishan, he immediately bowed and saluted, “I have already mastered the breathing method of the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian and have achieved initial success in Cultivation.”
“Good, very good!”
Lin Zhishan patted Ge Lao Si’s shoulder, “I keep my word. I will accept you as a Named Disciple. If you perform exceptionally, I will make you a formal Disciple. Work hard! Later, I will have someone send you more Medicinal Pills to help you quickly improve your strength. Once your Realm is higher, I will then teach you Magical Arts and Alchemy methods.”
“Thank you, Immortal Master Lin.”
“Hmm? Still calling me Immortal Master Lin?”
“Master! Thank you, Master!” Ge Lao Si quickly knelt down and kowtowed to Lin Zhishan, “Disciple greets Master.”
“Rise.” Lin Zhishan hooked a meaningful smile.
A moment later, he turned and scanned the others, his gaze lingering on Su Hao, Ye Kun, and others for a second or two.
Su Hao lowered his head, not daring to meet Lin Zhishan’s gaze.
Until Lin Zhishan once again rode his Magical Artifact and left.
Ge Lao Si, meanwhile, already adopted the demeanor of a Senior Brother, looking smug, and even said he would guide everyone in Cultivation Technique.
The people around, seeing that Ge Lao Si had not died tragically like Zhang Yunfei, could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, secretly taking Ge Lao Si as their goal, striving to become the next Named Disciple.
Another three days passed after that.
Five more people gained the “Medicine Person” Aptitude.
Ge Lao Si progressed rapidly. One morning, he even boasted that he had reached the Qi Refining Second Layer, publicly breaking a tree trunk the size of a bowl with one punch.
Su Hao, however, lived in fear and trepidation.
“No, where did Ye Kun and Zhao Shisan go?”
During dinner, Su Hao suddenly noticed that he hadn't seen these two for two days.
He hesitated and approached Ge Lao Si, “Senior Brother Ge, where are Ye Kun and Zhao Shisan? I haven't seen them for quite a few days. They wouldn't have run away, would they?”
“What a joke, those two good-for-nothings don’t have the strength to escape. Master needs help with Alchemy, so he’s already transferred them to the Immortal Cave to guard the Pill Furnace. Tsk, he probably saw that their Aptitude was too poor, and keeping them here would just be a waste of food and Medicinal Pills.”
Ge Lao Si sneered disdainfully, then sized up Su Hao, “You kid, worry less and spend more time on Cultivation. I’m already at Qi Refining Second Layer, and you haven’t even gotten started with the Cultivation Technique. It’s bad enough your Aptitude is poor, but you’re not even trying.”
He lectured him for a few sentences.
“Alas, I don’t have Senior Brother Ge’s Aptitude. I couldn’t do it even if I practiced for a hundred years,” Su Hao said with a fawning smile.
In fact, he had the ability to Cultivate the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian on the first day, but he didn't dare to Cultivate.
Ge Lao Si, having started Cultivating his Cultivation Technique, obtained more Spirit Pills and miraculous Medicinal Pills.
It looked as if he was being given special treatment, and perhaps one day, once he was fattened up, he would be slaughtered.
He would drag it out for as long as possible.
Another three days passed in a flash.
Three more people were gone!
It was said that they had been transferred to the medicine fields to plant Medicinal Materials.
Were they really transferred to work?
Su Hao was completely panicked. If these people knew that their Physique had changed and could serve as a medium for extraction and purification, they would certainly also suspect the whereabouts of Ye Kun and the others.
But he dared not reveal it to Ge Lao Si and the others.
Once it was revealed and Lin Zhishan found out, would his fate be any good?
“Where are you going?”
The guard at the main entrance watched Su Hao, who wanted to leave the residence.
“Just looking around nearby.” Su Hao forced a smile, “I’ve been cooped up in the house for too long lately.”
“Be back before dinner!” the guard instructed, not worried about whether Su Hao would escape.
Su Hao could leave the residence, but he couldn't leave Tianyao Mountain.
He wandered around nearby for a few circles. Several key paths were guarded, and the foot of the mountain was shrouded in white mist like a natural barrier, clearly indicating special arrangements.
Late at night, when all was quiet.
Creak.
The door bolt suddenly moved.
Su Hao was jolted awake. Already like a startled bird, he couldn't fall asleep at all.
By his bed, a black-robed Daoist had appeared. Lin Zhishan’s brows were kind, his eyes emitting a faint glow in the dimness, carrying a hint of playfulness.
Su Hao’s expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm, “Is… is that Immortal Master Lin? You… why have you come!”
Lin Zhishan flicked a finger, and a flame shot out, landing on the copper pillar candle flame. He stared at Su Hao, smiling as he gazed, “Su Hao, you seem restless these past few days. Has something happened?”
“I…” Su Hao gave an awkward smile, “No, not at all. I just occasionally miss my family.”
“No?” Lin Zhishan’s face darkened, “Yangxin Pill is a very special medicine. It requires the user to have a stable state of mind and inner tranquility. The more anxious one is, the worse the Medicinal Pill’s effect will be, and it will also show on one’s complexion. Everyone else is very happy and motivated. Why are you overthinking things? What are you thinking about!”
Everyone’s movements in the courtyard had always been under his control.
Everyone else was very diligent and motivated, except for Su Hao, who was acting suspiciously.
“Do you know something?” Lin Zhishan reached out and pressed his hand on Su Hao’s head.
“Know what?” Su Hao continued to feign ignorance.
“Hmm?” Lin Zhishan’s five fingers tightened, as if he intended to crush Su Hao’s head in one go.
“Immortal Master Lin, this lowly one would never dare to deceive you. It’s just that I’ve had some insights in Cultivating the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian. I can already sense Spiritual Qi, but I’m always stuck at the last step. My Meridians are faintly aching, and I’m worried about unforeseen circumstances, so I’m hesitant whether to ask you or Senior Brother Ge for help to act as Protector.”
Su Hao quickly shouted, scrambling to explain, fearing his head would be crushed.
“You can already absorb and refine Spiritual Qi?” Lin Zhishan’s hand loosened, revealing a hint of joy, “Go ahead and try to circulate your Cultivation Technique! If you dare to deceive me, I will make you fertilizer for the medicine field!”
Su Hao had no choice. Suppressing his fear, he sat cross-legged and began to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi using the breathing method recorded in the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian, guiding the Spiritual Qi into his body and circulating it along his Meridian pathways.
“It’s really almost done… You didn’t lie to me. Good, very good!” Lin Zhishan was overjoyed, looking at Su Hao’s expression.
As for whether Su Hao was hiding anything else, it didn’t matter!
Su Hao converted part of the medicinal power and Spiritual Qi within his body, successfully stepping into the Qi Refining First Layer.
“Detected special Cultivation Technique power resonating with Aptitude ‘Medicine Person’, Aptitude upgrading!”
【Name】 Su Hao
【Realm】 Qi Refining First Layer
【Aptitude】 Fire Essence Sword Body (Blue), Medicine Slaves (White)
Medicine Slaves (White): By taking Medicinal Pills, effective components can be purified, concentrating all medicinal essence into the heart. Upon Perfection, the heart can be used to make a certain main Medicinal Material for Medicinal Pills that enhance Aptitude; a necessary Material for Bai Xuan Gang Body!
“Thank you, Immortal Master Lin… No, thank you, Master! This Disciple has not failed you, and has reached Qi Refining First Layer.”
As soon as Su Hao exited his Cultivation state, he immediately knelt and bowed to Lin Zhishan.
“Very good! Tomorrow, you and Ge Lao Si come to my Immortal Cave.” Lin Zhishan nodded in satisfaction.
The next morning, everyone heard that Su Hao had also entered the Qi Refining First Layer and came to congratulate him.
Their eyes all held a hint of jealousy. Why could this frail young man become the second Named Disciple!
Su Hao couldn't smile at all. He went with Ge Lao Si to the mountain peak, to Lin Zhishan’s Immortal Cave.
Lin Zhishan’s Immortal Cave was not luxurious, with stone doors entwined with vines, two stone lamps, and a faint misty air mixed with the scent of medicine.
A Daoist boy in a Daoist robe was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as he saw the two, he looked at them arrogantly, “You two are too slow! Master has been waiting for a long time. He is too kind to you. If it were other Disciples who dared to be so disrespectful to him, he would have buried you in the medicine garden to nourish the herbs long ago!”
【Name】 Lin Miao
【Realm】 Qi Refining Fourth Layer
【Aptitude】 Medicine Slaves (White)
Su Hao glanced at the young boy, not knowing how long this child had been here, yet he was still alive and well. Could it be that he had misunderstood Lin Zhishan?
“Sorry, sorry, it’s all this kid Su Hao’s fault. He walked slowly the whole way, and I told him to walk faster!” Ge Lao Si apologized with a fawning smile, while glaring at Su Hao.
Su Hao lowered his head, not arguing.
The two followed him into the Immortal Cave. The Immortal Cave was very large, with a front hall, a courtyard, and then they passed a Pill Room.
“Detected Aptitude power ‘Medicine Person’, will disappear in 3320 seconds.”
“Detected Aptitude power ‘Medicine Person’, will disappear in 1968 seconds.”
“…”
Three consecutive prompts.
Su Hao suddenly stopped, staring at the Pill Room, at the three clusters of flames scattered near the Pill Furnace.
These Aptitude powers would soon dissipate.
A prompt sounded again in his mind, “Detected Host possesses ‘Medicine Slaves’ Aptitude. ‘Medicine Person’ and ‘Medicine Slaves’ are the same Aptitude; they conflict, and only one can be active, with the Advanced Aptitude taking priority; every two Aptitudes of the same name can be synthesized, and the Aptitude will upgrade!”
“Found ‘Medicine Person’ Aptitude × 3, can be synthesized. After synthesis, ‘Medicine Person’ will evolve into ‘Medicine Slaves’!”
“Preview new Aptitude: Medicine Slaves (White): By taking Medicinal Pills, effective components can be purified, concentrating all medicinal essence into the heart. Upon Perfection, the heart can be used to make a certain main Medicinal Material for Medicinal Pills that enhance Aptitude; a necessary Material for Bai Xuan Gang Body!”