Qiu Zu: From an apprentice in a medicine shop to an immortal ancestor.

119. Chapter 119: Three Months of Breakthrough Opportunity

Chapter 119: Three Months of Leisure, Breakthrough Opportunity

The entrance to Guangling City was bustling with people and goods, a hive of activity.

In the backyard of the pharmacy, a group of martial artists from the treasure hunting and herb-gathering team stood in the open space of the courtyard, constantly looking outwards, some with uneasy expressions.

It wasn't until a figure in green robes walked in from outside the courtyard that the crowd showed joy upon seeing the young man in green, and they stood up to greet him.

"Chieftain!"

Qiu Zhen looked around at the crowd, then his gaze settled on Qin Jian, the leader of the treasure hunting and herb-gathering team:

"Uncle Qin, how is it? Are the brothers alright?"

"It's nothing serious. A few brothers were injured, but none are life-threatening. They'll recover in ten days to half a month."

The middle-aged, burly martial artist Qin Jian, who was the leader, had a look of lingering fear on his face:

"I didn't expect our luck to be so bad today. We even encountered a small beast swarm riot in the outskirts of the mountains. If it weren't for the chieftain's rescue, we brothers might not have made it back this time."

Qiu Zhen knew the cause and effect of the matter, but it was useless to say more to them, so he simply nodded:

"We're all brothers, no need to say more."

"Heh heh heh ~"

The group of martial artists smiled.

Most of the members of the treasure hunting and herb-gathering team were guest elders and martial artists from the Jianghu, who valued Jianghu loyalty. This time, Qiu Zhen took action to help, and the team members had an initial recognition of this young superior, and suddenly felt much closer.

Qiu Zhen exchanged pleasantries with the group of martial artists for a while, bestowed healing medicines he usually refined, and won over their hearts. He didn't stay long and returned to the "Seeking Truth Residence" in the backyard.

After Qiu Zhen left, the martial artists of the treasure hunting and herb-gathering team in the courtyard discussed among themselves.

"Chieftain Qiu is truly skilled. A dragon's roar and tiger's howl were enough to repel the beasts."

"That's right. The chieftain probably fought a battle with the Xiantian demon general afterward. His clothes weren't even torn, so he must have been handling it with ease."

"Chieftain Qiu is even younger than my child, yet he has such great skills. I wonder how he cultivates. Having a high background is indeed good."

"Who says Chieftain Qiu has a high background? He's a local of Qingmu. It's said that he also came from a poor family."

"Is that really true?"

Seeking Truth Residence Study

"It was an unexpected gain."

Qiu Zhen was in a good mood.

He had grassroots experience in the various affairs of the Guangling Pharmacy's backyard, and with Liu Anqing and Kang Zhuangyuan at his disposal, he quickly straightened things out in a few days and easily controlled the situation. Only the treasure hunting and herb-gathering team was something he couldn't get involved with.

This time, it was a good opportunity to show his strength and win over their hearts.

Of course, what really pleased Qiu Zhen was not the mundane affairs in the pharmacy, but the subtle change that seemed to have occurred in the Mountain God Copper Seal after his fight with Mei Qingshan.

"It's actually not moving anymore."

Qiu Zhen played with the copper seal in his hand, feeling curious.

He still remembered the way the Mountain God Seal bloomed with golden light and was "excited" when Mei Qingshan came to his door a few days ago.

In fact, when he first saw Mei Qingshan, he also felt the copper seal on his body emit a warm aura, as if it resonated with Mei Qingshan and couldn't wait to escape his restraints and fly towards Mei Qingshan.

However, after he fought with Mei Qingshan, the Mountain God Copper Seal suddenly stopped moving.

It was as if the "connection" between it and Mei Qingshan had been severed by something.

"Could this be the struggle for the Mandate of Heaven?"

Although he ran away during the fight, the fact was that Mei Qingshan lost.

Without the golden dragon appearing to protect him, Mei Qingshan would have undoubtedly lost.

Mei Wulang failed to "fight for the Mandate of Heaven" and lost the favor of the "Mountain God Seal"?

Qiu Zhen pondered secretly, his mind filled with thoughts.

Mei Qingshan lost to me. Could it be that "luck" has been transferred to me?

At this thought, he felt a faint anticipation in his heart and began to play with and study the copper seal, trying to refine it and make it recognize him as its owner.

About an hour later.

Qiu Zhen closed the lacquered wooden box, his mood complicated.

After an hour of tossing and turning, using all kinds of methods, there was still no movement. He still had no connection with the "Mountain God Seal".

However, it wasn't without gains.

Perhaps because the connection with Mei Qingshan had been severed, some kind of restriction on the Mountain God Seal had loosened. When he probed the copper seal with his Yuan Shen power, he could faintly feel a "spirituality" existing within it.

"It has spirituality, so does that mean that when my Taoist cultivation is higher in the future, I can hope to refine it?"

Qiu Zhen guessed secretly, and a sense of anticipation arose in his heart.

He wasn't afraid that the Mountain God Seal would be difficult to refine, but that there would be no opportunity. As long as it had spirituality, it meant that it could be communicated with and controlled.

"Young Master, Young Master, we're back."

While he was pondering, he heard a clear child's voice in his ear.

A gust of wind swept in, and soon Bai Zhu and Xiao Zaozi appeared in the courtyard, each holding a herb with soil on it in their hands.

Faintly, there was a flash of spiritual light.

They were two spiritual herbs and treasures, one Angelica and one White Peony.

"Young Master, here, I found them all."

Bai Zhu presented the treasures and offered them to Qiu Zhen.

"The harvest is not bad!"

Qiu Zhen nodded slightly. He didn't take the treasures, but instead looked up and down at Bai Zhu and Xiao Zaozi. Perhaps he saw something, he smiled and said:

"It's just right, the turbid Qi of the treasure medicine in your bodies has faded. Bai Zhu, you take these two spiritual herbs and treasures to refine the [Little Immortal Beast Pill] and improve your strength."

"Thank you, Young Master."

After Bai Zhu thanked him, she happily took Xiao Zaozi to the kitchen to prepare the herbs and refine the pill.

Qiu Zhen shook his head when he saw this.

Speaking of which, spiritual herbs and treasures have a great attraction to demon beasts and spirits.

Under normal circumstances, ordinary demon beasts and spirits without backing don't understand the harm of "treasure medicine turbid Qi". If they also have the ability to find treasures, it's often not a good thing. Excessive consumption of treasure medicines can cause serious accumulation of turbid Qi. If they can't detoxify themselves afterward, it will lead to a "bottleneck" in their cultivation, and they will never be able to make progress in their lives.

Bai Zhu and Xiao Zaozi don't have this kind of trouble.

Qiu Zhen learned Guo Wenzhu's Immortal Beast Taming Technique, which contains a kind of elixir called [Little Immortal Beast Pill], which is specially used to cultivate demon beasts and spirits. After refining spiritual herbs and treasures into elixirs, it can increase the demon beast's power and cultivation, and the turbid poison is much less than directly consuming spiritual herbs and treasures.

With his control and a large number of spiritual herbs and treasures, Bai Zhu and Xiao Zaozi's cultivation will be much faster than wild demon beasts and spirits.

As for Qiu Zhen, he doesn't plan to take spiritual herbs and treasures or pills to increase his power anymore.

After learning the "Theory of Clear and Turbid Qi of Heaven and Earth" from his master An Jishi, he deeply realized that cultivators are different from martial artists and demon beasts and spirits. They inherently melt evil Qi for cultivation. They don't seek to prove the Dao of longevity, so consuming spiritual herbs and treasures and pills doesn't matter.

The best thing for cultivators is to drink dew and eat clouds, and collect and refine the clear Qi of heaven and earth.

Of course, the biggest reason why Qiu Zhen has the confidence not to take spiritual herbs and treasures is that he now has the top-level [Golden Tendon Jade Bone] root bone, and he also has the ability to refine demons and collect and refine pure [Spiritual Qi Essence].

The demon's [Spiritual Qi Essence] is much better than spiritual herbs and treasures.

At this thought, Qiu Zhen thought of something and went to the front yard to find his third senior sister, Yu Lanyin.

"Leave the exorcism patients to you?"

In a side hall in the front yard, Yu Lanyin heard her little junior brother's request, and her pretty face was full of doubts:

"Little junior brother, have you become addicted to exorcism at the Town Demon Division?"

"Cough cough ~"

Qiu Zhen smiled awkwardly and made up an excuse:

"I have a little wood spirit under my command who possesses Jia Wood Yang Lightning, and exorcism is good for its growth."

"So that's how it is!"

Yu Lan Yin knew that her junior brother had such a little wood sprite under his command.

A few days ago, her junior brother also sent her a thunder date spirit fruit that could heal injuries. As someone who knew its value, she treasured it very much.

"Since it's beneficial to Little Date, then in the future, all the patients in the medicine hall who need exorcism will be handed over to you. Take good care of Little Date. I still want to eat dates next year."

"Okay, when it bears fruit next year, Senior Sister will definitely have her share."

The two of them chatted and laughed.

Soon, Yu Lan Yin remembered something and said:

"Junior Brother, I heard that your treasure hunting and herb collecting team encountered trouble today?"

"It's nothing, just some mountain spirits causing trouble. I took care of it."

"That's good then. The matters in my front yard have also been sorted out, finally settling down."

As she spoke, Yu Lan Yin took a sip of tea, then said with concern:

"It's just that our Second Senior Brother has encountered trouble. The Hong brothers are not very convinced by Second Senior Brother. They are very opinionated and have been fighting with the Heavenly Wolf Sect for the medicinal fields for several days without any result."

Qiu Zhen nodded slightly, not surprised at all.

The three of them, senior brothers, were young, making it difficult to gain the support of the masses. The two of them were fine; there were no innate experts in the front and back yards, and their cultivation realms were crushing, making it easy to control the situation.

The situation that Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong faced was different.

Hong Tianxiao and Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong had similar cultivation levels and were even a bit older. They also had some minor conflicts in the past. On the surface, they were all smiles, but in their hearts, they were definitely dissatisfied with Second Senior Brother being above them, and they were unhappy with the sect's assignment.

If Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong wanted to completely control Guangling Medicine Hall, he would inevitably have to fight with the Hong brothers.

"Senior Sister, we don't need to worry about this matter. Second Senior Brother has his own methods. The two of us just need to cooperate with Senior Brother on a daily basis."

"That's true."

Yu Lan Yin nodded.

The Hong brothers had a "Worship Martial Master Team" under their command, controlling the martial power of Guangling Medicine Hall. With the two of them assisting, Second Senior Brother controlled the medicine hall's finances, logistics, and so on, which could also counteract the Hong brothers. It wasn't as if he had no advantages.

The following days became fulfilling and peaceful.

Qiu Zhen traveled between Qiu Family Village and Guangling Medicine Hall every day, balancing cultivation and work.

Third Senior Sister Yu Lan Yin was very generous. Knowing that Little Date loved exorcism, she handed over all the patients in the medicine hall who needed exorcism to Qiu Zhen.

Speaking of which, although Guangling Medicine Hall didn't encounter as many patients with "Demonic Thoughts" as it did during the Wood Puppet Sect's rebellion, perhaps because it was close to the mountains, the source of the immortal跡 outbreak, the Qi of Evil Demons was even more concentrated.

Martial masters often came to the medicine hall for exorcism. Among them, occasionally someone would have "Demonic Thoughts," giving him a little surprise.

One Demonic Thought was a ball of "Spiritual Essence," saving him anywhere from ten to thirty days of hard cultivation.

Qiu Zhen possessed the top-tier innate talent 【Golden Tendons and Jade Bones】, making his cultivation talent top-notch. Occasionally, there were also "Little Surprises," making his cultivation progress extremely rapid.

Unknowingly, three months passed.

"Estimated eleven months later, the early stage of Refining Qi Transformation will be complete."

Qiu Zhen looked inside himself, feeling very satisfied.

Three months ago, he needed one year and eight months to complete the initial stage of 【Refining Qi Transformation】, but now, he only needed less than a year to complete it.

Among them, the half a year of hard cultivation saved came from the "Spiritual Essence" obtained from exorcism.

"Three months are equivalent to nine months for a top-tier talent with innate talent. Not bad, the job at Guangling Medicine Hall is not bad, not worse than exorcism at the Demon Suppression Division."

Qiu Zhen was in a good mood.

The monthly salary of the helmsman of the backyard of Guangling Medicine Shop was fifty taels, a considerable income, but what he valued most was "Exorcism."

There were people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. There were countless hidden dragons and crouching tigers everywhere. No one could guarantee that they wouldn't capsize in the gutter.

Exorcising demons for others and conveniently picking up "Spiritual Essence" was undoubtedly a stable shortcut to cultivation, much better than others fighting to the death for immortal opportunities.

In another half a year, he would hopefully break through to the middle stage of Refining Qi Transformation, refining his form and condensing true energy, transforming the Night Wandering God into the "Day Wandering God," his cultivation catching up with Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong, Lin Shoulong, and others in one fell swoop.

In the Azure Wood Territory, he could be considered a master.

"When I break through, and with the blessing of the Primordial Spirit Dharma Body, Lin Shoulong will probably not be my opponent."

Qiu Zhen couldn't help but feel expectant.

That day, his master An Jishi stood up for him and publicly beat up Wei Tanzhi and Lin Shoulong, greatly relieving his anger.

However, this was, after all, external force.

If his cultivation caught up with Lin Shoulong and he had the ability to slap him in the face in the future, that would be a completely different matter.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Just as Qiu Zhen was looking inward to regulate his breath, a loud noise came from outside the house, startling him awake.

The noise sounded like things being smashed, and there was also a faint sound of fighting.

What happened?

Qiu Zhen was curious.

As a major medical sect, Medicine King Valley had always been kind to others and formed ties with all parties. Although they occasionally had conflicts with other forces over medicinal mountains, herb picking grounds, and other matters, they generally had a sense of proportion and would not fight each other.

After all, no matter which force it was, there would always be times when they were injured and sought help from Medicine King Valley.

"Young Master, Hong Tianbao has gone mad and become demonized, smashing and destroying everything."

Baizhu, who had finished eating his melon, reported the news to Qiu Zhen as soon as possible.

Gone mad and become demonized?

Qiu Zhen immediately got up, taking three steps in two, and rushed towards the place where the sound came from.

The entire Guangling Medicine Hall heard the commotion and flocked inside.

However, a group of worship martial masters blocked the medicine shop apprentices and stewards outside.

When Qiu Zhen arrived at the open space in the courtyard, he saw Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong and Vice Hall Master Hong Tianxiao joining hands to fight Hong Tianbao.

At this moment, Hong Tianbao's eyes were bloodshot, his face was full of madness, and his whole body exuded a violent and evil aura, as if he was not a human, but a demon who devoured people.

"Junior Brother, don't go over."

When Yu Lan Yin saw Qiu Zhen coming, she reached out to stop him, with a few traces of anxiety on her face:

"Hong Tianbao has become demonized, and his martial power is extremely terrifying. We are not his opponents!"

Qiu Zhen looked over and saw the three people fighting fiercely.

Just as Senior Sister Yu Lan Yin said, Hong Tianbao, who was clearly only in the Innate True Qi Realm, seemed extremely sturdy at this time. His whole body was surrounded by blood Qi, and his punches and claws were fierce and unparalleled. He was fighting head-on with Second Senior Brother Tong Yuncong and Hong Tianxiao, and he was not at all at a disadvantage.

Fearless of death, he even faintly occupied the upper hand, and neither of them could subdue him.

Baizhu, who was eating melon on the side, couldn't help but ask:

"Young Master, Sister Lan Yin, isn't he an Innate Martial Master? How did he become demonized too?"

"Martial masters can also become demonized."

Yu Lan Yin sighed and said:

"If they encounter an overly powerful external demon invasion, even Innate Martial Masters will not be able to resist it and will also become possessed. Hong Tianbao doesn't know where he provoked a powerful evil demon."

The speaker didn't mean it, but the listener took it to heart.

After hearing Senior Sister Yu Lan Yin's words, Qiu Zhen's heart couldn't help but jump wildly.

The opportunity to break through to the middle stage of Refining Qi Transformation seemed to be coming.

PS: Something happened at home, today's update is 4K.