This way, he wouldn’t be seen as some vile usurper, a truly sickening thought.
...
Ji Xiu first paid a visit to the Wind and Cloud Association’s Medicine Hall.
He was now a Boss and a General Leader, having earned widespread recognition and respect. He no longer needed to honor his contract with Pharmacist Huang.
But Ji Xiu still came every day, rain or shine, to personally refine Hundred Herbs Pills and Cold-Relieving Pills for the old man.
Old Huang was deeply moved. This time, he even insisted on moving out of the Fire Kiln and into the Ji Residence on West Street to help with Ji Xiu’s mountain ventures.
In the backyard Medicine House.
As usual, Old Huang was cracking melon seeds while Ji Xiu performed Alchemy for him.
When the Pill emerged from the furnace, its medicinal fragrance filling the air...
Ji Xiu couldn’t help but ask,
"Pharmacist Huang, you take these Hundred Herbs Pills and Cold-Relieving Pills every day, but that only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Eventually, the medicinal properties will accumulate, and your condition will become incurable."
"Is there no way to cure it completely?"
At the mention of this, Huang Xuan’s fingers stiffened. His eyes dimmed, and he gave a bitter smile.
"A complete cure... of course there is one."
"Years ago, I was testing medicines for my patron family and ended up with this chronic ailment. I got nothing for my troubles. Once they saw I was useless, they promoted my sworn enemy. To recover my health, I came here to Anning County, near the ’Earth Dragon Cave’."
"Because I’d heard that a ’Jade Marrow Cold Lotus,’ an item ranked as an Earth Treasure, had once appeared in these mountains."
"If I can find this Earth Treasure... I can be completely cured."
"I just... I overestimated my own body. Those five hundred *li* of mountain paths are treacherous, and an Earth Treasure is so precious that even Qi Cultivation Grandmasters are tempted by it. How could someone like me ever hope to obtain it?"
"At this point, I’ve resigned myself to living out my remaining days. I gave up hope of a full recovery long ago."
He shrugged, chuckled wryly, and sighed.
Having a diligent, good-hearted disciple like Zheng Jun, saving up some silver coins, watching plays, listening to music, and just strolling about... it wasn’t a bad way to live out his golden years in peace.
His only regret was not deciphering the fragmented recipe for the Qi Dao Spirit Pill, which used the ’Jade Marrow Cold Lotus’ as its main ingredient.
’But even if I could figure it out, or even refine the pill, what’s the damn use? I don’t have the Earth Treasure. It’s still a death sentence either way.’
After so long, Huang Xuan felt he had come to accept his fate. There was no point in forcing things.
Ji Xiu, however, looked thoughtful.
’It once appeared in the Earth Dragon Cave, hmm...’
"Don’t worry, Old Huang."
"You’ve treated me well. Now that I’m the Eighteen Road Chief, it’s only right that I do my part to help you."
Huang Xuan just chuckled, his hope long gone.
"Forget it. Earth Treasures are precious. If you really find one, it would be much more practical to use it for your own Cultivation. We’re talking about a true treasure here."
"I already have one foot in the grave. Even if you found it, why waste such a treasure on me?"
"Oh, right."
"That ’Qi Dao Grandmaster’ from Jiangyin Prefecture... I’ve received confirmation that he’s about to arrive in Anning. When he gets here, I’ll go and ask him to refine a Foundation Establishment Treasure Pill for you."
After leaving the Medicine House,
The Jade-Horned Spirit Deer, which had been happily munching away on the wooden racks to the side, saw Ji Xiu emerge. Its eyes instantly lit up, and it trotted over to nuzzle him affectionately.
Ever since it started following Ji Xiu, it had been living a life fit for an immortal. It had never gone hungry, so naturally, it was completely docile toward its ’master’.
As Ji Xiu stroked the deer, the phantom image of the Primordial Daoist Talisman formed in the depths of his eyes.
The next moment, information appeared before him:
[Jade-Horned Spirit Deer]
[A mountain spirit, born and nurtured by Heaven and Earth, possessing several hundred years of Dao Practice. It absorbs the essence of the sun and moon and has long drunk from a Spiritual Cold Spring quenched by an ’Earth Treasure’. This has nourished its bloodline, preserving the potential for transformation and rebirth.]
[If it obtains an opportunity, refines its Horizontal Bone, and breaks through the thousand-year Dao Practice barrier, it may be able to evolve toward a Dragon Species or Qilin Species.]
[Weaknesses: Antler bases, tailbone, and eyes are unquenched and remain vital points.]
[Special Properties: The Spirit Deer’s blood can be used as a supplementary ingredient for ’Seventh Grade’ Great Pills and Treasure Medicines. It is highly beneficial for strengthening the Flesh, Bone, Skin, and Membrane of Powerful Martial Artists.]
[Deer Heart Demon Pill: A Spiritual Object born and nurtured by heaven and earth, completely free of corrupt nature or chaotic blood-qi. Can be refined into a Daoist medicine to supplement the Divine Soul...]
Two days prior, after taking the title of ’Mountain Road Chief,’ Ji Xiu had personally traveled four hundred *li* to the vicinity of the Earth Dragon Cave. There, he hunted four Centennial Demons, greatly advancing the progress of the Mountain Search.
The reason he had been so swift and successful, and had emerged completely unscathed...
...was, in the end, all thanks to the two Innate Talents derived from ’Mountain and Sea Search’: Spiritual Sense and Qi Observation.
Spiritual Sense allowed him to navigate the mountains as if they were flat ground, ensuring no treasure escaped his notice.
As for Qi Observation...
...it allowed him, just as he was doing now, to perceive the weaknesses and special properties of all Demons and Spirit Monsters in their entirety!
With such an advantage, it would be a wonder if he *couldn’t* shoot down any Demon he targeted.
Seeing that his own Jade-Horned Spirit Deer had reached such a state just from years of drinking from the Cold Pool and absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, he now considered the Earth Treasure at the bottom of that pool as good as his.
’Now that my reputation and position are secure, and I have the strength to back them up, it’s the perfect time to seek out this Earth Treasure.’
’And if the thing at the bottom of the Cold Pool really is the ’Jade Marrow Cold Lotus’... I’ll give a piece to Old Huang to cure his ailment. That would be a fitting repayment for all the kindness he’s shown me.’
Ji Xiu mused to himself.
He then went to Duan Chenzhou’s residence.
Ji Xiu had intended to invite Master Duan to move into the ’Ji Residence’, which would make it easier for him to seek guidance and pay his respects.
To his surprise, however, the normally quiet residence was bustling with activity.
As he drew closer,
He saw Gu Baichuan, dressed in his Hundred Households Official Uniform and accompanied by several Imperial Guard Cavalry subordinates. Han Ying and Zhang Qing were also there. They were all saying farewell to his master, Duan Chenzhou.
The moment he saw Ji Xiu arrive,
Zhang Qing immediately looked sad to be leaving.
"Brother Ji, I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit you for the New Year. Lord Gu is taking Master and me to the Prefecture City..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ji Xiu smiled, shook his head, and clapped his shoulder.
"Going to Jiangyin Prefecture to seek broader horizons is what people like us should be striving for."
"Do you know how many people dream of an opportunity like this but can never attain it?"
"There’s no need to be so sentimental!"
"Just go! Your big brother here is a man of means now. I’ll take care of your father and sister!"
Zhang Qing was visibly moved.
Duan Chenzhou looked at Ji Xiu, nodding as he gestured.
"Disciple, Gu Baichuan is leaving. Since you’ve inherited his Arrow Skill and mastered it completely, see him off in my place."
Gu Baichuan, who had been smiling, suddenly looked aggrieved.
"This kid learned every single one of my skills. I have no idea how you got so damn lucky to find a disciple like him..."
"Sigh!"
"Alright, I’m off! See you in the Prefecture City!"
With that, he swung himself onto his horse and rode off toward Anning Pier.
Since everyone there was an acquaintance, Ji Xiu naturally smiled and agreed to see Gu Baichuan off.
He mounted his Spirit Deer, donned his greatcloak, and gave Cai Ling’er two days off—though who knew which grave she’d run off to dig up this time. He then escorted Gu Baichuan and his party all the way to the pier and saw them onto their sailboat.
Watching the ship hoist its sails and depart into the vast East Canghai...
Ji Xiu sighed, his gaze turning deep and unreadable as he stared out at the boundless, churning sea.
’I wonder when I’ll be able to venture out there myself?’
’Bone Tempering isn’t enough. It’s too weak.’
’At the very least...’
’I have to break through another Body Great Limit, achieve Mercury Blood Silver Marrow, and enter the Skin Refining realm. Only then will I be strong enough!’
Frost and snow drifted down from the sky.
But it could not cool the Heart Fire burning in Ji Xiu’s chest.
Just then,
a magnificent sailboat came gliding across the water, pulling into Anning Pier with a grand flourish.
Before he could ride his deer away,
a commotion erupted, causing him to frown and look over.