An Unexpected Turn

The smile on Mu She's face was impossible to hide, but Mu Li's expression was far less pleasant.

The reason was simple. Once he considered that the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid Su Luo had refined might have come from a Dou Zong or even Dou Zun family—a method such families used to nurture their younger generation—Mu Li's heart bled.

Setting aside the promise Su Luo had made earlier, a single bottle of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid capable of accelerating cultivation during the Dou Qi stage was worth at least tens of thousands of gold coins, and it was the kind of item that could not be bought even with money.

Compared to something so rare that it was unavailable on the market, even losing tens of thousands of gold coins was nothing.

Having lost tens of thousands of gold coins as well as the promise of someone from a Dou Zong or even Dou Zun family, how could Mu Li possibly look happy?

"Alright, there's no need to be so upset. Once Father deals with them, if I obtain an Earth-tier cultivation method and advance to become a Da Dou Shi or even a Dou Ling, then as long as I become a Dou Ling, I'll have a place in one of Gamma Empire's major cities. I might even join the imperial family and become a city lord. If I can reach Dou Wang in the future, then you'll be the young master of a Dou Wang family. Your future will be limitless."

"Father is right." Hearing that his father could someday become a Da Dou Shi, a Dou Ling, or even a Dou Wang, Mu Li's expression finally eased somewhat.

"Phew... Dou Qi Level Four."

In the finest inn in Qingshan Town, nearly another nine months had passed without him noticing.

Over those nine months, Su Luo refined medicine, cultivated, sought out Xiao Yi Xian, refined medicine again, cultivated again, and continued seeking out Xiao Yi Xian. Though his life was nearly a repetitive three-point routine, it had been quite fulfilling. He had not suffered any mental breakdown from the long, tedious stretches of alchemy and cultivation.

"From sensing Qi and entering the body to Dou Qi Level Four in a year... I wonder whether my talent is better or worse compared to Xiao Yan's."

Su Luo spoke after examining his physical condition.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had advanced from Dou Qi Level Three to Dou Qi Level Four very quickly—far faster than Su Luo at this moment.

But Xiao Yan's speed rested on the fact that he was recultivating, and that the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid refined by Medicine Elder was more than one level better than Su Luo's. It truly was difficult to compare them in that regard.

"Forget it. In any case, there are some things I'll get before him."

He stepped out of the green liquid filled with impurities, dried himself, and changed clothes. Rather than refining medicine as usual, Su Luo left the inn and headed straight onto the street.

On the streets of Qingshan Town, Kagan led over twenty mercenaries who were already prepared to enter the Monster Mountain Range at any moment.

"My lord, everything is ready. We can depart whenever you wish."

When Su Luo emerged from his room, Kagan stepped forward and clasped his hands in salute.

"Mm, sorry to trouble you." Su Luo nodded. Several mercenaries then carried over two sedan chairs. Su Luo and Su Muyue each took one as they headed for the Monster Mountain Range.

A one-ring Soul Master, especially one with a Tool Martial Soul like the Otherworld Gate Martial Soul, did not have physical abilities comparable to an ordinary Dou Zhe.

Moreover, to ensure safety in the Monster Mountain Range, those sent out were all elite Dou Zhe of five stars or above. Not only would Su Luo's speed hold them back, but his stamina was also far inferior to those five-star Dou Zhe.

Therefore, when Kagan suggested preparing a sedan chair to make Su Luo's journey to the Monster Mountain Range easier, Su Luo not only did not refuse, but also had one prepared for Su Muyue.

Su Muyue's physical abilities were not inferior to those of the Dou Zhe, or even Kagan, a Dou Master. But when entering a place like the Monster Mountain Range, conserving as much stamina as possible was the correct choice. That was why there were only two sedan chairs.

Of course, the mercenaries had initially objected to carrying two burdens into the Monster Mountain Range. But after Su Luo promised an additional thousand gold coins for every person on each trip, with those carrying the sedan chairs receiving an extra two thousand, and ensured that the team he brought each time was sufficiently strong, many of them came to enjoy accompanying Su Luo into the Monster Mountain Range.

The journey to the Monster Mountain Range was far from peaceful. As they gradually went deeper, they encountered Magical Beasts more and more often.

However, because Su Luo's party was always strong enough, the road was not difficult as long as they did not go too deep.

The Blood War Mercenary Group now had five Dou Masters. Even ordinary Second-Order Magical Beasts could be dealt with easily. Since Su Luo had never intended to venture deep into the Monster Mountain Range, they did not even encounter many First-Order Magical Beasts.

By evening, the group set up camp and began to rest.

Su Luo and Su Muyue's tent was protected at the very center. Inside, Su Luo told Su Muyue about his discovery.

"Mother, it seems our luck is quite good. Do you remember what I told you a year ago? That there might be an opportunity left behind by some predecessor on a cliff somewhere on this continent?"

Su Muyue nodded. "I remember. But I also remember you saying that most people who jumped off cliffs came back missing arms and legs. What, did you spot an opportunity?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but perhaps we really did come across one this time."

After searching for several months, Su Luo had finally seen the Rock Snake that had appeared in the original story some time ago.

After confirming that there did not seem to be any other Rock Snakes along the surrounding cliff walls, Su Luo felt it was worth trying.

"What about these people? If they're alone, I'm confident I can kill any one or two of them. But if they attack together, it'll be difficult for me to ensure your safety."

After a year, Su Muyue had gained some understanding of this continent. To her, opportunities were like Soul Bones. Money had been one thing, but when it came to something that might change one's fate, she did not believe these people would cooperate as peacefully as before.

"Don't worry. I've already prepared for that. I caught a Green Feather Chicken earlier, and there's chicken soup stewed with it for dinner. We just need to put this in it."

Su Luo took out a packet of medicinal powder from his Soul Tool. It was Sleeping Powder he had traded from Xiao Yi Xian in exchange for Blood Coagulating Powder he had refined.

"I'll do it."

Su Muyue took the medicinal powder from Su Luo, intending to help him drug the others. But plans never quite kept up with changes. Before Su Muyue could secretly add the powder to the soup, several Second-Order Magical Beasts that should not have appeared here suddenly charged into Su Luo's camp, scattering everyone.

After quietly moving away from the mercenary group with Su Muyue, Su Luo looked at the powder she had not yet had a chance to use and scratched his head. "So I prepared this Sleeping Powder for nothing?"

Su Muyue handed the Sleeping Powder back to Su Luo. "It's fine. Our goal was accomplished anyway, wasn't it?"

"True. Then let's go."