Lucky One, Break and Then Stand!

"How could Talent Power be scattered around the pill room? Could it be that Ye Kun and the others have already died in there?"

The moment Su Hao recalled what had happened when he first absorbed Talent Power, he instinctively kept a certain distance from the pill room.

The talents Medicine Person and Medicine Slave had the same effect: both made wedding clothes for others. Medicine Slave was the next-stage talent of Medicine Person, and its effect was even stronger.

Those two Medicine Slave talents... when they fused next, would their effect merely be enhanced, or would some other transformation occur?

"Hey, idiot, haven't you ever seen a pill room before? If you delay us and Master gets angry, can you bear the consequences?"

The Daoist Boy suddenly shouted in fury.

Ge Lao Si and he had already gone seven or eight meters before they realized Su Hao had not followed. He was standing there blankly, staring at the pill room.

"Sorry, sorry..."

Su Hao came back to his senses, gave the Talent Power slowly drifting toward him one last look, then turned and jogged after them.

As for those three clumps of Talent Power, he could do without them. Right now, he was going to meet Lin Zhi Shan. If something uncontrollable happened, it would only make his situation even more dangerous.

"If there's a next time, watch out—I'll deal with you on Master's behalf!"

The Daoist Boy glared viciously at Master.

Though he was only eleven or twelve, he possessed a vicious aura that even many adults lacked.

"Forget it, forget it, Senior Brother. Su Hao's just like this—dumb as a post and hasn't seen much of the world," Ge Lao Si said.

Su Hao apologized again and again.

Before long, they arrived at the hall deep within the cave abode.

Lin Zhi Shan sat cross-legged on a couch. Beside him were a tea set, jars and bottles, and books.

"You're here?" Lin Zhi Shan slowly opened his eyes, his expression kindly.

"Master, it was all that idiot's fault. He was dragging his feet the whole way." The Daoist Boy strode forward and pointed at Su Hao. "This man doesn't look very bright. How about..."

Su Hao jumped in fright. Did this little brat really want him dead that badly?

"You'll all be fellow disciples from now on. Be more tolerant of one another."

Lin Zhi Shan cast the Daoist Boy an indifferent glance.

That single glance seemed to carry immense power. The Daoist Boy's face turned deathly pale, and he shut his mouth in panic.

Lin Zhi Shan smiled at Su Hao. "Whether refining pills or cultivating, one values one's state of mind above all else. A hasty temper will not do."

Su Hao nodded honestly.

"Of the three of you, Lin Miao began studying the arts of alchemy under me the earliest. It has already been over a year.

"Ge Lao Si, though you have no talent, you managed to make an entry into the Hundred Profound Medicine Veins with only a few Heart Nourishing Pills. Among ordinary people without talents, your aptitude is considered quite good. It shows that this cultivation method suits you as well.

"Su Hao, you aren't bad either."

Lin Zhi Shan pondered for two seconds before continuing.

Su Hao kept his head lowered throughout.

Ge Lao Si wore a fawning smile, ready to flatter Lin Zhi Shan the instant he finished speaking.

"Lin Miao is young and still has potential.

"You other two are too old. If you wish to achieve anything, you'll have to put in tremendous effort. You must not be disturbed by worldly matters and must devote yourselves wholeheartedly.

"As it happens, I intend to enter seclusion, and I can take one disciple into seclusion with me.

"There will be ample pills, and I can guide you at any time.

"One month in seclusion can equal half a year of training outside."

Lin Zhi Shan's gaze shifted between Su Hao and Ge Lao Si.

Su Hao lowered his head even further.

"Master, as you said yourself, your disciple is young, with greater potential and more room to be molded. I want to enter seclusion with you!"

The Daoist Boy, Lin Miao, was anxious. If anyone was to be cultivated, it should be him! Why should those two pieces of trash be given priority?

Ge Lao Si was anxious too, but when he saw Lin Miao vying for the spot, he immediately and wisely shut his mouth.

"You, you—what are you so anxious about?" Lin Zhi Shan snorted coldly. "You've followed me for over a year. Would I really shortchange you? It's simply that you are capable and loyal, and there are still matters on Heavenly Medicine Mountain that require you to manage."

"So long as you properly settle this batch of Medicine Slaves in Bamboo Heart Courtyard, once I emerge from seclusion at the end of the month, the next period of seclusion will be yours."

"If you're unwilling, it isn't impossible to choose you first this time."

A meaningful, cold smile appeared on Lin Zhi Shan's lips.

"..." Lin Miao trembled all over, realizing that his Master was already angry. "N-No, I wouldn't dare. I will obey all your instructions. Thank you for thinking highly of me, Master. I will certainly take proper care of the mountain's affairs."

Having said that, he immediately and tactfully stepped aside.

"Master, I entered the Hundred Profound Medicine Veins before Su Hao did. First come, first served... isn't that right, Su Hao?"

Ge Lao Si could barely contain his excitement as he stepped forward. He shot Su Hao a faintly threatening glance, afraid Su Hao would steal the spot from him.

"Senior Brother Ge is right." Su Hao forced a smile.

Lin Zhi Shan's gaze slowly shifted from Ge Lao Si to Su Hao. He stared at him for several seconds. "The ways of the world are hard to predict. Opportunities for personal guidance and secluded cultivation like this don't come often, Su Hao. You seem rather resistant?"

"No, no, you misunderstand. Whether by age, seniority, or brains, it shouldn't be my turn no matter what. Senior Brother Lin Miao and Senior Brother Ge are both more qualified than I am."

Su Hao waved his hands repeatedly.

Lin Miao and Ge Lao Si shot Su Hao looks that said, "At least you know your place."

Yet Lin Zhi Shan's expression grew increasingly amused. "First come, first served, and both parties are willing. By sentiment and reason alike, they are indeed more qualified. But Su Hao, you're smarter than they are. Now I suddenly want to choose you even more!"

"But none of that matters. There is plenty of time ahead! For the sake of your cleverness, so long as you behave yourself, I will nurture you carefully in the future. This time, however, Ge Lao Si will enter secluded cultivation with me and focus on studying the 'Hundred Profound Medicine Veins.'"

"..."

Su Hao could no longer smile. The two of them understood perfectly well—each knew what the other was thinking.

Lin Miao and Ge Lao Si exchanged a glance, utterly unable to understand how Su Hao was smarter than them. He might even receive special support in the future.

"Thank you, Master. This disciple will surely give it his all." Ge Lao Si immediately bowed in thanks, though a trace of jealousy toward Su Hao had taken root in his heart.

Su Hao's expression turned extremely grim. If he could not escape the Golden Light Sect, then he was a turtle trapped in a jar!

"Su Hao, these are medicines and books. Take two pills a day to strengthen your foundation and nourish your vitality. The books are introductory texts on alchemy; read them if you're interested. The mountain is dull, so they can help pass the time. But remember—do not even think of leaving Heavenly Medicine Mountain!"

Lin Zhi Shan pointed to a small table beside him, where three bottles of medicine and a book sat.

"Thank you, Master."

Su Hao respectfully gathered up the items.

"Mm. You may leave. Continue staying in Bamboo Heart Courtyard for now. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Lin Miao." Lin Zhi Shan waved a hand.

Su Hao left at a brisk pace.

"Lin Miao, that boy Su Hao is not honest. Other minor matters are of no concern, but you must make sure he takes his medicine. If you find that he obeys in public but defies in private—refusing the medicine or throwing it away—and he refuses to mend his ways after repeated instruction, kill him outright and bury him in the medicine garden as fertilizer."

In front of Ge Lao Si, Lin Zhi Shan gave Lin Miao this instruction.

"Yes." Lin Miao's eyes flickered as he lowered his head and cupped his hands. "This disciple understands!"

"Absorb Talents!"

Su Hao hurried to the pill room. With the mindset of staking everything on one desperate gamble, he absorbed the three clusters of Medicine Person Talents.

No matter how the Medicine Person and Medicine Slave Talents mutated—

The next time Lin Zhi Shan emerged from secluded cultivation, after Ge Lao Si, it would very likely be his turn!

The Talent Power entered his body. Fortunately, without Su Hao deliberately activating them afterward, they would not automatically fuse.

Name: Su Hao

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 1

Talents: Fire Elemental Sword Physique (Blue), Medicine Slave (White), Medicine Person (Gray, Invalid), Medicine Person (Gray, Invalid), Medicine Person (Gray, Invalid)

Su Hao ran all the way back to his side room in Bamboo Heart Courtyard and began fusing Talents.

There was simply no choice. He could not leave Heavenly Medicine Mountain, and beyond the mountain were nothing but ruthless cultivators.

"When there is no road forward, break first, then rise anew. If there's no choice, then I'll walk this dark road to the very end!"

He wanted to see what the ultimate form of this kind of Talent would look like.

If nothing else, the greater his value, the longer he would live!