Going Out to Gather Herbs, Opportunity Arrives

Heading Out to Gather Herbs, the Opportunity Has Arrived

"No need to thank this old man. This is your own fortune as well. It was meant to be yours."

"As long as you cultivate properly by this old man's side from now on, you will not be treated poorly!"

Xuan Chengzi spoke with great satisfaction, completely unaware of the chill in Qin Yang's eyes.

Such a monstrous fiend, one who had committed every evil under heaven—if the chance came in the future, Qin Yang would surely cut him down. Otherwise, he would bring endless calamity upon others!

Just then, Xuan Chengzi tossed him a scroll.

"This pill scripture was something your master obtained with great difficulty many years ago. Memorize the pill formulas in its first half, then refine pills properly for your master in the future!"

A pill scripture?

Qin Yang had no interest in such things, nor did he have any talent for them.

Still, he unfolded it and gave it a cursory glance.

It was an unnamed pill scripture.

Once opened, it was packed with dense lines of tiny writing, recording no fewer than a hundred pill formulas.

It included not only the ingredients and refining methods for each formula, but even taught how to control the heat. Beneath every formula were specially drawn illustrations of various spirit herbs and spiritual plants to make them easier to identify!

"Master, this is far too precious. This disciple cannot accept it," Qin Yang said.

But Xuan Chengzi waved a hand dismissively. "The formulas written here are merely basic matters of pill refinement. Once you have cultivated for a time, your master will pass on to you the true Supreme Pill Scripture, with which you can refine great pills that will send your cultivation soaring by leaps and bounds!"

The Supreme Pill Scripture?

Qin Yang smiled.

A flash of insight struck his mind, and he thought of himself, along with all those people with spiritual roots who had been bought and brought here.

To everyone, they were merely medicinal ingredients in the Old Devil's eyes.

The great pills the Old Devil spoke of surely had something to do with refining living people as sacrifices!

But for now, he had no choice. He could only take things one step at a time.

"Go out. For the next two days, follow Bai Feng to gather some spirit herbs for reserve, and learn to distinguish the various spirit herbs and spiritual plants while you are at it."

"Remember, you are now this old man's disciple. Once outside, you must know full well what may be said and what may not!"

Xuan Chengzi did not forget to give this sinister reminder, making Qin Yang's scalp tingle.

At last, I can leave this room of the dead.

Going out to gather herbs is a pretty good opportunity!

Qin Yang secretly pondered this.

After leaving the Pill Refining Room and escaping that grim, terrifying atmosphere, his entire body noticeably relaxed.

Looking again at the "medicinal ingredients" like himself, still waiting to be refined into medicine, Qin Yang felt something indescribable in his heart.

Likewise, when those bought youths of the same age saw Qin Yang emerge alive from the Pill Refining Room, faint surprise appeared on their numb faces despite themselves.

After all, not a single person who had entered that place before had ever come out alive.

Now that they saw Qin Yang appear, a few more strands of hope naturally rose in their hearts!

"Junior Brother Qin!"

At that moment, Bai Feng came over with a faint smile, wearing the manner of someone naturally familiar with everyone as he stepped up to greet and congratulate him.

He was utterly different from before, like a completely different person!

"Congratulations to Junior Brother Qin on becoming another True Disciple under Master. From now on, you and I are fellow disciples."

"If there is anything you do not understand, feel free to ask me or the other two Senior Brothers!"

Bai Feng spoke warmly.

"The other two Senior Brothers?"

Qin Yang's brows stirred.

Since being captured and brought here, he had never seen either of the other two besides Bai Feng. "Senior Brother Bai... where have they gone?"

"The two Senior Brothers were ordered to descend the mountain in search of Medicinal Seeds. You will see them in a few days."

After Bai Feng finished speaking, he received a voice transmission from Xuan Chengzi.

When he learned that he was to take Qin Yang out to gather herbs, a flash of viciousness and excitement passed through the depths of his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Turning back, he said, "Junior Brother Qin has only just entered the sect, yet you need only do work like gathering herbs. You truly are blessed."

"Judging by Master's tone, I fear he already regards you as a disciple who will inherit his mantle. This truly makes your Senior Brother envious!"

Inheritor of the Mantle?

Qin Yang laughed inwardly. Xuan Chengzi merely saw that he still had value to exploit.

Once some time passed and Xuan Chengzi discovered that he had no talent whatsoever for pill refinement, he would likely turn hostile at once and toss him into the Alchemy Furnace to be refined into medicine!

"Come on. You've just become Master's fourth disciple, and since you haven't had a chance to look around since arriving, I'll show you around the cave dwelling first."

Bai Feng gestured and led the way.

This was Qin Yang's first time leaving that communal sleeping area and venturing elsewhere within the cave dwelling.

Before this, like the other children his age who had been captured, he had merely been a "Resource" in Xuan Chengzi's eyes!

"This place will be where you live from now on."

Bai Feng brought Qin Yang to a crude stone chamber.

There was only a meditation cushion inside, with practically no room for sleeping or resting.

Qin Yang showed no reaction. The most pressing matter was to familiarize himself with the surroundings and prepare for escape.

Going out to gather herbs would be a good opportunity!

Before long, Bai Feng brought him to a tightly sealed stone chamber. It was covered in densely packed runes, and merely approaching it brought a chill.

Clearly, this place was far from ordinary!

Sure enough, Bai Feng solemnly warned him, "This is where Master enters seclusion to cultivate. Not only are outsiders forbidden from approaching, even we disciples cannot come near without permission. Otherwise, Junior Brother, you should know the consequences!"

Qin Yang nodded slightly.

He had not expected the Old Devil's quarters to be guarded so tightly. Could there be something extraordinary hidden within?

He pondered in secret.

Before he could think further, Bai Feng was already preparing to take him out of the cave dwelling to gather herbs.

As they passed the entrance, there was a dark little path off to one side, covered in congealed blood, leading who knew where.

Roar!

Faintly, Qin Yang could even hear chilling howls coming from that dark path, like evil ghosts of the underworld roaring as they sought to enter the mortal world!

"Senior Brother, what... is in there?"

Qin Yang instinctively felt that something was wrong.

Bai Feng was cryptic, only saying cautiously, "What's inside is no small matter. I hear it's an Evil Creature raised by Master. In any case, if you can avoid going in, don't go in."

An Evil Creature?!

Qin Yang had indeed sensed traces of sinister energy.

Together with the dark red bloodstains congealed on the ground, it made his heart tremble.

He quietly memorized this place. Perhaps when he restarted in the future, he might have a chance to go in and take a look!

Half the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Bai Feng brought him outside the cave dwelling.

Lush grass and trees grew outside, forming a sloping hillside.

It was clear that this place lay within a mountain range. The surroundings were utterly deserted, without even a trace of ferocious beasts.

Qin Yang carefully searched his memories and realized he had no impression of this place whatsoever.

After he had been bought and taken away, his eyes had been covered with black cloth. He only remembered traveling for at least seven or eight days and nights before they stopped.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already inside the cave.

That meant that in this godforsaken place, unfamiliar in every direction, escaping would be difficult!