We had just arrived at the small building.
Zhang Rongfang saw his master Chongxuan, sitting on the third-floor balcony with a smile, drinking some wine and eating melon seeds and braised beef.
"You're back?" Yue Dewen said with a smile.
"Disciple greets Master." Zhang Rongfang reluctantly cupped his hands and bowed.
"Do you understand?" Yue Dewen asked.
Disciple Zhang Rongfang was speechless.
"Looks like you understand. I wonder what you're thinking about all day long." Yue Dewen stood up, put his hands behind his back, and patted his apprentice's shoulder.
"In life, one should strive to be focused."
The same applies to spiritual cultivation. If one's mind is divided, constantly shifting between martial arts and literature, one's life is too short.
"Disciple understands."
"You don't know anything. You're always looking for the Main Herb of the Golden Toad Skill. You have such great talent, why don't you use it for good?"
"Even the Second Generation Moon King back then killed himself through training, who do you think you are? Do you think you're stronger than the founder of this technique?" Yue Dewen said without any politeness.
"I originally thought you were more sensible than Xiao Zhi, but now it seems you're just as troublesome." He felt exhausted just thinking about it.
This Zhang Ying is truly persistent, searching for medicine everywhere, refusing to give up.
Fortunately, he discovered it early.
As long as he's around, this kid can forget about messing around with any Golden Toad Skill.
You've already mastered one level, and you're still trying to learn the second? That's not how you get yourself killed!
"If you practice a few more levels, you'll be ruined!" Zhang Rongfang smiled bitterly, wanting to speak but not knowing how to begin.
"Alright, now focus on getting back into the swing of things. I've already given the word. No one will bother you anymore. From now on, you're no longer some kind of Spirit Envoy, but a Daoist Daozi my Heavenly Treasure Palace." Yue Dewen waved his hand.
"Disciple obeys." Zhang Rongfang had no choice but to agree.
From any perspective, he had no reason to continue practicing the Golden Toad Skill.
After all, he couldn't possibly reveal that he wasn't afraid of risking his life.
"Oh, right, there's something else I should mention. I have another disciple, whom you should call senior brother."
However, his cultivation level is a bit lower, so don't bully him. This kid is a little too soft-hearted.
Yue Dewen calmed himself down slightly and clapped his hands.
Soon, another person slowly walked up the stairs.
The newcomer was tall and well-proportioned, with a handsome face and clear eyes. He was none other than Zhang Qingzhi, who occasionally met with Zhang Rongfang.
"Xiao Zhi, meet your junior brother. From now on, you two will have to support each other, understand?" Yue Dewen instructed.
"So Brother Zhang Ying is actually Master's newly accepted disciple." Zhang Qingzhi looked surprised.
Zhang Rongfang also somewhat surprised, but it was also within reason.
When he first met Zhang Qingzhi, he felt that this person was not an ordinary person. Apart from being a bit soft, he was quite good in every other way.
"Well, you two should get to know each other better." Yue Dewen already knew that the two lads knew each other, so he wasn't surprised. He picked up the wine jug and melon seeds and left on his own.
The two were left staring at each other, both feeling somewhat awkward.
"Brother Zhang Ying, since we are fellow disciples, let's forget about the previous profit sharing," Zhang Qingzhi said.
He felt somewhat embarrassed that he was profiting from his fellow disciple's work.
"It's nothing, it's just..." Zhang Rongfang helplessly, still thinking about what had happened before.
The Golden Toad Skill determines whether he can accelerate the accumulation of Attribute Points, but now that his master has discovered he can't prepare medicine, he can only obediently wait for time to pass, accumulating one point every seven days.
If it were before, he might have thought this would be enough, but after witnessing the monstrous power of those who had Spiritization, he felt that accumulating Attribute Points like this was still too slow. 'It seems that I can only wait patiently for two months.' Zhang Rongfang felt helpless and could only place his hopes on Zhong Hui Trading Company.
I waited two months for the goods to be transferred before I received the Hundred-Year Red Ganoderma.
***Time flies by in the blink of an eye.
Two months have flown by in the blink of an eye.
Inside the Great Capital, in front of the Zhong Hui Trading Company.
In the afternoon, the sunlight cast the shadows of the entire business onto the wide street, creating a shady spot.
Many laborers, exhausted from carrying goods, would sit in the shade, shirtless and carrying water bags, to cool off.
The number of people coming and going was noticeably less in this kind of weather.
At this time of year, those who come here are usually the owners of pharmacies in the city, or merchants selling medicinal herbs.
People seeking medicine and large shops that purchase in bulk usually choose to come in the morning or evening.
In front of the long, red gate, several children in charge were chasing and playing a game of catch.
Suddenly, an inconspicuous black wooden carriage slowly pulled up in front of the door.
The car door opened, and a burly man who was over 1.9 meters tall stepped out.
The burly man, dressed in a Daoist robe, looked up at the signboard with a sharp Essence, Qi, and Spirit gaze.
He strode through the gate.
"Daoist Zhang has been waiting!" As soon as he entered, Shen Zheyun, one of the stewards, was already waiting at the door and bowed slightly to him.
"No need for formalities. Steward Shen, how about the Crimson Spirit Mushroom I requested?" This Daoist Zhang Rongfang had been waiting for two months.
During these two months, he diligently cultivated his Civilian Skill every day, continued to practice his martial arts, and occasionally refined elixirs.
His basic level of alchemy skills was sufficient for him to refine the Blood Replenishing Pill he needed.
In this respect, at least the cost and safety performance are largely guaranteed.
After all, pills are finished products, and no one knows what else is in them besides the ingredients in the prescription.
"This way, please." Shen Zheyun gestured and led Zhang Rongfang to Quiet Room on the second floor.
He closed the door, turned around, and then revealed a bitter smile.
Seeing that wry smile, Zhang Rongfang's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was wrong.
"Manager Shen, has the situation changed?"
"Daoist Zhang, the Crimson Lingzhi has indeed been found, but it was intercepted halfway through," Shen Zheyun said helplessly.
"I tried my best, but... it seems there are people at headquarters who specialize in collecting Hundred-Year Red Ganoderma. I have a lowly position and little power within the business."
"How about this? I can use an 80-year-old red Ganoderma lucidum as a substitute."
"No!" Zhang Rongfang shook his head decisively.
The prescription states that this is the Main Herb and cannot be missed.
"But this..." Shen Zheyun was at a loss.
It's as if someone is specifically waiting to intercept this Hundred-Year Red Ganoderma mushroom.
Zhang Rongfang understood why such an expensive medicine was sold out. He had already given up hope. The Golden Toad Skill was found in the Black Cloud Pavilion of the Great Dao Sect. Clearly, his master, Chong Xuan Daoist, had also seen it.
He probably knew all the important medicinal herbs inside. "Forget it, Steward Shen, don't make things difficult for me. Just remember to continue helping me with the procurement. I'll let it slide this time."
"Thank you for your understanding, Daoist Master." Shen Zheyun quickly clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
As Zhang Rongfang walked out of Zhong Hui Trading Company, he glanced at the Attribute Points he had accumulated.
He has accumulated 11 points so far.
Originally, it was intended to be used entirely for the Golden Toad Skill.
But now, it seems I need to find a way to get out of this situation. Zhang Rongfang thought to himself.
Two months have passed since the collapse of the Eastern Sect, and public opinion has long since shifted to the issue of clothing and accessories.
The Heavenly Treasure Palace that once protected him has now become a shackle binding him.
They cannot practice martial arts or the Golden Toad Skill; they can only practice Civilian Skill.
Master Chongxuan and Daoist Mingyuan are elusive and can appear out of nowhere at any time.
Especially Chongxuan; as soon as he starts practicing martial arts, this guy will suddenly pop out from the corner and stare intently at him.
Normally, Zhang Rongfang feels like someone is following him at all times, whether he's eating, drinking, or using the toilet.
He suspected it was Ming Yuan, but couldn't find any evidence.
In this situation, he didn't even dare to add any more points.
They were afraid that adding more would cause drastic changes in their bodies, which would then arouse suspicion from Ming Yuan and Chong Xuan Daoist.
After leaving the trading company, Zhang Rongfang was about to get back into the carriage, but he stopped and left on foot.
Feeling down, he decided to take a walk around the neighborhood.
Having lived in Great Capital for so long, I have never truly seen this vast and bustling city.
Follow the sidewalk on one side of Zhong Hui Trading Company and keep going.
Pass through a courtyard of detached houses with white walls and red tiles, then turn right into an alley.
Inside is a bustling food street with a huge flow of people.
A gate stands at the entrance to the street, inscribed with the words: "Gathered Flavor Fragrance".
Inside, there were rows of eaves, signs, and gray banners covered with dish names. It seemed to stretch on forever.
Looking from the street corner, Zhang Rongfang saw a thick smoke rising from the street, with men and women, young and old, standing no more than half an arm's length apart.
Most people were holding some snacks in their Central Capital, looking around with smiles on their faces.
He strode into the food street, intending to buy some food that caught his eye to whet his appetite.
I had just gone in, and hadn't walked more than ten meters.
Suddenly, a low shout came from a stinky tofu shop on the right.
"Brother Zhang Ying, Brother Zhang Ying?"
Zhang Rongfang looked in the direction of the sound.
Inside the stinky tofu shop, a pretty woman in a silver-gray dress sat at a small table against the wall.
The woman's long hair was tied up with a silver lotus hairpin, her breasts were full, and a small section of her calves that was exposed was dazzlingly white.
They were completely different from the other customers in the shop.
The rest of the people were either strong laborers or freckled teenagers.
Zhang Rongfang was somewhat puzzled; he was certain he didn't know the other person.
"I'm Shuangshuang," the woman waved enthusiastically at him. She also bent down and stuffed a piece of stinky tofu covered in chili peppers into her mouth.
Yan Shuang?
Zhang Rongfang immediately made the connection.
He slowly approached and hesitated before sitting down on the bench opposite the woman.
The tabletop was covered in stains and grease.
But Yan Shuang didn't seem to care at all, eating with her chopsticks, her manner casual and natural.
Her alluring aura was completely different from when we last met.
"Do you want to leave? Leave Great Capital?"
As soon as Zhang Rongfang sat down, he heard Yan Shuang say something that instantly revealed his true feelings.
"!?" He was startled, but remained outwardly calm.
"Shuang Shuang, what makes you say that? I have a respected master, harmonious senior brothers, and many powerful Protector in the Heavenly Treasure Palace. My future is bright. Why would I want to leave?"
"Hey, you can fool others with your qualifications, but you can't fool that person." Yan Shuang.
"With the True One Sect's operations and our feigned support, your matter is pretty much settled."
"What was decided?"
"Naturally, it's something you want to do, something your master doesn't want to do," Yan Shuang said mysteriously.