Zhou Shan Injured (Requesting Follows Monthly Tickets Recommendation Tickets)

Another peaceful month passed.

Before they knew it, October had arrived.

Zhou Ling still attended classes every day—cultivation technique classes in the morning, and skill classes in the afternoon, where he studied inscriptions and sword formulas.

Whenever there was something he truly could not figure out, he would ask Instructor Fang.

Instructor Fang always answered him earnestly, helping him avoid many detours.

At night, when he returned home, he would draw tools for the Lu Family Workshop.

His days were busy yet fulfilling.

In terms of cultivation, he had opened another Spiritual Acupoint, bringing his total to thirty-three.

At the same time, his inscription-drawing skills continued to improve, and he gradually became capable of drawing inscriptions with fifteen or sixteen inscription patterns.

Moreover, with [Precise Control] and spirit flame assisting him, the spiritual power he consumed gradually decreased.

Aside from the regular Spirit Brush orders, the workshop occasionally had one or two First-Grade Mid-Rank Magic Artifacts.

Whenever Zhou Ling could not find an inscription, he would bring Spirit Wine and ask Instructor Fang.

Not only would Instructor Fang find the inscription design for him, but he would also explain its key points and intricacies.

With [Born to Excel] assisting him as well, Zhou Ling could quickly comprehend them.

Over the past month, he had drawn nine Spirit Brushes. He had also sold two himself, earning more than thirty Spirit Stones.

Together with the thirty Spirit Stones he already had, he now possessed more than sixty in total.

Zhou Ling planned to save for another month before buying cultivation aids for his father and renting a shop for his mother.

However, he intended to get everything settled before surprising his parents and giving them something to be happy about!

Of course, he also needed to buy two Fire Haze Grass plants this month, which would cost more than ten Spirit Stones.

"Brother Ling, I won't be able to help you sell Spirit Brushes next month!"

That day, after the morning classes, Yuan Hu spoke to Zhou Ling, his expression somewhat reluctant.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Ling took out his lunchbox, about to eat.

"I won't be coming to the Dao Academy next month."

"I've only opened twenty-one Spiritual Acupoints so far. The Outer Sect Disciple assessment next year is basically hopeless for me."

"I don't want to keep cultivating anymore. I'll leave the Dao Academy next month and lessen the burden on my family."

Yuan Hu spoke helplessly.

Their cohort had only a little over three months left before next year's Inner Disciple assessment.

By now, most disciples' situations were already plain to see. Those who had not reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation basically had no hope left.

Although Zhou Ling's class was a key class, several people still had not reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Zhou Ling could not help asking.

Yuan Hu's family situation was not looking good. Although the Miasma Poison had been removed after his father's previous injury, he had never fully recovered.

The family's entire burden rested on his mother alone. Even if Yuan Hu managed to enter the inner sect, he would not be able to afford the initiation fee.

Withdrawing now or withdrawing next year made little difference.

"Ah, I haven't thought it through yet. Maybe I'll follow my father's path and go fishing, or become an apprentice at the Zhao Family Spirit Herb Garden."

"Either way, I'll first find a way to support myself."

Yuan Hu shook his head, his expression somewhat despondent.

He had never held much hope of becoming an Inner Disciple of the Dao Academy. Given his family's circumstances, he instead wanted to leave the Dao Academy as soon as possible.

If he found something to do, he could also shoulder some of the household expenses.

What he could not bear was leaving Zhou Ling, Wang Xin, and the others.

Zhou Ling rubbed his forehead and pondered for a moment. "I've been planning to rent a shop recently so my mother can sell wine."

"If you really have nothing to do by then, you can come help out."

"We can also sell Spirit Brushes and the like on the side."

"You should earn no less than you would from fishing!"

Once he rented a shop, his mother would have to brew wine and sell it too. She definitely would not be able to manage it all alone.

He would need to find someone to help then.

Yuan Hu did have some talent when it came to sales.

He could easily sell two or three Spirit Brushes a month.

"Brother Ling, if you're renting a shop, then I'll definitely work with you!"

Yuan Hu scratched his head and said with delight, a trace of warmth rising in his heart.

These past days, by tinkering with Spirit Brushes for Zhou Ling, he could earn over one Spirit Stone a month.

"Alright, wait a few more days!"

As Zhou Ling spoke, he opened the food box, and the fragrance of spirit rice immediately wafted through the air.

"Zhou Ling, something happened at your home. Hurry back and take a look!"

At that moment, Instructor Fang suddenly entered the Study Hall and spoke to Zhou Ling with a grave expression.

Zhou Ling froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "Instructor, what happened?"

"It seems your father's Medicine Seeking Team encountered Demon Beasts and was injured. Go back and have a look first!"

Zhou Ling's heart jolted. He hastily asked Instructor Fang for leave, then rushed out of the Dao Academy and headed home.

Yuan Hu came with him.

As soon as they arrived home, they found the front gate wide open.

In the main hall, Chu Xing was pacing back and forth. Two other acquaintances from the Medicine Seeking Team were also there.

"Uncle Chu, what happened to my father?" Zhou Ling asked urgently.

"Brother Ling, you're here. We entered the Inner Mountain and ran into two Late First-Tier Demon Beasts."

"Your father was injured while covering our retreat. Physician Lin is treating him in the room!"

Upon seeing Zhou Ling, Chu Xing explained.

Zhou Ling hurried into the main room.

Physician Lin was the local doctor, a First-Grade Mid-Rank Alchemist who ran a small medicine shop.

Whenever cultivators in the surrounding area were injured or fell ill, they would generally visit the shop and ask Physician Lin to examine them.

He had a good reputation, and his prices for pills were reasonable as well.

When Zhou Ling entered the room, Physician Lin was taking his father's pulse.

His mother stood at the side, her face filled with worry and concern.

His father lay on the bed, pale-faced and seemingly unconscious.

Physician Lin was an elderly man dressed in a neat gray robe. He wore a goatee, and his expression was somewhat grave.

"Mother, how is he?" Zhou Ling walked to Li Ru's side and asked softly.

Li Ru stroked Zhou Ling's head and quietly said, "The Demon Beast injured his meridians. It's somewhat serious, but thankfully Physician Lin has already given him medicine, so he's a little better."

"So serious..." Zhou Ling frowned tightly as he looked at his pale-faced father.

Only then did Physician Lin withdraw his hand. A faint azure glow flickered over it. He let out a breath and said, "Fortunately, his constitution is strong. For now, he is no longer in danger."

"Thank you, Physician Lin!" Li Ru hurriedly said.

Zhou Ling also cupped his hands and offered his thanks.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou was attacked by a Demon Beast this time, and his meridians were injured."

"On top of that, he has practiced the Great Yang Fist for years without supplementary medicinal liquid, which has already damaged his meridians. It is injury piled upon injury."

Physician Lin explained the severity of the injuries to Li Ru and the others. He picked up the tea bowl beside him, took a sip, and continued, "I have already administered healing pills to temporarily ease his injuries, but they can only sustain him for a while."

"Next, he will need a Pulse Nurturing Pill before he can possibly make a full recovery."

"Also, he must not use the blood qi within his body again. Otherwise, if his meridians are completely ruined, there will be no saving him."

Hearing this, Zhou Ling could not help but be shocked. He had never expected his father's meridian wear to be this severe. He hurriedly asked, "Physician Lin, may I ask where Pulse Nurturing Pills are sold?"