Cast Aside Like a Worn-Out Shoe, Daoist Hall Merchants

The Solitary Gu Hall was quiet from top to bottom.

Fang Shu sat alone in the Venom Pit. To everyone watching, the sight of him sitting cross-legged in meditation was truly like a painting.

Senior Sister Yu'er and the others stared at the scene, momentarily dazed.

The Daoist hall disciples who had mocked Fang Shu were even more shaken. They found the sight before them unbelievable, yet the snakes and insects in the Venom Pit were indeed avoiding him.

This nakedly proved that Fang Shu had not only succeeded in transcending the tribulation and broken through into the Essence Refinement stage, but that the treasure blood he had forged this time was far from ordinary!

Xiang Xingwu of the Seven Fragrance Tower looked even more excited, her eyes seemingly filled with stars. Especially when she considered Fang Shu's age and how little time he had spent cultivating, her delight only grew.

Such a gallant young man—I must take him for myself! Xiang Xingwu said happily to herself.

After a long while, someone finally came to their senses, and whispers began to spread through the crowd.

Senior Sister Yu'er also recovered. She let out a breath, walked to the Solitary Hall Master's side, and said softly, "Impervious to ten thousand insects! Grandma, the last person who was able to complete the Scorpion-Pit Rite so perfectly was Eldest Senior Brother ten years ago, wasn't it?"

Hearing this, the expression on the Solitary Hall Master's face shifted slightly.

But she shook her head and said, "Not only him. There was also your father, twenty years ago. Counting them all, including Fang Shu, only three people in this hall have managed to complete this step through the Venom Pit."

"Father..." Senior Sister Yu'er murmured.

A wistful look appeared on the Solitary Hall Master's face. She said, "It isn't easy. To transcend tribulation through the Venom Pit, one must first cultivate the Insect Method properly. Second, one's temperament must be excellent, with no fear of snakes or insects. One must also understand the art of raising gu within the Venom Pit. Beyond that, one needs a touch of luck and talent, and must proceed with utmost caution.

"Quite a few of the disciples I have taught possessed fine aptitude, and quite a few obtained excellent treasure blood after transcending tribulation. Treasure blood that perfectly completes the Scorpion-Pit Rite is, among them, actually nothing remarkable.

"But it is precisely because those people possessed outstanding aptitude, decent family circumstances, or patrons of their own that they disdained and refused to take the path of transcending tribulation through the Venom Pit. Those who can pass this trial are few indeed."

As she spoke, the Solitary Hall Master glanced at her granddaughter beside her.

Senior Sister Yu'er lowered her head slightly.

Then she asked in confusion, "Then, Grandma, for those who succeed in transcending tribulation this way, is their treasure blood ultimately good or bad? Among the inner disciples throughout the years, what rank would it hold?"

The Solitary Hall Master answered calmly, "Middle rank. Neither high nor low."

Senior Sister Yu'er was surprised. "Only middle rank?"

The middle rank was not merely inferior to geniuses like Qin Min, who possessed spiritual roots; it was even a notch below the immortal disciples throughout the hall's history who had qualified to enter a sect.

The Solitary Hall Master revealed a faint smile and said, "Why rank them into upper, middle, and lower classes? Those without spiritual roots are all mortal stock.

"Those who can pass through the Venom Pit perfectly and become impervious to ten thousand insects represent not their bones, aptitude, or anything of that sort, but a kind of potential and possibility."

She paused.

"The potential to come into contact with the Witchcraft Suppression Discipline while still at the Essence Refinement stage, and the possibility of becoming a Gu Master ahead of time."

Upon hearing the words "Witchcraft Suppression Discipline" and "Gu Master" from the Solitary Hall Master, Senior Sister Yu'er's gaze froze, her expression complicated.

Their conversation had not been concealed from those around them, but many disciples listened in utter confusion, unable to make heads or tails of it.

Only Xiang Xingwu nearby—born into the Seven Fragrance Tower and a young mistress there—seemed to understand what "Witchcraft Suppression Discipline" and "Gu Master" meant.

Her face flushed red as she stared fixedly at Fang Shu, her eyes burning hot.

So the Solitary Gu Hall's Scorpion-Pit Rite holds such meaning! No wonder Mother was willing to risk offending the Solitary Gu Hall and ruining Shi Hou's prospects just to make me persuade Shi Hou. Seeking stability is no match for seeking advancement—she wanted to force him to gamble everything!

Countless thoughts churned through her mind in an instant, making her feel that her trip to the Solitary Gu Hall had truly not been in vain.

Meanwhile, in the cultivation hall.

Fang Shu sat cross-legged in the Venom Pit and spent the time it took to brew a cup of tea refining all the toxins within his body.

The toxins of the Venom Pit's gu insects were not merely poison. They were also a kind of spiritual medicine, something that could be called spiritual poison!

Once refined, they became like a surge of spiritual energy and medicinal power, nourishing Fang Shu's entire body. They seeped into his bones, reached his organs, entered his sinews and channels, and aided his fleshly body in transforming.

This transformation would take place over the next seven days, changing day by day until all the mortal blood in his body had completely transformed into treasure blood!

It was a rather lengthy process, so there was no need to rush. Once Fang Shu had stabilized his body, he slowly opened his eyes.

The scene within the hall entered his sight, and every face bore a different expression.

Fang Shu did not look at the crowd's reactions. He lowered his gaze to the snakes and insects avoiding him, and immediately knew that his transformation this time had absolutely surpassed that of ordinary inner disciples in the Daoist hall.

Even with his temperament, a faint trace of delight could not help but rise openly to his face.

Fang Shu did not hesitate. After stretching his limbs, he rose to his feet.

His body seemed carved from stone, emanating a wild, hardened vigor. With a shudder of his muscles, all the poisonous blood clinging to his body and undergarments slid away like mercury, not a single drop remaining, before evaporating.

Spotlessly clean, Fang Shu stepped through the poisonous blood and walked toward the edge of the Venom Pit.

With every step he took, the snakes and insects in the pit rustled and squirmed, swiftly retreating to either side, not daring to block him in the slightest.

This strange sight immediately astonished the gathered disciples once more.

"Tsk, tsk. Worthy indeed of one who has become a person of great perseverance."

A disciple could no longer hold back and finally cried out, "Good, good, good! Senior Brother Fang is incredible!"

"Fang Shu, I knew you could do it!"

Beyond the cheers, there were also murmurs of longing in the hall.

"An immortal cultivator ought to be like this."

There were even jealous voices muttering sourly in the shadows.

"What is he so proud of? He merely succeeded in transcending tribulation. Why make such a grand spectacle of it?"

Fang Shu paid no heed to the sounds around him. With a sharp leap, he sprang out of the Venom Pit, then bowed and cupped his hands toward the Solitary Hall Master. "This disciple was fortunate enough not to fail your expectations. Many thanks, Master Du, for making this possible!"

The old face of the Solitary Hall Master was noticeably more kind and cordial as she faced Fang Shu, but she merely smiled faintly and said, "Not bad. Not bad at all."

Master and disciple had barely exchanged a single pleasantry when Xiang Xingwu suddenly squeezed her way over.

Holding the Pure-Moon Treasure Jade at her wrist, her face flushed crimson with mingled shyness and embarrassment, she looked at Fang Shu with hooked eyes. Her voice was hesitant yet hurried as she said, "Daoist Fang... Xingwu congratulates you on successfully breaking through and advancing to Essence Refinement.

"This is the prize. Please accept it with a smile.

"Beyond that, my Seven Fragrance Tower is willing to support you and appoint you as an honored retainer. As for the terms, you may discuss them with me in private."

When she spoke the words "in private," the bashfulness and admiration in her eyes were practically ready to drip out.

Any man who saw it would find it difficult not to have his heart thump wildly.

Yet Fang Shu merely glanced at her without speaking, then looked toward the Solitary Hall Master.

The Solitary Hall Master put away her faint smile. Her eyelids lowered slightly as she said flatly, "Having someone support you is a good thing. Fang Shu, your origins are humble, so you may need it. But you may decide this matter for yourself."

Fang Shu nodded to show that he understood.

After cupping his hands toward the Solitary Hall Master, he turned to Xiang Xingwu and said, "Daoist Xiang, I have only just transcended tribulation and have some matters to attend to. Regarding becoming an honored retainer, please allow me some time to consider it carefully."

The smile on Xiang Xingwu's face stiffened slightly.

Fortunately, Fang Shu's next words brought her back to life.

Pointing at the treasure jade on her wrist, Fang Shu asked, "May I ask, Daoist Xiang, does this prize now belong to me? May I dispose of it as I see fit?"

Overjoyed, Xiang Xingwu sensed nothing amiss.

She immediately nodded with a smile, while playing a tiny trick. Rather than removing the jade pendant from her wrist herself, she extended her pale, slender wrist, signaling for Fang Shu to take it off himself.

Fang Shu did not hesitate. After nodding, he stepped forward. His hand moved like a snake, pecking open the pendant's cord around her wrist and tugging it free.

This swift motion earned him a resentful glance from Xiang Xingwu, as if she were blaming him for not knowing how to cherish a delicate flower.

But what pleased her next was that Fang Shu held up the treasure jade and carefully examined it above his head.

This action ensured that every disciple in the hall could see it.

It drew envy and longing from quite a few disciples, and someone whispered, "That prize is worth at least thirty thousand talisman coins!"

"What are talisman coins worth? He can directly become the son-in-law of the Seven Fragrance Tower and have that beauty all to himself."

Fang Shu's display seemed to greatly please Xiang Xingwu.

Delighted, she thought, This boy is still young at heart, after all. Though he did not immediately agree to become a retainer of my Seven Fragrance Tower, as long as I crook a finger, he will surely fall beneath my pomegranate skirt.

But in the next moment, a sigh rang clearly through the great hall.

It was Fang Shu sighing. "Though treasure jade is fine, it has brought harm upon a member of our hall."

Then came a sharp crack!

With a calm expression, he exerted force with all five fingers and snapped that exquisite Crescent-Moon Jade Pendant into fragments before every Daoist hall disciple.

Then he flicked his hand back and tossed all the jade fragments into the Venom Pit behind him.

Rustle, rustle! The sound of snakes and insects rose behind him.

The poisonous blood in the pit churned. Sensing spiritual energy, the snakes and insects swarmed over the pendant fragments at once, tearing, biting, and grinding them apart, making the poisonous blood seem to boil.

These gu insects had expended no small amount of strength and were ravenously hungry. With such a spiritual object falling into their pit, how could they possibly let it go?

In stark contrast to the intense commotion in the pit, the disciples in the hall stood silent and stunned.

And the most dumbfounded person present was Xiang Xingwu.

Her eyes widened round as pearls. For a time, she could not react, merely staring blankly at Fang Shu.

At that moment, everyone's gaze gathered upon him.

His expression did not change. "The hall's Venom Pit has suffered no small expenditure. Since this jade cannot nourish people, then it may nourish insects instead."

Then Fang Shu calmly took out his one tael of spirit stone from his robes and presented it to Senior Sister Yu'er. "Master Du would not accept my spirit stone, but rules cannot be thrown into disorder. The tuition fee must still be paid.

"Please accept this one tael of spirit stone, Senior Sister, and use it to cover Senior Brother Shi Hou's medicine expenses."

When these words were spoken, the hall fell even quieter. Many people had not expected such a turn.

As Senior Sister Yu'er looked at the spirit stone suddenly pressed into her hand, strange expressions flickered repeatedly across her face. She was also caught off guard and instinctively looked toward the two people beside her.

Xiang Xingwu had recovered, and her expression was incomparably ugly.

Meanwhile, an unusually clear smile had appeared on the Solitary Hall Master's face. In a rare rasp of her voice, she said, "Mischievous."

After Fang Shu successfully entered the path of cultivation, the matter of transcending tribulation through the Venom Pit at the Solitary Gu Hall came to an end.

But the disciples did not disperse for a long time. They kept talking about Fang Shu's tribulation and how he had discarded that treasure jade as though it were a dead rat.

Some praised him endlessly, while others regretted it deeply.

Some even commented, "A mere merchant's daughter dared come to our Solitary Gu Hall and cause trouble. Fortunately, Senior Brother Fang was here. Otherwise, it truly would not have been easy to teach her a lesson."

Others muttered reproachfully, "Why did he only save Shi Hou? Were there not several other fellow disciples? And besides, by rights he should have thrown the spirit stone into the Venom Pit, then used the Pure-Moon Treasure Jade as Shi Hou's medicine expenses."

"Exactly. A mud-legged peasant actually dared reject treasure jade, as though he were so wealthy. Isn't he afraid of offending people?"

But someone immediately retorted, "You turtle's son! Has a piece of jade turned your cultivation into that of a dog?"

"Hmph! Offending people? The Seven Fragrance Tower should be the one afraid of our Solitary Gu Hall."

The disciples made a noisy clamor for a while.

This matter would probably be enough for the Solitary Gu Hall's disciples to gossip about nonstop for half a month.

As for Fang Shu, the man at the center of it all, after accompanying the Solitary Hall Master in offering incense in the hall, he entered the rear courtyard of the Solitary Gu Hall with the grandmother and granddaughter.

He did not pay any attention to the disciples' idle chatter, just as he did not pay any more attention to Xiang Xingwu of the Seven Fragrance Tower.

It was not only Fang Shu who ignored her. Even Senior Sister Yu'er, who had always treated others kindly, did not speak to the woman again.

The Solitary Hall Master merely pointed at a female disciple in the hall and had her see the guest out, sending Xiang Xingwu away with due courtesy.

Xiang Xingwu remained silent. She did not quite know how she had walked out of the Solitary Gu Hall's cultivation hall and front courtyard, only to finally stand alone at the entrance of the Daoist hall.

Someone had clearly succeeded in transcending tribulation today, and with no small potential; his path toward immortality was bright. She had clearly succeeded in giving away the treasure jade as well.

Both should have been good things, so why had this happened!?

If that man surnamed Fang had not destroyed the Pure-Moon Treasure Jade in public, she might still have swallowed her grievances and coaxed him afterward.

For a moment, resentment surged up within her. Clutching her now-empty wrist, Xiang Xingwu nearly ground her silver teeth to dust.

She even came to hate Shi Hou in secret.

Damn it! If you had only shown some spirit, how could I have suffered such humiliation? Xiang Xingwu fumed.

That man had merely failed his tribulation, while she had lost something she had worn close to her body since childhood. If word of this got out, how could she marry a worthy man? How could she continue mingling among the sisters of the marketplace?

Xiang Xingwu turned around and etched the Solitary Gu Hall's plaque firmly into her heart. Her gaze flickered as she immediately headed back home.

Yet the moment she returned home, the woman assumed a different appearance.

The hatred on her face vanished completely. Her complexion turned pale, and she lowered her head without speaking. No matter how her brothers and sisters questioned or fussed over her, she looked despondent and lost.

Only when their mother returned and asked about what had happened did Xiang Xingwu finally begin to shed tears. She threw herself into her mother's embrace and called out, "Mother."

After the mistress of the Seven Fragrance Tower repeatedly comforted her, she frowned and hurriedly dispatched someone to inquire at the Solitary Gu Hall. Only then did she learn what had happened there.

In an instant, all the Xiang Family children were filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could immediately charge over to settle accounts with the Solitary Gu Hall.

"Mother, you must seek justice for Fifth Sister."

"Fifth Sister has suffered such grievance. We sisters will surely tell everyone else in the marketplace not to form marriage ties with disciples of the Solitary Gu Hall ever again—especially that poor brat surnamed Fang."

But contrary to what they expected, after hearing this, the mistress of the Seven Fragrance Tower merely lowered her eyes in thought and sighed softly. She was not overly moved.

This caused the sisters' voices to quiet at once, uncertain whether they had touched upon some taboo.

But their only younger brother, Xiang Xinglu, did not know how to read the room. Holding the treasure jade in his hand, he raged indignantly and smashed it viciously toward the ground.

"Bah! What are they? They merely crippled an overaged disciple, yet they dare disgrace my Seven Fragrance Tower.

"I'll gather the brothers right now and go tear down that rotten Daoist hall!"

The jade struck the ground with a crisp sound, startling the other sisters into hurriedly soothing Xiang Xinglu and rushing to pick up the treasure jade.

"Hey, why are you smashing that jade for no reason?"

Even Xiang Xingwu, who had been crying just moments ago, was startled. She hurriedly looked at her younger brother's treasured jade and said:

"Thank goodness, thank goodness it didn't break."

But the next moment, Xiang Xinglu's usual foolproof act of smashing jade not only failed to win the Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress's pity—there came a sharp smack!

The Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress sprang to her feet, strode forward, and viciously slapped her youngest son across the face.

Her expression darkened as she said in a low voice:

"You fatherless trash! It seems you've truly been spoiled rotten by your sisters.

They're a dojo, and you dare contend with them? Do you really think we invited people from every dojo to serve as retainers merely because we lack manpower?"

The Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress's words instantly left all her children silent as cicadas in winter.

Looking at her worthless children, she spoke again:

"You fatherless trash had best understand this: if we do not invite them, they will come and take it themselves!"

Upon hearing this, several of the children finally understood.

Xiang Xinglu, especially, had been slapped so hard that not a shred of courage remained in him. He had been thoroughly frightened, becoming meek and submissive, with none of his earlier violent temper left to be seen. His face had gone deathly pale.

Only Xiang Xingwu's expression kept shifting. She still seemed somewhat unwilling to accept it, her gaze flickering.

Before she could say anything, however, she felt a cold gaze fall upon her. Her mother was looking at her as though she were looking at a dead person, making goosebumps rise all over her body.

The Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress asked calmly:

"Fifth Sister, are you thinking of seducing people from other dojos to deal with Solitary Gu Hall? Or spreading rumors within Solitary Gu Hall? Perhaps even using yourself as bait to falsely accuse that young man surnamed Fang and stir up a conflict?"

Xiang Xingwu felt as though she had been seen through completely, and for a moment, she did not know how to answer.

But the Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress had no need for an answer. She slowly walked up before her and said in a low voice:

"Mother will explain it to you first. Such actions will only bring disaster upon the Xiang Family.

Even if two dojos truly came into conflict, the best outcome would be for our Xiang Family to be swallowed clean by the winner, bones and all. Your mother might even have to go smiling and apologizing to them, reduced to the lot of an old servant woman."

The Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress gently stroked Xiang Xingwu's fair, slender neck. The nails on her hand lengthened into hooks as she said calmly:

"If you so much as entertain such thoughts, then for the sake of keeping disaster from our family, do not blame Mother. So, Fifth Sister—do you?"

This time, Xiang Xingwu was thoroughly terrified. Her body trembled as though she were looking at a stranger rather than her own mother.

"No, your daughter would not dare. I have no such thoughts!" she hurriedly answered.

A satisfied expression appeared on the Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress's face. Her smile returned, restoring her to that charming lady tower mistress, as she chuckled:

"Very good! I knew you understood the larger picture. And the rest of you sisters and brother, keep your eyes open as well.

This time, we were in the wrong to begin with. We cannot let anyone seize another handle on us."

"Yes, Mother," the other young women hurriedly answered as well.

After a round of soothing words, the young women, along with Xiang Xinglu, all quieted down.

But just then, another sentence from the Seven Fragrance Tower Mistress made their hearts skip a beat:

"Oh, right, Fifth Sister.

Mother will prepare generous gifts and send someone to Solitary Gu Hall. They will say that you were immature and obstinate, and nearly ruined the relationship between our two sides.

But you need not go. For the next few days, rest properly at home. There is no need for you to leave the house."

Swish, swish! The Xiang Family children all turned their eyes toward Xiang Xingwu's face, as though they all knew the truth of the matter.

Yet each of them lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.

Xiang Xingwu's face turned slightly pale, and she finally understood completely.

But she likewise said nothing, merely answering softly:

"Yes, Mother."