Purple-Lead Venom Blood Wins Favor, Immortal and Mortal Part Ways (5,000 Words)

Fang Shu followed the master of Solitary Gu Hall into the rear courtyard, a place he had never entered before.

The rear courtyard's furnishings were no different from those in the front courtyard. There were merely a few more rooms, and the space was somewhat broader.

Yet to Fang Shu, the sight felt rather novel.

The group entered what appeared to be a reception hall. The master of Solitary Gu Hall sat in a chair and said evenly:

"Now that you have entered the inner courtyard, there are questions that must be asked.

Fang Shu, are you willing to take this old woman as your master? This would be a master in the true sense, not a tuition master like those in the front courtyard, and you would become an official Daoist apprentice of Solitary Gu Hall?"

Although disciples cultivating in the front courtyard shared a bond of incense offerings with the Daoist hall, they had still paid incense money and received receipts. Though they likewise called someone "Master," the meaning was closer to "instructor"—or, more accurately, "teacher."

Entering the rear courtyard, however, meant that from then on, there would be no need to pay tuition at all. The Daoist hall would occasionally even provide some remuneration. Only when purchasing pills and other items would one need to spend money personally, though there would be discounts.

In return, once the master-disciple relationship was formally established, the master was like a father. If the disciple encountered trouble, the master had to uphold the family's honor; if the master had business, the disciple had to labor in service.

Many strict Daoist halls would conduct another round of assessment before accepting someone as an official disciple, lest they admit a mediocre fraud or someone whose potential had been utterly exhausted and tarnish their reputation.

Faced with the Solitary Gu Hall Master's direct offer to accept him as a disciple, Fang Shu was naturally delighted beyond measure.

He immediately prostrated himself and knocked his head three times.

"Master above, please accept this disciple's bow!"

A smile appeared on the Solitary Gu Hall Master's face. Senior Sister Yu'er hurriedly fetched a cup of tea and handed it to Fang Shu for him to present.

Once she drank this cup of tea, their master-disciple relationship was formally settled. Recording his name in the register, teaching him the rules, explaining his treatment, and so on were all trivial matters that could wait.

The Solitary Gu Hall Master gestured for Fang Shu to rise. "This old woman has no such abundance of rules. We are family now. Get up and sit while we talk."

Then the old woman sat in her grandmaster's chair, sipping tea at an unhurried pace. She gave no further instructions and asked nothing more of Fang Shu.

Seeing this, Senior Sister Yu'er gave Fang Shu a look, telling him to be patient. Then she excused herself and quietly slipped away.

Having only just entered the inner courtyard, Fang Shu believed that his conduct today should have been satisfactory, but he could not grasp what the Solitary Gu Hall Master intended. Perhaps she still wished to test his temperament.

So he sat steadily in his chair, eyes observing his nose, nose observing his heart, quietly circulating the newly formed qi and blood within his body to temper his entire frame.

The formed thing known as qi and blood was truly wondrous. It was like a current of hot air, like a warm stream, and even more like the force produced when all the muscles throughout the body twisted and coiled. Other than the marrow and the brain, it could reach everywhere.

Whenever qi and blood circulated to some part of Fang Shu's body, that area would rapidly fill with blood, swell, and harden, as though armored.

Fang Shu glanced down at himself and discovered that a purple-black hue seeped through his skin, with the texture of metal.

As he secretly experimented with controlling his qi and blood, the Solitary Gu Hall Master suddenly said coldly from beside him:

"You have mastered this hall's insect art, as well as Scorched-Tail Hall's lead art, and you passed the Venom Pit rite perfectly. The treasure blood you have refined should fall between the two and may be called 'Purple-Lead Venom Blood.'

"As for the exact uses of this blood, you may study them yourself. But it is nothing more than possessing the wondrous uses of both venom blood and lead blood, surpassing the ordinary."

"Purple-Lead Venom Blood?" Fang Shu rolled the name around in his heart, then immediately cupped his hands. "Yes. Thank you for your guidance, Master."

With Master Du's confirmation that the treasure blood Fang Shu had refined was no ordinary thing, the stone weighing on his heart finally fell away, replaced by rising delight.

Yet Fang Shu still restrained his feelings. He continued sitting silently where he was, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He also ceased his probing control of his qi and blood, merely allowing it to circulate through the cavities of his flesh, flowing and tempering him as naturally as water following its course.

As he tempered himself thus, he slipped halfway into meditation and lost all sense of time.

Yet throughout it all, Fang Shu's senses remained extraordinarily sharp. Even the hairs on his skin could catch the sound of wind from his own breathing.

Thus, when unhidden footsteps sounded outside the council hall an hour later, he immediately awakened and rose, knowing Senior Sister Yu'er had arrived.

"Senior Sister Yu'er." Fang Shu stood and saluted her.

Senior Sister Yu'er indicated that he need not stand on ceremony, then reported to the Solitary Gu Hall Master, "Grandmother, someone has come from Seven Fragrance Tower. They have also brought compensation."

The Solitary Gu Hall Master seemed to have expected this long ago and showed no surprise. She merely asked blandly:

"Whom did they send?"

"The Seven Fragrance Tower Master came personally. She is waiting in the courtyard for an audience."

Hearing that the Seven Fragrance Tower Master had come in person, the Solitary Gu Hall Master narrowed her eyes slightly. A trace of mockery appeared on her face as she murmured:

"At least she has some sense of propriety and did not send a servant to fob us off. Otherwise, do not blame this old woman for being discourteous and ignorant of the marketplace's rules."

Listening from the side, Fang Shu noted that although the Solitary Gu Hall Master had voiced no explicit threat, her bearing clearly showed that she did not regard Seven Fragrance Tower as worthy of notice.

This stirred his heart, and he knew that refusing Xiang Xingwu's prize offer today had been an exceedingly wise decision!

Sure enough, the Solitary Gu Hall Master could not even be bothered to see the Seven Fragrance Tower Master. She said casually, "Accept the things. There is no need to see the person. Send her away directly."

Senior Sister Yu'er showed no surprise at all upon hearing this and left in response.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Solitary Gu Hall.

When the Seven Fragrance Tower Master saw that the Solitary Gu Hall Master would not receive her at all, the woman's expression stiffened slightly. She knew that this act of hers had ultimately damaged the relationship between the two establishments.

Yet she said nothing. Instead, when she saw Senior Sister Yu'er accept the lavish gifts from her hands, she quietly let out a breath of relief.

After Senior Sister Yu'er carried the gifts into the council hall, the Solitary Gu Hall Master gave them a glance. Pointing at the medicinal expenses among the gifts—an amount of unknown size but at least tens of thousands—she told Senior Sister Yu'er to send them directly to the medicine hall.

As for the other lavish gift, she weighed it in her hand and casually tossed it to Fang Shu.

"Take it. There is nothing wrong with it, so use it without concern.

"You earned face for this old woman. I cannot let you suffer a loss. This thing will serve as an explanation, and save this old woman the trouble of pondering what reward to give you."

Fang Shu was surprised. After showing a moment of hesitation, he did not stand on ceremony, only cupping his hands. "Thank you for the reward, Master."

He then opened the object wrapped in red silk and found a jade pendant within, a broken ring shaped like a dragon or serpent.

The item felt cool in his hand. It was quite similar to the Pure-Moon Treasure Jade Fang Shu had crushed, but it brimmed even more with spiritual energy and seemed quite weighty—over two taels, at least.

Senior Sister Yu'er examined it and smiled as she explained from the side, "This is also Pure-Moon Treasure Jade. It even looks new, never used by anyone, untouched by impure qi. That makes it convenient for nurturing. Junior Brother, you are fortunate indeed."

Fang Shu understood at once.

For an item carried close to the body, naturally a secondhand one could not compare to a firsthand one. Moreover, this piece of Pure-Moon Treasure Jade was clearly heavier and purer than Xiang Xingwu's. It was likely worth fifty thousand talisman coins!

He hurriedly tried to rise, but the Solitary Gu Hall Master raised a hand to stop him. Shaking her head, she chuckled. "Truly the tricks of merchants. Is there not new jade here? Yet they still had to bring out an old piece for people to fight over.

"Just accept it and use it. Do not hesitate and dither, or you will disgrace this old woman."

Fang Shu was rendered speechless by those words.

Following her lead, he did not rise to thank her, merely cupping his hands toward the Solitary Gu Hall Master.

Then the Solitary Gu Hall Master waved her hand impatiently.

"Enough. You two may leave. Yu'er, this fellow has only just entered the inner courtyard and may not understand certain things. Take him around and let him familiarize himself with the place."

"Yes."

Fang Shu and Yu'er took their leave together.

After the two disappeared, the Solitary Gu Hall Master, who had maintained an air of calm detachment all along, immediately became animated.

Her eyes shone brightly, and the joy on the old woman's face was obvious as she muttered:

"I lost a steadfast talent, yet gained a talent for the Gu Dao. This old woman's luck is not bad, not bad at all!"

Yet amid her delight, a conflicted look emerged on her face.

"This child came from the mortal world. Although the lead art has improved him, his innate foundation remains poor.

"Should I take out a portion of the Queen Bee Emperor Nectar meant for Bao'er and use it on him?"

A good disciple who understood reason, possessed comprehension, perseverance, and righteousness was a rare find throughout the entire marketplace even without spiritual roots, and was highly likely to enter an immortal sect.

Especially Fang Shu's performance today—it had truly pleased the Solitary Gu Hall Master immensely.

One had to know that although Seven Fragrance Tower had instigated the matter involving Shi Hou, Shi Hou had made the choice himself, and he truly might have gambled out a future. Thus, she could not interfere, nor could she openly vent her anger.

Fang Shu's appearance, however, had perfectly slapped them across the face on her behalf and on behalf of Solitary Gu Hall.

Otherwise, she would not have settled their master-disciple relationship in just a few words.

For a time.

The Solitary Gu Hall Master's face was full of indecision, and she rarely experienced the anguish of having too many outstanding disciples.

She also knew that if this matter were mishandled, it might affect the relationship between Qin Min and Fang Shu, which was the last thing she wished to see.

Elsewhere.

"The rear courtyard also has a medicine hall, separate from the front courtyard. Masters or assistants stand watch there day and night."

Senior Sister Yu'er diligently led Fang Shu around, introducing the rear courtyard's layout.

"This is the meditation chamber. Unlike those in the front courtyard, the rear courtyard chambers are half-underground, cast in bronze and iron, with formations laid out within. They are like wells, one after another. For the next seven days, you will need to remain here."

Fang Shu cast her a puzzled look.

Senior Sister Yu'er smiled lightly.

"You have only just passed your tribulation, and you still have seven days of blood replacement ahead of you. Only after the blood replacement is complete will you be a true First-Tribulation Essence-Refining Human Immortal. Naturally, you must quietly enter seclusion for seven days.

"And there are particular rules for these seven days. You must fast for seven days, but you cannot take fasting pills. It is best not to use medicine either. Eat nothing at all—only drink clear water and feed on spiritual energy."

She continued smoothly:

"Only by enduring hunger like this can you promote the greatest possible replacement of your blood and digest the spiritual poison within your body.

"This is also a little trick. Many immortals outside the halls pass their tribulations by sheer luck and assume that they should feast and heavily nourish themselves to better cultivate their bodies. In truth, that is a grave mistake.

"Consuming too many grains and miscellaneous substances, or too much external medicinal power, will only diminish the small bit of potential you painstakingly accumulated during the tribulation."

Understanding dawned on Fang Shu's face.

He solemnly cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Senior Sister Yu'er!"

At his words, Senior Sister Yu'er's ponytail swayed behind her head as she walked with light steps.

"Why keep calling me Senior Sister Yu'er? We are not far apart in age. Just call me Du Yu'er, or Yu'er.

"Come along quickly. There are other interesting places to introduce to you as well."

Fang Shu looked at the youthful and beautiful girl ahead of him, her legs long and slender, and could not help quickening his pace to follow.

Though the rear courtyard was large, it did not take much time to introduce it all. Along the way, they encountered no other disciples.

Compared with tuition-paying disciples, Solitary Gu Hall's official disciples seemed far freer and more mysterious. They were not often in the hall.

When the two returned to the meditation chambers in the rear courtyard, it was time for them to part.

Du Yu'er pointed at the underground meditation chambers ahead, where bronze pillars stood upright and formations were arranged.

"All right, go choose one. Any without a seclusion plaque hanging on it may be selected."

Fang Shu nodded. Before leaving, however, he curiously asked one more question about Shi Hou.

Du Yu'er answered frankly:

"His life is not in danger for now, but his immortal path has been ruined. He no longer has the foundation to cross tribulation. Without a heaven-shaking opportunity, daring to attempt it would be seeking death. Still, if he carefully nurses the strength he cultivated over so many years, he may recover it. Perhaps he can learn a few spells in the future and make a living from them.

"Also, Shi Hou is still unconscious. Even if he wakes tonight, he must lie there another six or seven days. You need not go see him. Once you emerge from seclusion, it will be just the right time to visit him."

Fang Shu nodded, then cupped his hands in farewell and entered the rear courtyard meditation chambers alone.

Before entering, he looked back and found that Du Yu'er had not left directly.

She watched him go, smiling as she waved to him, urging him to hurry inside.

After that.

One day, two days, three days...

Fang Shu sat alone within the meditation chamber, which resembled the bottom of a well, enduring hunger and surviving only on clear water.

All the waste in his stomach and intestines was completely emptied.

Because immortals consumed no small amount of energy, after only a few days his cheeks had grown gaunt and his figure considerably thinner.

Yet Fang Shu's spirit was more vigorous than ever, his eyes bright as candle flames.

He could also clearly feel the vitality within his body continually transforming during these seven days. The purple-black qi and blood around his body seemed almost ready to spill forth.

But the unbearable hunger clung even more closely to him, winding around him like a venomous serpent. At times it left his mind muddled, unable to tell the passing of days.

Fortunately, though he had brought no medicine into seclusion, he had brought that Pure-Moon Jade Pendant.

That night, the bright moon hung high in the sky.

Holding the jade pendant, Fang Shu stood quietly in a stance. His breathing was deep, and purple-black dim light flowed heavily through his chest, abdomen, limbs, and body like water, like a python—an astonishing sight.

More astonishing still, drawn by his breathing, patches of moonlight suddenly fell from the night sky, landing upon him like snowflakes and melting away in the blink of an eye.

Now that he had entered the realm of First-Tribulation Essence-Refining Human Immortal, coupled with the aid of the Pure-Moon Jade Pendant, Fang Shu captured moonlight within only a few days when he had found no trace of it over several months before.

With moonlight settling upon him, the dim light on his body grew more solemn. His sinews and flesh trembled on their own, unified from top to bottom with a strange beauty.

He continued this moon-gathering breathwork for three full hours before slowly awakening from cultivation.

When his eyes opened, they shone even brighter than candle flames, able to pierce the darkness, as though he were already clad in fox hide.

He moved his body and took several steps around the well-like chamber. His movements were ghostly, even more agile than when he had worn fox hide.

Especially when Fang Shu looked up and saw the one-zhang plume of qi-and-blood essence smoke rising from his head: it was vigorous and flourishing, yet unlike during the tribulation, it no longer possessed any chaotic feeling. Instead, it seemed to burn steadily.

Essence smoke rose straight from the well; the moon was round over Du Hall at night.

At this moment, Fang Shu knew that his seven days of blood replacement were complete. Every drop of blood in his body had transformed into "Purple-Lead Venom Blood."

With every movement, his breath moved as one, his qi and blood like ropes. He had become an immortal completely and utterly!

A faint joy filled his heart. With a thought, he wished to see what his Purple-Lead Venom Blood truly looked like after its blood replacement—whether it was indeed purple so dark it appeared black.

So he wiped his mouth, took down the Long-Tongue Sword, and slashed it across his forearm.

A sensation like using a dull blade to cut oxhide came to his hand, leaving him astonished.

Only then did the pain of cutting arise. Yet under Fang Shu's command, qi and blood immediately surged to the wound, suppressing and isolating the pain at once.

Drops of blood like lead and mercury squeezed heavily from the wound, like freshly melted iron.

Its color was not purple-black, but violet-red. Under the moonlight, the blood beads glittered with a silvery, sandy sheen, mysterious beyond measure.

When the treasure blood fell to the ground, it immediately gave off a sizzling sound. It corroded the hard black stone slabs into pits half a finger deep. Its toxicity was even fiercer than the venom blood in the Venom Pit!

Seeing this scene, Fang Shu felt no alarm. Instead, a smile appeared on his face.

With a light shake of his arm, the flesh of his forearm closed together, becoming tight and solid. Only a purple line remained, with no sign at all that it had just been cut open.

With his hands behind his back, moon overhead and feet upon the bottom of the well, he paced through the moonlight and felt his body and mind filled with joyful serenity.

Fang Shu could not help murmuring:

"Alone in the well, I crouch like a frog; my body, like a little snake, nurtures spirit.

"Dining on wind and drinking moonlight, I trade my blood for treasure; when the work is done and the body strong, I am a human immortal."

From this day onward, Fang Shu would possess a strong and robust body, rarely fall ill, remain untouched by heat and cold, and control swelling pain, stabbing pain, cold pain, burning pain, twisting pain, dull pain, crushing pain... every kind of pain.

He could also freely learn spells, wield Dharma artifacts, command talismans and incantations, capture demons and seize ghosts. So long as he did not injure his body, his lifespan could reach the full human limit of one hundred and twenty years—a remarkable existence—

Such was an Essence-Refining immortal, an immortal among men!

The blood replacement was complete,

The next morning.

Fang Shu sprang easily from the mouth of the well like a python leaving its den, then made his way out of the rear courtyard and toward the medicinal hall in the front courtyard.

Before long, he spotted several fellow disciples in the medicinal hall who appeared to have failed their breakthroughs.

One of them had already awakened.

The man sat blankly on the bamboo bed with his back turned, avoiding the sunlight beyond the window.

He was gaunt yet tall, like a walking skeleton, his entire body giving off the smell of medicine and an air of gloom. He was utterly unlike the brawny, ox-strong figure he had been seven days ago.

This man was Shi Hou.

Now, because of one mistaken thought, heaven and earth had been torn apart between them.