Bestowing Treasures, Three Tribulations of Gu Refinement

When Fang Shu walked out of the quiet room, he couldn't find Du Yu'er in the Solitary Gu Hall, so he simply headed straight for the council hall.

Sure enough, he found the Lone Pavilion Master in the council hall. The man was sitting in a chair, looking as if he had been waiting for him.

When Fang Shu approached, a slight smile appeared on the usually indifferent face of the Lone Pavilion Master. However, for some reason, Fang Shu sensed that the innkeeper looked somewhat lonely sitting there alone today.

But he quickly put those thoughts aside and stared intently at the person beside the Lone Pavilion Master.

On the table were three items: a purple-gold and black-patterned jar, a package resembling a silkworm cocoon, and a jade medicine bottle.

These three items all appear to be full of Spiritual Qi, and are not ordinary objects.

And the Lone Pavilion Master immediately praised, "Yesterday you had a battle of magic, experiencing a life-or-death situation, and today you went into seclusion to cultivate diligently, only emerging now."

No wonder your cultivation has progressed so quickly; most of the people in the academy are not as good as you."

Fang Shu immediately cupped his hands in thanks. "Master, you flatter me."

"Alright, I won't waste any more words. I don't want to delay your cultivation."

The Lone Pavilion Master pointed to the three items in his hand and said, "This is Purple-Gold Black-Patterned Insect Jar, made of purple-gold mixed with black gold. It is a third-level magic Law Artifact. When used to refine Gu, it can nourish the Gu worms on its own, which helps to complete the Gu refining process. I purchased it from the Immortal Sect back then."

"This is a White Jade Blood Cocoon, each containing a White Jade Blood Silkworm. These blood silkworms can be used to perform the 'Nourishing Gu Technique,' which involves transferring your Gu worm into the silkworm, allowing it to nourish and repair itself, and even rejuvenate. It is an excellent method for nourishing Gu worms after three tribulations."

"This is a secret medicine for the third tribulation, called the Three-Insect Essence-Nourishing Paste Formula. It was secretly refined by me using the remains of three kinds of Gu worms: the Sleepy Insect, the Tagalong Insect, and the Breath-Holding Insect. Using this paste formula to refine these three Gu worms will produce miraculous effects. Its medicinal effect can be regarded as spirit medicine for the near fourth tribulation. And using it to refine other Gu worms is no weaker than ordinary secret medicines for the third tribulation."

After the Lone Pavilion Master finished his introduction with a smile, he noticed that the light in Fang Shu's eyes shone even brighter.

Fang Shu thought the other party would ask him to choose one of the three things, so he pondered it over and over.

Unexpectedly, the Lone Pavilion Master pointed to three things and said:

"Take them all."

"Huh?" Fang Shu suddenly looked up at the Lone Pavilion Master, momentarily thinking he had misheard.

These three treasures, each capable of withstanding three tribulations, were all given to him!?

The Lone Pavilion Master noticed his gaze, nodded with a smile, and urged again, "What are you dawdling for? Weren't you quite efficient when you killed that Luo Dalang yesterday?"

Hearing this, Fang Shu breathed a sigh of relief and, without further hesitation, bowed deeply and clasped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master."

The Lone Pavilion Master gently supported Fang Shu, and a soft force emanated from his hand, lifting Fang Shu up from a distance.

Without Fang Shu forward, the three items wobbled and floated to his side.

He glanced at them briefly before tucking the three treasures into his sleeve, intending to examine them more closely once he returned to his room.

"Yesterday you were able to slay a three-tribulation Immortal cultivator. These three items are both compensation from me for the unfortunate turn of events that led you to this predicament, and a reward from me for your cultivation."

The Lone Pavilion Master slowly began to speak, "Also, regarding yesterday's events, after my investigation, I found some suspicious points. Those Luo brothers were disguised, and their bloodlines are completely different; they are not true brothers, not even cousins."

Furthermore, Luo Dalang had taken a secret medicine and hastily advanced from the second Bandit Cultivator to the third tribulation. He may have only completed the breakthrough the day before yesterday, making him look very much like a suicide soldier or a bounty hunter. That's why no one knew he was at the third tribulation.

Having said that, the Lone Pavilion Master didn't say anything more.

But Fang Shu understood perfectly well when he heard this.

No wonder in yesterday's battle of wits, Luo Dalang killed his brother first, and then, after finding an excuse, tried to kill him as well.

The other party was not trying to help, but was deliberately trying to cause trouble for the Solitary Gu Hall. They were probably trying to force Qin Min to fight by killing Fang Shu.

For a moment, Fang Shu's expression turned strange.

He was puzzled by the fact that he had been underestimated and used as a pawn without his knowledge, only to have the other party die at his hands. He was also puzzled by Qin Min, who had been targeted so quickly.

This made Fang Shu secretly realize that being in the limelight was not necessarily a good thing.

As expected, the Lone Pavilion Master also added a note:

"This duel is over. Before the selection of the Immortal Sect, you should not engage in any more duels or sparring, whether literary or martial."

Fang Shu only hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yes, Master."

The Lone Pavilion Master was delighted to see that he hadn't asked any further questions and had obediently agreed. His respectful and intelligent manner was truly gratifying.

"Alright, go back and cultivate diligently."

The Lone Pavilion Master rose, smiling, and said, "I hope that next spring I can send you up the mountain to cultivate ahead of time."

Unlike before, when she would simply utter the words "get rid of him" and send Fang Shu away, this old woman both encouraged him and helped him get up, leaving Fang Shu feeling slightly flattered.

I took my leave.

On his way back, Fang Shu encountered Du Yu'er, who was rushing over.

After exchanging pleasantries, he learned that Du Yu'er had been staying in Qin Min's room for quite some time, which was why he hadn't been able to find her earlier.

He also learned from Du Yu'er that Qin Min had been placed under house arrest.

Although Du Yu'er didn't reveal any more details, Fang Shu Du Yu'er her slight disappointment in Qin Min.

He politely bid farewell to Senior Sister Yu'er and returned to his room on his own.

With no one around, he placed all three of his treasures on the table and carefully examined them. Finding nothing amiss, the joy on his face no longer concealed, but instead spread widely.

He had never owned a single item of this quality before, but now he possessed three of them all, and each one was usable by him, as if they had been specially prepared.

This made Fang Shu sigh, "Those who are valued by their teachers are truly blessed!"

Immediately, a look of great interest appeared on his face.

If his guess is correct, the reason he received the almost compensatory reward from the Lone Pavilion Master today is probably also closely related to Qin Min.

There's a high chance that the other party is arrogant because of his favor. The Lone Pavilion Master had no choice before, but now that Fang Shu has appeared, Qin Min has suddenly "fallen out of favor," leading to Fang Shu's current favor.

This is truly a delightful thing; even a person with Spirit Root can be squeezed out by a mere mortal like him.

However, Fang Shu only pondered these trivial matters briefly before quickly putting the so-called loss of favor and gain of favor out of his mind.

The pursuit of immortality and the Dao emphasizes the return of great power to oneself. All kinds of favors and privileges are merely icing on the cake and should not be indulged in.

He sat cross-legged in the room, holding the purple-gold insect jar, methodically channeling his Qi and Blood into it, nourishing and refining it.

Such magical Law Artifact used for refining gu (poisonous insects) often have a set of simple and universal Mystic Script, which are inherent in Insect Method, making them extremely convenient to refine.

The rest of the time.

Fang Shu then stayed quietly inside the room.

He remained unperturbed by honor or disgrace, indifferent to the changing relationships within the institution; he had no interest in staying or leaving, readily accepting visits and audiences from those who came.

He was merely raising poisonous insects, testing medicines, and strengthening his body.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Fang Shu was immersed in these simple and fulfilling days of cultivation. It had been one year and three months since he entered the town to seek immortality. He was now a little over seventeen years old.

This day.

In his room, the smell of medicine was strong, and three small flying insects were circling around him, their flight somewhat unsteady, swaying and buzzing incessantly.

However, Fang Shu didn't find them noisy at all; on the contrary, he watched them with pleasure.

These three flying insects were Fang Shu's greatest achievement during his period of seclusion and cultivation.

They were none other than the Breath-Holding Insect, Sleepy Insect, Tagalong Insect at the third level of the Tribulation Realm!

Thanks to the treasure bestowed by the Lone Pavilion Master and his own research, Fang Shu's Gu technique has made great progress, successfully advancing one tribulation ahead of schedule and enabling him to refine Gu for the third tribulation!

Moreover, he had refined three different types of Tribulation-level Gu worms. Even with the aid of secret medicines, it meant that his Gu technique was completely and firmly established at the Tribulation level, and it was not just a matter of luck.

Aside from his progress in Gu techniques, Fang Shu's own cultivation level has also improved considerably.

The Dao Register in his mind trembled slightly, and the text in the realm section appeared:

[Second Tribulation Immortal (72% complete)]

He has already completed most of his second Bandit Cultivator, with less than 30% remaining before he can break through and enter the third tribulation!

Fang Shu remained calm, thinking to himself:

"There are at least three months until the Spring Examination, and with results every month, it's not exactly urgent."

He was invigorated, radiating an uplifting spirit from within, feeling that the path to immortality was within reach, and that his sword was poised to strike the Three Tribulations!