Mind Calming Pill (Please Follow)

"Leave this place?"

Fang Xing was slightly startled. "Madam, do you have enough travel funds?"

Green Forest Market had been established by the Qingxuan Sect to develop the Great Wilderness, situated deep within the savage lands and surrounded by danger on all sides.

Other than the Qingxuan Sect's own flying boat caravans that came at intervals, there was simply no other way to leave.

It was relatively easy for Rogue Cultivators to come to Green Forest Market, but leaving was another matter entirely. The ticket alone was extremely expensive.

"If I sell the family property, I can scrape together enough."

Shen Yuxin answered calmly, but her tone was resolute. Clearly, she had long since made up her mind.

Not only were the Five Heroes of Cangshan destined to fall apart, but they had also severely offended the Black Tiger Gang. In the future, they might not even dare leave the market. Staying would be nothing more than walking into a dead end!

Their only way out was to leave!

"Here is one Spirit Stone. Consider it a condolence gift, Madam. Please do not think it too little..."

After thinking it over, Fang Xing took out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

"Th-this... how could I accept it?"

Shen Yuxin's eyes reddened further, and her voice choked with emotion. "Brothers sworn together for so many years, yet they are not as good as Brother Fang, a neighbor we have known for only a few days. Heh... brotherhood..."

However, she possessed a Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart. After expressing her gratitude, she led Fang Xing into the back hall. "Everything my husband and I own is here. Brother Fang, take whatever catches your eye..."

Fang Xing had offered such a generous gift precisely for this.

He swept his gaze around and saw that Meng Yi and his wife's "family property" was not much: a few weapons, five martial arts manuals, and assorted odds and ends such as pills, Talismans, and medicinal herbs.

"Huh? There is actually an Illusion Heart Orchid?"

Fang Xing pointed at the freshly picked orchid, his tone surprised.

"My husband and I risked our lives to obtain this. If Brother Fang wants it, take it for ten Spirit Stones..." Shen Yuxin replied. With those ten Spirit Stones added to their usual savings, they would have enough for two tickets.

Though she and her son were not afraid of the Black Tiger Gang within the market, no one could guard against thieves every day.

The sooner they left, the better.

"Ten Spirit Stones? That is not too expensive... As it happens, I need a Mind Calming Pill to cultivate my Martial Arts..."

Fang Xing sighed and took out ten Spirit Stones, taking the Illusion Heart Orchid in hand.

A Low-Grade Spirit Stone was only the size of a fingernail, and a small money pouch could hold quite a number of them.

But even ten Spirit Stones were quite a rare sum among Rogue Cultivators.

Even Shen Yuxin could not help giving Fang Xing a few more looks, though she said nothing and readily completed the transaction.

"Got it!"

After leaving Shen Yuxin's home, a smile curled across Fang Xing's lips.

It seemed redundant to buy another Illusion Heart Orchid when he already had one, but the difference was enormous.

At the very least, the origin of the Illusion Heart Orchid in his possession had now been "legitimized."

He had not Snatched Food from Tiger's Mouth from the Black Tiger Gang; he had bought it. No matter how overbearing the Black Tiger Gang was, they could hardly make trouble for him over that.

As for the Illusion Heart Orchid, who knew how many Shen Yuxin had sold him?

Once that mother and son left, there would be no proof at all.

Azure Pill Workshop.

"Esteemed customer..."

A smiling maid came forward to greet him, only for Fang Xing to ignore her outright. "Is Miss Xiao Rui here?"

"Xiao Rui? I will fetch her..." The maid's smile stiffened slightly.

A moment later, Xiao Rui came before Fang Xing. "Are you the customer who asked about purchasing Mind Calming Pills last time?"

She had a good memory and actually recognized Fang Xing.

"That is right. Does the shop have any in stock?"

Fang Xing asked.

"I am very sorry, but Mind Calming Pills are still out of stock..." Xiao Rui gave him an apologetic smile.

"Oh? But I recently acquired an Illusion Heart Orchid. What if I commissioned its refinement?" he asked again.

"What good fortune you have, esteemed customer, to have acquired an Illusion Heart Orchid?" Xiao Rui was slightly surprised before smiling. "There is naturally no problem with commissioned refinement... You provide the Illusion Heart Orchid, while our shop supplies the supplementary ingredients. If the refinement succeeds, you receive half of the pills. If it fails, you need not pay any additional Spirit Stones."

Fang Xing frowned slightly, feeling that this shop was a bit of a rip-off.

But there was no helping it. Private alchemists elsewhere were even worse, and their skills were not particularly good either.

"Please rest assured, esteemed customer. Our shop's alchemist has a success rate of over seventy percent when refining Mind Calming Pills..."

Xiao Rui immediately added, seemingly noticing Fang Xing's hesitation.

"Fine. Let us do it this way..."

Fang Xing took out an Illusion Heart Orchid, ready to give it a try.

After all, he still had another one in his possession, so he was not overly worried.

Even if the shop tried to cheat him, it would at least let him see these market shops' credibility for what it was.

In any case, there would come a day of reckoning!

After wandering around the market, Fang Xing returned to his shack.

Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly froze. A number of people had arrived outside Widow Shen's home.

Each of them looked vicious, with tiger heads embroidered on their chests. They were obviously members of the Black Tiger Gang.

"Where did the woman and child living here go?"

The leader spoke harshly and glared at Fang Xing.

"Widow Shen's husband died. I heard she planned to take her child and leave Green Forest Market..."

Fang Xing trembled all over, looking terrified as he directly sold Shen Yuxin out.

"She left? Smart enough, then. Let's go!"

These Black Tiger Gang members seemed to have already questioned the other neighbors. Now that they had confirmed it, they immediately left in disappointment.

"As expected, when it comes to gang members, killing every one you encounter is usually the right call..."

Fang Xing shut the door and shook his head.

His strength was still insufficient, so he naturally had to endure.

Once he could crush everyone here in the future, he would be able to do as he pleased. That was his martial path!

Xia Long had also spoken of the spirit of the martial path, saying things about the weak raising their fists against those stronger than themselves, but Fang Xing was not particularly taken with it.

His martial path was simply to grow stronger and protect himself, then, only after gaining the ability to protect himself, do what he could within his means.

"Train, train!"

Fang Xing cooked himself a large pot of Spirit Rice, then began practicing the Great Dragon Stance again.

In the middle of the night, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Hmm? Who is it now?"

Somewhat impatient, he peered through the crack in the door and could not help freezing.

After thinking for a moment, he opened the door anyway.

A fragrant breeze swept in as a woman with peach-blossom cheeks, almond eyes, curved willow brows, and a seductive gaze stepped inside.

She carried the mature allure of a woman, like a plump, sweet peach. She was Hua Fei Yue, Lao Er of the Five Heroes of Cangshan.

"Miss Hua... no, Fellow Cultivator Hua. We meet again."

Fang Xing had met Hua Fei Yue only once before, so his demeanor was very cold. "What can I do for you?"

"Little Brother Fang, I merely came to see Fifth Sister. I did not expect Fifth Sister to have already left. She truly is a sensible woman..."

Hua Fei Yue's breathing was somewhat unsteady. Her injuries had clearly not fully healed.

"Miss Shen did not say much. She only said that Brother Meng suffered an accident while gathering herbs. As a widow with a child, she did not know what arrangements the Five Heroes of Cangshan would make..."

Fang Xing prattled on about what Shen Yuxin had done that day.

"Leave? That is fine too... The Five Heroes of Cangshan will no longer exist in Green Forest Market!"

Hua Fei Yue revealed a bitter smile, then glanced at Fang Xing with her bright eyes. "Little Brother Fang is upright and brave. This sister admires you greatly. If you have time in the future, you may come visit Rank B, Number 66..."

She gave a graceful curtsy and departed with elegant steps.

Fang Xing's expression became somewhat strange. There is no way this woman fell for me after meeting me twice... Does she have private contact with Shen Yuxin and came to probe me? Or... is she truly preparing to wash her hands of this life and stop doing work where she licks blood from a blade? But if a market martial artist does not do that, how can they survive?

Herb Gatherers were already in great danger, and now that the Beast Tide was rampant, conditions had become ten times worse!

For martial artists without savings, it was even more so.

I have heard that many attractive Female Martial Artists have to do sex work after their regular jobs to supplement the household income...

Fang Xing rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Three days later.

"So this is a Mind Calming Pill?"

Fang Xing picked up a Jade Bottle and poured out one pill.

The pill was entirely emerald green, yet it carried a strange, pungent scent.

After waiting two days, he had gone to Azure Pill Workshop. Fortunately, they had not broken their word. They told him the refinement had succeeded, producing four bottles of pills in total.

According to the original agreement, he received two bottles.

Really... who knows what the alchemist's true yield was? But giving me the pills at all means their reputation is not bad. I cannot demand too much... Who told people in this world to be so flexible with their bottom lines?

Fang Xing shook his head, preparing to test the effects of this hard-won Mind Calming Pill.

He sat cross-legged, his heart as still as an ancient well, and tried to enter a meditative state again.

Then, he silently visualized the intent of "blade in hand, leaving neither ghosts nor gods behind."

In an instant, countless ripples spread across his previously tranquil heart-lake. Its clear waters turned entirely black, and endless thoughts surfaced as faces displaying joy, anger, sorrow, and delight...

Merely meditating is already so troublesome... How terrifying would a true Heart Demon be?

Fang Xing sighed inwardly, his hands moving swiftly as he swallowed a Mind Calming Pill.

As the pungent flavor spread across his tongue and mouth, he immediately felt his mind clear.

The countless distracting thoughts that had emerged were suppressed in an instant.

He even felt as though he could "look within" every part of his body, seeing his meridians, bones, internal organs... and even the most minute details!

Could this... be a Cultivator's Spirit Sense?

In this state of "absolute control," Fang Xing successfully gathered his mind and passed the first hurdle of beginning the Ghost God Blade. He then began hypnotizing himself, gradually making his spirit become "like a ghost, like a god"!

This hypnosis was not simple hypnotism, but a genuine transformation in the characteristics of his spirit.

It even brought forth the immense potential buried deep within his body!

"Blade in hand, slaughter ghosts, Slay Gods, fight ghosts and gods... all in a single thought!"

With a thought, a Hundred Refined Steel Blade fell into Fang Xing's hand. He suddenly leaped up and slashed out. "Ghost Slaughter!"

Hiss!

It was as though lightning had been born within an empty room!

A bright inch-long blade gleam suddenly appeared in the air!

"True qi released outward, forming blade gleam!"

Fang Xing sheathed his blade and stood still, his eyes shining slightly. "Of course, this does not mean I have advanced to Innate. It means I have finally reached Beginner in the Ghost God Blade and gained Innate-level combat power!"