Shang Hua Ming's three disciples had not lagged far behind others during early and mid Qi Cultivation; they had even surpassed them in some respects. But once they reached the middle and later phases, when medicinal pills began to display their efficacy, they fell somewhat behind. Xiao Yuehong was powerless to change this situation. Shang Hua Ming's strength was barely satisfactory, its selection of disciples exceedingly strict, and Xiao Yuehong himself was indolent by nature and disliked expanding his influence. He relied only on refining a few low-grade pills to get by, so when it came to providing pills for his disciples, he was stretched thin!
This time, if Hundred Herbs Sect had not dangled the Foundation Establishment Pill before him, Xiao Yuehong might not have rushed so anxiously into the depths of Huanghua Ridge in search of mature, usable Spirit Gathering Fruit. Perhaps he would still have been lying atop his boat-shaped magic artifact, basking in the sun every day!
Having already learned Xiao Yuehong's temperament, Xiao Hua knew that even if Xiao Yuehong found the Spirit Gathering Fruit, he might not dig to the root of the matter and personally investigate the place where it had been picked. Thus, Xiao Hua merely made casual attempts to conceal the few places he had hidden.
Just as Xiao Hua had finished his preparations and was waiting for Xiao Yuehong to return, Xiao Yuehong vanished without a trace once again!
At first, Xiao Hua had feared that Xiao Yuehong would return too quickly, before the Spirit Gathering Fruit in the space behind his head had ripened, leaving him with nothing to present. He had silently prayed for Xiao Yuehong to return later. But after a while—roughly twenty days—Xiao Yuehong truly had not returned in time, just as Xiao Hua had wished,