The fat shopkeeper was covered in blood, beaten beyond recognition.
The other guys fared a little better, though they got whipped a lot on the buttocks.
Although the injury appeared minor, the intense pain from the forceful lash of the thin vine whip was almost beyond the limits of what an average person could endure.
Zhou Wuji cast the Rejuvenation Spirit Technique on the group and gave each of them a One-Turn Purple Gold Pill.
The Rejuvenation Spirit Technique is effective immediately, stopping bleeding and relieving pain instantly, and even rapidly healing broken skin and flesh.
After taking the Purple Gold Pill, the shopkeeper and his assistant almost completely regained their mobility, and even the pain was gone.
If it weren't for the bloodstains all over their bodies, they would have thought they had just had a nightmare.
Zhou Wuji gave each of the workers another ten taels of silver as compensation for the harm they had suffered.
The men were so grateful that they knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.
They had knelt and kowtowed in sincere gratitude, and they all thought they were doomed to die after falling into the hands of the Ironclad Guard.
Unexpectedly, Dharma Master Hongde intervened, not only saving them but also treating their injuries and giving them money.
In the eyes of the group of friends, Zhou Wuji was truly a benefactor, like a second parent to them...
Zhou Wuji helped several shop assistants up and comforted the shopkeeper. He hadn't given the shopkeeper any money; it was unusual for him to give money after losing something.
After dealing with these trivial matters, Zhou Wuji returned to the Upper Court with Wuming and Yang Tie Ying, and Heavenly Capital dawn.
Back in his room, Yang Tie Ying looked dejected. "Master, is it possible to get my Crimson Cloud back?"
Zhou Wuji said directly, " Crimson Cloud was already reduced to ashes by Secret Method. Don't even think about it."
Although Yang Tie Ying had somewhat anticipated this, she was still so upset that she almost cried.
Zhou Wuji could understand his disciple very well; after all, he had raised him for a year and had long developed feelings for him.
Both Wind Chaser and Crimson Cloud are very intelligent and perceptive, possessing a high level of spirituality.
That's why Yang Tie Ying tirelessly went to feed the horses every day, walked them, and bathed them.
In his opinion, Yang Tie Ying wasted a lot of time on the two horses.
Although it was a pity that the horse was gone, it was a good thing for Yang Tie Ying, as he could now calm down and focus on his cultivation.
After sending his apprentice to rest, Zhou Wuji did his routine homework and opened the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment before going to sleep.
After thinking for a moment, he chose a destiny value of four taels and seven mace and devoted it to the Rejuvenation Spirit Technique.
This Law Technique is now at the Transformation Realm highest level, and it's actually quite sufficient.
However, the most important Law Technique of this spell is its ability to instantly restore Law Power, stimulate life potential, and heal injuries—a life-saving divine skill.
He wasn't in a rush to improve his skills before because he was in the Upper Court and there was no danger there. He also needed to test the specific effects of the Rejuvenation Spirit Technique.
I tried it on the innkeeper and waiters at Peace and Fortune Inn, and the Rejuvenation Spirit Technique was much stronger than the Rejuvenation Technique.
It's because the level of Law Technique has increased; the changes in the True Qi carried by the Law Power itself can heal injuries very well, with minimal consumption of a person's life potential.
Simply put, it becomes more efficient in all aspects, but it also consumes more True Qi.
For him, this meant nothing.
Zhou Wuji knew very well that the Rejuvenation Spirit Technique was so effective because it was blessed by the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment, and also because he had mastered several basic Secret Method to perfection.
He has quite a few life destinies at his disposal, and this Law Technique is a life-saving technique, worth investing in.
The purple light dissipated, Rejuvenation Spirit Technique reached its perfect state.
Looking at the other Law Technique, the Golden Light Spirit Incantation, the Seven Star Demon-Slaying Spirit Sword, the Seven Stars Demon-Sealing Seal, and the Southern Dipper Longevity Lamp are all very valuable.
Among them, the Seven Star Demon-Slaying Spirit Sword is most compatible with the Northern Dipper Tianshu Spirit Scripture, and it is also the only true long-range attack Law Technique he has mastered.
However, once you reach the Spirit Realm, you need at least five taels of destiny to upgrade the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword to perfection.
Zhou Wuji originally thought that ranged Law Technique were extremely important, but based on his combat experience, he rarely fought beyond a hundred paces.
If you really encounter a powerful enemy, it's unrealistic to expect to defeat them from a hundred paces away with the Seven Star Demon-Slaying Spirit Sword.
For less powerful demons Yin Spirit, Thunder Method is more direct and convenient.
For martial artists, wielding a sword is faster and less strenuous.
However, the Sword Soul he condensed was still very compatible with the Seven Star Demon-Slaying Spirit Sword.
On the other hand, the Golden Light Spirit Incantation is truly effective, whether for exorcising evil spirits or protecting oneself.
The Golden Light Spirit Incantation of Zhiyuan, which is at the Transformation Realm level, is enough to allow him to firmly establish himself among the Fifth Rank.
The Seven Stars Demon-Sealing Seal is also useful; it's the best control-type Secret Method.
Zhou Wuji had too few high-level destiny fragments and was really reluctant to use them.
After weighing his options, he decided to wait. He was going to the Lapis Lazuli Secret Realm soon, and would make a decision based on the specific circumstances then.
Before entering the Lapis Lazuli Secret Realm, they had to deal with the Heavenly Ghost Sect experts who had killed their horses.
Since the other party used a secret technique on the shopkeeper, they will definitely return within ten days. Because the Spirit Severing Finger Secret Method cannot be maintained for that long.
Over time, the Secret Method of the Spirit Severing Finger will dissipate and may even kill the shopkeeper.
The next morning, Zhou Wuji went to True Person Zhihua; he needed to speak to him first about this matter.
Upon meeting, True Person Zhihua smiled and said, "I've heard that last night at Cloud Immortal Tower you used wine to transform into a sword, Leng Wuyou, and even wrote a poem Cloud Immortal Tower. It's all over Jingyang City now."
"I've heard that Cloud Immortal Tower is packed with people, all eager to see the poems left behind by the Sword Lord Xiaoxiang..."
"I acted impulsively for a moment, and I apologize for making True Person laugh," Zhou Wuji said, bowing with a humble expression.
True Person Zhihua raised his long eyebrows and said, "Your victory over Leng Wuyou has greatly enhanced the prestige of my Upper Court, and I greatly admire it!"
"We should do this kind of thing a lot, and it would be best to trample on the geniuses of the Greater Yin, Lesser Yang, Pure Yang, and Dragon Elephant sects."
"The greater your reputation, the more the Upper Court will benefit, and the more attention this House will pay to you. It's beneficial for both public and private matters—excellent!"
"You're True Person, Master. I was overthinking things. From now on, I'll follow True Person instructions and get things done properly!" Zhou Wuji quickly admitted his mistake, his attitude obedient.
True Person Zhihua couldn't help but laugh again. She knew Zhou Wuji was extremely cunning, but this demeanor was truly endearing.
She asked slowly, "What 'good' thing do you want to see me about?"
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Zhou Wuji pretended not to notice the subtle sarcasm in True Person Zhihua and recounted the events at the inn.
"An expert from the Heavenly Ghost Sect?"
True Person Zhihua said, "You want to capture this person to avenge your horse?"
Jingyang Commandery is too large, with countless Devil Cultivator coming and going every day. No one can control such a situation.
As long as these Devil Cultivator don't cause trouble, the Daoist sects won't be constantly hunting Devil Cultivator down.
True Person Zhihua didn't think it necessary to specifically track down a passing Devil Cultivator.
"The actions of the Devil Cultivator are outrageous to both gods and men. Their infiltration of Jingyang must have been for some ulterior motive. Now that I have discovered their Devil Cultivator, I must naturally slay them and uphold the righteous path." Zhou Wuji spoke with righteous indignation and great composure.
True Person Zhihua pondered for a moment and then asked, "How many days will you be gone?"
"In my opinion, fifteen days should be enough," Zhou Wuji replied.
"Alright, then you can go to the Lapis Lazuli Grotto-Heaven on the first day of the second month."
True Person Zhihua casually added, " Wuleng has already advanced to the Fifth Rank and will be going to the grotto-heaven for training. Could you take her under your wing?"
"Yes."
Zhou Wuji didn't ask why, and immediately agreed. He then proposed using the Heavenly Pivot Hall to bestow ordination and talismans upon his disciples.
The North Pole Heavenly Emperor Hall in the Upper Court is a very important place. If he hadn't advanced to the Fifth Rank, how could he be qualified to transmit ordination and bestow titles there?
Although Yang Tie Ying was not far from the Sixth Rank, he still needed to complete the promotion to the Seventh Rank first.
Only those who obtain the Heavenly Pivot Token from the Heavenly Master's Manor are considered legitimate Daoist priests.
This step is extremely important for Daoists, as it is equivalent to being formally admitted to the ranks.
True Person Zhihua is the temple master, and all matters concerning the use of the temple require his approval.
Even reporting to the Heavenly Master's Manor required the intervention of the True Person Zhihua.
While Lu Zhijing is away, let's resolve this matter.
That very evening, Zhou Wuji bestowed upon Yang Tie Ying the title and ordination, officially elevating the young man to the Seventh Rank.
There's no need to learn Law Technique; as his master, he can directly transmit magic Law Technique through Divine Sense, saving a lot of tuition fees and making it easier for Yang Tie Ying to learn and cultivate more efficiently.
Having resolved his disciple's important matter, Zhou Wuji went to the Tianji Hall and bought three hundred high-grade Grain Avoidance Pill.
As for Grain Avoidance Pill (a type of fasting pill), it's so low-grade that it doesn't have any official rank. Anyone skilled in alchemy can make it themselves.
However, the effects of Grain Avoidance Pill vary depending on the formula.
The higher-grade Grain Avoidance Pill are more effective, but they cost ten times more than ordinary Grain Avoidance Pill.
I also bought some fourth-tier Purple Qi Pill, Purple Gold Pill, Golden Flower Pill, and Jade Dew Pill.
Zhou Wuji had money and was going to the Lapis Lazuli Secret Realm, so he bought a lot of supplies.
The Daoist priest selling elixirs, seeing his generosity and knowing the great name of Dharma Master Hongde, gave him a 20% discount.
Even so, it still cost eight thousand taels of silver.
Fortunately, he made money easily and spent it lavishly. But he also witnessed that alchemy could indeed be very profitable.
He made up his mind to learn advanced alchemy techniques when he had free time, as he wanted to earn that money.
Before leaving, Zhou Wuji went to see Daoist Yizhen and Wuming again, saying that he was going to the secret realm and would probably not be back until June or July.
Wuming was naturally very reluctant to part with Zhou Wuji, and stayed with him for a whole day before finally leaving reluctantly at nightfall.
After dealing with various miscellaneous matters, Zhou Wuji quietly descended the mountain at night, climbed over the city wall, and entered Peace and Fortune Inn.
The innkeeper of Peace and Fortune Inn lives alone in the back courtyard, which has three rooms. He usually sleeps in these rooms, while the other two rooms are vacant.
Zhou Wuji stayed in another room. His cultivation was now pure, and he took Grain Avoidance Pill every day, so he didn't even need to drink water or go to the toilet.
Plus, the weather was still cold, so he sat in the corner of the room where there weren't even flies or mosquitoes, which was quite comfortable.
After waiting all night and no one showing up, Zhou Wuji rested during the day.
He knew that the Devil Cultivator would only dare to enter the inn at night, so he waited patiently until nightfall.
A fully-fledged Six Yang Spirit Eyes is enough to cover the entire inn. Even if the other party has a magical Law Artifact to conceal their aura, they won't be able to hide it from the innkeeper once they get close.
In his spare time, Zhou Wuji would calculate how to deal with the Devil Cultivator...
After waiting for five days, on the night of the sixth day, the innkeeper finally went back to his room to lie down and sleep, and then something came to the courtyard.
The shopkeeper had drunk quite a bit and was fast asleep; his loud snoring could be heard even through the doors and windows.
A wisp of black mist circled the courtyard once, then silently pierced through the window paper and fell into the room where Zhou Wuji was.
Zhou Wuji knew this must be a ghost in disguise. He concealed his Six Yang Spirit Eyes and used the Tianxuan Sword to shield himself from all aura.
When a ghost becomes intangible, it has no eyes and only senses the surrounding living beings through its aura, so of course it cannot detect Zhou Wuji.
If the ghost materializes, the Tianxuan Sword can only conceal its aura, but not its form.
Zhou Wuji didn't care. If he was discovered, he would kill the ghost first, then kill the Devil Cultivator outside. It was just a little troublesome...
The black mist circulated through the three rooms and quickly disappeared.
Before long, an old man in black landed gracefully in front of the door, opened the door and went straight into the room, heading to the bedroom to find the fat shopkeeper.
The fat shopkeeper, fast asleep, had no idea that outsiders had arrived.
The old man in black looked at the shopkeeper, who was as still as a dead pig, reached out and pointed, retracting the Spirit Severing Finger that had penetrated deep into the shopkeeper's brow.
Startled by this, the fat shopkeeper suddenly woke up. He stared blankly at the old man in black for a long time before his sealed memories slowly returned.
He hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed. "This humble one greets the elder."
The old man in black was Xue Feng. He had stayed at a farmer's house outside the city for a few days, but the food and lodging were not good, so he returned home when he found out that the inn was safe.
Xue Feng said, "Go arrange the rooms. I'll be staying here for a while..."
Although the shopkeeper was unwilling, he forced a smile on his plump face, "I'll go arrange it right away."
After the portly shopkeeper hurriedly left, Xue Feng, impatient with the stench of alcohol in the room, was about to turn and leave when he saw a cold light pierce through the darkness, accompanied by a deep yet sharp whistling sound of a sword...
Even Xue Feng, Fourth Rank ghost cultivator, was greatly alarmed...