Healing and the Holy Maiden's Wealth

Chapter 111 of "Going to the Two Realms to Attain Enlightenment"

Side courtyard, main hall.

Hua Ran placed her younger brother on the narrow wooden bed, and the Pharmacist Lan wiped his eyes with his fingers to examine his injuries.

Zhou Ning approached and, having obtained two third-tier spirit jades, was in a good mood.

As for Ye Qin outside the formation, who was like a vicious dog, he completely ignored him. If he had the guts, he would break the formation and fight him; if not, he would stay put.

He said, "Holy Maiden, you can go out and inquire. Pharmacist Lan is a famous master in the surrounding area. One dose of his medicine will cure all your ailments."

Upon hearing this, Hua Ran thought to herself, "Where can I get out?"

Her slender, pale fingers clasped tightly together, the tips slightly white, a hint of sorrow etched on her bright face.

Her younger brother possesses Variant Spirit Root, indicating a bright future. Reaching the Core Formation will be a breeze for him, and the prosperity of the sect rests entirely on his shoulders.

"I hope Pharmacist Lan will do his best to treat me!" Hua Ran pleaded.

Pharmacist Lan was displeased. Zhou Ning had benefited, but what about her?

Being watched by two Foundation Establishment Late Stage means I'll be living in constant fear whenever I go out.

All the misfortunes were brought about by this woman!

After examining the boy's injuries, Pharmacist Lan knew that the problem wasn't serious.

However, she still disliked the saintess.

She sighed and took out a Spirit Stone: "Why did you take so long to come?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Ran turned deathly pale, her voice trembling. "My brother... is he beyond saving?"

In that instant, she was overwhelmed with grief, her eyes reddened, and all the grievances she had suffered along the way reached their peak.

She shouldn't have been so arrogant and willful. If she had cultivated herself properly, perhaps her father wouldn't have died, and her younger brother wouldn't have...

However, it's too late now, it's all over.

Then she heard the Pharmacist Lan continue, "No, it's because I used up too much Law Power refining medicine today, I need to recover."

Hua Ran was stunned, a little confused. "Huh?"

Look at what you're saying, she thought her brother was beyond saving!

Zhou Ning's lips twitched slightly.

How did his gentle female subordinate turn out like this? Who led her astray?!

After absorbing Spirit Stone to replenish his spiritual energy, Pharmacist Lan said, "Your younger brother was injured by the shockwave, likely from the aftershocks of the fight. With a little treatment, he should be able to wake up."

Hua Ran hurriedly said, "Thank you for your help, Pharmacist."

As he spoke, Pharmacist Lan took out an incense stick, inserted it into the incense burner, and lit it. A pleasant fragrance spread out, and a faint orange smoke filled the room.

"This is Soul-Sinking Incense, which can nourish the Divine Sense and is a specialty of the Ye Household," Pharmacist Lan explained familiarly.

Then, she raised her hand to gather her Law Power, gently touched the child's Tianling acupoint, and slowly poured in the gentle spiritual power.

Zhou Ning watched from the side. In the common people's minds, only mortals get sick. Cultivators don't need to be cured. Even if they are injured in a battle, they can be cured by taking a healing pill.

However, the physical bodies of cultivators are actually more complex. Their souls are damaged, their meridians are blocked, Qi Deviation, or be afflicted by poisonous miasma—these cannot be completely cured by simply taking pills.

The pharmacist is proficient in understanding the spiritual body of cultivators, and can accurately locate injuries, perform acupressure, channel and repair Law Power, and expel toxins, etc.

Under the treatment of Pharmacist Lan, the child's complexion gradually improved. She said, "Don't wake him up for now. Your brother's meridians are damaged, and we need to Law Power to unblock and treat them, otherwise it might affect his future cultivation Dao Path."

Upon hearing this, Hua Ran's heart tightened, and she said, "I hope the pharmacist will do his best to heal him. My brother has Variant Spirit Root, and his future cultivation is of paramount importance."

The Pharmacist Lan secretly sighed: Variant Spirit Root? Isn't that even more terrifying than Earth Spirit Root? Core Formation so easily?

When she thought about how she had worked herself to the bone to become Zhou Ning's disciple in order to achieve Foundation Establishment, and how her future was still uncertain, she felt a pang of sadness.

Sometimes, I really miss the days when I was with a group of artisans, composing poems and essays.

However, that was not the life she had envisioned.

She hummed in agreement. "I have extensive experience in clearing the meridians, and have treated hundreds of cultivators with damaged meridians. Please do not worry, Fairy."

Hua Ran was secretly alarmed. Could this person have served on the battlefield?

She gradually felt relieved.

Outside the formation.

Ye Qin struck it a few more times, and seeing that the light blue shield kept flashing without showing any signs of breaking, he simply put away the golden flag and transformed it into a talisman.

This is Talisman Treasure, a treasure carved by Core Formation Cultivator sacrifices the power of their own Law Treasure. It can be used repeatedly, but it will eventually be exhausted after prolonged use.

Ye Qin stared at the small island, seething with anger. "The Sacred Fire Sect's [Spirit Illumination Scripture] is indeed quite capable, otherwise I would have..."

"We've taken down her Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!"

He then added accusatoryly, "Elder Xu, Zhou Ning only unleashed one sword light just now. Why couldn't you stop Hua Ran's path? Otherwise, how could she have entered the formation?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Xu's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself: Weren't you also blocked by that fire spike? Why blame me?

Ye Qin grew angrier the more he thought about it, "If I can win over Hua Ran, all the treasures she has will be mine!"

Elder Xu maintained his composure and said, "The Azure Mystic Sect allows us aristocratic Aristocratic Clan to take action. Even if the Storage Bag falls into our hands, do you think the Azure Mystic Sect will let us keep it all to ourselves?"

The Sacred Fire Sect is one of the major powers under the Azure Mystic Sect. Hua Ran has been in Leping Commandery for several months now, so why hasn't the Azure Mystic Sect sent an envoy to escort her?

What kind of scheme are they plotting? How could the world not see through it?

Ye Qin: "Even so, we can still pick out a few treasures from the bag!"

He couldn't wait to return to his clan, False Core cultivator, for permission to bring his array-breaking treasures, dismantle the bird-turtle shell, and give Zhou Ning a good beating!

Just then, a streak of light flew in from afar.

Ye Qin glanced to the side and saw a small-eyed man in a green robe appear, with a woman's flowing veil draped over his back, moving quite quickly.

"Chen Old Ninth, what are you doing here?" Ye Qin shouted.

Chen Old Ninth squinted and smiled, "I see you two seem to have some troubles, and I'd be happy to help you out!"

"Haha, even if the Sacred Fire Sect only has scraps left, it's not something your Chen Household can covet, you androgynous creatures!" Ye Qin mocked without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Chen Old Ninth's facial muscles twitched. "You brat, how dare you bully me!"

He roared, "Even Su Zundao, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage from the Su Household, has to give me some face. You, a newly promoted Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, dare to put on airs in front of me? Who do you think you are?"

Ye Qin grabbed the Talisman Treasure and threatened, "I'll show you what I am!"

In the past, Elder Xu would definitely have tried to mediate the fight.

Just thinking about how Ye Qin had shifted the blame onto him made him unhappy, so he simply didn't bother trying to persuade her.

Chen Old Ninth was known for valuing his life and was unwilling to fight, so he simply kept his distance.

Seeing his agile Movement Method and feeling sorry for Talisman Treasure, Ye Qin started hurling insults at him from a distance.

However, his verbal skills were nowhere near as sharp as Chen Old Ninth's, and his conduct was improper. Chen Old Ninth's insults were vulgar, each word hitting his sore spot. "You son of a bitch, you even stole your elder brother's concubine, you're truly one of your kind. As the ancients said, 'The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.'"

road--"

Ye Qin was furious and chased after him, wielding his Law Artifact.

evening.

Hua Ran watched as Pharmacist Lan finished a short course of treatment before leaving the side courtyard with Zhou Ning to talk in the pavilion.

Just as Zhou Ning was about to call for a fruit platter, Jia Wan'er rushed over, shouting, "Master, something terrible has happened! There are Foundation Establishment cultivators fighting outside!"

Zhou Ning looked at her sleepy-eyed appearance and couldn't help but laugh in exasperation!

Jia Tingwan has a small Pill Furnace room, which is equipped with an array to isolate interference. She usually falls asleep as soon as she finishes boiling eel blood, and she has been sleeping until now.

"If I wait for you to deliver the message, I won't even be able to find the body," Zhou Ning said.

Jia Tingwan blushed slightly. She secretly glanced at the radiant woman opposite Zhou Ning, dressed in a magnificent feather robe—she was truly stunning!

"Master, what are you having for dinner tonight?"

"Bring some fruit first, we have a distinguished guest." He hinted at serving Snow Cherry Fruit.

"Okay!" Jia Tingwan ran off.

As the girl ran lightly, her skirt swaying slightly, revealing her delicate calves, Hua Ran recalled her innocent words from earlier, and was speechless for a moment.

She couldn't help but recall her days within the sect. Back then, as the sect leader's daughter, she possessed the aptitude of Earth Spirit Root and Foundation Establishment at the age of twenty-seven, truly a favored daughter of heaven.

Even the most talented inner disciples and True Disciple are beneath her notice.

Wherever she goes, she is always surrounded by a retinue, and she treats people with an extremely high air. She has to give a lecture to this girl who has just Qi Refining Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

However, Alchemist Zhou was able to joke with him.

Alas, all that has happened in the past—"When Hua Ran was on the run, she didn't feel anything, but now that she has suddenly settled down, a hundred emotions welled up in her heart.

"The fruit is here!" Although Jia Tingwan alchemy, she was quite skilled at processing medicinal herbs and was very dexterous.

When Hua Ran saw the peach-pink fruit, her gaze sharpened slightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "It's actually Snow Cherry Fruit?"

Zhou Ning clicked his tongue in amazement. As expected of a disciple of Core Formation, he actually recognized this item.

"Has the saintess eaten this before?" he asked.

Hua Ran picked up a fruit, took a bite, and found it refreshing, crisp, and sweet. She suddenly remembered the fruit she had eaten when she went with her father to Myriad Peace Valley to discuss matters with the Core Formation Cultivator.

She later insisted on planting a few trees in the clan, but unfortunately, they didn't survive.

Hua Ran's face remained charming, but her brows held a sorrowful and lonely air, and as she ate, a faint mist welled up in her eyes.

Zhou Ning didn't know why, but seeing a woman cry made him want to laugh.

Hua Ran silently ate the fruit, her gaze vacant, lost in thought, as she drifted back into her memories.

Zhou Ning watched as she reminisced while eating seven fruits in a row.

"Damn it, what's going on? Could this be intentional?" Zhou Ning felt sorry for Guozi.

Hua Ran finished eating another fruit, and her fingertips subconsciously reached for the fruit plate, only to find nothing.

She then realized what she had done and apologized, "I'm sorry you had to see this."

Zhou Ning disagreed. "Life goes on. We can't change the past, but we can strive for the future."

He casually asked, "Your brother will recover within three days. Will the Holy Maiden have somewhere to go afterward?"

His temple is too small and shallow to withstand such a large Buddha statue; he'd better leave quickly.

Hua Ran's expression froze; she understood his unspoken meaning: he was telling her to get rid of him.

She harbored no resentment. During her escape, very few people were willing to take her in, especially since Alchemist Zhou was merely a Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

They weren't even as skilled as her; they were only relying on the protection of the great formation.

If it attracts the attention of high-level cultivators, even a fake True Core, let alone False Core, will likely be annihilated in an instant.

Hua Ran pleaded, "Alchemist Zhou, could you allow me a moment's respite? Once those two in the sky have left, if Alchemist Zhou requires anything, I'm willing to offer it as payment!"

She was well aware that the two third-tier spirit jades were merely the price for her to enter the formation.

As for living here, that's a separate price.

Zhou Ning glanced up and, through the array, saw Ye Qin, who was eyeing him menacingly.

He was still unwilling to accept that the saintess he had almost won had slipped away.

The formation has a concealing effect; Zhou Ning can see his opponent, but his opponent cannot see him.

He thought to himself, "Still squatting? Let's see how long you can squat like that!"

He had enough medicinal herbs and pills on him to cultivate for over a year. Could the other party really stay crouched there all the time?

Besides, Zhou Ning had no relatives or friends, only an Old Jia who was guarding Cuiwei Lake. Zhou Ning himself didn't even know where the old man was wandering around.

Old Jia's ability to survive while traveling all over the country is truly exceptional.

The rest is Gu Xiangning. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Azure Mystic Sect, if Ye Qin dares to touch her, the entire Ye Household will be buried with her.

As for whether False Core cultivators will come from outside, or whether a large number of Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator will break the formation together?

So what if they're here? Do they really dare to bully the weak, to disrespect him, a nominal guest elder of the Azure Mystic Sect, Gu Xiangning's close friend, and Fang Tianyu's good friend?

When he Qi Refining Realm, even the Su Household didn't dare to kill him. Now that his connections are even stronger, do you think these people will dare?

Besides, even if they really joined forces to break the formation, he could simply release the Holy Maiden; he'd already done more than enough.

The saintess is far more alluring than him.

The advantage is in our hands, no need to panic!

A smile appeared on Zhou Ning's face, "What's the big deal about rewards? I've lived a life of integrity, and I swear here and now that I will take care of you to the best of my ability!"

Hua Ran felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this; indeed, true friendship is revealed in times of adversity.

Zhou Ning changed the subject and asked, "By the way, what treasures do you have on you?"

Hua Ran's initial gratitude vanished almost entirely in an instant.

Having long been accustomed to the fickleness of human relationships, she composed herself and said helplessly, "I have accumulated Spirit Stone, spiritual materials, Law Artifact, and talismans. Alchemist Zhou, please feel free to ask. As long as I have what I can provide, I will give it to you, fellow Daoist."

Zhou Ning isn't that short of spirit stones; he can slowly earn them by selling pills. As for magic tools and talismans, Wei has better options.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have any Billowing Water Mist Root?"

Hua Ran looked puzzled, not even knowing what it was.

"Okay."

Zhou Ning inquired about other spiritual materials, such as third-tier spiritual jade. He had Hua Ran, and Zhou Ning didn't need other materials like Foundation Establishment Pill.

Regarding the Core Formation artifacts, Hua Ran stated that the sect's treasury was looted after its destruction.

Zhou Ning didn't believe it, and he didn't make any threatening remarks.

This woman comes from an extraordinary background, possesses exceptional talent, and has a younger brother with Variant Spirit Root. Moreover, there might be some Core Formation Realm in the Sacred Fire Sect, so it's best not to offend her.

As for people like Ye Qin outside, Zhou Ning guessed that the fact that he was able to come and hunt down the Holy Maiden was probably due to the secret efforts of various forces.

The result of seeking a compromise.

Otherwise, why would she only come at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage? Core Formation Cultivator would covet what this woman possesses!

Of course, there are many mysteries involved, and Zhou Ning was too lazy to speculate any further. Xia Xiu was ignorant and should just focus on protecting the interests he could obtain.

Finally, he received a rather unexpected reward that surprised and delighted him!

It was Hua Ran who took the initiative to suggest it.

Nine-Bend Rabbit Berry, well, only seedlings available.

This is a high-grade spiritual material. After planting, it will grow into a plant in one year, bear initial fruit in two years, and bear abundant fruit in three years.

This fruit has an extremely miraculous effect after consumption: it can enhance Spirit Root!

The fruit pulp contains a certain Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, which can brush through the meridians to cleanse the Spirit Root Spirit Root, dissolving the impurities and residues within it, and then solidifying its original essence.

Logically speaking, even Core Formation Soul and Core Nascent Soul Cultivator would fight over something like this.

However, it's actually somewhat of a double-edged sword. First, at best, it can only be upgraded to the level of High-Grade Spirit Root.

For cultivators with Earth Spirit Root like Hua Ran, this is completely unnecessary.

Those who Core Formation Nascent Soul or Nascent Soul stage—aren't their talents one in a hundred?

This fruit also has two drawbacks: firstly, it requires long-term consumption, and secondly, it is difficult to cultivate.

It requires rare spiritual soil, a Spirit Vein of a certain grade, and frequent irrigation with spiritual spring water, as well as careful tending, which is quite troublesome.

Only Nascent Soul Cultivator at the Core Formation or Core Formation Soul stages would go to great lengths to plant one when faced with a hopeless descendant.

However, these conditions were just right for Zhou Ning.

He accepted it without hesitation.

The cultivation speed of those with High-Grade Spirit Root can even be 30% faster than his!

If the speed of advancement increases in the future, this can be used as an excuse to cover it up.

Seeing this, Hua Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Exchanging a spiritual item that she didn't need for the time being for Alchemist Zhou's protection was the best possible outcome.

Zhou Ning carefully gathered up the fruit seedlings, then waved his hand dismissively. "Come on, Wan'er, bring out the fruit platter! What kind of behavior is this, being so stingy!"

Jia Tingwan sighed, "The Snow Cherry Fruit are all gone."

This was a rule Zhou Ning and she had agreed upon beforehand: they would never play a second round.

Zhou Ning felt extremely guilty. "I'm sorry for not being a good host, Holy Maiden. Please have some Clear Yang Melon."

"Okay!"

Then Zhou Ning ate melon seeds and chatted with the beautiful saintess about interesting things in the cultivation world, occasionally glancing at Ye Qin, who was guarding outside the formation like a vicious dog.

He couldn't help but sigh to himself, "This is what life is all about!"

In the past, at Cuiwei Lake, I was nothing more than a slave!