Chapter 44: Taking the Mu Ling Pill

Chen Zhao sighed and patted her head.

He gestured for her to look down.

Inside a sheep-fat spirit jade vial, a green jade milk glowed faintly; Xin Tong covered her mouth, her heart surging like a tidal wave.

The specially crafted container restrained the Nine Orifices Clear Jade's influence, yet she still felt her head swell.

In a daze.

Chen Zhao had been pinned beneath her.

Seven days later.

Su Muqing rubbed her head—the mark from the ruler had not faded—yet she had to report Fang Zijing's movements to Chen Zhao.

She sighed, lamenting the tiger fallen to the plains.

Standing outside Xin Tong's door, she knocked, glanced once, then fled like the wind.

Another seven days.

Chen Zhao got out of bed, energized, though his body bore new scratches.

After half a year of Peiyuan Pills and daily cultivation, his physical body had nearly reached Qi Refining fourth layer.

Alas...

He glanced back at the bedding and sighed softly.

Gauze robes, a few pairs of white silk stockings, the crimson stains blurred by spirit wine, dried and dampened again, now faded to a pale pink.

"Zhao, help me up..."

The bedding stirred, carrying Xin Tong's weary, languid voice.

Though it's said there are oxen that die from exhaustion, none that wear out the fields.

But Chen Zhao had once tilled Ling Tian—he was too skilled.

Chen Zhao chuckled softly and helped her sit by the window.

After having Su Muqing clean the boudoir, he took out the Mu Ling Pill.

With the Nourishing Technique, his primordial yang would not leak; he could indulge without risking death, yet his cultivation speed would not slow.

It was time to break through.

Chen Zhao swallowed the pill and entered meditation.

When he opened his eyes again, a month had slipped by like a dream; frost clung to the leaves.

The spiritual pressure of Qi Refining sixth layer spread slowly; frost-laden leaves fell, striking the ground with audible thuds.

Looking back at the gauzy curtains, Xin Tong twirled the Beast Control Tablet, playing with Xiao Bai the cat.

Chen Zhao smiled gently.

Gazing from the window, the Ren Zi Dong Fu vanished amid mist and crimson leaves, its path obscured.

Once lost in doubt, now peace settled quietly over the years.

Tap-tap-tap.

Three long knocks, one short—Su Muqing pushed the door open.

"My father sent cultivation resources; brother, pick what you need."

Her gaze darted nervously; she still struggled to adapt to her new identity—and to lying to her father for Chen Zhao's sake.

Chen Zhao glanced at them.

Besides rainbow-crystal ore and Spirit Stones, there was the Flying Boat Dharma Treasure he had requested.

Though it could not pierce array seals like Xiao Heiyun, it was two-tenths faster.

"I'll take half the resources and the Flying Boat; the rest is yours."

After slightly refining the Flying Boat, he tossed the Storage Bag back.

Su Muqing had expected him to demand everything; hearing this, she exhaled in relief, caught the bag with both hands, and ventured cautiously:

"Rumor has it that Sister Li just emerged from seclusion; since you've broken through, should you inform her?"

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

It seemed Li Zhiwei had already reached Foundation Establishment—truly an extraordinary talent.

He pulled out a Communication Talisman, conveying his congratulations and informing her of his own breakthrough.

Less than half an hour later.

Chen Zhao opened the door to find a white-robed senior brother standing before him, visibly nervous.

In his hands, he held a brocade letter and a white robe.

"Brother Chen, do you still remember me? I'm the senior brother who guided you into the sect."

He was so tense he stumbled over his words.

Just moments ago, Elders Zhang and Fang had both named him specifically, demanding Chen Zhao be sent to the Discipline Hall.

Two elders recommending the same Registered Disciple was truly astonishing.

But...

Suddenly, a silver-haired senior sister burst in, spoke three sentences, and snatched Chen Zhao from the two elders' hands, assigning him to the Dan Tang.

In under three seconds, he understood Chen Zhao's value—and immediately paid a price to come himself with these two items.

Only then did Chen Zhao utter:

"Thank you, senior brother."

Chen Zhao smiled warmly as spring breeze, yet his heart left no trace.

Connections of this level were no longer of great use.

He put on the white robe and unfolded the letter.

"The task was assigned by Li Zhiwei... and she told you to stay humble and patient—could this really be He Shu?"

Xin Tong looked up, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Li Jiejie is just like this."

Chen Zhao chuckled.

The implication was clear: he was now one of her people, expected to help her out and not cause trouble.

Though her attitude was cold, she had kept her promise—his connections were now active.

"By the way, Liu Chendiscussed holding a banquet on the first floor of Juxian Pavilion tonight..."

Xin Tong leaned into his arms, her voice soft and sweet:

"And the first auction will warm up the crowd—the finale item is a Top-Grade Magical Tool..."

The merchandise is getting more upscale—there might be bargains to be had.

Chen Zhao froze, silently whistling.

He opened his palm.

Ink and water surfaced.

【Divination has been refreshed】

【Today's Divination · Auspicious】: Suitable for gatherings; resolving the sign requires five Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Still five—pocket change.

【Today's Divination · Auspicious】: You gladly accepted the invitation, purchased a Longevity Pill, and discovered the Quenching Essence Pill Spirit Pill Prescription on the box.

As a superior replacement for Peiyuan Pills, the ultimate luxury, its refining cost is higher, the success rate lower, and it has gradually vanished from the market.

As for the Longevity Pill.

A First Grade Upper Tier spirit pill, one can take it only once in a lifetime; its lifespan extension effect varies by individual.

Chen Zhao lowered his head in thought.

These two items are not urgent, but they can help shape his persona and lay groundwork for selling other items.

And Chen Zhao didn't even need to buy them.

He told Liu Chen, and without effort, borrowed the Longevity Pill.

The box was plain and unadorned; even his mental power scan revealed nothing unusual.

"Quite discreet."

Chen Zhao spent half an hour before pulling out a single sheet of Spirit Pill Prescription from the wooden box's hidden layer.

But.

He flipped it over—and found an unexpected reward.

"At Si Guo Ya, five short, three long flute notes—ignite the Spirit Pill Prescription to receive the inheritance."

He cast a divination—it was connected to Fang Zijing.

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

After inquiring, he learned the item came from the middle layer of Fulong Mountain; the consignor had no connection to Fang Zijing.

He quietly copied a copy, returned the original to the hidden layer, and decided to wait and observe.

After this,

Chen Zhao made slight alterations to his appearance, transforming into an old man with white hair, avoiding attention.

He summoned Su Muqing and altered her appearance to mimic his own.

As for height,

Using mundane acrobatic techniques made it even more convincing.

Chen Zhao sat by the window, quietly watching the evening rain fall.

He had chosen this seat—moderate price, five floating VIP platforms above him, the auction platform directly before him.

Perfect for the persona of a disciple with little time left, who had never risen to prominence.

Not long after,

The Juxian Pavilion's Array activated, blocking outside surveillance.

All lights inside dimmed, leaving only a single soft white beam illuminating the auction platform.

"Welcome, fellow sect members. This auction is hosted by my daughter, Su Wanyao."

Su Wanyao stood composed and elegant; everyone present recognized her and nodded in greeting.

She glanced at Chen Zhao and gave a subtle signal.

Chen Zhao gave a slight nod.

The Formation Master was right beside him—the Pavilion Master, the host... all were his people.

And with Su Muqing's "sponsorship."

All that remained was to harvest the opportunity.

Chen Zhao had already seen the auction items: Talismans, Longevity Pills, Spirit Beasts, and more—most no longer interested him.

Except for two Dharma Treasures.

One: a high-grade soul Dharma Treasure, the Illusion Heart Zither; the other: a set of Top-Grade Magical Tools, the Geng Metal Revolving Blade.

Chen Zhao still remembered the Soul-Shaking Nail and took advantage of his Mental Power.

As for the latter,

As the finale treasure, sixteen flying blades, each possessing the power of a Top-Grade Magical Tool, and being metal-affinity, they were razor-sharp.

A flicker of heat passed through his eyes.

He took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and waited for the auction to begin.