Chapter 667: So Bold?

After Zhou An finished speaking, he took out more than a dozen medicinal herbs all at once.

They were all raw materials for refining first-tier and second-tier Pills.

Then, he looked toward Wang Jianqiang.

"Tell me the names, habits, and points to note during cultivation for these medicinal herbs."

Wang Jianqiang was a Sixth-Tier Intermediate Alchemist.

Asking him to answer these low-level questions was like using a nuclear bomb to swat a mosquito.

It was simply a strike from several dimensions higher.

He pretended to ponder for a moment, then recounted the habits and points to note during cultivation for all the medicinal herbs one by one.

Although Zhou An only had a superficial understanding of medicinal herb knowledge, he was, after all, a Golden Core Stage Cultivator.

He still possessed some simple cognition.

He could fully discern whether Wang Jianqiang's answers were accurate.

In his view.

Wang Jianqiang's answers could be called extremely standard.

"A talent!"

His eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Wang Jianqiang gently, "What is your name?"

"Wang Daniu," Wang Jianqiang said.

Zhou An nodded and beckoned to the person behind him, "Come here."

"Steward."

A woman came to Zhou An's side.

Zhou An pointed at Wang Jianqiang, "Take Wang Daniu to see the Third Miss immediately, and just say it was arranged by me."

"Yes."

The woman nodded, then looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Wang Daniu, come with me."

After speaking, she turned and walked toward the interior of the Zhou Family.

……

Inside the Zhou Family.

In a courtyard.

A dull explosion suddenly came from a certain room.

Not long after.

The room door opened.

A woman walked out from within.

"Come here."

She spoke indifferently.

"Third Miss."

The maidservant guarding outside the room hurriedly stepped forward.

"I am going to the Spirit Pool."

"Later, Zhou An might arrange for someone to come; you can just take that person directly to the Spirit Pool to find me."

"Yes, Third Miss."

After the woman finished giving instructions, she walked along a bluestone path toward the back of the courtyard.

……

Wang Jianqiang followed the leading woman, passing through a winding path the whole way.

They arrived outside a compound.

The courtyard was very large.

Through the courtyard gate, one could see that the courtyard was surrounded by green shade, with birds singing and flowers fragrant.

Occasionally, one could even smell wisps of pill fragrance drifting out from the courtyard.

"Wait here, I will go report."

The leading woman said a word to Wang Jianqiang and walked into the courtyard.

Not long after.

The leading woman and a woman who looked slightly older walked out of the courtyard gate.

"She is the Third Miss's Personal Guard."

"After this, you just need to follow her arrangements."

The leading woman came to Wang Jianqiang's side, said a word to Wang Jianqiang, and turned to leave.

The woman called the Third Miss's Personal Guard looked at Wang Jianqiang, her brows furrowing imperceptibly.

A flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

The Third Miss had never let a man near the Spirit Pool.

Why today, suddenly...?

However, this trace of surprise only lasted for an instant before returning to normal.

She did not ask more and looked at Wang Jianqiang indifferently, "Follow me."

Wang Jianqiang nodded and followed the woman into the courtyard gate.

Not long after.

The two passed through a small path and arrived at the deepest part of the courtyard.

Two inner courtyards were established here.

Although neither of the two archways had doors installed, they were concealed by an Array.

He currently possessed not a shred of Spiritual Power, and his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze could not be used.

He was unable to see through the Array here.

Just at this moment.

The woman before him suddenly stopped in front of an archway, took out a Jade Pendant, and waved it at the archway in front of her.

As a Spirit Light flashed, the Restriction at the archway vanished.

"Go on in, Third Miss is already waiting for you inside."

Wang Jianqiang nodded and walked into the archway.

After he entered the archway, the woman did not follow him inside.

Instead, she waved the Jade Pendant in her hand.

The Restriction on the archway was triggered once again, sealing the entrance.

Wang Jianqiang glanced behind him, but paid it no mind.

He looked toward the front.

The small courtyard was fragrant with flowers and plants, arranged with great care and beauty.

He walked forward along a small path.

After crossing a patch of flowers, plants, and trees, an open space appeared before his eyes.

In this open space, there was a pool of water.

The pool was not large, with a diameter of only about a zhang.

The water in the pool was milky white.

Above the water's surface, faint mist rose.

This mist was not ordinary water vapor.

Rather, it was formed from dense Spirit Qi.

The water in the pool was also not ordinary water, but Spirit Water formed from liquefied Spirit Qi!

At this moment.

A figure was sitting cross-legged in the Spirit Pool, with their back turned to him.

Only a section of slender, fair shoulders floated above the water's surface, and a head of long hair was spread out in the Spirit Water.

It was spread evenly across the surface of the water.

After Wang Jianqiang's arrival, the person in the pool seemed to sense something.

They actually stood up directly.

And then.

Turned around to look over.

Wang Jianqiang's originally somewhat listless and dull gaze suddenly became spirited.

His eyeballs twitched a few times as a result.

He felt somewhat surprised in his heart.

The other party was clearly soaking in the Spirit Pool.

Why would they have someone bring him here without the slightest avoidance?

Is this the Zhou Family Third Miss?

Has she always been this uninhibited?

But then again.

This Zhou Family Third Miss is actually quite good-looking.

When Zhou Qingyu saw Wang Jianqiang, her expression went blank.

Immediately following.

"Ah~"

A scream erupted.

Wang Jianqiang's thoughts were suddenly pulled back.

The next moment.

The screaming stopped.

A Spirit Light flashed on Zhou Qingyu's body, and she donned a long dress.

She leaped out from the Spirit Pool.

In a flash, she appeared before Wang Jianqiang.

A slender hand, still dripping with water droplets, clamped directly onto Wang Jianqiang's neck.

"Who are you, and how did you sneak in here?"

Zhou Qingyu stared coldly at Wang Jianqiang, murderous intent surging within her beautiful eyes.

It was as if she would wipe him out if a single word went wrong.

From the moment Zhou Qingyu leaped out of the Spirit Pool to the moment she grabbed his neck.

Wang Jianqiang had countless opportunities to kill her in return.

However, he did not do so.

Although he currently had no Spiritual Power cultivation on him.

His body was tough, after all.

With a physical body at the level of Six Spirit Seals, even an ordinary Nascent Soul Stage cultivator could not break through the defense.

Let alone a Golden Core Initial Stage cultivator?

He did not feel the slightest worry in his heart.

In order to appear normal.

He disguised a look of terror on his face.

His whole body was trembling like chaff.

His legs also seemed to have lost their strength, making the palm Zhou Qingyu had clamped around his neck clearly feel a downward pull.

It seemed that as long as she let go, the other party would certainly collapse to the ground.

"Third Miss~ It was your Personal Guard who brought me here~"

"She was the one who helped me open the Formation."

"She said you were waiting for me here~"

Wang Jianqiang spoke in a panic, his expression full of fear.

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Zhou Qingyu was taken aback.

Then she frowned.

She took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and sent a message.

A moment later.

A woman hurried over; it was precisely Zhou Qingyu's Personal Guard, the same woman who had led Wang Jianqiang into Zhou Qingyu's residence.

Upon seeing the scene of Wang Jianqiang being held by the neck by Zhou Qingyu, her expression turned to one of shock.

Before she could react, Zhou Qingyu said coldly, "Did you bring him?"

The woman looked at Wang Jianqiang with a hesitant expression and nodded, "Yes, Third Miss."

"You have a lot of nerve!"

Zhou Qingyu's face turned cold, "Don't you know that men are not allowed near the Spirit Pool?"

"How dare you bring this person here?"

"Are you treating my previous instructions as wind past your ears?"

The woman was stunned and asked in confusion, "Third Miss, wasn't it you who said to have this servant bring the person sent by Steward Zhou An to the Spirit Pool to find you?"

Zhou Qingyu's expression froze.

Her brows knitted tightly together.

Sent by Zhou An?

Just this morning, she had indeed sent a message to Zhou An, asking him to arrange for someone to deliver the Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid she had applied for from the Zhou Family.

Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid, when combined with the Spirit Water in the Spirit Pool here, has a better cultivation effect.

For treasures like Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid, the family generally does not allow them to be transferred midway.

They must be delivered directly by the courier into the hands of the applicant.

This was also the reason she had instructed her Personal Guard to have the person come directly to the Spirit Pool to find her.

However.

She had clearly instructed Zhou An to send a maidservant to deliver it.

How did this Zhou An handle things?

She would definitely have to hold him accountable later.

Thinking of this, she looked at Wang Jianqiang with a dark face and said coldly, "Where is the Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid?"

"What Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid?" Wang Jianqiang was stunned.

"Didn't Zhou An send you here to deliver the Cloud Spirit Flower Liquid?" Zhou Qingyu's brows furrowed even tighter.

Wang Jianqiang hurriedly shook his head, "This small one is a servant just recruited into the Zhou Family by the Steward."

"Because I am skilled in cultivating Spirit Plants and Medicinal Herbs, I was assigned to you."

Zhou Qingyu was taken aback.

Then she remembered.

Half a year ago, she had chanced upon some rare Spirit Medicine Seeds.

So she had planted them herself.

But cultivating Spirit Plants was too troublesome and a great waste of time.

She was also an Alchemist.

Her time was already tight, needing to be divided between the two paths of cultivation and alchemy.

Where would she have spare time to cultivate Spirit Medicine?

So she had asked Zhou An for a servant to cultivate Spirit Plants and Medicinal Herbs.

Unfortunately, such technical talent was too rare.

Even though she had urged him several times during that period, she had not received a definite answer.

She hadn't expected that this person was actually the servant she needed.

For a lowly servant to offend her like this, he should have been executed immediately.

But thinking that with this person, she could save a lot of time for cultivation.

She hesitated again.

Her expression shifted for a moment.

Finally, she secretly gritted her teeth and made a decision.

Forget it.

Let him go for now.

It will not be too late to kill him after finding another servant who knows how to cultivate Spirit Medicine later.

She loosened the palm she had been pressing against Wang Jianqiang's neck.

She said indifferently, "What is your name?"

Wang Jianqiang let out a long sigh of relief and said respectfully, "This lowly one is Wang Daniu."

Zhou Qingyu nodded and said coldly, "Regarding today's matter, considering you did not mean it, this young lady can spare you for now, but you must absolutely not leak a single word about this, otherwise..."

As she said this, a flash of killing intent crossed her eyes.

Wang Jianqiang seemed to be struck by the Deterrence.

With a terrified expression, he nodded repeatedly.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingyu revealed a look of satisfaction.

She looked Wang Jianqiang up and down for a moment, "You have not a shred of Spiritual Power on you; you must not have practiced cultivation yet, right?"

"Yes," Wang Jianqiang nodded and said.

"It is quite rare for a mortal who has never practiced cultivation to actually know how to cultivate Spirit Medicine."

She smiled.

She did not doubt whether this Wang Daniu truly knew how to cultivate Spirit Medicine.

Zhou An is not stupid, nor does he want to seek death.

Since he dared to send this Wang Daniu to find her, this Wang Daniu must have some ability.

After laughing, she pondered for a moment and pointed a finger at Wang Jianqiang.

A streak of Spirit Light flashed and shot into the center of Wang Jianqiang's brow.

Immediately.

A cultivation method appeared in Wang Jianqiang's mind.

Zhou Qingyu withdrew her palm and said indifferently, "A mortal body is ultimately too weak."

"This is a cultivation method; if you practice according to this method, you can step onto the path of cultivation."

"Having Spiritual Power will also help you cultivate Spirit Medicine."

"Many thanks, Third Miss."

A look of surprise appeared on Wang Jianqiang's face, and he was moved to tears with gratitude.

Zhou Qingyu shook her head, then took Wang Jianqiang away from the small courtyard where the Spirit Pool was located and entered another arched gate.

Walking into the arched gate, a rich scent of Medicinal Herb rushed toward them.

Looking around, the courtyard was divided into three parts, and each part was planted with some Spirit Medicine.

It was unexpectedly a small Medicine Garden.

Zhou Qingyu took Wang Jianqiang for a tour around the Medicine Garden.

She looked at Wang Jianqiang, "These are the Spirit Plant you will need to tend to in the future."

"You shall live in this courtyard from now on."

"Remember, you must not go out without permission; if you must go out, you must report to me beforehand."

As she spoke, she took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and handed it to Wang Jianqiang.

However, after thinking about it, this Wang Daniu is still just an ordinary person without the slightest bit of Spiritual Power and cannot use a Sound Transmission Talisman.

She took out a few Jade Pendant and handed them to him instead.

"You can use the Sound Transmission Talisman once you have cultivated Spiritual Power."

"These few communication jades do not require Spiritual Power to be used; if you have something to report, crush them, and you can send a message to me."

"Also, these Spirit Plant are extremely important; you must not be careless. If one dies, I will not spare you."

After finishing, Zhou Qingyu left a few Spirit Stone for Wang Jianqiang and turned to leave.

Wang Jianqiang smiled.

The Spirit Qi here is quite rich, and no one will come to disturb him on ordinary days; it is quiet enough.

Aside from the living conditions being a bit crude.

It can be considered an excellent Training Ground.

After returning to the only thatched cottage in the courtyard.

Wang Jianqiang sat cross-legged and brought his consciousness into his Soul Sea.

Because of the Blood Rebirth, his Five Elements Spiritual Root, which had originally been upgraded to a quality comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root, had also fallen back to its initial state.

But fortunately.

Over these years, he had accumulated quite a few Golden Attribute Point.

With a thought, he spent 25 Golden Attribute Point to raise his Five Elements Spiritual Root back to the level comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root.

Then he sat cross-legged and silently circulated his cultivation technique.

He began his first cultivation session since arriving Outside the Realm.

For a mortal to want to step onto the path of cultivation.

The first threshold is entering meditation to sense the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth.

Back then.

He spent a full year before he could arduously enter meditation and sense the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth.

Afterward, he spent another three years before successfully guiding the first wisp of Spiritual Power into his body.

Now.

He possesses the cultivation experience of a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage Perfection, and his Root Bone quality is far beyond what it was back then.

In just an instant, he entered a state of meditative stillness, and in less than three breaths, he successfully guided Spirit Qi into his body, refining his first wisp of Spiritual Power.

Next.

He continuously guided the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth into his body, accumulating Spiritual Power.

Three days later.

His body shuddered.

A faint radiance of Spiritual Power emanated from the surface of his body.

A moment later.

He slowly opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Qi Refining First Layer.

In a mere three days, returning to the Qi Refining First Layer, this speed is considered quite good.

Next, he could swallow a Pill to cultivate.

Thinking of this.

His brows furrowed again.

His Space Ring did contain quite a few Fourth-tier Pills and high-level Medicinal Herbs.

It was just that.

He currently found it difficult to refine even a First-Tier Pill of slightly higher quality, let alone Third Rank or Fourth-tier Pills.

It seems that sometimes, having items of too high a grade on one's person is not necessarily a good thing.

Wang Jianqiang shook his head.

He needed to go out and purchase some low-level Medicinal Herbs that he could use at his current stage.

Thinking of this.

He took out a communication jade and crushed it.

A cluster of Spirit Light suddenly emerged.

Immediately, a slightly impatient voice came from the Spirit Light.

"What is it?"