Chapter 150

The moment the package was opened, the surrounding disciples of Hundred Herbs Hall swarmed over.

"Wow! Look at that purple blood coral—how is it so long?!"

"Heavens! Just from what's visible, it's split into over a dozen branches—this must be hundreds of years old, right?!"

"And those! Are they all earth immortal fetal membranes?!"

"What, earth immortal fetal membrane? This stuff doesn't grow above three hundred zhang below the sea, does it? At three hundred zhang deep, even martial master powerhouses wouldn't dare dive that deep, would they?"

"And those spotted fruits on the surface—I feel like I've seen them somewhere before!"

"Those are illusion fruits, the favorite food of deep-sea mirage beasts."

……

The disciples of Hundred Herbs Hall were shocked, and Xu Changqing beside them was no longer calm either.

The things Fang Xu brought were all extremely rare medicinal herbs, many of which were treasures that even moved him.

"When the disciples went out to sea, they boarded a treasure ship, encountered a sea beast attack midway, the treasure ship was destroyed, and the disciples were dragged down to the seabed by the ship's hardest part."

"You few, hurry and find some jade boxes!"

Under Xu Changqing's urging, the disciples hurriedly fetched many jade boxes, carefully separating the various medicinal herbs that Fang Xu had dumped together in a heap, and then carefully placed them into the jade boxes.

"And this purple blood coral—it's eight hundred years old, yet it was snapped off!"

Fang Xu scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "Feeling troublesome, I just… just casually pulled them out."

This feeling was like how I usually revere my goddess as a deity, only to suddenly be taken by a two-hundred-catty sloppy fat guy to study life.

The disciples of Hundred Herbs Hall organized the medicinal herbs Fang Xu brought, and the more they organized, the less calm they became!

Saying that, he took out his identity token, scratched it against Fang Xu's identity token, transferred contribution points to Fang Xu, and said: "Next time, if you encounter rare medicinal herbs, don't be so reckless."

Everyone: "……"

Facing the near-murderous gazes of the Hundred Herbs Hall disciples, he hurriedly tried to escape.

Many rare medicinal herbs were ruined because Fang Xu didn't care or didn't know how to harvest them properly.

"Wait a moment." Xu Changqing stopped him, curiously asking: "You brought these rare medicinal herbs, most of which grow below three hundred zhang in the deep sea—I'm very curious, how did you obtain them?"

"If your brought medicinal herbs are all of intact potency, I calculated that their value is at least 150,000 contribution points."

"But now many have suffered severe loss of medicinal efficacy, and some have even lost all medicinal value."

Xu Changqing suddenly sighed: "As an outsider, I really can't hold you to the same standard."

"If this were done by my own disciple, I… I would definitely break his leg!"

Bang!

Xu Changqing suddenly struck the ground with his cane, furious: "What a waste of heavenly treasures!"

As pill masters, they all know how precious these medicinal herbs are.

"Quick!"

"Alright, these items have been roughly inventoried."

Chu Mu beside him looked at the numerous medicinal herbs Fang Xu had trampled like roadside weeds, and also resentfully said: "Didn't I give you a catalog? It lists the names and harvesting methods of each herb—you didn't look at it, did you?"

Pulled out!?

Everyone has their own secrets; if this involves Fang Xu's trump card, he also doesn't want to keep pressing.

If they hadn't seen them, they wouldn't be this agitated, but now they've seen them with their own eyes—seen the destroyed treasures—this is harder to bear than killing them!

Fang Xu clasped his hands: "There's really nothing I can't say."

"I can only give you 80,000 contribution points."

"Master, beat him up—this kid is too infuriating!"

Fang Xu froze for a moment, then cautiously nodded.

"These medicinal herbs are just casually wrapped like this—vast amounts of medicinal potency will be lost!"

"Oh no, this illusion fruit has been pierced by that iron-scale grass……"

He actually used the word "pulled"!

It looks like this guy really treated these precious medicinal herbs like roadside weeds!

Suppressing the feeling of heartache, after organizing the herbs, Xu Changqing looked at Fang Xu with a complex expression: "Do you know how I feel right now?"

Fang Xu quickly nodded.

Seeing him straining to suppress his anger, Fang Xu quietly stepped back.

……

"If it's inconvenient to say, just pretend I didn't ask." Xu Changqing spoke.

Looking at Xu Changqing's gaze, Fang Xu hesitated slightly.

"Master, my heart is bleeding……"

"You… you just piled these medicinal herbs together and carried them back like that?" Xu Changqing looked at Fang Xu, uncertainly.

"Where are the roots!? Where are the roots!? This earth root grass—why is only the top left, where did the roots go?"

"Sigh!"

"Fang Xu gege……"

"The water pressure was blocked by the treasure ship—these medicinal herbs were gathered by the disciples in haste."

"For this, the disciples almost died at the seabed."

Fang Xu didn't plan to tell Xu Changqing about the dragon affair, but now it's a good opportunity to ease relations with him, so he naturally wanted to find a plausible excuse to tell him.

"The treasure ship's prow……"

Xu Changqing fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering whether this method could be borrowed, so that the Gongcheng Hall could craft such a batch of mechanisms capable of operating underwater—this way, the disciples of Hundred Herbs Hall could go to the deep sea to harvest these precious medicinal herbs.

"Go back and take another look at the catalog Mu gave you—even if you're not a pill master, you can learn more about harvesting methods."

"Heavenly treasures and earthly riches—sometimes a single herb's value is no less than a first-rank martial art, and may even be more precious than divine abilities."

Xu Changqing spoke with deep sincerity.

Fang Xu nodded solemnly, cupped his hands toward Xu Changqing, and then left the Hundred Herbs Hall.

After leaving the Hundred Herbs Hall and returning to the Hall of Merit Transmission, the sky had already darkened. Fang Xu returned to his dwelling to rest briefly, then went straight to the Cliffside Earth Palace.

This mission, together with those herbs, earned me a total of 130,000 contribution points.

I must hurry to repay my debt.

At the entrance of the Cliffside Earth Palace, Wuling sat cross-legged on a futon, cultivating. Hearing someone enter, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Fang boy, long time no see."

"Greetings, Elder Wuling." Fang Xu cupped his hands, then took out the black token given to him by Yanwu and said: "Elder, I'm here to settle my account."

Looking at the token in his hand, Wuling chuckled and said: "The black token from the Affairs Hall—what big deed did you pull off, kid?"

The black token is worth 50,000 contribution points, and ordinary tasks from the Affairs Hall are nowhere near that value. Wuling was also curious how Fang Xu obtained the Affairs Hall's black token.

"I went to Fusang Kingdom, assisted Elder Gong in exterminating some members of the Yanshen Sect." Fang Xu cupped his hands and said.

Wuling glanced at him thoughtfully, then took the black token and said: "The black token offsets 50,000. Your debt still stands at 241,200 contribution points."

"Elder, I still have 80,000 contribution points here—I'll transfer them to you." Taking out his identity token, Fang Xu spoke.

"Eighty thousand!?" Wuling expressed surprise: "Kid, your speed in earning contribution points makes even me feel ashamed."

This time he did not ask Fang Xu where his 80,000 contribution points came from.

Everyone has their own opportunities; asking too much would provoke resentment.

After directly transferring the 80,000 contribution points, Wuling said: "Then there remains 161,200."

One hundred sixty thousand—daily interest is over 160 contribution points...

Sigh!

After letting out a breath, Fang Xu shook his head and left the Cliffside Earth Palace.

In my past life, credit cards, Huabei, car loans, and mortgages were already paid off enough—I never thought I'd still have to repay debts in this world, what a pain!

Hall of Merit Transmission.

Upon returning to his dwelling, Fang Xu's heart stirred slightly, and he walked slowly to Yunwan's small courtyard.

Seeing the courtyard gate tightly shut, with a layer of faint dust on the lock, he knew Yunwan must not have returned for a long time.

He also didn't know how far her promotion mission had progressed.

Not seeing Yunwan, Fang Xu returned to his own small courtyard. After washing up, he sat cross-legged on the bed to cultivate.

His current strength has reached the peak of the first level of Martial Master, but because he wants to treat the Demon Ape Battle Heaven Diagram as his second star chart, he must carve out the apertures required by the Demon Ape Battle Heaven Diagram.

The problem is, having reached the peak of the first level of Martial Master, to carve out new apertures, he must break through his current realm.

This seemingly unsolvable dead loop has only one solution.

That solution is to open another aperture space stone gate once more.

By leveraging the power of the aperture space stone gate world, one can forcibly blast open unopened apertures.

Sinking his consciousness into the aperture space, Fang Xu looked at the five illuminated apertures of the Demon Ape Battle Heaven Diagram.

These five apertures all nurture life-bound artifacts.

Three of them nurture dragon scales, another is the broken sword gifted by Kulun, and the golden silk soft armor he obtained after killing a martial artist in Titanium Blue Mountain...

Golden silk soft armor?

Fang Xu suddenly sensed something was off.

In the aperture space, nurturing life-bound artifacts—ordinary treasures cannot possibly be nurtured as life-bound artifacts.

This point, Fang Xu had already tested after breaking through to Martial Master—some fourth-rank, even fifth-rank treasures could not be nurtured as life-bound artifacts.

In his impression, that golden silk soft armor was merely a second-rank treasure—why was he able to take it in as a life-bound artifact and nurture it in the aperture space back then?

Sinking his consciousness into the aperture space where the golden silk soft armor resided, seeing it floating in midair, Fang Xu curiously summoned it to his hand.

In his understanding, this golden silk soft armor is of too low a rank—so much so that when facing pursuit by the forces of various Yu countries, he couldn't even be bothered to wear it.

After all, most of those pursuing him are at the fifth level of Martial Master or above, and there are even Martial Sovereigns among them.

This golden silk soft armor, as a treasure, cannot possibly block their attacks.

Weighing the golden silk soft armor, Fang Xu turned it over and over, examining it thoroughly, but found nothing special about it.

A second-rank treasure—why could it be accepted by the aperture space for nurturing?

Fang Xu was puzzled.

Turning the soft armor over again, Fang Xu suddenly noticed a hint of something wrong!

Leather!?

The surface of the soft armor is made of a special soft metal, but the lining is an extremely soft, highly tough leather!

This leather appears to be cut from the true hide of some creature.

Seeing this, Fang Xu immediately grabbed the metal layer and the lining of the golden soft armor and tore them apart with force!

His current strength is terrifyingly great—even a second-rank treasure cannot withstand his strength, and it was torn apart directly!

The surface metal layer was torn, but the lining remained intact!

Fang Xu pulled hard on the lining—only then did he discover that even with all his strength, he could not tear this layer of leather!

Good fellow!

The real treasure was you all along!

Looking at the leather in his hand, Fang Xu silently thought to himself.

But, I don't know who made this soft armor—such a precious leather, yet it was paired with that junk metal surface, only crafted into a second-rank treasure.

Feeling the leather in his hand, Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, then directly placed it in the aperture space to continue nurturing it.

Consciousness withdrew from the aperture space, and he returned once more to the aperture space where the broken sword was being nurtured.

This time, to open the stone gate world, the aperture space nurturing the broken sword was undoubtedly the most promising.

The broken sword's offensive power was not inferior to that of the strange long staff, only the nurturing time might be slightly shorter than that of the strange long staff.

Summoning the broken sword into his hand, Fang Xu looked at the distant stone gate, then immediately gathered all his strength and swung a sword at the stone gate!

Everything was just like when he first attacked the stone gate of the inner gate aperture—after a terrifying tremor, the stone gate merely cracked open a tiny fissure.

Afterward, no matter how Fang Xu attacked, the stone gate remained utterly unmoved.

Feeling a primordial energy completely unlike that in the inner gate aperture seeping out from the stone gate's fissure, Fang Xu suddenly felt that the surrounding space had become somewhat off.

Ripples!

He seemed to see that after this energy seeped out, the space within the aperture space produced faint ripples.

What is this thing?

Fang Xu reached out to grab it, but could not feel anything at all.

After fruitless research, he did not intend to continue wasting time; his consciousness slowly withdrew from the aperture space, and outside the window it was already high noon.

After a simple wash, he went straight to the Hall of Transmission of Merit, preparing to accept the second promotion mission.

"Come?"

In the Hall of Transmission of Merit, the Elder of Transmission of Merit saw Fang Xu and said with a smile: "This time the person assigned to you might be quite simple."

The mission scroll was handed over; Fang Xu opened it and glanced at it, his expression instantly becoming somewhat complex.

"Elder, is the Ascension Immortal Society preparing to explore the ruins of Tilan Mountain?"

The new mission recorded on the mission scroll was precisely to explore the third layer of the Tilan Mountain ruins and to draw a route map through the third layer.

Since the Tilan Mountain ruins were discovered, all major and minor forces of the Yu State had long since thoroughly explored the first two layers.

And the entrance to the third layer of the ruins was still the one Fang Xu had opened back then; after he left the ruins, he did not go on to explore the third layer.

Now, after so long, the exploration progress of the third layer seems to have made little advancement.

I do not know whether it is because the various powers' people, at that time, were busy chasing him and did not continue exploring, or because the third layer's difficulty has increased compared to the previous two layers.

"As for the Tilan Mountain ruins, to our Ascension Immortal Society, it is also a matter of great concern."

"For this exploration of the third layer, the Immortal Isle will send someone to accompany you; everything must be done with extra caution."

"The one coming from the Immortal Isle is a core disciple."

The Elder of Transmission of Merit spoke.

Upon mentioning the core disciple, his expression became somewhat solemn.

The Immortal Isle is the headquarters of the Ascension Immortal Society, and also the place where all core disciples cultivate.

"Elder, how many core disciples does the Ascension Immortal Society currently have?" Fang Xu asked curiously.

The Elder of Transmission of Merit shook his head: "This old man does not know either."

"The core disciples of the Immortal Isle are not only those who have risen through promotion from the various branches; there is also a portion who are envoys of the Immortal Isle, traveling about to recruit."

"But there is one thing you must remember: every core disciple of the Ascension Immortal Society is an absolute genius, many of whom even possess special constitutions."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu nodded and said: "Then, for this mission of mine, am I to follow that core disciple?"

The Elder of Transmission of Merit shook his head and said: "No need; you just need to bring him into the ruins, but if he makes any requests, help him as much as you can."

"Go; that core disciple should already be waiting for you at the mountain gate."

Fang Xu clasped his hands, left the Hall of Transmission of Merit, and hurried straight to the mountain gate.

When Fang Xu arrived at the mountain gate of the Ascension Immortal Society, a figure wearing a brown long robe, with a small leather vest over it, and hanging with many small items, was sitting on the stone steps outside the gate.

Before that figure, a pure black little squirrel was earnestly gnawing at an unknown fruit.

Fang Xu felt puzzled for a moment, then walked over slowly.

The figure slowly turned around, revealing a delicate doll-like face; on the forehead of that doll-like face hung a purple crystal pendant, and against the fair skin, the purple crystal looked exceptionally vivid.

"Are you Fang Xu?"

Before Fang Xu could speak, the doll-faced girl spoke first:

"I am Gu Qiu, from the Immortal Isle."

"Quick, call me 'Senior Sister' and let me hear it!"

Seeing the doll-faced Gu Qiu so enthusiastic, Fang Xu felt somewhat unaccustomed; after a moment's hesitation, he clasped his hands and said: "Gu Senior Sister."

Upon hearing this "Gu Senior Sister," the girl was very satisfied.

"Alright, let's go."

Gu Qiu bent over, picked up that strange black squirrel and placed it on her shoulder, then turned and came to the horse stable at the mountain gate, having the stable guard disciple lead out two Cloud-Stepping Ponies.

"Horse, horse, later you must run a bit faster, okay." Gu Qiu lightly patted the two Cloud-Stepping Ponies and said.

Neigh!

Neigh!

Something strange happened!

The two Cloud-Stepping Ponies actually seemed to understand her words, letting out a cheerful whinny and even nodding their heads.

Fang Xu stared at this scene, dazed.

The stable guard disciple of the Ascension Immortal Society beside him was also completely bewildered.

"Let's go, don't just stand there."

Gu Qiu tapped the tip of her foot, and her body gently settled onto one of the Cloud-Stepping Ponies.

Fang Xu also hurriedly climbed onto the other Cloud-Stepping Pony.

"Depart!"

Gu Qiu shouted, and the Cloud-Stepping Pony beneath her did not wait for Fang Xu to react, but directly dashed off toward the distance.

"Valley Senior Sister is a beast tamer?" On the road, Fang Xu finally couldn't hold back and asked the doubt in his heart.

"Sort of." Gu Qiu replied vaguely.

"I heard Senior Brother Jiang say, you entered that ruin?"

Senior Brother Jiang?

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment.

"It's your overseer, Jiang Feng."

"A core disciple of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, his status is above the stewards and on par with the Elder Overseers."

Gu Qiu explained.

"Oh oh…… then…… then I'll call you Valley Senior Sister, you call me Jiang Elder Senior Brother, this……"

"Ah!" Hearing Fang Xu say that, Gu Qiu suddenly realized and slapped her forehead, saying: "Messy! Messy!"

"But, never mind, each to their own!"

"Senior Brother Jiang said, you comprehended a divine ability in the Crimson Azure Mountain ruin?" Without dwelling on whether Fang Xu should call her aunt or senior sister, Gu Qiu directly spoke.

Jiang Feng told her all about this!?

Fang Xu showed a hint of worry on his face.

"Hey! What's this expression?"

"Although divine abilities aren't commonplace on Immortal Island, they're also quite common, you think I'd covet your divine ability?"

Seeing Fang Xu's wary and worried expression, Gu Qiu became displeased.

Divine abilities are very common on Immortal Island!?

After hearing this, Fang Xu's heart was full of surprise!

Possessing the Three Transformations of the Magic Ape, he knows the heaven-defying nature of divine abilities!

Such heaven-defying things, in the headquarters of the Ascension Immortal Assembly are actually commonplace, then what kind of place is the Immortal Island, the headquarters of the Ascension Immortal Assembly!?

"Don't ask me about Immortal Island matters, what you shouldn't know, if you hear it, the Law Enforcement Hall will find you trouble, don't say I didn't warn you."

As if seeing through Fang Xu's thoughts, Gu Qiu raised her chin and said.

Alright!

Fang Xu resentfully rubbed his nose, he really did plan to ask what that mysterious Immortal Island is really like.

"Is that ruin really related to the Yan God?" Gu Qiu asked again.

Fang Xu nodded.

The Crimson Azure Mountain ruin is very likely the place where the legendary Yan God once lived, this can be seen from the various things I've encountered.

Seeing Fang Xu admit it, a hard-to-conceal excitement flashed across Gu Qiu's face.

"Then this trip wasn't in vain!"

"As an ancient powerhouse, the things of the Yan God will be of great help to me!"

The two chatted along the way, yet didn't delay any schedule.

Steed Cloud Hooves flew in speed, in less than half a day the two had already arrived at Huangzhou.

Looking at the distant Huangzhou City, Fang Xu recalled Yun Qing.

Back in Maple Forest Town, Yun Qing had also helped him quite a bit, and from the words Yun Wan said to him before going to execute her promotion mission, one can see that the Yun family's current situation is not good.

"Senior Sister, should we go into the city to rest a bit?" Fang Xu spoke.

Gu Qiu looked at the distant Huangzhou City, tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said: "Also fine, I've heard Huangzhou's Maple Leaf Brew is very unique, let's go in and try it."

"Horse, enter the city."

Basically no need to control the reins, Gu Qiu just lightly said a sentence, and the Steed Cloud Hooves immediately turned direction, rushing toward Huangzhou City.

The two entered the city, found a tavern that looked decent, and walked in.

"Boss, give me the best food and drink in your shop, and the best Maple Leaf Brew, for this young lady!"

Upon entering, Gu Qiu shouted, then sat down boldly at a table.

Fang Xu also didn't speak, sitting opposite her.

Gu Qiu sized up Fang Xu's facial hair and those disguising things, frowning and said: "Why are you disguising yourself like this?"

Fang Xu startled: "Senior Sister saw through my disguise?"

He had always thought his disguise skills were good, wouldn't be seen through.

"Tsk……" Gu Qiu pursed her lips and said: "This kind of disguise skill can't possibly fool people, can it."

"If you really want to change your appearance, relying on external things is useless."

As she spoke, her finger pointed toward Fang Xu's glabella with an eerie speed, Fang Xu wanted to dodge, but the finger gave him no chance to react, directly touching his forehead.

Instantly, some miscellaneous information surged into Fang Xu's sea of consciousness!

"Good good contemplate, this way of changing appearance counts as disguise."

Fang Xu closed his eyes and slowly digested the information Gu Qiu transmitted, discovering it is a method through changing the flow of Blood Qi Power to alter one's bones and muscles, to achieve the effect of changing one's appearance.

The secret art is not too difficult, Fang Xu contemplated for a while and already could simply use it.

He immediately wiped off the facial hair and those disguising items on his face, internally the Blood Qi Power slightly surged, the muscles and bones on his face instantly underwent subtle changes.

Momentarily, a square-faced, big-eyed Fang Xu appeared before Gu Qiu.

Moreover, Fang Xu also changed his shoulder width, making himself look somewhat more stalwart.

"Comprehension not bad!"

Looking at Fang Xu being able to skillfully use it in just a moment, Gu Qiu praised.

At this moment, the shop assistant also brought the food and drink and the best Maple Leaf Brew.

Upon seeing Fang Xu, the shop assistant couldn't help but rub his eyes, he remembered that the person who entered with Gu Qiu just now wasn't this person.

"What are you staring at?" Fang Xu glanced at him.

The waiter hurriedly apologized and placed the food and drinks on the table.

Fang Xu was about to pick up the wine jug to pour wine for Gu Qiu, when he suddenly remembered the system's issue, and for a moment didn't know what to do.

After half a day of interaction, he found that Gu Qiu was still a decent person.

If I add her to the friend list...

"Hey, what's wrong?" Gu Qiu asked curiously.

Fang Xu spoke up resentfully: "Nothing."

Seeing that Gu Qiu had no intention of pouring wine, he picked up the wine jug himself, filled his own cup, and then took Fang Xu's cup over.

"Senior sister, I don't drink alcohol." Fang Xu said hurriedly upon seeing this.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qiu gave him a curious glance, didn't refuse, and on her own lifted the maple leaf wine in front of her and began to drink.

During this time, Fang Xu ate dishes while monitoring the friend list deep in his sea of consciousness; fortunately, Gu Qiu's name did not appear in the friend list.

The meal was quickly finished, and Fang Xu immediately prepared to rise and leave.

As Gu Qiu rose to leave, the waiter rushed over and bowed: "Sirs, the bill for the food and drinks..."

The bill for food and drinks?

Gu Qiu blinked slightly, searched her person, and somewhat embarrassedly said: "I don't have money on me; how about I give you two pills instead?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter looked troubled: "I can't make that call."

Seeing this, Gu Qiu helplessly looked at Fang Xu: "Do you have money?"

Fang Xu hesitated.

"Hey, you won't be this stingy, will you?" Seeing his hesitation, Gu Qiu knew Fang Xu definitely had money on him, and directly said: "Hurry up and pay, we still have to rush on our way."

Fang Xu reluctantly took out some silver and handed it to the waiter.

Gu Qiu, who was about to leave beside him, suddenly changed expression, and then a strange aura burst forth from her body!

Boom!

Accompanying the appearance of this strange aura, the strange doll hanging from her waist suddenly exploded in midair!

Gu Qiu's expression turned horrified; she hurriedly pulled Fang Xu and left the restaurant!

"Senior sister, what happened?" Fang Xu looked at Gu Qiu, bewildered, while also noticing Gu Qiu's name flash briefly in the friend list deep in his sea of consciousness.

"Fang Xu, we're in trouble!" In an empty alley, Gu Qiu's body was tense, and the aura unique to the fifth level of Martial Venerable faintly showed signs of erupting.

Fang Xu cautiously guarded his surroundings, waited for a long time, but saw no one.

"Senior sister, it seems there's nothing."

Gu Qiu shook her head, her solemn expression carrying a hint of faint doubt, and casually took off the doll with only a few wood fragments left at her waist and handed it to Fang Xu, saying: "My doll is dead."

The doll died?

Fang Xu stared at that piece of black wood, utterly bewildered.

"This is a substitute doll; at critical moments it can help me block a fatal blow."

"I found it in an ancient ruin."

Gu Qiu explained.

Substitute doll?

Hearing this, Fang Xu blinked slightly, then roughly understood what had happened.

Since I didn't drink alcohol with Gu Qiu, nothing should have happened originally.

But who would have thought Gu Qiu finished her meal, had no money to pay, and I paid the bill for the food and drinks, which indirectly means I treated Gu Qiu to alcohol.

This meets the system's criteria for friendship.

My system should exert some influence on those on the friend list; it should be that Gu Qiu's substitute doll blocked this calamity for her.

Though this substitute doll is truly miraculous, it managed to deceive my system and die once in place of Gu Qiu.

Gu Qiu pulled Fang Xu to hide here for a long time, yet saw nothing else happen, and couldn't help but grow more doubtful.

"The mysterious person hiding in the dark could strike me silently; their strength must be terrifying."

"But why did they only strike once?"

Fang Xu scratched his nose somewhat embarrassedly, then said solemnly: "Such methods must come at a cost; the other party can only use it once."

Gu Qiu thought for a moment and also felt this made sense, and immediately relaxed her guard slightly.

"Damn it!"

"This substitute doll is worth at least a million contribution points on the Immortal Island!"

"When did such a mysterious expert appear in the Yu Kingdom!?"

Fang Xu strode out of the alley resentfully, Gu Qiu muttered unhappily.

Originally, this trip to the Ti Lan Mountain ruins was meant to earn a fortune, but before even reaching the destination, I suffered heavy losses, naturally making her unhappy.

"Senior sister, let's leave this place quickly."

Seeing Gu Qiu wits against the air, Fang Xu couldn't bear it any longer, and immediately spoke up.

Gu Qiu had been on guard for a long time, and finally left Zhou Prefecture City together with Fang Xu.

Actually, upon entering Zhou Prefecture City, Fang Xu had planned to take some time to visit the Yun family, but now that this incident occurred, I estimate Gu Qiu has already been frightened, dare not stay long in Zhou Prefecture City, and we two headed straight for Maple Forest Town.

As night fell, the two rode their cloud-stepping steeds and finally arrived at Maple Forest Town.

"Is this the place you've lived since childhood?" Looking at the small town before her, Gu Qiu spoke softly.

Along the way, the two encountered no attacks, and her worries dissipated somewhat.

Fang Xu nodded: "My home is over there, senior sister, let's go."

The two rode their cloud-stepping steeds and soon arrived at the small courtyard where Fang Xu had previously lived.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, Fang Xu discovered that the gate of his small courtyard had been pried open at some unknown time, and the vegetables planted in the courtyard, as well as everything inside, had been destroyed beyond recognition.

Seeing this scene, a nameless anger surged up in Fang Xu's heart.

He tied the Cloud-Treading Steed to the front of the gate, then slowly pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.

Inside the room, the door was wide open, and several drunk martial artists lay sprawled in his room, snoring loudly.

One of the martial artists seemed to have heard the commotion, slowly opened his eyes, sat up, and said impatiently: "Kid, this courtyard has been taken by us of the Liuzhou Huo family. If you don't want to die, get lost quickly!"

Liuzhou Huo family?

Fang Xu's gaze turned icy as he glanced at the speaking martial artist, then directly kicked him!

Boom!

This kick contained all the anger in his heart; this martial artist of the Liuzhou Huo family never expected Fang Xu to strike directly, had no chance to react at all, and was kicked flying by Fang Xu!

In midair, his five viscera and six bowels were already shattered into minced meat by the force of Fang Xu's kick; the corpse violently slammed into the martial artists who were dozing inside the room, jolting them awake one after another.

Screech!

Screech!

The martial artists all grabbed their weapons and rushed out of the room!

Fang Xu glanced around; there were ten people in the field, besides the martial artist he had kicked to death, nine remained.

Among these nine, the one with the highest cultivation was a youth who looked somewhat weak, his strength at the fifth level of Martial Master.

"You little beast, dare to kill someone of my Huo family!"

The youth glanced at his fallen subordinate behind him, his eyes narrowed venomously as he stared at Fang Xu.

Fang Xu couldn't be bothered to waste words with him; his body flickered, and he directly charged into the midst of the Huo family martial artists, slaying them one by one, leaving only the youth alive.

"Where are your Huo family people?" Fang Xu asked calmly, staring at the trembling youth.

"They... they went into the mountains." The youth hadn't expected Fang Xu to be so formidable; in the blink of an eye, the martial artists beside him were all slain.

Although he had the cultivation of a fifth-level Martial Master, he looked like he had never experienced any real battle, and dared not make a move against Fang Xu.

"They went into the mountains..." A flash of killing intent passed through Fang Xu's eyes.

This small courtyard was where he had grown up since childhood; everything in the courtyard carried his childhood memories, recording every bit of his life depending on his grandfather since he was young.

But now, the entire small courtyard had been destroyed beyond recognition by this group of people.

Before, he lacked strength and was forced to leave this place.

Now, he had no intention of letting the Huo family off easily.

"Quick... quick, they're coming back!"

"Our Huo family people are coming back soon!"

Seeing Fang Xu had killing intent, the youth immediately fell to his knees with a thud and said: "Grandfather, please spare me; I'll give you this courtyard!"

Since the opening of the Chilan Mountain Relics, martial artists from all over Yu State have swarmed into Maple Forest Town, and the common folk on the town have suffered.

Many commoners' homes and residences have been forcibly occupied by these martial artists, but those who resist are directly slain.

Like the Lü family of Qingzhou, Lü Liren, who not only seized Old Man Liu's courtyard but also tortured Old Man Liu's son and daughter to death.

In the eyes of these aristocratic clans and powers, the lives of ordinary martial artists are worth nothing.

The courtyards in Maple Forest Town are the same; if a martial artist occupies one, another martial artist who takes a liking to it can freely slay the occupier and then take it for himself.

At this moment, the youth still thought Fang Xu had come to seize the courtyard.

"Give it to me?"

Fang Xu coldly laughed: "This courtyard was originally mine..."

Bang!

His palm directly struck the youth's head, killing him instantly on the spot.

Fang Xu silently found an iron shovel in the courtyard, preparing to bury the corpses of the Huo family martial artists, but Gu Qiu beside him said: "No need for this trouble; leave it to me."

As she spoke, she patted a small cloth bag on her body, and several tiny cute worms immediately crawled out.

After these worms appeared, they quickly burrowed into the martial artists' corpses.

In the blink of an eye, the flesh and blood of these corpses were completely sucked dry, and the bones became like soil, crumbling at a touch.

Seeing this, Fang Xu frowned slightly and said: "Senior Sister Gu, are you a witch?"

Gu Qiu laughed as she recalled those tiny worms back, saying: "Not quite; I just know a few methods."

After dealing with the corpses, Fang Xu tidied up the messy room, let Gu Qiu rest first, and then began slowly cleaning up the small courtyard.

According to his memory, Fang Xu tried to restore everything in the courtyard to its original state.

Gu Qiu also helped from the side.

"Back then, my grandfather did woodwork under this old tree, while I practiced boxing beside him."

Late at night, looking at the old tree with lush branches and leaves in the courtyard, Fang Xu's eyes filled with memories as he said.

Gu Qiu just listened quietly, without interjecting.

After a long while—

"I heard Senior Brother Jiang say that almost all the powers in Yu State have a grudge against you; this is also why you need to disguise yourself when carrying out missions, right?"

Fang Xu nodded: "I comprehended a divine ability at the Chilan Mountain Relics; the major clans of Yu State thought I had grasped a first-rank martial technique, so they prepared to capture me and force out the first-rank martial technique."

"After I successfully escaped, they feared I would grow stronger."

"Now that you've returned to this small courtyard, wouldn't your identity be exposed?" Gu Qiu asked.

Fang Xu said nothing.

He had already thought about this matter earlier.

"Senior Sister Gu, just wrong yourself for now; tomorrow I'll go to town to buy some new bedding."

"No need for that trouble; I've brought it." Gu Qiu said, and with a flash of light in her hand, some bedding and clothing appeared directly.

"Qiankun bag?!" Fang Xu blinked slightly.

He hadn't expected Gu Qiu to actually have a Qiankun bag too!

"Standard issue for core disciples." Gu Qiu smiled as he carried the bedding into the room and began tidying up on his own.

Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked toward the outside of the courtyard.

At the gate of the Wang family's courtyard, Fang Xu stood before the door, hesitating for a long time, before finally knocking.

After a long while—

"Who is it?"

The voice of Madame Wang came from inside the courtyard.

Hearing that voice, Fang Xu's worries instantly vanished.

Back then, when leaving Fenglin Town in a hurry, he hadn't had the chance to properly see Madame Wang.

Although their relationship wasn't particularly deep, she was at least the first woman he had encountered in this world.

Unable to give her a formal title, he at least wanted to do his utmost to provide her with safety.

Inside the courtyard, Madame Wang peered curiously through the crack in the door at Fang Xu outside. Seeing a stranger's face, she immediately became alert: "Who are you?!"

Fang Xu blinked slightly, only then realizing his current face was not his original one, and immediately prepared to restore his true appearance.

"Didn't you see the banner at the gate? I am a member of the imperial household—don't cause trouble!"

Before Fang Xu could even begin using his secret technique to restore his appearance, Madame Wang spoke directly.

Fang Xu froze.

Imperial household?

He took two steps back and looked up at the eaves of the small courtyard—sure enough, a five-clawed black dragon banner was planted there.

No wonder a weak woman like Madame Wang could hold her own small courtyard in the chaotic Fenglin Town—she had imperial protection.

But why would the imperial household protect her?

Fang Xu pondered for a moment, then immediately restored his original appearance and voice, saying: "Sister-in-law, it's me."

Hearing that familiar voice, Madame Wang's delicate frame trembled, and she hurriedly opened the courtyard gate.

Gazing at the figure standing outside the gate, a look of disbelief flashed across Madame Wang's face as she reached out to touch Fang Xu's face—but then, wary, she stepped back.

"Is it really you?"

Fang Xu smiled and nodded: "It's me."

Madame Wang stared at him dazedly, then suddenly slammed the courtyard gate shut!

"Why have you come back?!"

"You left without a word back then!"

"Have you ever considered my life or death?!"

Hearing Madame Wang's questioning, Fang Xu felt somewhat ashamed: "Sister-in-law, back then things were urgent—I was being hunted by the great clans, and I had no choice."

The sound of Madame Wang's sobbing came from inside the courtyard gate.

Fang Xu slowly pushed open the gate; Madame Wang, her face streaked with tears like pear blossoms in the rain, threw herself into his arms, pounding his chest with her fists in a frenzy.

Fang Xu offered no resistance, straining to control his qi and blood, preventing his body's instinctive reactions from harming her.

After a long while, Madame Wang seemed to have vented her emotions, lifting her head to look at Fang Xu and asking: "Does it hurt?"

Fang Xu shook his head, then lifted her in his arms and walked toward the house.

Just as the two entered the house, Madame Wang struggled free from his embrace and then pressed her red lips directly against his.

Perhaps due to their long separation and reunion, Madame Wang seemed to have completely broken through the so-called restraint of this era, her movements intensely passionate.

That night, until the east showed the pale white of fish belly, until Madame Wang herself had no strength left, she lay quietly in the crook of Fang Xu's arm.

"Sister-in-law, after I left, you..."

Madame Wang let out a long sigh and said: "After you left, I heard news of you being hunted. Every day, I asked warriors who came to buy blood food about your whereabouts."

"Later, some warriors seemed to have heard of my close relationship with you and wanted to abduct me—it was the Crown Prince who intervened."

"Li Xun?" Fang Xu blinked slightly.

Madame Wang gave a slight nod: "After the Crown Prince protected me, he gave me a banner and told me to hang it on the courtyard gate."

"The Crown Prince also said that if warriors came looking, I should tell them I am a member of the imperial household."

"Afterward, somehow the shopkeeper Xiong became the head of the Xiong family, and he has treated me with great kindness—this is how I have managed to stand firm in this perilous Fenglin Town."

Xiong Rong has become the head of the Xiong family?

Hearing this, Fang Xu was somewhat startled.

Back when I found Xiong Rong, intending to partner with the Xiong family to run the blood food shop in Fenglin Town, as a condition, I introduced her to Li Xun.

At that time, Li Xun didn't even regard Xiong Rong, thinking this woman had too great an ambition.

Who would have thought that in less than a year, Xiong Rong would become the head of the Xiong family?

Although the Xiong family of Huangzhou is barely worthy of being called a third-rate clan, Xiong Rong, as a mere woman, has risen to become family head through her own strength—her methods and courage must be truly formidable.

"Is Xiong Rong in Fenglin Town?" Fang Xu asked.

Madame Wang shook her head, then, as if suddenly remembering something, her expression turned grave: "Fang Xu, how is your relationship with the Yun family?"

"The Yun family... still okay, I suppose." Fang Xu replied doubtfully: "What happened?"

Madame Wang shook her head: "I don't know if I'm mistaken, but lately I've had the feeling that the Xiong family is thinking of replacing the Yun family."

Hearing this, Fang Xu's expression grew solemn.

The Yun family's situation is indeed difficult—I could already guess that.

But now, even a third-rate clan head like the Xiong family dares to eye the Yun family—this is somewhat beyond my expectations.

The two lingered on the bed for a while longer, until the sun rose and revealed its head, then Fang Xu finally got up, dressed himself, and said: "Above all, do not tell anyone I have returned."

Wang Shi nodded: "When do we leave?"

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: "Not sure, but it shouldn't take long?"

Wang Shi added: "When will you come back?"

Fang Xu hesitated for a moment: "I'll come back when I have time."

Wang Shi struggled to sit up, grabbed his arm with both hands, and said tenderly: "Don't keep me waiting too long."

The lifespan of a martial artist far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Wang Shi knew she had no martial arts talent, and in this life she was destined never to stay by Fang Xu's side forever.

"While I am still young, while my body can still bear your favor..."

"Enough, I won't say more." Wang Shi gave a soft, charming smile, then without hesitation got off the bed and helped Fang Xu dress, saying: "Go attend to your affairs."

Fang Xu gave her a deep look, took out some first- and second-grade Blood Qi Pills from his storage bag, stuffed them into Wang Shi's hand, and said: "Sister-in-law, when you have nothing to do, train more, strive to break through to Warrior as soon as possible."

Wang Shi nodded; at this moment, she suddenly felt an urgent desire to become a martial artist like Fang Xu.

Returning from Wang Shi's house to the small courtyard, Fang Xu immediately encountered Gu Qiu upon entering.

Seeing Fang Xu return, Gu Qiu had his hands behind his back, sniffed him, and said: "A woman's scent."

Fang Xu felt a little embarrassed, quickly changed the subject: "Senior Sister, are we going into the mountains now, or..."

"Look at you."

"I can go anytime."

Gu Qiu said lightly.

Fang Xu thought for a moment, and also decided to hurry into the mountains.

This mission has no reward; he must finish it quickly, then undertake the final task to become an inner sect disciple.

Only after completing the mission can he become an inner sect disciple, promptly take on duties from the Affairs Hall, and clear his debts.

"Then let's go into the mountains now."

After the two simply packed up, they headed straight for Ti Lan Mountain.

Revisiting the old place, Fang Xu felt somewhat moved.

Back then, he was forced by Yu Shan Tianyi to enter the Ti Lan Mountain ruins, and ultimately became an enemy of all major and minor forces of Yu State.

This time returning to the Ti Lan Mountain ruins, I don't know what we will encounter.

At the ruins' gate, many martial artists were still selling various strange and curious items as usual, except Fang Xu noticed that his portrait was posted everywhere beside these vendors.

Below the portrait was marked an enticing bounty amount.

"Didn't expect you to be worth so much?" After glancing at those bounty amounts, Gu Qiu looked at Fang Xu and said softly.

Fang Xu helplessly shrugged his shoulders; he knew this bounty was surely jointly issued by the major clans and forces.

And as time passes, the bounty amount will only keep increasing.

Because the longer the delay, the stronger his strength becomes, and the more the major clans and forces worry.

"Let's go."

Ignoring these bounties, Fang Xu directly led Gu Qiu toward the ruins.

The first and second layers of the Ti Lan Mountain ruins have already been thoroughly scavenged by many martial artists, leaving nothing worth noting.

Fang Xu, familiar with the route, led Gu Qiu through the first layer and arrived at the second layer of the ruins.

Gazing at the familiar passage, he instantly recalled the ape-men living here.

I also don't know how Duanjiao and his clan are doing.

While moving through the passage of the second layer of the ruins, Gu Qiu curiously collected some insignificant small items in the passage, which made Fang Xu quite curious.

"Senior Sister, what do you want these stones for?"

Gu Qiu held a broken stone in her hand, examined it, and said: "There are patterns on it; they can be pieced together, perhaps there will be a gain."

As she was speaking, heavy footsteps suddenly came from ahead in the passage.

Swish!

A flash of light appeared in Gu Qiu's hand, and she directly drew a slender silver long sword.

"It's an ape-man!"

"Perfect, let's catch one back for research."

Seeing this, Fang Xu quickly stepped forward to stop her: "Senior Sister, you must not."

As he spoke, that ape-man had already arrived in front of Fang Xu.

After sticking out its head and sniffing, this ordinary ape-man excitedly waved its hands and feet, then pointed behind at the passage and made a series of chaotic gestures.

Seeing this, Gu Qiu was completely bewildered.

"Do these ape-men know you?"

"Who is Duanjiao?"

Fang Xu chuckled: "Duanjiao is their current leader; these ape-men are my friends."

Hearing this, Gu Qiu hesitated for a moment, then put her long sword back.

"If they're your friends, then forget it."

"It says it wants to take you to see Duanjiao."

Obviously, Gu Qiu has the ability to understand the language of ferocious beasts.

Seeing this, Fang Xu directly let this ordinary ape-man lead the two of them to a hidden passage.

"Duanjiao!"

Upon seeing Duanjiao, Fang Xu shouted.

Duanjiao's body trembled slightly, then slowly turned around, excitedly ran to Fang Xu's face and made a series of gestures.

"It asks you, how did you come back?" Gu Qiu acted as the translator.

"I plan to make a trip to the third layer." Fang Xu spoke.

Hearing his words, Duanjiao hurriedly waved his hands, then made another series of gestures.

"It says now is not a good time to enter the third layer; the Crimson Flame Winged Serpents of the third layer have been very irritable lately, and many martial artists who entered the third layer have been killed by the Crimson Flame Winged Serpents."

"Fang Xu, the Crimson Flame Winged Serpent is a strange and ferocious beast, highly poisonous, fast, and its body is impervious to blades and spears." Gu Qiu frowned and said.

She did not expect that such a legendary ferocious beast would actually exist in this ruin.

"Senior sister, do you have a way to deal with it?"

This mission's requirement is to draw a map passing through the third layer; according to the Transmission Elder's meaning, Gu Qiu will not act together with himself.

But Fang Xu does not intend to let this opportunity pass.

Gu Qiu's strength is strong, her methods complex; if not properly utilized, it would be somewhat wasteful.

"There is, but are you sure you want to come with me?" Gu Qiu asked.

Fang Xu nodded; he had thought it over carefully, his mission and Gu Qiu's schedule should not conflict greatly, after all, many places in the third layer of the ruin have already been scavenged clean, and for Gu Qiu to gain something from this trip, she needs to continue deeper.

"Alright, then let's set off." Gu Qiu directly spoke.

"Duanjiao, I'll go ahead first; you take the clansmen and be careful." After Fang Xu hastily bade farewell to Duanjiao, he then brought Gu Qiu rushing toward the third layer of the ruin.

(End of chapter)