Chapter 34: Visitors

Too tired, truly too tired.

Chen Ci lay diagonally on his own bed, his eyes vacant, feeling a sense of emptiness after a major exertion.

Can't keep grinding anymore.

If he keeps grinding like this, Chen Ci estimates he will be exhausted to death on the road to Longevity before he even achieves the Dao.

"Practicing arts, practicing sword, drawing talismans, refining Dharma Artifacts, refining Essence, alchemy, consuming Qi to practice methods—ugh, can't think about it anymore, I feel like vomiting."

Chen Ci's face turned pale; alchemy is truly a physically demanding job. Adding the task of refining Bigu Pill every day has directly squeezed him dry.

Moreover, he discovered another misconception.

It is just like how many people mistakenly believe that archers are all cowardly and fragile, and that as long as a few people rush up, they can be hacked down easily.

Chen Ci suspects that alchemists in this world are all capable of fighting, because if one's cultivation is insufficient, their True Qi is simply not enough to sustain the practice of alchemy methods.

Not to mention that Eight Views Palace is still a top-tier immortal sect in this world.

Chen Ci silently made up his mind that in the future, when encountering the likes of alchemists, he must be more polite; he does not want to be shouted at with, "Pick up the medicinal pill, pick up the medicinal pill!"

However, there were gains; at least after half a month passed, he had managed to scrape together the quota.

Medicine-Gathering Dharma Incantation: Entry Level/7/100

One hundred and twelve Bigu Pills.

"Can't hold on, stop thinking about accumulating over time; just scrape together Shi Sanniang's quota every month, then refine a few extra Bigu Pills for backup and that's it."

"It's not worth it to ruin my health for this bit of silver; swallowing and spitting night after night, 'Little Right' can't take it either."

Chen Ci stroked his palm, shook his head, and walked out of Sanyin Temple. He calculated the days; in these two days, it would be time for the wild game to be delivered from Yunshi Shan. He had gone in such a hurry that he didn't know how much big game the mountain folk of Yunshi Shan could catch for this first time.

Mainly, he had no backing in the He Mountain Sect, and after coming to the Xishan Prefecture of the Liang Kingdom, he hadn't made many connections. If he couldn't gather three hundred drops of Essence to send to the Fuhu Altar, it would be a bit troublesome if he were taken as an example.

"Everywhere is a besieged city, but great power belongs to oneself; there will eventually be a day to break the cage."

Chen Ci closed his eyes and strolled. The mountain breeze blew past, making his swollen forehead feel a bit more comfortable. Just as he was thinking about something, he suddenly heard the sound of neighing horses in the distance. A gray carriage was parked leisurely far away. Before long, a figure jumped off the carriage; it was the Head of the Family of the Huang Family, Huang Defa, walking toward Sanyin Temple.

Chen Ci was stunned for a moment, then realized that a month had passed in a flash. During this time, he had been thinking too much about the Essence, only remembering to have Yunshi Shan deliver wild game at the beginning of the month, but forgetting that it was also time for the Huang Family to deliver the payment for the Frost Sugar.

Truly, there is no sense of time in cultivation.

However, having obtained the Five Elements Divine Sand, it is a good thing.

"Huanxi Tower?"

"Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture?"

Chen Ci held a gold-rimmed invitation, somewhat puzzled: "Daoist Huang, what is the meaning of this?"

"That..."

Huang Defa organized his words: "It is just that a young master of the Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture has come to Changping County as a guest. Our Changping County Lieutenant Wang Family is a branch of the Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture. Together with the Huang Family, we are hosting a welcome banquet for him. This old man has set up a banquet and would like to invite True Person Chen to accompany us."

Chen Ci had heard of this County Lieutenant Wang Family. The so-called flowing County Venerable, the iron-clad County Lieutenant—this Wang Family is the true powerhouse in the Changping County territory, with a heritage spanning over a hundred years.

But it is said that the family has a military heritage, only entering the ranks of the miscellaneous schools, and there hasn't been a proper cultivator in the family for many years.

Chen Ci picked up his teacup, took a small sip, placed his hand lightly on the bag containing the Abyssal Sinking Sand, and said indifferently: "Daoist Huang, for the sake of the friendship these days, I will allow you to say three sentences. Once finished, I will have to see you out, heh."

"True Person Chen, this..."

"One."

Huang Defa gave a bitter smile, not daring to say anything more, and hurriedly organized his words: "The Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture is a large household in the prefecture city, a very large one. There are seniors in the family who practice at the Longhu Mountain Quanshan Jiuchuan Temple, but they have never come down the mountain to return to Xishan Prefecture, so the specific situation is unknown."

"One last sentence."

Chen Ci put down the teacup, his brows slightly furrowed. Since this Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture is related to Longhu Mountain and has suddenly come to Changping County, what is their intention?

"This old man's Huang Family started with the medicinal herb business and sometimes provides medicinal herbs to the pharmacies under the Wang Family of Xishan Prefecture. Before the year ended, the Wang Family pharmacy disliked the quality of the herbs provided by this old man's caravan, so the business was cut off, and even the final payment was not settled. This old man did not dare to say anything."

Huang Defa explained in a low voice: "But this time, a young master from the third branch of the Wang Family suddenly came to Changping County and wants to resume the medicinal herb business with my Huang Family. This old man wanted to invite the True Person to accompany us, so as to avoid the guest being strong and the host being weak, making it difficult to end."

"Medicinal herb business?"

Chen Ci was somewhat puzzled: "Since it is discussing business, you can just discuss it with him. Who you do business with is the same, isn't it?"

"But this business cannot be discussed; this old man cannot conjure up an extra batch of medicinal herbs out of thin air."

Huang Defa's old face wrinkled into a ball: "This business already has an owner."

Chen Ci pondered for a moment and understood. I am afraid the Huang Family also relies on the medicinal herb business to get involved with the Wenxiang Sect. This is quite interesting.

To put it simply, the young master dumped the girl, the girl turned around and hooked up with another man, and as a result, the young master came back looking for her.

But why don't you go find your man to stand up for you? Why look for me, an outsider? I don't surname Wang, I'm just here to watch the show, not to get involved, alright.

"Can't you tell the truth?"

Huang Defa shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I could find some excuses, but without someone to stand on the stage, I'm afraid that young master will use his power to pressure people, which is why I wanted to invite the True Person to go there once."

After a pause, Huang Defa continued: "And this old man only reports to Deacon Lin once a month, and it is too late now. Deacon Lin once said that if there is really something that cannot be solved, I can invite the True Person to take care of it, and it will count as him owing the True Person a favor."

Chen Ci tapped the table without speaking directly.

To be honest, he had a deep impression of the Wenxiang Sect's Lin Banshan's swift and decisive working style, and he didn't have much ill will toward him.

Moreover, Chen Ci's Frost Sugar workshop still has business dealings with the Huang Family, which is his largest source of cultivation resources. The Huang Family has been respectful in the past, and with this incense-fire friendship, it is not easy to refuse directly when they beg him.

Now that he can still make Lin Banshan owe him a favor, this matter really needs to be considered carefully.

Chen Ci pondered for a moment and suddenly said: "You go back first."

Although he didn't agree directly, since he didn't refuse directly, Huang Defa naturally understood that it was seven or eight parts done. He stood up, bowed respectfully, and retreated.

Chen Ci thought for a moment and settled his mind. It is not a high-merit Daoist from Longhu Mountain arriving in person, so presumably, it won't involve any disputes between the two sects. Since it is not a direct descendant, but a collateral relative of a disciple of the Longhu Mountain Quanzhou branch, it is not enough to make him back down.

He is, after all, an Outer Sect Disciple of the He Mountain Sect.

It is just a medicinal herb business; being an impartial witness is not a big deal.

Chen Ci picked up the bag and weighed it. This Huang Family is quite sincere; this time the Abyssal Sinking Sand is a full fifteen catties, which can be considered as paying the appearance fee.

"Go and see."

"If it is really this small matter, settling it for him is fine. If there is any concealment, this master will only eat and say nothing."

(End of chapter)