Chapter 378: Chen Ku: Medicine Master Junior Fellow, you need to broaden your horizons!

"Closed-door cultivation is the proper path......"

Chen Ku's words echoed faintly.

Xuan Jian no longer knew what heaven and earth were.

One must know, the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler is what supreme treasure; even though Chen Ku did not use its heaven-defying power, it is not something ordinary people can bear.

At this moment, only a single thought remained in Xuan Jian's mind.

Good fellow!

Listening to our master's lecture, why am I feeling so dazed?!

And his appearance like that made everyone find it even funnier.

This brat, he finally knows the cost of showing off, right?!

I fear that this ruler, Chen Ku likely intended to teach him a lesson.

In fact, Chen Ku truly had no intention of personal revenge.

His words were also meant to warn those present.

Traveling the world to seek opportunities is a method adopted only when there is no other way.

But now, within the Buddhist Sect, the foundation is deep and cultivation resources are countless.

If one can cultivate steadily within the Buddhist Sect, step by step, why need to go out and travel?!

This not only avoids disaster, but directly reduces the chance of putting oneself in danger.

Chen Ku likewise considered things deeply.

Hearing Chen Ku's explanation, only then did everyone understand his painstaking intentions.

"That's right, we previously overlooked it; we have already joined the Buddhist Sect."

"In the future, the Buddhist Sect's foundation will support us; why then go into danger to travel and seek opportunities?!"

"Exactly, exactly; unless unavoidable, there is no need to go out and travel."

"But if one must go out, one must remember the survival teachings previously imparted by Senior Chen Ku."

"This, this is truly Senior Chen Ku's real intention."

By this point, everyone finally understood the profundity of what Chen Ku said.

At the same time, it gave those who came to seek refuge a genuine sense of belonging to the Buddhist Sect.

One could say, Chen Ku's discourse had endless wonderful uses.

Only Xuan Jian, with a bitter expression, was still digesting the pain transmitted from his forehead.

However!

This hasn't ended......

Not going out to travel, or being extremely cautious when one does go out—is that enough?!

Not enough!

Far from enough!

Sometimes... trouble will also come knocking on its own.

Chen Ku's eyes shifted, turning to look at another figure.

That figure was none other than the medicine master, Chen Ku's junior fellow.

Formerly, there was a gathering of sages discussing the Dao, and a competition among disciples of various sages.

In the alchemy sparring, Yao Shi and the Ren Sect's Xuan Du were so evenly matched that it was hard to tell superiority, ending in a draw.

This also caused Yao Shi's alchemy way to gradually become renowned throughout the world.

Recently, outside beings have begun to come repeatedly, asking Yao Shi to act and refine pills for them.

Chen Ku's heart stirred; this situation also needed a warning.

He looked at Yao Shi, smiling with deep meaning.

Instantly, Yao Shi's heart jolted, giving rise to a 'bad premonition'.

The next moment, only Chen Ku's smiling voice was heard saying:

"Medicine Master Junior Fellow... let me ask you."

"If an outside powerhouse comes visiting, bearing heavy gifts, asking you to refine pills, how would you handle it?!"

Indeed!

Yao Shi's heart was greatly stirred.

Has Senior Chen Ku's test still fallen upon my head?!

Looking at the distant people, some rubbing their palms, some rubbing their foreheads, Yao Shi did not want to end up with the same result.

He turned his eyeballs, then simply responded:

"Reply to Senior Chen Ku."

"I can respond to visitors by saying I am in closed-door cultivation and will not see any guests."

Yao Shi's answer made everyone raise their eyebrows, greatly surprised.

One can answer like that?!

Absolute!

It's truly too absolute!

Regardless of whether they seek immortality pills or not, I will directly go into closed-door cultivation.

No matter your thousand schemes, ten thousand plots, you'll have nothing you can do, right?!

Yao Shi's answer can be said to directly solve the problem at its root.

Instantly, everyone couldn't help but cast admiring glances.

If I'd known this was the standard answer, would I still have to endure that ruler?!

Even Chen Ku, at this moment, was slightly startled.

He likewise hadn't expected the Medicine Master to give such an answer.

It seems the latter is somewhat like a bird startled by the bow, or perhaps an overcorrection.

But this is fine; at least it shows that what I said today has taken deep root in everyone's hearts.

At least it wasn't a waste of breath.

Hehe, not bad, not bad...

One should not covet what is not one's due, not fight a battle without certainty, and not easily trust others...

Chen Ku once again implanted the idea of "survival first" into everyone's minds.

Just as the Medicine Master thought he had finally passed Chen Ku's test.

But unexpectedly, Chen Ku shifted the conversation and asked him:

"However, if you have already promised to refine pills for other immortals but are lacking a single immortal herb,"

"Then what should be done?!"

Hearing this, the Medicine Master froze.

"What does this mean now?!"

"Could Senior Brother Chen Ku be testing whether I value my promises again?!"

However, searching for immortal herbs and refining immortal pills is precisely where the Medicine Master excels.

Therefore, for this question, he let his guard down a bit, immediately showing a confident expression, and responded without hesitation:

"Hehe, isn't this simple?!"

"It won't take long; as soon as I act, I can naturally find it easily."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Within the Buddhist Sect, when it comes to finding immortal herbs and the ability to refine immortal pills, the Medicine Master is undoubtedly the strongest.

"Otherwise, how could he possibly become the Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathagata of the Buddhist Sect in the future?!"

But as soon as his words fell, the Medicine Master keenly sensed something.

Chen Ku's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again slightly.

"Could I have spoken wrong again?!"

Just then, this thought arose in his heart.

Whoosh... slap!

The next moment, the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler responded to the call and struck heavily onto the Medicine Master's palm.

Instantly, a burning pain shot through, causing the Medicine Master to look at Chen Ku with doubt.

"No way?!"

"As an alchemist, to go search for immortal herbs—could that also be wrong?!"

Before he could ask, Chen Ku spoke up first.

"If one is refining pills for others, why must one personally go search for immortal herbs?!"

"One only needs to let the person seeking the pills find the herbs themselves."

"An alchemist employs the art of alchemy but need not supply materials for others; otherwise, it is self‑depletion!"

Chen Ku's words entered the Medicine Master's ears, instantly enlightening him.

"Exactly!"

"Other strong beings who come to me for immortal pills value my alchemical method, not the herbs used."

"Otherwise, I could simply sell the immortal herbs directly."

"Thus, all alchemical ingredients would naturally need to be prepared by the seeker of pills."

"Even the most ordinary immortal herb need not be sought by oneself."

"This is only natural."

"Compared to Senior Brother Chen Ku, I am still too honest after all."

"This blow of the ruler is well deserved!"

The Medicine Master felt like he'd been doused in ambrosia; although he had been struck by the ruler, his face was full of grateful smiles.

"The Medicine Master thanks Senior Brother Chen Ku for the guidance!"

After a pause in his speech, he then spoke as if talking to himself:

"From now on, when I refine pills for others, someone will naturally come to gather the immortal herbs for me."

"Only when I am refining pills for myself is it worth my personally going out to gather the needed immortal herbs."

Although his words were soft, how could they escape Chen Ku's divine sense?

No sooner had his words fallen!

Only to hear Chen Ku's mouth suddenly utter another reproach.

"Wrong again!"

In an instant, the Medicine Master felt only a numbness on his scalp.

"Wrong again?!"

"It's over!"

"I'm going to get hit with the ruler again!"

Fortunately, this time Chen Ku did not lower the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler.

"Little Chen Ku" swayed his body, presenting a picture of instructing the Medicine Master, which was rather amusing.

Medicine Master junior brother, your pattern still hasn't opened, ah!

Even if it's for refining pills for oneself, there's no need to personally go out.

It's fine to let the strong ones who once asked you to refine pills do the work in your place; that is precisely the karma they owe you.

Furthermore, benefits can be promised: whoever finds the immortal herb, help them refine an immortal pill of corresponding value.

Thus, you only need to sit calmly within the Buddhist Sect; amidst this vast heaven and earth, countless strong ones will naturally serve you—how wonderful!

This teaching differs from the previous "Way of Preserving Life".

The Medicine Master listened, dumbfounded.

Substantial content!

This is pure, pure substantive content, ah!

As Chen Ku said, after all, one's own pattern is too small.

As an alchemist, one is naturally an existence revered by countless cultivators in the Primordial Era.

Every alchemist is revered and longed for by hundreds of millions of beings.

They indeed need not personally go out.

Taking immortal pills as benefit, countless strong ones will naturally flock like ducks, one after another serving oneself.

The Medicine Master can be said to have benefited greatly.

Thank you, Senior Brother Chen Ku, for pointing out the way!

The Medicine Master once again bowed respectfully in thanks, his countenance devout and solemn.

Little Chen Ku nodded his head.

However, he did not move his gaze away from the Medicine Master.

The latter has limitless prospects, astonishing future achievements, and can be called a pillar-like existence within the Buddhist Sect.

Therefore, Chen Ku also intends to test the Medicine Master further.

After pondering for a moment, he then posed the third question.

Then, I will ask you again.

Suppose a top-grade spiritual root appears beyond the East Sea—what would you do?!

Top-grade spiritual root?!

For an alchemist, that is a top-grade material that can be encountered but not sought.

If it were the past, the Medicine Master would surely answer without hesitation, sparing no effort to contend for it.

However, having learned from the previous two questions.

This time, the Medicine Master remained silent and did not immediately respond.

Seeing this, Chen Ku surveyed the crowd.

This question, you all can also answer on behalf of the Medicine Master!

Chen Ku's meaning is to ask others: if they were in the Medicine Master's position, how would they react?

The crowd fell into contemplation.

After a moment, Xuan Jian spoke again.

Reporting to Master, if I were the Medicine Master's Martial Uncle.

Then, following Master's earlier words, let those seeking pills contend for the spiritual root and bring it back.

Xuan Jian fully displayed the appearance of "avenging past shame".

This time, using Master's own words to answer, it surely couldn't be wrong, right?

I also surely couldn't keep getting hit by the discipline ruler, right?!

Who would have known, the next moment, the familiar feeling arose again.

Smack!

Under Xuan Jian's incredulous gaze, the Hongmeng Heaven-Measuring Ruler fell again.

Immediately following, Chen Ku's admonishing voice sounded.

Being overly clever!

Know that a top-grade spiritual root is comparable to an innate supreme treasure, the source of greed's calamity.

Even borrowing others' strength is merely drawing fire upon oneself.

That would bring trouble into our Buddhist Sect, which is even more unreasonable.

Numb!

Xuan Jian is completely numb!

All in all, whatever I say is wrong.

He sat down again with a sullen face, secretly thinking he would never again show off like this.

After all, with this ruler falling again and again, if it continues, one's head will literally become two big.

Xuan Jian silently, Guanyin answered in a probing manner:

Then... should one swiftly depart?!

While speaking, he looked toward Chen Ku.

Regarding this answer, Chen Ku likewise directly vetoed it.

Since one knows to swiftly depart.

Then one should all the more know that the Medicine Master ought not to stray far from Mount Sumeru to go to the East Sea.

Remember, as members of the Buddhist Sect, you should firmly guard the Buddhist Sect's territory and not seek profit beyond its borders.

This round of reprimand also left Guanyin speechless.

Complex!

It's truly too complicated!

Our own Senior Brother Chen Ku (a senior) is indeed worthy of being an existence capable of cultivating to the Mixed Yuan Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Each of these situations leaves everyone unable to guess how to deal with them.

Indeed, I still have much to learn.

Everyone couldn't help but have this thought.

Only the Medicine Master secretly rejoiced.

This time, it's the Observing the World's Sounds and the Profound Sword who have blocked it for me.

Fortunately, by this time, Chen Ku also finally stopped paying attention to the Medicine Master.

He slowly withdrew his gaze.

However, everyone did not relax because of this.

By this point, anyone could see that Chen Ku's so-called lecture on the Dao was actually a test for everyone.

Moreover, the higher the cultivation and the better the talent of a Buddhist disciple, the more and deeper Chen Ku's test becomes.

Therefore, seeing Chen Ku "let off" the Medicine Master, everyone not only did not relax, but became even more anxious.

Who will be the next "unlucky one"?!

Indeed!

Not long after, Chen Ku's gaze paused, then fell upon a figure behind the Medicine Master.

After seeing that figure clearly, everyone revealed a knowing smile.

It was none other than the Void Treasury, one of the bodhisattvas in the Buddhist tradition as well.

Unlike the Medicine Master's alchemical path, this Void Treasury has also understood his own path, aiming to spread the wonderful principles of Buddhism and fulfill people's wishes.

Therefore, the Void Treasury, as part of cultivating the Dao, often wanders between heaven and earth, observing the myriad phenomena of all beings, etc.

As for him, one doesn't know what kind of question Chen Ku will raise next.

Amidst everyone's curious gaze.

Chen Ku finally spoke.

"Void Treasury Junior Brother, let me ask you!"

"Suppose you, together with Master Jieyin and Uncle Zhunti, manifest in the world and visit the Three Pure Ones."

"But on the return journey, they encounter a Golden Immortal enemy."

"Moreover, the opponent has no hidden tricks nor any allies; what would you do?!"

Chen Ku's words fell.

Instantly, everyone present was filled with astonishment.

This.... this is too simple, right?!