Chapter 9: Training Down the Mountain

Over the next two days, aside from sitting in meditation and caring for Xiao Huli, Xu Chen still went to the Medicine Garden every day, hoping to see a glimmer of a miracle. But unfortunately, no miracle appeared; the Soul Returning Wood and all the medicinal herbs withered and yellowed at a speed visible to the naked eye, completely losing their vitality.

What kind of poison could possibly be in this excrement to be so potent?

Xu Chen could not fathom it, and not until the Third Elder gave notice to gather at Zhaoyang Peak did he set aside his chaotic thoughts, tuck Xiao Huli into his robes, and ride his sword to hurry over.

By the time Xu Chen arrived, the senior brothers and sisters who were still at the mountain gate had already gathered.

Everyone already knew about the incident at the Medicine Garden, so their moods seemed very low. Most people looked at him with complex expressions, even carrying a trace of anger. However, since the Third Elder had not spoken of punishing him, the group of Disciples naturally had no way to cause him trouble.

"I have investigated the matter of the Medicine Garden, and for now, the cause remains unclear. Therefore, you all must pay close attention to changes at the mountain gate and be careful in your daily routines. Very well, the three of you, follow me and let us depart!"

The Third Elder explained briefly, then released a Flying Sword that grew to over a zhang in size as it caught the wind. With a flick of his sleeves, he brought Xu Chen, Zhao Xuan, and Jiu Shixiong onto the sword, channeled his Qi into a stream of light, and tore through the air.

Standing on the Flying Sword, Xu Chen was terrified, with the whistling gale rushing past his ears and the primeval mountains and crisscrossing ravines flying by beneath his feet.

This feeling was both thrilling and terrifying.

The speed was several times faster than his usual sword-riding, and in the blink of an eye, they had already left the mountain gate by over ten li.

No one spoke along the way. Half an hour later, a mortal city appeared at the edge of the primeval forest. The Third Elder pressed the Flying Sword down to land ten li outside the city, gave a few instructions, left the three of them behind, and then flew back to the mountain gate on his sword.

The three of them let out a sigh of relief almost simultaneously. Jiu Shixiong said with a face full of surprise, "In the past, when I flew here myself, it took nearly two hours. The Third Elder really flies fast."

Xu Chen made a scoffing sound and rubbed his numb face vigorously, saying, "If the Great Elder brought you, it would be even faster."

Zhao Xuan smiled and used her hands to tidy her hair, which had been blown messy by the wind, saying, "If that Third-Tier Demon Wolf hadn't appeared, the Third Elder wouldn't have sent us. Let's go, let's go into the city to inquire first. It's best to find a merchant caravan going to Jingshi; otherwise, flying the whole way will consume too much Qi, and it might even invite trouble."

"Walk there?" Xu Chen had never been down the mountain, so he asked with some confusion while looking at the city more than ten li away.

Jiu Shixiong shook his head and laughed, "We are Immortals, how could we walk? Naturally, we will ride our swords!"

As he spoke, Jiu Shixiong released his own Flying Sword, stepped onto it, and soared into the air.

Zhao Xuan was left speechless, but she also released her Flying Sword and stood on it. Xu Chen had no choice but to summon his own Flying Sword, sit astride it, and then the three of them headed toward the city at a moderate pace at an altitude of several dozen zhang.

"Wow, look quickly, the Immortals are here!"

"It must be the Immortals from the Taiyuan Sect, what's so strange about that? I see them often."

"Haha, you see them often, but have you ever seen an Immortal riding a sword like that?"

"Where? Wahahahaha, it really is like that."

"Everyone, come and look! An Immortal riding a sword has arrived!"

As they flew along, the pedestrians below cheered one after another, and some even pointed at Xu Chen and laughed out loud.

In the air, Jiu Shixiong couldn't help but roar with laughter, and Zhao Xuan also covered her mouth, giggling non-stop along the way. Although Xu Chen blushed a little, he didn't care at all. What was a mortal's mockery worth? The Daoist could fly, could they fly? Although the posture was indeed a bit ugly, this was the safest way, and there was no way to fall off.

Soon, the three of them flew into the city, which caused even more cheers and laughter from the commoners.

The three landed in front of the City Lord's mansion. Upon receiving the news, the City Lord ran out to welcome them, fawning and flattering, ushered the three into the government office, and sent various melons, fruits, tea, and pastries to entertain them.

Jiu Shixiong and Zhao Xuan often went down the mountain for training, so they felt indifferent to the hospitality of these mortal officials, thanking them symbolically and tasting a few snacks. However, Xu Chen was having his eyes opened.

It had been five years—five whole years since he had eaten a hot, full meal. Usually, on the mountain, aside from wild fruits, beast meat, and some coarse dry cakes, he relied on drinking cold water to fill his stomach, or he would go days at a time fasting and meditating. After several years, he was already famished for delicious food, so he immediately began to wolf it down without ceremony.

Thus, under the terrified gazes of the City Lord and a group of servants and maids, Xu Chen ate with both hands for nearly two quarters of an hour before slowly stopping. He had eaten most of the melons, fruits, and food on the table by himself, and finally, feeling satisfied, he began to rub his belly while burping.

He had eaten too much; he was a bit bloated.

"Wuu... ya..."

Seeming to smell the fragrance of the food, Xiao Huli, tucked in his robes, let out a weak cry and slowly poked its little head out.

"Wow, what a beautiful little fox!" one of the maids exclaimed excitedly.

"What fox? That is the Immortal's spirit pet. Do you know what a spirit pet is? When it grows up, it can fly through the sky and burrow into the earth," the City Lord hurriedly scolded and corrected her.

"Can that spirit pet also be ridden for flight?"

"That goes without saying; this spirit pet is clearly of an extraordinary breed."

The City Lord's mansion was filled with excited chatter and flattery. Xu Chen finally experienced the true meaning of the difference between Immortals and mortals: as long as it belongs to an Immortal, even a fart is fragrant.

What a high and mighty figure the City Lord was! Back when he was still picking up dung for a wealthy family, let alone a City Lord, he wasn't even qualified to meet the officials of a small town. The biggest officials he had ever seen were the village head and the constable, and he hadn't even dared to speak to them.

But now, a City Lord who managed tens of thousands of people was actually being so servile in front of him, only able to stand and watch them eat.

"By the way, my spirit pet needs to drink milk, go get some quickly!" Xu Chen ordered without ceremony.

"The Immortal's spirit pet needs milk? Quickly, bring the best wet nurse in the mansion!" the City Lord shouted loudly, giving orders.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen spat out a mouthful of tea and hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "Goat's milk or mare's milk will do, human milk is not needed!"

The City Lord nodded and bowed with a fawning face, saying, "How can that be? Goat's milk and mare's milk are for the lowly. How could the Immortal's spirit pet drink that? If it weren't for the fact that my concubines currently have no milk, I would certainly have called them to serve the Immortal."

Xu Chen's face turned black instantly; this statement was far too ambiguous.

Zhao Xuan lowered her head and covered her mouth, giggling non-stop, and Jiu Shixiong was also holding back his laughter with difficulty. He kicked Xu Chen with his foot and whispered, "Little Junior Brother, stop while you're ahead. We're just stopping by and leaving soon. I just knew you didn't eat well on the mountain, so I specifically brought you here to broaden your horizons."

Xu Chen smiled bitterly, "I didn't know they would be so obsequious."

Not long after, a young, busty wet nurse with a curvaceous figure followed a maid inside. Hearing that it was to feed the Immortal's spirit pet, she was filled with joy and immediately began to unfasten her clothes. Xu Chen hurriedly handed Xiao Huli to a small maid beside him and said, "Take it to the side to feed it. Bring it back once it's full."

"Yes, Immortal!" The little maid was both excited and nervous, her body stiff as she held Xiao Huli in her hands as if she were carrying an ancestor's spirit tablet, and went to the adjacent hall.

Only then did Jiu Shixiong give a few instructions to the City Lord, telling him to help find a merchant caravan going to Jingshi. After finishing, he took a thumb-sized porcelain bottle from his robes and said, "This is a Qingshui Pill, consider it a reward for your service!"

The City Lord was overjoyed. Excited, he plopped down on the ground, kowtowed several times with loud thuds, and then received the porcelain bottle with trembling hands, saying, "Thank you, Immortal, for the reward!"

Jiu Shixiong nodded slightly and said, "Nanyang City is closest to the Taiyuan Sect, so there will inevitably be dealings in the future. As long as you are diligent in your duties, there will be no shortage of pills and Magic Treasures. Go and arrange it quickly. Very well, come and notify us immediately!"

"I shall strictly obey the Immortal's decree!" The City Lord climbed up, carefully put away the porcelain bottle, and then retreated to make arrangements himself.

"You all may leave as well!" Zhao Xuan waved her jade hand lightly, and the large group of maids and servants hurriedly bowed and exited the hall.

"Little Junior Brother, how about it? It's quite fun down the mountain, isn't it!" Jiu Shixiong winked and laughed.

Xu Chen nodded with lingering fear, "It is indeed much more fun than on the mountain!"

Jiu Shixiong lowered his voice and said, "There's even more fun stuff. Does Junior Brother want to try it?"

"Senior Brother, are you looking to die!" Zhao Xuan stepped hard on Jiu Shixiong's foot, blushing as she huffed.

Jiu Shixiong chuckled dryly, "Little Junior Brother is coming down the mountain for the first time, so he has to experience everything. After all, his status is different from before. When Fifth Senior Brother first brought me down the mountain for training, it was much more thrilling than this."

Zhao Xuan stepped on him hard again, gritting her teeth, "In any case, as long as I'm here, you are not allowed to do those messy things. Little Junior Brother is still young, don't lead him astray."

Xu Chen roughly understood what Jiu Shixiong was talking about, so he asked with a serious face: "Jiu Shixiong, are you an Immortal or a hooligan?"

"This..." Jiu Shixiong's face turned red.

"Kukukuku!" Zhao Xuan covered her mouth and laughed wildly.

Xu Chen added: "I heard that one cannot lose their primordial yang before Foundation Establishment, otherwise the path to immortality will be severed."

Jiu Shixiong drank tea to steady himself, then pursed his lips and said: "Don't believe that nonsense. Our cultivation emphasizes following nature and the harmony of yin and yang; occasionally relaxing is actually more beneficial for tempering one's Dao heart."

This time Zhao Xuan did not refute him, but frowned and said: "Even so, one must find someone like-minded. What is the use of you finding some mortal women? Just as the Junior Martial Brother said, how is that any different from a hooligan!"

Jiu Shixiong dared not speak again this time; he downed a cup of tea in one go and said: "Since the Junior Martial Brother is not interested, let us stop less on the road and head to Jingshi as quickly as possible. I heard from the Third Prince last time that there will be quite a few states and Immortal Sects going to offer birthday congratulations this time, so we will surely have our eyes opened."

Speaking of this, Jiu Shixiong pinched his chin, thought for a moment, and asked Zhao Xuan: "Junior Martial Sister, do you know any Daoist Friends from the Zhengyang Sect?"

Zhao Xuan nodded and said: "Last year, when I went down the mountain for training, I traveled with three Daoist Friends from the Zhengyang Sect to Xiling Gorge to pick Three-Day Floating Life Grass, so I am quite familiar with them."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Shixiong was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "That is perfect. Once we get to Jingshi, help me get an introduction to the Daoist Friends from the Zhengyang Sect."

Zhao Xuan asked in confusion: "What are you looking for them for? The Zhengyang Sect is about the same as our Taiyuan Sect; there is nothing worth trading for."

Jiu Shixiong gave a chuckle and said: "It is not for trade. I want to get to know Daoist Friend Su Ping'er of the Zhengyang Sect. I saw her once a few years ago and felt that she is a like-minded person, suitable to be a Dao companion."

Zhao Xuan was between laughter and tears, but she did not refuse, instead nodding and saying: "If you want to find a Daolu, the Daoist Friends from the Zhengyang Sect are indeed quite suitable. However, I also know Su Ping'er; she is stunningly beautiful and her own cultivation is also very good. But it is said she is about to reach Foundation Establishment and step into the Zhenyuan Realm. Your cultivation is quite far behind; I am afraid that even if you want to, others might not look at you!"

Jiu Shixiong immediately pulled a bitter face and rubbed his chin vigorously, saying: "Originally, my aptitude was enough to succeed in Foundation Establishment, but the Spirit Pills could not keep up. I spend every day at the sect gate guarding and doing miscellaneous chores, and now the Medicine Garden is destroyed too. I fear this gap will only grow larger. Sigh, it seems I will never find a wife in this lifetime!"

Xu Chen had wanted to ask a few more questions, but the moment he thought of the matter of the Medicine Garden, he instantly lost the mood.

The lively discussion among the three suddenly turned cold, and their expressions and eyes all became dim and low.