Starting Cultivation During a Trip

It’s late at night.

The Five Spirits Rainbow Light raced along the overpass, and in the distance, the abandoned high-rises gradually appeared within sight.

Black Nightmare rolled his mung bean-like eyes, licking the corner of his mouth. Every time he came to this bustling city and felt the scent of the mundane Red Dust, he would always get excited.

”Brother Bai, you really are lucky.” Black Nightmare couldn’t help saying.

”How so?” Bai Buran kept his eyes ahead, driving.

”Born of a prestigious family, learned true Zhenwu skills, this is the First Fortune.”

”As a human, wandering through the Red Dust, that is the Second Fortune.”

At this, Black Nightmare paused, his gloomy gaze settling on Bai Buran in the front seat. He grinned slightly and said, ”Entered Jue Miaoguan and won the Observatory Master’s favor; that is the Third Fortune.”

”Brother Bai, I heard your bond with the Observatory Master was formed back on Zhenwu Mountain.”

”Who told you that?”

The car was pitch black inside, Bai Buran’s expression hidden, but his voice carried a trace of coldness.

”Brother Bai, I’ve at least cultivated many years on the Deserted Mountain, and have been guided by the Observatory Master as well. I’ve heard a thing or two about you.” Black Nightmare spoke in a low steady tone.

Back in those years, the Observatory Master of the Perfect View, Mr. Nian, hid his name and worked as an apprentice on Zhenwu Mountain for a full five years.

During those five years, he met Bai Buran. Their connection began there.

If it were anyone else, they certainly would not have caught Mr. Nian’s eye. But Bai Buran was different…

”I heard you mastered an incredible Daoist Skill—a technique passed on by the Observatory Master, among ten thousand, only you accomplished it. So…”

”The Devouring God Technique…”

Scree—

The moment that name came from Black Nightmare’s mouth, Bai Buran suddenly stomped the brake. The Five Spirits Rainbow Light’s speed dropped sharply, and Black Nightmare nearly shot forward from the inertia.

”Whoa—Brother Bai, what are you doing? Keep your eyes on the road.” Black Nightmare yelled.

”This is an overpass! You humans can just stop here whenever you want?”

”How much more do you know?” Bai Buran turned his head, asking coldly.

”That’s all I know. What’s wrong?” Black Nightmare stared at Bai Buran as if he didn’t recognize him.

”Nothing.” Bai Buran shook his head, stepped on the accelerator, and drove on.

”Brother Bai, what exactly is this {Devouring God Technique}? What makes the Observatory Master value it so much?” Black Nightmare couldn’t help but ask.

This was his greatest curiosity—master the Devouring God Technique and win the Observatory Master’s favor. He wanted to give it a try himself.

”Devouring God Technique… That’s a branch technique from {Three Corpses Illuminating Fate}…” Bai Buran answered darkly.

”Three Corpses Illuminating Fate? One of the Daoist Sect’s Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods?” Black Nightmare showed an odd expression.

”I’ve heard a little about that technique, but only knew of the {Divine Splitting Technique}…”

”Younger Brother Hei, listen to me—some things are best left unasked.”

Bai Buran didn’t turn around, as if he’d lost interest in further conversation. Before long, they exited the overpass, swaying along until they arrived at that abandoned building hiding the black market.

”Want me to go in with you?”

”Brother Bai, you go ahead. When you’re done, I’ve still got to go hunting. Haven’t been to town in ages.”

Black Nightmare grinned, licked the corner of his mouth again, a gleam of excitement and longing in his mung bean eyes.

”Younger Brother Hei, let me remind you—once in the mundane world, you need to follow the rules of the mundane world.” Bai Buran spoke with layered meaning.

”Noted.”

Black Nightmare waved his hand and turned to walk towards that abandoned building.

...

At this moment, inside the abandoned building.

Zhang Fan followed Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu to the third floor, seeking out Hong San’s stall.

”Master Shan!?”

Hong San’s shop name was rather unique. Compared to the tiny compartments on the second floor, these shops were actual rooms, far more formal-looking.

As soon as they entered {Master Shan}, Zhang Fan saw a tall, thin man, tightly wrapped up, taking an ancient-looking wooden box from Hong San’s hands. Even from a distance, the pungent medicinal aroma of the box could be smelled.

The tall, thin man, seeing people come in, glanced away uneasily, stuffed the box in his coat, and hurried off.

”Brother San, long time no see.” Shi Shougong greeted him.

”Little brother, what brings you here today?”

Hong San had just closed a deal and was in high spirits, greeting them warmly. He, Shi Shougong, and Su Shiyu were old acquaintances, so he didn’t stand on ceremony. Sweeping his gaze over them, he paused when he saw Zhang Fan.

”Younger Brother Zhang? You here too? You guys know each other?”

”The world works in mysterious ways. We’re friends.” Zhang Fan chuckled softly.

”So we’re all one of us.” Hong San laughed, welcoming them in.

”Brother San, looks like you’ve just closed a big deal,” Su Shiyu said quietly.

”Not really a big one. I collected a {Medicine Box} years ago, kept it for more than three years, and finally let it go. Got a pretty good price too.” Hong San smiled lightly.

In this business, you need capital; but if you hold on to goods too long, you tie up your money, which won’t do.

Money must flow like water to prosper.

”Medicine Box? There’s still stuff like that?” Shi Shougong looked surprised.

Zhang Fan’s heart skipped—he instantly recalled a passage from the {Dao Secret Record}.

In ancient times, some physicians had medicine boxes passed down from their ancestors. They could store strange and incurable diseases that couldn’t be treated inside the box.

Once the medicine box was locked, it must not be opened, or misfortune would follow.

Some say that medicine box is a demon, feeding on illness, not for humans to possess.

Others claim that Shennong tasted all herbs, sought rare wood to make the box, used it to store plague and pestilence—open it again, and disease returns; if the apothecary has no awe in his heart, misfortune is sure to come.