Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”A couple of years ago, there was a rich heir, whose ancestors were probably in this line of work, who inherited a medicine box. Passed down with strict instructions never to open it…” Hong San said calmly.

”Guess what? This fool lost money terribly in the stock market and wanted to see if there was any treasure inside the old artifact that could help him recoup his losses.”

Deep into the night, that heir opened the medicine box, only to find it completely empty.

That same night, he was admitted to the hospital, blind, unable to speak, covered in festering sores, emitting a faint odor, and soon died.

As for how that medicine box ended up in Hong San’s hands, he didn’t say, and neither Zhang Fan nor the others asked, as it was someone’s business secret.

”Brother Hong, today I’m here to see if I can trade for some treasures.” Zhang Fan got straight to the point.

”Younger Brother Zhang, just say the word. As long as it exists in Yujing City, I can certainly find it for you.” Hong San assured, taking full responsibility.

”Do you have any Exotic Wood Spirit Grass?” Zhang Fan asked.

Inspired by the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield, he wanted to enhance the power of the Fire Dragon Pill Sword, and naturally needed to gather Exotic Wood Spirit Grass as a medicine…

”The Five Elements exist in all things; wood can produce fire… Is Younger Brother Zhang practicing Fire Refining Technique?”

Hong San, with sharp insight, instantly discerned Zhang Fan’s intent.

”Brother Hong, you hit the mark.” Zhang Fan didn’t hide it.

Hong San laughed lightly, raising his hand: ”Usually, those who purchase Exotic Wood Spirit Grass are practicing External Alchemy Skill, but judging by Younger Brother Zhang’s appearance, you don’t seem to be of that path, so the likelihood of Fire Refining Technique is higher.”

Wood can produce fire. If you can gather wood to make great medicine, it can certainly feed the flames and aid the fire’s strength.

”I do have a treasure, indeed, which I acquired a couple months ago from the Changbai Mountains.”

Speaking, Hong San stood up, went to the side, opened a locked cabinet, and took out a wooden box.

”It’s still sealed with a Talisman.”

Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu exchanged glances, realizing this was no ordinary treasure.

Sure enough, Hong San peeled off the Talisman, opened the box, and a faint fragrance wafted out.

”Ginseng? It’s taken on a human shape!”

Zhang Fan’s eyes lit up. This ginseng was extraordinary—complete with stalk and roots, looking like it had grown limbs, resembling a small child, and it was bound by fine golden threads.

Mankind is the spirit of all things. It is said that when something takes on a human shape deep in nature, it is exceptionally spiritual, especially great medicines like ginseng and polygonum multiflorum. Once they take on human form, they even run in the mountains, and even the most experienced ginseng hunters might not catch them.

”What a treasure.”

Staring at the ginseng in front of him, Zhang Fan found it impossible to look away from such a true ginseng.

If this treasure could be gathered and refined, his Pill Fire could raise at least a level, possibly refining a second ”Fire Dragon,” or even a third, fourth… who’s to say?

”Brother Hong, how much is this ginseng?” Zhang Fan asked.

”Younger Brother Zhang, you’re one of us, so let me confide… I acquired this treasure for 200,000.”

Hong San’s words made Zhang Fan’s heart skip a beat.

”Since you’re family, I’ll only ask for 300,000…”

”The 100,000 profit is upfront.”

Hong San was quite sincere, even explaining: ”Younger Brother, don’t think I’m being greedy. For a treasure like this, if I only make a profit of 30,000 to 50,000, that’s just for show…”

For a ginseng like this, every one sold is one less. You might not encounter one in years. If someone else came to buy it, it would easily sell for upwards of 500,000. Only charging you 300,000 is already a friendly price.

”I understand.” Zhang Fan smiled bitterly. He couldn’t afford it, not at all.

He had just over 120,000 in his bank account, and he’d thought of this as a lot before, but now it seemed insignificant when it came to real expenses.

”It’s a good treasure… but, is there something with a better cost-benefit ratio?” Zhang Fan said awkwardly.

Seeing Zhang Fan’s predicament, Hong San didn’t tease, just chuckled lightly: ”Actually, Younger Brother, if you want to practice Fire Refining Technique, you might not need to spend heavily on purchasing these Exotic Wood Spirit Grass…”

Speaking, Hong San stood up, went to a nearby cabinet, opened one of the drawers, and took out a scroll.

”What is this?” Zhang Fan asked curiously.

”Gather great medicine to refine the body, or reach sudden enlightenment in Daoist Skill.” Hong San spoke softly and calmly.

Indeed, borrowing exotic treasures and gathering herbs is also a path of cultivation, a shortcut, but if it’s possible to suddenly attain enlightenment and comprehend the mysteries of the fire technique, the refined True Flame would naturally increase greatly.

”Younger Brother Zhang, come and take a look.”

Saying that, Hong San slowly opened the scroll, displaying in the writing a ”Fire” character…

The calligraphy seemed like a dragon and snake in movement, the strokes were profound; each stroke’s tip was like a blazing, boiling flame, its fire in constant flux. Just a single look made one feel as if their whole body was heating up.

”Ah…”

Just then, Shi Shougong let out a cry, suddenly stood up, his hair standing on end, breath chaotic; his nose started bleeding uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Hong San took a deep breath, letting out a fierce shout like the roar of a tiger and leopard booming like thunder, immediately bringing Shi Shougong back to his senses.

”Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound!?”

Zhang Fan gave Hong San a meaningful glance.

”Younger Brother Shi, are you alright?”

”This piece of writing is incredibly powerful.”

Shi Shougong, still fears lingering, felt the True Yang within him become turbulent, igniting the Heart Fire, leading to such a loss of composure.

”This Fire Character Sticker was acquired five years ago from West River Province. The one who wrote this is surely a grandmaster in Fire Technique…” Hong San slowly rolled up the writing.

”To ordinary people, it’s just a piece of calligraphy, but to Daoist Sect experts, if their cultivation isn’t enough, it’s easy to undergo qi deviation.”

In essence, only a master in Fire Refining Technique can discern the profundity within; comprehending it also poses great risk.

For this reason, this Fire Character Sticker remained unsold, keeping it in hand for many years.

”The person who wrote this must be an extraordinary Daoist Sect expert.” Zhang Fan softly analyzed.

He had already reached the High Skill level, and even mastered the Minor Achievement Skill like the Fire Dragon Pill Sword. The mere sight of the writing had seemed so vast, profoundly mysterious, worthy of his effort to comprehend it.

That such a piece of calligraphy could actually embody the mysteries of the fire technique signifies just how high the writer’s Dao Practice was, and how strong their Fire Technique was.

”I acquired it from a Wild Daoist over there. That guy hadn’t even awakened his Primordial Spirit yet was holding onto such a treasure.” Hong San chuckled lightly.

”However, it’s said that his ancestors were indeed bona fide, and this treasure was sought from Dragon Tiger Mountain.”

”Dragon Tiger Mountain…” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but be moved, feeling a special connection with this piece of calligraphy.

”Brother Hong, how much is this calligraphy?”

Zhang Fan felt a hint of apprehension, knowing that for ordinary people it wasn’t worth much, but for a Daoist practicing Fire Technique, it was extraordinarily precious.

”Heh heh, don’t worry, I didn’t pay much for it, just had the Wild Daoist wash my feet twice, and finally paid 38,000 for the calligraphy.”

Hong San grinned, clearly pleased with this bargain.

”You can take it for 40,000, and I’ll earn a bit of hard-earned money.” He pushed the scroll toward Zhang Fan.

Though valuable, it was quite selective, or it wouldn’t have remained unsold for five years.

”Brother Hong, thank you.”

Zhang Fan transferred the money directly, sending 40,000 over, and took the scroll of the Fire Character Sticker.

The trip today was indeed fruitful.

”If you need anything, come find me again. We’re all friends.” Hong San said with a smile.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Fan and the others finally left, quite satisfied.

”Brother Fan, that piece of writing is really dangerous, be careful with it.”

Leaving Master Shan’s shop, Shi Shougong couldn’t help but remind him, having nearly fallen into qi deviation just by looking at it.

One can only imagine its potency.

”Don’t worry, I know what to do.” Zhang Fan, in good spirits, wandered for a while before deciding to head back and study the Fire Character Sticker thoroughly.

”Huh!?”

Just then, a man with eyes like mung beans brushed past Zhang Fan and his group. He froze in place, then quickly turned and stared at Zhang Fan’s back with a peculiar expression.

”Well, well, a narrow road for enemies to meet.”

Black Nightmare grinned, revealing a cold smile, with a fierce light flashing in his mung-bean eyes.