Stepping onto the path to immortality, it all begins with buying the daughter of a disgraced officia

Fifteen minutes later.

The blacksmith's shop on the west side of the village.

Su Mu, supporting the heavily injured Tie Niu, arrived as promised.

The blacksmith had been waiting in the shop for a long time. The furnace was burning hot, so there was very little snow around the blacksmith's shop; it was warm and cozy!

Step into the blacksmith's shop.

What catches the eye are rows of exquisite iron tools.

Knives, guns, swords...

It was a blacksmith shop, but more like a small armory!

crunch--

With the tin-covered wooden door tightly shut, the atmosphere inside the shop was extremely oppressive. The three people stood facing each other, with only the crackling sound of burning firewood remaining.

"Hehe, no need to be nervous, I mean you no harm. Shall we sit down and chat?" The blacksmith spoke first, taking a pot of wine from the shelf behind him and pouring three large bowls full. He raised the bowls and said, "It's cold, have some wine to warm yourselves up."

Tie Niu stood beside Su Mu with a tense face, clearly not going to let his guard down easily until he got Su Mu's permission.

The blacksmith smiled faintly, said nothing, picked up his wine and drank it down in one gulp.

"Ah! That felt great!"

Su Mu squinted, his gaze fixed on the blacksmith.

After a while, he took a deep breath and sat down.

Upon seeing this.

Tie Niu sat down to the side, but his eyes kept glancing at the blacksmith, wary of him.

"My name is Shi Lei, and I was once a cultivator, just like you!"

Seeing that Su Mu did not speak, Shi Lei took the initiative to start the conversation, stating his identity to show friendliness.

"Eight years ago, I was betrayed by my best friend. Not only were my bones taken away, but even this leg... he crippled it!"

"..."

His eyes, now even redder and filled with hatred, looked at Su Mu, and a hint of shrewdness flickered in them.

That is hope!

He was his hope for revenge!

Su Mu understood the implication in the other party's words and said indifferently, "You want me to avenge you?"

Shi Lei was taken aback, not expecting Su Mu to guess his intention so quickly. However, since it was out in the open, he didn't bother to hide it anymore. His expression became more serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"That's right! You avenge me, and in exchange, I'll rescue this brat's mother for you. How about it?"

A look of seriousness flashed in Su Mu's eyes. Years of experience told him that this matter was not so simple!

"What if I don't agree?"

As he spoke, a chill flashed in Su Mu's eyes, his blood and qi surged, and he was ready to fight.

Upon hearing this answer, Shi Lei didn't say much, and even said it was completely unexpected.

So, he slowly took out a worn-out cloth bag from the cabinet behind him, placed it on the table, and opened the bag in front of Su Mu.

In an instant.

Several irregularly shaped crystals with a deep blue luster, seemingly pulsating with energy, came into view!

brush--

Upon seeing the blue, transparent crystal, Su Mu's heart skipped a beat. "This...this could be...a spirit stone!"

He had heard about the appearance of spirit stones before, and since the descriptions of the crystals in front of him were identical to those of spirit stones, Su Mu quickly guessed the answer.

However, he never expected that Shi Lei would actually have a spirit stone hidden in his possession!

Spirit stones are just as important to cultivators as elixirs. Each spirit stone contains pure spiritual energy from heaven and earth, which can greatly enhance cultivation!

Spirit stones may be common in the cultivation world, but in the secular world, a single spirit stone can fetch a high price, making it a rare and valuable commodity!

It has to be said that these spirit stones in front of him did indeed arouse Su Mu's desire. Right now, he wants to improve his cultivation level, and he can't do without the help of these spirit stones!

"Who are your enemies? And how can you guarantee you'll rescue Tie Niu's mother?"

Shi Lei's lips curled slightly. Since Su Mu had asked the question, it meant that he was interested!

"I naturally have the means, Fellow Daoist Su. Do you agree to the conditions I propose?"

Upon hearing the words "fellow Daoist," Su Mu was certain that the person before him was not as simple as he appeared on the surface!

He remained silent for a moment, then spoke indifferently: "Ten spirit stones just for revenge? Heh, Fellow Daoist Shi, if you think this old man is a fool, then I'm afraid I won't play along!"

"Fellow Daoist Su, you are indeed meticulous. You are right. My goal is not as simple as revenge. I need you to help me regain my innate bones... and re-enter the path of immortality!"

Shi Lei's words revealed ruthlessness, a desire for cultivation, and an ambition for immortality!

Who is your enemy?

Asking this question already indicates Su Mu's choice.

However, he had to make a final decision. Spirit stones were indeed precious, but one had to be alive to earn them and spend them!

With his current cultivation level, if he were to face a true cultivator, it would be no different from sending him to his death.

"Li Qingshe, the leader of the Green Snake Society!" Shi Lei stared into Su Mu's eyes and said calmly.

Upon hearing this...

Su Mu's expression gradually turned ugly. The fact that the Green Serpent Society leader was able to cripple Shi Lei showed just how powerful he was.

Asking a Body Tempering cultivator who has just embarked on the path of immortality to kill a cultivator who is very likely to condense Qi is no different from asking him to die.

"He was once my sworn brother, but he coveted the spiritual bones within me and harbored evil intentions! He tricked me into drinking poisoned wine, crippled my cultivation, and forcibly dug out my bones..."

Shi Lei became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his eyes reddening, and he growled, "I want him dead!"

"As long as you agree to help me reclaim my innate bone, I'll take care of any trouble that arises along the way!"

Shi Lei's expression was extremely serious as he stared intently at Su Mu's face, as if he would attack them if they didn't agree!

The atmosphere froze completely, and the entire shop was eerily silent.

Su Mu and Shi Lei locked eyes, a confrontation, a threat, and a test!

Tie Niu sat to the side, his throat bobbing as he swallowed several times. His forehead was already covered in cold sweat, and he looked completely bewildered.

What kind of cultivator? What kind of spirit stone?

Why can't he understand a single word?

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

a long time.

Su Mu finally spoke: "I agree, but not now. With my current cultivation level, I am not yet capable of fighting against the entire Green Serpent Society."

"No problem. Once my men rescue this boy's mother, I will arrange for someone to take care of her."

When you complete the transaction, when will they be reunited with their child...

Shi Lei took a sip of wine and replied calmly, his words carrying a hint of threat.

Having come this far, Su Mu had no choice but to agree.

"good!"

He finished speaking.

Su Mu took the spirit stones from the table, stood up, and prepared to leave with Tie Niu, but unexpectedly Shi Lei behind him suddenly asked:

"Fellow Daoist Su, at your age, your cultivation has only just entered the Body Tempering Realm. I am quite curious, what kind of spiritual bone do you possess?"

Upon hearing this, the killing intent in Su Mu's eyes vanished in an instant. He smiled faintly and said, "Hehe, thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. It's just the lowest-grade spirit bone. In that case, this old man will take his leave."

crunch--

Su Mu and his companion closed the door and left.

Inside the shop.

Shi Lei's lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Is that so? But I have a feeling that the spiritual bones within you are extraordinary..."

At this time.

A veiled woman in red emerged from the shadows of the shop, peering through the window at the departing two men. Her voice was cold and clear: "Master Swordsman, why did you choose this man? In my opinion, he probably doesn't have many years left to live..."

Shi Lei shook his head. "Chi Lian, what realm are you in now?"

"Your subordinate is dull-witted and has only just reached the peak of the fourth-rank martial artist!" the woman known as Chi Lian said, bowing.

A fourth-rank martial artist is considered a master in the mortal world, and those above the fifth rank can be revered as grandmasters, enough to rival low-level cultivators!

Even so, Shi Lei shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I have a vague feeling that his strength... is probably no less than yours!"

The woman in red, named Chi Lian, frowned slightly, and a strange look appeared in her eyes.

"Alright, notify the inn, rescue that boy's mother, and take good care of her. Do not mistreat her. You will handle this personally!"

Shi Lei's deep voice rang out, and Chi Lian bowed respectfully before turning and disappearing into the shadows as if he had never been there.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Su, I await your good news!"

Inside the blacksmith's shop, Shi Lei gazed into the distance, a meaningful look in his eyes, lost in thought.

...

Meanwhile, at Tie Niu's home.

thump!

Tie Niu suddenly knelt before Su Mu, his eyes red and his voice choked with emotion, "Master, I have no way to repay your kindness. If you ever need my help, I will give my life..."

Su Mu interrupted Tie Niu, his voice calm and even, and patted him lightly on the shoulder, "You brat, I didn't save your mother entirely for you. As for your life, keep it to take care of your mother. It's not your place to risk your life for me!"

After saying that, he turned around, walked out the door, and headed home.

Iron Bull has a special physique and has been tempered by the essence of the Crimson Sun Tiger, making him far superior to ordinary people. With proper training, he will surely become a great help to him!

The best way to govern others is to win their hearts and minds!

Although he had saved Tie Niu's life, only by rescuing his mother would Tie Niu truly be willing to submit to him!

The most urgent task is to improve one's cultivation level!

Not long after!

Su Mu returned home, pushed open the fence and walked in. Ye Qingyan heard the noise, her expression tightened and she looked out through the crack in the door. Only when she saw who it was did she breathe a sigh of relief and open the door to greet him.

"Husband, you're back." Ye Qingyan approached Su Mu and brushed the snow off his coat. Her voice was gentle and soothing.

Su Mu's bad mood vanished completely at this moment!

Sure enough, having a beautiful wife at home is just wonderful!

"Aww—"

Su Yang happened to wake up and stumbled to Su Mu's feet, nuzzling his fluffy little head against him. His childish cries were incredibly cute and endearing!

"Judging by the days, the little guy should be opening his eyes by now. It seems I need to find a chance to go into the mountains and find some food for him," Su Mu murmured as he picked up Su Yang.

The little guy is, after all, a demon beast. If he only eats ordinary food, he might not develop properly. If something bad happens to him, he might not even be able to save his own life!

"My wife, I have important business to attend to. Please do not let anyone disturb me!" Su Mu said solemnly, holding Ye Qingyan's small hand.

Next, he needs to absorb spirit stones to cultivate and improve his realm. He must not be disturbed during this time. If he is distracted, his foundation will be damaged at best, and he may even be seriously injured or killed at worst!

A resolute glint flashed in Ye Qingyan's beautiful eyes as she nodded. "Rest assured, my husband, I will not allow anyone to disturb you!"

"Then I'll leave it to you, my lady!"

After instructing Ye Qingyan, Su Mu wasted no more time and went to the unused storage room next to the main house. After tidying it up a bit, he sat cross-legged.

Then, Su Mu took out a spirit stone, slowly closed his eyes, circulated his Qi cultivation technique, and entered a state of cultivation!

...