Mortal: The Path to Immortality

Another month passed, inside the Abandoned Spirit Valley.

While consolidating his cultivation, Lu Nanzhu was not idle either.

He took the novice spirit-seeking rat he had borrowed from Xiao Suqing and took out the prescription he had obtained from Xinglinzhai to repeatedly verify it.

According to the prescription provided by Elder Xiao, the prescription is called "Runmai San" (润脉散). It is supplemented with several mild herbs and can effectively nourish and widen the meridians. It has a miraculous effect on relieving the symptoms of meridian atrophy in Xin Ruyin's "Dragon Roar Body".

After several rounds of drug trials, the experimental results were exactly as expected.

Inside the Spirit-Seeking Rat, its originally weak meridians not only became stronger under the influence of the medicine, but the flow of spiritual energy also became smoother.

Lu Nanzhu stroked the medicine bottle in his hand, finally feeling a weight lifted from his heart.

Since the prescription had been verified to be correct, he decided not to delay any longer and set off for Yuanwu Kingdom in person.

Before leaving, he went to his master Elder Wang's cave to say goodbye, as was his custom.

As Lu Nanzhu passed by the sect square, he looked up and saw several layers of array restrictions rising around a cave in the direction of the Spirit Bird Garden.

A sense of doubt crept into his mind, and he casually grabbed a fellow disciple who was passing by in a hurry, asking, "Excuse me, senior brother, why is there such a tight restriction above the Spirit Bird Garden? Could it be that some senior is about to go into seclusion?"

The fellow disciple glanced at him, his face revealing undisguised surprise: "You didn't know? I heard Elder Xiao is planning to officially go into seclusion to condense his Golden Core. Our sect is going to have another Core Formation cultivator!"

After hearing this, Lu Nanzhu felt a mix of emotions, and then cupped his hands in response with a few words.

With mixed feelings, he rushed to Elder Wang's cave.

When his master learned that he was going to Yuanwu Kingdom, he did not stop him. Instead, he took out a heavy storage bag and a sealed letter from his sleeve and handed them to him.

"Previously, your Senior Sister Fan and Senior Brother Su went to Yuanwu Kingdom on a mission. Since you are going to Yuanwu Kingdom, why not bring them some supplies along the way?"

Elder Wang's expression was solemn as he whispered his instructions:

"The situation in the south is not peaceful right now, so tell them to be extremely careful. If there's anything they can't do, they mustn't be reckless; it would be best if they could return safely."

Lu Nanzhu solemnly accepted the entrustment and bid farewell to his master.

Several days later, a figure riding a magical artifact swept across the border, and Lu Nanzhu finally set foot on the territory of Yuanwu Kingdom, landing outside Jinma City.

......

One day, Qi Yunxiao was in his weapon-refining shop, studying a few pieces of refined ore, when his attention was drawn to the noise from the street.

Although Jinma City is usually bustling, today's commotion is like a pot boiling over.

"What's going on outside? It's so lively." Qi Yunxiao put down the refined ore in his hand and casually asked the customers in the shop.

A rogue cultivator, who had been staring at the swords and magical artifacts hanging on the wall, turned around and chuckled when the shopkeeper asked him a question, his tone revealing a hint of nonchalance:

"Who else could it be? Most likely it's the Fu family from Zidao Mountain 'recruiting talents' on the street. They call it recruiting retainers, but it's not much different from forcibly conscripting men. We rogue cultivators with no connections would avoid them if we saw that badge."

"That's not necessarily true," a man picking out shields and magical artifacts immediately retorted. "The Fu family may be powerful, but they didn't start this commotion today."

A new shop opened on the street corner, and a senior cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage came. His name was... 'Druid'.

This senior is truly an eccentric. Instead of using his precious cultivation time for seclusion, he dedicates himself to providing free medical consultations to mortals and low-level rogue cultivators. I've heard his medical skills are exceptionally high.

Qi Yunxiao was taken aback and a question arose in his mind.

In this profit-driven world of cultivation, has such a strange tale ever been heard? A Foundation Establishment stage senior lowering himself to treat a mortal?

He had been frowning all day because of Xin Ruyin's illness, but now that he heard that a highly skilled doctor had appeared, the hope in his heart suddenly surged up again.

"In that case, I really should go and broaden my horizons."

Qi Yunxiao couldn't care less about business anymore. He told the shop assistants to watch the stall, walked around the counter, and stepped out of the shop. He then hurriedly followed the flow of people to the noisy area.

Following the crowd, a long line could be seen in front of a makeshift stall not far away.

The shop had a simple banner hanging on it, with the words "Free Medical Consultation" written on it.

The monk behind the counter, dressed in indigo robes and with a refined appearance, was none other than Lu Nanzhu, who went by the alias "Druid".

He was sitting upright, his fingertips resting on the wrist of a withered old man, and several extremely coarse strands of spiritual energy burrowed into the old man's wrist.

As those strands of spiritual energy traveled along the meridians, Lu Nanzhu's sea of ​​consciousness revealed all the subtle pathways of the other person's meridians.

Qi Yunxiao squeezed through the crowd, curiously eyeing Lu Nanzhu. Just as he was about to ask Lu Nanzhu something, he was interrupted by a noisy commotion of people being chased away.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way now!"

A shout came from afar, and several cultivators dressed in close-fitting clothes and wearing Fu family badges at their waists pushed through the crowd and surrounded an arrogant young man as if he were the center of attention.

"This must be the 'Druid,' Fellow Daoist De?" The young man looked Lu Nanzhu up and down, then stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "My name is Fu Kuang. I have heard of Fellow Daoist Wen's exquisite medical skills, and I have come to invite Fellow Daoist De to join my Zidao Mountain as a worshipper."

Upon hearing the name "Fu Family," the surrounding rogue cultivators all revealed expressions of awe and envy. The Fu Family was currently enjoying great influence in the Yuanwu Kingdom; to gain entry into their ranks was tantamount to gaining a powerful backer.

Lu Nanzhu continued diagnosing the rather awkward old man as if no one else was around, then slowly stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Fu Kuang, and replied with a smile:

"I am a 'Druid,' a wandering cultivator, and I am unworthy of such high praise from you, young master."

The Fu family of Zidao Mountain is renowned far and wide, and its members are filled with countless masters. My meager medical skills are hardly worthy of being presented before Elder Fu. Young Master, please return."

Fu Kuang's smile froze instantly, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. Never before in Jinma City had anyone shown such disrespect to the Fu family.

However, he composed himself and forced back his anger, continuing:

"Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. I have come to invite you here on the orders of my ancestor to recruit talented individuals. Please do not underestimate yourself."

"Upon entering my Purple Dao Mountain, not only are the offerings of spirit stones plentiful, but cultivation materials are also abundant."

Upon hearing this, Lu Nanzhu sneered inwardly.

He turned slightly to the side, his gaze passing over Fu Kuang to the group of trembling mortals and rogue cultivators. He slowly and methodically arranged the instruments on the examination table before speaking softly:

"I should not refuse your kind offer, young master."

However, I already have a master, and this time I went out to provide free medical consultations to experience the world, improve my state of mind, and make some preparations for condensing the Golden Elixir later.

If I am away for a long time, my master will inevitably worry about me a lot.

As he finished speaking, he gave an embarrassed and apologetic look.

"You—!" Fu Kuang laughed in anger, about to lash out, but then suppressed his rage and led the group away from the place.

As he walked, he asked the person next to him:

"Wasn't this person supposed to be a rogue cultivator? Why couldn't we find out his background?!"

"Young master, please calm down. This person is indeed a cultivator who just arrived in Jinma City a few days ago. As for his specific lineage, it will take some time to find out," a henchman quickly reassured him.

"Investigate immediately! If it weren't for the Ancestor's repeated instructions that all cultivators, except those from the Qin and Hu families, should cultivate good relationships, how could I have let him go!?"

Watching the Fu family scion leave dejectedly, Lu Nanzhu sighed, secretly relieved that the Fu family scion had some sense and had finally gotten rid of him. It seemed that there wouldn't be any trouble in the next few days.

I had already informed my two senior brothers and sisters using a communication talisman; I would be meeting up with them in a few days. I needed to get this important matter done as soon as possible.

Lu Nanzhu turned around and looked behind him. The crowd in front of the stall had almost dispersed.

Only Qi Yunxiao remained, standing to the side, staring blankly at Lu Nanzhu.

"Young friend, is there anything I can help you with?" Lu Nanzhu asked knowingly.

Qi Yunxiao bowed deeply and said, "Junior Qi Yunxiao, I humbly beg senior to lend a helping hand and save my dearest friend. If he can be healed by senior, Yunxiao will be eternally grateful and willing to serve senior like a dog or horse."