Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

Chu Hong stated frankly that there were countless poisonous insects in the Black Dragon Abyss, including some at the Transformation Realm level.

If one lacks sufficient strength and corresponding means, one would never put oneself in danger.

Even if he were to go, he would have to wait until he had reached the Transformation Realm before he could attempt it.

But that depends on what kind of reward the woman in green can offer.

The woman in green nodded and said, "I never intended for you to go now."

"I'm just seeing what you think first. If you're willing, I won't need to look for anyone else."

Chu Hong nodded slightly, "That's acceptable."

It seems the woman in green didn't want him to go and die, which is a good thing.

After a moment's thought, Chu Hong decided to accept the task, stating frankly:

"Master, I can accept the mission, but what reward can you offer?"

The woman in green seemed to have been prepared.

As soon as Chu Hong finished speaking, she took out a piece of paper from behind her and handed it to him.

"Don't worry, Young Master Chu, how could I mistreat you? Look, you should find what you're looking for here."

The page only listed three things, but each one was extremely valuable.

It can be said that it is something that all martial artists in Yunxi County dream of.

The first item is the Iron Body Skill, a martial art that Chu Hong had been searching for but could not obtain. After practicing it, one's entire body becomes as hard as iron and indestructible.

With this martial art, Chu Hong's meticulously crafted system will be completely perfected.

Seeing just this one item, Chu Hong's heart was already burning with excitement.

The second item is the amount of Qi and Blood Pills that Chu Hong needs most.

The woman in green was very generous to him, giving him a portion of fifty pills.

"The Qi and Blood Pills are regulated by higher authorities. If I hadn't been prepared in advance, I wouldn't have been able to get this many. I hope Young Master Chu won't think it's too little."

"However, with these Qi and Blood Pills, it should be enough for Young Master Chu to break through to the Transformation Realm."

How could Chu Hong complain about having too few? Qi and Blood Pills were exactly the martial arts training resource he needed most.

He would be satisfied with even ten, let alone fifty.

The third item is a spot.

One spot to join the powerful forces of the Azure Dragon Prefecture.

This puzzled Chu Hong.

He said bluntly, "Master, this thing is useless to me."

The woman in green smiled and explained, "Young Master Chu, if you listen to me, it's best not to go to Qingming Mountain so early."

"Why does the Pavilion Master say that?" Chu Hong frowned, quite puzzled.

The woman in green took a sip of tea and slowly spoke, "Your master must have set some basic conditions for you. As long as you meet them, you can enter Qingming Mountain, isn't that right?"

Chu Hong nodded silently, agreeing.

Master said that as long as one can master the Void Palm technique within five years, one can go to Qingming Mountain.

Chu Hong estimated that he would achieve some success in martial arts after completing the course, at which point he would go to Qingming Mountain to begin his studies.

"Qingming Mountain does not accept mediocre people, much less idle people."

"Inside, it's a dog-eat-dog world, survival of the fittest, with each layer devouring the others, just like a demonic sect. If you don't have strength, no one will care even if you die."

"If you enter and do not reach the Nascent Soul stage, you will still only be a nominal disciple of Qingming Mountain."

"You belong to the lowest tier of Qingming Mountain. I dare say you will be completely devoured within three months."

"So my suggestion is that you hone your skills at Azure Dragon Mansion first, and it won't be too late to go to Azure Nether Mountain after you have at least reached the Condensed True Realm."

After hearing what the woman in green said, Chu Hong became even more puzzled.

The master I saw that day had no trace of malevolent aura on him, so how could his Qingming Mountain be like the Demonic Sect?

He frowned and asked:

"May I ask, Master, is this statement true?"

"Do the masters and elders of Qingming Mountain just stand by and watch their disciples compete like this... like this?"

He found it difficult to utter the words "mutual devouring" because doubts still lingered in his heart.

The woman in green nodded and said calmly:

"Because the very model of Qingming Mountain is to raise Gu."

"The teachers and elders who are still alive today all came up through this process step by step, including your master."

"Hiss~" Hearing this explanation, Chu Hong felt a chill run down his spine.

Why does it sound like the place where Master resides is a den of dragons and tigers?

Is it still possible to go?

"That's all I have to say. Young Master Chu, you should think it over carefully."

The woman in green pointed to the third category of slots and continued to explain:

"I went to great lengths to secure this spot. It allows Young Master Chu to choose any sect within the Azure Dragon Palace or join our government's Sky Patrol Division."

"I believe this can help you get through this period of unemployment."

Chu Hong understood that joining a major sect meant becoming a sect disciple.

Everything will be done according to the sect's rules, and I will learn martial arts from a new master.

Joining the Sky Patrol Division means joining the government, where everything is judged by battle achievements and merits.

You have to earn merit points to get anything you want.

Moreover, he had no master to teach him, so he had to rely on himself to learn martial arts.

However, Chu Hong thought to himself that he didn't need a master to teach him martial arts. He only needed to look through the information once, and the panel would already show that he had mastered the basics.

All that's left is to use resources to grind for skill points.

As for which specific choice to make, Chu Hong had not yet found the answer.

He needs to think it over more; as long as he can make a choice before leaving Yunxi, that's fine.

He put the paper away and said in a deep voice:

"Master, I am very satisfied with this reward. I will go to gather herbs for you once I reach the Transformation Realm, but I will have to trouble you with all the necessary preparations."

"Good! Young Master Chu is so straightforward! Don't worry, I'll take care of everything else."

Meanwhile, in a certain force far away in the Azure Dragon Prefecture.

The young man surnamed Wei, with a solemn expression, approached the leader:

"Boss, my younger brother sent word a few months ago that something had happened at home, but at that time it was a critical moment in the mission, so I did not ask to leave."

"Now that the mission is complete, I humbly request permission to return home."

-----------------

Meanwhile, at the Tianshui Escort Agency.

"Dad, we haven't managed to get the line down. What are we going to do now?" Zhang Yang's face was pale and full of worry.

Zhang Dawei was also deep in thought at this moment, considering solutions.

Let's see if there's any way to make up for it as soon as possible.

But Zhang Yang's expression suddenly turned to fear: "Dad, do you think Huang Cheng might... might betray us?"

Zhang Dawei's face immediately darkened, but after a moment of thought, his brows relaxed.

"Huang Cheng is a very disciplined person. If he wanted to betray us, he would have exposed us yesterday."

"Moreover, he usually only transports goods and doesn't concern himself with worldly affairs. At most, he might be suspicious of those things, but he wouldn't know the real situation."

"Even if they wanted to betray us, they wouldn't have any evidence, so there's no need to worry."

Although he said that, Zhang Dawei couldn't help but feel worried.

He thought about how Zhang Yang had been bullying Huang Cheng recently. If this made Huang Cheng resentful, he might actually betray his family.

Even without evidence, if the county government becomes alert and conducts a search, their family could be in danger.

"No, for safety's sake, we need to go out and hide for a while."

Zhang Dawei suddenly stood up: "Take all the account books and such things with you, and make sure they are not exposed."

The two quickly packed their valuables at home. Zhang Yang opened a hidden compartment and suddenly exclaimed in surprise:

"Father, something's wrong! The account books are gone!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dawei hurried over and saw that the place where the account book used to be hidden was now empty.

His soul vanished instantly.

"Let's go, let's go quickly!"

Without thinking about the reasons, Zhang Dawei turned around and ran outside.

The two of them froze on the spot as soon as they stepped out of the courtyard.

On the street stood dozens of soldiers in full armor, their swords and spears gleaming coldly, ready to strike.

Magistrate Huang, dressed in a cloak, stood in front, exuding an imposing presence without being angry.

"Zhang Dawei, Zhang Yang, come with me to the county government office."

Zhang Dawei felt a chill run through his body, but his face remained impassive as he smiled and agreed:

"Magistrate, what... what is this all about? Is there anything we at Tianshui Escort Agency can do to help you? Please just tell us."

"There's no need to go to the county government office."

"Hmph!" Magistrate Huang snorted coldly and waved his hand lightly.

"Take it down!"