Qiu Zu: From an apprentice in a medicine shop to an immortal ancestor.

As a major martial arts sect, Medicine King Valley has a vast influence.

It's perfectly normal to have factions within the sect and various cliques.

As a disciple of Apothecary An, Qiu Zhen naturally had his allegiances. No matter how diligently he tried to please, Steward Shi, the newly appointed head of the Azurewood Hall of Medicine King Valley, wouldn't value him. Therefore, after being reminded by Shopkeeper Liu, he couldn't be bothered to stay in the apothecary for long.

Anyway, he could collect his wages without working, so why not?

Qiu Zhen went straight to the An residence.

For some reason, the gatekeeper and servants addressed him as "Young Master," and their attitude towards Qiu Zhen was much more respectful than before.

"Young Master Qiu, this way, please. The master has instructed that you should go directly to the martial arts training ground from now on."

Qiu Zhen was somewhat surprised to see the servants bowing and scraping, leading the way with much better treatment than when he had previously come to the An residence to read books.

However, upon closer thought, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

With a servant leading the way, they passed through corridors and courtyards, soon arriving at a martial arts training ground in the outer courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, all kinds of weapons were displayed, and dust flew in the air.

However, the scene wasn't what he had imagined—several people sparring and shouting loudly.

In the martial arts training ground, there was only one young man practicing the [Divine Demon Five Animal Play].

"Young Master, Young Master Qiu is here."

The young man must have noticed someone entering, because before the servant spoke, he slowly finished his practice and looked towards the person outside the courtyard, giving him a slight smile:

"Brother Qiu, you've finally come."

Qiu Zhen was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised.

This person was none other than Hua Yu, whom he had met at the apothecary these past few days and had even shared a drink with last night.

To be precise, his surname was An, and his given name was Hua Yu.

"So you are the son of Master An."

Qiu Zhen had previously heard that Apothecary An had two sons, the eldest being in his twenties and the younger son being a handsome young man of sixteen.

He never expected that the young master of the An family would be Hua Yu, whom he had met at the apothecary a few days ago.

"Brother Qiu, please don't blame me. I was just glad to have a companion and couldn't resist getting to know you. I didn't intentionally hide my identity."

An Hua Yu greeted him with a smile:

"Now that you're here, I'm finally saved."

Qiu Zhen was taken aback upon hearing this, utterly confused.

What did "finally saved" mean?

"Hehe ~"

Seeing Qiu Zhen's confusion, An Hua Yu chuckled nonchalantly, then couldn't help but sigh:

"My father has a total of four disciples, including me."

"My eldest brother is named An Chuwen. He possesses the top-grade [Tiger Body Dragon Nose] physique, a first-rate martial arts genius. He started practicing martial arts at the age of twelve, reached the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm at fifteen, and achieved the Innate Realm at eighteen, causing a sensation in Chang Le Prefecture. Yet, such a martial arts genius was scolded by my father until he was covered in blood and bruises, called foolish and incompetent, and made to doubt his very existence. In the end, he left home in anger and joined the army."

Qiu Zhen was amazed to hear this.

He had heard of the top-grade [Tiger Body Dragon Nose] physique, which had incredible efficiency in internal energy cultivation and continuous qi and blood recovery, and a powerful physical body. It was a natural-born good seed for practicing martial arts hard skills, extremely suitable for fighting on the battlefield.

As for An Chuwen starting martial arts at twelve and reaching the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm at fifteen, he wasn't surprised.

For geniuses with top-grade physiques, refining themselves in the Acquired Realm wasn't difficult. Without using any precious medicines or elixirs, they could reach the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm in three or four years.

Therefore, they were relatively restrained in their use of spiritual herbs, precious medicines, and elixirs.

After all, they were young, and forcing growth would affect their physique and talent, which was completely unnecessary.

Those from good families, with martial arts experts guiding them, were very particular about refining themselves in the Acquired Realm. They usually planned it well, officially starting martial arts in their teens and reaching the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm around the age of twenty.

Those with high talent and physique used fewer natural treasures and elixirs, while those with ordinary talent used more.

Generally, they could reach the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm around the age of twenty.

As for breaking through to the Innate Realm, that depended on individual fortune.

Many wealthy children, even with no shortage of resources, could reach the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm before the age of twenty, but they could never break through to the Innate Realm in their entire lives, their qi and blood declining, eventually becoming no different from ordinary people.

Eldest Brother An Chuwen's achievement of the Innate Realm at the age of eighteen was definitely outstanding.

Not only was his physique good, but his comprehension and temperament were also top-notch.

Yet, he was scolded so badly by Apothecary An?

Qiu Zhen was very surprised, as this was very different from the gentle and amiable image of Apothecary An in his mind.

"Hua Yu, you're not deliberately making up stories about Master, are you?"

"Of course not."

An Hua Yu shook his head repeatedly:

"There's also Second Brother Tong Yuncong. He possesses the [Blade Soul] spiritual body, a natural martial soul. His swordsmanship amazes many Innate experts, but he was also scolded by my father until his Dao heart shattered, to the point where he doesn't even dare to wield a blade anymore."

Saying this, An Hua Yu looked angry:

"Just think about it, a swordsman with the [Blade Soul] doesn't dare to hold a sword. How absurd is that? Later, my mother pulled some strings and had Second Brother follow a master swordsman to learn martial arts. In the past two years, Second Brother has regained his confidence, and his martial arts have improved rapidly."

Perhaps he had opened the floodgates, An Hua Yu chattered on, pouring out his heart to Qiu Zhen:

"There's also Third Sister Yu Lanyin. She possesses the [Hundred Herb Fragrance] spiritual body. At birth, the fragrance of hundreds of herbs filled the air. She has a spiritual body and good talent, which is extremely compatible with the martial arts of our Medicine King Valley. But after becoming my father's disciple, she couldn't enter the Innate Realm for a long time. Seeing that the situation was not right, my mother took Third Sister with her."

An Hua Yu vividly described Apothecary An's "blemishes," looking dejected and resentful:

"I don't know what my mother was thinking, making me come to Azurewood first. Alas, my father isn't as good as Uncle Kang at teaching. He just had to insist on teaching me martial arts, and he taught me terribly."

"This…"

Qiu Zhen couldn't get a word in edgewise, as An Hua Yu was venting his emotions the entire time.

He was truly spitting and speaking eloquently, pouring out all his usual grievances and helplessness.

Qiu Zhen was initially surprised, but soon he vaguely understood what was going on.

These days, Qiu Zhen had also secretly inquired about Apothecary An, knowing some of his details.

Although he hadn't stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, he had once fought a Grandmaster without losing ground, becoming famous for a time.

It was said that he had great ambitions to melt a hundred classics and pioneer a martial arts path.

Rumor had it that once Apothecary An stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, he would have one foot into the Martial Saint Realm, with unlimited bright prospects, a genius among geniuses.

People often said that a famous teacher produced outstanding students.

An expert wasn't necessarily a famous teacher, especially a highly talented expert. He understood many problems with a single thought, not feeling they were problems at all. When teaching others, he might not be so patient and persuasive.

Apothecary An must be this kind of peerless martial arts genius.

"Hua Yu, you've worked hard."

Qiu Zhen felt very sympathetic and patted An Hua Yu to show his comfort.

In his previous life, he had seen many children from highly educated and teacher families prone to depression.

The An Hua Yu in front of him was clearly this type of person, with a tendency towards depression.

"It's okay, I'm already used to it."

Seeing Qiu Zhen's comfort, An Hua Yu seemed to really understand him, feeling very comforted, and a faint smile appeared on his face:

"What's more, now that Junior Brother Qiu is here to accompany me in training and getting scolded, I feel much better."

Qiu Zhen: "."

Bai Shu, who was lazily lying to the side, suddenly stood up, his tone unkind:

"You have a bad heart! My young master is comforting you, and you're thinking of dragging my young master down with you!"

"Eh ~ you can talk!"

An Hua Yu was surprised to hear Bai Shu speak for the first time. Just as he was about to ask something, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

"It's over, my father's here."

Immediately, his face fell, and he reminded Qiu Zhen to the side:

"Junior Brother Qiu, you must be prepared, don't be unable to withstand the blow."