C6 Special Mission
At dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, awakening the world to a vibrant and beautiful scene.
In the attic of Wei's Pharmacy, Wei Lulin, who was seated cross-legged on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes, which had taken on a new depth. His once frail body had filled out considerably, and his demeanor had undergone a transformation.
After quickly freshening up, Wei Lulin strode toward the shop in the front courtyard, all the while contemplating how to swiftly acquire Spirit Locking Stones.
In a mere five days, his damaged meridians had nearly half recovered. With fifty more Spirit Locking Stones and the replicated Meridian Grass, he could fully mend his meridians.
Armed with his High Level Grade Eight Cultivation Talent, formidable consciousness, and the ability to duplicate and paste, he was poised to not only catch up with but potentially surpass the family's direct disciples.
Fifty Spirit Locking Stones, at the market rate of eleven gold coins each, amounted to a total of five hundred and fifty gold coins. Even with some shrewd tactics to cut costs, he would still need close to five hundred gold coins.
The thought of such a vast sum weighed heavily on Wei Lulin. Earning five hundred gold coins was feasible for him, given a year's time, he had no doubt he could amass that amount.
Yet, waiting idly for a year was not an option.
On the Eternal Continent, warriors typically began their cultivation journey at the age of sixteen. Prior to this, their meridians and internal organs were too delicate, and premature cultivation could lead to severe injuries or even death.
A year had elapsed since Wei Lulin's Talent Test. His peers had already embarked on their cultivation paths. Even those with lesser talents had reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Take Lin Yunjiao of the Lin Family, a Middle Level Grade Eight talent, who had ascended to the upper echelons of the Qi Refining Stage.
If Wei Lulin were to lose another year, he feared he would fall irreparably behind, jeopardizing any chance of significant achievement or securing a foothold on the Eternal Continent through his own strength.
As he pondered ways to quickly earn Spirit Locking Stones, he made his way toward the shop. Upon passing through the Inner Sect's gateway, he spotted a middle-aged man clad in a light blue robe, exuding a gentle demeanor, standing in the hall.
"Eighth Elder, what brings you here?" Wei Lulin approached the man in the hall with a few brisk steps, bowing respectfully, though his expression betrayed a hint of anxiety.
This mild-mannered man was Wei Ying, the Inner Clan Elder of the Wei family and the younger brother of the current patriarch, Wei Bochen. His strength was immeasurable, and within the Wei family, he held considerable power.
Despite his gentle appearance, Wei Ying was known for his ruthlessness and the blood on his hands, earning him the nickname 'Bloody Tiger.'
"Mhm." Wei Ying gave Wei Lulin a nod, signaling that there was no need for further conversation.
As Wei Lulin approached the counter, he was taken aback to see that aside from Wei Ying, there were three formidable figures in light purple robes, each wearing a stern expression.
These individuals appeared to be in their thirties, yet they radiated an intimidating presence, reminiscent of predatory beasts poised to strike in the wild.
Curiosity about these three newcomers piqued Wei Lulin's interest, but the astute shop assistant knew better than to pry. His role at the Wei family's Lindorin Town shop was to perform his duties diligently and not to meddle in affairs that didn't concern him.
"Lulin, there's no rush to open the shop just yet," Wei Ying interjected, noticing Wei Lulin's attempt to remove the wooden planks barring the entrance.
"Understood." Without questioning the reason, Wei Lulin set aside the plank and stood at a respectful distance from Wei Ying, waiting in silence.
After a short while, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. Five experts in robes of varying colors, each adorned with a lotus emblem on their sleeves, entered the hall.
Wei Lulin's brow arched ever so slightly as he observed the quintet's arrival, wondering what circumstances had led to their collective presence.
He not only recognized the five individuals but was also well-acquainted with them. They were the guards of Wei's Pharmacy in Lindorin Town, and leading them was a powerhouse at the Body Refining Stage.
"Eighth Elder, I've retrieved the items!" The middle-aged guard, a Body Refining Stage expert, walked into the hall and handed Wei Ying a cloth bag embroidered with silver trim, about half the size of a backpack.
"Let's go!" Taking the cloth bag, Wei Ying wasted no time and promptly issued the command.
"Lulin, come with me. I'll explain on the way." Wei Ying, stepping out of the hall, noticed Wei Lulin standing motionless by the counter. After a brief pause, she spoke.
"Yes." Without further questions, Wei Lulin didn't bother tidying up. He securely closed the side door and followed Wei Ying out of Wei's Pharmacy.
"The golden autumn is when the Endless Forest's edge brims with an abundance of medicinal herbs. Our task this time is to gather some particularly rare specimens."
Wei Ying turned to Wei Lulin with a kind expression, continuing, "Lulin, even though your meridians are damaged and you're unable to practice cultivation, your expertise in medicinal herbs is unmatched within the Wei family. That's why the crucial task of collecting these precious herbs falls to you."
Apart from the Body Refining Stage guard and the shopkeeper left to watch the store, the other nine were all top-notch experts. Their pace was swift, even at a simple walk. Wei Lulin, devoid of any cultivation, was personally escorted by Wei Ying.
This was his first experience of the advantages of cultivation. Wei Ying's strides might not have seemed quick, but each covered a distance of seven to eight meters, meaning his speed was comparable to the cars Lulin remembered from his previous life.
Lulin nodded, indicating he understood Wei Ying's explanation, yet he harbored doubts.
Each year in October, powerful individuals from various factions would lead groups into the Endless Forest to harvest rare medicinal herbs. Yet, the Wei family's herb collection teams were always comprised of individuals with at least Level Three Qi Refining Stage cultivation.
Given the prevalence of magical beasts within the Endless Forest, those without significant strength simply couldn't survive.
Wei Ying claimed Lulin's knowledge of medicinal herbs was the best in the Wei family, but Lulin himself wasn't so sure he agreed.
Despite his inability to cultivate due to damaged meridians, he devoted the majority of his time to studying medicinal herbs. Yet, his youth meant that his knowledge was not as extensive as it could be.
Moreover, the Wei family's status as one of the three great families in Yao Country was not solely attributed to their exceptional martial prowess; their prominence was also due to the presence of a genuine Pill Master within their ranks.