Chapter 500 498: Still Need to Train

Mu Lin smiled. "He was suffering from an old hidden injury. I healed him, and that's how we formed this bond."

Mu Lin followed up, "You know him, too?"

Elder Gu narrowed his eyes, as if recalling the past. After a long moment, he spoke. "Of course. Back in the day, what Martial Artist didn't know of Wen Lianggong, the Mountain-Opening Sword? 'A single sword to part heaven and earth, its fame flowing across mountains and seas.' He was skilled in a complex and strategic sword style, an exceptionally active and noble Sword Immortal in his time."

Mu Lin recalled the sword strike Wen Lianggong had used to block Ning Bai Nian's wild attacks. The Sword Qi was pure and its movements were ever-changing—it was truly of the highest caliber.

After a moment of thought, considering the Gu grandfather and granddaughter's situation, Mu Lin said, "Elder Gu, you two should stay here for now. If anything happens to Gu Qiang, it'll be easier for me to get there quickly."

"Alright," Elder Gu agreed. For Gu Qiang's safety, this was the most prudent solution.

Mu Lin returned to Zhou Ying's place. By then, she was already asleep.

Back in his room, Mu Lin pulled open his collar, revealing a deep imprint on his chest.

This was the first time anyone had managed to leave a mark on him since he'd come down from the mountain.

'Interesting.'

He sighed. "I still need to train my Vajra Shield. The water armor can only be a fallback option; it doesn't mean I can just rest easy from now on."

"I need to elevate the Vajra Shield to the next level and break into the Vajra Celestial Realm."

'No matter how dominant I am in the Innate Divine Realm, I still have trouble against someone at the Demi-Immortal level.'

'Wu Wenbing is practically a half-step Martial Arts Celestial Being who specializes in lethal attacks. The only reason I escaped unscathed was, firstly, because he's a counterfeit Immortal, and secondly, because I could still keep up with his speed.'

'If the fight had gotten any more intense, my Vajra Shield would have been completely obliterated.'

'At that point, even if I didn't die and have my soul scattered, I would have inevitably paid a tremendous price.'

'Repeatedly tempering my body is just too slow. It would take at least fifty years to enter the Vajra Celestial Realm, and by then, it would be too late. I should use medicinal baths. The only drawback is the cost; after all, those herbs are incredibly rare.'

'I wonder if the Profound Secret Herb Shop has what I need…'

Mu Lin took out the secret manual he had obtained from the Ning Family. It was the Secret Technique for refining Water Essence.

It was called the Cyan Blue Kill, and it allowed one to refine Water Element True Qi into imperceptibly fine, freely controllable threads.

When mastered, the killing power of these imperceptible threads was comparable to that of a Divine Weapon.

As for the other treasure he had procured from the Scripture Pavilion, that was what he valued most from this entire venture!

The needle inside this Crystal Ball contained an extremely pure form of Earth Essence!

However, the amount was minuscule—not nearly enough to refine.

But Mu Lin believed the direction the Crystal Ball's needle pointed to must be a place where a large amount of Earth Essence was concentrated.

'That Ning Bai Nian has no eye for treasure. Otherwise, I never would have been able to snag such a bargain.'

'I have a lead on the Earth Essence now. All that's left is the Gold Essence. I wonder where it could be?'

Mu Lin composed himself. 'I can't be too greedy. Isn't what I have now more than enough?'

Still, Mu Lin was very pleased with his recent gains.

Mu Lin cultivated in his room all night. When he sensed Zhou Ying's door opening, he went out as well.

"It's so hot!"

Zhou Ying was wearing a sheer silk nightgown. When she noticed Mu Lin looking, her face flushed slightly, and she hurried back to throw a T-shirt on over it.

Zhou Ying busied herself in the kitchen, asking as she worked, "What time did you get back last night? I waited up so late. You don't have another woman on the side, do you?"

Mu Lin's expression darkened. 'What does she mean, "another" woman?'

'And what's with the "another"?'

'When have I ever had someone on the side?'

"In the early morning. Close to four, I think."

"That late?! Sounds like you had quite a night out!" Zhou Ying leaned in, sniffing him all over.

Mu Lin's cultivation had long reached a state where his body naturally purified itself, so there was no strange scent to be found. Moreover, a full night of meditation had completely cleansed him of any impurities.

Not smelling any perfume, Zhou Ying felt somewhat relieved. She huffed, "And you weren't worried something might happen to me again!"

Mu Lin chuckled. "If something still happened after all the arrangements I've made, then there's nothing I could do. It would just mean you were fated to face a calamity. And if you get into trouble, I can just save you again, can't I?"

His words made Zhou Ying very unhappy. "How can you be so negligent? Do you think you're living up to your promise to my dad?"

"Of course I am. What do you think I was busy with all night?"

'Come to think of it, the Ning Family was involved in targeting Zhou Qianfan, so going after the Ning Family was the same as helping Zhou Qianfan. The logic was sound.'

He then pulled out the True Essence Talisman and slapped it on the table. "Take it. It's a Protective Talisman I acquired. It can save your life."

Zhou Ying quickly asked, "What kind of Protective Talisman?"

"If you're ever in a life-or-death crisis, burn this piece of paper."

Zhou Ying looked skeptical. "Are you serious? Burning it will save me from danger? Don't tell me you got scammed again. You poor thing! I told you not to trust those street vendors!"

Mu Lin laughed. "If the creator of this talisman paper heard you say that, he'd probably flip out."

"He's a Land Immortal, one of the very few in all of Da Xia! Go ask your grandfather what kind of being that is."

"If you really don't want it, I can give it to someone else. Lots of girls are afraid of being harassed by creeps. I'm sure giving this to them would work wonders."

His words jolted Zhou Ying, and she quickly snatched it away. "Give it here! Your main job right now is protecting me, so don't even think about any funny business!"

Mu Lin reminded her, "Remember, only use it in a life-or-death crisis. A single intervention from a Land Immortal is far too precious to waste! For normal situations, just call me. I'll get there in time, too."

Although Zhou Ying didn't really understand what a Land Immortal was, she had a vague feeling it was some kind of incredible being. She nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, I get it!"

Zhou Ying brought steamed buns and pickled mustard greens to the table and said,

"My dad said he got promoted. He was transferred to Di Yang to fill a lucrative post, and he said it's all thanks to you. Is that true? Are you that incredible? You can even pull strings with the officials in Di Yang?"

Mu Lin replied, "Not entirely. Uncle Zhou has the qualifications and the ability. He was just missing an opportunity."

Zhou Ying leaned closer, pleasantly surprised. "So it really was you! How are you so amazing!"

Mu Lin shook his head. "I really didn't do much. They handled it on their own."

He had never even mentioned the matter, but Tai Weiguo had already taken care of all the arrangements for Zhou Qianfan.

'These government officials are really something. They either do nothing at all, or they make earth-shattering moves.'

"Uncle Zhou has also looked after me a great deal. There's no need to thank me. We have a long road ahead of us. Can you imagine if we started keeping a running tally of favors?"

Zhou Ying thought about it for a moment, then fell silent and focused on eating.

Mu Lin also ate his steamed bun slowly, chewing each mouthful carefully, ensuring he chewed a full forty-nine times.

Suddenly, Zhou Ying leaned over and kissed Mu Lin on the cheek. "Thank you!"

Then she dashed into her room and shut the door.

Mu Lin was stunned for a long moment before he realized Zhou Ying had just ambushed him.

'Is there no law and order anymore?'

"What was that all about? Couldn't I get something a little more... substantial?"

Mu Lin muttered, and Zhou Ying, who was hiding behind the door, heard every word. In an instant, her lovely face turned as red as an apple.

'Good grief, how much more "substantial" does he want? That rogue!'

After clearing the dishes, Mu Lin prepared to head to the Profound Secret Herb Shop.

He had an appointment there with Mo Cangsong to treat a patient they had discussed previously.

The Profound Secret Herb Shop was already bustling, with numerous patients coming to have their prescriptions filled first thing in the morning.

He had visited this place when he first arrived in Di Yang.

As soon as he stepped into the shop, Mu Lin was greeted by the rich aroma of medicinal herbs.

The cashier was a pretty, vivacious girl who seemed to be a recent graduate, looking at everything with fresh eyes.

Mu Lin stepped forward. "I'm looking for Mo Cangsong."

The cashier froze for a second. 'Elder Mo is an aloof and remote figure in this pharmacy! And incredibly proud, too.'

'This young nobody is looking for Mo Cangsong? Isn't he about to get kicked out by Elder Mo?'

But Mo Cangsong had already spotted Mu Lin and immediately came running down the stairs.

"Divine Doctor Mu, you're here!"

Mo Cangsong was extremely enthusiastic; he was happier than anyone to see Mu Lin arrive.

Mu Lin nodded and followed Mo Cangsong upstairs, leaving the female cashier standing there in a daze.

'Has Elder Mo had a personality transplant? Why is he being so polite to this young guy? There has to be a story here! An illegitimate son?'

Once they were upstairs, Elder Mo enthusiastically offered,

"Mr. Mu, would you like something to drink?"