Chapter 220: Chapter 219: Gu Zhao: It’s Too Hard and Too Mentally Draining
Gu Zhao received a message from Yunyang.
"They’re from Shide Prefecture?"
According to the Female Ghost, the Sect Leader of the Yongzhou Nether Fire Sect had attacked Shide Prefecture. Although he was forced to retreat by several masters working together, he had still caused a great deal of havoc.
The Female Ghosts, afraid of being caught in the crossfire, heard that Changping Prefecture didn’t have many powerful figures. After a brief discussion, they headed west to Jiangzhou.
They never expected to be taken down on their very first attempt.
"She confessed pretty quickly," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "How did you scare her?"
"A few of the Martial Uncles first made a show of force to intimidate her. Then I told her that she could leave as long as she could beat me," Yunyang said with a grin. "She saw how young I was and happily agreed."
Gu Zhao couldn’t help but shake his head.
Yunyang might look young, but he had joined relatively early. By following Gu Zhao and racking up merits, he now had about three hundred years of Dao Practice. In terms of Dao Practice alone, he was even more formidable than his Martial Uncles.
"Stay sharp. More Demons and Ghosts might come over from Shide Prefecture," Gu Zhao reminded him.
"I know. That’s why the Martial Uncles and I are planning to patrol Chongguang County and Zhen Nan County to the north for a while," Yunyang said. "Martial Uncle Shen Hao said he’d also take the opportunity to draw a few Talismans for the Daluo Temples in these two counties."
Gu Zhao tapped his forehead. Taoist Shen Hao came from the Shangqing Sect and was a master of Drawing Talismans and Chanting Curses. Anything he created was bound to be of the highest quality. With him on the job, Gu Zhao could rest easy.
"Alright, just be careful," Gu Zhao said, not giving it another thought.
With those old Daoists operating as a team, they wouldn’t be the least bit afraid even if they ran into a master with five hundred years of Dao Practice. If their opponent was careless, they might even be the one to get taken out.
After ending his conversation with Yunyang, Gu Zhao was just about to take a break when Taoist Ming Chong came looking for him.
"Sect Leader." Taoist Ming Chong had a smile on his face.
"Martial Uncle," Gu Zhao greeted him, his gaze falling on the small porcelain bottle in the man’s hand. "Is this...?"
"This is the Warm Yellow Pill," Taoist Ming Chong said with a smile. "It’s refined using Wendan Grass and Yellow Lemon infused with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi as the main ingredients, supplemented by twelve other herbs. It nourishes yin, consolidates yang, and replenishes the five major organs. For a Cultivator, it can solidify their foundation and increase their Cultivation. For an ordinary person, it can extend their life and ward off all illnesses."
Taoist Ming Chong handed the porcelain bottle to Gu Zhao. "This batch produced twelve pills. I took one to test its effects, so these are the remaining eleven."
"Incredible! You actually managed to figure out a method for Alchemy," Gu Zhao said, accepting the bottle.
"It’s just a hobby," Taoist Ming Chong said with a laugh. "The main thing is that Alchemy makes more efficient use of the medicinal properties of the ingredients. After all, when you have good things, they should be put to use. It would be a shame to waste them."
Gu Zhao smiled at his words.
In truth, potent Taoist True Qi could accomplish many things. There were also Talismans that could regulate the Five Qi, cure illnesses, and strengthen the body. The Celestial Spirit Talisman, for instance, could preserve health and strengthen the body, and the Heaven-Reaching Treasure Light Talisman could even cure terminal illnesses.
But Spirit Medicines had their own uses. After all, certain special medicinal properties had effects that Spiritual Qi lacked. Take nourishing yin and consolidating yang, for example. Spiritual Qi could only restore a person to their own peak condition, but medicinal ingredients could provide an even greater boost.
Gu Zhao thought for a moment. "Would it still have any effect on me?"
Taoist Ming Chong laughed heartily. He subconsciously glanced toward Zhuo Qingyan’s residence in the backyard before replying, "If the Sect Leader is interested, you could take one just to try it. However, your Cultivation is profound, and you’ve also practiced the *Cave Truth Yellow Record*, which has outstanding effects. Generally speaking, you have no need for such supplements."
"Generally speaking?" Gu Zhao asked. "Is there an exception?"
Taoist Ming Chong shook his head. "The exception would be if you were to... ’practice’ from morning till night without ever leaving the bed. Too much practice can naturally lead to exhaustion."
Gu Zhao was speechless. "Who could handle that? You’re being a bit too... clinical with your wording."
Taoist Ming Chong chuckled. "History has seen such people. They wanted to emulate the Yellow Emperor and achieve Ascension through relations with women. They sought out this practice method from the Celestial Master’s Mansion and, heedless of the cost, practiced day and night, overdrawing their bodies. In the end, they burned out completely and died in bed."
Gu Zhao: "..."
Gu Zhao changed the subject. "How is your father’s health?"
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. My father is doing well," Taoist Ming Chong said with a smile. "He’s wearing the Golden Gang Bracelet for health and protection, and I’ve given him some Yellow Lemon Wine to drink—a small measure each day. His spirits are much better than before."
"That’s good," Gu Zhao nodded and held up the porcelain bottle. "Should we give the old gentleman one of these?"
"Absolutely not!" Taoist Ming Chong shook his head repeatedly. "My father is too old. His body is too frail to handle such a potent supplement. The Yellow Lemon Wine is more than enough."
Taoist Ming Chong winked at Gu Zhao and sent a message via his Divine Sense. "The Sect Leader can give it to your parents. And if you have any young male or female friends, the elixir’s effects are much more significant than the Yellow Lemon Wine’s."
A knowing smile spread across Gu Zhao’s face. He nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent! Excellent!"
At this point, Gu Zhao asked another question, "That Yellow Lemon, have you used it all up?"
"There’s still two-thirds of it left," Taoist Ming Chong said with a laugh. "Why else would I say that Alchemy is so efficient? Besides, our Daluo Palace’s herb warehouse has already been stocked with many more Spirit Medicines."
"Huh?" Gu Zhao was confused.
"The disciples of Daluo Palace are loyal. Any Spirit Medicines or other fine medicinal herbs they’ve happened to find while roaming the world these past few days, they’ve sent them all back to the palace, asking for nothing in return."
Taoist Ming Chong continued, "I checked the warehouse inventory records. We’ve already received about a dozen Spirit Medicines. That’s why I came to find you, Sect Leader, to see if we should establish a new system. For example, disciples who contribute Spirit Medicines and herbs to the palace could accumulate points to exchange for Elixirs or High-Grade Talismans."
"Good idea!" Gu Zhao nodded.
Previously, they had only established a management system for the disciples, outfitting each one with a modern weapon, some Attack and Defense Talismans, and a Golden Gang Bracelet made of Purple Sandalwood as their Standard Protective Magical Artifact.
It just went to show that Daluo Palace was still newly established. It was also very different from the organizations and corporations on Blue Star, so its management systems were still incomplete.
’One step at a time.’
So, Gu Zhao held another meeting with the old Daoists via the Five Thunders Order. They drafted an initial contribution point system for the disciples and added things like Elixirs, High-Grade Talismans, and Magical Artifacts to the redemption pool.
"I just graduated!" Gu Zhao lamented. "How did I end up having to manage such a huge Extraordinary company? This is too much!"
’If he could, Gu Zhao would much rather just flirt with girls and travel between the Two Realms. Now that would be the life!’
’Who knew that this transmigration would be so perilous? His golden-finger-like ability required him to recruit people himself, which ended up forcing him into the position of Daluo Palace Master.’
"It’s so mentally exhausting!" Gu Zhao sighed.
"Is it?" Bai Ke sounded doubtful.
She was perched on a branch of the old tree in the courtyard, watching Gu Zhao lounge on a recliner, fanning himself and enjoying the sunlight. He really didn’t look all that mentally exhausted to her.
"Of course it is," Gu Zhao affirmed with a nod. "Mental exhaustion is a weariness of the heart. I’m resting right now precisely because I’m so tired."
Bai Ke still shook her head. "I don’t believe you."
But the Silk Embroideress believed him. "The Young Master has to manage the entirety of Daluo Palace, and he often enters seclusion to practice. His Cultivation is also increasing at a startling pace. How could he not be tired?"
Gu Zhao opened his eyes, met the Silk Embroideress’s pure and sincere gaze, and nodded emphatically. "The Silk Embroideress is right!"
