CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: BALANCING REWARD AND AUTHORITY, THE SAME OLD TRICK!

If Wei Chuan hadn’t been ambushed by Luo Sheng, he might have been able to single-handedly suppress both Luo Sheng and old man Mo!

Adding that unpredictable and strange Gu Technique, he’s definitely a fierce person!

Compared to these people, my strength is still far lacking!

"Just like that, several taels of silver are gone...."

Gu Yuan paid the money and placed a few bottles of pills inside his robe.

As a Martial Master, his martial arts training consumed a lot, especially when breaking through certain phases.

As for these few bottles of medicine, they would only last him about ten days to half a month at most.

If it weren’t for the five hundred additional taels he got from Iron Tiger, Gu Yuan’s savings wouldn’t really be enough to cover the expenses, and even daily cultivation would be problematic.

"The effects of these ordinary medicines are average. Counting on these pills to achieve Great Success in Marrow Refining, it would probably take three to five months. If only I could get a Leopard Embryo Marrow Cleansing Pill."

Gu Yuan sighed. He had his eye on this spirit pill specially for the refining tendons phase.

If he could get one, it might directly lead him to Great Success in Marrow Refining!

Unfortunately, such a spirit pill costs five hundred fifty taels of silver plus two hundred contribution points.

And that’s the internal price.

If outsiders wanted to buy, there’s not even room to negotiate, a thousand taels of silver straight!

Gu Yuan simply couldn’t afford it!

In terms of silver, he could scrape together enough by pulling out all his savings, but he was far short in contribution points.

As for those few Spirit Medicines of Yellow Spirit on the outskirts of the Yunmeng Mountain Range, they have a yin-nourishing, yang-supplementing effect and generally serve as auxiliary ingredients for some spirit pills; their effect on refining tendons or bones is average, using them directly is somewhat wasteful.

Wasteful as it is, Gu Yuan still planned to use them himself; better to have them in the pot than gathering dust.

Not only that, but the three small ones, Ahuang, Awu, and Big Mouth, are all in their Growth Stage too; if they could eat some Spirit Medicine, it would surely speed up their growth.

Once they reach maturity, as long as enough Dao Rhyme Points are accumulated, the three small ones can evolve, and their talents will be fed back to Gu Yuan.

Now Gu Yuan could appreciate the benefits of the spirit pet’s talent blessing.

At the end of the day, without the blessing from his three small spirit pets, he wouldn’t have his current achievements.

So, this spirit pet talent blessing is the foundation of his cultivation!

...

Just as Gu Yuan pondered whether to find Luo Sheng or Yang Han to claim his task reward, footsteps sounded from behind.

Turning his head, Gu Yuan saw Yang Jianfei and Xia Xiuxue standing there.

The former wore a sullen face and said nothing, just gave him a cold stare, seeming quite hostile toward him.

Gu Yuan couldn’t be bothered with him.

"Greetings, Third Lady."

As for Xia Xiuxue, Gu Yuan greeted her.

Xia Xiuxue nodded and said:

"My father wants to see you, come with me."

"Alright."

Gu Yuan was slightly taken aback, then nodded and followed her.

He understood very well that it was nothing more than his outstanding performance in this task, plus he saved Xia Xiuxue’s life.

Therefore, both emotionally and logically, Xia Mingyang had to meet him.

Yet, Gu Yuan was quite curious about this always mysterious Pavilion Master.

Xia Mingyang, as the Pavilion Master of Jade Cauldron Tower in Beiliang County and an Innate Martial Master, was a lofty figure in the eyes of common people.

His potential adversary, the Qian Mansion, wouldn’t dare to offend him in the slightest.

Even for a Medicine Gatherer within Jade Cauldron Tower like Gu Yuan, it wasn’t easy to meet him.

But Gu Yuan also knew, frankly speaking, as a Medicine Gatherer, he was merely a worker under someone’s command, just a tool.

As for Yang Jianfei, he subconsciously wanted to follow them.

Seeing this, Xia Xiuxue furrowed her brows slightly, thinking this person lacked awareness, and immediately said: "Brother Yang, your injuries are not healed, it’s better to go back and recuperate."

Implying that the Pavilion Master had clearly mentioned seeing only Gu Yuan, not Yang Jianfei.

Yang Jianfei’s face turned livid, then flushed, and he stopped his steps immediately.

Gu Yuan and Xia Xiuxue made their way to the third floor.

In front of a room, Xia Xiuxue knocked gently.

A clear voice soon came from the room:

"Come in."

The two pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the room, there were three people.

One was the Chief Manager Luo Sheng, the other an old man Mo in a white robe.

The last was a man with a tall and well-proportioned build, handsome features, fair and delicate skin, and fine lines at the corner of his eyes, exuding the charm of a middle-aged man.

He stood quietly, possessing an overwhelming aura!

Even Innate Martial Masters like Luo Sheng and old man Mo were overshadowed by his presence, making anyone entering the room instinctively drawn to him first.

Gu Yuan’s first thought was relief that he hadn’t brought Big Mouth, or Ahuang, otherwise, in front of these Innate Martial Masters, a revelation was possible.

As Gu Yuan looked at this middle-aged man, the man seemed to sense it, his eyes moved slightly, gazing over.

Boom!

Suddenly, everything around seemed to vanish. Gu Yuan saw only a pair of eyes emitting a faint red glow.

Not bloodshot, but more like the intense red of burning coals.

Under his gaze, Gu Yuan felt extreme heat erupting around him, the air rapidly heating up, distorting from the burning, enveloping him like a furnace, scorching hot, parching his throat, blistering all over.

"You are Gu Yuan?"

The middle-aged man spoke. As his voice landed, all of Gu Yuan’s sensations of heat disappeared like a mere illusion.

This hinted at the extraordinary cultivation of this man, who could induce an illusion with just his eyes, making Gu Yuan secretly alarmed.

The classic ploy of showing power. What follows next, a mix of reward and enforcement..... Gu Yuan mused to himself but maintained a calm expression and respectfully saluted, "Your subordinate Gu Yuan, greets the Pavilion Master!"

He then proceeded to greet Luo Sheng and old man Mo in turn.

"Enough formalities, no need for more."

Xia Mingyang nodded slightly, his tone indifferent, "Any idea why I’ve summoned you here?"

Gu Yuan blinked and replied solemnly, "Because I’ve achieved merit in this task, so the Pavilion Master specially called me to grant a reward!"

Everyone was taken aback by his straightforwardness, not expecting Gu Yuan to speak so naively.

Xia Xiuxue almost couldn’t resist face-palming.

Was this young man truly insightful or just clueless? Even if you’re keen on rewards, there’s no need to say it outright, right?

"This kid’s amusing..."

Old man Mo stroked his beard and chuckled.

Xia Mingyang paused briefly, shaking his head with a smile, "A candid young lad indeed!"

Then said, "But you’re not wrong. You’ve only been in the tower for a month and managed to achieve merit for our Jade Cauldron Tower. Naturally, some rewards are due for you. Later, Xiuxue will take you to collect them."