Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Making an Offering

The group returned in a daze.

They encountered many Demon Beasts along the way, which the group either killed or drove off. At least there were no other mishaps.

As they walked, a tall man took items from his cloth sack to inspect them, casually tossing aside anything that seemed off.

"Damn it!"

"How is it all this worthless junk? With all of Qi Long’s tricks, didn’t he leave anything useful for us brothers?"

Growing agitated, he flung his arm, pulling at a wound and wincing in pain.

One of the men scoffed.

"So many people were watching. That guy must have had an escape plan. There’s no way he’d carry the Qi family’s entire legacy with him."

"And those people who followed Qi Long, they all have some powerful backing. Remember not to take anything with identifying marks."

"Otherwise, who knows how much trouble it could cause."

The tall man nodded repeatedly, his face filled with regret.

After sorting through the things he had grabbed, less than forty percent of it was left.

As the men talked, they unconsciously glanced at the sky.

"It’s getting dark. Brother Qin, is that safe place you mentioned really reliable?"

"Don’t worry," Qin Wen said.

"I always take this route when I return from hunting up ahead. There’s absolutely no mistake."

Someone clicked their tongue and sighed.

"Now that you’re done with this line of work, Brother Qin, you’re finally sharing the route you’ve always kept under wraps."

This route was quite valuable. People like them might need it at any time in the mountains, so many of them secretly committed it to memory.

As the roars of beasts rose and fell, they finally arrived at a limestone cave.

The cave was located behind a waterfall in the mountains. No one knew how Qin Wen had discovered it.

But it was indeed a good place to hide beast carcasses.

A bonfire was lit, dispelling some of the dampness inside the cave.

As they ate roasted beast meat, the heat from the flames unconsciously reminded them of the beast-faced daoist.

The tall man swallowed.

"Alchemist Bai, do you think we can ever go back to that stream?"

"It shouldn’t be too hard for that great expert to capture the spirit creature, right?"

Bai Mo shook his head.

"Don’t even think about it. You don’t know the origin of that offshoot."

"To say nothing else, it’s a rare species born of nature that has gained sentience. It’s truly formidable."

"Relying on its innate gifts, as long as it is connected to the earth, I imagine no one can suppress it without using life-extinguishing methods."

Everyone sighed.

They didn’t have the kind of powerful support that Bai Mo had. From now on, they probably wouldn’t dare go near the stream.

The group rested for a night and set out again the next day.

Just as the edge of the mountain’s base came into distant view, terrified roars of beasts suddenly echoed from the forest behind them, and birds took flight in alarm.

The moment they turned to look, they saw a yellow gale sweeping toward them.

As the searing heatwave washed over their faces, everyone instinctively lowered their heads.

Nai Daoist landed on the ground, and Bai Mo respectfully stepped forward to greet him.

"Dharma Protector Nai, you’ve worked hard. Has the offshoot been subdued?"

Nai Daoist glanced at Bai Mo with his beast-like eyes.

"You little brat, you’re so thoughtless. You knew that offshoot was difficult to deal with, yet you use your words to put me on the spot?"

Bai Mo gave an embarrassed smile.

"This disciple wouldn’t dare."

"In fact, this disciple personally watched it split off and am well aware of its power."

"This disciple was previously prepared to give up on the Berylwater Jadeflower and find another way to search for it."

Hearing this, Nai Daoist’s expression finally softened slightly.

"I and this fellow Daoist discussed the Dao for several days and more or less figured out its origins."

"It is a native of these mountains, having lived here for countless generations. It has its own methods and arrangements."

"Celestial Barrier Mountain is involved in major affairs and carries too much karma. I was unwilling to fight it, so you should be more careful in the future."

This was the first time Bai Mo had heard such a thing. Qin Wen and the others, with their heads lowered, exchanged subtle glances, their faces also full of astonishment.

"Dharma Protector Nai, what do you mean by this?"

Nai Daoist didn’t explain directly, but said:

"When you can one day see the scenery on the other side of the mountain, you will probably understand."

"If I were to speak of it now, to you all it would be nothing more than a distant legend."

Having said his piece, he prepared to leave.

"On this trip, I truly spent a great deal of effort to make that fellow Daoist yield."

"When you get back, remember to compensate me!"

Bai Mo respectfully saw him off.

"Farewell, Dharma Protector Nai!"

"After this disciple returns, I will certainly present you with fine wine and good meat. I’ll make sure there’s enough of the best Demon Beast meat."

A glint flashed in Nai Daoist’s eyes, and delight visibly appeared on his face.

"The brat is quite sensible! It seems you’ve received some guidance!"

"Next time you need something, remember to find me!"

"However, you don’t know my appetite, so don’t be so presumptuous as to say ’enough’."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and shot Bai Mo a light glare.

"When you use the fish talisman to summon us for help, remember to do it earlier."

"If my Body Technique wasn’t fast enough this time, who knows what tragedy would have occurred!"

Bai Mo looked ashamed.

"This disciple understands."

Nai Daoist sighed, and with a shake of his body, transformed into a wisp of yellow wind and vanished into the distance.

These divine generals and Dharma Protectors of the mountain... whether they rushed or took their time, they rarely got any thanks.

They could only hope that the master who summoned them was a sincere person who would show respect with plenty of offerings.

After seeing Nai Daoist off, Bai Mo also breathed a sigh of relief.

’Don’t be fooled by my calm and composed appearance. Brother Zhang’s warnings from Divine Dao Mountain are still ringing in my ears.’

’The Dharma Protectors on the mountain are not all benevolent. Each has their own temperament, their true nature still intact.’

’Kunwu True Monarch of the Demon Dao’s Beastial Sect was someone I sent up the mountain, and now he lives a good life, revered by all.’

’Although it was through an acquaintance, I couldn’t help but worry that I might inadvertently touch upon a Dharma Protector’s taboos.’

’This trip was a close call.’

Looking back at the path they had taken, Bai Mo waved his hand.

"Down the mountain!"

...

「Two days later.」

The group finally returned to the city.

The dozen or so men had many acquaintances in the city. When they saw the small amount of game on their backs, they were about to make a teasing comment, but then they saw Bai Mo and swallowed their words.

"You guys took a job from Alchemist Bai?"

The men with Bai Mo didn’t speak, merely puffing out their chests with pride.

Someone, not giving up, still asked:

"What was the pay?"

Still, no one paid him any mind.

It wasn’t until they returned to the shop that Bai Mo had Qin Wen bring out the Fire Marrow Pills, giving one bottle to each man.

"You’ve all worked hard for many days. I truly had to rely on everyone for this trip. Otherwise, it certainly wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."

The men’s faces were full of joy. They tucked the pill bottles into their robes and waved their hands dismissively.

"You’re too kind."

"We didn’t help much at all. It was all thanks to that immortal master..."

After some pleasantries, the men finally departed.

They were all old hands in the mountains. The fact that they had kept Bai Mo safe on the journey was a testament to their considerable skill.

In the shop, Wei An called over Hou Cheng, wanting to hold a welcome-back feast for the Shopkeeper and Brother Qin.

But Bai Mo shook his head and interrupted.

"How much beast meat is left in the warehouse? It’s time to use some of it."

With that, he had Qin Wen prepare an incense burner, offering table, and other such items.

Wei An was taken aback. He told Hou Cheng to watch the shop front while he went to help Qin Wen.

’What happened...’

By the time Bai Mo had burned incense, bathed, and dressed neatly, everything in the back courtyard was ready.

Wei An stood nervously to the side. The offering table in the center was piled high with Demon Beast meat—all of it the finest cuts.

"Dharma Protector Nai, who art above..."

Bai Mo placed the fish talisman in the position of honor, bowed respectfully, and then, imitating a common temple priest, recited some sacrificial prayers.

After reciting a few lines and noticing no reaction from the fish talisman, Bai Mo stopped.

’This Dharma Protector Nai probably doesn’t care for all the pomp and circumstance...’

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