Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Incident

After seeing off the disciples from Divine Dao Mountain, Bai Mo had a feeling he wouldn’t be idle for long.

And he was right.

He went up the mountain to check on Ah Er’s work. After praising and rewarding the diligent badger, Bai Mo settled in his stone house to wait for his fellow sect members.

「Two days later」, two disciples arrived, escorting a Core Formation Cultivator, and took away one Nascent Soul.

An undercurrent of unease rippled through the black prison.

「Three days after that」, two more Core Formation Cultivators were thrown into the prison, and another Nascent Soul Cultivator was taken away.

This time, the disciples were from Broken Blade Peak.

Bai Mo couldn’t help but ask.

"Brothers, I get why you’re taking the Nascent Soul Cultivators, what with the major disaster involving the Sea Eye."

"But why are Core Formation Cultivators being sent here one after another?"

They had just exited the black prison, and from within a coffin-like container, the muffled sounds of a struggling Nascent Soul old demon could be heard incessantly.

The disciple from Broken Blade Peak who had been asked the question looked a little surprised.

"You don’t know, Brother?"

The words had barely left his mouth when he remembered how remote Mi Mountain was—a place long cut off from the goings-on of the world.

"Oh..."

"There’s a great bandit force to the west. They’ve claimed territory, declared themselves kings, and extort fees, making life miserable for both local and passing Cultivators."

"Because they were so powerful, all sides were wary, so there hadn’t been any large-scale armed conflict before."

As this Brother spoke, his expression soured.

"But starting two months ago, that band of thieves got some serious nerve. They started leaving their territory to pillage everywhere, and even attacked a city."

"More than ten of our sect’s disciples were killed by them while returning from an external mission. Disciples from several other major sects were also among the victims."

One could only imagine the furious reaction of the sects when the news got back.

Bai Mo followed up, "So the sect has taken up arms now?"

"Yes, but the sect’s main focus is still on the Sea Eye. Dealing with the bandits is just an external mission, and they’ve left it to us to act on our own."

"Many disciples have already sworn they will take the head of the seventh boss, the one who ordered the attack..."

「The next day」, Bai Mo went on his routine patrol.

Hearing footsteps, many prisoners in their cells looked over.

When they saw it was only Bai Mo, alone, the stagnant atmosphere in the black prison eased considerably.

Bai Mo made a round, paying special attention to the three new Core Formation Cultivators.

They were in poor condition. After observing them for a while, Bai Mo could truly sense a similar aura from them.

’It’s probably because they all practice the same line of Cultivation Technique.’

Arriving before the old man Sun Qian’s cell, Bai Mo gave his hand a flick, and a set of shackles and fetters appeared.

"Thanks to the Sea Eye, a few cells at the front have opened up."

"Senior, would you like to move?"

"Of course! Yes, yes..."

The old man in the cell just nodded eagerly, proactively taking the shackles and fetters to lock himself up.

Bai Mo was a little surprised.

After all, the previous occupant of the empty cell had been dragged off to plug the Sea Eye, something that couldn’t be faked as it happened in front of everyone.

’To be so decisive... does he really not mind that it’s unlucky?’

Old man Sun Qian quickly locked the fetters and put on the shackles.

With these items on, one would need godlike abilities to cause trouble in this black prison.

He opened the cell door and let the man out. He saw that the old gray robe on the man’s body was now oily and shiny, reflecting a dark glint.

Bai Mo kept his distance.

In just a moment, they arrived at the new cell.

Once they were in the new spot, Bai Mo took back the shackles.

The old man just rubbed his wrists.

"This imbalance of yin and yang is unbearable. When it gets serious, it’s a death sentence."

"I’m someone who will get out eventually, unlike the others..."

He tidied up the pile of straw inside, mumbled something, and lay down to sleep.

Bai Mo turned and walked out of the black prison.

Back in the stone house, he saw Ah Er, who had just fetched water and was about to head out, carrying its shoulder pole.

Bai Mo had gone out and brought back a little something for it.

It was a pair of miniature Array Plates. When attached to the wooden buckets, they greatly increased their water-holding capacity, seeming to add three cubic meters of space.

This would indeed save Ah Er a lot of effort from having to transport water back and forth.

"Wait."

Bai Mo called it to a stop, went into the stone house, and took out a bag of shriveled seeds, rummaging through it.

Ah Er was about to reach out its paw to take the whole bag but was stopped by Bai Mo.

"Most of the medicinal seeds in here have to be used on the people in the prison..."

"Here, six seeds. Plant them in a shady spot that faces away from the sun. And remember, don’t water them."

Ah Er took the six purplish medicinal seeds and carefully placed them in the pouch hanging on its chest.

"Go on."

Bai Mo waved his hand, sending it out the door.

In the days that followed, Bai Mo spent his time studying Pills while also receiving visiting disciples.

One day, he saw someone unexpected.

"Brother Yin?"

Bai Mo was very surprised and welcomed Yin Zhen inside.

"I heard you were taken in by one of the Sect Elders as a personal disciple. How do you have the time to visit?"

The visitor was none other than Yin Zhen, who had made a great splash in the Jade Plate Secret Realm thanks to the Immortal Pill.

Bai Mo had been able to obtain his Alchemy Dao opportunity in the Secret Realm largely thanks to his help.

Yin Zhen threw the Cultivator he was carrying to the ground, who got a mouthful of dust.

"My senior brothers had other important matters to attend to, so a miscellaneous task like this escort duty fell to me."

"I didn’t expect you to be assigned here, though, Junior Brother."

Bai Mo couldn’t help but spare another glance at the Cultivator on the ground.

Even with a broken spine and in such a miserable, immobile state, a Core Formation Cultivator was still a Core Formation Cultivator, their fundamental nature unchanged.

Yin Zhen said softly, "My senior brother did this, not me."

Bai Mo looked at the Cultivator’s complexion.

"This... will he make it?"

Yin Zhen nodded affirmatively.

"He will. Don’t underestimate the tenacity of a Core Formation Cultivator."

Bai Mo didn’t press the matter. He checked the command token Yin Zhen gave him, and the two of them imprisoned the Core Formation Cultivator together.

With nothing else to do, Bai Mo walked Yin Zhen to the outskirts of Mi Mountain, and they leaned against the mountainside, chatting idly.

"Brother, did you go to the front lines to suppress the bandits?"

Yin Zhen nodded calmly.

"The method I cultivate cannot advance a single inch without conflict."

Hearing his still-ambitious mindset, Bai Mo felt a touch of nostalgia.

"With the guidance of a Sect Elder and your own diligence, Brother, I imagine you’ll have a good chance at reaching Core Formation soon."

"It’s difficult," Yin Zhen said, very calmly.

"Until the day one actually achieves Core Formation, no one can say for sure."

Core Formation is a major barrier for a Cultivator. Crossing it reveals a different world, granting a new life and allowing one to grasp their destiny in their own hands.

The tribulation one faces during the breakthrough is naturally no small matter.

Bai Mo smiled.

"How is the campaign against the bandits going?"

Yin Zhen fell silent, thinking for a moment.

"With several major sects joining forces, there’s no way the bandits can hold out."

"But they are no easy opponents. Our clashes with them have not been easy."

’Judging by his expression, he probably suffered a setback on the front lines.’

Yin Zhen was silent for a moment before asking:

"Junior Brother, do you have any more Immortal Pills? Something similar would also work."

The prices offered by the Foreign Affairs Hall were very high. Earning some merit on the front lines would be enough to cover the needs of cultivation for a long time.

It was only natural to invest a little capital.

Bai Mo waved his hand dismissively.

"The Immortal Pill requires so many medicinal ingredients. I don’t have any left."

"Besides, I’ve been engrossed in my alchemy research lately, so I don’t have any spare Pills to give."

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard the cry of a wild goose.

Looking up, they saw a great goose descending with its wings spread, its wingspan a full ten feet wide.

"It’s a messenger goose from the Foreign Affairs Hall."

Bai Mo’s expression turned serious. He flipped his palm over, took out dozens of Pill vials and a letter, packed them up, and presented them before the great goose.

"If you would, please deliver this to Mountain View Tower in Immortal Arrival City."

The great goose simply swept its wing, and the items vanished.

After swallowing a Feeding Pill that Bai Mo offered, it set off again, disappearing into the distance in an instant.

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