Chapter 113: Medicine Person Imparts The Method
Fang Shu stared intently at the Dojo Master with piercing eyes.
The Dojo Master, however, remained calm and composed, revealing an unusual smile on his face:
“Have you noticed that Xiao Li Li, that girl, has changed in terms of personality after you helped her extract and refine the medicine, especially towards you?”
This rhetorical question made Fang Shu’s thoughts pause, then he nodded honestly and said in surprise:
“Master’s keen insight has also noticed this.”
The Dojo Master explained:
“Although her final outcome was planting a Spiritual Root, in reality, she has merely transformed into a ‘Medicine Person’.”
No matter who helps her extract the medicine, even a Foundation Establishment Earth Immortal would find it difficult to completely remove the Medicine Ginseng from her body, especially the part in her brain.
Normally, with Xiao Hu suppressing it for her, nothing was apparent, but now that she fought for her life against that Medicine Ginseng, which couldn’t just sit idly by, the aftereffects have emerged.
The old woman spoke:
“This is akin to foreign matter entering the brain, like worms boring into it; she will either become extreme in temperament or cold and indifferent in humanity—in short, influenced by the Medicine Ginseng, undergoing Demonic Transformation.”
Hearing this, Fang Shu pondered, his face showing sudden realization; so that’s how it was.
Situations like what the Dojo Master described actually abounded in Gu Ling Town.
Many Immortal Cultivators who overused Potent Medicine would face such an end, especially those who consumed Potent Medicine made from Demonic Beasts or Metal and Stone.
And it’s not just Immortal Cultivators; even among Mortals, there are plenty, such as those who drink excessively and become demented, obstinate, and extreme.
The Dojo Master sighed again:
“But this girl can’t be blamed; for her to end up like this is already a stroke of immense luck.
Moreover, it’s not just her; many who seek Refining Qi will reach this point, willing to undergo Demonic Transformation or even become inhuman just to achieve Breakthrough in Refining Qi.”
She stared intently at Fang Shu, yet continued:
“Such consequences, while not clearly advantageous or disadvantageous, still harbor hidden dangers, especially prone to Inner Demons. Therefore, Fang Shu, you must remember: in future Cultivation and planting Spiritual Roots, you are an Immortal Cultivator, not a demon cultivator.
Gu Worms and Spiritual Roots of all kinds are important, but they exist because of you—do not act rashly, and certainly do not let them control you!”
When the Dojo Master said the last sentence, his voice suddenly grew louder, stern and cold, making Fang Shu’s eardrums ache.
Seeing the other’s seriousness, Fang Shu immediately composed his expression and cupped his hands:
“Yes, this Disciple will remember!”
Seeing Fang Shu’s expression, the Dojo Master knew he had taken these words to heart, and the look on his aged face softened.
Suddenly, the old woman teased:
“Although Xiao Li Li now harbors demonic nature and has become a Medicine Person, with potential Inner Demons in the future,
for you, this is no bad thing—quite the opposite, it’s a good thing.”
These words made Fang Shu lift his head, his gaze flickering momentarily, a guess forming in his heart.
The Dojo Master didn’t keep him in suspense and stated directly:
“By helping her extract the medicine, not only have you granted her a rebirth-like favor, but your Qi and Blood must have filled her body; and due to the Medicine Ginseng, your Qi and Blood directly entered her brain—this is just like Gu Refining; you have left an indelible mark in her body.
Even if she achieves Foundation Establishment in the future, she will naturally feel affinity towards you. One could say her talk of being your slave or maidservant is not mere pretense.”
Hearing this, Fang Shu understood; no wonder the Dojo Master knew so clearly about matters between him and Xiao Li Li.
It turned out that when the Dojo Master instructed him to help Xiao Li Li, he had already foreseen this.
“So that’s how it is…” With a stirring thought, Fang Shu’s mind wandered, and he analogized: “Then, Master, if someone else helps plant a Spiritual Root, is it the same?”
The Dojo Master looked at him approvingly and nodded: “Exactly.”
The other added:
“This is akin to military training in the Mortal World—it cannot be entrusted to others. Whoever helps plant the Spiritual Root can glimpse the Foundation, and with a little manipulation, turn them into a puppet, Dao soldier, or even a human pet.
Therefore, once you go up the mountain, if someone offers to help plant your Spiritual Root, do not think them kind. Something like Foundation, once entrusted to another’s hands, leaves you no longer in control of your own body.”
Fang Shu was startled and immediately bowed deeply to the Dojo Master.
Such secretive matters beneficial to those in power, without guidance from elders, those at the foot of the mountain could never know. And once they fell into the pit, they would likely be deeply enslaved, serving as slaves or maids without even realizing it.
Not only that, the Dojo Master continued lightly:
“In the future, beyond her affinity towards you, due to the remnants of your Qi and Blood in her body, any Magic Power she cultivates will be extremely easy for you to digest.
This is precisely why I call her a ‘Medicine Person’. To others, she is a Medicine Ginseng; to you, even more so.”
At this point, the Dojo Master stopped, saying no more.
But with this enlightenment from the other, Fang Shu had already thought of many ways to use this woman as a Cauldron.
Whether drawing her blood to consume or harvesting her yin to supplement yang, he even thought of the Date Cultivation Secret Method in his possession… For him, applying all sorts of harmful-yet-beneficial techniques on Xiao Li Li would likely yield twice the results with half the effort.
While Fang Shu pondered with his head lowered, the Dojo Master had been watching him closely, observing his reactions.
This instruction was not really a test.
Because once Fang Shu went up the mountain and familiarized himself with the Immortal Sect’s inner workings, especially after stepping into a few pits, he would naturally learn these things.
The Dojo Master was merely informing him in advance.
After pondering for a few breaths, Fang Shu suppressed his stray thoughts, exhaled deeply, cupped his hands, and spoke:
“Using people as medicine, especially friends as medicine, is no different from demonic methods.
May I ask, Master, besides this so-called benefit, does this Disciple have any other gains?”
Seeing this, the Dojo Master revealed satisfaction in his eyes.
She paid no mind to whether Fang Shu’s answer was true or false, or what choices he might make when faced with dilemmas in the future.
To have said “no different from demonic methods” today was already sufficient for this youth.
The old woman nodded and said:
“Naturally there are. When you helped her extract the medicine, did you see the paths of her meridians and Qi and Blood, like a Secret Script?”
Fang Shu nodded immediately; this was precisely what he wanted to ask about.
The Dojo Master said solemnly:
“These various things are the Spiritual Root Manual itself, hard for others to glimpse, and Immortal Sects prohibit their dissemination—merits are required to obtain them.
By helping her extract the medicine today, you have essentially probed it fully, seeing a living Manual, which has broadened your knowledge and granted you half a method for planting Spiritual Roots.
Study it well, and in the future, you can reference the Spiritual Root Manual in her body to observe your own. Then, even without exchanging for the Immortal Sect’s Spiritual Root Manual, you will have a certain chance to plant your own Spiritual Root.”
Hearing this, Fang Shu’s spirit greatly stirred, thinking to himself:
“So this Secret Script is the Spiritual Root Manual, intimately related to planting Spiritual Roots. No wonder it’s so profound, producing three changes in a single night.”
He hurriedly consulted the Dao Talisman, checking the scene in his mind.
Besides that, Fang Shu’s thoughts involuntarily turned to the Natal Gu Embryo at his brow.
He vaguely remembered that when he comprehended that innate Secret Script, the Natal Gu Embryo had also reacted.
“Could it be that my Spiritual Root will manifest in this Natal Gu Embryo?” Fang Shu’s heart stirred.
