Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 52 Insect Feces Spirit Stone
The owner of the inn sipped his tea, his claw-like fingers slipping into his sleeve and giving it a gentle shake.

A dozen or so golden pebbles, like grains of sand, landed on the table, immediately attracting Fang Shu's attention.

“In the mine owned by the man surnamed Cao, there are indeed traces of gold-seeking insects. This is the excrement produced by the gold-seeking insects, which is the color of gold sand and smells like rust. It can be taken as medicine to cure lung swelling and throat diseases.”

The old woman spoke slowly and deliberately, which made Fang Shu's eyes fill with even more anticipation.

But after a pause, the other person suddenly changed their tone and sneered:
"However, I am not easily fooled. As soon as I saw this, I knew that someone had obtained these gold-hunting beetle droppings from somewhere and placed them in the mine as a decoy to deceive those who are not good at seeing."

They only knew that this substance was the excrement of gold-seeking worms, but they didn't know that the worms' excrement was deposited on rock walls, resembling mineral veins, rather than falling onto rocks like rat droppings.

Fang Shu listened intently, his expression changing slightly. He exhaled and spoke:
"Master, do you mean that the man surnamed Cao really wanted to trick me into entering the mine to do something wicked, and that there was no precious medicine to be found there?"

Upon hearing this, the owner of the guesthouse pondered for a moment and then said:
"There's definitely no precious medicine. But whether he had ulterior motives or not, perhaps he did, perhaps he didn't. Maybe it was just his men showing off to curry favor."

After all, while gold-hunting worms are rare and precious, their excrement is occasionally sold as gold dust on the market. If you're lucky, you can buy some for very little money.

But the next moment.

The owner of the pavilion once again wore a half-smile. With a flick of her sleeve, three spirit stones landed on the table with a clang, their spiritual light shimmering.

The old woman chuckled softly:
"But why bother about the truth? Since the matter of finding the gold worm was fabricated, it just means that the man surnamed Cao doesn't know the rules."

She gestured with her eyes to the spirit stones on the table: "Take them."

That fellow was clever enough to know the traces were fake, so he immediately took out three taels of spirit stones as an apology, saying that he hadn't properly entertained the uncle and nephew last time.

"Considering that this was his first offense, and that you ultimately didn't fall into the trap, I'll accept this apology on your behalf."

Fang Shu suddenly realized.

With these three taels of spirit stones, the mine owner surnamed Cao essentially returned twice the amount of spirit stones that his second uncle, Yu Le, had given him for his ransom.

However, he showed no intention of reaching out to take the spirit stone, and immediately cupped his hands in greeting:

“I am grateful to my master. It is already a blessing that my master would listen to my words and go out. How could I possibly accept this gift?”

As a result, the owner of the private restaurant drank directly:
"Why are you being so fussy! Once I've taken something out, I won't take it back."

The things are right here. If you don't take them and someone else picks them up, that's your problem.

Upon seeing this, Fang Shu showed a hint of shame on his face and said, "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder."

He then stepped forward and stuffed the three spirit stones on the table into his pocket. After hesitating for a moment, he also wrapped the excrement of the gold-seeking insect in a talisman and put it into his sleeve pocket as well.

With a few spirit stones in his pocket, Fang Shu was able to alleviate his recent financial distress.

Perhaps the owner of the guesthouse did this intentionally, trying to find a way to help him out in his daily life.

Seeing that Fang Shu had accepted the spirit stones, the Pavilion Master showed a satisfied expression.

She said indifferently:

"That's right. It's just a few spirit stones, don't be so short-sighted, no need to take it too seriously."

The reason I've handled this matter so leniently, without making an exorbitant demand, is that you'll wait until you've overcome your second tribulation. Then you can personally go and cause trouble for that Cao fellow, and extort some money from him.”

These words made Fang Shu's expression strange, but he also keenly caught the hidden meaning in the other person's words.

After asking around, Fang Shu immediately learned that the mine owner surnamed Cao was only at the second level of the Refining Essence stage.

According to the owner of the club, the other party was obviously under the influence of drugs, his breathing was unstable, and at most he had some ruthless moves, but they were all unorthodox.

That's why the owner of the guesthouse said that if Fang Shu survived the second tribulation, he could go and cause trouble for the other party on his own.

In addition, the owner of the guesthouse also gave a brief introduction to the situation inside the lead-aluminum mine during his conversation.

"The Qianshan Mine has been mined for over 60 years, with crisscrossing underground veins and numerous mine shafts."

"But as long as you pay attention to the points I just told you, you'll be fine when you try to extort money from me in the future." Fang Shu nodded and said happily, "Yes, Master."

The owner of the guesthouse casually took a sip of tea and nodded.

Little did she know that Fang Shu was overheard the information she gave him and was even happier than receiving a few spirit stones that could solve his immediate problem.

Of course, Fang Shu could only keep this joy hidden in his heart.

Because what delighted him was precisely the location of the precious medicine on Cheng Guanzi's treasure map:
“My master is no stranger; he wouldn’t lie to me.”

It seems that even if I'm alone, I only need to make proper preparations before I can go to the mine to investigate. I just wonder how much of that 'purple lead cloud mother milk' has been accumulated..."

Immediately afterwards, the master and apprentice talked for a while.

Fang Shu saw the owner of the inn tap the lid of his teacup and realized he could leave.

So he bowed respectfully and then prepared to leave.

But just then, the owner of the pavilion suddenly took out another object from his sleeve.

Fang Shu recognized the object; it was square and neat, and it was indeed the name card of the owner of the Duguan Pavilion.

The other party handed over the calling card and instructed:

"Hey, after practicing for three or four months, I see you've even mastered the Marrow Refining Insect Technique. Your comprehension is indeed quite good. Since you have the energy, why not also practice the Lead Technique from the Burning Tail Pavilion? One is the main method, the other the auxiliary, complementing each other perfectly."

This is my calling card. Take it with you again and ask the Shaowei Pavilion to show you the Lead Technique from the Marrow Refining Chapter.

The owner of the guesthouse pondered for a moment, then added:
"By the way, if I remember correctly, the 'Secret Method of Lead, Mercury, Blood Treasure Seed Artifacts' also involves the cultivation of the embryo of one's natal artifact, but I don't know whether it exists in the Marrow Refining Chapter or the Fat Refining Chapter."

You kid, remember to compare the refining method of that natal artifact embryo with the booklet Fang Lu gave you.

Both of these are used to refine one's natal essence, and the Gu worms of a Gu master are essentially the same as the magical artifacts of ordinary immortals. The principles are the same; studying them more will be beneficial and harmless.

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Master!" Fang Shu bowed and expressed his gratitude.

After saying this, the owner of the pavilion pointed outside the council hall without even raising his eyelids.

Fang Shu didn't bother him any further. After bowing repeatedly, he respectfully took his leave.

Just left the council chamber.

Fang Shu looked up in surprise.

Suddenly, he saw more than ten pairs of eyes outside the hall staring at him, making him feel as if there were flowers on his face.

When they could clearly see the fervent, fawning looks in the eyes of the disciples outside the hall, and Li Hou'er being surrounded by several people in the middle, they realized that...

Fang Shu then realized that he himself had become a "rare commodity" and a "good thing to be associated with".

However, he has just obtained a new book on Gu poison and also needs to borrow the Lead Technique, so he doesn't have time to engage in pretense with these people.

Fang Shu simply greeted Li Hou'er and then hurried towards his residence.

Watching Fang Shu's dashing departing figure, the disciples' expressions varied, but most were now full of admiration:
"What a diligent ascetic!"

Qin Min left, and Fang Shu also left.

Furthermore, the sole occupant of the council chamber did not call anyone in again.

After a few sighs, the disciples outside the hall could only gradually disperse.

Although the people had dispersed, the discussions about Qin Min and Fang Shu in the inner courtyard remained very heated.

(End of this chapter)