I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

This is one of the main ingredients used by cultivators to refine Qi Gathering Pills! It's a genuine spiritual herb!

He then picked up the second jade box.

Upon opening it, I found a small white flower inside.

"Ice Soul Flower!"

The third box...

The fourth box...

The fifth box!

A Crimson Flame Grass, an Ice Soul Flower, a Yellow Essence, a root shimmering with lightning, and a beast core glowing faintly with gold!

It's out!

The raid on Huichuntang pharmacy uncovered the wealth of cultivators!

After the initial euphoria, Zhao Zian calmed down.

Qian Defa... How did he, an ordinary medicine merchant, obtain these things?

These spiritual herbs and creatures all grow in dangerous places rich in spiritual energy.

With demonic beasts protecting it, not to mention a mortal, even an ordinary Qi Refining stage cultivator would be vulnerable.

To obtain either one, one must risk their life.

What merit or ability does Qian Defa possess?

Could it be... that he has someone backing him?

A cultivator?

Things are probably not as simple as they seem.

Could it be that other cultivators are hidden in this small place, Willow Creek Town?

He closed the five jade boxes and put them into his storage space.

This is a mustard seed space that he opened after cultivating the Longevity Technique.

It's not big, but it's more than enough to store all these things.

After doing all this, he left the secret room.

When the guards at the gate saw him come out, they hurried forward.

"Dr. Zhao, have you found anything inside?"

Zhao Zian remained expressionless.

"Alas, what a disappointment. There was nothing inside, just a few empty boxes. It seems that Qian Defa deliberately created a smokescreen to mislead people."

"So that's how it is. That old fox is truly cunning!"

The yamen runners had no suspicions.

Zhao Zian nodded.

"Have you finished taking inventory of everything outside? It's getting late, we need to get these medicinal herbs back to Jishetang as soon as possible so we can start making medicine for the people."

"Yes, yes, yes! Everything is accounted for, just waiting for your command!"

......

At the entrance of Jishetang.

The cart, fully loaded with medicinal herbs, stopped in front of Jishetang.

The onlookers craned their necks.

"My God, this... this means they've emptied out Huichuntang?"

"Serves them right! Those heartless bastards deserve this fate!"

Zhao Zian stepped out from the crowd.

Su Meilian moved gracefully and came out to greet them.

"Zi'an, you're finally back."

This man always manages to surprise her.

They raided the largest pharmacy in Liuxi Town.

Only he would dare to think of such a thing, and he actually managed to make it happen!

Zhao Zian nodded to her as a greeting.

He turned to the crowd.

"Fellow villagers, please quiet down!"

"These medicinal herbs were all confiscated from Huichuntang. Qian Defa's production and sale of poison is an unforgivable crime!"

"Now, the county government has executed him!"

A gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd.

"Good! Well done!"

"Lord Zhang is wise! Doctor Zhao is benevolent!"

Zhao Zian raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"I have already reached an agreement with the county magistrate. These medicinal herbs will be given free of charge to all the poor villagers in Liuxi Town! Not a penny will be taken!"

Free medicine?

This is great news!

Many families are ruined by a minor illness.

Unable to afford medicine, they eventually developed serious illnesses, leading to the destruction of their families and even death.

Su Mei was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

As a businesswoman, her first thought was how much manpower and resources this move would consume and what impact it would have on Jishetang's profits.

But when she saw the heartfelt gratitude of the people, her petty concerns about being a merchant vanished.

"Dr. Zhao's decision is the decision of Jishetang! Accountant Sun!"

"Yes, sir! Your servant is here!"

Sun, the accountant, squeezed forward.

"You take your men and have all the medicinal herbs stored in the warehouse, registered and cataloged! Make sure there's absolutely no discrepancy!"

"yes!"

"Dr. Wang!"

"exist!"

Dr. Wang, who is over fifty years old, also stepped forward.

"Your experience is invaluable; the classification, identification, and processing of medicinal herbs are entirely in your hands! Just let us know if you need anything!"

"Rest assured, sir! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

Dr. Wang was so excited that he was trembling.

He had practiced medicine his whole life and had never seen such a scene before.

Today, he truly understands the weight of the phrase "a doctor's heart is benevolent."

Su Mei walked to Zhao Zi'an's side.

"Master Zhao, your generosity is getting increasingly extravagant. Aren't you afraid of giving away all of Jishetang's assets?"

That's what she said, but the smile in her eyes seemed to be overflowing.

Zhao Zian also smiled.

"Manager Su has a large and prosperous family, so this little loss should be nothing to worry about."

"Besides, doctors are meant to heal and save lives. We should do something with the money we earn. Money spent can always be earned back, right?"

Su Mei's heart skipped a beat.

This guy really thinks that way.

She suddenly felt her cheeks burning and awkwardly turned her head away.

"Nonsense and fallacy. Alright, leave this to me, you go do your thing."

Zhao Zian said no more.

……

Back in the alchemy courtyard.

Zhao Zian closed the courtyard gate and set up a warning array.

With a thought, five jade boxes appeared on the stone table.

He reached out and picked up the Crimson Flame Grass.

The most urgent task is to refine the Qi Gathering Pill.

He took out several kinds of auxiliary medicinal materials and arranged them neatly one by one.

After finishing his preparations, he sat cross-legged.

Flames rose from his palm and were thrown into the bottom of the alchemy furnace.

The Longevity Technique is activated, and true energy transforms into fire!

Zhao Zian put the auxiliary medicinal herbs into the alchemy furnace one by one in order.

Purification, fusion...

The final step: Condensing the Elixir!

"combine!"

Zhao Zian gave a low shout.

The crimson liquid inside the alchemy furnace contracted.

Finally, nine pills floated in the center of the alchemy furnace.

Become!

And there are nine of them! The quality seems to be... top-grade!

Zhao Zian put the pill into his mouth.

The drug's effects exploded within his body!

The true energy within his body circulated automatically according to the Longevity Technique, endlessly reinforcing his cultivation level.

Qi Refining Level 4!

The squeaking sound interrupted his reflection.

The usually docile little white fox had its fur standing on end slightly.

It circled the stone table, staring at the eight remaining Qi Gathering Pills on it.

"noob?"

Zhao Zian was somewhat surprised.

He tentatively picked up a jade box and opened it.

The little white fox squatted on the ground, its hind legs exerting slight force, and saliva was almost dripping from the corner of its mouth.

"You want to eat this?"

"Squeak!"

The little white fox nodded eagerly.

Zhao Zian fell into deep thought.

He always thought it was just an ordinary fox, at most a little more human-like.

But its current behavior is clearly not what an ordinary wild beast should be like.

Moreover, the Qi Gathering Pill is made for human cultivators, and the physical structure of spirit beasts is different from that of humans.

Will there be any problems if I swallow it rashly?

What if the medicine is too strong and causes it to burst?

Looking into the little white fox's big, watery eyes, Zhao Zian's heart softened again.

"Fortune favors the bold, even beasts live the same way."

He personally refined this elixir, so even if the little white fox couldn't fully absorb it, it shouldn't be in mortal danger.

"It's just one. Whether you can withstand it or not depends on your own fate."

Zhao Zian held the Qi Gathering Pill to the little white fox's mouth.