I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The little white fox opened its mouth, curled its tongue, and swallowed it.

His whole body stiffened, and he let out a painful whimper.

A burst of white light erupted from its body and enveloped it.

Zhao Zian became alert.

The cocoon of light lasted for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before it contracted.

The light dissipated.

The little white fox is still the same size as before.

It shook its head, as if trying to adjust to something.

It raised its head, stared at Zhao Zian, and opened its mouth.

"Owner."

"..."

Zhao Zian was petrified.

Hallucination?

Did I break through too quickly and develop inner demons?

He looked around; the yard was empty except for him and a fox.

"Was...was that you speaking just now?"

The little white fox tilted its head.

"Yes, Master. It was your elixir that stimulated my bloodline, which is why I was able to speak earlier."

A talking fox!

Bloodline!

"What... exactly are you? What bloodline do you have?"

"I am nothing."

The little white fox corrected him in a serious tone.

"My race is called the Celestial Fox. Normally, we need to cultivate to the Core Formation stage before we can remove the transverse bone in our throat and speak human language. Core Formation is roughly equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage for human cultivators like you, Master."

A celestial fox that can only speak during the Foundation Establishment stage?

"Then why can you...?"

"Because of the master's elixir."

"The spiritual energy in the pills refined by Master is too pure! Unbelievably pure!"

Zhao Zian asked, "What's in your inheritance?"

The little white fox was somewhat troubled.

"It's still very blurry, like looking through a layer of fog. All I know is that we, the Celestial Fox Clan, are naturally skilled at creating illusions and have an extremely strong perception of the fluctuations in spiritual energy between heaven and earth. It seems that I need to keep getting stronger to gradually unlock more things."

Illusion!

Spiritual energy perception!

Zhao Zian's breathing became rapid.

Both of these abilities are nothing short of divine skills!

They can create illusions and kill enemies without them even realizing it.

The ability to sense spiritual energy means that one can easily avoid misfortune and seek out rare and precious materials!

"By the way, Master."

The little white fox spoke again.

"That cocoon of light just now made quite a commotion. I could feel several pairs of eyes scanning our yard from outside."

Zhao Zian felt a chill run down his spine.

The security formation he set up could only serve to warn and prevent ordinary people from breaking in.

It has little effect on cultivators' spiritual sense probing.

This small town is actually full of hidden talents?

"Little White, remember this!"

"From today onwards, you are absolutely not allowed to speak in front of anyone without my permission, and you must not reveal any of your abilities, understand?"

"Understood, Master!"

The little white fox nodded.

Zhao Zian looked at the little white fox at his feet.

"Xiaobai, you just said you could feel those gazes?"

"Um!"

The little white fox nodded vigorously.

"Very clear."

"it is good."

Zhao Zian squatted down.

"You've just awakened your bloodline, so your perception of spiritual energy is most acute and pure. Now, calm down and carefully recall those sensations you just experienced. How were they different? What did they taste like? What color were they?"

The little white fox closed its eyes.

Zhao Zian waited patiently.

A moment later, the little white fox opened its eyes.

"Master, it feels different."

"There was one dish that I just glanced at and left, it was incredibly fast."

"There was another one, which circled twice around the top of the courtyard and then disappeared."

"The other ones are all very blurry."

The little white fox tilted its head.

"But... but there's one dish that's very special!"

"It's very bright, and also... domineering?"

The little white fox seemed unable to find the right words.

Zhao Zian's heart skipped a beat.

"Can you follow this line to its source?"

"able!"

"This line is the clearest; I can sense its location just by thinking about it!"

Where is it?

Zhao Zian pressed for more information.

The little white fox pointed in the direction of the town center.

"Right there, in the biggest and brightest restaurant in town."

"Yingxian Tower?"

Zhao Zian blurted it out.

How could a cultivator be so brazenly staying in a restaurant?

This person is either highly skilled and daring, and doesn't bother to hide themselves at all.

Either he has something more important to do at Yingxianlou.

Inside Jishetang.

Su Mei listened to Accountant Sun's report on the financial situation over the past few days.

"...Boss, at this rate, our profits this month will probably more than quadruple compared to last month! This is all thanks to Doctor Zhao!"

Accountant Sun's face was flushed.

Su Mei also had a smile on her lips.

Zhao Zian strolled out from the backyard.

"Dr. Zhao!"

"Boss!"

The staff and doctors at the clinic greeted him warmly.

Zhao Zian walked up to Su Mei.

"Manager Su, you've worked hard these past few days."

Su Mei put down the account book.

"It's not hard work for you, but for you, you have to refine pills and see patients at the same time. Don't exhaust yourself."

"I'm fine."

Zhao Zian smiled.

"To celebrate the prosperity of our Jishetang business, tonight I'll treat you to a nice meal at Yingxianlou Restaurant, how about it?"

What kind of place is Yingxianlou?

That was the most upscale restaurant in Liuxi Town.

The cost of one meal is equivalent to several months' worth of food for an ordinary family.

Ordinary business partners would never meet there.

That place is more of a place for men and women to pledge their love or celebrate special occasions.

What does he mean by that?

Su Mei's heart pounded.

"What? Manager Su won't do me the honor?"

Zhao Zian asked.

"No! That's not it!"

Su Mei quickly waved her hand.

"I'm free. But going to Yingxianlou is too expensive..."

"Money is a bastard, you can earn it back after you spend it. That's settled then."

Zhao Zian made the final decision.

"You go ahead with your work, I'll go get ready. I'll come pick you up around 3 PM."

After saying that, he left.

Congratulations rang out from all around.

Congratulations, employer!

"The master and Doctor Zhao are truly a perfect match!"

Su Mei glared at everyone reproachfully.

"What nonsense are you talking about! Get back to work!"

End of Shen Shi (3-5 PM).

The workers at Jishetang kept saying they were going to finish work, but they all dawdled and dragged their feet.

backyard.

Su Mei changed out of her plain-colored long dress and put on a fitted silk skirt.

The fabric was top-quality Suzhou embroidery, and when it clung to her body, it outlined her figure perfectly.

An ordinary woman might look frivolous dressed like this, but Su Mei is different.

She has a natural charm.

Zhao Zian walked towards Jishetang.

When he reached the entrance of Jishetang, he saw Su Mei.

Zhao Zian paused involuntarily for a moment.

His gaze traveled from her smiling eyes to her luscious lips, and then to her graceful neck...

Finally, his gaze lingered for a moment on her heaving chest and tightly bound waist.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

Damn.

Why is my heart beating a little erratic?

Su Mei felt smug.

"Dr. Zhao, why are you stopping? Is there some dust on my face?"

She raised her hand as if to wipe her face.

Zhao Zian came to his senses.

"Manager Su, you look...beautiful today."