Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

In the evening, after completing consultations with several seriously ill patients, Shen Chang'an finally returned to his residence.

His courtyard is located three miles southeast of Qixia Gate in Chang'an City, within the jurisdiction of Wannian County. It is backed by Shaoling Plain and faces the direction of Qujiang Pool.

This place is neither a bustling city nor a desolate wilderness. There are a dozen or so households scattered around, mostly farmers who have passed down the tradition of farming and studying, and a few craftsmen.

Shen Chang'an made this choice after careful consideration.

This place is neither too far nor too close to Chang'an City. It is convenient to go into the city for free medical consultations, but you won't be disturbed by the noise of the city while cultivating. It is near Qujiang Pool, with abundant water and spiritual energy that is more concentrated than in the city. Most importantly, this place has an open terrain and a good view, so if someone approaches, they can be detected from a distance.

The courtyard is a standard single-entrance courtyard, covering an area of ​​about half an acre. He bought it with the medical fees he had accumulated over a year and some century-old medicinal herbs he had redeemed through the system.

The courtyard wall was made of blue bricks and was about the height of a person. The top of the wall was covered with the spiritual vines he had cultivated in the space—which could both beautify the space and provide defense.

The courtyard gate consists of two heavy cypress wood doors, with a plaque hanging above the doorway bearing the three characters "Jishiju" (济世居), written in a vigorous and powerful style by himself.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, you are greeted by a small courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard stands a stone vat containing several water lilies transplanted from the space. The water is crystal clear, and a few koi can be vaguely seen swimming among the lotus leaves.

A clump of green bamboo grows beside the stone jar, rustling in the wind and adding to the serene and elegant atmosphere.

There is a side room on each side of the courtyard.

To the left is the kitchen, complete with a stove, water tank, and cupboard, with several bundles of firewood piled in the corner.

Next to the stove is a small stove specifically for brewing medicine. Most of the ointments and powders needed for the daily free clinics are brewed here.

On the right is the pharmacy, which is also his alchemy room.

This room is the most spacious, with several rows of wooden shelves against the wall, filled with various medicinal herbs categorized into different types—some are spiritual plants picked from the space, and some are ordinary medicinal herbs bought from pharmacies in Chang'an City.

In the center of the room stood a large elm wood table, upon which were placed tools such as a mortar and pestle, a grinding stone, and a steelyard.

Hidden beneath the desk is a mechanism that leads to a cellar containing the rare pills and spiritual items he redeemed from the system.

Passing through the courtyard, the main house is directly opposite the gate.

The main house is divided into three rooms, with the central room being the main hall, furnished with tables, chairs, and a long table, which is used to receive guests.

A landscape painting hangs on the wall of the main room, depicting the sea of ​​clouds over Zhongnan Mountain. The brushstrokes are unrestrained, conveying a sense of otherworldly elegance.

To the left of the main room is Shen Chang'an's bedroom, which is very simply furnished: a wooden bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a few medical books and an oil lamp on the desk.

A long sword hangs by his bedside. He occasionally goes out to defend himself. Although with his current cultivation level, ordinary thieves can't get close to him at all, he keeps it as a decoration so that people won't dare to approach him and avoid some trouble.

To the right of the main hall is a quiet room, specifically used for meditation and cultivation.

The room was empty except for a futon in the center and spirit-gathering runes he had personally hand-painted on the walls.

Although the courtyard is not luxurious, it reflects the owner's care in every aspect—clean, elegant, and well-organized.

Living alone, Shen Chang'an was keenly aware of the importance of safety.

Although he was kind to others, most of his neighbors had received his medical treatment and would never harm him.

But the world is not peaceful after all. Mountain bandits, highwaymen, petty thieves, and even those in the imperial court who might covet his "miraculous medical skills" are all potential threats.

Therefore, after buying this courtyard, Shen Chang'an gritted his teeth and spent 800 merit points to exchange for a set of formations in the merit system - "Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation".

This formation is based on the Four Symbols, subtly corresponding to the positions of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, and has four effects:

First, concealment.

Once the formation is activated, an invisible spiritual energy barrier will form around the courtyard. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary farmhouse with nothing special about it.

Even cultivators, if their cultivation level does not exceed one major realm of Shen Chang'an, cannot see through the illusion and reality.

Secondly, it serves as a warning.

Any living being that enters the courtyard within a hundred feet will be automatically sensed by the array, and the information will be transmitted to Shen Chang'an—whether it is a human or a beast, its cultivation level, and its intentions, can be roughly distinguished.

If the visitor is malicious, the formation will issue an urgent warning; if they are just passing by, they will only leave a faint trace in Shen Chang'an's mind.

Thirdly, defense.

If someone forcibly breaks in or launches an attack, the formation will automatically activate a defensive barrier that can withstand a full-force attack from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Given the current cultivation environment in the Tang Dynasty, this is sufficient to deal with the vast majority of threats.

Fourth, gathering spiritual energy.

This is the function that Shen Chang'an values ​​most. The Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation can slowly gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of several miles into the courtyard, making the concentration of spiritual energy in the courtyard about 30% higher than that outside.

Although it is far inferior to the spiritual plant garden in the system space, it is stable and persistent, working day and night, which is of great benefit to his daily cultivation.

The array's core is buried beneath a stone vat in the very center of the courtyard, connected to the entire courtyard's energy flow through the water lily.

Normally, the formation is in a semi-active state, with only the concealment and spirit gathering functions activated; if danger is encountered, Shen Chang'an can activate the defense and warning functions at full power with a thought.

This formation cost him a full 800 merits, almost all the wealth he had accumulated in half a year.

But Shen Chang'an felt it was worth it—in a foreign land, having a safe and reliable place to stay was more important than anything else.

……

Back home, Shen Chang'an filled a basin with clean water and washed away the makeup and dust from her face.

In the mirror, he looked exactly like an eighteen-year-old boy—fair-skinned, handsome, and with a maturity beyond his years.

After washing up, he sat cross-legged on the futon in the quiet room. With a thought, a light screen that only he could see unfolded before his eyes.

[Merit System:]

Name: Shen Chang'an

Age: 18

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 6]

[Technique: The Green Wood Longevity Technique]

[Remaining Merit Points: 352]

[Meritorious deeds used: 1356]

[Cultivation Techniques:]

The "Azure Wood Longevity Technique" comes with its own magic, primarily based on the wood element, and possesses both healing and combat capabilities.

【Green Wood True Qi (Basic): The true qi cultivated is gentle in nature and has extremely strong regenerative power. It can be used to heal injuries and promote the growth of spiritual plants. It can also be infused into silver needles to enhance the effects of acupuncture.

[Spiritual Eye Technique (Assistant): Spiritual energy gathers in the eyes, allowing observation of the body's meridians and blood, accurately diagnosing the location of ailments. As cultivation level increases, one can even see through the spirituality of plants and trees and discern the good and evil in people's hearts.]

【Windwalking Step (Light Body): Circulating spiritual energy through the soles of the feet allows for light and swift movements, enabling one to walk on water and climb rocks as if on flat ground. When used at full power, one can travel hundreds of miles in a day.】

【Entanglement Technique (Control): Uses spiritual energy to stimulate the growth of plants, causing vines to grow rapidly and entangle and trap the enemy. Without a powerful weapon, those entangled will find it difficult to break free.】

【Wood Spirit Protection (Defense): Condenses a shield on the body with Green Wood True Qi, which can resist sword cuts and low-level spell attacks.

【Wind Blade (Attack): Condenses spiritual energy into an invisible wind blade, capable of slicing through trees as thick as a bowl with a mere wave of the hand. While not particularly powerful, its strength lies in its surprise attack.】

【Items already redeemed (total cost 1356 merit points)】

【Formation: Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation】(800 Merit Points)

[Formulas: Nourishing Vitality Formula, Rejuvenating Formula, Detoxifying Formula] (180 Merits)

[Spiritual Plants: 100-year-old Polygonum multiflorum, Ginseng seeds, and Ganoderma lucidum spores] (200 merits)

【Ritual implement: Green wooden needle box】(Contains nine silver needles, which can be infused with true energy, 120 merits)

[Miscellaneous: Basic alchemy furnace, talisman paper and cinnabar (amount as needed)] (56 merits)

[Exchangeable Items] (Partial List)

[Essence: Foundation Establishment Pill] (1000 merits, a key pill for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage)

[Spiritual Item: Spiritual Spring] (1000 merits, can be embedded in a spiritual spring eye in space, continuously producing spiritual water and enhancing the surrounding spiritual energy)

【Magic Weapon: Azure Edge Sword】(Low-grade magic weapon, 500 merit points, extremely sharp, can be infused with spiritual energy)

【Magic Item: Heart-Protecting Mirror】(Low-grade magic item, 450 merits, worn close to the body, can block a Foundation Establishment attack)

【Talisman: Swift Travel Talisman】(50 merits/talisman, affixed to the leg, allows travel of 800 li per day)

【Talisman: Protective Amulet】(30 Merit Points/talisman, provides a spiritual shield that lasts for one hour)

[Spiritual Item: Soul-Nourishing Wood] (800 merits; wearing it can nourish the soul and accelerate cultivation speed)

[Technique: Introduction to Weapon Forging] (300 merits, learn basic weapon forging techniques)

【Technique: Basic Talisman Making】(200 Merit Points, learn to draw basic talismans)

(Note: The panel doesn't often show filler words, but the system is showing it this time so that everyone can understand the protagonist's current abilities.)

……

Seeing that his remaining merit points had returned to 352, Shen Chang'an breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Earning merit points is not easy. Although he provided free medical consultations to forty or fifty patients this morning, the merit points are not credited to his account immediately upon seeing a doctor—they are only distributed after the patient has truly recovered.

For ordinary people's illnesses, it would take him three to five days, or even ten days to half a month, to fully recover after taking one dose of his medicine.

Only when that time comes will the merits be credited to you.

"After all forty-seven patients I saw today have fully recovered, I should receive about fifty merit points," Shen Chang'an silently calculated. "And that's plus the ones that haven't been settled yet..."

352 merit points—not a lot, but not a little either.

He was still 648 points away from the Foundation Establishment Pill he longed for, and the same number away from the Spirit Spring.

However, his gaze quickly shifted to the top of the system panel.

There, two golden quests hung in the void, emitting a faint light, making them particularly conspicuous.

Main Quest - Part 1

[Rescuing Crown Prince Li Chengqian]

[Task Description: Crown Prince Li Chengqian is born with a weak constitution and often suffers from minor illnesses during seasonal changes. Although not serious, Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) is deeply concerned for his son. If the host can improve his constitution and reduce his illnesses, he will surely gain the emperor's favor.]

[Task Rewards: 500 Merit Points, 1 Qi Cultivation Pill]

[Task Time Limit]: Sixty days

……

Main Quest 2

[Treatment of Empress Zhangsun's Illness]

[Task Description: Empress Zhangsun suffers from a chronic illness. Although she can usually live a normal life, she experiences shortness of breath and weakness during flare-ups, causing Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) great worry. If the host can effectively alleviate her symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks, the merit will be immeasurable.]

[Task Rewards: 1000 Merit Points, One Bottle of Spirit Spring Water]

[Task Time Limit]: Sixty days

……

With two daunting tasks looming before him, Shen Chang'an felt both delighted and pressured.

The good news is that if he gets both of these merit points, plus the 352 points he already has, that's 1852 merit points—enough to directly exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The pressure comes from the fact that these two patients are not ordinary people.

That's the Crown Prince, and that's the Empress.

He was the most honored person in the Tang Dynasty.

If he is cured, the merit is immeasurable; if he is not cured...

Shen Chang'an shook his head, banishing the thought from his mind.

"We need to make some preparations."