First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

The weather was clear and sunny that day, with a crisp autumn breeze.

An old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, who looked to be about sixty years old, came to Bishi Village. Although he did not have the otherworldly demeanor that Xu Mu had transformed into, he was still vigorous and extraordinary.

Upon seeing him, the villagers quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Taoist Priest."

The old Taoist priest stroked his long beard and nodded with a smile.

The villagers all knew him because he was the abbot of Taohua Temple, the only Taoist temple in Taoshan County, and his title was Qingfeng Daoren.

"Why has the Taoist priest suddenly come to visit our Bishi Village?"

"Could it be because of that old immortal?"

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng Daoren chuckled and nodded, "Indeed, this humble Daoist would like to meet this reclusive master."

Upon hearing this, the villagers became excited and praised the old sage's abilities.

Qingfeng Daoren didn't chat with them much and went straight to Zhang Xiucai's house.

Before coming, he did his homework and knew that in Bishi Village, Zhang Xiucai's words carried the most weight, and he also learned that Xu Mu often visited Zhang Xiucai's house.

Upon hearing the news, Scholar Zhang hurriedly went to greet them.

Upon learning the other party's purpose, Zhang Xiucai hesitated for a moment and said, "That old immortal lives in seclusion in the mountains, only descending the mountain two or three times a year. If you wish to see him, I'm afraid..."

"It's alright. I've heard that he goes down the mountain once every six months. Judging by the time, it should be about time, right?" Qingfeng Daoren said with a faint smile.

Scholar Zhang counted carefully, then clapped his hands and laughed, "That's right! If we're lucky, we might see him in the next couple of days."

Master Qingfeng nodded: "I was just planning to stay here for a few days. I wonder if Master Zhang could do me the favor?"

"Of course, no problem. It is an honor for my humble abode to have you grace us with your presence, Daoist Master." Zhang Xiucai was quite pleased.

Although this Taoist priest did not possess the abilities of the old immortal, he was a Taoist practitioner who was pure of heart and had few desires. He would draw talismans to ward off disasters for people in the Taoist temple, and he was of upright character and respected by the people of the county. Therefore, Scholar Zhang did not ask him why he wanted to see the old immortal. He assumed that the priest wanted to make friends with other Taoists, so there was no need to ask any further questions.

"Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhang. Please prepare a place for me, and some simple tea and food will suffice." Qingfeng Daoist was very polite and did not presume to be important.

His demeanor was measured and composed, making people feel as if they were bathed in a gentle breeze.

Scholar Zhang felt that he and the old immortal would definitely get along, so he immediately smiled and nodded, and had someone arrange accommodations and treat him well.

……

Five days later, Xu Mu transformed into an old man and came to the village to collect manure.

The villagers knew he needed a lot of excrement, so they would prepare it for him each time. If they had any illnesses, they would ask him to treat them, thus avoiding any monetary transactions between them.

Often, villagers, even when they are not sick, will bring people from outside the village, pretending they are their relatives, to treat them.

Whether there was any deal between them is not Xu Mu's concern.

However, Xu Mu treats these kinds of people only according to his mood, and he always refuses a few people to avoid people thinking that he is a wish-granting machine that can grant any request.

Just then, Scholar Zhang led an old Taoist priest over.

Xu Mu could tell at a glance that the old Taoist was not a cultivator, but judging from his attire, he was clearly a true Taoist.

"Old Immortal, this is Master Qingfeng of Peach Blossom Temple," Zhang Xiucai introduced respectfully.

Xu Mu stroked his long beard and nodded gently.

He had anticipated this situation, after all, his growing reputation would inevitably attract the attention of the Taoist temple.

Taoist temples are the monastic sites of Taoist sects, but it is not appropriate to assume that the two are one and the same.

Many Taoist priests do not have the aptitude for cultivating immortality, but they are still enthusiastic about cultivation. They seek the Tao and cultivate their own hearts, so they may not necessarily be obedient to the sect.

"Fellow Daoist, greetings." He took the initiative to bow.

"Oh, I dare not accept such a title. I should address you as an immortal." Qingfeng Daoist quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Xu Mu smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. We are both seekers of the Dao. As fellow Daoists, what is there to call ourselves immortals? Who in this world dares to call themselves an immortal?"

Qingfeng Daoist was very surprised to hear this. He had imagined many scenarios for their meeting, but he did not expect him to be so approachable.

"Brother Dao, your cultivation is indeed profound. I have learned a great deal from you," he said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Fellow Daoist, you must have come to see me? Then let's find a place to sit down," Xu Mu said with a gentle smile.

Qingfeng Daoren immediately nodded, placing himself in a humble position.

"If you two don't mind, please come and sit in my house. Let me, a mere mortal, have a seat," Zhang Xiucai said with a smile.

"You're too kind, Mr. Zhang. Let's go then."

The situation on the spot was decided by Xu Mu, so as soon as he spoke, the group headed towards Zhang Xiucai's house.

Upon arriving at Zhang Xiucai's house, the three of them sat down in the backyard and drank tea together, discussing philosophy.

Scholar Zhang felt that his knowledge was shallow and that he was fortunate enough to be able to listen in, so he dared not say much and just listened attentively.

Qingfeng Daoren had long admired the name of the Medicine God and guessed that Xu Mu was a cultivator. This was the first time he had ever met a cultivator, so he came to ask for guidance on the Dao, or rather, to ask what the Dao was.

It's really about social thought, philosophy, and other issues.

The Tao encompasses everything; different people have different interpretations, leading to different problems.

The problem that Qingfeng Daoren had was actually a problem that many ordinary people would have, ranging from major world events to personal life.

This was not difficult for Xu Mu.

After some subtle questioning and confirming that the other party was not acting under the orders of a "deity," he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As for drinking tea and chatting about self-cultivation, at his age of 188 and with his extensive reading, dealing with these issues would naturally be a piece of cake for him.

……

As dusk approached, Xu Mu finally took his leave.

After this conversation, Qingfeng Daoist felt he had benefited greatly and respectfully bowed to take his leave.

Zhang Xiucai was completely captivated, feeling that he had grasped many principles, and his respect for Xu Mu grew even stronger.

For Xu Mu, it was just an ordinary chat with friends.

He finally realized that he was being worshipped as a god of medicine.

"Well, it doesn't seem like a big problem..."

This is, after all, a land in the end of Dharma. He has the cultivation of the sixth level of Qi Refining. Even if a Core Formation cultivator descends through special means, they may not be able to do anything to him.

Moreover, since he is on good terms with Qingfeng Daoren now, he should not be targeted for retribution in the future.

Thinking of this, he stopped worrying about it.

Going with the flow is his consistent principle.

……

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Mu sat cross-legged on the cliff, spread his five fingers, and flames rose from his palm, then quickly spun and condensed into a fireball.

This is not an ordinary fireball technique, but a red "Rasengan" made of flames! Or you could call it "Kagerou".

He hurled Yangyan into the air, where it exploded with a deafening roar, flames billowing and sweeping outwards, forcing even himself to activate his defensive magic items to withstand it.

Seeing its power, Xu Mu was quite satisfied.

This is the combination of Xia Meimin Fire and "Red Sun Nine Luminaries".

If one practices to a higher level, one can condense nine "Great Rasengans" at once, and even if Sasuke came, he would have to leave clutching his backside.

Unfortunately, he is only at the Qi Refining stage, and the techniques he possesses are only at the Qi Cultivation stage. At most, he can only create a relatively ordinary "Flame Rasengan".

However, its power is far beyond what any Wind Release: Rasengan can match; it's more terrifying than a hand grenade when thrown.

It should be enough to deal with cultivators of the same level.

"Alright, I've mastered the divine skill. It's about time to head out."

Xu Mu patted his bottom and squinted at the rising sun on the horizon.

The five spirit stones I bought from Nanlian Valley are almost used up, so I can no longer refine Spirit Gathering Pills and therefore cannot cultivate.

The spiritual energy concentration in Medicine God Valley is too low, so he can only improve his cultivation level by taking pills. Once he stops taking pills, his cultivation level will not change at all.

Since we can't go to Nanlian Valley now, we have to find other towns and cities.

I have no choice but to go out on an adventure.