Chapter 617

Chapter 617: The Seven Great Medicines

"Ah, Mao Mao has truly surpassed us brothers this time!" Fang Huo said with a bitter laugh.

"Perhaps we’ve been left behind, but Big Brother—" Ice Second Brother turned curiously, "Surely you haven’t fallen behind Mao Mao?"

Fang Lie simply chuckled without answering, though his confident smile spoke volumes about his self-assurance.

Suddenly understanding, Fang Huo exclaimed, "Right! How could I forget our eldest? Even if Mao Mao’s strong now, she couldn’t slay a Thunder Tribulation Immortal yet! But Big Brother here has already killed three!"

"Let’s be clear," Fang Lie hastily interjected, "Ambush tactics let me eliminate Thunder Tribulation Immortals, but in direct combat? My chances remain slim. At best I can ensure my escape."

"That’s still remarkable!" Ice Second Brother pressed on, "Speaking of which, Big Brother, your upcoming closed-door training—you’ll require spirit pills and essences, yes?"

"Naturally," Fang Lie nodded gravely. "Spread the word—the more the better. Also, convert all my unused contribution points into medicinal resources. This training opportunity cost me dearly to obtain from the Sect Leader. We must prepare thoroughly."

"Understood!" Fang Huo vowed. "We’ll gather twenty-five years’ worth of supplies, whatever it takes!"

"Moreover," Ice Second Brother added, "We’ll procure supplementary treasures. Thanks to your influence, our trade networks now reach far—we can obtain rare specialties like the Lotus Dharma Sect’s Meditation Incense, the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Ninth-Rank Spirit-Attracting Gu, even Yingzhou’s Seven Great Medicines!"

Fang Lie’s eyes brightened at this news. These were legendary items even among Thunder Tribulation Immortals.

The Meditation Incense required blending 9,999 spiritual fragrances over decades—a single mistake ruining the batch. Yet its power to maintain absolute focus during prolonged cultivation made each stick priceless, rationed even to senior elders.

The Ninth-Rank Spirit-Attracting Gu proved even rarer. While common third-rank versions boosted Golden Pool cultivators by thirty percent, seventh-rank specimens could aid Fire Tribulation Immortals. These ninth-rank marvels took millennia to cultivate, surviving only on purest spirit essences—starve them ten days and they perished.

But the Seven Great Medicines overshadowed all. Though named seven, they grew on one ancient tree—seven distinct fruits ripening over centuries, each enhancing different aspects: soul, physique, blood essence. Each consumption strengthened the body’s foundation by one percent, with no diminishing returns or side effects.

Yingzhou’s orchard housed over a dozen such trees, yet demand always outstripped supply. The Mo Sect’s entire historical stock—barely three sets—had been consumed by Mo Lanyun before Fang Lie’s rise.

"Acquire everything possible," Fang Lie commanded urgently. "Take losses if needed—I’d trade for an entire Seven Medicines tree itself!"

Fang Huo chuckled, "Impossible! Those are ancestral trees!"

Yet Ice Second Brother mused, "With over a dozen trees… perhaps for the right price…"

"What price?" Fang Lie pressed urgently.

"The Ten-Thousand Gu Sect seized three eighth-rank Ten-Thousand Gu Flags. They nurture supreme spiritual gu insects—each as valuable as gold mines," Ice Second Brother said with uncertainty. "They’d certainly covet those. Moreover, the resurrection method through Nirvana Fire Seed would make them drool. If we’re willing to offer it, we might strike a deal!"

"Negotiate without haste," Fang Lie instructed. "We have ample time. Just settle this before my closed-door training ends. If it fails, so be it. The Seven Great Medicines can’t be consumed infinitely anyway—though their limit must be astonishingly high. At worst, I’ll purchase upgrades at high cost!"

"Understood. I’ll handle the talks," Ice Second Brother vowed.

The group drank merrily until daybreak.

At dawn, the energized party dispersed without resting.

Ice Second Brother and Fang Huo departed together, mobilizing all connections to collect treasures for Fang Lie’s seclusion.

Fang Lie remained behind, abandoning his own cultivation to personally guide his younger siblings’ training.

He felt remorseful—though his rise in Mo Sect had brought them great benefits, it left little time for companionship. Over years, they’d shared barely days together, making him unaware of their cultivation progress.

To amend this, Fang Lie resolved to devote three months solely to nurturing his siblings.

He also summoned his followers—Mi Qing, Little Peach Red, and Dao soldiers like Green Fox Demon. After guiding them, he appointed Mi Qing and Little Peach Red to lead during his absence.

Fang Lie assigned them all a cultivation path: becoming Cannon Experts mastering Dao magic for Mechanical Cannon operation.

To support this, his Central World already operated at full capacity. Billions of demon rats mined minerals while Rat Kings and high-ranking demons learned Mechanical Cannon and cannon shell production.

These techniques came from Mo Sect’s secret archives, costing Fang Lie vast contribution points—yet he deemed it worthwhile.

The natural-born miner rats surpassed expectations. Within a year, they amassed mountain ranges of metal ore refined to low-rank treasure quality.

Rat Kings delivered their first batch of qualified cannon shells—merely first rank, but promising for a beginning.

Notably, Fang Lie’s investments finally yielded returns. While purchasing demon rats cost funds, maintaining them proved free—the Central World provided abundant resources.

Excess minerals, though low-grade, were sold to the sect for spirit pills. These rewarded diligent Rat Kings, enhancing their strength and motivation.

Stronger Rat Kings could craft superior shells. Second-tier shells would attract Golden Pool realm cultivators—such single-use weapons unleashed power surpassing their rank, letting Golden Pool users easily slaughter Purple Palace foes.

Beyond Green Fox Demon and rats, Fang Lie’s Iron-Walled Jin City administrators held firm. Seven Dragon True Immortals now fully controlled the city without external interference, preventing treasure leaks.

Neighboring factions kept clear, terrified by Sword Fortress’s mysterious annihilation. Fang Lie’s Celestial Platform victory further cowed potential troublemakers—none dared target Iron-Walled Jin City while he lived.

As Fang Lie prepared for twenty-five years’ seclusion, Mr. Suan Mei journeyed afar to receive final instructions. He departed elated—Fang Lie had provided resources sufficient for him and Seven Dragon True Immortals to ascend to Fire Tribulation Immortal realm.