Chapter 28: Seeking Medicine in Jiuyang Mountain

When Fang Hao came out of the Mission Hall, he was quite excited. He had just learned from a Disciple who had recently returned from the Jiuyang Mountain Range that someone had seen traces of the seven-colored glazed flower in the depths of the southern Jiuyang Mountain Range!

seven-colored glazed flower! One of the hardest main ingredients to find on the foundation establishment pill formula! If he could harvest it, the success rate of Foundation Establishment would greatly increase.

Although he knew that the Jiuyang Mountain Range was full of dangers and inhabited by powerful Demon Beasts, Fang Hao still decided to take the risk. He made full preparations: Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Formation Plates were all ready, and he even specifically brought the protective Magic Treasure gifted by Liang Ling.

Three days later, Fang Hao quietly left the Sect and traveled to the Jiuyang Mountain Range by Flying Sword. To be safe, he even took a detour to avoid being followed.

However, what Fang Hao didn’t know was that from the moment he left the Sect, a pair of eyes had been watching him in the shadows.

"Senior Brother Bao, that kid went towards the Jiuyang Mountain Range!" Zhao Ping reported respectfully to Bao Zhijian.

Bao Zhijian sneered, "Very good! The Jiuyang Mountain Range is infested with Demon Beasts; it’s only normal for an Outer Sect Disciple to die there..."

Fang Hao traveled swiftly and arrived at the outskirts of the Jiuyang Mountain Range a day later. The mountain range rolled on continuously with towering ancient trees, and the roars of Demon Beasts could be heard from time to time.

Following the clues provided by that Disciple, he headed deep into the mountain range. The further in he went, the richer the Spiritual Qi became, but it also became more dangerous. A few times he almost ran into Third-Ranked Demonic Beasts, but fortunately, his sharp Divine Sense allowed him to avoid them in advance.

On the third day, Fang Hao found a clue in a valley—a few petals of the seven-colored glazed flower! Although withered, they were undoubtedly genuine!

"It’s nearby!" Fang Hao’s spirit lifted, and he searched carefully.

Sure enough, in a hidden crevice of a cliff, he saw the Spirit Medicine of his dreams! The seven-colored glazed flower shimmered with a dreamlike luster under the sunlight, its seven petals each presenting a different color, breathtakingly beautiful.

But Fang Hao did not rush forward. Such a Heaven And Earth Treasure must have a guardian Demon Beast. He concealed his aura and observed carefully.

Indeed, a seven-colored centipede was coiled next to the flower! This centipede was about ten feet long, its hundred legs like blades, emitting the pressure of a Third-Ranked Demonic Beast!

"Third-tier Peak..." Fang Hao frowned. This was equivalent to a Cultivator at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, definitely not someone he could match in strength.

Just as he was pondering a strategy, a warning sign suddenly arose in his heart! A sharp Sword Qi attacked from behind! 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Fang Hao hurriedly executed Divine Spirit Steps to dodge, but he was still a step too slow. The Sword Qi grazed his left shoulder, and blood immediately gushed out!

"Who?" Fang Hao was both shocked and furious as he turned to look.

Bao Zhijian slowly stepped out from the forest with a mocking look: "What a coincidence, Junior Brother Ning, to actually run into you here."

Fang Hao’s heart sank: "What is the meaning of this, Senior Brother Bao?"

"The meaning?" Bao Zhijian sneered, "I gave you a way out but you wouldn’t take it, insisting on seeking your own death! Today I’ll let you know that some people are not to be provoked by the likes of you!"

Without further nonsense, he directly sacrificed his Flying Sword to attack! The pressure of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage exploded fully, making it difficult for Fang Hao to breathe.

Fang Hao hurriedly exerted all his strength to respond. Divine Spirit Steps, Starfall Sword Art, various Talismans, and Formation Plates were all brought into play, but under the absolute difference in strength, he still retreated steadily.

"Ants are just ants!" Bao Zhijian’s offensive became increasingly fierce, "A mere Qi Refinement Stage dares to oppose me!"

Fang Hao gritted his teeth and persisted, his mind racing. Fighting head-on definitely wouldn’t work; he had to find a way to escape!

He deliberately showed a flaw, luring Bao Zhijian to attack with full force, and then suddenly activated a Formation Plate—it was exactly the modified Confinement Formation!

A flash of light appeared, and Bao Zhijian’s movement stalled. Although it was only for an instant, it was enough for Fang Hao!

He rushed toward the seven-colored glazed flower without hesitation! The guardian centipede was startled and pounced fiercely!

Fang Hao did not dodge or avoid it, passing directly under the centipede, snatching the glazed flower and putting it into his storage ring. At the same time, he scattered a handful of special medicinal powder—this was the Beast-Confusing Powder he had prepared for harvesting Spirit Medicine!

The centipede’s eyes were blinded by the powder, and it went into a frenzy, just happening to collide with the pursuing Bao Zhijian!

"Beast, you’re looking for death!" Bao Zhijian roared angrily and had to deal with the centipede’s attack first.

Fang Hao took the opportunity to flee deep into the valley. Behind him came Bao Zhijian’s roars and the centipede’s hissing, clearly a fierce battle.

Fang Hao ignored his injuries and fled with all his might. But Bao Zhijian quickly dealt with the centipede and caught up, his speed extremely fast!

"Let’s see where you can run!" Bao Zhijian struck with a beam of Sword Qi. Fang Hao barely dodged it, but the aftershock made his blood and Qi surge.

Seeing he was about to be caught, Fang Hao suddenly discovered a cave ahead and ducked in without thinking.

Bao Zhijian followed closely behind, but his expression changed after entering the cave: "Spirit-Restricting Cave?"

Fang Hao also felt it; Spiritual Qi could not be used inside the cave! All Spells and Magical Artifacts had lost their effect!

"Haha! Heaven is helping me!" Bao Zhijian laughed loudly, "Without being able to use magic power, let’s see how you escape!"

He pulled out a long sword and approached step by step. Although magic power couldn’t be used, the physique of the Foundation Establishment Stage was far superior to the Qi Refinement Stage.

Fang Hao’s heart sank to the bottom. In a spirit-restricting environment, he was definitely no match for Bao Zhijian!

At the critical moment, Fang Hao suddenly remembered the Mortal Martial Skills he had learned in the illusion. Back then, in the "Heart-Questioning Platform" illusion, he had survived for several months as a Mortal and learned some basic skills.

Fang Hao took a starting stance, his eyes sharp: "Senior Brother Bao, do you really want to drive me to a dead end?"

Bao Zhijian scoffed: "Deathbed struggle!" He lunged with his sword!

Fang Hao sidestepped to dodge and simultaneously pointed a finger at the acupoint on Bao Zhijian’s wrist. This move was adapted from Mortal martial arts, specifically targeting vital points.

Bao Zhijian’s wrist went numb, and the long sword almost fell from his hand. He was both shocked and furious: "What kind of evil technique is this?"

Fang Hao did not answer, his offensive becoming more urgent. In the spirit-restricting environment, his Mortal Martial Skills actually gained the upper hand. Bao Zhijian had a powerful cultivation for nothing; he didn’t understand close-quarters combat and was beaten into a flustered state.

"Damn it!" Bao Zhijian roared, completely ignoring defense and attacking frantically.

Fang Hao gradually became exhausted. After all, the difference in cultivation was too great, and he was almost severely injured several times.

Just at the critical moment, the cave suddenly began to vibrate! Rocks from the ceiling fell one after another!

"The cave is collapsing!" Fang Hao was shocked and hurriedly rushed outside.

Bao Zhijian also didn’t care about the pursuit and fled for his life. The two rushed out of the cave one after another, and with a boom behind them, the cave entrance was completely sealed!

Having survived the disaster, both were panting heavily. Bao Zhijian’s face was dark, and he still wanted to make a move, but he found that after his spiritual power was restored, Fang Hao had already prepared several Talismans and was waiting solemnly.

"Senior Brother Bao, do you still want to continue?" Fang Hao said coldly, "The commotion just now wasn’t small; perhaps it has already alerted others."

Bao Zhijian’s eyes shifted, and finally, he snorted coldly: "Consider yourself lucky! Next time, I will definitely take your life!" After saying that, he flew away on his sword.

Fang Hao breathed a long sigh of relief, only then feeling the pain all over his body. The wound on his left shoulder was deep enough to see the bone, and his internal organs had also suffered from the shock.

He hurriedly took healing Medicinal Pills, briefly treated his wounds, and quickly left this place of trouble.

On the way back to the Sect, Fang Hao still had lingering fears. This time was truly too dangerous. If not for that Spirit-Restricting Cave and the sudden landslide, he might have truly perished here.

"Bao Zhijian..." A cold light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes. This grudge was now settled!

But feeling the seven-colored glazed flower in his storage ring, he felt it was worth it. Five of the seven main ingredients had been obtained, leaving only the mysterious spirit grass and heavenly star grass.

After returning to the Sect, Fang Hao became even more low-key. He stayed indoors on weekdays and Cultivated with all his might to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

As for Bao Zhijian’s side, there seemed to be no movement for the time being. But Fang Hao knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

In the cultivation world, strength is respected. Only by reaching Foundation Establishment as soon as possible would he have the power to protect himself!

Fang Hao clenched his fists, his eyes determined. Foundation Establishment, he must reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.