When Gu Wen regained his senses, he had already reached the first floor.
Instead of returning home, he chose to stay at the Qianfeng Tower.
He was afraid of being robbed on the way back, as being robbed was a minor issue, but revealing his strength was a major concern.
Yang Shanyu escorted him to his room and said, "Master Wen, rest early."
"I wonder when Your Highness's requested elixir will be ready?"
"In three days."
As the door closed, Gu Wen lay on the bed.
The graceful figure in his mind echoed like wind chimes.
Activating the Jade Clear Sword Technique, the jade sword moved slightly, dispersing all distracting thoughts.
When he opened his eyes again, there was a hint of wariness in them.
Ranked fifth on the Earth List, even though he was prepared, he still fell into the trap.
He had not been mentally confused just now, knowing clearly what he was doing and being able to control his actions.
However, he couldn't control the flood of thoughts behind the door.
If he continued without resistance, he would eventually succumb.
The plan to purchase inferior Longhu Pills at a reduced price did not materialize.
Instead, he ended up helping them for free, truly freeloading off the sect.
Gu Wen chuckled inwardly, 'Futures are risky, there are always times when trading results in losses.'
How coincidental, I also want to freeload.
The next day, Gu Wen first went to the Wang Mansion to deliver the elixir.
Due to confidentiality reasons, he couldn't just turn around and come to the Wang Mansion right after leaving Qianfeng Tower.
He found it quite amusing.
It felt like a déjà vu from his past life when he went to an internet cafe.
Just like parents couldn't guard the entrance of an internet cafe, the palace couldn't know everything.
The court didn't have a special intelligence agency like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it operated under a monarch's offline system.
However, the palace must have known about the sale of elixirs at Qianfeng Tower.
It was normal for a merchant like him to stay at a brothel, but coming in and out was not normal.
For the sake of confidentiality and self-protection, he had to do so.
"With Master Gu here, this prince is at ease," Zhao Feng was very pleased and praised Gu Wen verbally, but did not offer any substantial benefits.
After all, he was out of money.
He had almost emptied all his savings to buy the Condensing Dao Pill.
This wasn't just about money, but also about many rare treasures he had accumulated over the years.
Gu Wen clasped his hands and said, "It is my honor to share Your Highness's worries."
Seeing his loyalty, Zhao Feng's tiny conscience brightened slightly.
He added, "Master Gu, do you want to cultivate immortality?"
Gu Wen was somewhat surprised.
Could this guy be planning to seize his body?
Pretending to be surprised, he eagerly nodded, "Of course, I do. Although I am a commoner, I also want to live longer."
"Cultivation, immortal cultivation, longevity cultivation. Countless kings and generals throughout history have sought longevity. What they couldn't achieve, I can give you."
Zhao Feng spoke with a certain rhythm, his face pale, his eyes filled with a divine light like a god.
In Gu Wen's eyes, he looked like an ant.
But one thing was certain, Zhao Feng had finally embarked on cultivation.
Whether it was because Zhao Feng was too inexperienced or due to the aftereffects of taking drugs, the foundation of Dao was naturally formed.
Gu Wen could perfectly conceal his aura, but Zhao Feng leaked it like a leaking faucet.
Proudly, Zhao Feng flaunted his power to Gu Wen, saying, "But whether you succeed or not depends on your performance."
I overthought it.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am willing to go through fire and water for you."
"Good."
Gu Wen lowered his head and continued, "Your Highness, about the elixir..."
"You just need to bring it to me."
Zhao Feng interrupted, his words firm but also showing signs of panic, like a student trying to cheat to get good grades.
Gu Wen was not intimidated and continued, "When I met the owner of Qianfeng Tower, she said the elixir's toxicity is uncontrollable and varies from person to person. I wanted to ask if you have noticed anything unusual recently?"
"Well..."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Feng said, "Recently, there has been a loss of qi and blood, frequent coughing. In cultivation, one must take the Longhu Pill, otherwise the chest will heat up."
Another day passed, with one more day until the Condensing Dao Pill was ready.
After successfully establishing contact, Gu Wen found it much simpler to meet Lu Chan.
She probably thought he had successfully placed a hidden stake in the Wang Mansion.
Explaining Zhao Feng's situation to her, Gu Wen asked, "Your Highness is finding it increasingly difficult to cultivate. Can he take a break for a while?"
Lu Chan replied, "Cultivating the Dao is like going against the heavens. Once you start, retreating is like cutting off one's own arm. I will give him the Condensing Dao Pill, whether he continues or not is up to him."
"Understood."
Gu Wen was about to leave when Lu Chan stopped him and asked, "Do you know anyone besides Zhao Feng who has been in contact with Yuhua?"
"I have only seen Fairy Yuhua, I do not know who else she has met."
"Truly useless."
Lu Chan's voice carried a hint of displeasure.
Gu Wen simply bowed his head, and seeing his demeanor, she didn't press further.
It was strange for a commoner to have contact with Fairy Yuhua.
That woman was very proud, especially after entering the Great Qian Dynasty.
Her tone changed, and she asked Gu Wen, "Please help me inquire about something."
This troublesome woman.
Gu Wen sighed inwardly.
If he saw her true appearance, he might even call her a little demon.
For now, he bowed and said, "I am willing to serve the Fairy."
Gu Wen left in a carriage.
Through a corner of the window curtain, he sensed two pairs of eyes looking at him.
One belonged to a monk with a rough face, and the other to He Huan, dressed in white like a jade tree.
They looked at him as if he were a harmless commoner.
The more, the merrier.
Ten hours until the Condensing Dao Pill was ready.
In the water room, Gu Wen adjusted the account book again, concealing the silver he used for reimbursement and crossing out the corresponding amount on the water bill, a common practice known as falsifying accounts.
In the area of Bianjing, the possession of armor, crossbows, and weapons was prohibited.
The first two were only available in the armory, and normal soldiers didn't necessarily have them.
It was only in the past two years, due to frequent civilian unrest, that the court allowed the soldiers to wear armor.
Although the use of weapons was also prohibited, the supervision was not strict, and they could still be obtained.
Gu Wen weighed the weapon in his hand.
It was a twelve-foot-long, three-pound spear made of composite material with a bull tendon wood shaft.
The spearhead had a curved blade and curved edges on both sides, making it easy to pierce and withdraw.
It was somewhat similar to a crow's beak spear.
It was not difficult to hold, and he felt it was too light.
It gave him a feeling of choosing a weapon in the Dragon Palace like a monkey.
One pound of weapon required ten pounds of strength to wield.
But when one had the strength of a hundred pounds, and the weapon weighed only one pound, it felt a bit awkward.
He would have to make do with it for now.
"Where did you get this from?"
"The Tooth Market. It is said that a descendant of a fallen noble family sold it after falling on hard times. It cost me one hundred taels."
"Very good. Come back to sit here at this time tomorrow and provide me with cover, so people know I haven't left."
"Yes, Master."
Jiang Fugui had learned Gu Wen's essence: never ask about things that shouldn't be asked.
Nine hours until the Condensing Dao Pill was ready.
Gu Wen looked at the sky, completely dark now.
He made a note in the account book: "Two hundred thousand." This was his expenditure from the Wang Mansion and the payment to the warehouse accountant at the Wang Mansion to check the inventory.
In the past half month, the Wang Mansion had spent two hundred thousand taels.
He had almost emptied Zhao Feng's treasury.
An hour later, Gu Wen disguised himself and met He Huan.
He got straight to the point, "When the pill is ready, we will directly raid Qianfeng Tower."
He Huan shook her head, "If we do that, we will have to make enemies with the Fox Immortal. It's better to wait for the merchant to bring the items out."
"No, I want to make an enemy of her. I really want to see what she is capable of."
In the midst of the concealed mask, there was a hint of fighting spirit in He Huan's eyes.
This made He Huan feel a headache, but he tried to persuade Gu Wen.
However, he couldn't budge the martial fanatic in front of him.
He had to give up and said, "If Red Dust is so reckless, I won't accompany you."
"You don't need to come in with me. Just wait outside to assist me. If the situation is not right, you can run."
"Your noble character!"
He Huan quickly changed his tune.
They agreed to forcefully seize the elixir at sunset.
Back at home, Gu Wen locked the doors and windows.
He looked at the table with a hundred and twenty Longhu Pills and smiled until his eyebrows curved.
Today, I am not poor, I am a master!
For safety reasons, he first took ten pills to taste.
They tasted pungent, like fire in the stomach.
His destiny shook, and meteoric flames danced in the vast sky.
The Heavenly Essence Fire continued to increase.
Second Stage of Heavenly Essence.
Gu Wen opened his eyes and looked down at his body.
There was a significant reaction, but with the protection of the Jade Clear Dao Foundation, he didn't have uncontrollable thoughts in his mind.
Entering a meditative state, he guided the chaotic medicinal properties into his Qi Sea, where they were gradually transformed into spiritual power.
This process continued from day to night.
Soon, the hundred and twenty Longhu Pills were completely consumed, along with the Qi Nourishing Pills given by Yuhua.
The result was...
Thirteen Years of Heavenly Essence!
Eleven years of Heavenly Essence could elevate the Dao Foundation to a higher level, breaking through the Jade Clear Sword Technique twice, allowing the Profound Bright Spear to continue innovating, strengthening the Lingyu Body Protection Technique, and enhancing the Falling Moon Steps for speed and distance.
He could invest in extending the Dao Foundation to reach future heights, hope for a deeper understanding of the Jade Clear Sword Technique to breathe out sword energy, or directly enhance his strength with the Profound Bright Spear, or focus on defense and speed.
Gu Wen had an unprecedented wealth of resources.
He couldn't spend it all, not even close.
The feeling of a smooth path ahead made Gu Wen ecstatic.
Those naturally wealthy and successful individuals like Zhao Feng couldn't understand this.
Only those deeply mired in difficulties would cherish every bit of progress.
Gu Wen calmed his mind through cultivation and then pondered over the various martial arts techniques.
He decided to focus on the Jade Clear Dao Foundation, the most effective combat power of the Profound Bright Spear, the defensive Lingyu Body Protection Technique, the versatile Falling Moon Steps, and the unexpected Jade Clear Sword Technique.
Five martial arts techniques given to him by Yuhua were carefully selected and had a significant impact on his advancement.
With a long-term perspective, the Jade Clear Dao Foundation was undoubtedly the best choice.
However, he didn't have many Qi Nourishing Pills, and his Qi Sea had never been full.
Investing ten Heavenly Essence at once, what if breaking through to the third level didn't bring significant improvements?
He had witnessed the subtleties of the Dao Foundation but realized a problem: no matter how much he expanded his limits, he needed to have a reserve.
Most importantly, there were still two days left until the raid on the Condensing Dao Pill.
Stability or profit?
Naturally, he sought both!
Five years ago, when he knelt before Zhao Feng, he had said to himself, "Endure in obscurity, or rise with the wind. You have sung for so long, it's time for me to take the stage."
Entering his Qi Sea, gazing at the vast destiny, the meteoric flames were abundant, circulating and transforming.
The Heavenly Fire covered the sky.
The Heavenly Essence rolled, transforming into a stone mill after seven years of Heavenly Essence.
It crushed the narrow Profound Bright Spear.
The Profound Bright Spear, originally without four levels, now had no six levels of spear intent, let alone six levels of spear god.
Gu Wen stepped along the path defined by the Heavenly Essence, and as long as he followed the spear intent of the Heavenly Essence, he could reach the level of spear proficiency sufficient to climb the Earth List.
Yuhua had said, "The Earth List looks at talent, and the one with the highest talent stands at the top. The Earth List looks at ability, and the one with the highest ability ranks higher."
Beyond the heavens and the earth, the stone monument was vast.
An old man with white hair, eyes squinted to a slit, was wiping the monument.
Suddenly, a golden light appeared, and a new name emerged.
Ranked 81st on the Earth List, Red Dust, Profound Bright Spear reaching godhood.
The old man's actions remained unchanged as the surrounding divine thoughts passed by in a flash.
The two words "Red Dust" were remembered by some, but that was all.
Similar to the Earth List, the former represented future achievements, while the latter represented current strength.
Those who made it onto the list were geniuses, but being 81st was somewhat lacking.
First Year of Heavenly Essence.
Third Year of Heavenly Essence.
Fifth Year of Heavenly Essence.
Seventh Year of Heavenly Essence.
Gu Wen stopped in his tracks.
The Heavenly Essence suddenly ceased, and ahead of him was a jet-black long spear.
Its rhyme was grand and inclusive, with an unstoppable ambition.
The Profound Bright Spear was originally created by a Qi Refinement martial artist.
Even when refined to the extreme, it was still just Qi Refinement, meant to defeat the enemy in front of you.
Six feet for a step, a square inch for martial prowess.
With this step, who needs Heavenly Essence?
Gu Wen took a step forward, grasped the black spear, and the spear intent of the Heavenly Essence was godlike.
"Why do I need your six-foot warrior's spear?"
A wild smile cracked on his lips, his eyes filled with disdain, as if he scorned all things in the world, considering them beneath him.
"My ambition is to slaughter the world, cleanse the earth of impurities."
He released the spear, turned, and walked in another direction.
Eight years of Heavenly Essence, nine years of Heavenly Essence, ten years of Heavenly Essence, eleven, thirteen!
The dark red qi burst into flames like a raging fire, and a deafening sound of killing resounded between heaven and earth.
With each step he took on the path of slaughter, a fist struck out, seeking vengeance against his enemies.
In a hazy realm, countless broken spears littered the ground, and the gaze swept over mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Gu Wen raised his head, a streak of crimson tore through the sky, and scales and brilliance rolled.
The clouds collapsed, and a huge pupil slowly opened, finally settling on a crimson dragon.
The spear intent was like a dragon, the killing intent like an abyss.
The crimson dragon bowed its head, and Gu Wen caressed its head.
His eyes lowered, a gentle smile never seen before on his lips, yet it stirred up an endless aura of killing.
"Let's call you the Luminous Spear, with fierce intentions and clear ambitions of slaughter."
Fierce, slaughtering the world, purging all impurities.
Clear, upright and bright, shining in broad daylight.
When I am good, the world is not.
Beyond the heavens and the earth, the stone monument trembled.
The old man wiping the monument slightly opened his eyes and saw the two words "Red Dust" trembling.
Strands of red light burst forth, and with each step, countless geniuses from major sects were trampled down.
Ranked sixth on the Earth List, Lu Chan, the Illusory Fox Immortal, illusion as reality, reality as illusion.
Ranked fifth, Red Dust, the Spear of Slaughter, with fierce intentions and clear ambitions of slaughter.
Three days ago, an unaffiliated genius broke into the top ten of the Earth List.
Three days later, he stepped onto the fifth spot on the Earth List.
Countless divine thoughts hurriedly turned back, shaking, then falling silent.
No one knew who the person behind the name Red Dust was, and no matter how they calculated the heavenly secrets, they couldn't glimpse a clue.
Yet the name Red Dust had completely entered the eyes of all the great powers in the world.
This was the true opening of the path to immortality in this world, and it would also be the last time.
In this era, geniuses gathered, gods reincarnated, and saints entered the game.
Talents were just qualifications to enter the stage, invincibility was just preparation to step onto the stage, and becoming an immortal was the real performance.
And Gu Wen, a commoner and servant, had been cultivating for half a year, aiming to take the stage and perform as the top talent and the supreme genius.