Chapter 00028: Retrieving the Medicinal Formula
# Retrieving the Medicinal Formula
Chapter 28
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 28: Retrieving the Medicinal Formula
In less than an hour, Yu hurriedly walked in with two middle-aged men. As they reached the door, the two men who had followed Yu knelt on the ground. "Congratulations, Master, on your emergence from seclusion, and your strength is at a new level. I, disciple Shang (the disciple also refers to himself as Jiao), have returned to pay my respects to Master."
Gong smiled slightly, "Very good. Although you have been struggling with worldly matters outside, your strength has indeed not diminished. Get up, please sit down. Zheng, you should sit as well."
After all the disciples were seated, Gong said, "I have called you all back this time because the Earth will undergo a great change."
"Aah..." The disciples stared blankly at their Master, wondering if a war was about to break out. Even if it were a war, it wouldn't affect them much as members of the Seven Sounds Sect.
"Shang, some time ago you obtained a formula for tempering bones, and you still have it, right?" Gong ignored the disciples' astonishment and directly questioned his oldest disciple, Shang.
Shang was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Master, I verified it with a few tests, but it turned out to be of no use, so I sold it at the auction."
The formula only enhanced some Inner Qi martial artists' vitality, and since they already had plenty of such formulas at the Thousand Sounds Auction, he naturally wouldn't keep it. Only valuable items were left in the auction house or kept as backup. If they kept things that were worthless, then there would be too many things to retain.
Gong nodded, "Go retrieve that formula right now. It was of no use before, but it is now."
When it came to retrieving the formula, it seemed as if he was merely taking back something that was stored with someone else, rather than something that had been sold. The other disciples showed no signs of surprise, as if it were indeed something that should be done, nothing odd about it.
"Yes, Master, I will have someone bring it back immediately." Shang responded without hesitation.
Gong continued, "The Earth now has Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and this Qi is becoming denser. This means more and more powerful individuals will appear around us. Therefore, you must work even harder. If there are business matters you can delegate, then do so; don't spend too much energy on them. Otherwise, there might come a day when someone surpasses you. Moreover, you must continue searching for the Seven Sounds Box. Without the Seven Sounds Box, our Seven Sounds will be like a tree without roots or water without a source, ultimately disappearing one day."
The disciples answered in unison, and Gong sighed, "Now that there is Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi on the Earth, I also need to go out for a while. With such changes, I cannot predict what may happen in the future. I need to look for your junior disciples; perhaps they are still alive."
"Master, didn't Senior Brother Bing and Junior Sister Kong perish in the Pacific Ocean? I suspect this incident has something to do with Lan Xiangchen of the Lan family, and I have asked Senior Brother to help destroy the Lan family." Zheng quickly said.
Gong said indifferently, "Your intention in asking Shang to help you annihilate the Lan family is perhaps not solely for your junior brother and sister, is it? If you didn't destroy the Lan family, would your Great Universe AI Corporation be what it is today?"
Upon hearing the Master's words, Zheng knelt down, "Master, I truly had no idea about the disappearance of Brother Bing and Sister Kong. At that time, Lan Xiangchen was launching something in the Pacific, and that’s when issues arose with my junior brother and sister. Regardless of the truth, we in the Seven Sounds cannot allow our people to suffer unjustly. Therefore..."
Shang quickly knelt and said, "The Lan family was something I entrusted to the Shenpu Ju family to eliminate; at that time, I wasn't thinking much. My junior brother said the Lan family should be wiped out, so I casually instructed the Ju family."
Gong waved his hand, "I am not blaming you. If the Lan family is destroyed, then so be it; get up."
What seemed like an unfounded suspicion led to the annihilation of the Lan family—such domineering actions could only be accomplished by those from the Seven Sounds.
……
In Jin City far away, Shang Feixiong had a cold smile on his face as he listened to the report from Shang Hongze. The Shang family was certain that Lan Xiaobu was an Inner Strength martial artist. Not only was he an Inner Strength martial artist, but it was clear that the Ju family’s Ju Jie was killed by Lan Xiaobu. Judging by Lan Xiaobu's tactics of snatching their martial arts formulas, it was certain that the Ju family's Blue Wing Star had also fallen victim to Lan Xiaobu.
"Head of the family, according to our investigations, that Lan Xiaobu likely entered the Ten Thousand Mountains. We must find Lan Xiaobu as soon as possible; otherwise..." Shang Feixiong's tone carried a hint of worry.
Shang Hongze nodded, "Indeed, if we continue to delay, it might be impossible for my Shang family to reclaim what belongs to us... By the way, how is Xiao Wei's training going?"
Before Shang Feixiong could respond, Shang Wei's excited voice came from the entrance, "Grandfather, I have cultivated Inner Qi!"
"What?" Shang Hongze suddenly stood up, his hands trembling slightly.
After a moment, he murmured, "In less than a month, no, in just over half a month, you mastered Inner Qi, stepping into the ranks of Inner Strength martial artists! This talent..." Even with the Earth’s Spiritual Qi gradually intensifying, entering Ancient Martial Arts practice was possible. But to cultivate Inner Qi in just over half a month—what exceptional talent! The Shang family was among the first to discover the changes on Earth, and now with Shang Wei mastering Inner Qi in such a short time, the family would undoubtedly rise to new heights.
"Good." Shang Feixiong clapped his hands, calling out loudly.
Shang Hongze calmed down and looked at Shang Feixiong, "Feixiong, the news that Xiao Wei has cultivated Inner Qi must be kept confidential. You must mobilize people to head to the Ten Thousand Mountains, and by any means necessary, retrieve the medicinal formula from Lan Xiaobu. As long as we have six more months, even if others find out about the Spiritual Qi on Earth and that it can be cultivated, they still won’t catch up to my Shang family..."
"Head of the family, actually, actually..." Shang Feixiong remembered his purpose for coming, his tone somewhat apprehensive.
"Just speak directly." Shang Hongze’s mood had improved considerably today.
Shang Feixiong hurriedly said, "It's about what I was going to tell you earlier. There is a post on the Jianghu Forum concerning Lan Xiaobu."
Shang Hongze nodded, "I have seen that post; it was utter nonsense. The Ju family was definitely killed by Lan Xiaobu, and Lan Xiaobu is undeniably an Inner Qi martial artist."
"Yes, but today there was a reply that was quite astonishing." Shang Feixiong dared not hide it, "Today someone named 'One Sword Falls to Jiangdong' replied, saying that he wanted to see if Inner Qi could be cultivated, so he specially downloaded a cultivation method online. As a result, he really cultivated Inner Qi; now it is likely that the whole world knows Inner Qi can be casually cultivated."
Shang Hongze was taken aback. With the burst of Earth's Spiritual Qi, it was not just the Shang family that knew Inner Qi could be cultivated; surely, very few were aware of it. Now that this post was exposed on the Jianghu Forum, it meant that everyone would know.
"Damn..." Shang Hongze slammed the coffee table in frustration, an old habit of his.
Shang Feixiong continued, "Now I’m afraid the world is frantically downloading various martial arts techniques and cultivating like mad."
Shang Hongze clenched his fists and after a moment declared, "You must find this One Sword Falls to Jiangdong, then bring him to the Shang family."
"Yes." Shang Feixiong answered immediately.
He understood the head's meaning; One Sword Falls to Jiangdong had cultivated Inner Qi in just a few days—his talent was likely better than Shang Wei’s. Such a person, once they grew up, would inevitably become a powerhouse; the Shang family should absorb such talents now.
"Haha, Brother Shang, I hope you don't mind my sudden visit," a loud voice came, followed by a man dressed in black appearing at the door.
Upon seeing the golden Five-Line Staff Emblem on the man's sleeve, Shang Hongze took a few steps forward, his face brimming with politeness, "Ah, so it’s a friend from Thousand Sounds. Please, have a seat."
Regardless of how strong the Shang family was, before Thousand Sounds Auction, they were as nothing.
The man laughed again, "I won’t sit. I came today regarding something that concerns an item auctioned by Thousand Sounds several months ago. Of course, this item belongs to the Shang family; I am here merely to represent Thousand Sounds and make a copy back, and the price is as much as the Shang family says."
Shang Hongze's heart sank; he knew why the other party had come—for the medicinal formula. Now that the Spiritual Qi had exploded and Inner Qi cultivation had become a reality, the value of the formula was beyond compare. If the formula were present, Thousand Sounds Auction would have no problem with any demands. The crucial point was that the formula was not currently with the Shang family.
"What's wrong? Is the head of the family finding it difficult?" The man’s tone became indifferent.
Shang Hongze, no matter how formidable, did not dare to offend Thousand Sounds. He quickly replied, "Of course not. If the formula were still here, then these requests would be no trouble at all. The key point is that we haven't had a chance to look at the formula since we bought it; it was snatched away midway by someone called Lan Xiaobu."
Shang Hongze dared not conceal Lan Xiaobu’s name before Thousand Sounds. If it caused any misunderstanding, the Shang family would likely face annihilation. Now, he not only did not dare to conceal it, but he also hoped Thousand Sounds could find out they weren't lying.
Today's update ends here. Goodnight, friends!