Chapter 41: Immortals Begin Doing Good Deeds

Zhang Dong’s cultivation level advanced to the Golden Core stage within minutes.

Feeling the surging spiritual energy within him, Zhang Dong immediately knelt before Xu Yang. All the despondency and frustration he had felt before were now replaced by overwhelming excitement.

"Thank you, Ancestor Xu!" He was speechless, so he prostrated himself repeatedly, each kowtow performed with all his might. Soon, beads of blood dotted his forehead.

Xu Yang’s eyelids twitched, and he quickly helped Zhang Dong to his feet.

The onlookers were stunned, gazing at Zhang Dong in disbelief. Liu Dan had just successfully elevated his cultivation to the Golden Core stage, and now Zhang Dong had done the same. Liu Dan and Zhang Dong were both infamous good-for-nothings within the Tianlan Sect, yet both had managed to form Golden Cores.

Subsequently, over a dozen more disciples rapidly advanced to the Golden Core stage after Xu Yang provided them with cultivation-boosting elixirs. The Tianlan Sect disciples who had initially been dismissive were dumbfounded. They had some understanding of the selection criteria. It was simply about good character and loyalty to the Tianlan Sect.

Many beat their chests and stamped their feet, lamenting why they hadn’t performed more good deeds in their earlier lives. Otherwise, they would have been the ones to receive a cultivation boost today.

The next day, all Tianlan Sect disciples began scrambling to perform good deeds. If one person snatched an opportunity from another, a heated argument was guaranteed. The mortals living around the Tianlan Sect were bewildered. The immortals, who usually acted superior and scowled at them, had suddenly become benevolent, each vying to do good deeds for them.

If a family had unturned land, an immortal would wave a hand, and the plot would be tilled thoroughly. If someone in a family fell ill, it was no problem; an immortal would casually produce a divine herb, and all ailments would be cured. Some immortals went even further, helping with everything, even concerns like bachelors unable to find wives. With their matchmaking and guidance, a destined marriage would begin.

Consequently, many mortal families began enshrining tablets of the Tianlan Sect, worshiping its disciples as true immortals.

Although Xu Yang remained within the Tianlan Sect and did not descend the mountain, he was fully aware of all these happenings.

"These people, honestly," Xu Yang muttered, his mouth twitching, but he didn't intervene. Regardless of their initial intentions, the final outcome pleased everyone. Therefore, Xu Yang refined many more elixirs and distributed them as rewards to these disciples. Although these elixirs couldn't help them advance an entire major realm, they were perfectly capable of boosting them by a minor realm.

Having received rewards, the Tianlan Sect disciples became even more fervent in performing good deeds. In their minds, doing good deeds now equated to pleasing Xu Yang. If they pleased Xu Yang, and he looked favorably upon them, he might casually bestow some elixirs, allowing them to advance their cultivation. Thus, performing good deeds became synonymous with advancing cultivation.

Within just a few days, the Tianlan Sect's reputation for performing good deeds spread widely. Other cultivators found this hard to believe, as cultivators had always looked down upon mortals, not considering them as equals. Yet now, the Tianlan Sect had unexpectedly gone against its usual practices, neglecting diligent cultivation to uncharacteristically assist mortals. This astonished many.

Back at the Tianlan Sect, Xu Yang once again gathered materials to reinforce the sect's mountain-protecting array. After elevating a few more promising disciples to the Golden Core stage, he decided to visit Tianwu County. As for the Tianlan Sect's safety, Xu Yang had no concerns. Beyond the two dozen or so Golden Core cultivators within the sect, the mountain-protecting array itself was formidable, capable of both offense and defense. Breaking through it would require at least a dozen Golden Core cultivators.

After completing these preparations, Xu Yang intended to head to Tianwu County to investigate what kind of spiritual herb Madam Yu San had mentioned would appear. Ten thousand years ago, spiritual herbs considered rare were now mere roadside weeds. So, what level would a spiritual herb, deemed peerless even in the present era, have reached ten thousand years ago? Could it be another legendary spiritual herb? A surge of excitement coursed through Xu Yang at the thought.

"Ling Qingshu," Xu Yang called.

"Ancestor, is something the matter?" Ling Qingshu entered.

"I'm taking you to Tianwu County now," Xu Yang said. "Go inform the sect to guard it diligently after we depart."

Ling Qingshu was somewhat puzzled, unsure of Xu Yang's destination. However, she knew that whatever Xu Yang instructed, she simply had to obey.

"Yes, Ancestor," Ling Qingshu responded.

Two days later, Xu Yang and Ling Qingshu departed the Tianlan Sect, heading for the mysterious mountain forest mentioned by Madam Yu San. After several days of continuous travel, Xu Yang and Ling Qingshu finally reached Tianwu County. However, upon their arrival, Xu Yang found himself in a predicament. Tianwu County was vast, and Madam Yu San's description had been very vague; he had no idea where the forest was located.

"Perhaps we should ask the locals here; they might have some information," Ling Qingshu suggested.

Xu Yang considered this and agreed. He then stopped a person on the street and asked, "Excuse me, do you know if any peerless spiritual herbs have appeared recently in Tianwu County?"

Upon hearing this, the person's expression changed, and he asked seriously, "Are you planning to go to that forest?" When the person spoke of that forest, his face clearly showed terror.

Xu Yang was somewhat puzzled. This person was also a late Golden Core stage cultivator, so why did he speak of that forest as if he had seen a ghost? "What's wrong? Is there a problem with that forest?"

The ashen-faced person replied, "I've just come out of that forest. Fifteen of us went in, but only I returned. My companions all died inside." As the person spoke, Xu Yang noticed his right arm was missing; judging by the wound, it had only recently been severed. This situation, far from deterring Xu Yang, only heightened his interest in the forest.

"If you truly wish to go," the person continued, "I can recommend a place where many people gather, all intending to explore that forest. You can form a team there; with more people, it's safer, and you can better handle any dangers you encounter." The person pointed the way as he spoke: "Go straight for about ten minutes until you see a red house, the one with many people inside. That's the place. Just ask when you get there."

Xu Yang nodded. Although he didn't require others for protection, he was still willing to go with a group.