Chapter 004: Seeds and Maps

After Wu Mian walked over, the steward raised his hand and slapped him. Wu Mian was caught off guard and fell to the ground. The steward continued to kick and hit him, cursing, "Wu Mian... spit! You, a mere palace servant, how dare you have a surname? You little brat, is it your ability that allows you to see through the tricks of the Grand Master? You watched as I was mocked and laughed, didn't you? You scoundrel, don't think anyone will plead for you... Let me make it clear, before dawn, the Grand Master will take people out to sea. You think you can see through the Grand Master's tricks, huh? You watched as I was mocked and laughed, didn't you? You scoundrel, don't think anyone will plead for you... Let me make it clear, before dawn, the Grand Master will take people out to sea... spit! What Grand Master? The one surnamed Xu has already passed the Grand Master's teachings to Lord Guangren.

At this moment, the master of the great square let out a helpless smile and said, "If Guangren and the others could understand, I wouldn't have to entrust all of this to you. You need not overthink it; when the time comes to understand, everything will be clear."

Thus, the Grand Master consecutively drew nine maps and handed them all to Wu Mian. After shaking off the ink-stained hands, the ink on his hands disappeared completely after a moment. Looking at Wu Mian, who was frowning at the bamboo slips, he said: "The nine locations on these maps are the last things I leave for you. Memorize the maps in order, and if you pass the final test of the immortality elixir, you must also visit these locations in the same order. Remember, the order must not be mixed up; otherwise, even if you achieve immortality, it will be difficult to ensure your entry and exit."

At this moment, Xu Fu's voice echoed from within the inner chamber: "The time has come; remember how much is your destiny. Now come out, for there have been changes on the side of Emperor Shi Huang. You shall go with that esteemed chief steward."

Xu Fu smiled slightly and said, "I underestimated you a bit; it turns out you are not just sharp-tongued, but you can also hold some substance in your heart"

Wu Mian took the bamboo slip and saw a map drawn on it. At the top of the map, five characters were written in a crooked manner—Liaodong Jun Yanshan. Before Wu Mian could ask what kind of map this was, the second volume of the bamboo slips from the Grand Master was already handed over: "Memorize it all, you only have this evening. " After saying this, he picked up another roll of bamboo slips and lowered his head to depict the third map on it.

Xu Fu handed over the object that radiated with colorful light, and Wu Mian quickly stepped forward to receive it. Just as he was about to grasp it, the Grand Master suddenly changed direction, extending his hand towards Wu Mian's chest. The moment the glowing object made contact with Wu Mian's chest, it unexpectedly vanished from Xu Fu's hand. At that same instant, Wu Mian felt a chill at his chest, and a sense of foreign presence emerged within his body

Xu Fu said with a smile: "Once you go in, you will know. There is one more thing I need you to do. If you encounter an old fellow named Gui Bu Gui, do not say anything, just give him a slap first, and then tell him that I sent you to find him"

After Wu Mian carefully stored the pill, he looked at Xu Fu with a hint of helplessness and said in his characteristic slightly sarcastic tone: "The Grand Master is setting sail tomorrow, and it is highly likely that he will not take me along. After you leave, I fear that even your few white-haired disciples will not treat me kindly. Not to mention that Master Alchemist, who will surely take the opportunity to find fault with me after suffering a loss here today. If he sees my hair turn white tomorrow, even if he is not particularly skilled, he will understand what has happened by comparing me to your white-haired disciples. At that time, his suspicion towards me will only deepen. Grand Master, after taking this pill, you will achieve immortality, but it doesn't mean you won't die, right?"

Xu Fu's sudden change left Wu Mian momentarily taken aback. After a brief pause, he addressed the Grand Master, saying: "This should be directed towards Guang Ren and the others, right?"

Seeing Wu Mian's surprised expression, Xu Fu smiled slightly and said, "This seed is the source of my power, originally meant for Guang Ren. Unfortunately, his constitution clashes with the elixir of immortality, making him unsuitable to receive this seed. So, I might as well be a good person to the end and let you take advantage of it. I have temporarily sealed the seed, and it will only become active after you consume the elixir of immortality. However, how much this seed will grow depends on your own fortune"

After saying this, Xu Fu led Wu Mian to the end of the preaching hall. Inside was a small inner chamber, which appeared to be a resting place for the grand master from the outside. However, upon entering, one could see that it was merely four stone walls, and at a glance, it was empty, with nothing but a few bamboo slips and writing materials placed on the ground.

After speaking, the Grand Master no longer paid attention to Wu Mian. He opened a roll of bamboo slips, laid it flat on his lap, and without using a brush, directly dipped his finger in ink to write and draw on the bamboo slips. Before long, the Grand Master handed the bamboo slips to Wu Mian and said, "Memorize it." While speaking, Xu Fu had already taken another roll of bamboo slips, continuing to use his hand as a brush to write and draw on it.

At this point, the Grand Master slightly furrowed his brows, gazing at Wu Mian without uttering a word. After a long pause, he finally spoke softly: "It is still a bit early to give you this seed..." At the same time Xu Fu was speaking, an object emitting a kaleidoscope of colors appeared in the palm of his hand, though Wu Mian, with his ability to see through illusions, could not even discern whether it was solid or liquid.

Upon hearing this, Wu Mian's expression became complex. After a moment of hesitation, he said: "So, those few people outside with white hair have consumed this elixir of immortality, resulting in a change in their constitution, which is why their hair has turned white, correct?"

Seeing Wu Mian finally emerge from the temple, the steward grinned menacingly and pointed in Wu Mian's direction, shouting loudly: "You little brat! Have you finally decided to come out? Come here!"

After listening to Xu Fu's words, Wu Mian let out a slight sigh while hiding the pill in his sleeve. This action took the Grand Master by surprise, and Xu Fu said: "I thought you would take the pill while I was still here. At the very least, even if the effects of the medicine were contradictory, I would not stand by and do nothing; I would at least ensure your life is preserved"

The last sentence left Wu Mian perplexed. At this moment, Xu Fu's smile faded, and he shifted his tone, continuing, "If you are fortunate enough to safely neutralize the effects of the elixir of immortality and reach these nine locations in order, the seed within your body may grow into a towering tree that even I would look up to. At that time, remember my words: do not foolishly think you can change the course of history with your abilities. The rise and fall of nations, the extinction of peoples—everything is determined by fate. We, who transcend birth, aging, illness, and death, are already acting against the will of heaven. To further attempt to alter fate will only invite divine retribution, and that will be the time of our demise as practitioners."

Xu Fu nodded slightly and said, "Including myself, anyone who takes the elixir of immortality and alters their constitution will have their bodily functions maintained at the moment of taking the medicine, with a recovery ability from injuries far exceeding that of ordinary people, though their hair will turn white. This can be considered a common characteristic after taking the medicine."

At this moment, Wu Mian's surprised expression gradually returned to normal. He took a deep breath, feeling no discomfort from the foreign substance in his body, and then looked up at Xu Fu, no longer using the respectful title of Master, and directly said: "So how do you know that after I take the elixir of immortality, I won't experience a conflict of medicinal properties like Guangren? He has you to protect him, so he won't lose his life. What about me? If I happen to have bad luck and die from the properties of the elixir, wouldn't your seed be lost?"

Xu Fu walked directly to the place where the bamboo slips were arranged, sat cross-legged on the ground, and looked up at Wu Mian, saying: "Here, apart from me, you are the only one who has entered. The last thing I have to give you is right here."

After a moment of surprise, Wu Mian opened several more bamboo slips, yet still found not a single character. Xu Fu looked at Wu Mian and laughed heartily, saying: "This is what is called a book without words. If I do not write, what can you see on it?"

Wu Mian's gaze shifted from the bamboo slips to Xu Fu, and with a look of suspicion, he said to the Grand Master: "What exactly is inside the location marked on the map?"

Wu Mian glanced at the bamboo slips on the ground and, seeing that Xu Fu had no intention of stopping him, bent down to pick up a roll of bamboo slips. Upon opening it, he was surprised to find that there was not a single ink dot on it

Wu Mian was accustomed to being beaten by him, and at that moment, he did not retaliate, merely covering his head to protect his vital points. Just as the steward was in the midst of his vigorous beating, a person suddenly ran over from a distance, heading straight for the steward's position

After speaking, Xu Fu left Wu Mian in the inner chamber to memorize the map. He himself departed the inner chamber first. There was no conversation throughout the night. The next day, as dawn broke, Wu Mian, feeling dizzy, managed to memorize the nine maps by sheer force. Just as the first rays of sunlight shone down, the characters on the bamboo slips and the maps simultaneously vanished, leaving behind only nine blank bamboo slips.

Wu Mian turned around, yet he could only hear the voice of the Grand Master without seeing his figure. He understood in his heart that this was Xu Fu's supernatural ability, and since it involved the First Emperor, he dared not delay. Upon exiting the temple, he saw the chief steward pacing back and forth with a worried expression.

"Then it depends on your own fortune." Xu Fu looked at Wu Mian and smiled slightly, then continued, "To take a step back, even if your luck is not good and you really cannot pass the final hurdle, the seed within your body will not disappear because of that. Do you think Guangren and the others would just watch that seed fade away?" When the Grand Master said the last sentence, a strange smile appeared at the corner of his eye and mouth. Do you think Guangren and the others would just watch that seed fade away?" When the Grand Master said the last sentence, a strange smile appeared at the corner of his eye and mouth.