"What?"
Zhang Yang's words stunned everyone around him.
The owners of the herbal medicine shops spoke up, trying to dissuade him.
"Young man, did you not hear a single word we said earlier?"
"I've been immersed in Chinese herbal medicine for decades, and I've never heard of a Purple Bamboo Fruit."
"Don't be fooled by this girl's tears. Tears are the cheapest thing in this world."
"..."
Zhang Yang smiled at the shop owners.
In fact, these owners were kind-hearted. They had probably been swindled by herb farmers before.
That's why they were so dismissive of Zhu Dongling.
However, this time, they had misunderstood Zhu Dongling.
Although these Purple Bamboo Fruits were not exactly rare heavenly treasures, they were still rare and valuable items.
At the very least, they could solve Zhang Yang's current cultivation bottleneck.
"You're called Dongling, right? I counted, and there are thirty-three Purple Bamboo Fruits in total."
"Let's stick to the price you mentioned earlier. Eight thousand each, I'll buy them all."
What!?
Eight thousand each!
Everyone was stunned by Zhang Yang's declaration.
They all looked at Zhang Yang with expressions of disbelief, as if he were an idiot.
This person must be crazy, absolutely crazy!
Even Zhu Dongling herself was dumbfounded, her tears stopping.
After a moment of stunned silence, she repeatedly waved her hands at Zhang Yang.
"Brother Zhang, you've misunderstood. It doesn't have to be that expensive. It's eight thousand for the whole basket, not eight thousand per fruit," Zhu Dongling said.
"Eight thousand for the whole basket?" Zhang Yang chuckled.
His gaze fell upon Zhu Dongling's hands, which were calloused from constant work.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
It seemed this was a child from a struggling family.
"No, it's eight thousand per fruit. I'll take them all," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
"However, I don't have that much cash on me. Can you come with me to the bank up ahead to withdraw some?"
This...
Zhang Yang's eagerness made Zhu Dongling wary.
Although she grew up in the countryside and didn't have much education, it didn't mean she was foolish. She knew there were many scammers in the city.
"I... Brother Zhang, there's no need for such trouble. If you really want to buy them, just give me whatever money you have on you," Zhu Dongling said.
"What? Are you taking me for a human trafficker?" Zhang Yang laughed.
Then, he pointed to the bank not far ahead.
"There are security guards at the bank, and patrol officers nearby. In broad daylight, are you still worried I'll do anything to you?" Zhang Yang chuckled.
Zhu Dongling fell into a brief moment of hesitation, but then she bit her lip.
She looked up and smiled innocently at Zhang Yang.
"Then I'll go with you."
Zhang Yang nodded with a smile and led the way.
Soon.
The two arrived at the entrance of the bank.
Zhu Dongling sat timidly on a chair in the waiting area, cautiously observing her surroundings.
"Come here for a moment," Zhang Yang called out while handling his business.
"Ah? Okay..." Zhu Dongling walked forward, carrying the basket of Purple Bamboo Fruits.
"I just remembered, it's not safe for you to carry so much cash. Do you have a bank card?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Then give me your card number, and I'll transfer it directly to you."
"..."
Soon, Zhu Dongling's phone in her pocket rang with a text message.
Looking at the unfamiliar number, Zhu Dongling felt like she was dreaming.
She pinched her cheek.
When she realized it hurt, she was overjoyed and tears welled up.
"That's great! With this money, Mom's illness can be treated, and it'll be enough for my brother to go to college."
Zhang Yang patted Dongling's head upon hearing this, sighing inwardly.
Without needing to ask, Zhang Yang could tell from Zhu Dongling's few words that she had a difficult life.
Therefore.
Zhang Yang had intended to buy the Purple Bamboo Fruits at eight thousand each.
This way, he could consider it a good deed.
Moreover, for Zhang Yang, the Purple Bamboo Fruits were indeed worth that price.
"Alright, stop crying. This money should be enough to solve your immediate problems," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
"Mhm, thank you, Brother Zhang," Zhu Dongling said emotionally.
After speaking, she put down the basket in her hands and bowed deeply to Zhang Yang.
"No, no, that's not how we do things now," Zhang Yang quickly helped her up.
He then continued, "Dongling, where did you get these Purple Bamboo Fruits from?"
"They're in my yard. There's a very large Purple Bamboo tree there, planted by my ancestors a long time ago," Zhu Dongling replied truthfully.
"Your home?" Zhang Yang was somewhat surprised.
Purple Bamboo trees also require spiritual energy to nourish them, and the world's spiritual energy is scarce now.
Even if it was planted a long time ago, in today's spiritually depleted era, a Purple Bamboo tree would naturally wither.
So, does that mean...
"Dongling, I heard earlier that your mother is ill? I'm a doctor, perhaps I can take a look."
"But I don't have time right now. I'll contact you in a few days, is that okay?" Zhang Yang said.
Zhu Dongling gradually let down her guard against Zhang Yang's enthusiasm and smiled sweetly.
"Okay, here's my number..."
Zhang Yang looked at the old mobile phone she took out and felt a sting in his nose for some reason.
He smiled, noted down her number.
Then, he walked with Dongling for a while, ensuring they weren't being followed, before calling a taxi to take Dongling home.
Of course, Zhang Yang paid for the taxi fare in advance.
...
Back home.
Zhang Yang temporarily set aside the medicinal ingredients for refining the Great Returning Pill.
He picked up the thirty-three Purple Bamboo Fruits, his face alight with excitement.
The Carefree Immortal Scripture is divided into nine layers. The first three layers are Carefree Human, Carefree Earth, and Carefree Heaven.
Currently.
Zhang Yang was in the Carefree Human realm. The difficulty of refining the Great Returning Pill for the Carefree Earth realm was not ordinary.
This was even with him having already forged the Carefree Immortal Body. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have a one-in-ten chance.
Originally.
Zhang Yang was still struggling with the matter of cultivation advancement.
But now, with the Purple Bamboo Fruits, it had solved a major problem for him.
"With these Purple Bamboo Fruits, it should be enough for me to break through to the Carefree Earth realm, making the refining of the Great Returning Pill relatively easier."
Zhang Yang muttered to himself with a smile.
Immediately.
His expression turned serious, and he mobilized all the true qi within his body.
The thirty-three Purple Bamboo Fruits floated in the air.
Zhang Yang controlled the qi swirling around him, gathering the Purple Bamboo Fruits together.
Gradually.
A flame materialized out of thin air.
"Condense!" Zhang Yang shouted.
The true qi flame was extremely powerful.
In a short while, the thirty-three Purple Bamboo Fruits transformed into three drops of purple liquid.
These three drops of purple liquid contained the essence of all the Purple Bamboo Fruits.
"Finally, the refining is successful."
Zhang Yang gasped for air.
He dared not rest and quickly swallowed the purple liquid.
Boom~
Instantly.
A mysterious and powerful aura erupted from Zhang Yang's body.
The medicinal effects of the Purple Bamboo Fruits continuously diffused within Zhang Yang.
A purple aura enveloped Zhang Yang's body.
Zhang Yang also entered a state of ethereal clarity.
About three hours later, the sky had turned a dim gray.
Zhang Yang, who had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them!
A golden light shot out from his eyes, exuding an imposing aura.
"Finally, I've broken through. Is this the power of the Carefree Earth realm?" Zhang Yang laughed.
He closed his eyes and observed the changes within his body, finding that his true qi pool had expanded by at least five times. He was quite satisfied.
In addition to the significant increase in true qi, Zhang Yang's physical strength had also been enhanced.
As for how strong he had become, he hadn't tested it yet.
After breaking through, Zhang Yang didn't rest.
He quickly grabbed the medicinal ingredients for refining the Great Returning Pill and prepared to start the alchemy.
Today.
He had bought only a small amount of medicinal ingredients, enough for three refinements.
Now that he had broken through, the chance of combining three portions into one should be quite high.
Zhang Yang took the alchemy furnace.
He placed the medicinal ingredients for the Great Returning Pill into the furnace one by one.
Unfortunately, the first refinement failed quickly.
Learning from the failure, Zhang Yang's second attempt was somewhat successful.
However.
There was still a problem during the final condensation of the pill.
Fortunately, on the third attempt, Zhang Yang successfully refined the Great Returning Pill.
As soon as the Great Returning Pill was formed, a medicinal fragrance filled the entire room.
Zhang Yang looked at the pure white jade-colored Great Returning Pill in his hand and couldn't help but sigh.
"As expected of an Earth realm pill. Even after my breakthrough, the success rate is still not high."
Zhang Yang felt fortunate that he had met Zhu Dongling today.
Otherwise, he might not have been able to refine this Great Returning Pill.
By the time the Great Returning Pill was refined, the sun had already risen.
Fortunately, with Zhang Yang's current cultivation level, he could go a day without rest.
After going out, Zhang Yang headed straight for the Dragon Group base.
He had to deliver this Great Returning Pill to Qi Dalei as soon as possible.
As for the reason...
Zhang Yang had already figured it out.