Qiu Zu: From an apprentice in a medicine shop to an immortal ancestor.

Misfortune?

Qiu Zhen's heart stirred slightly. Apothecary An wasn't one to be easily alarmed, so if he said such a thing, there must be a reason.

"Please enlighten me, sir."

"Fated charts come in different sizes.

Before, you frequently found spiritual herbs and precious medicines in the mountains, and I thought you only possessed minor fortunes like "Mountainous Serendipity" or "Predestined for Precious Medicines," so I was going to have you meet a master proficient in the Dao of Fated Charts to assess yours."

An Jishi's expression was complex:

"Now there's no need to assess it. Judging from your current aura, you most likely possess a major fortune, a convergence of wind and clouds, with limitless creation. But major fortunes often involve the saying of 'contending for fate,' where great opportunities are inevitably accompanied by great dangers and terrors."

Qiu Zhen seemed thoughtful, vaguely understanding the deeper meaning in Apothecary An's words.

Minor fortunes, though possessing some luck, wouldn't cause much of a stir. Even if a master of Fated Charts knew the specifics, it wouldn't matter, belonging to the category of "small wealth and contentment," unlikely to attract attention.

But possessing a "major fortune" would involve significant implications, easily inviting misfortune.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

Qiu Zhen sincerely expressed his gratitude. He came from humble beginnings and was new to the world of cultivation, so he didn't quite understand these things and easily overlooked many details.

He only knew that using the guise of "fated charts" could conceal his identity as a "cultivator," but he didn't realize the waters were so deep. Establishing a persona as a "fated chart genius" also required consideration and moderation.

"Sir, what should I do?"

"There's nothing special to consider. Having a major fortune is ultimately a good thing, something others can only dream of.

It's just that you shouldn't let others assess your fated chart in the future. Explore it yourself slowly, and if you discover other wondrous aspects, don't tell anyone, keep them hidden in your heart."

As An Jishi spoke, he smiled and said:

"I have a treasure that can conceal your fated chart's aura. I'll have An Kang send it to you in a few days. As long as others don't know the details of your fated chart, there shouldn't be any immediate misfortune. Just focus on practicing martial arts in the future."

"Sir, your great kindness is something this student will never forget."

Qiu Zhen sincerely thanked him.

"It's a small matter. You've joined my sect, so it's only right that I look after you a little."

An Jishi was also delighted in his heart. He didn't believe in fate, firmly believing that destiny was in one's own hands, but he also held reverence for the ethereal luck and fated charts.

Encountering someone who seemed to possess a "major fortune" and who had joined his sect, forming a good relationship with him, was undoubtedly a good thing.

At this thought, An Jishi's mood improved greatly, and his gaze towards Qiu Zhen became even gentler and more affectionate:

"Little Zhen, have you settled your clansmen?"

"They are currently settled in the barren mountains outside the city, camping on the spot."

Qiu Zhen had explained his intentions beforehand. Seeing Apothecary An bring it up proactively now, he was delighted, knowing things were promising.

If Apothecary An didn't want to deal with these trivial matters, he wouldn't have mentioned it at all. His proactive mention meant the matter was likely to be resolved.

Immediately, Qiu Zhen seized the opportunity and quickly said:

"My clansmen intend to develop the barren mountains and settle down permanently, but they don't know how the government will arrange things, and they are filled with anxiety."

An Jishi nodded slightly and beckoned.

Soon, Steward An took a map of Qingmu Town from a servant's hand and slowly unfurled it.

"Little Zhen, where do your clansmen intend to settle?"

The An Residence's map of Qingmu was very detailed, with every mountain and river clearly depicted.

Qiu Zhen quickly found the location of "Qiu Zhen Valley."

"They will settle here."

An Jishi glanced at it, initially somewhat surprised:

"Why not choose a better place?"

"Sir, my family isn't a great clan. Having a place to live is already quite fortunate, and we dare not ask for too much."

After Qiu Zhen finished speaking, he immediately bowed to Apothecary An:

"Sir, this student comes from humble beginnings, and the only nobleman I know is you. I boldly ask you to say a few kind words to the officials on my behalf. This student will be eternally grateful."

"It's a small matter, I happen to have some connections."

An Jishi smiled, feeling quite pleased in his heart.

If Qiu Zhen and his clansmen had chosen barren land near the city, things would have been a little troublesome. But barren land dozens of miles away from Qingmu City was just a matter of passing on a message.

Even without the "major fortune" matter, he would be happy to help his sensible and considerate student.

"I'll help you pass on the message. I can't guarantee whether it will succeed, just go back and wait for news."

"Thank you, sir."

Qiu Zhen was overjoyed.

Apothecary An came from extraordinary origins and was a highly skilled medical expert. In the eyes of outsiders, the area around "Qiu Zhen Valley" was neither good nor bad. With Apothecary An's connections, as long as he spoke, the matter would likely be resolved.

The smoothness of this matter surprised him.

Originally, he thought that Apothecary An, as a detached expert single-mindedly focused on cultivation, would dislike getting involved in such trivial matters and hate trouble. Therefore, he had prepared to pay some price that he could bear.

As a result, Apothecary An readily agreed.

Moreover, it seemed that Apothecary An had proactively offered to help.

An hour later.

Having received confirmation, Qiu Zhen didn't stay long at the An Residence and went straight back to "Qiu Zhen Valley," where things were in full swing.

As soon as they saw Qiu Zhen return, the old clan leader Qiu, the clan elders, Qiu's parents, and many Qiu clansmen gathered around.

"Little Zhen, how did it go? Did that nobleman agree to help?"

"Don't worry, the master has agreed. He knows the officials of Changle Prefecture, so there shouldn't be any problems with him speaking up."

"That's great!"

The old clan leader Qiu and the clan elders were overjoyed.

The Qiu clansmen erupted in cheers.

Previously, with the matter unresolved and anxiety in their hearts, they lacked motivation, fearing that they would be driven away by a notice from above after just settling down.

Now that a nobleman was helping, their hearts were much more at ease, and they worked even harder.

For a time, the Qiu clansmen's gazes towards Qiu Zhen subtly changed.

They only knew that Qiu Zhen had become a martial master and was successful, but they didn't have a concrete idea of how successful he was.

But now, they truly experienced it.

"Parents, old clan leader, I'm going to cultivate in the mountains in a quiet place. If anything happens, just call out to me loudly."

"Alright, go ahead. You don't need to worry about the village affairs."

Qiu Zhen wasn't one to show off. After dealing with the trivial matters, his mind returned to cultivation.

Qiu Zhen's Courtyard.

Qiu Zhen sat cross-legged, holding the [Miro Palace] jade token, his mind immersed in the immortal destiny [Guo Wenju's Beast Taming Immortal Method], engrossed and eager.

Unknowingly, a day passed.

In the spirit platform sea of consciousness, the dharma body's golden light was faint.

"Hoo ~"

Qiu Zhen took a deep breath, emitting an air of fatigue, but his face was full of joy.

《Guo Wenju's Beast Taming Immortal Technique》 was profound and extensive. Even with his primordial spirit dharma body and innate wisdom, it still took him quite a while to comprehend it.

After some comprehension, he finally understood some of the key points.

"The Art of Enlightenment . . ."

Qiu Zhen muttered to himself, then his gaze fell on the little fox beside him.

Seeing Qiu Zhen's gaze, Bai Shu immediately stood up on its hind legs in human form.

"Ying ying ying ~"