In just three days, Chen Zheng had acquired many precious treasures. With his exquisite Fire Control Technique and experience as a first-level alchemist, he successfully refined thirty Yuan Pei Pills, not to mention those he prepared for Huang Hua and the others. In this mysterious world, Huang Hua had also begun to cultivate True Qi, successfully condensing it within his body. During this period, he returned to Nanhai Stockade several times to reunite with his family. Kuang Yuanyuan naturally accompanied him. He had initially wanted to invite Chen Zheng along, but Chen Zheng was too busy refining Yuan Pei Pills to go.

Everything seemed tranquil until the fourth day, when the peace was shattered.

A woman claiming to be from the Gu Qi lineage appeared in Nanhai Stockade and sought out Chen Zheng. Accompanied by Kuang Nie, she arrived at Chen Zheng's small courtyard.

Chen Zheng gave her a glance and nodded slightly.

The woman asked, "Did you kill the Red Mother?"

"Have you any idea what kind of disaster you've brought upon the Gu Qi lineage?" The woman's brow furrowed with anger, her voice an icy question.

A cold glint flashed in Chen Zheng's eyes. "What kind of disaster?"

The woman huffed and continued, "Our Gu Qi lineage has sworn since ancient times to exterminate the Gu Chi lineage! From the moment the Red Mother appeared, we began to quietly lay our plans, waiting for the right moment. Yet your arrival ruined everything, rendering years of our efforts useless!

"Now the Gu Chi lineage is stirring again, and we have no idea of their true strength. If we can't withstand their attack, all the surrounding stockades will become sacrificial offerings for the Red Mother!"

"What an incompetent bunch," Chen Zheng said dismissively.

A spark of fury ignited in the woman's eyes. She clenched her teeth, looking as if she wanted to devour this outsider who had insulted her. In the world of the Southern Barbarians, the status of a Gu Master was unrivaled, yet this ignorant fool had the audacity to scorn them so. It was intolerable.

"Do you think the Gu Chi lineage is so easily destroyed?" she said coldly, her voice thick with killing intent.

"Even when the Southern Barbarian Gu Masters united, they failed to annihilate them completely. Years later, they resurged like a phoenix rising from the ashes!" she continued. "Do you have any idea how much blood and tears we've shed searching for the Gu Chi?

"They hide like cunning rats in the shadows. Only through meticulous surveillance of the Red Mother over these past few years have we managed to barely ascertain their area of activity. We were on the verge of locating Gu Chi's stronghold; we were just waiting for them to transport medicinal materials again. But your actions have disrupted all of our plans!

"Over the years, the Gu Chi lineage has accumulated unfathomable power. We cannot predict the potential threat they pose. If they choose to strike back, the devastation the Southern Barbarian lands might suffer is a complete mystery.

"Hmph… You call us useless, but you know nothing of Gu Chi's might!"

Her words fired off like a barrage, her anger flaming within them. Kuang Nie stood quietly to the side, his head bowed so low it almost touched the ground, not daring to breathe too loudly. Chen Zheng, however, remained expressionless and undisturbed.

From the outset, her questioning had displeased him, and he deeply disapproved of the Gu Qi lineage's actions. Thousands of people in the surrounding stockades had been exploited by the Red Mother for years, yet they had just watched indifferently. Heh, easy for the well-fed to speak of hunger! The crucial part was that they had done nothing, yet now they were here making accusations. This was undoubtedly the rage of the incompetent.

"I will personally settle the conflict with the Gu Chi lineage. This concerns my own honor. You may leave now," Chen Zheng said, his voice resolute. He no longer wished to engage with the woman.

However, the woman scoffed at this. She couldn't understand why Chen Zheng was so confident. What gave him the right to solve a problem that even the united Southern Barbarian Gu Masters couldn't handle?

She looked at Chen Zheng with a cold gaze, her tone brimming with mockery. "How will you solve it? Who gave you this confidence?"

Chen Zheng turned his head, a helpless look in his eyes. He shook his head and said faintly, "Scram!"

Instantly, a powerful aura erupted from him, surging straight toward the woman.

In the blink of an eye, she felt a pressure like a torrential flood rushing toward her. Her body retreated involuntarily like a small boat tossed back by huge waves, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief. Meanwhile, Kuang Nie, who stood beside her, remained as steadfast as a mountain. The pressure was like an invisible storm targeting her alone.

Her heart filled with terror, like a lone boat lost in the dark of night.

At last, she retreated to the doorway and steadied herself. Her eyes shimmered with determination as she bit her lip and turned to leave. "I want to see how you're going to solve this!

"The people of the Gu Chi lineage are sly and venomous, and they are already nearing the stockade. Since you're so confident, then our Gu Qi lineage won't make a move."

After the woman left, Kuang Nie quickly stepped forward and said humbly, "Respected Lord Chen Zheng, please calm your anger. The successors of the Southern Barbarian Gu Masters are all exceedingly proud and rarely show themselves in the world, which is why they lack experience in dealing with people."

Chen Zheng nodded slightly. He had no intention of arguing with someone so self-righteous; he was not a petty man.

"What is her name?" Chen Zheng inquired.

"Her name is Yue Gao," Kuang Nie responded promptly.

Chen Zheng said no more, and Kuang Nie tactfully took his leave.

In the days that followed, all was calm, as if Yue Gao's words were nothing more than alarmist talk. Chen Zheng didn't see her around Nanhai Stockade during this time, either.

One day, after Chen Zheng finished refining pills, he decided to take a short rest. At this moment, his system space contained over a hundred Yuan Pei Pills. He wouldn't have to worry about them for a while.

Chen Zheng gently pushed open the door and walked out of his private courtyard. As soon as he opened the door, he heard a familiar voice. "Brother Zheng, have you run out of medicinal herbs again?"

He looked at the person passing by the door and replied with a smile, "They're all gone, but I don't need any for now. Are you off to fetch water?"

The person answered, "Yes! Anyway, Brother Zheng, I'm off now!" With that, he left.

Chen Zheng nodded and didn't say anything else. Many people passed by this courtyard, as next to it was the spring of Nanhai Stockade—the fountain of life.

The spring water, which came from deep within the mountain, was as sweet and cool as nectar. The residents of Nanhai Stockade went to the spring daily to draw from this natural bounty, firmly believing that only this water could be used to create the most delicious dishes. Although Chen Zheng disagreed, he understood that this had become a unique part of the stockade's culture.

Afterward, Chen Zheng found Huang Hua cultivating. Under Kuang Yuanyuan's guidance, he was practicing the Longevity Technique that Chen Zheng had taught him. Aided by the Yuan Pei Pills and an enhanced version of the Spirit Jade Elixir, Huang Hua's cultivation was advancing with incredible speed.

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