Urban Immortal Cultivation Supreme

The servants in Zhu Mansion were ranked in the hierarchy of 399 levels, with the highest-ranking being the butler. Some butlers even wielded power surpassing many of the Zhu Family members. They had their own separate courtyards, while some were greatly favored by their masters, blessed with gracious living within the estate properties they belonged to, which could also be considered elite quarters. The majority of the remaining servants resided in the two large mixed courtyards.

In the large mixed courtyard, which was more secluded, the maids were able to relax much more. Along the way, it was common to see groups of them playing and laughing. When they spotted Zhu Bufan, they slightly restrained themselves but showed no signs of stopping. It was evident that Zhu Bufan, the young master of the Zhu Family, commanded very little respect.

"Ah, it's Young Master Feng! You're here to see Sister Rong, aren't you?" A woman, who appeared to be about the same age as Aunt Rong and of plain appearance, came out and asked Zhu Bufan enthusiastically.

"Yes! Is Aunt Rong here?" Zhu Bufan knew this woman was close to Aunt Rong, but he wasn't sure of her exact name.

"She is, but she's been injured and is resting."

Hearing this, Zhu Bufan's expression changed and he hurried inside.

"Mmm... Mmm..."

As he approached, Zhu Bufan could already hear the agonizing moans coming from inside the room.

"Aunt Rong!" Anxious, Zhu Bufan didn't bother knocking and pushed the door open directly.

Aunt Rong lay on the bed with her eyes tightly shut, her already pale face devoid of any color, her lips cracked and bleeding, making her appear gaunt, as if she had aged ten years.

Despite seeming asleep, the pain was causing her to moan continuously in her sleep.

"Aunt Rong!" Zhu Bufan's voice was tinged with a hint of nasal discomfort as he called out again.

"Mmm, Young Master Feng! Cough cough..." Hearing Zhu Bufan's voice, Aunt Rong reflexively opened her eyes, a raspy sound escaping her lips.

Zhu Bufan quickly fetched a cup of water and helped Aunt Rong drink it.

"Aunt Rong, how do you feel?" Zhu Bufan asked, concerned.

Aunt Rong squeezed out a faint smile and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Feng, I'm fine. It's just that the injury has brought out an old ailment, so it's a bit more severe this time. However, the doctor has come, prepared a few prescriptions for me, and instructed me to rest quietly for some days!"

"Is that so?" Looking at Aunt Rong's frail appearance, Zhu Bufan was still very worried.

Seeing Zhu Bufan's concerned face, a glint of satisfaction and emotion flashed in Aunt Rong's eyes as she continued, "Of course, it's true!"

"Oh, by the way, Aunt Rong, has Zhu Wu caused you any trouble?" Zhu Bufan asked.

"Him? He hasn't had the time. In half a year it'll be the selection event. Virtually all young masters and misses have been arranged for intensive training..." As she spoke, Aunt Rong seemed to remember something and glanced at Zhu Bufan. Realizing Zhu Bufan's circumstances, a tinge of regret appeared on her face. "Why would I bring such things up in front of Young Master Feng? Isn't this saddening for the young master?" Aunt Rong cursed herself inwardly.

But Zhu Bufan simply smiled faintly, showing no concern at all.

After that, Zhu Bufan accompanied Aunt Rong for a while longer until nightfall before returning.

Knowing that Aunt Rong was alright, Zhu Bufan fully focused his mind on cultivation.

...

The flames in the room danced merrily, unable to bring any warmth to the interior.

Zhu Bufan sat cross-legged on the bed, his expression serene, his body covered with a thick layer of ice crystals, emanating wisps of cold air.

Suddenly, the ice layer on Zhu Bufan, who sat as motionless as a boulder, erupted in a burst of dazzling blue light, followed by white cracks forming across it.

Crack...

Ice shards scatter as Zhu Bufan's eyes suddenly snap open, a glint of sharpness fleeting within.

His clothes flutter slightly, shaking off the remaining ice chips, the frustration in Zhu Bufan's eyes unmasked.

Ninth Rank, in the span of three months, Zhu Bufan's cultivation has soared rapidly, with a progression unfathomable to ordinary people, reaching the realm of a Ninth Rank Martial Artist.

"Ah, breaking through the Seventh Rank is somewhat challenging!" Zhu Bufan has been stuck at the peak of the Late Stage Ninth Rank for over half a month, but no matter how hard he tries, he cannot make any progress.

Zhu Bufan is frustrated with himself here, but if others knew that he had gone from First Rank to Ninth Rank in just three short months and still found it insufficient, they would certainly be infuriated to death.

In the Postnatal Realm, as long as one achieves the Seventh Rank, one can be considered among the experts; thus, breaking through is understandably difficult.

Zhu Bufan gives a self-deprecating smile.

"Am I being too greedy? In the past, I would have been overjoyed with just a slight increase in my Inner Qi, but now that my cultivation progress is lightning-fast, I've become ungrateful!"

These three months, Zhu Bufan hasn't been solely focused on cultivation; aside from that, he's been extremely busy, the most fulfilling years of his life.

Poison, in the view of many, is a despicable and ignoble trick that can't be shown openly, something Zhu Bufan himself would have looked down upon if we're speaking of earlier times.

But thinking about it from another angle, the reason people are so hostile towards poison is because of a profound fear in the depths of their hearts, even if no one admits it.

This fear, for the most part, stems from a lack of deep understanding about poison—superficial knowledge—since people can't come into direct contact with it due to its terrifying power.

However, after thoroughly reading the Poison Scripture, Zhu Bufan became fascinated by it.

The Poison Scripture spends a great deal of effort detailing various poisons—poisonous herbs, flowers, and various wild creatures, including Fierce Beasts. It includes even the most common ones like venomous snakes, poisonous spiders, etc., describing their appearance, effects, and habitats in detail.

Over these three months, Zhu Bufan put in considerable effort and has completely committed the first half of the Poison Scripture to memory. With just a glance at the illustrations, he can clearly articulate their names, properties, effects, characteristics, and growth environments without mixing them up.

Zhu Bufan realized that since that mysterious suction force disappeared, not only did his cultivation leap forward significantly, but his mind also became much sharper, his memory far better than before.

After becoming familiar with various poisons, Zhu Bufan didn't hesitate for a moment to destroy all pages in the Poison Scripture that detailed the knowledge of these poisons.

Having such things in one's own hands is all that matters.

After the poisons, came the concoction of various medicines.

First, there were three beautifully named poisons, known as the three exotic poisons.

Momentary Beauty; Mandala; Red Bean Love.

Looking at these enchanting names, Zhu Bufan could hardly believe these could be poisons.

Momentary Beauty. Mainly made from Black Pond Night-blooming Cereus, supplemented with a variety of rare medicinal herbs. Its effect: one drop erases ninety years, beauty of a fleeting moment, gone as quick as lightning.

Mandala. Primarily composed of Duanchang Grass and Red arsenic. Its effect: seal away all senses, to live a life of painless oblivion, forever imprisoned in darkness.

Red Bean Love. With red beans and Ice Crystals as the main ingredients. If two lovers take it and one of them becomes unfaithful, their guts will rupture painfully, dying a dreadful death.

"Truly, there is a reason they're called exotic poisons, these effects are indeed terrifying!"

However, these so-called exotic poisons aren't about the intensity of the toxicity, but rather their unique effects—in some ways, they are not so much poisons as they are Spiritual Medicines.