I am really not a medical immortal.

Chapter 1884 - 1883: The Zither and the Painting (35th Update!)

"Xiaohao, come and eat more! Try Ting’er’s cooking." Xiao Hu’s mother called out.

She picked a piece of food and placed it in Zhang Xiaohao’s bowl.

"Thank you!" Zhang Xiaohao said with a smile.

He started eating with big bites.

"Xiaohao, we’re no longer strangers now, so there’s no need for everyone to hide anything. We have no demands on you; as long as you’re here, treat Ting’er well. She’s a good girl." Xiao Hu’s mother said earnestly.

"Mm." Zhang Xiaohao nodded.

The group of five chatted and laughed, enjoying their meal.

After the meal, Zhang Xiaohao returned to his shop, lay on the recliner, and continued reading...

As spring passed and autumn came, a year had already gone by in the blink of an eye.

Throughout the year, Zhang Xiaohao did nothing but read every day, without changing his routine.

After a year of character cultivation, Zhang Xiaohao exuded a strong scholarly aura, and his evil qi was nearly polished away. His state of mind had also made significant progress. With just a bit more refinement, he would smooth out the evil qi completely, leaving no trace behind.

It’s worth mentioning that as Zhang Xiaohao’s mindset improved, his cultivation advanced a bit as well. Although he hadn’t broken through to the Nascent Soul Peak yet, he was just a step away from it. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks through to the Nascent Soul Peak, despite not actively cultivating.

As for Xiao Hu and the others, with the help of three powerful types of Spirit Pills, their physiques have undergone tremendous changes. Even in terms of Divine Thought, with the assistance of so many Nourishing God Pills, their Divine Thoughts have been elevated to the Foundation Establishment Peak, just a step away from the Golden Core Realm, all without practicing any cultivation technique.

Their physical strength and internal Spiritual Power also reached the Foundation Establishment Peak, making them incredibly strong.

Just like some time ago, Xiao Hu accidentally shattered a large stone with one punch, surprising him so much he couldn’t sleep for three days and nights.

Ding ding ding...

At this moment, crisp and melodious piano music suddenly sounded in the backyard.

Zhang Xiaohao’s mouth curled into a charming smile; it was Zhang Ting’er playing the piano in the back. Just as Xiao Hu said earlier, his sister was a piano master, teaching young ladies from well-off families. Her piano skills were excellent, and the music was beautiful, melodious, and carried a unique melody, peaceful and pleasing to the ear.

"Compared to before, Ting’er’s piano skills have progressed again. Now, the music she plays is even more beautiful and melodious, carrying a deeper artistic conception. If she keeps it up, she will definitely achieve great development in the path of music." Zhang Xiaohao nodded with a smile.

He stood up from the recliner and put down the book he was holding.

After reading for more than a year, he had almost finished all the books he had in hand.

"What are you going to do, Brother Xiaohao?" Xiao Hu asked, puzzled.

"I’m going to paint!" Zhang Xiaohao replied with a slight smile.

With Xiao Hu’s confused gaze, he flipped his right hand, and a stack of white paper, along with a brush and ink, appeared on the counter.

Zhang Xiaohao picked up the brush, closed his eyes for a moment to feel, and then began to paint.

Stroke by stroke, line by line... As Zhang Xiaohao’s hand sped up, an ordinary sheet of white paper was soon filled.

Curiously, Xiao Hu came closer, looking at the courtyard depicted on the paper.

"Brother Xiaohao, isn’t this your courtyard? Why are you painting it?" Xiao Hu asked, puzzled.

Whish!

Zhang Xiaohao put down the brush and stood back. The painting flashed with a golden light and then returned to calm, but it exuded an indescribable artistic conception.

"Alas! Still not perfect!" Zhang Xiaohao sighed, shaking his head.

Then he handed the painting to Xiao Hu.

"Hang it at the entrance, and list it for one high-grade Spirit Stone." Zhang Xiaohao instructed.

"Ah! Brother Xiaohao, this ordinary painting, you’re asking for a high-grade Spirit Stone? Are you sure you’re not feverish? Should I call my sister over?" Xiao Hu said, doubtful.

"You talk too much! Just hang it up like I said, or do you not want dinner anymore?" Zhang Xiaohao replied, slightly annoyed.

"Brother Xiaohao, I bet if anyone wants this painting, I’ll... I’ll..."

"You’ll what?" Zhang Xiaohao asked playfully, shrugging.

"I’ll... I’ll eat all these books on the floor." Xiao Hu said seriously, as if making a huge sacrifice.

"Haha." Zhang Xiaohao laughed lightly, not taking his words seriously.

Reluctantly, Xiao Hu took the painting, hung it at the entrance, and found a sign to place beneath it, listing the price as one high-grade Spirit Stone.

After doing all this, Xiao Hu didn’t go back inside. He casually brought a small stool and sat at the entrance, determined to see if the painting would sell.

After Xiao Hu left, Zhang Xiaohao didn’t immediately start painting again. Instead, he leaned back in the recliner at the entrance, basking in the warm sunshine that gave a special flavor and artistic touch.

"Xiao Hu, do you want some osmanthus cake?" Zhang Xiaohao called out, eyes closed and not turning around.

"Yes!" Xiao Hu nodded eagerly.

"Do you want some blueberry fruit wine?" Zhang Xiaohao asked again.

"Yes!" Xiao Hu nodded once more.

"Then come and give me a massage." Zhang Xiaohao instructed.

"Brother Xiaohao, this is child labor exploitation!" Xiao Hu replied, dissatisfied.

However, tempted by the osmanthus cake and blueberry fruit wine, he still came over and skillfully started massaging Zhang Xiaohao.

It seemed Zhang Xiaohao often commanded Xiao Hu to help him with massages.

After a quarter of an hour.

Zhang Xiaohao tossed over a mid-grade Spirit Stone.

"Here you go! As usual, go to Fuji Restaurant and bring back a table of food and wine." Zhang Xiaohao said with a smile.

"Thank you, Brother Xiaohao." Xiao Hu replied excitedly.

Immediately, he joyfully took the mid-grade Spirit Stone and ran outside. In no time, he had disappeared without a trace.

"This little guy is always filled with energy when it comes to food." Zhang Xiaohao remarked with a smile.

He took out a panda-themed cigarette, squinted his eyes, and lazily smoked.

Halfway through the cigarette, an old man wearing a blue robe, with white hair and radiating the aura of the Golden Core Early Stage, passed by Zhang Xiaohao. Seeing Zhang Xiaohao’s lazy demeanor, the old man shook his head and was about to leave.

But as his gaze inadvertently swept past, he caught sight of the painting on the wall, and his eyes lit up, shooting out a myriad of brilliant lights.