The next morning, clouds and mist swirled around the summit of Medicine Mountain. A strange medicinal fragrance drifted on the mountain breeze, filling everyone who reached the peak with a sense of ease and delight, as though they had stepped into a fairyland.
Across the enormous platform suspended above the mountaintop, medicinal herbs stretched out like a green sea. At its four corners, massive pill cauldrons sent wisps of pill smoke soaring into the sky, veiling the heavens in a hazy mist.
By the time Xiao Ze, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao arrived, quite a few people had already gathered around the platform.
Among them were members of the Yao Clan, cultivators from sects affiliated with the clan, and top alchemists from across the Central Plains.
The crowd murmured among themselves, their eyes occasionally turning toward the three men with curiosity and scrutiny.
"Please, this way!"
A hearty laugh rang out. Elder Wanhuo rose from a stone chair and clasped his hands in greeting.
As an elder of the Yao Clan, he had mixed feelings about Yao Lao's return, but he didn't dare slight him.
After all, Yao Lao was now a partner of the Nine Heavens Alliance, and Xiao Ze, an Eight-Star Dou Sheng, stood beside him.
Xiao Yan and Yao Lao exchanged a glance, then followed Elder Wanhuo's directions and took seats on stone chairs near the place of honor.
The Yao Clan elders nearby looked somewhat uncomfortable.
By seniority, if Yao Lao had remained in the clan, he would have had to bow to them. But now the situation had been reversed. Yao Lao's status was enough to put him on equal footing with the clan chief, and they were the ones who had to show him some deference.
"The first half of the Medicine Ceremony is