Immortal Herb Records at Last

At this point, Shen Lian's voice suddenly lowered, carrying a trace of temptation as he said to Yang Wudi:

"Senior, don't you want the Breaking Clan to escape its current plight and rise to glory? Join our Empire, and I can make the decision to grant the Breaking Clan noble status within the Empire—official titles, ranks, and honor. Moreover, the disciples of the Breaking Clan will all be able to enter the Empire's finest Soul Tool Academy and learn to craft these miraculous devices."

Yang Wudi's Adam's apple bobbed, and his cracked lips trembled slightly.

His gaze locked onto the Soul Tool markers glowing with mysterious light on the illusory map, as though he saw hope for the Breaking Clan's resurgence.

Once, the Breaking Clan had fallen into decline after being abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect, and its people could only struggle to survive in this small town.

Now, the future Shen Lian described was like a ray of light shining into the darkness.

Shen Lian keenly caught the hesitation in Yang Wudi's eyes. Delighted, he decided to press his advantage.

Shen Lian then continued, saying to Yang Wudi:

"The Breaking Clan enjoys studying medicinal herbs and has always been especially fond of Immortal Herbs."

Shen Lian's voice was full of temptation as he continued:

"I can guarantee that as long as you join our Sun-Moon Empire, I will give the Breaking Clan an Immortal Herb."

As Shen Lian's words fell, Yang Wudi's breathing suddenly quickened, and a fervent light flashed in his clouded eyes.

He abruptly rose to his feet, but his movements were so hurried that he nearly fell. He had to brace himself against the table to steady his body.

"Is that truly so, young friend?"

His voice was hoarse, brimming with barely concealed excitement, as he continued speaking to Shen Lian:

"If that is truly possible, then my Breaking Clan is willing to brave fire and water for the Sun-Moon Empire!"

Shen Lian threw back his head and laughed. His hearty laughter shook the hanging medicine pouches from the beams, making them rustle. Crimson Soul Power unconsciously spilled from his body, casting a wild phantom shadow across the ground.

Shen Lian strode forward and solemnly shook Yang Wudi's hand, unable to conceal the delight in his tone.

"You have made the right choice, Marquis Yang of the Sun-Moon Empire!"

The warmth of his palm passed through the coarse cloth of their clothes, as though he intended to imprint this joy upon the other man as well.

A complicated look flashed through Yang Wudi's clouded eyes, but he soon began to laugh too.

However, the smile pulled at the unhealed scar at the corner of his mouth, making it look somewhat ferocious.

He lifted a hand to brush aside his hanging white hair. Looking at the high-spirited young man before him, he quietly pondered whether this transaction was an opportunity or an abyss.

Shen Lian's smile faded, and his expression turned solemn. His gaze fixed tightly on Yang Wudi as he slowly spoke:

"Marquis Yang, I remember that your Breaking Clan has also researched Immortal Herbs. Could you give me a copy of the records concerning them?"

Shen Lian's voice was low and earnest, yet it carried an undertone that brooked no refusal. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the Dragon-Slaying Blade, as if preparing for any unexpected developments.

Yang Wudi narrowed his eyes slightly and sized Shen Lian up and down, his aged face revealing neither joy nor anger.

The air in the room seemed to freeze at that moment. Only the bubbling sounds of the pill furnace in the corner could be heard.

After a long while, Yang Wudi raised his head and let out a long sigh, as though setting aside his guard.

"Of course."

As his words fell, Yang Wudi flicked his Storage Ring with a bent finger. A flash of light appeared, and an ancient parchment book materialized in his hand.

The corners of the parchment book were badly worn. Its yellowed pages were covered in dense, tiny writing and stained with faint brown medicine marks, clearly showing that it had been read countless times.

Yang Wudi held the parchment book in both hands, but as he extended it toward Shen Lian, he suddenly stopped. His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, fixed on Shen Lian's eyes, and his tone carried a warning:

"Young friend, this fragment of the Record of Hundred Herbs is the lifeblood of my Breaking Clan. It contains the experience countless ancestors exchanged with their lives. If you dare use it to do anything that harms my clan's interests..."

Yang Wudi did not finish his sentence, but the threat was self-evident.

Shen Lian's expression turned grave as he accepted the parchment book with both hands, feeling the ancient aura emanating from its pages.

He nodded solemnly, his gaze resolute.

"Rest assured, Marquis Yang. The Sun-Moon Empire has always kept its word. Once the Empire's army levels this continent, the Breaking Clan will surely regain its former glory!"

After speaking, he carefully stored the parchment book in his Storage Ring, though he was already calculating how to make use of the information within.

Yang Wudi watched Shen Lian's movements, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He turned and walked to the window, looking at the scattered lights throughout Cloud-Breaking Town. Those were all members of the Breaking Clan.

Thinking of his clansmen's future, he clenched his fists and secretly swore that he would secure a path to survival for them. Even if a bottomless abyss lay ahead, he was willing to lead them through it.

After all, if they did not take the risk, then given the current situation, the Breaking Clan would sooner or later be in danger.

Shen Lian's eyes were like blazing torches as he looked directly into Yang Wudi's clouded eyes, where hope was gradually igniting. He said in a deep voice:

"Marquis Yang, from now on, you can begin preparing to tell your clansmen about joining the Sun-Moon Empire. Once I finish handling a few matters, I will take the Breaking Clan to the Sun-Moon Continent."

Yang Wudi rubbed the Soul-Breaking Spear in his hand. A complicated expression appeared on his aged face—unease toward the unknown, but even more anticipation for the future.

"Young friend, my Breaking Clan will be relying entirely on you."

Shen Lian nodded slightly, turned, and strode away. The hem of his robe swept up a fierce gust, carrying away several withered yellow leaves from the ground.

As he passed through the silent streets and alleys of Cloud-Breaking Town, the lanterns beneath the inn's eaves swayed in the wind. Their dim yellow light fell upon him, stretching his shadow long behind him.

The moment he returned to his room at the inn, Shen Lian swiftly shut the door. Soul Power burst from his body, forming a soundproof barrier around the room.

Shen Lian then eagerly took out the ancient parchment book and carefully spread it across the table.

The dense writing on the yellowed pages seemed to carry the weight of time and the wisdom of the Breaking Clan's ancestors.

Crimson Soul Power flowed from his fingertips and entered the parchment book. In an instant, the words on its pages glowed with a faint blue radiance, while the phantoms of numerous Immortal Herbs rose from the paper and slowly revolved in the air.

Shen Lian's eyes were filled with fervor and concentration as he stared unblinkingly at the phantom herbs.

As his gaze passed over them, the name, appearance, method of use, and specific effects of every Immortal Herb surged into his mind like a flood.

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum..."

Shen Lian murmured to himself, unable to suppress his excitement, because he believed this Immortal Herb was currently the most suitable one for him.

He then took it out. The phantom of the Immortal Herb blossomed with dazzling golden light, and as its petals unfolded, a refreshing fragrance spread through the air.

The words on the parchment book lit up accordingly:

"Neutral immortal-grade medicinal herb. Consuming it nourishes the limbs, allows the blood to flow through the eight meridians, and can cultivate the Indestructible Diamond Body."

Shen Lian could almost feel the wondrous power of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum already.