Pharmaceutical Classics, First Display of Talent

Han Yu stood up from the pool, feeling rather dejected, and scratched his head.

He hadn't noticed that Chen Xin and Gu Rong had been standing by the water's edge for some time, observing him with keen interest.

"I told you so, Han Yu has a sharp mind. Look how quickly he found his own direction," Gu Rong chuckled, draping an arm over Chen Xin's shoulder.

Chen Xin wore a look of mild surprise. He gazed curiously at the wooden sword in Han Yu's hand, his eyes darting between the waterfall and the blade. As his eyes brightened, he couldn't help but nod in approval.

All swordsmanship must begin with the fundamentals; one sharpens a sword for ten years to defeat ten thousand enemies with a single strike.

Practicing sword forms day and night without respite was unavoidable—a process in which no practitioner of the sword could afford to be lazy. He himself had once held his breath and spent over a decade mastering every technique. Yet, Han Yu had managed to devise a method of practicing under the waterfall with a wooden sword, using external forces to create interference and refine his swordsmanship, far exceeding the speed at which one would normally master such forms.

Chen Xin's eyes were filled with admiration. He reached out to brush Gu Rong's arm away, pulled Han Yu from the pool, and used his soul power to dissipate the moisture from the boy's body.

"This disciple greets both teachers," Han Yu said, bowing hurriedly and looking up with an embarrassed expression.

"Han Yu, I've made a decision. From now on, you'll only spend half the day with this old antique, and the rest of the time you'll come to me," Gu Rong said in a lighthearted tone, rubbing his large hand vigorously over Han Yu's head.

Han Yu looked toward Chen Xin upon hearing this.

Chen Xin nodded with a smile.

"What? Are you reluctant to leave this old antique? Sigh, you haven't seen me for half a month and you've already forgotten me as your teacher," Gu Rong said, feigning anger as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"This disciple would not dare. Teacher's heart holds the vastness of the world, and your belly contains the mysteries of the universe; this disciple has long been impatient for your guidance," Han Yu replied, his face unchanging as he laid on the flattery.

"Hahaha, did you hear that, you old antique?" Gu Rong raised an eyebrow, pulled out several books, and continued, "Kid, take these classics and study them yourself this afternoon."

Gu Rong's interests were incredibly broad. Unlike Chen Xin, who was dedicated solely to the way of the sword, Gu Rong had dabbled in knowledge regarding soul beasts, medicinal herbs, minerals, and more. While he wasn't a specialist, he could certainly help Han Yu learn and understand these subjects.

For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, in the absence of a life-or-death crisis, the comprehensive utility Gu Rong provided was greater than that of Chen Xin. After all, a soul master's growth was not just about cultivation and increasing raw power; the core knowledge was equally important, allowing one to perceive all things for oneself.

"Oh, and take Rongrong with you," Gu Rong added.

These words struck like a bolt of lightning.

Han Yu's pupils dilated slightly as he looked at Gu Rong in disbelief.

Gu Rong moved with lightning speed, turning his head away.

"Yes, Teacher," Han Yu replied helplessly.

In the afternoon.

Han Yu finished his sword practice and returned to his residence.

Following behind him was a rather exuberant Ning Rongrong, who hopped along the path, occasionally tapping her toes against the ground.

Her hair was styled into two meticulously pinned buns, and she wore a long, flowing cyan dress that made her look ethereal.

Han Yu sat silently at the long table where he usually studied formation diagrams. He spread out the classics and glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was still picking flowers in the courtyard, and gave a light cough.

Ning Rongrong paused. She looked at the flower in her hand, scanned left and right, and finally blinked before gently tucking it into her hair. She hurried to Han Yu's side and rested her hands on the table.

Han Yu was amused by her playful demeanor.

Ning Rongrong immediately made a face at him, huffed, and turned her head away, lifting her fair chin.

Han Yu pulled one of the medicinal classics toward him and gestured for Ning Rongrong to choose one as well.

"I want to read that one too," Ning Rongrong said, glancing at the books on the table and pouting.

"Here."

"Hmph, I'll read this one then." Seeing she couldn't avoid it, Ning Rongrong picked up a book on soul beast knowledge and began to flip through it, stealing glances at Han Yu from time to time.

Han Yu refocused his mind, earnestly studying the medicinal classic in his hands.

Starting from the table of contents, the book was divided into several major sections based on the properties of the herbs.

Each category detailed how to identify the appearance of the herbs, their effects, and even provided examples for soul masters to follow. Further on, each category was subdivided into even more specific types, the sheer number of which was staggering.

Sweat beaded on Han Yu's forehead, and he couldn't help but swallow hard.

He felt he might have overestimated himself. How was this any different from the miserable life of a liberal arts student in his past life? If he could endure this kind of hardship, would he have even bothered becoming a Daoist priest on the mountain?

In the end, Han Yu gritted his teeth and read on, page by page.

That was until he was drawn in by a recorded rumor. It told of a soul master who had loudly proclaimed that he had encountered a fairyland containing a spring that alternated between blue and red, surrounded by countless heavenly treasures. However, the soul master had been unable to withstand the intense heat and cold of the place due to his insufficient strength, and could only leave a marker to find help.

When the soul master returned with others to the marked spot, they found nothing but a patch of withered grass. They assumed he had lost his mind and was spouting nonsense.

Han Yu smiled, a memory of a textbook from his school days popping into his mind.

He knew that the soul master wasn't crazy; he had simply stumbled upon the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, known as the Immortal Herb Secret Realm. In the original story, the Shrek Seven Devils had consumed the immortal herbs found there, which significantly improved their aptitudes and eventually allowed them all to become gods.

"Once my strength is higher, I will go and harvest them," a flicker of intensity flashed in Han Yu's eyes. His boredom eased, and he continued to flip through the pages.

"Still smiling so happily, is it really that interesting?" Ning Rongrong looked at Han Yu with a puzzled expression, tilting her head in confusion before trying to calm her mind and read.

And so, the two of them quietly finished their studies for the day.

In the core area of the sect, Han Yu smiled helplessly as he watched a drowsy-eyed Ning Rongrong head home toward her own residence.

He stretched his arms wide on the road; the fulfilling day had left him somewhat exhausted.

Just as he was planning his sword practice for the next day, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

Golden light ignited in his eyes as he exerted force from his calves and waist simultaneously, his body leaning right and bending nearly ninety degrees in mid-air.

Several stone spikes grazed past his hair in a rapid blur.

Han Yu steadied his stance, eyes locked on the direction from which the spikes had been fired, his hands moving in a blur as he instantly set up several formations.

A solid white shield rose up before him.

He pointed his Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword straight ahead, his gaze sharp and fierce.

"First Soul Skill, Blade Breaking Slash." A burly man in black revealed himself.

A purple blade of light flew out, suddenly veering upward as it neared Han Yu to bypass the white shield and strike directly above him.

"First Soul Skill, Thunder Flash."

The golden light at the corners of Han Yu's eyes faded, and the moment the purple blade shifted its trajectory, he unleashed his first soul skill.

His figure transformed into a golden arc of light, leaving an afterimage behind as he streaked toward the man in black like a lightning bolt.

The arc flickered left and right, vanishing and reappearing elsewhere, its trajectory impossible to predict.

The man in black was struck with panic, scrambling in confusion.

The outermost yellow soul ring beneath his feet flashed, and a suit of rock armor materialized out of thin air to block his front.

Bang—

The armor shattered, and the golden arc of light flashed past.