Old Man Shen Nong

Yaotian City, situated within the Shennong Mountain Range, served as the Yao Clan's representative to the outside world. Many people came here seeking medicine from the Yao Clan, and quite a few alchemists hoped to join the clan as well, but almost no one got what they wished for.

To show respect for the Yao Clan, flying was forbidden within Yaotian City. At this moment, quite a few people were gathered at the city gate, lining up to enter. More than a dozen guards dressed in black armor stood on either side of the gate. Judging by the style of their armor, they were likely the Medicine Clan Iron Guard. Though they were few in number, every guard exuded a powerful aura. They held spears and stood ramrod straight.

Everyone entering the city had to pay a certain amount of gold coins. This was also one of the Yao Clan's sources of income. Though the fee was not high, given Yaotian City's immense flow of people, it still brought in considerable income every day.

Just as it was about to be Yao Feng and Yao Ling's turn, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.

"You may not enter the city without gold coins!"

A guard's icy voice rang out.

An elderly man dressed in plain hemp clothes stood at the city gate, leaning on a cane that seemed woven from medicinal herbs. An embarrassed expression appeared on his face. He had never imagined that, after not coming out for so many years, he would be unable to enter the city over a few gold coins. But he truly had no gold coins.

"Hehe, old man, this is Yaotian City, not some place for you to beg. If you have no money, get out of the way. Don't waste everyone's time!"

The Hook-nosed Man, a young man standing behind the old man, glanced at him with disgust and spoke with utter contempt. The two attendants behind him promptly stepped forward, intending to drag the old man away.

The old man's expression changed. The hand gripping his cane tightened slightly, then, as if he had sensed something, loosened. He turned his gaze toward Yao Feng and said in a somewhat trembling voice,

"Young man, this old fellow's purse was unfortunately stolen by thieves on the road. Could you lend this old fellow some money? Once I have money in the future, I will definitely repay you."

"Hehe, old man, if you want to scam someone, at least find someone rich. What are you doing picking a little brat?" The Hook-nosed Man sneered, not bothering to hide his mockery.

Yao Feng suddenly found the old man's appearance familiar, but he could not recall where he had seen it. Seeing the old man looking at him, Yao Feng stepped forward, took out five hundred gold coins from his Spatial Ring, and tossed them to the gate guard.

"This is for the three of us. Keep the rest as a treat for everyone to have a drink!"

Though he could not remember who the old man was for the moment, anyone who left an impression on him must have been described in the original novel. Following the usual logic of novels, how could an ordinary person possibly have a chance to appear? That could only mean the old man before him was no ordinary person.

"Thank you, young man. Thank you so much!"

The old man gave Yao Feng a meaningful look, then turned and walked into the city, leaving the Hook-nosed Man standing nearby with an unsightly expression.

Yao Feng watched the old man's retreating figure curiously, then took Yao Ling's hand and entered the city as well.

Watching Yao Feng's figure, the Hook-nosed Man slowly clenched the hand hanging at his side. A vicious glint flashed through his eyes. With a cold snort, he stepped into the city. After paying the guards their gold coins, his two attendants hurriedly followed after him.

"That old man is probably no ordinary person!"

Yao Ling leaned close to Yao Feng's ear and whispered.

Yao Feng gave Yao Ling a surprised glance. It seemed this girl was no simple person either.

"I know. Although he had no Dou Qi fluctuations, there was a faint medicinal scent on him. I have only smelled that scent on Father and Elder Wanhuo."

Having grown up in the Yao Clan, even though Yao Feng had changed souls, his knowledge of medicinal pills seemed to have become muscle memory. He could still distinguish the scent one acquired after being around medicinal pills for a long time. Someone comparable to his father, Yao Dan, appearing near the Yao Clan—Yao Feng could not help thinking of an elderly man who had appeared very rarely in the original novel.

"Then should we..."

"There is no need to concern ourselves with him. He bears us no ill will."

Yao Feng smiled to himself. This girl is quite vigilant. But if that old man truly was Old Man Shen Nong, there was nothing to worry about. After all, Old Man Shen Nong had a fairly good relationship with the Yao Clan.

As the old man's figure swiftly vanished into the crowd, Yao Feng did not dwell on it. Encountering Old Man Shen Nong was an unexpected delight, but the main purpose of this trip was still to obtain a Beast Flame and see just how effective the Flame Mantra truly was.

"Demon Core Longsword, personally forged by a master refiner! Clearance sale, only two thousand gold coins!"

"Freshly unearthed Ice Spirit Immortal Grass! Take it for only five thousand gold coins..."

"Mercenary squad recruiting Dou Masters to enter the mountain range and capture the peak second-tier magical beast, the Demon Ape..."

Yao Feng curiously looked around him. Everything he saw felt brand-new.

"Boss, how much is this?"

At a small stall, Yao Feng picked up a heart-shaped crystal and asked the skinny man behind the stall.

"Young master truly has a discerning eye. This is called the Heart of the Ocean, a treasured heirloom passed down through my family. If I had not run into some recent difficulties, I would never have taken it out to sell. If you truly want it, you can take it for one thousand gold coins."

The man smiled slyly, his beady eyes narrowing together, making him look thoroughly wretched.

"Five gold coins. Take it or leave it!"

Yao Feng rolled his eyes. There was not even the slightest Dou Qi fluctuation. Does he take me for an idiot? What an outrageous price.

"Young master, this is a family heirloom. Five gold coins really won't do!" The man put on an expression of extreme reluctance and said hesitantly.

"Then one gold coin. It is just a stone from the seabed. In Yaotian City, you should know better than we do what happens to people who sell fakes!"

Before Yao Feng could speak, Yao Ling bent slightly and whispered to the man, a harmless smile on her face. Yet in the man's eyes, that smile was utterly chilling.

I've run into a tough one. What rotten luck. The man cursed inwardly, but he smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Since you two sincerely want it, I'll sell it to you. Consider it the start of a good relationship. How about it?"

Yao Feng gave Yao Ling an odd look, tossed out a gold coin, and picked up the heart-shaped crystal to examine it in his hand. The moment he touched it, a cool sensation spread through his palm, but there was nothing else remarkable about it.

"Here, it's yours!"

Yao Feng casually tossed the heart-shaped crystal to Yao Ling and turned to walk ahead.

"Y-You're giving it to me?"

Yao Ling caught the heart-shaped crystal in a fluster and clutched it tightly in her palm. She quickly caught up to Yao Feng and asked excitedly.

"If you do not want it, throw it away. It is just a stone, anyway."

Yao Feng waved his hand and replied casually.

"I want it, I want it! Hehe!"