Flower-Appreciation Gathering (2)

On the way to Medicine King Valley, Wen Jian was undoubtedly the most excited one. The others' true aim lay elsewhere, but he was genuinely there for the "wine."

At this moment, his eyes shone brightly as he kept muttering to himself, "I wonder what rare medicinal herbs, seldom seen beyond the valley, we'll get to witness at Medicine King Valley this time. If we're lucky enough, perhaps we might even see a few precious spirit plants that exist only in legends.

"If there's a chance, it would be wonderful to seek guidance from the disciples in the valley who are well versed in medicinal theory..."

Lin Mumu's eyes sparkled, unable to conceal her excitement. She shifted slightly on her sword, leaned closer to Lin Huaixu beside her, and eagerly asked about all manner of things concerning Medicine King Valley.

"Fifth Senior Brother, tell me about Medicine King Valley. I heard that the star of this Flower-Appreciation Gathering is the Three-Heavens Flower. What exactly does it look like? How come I've never heard of it before?"

Lin Huaixu was overwhelmed by her questions. While trying hard to keep his flying sword steady, he scratched his head and said with a smile, "Ah, I know plenty about Medicine King Valley, but this Three-Heavens Flower... I really don't know much about it. Every profession has its specialty. Why don't you ask Seventh Junior Brother or Ninth Junior Brother?"

Lin Mumu's gaze immediately turned toward Ye Jingxuan nearby, her eyes full of anticipation. Ye Jingxuan remained composed. He coughed lightly to clear his throat before speaking at an unhurried pace. "The Three-Heavens Flower is, in truth, the blossom of the Three-Heavens Vine. The Three-Heavens Vine is a spirit plant that originated from the Sky Ruins Illusory Domain."

Chu Shihan and Shen Yuxi were positioned slightly ahead of the group, listening to the conversation between their junior brothers and sister behind them.

The corners of Chu Shihan's lips curved faintly upward, his eyes warm. Shen Yuxi appeared to be looking straight ahead, but he was secretly keeping an eye on his junior brothers and sister.

Naturally, they knew this information already, but they both felt that quietly watching over them was better than inserting themselves into the conversation.

"Though it can indeed be called precious, it isn't so rare that one would have to pay a fortune to obtain it.

"However, its requirements for its growing environment are extremely demanding. The Lingshu Heaven Domain where we live differs greatly from its original habitat in everything from climate to the nature of spiritual energy. Raising it here is truly harder than climbing to the heavens."

Ye Jingxuan paused. Seeing that Lin Mumu was listening raptly, he continued, "Moreover, the Three-Heavens Vine has another unusual trait. It has no fixed flowering season; whether it blooms depends entirely on fate and opportunity. It is all about letting things follow their natural course.

"Some Three-Heavens Vines, even with meticulous care and every kind of protection, may not bloom even once after several hundred years. And when one finally does bloom, its flowering period is exceptionally brief. In just a few days, it may wither and fade.

"That is why people say, 'Three-Heavens Vines are easy to find, but their flowers are hard to come by.'"

Upon hearing this, Lin Mumu suddenly understood. Curiosity gleamed even more brightly in her eyes as she said, "Wow, so that's how it is. Then being able to see the Three-Heavens Flower in person this time is really incredibly lucky."

Wen Jian added from the side, "That's not all. I heard that the Three-Heavens Flower blooms with three pistils, each a different color, making it exceptionally dazzling. The Three-Heavens Vine itself is already an extremely rare spirit herb with immense medicinal value. If a cultivator can successfully refine and absorb it, it greatly benefits the advancement of their cultivation.

"When the Three-Heavens Flower blooms, even its vine and leaves undergo wondrous changes, producing the three attributes of water, fire, and wind. Its medicinal potency increases by more than tenfold. If refined and absorbed in the proper way, it is said to possess the miraculous effect of cleansing and tempering one's Spirit Root."

"Is it really that miraculous?" Lin Mumu asked in surprise.

"Of course it is." Wen Jian answered with certainty. "But while the Three-Heavens Flower is good, it also carries certain risks. Because this spirit flower contains three attributes at once, the slightest carelessness during refinement can instead make the spiritual energy within one's body impure and chaotic, difficult to reconcile. So this Three-Heavens Flower can be considered a double-edged sword, with both benefits and drawbacks.

"However, for beasts, the Three-Heavens Flower is a supreme tonic. The books record that it is the favorite delicacy of the Demon Race in the Sky Ruins Illusory Domain."

"I never imagined such a strange flower existed. It truly is something to look forward to."

True Person Yu Qing quietly listened to his disciples' conversation. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded inwardly, deeply pleased by the breadth of their knowledge in medicinal studies.

Their detailed understanding of the Three-Heavens Flower and Three-Heavens Vine showed how diligent they had been in their usual studies and how much they had accumulated over time. A rich store of knowledge and the initiative to explore the unknown would surely be of great benefit on their future path of cultivation.

As they talked, everyone accelerated their sword flight, eagerly anticipating their arrival at Medicine King Valley so they could behold the Three-Heavens Flower for themselves.

As the sun gradually rose and the mist slowly dispersed, they bathed in the increasingly bright morning light. Their moods grew ever more cheerful, and their steps unconsciously became lighter, as though an invisible vigor had been poured into them.

After several hours of strenuous travel, they finally caught sight of Medicine King Valley's mountain gate in the distance.

True to its name, Medicine King Valley lay within a secluded gorge. On either side of its mountain gate stood two enormous cliff faces that towered into the clouds.

Medicine King Valley had originally been the secluded residence of the first Medicine King. At first, it had merely been a quiet place known to few. At some unknown point, the first Medicine King's extraordinary medical arts made his name renowned far and wide, drawing many people who spared no effort to travel thousands of miles in search of treatment.

At first, though the first Medicine King was indifferent by nature, he still held compassion for those who came seeking medical help and treated them one by one.

However, as the number of patients grew day by day and arrived in an endless stream, even someone broad-minded by nature could not avoid becoming troubled. Unable to bear the disturbance any longer, the first Medicine King simply took in disciples far and wide and founded Medicine King Valley.

The first Medicine King had always been free-spirited and unrestrained, with no interest whatsoever in tedious matters like constructing a mountain gate. He merely carved the three words "Medicine King Valley" onto the cliffs on both sides in bold, forceful strokes, added the valley's rules, and considered the "construction" of the mountain gate complete.

Even the many formations within the valley had been added later by generation after generation of valley masters and disciples.

When the Profound Heaven Sect group arrived, many cultivators from other factions had already gathered near the mountain gate. At this moment, the atmosphere there was tense. Two factions appeared to be locked in a fierce confrontation.

The cultivators on one side were exceptionally particular about their dress. Their garments were made from the finest materials, with delicate patterns and restrained luster. Their accessories were exquisite and dazzling, every detail displaying their wealth and luxury. Even their gestures carried the air of pampered affluence.

The young man at their head was tall and slender, his chin slightly raised and his expression arrogant, his eyes filled with disdain.

Holding a folding fan against his chin, the young man curled his lips slightly. The words he spat out were like sharp knives, every one saturated with biting mockery—

"Look at the lot of you, all dressed like country bumpkins, and you dare come to Medicine King Valley's Flower-Appreciation Gathering? Don't tell me you're here just to mooch food and drink? When you see spirit plants later and can't even name them, won't that be pathetic? You might as well go home early, lest you make fools of yourselves and become a laughingstock."

Before the young man had even finished speaking, a burst of laughter erupted.

The faction confronting them looked far more down-and-out. Their clothes were old-fashioned, and their cloth was coarse, forming a stark contrast with the luxury opposite them.

Their leader was a cold-faced young man with sword-like brows and starry eyes. At the moment, however, his brows were tightly furrowed, his face frosty, and his gaze full of suppressed fury.

Behind him, he held back his fellow junior brothers and sisters, who wore equally unpleasant expressions. Each of them was practically rubbing their fists and palms together, anger blazing in their eyes. Clearly, the other side's words had enraged them, and they wished they could rush up and argue at once.

The young man gritted his teeth and replied coldly, "If Your Excellency finds your hands too long, I would not begrudge helping you cut off those superfluous arms. Wang Rong, you think you are worthy of telling us how to conduct ourselves?"

A ring of onlookers had gathered around them. Some sharp-eyed people immediately noticed the arrival of the Profound Heaven Sect group. Respect instantly appeared on their faces as they stepped forward to greet them. "So it is the esteemed fellow Daoists of the Profound Heaven Sect. We have long admired your great name."

"We have heard that the Profound Heaven Sect produces talents in abundance. Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, you surely possess extraordinary abilities. We hope to have the opportunity to seek your guidance in the future."

For a time, flattering pleasantries rolled in like a tide, unceasing and endless. True Person Yu Qing merely smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, unwilling to become too entangled with them.

Everyone also noticed that the other sects present were either led by elders or were simply groups of juniors traveling for enjoyment. Yet the Profound Heaven Sect was personally led by its sect master, True Person Yu Qing, making them seem somewhat out of place by comparison.

Just as True Person Yu Qing led the Profound Heaven Sect group to pause briefly, the argument over there grew ever more heated.

Lin Huaixu looked toward the noise. With a turn of his gaze, he immediately recognized the two factions in dispute and could not help muttering under his breath, "Hey, isn't that the Azure Rock Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect? They really are famous sworn enemies. They can argue wherever they go. There's a show to watch—"

Chu Shihan frowned slightly and shot his carefree junior brother a glare. "Don't make trouble."

As soon as Chu Shihan finished speaking, a trace of gloom flashed across the face of the young man leading the Azure Rock Sect. He put away his folding fan, stepped forward, deliberately raised his voice, and spoke in an even nastier tone. "Seeing how difficult things must be for you, I kindly offered some advice. Who would have thought you were so incapable of recognizing kindness? You truly are uncultured country bumpkins."

The other Azure Rock Sect disciples joined in the laughter. Their laughter echoed through the morning valley, sounding especially piercing.

On the Heavenly Sword Sect's side, the disciples being held back with all his might by their lead senior brother were now trembling from rage.

One junior brother with an especially fiery temper widened his eyes and glared furiously. Unable to hold back any longer, he cursed, "Wang Rong, don't push people too far! Don't think our Heavenly Sword Sect is easy to bully! If Eldest Senior Brother weren't stopping us today, I'd make you taste my strength!"

The Azure Rock Sect's lead disciple snorted disdainfully, a flicker of contempt passing through his eyes. "You bark fiercely enough. Don't tell me you're planning to extort some medicinal soup fees? This young master can afford to compensate you if you get injured or crippled, but if your whole sect latches onto me just because I'm kind-hearted, wouldn't I be swallowing my grievances in silence?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, chin slightly raised, his face full of wild arrogance.

The Heavenly Sword Sect's eldest senior brother looked as dark as still water. He knew that acting rashly now would only make the situation harder to contain. Forcibly suppressing his anger, he said coldly, "Wang Rong, this is Medicine King Valley. You and I are both guests, and we should not disturb our host's feast here. I will endure you this time. Once the Flower-Appreciation Gathering is over, if you want trouble, I will accompany you to the end!"

With that, he sharply turned his head. His gaze swept across the Azure Rock Sect disciples like a blade, before he gave Wang Rong one final cold glare. Only then did he lead his junior brothers and sisters away, striding into Medicine King Valley.

Witnessing this, Lin Huaixu could not help shrinking his neck as he whispered, "They say dogs that bite do not bark. I think the Heavenly Sword Sect's eldest disciple is a ruthless one."

"Ahem, Fifth Senior Brother, watch your words." Ye Jingxuan coughed lightly, trying to cover up Lin Huaixu's slip of the tongue. Fortunately, everyone present was focused on the two sides that had just clashed, and no one paid attention to Lin Huaixu's careless remark.

Wang Rong watched the Heavenly Sword Sect group leave and curled his lips disdainfully, still intending to throw out a few more sarcastic remarks.

At that moment, Medicine King Valley's steward finally arrived. Dressed in a pale blue robe, his expression stern, he said to the Azure Rock Sect group, "Everyone, Medicine King Valley is a place of peace and purity. Please observe the valley's rules and do not cause trouble here."

Though Wang Rong was unwilling, he could not act too presumptuously before Medicine King Valley's steward. He could only snort coldly, put away his arrogant manner, and lead the Azure Rock Sect disciples into the valley, still declaring, "Hmph, they ran fast enough."

Seeing that the conflict had temporarily settled, the slight furrow between True Person Yu Qing's brows eased.

He said to the disciples beside him, "This gathering is primarily for appreciating flowers and exchanging knowledge. I do not demand that you act with excessive caution, but you should still take care not to become involved in unnecessary disputes."

The disciples all nodded in agreement.

Soon afterward, disciples of Medicine King Valley came to receive them. The young man in the lead had a lean face and a solid, upright build.

He cupped his hands respectfully in greeting. "You must be the honored guests from the Profound Heaven Sect. I am Gu Xiaoyue, Medicine King Valley's chief disciple. The Valley Master has been awaiting you within the valley for quite some time. Please follow me."

Under his guidance, they proceeded along a quiet path. On both sides of it, spirit flowers and strange grasses grew freely, competing in beauty. These spirit plants came in countless varieties and forms. Some had petals as light as butterfly wings, while others had leaves that gleamed with strange luster, releasing waves of refreshing fragrance.

The moment Wen Jian stepped onto the path, his eyes lit up as though he had entered a land of treasures. As he walked, he excitedly identified the spirit plants, his gaze full of fascination and concentration.

From time to time, he muttered about their medicinal properties. His voice was not loud, but he could not conceal his excitement. "This is Life-Calling Grass, which has miraculous effects on treating internal injuries; that is Condensing Snow Flower, which can assist cultivators in condensing spiritual energy..."

Lin Mumu had always been intensely curious. Seeing Wen Jian speak so knowledgeably, she eagerly pulled on him to ask questions whenever they encountered a spirit plant.

Hearing their exchange, their guide's lips curved slightly into a faint smile. "This junior brother has a sharp eye. I assume you have also studied the path of medicinal theory quite deeply?"

Wen Jian turned his gaze aside awkwardly. "I would not dare flaunt my meager skills before the experts of Medicine King Valley."

The man merely smiled softly and said nothing further. Yet his seemingly casual gaze swept over the group, lingering for several extra seconds in Chu Shihan's direction. There seemed to be a trace of hidden meaning in his eyes, too subtle to detect.

Lin Mumu had always been particularly sensitive to emotions. Seeing Gu Xiaoyue smile like that, she somehow felt a sudden, baseless surge of displeasure.

She frowned faintly, then quietly moved closer to Chu Shihan. Lowering her voice, she spoke with a hint of worry. "Eldest Senior Brother, I don't know why, but I keep feeling that man's gaze gives me the creeps. It feels so uncomfortable."

Before Chu Shihan could respond, Shen Yuxi's voice slipped into everyone's ears like a ghost's—

"Because he sees us as the third party openly stealing his wife."

Lin Mumu was slightly stunned at first. Only after a moment did she realize that it was Second Senior Brother's Heart Voice.

The instant True Person Yu Qing heard it, he became vigilant. His sharp gaze immediately focused on the outsiders present. He watched their every movement closely, observing even the slightest change in expression.

Only when he saw that they truly showed no unusual reaction to Shen Yuxi's Heart Voice did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed the conclusion reached after repeated tests was correct: the Heart Voice could only leak to disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect who were inner disciples or above.

Then Shen Yuxi's Heart Voice sounded again—

"This Gu Xiaoyue is hilarious too. Doesn't he know that childhood sweethearts end up as losing dogs? The Young Valley Master has spent decades together with him day and night without ever saying she likes him, yet he is still feeling so good about himself. He doesn't seriously think the Young Valley Master is his and his alone, does he?"