Three Heavens (1)

Before they knew it, the moon had quietly climbed to the treetops, spilling silvery-white radiance and draping Medicine King Valley in a gauzy veil.

Gu Yinchen tilted his head slightly and glanced at the sky, calculating that the time was about right. He exchanged an imperceptible look with Gu Xiaoyue, who stood nearby in attendance. Gu Xiaoyue's expression was somewhat dim, his mood clearly poor. Under Gu Yinchen's gaze, his heart tightened, and he still lowered his head respectfully.

Only then did Gu Yinchen slowly rise. He looked around, cleared his throat, and tried to make his voice sound steady. "Honored guests, have you enjoyed your visit to Medicine King Valley? The time is about right. Please follow me and witness the Three-Heavens Flower bloom."

At last, the Flower-Appreciation Gathering had reached its most important public event—the viewing of the Three-Heavens Flower's bloom.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over. The Three-Heavens Flower had long been renowned throughout the cultivation world. Its blossoming was said to be dreamlike and fantastical, described in almost divine terms, and all present craned their necks in anticipation, eager to witness that legendary, breathtaking sight with their own eyes.

At Gu Yinchen's subtle signal, Gu Yueyao stepped forward with graceful composure. The corners of her lips curved faintly upward on her exquisite face, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. Her eyes were bright and lively, as though they held countless stars, gleaming brilliantly.

She moved forward with lotus-like steps, her posture enchanting and light as a fairy among flowers. As she walked at an unhurried pace, she smiled sweetly and said, "Honored guests, please follow me."

Led by her, the crowd strolled leisurely through the fragrant sea of blooming flowers.

Gu Yinchen deliberately slowed his pace, gradually falling to the very back of the group.

Throughout this long day, he had maneuvered among guests from every side, wearing that formulaic smile the entire time. By now, his facial muscles felt as though invisible ropes had bound them tightly. They were so stiff they had nearly lost all feeling, and every twitch brought a faint ache, as though protesting the unrelenting strain.

Besides, he had never been good at talking with others. After an entire day, he was utterly exhausted.

At this moment, everyone's attention was fixed on Gu Yueyao's charming smile ahead and the magnificent flower sea surrounding her. Gu Yinchen finally found a brief chance to catch his breath.

He raised his head slightly and let out a soft sigh. Then he slowly lifted both hands and gently massaged his cheeks with his fingertips, his movements light and soothing as he tried to dispel the stiffness that had seeped into his flesh and let his taut nerves relax for a moment.

Gu Xiaoyue silently followed behind Gu Yinchen, looking somewhat uneasy. His expression was slightly panicked, his gaze restless, with a trace of barely concealed guilt lurking within.

After hesitating again and again, he finally parted his lips. His voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz as he stammered nervously, "Master, I..."

"We will settle today's matter later." Gu Yinchen's face darkened in an instant, like sudden frost descending in winter—cold and severe.

His voice was low and deep, like muffled thunder rolling through the air with unquestionable authority. "First, attend to our guests properly. Do not let outsiders laugh at Medicine King Valley."

Once he finished speaking, he shot Gu Xiaoyue a cold sidelong glance, his gaze as sharp as a blade, as though it could see through every thought in his heart.

"Yes, Master." Gu Xiaoyue hurriedly lowered his head, his manner exceptionally obedient. Yet the instant he bowed his head, a flash of resentment and unwillingness suddenly crossed his eyes, like a shooting star vanishing from the night sky, but carrying bone-deep chill.

He clenched his teeth, hatred gnawing at him until his cheeks bulged slightly with force. He understood that everything that had happened today had already carved an irreparable gulf between himself and Gu Yinchen. The Valley Master's position he had dreamed of was becoming ever more distant.

Unless... Gu Xiaoyue slowly raised his head and stared gloomily at Gu Yinchen's upright back, a sight that filled him with hatred. A deep, sinister darkness gradually gathered in his eyes, like the gloom before a coming storm—heavy and dangerous.

At the same time, dark, unspeakable thoughts began to churn in his mind like venomous snakes slithering through the depths of his heart.

The group at the front arrived at a spot where, amid clusters of flowers and sheltering emerald leaves, the entrance to a hidden cave was quietly concealed. Without careful searching, it would have been extremely difficult to find.

Gu Yueyao stepped forward steadily, her expression solemn.

Her hands swiftly formed strange and intricate seals as she muttered an incantation. With a flash of soft yet dazzling light, the tightly sealed cave entrance slowly opened, revealing a deep passage before them, faint mist permeating its depths.

As they proceeded through the passage and deeper into the cave, the surrounding light grew increasingly dim. Only the illumination artifacts in their hands gave off faint glimmers.

Gradually, bluish-green vines began to appear along the cave walls. Like lively green snakes, they wound and clung to the stone. Palm-shaped leaves grew on the vines, fresh and emerald green, their veins clearly visible. The leaves grew in opposing pairs, like intimate friends shaking hands, or spirals entwined around one another, wondrous beyond compare.

The group continued onward, and after roughly a quarter of an hour, they finally reached their destination.

Looking up, they saw a huge opening directly above them, like an eye of heaven. At that moment, a bright full moon happened to hang in the opening, and moonlight like flowing water poured down without restraint, instantly covering the entire cave.

Bathed in the silver-white moonlight, the vine leaves that had been tightly coiled together quietly unfurled. Amid the cluster of leaves, a small and delicate flower with three stems shyly poked out its head.

The little flower was like an immortal maiden untouched by mortal dust, quietly blooming amid the emerald leaves. It consisted of red, blue, and green blossoms, the three differently colored flowers growing from the same stem. Each resembled the fluttering hem of a dancer's skirt, swaying lightly in the breeze, exquisitely beautiful.

The stunning appearance of the Three-Heavens Flower made everyone hold their breath, as though afraid of disturbing this flower fairy that had just awakened from slumber. Yet while they were intoxicated by the beauty before their eyes, the wondrous changes continued.

As though ignited by the moonlight, the leaves slowly opened one after another along the cave's veins. Following the path of scattered moonlight, they spread outward like ripples, unfolding in sequence. The cliff walls, once monotonous and covered entirely in green, instantly became dazzling beyond measure.

Every Three-Heavens Flower seemed to contain three entirely distinct yet mutually dependent souls. Each radiated its own unique charm, yet they blended together in perfect harmony.

The Three-Heavens Flower possessed three spiritual attributes of its own. Fire spiritual power leaped across every unfurled leaf, staining them with blazing warmth; water spiritual power wound through the cliff walls, adding a touch of mystery to the splendor; wind spiritual power gently brushed every inch of space, making every color more vivid.

The three types of spiritual power intermingled while remaining distinct, gradually raising the temperature within the cave. Yet wondrously, no one felt overheated. Instead, that warmth wrapped gently around them like a mother's embrace, bringing a comfortable, pleasant sensation.

The entire cave seemed to transform into a fantastical world overflowing with life. Moonlight flickered and danced across the cliff walls, reflecting the Three-Heavens Flower's tricolored radiance and forming a picture so beautiful it left one astonished.

Someone could not resist reaching out to lightly stroke the translucent petals. The sensation beneath their fingertips was like touching the finest silk—soft, delicate, and smooth—as though the petals would dissolve like an illusionary bubble with the slightest force.

A gentle breeze quietly passed through. The once still vines began to sway softly, and the flowers nestled against one another like mandarin ducks sleeping neck to neck, utterly intimate. They also seemed like lovers deep in passion, whispering tender, heart-stirring words of love.

At the same time, a faint sweet fragrance drifted through the air. Elegant and fresh, it threaded into everyone's nostrils, refreshing heart and mind and leaving them utterly at ease, as though they had entered an immortal realm and become so intoxicated they forgot the way home.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to the miraculous Three-Heavens Flowers. For a time, the cave was completely silent, save for the rustling of vines brushed by the breeze and that faint, lingering sweetness permeating the air.

A young cultivator exclaimed in amazement, "I heard that the Three-Heavens Flower is exceedingly rare. Not only are its colors unique, but it is said to contain wondrous spiritual power that greatly benefits cultivation. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."

The people beside him nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with wonder and yearning.

Gu Yueyao wore her usual gentle smile. With elegant bearing, she parted her red lips and slowly explained, "This flower is indeed precious. Not only does it possess exceptional abilities to assist cultivation, but when used properly, it can also cleanse impure spirit roots."

"Cleanse spirit roots? Is there really such a good thing?" A cultivator in the crowd could not help crying out in surprise, his face filled with disbelief.

"Of course." Gu Yueyao nodded lightly, her gaze calm and assured. "However, as you have all personally witnessed and experienced, this wondrous effect only works on spirit roots with water, fire, or wind attributes. If one possesses none of those three attributes, one cannot enjoy this miraculous effect.

Moreover, its efficacy varies according to each individual's constitution."

"This entire area is covered in them?" Someone in the crowd had greed flash through his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the Three-Heavens Flowers carpeting the cave.

Gu Yueyao took in everyone's reactions, her expression remaining calm. Her lips curved into a reassuring smile as she said, "Spirit flowers are hard to come by. Since you have all honored Medicine King Valley by attending this Flower-Appreciation Gathering today, Medicine King Valley naturally will not let you leave empty-handed.

After the flowers are harvested, senior disciples within the valley who are skilled in medicinal principles will carefully refine and purify them. When the time comes, everyone here will receive a share of the results."

Upon hearing this, everyone voiced their sincere thanks, their words full of heartfelt gratitude for Medicine King Valley's generosity.

For a time, the cave filled with overlapping voices of thanks. The way everyone looked at Gu Yueyao now held not only wonder and longing, but also greater gratitude and respect.

Those smaller sects with relatively shallow knowledge did not yet understand the tangled intricacies involved. They were simply delighted at the prospect of receiving a share of the refined Three-Heavens Flower.

However, for those seasoned old hands who had spent years weathering the storms of the cultivation world and understood the ways of the world, this was undoubtedly an enormous surprise.

Gu Yueyao had not lied. The Three-Heavens Flower truly contained immense spiritual power, and its benefits to cultivation were immeasurable. It could be called divine aid upon the path of cultivation.

But what she had not explained in detail was that refining the Three-Heavens Flower was an exceedingly complicated and dangerous process. Without years of deep study in the path of medicine, it was extremely difficult to completely remove the impurities and spiritual toxins within the flower.

Those ignorant of the proper methods who rashly tried to refine it themselves would very likely trigger a backlash of spiritual power. At best, their spiritual power would become chaotic and their meridians damaged. At worst, their lives could even be in danger, and they would instead become nourishment for this poisonous flower.

Therefore, though the cave was now filled with alluring Three-Heavens Flowers radiating tempting light, those who truly knew what they were doing did not dare harbor covetous thoughts toward them lightly.

Inwardly, they sneered at those foolish, ignorant young juniors greedy for spirit flowers. No matter how good something was, if it could not be used for oneself—or even brought about a deadly disaster—it held no value at all.

To gamble on such a dangerous thing was not courage. It could even be called the most reckless kind of stupidity.

Now, Medicine King Valley was actually willing to share this rare miraculous flower and had even promised to refine its muddled spiritual power and toxicity. How could that not excite them?

And the reason Medicine King Valley was being so generous, willingly sharing this rare flower with everyone, was not because it was making a losing deal. The Three-Heavens Flower simply had too many restrictions.

The time and place of its blooming were far too unpredictable, with no pattern to follow. Few could truly catch sight of its blossoming. Its flowering period lasted only three days, and before many studies and ideas could be put into practice and tested, the flower would already have quietly withered.

For years, all parties had painstakingly sought an effective preservation method, yet had always failed. Even if they exhausted every effort to refine it into other items, the finished products seemed to have been given life themselves and could only be preserved for three short days.

Across the entire Lingshu Heaven Domain, all manner of profound and ingenious long-term preservation methods emerged one after another. Yet when faced with the Three-Heavens Flower and the items refined from it, every one of them was declared ineffective.

Even if Medicine King Valley kept it for itself, once the three-day flowering period ended, the medicinal properties of the accompanying Three-Heavens Vine would instantly return to ordinary levels, like brilliant fireworks fading into the mundane.

As the saying went, when things reached their extreme, they turned in the opposite direction. No matter how good something was, one could not eat it all in one sitting as though it were a meal. Even consuming too many supplements would cause problems for the body, much less an inherently dangerous spirit flower.

Since it could neither be stored nor fully used, it was better to offer it as a favor and distribute it among the guests who had come. That way, everyone would be delighted, and Medicine King Valley's prestige in the cultivation world would rise greatly. It was truly the best of both worlds.

Just as everyone was immersed in beautiful fantasies of obtaining refined spirit flowers and potentially increasing their cultivation, a startled cry suddenly rang out from the crowd. "Look! These flowers seem to be changing again!"

That sudden shout was like a thunderclap, and everyone turned in unison to look once more at the Three-Heavens Flowers around them.

Under the gentle reflection of the bright moonlight, the tricolored flowers that had grown from the same stem seemed to have been infused with living vitality and began to slowly rotate.

Red, blue, and green blended and entwined, releasing ever more dazzling radiance. The light seemed alive, constantly pulsing and flickering. It reflected upon the cave walls, gradually forming one strange scene of light and shadow after another.

Those lights and shadows were dreamlike and illusory. At times, they resembled ancient divine beasts galloping and roaring; at times, they seemed like immortals flying on swords. It was as though they were telling everyone ancient legends buried beneath the dust of time, drawing them in and sending their imaginations wandering.

Finally, it has come.

Shen Yuxi's voice suddenly echoed in the hearts of the Profound Heaven Sect disciples without warning. His tone was as calm as though he knew everything had long been destined, yet this cryptic statement left his fellow disciples completely baffled.

What does that mean? What is going to happen now?

Just as everyone remained immersed in the wondrous sight and their confusion, an even more astonishing transformation followed close behind. Three-colored motes of light gradually rose from the stamens of every Three-Heavens Flower, like tiny scattered stars.

Immediately afterward, the motes throughout the cave seemed drawn by some powerful force and rapidly gathered toward the opening overhead. In an instant, a brilliant light nearly blinding in its intensity erupted where the motes converged. It was like a sharp blade piercing straight into their eyes, making it nearly impossible to look directly at it.

At the same time, a soul-shaking wave of spiritual power spread wildly outward from the cave opening like surging waves. Everywhere that spiritual fluctuation reached, every person who sensed its unusual power could not help but have their expression change drastically.

"A... secret realm?!" An elder of considerable knowledge was the first to react, his face full of shock and disbelief.

Complete Compendium of Spirit Herbs:

○ Three-Heavens Vine

A bluish-green vine whose leaves are only two finger joints long and one finger joint wide. Its leaves are palm-shaped, growing in opposing pairs and entwining with one another like interlocked fingers.

The Three-Heavens Flower blooms within those tightly clasped "palms." The flowers are small and bloom with three stems, one color per stem. The blue, red, and green flowers correspond to water, fire, and wind spiritual power. The petals resemble jellyfish tentacles, translucent and gorgeous. They feel like silk.

The Three-Heavens Vine prefers dark, damp growing environments, while its flowers are the opposite. Unfortunately, the flowers are extremely fragile and wither immediately under direct strong light. Therefore, they are especially fond of moonlight.

The Three-Heavens Vine itself assists cultivation, and when it blooms, its medicinal power is greatly enhanced. When used properly, it can also miraculously cleanse impure spirit roots. (Effective only for water, fire, and wind spirit roots.) Its efficacy varies according to individual constitution.

It blooms whenever it pleases. Even after blooming, its medicinal effects can only be preserved for three days.

Improper use can easily lead to qi deviation, and one may even be drained dry by spiritual toxins.

It is one of the favorite snacks of demonic beasts and the Demon Race within the Sky Ruins Illusory Domain.