Searching for the Blue Silver Emperor

Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong did not understand Yue Guan's excitement. Clearly, they still did not grasp the value of Immortal Herbs.

Of course, Lin Fan had only mentioned them in passing. Neither of them had ever seen one, so they could hardly imagine their many benefits.

"Yue Guan, calm down," Qian Xunji said evenly. "Lin Fan did mention Immortal Herbs, and he said they were in Sunset Forest."

"Really?" Yue Guan asked excitedly. "I volunteer to lead the search. Even if I have to turn Sunset Forest upside down, I'll find them."

Qian Xunji sighed. "I told you to calm down. Lin Fan said the place where they grow is surrounded by poisonous plants and shrouded in toxic mist year-round. He also said the herbs themselves are highly poisonous. Used improperly, they could kill even a Titled Douluo."

"And you're the only one here who knows exactly what these herbs do and how to use them. That means the search can only be entrusted to you."

Gui Mei stepped forward and placed a hand on Yue Guan's shoulder, sending a chill through his body. "Yue Guan, get a hold of yourself. Don't lose your composure in front of the Pope and the Saintess."

Yue Guan shuddered and took a deep breath. "Lin Fan was right about that. Immortal Herbs are treasures, but they're also deadly poisons. The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass can freeze a person until they shatter, while the Infernal Delicate Apricot can burn them to ash. Yet eating the two together grants immunity to all poisons and strengthens both Soul Power and the body."

"So yes, using Immortal Herbs incorrectly is extremely dangerous."

Qian Xunji said, "Sunset Forest is smaller than Star Dou Great Forest, but you still won't search it in a day or two. Spirit Hall could send more people, but a mobilization that large would attract the attention of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Sunset Forest is practically their territory. Do you want them to learn about treasures like these?"

"The order to find the Blue Silver Emperor has already been given. Our priority is to find her before Tang Hao does. As for the Immortal Herbs, Lin Fan made it clear that Tang San was the one who discovered and used them. That is still a long way off."

"Besides, the toxic mist protects them. You needn't worry about anyone getting there first. Even if someone finds the mist, they'll take what lies inside for deadly poison unless they understand Immortal Herbs. We can search for them once our hands are free."

Yue Guan cupped his fists and bowed. "I was too impulsive. Your Holiness is wise."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Good. I told you ahead of time so you could prepare yourself and think carefully about what each herb does."

"Rest assured, Your Holiness," Yue Guan said at once. "I think about Immortal Herbs day and night and regularly reread my family's records. I could never forget."

Bibi Dong spoke up. "While we're on the subject, can one person eat several Immortal Herbs?"

"Generally, no," Yue Guan explained. "Each has its own unique properties. Once you've eaten one, another will have little effect. It would be a terrible waste, unless it's an herb with a supplementary effect."

"For instance, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot I just mentioned can be eaten together. In fact, they must be. Eat either one alone, and it's no different from courting death."

Bibi Dong nodded. "All right. Elder Chrysanthemum, do as my teacher says. Find the Blue Silver Emperor first, then we'll pursue the Immortal Herbs."

"If you find the herbs before you find her, picking them early would likely drain their potency and greatly diminish their effects."

Yue Guan bowed. "Understood. I'll focus entirely on finding the Blue Silver Emperor."

With that, Yue Guan and Gui Mei left the study.

Over the next few days, Yue Guan threw himself into gathering intelligence from every source. His lifelong dream might soon come true, and the thought drove him relentlessly onward.

Then he raced across the continent.

Whenever a report mentioned someone who fit the description, Yue Guan hurried over to investigate. He found several blue-haired girls dressed in blue, but one glance was enough to tell him none was the Blue Silver Emperor.

After all, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were Titled Douluo. They sensed no Soul Beast aura from any of those girls.

Without that aura, none of them could be the Blue Silver Emperor.

"That's five," Yue Guan muttered. "Blue hair, blue clothes, a habit of doing good, around twenty years old... Why does none of it line up?"

Gui Mei leaned against a nearby wall, his body blending into the shadows. "The reports said they looked similar, not that they were the Blue Silver Emperor in human form. She was never going to be easy to find."

They rested for half the time it took an incense stick to burn before Yue Guan grew restless again.

"No. We're heading to the next place. Now."

Gui Mei glanced at him. "You're not going to rest?"

"Rest?" Yue Guan stood and brushed off his clothes. "Lin Fan said my Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is in Sunset Forest. The sooner I find the Blue Silver Emperor, the sooner I get to see it."

"How could I rest with that at stake?"

"Come on. Let's go!"

Gui Mei sighed. "You're impossible."

In a remote Small Town near Star Dou Great Forest, on the border between the Two Great Empires, a young woman with long, silky blue hair and blue clothes was handing out food to the beggars.

Her smile was gentle and natural, and she carried an indescribably pure, fresh air. Standing beside her felt like returning to nature itself, soothing anyone who came near.

The beggars crowded around her, reaching out with filthy hands. She showed no disgust, handing out the food portion by portion and occasionally bending down to pat a child's head.

"Don't rush. There's enough for everyone," she said softly.

The townspeople watched from a distance. "What a kind girl. She's been here half a month, handing out food to the poor every day."

"I know. Wonder where she came from."

"She carries herself like a young lady from a wealthy family, but she dresses so simply."

The young woman paid their comments no mind and quietly went about her work.

But Yue Guan and Gui Mei, standing beneath a tree nearby, had noticed her.

"Gui Mei," Yue Guan said under his breath, "we've finally found her."

Gui Mei nodded. "I feel it too. That aura can only belong to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form."

"Blue hair, blue clothes, a habit of doing good, and the right age. She's almost certainly the Blue Silver Emperor."

Yue Guan clenched his fist and started forward.

Gui Mei caught his arm. "What are you doing?"

"Going to meet her."

"The Pope said to observe her, not alert her."

Yue Guan tried to pull free. "I won't alert her. I just want to say a few words and confirm it."

Gui Mei stared at him. "In your current state? Of course you'll alert her. We're close to Star Dou Great Forest. If she runs into those woods, finding her again will be like searching for a needle in a haystack."

Yue Guan steadied himself. "You're right. I've been so desperate to find her these past few days that I nearly ruined His Holiness the Pope's plans."

"Gui Mei, go report to the Pope. I'll keep watch here."

Gui Mei thought it over. He was faster than Yue Guan, so he nodded. "Don't alert her. If anything changes, send a signal."

"If she escapes, neither of us can bear the consequences. You might even lose your chance at those Immortal Herbs."

"I know. For the sake of the herbs, I won't make a move."