Departure

Ideally, he would obtain a copy of Yao Lao's alchemy notes to help him embark on the path of an Alchemist.

The Alchemist profession was highly sought after on the Dou Qi Continent, from the ranks of Dou Zhe and Dou Shi all the way up to Dou Zun and Dou Sheng.

No one dared lightly offend an Alchemist, whether because of a high-ranking Alchemist's own formidable strength or the tremendous influence their alchemy afforded them.

Now that he had transmigrated to the Dou Qi Continent and possessed Fire Attribute Dou Qi, he would certainly have to try walking this path.

Xiao Yi Xian stared at Xiao Yuan, conflict and hesitation churning in her clear eyes.

She truly wanted this Ice Spirit Flame Grass.

As a physician, she was no different from an Alchemist in her intense desire for high-quality medicinal herbs.

Yet after hearing Xiao Yuan's words, the stubborn longing in her heart softened little by little.

Though she had not spent much time with Xiao Yuan, her impression of the young man before her was rather good.

There was none of the irritation she felt around the people at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, with their false courtesies and endless pestering. Instead, she felt at ease.

After a long while, Xiao Yi Xian gently closed her eyes. When she opened them again, all the conflict had faded, leaving only acceptance and clarity.

She nodded slightly and said softly:

"...All right."

"You can have this Ice Spirit Flame Grass."

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the piles of Gold Coins scattered across the ground and gave Xiao Yuan a playful smile.

"Since you offered to compensate me, I won't be shy about taking these Gold Coins."

Seeing the young woman yield, Xiao Yuan felt warmth stir in his heart and replied with a quiet chuckle.

"All right."

Without another word, the two swiftly finished dividing everything in the cave dwelling.

Xiao Yuan put away the two Black Tier Dou Technique scrolls, "Eagle Wings" and "Mad Lion's Roar," then carefully plucked the Ice Spirit Flame Grass from the center of the herb bed and safely stored it in his Storage Ring.

Xiao Yi Xian put away the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, gathered all the remaining rare supplementary herbs from the herb bed, and took every gold coin in the cave.

The resources were divided, and each fortuitous treasure found its owner.

Nothing remained in the stone chamber. Xiao Yuan looked around once more, confirmed that they had overlooked nothing, and said:

"Let's go. Time to leave."

They turned and retraced their steps through the cave dwelling's passage, making their way out of the deep, dark underground tunnel.

As their surroundings gradually brightened, the damp, cold underground air gave way to a fresh mountain breeze mingled with the scents of vegetation and wild beasts.

The instant they stepped out of the cave, daylight spilled over them, and the view opened wide.

Looking at the sky, which had begun to turn the pale white of a fish's belly, Xiao Yi Xian frowned.

"Were we in that underground cave for that long? It's almost dawn already."

Underground, without any sunlight, they had been unable to distinguish day from night. It felt as though, in a haze, they had spent a long stretch of time exploring the cave dwelling, unraveling its mysteries, and dividing its treasures.

Xiao Yuan raised his eyes toward the distant woods. Wisps of morning mist curled among the towering ancient trees. Though the view was somewhat hazy, his eyesight far surpassed an ordinary person's, and he could faintly make out several figures rapidly approaching along a route through the forest.

They wore matching light-gray cloth robes with small herb patterns embroidered on their cuffs—the attire of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

Xiao Yuan's gaze sharpened slightly. "People are coming. Quite a few of them, heading straight toward us."

At his words, Xiao Yi Xian immediately followed his gaze. Once she recognized the familiar markings on their clothes, her delicate brows drew together, and she understood at once.

She let out a soft breath, her voice tinged with weariness and resignation.

"I know who they are."

"It really is getting late. These people...must have come specifically to find me."

She knew the Myriad Medicine Pavilion's way of doing things all too well.

She had left the party without permission and ventured alone deep into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. After she failed to return for so long, the pavilion was bound to send people searching for her.

Presumably, after an entire night of fruitless searching around the outskirts, they had gradually worked their way inward and happened upon this area.

Leading them was a round-faced middle-aged man with a steady, substantial aura and cultivation around that of a Three-Star Dou Zhe. He was the Myriad Medicine Pavilion's manager responsible for leading the search party.

His gaze swept the area and immediately settled on Xiao Yi Xian standing at the cave entrance. A flash of delight crossed his eyes.

"We found her! She really is here!"

The manager hurried forward, followed closely by several Myriad Medicine Pavilion disciples. They all stopped, their gazes settling on Xiao Yi Xian.

"Miss Xiao Yi Xian, you certainly made us search high and low!"

The middle-aged manager approached with a smile, his tone seemingly concerned. "You suddenly disappeared last night. We searched the surrounding area for ages without finding you, and everyone at the pavilion was beside themselves.

We sent people out overnight, and they searched the outskirts until morning. We never imagined you had come all the way here."

As he spoke, his gaze casually flicked toward Xiao Yuan beside her.

That single glance froze the smile on the manager's face. Gravity and wariness flashed through his eyes.

Young as Xiao Yuan was, he stood tall and composed, his aura restrained and profound. Though his precise cultivation was impossible to discern, he exuded an unfathomable sense of pressure.

More importantly, Xiao Yi Xian had always been aloof and disliked traveling with others. Even the young leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group had failed in his repeated attempts to get close to her.

She had entered the mountains alone this time, yet an unfamiliar young man had inexplicably appeared at her side.

Considering the dangers lurking throughout the inner reaches of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, anyone who could safely accompany Xiao Yi Xian this far could not possibly be an ordinary passerby.

Countless thoughts flashed through the manager's mind. He swiftly suppressed his wariness and apprehension, and in an instant, the stiffness vanished from his face. He plastered on another friendly, practiced smile, his manner exceedingly polite.

He cupped his hands slightly toward Xiao Yuan, his tone humble as he tried to strike up a rapport:

"Young friend, your face is quite unfamiliar. Might I ask what distinguished expert you are?"

"Thank you for looking after our Miss Xiao Yi Xian along the way. Danger lurks everywhere in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. That she is safe and sound must surely be thanks in large part to you."

He adopted a deferential posture and smiled warmly, seemingly offering sincere thanks. In truth, he kept secretly studying Xiao Yuan, trying to probe the depth of his strength and discover his origins.

Xiao Yuan lifted his eyes slightly, his calm gaze settling on the Myriad Medicine Pavilion manager. He did not answer immediately.

Xiao Yi Xian stepped half a pace forward and spoke softly, her level tone carrying a trace of distance. "Manager Lu, I merely entered the mountains alone to gather herbs. I wasn't missing. There was no need to muster such a force."

The manager's smile remained unchanged at her words, but his gaze continued roaming over Xiao Yuan as he hurried to reply.

"You must be joking, miss. Magical beasts run rampant in the inner reaches of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and its dangers are unpredictable. How could the pavilion master rest easy with you here alone?"

He turned to Xiao Yuan again, cupped his hands, and continued probing.

"Might I ask which faction you belong to, young friend? With such an extraordinary bearing, your cultivation must surely be impressive. To travel safely through the inner reaches of the Magical Beast Mountain Range is truly admirable."

The corner of Xiao Yuan's mouth tugged slightly upward, and he replied without either deference or arrogance.