Medicinal Pills

The Council Hall was a large room, furnished with many chairs arranged in an orderly fashion. It was typically where the higher-ups of the sect gathered to discuss matters.

Today, however, the Council Hall was sparsely populated, but the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn.

Ou Peng, who had been smiling cheerfully while seeing off his wife, immediately changed his expression to one of extreme seriousness the moment he entered the Council Hall. The few people following him also wore somber expressions. Although Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing were Ou Peng's direct disciples and his core subordinates, they rarely came to the Council Hall. Upon entering, they naturally behaved themselves, standing not far from the entrance, not daring to move about carelessly. The fourth and sixth of the Misty Six Tigers, along with Ou Peng's chief disciple Zhang Chengyue, stood before their respective seats according to the usual protocol, waiting for Ou Peng to be seated first.

Ou Peng walked to the very back of the hall, where a rather large chair was placed. He turned and sat down, facing the assembled group. Seeing him seated, the others also cautiously took their seats.

Ou Peng surveyed everyone before speaking to Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing, "You two come over as well and find a seat."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing replied in unison, "Thank you, Master." They then found two chairs at the lower end and sat down.

Ou Peng said, "Tell us what happened."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing exchanged a glance, and Wen Wenhai said, "Yes, Master. This is what happened." Following this, Wen Wenhai recounted everything from when he and his Junior Sister left the Misty Sect until they encountered the two Uncles just now, detailing every minute aspect, including the rescue of Zhang Cai's family. Xue Qing did not mention leaving the Token for Zhang Cai or the three medicinal herbs they collected from the medicine garden in the Secret Realm, but she did add, "There are two other matters that require explanation, please allow your disciple to report them later."

Ou Peng pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing placed a Brocade Box and a small flat box they were carrying, along with the medicinal herbs collected from the Secret Realm, onto the square table beside Ou Peng.

Ou Peng did not open the Brocade Box. Instead, he said to the fourth, "You handle your task first, we'll wait for you." The fourth replied, "Yes," then rose from his seat and hurried away. Among those present, only Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing showed bewilderment in their eyes; the others remained silent.

Not long after, the fourth returned, nodded at Ou Peng, and resumed his seat.

Ou Peng then said, "Everyone has worked hard. Our long efforts have finally paid off. Let's see what treasures are here?" As he spoke the last sentence, a smile appeared on his face.

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing were unaware that their Gang Leader Ou Peng, usually approachable and amiable with a warm smile, was always exceptionally stern in the Council Hall and had never been seen smiling. His demeanor today made the few who knew the situation feel a flutter of anticipation, their eyes also showing eager glances. A treasure that could make the Gang Leader smile must be something extraordinary.

Ou Peng first picked up the Brocade Box and carefully opened it. Inside, he found a small booklet. He took out the booklet; it felt soft to the touch, neither paper nor silk, and it was unclear what material it was made from. A large character, "Sword," was written on the cover, its style bearing a resemblance to the "Misty" character, but this character exuded a sharp, killing intent. Ou Peng looked at the character, then opened the booklet and flipped through its contents. After reading it, he placed it aside, squinting in thought, remaining silent and noncommittal.

After a long pause, Ou Peng's gaze returned to the Brocade Box, which he examined closely. Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He reached into the box and pulled out the compartment that held the small booklet, revealing three small bottles placed side-by-side beneath it. The Brocade Box was indeed two-layered, with the compartment for the booklet occupying only three-tenths of the box's height. Ou Peng more carefully took out one bottle. This bottle was carved from jade, and its opening was sealed with an unknown substance. Three characters were written on the bottle: "Qi Boosting Pill"! Ou Peng felt a surge of ecstasy. This Qi Boosting Pill was something that only existed hundreds of years ago and was used to increase internal energy. Its formula had long been lost. According to the sect's ancient texts, consuming one Qi Boosting Pill could increase one's cultivation by thirty years. If he were to consume one himself, his cultivation would... As Ou Peng thought about it, his hands began to tremble slightly.

He carefully placed the bottle back into the box and took out another. This bottle was identical to the previous one, but it was labeled "Bone-Strengthening Pill." Ou Peng frowned slightly. What was this for? Strengthening bones? The sect's ancient texts had no record of it. However, since it was placed alongside the Qi Boosting Pill, it must be an extraordinary treasure. He would ask the other three sects when he had the chance; perhaps their ancient texts would have records of it. He carefully placed the bottle back.

Subsequently, Ou Peng took out the last bottle. The moment he saw the three characters on the bottle, Ou Peng couldn't help but stand up, his eyes wide open. Everyone in the Council Hall immediately stood up as well, wondering what incredible thing their Gang Leader had seen.

Ou Peng calmed his thoughts, suppressed his excitement, and sat back down in his chair, also gesturing for everyone to be seated. He regretted it a little now, regretting that he hadn't taken Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing to a secret chamber alone. These items were now laid out before everyone, and he couldn't keep them from them. However, these items were too precious. It wasn't that he didn't trust everyone, but if the news were to leak, it would bring about the disaster of annihilation for the sect!

Ou Peng couldn't help but close his eyes and fall into deep thought.

Everyone looked at their Gang Leader's reaction with great curiosity. His sudden exclamations and reactions were quite unusual.

When Ou Peng finally made up his mind and opened his eyes, he immediately resumed his original expression. He placed the bottle back in the box, picked up the small booklet again, and handed it to Zhang Chengyue, saying, "Let your Uncles and the others see this. All of you should take a look as well."

After the booklet was passed around and everyone had seen it, Ou Peng said, "Chengyue, make a copy of this Sword Manual and give it to your Sixth Uncle-Master. This Sword Manual will be placed in our sect's library and preserved with utmost care."

Zhang Chengyue nodded in agreement. Ou Peng then said to the sixth, "Sixth, you are responsible for training disciples. Find a few with excellent aptitude and have them cultivate this Sword Art. In the future, our Misty Sect will have another branch of swordsmanship."

The sixth replied, "Yes, Gang Leader. I will do my utmost to promote this swordsmanship of the sect."

Ou Peng nodded without speaking.

Afterward, Ou Peng said to everyone, "You must keep what happened today a secret. It is to be the highest secret of our Misty Sect, especially the content I will tell you later. Boss, Second, and Fifth, I will notify you myself."

Everyone rose from their seats, bowed, and said, "Yes."

Subsequently, Ou Peng informed everyone of the names of the medicinal herbs in the first two bottles. Envy appeared in everyone's eyes. These were truly good things. They just didn't know how many pills were in the bottles and whether they would get to have one.

Finally, Ou Peng said, "There is another bottle, which also contains pills. They are the legendary 'Longevity Pills,' but whether the legend is true or not remains to be seen."

As soon as his voice fell, everyone's expression became indescribably strange.

Regarding the "Longevity Pills," they were unlike the "Qi Boosting Pills." Everyone in the martial arts world knew they were legendary sacred medicines that could increase cultivation, and everyone longed to obtain one. Nor were they like the "Bone-Strengthening Pills," which even a sect with a long heritage like the Misty Sect didn't know what they were. The "Longevity Pills," however, were not only known to people in the martial arts world but also to ordinary people. They were the legend of legends. It was said that taking a "Longevity Pill" could extend one's lifespan by ten years. Yet, such a miraculous item, rumored for thousands of years, had never appeared. In fact, smart people could figure it out with their toes: no one knew what a person's lifespan was. These "Longevity Pills" claimed to extend lifespan by ten years, but who knew if it truly did after you took one? Moreover, who would give such a miraculous medicine to someone who was close to death? Over time, everyone dismissed it as a joke, as material for storytellers to embellish their tales. It was precisely this kind of trivial amusement that suddenly appeared in the Misty Sect's Council Hall today, packaged the same way as the legendary martial arts sacred medicine "Qi Boosting Pill." Anyone who saw it would have a mixed expression of amusement and exasperation.

Was it real? Or fake?

However, everyone knew that regardless of whether it was true or false, if other major sects found out, they would all be covetous. The Misty Sect would never have peace afterward, and annihilation was not impossible.

No wonder the Gang Leader was so solemn. This matter seemed to end here. But then, did the other three sects receive the same items?

Everyone, including Ou Peng, began to wonder.

Next, Ou Peng opened the package containing the medicinal herbs and was once again stunned. Ginseng, Panax Notoginseng, mountain spirits, fo-ti that were hundreds of years old... many he couldn't even name. He looked at the package, feeling truly fearful. After all his calculations, he never expected to obtain so many precious items this time. If he had known, why would he have been so reserved or mysterious? He should have acted directly. Instead, he followed Hermit Yanming's arrangement and played Rock Paper Scissors, resorting to direct confrontation. This time, that old fellow probably gained quite a bit! Fortunately, A Hai and Qing'er returned safely, and these items were not misplaced. Otherwise... he would have had no time to regret it.

It was no wonder Ou Peng had so many thoughts. What he had seen earlier were legends, perhaps exaggerated through hearsay, and their authenticity was unknown, and the quantity was limited after all. What was placed before him now were tangible items that could be touched. A ginseng root that was hundreds of years old could be a life-saving item at a critical moment. When refined into medicinal powder with other herbs, its effect would be even greater. When he heard A Hai and the others speak earlier, he hadn't paid much attention, thinking Hermit Yanming was exaggerating. Now, it seemed he had to take it even more seriously. Moreover, there were still many medicinal herbs in the Secret Realm, and he needed to discuss this properly with the other forces.

Subsequently, amidst the equally bewildered gazes of the others, Ou Peng excitedly instructed Zhang Chengyue to quickly notify the Hall Master and elders of the Medicine Hall to come to the Council Hall.