The journey to Ten Thousand Medicines Valley proved more interesting than expected. Su Xiaoxiao had grown up in a village outside the valley and knew every plant along the way like the back of her hand. She often pointed out unremarkable plants by the roadside and explained their medicinal properties, effortlessly naming everything from detoxifying Green-Veined Grass to sleep-inducing Moon Sleep Flower. Even Xiao Yan could not help looking at her in surprise.
"Brother Xiao Yan, look at that tree!" Su Xiaoxiao suddenly pointed at an ancient tree laden with red fruit, her eyes shining. "Those are Chi Xue Fruits! They ripen once every ten years and can strengthen the Qi and blood of Origin Master Realm cultivators!"
Xiao Yan looked where she pointed and saw faint ripples of power around the ancient tree. Clearly, a guardian beast had made its home there. After a brief probe, he smiled. "There's an Initial Origin King Ironback Bear guarding it. Do you want some?"
Su Xiaoxiao stuck out her tongue. "Just looking is enough. Ironback Bears are really fierce."
Xiao Yan moved anyway, reaching the ancient tree in a few flickers. The Ironback Bear, pitch-black all over with heavy armor growing from its back, suddenly rose to its feet. Roaring, it swung a massive paw at him.
"Too slow." Xiao Yan chuckled, sidestepped the paw, and flicked a wisp of Green Lotus Core Flame from his fingertip, landing it precisely on the Ironback Bear's neck.
Though the flame was weak, it carried the searing power unique to Heavenly Flames. The Ironback Bear howled in pain, turned, and fled, vanishing into the depths of the forest in moments.
Xiao Yan picked several plump Chi Xue Fruits and tossed them to Su Xiaoxiao. "Take them. They might come in handy."
Su Xiaoxiao caught the fruits and cupped them in her hands, pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan!"
The two continued onward. The closer they drew to Ten Thousand Medicines Valley, the richer the spiritual Qi became, and rare medicinal ingredients gradually grew more plentiful. Whenever they encountered a guardian beast, Xiao Yan dealt with it easily, while Su Xiaoxiao collected useful herbs nearby like a happy little deer, occasionally handing Xiao Yan some "treasure" she thought might be useful.
Three days later, a valley wreathed in clouds and mist appeared before them. A pale green curtain of light covered its entrance, patterns of vegetation flowing across its surface as it emitted gentle yet resilient waves of power.
"This is Ten Thousand Medicines Valley's guardian formation, the Hundred Herbs Barrier," Su Xiaoxiao said, pointing at the curtain of light. "Only those with an invitation to the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering or permission from the ten major factions can enter."
Quite a few cultivators had already gathered at the entrance, most waiting in groups of twos and threes for the barrier to open. Among them were plenty with formidable presences, including several Origin Emperor Realm experts. Clearly, they had all come for the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering.
Xiao Yan noticed several familiar faces in the crowd-Liu Chengfeng, the young hall master of Green Wind City's Hundred Herbs Hall, and several cultivators with impressive presences beside him. Liu Chengfeng also spotted Xiao Yan. Surprise flashed in his eyes, but he promptly snorted and turned away, evidently still holding a grudge against him.
In the sedan chair beside him, that aloof figure still sat upright. Through the curtain, Xiao Yan seemed to feel a gaze rest briefly on him before withdrawing.
"Brother Xiao Yan, we don't have invitations. What should we do?" Su Xiaoxiao asked, somewhat worried.
"It's fine," Xiao Yan said calmly. "Strong as this barrier is, it can't stop me."
Just then, ripples suddenly spread across the barrier, and a gentle voice rang out at the valley entrance. "The Ten Thousand Medicines Barrier is open. Those with invitations may enter the valley and register."
A passage appeared in the curtain of light, and the cultivators entered one after another, holding invitations of various kinds. Liu Chengfeng strode haughtily at the front with his people. As he passed Xiao Yan, he deliberately stopped and waved the golden invitation in his hand. "My friend, if you have no invitation, you should turn back. Ten Thousand Medicines Valley isn't a place just anyone can enter."
Xiao Yan could not be bothered with him. After most of the people had entered, he took Su Xiaoxiao with him and swayed slightly. Like a drop of ink dissolving into water, they passed silently through the Hundred Herbs Barrier without drawing anyone's attention.
Liu Chengfeng was waiting to see Xiao Yan make a fool of himself, but when he looked back, he found that the pair had long since vanished. His face turned ashen in an instant. "Useless trash! You couldn't even keep an eye on him!"
The cultivators accompanying him fell silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to say another word.
Upon entering Ten Thousand Medicines Valley, the view suddenly opened up before them.
Clouds and mist curled through the valley, streams babbled, and stretches of medicinal fields spread along the mountain slopes. Spirit herbs of every color glimmered in the sunlight, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air. A deep breath was enough to make one feel Origin Qi surging through the body.
"What a rich medicinal fragrance!" Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "It's more than ten times stronger than outside the valley!"
Xiao Yan nodded inwardly as well. The spiritual essence of Ten Thousand Medicines Valley was indeed the most abundant he had encountered since coming to the Great Thousand World. No wonder it had become the Southern Region's holy land of medicinal herbs.
Quite a few cultivators had already spread out through the valley. Some stopped to inspect the medicinal fields, while others ventured deep into the forest in search of rare herbs. Now and then, disciples in matching uniforms could be seen patrolling, evidently sent by the ten major factions to maintain order.
"Brother Xiao Yan, let's report to the registration area first. I heard that after registering, we can get an identity token that lets us pick herbs in designated areas of the valley," Su Xiaoxiao said.
Following the directions, the two arrived at a plaza in the center of the valley. Dozens of tents had been set up there, each displaying a different faction's emblem. The largest was embroidered with the words "Hundred Herbs Hall" in large golden characters. Liu Chengfeng stood in front of it, speaking with a white-bearded elder.
Registration was simple. Xiao Yan gave his name, and the disciple in charge handed him a wooden token engraved with the words "Xiao Yan," along with an accompanying token for Su Xiaoxiao.
"With these tokens, you may move about the outer and middle areas of the valley. Entry into the core area and the medicinal fields reserved for the various factions is forbidden. Violators will be killed without exception," the registration disciple said expressionlessly.
Xiao Yan accepted the tokens and was about to leave when he heard Liu Chengfeng's voice. "Elder Li, this is the man who entered Ten Thousand Medicines Valley without permission. Please deal with him according to the rules!"
The white-bearded elder addressed as Elder Li turned around and fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan, appraisal flashing in his eyes. "Young friend, do you have an invitation?"
"No," Xiao Yan said frankly.
"Hmph, you dared force your way through the barrier without an invitation? Do you think Ten Thousand Medicines Valley is a joke?" Liu Chengfeng immediately said. "Elder Li, such a brazen scoundrel ought to be expelled from the valley and barred from the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering forever!"
Elder Li frowned slightly. He could sense the presence of an Origin Emperor about Xiao Yan. Though he could not gauge its depth, someone who could pass silently through the Hundred Herbs Barrier was certainly no easy opponent, and it would be unwise to offend him lightly.
He was about to speak and smooth things over when a young man in purple robes strode over and cupped his hands to him. "Elder Li, what is all this commotion about?"
The young man was handsome, with an air of pride between his brows. A jade pendant engraved with the character for "pill" hung at his waist. He was Mo Chen, one of the representatives sent by the Pill Region and a personal disciple of the Pill King.
"So it's you, young friend Mo Chen." Elder Li hurriedly returned the greeting. "Young friend Xiao Yan here entered the valley without an invitation, and Young Hall Master Liu is taking issue with it."
Mo Chen's gaze fell on Xiao Yan, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Oh? To pass silently through the Hundred Herbs Barrier, you must have some skill. May I ask who your master is?"
"I have no sect or faction," Xiao Yan said calmly.
"No sect or faction?" Mo Chen and Liu Chengfeng were both taken aback. Liu Chengfeng then sneered. "I'd say you don't dare tell us. You're probably some rogue cultivator from a third-rate little faction!"
Mo Chen, however, showed no contempt. Instead, he smiled and said, "Now that he's here, he's a guest. The Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering welcomes talented people from all sides to begin with. There's no need to quibble over such a minor detail. Brother Xiao Yan, since you're here, why not stay and have a look? You might have a chance to show your talents at the gathering."
His words gave Xiao Yan ample room to back down, while also making him appear exceptionally magnanimous.
Seeing this, Elder Li hastily agreed. "Young friend Mo Chen is right. Young friend Xiao Yan, since you're here, please stay."
Though Liu Chengfeng was unwilling to accept it, he could hardly contradict Mo Chen. He could only snort and turn away.
Xiao Yan gave Mo Chen a slight nod. "Many thanks."
He could not be bothered to get entangled with these people, so he turned and left with Su Xiaoxiao.
"Brother Xiao Yan, that Mo Chen seems like a decent person," Su Xiaoxiao said softly.
Xiao Yan did not commit himself. "You can't see through a person's heart. Let's look around and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings first."
The two left the plaza and headed deeper into the valley. Ten Thousand Medicines Valley indeed lived up to its name. Medicinal herbs hundreds or even thousands of years old could be seen everywhere along the way. Su Xiaoxiao was like a child who had found a treasure trove, stopping from time to time to gather herbs. Xiao Yan stood guard beside her and occasionally pointed out which herbs were more valuable.
When they reached a stream, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly pointed at a blue aquatic plant in the water. "Brother Xiao Yan, that's Ice Blue Grass! It can cure fire poison, and it's very rare!"
Xiao Yan was just about to speak when a figure suddenly darted out of the nearby forest and reached for the Ice Blue Grass, shouting, "This Ice Blue Grass is mine!"
The newcomer was a small, thin youth of fifteen or sixteen, at the Peak Origin Master Realm. A trace of greed showed in his eyes.
"We saw it first!" Su Xiaoxiao said urgently.
The youth ignored her, his fingertips already touching the Ice Blue Grass.
Just then, a sharp gust struck and knocked his hand away. He cried out, turned to see Xiao Yan, and shouted angrily, "What are you doing?!"
"First come, first served," Xiao Yan said calmly. "This young lady found it first."
"So what if she found it? Getting your hands on it is what counts!" Ruthlessness flashed in the youth's eyes. He suddenly drew the short saber at his waist and stabbed at Xiao Yan. "Move!"
Xiao Yan sidestepped the attack, frowning slightly. The youth's cultivation was not high, yet he struck so viciously.
He was about to teach the youth a lesson when the boy suddenly screamed and flew backward, crashing to the ground. His short saber flew from his hand as well.
Liu Chengfeng had appeared by the stream at some unknown point. He toyed with a jade pendant as he looked coldly at the youth. "Drawing weapons in Ten Thousand Medicines Valley-do you think the patrol disciples are just for show?"
The youth's face went deathly pale with fright, and he scrambled away on hands and knees.
Liu Chengfeng's gaze fell on the Ice Blue Grass, then shifted to Xiao Yan. A mocking smile curled his lips. "Xiao Yan, I didn't expect you to be interested in such low-grade medicinal herbs."
He was clearly targeting Xiao Yan on purpose.
Xiao Yan could not be bothered with him and said to Su Xiaoxiao, "Pick it."
Su Xiaoxiao was just about to step forward when Liu Chengfeng beat her to it. He reached out, plucked the Ice Blue Grass, and toyed with it between his fingers. "This Ice Blue Grass may be ordinary, but growing here in the stream makes it a rare find. I think I'll take it."
"You!" Su Xiaoxiao's face turned red with anger.
A chill flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. "Liu Chengfeng, must you pick a fight?"
"So what if I am?" Liu Chengfeng tossed the Ice Blue Grass to an attendant behind him. "In Ten Thousand Medicines Valley, you're in no position to run wild. If you have the ability, we'll settle this at the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering!"
With that, he strode away with his attendant.
Su Xiaoxiao picked up a leaf of Ice Blue Grass from the ground and pouted, feeling wronged. "That was too much!"
Xiao Yan patted her head and smiled. "It's fine. It was only one stalk of Ice Blue Grass. There are better things in the valley. Let's look farther ahead. I heard there's a Soul-Congealing Flower Sea over there."
"Really?" Su Xiaoxiao's attention was immediately captured, and the grievance in her eyes vanished.
Xiao Yan smiled, but inwardly he had grown more wary of Liu Chengfeng. The man took revenge for the slightest grievance, and a confrontation at the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering would probably be unavoidable.
He looked up toward the depths of the valley, where the clouds and mist were thicker. Several mountain peaks were faintly visible, and an even purer medicinal fragrance wafted from that direction.
"The core area..." Curiosity flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. "I wonder what treasures are hidden there."
The exploration of Ten Thousand Medicines Valley had only just begun, and undercurrents surrounding the spirit herbs and the gathering's rankings were already stirring in secret. Xiao Yan knew the days ahead would not be peaceful.