The Soul-Congealing Flower Sea lay in the middle of the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley, in a valley stretching for several miles. Pale purple flowers bloomed throughout it, crystal-clear dew clinging to their petals as they released a refreshing fragrance.
The herb known as the "soul-congealing flower" was remarkably effective at nourishing spiritual power. Though not as precious as soul-congealing grass, it grew in vast patches and was plentiful. Quite a few cultivators had gathered around the flower sea. Most sat cross-legged, cultivating as they absorbed the fragrance, while others carefully picked the flowers. Clearly, they all knew their value.
"It smells wonderful!" Su Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, an entranced expression on her face. "Cultivating here makes my head feel so much clearer!"
Xiao Yan could also sense the gentle fluctuations of spiritual power contained in the fragrance of the soul-congealing flowers. It was quite beneficial for calming the mind and improving perception. He nodded. "It really is a good place. Let's find somewhere to sit and rest too."
The two found a quiet corner with few people and sat down. Su Xiaoxiao eagerly took out a small jade bottle and began carefully picking soul-congealing flowers, planning to make them into a sachet to calm her younger brother's mind when she returned. Xiao Yan closed his eyes, circulating his cultivation technique to restore his Origin Qi while keeping a sense of the activity around him.
Though there were many people in the flower sea, it was quiet, broken only by occasional whispers and the faint sounds of flowers being picked. The peaceful atmosphere eased Xiao Yan's taut nerves considerably.
After an unknown amount of time, the faint sound of an argument broke the peace.
"I found this 'thousand-year Soul-Congealing Flower King' first!" a somewhat youthful voice said.
"Nonsense! I was clearly the one who saw it first!" another voice retorted, with a hint of arrogance.
Xiao Yan opened his eyes and looked toward the voices. In the middle of the flower sea, two youths were arguing incessantly over a flower much taller than the surrounding soul-congealing flowers, with deep purple petals. The spiritual power fluctuations it emitted were noticeably stronger than those of the other soul-congealing flowers. It was clearly the thousand-year Soul-Congealing Flower King they were talking about.
One youth wore coarse clothes and had an honest, good-natured face. His cultivation was at the Peak Origin Master Realm, and he was the same youth Liu Chengfeng had driven away from the stream earlier. The other wore a splendid brocade robe and had an arrogant face. His cultivation had reached the Initial Origin King level, and a Hundred Herbs Hall token similar to Liu Chengfeng's hung at his waist. He was clearly a disciple of the Hundred Herbs Hall.
"Wang Hu, this Soul-Congealing Flower King is growing on the edge of the Hundred Herbs Hall's patrol area. By the rules, it belongs to the Hundred Herbs Hall!" the brocade-robed youth sneered. "If you know what's good for you, get lost. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rough!"
The coarse-clothed youth named Wang Hu flushed red. "The rules clearly say it belongs to whoever finds it first! I've had my eye on it for three days, just waiting for it to fully mature!"
"Are you saying you want to fight the Hundred Herbs Hall for it?" A vicious look flashed in the brocade-robed youth's eyes, and he reached for the flower king.
Seeing this, Wang Hu lunged forward without a second thought, shielding the flower king with his body. "Don't touch it!"
"You have a death wish!" The brocade-robed youth snorted coldly and kicked Wang Hu in the chest.
Wang Hu screamed as the kick sent him flying backward. He crashed to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
The brocade-robed youth smiled smugly and reached for the flower king.
"Stop."
A cool voice rang out. The brocade-robed youth froze and turned to see Xiao Yan standing behind him. He had no idea when Xiao Yan had gotten there.
"You again?" The brocade-robed youth recognized Xiao Yan, and his face darkened. "I advise you to mind your own business. This is an internal matter of the Hundred Herbs Hall!"
"All I know is that he found it first," Xiao Yan said calmly. "Besides, bullying someone weaker than you is a little too disgraceful."
"Who do you think you are to lecture me?" The brocade-robed youth laughed in his rage. "It seems that because Young Hall Master Liu didn't teach you a lesson last time, you still don't know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is! Today, I'll show you what the Hundred Herbs Hall can do!"
As he spoke, he unleashed the presence of an Initial Origin King and struck at Xiao Yan with his palm. A faint medicinal fragrance rode on the wind of the strike, a clear sign that he cultivated some technique related to medicinal herbs.
Xiao Yan's gaze remained calm. Without dodging or evading, he struck back with his own palm.
Bang!
Their palms met, and the brocade-robed youth felt an overwhelming force surge into him. His arm went numb in an instant, and he flew backward like a kite with its string cut. He slammed into the ground, spitting blood, and looked at Xiao Yan in utter shock.
He had never imagined that, with his strength as an Initial Origin King, he would be defeated by his opponent in a single move!
The commotion drew the attention of the surrounding cultivators. They turned to look, and when they saw Xiao Yan easily defeat a Hundred Herbs Hall disciple, surprise showed on their faces.
"An Origin Emperor... He really is an Origin Emperor expert!"
"No wonder he dared to challenge the Hundred Herbs Hall. He had something to rely on!"
"Who is that youth? How come I've never heard of someone like him in the Southern Region before?"
Wang Hu struggled to his feet and looked at Xiao Yan's back, his eyes full of gratitude and awe. "Th-thank you, Senior!"
Xiao Yan waved a hand and looked at the thousand-year Soul-Congealing Flower King. "Aren't you going to pick it?"
Only then did Wang Hu come to his senses. He hurried to the flower king, carefully pulled it up by the roots, and stored it in a jade box. Then he bowed deeply to Xiao Yan. "Senior, I'll never forget your great kindness for as long as I live! If you don't mind, this flower king..."
"Keep it for yourself," Xiao Yan interrupted. "I only returned it to its rightful owner."
Wang Hu gritted his teeth, pulled a worn little booklet from his robes, and offered it to Xiao Yan. "Senior, this Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Herbs has been passed down in my family. It's not a treasure, but it records some of the rare herbs in the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley. Perhaps it can help you!"
Xiao Yan glanced at the booklet. Its cover had yellowed, and it was clearly quite old. He took it and nodded. "Thank you."
The brocade-robed youth struggled to his feet and gave Xiao Yan a venomous look. Clutching his chest, he fled in a sorry state, clearly going to complain to someone.
Xiao Yan paid him no mind and handed the Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Herbs to Su Xiaoxiao. "Aren't you interested in medicinal herbs? Take a look at this."
Su Xiaoxiao took the booklet and leafed through it in delight. "Wow, there are so many herbs I've never seen before! Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan!"
Just then, footsteps sounded. Liu Chengfeng came aggressively toward the flower sea with several Hundred Herbs Hall disciples. The brocade-robed youth followed behind him, pointing at Xiao Yan as he complained.
"Xiao Yan, how dare you injure a disciple of my Hundred Herbs Hall in the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley! Do you really think the Hundred Herbs Hall is so easy to bully?" Liu Chengfeng glared at Xiao Yan, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
Seeing this, the surrounding cultivators retreated, clearing an open space. Clearly, they had no wish to be drawn into the conflict.
"He was the one who bullied someone weaker and tried to steal from him first," Xiao Yan said calmly.
"The affairs of the Hundred Herbs Hall are none of an outsider's business!" Liu Chengfeng snorted. "Today, I'll teach you a proper lesson on behalf of your elders and show you what the rules are!"
As he spoke, he unleashed the presence of an Initial Origin Emperor, and a tyrannical pressure descended on Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's expression did not change. The Origin Qi within him circulated silently, easily countering the pressure of Liu Chengfeng's presence.
"You think you can do that?" A mocking smile curved Xiao Yan's lips.
"Seeking death!" Enraged by Xiao Yan's attitude, Liu Chengfeng flashed forward and struck at him with his palm. His palm technique was ingenious, and the wind of his strikes contained the energy of many medicinal herbs, now scorching as fire, now frigid as ice. It was clearly an extraordinary palm technique.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Not daring to be careless, he met the attack with a palm of his own.
Bang!
Their palms met, sending a shock wave of energy spreading outward. The surrounding soul-congealing flowers rustled under the impact.
Liu Chengfeng felt an overbearing force surge toward him, and his arm went numb. The impact actually drove him back three steps. Shock filled his heart. He had not expected Xiao Yan to be even stronger than he had imagined!
"Your strength..." Liu Chengfeng looked at Xiao Yan, shocked and uncertain.
Xiao Yan gave him no chance to continue. He flashed forward and took the initiative to attack. His movements were nimble as he circled Liu Chengfeng like a ghost. At times his fists struck like dragons; at others, the wind of his palms cut like blades, forcing Liu Chengfeng back again and again and leaving him in a sorry state.
"Brother Xiao Yan is amazing!" Dazzled by the sight, Su Xiaoxiao could not help cheering.
The surrounding cultivators were also drawn to the fight, and they marveled at Xiao Yan's strength.
"I never expected this mysterious young man to be so strong. He can actually suppress Young Hall Master Liu!"
"Young Hall Master Liu is a leading figure among Green Wind City's younger generation, with the strength of a Peak Initial Origin Emperor, yet he can't gain the slightest advantage!"
"Who is this Xiao Yan? Could he be a genius from some reclusive power?"
The longer Liu Chengfeng fought, the more alarmed and furious he became. The palm technique he prided himself on gave him no advantage against Xiao Yan. His opponent's attacks looked simple, yet they contained an incomparably overbearing force. Every collision sent his Qi and blood surging.
"Xiao Yan, do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Liu Chengfeng roared and took a jade ruler of emerald green from his Storage Ring. Medicinal herb patterns covered it, and it gave off a rich medicinal fragrance.
"This is the Hundred Herbs Ruler, one of the Hundred Herbs Hall's guardian treasures. It contains the essence of a hundred medicinal herbs. Today, I'll let you taste its power!"
With the Hundred Herbs Ruler in hand, Liu Chengfeng's attacks grew even fiercer. Ruler shadows whirled through the air, sweeping toward Xiao Yan like a raging storm.
Xiao Yan's gaze turned sharp. The Heavy Xuan Ruler appeared in his hand, and flames instantly burst to life.
"Heavenly Flames · Burning Heaven!"
With a low shout, Xiao Yan swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler and its scorching flames to meet Liu Chengfeng's Hundred Herbs Ruler.
Clang!
The clash of metal was deafening. Flames and medicinal fragrance intertwined, creating a peculiar sight.
Liu Chengfeng felt a scorching force travel up the Hundred Herbs Ruler, burning his palm. He hurriedly circulated his Origin Qi to resist it, but the impact still sent him stumbling backward. The skin between his thumb and forefinger split, and blood streamed out.
"How is this possible..." Liu Chengfeng stared at his bleeding hand, his eyes full of disbelief. His Hundred Herbs Ruler contained the essence of a hundred medicinal herbs and could counter all the flames under heaven. How could it be countered by his opponent's flames?
Xiao Yan gave Liu Chengfeng no chance to catch his breath. He swept the Heavy Xuan Ruler sideways, and a stream of flame roared out like a fire dragon, sweeping toward Liu Chengfeng.
Liu Chengfeng's face changed drastically. He hurriedly circulated all the Origin Qi in his body and held the Hundred Herbs Ruler in front of him.
Bang!
The stream of flame struck the Hundred Herbs Ruler with a tremendous bang. As though dealt a crushing blow, Liu Chengfeng flew backward and slammed into the ground, spitting blood. The Hundred Herbs Ruler flew from his hand and buried itself among the flowers nearby.
The winner had been decided!
Silence fell over the area. Everyone was stunned by the sight before them. Liu Chengfeng, a leading figure among Green Wind City's younger generation, had been defeated by an unknown young man!
Liu Chengfeng lay on the ground, his face pale, his eyes full of unwillingness and venom.
Just then, a cool voice rang out. "Young Hall Master Liu, the winner has been decided. Why continue to fight?"
Everyone looked toward the voice and saw that the splendid sedan chair had arrived at the edge of the flower sea at some unknown time. Its curtain lifted, and a figure slowly stepped out.
It was a woman dressed in white, with breathtaking beauty and a cool, aloof bearing. Like a snow lotus atop a snowy mountain, she made people afraid to look directly at her. In her hand was a crystal-clear medicinal herb, the very one Liu Chengfeng had been guarding earlier.
The woman walked up to Xiao Yan and inclined her head slightly. "Mr. Xiao Yan, Young Hall Master Liu was rash. I hope you will forgive him."
Her voice was like the flowing water of a clear spring, making people feel favorably toward her in spite of themselves.
Xiao Yan looked at the woman, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. He could sense no fluctuation of Origin Qi from her, yet she gave him an unfathomable impression. Her spiritual power in particular was even stronger than he had sensed before.
"It was only a small effort," Xiao Yan said calmly.
The woman smiled faintly, like ice and snow melting away, making even the surrounding soul-congealing flowers pale in comparison. "My name is Lin Qingxue. I am an alchemist of the Hundred Herbs Hall. I hear that you have also studied medicinal herbs, sir. There will be a Pill Dao Exchange Gathering at the Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering in three days. I wonder if you would be interested in attending?"
A Pill Dao Exchange Gathering?
Xiao Yan's heart stirred, and he nodded. "All right. I'll be there."
A trace of amusement flashed in Lin Qingxue's eyes. "Then I shall await your good news, sir."
With that, she turned to Liu Chengfeng. "Young Hall Master Liu, let's go."
Liu Chengfeng struggled to his feet and gave Xiao Yan a venomous look. In the end, he followed Lin Qingxue away.
The disturbance in the flower sea gradually died down, but Xiao Yan's name quietly spread through the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley.
A mysterious young man who could defeat Liu Chengfeng, an alchemy expert whom even Lin Qingxue had personally invited.
Everyone began to look forward to the Pill Dao Exchange Gathering in three days, wondering what surprise this mysterious young man named Xiao Yan would bring.
Xiao Yan watched Liu Chengfeng's retreating figure, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. He knew this was only the beginning. His feud with the Hundred Herbs Hall would likely continue.
But he did not care.
His gaze fell on the Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Herbs in his hand, then shifted to the distant core region wreathed in clouds and mist. His eyes filled with anticipation.
The Ten Thousand Medicines Gathering was getting more and more interesting.