In the dense forest where towering trees stand, the thick branches and leaves block the scorching sun, occasionally allowing some light spots to shine through the gaps. Dotted here and there, they form a naturally beautiful pattern of light. The forest is quiet, broken only by distant roars from unknown beasts that echo through the trees, lingering in the air.
“Whoosh…” Amidst the stillness, a sudden rustle in a bush reveals a black figure darting out, lightly stepping on a branch, then leaping to a tree trunk several meters above the ground. Its eagle-like gaze sweeps the area below, exhaling with relief but also a hint of confusion. “Behind the Yunlan Mountains, the range connects to the Magical Beast Mountains. By right, I should have entered the Magical Beast Mountains, but why haven’t I encountered any beast so far?”
“That’s because of the Swallowing Heavenly Python in your sleeve…” An old voice resonates in Xiao Yan’s mind: “The Swallowing Heavenly Python is an ancient mystical beast. Ordinary magical beasts are inherently afraid of its scent. Moreover, the Swallowing Heavenly Python now has the strength of a Dou Wang, how would ordinary beasts dare to show themselves in front of it?”
“So, it’s all thanks to this little friend.” Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt relieved, gently patting his sleeve and smiling. “But the Yunlan Sect team chasing after you wouldn’t be so lucky. In my perception, just over this distance, they’ve been attacked by at least three waves of magical beasts. Although they weren’t harmed, their pursuit has definitely slowed down.” The Pharmacist Elder laughed gleefully. Xiao Yan sneered, his gaze sweeping around once more, but still couldn’t find a good hiding spot. Frowning, he shook his head helplessly. Tiptoeing on the tree trunk, his body glided like a giant bat through the dense forest, continuing to flee and search for the best shelter. In a forest filled with colossal trees and magical beasts, finding a place to hide without disturbance was indeed challenging. However, Xiao Yan was fortunate. As dusk approached, he finally found a suitable spot. Through a large stretch of dense forest, a treacherous ravine about ten meters wide appeared in Xiao Yan’s sight. Slowing down, Xiao Yan approached the edge of the ravine, glancing down into the abyss of darkness. Then, he slowly raised his head, his gaze scanning the steep cliff opposite. After a moment, it stopped at a dark cave. This cave was dozens of meters away from the summit, appearing not man-made but rather carved out by some beast with sharp claws and teeth. “This place is perfect, shrouded in mist. Even if someone flies overhead, it will be hard to notice.” Xiao Yan gazed at the dark cave with joy. On the steep cliff, there were many similar dark caves, but only this one was perfectly positioned. Standing at the edge of the ravine, a glance at the cave would be obscured by the thin mist spreading from the depths. Sweeping his gaze behind him, Xiao Yan’s shoulders twitched, and his large Purple Cloud Wings emerged, launching him into the ravine. As the wind whistled past, he quickly flew to the cave, hovering in front but not entering immediately. The Magical Beast Mountains were perilous, with danger lurking everywhere. Carelessness could lead to death. Lifting his sleeve, the Swallowing Heavenly Python shot out, and Xiao Yan pointed to the cave. It understood instantly, let out a hiss, and transformed into a rainbow-colored lightning, shooting straight into the cave. Seeing the python enter, Xiao Yan stepped back and waited quietly. After less than a minute, a putrid wind burst from the cave, followed by a huge black shadow. A ferocious flying beast, in a state of terror, fled out, letting out a harsh cry, soaring into the sky, and vanishing over the horizon.
“Phew… a Lion Winged Beast. A third-grade magical beast capable of rivaling a Great Fighter…” Watching the fleeing beast, Xiao Yan shook his head, chuckling bitterly, “Thank goodness for the Swallowing Heavenly Python. Otherwise, with my current state, it would have cost me a lot of effort to chase it away.”
After the Lion Winged Beast fled, the Swallowing Heavenly Python emerged from the cave, circling in front of Xiao Yan and hissing at him. Lifting his hand, Xiao Yan tucked the python back into his sleeve, then cautiously flew into the cave. His feet landed on the solid rock, and his face paled slightly, coughing violently. As he coughed, the Purple Cloud Wings on his back turned into a tattoo and retracted.
“Indeed, I’m quite injured. Just a few minutes of using the Purple Cloud Wings, and my insides are already in turmoil.” Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Xiao Yan sighed. Walking into the spacious cave, the faint stench made him frown, but facing the encirclement, he had no time for such trivialities. He flicked his fingers, and several moonlight stones from his ring shot out, landing in the crevices of the rock wall, illuminating the cave. Glancing at the bright cave and the dimming sky outside, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then pushed a large stone to partially block the entrance. With everything done, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. The fatigue from almost a day of escape began to rise, making his eyelids heavy.
“Now is not the time to rest.” As Xiao Yan was about to collapse and sleep, the Pharmacist Elder’s voice startled him. Shaken, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, smiled, and backed up to find a clean stone platform, sitting cross-legged. As Xiao Yan sat, the ring on his finger trembled, and the Elder’s spectral form emerged. “Master…”
Looking at the Elder, Xiao Yan scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. Shaking his head, the Elder summoned Xiao Yan’s ring, which floated to his palm. “First, you need to stabilize your internal chaos. I’ll prepare a healing pill for your internal injuries. You must recover as quickly as possible; otherwise, it’s too dangerous.” The Elder’s soul power scanned the ring, instructing.
“Yes.” Nodding, Xiao Yan closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming steady and long. Pleased, the Elder flicked the ring, and medicinal herbs flashed out, floating beside him. “Lucky this kid has plenty of herbs, saving me the trouble of searching for them.” Nodding, the Elder’s hand waved, and a white flame rose, skillfully processing the herbs. Compared to Xiao Yan’s previous clumsy attempts, the Elder’s smooth and flowing technique truly showed the mastery of a grandmaster.
The soft light of the moonstones blocked the darkness outside. In the silent cave, only the crackling of the herbs in the flame could be heard. For two or three hours, Xiao Yan meditated, his eyes finally opening with a slight flutter, his pale face now tinged with vitality. Letting out a long breath, his face became even more radiant. Looking up at the finished pill, the Elder, who was standing at the cave entrance, watching for any movement, smiled. “Although I’m injured, the internal chaos is under control. As Master said, the fluctuation of my qi and blood is indeed a sign of imminent advancement.”
Nodding, the Elder turned and flicked a jade-like pill towards Xiao Yan, who caught it. “Take it. Your injuries should fully heal. The Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill you took before was too potent, and you didn’t absorb it completely. More of its power settled in your body, which isn’t good. This pill, mixed with Bone Spirit Cold Fire, will cause some pain, but it will evaporate the accumulated medicine. This time, absorb it. How much your strength improves depends on your fortune.”
The Elder added, “While I was away, your body developed issues. The Marked Poison is a vicious thing. Once you recover, I’ll find a way to deal with it.”
Hearing the Elder’s words, Xiao Yan felt a warm sense of comfort, nodding. Having the Elder by his side, he finally felt reassured. It was like a child finding a trustworthy support, giving him peace of mind.
Popping the pill, Xiao Yan closed his eyes again, his mind sinking into his body, beginning the breakthrough. Watching Xiao Yan, the Elder smiled and nodded, sitting at the entrance, casually playing with the ring. Moments later, his finger paused, and a low exclamation escaped his lips.
“Eh?” Flicking the ring, a broken piece of black jade appeared in the Elder’s hand. Gently stroking it, his gaze was transfixed. This black jade was the cheap trinket Xiao Yan had found at the Alchemist Guild.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage