Li Yan joined the line near the counter and tapped the shoulder of the disciple ahead of him—a young man in azure robes holding a rolled scroll.

  "Senior Brother," Li Yan said politely, "I’m new here. Could you tell me where I can purchase pills?"

  The disciple turned, smiling warmly. "Of course. The last room on the right. There you can get all the supplies you want."

  Li Yan cupped his hands respectfully. "Many thanks, Senior Brother."

  Following the disciple’s directions, Li Yan arrived at the last door on the right. He knocked lightly, then pushed it open. A wave of warm, fragrant air greeted him. Inside, the room looked like a miniature alchemical paradise.

  Shelves lined every wall, filled with jars of rare herbs, scrolls tied in silk, and pill bottles that shimmered faintly under the soft light of floating Qi lanterns. The mingled aroma of hundreds of medicinal ingredients created a soothing, almost sacred atmosphere.

  Behind the counter sat Bai Ru, her long silver hair cascading elegantly over her black sect robes. Li Yan recognized her immediately—Ji Hong’s daughter-in-law, whom he had met last night at dinner.

  Bai Ru looked up from the records she had been reviewing, her expression softening with familiarity. "Good morning, Li Yan Tian," she greeted, a warm smile curving her lips.

  Li Yan returned the greeting with a polite bow. "Good morning, Senior Bai Ru. I hope you’re doing well."

  "I’m well, thank you," she replied pleasantly. "What brings you here so early?"

  "Nothing much," he said. "I’m heading out for another hunt and wanted to buy a few pills before I go."

  Bai Ru leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the polished wooden counter. "What kind of pills do you need?"

  "Healing and Qi Replenishment Pills," Li Yan answered without hesitation.

  She gave a small nod. "What tier are you looking for?"

  Li Yan paused thoughtfully. "Could you please tell me the prices for both Tier-2 and Tier-3 variants?"

  "Tier-2 Healing Pills are seventy-five shadow points each, and Qi Replenishment Pills are sixty." Bai Ru listed them effortlessly, her tone smooth and professional.

  "As for Tier-3, Healing Pills go for two hundred fifty, and Qi Replenishment Pills are two hundred shadow points each."

  Li Yan considered for a moment before retrieving his disciple badge from his storage ring. "I’ll take two Tier-2 Healing Pills, ten Tier-2 Qi Replenishment Pills, and two Tier-3 Healing Pills."

  Bai Ru raised a brow, mildly surprised. It wasn’t common for a White-Rank disciple to spend over a thousand shadow points in one go, but she said nothing.

  With graceful efficiency, she turned, gathering the requested pills from the shelves.

  Once everything was ready, she placed the items neatly on the counter and tapped her golden badge against Li Yan’s Silver. A faint golden glow rippled between them, confirming a successful deduction of 1,250 shadow points.

  Li Yan stored the pills and his badge back into his ring, offering a polite nod. "Thank you, Senior Bai Ru. I’ll take my leave."

  "Take care, Li Yan," Bai Ru said with a kind smile. "May your hunt be fruitful."

  Just as he reached the doorway, Li Yan stopped. "Ah, I almost forgot," he said, turning back. "Senior Bai Ru, do you happen to have any books about herbs or alchemical ingredients?"

  Bai Ru’s expression warmed. She turned and picked up a slim book from under the counter. "Of course. This one’s an introductory guide—free for all disciples interested in herbalism or alchemy."

  "Also, it’s beneficial for collecting herbs while out hunting to earn shadow points."

  Li Yan accepted the book and glanced at the cover. The title read: Beginner-Level Herbal Compendium.

  Flipping through a few pages, he saw each filled with colorful illustrations of herbs accompanied by detailed descriptions of their properties, effects, and identifying traits.

  "Hmm…" he murmured, impressed. "This is very well-made. Definitely perfect for now." Then he looked back up. "But what about higher-level versions?"

  "Curious already?" Bai Ru chuckled softly, amusement flickering in her eyes. "We do have three more volumes—Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Level."

  "But honestly, you won’t find much use for them yet. Most herbs detailed in those grow only in Tier-3 hunting grounds or higher, especially deep within the valley."

  Li Yan nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Still, I’d like to know the prices. If I plan to buy them later, I should start saving early."

  Her expression turned approving. "Planning early—good."

  "The Intermediate Compendium costs 1,000 shadow points, the Advanced one 5,000, and the Master Level…" She paused briefly, then said, "...25,000 shadow points."

  Li Yan blinked, the number catching him off guard. His brow twitched slightly. "Twenty-five thousand?"

  He couldn’t help but ask, "Senior Bai Ru, did I hear correctly? The Master Level book costs twenty-five thousand shadow points?"

  Bai Ru nodded calmly.

  Li Yan frowned slightly, curiosity piqued. "But isn’t that more expensive than the Mortal-Tier High-Level techniques in the Techniques Hall? Why such a steep price?"

  Bai Ru’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "A fair question. But there’s a reason behind it. Techniques—even High-Level ones—can often be bought from merchants or auctions if you have the money or the right connections."

  "But this Master Level herbalism book?" She tapped the counter lightly. "It’s exclusive to our sect."

  Her tone softened as she continued, "It was written by several of our alchemist ancestors—experts who dedicated their lives to alchemy, pill refining, and research."

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  "It holds not only knowledge of rare herbs, but also insights into lesser-known substitutes that can enhance—or even surpass—the effects of original ingredients when used wisely."

  As she spoke, her voice took on a subtle reverence. "There are things written in that book you won’t find anywhere else—methods born from failure, discoveries made in the field, lessons forged through decades of experience. It’s not a manual… It’s a legacy."

  Li Yan’s gaze sharpened. "So it’s not just a reference—it’s the accumulated wisdom of generations?"

  "Exactly." Bai Ru’s nod carried quiet pride.

  Li Yan folded his arms, nodding slowly. "Then perhaps… the price isn’t as steep as it first seemed. Not if it holds that much value."

  Bai Ru smiled faintly. "I thought the same when I bought it myself—after saving for quite some time."

  A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "But with your efficiency in hunting, I doubt it’ll take you as long as it took me."

  Li Yan’s lips curved slightly. "Senior Bai flatters me too much."

  "It’s true," she replied, her tone warm but measured.

  Li Yan gave a respectful bow. "Thank you again for your guidance, Senior Bai."

  "Anytime," Bai Ru said. "If you’re serious about herbalism or alchemy, you can return here more often. I’ll be here for help."

  With that, Li Yan turned and exited the hall.

  *****

  Meanwhile, far from the sect, deep within the lush southern valleys of the Blue Moon Kingdom (Lán Yuè Wángguó)—one of the four great kingdoms beneath the Daryn Empire—lay a place where even time seemed reluctant to hurry.

  Flower Rain Town (Huā Yǔ Zhèn).

  From above, it resembled a living painting.

  At its heart rose clusters of tiled roofs and pale stone buildings carved from dark oak and white granite. Though officially designated a "town," its prosperity rivaled many cities within the kingdom.

  Elegant multi-story structures lined the avenues, balconies draped in flowering vines that spilled color into the streets below.

  A winding river curved alongside the main thoroughfare, its surface catching sunlight like scattered gold. Lanterns—unlit beneath the noon sky—lined the banks in orderly rows. When the breeze stirred, petals from nearby trees drifted across the water like slow, deliberate confetti.

  Encircling the settlement in a wide, near-perfect ring stretched vast herbal and floral fields—layers of crimson, lavender, gold, and emerald reaching to the horizon. In spring, they bloomed into an ocean of fragrance.

  During rainfall, petals filled the air, and locals claimed the heavens wept blossoms over Flower Rain Town.

  Beyond the fields stood twin mountain ranges like silent sentinels, terraced with rare medicinal herbs and threaded with natural springs. It was a paradise for herbalists, alchemists, and cultivators who favored refinement over conquest.

  The noon sun bathed rooftops in warm gold.

  Merchants called from shaded stalls. Children ran along the riverbank. Elderly men leaned over carved boards, contemplating strategy beneath flowering trees. Carriages rolled across stone-paved roads, wheels humming softly.

  Peace. Measured. Cultivated. Protected.

  And at the northern side of the town stood the Yan Family Estate.

  An imposing compound of dark timber and carved stone, its presence commanded respect without ostentation. At its entrance rose a massive wooden gate polished to a deep sheen, adorned with intricate carvings of blooming vines and flowing water.

  Above it hung a nameplate:

  Yan Family

  The golden characters shimmered subtly under the sun.

  Two guards stood at attention on either side, uniforms bearing the Yan insignia—a stylized blooming flower encircled by a crescent arc.

  Within the estate, beyond layered courtyards and quiet gardens, stood the main hall.

  It was vast and high-ceilinged, adorned with dignified restraint rather than excessive luxury. At its far end stood the Family Head’s seat—broad, throne-like—beneath a mural of mountains and rivers carved into polished stone.

  The seat was empty.

  Fifteen men and five women occupied the seats lining both sides of the hall—elders of the Yan Family. Their robes varied in color, but each bore the family emblem.

  Low discussions filled the chamber. Trade routes. Herb yields. Cultivation prospects. Expansion plans.

  Then—

  The grand doors opened.

  A man entered.

  He appeared to be in his early forties. Black hair streaked faintly with silver at the temples. Sharp, disciplined features. His presence did not announce itself loudly.

  It simply arrived.

  Conversation ceased.

  All twenty elders rose at once and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Family Head."

  Yan Xun—head of Yan Family—gave a slight nod. A faint smile rested upon his lips.

  One of the men closest to the head seat stepped forward quickly. "Father… you’ve returned."

  Yan Xun’s gaze softened, though only slightly, at his son—Yan Hao. "Hao’er. I see the family stands strong."

  He swept his eyes across the hall. "Elders, you have my gratitude for your efforts in my absence."

  Polite acknowledgments followed. Respect. Stability. Routine.

  Then Yan Xun spoke again. "You may continue. I will join you shortly. First, I will see Tian’er and Fei’er."

  The air shifted. Almost imperceptibly.

  But Yan Xun noticed.

  His brows lifted faintly. "What happened?"

  Several elders exchanged glances.

  Yan Hao’s expression tightened—barely. "Father… Tian’er…"

  A pause. "He underwent his Elemental Awakening three weeks ago."

  Yan Xun nodded once. "I am aware. I returned precisely because of it."

  Yan Hao inhaled quietly. "He awakened… the Darkness Element."

  Silence settled over the hall.

  Not shock. Inevitability.

  Yan Xun did not move. "So what? Where is he?"

  The question was calm.

  The temperature in the room seemed to drop nonetheless.

  Yan Hao lowered his head. "Two weeks ago… the Empire’s elite escort arrived."

  "They took him for special training. He has already been selected to serve at the border."

  The words lingered in the air like dust in still light.

  For several breaths, Yan Xun stood motionless.

  Then—

  Very slowly—

  His fingers tightened at his side.

  A faint crack echoed through the hall.

  The armrest of a nearby chair splintered beneath his grip.

  Not from rage.

  From restraint.

  "You allowed them." His voice was quiet.

  Yan Hao swallowed. "Father… it is imperial law."

  Yan Xun closed his eyes briefly.

  When he opened them, they were no longer warm.

  They were iron.

  Without another word, he turned toward the exit.

  He did not sit.

  He did not question further.

  He walked.

  "Father?" Yan Hao called.

  Yan Xun stopped. "I will bring him back."

  He lifted his hand. A storage ring appeared in his palm from within his own.

  He flicked it forward. It stopped precisely before Yan Hao. "Use these resources for the family’s growth while I am away."

  A pause. "Tell Fei’er I will bring Tian’er home."

  Then—

  He stepped forward.

  No Qi wings.

  No visible technique.

  His body rose into the air as naturally as breath—marked him at least Transcendent Mastery Realm (Qi Ancestor).

  The great doors closed behind him.

  Inside the hall, no one spoke for a long time.

  Outside, Flower Rain Town remained bathed in sunlight.

  The river continued to glisten.

  Children continued to laugh.

  But beyond the southern mountains—

  A storm had begun to move.