Herbal Material List
This was Yang Fan's first journey to the Xiuyuge via water. Twelve years ago, his father, Yang Tian, had brought him here once before, only to swiftly send him to the Nanling Yang Clan to pursue his path of cultivation. Yang Fan had always felt a lingering sense of curiosity and speculation regarding this event.
What was certain was that twelve years ago, his father possessed a cultivation level beyond the Nourishing Spirit stage; otherwise, he would not have been able to carry him to Xiuyuge. Thus, Xiuyuge remained the last clue concerning his father's disappearance.
As Yang Fan gazed upon the ethereal water world of Xiuyuge, a wave of complex emotions surged within him. The Tianxing Boat glided forward without pause, approaching the distant Xiuyuge, which seemed to be shrouded in mist and clouds.
Nearby, Li Yuefeng stood, her eyes reflecting traces of melancholy and wistfulness. Nevertheless, she forced a smile and said, "Yang the Apothecary, take care on your journey. If possible, when you return along the river, you can ride on my boat. As a distinguished guest of the Tianxing Boat, there will be no charge."
Yang Fan offered a faint smile but remained somewhat distracted, lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, the Tianxing Boat came to an abrupt halt, docking at a designated pier near Xiuyuge. Surrounding the pier were several large vessels, all of comparable size to the Tianxing Boat, likely serving as auxiliary vessels for Nourishing Spirit cultivators.
As the boat docked, many cultivators disembarked. The monk with the colorful robe called out to Yang Fan, "Yang the Apothecary!"
"I'm in no hurry; you go ahead…" Yang Fan waved the monk off, preferring to stay put for the moment. He awaited the approach of Old Yuan and others.
"Yang the Apothecary, thanks to your assistance during our journey to Xiuyuge, the Tianxing Boat has arrived safely. I express my gratitude here, and should you require any assistance in the future, do not hesitate to ask," Old Yuan said, giving a slight bow, his words imbued with camaraderie. Behind him stood his companions, including the second elder and Huang Yu.
"It was but a small favor; as a healer, it is my duty," Yang Fan replied graciously.
"By the way, Yang Daoist, have you ever heard of Yaoxian Valley?" Old Yuan inquired casually, observing Yang Fan's reaction closely.
"Yaoxian Valley?" Yang Fan blinked in surprise. He had indeed heard of this sect before. He had come across references in ancient texts, noting that Yaoxian Valley was a highly mysterious hidden sect within Yuyang Country, known for its teachings in medicine and alchemy.
The lineage of this sect was extraordinarily ancient, even predating the three major powers of Yuyang Country: Moyang Sect, Qingyuan Sect, and Wuyou Valley. Each generation of disciples from Yaoxian Valley produced Apothecaries of extraordinary skill, adept in both healing and alchemy, their strength unfathomable.
Due to certain special reasons, even the three great sects of Yuyang dared not provoke this faction lightly. Yang Fan's impression was that it was a reclusive sect, disengaged from worldly conflicts, yet holding an elevated status.
Under the piercing gaze of Old Yuan, Yang Fan finally responded, "Indeed, I have heard of Yaoxian Valley and have some knowledge of it, albeit limited to what is recorded in ancient texts."
"Why do you ask, Old Yuan? Have you been to Yaoxian Valley?" Yang Fan inquired with curiosity.
Old Yuan sighed deeply, "Yes, I once escorted my master there to seek medical assistance."
"Oh?" Yang Fan's interest piqued as he listened to Old Yuan continue, "At that time, my master had sustained grave injuries from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, injuries that ordinary apothecaries could not heal. Time was of the essence, and I took him to Yaoxian Valley. By chance, we encountered an apprentice within the valley, who led us inside, where we met a beautiful female apothecary."
"Later, I learned that she was the heir of Yaoxian Valley." Old Yuan added, his tone tinged with nostalgia.
Yang Fan's curiosity intensified. "How skilled was this female apothecary?"
"She was indeed a remarkable healer. She appeared to be in her early twenties. With just a gentle touch, she alleviated much of my master's internal injuries. I surmised she might have reached the Foundation Establishment stage." Old Yuan reminisced, a look of reverence on his face.
Upon hearing this, Yang Fan's expression turned astonished. A woman in her early twenties, not only possessed of extraordinary medical skills but also at the Foundation Establishment stage—such talent was rare indeed. In Yang Fan's memory, only the enigmatic Yun Xianzi he had encountered before could rival such ability.
"However, that was twenty years ago. The heir of Yaoxian Valley has since passed away, the details shrouded in mystery," Old Yuan sighed, a hint of regret shadowing his features.
"Twenty years ago?" Yang Fan felt a jolt of surprise, thinking these events were more recent, only to learn they occurred two decades past. Even more shocking was the news of the heir's demise.
"It is a pity; those from that time are no longer with us. Even my master, who was at the Nourishing Spirit stage, succumbed to the limitations of time," Old Yuan lamented.
"I mistook you for one of Yaoxian Valley's disciples, given your youth and exceptional healing skills," Old Yuan continued.
"Impossible!" Yang Fan shook his head. His knowledge of Yaoxian Valley was merely from ancient texts; how could he claim to be one of its disciples?
After engaging in casual conversation with Old Yuan and the others, Yang Fan finally disembarked from the Tianxing Boat, entering the bustling market of Xiuyuge.
The cultivation market at Xiuyuge was a notch above that of Yangjia Fortress. Here, there were no makeshift stalls; rather, numerous pavilions floated upon the water, where cultivators gathered to converse.
In the heart of this water expanse stood several towering buildings, each a large store trading various types of cultivation resources. This was not Yang Fan's first visit. After reaching the Nourishing Spirit stage, he had previously flown here on a sword.
Thus, he was somewhat familiar with the surroundings as he leisurely strolled past the pavilions. Each pavilion featured stone tables and chairs where cultivators congregated for transactions, with rules in place prohibiting conflicts.
Frequent visitors could easily locate their desired items. Yang Fan glanced at the items being traded in the pavilions but refrained from participating, as his purpose here was to procure a substantial quantity of herbs and some seeds for spiritual plants.
After traversing several water corridors and pavilions, Yang Fan arrived at the vicinity of a large building in the central area. His gaze flitted over several structures before finally settling on a four-story ancient building named Yaowang Pavilion.
Even before approaching, he could faintly sense the aroma of various herbs and elixirs. "Hmm, indeed," he thought to himself.
Yang Fan activated his Withering Wood Technique and Transformation Art, making an effort to conceal his aura. He altered his appearance slightly so that he would not be easily recognized by acquaintances.
Upon entering the first floor of Yaowang Pavilion, he was greeted by a setting that was both elegant and rustic. Three to five cultivators were present, all there for trading, notably Nourishing Spirit practitioners.
Inside the pavilion, numerous cabinets displayed a range of herbs, elixirs, and treasures, all sealed with restrictions. Yang Fan's eyes swiftly scanned the items, identifying several herbs he required.
Behind the counter sat a slightly rotund middle-aged cultivator, a practitioner at the late Nourishing Spirit stage, who was engaged in conversation with a customer.
Yang Fan pondered for a moment before pulling out a list he had meticulously prepared, which detailed over a hundred different herbs along with their required quantities.
With a slight smile, he handed the list to the middle-aged cultivator. Upon seeing that Yang Fan appeared to be merely a Nourishing Spirit novice, the cultivator initially displayed a nonchalant attitude. He accepted the list lazily and cast a cursory glance at it.
However, upon noticing the densely packed names of herbs, his demeanor abruptly changed. His gaze shot back to Yang Fan's face, astonished.