Farewell to the Immortal Trace

"Yes," the elder Xu replied with a look of reverence, gesturing for Yang Fan to ascend. Taking a deep breath, Yang Fan slowly climbed the stairs, noting with surprise how the array of restrictions automatically allowed him passage. Though he understood that this was a public trading space, secured by the "Xiuyu Pavilion," and that no violent thefts were likely to occur, a sense of unease lingered within him. After all, he was about to meet a power unlike any he had encountered before.

As he ascended, a faint fragrance reminiscent of flowers and grass wafted through the air, akin to the gentle breeze of a morning forest or the tinkling sound of a clear stream. This familiar and endearing scent conjured visions of the ethereal Cloud Fairy in his mind—a figure serene and otherworldly, her enchanting eyes like shimmering waters, the perfect contours of her face partially veiled in white, radiating a delicate aroma that lingered in his memory...

"Could it be her?" Yang Fan thought, a thrill of surprise coursing through him. 

Filled with a blend of excitement and uncertainty, he finally arrived at the third floor of the "Medicine King Pavilion." The decor here was even more refined, with paintings adorning the walls and rare plants gracing the tables, their faint fragrances instilling a sense of calm and clarity.

In this vast space, only three or five individuals occupied it. At the center sat an elderly man with snow-white hair, his age evident yet his spirit vibrant, emanating a naturally imposing aura. The immense spiritual pressure felt on the second floor had clearly originated from him. 

The elder's sharp eyes immediately fixed on Yang Fan. "You possess a fine quality, five-hundred-year-old heavenly material?" he inquired, casually lifting a cup of tea to savor its flavor.

Under his casual scrutiny, Yang Fan felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body momentarily stiffening. In that instant, he sensed that all his disguises had been laid bare before this man. Moreover, he found himself unable to gauge the elder's cultivation level. The other four individuals present on the third floor were equally inscrutable to him.

A swift glance around revealed a few jade tags on the walls, each inscribed with the names of various materials and spiritual elixirs. His attention was drawn to a stunningly beautiful young woman, whose tranquil gaze resembled serene waters. She wore a veil that only partially concealed her exquisite features, her graceful silhouette poised as if she were a painting of perfect tranquility.

It was her!

Yang Fan's heart raced, but before the elder, he dared not linger on the sight, hastily averting his gaze and responding, "Esteemed elder, I have a five-hundred-year-old white jade ginseng. I am here to procure medicinal materials, and my spirit stones are insufficient, so I wish to offer this in exchange for part of the payment."

"Oh?" the elder replied, finishing his tea unhurriedly. "Show it to me." 

Nodding, Yang Fan opened the wooden box he held, revealing the pristine white ginseng within. A wave of refreshing, pure spiritual energy surged forth.

This subtle shift captured the attention of the individuals on the fourth floor. 

"A five-hundred-year heavenly material, quite impressive. But how does it end up in the hands of a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator? Young man, what price do you ask?" A robust man with a dark complexion inquired heartily.

Yang Fan felt a wave of relief wash over him; his mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level had not gone unnoticed, yet he understood it held little significance among these higher-tiered cultivators. He remained undaunted, imagining that the individuals here surpassed the Foundation Establishment stage.

The first floor of the Medicine King Pavilion catered to Qi Refining cultivators, while the second floor was designated for those in the Foundation Establishment stage. Thus, the third floor was reserved for those at the Core Formation stage. 

The Core Formation stage. 

This was a realm Yang Fan had scarcely brushed against, a full two tiers above his own. Even with his sophisticated techniques, it was impossible to conceal his cultivation level in the face of such disparity.

Upon hearing this, the elder's expression darkened. "This young brother's transaction involves our 'Medicine King Pavilion,' so I advise you, Friend Cheng, to refrain from interfering."

The dark-faced man, Cheng, dismissed this with a wave. "Transactions are free; whoever offers the highest price is in charge."

"Hmph." The elder's soft snort revealed his inability to counter this logic. 

"Alright, lad, state your price," Cheng persisted, unyielding.

"Um... this is my first time selling such a heavenly material, so I find it hard to assess its worth." Yang Fan hesitated.

"Just state your price; why the hesitance?" Cheng grumbled, visibly annoyed.

Yang Fan clenched his teeth and proclaimed, "Seven hundred spirit stones; I cannot go lower than this."

Seven hundred spirit stones?

Both Cheng and the white-haired elder frowned in unison. 

"Young man, this price seems a bit steep. A five-hundred-year-old white jade ginseng normally sells for four to five hundred spirit stones. Even for one of high quality, it shouldn't exceed six hundred spirit stones," Cheng declared frankly.

The elder nodded in agreement. "Indeed, this price is somewhat inflated; I doubt anyone would be willing to pay it."

Yang Fan contemplated briefly, then produced the list of medicinal materials. Addressing the elder, he explained, "I have come to acquire the items on this list for my master. This white jade ginseng, coupled with three hundred spirit stones, represents my utmost limit."

Taking the list, the elder began to review it. Yang Fan added, "I have already resigned to not purchasing the Fire Dragon Fruit and the Thousand-Leaf Flower; the remaining materials total one thousand spirit stones as discussed with Elder Xu below."

After a moment of deliberation, the elder mused, "That does bring us close to the one thousand spirit stone range. May I inquire as to who your master is?"

With a calm demeanor, Yang Fan replied, "I am merely one of his few disciples. He is a supremely skilled healer who prefers to remain in obscurity and does not allow me to disclose his name."

"Oh?" The elder's interest was piqued upon hearing this. "Yet you possess merely three hundred spirit stones and a white jade ginseng, which still falls short of the one thousand spirit stone total."

Yang Fan's brow furrowed slightly as he thought, *I still have some elixirs and magical artifacts, especially that mid-grade Spiritual Nourishing Pill that could help break into the Core Formation stage. If I were to offer these, it would surely suffice.*

However, he hesitated to part with those items, as he had planned to trade for some medicinal seeds at the marketplace outside.

"Friend, if you have any other items, such as elixirs or magical treasures, feel free to present them for trade," the elder encouraged with a smile, clearly eager for the white jade ginseng.

As Yang Fan contemplated, a delicate, floral fragrance wafted nearby, enveloping him like a gentle embrace.

"Yang Apothecary, could you perhaps allow my daughter to take a look at the white jade ginseng you hold?" a soft, dulcet voice floated through the air, stirring everyone in the Medicine King Pavilion's third floor.

Turning his head, Yang Fan was stunned to see the enigmatic Cloud Fairy standing beside him. Her tranquil eyes sparkled with mischief as they met his gaze, her presence captivating beyond measure.