The Medicine King's Cauldron

"Is this the Divine Transformation Fruit?"

"Indeed, this is the Divine Transformation Fruit required for refining the Divine Transformation Pill."

Staring at the dazzling fruit displayed in a shop, Su Min fell into deep thought. Once again, she had disguised herself before coming here. This Water-Land Dharma Assembly had drawn many disciples from various sects, including a few familiar faces. And if she recognized them, they had undoubtedly remembered her as well.

It wasn't that she had a poor memory for faces—it was just that in the Golden Avenue, most interactions were mere acquaintances. She couldn't possibly remember everyone, but others might not forget her.

To avoid being taken advantage of, she had altered her appearance with a magical artifact. Moreover, the current environment was completely open, and there might even be sixth-tier alchemists present.

"How many spirit stones?"

"We only trade for items here—one Soul Origin Pill."

"That's too expensive."

Su Min frowned. She did have Soul Origin Pills—they were fifth-tier high-grade pills used to break through bottlenecks during the Nascent Soul stage. Trading one for this medicinal ingredient felt slightly unfair.

However, considering that the man before her seemed to have an unstable foundation—likely having forcibly elevated his cultivation to mid-Nascent Soul through some special method—she reconsidered.

"Let's negotiate. I don't have a Soul Origin Pill on me, but judging by your unstable aura, your foundation has serious issues. How about a fifth-tier low-grade Spirit Condensation Pill? It can temper your spiritual energy and effectively resolve your current physical flaws. While improving cultivation is good, an unstable foundation is disastrous. Though the pill's tier is lower, its value to you far exceeds that of the Soul Origin Pill."

She wasn't trying to cheat him—this was simply a niche pill. Obtaining it would require commissioning an alchemist, and hiring one wouldn't be cheap. This particular pill was one she had refined for Hui Ming at Kong Hui's request. In his previous life, Hui Ming's circumstances had been poor, and even after reincarnation, he suffered from lingering aftereffects. Thus, Kong Hui was now helping him rebuild his foundation.

From that batch, she had produced four pills—she gave one to Hui Ming and kept the remaining three. Though niche, this pill had its uses—many cultivators recklessly rushed their breakthroughs, and this pill could alleviate their resulting ailments. It still held decent value.

At this level, bartering was the norm.

Gulp.

The stall owner's expression twisted in conflict. Su Min's words struck a chord—he had once faced a mortal enemy, cornered with no escape. By sheer luck, he had stumbled upon an ancient inheritance and used a forbidden method to forcibly increase his power, killing his foe. But the aftermath left his body riddled with problems. This pill would be immensely helpful to him.

"Deal."

Gritting his teeth, he agreed. The Divine Transformation Fruit had been obtained from a secret realm—it was the most valuable item he possessed. Trading it for this pill wasn't a loss. More importantly, opportunities like this were rare—he couldn't afford to hire a fifth-tier alchemist to custom-refine a pill for him.

"Done."

After handing over the pill, Su Min tossed the fruit into her storage ring and left the stall. Not everything here was worth her attention. With this unexpected gain secured, she didn't linger. Instead, she headed to the center of the venue, where a massive golden Buddha statue exuded a peculiar aura.

This was the golden body of the Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Radiance Tathagata. Like other inheritance sites, it contained a unique space within. Unlike the bustling marketplace outside, this area was filled with monks and devotees meditating or paying respects.

Su Min had come here for a reason—Kong Hui had advised her to visit, suggesting she might gain something special. Thus, she found an empty cushion and sat cross-legged. She had no intention of worshiping like a believer, but she was curious about its mysteries.

As she settled in, the surrounding people glanced at her in surprise. But when they sensed the dense Buddhist radiance around her, they said nothing. The three major Buddhist sects were the largest, but many other smaller traditions existed, each venerating different figures.

Relations among them were generally peaceful. Even the three major sects, despite considering each other heretical, maintained restraint among their higher-ups. The smaller factions coexisted harmoniously—after all, none could compete with the three giants. Thus, the crowd assumed she was a female cultivator from the Great Thunder Monastery and paid her no further mind.

Meanwhile, Su Min closed her eyes. As she circulated the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra, a strange connection formed between her and the golden Buddha. Her consciousness seemed to soar through the clouds, drawn into a peculiar world.

"This is one of the Dharma Assembly's venues."

Narrowing her eyes, she observed her surroundings. The assembly consisted of two main events—scholarly debates and martial contests. Alchemy was classified under the latter because alchemists were formidable combatants. With their endless array of pills and techniques, their fighting prowess was nothing to scoff at—Su Min herself was a prime example.

The alchemy assessment wasn't dictated by the major sects but was instead overseen by a remnant power left behind by the Medicine Master. No one knew the purpose of this test—after all, no one had ever passed it. But now, Su Min felt a strange sensation. Her consciousness was merely a wisp here, unable to interact with anything, yet she sensed something unusual.

"This feeling… the Heavenly Dao Insight? What have you connected with now?"

Puzzled, she focused on the changes within her. After gradually forming, the Heavenly Dao Insight had mostly lain dormant—but it wasn't gone. It resonated under specific circumstances, like now, as her consciousness was drawn deeper into the space. In the next moment, her surroundings twisted and blurred. She found herself in an even more extraordinary valley—lush with vegetation, filled with countless rare medicinal herbs.

"Divine Transformation Fruits? Six or seven of them? And Frostwater Blossoms?"

Her gaze swept across the valley, identifying many precious ingredients. But then, a small cauldron materialized before her.

"What's this?"

Before she could react, a stream of information flooded her mind.

[Medicine King Ancient Cauldron (Innate Spiritual Treasure)]

[Effects]

Inner World: Contains a unique space suitable for growing all heavenly treasures.

Time Flow: Accelerates time within, affecting only the environment, not consciousness. (Do not enter recklessly.)

"This is a fantastic place. Speaking of which, if it's an Innate Spiritual Treasure, it should have its own spirit, right?"

She knew this well—she possessed one herself. Her own treasure constantly whined, "Hungry, feed me!"—though she often ignored it. Su Min sighed. She couldn't find Nascent Soul-level demon beasts to feed it. Her Demon-Slaying Thunder wasn't as effective against Nascent Soul foes anymore.

It wasn't useless, but against enemies strong enough to force her to use it, the thunder's power fell short.

"You cultivate the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra, yet you lack the aura of a Buddhist. Though you bear traces of incense and worship, they remain superficial. You are no follower of the Buddha."

A genderless voice echoed around her.

"Are you the spirit of the Medicine King Cauldron?"

Su Min wasn't surprised. Instead, she asked curiously. Her own treasure's spirit was rudimentary, capable only of basic communication. This one, however, could see through her at a glance.

"Correct. I have served my master for tens of thousands of years. I oversee the alchemy trials at every tier of the Water-Land Dharma Assembly. Yet, after all this time, you are the first to reach this place. Though you are not of the Buddhist path, your arrival signifies fate."

"Fate, huh…"

Su Min raised an eyebrow, then studied the floating cauldron before her. She was likely inside the treasure now, while the small cauldron was merely an avatar.

"The Medicine Master's legacy is vast, and it now resides within me. The Water-Land Dharma Assembly is the selection process for his successor—only a One-Life Buddha can inherit it."

"I see. Then I—"

"Don't rejoice too soon. Fate alone is not enough. If you can pass all my trials, you may become my new master. But since you've come, I'll grant you a boon—you may gather three herbs from here. However, you must be quick. If your physical body and soul were fully present, every second here would equate to ten years in the outside world."

"A minute would cost six hundred years of lifespan?"

Su Min's eyes narrowed, and a cold smile curled her lips.

"Indeed. Thus, I can temporarily—"

"No need. This works perfectly. If I'm not mistaken, some fallen Buddhists may try to kill me. I'll need your help then."

"..."

The Medicine King Cauldron was speechless. Was this woman unafraid of death? Merely entering and exiting this space would cost centuries of lifespan. Even for a Nascent Soul cultivator with a long life, this was reckless! And she planned to use this place to kill someone? Did she not fear mutual destruction?

Of course, Su Min had no intention of explaining. She knew one thing for certain—the monk Liao Jie and his followers likely wanted her dead.