"That’s right. I need to refine them in large batches, so I need quite a lot!" Shen Haoran said with a nod.

’But... a thousand of them...’ Elder Song looked conflicted. While Blood Flame Reishi wasn’t exactly a High Level Spiritual Medicine, it was a rare variety in the Red Flame Mountain Range. He had poured his heart and soul into cultivating them. For Shen Haoran to ask for a thousand at once was simply too much for him to accept.

Seeing Elder Song’s indecisiveness, Shen Haoran said, "Elder Song, how about this? If you give me these thousand Blood Flame Reishi, I will come over every day to discuss the Alchemy Dao with you. How does that sound?"

’Hearing this, Elder Song’s face lit up. Shen Haoran’s unique Alchemy Dao always gave him a fresh perspective that amazed him. Many problems that had stumped him would become incredibly simple with Shen Haoran’s input. If he could exchange insights with him regularly, he might soon break through to become a Seventh Grade Alchemy Master!’

’But a thousand Blood Flame Reishi... that’s my life’s work!’ Elder Song was torn, his expression shifting between delight and distress.

"Alright, you said it yourself! You have to come and chat with this old man every day!" In the end, Elder Song relented. ’After all, advancing to a Seventh Grade Alchemist is more important than some Blood Flame Reishi! I can always grow more Blood Flame Reishi, but if I miss this opportunity, who knows when I’ll ever get another chance to reach the Seventh Grade Realm!’

’Hearing this, Shen Haoran smiled. He knew his gamble had paid off. This Elder Song was a complete alchemy fanatic. The allure of the Alchemy Dao from his Alchemy Inheritance was simply too great for him to resist. He was sure Elder Song would agree to his demand.’

"Come with me!" Having reached an agreement, Elder Song put away the Purifying Soul Pill and led Shen Haoran toward his Medicinal Garden.

They passed through several corridors and arrived before a large gate. Elder Song pushed it open and walked in, with Shen Haoran right behind him.

"WHOOSH..." As soon as Shen Haoran stepped through the gate, a dense medicinal fragrance washed over him, so potent it momentarily took his breath away.

When Shen Haoran recovered his senses, he was left stunned by the incredible sight before him!

Before him was a sea of medicinal herbs! Yes, "sea" was the only word for it. The expanse of Spirit Medicines was so vast that Shen Haoran couldn’t see the end. All sorts of varieties were planted in neat, distinct rows. High above the Medicinal Garden, a curtain of mist would occasionally sprinkle down. Droplets trickled along the stems and leaves of the plants before seeping into the soil. The sight was as beautiful as a woman emerging from her bath!

"Celestial Spirit Flower, Earth Demon Fruit, Ice Flame Grass, Dragon Soaring Leaf..." Shen Haoran’s eyes scanned the field as he named the Spirit Medicines one after another, his heart pounding with excitement. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"This place... it’s truly an Alchemist’s paradise!" Shen Haoran sighed in awe.

Behind him, Changmao, who was perched on the Cloud Flood Dragon Tiger’s head, was also staring intently at the sea of herbs. Its eyes practically turned into hearts, and drool dripped incessantly from its mouth.

"This is a foodie’s paradise, too!" Changmao mumbled. If Shen Haoran weren’t mentally threatening it, it would have already jumped into the Medicinal Garden to feast!

Seeing Shen Haoran’s stunned expression, Elder Song stroked his beard and said proudly, "This is my entire life’s work. I’ve worried myself sick over them!"

’It was true.’ Looking at how well the medicinal properties of the Spirit Medicines in the garden were preserved, it was clear that Elder Song had put in an immense amount of effort.

"You’ve truly worked hard, Elder Song. So, where are the Blood Flame Reishi?" Shen Haoran asked.

"This way. Follow me!" Elder Song said, then started walking ahead.

"Blood Flame Reishi require a special environment to grow," Elder Song explained as they walked. "The conditions in the Red Flame Mountain Range aren’t really suitable for them, which is why they’re considered a rare Spirit Medicine here."

"There, those are the Blood Flame Reishi!" After a short walk, Elder Song said, pointing to a distant patch of herbs.

Shen Haoran gazed into the distance and saw a vast, blood-red patch. It looked like an ocean of burning fire. When a light breeze blew past, the Blood Flame Reishi swayed in the wind, resembling flickering tongues of flame.

"It really is Blood Flame Reishi!" Shen Haoran exclaimed with delight.

He and Zi Mo had searched for Blood Flame Reishi in the Red Flame Mountain Range before, but even after scouring the entire outer and middle regions, they had found fewer than fifty plants. How could he not be thrilled to see this massive field of them now?

At that thought, Shen Haoran strode forward and plucked a Blood Flame Reishi. Looking at its blood-red stem, he smiled in satisfaction. "Mm, not bad. The medicinal properties are perfectly preserved. You’ve really gone to great lengths, Elder Song!"

"Of course it is! Alright, Shen the kid, we agreed on a thousand. Don’t you dare pick any more than that. This is my life’s blood, you know!" Elder Song said, his face a mask of anguish.

"Don’t worry, Elder Song. I know," Shen Haoran said, then bent down and began harvesting.

A sharp pang of anguish shot through Elder Song’s heart as he watched the Blood Flame Reishi disappear into Shen Haoran’s Storage Ring one after another. But then he remembered Shen Haoran’s insightful Alchemy Skill, and he could only harden his heart and turn away. ’Out of sight, out of mind,’ Elder Song thought, forcing himself not to watch.

After some time, Shen Haoran finally finished harvesting the thousand plants. He glanced at the sea of crimson Spirit Medicine inside his Storage Ring and nodded in satisfaction.

"Haha, thank you for your generous gift, Elder Song!" Shen Haoran laughed, cupping his hands in a salute to the elder.

Elder Song turned around. Seeing the large, empty patch where the Blood Flame Reishi had been, his heart gave a violent lurch. ’A thousand Spirit Medicines, just given away for nothing.’ His heart felt like it was bleeding!

"Alright, alright! Now that you have the Spirit Medicine, stop loitering around here. You’re bothering me!" Elder Song said with a wave of his hand. He suddenly didn’t want to see Shen Haoran’s face.

"Hehe, in that case, I’ll take my leave!" Shen Haoran chuckled and bolted from the Medicinal Garden. ’Judging by Elder Song’s expression, he looks like he could change his mind at any second. Better to get out of here while I can!’

"Remember to come tomorrow! If you don’t, I’ll personally come knocking on your door!" Elder Song’s voice called out after the retreating Shen Haoran.

"Got it!"

...

After leaving the Pill Hall, Shen Haoran hurried toward the Yao Sect. He was now itching to fire up his cauldron and begin his Alchemy.

"WHOOSH!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared before Shen Haoran, blocking his path. Shen Haoran focused his gaze and saw that it was Long Zhen.

"HUFF... HUFF... Brother Shen, I finally found you! There’s trouble at the Yao Sect!" Long Zhen said, gasping for breath.

Shen Haoran’s brow furrowed at his words. ’I’ve only been gone a day. How could there already be trouble at the Yao Sect?’

"What happened?" Shen Haoran asked, his voice turning cold.

"The Chen Alliance! People from the Chen Alliance are here causing trouble! My brother and Fatty are in seclusion for their Cultivation, and Brother Su and Sister Ruolan aren’t around. Right now, only Xuan Yi is holding them off!" Long Zhen said quickly, trying to catch his breath.

"The Chen Alliance!" Shen Haoran snorted. "So, they’ve finally shown up. Let’s go. We’re going back to take a look!" With that, his figure flashed, and he shot toward Red Flame Peak. Seeing this, Long Zhen hurriedly followed.