148: Wanyao City, a city with many alchemists

Qin Wuye's figure flickered, and his black robe, like a phantom, darted into the depths of the dense forest.

He stumbled, suddenly grabbing an ancient tree, his five fingers digging deep into the bark, his knuckles turning white, as the virulent poison in his body, like a festering bone, surged up again, scorching his meridians.

"Cough—!"

He suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood, which corroded the ground, releasing wisps of green smoke, and the surrounding vegetation instantly withered.

"Damn it!"

Qin Wuye gritted his teeth, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

He slowly sat cross-legged, circulating his Dou Qi, forcefully suppressing the rampant toxins in his body.

But the poison had long since penetrated his bones, and each suppression was like scraping bone with a knife, an unbearable agony.

Back then, he was merely a Dou Ling when he accidentally discovered a heavily injured, dying Corrosive Heart Demonic Python in the deep mountains.

The beast, in its dying throes, spewed a cloud of poisonous mist, poisoning him severely and almost killing him on the spot.

Yet, it was precisely that battle where he cut open the Demonic Python's heart and swallowed its essence, allowing him to break through to Dou Wang!

"Heh, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, but this price is a bit too steep."

Qin Wuye sneered, a hint of self-mockery flashing in his eyes.

Over the years, relying on the essence of the Corrosive Heart Demonic Python's heart, he had broken through to Dou Huang, but the virulent poison in his body had always been impossible to eradicate.

He had visited several Sixth-Grade Master Alchemists, but the answer he received was always the same.

"This poison has already merged with your Dou Qi; unless you cripple your cultivation, there is no solution!"

Cripple his cultivation?

What a joke!

Qin Wuye had come this far relying on his strength!

Without his cultivation, he wouldn't even have the right to live!

Wait here; the convoy will arrive sooner or later, and then escort him all the way to Myriad Medicine City.

The news of Qin Wuye instantly killing two peak Dou Wangs swept through the entire Black-Corner Region like a hurricane.

Blood Blade and Shadow King, two notorious assassins in the Black-Corner Region, couldn't even withstand a single blow and were directly crushed into blood mist!

For a time, all major forces fell silent.

"Damn it, is Heavenly Serpent City serious this time?!"

In a dark underground hall, a man in a blood-red robe slammed his hand on a table, his face as gloomy as water.

"Those were Blood Blade and Shadow King! Even they were instantly killed; are we going to die too?!"

Another tall, thin figure wearing a bronze mask sneered, his voice hoarse.

"Heh, with a Dou Huang acting, who dares to stop him? Unless...?"

"Unless what?"

"Unless there's an expert of the same level willing to make a move!"

Everyone fell silent.

Dou Huang experts were already top-tier existences in the Black-Corner Region, and Qin Wuye was known for his bizarre ruthlessness; who dared to provoke him easily?

"Which ordinary Dou Huang force would lack a Fourth-Grade Alchemist?"

An old fellow shook his head and sighed.

"Although Jiang Donghua has good talent, he is ultimately only a Fourth-Grade Alchemist. Is he worth a Dou Huang personally escorting him? What exactly is Heavenly Serpent City planning?"

Everyone looked at each other, no one able to answer.

The convoy continued its journey, with no forces daring to obstruct it again.

Qin Wuye's fierce reputation had completely deterred those restless fellows in the Black-Corner Region.

After all, no one wanted to become the next Blood Blade or Shadow King, unable to even leave behind a complete corpse!

"We've arrived."

Bai Xiaofeng lazily lifted the carriage curtain, looked up, and his eyebrows immediately raised.

"Ho! This Myriad Medicine City looks quite unique, doesn't it?"

In the distance, a huge city stood, its city walls not the usual square structure, but layered, like a giant cabbage!

Emerald green tiles shimmered with a lustrous glow under the sunlight, and the patterns on the city walls resembled the veins of cabbage leaves, lifelike.

Jiang Donghua couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Who designed this? It's quite creative!"

Jiang Donghua, however, had already straightened up, his nose twitching slightly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Ninth Young Master, did you smell it?"

"Hmm?"

Bai Xiaofeng was startled, then took a deep breath.

In an instant, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted over!

The scent of countless rare medicinal ingredients mingled together; just one breath invigorated one's spirit, as if the Dou Qi in one's body had become more active!

"Good heavens, this Myriad Medicine City truly lives up to its reputation!"

Bai Xiaofeng smacked his lips.

Jiang Donghua's fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he whispered.

"Myriad Medicine City is the sacred land for Alchemists in the Black-Corner Region. It gathers countless high-grade Alchemists, and even a Sixth-Grade Alchemy Grandmaster is stationed here! The medicinal fragrance here is something that cannot be found anywhere else!"

Bai Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

Just then, a commotion came from the front of the convoy.

"Hmm?"

Bai Xiaofeng looked up.

At the city gate, a Gray-Robed Elder stood with his hands behind his back, his aura restrained, yet giving off an unfathomable feeling.

A Dou Huang expert!

Qin Wuye's steps paused, his gaze coldly fixed on the other party.

The Gray-Robed Elder smiled slightly and cupped his hands.

"Elder Qin, it's been a long time."

Qin Wuye said coldly.

"Yao Chenzi, your personal welcome is quite a surprise to this seat."

Yao Chenzi stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze subtly sweeping towards the carriage where Bai Xiaofeng was.

"With Heavenly Serpent City's Ninth Young Master personally gracing us, Myriad Medicine City naturally cannot be negligent."

Bai Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow.

This old fellow is here for him?

Yao Chenzi's smile was genial. He turned to the side and gestured, saying,

"You have traveled a long way and must be weary. Why not enter the city to rest first? Myriad Medicine City has prepared top-grade guest rooms for everyone to recuperate."

Qin Wuye nodded indifferently, saying nothing more, and strode forward.

Bai Xiaofeng, on the other hand, lazily jumped off the carriage, his hands clasped behind his head, looking carefree, but his gaze subtly scanned his surroundings.

Myriad Medicine City truly lived up to its reputation!

As he stepped through the city gate, a rich medicinal fragrance, like a tide, washed over him. On both sides of the street, various medicinal stalls were lined up, a dazzling array of goods.

However, unlike ordinary markets, the stall owners here all carried themselves with arrogance, either meditating with closed eyes or engrossed in ancient texts, not even bothering to shout out their wares.

Bai Xiaofeng's mouth twitched, and he muttered under his breath.

"Tsk, these Alchemists sure put on airs."

Jiang Donghua gave a wry smile and whispered.

"Ninth Young Master, Alchemists are rare to begin with, let alone in Myriad Medicine City? Every one of them here would be fought over by major forces outside, so they naturally have some arrogance."

"Arrogance?"

Bai Xiaofeng scoffed, casually picked up a crimson spirit grass from a stall, and shook it.

"How much for this thing?"

The stall owner didn't even lift an eyelid, saying indifferently.

"Not for sale to strangers."

Bai Xiaofeng.

"...?"

Jiang Donghua quickly pulled him, whispering.

"Ninth Young Master, it's a rule in Myriad Medicine City that outsiders need an introduction; otherwise, high-grade medicinal ingredients are not sold."

Bai Xiaofeng rolled his eyes.

"So many rules."

He casually tossed the spirit grass back, and only then did the stall owner coldly glance at him, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

The arrogance of Alchemists was evident!

Yao Chenzi walked in front, seemingly accustomed to this scene, and said with a chuckle.

"Young Master Bai, don't mind them. Alchemists being a bit eccentric is common."

Bai Xiaofeng shrugged, not bothering to argue.

However, just as he was about to continue forward, a commotion suddenly erupted at the end of the street.

"Make way! Everyone make way!"

The crowd parted automatically, and a purple-robed old fellow strode over, followed by several guards with powerful auras.

Yao Chenzi frowned slightly and whispered.

"Master Zhang Feng? Why is he here?"

Bai Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes.

Master Zhang Feng had already begun to speak.

"So you are Master Jiang who traveled from afar. I didn't expect someone so young to only have this level of skill."

"I think that fire spirit pill you're selling isn't even seventy percent as good as what this old man refines."

"Such a wonderful elixir becomes a pile of dog shit in your hands."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng's eyebrows immediately raised, a cold sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. He stepped forward, blocking Jiang Donghua, and pointed at the purple-robed old fellow's nose, unleashing a tirade.

"old fellow, who do you think you are? How dare you point fingers here?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unruly force. The surrounding bustling street instantly quieted down a bit, and many stall owners and passersby cast surprised glances. It was rare to see someone dare to challenge an Alchemist like this in Myriad Medicine City!

Master Zhang Feng, the purple-robed old fellow, clearly didn't expect anyone to dare contradict him like this. His face darkened, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

"Junior, do you know who this old man is? How dare you be so presumptuous in Myriad Medicine City!"

Bai Xiaofeng scoffed, crossed his arms over his chest, and said lazily.

"Who cares who you are? I sold the pill. If you say it's bad, then you're slapping my face!"

He paused, his eyes suddenly turning cold, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

"Besides, what are you? A rogue Alchemist with no backing, do you even deserve to act like a big shot here?"

As soon as these words came out, there was a collective gasp of cold air!

"Hiss~ Is this kid crazy? How dare he speak to Master Zhang like that?"

"Although Master Zhang hasn't joined any force, he's still a Fourth-Grade Alchemist!"

"It's over, it's over. This kid is probably going to be unlucky!"

Zhang Feng's face was ashen, his eyes almost spitting fire. He violently flicked his sleeve, laughing in extreme anger.

"Good! Very good! This old man wants to see today what qualifications you, an ignorant junior, have to act wild in Myriad Medicine City!"

Before his words finished, a crimson flame suddenly flew out from his sleeve, transforming into a fire snake that lunged directly at Bai Xiaofeng's face!

"Fire Spirit Snake Flame?!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed, clearly recognizing the origin of this flame. This was Zhang Feng's famous unique skill, a spirit fire that only a Fourth-Grade Alchemist could control!

However, Bai Xiaofeng stood still, not even bothering to dodge, only a sarcastic curve on his lips.

Just as the fire snake was about to reach him.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort suddenly rang out. Qin Wuye's figure appeared like a phantom in front of Bai Xiaofeng. With a flick of his black robe, the fire snake seemed to be struck by lightning, instantly dissipating!

Zhang Feng's pupils contracted, and his face changed drastically.

"Dou Huang?!"

Qin Wuye's gaze was icy, his voice like the frigid depths of the netherworld.

"You dare to touch someone from my Heavenly Serpent City? Are you tired of living?"

The entire scene fell into a deathly silence!

Cold sweat seeped from Zhang Feng's forehead. Although he was arrogant, he knew clearly that in front of a Dou Huang, his strength was simply not enough!

However, just as the atmosphere was tense and volatile.

"Heh heh, everyone, why make things so stiff?"

Yao Chenzi walked forward with a chuckle, his gaze sweeping between Zhang Feng and Bai Xiaofeng, his tone gentle but with an undeniable authority.

"Private duels are forbidden within Myriad Medicine City, Master Zhang, you have overstepped your bounds."

Zhang Feng's face was ugly, but facing Yao Chenzi, he dared not be presumptuous and could only grit his teeth and cup his hands.

"Elder Yao's admonition is correct; this old man was impulsive."

Yao Chenzi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Bai Xiaofeng, saying meaningfully.

"Young Master Bai, it's good for young people to have fiery tempers, but they must also know when to stop."

Bai Xiaofeng shrugged, looking indifferent.

"Alright, I'll give the senior some face."

He said this, but his eyes provocatively glanced at Zhang Feng, almost causing the latter to erupt again in anger.

Seeing this, Yao Chenzi shook his head helplessly, then waved his hand.

"You all have traveled a long way, so please follow this old man into the city to rest first. As for other matters, we can discuss them later."

He said this lightly, but it held a deeper meaning. Clearly, this matter was not yet over!

Bai Xiaofeng grinned, turned, and patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Let's go, Donghua, don't mind this old fellow."

Jiang Donghua smiled wryly and nodded, secretly touched. Although Ninth Young Master usually acted carelessly, he was fiercely protective when it mattered!

As for Zhang Feng, he stared at Bai Xiaofeng's retreating back, a poisonous glint flashing in his eyes, and he murmured in a low voice.

"Fifth Young Lady, I've done everything I could. Even a sneak attack was useless!"

A casual cough from a Dou Huang expert was already enough to disperse this fellow's attack.

Seeing that both sides had temporarily calmed their conflict, Yao Chenzi smiled slightly, gently waved his sleeve, and led everyone into the city.

As he walked, he began to introduce the layout of Myriad Medicine City, his tone gentle yet authoritative.

"Since you have come to Myriad Medicine City, you should naturally familiarize yourselves with its rules."

He raised a hand and pointed to the wide main street ahead.

"This Hundred Herbs Avenue runs through the entire city. Both sides are shops of high-grade Alchemists. Most pills and medicinal ingredients below Fourth-Grade are traded here."

Bai Xiaofeng looked in the direction he pointed, only to see that the shops on both sides of the street were decorated in various styles, some ancient and elegant, others grand and magnificent. But without exception, Alchemist grade emblems hung at their entrances, the lowest being Third-Grade, and some shops even prominently displayed the symbol of a Fifth-Grade Alchemist!

"Further inside is the 'Pill Heart Pavilion,' which is an exclusive area for Fifth-Grade Alchemists. Ordinary people are not allowed to enter unless they have a special introduction."

Yao Chenzi continued.

Jiang Donghua's eyes lit up as he listened, and he couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Elder Yao, is the legendary Medicine King Hall also there?"

Yao Chenzi nodded with a smile.

"Indeed, the Medicine King Hall is the core of my Yao Family, personally guarded by the Medicine Family Ancestor. Unless there are major transactions or special matters, it is not open to outsiders."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow, secretly pondering.

"Medicine Family Ancestor? A peak Sixth-Grade Master Alchemist, a Two-Star Dou Zong. No wonder even many Dou Zongs from the Black-Corner Region have to abide by the rules of Myriad Medicine City when they come here."

Yao Chenzi seemed to read his thoughts, giving him a profound look, then smiled again.

"Of course, as long as you abide by the rules of Myriad Medicine City, you can naturally trade freely here and even have the opportunity to exchange insights with high-grade Alchemists."

"Rules?"

Bai Xiaofeng interjected lazily.

"Isn't it just 'don't fight'? Don't worry, people from our Heavenly Serpent City are the most reasonable."

Yao Chenzi chuckled and shook his head.

"Young Master Bai is quite straightforward. However, the rules of Myriad Medicine City are indeed simple: private duels are forbidden within the city. If there are grievances, they can be resolved on the life-and-death arena outside the city. Otherwise, once the Medicine Family Ancestor is angered, even a Dou Zong might not be able to leave unharmed."

He spoke lightly, but the warning in his words was extremely clear.

Qin Wuye snorted coldly, not replying, but a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

Clearly, even he was unwilling to easily offend a Dou Zong-level Master Alchemist.

Bai Xiaofeng, on the other hand, grinned and patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Hear that, Donghua? We're here for business, not for fighting."

Yao Chenzi saw that everyone was cooperative, nodded in satisfaction, then raised a hand to signal.

"You all have traveled a long way and must be tired. I have already ordered rooms to be prepared. You can rest first, and we will conduct the formal transaction tomorrow."

Bai Xiaofeng stretched lazily and said with a chuckle.

"Then many thanks, Elder Yao. I also want to see for myself just how powerful the high-grade pills of Myriad Medicine City truly are."

Yao Chenzi smiled slightly, saying meaningfully.

"If Young Master Bai is interested, this old man can personally take you to Pill Heart Pavilion for a look tomorrow."

He still maintained his carefree demeanor on the surface, waving his hand lazily.

"Then it's a deal!"