267: Yaolingxuan - Muchen

The two passed through several streets where the flow of people gradually thinned, finally stopping in front of a secluded and spacious courtyard.

The courtyard entrance was not ostentatious, but it possessed a steady, composed demeanor.

Above the lintel, an ancient black plaque hung. Engraved upon the plaque were three vigorous, hot-stamped golden characters, etched with dragon-like strokes, subtly emanating a medicinal fragrance and sharp aura.

"Medicine Spirit Pavilion"

Jiang Donghua's gaze swept over the three characters, and his brow slightly lifted.

The name didn't sound like a place to eat; rather, it resembled an organization focused on alchemy or medicinal ingredients.

Sure enough, just as the two approached the entrance, a student wearing light cyan clothing, possessing a steady aura and sharp eyes, stepped forward and blocked the door.

He clearly recognized Lei Lie, and with a respectful yet guarded smile, he cupped his hands and said.

"Senior Lei Lie, what brings you here!"

Lei Lie waved his hand dismissively.

"Cut the nonsense. I brought my brother here to try Old Mu's cooking! Hurry up and arrange a quieter spot for us!"

Hearing this, the guard student showed a slightly troubled yet polite smile.

"Senior Lei Lie, as you know, Boss Mu's seats are always highly sought after, and today they are likely already full. Furthermore, according to the rules, you need to make a reservation in advance."

Listening from the side, Jiang Donghua's heart stirred slightly.

A place to eat actually required a reservation in advance?

Moreover, judging by the guard student's neither-servile-nor-overbearing attitude and clear adherence to rules, the regulations of the Medicine Spirit Pavilion seemed quite strict, and its background was likely far from simple.

This organization truly was formidable.

Hearing this, Lei Lie glared, looking somewhat impatient, but he did not try to force his way in. He merely grumbled.

"Tsk, that Old Mu fellow has too many damn rules! Go inform him and tell him Old Lei has brought a distinguished guest. Let him figure it out!"

The guard student hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.

"Please wait a moment, Seniors. I will go inform him immediately."

Having spoken, he turned and quickly walked into the courtyard.

While waiting, Jiang Donghua carefully sensed his surroundings.

Inside the courtyard walls, a faint, antique, and tranquil aura could be sensed.

He lightly sniffed. As a Fourth-Grade Alchemist, his sense of smell was countless times sharper than that of ordinary people.

An extremely complex, yet exceptionally pure and rich medicinal fragrance, mixed with the scents of various rare ingredients, wafted out from the courtyard like invisible threads, lingering at his nose tip.

This was definitely not the smell that a common restaurant should have; it was more like the residence of a top medicinal ingredient storage or a Master Alchemist.

However, deep within this refreshing medicinal fragrance, Jiang Donghua also keenly detected an extremely faint scent of blood, which had been cleverly concealed.

This bloody scent was not human blood; it carried a wildness and a faint sense of pressure... "It's the blood of a high-level magical beast."

Jiang Donghua immediately made a judgment in his heart.

Moreover, the bloody smell was very fresh, clearly having been processed recently.

This Medicine Spirit Pavilion was indeed extraordinary.

Just then, the guard student from before quickly returned, his face bearing a much more enthusiastic smile as he stepped aside to clear the way.

"Boss Mu said that it is his honor for Senior Lei Lie and your friend to grace us with your presence. Seniors, please come in! The Bamboo Rhyme Pavilion has been reserved for the two of you."

Passing through several corridors, the environment became increasingly quiet and elegant.

As Lei Lie walked, he lowered his voice slightly and introduced the situation to Jiang Donghua.

"Brother Jiang, when you meet the one in charge of the kitchen later, don't just see him as a cook—that guy has a huge background!"

"His name is Mu Chen. He used to be a formidable expert ranked in the top five of the inner academy strong ranking list! Later, for some unknown reason, he became obsessed with the path of spiritual cuisine. Relying on processing various rare medicinal ingredients and magical beast flesh and blood, he managed to concoct a unique set of medicinal meals and spiritual wines that are greatly beneficial for cultivation!"

"That's why this Medicine Spirit Pavilion is very famous within the Inner Academy's top circles!"

"Mu Chen."

Jiang Donghua silently noted the name.

Anyone who could so cleverly combine cooking with alchemy and monster studies, and make Inner Academy experts flock to him, was definitely an extraordinary person.

He developed a strong interest in this Mu Chen, whom he was about to meet.

Lei Lie pulled Jiang Donghua to sit down in a private room named the Bamboo Rhyme Pavilion.

The room was decorated elegantly and uniquely. Bamboo shadows swayed outside the window, and what was even more surprising was that the potted plants placed in the corners and on the windowsills were not ordinary ornamental flowers.

Jiang Donghua's gaze swept over them, and he immediately recognized the plants: Condensation Dew Grass, Three-Leaf Green Ganoderma, and Scarlet Flame Flower. These were all basic medicinal ingredients commonly used when refining first- or second-grade medicinal pills.

Although their grade was not high, they were growing extremely vigorously. Their leaves were plump and their colors were lustrous, emitting a faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance. They were clearly being carefully tended and nourished by special means.

"This place is quite interesting,"

Jiang Donghua secretly mused, feeling even more curiosity toward the head chef whom he had yet to meet.

Just then, a few soft knocks came from outside the door.

"He's here!"

Lei Lie's eyes lit up, and he grinned.

The door was gently pushed open, and a figure slowly walked in.

The newcomer was dressed in simple gray cloth robes. His figure was slightly thin, and his complexion was an unhealthy pale. There was even a faint bluish tint around his eyes, as if from chronic lack of sleep or excessive mental exertion.

His expression was somewhat fatigued, carrying a hint of helplessness. As soon as he entered, his gaze fell upon Lei Lie. He gently shook his head and spoke in a gentle but slightly weak voice.

"Brother Lei, you're not here to freeload again, are you?"

Clearly, Lei Lie had often eaten and drunk without paying in the past.

Just as he finished speaking, his gaze noticed another unfamiliar young man in the room.

Seeing that Jiang Donghua possessed an extraordinary demeanor and was sitting equally with Lei Lie, the fatigue on his pale face receded slightly, and he looked toward Lei Lie with an inquiring expression.

Instead of getting angry, Lei Lie burst into loud laughter upon hearing this. He vigorously patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder beside him and spoke to the thin man.

"Mu Chen! Are you behind on the news?"

"You're still cooped up in your little kitchen all day messing around with your herbs and bottles! Do you know who is sitting right in front of you?"

Mu Chen frowned slightly, startled by Lei Lie's loud voice, but he still turned his curious gaze toward Jiang Donghua, waiting for Lei Lie to continue.

Lei Lie puffed out his chest and proudly introduced him loudly.

"This is Brother Jiang, Jiang Donghua! He's the one who knocked out Sun Mang with a single punch in the arena today, scared those two guys Xie Ying and Absolute Han into jumping off the platform and admitting defeat, and just recently parachuted into the strong ranking third place of our Inner Academy!"

"strong ranking third place? Jiang Donghua?"

Genuine surprise instantly appeared on Mu Chen's pale face, which had originally carried tiredness and helplessness.

His slightly listless eyes widened a little, and he carefully scrutinized Jiang Donghua from head to toe again, as if trying to re-evaluate the person.

He clearly hadn't heard about the earth-shattering events that occurred in the arena today, and that this person had been brought here by Lei Lie.

After a brief moment of shock, the helplessness and exhaustion on Mu Chen's face quickly faded, replaced by seriousness and even enthusiasm.

He nodded slightly toward Jiang Donghua, and his tone became very courteous.

"So Senior Jiang is visiting. Mu Chen offers his apologies for the discourtesy."

In the Inner Academy, strength was paramount, and the status of strong ranking third place was far above his own. His address of 'Senior' was entirely appropriate.

Immediately, he spoke decisively to Lei Lie, and also to Jiang Donghua.

"Since that is the case, today's meal is on me."

"It is Mu Chen's honor to host a welcoming dinner for a Senior who is the strong ranking third place."

He added this, his tone sincere. Clearly, Jiang Donghua's strength and status warranted his exceptional and serious treatment.

Hearing this, Lei Lie was even more delighted, unable to stop grinning, and he winked at Jiang Donghua.