51: Trials outside Danwang Valley and traces of old friends

Leaving Wanbao Pavilion, Liu Shan and his son sped west, heading towards Danwang Valley.

The Concealment Talisman was quietly activated by Liu Shan, a faint azure glow enveloping their bodies, perfectly concealing their aura and cultivation—to outsiders, they appeared to be just two ordinary Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators, completely unremarkable.

This was the wondrous effect of the Concealment Talisman; it could even perfectly evade the Divine Sense probes of Golden Core Stage Cultivators.

"Father, this Concealment Talisman is truly amazing!" Liu Zhi couldn't help but exclaim, "Just now, we passed a Blood Fiend Sect outpost, and they really didn't notice us!"

"Indeed, Tang Yuan's items do have some skill to them." Liu Shan nodded, his gaze, however, remained vigilant—he could feel a faint, almost imperceptible aura following behind them, and though extremely subtle, it could not escape Mo Chu's Spirit Vision.

"It's people from the Netherworld Sect." Mo Chu's spirit body transmitted a thought from within the scales, a hint of coldness flashing in his snake-like eyes, "There are three Golden Core Stage Cultivators, about ten li away from us."

Three Golden Core Stage Cultivators!

Liu Shan and Liu Zhi's expressions changed slightly—the Netherworld Sect was actually investing such a large sum, it seemed they were determined to eliminate them.

"We can't get entangled with them; we need to enter Danwang Valley territory as quickly as possible." Liu Shan said in a deep voice, "Danwang Valley is the Alchemy Holy Land of the Central Region, with strict rules against private combat; they wouldn't dare to act there."

The two hastened their pace, traveling day and night.

The scenery along the way gradually changed; the vegetation became greener, and the air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance—they had arrived at Danwang Valley's territory.

Outside Danwang Valley lay a thousand-li stretch of medicinal fields, where countless rare medicinal ingredients thrived under the nourishment of spiritual springs. At the edge of the medicinal fields stood an ancient archway, with the three large characters "Danwang Valley" carved upon it, emitting a faint aura of pill fire.

In front of the archway stood two young men dressed in medicine boy attire, both at the Foundation Establishment Stage, clearly Outer Sect Disciples of Danwang Valley, responsible for checking identities.

"Who goes there? Please present your invitation." The medicine boy on the left stepped forward, his tone calm, yet with a hint of undetectable arrogance—Disciples of Danwang Valley had always looked down on ordinary Cultivators.

Liu Shan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior Liu Shan, from the Eastern Region, specifically here to visit the Dan Wang Valley Master, with a matter to request."

"From the Eastern Region?" The medicine boy frowned, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, "Is my Danwang Valley a place just anyone can enter? Without an invitation, leave at once!"

Liu Zhi was a little angry: "How can you speak like that? We are sincerely seeking an audience!"

"Sincerely seeking an audience?" The medicine boy scoffed, "Every day, there are no less than eighty or a hundred Cultivators who come to see the Valley Master, and every single one says they are sincere. If we let them all in, would the Valley Master still have time to refine pills?"

Liu Shan frowned slightly; he knew Danwang Valley had strict rules but didn't expect them to not even allow entry through the gate.

Just then, Mo Chu's spirit body suddenly transmitted a thought—he felt a familiar aura on the medicine boy's waist token, somewhat similar to the aura of that gray-robed elder from Qingyun Sect!

"Senior Brother, why bother with them?" The medicine boy on the right said impatiently, "Just kick them out."

"Wait." Liu Shan suddenly spoke, his gaze falling on the waist token of the medicine boy on the left, "May I ask, Senior Brother, is the 'Dan' character imprint on your token personally bestowed by the Valley Master?"

The medicine boy was startled for a moment, then subconsciously touched the token at his waist: "How did you know? This was indeed personally bestowed by the Valley Master; among the entire Outer Sect, only I have it!"

His tone carried a hint of pride.

Liu Shan's heart stirred, recalling that the gray-robed elder had mentioned "having a friendship with the original owner of the Soul Gathering Lamp," and the Dan Wang Valley Master possessed a soul gathering lamp fragment; perhaps there was a connection between the two!

He took out an unremarkable piece of black wood from his Storage Pouch, which was the fragment of Void Gazer wood he had bought earlier at Wanbao Pavilion, and handed it to the medicine boy: "This Senior Brother, this wood is called Void Gazer wood. Although it is incomplete, it has a miraculous effect on stabilizing flames during Alchemy. Consider it a small token of Junior's sincerity. I ask Senior Brother to please make an exception and inform them."

The medicine boy initially wanted to refuse, but when he saw the Void Gazer wood, his eyes lit up—he was currently Cultivating a Fire Control Art and precisely needed Void Gazer wood for assistance!

He took the Void Gazer wood, weighed it in his hand, and his expression softened considerably: "Seeing that you are quite sensible, I will help you inform them. But let me make it clear, whether the Valley Master sees you or not depends on your luck."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Liu Shan quickly expressed his gratitude.

The medicine boy turned and entered the archway, leaving the other medicine boy to watch Liu Shan and Liu Zhi with a wary gaze.

A moment later, the medicine boy quickly walked out, his expression somewhat complex: "The Valley Master said to let you in. However, the Valley Master is currently refining pills, so he asks you to wait in the Guest Hall and not wander around."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Liu Shan and Liu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked into the archway.

Passing through the medicinal fields, a bluestone path wound forward, leading directly into the depths of Danwang Valley. Along the way, the air was filled with the scent of medicine, and spiritual springs gurgled. Occasionally, they could see several Alchemists in white robes, carefully observing the growth of medicinal ingredients by the fields, their expressions focused.

"As expected of an Alchemy Holy Land, even the medicinal fields are so exquisite." Liu Zhi sighed with emotion.

The Guest Hall was located halfway up the mountain, an elegant wooden hall. Inside, various Alchemy tools were displayed, and several calligraphic paintings depicting herbs hung on the walls, filling the space with the fragrance of medicine.

A gray-robed elder was brewing tea in the hall. Seeing Liu Shan and Liu Zhi enter, he smiled and said, "You two must be Fellow Daoists Liu from the Eastern Region, correct? This old man is Dan Bo, the steward of the Guest Hall."

"Greetings, Dan Bo." Liu Shan cupped his hands.

"The Valley Master is currently refining the Nine Revolutions Soul Restoration Pill, and it's a critical moment, so I'm afraid you two will have to wait a bit longer." Dan Bo poured them both a cup of tea, "Try our Danwang Valley's 'Spirit Leaf Tea'; it's beneficial for Cultivators' spiritual energy recovery."

Liu Shan picked up the teacup, took a gentle sip, and a refreshing sensation instantly flowed through his body, sweeping away the fatigue from their journey!

"Good tea!"

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the hall, and a white-robed young man walked in, his face handsome, with a hint of arrogance between his brows. Seeing Liu Shan and Liu Zhi, he frowned: "Dan Bo, who are these two?"

"Replying to Young Valley Master, these two are Cultivators from the Eastern Region, seeking an audience with the Valley Master." Dan Bo respectfully said.

Young Valley Master?

Liu Shan's heart stirred; this must be the son of the Dan Wang Valley Master.

"From the Eastern Region?" The white-robed young man scrutinized Liu Shan and Liu Zhi, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, "My Danwang Valley doesn't take in useless people. What abilities do you possess to dare seek an audience with my father?"

Liu Zhi was a little angry: "Whether we have abilities or not, what does it have to do with you?"

"Oh? Quite a big tone." The white-robed young man sneered, "Since you're here to ask for something, you should act like someone asking for something. How about this: you fight me. If you can withstand three of my moves, I'll let you see my father. If you can't, then get out of Danwang Valley!"

Liu Shan frowned slightly. He didn't want to cause trouble, but seeing the Young Valley Master's stance, if he didn't accept the challenge, he probably wouldn't be able to see the Valley Master.

"Father..." Liu Zhi looked at Liu Shan.

"I'll do it." Liu Shan stood up and said to the white-robed young man, "Young Valley Master, please enlighten me."

"At least you have some guts." The white-robed young man's lips curled into a smile. He walked to the open space outside the hall, "Right here, so we don't damage the Guest Hall."

Liu Shan followed him out, and Liu Zhi and Dan Bo also came outside the hall.

"My name is Dan Chen, Young Valley Master of Danwang Valley, Late Stage Foundation Establishment." The white-robed young man said proudly, "You make your move; I'll let you have three."

"No need." Liu Shan said indifferently, "Young Valley Master, please."

"Arrogant!" Dan Chen roared, and a crimson longsword suddenly appeared in his hand, its blade burning with faint flames, "Take this!"

He thrust his sword, and the flames condensed into a small snake, carrying a scorching aura, charging towards Liu Shan!

This sword strike seemed simple but contained exquisite Fire Control Art; the temperature of the flames was enough to melt refined iron!

Liu Shan's eyes narrowed. He didn't use the Thunderclap Saber, only circulated the Mystic Water Art, condensing a ball of blue water in his palm, and gently pushed it!

The water ball transformed into a water curtain in the air, blocking the fiery little snake!

"Hiss—!"

The flames met the water, making a sizzling sound, and instantly extinguished!

Dan Chen was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Liu Shan to so easily neutralize his attack!

"A bit interesting!" A hint of Battle Intent flashed in Dan Chen's eyes. He brandished his crimson longsword, and the flames condensed into a giant bird, charging towards Liu Shan again!

Liu Shan still didn't draw his saber. The Mystic Water Art circulated to its extreme, and the blue water curtain transformed into a giant hand, grabbing the fiery giant bird and gently squeezing it!

"Bang!"

The fiery giant bird instantly dispersed!

"Impossible!" Dan Chen's face changed drastically. His Fire Control Art was among the best of the younger generation in the Central Region, yet it couldn't even break through the opponent's defense!

"Young Valley Master, do you still want to fight?" Liu Shan asked indifferently.

Dan Chen looked at Liu Shan, his eyes filled with shock and unwillingness, finally gritting his teeth: "No need to fight; you won. My father is in the Pill Refining Room; you can go over now."

He turned and left, clearly having suffered a considerable blow.

Dan Bo shook his head with a smile: "The Young Valley Master has been spoiled by the Valley Master since childhood, and he is arrogant. Please forgive his rudeness, Fellow Daoist."

"No problem." Liu Shan smiled.

"Come with me; I'll take you to the Pill Refining Room."

Dan Bo led Liu Shan and Liu Zhi through several corridors, arriving in front of a large hall enveloped by a flame Formation—this was the core of Danwang Valley, where the Valley Master refined pills.

From afar, one could feel a terrifying aura of flames; even through the Formation, it made one's skin feel hot.

"The Valley Master is inside; please go in, both of you." Dan Bo said.

Liu Shan took a deep breath, and, bringing Liu Zhi, pushed open the door to the Pill Refining Room.

Inside the door, a wave of heat rushed out. An old man in a red robe stood before a massive Pill Furnace, holding a pill incantation, meticulously controlling the furnace fire with a focused expression.

Above the Pill Furnace, nine golden Medicinal Pills floated, emitting an enticing medicinal fragrance—these were the Nine Revolutions Soul Restoration Pills that Dan Bo had mentioned!

And on the stone table beside the old man, a golden fragment was placed, with familiar patterns carved upon it—it was precisely the third soul gathering lamp fragment!

Liu Shan's heart involuntarily began to beat faster.

Finally... the third piece has been found!

He looked at the red-robed elder, then at the fragment, took a deep breath, and respectfully bowed:

"Junior Liu Shan, greetings to the Dan Wang Valley Master."