114: The fairy's whereabouts, the complete elixir formula

"Fairy Qinghua?"

A sharp light flashed in Li Ao's eyes as he looked at the woman who called herself White Plain, his expression becoming solemn. Medusa's purple eyes narrowed slightly; clearly, she was extremely interested in this name.

Seeing their reaction, White Plain understood and said softly, "It seems both of you know the Fairy's name. To be honest, I am a Named Disciple under the Fairy, tasked by my Revered Master to travel the continent, gather several specific herbs, and keep an eye out for anyone possessing unusual Souls or flames."

Her gaze fell on Li Ao: "The flame and Rule the Young Master displayed just now, which contain the intent of Annihilation, are precisely one of the powers my Revered Master mentioned that might be helpful in treating an old friend of hers. That is why I took the liberty of showing myself."

Thoughts raced through Li Ao's mind. A Disciple of Fairy Qinghua? This was too much of a coincidence. However, the opponent's aura was pure and natural, not feigned, and the fact that she could instantly identify the characteristics of his flame and Rule meant her words were likely true.

"Hall Master Mu once said that if one ranked in the top ten of the Pill Gathering, one might learn the Fairy's whereabouts. I didn't expect to meet the Fairy's esteemed Disciple here," Li Ao said slowly, mentioning Hall Master Mu of the Hall of Hundred Herbs in Pill City, both to probe and to show that he wasn't without backing.

White Plain's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this, followed by a knowing smile: "So the Young Master has met Senior Sister Mu. Then you are certainly not an outsider. Senior Sister Mu handles external affairs, while my Revered Master has been in seclusion for many years and rarely appears. It is fate that I meet the Young Master here."

She paused, then continued: "In recent years, to save that old friend, my Revered Master has been seeking several rare wonders and special powers. The Young Master's Annihilation Rule, which contains the true intent of 'Return to the Void' and 'Purification,' might be able to dissolve the persistent 'nine nether soul-devouring miasma' entangled within that old friend's body. And as for this Queen Your Majesty..."

Her gaze turned to Medusa, carrying a hint of admiration: "Her Soul is condensed into substance, and her Bloodline is incomparably noble; it seems she has even undergone Fusion with the legacy of the Ancient Heavenly Serpent Emperor? For such an existence, her Origin essence blood might also serve as a medicinal catalyst to balance the potency."

Medusa's purple eyes were cold, and she was unmoved by the praise, merely stating flatly: "This King requires the heavenly soul merging blood pill to reconstruct my Physical Body."

White Plain smiled slightly: "The heavenly soul merging blood pill is a peak seventh-grade Saint Grade medicine for reconstructing the Physical Body. Its main ingredient, the blood essence demon fruit, is hard to find, and the two other crucial supplementary herbs, the 'ten thousand year green spirit vine' and the 'seven-colored illusion heart lotus lotus seeds,' are even rarer globally. Coincidentally, within 'Hundred Flowers Valley,' the secluded residence of my Revered Master, a ten thousand year green spirit vine is cultivated. As for the seven-colored illusion heart lotus... according to my Revered Master's calculations, the next time its lotus seeds mature will be in three months, located in the 'Illusory Mist Swamp' in the far west of the continent."

The amount of information was immense!

Not only did she reveal the secluded location of Fairy Qinghua, but she also completed the whereabouts of all the medicinal ingredients required for the heavenly soul merging blood pill! The ten thousand year green spirit vine was in Hundred Flowers Valley, and the seven-colored illusion heart lotus lotus seeds were about to mature in the Illusory Mist Swamp!

This was undoubtedly a timely help!

Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances, both seeing the determination in the other's eyes.

"Where is Hundred Flowers Valley? We wish to visit the Fairy, request the green spirit vine, and are willing to assist the Fairy in treating her old friend with all the power we possess," Li Ao stated his intention directly. This was a transaction where both parties gained what they needed.

White Plain seemed to have anticipated this. She took out an emerald green Jade Slip and handed it to Li Ao: "This is the route map to Hundred Flowers Valley. There is an illusion Formation set up outside, and only by holding this Jade Slip can you safely enter. My Revered Master has been in the valley recently. As for the Illusory Mist Swamp, it is located in the far west of the continent, the environment is harsh, filled with illusions and poisonous miasma, and when the seven-colored illusion heart lotus matures, it will certainly cause heavenly phenomena and attract many competitors. If the two of you plan to go, you must make arrangements early and proceed with caution."

After finishing her instructions, she bowed slightly to the two of them: "The message has been delivered. I still need to continue my travels, so I won't stay long. I look forward to seeing the two of you again in Hundred Flowers Valley in the future."

After speaking, her figure quietly faded as if merging into the breeze, vanishing from where she stood, as though she had never appeared.

Li Ao held the warm Jade Slip, and when his Soul Power probed it, he found a detailed map pointing to a location named "Ten Thousand Flowers Mountain Range."

"Hundred Flowers Valley... Illusory Mist Swamp..." Li Ao murmured, his eyes sharp. The route was clear, but the path ahead was still full of challenges. Seeking medicine in Hundred Flowers Valley might not be smooth, and the Illusory Mist Swamp was even more of a perilous den. Moreover, the pursuit by the Hall of Souls would never cease.

"We go to Hundred Flowers Valley first," Medusa said decisively. "If we can get the green spirit vine, it would be best if Fairy Qinghua could help refine the heavenly soul merging blood pill. If not, we will gather the ingredients and find another method."

Her Soul Power had now reached the level of a Five-Star Dou Zong. If she could reconstruct her Physical Body, her strength would surely skyrocket, enough to handle greater risks.

"Alright," Li Ao nodded. The top priority was to quickly increase their own strength.

The two no longer lingered. Under the gaze of countless respectful eyes, they left the Quicksand Plaza, exited Quicksand City, and sped toward the Ten Thousand Flowers Mountain Range according to the map shown on the Jade Slip... Approximately half a day after Li Ao and Medusa left Quicksand City.

Above Quicksand City, space twisted, and two figures shrouded in dense black mist quietly appeared. One of them, whose left arm was severed at the shoulder and whose wound was wreathed in decaying Death Qi, was precisely the Three-Star Dou Zong Protector whose arm Li Ao had previously cut off! His face was pale, and his eyes were full of malice.

The other person's aura was far more formidable than his. The black mist surrounding him had nearly solidified, and his oppressive presence clearly reached the level of a Seven-Star Dou Zong! His face was hidden within the churning black mist; only a pair of eyes, flickering with ghostly nether-flame, coldly scanned the city below.

"Are you sure which direction they went?" The Seven-Star Dou Zong's voice was hoarse, like metal grinding.

The one-armed Protector immediately replied respectfully: "Reporting to Protector Wu, based on the residual spatial fluctuations and eyewitness descriptions, they should have headed east, though the exact direction is unknown. But that boy possesses strange flames and an eerie Rule, and that woman's Soul body is also very unique, with distinct characteristics. As long as they are still active in the Savage Ancient Domain, we will definitely find them!"

Protector Wu (Wild Eagle) coldly snorted: "Trash! You couldn't even capture an unknown brat and lost an arm to boot! The Celestial Venerable is quite displeased about this matter. If you fail again, you had better go repent in the Nether Sea yourself!"

The one-armed Protector trembled all over, cold sweat streaming down: "This subordinate understands! I will not fail the heavy trust of the Celestial Venerable and the Protector!"

Protector Wu looked eastward with a sinister gaze: "Able to restrain the nether power of my Hall of Souls... the Annihilation Rule... and that powerful Snake Clan Soul... Interesting. Send the order to expand the search radius, focusing on investigating all Human Race cities and Snake-People Clan tribes to the east! Report immediately upon finding any trace. This Protector will personally meet them!"

"Yes!"

The two black figures merged into the Void Realm and vanished. A heavier sense of gloom enveloped the path ahead for Li Ao and Medusa... The Ten Thousand Flowers Mountain Range was a hidden area located at the border between the Savage Ancient Domain and the Central Plains.

This place was shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, rich in Spiritual Qi and vibrant with life, forming a stark contrast to the barrenness of the Savage Ancient Domain. Within the mountain range, exotic flowers and rare herbs grew everywhere, like a paradise hidden from the world.

Following the guidance of the Jade Slip, Li Ao and Medusa passed through layers of confusion and finally arrived at the depths of the mountain range. Ahead, two peaks, resembling flower petals, converged to form a natural gateway. Beyond the gateway, a quiet valley filled with blooming flowers and gurgling streams was vaguely visible. The entrance to the valley was permeated with a faint medicinal fragrance and the subtle fluctuations of a refined Formation.

Hundred Flowers Valley had been reached.

Li Ao took out the emerald green Jade Slip. The Jade Slip emitted a soft light, and the Formation light screen ahead rippled like water, opening a passage.

The two stepped inside.

The moment they stepped into the valley, intensely rich Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and the fragrance of a hundred flowers washed over them, refreshing their minds. The valley was not large, but its layout was exquisite. Pavilions and towers were hidden among the flora, small streams wound their way through, and various rare medicinal ingredients thrived in the herb patches.

A woman dressed in a light cyan robe with a gentle demeanor was standing beside an ancient vine that was dripping green and entwined with colorful, iridescent light. She seemed to have been waiting for a long time. It was precisely Hall Master Mu of the Hall of Hundred Herbs in Pill City!

Seeing Li Ao and Medusa, she revealed a gentle smile: "Young friend Li Ao, Queen Your Majesty, I trust you have been well. Junior Sister White Plain has already sent word to me, informing me that the two of you would be coming."

Li Ao and Medusa stepped forward to greet her.

Hall Master Mu's gaze fell upon Medusa, and a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes: "Your Majesty's Soul is condensed and subtly contains imperial might. It seems your gains in the Savage Ancient Domain were considerable. This here is my Revered Master, Fairy Qinghua."

She stepped aside, pointing toward the ancient vine wreathed in iridescent light.

Beneath the ancient vine, a woman wearing a simple white dress, whose appearance was exquisitely beautiful and seemed to embody the spiritual essence of the Heaven and Earth, was sitting cross-legged. There were no strong energy fluctuations around her, yet she seemed to be fused with the entire Hundred Flowers Valley; every breath she took influenced the circulation of life within the valley.

She slowly opened her eyes. They were clear like glass, yet seemed capable of seeing through all things in the world.

Her gaze first fell upon Medusa, and she nodded slightly: "The aura of the Ancient Heavenly Serpent Emperor... The little one has considerable fortune." Her voice was ethereal and pleasant to the ear.

Immediately, she looked at Li Ao, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, especially pausing on the faint, elusive hint of Annihilation intent at his fingertip, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

"Are you Li Ao? Possessing the Annihilation Rule, a half-step Heaven-rank Soul, and also the Void Swallowing Flame Child Fire... No wonder White Plain found you."

Li Ao's heart tightened slightly, but he maintained a calm expression. He cupped his hands and said, "Junior Li Ao greets Fairy Qinghua. The reason for my presumptuous visit is to request a section of the 'ten thousand year green spirit vine,' which is needed to refine the heavenly soul merging blood pill, to reconstruct the Queen Your Majesty's Physical Body. If the Fairy has any requests, this Junior will certainly not refuse."

Fairy Qinghua's expression was serene. She did not answer directly but instead asked: "The heavenly soul merging blood pill is a peak seventh-grade medicine, and difficult to refine. Even with all the ingredients, the success rate is less than fifty percent. Do you know why I need your Annihilation Rule to assist?"