278: Re-entering the pharmaceutical world

Passing through the stable and efficient space channel of the Gu Clan, the scene before them shifted from the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Ancient World to the familiar, vast expanse of land filled with rich medicinal fragrance and majestic life energy.

Medicine World, they had arrived.

The place where everyone landed was still the magnificent plaza surrounded by the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range.

Unlike the last time they snuck in, the appearance of Li Ao and his group this time immediately attracted the great attention of the Medicine Clan.

At the end of the plaza, in front of the ancient and magnificent Ancestral Shrine, led by the shrine guardian Yao Yan, several core Elders of the Medicine Clan were already waiting there.

What surprised Li Ao slightly more was that even the Medicine Clan Chief, Yao Dan, had appeared in person.

Yao Dan had a refined, thin face, with hidden brilliance in his eyes as they opened and closed, and his aura was as deep as the sea; he was truly a Five-Star Dou Sheng level powerhouse!

Standing there, he was like the center of this Medicine World, and the essence of all medicines seemed to revolve slowly around him.

Such a grand reception lineup was clearly not just because of Li Ao's current status as the Hall Master of the Ruins Hall and an ally of the Gu Clan, but also a great recognition of his personal strength, potential, and past achievements (repairing the Nirvana Illusionary Domain).

"Little Friend Li Ao—no, I should call you Hall Master Li Ao now. How have you been?" Yao Yan took the lead and walked up with a smile, his attitude even more enthusiastic and close than last time, and when his gaze swept over Li Ao, he could not hide his amazement.

How long had it been? This child's aura was already as vast as an abyss, his Physical Body faintly concealing holy radiance, he was already a Dou Sheng!

"Senior Yao Yan." Li Ao cupped his hands in salute, then greeted Yao Dan and the other Elders, "Clan Chief Yao Dan, Elders, please forgive our abrupt visit for the disturbance."

"Hall Master Li Ao, you are too polite." Yao Dan's voice was gentle and powerful, his gaze also lingering on Li Ao for a moment, the appreciation in his eyes growing deeper, "The battle before the Ruins Hall, burying five Saints in ten breaths, Hall Master Li Ao's reputation has spread throughout the continent. Seeing you today, I finally realize that a famous reputation is well-deserved. Physical Body Achieving Sainthood, such a thick Foundation is rare in the world. This one... must be Miss Xuner of the Gu Clan?"

His gaze then fell on the ethereal Gu Xun'er.

Gu Xun'er stepped forward and bowed gracefully, "Gu Clan's Gu Xun'er greets Clan Chief Yao Dan, Senior Yao Yan, and the Elders. On my father's orders, I have come with Hall Master Li Ao to pay a visit and discuss important matters."

The daughter of the Gu Clan Chief was personally accompanying him! Yao Dan and several Elders exchanged glances, and in their hearts, they had a new assessment of the closeness of the Alliance between the Gu Clan and Li Ao, as well as the importance Gu Yuan placed on this matter.

"So it is Miss Xuner. Your father and I are old acquaintances. Your arrival today brings light to the Medicine World." Yao Dan smiled warmly, then looked at Medusa and the calm and graceful Xiao Yi Xian, nodding, "Queen Medusa, Miss Xiao Yi Xian, your elegance is even greater than before."

His gaze lingered on Xiao Yi Xian for an extra moment, clearly having noticed her Peak Dou Zun cultivation and the subtle, barely perceptible lack of perfect Fusion between her new Physical Body and her Soul. He also nodded politely to the two accompanying Gu Clan Elders, Gu Ling and Gu Hai.

"You have traveled from afar and must be tired. Please move to the Medicine King Hall to rest." As the Clan Chief, Yao Dan personally led the way; this level of courtesy was certainly heavy.

The Medicine King Hall was the place where the Medicine Clan received their most distinguished guests. The hall was decorated in an ancient and elegant style, the air filled with a refreshing medicinal fragrance, and rare Spiritual Plants stored in jade boxes could be seen everywhere as decorations, fully displaying the Foundation of the Medicine Clan.

After taking their seats as guests and host, and after the attendants served spiritual tea, Yao Dan went straight to the point, "Hall Master Li Ao and Miss Xuner have come together, surely there are important matters to discuss."

Li Ao set down his teacup and said solemnly, "I dare not hide anything from the Clan Chief. Junior has come this time mainly for two important matters, and there is one other thing I must request."

"First," his expression turned serious, "As the Clan Chief knows, Junior has reached an Alliance with the Gu Clan to jointly deal with the threat of the Hun Clan. The ambition of the Hun Clan is clear; the affairs of the Ling Clan and Shi Clan are likely their doing, and their lackeys, the Hall of Souls, are plundering Souls everywhere, causing chaos on the continent. The Medicine Clan sits on an important node of the nirvana source core, which has always been coveted by the Hun Clan. The Gu Clan and I both believe that only by uniting all forces that can be united can we contain and even defeat the Hun Clan. Therefore, I have come to ask the Clan Chief: what is the Medicine Clan's attitude towards this? Can we jointly raise the banner of resisting the Hun Clan?"

Yao Dan's expression became serious upon hearing this. He glanced at Gu Xun'er and the two Gu Clan Elders with steady auras, and pondered, "The Hun Clan... is indeed a common, deep-seated enemy of our ancient clans. The matter of the Nirvana Illusionary Domain is still fresh in my memory, and it was thanks to you, Little Friend, that the situation was saved. The Hun Clan's desire to destroy us has never died. Uniting to resist the enemy is the trend of the times, and my Medicine Clan agrees in principle. However, an Alliance is not child's play; how to specifically cooperate and how to divide power and responsibility needs careful consideration. Moreover," he paused, "within our clan, we are not entirely of one mind. Some Elders still have concerns about deeply intervening in external disputes."

Li Ao naturally understood this final reminder. Factions holding conservative attitudes like Yao Wanhuo could not completely disappear within an ancient clan like the Medicine Clan.

"The Clan Chief is absolutely right. An Alliance is a long-term plan and cannot be achieved overnight. Junior has come this time to represent the Gu Clan and the Ruins Hall, to first express our stance and sincerity, hoping to reach a strategic consensus with the Medicine Clan on this. The details can be worked out slowly later." Li Ao's attitude was sincere.

Yao Dan nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Li Ao's words, which were neither servile nor overbearing, and showed both a sense of the big picture and an understanding of when to advance or retreat.

"Second," Li Ao continued, flipping his palm, and the phantom of the dark and mysterious "nirvana ancient talisman" fragment flashed and vanished, "This talisman in my body has been repaired quite a bit after the trip to the Heavenly Tomb, but it is still far from complete. The Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine is the place where the Nirvana Origin gathers, especially the place where the Will of the Medicine Ancestor slumbers; the Origin is the most pure and gentle there. Junior would like to borrow your precious land again to deeply nourish this talisman, hoping to further repair it. This item concerns the ultimate mystery of the nirvana source core and might be one of the keys to resisting the Void Swallowing Flame of the Hun Clan in the future."

Yao Dan and Yao Yan exchanged glances. They knew about the nirvana ancient talisman; this item shared the same Origin as the node protected by the Medicine Clan. If it could be repaired, it would also be beneficial to the Medicine Clan. The stronger Li Ao was, the more beneficial it was for the Alliance; nourishing the ancient talisman was effectively increasing his strength. This matter had little risk but could deepen their bond.

"This is easy." Yao Dan readily agreed, "Yao Yan knows the path to the core of the Ancestral Shrine. You may go and nourish it, just need to meditate calmly and do not actively disturb the Will of the Medicine Ancestor."

"Thank you, Clan Chief!" Li Ao thanked him.

"As for this third matter..." Li Ao's tone became more solemn, and he looked at Xiao Yi Xian, who was sitting quietly beside him, "It is a little selfish request of mine, and I would like to ask for the Medicine Clan's help."

Xiao Yi Xian felt everyone's gaze, straightened her body slightly, and her expression was calm with a hint of anticipation.

"Xiao Yi Xian previously suffered a tribulation, but thanks to the help of the Medicine Clan and the Seniors, she was finally reborn. Li Ao will never forget this kindness." Li Ao first cupped his hands to thank Yao Dan and Yao Yan, then said, "However, although the Rebirth is complete, the thorough Fusion of her new Physical Body with the 'Chaos Poison Body' Origin, as well as the slightly unstable Foundation due to the rapid advancement to Peak Dou Zun, still requires the most pure and refined life energy and supreme medicinal power for final consolidation, strengthening, and sublimation."

He looked at Yao Dan and pleaded earnestly, "The Medicine Clan is the Holy Land of Alchemy in the world, and your Alchemy techniques are unparalleled on the continent. Junior has heard that within your clan's Ancestral Shrine, there is the Alchemy holy Realm 'myriad medicine cauldron furnace' left behind by the Medicine Ancestor, which contains endless fortune and vitality, and is best at nourishing the Origin and consolidating the Foundation. Junior dares to be bold and asks the Medicine Clan to show mercy, to borrow the power of the 'myriad medicine cauldron furnace', and to request Senior Yao Yan or other Grandmaster Elders in the clan who are proficient in Soul Dao and life techniques to act as Protectors, and to perform a thorough Foundation consolidation ceremony for Xiao Yi Xian. The goal is to eliminate any potential hidden dangers in the Fusion, solidify her Peak Dou Zun Realm, and stimulate the deep potential of her 'Chaos Poison Body' as much as possible, paving the way for her future breakthrough to the Saint-Grade."

Yao Dan heard this, his gaze carefully scrutinized Xiao Yi Xian again, his Soul Power sweeping over her slightly, and he nodded slowly, "Hall Master Li Ao, you are observant and meticulous. Although Miss Xiao Yi Xian's aura is strong, the 'newness' of her new Physical Body and the 'final gap' in her Soul Fusion do indeed exist. An unstable Foundation is like building a tall building on shifting sand, which is very unfavorable for long-term cultivation. That you can consider this much for her shows deep affection."

He pondered slightly. Using the myriad medicine cauldron furnace was no small matter, but what Li Ao requested was not to refine a Heaven-Defying Medicinal Pill, but a "consolidation ceremony" that was relatively more focused on nourishment and stimulation, and the consumption and risk to the cauldron furnace itself were much smaller. Li Ao was a Guest Elder of the Medicine Clan, had previously rendered great kindness, and there was the friendship of the Alliance, so this matter was worth helping with.

"The myriad medicine cauldron furnace is a heavy treasure of our clan and is not easily used." Yao Dan said slowly, and seeing that Li Ao's expression did not change, he continued, "However, since Hall Master Li Ao is a Guest Elder of our clan, and Miss Xiao Yi Xian's matter concerns her fundamental path, and the ceremony is aimed at consolidation rather than being Heaven-Defying, there is no reason for our clan not to help."

He looked at Yao Yan, "Yao Yan, you are familiar with Hall Master Li Ao and are well-versed in Alchemy and the method of life. You shall lead this matter, and select one from Elder Yao Chen, or Elders Yao Lin or Yao Xun who is good at Soul nourishment to assist. You must use the miraculous effect of the myriad medicine cauldron furnace to help Miss Xiao Yi Xian solidify her Foundation and stimulate the potential that the Chaos Poison Body should have!"

Yao Yan stood up solemnly and cupped his hands to accept the order, "Clan Chief, rest assured, Yao Yan will definitely do his utmost and not fail the task!"

Li Ao felt settled in his heart, and looked at Xiao Yi Xian, both seeing the joy and gratitude in each other's eyes. He stood up and bowed deeply to Yao Dan and Yao Yan, "Clan Chief, Senior Yao Yan, your great kindness, Li Ao and Xiao Yi Xian will keep in mind! We will definitely repay this kindness!"

Xiao Yi Xian also bowed gracefully, "Thank you, Clan Chief, thank you, Senior Yao Yan."

Yao Dan gave a slight gesture to help them up and smiled, "No need for such formalities. In an Alliance, we should help each other. I only hope that Miss Xiao Yi Xian can successfully complete this and become another pillar of our Anti-Hun Alliance in the future."

The important matters were settled, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Yao Dan hosted a banquet to treat everyone, and during the meal, there was no lack of various medicinal meals prepared with rare medicinal Materials that were greatly beneficial to cultivation, and both host and guests enjoyed themselves.

After the banquet, Yao Yan first took Li Ao to the core area of the Ancestral Shrine to place the nirvana ancient talisman. Gu Xun'er, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and others were arranged to rest in the VIP garden, waiting for Yao Yan to coordinate the usage time of the myriad medicine cauldron furnace and the protective personnel before starting the ceremony.

Entering the solemn and respectful Ancestral Shrine again, they arrived at the gray space composed of pure Annihilation Rule. The Will of the Medicine Ancestor seemed to sense Li Ao's arrival, the hazy light sphere fluctuated slightly, transmitting a gentle and familiar thought.

"The Guixu Great Dao... has improved... Physical Body Achieving Sainthood... not bad..." The ancient thought carried approval, "Nourish the nirvana ancient talisman... here... it shall be."

Beside the light sphere, the gray Nirvana Origin was as thick as paste, forming a small pool, which was the perfect place for nourishment.

Li Ao sat cross-legged by the pool and took out the "nirvana ancient talisman" fragment that had been repaired a lot but was still broken. As soon as the fragment appeared, it automatically floated up, emitting a joyful hum, greedily and orderly absorbing the pure and gentle Nirvana Origin Qi around it. The patterns on its surface became clearer and more complete at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the faint sensing of the "bridge of the other shore" fragment inside it also seemed to strengthen by a point.

Li Ao also simultaneously operated the Guixu Great Dao, absorbing and refining the Nirvana Origin here, consolidating his Two-Star Dou Sheng Early Stage cultivation, and further comprehending the ancient nirvana true meaning obtained from the soul of the heavenly tomb, attempting to integrate the "Purification" and "Nightmare" Laws of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame more deeply into the Guixu.

Time passed in silence, and everything seemed peaceful and orderly.

However, just as Li Ao was immersed in cultivation and nourishing the nirvana ancient talisman, and Yao Yan was selecting personnel and preparing Materials for Xiao Yi Xian's ceremony, outside the Medicine World, in a distant, secret place of the Hun Clan.

"The target has entered the core of the Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine... and has begun deep nourishment of that key nirvana ancient talisman..." A black shadow reported silently.

In the shadows, a figure with a strange aura emitted a cold laugh, "Very good... The Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine, the place where the Nirvana Origin is thickest and the connection to the nirvana source core node is tightest... is the best place to activate the 'Soul-Eroding Inducement'... Notify 'Yan Huang' to act according to the plan... This time, not only to destroy the nirvana ancient talisman and interrupt that boy's Opportunity, but also to detonate that node, letting the Nirvana Power go out of control and run wild! Let the Medicine Clan's ancestral land become a true Nirvana Guixu!"

A strange Soul fluctuation, subtle to the extreme and seemingly capable of corroding space, quietly passed through the seemingly impregnable space barrier of the Medicine World, following some hidden trajectory that had been buried long ago, and silently infiltrated towards the core area of the Yao Clan Ancestral Shrine...

Inside the Medicine Clan, in a palace located on the edge of the core area responsible for part of the Formation maintenance, a Medicine Clan deacon with an ordinary face who was organizing Jade Slips felt his fingers tremble imperceptibly. In his sleeve, a strange rune carved with special beast bones, which was currently slightly heating up, quietly turned into powder. A flash of struggle and pain quickly passed through his eyes, and was eventually replaced by a deep numbness and fanaticism.

"For the Hun Clan... for the Void... eternal..."

The Soul-Eroding Inducement, a vicious Soul technique secretly passed down by the Hun Clan, could use a preset Soul mark as a guide to remotely detonate the balance inside a specific target (especially Soul bodies or objects with extremely high spirituality), and trigger a terrifying chain reaction with the surrounding homologous energy. At this moment, this deadly fuse had already silently locked onto the core of the Ancestral Shrine, the "nirvana ancient talisman" that was absorbing the Nirvana Origin and whose spirituality was slowly recovering!

The deadly crisis had already bared its fangs like a venomous snake, quietly approaching.

And inside the Ancestral Shrine, Li Ao, who was fully immersed in cultivation, and Yao Yan, who was discussing the details of the "myriad medicine cauldron furnace" ceremony with two Elders in the side hall of the Medicine King Hall, had not yet noticed this cold malice coming from the deepest part of the shadows.

In the VIP garden, Gu Xun'er, who was leaning against the window looking out towards the Ancestral Shrine and thinking about the trip to the Yan Clan, suddenly felt the ancient jade bracelet on her wrist, gifted by Gu Yuan and containing a trace of the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame's Origin power, heat up slightly without warning.

She looked up abruptly, a phantom of golden flames flashing and vanishing in her beautiful eyes, and an inexplicable feeling of heart palpitations quietly passed over her.

"Brother Li Ao... there..." She murmured softly, and a hint of solemnity slowly appeared on her beautiful face.