87: Baicao Hall Master

The Western District of Pill City was distinctly different from the prosperity and clamor of the central area.

The buildings here were more ancient, mostly constructed from bluestone marked by the passage of time, and the streets were relatively narrow and quiet.

The scent of medicinal ingredients permeating the air was purer, lacking the superficiality of commerce and possessing a deeper, settled foundation.

Many shops didn't even have noticeable signs. Unless one was familiar with the routes, it would be hard to imagine what astonishing Legacy might be hidden behind these seemingly ordinary facades.

Li Ao followed Elder Wan's directions, passing through several secluded alleys, finally stopping before a courtyard wall overgrown with ivy.

The courtyard gate consisted of two slightly worn wooden doors, ajar. Hanging on the door was an inconspicuous wooden plaque, upon which three characters were carved in elegant calligraphy—Hall of Hundred Herbs.

There were no guards, no noise, only a faint, strange medicinal fragrance drifting out from inside, calming to the mind.

Li Ao pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.

Inside was not a shop, but a serene small courtyard. Many rare and exotic flowers and herbs, seldom seen elsewhere, were planted within, arranged aesthetically and full of vitality.

A pebble path led to a hall deeper inside. The entire courtyard was so quiet that one could only hear the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the occasional crisp chirping of birds.

Li Ao's Soul perception quietly swept across the area, and his heart stirred slightly. This courtyard looked ordinary, but it subtly contained profound secrets. The placement of the flowers and herbs faintly formed a delicate Spirit Gathering and Illusion Formation. Unless one possessed an extremely high Soul Realm, it would be easy to become lost within.

Moreover, he sensed an extremely hidden but vast, ocean-like Soul Power, lurking like a deep pool in the depths of the courtyard.

"A distinguished guest has arrived. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please come inside the hall for tea."

A gentle and calm female voice came from within the hall. The voice was not loud, yet it clearly entered Li Ao's ears, carrying a soothing power.

Li Ao followed the instruction and walked along the path into the hall.

The arrangement inside the hall was equally simple and elegant. A woman in a light cyan dress was kneeling on a cushion with her back to him. A set of plain tea ware was placed on the low table in front of her, and she was skillfully brewing tea.

The woman had a graceful figure and hair like a waterfall of black silk, held up only by a simple wooden hairpin. Although her face was unseen, her tranquil and elegant demeanor immediately inspired goodwill.

"Sit," the woman said, not turning her head, merely raising her hand slightly to indicate the cushion opposite her.

Li Ao did not stand on ceremony and sat down naturally, his gaze falling upon the tea the woman was brewing.

The tea leaves were vividly green. As they unfurled in the water, tiny specks of light, like starlight, overflowed. The tea fragrance was crisp and clear; inhaling just a breath made his Soul feel incredibly comfortable.

"Starlight Soul Condensing Tea. Please partake, young friend." The woman pushed a freshly brewed cup toward Li Ao before slowly turning around.

Her appearance was not that of world-shattering beauty, but she was exquisitely refined. Her brows carried a sense of detachment and wisdom that came from seeing through worldly affairs, and her eyes were clear as water, seemingly able to reflect the human heart.

Her age did not seem great, yet the sense of vicissitude contained within her gaze made people feel she had experienced long years.

Most striking was the harmonious aura surrounding her, which seemed integrated with nature, and the majestic Soul Power within her body—hidden but potent—that caused even Li Ao to feel a hint of pressure.

This woman's Soul Realm was extremely high! Her true strength was likely far from being as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"Thank you, Hall Master." Li Ao picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

As the tea entered his throat, a warm and cool stream of Qi instantly spread, nourishing his Divine Soul. Even the slight fatigue from continuous battles and travel vanished without a trace. It was indeed an excellent product for nourishing the Soul.

"My surname is Mu. Young friend, you may simply call me Hall Master Mu."

The woman in cyan smiled slightly and looked calmly at Li Ao. "Young friend, the Evil Qi on your body is restrained, yet it carries a true intent of Annihilation Rule that seeks to destroy everything. Furthermore, your Soul Power is condensed almost into substance, truly rare in the world."

"May I ask what brings you to my humble Hall of Hundred Herbs?"

Li Ao put down the teacup and stated his purpose directly: "Hall Master Mu has the Wisdom Eye. I am Li Ao, and I have come to inquire about the whereabouts of Fairy Qinghua and to seek a method to repair a Soul Origin."

Hearing the four characters "Fairy Qinghua," Hall Master Mu's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and an almost imperceptible ripple flashed in her eyes.

She scrutinized Li Ao, her gaze lingering for a moment particularly on the soul-warming jade ring on his finger.

"Fairy Qinghua... it has been a long time since anyone mentioned that name," Hall Master Mu said softly, her tone carrying a hint of recollection. "Young friend, you are looking for her to save the Soul inside your storage ring, correct?"

Li Ao's heart stirred. It was not surprising that the other party could sense Medusa's existence within the soul-warming jade, but the implication of her words... "Does Hall Master Mu know Fairy Qinghua?"

Hall Master Mu did not answer directly but countered with a question: "Repairing a Soul Origin is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Ordinary Medicinal Pills can only nourish it, but cannot fully restore its 'Origin'."

"As far as I know, the potentially effective methods currently available are few. First, finding the legendary 'Soul Infant Demonic Tree' and taking its core 'Soul Infant Fruit';

"Second, persuading the three giants of the Pill Tower to join forces to refine the Rank Eight Peak Medicinal Pill, the 'Grand Unity Soul Pill';

"And third, the reward for the champion of this year's Pill Gathering, the seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed. This item is a sacred object for nourishing and completely restoring a Soul Origin. If you can find a top-tier Alchemist to perfectly guide its medicinal power, there is about a seventy percent chance of success."

What she said largely matched the information Li Ao had gathered previously, but it was more specific.

"The whereabouts of the Soul Infant Demonic Tree are vague, and the cost and difficulty of persuading the Pill Tower giants to refine the Grand Unity Soul Pill are immense."

"Therefore, participating in the Pill Gathering and winning the seed is currently my most definite choice," Li Ao stated solemnly.

Hall Master Mu nodded. "It seems the young friend has made a decision. The Pill Gathering gathers talents from all corners of the world, and the competition is fierce. It tests not only alchemy skills but also Soul Power, flame control, and even personal strength."

"Although the young friend possesses formidable strength, the path of alchemy..."

She did not finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear: she doubted whether Li Ao was proficient in alchemy.

Li Ao's expression remained unchanged: "As for alchemy, I have my own Legacy."

He did not demonstrate his skill, but that powerful confidence caused a flicker of surprise in Hall Master Mu's beautiful eyes.

"As for Fairy Qinghua..." Hall Master Mu pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "If you can achieve a top ten ranking in the Pill Gathering, perhaps... you might learn of her whereabouts. At that time, you can come back to the Hall of Hundred Herbs to find me."

Li Ao's eyes narrowed slightly. Her words were practically an admission that she had an extraordinary relationship with Fairy Qinghua, perhaps even being the Fairy herself or her successor.

Only revealing the location after he achieved a top ten ranking in the Pill Gathering was both a test and possibly a form of protection.

"I understand." Li Ao stood up, cupped his hands in greeting toward Hall Master Mu, and said, "Thank you, Hall Master Mu, for your guidance. After the Pill Gathering, I will certainly come to trouble you again."

Hall Master Mu smiled faintly and nodded. "I look forward to hearing good news from you, young friend. However, you seem to have attracted some trouble upon arriving in Pill City. The members of the Blood River Sect hold grudges and seek revenge; you must be careful."

"Mere clowns, not worth mentioning," Li Ao replied, his tone flat but carrying absolute confidence and indifference.

He bowed again, then turned and left the Hall of Hundred Herbs.

Watching Li Ao's figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, Hall Master Mu (Fairy Qinghua) picked up the slightly cooled teacup, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

"Such a young Dou Zong, possessing the Annihilation Rule, and with unfathomably deep Soul Power...

What kind of astonishing alchemy Legacy does he possess? Perhaps... he truly can stir up the winds and clouds of this Pill Gathering, and maybe bring a glimmer of hope to Master..."

She muttered to herself, her gaze directed toward the depths of the courtyard, where an even deeper secret seemed to be hidden.

Shortly after Li Ao left the Hall of Hundred Herbs, several pairs of malicious and greedy eyes silently locked onto him from a few dark alleys.

The Blood River Sect's retaliation came faster than he had anticipated.

Li Ao sensed those few hidden trailing auras, and a cold arc curved up the corner of his mouth.

"Since you delivered yourselves right to my doorstep, then I shall use you... to establish Li Ao's first display of prestige in this Pill City."

Instead of heading toward a crowded area, he flashed his body and swiftly moved toward a more secluded, abandoned architectural district in the west of the city.