18: Chapter 18 People from Medicine King Valley

The immortal welcoming bell rang nine times, its sound vibrating for a hundred miles.

The entire Mysterious Maiden Sect was stirred.

Countless Disciples emerged from their Immortal Caves, looking toward the mountain gate with curiosity, discussing amongst themselves.

"It's the flying boat from Medicine King Valley! Heavens, that's the 'Jade Tripod Boat,' the personal vessel of Mo Fan, the Young Lord of Medicine King Valley!"

"Mo Fan? The one hailed as the once-in-a-millennium Alchemy genius of the Southern Region? Why would he come to our Mysterious Maiden Sect?"

"Why else? It must be for the Sect Master! Who doesn't know he's been infatuated with her for years?"

"Shh, keep it down! You can't just say things like that. The Sect Master only has Senior Brother Aotian in her heart!"

On the White Jade Square, the Grand Elder of the Mysterious Maiden Sect personally led a group to welcome them, making for a grand scene.

Surrounded by a crowd of Medicine King Valley Disciples, Mo Fan slowly stepped off the flying boat.

He wore a moon-white Alchemist's robe, embroidered with intricate tripod patterns in gold thread.

His face was handsome, and his temperament was as gentle as jade. A perfectly measured smile always hung on his lips, making people feel as refreshed as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Anyone who saw him would have to praise him as a truly elegant and refined Young Master.

"This Junior, Mo Fan, has taken the liberty of visiting. I hope the Grand Elder will be magnanimous and forgive the intrusion."

Mo Fan cupped his hands in greeting to the Grand Elder of the Mysterious Maiden Sect, maintaining a very low posture and speaking with utter humility.

"Young Lord Mo is too polite. Your presence is an honor for our Mysterious Maiden Sect."

The Grand Elder beamed with smiles, courteously ushering Mo Fan into the main peak's great hall.

...

Inside the Sleeping Quarters of Xiuyun Peak.

Su Yun was already fully dressed, standing by the window and looking at the magnificent flying boat in the distance with great interest.

"Pill Fanatic Mo Fan? A sixth grade Alchemy Grandmaster?"

Su Yun stroked his chin, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Another tool for cuckolding Lin Aotian?

Wait, Lin Aotian's women are all mine now, so is this kid my love rival?

"Hmph, a Nascent Soul Stage built up by Medicinal Pills. What's so great about that?"

Lin Rou wrapped her arms around Su Yun's waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back, her tone sounding a bit sour.

"His cultivation is all hollow. In a real fight, he wouldn't even match an inner sect elite Disciple. He just relies on his Alchemy skills to show off everywhere."

At this point, Lin Rou's brow suddenly furrowed slightly, and a flicker of suspicion flashed in her eyes.

"However, Su Yun, don't you think this is a bit too coincidental?"

"Coincidental?" Su Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Think about it. To save Lin Aotian a few years ago, the Sect Master endured a strike from an ancient Ice Jiao and was afflicted by cold poison. While not a complete secret, it was rarely publicized."

"This Mo Fan didn't come earlier or later, but arrived exactly when the Sect Master's attempt to break through to Void Refining failed yesterday and the cold poison backlash is at its worst."

Lin Rou let go and walked to the window, her gaze becoming sharp as if trying to pierce through the layers of mist to see the person inside the flying boat.

"Medicine King Valley is tens of thousands of miles away. Even if this 'Jade Tripod Boat' flies at full speed, it would take a day and a night. Unless..."

"Unless he had the Medicinal Pills prepared long ago and has been waiting for an opportunity."

Su Yun picked up the thread, a cold sneer appearing on his lips.

"Or rather, someone tipped him off long ago, telling him that now is the best time to take advantage of her weakness."

"Exactly!"

Lin Rou's face darkened slightly.

"The Sect Master's closed-door cultivation to break through to Void Refining was a top secret among secrets."

"Aside from a few core Elders and your Senior Sister Yuqin, no one knew the specific timing. Once it failed, the cold poison would inevitably erupt. This is when she is at her most vulnerable, both physically and mentally."

"Mo Fan must have long since found out that Leng Hanshuang was hurt by love and afflicted by cold poison, and specially refined a pill. But for him to appear at this exact juncture suggests..."

Lin Rou took a deep breath, her tone turning icy.

"Among the higher-ups of the Mysterious Maiden Sect, besides us, there are probably other 'rats' leaking information to Medicine King Valley!"

Listening to Lin Rou's analysis, Su Yun didn't panic; instead, he became even more amused.

A mole?

That makes it even more interesting.

The messier the better; it's easier to catch fish in muddy waters.

"Don't worry, Cousin Aunt."

Su Yun turned around and pinched Lin Rou's pouting cheek.

"Regardless of whether there's a mole or what Spirit Pills he brought, no one can snatch what is mine. Isn't he a Pill Fanatic? I want to see if his pills are as effective as my 'Yang Qi'."

"You..."

Lin Rou's face flushed at his explicit words, but then she became somewhat worried.

"Don't act recklessly! Although Mo Fan's combat strength is poor, he is the Young Lord of Medicine King Valley after all, with a noble status. Moreover, he is always accompanied by two Late Nascent Soul Stage Protectors. If you offend him, it will be very troublesome."

"Troublesome?"

Su Yun let out a scoff, his eyes flashing with an arrogant light.

"What I like most is trouble."

...

Main Peak, Han Po Hall.

Leng Hanshuang sat atop the Mysterious Ice Throne. Her face was still pale, but her aura was much steadier than before.

Below, Mo Fan held an exquisite jade box, his eyes filled with infatuation and heartache, even carrying a hint of deliberately displayed indignation.

"Fairy Frost, several years ago, this Junior heard that for the sake of that Lin Aotian, you did not hesitate to brave danger and fight the ancient Ice Jiao alone, ultimately falling victim to this deep-seated cold poison ailment. Whenever I think of this, my heart aches so much I cannot sleep!"

As Mo Fan spoke, he observed Leng Hanshuang's expression, his tone becoming increasingly affectionate.

"That Lin Aotian has already achieved Ascension, yet he left this endless pain for you to bear alone. It is truly irresponsible!"

"Although I am untalented, I cannot bear to see you suffer such torment. This seventh grade precious pellet, the 'Nine-Turn Sun-Incinerating Pill', was refined by this Junior over three years of painstaking effort, searching throughout the Southern Region for nine types of extreme Yang spirit fires, specifically to counter the Ice Jiao cold poison in your body!"

Mo Fan opened the jade box, and a wave of scorching medicinal fragrance instantly filled the entire hall, even dispelling some of the surrounding chill.

"Although this pill cannot completely eradicate the cold poison, it is enough to suppress it for ten years! It will ensure you suffer no more from the cold poison's recurrence for a decade!"

The several Mysterious Maiden Sect Elders in the hall couldn't help but gasp upon seeing this pill.

A seventh grade precious pellet!

And it was a miraculous medicine specifically refined for the Sect Master's condition!

This Mo Fan had indeed come prepared!

His words were also extremely well-crafted, both taking a jab at Lin Aotian and highlighting his own deep affection and friendship.

Looking at the pill, Leng Hanshuang's originally calm eyes showed a flicker of emotion.

She could feel that the pure Yang power contained within the pill indeed had a great suppressing effect on her cold poison.

Especially after the blow of yesterday's failure, her current physical condition was extremely poor; this pill was a huge temptation for her.

"Young Lord Mo is very thoughtful."

Leng Hanshuang's voice was cold, revealing no emotion.

"It was troublesome for you to know of my old ailment and specially refine a pill. This sentiment is too precious, I..."

"Fairy must absolutely not decline!"

Mo Fan hurriedly interrupted, his face full of deep sincerity.

"In my heart, how can a mere pill compare to your safety?"

"As long as I can share your burdens, I would not hesitate even if I had to give up everything! Even if it is to make up for the mistakes left by that Lin Aotian, I am perfectly willing!"

What a profound confession of love!

Several Elders of the Mysterious Maiden Sect nodded secretly, feeling that although Mo Fan's motives were not pure,

this sincerity was indeed much more practical than that of Lin Aotian, who had just ascended and left everything behind.

Just as Leng Hanshuang was hesitating whether to owe this favor,

a lazy, somewhat mocking voice suddenly drifted in from outside the hall.

"Tsk tsk tsk, a seventh grade precious pellet, what a grand gesture. However, to think of using such trash that only treats the symptoms and not the cause to fool our Sect Master—has Medicine King Valley run out of people?"

Before the voice had even faded, Su Yun swaggered into Han Po Hall under the astonished gazes of the Disciples.

Behind him followed Liu Yuqin, whose expression was complex, and Lin Rou, who had an expression like she was watching a good show.

"Presumptuous! Who are you? How dare you spout such nonsense here and insult my Medicine King Valley!"

One of the Protectors beside Mo Fan was furious, and his Late Nascent Soul Stage pressure erupted, bearing down directly on Su Yun.

However, before the pressure could reach Su Yun, it was blocked by another, even stronger aura.

Lin Rou stepped forward, looking coldly at the Protector.

"Elder Li, to take action against a Disciple of my sect on Mysterious Maiden Sect territory—are you looking down on my Mysterious Maiden Sect too much?"

"Lin Rou?" Elder Li frowned; he clearly recognized her.

Mo Fan waved his hand, signaling the Protector to step back.

He wasn't angry; instead, he sized Su Yun up with interest.

When he saw that Su Yun's cultivation was only at the Qi Refinement Stage, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes.

"This little brother looks unfamiliar. I wonder which esteemed Disciple of the Mysterious Maiden Sect you are? You certainly talk big."

Mo Fan smiled, displaying the full grace of a Young Lord from a major sect.

"You say my 'Nine-Turn Sun-Incinerating Pill' is trash. Could it be that you have a better way to cure Fairy Frost's cold poison?"

He was putting Su Yun on the spot.

An ant at the Qi Refinement Stage dared to question the pills of a sixth grade Alchemy Grandmaster?

It was simply the height of absurdity!

He wanted this ignorant brat to lose all face in front of Leng Hanshuang and everyone else!

However, Su Yun's next words caused everyone present to drop their jaws in shock.

"A better way?"

Su Yun walked to the center of the hall, facing Mo Fan from a distance, with a punchable smile on his face.

"Of course I do."

"And my method can treat both the symptoms and the root cause."

Su Yun extended a finger and pointed at himself with extreme arrogance.

"Because I, myself, am the antidote."