Author’s note: This episode was made possible by Tyler F and Jesus A !
Host’s note: I’m not the author; I’m rehosting for the author.
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“Y-young master Jin Xia? Are you alright?!”
Instructor Guang hurriedly asked when he saw Jin Xia’s pale expression.
Jin Xia gradually returned from the river of pain as his head started to clear. But by this time, the image of the old man had completely vanished from his mind.
“I…I’m fine.” Jin Xia said, a tinge of weakness was present in his tone due to the previous intense pain. “Right, what did you ask earlier?”
Seeing that Jin Xia was not in pain anymore, Instructor Guang felt relieved as he asked gingerly: “Ah, I was asking about the name of young master Jin Xia’s honorable master.”
“Oh, I do not have a master, Instructor Guang.” Jin Xia mildly replied; the strength in his voice was returning back to him.
“Huh? No master? Then, then how did you learn the arts of medicine at your age?” Instructor asked in shock.
“It wasn’t much. I merely dabbled in the field of medicine once in awhile, that’s all.” Jin Xia replied.
“Merely dabbled in the field of medicine? If it was as easy as you’ve said, then everyone would’ve been able to become a medical master!” Instructor Guang thought wryly.
Thinking that Jin Xia was purposely trying to hide his master’s identity, Instructor Guang decided to not pursue any further.
After all, there are many hidden masters out there in WuDang who do not like their name being revealed. When accepting disciples, they would’ve naturally told them to keep their lips sealed tight, or even place a special restriction on them to prevent them from spilling the beans.
Thus, it was not strange for Jin Xia to be unwilling to talk about his master’s name.
In fact, because Jin Xia did not tell him his master’s name, Instructor Guang had become even more convinced that Jin Xia’s master must have been a superior person.
After all, it was said that the stronger a master was, the less likely they would want to be known by the world. Once their cultivation reach a certain level, mundane matters simply start to appear less attractive to them…
As for Jin Xia, by now, he could not recall the previous scene that had appeared in his mind.
In fact, he does not even remember about it anymore. The last thing Jin Xia remembered was a sudden pain attacking his head.
“What exactly happened…my head suddenly started hurting for no reason? Could it be due to my soul is still merging with the original host’s soul, giving rise to a slight disturbance of my mental state..? But I thought I had already completely fused our souls…I even personally erased his, so how…?”
But no matter how much Jin Xia hypothesized in his mind, he could not arrive at a definite answer. He did not bother asking Instructor Guang, since if even Jin Xia doesn’t know what happened in his body, a mere mortal would not have been able to solve this mystery either..
In the end, Jin Xia decided to place this matter at the back of mind, as he did not feel any adverse effect after the headache. Should anything negative happen in his body in the future, he’ll simply deal with it then.
Walking out of the testing room, Jin Xia was escorted by Instructor Guang to entrance. The old white haired elder was still immersed in his pamphlet, unaware of two people’s existence.
Passing by the elder’s counter, Jin Xia briefly glanced over at the pamphlet that was laid openly in front of the elder.
Then, turning his face away, Jin Xia muttered:
“Blue Blood flower is corrosive in nature…to create a pill out of it, one would require Green Sun leaves, Nine Moon Sapling, and River Tubular to subdue its property…only then could one use it as ingredient, increasing the quality of the pill…such a simple thing, how could you take so long to figure it out…”
The elderly man, who was sharp with his senses, naturally heard Jin Xia’s comment.
He frowned, but just as he was about to say something, he stopped himself. Going through the several properties of the plants that Jin Xia had mentioned quickly through his head, the old man suddenly found sense in Jin Xia’s words.
With the strong calming nature of the three plants and its similarity in essence, if combined, there will indeed be a great chance of completely eradicating the corrosive property in the Blue Blood flower! But these three plants’ name were quite rare and ancient; barely anyone knew of their property and uses.
If not given the elder’s extensive knowledge and diligent heart which strived to study the arts of medicine from its roots, perhaps the old man would not have understood Jin Xia’s words.
And because the plants were rare, naturally there would be almost no mention of it, causing the old man to forget about them almost entirely. If not for Jin Xia’s reminder, the elder may have spent a greater deal of time solving the problem written in the pamphlet…
“So those three plants were the ones I was supposed to look for…how could I have been so careless! Oh, Liang Hui ah, Liang Hui, you have really grown senile…even a little medical quiz like this had stumped you…” The old man called ‘Hu Liang’ wryly thought as he looked up, searching for Jin Xia.
It was at this time did he finally notice Instructor who was politely escorting the youth out.
Seeing this, Liang Hui was surprised as he thought: “Why is Guang Ke out here? And even being so polite…? But to be able to solve this pamphlet question… that boy must not be ordinary!”
After seeing Jin Xia off, Instructor Guang returned inside the Healing Tower. When he came into the front entrance, Liang Hui quickly asked him:
“Guang Ke, who was that young man?”
At first, Liang Hui was not interested in the youth as there were many outstanding people coming and going from the Healing Tower.
If he were to care and fawn over each and every one of them, then he would’ve tired himself to die, and might even complicate things in the end. Thus, he had always aimed to maintain an indifferent attitude towards the guests who arrived at the tower.
But this time, a mysterious youth had actually been able to solve an issue regarding a high level pill that Liang Hui had been troubled over with merely a glance; it was hard not for Liang Hui to get interested.
With a smile, Instructor Guang replied: “Elder Liang, that person was called Jin Xia, who’s from Tian City of the Tian Province. Apparently, he’s the young master of his Jin Clan.”
“Oh? From Tian city?” Liang Hui said in surprise. “Isn’t that a Lesser ranked city?”
Instructor Guang nodded.
“Then, how did he do during the test?” Liang Hui asked. He wondered what ability that youth had, having come from a Lesser ranked city but yet was able to distinguish such high level plant ingredients…
Instructor Guang’s smile widened as he replied: “He passed. And he was even able to advance to a Medical Grandmaster!”
“What?!” Liang Hui’s eyes widened when he heard Instructor Guang. “That kid was actually a 1st Petal medical master already and was just promoted to a 2nd Petal??”
“No, no, Elder Liang, the boy was not an official medical master when he came to take the test. He was directly promoted to 2nd Petal because of his ability to produce a 4 star Blood Cleansing pill.” Instructor Guang said.
“Directly to 2nd Petal…” Liang Hui softly murmured as he sunk into shock.
Instructor Guang continued on to explain everything that transpired between his conversation with Jin Xia, to Elder Liang.
“To think such a huge talent had graced my Healing Tower and I had blatantly ignored him…I really do have eyes but could not see Mt. Tai, ah!
If he was to truly become famous in the future, and we create a good relationship with him, our Red Sun Healing Tower would definitely benefit as well!’ Instructor said in excitement after hearing about the formidable alchemist ability of Jin Xia.
“Quick, have a few people pack a few crates of our best 2 and 3 star pills and have them travel to the Jin Clan in Tian city. Have them secure a good relationship with the Jin Clan.” Liang Hui said.
“Eh…isn’t that a bit too much, Elder Liang?” Instructor Guang asked doubtfully.
“Too much your mother! It’s called being the early bird to snatch the freshest worm. If we wait any longer, by the time Jin Xia had become powerful, he may not even send a glance our way!
Moreover, we’ll have some people secretly investigate the youth and his family’s background. If anything seems off, we can always retract ourselves. But if we do not take a risk now…” Liang Hui said solemnly. “…then I’m afraid we won’t have a chance in the future anymore. And I was even negligent of him earlier, so it could serve as my apology gift as well. At any rate, the benefits right now marginally outstrips the risk we may carry! Now go!”
“I understand, Elder Liang.” Instructor Guang nodded as he went away to prepare.
In the end, while both people were Medical Grandmasters, this Elder Liang seemed to carry more authority in the Healing Tower. Even without the robe to differentiate the identity, no one dared to underestimate this elder.
After all, if one were to look at their cultivations, one would see that this Elder Liang was actually at the 7th stage of Spiritual Dan, while the the instructor was only at the 6th stage! This difference in power had ultimately decided the status of the two Medical Grandmasters.
In WuDang, while jumping over levels in ranks were not impossible, the prerequisites had always been that the person must have the proportional ability to match their rank.
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It was said that not one person who have been directly promoted to 2nd Petal or higher was a weak person, or an uninfluential power! Thus, Elder Liang Hui had made a quick and decisive choice to make a connection with Jin Xia.
Unlike others, the elder was much more bold in his decisions and was not afraid to take risks.
Just based on Jin Xia being able to reach the Medical Grandmaster level at such a young age, was already more than enough to make Elder Liang firmly decide to befriend the youth.
After all, this was first time a person was able to get promoted to 2 Petals at once. Even he himself had taken at least ten odd years before he advanced!
And not to mention, that same person could also possibly be the youngest medical Grandmaster to have appeared in the Great Azure Country!
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At the same time, in a very distant location, directly south of the Great Azure County, a grand palace stood erect among a field of forests.
The palace had six roofs, fixed with black tiles, and a red exterior.
Inside the highest floor of the palace, a man who looks to be in his late forties, sat on a high chair. He had thick eyebrows, and a hair full of black; his clothes looked expensive, with a silky golden color. At the corner of arm sleeve, was the boldly embroidered character “Luo”.
The room was plainly decorated, but beautiful drawings and scrolls lined the smooth, brown walls. The floor was matted with a soft, red carpet, with three wide steps leading up to a mini stage where the middle aged man sat.
Standing patiently five feet away from the small podium, was an elder in deep green clothes. With a hair full of white, Luo Yi bowed respectfully towards the man.
“Luo Yi greets the patriarch.”
The middle aged stared at the elder before speaking, in a deep voice: “Elder Luo Yi, this time I have troubled you to take a trip to a foreign country. I hope it was not too hard on you.”
“Haha, what are you saying, Patriarch Luo Chang? With my ability, it was only a bit of a distance; nothing much.”
This time, the man named ‘Luo Chang’ smiled and said: “Good! Elder Luo Yi is faithful to our family! So, did you find out anything about that strange aura we felt a few nights ago?”
Luo Yi gave a helpless sigh as he explained in detail of his expenditure. As Patriarch Luo Chang listened, his face became more solemn. Traces of confusion, anxiety, and frustration flashed briefly in his eyes.
“But while we did not find anything that may have a solid link to the energy we felt, we did discover a few interesting incidents that occurred recently in the Great Azure Country.” Luo Yi said.
“Hm? What ‘interesting incidents’ could happen in a country such as the Great Azure?” Patriarch Luo Chang asked with a little curiosity, though he was not expecting much.
“Apparently, a Jade-grade item had appeared at a branch of the Azure Sky Auction House, in Tian Province, a few months ago. It was said to be an emerald colored axe.”
“What? Jade-grade?” Patriarch Luo Chang said, his eyes widening a little in surprise. “If I am not mistaken, there should only be two Jade-grade items in Great Azure –and they’re both in the possession of the royal family. In such a small country like that, how could they possible possess another Jade-grade?”
Although Jade-grade items were of rarity, to grand figures such as these two, they did not pose a huge attraction.
However, a Jade-grade item was nonetheless a Jade-grade item; it was still powerful, and only a few hundred out of two thousands Luo clansmen were in possession of such items.
“Yes, I was suspicious of that as well, so I had a few people investigate into that. But it seems no one knew about the true identity of the seller. The auction manager, Hei Mo, had only described the person to have been covered in a dark cloak and wore a white fox mask, decorated with ‘red vein-like inscriptions.’
Moreover, I found out that the person, who purchased the axe, was also an immediate family member of royal family –Prince Lan Gu. But it seems that the prince was quite the shrewd and cautious one; he chose to not investigate the seller. In fact, the report stated that by the time the prince even went outside the bidding room to ‘catch a glimpse’ of the seller, that said person had long left.
As for the other bidders, none even had the guts to dare think of prying into the other party’s identity. Just the typical weak nobles.
Approximately two or three months after auction, the city was then attacked by an economic crisis. Though, it was later contained. The new ruler of the city, the Jin Clan, had apparently given each of the households in the city several gold coins as ‘gifts.’
But other than those things, there was no further information about the mysterious seller. I believe, for someone who could afford to sell a Jade-grade item, the strange energy we felt may have something to do with this person…”
Patriarch Luo Chang nodded solemnly as he said: “Mmn…if that energy we felt before was actually related to this mysterious person, then we must seek him out at all cost! That terrifying, yet unique Qi fluctuation…if I am not mistaken, it should have been that of a formation technique…but the energy level I felt was on a completely whole another level. I have never felt such absurd aura before.
If my intuition is correct, this person might be a true apex Rune Inscriptionist! If we could even establish a small relation with such a person, then our Luo Clan can definitely flourish and break this hundred thousand years stalemate with that despicable Yen Country’s Yen Clan!”
Luo Yi nodded in agreement with his patriarch’s words. Although Luo Yi was not a Rune Inscriptionist, the patriarch Luo Chang was most definitely one, and not of a low foundation either. And given his patriarch’s powerful strength, Luo Yi did not doubt Luo Chang’s judgement ability on the strange aura they had felt before.
And similar to the patriarch, Luo Yi despised the Yen Clan, the enemy country that bordered just northeast of their Luo Country. The two royal powers had been at each other’s neck since thousands of years back, but was unable to make that final pull away from one another!
“Sighh…but alas, if that person was truly a peak expert, he/she may have very well left that tiny Great Azure Country long ago.” Patriarch Luo Chang gave a depressed sigh as he shook his head. To have missed an opportunity to meet with such a being, it was really a waste!
“Alright, let us not speak about this any longer. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed.” Patriarch Luo Chang said as he closed his tired eyes.
“Yes.” Luo Yi bowed politely as he retreated from the room…
______
Back at Red Sun City…
After meeting up with Hu Feng, who had been waiting outside the tower for a while, Jin Xia and him began to once again explore the Red Sun City.
Although Hu Feng was shocked when Jin Xia had told him he passed the medical master exam, the shock had only lasted a few moments.
The incredible things that he had personally witnessed Jin Xia doing yesterday, as well as remembering his powerful strength, caused Hu Feng to think it was reasonable that Jin Xia had passed. It would’ve actually been weird if he didn’t!
Hu Feng, who assumed that Jin Xia was now a 1st Petal Medical Adept, did not inquire his rank. And Jin Xia did not bother correcting Hu Feng’s thoughts either. A mere 2nd Petal Medical Grandmaster was indeed of great importance in the Great Azure Country, but it was of no significant to Jin Xia.
He had only wished to get certified so that he could provided an additional layer of influence and protection for his Clan. Otherwise, Jin Xia would never have even bothered going to the Healing Tower.
Walking through the streets, Jin Xia was unreserved with his money. After giving a large sum to his Jin Clan, Jin Xia was still left over with a great deal of coins. And with all his needs already personally stored with him within his Eternal Gourd, there was practically no need for such an excess of wealth.
Thus, while cruising the streets, Jin Xia was spending his coins left and right. And those were mainly on foods, of course.
“Oh? This smell..” Jin Xia stopped as he slightly tilted his head to smell the air. A sweet fragrance was lingering around in the air. Although others may not have noticed it, with Jin Xia’s particularly sensitive senses, especially when it came to food, he was able to easily detect the unique smell in the air.
Tracing the source of the smell, Jin Xia was brought to a small pill stand. An aged man, in tattered brown clothes, was sitting behind the counter. His face looked haggard and his hair was a bit disheveled.
After being unable to sell his 2 stars pills for quite some days already, the old owner was very depressed. If this went on any longer, then he would be forced to close down his shop and move to another far location to set up his stand. Just thinking about the additional work and expenditure caused the browned clothed elder to exhale in helplessness.
At this moment, Jin Xia had arrived in front of the old man’s food stand, with Hu Feng following behind. Picking a jade bottle, Jin Xia promptly opened it and popped two pills directly in his mouth and started chewing.
“H-hey! What are you doing?! You have to pay for those pills!” The browned clothed owner was disquieted when he saw Jin Xia unscrupulously eating the pills he had out for sale, without purchasing first. Those were several gold coins gone just like that! The old man’s heart ached with pain and anger.
After tasting the pills, Jin Xia’s eyes lit up as a smile curved up his lips.