Fan Li tilted his head back and drained the entire bowl of Longevity Broth in one go.
The moment it touched his stomach, he felt a surge of warmth and vitality course through him, like winter thawing into spring, all things reborn. Spiritual energy surged like a raging torrent through his meridians. In a matter of breaths, it completed a minor circulation cycle on its own.
“Incredible!” he exclaimed.
“Hahaha,” Yu Shenzi chuckled, stroking his beard with a smug expression. “Young friend Fan Li, the ingredients in this single bowl of Longevity Broth require our disciples to spend three to five years gathering herbs in the mountains.”
“That valuable?!” Lu Fubao, standing beside them, was skeptical.
Fan Li, however, nodded solemnly. “To produce a bowl of Longevity Broth in three to five years is quite remarkable.”
Yu Shenzi, seeing his discerning eye, beamed with pride.
“Our sect's treasury still holds enough ingredients for a few more bowls of Longevity Broth. Once you've consumed them all, young friend Fan Li, your injuries will be completely healed.”
This was the epitome of overkill; a prime example of excessive medical treatment.
The remaining traces of Fan Li’s injuries could be easily healed with even a high-grade Earth-grade or low-grade Heaven-grade pill. Yet, they were using the incredibly valuable Longevity Broth?
It seemed Yu Shenzi was planning to solve decades of famine with a single transaction.
The meal was over; it was time to settle the bill.
Before Yu Shenzi could even speak, a disciple rushed into the hall.
“Master… Master! Someone has arrived at the mountain gate!”
“The Dark Heaven Sect again?! It’s only been a few days! Those Jing clan members have no sense of decorum. Can't they see we have a distinguished guest?”
Fan Li awkwardly scratched his nose.
It seemed the customer was indeed king. He was now considered a distinguished guest?
“No… no, it’s not them!” the disciple stammered. “This person is incredibly powerful, even stronger than you, Master!”
These medical cultivators were truly remarkable technicians, but their social skills were lacking. They had no qualms about embarrassing their leader.
Yu Shenzi’s face flushed. “Nonsense! Within a hundred miles, there’s only our sect and the Dark Heaven Sect. Jing Wudi is only at the ninth rank of the Divine Transformation realm. Who could possibly be stronger than me?”
But as soon as the words left his mouth, the melodious sound of a zither drifted up from the foot of the mountain. The music was ethereal and enchanting, capturing one’s very soul. Truly, “The thick strings rumble like a sudden downpour; the thin strings whisper like a secret murmur.”
As beautiful as it was, the music caused Yu Shenzi’s face to drain of color.
“Quickly! Gather all elders and disciples! We must descend the mountain… to welcome our guest.”
Fan Li was astonished.
Judging from Yu Shenzi’s tone, the newcomer was someone even he couldn't afford to offend. Unfortunately, Fan Li's own cultivation was too low for him to sense anything.
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“Fubao, this zither music…”
He turned to ask Lu Fubao, only to find her face pale as well.
“What’s wrong?!”
Lu Fubao hastily formed hand seals and silently recited a calming mantra. It took a while for her to regain her composure.
“Such a powerful sonic attack. It only affects those at the Nascent Soul realm and above. Cultivators specializing in sound are even rarer than medical cultivators. And this person’s cultivation level… is at the Great Vehicle realm.”
Lu Fubao spoke the words "Great Vehicle realm" with difficulty, her eyes locked on Fan Li, conveying a silent message.
“Damn it!” Fan Li cursed, echoing her unspoken thoughts.
They were finally on the same wavelength, but if he had a choice, Fan Li would rather not share this understanding.
A Great Vehicle realm expert?
Specializing in sound?
“Brahma Sound Pure Land, the Sage Ruler of Zither,” he concluded.
But he couldn’t comprehend how they had found him so quickly. The Southern Ridge, with its vast mountain ranges, should have offered them ample concealment.
Lu Fubao sighed. “The methods of a Great Vehicle realm expert are truly profound.”
“No!” Fan Li suddenly remembered Yu Shenzi’s reaction and his fear shifted to relief. “Regardless of who it is, they’re not here for me!”
Yu Shenzi’s reaction to the zither music clearly indicated that he knew the person’s identity. So, they were here for Yu Shenzi?
“You two," a voice interrupted their thoughts. "Please come down the mountain with us.”
Ling Xiao approached them looking worried.
“If that powerful being senses that we didn't gather everyone to greet her, she will be furious.”
Such a grand entrance?
Fan Li was now even more certain of the visitor’s identity. But his own position was too sensitive; he couldn't risk being discovered.
“Daoist Priest Ling Xiao, my wife and I prefer to avoid trouble. Since we’re to welcome this guest with your sect, would it be possible for us to borrow some Daoist robes?”
At the foot of the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain, Fan Li and Lu Fubao, dressed in the robes of ordinary disciples, stood among the crowd, their heads bowed, trying to blend in.
Zheng!
Jade-like fingers plucked the zither strings, sending ethereal notes echoing through the air, reaching as far as ten miles away. Yet, those standing nearby didn't find the music jarring. It was soothing and calming.
Yu Shenzi bowed deeply. “It has been too long since this humble Daoist has heard the music of Sage Ruler Miaoyin. I deeply miss it. Today, you grace us with your presence, and we failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive our transgression.”
Hearing the words “Sage Ruler Miaoyin,” Fan Li knew he was right.
He carefully concealed himself among the disciples while searching the area.
A massive rock, several meters high, had appeared just outside the Azure Cloud Sect's mountain gate. Its top had been flattened by some unknown force.
Seated upon this rock, her posture both languid and alluring, was a woman dressed in a flowing apricot-yellow robe. Her feet were bare, and a guqin rested before her.
Fan Li hadn’t expected such a casual and carefree individual among the aloof and powerful women of the Brahma Sound Pure Land. But as he observed her more closely, he noticed that Sage Ruler Miaoyin's exquisite face held an air of cold indifference.
Carefree and indifferent? Casual and divine? How could such contrasting qualities coexist in a single woman?
Her phoenix eyes, especially, conveyed a blatant disdain for the Azure Cloud Sect members, her contempt undisguised.
“Yu Shenzi.”
“This humble Daoist is present!”
“How long has it been since we last met?”
“Perhaps… ten years?”
Beads of sweat appeared on Yu Shenzi’s forehead, but he dared not wipe them away.
“Ten years?” Sage Ruler Miaoyin's voice was languid and indifferent, as if she were lost in thought. “Ten years ago, I was at the third rank of the Great Vehicle realm and offered you some guidance in your cultivation, helping you reach the Unity realm.
"It’s been ten years, and I've progressed to the fifth rank of the Great Vehicle realm. Yet, you’re still lingering at the threshold of the Unity realm, unable to reach the second rank?”
Yu Shenzi lowered his head even further.
“This humble Daoist is foolish, lacking Sage Ruler Miaoyin’s extraordinary talent and brilliance!”
“Hahaha…” Sage Ruler Miaoyin chuckled coldly.
She wasn’t arrogant like Sage Ruler Han Yue, nor was she overly rational like Sage Ruler Qing Qiu. She simply felt disdain.
Disdain for these men who groveled before her.
And utter contempt for Yu Shenzi, the leader of a sect, whose cultivation progressed at such a snail's pace. He was utterly mediocre!
‘Elder Sister is right. In this world, many men occupy positions they do not deserve. And countless women are oppressed by such useless men.’
Despite her disgust, Sage Ruler Miaoyin didn't voice her thoughts. She shifted her position, still maintaining her casual and carefree demeanor.
“Yu Shenzi.”
“This humble Daoist is present!”
“I’ve observed that you’ve led the Azure Cloud Sect for many years, yet haven't achieved much. Why not leave these Southern Ridge Mountains and follow me to the Brahma Sound Pure Land? With your skills in the medical arts, you could earn a respectable position within the Pure Land… hmm?”