Compared to usual, there were far more Golden Core cultivators like Yun Xi and her companions gathered in the city. From time to time, one could even catch sight of a Nascent Soul Zhēnjūn. The attendants greeting customers at shop entrances had all been replaced with Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even the street vendors were crowded with people hoping to try their luck.
Yun Xi suggested, "Why don't we first go to Bawei Pavilion and book a private room? Otherwise, once we finish shopping, we'll have to line up."
Zhang Lingrui was the first to agree. "Junior Sister Wei is right. Let's secure a private room first, then buy what we need."
The five of them turned toward Bawei Pavilion. As expected, the place was packed with people coming and going.
A Foundation Establishment waiter greeted them politely. "Honored guests, will you be dining on spiritual cuisine or simply resting with tea?"
Yun Xi smiled. "I'd like to reserve a private room. We're sending off a companion and would like to try your pavilion's signature spirit dishes."
The waiter looked troubled. "I'm afraid our private rooms are fully occupied, and we have none available for the time being."
"That's fine. We're willing to wait. Whenever one opens up, we'll dine then. We're not in a rush."
"This…"
The waiter hesitated, caught in a difficult spot. He couldn't possibly drive away earlier guests just because new ones had arrived. And as for when those guests would leave, he truly had no idea.
At that moment, a woman approached. She bowed respectfully to Yun Xi's group before speaking."Wei Daoyou, my master invites you to the third floor for a conversation. She is also willing to give up his private room for you."
Yun Xi arched a brow. "And who is your master?"
"My master is Ye Zhēnjūn, the young master of Medicine King Valley. You once met her in Yunxin City."
Yun Xi studied the woman carefully and recalled that she had indeed seen Ye Zhēnjūn in Yunxin City. She had even observed her closely at that time. It seemed she had been waiting for this chance encounter for quite some time.
After some thought, Yun Xi nodded. "Very well, I'll go meet your master."
Wei Chenyin immediately interjected, blocking her path. "We'll go with you."
The woman frowned slightly, displeased, though she didn't voice it.
Yun Xi waved her hand. "Senior Sister, don't worry. Wait here for me. This is Haoran City, not Medicine King Valley. Even if they wished me harm, they'd have to consider whether they had the strength to act."
Her words carried a pointed warning, causing the woman to lower her gaze.
With a cool glance at her, Yun Xi stepped upstairs, leaving her companions on the first floor.
Zhang Lingrui's eyes lingered coldly on the woman. The chill in his gaze made her spine prickle, and she quickly followed Yun Xi upstairs without daring to look back.
When Yun Xi disappeared at the stairway, Zhang Lingrui finally muttered, "Is Medicine King Valley from the Central Domain really that powerful? Who do they think they're impressing?"
Lin Keyang's tone was calm. "They're just alchemists. Do they think having a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě backing them gives them license to act high and mighty? That protector watches over the young master, not her. She's nothing."
Cao Yi, more composed, added, "Medicine King Valley wouldn't seek out Junior Sister Wei unless they had something to ask of her. We'll know soon enough. This is Haoran Sect's territory. They won't dare stir up trouble here."
Meanwhile, Yun Xi was shown into an elegantly decorated private room. The space had clearly been expanded with spatial arts. Besides an eight-seat jade table, a soft couch was arranged by the window with a chessboard set out for leisure.
Across the jade table sat a beautiful woman, serene and aloof, brewing tea.
At a glance, Yun Xi recognized her. This was the same woman who, after entering Yixian Gate, had gone straight for the scripture pavilion.
Mo Yuwan, the City Lord, had once warned Yun Xi that this woman was from Medicine King Valley, a sect founded by the descendants of Yixian Gate. By that reasoning, the two of them shared a faint lineage tie.
Yun Xi offered a polite salute. "Wei Yun Xi greets Ye Zhēnjūn."
Ye Yirui nodded in return and gestured gracefully for Yun Xi to sit at the tea table. She poured a cup of spirit tea and motioned for her to taste.
Yun Xi smiled faintly, lifted the jade cup to her lips, and touched it lightly before setting it down. "This tea must be brewed from spiritual flowers. The fragrance is delicate, the sweetness lingers with a slight astringency, and the flavor is very gentle."
Ye Yirui sipped her own cup before replying. "This is spirit tea brewed from our valley's own 'Fanghua.' It brightens the eyes, clears the mind, and nourishes the soul."
"A rare and precious tea indeed."
Yun Xi responded appreciatively.
Ye Yirui noticed how courteous Yun Xi was, yet she made no move to lead the conversation. At last, she spoke directly. "Wei Daoyou, you are a successor of Yixian Gate. In a sense, I too could be called half a descendant of Yixian Gate."
Yun Xi smiled lightly. "Then what is it Ye Zhēnjūn seeks of me?"
Ye Yirui hadn't expected her to ask so bluntly. Her grip on the jade cup tightened before she set it down and answered.
"My younger brother was crippled at sixteen, protecting me. His dantian was destroyed and his divine sense gravely wounded. I begged my master to save his life, but he was left unable to cultivate again.
I could not accept watching him wither away. I sealed his body with a secret art and began searching for a way to restore his dantian and divine sense. Through persistence, I eventually refined the long-lost Restorative Spirit Pill and healed his soul, but I never found a method to rebuild his dantian.
When the inheritance of Yixian Gate resurfaced, I went to Yunxin City. I passed the trials and gained entry into the scripture pavilion, but with limited time, I never found the prescription I needed.
I lingered in Yunxin City for two months more, but when it was clear I could no longer enter the subterranean palace, I came to Haoran City. I visited your sect, but was told you were in seclusion. Since then, I have been waiting here, hoping to meet you."
Her honesty gave Yun Xi pause. After considering, she replied, "Ye Zhēnjūn, it's not that I refuse to help. You know my cultivation is limited. I've yet to unlock the full inheritance of Yixian Gate, nor have I mastered it all. From what I know, there is no art in the Weiyu Realm that can reconstruct a dantian."
Ye Yirui's eyes dimmed as she lowered her gaze. "I know. The jade slips of Medicine King Valley have been searched until they're worn thin, yet no method has been found. That is why I pinned my hopes on the legacy of Yixian Gate."
Yun Xi tried gently, "Ye Zhēnjūn, have you considered finding a suitable body for your brother, allowing him to be reborn?"
Ye Yirui shook her head. "My brother disdains the thought of seizing another's body. Moreover, his constitution is one in ten thousand: the Innate Dao Body. With steady cultivation, ascension is only a matter of time."
At the words Innate Dao Body, Yun Xi understood Ye Yirui's persistence. If it were her, she too would never abandon such a vessel. It was as if the heavens themselves had opened a hidden path for him.
"Ye Zhēnjūn, your brother…"
"His name is Ye Yuchen."
"How long has Ye Yuchen been sealed in ice?"
"Fifty years."
"Ye Zhēnjūn, forgive my bluntness. Before I decide, I must see him for myself."
Though she had inherited the arts of Yixian Gate, Yun Xi was no miracle healer. She needed to examine a patient in person; she could not diagnose across a distance.
"Very well. As long as you agree, we can leave for Medicine King Valley at any time."
At that moment, the silent attendant finally spoke. "Young Master, the secret realm of Baohua Mountains is about to open."