Chapter 1: Medicine Clan
Shen Nong Mountain Range.
This place is located in the extreme south of the Central Plains. Strictly speaking, this region has already separated from the Central Plains, making it seem quite remote.
However, just as the old saying goes: a mountain doesn't need to be high to be famous; it needs an immortal.
Although the Shen Nong Mountain Range is in a desolate area, infested with venomous insects and countless fierce beasts rarely seen in the Central Plains, its status as the Medicine Clan's ancestral land has made this region quite lively. Moreover, this mountain range is rich in various rare medicinal ingredients, attracting many Alchemists from thousands of miles away to search for ingredients for pill refinement, making the Shen Nong Mountain Range extremely popular.
Of course, these Alchemists only dare to search for medicinal ingredients in the outer areas, not venturing into the core region.
Because that is the territory of the Medicine Clan.
The Medicine Clan is one of the Eight Ancient Clans. They take 'Medicine' as their surname and consider themselves the foremost in Alchemy. Throughout the clan, even those who are not Alchemists can speak a thing or two about Alchemy, and their ability to appraise pills is unparalleled.
After countless years of development, the clan has numerous strong practitioners and an abundance of high-grade Alchemists, making its power extremely vast.
…
Dan Ding City, one of the cities in the Medicine World.
In the center of the square stood a bronze Medicine Cauldron, nearly three meters tall. The surface of the Medicine Cauldron was adorned with lifelike pill patterns, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeated the surroundings, invigorating the mind. Beside it, three figures stood.
Leading them were two stern-faced old men, both looking at the young man whose palm was pressed against the Medicine Cauldron's surface.
The young man was dressed in simple clothes, his long black hair casually tied behind him, and his slightly raised face was quite handsome. He was currently closing his eyes, seemingly sensing something. As time passed, the pill patterns on the Medicine Cauldron suddenly lit up.
A moment later, three pill patterns slowly emitted light, like stars.
Seeing these three pill patterns light up, the slightly older Elder said indifferently, "Yao Yan, twelve years old, Six-Star Dou Practitioner strength, third-grade Bloodline level, talent is acceptable."
"Unfortunately, it's a bit lacking."
The other middle-aged man beside him sighed, seemingly dissatisfied with the result.
As a Dou Di Bloodline Family, the importance of Bloodline is beyond doubt. The Medicine Clan has been passed down to this day, and its population has long exceeded ten million. Many of them are from intermarriage with other clans, or Disciples taken in, or relatives, and also those who have attached themselves as in-laws.
Regardless of their origin, being able to live in the Medicine Clan's ancestral land means being a member of the Medicine Clan, with an inseparable kinship with the Medicine Clan, though they will be given the name of a branch Family.
Only those whose Bloodline level reaches above fourth-grade are considered core clan members, who can be Focus on training by the clan, provided with a large amount of heavenly treasures and earthly materials to nourish their Bloodline Power.
The young man in front of them was clearly quite lacking, failing to meet the Medicine Clan's requirements.
The difference between a branch Family and the main Family, though only a single word, is a world apart.
"He is still young. When he comes of age, his Bloodline level might reach above fourth-grade. Even if it's a bit lacking, if his Alchemy skills can reach a certain level, it can make up for it. Our Medicine Clan doesn't just look at Bloodline level, young man. Work hard and strive to leave your name on the Ancestral Clan Stele after you come of age."
The older Elder looked sternly at the boy, Yao Yan, in front of him and exhorted him.
He was an Elder in the Dan Ding City clan school, responsible for teaching and selecting talents in Dan Ding City. He had some impression of Yao Yan, a junior with decent talent, so he said a few more words.
"Yes, Elder!"
Yao Yan opened his eyes, cupped his hands neither humbly nor arrogantly, and then glanced at the towering stone stele erected in the sky, his face full of longing.
That stele, no matter how far it was from here, was the Medicine Clan's Ancestral Clan Stele. Only those who had contributed to the Medicine Clan could be recorded on it. Basically, every Medicine Clan Disciple regarded it as a goal and took pride in it.
Medicine Mountain saw Yao Yan's expression and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "You may go."
Yao Yan respectfully saluted the two and then turned to walk out of the square.
Today was the day of the Bloodline test, and the square was already surrounded by people, many of whom knew Yao Yan.
A black-faced uncle in armor saw Yao Yan's dejected expression and couldn't help but comfort him, "Don't be discouraged, young man. A third-grade Bloodline is good. You can still be a captain in my Iron Guard later."
The Iron Guard, the Medicine Clan's army dedicated to protecting the safety of the clan's territory, was responsible for dispelling fierce beasts and outsiders around the city and guarding the city's safety.
"Okay, Uncle Tie."
Yao Yan forced a smile in response, his face more or less showing some dejection.
"Don't talk nonsense, Little Yanzi's Alchemy talent is still good. There are few stronger than him in this generation."
"Right, right, right, look at my brain, I almost forgot, haha."