C11 Medicinal Fragrance Valley

The following morning, Monkey Xiaoshan guided Ding Yue over Black Wind Ridge, hastening toward Great Stone Ridge.

As they entered Great Stone Ridge, Ding Yue was struck with awe. The mountain was comprised of massive boulders, each the size of a house.

The ridge, while not particularly steep, exuded a sense of solidity and reliability.

Amidst the chaos of the forest, a solitary grand willow tree stood proudly in a hollow.

As Ding Yue approached the tree, he noticed ripples emanating from its trunk, and an old man emerged.

Ding Yue quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Elder Mu, I appreciate all your efforts."

The elder dismissed the thanks with a wave of his hand, chuckling, "Oh, Young Master, you're too kind." His eyes twinkled with satisfaction as he added, "Young Master, you've arrived later than expected."

Ding Yue sheepishly scratched his head, "I ran into some trouble and had to circle around Black Wind Ridge. Xiaoshan here guided me the rest of the way."

He gestured to the monkey, who was curiously scanning the surroundings, "This is Xiaoshan."

"Ah, Black Wind Ridge. I see, that's no small feat." The elder glanced at the monkey and remarked with intrigue, "A fourth-level Diamond Ape, quite the rare breed. Once fully grown, it can tear apart the heavens and earth with its immense strength."

Xiaoshan thumped his sturdy chest and bared his teeth in a smug display.

"Let's head inside; the Valley Master is waiting eagerly." Elder Mu turned and stepped back into the tree, with Ding Yue and Xiaoshan following closely.

They were suddenly enveloped by the scent of flowers. A stunning sea of blooms in every hue stretched out before them, with bees and butterflies weaving through the petals in a delicate dance.

"This floral expanse formed naturally. The Valley Master has subtly transformed it into a protective formation."

"The fluttering bees and butterflies are all venomous Fellbeasts."

Elder Mu, leading the way, cautioned, "Even a bite could be fatal to a Foundation Building cultivator."

Beyond the sea of flowers lay fields of herbs, and taking a deep breath there was like a balm to the soul.

A pond shimmered with clear blue waves, dotted with lotus leaves reaching for the horizon.

A series of pavilions rose majestically, connected by winding corridors.

In the distance, clouds and mist swirled enchantingly, reminiscent of a fairyland.

The monkey had already scampered ahead of Elder Mu, leaping between the pillars with excited squeaks emanating from its mouth.

"Valley Master, it took twenty years of dedication to transform the once barren valley into this breathtaking landscape. In doing so, I've parted with nearly ten sixth-level Miraculous Pills," Elder Mu said, a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"I couldn't bear to part with sixth-level pills. They're far better used for personal consumption," Ding Yue lamented.

Upon hearing this, Elder Mu stepped back to walk alongside Ding Yue, whispering, "I've had the same thought." They exchanged knowing smiles, feeling a newfound closeness.

"From now on, you may call me Uncle Teng," Ding Yue offered earnestly.

"Young Master, that's too much honor for me. After all, you are the master's—"

Ding Yue interrupted with a gesture, "Uncle Teng, it feels more cordial. And you should call me Little Ding from now on."

"Well, if you insist," Mu Teng agreed, his hand stroking his thin beard, trembling ever so slightly.

He hastened to catch up with Ding Yue, this time not leading but walking by his side.

"Valley Master, I'll await you in the Clear Heart Pavilion." Guided by Mu Teng, they ascended to an elevated pavilion.

With a creak, Mu Teng pushed the door open.

As Ding Yue entered, he looked up to see Liu Wuya seated at the center, with a black-robed man standing beside him, surprisingly barefoot.

Without a moment to ponder, Ding Yue quickly advanced and knelt in respect.

Liu Wuya swept his sleeve, and a burst of energy gently lifted Ding Yue from his kneel.

"Did something happen on the road?"

Before Ding Yue could respond, Mu Teng bowed and informed, "Young Master, he has arrived from Black Wind Ridge."

"Oh?" Liu Wuya's green eyebrows lifted in curiosity. "What's the matter?"

Ding Yue succinctly recounted the events.

At the mention of the "Master of Heaven," Liu Wuya abruptly rose, approached Ding Yue, examined him closely, and then clapped his hands together, visibly thrilled.

"Master of Heaven, a renowned human powerhouse from the late stages of the God Extermination War. Young man, you're truly blessed with great fortune."

"Valley Master," interjected the figure known as Wooden Vine, "the room is quite stuffy, and it seems the young master hasn't had a decent meal or sleep in days. Perhaps we should relocate to Tingyu Pavilion?"

Upon receiving a nod from Liu Wuya, Wooden Vine descended the stairs to prepare the meal.

Gazing out the window, Liu Wuya mused to himself, "The rain has been relentless these past few days."

As Ding Yue and the others entered the pavilion, Wooden Vine had already swiftly laid out the spread. The dishes awaited them.

Monkey Little Mountain was the first to spring into the pavilion, grabbing a plate of braised carp and scampering up a nearby pillar. He swung his tail and heartily dug in, the sauce dripping from his mouth onto his chest. His greasy paws occasionally smeared the pillar, much to the chagrin of Liu Wuya, who was particular about cleanliness.

Wooden Vine, on the other hand, casually tossed a jug of wine to Little Mountain, who caught it and disappeared in a series of leaps and bounds.

Liu Wuya took his place at the center, with the black-robed man to one side. Wooden Vine, after a brief hesitation, also took a seat. Ding Yue poured drinks for everyone before inquiring, "Master, who is this gentleman?"

"This gentleman is Yu Zhaoyang, a fine man with unparalleled medical expertise," Liu Wuya said with a hint of jest.

"Hmph, old wood, enough with your jokes," the black-robed man grumbled.

Addressing Ding Yue, he said, "Young Master, just call me Old Ghost. That will do."

Ding Yue, taken aback, replied, "Perhaps I should call you Uncle Ghost?"

"No need for formalities, Young Master. Old Ghost is fine," the man in black insisted.

Wooden Vine chimed in, "Old Ghost, the young master is just being himself. Besides, the title Uncle Ghost suits you well."

He then turned to Ding Yue and continued, "Old Ghost hails from the renowned Jiang City Prefecture, a family of esteemed physicians. In his generation, several members of the Yu Family became cultivators, enhancing their fame even further."

"I am unable to pursue the path of cultivation, so I dedicate myself to medicine, aiding the poor and the weak. They've come to know me as the great mister," Old Ghost said, his hoarse voice tinged with a trace of self-deprecation.

Once, while gathering herbs in the mountains, I was caught in an earthquake and, in my panic, I tumbled down into a ravine. When I came to, I unexpectedly discovered an Immortal Fruit, the legendary Black Yin Qiao Fruit."

I was overjoyed at the time, yet I neglected to remember that extraordinary treasures of the earth are often guarded by Fellbeasts. No sooner had I plucked the fruit than I was bitten by a three-headed snake with emerald eyes. As I lay dying, I swallowed the fruit without considering the consequences." The old ghost tilted his head back and took a swig of wine.

Upon awakening again, all that remained of my body was a skeleton. I had no choice but to absorb the Yin Qi in the ravine to refine my Soulspark."

"Two hundred years later, I was finally able to leave that place." Liu Wuya said, his voice tinged with sorrow for the old ghost's plight.

"Returning home, I found everything had changed. The cultivators in my family were all from the orthodox sect, and they would never tolerate the presence of a Wraith's soul. Left with no choice, the old ghost wandered for a century until one day, he was nearly destroyed by the Boneroses. Fortunately, he was saved by his master."

"Later, his master traveled to Glacierfell to slay a Yin Beast that had taken human form and commissioned the creation of a seventh-level pill, the Soul Fusing Meridian Pill. This allowed him to regain a body and his cultivation reached the level of a Ghost King."

"A Ghost King is equivalent to the Golden Core stage," explained the wooden vine.

"Your master, he's related to me, isn't he?" Ding Yue asked, his voice thick with emotion as he began to piece things together.

"Your father! As to why he arranged your childhood in such a way, he never disclosed that to us. We were simply carrying out his orders," Liu Wuya responded with a sense of resignation.

Contrary to his usual stoic demeanor, the old ghost offered words of comfort: "The master must have had his reasons, or perhaps he had your best interests at heart. What parent doesn't love their child? If you ever meet your mother, she will likely have the answers."

Seeing Ding Yue's eyes brimming with tears, the wooden vine quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Young Master, can you guess the true identity of the Wood Taoist and his whereabouts?"

Ding Yue shook his head, his interest piqued, and asked, "Could he be like you?"

Liu Wuya chuckled, "How could anyone compare to us? The Grandmaster of the Heavenly Cloth Sect, the white-clad Spiritual Master. They must be jesting."

"My master is the Sect Master of the Heavenly Cloth Sect." Ding Yue could hardly believe his ears.

"That's why he's always wandering about. With such a vast sect and tens of thousands of disciples, raising you from a young age was a much harder task than anything we've faced," Liu Wuya said, his face etched with a sense of nostalgia.

Turning serious, he cautioned Ding Yue, "This matter should stay between us. Do not speak of it to anyone else, or you risk your very life."

"The Steamed Bun Zhang couple's arrival in Sunset City was at the behest of their lady and at the request of Taoist Mu. It's a tough journey for one to make alone!"

"We, too, were summoned by our master and traveled here from the Southern Wilderness, from the Ten Thousand Willow Forest," Mu Teng clarified the backstory.

"When you meet Taoist Mu in the future, he may be able to shed light on some of our master's plans," Old Ghost interjected.

"I was once a willow tree in the Ten Thousand Willow Forest, having cultivated for 1,800 years. In the final moments of my celestial trial, my master's aid was crucial for my transformation into human form," Liu Wuya reminisced, glancing at Mu Teng. "He was originally the vine next to me. It was only after our master bestowed upon him a 'Transforming Pill' that he took human shape."

Ding Yue scratched his head, pondering for a moment before asking, "How does the tribulation of a beast differ from that of a human?"

Liu Wuya and the others exchanged puzzled looks, wondering why Ding Yue would pose such a question.

After some thought, Old Ghost answered, "In Taoism, those at the Golden Core stage are called Sages, and those at the Nascent Infant stage are known as Spiritual Masters. Upon reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Infant stage, one must face the one-ninth heavenly tribulation, after which they are titled True King. Subsequently, they must endure a two-ninth heavenly tribulation to be known as Dao Monarch. And if one can surpass the three-ninth heavenly tribulation, they ascend to become an Earth Immortal."

"An Earth Immortal can live for over a hundred thousand years. Alas, the Red Devil Thunder has not been seen since the cataclysmic Divine War." Liu Wuya's frown betrayed his lament.

"Does the Red Devil Thunder bring a different lightning tribulation each time?" Ding Yue inquired with curiosity.

"Indeed, there's the one-ninth heart demon lightning tribulation, the two-ninth black devil lightning tribulation, the three-ninth red devil lightning tribulation, and beyond that, it's unknown," the old ghost responded.

Liu Wuya explained, "When Fellbeasts reach the pinnacle of the seventh level, they must face a tribulation. If they succeed, they advance to the eighth level and take on a humanoid form. Most retain a beast's head on a human's body. Only upon reaching the ninth level can they fully transform into human shape, except for those who consume Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."

"The lightning they face during their tribulation is Cloud Lightning, which is more than ten times stronger than ordinary lightning. Hence, the transformation of Fellbeasts is no simple feat, especially for us plants, fish, insects, and the like," Mu Teng said, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Young Master, now you understand why we hold Master in such high regard," Mu Teng's voice broke with emotion.

"The same holds true; Master's plans are inscrutable and deliberate. There must be a purpose behind his actions."

Words may be spoken without intent, but the listener may find meaning.

The old ghost and Liu Wuya exchanged glances, a sudden thought crossing both their minds.

With his hands clasped behind him, Liu Wuya gazed out at the distant mountains, shrouded in mist, and sighed, "Master, after centuries of following you, I still underestimated your ingenuity."

"Earth Immortal, the fabled stepping stone to achieving Unparalleled Freedom. For this step, we will spare no effort. Rest assured!"

"Earth Immortal, a realm untouched for over a hundred thousand years. For this step, we will dedicate ourselves to cultivating the young master. Should he ascend to the Earth Immortal level, it would be an immense fortune for us all," the old ghost murmured beside Liu Wuya.

"Bitter cultivation begins tomorrow," he declared, his resolute words scattering into the wind.