C7 A Message from the Desert

In White Feather City, within the Han family estate, no one, including the acting patriarch Han Chen, knew that Han Fei had made a trip to Plum Mountain, let alone that he had persuaded Huang Zun to come!

To Han Chen, the old steward Han Bo, and the rest, Han Fei had merely taken Liu San out for a half-day excursion. When night fell, Han Fei returned and was promptly summoned to the master's private quarters.

In the study of the private courtyard, Han Chen's brow was furrowed with concern. Upon seeing Han Fei, he immediately spoke up, "Third brother, your timing is impeccable. I've just received two pieces of news—one good and one bad. Which would you like to hear first?"

His tone was serious, despite the conversational approach.

"Big brother, let's start with the bad news," Han Fei responded earnestly.

Han Chen nodded, "Today, Lee Xiao, the head manager of the Lee family, personally led a team to Plum Mountain with a trove of lavish gifts, including items as valuable as blood coral..."

His worry was palpable. "I had planned to carve out some time for us to visit Plum Mountain together, hoping to convince Huang Zun to come out of seclusion. But who could have anticipated that the Lee family would act even faster than us? This is a serious problem!"

Han Fei suddenly broke into a smile, "Brother, there's no need for concern. Do you know where I went today? I too visited Plum Mountain and encountered Lee Xiao and the others from the Lee family. I can assure you that Senior Huang Zun will indeed leave his retreat, but he won't be going to the Lee family—he's coming to our Han family."

Han Chen was taken aback, "What are you saying, third brother? This is no laughing matter!"

"I'm not joking," Han Fei assured him. "Brother, you must remember the years I spent traveling abroad. It was during that time I had the good fortune to meet a reclusive master and became his disciple, dedicating myself to the study of alchemy. Over the past few months, I've been in seclusion, perfecting my skills with pills. After much reflection and experimentation, I've developed a Meridian Opening Pill. It was this achievement that finally convinced Senior Huang Zun to agree..."

The lie was so masterfully crafted that it was nearly perfect. Indeed, Han Fei had taken a hermit as his master, who was none other than the head of the Medicine King Valley in the Crimson Sky Continent.

The truth remained concealed because the revelation was astoundingly significant. Han Chen listened in silence, and despite his composure, it took him a while to process the information. Eventually, he exhaled deeply.

"Third Brother, I could never have imagined that during your travels, you would encounter such an extraordinary adventure. The Medicine King Valley, capable of concocting Heavenly Pills, remains obscure on the Tian Yuan Continent. It seems, just as you've described, it is a truly hidden sect."

The Tian Yuan Continent is a land of wonders, rich and diverse, where many sects choose to remain hidden. Some are renowned, their names echoing through history in ancient tales, while others are lesser-known. To Han Chen, the Medicine King Valley seemed to be one of the latter.

"Third Brother, to think that you've become one of the three principal disciples of the Medicine King Valley is staggering. You were right to keep it a secret. Given the sect's reclusive nature, it's only fitting that your affiliation with the Medicine King Valley isn't broadcasted."

With the news fully absorbed, Han Chen's concerns vanished, and he beamed, "I feared that Huang Zun's emergence would be an added burden to our Han family, but it turns out to be a blessing in disguise."

Releasing a long sigh of relief, Han Chen continued, "Senior Huang Zun is retreating to refine the Meridian Opening Pill, so there's no need for us to fret. We'll wait patiently. And there's more good news: the search team led by Seventh Uncle recently unearthed something intriguing in the Death Desert."

The Death Desert was the very site of the Han family caravan's misfortune years ago.

Three years had passed since that horrific sandstorm. Throughout this time, the Han family's search in the Death Desert never ceased. Although Han Zong's remains had yet to be recovered, they had gradually retrieved many relics of the caravan.

Among the finds were horse bones, fragments of wood bearing the Han family crest, carriage wheels, remnants of weathered clothing, and the stark white bones of those who once lived—experts from the Han family who had safeguarded the caravan.

Additionally, the Han family's search team recently discovered a stone the color of jade and shaped like a goose egg!

At that moment, Han Chen presented the stone to Han Fei, saying, "Third brother, this stone was unearthed from deep within the desert. It might seem unremarkable at first glance, but try channeling your Vital Spirit into it."

Han Fei grasped the stone and did as instructed. Instantly, the stone underwent a transformation, turning a fiery red and radiating heat. Dark golden patterns emerged on its surface, resembling the intricate network of roots on leaves, drawing the eye.

"Could this be..." Han Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "Formation patterns?!"

"Exactly, I've examined it thoroughly, and it is indeed a formation pattern."

Han Chen affirmed with a serious nod, "This green stone is the foundation stone of a large-scale formation, the kind only used by certain ancient sects. Previously, Uncle Seven found some traces while searching for the remains of caravans in the Death Desert, but I couldn't be certain. Now, with the discovery of this formation foundation stone, my suspicions are confirmed. There must be ancient ruins hidden within the Death Desert."

Ancient ruins often signified the remnants of treasures!

On the Tian Yuan Continent, innumerable treasures have been unearthed from such ruins, ranging from divine weapons and extraordinary cultivation methods to rare and precious materials.

Yet, ancient ruins might not only hold treasures; they could also harbor dangers, or perhaps nothing at all, save for a desolate expanse of ruins...

"Since our Han family's caravan tragedy three years ago, Uncle Seven has remained in the Death Desert, dedicated to retrieving the remains of our kin so they may rest in their ancestral land."

Han Chen continued, "The discovery of this formation foundation stone is an unexpected and significant find. Regardless of whether we can locate the ancient ruins, I've resolved to dispatch a team to explore further. Naturally, Uncle Seven will provide as much assistance as he can."

Initially, Han Chen had considered sending the venerable steward, Uncle Han, to the Death Desert. However, he soon reconsidered. Though Uncle Han was a skilled Vital Spirit practitioner and loyally shared the Han family's bloodline, his advanced age was a concern.

The task of delving into the ancient ruins in the Death Desert might prove fruitless, yet given the gravity of the situation, the options for suitable candidates were limited. Aside from Uncle Han, only Han Fei remained.

Han Fei realized what was being asked of him. "Big Brother, are you suggesting that I make a trip to the Death Desert? That actually suits me just fine. It's been a long time since I've seen Uncle Seven, and I have no idea how he's been getting on these past three years."

Han Chen spoke with a touch of sentimentality, "It's been three years since I last saw Uncle Seven myself. If it weren't for my duty to oversee affairs here in White Feather City, I'd jump at the chance to visit him."