Chapter 122 - 121: Dongchuan Pharmacy

At the Chen Family’s birthday banquet, table C-11.

Patriarch Chen Xing felt as if every day was a year, his heart filled with dread and unease.

Today’s birthday banquet.

Table A-1 was completely empty, yet table C-11, tucked away in a corner, had become the main table of the entire banquet.

To be precise,

wherever Luo Tian sat was the center of the banquet.

The two most influential figures of the County City, the Prefect and Patriarch Qi, had both come for him.

Otherwise, the Chen Family’s humble birthday banquet could never have attracted these two titans.

Luo Tian found the situation both strange and exasperating.

Patriarch Qi had sought him out for no other reason than to resolve the grudge between them.

But this Prefect, whom he had never met and had no connection with, had also taken the initiative to befriend him.

His fame from being in the top thirty of the Human List was probably not enough to warrant this.

As if sensing Luo Tian’s doubts,

the Lingyun Prefect smiled and said, "Luo Tian, when you first made a name for yourself on the Human List, even the Third Prince, Li Yi, was full of praise."

The Third Prince, Li Yi?

The people at the table couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

It was common knowledge that the current Sovereign of the Azure Cloud Kingdom was in poor health.

There were three popular candidates in the struggle for the future throne.

They were:

The Eldest Prince, Li Sheng, who was also the current Crown Prince.

The Third Prince, Li Yi, a Cloud Heaven Student from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion.

The Seventh Prince, Li Yao, a Sunshine Student from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

Among them,

Luo Tian had met the Seventh Prince, Li Yao. His mother hailed from the top merchant family in the Azure Cloud Kingdom, making them wealthy enough to rival the nation itself, and his own Martial Arts Talent was excellent.

The Crown Prince, Li Sheng, had the most seniority. Although he didn’t stand out in any particular area, he was the legitimate heir to the throne.

And the Third Prince, Li Yi.

He was said to be the most brilliant of the princes, a man of both wisdom and courage.

In terms of Martial Arts Cultivation, he was ranked in the top five of the Human List.

In terms of strategy, Li Yi had once devised a plan that repelled an enemy nation’s army, a story that became legendary.

Furthermore, the Third Prince, Li Yi, had a reputation for cherishing talent.

The Prefect’s words just now were an olive branch extended to Luo Tian on behalf of the Third Prince.

"You praise me too much! I was just lucky to make a name on the Human List. It’s nothing to be proud of."

Luo Tian smiled faintly.

He had no interest in the power struggles between the princes’ factions.

The Third Prince wouldn’t try to win Luo Tian over just because of his reputation as a genius on the Human List.

The deeper reason likely involved the Eldest Princess and that Ancient Medicine Formula.

The Eldest Princess had great influence over the Monarch.

And that Ancient Medicine Formula had directly delighted His Majesty.

"Neither arrogant nor rash. That’s quite rare for someone your age."

The Lingyun Prefect stroked his beard and smiled, showing no displeasure at Luo Tian’s polite refusal.

Luo Tian had the qualifications to do so.

Even without considering the Eldest Princess and the Ancient Medicine Formula, he himself was one of the most promising geniuses on the Human List.

An hour later, the Chen Family’s birthday banquet ended.

Luo Tian announced his departure.

This time,

Patriarch Chen Xing and the Chen Family’s old master personally came out to see him off.

"Young Hero Luo, I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness. I have caused you much offense. Please forgive me."

Patriarch Chen Xing had an awkward expression as he apologized with a lowered stance.

He was filled with regret. If he had truly and utterly offended Luo Tian, the Chen Family would likely have faced a disaster.

Just a short while ago,

the Chen Family had received news that the Du Family of Qingchang City had been wiped out overnight, and rumor had it that Luo Tian was involved.

As soon as Luo Tian arrived in the County City, even the Qi Family had panicked and taken the initiative to offer compensation and an apology.

At the banquet, they had witnessed Luo Tian’s powerful background and Energy, so much so that even the Third Prince was eager to befriend him.

Luo Tian was indifferent to Patriarch Chen’s sudden change from arrogance to deference.

In this world, strength reigned supreme. With great strength, one would be respected everywhere.

"Brother Chen, we’ll meet again at the Holy Mansion."

After bidding farewell to Chen Haofei, Luo Tian drifted away.

...

That evening,

the Chen father and son were sorting through the various birthday gifts.

Suddenly,

Chen Haofei took out the small gift box from Luo Tian.

Among the many lavish gifts, this box looked rather plain.

He opened the gift box.

After seeing the two items inside, especially the Secret Manual, Chen Haofei was stunned.

Not long after,

the Chen Family’s old master, the Patriarch, and Chen Haofei gathered together, their expressions a mix of excitement and tension.

The Health Pill that Luo Tian had gifted them was extremely precious. It could slightly increase one’s lifespan and slow down aging.

This was especially valuable for the Chen Family’s old master.

But the truly priceless item was the casually handwritten Cultivation Technique Secret Manual.

"That’s right! This is definitely a Spirit Level Upper Grade Cultivation Technique! Its profoundness is nearly at the Earth Level."

The old master’s face was flushed red, his voice trembling with excitement.

For a Noble Family like the Chen or Du Family, having even two Spirit Level Low Grade Cultivation and Martial Skills was considered to be at the "Clan Guardian" level.

What’s more,

this was a top-tier Spirit Level Cultivation Method and Heart Method. Within the Holy Mansion, even Golden Students would find it difficult to obtain.

"This Cultivation Technique can serve as the Chen Family’s ultimate Clan Guardian skill. As long as we have it, it can ensure the family’s prosperity for centuries, and even allow our Chen Family to expand beyond Lingyun County and become a major clan in the Azure Cloud Kingdom."

The old master and the Patriarch looked at each other, their shock turning into wild joy.

Afterward,

the two of them stared at Chen Haofei with gleaming eyes, making his hair stand on end.

"Haofei, your judgment is excellent. To think you could befriend such a benefactor."

Patriarch Chen Xing praised.

Chen Haofei couldn’t help but roll his eyes. ’Could you be any more of a sycophant? Who was it that was clamoring for me to cut ties with Luo Tian back then?’

Meanwhile,

Luo Tian, riding his warhorse, had already left Lingyun County City.

He had no idea that a Cultivation Technique casually perfected by the Celestial Book would be treated as a priceless treasure by the Chen Family, a Clan Guardian skill to ensure their continued prosperity.

The moment he left the County City,

Luo Tian suddenly remembered something.

It was his agreement with the Sleeping Beast, Kun Ga.

Luo Tian had obtained three of Kun Ga’s Fangs, and the price was that he had to procure one hundred thousand jin of Spirit Level Demon Beast flesh for the Sleeping Beast within a year.

This task,

at that time, was unimaginably difficult.

But for the current Luo Tian, it wasn’t very difficult at all. In fact, it was quite easy.

Luo Tian possessed the Demon Emperor Bone and could simulate the Demon Emperor’s aura. Dealing with those Initial Tier Spirit Level Demon Beasts was several times easier than killing a human in the Spirit Sea Realm.

However,

Luo Tian hesitated for a moment and decided to postpone the matter.

A year was still a long time.

The Beast Tide had only ended a while ago, and the Demon Kings of the Celestial Extreme Mountain Range had likely not given up their search for the Demon Emperor Bone.

’It won’t be too late to hunt Spirit Level Demon Beasts after I become a Sunshine Student.’

Luo Tian made his decision.

Without further hesitation, Luo Tian spurred his horse and headed straight for the Azure Cloud Royal Capital.

...

「Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Riding the One-star Middle Tier Warhorse, Luo Tian crossed nearly ten county cities of the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

Along the way,

he traveled at a steady, unhurried pace, maintaining a moderate level of Cultivation.

He occasionally passed through cultural landscapes and traveled with fellow Martial Artists he met on the road.

Of course, he also encountered bandits, but unfortunately, they were a bit too weak, not even qualifying to be his whetstones.

Finally, on this day,

Luo Tian, traveling with a caravan of escorted wagons, arrived at the Azure Cloud Kingdom Capital.

"Young Master Luo, we’ve arrived!"

The leader of the caravan was a middle-aged Martial Artist whose Cultivation was at the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening, making his strength quite impressive.

The middle-aged Martial Artist was very courteous to Luo Tian.

Earlier on their journey, Luo Tian’s timely intervention in killing two Pirate Leaders at the Peak of the Ninth Layer had allowed the caravan to escape a tribulation.

"So this is the Royal Capital?"

Luo Tian focused his gaze.

The massive, ancient walls of the Azure Cloud Royal Capital stood majestically atop a great mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, its scale more than ten times that of a County City.

The geography of the Royal Capital was very peculiar.

It was built on a relatively flat mountaintop, surrounded by a vast plain where four satellite cities were constructed. There was a height difference of over one hundred meters between them.

"A hundred years ago, the army of the neighboring Qiu Yue Kingdom reached the foot of the Royal Capital’s walls. After a stalemate of over a month, they still couldn’t breach the city, which is how the Azure Cloud Kingdom has survived to this day."

The middle-aged Martial Artist said with a smile.

Following the caravan, Luo Tian traveled along a flat, wide bluestone road and arrived at the base of the Royal Capital’s walls.

At the city gate,

Luo Tian bid farewell to the caravan.

"By the way, do you know where Dongchuan Pharmacy is?"

Luo Tian asked, hoping for the best.

Before leaving the Holy Mansion, Lin Dongfeng had given Luo Tian a task: to help his brother, who was doing business in the Royal Capital, solve a small problem.

The medicinal herb business run by Lin Dongfeng’s brother was called Dongchuan Pharmacy.

"Dongchuan Pharmacy? Of course, we know it."

"That pharmacy is quite famous in the Royal Capital. We’ve even handled their escorts before."

The people from the caravan all chimed in.

Luo Tian was very surprised. Didn’t Master Lin say his brother ran a small business?

"Brother! Dongchuan Pharmacy is in some trouble recently. I’d advise you not to get involved."

The middle-aged Martial Artist said with a meaningful tone.

「An hour later.」

Following the caravan’s directions, Luo Tian found Dongchuan Pharmacy.

In the Royal Capital, where every inch of land was worth gold, Dongchuan Pharmacy occupied more than ten acres, running a medicinal herb business that included processing.

In front of the pharmacy,

Luo Tian handed a letter from Lin Dongfeng to an apothecary boy and explained his purpose.

"The master invites you in."

The apothecary boy returned and respectfully led the way.

A short time later,

in an elegant side hall,

Luo Tian met Lin Dongfeng’s brother, Lin Dongchuan.

Lin Dongchuan was about forty or fifty years old, dressed in a brown robe. He had a naturally imposing aura without being angry, projecting the air of a leader.

"I have read your Mentor’s letter. I appreciate you taking the trouble to travel all this way to the Royal Capital."

Lin Dongchuan’s expression was calm and his etiquette was proper.

But Luo Tian saw a faint trace of disappointment in his eyes.

Besides Lin Dongchuan,

his two sons were also present, their gazes carrying a hint of scrutiny and doubt.

"Alright! Lin Sheng, take Nephew Luo to the guest room to rest."

Before they had talked for long, Lin Dongchuan ended the conversation.

Lin Sheng was Lin Dongchuan’s eldest son.

"This way, Brother Luo."

With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Lin Sheng led Luo Tian to a guest room.

SIGH!

Watching Luo Tian’s departing figure, Lin Dongchuan let out a long sigh.

He had written to Lin Dongfeng hoping he would come personally, but he never expected his brother to send a mere student from the Meridian Opening Realm.

The trouble Dongchuan Pharmacy was facing was not something an ordinary student could solve.

"I don’t know what Uncle was thinking, sending such weak reinforcement."

The second son, Lin Kai, said with a pout.

Just then,

a pure and beautiful young woman in a green dress walked into the side hall.

The young woman stood gracefully, her slender waist looking as if it could be encircled by a single grasp, and a section of her long, fair, delicate legs was visible.

"Qinghan, you’re back."

Lin Dongchuan revealed an indulgent smile.

Lin Qinghan was Lin Dongchuan’s youngest daughter. She was a natural beauty with excellent Martial Arts Talent, and in the past year, she had even been admitted into the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion.

"Father, was that young man just now the reinforcement Uncle sent?"

Lin Qinghan revealed faint dimples, her clear eyes shimmering. She had the air of a lotus flower fresh with morning dew.

"That’s right. Unfortunately, his Cultivation is a bit weak. It’s better than nothing, I suppose."

The second son, Lin Kai, said with a look of disdain.

"I saw his side profile just now, and he seemed a little familiar..."

Lin Qinghan rested her chin on her jade-like hand, her delicate brow furrowed in thought.