159: Secret discussions in the Dan Pavilion, Phoenix perches on the Wutong tree

Old Man Danxia's invitation caused the eyes of all Alchemists on the square to focus on Lin Xuan, filled with shock, curiosity, and scrutiny. To be personally invited by the Pavilion Revered Master, the Dao of Alchemy attainment contained within that seemingly casual finger gesture must far exceed their imagination.

Lin Xuan remained composed under the scrutiny of the crowd. He nodded slightly to Su Wanqing and the three other women, signaling them to wait, and then, under the respectful guidance of the guiding attendant, he passed through the crowd and walked toward the depths of the pavilion.

Qu Feiyan looked at Lin Xuan's retreating figure, her red lips curving slightly. A trace of proud honor flashed in her alluring eyes. She deliberately leaned closer to Su Wanqing and whispered, "Junior Sister Su, it seems our Junior Brother Lin cannot hide his brilliance no matter where he goes."

Su Wanqing's icy eyes were calm, and she paid no mind to this small provocation. She simply gazed in the direction Lin Xuan had disappeared, an almost imperceptible hint of gentleness and trust flashing in the depths of her cold eyes. She knew Lin Xuan's mystery and potential better than Qu Feiyan.

Gongsun Yu and Yun Shang were filled with anticipation, feeling that Big Brother Lin was formidable no matter what he did.

Passing through several layers of elegantly arranged courtyards that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, Lin Xuan was led into a quiet room. The room was small and furnished simply. An old man, dressed in a plain gray robe, white-haired but rosy-cheeked and with eyes as clear as an infant's, was watching him with a smile. In front of the old man lay the seven freshly refined Seven-Colored Spirit Nurturing Pills, radiating precious light and emitting an intoxicating medicinal aroma.

It was the Pavilion Revered Master of the Danxia Pavilion, Old Man Danxia.

"Young friend, please sit." Old Man Danxia's voice was gentle, completely lacking the pretense of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, instead resembling a kindly elder. He personally poured Lin Xuan a cup of clear tea. The mix of tea fragrance and pill fragrance calmed the mind.

"Junior Lin Fan greets Senior Danxia." Lin Xuan cupped his hands in salute and sat down calmly. He could sense that this elder's cultivation had reached the Middle Nascent Soul Stage, and his aura was mellow and peaceful. Clearly, his Dao Heart cultivation was extremely high, focused entirely on the Dao of Alchemy.

"Thank you, young friend, for your timely assistance just now." Old Man Danxia looked at Lin Xuan with blazing eyes and undisguised admiration. "If it weren't for your exquisite finger gesture, which compensated for the momentary depletion of the Earth Fire Spiritual Vein, my batch of Seven-Colored Spirit Nurturing Pills would likely have failed again. Your grasp of energy flow and timing is truly marvelous. May I ask where you learned your craft?"

Lin Xuan smiled slightly, having already prepared his excuse: "Senior, you overpraise me. I am a Loose Cultivator from overseas. My Revered Master is a free spirit, and his name is inconvenient to mention. I have merely studied the Dao of Alchemy with my Revered Master since childhood and understand only a little."

Hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Old Man Danxia's eyes, and he did not press the matter. The overseas regions are vast and boundless, full of countless reclusive experts, so such a Legacy was not strange. He was more concerned with Lin Xuan himself.

"Young friend, you are too humble. Judging by your bone age, you are barely twenty, yet you possess such alchemy cultivation and the realm of Golden Core Great Perfection. This is truly the first time I have seen such a thing in my life." Old Man Danxia sighed, then changed the subject. "I heard you are inquiring about the 'phoenix blood vine' and the 'nirvana flower'?"

"That is correct." Lin Xuan's expression grew serious. "These two items are crucial to a friend of mine, which is why I am searching everywhere for them."

Old Man Danxia pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "These two items are indeed rare treasures. The phoenix blood vine, according to ancient records, is born only by chance in a place where a True Phoenix has wept blood, containing a trace of the Phoenix Nirvana vitality. As for the nirvana flower, it is a legendary Divine Item that may only be born in a place of extreme Yang and purity when the Phoenix's Origin essence scatters during its Nirvana. Both possess the effect of reversing life and death and reshaping one's Foundation."

He looked at Lin Xuan, his gaze profound: "Is what you seek perhaps to refine the legendary... nirvana phoenix blood pill?"

Lin Xuan felt a slight chill in his heart, thinking that Old Man Danxia was indeed knowledgeable. He admitted frankly, "Senior's insight is sharp, that is correct."

A sharp glint flashed in Old Man Danxia's eyes. He stroked his beard and sighed, "A Seventh-Grade Peak Spirit Pill. The number of people capable of refining this pill in the entire Eastern Region probably doesn't exceed five fingers. Young friend, your aspirations are grand."

He paused, then continued, "Although I do not possess these two items, I do have a clue regarding the 'phoenix blood vine' that might be useful to you."

Lin Xuan's spirits lifted: "Please enlighten me, Senior."

"About thirty years ago, an old friend of mine, while exploring the depths of the Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range at the border between the Eastern Region and Southern Border, accidentally sensed an extremely faint, scorching aura similar to the Phoenix Bloodline outside an ancient ruin called 'Qiwu Valley.' It was accompanied by fragmented images of strange vines. However, because the periphery of that ruin was heavily protected by Restrictions and inhabited by powerful Yao Beasts, he was forced to retreat before confirming it." Old Man Danxia recounted slowly. "Afterward, he discussed it with me, suspecting it might be related to the 'phoenix blood vine.' However, the depths of the Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range are extremely dangerous, and Qiwu Valley is even more mysterious. This clue is vague, and no one has verified it over the years."

"Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range... Qiwu Valley..." Lin Xuan silently memorized these two names. Although the clue was vague and thirty years had passed, it was better than having no leads at all.

"Thank you for informing me, Senior!" Lin Xuan sincerely expressed his gratitude.

"No need to be polite." Old Man Danxia waved his hand, his gaze returning to Lin Xuan with a hint of expectation. "Young friend, your talent in the Dao of Alchemy is astonishing. Are you interested in staying at Danxia Pavilion? I can teach you everything I know; your future achievements are bound to surpass mine."

This was a direct offer of recruitment.

Lin Xuan politely refused: "Senior's kindness is deeply appreciated by this Junior. However, I have important matters to attend to and must head to the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering. Afterward, I also plan to travel extensively, so I fear I cannot stay in one place for long."

Hearing this, a flicker of regret crossed Old Man Danxia's eyes, but he did not press. He smiled and said, "Everyone has their own ambitions; it was this old man who was presumptuous. During the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering, you might try inquiring again at the Medicine King Sect and Daoist Master Miao Dan's location. This is my Token. If you encounter trouble during the Grand Gathering, you may use this item to seek some convenience."

As he spoke, he took out a jade token engraved with a Seven-Colored Pill Cloud pattern and handed it to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan accepted the Jade Token and thanked him again. Old Man Danxia was quite sincere in his character.

Leaving the quiet room and returning to the square, Su Wanqing and the three other women immediately came forward. Qu Feiyan was even more impatient, asking in a low voice, "Junior Brother, what did that old man tell you? Are there any clues about the nirvana phoenix blood pill?"

Lin Xuan informed everyone about the clue regarding Qiwu Valley.

"The depths of the Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range?" Qu Feiyan frowned slightly. "That's the territory of the Yao Race. The danger level is no lower than the Myriad Laws Abyss, and Qiwu Valley sounds very ancient. I'm afraid it won't be simple."

Su Wanqing said coolly, "Since there is a clue, it is worth investigating. But we must plan carefully and make thorough preparations."

Lin Xuan nodded: "That's right, this matter cannot be rushed. The immediate priority is still to attend the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering. Senior Danxia also suggested we check with the Medicine King Sect and Daoist Master Miao Dan."

Since they had obtained the clue and the Token, the five people did not linger and left the Danxia Pavilion.

Just as they walked out of the pavilion, preparing to return to the inn, a commotion in front of a grand shop called the "Treasure Pavilion" across the street caught their attention.

They saw a young Young Master, dressed in luxurious clothes and looking arrogant, leading several guards, surrounding a woman in a simple, elegant long dress who was clutching a piece of charred deadwood. The woman had a delicate face and a gentle demeanor, but her eyes held a hint of defiance.

"Situ Mingyue, don't be ungrateful! One hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones is already an astronomical price for your piece of broken wood! If you know what's good for you, sell it to me quickly, otherwise, hmph!" The Young Master's tone was arrogant and threatening.

The woman named Situ Mingyue tightly hugged the deadwood and shook her head stubbornly: "This item is a family heirloom, I won't sell it."

Lin Xuan's gaze fell upon the piece of charred deadwood, and his pupils contracted slightly. The System sent a prompt:

[Special Item detected: thunder-struck phoenix perch wood (fragment). Contains a faint residual Phoenix aura and pure thunder vitality. Can be used as an Auxiliary Material for refining the nirvana phoenix blood pill, increasing the chance of success and quality.]

thunder-struck phoenix perch wood! And it contains Phoenix aura! Although it is not the Main Ingredient, it is a top-grade Auxiliary Material for refining the nirvana phoenix blood pill—a rare find!

He hadn't expected to find a related Auxiliary Material here, right after getting a vague clue about the phoenix blood vine!

The Young Master clearly saw that the deadwood was extraordinary, but he might not have recognized its full value; he just wanted to forcefully buy it.

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes, and he stepped forward.