114: A chance encounter at Wan Yao Zhai

The Myriad Medicine Pavilion was equally magnificent, permeated by a rich medicinal fragrance.

Yao Delong had just stepped into the shop, ready to look for the Steward in charge of the Spirit Medicine area,

when a slightly harsh voice sounded right beside him.

"Hey! You in the gray clothes! Are you blind? You're blocking this Young Master's way!"

Yao Delong turned his head and saw a young Young Master wearing luxurious brocade robes, sporting an arrogant expression, and whose cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

He was accompanied by two robust Late Foundation Establishment Stage Guards, and was glaring at Yao Delong with impatience.

Yao Delong had just been looking at the Medicinal Ingredient Catalog Sign hanging by the entrance,

and had indeed slightly blocked the staircase leading to the VIP Area on the second floor.

Yao Delong frowned slightly, not wanting to cause trouble. He stepped aside and said flatly, "My apologies."

"Hmph! Just an apology and that's it? Do you know who this Young Master is?

If you delay this Young Master from delivering Medicinal Ingredients to Miss Han, can you bear the responsibility?"

That Young Master, however, refused to let it go, seemingly thinking that Yao Delong’s Gray Linen Clothes and the aura of an ordinary Loose Cultivator made him easy prey.

He wanted to use this opportunity to show off, especially here in the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, perhaps even catching the attention of Miss Han.

He stepped forward, actually reaching out to shove Yao Delong:

"Get lost! Does a poor, miserable Loose Cultivator deserve to come to the Myriad Medicine Pavilion? Don't dirty the place!"

A cold light flashed in Yao Delong's eyes! The Malevolence accumulated from days of life-and-death combat.

His taut nerves made his Killing Intent almost instantly erupt!

A mere Foundation Establishment Stage Fop dares to be so presumptuous?

The Pure Yang Yuan Power within his body surged slightly, and an invisible Pressure was about to burst forth!

Right at this moment of Intense Tension!

"Stop!"

A clear, cold female voice, carrying undeniable authority, rang out, like Ice Pearls Dropping onto a Jade Plate, instantly suppressing the noise in the shop.

Everyone looked toward the sound, and saw an elegant figure in Moon-White Fitted Clothing and covered by a light blue veil, slowly descending the stairs.

It was Han Ruyi! She had just finished discussing matters with the Myriad Medicine Pavilion's Shopkeeper on the second floor and happened to witness this scene.

Her gaze was like lightning, first sweeping over the Young Master whose face instantly turned pale, and finally landing on Yao Delong.

A hint of realization flashed in her clear, cold eyes—it really was him! That Cultivator who saved someone at the Street Corner!

Although the Distance was quite far at the time, that steady, mountain-like demeanor and what had just briefly been revealed—

the dangerous aura like a lurking Vicious Beast—left a deep impression on her.

"Young Master Wang, the Myriad Medicine Pavilion is open for business, and all who come are guests. Your rude commotion here, are you trying to embarrass the City Lord's Mansion?"

Han Ruyi's voice was not loud, but it carried an oppressive force.

Young Master Wang was so frightened he trembled, cold sweat breaking out. He quickly bowed in salute:

"M-Miss Han, please forgive me! I was reckless! I was just... just rushing to find medicine for the City Lord, and I acted impulsively..."

He explained incoherently.

Han Ruyi's gaze did not linger on Young Master Wang; her clear, cold sight fell upon Yao Delong.

At close range, an indescribable sense of agitation emanated from the depths of the Wood Attribute Cultivation Technique she practiced.

This was not the Fire Qi produced by the Yuan Power of ordinary Fire Attribute Cultivators, but a fluctuation of flame that was... utterly pure, seemingly containing the Origin of life and destruction!

This fluctuation was extremely subtle; if her Cultivation Technique wasn't special and her Perception wasn't sharp, it would have been virtually undetectable.

"Fellow Daoist, are you purchasing Spiritual Materials at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion for Alchemy?"

Han Ruyi suppressed the Shock and Suspicion in her heart and asked tentatively.

Such a pure and unique flame, if used for Alchemy, perhaps... Just then, the System Notification Sound arrived:

[Target: Han Ruyi]

[Age: 35]

[Cultivation: Middle Golden Core Stage]

[Spiritual Power Affinity: 9 (Exceptional Talent)]

[Affinity: 40 (Slightly Favorable)]

Yao Delong's expression was calm and undisturbed, as if the conflict had never happened. He merely nodded slightly toward Han Ruyi:

"Thank you, Young Miss, for intervening. I am merely here to find several Fire Attribute Spiritual Materials to nourish my own flame."

His voice was still deliberately hoarse, carrying a sense of Distance.

Nourish a flame? A trace of undetectable disappointment flashed in Han Ruyi's eyes.

In the Azure Cloud World, many Cultivators indeed seek out Heaven and Earth Strange Fires to integrate into themselves, enhancing their combat power or aiding in Cultivation.

It seems this person is not an Alchemist, but belongs to this category. Her Father's faint hope seemed to have faded further.

At this moment, the Myriad Medicine Pavilion's Shopkeeper also rushed over. After respectfully saluting Han Ruyi,

he turned to Yao Delong, a professional smile on his face:

"Esteemed Guest, what kind of Medicinal Ingredients do you require? Our shop will certainly do its best to satisfy your needs."

Yao Delong no longer hesitated and immediately stated his requirements:

"earth fire lotus heart, Thousand-Year Warm Jade Marrow, crimson sun refined gold sand, heart-burning stone milk, and Lihuo Parasol Wood Core."

When the Shopkeeper heard the names of these five Spiritual Materials, the smile on his face instantly became strained:

"Esteemed Guest, every one of these Spiritual Materials you require is a Rare Treasure among Fire Attributes.

Especially the crimson sun refined gold sand, heart-burning stone milk, and Lihuo Parasol Wood Core, which are extremely uncommon.

To be honest, our shop currently only has a small Stock of Thousand-Year Warm Jade Marrow.

For the others, if the Esteemed Guest urgently needs them, our shop can try to transfer them from other Branch Shops or channels, but it would take at least seven or eight days."

Seven or eight days? Yao Delong frowned slightly.

He needed to hurry to Canglan City, and this location was not too far from where he had previously hidden; the Demon Sect would soon track him down.

"Then I will take the Thousand-Year Warm Jade Marrow first." Yao Delong said decisively.

Han Ruyi, who was standing nearby, looked at Yao Delong and spoke in a calm tone,

"Fellow Daoist, the earth fire lotus heart and crimson sun refined gold sand you require, my City Lord's Mansion Treasury happens to have a small amount in Stock.

If Fellow Daoist urgently needs them, I can transfer them to you at Market Price."

Yao Delong's heart stirred slightly. The City Lord's Mansion truly had deep Reserves.

He had inquired: this place was still tens of thousands of miles away from Canglan City, where the Lin Family resided. It was hard to guarantee he wouldn't encounter searches from the Heavenly Demon Sect along the way.

If he could acquire these Spiritual Materials quickly to nourish and strengthen the Life-Generating Creation Fire, it would undoubtedly increase his Self-Preservation Ability.

But... the most urgent matter right now was to completely Seal the Demoness inside the beast taming pouch!

His thoughts raced, and he instantly made a decision. He performed a Cupped Fist salute toward Han Ruyi, his tone still flat:

"So it is Miss Han. Excuse my disrespect. Thank you for your kindness, Young Miss. However, I truly have urgent business that requires immediate attention and cannot stay long.

If I find free time tomorrow, I will call upon you. Would that be acceptable?"

Han Ruyi gave Yao Delong a deep look. His attitude of keeping people at arm's length and the mention of "urgent business"

deepened the Confusion in her heart. But she did not press him, merely nodding slightly:

"No matter. Fellow Daoist, if you have need, you may come to the City Lord's Mansion to find me tomorrow."

After speaking, she said no more, turning instead to quietly discuss with the Shopkeeper the other Medicinal Ingredients needed to prepare Medicinal Pills for her Father.

Yao Delong did not linger. He quickly paid the Spirit Stones and received the small piece of Thousand-Year Warm Jade Marrow.

He gave a slight Cupped Fist Salute in Han Ruyi's direction once more, then turned and quickly left the Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

The Market was bustling with people, but Yao Delong felt a prickling sensation on his back... Biqu City was absolutely not a place to stay long!

"I must resolve Xin Yuelan's problem immediately!"

Yao Delong's gaze sharpened. Executing the Nine Nether Spirit Locking Forbidden Canon was too risky.

He needed a place that was absolutely safe and isolated from detection!

A place instantly flashed through his mind—the White Cloud Merchant Guild!

With that thought, Yao Delong immediately changed direction, quickened his pace, and headed once again toward the magnificent Pavilion of the White Cloud Merchant Guild.