175: Successfully entered the valley

The next morning, as the Hour of the Dragon approached.

Qin Feng and the other three had already packed up and arrived at the "Guest-Welcoming Pavilion," three miles west of Luoxia Town. This was an octagonal stone pavilion built at a bend in the mountain path; it was simple and ancient, with a string of bronze wind bells hanging under the eaves, letting out a crisp tinkling sound in the mountain breeze.

The pavilion was empty.

"Are we too early?" Xia Ya looked around. Ancient trees reached for the sky on both sides of the mountain path, the morning mist had not yet dispersed, and the sounds of birds chirping filled the forest.

Ji Ruxue scanned the surroundings and whispered, "Not early. Someone is already here."

Just as she finished speaking, a rustling sound came from deep within the mountain path. Two strange Yao Beasts, the size of oxen, grayish-blue all over with a single horn on their heads, were seen pulling an ancient wooden carriage as they slowly emerged from the morning mist.

The driver was a Medicine Boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, with a youthful face but exceptionally calm eyes. Beside the carriage followed two young men wearing the robes of Medicine King Valley Inner Sect Disciples; their steady auras revealed that they both possessed the cultivation of a Grand Martial Master.

The carriage stopped in front of the pavilion. The curtain was lifted, and an old man dressed in a dark green robe with gray hair combed meticulously stepped down.

The old man had a lean face and deep-set eyes, but his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. He scanned the four of them, finally resting on Xiaochun for a moment.

"I am Duanmu Feng, the Executive Elder of the Ghost Doctor Hall." The old man spoke, his voice hoarse but clear. "Luoxia Town sent word yesterday, saying there is a young girl who can use the 'Spiritual Pivot Life-Prolonging Needles'?"

Qin Feng stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Junior Qin Feng greets Elder Duanmu. The one who performed the acupuncture on General Li Ju yesterday was indeed my Junior Sister, Xiaochun."

Duanmu Feng turned his gaze to Qin Feng and sized him up. "So you are that loyal and courageous gentleman? An Elder of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"

"Correct."

"Quite impressive for one so young." Duanmu Feng's tone was flat, making it impossible to tell if he was praising or criticizing. "Get in the carriage. Several Elders in the valley are very interested in your acupuncture technique."

Although the carriage was simple, the interior was spacious. After the four of them boarded, Duanmu Feng sat in the main seat and closed his eyes to rest, speaking no more. The two one-horned Yao Beasts started off smoothly, pulling the carriage along the winding mountain path toward the deep mountains.

The mountain road became increasingly rugged, and the vegetation on both sides grew more dense and peculiar. Qin Feng noticed that many of the trees and flowers were rare species seldom seen in the outside world, some even emitting a faint Spiritual Qi.

After traveling for about an hour, a thick, impenetrable white mist appeared ahead, shrouding the entire mountain range.

"Sit tight," the Medicine Boy driving the carriage warned.

The one-horned Yao Beasts did not slow down at all, charging straight into the white mist.

In an instant, everything around them vanished. It was a world of white, where even the carriage right in front of them became blurred. Qin Feng could feel that the carriage was not moving in a straight line; instead, it was constantly turning and circling in a mysterious and unpredictable trajectory.

A Formation.

And an extremely sophisticated Maze Grand Formation at that.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view suddenly opened up.

The white mist dissipated, revealing a completely different world.

Cradled by mountains was a vast valley. Streams crisscrossed the valley, and Spiritual Qi condensed into a mist that flowed slowly between the mountains. Well-arranged buildings with green tiles and white walls were built against the mountainside, with upturned eaves and elegant, ancient designs. Countless medicinal fields were layered like terraces, planted with various Spirit Medicines; the medicinal fragrance mixed with the fresh scent of plants was refreshing.

Even more astonishingly, in the sky above the valley, several green Spirit Cranes with wingspans exceeding three zhang were leisurely circling. In the distant mountain streams, some strangely shaped Spirit Beasts could be seen drinking and playing.

This was Medicine King Valley.

A secluded Sect isolated from the world, the Holy Land of the medicine path.

The carriage proceeded along the stone path in the valley, encountering many Medicine King Valley Disciples along the way. When they saw Duanmu Feng's carriage, they all respectfully stepped aside to salute, but their eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry as they looked at Qin Feng's group of four.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a uniquely shaped three-story wooden building. The building was dark red, with dozens of strings of dried herbs hanging under the eaves. An ebony plaque hung over the door frame, with three ancient characters written on it—

Ghost Doctor Hall.

"We're here." Duanmu Feng opened his eyes and was the first to get off.

Qin Feng and the others followed him out, looking up at the renowned "Ghost Doctor Hall" with their own thoughts.

"Senior Brother Duanmu, you're finally back!" A hearty voice came from inside the hall.

A slightly plump middle-aged man with a face like a full moon and a pleasant smile walked out quickly. He wore an Elder's robe similar to Duanmu Feng's, but his temperament was entirely different—warm and enthusiastic.

"Are these the young friends who can use the 'Spiritual Pivot Life-Prolonging Needles'?" The middle-aged man's eyes sparkled as he looked at the four, finally locking onto Xiaochun. "Little girl, were those twenty-seven needles yesterday really performed by you?"

Xiaochun felt a bit nervous under his gaze and nodded. "Yes... it's me."

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful!" The middle-aged man clapped and laughed. "An acupuncture technique lost for three hundred years has reappeared. Senior Brother Duanmu, this is a major event!"

Duanmu Feng's face remained expressionless. "Junior Brother Ling, I've brought the people to you. You decide how to arrange things."

With that, he walked into the hall on his own.

The middle-aged man called Junior Brother Ling didn't mind and smiled at Qin Feng's group. "I am Ling Yunzi, the Deputy Executive of the Ghost Doctor Hall. You young friends have come from afar; the journey must have been tiring. Why don't you rest in the guest house for a while? Later on, several Elders in the valley would like to meet you."

Qin Feng cupped his hands. "Elder Ling is too kind. However, I have one matter I would like to ask about."

"Oh? But say it without worry."

Qin Feng took a deep breath and looked directly at Ling Yunzi. "I want to ask about someone—Chu Tianhe. I heard he was brought back to Medicine King Valley not long ago. I wonder where he is now and how he is doing?"

The moment these words were spoken, the smile on Ling Yunzi's face vanished.

Even Duanmu Feng, who had already reached the entrance of the hall, stopped in his tracks.

The air instantly fell silent.