Chapter 103: Returning to Azure Cloud Peak

What on earth is going on? Liu Pan frowned.

As the author, Liu Pan naturally understood the significance of the Burning Heaven Sect in the Southern Commandery, even throughout the entire Great Tianfeng Continent. Precisely because he knew this, he was well aware that the Burning Heaven Sect would never recruit disciples in such a remote, borderline area near the Southern Commandery. Moreover, no such plot had ever appeared in his writings.

Yet now...

A strange light flickered in Liu Pan’s eyes. He didn’t understand why the Burning Heaven Sect would come here to recruit disciples, but there was no doubt this would attract all the talented cultivators near the border of the Southern Commandery.

Seven days from now? After a brief moment’s thought, Liu Pan decided to return to Yunliu Sect first. As for the Burning Heaven Sect recruiting disciples in Tianyang City seven days later, Yunliu Sect certainly wouldn’t miss such an event. Still, Liu Pan felt he should carefully consider whether he wanted to join in the commotion.

Three hours later, Liu Pan soared into Yunliu City on his sword.

Having just broken through to the Martial Master realm and awakened his spiritual sense, he no longer needed to worry about revealing his spiritual power even when using a spirit tool in front of others, which made things much easier for him.

He scanned the city with his spiritual sense but found no sign of Xu Xiaozhan. So, he directly descended on his sword outside the gates of Yunliu Sect. After presenting his disciple identity token, he entered Yunliu Sect without issue.

At Cangyun Peak.

“Senior Brother Liu Pan, you’re back!” Two disciples guarding the mountain gate both froze for a moment upon seeing him, then clasped their fists in salute.

Now that he had broken through to the Martial Master realm, Liu Pan’s status as an apprentice herbalist had risen several levels.

No matter where one went, different strength and status always brought different treatment. Thus, the two gate guards calling him “Senior Brother” did not strike Liu Pan as odd.

The reason for their initial surprise was twofold: first, due to Liu Pan’s cultivation breakthrough; second, because of his current physique.

Though Liu Pan had spent a month recuperating in a small mountain village after the Thunder Tribulation, his frame was no longer as fragile as immediately after the ordeal. Still, compared to before the tribulation, he remained quite slender.

Nodding slightly, Liu Pan was about to ascend the peak when one of the gate guards suddenly spoke, “Senior Brother Liu Pan, while you were away, Xu Xiaozhan of the Xu family in Yunliu City came looking for you several times. He said he has collected all the alchemy herbs you asked for and that you can pick them up from his home when you return. If you’re short on time, just let us know, and he’ll have them delivered to you.”

Xu Xiaozhan? Liu Pan frowned. He had never asked Xu Xiaozhan to gather any herbs. After forming the “Extreme” organization, he had explicitly instructed no contact unless absolutely necessary, to avoid drawing attention. And now...

“I understand,” Liu Pan replied, hesitating slightly. Instead of heading up to Cangyun Peak, he turned and set off directly for the Xu family estate outside the sect.

Since Xu Xiaozhan had come to see him multiple times, it was clear something important was going on. Given the current situation, the organization’s matters were undoubtedly the top priority.

Leaving the sect, Liu Pan soon arrived at the Xu family residence. Before he could say anything, Xu Yangfeng immediately sent someone to summon Xu Xiaozhan from the sect.

Clearly, Xu Xiaozhan must have already been informed.

After more than half an hour, Xu Xiaozhan returned to the Xu estate. After a brief greeting, he pulled Liu Pan away and quietly led him into a modest courtyard in the southeast corner of Yunliu City.

“You’re not really coming to me because you gathered a bunch of herbs to give me, are you?” Liu Pan’s spiritual sense swept into the basement of the courtyard, revealing a large pile of freshly collected herbs, which made him somewhat suspicious.

“Just happened to collect them along the way. If you want to use them, feel free,” Xu Xiaozhan said, pausing briefly. He had already confirmed Liu Pan possessed spiritual sense, so it wasn’t surprising Liu Pan knew about the herbs stored in the basement.

“I’m looking for you because before Liu Kuang left, he secretly came to me and left something for you,” Xu Xiaozhan said.

As he spoke, the two had already descended into the basement, where Xu Xiaozhan retrieved a storage pouch from a small hidden compartment in the corner of the wall and handed it to Liu Pan.

A hidden compartment in the basement? Under normal circumstances, Liu Pan might have found this absurd, but right now, he had no mood for cynicism.

“Liu Kuang left? When? Where did he go?” Liu Pan was genuinely shocked.

“You didn’t know?” Xu Xiaozhan was taken aback. He had assumed that as the intermediary of the organization, Liu Pan would at least have a general idea of the movements of its members. But it seemed he had been mistaken. This organization was not as reliable as he had imagined.

Of course, Liu Pan had no idea what Xu Xiaozhan was thinking. If he did, he would probably feel quite embarrassed. After all, the organization had only been formed recently with no communication or intelligence networks.

Or perhaps, if Xu Xiaozhan knew Liu Pan intended to wait until he became the world’s foremost merchant, then use his widespread commercial network as the foundation to build communication and intelligence networks, Xu Xiaozhan would be even more speechless.

“He left over a month ago. He was noticed by a senior member of the Burning Heaven Sect and invited to join. Likewise, Senior Brother Xiao Hanyi was also noticed by a senior and taken to Burning Heaven Sect,” Xu Xiaozhan explained.

As Xu Xiaozhan spoke, Liu Pan grabbed the pouch and opened it. Inside were only a few transmission flying swords—no other items.

He had left? Liu Pan was stunned. He had never imagined Liu Kuang would leave like this, or that he would completely slip out of his control.

Joining Burning Heaven Sect? What was going on?

After all, from the moment he crossed into this story until now, although Liu Pan hadn’t paid too much attention to Liu Kuang, deep down, he cared about him the most.

After all, Liu Kuang was the protagonist of his own creation. To say there were no emotional ties would be impossible.

Now, with Liu Kuang gone, Liu Pan felt that hollow emptiness once again—an emptiness even greater than when he had handed over the Great Wilderness Blade to Liu Kuang.

After a long silence, Liu Pan packed away the few transmission flying swords Liu Kuang had left behind, then took a deep breath and said, “Tell me everything about Liu Kuang’s departure in detail.”

Soon, Liu Pan learned the full circumstances of Liu Kuang’s departure. Only then did he realize that the elderly man and young boy who had appeared after his tribulation breakthrough were not only from Burning Heaven City but were also members of the Burning Heaven Sect. Liu Kuang had likely met them after the tribulation.

If that was the case... a thought stirred in Liu Pan’s mind. He finally began to understand why the Burning Heaven Sect would come to such a desolate border region near the Southern Commandery to recruit disciples.

Burning Heaven Sect? Liu Pan’s eyes flickered, then he cast his gaze toward the pile of freshly gathered herbs in the basement. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Xiaozhan, I’m leaving. In these seven days, I want you to collect as many different herbs as possible and store them in this basement. I will refine all of them into pills to serve as your capital for future ventures in the merchant trade.”

...

Leaving the courtyard, Liu Pan returned to Cangyun Peak of Yunliu Sect.

“Master,” Liu Pan respectfully bowed.

At present, the gate guardians of Cangyun Peak were still Yu Yao and Zhang Pingkang. Due to Xiao Hanyi’s departure, Elder Zhao had recruited a new apprentice herbalist named Yang Yan, who was young but had reached the ninth rank of Martial Disciple cultivation, clearly gifted.

“Broken through?” Elder Zhao appraised Liu Pan from head to toe, a hint of surprise in his eyes. This was due to the change in Liu Pan’s cultivation and physique.

“Yes, I was fortunate to break through a few days ago. I am now a first-rank Martial Master and have awakened my spiritual sense,” Liu Pan respectfully replied.

“Hm.” Elder Zhao nodded. Although he noticed the significant change in Liu Pan’s physique, he did not press the matter. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Since you’ve broken through, come assist me tomorrow. I will officially begin teaching you alchemy.”

“Yes, Master!” Liu Pan said excitedly.

Elder Zhao nodded again and then turned his gaze to Yang Yan. “Tomorrow, go to Qinglin Peak and ask Old Man Yang if the pill cauldron I commissioned last time has been completed. If it’s ready, bring it back. If not, urge him to finish it quickly, saying we need it urgently.”

“Yes, Master,” Yang Yan promptly saluted and cast a look of envy at Liu Pan.

The next day, Elder Zhao began instructing Liu Pan on how to refine pills, starting with the most basic type—ordinary quality pills.

Since Liu Pan did not yet have a pill cauldron, Elder Zhao demonstrated the process while explaining key points. Then Liu Pan used his spiritual sense to scan and observe closely.

Liu Pan was naturally “earnest” in his studies. Meanwhile, Yang Yan had left early in the morning to Qinglin Peak as instructed.

“The refining of Blood Condensing Pills is relatively simple. You just need to focus on purifying the medicinal properties of the Linzhi herb and the final condensation process. At worst, you can produce three pills successfully,” Elder Zhao explained while waving his hand to open a pill cauldron. He took out twelve fully formed pills and casually handed one to Liu Pan. “Newly refined pills, without time to settle, are easiest to taste the degree of fusion and the manner in which the medicinal powers blend. Take this and try it. See how much you can sense.”

Liu Pan quickly accepted the pill, but before he could consume it, a voice sounded from outside the basement.

“Elder Zhao, a disciple from the outer affairs hall has come to summon you to the main peak. There is an important matter to discuss,” said Yu Yao.

“Did they say what it was about?” Elder Zhao frowned.

“The Xu family came to inquire about exporting pills. Elder Li from Chichen Peak’s Pill Hall will also be there,” Yu Yao replied.

“I see,” Elder Zhao nodded, then looked at Liu Pan. “Taste the pill carefully. When I return, I’ll ask you how it feels.”

“Yes!” Liu Pan respectfully saluted.

Shortly after, Elder Zhao left the basement. As Liu Pan’s spiritual sense tracked the elder flying away from Cangyun Peak, his eyes suddenly flashed with insight. He swiftly turned toward the other side of the basement, where a passage was shielded by an array.

Regarding water-based alchemy, he already grasped the basics. What he needed now were more advanced pill compendiums and formulas...

(The foolish author declares: I won’t give up so easily!)

(To be continued.)