Chapter Seventy-Five: One, Two, Three...

When the man in gray pointed out flaws in the story he had fabricated, Liu Pan felt a flicker of nervousness. His greatest fear was that the man in gray would turn and directly question Xu Xiaozhan and his father, which would put him in a difficult spot.

Fortunately, although the man in gray had noted the inconsistencies in his tale, he didn’t seem particularly concerned that it was Liu Pan who told it, and instead directed the issue squarely at him.

As for the quantity of spirit herbs on his person, Liu Pan had no worries. From the very beginning, he had decided to pursue the path of alchemy. So, after escaping from the Baiyang Sect and deciding to come to the Yunliu Gate, he had already begun gathering medicinal materials.

To reach the pinnacle of the alchemical arts, aside from talent, resources were a major factor. While Liu Pan had previously managed to concoct some basic pills in Baiyang Sect without much effort, that was merely fire-method alchemy. Possessing an Extreme Cold Physique, Liu Pan knew that if he wished to rise to the top in alchemy, learning water-method alchemy was his only path forward.

And when it came to water-method alchemy, his knowledge was scant—every step had to be learned from scratch. Thus, Liu Pan had started collecting herbs, preparing in advance for his study of water-method alchemy.

Yet, ultimately, Liu Pan was frustrated. He was deeply reluctant to bring out his spirit herbs. He understood clearly: if he revealed too many, some would surely set their sights on him. Thus, after joining Yunliu Gate, he would have to find a powerful patron as quickly as possible to ensure his safety. But for a new disciple to secure such backing in the sect was no easy matter.

Since he wished to study water-method alchemy, the ideal patron would be an elder proficient in that art. Yet Liu Pan knew nothing about such elders in Yunliu Gate. In fact, it was only after several days of inquiries in Yunliu City that he confirmed the existence of water-method alchemy elders in the sect. How could he not be frustrated?

It all stemmed from the fact that Liu Pan’s book featured Liu Kuang, whose cultivation was fire-based. Every plotline revolved around fire techniques, with others as mere supplements. Water-method alchemy—a “niche” practice—was rarely described. That was only natural.

He was unwilling in both heart and mind. Yet, because of Xu Xiaozhan, Liu Pan now had no choice but to present his spirit herbs. All he could hope was that this Xu Xiaozhan truly was the same as the one in his book; otherwise, he would suffer dearly.

Though he had to bring them out, he couldn’t do so in a “flamboyant” manner. The quantity was considerable; if he produced them all at once, it would surely arouse suspicion.

“Um…” Liu Pan hesitated for quite some time, then cautiously said, “Senior, if I bring out so many spirit herbs here, what if someone covets them?”

As he spoke, Liu Pan glanced around nervously, as if genuinely afraid someone might try to rob him.

“Nonsense! With me here, who dares rob you? Hurry up and take them out!” Elder Yang responded impatiently.

Having delayed so long, Elder Yang’s mood was far from pleasant. If not for Liu Kuang’s potential as a spiritual cultivator—a promising seedling—and the fact that Xu Yangfeng’s previous sneak attack had targeted Liu Kuang, Elder Yang would have handed this matter off long ago.

“Then I’ll bring them out, Senior.”

Sensing Elder Yang’s impatience, Liu Pan wasted no more time. He took a storage pouch from his chest and began to retrieve herbs from within.

“The first batch,” Liu Pan muttered.

Hearing his words, the onlookers were first intrigued, then bewildered. As Liu Pan’s muttering faded, they saw him pull from the pouch a handful of something resembling scallions. Then, with another mutter, out came a handful of beans, dried and stringy.

“My goodness!”

After Liu Pan retrieved the fifth batch of whatever it was, someone finally couldn’t help but exclaim. More people came to their senses, and soon the square was abuzz with chatter.

“My goodness! Are those really spirit herbs, taken out by the handful? They look just like the stuff you’d find in the vegetable seller’s basket on the street corner!”

“I thought so too.”

“Shows you two haven’t read enough! Those really are spirit herbs! The scallion-like ones are Sweet Spirit Grass, and the bean-like ones are Earth Tendril Reed.”

“You think you’re so well-read! Do you really think I can’t tell those are spirit herbs? I just haven’t gotten used to their packaging.”

“Neither can I. Goodness, these are spirit herbs! Not only aren’t they packed in jade boxes, they’re bundled together in handfuls—this is just…”

The surrounding voices continued to jabber, but Liu Kuang alone wore a feigned look of surprise. He had witnessed Liu Pan bundling up these herbs, handful after handful.

In fact, when Liu Pan brought out these bundled herbs, Liu Kuang could almost hear again what Liu Pan had said at the time: “They’re not high-grade spirit herbs; what’s the point of jade boxes? If I used jade boxes, I’d need to buy so many! And when I needed them, I’d have to open each box—what a hassle. Bundling them by type saves trouble and makes them easier to use. Loss of medicinal potency? Low-grade spirit herbs don’t lose much anyway.”

What’s more, when Liu Kuang told the artifact spirit Yan of the Wild Blade about this, Yan had agreed without hesitation. This deeply disheartened Liu Kuang, whose experience was still quite limited. He felt sure that, in time, Liu Pan and Yan would “corrupt” him.

In the end, Liu Pan brought out twelve handfuls, five packets, and several individual herbs. The total numbered at least eighty, if not a hundred—enough to tempt ordinary cultivators to risk offending Yunliu Gate and snatch him right there in the square.

Yet now, no one cared how many Liu Pan had produced; their attention was fixed on the packaging.

“Senior, these are the spirit herbs I bought from Xu Xiaozhan. Do you think this amount is enough to make Xu Yangfeng risk offending Yunliu Gate by abducting someone in the square?”

Finally, Liu Pan’s words brought everyone’s thoughts back to the matter at hand.

He paused briefly, then added, “If Senior thinks it’s not enough, then I believe Xu Yangfeng must have another motive for abducting someone here, and should be thoroughly questioned.”

After Liu Pan finished, Elder Yang took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, as if suppressing something. At length, he spoke calmly: “That’s enough. You may put your herbs away now.”