In the Eastern Region, even the occasional appearance of a single treasure medicine would often trigger fervent competition.
Here, however, there were so many! Even the higher-ups of the major sects and clans in the Eastern Region would likely go crazy over them!
"We've struck it rich!"
Just like a little money-grubber, Hu Miao let out a cheer and dashed towards the several medicinal fields.
Huang Shang was quick to follow.
He had already begun cultivating his Ghost Cultivation Art. Not only was his Soul Body becoming more solid, but the length of time he could spend away from that Pill Cauldron was increasing steadily.
Once his Ghost Cultivation Art reached a certain level, he could completely free himself from that cauldron.
"This... this is a Samsara Tree!"
Huang Shang exclaimed in shock.
The Samsara Tree was a small purple tree with six crescent moon-shaped leaves. Each leaf bore a unique mark that flickered intermittently. Staring at it for a long time seemed to reveal visions of the Six Paths of Samsara.
"Great Flame Sunflower!"
"Divine Saint's Breath!"
…
Huang Shang's surprised and delighted cries rang out one after another.
The Great Flame Sunflower spread across the ground, its orange-yellow blossoms like miniature suns, radiant and glowing.
As for the Divine Saint's Breath, it was a flower that appeared rather ordinary, resembling a dandelion.
These treasure medicines were exceptionally rare in the outside world. Even with money, they were extremely difficult to procure.
A short while later.
Hu Miao and Huang Shang had harvested every last treasure medicine from the several fields, not a single one was left.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei had been staring thoughtfully at the small bamboo pavilion in the center of the courtyard the entire time.
"Let's go take a look over there."
Ye Yunfei lifted his foot and walked towards the small bamboo pavilion.
Hu Miao and Huang Shang followed behind.
Soon, the three directly entered the small bamboo building.
The first floor was a small hall.
The furnishings in the hall were simple, the windows were clean and bright, and outside, bamboo shadows swayed in the breeze. It was quite elegant.
"I wonder what treasures are here."
The moment Hu Miao entered the little building, her gaze swept everywhere, full of excitement.
"Your residence here is quite peaceful and serene."
Ye Yunfei's gaze, however, fell upon a large, carved wooden armchair in the small hall as he spoke calmly.
"Hmm?"
Both Hu Miao and Huang Shang were taken aback, their gazes also moving to that armchair.
"I truly didn't expect a young man like you to be able to detect me."
After a brief moment of silence, a voice sounded.
Then, on that armchair, a figure slowly materialized, transitioning from illusory to solid. It was an elderly man in grey robes with a transcendent bearing – he had the bearing of a Daoist and an immortal's aura, with three long wisps of white beard hanging down his chest.
The old man stared at Ye Yunfei, seeming a little surprised.
"The Tianying Clan was once a powerful race among the Three Thousand Worlds back in its day. The Tianying Wang commanded awe throughout the heavens. The Thirteen Shadowguards and the Shadowsteed Cavalry were forces that made martial artists tremble with fear upon hearing their names. Yet, how is it that they were exterminated within a single day?" Ye Yunfei asked, looking at the elder.
"Who are you? Why are you so familiar with our Tianying Clan?" The elder's gaze bore intently into Ye Yunfei as he asked.
"Your Tianying Clan was renowned far and wide. Everyone in the world knew of you. Isn't it normal for me to know these things?" Ye Yunfei replied indifferently.
"That was in the past. Now, our Tianying Clan has long been submerged in the river of time and history," the elder sighed softly.
"Indeed. Back then, our Tianying Clan was truly powerful. The clan leader, the Tianying Wang, upon meeting the Heavenly Emperor, only needed to salute with cupped fists. However, who could have expected... the peak of prosperity leads to decline. Within a single day, it all ended," the elder's gaze looked into the distance, as if piercing through time and space to gaze upon the glorious past of the Tianying Clan.
"Just what happened that caused your Tianying Clan to be exterminated within a single day?" Ye Yunfei asked, feeling somewhat curious.
"I do not know. That day, a group of beings of unknown origin suddenly appeared and launched a terrifying war, slaughtering our clansmen in a frenzy. Each of those beings possessed terrifying battle prowess. The Tianying Wang, the Thirteen Shadowguards, and the Shadowsteed Cavalry were all unable to withstand them and were forced to retreat step by step. In the end, every last member of our Tianying Clan, from top to bottom, fell in battle. Exterminated within a single day..." the elder spoke slowly, his face etched with intense pain.
"A group of beings of unknown origin? Could they have been an enemy faction of your Tianying Clan?" Ye Yunfei found this somewhat strange.
"It's unlikely. The battle prowess of those beings was too terrifying. I honestly cannot think of any enemy faction we had that could possess such dreadful strength," the elder shook his head.
"Your position within the Tianying Clan must not have been low," Ye Yunfei suddenly remarked.
"I was an elder of the Tianying Clan, specifically in charge of the clan's Alchemy Hall. Hence, within the clan, everyone called me the Alchemy Elder," the elder replied.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young man, you are quite extraordinary. I can tell that you absolutely have significant origins," the elder said abruptly.
Ye Yunfei remained silent. He wouldn't casually reveal his own origins to others.
"Young man, your coming here must be to obtain the treasures left behind by our Tianying Clan. However, I don't have many treasures here. The only thing worth offering might be this pill cauldron," the elder waved a hand. A simple, ancient-looking pill cauldron appeared in front of Ye Yunfei.
Although this cauldron appeared old and of great antiquity, indistinct phantasms of a dragon and a phoenix were visible, swimming and playing as if frolicking.
The shape of the cauldron was simple and unadorned, exuding a sense of heavy historical weight.
"A cauldron forged from Chaos True Gold! Could it possibly be... the Chaos Cauldron!" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel his eyes brighten.
As a Pill Venerable, Ye Yunfei was familiar with the famous pill cauldrons of the world. The Chaos Cauldron was a relatively renowned one, its entire body forged from Chaos True Gold. The greatest characteristic of Chaos True Gold was its incomparable hardness, capable of resisting attacks from the vast majority of treasures in the world.
"Correct. Young man, you have good eyesight," the elder couldn't help but nod.
"Young man, I can give you this Chaos Cauldron. However, I have one request. I hope that in the future, you can investigate precisely who – or which faction – was responsible for exterminating my Tianying Clan. And, if possible, seek vengeance for my clan," the elder said.
Ye Yunfei swept a glance over the Chaos Cauldron but remained silent.
"I know a mere pill cauldron may be insufficient to move you. What if we add the Earth Flame to that? Furthermore, I can also pass on all my lifelong alchemical knowledge to you as my inheritance," the elder continued.
"You possess the Earth Flame?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
Of the world's hetero-flames, there were nine Heavenly Flames and eight Earth Flames. The Earth Flame ranked fifth among the Earth Flames.
"Correct." The elder pointed a finger at the cauldron. A reddish flame rose from within the cauldron, hovering above it.
Instantly, the temperature within the small hall soared suddenly. Waves of heat rolled through, as if in the height of summer.
"It really is the Earth Flame!" Ye Yunfei felt a flash of delight.
"If the opportunity arises, I will investigate just who exterminated your Tianying Clan back then. As for seeking revenge, I cannot make any promises," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
"Alright. I perished long ago. This wisp of my soul imprint is also about to dissipate. There's no need for the Chaos Cauldron and the Earth Flame to remain with me any longer. Consider it helping them find a new master," the elder sighed softly. With a gentle wave of his hand, both the Chaos Cauldron and that Earth Flame floated in front of Ye Yunfei.
"Young man, if you wish to obtain more of my Tianying Clan's treasures, I suggest you go to the Tianying Hall. There, perhaps, you might have a chance to encounter the Tianying Wang," the elder said to Ye Yunfei.
"I will go to the Tianying Hall," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Well then, young man, you may go," the elder waved his hand.
"Alright." Ye Yunfei didn't linger. He collected the Chaos Cauldron and the Earth Flame, and together with Hu Miao and Huang Shang, walked out of the small building.
Ye Yunfei knew this elder was about to disappear forever. Staying longer would serve no purpose.
"That young man... is not simple at all..." the elder murmured to himself, watching Ye Yunfei's departing figure.
His body began to slowly turn illusory, and in a few moments, it vanished completely.