At that moment, on a mountainside near the center of the city, Ye Yunfei's gaze was fixed on the delicate little boy and the snow-white serpent in the herb garden ahead.
"Master, what are you waiting for? Hurry and capture that Demigod herb!" Hu Miao exclaimed excitedly.
*Swish!*
Suddenly, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm shot out, charging toward the herb garden ahead.
"You silly silkworm! You are not allowed to eat it! That is a priceless treasure!" Hu Miao quickly shouted.
*Buzz…*
At that very moment, a layer of dazzling light appeared and rose from within the herb garden.
*Thud!*
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm crashed into the layer of light and was directly sent flying back.
"So there is a Formation!" everyone exclaimed in surprise.
"That is not a Demigod herb.
It belongs to the Celestial Medicine Clan," Ye Yunfei said, speaking up.
"The Celestial Medicine Clan?" Those around him were taken aback.
"That's right.
The Celestial Medicine Clan is a rather special race among medicinal plants.
When members of the Celestial Medicine Clan grow to a certain level, they develop intelligence and can even leave the soil they grew in, moving about freely, indistinguishable from living beings."
Ye Yunfei explained.
"There exists such a race of herbs in the world!" Huang Shang was also an alchemist, but he had never heard of the Celestial Medicine Clan before. He was utterly astonished.
The disciples of Heavenly Dao Academy were even more dumbfounded upon hearing this.
"Master, can the Celestial Medicine Clan also set up Formations?" Hu Miao asked.
"Those of the Celestial Medicine Clan who can already move freely possess intelligence no different from humans, even surpassing them in cleverness. So it's not strange that they can set up Formations.
Moreover, the Celestial Medicine Clan is adept at transformation, able to change into various shapes.
Look at that little boy and that white serpent; they are actually two members of the Celestial Medicine Clan in transformed forms."
Ye Yunfei pointed out.
"How incredible!
If that's the case, then the reason legends of Demigod herbs have always existed within the Divine Fall Land is simply because these two members of the Celestial Medicine Clan have been traveling around together, seen by outsiders, and mistaken for Demigod herbs!"
Hu Miao deduced.
"Yes, exactly.
The Divine Fall Land opens once every six hundred years. Perhaps six hundred years ago, the warriors exploring from the outside unintentionally saw these two Celestial Medicine Clan members.
Thus, the rumor of Demigod herbs within the Divine Fall Land spread."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Master, how do these Celestial Medicine Clan members compare in value to ordinary herbs?" Hu Miao asked again.
"The Celestial Medicine Clan is incredibly precious. Furthermore, some Celestial Medicine Clan members who have lived for vast eons possess value comparable to that of Demigod herbs."
Ye Yunfei said.
*Ssss!*
Comparable to Demigod herbs! Everyone was astounded upon hearing this.
"If that's the case, Master, quickly capture that Celestial Medicine Clan member!" Hu Miao urged.
"Those Celestial Medicine Clan members that have grown to the point of moving freely can fly through the heavens and burrow into the earth, vanishing into the void. They are difficult to chase, and capturing them is no easy task."
Ye Yunfei smiled wryly. In the past, he had dealings with the Celestial Medicine Clan and knew some of their characteristics.
"Don't move recklessly and scare them away. Let me handle this and see if I can catch them."
Ye Yunfei's gaze remained fixed on the two Celestial Medicine Clan members as he pondered how to capture them.
"Young human, I would like to have a chat with you."
Right at that moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly received a Sound Transmission.
*Who is talking to me? Could it be…?*
Ye Yunfei was taken aback, looking at the exquisite little boy and the white serpent in the herb garden ahead.
The little boy appeared crystalline and translucent, emitting a holy radiance. Around him, specks of light drifted down like rain, creating a hazy, sacred atmosphere.
The long serpent was snow-white like jade from head to tail, carrying the little boy as it hovered in mid-air, emanating a vibrant aura of Spiritual Qi.
"Are you two speaking to me?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Yes.
Young human, our Ancestor wishes to speak with you."
The little boy nodded toward Ye Yunfei.
*Ancestor?*
Ye Yunfei was puzzled. Behind these two Celestial Medicine Clan members, there was an Ancestor?
Since they referred to it as 'Ancestor,' it must have lived for an extremely long time.
A Celestial Medicine Clan member that has lived for vast eons possesses value equivalent to a Demigod herb!
And now, this Ancestor of the Celestial Medicine Clan actually wanted to talk to him.
This left Ye Yunfei both suspicious and bewildered.
"Where is your Ancestor? What does it wish to discuss?" Ye Yunfei inquired via Sound Transmission.
"Young human, my Ancestor resides in seclusion atop this mountain peak. It requests your presence for a face-to-face discussion."
The little boy pointed toward the mountain peak.
"Your Ancestor and I are not acquainted. Why don't you have it come down to see me instead."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before replying.
Undoubtedly, this mountain peak was the territory of the Celestial Medicine Clan. An Ancestor of the Celestial Medicine Clan inviting him for no apparent reason—its intentions were unclear. Naturally, Ye Yunfei had no desire to recklessly put himself in danger.
"My Ancestor is currently in seclusion and finds it inconvenient to descend the mountain."
The little boy explained.
"Since your Ancestor is in seclusion, then I won't disturb it."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Young human, you misunderstand. My Ancestor wishes to see you with absolutely no ill intent.
In fact, the Ancestor has a request to make.
Furthermore, the Ancestor stated it would provide you with satisfactory compensation."
Seeing Ye Yunfei's attitude, the little boy grew a bit anxious.
Ye Yunfei remained silent.
"Young human, my Ancestor says if you truly worry for your safety, the two of us can act as hostages.
You can seal us both and carry us with you. That way, you can set your mind at ease."
After a moment of anxious hesitation, the little boy suddenly added.
Evidently, he was maintaining constant contact with the Ancestor, who was secretly guiding him.
"The two of you as hostages?" Ye Yunfei was left speechless.
The intelligence of the Celestial Medicine Clan was indeed on par with humans if they could come up with such a method.
Nevertheless, Ye Yunfei stared intently at the little boy, still refusing to show his stance.
"Young human, if you still harbor concerns… then, the thirteen members of our clan within this herb garden will all serve as your hostages.
You can seal us all. That way, you can be completely at ease, right?
My Ancestor would absolutely not joke about the safety of so many clan members.
Moreover, the Ancestor promises to gift you a batch of Saint-grade herbs."
The little boy supplemented.
As the little boy's words fell,
*Swish, swish…*
Eleven more herbs within the garden rose into the air, transforming and taking on shapes—some human, some avian, some bestial.
All of them glowed brilliantly, dazzling the eye.
"So many Celestial Medicine Clan members!" Hu Miao and the others stood there dumbfounded.
"Since that's the case, fine."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and finally nodded.
It seemed this Ancestor of the Celestial Medicine Clan was quite sincere.
"Excellent!
Young human, please enter."
Seeing Ye Yunfei finally agree, the little boy was overjoyed.
*Buzz…*
Immediately, the dazzling light barrier enveloping the herb garden opened to form a doorway.
"Master, what's going on?" Hu Miao couldn't help but ask.
"These Celestial Medicine Clan members have invited me inside, saying they have matters to discuss.
All of you, wait for me outside."
Ye Yunfei stated clearly.
Ye Yunfei and the little boy had been communicating via Sound Transmission, so Hu Miao and the others were unaware of what had transpired.
"Matters to discuss?" The group was bewildered.
"Yes.
Don't ask for now.
Huang Lao, I'm handing you the Phantom Tower.
If you encounter danger, have everyone take refuge inside it. Then you hide the Phantom Tower away."
Ye Yunfei passed the Phantom Tower to Huang Shang.
"Understood." Huang Shang nodded, accepting the Phantom Tower.
"Hu Miao, you come with me inside."
Ye Yunfei said.
The Celestial Medicine Clan was adept at transformation, while the Heavenly Fox Clan excelled in Illusion Arts. Bringing Hu Miao along might prove useful.
Ye Yunfei strode forward towards the herb garden, Hu Miao following closely by his side.
At that moment.
"Look!
It's Ye Yunfei and his group over there!"
"And what are those?
Could they be… Demigod herbs?
There are so many! Thirteen of them!"
Right then, a large group of warriors rushed up the mountainside. They first spotted Ye Yunfei and his party, then saw the thirteen radiant beings transformed by the Celestial Medicine Clan members within the herb garden!
Thirteen Celestial Medicine Clan members, transformed into thirteen majestic-looking beings!
It was far too eye-catching!
"Heavens!
By the looks of it, they must be Demigod herbs!
To think there are so many Demigod herbs!
Quick, let's go and seize them!"
Immediately, every warrior's eyes turned bloodshot, completely consumed by frenzy.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei led Hu Miao into the herb garden.
"Young human, go ahead and seal us all."
The little boy said.
"Fine."
Ye Yunfei nodded. Then, he directly made his move, sealing all thirteen Celestial Medicine Clan members.
Once sealed, these thirteen Celestial Medicine Clan members reverted to their original forms.
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, storing all thirteen of them.
*Rumble…*
Space within the herb garden trembled lightly.
Then, a rainbow bridge of seven colors appeared before Ye Yunfei.
Without hesitation, Ye Yunfei stepped onto this seven-colored rainbow bridge.
*Swish!*
The bridge carried Ye Yunfei as it soared upwards towards the mountaintop.
"Oh no!
Ye Yunfei has snatched away all those Demigod herbs!"
By now, the large group of warriors had rushed up to the edge of the herb garden. Witnessing Ye Yunfei collect the thirteen Celestial Medicine Clan members, they were filled with shock and fury.
By this time, Huang Shang had already transported all the disciples into the Phantom Tower. Then, taking the tower, he hid within a large tree nearby.