Chapter Sixteen: The Olive Branch of Hundred Herb Valley

Over the past three years, Blue Stone Town has undergone some subtle yet significant changes.

The most notable shift was the emergence of a striking, if somewhat aloof, presence in town. Liu Qingmei, the gifted prodigy of the Hundred Herb Valley, had truly made Blue Stone Town her home. She no longer attempted to disturb the mysterious "Recluse of Return to Void," instead pouring her entire heart and soul into the study of perfect elixirs.

At great personal cost, she had obtained several more perfect-grade elixirs from Elder Chen—Mind-Clearing Pills and Healing Pills. Each one was like a flawless work of art, leaving her so entranced that she could not pull herself away. She frequently fired up her furnace in her cave dwelling, attempting to imitate that perfect essence, yet every attempt ended in failure. Her furnace had exploded dozens of times, and countless precious medicinal herbs had been consumed, but the elixirs she produced remained worlds apart from the creations of the "Recluse of Return to Void."

However, this near-obsessive research was not without its rewards. Over these three years of tempering, Liu Qingmei’s alchemy skills had quietly progressed by leaps and bounds. Her success rate had increased, and the purity of her elixirs had deepened. Although she was still far from "perfection," she had subtly surpassed her master, Sun Baicao, the Valley Master of Hundred Herb Valley.

This discovery left her both excited and dejected. She was excited by her own progress, but dejected because the more she improved, the more she realized the insurmountable chasm between herself and the Recluse. It was no longer a matter of technique, but a crushing difference in realm—a dimensional gap in the understanding of the "Dao."

Her arrogance had been worn away over these three years, replaced by a devotion and reverence akin to that of a pilgrim. She no longer sought to challenge; she hungered to learn, even if it meant grasping only the smallest shred of insight.

Liu Qingmei’s persistence was reported back to the Hundred Herb Valley, a hundred miles away, via transmission jade slips, word for word.

In the Great Hall of the Hundred Herb Valley, the atmosphere was heavier than it had been three years ago.

Valley Master Sun Baicao held the latest jade slip from Liu Qingmei, silent for a long time. In it, Liu Qingmei detailed her insights from three years of studying the perfect elixirs, her words filled with such reverence for the "Recluse of Return to Void" that she described his alchemy as the "Great Dao of Alchemy, returning to simplicity and truth."

"Qingmei has lost her arrogance; this is a good thing for her future on the path of alchemy," one elder remarked with satisfaction.

"It is more than just a good thing!" another elder stood up, excited. "Look at Qingmei’s description—her understanding of the Dao of alchemy has surpassed our own! This is all thanks to the Recluse! Even though the Recluse has never revealed himself, he is better than any master! This is a monumental opportunity for our Hundred Herb Valley!"

Once these words were spoken, the hall erupted.

They were right! They had previously only seen a threat, a crisis where their market was being encroached upon. But now, it was clear that behind this crisis lay a heaven-sent opportunity!

A grandmaster of alchemy capable of crafting perfect elixirs was living in seclusion only a hundred miles away! This was a supreme fortune bestowed upon the Hundred Herb Valley! If they could establish even the slightest connection with this master—even just to receive a word or two of guidance—it would benefit the entire valley beyond measure!

"We can wait no longer!" Sun Baicao slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing. "Our previous attitude was too short-sighted and passive! Sending a junior to try and swap a mere recipe for a chance to speak with a master... it was like looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, completely ignorant of the vastness of the world!"

He took a deep breath and made a momentous decision.

"Prepare the most precious thousand-year-old herbs in our valley, and prepare generous gifts! I will go to Blue Stone Town myself to pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Chen, and in my capacity as the Valley Master of Hundred Herb Valley, formally express our respect and goodwill toward the Recluse of Return to Void!"

This time, Sun Baicao’s attitude was worlds apart from when he had sent Liu Qingmei to "investigate" three years ago. Back then, it had been a matter of testing, competing, and even harboring a sliver of defiance. Now, it was a matter of seeking instruction, looking upward with heartfelt devotion.

Several days later, at the Magistrate's Office in Blue Stone Town.

When the white-haired Valley Master Sun Baicao arrived in person with several elders, holding jade boxes radiating astonishing spiritual energy, and stood respectfully at the door, Elder Chen was truly startled.

Although he was a Golden Core cultivator, Blue Stone Town was a remote place, and his status as a magistrate carried little weight before the head of a true sect. Sun Baicao coming in person was an immense show of respect.

"Valley Master Sun, you honor me with your presence. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!" Elder Chen hurriedly ushered them inside.

Sun Baicao lowered his posture significantly, bowing deeply to Elder Chen with clasped hands, and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoist Chen, I have come today to apologize for the reckless actions of my wayward disciple three years ago. We were blind to the greatness before us and failed to grasp the Recluse’s true realm. I hope you might put in a good word for us before the master."

As he spoke, he signaled for the elders behind him to open the gift boxes one by one.

In an instant, the entire hall was enveloped in rich medicinal fragrance and spiritual radiance.

Thousand-year-old Blood Dragon Ginseng, three-thousand-year-old Purple Jade Lingzhi, Star Sand containing pure starlight energy... each item was a top-tier alchemical material that would make even a Golden Core cultivator’s heart race.

Elder Chen’s eyelids twitched, and he gasped inwardly. The Hundred Herb Valley had truly gone all out this time.

He dared not be negligent and quickly said, "Valley Master Sun, you are too kind. The Recluse is as broad-minded as the clouds in the sky; he would naturally not take offense. Please sit for a moment; I shall go and relay this to him."

Elder Chen arrived outside the Return to Void Cottage once more, his heart more complex than ever before. He passed on Sun Baicao’s intentions and the list of generous gifts into the formation, word for word.

Inside the cave dwelling, I was guiding Jiang Yiyi and Jiang Xiaobai in their cultivation.

Hearing Elder Chen’s message, I was slightly surprised. This Valley Master was a man who knew when to bend and when to stand, far more aware of the situation than his arrogant apprentice.

Meeting me was, of course, impossible. Once my identity was exposed, it would trigger a massive upheaval—not just for a small sect like the Hundred Herb Valley, but for the entire Cloud Province and beyond. I came here only to raise my daughters in peace, and I did not wish to invite any karma.

However, rejecting their goodwill and such generous gifts outright would seem cold and might lead them to speculate about my intentions.

My gaze fell upon the spiritual herbs in the garden that had been growing for decades. Under Yiyi’s special nourishment, their medicinal potency far exceeded anything in the outside world. To me, refining a few low-level elixirs was nothing more than a casual flick of the hand.

An idea formed in my mind.

Perhaps I could establish a limited, cooperative relationship.

I needed a stable channel to dispose of the elixirs I couldn't use and to acquire the massive quantities of basic materials I couldn't be bothered to collect myself. The Hundred Herb Valley, as an alchemical sect, possessed the medicinal reserves and collection channels I needed.

In this way, I could satisfy their desire to "seek the Dao," putting them at ease, while saving myself a great deal of trouble and accumulating a vast resource for my daughters' future cultivation. It was a win-win situation—why not?

"Fellow Daoist Chen," my voice sounded calmly in Elder Chen’s consciousness.

"Master, I am here," Elder Chen replied, his spirit lifting.

"Thank me for Valley Master Sun’s kindness. There is no need for a meeting; I have already said I am in seclusion and cannot receive guests."

Hearing the first half, Elder Chen’s heart sank, thinking he was about to be rejected again.

But my tone shifted: "However, I have felt the sincerity of the Hundred Herb Valley. Since we are both on the path of alchemy, forming a good connection is fine. Tell Valley Master Sun that I accept his gifts, but I never take things for free."

"How about this: in the future, the Hundred Herb Valley may periodically deliver the various herbs they collect to you. In exchange, I will refine elixirs of corresponding value for them. I will decide the types and quality of the elixirs. They need only provide the materials; there is no need to provide recipes."

"This... this is..." Elder Chen was stunned, his mind reeling.

This was no mere exchange; this was a heaven-sent grace!

To trade ordinary herbs for elixirs refined by a master of alchemy, potentially even of perfect quality? The Hundred Herb Valley was making the deal of a lifetime!

"Does the Master mean... that you agree to a long-term cooperation of exchanging herbs for elixirs with the Hundred Herb Valley?" Elder Chen confirmed.

"You could say that," my voice remained indifferent. "Consider it a small connection formed between a man outside the world and the mortal realm. You can discuss the specific details with them. Remember, everything must be handled through you; do not let them disturb my quiet cultivation."

"I understand! I shall obey your command!" Elder Chen bowed excitedly.

With my explicit reply, Elder Chen returned to the magistrate’s hall, filled with excitement.

He relayed my words to Sun Baicao exactly as they were spoken.

When Sun Baicao heard the message, he froze. The teacup in his hand dropped to the floor with a "crash," shattering into pieces, but he didn't even notice.

The elders behind him stood dumbfounded, as if they had heard a fairy tale.

"Fellow... Fellow Daoist Chen, are you saying... the Master has agreed... to use the herbs we provide to refine elixirs for us?" Sun Baicao’s voice trembled.

"That is exactly what he meant," Elder Chen nodded with a smile. "He said it was to form a bond of goodwill."

"A bond of goodwill... a wonderful bond of goodwill!" Sun Baicao’s face flushed with excitement. He stood up abruptly and bowed deeply toward the direction of the Return to Void Cottage, remaining that way for a long time.

"We are eternally grateful for your great kindness!"

He knew this was more than a mere transaction. The master was, in a special way, imparting the Dao to them, his juniors! Through the elixirs he refined, they would have the opportunity to glimpse the tip of the iceberg of the Great Dao of Alchemy!

This olive branch was even thicker and more full of life than he had ever imagined!

The future of the Hundred Herb Valley was secured!

This news soon reached Liu Qingmei’s ears as well. When she learned of her master’s intentions and the response from the "Recluse of Return to Void," she stood frozen at the door of her dwelling, tears sliding silently down her face.

They were not tears of grievance, but of excitement and joy.

Her three years of persistence had finally been rewarded. Although she still had not seen his true face, she felt that, in this way, the distance between her and that master had been drawn closer.

She knew that from this day on, she would have the opportunity to continuously come into contact with the perfect creations of that master.

She bowed deeply toward the direction of the Return to Void Cottage, her eyes filled with unprecedented determination.

From that day forward, an alchemical supply chain—centered in Blue Stone Town and connecting the mysterious Return to Void Cottage with the Hundred Herb Valley—was officially established.