#49medicinal herb transit pointAI Model: openai/gpt-oss-120b
Chapter One: Herbal Transshipment Hub
"Pass by, stop by, take a look, fresh-out-of-the-ground spirit tools..."
"Centennial elixirs, collect centennial elixirs, millennial treasure medicines..."
The voice was unfamiliar, but the content was familiar.
"Aside from being larger, it seems no different from the town beside Soul Hunting Forest."
Zhao Liuyun lifted the carriage curtain and curiously looked outside.
All kinds of shops were present.
Armor, weapons, antidotes, insect repellents, snake‑driving powder... they still sold those items.
But Star Dou Soul Hunting Town was larger, several times the size of the town beside the Soul Hunting Forest, resembling a small city.
The aura of passing Spirit Masters was also richer.
From the mental force and spirit power drifting off the people, Zhao Liuyun could sense that many Spirit Ancestor and Spirit King‑level strongmen were present.
It makes sense; Star Dou Great Forest nurtures more rare resources, yet danger lurks everywhere.
Without a bit of skill, who would dare linger here?
Zhao Liuyun jumped off the carriage, strolling leisurely while keeping an eye on the apothecary his master‑uncle mentioned.
His gaze passed a majestic storefront bearing a seven‑tier pagoda emblem.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School... The commerce network of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School spans the two great Empires, and in a Soul Hunting Town that serves as a hub for high‑grade resources of Star Dou Great Forest, their presence is inevitable.
Not only them, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan needs news on dragon‑type Spirit Beasts, and all major factions crave information on Medicinal Baths and rare Spirit Beasts... This place truly is a dragon‑coiled, tiger‑settled stronghold.
Zhao Liuyun rubbed his hands, feeling his anticipation grow.
He didn't walk far before finding the apothecary his master‑uncle spoke of.
It was less a shop than a precious herb distribution center.
Centennial herbs, rarely seen in Soul Hunting Forest, were lined up here, their fragrance overwhelming.
Medicine and herbs are inseparable; the Ye family has passed down the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit to just two members, so maintaining a respectable force is paramount.
"Earth‑Dragon Vine, Meteoric Flying Flower, Jade Spirit Crow, Cloud‑Blossom Treasure Fungus, Red Sun Grass..." Zhao Liuyun's eyes lit up.
Each root still clung to fresh soil, clearly freshly harvested.
Even used alone, many herbs greatly benefit a Spirit Master's growth, solidifying the foundation and strengthening muscles and bones.
Alas, his purse was light.
A young girl learning to identify herbs was drawn by his whisper and waddled over.
Round face, upturned nose, chubby cheeks, a pair of bright deer eyes full of curiosity, and two fine braids at the back of her head.
"You, sir, really know quality."
She was clearly a child, yet mimicked adult speech with an oddly mature air.
Zhao Liuyun smiled faintly.
But at such an age, she roamed the shop freely... "I'm the junior shopkeeper, what would you like to buy?" the little girl straightened her back, chin slightly raised, assuming the posture of a tiny proprietor.
Two tall Spirit Masters stood on her left and right, spirit powershimmering.
They were Spirit Ancestors.
Looking at Zhao Liuyun, they smiled, but their eyes hid a subtle wariness.
"I'm not buying anything, I'm looking for someone."
Zhao Liuyun gave a gentle smile; his graceful bearing and handsome looks inevitably won goodwill.
The girl's voice softened a bit: "Who are you looking for?"
"Senior Ye Wenxi." Zhao Liuyun took a recommendation letter from his ring, then added, "Master Uncle Huang Xin recommended me."
"So you're looking for grandpa!" the girl twirled her braids, overlooking the next sentence—
She didn't know him anyway.
"Grandpa! A brother is looking for you," she shouted toward the inner room.
"Coming!" an aged voice called from the back hall.
Soon, an elder with snow‑white hair and a face full of wrinkles stepped out slowly.
His movements were unhurried, his steps composed, eyes calm like an ancient well; Zhao Liuyun guessed correctly—he must be about seventy.
"Someone named Huang Xin recommended me," the girl leaned in, lowering her voice to add.
She restrained herself and handed over the recommendation letter.
"Are you… Senior Ye Wenxi?" Zhao Liuyun asked softly.
"I am Ye Wenxi. Who are you, that Huang Xin kid?" The old master opened the letter and read silently.
Zhao Liuyun bowed respectfully, his posture humble: "Senior Ye, greetings. I am Zhao Liuyun, Huang Xin's junior disciple, apprenticed under Bai Hong."
"My master‑uncle asked me to convey his regards to you."
Ye Wenxi asked, "Huang Xin, that kid, hasn't been seen for five years—what level is he now?"
"My master‑uncle is now a Level‑24 Great Spirit Master."
"Tsk, no progress at all," Ye Wenxi snorted, his tone dripping with undisguised disappointment.
Zhao Liuyun lowered his head and stood there awkwardly; as a junior, it was improper to speak much.
"Hmm?" Ye Wenxi read the letter, then his eyelids twitched,
"You can actually endure the Dragon Blood Tree Medicinal Bath alone?"
"Yes," Zhao Liuyun nodded.
A flash of surprise crossed Ye Wenxi's steady face.
Born at Level‑5, becoming a Great Spirit Master at nine, his cultivation speed was already astonishing.
But the Dragon Blood Tree Medicinal Bath... Ye Wenxi said gravely:
"The Dragon Blood Tree bath causes excruciating pain while soaking, but it accelerates the body's absorption and conversion of nutrients, with no side effects."
"This formula was originally created by my master, the previous head of the Ye family, under a major Sect's commission, intended to forge the will of young Spirit Masters and speed up physical growth."
"Later, due to the unbearable pain, it was discontinued."
"I never expected anyone would actually use this method to forge a body..."
"Child, your determination moves me!"
Zhao Liuyun's mouth twitched, he fell silent for a moment, then smiled:
"I truly have no other choice. I have nothing; my master‑uncle can't provide anything better either."
"My physique is too weak; to absorb suitable spirit rings, this is the only path I can take."
These words were meant to garner sympathy and increase his chances of being accepted, but they were not false.
He really had no option.
"Good child, stay here for now." Ye Wenxi squeezed Zhao Liuyun's shoulder, feeling his physical strength was genuine.
In an instant, affection blossomed.
"I have a better Medicinal Bath formula, milder, that solidifies the foundation and enhances inner strength."
Cultivating powerful Spirit Masters for the family from a young age is what every support system family does.
Although Ye Wenxi is a distant relative and lacks the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit, his importance is still indispensable to the family.
He has the duty to forge more connections.
"Thank you, Senior, but I don't take unearned rewards..." Zhao Liuyuninstinctively declined.
Free things are the most expensive; how can one accept generosity out of thin air?
"Don't refuse; this isn't charity, it's an investment." Ye Wenxi shook his head, "You're not the only one."
Exchange resources for connections!
That is the very foundation for support system families to stand in the World.
Ye Wenxi's first impression of Zhao Liuyun was very good.
Born humble yet gifted, diligent, resilient, sensible, knows when to advance or retreat, and has clear goals!
A seedling like this is naturally worth courting.
It's just a Medicinal Bath; the Ye family has practiced medicine for generations and never lacks formulas.
Running a herb business also never lacks supplies.
How much could it cost?
"Thank you, Senior." Zhao Liuyun expressed his gratitude solemnly.
According to Tang San's standards, after surpassing the third ring limit and tempering the body with over two thousand Eight Spider Lance external Spirit Bones, his physical condition would be roughly Level‑40.
This Medicinal Bath is a timely rain!
"Follow me."
Ye Wenxi, seeing his acceptance, flashed a hint of approval in his eyes, then turned and led Zhao Liuyun toward the back.
"I'll take you to where you'll stay."