The next morning, Lei Qi was still half-asleep when someone came knocking.
Honestly, at his cultivation level, going a few days without sleep was nothing. But Lei Qi had one fatal flaw — he loved to sleep.
"Ugh… so early…" he grumbled, dragging himself out of bed.
After a quick wash, he reluctantly made his way to the Thunder Clan's main hall.
This time, the atmosphere was much quieter than before. The crowd that had once filled the hall was gone. Only Lei Ying, an elderly man older even than him, and two middle-aged men remained.
When Lei Qi arrived, Lei Ying nodded to him and turned toward the elder.
"Tianchi, I'll leave Lei Qi in your care."
"Don't worry, Clan Leader."
The old man, Mang Tianchi, smiled faintly.
He was well aware of Lei Qi's identity — and his astonishing potential.
Mang Tianchi's full name once bore the Lei surname, but his bloodline had been deemed too weak when he was young. Like many children of diluted lineage, he'd been sent out of the clan.
Such things happened every year.
But unlike others who might have grown resentful, Mang Tianchi had thrived on his own. He had never blamed the clan; in fact, when he'd been sent away, the Thunder Clan had given him resources to survive. His nature had remained steady — firm but kind.
Now, he was one of the most respected elders among the alchemists of Zhongzhou, and Lei Ying trusted him deeply.
Standing beside them were two more men — Yang Ji and Zhang Yi, both leaders of the Thunder Legion.
They weren't of pure Dou Di bloodline; both were commoners who had risen through sheer talent and loyalty.
Yang Ji, with his sharp eyes and calm aura, had reached the level of Eight-Star Dou Zun, while Zhang Yi, slightly younger, was at the peak of Seven-Star Dou Zun.
The two bowed slightly.
These were Lei Qi's appointed protectors — shadows in the background, stepping in only when absolutely necessary.
Lei Ying had chosen well. Lei Qi was about to travel across the continent — and even a single wrong step could mean disaster.
After brief farewells, the group departed.
Once they exited the Thunder Realm, the scenery transformed. Endless Thunder Mountains stretched before them, dark clouds swirling in an eternal storm. Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating jagged peaks like dragon claws.
This was the true domain of the Thunder Clan — an entire small world, born from lightning itself.
Leaving its borders, they descended into Tianlei City, the last bastion of civilization before the outside world.
Few dared to expand near this area. Even the most arrogant powers of Zhongzhou hesitated to cross paths with the Thunder Clan. A Semi-Saint watched over the city — more than enough reason for any outsider to tread carefully.
Though this was merely the periphery, it still belonged firmly to the Thunder Realm.
Their destination lay far to the south — the Shennong Mountains, one of the most ancient and mysterious regions of the Central Continent.
Though remote and wild, the mountains were home to countless rare medicinal herbs, deadly beasts, and poisonous creatures unseen elsewhere.
At its heart stood the territory of the Medicine Clan, one of the seven remaining Dou Di lineages.
Every few years, the clan hosted the Pharmacopoeia, a grand event that gathered the continent's greatest alchemists.
The timing was never fixed; it changed with the flow of fate and the will of the clan. But whenever it occurred, the entire Central Continent turned its gaze toward the Shennong Mountains.
The Pharmacopoeia was more than a competition — it was a declaration. Whoever stood at the top of that event would be hailed as the strongest alchemist on the continent.
Alchemists from all major factions, ancient clans, and sects would attend — though only a select few ever received invitations.
Unlike the public Dan Tower Conference, the Pharmacopoeia was private, elite, and profoundly secretive.
Even the Dan Tower couldn't compare to the Medicine Clan's millennia of heritage in alchemy.
Their journey wasn't swift, despite Lei Qi's cultivation.
They traveled aboard a thundercraft, a massive silver ship that split the clouds.
Along the way, Lei Qi caught sight of a spatial wormhole — a vast rift that shimmered like liquid glass, connecting faraway regions.
It was fascinating to behold… but not particularly exciting to him.
He had seen stranger things inside the ancestral land.
Thanks to Mang Tianchi's artifact, the Mang Tian Ruler, their journey only took three days.
As they approached, swirling clouds gathered above the Shennong Mountains — not storm clouds, but pure celestial energy.
No wonder the Medicine Clan thrived here. Even the land itself breathed alchemy.
Soon, they reached a deep ravine guarded by an enormous stone archway, hundreds of feet tall. Its surface was carved with runes from an age long past, radiating an ancient and dignified aura.
At its center floated a distorted space gate, rippling faintly.
Dozens of cultivators descended from the sky or emerged from the forest, each presenting jade slips to the guards clad in Medicine Clan robes.
After a brief inspection, they were allowed entry.
"Thunder Clan, Mang Tianchi, four guests."
Mang Tianchi handed over his jade token.
The guards nodded respectfully. "Welcome. You may enter. Someone will escort you to the Medicine Realm."
As they stepped through the spatial gate, the world shifted.
The thick scent of herbs filled the air. Mountains of spirit plants glimmered beneath soft clouds, while distant peaks were connected by floating bridges.
The Medicine Realm was breathtaking — a paradise built from medicine and soul energy.
Mang Tianchi smiled faintly. "I wonder if we'll get to see Old Man Yaodan refine pills this year."
Lei Qi raised a brow. "Yaodan?"
Mang Tianchi chuckled. "The continent's number one alchemist. Even the Dan Tower bows to his skill."
Lei Qi's eyes gleamed. "If I can witness that once, this trip will already be worth it."
He wasn't particularly interested in alchemy, but he was curious to see what level the Medicine Clan's so-called geniuses had reached.
Moments later, a giant spirit bird swooped down.
An elder in Medicine Clan robes stood atop it, smiling warmly. "Haha, Elder Mang! I didn't expect you to lead the delegation this time."
Mang Tianchi snorted. "You host this event once every few years. What, do you expect the same old man to keep showing up?"
The elder laughed awkwardly — until his eyes fell upon Lei Qi.
"Oh? And who's this young one? Why bring a child along this time?"
Mang Tianchi grinned slyly. "What, doesn't your clan have several outstanding young ladies? Maybe one of them can make friends with our Lei Clan's rising star."
The elder's smile froze.
Internally, he scoffed. Outstanding girls? In your dreams!
The true daughters of the Medicine Clan were protected fiercely — many of them preserved their purity until they reached Dou Sheng, as their bloodlines affected their cultivation.
A low-born woman might be offered as a servant or companion, but a Thunder Clan prodigy marrying a woman of lesser talent? Impossible.
He forced a thin smile and gestured toward the horizon. "Please, follow me. The conference begins tomorrow."
Lei Qi smirked inwardly as they followed the elder deeper into the mountains.
Medicine Clan, strange flames, ancient secrets...
Let's see what the world outside has to offer.