Han Li glided through the mountain air, the wind cool against his face, until finally a faint shimmer caught his eye.
A spiritual barrier—thin as mist, but heavy with ancient formations—covered the front of a valley entrance. Colorful medicinal scent drifted from behind it.
Han Li hovered down and stood before it respectfully.
He lifted the jade token and flicked it gently toward the barrier.
Chiing—!
The token dissolved into the formation like a droplet entering water.
A small circular opening appeared—just big enough for one person.
Han Li stepped through.
The moment he crossed, the world changed.
The barrier closed behind him with a soft hum.
Inside the Herb Garden
Han Li stood still for a moment—stunned.
The inner garden stretched far beyond what the outside appearance suggested.
Terraces layered like steps of Heaven, each covered in different herbs—thick, lush, glowing faintly with spiritual light.
Some leaves shimmered like metal, some pulsed with inner qi, others swayed although there was no wind.
Ancient trees rose high, full of fruits with vibrant colors. Spiritual mist hung above them like thin clouds.
To his left, rows of little small rivers dripped purified spiritual water around the way through herbal garden .
Butterflies made entirely of qi fluttered lazily between flowers.
Han Li's breath caught.
"So many spiritual herbs…"
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"If… I collected tiny cuttings… and used the yellow liquid in the bottle…"
A dangerous, thrilling thought.
"…I could grow thousands. Pills, cultivation resources… even selling would bring fortune."
His heart trembled—not with greed, but ambition.
He walked deeper.
Suddenly—
Clang… clang…
A cold voice echoed from the mist:
"Who dares disturb my herbs…?"
Han Li immediately bowed.
"Junior Han Li greets the senior. I have taken the herbal tending task."
From behind a section of tall red spirit grass, a man appeared—white hair loose behind him, robes simple, but aura steady and deep.
His eyes were sharp—like someone who could kill with a thought, yet was too lazy to bother.
"So… you're the new one."
He circled Han Li once.
"You look calm—no arrogance and even quite handsome,Good."
Han Li remained silent and bowed again.
The man flicked his sleeve.
"These herbs are priceless. If you damage even one—or pluck something wrong—be prepared to pay with spirit stones…
Han Li answered softly:
"I have tended herbs before, Senior. I will not cause trouble."
"Mm."
The man yawned.
"I'm entering secluded cultivation for one month. When I return, the garden better look perfect." after I return I'll reward you a lot of sprit stones and a few herbs,..
And—
He vanished.
Like he was never there.
Han Li slowly exhaled.
"...So it begins."
He turned to the herbs and whispered with a helpless smile:
"Everyone here… my future depends on you."
Days Passed
Han Li worked quietly.
Watering.
Cutting small samples when nobody watched.
Every night, he planted those samples in his hidden garden at his residence and fed them diluted drops from the mysterious bottle.
The results were terrifying.
A single herb multiplied by ten thousand in minutes.
Leaves grew thicker, richer—filled with pure qi.
Han Li harvested them secretly.
He didn't know any of pill recipes—only just a few strength-enhancing pills and a few simple ones—but still, lacked the alchmy scripture and pill recipies .
So he decided to aske senior wu after he returns.
One morning, while watering a row of ice-vein orchids, a soft melodic voice floated behind him:
"Hmm~ so you're Han Li?"
Han Li froze a moment, then slowly turned.
A young woman stood beside a patch of spirit lilies—no older than him—wearing soft pink robes. Her smile was bright, eyes naturally flirtatious, as if she was born charming. Or she used any charm art.
Her gaze slid from his face down to his robe.
"So Wu-Senior wasn't lying…"
She giggled softly.
"You really are too handsome."
Han Li immediately looked away.
"…Greetings."
She blinked, offended.
"That's it? No reaction? No compliment? No smile?"
She pouted.
"You're really boring."
Han Li resumed watering.
"Miss, what do you want?"
She leaned closer—too close.
"Relax, I'm not going to bite you."
Han Li stepped aside silently.
She huffed.
"Fine. I'm Rong Xun'er. I often comes here helf senior wu ."
Then—without warning—she sat on the grass and began chasing spiritual butterflies with childish delight.
Han Li sighed internally.
The Month Passed
Days continued like this.
Han Li watered, trimmed, harvested secretly.
Rong Xun'er visited daily—sometimes talking, sometimes complaining, sometimes simply watching him in silence.
Slowly… the garden became more alive than ever before.
Spirit herbs that hadn't bloomed in years grew new shoots.
Han Li didn't know—
but Rong Xun'er watched him sometimes with narrowed eyes… but some one like han li who grew up by steping onto corpse didn't nit understand such feelings.
as if sensing something unusual.
Finally—
A fluctuation in the air.
A familiar presence returned.
Wu-Senior appeared beside him.
His eyes scanned the garden once—
—and froze.
Every herb was stronger.
Healthier.
Even rare ones showed recovery signs.
He turned slowly toward Han Li.
His voice was soft—but heavy:
"…Boy."
Han Li straightened.
"Yes, Senior?"
A long moment.
Not bad you really did not disappointed me .
Han Li bowed respectfully, tucking the small pouch of spirit stones into his sleeve.
"Senior Wu, thank you."
Wu Senior waved lazily, though there was a rare softness in his eyes.
"Hmph. Don't get sentimental, brat. You did your job well — simple as that."
Han Li hesitated, fingers tightening at his side.
"Senior… there is something I wish to ask."
Wu raised a brow. "Spit it out."
Han Li swallowed, his voice low—as if afraid the wind itself might hear.
"…Where can I find alchemy scriptures or pill recipes?"
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Then—
pfft.
Wu Senior let out a sharp laugh, stroking his newly-recovered neck.
"So you want to refine pills, little brat?"
"Yes, Senior."
Wu glanced at him again, more carefully this time — as though weighing him like a rare herb.
"…You can go to Alchemy Peak."
His tone shifted—more serious.
"There's an elder there named Senior Lu. Tell him I sent you. With my name, he won't turn you away and don't tell anyone
Yes senior ,,..
. He might even give you materials or… compensation."
Han Li cupped his fists, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"Thank you, Senior Wu. I won't forget this favor."
"Hmph. Don't thank me now." just go already . before I change my mind."
Yes wait a minute after that senior wu takes a red puch semmsed full took this is your this month reward,,, take it...
Than you senior..
Go go..
Han Li turned and left the herb garden, moving through the winding stone pathways carved into the mountain.
The wind here carried the scent of medicinal fields and centuries of spiritual energy — crisp, refreshing, almost intoxicating.
Before long, he reached a towering stone staircase leading higher.
Above it, carved directly into the cliff face, were three large ancient characters:
丹峰 — Alchemy Peak
The moment he stepped closer,
He tightened his fists, eyes calm and determined.
Like this, he stepped onto Alchemy Peak — ready for the next chapter of his journey.
He went straight into the Hall there was din and he called out is any body here,,..... Any body,,,,,,
And finally a voice came...,..
You,,, you,, what are you yelling at,, you...