Yang Wudi stood before an old wooden cabinet and turned to face Lin Yang. Arrogance and provocation colored his brows.
"This is an exchange transaction, so let's skip the pleasantries."
Interest lit up in Lin Yang's eyes. "What brilliant idea does Clan Leader Yang have in mind?"
Yang Wudi pointed to the wooden cabinet behind him, his expression arrogant.
"These are rare medicinal herbs I have collected over the years. Each of us will choose two types, making four herbs in total."
"Using these four herbs as the main ingredients, you may combine them as you see fit. You must prepare any auxiliary materials yourself." Yang Wudi pointed to another wooden box.
"Each of us will refine our own medicine. There are no restrictions on the final product's properties."
He paused, staring intently at Lin Yang.
"Finally, we will personally verify the finished products. Shall we compete?"
Lin Yang's eyes sparkled. This was the first time he had encountered such a competition format.
Creating a final product from a limited selection of medicinal ingredients required accumulated knowledge, broad vision, and a deep understanding of medicinal effects. Since there were no restrictions on the effects, the finished product could either save lives or take them. This would test the rational use of the herbs.
Finally, personally testing the medicine would pose an even greater challenge to his abilities.
Interesting—truly interesting!
This long-awaited competition reignited Lin Yang's competitive spirit. Although he had entered this profession late, he had consumed countless medicinal herbs and tried numerous prescriptions over the years. Every failure and every adverse reaction was deeply etched into his body's memory. This was knowledge gained through direct experience.
"Understood," Lin Yang agreed immediately, his tone calm and resolute. "I will do as Senior says."
"Very good!"
Yang Wudi snorted, but inwardly his respect for Lin Yang increased slightly. The fact that the other party had agreed meant they possessed absolute confidence. Such a person would never have gained fame undeservedly.
"Since I organized this contest, feel free to use whatever is written here."
Lin Yang waved his hand. "No need. Just prepare an empty table for me."
"Simple!"
Soon a wooden table was placed inside the stone chamber.
"Then let us begin!"
After a moment of thought, Yang Wudi selected two herbs from the wooden cabinet: "Blazing Sun Grass" and "Ice Heart Lotus." One was fire, the other ice—their properties were complete opposites. If not handled properly, the finished medicine would become nothing more than a pile of useless waste.
Meanwhile, Lin Yang chose Blood Essence and Red Peony.
The four herbs were laid out on the table.
Using these four as main ingredients would be quite difficult.
Yang Wudi pondered briefly, then diverted his attention and began processing the herbs. His technique was skillful—harvesting, measuring, dividing, grinding, and soaking—every step smooth and perfect. Clean, efficient, with no waste whatsoever.
Not to be outdone, Lin Yang began arranging special vessels one after another on the table. Beakers, droppers, distillation apparatus, condensers, and other equipment soon filled most of the wooden table.
Yang Wudi's eyes twitched at the sight. Can these things even be used to make medicine?
He quickly looked away and stopped watching.
Flashy!
He snorted inwardly and focused on analyzing the "Blazing Sun Grass" in his hand.
This herb grew in extremely sunny locations and matured only once every ten years. Its medicinal effect was as hot and dry as fire. If not handled correctly, its potency would be completely lost. Therefore, he used the softest jade mortar and pestle, grinding it slowly.
Meanwhile, Lin Yang spread a sheet of white paper on the table, placed the Blood Essence on it, and gently pinched a small amount with his fingertips to check its quality.
The longer the Blood Essence aged, the darker its color became. The piece in his hand was a deep red like coagulated blood, smooth and warm to the touch. It was among the highest grade of the highest quality.
He carefully cut the Blood Essence with a knife, placed it into a distillation flask, added a small amount of water, lit the alcohol lamp, and began the first extraction.
Time passed second by second.
The atmosphere in the stone chamber gradually grew heavy.
Yang Wudi now stood before the massive bronze medicinal cauldron, flames raging fiercely beneath it. He pressed both hands firmly against the cauldron wall, using his spirit power to regulate the internal temperature. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, yet his gaze gradually became calm.
Meanwhile, Lin Yang carefully used a slender dropper to add a single drop of solution into a test tube.
It shook!
The solution inside the test tube underwent a miraculous change in an instant.
The competition ended in the blink of an eye.
The massive bronze cauldron was opened. Using his spirit power, Yang Wudi extracted the pill inside and transferred it into a porcelain bottle.
In front of Lin Yang appeared several medicine bottles, each containing roughly ten milliliters of liquid. The liquid was a strange deep red with a faint bluish tint, shimmering slightly under the firelight of the stone chamber.
Finally, both placed their finished products on the table.
Yang Wudi coughed lightly, then picked up the medicine in front of Lin Yang.
"Let me try yours first."
He opened the bottle. A faint fragrance wafted out—neither bitter nor aromatic.
Yang Wudi examined it carefully but could not identify any of the herbs. His brow furrowed even deeper, yet he unhesitatingly poured the liquid into his mouth.
The moment the liquid entered his throat, it felt like a line of ice—unbelievably clear and cold—sliding down into his stomach. After a moment, that icy line suddenly exploded.
A warm sensation surged from his dantian. It was neither intense nor cold, spreading rapidly to his limbs and bones at an astonishing speed. The warmth felt as though an invisible hand were gently stroking him.
Yang Wudi closed his eyes and carefully sensed it.
After a while he opened his eyes. His expression was indescribably complex.
"This medicine's effect… is marrow cleansing?"
"Exactly as Clan Leader Yang said," Lin Yang applauded. "Using ice and fire as the base and blood circulation as the catalyst, I created this Marrow Cleansing Potion."
"However, this medicine is only effective for children under six years old. After the age of six, its efficacy decreases significantly."
Yang Wudi fell silent.
To be honest, if a young child consumed this medicine, the chance of awakening their innate spirit power would increase dramatically. Even those already possessing innate spirit power might gain one or two levels.
Despite its high cost, people would scramble to obtain it.
Lin Yang had not yet tested the medicine himself, but the outcome of the competition was already decided.
"Now it's my turn!"
Lin Yang swallowed Yang Wudi's medicine in one gulp and chewed lightly.
"Clan Leader Yang's spirit medicine purifies old illnesses and toxins in the body and activates the meridians. It is extremely effective for those with old injuries."
Yang Wudi sighed, a mixture of relief and melancholy in his voice.
"I lost."
His voice was not loud, but every word was crystal clear.
"I, Yang Wudi, have never been fully convinced by anyone in my life, but I am completely convinced by you."
Lin Yang was slightly surprised and quickly stood up. "Clan Leader Yang, thank you for the praise. Today was merely an exchange…"
"A loss is a loss. I can still afford to be generous. However… I have one request."
At this moment, Yang Wudi showed a slightly embarrassed expression.
Lin Yang smiled. "Please speak, Clan Leader Yang."
"I want to buy all the remaining Marrow Cleansing Potion. Price is no object."
Lin Yang was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
"Clan Leader Yang, these were originally made from your medicinal herbs, so the Marrow Cleansing Potion should naturally be given to you."
"No, no, no." Yang Wudi stubbornly shook his head.
"Here, the herbs are merely herbs. What truly turns them into something magical is you. Therefore, a price must be set."
Lin Yang thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Understood. Since Clan Leader Yang insists, let's dispense with formalities. I have only one request."
"What is your request? Tell me."
"I would like to borrow all historical records of medicinal herbs from the Breaking Clan's history."
Yang Wudi was momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter.
"That's all? No problem. Those books are all in the clan library. Read as much as you like."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Yang!"