Chapter 465: Herbal Encyclopedia

Upon hearing this, Valley Master Nie suddenly understood. Of course—Zhang Xiaohua had never raised any conditions to begin with. He merely wished to refine the pills using the formulas. As long as he mastered each recipe thoroughly, then refining the Crimson Flame Pill would naturally come with ease.

At this moment, Elder Zhang chuckled and said: “Since Hero Ren already has a plan in mind, why not demonstrate to this old man how to refine pills using the ancient method? From what I’ve read in those old books, it’s all rather baffling. I’m sure you’ve seen how the Valley Master refines pills too. None of us have figured out how to precisely control the temperature.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at Valley Master Nie, who simply made a gesture of invitation. Zhang Xiaohua gave a slight nod and said: “Then I’ll trouble Uncle Nie to prepare the herbs.”

Valley Master Nie laughed heartily and replied, “Already prepared long ago.”

With that, he ordered a few disciples outside the bamboo hut to bring in some freshly unearthed herbs.

Zhang Xiaohua sighed inwardly, These old men are all clever—they knew Elder Zhang might not believe it and made preparations in advance.

When Elder Zhang saw this, he was quite pleased. What he had just witnessed was only the final result—the formed pill. But how exactly the pill was formed, that was even more critical. As the ancients wisely said: “Focus on the process, not just the result.”

Elder Zhang promptly said: “Hero Ren, just behind this bamboo hut lies the pill room—it is also one of the earliest pill rooms used in the Spring Rebirth Valley. Would it be suitable for your use?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and replied: “Elder Zhang, you are a senior in the art of pill refinement—there’s no need to stand on ceremony with a junior like me.”

“Not at all. Those who attain the Dao are teachers. Since your skill in pill refinement surpasses mine, it’s only right that I show you due respect.” Elder Zhang shook his head and added, “Besides, you are upright and forthright—you truly live up to the title of ‘Hero.’”

“But your knowledge in herbal lore is something this junior cannot hope to match.” Zhang Xiaohua said sincerely, genuinely admiring Elder Zhang’s dedication and toil.

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang was momentarily stunned. With surprise, he said: “I never imagined Hero Ren could see so far ahead. A kindred spirit indeed. This old man only came to understand this principle much later in life.”

Zhang Xiaohua was speechless. Of course you did—you had all the herbal texts from the start and mastered every pill-refining technique. And me? I first got the pill refinement techniques but didn’t even have the names of the ancient herbs. I was fumbling in the dark. Naturally, I came to understand the importance of herbal study.

Then, Elder Zhang walked to the table, picked up the herbal tome he had written, and respectfully handed it to Zhang Xiaohua. “This book contains some of this old man’s humble efforts in research. I ask Hero Ren to look it over and offer corrections.”

Zhang Xiaohua received it solemnly and said earnestly: “I wouldn’t dare speak of correcting it, Elder Zhang. What this junior lacks is precisely this kind of knowledge. I must study it thoroughly.”

With great care, Zhang Xiaohua tucked the tome into his robe. Only then, under Elder Zhang’s guidance, did he proceed into the pill room.

This pill room was not much different from the small one Zhang Xiaohua had used before, except that it housed two cauldrons—one large, one small—set neatly within a recessed platform.

Elder Zhang pointed at the larger of the two cauldrons and said: “This is the cauldron I used in my early years. The Earth Fire beneath it is of excellent quality. Would Hero Ren take a look and see if it suits your needs?”

Zhang Xiaohua didn’t really mind either way, but still walked over politely for a look. The cauldron was not much different from the one Valley Master Nie had used earlier. After he finished examining it, he casually glanced at the smaller cauldron beside it—only to be startled. This cauldron, unlike the others, was missing the two protrusions typically used for regulating temperature.

After a moment of thought, Zhang Xiaohua pointed to the smaller cauldron and asked, “Elder Zhang, you don’t use this cauldron?”

Elder Zhang glanced over and smiled. “That smaller one was already here when the ancestors of our Spring Rebirth Valley first discovered this pill room. Didn’t I mention earlier that this was one of the earliest pill rooms used in the valley? Almost nothing inside has been changed—the cauldron and the Earth Fire beneath it are exactly as they were. The Earth Fire and cauldrons in all the other pill rooms have been modified over the years. It’s just that this particular cauldron lacks the protrusions used for controlling the temperature, so it’s rather inconvenient. I tried it a few times back in the day and never used it again.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua’s heart stirred. He slowly walked over to the small cauldron, leaned in close, and examined it carefully. Indeed—its interior and exterior were almost exactly the same as the pill cauldron tucked inside his own money pouch. When he further probed it with his divine sense, he found that, while there were no incantations within, the array formations carved into the interior were identical to those of his own cauldron.

There was no need to speculate—this cauldron was clearly one used by immortal cultivators for pill refinement, just like Zhang Xiaohua’s own.

A faint smile emerged on Zhang Xiaohua’s lips. What a fortunate coincidence. To refine the Crimson Flame Pill, the best results come from using a cauldron of the Immortal Dao—and mine isn’t suitable to be shown in public. This unused cauldron of Elder Zhang’s is just right for the task.

With that thought, Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile: “This junior has never seen a cauldron like this before. If there’s a chance, I’d like to try it.”

Elder Zhang replied warmly: “Anytime, anytime. If not for the fact that this cauldron was passed down from our valley’s ancestors—and if you could actually take it away—then even gifting it to you would be no trouble at all.”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and said: “I wouldn’t dare. Since this is a relic of the predecessors, it should naturally be preserved with care.”

With that, he walked over to the large cauldron, deftly opened the Earth Fire beneath it, and began preheating the cauldron. Glancing at the herbs laid out on the ground, he smiled and said: “Uncle Nie, it seems you wish for this junior to refine a batch of White Purifying Pills?”

Valley Master Nie clapped his hands in admiration. “Nephew Ren has truly stepped into the higher halls of the Dao of Alchemy. It seems you’ve studied the pill formulas I had Little Yu deliver to you quite thoroughly. You’re absolutely right—these herbs are indeed white chrysanthemum and alchemic goldgrass, along with several other ingredients. They are exactly what’s needed to refine the White Purifying Pill.”

Zhang Xiaohua replied with a smile: “Uncle Nie flatters this junior. I’ve only glanced over the pill formula a few times. If I make a mess of it today, I hope the two seniors won’t laugh at me.”

As he spoke, he no longer stood on ceremony. He placed his left hand atop the cauldron, channeled his true qi into it, and carefully began regulating the temperature. In truth, using true qi to adjust the cauldron’s heat, and then to control the fire’s intensity—how could that be more convenient than directly casting a spell onto the Earth Fire?

Once the temperature was just right, Zhang Xiaohua followed the instructions in the pill formula and added the white chrysanthemum, goldgrass, and other herbs one after another. In order to let Elder Zhang observe more clearly—and also to conceal certain matters—Zhang Xiaohua deliberately kept the temperature on the lower side. After quite some time, the dark brown medicinal powder finally began to take shape. When Zhang Xiaohua lifted his hands away from the cauldron, Elder Zhang immediately stepped forward and retrieved the powder from the bottom of the cauldron. He examined it carefully and, just as before, took a small pinch and tossed it into his mouth to taste. Zhang Xiaohua broke out in a cold sweat. This White Purifying Pill does have some aphrodisiac effects, if Elder Zhang ends up with any “side effects”, what then?

After a thorough inspection, Elder Zhang said, “Truly, it wasn’t that I harbored doubt in my heart—but seeing is believing, and hearing can deceive. Now that I’ve seen Hero Ren refine pills with my own eyes, I realize that I’ve been a frog at the bottom of a well. I never imagined that beyond our Spring Rebirth Valley there could exist such a method of pill refinement.”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head. “This method is, in fact, more of a martial art technique. It’s not directly related to traditional pill refinement.”

Elder Zhang and Valley Master Nie exchanged glances, both showing surprise. What kind of martial art is this, to possess such an effect?

Immediately, a flicker of heat arose in Elder Zhang’s eyes. He asked: “Hero Ren, this… this technique—when might you teach it to me?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “As I mentioned earlier, I’ve already copied the method and given it to Uncle Nie. He can bring it out for you to study. But again, let me repeat—this technique is of great consequence and must never, ever be leaked outside. If word gets out, it could bring disaster down upon your entire valley.”

“Ah?” Valley Master Nie was somewhat taken aback. “It’s that serious?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “If Uncle Nie feels uneasy about it, then just return the technique to this junior.”

Valley Master Nie looked toward Elder Zhang. In both men’s eyes was a look of resolution.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua continued: “Though the method is difficult to leak, as long as Uncle Nie and Elder Zhang use it only within Spring Rebirth Valley to refine pills, even if others witness it with their own eyes, they won’t necessarily grasp the secret behind it. As long as the method itself remains hidden, there’s no problem.”

Valley Master Nie and Elder Zhang both nodded and said: “That’s our thinking as well.”

“However…” Elder Zhang now looked somewhat troubled. “If I begin refining pills using the ancient method, those other old fossils in the valley, not to mention a few of the Valley Master’s senior brothers—won’t they all be green with envy when they see it?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “That’s something Uncle Nie and Elder Zhang will have to consider themselves.”

“Oh, right—Elder Zhang, this junior would like to take that small cauldron back for further study. Don’t worry, I’ll only be using it inside the pill room. I won’t take it a single step outside the inner valley.”

Elder Zhang thought for a moment and replied: “That’s fine. Hero Ren, just be careful with it—don’t go damaging it.”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly. If something of the Immortal Dao could be damaged that easily, now that would truly be strange.

Valley Master Nie instructed a few disciples outside to carry the small cauldron over to Zhang Xiaohua’s pill room.

After consulting Elder Zhang on a few more herbal matters, Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and said: “Seniors, this junior is feeling a bit fatigued. I’ll return to rest for a while. Elder Zhang, you might want to ask Uncle Nie about how to cultivate that method. If there are any questions, I’ll come by tomorrow to clarify.”

Elder Zhang beamed, his whole face blooming with delight. “No need for that. If this old man has any questions, I’ll come ask you later.”

Zhang Xiaohua hesitated. “This junior sleeps quite deeply—I might not hear you call out.”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said, “No matter. I’ve practiced it a bit myself. I’m sure that’s enough to discuss with Elder Zhang for today. If there’s anything else, we can handle it tomorrow.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and bid the two farewell before returning to his pill room.

Inside, the small cauldron had already been placed beside the recessed platform, along with the leftover herbs from earlier. Zhang Xiaohua gave them a cursory glance, then sat cross-legged on the bed, his face alight with excitement. He took out the thin jade slip he had received from Elder Zhang and held it in his hand, channeling his divine sense into it.

What appeared in his mind were four ancient characters: [Herbal Encyclopedia (百草纲目)]!

Earlier in Elder Zhang’s quarters, he hadn’t had the chance to look at it carefully. Now that he could examine it in detail, Zhang Xiaohua’s smile grew wider and wider the more he read. Indeed—this [Herbal Encyclopedia] did not merely record one hundred herbs. Rather, it contained countless illustrations of herbs, their medicinal effects, and the environments in which they grew—a true compendium of herbal lore carved into jade!