Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Meticulous Arrangement

Alchemists differed from elixir refiners. For alchemists, the most precious thing was the formula for medicines. Each medicine’s successful creation required countless experiments, wasting incalculable material, manpower, and financial resources. Therefore, alchemists placed the utmost importance on formulas—especially those derived from their own experiments—and would never reveal them to anyone lightly!

Thus, seeing Lou Yun immediately complete the list with the final three herbs after she’d only mentioned two required ingredients utterly astonished Granny Bai Cao!

Though this formula wasn’t created by Granny Bai Cao herself, even among other alchemists, very few knew it, let alone someone like Lou Yun who didn’t even grasp the basics of alchemy.

As for Lou Yun, the three herbs he had just blurted out came to him without thought. When Granny Bai Cao named the first two herbs, he silently memorized them. To his surprise, the names of the remaining three herbs instantly surfaced in his mind, leading him to speak them reflexively.

Hearing Granny Bai Cao’s skeptical tone, Lou Yun paused but quickly understood: This was one of the formulas from the knowledge of alchemy imparted to him by his master!

Mr. Commoner had transmitted an immense amount of knowledge to Lou Yun, who had only scanned sections he found personally useful. Anything related to alchemy, being unnecessary for the time being, was entirely ignored. He had no clue what it contained, yet Granny Bai Cao’s words had unexpectedly triggered this formula from his memory.

Lou Yun smiled bitterly. "Granny, if I told you this formula has always been in my mind—only I never knew it—and only surfaced after you named those two herbs, would you believe me?"

"An alchemical formula stored in your mind? Taught by someone?"

"Yes, passed down by my master. Earlier, I mentioned falling beneath Chiyan Mountain and stumbling upon his secluded dwelling. I acquired this knowledge there."

Granny Bai Cao pondered. "True. You said your master is called Mr. Commoner?"

"Mm!"

"Strange. I’ve never heard of his name. That shouldn’t be; anyone knowing this formula would at least rank as a fifth-grade alchemist. How could such a man lack renown?" Granny Bai Cao muttered to herself.

Lou Yun wasn’t surprised; apart from Chang Xiang, no one else had ever heard of his master’s name!

Granny Bai Cao pressed further. "Since you know the formula, what comes next?"

After a moment’s thought, Lou Yun replied, "Crush the flesh-root tuber as a poultice for burned areas. Then blend dodder seeds, brightface herb, and hundred-dew draught together. Finally, use the Qi Cai Xue Lian as a catalyst to refine an elixir that can heal burns!"

The instant he finished speaking, Granny Bai Cao stood bolt upright, gazing at Lou Yun with incredulous intensity as she declared word by word, "You are completely correct!"

Lou Yun scratched his head, forcing a half-smile. "Granny, I truly wasn’t deceiving you. I really didn’t know this formula before. Even now, while I know it, I have no idea how to actually blend the herbs or use the Qi Cai Xue Lian as a catalyst. Forging weapons I understand a little, but alchemy? I am utterly ignorant!"

Granny Bai Cao believed in Lou Yun’s character. Besides, his explanation made sense—if he truly knew how to refine the elixir, he wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble bringing Wan Huier here.

Nodding slowly, she asked another question, "What other formulas do you possess?"

Lou Yun paused. "Too many to specify."

Indeed, among the knowledge Mr. Commoner left behind, countless formulas existed—so many that their exact number seemed incalculable to Lou Yun.

"Then just mention a—" Granny Bai Caocut short her request, shaking her head."Enough, no need. Each alchemist’s formulas are treasures. Some overlap may occur, but they remain each alchemist’s personal wealth. Since your master transmitted these to you, they are yours!"

This revealed Granny Bai Cao’s integrity: Beyond mutual exchanges of knowledge during formal meetings between alchemists, inquiring about formulas was a grave taboo among practitioners. She understood Lou Yun truly lacked knowledge of alchemy, prompting her to retract her query.

Naturally, Lou Yun was indifferent regarding secrecy. To him, sharing formulas posed no issue. But since Granny Bai Cao ceased asking, he ceased speaking. His priorities lay in gathering herbs for Wan Huier, followed swiftly by other urgent tasks—no time to waste elsewhere.

"Granny, please tell me which specific herbs I need to collect? And where might I find them?"

"Mm. You only need one item: the Qi Cai Xue Lian! It grows exclusively upon the Great Snowfield within the Bei Xiong Nation territory!"

Bei Xiong Nation stood as the mightiest realm on Spirit Weapon Star, situated at the planet’s frigid northern pole. Its landmass, military power, and resources vastly eclipsed nations like Gu Feng and Cang Lan.

Lou Yun nodded. "I understand. But… didn’t you say Huier’s injuries cannot wait? And I cannot yet fly. Even moving at top speed, gathering and returning would likely take months. Could Huier’s wound worsen?"

Despite never visiting Bei Xiong Nation before, Lou Yun grasped Spirit Weapon Star’s geography. Situated centrally as an intermediate kingdom, Cang Lan Nation lay tens of thousands of li north of Bei Xiong. Roundtrip travel absolutely required months.

Granny Bai Cao seemed satisfied that Lou Yun’s primary concern remained Huier’s well-being even amidst these revelations!

"Huier’s injuries can still withstand half a year’s delay. Time is sufficient. But I worry over sending you alone into that vast Great Snowfield."

"Why?"

"The Great Snowfield, as you can tell from its name, is a vast plain blanketed in ice and snow. Temperatures are bitterly low, and few humans venture there. Apparently, it’s home to numerous formidable masters. With your current strength, it’s a bit risky for you to go there. Instead, I suggest something: before heading to the Great Snowfield, go to Yulu Mountain first. Seek out the master of Yulu Mountain—he should be able to help you!"

"Oh? And what should I call the master of Yulu Mountain?"

"You don’t need to worry about that. Just do whatever it takes to see the master of Yulu Mountain. Once you do, tell him I sent you!"

Lou Yun had no doubt about Granny Bai Cao’s words. He nodded. "Alright, I understand. Best not to delay then, Granny. I’ll set off right away."

"Hmm, be careful on the road."

Lou Yun turned to Wan Huier, smiling slightly. "Huier, wait for me to come back. By then, your original face will be restored!"

Wan Huier walked up to Lou Yun, seeming reluctant to part. "Big Brother, no matter what, you must return safely. Even if you can’t get the Qi Cai Xue Lian, it’s okay. Huier would rather not have her face back than risk you coming to any harm!"

Lou Yun reached out a finger and gently tapped Wan Huier’s forehead. "Don’t worry. Your big brother has good fortune and a long life. I’ll absolutely return safely!"

He then turned back to Granny Bai Cao. "Granny, I’ll leave Huier in your care. I’m leaving now!"

With that, Lou Yun turned and walked out of the thatched hut. Wan Huier stood by the door, watching his retreating figure.

Granny Bai Cao shook her head with a smile. "Huier, he’s gone now. Rest assured, as long as he follows my advice, absolutely nothing bad will happen to him. Come over here quickly. I’ll start your treatment now."

"Now?" Wan Huier turned around, looking confusedly at Granny Bai Cao. "Master, don’t we need to gather medicinal herbs first?"

Granny Bai Cao replied with a kindly smile, "Silly child. Your Master is a six-grade alchemist. Though these herbs are precious, I have some stockpiled. I’ll first apply some flesh-root herb to your face. We’ll replace it once daily. After half a month, you’ll swallow the Face-Restoration Pill that I refined. Then your face will return to its original appearance!"

"Ah!" Wan Huier gasped. "Then Master, why did you ask Big Brother Lou to risk going to the Great Snowfield to fetch the Qi Cai Xue Lian?"

Granny Bai Cao knew that if she didn’t explain clearly today, Wan Huier would keep pressing. She chuckled, "Silly child, I was actually saving your Big Brother Lou!"

"Saving Big Brother Lou?" Wan Huier was even more puzzled.

"Hmm. That child Lou Yun is excellent in every way, but he’s a bit stubborn and far too deeply attached to affection. If I didn’t give him something to do, he would have dashed straight back to the Gu Feng Nation immediately. Whether to save his clansmen or rescue his friends, he would have gone without a second thought for his own life!"

"But at this moment, he truly cannot return to the Gu Feng Nation. It offers him no benefit whatsoever. That’s why I sent him far away, to hide out a little longer."

"Oh!" Wan Huier understood. "But why send Big Brother Lou to such a dangerous place? Isn’t there somewhere just as far but safer?"

Granny Bai Cao rubbed her temples. Her disciple really was excellent in every way, but she seemed to enjoy digging to the bottom of things. Indeed, that was Wan Huier’s nature. Previously, her facial injury had dampened her spirit, but now that it could be treated, her true personality had unconsciously reasserted itself naturally.

"The Great Snowfield itself isn’t safe, but as long as he seeks out the master of Yulu Mountain, he will be absolutely safe. In fact, probably only the master of Yulu Mountain in the entire Spirit Weapon Star could protect him."

Before Wan Huier could press further, Granny Bai Cao continued proactively: "The master of Yulu Mountain is named Beichen Ming. You might not have heard of him, but he is currently the highest-ranking skilled weapon maker on the Spirit Weapon Star. His own cultivation is extremely advanced, and he has many exceptionally powerful subordinates. Looking across the whole Spirit Weapon Star, very few would dare oppose him. Most importantly, Beichen Ming met Lou Yun once before and thought highly of him. So, if Lou Yun finds Beichen Ming, his safety will no longer be a concern."

"So it’s like that!" Wan Huier finally relaxed. "As long as Big Brother Lou is safe, that’s what matters. I just hope he definitely goes to seek out that Senior Beichen Ming!"

"He will. He definitely will."

Honestly, this was the very thing Granny Bai Cao worried about most now—Lou Yun was far too stubborn! But of course, she couldn’t say that in front of Wan Huier!

One had to admit that Granny Bai Cao had put enormous thought into protecting Lou Yun. Only after considering his temperament and character had she devised this rather perfect plan.

In fact, had Wan Huier been slightly more perceptive, she might have realized a deeper layer: the one who issued the warrant for Lou Yun was merely the royalty of the Gu Feng Nation. While the royal family was strong, Lou Yun had two major forces protecting him. His own strength wasn’t weak either. Moreover, she, Wan Huier, could help clear Lou Yun’s name. Was it really necessary to send Lou Yun packing to some distant place to hide?

Of course, Granny Bai Cao wouldn’t tell Wan Huier that it wasn’t the Gu Feng Nation royal family she was concerned about—it was Han Tianxiao and his Han family!

When she had heard Old Man Feng say the informant’s name was Han Tianxiao, Granny Bai Cao immediately noticed his surname, Han. When she mentioned it, only then did Old Man Feng and Xia Guanqiu snap to realization. The connection had been too close, and they had completely overlooked Han Tianxiao —that very person with the Han surname—who had always been present near them!

Old Man Feng and Xia Guanqiu had rushed away immediately after. Before leaving, however, Old Man Feng hadn’t forgotten to warn Granny Bai Cao: be extremely vigilant about the Nine Bloodline Clans. Avoid conflict with them at all costs whenever possible because the power of the Nine Clans was truly unfathomable!

Old Man Feng was considered Granny Bai Cao’s senior. No one understood his temperament and judgment better than she did. Though she herself was a member of the Jiang family—one of the Nine Bloodline Clans—and personally didn’t feel her clan was overwhelmingly powerful, she still trusted Old Man Feng’s words. This was the precise reason she arranged Lou Yun’s journey this way: hoping to secure his safety by seeking asylum under Beichen Ming’s protection!