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The two formulas required only about ten types of herbs for their preparation. However, the Elixir Formula needed the Divine Sense to differentiate and control the fusion of various medicinal properties.
Xunuo, based on the last use of Divine Sense, controlled the operation of True Qi. He realized that his current Divine Sense could at most be differentiated into ten strands, and he could still manage them with some precision. If he tried to differentiate more, he would be overwhelmed.
With this thought in mind, Xunuo did not rush to find Jing Lide but instead strolled through the herb fields. However, Xunuo did not know much about herbs. After walking along a ridge for a while, he could only recognize two or three types. Just as he was considering asking a disciple for help, he heard someone calling from behind, "Master Lu! Master Lu! I thought you were dead!"
Turning around, Xunuo saw Jing Lide running toward him from a distance. Upon reaching him, Jing Lide fell to his knees in front of Xunuo and began to cry uncontrollably.
Xunuo was startled and asked, "What’s wrong, Jing Shizhi?"
He hurriedly helped Jing Lide up. Jing Lide replied, "I heard that Master Lu had returned to the sect and wanted to come thank you. But I didn’t expect my Shishu to be punished and sent to Broken Heart Cliff for reflection. Then I was assigned here to work, and I had no chance to see my Shishu. These past few days, I heard that my Shishu performed brilliantly in the Outer Sect Competition at the end of the year, which made me very happy. I didn’t expect my Shishu to come see me first."
Xunuo smiled slightly and said, "What harm is there in me coming to see you? Why are you crying so hard?"
Upon hearing this, Jing Lide cried even louder. "Since Master Lu returned, you’ve been restricted from leaving. There are many things you might not know. My Shishu led us out of Qingyang City. That night, all disciples of Wuhua Sect in Qingyang City were slaughtered; not a single one escaped alive. If it weren't for Master Lu's guidance, I would have long since become a pile of bones. Thinking of my fellow disciples who perished makes it impossible for me not to shed tears."
Xunuo stood silently at the edge of the field with a long sigh. He hadn’t expected that these people would take their anger out on the disciples nearby after their own escape. Jing Lide did not know this, but Xunuo did. These disciples ultimately died because of him, which made him feel a deep sorrow.
Seeing Xunuo's somber expression, Jing Lide tried to comfort him: "It has been half a year since those events occurred; the families of the victims have been taken care of properly. I only lost control of my emotions upon seeing Master Lu today; please don’t be too sad about it."
Xunuo nodded and said, "You are right, Jing Shizhi. We are powerless in this world; dying by sword or blade is simply fate. I also feel deeply how quickly life can change from meeting to parting—life and death are unpredictable."
The two lamented together for a while before Jing Lide suggested, "Let’s go inside and talk."
Xunuo said, "Can you introduce the herbs here to me? I have some interest in herbal cultivation."
Jing Lide quickly agreed and led Xunuo through the fields. They wandered for quite a while, identifying over a hundred types of herbs in the medicinal field.
Xunuo began to form a rough idea: the herbs for Reattachment Ointment were all present in this field. However, for Revival Powder, they were still missing one ingredient, Centennial Polygonatum. There were a few plants of Polygonatum that were decades old in the field, but the century-old ones had all been used up.
When they returned to Jing Lide's residence in the valley, Jing Lide hurriedly called for someone to bring fruits and fragrant tea.
After chatting for a while, Xunuo suddenly asked, "I saw a Thatched Cottage by the edge of the valley earlier. Who lives there?"
Jing Lide replied, "In the past, there was a night patrol who rested there. Now that there are three checkpoints on the road to Mountain Valley, there’s no need for night patrols anymore. That Thatched Cottage is just used for storing some miscellaneous items and is currently uninhabited."
Xunuo nodded and said, "Have someone clean it up; I plan to stay there for a while."
Jing Lide quickly agreed.
Xunuo added, "Also prepare an Alchemical Cauldron for me; I will need it later."
With that, he stood up and left.
After seeing Xunuo off, Jing Lide thought to himself: It seems this Shishu intends to come here to refine medicine. Not only does making medicine require good recipes, but it also demands experience in pharmaceutical preparation. If he recklessly tries to concoct something, I can't afford to bear the waste of materials. It would be better to ask him what medicines he needs and provide him with some.
Despite Jing Lide's thoughts, he did not delay in arranging for the cleaning of the Thatched Cottage and preparing the Alchemical Cauldron.
Upon returning to Seven Star Sword Hall, Xunuo also began making preparations.
The preparation was not complicated. When he encountered a few senior brothers, he revealed his intention to retreat to the medicinal fields for cultivation. This way, his fellow disciples would not see him and would know where he had gone, preventing any suspicion.
Xunuo left the Seven Star Sword Hall to cultivate in the medicinal fields primarily to avoid Tian Feiyu. While at the Seven Star Sword Hall, he dared not practice the Huayang Classic or the Elixir Formula. He had high hopes for the Huayang Classic and was eager to discover what it would be like to reach the seventh layer of that realm. Thus, he could only retreat to the medicinal fields to fulfill his wish.
Five days later, it was time for Tian Feiyu to instruct his disciples. This time, Xunuo arrived early since he lived nearby. Upon entering Tian Feiyu's courtyard, he only saw Nangong Wan. After a while, the other senior brothers arrived one after another.
Liu Yunfei entered and asked Xunuo, "I heard from Bi Shidi on the way that Lu Shidi plans to retreat to the medicinal fields."
Xunuo chuckled and replied, "It's just an idea that somehow reached your ears."
Liu Yunfei laughed as well and said, "It's your unconventional thinking that always surprises us."
While they were chatting, Tian Feiyu arrived. The disciples greeted him and began asking questions, which Tian Feiyu answered one by one. Noticing that Xunuo had not come forward, he said, "Xunuo, demonstrate the sword technique you learned."
Xunuo nodded in agreement and stepped into the center, but his eyes remained fixed on Tian Feiyu.
Among them, Xunuo was the only one who came empty-handed. It wasn't that he didn't have a sword in his courtyard; rather, he wanted to remind Tian Feiyu that he was the only disciple without a named sword.
Tian Feiyu naturally noticed Xunuo's thoughts but chose not to address them. He signaled Bi Changjian with a glance.
Bi Changjian quickly said, "Shidi, take my sword."
He tossed his long sword to Xunuo. Accepting the sword, Xunuo realized there would be no performance today and began to practice with it.
This set of sword techniques was something Xunuo had already comprehended thoroughly. Compared to the Eight Extremes Fist, it was equally impressive; however, it did not possess the same path of breaking myriad techniques with a single strike as the Fist Technique did. Nevertheless, he had derived countless new insights from this sword technique. As soon as Xunuo drew his sword, it caused several people to widen their eyes in astonishment. After all, Xunuo always brought surprises that made them feel it was normal. If he were to perform a conventional display of swordsmanship, it would instead seem out of place.
As Xunuo practiced the sword technique for a while, the others felt that this style of swordplay seemed somewhat familiar, yet they also recognized it was quite different from the original. This sword technique was based on the Seven Star Sword Formation, which they were all very familiar with.
When Xunuo sheathed his sword, Liu Changqing suddenly said, "Lu Shidi, with your swordplay performed like this, I wonder if it can still be integrated into the Seven Star Sword Formation."
Liu Yunfei pondered for a moment and replied, "If it were to be incorporated into the Seven Star Sword Formation, it would likely need to be centered around him."
Tian Feiyu also contemplated and said, "Although the changes in the swordplay are significant, the essence of the sword intent remains unchanged; it is still one entity. However, some aspects may overshadow the main focus, making it unsuitable as supporting sword light. It's a pity your Inner Strength is still shallow; otherwise, you and Yunfei could form a dual formation eye and create even more variations."
Liu Yunfei added, "I observe that if Lu Shidi can master this swordplay fully, it might unleash even greater power without needing to fit into the Seven Star Sword Formation."
After discussing for a while, they began to practice the Seven Star Sword Formation together. Later, Tian Feiyu personally taught Xunuo a set of sword techniques, encouraging him to master it alongside his cultivation. It was Zhang Shoufeng who pointed out to Xunuo that this set of techniques contained the true essence of the Seven Star Sword Formation. Only these few direct disciples of the Seven Star Sword Hall and Liu Yunfei were practicing it; it would never be passed on to outsiders.
Knowing this, Xunuo felt a deep sense of appreciation and understood that Tian Feiyu had high hopes for him.
The next day, Xunuo brought only a sword to the medicinal field. He did not meet with Jing Lide but went directly to the grass hut.
The hut was no more than twelve or thirteen steps long and five or six steps wide; originally just one room. Jing Lide had worried that Xunuo might find it inconvenient to stay there, so he had built a partition in the middle, dividing it into two rooms: a bedroom and a living area. The furnishings were simple yet very clean. Xunuo nodded in satisfaction and hung his sword on the wall. He examined an Alchemical Cauldron on the ground.
The cauldron stood about one and a half feet tall with three legs and a rounded belly. At its widest point, it measured nearly one foot across, and its lid had several ventilation holes. The entire cauldron emitted a dull copper color as Xunuo flicked his finger against it, producing a resonant hum.
Today marks the first update. Keep going, Xunuo!
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