"Oh, you're here."

Upon hearing Su Xuan's voice, the Third Elder finally looked up.

"Come here."

Then the Third Elder waved Su Xuan over.

Su Xuan walked over to the Third Elder. On the table in front of him were many papers filled with the names of various herbs. Some were crumpled and looked like drafts of elixir formulas.

Su Xuan's heart sank. This probably means the Third Elder hasn't made any promising progress.

"Master, I've never heard of many of these herbs!" Ning Wan also peered over to take a look.

"There's a lot you haven't heard of," the Third Elder glanced askance at Ning Wan and admonished, "You're a clever girl, but it's a pity you never focus on your studies. Otherwise, your alchemy skills would be at the pinnacle of the Jiuding Sect by now. It's a shame you're always so half-hearted!"

"Is it a lack of herbs?" Su Xuan asked.

If it were just a shortage of herbs, it wouldn't be a big problem. But if the elixir formula hadn't been figured out, that would be a major problem.

"Pretty much." The Third Elder pushed the papers aside, stretched his weary body, and said, "I've gone through all the notes left by the Immortal Masters and managed to draft an initial formula. But it's just a draft; I can't guarantee it will successfully form an elixir. Right now, we are indeed missing a few herbs for the concoction."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Su Xuan asked, relieved. As long as the herbs existed in this world, he should be able to obtain them with his current financial resources.

"This one," the Third Elder tapped on one of the papers. "Blood Immortal Vine."

"Is there a place that sells it?" Su Xuan immediately asked.

"If it were for sale, I wouldn't have to bring this up with you," the Third Elder shook his head. "The nearest place you can find the Blood Immortal Vine is a sect called the Yu Xian Sect, but they don't sell it."

"I'll figure something out," Su Xuan said. "I'll take a trip to the Yu Xian Sect."

"What's the rush?" the Third Elder said. "You aren't planning to rob them, are you?"

Su Xuan remained silent.

I really should just rob them if a deal can't be made. Isn't that how things work in this mountain world, anyway? Worst case, I can just compensate them after I get my hands on it.

"Brother Su, the Yu Xian Sect is a sect you cannot afford to offend," Xiao Yun said with concern. "That sect has a very good relationship with Ancestor Meng, who once stayed there. It is also filled with powerful experts, especially their Sect Leader, Su Pei, whose cultivation is unfathomable. You must not provoke her."

"Yes," Ning Wan added with rare seriousness. "Although the sect isn't large, it must not be provoked. Otherwise, there won't even be anyone left to collect your corpse."

"Don't scare him," the Third Elder said, producing a piece of paper seemingly from nowhere. As he began to write, he said to Su Xuan, "I have a slight acquaintance with Sect Leader Su Pei. I'll write you a letter of introduction. Take this with you and see if you can request the Blood Immortal Vine."

"Alright," Su Xuan said gratefully.

"When you meet her, don't mention money," the Third Elder added. "They have ties with Ancestor Meng; they aren't short on money."

"Understood," Su Xuan nodded.

But in his heart, he was extremely curious and puzzled. Ancestor Meng... I've heard his name mentioned more than once since I came to this mountain world. Is he really that powerful? Where is he now? Is he in the mountain world? Or perhaps...

"Here!" The Third Elder interrupted Su Xuan's thoughts, handing him the letter of introduction. "I'll find the other missing herbs. This Blood Immortal Vine is up to you. Time is of the essence, so be quick."

"Thank you!"

Su Xuan took the letter of introduction, confirmed the directions to the Yu Xian Sect, and swiftly made his way out.

"I'm coming too!" Ning Wan immediately started to follow him out.

"Xiao Wan!" the Third Elder called out, stopping her. "You've been slacking off for days, and now you want to sneak out again? Get back here and help me prepare for the upcoming alchemy!"

"Hmph!"

Ning Wan pouted in frustration as she watched Su Xuan's figure gradually fade into the distance.

...

WHOOSH!

The wind whistled past his ears.

Su Xuan flew directly from the Jiuding Sect. Now, he was like a shooting star soaring through the sky, white clouds brushing past him. He sat atop the winged white horse with his eyes closed, seemingly in cultivation, yet also deep in thought.

Around two in the afternoon, he suddenly slowed down, gently descending toward a mountain below. The Yu Xian Sect was located on that mountain.

"Who is this distinguished guest?"

When the disciple guarding the Yu Xian Sect's entrance saw a man on a white horse descending from the sky, he immediately called out. He addressed Su Xuan as a distinguished guest because his descent was graceful and otherworldly, and he showed proper etiquette. Furthermore, he appeared in his true form with an elegant, outstanding demeanor, and he rode a white horse. He clearly wasn't looking for trouble.

"I am Su Xuan. On behalf of Xie Cheng, the Third Elder of the Jiuding Sect, I am here to see your Sect Leader Su."

Su Xuan dismounted gracefully and presented the letter of introduction from the Third Elder.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The guarding disciple immediately passed the letter into the sect.

Before long, a lovely female disciple approached with a graceful gait and led Su Xuan into the sect. She couldn't help but take several extra glances at Su Xuan and his horse.

"When Ancestor Meng was around, he must have had a similar air to this young master," the female disciple murmured to herself.

Indeed, the Yu Xian Sect was not large; it had fewer pavilions and halls than the Jiuding Sect. However, the air was filled with a dignified pressure that deterred any thoughts of transgression. This pressure was also gentle, instilling a sense of security, as if one need not fear offense from others while within the sect.

A moment later, the female disciple led Su Xuan into a side hall. In the side hall, Su Xuan met a woman who appeared to be in her twenties. The woman was bent over a desk, writing and drawing, much like the Third Elder.

Su Xuan scrutinized the woman with his altered eyes but was surprised to find a layer of purple mist shrouding her. It prevented him from seeing her clearly, making it impossible to discern her true cultivation level.

"Sect Leader Su, Young Master Su has arrived."

The female disciple reported softly to the woman before excusing herself.

"Is Xie Cheng well?" Sect Leader Su Pei asked, looking up at Su Xuan.

She even calls the Third Elder by his full name.

"He is quite well, hale and hearty," Su Xuan replied. "I've come this time to..."

"He explained everything in the letter," Su Pei said bluntly. "We do not sell the Blood Immortal Vine, so don't think you can buy it. Xie Cheng's reputation isn't enough for me to make an exception, and I certainly won't be giving it to you as a gift."

"Can't we discuss this?" Su Xuan asked with a gentle smile.

"There is nothing to discuss." Su Pei stood up, clasped her hands behind her back, and sized up Su Xuan. "Although you've deliberately suppressed your cultivation to the Heaven Severing Realm, you are already a Longevity Realm expert. You are no longer eligible for our trial, and therefore, you cannot obtain the Blood Immortal Vine."

"A trial?" Su Xuan was not disheartened; instead, he heard a glimmer of opportunity in her words. "If I were in the Heaven Severing Realm, could I participate in your trial to obtain the Blood Immortal Vine?"

Su Pei looked at Su Xuan.

"Yes."

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