The first "stop" Han Zhan chose was the home of the young man who delivered meals.

His residence wasn't hard to find out.

When the meal delivery young man saw Han Zhan appearing at his doorstep, he was also a bit surprised. "Saint Master?"

Han Zhan waved his hand, "You can just call me Han Zhan."

The news of Han Zhan saving Jiang Yue had already spread throughout the Jiang Tribe.

For this outsider skilled in healing, people in the tribe referred to him as Saint Master to show respect.

Skipping the pleasantries.

Han Zhan continued, "Today I obtained a Pill Formula from Clan Leader Jiang Huai, said to be left by the Shennong Saint Master. As a reward for saving me from prison, I am willing to share it with you."

The meal delivery young man widened his eyes, looking at Han Zhan incredulously. "How can you repay kindness with betrayal!"

His tone was urgent, shaking his hands repeatedly, fearing Han Zhan would really take out the Pill Formula.

Apparently, he also knew there was a problem with the Pill Formula. Han Zhan inferred from the young man's expression.

With a puzzled expression, Han Zhan asked in return, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this Pill Formula?"

The meal delivering young man hesitated for a moment but answered truthfully, "I don't know. I only know that those who studied the Pill Formula eventually died. Later, Clan Leader Jiang Huai no longer allowed our tribe members to continue studying it."

"He might have thought that since you're an outsider, you wouldn't be cursed, so he agreed to give you this Pill Formula."

An outsider?

Right, I am an outsider. That's what makes me different from those healers.

I don't originally belong to this world, and by this logic, if this Pill Formula really is cursed, it might not affect me at all.

With the young man's hint, Han Zhan suddenly saw things clearly.

After exchanging a few more words, Han Zhan waved goodbye.

His second stop was Jiang Huo's home.

Upon arriving, Jiang Huo and Jiang Yue were preparing dinner.

Seeing Han Zhan arrive, Jiang Huo was somewhat surprised. "It's almost dark, why are you still wandering outside? Didn't I warn you not to go out after dark? You could meet with misfortune."

"I'm just out to take a look and will be back soon."

While speaking, Han Zhan turned his gaze to Jiang Yue.

He hadn't been in contact with many people; what he might know tells him Jiang Huai might not be trustworthy, so he had to start with the few people he was familiar with to gather information.

Regarding Jiang Yue, Han Zhan also had doubts in his heart.

"Little Sister Jiang Yue, why did your illness flare up early? Did you go anywhere special before that?"

Upon being asked, Jiang Yue first looked at Jiang Huo, and seeing no reaction from him, she answered:

"I was just playing hide and seek with everyone, but I lost track of time. By the time I came out from my hiding spot, it was already late. I knew something was wrong and rushed home as quickly as I could. After that, I don't remember anything."

"Let me fill in some more." Seeing Han Zhan was keen on investigating the matter, Jiang Huo gladly cooperated, "Xiao Yue came home late that day after playing hide and seek. I was worried sick at home and when she finally returned, it was half an hour past the allowed time."

"No sooner had she gotten home than her body began to change. It was as if something wanted to crawl out of her body. The chilling feeling was terrifying."

"Thankfully, it didn't come out completely. You know the rest; Xiao Yue fell into a long coma until you awoke her."

"Can you tell me where you were hiding while playing hide and seek? Where was it?" Han Zhan quickly asked.

"I can't quite remember. I just know there was a big tree there, in the woods outside our tribe, quite far away. I purposely hid far so they couldn't find me during the game."

Han Zhan nodded, indicating he understood.

It was already getting late, and for Han Zhan's safety, Jiang Huo didn't keep him for dinner.

Han Zhan quickened his pace and made it home in time.

The night gradually deepened.

Outside the tightly closed door, a whimper of wind began.

The door and windows started to creak in the wind.

With Han Zhan's keen hearing, he distinctly heard something strange in the wind—a certain kind of footsteps. Was something moving about in the night?

He cast a glance at the window; it was pitch black, and nothing was visible.

The room's temperature suddenly dropped drastically, he instinctively wrapped himself tighter in his clothes.

Not knowing how much time passed, the noisy sounds gradually faded away.

Curiosity pricked at Han Zhan, prompting him to stand and move to the door, attempting to peer out through a gap.

Lowering his head to look outside, he immediately recoiled a few steps in shock.

He had seen something through the gap.

There were a pair of crimson eyes!

And the owner of these eyes was Jiang Yue!

Wasn't it said not to go outside after six?

Jiang Yue! Why was she outside?

Han Zhan knew very few people. He was sure of it, it was indeed Jiang Yue.

Only, her eyes were crimson, pressed against the gap, peering in, making direct eye contact with Han Zhan.

Startled, Han Zhan decided to stop exploring any further. He leaned back against the clay wall, carefully vigilant, facing the door as he fell asleep.

The next morning, he was awakened by a knocking on the door.

Medicinal ingredients fetched by Clan Leader Jiang Huai's orders were already in front of Han Zhan's house, seemingly impatient.

Jiang Huai's unusual behavior didn't escape Han Zhan's notice. He silently accepted the herbs without uttering anything.

The person sent by Jiang Huai repeatedly reminded, "Saint Master, these herbs are exceedingly precious. The clan leader urges you to refine the Elixir as quickly as possible, or else there might be drastic changes."

Is this a threat?

Han Zhan gave them a glance and nodded.

The other party didn't say much, bowed, and departed.

After matching the herbs with the names on the Pill Formula, Han Zhan confirmed they were indeed the materials needed for crafting the Little Returning Pill.

Jiang Huai clearly had everything prepared, yet never proceeded with crafting? Or perhaps crafting had failed?

Returning inside, after yesterday's contemplation, Han Zhan decided to attempt crafting the Elixir.

Firstly, the clues had all but broken off, without crafting the Elixir, he couldn't acquire more information.

Secondly, if the curse indeed only targeted people of this world, with no effect on outsiders, then crafting the Elixir posed no danger.

Thus Han Zhan summoned the Shennong Cauldron, following the quantities and steps on the Pill Formula, started adding the herbs to the Cauldron.

Once the last piece was added, the Cauldron began emitting a faint glow.

This Pill Formula was extraordinary, the Elixir crafted appeared lustrous and perfect, like exquisite white jade—absolutely first-rate.

Just when Han Zhan thought the crafting was successful and exhaled a sigh of relief.

A bizarre human face suddenly appeared on the Elixir.

The whole white Elixir was enshrouded in a thick black mist.

The face on the Elixir looked at Han Zhan, grinning with an eerie smile.

The next moment, the tendrils of black mist lunged at him, before he could react.

The Elixir indeed had a problem!

Clan Leader Jiang Huai surely knows some information others don't, he deliberately didn't tell me!

But Han Zhan only realized it now, too late!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.