To the west of the Inner City of the Lingxiao Palace, a stretch of white birch trees stood tall, their silver-like trunks gleaming with a soft radiance through all seasons.
Nestled deep within this grove of birch trees lay an area considered forbidden territory to the vast majority of people.
This was the Elixir District of the Lingxiao Palace, a place housing an immense trove of rare spiritual herbs and finished pills, countable almost by the warehouse, alongside countless volumes of ancient pharmaceutical texts.
When He Yiming first arrived here, he was stunned by the sheer number of people dedicated to the path of alchemy, but what astonished him even more was the profound importance and cultivation the Lingxiao Palace placed upon the art of refinement.
The expense required to train one competent alchemist was certainly beyond the means of any minor family.
Among the three great families of the former Taicang County, only He Wude possessed an established foundation; the other two dared not venture into this forbidden zone, as even bankrupting themselves would make successfully cultivating a true alchemist highly unlikely.
Yet, within this restricted zone of the Lingxiao Palace, He Yiming saw a multitude of alchemists. Their status was instantly discernible from the robes they wore; although the overwhelming majority were low-ranking alchemists, their sheer quantity left He Yiming utterly amazed.
He let out a deep sigh. The most powerful sect in the Eastern Great Shen was shrouded in layers of infinite mystery.
Just when one managed to pull back one veil, believing they had finally glimpsed the true strength hidden beneath, they would suddenly discover yet more substantial layers obscuring the face, making it forever impossible to ascertain the true depth of this sect’s foundation.
Within the birch grove, a massive wall enclosed the area.
A wall that did not exist between the inner and outer cities had been newly erected in certain crucial locations.
This circle of fortifications had only a single gate for entry. Turning back to look, He Yiming saw streams of young people entering and exiting; their faces showed excitement or dejection, yet the ceaseless flow of the crowd radiated potent vitality and cohesion.
Following He Yiming’s gaze, Jin Zhanyi chuckled, “Brother He, nine out of ten people in the entire sect proficient in the Dao of Elixirs are here. Therefore, the apothecaries here must authenticate fresh medicinal herbs sent from all over, as well as damaged texts and elixirs of unknown origin, every day.” He subtly lifted his chin, his tone filled with pride, “These are disciples of the Lingxiao Palace from various regions. If they encounter any gains related to herbs during their travels, they send them here. If their findings are validated by the elders in the Elixir District, they will receive appropriate rewards.”
He Yiming nodded slightly, filled with envy. On the way here with Jin Zhanyi, he had already witnessed the sheer scope of the Lingxiao Palace’s influence across the nation. So many precious items gathered from locales far and wide converged here, resulting in an almost daily influx of unimaginable wealth.
He turned back, looking at the green-tiled, black-bricked Elixir District, and finally understood why the number of alchemists here was so vast.
Suddenly, a chorus of exclamations erupted from within, spreading like a contagion, causing almost every face to display an expression of intense excitement.
He Yiming’s ears twitched slightly. Though he didn't grasp the cause of their joy, he clearly distinguished four distinct words: “Innate Golden Elixir.”
Jin Zhanyi broke into a wry smile. “Someone is incredibly lucky. I wonder which fortunate soul found something worthy of such a reward as an Innate Golden Elixir.”
He Yiming’s steps halted abruptly. He drew a sharp breath. “Brother Jin, are rewards here truly as high as an Innate Golden Elixir?”
Jin Zhanyi nodded slowly. “Indeed. If those disciples present something truly exceptional, they can certainly earn an Innate Golden Elixir.” He paused as if considering, then added uncertainly, “Since I joined the Lingxiao Palace, at least a hundred people have received this reward.”
He Yiming swallowed hard, deeply shaken by the sheer generosity of the Lingxiao Palace.
Jin Zhanyi hadn't yet reached 150 years of age, yet over a hundred people had received this reward—didn't that imply an opportunity like this occurred almost every year?
This was vastly different from the sects in the Northwest. There, even the main branch of the Tianchi, upon obtaining an Innate Golden Elixir, would first ensure it went to the most outstanding disciples; ordinary disciples wouldn't even dare to hope.
But observing the expressions of the Lingxiao Palace disciples here, He Yiming gained a different kind of insight.
There was a clear reason why this sect, over several millennia, had gradually supplanted the fragmented Five Elements sects to become the foremost power in the East.
While intensely curious about what item warranted an Innate Golden Elixir, He Yiming knew this was the domain of the Lingxiao Palace. No matter how highly regarded he might be, he couldn't expect easy access to such classified matters.
Turning back, He Yiming said, “Brother Jin, let’s proceed to the Alchemy Chamber.”
Jin Zhanyi nodded and, without pausing, turned and headed toward the inner courtyard.
For him, a man singularly devoted to the Martial Dao, whatever was exchanged for that Innate Golden Elixir held no personal relevance.
He possessed unshakeable confidence in himself; even without consuming elixirs, he was strongly assured of reaching the Venerable Realm.
Of course, he was not a rigid ideologue; if an elixir could serve as an aid, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse it.
Led by Jin Zhanyi, they arrived at the Elixir Section.
It was a garden within a garden. Stepping through the massive doorway, He Yiming immediately felt a powerful wave of heat wash over him.
He glanced back in surprise; separated by only a single step was an entirely different world.
Examining the surrounding walls closely, He Yiming felt a spark of understanding. The architecture here must possess some peculiar quality, though exactly what made it different, he could not yet discern.
With a soft sigh, He Yiming suddenly recalled the summit of the Tianchi main peak, shrouded in mist, reserved exclusively for the cultivation of Venerables.
He distinctly remembered that upon entering the summit area, it felt as if he had stepped into another world.
Though these two locations were not identical, they shared certain traceable patterns.
Jin Zhanyi walked forward unhindered, arriving in moments at the central alchemy room.
Upon entering, He Yiming scanned the room. Within, stood an alchemy furnace that wasn't excessively large. He observed it closely for a long moment; the most striking feature was the nine distinct bas-relief carvings upon it.
Each carving depicted an animal, most of them creatures unseen or unheard of by him. However, one carving, resembling a long serpent, looked somewhat familiar.
Frowning, he suddenly recalled it—the depiction of the Divine Dragon he had encountered in ancient texts. Since such mythical beasts were long relegated to legend, He Yiming had never given them much thought.
Jin Zhanyi laughed heartily. “Brother He, this furnace is one of the treasured artifacts protecting the Lingxiao Palace. What is carved upon it are the likenesses of Divine Dragons, each one a mythical beast possessing immense power.”
He Yiming managed a wry smile. “Brother Jin, did you witness these with your own eyes?”
Jin Zhanyi sighed regretfully. “A pity I wasn't born a few thousand years sooner…”
His words, like his temperament, were arrogant yet brimming with self-assurance.
Even in the era when divine beasts had not vanished, seeing one was an exceptional rarity. Only a master of the Divine Path would likely have such certainty.
Jin Zhanyi’s confidence in his own future was so profound that he firmly believed he would advance to the Divine Path.
He Yiming drew a long, deep breath; the same determined spirit surfaced in his eyes.
If he can, then I can too…
The door to the room opened. Though it opened silently, it startled them both awake simultaneously.
He Yiming’s ears twitched, his heart momentarily stunned. Only then did he detect the faintest, almost imperceptible trace of the newcomer’s presence. He turned sharply, his aura surging yet tightly suppressed, like a volcano on the verge of eruption—filled with palpable danger.
Jin Zhanyi also turned, but he remained perfectly composed. “Martial Uncle, you have arrived.”
He Yiming started, his old face flushing red as he hastily retracted his oppressive aura—this was truly embarrassing. Turning to look at Jin Zhanyi’s earnest expression, he vaguely sensed that this young man still harbored some dissatisfaction over the choice He Yiming made in the valley.
An elder slowly entered the room—a venerable man with long, white hair and a beard. The most prominent feature on his face was undoubtedly his bulbous, red nose. Yet, impossibly, this nose did not give the old man an unsightly appearance; rather, it lent him an air of approachability.
The elder entered the room, nodding slightly before his gaze settled on He Yiming. He smiled, “You must be He Yiming. Those old fellows in the Northwest are truly fortunate; the Tianchi lineage has produced such a genius. Truly remarkable.”
He Yiming bowed respectfully. “Venerable Sir, you flatter me.” Inside, however, he felt a slight shock. These Venerables were reclusive, peerless experts, yet it was clear even they had heard his name—which didn't necessarily bode well.
Jin Zhanyi then stepped forward to formally introduce, “Brother He, this is Venerable Hao Tong, reputed to be the foremost expert in alchemy within the Lingxiao Palace.”
He turned to speak further, but Hao Tong waved his sleeve dismissively. “No need for introductions. In the past few days, the names He Yiming have been repeated so often among us old relics that they’re nearly worn out.” He smiled. “He Yiming, do you wish to watch this old man refine elixirs?”
He Yiming straightened his expression. “In the Northwest, your junior once studied a bit of the Dao of Elixirs. If I have the chance to observe, I certainly would not pass it up.”
A flash of surprise crossed Hao Tong’s eyes. “You are actually proficient in the Dao of Elixirs?”