After the ferocious beasts retreated, the young man from Nanyi spoke a crisp sentence in fluent Central Plains dialect. Beside him, the clear-eyed Nanyi maiden offered a slight bow, her lips curved into a smile, adhering to Central Plains etiquette.

"No trouble at all. You've come to Yunmeng to gather herbs, haven't you?"

Ji Changkong pulled his azure robe over his body, concealing his skin which was as warm and smooth as jade, and walked out from the area thickest with miasma, smiling.

"Yes, we hail from the Chi Yi clan, one of the Nine Tribes of Nanyi. This is my elder brother, Zhongli Jingyi, and I am Zhongli Hui. Thank you for your assistance! Without you, those beasts would have devoured us just now," the maiden said with a charming smile, gesturing toward the young man and introducing them.

"The Poison Dragon Pool is crawling with fierce beasts. Next time you come to Yunmeng for herbs, you best avoid this area. If I hadn't happened to be here today, those beasts would not have hesitated at all," Ji Changkong chuckled. He twisted a jar of Fire Dragon Brew in his hand, skillfully built a fire nearby, and casually tore off a piece of the python meat beside him to roast.

"The herbs we need are said to grow only around the Poison Dragon Pool. We had no choice but to sneak close, hoping to gather a stalk while the beasts were distracted. The medicine we are refining absolutely requires the Ghost Face Flower," Zhongli Jingyi sighed with a hint of helplessness.

"Help me turn this meat, and I will go gather a Ghost Face Flower for you." Ji Changkong handed the bamboo skewer, upon which the meat was just balanced, to Zhongli Jingyi. Without waiting for him to say more, he turned and headed toward the Poison Dragon Pool.

...

"Brother, who is he? How can he just enter the Poison Dragon Pool? How is it possible that the Yunmeng overlord, the Heavenly Armored Crested Dragon, would obey his command? Didn't you tell me the Heavenly Armored Crested Dragon is the most terrifying beast in the Great Marsh of Yunmeng, with an extremely cruel and bloodthirsty nature?" After Ji Changkong left, Zhongli Hui asked in astonishment.

"The Central Plains hold many extraordinary figures. A hundred years ago, our ancestor from the Chi Yi clan, Chi Xiao, was unrivaled among the Nine Tribes of Nanyi, yet he was still slain by Gu Dan, surrounded by numerous elders on Mount Tianlang. Little Hui, you always looked down upon the Central Plains people; surely now you understand their prowess?" Zhongli Jingyi said softly.

Zhongli Hui slightly furrowed her delicate brows and nodded gently. "This Central Plains man is not malicious! Not only did he save us, but he is also gathering the Ghost Face Flower for us. He is different from those Central Plains people who came to our tribe before... Those fellows were all licentious and greedy, only knowing how to exchange cheap salt, gauze, and porcelain for our jade and pearls."

"Alas, today we owe him an immense favor. If I am chosen to be an envoy to Mount Tianshan, I must find an opportunity to repay this debt," Zhongli Jingyi sighed.

"Don't worry, Brother. Haven't the elders all said that you have the greatest chance to be the envoy to Mount Tianshan this time?" Zhongli Hui comforted him.

Zhongli Jingyi nodded, saying no more.

...

"Here, the Ghost Face Flower for you! This herb grows in the silt deepest in the Poison Dragon Pool's miasma. It is inherently highly toxic, and the constant exposure to the poison mist only intensifies its potency! Be careful; the edges of the petals and leaves are sharp. If they scratch your skin, the poison will immediately spread throughout your body. You must secure it well," Ji Changkong said as he returned from the Poison Dragon Pool, casually tossing a stalk of the Ghost Face Flower to Zhongli Jingyi, offering the careful warning.

Over the past year, Ji Changkong, armed with the Hundred Herbs Sutra, had gained some knowledge of the strange flora of the Great Marsh of Yunmeng. Often cultivating near the Poison Dragon Pool, he frequently consumed nearby exotic flowers, herbs, and fruits for sustenance. Upon consuming some, he felt a surge of peculiar vital energy instantly fill his body, leaving him refreshed.

However, whether it was an illusion, Ji Changkong noticed that the Fire Dragon Brew he often drank seemed to be distilled from some of the strange flowers and herbs near the Poison Dragon Pool. After ingesting many of the plants, he felt a familiar sensation, as if... the Fire Dragon Brew had long contained the medicinal properties of those very herbs.

Any rare flower or herb beneficial to the human body elicited that familiar feeling after he consumed it. Over time, Ji Changkong lost interest in those exotic plants and instead focused on the Fire Dragon Brew, constantly feeling that the brew was the true treasure, its contained medicinal power immensely helpful to his body.

"Thank you. I truly don't know when we will be able to repay today's kindness." Zhongli Jingyi carefully secured the Ghost Face Flower before pulling Zhongli Hui to her feet. The two bowed together toward Ji Changkong to express their gratitude.

"No need for formalities." Smiling, Ji Changkong quickly motioned for them to sit down, took the bamboo skewer from Zhongli Jingyi's hand, and continued roasting the meat while chatting easily with the two.

Having spent many years at the Ji family estate, he rarely mingled with those of his own age and had no friends. Zhongli Jingyi and Zhongli Hui were close to his age. Ji Changkong, inherently kind and sincere, found that a comfortable rapport quickly developed between him and Zhongli Jingyi. Once the conversation started flowing, neither could easily stop.

From Zhongli Jingyi, Ji Changkong learned that the Nanyi region comprised nine tribes, known as the Nine Yi: Quan Yi, Yu Yi, Fang Yi, Huang Yi, Bai Yi, Chi Yi, Xuan Yi, Feng Yi, and Yang Yi. The siblings were from the Chi Yi clan, and Chi Xiao, who had once struck terror into the heart of the Shuiyun Kingdom as one of the "Nine Subordinate Kings," belonged to the Chi Yi clan.

The sacred ground of the Nine Tribes of Nanyi was Mount Tianlang. The Heavenly Scholars there mostly specialized in archery, preferring to unleash their power through arrows. A powerful Heavenly Scholar’s shot could cause the sun and moon to change color, and even the fiercest beasts found it difficult to withstand.

"Here, try some of this wine!" First tearing off a piece of python meat and handing it to them, Ji Changkong paused, then pushed nearly half a jar of Fire Dragon Brew toward Zhongli Jingyi, smiling broadly, "This wine has a kick! You'll like it!"

"Good!" Zhongli Jingyi accepted the Fire Dragon Brew without reservation, raising it high and taking several large gulps.

"Cough, cough..."

Zhongli Jingyi coughed violently, his face turning crimson. He immediately jumped up, hopping and skipping in front of Ji Changkong and Zhongli Hui—exactly as Ji Changkong had done the first time he drank Fire Dragon Brew.

"Good wine! So strong! Such strong good wine!" Zhongli Jingyi shouted, his face looking frighteningly red, as if blood were seeping through.

"Oh, Brother, let me have a taste!" Zhongli Hui, full of curiosity, reached out to ask her brother.

Zhongli Jingyi first looked at Ji Changkong, and after seeing his nod and smile, passed the Fire Dragon Brew to Zhongli Hui, cautioning, "Just a small sip!"

Zhongli Hui pursed her lips and smiled. She didn't hesitate, perhaps because Ji Changkong had just drunk from it, and took a small sip, but did not swallow immediately, letting the liquid linger in her mouth before it went down. Her small face instantly flushed red, and she praised, "It’s so potent! Even stronger than our Nanyi's Torrent Rain Fragrance! Brother Changkong, you are truly remarkable to be able to brew such strong liquor!"

"I don't have that skill; a friend brewed it. Nobody dared to buy his wine, so he gave it all to me to drink," Ji Changkong smiled, watching the flushed faces of the siblings. He was reminded of his own first experience drinking Fire Dragon Brew and couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

...

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhongli Jingyi and Zhongli Hui were anxious to return and had no choice but to bid farewell to Ji Changkong.

"There's still some Fire Dragon Brew left; Brother Zhongli, take it for the road. Heh heh, Little Hui, keep an eye on your brother; this wine has a fierce after-effect. Don't let him get drunk halfway," Ji Changkong made no move to keep them, instead grabbing the remaining half-jar of Fire Dragon Brew and pressing it firmly into Zhongli Hui's hand.

When handing over the jar, Ji Changkong did not avoid touching Zhongli Hui's soft, tender wrist. Zhongli Hui struggled slightly, but finding she couldn't pull free, she let him be. However, her naturally rosy and exquisite face became even redder.

"Be careful on the road. Next time you plan to visit the Poison Dragon Pool, call out to me beforehand. If I'm not around, stay as far away as possible. Those fierce beasts are not to be trifled with," Ji Changkong urged one last time as he watched the two recede into the night.

"Brother Changkong, if you ever have time to visit our Chi Yi clan, my brother and I will certainly treat you well. Heh heh, although the Torrent Rain Fragrance we brew isn't as good as Fire Dragon Brew, it’s still a fine wine! When I get back, I'll personally brew a few jars to store, just waiting for Brother Changkong to taste them!" Zhongli Hui waved her hand, signaling Ji Changkong not to see them off, her bright eyes brimming with anticipation.

...

"Good wine! Good wine!" After leaving the perilous area of the Poison Dragon Pool, Zhongli Jingyi's face was red, but his expression was grave. He spoke in a deep voice, "Little Hui, you can brew Torrent Rain Fragrance, but you probably can't brew Fire Dragon Brew in your lifetime! Little Hui, did you discern anything from drinking that Fire Dragon Brew?"

Zhongli Hui smiled charmingly and replied softly, "When I took the first sip, I knew the Fire Dragon Brew contained at least a hundred rare medicinal ingredients. Brother, Brother Changkong is truly an extraordinary person, and also incredibly generous. A wine like this, every jar of it, is priceless!"

"Indeed, a truly extraordinary person! He said this wine was a gift from someone else. I truly can't imagine who could be so formidable, so thoughtful, and so generous as to gift him such wine directly! I truly wonder how deeply this person dotes on him!" Zhongli Jingyi said, filled with envy.

"Brother Changkong is an extraordinary person, so naturally, those he knows must be extraordinary too. Otherwise, how could a great Yunmeng beast like the Heavenly Armored Crested Dragon let us go based only on his word?" Zhongli Hui smiled sweetly.

Nodding in agreement, Zhongli Jingyi led Zhongli Hui away slowly. After walking a hundred paces, Zhongli Jingyi staggered slightly, almost falling. He steadied himself and exclaimed again in a string of praises, "Good wine! Oh, what good wine! Such good wine exists in this world!"