Chapter 78: Vast Mountain Sect, Thousand Spirit Herb

Lu Chen, Chu Lian, and Su Qian followed the map, flying all the way, and after spending considerable time they arrived at the gate of the sect named Vast Mountain Sect.

"After all, this is righteous territory; don't act rashly, let me handle it."

"Previously, when I acted in Zi Xuan City, it was out of necessity; but here, naturally we should avoid action if possible."

"Otherwise, Lin Yunxue's reaction would be a lesson for us."

"Hmm."

"Yes, Master."

Putting away Wang Cai, Su Qian and Chu Lian concealed their cultivation levels and walked behind Lu Chen.

Several gate disciples of Vast Mountain Sect saw Lu Chen and the others appear and became alert.

This place is remote, and occasionally demonic cultivators cause trouble, so their reaction is not surprising.

"Who goes there! State your name and purpose, or don't blame us for attacking!"

The gate disciples each have a special talisman granted by the elders, so they can mobilize sect disciples more quickly when demonic cultivators invade.

"Several fellow Daoists, no misunderstanding; I am Lu Chen, a mere loose cultivator. I heard that Vast Mountain Sect has an elder skilled in alchemy, and I have come specially to request a stalk of medicinal herb."

Hearing this, the several gate disciples exchanged glances, and their suspicion did not lessen.

After all, demonic cultivators have been appearing more and more frequently lately.

The sect has long had an order: no one may arbitrarily let people into the sect.

The leader hesitated a moment, then said to Lu Chen, "Please wait here; I will go report to the elder."

During a lull, Su Qian leaned close to Lu Chen: "Master, should I take action?"

Strictly speaking, Vast Mountain Sect is only about the same level as Nine Abyss Sect.

With Su Qian's current cultivation level, if she were to force her way in, no one could stop her.

But Lu Chen shook his head to stop her.

Without giving a reason, he merely gave her a look, and Su Qian voluntarily retreated to her original position.

Soon, a middle-aged man rushed over, followed by the disciple who had just reported.

"I am Zhao Lingfeng, the Executive Elder of Vast Mountain Sect." The middle-aged man spoke, his voice very steady.

As he spoke, he glanced sideways with his peripheral vision at Su Qian and Chu Lian.

Upon seeing that both of them were at the Nurturing Elixir Realm, his expression changed.

"I don't know what medicinal herb you are seeking, junior."

"Thousand Spirit Herb." Lu Chen clasped his hands in salute.

"Thousand Spirit Herb?" Zhao Lingfeng raised his eyebrows slightly, seeming somewhat surprised.

He had thought it would be some ordinary herb, but he never expected it to be this.

This herb is extremely precious and is basically used only in a few kinds of pills for repairing the soul.

"I do have Thousand Spirit Herb here, but..." He examined Lu Chen up and down, as if calculating something, "This herb is rare; I wonder if you possess something of equivalent value, junior, so I can weigh it?"

Lu Chen understood his meaning and gestured for Chu Lian to take out some herbs she had prepared earlier.

Likewise an alchemist, Chu Lian clearly knew the value of herbs, and quickly took out several kinds of herbs of comparable worth from her storage bag.

"These are... Purple Crystal Flower? Tranquil Spirit Orchid? And... Yellow Spring Herb?!"

Zhao Lingfeng stared at the herbs Chu Lian displayed, his eyes practically glowing gold.

The girl before him looked young, yet she possessed so many top-grade herbs on her person.

"Senior, if you find any to your liking, just take one stalk." Lu Chen said.

Hearing Lu Chen's words, a flicker of faint greed flashed in Zhao Lingfeng's eyes, but it quickly returned to his usual composure.

Nevertheless, this scene was caught by Su Qian and Lu Chen, though neither of them spoke up about it.

Zhao Lingfeng feigned contemplation, stroking his chin, thought briefly, then spoke:

"I didn't expect that, although you appear ordinary, you could produce such precious herbs. I have underestimated you, junior."

He laughed heartily, then selected that stalk of Yellow Spring Herb.

"The Thousand Spirit Herb is in the herb garden; juniors, follow me into the sect to obtain it."

Having said that, Zhao Lingfeng turned and entered the sect.

Seeing this, the several disciples aside made way, allowing Lu Chen and the others to pass.

"Master, it looks suspicious; why don't you stay here while I go get the herb?"

Su Qian leaned close to Lu Chen, asking with some concern.

She noticed that Lu Chen seemed to be staring blankly at the air.

"No need, let's go together."

The reason Lu Chen was distracted was because the Empress had just appeared again.

The Empress's spirit form floated beside him, and they were chatting about that elder.

"Demonic cultivator's aura? You mean this person is connected to demonic cultivators?"

Listening to what the Empress said, Lu Chen was somewhat surprised.

Although he had previously had Mo Xuan as a precedent, when he actually encountered it, he really found it hard to believe.

"Demonic cultivators, that's easy to handle."

If Lu Chen were to kill a righteous person, he might still hesitate a bit.

But demonic cultivators are inherently defiant of heaven; dealing with them is merely carrying out heaven's will.

After entering Vast Mountain Sect, Lu Chen had Su Qian first investigate the internal situation.

Although he knew this was merely a small sect, necessary caution must still be exercised.

Following Zhao Lingfeng, the three arrived at his rear mountain.

From afar one could see a vast medicinal field.

"The journey is long; you may stay temporarily in the sect for a few days before leaving."

"If you need any pills refined, I can also refine them for you."

As they spoke, several people had already arrived at the edge of the medicinal field.

Zhao Lingfeng stopped before a restriction formation nearby, quickly forming hand seals; the restriction was soon dispelled.

After Lu Chen and the others entered the restriction, he then reactivated it.

"Don't worry, little friend; the spiritual energy inside the medicinal field is abundant, and if the restriction is not activated it could easily affect the growth of the herbs."

Lu Chen nodded, a slightly bewildered smile on his face: "No, no."

Originally silent, Chu Lian couldn't help but show some surprise upon entering the medicinal field and seeing so many herbs.

After all, this is the Divine Continent, a place abundant in spiritual energy.

The medicinal field here cultivates many herbs that are rarely seen in the Zhen Continent.

Although most of them are not as valuable as the Qianling Grass, Chu Lian was still greatly shocked.

She even felt a faint desire to claim them for herself.

Zhao Lingfeng's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

"The Qianling Grass is over there; follow me."

Leading Lu Chen and the two others all the way into the medicinal garden, they arrived beside a patch of field where the spiritual energy was thickest.

Several stalks of Qianling Grass grew vigorously in the medicinal field.

Zhao Lingfeng glanced at Chu Lian and said slowly, "Miss, this is the Qianling Grass; you may pick one stalk to take with you."

As Chu Lian stepped forward to pick the Qianling Grass, he placed his hands behind his back, gazing at Lu Chen and Su Qian, and quietly condensed a mass of dark killing qi.

"Wealth should not be exposed; if there's blame, it's because you were too careless."

He thought to himself.

Soon, several clusters of killing qi also condensed at the four corners not far away, forming a special formation pattern.

He believed his moves were flawless, unaware that Lu Chen and Su Qian had already noticed his actions.

Zhao Lingfeng wasted no words; the moment his killing qi finished circulating, he immediately unleashed a killing formation, intending to slay Lu Chen and the two others on the spot!

"Die!"

But he hadn't expected that, as he drew near the two, their bodies emanated an even stronger killing qi...