Chapter 367: Taking a Stand

On the summit of Danyuan Peak, a bamboo hut.

Although Ye Lingxuan and the other seven did not understand why Hua Changxi had called them over to process fifth-grade Mo Yin Bamboo, since the peak master had assigned the task, the eight quickly calmed their minds, took out their respective tools for processing spirit herbs, and began earnestly making Mo Yin Bamboo slips.

As soon as the eight set to work, it was clear they had received systematic training.

Rather than each working on their own, they cooperated, and when problems arose, they discussed and exchanged ideas; before long, they had successfully produced their first bamboo slip.

Watching these eight who possessed the inheritance of the Dan Sheng Hall, Hua Changxi felt she must make good "use" of them, letting them realize their greatest value.

"Xiao Xuan, come over here a moment."

Xiao Xuan looked surprised, but he quickly put down the Mo Yin Bamboo in his hand and walked into the bamboo hut: "Peak Master, you wanted to see me?"

Hua Changxi looked at him: "I heard from Steward Zhou that you have great skill in processing spirit herbs. Let me ask you, can you now process fourth-grade spirit herbs?"

Xiao Xuan hesitated, unsure whether to reveal his true processing level.

The peak master had just returned and immediately called them over to handle Mo Yin Bamboo; now she asked if he could process fourth-grade spirit herbs—was she trying to... use them?

The reason Xiao Xuan and the others had been sent to Danyuan Peak was twofold: first, the elders wanted to learn more about the peak master; second, the spirit herbs in the forbidden land could not fully supply their practice needs.

Take him, for example—while studying in the forbidden land, there simply weren't enough spirit herbs for him to process.

Xiao Xuan desperately wanted to process more high-grade spirit herbs to improve his technique. After hesitating, he revealed his true ability: "To answer the peak master, I can process fourth-grade spirit herbs, but the types of fourth-grade spirit herbs I have actually processed by hand are not many."

Hua Changxi fixed her gaze on him for a few seconds, then stood up: "Come with me."

Hua Changxi led Xiao Xuan directly to the fourth level of the secret realm.

As soon as they reached the fourth level, Xiao Xuan was locked by an invisible force, making him afraid to even move; yet even under such circumstances, his eyes burst with brilliant light upon seeing the vast variety of fourth-grade spirit herbs.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi tapped him between the eyebrows.

Instantly, Xiao Xuan felt the force that had locked him disappear.

Hua Changxi: "I have lifted the restriction on the fourth level of the secret realm. From now on, you may come up anytime." As she spoke, she took out a piece of Mo Yin Bamboo, engraved a list of the fourth-grade spirit herbs she needed with her divine sense, and then handed the bamboo piece to Xiao Xuan.

"Can these spirit herbs be processed?"

Xiao Xuan steadied his mind, took the bamboo piece, placed it against his brow, read the contents, and then nodded affirmatively: "Yes."

Hua Changxi: "Good. Process a batch of these spirit herbs as soon as possible. I have use for them."

Xiao Xuan: "Thank you for your trust, Peak Master. I will process them as quickly as possible."

Hua Changxi: "After you have processed the spirit herbs I need, you may process other types, but you must not take any spirit herbs out."

Xiao Xuan quickly nodded in agreement: "Please rest assured, Peak Master. I know how precious fourth-grade spirit herbs are."

Fourth-grade spirit herbs, even the least of them, take several hundred years to grow.

Nowadays, apart from some relic secret realms, traces of fourth-grade spirit herbs are almost invisible in the outside world.

Xiao Xuan could tell that Hua Changxi wanted him to start processing fourth-grade spirit herbs immediately, so he said, "Peak Master, I'll first return to my cave dwelling to fetch my herb-processing tools, then I can begin processing the spirit herbs."

Hua Changxi nodded. After Xiao Xuan left, she cut down a batch of bamboo, manipulated spiritual power, and quickly built a simple bamboo hut by the river for drying and storing spirit herbs.

By the time Xiao Xuan fetched his processing tools and re-entered the fourth level of the secret realm, the bamboo hut was already built.

Afterwards, Hua Changxi watched Xiao Xuan process several types of fourth-grade spirit herbs. Only after confirming that his processing skill was quite good did she leave the secret realm.

By then, it was already dark, and Ye Lingxuan and the others had already produced dozens of bamboo slips.

Hua Changxi inspected the bamboo slips, found no issues, and turned to Ye Lingxuan and the others: "The Mo Yin Bamboo won't be finished anytime soon. You may return to your cave dwellings to rest and come back tomorrow to continue."

Ye Lingxuan and the others did not refuse; they finished the work in their hands before leaving.

After they left, Hua Changxi returned to the bamboo hut. Since she no longer needed sleep, she took out her alchemy furnace and prepared to refine fourth-grade pills.

[Fourth-Grade Alchemist (Middle-Grade Pills): Alchemy Furnace 11, 11/100]

The difficulty of refining fourth-grade pills was nearly ten times that of third-grade pills, the success rate was low, and when refining unfamiliar new types of pills, the furnace could even explode.

Thus, not only did it consume more spirit herbs, but Hua Changxi also had to spare extra time for diligent practice.

After that, time slipped away quietly while Hua Changxi practiced alchemy.

At the break of dawn, Ye Lingxuan and the others arrived early at the bamboo hut. Smelling the fragrance of pills drifting above the hut, they once again began communicating through telepathy.

"It's the fragrance of a fourth-grade pill."

"Peak Master is definitely a fourth-grade alchemist."

"Xiao Xuan must have been called away to concoct fourth-grade medicinal herbs. That guy must be overjoyed."

"The elders were wise to send us to Danyuan Peak. By the way, Senior Sister Ye and Senior Brother Jiang, are you two also about to become fourth-grade alchemists?"

Ye Lingxuan and Jiang Henian both smiled and nodded. Ever since they were selected to refine pills for Danyuan Peak, they had never lacked medicinal herbs to practice on. With such a vast supply of herbs, it was hard not to improve their alchemy skills.

Soon, Ye Lingxuan and the others threw themselves back into the task of making bamboo slips.

The sun hung high in the sky. Xu Yaoshi hurried over with Hua Sanlang.

As soon as they arrived, seeing Ye Lingxuan and the others busy in the courtyard, they were both taken aback.

Just then, Hua Changxi walked out of the bamboo house.

"Peak Master."

"Jiu Niang."

Hua Changxi looked at the two of them. "What is it?"

Xu Yaoshi did not speak but instead looked toward Hua Sanlang.

Hua Sanlang said: "Liang Guogong has come, saying he is here to apologize." He paused. "The Seventh Prince has accompanied him."

Hua Changxi took out a small wooden box and handed it to Hua Sanlang. "Give this pill to Liang Guogong. Tell him that if he is willing to take this pill, the grievances between him and I will be completely wiped clean."

At these words, Hua Sanlang, Xu Yaoshi, and even Ye Lingxuan and the others in the courtyard all changed expression.

Hua Sanlang took the small wooden box. "Jiu Niang... what kind of pill is this?"

Hua Changxi said: "The Liang Guogong manor oppressed the Hua family, trapping them inside the Bo residence without being allowed to step outside, as if in prison."

"This is the Cocooning Pill. After taking it, there will be no harm, only the sensation of being cocooned and bound. The effect lasts three years."

Liang Guogong used his power to oppress the Hua family, so she used force to coerce him.

Indeed, as Jingliao said, she and Liang Guogong were no different in essence.

But she had to do this.

If she did nothing and let Liang Guogong oppress the Hua family for three years, and then after he apologized she just let everything go, then next time, if she made an enemy with someone else and that person could not do anything to her, wouldn't they also be able to strike at the Hua family like Liang Guogong did?

Liang Guogong had the Hua family trapped in the Bo residence for three years, so she would make him 'cocoon himself and draw a circle as his prison' for three years. This was her stance, and also her bottom line!