"Lord Lu, this matter is beyond my ability to resolve," Qian Qiuzi stated directly. "If I ask the Hall Master and he agrees, the Blazing Grass is not impossible to hand over!"
"In that case, I thank you greatly!"
Lu Fan quickly cupped his fists. Qian Qiuzi's willingness to do this earned Lu Fan a measure of respect. In Lu Fan's eyes, the person before him was someone worth befriending.
Qian Qiuzi said no more. He went to the backyard of the Divine Doctor's Hall, where in a meditation courtyard, several elders sat cross-legged. The elder in white at the forefront possessed a unique aura.
"Senior Brother, someone is asking for the Blazing Grass," Qian Qiuzi spoke. "This person is Lord Lu, renowned throughout Jiangnan. It seems to be a matter of urgency!"
The elders opened their eyes one by one. The elder at the forefront furrowed his brow, "Are you unaware that the Blazing Grass is a treasured possession of the Divine Doctor's Hall and will not be easily surrendered!"
"I am of course aware of that," Qian Qiuzi said with a wry smile. "By the shores of Qingzhou Lake, Lord Lu spared my life, for which I owe him a debt of gratitude. Therefore, I have specifically come to report this. Though the Blazing Grass is precious, saving lives in dire straits is the very duty of the Divine Doctor's Hall."
"That depends on what is offered. The Blazing Grass is no ordinary item," the Divine Doctor's Hall Master stated frankly. "Throughout the entire Dragon Kingdom, there is likely only this one specimen. How can it be easily given to another?"
Qian Qiuzi wished to speak further, and the elders beside him also chimed in, "The treasured possessions of the Divine Doctor's Hall are all inviolable. This is a rule of the Hall. Junior Brother Qian Qiuzi, are you not aware of this?"
"I was indeed rash!"
Qian Qiuzi cupped his fists and then left the meditation courtyard. Among the seven divine doctors of the Divine Doctor's Hall, he ranked last and naturally had little say.
After Qian Qiuzi departed, a white-haired elder remarked, "Seventh Brother is truly impulsive. Even as a Grandmaster, he remains so!"
"Repaying a benefactor's kindness is not entirely without merit," the Divine Doctor's Hall Master stated. "However, the Blazing Grass is no ordinary item; it is a treasured possession of the Divine Doctor's Hall. Such an item cannot be casually gifted away!"
The elders nodded in agreement, finding merit in this perspective.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Divine Doctor's Hall, Qian Qiuzi walked over dejectedly, "Lord Lu, this matter, I'm afraid..."
"The Hall Master of the Divine Doctor's Hall refuses?" Lu Fan frowned.
Gu Wen and the others looked displeased. They outnumbered the Hall's occupants and many were Grandmasters. Even if they were to forcibly seize it, the Divine Doctor's Hall would be hard-pressed to resist.
"The Blazing Grass is a treasured possession of the Divine Doctor's Hall and will not be easily transferred," Qian Qiuzi stated. "I am afraid I am also powerless in this matter."
"It's just a medicinal herb, and you are making all sorts of excuses," Han Qiushui cursed. "You call yourselves the Divine Doctor's Hall, yet you refuse to help those in peril. Isn't that laughable?"
Many elders of the Divine Doctor's Hall frowned, showing displeasure. However, with Qian Qiuzi present, they did not speak further.
"Qiushui!"
Lu Fan gave him a stern look. "Step back!"
Han Qiushui, though indignant, could only retreat.
Lu Fan then cupped his fists and said, "The Blazing Grass is something I must have. If the Divine Doctor's Hall is unwilling, I will find other means!"
"This..."
Qian Qiuzi's expression shifted, unsure how to respond. By his nature, he would have likely handed over the Blazing Grass long ago, but with his senior brothers unwilling, he could not speak further.
Seeing this, Lu Fan did not linger and left with his entourage.
"Master, are we just leaving like this?" Gu Wen frowned. "The Blazing Grass has not been obtained, and Uncle Fu is likely in mortal peril."
"I will infiltrate the Divine Doctor's Hall tonight," Lu Fan declared. "If I don't get the Blazing Grass, I will not leave!"
"Master, are you planning to steal it?" Han Qiushui's interest piqued. "Why not take me along? I can also help Master with some tasks."
"There's no need. The Divine Doctor's Hall has many experts. If I bring you along, we might expose ourselves."
Lu Fan frowned. "Moreover, judging by the aura, there are likely existences within the Divine Doctor's Hall even more powerful than Grandmasters."
"More powerful than Grandmasters!" Han Yunhai furrowed his brow. "If that's the case, won't it be dangerous for you to go?"
"In the battle at Baiyun Peak, I also killed many powerful figures. If the Divine Doctor's Hall forcibly obstructs me, I will not hesitate to act."
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, a killing intent radiating from him. Uncle Fu was in imminent danger, and if the Blazing Grass was not obtained, he might perish. Lu Fan would not allow such a thing to happen.
"Lord Lu, this is absolutely not advisable," the City Lord of Jiangnan said repeatedly. "You must reconsider. The Divine Doctor's Hall is not as simple as it appears on the surface."
"What do you mean by that?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Could it be that the Divine Doctor's Hall has a greater backer behind it? If that is the case, then who might this backer be?"
"I do not know the specifics, but there are rumors that a formidable individual is behind the Divine Doctor's Hall," the City Lord of Jiangnan stated. "If this is true, your personal attempt to seize it might lead to unnecessary trouble."
"If not by force, do you have a better plan?" Lu Fan glanced at him.
The City Lord of Jiangnan instantly shrank back. If he had a better plan, he would not have accompanied Lu Fan to the Divine Doctor's Hall.
"Since there is no better plan, this is the only way," Lu Fan said coldly. "You need not participate in tonight's operation."
"My Lord, please allow me to accompany you," Han Yunhai said solemnly. "At least I can provide some assistance."
"Are you doubting my strength?" Lu Fan said with displeasure. "Or are you questioning me?"
"Your subordinate would not dare!"
Han Yunhai quickly cupped his fists, his face showing embarrassment.
After Lu Fan left, the others stood frozen, unsure what to do.
"Should we go back or wait here?" Han Qiushui asked, bewildered.
"There is likely a major operation tonight," Gu Wen spoke. "Master did not allow us to follow, but he did not say we couldn't watch."
"Precisely!" Han Yunhai nodded. "The Divine Doctor's Hall has many experts. Although Master's strength is considerable, he cannot afford to be careless. We shall remain here."
After much discussion, they finally reached an agreement and took it seriously.
As night fell and the wind blew, the lights in the Divine Doctor's Hall's main hall finally extinguished, and everyone returned to their courtyards to sleep.
Inside the meditation courtyard of the Divine Doctor's Hall, several elders remained seated, seemingly without the need for sleep, diligently practicing a cultivation technique.
Lu Fan, clad in black, under the cover of the dark and windy night, arrived at the Divine Doctor's Hall courtyard. He scanned his surroundings, trying to locate the Blazing Grass.
However, the Divine Doctor's Hall was vast, with many places where medicinal herbs were stored. Finding the Blazing Grass would not be an easy task.
Meanwhile, in the meditation room of the courtyard, the Divine Doctor's Hall Master looked at Qian Qiuzi, "After that person came to ask for the Blazing Grass today and you refused him, did he say anything?"
"Lord Lu said that he must have the Blazing Grass," Qian Qiuzi said with a wry smile. "For him, it is a life-saving herb."
Inside the meditation room, many divine doctors laughed, "He's truly naive. Could he be planning to steal it!"
Qian Qiuzi remained silent, his face showing a hint of embarrassment.
"The treasured possessions of the Divine Doctor's Hall are all located within the meditation rooms. We have been in seclusion here for years. If he wishes to steal them, it would be harder than climbing to the heavens," one divine doctor stated.
The Divine Doctor's Hall Master slowly closed his eyes and did not inquire further into the matter.