Thousands of kilometers away, nestled amidst the mountains, a potent surge of spiritual energy shot towards the heavens.
This energy pulsed with vibrant life.
Chen Xiao’s Yin-Yang Jade, after an initial violent tremor, gradually weakened its vibrations until it finally fell silent.
He narrowed his eyes, staring at that location, and asked, "Chu Luo, what place is that?"
Following Chen Xiao's gaze, Chu Luo's face paled with shock. The four Golden Core cultivators, led by Zhu Xuanqing, immediately became vigilant.
Sensing their unusual reactions, Chen Xiao was perplexed.
Chu Luo hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Brother Chen, that place is..."
He felt it was inappropriate to call Chen Xiao "Director" within the Medicine King Valley, hence the address "Brother Chen."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Xuanqing suddenly shouted, "Young Master!"
Chu Luo smiled and waved his hand, "Uncle Zhu, no need to be nervous. Brother Chen is one of us. Brother Chen, that is the blessed land of our Medicine King Valley, where we cultivate spiritual herbs."
Chen Xiao had shown Chu Luo kindness, and he still needed Chen Xiao's help. Therefore, for both reason and sentiment, he should not hide anything from Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao nodded upon hearing this, as it aligned with his own suspicions.
He then asked, "Can you take me to see it?"
Chen Xiao was certain that the vibration of the Yin-Yang Jade was related to that blessed land.
There seemed to be a connection between the two, and he wished to investigate it.
However, as soon as he spoke, Zhu Xuanqing could no longer contain himself and angrily reprimanded, "Nonsense, boy! That is a forbidden area of the Medicine King Valley. No one is allowed in except the Valley Master. I was about to ask you, how did you discover the blessed land? What are your intentions?"
Hearing Zhu Xuanqing's words, Chen Xiao's gaze instantly turned cold.
Chu Luo quickly intervened, "Uncle Zhu, please stop. Brother Chen is my friend, I invited him here to help..."
"What help can he offer? I suspect he has ulterior motives. Otherwise, how would he know the location of the blessed land? Young Master, people from the outside world are often driven by self-interest and forget their righteousness. Do not be deceived!"
Zhu Xuanqing insisted, much like his daughter Zhu Xiao'e, harboring a natural hostility towards outsiders.
"Enough!"
Chu Luo, weary of the argument, finally became enraged.
With his hands behind his back and a fierce glare, he let out a stern shout, "Zhu Xuanqing, shut your mouth! I will say this one last time: Brother Chen is my friend. If you dare disrespect Brother Chen again, you are disrespecting me!"
Within the Medicine King Valley, there was a strict hierarchy. Although Zhu Xuanqing was Chu Luo's uncle, Chu Luo was the Young Master!
"Yes, I understand, Young Master!"
Zhu Xuanqing said, his face ashen.
Witnessing this, Zhu Xiao'e was displeased, "Chu Luo, how can you speak to my father like that?"
Chu Luo glanced at Zhu Xiao'e and snorted angrily, "Zhu Xiao'e, I haven't even spoken to you yet. You dared to kidnap and coerce this Young Master, a crime punishable by death. However, considering your initial good intentions, I shall sentence you to three days of confinement, starting today!"
"Fine, Chu Luo, you're crossing the bridge and burning it! I'll fight you!"
Zhu Xiao'e rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight Chu Luo, who immediately hid behind Zhu Xuanqing in fright.
"Quickly take Zhu Xiao'e to confinement! Don't you hear this Young Master's command!"
"As you command, Young Master. I will personally escort her to confinement!"
Zhu Xuanqing grabbed his daughter and hurried forward, it was unclear whether he was eager to confine his daughter or was angry with Chu Luo.
Watching this chaotic scene, Chen Xiao was utterly bewildered.
With the father and daughter gone, the world finally became quiet.
Chu Luo said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Brother Chen. Uncle Zhu is not lying. The blessed land of the Medicine King Valley is a forbidden area within the valley. No one except the current Valley Master is allowed entry, not even I have been inside."
"I see. Then it's fine."
Chen Xiao nodded outwardly.
But his thoughts were far from it. In his eyes, no place was truly forbidden!
Of course, this was Chu Luo's territory, and he wouldn't force his way in, but there would always be other ways.
Having made up his mind, he changed the subject and asked with a smile, "Chu Luo, what's going on with you? If your father-in-law wasn't here earlier, your wife would have probably beaten you. You are the future Valley Master of the Medicine King Valley, how can you be so weak?"
Chu Luo smiled sheepishly and explained.
"Brother Chen, you wouldn't know this, but our Chu family, generation after generation, has had very weak combat abilities. Whether it's martial arts or sorcery, our talent falls far short of the passing grade, perhaps only one-tenth of that of ordinary people."
"However, as if to compensate for our lack of combat talent, heaven has bestowed upon us an extraordinary elemental sensing ability. Our sensitivity to all elements in nature far surpasses that of ordinary people. This talent is perfectly suited for cultivating herbs and refining pills."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao suddenly understood and let out a long "Oh."
"Oh~~~ so your Chu family needs the Zhu family to protect you, is that right?"
Chu Luo chuckled awkwardly, "Brother Chen, we don't use the word 'protect,' we use 'serve.' The Zhu family has served the Chu family for generations, for hundreds of years. It can be said that Zhu is inseparable from Chu, and Chu is inseparable from Zhu!"
Chen Xiao smiled slightly, "I see. So the Zhu family can be considered loyal and devoted. With the strength of Old Master Zhu Hanshan, to still be subordinate is truly not easy."
Chu Luo smiled slightly, and said with a hint of pride, "Brother Chen, you wouldn't know this, but even though Grandpa Zhu is powerful, without our Chu family, he wouldn't have reached his current height."
Even though Zhu Hanshan's three disciples were nearby, Chu Luo spoke without reservation.
Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback, then he seemed to realize something.
"I understand. Old Master Zhu's current strength is likely due to consuming a lot of your family's pills, right?"
Chu Luo gave Chen Xiao a thumbs-up, "Brother Chen is amazing, you guessed it right away. With the pills from our Medicine King Valley, even an idiot can be nurtured into a Golden Core expert!"
Hearing this, the faces of the three Golden Core cultivators darkened.
"Then why don't your Chu family members take them themselves?"
Chen Xiao asked.
"..."
Chu Luo was speechless. This was probably a case of touching a sore spot.
He simply pretended not to hear and pointed ahead, "Brother Chen, look quickly, my home is just ahead!"
Chen Xiao stopped and looked up. On the mountain peak ahead, a mountain villa that resembled a paradise emerged into view.
The villa's architecture was exquisite, with a classical charm, surrounded by swirling mist, like a fairyland.
The plaque at the main entrance bore four large characters: Medicine King Mountain Villa!