“Young Master, please have a cup of hot tea,” Xue Ling gently said.

　　Xue Ling’s eyes were bright and glistening. Under the moonlight, her gaze seemed less stern and more charming instead.

　　Chu Li nodded as the pair arrived at the gazebo.

　　Soon, the gazebo was brilliantly illuminated, making it seem like it was still daytime.

　　Xue Ling moved dexterously. She quickly steeped the tea and served it.

　　Chu Li asked, “Has everything been going smoothly in the Public House?”

　　“It’s been rather peaceful,” Xue Ling said before she frowned. “But something feels wrong to me. Everyone seems lazier now.”

　　“Huh?” Chu Li curiously looked at her.

　　Xue Ling replied, “Everyone was always trembling with fear in the past. However, they’re not eager to make progress anymore because the Public House is now powerful.”

　　Chu Li nodded slowly. “This is inevitable.”

　　“Our martial arts will probably deteriorate if this goes on,” Xue Ling said. “A blade will become dull if it’s rarely used.”

　　Chu Li smiled as he said, “Do you have any ideas?”

　　“I can’t think of a good solution.” Xue Ling’s dark eyebrows were faintly furrowed. “I guess we shouldn’t go and provoke or suppress the factions in the martial arts world. I can’t bring myself to do anything because our men are extremely honest, tactful, and clever.”

　　“They’ll be busy soon.” Chu Li shook his head and said, “A war is about to start at the border. Tell everyone to prepare themselves. Danger will be lurking throughout the Li Dynasty’s martial arts world.”

　　“Alright,” Xue Ling said before she nodded. “I’ll report this to the eldest master.”

　　Chu Li said, “Tell the eldest master to strengthen his hold on maritime transport. Our opponents will scramble for those resources when the battle begins.”

　　Xue Ling agreed to Chu Li’s demands. After that, Xue Ling told Chu Li about the other matters in the Public House such as the amusing incidents and household affairs.

　　Chu Li listened attentively while Xue Ling spoke.

　　Since Chu Li originated from the Public House, Chu Li would still think of the Public House when he was in other places such as King An’s Imperial Residence or the Li Dynasty.

　　Chu Li had managed to harvest numerous Spirit Herbs during his recent trip to the Spirit Medicine Nursery at Great Light Peak. That was his greatest achievement because those Spirit Herbs were already extinct in the Li Dynasty. With these Spirit Herbs, it would allow him to revitalize some of the formulas in the Public House and refine stronger Spirit Pills.

　　Not only would the Spirit Pills affect the Public House’s strength, but these pills were also fatally attractive to Grandmasters.

　　Whenever Chu Li stole the Spirit Herbs from the Spirit Medicine Nursery, he would only steal one, two, or a maximum of three stalks each time. Chu Li would then move these Spirit Herbs to his own island before he used the Life and Death Scripture to make the herbs grow and produce seeds quickly.

　　…

　　The next day, Chu Li heard the sound of footsteps outside when he woke up in the little cottage in the Spirit Medicine Nursery. Chu Li immediately pulled the door open when he saw Zhou Huang striding over with his short legs.

　　Zhou Huang’s face was flushed, but he was radiating with health and vigor. Zhou Huang chuckled before he said, “Young man, I’ve made something nice for you!”

　　Chu Li reached his hand out to invite Zhou Huang inside. “Is there any news about the Spirit Pill?”

　　Chu Li did not hastily exchange the Golden Glow Grass that he had collected earlier for a Spirit Pill. He wanted to exchange the Golden Glow Grass for several Rare Pills with unusual effects. These Spirit Pills were extremely uncommon as the best Spirit Pills could even strengthen one’s physique.

　　Unfortunately, Chu Li did not have enough Golden Glow Grass. Despite his hard work, Chu Li’s Golden Glow Grass was only sufficient for one Rare Pill. Zhou Huang had already promised Chu Li that he would go to the herbalist hall and help him out. So Zhou Huang should probably have some news for him now.

　　“I had to mention your contributions and swallow my pride to persuade them,” Zhou Huang replied while he shook his head. “It was really difficult, but they agreed to retrieve the Rare Pill from their porcelain chest.”

　　The people at the herbalist hall only agreed to retrieve the Rare Pill from their porcelain chest because of Chu Li.

　　The herbalist hall was very troubled by the burdensome medicinal drugs. This was because the Saint had requested a specific number of these drugs and she wanted a lot of these drugs within a short span of time.

　　Usually, it would be impossible for the herbalist hall to complete this order of Spirit Pills because most of the drugs could not be found there. The crucial issue was the limited production of Golden Glow Grass.

　　The herbalist hall could not simply increase the production of Golden Glow Grass in an instant. In fact, they could only harvest these Spirit Herbs after two or three months if they grew them now. The war would have already started by then.

　　The herbalist hall was restless and anxious as each Spirit Pill probably meant that another life would be saved.

　　However, never would they have expected that the Spirit Medicine Nursery would suddenly undergo explosive changes, such that the production of Golden Glow Grass would increase out of the blue. The herbalist hall’s spirits were lifted because their burdens had disappeared. So, they refined the pills with all of their might, and the herbalist hall was greatly rewarded when they achieved the Saint’s goal instantly.

　　For that, the herbalist hall was very grateful to Chu Li. With Zhou Huang’s stubborn pestering as well, he had finally convinced them to retrieve the Rare Pill from their porcelain chest.

　　“What is it exactly?” Chu Li hurriedly said, “Zhou Huang, I must give you credit for your great service.”

　　Zhou Huang glared at Chu Li before he took a jade bottle out from his bosom and passed it to Chu Li.

　　Chu Li opened the jade bottle and poured out an emerald green-colored pill. The pill did not produce any scent because it was covered in beeswax.

　　“What kind of pill is this?” Chu Li asked.

　　This pill resembled a freshly sprouted shoot after the rain because it was jade green in color and it was clean. Chu Li knew that this pill was extraordinary because he was strangely drawn to it.

　　“It’s a Wind Speed Pill,” Zhou Huang happily explained. “Your body will become more graceful and your speed will increase if you consume this pill.”

　　Chu Li was stunned.

　　Zhou Huang quietly scoffed. “Most importantly, these effects aren’t temporary. Rather, it’s a Mystical Art that can permanently alter your physique!”

　　Chu Li’s eyes widened.

　　Zhou Huang chuckled. “What do you think? Does it fit your purpose?”

　　“Will this Rare Pill make the Holy Church of Light invincible?” Chu Li asked while he smiled.

　　“You’re getting ahead of yourself!” Zhou Huang impatiently said. “The Holy Church of Light would truly be invincible if that was the case. However, there’s only one Wind Speed Pill. Do you think that these pills can be found just anywhere?”

　　“There’s only one pill?” A disappointed look appeared on Chu Li’s face.

　　Zhou Huang huffed. “The Wind Speed Pill requires an important Spirit Herb called Wind Speed Grass. However, you can’t find Wind Speed Grass anywhere in the world because it’s already extinct. Likewise, the Wind Speed Pill is also extinct because it can’t be refined anymore.”

　　“How did it become extinct?” Chu Li intentionally furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he asked.

　　“These Spirit Pills that can alter an individual’s physique require the most excellent Spirit Herbs. Meanwhile, these Spirit Herbs can only survive in places with strong spiritual energy. The Spirit Herbs became extinct when the Spirit Beasts entered Hundred-Thousand Hills.” Zhou Huang shook his head and sighed. “I should have been born ten thousand years ago. If I did, the Spirit Herbs would have been abundant back then, but the best Spirit Herbs are all extinct now.”

　　“The masters of the martial arts world must have been really powerful back then when they had those Spirit Pills.” Chu Li sighed in admiration.

　　“You’re absolutely right!” Zhou Huang said, “During that time, the best Spirit Herbs could be found everywhere. An individual’s physique would improve tremendously once they consumed the pills that were refined from those Spirit Herbs. The previous masters were much stronger than the current ones. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to fend off the Spirit Beasts!”

　　Chu Li nodded. “Can Wind Speed Grass be found on Hundred-Thousand Hills?”

　　“Of course!” Zhou Huang firmly nodded before he immediately shook his head. “But what’s the point? Nobody is brave enough to go to Hundred-Thousand Hills and collect it. The Spirit Beasts there aren’t herbivores. You can’t return if you go there!”

　　Chu Li sighed. “That’s unfortunate.”

　　An idea flashed in Chu Li’s mind. If Wind Speed Grass grew in Hundred-Thousand Hills, it could probably be found in Spirit Cranes Peak as well. Upon hearing this, Chu Li wanted to go to Spirit Cranes Peak to properly search for Wind Speed Grass.

　　“Elder Zhou, could you give me the formula for the Wind Speed Pill?” Chu Li said, “I’d like to have a look.”

　　Zhou Huang smiled and said, “Why do you want to see it? Are you trying to learn alchemy?”

　　“Yes, I’d like to learn alchemy,” Chu Li replied.

　　“Nonsense!” Zhou Huang’s expression suddenly darkened. “Why do you want to learn alchemy? It’s not a life worth living.”

　　“What makes you say that?” Chu Li asked as he smiled.

　　“You’ll be surrounded by flames and smoke all day. Can you handle that?” Zhou Huang scoffed. “You’re already tanned enough. You’ll be too embarrassed to go out in public if the smoke makes you any darker.”

　　“I want to learn alchemy!” Chu Li determinedly said.