Chapter 517: The Reckless Demon Beast

"But... the herbs in these places are mostly dried or sun-cured; there aren't many that are still fresh and alive, let alone strange herbs like Chenqing Flower!" Alliance Leader Zhao continued.

In these three places with the most herbs, dried herbs have the same effect and are easier to carry, so they are mostly sun-cured; there can't be any fresh stock.

"The Medicine King's herbs come from several sources, the most common being sales by herb farmers. But rare herbs like Chenqing Flower are certainly not grown by ordinary herb farmers, nor do they have the ability. The only place I know that has such ability is a medicinal garden located in the west of Wanguo City. This place grows countless strange and rare herbs, many of which are hard to find on the market. However..."

Alliance Leader Zhao smiled bitterly: "The owner of the medicinal garden has a strange temperament and is somewhat unapproachable. She never sells her herbs, no matter how much money is offered. Even I, back when Lian'er was seriously ill, wanted to buy a few special herbs but failed!"

"Never sells?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled. "Then why does she grow so many herbs?"

Growing herbs is either for personal use or for sale. If she grows many, it's clearly for personal use... but if she doesn't sell them, what's the point?

Herbs, like ordinary plants, have life cycles of growth and decline. Many herbs only live for a few years; those that can last hundreds of years are rare.

And most importantly, growing herbs requires a huge cost: spirit stones, special nutrient solutions, and even manpower—all indispensable. If she never sells, she's constantly pouring money into it. No matter how wealthy she is, she can't sustain that!

"I don't know either. Many people in Wanguo City find it strange, but unfortunately, no one knows."

Alliance Leader Zhao shook his head.

"Then... hasn't anyone tried to rob her?" Zhang Xuan asked in confusion.

Since many people want the herbs and can't buy them, someone would surely take the risk, right?

"Of course, but they all failed! The owner of the medicinal garden, Xue Yiyao, reached the peak of the Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer fifty years ago and was renowned throughout Wanguo City. Now, no one knows what level she has reached. I'm afraid even I might not be able to defeat her!" Alliance Leader Zhao said.

Even if she couldn't break through, being at the peak of the Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer fifty years ago would put her at the forefront of the many experts in Wanguo City.

"More importantly, the medicinal garden has an extremely powerful formation, at least at the peak of the Four-Star level, personally arranged by President Zheng of the Honghai Formation Guild. Many who tried to steal herbs were killed or trapped before they could even enter... Over time, everyone knew that place was dangerous, and no one dared to go anymore."

Alliance Leader Zhao said.

Raising countless precious herbs but not selling them, and killing or trapping those who try to take them... this person is indeed troublesome.

"Are there these two herbs anywhere else?"

"No. Apart from this medicinal garden, I really don't know where else to find them, unless they are already processed."

"Processed herbs are useless to me." Zhang Xuan shook his head.

To cultivate Soul-Awakening Grass, only fresh, living plants can be used. Once dried and processed into consumable herbs, how can they fuse with the soul and have the effect of awakening it?

"Where is this medicinal garden you mentioned? I want to go and take a look."

The Soul-Awakening Grass is essential to awaken Lu Chong. Since he had already gone to such a dangerous place as the Witch Soul Tomb, even if the garden owner is troublesome, he should be able to find a way.

"This..." Hearing that he wanted to go, Alliance Leader Zhao hesitated for a moment. "Alright, I'll have Jin Conghai accompany you. If anyone tries to attack you, he can hold them off."

"Good!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

He didn't know the location of that medicinal garden and needed someone to lead the way.

"Father, I'll go too!" Zhao Feiwu smiled and quickly said.

"What are you going for?" Alliance Leader Zhao frowned.

"Even the owner of this medicinal garden doesn't listen to you. I want to see how formidable she really is!" Zhao Feiwu said with a light laugh.

Having followed along, she knew that Zhang Xuan was someone who wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal, and the other party sounded even more troublesome. She really wanted to see what would happen when the two clashed.

"Don't worry, with Elder Jin here and my status, even if the garden owner is rude, she won't attack us!" Seeing her father still hesitating, Zhao Feiwu quickly said.

"Alright, both of you be careful. Especially you, Master Zhang. If the other party is unwilling, don't force it. If it really doesn't work, I'll go there myself; maybe she'll show me some face." After a moment's hesitation, Alliance Leader Zhao said.

Back when he sought medicine for Zhao Feiwu and was refused, he had wanted to go himself, but later the Physician Guild found a substitute medicine elsewhere, so he dropped it.

Master Zhang was his daughter's savior and, with such talent, had limitless potential. He couldn't let anything happen to him. If it came to it, he would have to go himself.

As the Alliance Leader of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance and at the very peak of the Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer, if he truly wanted to buy herbs, even if the other party had a strange temper, she would surely show him some courtesy.

After asking a few more questions, Zhang Xuan took his leave from Alliance Leader Zhao and, accompanied by Zhao Feiwu and Jin Conghai, rode a flying beast straight toward the west of the city.

Wanguo City was enormous, spanning hundreds of kilometers in width and breadth. Walking would take several hours. This time, instead of riding Zhao Feiwu's mount, the three sat on the back of the Demon Beast.

The Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer peak beast spread its wings like lightning. After a few dozen minutes, the three saw a huge manor appear before them.

The manor covered hundreds of acres and was shrouded in faint mist, clearly protected by a large formation.

"Let's land here!"

Knowing they couldn't fly directly in, Zhang Xuan nodded. The Demon Beast let out a soft cry and landed not far from the main gate.

The manor's gate was tightly shut, with not a single person outside. It seemed everyone knew that herbs here couldn't be bought and had lost interest.

Otherwise, many people needed herbs every year; it wouldn't be so deserted that not a soul was in sight.

Jin Conghai stepped forward to knock on the door when he heard a "creak!" The courtyard door opened from inside, and a maidservant approached.

"Our medicinal garden does not sell herbs to outsiders. Please go back, sirs."

It seemed she was used to people coming to ask for herbs and would say this as soon as she saw them.

Unexpectedly rejected before even saying a word, Zhang Xuan felt somewhat helpless.

If he couldn't even get through the door and meet the owner, how could he buy herbs?

Just as he was thinking of what to say to get them to let him in, at least to see the garden owner so he could persuade her, he heard the sound of horse hooves.

Then, he saw a carriage stop not far away, and a middle-aged man stepped down.

"Master Mu, please come in!"

Seeing this man, the maidservant recognized him, her face brightening, and she quickly made way for him to enter.

"Didn't you say you don't sell herbs? Why can he enter?" Jin Conghai frowned.

This was too obvious. They hadn't even spoken before being turned away, while this man swaggered in.

Did it depend on who you were?

"I'm sorry, but he was specially invited by our mistress. He has an invitation."

The maidservant said apologetically.

"You need an invitation to enter?" Zhang Xuan asked in surprise.

"Of course you need an invitation to enter!" Before the maidservant could answer, a cold, arrogant voice sounded. The speaker was a seductive-looking woman, about thirty years old, heavily made up, exuding a strong smell of rouge before she even approached.

"Today, Garden Master Xue is holding a banquet. Only garden masters of other medicinal gardens can enter. It's not a place for any random cats and dogs to come. If you want to buy herbs, just leave. You're not welcome here!"

Tilting her chin, the seductive woman looked haughty, her gaze toward them filled with contempt.

"A banquet? Only garden masters can enter? That means you're a garden master too?" Zhao Feiwu said.

"Of course! I am the garden master of Qingyan Medicinal Garden, Luo Qingyan!"

With a proud look, the seductive woman flipped her wrist and produced an object—the invitation to enter the garden.

"See this? This is the invitation. If you don't have one, leave immediately and don't cause trouble!"

The seductive woman looked coldly at them and sneered: "You look under twenty, don't you? At your age, you can't even tell what herbs are. This high-level banquet isn't something you're qualified to even look at. Go back! Study hard, and maybe in thirty or fifty years, you'll be qualified to come in once... Hehehehe!"

Covering her mouth with a light laugh, the seductive woman straightened her body, her full breasts seeming ready to burst free from her clothes at any moment.

"Thirty or fifty years?" Zhang Xuan shook his head and looked at the maidservant nearby: "Is it true that with an invitation, you can enter?"

"Uh... yes!"

The maidservant hesitated for a moment, then, recalling her instructions, quickly nodded.

"That's good then!"

Hearing her definite answer, Zhang Xuan looked at the seductive woman, scratched his head, and said somewhat apologetically: "Can I discuss something with you? Could you lend me your invitation?"

"Lend it to you? Hah!"

As if hearing the funniest joke, the seductive woman looked at Zhang Xuan with disgust in her eyes: "Why should I lend it to you? This was given to me by Garden Master Xue. What do you think you are?"

"Not lending?"

Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"Get lost before I get angry, or I'll make sure you leave lying down..."

With a shout, the seductive woman's aura involuntarily flowed out.

Her true energy was clearly separated into pure and turbid, and her power was astonishing.

She was actually a Mortal Transformation Third Layer expert.

"Kill me?" Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan looked into the distance and gave an order: "Demon Beast, discuss with her whether she can give me the invitation..."

"Roar!"

Hearing the command, the Demon Beast nearby let out a low cry and flew over with a "whoosh."

"What are you doing?"

The seductive woman was startled, and before she knew it, a huge rear end came crashing down right on her face.

Thud!

Before she could react, she was sat into the ground by the Demon Beast, leaving only her hands, feet, and head sticking out, spitting out mouthfuls of blood.

Ding!

After sitting her flat, the Demon Beast twisted its mouth, picked up the badge from her hand, and tossed it over.

"..."

Jin Conghai and Zhao Feiwu both staggered, their eyes nearly popping out.

Wasn't it supposed to be a discussion? How did it end up... sitting on someone with its butt...