Gu Fei didn't waste any time while strolling through the streets. He found the information he sought in a teahouse.
Most of the mercenaries were quite enthusiastic. Gu Fei merely started a conversation, and they eagerly continued sharing what they knew. As he quietly sipped his tea, he absorbed all the details he needed.
Smiling, Gu Fei offered to treat everyone to tea, acknowledging their hard work in protecting Qingshan Town. The mercenaries, moved by his gesture, shared even more information, freely and without hesitation.
[Yunling is moved, and emotion value increases by 0.1]
[The more gratitude you feel, the more emotion value you gain.]
Though Gu Fei didn't care much about the small emotional gains, the valuable information was worth it.
Now, with this new intel, his judgment became even clearer. The Blood Lotus Essence had not yet been taken by Xiao Yan and was still in Wanyaozhai. This meant Xiao Yan had not yet reached the Monster Mountain Range.
As Gu Fei pondered Xiao Yan's current whereabouts, the Little Fairy Doctor softly spoke again, her voice gentle and clear.
"Sir, if you don't mind, you can join us on a herb-collecting trip to the Magic Beast Mountain Range in three days."
She seemed shy but determined to invite this reliable alchemist. After thinking for a moment, she added, "There are many herbs there that you won't find in Wanyaozhai. The Magic Beast Mountain Range will surely have what you need!"
After a moment of consideration, Gu Fei nodded, much to the Little Fairy Doctor's delight.
"Alright," he agreed, and her face lit up with joy.
[Xiao Yixian is happy, emotion value increases by 100]
The Monster Mountain Range was home to terrifying creatures. Normally, they only collected herbs near the outskirts, but a previous mishap took them deeper inside, where they narrowly escaped death. Even though Gu Fei's fighting spirit didn't seem particularly strong, Xiao Yixian inexplicably believed that the young man before her possessed far greater strength than the mercenaries.
At Xiao Yixian's invitation, Gu Fei moved into Wanyaozhai's manor. She introduced him as an alchemist to Boss Yao, who greeted him with great politeness. Gu Fei appeared very young, but his demeanor hinted at an extraordinary background. Boss Yao, unable to gauge Gu Fei's cultivation level, could still sense his unique aura and noted how respectfully the Little Fairy Doctor treated him.
Boss Yao thought that if he could befriend this alchemist, it might lead to great opportunities. However, as soon as Gu Fei spoke, revealing a glimpse of his cultivation aura, Boss Yao's expression changed dramatically. His fear was palpable.
[Boss Yao is fearful, emotion value increases by 10]
The aura Gu Fei released was far more terrifying than anything Boss Yao had experienced, silencing his previous schemes. With newfound respect, Boss Yao agreed to send a team of doctors into the mountains the next day to gather herbs. He didn't dare offend someone as formidable as Gu Fei.
After these arrangements, Gu Fei followed the Little Fairy Doctor to the courtyard where he would stay, once again concealing his cultivation. That evening, Xiao Yixian personally brought dinner to his courtyard. She hoped to use this opportunity to consult with him on pharmacology, believing a skilled alchemist like him would have profound knowledge.
As she carried in the meal, the soft moonlight bathed her in an enchanting glow. Her purple eyes glanced at Gu Fei, and she blushed as she realized she had been lost in thought while watching him.
[Xiao Yixian is shy, emotion value increases by 100]
Gu Fei noticed the system's notification and glanced at Xiao Yixian curiously. He saw her beautiful eyes, filled with warmth, and smiled slightly. But when their gazes met, Xiao Yixian quickly looked away, flustered.
After finishing dinner, Xiao Yixian quietly gathered the dishes, her delicate hands glowing faintly under the moonlight. Gu Fei found the moment so serene and beautiful that he didn't want to break the silence.
Once the cleaning was done, she hesitated for a moment before approaching Gu Fei with a medical book in hand. Her face flushed, Xiao Yixian found herself feeling oddly shy in front of him—an unfamiliar feeling for someone usually so straightforward with her questions.
[Xiao Yixian is shy, emotion value increases by 80]
After standing there for a while, unable to bring herself to speak, Gu Fei took the book from her, pausing her nervousness. Opening to the page she had marked, he smiled at her meticulous handwriting.
"Is there something you need help with?" he asked, his voice calm as he kept his eyes on the book.
The Little Fairy Doctor lowered her head, her voice soft and unsure. "This medicinal material and ebony seeds… they shouldn't be taken together. It could worsen the patient's condition, possibly even causing severe rejection…"
Gu Fei generously shared his expertise, and as he spoke, Xiao Yixian listened with growing admiration, nodding at every point.
[Xiao Yixian feels admiration, emotion value increases by 90]
Stealing a glance at him, she saw Gu Fei explaining pharmacology with utmost seriousness. Her admiration deepened.
[Xiao Yixian feels admiration, emotion value increases by 100]
As the system notification sounded again, Gu Fei smiled slightly and continued explaining, while the moonlight bathed their figures, creating a particularly beautiful scene.