Volume One, Chapter Two: The Apothecary Gu Qingyi! The More Beautiful, the More Dangerous!

The carriage slowed even further, and the spirits of everyone in the convoy became highly alert.

The Black Mountain was teeming with starbeasts. Even in its outermost fringes, there was always the danger of wandering creatures, let alone deeper within, where they had to travel to reach their destination.

"Starbeast ahead, be vigilant!"

Li Yun, leading the group, issued a warning. Lin Fan then saw a monkey hanging from a distant branch, eyes gleaming with menace.

Li Yun acted swiftly, leaping forward and dispatching the starbeast in a few decisive moves. By Lin Fan’s estimation, Li Yun was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Such minor incidents occurred a dozen times along the short journey, until at last a thick herbal fragrance filled the air, and the convoy gradually came to a halt.

Li Yun approached the central carriage, cupped his fists, and said, "Apothecary Gu, the Valley of Spirit Herbs is not far ahead. Shall we camp here for now?"

"Yes. Make sure to use what I gave you," came the reply.

"Understood."

Following Li Yun’s orders, Lin Fan and the others quickly set up tents, working alongside the rest of the convoy to establish the camp.

He carefully surveyed the surroundings—it was a relatively safe spot, one that would allow them a chance to retreat if anything went wrong.

"Everyone will stand guard in shifts. The rest should rest here. This afternoon, as arranged, some of you will accompany Apothecary Gu to the Valley of Spirit Herbs for gathering. The valley is still some distance away, and it’s clear they don’t want everyone approaching it."

Lin Fan simply sat cross-legged, focusing his attention on the constellation chart within his mind.

In his vision, the dark expanse of the night sky gleamed with starlight, casting four immense shadows.

"These four constellation charts—Azure Dragon in the east, White Tiger in the west, Vermilion Bird in the south, and Black Tortoise in the north—they’re the legendary four great divine beasts."

Lin Fan was not unfamiliar with these constellation charts.

Just awakening the Horned Serpent, one of the Azure Dragon’s stars, had already benefited him greatly. There were a total of twenty-eight stars—he could hardly imagine what it would be like to light them all.

He took out a starstone and, holding it in his hand, began channeling the star force within him according to the Wood Spirit Transformation cultivation method.

After a night of cultivation, Lin Fan had essentially mastered the basics of the method. Its effect was simple yet formidable—it could rapidly transform his body into wood, absorbing most incoming attacks instantly and reducing bodily harm.

If one observed closely, they would see his skin gradually turning a bluish-green hue.

Unconsciously, he had already exhausted several starstones, and Lin Fan emerged from his trance-like state of cultivation.

Clicking his tongue, he lamented, "Still not enough resources for cultivation!"

"Lin Fan, this afternoon you’ll come with us into the valley to gather herbs."

After selecting a few people, Li Yun turned his gaze toward Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was puzzled. Li Yun should have been informed of his circumstances—he hadn’t opened his Star Palace, and was only supposed to handle logistics and odd jobs. Why bring him along?

Nevertheless, Lin Fan said nothing and simply nodded.

In the afternoon, a party of seven set out toward the Valley of Spirit Herbs.

This time, Lin Fan finally saw the true face of Apothecary Gu.

She wore a green dress, her jet-black hair cascading loosely over her shoulders, exuding a refined and gentle demeanor. She looked only three or four years older than himself, and Lin Fan was surprised that someone so young was already an apothecary.

The valley was some distance from the camp, and after about a quarter hour’s walk, a basin spread out before them, filled with a rich herbal scent.

Li Yun glanced at Gu Qingyi for her direction.

"You all stay here and maintain vigilance," she said. "I’ll go down and look for the most important treasure herb we need this time."

A valley floor carpeted with precious herbs—naturally, everyone was tempted, but none of them dared act without permission. After all, Gu Qingyi was the chief apothecary of the Divine Martial Academy, and she was not to be trifled with.

"Everyone, focus!" Li Yun barked.

Lin Fan smirked inwardly, but his gaze turned toward the treasure herbs in the valley.

There were all manner of rare herbs, some already as tall as a person, all incredibly alluring.

He distinctly felt one of the herbs drawing him in, sensing that consuming it would bring him great benefit.

Lin Fan understood this was due to his awakened Horned Serpent star soul, granting him a heightened perception of wood-attributed spiritual items.

"Divinewood Flower—refines the body, cleanses the marrow," the knowledge surfaced in his mind, even surprising himself.

As Gu Qingyi’s figure disappeared among the towering herbs, unease suddenly welled up in Lin Fan’s heart.

"Strange… why do I feel this way?"

He frowned, scanning the area, but found nothing amiss.

After a while, his nerves settled a bit.

"You all, come down here—quickly!"

Suddenly, Gu Qingyi’s voice called from the valley floor, and the precious herbs visibly trembled.

"Move! Apothecary Gu may be in danger, follow me!" Li Yun charged down first, the rest immediately following. Lin Fan, frowning, brought up the rear.

"Apothecary Gu, where are you? We’re here!"

The valley was not small—even with their prompt response, several dozen breaths passed before they arrived.

"I’m fine, over here. I’ve found something—Li Yun, come look!"

Gu Qingyi’s clothes were in disarray, stained with mud and dirt. Li Yun and the others quickly gathered round.

"Wait, there’s a strange scent in the air. It’s faint, barely perceptible, but definitely there!"

Lin Fan’s heart skipped a beat. He instantly slowed his steps, adjusting his breathing and internal energy.

Just then, a weak, agonized cry rang out. Lin Fan saw Li Yun collapse to the ground. Like a chain reaction, the others fell as well, their bodies seamed with dozens of blood-red lines, instantly losing consciousness.

A chill ran down Lin Fan’s spine. He sensed no starbeasts nearby, which left only one possibility.

He stared at Gu Qingyi, now less than five meters away.

She no longer wore her former composure, but instead revealed a strange, twisted smile.

"If you try to run, I promise the poison will kill you before you can escape."

Gu Qingyi turned slightly, twirling a lock of hair off her shoulder, every gentle motion laced with deadly intent.

Beside her, the roots of a half-human tall treasure herb rose like countless tendrils, plunging viciously into the deeply unconscious bodies of the other five.

It was plain to see their bodies shriveling, the vitality draining from them, while the plant trembled as if delighted by the taste of fresh blood.

Lin Fan’s scalp tingled with fear.

"You’re using live humans to nourish the herb?"

He looked at this woman, barely twenty-one or twenty-two, her petite figure performing something so horrifying.

A chilling laugh escaped her. "Frightened, are you?"

Gu Qingyi watched as a faint blood-red hue spread across the plant, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. She turned to Lin Fan. "You’re already poisoned. I advise you not to do anything rash. Why not strike a deal with me?"

"Sorry, but the more beautiful a woman, the more dangerous she is. You’re far too terrifying. I dare not strike a bargain with you—I fear I’ll become the next sacrifice for your treasure herb."

Lin Fan bent low, channeling his Wood Spirit Physique.

This woman could not be left alive.