C67 Refining the Medicinal Herb

The Witch was already formidable, having honed her top-quality Human Rank Martial Skill to the Small Completion Stage.

Despite her injuries, which limited her to half her usual strength, she could easily handle a few adversaries, including Hei One.

Hei One, after all, was merely a Five-star at Human Rank, with only medium-class Martial Skills at his disposal.

She retracted her Thunder Whip and eyed Han Feng with curiosity. "The Chang and Han families may be foes, but it's quite audacious for the Changs to target you. They must see you as a significant threat to take such a risk."

"Are you the Han Feng who's made quite a name for himself in Renzhong City?"

Han Feng's eyes went wide as he mused, "Am I really that well-known?"

He confirmed, "Yes, that's me."

The Witch responded coolly, "Considering the Han family hasn't issued a manhunt for me, you'll keep me company until I've recovered. You don't mind, do you?"

Han Feng was quick to shake his head.

With genuine concern, Han Feng inquired, "Are your injuries making it difficult for you to move?"

The Witch gave him a brief look. "Indeed. Before arriving in Renzhong City, I clashed with the Lin family and sustained serious injuries. Later, my condition worsened after a battle with an Eight-star from the Chang family."

"At present, I can muster the power of a Six or Seven-star at Human Rank. But with my top-quality Human Rank Martial Skill, I'm more than a match for the average Eight or Nine-star combatant."

Her implication was unmistakable: even wounded, she could easily overpower him.

Han Feng managed a wry smile, realizing she didn't quite trust him.

And so the day came to a close.

The Witch focused on her recovery, while Han Feng engaged in quiet cultivation.

With the Witch present, Han Feng dared not enter the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower.

Though the Tower could leave a decoy to mislead others, the vast gap in strength between him and the Witch meant she could easily detect any subterfuge if she so wished.

Lacking the aid of origin fluid, Han Feng found that practicing the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art, while superior to basic techniques, was frustratingly slow progress for him.

The following day, Han Feng expressed his concerns to the Witch, "Hei One and the others haven't come back. It's bound to raise the Chang family's suspicions. They might search this place at any moment. We can't stay here any longer."

The Witch furrowed her brow and let out a long sigh, "You're right, but my current physical state..."

Biting his lip, Han Feng offered, "If you trust me, I'm ready to gather some nearby herbs to help heal your injuries."

The Witch eyed him warily, "You're not thinking of running away, are you? I may hold the Han family in high regard, but I won't hesitate to act if I feel threatened."

Han Feng replied with conviction, "You saved my life by killing Hei One and the rest. Without you, I'd surely be dead by now. I simply wish to repay the debt I owe you for saving me."

"If you don't trust me, I'm even willing to carry you to safety elsewhere."

Hearing this, especially the last part, the Witch started to trust Han Feng. Considering the Han family's positive reputation in Renzhong City, she grudgingly accepted his proposal.

It was a risk.

The Witch was aware of her limited mobility and knew that the deaths of Hei One and his companions would prompt the Chang family to hunt her down. If discovered in her current weakened and injured state, the consequences could be dire...

With the Witch's consent, Han Feng wasted no time scouring the surrounding valley for herbs to treat her wounds.

The Jade Peak Mountain Range lacked rare medicinal herbs, and for a formidable fighter like the Witch, the local flora offered minimal benefit.

Having spent some time with her, Han Feng tentatively surmised that the Witch was at least on par with the Han family's patriarch.

A Human Rank, Ten-star!

Moreover, she was a Ten-star of the Human Rank with mastery over a top-quality Martial Skill.

The Martial Skill practiced by the Han family patriarch was merely upper-class Human Rank.

As a fellow Ten-star of the Human Rank, Han Feng knew the family patriarch stood no chance against the Witch.

For her to recover swiftly, she would need a potion of considerable potency, at least a Level 6 Pill, or perhaps even a Level 7 Pill.

After scouring the area, Han Feng discovered some excellent medicinal herbs capable of healing Human Rank One and Two-star experts. These herbs, known as Nine Leaves Crystal Grass, are key ingredients for concocting Level 5 Pills.

With a swift movement, Han Feng found himself inside the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower. He placed the herbs into the All Creatures Fire Cauldron and commenced the refining process.

"These herbs are specifically effective for Human Rank and Two-star Martial Cultivators because they can only assimilate two to three percent of their medicinal properties," Han Feng mused. "However, if you combine them with other herbs of the same caliber to create pills, you can unlock five to six percent of their potential, rivaling some of the finest Level 5 Pills."

"By refining these into origin fluid, I've managed to unleash their full medicinal power, making them comparable to an average Level 6 Pill," he continued. "While they may not be as potent as peak Level 6 or even Level 7 Pills for the Witch, they should still offer some benefit."

"Directly administering these herbs to the Witch would likely be futile," he reasoned.

The efficacy of the All Creatures Fire Cauldron's refining process is contingent on the items it processes. When refining items that boost spirit energy, the resulting origin fluid enhances one's cultivation foundation. Similarly, when refining items with healing properties, the origin fluid serves a therapeutic purpose.

Once the refining was complete, Han Feng vanished in an instant, taking with him some origin fluid that could bolster one's cultivation foundation.

Han Feng had proposed the herb collection excursion not only to treat the Witch but also to deliberately reveal the existence of the origin fluid. He anticipated that the Witch wouldn't suspect any ulterior motives and would attribute the origin fluid solely to his own alchemical skills. Believing it was crafted by Han Feng for her treatment, the Witch would be inclined to treat him more favorably, thereby strengthening their alliance.

As for whether the Witch would disclose any of this, Han Feng was unconcerned. If she chose to keep it a secret, it would speak to her integrity. Han Feng was willing to assist the Witch in evading capture; after all, he too harbored thoughts of leaving the Han family. As long as he returned within six months, his plans would remain unaffected.

If she were to disclose her identity, Han Feng certainly wouldn't offer her his genuine assistance.

Regarding its influence, his current origin fluid only benefits Mortal-rank Martial Cultivators.

Mortal-rank Martial Cultivators are at the bottom tier across the continent's martial artists. Therefore, this origin fluid wouldn't catch the eye of those at the Human Rank or Mystic Rank levels.

When Han Feng made his way back to the valley, dusk had settled in. The Witch was visibly restless from the prolonged wait.