C26 Gift Medicine

Gu Ling'er had only completed half of her formation when she began to scrutinize Jiang Fann from head to toe.

Meanwhile, Shi Chengtian was busy clearing the aftermath of the battle. Penniless and without a single possession to his name, he wasn't about to overlook the items carried by the Myriad Poison Sect disciples.

Jiang Fann's gaze settled on Gu Ling'er, and he approached her with measured steps.

"We meet again!"

Gu Ling'er paused, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.

"Are you the madman from the valley?"

Jiang Fann felt a wave of embarrassment. Their initial encounter had indeed been awkward.

"I heard you were in trouble here, so I came running. Are you okay?"

Gu Ling'er's smile was warm. "I'm fine, thanks to you! Your name was...?"

Clearly, she was struggling to remember. Jiang Fann helped her out, "Jiang Fann!"

"That's it! You're quite the character. I knew you were knowledgeable about medicine, but I'm even more taken aback now. The Myriad Poison Sect's toxins are formidable, yet they don't seem to affect you. How do you manage it?"

Jiang Fann's smile broadened.

"It's quite simple! Interested in learning? I'd be happy to teach you!"

Gu Ling'er sensed the odd glint in his eyes and swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere.

"You might want to worry about yourself for now. You've crossed the Myriad Poison Sect and might feel safe here, but once we leave this place and word gets out, you'll be in hot water. Even my father has no sway over them."

Jiang Fann remained composed as he turned to regard the charred remains of the three bodies.

"For you, I'd face the whole world as my enemy."

His statement was delivered with a tranquility that belied its fierce resolve.

Gu Ling'er felt a shiver run through her, a wave of emotion stirring within. She experienced a sense of safety she hadn't known before, one not even her father could provide. The silhouette before her was etched into her memory, unforgettable.

"Hey, hey! We've only met twice, don't make it sound so ominous."

Inwardly, Jiang Fann pondered, "If only you knew how many years you've been on my mind..."

Despite this, he couldn't reveal these details to Gu Ling'er. They had to start anew, including the feelings between them.

He turned to her with a smile, "Haven't you ever heard of love at first sight?"

Gu Ling'er's cheeks turned a rosy hue, but she quickly shook her head, as if to clear away the clutter in her mind.

She deftly steered the conversation elsewhere, "The fire you conjured was incredibly potent, not just any ordinary flame, right?"

Jiang Fann didn't hesitate, and the Red Flaming Feather materialized in his palm.

Gu Ling'er gasped, "The Red Flaming Feather! You actually possess such a rare flame! No wonder it was so powerful, capable of repelling the poison."

Jiang Fann offered a smile, "Would you like it? It's yours for the taking!"

His offer was genuine, his gaze earnest and free of any ulterior motives.

Gu Ling'er vigorously shook her head. The Red Flaming Feather was far too precious. She couldn't accept such a gift without merit, especially from the person who saved her life. Besides, she found Jiang Fann's behavior odd. Why was he showing such warmth after only two encounters?

"It's far too valuable. I simply can't accept it!"

Shi Chengtian sidled up, practically salivating, "Boss, how about you give that treasure to me?"

Jiang Fann dismissed him, "Get lost, and keep watch over the valley. If the Myriad Poison Sect sends reinforcements, wipe them out."

Shi Chengtian bobbed his head in agreement and scampered off, but not before giving Gu Ling'er a curious once-over.

Jiang Fann didn't press the issue. Instead, he pulled out several vials and placed them in her hands.

"Take these pills. The medicine you gave me back in the canyon might well have saved my life. Consider these my way of repaying you."

Gu Ling'er clutched the vials, insisting, "There's no need for the pills; my father has provided plenty for me. I have more than enough."

Jiang Fann clarified, "The quality of his stash isn't bad, but it's lacking when it comes to real life-saving remedies."

He pointed to one of the vials, "This is the Divine Strength Pill! It can double your strength for three minutes."

Then, indicating another, "And this is the Divine Wind Pill! It can double your speed for two minutes."

"The Divine Strength Pill will double the power of your spiritual sense within three minutes."

"This next one is particularly potent. Use it only in a dire situation, as there are just two. Crafted with my own blood essence and spiritual herbs, it's a Stage Breaking Pill! It can instantly propel you to the next realm, with effects lasting a quarter of an hour. Be warned, though, it comes with side effects. Once the pill's power wanes, you'll experience three days of weakness. The more advanced your realm, the more severe the side effects. But fear not, my improvements have eliminated any significant adverse effects. Aside from the temporary weakness, it's harmless to your body."

Jiang Fann generously handed over the majority of the life-saving pills he had meticulously prepared to Gu Ling'er, keeping only a small portion for himself.

Given his recent advancement in realm and the assistance of Han Qianxue and Shi Chengtian, a small reserve for emergencies would suffice.

Gu Ling'er, however, gazed at Jiang Fann in astonishment. These pills were beyond anything she'd ever heard of, challenging her entire conception of traditional medicine.

"Is this for real?"

Jiang Fann nodded affirmatively. "Absolutely. These pills can be pivotal in critical moments, potentially turning the tide of battle. With your current realm, they should provide ample self-protection in this secret realm."

She looked at the pills in her hand, skepticism lingering.

Selecting a Divine Wind Pill—the most abundant of the lot—she knew she had to test its efficacy. Failure to perform in a real crisis could be fatal.

Jiang Fann offered a reassuring smile and did not intervene.

Upon ingesting the pill, Gu Ling'er's brows lifted in surprise.

"Remember to focus on your Spirit Gathering technique," Jiang Fann advised. "That's when you'll truly feel the effects."

Gu Ling'er felt an extraordinary lightness in her step, her speed astonishing as she ran. The Divine Wind Pill lived up to Jiang Fann's description, its potency almost overwhelming.

After a swift circuit of the valley, she returned to Jiang Fann.

"If the other pills are just as effective, what super expert wouldn't be outmatched by someone using them?"

Jiang Fann, however, tempered expectations. "These pills are best suited for cultivators at or below the Spirit Refining Stage. For those of higher realms, the impact is minimal, far from miraculous. And remember, after taking any of these pills, you must wait half an hour before taking another, or they'll have no effect. Proper timing is key to maximizing their potential."

Gu Ling'er, hailing from Myriad Herbs Valley, caught on quickly. She nodded, promptly stowing all the pills into her Hundred Treasures Bag.

With the pills in her possession, a delighted smile spread across Gu Ling'er's face.

She proposed, "Jiang Fann, once we're out of this secret realm, how about a trip to Myriad Herbs Valley with me? My dad would surely take a keen interest in you."

Jiang Fann's lips curled upward as memories surfaced. "The timing isn't quite right. I'll pay him a visit when the opportunity arises."

"The Myriad Herbs Valley isn't open to just anyone. There are many who'd plead for a chance to meet him."

Jiang Fann acknowledged the Valley's esteemed standing within the Leehuo Dynasty. Despite their lack of formidable combat power, they were a force no one dared cross. Nearly every faction sought their favor, given the Valley's superior pill quality and their trove of rare recipes—assets of immense value to any power.

To antagonize them would be to incur the wrath of many.

Jiang Fann offered a smile. "I'll seek an audience with the Valley Lord when the time is right. What about you? Any plans? Care to join me on my journey?"

After a moment's contemplation, Gu Ling'er ultimately shook her head.

"I'll pass. I prefer the solitude of traveling alone, but I'm glad to have made your acquaintance."

Jiang Fann, familiar with Gu Ling'er's nature, wasn't taken aback. "In that case, should danger find you, just crush this Spirit Attached Jade. No matter the distance, I'll be there to aid you."

He handed her a jade token imbued with a wisp of his spiritual sense, which would guide him to her should it be shattered.

Puzzlement flickered in Gu Ling'er's eyes as she gazed at Jiang Fann. "Have we met before?"

Jiang Fann merely smiled in response, then turned to leave, heading for the valley's exit.

Shi Chengtian sidled up to Jiang Fann, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "Boss, that's quite the generous gift. How can you part with such miraculous pills so freely? Who is she, anyway?"

Jiang Fann spoke with a serene tone, "Someone who means a great deal to me."

Shi Chengtian piped up, "And yet you didn't share any of those amazing pills with me? Boss, you're too distracted by love to remember your friends."

"Didn't I already give you a Stage Breaking Pill before? You haven't lost it, have you?"

Shi Chengtian paused, his memory jogged by the mention of the red pill Jiang Fann had handed him.

"That was the Stage Breaking Pill?"

Jiang Fann nodded, "It's meant to save your life. You need to make sure it's always within reach. Should trouble arise, you'll be able to take it immediately."

A sheepish look crossed Shi Chengtian's face. His Hundred Treasures Bag was a complete mess, and the pill had long been relegated to some forgotten corner. Thankfully, Jiang Fann's reminder gave him the chance to search for it in time.

Jiang Fann didn't have to fret over Gu Ling'er; her cleverness was reassuring. With these pills in hand, they could even fend off the mightiest disciple from the Myriad Poison Sect.

Regarding the nature of their relationship, there was plenty of time for that to develop. Jiang Fann preferred to let things happen naturally, without forcing anything.

As he and Shi Chengtian made their way out of the valley, numerous eyes followed their departure.

The charred remains of their foes still obstructed the path until Shi Chengtian, with a swift kick, cleared the way.

Trailing a dozen meters behind, Gu Ling'er's gaze lingered on Jiang Fann. She recalled the day in the gorge when he was gravely injured, his powers woefully weak. In just a few short months, he had transformed completely.

The potential value of these pills, should word get out, was beyond her wildest dreams.

To her, Jiang Fann exuded an aura of dominance and mystery, stirring something within her—a confident woman suddenly taken by surprise.

This feeling wasn't like that of a new acquaintance. His eyes, clear when they met hers, seemed to harbor a depth of emotion just for her.

She silently vowed, "Jiang Fann! I won't forget you this time!"

Watching the trio emerge unscathed from the valley, the woods around them buzzed with life.

"Look! They're coming out now!"

"Where did the Myriad Poison Sect's cultivators go? Those are three mid-Innate Stage masters we're talking about. Where could they have disappeared to?"

Han Qianxue emerged from the crowd and approached Jiang Fann, her gaze landing on Gu Ling'er in the distance, clearly intrigued.

"Wow... I never would've guessed that the person causing you so much concern, Little Jiang Fann, would be such a stunner. That's Gu Ling'er, the young daughter of Valley Lord Gu Feng from Myriad Herbs Valley."

Jiang Fann replied with a smile, "You seem to know an awful lot. Let's keep moving. We can't afford to let others get ahead of us!"

Without further inquiry, Han Qianxue's curiosity remained, but she knew there was plenty of road ahead. She had ample time to coax and tease Jiang Fann as they traveled.

The trio quickly made their exit, while Gu Ling'er departed in a different direction.