Stepping out into the slightly dim city gate passage, blinding sunlight poured down from the horizon, and the bustling noise once again surged into his ears like a magical melody, causing Xiao Yan’s brows to slightly furrow. Gently lifting his narrowed gaze, he gazed at the vast internal city unfolding before him and the crowded streams of people moving along the wide streets. He couldn’t help but marvel quietly—this Black Emperor’s City was no smaller than the capital of the Jiaema Empire, and in certain aspects, even surpassed it. After all, the city offered amenities that the capital simply did not possess. “Where shall we go next?” Xiao Yixian’s eyes shifted subtly around, speaking softly. Xiao Yan paused slightly before saying, "Go check out a few of the larger herbal shops in the city. Within the Black-Angle Domain, there are many rare herbs not commonly found outside. If we're lucky, we might be able to secure some of the ones we need. Also, we should find out more about the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva—this one, I'm not even certain about the details. We'll have to inquire further." "Agreed," the young physician nodded slightly, showing no hesitation. "By the way, whenever you encounter someone like that again, just go ahead and make your move. In the Black-Angle Domain, this kind of situation is quite common, and no one will hold it against you." Walking steadily along the broad street, Xiao Yan spoke casually as he went. The young physician paused slightly, then a warm, charming smile appeared on her face. She nodded and quickly pulled Zǐ Yán along, hastening to keep pace. ... The three of them strolled slowly through the vast Black Emperor's City, only now realizing, after this firsthand experience, just how many people had come specifically for the grand auction event held there. Along the streets, the sounds of complaints and calls for attention never ceased. On either side of the road, shops of varying sizes stood neatly in orderly rows—each one bustling with a steady flow of customers. The success of the auction had brought a significant surge in foot traffic and profits to the city. As Xiao Yan and his companions walked gently along the streets, their eyes constantly scanning the shops on either side, they had passed by numerous pharmacies. They stopped in several to inquire and take a closer look, yet these pharmacies were not particularly large, and thus, they were unable to find the medicinal herbs Xiao Yan had specifically needed. Though he didn't secure any herbs, Xiao Yan was far from anxious. The herbs he needed were all quite rare; even within the Black Angular Domain, where collections were abundant, it would be impossible to gather them all in a short span of time. As they journeyed along, after turning two streets, Xiao Yan and his companions finally halted before a grand pavilion-style apothecary. The apothecary was named "Thousand Herbs Hall," and in scale, it was the largest establishment they had encountered since arriving in the city. Moreover, it seemed to enjoy a notable reputation within Black Emperor City, so the foot traffic at the entrance was so dense that it appeared nearly congested, with constant murmurs, shouts, and complaints echoing throughout. Standing outside the "Thousand Herbs Pavilion," Xiao Yan hesitated briefly before directly ushering the two young healers, Zi Yan and the small healer, into the crowd. With a steady, flowing surge of his powerful qi, he gently deflected the people blocking their way, as if a water divider skillfully pushing aside the flow of a river—quietly and effortlessly—thus allowing the three of them to proceed with ease and confidence through the pavilion. The hall was divided into sections for herbs and pills, yet clearly the pill section was far more crowded. After all, for people in the Black Peak Region who lived day after day on the edge of survival, a single life-saving pill—or one that could burst forth in times of crisis—was far more precious than mere herbs that couldn't be consumed directly. However, for someone like Xiao Yan, a master alchemist, the herbs themselves were of greater importance; once he had the herbs, the pills could naturally be crafted. "The Black Angle Pavilion attracts many visitors from outside—indeed, it's no surprise. Simply these herbs alone would be considered flagship items by numerous pharmacies outside. Here, however, they're displayed casually, as if for sale." As a poison specialist, Xiao Yixian was naturally well-versed in these herbs, and thus sighed softly. Xiao Yin smiled and nodded, just about to speak, when a voice from beside him broke in, cheerful: "Ladies and gentlemen, what herbs would you like? Our Thousand Herbs Pharmacy is one of the leading pharmacies in Black Emperor City—surely you'll find everything you need here." Raising his head, Xiao Yin looked at the elderly man who had appeared at the counter. From the man's robe, it was clear he was a staff member of the pharmacy. Without further delay, Xiao Yin reached into his storage bracelet and pulled out a sheet of white paper, on which he had written the key ingredients for the Heavenly Soul-Infused Blood Pill. The elder took the white scroll in both hands, glanced at it casually, then paused, studying Xiang Yin again with a sharp gaze. "Is it true you're a pharmacist?" "Why not? Shouldn't pharmacists be able to buy herbs from the apothecary?" Xiang Yin replied calmly. "Ah, don't mind me, sir," the elder smiled. "I myself am a second-rank pharmacist. I just find the arrangement of these herbs somewhat familiar." Hearing this, Xiang Yin finally felt a bit enlightened. The herbs each possessed distinct properties, and it was hard for outsiders to distinguish them. Yet, with his current expertise in compounding, he had naturally grouped herbs with similar properties together when he first listed them—something he hadn't expected this elder to notice so carefully. "Indeed, that's true... Do you have these herbs here?" "Heh, there are a total of eight herbs listed. The first five—we actually have them at our Thousand Medicine Hall—but they're extremely expensive. Together, they'd cost around two million gold coins. However, the last three—Thousand-Spirit Root, Magic Spirit Valley Grass, and Jade Bone Fruit—are particularly hard to find." The elder smiled. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan exhaled in relief, though he was slightly disappointed. While the first five herbs were rare, they weren't impossible to locate. The real challenge lay with the last three, and he hadn't expected them to be absent even here. "Then, please fetch me the first five herbs. As for the last three, I'll go look for them elsewhere." After shaking his head, Xiao Yan checked the gold coins stored in his jade tablet. Most of the funds from the herbal medicine auction held by the Xiao family had been used, leaving approximately four million gold coins remaining at his disposal—just enough to cover the cost of the herbs. "Haha, sir, do you really need these three herbs?" The elder smiled and nodded, then sent a maid to fetch the herbs, before turning slightly to Xiao Yan. "Do you have any connections?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Haha, I merely mentioned that these three herbs are quite rare—I didn't say our Thousand-Formula Pharmacy doesn't have them. However, herbs of this caliber are usually not brought out for sale..." The elder smiled gently. "Since you've approached me directly, surely you're not just saying that, are you?" Xiao Yan lightly stroked his storage bracelet, speaking in a calm tone. "Master is truly straightforward. Then I'll be direct—should you wish to obtain these three herbs, you must reach the second floor of the Thousand Medicine Hall. The herbs there are far more valuable than those on the first floor. However, you cannot purchase them with gold coins; instead, you must prepare a pill of equal value according to the requirements set by the staff, and only then can you take the herbs away..." The elder smiled lightly, "That is to say, only pill-makers are qualified to enter the second floor." "Oh?" Hearing such an unusual rule, Xiao Yan was initially surprised, but soon found it logical—when an item reaches a certain level of value, gold coins become inadequate to measure it, and in such cases, one must offer something of equivalent worth in exchange. "How about you? Do you have any interest in going up to the second floor?" The rarity of the herbs above far surpasses that of the ones below—surely the three herbs you seek can also be found there. The elder smiled. Xiao Yan paused thoughtfully and then slightly nodded. Those final three herbs were indeed quite rare; if he had to seek them out himself, it would take him years. But if he could obtain them here, that would be ideal. Moreover, as the elder mentioned, the second floor holds even more rare items—perhaps he could also gather some information about the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva there. "Then, please show me the way." "Heh," the elder said, stepping forward to offer a gentle reminder, "the value of the herbs you need may well require at least a fourth or fifth-grade pill to exchange for them. If you're unable to produce pills of that caliber, then..." Seeing Xiao Yan nod in agreement, the elder's smile grew even wider, and after a brief pause, he continued. Hearing this, Xiao Yan didn't even lift his eyelids, merely saying in a calm tone, "Go on, lead the way." Seeing Xiao Yan's composed demeanor, the elder's eyes flashed with subtle admiration, and then a respectful expression appeared on his face. He bowed slightly, stepping forward to guide the way. "Let's go and check the second floor—see if we can find what we need..." Turning slightly to smile warmly at the two young physicians, Xiao Yan stepped forward, following the elder. He was also curious about the exceptionally rare herbs the elder mentioned, as, for a pharmacist, the appeal of herbs often surpassed that of pills.