"Abandoned?" Xiao Yan stared at the herbal master before him,怔然良久, before finally speaking softly, "Given your exceptional skill in alchemy, I'd say that on this continent, only a few individuals could possibly match you. How could you be merely a person discarded by the Herbal Clan?" "Still, it's because of the Battle Emperor lineage," the herbal master smiled gently, gradually smoothing out the emotions on his face. "Living within such an ancient race, the pressure is actually far greater than in other places—there, status and rank are determined by the richness of one's bloodline. Yet I am quite similar to you; the Battle Emperor bloodline flowing through my veins is also quite thin, almost negligible." "Back when I was in the Herbal Clan, a failed mission ultimately led to my expulsion. After leaving, I was far from satisfied—I poured all my energy into mastering the art of pharmaceutical preparation. I then journeyed independently throughout the Central Plains, settling and thriving for nearly a century. Yet even then, I still held out hope that the Clan would eventually call me back. But over time, that hope gradually faded..." The Elder of the Herbal Clan spoke softly: "This race—though it nurtured and raised me—has never truly stirred any deep affection in me. My only parents passed away when I was still young, and over time, I gradually forgot them, never mentioning them again. Indeed, outside of a few members of the Herbal Clan, few even know I once belonged to it. Even the Hall of Souls remains unaware." Xiao Yan remained silent. It was clear that the Elder held a deep sense of resentment toward the Herbal Clan—otherwise, he would have mentioned it so many years later. "With the master's current strength, would anyone be able to stop him from returning to the Medic Family?" Xiao Yan said. "Is it even meaningful to go back there? These years, I've only known myself as Ye Chen, but this 'medic' essence isn't exactly the kind of medicine from the Medic Family." "Well, let's not go into all that. The Eight Ancient Clans are scarcely known even in the Central Plains. But now that you've earned this qualification, it's only natural I'd bring it up at this moment." The Hermit didn't wish to dwell on this topic any longer, so he simply waved his hand and said. "As for the power faction I mentioned earlier, which boasts the most unique flames on this continent—likely one of the Eight Ancient Clans, the Flame Clan." After a moment's pause, the Hermit said, "According to my knowledge, the Flame Clan possesses four unique flames, two of which rank among the top ten." "Four unique flames?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan was instantly surprised. This was the first time he'd heard of a single faction possessing such a number of unique flames. "Besides the Yan clan, the Yao clan also possesses two unique fires. They are masters of ancient pharmaceutical techniques, and their skilled pharmaceutical practitioners are numerous. You will surely have the opportunity to meet them in the future, at which point you'll be able to see for yourself—though you needn't be afraid. With your current pharmaceutical skills, even among the younger generation of the Yao clan, only a handful of individuals would be able to surpass you." The elderly pharmacist smiled. "A handful..." Hearing this, Xiao Yan's brow slightly furrowed. In the Central Plains, under normal circumstances, among the younger generation, he was widely regarded as the strongest in pharmaceutical arts. Yet, when this skill was compared within the Yao clan, it seemed to place him only just behind the top five? That ranking left him somewhat dissatisfied. "Of course, don't bother trying to claim these strange fires either, for over countless years, they've already been imbued with even stronger transmission seals than the Nine Dragon Thunder Gale Fire of Burned Flame Valley—no matter how much you obtain, you won't be able to refine or absorb them." The Elder of the Medicine Clan smiled. Xiao Yan nodded with a sigh. He hadn't thought of it either. The existence of the Medicine and Fire Clans to this day surely meant they were far from weak. Right now, he simply didn't dare to make a move against them—after all, just the Hún Palace had already left him overwhelmed. To add more powerful rivals at this very moment would certainly be unwise. "Then it seems we'll have to patiently wait for the supposed Spatial Trade Fair to begin..." Xiao Yan said, with a sense of resignation. The Elder of the Medicine Clan smiled gently. "The Spatial Trade Fair does require waiting, but before that, you'll still need to make your way somewhere." "Where?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised. "The Ancient Clan, the Ancient Realm," the Elder said softly. Hearing these two names, Xiao Yan's hand suddenly trembled, and in his mind, a face of breathtaking beauty, exuding a delicate grace like a lotus, slowly came into focus—no matter how much he tried, it remained vivid and indelible. "Xun'er..." Taking a deep breath, the fire in Xiao Yan's dark eyes surged brightly. This girl had always held a special place in his heart, from the very beginning. "In just one month, the ancient clan will hold its biennial coming-of-age ceremony—a major event for the clan. Only the most outstanding young members are eligible to participate..." At this point, Yao Lao paused and said, "Of course, your young love interest is also among them." "There aren't many forces capable of receiving an invitation from the Ancient Clan. If it weren't for my recent attainment of the Half-Emperor rank, the Starfall Pavilion would hardly have the standing to do so..." The old pharmacist withdrew a black jade invitation from his storage scroll, adorned with intricate, mysterious patterns that gave a most extraordinary impression. "This is the official invitation—only those who hold it can enter the Ancient Realm. Originally, I intended to go myself, but as you well know, the current situation at the Starfall Pavilion is quite delicate. Though many senior figures across the continents have joined the Pavilion due to my reputation, it is still my Half-Emperor strength that truly ensures the Spiritual Palace doesn't act with impatience..." "Therefore, I cannot personally attend this gathering from the Ancient Clan. Thus, this mission must fall to you." The old pharmacist smiled gently and passed the black jade invitation to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan stared intently at the black jade plaque for a while, finally reaching out to take it. The ancient clan—a powerful race with deep ties to the Xiao family—was finally about to engage with them directly now... The plaque felt cool and slightly warm in his hands, gradually restoring clarity to his mind. "Most of the powerful factions and top-tier cultivators on the continent are invited by the ancient clan. It's a form of training and growth. Of course, with your current strength and reputation, you're fully capable of standing on equal footing with them," the old doctor smiled. "Are you ready? Do you have the courage to go?" "Ha ha, I don't really worry about that," the elder physician laughed, then patted Xiāo Yīn's shoulder and said, "Just wait a few days, and you'll begin your journey. I know your relationship with Xiāo Xūn'ér, but once you arrive at the ancient clan, you should be especially cautious. That girl is exceptionally outstanding there—indeed, as far as I know, she possesses the most complete Emperor of Battle lineage among all the ancient clan members over the years. This will greatly increase her chances of reaching that legendary level. Therefore, if you hope to be with her, it won't be easy." Xiāo Yīn nodded silently. Though he had long sensed the girl's esteemed position within the ancient clan, her presence—her mannerisms and expressions—had now become deeply etched into his very soul, indelible, as if carved by a blade. No force in the world, not even the powerful ancient clan itself, could erase such an impression. "This time, when you go to the Ancient Realm, take Tian Huo Zhunzhe and Xiao Yi Xian with you as well." "The Herbal Master said: 'After my assistance in refining the pills over the past period, Tian Fire Master has regained strength at the six-star level. As for Xiao Yi Xian's affliction of the Hard-to-Overcome Toxic Body, I merely helped her consolidate it, then sent her to a secluded location where she can achieve complete control over it. 'What place?' Xiang Yan asked, surprised. 'It's an ancient tomb known to few. There, she will discover the method to fully master her toxic body—this very method of toxic pills that I once left behind was obtained there,' the Herbal Master said, smiling while stroking his beard. 'Oh?' Xiang Yan was astonished. 'The method of toxic pills wasn't actually left by the Herbal Master?' 'Then who is this extraordinary person who devised such a remarkable technique? And why does he possess such profound understanding of the Hard-to-Overcome Toxic Body?' Xiang Yan exclaimed, amazed. " "Perhaps no one else could understand the Difficulties-Toxin Body as well as she—since, during her lifetime, she herself had been a bearer of this very condition. Yet, unlike Xiao Yi, who had such fortunate control over her toxin body, she only developed her method of control at the very moment when she was on the brink of death..." said the Elder of the Medicine Sect. "Another Difficulties-Toxin Body... That explains so much..." "Xiao Yi will achieve complete mastery of the toxin body at the very place where she passed into stillness—making her the first in history to truly master the Difficulties-Toxin Body," chuckled the Elder. "And when Xiao Yi returns, that will be the very moment when you all set out for the Ancient Realm!" Xiao Yan nodded slowly, his lips slightly pressed together, yet his grip on the jade tablet tightened suddenly. "Xun'er... I've said before that our next meeting will surely be in the Ancient Clan. So, wait for me!"