Bamboo Mound

Contrary to expectations of a grand hall, Wang Yi led Ning Chang to a courtyard.

The courtyard was surrounded by a wall, making it impossible to see inside. Even when Ning Chang extended his spiritual power, he could not penetrate it even slightly!

As if sensing their arrival, the courtyard gate creaked open before Wang Yi could even raise his hand to knock.

Seeing this, the two stepped over the threshold and slowly entered the courtyard.

Upon entering, the sight that greeted them once again took them by surprise.

The courtyard was not as neat and orderly as one might imagine, nor was it filled with blooming flowers.

Instead, it was filled with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants, and short, slanted trees. Although the planting was neat, the overall appearance was still somewhat chaotic.

Behind a wooden table in the courtyard, a young man dressed simply, who looked like he was wearing pajamas, put down his teapot and waved to the two of them.

Upon approaching the wooden table, Wang Yi immediately clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Greetings, Sect Master."

Ning Chang hesitated for a moment, but still followed suit and bowed.

After all, the person in front of him should be several levels higher in cultivation than him, and he has now entered the Medicine King Valley, so he should at least pay his respects.

However, the sect leader's age seems a bit exaggerated. He looks about twenty years old, but he is already at the fetal heartbeat stage or even the transformation stage!

Just then, the courtyard gate behind them creaked shut.

"Don't be so formal, sit down." The sect leader pointed to the other two chairs in front of the table.

After the two sat down, he looked at Ning Chang and asked, "This fellow Daoist must be Ning Chang, the one who found the Yaoxiang Grass."

"Mm." Ning Chang nodded.

Seeing Ning Chang's affirmation, he flipped his hand and took out a pill, saying:

"This is a unique pill from my Medicine King Valley, the True Word Pill. Judging from the name, fellow Daoist should be able to understand its effects."

"Truth-Telling Pill? It makes the person who takes it only able to speak the truth, how straightforward, haha." Ning Chang was already certain that he was about to take this thing.

“That’s true.” The sect leader peeled off a piece the size of an ant from the pill and handed it out.

"This dosage will allow the effects of the True Word Pill to take effect for about half a cup of tea's time."

"However, fellow Daoist need not worry. I will only confirm whether you personally encountered Yaoxiangcao. But if you refuse to even answer this question..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ning Chang took the True Word Pill and popped it into his mouth as it was being handed over.

"What will happen?" He thought he would have to eat a whole one, but it turned out to be just this little bit.

The moment the True Word Pill entered his stomach, it had an immediate effect, and a mysterious feeling enveloped Ning Chang's brain.

"Uh..." The sect leader was stunned for a moment, not expecting Ning Chang to take the True Word Pill so readily before he could even introduce him.

The oppressive aura he had intended to unleash hadn't even left his body when he quieted down again, returning to his relaxed tone:

"If you do not cooperate, then Medicine King Valley still has many ways to obtain information related to the Yaoxiang Grass without harming your life or cultivation."

"At the same time, rewards and punishments will be determined based on the actions of fellow Daoists."

"Fellow Daoist is indeed generous and forthright. Aren't you afraid that what I just took out might be some kind of poison pill or some other medicinal effect?"

“Because it’s unnecessary.” Ning Chang curled his lip. “I originally wanted to join Medicine King Valley, and Yaoxiangcao was a pleasant surprise.”

Just as Ning Chang was answering, he realized that the True Word Pill did indeed guide his speech to some extent, but since this was exactly what he was going to say, it was as if it had no effect.

"What a pleasant surprise! Fellow Daoist is also a pleasant surprise for Medicine King Valley." He praised.

"However, we still need to go through the formalities."

Hearing this, Ning Chang nodded. "Mm."

"How did you come into contact with the Yaoxiang Grass, fellow Daoist?"

"Among the mountains, on my journey, I happened to encounter the wild spiritual plant, the fragrant herb," ​​Ning Chang replied.

After saying that, Ning Chang secretly marveled at the wonder of the True Word Pill.

They were even able to condense what he was going to say!

"I'm sorry, this is quite important to my Medicine King Valley. Thank you for your trust, fellow Daoist." Upon hearing this, the sect leader also clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ning Chang.

"Let's have some tea first, and we can talk again after the effects of the medicine wear off." None of the three doubted the effectiveness of the True Word Pill.

"This is a new variety of raspberry that I just cultivated the day before yesterday. Can you guys help me try the fruit tea made with it and see how it tastes?"

He pointed to the three glasses of red juice on the table.

Several minutes had passed since the three cups of fruit tea were poured, but they were still steaming.

Ning Chang picked up the glass in front of her, blew on it as usual, and took a sip.

Instantly, a sweet fruity flavor filled my entire mouth!

It has a good balance of sweet and sour, and tastes a lot like raspberries, but it's a bit milder than fruit juice, so it's not unpleasantly sweet.

but...

Ning Chang frowned.

Noticing the movement on his face, the sect leader immediately asked:

"What's wrong? Is it not to your liking, fellow Daoist?"

“No.” Ning Chang shook his head. “It tastes good, but… the temperature isn’t right.”

"Oh? The temperature isn't right? Are you referring to the temperature of the tea you're using, fellow Daoist?"

"Probably," Ning Chang replied vaguely.

"It would be better if it were at room temperature, or even cooler than the ambient temperature."

"Although it's called fruit tea, isn't this probably just fruit juice?"

"No, it's just fruit tea. Fruit juice is too sweet and not suitable for drinking," the sect leader affirmed.

"Is it because it's too sweet...?"

"Has the sect leader ever heard of Yisang?" Ning Chang suddenly asked.

"Yisang? I've heard of it. It's recorded in the sect's collection of books, but there is no Yisang in Medicine King Valley at present."

The sect leader, lost in thought, suddenly paused and asked:

"Fellow Daoist, have you ever met Yi Sang?"

"Although it is indeed called Yisang, it is uncertain whether it is just a coincidence with the name recorded in the library."

"Haha, what's so difficult about that? Just compare them and you'll see!" The sect leader said, somewhat excitedly, yet casually.

"Yisang is a type of mulberry tree that grows rapidly, with flowers, fruits, leaves, and berries all growing on the same tree, bearing mulberries in all four seasons; the black mulberries on it are poisonous to mortals, while the red mulberries are sweet and can prolong life if eaten for a long time."

"This phrase, 'poisoning mortals,' also appears on some other fruits and plants, but judging from the ones cultivated within the sect, it's just that they are too sweet for mortals to handle."

“Then it seems to be the same kind. I heard the sect leader say that raspberries are too sweet, which made me think of this similar yam.”

"Fellow Daoist, do you still remember the location of that Yi Sang?!" He couldn't contain himself. Although there were some mulberry varieties in the sect, he still wanted to taste what the Yi Sang, which was only recorded in the records, tasted like.

Although the effects of the True Word Pill still remain, they have been weakened considerably. In his reply, Ning Chang also mixed in some of his own desires.

"I do remember, but it's a secluded village, so it's best not to disturb them."

"As for the mulberry, I brought a branch and some mulberries."

The sect leader naturally understood Ning Chang's meaning and immediately waved his hand, saying, "It's alright. I just wanted to taste the flavor of the mulberry. Since you brought mulberries, I can just plant a new one in the sect!"