Chapter 3: Meeting an Old Acquaintance

In the courtyard, there were neatly arranged shelves holding various herbs left to dry. Wei Yang was busy organizing them.

Since he might be away for a long time, he needed to make sure the herbs were properly taken care of. He had purchased these herbs from the local market. Over the past three years, aside from his daily cultivation, he also dabbled in herb research and medicine preparation. By now, he could be considered a healer.

Wei Yang had successfully concocted some basic wound-healing powders and scar-removal ointments, which worked quite well. He occasionally took these remedies to the market to sell, gradually building a small reputation for himself. After all, even a skilled martial artist needed to earn a living.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the courtyard door.

«Is Healer Wei in?» a loud voice called from outside.

«Coming,» Wei Yang replied, setting aside his work and heading to open the door.

As the door opened, he saw a burly man standing there, dressed as a mercenary and exuding a rugged aura.

«Healer Wei, do you remember me?» The burly man tried to smile, though it appeared rather fierce, and he spoke in a softer tone.

«I remember. You're Captain Meng,» Wei Yang nodded, then asked, «Are you here to buy medicine?»

«Yes, our team is planning to venture into the Magical Beast Mountain Range in a couple of days, so we want to stock up on some medicine,» the man replied gruffly.

«Come in,» Wei Yang said, turning to lead him inside. «What do you need?»

Captain Meng followed him, saying, «We need a bit of everything—wound-healing, bruise-removal, and antidotes.»

Wei Yang nodded, leading him to the hall where various bottles and jars were displayed on a counter. The walls were lined with shelves also filled with containers.

Having built a good reputation, Wei Yang no longer needed to set up stalls at the market. Regular customers like Captain Meng now came directly to his place to buy medicine.

Pointing to the labeled boxes on the counter, Wei Yang said, «Take your pick. Everything is labeled with names and descriptions.»

Captain Meng nodded and began selecting what he needed. Soon, he had chosen forty different items, both in bottles and wooden boxes.

Wei Yang handed him a paper bag. «Forty gold coins. Pack them yourself.»

Captain Meng smiled as he paid the coins and packed the medicines.

«Healer Wei, I'll be off then,» Captain Meng said, holding the paper bag.

«I might be away for two to three months soon, so don't come looking for medicine during that time,» Wei Yang advised. «And please, just call me Healer Wei, no need to add 'little.'»

«Uh…force of habit,» Captain Meng scratched his head.

«Alright then. I'll come back in three months,» Captain Meng said, turning to leave.

Watching him go, Wei Yang shook his head and began organizing the counter again.

These mercenaries…

He glanced at himself—fifteen years old, nearly 170 cm tall, with a handsome face. Though he looked a bit slender, his muscles were toned and strong.

Where exactly am I small? He muttered to himself.

Wei Yang pulled out a pouch and put the gold coins inside.

A spatial ring? Don't be ridiculous. Even the lowest-grade spatial ring cost at least fifty thousand gold coins. It was a luxury item of the Dou Qi continent, exclusively for the nobility.

The next day, at dawn, Wei Yang locked his courtyard door and set out with a beast-hide backpack.

The streets of Wu Tan City were already bustling with life. Mercenaries, armed with swords and knives, moved in groups, exuding a fierce aura. Given the city's proximity to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it was filled with these bloodthirsty mercenaries, contributing to its vibrant atmosphere.

As Wei Yang walked towards the city gate, he noticed the entrance to a large market belonging to the Xiao family, one of the three major families. Guards stood straight at the entrance, looking very spirited in their neat uniforms.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the market gate.

«Xiao Yan is here!»

«It's Young Master Xiao Yan!»

«Third Young Master!»

«Ah, Young Master Xiao Yan is so handsome!»

«Xiao Yan?» Wei Yang raised an eyebrow and looked curiously.

Finally, I'm going to meet my old acquaintance.

A twelve or thirteen-year-old boy with a handsome face, surrounded by a group of youngsters, approached the market entrance. The scene resembled a celebrity's appearance, with cheers and praises following him.

Leading the group was Xiao Yan, who calmly faced the crowd's admiration with a smile.

Undoubtedly, at this moment, Xiao Yan was the most dazzling figure on the street. The third young master of the Xiao family, a prodigy known throughout the empire, was already a one-star Dou Zhe at less than twelve years old.

Watching the scene, Wei Yang smiled and thought, «I'm a six-star Dou Shi at fifteen. Should I be proud?»

«Hmm?» Wei Yang observed Xiao Yan closely, noticing a trace of anxiety in his otherwise spirited expression, and his smile seemed a bit stiff.

«Oh? Looks like Yao Lao's influence is already starting,» Wei Yang speculated.

At this moment, Xiao Yan hadn't yet experienced his fall in cultivation, but he was probably already losing Dou Qi mysteriously every day. Feeling stuck in his training without any progress would naturally make him anxious, unable to confide in anyone.

Soon, his cultivation would start to decline. Yao Lao, not lacking in Dou Qi, was probably testing his future disciple more rigorously. Having been betrayed by a disciple before, Yao Lao was understandably cautious. Moreover, Xiao Yan's current character might not fully meet Yao Lao's standards—too arrogant and untested by hardship. This was Yao Lao's way of caring, Wei Yang thought with a smile.

Then, his gaze shifted to another person beside Xiao Yan—a beautiful young girl about eleven or twelve years old, with a pure and elegant aura.

Xiao Xun'er, or rather, Gu Xun'er. This girl was from a powerful clan, a wealthy heiress. Wei Yang couldn't help but feel a bit envious. Too bad, it's not happening for me, he thought.

Sensing Wei Yang's gaze, Gu Xun'er looked over, her clear eyes showing a hint of surprise.

«A six-star Dou Shi, so young, and a strong soul wave—an alchemist?» she wondered.

Noticing her keen observation, Wei Yang smiled and nodded at her before turning away. Better not attract her attention, he thought. She travels with Dou Huang bodyguards, after all.

Gu Xun'er slightly turned her head, watching Wei Yang leave with a hint of surprise.

«He's very young, maybe fourteen or fifteen at most, with a solid and well-trained aura. Unexpected to see such talent in this remote Jia Ma Empire. Could he be from somewhere else?» She thought briefly before dismissing the idea.

In her clan, there were many like Wei Yang, some even more outstanding. Seeing one here was just a minor surprise, not worth much thought.

(End of the chapter)