Chapter 3

The Heavenly Net Empire, with its three prefectures and eighteen cities.

Hanshan City, under the jurisdiction of Zifu Prefecture, is not only the southernmost part of Zifu Prefecture but also the southern frontier of the Heavenly Net Empire, bordering the vast southern wilderness. To the north lies the Jinluan Mountains, which stretch for thousands of miles and are a source of fear for the people of Zifu Prefecture.

Memory.

It is a precious asset.

Living on Earth for a hundred years, he witnessed countless births and deaths, experienced numerous partings and reunions, from a vigorous youth to a life of glory and wealth, and later to a life of seclusion and tranquility.

He is Ye Tian!

And he is also the current Ye Tong.

The previous Ye Tong's memories have been integrated into his own. He is the dominant one but has inherited everything from Ye Tong, including the toxic body. In this world, Ye Tong was reclusive, patient, and had endured the torment of severe toxins for years, developing an extremely strong will.

Two personalities.

Two lives.

Now, Ye Tong feels that his previous personality has been significantly influenced by the previous Ye Tong.

And here...

Ye Tong deeply understands the vastness and splendor of this world, which is vastly different from the Earth of the Lawless Era. Hanshan City, trapped in a cage for ten years, is seen by outsiders as a chaotic place, a world of adventurers, and the largest trading market in the south. But to the current Ye Tong, it is like an undiscovered treasure, full of opportunities.

His former strength was a hundred times greater than it is now.

But if given a choice, he would prefer this rebirth-like situation.

Because...

Here, there are immortal mountains, spiritual lands, and cultivators who can summon wind and rain, chase stars, and follow the moon.

The destruction of the Precious Medicine Shop and the depletion of blue silver have put Ye Tong, with his toxic body, in a dire situation, but it has also ignited his fighting spirit. After all, the hardships of a hundred years on Earth and countless brushes with death have forged his indomitable resilience.

"Master."

The hunched old medicine slave, his eyes cold, glanced at Zhang Pinsou and Zhang Zhongying, who were standing outside the courtyard, and said calmly, "There are people outside seeking medicine."

Seeking medicine?

Ye Tong's lips curled into a cold smile. If he were the previous Ye Tong, he would be very dissatisfied.

But in his past life, having experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships and seen through the essence of many things, he did not blame Zhang Pinsou and his daughter for not participating in the rescue. After all, when faced with threats, some people choose to protect themselves. However, the beautiful girl by his side had won his favor.

Mu Qianlan, gazing at Ye Tong's expression, felt a strange sensation in her heart. She had seen people laugh, but never with such a chilling smile. This kind of smile, appearing on the face of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, made her feel a chill.

In that moment, she keenly sensed the depth,沧桑, and sharpness in the boy's eyes. It was hard for her to imagine how such eyes, which belonged to a seasoned old man, could appear on a young boy.

He...

What had he experienced in the past?

Mu Qianlan asked herself, her curiosity about Ye Tong growing.

"I am Ye Tong, the 'Tong' in 'a leaf obscures the view' and the 'Tong' in 'a young child.' Ye Tong said to Mu Qianlan with a half-smile, "The cycle of heaven, cause and effect, for your help today, I will repay you in the future."

"The cycle of heaven? Cause and effect?"

Mu Qianlan's star-like, deep, and bright eyes sparkled. She could hardly believe her ears that such profound words of heavenly principles could come from this young boy.

Whether it was interest or curiosity, her heart was like a piece of iron drawn to a magnet, sinking deeper and deeper.

Mu Qianlan, thinking of the purpose of her visit, said softly, "There's no need to wait. I came here to accompany the head of the Zhang family to seek medicine. It's a matter of life and death, and I hope you can help."

"Is it worth it?"

Ye Tong turned slightly to face Mu Qianlan.

Mu Qianlan felt a strange sensation in her heart, looking at Zhang Pinsou and his daughter again before saying, "My... father received a favor from the Zhang family's ancestors in the past. As you said, the cycle of heaven, cause and effect, this is to fulfill my father's long-standing wish and repay the Zhang family's kindness."

Ye Tong said nothing more, his steps steadier as he left the dilapidated courtyard. Facing Zhang Pinsou and Zhang Zhongying, he asked calmly, "What medicine do you need?"

Zhang Pinsou and Zhang Zhongying had heard every word of Ye Tong and Mu Qianlan's conversation. Despite their disbelief that the mighty Heavenly Net Empire's emperor would repay their family's favor in such a situation, as filial people, Zhang Pinsou was willing to obtain the medicine to save his mother.

"Universal Antidote."

Ye Tong was taken aback, his brows furrowing instantly.

The Universal Antidote is an extremely difficult antidote to prepare, and the required herbs are extremely rare. Even with nine years of observation and one year of practical experience in medicine and alchemy, he only had a 60-70% chance of successfully preparing the Universal Antidote. Each failure would waste herbs worth a fortune.

Seeing Ye Tong's expression, Zhang Pinsou's heart sank, sensing an ominous premonition. In the past half month, he had almost searched the entire Hanshan City but could not find a pharmacist who could prepare the Universal Antidote. Finally, he learned from the city lord Long Zhancheng about this obscure Precious Medicine Shop, seeing a glimmer of hope.

"Can't you prepare it?"

Ye Tong said coolly, "Gather the herbs needed for the Universal Antidote. My time is limited, so I hope you can complete it within two days. After a successful preparation, I will not take any payment."

Zhang Pinsou's eyes lit up, and he said urgently, "What herbs do you need? As long as they can be found in Hanshan City, I can buy them."

So wealthy!

Ye Tong felt a bit regretful. It would be so easy to fleece this rich target!

Unfortunately!

To repay Mu Qianlan for her help in putting out the fire, he could not accept the blue silver. Neither the former Ye Tian nor the current Ye Tong liked owing favors.

In the past year, the previous Ye Tong had almost visited every herb shop in Hanshan City, familiar with the situation of each shop. To save time, he said calmly, "Wenyaocai, the herb shop with the largest and most comprehensive stock in Hanshan City. Let's go there."

Zhang Pinsou was taken aback, puzzled, "Where is it?"

Ye Tong looked at him with surprise, "Aren't you from here?"

"No," Zhang Pinsou shook his head, "We are from the capital of Zifu Prefecture. We came to Hanshan City for business and to let our family relax. My mother was originally healthy, but she suddenly fell ill, so we have been staying in Hanshan City for several days."

"How old are you?"

Ye Tong asked, frowning slightly.

Zhang Pinsou replied, "I am seventy this year."

Seventy... seventy years old?

Ye Tong was speechless. If this Zhang is seventy, his mother must be at least ninety. To bring her on a journey of thousands of miles from the capital of Zifu Prefecture to Hanshan City at such an advanced age is truly foolish. Wasn't he afraid of exhausting her?

South City.

"Wenyaocai" has existed for hundreds of years, a well-known herb shop in Hanshan City. Whether in terms of procurement channels or sales volume, it is unmatched by other shops in the herb market. It is said that Wenyaocai has an experienced and powerful herb-gathering team that roams the Jinluan Mountains, gathering herbs and buying from other gatherers in the deep mountains. They even occasionally venture into the southern wilderness to seek rare herbs.

At this moment.

Chang Wu, the manager of Wenyaocai, was sitting listlessly by the shop door, playing with a seven-hole flute. Six lion-mule carts, capable of traveling hundreds of miles a day, were already loaded with goods, ready to depart at his command.

"Manager Chang."

Ye Tong approached with the group and greeted him.

Chang Wu squinted, seeing Ye Tong, his eyes flashed with impatience, and he waved his hand as if shooing away a fly, "Why are you here again? We are a wholesale shop. I sold you retail before out of pity, but you keep coming. Go away, go where you can buy, don't bother me anymore."

Ye Tong knew his predecessor hated Chang Wu. The reason Chang Wu sold him herbs before was out of fear of the poison demon Huo Lanqiu. As the time since the disappearance of the poison demon grew longer, Chang Wu's attitude became increasingly worse, and now he was trying to drive him away.

Not retail?

Such a low-level excuse.

Wenyaocai receives many customers every day, including both wholesale and retail buyers. His unwillingness to sell him herbs was related to the previous Ye Tong's limited blue silver and his constant haggling.

However.

This time, he was preparing to refine the Universal Antidote, and he would not only get no blue silver but also have to work hard. Why should he put up with such treatment? Besides, bringing people to buy herbs was doing business for "Wenyaocai."

Ye Tong's attitude turned cold, and he said indifferently, "This time, I'm not buying herbs, I'm bringing them here. According to the shop's rules, each person who brings a customer gets a 5% commission. I hope you won't renege on it later."

The "toothman" Ye Tong mentioned!

They are people who bring customers to various industries in Hanshan City. Every year, a large number of adventurers come here, whether to sell or buy goods. Since many are unfamiliar with the area, they need a toothman to guide them, introduce them, and receive commissions from the shops and tips from the customers.

Chang Wu, who had been listless, didn't pay much attention to the people behind Ye Tong. Now, after a few glances, the impatient look on his face faded. With decades of business experience, he had a keen eye. From the attire of the people behind Ye Tong, he could tell they were not ordinary, but wealthy and influential.

"Ah, distinguished guests have arrived."

Chang Wu's mood changed as quickly as turning a page. He stood up with a smile and greeted them warmly, "Are you visiting Wenyaocai for the first time? What herbs do you need? Our Wenyaocai has been open for business for hundreds of years, offering high-quality and affordable herbs, fair to all, and is the best place to buy herbs in Hanshan City."

Zhang Pinsou, a shrewd man, knew that his previous lack of help in the fire had displeased Ye Tong. To get Ye Tong to prepare the Universal Antidote, he was willing to praise Ye Tong, saying, "The herbs we need are very precious, and the quantity will not be small. But the specific herbs to buy are up to him."

"Hmm?"

Chang Wu looked surprised, glancing at Ye Tong and then at Zhang Pinsou, before smiling and asking, "Little Brother Ye, what herbs do you need?"

"Stone Yellow, Blood Droplet, Thousand Needle Leaf, Purple Tea Fruit... sixteen in total, three of each." Ye Tong was familiar with the formula for the Universal Antidote and listed the herbs and fruits needed.