Chapter 20: The Box

While waiting for the Alchemy Hall, Ou Peng reluctantly picked up the last seemingly ordinary small box, his heart filled with anticipation. In just the short time it took to drink a cup of tea, he had seen treasures he had never seen in his entire life. He wondered what kind of treasure this box might contain, and if it could be even more miraculous than the Life-Extending Pill.

The box felt cool to the touch and seemed quite heavy. Ou Peng brought it close to his eyes for a closer look. The entire box was seamless, and it was unclear what material it was made of. There were no signs of a lid, and he couldn't figure out how to open it. He tried lifting and pressing on all four sides, but nothing worked. He couldn't possibly bite it, could he? Ou Peng laughed at himself and placed the box back on the table, then called everyone over to take a look.

Everyone gathered around and watched for a while. The Fourth and Sixth Elders also tried several methods, but to no avail. Zhang Chengyue frowned and said, "Master, could it be that we need a key or something?"

The Sixth Elder rolled his eyes and said, "Nephew, if we needed a key, there would have to be a keyhole, right? There's no lock or hidden mechanism visible on this box. How could we use a key?"

Zhang Chengyue blushed and stood there awkwardly without responding.

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing had seen this box before in the secret chamber, and Wen Wenhai had even tried to open it. Seeing that neither the master nor the uncle could open it, he didn't dare suggest any new ideas. Xue Qing, however, was particularly interested in the box he had won in a game of rock-paper-scissors. He even shook it near his ear to listen for any sounds inside, but to no avail.

Just as everyone was at a loss, the head of the Alchemy Hall, Bai Tong, and the elder, He Yunpu, arrived at the council hall. After greeting the leader and everyone else, Zhang Chengyue led them to the table where the herbs were placed. Their reactions were even more surprising than anyone had expected. As soon as they saw the contents of the package, their eyes seemed to freeze, their feet rooted to the ground, and their hands trembled as they pointed at the herbs. Their mouths were watering so much that the drool was almost reaching the floor.

After a while, they finally came to their senses. Ignoring the amused looks from the others, they said to themselves, "This is a 600-year-old ginseng, this is a 600-year-old notoginseng, this is a 400-year-old ginseng essence, and this? A 700-year-old golden thread grass? Yes, it matches the description in the *Herbal Classic* exactly. And this? Am I seeing things? A 1000-year-old dragon-slaying grass? How is that possible? But, 'the roots are mostly thin and twisted, the stem is erect, single or clustered, with fine longitudinal stripes, hairless or slightly white-haired at the tip, and branches at the top. The leaves are dark green on top and lighter below; the base leaves have handles, are oval-elliptical, and have rounded or sharp serrated edges. Centuries-old ones have silver teeth, and millennium-old ones have golden teeth.' This... this golden edge, oh my, am I dreaming?" Hall Master Bai slapped his own face hard and winced in pain.

Elder He Yunpu, meanwhile, was muttering incomprehensible herb names and looking equally astonished. Finally, he picked up a palm-like herb and said, "What is this? A cactus?" Hall Master Bai said, "Nonsense, the *Herbal Classic* says cacti have thorns. Did it prick your hand? That's fish hand grass."

Elder He was not pleased and said, "The *Herbal Classic* says fish hand grass has three fingers, but this clearly has four."

Hall Master Bai examined it carefully and shook his head, saying, "I don't know, I don't know. The remaining four or five herbs seem unfamiliar. I wonder if they are recorded in the *Herbal Classic*?"

Elder He squinted and nodded in agreement, "I don't know, my knowledge is too limited, too limited."

Ou Peng timely interjected, "Hall Master Bai, Elder He!"

This sentence snapped the two back to reality. They realized they were in the council hall, not their usual discussion place in the Alchemy Hall, and quickly bowed to everyone, "Seeing so many excellent herbs, we couldn't help but be overjoyed. Please forgive us, Leader and everyone."

Everyone returned the bow and said it was no problem.

Ou Peng said, "Gentlemen, what is the value and function of these herbs?"

Elder He said, "Leader, where did you obtain these rare herbs? Ginseng, notoginseng, ginseng essence, and polygonum multiflorum are common varieties, but the age of these herbs is truly astonishing. A century-old one is already extremely rare, and these are at least three centuries old. Golden thread grass and snake gall grass are excellent for treating external injuries, while snake mouth grass, coral grass, and stone wind medicine are holy medicines for internal injuries. The others are rare herbs. When combined with other herbs using the principles of the sovereign, minister, assistant, and messenger, and the yin and yang, they will surely create something extraordinary."

At this point, Hall Master Bai came to his senses and hurriedly said, "Leader, the place where these things were found must be kept strictly confidential. The dragon-slaying grass and peacock grass can be used to refine medicines like the Qi-Enhancing Pill, which can increase one's power. This is recorded in our sect's classics." This statement made everyone's ears perk up.

Ou Peng said, "Do the classics record how to refine the Qi-Enhancing Pill?"

Hall Master Bai said, "No, the formula for the Qi-Enhancing Pill has been lost. The classics only record some similar pills with limited effects, and the required herbs are extremely rare."

Ou Peng said, "Hall Master Bai, take these herbs to the Alchemy Hall for research. Determine their functions and also look into the formulas for similar pills like the Qi-Enhancing Pill. Be prepared, perhaps..."

Ou Peng didn't finish his sentence, but Hall Master Bai understood and immediately said, "As you command, Leader."

Then, he and Elder He carefully carried the package out of the council hall. Ou Peng instructed Zhang Chengyue to allocate more people to the Alchemy Hall for protection.

After Hall Master Bai and Elder He left, Ou Peng sat back in his chair. His eyes fell on the small box on the table, which he had tried every method to open. After some thought, he instructed Zhang Chengyue to call the head of the Divine Mechanism Hall, Shi Yunkun, who was a master blacksmith in Pingyang City.

Soon, Shi Yunkun arrived at the council hall. He observed the box for a while and tried various methods, but was equally stumped.

However, he hesitated and asked Ou Peng tentatively, "Leader, what if we let Shi Niu try?"

Shi Niu was a brute in the sect who practiced the Great Vajra Hand. His skills were not remarkable, but his strength was top-notch, and he was the strongest in the sect in terms of raw power.

Shi Yunkun's suggestion woke Ou Peng from his thoughts. The box was just a container. To obtain the contents, it would be ideal to keep it intact, but if that wasn't possible, a brute-force approach might be necessary. The ultimate goal was to get the contents.

Shi Niu arrived at the council hall. He was a tall, muscular man, standing a head taller than everyone else in the hall. His body was covered in strong muscles, and his simple, honest smile made Ou Peng feel at ease. Without saying much, Ou Peng handed him the box and gave the order, "Open it."

Shi Niu took the box and, without a word, tried to pry it open with both hands, but it didn't budge. Next, he placed the box on the ground, took a deep breath, and gathered his qi in his dantian. His arms suddenly became much thicker, and his fingers swelled. Then, with a loud shout, he stared intently at the box and slapped it with both hands. There was a dull thud, and the box, instead of shattering as everyone expected, was pressed flat into the stone floor of the council hall.

Shi Niu pulled the box out of the floor, looked at it, and scratched his head, looking at the leader with an innocent, puzzled expression. He thought, "What is this thing?"

After dismissing Shi Niu, Ou Peng was also puzzled. How should he deal with this box?

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he drew the sword hanging from his waist, but then put it back. The remaining people in the council hall also had bright eyes, knowing that the leader had thought of a good way to open the box. Zhang Chengyue, without waiting for Ou Peng's instructions, said to Shi Yunkun, "Doesn't your hall have a 'Water-Cutting' sword? Why not try it?"

Shi Yunkun glanced at Ou Peng, seeing that the leader had no objections, and said, "Please wait a moment, Leader and everyone. I'll be right back."

Soon, Shi Yunkun returned with a sword in an ancient sheath. He said to Ou Peng, "Leader, let me try first."

Ou Peng nodded in agreement.

Shi Yunkun drew the sword. Unlike other swords, this one was not shiny but had a dark, almost black surface. Occasionally, light reflected off the blade, creating a blinding effect, like a black lightning bolt.

Shi Yunkun raised the sword and, as a test, struck a corner of the box. The box showed no reaction. Then, he took a deep breath, raised the 'Water-Cutting' sword again, and with all his might, struck the corner of the box.

However, there was no expected crack or sound. It was as if the sword had struck cotton. The box remained there, completely undamaged.

Ou Peng looked at Shi Yunkun, who was about to strike again, and said, "Give me the sword."

Ou Peng took the sword from Shi Yunkun, placed the box in the small indentation on the floor where Shi Niu had struck it, and gathered his qi in his dantian. The color on his face changed several times, stopping only after the sixth change. The Fourth and Sixth Elders looked at him with envious eyes, thinking, "Our master brother's Piaomiao Divine Skill is so profound, he has reached the sixth level."

Ou Peng raised the 'Water-Cutting' sword and infused it with his internal energy. The dark blade began to change color under the influence of the Piaomiao Divine Skill. Then, with a loud shout, he struck the box.

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