Chapter 268 - 137: Yu Hualong Gifts an Elixir, Zhang Su Enters Mixed Element Peak

Qu Zhengliu set down his teacup and spoke.

His gaze rested on Zhang Su for a moment before shifting away.

Although he had once refused to let Zhang Su join Bamboo Sword Peak, that was all in the past. None of it mattered anymore.

Zhang Su was the hope of the Guiyuan Sect. On this point, he had to agree.

"I understand."

Zhang Su bowed to the three Elders.

He could hear the concern in the three Elders’ voices.

He had been through his share of overt and covert strife during his years in the Guiyuan Sect, but when it truly mattered, the Sect’s elders were still willing to stand with him.

Of course, the three Elders were only offering a suggestion.

As for his actual course of action, Zhang Su still decided to follow his heart.

"Alright, you’re dismissed. Go get some rest. You’re heading to Mixed Element Peak tomorrow, and we must depart for our return to the Guiyuan Sect."

Zhong Wangji waved his hand.

Zhang Su bowed to the three Elders, then turned and left.

He was about to return to his room when he saw Yu Hualong standing outside.

Yu Hualong was leaning against the wall next to his door, his expression calm.

"Senior Brother Yu?"

Zhang Su was surprised.

"We’re setting off to return to the Guiyuan Sect tomorrow. I take it the Elders reminded you to watch your words and actions?"

Yu Hualong said with a smile.

His tone was relaxed, like friends making small talk.

The two shared a smile.

"Senior Brother Yu, come on in. Let’s talk inside."

Zhang Su pushed the door open and invited Yu Hualong inside.

Yu Hualong stepped inside and took a seat.

His gaze swept around the room before he retracted it.

Yu Hualong took a porcelain vial from his robes and handed it to Zhang Su.

The vial wasn’t large, only about two fingers tall, and was a pure, snowy white.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you’re the only one from the Guiyuan Sect left in the Upper Sect now. The entire weight of our Sect rests on your shoulders. That’s a responsibility I should have been carrying, but sadly, I failed the Upper Sect’s selection."

Yu Hualong’s voice was calm, but Zhang Su could detect a hint of regret within his words.

"This is a Calm Heart Pill. I came across it by chance a few years ago. It’s said to have come from the Upper Sect as well. Taking it helps focus the mind and calm the spirit, making it perfect for use when attempting a Breaking Realm."

"I know you cultivate the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill and only need to achieve Nine Unification to generate Inner Strength, but with this Calm Heart Pill, you can guarantee a flawless success!"

Zhang Su accepted the porcelain vial.

’This is a genuine Elixir?’

’Not one of the Fire Yang Pills concocted by Lu Danxi.’

’Medicine Valley is skilled in alchemy, but no matter how well they concoct their Medicine Pills, they’re nothing compared to a true Elixir.’

’Medicine Pills are made by grinding and mixing herbs. Their effects are limited, and they often come with side effects.’

’But Elixirs are refined through special techniques; their effects are far beyond what a simple Medicine Pill could ever achieve.’

’This Calm Heart Pill must be priceless.’

’Even though Yu Hualong had come across it by chance, it was his good fortune.’

’Anyone else who had such a stroke of luck would have treasured it and never revealed it to another soul.’

’And yet, Yu Hualong was giving the Calm Heart Pill to him.’

"Senior Brother Yu, this is too valuable..."

Zhang Su wasn’t one for false pleasantries.

He would never act coy about accepting something he should.

But this Calm Heart Pill was truly too precious.

His relationship with Yu Hualong hadn’t reached that level yet.

"Enough. Don’t refuse. You need this Calm Heart Pill more than I do right now. If you really feel that bad about it, then just focus on becoming a Direct Disciple of the Upper Sect as soon as possible."

Yu Hualong smiled, then rose to his feet.

"Junior Brother Zhang, take care."

With that, he pushed the door open and vanished down the end of the hall.

Zhang Su was left alone in the room.

He stood there for a long time, clutching the snow-white porcelain vial in his hand, silent.

"I suppose I owe another favor..."

Zhang Su muttered to himself.

The Sect Leader gifted him the Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus.

Yu Hualong gifted him the Calm Heart Pill.

It seemed Zhang Su owed more than one person a favor.

He was already inextricably linked to the Guiyuan Sect.

But Yu Hualong was right. All he had to do was become a Direct Disciple of the Upper Sect.

Besides, rumor had it the Upper Sect possessed elixirs capable of Limb Regeneration.

Once he became a Direct Disciple, he could just get an elixir for Yu Hualong to regrow his thumb. It was the least he could do.

But first, he had to become a Direct Disciple of the Upper Sect.

Zhang Su put the Calm Heart Pill away for now.

He could wait to use it until the day his Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill achieved Nine Unification.

He tucked the porcelain vial securely against his body and double-checked his other belongings.

He had to go to Mixed Element Peak tomorrow, so he needed to get some rest.

The next day, Zhang Su’s eyes opened before the sky had lightened.

He hadn’t forgotten the appointed hour.

He had to be at the Upper Sect’s Mixed Element Peak by dawn today.

This would be his first time going to Mixed Element Peak; he absolutely could not be late.

Zhang Su pushed open his door, intending to leave by himself.

The hallway was dim, with only a faint sliver of dawn light filtering in from the stairwell.

He tiptoed down the hall, doing his best not to make a sound.

He hadn’t expected the three Elders, Yu Hualong, and the others to be awake and waiting for him downstairs.

A few oil lamps were lit in the inn’s main hall, casting a hazy, dim yellow glow over everything.

The three Elders sat at a table by the window, before them a spread of steaming congee and several side dishes.

Yu Hualong and the other nine True Disciples were there as well. Some were eating breakfast, others were packing their bags, and a few were leaning against the wall with their eyes closed, feigning sleep.

Seeing Zhang Su come down the stairs, Zhong Wangji beckoned him over.

"Zhang Su, come. Eat quickly so you can head to Mixed Element Peak."

"Thank you, Elder."

After Zhang Su finished breakfast, the Elders walked him out of the inn.

The group of more than ten people stood at the entrance of the Hongyun Inn. A morning breeze swept down the street, carrying a slight chill.