Chapter 20: The Immortal Herb Compendium
Xiao Han knew that Feng Xiaotian's self-created soul skill, Gale Demon Wolf Slash Combo, had a stacking effect—each slash became increasingly powerful.
However, this soul skill had a weakness: it required a charge-up period to execute.
Feng Xiaotian possessed flight capability and incredible speed. Soul masters who couldn't fly had no way of stopping him from charging up.
Xiao Han was relieved that both he and Shui Bing'er had flying abilities and could interfere with Feng Xiaotian before he launched his self-created technique.
Tianshui Academy had decent relations with Shenfeng and Chihuo Academies—two elemental academies. Before the Soul Master Tournaments, the three often gathered for friendly exchanges and practice matches.
Xiao Han guessed that they'd likely meet those two teams soon.
Time flew by, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Shui Bing'er had already broken through level 30, while Xue Wu was still stuck at the bottleneck.
After training one day, Lin Zhiruo asked Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu to stay behind.
"Xue Wu, are you close to breaking through to level 30?"
"Mm, I feel like I'm just a step away."
Lin Zhiruo nodded in satisfaction and continued:
"I've been thinking. To save time, we should head to the Ice-Sealed Forest early. You can continue cultivating on the way and while we're searching for soul beasts. Once Bing'er gets her third soul ring, you may have broken through as well—then we can hunt one for you, too."
"Okay. I'll follow your arrangements, Dean Lin."
Xue Wu and Shui Bing'er exchanged excited smiles, both looking forward to acquiring their third soul ring.
Shui Bing'er asked,
"Dean Lin, will Xiao Han come with us?"
"Yes, he'll come too. I'm afraid he might cause trouble if left alone at the academy."
After meeting Crown Prince Xue Qinghe in Tiandou City, Lin Zhiruo had been conflicted.
She wanted Xiao Han to get the *Immortal Herb Compendium* he longed for, but also feared he'd become obsessed with the rare herbs in Dugu Bo's poison formation.
Three months had passed, and there was still no news from the palace.
Lin Zhiruo figured the crown prince likely hadn't taken the matter to heart.
If they couldn't get the compendium, maybe that would be for the best.
"You two should go prepare. We'll depart tomorrow."
"Okay."
Just as the three were about to leave, Xiao Han came running over, panting.
"Mom! Good news!"
"What news?"
"The crown prince replied! He wants me to go to the palace. I think he got the book for me!"
As he spoke, Xiao Han handed Lin Zhiruo a letter.
"Here, see for yourself."
Lin Zhiruo opened it and skimmed through.
There wasn't much written, and *Immortal Herb Compendium* wasn't mentioned. Xue Qinghe only said Xiao Han should come see him at the palace.
"Xiao Han, I thought the crown prince had forgotten about your request. But... he didn't mention the book in the letter."
"He probably got it. Otherwise, why wait so long to reply? Mom, could you come with me to Tiandou City? Or I can go alone."
"No, I'll go with you."
Lin Zhiruo wasn't comfortable letting him go alone.
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu were confused by their conversation.
Shui Bing'er asked,
"Dean Lin, Xiao Han, what are you talking about?"
"After we came back from the Ice-Sealed Forest last time, Mom and I went to Tiandou City to meet the crown prince and asked him to help retrieve something from Spirit Hall. Three months later, he finally replied."
"I see. That book must be really important if you went to the palace for it."
"Yes, it's extremely important."
Xiao Han hadn't explained it to Shui Bing'er before.
Lin Zhiruo said,
"I just told Bing'er and Xue Wu that we'd go to the forest tomorrow to hunt soul beasts. Looks like our plan needs adjusting. We'll go to Tiandou City first, then head to the forest."
"Mom, all four of us are going to Tiandou City?"
"Yes."
"Great! Bing'er, Xue Wu, have you ever been there?"
Both girls shook their heads.
Tianshui City lay in the empire's northwest, thousands of li away from Tiandou City.
Though Shui Bing'er came from a decent background, she had lived at Tianshui Academy since age six and had never been to the capital.
Lin Zhiruo smiled,
"Then we'll leave tomorrow. Go get ready."
"Okay."
The next day, the four of them traveled by carriage toward Tiandou City.
Ten days later, they arrived.
After disembarking, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu were stunned by the city's grandeur.
"The imperial capital really is different."
"Yeah, this is the center of power and ambition—where the rich thrive."
Xiao Han had already visited once and wasn't that impressed. No matter how grand the city was, it had nothing to do with him.
Soon, they arrived outside the palace.
Xiao Han said,
"Mom, the palace is full of rules and ceremony—too troublesome. You all wait here. I'll be quick."
"Fine. I didn't want to go in anyway. Be smart in front of the prince—don't speak carelessly."
"Got it."
Xiao Han entered the palace alone, led by a guard to the same hall where he met Xue Qinghe before.
Soon, footsteps echoed outside the hall.
It was Xue Qinghe. Xiao Han bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"No need for formalities."
Xue Qinghe smiled calmly.
Behind him stood a guard holding a black wooden box. The box looked refined, made from rare wood.
"Xiao Han, I acquired what you asked for." As soon as he spoke, the guard handed the box to Xiao Han and silently exited.
Once again, only Xiao Han and Xue Qinghe remained in the hall. "Open it. See if it's the book you wanted."
"Alright." Xiao Han was a little excited and opened the box.
Inside lay a golden silk cloth. He gently lifted it, as if uncovering a treasure.
Sure enough, there was a book inside. It was thick, and although its ornate cover bore no title, Xiao Han didn't care.
He flipped it open, and his eyes lit up.
Inside were vivid, colorful illustrations of immortal herbs—each so lifelike they seemed to leap off the page.
Next to each herb were detailed descriptions: growing environment, best harvest time, precautions—everything one could ask for.
*Black Ice Octagonal Grass*, *Fiery Apricot Blossom*, *Lovesick Heartbreak Red*, *Miraculous Chrysanthemum*, and more—all meticulously documented.
Xiao Han could smell a faint ink fragrance, as if the pages were freshly drawn.
It was clear this wasn't the original copy, but a carefully reproduced version.
(End of Chapter)
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