The two were chatting as they passed through the protective mountain formation of Zhican Valley and arrived inside Zhican Valley.
From the outside, Zhican Valley appeared to be two tall, steep and dangerous mountain peaks. Once inside, there was a feeling of sudden openness, like entering a paradise.
Before their eyes were filled with colorful flowers and green leaves. With green mountains and clear waters, and sounds of birds and fragrances of flowers. Although called a valley, when looking out, there seemed to be no boundaries, like a prairie.
Many trees, many flowers, and many spiritual herbs were planted in the valley, with immortal birds and divine beasts appearing among them, and pavilions and towers faintly visible, with cultivators flying about.
If Dao Sword Sect gave an image of high-flying sword immortals, then Zhican Valley was one of an ethereal aura of immortal maidens.
After entering the mountain gate, there was a high platform that offered a panoramic view to take in the whole valley. Everyone who entered Zhican Valley would surely be shocked by this picturesque, painting-like, paradise-like scenery before their eyes.
Especially Qin Ran.
Seeing this dream-like scene, he couldn't control his excited heart, and walked forward to the edge of the platform, greedily enjoying the fairyland scenery.
At least for him, this was the cultivation environment he had been longing for in his dreams. This was what he hoped his Danyun Peak would become.
Elder Sun walked over, his smile contained some pride as he said, "How is it, very different from Dao Sword Sect right!"
"It's so beautiful!" Qin Ran exclaimed.
The aroma of Zhican Valley was also very pleasant, with the organic fusion of the fragrances of medicine, grass and flowers. Qin Ran greedily enjoyed the scenery and greedily breathed in the fragrant smells.
After admiring the scenery for a while on the platform, they flew down under Elder Sun's lead, entering the picture-like scenery.
The wide and tidy roads of Zhican Valley criss-crossed the valley, with strange flowers and plants or spiritual trees or herbs planted in open spaces by the roadside. Occasionally there were servants and medicine slaves busying about, or disciples learning in situ, altogether portraying a harmonious scene.
Continuing inwards, there were more and more disciples. Sometimes there were disciples sitting by the road reciting medicine materials, medicinal theories and pill formulas. Sometimes there were disciples practicing supernatural abilities in small squares. Sometimes there were disciples experimenting with spells in the spiritual fields. And even more, there were groups gathered in squares, either showing off or teaching, and starting alchemy lessons right there in the squares. Altogether it portrayed the scene of an alchemy sanctuary.
"What a great alchemy atmosphere!" Qin Ran praised.
"Lots of learning, observing and practicing, that is alchemy," Elder Sun said.
Qin Ran also saw the spiritual fields, and the envy in his eyes overflowed.
What were spiritual fields? It was a whole stretch of land made entirely of spiritual soil.
Qin Ran had dabbled in pills and medicines for many years, yet it was only last year that his silly apprentice had risked his life to obtain a tiny lump of spiritual soil for him. He had treasured it like nothing else.
Yet others had stretch after stretch of spiritual soil. There was no comparison! Really no comparison!
"Cultivating in spiritual soil is indeed excellent," he said dryly.
Elder Sun laughed. "Our Zhican Valley may not have much else, but we have plenty of spiritual soil. The reason the predecessors chose to establish the sect here was because they valued the spiritual soil here. In the past, this whole valley was spiritual soil. The predecessor spent great efforts to clear space for buildings."
"Incredible!" said Qin Ran. "The predecessors overcame difficulties and started from nothing, it must have been arduous."
"It's true Zhican Valley has spiritual soil, that is advantageous. But you of Dao Sword Sect have spiritual stones..." said Elder Sun. "That's like our land being able to grow gold, while your land directly has gold. Dao Sword Sect is still better in the end."
Qin Ran nodded to show his understanding. So this was the reason you all covet Dao Sword Sect.
"If possible, I would still prefer spiritual soil," he said to Elder Sun.
"You're an alchemist!" Elder Sun laughed. "Alchemists tend to prefer spiritual soil more."
"But Elder Sun, you're an alchemist too!"
"Oh? Am I? Hahaha..."
The two chatted some inconsequential words as they walked to a three-story pavilion at the center of the valley.
Elder Sun said to Qin Ran, "It's already very late today. You definitely can't return tonight, traveling at night is too dangerous. I also can't let you travel back at night. Stay overnight at Zhican Valley tonight, and tomorrow I'll hand over the pills to you. You can head back tomorrow then.
"That was the process Elder Jian always followed, come one day, rest one night, then leave the next day.
"Alright?"
Qin Ran readily agreed, "Elder Sun's arrangements are reasonable, I'll listen to you."
"Then now, let's drink merrily!" Having obtained agreement, Elder Sun led Qin Ran into the pavilion, "Handing over pills is tomorrow's matter, tonight we drink till we drop!"
"So Elder you were waiting for me here. I can't drink alcohol. Drinking hinders things..." Qin Ran struggled symbolically.
"Hey! We cultivators, what is there to fear from drink?!"
In the end, Qin Ran was still dragged up to the second floor by Elder Sun. In the center of the second floor, a table was already laid out with exquisite delicacies and fine wine.
Then, along with Feng Feiyan and two disciples brought by Elder Sun, the five were seated according to status.
One cup of wine followed another, the tasty food was barely touched, but the wine was steadily poured down. The wine was spiritual wine, able to intoxicate immortals. Even though Qin Ran was made of water, by the end he had lost awareness and needed to be supported to the guest room.
Elder Sun's disciples settled Qin Ran and Feng Feiyan, then fed Elder Sun sobering pills.
"And Elder Qin?" Elder Sun awoke and ladled himself a bowl of soup to rinse his mouth, then asked the disciple behind him.
"He's already passed out drunk, settled in Lingzhi Pavilion," the disciple replied.
"He actually dared to get truly drunk..." Elder Sun ladled another bowl of soup and shook his head laughing. "Should I say he's gutsy, or foolish?"
"Refusing to join Zhican Valley despite the invitation... stubbornly sticking to Dao Sword Sect."
"Not seeming as cautious and wise as Elder Jian described... Could Elder Jian have done it on purpose? To get more spiritual stones?"
The disciple didn't dare reply, only took out a slip of paper and handed it to Elder Sun, saying, "This is what Feng Feiyan secretly slipped to the disciple when Elder Qin wasn't looking."
Elder Sun took it and saw the graceful writing: "Elder Jian has likely passed away. Elder Qin was sent by the sect leader, quite calculating, fearing he will cause trouble, please assist me in getting rid of him."
"Jian Yuanjie is dead?" Elder Sun frowned. "That kind of person can also die?!"
"How did he die? Accident or discovered by Dao Sword Sect higher-ups?" He put down the soup bowl, fingers rubbing the paper, pondering deeply. "Has Zhican Valley been exposed after all?"
After analyzing for a while, a cold light flashed in his eyes. He slapped the paper on the table. "Looks like I'll have to control Qin Ran after all, whether to capture or kill him, consider later. If he can be sensible, sparing his life isn't out of the question."
"But can't make a move inside the valley. It's still not time for direct conflict with Dao Sword Sect, their strength is still decent." He continued. "Could arrange an ambush mid-journey... Since there's Feng Feiyan as an insider... could also poison..."
Having decided, he promptly arranged it during the night.