Chapter 534: Hard Snatching

"However," Alliance Leader Zhao continued, "the herbs in these places are mostly dried or air-cured. There aren't many fresh ones that are still alive, let alone unusual herbs like the Deep Love Flower." He explained that in these three locations, which are rich in medicinal herbs, dried herbs have the same effect and are easier to transport, so fresh stock is virtually non-existent.

"There are several sources for King's Herbs, the most common being sales by herb farmers. However, ordinary farmers would certainly not cultivate a rare herb like the Deep Love Flower, nor do they have the capability. The only place I know that does is an herb garden located in the west of Myriad Kingdom City. This garden cultivates countless strange and unusual herbs; many rare medicinal ingredients hard to find on the market can be found there. But..." Alliance Leader Zhao gave a wry smile. "The owner of the herb garden has a peculiar and somewhat unsociable personality. She never sells her herbs, no matter how much money you offer. Even I, when Lian'er was gravely ill, tried to buy some special herbs but was unsuccessful!"

"Never sells them?" Zhang Xuan asked, full of surprise. "Then why does she grow so many herbs?" Growing herbs is either for personal use or for sale. If she cultivates so many, it's clearly for personal use... but if she doesn't sell them, why keep them? Like ordinary plants, herbs also have cycles of life and decline; many herbs only live for a few years, and those that last hundreds of years are rare. More critically, cultivating herbs requires immense cost—spirit stones, special nutrient solutions, and even labor are all indispensable. Not selling them means constantly pouring money into the venture; no matter how rich one is, they couldn't sustain such an endeavor.

"I don't know either," Alliance Leader Zhao shook his head. "Many people in Myriad Kingdom City are curious about it, but unfortunately, no one knows the reason."

"Then... has no one tried to steal them?" Zhang Xuan wondered. Since many people want the herbs but can't buy them, surely someone would take the risk.

"Of course they have, but they all failed! The owner of the herb garden, Xue Yihao, reached the peak of Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer fifty years ago and was famous throughout Myriad Kingdom City. No one knows what level she has reached now; even I might not be able to defeat her!" Alliance Leader Zhao explained. Someone at the peak of Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer fifty years ago, even if they hadn't broken through further, would likely be among the top experts in Myriad Kingdom City. "More importantly, the herb garden also has an extremely powerful formation, at least a peak four-star level, personally set up by President Zheng of the Honghai Formation Guild. Many who tried to steal herbs were killed or trapped before they even entered... Over time, everyone realized how dangerous the place was, and no one dared to go anymore." Alliance Leader Zhao stated. Keeping countless precious herbs without selling them, and killing or trapping anyone who dared to covet them... This person was indeed formidable.

"Are these two herbs available anywhere else?"

"No. Apart from this herb garden, I truly don't know where else they could be found, unless they are already processed."

"Processed ones are useless to me!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. To cultivate the Soul Awakening Grass, he needed fresh, growing herbs. Once dried and processed into consumable medicine, how could they integrate with a soul and have the soul-awakening effect?

"Where is this herb garden you mentioned? I'd like to go and see it!" The Soul Awakening Grass was essential to save Lu Chong. Having even visited a dangerous place like the Mausoleum of Witch Souls, he was confident he would find a way, no matter how difficult the herb garden's owner might be.

"This..." Alliance Leader Zhao hesitated when he heard Zhang Xuan wanted to go. "Alright then, I'll have Jin Conghai accompany you. He can help fend them off if they try to harm you."

"Good!" Zhang Xuan nodded. He didn't know the location of the herb garden and needed someone to lead the way.

"Father, I want to go and see too!" Zhao Feiwu smiled sweetly and quickly added.

"What are you going for?" Alliance Leader Zhao frowned.

"The owner of this herb garden doesn't even listen to you. I want to see just how formidable she is!" Zhao Feiwu chuckled softly. Having followed Zhang Xuan all this way, she knew he was someone who wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal. Since the other party sounded even more difficult, she genuinely wanted to see the outcome of their confrontation.

"Don't worry, with Elder Jin there, and my identity, even if the herb garden owner is rude, she won't resort to violence!" Zhao Feiwu quickly assured her father, seeing his continued hesitation.

"Alright, both of you be careful, especially Master Zhang. If the other party is unwilling, don't force it. If it comes to it, I'll go myself; perhaps she'll grant me some face," Alliance Leader Zhao said after a moment of hesitation. He had wanted to go himself after being refused herbs for Zhao Feiwu, but the Physician Guild later found substitute herbs, so he dropped the idea. Master Zhang was his daughter's savior, and with his extraordinary talent, his future achievements were limitless. He couldn't be harmed. If all else failed, Alliance Leader Zhao would have to personally intervene. As the esteemed Alliance Leader of Myriad Kingdom Alliance and a peak Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer expert, if he truly wished to purchase herbs, he believed the owner, no matter how eccentric, would show him some respect.

After asking a few more detailed questions, Zhang Xuan immediately bid farewell to Alliance Leader Zhao. He took Zhao Feiwu and Jin Conghai and flew straight towards the west of the city on a flying savage beast. Myriad Kingdom City was vast, spanning at least several hundred kilometers. Walking there would take several hours, so this time, the trio did not use Zhao Feiwu's mount but instead rode on the back of the Demonic Vixen Beast. The Demonic Vixen Beast, a peak Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer magical beast, spread its wings and moved like lightning. After a few dozen minutes, a massive estate appeared before them.

The estate covered several hundred mu and was enveloped in a faint mist, immediately revealing that it was protected by a grand formation.

"Let's land here!" Knowing they couldn't fly directly in, Zhang Xuan nodded. The Demonic Vixen Beast let out a soft cry and landed not far from the main gate. The gates of the estate before them were tightly shut, and there was no one outside. It seemed everyone knew that herbs couldn't be bought here and had lost interest. Otherwise, given the number of people who needed herbs annually, it wouldn't be deserted, with not even a soul in sight.

Jin Conghai stepped forward, just about to knock, when he heard a creak. The courtyard gate opened from the inside, and a maid-like figure appeared.

"Our herb garden does not sell medicine to outsiders. Please turn back," she said. It seemed she was accustomed to people coming to seek herbs; she would speak directly as soon as she saw someone. Zhang Xuan felt a bit helpless, unexpected to be refused before even speaking.

If he couldn't even enter the gate and meet the owner, how could he buy herbs? Just as he was pondering what to say to gain entry, or at least meet the garden owner to persuade her, he heard the sound of horse hooves. Immediately after, a carriage stopped nearby, and a middle-aged man alighted.

"Garden Owner Mu, please come in!" The maid recognized him, her face lighting up with joy, and she quickly made way for him to enter.

"Didn't you say you don't sell medicine? Why can he enter?" Jin Conghai frowned. This was too obvious. They were refused entry before even speaking, yet this man walked right in. Did it depend on who you were?

"My apologies, he was specially invited by our master; he has an invitation!" The maid said with an apologetic expression.

"Only those with an invitation can enter?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Of course, only those with an invitation can enter!" Before the maid could answer, a cold and arrogant voice rang out. It belonged to a voluptuous woman in her thirties, wearing heavy makeup, exuding a strong scent of perfume even before she approached. "Today, Garden Owner Xue is hosting a banquet, and only owners of other herb gardens are permitted to enter. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can waltz in. If you want to buy herbs, just leave. You're not welcome here!"

With a toss of her head, the alluring woman was full of arrogance, her gaze filled with disdainful coldness.

"A banquet? Only owners of herb gardens can enter? So, you're an owner too?" Zhao Feiwu inquired.

"That's right! I am Luo Qingyan, the owner of Qingyan Herb Garden!" With a proud expression, the alluring woman flipped her wrist and produced an item—an invitation to the herb garden. "See this? It's an invitation. If you don't have one, leave immediately and don't cause trouble!"

The alluring woman looked coldly at them, letting out a sneer. "By your age, you're not even twenty, are you? At your age, you can't even tell what herbs are! You're not even qualified to glance at such a high-level banquet. Go back! Study hard, and perhaps in thirty or fifty years, you'll be qualified to enter once... Hehehehe!" She lightly covered her mouth and giggled, her body straightening, her full breasts seemingly threatening to escape the confines of her clothes at any moment.

"Thirty or fifty years?" Zhang Xuan shook his head and looked at the maid by the gate nearby. "Can one enter if they have an invitation?"

"Uh... yes!" The maid hesitated for a moment, then remembered her instructions and quickly nodded.

"That's good then!" Hearing her definitive answer, Zhang Xuan looked at the alluring woman, scratching his head, a bit embarrassed. "Could I discuss something with you? Would you mind lending me your invitation?"

"Lend it to you? Haha!" As if she had heard the funniest joke, the alluring woman looked at Zhang Xuan, her eyes full of disgust. "Why should I lend it to you? This was given to me by Garden Owner Xue! What are you?"

"You won't lend it?" Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"Get lost before I get angry, or do you want to be carried back in a stretcher...?" With a shout, the alluring woman's aura involuntarily flowed out. Her True Qi was distinct and her power astonishing. She was actually a Mortal Transcendence Third Layer expert.

"Kill me?" Zhang Xuan shook his head and looked into the distance, giving a command. "Demonic Vixen, why don't you 'discuss' with her whether she can give me the invitation..."

"Roar!" Hearing the command, the Demonic Vixen Beast, not far away, let out a low growl and flew over with a whoosh!

"What are you doing?" The alluring woman was startled. Her vision went black as a massive rear end slammed down directly onto her face.

Thud! Before she could react, she was pinned into the ground by the Demonic Vixen Beast, with only her hands, feet, and head sticking out, spitting out large mouthfuls of blood. After pinning her down, the Demonic Vixen Beast twisted its mouth, bit the badge from her hand, and tossed it over.

Jin Conghai and Zhao Feiwu both staggered simultaneously, their eyes nearly popping out. "Didn't he say he was going to 'discuss' it? How did it... turn into sitting on someone with its rear end..."