The Pharmacist, carrying his medicine basket, walked up the mountain path worn by footsteps. Seeing the newly erected signpost at the fork in the road, he couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile. He strode down the mountain following the sign's direction.The farm women working in the herb fields saw him and enthusiastically crowded around. "Pharmacist Immortal, are you thirsty? Let me get you some water!""My home has food." "Mine too..."The Pharmacist corrected them sternly, "Don't call me Immortal. Adept, I'm an Adept."The farm women were momentarily stunned, then immediately
found a new topic. "Oh dear! Your Robe of Origin is torn! Let me mend it!"The Pharmacist looked down. "Oh no, torn by a branch..." He couldn't help but mutter, "If I patch this too, when I return to Zhoku, will the Old Dean say I'm cheating?"Just then, sounds of salutations came."Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty!"The Pharmacist looked up to see Shakra, dressed in simple cloth robes, his golden hair tied up, walking along the ridge as if on an incognito inspection.The clinic had long since become a medicine village. Against the foot of the mountain, the large shed originally built for Ruoqiao had been dismantled and converted into a tea house. The Pharmacist picked up the teapot, poured a cup for Shakra, and teased, "Your Majesty visits here far too often. One might think General Shuda is also in our medicine village now.""This lord isn't here for him," Shakra said disdainfully. "He always insists on fighting the moment we meet. Setting up a sparring platform wasn't enough for him."He sipped the tea delicately, raising his long-lashed eyes to gaze into the distance, following the sunset glow on Kunlun's slopes."I wonder, where has Adept Bensheng reached now?"The Pharmacist smiled faintly. "Wherever he travels, his name will resonate. We only need to wait quietly for the people there to spread his story."Shakra had originally thought that day on the battlefield, those lightly spoken words were just a simple dialogue. He never expected Bensheng would truly use his feet and hands to practice every word he had said.He left the clinic, heading west. No matter whose territory he entered, whenever he saw the wounded, he used the Primordial Colored Light to heal them. But not all military commanders were like him and Shuda, able to accept soldiers with no will to fight and abandon war. After Bensheng left, some stubborn commanders would launch battles again, causing new casualties. Upon hearing the news, Bensheng would make his way back, healing everyone once more.It was said that this time, continuously releasing the Primordial Colored Light exhausted him so much he collapsed, unable to move for a whole day. Yet that commander only felt he had gained an advantage, planning a sneak attack while the enemy was still injured. In the end, he was surrounded by angry soldiers and forced to
relinquish all authority.After receiving this news that shook all of Buzhou Kingdom, both Shuda and Shakra fell into a rare silence. In fact, since then, they hadn't had a proper fight in a long time; their very bones itched. But seeing the soldiers leisurely growing vegetables, drinking tea in the medicine village, and playing peacefully with the Beast Tribe members who were once part of the beast army, they too felt a spark of interest in experiencing a "mortal" life.Especially after the Pharmacist, while brewing medicine, incidentally created extremely delicious dishes, Shuda would sneak into the medicine village every day, lingering endlessly. This forced Shakra to time his tea visits to avoid Shuda's presence, lest further complications arise."Adept Bensheng has probably reached the far western lands of Buzhou Kingdom by now. According to my scouts, the entire western region is free of war. It seems now that this lord was mistaken. I originally thought the constant warfare in Buzhou Kingdom was due to the nature of its people. But it turns out, compared to fighting injured, everyone actually prefers a peaceful and comfortable life. Yet, I wonder how long such days can last." Shakra gazed into his teacup. "After being comfortable for too long, there will always be those who... miss war.""What is there to fear about that!" The Pharmacist laughed. "Your Majesty may not know, but these planted grasses and trees, over time, cause the surrounding land to sprout as well."A line of children, holding scrolls, shouted outside the tea house: "Shifu, today's assignments are finished. Please inspect them."Seeing Shakra's stunned expression, the Pharmacist pretended to be calm as he set down his teacup, though his face couldn't hide his pride. "Your Majesty, I must take my leave. My apprentices are calling me!"Shakra couldn't help but laugh. Watching the Pharmacist's back – he had grown into a young man – he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, what is the name people call Adept Bensheng?""Because his light shines everywhere, saving and protecting people, everyone honors him as—'The Sacred Light of the Earth'."On the main thoroughfare of the Saptaparna Kingdom capital, the night watchman slowly passed by, but heard sharp, scolding voices coming from a house by the road."What did you say!"
Yeluo knelt on the floor, silently accepting her mother's anger."You dare to give up the Comprehender selection! You..." Her mother, though furious, suddenly switched back to a smiling face, speaking gently, "Yeluo, do you think Mother is being too harsh? But entering the Four Great Families is our ancestors' long-cherished wish, it's not me forcing you.""I know. I've never blamed you, Mother. Originally, I also thought I should strive to become a Comprehender. But after my recent seclusion, I've seen myself clearly. I, who have only ever followed your orders, have never truly grown up." She looked at the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword beside her. "I am merely a tool that can wield the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword."That was why, at the critical moment against the Yama, her mind in turmoil, she couldn't use her spiritual powers... Her heart was far from strong enough."'Those who see my body contemplate Prajna; those who hear my name repent their faults; those who hear my Dharma discern good and evil; those who know my mind become Comprehenders!'"Grasping the sword again, reciting this verse, she could still feel the blade tremble. But she could no longer rely on it.Yeluo raised the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword and offered it to her mother. "Mother, I'm sorry. I don't want to be bound by the family anymore. Before becoming a Comprehender, one should become a true Adept, tempering the heart and firming the will, not just blindly pursuing power. I haven't given up on becoming a Comprehender, but I cannot let my current self enter the Main Shrine.""What do you know? If you continue like this, our family will again..." Her mother tried to continue, but Yeluo had already placed the sword down, stood up, and left.Her mother chased her to the main gate, roaring, "If you step out of this door today, you are no longer a member of the Yiqi clan!"Yeluo stood straight, holding back tears, not looking back. "Fine. From now on, I am just Yeluo."She rushed out the door. The moment she crossed the threshold, tears finally poured forth. Yeluo couldn't help but think, she really wasn't a strong child after all. But from this moment on, she could cry whenever she wanted...Yeluo walked on, crying all the way. In the pitch black, she didn't know where she was going. Looking up, she saw the gate of Zhoku Academy. She was about to leave when she accidentally overheard the whispers of the plants and grass at the school entrance.
"What are you saying... Bensheng wasn't selected as a Comprehender candidate... He came looking for me?!" Yeluo was shocked. She stepped forward and crouched, looking at the patch of weeds. "When did this happen?... Where is he now?"The weeds swayed gently in the wind.Yeluo stood up, dejected. "He's gone."The Bodhi tree rustled, suddenly dropping a leaf that startled Yeluo."Bensheng went west? He's returning to Lumbini Deer Park?!" Yeluo looked up, delighted. "Really? Thank you for telling me. I must go after him."Yeluo reached behind her back for her sword, grasping only air. She then remembered she had left the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword at home. She stared at her empty palm for a long moment, then suddenly clenched her fist."Bodhi tree, could you lend me a branch to make a wooden sword?... Thank you. Thank you for helping me." Yeluo pressed her palms together, sincerely thanking the Bodhi tree.She bloomed with a smile that was truly her own, and the surrounding flowers, plants, and trees seemed to flourish vibrantly along with her.Yeluo stepped onto the Bodhi tree branch she had whittled into a wooden sword, activated her arts, and headed west.She passed through Yongle Kingdom, stopping to rest each time, incidentally subduing demons and aiding the world. Soon, the reputation of Adept Yeluo spread. The Xu family, whom she had helped during the Court Exam, sought her out, insisting on giving Yeluo heavy gifts. Yeluo refused to accept. Old Master Xu pondered for half the night and finally had an idea."I heard that the Pharmacist Adept, who subdued demons and aided the world with you back during the Court Exam, is now building a village and saving people in Buzhou Kingdom. This old man will immediately organize a merchant convoy to send medicinal herbs, seeds, and food there."Yeluo said, "But Buzhou Kingdom is plagued by constant war. The people of Yongle Kingdom are accustomed to comfort and wealth; they are not skilled in fighting. Going there would be extremely dangerous."Old Master Xu shook his head. "I've heard recently that many people from Buzhou Kingdom have been entering our borders, bringing news that the west is almost pacified. This old man doesn't
know if the news is reliable. But seeing them sound of limb and completely unharmed, it doesn't seem impossible... Adept, please refuse no more. As the saying goes, 'Refrain from all evil, practice all good.' This old man is determined to make this journey."Yeluo had no rebuttal. After some consideration, she decided to set off with the merchant convoy. They soon arrived within Buzhou Kingdom. Looking down from high altitude on her sword, she could already see the magnificent scenery of Kunlun.Tremors came from the charred earth. The merchant convoy panicked, fearing they had encountered an army. As a mass of dark shadows drew closer, everyone's faces turned ashen."It's an elephant army! All elephants—""We're going to be trampled to death!"Yeluo drew her Bodhi wooden sword, about to use her arts to grow a vine net to block them, when suddenly she heard someone call out from the other side."That red outfit... is it Yeluo?"A greenish light flashed. Yeluo squinted and saw, standing amidst the elephants, a young man with a pageboy haircut. Only when he came closer did Yeluo recognize him..."Ruoqiao?"Ruoqiao grinned. "It's me."Yeluo swished her sword up, pointing it at him. Her action scared the people in the merchant convoy into drawing their weapons as well.Ruoqiao was taken aback, then sighed. "You're right to do this. But could you... first listen to the story of these past years?"The elephant herd bypassed the merchant convoy, continuing into the distance. Following Ruoqiao's pointing finger, Yeluo could make out a dark-skinned person riding on the back of one elephant. He was so dark that without looking carefully, one wouldn't see him at all."He's of Shemen's tribe, a Kunlun slave skilled in taming beasts. I asked him to lead my tribal companions back to their secluded island, far away from war." Ruoqiao watched the retreating backs of the elephant herd, his gaze free and at ease."I misunderstood you earlier," Yeluo said apologetically."No, your dislike of me is justified. I truly did things I shouldn't have to you all. And I did it knowingly, for my own selfish gain, framing you all. I will never evade this negative karma and must repay it." Ruoqiao smiled wryly. "But I haven't had the chance. My injuries
were all healed by Bensheng and the Pharmacist. Bensheng even brought freedom to my tribe. I really..." He distressfully clutched his head with both hands. His neat pageboy haircut was rubbed into a mess."Haha..." Yeluo laughed, perhaps a bit unkindly, thinking Bensheng would definitely say: "Serves you right!"Ruoqiao was startled, then blushed and laughed too."Alright, you should go catch up with your tribe! We need to be on our way too.""No, I'll go with you. I've decided to follow Bensheng for life." Ruoqiao grinned mischievously. "And right now, you're going to find him, aren't you?"This time it was Yeluo's turn to blush crimson.With Ruoqiao's help, the group soon reached the medicine village. Seeing Yeluo was like seeing family for the Pharmacist. The full seven-foot man wiped his tears, chattering on about his homesickness. Yeluo and Ruoqiao stopped him with disgusted expressions. After entrusting the merchant convoy to him, they traveled light, continuing westward.Only by truly walking this land did one understand the immense changes that had occurred. There were no longer deserters hiding in battlefield corners scavenging beast corpses, no longer soldiers fighting day after day while injured. Everyone discussed the legend of the "Sacred Light of the Earth," novelly experiencing an unprecedented peaceful life.Only Yeluo, listening along the way, frowned more and more deeply."The commoners just now said the 'Sacred Light of the Earth' can cover a hundred li at once. Although there's likely considerable exaggeration, judging by the number of people Bensheng has healed, the range wouldn't be small either. Releasing the Primordial Colored Light so extensively, day after day, would place an enormous burden on his body."Filled with worry, the two quickened their pace. They finally reached the western border of Buzhou Kingdom. According to the locals, they had witnessed the most recent "Sacred Light of the Earth" here. Since then, no one had seen it again."When was that?" Yeluo asked."About a month ago." Seeing the patched Robe of Origin she wore, the farmer instantly showed respect. "Adept, if there's anything you need help with, please just ask."
Yeluo shook her head regretfully. A month had passed, and no one had seen Bensheng. Where could he have gone?"Speaking of which, after the 'Sacred Light of the Earth,' a strange thing happened. A mottled deer suddenly appeared on the border between us and Zhaoyun Kingdom. A hunter originally wanted to catch it, but remembering the merits of the 'Sacred Light,' that Adept surely wouldn't want to see more casualties, so he simply let it go back into Zhaoyun Kingdom.""A mottled deer?!""Yes, it had nine colors in total. It was a nine-colored deer no one had ever seen before."