CHAPTER 286: CHAPTER 286 HEARTLESS DAO

The little black cat strolled out the door and saw Xia Mian holding a pile of medicinal herbs, chatting with Song Yi.

Song Yi’s expression was solemn, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the herbs in Xia Mian’s arms, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

That silly brother of his, he must have spent half of his life’s savings on these herbs, right?

"Miss Xia wants a more secretive room, and we do have one," Song Yi smiled, "Miss Xia, please follow me!"

Xia Mian wanted to craft a potion, and it surely wouldn’t be a quiet affair.

With so many people at the inn, she must be cautious of those with ill intentions.

Song Yi led Xia Mian all the way to the basement. The lighting there was not as good as above ground, and the temperature was a bit cool.

But Xia Mian thought it was nice here, suitable for potion crafting.

Song Yi opened the basement door, revealing the somewhat shabby environment inside, "Miss Xia, the place is simple, please don’t mind it."

A table, a few large wooden barrels, cobwebs in the corners with large spiders crawling around.

On the wall facing the door, there hung a diamond-shaped mirror.

Xia Mian smiled slightly, "It’s fine."

Lu Zechuan and the little black cat followed behind Xia Mian, their eyes sweeping slowly over the empty basement, finally landing on the mirror on the wall.

A basement with a mirror hanging inside?

Seeing Lu Zechuan’s gaze fall on the mirror, Song Yi slightly frowned, self-mockingly saying, "This mirror was left by a previous guest as a treasure to offset their room fee. After all these years, I haven’t discovered what’s so precious about it."

Xia Mian responded with a soft hum, without probing into matters she wasn’t concerned with.

"Miss Xia, if you need anything, just ring the bell at the door," Song Yi said with a smile, then exited the basement.

Xia Mian was crafting a potion to enhance his silly brother’s physique, so he would do his utmost to meet Xia Mian’s requirements.

Xia Mian nodded slightly, "Mr. Song, you can go ahead!"

Song Yi left the room, considerately closing the door behind him for Xia Mian.

The little black cat jumped onto a wine barrel in the basement, lazily yawning, yet its pair of black gemstone-like eyes watched Xia Mian with interest as she removed the Treasure Cauldron from her wrist, placing it on the ground.

Once placed on the ground, the Treasure Cauldron began to magically enlarge.

The little black cat blinked, its pupils vibrating.

Is this woman unbelievably lucky or what!

Where did she acquire this Heaven-level Alchemist’s Furnace?

Under the little black cat’s shocked gaze, Xia Mian’s hands moved subtly, setting up another barrier in the basement.

Although this basement seemed quite secretive and soundproof, she was cautious of the commotion from potion crafting attracting malicious individuals. It’s never wrong to be careful.

Lu Zechuan turned and retreated to the door, finding a spot to sit cross-legged, quietly guarding Xia Mian as she crafted the potion.

Xia Mian, with everything prepared, placed the herbs on the only long table in the basement.

Her palm moved subtly, starting the fire.

Seeing Xia Mian begin her potion crafting, Lu Zechuan also closed his eyes slightly.

The Wood Clan Leader left him with many cultivation techniques. Although he had read quite a few, he hadn’t fully absorbed them. This was a good time to digest the valuable treasures left by the Wood Clan Leader.

***

In the basement, Xia Mian fully immersed herself in the process of potion crafting.

On the second floor of Jufang Pavilion, in Xia Weizhang’s room, Gu Zhi deeply looked at Song Ke, "Mr. Song, you mentioned before that each Mystical Sect has its own field of expertise. What is the Gu Family, the third largest Mystic Sect, proficient in?"

Gu Zhi’s words made Song Ke pause, "The Gu Family?"

"Are you from the Gu Family?" Song Ke’s gaze fell on Gu Zhi, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing look.

Gu Zhi’s expression shifted slightly, "No."

She had not yet been acknowledged by the Gu Family and didn’t want to flaunt her Gu Family identity outside prematurely.

Song Ke breathed a sigh of relief before saying in a low voice, "The Gu Family cultivates the Heartless Dao."

Gu Zhi paused, "Heartless Dao?"

Song Ke nodded, looking serious, "The Gu Family members are all a bunch of conservatives, strict, selfish, and cold-hearted... Once in the Gu Family, there’s no kinship; only strength talks. The Gu Family holds an annual inner competition, and many die on the martial stage, but everyone has become accustomed to the deaths of the family members..."

When saying this, Song Ke frowned deeply, seemingly displeased with the Gu Family’s heartless way.

Gu Zhi lightly squinted her eyes, lost in thought.

So, even though her biological mother defied fate for the Gu Family, she could not change the fact of being abandoned by them?

Because the Gu Family are inherently selfish and cold-hearted?

Gu Zhi was now somewhat confused and a bit regretful. Did she have to go to this Gu Family?

"The Gu Family’s constant third-largest standing among the Mystical Sects is perhaps due to their ruthless and heartless ways. In the Gu Family, there is no kinship, only survival of the fittest. Those who survive there are tough, desperate folks," Song Ke continued, pressing his lips, "If not necessary, don’t provoke conflicts with the Gu Family. They usually don’t pick fights, but once a feud starts, it’s a fight to the death."

Hearing so much about the Gu Family, Gu Zhi’s face turned even more grim.

"It’s just a Gu Family, don’t take it too much to heart," Xia Weizhang attempted a forced smile to comfort Gu Zhi.

But his comfort was futile.

Qin Shuang was dead, and she couldn’t return to the present-world Gu Family. She was now like a floating duckweed, and going to the Xuanmen Gu Family was Qin Shuang’s last wish, seemingly also her destiny.

Song Ke cast a scrutinizing glance at Gu Zhi, thoughtful.

At the same time, in the basement, Xia Mian was controlling the furnace fire, beginning alchemy.

The little black cat lay on the wine barrel, lazily flicking its tail, watching Xia Mian skillfully, methodically, and fluidly placing all the herbs into the furnace, the amazement in its eyes growing increasingly intense.

Her prowess was nothing short of impressive!

What master could display such masterful demeanor right from the start!

The herbs Mr. Song provided were ample, even if Xia Mian had a 100% success rate, producing a furnace each time; these herbs would last her three to five days.

Xia Mian’s potion crafting was skillful and grand, even impressive to outsiders, let alone insiders.

In the diamond-shaped mirror, a vague gaze seemed to be intently observing Xia Mian, as if trying to imprint all of her actions in its mind.