Ever since handing over the prescription and medicine to Cai Chao, Li An hadn't been to the Yun Dao Tea House for tea for half a month.

Moreover, to avoid Song Mingzhang, he purposely didn't stay at home, leaving early the next morning to travel afar.

Upon leaving Celestial Yang City, he visited various towns nearby, purchasing a large number of books. It took him two months before he leisurely returned to the city.

That evening, he finally returned to Anle Street and prepared to have a drink at the Yun Dao Tea House.

As soon as he stepped into the teahouse, Xiaochen, spotting him, couldn't contain his excitement and hurried to greet him:

"Master Zuo, you're finally here!"

"Please, come in! Our boss has been looking for you like crazy these past two months!"

With that, he led Li An inside while excitedly shouting to the inside:

"Mr. Zuo is here, Mr. Zuo is here!"

Li An looked puzzled, "Xiaochen, your boss is looking for me? Is there something important?"

Xiaochen, very excited, replied, "Master Zuo, I dare not speak recklessly, please wait a moment, the boss will be out shortly!"

Indeed, just as Li An took his seat, Cai Chao came rushing out from inside, briskly walking up to Li An and grabbing his hand: "Brother Zuo, you were so hard to find!"

"Xiaochen, quickly go notify Master Song, don't delay!"

Xiaochen replied "Alright," and dashed out of the teahouse.

"Brother Cai, what's going on?"

Li An asked.

"Brother Zuo, your prescription is miraculous! It's miraculous!"

Cai Chao's eyes, full of previous arrogance and indifference, now brimmed with immense admiration, "Two months ago, I handed the medicine and prescription you gave to Master Song. Upon seeing the prescription, Master Song was astonished, grabbed me, and asked where you were, saying it was the remedy for his granddaughter's illness!"

"I hurriedly took him everywhere to find you, but we couldn't find your residence despite asking around Wuyang Street. It was Xiaochen, quick-witted, who asked around Anle Street and found out your esteemed dwelling."

"Unfortunately, you were not there, and Master Song waited at the door for ten days!"

As he recounted these events, he was still full of emotion, saying:

"Brother Zuo, you truly keep a low profile, truly..."

In his eyes, there was indeed some complexity. One must know, what a personage Master Song is. For his granddaughter's illness, countless renowned physicians and alchemists within the city were sought, but all were powerless. Who would have expected Li An could cure it!

It was the first time he had seen Master Song lowering his stature, waiting for someone for ten days.

Eventually, Master Song couldn't wait any longer and gave him numerous instructions to help find out where Li An had gone.

Hearing this, Li An was somewhat shocked, "Master Song waited for me for ten days?!"

"This is a grievous mistake! How could such a master be kept waiting so long... Zuo Wen deserves death!"

But just as he finished speaking, a powerful and aged voice came from outside: "Fellow Daoist Zuo, there is no fault!"

An elder in white robes had entered, with Xiaochen following.

"Master Song, you've finally come!"

Cai Chao stood up, respectfully welcoming him.

Li An also moved, immediately stepping forward to greet.

"Zuo Wen pays respects to the senior!"

Song Mingzhang personally stepped forward, helping Li An up with both hands, and said with an excited glint in his cloudy old eyes, "There's no need for such formalities, Fellow Daoist. Cai, please prepare a quiet private room. I want to have a good talk with Fellow Daoist Zuo!"

"By the way, we won't have tea today, let's have wine. Please bring two pots of the finest wine!"

...

Inside the private room.

Cai Chao attended cautiously, while Song Mingzhang and Li An also sat down.

"Young friend, I am eternally grateful for the gift of your prescription. Come, let me toast to you!"

Song Mingzhang spoke, raising a cup and drinking it all in one go.

Li An hurriedly followed and drank a cup as well.

"Young friend, where did you get that prescription? I am genuinely curious. I know everything about the ingredients, yet I never thought combining them would have such miraculous effects..."

His old eyes were filled with curiosity.

Li An smiled and said: "Senior, actually, the prescription... was yours."

"Ah?"

"Senior, on page seventy-nine of Pill Discussion, it states: 'A pill condenses the essence of herbs into a furnace, removing impurities,' and in Grass Recognition Skill, page eighty-three notes: 'Poison is the chaotic aura of herbs,' and I've studied poisons extensively, having read Poison Canon, which records that a great power in a certain continent cured hysteria with 'Demon Soul Herbs,' Demon Soul Herbs, being poison..."

Li An spoke eloquently: "Therefore, Zuo Wen knows well, if used properly, poison can also be life-saving!"

"And as for the affliction of 'Shadow Decay,' according to its symptoms, it requires 'Yangchun Herbs,' 'Stabilizing Root,' and such, but these things, if used in alchemy, their chaotic and poisonous airs would be removed, leaving something lacking, thus, they can only be formulated rather than alchemized, and top-grade Spirit Medicine is needed to regulate the toxicity to prevent disorder..."

He spoke calmly while Song Mingzhang nodded continuously, his eyes repeatedly flashing with surprise!

He could see that Li An had read extensively...

Moreover, he formed his own understanding, able to combine knowledge from different books and apply it flexibly.

This is quite rare!

Over the years, many people seeking knowledge have introduced themselves through letters or visited, some even kneeling outside his door for three days and nights.

In actuality, as Song Mingzhang approached his later years, he had occasionally considered taking on a disciple, but those people, without exception—were opportunistic and shallow!

But Li An actually had truly thorough readings.

And, Li An not only remembered the theories from Grass Recognition Skill and Pill Discussion so clearly, but he could also recount the exact pages…

This means he must have repeatedly read and memorized these two books!

But, hadn't Li An only read them for three days back then?

He had even formed a negative impression of Li An because of it, believing Li An was also using tricks to get close to him.

"Fellow Daoist Zuo, have you thoroughly studied Grass Recognition Skill and Pill Discussion?"

He couldn't help but ask.

Li An smiled and said: "I dare not say thoroughly studied, but I received books from the senior then, with meticulous notes and precise comments, thus I gained much."

He immediately recounted some of the notes within the book made by Song Mingzhang.

The more Song Mingzhang listened, the more astonished he became, and the more pleased he felt!

Because not a single word Li An said deviated, and his understanding was deep and unique.

He initially wondered if Li An had diligently studied elsewhere.

But now he confirmed... Li An truly gained this from his notes.

"In three days, to comprehend these two books so deeply, and remember them, truly broad and retentive..."

For the moment, he only felt that Li An, this person, was like a bright gem covered in dust, astonishingly remaining in Anle Street, such a poor and shabby alley, for so many years!

What a pity, what a pity!

Beside him, Cai Chao's heart was also somewhat complex. Although he didn't quite understand the books and theories Li An spoke of, he could tell from Li An's poised and clear explanations that Li An must indeed be genuinely learned.

Moreover, seeing Song Mingzhang's expression, he was further convinced that even Song Mingzhang had been impressed by Li An.

He couldn't help but feel a bit dazed, that Li An, having devoted himself to various homogeneous books for the past five years and producing nothing, was now rising to prominence!

All at once, thinking back to his previous misunderstandings and cold sarcasm towards Li An years ago made his face blush.

"Oh, by the way,"

Li An continued, explaining further: "In these two months, I, Zuo, traveled around seeking several books, hence my delay in returning and causing Senior Song to wait, for which I feel extremely apologetic, so let me offer this cup as an apology!"

With that, he downed the cup in one gulp.

Song Mingzhang said: "I heard you also love books? You must have a substantial collection? I also have quite a number of them, may I visit your place to have a look?"

Song Mingzhang already had an idea in mind, but he wasn't in a hurry!

Li An said: "Sure, please!"

...

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