Two of the three ways to resolve the crisis of his limited lifespan had already been blocked.
He could only see if he could find a pill that could increase his lifespan.
"If there's really no way within seven days, then I'll disperse the sword Qi."
After all, life was more important.
The next morning, after practicing the sword techniques in the small courtyard, Han Muye walked out.
"Brother, I'll go take a look at the Medical Hall."
Hearing him say he was going to the Medical Hall, Huang Six grinned. "Sure, go ahead. I'll take care of things here."
Watching Han Muye leave, Huang Six's face was full of smiles. "It seems that this kid has become sensible."
Then, he shook his head with a bitter expression. "Sigh, it's a pity that Sister Ping probably won't recognize me in my current state."
…
In the Medical Hall, when Mu Wan saw Han Muye, she exclaimed, "Han, Senior Brother Han, you, why are you—"
Her gaze fell on Han Muye's temples.
It had only been a day, but Han Muye's temples were already gray.
If not for his young appearance, he would have been an old man in his fifties.
"I wonder if Junior Sister Mu has heard any news about medicinal pills that can increase lifespan?" Han Muye went straight to the point.
Mu Wan looked around and nodded. She said softly, "Senior Brother, follow me."
After leading Han Muye to a quiet place, she said in a low voice, "I asked my fellow seniors of the Medical Hall last night. Only Elder Su Liang can refine longevity-increasing pills in the Nine Mystic Sword Sect."
Han Muye nodded.
'I'm glad there is a chance.'
"Senior Brother, you have to be prepared. That lifespan-increasing pill is extremely expensive." Mu Wan looked up at Han Muye.
"How expensive?" Han Muye asked softly.
No matter how expensive it was, he was going to obtain it.
"It's said that a pill that can increase one's lifespan by a year costs 30,000 spiritual rocks," Mu Wan said in a low voice.
30,000 spiritual rocks was an unattainable number for most inner and outer sect disciples.
'30,000 eh?'
One year of lifespan was worth 30,000 spiritual rocks. It was expensive, yet not too expensive.
Han Muye narrowed his eyes, calculated in his mind, and said in a deep voice, "Junior Sister, wait here for me for a moment, then take me to look for Elder Su Liang, okay?"
Mu Wan nodded.
Han Muye turned and walked away.
He was heading towards the Nine Mystic Sword Sect's outer sect market.
The pink-dressed shopkeeper's eyes lit up as he walked into Suzhen Store.
"Looks like you've thought it through?" Bai Suzhen stepped forward with a smile.
Han Muye went straight to the counter and put a small jade bottle on the table.
Bai Suzhen was stunned. She frowned slightly and reached out to pick up the jade bottle before opening it.
"Ah—"
She let out a gasp, stuffed the jade bottle, and looked at Han Muye with a tense expression.
"Supreme-grade…"
There were ten supreme-grade Cloud Qi Pills in the jade bottle, and every one of them was bright and round.
"Are you not taking it?" Han Muye said casually.
"Of course I am!" Bai Suzhen hurriedly replied.
Putting away the jade bottle, she touched the jade ring on her fingertip and a small wooden box appeared.
She uncovered the wooden box. Inside was a brilliant glow.
"These are high-grade spiritual rocks. One is equivalent to 10,000 low-grade spiritual rocks," Bai Suzhen said in a low voice as she placed three crystal clear spiritual rocks in front of Han Muye.
Inside the spatial ring that stored items were high-grade spiritual rocks that ordinary people had never seen before.
Han Muye glanced at Bai Suzhen.
The background of this woman who had a shop in the outer sect market was probably not simple.
Seeing Han Muye looking at her, Bai Suzhen chuckled and said, "Senior Brother, I've never heard of an alchemist who can refine ten supreme-grade Cloud Qi Pills at once."
The meaning of her words was implying, 'You've discovered my secret but I've also discovered yours.'
Han Muye grabbed three pieces of high-grade spiritual rocks and turned to leave.
When he reached the door of the shop, he suddenly turned around. "Is Elder Su Liang the one who can refine lifespan-increasing pills in the Nine Mystic Sword Sect?"
Bai Suzhen was stunned.
Han Muye turned and left.
He had his answer.
"Supreme-grade Cloud Qi Pill."
"Sword Caretaker of the Sword Pavilion."
"How can you put these two things together?"
Bai Suzhen looked at the door with bright eyes.
"Compared to the sect mission, this person is more interesting."
The Waterside Residence where Elder Su Liang lived was far from the Medical Hall. Han Muye and Mu Wan walked for more than two hours before arriving.
The grass hut lined continuously by the water.
'That's an apt name for the Waterside Residence.'
A faint medicinal fragrance wafted over, making one feel excited.
Taking a deep breath, Han Muye marched forward.
After taking a few steps across the stream, Mu Wan suddenly said, "Senior Sister Jin Yuan—"
'Jin Yuan?'
Han Muye was stunned. Not far ahead, a female cultivator was washing medicinal herbs in the river. Wasn't she the person he met at the Suzhen Store that day?
It was also this female cultivator called Jin Yuan who told him that he only had seven days left to live.
The female cultivator looked up and saw Mu Wan. She smiled and said, "So it's Junior Sister Mu Wan."
Her gaze swept to Han Muye and she was slightly startled.
"Senior Sister Jin Yuan, Senior Brother Han wants a pill to increase his lifespan. Please help me introduce him to Elder Su Liang."
Mu Wan walked forward and whispered to Jin Yuan.
Jin Yuan glanced at Han Muye and then whispered, "Are you close?"
'Are we close?'
Mu Wan was not sure if she was very familiar with Han Muye, but she did not want Han Muye to die because of his limited lifespan.
She nodded.
Seeing her nod, Jin Yuan turned to look at the straw hut behind him. "Let's go. I'll take you to see Master."
It turned out that Elder Su Liang was Jin Yuan's master.
Han Muye followed the two of them and saw that there were many people refining pills in the straw hut. There was surrounding fire accompanied by a fragrant smell.
After walking through a few corridors, Jin Yuan stood in front of a wooden pavilion and bowed to the middle-aged female cultivator sitting in the pavilion. "Master, this disciple of the Sword Sect wants to buy a medicinal pill that can increase lifespan."
At her words, the middle-aged female cultivator who had been reading looked up.
Was this Elder Su Liang, who could refine pills that could increase lifespan?
When Han Muye looked up, the middle-aged female cultivator also looked at him.
"The sword Qi has entered your heart and you are dying?"
"How are you so injured?"
The female cultivator frowned and asked in a low voice.
"Elder, I'm the Sword Pavilion's Sword Caretaker." Han Muye bowed.
"Sword Caretaker?" Elder Su Liang whispered, then nodded. "No wonder."
A look of pity flashed across her face, then she shook her head and said, "You're late. The lifespan-extending pill you wanted has already been bought."
'Bought?'
Han Muye shuddered.
Mu Wan also looked anxious.
Han Muye needed that pill to save his life.
"Then, I wonder if Elder can help me refine another one?" Han Muye raised his hand, and three sparkling high-grade spiritual rocks appeared in his palm.
Elder Su Liang shook her head and waved her hand. "It's not that I don't want to help you. There are a few types of spiritual herbs that are needed to refine pills to increase lifespan."
"Without the Bright Origin Bone and the Marrow Transformation Fruit, I can't refine the pill."
"I haven't seen these two spiritual herbs being sold in the surrounding markets recently."
She could not refine it!
Han Muye felt his heart sink.
Could this be the will of the heavens?
Taking a deep breath, he whispered indignantly, "May I ask, Elder, who bought the pills?"
Hearing his words, Jin Yuan and Mu Wan's expressions changed.
It was a huge taboo to inquire about the identity of the pill buyer.
In the seat of honor, Elder Su Liang pondered for a long time before saying two words.
"Mo Yuan."