The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of Feng Yan's dormitory room. It was a rare school holiday, giving her a chance to relax and catch up on tasks she had been postponing. Yet, her mind was focused on something far more pressing—her cultivation. She had spent the previous night in her personal space, absorbing spiritual energy and studying scrolls on herbal remedies, but without the proper herbs to enhance her yang energy, her progress would stall.
Determined to continue on her path of cultivation, Feng Yan quickly dressed and prepared for the day. She needed to buy the herbs that were not available in her personal space, along with a few other toiletries for her dormitory. After a quick breakfast, she opened her laptop and searched for a reputable apothecary that stocked rare medicinal herbs. She soon found a large, well-established pharmacy that had excellent reviews, claiming it sold a wide range of herbs, including some of the rarer varieties. The apothecary also had an in-house doctor, which spoke to the quality and professionalism of the establishment.
Satisfied with her choice, Feng Yan called a cab. The streets were busy with people enjoying their holiday, but she paid no mind to the buzz of the city. Her thoughts were focused solely on the herbs she needed. Her cultivation journey had only just begun, and she wasn't about to let anything hinder her progress.
The cab pulled up in front of the apothecary, a grand store with large, glass windows displaying rows of neatly organized herbal jars. Feng Yan stepped out, thanking the driver, and walked towards the entrance. The store had an air of elegance, with polished wooden floors, glass counters, and shelves lined with various medicinal items. The scent of herbs filled the air, giving the space a calming atmosphere.
As Feng Yan entered, her sharp eyes scanned the store, quickly assessing whether the materials she needed were in stock. The apothecary was well-maintained, with herbs sorted meticulously into labeled jars. Several attendants were assisting customers, and behind the counter stood a middle-aged man who appeared to be the shopkeeper. His posture was stiff, and his eyes sharp as he scrutinized each customer that entered, including Feng Yan.
Noticing her quiet demeanor and the way she was carefully observing the shelves, the shopkeeper motioned to one of his attendants. "Go help the young lady," he instructed in a low voice, still watching her with a hint of curiosity.
Feng Yan, however, preferred to browse alone. She waved the attendant away politely and continued her search. After locating most of what she needed, she made her way to the counter, pulling out a folded piece of paper. On it, she had written down the list of herbs she needed, each in precise quantities.
The shopkeeper glanced at her with mild disinterest as she handed over the list, but as his eyes scanned the contents, his expression shifted. He blinked in surprise, then looked at Feng Yan more closely. The herbs listed weren't just any common medicinal ingredients—they were rare, powerful, and in some cases, extremely expensive.
"Miss," he began, his tone now more cautious. "The medicines you've requested are quite... rare and costly. Do you perhaps have a parent or guardian accompanying you to help with this purchase?"
Feng Yan understood his concern. She was young, and it wasn't every day that someone of her age would come in asking for such valuable herbs. Still, she maintained her calm demeanor and pulled out her bank card, showing it to him without hesitation.
"I assure you," she said in a steady voice, "I have the means to pay for what I need."
The shopkeeper's doubt dissolved, and with a slight nod, he accepted her assurance. "Very well," he said, signaling to an attendant. "Prepare these herbs according to the list."
While the attendant busied himself measuring and packing the herbs, Feng Yan took the opportunity to explore the shop further. The apothecary was more extensive than it appeared from the outside, with several aisles dedicated to different categories of medicinal ingredients. Her eyes roamed the shelves, searching for anything rare or useful for her future cultivation.
As she wandered to the back of the store, her ears caught the sound of a deep, resonant voice. The tone was calm, yet authoritative, carrying a certain magnetic quality that immediately captured her attention. The voice came from near a corner of the store, where the apothecary's inner treatment room was located. There, an elderly doctor seemed to be in conversation with a man whose back was turned toward her.
Feng Yan paused, drawn by the man's presence even though she could only see him from behind. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a posture that radiated power and confidence. His long, tailored coat accentuated his lean frame, and though his face was obscured from view, there was something undeniably commanding about him. Even from this distance, she could tell he wasn't an ordinary man.
Her heart skipped a beat—not out of attraction, but because her instincts told her that this man was someone important. His aura was overwhelming, and though he was merely talking with the doctor, his every movement seemed calculated and precise, like a predator biding its time before striking.
Feng Yan's curiosity piqued, and she lingered near the shelves, pretending to browse while listening intently. The man's voice was low and controlled as he asked the elderly doctor about a certain medicinal formula. From his tone and the way he spoke, Feng Yan could tell he was well-versed in the art of medicine. The doctor's responses were respectful, almost deferential, which only reinforced Feng Yan's suspicion that this man was someone of considerable status.
Unable to resist, Feng Yan glanced up again, this time more boldly, to take in more details of the mysterious figure. His black hair was neatly combed back, revealing the sharp lines of his neck and the slight glimpse of his profile. Though she couldn't see his full face, the brief view she had was enough to confirm her earlier assumption—he was strikingly handsome, with sharp, well-defined features that seemed both regal and cold.
A strange tension filled the air as Feng Yan stood there, caught between wanting to stay unnoticed and feeling compelled to look further. She had no reason to engage with him, yet something about his presence was magnetic, drawing her attention like a moth to a flame.
Just then, the man shifted slightly, his hand gesturing towards something on the counter, and for a fleeting moment, his gaze swept in her direction. Feng Yan quickly averted her eyes, pretending to be deeply engrossed in the shelves in front of her. Her heart raced—not from fear, but from the intensity of the moment. She hadn't seen him fully, but the brief encounter had left a mark on her.
After a few moments, she gathered her composure and resumed her search for the rare herbs she needed. Feng Yan knew better than to get distracted. Whoever the man was, it didn't concern her—at least not now. She had more important matters to focus on, like strengthening her cultivation.
A few minutes later, the attendant called her back to the counter. "Miss, your herbs are ready," he said, handing her a small, neatly wrapped package.
Feng Yan thanked him and paid for the items with ease. The shopkeeper, who had initially doubted her, now treated her with utmost respect, his suspicions about her ability to pay completely erased.
With her purchases in hand, Feng Yan left the apothecary, her mind already shifting back to her next steps. The herbs she had acquired would be critical in creating the pills she needed to strengthen her yang energy. But even as she walked away, the memory of the mysterious man lingered in her thoughts. She didn't know who he was or why his presence had affected her so deeply, but something told her their paths would cross again.