The skies above shimmered with golden sunlight as Kent and Elder Jill finally approached the grand outer entrance of the legendary Divine Herb Forest… a place whispered about across continents by cultivators, alchemists, and spirit seekers alike.
Before them stretched an immense arc-shaped valley, bordered by seven towering mountains, each glowing faintly with a different hue—red for fire, blue for water, green for wind, yellow for earth, violet for lightning, white for metal, and black for shadow. These were the Seven Elemental Peaks, standing like silent guardians around the sacred forest.
Despite the early morning hour, the entrance bustled with activity. Hundreds of cultivators—young and old, solitary and in groups—gathered before the single gated entry, forming long queues that snaked past makeshift merchant stalls and campfires.
Dozens of shops stood lined on both sides of the pathway, displaying racks of dried herbs, sparkling spirit roots, and parchment maps with hand-drawn pathways of the forest. Shouts of herb merchants, scent of spirit grasses, and the crackling energy in the air created a chaotic symphony that matched the excitement in Kent’s heart.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones hoping to harvest something valuable today,” Kent muttered, his eyes scanning the faces—some arrogant, some nervous, others calm as still water.
Elder Jill gave a soft chuckle and gestured for him to follow. “We’ll join the main line. It moves slowly but gives us time to prepare.”
As they stepped into the queue, Kent couldn’t help but stare at the mountains surrounding them. Despite their height, they gave off an overwhelming presence—he could feel the elements resonating subtly with his body, pulling at his inner mana.
Elder Jill noticed his awe and said in a calm voice, “The Divine Herb Forest lies in the eye of the Seven Peaks. This place is alive, Kent. Each mountain pours its essence into the soil below. That’s why the herbs inside are unlike anything found in the outer realms. They are nurtured by elemental energies.”
Kent nodded. “So who controls this forest? Surely no single clan or kingdom can claim something like this?”
A flicker of seriousness crossed Elder Jill’s face. “This land is managed by the Immortal Alchemist Association of the Nine Lands. They govern every inch of the forest and its bounty. Everyone—no matter how powerful—must abide by their rules.”
“What kind of rules?” Kent asked curiously, eyes still scanning the movement ahead.
“You must pay a fee to enter,” she replied. “And more importantly, the amount you can harvest is limited. When we exit, we’ll be inspected. Everything we collect must be shown, weighed, and recorded. If you’re caught smuggling out more than allowed, the consequences are… severe.”
Kent’s brows rose in surprise. “That strict, huh?”
“Very. This forest feeds not only the alchemists of one land but nine entire territories. So they guard it fiercely,” Elder Jill said.
Kent rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “How much is the entrance fee?”
She sighed. “It changes with the season, depending on the herb ripening cycle. Right now, we’re entering at a peak period… If we want to go for a big harvest, the fee might be fifty thousand mana pearls.”
“Fifty—what?!” Kent nearly stumbled. “That’s an entire fortune!”
“Hahaha…” Elder Jill laughed softly. “Don’t look so shocked. Inside, you might find herbs worth millions. A single high-grade Nirvana Root can buy you a mountain city. It’s a gamble, yes, but a profitable one.”
Kent exhaled and glanced toward the large archway growing closer. A set of six tables stood beneath a golden canopy where cultivators were presenting their tokens and handing over bags of mana pearls.
A line of robed guards with jade badges stood near each gate, scanning each group. Above them, floating screens showed maps of various zones—Green Flame Basin, Lightning Lotus Swamp, Frost Willow Plain, and more.
Their turn came.
Elder Jill moved ahead, pulling out her storage ring. “Big harvest permit,” she said calmly.
The woman behind the table glanced up and extended her hand, already used to the transaction. “That will be fifty thousand pearls.”
Just then, before Elder Jill could pour the pearls out, Kent stepped forward and placed something small, metallic, and radiant on the table.
It was a five-pointed star-shaped token, shimmering with golden runes.
The woman paused.
Her eyes blinked. Then widened.
Another woman beside her leaned over, took one look—and gasped audibly, nearly knocking over her scrolls. “I-it’s the… Immortal Master Token!?”
In an instant, the gentle murmur of voices around them began to shift. Heads turned. Conversations died mid-sentence. Whispers broke out like wildfire.
“Did he say… Immortal Master Token?”
“That’s only given by the Grand Elders of the Alchemist Association…”
“No way! A boy like that? He looks very young!”
Even some of the gatekeepers glanced their way now.
The two women behind the desk stood up abruptly and bowed deeply.
“Young Master, we… we apologize. You may harvest anything you desire. Your access is unrestricted. There will be no charge.”
Elder Jill froze in place, her hand still inside her ring. Her eyes blinked once. Twice. Then she turned to Kent with a look that hovered somewhere between shock and confusion.
“Kent… where did you get that?” she whispered.
He smiled slightly. “A gift. From an old alchemist I met during the Pill King Market.”
Elder Jill said nothing more. She simply stepped back and let him lead the way. The guards parted without a word. The crowds stared as Kent walked through the grand gates with the calm of someone who owned the land itself.
Inside, as the elemental wind rushed over the forest trail, Kent finally looked up at the canopy above and allowed himself a quiet laugh.
He had saved fifty thousand mana pearls, gained limitless access, and more importantly—earned a title that even elder cultivators bowed to.
Sometimes, destiny opened doors not with power, but with recognition.
And Kent had just stepped into one of the most sacred lands in the realm—with the whole crowd watching in shock.
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Thank You Guys!