Dragon-Marked War God

Chapter 114 - A Resentful Genius

Guan Yi Yun suffered a heavy mental impact from Nan Bei Chao during the Qi Province competition. As a highly acclaimed genius, this had left a dark cloud in his mind. Therefore, for his trip to Inferno Hell, Guan Yi Yun had to dance with death; he had to succeed or die.

Jiang Chen knew that. Although Guan Yi Yun was a rare genius, compared to the abnormal Nan Bei Chao who had received blessings from lady luck herself, there was just a huge gap. Perhaps the gap between them wasn't that wide at the moment, but soon, it would just become bigger and bigger.

In this world, there were people who were destined to live glorious lives, but there were also those who were destined to live without any achievements. It was like kings and beggars. This was destiny.

Jiang Chen didn't use his blood wings, he descended the mountain by feet. The Black Sect had a splendid scenery, and by walking, Jiang Chen would be able to appreciate the scenery while spending his time leisurely. It was rare for Jiang Chen to be in such a relaxed mood.

At the foot of the mountain there was a peaceful path. It was a windy path that ran across the Black Mountain ranges, and it resembled a hibernating snake.

Jiang Chen walked along the path relaxed and unhurriedly while feeling the rich natural Yuan energy. The Dragon Transformation Skill started circulating.

After nearly an hour of walking, a faded aroma of herbs suddenly came from afar and surprised Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up, and he gazed into the direction where the aroma came from. He could see a medium sized mountain standing not too far away, and the aroma was coming right from the peak of that mountain. Looking at it from where he was standing, he saw a beautiful scenery at the mountain peak, a very lively place compared to the other peaks. On top of the peak, an old pine tree that was as thick as three adult men was deeply rooted; it was at least 200-300 years old.

The mountain peak was filled with liveliness, and it attracted anyone who saw it. Jiang Chen couldn't help but start walking towards the mountain peak.

When he arrived at the foot of the mountain, the aroma became stronger. Jiang Chen continued walking up towards the peak, then, once he had ascended halfway up the mountain, he began seeing a variety of herbs that had been planted all around. He even saw a 300-year old Blood Ginseng. An herb like this would be priceless within Red City, but here, it was just a plant that had been planted on the roadside.

"Looks like this is the place where all the herbs of the Black Sect are planted, no wonder it has such a strong aroma of herbs. Daoist Black has given me permission to enter Palace Black whenever I want, so there shouldn't be any places within the Black Sect where I can't go."

Jiang Chen thought to himself as he continued ascending towards the mountain peak. Doesn't matter if it was his past or current life, everyone looked at him as if he was a domineering king with superior combat strength, but they had also forgotten that he was also a Saint level alchemist. Jiang Chen rarely concocted pills, and in his past life, he would only do so for himself.

His combat strength had overshadowed the fact that he was also an alchemist. Jiang Chen's concocting skills were unique, in Saint Origin, there was only a handful of people who could compare with him.

Soon, Jiang Chen silently arrived at the mountain peak, and what he saw was a completely different scenery. It was a luxuriously green and beautiful place; many rare flowers and grasses were growing everywhere. He could see that not in front of him, there was a plantation of herbs with a circumference of more than a mile; all sorts of ordinary and rare herbs were planted within.

A finely built building sat right in the middle of the peak. The scenery looked like a different world.

At this moment, there was an old man who had squatted down in the herb plantation. The old man was in his fifties, he was fat and beardless, he had an oily face, and he looked fresh.

However, the old man was frowning. He stared at two herbs that had been planted at a corner of the herb plantation. The herbs were only as big as the size of a palm, and they looked withered and lifeless.

"How can this be? Why won't they grow?"

The old man let out a sigh, "Damn it, every single day I give you water, I transfer Yuan energy to you, and I've given you the best place to grow…However, not only are not growing, you even wither with each passing day, who can tell me why?"

The old man felt helpless and was getting angrier. He wanted to pull these two herbs out from the dirt, but he just couldn't do it.

"Hmph! I don't believe there's an herb that I, Guo Shan can't grow!"

The old man let out a cold snort. His name was Guo Shan, and he was a Divine Core warrior, as well as the best alchemist in the Black Sect; this entire mountain belonged to him. In the Black Sect, he was an important person. Many young alchemists were his students, and even Daoist Black would need to show respect towards him.

"Planting the Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus together, it would take a miracle for them to grow. In my opinion, both of them will die within a month."

A voice suddenly came from behind.

"Who's there?"

Guo Shan stood up and turned around, then he saw a young man wearing white clothes standing behind him. Guo Shan previously had all his attention focused on these two herb plants, that was why he hadn't been able to notice someone behind him. Besides, this mountain peak was not a place where any disciple could come.

Guo Shan threw an examining look at Jiang Chen and discovered that he was only at the Mortal Core realm. Guo Shan furrowed his brows and asked, "You're just a disciple from the outer circle; do you have any idea what this place is?"

Guo Shan was mad; he was in a bad mood due to these two plants. The Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus were both premium herbs, and he had gone through a lot of effort to get their seeds. But now, he was on a road heading towards failure, and the plants were going to die soon, that was why he was so mad.

"I came here because of the herbs' aroma. Disciple Jiang Chen greets Elder."

Jiang Chen cupped his fist and greeted Guo Shan.

"Jiang Chen? So you are that Jiang Chen who got first place in the Qi Province competition, the newcomer?"

Guo Shan's eyes widened. Although he had never participated in the sect's management, he had still heard the big news regarding Jiang Chen.

"Yes, I am."

Jiang Chen nodded his head.

After confirming Jiang Chen's identity, Guo Shan's attitude towards Jiang Chen became better. If it was just another disciple from the outer circle, Guo Shan would have just slapped him for intruding his mountain without permission.

But Jiang Chen received different treatment. A genius would receive respect no matter where he went.

"Young man, so you can recognize the Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus, not bad."

Guo Shan praised. In fact, the reason why he didn't slap Jiang Chen when he saw him was mostly because Jiang Chen had been able to recognize the two herbs. The Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus were only in their seedling stage, and an ordinary alchemist wouldn't have been able to recognize them at all.

"I know a little bit about them."

Jiang Chen smiled, then he slowly walked towards the herb plantation. When he looked at the Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus, he shook his head.

Guo Shan was amazed by Jiang Chen, this young man was only at the Mortal Core realm, but he didn't show any signs of being nervous when facing a Divine Core Elder. Just from his calm attitude alone, he would be able to win the hearts of the people.

"Jiang Chen, why did you say that the Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus can't be planted together? I want to know why, both of them are pure Yang herbs, why can't they be together?"

Guo Shan asked with great interest, he wanted to see how Jiang Chen was going to explain.

"Very simple, the Flaming Angel has a Hot Yang characteristic, so not matter which stage, seedling or mature, it is a pure Yang herb. On the other side, the Glory Lotus has a mild characteristic. When you planted them side by side, the Flaming Angel's pure Yang characteristic started repressing the Glory Lotus's growth."

Jiang Chen explained.

Hearing this, Guo Shan's eyes lit up. He felt more respect towards Jiang Chen now. Being able to analyze the characteristics of the Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus so thoroughly, this proved that Jiang Chen did have a certain level of knowledge towards herbs and medications.

"Even if what you said is correct, the Flaming Angel would repress the growth of the Glory Lotus, but then, the Flaming Angel should still grow, so why is not only not growing, but dying as well?"

Guo Shan asked again, he really wanted to know the reason. If it wasn't because of this, with his status and position, there would be no way he would ever ask for advice from an outer circle disciple.

"The reason is even simpler. The Glory Lotus contains the characteristics of both the Glory Lotus King and the Snowy Lotus, and when the Glory Lotus reaches its mature stage, the characteristics of the Glory Lotus King will completely suppress the characteristics of the Snowy Lotus, and then it will become a pure Yang herb. However, while it's still in its seedling stage, both the Glory Lotus King and the Snowy Lotus's characteristics exist, and that's why this Glory Lotus is not only a pure Yang herb, it also has the cold characteristics of the Snowy Lotus. This is why it has repressed the Flaming Angel's growth. When you planted them together, you were basically killing them both."

Jiang Chen said casually, but Guo Shan became startled when he heard what Jiang Chen said, with his mouth wide open. He stared at this young man in awe, as if he had just seen a ghost. Although he didn't want to admit this, but the young man in front of him was more knowledgeable than him about herbs and medication.

'What kind of monster is this young man; how come he knows so much about herbs? I only know that when the Glory Lotus becomes mature, its characteristics will be pure Yang, but I never knew about its origin… and he even knew about the Glory Lotus King"

Guo Shan was shocked, but he didn't have any doubts about what Jiang Chen had just said. With that being said, this highly acclaimed alchemist of the Black Sect had just learned something from a young man, a very important lesson.

"Jiang Chen, where did you learn this?"

Guo Shan asked.

"Elder, don't you know that there exists geniuses in this world? I'm a genius."

Jiang Chen shrugged.

"Fine, you're a really amazing genius, and you have impressed me. Tell me, can I save my Flaming Angel and Glory Lotus?"

Guo Shan eagerly asked.

"Of course, just plant them separately in different places within the herb plantation. The Flaming Angel and the Glory Lotus are top tier herbs with great vitality, and you don't need to help their growth; they will grow by themselves.

Jiang Chen said.

"Jiang Chen, let me ask you another question, how can I mix the Barley Grass and the Yellow Stone Fruit so that they don't explode during concoction?"

Guo Shan ventured, trying to figure out whether or not Jiang Chen really know everything.

"Elder is trying to concoct the Yellow Soul Pill. The Barley Grass and the Yellow Stone Fruit have opposite characteristics, it's very difficult to mix them together. However, with the help of a first-rate Sand Crystal, they can easily be mixed together without exploding, and it will also help increase the overall quality of the Yellow Soul Pill."

When Jiang Chen finished his words, he could see Guo Shan standing there, staring at him blankly, completely startled.