Chapter 7: The Medicine Hall

Chapter 7: The Medicine Hall

When Xuan Yu moved further inside the Medicine Hall, he was greeted by a large courtyard where disciples and elders bustled about, each engaged in their tasks. The atmosphere was harmonious yet busy.

The grand entrance of the Medicine Hall was flanked by two massive stone pillars, each etched with intricate symbols representing life and vitality, a reminder of the hall's noble purpose. The double doors, made of ancient wood, creaked open to reveal a spacious interior filled with the aroma of herbs and the faint hum of alchemical apparatus.

As Ming Yue and Xuan Yu stepped through the entrance, the bustling activity momentarily paused. Disciples and elders alike turned their attention towards Ming Yue, their faces showing a mix of respect and awe. In unison, they bowed and greeted her, "Greetings, Grandmaster."

Ming Yue, her voice calm and composed, responded, "Greetings, everyone. Please continue with your tasks." Her presence commanded respect and exuded a serene authority that reassured those around her.

Ming Yue then guided Xuan Yu further into the hall, her tone becoming more informative. "This is where we cultivate and refine our medicinal skills. The Medicine Hall is divided into five sections," she explained, pointing to different areas as she spoke. "To the right is the Medicine Garden."

Xuan Yu turned his gaze towards the Medicine Garden. It was a lush, expansive area filled with a variety of plants, each meticulously cared for. Rare medicinal herbs thrived in carefully tended beds, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the rich green foliage surrounding them. Disciples moved through the garden with practiced ease, harvesting herbs and tending to the plants with reverent care. The air was thick with the fragrant scent of blooming flowers and earthy tones of freshly turned soil.

"Next is the Alchemy Chamber," Ming Yue continued, gesturing to the left.

The Alchemy Chamber was a large building exuding a faint but distinct herbal scent. Inside, rows of alchemical furnaces and cauldrons of varying sizes lined the walls, each one meticulously maintained. Disciples and elders worked diligently, their hands moving with practiced precision as they refined elixirs and concoctions. The chamber buzzed with focused energy, punctuated by the occasional flare of a furnace or the soft clink of glassware.

Ming Yue led Xuan Yu towards the three buildings in front of them. "The building beside the Medicine Garden is the Testing Facility," she explained.

The Testing Facility was a place of rigorous examination and experimentation. Here, disciples tested the efficacy and potency of their medicinal creations. Rows of tables were covered with an assortment of herbs, powders, and potions, each one a testament to the ongoing research and innovation within the hall. Disciples carefully recorded their observations, their faces etched with concentration as they pushed the boundaries of their knowledge.

"And the building beside the Alchemy Chamber is the Healing Ward," Ming Yue continued. "This is where we treat patients and refine our medical techniques."

The Healing Ward was a tranquil, welcoming space. Rows of beds, each one occupied by a patient receiving treatment, lined the walls. Healers moved among them, their hands glowing with a gentle, healing light. The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and the soothing hum of restorative energies. Xuan Yu could feel the compassion and dedication that permeated the ward, a testament to the hall's commitment to healing and care.

Finally, Ming Yue gestured to the central building. "And this is the Medical Archives. Here, we keep records of patients and their ailments, as well as various medicinal formulas and healing techniques."

The Medical Archives was a vast repository of knowledge. Shelves upon shelves of meticulously organized scrolls and books filled the room, each one containing valuable information on a wide range of medical topics. Disciples and elders alike pored over texts, their eyes scanning the pages with intense focus. The archives were a treasure trove of wisdom, a place where the collective knowledge of generations was preserved and shared.

Xuan Yu observed his surroundings with keen interest. Despite the complexity of the Medicine Hall, each section was meticulously organized, reflecting the hall's dedication to order and precision. As he continued to explore, he noticed the differences in the outer robes of the disciples and elders. Some wore green, others blue, and a few wore white. Curiosity piqued, he turned to Ming Yue and asked about it.

Ming Yue replied, "The color of the outer robes signifies the rank of the disciples and elders. Beginners wear green robes, intermediate disciples wear blue, and core disciples wear white. The same goes for the elders."

Xuan Yu nodded, appreciating the clarity and structure within the hall. As they continued their tour, he marveled at the level of expertise and dedication displayed by everyone they encountered. It was evident that the Medicine Hall was not just a place of learning but a thriving community united by a common purpose.

As they moved through the different sections, Xuan Yu couldn't help but be impressed by the sheer scale and complexity of the hall. The Medicine Garden, with its diverse array of plants, was a testament to the hall's deep understanding of herbal medicine. The Alchemy Chamber, with its array of furnaces and cauldrons, showcased the hall's advanced alchemical techniques. The Testing Facility, with its focus on experimentation and innovation, highlighted the hall's commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge. The Healing Ward, with its focus on compassionate care, embodied the hall's dedication to healing and wellness. And the Medical Archives, with its vast repository of knowledge, was a testament to the hall's commitment to preserving and sharing wisdom.

As they reached the Healing Ward, a commotion caught their attention. A group of disciples had gathered around a bed where an elder seemed to be struggling to stabilize a patient. The patient's face was pale, and his breathing labored.

Ming Yue quickly moved forward, her presence commanding immediate attention. "What's the situation?" she asked, her voice calm but authoritative.

The elder in charge turned to her, a look of relief washing over his face. "Grandmaster, this disciple was poisoned by an unknown toxin. We have tried everything, but his condition is deteriorating rapidly."

Ming Yue assessed the situation, her mind racing through possible solutions. Just as she was about to issue instructions, Xuan Yu stepped forward. "May I take a look?" he asked.

The elder glanced at Ming Yue, who nodded her approval. Xuan Yu approached the patient, his eyes scanning the symptoms with practiced ease. He then examined the medical records at the foot of the bed, noting the treatments that had been attempted.

After a moment, Xuan Yu spoke, "The poison is a rare combination of Nightshade Flower and Crimson Serpent Venom. Common antidotes won't work because they target the toxins individually rather than in combination."

Ming Yue's eyes widened slightly in surprise. The combination was indeed rare and highly lethal. She watched as Xuan Yu quickly wrote down a new formula, his pen moving with confidence and precision.

"This is a composition I learned long ago," Xuan Yu explained, handing the formula to Ming Yue. "It uses Moon Lotus Extract to neutralize the poison and Phoenix Tear Root to repair the damage."

Ming Yue read the formula, her brows furrowing in concentration. It was an intricate and unconventional approach, one she had never encountered before. Trusting Xuan Yu's expertise, she nodded and instructed the disciples to gather the necessary ingredients.

As they worked, Ming Yue moved to the side of the bed, placing her hands over the patient. A faint glow emanated from her palms as she used her qi to stabilize the patient's condition, buying precious time for the antidote to be prepared.

Within minutes, the ingredients were brought and the antidote prepared. Ming Yue administered the remedy, carefully monitoring the patient's response. Slowly, color began to return to the patient's face, and his breathing steadied.

The room filled with murmurs of amazement and relief. The elder who had been struggling to treat the patient looked at Xuan Yu with newfound respect. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "You have saved this disciple's life."

Xuan Yu nodded modestly. "I'm just glad I could help."

Ming Yue turned to Xuan Yu, her eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Your knowledge of medicine is profound. Where did you learn such advanced techniques?"

Xuan Yu smiled softly. "I had a good teacher," he said, evading the question with a gentle deflection.

As they left the Healing Ward, Ming Yue couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and curiosity towards Xuan Yu. His knowledge and skills were extraordinary, far surpassing what she had expected. She knew there was much more to him than met the eye, and she was determined to uncover the mysteries that surrounded him.

For Xuan Yu, it was refreshing to save someone with his medicinal skills instead of killing.