Book of Rituals

"T-The Open Sea? With how vast the ocean floor... no one knows the exact location of their empire! How are we supposed to cure this illness?" Wang Aija expressed in a helpless tone.

"Since this region is full of amazing crimson vine formations, perhaps, you have a cultivation method that could counter the Hex Mile of Tears? It's also a formation. Defeating one formation using a different formation technique is not impossible," said Qiaolian and looked at Elder Xia's eyes.

"There's no formation for healing ever created," Wang Aija expressed. Qiaolian glanced at her with a curl on her lips.

Perhaps, this great herbalist is too focused on cultivating her herbs and not on formation techniques. However, Qiaolian had seen the formation array on the Huayuan Herbs Garden earlier. Even though it was just a brief inspection, she could tell that there were principles of that array that initiates sustaining and nurturing. Such principles were already a foundation of a formation array that could potentially be upgraded to initiate healing!

"Formation arrays require mastery. Elder Xia is probably familiar with it?" said Qiaolian, hoping these people could pick up the subtle message of her words. There was no way she could tell them directly of the Huayuan Herbs Garden formation array.

"AHH... I will check all manuals and books in our library," Wang Si stated with a visible determination in his eyes. "But, I'm not familiar with Tune of Chaos. Venerable Elder Xia, don't you have the familiarity with that cultivation technique?"

Wang Aija wanted to speak more to Elder Xia too. But, with Qiaolian and Wang Si's concern, she decided to remain silent and waited for the elder to respond.

"The Tune of Chaos... I acquired the manual called The Tune of Calmness in Chaotic Seas from a different realm. But, it's essentially the same as the Twin Songs of Harmonious Sea. There are too many versions of this cultivation method that are scattered in the outside world. But, its teachings focused on the existence of two tunes. I've given that manual to Huan Xue merely because I want him to understand and be aware of the technique. He was never curious about learning the tunes. And I never imagined encountering such a rare technique on this continent too. Now, I regret not studying that manual before!"

"T-That... I can't blame you, Venerable Elder Xia. Master Huan Xue is focused on learning time and space cultivation. I once give him a manual for a prescription. But, even though he accepted the manual, I could tell that he was not interested in studying medicine. Such a loss as he had the best Jade Immortal Elixir Field," Wang Si expressed with a long sigh.

Seeing that their attention had trailed to a different subject, Qiaolian stepped forward and thought of a plan.

"Let's focus on the main problem. The cure of Hex Mile of Tears... Grand Physician Wang Si, please proceed and check any manuals related to it. For Great Herbalist Wang Aija... please assist Elder Xia to check the locals on the island and see if they are infected by this illness. Handle the cure, I will find the source."

"Miss Xue will find the source?" Wang Aija muttered in full surprise. "If it involved the Empire of the Open Sea, where do you plan to find the source? Their empire is outside the Heng continent and is unknown."

In the back of Wang Aija's head, there were countless ideas spinning around. 'This Miss Xue... she is probably too sad from the rejection of Master Huan Xue to the point of finding a reason to get out of our region? If master finds out that she is gone, he would probably be delighted!'

Qiaolian seemed to have read the expression of enthusiasm on Wang Aija's face. The words implied she was worried but her eyes could not lie the real thoughts in her mind.

Elder Xia contemplated the arrangement. "The Great Herbalist can take care of the locals. She is powerful enough to examine their health. I am rather curious about the source of this illness. If it's not Huan Huogong, then, I want to know who was behind this disaster."

"You can't leave the Scarlet Islands territory, Venerable Elder Xia. Master Huan Xue trusted you to keep the security of our region! He is in closed-door training now. If you leave, something unimaginable might happen," Wang Si suddenly voiced out with a panicked look on his face.

"Oh? Grand Physician Wang Si does not need to worry. Have you forgotten why Huan Xue asked me to be his mentor? I can travel through dimensions. If the formation here detects an abnormality, I will definitely come back right away!"

"V-Venerable Elder Xia... I insist you stay. If you are caught in something out there, how are you going to come back?" Wang Si shook his head several times. Things such as traveling from one dimension to another had limitations too. He believed that the cultivation outside medicines, even if practiced with great mastery, it does not guarantee any safety. Anything could happen.

"Hmm... I don't plan to visit the Empire of the Open Sea. I can't swim and have no knowledge of the beings of the ocean. I will find a different way to track the source of this illness. Elder Xia, I think Grand Physician Wang Si is right to keep you here," Qiaolian stated with a calm expression.

"Since Lady Xue insists, then, it's settled. If you need anything, just find me in my mansion," Elder Xia did not express much but his countenance revealed a deep confusion and premonition to Qiaolian. For some unknown reason, he felt that there was more to what she was telling them.

"I will take my leave and start examining the manuals," said Wang Si as he tucked his hands on his back and start walking. Elder Xia and Wang Aija followed behind while Qiaolian was the last to step out of the secret room.

After Elder Xia and Wang Aija ventured out to inspect the locals, Qiaolian decided to stay longer and followed Wang Si. "Grand Physician... That cauldron in the center... Is that made of gold?"

"Hmm? Yes, that is made of gold. It also produced golden pills. Lady Xue is interested in medicine?" Wang Si softly replied while the two of them walked in the hallway.

"Maybe I could learn... If this illness is eliminated, is it okay to come here and learn how to create pills?"

"If it's convenient for you to come, you can always come here."

Qiaolian smiled and halted her steps. "Grand Physician, since you will check your library, have a look at any rituals too. Since you are the apothecary owner... I guess you own a few books of rituals?"

Wang Si suddenly froze and look at Qiaolian with his mouth wide open. "L-Lady Xue... T-Those books belonged to the dark path of cultivation. It is forbidden to even have contact with a book of rituals... How could I keep one?"