Magnolia Manor.
A visitor arrives.
The visitor is from Sunrise City's Environmental Protection Bureau—a man in his forties, looking somewhat anxious.
Standing in the main hall, he bows to Derrick Ding seated in the host's chair and says, "Patriarch Ding, I heard that Medicine King Valley's Elder Wade Shui is visiting your manor?"
His name is Aaron Zhou. He usually oversees environmental issues in Sunrise City, but since the city has almost no chemical factories, the environment has always been excellent—his job is typically quite relaxed.
But out of nowhere, a wildfire exploded deep in Thornridge Mountain, burning for seven straight days and leaving half the mountain a charred wasteland. (For international readers: "medicine mountain" refers to a territory dedicated to growing rare cultivation herbs and spiritual medicines, sealed off for exclusive use by sects like Medicine King Valley.)
Where there used to be lush green forests, now it's just endless scorched earth. A few stubborn blades of grass poke through here and there, but all that fresh green only makes the place look even more bleak and lonely.
Aaron Zhou has tried everything—sent crews to plant saplings in Thornridge, but that place is straight-up weird. The saplings barely grow, and even worse, the workers come back looking half-dead, totally drained.
Worst of all, it's been bone-dry in Thornridge for days. If this keeps up, all those newly planted saplings might just shrivel up and die. ("Spiritual herbs" here means rare cultivation plants used in xianxia medicine and alchemy.)
Recently, Sunrise City's higher-up, Victor Li, is planning to inspect Thornridge Mountain, and has demanded that the situation there be addressed as a top priority.
On one hand, the push for environmental protection is stronger than ever; on the other, Thornridge Mountain, despite all its strange happenings, has always had excellent ecology.
The wildfire sparked endless rumors. Most crucially, no one can find the source of the fire, leaving everyone—top to bottom—in a panic.
This time, as soon as Aaron Zhou heard that Medicine King Valley's Elder Wade Shui had come to Sunrise City, he rushed straight to the Ding family estate.
He doesn't really know the Ding family, but in official circles, you run into each other sooner or later. Especially now—Medicine King Valley's Elder Wade Shui is rumored to control wind and rain, and Aaron's heart is pounding with hope.
"Yes, Elder Wade Shui from Medicine King Valley is indeed here. May I ask what business you have with him, Mr. Zhou?" Derrick Ding looked at Aaron Zhou, his expression calm.
After all, having Elder Wade Shui personally visit the Ding family—no matter his intentions—has brought them plenty of attention.
Medicine King Valley is seen as above it all in Seacrest Prefecture; to outsiders, it looks like the Ding family is on friendly terms with them.
But in reality, Derrick Ding knows their situation is anything but easy.
Ever since Evan "Nine-Mysteries" Lin entered Thornridge Mountain a month ago, there's been no word from him—just Shawn Shi and Dong Zi left waiting at Magnolia Manor.
This time, Elder Wade Shui hasn't shown Ding family much kindness. If not for Old Madam Ding's long-standing, thin ties with Medicine King Valley, Wade would've left long ago.
"Here's the situation, Patriarch Ding. I'll be straight with you," Aaron Zhou said plainly. "That wildfire in Thornridge burned half the mountain, and this afternoon, higher-ups are coming to inspect the area."
"We're all working to protect the natural environment here. So, I was wondering if Elder Wade Shui could come with me and summon a heavy rain—help those scorched slopes sprout new trees."
"I've heard Elder Wade Shui from Medicine King Valley is famed for his 'Ten Thousand Trees in Spring' ability. This would also be a chance for skeptics to witness Medicine King Valley's true power for themselves."
Aaron Zhou spoke carefully, choosing his words.
After finishing, he glanced up at Derrick Ding in the host's seat.
Derrick Ding hesitated slightly. Seeing this, Aaron Zhou quickly said, "If it's inconvenient for you to speak with Elder Wade Shui directly, could you introduce me instead?"
Aaron Zhou's been banging his head against the wall over this. These days, getting anything done is a nightmare. He's always been the diligent, reliable type, but this time, he's totally out of options.
Besides, the higher-ups are heading to Thornridge Mountain this afternoon.
If they see nothing but bare slopes, nobody's going to be in a good mood—no matter which department they're from.
Just as Derrick Ding was about to reply, his face suddenly grew serious. He looked toward the front entrance, stood up from his seat, and greeted respectfully, "Elder Wade Shui, you've arrived."
Hearing this, Aaron Zhou turned and saw an elder about 1.8 meters tall, with skin smooth and pale as a baby's, wearing a plain long robe. His expression was calm, but even without a hint of emotion, the pressure he radiated made everyone present instinctively uneasy.
"Mm." Elder Wade Shui glanced at Derrick Ding and nodded slightly.
Aaron Zhou was stunned for a moment, then hurried forward with a smile plastered on his face. "Elder Wade Shui, could you please—"
Before he could finish, Elder Wade Shui waved his hand and said, "I've already heard everything you just discussed. If you want my help, it's not impossible."
Hearing this, Aaron Zhou's face lit up with joy.
"However, in exchange, Thornridge Mountain must be handed over to Medicine King Valley as a medicine mountain," Elder Wade Shui said coolly.
Over the past month at Magnolia Manor, he'd heard plenty of rumors about Thornridge Mountain.
Although he'd declared he wouldn't leave the Ding estate until Evan "Nine-Mysteries" Lin returned, in reality he often wandered around the area to see for himself.
As for Thornridge Mountain, Elder Wade Shui can't quite put his finger on it, but the soil there just feels freakishly fertile. If you planted spiritual herbs—rare cultivation plants used for alchemy—you might get results nobody's ever seen before.
"Medicine King Valley as a medicine mountain? Wouldn't that mean sealing off the whole mountain?" Aaron Zhou was taken aback.
Medicine King Valley is famously mysterious. Rumor has it they control several medicine mountains, but once Medicine King Valley claims a mountain, it's closed off to outsiders.
"That's my condition. If you agree, I'll go; if not, please leave," Elder Wade Shui said coldly, no longer looking at Aaron Zhou.
After a long hesitation, Aaron Zhou gritted his teeth. "Just as Elder Wade Shui said—if you can truly bring 'Ten Thousand Trees in Spring' to Thornridge Mountain, I'll authorize a section for Medicine King Valley to use as a medicine mountain!"
"Mm. I'll go this afternoon," Elder Wade Shui nodded lightly.
Aaron Zhou took his leave and exited.
Only Elder Wade Shui and Derrick Ding remained in the hall.
Elder Wade Shui sat down in the host's seat, glanced at Derrick Ding, and spoke with an icy tone: "Any news of Evan 'Nine-Mysteries' Lin yet?"
"No news yet. He's been in Thornridge Mountain for over a month now," Derrick Ding replied with a bitter smile.
"Fine. If he doesn't show up in seven days, I'll use those two he left behind as a sacrifice!" Elder Wade Shui said coldly, his face full of disdain. "A brat from who-knows-where dares to challenge Medicine King Valley's authority?"
"Ridiculous!"
The moment Elder Wade Shui finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze.
Cold sweat ran down Derrick Ding's back. He didn't dare plead for Shawn Shi and Dong Zi, and even wondered if Evan 'Nine-Mysteries' Lin might really have died in Thornridge Mountain.
Or maybe, upon hearing Elder Wade Shui was coming, he slipped away ahead of time.