Chapter 104: Clash at the Noodle Shop!

"Alright, no problem."

Huang Pianru agreed cheerfully, but after a moment's hesitation, she pursed her lips and said, "By the way, Master, today is a day of double celebration."

"You've not only won the competition of medicinal cuisine recipes, but you've also obtained the Medicine King Valley."

"My father told me earlier that he arranged a banquet at home to celebrate. Would you like to—"

"No need," Ye Wushang shook his head, declining. "I'm not hungry right now; I'd much rather begin cultivating the supreme Langya grass seeds immediately."

"Besides, Lanlan mentioned before that her family would also be celebrating. I've already promised her and won't go back on my word."

"That settles it. I'll be off now, but let's stay in touch."

With that, he turned and strode out of the house.

"Lanlan..."

Hearing him call An Lan so affectionately, Huang Pianru was surprised to feel a wave of jealousy rising within her.

Especially since both families were hosting celebratory banquets, but he chose to attend the An family's instead of hers, which left her feeling deeply disappointed.

"Miss, do you have feelings for Mr. Ye?" Xiaocui couldn't help but tease, "If you ask me, forget about being his disciple—just pursue him directly."

"He may come from humble origins, but his abilities are remarkable. They say true talent often emerges from hardship, and I think he fits that description..."

"Enough," Huang Pianru shot her a glare, thoughtful. "I haven't considered anything so far ahead."

"I only wish to learn from him and master more medical knowledge."

"As for matters of the heart, that's not on my mind right now."

"It's just that he treats An Lan much better than he treats me, and it makes me uncomfortable."

"Heh," Xiaocui giggled, "Is it really just discomfort, or are you jealous?"

"You little rascal, say that again and I'll tear your mouth apart!"

"Even if you do, I'd still say it—you've already fallen for him."

With those words, Xiaocui quickly scampered away.

Huang Pianru's face flushed with embarrassment; even she couldn't quite understand her feelings for Ye Wushang.

All she knew was that she wanted to be with him—even just sitting together in silence would be enough.

Ah.

What is happening to me?

Ever since meeting Ye Wushang, her once calm heart had begun to ripple with emotion.

...

Half an hour later, Ye Wushang took a taxi back to his villa.

He went straight to his bedroom and, wasting no time, headed out to the balcony.

Following the instructions of Apothecary Huang, he first placed the core crystal beside the Langya grass seed.

He then watered it with a special solution, and finally applied spiritual energy, channeling it upward from the roots.

Patiently guiding the process, he used a magnifying glass to concentrate sunlight, directing every ray onto the soil.

Letting the seed absorb the full benefit of photosynthesis, he did all this before settling in to wait quietly.

Time passed quickly, and an hour later, it was already six in the evening.

The previously unremarkable seed suddenly began to sprout roots and shoots, and under the intense sunlight, tiny flowers bloomed.

At the base of the flowers, a dozen branches emerged, each bearing pea-sized fruits.

"Incredible!"

Ye Wushang was overjoyed.

No matter how he had tried to activate his inner strength before, the effects had always been minimal.

---

But after following Apothecary Huang's advice—concentrating all sunlight on the roots and watering with his special potion—the results were immediate!

The wisdom of the elder was undeniable.

"However, the key part is the infusion of my inner strength."

"Before, I couldn't find the right way, but with Apothecary Huang's guidance, I can now easily stimulate the growth of the Langya grass seed."

"How is it that Apothecary Huang seems to know I'm a cultivator? He hinted at it more than once."

Ye Wushang fell into deep thought.

Considering the sudden generosity in gifting him the Medicine King Valley, it seemed likely Apothecary Huang was aware of something.

Unable to make sense of it, he didn't dwell on it. He picked a few of the small fruits, crushed them, and poured them all into a small cauldron.

He simmered them repeatedly, finally refining three Langya Pills, excellent for improving cultivation.

Unable to wait, he swallowed them all at once.

Two hours passed.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

As Ye Wushang opened his eyes, his fists crossed and struck out in succession.

The air surged with fierce energy, gusts roaring like tigers.

Three tremendous blasts echoed, and everything in their path was shattered into powder, falling to the floor.

"Qi Refining Realm, ninth-level peak!"

Ye Wushang shouted in exhilaration.

He stood up.

His entire aura was intimidating, like a god of war emerging from an army of thousands, chilling to the bone!

"The effect of the Langya Pill is extraordinary. In just an hour, it helped me advance from the eighth to the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm!"

"One more step and I'll reach the third stage, the Qi Purification Realm!"

"But at this point, breaking through the barrier can't be accomplished with medicine alone; I must arrange a formation and open all my joints!"

Excited as he was, Ye Wushang's expression grew troubled.

To set up a formation, he needed not only skill but also certain tools.

Most of these tools were in the hands of veteran craftsmen.

Finding them would be no easy task.

"Ring ring ring."

Just as Ye Wushang was worrying about this, his phone rang.

He pulled it out and saw it was his sister calling.

"Hello, Wuyou..."

"Brother, where are you?"

"Come to the shop quickly. There are too many customers—I can't handle them all."

Ye Wushang frowned.

He glanced at the time—it was only eight o'clock. "Wuyou, are there really that many customers?"

"Usually, customers don't come to eat until around ten, right?"

"Besides, with Zhang Long and Taohong, isn't that enough? Where's your sister Lan? She—"

"She's here, she's here."

"Brother, I can't talk now. Hurry up and come over, I'm swamped."

Before he could ask further, his sister hurriedly said a few words and hung up.

Ye Wushang was left confused and instinctively tried calling An Lan, only to find her phone switched off.

She had said she would host a celebration for him tonight, yet now she had vanished.

Though puzzled, his sister's needs came first.

He didn't delay, tidied up his room briefly, and left the villa.

...

---

That evening, Ye Wushang took a taxi to the noodle shop.

After paying the fare and getting out, he found a crowd of customers at the entrance.

All twenty tables inside were filled, and Zhang Long and Taohong rushed back and forth, with barely a moment to rest.

Yet these patrons, all eating noodles, were impeccably dressed in suits, polished and refined—not your typical clientele.

Why had so many suddenly come to eat noodles?

"Well, if it isn't the miracle doctor—Mr. Ye Wushang!"

"What, have you changed professions?"

"Giving up medicine to sell noodles now?"

As he wondered, a familiar voice rang out.

Ye Wushang looked up and saw An Hailong walking toward him.

An Hailong was An Lan's cousin and the only son of An Qingguo, the patriarch of the An family—a man of considerable status.

Though Ye Wushang had little fondness for him, he respected him for being family, and had no intention of causing trouble.

After all, this was his own noodle shop; a scene here would be an embarrassment.

"The shop belongs to my sister. I just help out occasionally," Ye Wushang replied calmly, his tone polite. "But, Young Master An, what brings you here to my family's noodle shop tonight?"

"You think I care about your shabby noodle shop?"

An Hailong curled his lip, clearly tipsy, swaying as he walked.

He seemed to harbor considerable resentment toward Ye Wushang, suddenly grabbing his collar, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Who am I?"

"I'm the eldest son of the An family, drinking wine worth tens of thousands, feasting on delicacies."

"If it weren't for your little mistress insisting we come here for some celebration, not even a royal escort could have dragged me here!"

Ye Wushang's face darkened and was about to speak, when a sharp voice rang out, "An Hailong, shut your filthy mouth!"

"If you can't speak properly, go back and eat your noodles!"

"Don't think just because you're my cousin you can do as you please."

"If Grandpa hears you, you'll see how he deals with you!"

Then,

A graceful figure strode over, dragging An Hailong aside. She turned to Ye Wushang, apologetic, "Sorry, Wushang—my cousin can't handle his liquor, and insists on drinking too much. When he's drunk, he starts spouting nonsense..."

"It's alright," Ye Wushang waved it off, smiling at the exquisitely dressed An Lan. "For your sake, I won't hold it against him."

"But I truly didn't expect that your celebration meant bringing the entire An family here to eat noodles."

"I thought..."

"I know you dislike crowds. Grandpa enjoys this lively, everyday atmosphere."

"We agreed it would be best to celebrate at your sister's noodle shop."

Understanding Ye Wushang so well, An Lan nodded with relief. Without another word, she took his arm and led him inside. "Come, Wushang, let me introduce you to the An family. When they heard you'd beaten the Pei family in the medicinal cuisine contest, my uncle was so delighted he insisted on sharing a few drinks with you."

"Bah."

Watching the pair walk away, An Hailong spat on the ground.

He was indeed drunk, but not so much as to be senseless.

Seeing An Lan so smug, he could barely contain his anger, sneering, "Just wait."

"Soon you'll see how my father deals with you and that worthless fool."

"So what if your medical skill is high?"

"So what if you won the recipe contest?"

"The An family belongs to my father and me. You little brat, don't even think about taking a share!"

...