Is the closed beta test of King of Loque over? The official release is here!

The three figures gradually disappeared into the twilight along the path. Murong Jiao's cheerful voice could still be heard, as if she was directing Fang Xu to find the right angle for her to take a picture.

Mo Fan stood there, watching them walk away, then turned around and walked towards the medicine-making hut.

.......

Dusk was falling.

The old tree in front of the medicine shed rustled in the evening breeze, letting in a few last rays of sunlight through its branches. The wooden door was ajar, and warm yellow light and a faint scent of herbs wafted through the crack.

Mo Fan walked to the door, but before he could even raise his hand to knock, an old and peaceful voice came from inside.

"coming."

Mo Fan pushed open the door and entered.

Elder Mu Yuan sat at the old wooden table, on which sat a pot of hot tea and two ceramic cups, the tea steaming gently.

The old man had clearly anticipated Mo Fan's arrival.

"Elder Mu Yuan." Mo Fan bowed slightly.

Mu Yuan waved his hand, a casual smile on his wrinkled face.

"Please sit down first."

Mo Fan sat down as instructed. Mu Yuan poured him a cup of tea, which Mo Fan took with both hands and sipped. The tea was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, carrying a refreshing, herbal flavor.

Mu Yuan glanced at him, said nothing, and got up to go upstairs.

The wooden stairs creaked slightly under the old man's footsteps.

A moment later, footsteps sounded again, approaching from afar.

Elder Muyuan reappeared at the top of the stairs, now holding a book.

It was a simple, old-fashioned notebook with a rough animal hide cover, the edges worn and faded, clearly indicating its long history. However, it was well-preserved overall, without any damage, but possessed the unique weight and gravitas of an old object.

Mu Yuan walked up to Mo Fan, placed the notebook on the table, and gently tapped the cover with his thin fingers.

"These are some of the pharmaceutical formulas I've researched in my lifetime."

His voice was flat, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary. But Mo Fan noticed that the old man's fingers, which were resting on the book, paused for a moment.

"And some insights," Kimoto added.

He pushed the notebook toward Mo Fan and continued, "The medicinal herbs used in these recipes may not be available outside of this world."

He paused, his cloudy eyes looking at Mo Fan.

"But I've recorded the properties of those herbs on it. If you can find substitute herbs... you might be able to make those potions."

Mo Fan looked at the notebook and remained silent for a moment.

He reached out and solemnly accepted the note. It was heavy in his hand—not just physically, but also representing the weight of an old man's life's work.

"Thank you, Elder Mu Yuan." Mo Fan bowed slightly, his tone sincere.

Mu Yuan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

That smile carried a hint of relief, a sense of calm, and a touch of unspoken expectation.

"Stop calling me Elder Mu Yuan."

The old man's voice became much softer.

"If you'd like... call me teacher."

Mo Fan raised his head and met Mu Yuan's gaze.

Although the old man's eyes were cloudy, the light reflected in them at this moment was brighter than ever before.

Mo Fan did not hesitate.

"teacher."

Two words, clear and resolute.

Mu Yuan smiled with satisfaction. The wrinkles on his deeply lined face seemed to smooth out, as if he had accomplished something he had been thinking about for a long time.

He nodded, stood up from his chair, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the room a couple of times.

Then, he turned around and looked at Mo Fan.

At that moment, his back seemed straighter than usual, and his voice carried an unusual solemnity.

"Alright. You are now a fully qualified pharmacist in Pandonog."

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Mo Fan's eyes, and said, word by word.

"From now on, wherever you go, hold your head high and never give up your pride."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke was firm and resounding.

"Because you are a pharmacist from my Pandonog lineage."

These words, though simple, carry immense weight.

Mo Fan stood up, lowered his head slightly, and looked solemn.

"Your disciple will remember this."

Mu Yuan looked at him, her eyes filled with even more relief.

After a moment, the old man waved his hand, and his tone became casual again.

"Alright. In that case, if you have anything else to do, go ahead and take care of it."

He walked to the window and pushed open the half-closed wooden pane. Outside, twilight was slowly settling over Pandonog, and torches in the distance were already lit, twinkling like stars on the ground.

"It would be best to visit Pandonog."

Mu Yuan's voice became very soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion.

"I don't know if we'll ever have the chance to meet again in the future."

Mo Fan carefully tucked the notebook into his bosom, pressing it against his chest, feeling its heavy weight.

He looked at the old man's back by the window—a slightly hunched back, gray hair, casting a long shadow in the dim light.

"The disciple retire."

Mo Fan bowed slightly, turned around, and walked towards the door.

He paused when his hand touched the door frame.

There was no turning back.

"Teacher, take care."

There was no answer from behind. Only the wind blew through the window, rippling the surface of the water in the teacup on the table.

Mo Fan pushed open the door and stepped into the night.

Behind him, the lights from the pharmaceutical workshop cast a warm yellow glow.

Elder Muyuan remained standing by the window, watching the young figure gradually disappear into the depths of twilight.

The old man's smile didn't fade.

He turned around and glanced at the empty teacup on the table.

"They left before they even finished their tea."

He shook his head and muttered something to himself, his tone tinged with a helpless yet indulgent affection.

Then, he sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup, and slowly took a sip.

Outside the window, the night breeze carried the sounds of laughter and chatter from the distant indigenous people.

The last night in Pandonog was quiet and gentle.

Chapter 236 Strolling Around

(I'm experiencing some writer's block, so it might be a bit filler.)

(What kind of reward would you like to see?)

A gentle night breeze carries the scent of grass, trees, and earth.

Mo Fan walked back to the center of the tribe along the stone path, the animal skin notebook in his arms pressed against his chest, its heavy weight giving him a sense of security.

The lights of the medicine-making hut were already behind him, but Elder Muyuan's—no, his teacher's—words of "hold your head high" kept echoing in his ears.

Before we even reached the market, a clear voice came from afar.

"Mo Fan! Here!"

Murong Jiao stood under the torches at the market entrance, waving at him. Her yellow twin ponytails shimmered with a warm orange glow in the firelight, making her look like a leaping little flame.

Beside her, Murong Sha stood quietly, holding a ceramic cup in her hands, her blue ponytail swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Fang Xu, on the other hand, squatted by the roadside, using the panel function to check the photos he had just taken, muttering, "This one's blurry," "This one's alright."

"You're back!" Murong Jiao jogged a few steps to greet him, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling. "How is Elder Mu Yuan doing?"

"It's fine," Mo Fan said.

He didn't elaborate, and Murong Jiao didn't press him. She simply observed Mo Fan's expression with curiosity and noticed that the corners of his mouth seemed slightly upturned than usual, so she wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

"Perfect!" She clapped her hands, turned around, and pulled Fang Xu up from the ground. "We just finished taking photos and were about to do some more walking around. Let's go together!"

"Yes!" Fang Xu put away his phone, his face full of excitement. "Anyway, we're leaving tomorrow, so let's take advantage of the improved weather tonight."

Murong Sha nodded slightly, which was taken as a sign of her agreement.

Mo Fan did not refuse.

"Let's go."

The four walked side by side into the night of Pandonog.

......

Pandonog is both large and small.

Over the past few days, the group has gained a general understanding of the layout of this ancient tribe. Apart from the residents' houses scattered throughout the area and some scattered buildings, there are only a few places that can truly be called "landmarks".

Pandonog Market.