《Massacred Village, Flawed Roots, Revenge with a Small Furnace》


 Chapter 1 - Su Shier

    Cultivators harness the power of creation to achieve immortality, steal the essence of heaven and earth to endure, and refine the essence of the five elements for self-preservation.


    In the northern part of Muyun Prefecture, there is a mountain called Heavenly Pinnacle Peak, a place considered a dead zone by countless cultivators.


    At the entrance to the mountain beneath Heavenly Pinnacle Peak lies an ancient village, Small Stone Village, named for its entirely stone-built structures.


    Legend has it that a thousand years ago, Small Stone Village was established by the descendants of immortals who chose to live in seclusion. However, as time passed, the truth of this tale has long been lost.


    Nowadays, Small Stone Village is home to a group of ordinary mortals.


    The village consists of over forty households, occupying fertile lands, occasionally venturing to Dragon Return Town to trade for rare items, living a peaceful life.


    Evening.


    In the woods to the east of Small Stone Village, five sun-tanned children in coarse hemp clothing, around ten years old, were crouched in the grass.


    In the center, one child held a hemp rope, the other end tied to a stick propping up a sieve, with some scattered rice grains underneath.


    Nearby, a wild chicken cautiously pecked at the rice grains. Before long, unable to resist, it ventured inside.


    The child decisively pulled the rope, causing the stick to fall, trapping the greedy wild chicken under the sieve.


    Seeing this, the children jumped up excitedly, clapping and cheering for the child in the center.


    "Wow, we caught it, we really caught it! Shi''er, you''re so smart!"


    "Brother Shi''er, you''re amazing! When I grow up, can I marry you?"


    "Shi''er, I heard from my mom that an immortal is coming to Dragon Return Town to take disciples. You''re so smart, maybe you could become an immortal''s apprentice."


    The boy called Shi''er rolled his eyes and laughed, "Forget it! You, Little Chubby, can''t even count to three, what do you know? Do you really think it''s that easy to become an immortal''s disciple? Besides, what''s the point of cultivation? Isn''t it better to stay in the village with Grandpa?"


    "Alright! You little flatterers, I''ve taught you the method! You can play on your own now!"


    The boy finished speaking, walked over to the sieve, skillfully picked up the trapped wild chicken, and headed towards the nearby river.


    His full name was Su Shi''er, and he had been raised by his grandfather, growing up on the kindness of the villagers.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He was smart from a young age, quick to learn anything, and was like the leader among the children in the village.


    Su Shi''er reached the riverbank, skillfully bled and plucked the wild chicken, then took out a small, worn-out pill furnace the size of a fist from his pocket.


    The pill furnace was filled with salt. Su Shi''er grabbed a pinch, sprinkling it over the prepared wild chicken.


    Then, he tore off a lotus leaf, wrapped the chicken in it, and coated the outside with a layer of mud.


    The pill furnace had a three-legged round belly, its body engraved with intricate patterns of flowers, birds, insects, and fish. Its material was unknown, neither metal nor wood, neither jade nor stone, impervious to water and fire, unbreakable by knife.


    He had secretly retrieved it from the rafters at home. His grandfather treasured the pill furnace, never allowing him to touch it. Initially, Su Shi''er didn''t care much, thinking it was just a strange, broken furnace.


    However, once he used the pill furnace to hold salt while making Beggar¡¯s Chicken.


    He discovered that the salt stored in the pill furnace became exceptionally crystalline. The Beggar¡¯s Chicken made with this salt was extraordinarily crispy and fragrant, and after eating it, his mind felt clear, and his thoughts became exceptionally sharp.


    Since then, no matter where his grandfather hid it, he could always find it! Of course, he often got beaten for it.


    This time, he planned to make it for his grandfather to try.


    "Hehe, the old geezer has never tasted such delicious roasted chicken. This time he''ll be surprised, and maybe he won''t refuse to let me use the pill furnace anymore!"


    Su Shi''er grinned as he prepared.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind, "Old geezer? Which old geezer?!"


    An elderly man with white hair and beard, hands clasped behind his back, hiding a stick, approached the riverbank.


    The newcomer was Su Shi''er''s grandfather, Su Mingren. Su Mingren was the only literate person in the village, held in high regard.


    "Of course, it''s my grandpa... Old geezer, why are you here?!" Su Shi''er replied without thinking. Turning around to see his grandfather approaching with a stick, he was so startled that the prepared wild chicken slipped from his hands.


    "Calling me ''old geezer'' with every breath, have all the teachings gone to the dogs?


    I''ve told you countless times, this furnace must never be taken out! You little brat, you dug it out again! Today, I''ll teach you a lesson!"


    Su Mingren glared at the pill furnace in Su Shi''er''s hands, his beard bristling, raising the stick as if to strike.


    Su Shi''er had been watching his grandfather''s every move. Before his grandfather could act, he tucked the pill furnace into his arms, jolted, and dashed towards the village.


    As he ran, Su Shi''er shouted back, "Old geezer, I was kindly making roast chicken for you, and you... you actually want to hit me! You''re not being fair!"


    "Not fair? You little brat, have you forgotten who raised you this big?!"


    Su Mingren, holding the stick, chased after him angrily.


    "You''re up on the roof every day, stealing chickens and dogs is one thing! But this furnace, wherever I hide it, you find it, are you at odds with it or something?!"


    Though young, Su Shi''er was quick on his feet. As he ran, he turned back to make a face at his grandfather, "Old geezer, this pill furnace is a family heirloom, isn''t it going to be mine eventually? What''s the difference if you give it to me sooner or later?"


    Su Mingren, hot on his heels, was livid, "You little brat, if I don''t teach you a lesson today, you won''t understand the gravity of the situation."


    This pill furnace had been passed down for generations, its purpose long forgotten.


    Su Mingren only knew that his father had instructed him before his death to guard it well, never letting anyone know, or it would bring disaster.


    He had never intended to let Su Shi''er know about this unless absolutely necessary.


    Su Shi''er occasionally glanced back, seeing his grandfather truly angry, and felt a bit apprehensive.


    Relying on his youthful agility, he ran circles around the village, and when no one was watching, he ducked into a haystack.


    Su Mingren, being older, was flushed and out of breath after a few rounds, unable to run any further.


    However, having raised his grandson himself, he knew his temperament better than anyone.


    After a round, Su Mingren''s gaze locked onto a nearby haystack.


    Holding the stick, he quietly approached the haystack and grabbed Su Shi''er, who was peeking out from inside.


    "Hmph! You little brat, you''re quite good at hiding! Let''s see where you can run today..."


    Su Mingren was scolding when suddenly cries of surprise erupted nearby.


    "Hey, everyone, look, there''s someone flying in the sky."


    "Oh my, can people really fly in the sky?"


    "Who is it? That''s an Immortal Master! That Immortal Master seems to be heading towards our village!"


    ***


    In the village, figures looked up one after another, exclamations rising and falling.


    Su Mingren also looked up.


    In the sky, a figure shrouded in black, trailing a streak of light, was flying towards Small Stone Village.


    Seeing the black figure, Su Mingren''s pupils contracted sharply, his face changed instantly. He quickly shoved Su Shi''er back into the haystack, speaking solemnly, "Shi''er, listen to Grandpa. From now on, stay hidden inside and don''t come out! No matter what happens later, you must not come out! Do you hear me?!"


    Inside the haystack, Su Shi''er, who was lamenting the beating he was about to receive, was suddenly stunned by his grandfather''s unprecedentedly serious expression, instinctively nodding.


    After swiftly hiding Su Shi''er, Su Mingren quickly walked away.

 Chapter 2 - The Wrath of the Immortal Master

    In the sky, a black-clothed person sped towards the village, his sharp gaze sweeping over it like an eagle''s eyes, cold and indifferent.


    Moments later, the black-clothed person hovered directly above the village.


    Black mist swirled around him, and his clothes fluttered without wind, sending out gusts of eerie wind, his entire being exuding a chilling evil aura.


    "Who is Su Mingren?!"


    The cold, hoarse voice sent shivers down everyone''s spine.


    Is this an Immortal? He looks terrifying!


    He''s here for Su Mingren? When did the village chief get involved with an Immortal?


    Hearing the commotion, many villagers curiously poked their heads out, observing the black-clothed person in the sky.


    On the ground, Su Mingren looked up at the newcomer, his heart tightening with a strong sense of foreboding.


    He''s here for me, is it really for that Pill Furnace?


    As he hesitated, unsure whether to respond.


    "Hmph! What? No one wants to speak?!"


    In mid-air, the black-clothed person snorted when no one answered.


    A thick, sinister aura emanated from him, enveloping the entire small mountain village.


    In the next second, everyone felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, their bodies chilled.


    Seeing the black-clothed person about to lose his temper, Su Mingren hurriedly spoke, "High Immortal, I am Su Mingren. I don''t know what business you have with me?"


    Hearing the voice, the black-clothed person flickered in the air, transforming into a streak of light and appearing before Su Mingren.


    Gazing at Su Mingren, the black-clothed person''s eyes glinted coldly as he sinisterly said, "Hand over the Treasure Furnace, or die!!!"


    Su Mingren shivered, his heart leaping to his throat, but he feigned calmness and said, "Treasure Furnace? What Treasure Furnace? High Immortal, I... I don''t understand what you''re talking about?"


    The black-clothed person''s eyes turned cold, and with a wave of his hand, True Essence transformed into a force that sent Su Mingren flying.


    Staring at Su Mingren as if looking at an ant, he said, "Old man, do you really think I know nothing since I managed to find this place? If you obediently hand over your family''s heirloom Treasure Furnace today, everything will be fine.


    Otherwise, it won''t just be you who dies today; everyone in your village will perish!!"


    As he spoke, the black-clothed person stepped towards Su Mingren, a thick killing intent spreading throughout the village.


    The villagers watching felt as if the sky was about to collapse, terrified, and hurriedly shouted at Su Mingren on the ground.


    "Village chief, if you really have that furnace, just give it to this Immortal!"


    "Yeah, it''s not worth angering the Immortal over some Treasure Furnace."


    "Immortal, please don''t be angry! We''ve lived here for so many years and have never heard of any Treasure Furnace in the village chief''s house!"


    ***


    Su Mingren landed heavily on the ground, his old limbs breaking several ribs, his face contorted in pain.


    In a nearby haystack, Su Shi''er witnessed the entire scene.


    Seeing his grandfather injured, his heart tightened, and he clutched the Pill Furnace, ready to go out and save his grandfather.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    To him, no matter how precious the Pill Furnace was, it was not more important than his grandfather''s life.


    But just as he was about to go out and hand over the Pill Furnace, his grandfather''s earlier warning echoed in his mind.


    No matter what happens, never go out!


    Remembering his grandfather''s words, Su Shi''er hesitated.


    On the ground, Su Mingren noticed the slight movement in the haystack and, enduring the pain, continued to speak, "High Immortal, I... I really don''t know what Treasure Furnace you''re talking about!"


    Su Mingren, wise with age, knew from the moment he understood the other''s purpose that whether or not he handed over the Pill Furnace, he and the villagers were unlikely to escape death today.


    Now, the only thing he could do was to protect his grandson''s life.


    Hearing this, the black-clothed person''s eyes gleamed with cold light, and he let out a strange laugh, "Heh heh... Old man, are you seeking death? What a pity... Seems like I''ll have to find it myself!"


    The black-clothed person shook his head, his eyes turning cruel.


    With that, he activated the True Essence within him, forming a sword seal with his hand. A dark flying sword shot out from his back, hovering in the air, spinning rapidly.


    Immediately, sword light filled the sky, each beam transforming into a skull that dived towards the villagers.


    Seeing this, the villagers were petrified, with only a few reacting quickly enough to turn and flee.


    "No... No!"


    "Immortal, spare us, spare us!"


    "Please, let us go, we know nothing!"


    Feeling the threat of death, the villagers were terrified, instinctively begging for mercy.


    But facing a cultivator like the black-clothed person, capable of flying through the sky and burrowing into the earth, they were no different from ants. Under the assault of this sinister Sword Qi, death was but a moment away!


    In the blink of an eye, the entire Small Stone Village was awash with blood, the air thick with the scent of blood.


    Su Mingren lay on the ground, his eyes filled with anger and despair.


    Though he had long been prepared to die, seeing the villagers die so tragically filled him with immense sorrow.


    In the haystack, Su Shi''er was also terrified by the scene, lying on the ground, his hands and feet cold, as if plunged into an ice cave.


    This was no Immortal, but a bloodthirsty demon!


    At this moment, the black-clothed person coldly walked up to Su Mingren, "Old man, see? They all died because of you! I''ll give you one more chance, hand over the Treasure Furnace!"


    The black-clothed person reached out, and the flying sword in the air fell into his hand, the tip pointing directly at Su Mingren.


    Black mist rolled around him, releasing a terrifying pressure.


    Lying on the ground, Su Mingren felt suffocated just from the pressure.


    But he shook his head resolutely, "No!"


    The black-clothed person''s eyes turned cold, and he activated the flying sword with True Essence, sending a skull Sword Qi flying out, biting off Su Mingren''s arm.


    "Now?!"


    In excruciating pain, Su Mingren gritted his teeth and shouted, "I... I really don''t know about any Treasure Furnace!"


    "Hmph! In that case, you have no reason to live!" The black-clothed person snorted coldly, sending another skull Sword Qi straight towards Su Mingren''s heart.


    "No... No..."


    In the haystack, Su Shi''er watched helplessly, opening his mouth to shout. But when he opened his mouth, no sound came out.


    Clutching the Pill Furnace tightly, he wanted to go out and save his grandfather, but already frightened and under the oppressive aura of the black-clothed person, Su Shi''er lay on the ground, feeling as if a thousand-pound weight pressed down on him, rendering him immobile.


    "Thud!"


    In the next second, a dull sound echoed as the skull-like Sword Qi pierced through Su Mingren''s heart.


    A fist-sized hole appeared in Su Mingren''s chest. His head tilted, and he died on the spot!


    Seeing his grandfather lying in a pool of blood, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted sharply, his heart clenched, and he fainted from grief.


    In the village, the black-clothed person paid no attention to the haystack on the ground, instead going from house to house, searching each courtyard.


    Killing the entire village was like a trivial task to him!


    From dusk till midnight, the black-clothed person searched every room in the village. From the rafters to the cellars, he left nothing unchecked, but found nothing.


    Though powerful, he could not extend his Divine Sense, something only achievable by those who had formed a Golden Elixir.


    Small Stone Village, adjacent to Heavenly Pinnacle Peak, was a forbidden ground for cultivators. Not to mention that Golden Elixir cultivators were rare, even they would face mysterious suppression here.


    ***


    Two hours later, the black-clothed person returned to Su Mingren''s corpse, confirming that there was nothing on him either, feeling somewhat frustrated.


    "Damn it! Could the information be wrong? Or has someone else already taken it? Forget it, I''ll have to find another lead!"


    With that, the black-clothed person leapt into the air, transforming into a streak of light and shooting towards the sky.


    He never imagined that right where he descended, a half-grown child was hiding!


    This is the so-called most dangerous place being the safest!


    ***


    An hour later, the black-clothed person, hidden in the night, silently descended once more.


    Seeing the scene unchanged, he shook his head in frustration and left on his sword.


    Su Shi''er remained unconscious for two hours until the sky began to brighten. He suddenly twitched and woke up, drenched in cold sweat.


    In his unconsciousness, his mind was filled with images of the skull-like monster killing his grandfather.


    The first thing Su Shi''er did upon waking was to look outside, hoping that everything that happened yesterday was just a nightmare.


    However, it was all in vain.


    In his sight, his grandfather lay motionless in a pool of blood.


    Su Shi''er trembled all over, crawling out of the haystack and rushing to Su Mingren''s side.


    "Grandpa... Grandpa... wake up, please wake up! I beg you... respond to me!"


    Su Shi''er held Su Mingren, calling out repeatedly, tears streaming down like broken beads.


    But no matter how he called, the person on the ground showed no response.


    Su Shi''er held his grandfather on the ground, crying until the sun rose, until his tears ran dry, until blood flowed from his eyes.


    He fainted several times, until his voice was hoarse, unable to cry anymore, before looking down at the Pill Furnace in his arms.


    "It''s all because of you! If it weren''t for you, grandpa wouldn''t have died, and neither would everyone else!"


    In anger, Su Shi''er grabbed the Pill Furnace, believing it to be the culprit behind everyone''s death. If it weren''t for this Pill Furnace, none of this would have happened.


    If he could trade it for his grandfather''s life, he would do so without hesitation.


    Gripping the Pill Furnace tightly, he angrily threw it away.


    Watching it roll on the ground, he hesitated for a moment, then picked it up again.


    "This Pill Furnace is the last thing grandpa left me; I can''t lose it.


    Besides, if even those Immortals want it, it must be some kind of treasure. If I want to avenge grandpa and everyone, I''ll need to rely on this treasure. I just don''t know how to use this Pill Furnace.


    Maybe... once I learn Immortal Techniques, I''ll know how to use it!"


    Su Shi''er took a deep breath, tucking the Pill Furnace back into his arms.


    Then, he forced himself to endure the pain, found a shovel, and dug large pits in the village clearing, burying his grandfather and the villagers.


    ***


    By the next evening, a simple mass grave for a hundred people had appeared in the village center.


    Su Shi''er knelt before the graves of his grandfather and the villagers, sobbing again.


    But he forced himself to hold back the tears. He silently told himself that today would be the last time he cried. From now on, he had only one goal: revenge. No matter what hardships he faced, he would not shed another tear.


    "Grandpa, that black-clothed person is powerful. To deal with him, I must join an Immortal Sect and learn Immortal Techniques. Perhaps, once I master them, I''ll understand the purpose of this furnace! Little Chubby said that in Dragon Return Town, there are Immortals recruiting disciples these days. I plan to check it out!


    No matter what, I will avenge you and everyone!"


    Su Shi''er whispered, glancing at the Pill Furnace in his arms, then kowtowed four times to his grandfather''s grave.


    Then, he resolutely stood up, gritting his teeth, and ran towards Dragon Return Town.

 Chapter 3 - Spirit Root Test

    The next day.


    Before dawn, Dragon Return Town was like boiling water, bustling with activity.


    Countless vendors flooded the streets, loudly hawking their wares.


    People gathered in groups of three or five, either walking or riding ox carts and horse carriages, coming from all directions to Dragon Return Town.


    Every three years, the Immortals of Luofu Peak from the Cloud Song Sect would recruit disciples, accepting only children aged ten to twelve. This had become a customary practice, and every recruitment day was also a grand gathering in Dragon Return Town.


    Families from all around, as long as they had children of the right age, would bring them here to try their luck.


    Firstly, they could purchase some daily necessities. Secondly, if their child was fortunate enough to be chosen as a disciple of an Immortal, it would be an honor greater than passing the imperial examinations, bringing glory to the family.


    Su Shi''er mingled with the crowd and entered the town.


    The road from Small Stone Village to Dragon Return Town was rugged and difficult to traverse. Su Shi''er had only been there once as a child with his grandfather. Fortunately, he had a good memory, and despite stumbling along the way, he managed to arrive by dawn.


    However, his clothes were in tatters, and he was covered in dirt, looking just like a little beggar.


    As he walked, Su Shi''er kept his ears open and looked around.


    He had come alone and didn''t know where the Immortals would be recruiting disciples. But he was sure that among the parents with children his age, there would be someone taking their child to become an apprentice.


    Soon, Su Shi''er followed the crowd to the center of the town, to an open space surrounded by adults. Nearly a hundred children his age were gathered there.


    From the conversations of passersby, Su Shi''er learned that this was the place where the Immortals would soon recruit disciples.


    All the children hoping to become apprentices were waiting here for the Immortals to test their talents.


    Su Shi''er squeezed into the crowd, found an empty corner, and sat down heavily.


    After walking the mountain road all night, he was exhausted and hungry, his feet swollen. All he wanted now was a good rest.


    Just then, clouds suddenly drifted across the sky, and a flying sword sliced through the air like lightning.


    The sword was wide and broad, and two graceful figures stood upon it.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "It''s the Immortals! The Immortals have arrived!"


    On the ground, everyone looked up, their faces tense, holding their breath.


    The entire Dragon Return Town, which had been bustling with noise, fell silent in an instant.


    In the blink of an eye, the flying sword passed over the open space, and the two graceful figures leaped down, landing in the center of the clearing.


    In mid-air, the flying sword emitted a radiant glow, quickly shrinking into a three-foot sword that landed behind one of the figures.


    "Immortal?"


    Su Shi''er perked up, quickly turning to look at the newcomers.


    The man wore a long robe of blue, his hair white as a crane, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies, with a thick, white beard flowing over his chest. His eyes were bright and full of spirit, exuding an extraordinary aura.


    The other was a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen.


    She had delicate eyebrows and white teeth, her lips red and teeth white, with long black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her light blue dress fluttered in the wind, making her look like a fairy maiden.


    "Is that the Fairy Maiden? She''s unbelievably beautiful!"


    "I never thought, in my lifetime, I would see such a beautiful Fairy Maiden."


    "I''ve heard the princess of the Song Kingdom is as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, but compared to this Fairy Maiden, she might fall short!"


    ***


    As soon as the young woman landed, the crowd stirred. Faced with such a stunning beauty, the mortals present were all captivated.


    In the open space, nearly a hundred children, including Su Shi''er, were also entranced.


    After landing, the young woman curiously observed her surroundings, sighing, "It''s been ten years, and I''ve finally come down the mountain! I never expected so many more people in Dragon Return Town after just ten years!"


    The old man smiled at the young woman, "Alright, don''t get caught up in nostalgia. Let''s get down to business. If we can''t surpass Heavenly Splendor Peak this time, I''ll be laughed at by that old rascal Fu Boren!"


    The young woman nodded with a smile, "Don''t worry, Grandpa, I won''t delay your matters! With so many people here for the test this year, we''re sure to find some promising talents."


    As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a square table appeared before them.


    On the table lay a strangely shaped stone, the Spirit Testing Stone used by the sect to test disciples'' Spirit Roots.


    The old man nodded, his gaze sweeping over the children in the clearing, his eyes turning cold as he spoke with an emotionless voice, "Among you, only a very few will be chosen to join our Cloud Song Sect."


    His cold and unfeeling words sent a chill through the crowd, silencing everyone.


    Su Shi''er shrank his neck, feeling even more anxious inside.


    "The Spirit Root is the foundation of a cultivator. Next, I will test each of your Spirit Roots. Now, everyone line up and come forward one by one to place your hand on this stone," the old man said calmly, pointing at the Spirit Testing Stone on the table.


    With his words, the children slowly formed a line.


    Su Shi''er stood at the end of the line, nervously clenching his fists, peering sideways.


    At the front of the line, a somewhat brave child cautiously stepped forward and placed his hand on the Spirit Testing Stone.


    The stone trembled slightly, emitting a dim red light.


    The old man remained expressionless, saying indifferently, "Low Grade Fire Spirit Root! Qualified, stand to the right!"


    Hearing this, the child''s eyes lit up with joy. He quickly moved to the right and stood quietly, while a couple in the crowd became excited.


    Then, another child stepped forward, but this time, the Spirit Testing Stone showed no reaction.


    "Not qualified! Leave!"


    "Not qualified!"


    "Low Grade Earth Spirit Root, stand to the right!"


    ***


    In no time, more than half of the children had been tested, and only two with Low Grade Spirit Roots stood beside the old man.


    Seeing the few remaining children, the old man''s brows furrowed noticeably, showing some impatience.


    Low Grade Spirit Roots were the most common and mediocre in the cultivation world. With such roots, the future prospects were very limited.


    Coming all this way, if he only recruited two people, he would be a laughingstock upon returning.


    At this moment, a dark-skinned boy in coarse cloth stepped up to the Spirit Testing Stone.


    As soon as he placed his hand on it, the stone shook violently, and a dazzling golden light and brilliant red light shone simultaneously.


    The lights were radiant, with a hint of sharp intimidation emanating from them.


    This scene left everyone stunned.


    The old man''s face lit up with joy, exclaiming, "What?! Top Grade Gold Spirit Root and Top Grade Fire Spirit Root?! Dual Spirit Roots, haha, this trip wasn''t in vain!"


    The old man was overjoyed, his voice trembling with excitement, unable to hide his delight.


    It was no wonder he was so thrilled. For cultivators, the Spirit Root was the foundation of everything, determining their cultivation speed. If the Spirit Root was poor, cultivation would be twice the effort for half the result.


    For ordinary people, having a Mid Grade or High Grade Spirit Root was considered good. If a Top Grade Spirit Root appeared, it was a one-in-a-million genius.


    And a Top Grade Dual Spirit Root was a genius among geniuses. Such roots were rare, almost unheard of. In the Cloud Song Sect, over hundreds of years, only one such instance had occurred¡ªthe founder, Master Cloud Song!


    Beside him, the young woman, though silent, looked at the boy with obvious joy.

 Chapter 4 - Mixed Spirit Root

    "Good! Good! Good!! What''s your name?" The old man said "good" three times in a row, staring at Han Yu with eyes gleaming with brilliance, as if he couldn''t wait to devour him.


    The young boy, with an air of arrogance between his brows, calmly replied, "Han Yu!"


    "Good name! And a good child too, come, come over here!"


    The old man nodded, smiling as he beckoned Han Yu over. He gently held Han Yu''s small hand, beaming with joy, as if afraid someone might snatch away a treasure.


    Han Yu stood by the old man''s side, head held high, chest out, exuding a sense of pride. Though young, he appeared more mature and composed than his peers.


    This reaction made the old man nod in approval, feeling even more satisfied.


    The testing continued, and the old man''s face showed more anticipation.


    However, among mortals, those who could naturally awaken their Spirit Roots were few and far between.


    In the blink of an eye, another thirty children were tested, but none had Spirit Roots.


    The old man remained calm, not too disappointed. From time to time, he glanced at Han Yu, eyes filled with fervor.


    To him, whether there were others didn''t matter anymore. As long as he could nurture this seedling well, it would surely change the status of Luofu Peak within the Cloud Song Sect.


    At this moment, only two were left in the field, Su Shi''er and a chubby boy.


    Su Shi''er noticed that the chubby boy was dressed in luxurious clothes, with a rosy complexion, clearly a child from a wealthy family.


    Before he could step forward, the chubby boy rushed ahead, running to the Spirit Testing Stone, nervously placing his chubby hand on it.


    In the next second, the Spirit Testing Stone trembled slightly, but nothing changed.


    Seeing this, the old man said expressionlessly, "Unqualified, leave!"


    The chubby boy, however, seemed prepared and did not leave. Instead, he knelt down with a thud, kowtowing several times to the old man, "I am Zhu Hanwei, son of the mayor of Dragon Return Town, paying respects to the Immortal Lord! I am devoted to the Dao and hope the Immortal will give me a chance.


    This is a gift from my father to the Immortal Lord!"


    As he spoke, Zhu Hanwei hurriedly took out a sandalwood box from his bosom.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Hmph!" The old man''s face darkened, and the temperature in the air dropped a few degrees.


    Zhu Hanwei shivered, and the box fell from his hands.


    The old man was about to scold him, but when he saw the cracked box, his pupils shrank. He grabbed the box, and upon closer inspection, his face lit up with joy, "Hmm? Hundred-Year Cold Jade? I didn''t expect your mortal father to gather such a treasure."


    The old man smiled slightly, secretly pleased.


    Hundred-Year Cold Jade is a material for crafting artifacts, and even for him, collecting it wasn''t easy. In comparison, accepting a boy without Spirit Roots into the sect wasn''t a big deal.


    Without a change in expression, he put away the Cold Jade and continued, "Very well, since you are devoted to the Dao, I''ll give you a chance."


    Zhu Hanwei was overjoyed, bowing repeatedly, "Thank you, Immortal Lord! Thank you, Immortal Lord!"


    The old man waved his hand, "Alright, go stand aside."


    Zhu Hanwei got up and walked to the old man''s right side. As he passed Han Yu, he smiled friendly, but Han Yu ignored him, staring straight ahead. Zhu Hanwei awkwardly smiled, not daring to get angry. From the old man''s attitude towards Han Yu, he knew Han Yu''s future status was not someone he could afford to offend.


    At this moment, Su Shi''er nervously approached the Spirit Testing Stone.


    Hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the stone.


    The Spirit Testing Stone shook violently, then emitted a brilliant colorful light. However, the light was dim and flickering.


    Seeing the light, Su Shi''er was delighted, thinking, "Luckily, I have Spirit Roots too."


    But just as he was about to relax, he noticed the old man''s displeased expression, and his heart sank.


    At this moment, a woman beside him exclaimed, "Master, this child has the rare Omni Spirit Root?"


    The old man scoffed, "What Omni Spirit Root? Each of his Spirit Roots is weak, equivalent to none, clearly the worst Mixed Spirit Root! Such a person, in his lifetime, can only cultivate to the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining."


    With that, the old man looked at Su Shi''er, "Unqualified! Leave!"


    Hearing the old man''s conversation with the woman, Su Shi''er''s heart had already grown cold. Hearing this, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.


    To him, if he couldn''t join the Immortal Sect to learn Immortal Techniques, how could he avenge his grandfather?


    Su Shi''er was momentarily flustered, hesitating, his body trembling slightly, unwillingly saying, "Immortal, but I... I have Spirit Roots. Isn''t it said that having Spirit Roots allows one to join the Immortal Sect?"


    The old man coldly replied, "What kind of lousy Spirit Root do you have? In my two hundred years of cultivation, I''ve never seen a worse Spirit Root. With your aptitude, accepting you into the sect would just waste resources and your time!"


    Su Shi''er gritted his teeth, quickly glancing at Zhu Hanwei, feeling indignant but not daring to act out. He quietly said, "But he... has no Spirit Roots, yet he joined the Immortal Sect?"


    A person without Spirit Roots could join the Immortal Sect by giving gifts, which greatly shocked Su Shi''er. The legendary Immortal Sect wasn''t as perfect as he imagined.


    The old man seemed lofty, but his actions were no different from Er Gou''s father in the village, who always wanted to take advantage of others.


    "Boy, are you teaching me how to do things?" The old man showed anger, releasing an invisible pressure.


    Su Shi''er''s breath hitched, his heart racing, face showing fear, unable to speak. This powerful aura reminded him of being oppressed by the black-clothed person in Small Stone Village.


    The woman beside him frowned slightly, looking at Su Shi''er, and said, "Grandfather, this child has Spirit Roots after all, why not give him a chance? Cultivation is not easy, if he can''t persist in a few years, we can send him down the mountain then!"


    With his granddaughter pleading, the old man''s expression softened slightly, saying to Su Shi''er, "Fine, go stand to the right. Your aptitude is just a bit better than that chubby boy, you can both be servants!"


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er breathed a sigh of relief, casting a grateful glance at the woman, then stood aside.


    With Su Shi''er''s test complete, there were no other children left.


    In total, only five passed the test. Among them were Zhu Hanwei, who got in through connections, and Su Shi''er, who was helped by others'' pleas.


    The old man turned to them, saying indifferently, "Though you have Spirit Roots, don''t celebrate too soon! The path of cultivation is long!


    Next, I will take you to the sect for training! The path of cultivation separates immortals from mortals, if you regret now, it''s still not too late."


    With that, the old man waved his hand, and a Flying Sword shot out from behind him. Driven by True Essence, the sword grew to over ten meters long in the blink of an eye.


    The Flying Sword hovered a meter above the ground, and the old man, with Han Yu, leaped onto it.


    The others, under the woman''s guidance, climbed onto the Flying Sword one by one.


    As they were about to leave, except for Su Shi''er and Han Yu, the other three children were teary-eyed, reluctantly looking at their families in the distance.


    The old man''s expression was indifferent, having cultivated for many years, such farewells were a common sight.


    True Essence surged from his body, forming a protective shield around them. The long sword then soared into the sky, carrying them towards the distance.

 Chapter 5 - Enter the Cloud Song Sect

    The flying sword sliced through the air, creating a whistling wind. Su Shi''er stood at the end, curiously looking down to see the village below quickly turning into a small black dot.


    As far as the eye could see, the earth rose and fell, mountains stretched endlessly, and rivers converged, presenting a magnificent view.


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, realizing for the first time just how vast this world truly was. Thinking of the nameless black-clothed person, his heart filled with anger and a sense of uncertainty about the future.


    At the front of the flying sword, Han Yu stood tall and proud, appearing mature and composed. Yet, his clenched fists revealed a hint of nervousness.


    In contrast, the other three were in a worse state. Crouching on the flying sword, they huddled together, trembling with fear. After all, they were just young children, and this high-altitude flight, with the wind howling in their ears, terrified them.


    Seeing this, the woman smiled and began to talk about the Cloud Song Sect, helping everyone to relieve their stress.


    From her words, they learned that the sect they were joining was a cultivation sect on the outskirts of the Azure Mountain range, known as the Cloud Song Sect.


    Within the Cloud Song Sect, there were seven peaks: Heavenly Unique, Heavenly Splendor, Heavenly Melody, Cloud Terrace, Rising Sun, Falling Anser, and Luofu. Externally, the Cloud Song Sect was a unified entity, but internally, it was divided into seven factions based on these peaks. Each peak had its own Peak Lord who managed it.


    Among them, Heavenly Unique Peak was the main peak and rarely recruited disciples. The other six peaks would recruit disciples with spirit roots from the mortal world every three to five years.


    The elder before them was named Lu Mingshi, the Peak Lord of Luofu Peak in the Cloud Song Sect. After entering the sect, they would become his disciples. As for the woman, her name was Xiao Yue, Lu Mingshi''s granddaughter and their senior sister.


    The content Xiao Yue shared was somewhat difficult for the children, all no older than twelve, to fully grasp, but it clearly helped stabilize their emotions.


    Su Shi''er listened intently, silently committing everything Xiao Yue said to memory. He knew his talent was lacking, so he had to work harder and be more diligent than others.


    However, he was puzzled by the fact that Xiao Yue and Lu Mingshi, though clearly grandfather and granddaughter, had different surnames.


    Could it be... they weren''t blood-related?Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    With little experience, Su Shi''er could only speculate wildly in his mind!


    Time flew by as the flying sword carried them for two full days.


    ***


    On the morning of the third day, the flying sword passed through a dense fog, bringing them back to the Cloud Song Sect.


    Looking as far as he could, he saw a vast expanse of mountains below, with countless peaks stretching endlessly.


    Each peak was shrouded in mist, appearing and disappearing. Among them, the seven tallest peaks were arranged like the Big Dipper.


    Atop each of these seven peaks stood a grand and magnificent building, with unknown energies flowing around them, occasionally emitting dazzling brilliance.


    Such a sight stirred everyone''s emotions, quickly dispelling the sorrow of parting.


    Su Shi''er gazed unblinkingly, immediately realizing that these must be the main peaks Xiao Yue had mentioned. However, he couldn''t yet tell which peak corresponded to which name.


    On the flying sword, Lu Mingshi and Xiao Yue visibly relaxed, smiling. Although they had recruited disciples for many years, each journey out of the mountains brought its own worries.


    The world of cultivation was far from peaceful.


    With a smile, Lu Mingshi controlled the flying sword, preparing to head towards the farthest peak.


    At that moment.


    "Senior Sister, what''s that?" Su Shi''er pointed to a distant black dot, quickly asking.


    As soon as he spoke, the black dot rapidly approached, and in the blink of an eye, a thirty-meter-long crimson ship sped through the sky.


    At the bow of the ship stood a lean man in a crimson robe, his gaze sharp. On the deck behind him, a crowd of children, all about the same age as Su Shi''er and the others, could be seen.


    There were over a hundred of them!!!


    Before Xiao Yue could respond, the figure at the front of the ship spoke to Lu Mingshi.


    "Senior Brother, I''m not going to eat you, so why are you in such a hurry to run away when you see me?"


    "Run away from you? Fu Boren, who do you think you are? Please, have some dignity!" Lu Mingshi retorted with a smirk.


    As he spoke, his eyes quickly scanned the over a hundred figures on the flying boat, his mouth twitching slightly.


    Fu Boren was the Peak Lord of Heavenly Splendor Peak, and Heavenly Splendor Peak had always been at odds with Luofu Peak. Now, seeing that the other side had recruited so many disciples at once, Lu Mingshi couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy and jealousy, even if he didn''t show it.


    For a cultivation sect, disciples were the foundation of development. A faction with many disciples would inevitably see a significant increase in strength over the years.


    "Heh, I do care about my dignity, Senior Brother. Whether you deliberately avoided me, I think you know best in your heart."


    Fu Boren chuckled, his eyes quickly scanning the flying sword.


    "But Senior Brother, your Luofu Peak is really getting worse year by year! How come you''ve only recruited five people this year? At this rate, I fear Luofu Peak will be extinct within a century!"


    Lu Mingshi''s face darkened, and he retorted, "Pah~ You can''t expect ivory from a dog''s mouth. In cultivation, quality is more important than quantity. Even if you recruit five hundred of those misfits, it won''t matter."


    Lu Mingshi, with his fiery temper, couldn''t hold back after hearing this.


    For years, Luofu Peak had been the weakest faction, and in the past, he lacked confidence when making such statements.


    But this time, with Han Yu, a top-grade dual spirit root genius joining, Lu Mingshi was full of confidence.


    "Quality over quantity, you say? So, for the newcomer trial in five years, your Luofu Peak is full of confidence?" Fu Boren eyed Lu Mingshi with a teasing smile.


    Lu Mingshi retorted, "Hah, we were just letting you win before, got it?!"


    Given Luofu Peak''s situation, even with the addition of a genius like Han Yu, Lu Mingshi didn''t have high hopes for the newcomer trial.


    But no matter what, he couldn''t lose face in front of his rival! Moreover, nurturing such a genius could bring him great prestige.


    "Oh? It seems Senior Brother has recruited some promising talents this year? Why not share, so I can also learn?" Fu Boren detected the pride in Lu Mingshi''s words and lowered his voice, his eyes slyly scanning Su Shi''er and the others.


    "Learn? Dream on! Fu Boren, don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to. Trying to poach my talents? No way!"


    Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes and, with that, controlled the flying sword to streak towards the farthest peak.


    At the bow of the flying boat, Fu Boren watched the sword''s shadow disappear into the sky, his eyes reflecting a thoughtful look.


    Then, he smiled slightly, steering the flying boat towards the second peak.

 Chapter 6 - Guarding the Discarded Pill Room

    The flying sword moved swiftly, reaching the sky above the seventh mountain peak in just a moment.


    The mountain was dotted with houses, each an ancient and majestic structure. However, looking around, only a few scattered figures could be seen, giving the place a somewhat desolate feel.


    The flying sword landed in a plaza. As soon as they touched down, Lu Mingshi turned to Han Yu and said, "Han Yu, follow me. From today on, you are my personal disciple! I will personally teach you the ways of cultivation."


    Hearing this, even with his pride, Han Yu couldn''t help but show a joyful expression and quickly said, "Thank you, Peak Lord!"


    "Hmm? Peak Lord?" Lu Mingshi''s eyebrows twitched.


    Han Yu immediately knelt on the ground with a thud, hurriedly correcting himself, "Thank you, Master!"


    "Good! Later, at the main hall, I will hold a formal ceremony for you to acknowledge me as your master."


    Only then did Lu Mingshi nod in satisfaction and turn to look at the others.


    At this moment, aside from Su Shi''er, the other three children all wore envious expressions.


    Becoming the personal disciple of a Peak Lord was a tremendous honor! Unfortunately, they didn''t have Han Yu''s talent and could only look on with envy.


    After arranging Han Yu, Lu Mingshi turned to Xiao Yue, "Yue''er, I''ll leave the rest to you. Tomorrow, have them start learning literacy and sect rules from the instructors. In three months, arrange for them to learn cultivation methods from the teaching elders."


    "Okay! I''ll arrange their accommodations first!"


    Xiao Yue nodded with a smile. Just as she was about to speak to Su Shi''er and the others, hurried footsteps approached.


    "Peak Lord, something''s wrong! Brother Chen Xi has been bitten by a demonic beast!"


    Two disciples wearing Cloud Song Sect uniforms rushed over, carrying an injured disciple on a stretcher.


    On the stretcher, the disciple appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, gravely injured and unconscious, covered in blood.


    "Demonic beast? The sect is protected by formations everywhere; where did a demonic beast come from?" Lu Mingshi''s gaze fell on the stretcher, his brow furrowing.


    The leading disciple quickly replied, "Reporting to the Peak Lord, the Discarded Pill Room is in a remote location, and there are often wild beasts there, including some low-level demonic beasts."


    "Hmph, and you call yourselves cultivators! You can''t even handle a small beast. All these years of cultivation, wasted!" Lu Mingshi''s face darkened, letting out a cold snort. He then focused on the injured disciple, pulling out a pale blue talisman.


    With a surge of True Essence, the talisman transformed into a blue light, enveloping the boy on the stretcher.


    Moments later, the blue light dissipated, and the boy''s bleeding stopped. However, he was missing a hand and a foot, looking particularly pitiful.


    "Alright, I''ve stabilized his injuries with a Blue Spirit Talisman. But with his limbs severed, he won''t be able to cultivate anymore. Find a day to send him down the mountain."Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    The two carrying the stretcher nodded hastily but didn''t leave immediately. Instead, they cautiously asked, "Peak Lord, should we still assign someone to guard the Discarded Pill Room?"


    "Hmph, even though the discarded pills are useless, their records are crucial for tracking the sect''s medicinal consumption. Do you think it''s necessary?" Lu Mingshi snorted in dissatisfaction.


    In the Cloud Song Sect, all the pills consumed by disciples for cultivation were refined by the Peak Lords or specialized Pill Refiners. The required materials were provided by the sect, and the amount of pills produced and discarded helped track material usage, preventing embezzlement.


    The Discarded Pill Room was in a remote location, almost at the sect''s outskirts. Normally, managing such trivial matters had nothing to do with Luofu Peak.


    But the problem was, among the seven peaks of the Cloud Song Sect, Luofu Peak was the weakest. Naturally, such tasks fell to Luofu Peak.


    Hearing Lu Mingshi''s words, the two disciples carrying the stretcher shivered and quickly said, "Peak Lord, who should we send? We''re short on manpower in our peak right now!"


    "Hmm? No one left? No problem, I brought back a few kids this time!" Lu Mingshi was taken aback, muttering softly as his gaze fell on Zhu Hanwei.


    Feeling Lu Mingshi''s gaze, Zhu Hanwei''s legs almost gave out beneath him.


    He had heard every word the two disciples said. The Discarded Pill Room didn''t sound like a good place, and the person on the stretcher was a living example.


    How could he be willing to go there?


    Thinking about this, Zhu Hanwei''s face turned pale. Before Lu Mingshi could speak, he hurriedly took out a palm-sized wooden box from his pocket.


    "Peak Lord, my father has something he wants me to give you!"


    "Hmm?" Lu Mingshi was momentarily stunned. Taking the wooden box, his eyes narrowed into slits.


    Inside the box was another small piece of Hundred-Year Cold Jade. This piece was clearly part of the same whole as the one he had received in Dragon Return Town.


    Without showing any emotion, Lu Mingshi put away the wooden box, looking Zhu Hanwei over. "Alright, why the long face at such a young age? You don''t have a Spirit Root, so cultivating would be a waste. My pill room is short a pill boy; you can be my pill boy from now on!"


    "Thank you, Peak Lord!" Hearing that he wouldn''t have to go to the Discarded Pill Room and could instead be a pill boy for the Peak Lord, Zhu Hanwei nodded eagerly, his heart filled with joy.


    Lu Mingshi paid him no more mind, his gaze continuing to sweep until it landed on Su Shi''er.


    "Alright, it''s you! From today, you''ll be guarding the Discarded Pill Room!"


    Su Shi''er''s small frame trembled, his face turning as white as snow.


    If Zhu Hanwei could sense the danger of the Discarded Pill Room, so could he.


    But looking at Lu Mingshi, he didn''t know how to refuse. Zhu Hanwei had money and could give gifts, but he had nothing to offer.


    Beside him, Xiao Yue glanced at Su Shi''er and the others, then turned to Lu Mingshi, unable to hold back her words:


    "Grandfather, they''re still young and have just joined the sect. Sending any of them to the Discarded Pill Room, what if they encounter a wild beast or even a low-level demonic beast? Isn''t that sending them to their deaths?"


    Lu Mingshi kept a stern face, but this time he didn''t relent. "Sending them to their deaths? Yue''er, let me tell you, cultivation isn''t child''s play."


    "This boy''s talent is already abysmal. If he can''t overcome even this little danger, then what''s the point of cultivating? He might as well be sent down the mountain."


    Lu Mingshi had no expectations for Su Shi''er. With the worst Mixed Spirit Root, it seemed like a waste of resources to let him cultivate.


    With no one else available in the peak, sending Su Shi''er to guard the Discarded Pill Room was undoubtedly the best decision.


    As for the danger, he saw it as negligible. Encounters with wild beasts or demonic beasts were rare. Chen Xi, who also lacked talent, had stayed in the Discarded Pill Room for years before encountering danger.


    Xiao Yue''s face darkened, and she wanted to persuade him further.


    Before she could speak, Su Shi''er suddenly said, "Senior Sister Xiao Yue, thank you! But the Peak Lord is right. My talent is lacking, and if I can''t overcome this challenge, how can I hope to cultivate properly in the future?"


    Su Shi''er could sense Lu Mingshi''s determination. He knew he had no choice.


    Staying meant at least having a chance to cultivate.


    Leaving would make it nearly impossible to ever touch the world of cultivators again.


    Xiao Yue felt a pang of sympathy and wanted to say more, "But..."


    Lu Mingshi nodded and said, "Alright, it''s commendable that you have this courage. You two, take him to guard the Discarded Pill Room."


    With that, Lu Mingshi turned to the two disciples carrying the stretcher.


    "Okay! Junior Brother, come with us!" The two nodded, looking at Su Shi''er with sympathy.


    The Peak Lord was really sending this kid to his death!


    Brother Chen Xi had at least cultivated for a few years, but this kid was only twelve!


    Even if he went, he might be scared out of his wits in just a few days, if not dead.


    Not only them, but Zhu Hanwei and the others also didn''t have high hopes for Su Shi''er. To them, Su Shi''er was being foolish. Cultivation was one thing, but if you lost your life, what was the point?


    Beside Lu Mingshi, Han Yu watched Su Shi''er''s frail figure, wanting to say something but holding back. Well, with his talent, he''d naturally know to give up when faced with danger.


    Su Shi''er followed the two disciples, one carrying the injured Chen Xi away, while the other led Su Shi''er to the Discarded Pill Room.


    Perhaps thinking Su Shi''er wouldn''t last long in the sect, the disciple leading the way remained silent throughout.


    Su Shi''er, sensing the atmosphere, wisely kept quiet as well.


    They descended Luofu Peak and walked for another two hours before reaching a small mountain at the sect''s edge.


    Before them stood a simple wooden and stone building. It was a standalone structure with its own courtyard, divided into several rooms, including a living area and a storeroom for discarded pills.


    "This is the Discarded Pill Room. The storeroom is for storing discarded pills. At the end of each month, each peak will send their discarded pills here. Your job is to record the number of discarded pills from each peak and report it to the steward responsible for statistics at the beginning of the month.


    This book teaches you how to identify different discarded pills. Can you read? If not, it''s okay; there are pictures."


    The disciple responsible for settling Su Shi''er led him around the various rooms of the Discarded Pill Room, handed him a guidebook on identifying discarded pills, and then hurriedly left.

 Chapter 7 - The Mysterious Pill Furnace that Transforms Waste into Treasure

    Soon, only Su Shi''er was left in the Discarded Pill Room.


    The vast space was empty, with distant sounds of wolves howling and beasts roaring faintly echoing. Su Shi''er stood in the courtyard, his heart pounding with fear. Despite his bravery, he was still just a young boy.


    But he knew well that to learn the Immortal Techniques, he must overcome the challenges before him. Lowering his head to look at the Discarded Pill Compendium in his hands, Su Shi''er began to flip through it.


    The compendium contained simple introductions to over a hundred types of pill medicines and illustrations of discarded pills. Discarded pills were the failed products of pill refining, filled with impurities and even toxins, making them completely unusable.


    For other children, understanding this would require significant effort. However, Su Shi''er had been learning to read and write from his grandfather since childhood, had read countless books, and was quick-witted. After silently reading through the compendium a few times, he memorized most of its contents.


    Holding the compendium, Su Shi''er turned and entered the storeroom where the discarded pills were kept. Having read the text and seen the pictures, the next step was to identify the real items.


    Inside the storeroom, discarded pills were piled up like mountains.


    However, with the compendium''s contents firmly in mind, Su Shi''er quickly discerned that there were not many types of discarded pills, just three to five kinds.


    The most numerous were the Foundation Pills, used by entry-level disciples to strengthen the body and eliminate impurities.


    Next were the Gathering Qi Pills, used by Qi Refining disciples to enhance cultivation speed, and a small Healing Pill for treating injuries.


    Looking at the tens of thousands of discarded pills before him, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but sigh. If these weren''t discarded pills and he could possess so many pill medicines, it would be wonderful.


    Unfortunately, for him, all this was just wishful thinking.


    Su Shi''er stayed in the storeroom until evening, discovering two more types of discarded pills besides the three he had identified.


    However, these discarded pills were just unwanted trash, and he could only learn more about pill medicines from them.


    ***


    As night fell, Su Shi''er planned to return to his room to rest.


    Just then, deep growls and heavy footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.


    The dull sounds, like muffled thunder or drumbeats, struck Su Shi''er''s heart.


    "Wild beasts?!"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Su Shi''er was shocked, his mind immediately recalling the image of a figure with severed limbs on a stretcher.


    "What should I do?" He froze in place, not daring to move, fearing he might alert the beasts outside.


    But the beasts showed no intention of leaving.


    The footsteps grew closer, and with a thud, something seemed to leap over the courtyard wall.


    Hearing the commotion, Su Shi''er''s heart raced. Holding his breath, he cautiously peeked outside through the storeroom''s gaps.


    In the courtyard, a tiger with white forehead and blood-red eyes paced, its breath making a panting sound, white mist puffing from its mouth and nose.


    Its eyes, like copper bells, glowed with a fierce light. As it sniffed the air, it seemed to catch the scent of a human, letting out a low growl, shaking its fur, and slowly approaching the storeroom where Su Shi''er was hiding.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, and he trembled all over. With his small frame, he was no match for the tiger; he wouldn''t even be enough to fill its teeth.


    Terrified, Su Shi''er grew calmer the more afraid he became.


    Turning to look at the mountain of discarded pills behind him, a bold idea formed in his mind.


    Without hesitation, he quickly retreated to the pile of discarded pills, stealthily digging a deep hole and burying himself within.


    "Clang!"


    In just a few minutes, the storeroom door was pushed open, and a massive, fierce tiger head peeked inside.


    The tiger''s gleaming teeth and foul-smelling maw terrified Su Shi''er into holding his breath, not daring to move.


    Fortunately, the sheer number of discarded pills masked Su Shi''er''s scent, and after glancing around, the tiger turned and left.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er let out a sigh of relief. But fearing the tiger might return, he stayed hidden among the discarded pills until dawn.


    After repeatedly confirming that there was no movement outside, he finally crawled out from the discarded pills.


    "What kind of place is this, with such a huge tiger right after I arrived? If I stay here, I''ll be eaten by that tiger sooner or later!"


    Su Shi''er''s heart pounded, and he muttered to himself in fear.


    He didn''t believe his small frame could be a match for the tiger.


    "But if I leave, how will I learn the methods of cultivation?


    If I can''t cultivate, how will I avenge my grandfather and the others? And there''s that mysterious pill furnace; I need to figure out its use!"


    As he pondered, Su Shi''er took out the old, rustic pill furnace from his pocket.


    Seeing the pill furnace again, his pupils contracted, and he was momentarily stunned.


    "Huh? Why are there two pills?"


    Inside the pill furnace lay two crystal-clear, thumb-sized pills, resembling jade.


    He quickly poured the pills into his hand, and immediately, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air, invigorating him, dispelling hunger and fatigue.


    Su Shi''er felt a surge of energy, grabbing a handful of discarded pills for comparison.


    The discarded pills were pitch black, emitting a faint stench, a stark contrast to the two pills in his hand.


    After careful examination, he finally confirmed that the two pills were indeed good Foundation Pills.


    "Strange, how did the pill furnace suddenly produce two Foundation Pills?


    I''ve only ever used this thing to store salt, and I''ve never seen it produce any pills.


    Could it be... that discarded pills fell in last night?"


    Thinking of this, Su Shi''er immediately tried it out, placing a discarded pill into the pill furnace and watching intently.


    Under his gaze, the discarded pill was enveloped in a green light, shedding its black color at a visible speed.


    It seemed as if the impurities were being refined away by some force.


    In just a few breaths, the discarded pill turned from black to gray-green.


    After another dozen breaths, a crystal-clear, jade-like Foundation Pill appeared in the pill furnace.


    "Hiss~"


    Watching this unfold, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but gasp.


    "This pill furnace can turn discarded pills into good pills? Turning waste into treasure, this is too miraculous!


    No wonder... no wonder those Immortals wanted this pill furnace so badly!


    But, I wonder if this pill furnace can keep refining?"


    With a mix of excitement and anxiety, he stuffed a handful of discarded pills into the pill furnace.


    In his sight, all the discarded pills were enveloped in a green light.


    After a dozen breaths, the light vanished, replaced by flawless, crystal-clear Foundation Pills.


    Su Shi''er tried this over ten times, and no matter how many pills he put in, as long as the pill furnace could hold them, they would be refined into normal pills within ten to twenty breaths.


    Throughout the process, the pill furnace remained in its rustic, worn state, unchanged.


    Having confirmed the pill furnace''s function, Su Shi''er turned to look at the mountain of discarded pills, his breath quickening.


    At this moment, in his eyes, these were not unwanted trash but pills that could be used for cultivation!


    "With so many pills, even if my spirit root is lacking, I can surely achieve something! I mustn''t tell anyone about this!"


    Clutching the pill furnace tightly to his chest, his heart pounded, and his face flushed red.


    Though he didn''t know much about cultivation, he understood the value of this pill furnace.


    Hiding the pill furnace close to his body, he found several porcelain bottles in the storeroom to store the refined pills before returning to his room.


    "Now, let''s see if these refined pills are truly effective!"


    With that thought, Su Shi''er took out a Foundation Pill from his pocket.

 Chapter 8 - Hunting Tiger

    This was the only type of pill medicine he could take right now. As for the Gathering Qi Pills, those were for disciples in the Qi Refining stage to use for cultivation.


    Looking at the pill in his hand, Su Shi''er hesitated for a moment before closing his eyes and swallowing it.


    As the pill went down his throat, Su Shi''er immediately felt a warm current flowing through his entire body, like basking in the sun, exceptionally comfortable.


    This state lasted for a full hour.


    When the warm current disappeared, Su Shi''er opened his eyes to find that a layer of thick black impurities had unknowingly seeped out onto the surface of his body.


    He quickly went to the courtyard to wash away the impurities. After taking a few deep breaths, he felt no discomfort; instead, he felt full of energy.


    Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief, his anxious heart finally at ease.


    "It seems these pills are indeed effective. Just like the books say, they can remove impurities from the body and enhance one''s physique.


    If I consume all these Foundation Pills, my body will definitely become very strong.


    By then, I won''t have to fear that tiger anymore!"


    Su Shi''er thought silently and decided to stay in the Discarded Pill Room, consuming Foundation Pills as his daily food.


    He had no idea how extravagant this behavior was. Using Foundation Pills as meals was unheard of, not just in the Azure Mountain range, but throughout the entire Zhao Kingdom.


    If other disciples found out, they would be green with envy!


    In the cultivation world, the success rate of pill refining was extremely low. Entry-level disciples of the Cloud Song Sect received as few as three to as many as ten Foundation Pills per month.


    ***


    For ten consecutive days, Su Shi''er lived in constant anxiety.


    Every night during these ten days, the tiger would appear. Knowing he was no match for it, he could only hide in the Discarded Pill Room when it showed up, using the discarded pills to mask his scent.


    This morning, Su Shi''er swallowed three more Foundation Pills.


    But this time, there were almost no impurities expelled from his body, and apart from not feeling hungry, there were no other noticeable changes.


    This situation made Su Shi''er furrow his brows.


    "It seems that Foundation Pills can''t infinitely enhance my physique. This is troublesome! That tiger remains a threat, and if it ever catches me, I''m done for.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    I must find another way. Even if it''s risky, I need to get rid of it as soon as possible!


    My current physique is on par with adults. If I could set a trap..."


    As Su Shi''er thought about it, his eyes lit up. The improvement in his physique had boosted his confidence, but he wasn''t about to engage the tiger in close combat unless absolutely necessary.


    The biggest difference between humans and animals is the ability to think!


    Once he had the idea, he wasted no time.


    He checked each room and soon found a pile of farming tools in one of them.


    Su Shi''er picked out a shovel and an axe and began to take action.


    After a whole day''s work, he dug a pit five to six meters deep in the courtyard. He chopped several arm-thick wooden stakes, sharpened them, and embedded them upside down at the bottom and around the pit.


    By nightfall, a carefully crafted trap was set up in the courtyard.


    After concealing the trap, Su Shi''er held the axe and crouched in the corner of the courtyard, patiently waiting.


    He was determined to hunt the tiger tonight.


    With his ear pressed against the wall, he began to listen intently.


    After consuming a large number of Foundation Pills, not only had his physique improved, but his senses had also been enhanced. Now, he could clearly hear many sounds from a hundred meters away.


    Based on the past few days'' experience, the tiger should be arriving around this time.


    Soon, he heard the rustling footsteps approaching from afar.


    Hearing the noise, he instinctively tightened his grip on the axe, leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on the courtyard without blinking.


    "Thud!"


    With a dull thud, the tiger leaped over the wall as if it were returning home.


    Seeing the tiger appear, Su Shi''er shivered at first, then quickly raised the axe, standing up, ready for action.


    Even though he was prepared, facing such an opponent for the first time, he couldn''t help but feel nervous, his limbs slightly trembling.


    The sheer size of the creature alone was not something he could easily contend with.


    At the same time, the tiger noticed Su Shi''er in the corner, and smelling the scent of a human, its ferocity was unleashed.


    "Roar!"


    The tiger let out a roar, opening its bloodthirsty maw and charging at Su Shi''er.


    Its sharp claws and fangs glinted coldly in the moonlight, and the foul breath from its mouth was terrifying!


    The massive body made the ground tremble with each step.


    As the tiger drew closer, Su Shi''er''s heart pounded in his throat, cold sweat breaking out on his back!


    His gaze fell on the trap not far ahead, and he felt a bit more at ease.


    But in the next second, an unexpected change occurred.


    Just as the tiger was about to step into the trap, it suddenly leaped, seemingly about to jump over the trap and pounce directly on Su Shi''er.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er panicked. If the trap didn''t work, he would be in great danger on his own.


    "Ah!"


    With a loud shout, he disregarded his fear, using all his strength to hurl the axe at the airborne tiger.


    "Bang!"


    With a dull thud, the axe struck the tiger, causing its head to bleed profusely.


    Su Shi''er''s strength now rivaled that of a strongman!


    The tiger, just as it leaped, was struck by the axe, its body pausing in mid-air before landing prematurely.


    Upon landing, the tiger grimaced in pain, its eyes wide open, letting out a fierce roar as it prepared to charge at Su Shi''er again.


    But just as it moved, the ground beneath its feet suddenly gave way. Caught off guard, it fell directly into the pit.


    "Splash~"


    A splash of bright red blood erupted from the trap. As it fell, the tiger was impaled by the sharp stakes, letting out an earth-shattering roar.


    But after a few roars, it fell silent.


    Seeing the silence, Su Shi''er quickly grabbed the axe and moved to the side, peering into the pit.


    Just as he leaned over, a shadow flashed before his eyes¡ªthe tiger, enduring its injuries, leaped up.


    Caught off guard, Su Shi''er was knocked away, the axe slipping from his grasp.


    Upon hitting the ground, he felt a wave of soreness and pain throughout his body. If it weren''t for the long-term consumption of Foundation Pills, which greatly enhanced his physique, he would have been in pieces by now.


    "Not good!"


    Ignoring his injuries, he quickly got up.


    As soon as he stood, he saw the tiger, bleeding and with eyes full of malice, pouncing on him. Its jaws wide open, teeth gleaming menacingly as it lunged to bite him.


    In desperation, Su Shi''er flung a handful of dust into its eyes. Taking advantage of its momentary blindness, he kicked it hard on its injured side.


    His strength now far exceeded that of an ordinary mortal. The kick was both heavy and fierce, causing the tiger to stagger, nearly falling.


    Seizing the opportunity, Su Shi''er rolled to where the axe had fallen. Picking it up, he swung it with force at the tiger.


    By now, Su Shi''er was filled with rage, needing to vent his anger. Seeing blood, he no longer cared about traps.


    The tiger, already wounded, had its reactions and agility greatly diminished.


    Facing Su Shi''er''s attack, it was defenseless.


    ***


    Half an hour later, Su Shi''er had a few new wounds on his body. But the tiger, covered in blood, lay on the ground, unable to rise.


    "I... I actually killed a tiger with my own strength? These cultivator pills are incredible."


    Standing beside the tiger''s corpse, Su Shi''er felt a surge of excitement after calming down.


    Hunting a tiger alone had greatly boosted his courage! The sense of achievement was indescribable.


    But soon, a wave of fear followed.


    "That was close. I thought the trap was foolproof, but the tiger played dead and nearly killed me. I must be more cautious in the future!"


    The tiger''s feigned death and counterattack left a deep impression on him, making him realize that he should never underestimate any opponent.


    That night, Su Shi''er slept exceptionally well.

 Chapter 9 - Men in Black Reappear

    The next day, he dismembered the fierce tiger and made it into roasted meat, then settled down in the Discarded Pill Room.


    However, every few days, different wild beasts would come near the Discarded Pill Room.


    To deal with this, he set up numerous traps around his dwelling, tirelessly hunting these beasts.


    Although he hadn''t started cultivating yet, his combat skills improved significantly from daily battles with various beasts. Moreover, the improved diet greatly benefited his physical growth.


    ***


    That evening, Su Shi''er, draped in a tiger skin and holding a bamboo knife, hid in a mountain hollow near his dwelling.


    Lying in the hollow, he resembled a sleeping tiger. Under the tiger skin, he strained his ears, listening intently to the surrounding sounds.


    This time, he was up against a fierce blue wolf as strong as an ox. The blue wolf was extremely vicious and could even spew strong winds from its mouth, much like the legendary demonic beasts.


    He had been outsmarting this demonic beast for several days, and today, he had prepared several extra traps, intending to finish it off once and for all.


    Just then, a rustling sound reached his ears.


    Su Shi''er''s heart tightened, and he instinctively gripped the bamboo knife in his hand.


    But the next second, the voice that came from not far away struck him like a bolt of lightning.


    "Where is it?!"


    "Subordinate failed to accomplish the task, please punish me, Lord!"


    Hearing the voice, Su Shi''er froze in place.


    Immediately, a surge of intense hatred welled up in his heart.


    The latter''s voice was so familiar! It was a voice he could never forget for the rest of his life!


    At that moment, the image of the black-clothed person who murdered his grandfather and the villagers flashed through his mind!


    "That person, he''s actually in the Cloud Song Sect?!"


    The thought flashed by, and Su Shi''er clenched his fists.


    But he knew in his heart that he was no match for that person now.


    If discovered, he would be doomed!


    That black-clothed person was more brutal and terrifying than a fierce tiger!


    Holding his breath, Su Shi''er didn''t dare to make a sound.


    Nearby, the conversation between the two continued.


    "You indeed deserve punishment, but you wouldn''t be trying to keep the Treasure Furnace for yourself, would you?"Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Lord, you wrong me. That old man from Small Stone Village had a mouth harder than stone. Despite all my threats and bribes, he refused to speak until his death."


    "Hmph! Can''t even handle a few mortals, what use do I have for you?!"


    ***


    Listening to their conversation, Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat.


    "Lord? That person sounds even more formidable than the black-clothed person?


    Could it be... there''s someone even more powerful behind the black-clothed person?"


    This realization shocked him even more.


    Lying on the ground, he remained motionless, fearing the two would discover his presence.


    Through a gap, he could vaguely see two shadowy black figures conversing under a towering tree not far away.


    The moonlight stretched their shadows, casting them onto him.


    "Thank you, Lord, for sparing my life. I have another lead on this matter!"


    "Oh? What lead?"


    "Afterward, I went back to Small Stone Village and found a new cemetery with a hundred graves. The person who erected the monument is named Su Shi''er, the grandson of that old man. If I''m not mistaken, the Treasure Furnace must be with that boy named Su Shi''er!"


    "Hmm? Is that so? Fine, I''ll give you another month. If you still can''t find the Treasure Furnace, you know the consequences!"


    ***


    After speaking, the two conspired for a while longer before soaring into the sky, flying off in different directions.


    In the mountain hollow, Su Shi''er lay on the ground, his mind in turmoil.


    His head was filled with the black-clothed person''s final words.


    "He... he knows my name and that the Pill Furnace is with me?!


    No, I must leave here immediately!"


    At that moment, Su Shi''er''s heart raced, his mind consumed with thoughts of escape.


    But on second thought, if he left the Cloud Song Sect, he wouldn''t know where else to learn cultivation methods.


    Moreover, he had finally obtained a clue about the black-clothed person. If he left without investigating further, he wouldn''t be satisfied.


    With this in mind, Su Shi''er forced himself to calm down and waited until the latter half of the night. Confirming that the two hadn''t returned and the blue wolf hadn''t appeared, he returned to his dwelling with a nervous heart.


    ***


    The next morning, at dawn.


    Su Shi''er had just woken up when he heard a series of urgent knocks on the door.


    Knock, knock, knock...


    The sound was neither fast nor slow, but each knock seemed to strike Su Shi''er''s heart, quickening his pulse.


    "Oh no, could it be... that person found me so soon?" Su Shi''er jumped out of bed, his heart in his throat.


    His eyes darted around as he considered the possibility of escape.


    "Junior Brother Shi''er, are you there?"


    At this moment, a melodious voice came from outside.


    Senior Sister Xiao Yue?


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er was momentarily stunned, but his heart didn''t settle. Instead, he suddenly realized another problem: he had joined Luofu Peak using his real name.


    And now, not only did the black-clothed person know of his existence, but he also knew his name!


    What should he do? Su Shi''er broke out in a cold sweat.


    As he was at a loss, Xiao Yue''s slightly worried voice came from outside again.


    "Junior Brother Shi''er?!"


    Hearing the voice again, Su Shi''er had no choice but to temporarily suppress his worries, take a deep breath, and quickly go to open the door.


    "Senior Sister Xiao Yue?"


    As the door opened, he saw Xiao Yue standing at the entrance, dressed in a long gown with a sword on her back.


    Seeing Su Shi''er, Xiao Yue''s face was full of surprise.


    Perhaps in her heart, she thought Su Shi''er wouldn''t last this long, either dying at the hands of a beast or having fled in fear.


    Despite her surprise, Xiao Yue quickly smiled, appearing very natural.


    "Judging by your complexion, it seems you''ve been doing... quite well?" As she spoke, Xiao Yue glanced into the courtyard.


    Seeing the pile of various beast hides on the ground, her pupils contracted in shock!


    "Hmm? Are those beast hides? You... you actually killed so many beasts?"


    As she spoke, Xiao Yue quickly scanned Su Shi''er up and down, unable to believe what she was seeing.


    A mere twelve-year-old child capable of killing so many beasts? What a joke!


    "It wasn''t me who killed them! I just dug a few traps around, and those beasts were too stupid, falling in every few days." Su Shi''er scratched his head and smiled, quickly inviting Xiao Yue in and pointing to the traps in the courtyard.


    He didn''t want Xiao Yue to think he was impressive, and he certainly couldn''t let anyone know about taking the Foundation Pills.


    "So it was traps, I see! But still, it''s impressive you came up with such a method! Others would probably be scared to death encountering these beasts!"


    Seeing the traps, Xiao Yue''s emotions calmed a bit. Otherwise, she would have thought he was a prodigy.


    But her gaze at Su Shi''er was still full of surprise and admiration.


    At twelve, she didn''t have such skills or courage.


    This little guy was smart and brave, but unfortunately, his spirit root was too poor; otherwise, he would be a promising talent.


    "Hehe, thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister!" Su Shi''er chuckled, then asked about her visit, "Senior Sister, is there something you need this time?"


    Xiao Yue smiled and said, "I came to check on your safety, but it seems I worried for nothing. Secondly, I''m here to inform you about the newcomer trial!"


    "Newcomer trial?" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow slightly. He had heard the Peak Lord of Heavenly Splendor Peak mention it when he first entered the sect.


    Xiao Yue nodded, "Yes, according to Cloud Song Sect''s rules, every batch of newcomers must participate in a trial five years after entering. Only by passing the trial can they stay in the sect; otherwise, they can only be servant disciples or be sent back."


    "Servant disciples? Sent back?" Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, and he cautiously asked, "What does the trial entail?"


    Xiao Yue replied, "The trial content varies each time and will be announced when it begins. However, based on past experiences, to pass the trial, one must have at least the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage or higher."


    "Fourth level of the Qi Refining stage?" Su Shi''er''s face turned pale.


    According to Lu Mingshi, he could only cultivate to the seventh or eighth level of the Qi Refining stage in his lifetime.


    At this rate, let alone not having a cultivation method now, even if he did, reaching the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage within five years would be extremely challenging.


    But giving up was not an option for Su Shi''er.


    After hesitating for a moment, he quietly asked Xiao Yue, "Senior Sister, if I want to cultivate, what should I do?"

 Chapter 10 - Basic Breathing Technique

    Xiao Yue raised an eyebrow with a smile, "It seems you''re not planning to give up. Luckily, I brought you something."


    "Something?" Su Shi''er looked up, momentarily stunned.


    As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Yue waved her hand, and a few items appeared in her grasp: a set of blue clothes, two books, and an iron token.


    "This is your identity token, with your name on it, used to verify disciples within the sect.


    The disciple''s robe, made from the silk of the Yunmeng Silkworm, can stretch and shrink according to your body size. Amazing, right?


    And these two books are the sect manual and the introductory cultivation technique, Basic Breathing Technique!"


    Xiao Yue introduced each item with a smile and then handed them to Su Shi''er.


    After thinking for a moment, she added, "Additionally, all disciples who join the sect can receive three bottles of Foundation Pills from the Pill Pavilion each year.


    Of course, if you advance to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, you can not only select a formal technique from the Library Pavilion but also receive ten extra Spirit Stones and three bottles of Gathering Qi Pills."


    "Thank you, Senior Sister!" Su Shi''er accepted the items, his gaze sweeping over the Basic Breathing Technique book, his eyes flashing with eagerness. Quickly, he cupped his hands in gratitude towards Xiao Yue.


    To him, nothing else mattered. This book, teaching the art of cultivation, was the treasure he had longed for.


    "Alright, seeing how eager you are, I won''t disturb you. Cultivate well. Han Yu has already reached the peak of the first level of the Qi Refining stage, so keep it up." Xiao Yue smiled at Su Shi''er, noticing the urgency in his eyes.


    Despite her words, she didn''t believe Su Shi''er could match Han Yu, who possessed top-grade dual spirit roots. Still, a few words of encouragement were necessary.


    With a smile and a shake of her head, she hurriedly left.


    Su Shi''er saw Xiao Yue off, memorized her instructions, and returned to his room, eagerly picking up the Basic Breathing Technique to study it carefully.


    The book not only recorded the cultivation methods for the first six levels of the Qi Refining stage but also included some basic cultivation knowledge and two minor techniques, Fire Control and Wind Summoning.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Su Shi''er wasn''t particularly focused on this information, but with his good memory, he managed to grasp the gist of it with a quick read.


    However, his attention was mainly on the cultivation section.


    The book detailed the techniques for absorbing Qi into the body and circulating it internally for each level.


    In this area, Su Shi''er showed some talent, understanding the meaning after a single read.


    To be safe, he meticulously read the book two more times. Then, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate, albeit nervously.


    After consuming a large number of Foundation Pills, he could clearly sense the faint presence of the spiritual energy in the air.


    But when he actually tried to absorb the Qi into his body, he found it incredibly difficult. The strands of spiritual energy were like untamed wild horses, hard to control.


    ***


    For several days, Su Shi''er cultivated day and night. Initially, he was worried, fearing the black-clothed person might come looking for him at any time.


    But then he realized that the black-clothed person might not even know he had a spirit root and had joined the Cloud Song Sect.


    With this thought, he felt temporarily at ease.


    In cultivation, despite his young age, he showed great patience.


    It wasn''t until the fifth day that he successfully drew the first wisp of spiritual energy into his body.


    Feeling the presence of the spiritual energy within him, Su Shi''er was overjoyed, quickly using his mind to lock onto it.


    He then exerted all his effort to circulate the energy throughout his body according to the technique. After one cycle, the energy transformed into a small grain-sized mass of true essence, merging into his Dantian''s sea of Qi.


    In the next moment, his body trembled, and an extremely comfortable sensation spread throughout his body.


    Exhaling a breath of white mist, Su Shi''er smiled with delight, clenching his small fists in excitement.


    "Great, from today onwards, I can consider myself a Qi Refiner! This bit of true essence may not accomplish much, but it''s a good start! Keep going!"


    Taking a deep breath, Su Shi''er continued to absorb Qi into his body, refining the spiritual energy.


    ***


    However, after ten days of continuous cultivation, he only managed to refine a few more wisps of spiritual energy, adding a few barely visible points of true essence within him.


    This speed and result left him thoroughly disappointed with his spirit root.


    "No, at this rate, truly reaching the first level of the Qi Refining stage is a distant dream!


    If I can''t quickly improve my cultivation, let alone seek revenge on that black-clothed person, I might not even complete the newcomer trial in three years.


    It seems I need to try the Gathering Qi Pills. But these pills can only be obtained at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, there must be a reason for that."


    Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Su Shi''er muttered to himself, then took out a Gathering Qi Pill from his pocket.


    Studying the pill in his hand, his expression froze slightly.


    "According to the book, the grades of cultivator pills are divided into low, mid, high, and top grade. Top-grade pills, being free of impurities, appear crystal clear, like flawless white jade.


    Such pills, free from pill toxins, can be consumed infinitely by cultivators, making them incredibly precious. Could it be that the pill furnace refines only top-grade pills?"


    Thinking of this, Su Shi''er became excited.


    Others had to be cautious when consuming pills, regularly finding ways to cleanse pill toxins from their bodies. But with the mysterious pill furnace, the pills he refined required no such worries.


    Suppressing his excitement, Su Shi''er''s gaze returned to the Gathering Qi Pill in his hand.


    For him, the most important thing now was to quickly improve his cultivation.


    After a moment''s hesitation, he resolutely swallowed the Gathering Qi Pill.


    As the pill entered his body, it immediately transformed into a vast amount of spiritual energy, filling him completely. In the next second, Su Shi''er''s face turned red, veins bulging all over his body, overwhelmed by pain.


    Though he was mentally prepared, facing it for real revealed just how painful it was.


    The spiritual energy contained in the Gathering Qi Pill, though not as wild as the natural spiritual energy, was immense, far beyond what a Qi Refiner below the sixth level could handle.


    At that moment, he couldn''t cultivate normally, the pain nearly causing him to faint. The terrifying spiritual energy threatened to burst his meridians!


    In his semi-conscious state, reminded of the vengeance he bore, Su Shi''er gritted his teeth, mustering a bit of spirit, and forced himself to activate the Breathing Technique, enduring the pain to refine the spiritual energy within him.

 Chapter 11 - Fire Control and Wind Summoning

    Twenty days later, Su Shi''er exhaled a breath of white mist, and his whole body emitted a cracking sound like popping beans.


    At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, and he had lost a noticeable amount of weight, looking particularly exhausted. Yet, a faint smile lingered on his face.


    These twenty days felt like years to him, filled with unbearable pain.


    However, refining this Gathering Qi Pill had obvious effects. The True Essence within him had grown from the size of a grain of rice to that of a soybean.


    Now, he could truly be considered a Qi Refining stage cultivator.


    "Indeed, pills are truly wonderful! Although consuming the Gathering Qi Pill brings immense pain, the speed of cultivation increases more than tenfold. In this sense, it''s definitely worth it!"


    "I heard from Senior Sister Xiao Yue that Han Yu reached the first level of the Qi Refining stage in just ten days. Although my speed isn''t as fast as his, compared to ordinary people, it''s already quite good."


    Su Shi''er clenched his fists, filled with excitement. He wasn''t trying to compete with anyone; for him, reaching the first level of the Qi Refining stage in such a short time was already an achievement.


    Suppressing his excitement, Su Shi''er didn''t rush to continue cultivating.


    "Although I barely managed to refine this Gathering Qi Pill, my meridians have been damaged as a result."


    "If I don''t wait for my meridians to recover and try again, it would be certain death."


    "But this is a good opportunity to practice those two spells from the cultivation technique. Otherwise, if I encounter danger, I won''t have the power to protect myself."


    Su Shi''er thought to himself. After swallowing a Healing Pill to treat his injuries, he got up and went to the courtyard.


    Recalling the information about the Fire Control spell in his mind, he tried to mobilize his True Essence and formed seals with his hands.


    "Whoosh..."


    In the next second, a fist-sized flame appeared in front of him, burning with high heat.


    The flame flickered rapidly, as if it would escape his control at any moment. Su Shi''er had to increase his True Essence, but the more he did, the more unstable the flame became.


    In the blink of an eye, his True Essence was exhausted.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    The flame in the air vanished with a puff.


    At the same time, Su Shi''er''s body went limp, and he collapsed in the courtyard, drenched in sweat and feeling utterly drained.


    The difficulty and True Essence consumption of the Fire Control spell were beyond his imagination.


    But Su Shi''er wasn''t one to give up easily. He sat down on the spot, silently recovering his True Essence.


    Once his True Essence was restored, he immediately resumed practice.


    This cycle repeated itself, and although it was extremely monotonous, unlike other children his age who would find it hard to endure the solitude, Su Shi''er was driven by determination and didn''t find it boring at all.


    Gradually, he became more adept at controlling his True Essence. In the process of continuous consumption and replenishment, his True Essence subtly increased.


    This discovery delighted Su Shi''er immensely.


    In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed since he joined the Cloud Song Sect.


    That evening, in the woods beside the Discarded Pill Room, Su Shi''er was hunched over, leaning against a towering tree, panting heavily.


    Compared to six months ago, his skin had become noticeably darker, and his body had grown more robust.


    In front of him, three low-level wolf demons with blood-red eyes and bodies as large as cattle, covered in scars, were baring their teeth and slowly approaching.


    Facing the crisis, he remained calm, quickly forming seals with his hands and mustering the last bit of his True Essence.


    "Summon Wind!"


    "Control Fire!"


    With a series of low shouts, a fierce wind swept through the forest, obscuring the wolf demons'' vision with sand and dust. Several high-temperature fireballs took advantage of the opportunity to land on the wolf demons.


    "Boom boom boom~"


    In the swirling sand, sparks flew.


    The three wolf demons, already at the end of their strength, couldn''t hold on any longer. They let out whimpers and collapsed, dead.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er didn''t rush forward but instead sat down to meditate.


    After a moment, he stood up and threw several more fireballs, smashing the wolf demons'' heads to pieces. Only then did he approach, skillfully stringing the wolf demon corpses with a rope and heading back to the Discarded Pill Room.


    In six months of cultivation, Su Shi''er not only mastered the two spells but also increased his True Essence from the size of a soybean to that of a broad bean.


    "These two spells are now quite proficient, but unfortunately, I have too little True Essence, and can only cast spells three times at most. Next, I''ll have to rely on the Gathering Qi Pills for intensive cultivation. But before that, I should collect the Foundation Pills distributed by the sect."


    "Although with the mysterious Pill Furnace, I can have as many Foundation Pills as I want, it would be strange for a new disciple not to collect the pills. Moreover, if possible, I need to find out the true identity of that black-clothed person."


    Su Shi''er walked along, silently planning.


    He was already quite clever, and over the past six months, consuming Foundation Pills daily hadn''t improved his physique, but it had made his mind sharper.


    After delivering the wolf demon corpses, he changed into the disciple''s robe issued by the sect and immediately set off for the Pill Pavilion.


    Each peak had its own Pill Pavilion, and in principle, disciples could only collect pills from their respective peak''s pavilion.


    The sect distributed pills and other resources once a year, and they could be collected at any time.


    In just an hour, Su Shi''er arrived outside the Pill Pavilion on Luofu Peak.


    From the outside, the Pill Pavilion looked like a square quadrangle courtyard. The open door had a plaque hanging above it, inscribed with the words ''Pill Pavilion.''


    Looking through the door, he saw a massive pill furnace over five meters tall standing in the center of the courtyard. Smoke curled up from the furnace, filling the air with a fragrance that spread for miles.


    Su Shi''er walked straight into the courtyard and immediately saw seven new disciples around his age, each with a joyful expression, lining up to collect their pills.


    Among them were three children who had joined Luofu Peak with him that day.


    For the past six months, they had been learning to read and write. Today, they finally passed and couldn''t wait to collect their pills.


    Compared to Su Shi''er, these children appeared much more naive.


    Seeing Su Shi''er enter, the three children recognized him at once, each showing great surprise.


    It''s that little beggar! He''s still alive?


    None of them expected that Su Shi''er could survive alone in a place like the Discarded Pill Room for so long.


    The chubby boy at the end of the line, Zhu Hanwei, raised an eyebrow and widened his eyes.


    "Didn''t they say there were fierce beasts in the Discarded Pill Room? How come this little beggar looks even sturdier!"


    Muttering softly, Zhu Hanwei paid no further attention.


    In front of the children stood a servant disciple in his twenties, overweight and with a face full of flesh.


    The man had a pile of medicine bottles in front of him, and with an impatient look, he checked an identity token before handing three bottles of pills to a square-faced child at the front of the line.


    The square-faced child was thrilled, eagerly opening the bottles to examine the pills.


    The next second, the square-faced child suddenly froze, his expression changing slightly.

 Chapter 12 - Arrogant Servant Disciple

    The square-faced child hesitated for a moment, looked up at the servant disciple, and asked, "Senior Brother, didn''t you say each person would get three bottles of Foundation Pills, totaling thirty pills? I... I only have twenty-seven here."


    "What do you mean twenty-seven? I packed all the pills myself, there''s no way I made a mistake!" the servant disciple declared confidently.


    "But there really are only twenty-seven here, you can count them if you don''t believe me!" the square-faced child whispered.


    "Count? Can''t you see I''m busy? Do you want them or not? If not, hand them over and get lost!" The servant disciple glared, slammed his palm on the table with a bang, and shouted loudly.


    The noise made the square-faced child shiver. Looking at the tall servant disciple in front of him, he hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head sullenly without saying another word.


    The other children, seeing this, also shrank their necks, their smiles frozen on their faces.


    Soon after, another square-faced child received three bottles of pills.


    Moving to the side, this child quickly checked his pills. Upon seeing them, his face turned ashen.


    But glancing at the servant disciple, the child silently put the pills back into the bottle without a word.


    Su Shi''er stood at the back of the crowd, observing everything.


    He clearly saw that the square-faced child''s bottle contained only twenty-five pills. Among them, two were discarded pills, and the rest were dull-colored low-grade spirit pills.


    Su Shi''er frowned slightly but said nothing. However, this behavior reminded him of when people came to the village to collect grain, always mixing good grain with bad and skimping, just like Er Gou''s father.


    Soon, all six children received their pills.


    However, after checking, all six had mournful expressions, heads down, looking like they were angry but didn''t dare to speak.


    The worst off among them only received twenty Foundation Pills, three of which were discarded pills.


    Then it was Zhu Hanwei''s turn, second to last.


    The servant disciple glanced at Zhu Hanwei''s identity token and casually grabbed three bottles of pills.


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    "Senior Brother, I''m Zhu Hanwei, the son of the mayor of Dragon Return Town. Thank you for your hard work distributing the pills, here''s a small token of appreciation." Before the servant disciple could hand over the bottles, Zhu Hanwei swiftly pulled out a silver ingot from his pocket and placed it on the table with a smile.


    The silver ingot was the size of a baby''s fist, looking quite hefty, weighing a full fifty taels.


    Seeing the silver, the servant disciple''s eyes gleamed.


    Squinting, he skillfully slipped the ingot into his sleeve with a wave of his hand.


    As a servant disciple with no hope of cultivation, all he could do was gather some wealth to enjoy a life of luxury when he returned home.


    Looking at Zhu Hanwei again, the servant disciple smiled warmly, his attitude suddenly becoming friendly.


    "Junior Brother, no need to be so polite. The Peak Lord entrusted me with this important task, and I won''t let him down."


    "You''re quite promising. Keep working hard, and you''ll achieve great things in the future."


    With a few words of encouragement, the servant disciple pulled out three porcelain bottles from his pocket and handed them to Zhu Hanwei.


    "Don''t worry, Senior Brother. If I achieve anything, I won''t forget you." Zhu Hanwei nodded eagerly.


    With that, he took the bottles and quickly checked them aside.


    His bottles contained Foundation Pills, two of which were smooth and round, high-grade pills. The rest were bright mid-grade pills, totaling exactly thirty, not one more, not one less.


    This scene left the other disciples wide-eyed with envy, their eyes turning red with jealousy.


    Su Shi''er glanced over but wasn''t envious. The Foundation Pills refined by the mysterious Pill Furnace were all top-grade, far more precious than these.


    However, even a small amount is still valuable. These pills were distributed by the sect and belonged to him.


    By all rights, he had no reason not to claim them.


    Holding his identity token, Su Shi''er also approached the servant disciple.


    At this moment, the servant disciple had returned to his impatient demeanor, quickly scanning the identity token. He glanced at Su Shi''er with disdain and muttered under his breath.


    "Su Shi''er? The kid taking over Chen Xi''s job guarding the Discarded Pill Room?"


    "You sure are lucky to survive in a place like that for so long! Here, these are your pills." With a roll of his eyes, he grabbed three bottles from the corner of the table and roughly tossed them to Su Shi''er.


    Su Shi''er frowned, feeling a bit displeased, but he wasn''t there to cause trouble, so he didn''t react.


    Taking the bottles, he hesitated for a moment and decided to open them for a look.


    What he saw made his anger flare up.


    The three bottles contained only fifteen Foundation Pills in total.


    And the most infuriating part was that these fifteen pills were all black and foul-smelling.


    These weren''t spirit pills; they were clearly discarded pills.


    In the courtyard, the others were preparing to leave, but upon seeing the pills Su Shi''er received, they all wore schadenfreude smiles.


    Initially, they were a bit envious of Zhu Hanwei. But now, seeing someone worse off than them, their discomfort eased considerably.


    "Senior Brother, what is the meaning of this?" Su Shi''er stared at the servant disciple, slamming the discarded pills onto the table.


    He had the mysterious Pill Furnace and didn''t care if they were discarded pills.


    But he couldn''t swallow this insult.


    If there were only one or two discarded pills, missing two or three, he might have let it slide.


    But now, half the pills were missing, and the rest were all discarded.


    He had the mysterious Pill Furnace now, but what if he didn''t? These pills could very well have ended his path to immortality!


    "What do you mean? Kid, why are you bringing these discarded pills to me?" the servant disciple snorted, crossing his arms and retorting.


    "Aren''t these discarded pills the ones you gave me?" Su Shi''er frowned, coldly questioning.


    "What do you mean I gave them to you? Kid, are you crazy? This is the Pill Pavilion, not the Discarded Pill Room! Trying to slander me? This isn''t a place for you to cause trouble," the servant disciple said with a malicious look, even starting to threaten.


    He didn''t dare to shortchange other disciples too much, but he didn''t care about Su Shi''er, a nobody guarding the Discarded Pill Room.


    He just didn''t expect Su Shi''er to dare to resist and question him!


    And he had just handed these discarded pills to Su Shi''er, now directly denying it.


    This maneuver left Su Shi''er stunned.


    Wasn''t this just being shameless?


    "Cause trouble? Since you put it that way, I''ll have to take this to the Peak Lord!" Su Shi''er said coldly.


    "Take it to the Peak Lord? Do you think the Peak Lord has time for you?" the servant disciple sneered, confident that he had Su Shi''er cornered.


    "The Peak Lord may not have time, but I think Senior Sister Xiao Yue might," Su Shi''er replied calmly, not backing down.


    He didn''t want to waste too much time here; having Xiao Yue handle this was undoubtedly the simplest and most convenient solution.

 Chapter 13 - First attempt

    "You... Hmph! Do you think Senior Sister Xiao Yue will believe you? So many people have no issues, yet you''re the only one with a problem?" The servant disciple squinted his eyes, his gaze growing increasingly unfriendly.


    "Do you really think that if Senior Sister Xiao Yue questions it, the others will still say nothing?" Su Shi''er grinned, his eyes sweeping over the other disciples before turning to walk straight out the door.


    In the courtyard, the others'' eyes lit up, some feeling tempted.


    Losing several pills for no reason would upset anyone.


    However, they didn''t have the courage of Su Shi''er. But if Su Shi''er took the lead, they wouldn''t mind saying a bit more.


    The servant disciple noticed the reactions of the others and felt a jolt of panic.


    Xiao Yue was known for her integrity and kindness, and as the granddaughter of the Peak Lord, she held a high status on Luofu Peak. If she found out about this, his days would be difficult.


    "Alright, let''s talk this over! Here''s a bottle of pills for you!" He glared at Su Shi''er with hatred, thought for a moment, and decided it was better to keep things quiet. If this really blew up, it wouldn''t be good for him. Resolute, he pulled out a bottle of pills and tossed it to Su Shi''er.


    Su Shi''er frowned, opened the bottle, and saw only ten pills inside. He snorted coldly, "Only ten?"


    "Kid, these are ten high-grade pills. Forget thirty, these are worth fifty low-grade pills." The servant disciple said irritably, acting as if he had suffered a great loss, though his eyes glinted with malice.


    Hmph, I''ll let you hold onto them for now. Once we leave the Pill Pavilion, I''ll deal with you.


    "If I remember correctly, the sect rules clearly state that each new disciple receives three bottles a year, which is thirty Foundation Pills!" Su Shi''er snorted coldly, staring at the other, unmoved.


    He didn''t know what the other was planning, but instinctively felt that the offer was too straightforward to be good.


    After weighing it in his mind, he felt the other''s strength wasn''t very strong and relaxed.


    For him, with the mysterious Pill Furnace in hand, the quality of the pills was irrelevant; quantity was key.


    "Kid, don''t push it!" The servant disciple glared at Su Shi''er, flipping the table in front of him in anger.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    He just wanted to get rid of Su Shi''er for now and settle accounts later. Unfortunately, the extra pills had already been secretly sold off. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have used discarded pills to make up the numbers.


    "Push it? I''m just asking for what''s rightfully mine! Since you''re unwilling to give it, let''s have Senior Sister Xiao Yue talk to you!"


    Su Shi''er pursed his lips, speaking bluntly. After speaking, he collected the discarded pills and the bottle of high-grade pills and walked straight out.


    But the servant disciple, seeing this, was unwilling to let him go, glaring at Su Shi''er with eyes full of fury.


    "Kid, since you''re asking for it, don''t blame me for being rude!"


    "Today, I''ll show you what a cultivator''s strength is."


    The servant disciple spoke each word with hatred. At the same time, he mobilized the thin True Essence within him, forming seals with his hands.


    Immediately, a fist-sized fireball appeared in front of him.


    "Go!"


    With a muffled grunt, the servant disciple propelled the fireball with True Essence, sending it hurtling towards Su Shi''er''s back.


    Such an attack wasn''t lethal but could cause serious injury.


    The servant disciple squinted, a cold smile on his lips.


    After all, he was a Qi Refining stage cultivator, dealing with a few disciples who had joined less than half a year ago should be a piece of cake.


    "Is this the Fire Control technique recorded in the books? It''s unbelievable! That little beggar is doomed!"


    "Serves him right, Senior Brother already gave him ten high-grade pills, and he wasn''t satisfied!"


    "Luckily, I didn''t provoke this Senior Brother earlier, or I''d be in trouble now!"


    ...


    Watching the fireball streak through the air, everyone''s expressions changed dramatically. They had just learned basic literacy and hadn''t even started formal cultivation.


    To them, the servant disciple''s method seemed like an immortal''s technique.


    The next second, their eyes fell on Su Shi''er, filled with sympathy, while they secretly felt relieved.


    Although Su Shi''er had his back to the opponent, he had been on guard from the start.


    Hearing the commotion, True Essence surged within him.


    As he turned, seeing the fireball speeding towards him, he decisively formed seals with his hands.


    "Summon Wind! Go!"


    Su Shi''er calmly uttered, and a fierce wind suddenly arose.


    The wind howled past, heading straight for the servant disciple. In the air, it met the fireball.


    "Boom!"


    With a muffled sound, the fireball was blown apart by the wind, turning into a shower of sparks, which the wind swept back towards the servant disciple.


    "What?!"


    This scene made everyone in the courtyard gasp in shock.


    Especially Zhu Hanwei and the other two who came with Su Shi''er, they were utterly stunned.


    Half a year ago, they were all on the same starting line. Now, Su Shi''er had become so powerful?


    "Impossible! You... you''re actually a Qi Refining cultivator?!"


    The servant disciple''s eyes widened in shock.


    Though he was at the first level of the Qi Refining stage, he was lax in practice and only had a superficial grasp of techniques.


    Before he could react, the scattered sparks burned his face, and under the force of the wind, he was blown back, crashing hard into a large pillar behind him.


    "Hmph, didn''t you want to show me a cultivator''s strength? Is this it?"


    Su Shi''er snorted coldly, continuing to form seals with his hands, a fist-sized fireball floating in the air.


    The fireball danced lightly, emitting intense heat, clearly more solid than the one the other had just used.


    "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Shi''er, spare me! I know I was wrong, I''ll make sure to repay the Foundation Pills I owe you!" The servant disciple was so frightened that his face turned pale. Before Su Shi''er could act, he fell to his knees, begging for mercy.


    In the cultivation world, the strong are respected, and the capable are teachers.


    The titles and seniority among cultivators aren''t solely determined by age and entry time.


    A strong cultivator, even if young, often has a respectable seniority!


    Like Su Shi''er, who was originally a newcomer. Though the other entered earlier, now that Su Shi''er was stronger and the other needed him, he naturally called him Senior Brother.


    These details were briefly mentioned in the sect rules, so Su Shi''er wasn''t surprised.


    "Where are the pills?" Su Shi''er didn''t really intend to kill him, dispersing the technique, and asked coldly.


    "I really don''t have any right now!" The servant disciple said with a mournful face. Seeing Su Shi''er about to use the technique again, he quickly shouted:


    "Wait, Senior Brother, don''t be hasty. I just don''t have them at the moment. Give me ten days, and I''ll personally deliver them to the Discarded Pill Room. I promise they''ll all be high-grade Foundation Pills, and I''ll add ten extra as an apology."


    "Are you really that generous?" Su Shi''er squinted, scrutinizing him with suspicion.


    The man''s quick change of face made him feel something was off.

 Chapter 14 - First transaction

    "Senior Brother, you''re stronger than me. What bad intentions could I possibly have? If you don''t see the pills in ten days, you can come find me anytime to hold me accountable!"


    "I really don''t have any extra pills right now," the servant disciple said with a forced smile, keeping his head down.


    As he spoke, his eyes spun around, a fierce glint flashing at the bottom of his gaze.


    Hmph! In at most ten days, Senior Brother Zhao Yu will be back. He''s at the second level of Qi Refining. You took the ten high-grade Foundation Pills he reserved, and when he returns, you''ll be in trouble.


    "Fine, you better not play any tricks, or the consequences of angering me will be severe," Su Shi''er coldly stared at him, sensing the man''s ill intentions, a hint of invisible killing intent flashing in his eyes.


    After more than half a year of slaying demonic beasts daily, a faint aura of hostility had naturally formed around him. His temperament was no longer that of the simple boy who had just left the small mountain village.


    However, with so many people watching, it was impossible to do anything to this person in public, so he had to suppress his thoughts for the time being.


    "Of course! Rest assured, Senior Brother!" The servant disciple repeatedly smiled apologetically, shivering under Su Shi''er''s gaze.


    This kid, why does he seem a bit terrifying?


    Hmph! What''s there to be afraid of? No matter how strong he is, he''s just a twelve or thirteen-year-old brat!


    Thinking this, the servant disciple calmed down again, more determined in his plan.


    Su Shi''er ignored whatever scheme he was plotting, leaving a parting remark before turning to leave.


    In the courtyard, Zhu Hanwei and the others watched Su Shi''er''s departing figure with envy.


    If they had Su Shi''er''s strength, they wouldn''t be bullied by this servant disciple.


    At this moment, after sending Su Shi''er off, the servant disciple finally breathed a sigh of relief, coldly glaring at Zhu Hanwei and the others, threatening, "You little brats, if any of you dare to speak of today''s events, don''t blame me for being impolite!"


    Everyone shivered, nodding quickly, and left the Pill Pavilion reluctantly.


    However, after witnessing Su Shi''er''s skills, they weren''t as afraid of the servant disciple anymore.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Who would''ve thought, in just half a year, he''d become so powerful."


    "Do you know that person just now?"


    "Of course, we came to the Cloud Song Sect together. Half a year ago, he was just a little beggar. As soon as he arrived, the Peak Lord assigned him to the Discarded Pill Room. Who would''ve thought he didn''t learn to read first but started cultivating!"


    Walking along the road, everyone sighed with emotion.


    "I remember the Peak Lord said that little beggar''s spirit root was poor, and his cultivation speed should be slow," Zhu Hanwei said.


    "Yeah! His spirit root is so bad, if I started cultivating, I''d definitely be faster. No way, I need to hurry back and cultivate." Reminded by Zhu Hanwei, a round-faced child slapped his thigh and proudly raised his head.


    After speaking, the round-faced child glanced at the Foundation Pill in his hand and ran like the wind towards his residence.


    Seeing this, the other children followed suit, running towards their homes.


    Soon, only Zhu Hanwei was left standing there. He had no spirit root, so his cultivation speed was definitely slower than Su Shi''er''s.


    Looking back at the Pill Pavilion, then at Su Shi''er walking along the mountain path, Zhu Hanwei hesitated for a moment, looked down at the item in his arms, gritted his teeth, and ran after Su Shi''er.


    "Wait, Senior Brother, wait for me!"


    "Hmm? You need something from me?" Su Shi''er continued walking, pausing only when he realized the voice was calling him, turning to see who it was.


    "Senior Brother, I want to buy some Foundation Pills from you!" Zhu Hanwei said, panting heavily but smiling brightly at Su Shi''er.


    "Buy Foundation Pills? Why do you think I''d sell spirit pills to you?" Su Shi''er was a bit surprised, curiously eyeing Zhu Hanwei.


    "Foundation Pills are mainly for mortals without cultivation. They''re less effective for those with cultivation at the Qi Refining stage. Therefore, many senior brothers with cultivation in the sect trade their annual Foundation Pills for money or other cultivation resources!"


    Zhu Hanwei quickly explained with a smile.


    So that''s how it is. It seems this Little Chubby, being a pill boy for the Peak Lord, has picked up quite a bit of knowledge!


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but feel intrigued.


    Foundation Pills were indeed of little use to him now, and exchanging them for something else wouldn''t be a bad idea.


    Thinking this, he didn''t show any of his thoughts but continued to ask, "If I remember correctly, you don''t have a spirit root, right? What do you need so many Foundation Pills for?"


    "The so-called lack of a spirit root is just because the spirit root is obscured and can''t naturally manifest. With the help of pills, there''s still a chance for the spirit root to appear. Foundation Pills are one of those."


    "However, spirit roots born with the help of pills are usually not very strong. That''s why no Immortal Sect would waste resources cultivating them."


    Zhu Hanwei didn''t hide anything, explaining with a cheerful smile.


    Su Shi''er squinted, recalling how after consuming a large number of top-grade Foundation Pills, his sensitivity to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth indeed became clearer. He immediately knew Zhu Hanwei was telling the truth.


    Nodding, he continued, "Selling you a few pills isn''t out of the question. What price are you offering?"


    "High-grade Foundation Pills are priced at one hundred taels of silver each in the trading plaza. If you''re willing to sell, I''ll offer one hundred and twenty taels each," Zhu Hanwei said excitedly, smiling.


    "Trading plaza? The one on Yihuan Mountain?" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow, remembering it was mentioned in the sect manual.


    To the east of the sect was Yihuan Mountain, where a trading plaza was located for Qi Refining stage disciples from various peaks to trade.


    "That''s right!" Zhu Hanwei nodded quickly, adding, "I also have some small items I''ve recently collected. If you''re interested, we can trade those as well."


    As he spoke, he pulled out a small bundle from his arms. Upon opening it, a pile of miscellaneous items was revealed.


    Only then did Su Shi''er realize that this guy wasn''t as chubby as he looked; he had been carrying a small bundle on his belly all along.


    Scanning the items quickly, he saw broken blades, beast hides, beast bones, and even a few unknown books.


    His gaze fell on the books, and he picked them up to flip through them.


    There were three books in total, one of which was an unknown miscellany. The other two were martial arts manuals from the secular world.


    Seeing Su Shi''er''s interest in the books, Zhu Hanwei was secretly pleased, though he maintained a serious expression.


    "Senior Brother, you have a good eye. This miscellany is said to be written by a very powerful cultivator who traveled the world. Just acquiring it cost me five hundred taels of silver!"


    "And these two martial arts manuals, Eight Trigrams Eight Extremes Fist and Shadowless Phantom Steps, are ancestral secrets of my Zhu family. Once mastered, they can break mountains and stones, and leave no trace on snow! Outside, these are priceless treasures!"


    As he spoke, Zhu Hanwei began to boast, saliva flying as he did so.

 Chapter 15 - Eight Trigrams Eight-Level Fist and Shadowless Phantom Steps

    Su Shi''er wasn''t very experienced, but he wasn''t foolish either. No matter how eloquently Zhu Hanwei spoke, Su Shi''er just smiled without saying a word.


    After Zhu Hanwei finished, Su Shi''er finally spoke, "I don''t know how powerful these two manuals are, but they''re meant for martial artists. For cultivators, they probably don''t hold much value."


    Zhu Hanwei''s mouth twitched, and he forced a smile. "It''s not entirely useless. At least in the early stages, it can still boost some strength."


    He knew very well that in the eyes of cultivators, these martial arts manuals were not only insignificant but also looked down upon. Otherwise, he would have sold them long ago.


    All this talk was just a way to raise the price.


    "How many Foundation Pills do you want for these three books?" Su Shi''er didn''t argue with him and asked directly.


    "Eight... no, six!" Zhu Hanwei started to say, but seeing Su Shi''er''s expression change, he quickly corrected himself.


    "Three. If you want them, let''s trade now!" Su Shi''er looked at him for a moment, then put down the three books without another glance.


    For him, Foundation Pills were plentiful, but he had no intention of doing charity. Such secrets were best kept to himself.


    "Only three? That''s too few. At least five!" Zhu Hanwei''s mouth dropped open, looking as if he had suffered a great loss.


    As soon as he finished speaking, seeing Su Shi''er about to leave, he hurriedly shouted, "Four! Senior Brother, at least give me four!"


    "Fine!" This time, Su Shi''er didn''t insist further.


    He didn''t care how Zhu Hanwei got these books. For him, as long as they could broaden his knowledge and enhance his strength, spending a few Foundation Pills was entirely worth it.


    Quickly, Su Shi''er exchanged four high-grade Foundation Pills for the three books and another two for 240 taels of silver, then parted ways with Zhu Hanwei and continued towards the Discarded Pill Room.


    Watching Su Shi''er leave, Zhu Hanwei squinted his eyes with a smile.


    "Who would''ve thought that a few random books could be worth so much? With these high-grade Foundation Pills, my chances of awakening my Spirit Root have increased."


    Grinning, he quickly put away his things and ran towards his residence.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    In the Discarded Pill Room, as soon as Su Shi''er returned, he began practicing the contents of the two martial arts manuals.


    These two skills weren''t particularly profound, but the techniques for exerting force and combat skills within them greatly expanded his knowledge.


    In comparison, his previous self could only be described as having brute strength.


    For this, he even made several wooden dummies in the courtyard.


    In just seven days, he mastered these two skills.


    In the courtyard, Su Shi''er moved with incredible agility, his steps light and unpredictable.


    Occasionally, he would strike with his fists and palms, hitting the dummies.


    "Bang, bang, bang..."


    When his fists and palms landed, they shifted from being light and agile to powerful and forceful.


    Each dummy shattered upon impact.


    As another palm was about to strike a dummy, Su Shi''er had a sudden idea.


    His hands moved, and the True Essence within him surged.


    At the moment of attack, a fist-sized fireball appeared in his palm.


    The fireball emitted intense heat, and before it could be launched, it was pressed onto the dummy.


    "Whoosh~"


    The next second, a burst of flame shot up. The dummy was incinerated under the flames.


    Feeling that only a tenth of his True Essence was consumed, Su Shi''er beamed with joy.


    "It actually works! With this, I can easily defeat low-level demonic beasts without relying on traps!"


    "If Fire Control can be combined with this skill, what about Wind Summoning?"


    With a twinkle in his eye, Su Shi''er immediately used his phantom steps, rushing towards the furthest wooden dummy.


    "Wind Summoning!"


    As he lifted his leg, a gust of wind blew from behind him.


    His body glided through the air, and as he landed, he directly bypassed the furthest dummy.


    "The wind is too strong, but the idea works!"


    Su Shi''er smiled broadly, as if discovering a new continent, and continued practicing with enthusiasm.


    In the blink of an eye, it was time for his appointment with the servant disciple from the Pill Pavilion.


    That afternoon, on the mid-slope of Cuihuan Mountain where the Discarded Pill Room was located, two figures appeared.


    One of them, with a face full of flesh, was the servant disciple from the Pill Pavilion.


    The other, a young man of about fifteen or sixteen, looked dignified and carried a long sword on his back, appearing somewhat handsome.


    "I really don''t know how you''ve been cultivating all these years, unable to even defeat a disciple who''s only been here for half a year." The sword-bearing youth pouted, speaking with irritation.


    The servant disciple followed beside the youth, obedient like a chick.


    "It''s really not my fault! I didn''t expect that kid to be a Qi Refining cultivator and would attack without a word! I even told him that the bottle of high-grade Spirit Pills was reserved for you, Senior Brother, but he still took it!" The servant disciple complained, trying to stir up trouble.


    "Hmph! I want to see where a newcomer gets the nerve to take my things!" The sword-bearing youth snorted coldly, glaring at the servant disciple.


    "But since the item was lost from your hands, don''t you owe me an explanation?"


    The servant disciple shrank his neck, forcing a smile. "Don''t worry, Senior Brother. I''ll take responsibility for this. These two first-level escape talismans were hard for me to collect."


    Saying this, the servant disciple reluctantly took out two earth-yellow talismans, each three inches long and one inch wide, from his pocket.


    Seeing this, the sword-bearing youth snatched the talismans and finally smiled, his gaze falling on the mountain as he quickened his pace.


    Soon, the two arrived outside the Discarded Pill Room.


    "Senior Brother, I''ll knock on the door!"


    Seeing the locked door, the servant disciple''s eyes lit up, and he was about to step forward to knock.


    "Knock? Hmph, no need!"


    The sword-bearing youth snorted coldly, a flash of cold light in his eyes, and a fist-sized fireball appeared in his hand.


    "Whoosh!"


    The fireball shot through the air, exploding on the door.


    Inside the courtyard, Su Shi''er was reading when he heard footsteps outside and became alert.


    Unexpectedly, before he could react, he saw the courtyard door vanish in a burst of flames.


    Then, two figures walked in.


    "It''s you? So... you''re going back on your word?" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the servant disciple and landing on the sword-bearing youth beside him.


    Such dense spiritual power, Qi Refining stage two?!


    Seeing the person, Su Shi''er was startled.


    A cultivator''s level could generally be discerned unless they deliberately concealed their aura. Of course, if the realm difference was too great, a lower realm couldn''t discern a higher realm''s cultivation. Conversely, a higher realm could easily see through a lower realm unless special aura-concealing techniques were used.

 Chapter 16 - Trouble at the door

    "Senior Brother, it''s this kid. The Foundation Pills you wanted were snatched by him!" The servant disciple pointed at Su Shi''er and quickly turned to speak to the sword-bearing youth.


    "Kid, you''re quite bold! You even dare to snatch the pills I reserved?" The sword-bearing youth looked down at Su Shi''er with an overbearing gaze.


    In his eyes, Su Shi''er was just a Qi Refining stage cultivator, and a newcomer who had only joined the sect for half a year.


    He didn''t believe that the person in front of him could be a match for him.


    Not only him, but the servant disciple beside him also shared the same thought.


    "What do your reserved pills have to do with me? I only took what I deserved!" Su Shi''er said coldly, secretly on guard.


    The moment these two appeared, he knew today''s matter wouldn''t end peacefully.


    Fortunately, although the spiritual power around the sword-bearing youth was not weak, it wasn''t unbeatable either.


    Recalling his training results over this period, Su Shi''er felt he wasn''t without a fighting chance.


    Moreover, this was his territory. If things went south, he had other ways to handle it.


    "Deserved? Kid, don''t blame me for not warning you! If you know what''s good for you, hand over the pills and kneel down to call me ''grandfather'' three times, and I''ll let this slide." The sword-bearing youth sneered arrogantly.


    Before coming, he had already found out that the person in front of him was just a small character with a Mixed Spirit Root, with no backing in the sect.


    Otherwise, if it were any other disciple, he wouldn''t be so arrogant even if he wanted to make a move.


    "You want to die!"


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er was instantly enraged, his blood boiling with anger.


    With a furious shout, he charged at the opponent in a fit of rage.


    "Just as planned, kid, you''ve fallen into my trap!" The sword-bearing youth smirked with a wicked smile.


    "Fire Control! Speed!"


    The sword-bearing youth calmly raised his hand, conjuring a fireball.


    It seemed he had intended to provoke Su Shi''er from the start.


    In a battle, the last thing you should do is lose your cool.


    The fireball, fast and fierce, shot straight towards Su Shi''er.


    For others, at such a close distance, dodging would be nearly impossible.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    But Su Shi''er, having just mastered two skills, felt the heat from the fireball and instantly calmed down.


    With a light tap of his toes on the ground, he leaped several meters to the side as the fireball approached.


    Dodging the fireball, he charged forward, reaching the sword-bearing youth in an instant. His palm, filled with force, struck out fiercely.


    "What?!"


    "A martial artist?"


    The sword-bearing youth and the servant disciple exclaimed in shock, stunned by Su Shi''er''s move.


    "Wind Summoning! Go!"


    Compared to the servant disciple, the sword-bearing youth clearly had more battle experience.


    In a critical moment, he swiftly retreated, forming seals with his hands, and a strong gust of wind blew towards Su Shi''er.


    The wind was strange and swift, more powerful than Su Shi''er''s full-force Wind Summoning.


    As the wind blew, Su Shi''er''s body tilted, and his attack naturally missed.


    "Kid, with just a few mediocre skills, you dare to show off in front of me. Today, I''ll show you what it means to face a mountain at each realm!"


    "Fire Control! Wind Summoning!"


    Forming seals again, this time, three fireballs appeared in his palms.


    As soon as the fireballs were released, the sword-bearing youth cast another Wind Summoning.


    With the wind''s support, the three fireballs blazed fiercely, rushing towards Su Shi''er with incredible speed.


    Su Shi''er didn''t dare to be careless, using the Shadowless Phantom Steps to dodge left and right in mid-air, barely avoiding the fireball attack.


    He was secretly alarmed; if he hadn''t learned those two skills, facing such an attack, he might have been severely injured or worse today.


    "Is this guy really so formidable at just the second level of the Qi Refining stage?"


    "But... can his True Essence sustain so many spells at once?"


    While dodging, Su Shi''er kept an eye on the sword-bearing youth''s condition.


    As he expected.


    Casting so many spells at once, the sword-bearing youth was clearly showing signs of exhaustion.


    "How is it possible that you dodged my attack?!" Gasping for breath, the sword-bearing youth''s face looked grim, and he was slowly retreating.


    It seemed like he was planning to escape after being outmatched.


    Beside him, the servant disciple was so scared that his legs were trembling, inwardly cursing his luck.


    No way, Senior Brother Zhao Yu is at the second level of the Qi Refining stage. How could he not be a match for this kid?


    "Octapolar Avalanche!"


    Seizing the opportunity, Su Shi''er shouted, pushing the Shadowless Phantom Steps to the limit.


    With veins bulging, he charged at the sword-bearing youth like a cannonball.


    His fists clenched tightly, launching the deadly move of the Eight Trigrams Eight Extremes Fist!


    At the critical moment, the sword-bearing youth suddenly smiled, as if his plan had succeeded.


    "Hmph! Dare to get close to me, you''re dead!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, the sword-bearing youth suddenly grasped the long sword on his back. After years of cultivation, he wasn''t a reckless person.


    It seemed like he was recklessly using his True Essence to make his opponent lower their guard.


    "Clang!"


    With a sharp sound, Su Shi''er saw a dazzling light flash before his eyes, and a strong sense of danger surged in his heart.


    Fortunately, he was prepared. The moment he saw the white light, he cast Wind Summoning on himself.


    With a light tap of his toes, a gust of wind lifted him, and he soared diagonally upwards.


    In a swift motion, he landed on a nearby wall. Just as he landed, a sword light slashed across, leaving a long crack on the ground.


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, secretly thankful for his caution.


    If he hadn''t dodged in time, he might have lost a limb or worse.


    After that slash, the sword-bearing youth''s face turned noticeably paler.


    Holding a two-foot-long sword, he stared at Su Shi''er, outwardly calm but inwardly shocked.


    "How is this possible? What kind of technique is this? He actually dodged my fatal strike?"


    "Damn it! Is this kid really just a newcomer?"


    Using these techniques, he had defeated many opponents, even those at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, who couldn''t gain an advantage over him.


    But today, he was thwarted by a mere kid.


    On the wall, Su Shi''er could tell at a glance that the sword in the opponent''s hand was extraordinary, making him wary.


    But he knew well that his cultivation was inferior to the opponent''s, and his True Essence could only support three spells at most. Competing in spells, he had no chance of winning.


    Gritting his teeth, he leaped again, closing in on the opponent.


    "Courting death!"


    Relying on the sword in his hand, the sword-bearing youth was fearless. With True Essence surging, another Sword Qi burst forth.


    But in the next second, a gust of wind blew, and Su Shi''er accelerated, landing behind him.


    "Bang!"


    A fireball was slapped onto the sword-bearing youth''s back by Su Shi''er.


    The scorching heat burned his back, and the terrifying force sent him flying.


    "Ugh!"


    As he landed, the sword-bearing youth spat out blood, severely injured, and his sword fell to the side.


    Su Shi''er quickly snatched up the sword. As soon as he held it, he felt the sword''s uniqueness even more.


    But now, he had no time to think. With a cold gleam in his eyes, he raised the sword to stab at the opponent.


    Though he had never killed anyone, his battles with fierce beasts and demonic beasts over the past six months had honed a ruthless nature.


    The opponent showed no mercy, and neither would he.


    As the sword light approached, the sword-bearing youth''s pupils contracted, eyes wide with fear.


    "Kid, I''ll settle this score with you sooner or later!"


    Saying this, the sword-bearing youth bit his lip, producing a yellow talisman, an escape talisman.


    Injecting True Essence into it, a yellow light enveloped him.


    Before Su Shi''er could react, the yellow light flashed, and the sword-bearing youth disappeared without a trace.

 Chapter 17 - Quenching a precious sword

    "Hmm? A talisman?"


    Su Shi''er had already read about talismans in the sect manual, and after a brief moment of surprise, he quickly understood.


    His gaze turned cold as he looked at the servant disciple nearby.


    The servant disciple was already so frightened that he sat paralyzed on the ground. Seeing Su Shi''er''s sharp gaze sweep over, he didn''t wait for Su Shi''er to speak and quickly produced a Level One Escape Talisman.


    The talisman was activated, and in the next second, the servant disciple vanished without a trace.


    Su Shi''er frowned but didn''t pursue him.


    The sect rules strictly prohibited internal conflicts among disciples. This Discarded Pill Room was remote and quiet, making it easy to act without anyone noticing.


    But if he chased outside, there was no guarantee he wouldn''t encounter others.


    "Forget it, I''ll deal with it next time! After this incident, they probably won''t come back for a while."


    "It''s just a pity about those thirty High Grade Foundation Pills!"


    "However, this sword is quite good. It seems to be a Low Grade Ritual Artifact as recorded in the books. I wonder how much it''s worth! Even if it''s not as valuable as those Foundation Pills, it shouldn''t be too bad."


    Mumbling softly, Su Shi''er looked down at the sword in his hand. The two-foot-long sword was entirely dark green, and it was unclear what material it was made of.


    The hilt had two small characters engraved: White Mist.


    The blade shimmered with a cold light, clearly extremely sharp.


    In terms of appearance and quality, it was undoubtedly a Low Grade Ritual Artifact.


    Ritual Artifacts are treasures used by cultivators, and only the unique True Essence of a cultivator can activate them.


    Above Ritual Artifacts, there are Spiritual Artifacts, Spiritual Treasures, and so on... but those are too distant for a Qi Refining stage cultivator.


    Both Ritual Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts are graded as Low, Mid, High, and Top Grade.


    Recalling the introduction in the sect manual, Su Shi''er tried to channel a trace of True Essence into the sword.


    With the infusion of True Essence, the sword trembled slightly, and the blade emitted a bright light.


    Feeling inspired, Su Shi''er swung the sword.


    "Bang!"


    An invisible Sword Qi shot out, leaving a noticeable mark on the ground.


    "Not bad, not bad, it''s indeed a good sword! With this treasure sword, my attack power can increase significantly!"


    Seeing the power of the Low Grade Ritual Artifact, Su Shi''er was overjoyed.


    The frustration of losing the Foundation Pills was instantly swept away.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Returning to his room, Su Shi''er sat cross-legged on the bed and took out a medicine bottle from his pocket. Seeing the empty bottle, he realized that the Gathering Qi Pills he refined last time were all used up.


    He then took out a bottle of Discarded Gathering Qi Pills and the mysterious Pill Furnace from beside him.


    Just as he was about to throw the discarded pills in, his gaze fell on the mysterious Pill Furnace, and he suddenly remembered the scene of activating the Low Grade Ritual Artifact earlier.


    "This Pill Furnace must be a treasure. What if I infuse True Essence into it?"


    With a glint in his eye, Su Shi''er picked up the mysterious Pill Furnace and began channeling his True Essence.


    As soon as the True Essence touched the mysterious Pill Furnace, Su Shi''er''s expression changed. In an instant, he felt a suction force emerge, and his True Essence rapidly drained, making him feel hollowed out.


    This feeling reminded him of the first time he activated the Fire Control technique.


    Fortunately, this state lasted only a moment. Once his True Essence was exhausted, the Pill Furnace slipped from his hand.


    As it left his hand, the Pill Furnace doubled in size, and in the blink of an eye, it became two feet wide.


    Su Shi''er tilted his head, examining the Pill Furnace before him. In his eyes, aside from its increased size, it looked no different from usual.


    The same ancient, worn-out appearance, with no aura flowing from it.


    If he hadn''t seen the Pill Furnace enlarge with his own eyes, he would have thought it was always meant to be this size.


    "Uh... it just got bigger? Or does it have other functions? But with such a large size, it can hold quite a lot!"


    "I wonder if this Pill Furnace can refine other things?"


    Su Shi''er mused to himself, his gaze falling on the long sword beside him.


    "Should I try?"


    With a raised eyebrow, he placed the Flying Sword into the enlarged Pill Furnace.


    As soon as the Flying Sword entered, it was enveloped in a layer of blue light. In the next second, the Flying Sword rapidly shrank.


    In the blink of an eye, it became just over a foot long.


    "This..."


    Su Shi''er was startled and was about to retrieve the Flying Sword when he looked closely and was overjoyed.


    "In such a short time, the Flying Sword became a High Grade Ritual Artifact?"


    "What if I continue refining it?"


    Su Shi''er''s eyes lit up, and he stared intently at the Pill Furnace.


    But after becoming a High Grade Ritual Artifact, the sword showed no further changes.


    Instead, a few minutes later, the Pill Furnace began to shrink.


    Seeing this, Su Shi quickly retrieved the Flying Sword.


    After putting the Pill Furnace, now back to its original size, into his pocket, he focused on the Flying Sword.


    "Can it only be refined to the level of a High Grade Ritual Artifact? Does this mean the Flying Sword''s potential is limited to this?"


    After examining it for a moment, Su Shi''er concluded with what he believed to be a reasonable assumption.


    Smiling, he stored the Flying Sword and resumed his cultivation.


    At the same time, at the foot of Cuihuan Mountain, two figures were huddled together.


    Upon seeing the servant disciple, the sword-wielding youth who had lost his sword immediately started punching and kicking.


    "Huang Fatty, is this the worthless trash you said would be easy to deal with? Mixed Spirit Root? Easy to handle?"


    The sword-wielding youth grew angrier as he spoke, and the more furious he became, the harder he hit.


    The servant disciple lay on the ground, quickly beaten black and blue.


    "Senior Brother Zhao... Zhao Yu, spare me! I didn''t expect that kid to be so strong either!"


    The servant disciple clutched his head, feeling extremely wronged.


    In his view, Zhao Yu, a Qi Refining cultivator at the second level, couldn''t defeat a Qi Refining cultivator at the first level. What did that have to do with him?


    "Spare you? That White Mist Sword is a Low Grade Ritual Artifact. I spent fifty High Grade Foundation Pills to get it. How can I spare you?" Zhao Yu ground his teeth in anger, his foot pressing down on Huang Fatty''s body.


    His eyes, filled with rage, gleamed with a murderous intent.


    Huang Fatty shivered, quickly shouting, "Senior Brother, don''t be hasty. There''s something strange about this!"


    Zhao Yu glared coldly at Huang Fatty. "What''s strange?"


    "That kid is definitely a Mixed Spirit Root. The Peak Lord himself said so, and he wouldn''t be wrong. Otherwise, the Peak Lord wouldn''t have sent him to guard the Discarded Pill Room."


    "But he managed to reach the first level of Qi Refining in such a short time and possesses such strength. I suspect he has some kind of treasure on him!"


    Huang Fatty quickly explained, his eyes darting around.


    "A treasure?!" Zhao Yu''s eyes flashed with interest.


    "Exactly! Otherwise, how could a Mixed Spirit Root trash be so powerful? Why don''t we gather more people and quietly take him out? Then the treasure will be ours," Huang Fatty nodded repeatedly, his gaze turning cold as he made a throat-slitting gesture.


    "Hmm... your speculation isn''t without merit. But for now, keep this quiet! We''ll discuss it when I return!" Zhao Yu''s eyes shifted as he lifted his foot off Huang Fatty.


    When it came to treasures, he didn''t want to let others benefit easily.


    "Senior Brother is leaving?" Huang Fatty breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked.


    "Yes! Elder Song from the Transmission Hall has gathered twenty disciples for special training for this year''s newcomer trial. I have to report in first thing tomorrow morning, and I''m one of them," Zhao Yu said with a hint of pride.


    "Special training for the newcomer trial? Weren''t past servant disciples not allowed to participate?" Huang Fatty was puzzled.


    "I''m not sure about the specifics, but I know the rules have changed this year. Besides newcomers, past servant disciples who were eliminated can also sign up. As long as they complete the trial, they can become official disciples," Zhao Yu explained impatiently.


    "I see. Congratulations, Senior Brother! With your potential, your strength will surely soar after the special training! The newcomers this year will be under a lot of pressure!" Huang Fatty quickly congratulated him, his heart also stirring with excitement.


    Although his strength was poor, there were still a few years before the newcomer trial. According to Zhao Yu, he might have a chance to complete the trial and become an official disciple.


    "Enough with the congratulations. You should sign up too. When the trial starts, I''ll call my big brother Zhao Yan to join us," Zhao Yu said with a dismissive wave.


    "Senior Brother Zhao Yan? He''s the strongest among us servant disciples. If he participates, we''ll be unstoppable. But... are we going to act during the newcomer trial?" Huang Fatty was excited but then asked.


    "Yes! Elder Song''s training will end just as the newcomer trial begins. Besides, what better place to act than during the newcomer trial?" Zhao Yu''s eyes turned cold as he spoke and then walked away.

 Chapter 18 - Transaction Talisman

    In the Discarded Pill Room, Su Shi''er was unaware that he hadn''t been discovered by the Black-clothed Person. Instead, he had already caught the attention of other fellow disciples.


    A conspiracy against him was quietly unfolding.


    After driving away those two servant disciples, he continued his arduous cultivation in the Discarded Pill Room.


    Apart from the monthly delivery of discarded pills by disciples from various peaks, he rarely left his room.


    Occasionally, when demonic beasts intruded upon his territory, relying on two worldly martial arts and a high-grade ritual artifact in hand, he could easily slay them.


    Time flew by, and four years passed in the blink of an eye.


    On this morning, atop Yihuan Mountain, a lean young man of sixteen or seventeen, with sun-darkened skin and wearing the Cloud Song Sect''s disciple''s robe, slowly made his way to the trading plaza at the mountain''s peak.


    The plaza was square, covering over ten acres. It was divided into four main streets and nine areas in a grid pattern. Each area was further divided in a cross shape.


    The crisscrossing roads were lined with various stalls set up by cultivators. Both stall owners and shoppers wore the disciple''s robe.


    The place was bustling with people, lively and vibrant!


    The young man blended into the crowd, carrying a sword pouch made of animal hide on his back. His ordinary face was unremarkable, and he wandered around without any urgency to buy anything.


    This young man was Su Shi''er, who had been arduously cultivating in the Discarded Pill Room on Cuihuan Mountain for four years.


    After four years of hard work, aided by a large number of top-grade Gathering Qi Pills, his cultivation level steadily increased.


    Just a day ago, through persistent Qi Refining, the True Essence within him finally grew to the size of a fist, successfully reaching the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    Such a cultivation speed was comparable to that of a minor genius.


    With less than half a year left until the newcomer trial, he knew it was impossible to break through to the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage in such a short time. After some serious consideration, he decided to visit the trading plaza to buy some items to enhance his strength for the upcoming trial.


    After browsing around, Su Shi''er didn''t buy anything, but he gained a general understanding of the trading plaza.


    The items sold in the plaza were diverse and chaotic, including herbs, iron stones, animal hides and bones, pill medicines, talismans, ritual artifacts, and cultivation techniques.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    The currency used for transactions was not fixed; the most common was Foundation Pills, followed by gold and silver treasures, and occasionally bartering.


    As Su Shi''er walked through the plaza, he was amazed and envious of what he saw.


    Among the stalls, he noticed a talisman identical to the one used by the sword-carrying youth to escape four years ago.


    A first-grade low-grade escape talisman, priced at three high-grade Foundation Pills.


    Su Shi''er glanced at it but didn''t make a transaction.


    As he continued walking, he suddenly stopped, his gaze falling on a stall not far away.


    The stall was surrounded by five or six cultivators, displaying many good items, including various talismans and blank talisman papers, as well as a dozen books related to talismans.


    What caught everyone''s attention was a sandalwood box in the center, containing a talisman emitting a faint earthy yellow glow.


    A small wooden board beside it read in large characters: First-grade Top-grade Defense Talisman: Three low-grade Gathering Qi Pills.


    Below that, in smaller characters: First-grade Low-grade Spirit Talisman: Three high-grade Foundation Pills. First-grade Mid-grade Spirit Talisman: Ten high-grade Foundation Pills. Talisman Books: Fifty Foundation Pills each.


    "First-grade Top-grade Defense Talisman?"


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted. After browsing for so long, he had mostly seen first-grade mid-grade talismans. This was the first top-grade talisman he had encountered, and it was the most precious type of defense talisman among attack and defense talismans.


    His eyes darted around, carefully examining it. He could clearly feel the dense earthy yellow spiritual energy surrounding the talisman, giving off a sense of weight as if it were a mountain.


    The spiritual power contained within it made his heart race, incomparable to ordinary talismans.


    "Indeed, you never know how vast the world is until you step out. Once this talisman is activated, even someone at the seventh or eighth level of the Qi Refining stage might not be able to break it!"


    Su Shi''er was both envious and secretly alarmed.


    At that moment, among the onlookers, a handsome young man with a sword in hand and a turban on his head spoke up, "I''ll offer three hundred high-grade Foundation Pills for this first-grade top-grade defense talisman. Will you sell it?"


    "No sale! This top-grade defense talisman, I only trade for Gathering Qi Pills," the stall owner, a young female cultivator in her twenties wearing a yellow long dress, shook her head without hesitation.


    "Four hundred high-grade Foundation Pills! Sister Chu, a low-grade Gathering Qi Pill is worth at most a hundred Foundation Pills. At this price, you''re making a huge profit," the turbaned youth continued.


    The Chu-named female cultivator rolled her eyes coquettishly, "Forget it! Low-grade Gathering Qi Pills are hard to come by. If you really want it, trade with Gathering Qi Pills."


    The turbaned youth pursed his lips and turned away in frustration.


    Seeing this, the others also shook their heads and dispersed.


    Among them, the highest cultivation level was that of the turbaned youth, at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    They simply couldn''t have Gathering Qi Pills, and even if they did, they would use them for their own cultivation, not easily exchanging them.


    Soon, the stall was deserted.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er hesitated for a moment, glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, and then approached the stall.


    "Boss, this first-grade top-grade defense talisman..."


    Before Su Shi''er could finish, the Chu-named female cultivator glanced at him and said coldly, "Brother, this first-grade top-grade defense talisman, I only exchange for Gathering Qi Pills."


    "I know, but how about this?" Su Shi''er nodded, taking out a medicine bottle from his pocket and handing it to her.


    The Chu-named female cultivator frowned, opening the bottle casually. Su Shi''er appeared ordinary, not like someone wealthy.


    She had little hope for Su Shi''er.


    However, the moment the bottle was opened, inside lay a smooth Gathering Qi Pill with a pill halo.


    Her pupils contracted, and she exclaimed, "A mid-grade Gathering Qi Pill?!"


    Halfway through her exclamation, she swallowed it back.


    Her gaze scrutinized Su Shi''er, her fiery eyes quickly suppressed, and she said with a smile, "Brother, this pill is good, but a mid-grade Gathering Qi Pill is at most worth two low-grade Gathering Qi Pills. How about this, you bring out another one, and I''ll throw in an extra fifteen first-grade mid-grade talismans for you, how about it?"


    "I only have one Gathering Qi Pill. You should know, Gathering Qi Pills are priceless. One mid-grade Gathering Qi Pill for your talisman isn''t a loss!" Su Shi''er shook his head decisively.


    His eyes quickly scanned the other items on the stall, and whether it was the other talismans or those books, they all tempted him.


    But he knew that taking out this one Gathering Qi Pill was already risky, and there was no way he could take out more.


    "Really only one?" The Chu-named female cultivator sized up Su Shi''er, giving him a flirtatious look that almost made him lose his composure.


    "Of course! Are you trading or not? If not, just pretend I said nothing!" Su Shi''er firmly insisted, reaching out to take back his Gathering Qi Pill.


    If possible, he didn''t want to use a mid-grade Gathering Qi Pill for the trade. It was too attention-grabbing!


    But he had no choice; that mysterious Pill Furnace was too powerful. Discarded Gathering Qi Pills placed inside would be refined into top-grade Gathering Qi Pills in just a few breaths.


    He had tried no less than twenty times, only to refine two pills.

 Chapter 19 - Being stalked

    "Don''t rush! I didn''t say I wouldn''t trade. I''ll take the pills, and this talisman is yours! But, brother, you really know how to do business!"


    The Chu-named female cultivator swayed her hips and tucked the porcelain bottle into her bosom.


    Then, she reached out and picked up a Top Grade Level One Defense Talisman from the stall, handing it to Su Shi''er. As she gave it to him, her fingers lightly brushed against his palm.


    "Brother, take a look, is there anything else you want? You can buy some more to take back!"


    Su Shi''er''s palm tingled, and he quickly tucked the talisman into his chest, his face turning red. He had never been close to women, and the woman in front of him was so charming and alluring.


    The fact that he didn''t embarrass himself on the spot already showed he had quite some self-control!


    The next second, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.


    His gaze fell on the stall, looking at the talismans and talisman books. After some thought, he selected twenty-four Mid Grade Level One Talismans and two introductory books on talisman crafting.


    "How much for these?"


    "Ten Foundation Pills per Mid Grade Level One Talisman, and fifty Foundation Pills per book. Altogether, that''s three hundred and forty Foundation Pills!" The Chu-named female cultivator quickly said, her eyes occasionally glancing over Su Shi''er.


    "Sister, I''m buying so much from you, can''t you give me a discount? How about three hundred Foundation Pills?" Su Shi''er scratched his head, smiling as he haggled.


    "You already bought the Top Grade Talisman, and you''re still bargaining with me?" The Chu-named female cultivator said with a playful smile.


    "How can I not? This is all I have left." Su Shi''er shrank his neck, looking honest and sincere.


    "Alright, three hundred it is!" The Chu-named female cultivator smiled sweetly and nodded in agreement.


    Su Shi''er paid for the pills happily, tucked everything away, and turned to leave.


    Having bought these things, he felt he had gained quite a lot from this trip. He still had some Foundation Pills left and wanted to look for books on cultivation techniques.


    Just as Su Shi''er left, the turbaned youth who had been holding a sword hurried over.


    Seeing the empty sandalwood box, the turbaned youth frowned and quickly asked the Chu-named female cultivator, "Sister Chu, where''s the Top Grade Level One Defense Talisman?"Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Sold it!" The Chu-named female cultivator replied nonchalantly, her eyes still on Su Shi''er in the crowd.


    "What? Did a Senior Brother or Sister at the sixth level of Qi Refining or above come by?" The turbaned youth frowned, looking a bit annoyed.


    "No, it was a Junior Brother at the fourth level of Qi Refining." The Chu-named female cultivator waved her hand and said immediately.


    "Sister Chu, you must be joking. A Junior Brother at the fourth level of Qi Refining could afford Gathering Qi Pills? And three of them?" The turbaned youth looked incredulous.


    "Why would I lie to you? Take a look." The Chu-named female cultivator grinned, opened the porcelain bottle, and showed it to the turbaned youth.


    "What? Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pills?" The turbaned youth was shocked.


    "That Junior Brother must have quite a few Gathering Qi Pills on him." The Chu-named female cultivator said with a half-smile.


    "Are you sure?" The turbaned youth was skeptical.


    "Hmph, what''s there to be unsure about!" The Chu-named female cultivator raised her hand, and another medicine bottle appeared in her hand.


    Inside the bottle was another Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pill.


    If Su Shi''er were here, he would have been shocked. This Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pill was the extra one he had prepared.


    "It seems Sister Chu''s sleight of hand is getting better!"


    Seeing the two Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pills, the turbaned youth''s expression changed, and his breathing became rapid. He quickly stepped back and, in a low voice, asked the Chu-named female cultivator, "Sister Chu, which Junior Brother bought the talisman?"


    "What are you planning? Don''t forget, the sect''s rules strictly prohibit internal conflicts among disciples." The Chu-named female cultivator said sternly.


    "Sister Chu, what are you saying? I just want to get to know that Junior Brother." The turbaned youth laughed awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, and then took out a Low Grade Gathering Qi Pill from his bosom and handed it to her.


    "In that case, it''s no problem. It''s that one over there, with the beast-skin sword pouch on his back."


    Seeing the Gathering Qi Pill, the Chu-named female cultivator''s eyes narrowed into slits as she discreetly accepted the pill and pointed to Su Shi''er in the crowd not far away.


    "Thank you, Sister Chu!"


    The turbaned youth showed a look of joy, thanked her, and turned to follow Su Shi''er from a distance.


    Behind the stall, the Chu-named female cultivator''s eyes darted around as she packed up all the items on the stall. With a pat on her waist, everything disappeared. Then, she hurriedly walked in the opposite direction.


    Su Shi''er walked leisurely through the crowd, completely unaware that he had lost another Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pill.


    He looked around for a full hour, seeing many rare treasures.


    Among them, a cultivator was even selling a Low Grade spatial Ritual Artifact, a Storage Bag.


    The Storage Bag had a ten-cubic storage space, comparable to a small personal room, incredibly magical. Of course, the price wasn''t cheap, marked at twenty Low Grade Gathering Qi Pills.


    Su Shi''er was tempted. If he had a Storage Bag, it would be much more convenient to carry things.


    But he also knew that buying it would definitely bring trouble upon himself.


    In the end, he spent his remaining hundred Foundation Pills on two books from an old man.


    One was a travel journal written by a cultivator named Master Qingzhu, not worth much.


    The other book recorded three minor spells: Rain Summoning, Object Control, and Heavenly Eye. The seller asked for one hundred and twenty Top Grade Foundation Pills, but Su Shi''er bargained for a long time and got it for a hundred.


    After tucking everything away, Su Shi''er hurriedly left.


    In less than an hour, he arrived at the foot of Cuihuan Mountain.


    However, as he walked, he began to frown, feeling a vague sense of unease.


    "Am I being followed? Who could it be?"


    Su Shi''er squinted his eyes, thinking quickly, but he didn''t look back. Instead, he calmly changed direction, heading towards the other side of Cuihuan Mountain, where he often hunted Demonic Beasts.


    After a stick of incense.


    Su Shi''er passed by a towering tree, and as he did, the grass on the ground stirred, and a large net woven from hemp rope suddenly rose into the air, as if catching something.


    He quickly turned to look, only to see the turbaned youth with a sword on his back appearing in the net amidst a wave of energy. On his shoulder, a Low Grade Level One Invisibility Talisman turned to ash and dissipated.


    "It''s him?!"


    Su Shi''er''s pupils shrank, surprised.


    He had considered it might be the Chu-named female cultivator or the old man who sold him the last two books.


    But he hadn''t expected it to be this person.


    In the net, the turbaned youth struggled with frustration, "You brat, how dare you trap me?! Let me go, or I''ll kill you when I get out!"


    Su Shi''er heard this and said nothing, turning to run.


    No kidding, this was a Qi Refining stage five expert. He didn''t believe a simple trap could hold him.


    If there was nothing suspicious, that would be strange!


    He fought Demonic Beasts daily, and his combat experience was very rich.

 Chapter 20 - A fierce battle

    "What''s this? The kid isn''t falling for it?!" The turbaned youth''s eye twitched as he saw Su Shi''er not only avoiding the trap but also running away without hesitation. A surge of energy burst from his body.


    "Crack!"


    Under the impact of the energy, the trap turned to dust.


    Before his feet touched the ground, a gust of wind swept him up, propelling him forward at an even faster speed.


    In the blink of an eye, he caught up with Su Shi''er.


    "Kid, let''s see where you can run to today!" The turbaned youth sneered, forming hand seals as he followed closely behind Su Shi''er.


    "Binding Technique! Go!"


    With his voice, a rustling sound arose. Five or six vines slithered across the ground like snakes, quickly spreading out.


    Caught off guard, Su Shi''er was tripped by two of the vines. Losing his balance, he stumbled forward, about to fall.


    "Not good!"


    Fortunately, he was skilled. With a twist of his waist, he performed a side flip, stabilizing himself.


    However, as soon as he landed, the vines wrapped around his ankles, binding him tightly like a cocoon in the blink of an eye.


    "Senior Brother, what do you mean by this? We don''t seem to have any grudges between us, do we?" Su Shi''er channeled his energy quietly, poking his head out to observe the pursuing turbaned youth.


    "Indeed, there''s no grudge, but what do you mean by setting a trap for me?" The turbaned youth approached with a cold smile, his hands resting on his sword.


    "Senior Brother, you''ve got the wrong person. This is my first time here; how could I have set a trap for you?" Su Shi''er replied with a smile.


    "Is that so? Then why did you run when I got caught in the trap?" The turbaned youth''s face darkened, his cold gaze scrutinizing Su Shi''er.


    "Senior Brother, you must be joking! That little trap couldn''t possibly hold you! I ran because I suddenly remembered something urgent I had to take care of. The sect manual clearly states that sect disciples are strictly prohibited from fighting and killing each other privately."


    Su Shi''er said with a smile, knowing that breaking free from the vines wouldn''t be difficult for him.


    But this person had followed him all the way here, clearly with ill intentions. He wanted to know why the other party was here.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Sect rules? Hmph! I don''t have time to waste words with you. If you want to live, hand over all your Gathering Qi Pills." The turbaned youth said indifferently, his eyes fixed sharply on Su Shi''er.


    So he''s after the Gathering Qi Pills?


    Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat, and the image of that Chu-named female cultivator flashed in his mind. He knew this matter was definitely related to her.


    "Senior Brother, you''ve got the wrong person! Only Senior Brothers at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage and above have Gathering Qi Pills. How could a fourth-level novice like me have any?" He took a deep breath and replied with a smile, not intending to admit anything.


    "Is that so? In that case, you have no reason to live." The turbaned youth''s eyes turned cold, a murderous intent flashing in them.


    He formed hand seals, and True Essence surged in the air.


    Suddenly, the temperature in the area rose sharply, and a fire crow the size of a head appeared in front of him.


    "Wait! Don''t be hasty! I do have a bottle of Gathering Qi Pills! As long as you let me go, I''ll give it to you!" Su Shi''er quickly said, looking at the other party with secret alarm. This fire crow was much more powerful than the fireball he could summon with his Fire Control technique.


    He knew that the difference in strength between him and the other party was too great. To defeat the enemy, he had to take a risky move.


    "Hmph, you''d better not play tricks on me. Otherwise, I guarantee you''ll die a horrible death!" The turbaned youth snorted coldly, controlling the fire crow with one hand while using the other to release part of the vines binding Su Shi''er.


    Confident in his superior power, he wasn''t afraid of Su Shi''er playing tricks.


    "The Gathering Qi Pills are in this bottle. Please accept them, Senior Brother." Su Shi''er, with his hands freed, decisively pulled out a porcelain bottle from his robe and tossed it over.


    Inside the bottle, there were no pills, but a pre-prepared Mid Grade Level 1 Explosive Talisman.


    He had made no fewer than five such bottles, just in case.


    The turbaned youth caught the bottle and was about to inspect it when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound by his ear.


    "Wind Summoning! Go!"


    The moment Su Shi''er tossed the bottle, his eyes twitched, and he unhesitatingly cast a Wind Summoning technique.


    A gust of wind howled in, blowing directly at the fire crow hovering in front of the turbaned youth. The flames were swept back by the wind, surging toward the turbaned youth.


    "Hmph! Courting death!" The turbaned youth had been wary of Su Shi''er all along. Seeing this, he sneered, raised his hand, and threw out a Rain Summoning Talisman.


    A flash of water-blue light, and then a shower of rain descended from the sky, extinguishing the approaching flames.


    Effortlessly neutralizing Su Shi''er''s sneak attack, his eyes glinted with cold light, ready to strike again.


    But at that moment, a violent energy gathered in his palm.


    "Not good! It''s an Explosive Talisman?!" The turbaned youth''s face changed as he realized that the bottle in his hand contained no Gathering Qi Pills but an Explosive Talisman!


    Despite all his precautions, when Su Shi''er launched his sneak attack, he focused his attention on Su Shi''er, never expecting this trick.


    Without time to think, he hurriedly tried to discard the bottle. At such close range, even a Low Grade talisman could cause him significant harm.


    But it was too late. The bottle exploded the moment it left his hand.


    "Boom!"


    A burst of fire shot up into the sky, engulfing him completely.


    "Ah~ you bastard, I... I''ll kill you!" The flames roared, igniting the dry branches and leaves on the ground, turning the area into a sea of fire, from which came the turbaned youth''s anguished screams.


    He had been thoroughly tricked by Su Shi''er!


    "It''s done!"


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er showed a look of joy, his pupils contracted as a fire crow appeared in his palm, which he used to burn the vines binding his legs.


    In the next second, he broke free from the restraints, his gaze turning fierce as he decisively activated the Shadowless Phantom Steps, launching an Eight Trigrams Punch at the opponent.


    Strike while the iron is hot! Su Shi''er understood this principle well.


    "Not good!" But just as he charged at the opponent, he sensed a looming danger.


    In the next moment, the turbaned youth''s furious roar came from within the flames.


    "Kid, do you think an Explosive Talisman can seriously injure me? Today, I''ll teach you a lesson. Let you know how unwise it is to oppose a sword cultivator."


    Su Shi''er''s pupils shrank sharply, his face changing instantly, but before he could react.


    Two beams of Sword Light intertwined into a cross shape, shooting out from the flames. The Sword Light was fast and fierce, exuding a deadly aura with the power to take lives.


    Su Shi''er cried out in his heart, knowing he was in trouble. But at such close range, there was no time to dodge. He cursed inwardly, but his hands moved swiftly.


    Without hesitation, he reached into his robe. A Top Grade Level 1 defensive talisman should be enough to withstand such an attack.


    But as he pulled out the talisman, his face changed again. The talisman in his hand was not a Top Grade Level 1 defensive talisman, but an ordinary Mid Grade Level 1 defensive talisman.

 Chapter 21 - Flip

    "Tricked?"


    "Damn it! This is bad!"


    Su Shi''er''s breath caught, and his heart sank instantly.


    He couldn''t figure out when the switch happened. But he knew now wasn''t the time to dwell on it.


    Fortunately, it was still a defensive talisman. Without further thought, he quickly channeled his True Essence into it.


    In the next moment, the ground rumbled, and earth and stones gathered to form a defensive shield.


    At the same time, he pushed off the ground with his toes, using the Shadowless Phantom Steps combined with Wind Summoning to propel himself backward and upward.


    As he retreated, to be safe, he threw out three more defensive talismans.


    Four defensive talismans transformed into four overlapping earth and stone shields.


    Even so, Su Shi''er still felt uneasy. Just as he was about to throw out more talismans¡ª


    "Bang, bang, bang..."


    In an instant, two Sword Lights shot past.


    In front of the Sword Light, the four earth and stone shields were like paper. The Sword Light easily pierced through them and landed squarely on Su Shi''er.


    "Hiss..."


    As the Sword Light cut through, a shallow cross-shaped sword mark appeared on his chest.


    Blood flowed from his body, and the pain made Su Shi''er gasp.


    Careless! A cultivator at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage is indeed tough to deal with!


    If not for the four defensive talismans absorbing most of the attack, those two Sword Lights would have torn him apart.


    Still shaken, Su Shi''er landed on a towering tree with the help of the wind and quickly took out three Healing Pills, crushing them and applying them to his wound.


    Healing Pills are medicinal herbs for healing, usable both internally and externally.


    At this moment, amidst the flames, the turbaned youth emerged. A faint blood-red, eerie light shield covered his body, and his face and body bore numerous cuts from porcelain shards and burn marks.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Holding a two-foot-long white mist-colored sword, he exhaled a breath of turbid air and cursed inwardly: That damned bastard, so insidious! If I hadn''t just cultivated the blood light shield yesterday, I''d have lost half my life, if not more.


    Glaring at Su Shi''er, the turbaned youth was furious, his face twisted with rage.


    "Very well! Looks like you''ve bought quite a few talismans! Let''s see how many you have left!"


    "Swift Wind Slash!"


    The turbaned youth smirked cruelly, pouring True Essence into his sword, sweeping it. This time, four Sword Lights flew out, forming a cross shape, exuding a fierce aura.


    Four Sword Lights? That''s just unfair!


    Su Shi''er couldn''t help but gasp. He knew these four Sword Lights were powerful, and he couldn''t afford to be hit again.


    Facing the incoming Sword Lights, he took a deep breath and leaped.


    A whirlwind appeared, carrying him higher.


    Then, as the Sword Lights passed, the towering tree, over ten meters tall, was shattered into pieces.


    In mid-air, Su Shi''er watched, his heart pounding.


    "Is this the attack method of a sword cultivator? It''s terrifying, powerful, and unaffected by Wind Summoning or other spells!"


    "No, just dodging isn''t a solution. I''m running low on defensive talismans, and using spells at this level drains True Essence too quickly!"


    "I must end this quickly!"


    After a moment''s hesitation, Su Shi''er steeled his gaze, hiding all his attack talismans in his sleeve, and dove towards his opponent with the wind.


    In the air, he constantly shifted his position with the wind, giving his opponent no chance to attack, and in a flash, he was in front of him.


    "Octapolar Avalanche!"


    At close range, he shouted fiercely, decisively launching the Eight Trigrams Eight Extremes Fist from above, smashing towards his opponent.


    "A martial artist''s move? Foolish! Do you think I don''t know your plan? Using those trash talismans to break my blood light shield? If you dare come close, prepare to die!"


    Facing Su Shi''er''s attack, the turbaned youth sneered, raising his sword, bluntly revealing Su Shi''er''s intent.


    At such close range, he didn''t believe Su Shi''er could dodge.


    As for the so-called talisman attack, even if it could break his blood light shield, he was confident he could withstand it.


    "Swish!"


    But at the moment of engagement, Su Shi''er didn''t throw out any attack talismans. Instead, a one-foot-long sword appeared in his hand.


    It was the White Mist Sword he had obtained four years ago, always hidden in his sword pouch.


    "So you had a hidden Flying Sword? But playing with swords in front of a sword cultivator, do you think you stand a chance?" Seeing the sudden appearance of a one-foot Flying Sword in Su Shi''er''s hand, the turbaned youth was first stunned, then burst into laughter.


    As a sword cultivator, he had confidence in his swordsmanship. Moreover, his cultivation level was higher than the person before him.


    However, to be safe, he still stuck a few defensive talismans on himself.


    Then, with a flick of his wrist, he twirled the Flying Sword into a sword flower, and with a sweep, easily blocked Su Shi''er''s strike with a clang.


    Seeing this, he relaxed completely. Being blocked so easily, this kid''s swordsmanship was truly pathetic. It seemed he was out of tricks.


    With a shift in thought, the turbaned youth immediately channeled True Essence into his sword, preparing to strike decisively.


    But at that moment, with a "crack!" sound, the sword in his hand shattered on the spot.


    The True Essence within him had nowhere to go.


    "What? You... you have a High Grade Ritual Artifact? How is this possible..."


    The turbaned youth finally realized, his heart trembled, and he exclaimed in shock. Before he could finish, he sensed danger and hurriedly tried to retreat.


    But Su Shi''er''s sword showed no mercy, cutting through the opponent''s Flying Sword and continuing its arc. He didn''t have the opponent''s superior swordsmanship; he had been waiting for this moment.


    In front of a High Grade Ritual Artifact, no matter how resilient the blood light shield around the turbaned youth was, it couldn''t withstand it.


    The Sword Light flashed by, and a spray of blood splattered, sending an arm flying.


    "Ugh! Ah~~~"


    The turbaned youth fell into a pool of blood, unable to suppress a scream of agony.


    At this moment, he was filled with deep regret!


    If he had known earlier that Su Shi''er had a High Grade Ritual Artifact, he would never have allowed him to get so close.


    The advantage he had was overturned in an instant. Now, with his arm severed, he was severely injured, and his combat ability greatly diminished.


    In contrast, Su Shi''er, having succeeded with one strike, didn''t hesitate for a moment. He immediately channeled True Essence into the White Mist Sword.


    The White Mist Sword trembled slightly, its light intensified, and a sharp Sword Light shot out, aiming straight for the turbaned youth''s neck.


    Although he had severely injured his opponent with one strike, he dared not be careless. This was a cultivator at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage; who knew what other tricks he might have!


    Since nearly being killed by a tiger''s counterattack four years ago, he had become extremely cautious. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have noticed this guy following him from the start.


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 Chapter 22 - Trial Secrets

    "You...!"


    Seeing the sword light approaching, the turbaned youth''s face changed instantly. Ignoring his bleeding wound, he hurriedly channeled all his True Essence to his chest.


    At the brink of life and death, a tortoise-patterned round shield rose from his chest. The shield was struck by the sword light, and a long crack appeared instantly.


    But it managed to block this fatal strike.


    "Hmm? So you still have a trump card!" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow, calmly distancing himself from his opponent while continuing to wield the White Mist Sword.


    If it''s a fight to the death, then fight to the end.


    The turbaned youth lay on the ground, terrified out of his wits.


    His arm was severed, rendering many of his techniques unusable. The tortoise-patterned shield was his last line of defense.


    But the shield was merely a Mid Grade Ritual Artifact and couldn''t hold out for long.


    Seeing the sword light approaching, the turbaned youth shouted loudly, "Wait, I know a secret about this newcomer trial. Kill me, and you''ll regret it!"


    "Newcomer trial?"


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er hesitated slightly.


    After a moment''s pause, he slashed out three times, severing the tendons in his opponent''s hands and feet.


    "Ah..." The turbaned youth fell to the ground, his face contorted in pain.


    But before he could speak, Su Shi''er interrupted him.


    "Speak. If your information doesn''t satisfy me, the next sword will take your life."


    Su Shi''er held the White Mist Sword, his eyes filled with killing intent. He also clutched a Talisman for attack and defense, ready to throw it at any moment.


    "I''ll talk, but you must let me leave alive," the turbaned youth said through gritted teeth.


    Seeing Su Shi''er''s decisive actions, he realized he was dealing with a ruthless person.


    With his hands and feet disabled, any chance of a sneak attack was slim. At this moment, all he wished for was to leave alive.


    "No problem!" Su Shi''er agreed without hesitation.


    "Uh..." The turbaned youth hesitated, Su Shi''er''s quick agreement making him even more uncertain.


    But he knew he had no other choice.


    Taking a deep breath, he quickly channeled True Essence to his wounds to stabilize them, and said quickly, "Do you know why this year''s newcomer trial allows servant disciples who previously failed the assessment to participate?"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Hmm? Servant disciples who previously failed the assessment can participate?


    Su Shi''er frowned slightly; he certainly didn''t know this.


    But just this piece of information made him aware of the danger.


    It''s known that servant disciples who failed the assessment in the past, after years of cultivation, would not be weak even if their cultivation wasn''t high.


    No matter what the trial content is, if conflicts arise between new and old disciples, the newcomers would certainly suffer.


    Suppressing this doubt in his heart, Su Shi''er said sternly, "I''m not interested in answering your questions. You''d better be straightforward, or I can''t guarantee your wounds will hold until you leave alive!"


    The turbaned youth glared at Su Shi''er with hatred and continued, "The reason for this rule is that ten years ago, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak accidentally located an ancient restricted area while researching an ancient teleportation formation."


    "That restricted area is filled with rich spiritual energy and numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures, including herbs that have grown for hundreds or even thousands of years."


    "To explore this ancient restricted area, the sect changed the rules for the newcomer trial."


    Su Shi''er listened intently, his eyes fixed on the other party, wary of any tricks.


    Hearing this, he frowned and said indifferently, "An ancient restricted area? With numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures? If such a place exists, would the sect let us go?"


    He expressed his skepticism bluntly.


    Although he had been cultivating hard these years, he had also managed to read many books.


    His knowledge might not be extensive, but he had basic common sense.


    Heavenly materials and earthly treasures are something every cultivator desires.


    "It''s not about whether the sect wants to or not. The ancient restricted area is filled with ancient formations, and the more powerful the cultivator, the greater the pressure they face inside. Several Elders in the sect suffered severe injuries from entering rashly."


    "Only Qi Refining cultivators at the sixth level or below can move freely inside without being affected."


    "If this place is leaked, it will surely attract the covetous eyes of other sects. Therefore, the sect decided to let all servant disciples who hadn''t passed before and are below the sixth level of Qi Refining participate."


    The turbaned youth lay on the ground, smiling bitterly.


    He had joined the sect much earlier than Su Shi''er and was a disciple of Heavenly Splendor Peak, so he knew far more than Su Shi''er.


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er outwardly remained noncommittal, but inwardly he believed most of it.


    In his view, the sect allowing those servant disciples to participate had two purposes.


    One was to have more cannon fodder to explore such an unknown place. The other was the true purpose of the trial.


    This also meant that this newcomer trial would be unprecedentedly brutal. No one ever thinks they have too many heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Various conflicts would inevitably occur.


    As far as he knew, the servant disciples in Cloud Song Sect were not simple. There were mainly two types: those recruited at a young age who chose to stay as servant disciples after failing the trial, and rogue cultivators who joined with some cultivation and diverse backgrounds, many of whom were ruthless.


    "Is that all you have to say?" After the other party finished speaking, Su Shi''er said indifferently.


    "Of course not. According to the information from our Heavenly Splendor Peak Elders, there''s a Spirit Plant Garden in that ancient restricted area, where a hundred-year-old Vermilion Fruit Tree grows, which takes two hundred years to sprout, two hundred years to bloom, and two hundred years to bear fruit."


    "The hundred-year Vermilion Fruit, once consumed, can increase one''s cultivation by over ten years."


    "You''ve proven your strength by defeating me, and I have the map to that Spirit Plant Garden. In this newcomer trial, we can team up to find that hundred-year Vermilion Fruit Tree."


    The turbaned youth suppressed his hatred for Su Shi''er and extended an invitation.


    "Where''s the map?" Su Shi''er asked immediately, staring at him.


    He wasn''t entirely ignorant of the Vermilion Fruit. Some miscellaneous records he had read before mentioned it.


    The hundred-year Vermilion Fruit, once consumed, could indeed increase one''s cultivation by over ten years!


    With his Mixed Spirit Root, cultivation was particularly challenging. Naturally, he was tempted by such a spirit medicine that could enhance cultivation.


    "The map is at my residence. Once the newcomer trial begins, I''ll bring the map and meet you. Neither you nor I can monopolize that Spirit Plant Garden alone. To obtain those Vermilion Fruits, we must work together!" Seeing Su Shi''er visibly tempted, the turbaned youth quickly continued to persuade.


    "Alright, how do we split the spoils?" Su Shi''er nodded and asked.


    "Sixty-forty, you take sixty, I take forty!" Hearing this, the turbaned youth finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    He knew that to truly survive, he had to win over Su Shi''er. Forming a partnership was the best way.


    Though severely injured with severed limbs, he could still heal with the right pills.


    Once his injuries healed, who knew what the situation would be?


    "No problem! You can go now!" Su Shi''er nodded and said indifferently.


    As he spoke, he sheathed the White Mist Sword and carried it on his back. Outwardly, he seemed attracted by the heavenly materials and earthly treasures, but in his mind, he was recalling the Object Control technique he had seen.


    Seeing this, the turbaned youth finally relaxed, "Alright, I''ll remember this favor."


    With that, he struggled to get up, ready to use an escape talisman to leave.


    But just as he turned around.


    "Thud."


    A broken sword pierced his heart.


    The turbaned youth''s breath caught. He turned to look at Su Shi''er, seeing him standing still, his Flying Sword still behind him.


    Looking down, he realized that a piece of his own shattered sword lay beside him.


    Raising his head again, his eyes were filled with unwillingness and resentment.


    "You... you tricked me!"


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 Chapter 23 - Inventory of gains and clues

    "Deceive you? I really didn''t make a move. You ran into the sword yourself and died. Can you blame me for that?" Su Shi''er said expressionlessly.


    This guy had been trying to kill him from the start. Moreover, his cultivation was far superior. Letting him go would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains.


    Though tempted by the Zhu fruit, he hadn''t lost his mind.


    Talking so much with the opponent was merely to make him completely lower his guard. For Su Shi''er, conserving a bit more energy meant having a bit more ability to face any crisis that might arise at any moment.


    "Ah! You... you bastard! You won''t die a good death!" The turbaned youth shouted hysterically, blood streaming from his mouth.


    In just a few breaths, he lay on the ground, life almost drained, utterly weak. His scattered gaze fell on Su Shi''er, and he began to plead, "Please! Please save me, I don''t want to die! I still want to reach the pinnacle of the Great Dao..."


    But whether he cursed or begged, Su Shi''er stood coldly by, ignoring him.


    A few minutes later, the turbaned youth lay motionless on the ground, lifeless, his eyes wide open in a deathly stare.


    Su Shi''er drew the White Mist Sword, struck a few times from a distance to ensure the person was truly dead, then sighed in relief and approached with his sword.


    He''s really dead! Su Shi''er stood there, a bit dazed. After all, it was his first time killing someone. Besides the relief of surviving, there was also a hollow feeling in his heart.


    However, over the years, the number of demonic beasts that died by his hand was countless, and his mind was already quite resilient.


    After just a brief moment of distraction, he regained his composure. He picked up everything useful from the person and the ground, then threw out a fireball, incinerating the corpse completely, and hurriedly left with the items.


    Though the place was remote, the commotion from the fight was considerable, and he feared someone might come.


    If discovered, he''d be dead for sure.


    Private duels between fellow disciples were a serious taboo, and killing a fellow disciple was a capital offense.


    Half an hour later, Su Shi''er returned to his residence.


    He meditated quietly for a while, calming his mind and restoring the True Essence within his body, before taking out the items he had collected to examine them one by one.


    The first thing he picked up was the identity token of the turbaned youth. Six small characters were clearly written on it: Heavenly Splendor Peak, Meng Tianyi.


    "He was actually from Heavenly Splendor Peak? Well, according to the sect manual, Heavenly Splendor Peak is mostly sword cultivators. Since he claimed to be a sword cultivator, it''s normal for him to be from Heavenly Splendor Peak!"Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Su Shi''er muttered softly, then sent out a fireball, burning the identity token to ashes.


    After doing this, he picked up a round shield from the side.


    Without the infusion of True Essence, the round shield had shrunk to the size of a palm. The patterns on it resembled turtle patterns, with three small characters faintly visible: Turtle Pattern Shield.


    "No wonder this round shield could block attacks from a High Grade Ritual Artifact; it''s actually a Mid Grade Ritual Artifact. Luckily, I attacked at close range earlier. Otherwise, if he had activated this Turtle Pattern Shield in advance, who knows who would have won!"


    "It''s just a pity that the Turtle Pattern Shield has a crack. I wonder if the mysterious Pill Furnace can repair the crack after tempering it."


    Looking at the long crack on the Turtle Pattern Shield in his hand, Su Shi''er felt both fortunate and a bit pained.


    After some thought, he took out the mysterious Pill Furnace, injected a bit of True Essence into it, making the Pill Furnace slightly larger than the Turtle Pattern Shield.


    Then he tossed the Turtle Pattern Shield inside.


    Just like when he tempered the White Mist Sword, as soon as the Turtle Pattern Shield was placed inside, it was enveloped in a faint blue light.


    A few breaths later, the transformation stopped. Su Shi''er carefully put away the mysterious Pill Furnace and then re-examined the Turtle Pattern Shield.


    After tempering, the Turtle Pattern Shield was only half its original size, and its entire body was crystal clear. The sand-brown shield faintly emitted a crystalline glow.


    "This... this has actually become a Top Grade Ritual Artifact?"


    Su Shi''er''s eyes widened in delight. In the cultivation world, defensive artifacts were even more precious and rare than offensive ones.


    And a Top Grade defensive artifact was no less valuable than ordinary spatial artifacts.


    With such a treasure in hand, his safety was significantly enhanced.


    "If I had this treasure before, Meng Tianyi''s Sword Qi couldn''t have hurt me at all!"


    "But, come to think of it, I should thank him for bringing me such a good thing before the newcomer trial."


    "It''s just a pity that the crack on the Turtle Pattern Shield wasn''t repaired. It seems the mysterious Pill Furnace can only temper and enhance the grade of treasures, not repair them."


    Suppressing his excitement, Su Shi''er took a few more glances at the Turtle Pattern Shield before carefully tucking it into his chest.


    Although it had a crack, the Turtle Pattern Shield, now a Top Grade Ritual Artifact, had greatly enhanced defensive power. The crack was a secondary concern.


    Putting away the Turtle Pattern Shield, Su Shi''er also stored the two Low Grade Gathering Qi Pills and three escape talismans he found.


    His gaze then fell on the last item he found on Meng Tianyi.


    It was a book that Meng Tianyi had kept close to him.


    The book looked old and worn, with the cover missing. The pages were yellowed, and many characters were blurred.


    But since it was kept close to him, Su Shi''er thought it must be something valuable.


    Opening the pages, Su Shi''er''s pupils immediately shrank upon seeing the content.


    In an instant, veins bulged all over his body, and he became agitated and furious.


    Breathing heavily, he quickly flipped through the book.


    Most of the book recorded a sword cultivation technique called the Skeleton Sword Technique.


    This sword technique could only be practiced by those with a cultivation level above the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, and it only contained parts for the sixth to ninth levels of the Qi Refining stage.


    Moreover, practicing it required the use of a large number of Yin-attributed treasures and corpses.


    Once mastered, it allowed the user to unleash a unique Skeleton Sword Qi, which could devour the blood of living beings during attacks. The more blood devoured, the stronger the Sword Qi.


    Such a description immediately reminded Su Shi''er of the black-clothed person who killed his grandfather and the villagers.


    He remembered clearly that the Sword Qi unleashed by the black-clothed person that day was skeleton-like, almost identical to the description in the book, and even more powerful.


    "Skeleton Sword Technique! Could it be... that black-clothed person is hiding in Heavenly Splendor Peak?"


    "However, although this technique was carried by Meng Tianyi, it doesn''t rule out the possibility that he obtained it elsewhere."


    "It seems finding that black-clothed person will require some effort. No matter where he is, I will find him eventually. But for now, the priority is to enhance my strength."


    Su Shi''er sat on the bed, lost in thought for a while before regaining his focus.


    Over the past four years, although he had been diligently cultivating in the Discarded Pill Room, he had also been secretly searching for the black-clothed person''s whereabouts.


    Unfortunately, he had found nothing.


    Although he still had no useful clues at the moment, at least he now knew the name and characteristics of the sword technique used by that person.


    Taking a deep breath, Su Shi''er picked up the unknown book again and continued to read.


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 Chapter 24 - Practicing magic and training talismans

    The book was already incomplete, with only a few pages left after the sword techniques, recording two spells.


    One was called the Blood Light Shield, and the other the Blood Light Escape.


    However, the Blood Light Escape was missing too much, with only a few words, making it impossible to practice.


    On the other hand, the Blood Light Shield was recorded in great detail, precisely the spell Meng Tianyi used to fend off his talisman attack.


    After reading it, Su Shi''er memorized the contents thoroughly.


    He didn''t meet the basic cultivation requirements for the sword techniques, so he couldn''t practice them. However, the Blood Light Shield was quite suitable for him.


    After taking stock of his gains, Su Shi''er continued his arduous cultivation.


    This time, he didn''t focus on improving his cultivation level but rather on practicing spells.


    Including the spellbook he bought from the trading plaza, he now had four spells to practice.


    Blood Light Shield, Rain Summoning, Object Control, and Heavenly Eye.


    In fact, among these four spells, aside from the Blood Light Shield, the other three were only moderately effective in combat.


    Rain Summoning merely conjured a light rain, typically used by servant disciples for cultivating spirit fields.


    Object Control used True Essence to manipulate objects, with the True Essence consumption varying based on the object''s weight and material. This spell wasn''t particularly damaging and was mainly used for picking things up.


    As for Heavenly Eye, it allowed one to observe the flow of spiritual energy in the world, with the ability to see through invisibility and concealment.


    The latter three spells were clearly more functional, and few people would waste time practicing them.


    However, Su Shi''er had different ideas. Not to mention, he felt that the Heavenly Eye could be useful in the trial.


    He treated all the spells seriously, and although he didn''t master them to perfection, he practiced them to a high level of proficiency.


    Two months later, there were less than four months left until the newcomer trial.


    Feeling that there was little room for further improvement in the spells, Su Shi''er took out the two talisman-making books he had bought and began studying them.


    Talismans were a magical existence, sealing spells onto small pieces of paper, allowing for instant casting with minimal True Essence, making them extremely convenient.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    For Su Shi''er, with his low cultivation level and insufficient True Essence, having enough talismans would provide more means of survival.


    However, talismans were consumables, and although he could afford them, he didn''t dare to spend recklessly.


    Two months ago, he was almost killed just for a top-grade level one defensive talisman.


    This experience made Su Shi''er more determined to learn talisman-making, to master the skill himself.


    There were mainly two methods for making talismans. One used cinnabar and talisman paper as materials. The other used beast blood and beast skin. But regardless of the method, one indispensable item was the talisman brush.


    The talisman brush was an important medium connecting the cultivator and the materials. A good talisman brush could greatly increase the success rate of talisman-making.


    Fortunately, the book detailed the method for making talisman brushes, and making level one talismans only required an ordinary talisman brush.


    Over the past four years, Su Shi''er had hunted countless demonic beasts. Now, to practice talisman-making, beast skins and blood naturally became his practice materials.


    In the days that followed, Su Shi''er devoted himself entirely to practicing and making talismans.


    In four months, Su Shi''er went through twenty talisman brushes and damaged countless materials.


    From repeated failures at the beginning to occasionally succeeding in making one or two talismans in the end.


    The success rate wasn''t high, but his diligence allowed him to accumulate quite a few usable talismans.


    One morning.


    "Dong, dong, dong..."


    Early in the morning, a resounding bell echoed throughout the Cloud Song Sect.


    The bell was loud and deafening, stirring the entire sect into activity.


    Hearing the commotion, Su Shi''er jumped out of bed and rushed towards Luofu Peak.


    At the top of Luofu Peak, there was a plaza in front of a majestic hall.


    The plaza was crowded, with nearly a hundred people. Surprisingly, they were all servant disciples with cultivation levels below the sixth stage of Qi Refining.


    The age range was also quite broad, with young ones like him at sixteen or seventeen, and older ones, some with wrinkled faces and hunched backs, in their sixties or seventies.


    "The sect is really going all out to explore this ancient restricted area!"


    "But I never expected that Luofu Peak, which usually seems deserted, would have so many servant disciples!"


    Seeing this scene upon reaching the peak, Su Shi''er felt relieved.


    In just five years, he had cultivated to the fourth stage of Qi Refining with his mixed spirit root talent. He was initially worried about explaining this to the Peak Lord, but with so many people, the chance of the Peak Lord noticing him was quite low.


    Taking a deep breath, he mingled into the crowd, found an inconspicuous spot, and tried to conceal his presence as much as possible while using the Heavenly Eye to silently observe the others.


    In his eyes, many of the older disciples had greatly restrained their presence.


    Among the younger disciples, only a few had intentionally concealed their presence.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, I finally found you!" At this moment, a voice called out.


    Startled, Su Shi''er quickly turned around.


    He saw a chubby man of medium height smiling as he approached. It was none other than Little Chubby, Zhu Hanwei, who had grown quite a bit.


    "You''re looking for me... for something?" Su Shi''er frowned slightly, quickly scanning him. At this point, Zhu Hanwei was already a Qi Refining cultivator at the second stage, which surprised him a little.


    It seemed that after taking the Foundation Pills, he had awakened his spirit root.


    Zhu Hanwei nodded with a smile, his eyes darting around quickly before he whispered, "There are so many servant disciples participating in this newcomer trial."


    "We''ve only been in the sect for five years, and whether in cultivation or strength, we can''t compare to them!"


    "Although I don''t know why, I have a feeling that this newcomer trial will be quite dangerous. I think we need to team up, so if something happens, we can handle it better."


    Hearing this, Su Shi''er remained expressionless, but he couldn''t help but look at Little Chubby with newfound respect. He had obtained more complete information about the newcomer trial from Meng Tianyi.


    But Little Chubby, just by noticing the increase in servant disciples, sensed danger. His intuition was indeed sharp.


    As for why he approached him, it wasn''t hard to guess. With Zhu Hanwei''s cultivation level, it was almost impossible to recruit those who had entered the sect earlier.


    Among those who joined at the same time and had similarly mediocre spirit root qualifications, he was undoubtedly the best choice.


    Seeing Su Shi''er remain silent, Zhu Hanwei grew a bit anxious. After thinking for a moment, he quickly added with a smile:


    "Senior Brother, if you''re worried that just the two of us aren''t enough, there''s no need!"


    "This time, I also called Chen Tie and Li Jingjing."


    As he spoke, he waved to a group not far away.


    Only then did Su Shi''er notice three figures standing nearby. Two of them were the ones who had joined the sect with him four years ago.


    The three stood together, not paying much attention to Zhu Hanwei''s greeting, with slightly upturned eyes and a somewhat arrogant demeanor.


    Their cultivation levels were one at the third stage of Qi Refining and two at the second stage, which wasn''t bad for newcomers.


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 Chapter 25 - Mobilize

    Su Shi''er originally had no intention of teaming up with anyone. Seeing this scene, he felt even less interested and shook his head decisively, "No, I''m more used to acting alone."


    After speaking, he turned and squeezed into the crowd, finding an inconspicuous spot.


    Zhu Hanwei wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Su Shi''er''s firm attitude, he opened his mouth and then gave up, returning to his other three companions.


    As soon as he approached, the young man at the third level of Qi Refining in the crowd rolled his eyes and said, "I told you not to call that kid, but you wouldn''t listen. It''s lucky he didn''t come, or else we''d have another burden!"


    "Exactly, that kid just started cultivating six months earlier than us, becoming a Qi Refining cultivator a step ahead. With his Mixed Spirit Root, he''s probably only at the second level of Qi Refining at most. I''m at the peak of the second level now, ready to step into the third at any moment," agreed a square-faced young man beside him, speaking with a hint of pride.


    "But that kid is quite arrogant, not knowing how to appreciate the opportunity. Does he think he can pass the trial on his own?" Another young man with an oval face pouted.


    "Alright, enough about him. Once the trial is over and he fails the assessment, he''ll regret being a servant disciple for life!" The young man at the third level of Qi Refining spoke again, putting an end to the topic.


    Zhu Hanwei stood aside with a smile on his face, not saying a word.


    But in his heart, he always felt that Su Shi''er wasn''t that simple.


    He clearly remembered that among the four of them, the fastest to cultivate was this Chen Tie, who took a full seven months to become a first-level Qi Refining cultivator.


    Su Shi''er, of course, was unaware of this discussion.


    He found another inconspicuous spot and continued to wait patiently.


    As the sun was about to rise, the large square suddenly quieted down.


    From the main hall, three figures emerged.


    In the center was a man in a blue robe, with a ruddy complexion and white hair. He was Lu Mingshi, the Peak Lord of Luofu Peak.


    Behind him were a young man and woman.


    The man had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, handsome and tall, with a hint of arrogance in his demeanor. He was Han Yu, a genius who had joined Luofu Peak with Su Shi''er and others five years ago.


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    The woman had a graceful figure, with eyebrows like spring mountains and eyes like autumn water, stunningly beautiful like a Heavenly Immortal. She wore a faint smile, revealing two small dimples, looking as gentle as a warm breeze. This woman was Xiao Yue, Lu Mingshi''s granddaughter and the acknowledged first beauty of Luofu Peak.


    The two walked side by side, looking like a golden couple. Their cultivation was astonishing, both at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining.


    Their clothes and shoes were much more luxurious than those of the others, emitting a faint glow. Each carried a blue and purple longsword on their back.


    These clothes, shoes, and swords were all High Grade Ritual Artifacts.


    Seeing these two, everyone in the square gasped. At this moment, it wasn''t just envy but jealousy and resentment!


    What is true wealth? This is true wealth!


    Among the crowd, Su Shi''er also looked on with envy. What he could see was just three Top Grade Ritual Artifacts each; what about what he couldn''t see?


    He clearly saw that both Han Yu and Xiao Yue had a delicate little pouch at their waists.


    Those were clearly Storage Bags.


    "The Peak Lord''s personal disciples are indeed different."


    "But Han Yu''s talent is just too strong. In just five years, he''s reached the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining! No wonder the Peak Lord favors him."


    Su Shi''er wasn''t surprised by Xiao Yue''s cultivation realm. After all, five years ago, Xiao Yue already had some cultivation.


    But Han Yu truly shocked him.


    It was only at this moment that he realized the gap between a genius and an ordinary person.


    However, he didn''t lose his balance. He had no intention of comparing himself to anyone. He just wanted to steadily improve his strength, find that black-clothed person, and avenge his grandfather and villagers.


    At this time, Lu Mingshi led Han Yu and Xiao Yue to the front of the square. He glanced over everyone with a calm expression and began to speak.


    "This newcomer trial has only one focus, and that is to collect materials. The materials include those for crafting, pill refining, and various other materials."


    "The final results will be based on the number of materials collected. Those who collect more than ten second-level materials can become official disciples."


    "To help everyone better collect materials, the sect will issue each person a temporary Storage Bag, a comprehensive material guide, and a teleportation talisman."


    "The teleportation talisman requires ninety days to charge with spiritual energy. After ninety days, it will automatically teleport the wearer back. Therefore, it must be kept safe and not lost."


    ...


    Lu Mingshi spoke concisely, introducing the trial rules and mentioning some information about the ancient restricted area.


    It was almost the same as what Su Shi''er had learned from Meng Tianyi, except for the process of discovering the restricted area.


    After finishing his speech, Lu Mingshi quickly scanned the crowd, frowning slightly and shaking his head with some dissatisfaction.


    Although there were many people in the square, in his eyes, they were mostly insignificant, like transparent people, not worth mentioning.


    Sighing, he turned to look at Han Yu and Xiao Yue beside him.


    "This trial is in a new place, and there will certainly be some danger, but also great opportunities."


    "I can''t rely on the others, Yu''er, this time it''s mainly up to you! Although your senior sister''s cultivation isn''t bad, her strength is still slightly inferior to yours, so you must take care of her."


    As he spoke, Lu Mingshi''s face broke into a happy smile, looking amiable, with satisfaction written all over his eyes.


    "Master, rest assured, your disciple will not disappoint you!" Han Yu said proudly, standing tall with a determined gaze.


    Lu Mingshi nodded with satisfaction, ignoring the others, and continued to speak softly with Han Yu and Xiao Yue.


    On the square, everyone became excited because of Lu Mingshi''s words.


    A newly discovered ancient restricted area, filled with countless treasures of heaven and earth?!


    This news was quite explosive.


    For many disciples with average aptitude, relying solely on hard work in cultivation would not lead to any achievements.


    Only by using treasures of heaven and earth could they possibly advance further.


    Even ants cling to life, and many servant disciples who had lost hope in their immortal path reignited the flame of hope at this moment.


    Su Shi''er, blending into the crowd, remained relatively restrained. He had known this information for a long time. Unlike others'' excitement, he only felt that this journey would be even more dangerous than imagined.


    At the same time, two young boys in disciple''s robes appeared, each carrying a large tray to the square.


    The trays held brand new pouches, each about the size of a palm.


    Those pouches were Low Grade spatial-type Ritual Artifacts, Storage Bags.


    Using his identity token, Su Shi''er quickly received one.


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 Chapter 26 - Strange stunning woman

    Holding the storage bag in his hand, Su Shi''er injected a trace of True Essence into it and immediately sensed a square space about ten feet in size.


    The feeling was indescribable, like having an extra room in his mind. He could place any item he touched into this space at will.


    Inside the storage bag was a large book about a foot thick. Next to it lay a talisman about the length of a finger, a teleportation talisman.


    The talisman paper was covered with intricate, densely packed patterns. Some of the patterns glowed faintly, clearly in the process of charging.


    Curious, Su Shi''er glanced at it but quickly gave up. The patterns were too profound for him to understand.


    He hung the storage bag at his waist and discreetly placed all his small belongings into it.


    Only the White Mist Sword remained strapped to his back.


    After some thought, he took out a few talismans from the bag and carefully hid them in his sleeve.


    Having done all this, he continued to wait.


    This time, the wait wasn''t long.


    As the sun rose, a melodious bell rang from the center of the sect.


    "Let''s go!"


    Lu Mingshi shouted from the front of the plaza.


    With a wave of his hand, he tossed a miniature flying boat from his arms.


    The flying boat expanded with the wind, quickly growing to five or six zhang in length.


    It hovered less than a meter above the plaza, its hull carved with dragons and phoenixes, grand and exquisite, looking quite impressive.


    As the flying boat appeared, the entire plaza fell silent.


    All eyes were fixed on the flying boat, filled with awe.


    Su Shi''er was no exception. It wasn''t his first time seeing this flying boat. When he first joined, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Splendor Peak had used it to bring new disciples back.


    But only after becoming a Qi Refining cultivator did he realize how precious it was.


    Crafting a flying boat was more complex than making offensive or defensive ritual artifacts. Only the sect could afford to make such large flying boats.


    "One day, I''ll have a flying boat of my own!" Su Shi''er thought, his emotions stirring.


    As the flying boat descended, Lu Mingshi, along with Han Yu and Xiao Yue, rose with the wind and landed at the bow of the boat.


    "Everyone, come aboard. There''s still some distance to the teleportation array for the trial. My flying boat will save us a lot of time," Lu Mingshi called to the crowd in the plaza.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    With his words, everyone began to use Wind Summoning to leap onto the flying boat.


    Then, Lu Mingshi gathered his True Essence and activated the flying boat.


    The boat trembled slightly before soaring into the sky, carrying nearly a hundred people westward.


    As this flying boat took off, enormous flying artifacts from the other six main peaks also rose into the sky.


    Their speed was much faster than the flying boat Su Shi''er was on.


    The flying boat flew for half a day before descending into a valley.


    The valley was surrounded by mountains, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, extremely secluded. Before landing, Su Shi''er noticed many servant disciples standing in the clearing in the middle of the valley.


    At first glance, it was a bustling sea of heads.


    These disciples, led by the Peak Lords of each peak, were divided into five groups of varying sizes.


    The largest group belonged to Heavenly Splendor Peak, with over a thousand people, making it particularly noticeable.


    The other peaks each had about five hundred people.


    The most eye-catching was Heavenly Melody Peak, the only peak in the sect that accepted only female disciples.


    The area where Heavenly Melody Peak''s disciples stood was filled with thousands of beautiful women, all fair-skinned and attractive.


    Gathered together, these beauties were like a garden in full bloom, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Among them, one woman was particularly stunning.


    She appeared to be in her thirties, with icy skin and jade bones, her complexion as white as snow. Her eyes were like clear pools, exuding a refined and aloof aura.


    She wore an ice-blue disciple''s robe with a tasseled shawl, her long black hair styled in a celestial bun, enhancing her ethereal presence, like a fairy maiden from legend.


    Even Su Shi''er, usually indifferent, couldn''t help but glance at her a few more times. Upon closer inspection, he noticed something was amiss.


    The woman seemed like an ordinary disciple at first glance, but the other female disciples around her kept a deliberate distance, their expressions and actions showing restraint and respect.


    "There''s something off about her!"


    Instinctively, Su Shi''er used Heavenly Eye to observe the woman. He saw that the entire area was filled with spiritual energy, with varying amounts of spiritual power in everyone.


    However, the servant disciples'' spiritual energy was mostly scattered and sparse due to their low cultivation.


    But the exceptional woman''s spiritual power was concentrated and restrained, clearly extraordinary. Almost as soon as Su Shi''er noticed, her spiritual power suddenly dispersed, appearing no different from the others.


    Hmm?


    Su Shi''er was slightly startled, and the next second, the woman turned her head to look at him.


    Their eyes met in the air, her gaze cold and indifferent, filled with a warning.


    Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, and he quickly looked away.


    Moments later, he turned his gaze to the Heavenly Splendor Peak disciples.


    Half a year ago, he had killed Meng Tianyi, a disciple of Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    In the beginning, he was anxious every day, fearing discovery by the Heavenly Splendor Peak members.


    But as time passed, he realized no one cared.


    Seeing so many servant disciples here, he understood that to the sect, servant disciples were plentiful and insignificant.


    "It''s true what they say about the path being heartless. People don''t care about the lives of ants. Perhaps, in the eyes of those powerful cultivators, we''re just ants too."


    Su Shi''er felt a sense of understanding and sighed inwardly.


    At this moment, before the flying boat landed, a voice came from the direction of Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    "Senior Brother, what''s going on with your Luofu Peak? You have so few people, yet you always arrive so late." From the crowd, Heavenly Splendor Peak Lord Fu Boren grinned and shouted at Lu Mingshi.


    "Hmph! You old fool, what do you know? Important figures always make their entrance last. Haven''t you noticed that the Sect Master of Heavenly Unique Peak hasn''t arrived yet?" Lu Mingshi retorted, his eyes wide and beard bristling.


    "The Sect Master hasn''t come because Heavenly Unique Peak is truly strong. But what does your Luofu Peak have? No people, no strength. Senior Brother, we should have some dignity!" Fu Boren teased with a smile.


    "Dignity? Old fool, if I remember correctly, you still owe me that piece of Purple Thunder Stone from the bet you lost three years ago, don''t you? I''m puzzled how someone as untrustworthy as you can talk about dignity?" Lu Mingshi snorted, continuing his retort.


    Fu Boren coughed twice and quickly said, "Ahem, I had other uses for that Purple Thunder Stone. I''ll find another piece for you later."


    "Pah! Other uses, my foot. Don''t think I don''t know you used that Purple Thunder Stone to craft a low-grade spiritual artifact." Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes, controlling the flying boat''s slow descent as he spoke discontentedly.


    Fu Boren''s face flushed slightly, clearly embarrassed.


    This was his dark history!


    Fortunately, his skin was naturally reddish, so it wasn''t noticeable.


    His eyes darted around, and he glanced at the flying boat behind Lu Mingshi, then said with a smile, "Indeed, I crafted a Purple Thunder Sword with that Purple Thunder Stone."


    As he spoke, Fu Boren raised his hand and pulled out a purple-blue long sword. The sword was surrounded by spiritual energy, with faint flashes of thunderlight, exuding an astonishing pressure as soon as it appeared.


    A low-grade spiritual artifact?


    For a moment, almost everyone in the valley couldn''t help but look over.


    Even the other Peak Lords, who usually didn''t pay much attention, cast surprised glances.


    Spiritual artifacts were treasures far more powerful than ritual artifacts, containing a trace of spirituality that only Foundation Establishment cultivators and above could wield.


    Even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, most used ritual artifacts. Those who possessed spiritual artifacts were not many.


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 Chapter 27 - Betting

    In an instant, the entire venue was in an uproar, with everyone fixated on the Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, showering it with praise.


    Fu Boren beamed with delight, his gaze quickly sweeping across the crowd. When he noticed the location of the Heavenly Melody Peak disciples, he paused slightly and couldn''t help but ask, "Elder Xu, didn''t Peak Lord Shen come today?"


    In front of the Heavenly Melody Peak disciples, a graceful woman in palace attire smiled and said, "The Peak Lord has been exhausting her mental energy deducing formations these past few days and is currently in seclusion within the peak to recuperate."


    "Exhausting her mental energy? Peak Lord Shen truly works hard. Here, I have a bottle of Spirit Nourishing Elixir. Elder Xu, could you please pass it on to Peak Lord Shen for me?" Fu Boren immediately showed concern, quickly expressing his care.


    As he spoke, he took out a jade bottle about a finger''s length from his bosom and tossed it to the woman in palace attire with a concerned expression.


    "Then I thank Senior Brother Fu on behalf of the Peak Lord!" the woman in palace attire said with a smile.


    Seeing this, the other Peak Lords and Elders also took out various items, offering them to the woman in palace attire with concern.


    Heavenly Melody Peak might not be the strongest, but its Peak Lord was proficient in formations and was also the most beautiful woman in the Cloud Song Sect.


    She was well-liked by the elders and Peak Lords!


    The woman in palace attire accepted everyone''s goodwill with a smile, welcoming all comers.


    At this moment, an elder with a bushy beard from Cloud Terrace Peak laughed and shouted, "Junior Brother Fu, you really kept this under wraps! Quietly, you managed to create a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact."


    Fu Boren chuckled, "Senior Brother Chen, you''re too kind. It''s just a little trick of mine. Your mastery in pill concoction is truly remarkable. Without your support, where would we get so many Spirit Pills to use?"


    "Moreover, being able to craft this Purple Thunder Sword is all thanks to Senior Brother Chaoyang from Rising Sun Peak. I just didn''t expect that Senior Brother Chaoyang wouldn''t personally lead the team today."


    As he spoke, Fu Boren turned to glance in the direction of the Rising Sun Peak disciples. Among the crowd, only one elder led the team, and facing Fu Boren''s gaze, that elder merely smiled faintly without speaking.


    "Hmph! You old rascal, showing off again. You managed to craft this Low Grade Spiritual Artifact using my Purple Thunder Stone. Give me back my Purple Thunder Stone!" At this moment, Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes and said to Fu Boren with irritation.


    Fu Boren shook his head with a smile, "The Purple Thunder Stone is gone! But Senior Brother, are you interested in another bet? I''ll wager this Purple Thunder Sword. How about it?"


    Lu Mingshi was about to get angry, but upon hearing this, his eyes widened in disbelief, "Another bet? With this Low Grade Spiritual Artifact? You old rascal, what do you want to bet on?"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "It''s simple! We''ll bet on which of our two peaks collects more and better materials in this trial. If we lose, the Purple Thunder Sword is yours. If you lose, you give me that intact piece of Hundred-Year Cold Jade you have. How about it?" Fu Boren pursed his lips, clearly displeased with the nickname but not angry, smiling with narrowed eyes.


    Lu Mingshi waved his hand in frustration, "Bah! Dream on, our Luofu Peak has fewer people. No matter how much material we collect, we can''t match your numbers!"


    "If you want my Hundred-Year Cold Jade, just say so, but I''m telling you, don''t even think about it."


    Fu Boren wasn''t angry but smiled and said, "Senior Brother, there''s no need to get so worked up. I wouldn''t do something so unfair."


    "For this trial, if your Luofu Peak collects materials exceeding one-tenth of what our Heavenly Splendor Peak collects, you win."


    "Your Luofu Peak may have fewer people, but surely, Senior Brother, you have more confidence than that, right?"


    Lu Mingshi furrowed his brows, quickly glancing back, then looking at the people from Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    If it were based on total quantity, he felt there was no chance of winning.


    But if it was just one-tenth, it wasn''t impossible. Moreover, for this trial, he had specifically instructed the Elder in charge of passing on skills to secretly train a group of people.


    Thinking of this, he couldn''t help but feel tempted. The Purple Thunder Sword, a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact!


    The Hundred-Year Cold Jade was also valuable, but compared to such a treasure, it was a bit lacking.


    "Are you sure?" He took a deep breath and looked up at Fu Boren.


    "Of course. With other Senior Brothers and Sisters as witnesses, are you worried I might go back on my word?" Fu Boren laughed heartily.


    Turning his head, he quickly glanced over the Peak Lords and Elders, then continued, "Senior Brothers and Sisters, would you be interested in being witnesses for me and Senior Brother Lu?"


    The others exchanged smiles and nodded in agreement.


    They might not be interested in participating in such a bet, but they were certainly interested in watching the spectacle.


    However, in everyone''s hearts, they felt that Luofu Peak''s chances of winning were slim.


    Heavenly Splendor Peak had the most people and the strongest strength, and it wasn''t just for a day or two within the Cloud Song Sect.


    "Senior Brother Lu, did you see that? Are you going to bet?" Fu Boren asked with a smile, looking at Lu Mingshi once again.


    "Hmph! You think I''m afraid of you, old rascal? Fine, I''ll take this bet!" Lu Mingshi raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly.


    After saying this, he gave Fu Boren a sidelong glance and turned to look at the people on the flying boat.


    "You all heard the bet with Heavenly Splendor Peak just now, right?"


    "Losing a few things is a small matter, but our Luofu Peak... can''t be looked down upon."


    "For this trial, give it your all. Whether or not we surpass Heavenly Splendor Peak, the top five who collect the most materials will not only become formal disciples but will also have an additional opportunity to enter the Treasure Pavilion and select a treasure."


    After quickly saying this, Lu Mingshi turned his gaze to Han Yu and Xiao Yue.


    In his heart, he had the highest hopes for these two personal disciples.


    But the others also needed encouragement, as even if each person found one more material, it would still be significant.


    The people on the flying boat were once again invigorated by Lu Mingshi''s words.


    Each peak had a Treasure Pavilion, and the treasures within were at least High Grade Ritual Artifacts. Among them, there were also advanced techniques and secret arts.


    In the past, such opportunities would never have fallen to servant disciples like them.


    Even Su Shi''er couldn''t help but feel a surge of anticipation. For cultivators, having an extra good treasure or a good technique was like having half a life more.


    Seeing everyone''s reactions, Lu Mingshi continued to control the flying boat to land.


    Everyone quickly disembarked from the flying boat and, like the disciples from other peaks, waited patiently.


    They didn''t have to wait long before six streaks of light flashed across the sky. Then, six flying swords carrying more than thirty people descended from the sky, landing in the center of the valley.


    On one of the six flying swords stood only an elder.


    Dressed in snow-white robes with mysterious cloud-patterned sleeves, his hair styled in a Daoist bun, his face full of wrinkles, and a foot-long white beard, his gaze was deep and serene, exuding an aura of immortality.


    On the other five flying swords stood seven young disciples at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage. With their cultivation, they were not capable of sword flight.


    Yet, at this moment, they were indeed flying on swords, a sight that was quite marvelous to behold.


    These people were the elders and disciples of the main peak, Heavenly Unique Peak, of the Cloud Song Sect.


    In terms of numbers, the least populated among the seven peaks of Cloud Song was not Luofu Peak but the main peak, Heavenly Unique Peak.


    However, in terms of strength, Heavenly Unique Peak was not lacking. To enter Heavenly Unique Peak, one had to at least possess a High Grade single spirit root.


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 Chapter 28 - The first secondary Spirit Material

    In the crowd, the Peak Lords and Elders from the other peaks exchanged quick glances, surprise and shock flashing in their eyes.


    On one hand, they were surprised that Heavenly Unique Peak had only sent thirty-five disciples to participate in the trial.


    On the other hand, they were shocked by the strength of these thirty-five individuals. Each one was at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, exuding a fierce aura that was anything but ordinary.


    Fu Boren''s gaze shifted to the elder, and he cupped his hands with a smile, "Great Elder, why are you here this time? Where is the Sect Master?"


    The Great Elder gently stroked his beard and replied with a calm smile, "The Sect Master is in seclusion, preparing to break through to the next realm. I will be presiding over this newcomer trial."


    With that, he waved his large hand, and a thick wave of True Essence emanated from his body.


    As the True Essence swept across, starting from the center of the valley, everyone felt a massive force akin to surging waves.


    In an instant, everyone stepped back.


    In the blink of an eye, a hundred-meter diameter clearing appeared in the middle of the valley.


    "Peak Lords, please lend me a hand!" the Great Elder shouted.


    From the crowd, six figures soared into the sky, each channeling their True Essence towards the clearing.


    The multicolored True Essence interwove and transformed over the clearing.


    Soon, the ground trembled, and a massive circular formation emerged on the clearing.


    As soon as the formation appeared, it released an ancient and primordial aura. Spiritual power permeated it, weaving into an enormous and complex formation pattern.


    Standing in the crowd, Su Shi''er glanced at it curiously, feeling dizzy and as if his head would explode.


    Yet, he noticed that the formation pattern was almost identical to the teleportation talisman in his storage bag.


    Clearly, this was the teleportation array leading to the ancient restricted area.


    "The formation is activated. All disciples, follow the order and enter the teleportation array to proceed to the trial grounds."


    Above the teleportation array, the Great Elder''s beard quivered as he shouted loudly.


    Immediately, everyone present was invigorated, exchanging glances; some hesitated, while others were resolute.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    But soon, they all walked towards the formation. As soon as they stepped into the formation, they transformed into beams of white light and vanished.


    Blending into the crowd, Su Shi''er stepped into the formation and felt a blinding light flash before him, making him feel weightless, as if he had no support in any direction.


    This sensation lasted only a moment.


    "Thud!"


    Next, Su Shi''er landed in a dense forest.


    The moment he landed, he had two attack and defense talismans in his hand.


    As his vision gradually cleared, he quickly surveyed his surroundings, seeing only towering trees dozens of meters high.


    No other figures were in sight.


    "What dense spiritual energy! Is this the ancient restricted area? Cultivating here would at least double the speed."


    "Unfortunately, this trial only lasts ninety days. Otherwise, cultivating here would be a great choice!"


    "However, it seems like the teleportation was random. Not forming a team was indeed the right choice."


    After quickly observing the surroundings and sensing the dense spiritual energy in the air, Su Shi''er thought to himself.


    Confirming that his location was temporarily safe, he didn''t rush to explore. Instead, he found a nearby large tree, climbed it in a few moves, and took out the comprehensive material guide issued by the sect, beginning to study it carefully.


    To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools. Since he needed to search for materials, he felt it necessary to understand the materials first.


    Su Shi''er wasn''t the only one with this thought.


    Upon landing, many disciples also chose to hide and study the material guide issued by the sect.


    However, even more disciples chose to search for materials directly, or to search while reading.


    After all, for most spirit materials, the more precious they were, the more abundant the spiritual power they contained.


    With tens of thousands of disciples, their reactions and styles varied greatly.


    As the activities of a large number of disciples unfolded, soon many disciples began to encounter each other, leading to friction and conflict.


    Su Shi''er was completely unaware of all this.


    It took him two full days to memorize all the information about spirit materials from the material guide. Only then did he jump down from the tree and choose a direction to walk in.


    An hour later.


    The temperature became damp and cold, and the air was filled with dense water spiritual energy.


    "What dense water spiritual energy! Could there be a water-attributed treasure?"


    Su Shi''er took a deep breath, muttering softly, then activated the Heavenly Eye to survey his surroundings.


    The Heavenly Eye, besides detecting invisibility and concealing aura, could also reveal the flow and dispersion of spiritual energy.


    Often, cultivators used it for treasure hunting.


    Quickly scanning the area, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, and his spirit was invigorated.


    Under the Heavenly Eye, he could clearly see that the dense water spiritual energy was emanating from a single distant location, which was highly unusual.


    "Could there be water-attributed materials or treasures?"


    Su Shi''er discreetly surveyed the surroundings, seeing no other movements, and cautiously approached the source of the water spiritual energy.


    In just a moment, a lake appeared before him, with a shallow shore where a pale blue Xuanqing Ice Lotus was in full bloom.


    "Hmm? This... is a second-grade high-grade spirit plant, Xuanqing Ice Lotus!"


    Su Shi''er showed a look of joy, having memorized the material guide, he recognized the spirit plant at a glance.


    Gazing at the second-grade spirit plant before him, Su Shi''er didn''t rush to pick it but instead looked towards the lake behind it.


    "If I remember correctly, the Xuanqing Ice Lotus is accompanied by a demonic beast called the Poison Arrow Frog."


    "This demonic beast isn''t strong, just a low-level demonic beast. But it has the advantage of numbers and is extremely treacherous in its attacks."


    Recalling the relevant information, Su Shi''er glanced over the area and then focused on a spot in the center of the lake where small bubbles were rising.


    With a wave of his hand, two beast-skin fireball talismans appeared in his palm. He was about to activate them but hesitated and instead took out two freezing talismans.


    "Low-level demonic beasts aren''t worth much, and the fireball talismans make too much noise, which could attract others."


    Thinking to himself, he channeled his True Essence into the freezing talismans.


    The next second, two icy blue lights streaked across, landing on the lake''s surface.


    The air temperature gradually dropped. In less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, a half-foot thick layer of ice formed on the lake''s surface.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er finally stepped forward to pick the Xuanqing Ice Lotus.


    Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind him.


    "Stop! That spirit plant belongs to Heavenly Splendor Peak!"


    Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned to look behind him with caution.


    He saw a young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes walking over arrogantly.


    The young man wore a disciple''s robe with the Heavenly Splendor Peak emblem embroidered on it, and a fiery red headband tied in his hair. On his back was a fiery red longsword.


    "Fifth level of the Qi Refining stage?" Seeing the other''s cultivation level, Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, and he became fully alert.


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 Chapter 29 - To deceive

    "Senior Brother, what do you mean by this? I was the one who discovered this Spirit Plant first!" Staring at the other person, he quickly said solemnly.


    "What do you mean you found it first? Didn''t you understand what I said? I''ll give you three breaths to leave, or you won''t be leaving at all!" The young man with sword-like eyebrows sneered.


    With a clang, he drew a fiery red longsword.


    The blade shimmered with brilliance, radiating intense heat. The sword''s edge pointed directly at Su Shi''er, releasing a fierce killing intent.


    A cold glint flashed in Su Shi''er''s eyes as several Talismans silently appeared in his hand.


    At the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage, he was not without the power to fight.


    "Crack, crack..."


    Suddenly, a faint cracking sound came from the ice behind him.


    This is...


    Su Shi''er raised his eyebrows slightly, and in the next second, dismissed his original thoughts, turned silently, and walked to the side with his head down.


    "Hmph! That''s more like it!" The young man with sword-like eyebrows smiled smugly, holding his sword without retracting it.


    Carefully surveying the surroundings, seeing no other threats, he quickly walked towards the Spirit Plant by the shore.


    He swiftly picked the Xuanqing Ice Lotus and immediately distanced himself from the lake. Throughout the process, he kept his peripheral vision on Su Shi''er, remaining cautious and vigilant.


    After running more than ten steps, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, casting a mocking glance at Su Shi''er.


    "Bah! What a coward, just like his Master, teaching such a disciple."


    "Lu Mingshi, that old fool, taught him well. I really don''t know where he got the courage to bet against our Master."


    "This time, Luofu Peak is bound to lose the bet!"


    The young man with sword-like eyebrows mocked mercilessly, his eyes flashing with killing intent, while secretly channeling True Essence into his sword-wielding hand.


    Hearing these words, Su Shi''er''s gaze turned cold, but he remained silent on the surface, even discreetly retreating a few more steps.


    He was well aware of the other party''s intentions, trying to provoke him into action and then seize the opportunity to kill him on the spot.


    Of course, even if he didn''t make a move, the other party wouldn''t let him off easily.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    However...


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    Suddenly, over ten piercing sounds flew from the ice surface, heading straight for the young man with sword-like eyebrows.


    "What?! Ah..."


    Hearing the commotion behind him, the young man was startled and hurriedly turned to counterattack.


    He had been keeping an eye on Su Shi''er, planning to strike when he was off guard.


    As for the danger behind him, he believed he had distanced himself from the shore and wasn''t afraid of any Demonic Beasts, never expecting this outcome.


    But the attack came suddenly and swiftly. Before he could turn around, over a dozen ice spikes, glinting with dark green cold light, struck his back.


    The ice spikes pierced his body, and a chilling cold circulated within him. Along with it, the poison attached to the spikes spread.


    All this happened in an instant. The next second, the young man screamed, collapsing to his knees. His face contorted in agony, filled with regret.


    He wasn''t foolish; he realized the moment he was hit. Su Shi''er had planned this all along, saying little throughout.


    And he thought the other was intimidated by his presence, only to fall victim to a group of low-level Demonic Beasts.


    What a disgrace!


    Thinking of this, the poison in his blood surged, and with a "wah," he spat out a mouthful of black blood.


    "You... you bastard, you set me up!" In his dying moments, the young man turned his head, casting two venomous glances at Su Shi''er.


    At this point, that was all he could do.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the young man fell to the ground, lifeless.


    Su Shi''er stood at a distance, watching the scene unfold with a cold smile on his lips.


    He had set up the guy, but the guy had intended to do the same to him.


    Seeing the other person dead, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, smiling knowingly.


    "If I hadn''t known the characteristics and information about the materials in advance, I might have been in trouble before this guy even made a move."


    "From what he said, it seems Heavenly Splendor Peak is confident about winning this bet? Could there be some hidden agenda?"


    "Forget it, what does it have to do with me? I should focus on gathering ten second-level materials to pass the trial."


    Shaking his head, Su Shi''er didn''t step forward.


    Channeling True Essence within, he used Object Control to retrieve the Xuanqing Ice Lotus, the Flying Sword, and the Storage Bag from the young man''s waist from a distance.


    After doing this, just as he was about to cast a Fireball Technique to destroy the evidence, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from afar.


    Hearing the commotion, Su Shi''er didn''t hesitate, immediately pulling out an Invisibility Talisman and sticking it on himself. Then, using Shadowless Phantom Steps, he turned and ran.


    He left without a sound.


    And not long after he left, two disciples from Heavenly Splendor Peak arrived by the lake.


    "The scream just now sounded like Junior Brother Hu Jinxi!"


    "Be careful, don''t get caught in a trap!"


    The two walked side by side, their eyes falling on the corpse by the shore as they spoke.


    One of the short and stout disciples'' expressions changed instantly, quickly stepping forward.


    "Not good!"


    As soon as the short and stout disciple spoke, over ten poisonous ice spikes flew out from the lake.


    "It''s a low-level Demonic Beast, the Poisonous Spike Frog, Senior Brother, be careful!" The other tall and thin disciple decisively used Fire Control. Two pillars of fire erupted from his hands, landing on the lake.


    The next second, over a dozen Poisonous Spike Frogs, the size of washbasins, floated belly-up on the water''s surface.


    "How is Junior Brother Hu?" After dealing with the Poisonous Spike Frogs, the tall and thin disciple quickly asked.


    The short and stout disciple shook his head, sighing, "Junior Brother Hu has already fallen!"


    "What?! How could Junior Brother Hu be so careless, killed by these low-level Demonic Beasts?" The tall and thin disciple was shocked, frowning as he looked at the wounds on the corpse''s back.


    As he spoke, he remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, where''s Junior Brother Hu''s Storage Bag? The four second-level materials we found over the past two days were all with him!"


    The short and stout disciple quickly turned Hu Jinxi''s body over, and moments later, his face turned ashen, "The Storage Bag is gone, there must have been someone else here just now!"


    The tall and thin disciple touched the body on the ground, saying hatefully, "The body is still warm, that person can''t have gone far!"


    As he spoke, the tall and thin disciple took out a packet of unknown powder. With a flick of his hand, the powder scattered everywhere.


    Then, he formed a seal with his hands. Under the surge of True Essence, the powder rolled and emitted a fluorescent glow, transforming into a starry trail pointing in the direction Su Shi''er had fled.


    Under the starry trail, faint footprints left by Su Shi''er using Shadowless Phantom Steps could be seen.


    "Quick, chase him, and notify the other nearby Senior Brothers to keep an eye out!"


    The two exchanged a glance and immediately pursued in the direction of the footprints.


    While running, the short and stout disciple took out a palm-sized compass-shaped Ritual Artifact.


    Injecting True Essence into it, he immediately used his mind to send a message into it.


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 Chapter 30 - Sly person

    Su Shi''er had no idea about what happened afterward.


    He was even more unaware that he had already caught someone''s attention.


    However, being cautious by nature, he ran dozens of miles away in one breath and used an escape talisman before finally stopping.


    Glancing at the fiery red flying sword, he saw it was merely a low-grade ritual artifact and didn''t pay it any mind.


    Then, he channeled a trace of True Essence to inspect the storage bag in his hand.


    "I never expected that a mere Qi Refining stage fifth-level disciple from Heavenly Splendor Peak could collect four pieces of second-level materials in just two days!"


    "Counting this Xuanqing Ice Lotus, it means I''m only halfway through gathering the materials needed to become an official disciple."


    After checking the storage bag of the Heavenly Splendor Peak disciple, he was initially stunned but then showed a look of joy.


    Inside the storage bag were four pieces of second-level materials: one spirit plant and three pieces of ironstone. Besides that, there were some personal items of the disciple.


    Apart from a few talismans, there seemed to be nothing more valuable.


    Just as he was about to stop observing, Su Shi''er''s eyebrows twitched as he pulled out a palm-sized sheepskin map.


    The map marked several immortal paths and locations. The most prominent was a location marked with a red circle: the Spirit Plant Garden.


    "Hmm? Is this the map of the Spirit Plant Garden that Meng Tianyi mentioned back then?"


    Su Shi''er''s breath hitched as he immediately reacted.


    However, after scanning it, he couldn''t help but feel a bit frustrated. The map was quite simplistic, with only a few locations and some descriptions marked, lacking any other information.


    "I have no idea where I am right now, and none of the places I''ve passed in recent days match the locations on this map."


    "It seems that even if everyone had a copy of this map, it wouldn''t necessarily lead them to the Spirit Plant Garden."


    "However, Heavenly Splendor Peak has a lot of people. With a thousand people on one peak, even if not everyone has a map, most likely they all know about the Spirit Plant Garden. With so many people, surely a hundred or eighty will find it. No wonder... no wonder Heavenly Splendor Peak is so confident."


    Although he vaguely guessed Heavenly Splendor Peak''s plan, the map was practically useless, leaving Su Shi''er somewhat disappointed.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    But on second thought, collecting so many spirit materials at the start was also a good thing.


    At this rate, he could attempt to break into the top ten within the peak or purchase enough materials to become an official disciple and then choose to go into closed-door cultivation for two months.


    In the following days, relying on his Heavenly Eye technique, he darted around and managed to find two more second-level spirit materials.


    "This ancient restricted area is truly vast! The sect has really invested heavily to scour materials here! In these ten days, I''ve searched no less than twenty places, and almost all of them had been preempted by others!"


    "However, the Heavenly Eye technique isn''t specifically for treasure hunting, and several times it led me to demonic beast lairs. Luckily, I ran fast..."


    That day, Su Shi''er used the Heavenly Eye technique, walking briskly through an unknown forest.


    Under his gaze, threads of golden spiritual power were emanating from afar.


    "Judging by the distribution of golden spiritual power in the air, it must be a gold-attributed material."


    Muttering softly, Su Shi''er quickly walked out of the forest and arrived at a small hill.


    Seeing two corpses lying on the hill, his pupils contracted, and he instinctively wanted to run.


    After taking a few steps back, he stopped and carefully observed.


    There were two bodies, one old and one strong.


    The strong man lay in a pool of blood, with a sword mark on his neck, clearly killed by a single sword strike. In his hand, he tightly clutched a gold-colored stone the size of a pigeon egg.


    In front of him, the old man lay on the ground, holding a low-grade ritual artifact longsword, with three nails embedded in his forehead. On the ground beside him were four nails that seemed to have been knocked off by a flying sword in haste.


    "Hmm... If I''m not mistaken, what the strong man is holding should be a top-grade second-level material, Glazed Gold."


    "Judging by the situation, the two must have fought over this Glazed Gold. The strong man was no match for his opponent and was killed with a sword to the throat, but before dying, he launched seven iron nails, dragging the old man down with him!"


    Su Shi''er silently analyzed, unable to help but sigh inwardly.


    Clearly, they were fellow disciples, yet they fought to the death over various materials.


    This scene made him deeply feel the harshness of the cultivation world. This was not a trial; it was clearly a life-and-death gladiatorial arena.


    Shaking his head helplessly, he immediately stepped forward to collect the treasure.


    "They perished together, which benefits me!"


    Just as he thought this, his gaze fell on the calloused palm of the strong man, causing Su Shi''er''s pupils to contract, and his steps to pause.


    "Wait, with such thick calluses, how could this man have used iron nails as a weapon?"


    As the thought crossed his mind, Su Shi''er''s breath hitched, and cold sweat broke out on his back.


    He had already used the Heavenly Eye technique to scan the surroundings and saw no one else.


    If he hadn''t noticed this detail in time, he might have ended up as another corpse on the ground.


    "Who could be so devious?"


    Muttering to himself, Su Shi''er continued walking forward with a calm expression.


    However, as he approached the two corpses, he suddenly stopped.


    Decisively using Object Control, he drew the four scattered iron nails into his sleeve and stored them in his storage bag.


    After doing this, he immediately turned to leave.


    "Bastard, leave my Soul-Breaking Nails!"


    At that moment, an angry, crisp voice rang out.


    In the air, accompanied by a wave of spiritual power, a curvaceous, alluring female figure appeared.


    As soon as she appeared, the woman flicked her hand, throwing out three flame talismans. Three head-sized fireballs shot through the air, heading straight for Su Shi''er.


    "Hmm? There really is someone! And it''s her?"


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted sharply as he immediately recognized the person. It was the Chu-named female cultivator who had sold him talismans at the trading plaza six months ago.


    "You wicked woman, it''s bad enough you tricked me, but now you want to trap me too. Next time we meet, I''ll make you pay!"


    Su Shi''er glared at her fiercely, cursing angrily.


    Six months ago, the top-grade talisman he bought had been swapped, and a Gathering Qi Pill had also disappeared. Besides this woman, he couldn''t think of anyone else who would do such a despicable thing.


    As he spoke, before the attack could land, he stomped his foot hard, and the Shadowless Phantom Steps activated, lifting him into the air with a gust of wind.


    "I''m not a good person? You bastard, you think you''re justified in taking my things? Do you think you can escape today?"


    The Chu-named female cultivator was also surprised to see Su Shi''er. This kid was still alive? What a joke!


    But then, hearing Su Shi''er''s words, she was furious, her chest heaving with anger.


    She flicked her hand, throwing out three ice spike talismans.


    As the talismans activated, three finger-length ice spikes shot towards Su Shi''er in the air with lightning speed.


    The ice spikes glinted with a cold light in the air, clearly indicating their formidable power.


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 Chapter 31 - Blocked

    Su Shi''er''s hair stood on end as he instinctively activated the blood light shield.


    Immediately, a blood-red barrier enveloped him entirely.


    "Bang, bang..."


    Ice spikes rained down, cracking the shield, but it held firm.


    Using the momentum, Su Shi''er soared higher and vanished in the blink of an eye.


    Watching his retreating figure, she bit her lip in frustration, her eyes wide with anger.


    "That brat actually learned Meng Tianyi''s blood light shield?!"


    "Seeing how cautious he is, I bet Meng Tianyi didn''t just run away but was killed by him."


    "But that damned brat, not only did he leave, he even took my four Soul-Breaking Nails. How infuriating! If I ever see him again, I''ll tear him to pieces."


    As she muttered angrily, a glowing star trail floated through the air.


    "Hmm? A tracking spell? Someone else is coming!"


    The Chu-named female cultivator gasped softly, held her breath, and chanted a silent incantation, disappearing from sight.


    Half a cup of tea later, two figures, one fat and one thin, appeared on the hillside. They were two disciples from Heavenly Splendor Peak, tracking Su Shi''er.


    Seeing the two corpses on the ground, they tensed up and immediately went on guard.


    "Hmm? Judging by their appearance, it seems they perished together," the short, fat disciple quickly assessed after scanning the area.


    The tall, thin disciple''s face lit up, "Isn''t that perfect? We can pick up the spoils! That brat must have seen this treasure and left it behind, probably because he noticed us!"


    "Hmm... Quickly grab these things, and let''s continue the chase! Losing lives is one thing, but losing materials is a big deal," the short, fat disciple nodded, stepping forward to grab the Glazed Gold from the strong man''s hand.


    Beside him, the tall, thin disciple wasted no time, swiftly collecting the storage bags from the two and the ritual sword from the old man''s hand.


    Just as they reached the bodies, a thick, inky mist suddenly erupted from the corpses.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The mist spread rapidly, engulfing the two disciples in an instant.


    "Not good! It''s a trap!"


    "Damn, it''s poison!"


    Seeing the sudden turn of events, both disciples turned pale and tried to flee.


    But as they took their first step, their bodies convulsed, and they collapsed, eyes rolling back, blood foaming from their mouths as they died.


    "The venom of the Five Poison Spirit Snake is truly extraordinary, but it''s a pity there''s only a little. If I had more, I''d be rich!"


    The Chu-named female cultivator appeared, smiling as she swiftly collected the items from the old and strong bodies.


    Then, her gaze fell on the fat and thin duo.


    "Good thing that brat ran off earlier, or I wouldn''t have been able to poison these two unlucky fools."


    "Heavenly Splendor Peak is much stronger than Luofu Peak! These two weren''t weak; they must have found a few materials over the past few days!"


    Grinning, the Chu-named female cultivator''s eyes narrowed to slits.


    Rubbing her hands together, she quickly pocketed the two storage bags.


    Infusing True Essence into them, she checked their contents, her delicate brows furrowing in disappointment.


    "Seriously? Just a few broken talismans and a couple of low-grade ritual artifacts? Nothing else?"


    "And these are Heavenly Splendor Peak disciples? Two days and they didn''t find a single material? Useless!"


    She bit her lip in frustration, unaware that the fat and thin duo, along with the one killed by Su Shi''er, were in cahoots.


    And the materials they gathered over the past few days were all in the storage bag Su Shi''er took.


    With a pout, she tossed a few fireballs, incinerating the bodies on the ground.


    "Those two used a tracking spell just now, clearly after that brat. Could it be... he took their stuff?"


    "Hmph, whether he did or not, I need to get my Soul-Breaking Nails back."


    With a quick glance in the direction Su Shi''er had gone, she grabbed the star trail in the air, activated an escape talisman, and pursued him.


    ...


    Su Shi''er didn''t dare fly for too long; it consumed too much True Essence and was too conspicuous.


    Once he was safe, he landed and continued his cautious exploration.


    Seeing the four iron nails in the storage bag, he was in high spirits.


    "Who would''ve thought these four Soul-Breaking Nails are High Grade Ritual Artifacts? With that green glow, they must be heavily poisoned. That woman is truly as venomous as a scorpion."


    "But judging by how anxious she was, these nails must be quite valuable! Definitely worth more than a Top Grade Level One defensive talisman."


    The more Su Shi''er thought about it, the happier he became, feeling a sense of vindication.


    Three days later, after visiting several places with little success, he used the Heavenly Eye technique to follow traces of earth spiritual energy to a vast stone forest filled with towering boulders.


    "Judging by the spiritual energy distribution here, there should be something good beneath these boulders. At the very least... a Level Two earth attribute Spirit Material."


    "Wait... this place seems to match the stone forest marked on the Spirit Plant Garden map!"


    Realizing this, he quickly pulled out the palm-sized map to confirm.


    "A stone forest stretching for dozens of miles, this must be it."


    "So, the Spirit Plant Garden should be a hundred miles east of here. Whether it is or not, I''ll check it out after collecting the materials here!"


    With his mind made up, Su Shi''er followed the flow of spiritual energy into the stone forest.


    Soon, he found himself deep within the forest.


    At that moment, he caught sight of a figure from the corner of his eye, and his expression turned serious.


    "Brat, I never thought I''d run into you so soon! Today, I can finally settle the score from four years ago!" A fat disciple with a fierce face approached him, grinning maliciously.


    This disciple wasn''t highly cultivated, only at the third level of the Qi Refining stage. But he was a familiar face, the servant disciple who had deliberately made things difficult for everyone when Su Shi''er first received his pill medicine, Huang Fatty.


    "Settle the score?"


    Seeing the provocative look on the other''s face, Su Shi''er stood his ground, unfazed. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, assessing the environment.


    "You''re cautious, but today you won''t escape!"


    Another voice sounded, and two more figures emerged from the boulders on either side of him.


    One was the sword-carrying youth from four years ago, Zhao Yu.


    The other was burly, with a leopard-like face and fierce eyes, exuding a menacing aura.


    "Qi Refining stage five? Qi Refining stage six?!" Su Shi''er glanced around, his pupils contracting as his expression turned grim.


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 Chapter 32 - The Strongest Servant

    Su Shi''er glanced around and focused on the disciple with a leopard head and round eyes. "Senior Brother, we have no past grievances or present enmity, right? Besides, before entering the trial, the Peak Lord specifically instructed us not to kill our fellow disciples from the same peak!"


    He knew he wasn''t a match for the three of them together. If he could persuade the strongest one to leave, he wasn''t afraid of facing the other two.


    "Heh, what, trying to scare us with the Peak Lord? Kid, do you know who this is? My big brother Zhao Yan, the strongest among the servant disciples of Luofu Peak. You''re done for today!"


    Before Zhao Yan could speak, Zhao Yu glared and mocked viciously.


    Big brother?! The strongest among the servant disciples of Luofu Peak?


    Su Shi''er''s heart sank, and he felt the urge to leave.


    "Kid, if you know what''s good for you, hand over the treasure you have. For the sake of being fellow disciples, I''ll let you off the hook," Zhao Yan sneered from a distance, shouting at Su Shi''er.


    "Treasures? What do you mean by that?" Su Shi''er squinted, maintaining a calm exterior while secretly clutching a handful of talismans.


    "You''re a mixed spirit root trash, yet you''ve reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage in just five years. Do you think anyone would believe you don''t have a treasure?" Zhao Yu rolled his eyes, speaking with certainty.


    Zhao Yan snorted heavily, his gaze unfriendly.


    So, this kind of cultivation speed has indeed attracted attention?


    A cold light flashed in Su Shi''er''s eyes as he looked at Zhao Yan and asked calmly, "Yes, I do have a treasure that can enhance cultivation. But are you sure that if I give it to you, you''ll let me go?"


    "Of course! When I, Zhao Yan, give my word, I always keep it," Zhao Yan nodded calmly, looking magnanimous.


    "Big brother! This kid is cunning; we can''t let him go..." Zhao Yu turned to Zhao Yan, protesting discontentedly.


    "Hmph, I have my own plans," Zhao Yan snorted, reprimanding him.


    It seemed like they had really made up their minds.


    Heh, these guys can really act. But I''m afraid they won''t act!


    Su Shi''er sneered inwardly, but his face showed a conflicted expression. After hesitating for a moment, he took out a porcelain bottle from his chest and tossed it over.


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    "This bottle contains a spiritual medicine that can quickly enhance cultivation."


    As the bottle flew through the air, before it could fall, Zhao Yan suddenly raised his hand, and a long spear appeared in his grasp.


    With a sweep of the spear tip, the bottle shattered, and the talisman inside was torn to pieces.


    Clearly, he never believed Su Shi''er''s words.


    "Kid, you dare to play tricks in front of me? Since you don''t know what''s good for you, I''ll kill you first and search for it later!"


    Zhao Yan''s lips twitched as he snorted, a powerful aura emanating from him.


    He charged at Su Shi''er with the long spear in hand.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Yu and Huang Fatty weren''t idle. Zhao Yu wielded a flying sword, sweeping out a sword light.


    Huang Fatty, lacking weapons, could only use clumsy spells to attack.


    "Hmph! Killing me? You''re dreaming!"


    Su Shi''er shouted, waving his hand to throw out thirty attack talismans, which transformed into a variety of attacks, surging towards the three.


    "So many talismans?!"


    "How is this kid so rich?!"


    Seeing so many talisman attacks, the three were startled. These weren''t just attack talismans; they were money!


    Moreover, such dense attacks posed a threat to them.


    Zhao Yu and Huang Fatty''s faces changed instantly, hurriedly defending themselves, but they were clearly overwhelmed.


    Zhao Yan remained unfazed, wielding the spear, and with a burst of True Essence, he swept away nearly half of the talisman attacks.


    Various attacks struck the stone pillars, causing rubble to fly and dust to rise in the stone forest.


    Su Shi''er didn''t care about any of this. Taking the opportunity, he pulled out an escape talisman and immediately infused it with True Essence.


    The escape talisman ignited, emitting an earthy yellow light that enveloped Su Shi''er.


    Suddenly, a cold glint shot towards him, the spear thrust like a dragon, dispersing the escape light on Su Shi''er.


    "Kid, trying to escape in front of me? You''re too naive!"


    Zhao Yan sneered, the spear tip aimed straight at Su Shi''er''s heart.


    Su Shi''er''s heart pounded violently, feeling a chill creeping up from his feet.


    The escape talisman being interrupted was completely unexpected.


    But he wasn''t one to sit and wait for death. True Essence surged within him, activating the Turtle Pattern Shield placed on his chest.


    With a swoosh, the Turtle Pattern Shield flew out, expanding in the wind to form a shield half the height of a person, protecting his front.


    "Clang!"


    A sharp sound rang out as Zhao Yan''s spear struck the Turtle Pattern Shield, causing it to wobble but not pierce through.


    However, the new crack on the Turtle Pattern Shield made Su Shi''er feel a pang of heartache.


    With his cultivation, he couldn''t fully utilize the defensive power of this top-grade ritual artifact.


    "What?! You actually have a top-grade defensive artifact!!!"


    Zhao Yan exclaimed in shock, his voice trembling.


    The next second, his breathing became rapid, and his eyes filled with intense greed.


    Su Shi''er snorted, ignoring him, and quickly urged the Turtle Pattern Shield to protect himself.


    Then, he suddenly kicked off the stone forest, using the Shadowless Phantom Steps to weave through the stone forest.


    However, he didn''t rush to leave the stone forest, instead keeping an eye on Zhao Yu and Huang Fatty in the distance.


    With his lightness skill, he was more agile in the stone forest. Without the cover of the stone forest, facing the three together, he had no chance.


    He had to eliminate the two weakest first to have a chance to escape.


    "Even if this thing can protect you for a while, so what? With your strength, how much of this artifact''s defense can you utilize?"


    "Let''s see where you can run today. This thing is mine!"


    Zhao Yan''s greed had been ignited, and the spear in his hand released a terrifying aura.


    With a sweep of the spear, boulders shattered and fell under his attack.


    His gaze locked onto Su Shi''er, he pursued relentlessly.


    In the dust, Zhao Yu and Huang Fatty were left covered in dirt by the talisman explosions. As soon as they deflected the attacks, they hurriedly searched for Su Shi''er''s trace.


    Zhao Yu glanced at Huang Fatty nearby, his eyes shifting as he discreetly placed an invisibility talisman on himself.


    That kid didn''t leave immediately; maybe he''s planning to ambush us?


    At this moment, Su Shi''er suddenly appeared behind Huang Fatty.


    His fist, engulfed in flames, slammed into Huang Fatty''s back.


    "Ah! You..."


    Huang Fatty only had time to let out a scream before his internal organs were shattered by the punch.


    After killing Huang Fatty with one punch, Su Shi''er retreated decisively.


    "Kid, I''ve been waiting for you!"


    Suddenly, Zhao Yu revealed himself, slashing at Su Shi''er''s back with his sword.


    The strike was swift and ruthless, unleashing the full power of his fifth level Qi Refining stage.


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 Chapter 33 - Pit Chu-named female cultivator

    "Not good!" As the cold light appeared, Su Shi''er realized something was wrong. His heart trembled wildly, feeling as if a thorn was piercing his back.


    The Turtle Pattern Shield hovered in front of him, but there was no time to react. In this critical moment, he could only hastily activate the blood light shield.


    "Crack!"


    The Sword Light descended, shattering the blood light shield instantly. This strike slashed fiercely across Su Shi''er''s back.


    A bloody wound appeared.


    Su Shi''er felt the pain in his back and fell to the ground with a thud.


    Before he could hit the ground, Zhao Yu seized the opportunity to thrust another sword.


    In this moment of crisis, Su Shi''er flipped like a swallow, the White Mist Sword appearing in his hand, deflecting Zhao Yu''s attack with a single swing.


    He was confident in handling an attack from someone at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    "Clang!"


    After the two swords clashed, Su Shi''er''s expression changed again.


    Although he blocked the sword, the immense force caused his palm to split open.


    In front of him, three head-sized fireballs were already forming, emitting an astonishing heat.


    "Hmph! You''re only at the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage, and you dare to fight me? Today, you will surely die!" Zhao Yu snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with a fiery gaze.


    At the same time, not far away, Zhao Yan was also charging with a spear.


    Facing the pincer attack from both sides, Su Shi''er felt bitterly helpless.


    These guys were indeed tough to deal with, and a small mistake had put him in such a dangerous situation.


    "Fight!"


    With a cold glint in his eyes, Su Shi''er raised his hand and threw a Soul-Breaking Nail.


    "A hidden weapon? Kid, you''re too naive to think this will work on me!"


    Zhao Yu sneered, raising his sword to block the incoming Soul-Breaking Nail, showing a mocking expression at Su Shi''er.


    But the next second, he felt a sting at the back of his head, as if bitten by a mosquito.


    His smile froze, his expression turning to shock.


    It turned out that another Soul-Breaking Nail, controlled by Su Shi''er using Object Control, had pierced the back of his head.


    The Soul-Breaking Nail was clearly poisoned, sealing the throat upon contact with blood.Stolen novel; please report.


    After the shock, Zhao Yu''s eyes widened, staring at Su Shi''er with unwillingness, his body swaying before collapsing to the ground with a thud.


    Almost simultaneously, a spear came thrusting, Zhao Yan aiming straight for Su Shi''er''s back.


    But this time, Su Shi''er was prepared, having already maneuvered the Turtle Pattern Shield behind him.


    "Bang!"


    With a dull thud, the Turtle Pattern Shield trembled violently, crashing into Su Shi''er''s back under the force of the spear.


    Su Shi''er grunted, the impact leaving him dizzy and disoriented.


    Yet he gritted his teeth, using the immense force to fully execute the Shadowless Phantom Steps, swiftly fleeing into the distance.


    Managing to take down someone at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage was already a desperate effort for him. As for Zhao Yan at the sixth level, he never intended to engage him from the start.


    "Brother Yu! Kid, if I don''t kill you today, I, Zhao Yan, swear not to be human!"


    Glancing at Zhao Yu''s corpse, Zhao Yan was furious, his eyes bloodshot with rage.


    Without a second thought, he gathered his True Essence and pursued Su Shi''er.


    The two chased and fled at high speed, like leopards.


    Su Shi''er, though not as skilled as his opponent, occasionally threw a handful of attack talismans, causing Zhao Yan behind him considerable trouble.


    However, he was injured, and despite swallowing three Healing Pills early on, he could still feel his stamina waning.


    "No, I must quickly think of a way to shake him off, or he''ll catch up sooner or later."


    Su Shi''er was worrying in secret when he suddenly saw a familiar figure as he dashed out of the boulder forest.


    It was none other than the Chu-named female cultivator who had been pursuing him all along.


    "Kid, I''ve been waiting for you for a long time!"


    Seeing Su Shi''er, the Chu-named female cultivator flashed a wicked smile, throwing three Soul-Breaking Nails.


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, and an idea struck him.


    He abruptly halted, a gust of wind lifting him into the air.


    The three Soul-Breaking Nails passed right under his feet, heading straight for Zhao Yan, who had just emerged from the boulder forest.


    "A hidden weapon? Courting death!" Zhao Yan swung his spear, sweeping away the three Soul-Breaking Nails.


    Seeing the additional figure before him, his expression changed slightly. He stared at the woman, pondering whether her attack was aimed at him or something else!


    But before he could figure it out, Su Shi''er shouted from the air.


    "Sister Chu, you shouldn''t have come at this time. This guy is too strong to handle!"


    "You..." The Chu-named female cultivator glanced around, guessing something, and her face darkened as she was about to speak up.


    But before she could say anything, Su Shi''er threw out a palm-sized sheepskin map, continuing to shout, "Sister Chu, the treasure and the Spirit Plant Garden are marked on this map. Take it and leave quickly; I''ll hold him off."


    "When you''ve cultivated successfully, remember to avenge me."


    Seeing the flying sheepskin map, the Chu-named female cultivator knew it was a trap. Her first instinct was to destroy it. But upon hearing the words "Spirit Plant Garden," her expression changed, and she quickly grabbed the map.


    At the same time, Su Shi''er grinned, firing the remaining two Soul-Breaking Nails at Zhao Yan.


    Zhao Yan instinctively raised his spear to block, initially harboring some doubts, but seeing the five Soul-Breaking Nails on the ground, he couldn''t help but believe most of it!


    His gaze fell on the sheepskin map in the Chu-named female cultivator''s hand, and his pupils shrank, eyes gleaming with greed.


    His brother''s revenge could wait, but the treasure was not to be lost.


    In an instant, he made a decision, charging at the Chu-named female cultivator with his spear.


    "So you''re in cahoots, then die together!"


    "Are you crazy? I don''t even know him!" The Chu-named female cultivator''s face was so dark it could drip water.


    She was only at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage and dared not be careless against an attack from someone at the sixth level.


    As she spoke, she threw over a dozen talismans.


    The talismans transformed into various attacks in mid-air, heading straight for Zhao Yan.


    "Truly a ruthless woman, but unfortunately, today you both must die!"


    Zhao Yan stared intently at the Chu-named female cultivator. Along the way, he had suffered enough from talisman attacks.


    There were only a few disciples in the entire sect who could afford so many talisman attacks.


    With their identical attack methods, no matter how the Chu-named female cultivator explained, he wouldn''t believe her. Besides, judging by their appearance, whether they had a grudge or not, they definitely knew each other.


    "Not good, Sister Chu, hold on, I''ll go get help!" Su Shi''er feigned panic, shouting loudly. As he spoke, he landed on the ground, activating an escape talisman in his hand.


    A flash of earthy yellow light, and Su Shi''er disappeared from the spot. Along with him, the five Soul-Breaking Nails on the ground vanished.


    Faced with Su Shi''er''s departure, Zhao Yan hesitated only for a moment before continuing his frenzied attack.


    "You damned brat, don''t think you can escape!"


    The Chu-named female cultivator gritted her teeth, hating Su Shi''er to the core.


    She had heard rumors about the Spirit Plant Garden but never got hold of the map. Knowing it was a trap, she had no choice but to jump in.


    But letting Su Shi''er escape like this, she couldn''t be reconciled.


    With a cold snort, she threw another handful of attack talismans, leaping into the air, transforming into a stream of light, and chasing after the escaping Su Shi''er.


    Watching the escape light flicker and reappear on the ground, she furrowed her brows. "This damned brat, how does he have so many escape talismans?!"


    "Hmph! Think you can run? Can you really escape?" Zhao Yan snorted coldly, spear in hand, fully activating his True Essence to quickly block the attacks, then hurriedly pursued.


    In an instant, the three of them formed a line, one in front, one in the middle, and one behind.


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 Chapter 34 - Cave Abode Treasure Hunt

    Listening to the commotion behind him, Su Shi''er didn''t dare to be careless, using one escape talisman after another.


    At this moment, he could only feel secretly relieved. Fortunately, he had spent time learning and making a bunch of talismans before coming here, otherwise, he would have been in big trouble in this situation.


    "Damn that woman, running so fast and still chasing me. She''s really trying to kill me!"


    Su Shi''er looked frustrated. The plan had already succeeded, and the Chu-named female cultivator had indeed engaged Zhao Yan.


    But the speed at which she disengaged from the fight was something he hadn''t anticipated.


    Quickly darting through the underground stone forest, he could only keep running, hoping to put more distance between them.


    Suddenly, his body sank sharply, and he fell into an underground cavity.


    Startled, Su Shi''er was about to steady himself when he realized he had already landed.


    A ball of fire appeared in his hand, and in the next second, by its light, he could see the situation below.


    What he saw was a hall made of stone. The hall was over three meters high and about ten meters long and wide.


    On each of the four walls were two rusty candlesticks. The entire hall was empty, except for a pile of wood shavings turned to dust.


    His gaze quickly swept over the scene, and not sensing any threats, he finally relaxed a bit.


    Holding a talisman in his hand, he was about to continue running when he hesitated and decided to wait by the stone wall.


    After half an hour with no movement, he finally put away the talisman, exhaling a long breath of relief.


    "Finally saved my life. It seems I can''t underestimate anyone!"


    "Judging by the looks of this place, there must have been some furniture here before, but with time, it has turned to dust. Could this have been the Cave Abode of a cultivator from the ancient restricted area?"


    Su Shi''er speculated silently, knowing that the place they were testing was an ancient restricted area. And here, in ancient times, cultivators had also been active.


    His gaze swept around, and he noticed that on the right-hand wall, there was a smaller room connected. That small room was emitting a rich earth spiritual energy.


    "Hmm? Such rich earth spiritual energy, could this be the location of the materials I was tracking earlier?"


    Raising an eyebrow, Su Shi''er immediately reacted.


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    He casually put the eight candlesticks into his Storage Bag and walked towards the small room with the fireball in hand.


    The candlesticks were rusty, but the materials used to make them were clearly Spirit Materials.


    Entering the small room, his pupils suddenly widened.


    Before him was a skeleton dressed in ritual robes, sitting cross-legged.


    Beneath the skeleton was a mat, from which the rich earth spiritual energy was emanating.


    Apart from that, there was nothing else in the small room.


    "It seems I was right; this must have been this person''s Cave Abode. But I wonder what this person did, why they built their Cave Abode underground, and what caused their death?"


    Su Shi''er squinted his eyes, standing at the doorway, and discreetly cast a Wind Summoning spell.


    With a gust of wind, the skeleton and its clothing turned to dust, clearly long since decayed.


    "Ding!"


    Immediately, a blue, ancient-looking ring rolled to the ground.


    Looking at the mat and the ring on the ground, Su Shi''er quickly used Object Control to retrieve both items and then returned to the hall.


    "This mat is actually a High Grade Ritual Artifact made from an entire second-level Spirit Plant, an earth vine! The cultivators of the past were truly extravagant!"


    "This artifact surely can''t be used for combat, so could it... aid in cultivation?"


    Recalling the state of the skeleton before it turned to dust, Su Shi''er quickly set down the mat and sat cross-legged on it to try it out.


    As his cultivation technique circulated within him, he immediately felt the spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushing in. The speed of refining the spiritual energy was several times faster than on Cuihuan Mountain.


    "The richness of the spiritual energy here is one thing, but the key is this mat, which actually accelerates the refining of spiritual energy. This... this is a treasure!"


    Discovering the mat''s wonderful use, Su Shi''er immediately showed a joyful expression.


    Although he had the mysterious Pill Furnace, constantly refining various Pill Medicines, his Spirit Root was indeed too poor, and even with the help of Pill Medicines, he barely kept up with the level of ordinary disciples.


    If it weren''t for his diligence, reaching the third level of the Qi Refining stage in five years would have been the limit.


    But with this item, his future cultivation speed could be even faster. The quicker he increased his strength, the sooner he could seek revenge!


    After confirming the mat''s usefulness, Su Shi''er excitedly sat on it, finally turning his attention to the ancient ring.


    The ring felt extraordinary to the touch, with ancient patterns carved on it.


    Yet, no matter how Su Shi''er examined it, he couldn''t sense any spiritual power fluctuations. But he knew that something that could endure through the ages couldn''t be simple.


    "Let''s try injecting True Essence!"


    Seeing no other clues, Su Shi''er tried injecting True Essence into it. As his True Essence touched the ring, it seemed to encounter a thin membrane.


    Raising an eyebrow, Su Shi''er pushed his True Essence forcefully, breaking through the membrane.


    In the next second, his mind shook, and a space about a hundred square meters appeared in his mind.


    "This is actually a storage artifact like a Storage Bag?! With such a large space, it must be at least a High Grade storage artifact!"


    Su Shi''er was astonished and quickly focused on exploring the space within the storage ring.


    The space was not small, but it was empty, containing only a cylindrical object about a finger''s length and two fingers wide, and a half-palm-sized jade tablet.


    With a thought, he retrieved the two items from the storage ring.


    Putting the storage ring on his hand, Su Shi''er quickly picked up the cylindrical object to examine it.


    The cylinder was carved with ancient patterns, and faintly visible were three small characters: Jade Eye Tube!


    "Hmm? Jade Eye Tube? I seem to recall from some miscellaneous notes that this is a medium used by ancient cultivators to record cultivation techniques and insights?"


    Seeing the three characters, Su Shi''er immediately recalled.


    Remembering the information mentioned in the notes, he placed the Jade Eye Tube against his forehead.


    Immediately, several pieces of information flashed through his mind. In the blink of an eye, he had absorbed the information from the Jade Eye Tube.


    "Minor Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique? Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique? Thunder Tempering Technique?"


    "Zhou Tian Sect! So this Jade Eye Tube was an item issued to entry-level disciples of the Zhou Tian Sect. This means that the person who perished here was likely a minor Qi Refining cultivator from ancient times."


    "But... this Minor Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique actually has twelve levels of Qi Refining stage techniques. How is that possible? The sect''s Basic Breathing Technique clearly states that the Qi Refining stage is complete at nine levels, right?"


    Su Shi''er blinked, looking puzzled.


    This was a question he couldn''t figure out for now, so he had to set it aside.


    "However, this Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique can hide one''s cultivation level, so I must learn it."


    "And the Thunder Tempering Technique is actually a body-strengthening technique that enhances the physique. At its peak, it can make the body as defensively strong as a Top Grade Ritual Artifact? It''s just a pity that this technique requires the use of weak lightning, which is not easy to handle."


    With these thoughts, Su Shi''er turned his attention to the other jade tablet.


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 Chapter 35 - Mysterious and stunning woman

    The jade token wasn''t large, with one side carved with images of grass, trees, bamboo, and stones, while the other side bore the characters "Pass Permit."


    "A pass permit? Where does it allow passage to?"


    Fiddling with the jade token, Su Shi''er pondered for a moment before attempting to inject True Essence into it.


    In the next second, the jade token trembled, and a beam of light projected out.


    The light transformed into a map, marking several locations. On the map, there were two glowing points, one near and one far.


    One of the glowing points flickered, indicating a location among a cluster of boulders.


    The other glowing point stopped at a simple building symbol, above which floated the character "Spirit."


    "Hmm? Spirit? Spirit Plant Garden? Could it be... this is a pass permit to enter the Spirit Plant Garden?!"


    "Indeed, if that Spirit Plant Garden is truly filled with spirit herbs, including the hundred-year Vermilion Fruit, how could it possibly be unguarded?"


    Looking down at the jade token in his hand, Su Shi''er was overjoyed, quickly realizing its significance.


    "In that case, even if others go there, they might not be able to enter. I need to heal my injuries quickly and then go investigate!"


    With this thought, Su Shi''er swiftly packed everything away, sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, and began healing his injuries while practicing the Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique.


    A technique that could hide one''s cultivation was like a pillow to a sleepy person for him. His biggest headache and worry was being recognized for his cultivation realm by those familiar with him.


    A kid with a Mixed Spirit Root advancing so quickly was hard to explain, no matter how you put it.


    Ten days later.


    A figure emerged from the center of the boulder forest.


    Su Shi''er, dressed in a blue disciple''s robe, appeared and immediately scanned the surroundings. Seeing no danger, he identified his direction and used the Shadowless Phantom Steps to quickly head eastward through the boulder forest.


    At this time, not only were his injuries fully healed, but his cultivation at the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage was also more stable.


    However, from an outsider''s perspective, they would only think he was a disciple at the third level of the Qi Refining stage.


    This was naturally thanks to the Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique.


    Su Shi''er moved swiftly like the wind. As he passed through a shattered area of rubble, he saw two corpses lying on the ground.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    They were the sword-carrying youth and the servant disciple he had killed.


    "Hmm? The bodies are still here? Could it be... that Zhao Yan was counter-killed?"


    In his heart, he raised the danger level of that Chu-named female cultivator by another notch.


    Zhao Yan was not weak, with solid foundations, and was not an easy opponent.


    Su Shi''er was secretly startled. He used the Object Control technique to take any useful items from the two bodies, then threw two fireballs to burn the corpses before continuing on his way.


    After running nearly a hundred miles, a vague image of a manor appeared before him.


    The manor was vast, covering at least a hundred acres. The entire estate was shrouded in thick fog, only its silhouette visible.


    Around the manor, groups of cultivators patrolled back and forth, numbering over a hundred.


    These cultivators were all below the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, wearing robes similar to Su Shi''er''s, but with the Heavenly Splendor Peak emblem embroidered on them.


    "Indeed! The people from Heavenly Splendor Peak have already arrived first?"


    Muttering softly, Su Shi''er turned his gaze toward the main entrance of the Spirit Plant Garden.


    There, over a hundred Heavenly Splendor Peak disciples gathered, jointly casting spells.


    The sky was filled with spells, weaving into a tapestry in the air, continuously bombarding the gate of the Spirit Plant Garden. The momentum was immense, the astonishing aura stretching for miles.


    However, the attacks fell into the thick fog, causing explosive energy waves, but only making the fog churn without causing any damage to the Spirit Plant Garden.


    "With so many people working together, if they targeted me, they could probably turn me to dust in an instant."


    "But this Spirit Plant Garden remains unscathed, it''s simply unbelievable!"


    "It seems, to enter, I''ll have to find a way to use the pass permit. But... I don''t even know how to use it, I''ll need to find a way to get closer and observe!"


    Standing on a small hill several miles away, Su Shi''er watched from afar. An invisibility talisman was affixed to him, and his aura was completely concealed by the Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique.


    Feeling the astonishing aura in the air and listening to the continuous booming sounds, he was deeply shocked that the Spirit Plant Garden remained unharmed after a whole day and night.


    As he was contemplating finding a less populated spot to approach the Spirit Plant Garden, faint footsteps suddenly came from afar.


    Su Shi''er''s ears twitched slightly, and he quickly locked his gaze on a towering tree behind him, silently leaping onto it.


    The Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique was pushed to its limit at this moment, completely hiding his aura.


    In a short while, two graceful figures appeared in his sight.


    "It''s them?"


    Seeing the newcomers, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted in surprise.


    One was the Chu-named female cultivator, and the other was the extraordinary beauty he had seen at Heavenly Melody Peak before the trial began.


    The stunning woman had her hands clasped behind her back, exuding an air of cold elegance and nobility. As she arrived, her cold eyes focused on the distant manor, a glint flashing in them.


    An aura of mysterious, ancient energy emanated from her, inexplicably wondrous.


    At this moment, the Chu-named female cultivator followed behind the stunning woman, slightly bowing, looking respectful.


    "Martial Aunt, this is the Spirit Plant Garden marked on the map. The people from Heavenly Splendor Peak are too domineering!"


    "They''ve known the location of this Spirit Plant Garden for a long time, and kept it completely secret. Now, they''re using their numbers to occupy it, it''s simply too much!"


    "Martial Aunt, why don''t you show yourself and drive them all away?"


    The Chu-named female cultivator pouted as she spoke, then suggested with a playful smile.


    "My entry here must not be known to the other Peak Lords. As for this Spirit Plant Garden, it''s protected by layers of formations, breaking through them is no easy task."


    "Even if Fu Boren is prepared, it will take at least one or two months for them to break through!"


    The stunning female cultivator spoke expressionlessly, her tone carrying a chill.


    Martial Aunt?


    Who is this stunning woman? For the Chu-named female cultivator to call her Martial Aunt, her identity must be extraordinary!


    Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat, his mind racing with wild guesses.


    In the next second, he held his breath, not daring to move an inch.


    Regardless of this stunning woman''s identity, it meant her true cultivation was at least at the Foundation Establishment stage. For him, not being discovered by her was crucial.


    "One or two months? So we... have to wait here?" The Chu-named female cultivator looked surprised, her expression becoming conflicted.


    A month was manageable, but two months would almost coincide with the end of the trial.


    And this Spirit Plant Garden, though rumored to have many spirit herbs, was still an unknown.


    The stunning woman shook her head calmly and said, "No need, breaking the formation is difficult, but entering is not. I need some time to prepare, you go to Thunder Drum Peak and wait for me. Once I''ve retrieved the herbs inside, I''ll come find you."


    "Thunder Drum Peak?" The Chu-named female cultivator leaned in, whispering.


    "That''s... hmm? Someone''s coming, let''s retreat."


    The stunning woman was about to speak when her brow slightly furrowed, and she turned to leave.


    The Chu-named female cultivator''s expression changed instantly, hurriedly following behind.


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 Chapter 36 - Chapter 36

    The two arrived quickly and left just as swiftly, without a sound.


    Su Shi''er lay on the tree, not daring to make a single noise from start to finish.


    When he heard someone approaching, although he didn''t sense anything, he didn''t dare to act rashly, remaining cautiously alert in his heart.


    "Thunder Drum Peak? What kind of place is that?"


    "However, this so-called trial, which is said to only allow disciples below the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage to enter, is not actually the case."


    "The Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak can find a way in, what about others? It seems I need to be more careful in my actions."


    Su Shi''er pondered silently, and soon, three figures swiftly passed by.


    These three were not highly cultivated, all at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, responsible for patrolling the surroundings of Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    The three stood on the hillside, quickly scanning the area, and left swiftly when they found nothing.


    Once they were gone, Su Shi''er floated down from the tree, quietly using the Wind Summoning technique, stepping on the breeze as he approached the Spirit Plant Garden.


    As he neared the dense fog, there was surprisingly no one guarding nearby.


    Staring at the dense fog ahead, Su Shi''er took a deep breath and cautiously stepped inside.


    The moment he entered, the fog roiled and surged. A tremendous pressure came from all directions, making it difficult for him to breathe. His whole body felt as if it were trapped in a quagmire, unable to move an inch.


    Su Shi''er hurriedly activated the blood light shield, silently cursing that if the jade token was useless, he would be in dire straits.


    "Is this the power of a formation? No wonder those disciples from Heavenly Splendor Peak don''t dare to come near!"


    A thought flashed through his mind, and in the critical moment, he quickly took out the jade token, while tightly holding an escape talisman in his other hand.


    Fortunately, as soon as the jade token appeared, it emitted a faint glow, and the violently surging fog seemed to sense something, quickly receding.


    "Good, it seems this jade token is indeed a pass!"


    Feeling the pressure lighten, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief.


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    Clutching the jade token tightly, he quickly determined the direction and hurried towards the Spirit Plant Garden.


    The fog extended for miles on the outskirts, growing denser as he approached, with the light from the jade token growing brighter.


    Su Shi''er speculated that without the pass, the closer one got to the Spirit Plant Garden, the greater the pressure would be.


    Reaching the wall of the Spirit Plant Garden, he leaped over it effortlessly using the Shadowless Phantom Steps.


    As soon as he entered, he inhaled a refreshing breath. The air was filled with abundant spiritual energy, invigorating him and lifting his spirits.


    "Such rich spiritual energy, even without spirit plants, this garden is an ideal place for cultivation."


    Taking a deep breath, Su Shi''er finally turned his gaze to the garden.


    "My goodness, so many spirit plant herbs?"


    The sight made him gasp, his eyes widening in disbelief.


    The Spirit Plant Garden stretched over hundreds of acres, divided into neat plots of various sizes.


    Several plots were covered by formations, naturally simulating different environments for the herbs to grow¡ªshade, sun, rain, heat... truly extraordinary.


    The plots were filled with various herbs, the lowest being second-grade low-grade spirit plants, with many first-grade ones that had aged into second-grade.


    From afar, the plots were neatly arranged, with a few third-grade spirit plants visible.


    The entire Spirit Plant Garden contained tens of thousands of spirit plants.


    "Hundred-year ginseng, astragalus, lingzhi... Xuanfeng treasure leaves, Koran flowers, Dream Dew fruits..."


    As his gaze swept over each area, Su Shi''er''s heart raced, his pulse quickening.


    He recognized most of the spirit plants, but there were also many that weren''t in any herbal compendium.


    After a quick scan, his heart pounded vigorously, as if it would leap out of his throat.


    "With so many herbs, their value might surpass that of an entire peak."


    "With these, even without the mysterious Pill Furnace, I won''t lack pill medicine and can quickly enhance my cultivation."


    "No, I need to gather these herbs quickly and then get out of here. The Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak is a formation expert; she might be able to enter in less than two days!"


    With his thoughts racing, Su Shi''er quickly calmed his excitement, not daring to waste any time.


    He ran to a plot filled with over a hundred five-hundred-year-old ginseng plants and got to work.


    It was a moment of great harvest!


    However, to prevent anyone from discovering the missing spirit plants, he carefully dried the soil after harvesting each area, disguising it as barren land.


    He even left some withered or half-dead spirit plants behind.


    Over two days, Su Shi''er scoured the Spirit Plant Garden, collecting nearly ninety percent of the spirit plants.


    By then, all his storage bags were filled with spirit plants, and his storage ring was also packed.


    "Good thing I got this storage ring; otherwise, even if I got in, I wouldn''t be able to carry so many spirit plants."


    "The remaining spirit plants are of good quality; I need to gather them quickly and leave. Judging by the time, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak should be arriving soon."


    In the early morning, having just finished collecting another area, Su Shi''er muttered to himself, scanning the garden and seeing only two areas left. He turned his attention to the nearest one.


    In this plot stood a single towering tree, a hundred meters high, shrouded in dense fog.


    The tree was lush with branches and leaves, bearing seven round, crimson fruits the size of fists.


    Su Shi''er was puzzled, his eyes twitching as Meng Tianyi''s words from that day echoed in his mind: In the Spirit Plant Garden grows a hundred-year Vermilion Fruit tree that takes two hundred years to sprout, two hundred years to flower, and two hundred years to bear fruit.


    "Wait... is this... the hundred-year Vermilion Fruit?"


    Staring at the towering tree, Su Shi''er''s heart raced once more.


    The hundred-year Vermilion Fruit was a true third-grade spirit plant. Although low-grade, its ability to enhance cultivation made it highly sought after by all cultivators.


    Suppressing his excitement, Su Shi''er hurried forward to pick the hundred-year Vermilion Fruit.


    Harvesting these fruits would make this trip worthwhile.


    "Is that... a high-level demonic beast?"


    Noticing some colorful marks on the Vermilion Fruit tree, Su Shi''er''s eyes twitched, and he suddenly stopped.


    Upon closer inspection, he realized that coiled around the tree branches was an enormous, thick serpent covered in fiery red patterns.


    Its massive size was clearly not that of an ordinary beast but a powerful serpent-like demonic beast.


    The giant serpent had its eyes closed, seemingly asleep, yet it exhaled clouds of mist with each breath, enveloping its entire body.


    If not for Su Shi''er''s caution and the use of the Heavenly Eye technique, he might never have discovered the serpent''s presence.


    In his eyes, the serpent''s aura was particularly weak, seemingly not strong.


    Yet the solid aura gave him the same feeling as when he first saw the mysterious and stunning woman from Heavenly Melody Peak before entering the trial.


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 Chapter 37 - Heavenly Melody Peak Lord Shen Miaoyin

    "Something''s not right, this giant python is definitely not simple! It might not just be a high-level demonic beast, but a second-tier beast comparable to the Foundation Establishment stage!"


    Just thinking about spending the past few days in the same place as such a dangerous existence made his back break out in a cold sweat.


    The cultivation realms for cultivators are divided into nine stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Elixir, Elemental Infant, Soul Departure, Soul Splitting, Body Fusion, Tribulation Crossing, and Great Ascension!


    Each realm is fraught with peril and incredibly difficult to advance. However, once you do advance, your power increases dramatically.


    As the saying goes, "Each realm is a new heaven," and that''s exactly how it is.


    In the Zhao Kingdom where the Cloud Song Sect is located, Golden Elixir cultivators are rare, and Elemental Infant ones are as rare as phoenix feathers. The realms beyond that exist only in legends.


    Reluctantly glancing at the seven fruits hanging on the tree, Su Shi''er took a deep breath and decisively retreated.


    He was well aware that he struggled against even the sixth level of Qi Refining, and the Foundation Establishment stage was far beyond his reach.


    No matter how good something is, preserving one''s life is more important!


    Besides, his current harvest was already incredibly rich, so he didn''t feel any regret.


    With this thought, Su Shi''er''s mood lightened considerably.


    But before he could retreat far, the entire Spirit Plant Garden suddenly experienced an unusual fluctuation of spiritual power.


    "Not good, could it be... she''s here?!"


    Realizing the situation was dire, Su Shi''er immediately reacted.


    He quickly took out a concealment talisman and stuck it on himself, then swiftly moved to an area with piled boulders not far away.


    Hiding between the crevices of two large rocks, he pushed the Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique to its limit, completely masking his presence.


    Whether this concealment technique could block the probing of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Su Shi''er wasn''t sure. But he had experience that the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak, with her sealed power, couldn''t detect him.


    Almost at the same time Su Shi''er hid, a graceful figure descended from the sky.


    Shen Miaoyin held a disc in one hand and formed a seal with the other, tearing open a gap in the formation and gracefully landing in a corner of the Spirit Plant Garden.


    As the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak, Shen Miaoyin was also the foremost formation expert of the Cloud Song Sect.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    This place was a death trap for others, but for her, suppressing her cultivation to participate in a trial was still manageable.


    As soon as she landed, her gaze quickly swept across the entire garden.


    She saw vast stretches of barren land, with a few withered or dying spirit plants faintly visible on the ground.


    Her brows furrowed slightly, and then she turned her gaze to the two areas that Su Shi''er hadn''t yet collected.


    One area was filled with boulders, with stone-colored flowers growing on them.


    The other area featured a towering tree over a hundred meters tall, standing out conspicuously.


    "Hmm? So many places are barren? Could it be... because too much time has passed?"


    "Fortunately, there are still some spirit plants over there. The ones growing on those boulders should be top-grade second-tier spirit herbs, at least five hundred years old Dendrobium flowers! As for this tree..."


    Thinking to herself, Shen Miaoyin gracefully moved to the vicinity of the hundred-year Vermilion Fruit tree.


    Seeing the Vermilion Fruit tree before her, even with her usual calm demeanor, a smile appeared on her face.


    Shen Miaoyin''s red lips parted slightly, and she exclaimed, "Hundred-year Vermilion Fruit?! This thing is really here!!"


    "Wait... this Vermilion Fruit has grown for at least a thousand years. Just one could equal twenty years of hard cultivation!"


    "If I could consume two Vermilion Fruits, even without going to Thunder Drum Peak, I could confidently form a Golden Elixir within ten years!"


    She whispered, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes shining with intense excitement!


    A hundred-year Vermilion Fruit was already enticing enough, but a thousand-year one was something even Golden Elixir and Elemental Infant cultivators desired!


    Especially for Shen Miaoyin, it was an enormous temptation.


    Her cultivation technique was unique, and if she couldn''t break through to the peak of Foundation Establishment and form a Golden Elixir within ten years, she would have to disperse her cultivation and start over.


    And with her technique, each time she dispersed her cultivation, the difficulty of breaking through realms would increase exponentially.


    Hidden in the crevice between the boulders, Su Shi''er was also shocked upon hearing Shen Miaoyin''s voice.


    "What? That''s actually a thousand-year Vermilion Fruit? Just one can increase cultivation by twenty years?"


    "Unfortunately, I can''t possibly be a match for that second-tier beast. I should find a chance to escape later!"


    With this thought, Su Shi''er quickly dismissed any unrealistic ideas and patiently waited for an opportunity to escape.


    At this moment, he was very grateful for his extra caution. Otherwise, if she discovered someone had gotten there first, she would definitely search thoroughly.


    Shen Miaoyin''s excitement quickly subsided, and her expression returned to calm.


    She swiftly approached the Vermilion Fruit tree, ready to pick the fruits.


    Suddenly, she felt a jolt of unease, and without thinking, she leaped into the air, retreating backward.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The branches and leaves of the Vermilion Fruit tree swayed as a giant python over ten meters long swiftly emerged.


    The python''s body was covered in mottled patterns, reflecting a shimmering light under the sun. Its sheer size was astonishing.


    Sensing the presence of a stranger, the python flicked its tongue, its massive body twisting like a long whip, lashing fiercely at Shen Miaoyin.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    Before the attack even landed, a gust of wind had already disheveled Shen Miaoyin''s clothes.


    Sensing the danger, Shen Miaoyin silently cursed, and before landing, she changed direction in mid-air, sliding to the side.


    "Boom!"


    The python''s body slammed heavily onto the ground, creating a crack nearly a hundred meters long.


    The incredible power of the impact made the earth tremble.


    Hidden in the crevice between the boulders, Su Shi''er felt a tingling sensation all over, lying flat on the ground, not daring to move an inch.


    Such an attack was something he couldn''t possibly withstand. Even being grazed by it would mean instant death!


    The python, having missed its target, opened its massive maw in anger, releasing a foul stench.


    Then, spatial energy fluctuated,


    A towering flame spewed from the python''s mouth. The dark red fire, not only extremely hot but also filled with toxic sand, surged towards Shen Miaoyin.


    "It''s actually a mid-second-tier Fire Cloud Python? Looks like... there''s no choice but to take a risk today."


    Feeling the crisis approaching again, Shen Miaoyin frowned deeply. A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she quickly made up her mind.


    A mid-second-tier demonic beast was not easy to deal with, but for her, it wasn''t too difficult. She just needed to release the restriction on her power.


    But doing so would mean facing the backlash of the ancient restrictions here. At best, she would be severely injured; at worst, she could perish.


    But with the thousand-year Vermilion Fruit right in front of her, such a reward was worth the risk.


    As for leaving, Shen Miaoyin didn''t even consider it.


    With a flash of cold light in her eyes, Shen Miaoyin wasted no time.


    With a thought, her slender fingers swiftly formed seals, quickly creating a hand seal.


    A spiritual power pattern interwove between her hands, forming a complex design, which then abruptly merged into her body.


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 Chapter 38 - Exposure

    "Boom!"


    It seemed something had shattered as Shen Miaoyin''s cultivation rapidly soared. Her entire aura became increasingly cold and aloof, like an icy mountain.


    Fixing her gaze on the giant python before her, she let out a cold snort and waved her sleeve, releasing five azure flying swords from her cuff.


    Each sword was only a foot long, enveloped in a thin layer of frost. As they appeared, the air temperature plummeted.


    The sword light crisscrossed as the flying swords darted around like five swimming fish, weaving through the air.


    An even denser chill emanated, driven by the flying swords, rushing straight at the giant python.


    The next second, the chill met the flames.


    "Sizzle..."


    A sound like electric currents arose as the chill and flames neutralized each other, sending plumes of mist into the air.


    Within the mist, the five flying swords decisively slashed at the python.


    "Ding ding ding..."


    A series of clanging sounds erupted as sparks flew.


    The incredibly sharp flying swords landed on the python but couldn''t cut through its body.


    "Hiss~"


    The python flicked its tongue, showing an impatient expression.


    With a sudden sweep of its tail, it knocked the five flying swords away. Then, it leaped into the air.


    Glaring angrily at Shen Miaoyin below, the python opened its massive maw once more. In an instant, its entire body seemed to ignite, turning fiery red, and an even more terrifying blaze spewed from its mouth.


    The overwhelming flames surged towards Shen Miaoyin.


    "Just in time!"


    "Ice Sword Formation!"


    Shen Miaoyin gritted her teeth, enduring immense pressure from the ancient restriction''s counteraction.


    But seeing the Fire Cloud Python unleash this move, she felt reassured.


    Forming hand seals, the five flying swords that had been knocked away swiftly flew back like swimming fish, hovering above the python''s body.


    As Shen Miaoyin chanted incantations, the five flying swords trembled simultaneously, releasing five streams of cold air into the sky.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The cold air converged in mid-air, transforming into a rolling mist of frost.


    Within the mist, a massive sword shadow descended from the sky.


    "Thud!"


    With a muffled sound, the sword shadow pierced through the python''s body.


    In an instant, blood poured like rain.


    The python writhed in mid-air, its attack interrupted midway.


    In pain, the python opened its mouth and astonishingly swallowed the five flying swords. Then, with eyes like copper bells, it glared venomously at Shen Miaoyin.


    That gaping maw seemed capable of swallowing anything.


    Hidden among the rocks, Su Shi''er felt his heart tighten, unable to help but worry for Shen Miaoyin.


    "Courting death!" Shen Miaoyin''s eyes turned cold as she changed her hand seals again.


    Suddenly, the python, halfway through its charge, froze, showing an expression of extreme pain.


    "Thud thud thud..."


    Silently, the five flying swords pierced through the python''s body from the inside out, returning to Shen Miaoyin''s side.


    Gravely injured, the python''s body stiffened and fell heavily to the ground.


    It was clear it was more dead than alive!


    "Is this her true strength? This... this is terrifying!"


    "This python was already strong enough, yet it couldn''t withstand three moves from her? Who exactly is this woman?"


    Lying on the rock, Su Shi''er was secretly shocked by the scene before him.


    At this moment, his desire for strength grew even stronger.


    "However, she seems to be quite injured as well. Could it be due to the formation in this restricted area?"


    Su Shi''er speculated secretly.


    Meanwhile, Shen Miaoyin, having done all this, suddenly trembled, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.


    Her face turned as pale as snow.


    With her cultivation at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, dealing with such a demonic beast wasn''t difficult. However, being in the ancient restricted area, her cultivation was unsealed, and the counteraction from the restriction had left her severely injured.


    "The restrictions here are indeed terrifying! Fortunately, I dealt with this creature in time; otherwise, I would have perished here!"


    Glancing at the python, she hurriedly formed another seal, quickly sealing her cultivation again.


    After doing this, she picked up her sword and walked towards the python, intending to finish it off and then pick the vermilion fruits from the tree.


    But at that moment, an unexpected change occurred.


    The dying python suddenly sprang up, raising its head and biting towards the vermilion fruit tree.


    "Damn it! You dare, vile beast?!"


    Shen Miaoyin''s expression changed, erupting in fury. Her voice echoed as she gathered her True Essence, slashing out a sword light towards the python.


    "Bang!"


    The sword light struck the python''s wound, causing its body to tremble again.


    Yet, the python''s closed mouth still managed to bite off three vermilion fruits. As the fruits entered its belly, the python was immediately enveloped in a red glow.


    Under the red glow, the python''s injuries began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye. The once-dying python was visibly regaining vitality.


    "Hiss~"


    Within the red glow, the python flicked its tongue, its venomous gaze locked onto Shen Miaoyin.


    Its body twisted, the massive form sweeping towards Shen Miaoyin like a whip.


    A second-tier demonic beast already possessed simple intelligence, and it could clearly sense Shen Miaoyin''s weakening aura.


    "Not good!"


    Caught off guard, Shen Miaoyin could only instinctively raise her sword to block.


    "Bang!"


    With a muffled sound, her body was sent flying, and upon landing, she spat out a mouthful of bright red blood.


    "This is trouble! The python has swallowed the vermilion fruits; even if it can''t recover immediately, its strength surpasses mine!"


    Seeing the python''s vitality continuously recover, and with her attack failing, it flicked its tongue and slithered towards her again, Shen Miaoyin felt a sense of dread.


    Now, she didn''t dare unseal her cultivation. If her cultivation aura leaked, the terrifying counteraction from the restriction would crush her into powder in an instant.


    With her cultivation at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage and already injured, facing this python, she felt powerless.


    Glancing around, she spotted the location of the Dendrobium flowers not far away.


    Without hesitation, Shen Miaoyin leaped and rushed towards the pile of rocks. She planned to use these rocks to shake off the python''s pursuit.


    Though reluctant, she knew that if she didn''t leave quickly, once the python''s injuries healed further, even she would face certain death.


    At the same time, hidden among the rocks, Su Shi''er, who had been looking for a chance to escape, was dumbfounded, scared out of his wits.


    He was just a small fry at the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage; he didn''t think he could intervene in such a high-level battle.


    "Damn, why is it coming my way?!"


    "No, I can''t hide anymore, I must run!"


    With a firm resolve, Su Shi''er stopped hiding.


    He quickly dashed out from the crevice between the rocks, stepping on the breeze, and swiftly headed towards the edge of the Spirit Plant Garden.


    "What? There''s actually another person hiding here?!"


    Seeing a figure suddenly emerge from the pile of rocks, Shen Miaoyin''s gaze turned cold, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.


    Then, recognizing Su Shi''er, she quickly reacted.


    "It''s him! That kid from Luofu Peak? What''s his background? With a cultivation at the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage, he can enter this place and even evade my detection?"


    Surprised as she was, Shen Miaoyin''s mind quickly turned, and she immediately came up with a plan.


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 Chapter 39 - Joint cooperation

    Without any hesitation, he hurriedly chased after Su Shi''er, shouting from behind, "Kid, stop running! This Fire Cloud Python is heavily injured. If we join forces, we can definitely kill it."


    I don''t believe a word you''re saying!


    Su Shi''er ran with all his might, ignoring Shen Miaoyin''s words. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse; no matter how injured this Fire Cloud Python is, it''s still comparable to a Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast. He had no intention of confronting it.


    The pass token was clutched tightly in his hand, and at this moment, he wished he could sprout wings and fly.


    Hearing the commotion behind him, he felt utterly speechless.


    What the heck is with this woman? She''s at least a Foundation Establishment expert, so why is she following me?


    Shen Miaoyin frowned, equally frustrated. She had genuinely extended a kind invitation, but she hadn''t expected the disciple in front of her to not only ignore her but also run even faster.


    "How cowardly is this kid?! His speed seems to combine mundane agility with Wind Summoning!"


    Just then, the giant python abruptly halted and spewed a torrent of poisonous fire from its mouth.


    "Not good! Be careful!" Shen Miaoyin shouted, her Ice Sword emitting a chill to protect herself, while also warning Su Shi''er.


    Before Shen Miaoyin could warn him, Su Shi''er sensed the attack coming from behind.


    "Damn it, this woman is going to get me killed!"


    Cursing inwardly, he hurriedly activated the Turtle Pattern Shield in his arms while deploying the blood light shield.


    A blood-red shield enveloped him, and the Turtle Pattern Shield expanded with the wind, transforming into a massive shield as tall as a person, blocking him from harm.


    To be safe, Su Shi''er quickly pulled out a defensive talisman.


    Earth Wall, Water Wall... over a dozen defensive layers fortified the front of the Turtle Pattern Shield.


    Seeing this, Shen Miaoyin couldn''t help but twitch her eye.


    "A Top Grade defensive artifact? And so many defensive talismans! Even Lu Mingshi''s granddaughter doesn''t get this treatment!"


    "Could this be Lu Mingshi''s true trump card?"


    "Whoosh!"


    The flames roared, and the poisonous fire engulfed Su Shi''er.


    The defensive talismans'' protective aura was shattered by the poisonous fire.


    Then, the flames crashed into the Turtle Pattern Shield.


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    Su Shi''er felt a sudden drain of True Essence within him, and the Turtle Pattern Shield trembled violently, sending him flying.


    He had intended to use this force to quickly escape the Spirit Plant Garden. However, the attack was so powerful that his body shook, and he felt as if his internal organs were about to be shattered.


    In mid-air, the pass token slipped from his grasp.


    The poisonous fire swept over, and the pass token was incinerated in the flames.


    "Damn it!"


    Seeing the pass token vanish, Su Shi''er was dumbfounded.


    Without the pass token, he didn''t have the strength to leave the Spirit Plant Garden''s formation.


    Looking at the Turtle Pattern Shield, he felt a pang of heartache.


    The Turtle Pattern Shield was now covered in fine cracks. One more attack like that, and it would be completely destroyed.


    "I miscalculated! This is bad! Am I really going to meet my end here today?"


    Su Shi''er lamented internally, quickly scanning his surroundings for another escape route.


    "Kid, no matter how you got in here, I''ll warn you one last time. This Fire Cloud Python is heavily injured. If we join forces, we still have a fighting chance."


    "Otherwise, once it fully absorbs the Zhu Fruit''s medicinal power, both of us will surely die."


    Shen Miaoyin''s figure flickered, her agility combined with Wind Summoning, allowing her to glide through the air like Su Shi''er had earlier.


    With graceful steps, she arrived beside Su Shi''er in the blink of an eye. As she landed, her expression was exceedingly grave.


    Su Shi''er didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he cautiously glanced at the distant Fire Cloud Python. After two consecutive attacks, the python was noticeably weakened, lying on the ground and panting.


    He finally spoke with a face full of frustration, "What do you want me to do?!"


    If it weren''t for this woman chasing him, he would have escaped long ago. But now, with the pass token destroyed, he could only rely on her to leave.


    At this moment, he dared not show any dissatisfaction.


    "Help me buy a quarter of an hour. I need to restart the sword formation! During this time, we absolutely cannot let it refine the Zhu Fruit''s medicinal power," Shen Miaoyin said firmly.


    "A quarter of an hour? Are you kidding me? My defensive artifact can withstand at most one more attack before shattering. This isn''t buying you time; it''s sending me to my death!" Su Shi''er''s expression changed dramatically as he shouted.


    In truth, he still had quite a few talismans on him. If he really went all out, holding out for a quarter of an hour wasn''t impossible.


    But doing so would mean exhausting all his means. At that point, wouldn''t he be like a fish on the chopping block?


    Moreover, knowing that this woman was at least a Foundation Establishment expert, she should have plenty of good items on her. As for whether she would settle accounts afterward, he didn''t think too much about it. After all, his request was reasonable.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die!"


    "I see you possess mundane agility. These High Grade artifacts, the Cloud-Stepping Boots, can double your movement speed."


    "Plus, with this High Grade artifact, the Ice Shield, and your abilities, holding out for a quarter of an hour shouldn''t be a problem."


    Shen Miaoyin quickly said, raising her hand to reveal a pair of white boots and a palm-sized ice-blue shield.


    "Alright... I''ll give it a try!"


    Su Shi''er accepted the items and nodded. He had already made up his mind to try once more. If things became impossible, he would immediately flee.


    Even if he had to die, he would be the last to fall.


    Seeing Su Shi''er agree, Shen Miaoyin finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Act quickly! I''ll go set up the sword formation."


    With that, she swiftly headed towards the spots where the other four flying swords had fallen.


    However, if she knew Su Shi''er''s true thoughts, she might have wanted to cut him down with a sword right then and there.


    As Shen Miaoyin moved, the giant python sensed the threat and opened its bloody maw once more.


    Su Shi''er had already donned the Cloud-Stepping Boots, infusing them with True Essence. A force enveloped his legs, making him feel as light as the wind.


    Seeing the Fire Cloud Python''s actions, he flickered and stepped out, appearing several meters away.


    The speed was so fast that he found it hard to adapt for a moment. But his hands didn''t slow down, his gaze locking onto the wounds on the Fire Cloud Python, and he flung an attack talisman.


    The talisman transformed into a stream of light, disappearing and turning into a barrage of attacks, heading straight for the Fire Cloud Python.


    With the Wind Summoning enhancing it, the speed was even greater.


    "Boom, boom, boom..."


    Before the Fire Cloud Python could attack Shen Miaoyin, a barrage of talisman attacks exploded on its wounds.


    "Hiss~"


    The Fire Cloud Python roared in pain, its eyes flashing with viciousness, and it turned its head to charge at Su Shi''er.


    Faced with its glaring eyes, Su Shi''er''s heart tightened, feeling momentarily immobilized.


    Seeing the flames forming in its mouth, he instinctively gathered his energy and, with the help of Wind Summoning, soared into the air.


    In the next second, a massive column of fire extended hundreds of meters.


    Suspended in the air, he didn''t forget to throw more attack talismans.


    The attack talismans transformed into two ice spikes, shooting towards the Fire Cloud Python.


    "Summon Rain! Come!"


    Before the ice spikes landed, another water-based spell was cast by Su Shi''er.


    A rain shower descended from the sky, perfectly covering the entire Fire Cloud Python.


    Before the rain could fall, it evaporated into steam due to the high temperature.


    As a result, the once ferociously blazing Fire Cloud Python seemed to have its flames extinguished. The temperature around it plummeted, and the power of its fire breath diminished.


    A spell typically used by ordinary disciples to water spirit plants had an unexpectedly effective impact on the fiery Fire Cloud Python.


    Then, the two ice spikes embedded themselves deeply into the Fire Cloud Python''s wounds.


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 Chapter 40 - Exterminate Fire Cloud Python

    "Hiss~"


    The Fire Cloud Python writhed in pain, its expression clearly showing agony and rage. Its tongue flickered as it suddenly soared into the sky.


    "Snap!"


    The massive body, stretching over dozens of meters, swung with surprising agility and speed, causing a sonic boom in the air.


    "Not good!"


    Su Shi''er immediately felt a powerful gust approaching, leaving him with no leverage. In this critical moment, he quickly activated the Turtle Pattern Shield and the Ice Shield.


    The two defensive Ritual Artifacts, one in front and one behind, shimmered with a magical glow, enveloping his body.


    The next second, the enormous body came crashing down.


    "Bang!"


    After a muffled thud, Su Shi''er felt as if he had been hit by a mountain while running at full speed. His body was uncontrollably thrown backward.


    His internal organs screamed in pain, and he coughed up blood profusely.


    As he hit the ground, Su Shi''er gritted his teeth and used the Wind Summoning technique in combination with the Shadowless Phantom Steps to quickly distance himself from the giant python.


    When he focused his gaze, his heart ached.


    His Top Grade Ritual Artifact, the Turtle Pattern Shield, had shattered completely under that strike, turning into countless fragments, devoid of any magical glow.


    Fortunately, the Ice Shield given by Shen Miaoyin, though dim, remained unscathed, perhaps due to the material.


    This allowed Su Shi''er to breathe a sigh of relief. Preserving this artifact meant that after refining it with the mysterious Pill Furnace, it could at least become another Top Grade defensive artifact.


    He quickly grabbed the Ice Shield and, using the Shadowless Phantom Steps in combination with Wind Summoning, began to swiftly circle the giant python, occasionally throwing an attack Talisman. This time, he dared not linger in mid-air.


    Before coming, he had prepared a large number of Talismans. But using them like this, the Talismans on him were rapidly depleting.


    In just a quarter of an hour, he had thrown out at least three to five hundred attack Talismans.


    Towards the end, only some Low Grade Level 1 or even semi-finished Talismans were left.


    However, Su Shi''er didn''t mind. To him, as long as they could be used and cause even a little damage to the Fire Cloud Python, disrupting its recovery was enough.


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    Seeing that only the last handful of Talismans remained, Su Shi''er quickly looked towards Shen Miaoyin in the distance.


    "Hey! Are you done yet? I can''t hold on much longer!"


    "Lead it over here!"


    At this moment, Shen Miaoyin''s face was as pale as paper, her forehead beaded with sweat.


    Hearing Su Shi''er''s voice, she gritted her teeth, took out the last azure Recovery Pill from her body, and swallowed it in one gulp.


    Then, she condensed all her True Essence into a Seal, placing it on the Ice Sword.


    Five Flying Swords soared into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.


    "Alright! I''m coming over!"


    Su Shi''er breathed a slight sigh of relief, hesitating not a moment, and quickly ran to Shen Miaoyin''s side.


    Behind him, the Fire Cloud Python pursued relentlessly, but just as it was about to approach the sword formation, it suddenly halted. Its eyes, as large as copper bells, showed a hint of dread.


    "Hmm? This creature isn''t falling for it? What now?" Su Shi''er frowned and quickly asked.


    "How much True Essence do you have left in your body? Transfer it all to me!" Shen Miaoyin called out coldly.


    To her, the sword formation was complete, and whether the Fire Cloud Python came over or not was irrelevant.


    The problem was, she currently had no True Essence left in her body, and the pills used to recover True Essence were all consumed.


    Without magic power, she couldn''t activate the sword formation.


    Seeing Su Shi''er hesitate, she urged, "Hurry up! It''ll be too late soon!"


    "Uh... How do I do that?" Su Shi''er asked awkwardly.


    He knew he didn''t have many choices now. But transferring True Essence to someone else was something he had never done before.


    "Place your hand on my back, and leave everything else to me," Shen Miaoyin quickly instructed, realizing that the young man before her was still a novice in cultivation.


    Following her instructions, Su Shi''er placed his hand on Shen Miaoyin''s back. Though separated by a layer of clothing, the soft touch and faint warmth gave him an unprecedented experience.


    However, this feeling lasted only a moment.


    The next second, a powerful suction came from his palm, causing the True Essence in his body to surge uncontrollably, being drawn away by Shen Miaoyin.


    "Unexpectedly, for someone at the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage, you have quite a lot of True Essence," Shen Miaoyin remarked with raised eyebrows, somewhat surprised by the influx of True Essence from Su Shi''er.


    In her perception, Su Shi''er''s True Essence was at least a third more abundant than other disciples of the same Realm.


    Mixed Spirit Root, though it made cultivation excruciatingly slow, wasn''t without its benefits. It contained various Spirit Roots, naturally making one''s cultivation thicker than others of the same Realm after advancement.


    Su Shi''er, having never discussed this with others, was unaware. Now, he could only wear a bitter expression, "Leave some for me, or I''ll be drained dry by you!"


    Shen Miaoyin didn''t reply. With the added True Essence, she began forming seals with her hands.


    The Seal shot into the sky, and in the clouds, the five Ice Swords reappeared, exhaling cold air.


    Amidst the surging cold, a massive sword shadow reemerged.


    "Ice Sword Formation! Slash!"


    Shen Miaoyin shouted sternly, and the enormous sword shadow, emanating a terrifying chill, descended from the sky, slashing towards the giant python not far away.


    Unwilling to be outdone, the Fire Cloud Python reared half its body, spewing a burst of fire to withstand the sword shadow.


    Though it had only simple intelligence, it knew this was a life-and-death moment. It mobilized all its demon essence, contending with the sword shadow in the air, neither side gaining the upper hand.


    At this moment, Shen Miaoyin groaned, blood trickling from her lips, her aura becoming increasingly chaotic.


    Already injured, forcing the sword formation with her Qi Refining stage cultivation took a significant toll on her.


    "No way! Hold on, you can''t fall!"


    Noticing Shen Miaoyin''s condition, Su Shi''er''s heart pounded with anxiety.


    "Screw it!"


    Gritting his teeth, he focused on the Fire Cloud Python, his eyes narrowing as he flipped his hand, throwing out seven Soul-Breaking Nails.


    Along with them went all his remaining attack Talismans.


    At this moment, the Fire Cloud Python was fully focused on resisting the sword formation''s power, having no time to care about Su Shi''er''s attack. It didn''t believe that seven small iron nails could harm it.


    "Thud!"


    With a muffled sound, the Soul-Breaking Nails, along with the attack Talismans, embedded themselves in the Fire Cloud Python''s wounds.


    The next second, over a hundred attack Talismans detonated simultaneously.


    Though they were all defective and of average quality, exploding together within the Fire Cloud Python''s wounds was no less than a critical hit!


    "Boom! Boom!"


    Caught off guard, the Fire Cloud Python''s body was blasted, its skin and flesh torn.


    Its full-force demon essence was momentarily disrupted.


    Seizing the opportunity, the massive sword shadow, with overwhelming might, sliced through its brow.


    The nearly hundred-meter-long python was cleaved in two by this strike, dead beyond any doubt.


    "Ugh!"


    Having done all this, Shen Miaoyin could no longer hold on, spitting out a mouthful of blood and collapsing to the ground.


    This battle had left her severely injured. Now... she didn''t even have the strength to move.


    In the air, the five Flying Swords forming the Formation fell to the ground with a clatter.


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 Chapter 41 - Just a small figure

    "Success! I actually managed to slay this second-level demonic beast?" Su Shi''er was relatively better off, sitting down heavily on the ground, looking as if he had narrowly escaped death.


    But he wasn''t in great shape either. At this moment, his dantian was completely empty, and every cell in his body was crying out in pain.


    The pain made him grimace!


    "I can never engage in this kind of cross-level battle again! It''s practically suicidal; I almost lost my life this time!"


    He silently took this lesson to heart and quickly took out a bottle of Healing Pills, swallowing half of it in one go.


    The Healing Pills melted in his mouth, and the pure medicinal power quickly spread throughout his body. Under the effect of the medicine, his internal injuries were rapidly healing.


    In less than a quarter of an hour, Su Shi''er regained his mobility and stood up from the ground.


    However, his injuries were severe, and complete recovery wasn''t something that could be achieved quickly.


    He quickly scanned the situation around him and didn''t rush into action. His gaze fell on the woman in front of him, and he hurriedly asked, "How are you doing now?"


    The thousand-year vermilion fruit was certainly tempting, but to leave, he still needed the help of this mysterious woman beside him.


    "What do you think?" Shen Miaoyin replied weakly.


    At this moment, not only was her True Essence depleted, but her foundation was also damaged, leaving her unable to even open her storage bag to retrieve any pill medicine.


    "I can help you heal, but once you''re healed, you can''t attack me, and you have to take me out of here!" Su Shi''er said quickly, staring intently at Shen Miaoyin.


    "No problem!" Shen Miaoyin agreed without hesitation.


    "Also, I want to take two of the remaining five vermilion fruits!" Su Shi''er glanced at the vermilion fruit tree in the distance and continued.


    "Alright!" Shen Miaoyin agreed very straightforwardly, without any expression.


    "You agreed so easily?!" Su Shi''er muttered, then asked, "One last question, what''s your name?"


    "Shen Miaoyin!" Shen Miaoyin said calmly.


    "Shen? I remember the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak is also named Shen... what''s your relationship with her?" Su Shi''er was taken aback, a bold guess forming in his mind.


    He was cautious and always paid attention to everything around him. Before the trial began, Fu Boren from Heavenly Splendor Peak had inquired about the whereabouts of Peak Lord Shen from the elders of Heavenly Melody Peak.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "What do you think?" Shen Miaoyin asked back with a faint smile.


    Despite being seriously injured, she was, after all, a Peak Lord, and her composure was still intact.


    "Oh my, you''re actually the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak!!!" Although he had guessed that this woman''s status was not low, he never imagined she was the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak.


    "Do you have any other questions? The people from Heavenly Splendor Peak could break through the formation and come in at any moment. The longer we delay, the more danger we''re in." Shen Miaoyin said calmly.


    "No... no more questions. Here''s a bottle of Healing Pills for you. Uh... it seems you can''t take them yourself, let me help you, my apologies!" Su Shi''er chuckled awkwardly and quickly handed the pill medicine to Shen Miaoyin.


    Realizing that Shen Miaoyin was unable to take them herself, he quickly poured the Healing Pills into his palm and prepared to help her take them.


    "What? Top Grade Healing Pills? And five of them?! Who exactly are you?" Shen Miaoyin''s eyebrows furrowed slightly in surprise upon seeing the Healing Pills in Su Shi''er''s hand.


    "I''m nobody, just a small figure. These pills... I got them by chance!" Su Shi''er quickly shook his head in denial.


    Not wanting to dwell on this topic, he carefully fed the pills to Shen Miaoyin one by one, feeling anxious.


    As his fingers touched her cold lips and saw her long eyelashes tremble slightly, Su Shi''er felt his heart race, a strange tingling sensation spreading through him.


    An indescribable emotion lingered in his heart, making his face flush and his cheeks warm.


    At seventeen, he was just a young man. Having never interacted with women before, such a reaction was normal.


    Especially when faced with such an unparalleled beauty.


    As the pill medicine went down her throat, a cool sensation quickly spread through Shen Miaoyin''s limbs, like spring rain nourishing the earth.


    Her injuries were temporarily suppressed, and Shen Miaoyin took a deep breath of spiritual energy, transforming it into strands of True Essence within her body.


    Then, with a wave of her slender hand, she took out a light blue Great Healing Pill. After a glance, she put it away again.


    In theory, the Great Healing Pill was more potent than the Healing Pill. However, the one she had was only a second-level Mid Grade Great Healing Pill, incomparable to the Top Grade Healing Pills.


    "Let''s go, pack up, and let''s leave this place as soon as possible." Standing up, Shen Miaoyin picked up her five flying swords and walked to the vermilion fruit tree.


    With a quick glance, she waved her hand, and a mass of cold air condensed into a flying knife.


    With a flash of the blade, five vermilion fruits fell to the ground.


    Before the fruits hit the ground, Shen Miaoyin took out two sandalwood boxes and stored the five vermilion fruits separately.


    Turning around, she handed the box containing three vermilion fruits to Su Shi''er.


    "These three vermilion fruits are for you!"


    "Thank you!" Su Shi''er accepted the box, examining the three smooth, red fruits inside, grinning widely.


    Right now, all he could think about was Shen Miaoyin''s earlier words: a thousand-year vermilion fruit could increase one''s cultivation by half a cycle.


    Taking one out, he cautiously looked around and was about to swallow it eagerly.


    For him, quickly improving his cultivation was the key.


    "I advise you not to take it now. The medicinal effect of the thousand-year vermilion fruit is extremely potent. After consumption, it takes at least ten days to fully refine." Shen Miaoyin said indifferently.


    Ten days to refine?


    Su Shi''er quickly put the fruit back in the box and stored it in his storage ring.


    Outside the Spirit Plant Garden, there were still over a hundred disciples from Heavenly Splendor Peak who could come in at any moment. Now, he didn''t dare stay even one day longer.


    "Thank you, Peak Lord Shen. What should we do next?" Su Shi''er cupped his hands respectfully toward Shen Miaoyin.


    Shen Miaoyin stood under the vermilion fruit tree, holding the Ice Sword, quickly drawing a circle around the tree.


    Then, with a wave of her hand, the towering vermilion fruit tree vanished, leaving only a massive pit in its place.


    After finishing, Shen Miaoyin finally spoke to Su Shi''er: "There are still Dendrobium flowers and the demonic beast''s corpse left. Choose one. Once we''ve collected everything, and I''ve regained some strength, we''ll leave!"


    Seeing Shen Miaoyin take the vermilion fruit tree, Su Shi''er felt a pang of envy.


    However, he knew that having it wouldn''t do him any good.


    Hearing Shen Miaoyin''s words, Su Shi''er quickly glanced at the remaining Dendrobium flowers and the Fire Cloud Python''s corpse.


    The Dendrobium flowers weren''t listed in the material compendium.


    But judging from Shen Miaoyin''s reaction, he could guess they were valuable. However, for him, such high-level spirit plants were beyond his current use.


    On the other hand, the giant python, a second-level demonic beast''s corpse, was valuable for its blood, skin, and fangs. Most importantly, the High Grade Ritual Artifact, the seven Soul-Breaking Nails, were still inside the python.


    After a brief hesitation, Su Shi''er made his decision.


    "I..."


    Just as he was about to speak.


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 Chapter 42 - What the鈥攚hy are you coming in?

    Suddenly, the ground trembled, and outside the Spirit Plant Garden, countless rays of light shot into the sky, with numerous flashes of thunder darting within the glow.


    Immediately, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to fluctuate violently.


    The dense fog surrounding the Spirit Plant Garden quickly dissipated under this celestial phenomenon.


    "What¡¯s happening?" Su Shi''er felt something was amiss and hurriedly asked Shen Miaoyin.


    "Not good! The formation of the Spirit Plant Garden is about to be broken! Fu Boren is bold enough to let a disciple bring the Purple Thunder Sword into the trial."


    Shen Miaoyin''s expression changed as she saw the flickering thunder light outside and quickly realized the situation.


    "The Purple Thunder Sword? A low-grade spiritual artifact? Then we should leave quickly!" Su Shi''er immediately recalled, speaking as he swiftly stored the Fire Cloud Python''s corpse, skin and all, into his storage ring, and hurried to Shen Miaoyin''s side.


    He had been present when Fu Boren publicly displayed the Purple Thunder Sword. The power of that thunder sword had left a deep impression on him.


    "It''s too late. To break the formation and leave, I need at least three days to recover my cultivation."


    "For now, we can only find a place to hide temporarily."


    Shen Miaoyin shook her head, looking troubled.


    She was still severely injured and incapable of fighting. At this moment, if they encountered people from Heavenly Splendor Peak, it would be a dire situation.


    Especially since someone among them held a low-grade spiritual artifact.


    Scanning her surroundings, she quickly moved towards the pile of rocks where the Dendrobium flowers were located. She swiftly collected all the Dendrobium flowers and then hid in the crevice where Su Shi''er had previously concealed himself, rapidly concealing her presence.


    "Hide?" Su Shi''er twitched his mouth, feeling a bit frustrated.


    But he knew there was no other choice now.


    "Your spot isn''t safe; I advise you not to hide there!" he quickly reminded Shen Miaoyin before heading to the rocks. He immediately used the White Mist Sword to carve out a piece of ground, quickly digging a simple burrow and crawling inside.


    In the past five years, battling wits and courage with various demonic beasts daily had unknowingly accumulated a lot of experience.


    "Not safe?" Shen Miaoyin raised an eyebrow, immediately realizing.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Without the vermilion fruit tree, this area full of rocks would undoubtedly become the most noticeable place.


    Seeing Su Shi''er skillfully burrowing into the ground to hide, she intended to follow suit.


    Suddenly, there was a violent energy fluctuation outside the Spirit Plant Garden.


    "Damn, the formation is broken!"


    With a low exclamation, she gritted her teeth, not having time to think, and followed Su Shi''er, squeezing into the narrow hiding spot.


    "What the¡ªwhy are you coming in?" Su Shi''er was about to block the entrance when he felt a weight on him, a delicate body pressing against him.


    He hadn''t considered Shen Miaoyin; this burrow was prepared for his own hiding.


    Hiding alone was fine, but with Shen Miaoyin coming in, their bodies were face-to-face, nose to nose, tightly pressed together.


    Even through their clothes, Su Shi''er could feel the cold yet warm body temperature emanating from Shen Miaoyin.


    This stirred a strange feeling in Su Shi''er''s heart.


    "Don''t speak, quickly conceal your presence, someone is coming in!" Shen Miaoyin quickly reminded, her face not looking too good even in the darkness.


    She, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak, and a soon-to-be Golden Elixir stage powerhouse, was now squeezed into such a place with a junior at the fourth level of Qi Refining stage.


    Su Shi''er didn''t think much; as Shen Miaoyin spoke, he immediately sealed the entrance of the burrow.


    At the same time, with the formation completely broken, hundreds of figures surged in from outside the Spirit Plant Garden.


    Leading them was a young man in his thirties, dressed in a fiery red robe.


    The man, clad in red with cloud-patterned sleeves, exuded a faintly cold aura. His eyes, sharp and proud like an eagle''s, were paired with slender phoenix eyes and a high nose bridge, beneath which were thin lips full of arrogance.


    His appearance and demeanor were like a sharp, unsheathed treasured sword.


    In his hand, he held a purple thunder-colored sword, precisely Fu Boren''s low-grade spiritual artifact, the Purple Thunder Sword.


    If Shen Miaoyin were here, she would immediately recognize this young man. He was not some servant disciple or newcomer but the top inner disciple of Heavenly Splendor Peak, Ye Liangchuan!


    The other disciples surrounded Ye Liangchuan, each showing respectful attitudes.


    Ye Liangchuan''s true cultivation was at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage, and with his talent and cultivation, he was considered one of the most promising candidates for Foundation Establishment in the sect in recent years.


    Under Ye Liangchuan''s leadership, the group enthusiastically stormed into the Spirit Plant Garden. Once inside, they quickly began to investigate.


    But upon seeing the empty Spirit Plant Garden, everyone was stunned, dumbfounded.


    "Senior Brother Ye, why... why is the Spirit Plant Garden a desolate place?" a disciple turned to Ye Liangchuan, trembling as he spoke.


    As this disciple spoke, many others in the crowd turned pale.


    Among them, many were at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    They had come to the Spirit Plant Garden at all costs for the abundance of Spirit Plants inside.


    Obtaining lingzhi would ensure each of them a spot as a formal disciple.


    But now, the Spirit Plant Garden had no Spirit Plants?!


    This was a devastating blow to them. They knew that the trial was already halfway over!


    "How could this be? Is this really the Spirit Plant Garden? Not a single Spirit Plant?"


    "No, look over there, it seems like there are traces of a battle with a demonic beast!"


    "But... wasn''t it said that this Spirit Plant Garden had a vermilion fruit tree guarded by a second-tier demonic beast? Which trial disciple has such skill to silently infiltrate the Spirit Plant Garden and slay that second-tier demonic beast before we arrived?"


    "Well, you can''t say that. Among the Seven Peaks of Yun Song, each peak must have some hidden cards. For instance, Heavenly Melody Peak, which uses formations as its path, might have experts proficient in formations mixed into the trial. Moreover, Heavenly Unique Peak, where a group of Qi Refining stage disciples can fly with swords, is quite unusual..."


    As they spoke, the group from Heavenly Splendor Peak continued to delve deeper, each exclaiming in shock as they observed the cracked ground and blood-stained scenes in the Spirit Plant Garden.


    In the center, Ye Liangchuan furrowed his brows into a frown, and the next moment, his gaze turned cold as he shouted:


    "It seems someone indeed beat us to it!"


    "However, the blood on the ground is still fresh, and the soil is newly turned. As for this large pit, it must have been left by the vermilion fruit tree. That person must not have gone far!"


    "From now on, everyone, take action. Do not let any disciple from other peaks within a twenty-mile radius of the Spirit Plant Garden escape! Dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find that person!"


    Ye Liangchuan held the sword in his hand, speaking coldly, his tone exceptionally chilling.


    As he spoke, he approached the area where the vermilion fruit tree once stood.


    And here, was the closest point to where Su Shi''er and the others were hiding.


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 Chapter 43 - Overcome the crisis

    Listening to the commotion from above, Su Shi''er''s heart raced. Being in such close contact with Shen Miaoyin also triggered an instinctive physiological reaction in him.


    "You..." Shen Miaoyin''s eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening as she instinctively prepared to cry out.


    Close contact was one thing, but Su Shi''er''s reaction made her feel violated.


    Su Shi''er felt a bit embarrassed; this reaction was beyond his control. Yet, his mind remained alert, and upon hearing the noise, he instinctively tilted his head and used his mouth to cover Shen Miaoyin''s.


    In this situation, making a sound would surely mean death!


    "Mm~..."


    In that instant, Shen Miaoyin realized the danger.


    But she never expected Su Shi''er to stop her from making a sound in such a bold way.


    This daring boy, I... I...


    Shen Miaoyin''s chest heaved with anger.


    The more she reacted this way, the more awkward Su Shi''er felt.


    For a moment, the entire underground chamber was filled with a tense atmosphere.


    Shen Miaoyin''s face quickly turned red. If there were light, it would be clear that her face was now a bright, blushing red.


    She had always been detached and emotionless, but now, due to her injuries affecting her foundation, this contact with Su Shi''er stirred a tingling sensation in her heart.


    This brewed a sense of embarrassment within her.


    ...


    In the Spirit Plant Garden, Ye Liangchuan held his long sword, quickly organizing the scene.


    Behind him, the crowd dispersed swiftly, leaving fewer than ten people.


    Ye Liangchuan looked indifferent, about to turn and leave when his gaze swept over a pile of boulders not far away.


    "Senior Brother Ye, what''s going on?" a disciple hurriedly asked.


    "Do you think it''s possible that the person didn''t leave but is hiding?" Ye Liangchuan squinted, asking while showing a contemplative expression.


    "Hiding? Could it be in this pile of stones? But there''s no spiritual energy fluctuation here!" someone examined the boulders, quickly trying to sense anything.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Regardless, we''ll know once we check it out," another disciple quickly suggested.


    "No need for such trouble!"


    Ye Liangchuan snorted coldly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.


    Holding the Purple Thunder Sword, he waved his hand, and a dense purple thunder mist surged forth.


    The mist rushed towards the pile of boulders!


    Within the mist, thunder light crackled, with strands of lightning as thin as hair instantly enveloping the entire pile of boulders.


    Under the thunder light, the tall pile of boulders turned to dust in the blink of an eye.


    Excess lightning struck the ground, sinking into the earth.


    In the underground chamber, as the lightning struck, Su Shi''er and Shen Miaoyin''s bodies convulsed.


    Fortunately, the lightning''s power was greatly reduced after being conducted through the ground. Though painful, it wasn''t fatal.


    Neither dared to use their cultivation to resist, instead gritting their teeth and enduring the pain in silence.


    Su Shi''er was somewhat accustomed to it, having experienced similar pain while cultivating with Gathering Qi Pills.


    Shen Miaoyin, however, hadn''t endured such agony in years. She clung tightly to Su Shi''er, her nails unknowingly digging into his flesh.


    Luckily, the disturbance didn''t last long.


    "Let''s go. It seems the person really has left!"


    Seeing all the boulders reduced to dust and no sign of anyone, Ye Liangchuan finally looked elsewhere.


    He wouldn''t have guessed that Su Shi''er and Shen Miaoyin hadn''t left but were hiding in the underground chamber beneath the boulders.


    "Senior Brother Ye, if we can''t find that person, our trial..." a few disciples close to Ye Liangchuan asked quietly.


    For them, retrieving the spirit plants wasn''t the main concern. Their trials were the priority.


    "Don''t worry, even if we can''t find that person, I have ways to ensure you pass the trial."


    "Give it three days. If there''s still no trace, I''ll find another way for you." Ye Liangchuan said indifferently.


    He couldn''t afford to waste too much time; this matter also put great pressure on him.


    With no harvest from the Spirit Plant Garden, if they continued to find nothing, he''d face immense pressure once the trial ended.


    Hearing this, the others finally relaxed.


    In the underground chamber, Su Shi''er and Shen Miaoyin leaned against each other. Only when the outside was silent did they breathe a sigh of relief.


    "They''ve left, Peak Lord Shen, you can let go of me now!" Su Shi''er twitched his eye, quickly separating his lips from Shen Miaoyin''s, whispering.


    Shen Miaoyin''s cheeks flushed red as she realized she was still tightly wrapped around Su Shi''er.


    "Your... back!" Feeling the sticky sensation on her fingers, she realized she had inadvertently scratched Su Shi''er, her tone carrying a hint of apology.


    "It''s nothing, just a minor scratch. It''ll heal in a few days." Su Shi''er shook his head, smiling.


    For a cultivator, such an injury was nothing. However, the intimate contact with Shen Miaoyin was an unforgettable experience for him.


    "Hmm!" Shen Miaoyin huffed softly, raising her hand to push open the entrance to the underground chamber.


    "Peak Lord Shen, I advise you not to rush out. The outside is sealed off, and if they can''t find anyone, they''ll definitely come back." Su Shi''er quickly advised, maintaining a calm demeanor.


    "I didn''t expect you to be so young yet so meticulous." Shen Miaoyin said indifferently, pausing her actions.


    She had thought of this herself. However, the close contact made her uncomfortable.


    "Fine, let''s take this opportunity to recover our strength first!"


    With that thought, she took out a pill and swallowed it. She then closed her eyes, concentrating on refining it.


    Only in this state could she remain unaffected by external distractions.


    Moreover, recovering her cultivation quickly would give her more confidence in facing any danger.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er didn''t waste time. He directly took out a vermilion fruit and swallowed it. Refining a vermilion fruit required at least ten days, but he had plenty of time now.


    As the vermilion fruit went down his throat, he felt as if he had swallowed a massive energy.


    This energy traveled from his throat to his stomach, and with a slight thought, he felt a warm current rapidly circulate through his meridians, then transform into his cultivation.


    This was much easier than refining spiritual energy or Gathering Qi Pills, and most importantly, it was very comfortable.


    However, the speed at which he absorbed it was much slower compared to the energy mass.


    With this in mind, Su Shi''er dared not waste any time, focusing all his energy on refining.


    His cultivation slowly increased at a visible pace.


    In ten days, the people from Heavenly Splendor Peak searched the Spirit Plant Garden''s perimeter countless times and returned to the garden several times, but all to no avail.


    In the end, they had no choice but to give up reluctantly.


    On the eleventh day.


    Two figures emerged from the ground beneath the pile of boulders.


    Shen Miaoyin wore a smile, looking full of energy. Her entire being exuded a strong aura, a sign of her restored cultivation.


    Ten days of recuperation had fully restored her cultivation. Once she returned to refine those two vermilion fruits, she had a seventy percent chance of forming a Golden Elixir.


    However, when her gaze fell on Su Shi''er beside her, her expression turned slightly awkward, with more surprise.


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 Chapter 44 - Secrets of Qi Refining

    "Qi Refining stage five peak? How is that possible? With just one red fruit, even if you don''t reach the peak of the Qi Refining stage, you should at least get to the seventh or eighth level! Wait... what''s your Spirit Root?"


    As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin seemed to remember something and asked.


    Su Shi''er blushed and said, "Mixed Spirit Root!"


    His Spirit Root was known to many within the peak and wasn''t a secret.


    One red fruit only raised his cultivation by one level. This left him a bit disappointed, but it wasn''t unacceptable.


    After all, he was already aware of his Spirit Root situation. From the beginning, he hadn''t held much hope. Besides, he still had two red fruits in his hand, and this cultivation speed already made him quite satisfied.


    "What... Mixed Spirit Root?! How did you manage to cultivate to the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage in such a short time?"


    Shen Miaoyin was taken aback, her usual indifferent demeanor suddenly unsettled.


    In her heart, she had always regarded Su Shi''er as a trump card for Luofu Peak. But to say he had a Mixed Spirit Root, she couldn''t believe Lu Mingshi would train such a disciple.


    "It''s... just some personal fortuitous encounters." Su Shi''er smiled awkwardly, not revealing the truth.


    The secret of the mysterious Pill Furnace was something he planned to keep to himself, never to tell anyone.


    "Fortuitous encounters are indeed an important part for cultivators. However, with a Mixed Spirit Root, forming a Foundation will be a problem in the future. It''s best to prepare early."


    Shen Miaoyin said indifferently, not probing further, but calmly reminding him.


    In her heart, she didn''t hold much hope for Su Shi''er.


    For cultivators, fortuitous encounters were important, but few could always rely on them. Without good talent, the future path was very limited!


    "Forming a Foundation... will be a problem?" Su Shi''er''s expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly asked.


    Shen Miaoyin''s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him, instantly dampening his previously good mood.


    "The realms of cultivators are like layers of heaven, each realm is a shackle. The worse the aptitude, the stronger the shackles."


    "You already find it so difficult to cultivate normally, breaking through in the future will be as hard as climbing to the heavens."


    Shen Miaoyin said lightly, not denying Su Shi''er, but speaking the truth.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Is there... no other way?" Su Shi''er asked with a bitter face, continuing to inquire.


    This issue, even if Shen Miaoyin didn''t mention it, he had vaguely realized. He just didn''t expect it to be this difficult.


    Perhaps because they had shared hardships, Shen Miaoyin wasn''t displeased by Su Shi''er''s questioning and said calmly:


    "There are ways, of course! One is to use Pill Medicine, like the Foundation Establishment Pill, which can increase the probability of forming a Foundation. But Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely precious, and in your case, one or two won''t suffice."


    "The second is cultivation methods. Some special methods can also increase the probability of forming a Foundation. However, such methods are rare, and the common ones often have aptitude requirements. Unless..."


    As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin seemed to recall something and paused.


    "Unless... what?" Su Shi''er asked cautiously.


    "Unless you can cultivate to the twelfth level of Qi Refining, breaking through with a twelfth level cultivation, combined with a Foundation Establishment Pill, might increase the probability."


    "In ancient times, Qi Refining cultivators had twelve levels. However, for cultivators, reaching the twelfth level took too long. Therefore, some cultivators attempted to break through to Foundation Establishment with lower cultivation. Over time, the highest level became the ninth level of Qi Refining."


    "The subsequent cultivation methods were lost over time, making them hard to find. If you''re interested, you can look into this aspect."


    Twelve levels?!


    Su Shi''er was shocked, immediately thinking of the Small Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique. This method was precisely a twelve-level Qi Refining technique.


    He quickly cupped his hands in gratitude to Shen Miaoyin, "Thank you, Peak Lord Shen, your words have been very helpful to me!"


    Shen Miaoyin waved her hand indifferently, her expression turning cold.


    "No need to thank me, consider this as a return for your help to me."


    "The formation of the Spirit Plant Garden is broken, you can leave on your own! After today, our fate ends here, and if we meet again, we will be strangers."


    "The things that happened between us during this time, you''d better forget! If a third person learns about it, I will not spare you!"


    As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin resumed her aloof demeanor, coldly gazing at Su Shi''er with a warning look.


    To her, this incident was just an accident. With her talent, she could form a Golden Elixir upon returning and achieve the Golden Elixir Dao.


    And with Su Shi''er''s Spirit Root aptitude, it was destined that they would have no further connection in the future.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll keep this matter to myself." Su Shi''er shrank his neck and immediately promised.


    Revealing such a thing would bring him no benefit and would only offend a soon-to-be Golden Elixir expert, which he wouldn''t dare to do.


    Moreover, Shen Miaoyin''s words had given him a lot of guidance.


    He had already decided to follow the Small Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique for his cultivation.


    To seek revenge, relying solely on Qi Refining stage cultivation was not enough. As long as he could increase the probability of breaking through, he would try any method.


    After parting with Shen Miaoyin, Su Shi''er randomly chose a direction and continued forward.


    Having looted the Spirit Plant Garden, he was almost certain to be promoted to a formal disciple, so there was no need to take further risks.


    Next, he planned to find a secluded place to go into seclusion and cultivate.


    Three days later, Su Shi''er used the Wind Summoning technique, stepping on phantom steps, traversing through a range of towering mountains.


    He was still wearing the Cloud-Stepping Boots gifted by Shen Miaoyin. Since she hadn''t asked for them back, he wasn''t going to return them voluntarily.


    After all, to buy time, he had damaged a Top Grade defensive Ritual Artifact.


    As he was moving, a sudden rush of footsteps approached.


    "Someone?"


    His eyebrows twitched, and without thinking, Su Shi''er concealed his aura and hid in a nearby bush.


    He no longer had an invisibility talisman, so he could only use the bushes to hide his figure.


    Soon, eleven figures appeared in his line of sight.


    They were all disciples at the second or third level of the Qi Refining stage, both male and female, from various peaks, fleeing in a panic.


    "Hmm? It''s a miracle these people have lasted until now. But what are they running from?" Scanning them with his gaze, Su Shi''er was somewhat surprised.


    Muttering to himself, his pupils contracted as he spotted a familiar figure among them.


    "Zhu Hanwei?! He''s actually here! This guy''s really lucky."


    Su Shi''er observed from the shadows, not revealing himself.


    Just then, a sound of something cutting through the air came from afar.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    Six dark green arrows flashed by, striking the fleeing crowd with lightning speed.


    Immediately, six figures halted abruptly, collapsing to the ground as they ran, dying on the spot.


    The remaining few didn''t dare to look back, each more terrified, running desperately as if mad.


    And the direction they were running was precisely where Su Shi''er was hiding.


    "Hmm?!"


    These people were being hunted like prey? Who could be so cruel?!


    Su Shi''er''s expression hardened as he looked into the distance.


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 Chapter 45 - Take action to save someone

    A figure dressed in a disciple''s robe, embroidered with the emblem of Rising Sun Peak, suddenly appeared in his line of sight.


    The man was in his thirties, with a hooked nose and triangular eyes, giving him a naturally menacing appearance. His lips curled slightly, making his face even more sinister.


    His cultivation level was not low either, at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    At this moment, he was holding a dark green longbow, chasing a few people fleeing ahead.


    Locking his gaze on the remaining five, he channeled his True Essence into the longbow in his hand.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The longbow flashed with light, and five arrows formed from True Essence shot out.


    Sensing the danger approaching from behind, Zhu Hanwei reacted the fastest, pushing off a nearby tree with a powerful kick, lunging forward.


    "Whoosh"¡ªan arrow grazed his calf, embedding itself in the tree beside him.


    Zhu Hanwei winced in pain, landing not far from Su Shi''er.


    The others weren''t so lucky; before they could react, they were pierced by the light arrows and fell to the ground, dead.


    Seeing only one person left, the hooked-nose man didn''t shoot again but instead sneered and slowly walked up to Zhu Hanwei.


    "You''ve got quick reflexes, kid, but prey should have the awareness of prey!"


    "How should I kill you?"


    The hooked-nose man raised his hand to his chin, a playful expression on his face.


    Zhu Hanwei''s calf was injured, leaving him unable to run. Turning back to see the hooked-nose man approaching, he trembled with fear.


    "Senior Brother, I''ve already given you my storage bag! We''re both disciples of the Cloud Song Sect, please... please spare me."


    Gathering his courage, Zhu Hanwei pleaded urgently.


    "Oh? Spare you, huh... You''re quite clever, Little Chubby, and very cooperative. But with no talent, why come to cultivate? Isn''t it just courting death?"


    "Yes, yes, Senior Brother is right. I''ll go back down the mountain and never cultivate again!" Zhu Hanwei knelt on the ground, begging for mercy repeatedly.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The trial''s brutality far exceeded his imagination, casting a deep shadow over him.


    Now, he had only one thought: to survive.


    "Go back? Haha, too bad... I can''t find a reason to let you go!"


    Seeing hope rise in Zhu Hanwei''s eyes, the hooked-nose man sneered coldly, his longbow glowing as he aimed an arrow at Zhu Hanwei, shattering his hope.


    Before joining the Cloud Song Sect, he was a notorious bandit. During a robbery, he encountered a severely injured cultivator and became a rogue cultivator. Later, by chance, he joined the Cloud Song Sect and became a disciple of Rising Sun Peak.


    For years, he appeared kind and friendly within the peak, but secretly killed many fellow disciples, amassing numerous treasures.


    For him, the joy of killing lay in torturing, watching his victims die in despair, which brought him pleasure.


    "You... you''re a demon."


    "What you''re doing will bring retribution sooner or later!"


    "What nonsense cultivation, nonsense trial, killing each other¡ªare you immortals or demons?"


    Zhu Hanwei''s heart sank into despair, collapsing to the ground, shouting hoarsely.


    "Scream, scream! That''s what prey should do! Too bad, even if you scream your lungs out today, no one will come to save you."


    The hooked-nose man grinned, his smile growing more radiant.


    With that, he pulled the bowstring hard.


    True Essence transformed into a light arrow, shooting straight at Zhu Hanwei''s forehead.


    Zhu Hanwei sat paralyzed on the ground, his voice cut off, mouth agape, face filled with fear and despair.


    "Bang!"


    At the critical moment, a sword light flashed, blocking the light arrow.


    "Stop!"


    A loud shout followed, and Su Shi''er burst out from the bushes.


    The others had died too quickly for Su Shi''er to save them, nor did he intend to.


    But Zhu Hanwei was different; they came from the same place, were fellow townsmen and sect members. Moreover, if he hadn''t traded for two martial arts manuals from Zhu Hanwei, he might not have been able to defeat that servant disciple and the sword-wielding youth.


    For both personal and logical reasons, he had every reason to intervene.


    The sudden turn of events startled both Zhu Hanwei and the hooked-nose man.


    Hearing someone coming to help, Zhu Hanwei was overjoyed, quickly turning to look at the newcomer.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er?!"


    But upon seeing it was Su Shi''er, his face instantly fell, filled with unspeakable disappointment.


    In his eyes, Su Shi''er was only at the third level of the Qi Refining stage. He couldn''t imagine any chance of victory against the hooked-nose man.


    The hope that had just risen was instantly dashed again. Zhu Hanwei was utterly desperate.


    No, I... I definitely can''t escape. But Shi''er came to save me out of kindness; I can''t drag him down!


    Gritting his teeth, he shouted urgently, "Senior Brother Shi''er, run! You''re no match for him, run! When you return home, take care of my father, he''s the mayor of the town!"


    "Haha, a kid at the third level of Qi Refining, daring to stand up for someone? Don''t you think it''s too late to run now?"


    "Since you''re here, become my new prey!"


    Seeing Su Shi''er''s cultivation level, the hooked-nose man sneered, as if seeing a new toy, his eyes burning with even more fervor.


    "Prey?" Su Shi''er sneered coldly.


    As soon as he spoke, his figure flickered and disappeared from sight.


    With Phantom Steps, he reappeared behind the hooked-nose man.


    The White Mist Sword in hand, its light flashed as he mercilessly slashed at the opponent.


    The Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique he used was so effective that even Shen Miaoyin, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Melody Peak, couldn''t see through it, let alone this guy.


    He showed himself as having the third level of Qi Refining to lower the opponent''s guard, precisely for this moment.


    "Something''s wrong, you''re not just at the third level of Qi Refining, you cunning brat!"


    The crisis from behind sent a shiver down his spine, making him shudder.


    In the nick of time, he tossed a black bead into the air.


    The bead spun rapidly, and a sinister black wind howled, enveloping him.


    Zhu Hanwei, sitting on the ground, was shocked by Su Shi''er''s speed and decisive action. Seeing the hooked-nose man throw out the black bead, he urgently shouted a warning.


    "Shi''er, be careful, that treasure can corrode Ritual Artifacts."


    "An hour ago, he used that treasure to trap and kill a Senior Brother at the sixth level of Qi Refining."


    Corrode Ritual Artifacts?


    Trap and kill at Qi Refining level six?!


    Su Shi''er was startled. Before he could fully understand, he felt his White Mist Sword sink, as if cutting into a swamp.


    Realizing his attack was blocked, he knew it was impossible to kill the opponent by surprise.


    Without hesitation, he flung a fireball, withdrew the White Mist Sword, and quickly distanced himself from the hooked-nose man.


    Glancing at the White Mist Sword, he finally understood what Zhu Hanwei meant by corroding Ritual Artifacts.


    The White Mist Sword, blown by the sinister wind, had become rusty and pitted, its glow dim and dull. A few more hits, and it would surely be ruined.


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 Chapter 46 - What matters is, youre... dead!!

    "Such a sinister Ritual Artifact! I didn''t gain any advantage when caught off guard. If it was a calculated trap, it could indeed kill someone at the sixth level of Qi Refining!"


    Su Shi''er sighed inwardly, staring at his opponent with a wary expression.


    "Trying to ambush me? Kid, you''re too young!"


    "Initially, I thought a prey at the third level of Qi Refining wouldn''t be much of a challenge. Unexpectedly, you''re at the fifth level. Interesting!"


    The hook-nosed man sneered, shaking his head as he licked his lips.


    As he spoke, the sinister wind around him vanished. He suddenly turned, pulling back the longbow in his hand.


    Six arrows of light shot through the air, arriving in an instant.


    Su Shi''er squinted, already prepared. As the arrows descended, he activated the Ice Shield, which expanded with the wind to block in front of him.


    Such an attack wasn''t enough to break through the Ice Shield''s defense. He planned to use this wave of attacks to counterattack.


    But just as the attack was about to land, his pupils contracted slightly, feeling a bad premonition.


    "Something''s wrong!"


    Without hesitation, he summoned a gust of wind and soared into the air.


    "Boom!"


    The next second, the arrows hit the ground, exploding with a loud bang, sending dirt flying and trees toppling.


    A massive crater appeared at the spot.


    "Hiss~ What kind of bow is this, with such power?!"


    Su Shi''er gasped. If he hadn''t noticed the opponent''s sneer and dodged in time, he would have been severely injured if not dead.


    "Having a High Grade offensive Ritual Artifact is one thing, but you also have a High Grade defensive one? Kid, you have quite a few treasures on you!"


    The hook-nosed man frowned. He spoke as if Su Shi''er was merely prey, but when he made a move, it was a killer strike.


    Yet, he didn''t expect to be detected by the opponent.


    This annoyed him, but seeing the ice-blue Ice Shield, greed flashed in his eyes.


    He had quite a few treasures, but only the Sinister Wind Pearl was a High Grade Ritual Artifact. The rest were merely Low Grade.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Moreover, defensive Ritual Artifacts are particularly precious.


    Staring intently at Su Shi''er in mid-air, he decisively drew his bow again, shooting six more arrows of light.


    These six arrows lacked the previous threat, but Su Shi''er didn''t dare be careless. This person seemed mad but was actually very cunning.


    In the air, Su Shi''er moved with agility. Constantly using Wind Summoning and pairing it with Shadowless Phantom Steps and Cloud-Stepping Boots.


    For a moment, Su Shi''er moved like a phantom, sometimes appearing in front of the opponent, sometimes behind.


    "Die!"


    Suddenly, Su Shi''er shouted, slashing forward with his sword!


    The White Mist Sword, driven by True Essence, emitted a brilliant Sword Light.


    "The same trick, do you think it will work?" The hook-nosed man snorted, activating the Sinister Wind Pearl again.


    This time, the sinister wind rushed straight at Su Shi''er.


    But before it could reach him, the man''s expression changed dramatically.


    "Thud, thud, thud..."


    With several sounds, seven Soul-Breaking Nails, controlled by Su Shi''er using Object Control, silently approached.


    As the opponent focused on controlling the sinister wind, they suddenly struck, embedding into his back.


    The Soul-Breaking Nails were High Grade Ritual Artifacts, also containing potent poison.


    Even with the hook-nosed man''s strength, being hit by the Soul-Breaking Nails made him instantly go limp, collapsing to the ground.


    The sinister wind dissipated, and a black, eerie pearl fell to the ground.


    "How... is this possible?! A High Grade Ritual Artifact of the hidden weapon type? Who... who are you?" The hook-nosed man quickly pulled out a Soul-Breaking Nail, his face changing again in shock.


    The disciples participating in the trial were mostly newcomers or servant disciples.


    These people weren''t strong and rarely had good items.


    Having a Mid Grade Ritual Artifact was impressive. Having a High Grade one made you wealthy.


    Su Shi''er had both offensive and defensive High Grade Ritual Artifacts, almost making his jaw drop.


    He never imagined there was also a High Grade hidden weapon Ritual Artifact.


    Three High Grade Ritual Artifacts¡ªif he had known earlier, he wouldn''t have tangled with Su Shi''er and would have fled immediately!


    "Who I am doesn''t matter! What matters is, you''re... dead!!" Su Shi''er said coldly, raising his sword.


    "Wait, I..." The hook-nosed man''s eyes widened, trying to say something.


    But as soon as he opened his mouth, he felt a chill on his neck, and the world spun.


    A bowl-sized wound appeared on his neck.


    With one swift decapitation, confirming the opponent was dead, Su Shi''er stepped forward, took everything from him, and skillfully cast a fireball to destroy the evidence.


    "Zhu Hanwei, how are you feeling?" Not bothering to check the opponent''s belongings, Su Shi''er turned to look at the chubby Zhu Hanwei.


    Zhu Hanwei was staring blankly at the remains of the hook-nosed man''s corpse.


    He couldn''t believe that the nightmarish guy was dead, reduced to a pile of ashes.


    The most crucial part was that Su Shi''er had killed him.


    It should be known that Su Shi''er joined the Cloud Song Sect in the same batch as him. Moreover, Su Shi''er''s aptitude wasn''t necessarily much better than his.


    Though he had long realized Su Shi''er was extraordinary, he hadn''t expected him to be this strong!


    Did this guy have some kind of fortuitous encounter? But what kind of encounter could make him so powerful?


    Even the Peak Lord''s favorite, Han Yu, might not be this formidable!


    Zhu Hanwei marveled silently, and upon hearing the voice, he quickly replied respectfully to Su Shi''er, "Don''t worry, Senior Brother Shi''er, I''m fine!"


    He waved his hand, though the wound on his leg made his mouth twitch.


    "Take this Healing Pill. There''s less than a month left in the trial, so be careful."


    Su Shi''er nodded lightly, tossing a Low Grade Healing Pill he had found from some unfortunate soul''s Storage Bag.


    After doing this, he turned and left.


    Zhu Hanwei grabbed the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.


    Watching Su Shi''er''s departing figure with gratitude, his eyes darted around, and he gritted his teeth, limping after him.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, wait... wait for me!"


    "Hmm? Do you have something else?" Su Shi''er stopped, looking at him expressionlessly.


    "Senior Brother, you saved my life, and I''m deeply grateful. From today on, my life is yours, and I''ll follow you anywhere!"


    Zhu Hanwei patted his chest, speaking with emotion.


    His cultivation wasn''t high, and he was injured. Without protection, in the remaining days, he''d likely either be killed by someone or die at the claws of a Demonic Beast!


    For him, the best solution was to find a big brother!


    He couldn''t cling to Han Yu or Xiao Yue, and in the sect, the only person he could think of was the one before him.


    Su Shi''er had willingly saved him in a critical moment, proving his character wasn''t bad.


    In a brief moment, he had thought it through.


    "Follow me anywhere? Not necessary!" Su Shi''er squinted, decisively shaking his head.


    He wasn''t foolish, knowing the other just wanted a strong backer to survive the trial.


    He wasn''t particularly interested in that.


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 Chapter 47 - The trial to end

    ```


    "Senior Brother, I know my skills are lacking and I can''t help much in battles. But I''m quite good at other things."


    "Senior Brother, you seem to be someone who is wholeheartedly pursuing the Dao and improving your strength. I can handle many of the sect''s miscellaneous tasks, like buying things and gathering information!"


    Despite Su Shi''er''s refusal, Zhu Hanwei didn''t give up and instead called out with a smile.


    He knew the importance of playing to one''s strengths and avoiding weaknesses.


    Gathering information?


    Just as Su Shi''er was about to leave quickly, he changed his mind upon hearing this.


    There was a Lord behind that black-clothed person, and he had no idea who they were. To seek revenge, strength was important, but having enough information was also crucial.


    With just his own efforts, he couldn''t fully focus on both improving his strength and gathering intelligence. Moreover, that black-clothed person knew his name, putting him at risk of exposure at any time. Many things were not suitable for him to handle personally.


    With this in mind, Su Shi''er had an idea.


    "Let''s go, find a hidden place, and wait for the trial to end!"


    "Alright! Sure thing!"


    Zhu Hanwei beamed with joy, nodding eagerly, and added, "Senior Brother, I know a hidden place! Thirty miles west from here, there''s a cave."


    Su Shi''er nodded, "Let''s go there! For you to have lasted this long with your strength, you must have some skills."


    Zhu Hanwei quickly shook his head with a wry smile, "Senior Brother, I don''t have such skills. In the trial, disciples with low cultivation like me aren''t even noticed by others."


    "When encountering strong ones, I just lower my head and let them check my storage bag, then I can leave."


    Su Shi''er thought it made sense. The disciples who came here were all after heavenly treasures. The chances of low-cultivation disciples finding good things were too low.


    "Then why were you being chased by that person earlier?" Su Shi''er asked again.


    Zhu Hanwei pursed his lips, "It''s frustrating to talk about. A few days ago, disciples from Heavenly Splendor Peak went crazy and started hunting down disciples from other peaks. Regardless of their cultivation level, they would kill anyone they encountered!"


    "Suddenly, the entire trial ground was in chaos. All sorts of demons and monsters appeared, and we low-cultivation disciples were unlucky, being chased everywhere."


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    "I heard someone stole their stuff, but who knows who did it!"


    The more Zhu Hanwei spoke, the more frustrated he became. To him, it was a disaster out of nowhere!


    "Uh..." Su Shi''er immediately realized, his mouth twitching slightly, and he didn''t pursue the topic further.


    An hour later, the two arrived at a hidden cave.


    Returning Zhu Hanwei''s storage bag to him and tossing him ten ordinary second-grade spirit materials, Su Shi''er walked to a corner of the cave, took out a mat, and sat cross-legged.


    He had plenty of spirit materials now, and since he planned to use Zhu Hanwei, having him become an official disciple would certainly be more beneficial to him.


    Su Shi''er understood this reasoning.


    Without rushing to cultivate, he sat on the mat and first took stock of the items from the hook-nosed person.


    There were no less than fifty storage bags alone.


    There were nearly two hundred spirit materials and a total of eleven low-grade ritual artifacts.


    These artifacts were of such poor quality that they no longer caught Su Shi''er''s eye.


    After organizing the miscellaneous items, Su Shi''er''s gaze fell on the last three items.


    The first was the longbow used by the hook-nosed person, a dark green bow with the small characters "Heavenly Wolf Bow" engraved on it.


    This was just a low-grade ritual artifact, but bow-type artifacts were relatively rare, so it had some value.


    "This longbow condenses light arrows through True Essence, with power similar to Fire Control, but consuming slightly less True Essence."


    "Just this alone isn''t enough to unleash such astonishing power!"


    Su Shi''er squinted his eyes, deeply impressed by the hook-nosed person''s astonishing arrow.


    The power of that arrow was comparable to a full-force strike from a top-grade ritual artifact, perhaps even stronger.


    Turning his gaze, he looked at the second item beside him.


    It was a quiver containing three jet-black arrows.


    The arrows were entirely black and shiny, with the small characters "Explosive Arrow" engraved on them. They contained an astonishing spiritual power fluctuation.


    "Explosive Arrows! A one-time use high-grade ritual artifact, no wonder the power is so amazing!"


    Su Shi''er took a deep breath, his face showing delight.


    With just one glance, he knew that the astonishing attack was caused by these arrows.


    The power of the Explosive Arrows was something he had witnessed firsthand, definitely a trump card.


    "These arrows combined with this longbow indeed have a surprising effect when attacking. With this, I have another means of protection."


    With a slight smile, Su Shi''er stored the two items in his storage ring.


    Then he turned his gaze to the last item, a black pearl.


    The pearl was entirely black, emitting a chill. Holding it felt icy and bone-chilling.


    Su Shi''er tried injecting True Essence into it and immediately sensed a mass of sinister black sand within the pearl.


    The black sand occupied only a third of the pearl''s space, becoming particularly active under his True Essence, ready to burst out at any moment.


    "This black sand is not simple, but it seems to be a consumable item? No matter, as long as it can be useful at a critical moment!"


    Thinking silently, Su Shi''er stored the Sinister Wind Pearl as well.


    He then took out a Zhu Fruit, swallowed it, and continued cultivating.


    Time flew by, and more than thirty days passed.


    Early one morning, Su Shi''er opened his eyes.


    Now, his spiritual power was abundant. After refining a Zhu Fruit and over twenty days of hard cultivation, his cultivation had finally reached the peak of the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage.


    Feeling the thick True Essence in his dantian, he couldn''t help but smile slightly, showing a hint of joy.


    In just five years, he had raised his cultivation to this level. Even the talented geniuses in the sect were no better than this. And he was just a small figure with a mixed spirit root.


    "Senior Brother, the teleportation talisman is fully charged, and we can leave now." At the cave entrance, seeing Su Shi''er open his eyes, Zhu Hanwei excitedly called out, holding a teleportation talisman.


    "No rush! Let me organize my belongings first!"


    Su Shi''er said calmly, sitting in place and beginning to sort and organize all his resources.


    He planned to gather all the most precious and important resources into the storage ring in his hand.


    This storage ring was a valuable item, more convenient to use than a storage bag, and also concealed, with no detectable aura fluctuations.


    ...


    At the same time.


    In the Cloud Song Sect, more than ten figures soared into the sky, arriving one after another in the valley where the ancient teleportation formation was set up.


    Exchanging glances, they didn''t waste words. Led by the Great Elder of Heavenly Unique Peak, they all injected True Essence into the formation.


    The ground trembled, and the enormous ancient formation reappeared in their sight.


    Then, they all stared at the formation, their expressions slightly tense.


    After all, this time they were going to a new place, and they had sent disciples with low strength. How many resources they could bring back was uncertain.


    But the amount of resources brought back was crucial to the development of each peak. These people were the direct beneficiaries.


    Moreover, each peak had invested quite a bit for this trial. For a moment, everyone had different thoughts.


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 Chapter 48 - Gradually return

    "Senior Brother Lu! You seem quite nervous! Looks like you know you''re bound to lose this bet!" Fu Boren, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Splendor Peak, chuckled as he glanced at Lu Mingshi, not forgetting to tease him.


    "Lose? You old rascal, the results aren''t even out yet, what are you so smug about?" Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes and glared at Fu Boren with annoyance.


    As the other had said, he was indeed feeling particularly anxious.


    This outcome was crucial to the bet between him and Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    Losing the Cold Jade was a minor issue, but if they lost everything, it would be a huge disgrace for Luofu Peak.


    Fu Boren was about to speak, still smiling, when suddenly an Elder shouted, "Someone''s coming out!"


    As soon as the Elder''s voice fell, the ancient teleportation formation lit up.


    A flash of light, and thirty-five figures appeared in the center of the formation.


    Each of these people looked calm and composed, gathering together as soon as they emerged, clearly a group. Their clothes were tattered and bloodstained, evidence of a fierce battle.


    After coming out, the thirty-five quickly scanned their surroundings, then focused their gaze on the Great Elder of Heavenly Unique Peak. They swiftly approached, respectfully saluted the Great Elder, and then stood silently behind him.


    The Great Elder gently stroked his beard, nodded slightly at the group, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.


    Heavenly Unique Peak sent in thirty-five people, and thirty-five returned.


    The other Peak Lords and Elders exchanged glances, their eyelids twitching with surprise.


    Soon after, the teleportation formation continued to light up. Disciples from various peaks appeared one after another.


    Most of these disciples were in groups of three or five, though a few were alone. Many bore injuries, some severe, with broken arms or legs, looking quite tragic.


    Their expressions varied widely; some were grinning from ear to ear, others were downcast and dejected, while some appeared relieved and grateful.


    After emerging, they each sought out their respective peak''s location and quickly returned.


    The Peak Lords and Elders remained expressionless, showing no emotion at the appearance of these disciples.


    An hour later, more than half of the disciples from each peak had returned.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Except for Luofu Peak.


    Behind Lu Mingshi, only five servant disciples had returned, each with a worried expression, clearly having gained little.


    Seeing this, Fu Boren immediately spoke up with a smile, "Senior Brother Lu, if I recall, you had over a hundred disciples participating in the trial, right?"


    "Why have so few returned? Is this newcomer trial really that difficult? If you ask me, maybe Luofu Peak should just skip the next one."


    Looking at the number of people returning to each peak and then at the few behind him, Lu Mingshi''s wrinkled face was already scrunched up.


    But hearing Fu Boren''s words, he snorted coldly and retorted, "Hmph! Not everyone has come out yet, why are you in such a hurry?"


    "Senior Brother, you really need to work on that stubborn streak of yours! Even if everyone comes out, I doubt Luofu Peak will have many left," Fu Boren laughed, his eyes scanning the formation for something.


    Lu Mingshi''s face darkened, about to speak again.


    At that moment, more than ten beams of light flashed on the formation.


    Lu Mingshi looked over anxiously, but when he saw who emerged, his face fell instantly.


    Over ten weary figures, led by a disciple in red, trudged towards the Heavenly Splendor Peak''s group, looking dejected.


    Ye Liangchuan, holding the Purple Thunder Sword, walked at the front, looking particularly anxious and worried.


    Seeing Ye Liangchuan and the others return alive, Fu Boren was initially pleased. But noticing their troubled expressions, his heart skipped a beat.


    Could something have gone wrong?


    Just as he was about to call Ye Liangchuan over to inquire, Lu Mingshi''s voice reached his ears again.


    "Fu Boren, you actually let a disciple bring a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact to the trial?" Lu Mingshi''s gaze was fixed on the Low Grade Spiritual Artifact in Ye Liangchuan''s hand, too preoccupied to notice their expressions.


    His words drew the attention of the other peak leaders, their eyes flashing with surprise.


    Bringing such an artifact to the trial was practically cheating.


    Hearing this, Fu Boren temporarily set aside his doubts, seeing the Purple Thunder Sword intact.


    Turning to Lu Mingshi, Fu Boren smiled and said, "Senior Brother, the trial rules don''t prohibit bringing Spiritual Artifacts! You can still concede now, before you lose too badly and lose face!"


    "Pah! Just because you brought a Spiritual Artifact, you think you''ve won? One might think your disciple brought an Immortal Artifact!"


    Lu Mingshi''s face grew even darker, his eyes nervously watching the teleportation formation, though his words remained defiant.


    As he spoke, two more beams of light flashed on the formation, revealing a handsome young man and woman.


    Both looked shaken, covered in wounds, and the two swords they had previously carried were gone, clearly having gone through a fierce battle.


    After emerging, they looked towards Lu Mingshi and quickly headed to Luofu Peak''s location.


    Seeing them, Lu Mingshi visibly relaxed, the tension in his heart easing.


    "How did it go?" he asked as Han Yu and Xiao Yue returned.


    Han Yu, covered in dust, opened his mouth but said nothing.


    "Not very optimistic," Xiao Yue replied with a bitter smile, shaking her head.


    "No matter, coming back alive is more important than anything. You''ve worked hard."


    Lu Mingshi''s expression stiffened, his mood sinking further. But he quickly pulled himself together, patting their shoulders in encouragement.


    Not far away, Fu Boren''s smile widened at the sight.


    "Senior Brother, it seems Luofu Peak didn''t fare well. Are you sure you want to continue this bet?" Fu Boren grinned.


    "Hmph! Look at you gloating, it''s not over yet! Are you in a hurry to reincarnate?" Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes, retorting with irritation.


    He had little hope left, but he wouldn''t admit defeat easily.


    Time passed slowly.


    Fewer and fewer disciples emerged from the formation.


    At Heavenly Melody Peak''s location, two beautiful Elders exchanged worried glances.


    Behind them, many female disciples had already returned. In terms of survival rate, they were second only to Heavenly Unique Peak.


    But Peak Lord Shen Miaoyin had yet to appear, causing them great concern.


    Just as they were growing restless with worry, several beams of light flashed on the formation.


    Two striking figures appeared, immediately drawing many eyes.


    One was the Chu-named female cultivator, Chu Hongyue. The other was Shen Miaoyin, who had crossed paths with Su Shi''er.


    After emerging, they quickly scanned their surroundings, then walked calmly towards Heavenly Melody Peak and Falling Anser Peak.


    Seeing Shen Miaoyin appear, the leading Elder of Heavenly Melody Peak visibly relaxed.


    She immediately went forward, taking Shen Miaoyin''s arm and asking with concern.


    This scene puzzled the other peak leaders.


    Though Shen Miaoyin was a Peak Lord, she rarely showed herself, often appearing under the guise of a treasure called the Misty Veil.


    Thus, even though they had worked together for years, none recognized the stunning beauty before them as the Heavenly Melody Peak Lord they knew.


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 Chapter 49 - Inventory of harvest

    Shen Miaoyin returned to the crowd at Heavenly Melody Peak and instinctively glanced toward the location of Luofu Peak.


    In her line of sight, she didn''t see that familiar figure, which made her brows furrow slightly.


    Over the years, the only man who had been close to her and even stole her first kiss was just that one.


    Though she knew in her heart that there was no possibility of any connection or entanglement with him, seeing that he hadn''t come out, a complex mix of emotions surged within her, indescribable.


    At that moment, several beams of light lit up on the formation again.


    Shen Miaoyin looked over instinctively, her pupils slightly contracting. But when she saw it was just named disciples from other peaks, a wave of disappointment washed over her.


    As several more beams of light flashed by, the ancient formation began to dim, nearing the moment of closure.


    Shen Miaoyin couldn''t help but bite her lip, feeling an inexplicable tension.


    "What''s wrong? Are you looking for someone?" Beside her, an elder in palace attire noticed Shen Miaoyin''s unusual expression and leaned in to ask softly.


    "No... I''m fine!" A hint of panic flashed in Shen Miaoyin''s eyes as she instinctively shook her head in denial.


    Just as she finished speaking, two figures appeared on the formation.


    She breathed a sigh of relief, her tense emotions finally easing.


    This also drew the attention of the elder in palace attire to the formation.


    On the teleportation array, two young figures, one plump and one thin, appeared.


    These two were none other than Zhu Hanwei and Su Shi''er!


    Whether it was because their location was too remote or because they were in a cave, Su Shi''er, after organizing his belongings, found that the teleportation talisman hadn''t reacted for a long time.


    It wasn''t until much time had passed that he realized! Fortunately, they made it back to the sect just in time!


    As soon as they emerged, the light of the formation completely dissipated, and with a rumbling sound, the formation sank into the ground and disappeared.


    Because they were the last to come out, all eyes in the field focused on the two of them.


    Seeing that it was just a disciple at the second level of Qi Refining and one at the third level, the crowd was only slightly surprised they made it back alive, then lost interest.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Under the gaze of the crowd, Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei both shrank their necks and quickly moved to stand behind Lu Mingshi, at the end of the crowd.


    "Senior Brother, your Luofu Peak disciples are really something, daring to participate in the trial at the second and third levels of Qi Refining and still managing to come back alive. Truly remarkable!"


    Seeing Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei, and then looking at the seven people behind Lu Mingshi, Fu Boren immediately began to mock.


    With so few people from Luofu Peak, even without that arrangement, he couldn''t think of a reason why he would lose.


    "Hmph!" Lu Mingshi''s face was full of black lines, his expression clearly uncomfortable, and he snorted coldly without responding.


    His gaze swept over Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei, revealing a trace of disdain and disappointment.


    He had some impression of these two disciples, one with a mixed spirit root and one without a spirit root. The fact that they survived meant they must have hidden away as soon as they entered, waiting until now.


    Such disciples couldn''t possibly have any gains!


    Already in a bad mood, seeing them only made him feel more stifled! If it weren''t for so many people watching, he would have wanted to drive them away directly.


    Fu Boren, full of smiles, pressed his advantage and continued to laugh, "Senior Brother, now that everyone is out, should we start tallying the gains? The sooner we finish, the sooner I can take the Hundred-Year Cold Jade back to cultivate."


    As he spoke, it was supposed to be a time for each peak to tally their gains. But at this moment, the other five peaks couldn''t focus on their own tallies, from the Peak Lords to the elders, along with the disciples, all turned their attention to Heavenly Splendor and Luofu Peaks.


    Everyone was eager, ready to watch the show.


    From the number of people on each side, everyone had already guessed the outcome.


    No one thought Luofu Peak had any chance of winning!


    Except for one person.


    Shen Miaoyin glanced at Su Shi''er without showing any emotion, feeling a bit speechless.


    Su Shi''er stood at the end of the crowd, neck shrunk, looking worried. Anyone who saw him would think he had gained nothing.


    But she knew that in this trial, if anyone had the most, it was Su Shi''er.


    "Hmph! Let''s tally!" Lu Mingshi''s expression was somewhat awkward, and he called out weakly.


    At this moment, he couldn''t help but feel a bit regretful.


    He should have just admitted defeat earlier!


    With such a disparity in numbers, it was like a public execution for him.


    But with things at this point, admitting defeat now would be even more embarrassing, so he had to grit his teeth and continue.


    "Haha, then we''ll let Heavenly Splendor Peak go first!"


    Fu Boren laughed heartily, full of smiles, and turned to look at the people behind him, calling out loudly:


    "Alright, everyone, bring your storage bags here. Don''t think about hiding anything; there''s a spirit detection formation in this valley, and your storage bags should all have spiritual power marks."


    "After handing over the spirit materials, the sect will deduct fifty percent, and the remaining fifty percent will be returned to you later."


    As Fu Boren spoke, the disciples in front of him immediately began to move, taking out their storage bags and lining up to approach Fu Boren.


    Su Shi''er only then noticed that all the storage bags had a small spiritual power symbol the size of a fingernail glowing on them.


    His storage bag was no exception.


    However, when his gaze fell on the storage ring on his finger, he felt a surge of joy.


    This storage ring looked unremarkable, without the slightest fluctuation of spiritual power, let alone any spiritual power symbol.


    "Could it be that the spirit detection formation can''t detect this storage ring? Great, luckily I transferred all the good stuff into this storage ring in advance."


    Su Shi''er secretly rejoiced, having made up his mind that unless the Peak Lord discovered it, he would never voluntarily hand over the storage ring.


    Feeling assured, he continued to observe the situation at Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    He saw each disciple taking out the items from their storage bags and placing them on the ground.


    After Fu Boren nodded, they would put the items back and finally hand the storage bags to Fu Boren.


    The disciples of Heavenly Splendor Peak were quite capable, and their gains were substantial.


    Only a few disciples fell short, submitting only three to five spirit materials. Most disciples found a dozen or even dozens.


    Among them, a small number of disciples even found hundreds or thousands of second-level spirit materials, causing a stir in the crowd.


    Fu Boren stood at the front, grinning from ear to ear.


    When he saw Ye Liangchuan step forward, he was even more invigorated. The spirit materials from the Spirit Plant Garden numbered in the thousands!


    Ye Liangchuan, however, couldn''t feel any joy. He had wanted to speak with Fu Boren for a while but hadn''t had the chance. When it was his turn, he quickly lowered his head and took out over five hundred second-level spirit materials, placing them on the ground.


    "Five hundred?! What''s going on?" Fu Boren''s smile froze, and he looked at him with a questioning gaze.


    "Master! There was an accident at the Spirit Plant Garden this time..." Ye Liangchuan said dejectedly, quickly explaining what happened at the Spirit Plant Garden to Fu Boren.


    After finishing, he handed over the Purple Thunder Sword as well. "Disciple failed to accomplish the task, please punish me, Master!"


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 Chapter 50 - Su Shiers Harvest

    Fu Boren''s face was cold, and the temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees, but he didn''t speak immediately!


    The Spirit Plant Garden had so many spirit plants, yet someone managed to intercept them. This was something he never expected.


    Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the other peak leaders. His gaze lingered slightly when he saw the elders of Heavenly Unique and Heavenly Melody Peaks.


    In his view, if anyone had such capability, it would most likely be those two peaks.


    However, the situation had already occurred, and looking for trouble was definitely not an option.


    After pondering for a moment, he finally took the Purple Thunder Sword and spoke calmly, "Alright, it''s normal for unexpected things to happen in such matters. It''s not your fault! You''ve worked hard to gather so many spirit materials."


    "The sect competition in ten years will not only have various heavenly treasures but also Foundation Establishment Pills. At that time, you''ll need to lead your fellow brothers and work hard!"


    "Rest assured, Master! By then, I will give it my all!" Ye Liangchuan, relieved, vowed with determination.


    Fu Boren nodded, signaling the disciples behind him to continue.


    Heavenly Splendor Peak had the most people, over a thousand went, and more than five hundred returned. It took nearly an hour to complete the tally.


    Over five hundred disciples managed to find more than forty thousand second-level spirit materials. On average, each person had nearly a hundred.


    Although there was an unexpected incident at the Spirit Plant Garden, Fu Boren was still very satisfied with this result.


    As long as he could obtain that Hundred-Year Cold Jade, he was confident in achieving the Golden Elixir stage. It would somewhat make up for the losses!


    Turning to Lu Mingshi, he laughed, "Senior Brother Lu, according to our previous agreement, your Luofu Peak needs to gather at least four thousand spirit materials to win."


    "So, can you do it?"


    As he spoke, everyone turned to look in the direction of Luofu Peak.


    This amount made the leaders of each peak envious! Such a large number of spirit materials was definitely a bountiful harvest!


    But this also meant that Luofu Peak''s chances of winning were even slimmer!


    Everyone from Luofu Peak instinctively held their breath, not daring to make a sound. They were afraid that making a noise at this moment would upset the Peak Lord.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Lu Mingshi, even more so, had a face as dark as coal, unsure of how to respond.


    The harvest from Heavenly Splendor Peak far exceeded his expectations.


    Three thousand spirit materials? With the few guys behind him, what a joke?


    Gathering three hundred would already be considered good!


    The only one who didn''t react was Su Shi''er, who was quietly putting everything he could into his storage ring.


    It didn''t matter if he couldn''t do it, but if he could, everything he saved would be his own. This part wouldn''t need to be handed over to the sect!


    "Senior Brother, why aren''t you speaking? Are you planning to admit defeat directly? But since things have come to this point, shouldn''t you tally up and let us all see what Luofu Peak has gained!"


    "Otherwise, people might say Luofu Peak can''t afford to lose!" Seeing Lu Mingshi not responding, Fu Boren smiled even more happily.


    He and Lu Mingshi were old rivals, and he would never miss a chance to see the other embarrassed.


    "Hmph! You old scoundrel, what''s there to be smug about!"


    Lu Mingshi kept a stern face, glaring fiercely at Fu Boren, then turned to look at his people.


    "Alright, everyone, take out the materials you''ve collected. Winning or losing doesn''t matter, let''s show everyone so no one says we can''t afford to lose."


    After Lu Mingshi finished speaking, his gaze fell on Han Yu.


    Han Yu raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the people from Heavenly Splendor Peak, showing some discontent.


    With a wave of his hand, a pile of spirit materials appeared before everyone''s eyes like a small mountain.


    "One thousand two hundred and three spirit plants?! Not bad, well done. In terms of individual performance, you''re already the best among the seven peaks!"


    Seeing this, Lu Mingshi reluctantly perked up and patted Han Yu''s shoulder in encouragement.


    Such a performance also made everyone take a few more glances.


    But everyone knew that each peak had its trump cards in this trial, and having one or two such disciples was not surprising.


    After Han Yu stepped down, Xiao Yue also took out her harvest.


    Much less than Han Yu, only over six hundred second-level spirit materials.


    The remaining servant disciples were even worse, each reluctantly taking out their own harvest.


    The most anyone found was thirty. The least was a disciple at the third level of Qi Refining, who had teamed up with Zhu Hanwei at the beginning, and found no spirit materials at all, even losing his storage bag.


    This infuriated Lu Mingshi, making him blow his beard and glare, wishing he could slap the guy to death.


    When it was Zhu Hanwei''s turn, he quickly took out ten spirit materials, earning a nod from Lu Mingshi.


    After all, a disciple without even a spirit root finding so many spirit materials was already surprising.


    Soon, only Su Shi''er was left from Luofu Peak.


    "Senior Brother, there''s only a kid at the third level of Qi Refining left, is there any need to tally?" Before Su Shi''er could take anything out, Fu Boren suddenly spoke up again.


    "This is Luofu Peak''s business, none of your concern," Lu Mingshi retorted irritably.


    "I''m not meddling, but the spirit materials you''ve collected so far are less than two thousand, such a big gap. What... are you expecting this kid to help you turn the tables? Better not waste time, just give me the Hundred-Year Cold Jade!"


    Fu Boren smiled at Lu Mingshi, urging him.


    No one was surprised by this result.


    Everyone turned their gaze to Fu Boren, and a few elders couldn''t help but show envious looks.


    That was the Hundred-Year Cold Jade!


    Though not as valuable as a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, it was still a very rare third-level spirit material, hard to come by.


    Fu Boren was also one of the rare dual spirit roots of water and fire. As long as he refined this Hundred-Year Cold Jade, breaking through to the Golden Elixir stage was just around the corner.


    "Hmph! You old scoundrel, in such a hurry to reincarnate! Even if you want the item, wait until Luofu Peak finishes tallying!" Lu Mingshi''s mouth twitched as he spoke irritably.


    Knowing he was going to lose, he still wanted to delay, not letting Fu Boren have his way.


    "Fine, as you wish!" Fu Boren said with a smile, confident in his victory, not getting angry.


    Lu Mingshi''s gaze fell on Su Shi''er, his expression not pleasant, and he spoke indifferently, "Kid, take out all your harvest!"


    Su Shi''er stepped forward. At this moment, everyone''s attention was on Lu Mingshi, and no one noticed this small character.


    Lu Mingshi even shifted his gaze elsewhere, only wanting to delay time and make Fu Boren''s victory less satisfying.


    Su Shi''er didn''t mind, taking out the storage bags he had prepared.


    Over twenty storage bags, he injected True Essence into each, taking out the materials inside. The storage ring''s space was limited, and it also contained the corpse of a second-level demonic beast. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have taken out so many spirit materials.


    A large number of spirit materials fell to the ground, quickly piling up into a colorful small mountain.


    Hundred-year ginseng, hundred-year astragalus, hundred-year lingzhi... each with no less than a hundred.


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 Chapter 51 - A startling success

    "Heavens! Am I seeing things?"


    "With so many spirit materials, there must be at least seven or eight thousand, if not ten thousand! How did this kid manage it?"


    "No way, are you kidding me? Heavenly Splendor Peak actually... lost?!"


    ...


    Sharp-eyed disciples noticed this scene and immediately exclaimed.


    In the next second, all eyes fell on Su Shi''er.


    Looking at the mountain-like pile of spirit materials, everyone held their breath, gasping in shock, unable to speak.


    The leaders of each peak were equally stunned by the scene, their eyes wide open, dumbfounded.


    Fu Boren, the Peak Lord of Heavenly Splendor Peak, and Lu Mingshi, the Peak Lord of Luofu Peak, also looked at Su Shi''er, their faces filled with astonishment.


    However, when Lu Mingshi saw the spirit materials in front of Su Shi''er, he was first taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter.


    At that moment, he even felt like a pie had fallen from the sky.


    His eyebrows danced with joy, and he laughed out loud, unable to hide his delight.


    Turning to look at Su Shi''er, he found the young man increasingly pleasing to the eye. With a beaming smile, his expression became exceptionally kind.


    In stark contrast, Fu Boren''s smile froze, his face full of embarrassment.


    Unbelievable, a sure-win bet was overturned just like that?


    Ye Liangchuan stood among the crowd, staring at the pile of spirit materials. His pupils contracted, and his body trembled violently.


    A mix of shock and disbelief surged through him.


    Then, he quickly stepped forward, leaned close to Fu Boren, and whispered, "Master, the Spirit Plant Garden, the spirit materials this kid brought out are mostly spirit plants. He... he robbed the Spirit Plant Garden!"


    "The vermilion fruit must be on him!"


    Ye Liangchuan clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.


    Fu Boren nodded slightly. He had already realized it without Ye Liangchuan''s reminder.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    His previously flushed complexion turned ashen, his gaze sharp as a sword, directed straight at Su Shi''er.


    "What, old geezer, can''t take a loss and want to trouble a junior?" Lu Mingshi immediately shielded Su Shi''er behind him, laughing as he shouted at Fu Boren.


    Su Shi''er had brought him such glory, and he liked him more and more now.


    In front of so many people, he couldn''t possibly let Fu Boren trouble Su Shi''er. Otherwise, he would lose face.


    "Trouble? Senior Brother, your arrangement was truly impressive, a real eye-opener. But what about those vermilion fruits? Aren''t you going to show them to us?" Fu Boren pursed his lips, speaking with irritation.


    He never expected Luofu Peak to snatch the opportunity.


    At this moment, he was particularly furious. After all, the other spirit plants in the Spirit Plant Garden were not important, but the vermilion fruits on the vermilion fruit tree were especially precious. If he could refine one or two, combined with the Hundred-Year Cold Jade, he had a thirty percent chance of achieving the strongest Golden Elixir.


    "What arrangement, what vermilion fruit, old geezer, what are you talking about?" Lu Mingshi looked at Fu Boren with a bewildered expression.


    "You don''t know? Then it seems your disciple is hiding something!" Fu Boren glanced at Lu Mingshi, seeing that he didn''t seem to be lying, he squinted his eyes.


    "Hiding something? What a joke, there''s no spiritual power fluctuation of a storage artifact on him, what''s there to hide?" Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes, retorting unceremoniously.


    He now treasured Su Shi''er immensely.


    "Then you should ask your disciple! Kid, do you dare say these spirit materials weren''t found in the Spirit Plant Garden? Isn''t the vermilion fruit tree and the vermilion fruit in your possession?" Fu Boren''s gaze sharpened, once again looking at Su Shi''er.


    Spirit Plant Garden? Vermilion fruit?


    Lu Mingshi raised an eyebrow, recalling some rumors he had heard earlier.


    No way, did this kid snatch it from Heavenly Splendor Peak? How did he do it?


    He was already filled with curiosity about how Su Shi''er managed to gather so many spirit materials.


    Now, with Fu Boren''s words, he knew the victory was certain, and his curiosity was piqued again. His eyes twinkled as he walked over to Su Shi''er, patting him on the shoulder.


    "Su Shi''er, don''t be afraid. Just tell the truth about what happened. With me here, no one can do anything to you!"


    Su Shi''er?!


    With Lu Mingshi''s inquiry.


    In the crowd of Heavenly Melody Peak, Shen Miaoyin raised an eyebrow slightly, squinting at Su Shi''er. So... his name is Su Shi''er?


    At the same time, at the front of the Heavenly Unique Peak crowd, the Great Elder, who was stroking his beard with a look of amusement, trembled, a fierce and cold glint flashing quickly in his eyes.


    Hearing Lu Mingshi suddenly call out his name, Su Shi''er, who was already a bit nervous, felt his heart skip a beat.


    He couldn''t forget that the black-clothed person was in the Cloud Song Sect and knew his name. If he was discovered by the other party, he would be doomed.


    He squinted his eyes, quickly scanning the surroundings, mainly focusing on the leaders of each peak. Seeing that apart from Fu Boren, the others showed no change in expression, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Thinking it over, he knew that he had to give an explanation for today''s matter.


    Fortunately, he had anticipated this and made some preparations, so he quickly said, "Peak Lord, the items indeed came from the Spirit Plant Garden, but I don''t know anything about vermilion fruits!"


    "I accidentally found a pass token to the Spirit Plant Garden and went there to gather these herbs. Halfway through, I encountered a giant python demonic beast and left in a hurry..."


    Su Shi''er, feeling anxious, quickly told a story of a young man with extraordinary luck who accidentally found treasure.


    His story was half-true, half-false, completely omitting his efforts and attributing everything to luck. When he finished, Lu Mingshi was half-convinced.


    After all, given Su Shi''er''s cultivation level, this explanation seemed the most reasonable.


    Lu Mingshi nodded, looking at Su Shi''er with a somewhat speechless expression.


    This kid''s luck was just too good! Others worked themselves to the bone searching for spirit materials, and he just picked up a pass token and got so much?


    Lu Mingshi wasn''t the only one with such thoughts.


    In the crowd, many people stared at Su Shi''er with envy, jealousy, and hatred. Who wouldn''t want such luck?


    Han Yu, on the other hand, pursed his lips disdainfully, raising his head with a bit of contempt. In his eyes, Su Shi''er was nothing more than a timid person who relied on luck to get this far. Such a person couldn''t possibly go far.


    Su Shi''er kept his head down, appearing simple and unassuming, not wanting to show too much brilliance.


    Understanding the situation, Lu Mingshi immediately turned his gaze to Fu Boren, smiling as he said, "Junior Brother, you heard it too! So, do you need me to count the number of these spirit materials?"


    "Sigh, I warned you, don''t show off, don''t show off, now you''re embarrassed!"


    "Are you going to give me the Purple Thunder Sword now, or are you planning to renege on your debt like last time?"


    Lu Mingshi beamed, shaking his head as he spoke, looking completely triumphant.


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 Chapter 52 - Does the Great Elder want to take on a disciple?

    Fu Boren pursed his lips, his face extremely unsightly, his eyes almost bloodshot.


    The Purple Thunder Sword had just returned to his hand, and he hadn''t even warmed it up yet!


    "Hmph! Don''t worry, Senior Brother, I always keep my word! This Purple Thunder Sword is yours now!"


    Gritting his teeth, he steeled his heart and painfully tossed the Purple Thunder Sword away.


    If it were a private bet, he could have just reneged!


    But in front of so many people, if he went back on his word, his reputation would be utterly ruined.


    "Tsk tsk! This Purple Thunder Sword is really something, it''s clear you''ve put a lot of effort into it, Junior Brother!"


    Lu Mingshi toyed with the Purple Thunder Sword in his hand, feeling the power of the Spiritual Artifact, and was truly reluctant to part with it!


    At the same time, he didn''t forget to tease Fu Boren a bit.


    "Hmph! You just got lucky, finding such a disciple. If you ask me, this Spiritual Artifact should be given to this disciple!" Fu Boren snorted, his eyes shifting as he suddenly spoke.


    "This kid, I''ll reward him handsomely when I get back! But you, I see you''re really idle, even meddling in other people''s affairs?" Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes and said irritably.


    "Handsome reward? With your Luofu Peak, do you even have any treasures worth showing off? Holding this Spiritual Artifact, doesn''t it feel like it''s burning your hand?" Fu Boren grinned, turning the tables on Lu Mingshi.


    He wouldn''t miss any chance to annoy Lu Mingshi.


    Hearing this, Lu Mingshi''s face immediately turned sour.


    Luofu Peak was indeed the weakest among the seven peaks, with no treasures worth mentioning.


    Fu Boren''s public remark was undoubtedly malicious, putting him in a difficult position.


    At this moment, the Great Elder of Heavenly Unique Peak raised his eyelids and shouted loudly:


    "A Low Grade Spiritual Artifact is too precious for a Qi Refining stage disciple, and it''s not necessarily a good thing. I happen to have an extra Top Grade Ritual Artifact, why not give it to this kid as a reward!"


    With that, the Great Elder walked over to Lu Mingshi, raised his hand, and a ruler-like Ritual Artifact, emitting a faint orange glow, appeared in his hand.


    "Hmm? The Yuanyang Ruler?! Great Elder... what do you mean by this?" Lu Mingshi''s eyelids twitched as he hurriedly asked.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The Yuanyang Ruler was no ordinary item; not only was it a Top Grade Ritual Artifact, but it was also crafted from the rare Yuanyang Stone. It was a treasure of extreme yang and rigidity, naturally countering evil aura and demonic fire when activated.


    If Glazed Gold and second-grade Yang Fire were added, it could at least become a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact.


    Claiming such an artifact was extra was something Lu Mingshi found hard to believe.


    At this moment, all eyes were on the Great Elder, not understanding his intentions.


    The Great Elder stroked his beard, smiled calmly, and then said:


    "Peak Lord Lu need not worry, this Yuanyang Ruler is a special reward for this kid, given in the name of the sect."


    "Of course, I have a personal interest as well. I find this child pleasing to the eye and intend to take him as my disciple. I just wonder if Peak Lord Lu is willing to let this disciple go!"


    What?!


    The Great Elder intends to take him as a disciple?!


    Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to Su Shi''er, wanting to see what qualities this kid possessed to catch the Great Elder''s eye.


    However, no matter how they looked, he seemed like an ordinary disciple, with average looks and mediocre aptitude, just a common servant disciple.


    Could it be just because of his luck in finding so many Spirit Materials? That seemed too fortunate!


    For a moment, everyone was filled with envy.


    Heavenly Unique Peak was the peak with the most talents and the best treatment. The Great Elder held a lofty position in the Cloud Song Sect, second only to the Sect Master. There were many elders in the various peaks, but there was only one Great Elder in the entire sect.


    Being accepted as a disciple by the Great Elder would be a tremendous honor.


    Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat, and he stood there dumbfounded, utterly shocked. The Great Elder''s sudden move caught him completely off guard.


    Lu Mingshi''s mouth twitched, equally surprised. This kid''s aptitude was shockingly poor, yet he caught the Great Elder''s eye? Could the Great Elder have misjudged? No, I need to clarify this with him.


    With this thought, Lu Mingshi quickly whispered, "Uh... Great Elder, you might not be aware, but this kid''s aptitude is rather lacking!"


    The Great Elder, however, was unfazed and said earnestly, "Peak Lord Lu jests. When I first entered the Immortal Sect, my aptitude was the worst. Yet now, haven''t I also achieved Foundation Establishment?"


    "For us cultivators seeking the Dao, aptitude is only part of it; temperament and opportunities are equally crucial! In this kid, I see a reflection of my younger self."


    Hearing this, Lu Mingshi was truly speechless.


    This kid first had a stroke of luck, accidentally finding so many Spirit Materials. Now he''s caught the Great Elder''s attention. Could it be that he''s truly blessed with great fortune?


    What a joke, there''s no one in this world who can be perpetually lucky.


    Fortunately, the Great Elder was only interested in this kid and not Han Yu, so there was no need to offend him.


    Lu Mingshi''s eyes shifted, and he nodded, saying:


    "In that case, I naturally have no objections. It depends on what he wants!"


    With that, he turned to Su Shi''er and said, "Su Shi''er, you heard it, right? What do you think? The treatment at Heavenly Unique Peak is much better than at our Luofu Peak!"


    Su Shi''er stood there, looking dumbfounded, but inwardly he was secretly distressed. The black-clothed person lurked in the shadows, forcing him to remain vigilant and cautious.


    The Great Elder''s talk of finding him pleasing to the eye wasn''t entirely unreasonable.


    But the idea of a pie falling from the sky seemed too unreliable.


    To others, he could claim it was all luck. But he knew in his heart the risks he took to obtain those Spirit Materials.


    The Great Elder''s physique was entirely different from that of the black-clothed person, but upon careful consideration, their voices bore some resemblance. At this moment, his heart was filled with fear and anxiety, and he dared not agree to the Great Elder''s request.


    "Su Shi''er, if you have any thoughts, just speak up! Accepting a disciple is a matter of mutual consent; the Great Elder isn''t forcing you."


    Seeing Su Shi''er standing there dumbly, not responding immediately, Lu Mingshi was quite surprised and squinted as he spoke again.


    Su Shi''er''s body trembled, and he quickly put on a look of being overwhelmed by favor. Shrinking his neck, he spoke as sincerely as possible:


    "Being noticed by the Great Elder is an honor for this disciple. However, since joining the Cloud Song Sect, I''ve grown up on Luofu Peak, and the Peak Lord has been deeply kind to me."


    "In my heart, Luofu Peak is already my home. Heavenly Unique Peak may be good, but it''s not my home. I''m afraid... I must disappoint the Great Elder''s kind intentions today."


    Su Shi''er tried his best to appear harmless and sincere.


    He knew that publicly rejecting the Great Elder''s request would undoubtedly offend him. But better safe than sorry; compared to his life, even if he offended him, the Great Elder, as a senior, couldn''t openly do anything to him.


    But if the Great Elder was indeed the black-clothed person with ulterior motives, going there would be like a lamb entering a tiger''s den.


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 Chapter 53 - Great Elders named disciple

    A pie falling from the sky, and this kid actually refuses it?!


    Without a doubt, Su Shi''er''s reaction was beyond everyone''s expectations. Many disciples even widened their eyes, wishing they could be in Su Shi''er''s place.


    When ordinary disciples encounter such a situation, they would definitely agree immediately.


    What''s wrong with this kid?


    How could he give up such a great opportunity?


    Lu Mingshi squinted, feeling increasingly puzzled. Others might not know, but he was well aware.


    Since Su Shi''er joined, he had been assigned to guard the Discarded Pill Room by Lu Mingshi. Where did this deep affection come from?


    However, in front of so many people, he naturally couldn''t say it out loud. Instead, he smiled and nodded with a grin.


    He even had to smile and say to the Great Elder, "Great Elder, it seems we have to disappoint your good intentions."


    Being rejected by Su Shi''er in public, a flash of severity quickly passed through the Great Elder''s eyes, but he concealed it well, not letting anyone else notice. Then, still smiling, he continued, "No problem! The disciple''s affection for the peak shows that Lu Peak Lord manages well!"


    "In that case, I won''t force it. But... priceless treasures are easy to find, while a fated person is hard to come by! My legacy must eventually be passed on to someone, so how about this: I''ll take you as a named disciple, and you''ll still be part of Luofu Peak. How about it?"


    With that, the Great Elder turned directly to look at Su Shi''er.


    It seemed like a question, but the tone was somewhat undeniable.


    Su Shi''er''s heart skipped a beat. If he was only a bit suspicious before, now he was almost certain that even if the Great Elder wasn''t related to the black-clothed person, he definitely had ulterior motives.


    But with the other party saying this much, if he refused again, it would be too tactless.


    Quickly thinking it over, Su Shi''er hurriedly put on a look of surprise and gratitude, saying, "To be appreciated by the Great Elder is an honor for this disciple. Master, please accept my bow!"


    Saying this, he even took the initiative to bow several times to the Great Elder, performing the formal ceremony of acknowledging a master.


    No matter what the other party''s intentions were, he could only get through this hurdle first and then make other plans.


    The Great Elder stroked his beard, finally smiling broadly, "Very good, from now on, you are my disciple, Ge Tianchuan."


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "This Yuanyang Ruler, a Top Grade Ritual Artifact, is your reward from the sect."


    "And this Silver Light Sword, a High Grade Ritual Artifact, is a personal gift from me."


    As he spoke, the Great Elder smiled and helped Su Shi''er up, handing him a Yuanyang Ruler emitting an orange light and a silver Flying Sword.


    Su Shi''er received the treasures with both hands, bowed again to show respect, and then stood up, pretending to be overjoyed as he placed the treasures into the sword pouch behind him.


    This scene made all the disciples present envious, their eyes filled with jealousy.


    This kid refused, yet he was still taken as a named disciple by the Great Elder and was given two Supreme Treasures.


    Not to mention the High Grade Ritual Artifact, even a Top Grade Ritual Artifact is something that even a Foundation Establishment stage expert might not have.


    Since when did having poor talent become a blessing? What kind of luck is this?!


    At this moment, everyone could only lament why they weren''t the ones chosen.


    Although Su Shi''er didn''t know what others were thinking, he could tell from their glowing eyes.


    This made him secretly find it both amusing and frustrating. These two treasures were indeed not bad, but if possible, he would rather the Great Elder had chosen someone else.


    With his qualifications and talent, being noticed was not a good thing.


    He just wanted to keep a low profile, quickly improve his cultivation, and then find the black-clothed person to avenge his grandfather and the villagers.


    "In the future, if you encounter any difficulties in cultivation or within the sect, you can come to me anytime," the Great Elder said with a smile, then turned and returned to the location of Heavenly Unique Peak.


    Next, it was time for the other five peaks to tally their gains.


    Heavenly Splendor Peak lost face, so they were naturally too embarrassed to stay and make a fool of themselves. Fu Boren released a Flying Boat and quickly left with his disciples.


    Lu Mingshi followed closely, also releasing a Flying Sword.


    This trial brought unexpected gains for Luofu Peak, and Lu Mingshi even obtained a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact sword. Happy as he was, he didn''t want to be too ostentatious, so he left early.


    With Su Shi''er being taken as a named disciple by the Great Elder Ge Tianchuan, his status rose accordingly, and he was specially called to the front of the Flying Sword by Lu Mingshi for a few words of advice.


    "Twelve, it seemed like you weren''t too keen on taking the Great Elder as your master earlier?" Lu Mingshi asked quietly, pulling Su Shi''er aside.


    He wasn''t foolish; to him, Su Shi''er''s earlier statements didn''t hold water.


    It wasn''t convenient to ask before, but now he had to get to the bottom of it.


    "Peak Lord, every word I said was true!" Su Shi''er quickly responded in a low voice, insisting firmly.


    "Every word true? I put you in the Discarded Pill Room, and you call that deep affection?!" Lu Mingshi rolled his eyes.


    Su Shi''er quickly said, "Peak Lord, when you put me in the Discarded Pill Room, I did feel some resentment at first, but I gained a lot of experience there. Moreover, Senior Sister Xiao Yue even came to check on and care for me. She''s your granddaughter, and I remember this kindness."


    Su Shi''er had no particular feelings towards Lu Mingshi, but he was grateful to Xiao Yue.


    When questioned, he naturally shifted everything onto Xiao Yue.


    "I see! You should stay at Luofu Peak from now on; I won''t treat you badly!" Lu Mingshi smiled and nodded, finally putting his worries to rest.


    He didn''t think much of Su Shi''er, but he didn''t despise him as much as before.


    The two whispered to each other.


    Others didn''t know what they were talking about, but seeing them made the other disciples envious.


    Han Yu stood aside with his head held high, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. He was proud by nature and not very old, and seeing this scene made him feel as if his concern was being taken away.


    But at this moment, no one cared about their feelings.


    And those disciples who died tragically in the trial grounds for various reasons were even less cared about.


    Back at Luofu Peak, Su Shi''er and the other five became official disciples of Luofu Peak under Lu Mingshi''s witness.


    Each received a new identity token, a more luxurious blue robe, and a Low Grade space-type Ritual Artifact, a Storage Bag.


    The rest would be to collect their respective share of resources from the Pill Pavilion in a few days.


    Of course, when collecting, each disciple could choose to exchange their resources for an equivalent amount of finished Pill Medicine. Second-grade spiritual medicine was still too precious for many disciples.


    After arranging these, and with a few more instructions, Lu Mingshi dismissed everyone and left with Han Yu and Xiao Yue.


    After leaving the main hall, Su Shi''er didn''t return to the Discarded Pill Room but went to the official disciples'' residential area of Luofu Peak.


    Here, hundreds of small courtyards stood neatly in rows. This was the treatment for official disciples, each having their own house with a courtyard.


    Servant disciples could only live in those row houses with multiple people, and only those with money and connections could possibly get a single room. The treatment couldn''t compare to that of official disciples.


    Su Shi''er was also assigned a small courtyard, and as per his request, he remained responsible for the Discarded Pill Room.


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 Chapter 54 - Treasure Pavilion Selection of Treasures

    Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Su Shi''er wasn''t in a hurry to cultivate. Instead, he quietly sorted through the recent events.


    "The Great Elder taking me as a disciple and gifting me treasures is definitely not without ulterior motives. Fortunately, judging by his demeanor, he shouldn''t make any moves against me in the short term. But to be safe, until I figure out his intentions, I must avoid the Discarded Pill Room and absolutely not touch the mysterious Pill Furnace!"


    "Regardless of whether he''s connected to the black-clothed person, Zhu Hanwei must secretly investigate the black-clothed person''s matters. Although Zhu Hanwei''s strength is average, he should be able to gather some information from the servant disciples!"


    Taking a deep breath, Su Shi''er picked up the Yuanyang Ruler and Silver Light Sword, activating the Heavenly Eye to examine them carefully.


    In his eyes, both treasures were filled with pure spiritual power, glowing brightly, without any visible issues.


    Despite this, he remained cautious, placing the treasures into a sword pouch and storing it in the adjacent room. Only then did he take out the last Zhu Fruit from his storage ring, swallow it, and begin cultivating.


    At this point, his cultivation technique had shifted from the sect''s Basic Breathing Technique to the Small Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique.


    The twelve-layer Qi Refining method was etched in his mind, impossible to forget. However, each breakthrough in the Small Zhou Tian Qi Refining Technique required far more True Essence than the sect''s technique.


    But to increase his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment, Su Shi''er gritted his teeth and continued cultivating.


    In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the end of the trial.


    During this month, the Great Elder showed no intention of seeking him out.


    After refining the last Zhu Fruit, Su Shi''er''s cultivation stabilized at the seventh level of the Qi Refining stage.


    However, his aptitude was poor, and his cultivation progress became exceedingly slow thereafter.


    Before the trial, he had used up all his Gathering Qi Pills. Now, he dared not recklessly use the mysterious Pill Furnace, losing his greatest aid. He could only rely on the ritual artifact mat to cultivate slowly.


    Therefore, after receiving the sect''s returned resources, he specifically exchanged two hundred-year ginsengs for a bottle of Mid Grade Gathering Qi Pills.


    Unfortunately, compared to Top Grade pills, the Mid Grade ones were significantly less effective, and with his cultivation level rising, the effect was barely noticeable.


    "This won''t do. At this rate, my cultivation speed is too slow. How can I avenge my grandfather and everyone else? I must find another way!"If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    On this day, Su Shi''er stopped cultivating, feeling a bit anxious and conflicted.


    Just as he hesitated about using the mysterious Pill Furnace, a knock came from outside the courtyard.


    Su Shi''er frowned, quickly got up, and went to open the door.


    Seeing Xiao Yue standing outside, he was a bit surprised, "Senior Sister Xiao Yue?!"


    "Twelve, how are you finding life on the peak? Are you getting used to it?" Xiao Yue asked with a smile.


    Su Shi''er nodded quickly, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. It''s great here! Is there something you need from me?"


    Xiao Yue smiled, "It''s nothing major, just here to give you the Treasure Token. The Peak Lord mentioned earlier that the top five in this trial would have a chance to enter the Treasure Pavilion."


    With that, Xiao Yue raised her hand, revealing a specially crafted token about half the size of a palm, with the words "Treasure" inscribed on it.


    "Just hand this Treasure Token to the Elder at the Treasure Pavilion, and you can go in to choose a treasure!"


    "Thank you, Senior Sister. Where is the Treasure Pavilion?" Su Shi''er scratched his head, asking a bit embarrassedly.


    He had been in seclusion for the past month and wasn''t familiar with Luofu Peak.


    "The Treasure Pavilion is that tower-shaped building to the east. If you''re going now, I can take you there; I need to pick a treasure too," Xiao Yue said with a smile.


    "Then I''ll trouble you, Senior Sister!"


    Su Shi''er quickly replied, following Xiao Yue to the Treasure Pavilion.


    In just the time it took to eat a meal, they arrived in front of the Treasure Pavilion.


    Before them stood a seven-story tower-shaped building, grand and majestic, exuding an ancient aura.


    Each peak had such a building. Most of the treasures inside were either discarded by the elders or acquired by chance and unused.


    The elders exchanged these with the sect for cultivation resources, while the disciples sought resources to exchange for treasures within the pavilion, creating a continuous cycle.


    Entering the Treasure Pavilion, an elder with white hair was in charge of guarding it.


    Seeing Xiao Yue, the elder smiled warmly, with a kind and amiable demeanor, "Xiao girl, here to pick a treasure?"


    "Yes! Greetings, Elder Grandpa!" Xiao Yue greeted him with a smile, handing over the Treasure Token.


    "Alright! Go on in, you can check out the second floor; there are a few new Top Grade ritual artifacts there," the elder said with a smile.


    "The second floor?! Aren''t Qi Refining stage disciples only allowed to choose treasures on the first floor?" Xiao Yue asked, surprised.


    "That''s different; you''re the Peak Lord''s granddaughter, so going to the second floor is fine," the elder said with an unchanged expression, smiling.


    "Thank you, Elder Grandpa. What about him..." Xiao Yue asked, glancing at Su Shi''er.


    "Since he came with you, he can go up too!" The guarding elder glanced at Su Shi''er and said indifferently.


    "Thank you, Elder!" Su Shi''er quickly handed over his Treasure Token, thanking him politely.


    He knew very well that if he had come alone, he wouldn''t have received such treatment. The opportunity to go to the second floor was entirely due to Xiao Yue''s influence.


    "Then let''s go in!" Xiao Yue beamed, pulling Su Shi''er into the Treasure Pavilion.


    The first floor of the Treasure Pavilion was spacious, with fifty or sixty shelves. Each shelf had five levels, mostly filled with Low Grade and Mid Grade ritual artifacts. Occasionally, there were a few High Grade artifacts, but they were rare.


    The variety of artifacts was vast, including swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks¡ªtruly a dazzling array.


    Additionally, every artifact was covered with a faint spiritual power imprint. This was a protective formation, and without the elder''s removal of the imprint, the artifacts couldn''t be used properly.


    After a quick glance, the two went upstairs to the second floor.


    The second floor had nearly half the number of shelves. Besides High Grade and Top Grade artifacts, there were also some rare and unidentifiable treasures.


    Most treasures emitted a dazzling light, making the entire room shine brilliantly.


    This was the true foundation of a sect!


    Su Shi''er was amazed, realizing that any treasure here could cause countless disciples to fight fiercely.


    At this moment, he deeply understood that the items he possessed were insignificant. Compared to this, he was still a pauper.


    "It seems Elder Grandpa wasn''t wrong; there are indeed many good things on this floor."


    The two wandered between the shelves, Xiao Yue''s eyes filled with anticipation as they looked at the treasures.


    "I''m only able to choose a treasure on this floor thanks to Senior Sister," Su Shi''er nodded, smiling as he spoke.


    As he spoke, he examined each treasure he saw.


    "The division between the first and second floors isn''t that strict; don''t worry too much about it! Go ahead and choose a treasure. What kind of treasure are you planning to pick?" Xiao Yue smiled and shook her head slightly, then asked.


    "I haven''t decided yet. Do you have your eye on something, Senior Sister?" Su Shi''er asked with a smile.


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 Chapter 55 - A fleeting glance like a startled swan, the sword of a stunning rainbow

    "Yes! I plan to choose this flying sword!" Xiao Yue stopped in her tracks and pointed to a blue, butterfly-like flying sword on the shelf.


    Su Shi''er followed her gaze and saw a top-grade ritual artifact flying sword. The azure sword shimmered with dazzling light, shaped like a butterfly, with the words "Butterfly Dance" engraved on the hilt.


    Instinctively, he activated the Heavenly Eye technique. A flash of rainbow light caught his peripheral vision, drawing his attention to another rainbow-colored flying sword nearby.


    This sword was less than a foot long, also a top-grade flying sword, with the words "Astonishing Rainbow" engraved on its hilt. It appeared dim, lacking any brilliance.


    Yet, from this sword, he sensed a faint trace of spiritual essence. This essence was something he had only seen on the Purple Thunder Sword, a low-grade spiritual artifact from Heavenly Splendor Peak.


    Although he didn''t understand artifact crafting, he knew that the main difference between spiritual artifacts and ritual artifacts was the presence of spiritual essence, which imbued them with great spirituality.


    In his view, a ritual artifact with spiritual essence couldn''t be too inferior.


    And this sword, with its restrained spiritual power, surpassed the Butterfly Dance Sword in both spiritual power content and fluctuation.


    "Sister, if you''re looking for a flying sword artifact, I suggest you choose this one." Su Shi''er pointed to the rainbow-colored sword.


    "Hmm? Astonishing Rainbow? What''s special about this sword?" Xiao Yue also focused her gaze on the rainbow-colored sword, scrutinizing it for a long time without noticing anything different.


    "Just a feeling! I just said it casually, no need to take it too seriously, Sister!" Su Shi''er smiled and shook his head, not intending to explain further.


    "Casually? You found so many treasures during the trial, which means you have good fortune. Let''s go with this one then!"


    Xiao Yue blinked, quickly glancing at Su Shi''er, then smiled and took the Astonishing Rainbow Sword in her hand. "After all, they''re both top-grade artifacts, not much difference."


    "What about you? How''s your search going?"


    "Almost done!" Su Shi''er said while using the Heavenly Eye technique to scan the entire room again.


    His pupils slightly contracted, and he quickly walked to a corner shelf, crouching down to pull out a dust-covered tray from the bottom corner.


    "Hmm? What''s this?" Xiao Yue followed him, seeing the dirty tray and was momentarily stunned.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Not sure yet, need to take a closer look!" Su Shi''er said as he wiped off the dust.


    Soon, the true appearance of the tray was revealed.


    Inside were five dull-colored beads, each the size of a baby''s fist.


    These five beads looked ordinary, with nothing remarkable about them.


    "These five beads don''t even seem to qualify as mid-grade ritual artifacts, do they? Do you know what they do?" Xiao Yue frowned slightly, turning to ask.


    Su Shi''er shook his head decisively, speaking honestly, "No idea, this is the first time I''ve seen them!"


    "You''re not planning to choose these, are you? If you ask me, you''d be better off choosing a top-grade artifact!" Xiao Yue was surprised that Su Shi''er showed no intention of putting them down, hesitated for a moment, and suggested.


    "No need, I''ll choose these! Who knows, they might be something good!" Su Shi''er smiled, holding the five beads as if they were a supreme treasure.


    Under the Heavenly Eye technique, he could clearly see that each of the five beads contained a faint spiritual essence. Although not much, it was still several times more than the Astonishing Rainbow Sword in Xiao Yue''s hand.


    Even if he didn''t know their use, he couldn''t pass up such treasures.


    "Alright, let''s head down then!" Xiao Yue felt puzzled but seeing Su Shi''er''s firm attitude, she didn''t say more.


    The two walked side by side, quickly returning to the entrance on the first floor.


    "So quick to make your choice?" The elder guarding the entrance smiled as he saw them come down.


    "Yes!" Xiao Yue greeted with a smile.


    "Judging by your expression, you must have chosen well. Let me see what you''ve picked?" The elder said kindly.


    "Elder Grandpa, please take a look!" Xiao Yue grinned and quickly handed over the flying sword.


    The elder''s pupils contracted, his eyes narrowing, "You little girl, you have quite the discerning eye, worthy of being the Peak Lord''s granddaughter!"


    "Huh? Is there something special about this sword?" Xiao Yue was taken aback, surprised, and quickly asked.


    "Of course, this sword is not an ordinary top-grade artifact, but a quasi-spiritual artifact!" The elder said calmly.


    "Quasi-spiritual artifact?" Xiao Yue was shocked, her gaze immediately falling on Su Shi''er.


    The sword seemed rather plain, and if not for Su Shi''er''s suggestion, she wouldn''t have chosen it.


    Seeing Su Shi''er staring at the elder with wide-eyed curiosity, she couldn''t help but wonder: Could it be... he really is just lucky?


    "Indeed, this sword is called Astonishing Rainbow! Its materials are special, and the crafting process was unique. It was forged from second-grade spirit materials, Yin-Yang Dual Iron, in a place of extreme Yin and Yang, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon for forty-nine days." The elder explained seriously.


    Xiao Yue was once again surprised and quickly asked, "The crafting process for this sword is that complex?"


    "Certainly! This sword was intended to be a spiritual artifact, but unfortunately, on the day of completion, it coincided with a thunderstorm, missing the opportune moment, thus falling short and becoming a top-grade artifact."


    "However, if fully activated, this sword can unleash three attacks comparable to a spiritual artifact. But after three uses, it will self-destruct due to the inability to withstand the immense energy, like a fleeting rainbow. That''s why the swordsmith named it Astonishing Rainbow!"


    The elder explained with a smile, running his hand along the sword to release the spiritual power seal on the Astonishing Rainbow Sword.


    "I see, I didn''t expect such a story behind this sword." Xiao Yue nodded, her face beaming with joy.


    Three attacks comparable to a spiritual artifact were incredibly impressive. In critical moments, it could be life-saving, how could she not be happy?


    Her eyes shifted, and she quickly turned her gaze to the five beads in Su Shi''er''s hand, "Elder Grandpa, what about the beads he chose?"


    Beside her, Su Shi''er also quickly handed over the beads, looking curiously at the elder, "Elder, these are the treasures I chose!"


    The origin of the Astonishing Rainbow Sword had surprised him, especially the three attacks comparable to a spiritual artifact, which made him a bit envious.


    This also confirmed his belief that artifacts with spiritual essence were indeed extraordinary.


    At this moment, he was particularly curious about the function of the beads.


    "Hmm? Five Element Spirit Beads?" The elder''s gaze paused slightly, immediately identifying the treasure.


    Then, with a slightly surprised look, he glanced at Su Shi''er, "You have quite the luck too, but you can only choose one of these five spirit beads."


    "One?" Su Shi''er looked surprised.


    Xiao Yue quickly asked, "Elder Grandpa, what are the Five Element Spirit Beads for? Why can only one be chosen?"


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 Chapter 56 - Five Element Spirit Beads

    The elder guarding the place said calmly, "These Five Element Spirit Beads are a rather special type of ritual artifact. Each one is a high-grade ritual artifact that can be refined to enhance the upper limit of the user''s corresponding spirit root attribute."


    "What? Enhance the spirit root limit?!" Xiao Yue exclaimed in shock, utterly astonished.


    Su Shi''er felt a buzzing in his head, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening, and his breath catching.


    He knew all too well that his biggest weakness was his poor spirit root.


    "There''s no need to be so surprised. These Five Element Spirit Beads aren''t that heaven-defying. First, they''re only useful for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage. Second, they can only enhance the spirit root to the level of a low-grade spirit root."


    "Even if you refine all five beads, you''d only have a low-grade Five Element Spirit Root, roughly equivalent to a mid-grade spirit root."


    "Xiao girl, your spirit root isn''t bad to begin with, so this thing is useless to you!"


    The elder guarding the place remained expressionless, speaking calmly.


    "With so many limitations, the effect is indeed limited. But... for Junior Brother Shi''er, isn''t it just perfect?" Xiao Yue nodded, her emotions calming down significantly, and then she quickly turned to look at Su Shi''er.


    She knew well that Su Shi''er''s weakness was his spirit root.


    "That''s why I said this kid is lucky! Kid, have you decided which one you want?" The elder guarding the place smiled and nodded, turning to look at Su Shi''er.


    At this moment, Su Shi''er was still immersed in shock.


    Even if the Five Element Spirit Beads were only useful for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, they were a supreme treasure he couldn''t miss.


    If possible, he would certainly want to collect all the beads.


    But that was clearly unrealistic. Faced with the elder''s inquiry, Su Shi''er hesitated only for a moment before decisively making his choice: "Then... I''ll choose this Fire Spirit Bead!"


    The location of the Cloud Song Sect had the most abundant fire attribute spiritual energy. Choosing the Fire Spirit Bead first was the most cost-effective for him.


    Leaving the Fire Spirit Bead, he reluctantly placed the other beads on the table in front of the elder.


    "Alright!" The elder nodded slightly, pointing a finger to release the seal on the Fire Spirit Bead.


    "Elder Grandpa, we''ll be leaving now!" Xiao Yue glanced at Su Shi''er and the four beads left on the table, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.


    Then, she bid farewell to the elder and left with Su Shi''er.


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    As Su Shi''er walked along the road, his mind was filled with thoughts of the remaining four beads.


    Gathering all Five Element Spirit Beads would be akin to having a mid-grade spirit root. The gap between a low-grade and a mid-grade spirit root was significant.


    "It seems I still need to find a way to get more Treasure Tokens!"


    As for the fact that the Five Element Spirit Beads were second-tier treasures, Su Shi''er wasn''t too worried.


    When choosing treasures, Xiao Yue had already mentioned that the distinction between the first and second tiers wasn''t so strict. Even if he couldn''t exchange them directly, offering some benefits should solve the problem.


    As Su Shi''er furrowed his brow and pondered, Xiao Yue leaned over and said, "Junior Brother Shi''er, if you want the other beads, it''s actually quite simple."


    "Hmm? Does Senior Sister have a way?" Su Shi''er was taken aback and quickly asked.


    "Of course, any treasure in the Treasure Pavilion can be exchanged for with sect contribution points!" Xiao Yue nodded and smiled.


    "Sect contribution points?" Su Shi''er looked puzzled, as this was a new term for him.


    "In the sect, all formal disciples can earn more cultivation resources and sect contribution points by completing tasks from the task hall!"


    "Those beads are just a few high-grade spiritual artifacts. According to the Treasure Pavilion''s exchange rules, about five hundred contribution points can get you one."


    "This information is all in the formal disciple manual that came with your storage bag when you became a formal disciple. You clearly haven''t looked at it."


    Xiao Yue laughed and explained to Su Shi''er.


    "Well... I really haven''t had the chance to look at it yet!" Su Shi''er scratched his head with a smile, probing his storage bag with his consciousness, and indeed found a book inside.


    He didn''t yet know how hard it was to earn five hundred contribution points, but as long as there was a chance, it was better than nothing.


    "Thank you, Senior Sister. I''ll go check out the task hall!"


    Su Shi''er quickly expressed his gratitude and was about to head to the task hall.


    "Don''t rush. Junior Brother Han Yu and I are planning to take on a mission to eliminate an evil cultivator."


    "You can join us. This mission offers a total of one hundred contribution points, so each person can earn about thirty points."


    Xiao Yue invited Su Shi''er with a smile. She had a good impression of Su Shi''er and didn''t care about his aptitude and talent like others did.


    Su Shi''er had come out on top in the trial, helping Luofu Peak win against Heavenly Splendor Peak. In her view, he deserved more rewards.


    Unfortunately, the Peak Lord and other elders hadn''t changed their views on Su Shi''er much, so she could only try to make up for it in her own way.


    "This... doesn''t seem right! With my limited strength, going with you to eliminate an evil cultivator might just hold you back!" Su Shi''er was quite surprised and quickly shook his head to refuse.


    Xiao Yue shook her head and smiled confidently, "Don''t worry, with the Astonishing Rainbow Sword in hand, dealing with an evil cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining isn''t a big problem."


    She lifted the Astonishing Rainbow Sword in her hand, full of confidence.


    This sword was something Su Shi''er had helped her choose. No matter how you looked at it, she had a reason to help Su Shi''er.


    Su Shi''er squinted his eyes, still hesitating. He knew Xiao Yue was clearly trying to help him. If his cultivation was really only at the third level of Qi Refining, he would have followed without hesitation.


    But his true cultivation was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, so he could definitely earn more contribution points by doing tasks on his own.


    Quickly thinking it over, he smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister. It''s just that refining this Fire Spirit Bead will take some time! Besides, with my level of cultivation, it''s safer to cultivate within the sect."


    "Uh... alright! I didn''t consider that. If you need any help in the future, feel free to come to me!" Xiao Yue frowned slightly but didn''t insist, turning to leave.


    She felt a bit displeased, as Su Shi''er''s timid behavior was unexpected.


    Then again, considering Su Shi''er''s low cultivation level, it was understandable.


    However, her impression of Su Shi''er had dropped a bit.


    Watching Xiao Yue leave, Su Shi''er didn''t care about how she judged him, only feeling relieved.


    Leaving the Treasure Pavilion, he hurried back to his residence.


    Sitting cross-legged on the bed in his room, Su Shi''er immediately took out the Fire Spirit Bead to examine it.


    The Fire Spirit Bead emitted a red glow, like a flickering flame, yet it felt cool to the touch.


    "The person who crafted this artifact must be a genius!"


    "Such a treasure, if refined in the Heaven and Earth Furnace, would surely have even better effects. But... the Heaven and Earth Furnace is currently hidden in the Discarded Pill Room. If I rashly try to retrieve it, I might alert that old fox, the Great Elder."


    "Oh well, I''ll refine this Fire Spirit Bead first. When I get the other beads, I''ll see if there''s a chance to enhance them."


    With these thoughts racing through his mind, Su Shi''er grinned and, without further hesitation, began channeling his True Essence into the bead.


    The Fire Spirit Bead, infused with True Essence, burst into a brilliant flame.


    Within the firelight, the bead''s physical form vanished, transforming into a burning flame that hovered in mid-air.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er took a deep breath, and the flame, like a fiery red breath, entered through his mouth and nose.


    A surge of heat flowed down his throat and into his chest.


    Immediately, Su Shi''er''s body trembled, and his expression changed dramatically.


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 Chapter 57 - The task of investigating the Seven Mysteries Sect

    At this moment, he felt as if his heart was being scorched in a furnace, the pain was indescribable.


    This agony was far more intense than when he first took the Gathering Qi Pills.


    "How could this be?!"


    Gritting his teeth, Su Shi''er widened his eyes, his face contorted with pain. He hadn''t known beforehand that merging this Spirit Bead into his body would be so excruciating.


    But now that it had come to this, no matter how painful it was, he could only grit his teeth and continue.


    He collapsed onto the bed, forced to curl up, with beads of sweat the size of beans dripping from his forehead.


    This pain lasted for three whole days and nights.


    Three days later, the intense pain within him gradually subsided, and only then did Su Shi''er sit up from the bed, still shaken.


    "That was close. I didn''t expect merging the Fire Spirit Bead to be so painful!"


    "I wonder if the other Spirit Beads will be the same, but there''s no turning back now. I have to keep going down this path!"


    Su Shi''er murmured softly, having lost a significant amount of weight.


    Such pain, among his peers, only he could endure. If it were anyone else, they would have likely given up and perished in the agony.


    "However, the effect of these Five Element Spirit Beads is indeed remarkable. Now, it''s as if I possess a Low Grade Fire Spirit Root, and my cultivation speed has noticeably increased!"


    "It seems I need to quickly gather enough contribution points to exchange for the remaining Spirit Beads."


    After trying to cultivate, Su Shi''er immediately showed a satisfied smile.


    After refining the Fire Spirit Bead, his speed of absorbing spiritual energy had clearly increased.


    Controlling his excitement, he took out the official disciple handbook from his storage bag and flipped through it.


    After reading it, he had a general understanding of what official disciples could do.


    Sect missions are an important way for official disciples to obtain cultivation resources.


    As Xiao Yue mentioned, sect disciples can receive and complete missions to earn resource rewards and sect contribution points based on the mission conditions.


    Having organized the information, Su Shi''er wasted no time and immediately set off for the mission hall.


    The mission hall was located in a small quadrangle courtyard in the southwest corner of Luofu Peak.


    As soon as Su Shi''er reached the entrance, he saw Zhu Hanwei coming out, looking dejected.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er? You''re here for a mission too?" Upon seeing Su Shi''er, Zhu Hanwei immediately perked up and greeted him respectfully.


    As he spoke, seeing Su Shi''er nod, he quickly continued, "Senior Brother, if you''re here for a mission, I suggest you come back in a few days."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "A few days? Is there a problem now?" Su Shi''er asked, slightly puzzled.


    "It''s not really a problem, it''s just that it''s the end of the month, and all the simple tasks have been taken by other disciples. What''s left are some complex, high-requirement, and possibly dangerous tasks," Zhu Hanwei explained, scratching his head.


    "Oh? No worries, I''ll go take a look!"


    Su Shi''er nodded and went straight into the courtyard, heading to the room marked for task allocation.


    Zhu Hanwei hesitated for a moment before quickly following him inside.


    Inside the room, two servant disciples in their early twenties, both at the second level of Qi Refining, were busy.


    Seeing Su Shi''er enter, one of the sharp-faced disciples immediately approached, "Senior Brother, here for a task?"


    "What tasks are available now?" Su Shi''er nodded and asked directly.


    "There are three tasks left for this month, please take a look, Senior Brother!" The sharp-faced disciple said, swiftly handing Su Shi''er a round ritual artifact.


    Looking down, Su Shi''er saw the artifact glowing, displaying information about the three tasks.


    The first task was to kill a high-level demonic beast. It required going to a place called Dafeng Village to slay a group of high-level demonic beasts known as Wind Wolves. The reward for this task was generous, including a bottle of Gathering Qi Pills and 150 contribution points.


    However, just a glance was enough for Su Shi''er to dismiss this task.


    A group of high-level demonic beasts, even three to five disciples at the seventh level of Qi Refining might not be able to handle them.


    His gaze moved on to the second task.


    "Finding Magic Silkworm Silk? The submitter can receive fifty sect contribution points?"


    "This task seems simple, but unfortunately, I''ve never heard of Magic Silkworm Silk, so it''s difficult to undertake."


    Shaking his head helplessly, Su Shi''er found himself unable to tackle the first two tasks, feeling somewhat frustrated.


    Then, he continued to look at the last task displayed.


    "Go to Linnan City, collect offerings from the Seven Mysteries Sect, and investigate why the offerings have been delayed?"


    "This task... seems simple enough. It actually offers a hundred contribution points?"


    Seeing the reward, Su Shi''er was surprised.


    He immediately realized that this task might not be as simple as it seemed.


    However, after reviewing the three tasks, the only one that seemed feasible was this third task.


    After a brief hesitation, Su Shi''er said directly, "Help me take on the task of investigating the Seven Mysteries Sect!"


    The sharp-faced disciple''s body trembled, and a strange look flashed quickly in his eyes.


    Sizing up Su Shi''er, he said casually, "Senior Brother, this task isn''t simple. I think... maybe you should come back next month."


    "Oh? Not simple? What''s the story behind this task?" Su Shi''er didn''t give up and continued to inquire.


    "Since the beginning of the year, four groups of senior brothers, no less than eight people, have taken on this task. But without exception, they''ve all disappeared without a trace."


    "Among them, the last group included a senior brother at the sixth level of Qi Refining and another at the seventh level."


    "Of course, it''s not that I''m saying your skills are lacking, Senior Brother, but... for safety''s sake, I think it''s best if you wait until next month for new tasks."


    The sharp-faced cultivator explained quickly to Su Shi''er, maintaining a respectful attitude throughout, but his eyes inadvertently revealed a hint of disdain.


    Su Shi''er, having hidden his true cultivation, was accustomed to the coldness and warmth of human relationships and didn''t care if others underestimated him.


    After some thought, he continued to ask, "With such incidents, hasn''t the sect sent experts to investigate?"


    The sharp-faced cultivator shrugged, and before he could answer, Zhu Hanwei suddenly spoke up, "Such a minor issue probably wouldn''t alarm the Foundation Establishment stage elders. As for other senior brothers, they likely know this matter is troublesome and don''t want to stir up trouble."


    Su Shi''er glanced at Zhu Hanwei, seeing no surprise on his face, he knew that Zhu Hanwei was likely aware of the situation regarding this task.


    With the task being so tricky, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but hesitate.


    To be honest, he didn''t want to get involved in any mess.


    But the problem was, he urgently needed contribution points.


    Now, with a hundred contribution points on the table, it felt a bit hard to just give up.


    Bearing a deep-seated vendetta, he couldn''t afford to relax for even a moment.


    The Great Elder of Heavenly Unique Peak might very well be the black-clothed person and could act at any time. He had to quickly enhance his strength and become stronger.


    Sect contribution points were related to the Five Element Spirit Beads, which could temporarily enhance Spirit Root aptitude.


    Even if it meant taking risks, he had to get them as soon as possible!


    The Seven Mysteries Sect task, though risky, offered only a hundred contribution points, fifty less than hunting demonic beasts. This indicated that the sect''s difficulty assessment of this task was lower than that of hunting demonic beasts.


    Although many disciples had gone missing before, if he acted cautiously, there might still be a chance.


    With these thoughts in mind, Su Shi''er took a deep breath, having made up his mind.


    "No problem, I''ll take on this task!"


    "Wha... what?"


    The sharp-faced cultivator, his companion, and even Zhu Hanwei were all stunned, their mouths agape, looking at Su Shi''er in disbelief.


    "I''m taking this task. Is there a problem?" Su Shi''er asked.


    The sharp-faced cultivator''s smile froze, and he shook his head, saying, "There''s no problem, but this task requires at least two people."


    "Two people are necessary?" Su Shi''er squinted and asked.


    "That''s right! When it comes to the Seven Mysteries Sect''s offerings, two people are required to confirm and supervise each other to prevent any mishaps!" The sharp-faced cultivator''s tone was cold.


    He felt that he was considering the other person''s best interests, yet the other person didn''t appreciate it!


    "Is that so? Well, that''s easy, we''ll go together!" Su Shi''er nodded, pointing at Zhu Hanwei.


    "Ah? This..."


    Zhu Hanwei''s mouth fell open, his face showing panic.


    If it weren''t for Su Shi''er''s kindness to him, he would have slipped away immediately.


    Seeing through his thoughts, Su Shi''er whispered, "Just help me take on this task first. When we get to Linnan City, we''ll act according to the situation. If it''s not feasible, we''ll just abandon it."


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 Chapter 58 - The Eerie Seven Mysteries Sect

    "Alright then!" Zhu Hanwei finally relented, gritting his teeth as he agreed.


    Not to mention that Su Shi''er had saved his life once, Zhu Hanwei was well aware of Su Shi''er''s true strength, which far exceeded the cultivation level he usually displayed.


    "We''ll take this mission!" Su Shi''er turned his gaze back to the square-faced disciple in front of them.


    "Please present your identity tokens, Senior Brothers!" The square-faced disciple said coldly, looking at them as if they were already dead.


    In his view, with the cultivation levels of Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei, taking on this mission was akin to courting death.


    He had done all he could; there was no point in saying more.


    After checking their tokens, he handed a numbered task token and a map to Su Shi''er.


    "Once you complete the mission, you can use this task token to claim your reward!"


    "Thank you!"


    Su Shi''er took the task token, expressed his gratitude, and left with Zhu Hanwei.


    ...


    The Azure Mountain range is the largest mountain range within the Zhao Kingdom, surrounded by mountains stretching for thousands of miles. Scattered throughout are numerous cities and various cultivation sects and family powers.


    Each cultivation power has its own territory, and the mortals living within them are an important source of new blood for these powers.


    Mortals receive protection from cultivators and, in various forms, rely on them, working for them.


    Among these cultivation powers, the Cloud Song Sect, to which Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei belong, is merely a lower-middle sect.


    Linnan City is located at the very edge of the Cloud Song Sect''s territory, jointly managed by the Cloud Song Sect and another neighboring power, the Blood Eagle Sect.


    On the busiest street in the west of Linnan City, there stands a large mansion occupying several acres, its vermilion gates tightly shut, with a plaque above reading ''Lin Mansion.''


    On this day, two figures, one plump and one thin, appeared in front of the gate.


    They were none other than the travelers Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei!


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, this is the residence of the Seven Mysteries Sect''s leader."Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "The Seven Mysteries Sect is one of the two major powers in Linnan City, under the protection of our Cloud Song Sect. They are responsible for maintaining order in Linnan City and gathering cultivation resources for the sect!"


    Zhu Hanwei pointed at the gate and quickly turned to Su Shi''er.


    "Alright! Let''s knock and see what''s going on inside!" Su Shi''er squinted his eyes and said calmly.


    Zhu Hanwei felt a bit uneasy, but having come this far, it was too late to back out. He nodded, stepped forward, and knocked on the door forcefully.


    In no time, the door opened a crack, and a servant in a blue robe peeked out.


    "Who are you? Do you even know where this is? Knocking so hard, are you looking for death?!"


    The servant''s face was full of impatience, and he started cursing as soon as he spoke.


    "Hmph! Open your eyes wide and see clearly, is this how your Lin Mansion treats guests?" Zhu Hanwei frowned, his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an aura of authority.


    This aura startled the servant, "Guests?! You... are you immortals from the Cloud Song Sect?!"


    The servant quickly assessed Zhu Hanwei''s attire and seemed to realize something, hurriedly opening the door.


    Immediately, he knelt on the ground trembling, "Immortal, please forgive me, I didn''t recognize Mount Tai!"


    Zhu Hanwei kept a stern face, wanting to scold him further, but hearing a light cough from Su Shi''er behind him, he snorted coldly, "Go call your leader and tell him the Cloud Song Sect has come to collect offerings!"


    "Please come in, Immortals, I will fetch the leader right away!" The servant scrambled to his feet and led them into the mansion.


    Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei did not refuse and followed the servant into the Lin Mansion.


    The Lin Mansion had high walls and green tiles, winding corridors, and a grand four-courtyard layout, exquisite, spacious, and luxurious.


    In the center, a straight, wide stone path led directly to the main hall.


    A faint chill lingered in the air.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, this place feels a bit eerie!" Zhu Hanwei couldn''t help but shiver as soon as they entered, whispering to Su Shi''er.


    "Oh? How so?" Su Shi''er asked calmly.


    "This Lin Mansion is one of the two major powers in Linnan City, yet the gates are tightly shut, and it''s eerily quiet inside!"


    As Zhu Hanwei spoke, he looked around nervously, suddenly frowning and shivering.


    "Senior... Senior Brother, look over there!"


    He tugged on Su Shi''er''s clothes, pointing with a trembling arm towards a garden not far away.


    Following his gaze, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted slightly.


    In the garden soil, a human skull was faintly visible. And it wasn''t just this garden; bone fragments could be vaguely seen along the path as well.


    "Senior Brother, maybe... we should leave first!" Zhu Hanwei hurriedly whispered.


    He was only at the second level of the Qi Refining stage, not much stronger than a martial artist among mortals.


    This place was frightening just to look at!


    Especially thinking about the many senior brothers who had mysteriously disappeared before, he felt an urge to leave.


    "Don''t rush! Since we''re here, let''s meet the leader and assess the situation first!" Su Shi''er remained unfazed, speaking calmly.


    As he spoke, he glanced towards a tall pavilion in the distance.


    Seeing Su Shi''er''s firm attitude, Zhu Hanwei, despite his fear, had no choice but to nod, lowering his head as he followed deeper inside.


    In the main hall,


    The servant skillfully prepared a cup of hot tea for them and placed some exquisite fruit snacks.


    "Please wait, Immortals, my master will be here shortly!" With that, he sensibly left, leaving Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei to wait.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, this Lin Mansion is really something, so lavishly decorated, it''s way better than my hometown!" Zhu Hanwei held the hot tea, hesitated for a moment, then put the cup down, turning to Su Shi''er and whispering.


    The earlier incident had left a significant shadow on him, and he still seemed quite shaken.


    He was now acting with extra caution.


    "If you wish, with your current cultivation, enjoying a life of wealth and luxury in the mortal world wouldn''t be difficult!" Su Shi''er said calmly, leaning back in his chair, his eyes flickering with contemplation.


    "Forget it, I still want to improve my cultivation and live for a few more hundred years!" Zhu Hanwei said sullenly.


    A mortal''s lifespan is at most eighty or ninety years, with few reaching a hundred.


    But once on the path of cultivation, even a Qi Refining cultivator can live over a hundred and twenty years. If one breaks through to Foundation Establishment, they can enjoy a lifespan of two hundred years.


    "But, are we really not leaving? This Seven Mysteries Sect feels strange everywhere, staying here is really unsettling!"


    Zhu Hanwei shrank his neck, his eyes cautiously observing the surroundings, whispering.


    "Don''t worry, if they really wanted to make a move, they had plenty of opportunities outside the city. Why wait until now?" Su Shi''er said calmly, his peripheral vision also scanning the surroundings.


    Since approaching Linnan City, he had felt as if someone was watching him.


    However, no matter how he observed, he couldn''t identify who it was.


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 Chapter 59 - Lin Qiaoer with a myriad of charms

    "Uh... let''s hope everything goes smoothly!" Zhu Hanwei whispered a prayer, though in his heart he was thinking he must leave this troublesome place as soon as possible.


    Seeing Su Shi''er fall silent, he too quieted down, waiting patiently.


    They didn''t have to wait long. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, footsteps could be heard approaching from outside.


    Before the person arrived, an alluring voice reached them first.


    "Two esteemed immortals have come from afar, Lin Qiao''er of the Seven Mysteries Sect apologizes for not welcoming you sooner, please forgive me!"


    The voice seemed to have a magical quality, causing both Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei to feel a tremor in their hearts.


    Soon after, a fragrant scent filled the air, and a woman in a simple gauze dress, with a graceful figure, walked in from outside.


    Her hair was like dark clouds, her face like apricots and peaches, her brows as gentle as spring hills, and her eyes like flowing autumn waters; with a full bosom, slender waist, and shapely legs, she was more enchanting than a crabapple in the sun, or a pear blossom in the rain.


    Such beauty was truly captivating and alluring. If a fox spirit existed, Su Shi''er thought it would be no more than this.


    The moment he saw her face, his mind buzzed, and he was momentarily lost.


    Just as he was captivated by her beauty, his mind blank, the Yuanyang Ruler behind him trembled slightly, sending a warm current through his body, bringing him back to his senses.


    Looking to the side, he saw Zhu Hanwei with wide eyes and gaping mouth, lost in some beautiful fantasy.


    "If I''m not mistaken, the head of the Seven Mysteries Sect should be Lin Zhennan. What is your relation to him?" Su Shi''er asked calmly, his gaze elsewhere, not daring to look directly at the woman before him.


    In his heart, however, he was secretly on guard. This woman had no spiritual power fluctuations, clearly just a mortal, yet her beauty could make him lose his composure, which was unusual.


    "Lin Zhennan was my father, he passed away six months ago!" Lin Qiao''er said, her face showing sadness, tears glistening in her eyes, casting a gloom over the entire hall.


    "I see, my condolences. My junior brother and I are here to collect the tribute. Why has the Seven Mysteries Sect delayed in delivering it this year?"


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    Su Shi''er cupped his hands in salute, speaking while secretly flicking a pebble to hit Zhu Hanwei.


    Zhu Hanwei winced in pain, snapping back to reality, reluctantly tearing his gaze away.


    "This... could the immortal be mistaken? The Seven Mysteries Sect''s tribute for this year was taken by your sect''s immortals six months ago!"


    Lin Qiao''er was first taken aback, then looked surprised.


    "Already taken?!"


    Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei exchanged a quick glance, surprise flashing in their eyes.


    "Indeed! This is the token left by those two immortals at the time."


    Lin Qiao''er nodded, taking out half a token from her bosom.


    Su Shi''er squinted and asked Lin Qiao''er, "In the past six months, has anyone else come to collect the tribute?"


    "No!" Lin Qiao''er shook her head without hesitation.


    "Senior Brother, could it be... something happened to them on the way? But, heading west from Linnan City is all our Cloud Song Sect''s territory, who would dare make a move on the road? Or perhaps, they absconded with the resources themselves?" Zhu Hanwei speculated in a low voice.


    In truth, he knew this matter was most likely related to the Seven Mysteries Sect.


    He just didn''t want to stay in this place any longer.


    "Yes, both possibilities exist. It seems to find out their whereabouts, we''ll have to locate those two senior brothers first!"


    "Fortunately, our sect has a secret technique that can track the bearer through an item with their aura."


    "Miss Lin, may we take this token with us?"


    Su Shi''er said calmly, then turned to look at Lin Qiao''er.


    In reality, he knew nothing of any tracking technique.


    He was merely testing Lin Qiao''er, half-believing her words.


    "This... of course!" Lin Qiao''er replied, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes before she returned to normal, handing the token to Su Shi''er.


    Though she concealed it well, Su Shi''er, being cautious, noticed her fleeting expression change.


    The Seven Mysteries Sect indeed had issues!


    It seemed the tribute was out of the question; he could only gather as much information as possible to report back.


    Without the tribute, valuable information could still earn some contribution points.


    Su Shi''er pondered silently, showing no change in expression, maintaining a calm demeanor as he continued, "In that case, we won''t disturb you further. We''ll return to the sect to investigate."


    With that, he stood to leave.


    "Why rush, esteemed immortals? It''s already dark, and you''ve come from afar. Why not rest at the Lin Mansion for the night and leave in the morning?"


    "It''s been a long time since Cloud Song Sect''s immortals have visited. Please give us the opportunity to host you."


    Lin Qiao''er smiled charmingly, her demeanor respectful, warmly inviting them.


    Her smile seemed to captivate souls, and Zhu Hanwei, who had just regained his composure, was once again entranced.


    He had just resolved to leave this troublesome place quickly, but now he forgot all about it!


    Zhu Hanwei, looking infatuated, turned to Su Shi''er:


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, traveling overnight isn''t ideal. Why don''t we rest here for the night?"


    "Well... alright, we shall impose upon you!" Su Shi''er hesitated for a moment, then nodded, pretending to reluctantly agree.


    He hadn''t really planned to leave, waiting for this very invitation.


    Since they were here, they might as well investigate thoroughly.


    As for danger, he was confident in his treasures to escape if necessary.


    However, he hadn''t considered that while he was scheming against them, they were also scheming against him.


    "I''ll have rooms prepared for the esteemed immortals!" Lin Qiao''er smiled, clapping her hands.


    Immediately, a pretty maid in her late teens entered from outside.


    "Take the esteemed immortals to the east wing to settle in!"


    Lin Qiao''er instructed, and the maid led Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei away with a smile.


    Soon, only Lin Qiao''er remained in the hall.


    With a sigh, she glanced towards the back of the hall, her delicate brows furrowing with worry.


    "What troubles you, Junior Sister?" a hoarse voice asked, as a burly, pale-faced man emerged.


    The man exuded an evil aura, clearly not a mortal.


    He approached Lin Qiao''er, reaching to embrace her waist.


    "Senior Brother, can that token really track others?" Lin Qiao''er turned to him, twisting her waist in a coy manner, subtly keeping her distance, and asked.


    "In the cultivation world, countless secret techniques exist, such a method is not surprising."


    "But first, they must make it back!"


    The man sneered, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.


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 Chapter 60 - Digging a pit for others to jump into

    "However... this is already the fifth group sent by the Cloud Song Sect. If something happens to them too, the next ones to come might be the elders of the Cloud Song Sect."


    "I considered that just now, which is why I didn''t act rashly against them!"


    Lin Qiao''er quickly said, her expression growing more worried.


    "Don''t worry. Among the disciples that have come, these two have the lowest cultivation levels. One is at the second level of Qi Refining, and the other at the third. In any Immortal Sect, they''d just be servants or cannon fodder."


    "No one cares how many of such people die!"


    "Besides, even if an elder comes, what can they do?! I have backing from..."


    When mentioning Su Shi''er and the other, the man had a disdainful look.


    Halfway through his sentence, he seemed to remember something and quickly stopped talking.


    Seeing this, a flash of disappointment crossed Lin Qiao''er''s eyes, and she hesitated before saying, "Alright! So... when do you plan to act, Senior Brother?"


    "Tomorrow morning, after they leave!" the man said casually, reaching out to grab Lin Qiao''er''s wrist again.


    "Junior Sister, you said you would mourn for your father for half a year. Now that the time is up, it''s time to fulfill your promise to me!"


    As he spoke, the man grinned with a lecherous expression.


    A trace of disgust flashed in Lin Qiao''er''s eyes, but she didn''t show it on her face, instead smiling sweetly.


    However, when the man grabbed her wrist, she sighed and said, "Of course! It''s just that, among those two, the skinny one seemed a bit strange. I''m afraid if we delay, something unexpected might happen!"


    "Hmm? Forget it, I''ll deal with them now! You go to the room and wait for me, I''ll be back soon."


    The pale-faced man hesitated for a moment, but seeing the worried look on the woman''s face, he gritted his teeth, let go of Lin Qiao''er, and turned to leave.


    To him, dealing with two people at the second and third levels of Qi Refining was a piece of cake.


    Watching the pale-faced man leave, Lin Qiao''er finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Then, feeling a bit anxious, she walked outside.


    ...Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, does our sect have any tracking secret techniques?"


    In the side room, Zhu Hanwei looked at the token Su Shi''er had casually thrown on the table, thought for a while, and then asked.


    "I don''t know!" Su Shi''er shook his head lightly.


    "Huh? Then you... you were bluffing Lin Qiao''er?" Zhu Hanwei shivered, realizing the truth, and his expression turned anxious.


    "Exactly!" Su Shi''er admitted decisively.


    "But this way, they''ll definitely act against us in advance! Last time, we were up against someone at the sixth and seventh levels of Qi Refining!" Zhu Hanwei said hurriedly.


    Although he knew Su Shi''er was strong, he didn''t think that together they could be stronger than a combination of someone at the sixth and seventh levels of Qi Refining.


    At this moment, he even regretted agreeing to Su Shi''er''s terms so easily.


    "Once you return to the room, hide under the bed and don''t move. Leave the rest to me!" Su Shi''er said calmly, his expression unchanged.


    In his view, forcing the opponent to reveal themselves allowed him to prepare. Otherwise, with the enemy in the shadows, constantly being on guard would be truly dangerous.


    But he had no interest in explaining this to Zhu Hanwei.


    "This... this doesn''t seem right! If a fight breaks out, how can I just stand by and watch?" Zhu Hanwei shook his head, his gaze firm.


    In truth, he thought that if he were alone in the next room and the enemy attacked him first, he''d be doomed.


    It felt safer to stay with Su Shi''er.


    "Alright then, you can meditate in my room, and I''ll wait in the shadows." Su Shi''er grinned, seeing through Zhu Hanwei''s little scheme, but he didn''t mind.


    Saying this, he took out an invisibility talisman, stuck it on himself, and vanished into the corner, concealing his presence.


    Seeing Su Shi''er suddenly disappear, Zhu Hanwei felt a sudden panic.


    But noticing no signs of the doors or windows opening, he knew Su Shi''er was still in the room, which reassured him somewhat.


    He couldn''t help but secretly admire Su Shi''er''s powerful techniques.


    Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged on the bed and began to meditate.


    However, his mind was restless, unable to calm down.


    His eyes darted around, and he quietly took out two ordinary escape talismans, holding them in his palm.


    He decided that if things went south, he''d make a quick escape.


    He was grateful to Su Shi''er and willing to do many things, but that didn''t mean he was ready to sacrifice his life!


    Time passed slowly.


    After about the time it takes to eat a meal, footsteps could be heard approaching from afar. Su Shi''er''s ears twitched, and he held his breath.


    The footsteps stopped abruptly as they got closer. Su Shi''er knew the enemy must have used a spell to conceal their movements.


    Seven Soul-Breaking Nails were clutched in his hand, True Essence surging within him, ready to strike at any moment.


    For him, ambushing the opponent for a one-hit kill was the best outcome.


    Outside the room, the pale-faced man was shrouded in a black mist, almost floating to the room where Su Shi''er and the others were.


    His gaze swept through the window, seeing only one silhouette inside, and he frowned slightly.


    Hmm? Only one person?


    Never mind, I''ll deal with this one first, then find the other.


    With that thought, the pale-faced man decisively channeled his True Essence, forming a spell to deliver a fatal blow to the meditating Zhu Hanwei.


    In the corner of the room, Su Shi''er sensed the fluctuation of Spiritual Power and immediately threw the Soul-Breaking Nails.


    "Thud, thud, thud..."


    Several muffled sounds followed as the Soul-Breaking Nails pierced through the window, heading straight for the pale-faced man.


    "Not good! Ah..."


    The pale-faced man felt a sudden crisis, but his spell was halfway through, leaving him no time to react.


    Caught off guard, he was hit by the Soul-Breaking Nails, letting out a scream as his body flew back like a ragdoll, landing heavily in the courtyard.


    "Did it work?!"


    Inside the room, Zhu Hanwei saw Su Shi''er reveal himself and then the figure outside fall, and he immediately opened his eyes, excitement on his face.


    "Don''t celebrate too soon, this guy is strong! He might have some life-saving tricks!"


    Su Shi''er cautioned, not leaving the room, and threw several fireball spells.


    "Boom, boom..."


    The fireballs burst through the window, about to hit the ground.


    The pale-faced man on the ground suddenly sprang up.


    "Hmph! What a cunning and treacherous fellow. Unfortunately, Soul-Breaking Nails are useless against me."


    The pale-faced man said with a sinister voice, his face dark.


    As he spoke, he slapped his chest, dislodging the Soul-Breaking Nails.


    Then, a dark aura traveled across his skin, gathering on his face. He opened his mouth and spewed a dark green mist, easily neutralizing the poison of the Soul-Breaking Nails.


    "How is that possible? He was hit by your Soul-Breaking Nails, Senior Brother, and he''s fine?!" Zhu Hanwei exclaimed, his mouth agape in shock.


    In the trial grounds, he had witnessed the power of the Soul-Breaking Nails firsthand.


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 Chapter 61 - Master White Bone

    "His cultivation technique is peculiar!" Su Shi''er stared at his opponent, and the Silver Light Sword gifted by the Great Elder immediately appeared in his hand.


    With a leap, he jumped out of the window, stepping on the Shadowless Phantom Steps as he launched an attack.


    In the dim night, his figure was like a phantom, only a streak of silver Sword Light could be seen slicing through the darkness.


    True Essence surged within him, yet he kept it from leaking out.


    The Breath Concealment Technique was miraculous, but once True Essence was used, it would lose its effect.


    The person before him was also at the seventh level of Qi Refining. If it came to a direct confrontation, Su Shi''er was confident of winning, but it would take considerable effort. He intended to conceal his cultivation level and deliver a surprise blow.


    "Hmph, just at the third level of Qi Refining, and you dare act recklessly in front of me!"


    The pale-faced cultivator sneered, and a dull gray blade appeared in his hand.


    With a flick of his wrist, a gray cold light shot towards the charging Su Shi''er.


    His face showed disdain, but inwardly, he was on guard.


    This brat is only at the third level of Qi Refining, yet he dares to attack me. He must have something up his sleeve!


    In the next second, the two figures met, weapons clashing, producing a crisp ringing sound.


    "Clang!"


    A tremendous energy erupted, and sensing the aura released by Su Shi''er, the pale-faced man was shocked.


    "What! You''re actually... at the seventh level of Qi Refining?!"


    He had considered many possibilities, but never expected that the person before him was a cultivator of the same realm.


    With this revelation, all his defensive measures were rendered useless.


    Cursing inwardly, the pale-faced man made a swift decision to retreat and distance himself from Su Shi''er.


    "Trying to leave now? Isn''t it a bit too late?" Su Shi''er snorted coldly.


    With one hand gripping his sword, he formed a seal with the other.


    The Wind Summoning technique was instantly unleashed, transforming True Essence into a whirlwind. Riding the wind, he swiftly circled halfway around the pale-faced man.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    A flash of silver, and the Silver Light Sword, driven by his True Essence, emitted an even more dazzling silver Sword Light, piercing into the opponent''s back.


    "Ugh..."


    The pale-faced man groaned, blood gushing from his chest.


    Yet, the thin layer of black mist around him surged towards Su Shi''er like a living creature.


    "Hmm?"


    Su Shi''er''s expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his hand, his entire arm was enveloped in flames under the Fire Control technique.


    The black mist met the flames as if encountering its nemesis.


    Executing the Eight Trigrams Punch, his fiery fist smashed forward, the flames engulfing the mist entirely.


    "Ah..."


    Under the blaze, the pale-faced man let out a piercing scream before collapsing to the ground, barely clinging to life.


    Su Shi''er, now seasoned in battle, executed his moves with precision and fluidity, like a seamless flow of water.


    The pale-faced man hadn''t even had a chance to display his full strength before being severely injured and defeated.


    "Who are you? Why did you attack us?" Su Shi''er demanded, staring at the man on the ground.


    "Brat, you dare harm me? My master won''t let you off!" The pale-faced man gritted his teeth, glaring venomously at Su Shi''er.


    "Hmph!" Su Shi''er''s gaze turned icy, and with a swift motion, he slashed with his sword, severing the man''s legs.


    "Answer my question! The next strike will be your head!"


    Wracked with pain, the pale-faced man''s face contorted, and he wished he could faint.


    But seeing Su Shi''er raise his sword again, he hurriedly shouted, "I''m a disciple of White Bone Mountain, under Master White Bone. I attacked because my cultivation technique allows me to absorb others'' cultivation to quickly enhance my own strength!"


    White Bone Mountain? Master White Bone?


    Su Shi''er silently repeated the names, knowing little about other sects.


    However, he was more concerned about the Seven Mysteries Sect, so he immediately asked, "What is your relationship with Lin Qiao''er of the Seven Mysteries Sect?"


    "She''s my junior sister and has been chosen by my master, White Bone, as a furnace."


    The pale-faced man answered every question.


    A furnace?


    Su Shi''er was taken aback by this response.


    He didn''t know how a furnace was used, but he had read some descriptions in various records.


    He knew it was a despicable method of cultivation, using women to cultivate Yin energy, then absorbing it to enhance one''s Yang energy and cultivation level.


    This method treated female cultivators as tools and was despised by all cultivators.


    Thinking of this, Su Shi''er''s gaze turned cold, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes.


    On the ground, the pale-faced man saw Su Shi''er¡¯s silent and increasingly cold demeanor, and he shivered, quickly shouting, "Brat, I advise you to let me go. Otherwise, when my master returns, you''re doomed!"


    "Threatening me? You''ve picked the wrong target!"


    Su Shi''er snorted coldly, and with a swift motion, delivered another sword strike.


    Regardless of whether the man spoke or not, Su Shi''er had no intention of letting him leave alive.


    "You..." The pale-faced man''s eyes widened in terror.


    But before he could speak, he felt a chill on his neck, and his head was severed, ending his life.


    "Senior Brother Shi''er, wait!"


    At the same time, Zhu Hanwei''s voice called out from inside the room.


    However, by the time he came out, all he saw was the pale-faced man''s dismembered body, and his face turned as pale as snow.


    "Is there a problem?" Su Shi''er asked Zhu Hanwei with a calm expression.


    "Senior Brother, if I remember correctly, Master White Bone is a very troublesome rogue cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage."


    "He''s violent and lacks any demeanor of a senior cultivator. If any sect offends him, he targets their younger disciples. In the Azure Mountain range, he acts with impunity."


    "I heard that two years ago, our Cloud Song Sect clashed with him. At that time, all seven Peak Lords joined forces to defeat him. I didn''t expect... he''s still alive."


    Zhu Hanwei quickly explained, his face full of fear, unable to hide his anxiety.


    Su Shi''er had anticipated this, knowing the man had some background. But hearing Zhu Hanwei''s words still surprised him.


    However, he didn''t show it and calmly said:


    "Why panic? If he only appeared after a year, he must have been severely injured in that battle, even if he survived."


    "Still, to be safe, we should leave quickly and report back to the sect!"


    With that, he used Object Control to gather all the treasures from the pale-faced man. Then, with a Fireball technique, he skillfully destroyed the evidence.


    After finishing, he turned and left without hesitation.


    Although they didn''t obtain the offerings from the Seven Mysteries Sect, the information they gathered was enough to report back to the sect and receive their mission reward.


    Zhu Hanwei nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing.


    As the two were leaving the courtyard, heading towards the gate, three streaks of light suddenly flashed across the sky, approaching rapidly.


    "Not good! Master White Bone is back!" Zhu Hanwei exclaimed in horror, his face turning ashen.


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 Chapter 62 - Watching the battle in secret

    "Hide quickly!" Su Shi''er reacted the fastest, grabbing Zhu Hanwei and ducking into a nearby rock garden.


    Immediately, he calmed his True Essence, completely concealing his aura.


    Turning to Zhu Hanwei, he whispered a reminder, "Conceal your aura and stay silent! If we''re discovered, use the escape talisman to get away!"


    Zhu Hanwei, already in a panic, heard Su Shi''er''s voice and felt a sense of reassurance. He quickly concealed his aura and clutched the escape talisman in his hand.


    In the next moment, three figures descended one after another.


    The first to land was a hunched old man, exuding an eerie evil aura, dressed in a gray robe.


    The old man, at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, had a crooked mouth and eyes, his appearance ugly and bloodless, making him look particularly sinister.


    Neither Su Shi''er nor Zhu Hanwei recognized this person, but from his ghostly pale complexion, they could guess he was the so-called Master White Bone.


    The two who followed made Su Shi''er and Zhu Hanwei''s pupils contract simultaneously.


    "Senior Sister Xiao Yue?"


    "Senior Brother Han Yu?"


    "Why is it them?"


    Though they didn''t speak, both wore expressions of surprise.


    Zhu Hanwei visibly relaxed, feeling much safer with the two of them present.


    Su Shi''er squinted, quickly realizing. So, Senior Sister Xiao Yue''s mission was to eliminate this guy?


    With this thought, the two exchanged a glance, choosing not to reveal their position and continued observing the situation.


    Han Yu, holding a golden spear, was surrounded by surging True Essence, looking imposing and extraordinary.


    He glared at the hunched old man, snorting coldly, "Hmph! Master White Bone, today you have no escape! If you''re wise, surrender quietly. Otherwise, today will be your end, with no chance of reincarnation!"


    "Escape? You ignorant youngsters, do you really think I''m afraid of you?"


    "Daring to chase me here, should I call you ignorant or foolish?"


    Master White Bone turned sharply after landing, looking at the two pursuers, snorting coldly, his eyes flashing with cold light.


    He uttered a sinister voice, quickly forming seals with his hands, chanting incantations.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Bone of the dead, heed my command! Bone Sword, frighten ghosts and gods!"


    With a shout, the ground trembled.


    Then, pieces of bone burst from the ground, quickly forming eight human-sized bone swords.


    Each bone sword was composed of 204 bones, imbued with astonishing spiritual power and resentment.


    The eight bone swords hovered, rotating around Master White Bone, an overwhelming pressure enveloping the entire Lin Mansion.


    Seeing this, Xiao Yue and Han Yu exchanged glances, their expressions changing instantly.


    These eight bone swords were clearly unusual, and both felt a strong sense of danger.


    "Senior Sister, this old man has too many tricks, we must end this quickly!" Han Yu frowned, immediately saying to Xiao Yue.


    "Yes! We can''t let him escape again this time!"


    Xiao Yue''s expression was equally serious.


    Nodding slightly, she held the Astonishing Rainbow Sword, infusing it with her True Essence.


    With a sweep of her hand, several rainbow-like sword lights flew out.


    Each sword light emitted a sharp aura, heading straight for Master White Bone.


    "Sky Traversing Cloud!"


    Han Yu, unwilling to be outdone, wielded his spear, thrusting it out forcefully.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, a golden spear shadow shooting towards Master White Bone.


    "Ignorant youngsters, do you dare show off such tricks in front of me?"


    "Today, I''ll take your lives and refine a couple more Bone Swords."


    Master White Bone remained unfazed, forming seals with his hands, a surge of True Essence erupting from within him.


    In the air, the Bone Swords moved with his gestures.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The sound of swords slicing through the air echoed as the eight Bone Swords flew towards Xiao Yue and Han Yu.


    In the next second, the attacks collided in mid-air.


    An astonishing energy exploded.


    After the spiritual power explosion, the eight Bone Swords merely trembled slightly.


    "What?!"


    Seeing this, Xiao Yue and Han Yu''s expressions changed again.


    They knew the opponent''s methods were formidable, but didn''t expect them to be so troublesome.


    The sword lights continued to attack, a sharp killing intent enveloping the two.


    Hiding in the dark, Su Shi''er watched, his gaze falling on Xiao Yue. Instinctively, he gripped the Silver Light Sword, ready to intervene at any moment.


    In the Cloud Song Sect, Xiao Yue was the only one who had shown him considerable care.


    In truth, Xiao Yue was kind and friendly to every disciple. But that had nothing to do with him!


    As the Bone Swords drew closer, Xiao Yue tightened her grip on the Astonishing Rainbow Sword, preparing for a crucial strike.


    Beside her, Han Yu gritted his teeth, stomping his foot, staring intently at the sword lights in the air. Then, wielding his spear, he swung it with great force.


    "Universe Embrace!"


    With a shout, he thrust his spear, creating eight afterimages.


    "Ding, ding, ding..."


    A series of sounds rang out.


    Each thrust struck a flying Bone Sword, causing an explosive energy burst.


    After the crisp sounds, the Bone Swords flew back, quickly returning to Master White Bone''s side.


    Han Yu staggered back several steps, his palms split, arms trembling. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, clearly injured.


    Simultaneously, a strange force roamed within him, hindering the normal flow of his True Essence.


    Steadying himself quickly, he immediately warned Xiao Yue, "Senior Sister, these Bone Swords are peculiar, the surrounding evil aura can obstruct True Essence flow!"


    Xiao Yue nodded, her expression also grave, whispering, "Yes! This guy is indeed difficult to deal with, it seems we must retreat and find another way to subdue him."


    Seeing Han Yu injured in one move, she realized that with her strength, she couldn''t possibly handle Master White Bone.


    At this moment, she was already considering retreat.


    "Retreat? Little girl, do you think you still have a chance?"


    "Looking at you two, your Spirit Root aptitude isn''t bad. If refined into Bone Swords, they''d surely be powerful!"


    Master White Bone sneered, continuing to form seals with his hands.


    The Bone Swords, just returned to his side, shot out like meteors, surrounding Xiao Yue and Han Yu, blocking their path and retreat.


    He had gone to great lengths to lure them here, how could he watch them escape?


    "Hmph!"


    Xiao Yue snorted coldly, gritting her teeth, decisively wielding the Astonishing Rainbow Sword, unleashing a strike comparable to a Spiritual Artifact.


    "Buzz..."


    With a gentle sweep, a brilliant rainbow light flew out, a faint buzzing sound echoing in the air.


    Amidst the buzzing, the Astonishing Rainbow Sword''s light dimmed, a long crack appearing on the blade.


    "No! How is this possible? You actually have a Spiritual Artifact?!"


    Master White Bone''s expression changed dramatically, exclaiming in shock, hurriedly recalling his Bone Swords.


    His Bone Swords, though refined through special methods, were merely top-grade Ritual Artifacts, incomparable to a Spiritual Artifact.


    But he was still a step too slow. As the rainbow light swept through, with two cracking sounds, two Bone Swords were struck, shattering on the spot, scattering to the ground.


    Having succeeded, Xiao Yue wasted no time, grabbing Han Yu to make their escape.


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 Chapter 63 - Save the beautiful senior sister

    Master White Bone looked at the shattered White Bone Sword on the ground with a pained expression, glaring angrily at Xiao Yue.


    His gaze fell on the Astonishing Rainbow Sword, and a flash of greed flickered in his eyes.


    "Hmph! You dare ruin my treasure and still want to run? If I don''t refine you into a furnace cauldron today, I''m not worthy of being called Master White Bone!"


    "White Bone Prison, go!"


    With a shout, he quickly formed seals with his hands. Under the surging True Essence, the ground trembled once more, and countless broken bones emerged from the earth.


    These bones, some human, some from demonic beasts and fierce beasts, were filled with resentment but lacked much spiritual energy compared to those forming the White Bone Sword.


    Yet, the bones flew through the air, forming a bowl-shaped cage that covered most of the Lin Mansion.


    The dense bones blocked the way, causing Xiao Yue to shiver with both shock and anger.


    So many bones¡ªhow many people and beasts must have died to accumulate them!


    Holding the Astonishing Rainbow Sword, she swept it with a flourish, sending out a brilliant rainbow light.


    Her opponent''s cultivation was two small realms higher than hers, and with such methods at his disposal, she knew it wasn''t the best time to eliminate Master White Bone, despite her desire to do so.


    The rainbow light passed through, turning swathes of bones into powder.


    The seemingly unbreakable wall of bones was torn open in an instant, leaving a narrow gap.


    "Senior Sister, watch out!"


    Just as Xiao Yue was about to take Han Yu away, Han Yu''s voice suddenly rang in her ears.


    Turning her head, she saw Master White Bone controlling the remaining six White Bone Swords to launch a sneak attack.


    Master White Bone was cunning and experienced; this round of attacks was not only silent but also incredibly fast.


    Xiao Yue inwardly cried out in alarm, hurriedly raising her sword to block.


    Beside her, Han Yu, aware of the dire situation, gathered his True Essence and swung his golden spear once more, though much slower than before.


    Both attacked simultaneously, but they could only fend off one or two swords, unable to withstand the six-sword assault.


    "Thud, thud..."


    The sound of sharp swords piercing flesh echoed.


    After the sword light passed, both Xiao Yue and Han Yu were pierced through the waist by a White Bone Sword, falling to the ground.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Sinister evil aura coursed through their bodies, leaving their faces bloodless and their True Essence stagnant.


    Seeing this, Master White Bone sneered, walking forward with a smug expression.


    His first action was to snatch the Astonishing Rainbow Sword from Xiao Yue''s hand.


    However, upon seeing the dim sword and the two cracks on it, disappointment flashed in his eyes.


    "Hmph, it''s just a top-grade ritual artifact with a hint of spiritual essence. Unfortunately, using it to unleash the power of a spiritual artifact greatly damages the sword body. It seems it can only be used once more at most!"


    "You two juniors, no wonder you dared to trouble me. But you''re too ignorant of your limits!"


    "However... you, little girl, are quite beautiful. You still seem to be a virgin, right? Perfect... for my furnace cauldron."


    Master White Bone tilted his head, his attention focused on Xiao Yue.


    Her beauty made his eyes light up, and he grinned widely.


    His gaze roamed over Xiao Yue''s graceful figure, and he chuckled, his ugly face becoming even more sinister.


    Xiao Yue felt the intense pain from her waist, her face twisted in agony. Hearing his words, she turned pale with fear, trembling all over.


    She knew all too well what a furnace cauldron meant! For a female cultivator, it was the most brutal and painful fate.


    Lying on the ground, Han Yu shouted angrily, "You bastard, if you dare harm a single hair on my Senior Sister, my Master will never let you go!"


    Master White Bone sneered, tossing the Astonishing Rainbow Sword aside, piercing Han Yu''s abdomen and pinning him to the ground.


    "Boy, it seems you haven''t grasped the situation!"


    "But no matter, I''ll first take your Senior Sister''s primal yin. Once your blood drains dry, I''ll refine your bones into a White Bone Sword."


    Master White Bone''s eyes, one large and one small, stared intently at Xiao Yue on the ground, reaching out with a sinister laugh.


    "You... get away! Don''t come near!"


    Seeing him approach, Xiao Yue ignored her pain, propping herself up and retreating.


    After all, she was just a young woman in her early twenties, with simple experiences and not the mental fortitude of those old monsters.


    Thinking of what was about to happen, she felt utterly hopeless.


    At this moment, she couldn''t help but regret. Before setting out, her grandfather had repeatedly warned her to be extremely cautious against Master White Bone.


    If she could kill him in one strike, she should do so. If he escaped, she must not pursue.


    But with the Astonishing Rainbow Sword in hand, she thought there would be no problem.


    Now, she realized what true cunning was. But it was too late for regrets.


    In her vision, the ugly face drew closer, and Xiao Yue''s heart filled with fear and despair, tears welling up in her eyes.


    Her pitiful appearance made her even more endearing.


    Master White Bone''s beastly nature surged, drool dripping from his mouth.


    But just as he was about to touch Xiao Yue...


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The sound of something slicing through the air echoed.


    Hiding behind the rockery, Su Shi''er seized the opportunity and decisively threw the Soul-Breaking Nails.


    If it were anyone else, Su Shi''er wouldn''t have intervened.


    But with Xiao Yue in danger, he couldn''t stand by.


    From the start, he had predicted that Xiao Yue and Han Yu wouldn''t be a match for Master White Bone.


    However, he didn''t act the moment Xiao Yue was injured.


    Instead, he chose the moment when Master White Bone was most relaxed.


    "Hmm? An accomplice?" Hearing the commotion behind him, Master White Bone''s expression changed instantly.


    Though he hadn''t anticipated this, as a former Foundation Establishment cultivator who had lived for countless years, he had vast combat experience.


    Without thinking, he executed several side flips, instantly moving dozens of meters away.


    The Soul-Breaking Nails barely missed Master White Bone, embedding into the ground and disappearing.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er wasn''t surprised, only sighing inwardly at Master White Bone''s cunning.


    Without waiting for Master White Bone to steady himself, Su Shi''er leaped onto the rockery, fixing his gaze on Master White Bone, drawing the Heavenly Wolf Bow to full draw.


    Injecting True Essence into the bow and arrow, six colored light arrows materialized instantly.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The light arrows shot forth, accompanied by three Explosive Arrows, stronger than a full-force strike from a top-grade ritual artifact.


    Master White Bone was no easy opponent, something Su Shi''er had long discerned from the shadows.


    Facing such an adversary, he couldn''t worry about wasting the Explosive Arrows. He unleashed his ultimate move from the start.


    Even if he couldn''t kill the opponent, he aimed to inflict maximum damage.


    "Hmph! You think this attack can deal with me? Utterly foolish!"


    Turning his head, seeing the light arrows flying towards him, Master White Bone snorted disdainfully.


    The light arrows looked flashy but were actually of limited power.


    The hidden Explosive Arrows, before exploding, had no spiritual energy fluctuations.


    Back then, if Su Shi''er hadn''t noticed the hint of pride in that hook-nosed man''s eyes, he might have fallen for it.


    But he wouldn''t make the same mistake.


    After releasing a volley of light arrows, he immediately grasped the Silver Light Sword, stepping into the Shadowless Phantom Steps, charging towards the opponent.


    At the same time, he gathered his True Essence, unleashing an even more powerful light sword.


    It felt as if the light arrows were merely a feint, with the Silver Light Sword being the true killing move.


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 Chapter 64 - Calculating Master White Bone

    "Courting death! Since you''re here, it''s just perfect for me to forge another White Bone Sword," Master White Bone sneered, his attention fully on Su Shi''er, a faint cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth.


    Despite facing a mere seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, he didn''t dare underestimate his opponent. With a swift motion, he formed a seal with his hands, and a surge of True Essence burst forth.


    As the True Essence roiled, the remaining bones in the sky seemed summoned, rapidly gathering before him to form a massive White Bone Shield.


    While preparing his defense, he immediately commanded the White Bone Sword to fly towards Su Shi''er.


    Six streaks of Sword Light shot forward but didn''t land on Su Shi''er. Instead, Su Shi''er suddenly halted, casting a Wind Summoning spell, causing him to fly backward.


    The six Sword Lights, faster than light arrows, struck the ground, creating a massive crater.


    At that moment, Su Shi''er''s light arrows finally hit Master White Bone''s White Bone Shield.


    "Boom!"


    A thunderous explosion erupted, unleashing a terrifying energy storm. The White Bone Shield before Master White Bone shattered into pieces.


    He was sent flying, covered in dust, like a ragged sack, landing with a thud and spitting out a mouthful of blood.


    Despite his precautions, he hadn''t anticipated that the six light arrows he had dismissed would be the key. Nor did he expect their power to be so immense.


    All of this, from Su Shi''er''s attack to Master White Bone''s defeat, happened in the blink of an eye.


    "Twelve?!"


    On the ground, Xiao Yue, hearing the commotion, first breathed a sigh of relief. Then, seeing Su Shi''er appear, she was taken aback.


    Su Shi''er, appearing here with a cultivation at the seventh level of the Qi Refining stage, was simply unbelievable.


    The person before her, whom she had seen just days ago, couldn''t be mistaken. Moreover, if it wasn''t Su Shi''er himself, he wouldn''t have come to her rescue.


    Isn''t he supposed to have a Mixed Spirit Root? How could his cultivation be higher than mine and Han Yu''s?


    Xiao Yue''s eyes widened, and just as the thought crossed her mind, she witnessed the explosion that sent Master White Bone flying.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    He''s... this strong?!


    Xiao Yue quickly got up from the ground, too astonished to describe her feelings.


    Equally shocked was Han Yu, pinned to the ground nearby.


    He stared wide-eyed, unable to believe that the guy he had never taken seriously possessed such formidable cultivation and strength.


    "Good lad, well played. I really underestimated you," Master White Bone quickly recovered, flipping up from the ground.


    Glaring at Su Shi''er, he wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with fury.


    He had roamed the Cultivation World for years, never suffering such a loss at the hands of a junior.


    "But if this is all you''ve got, you''re dead today!"


    Suppressing his anger, Master White Bone snorted coldly.


    A surge of True Essence emanated, exuding a powerful pressure.


    In the air, the White Bone Sword moved with his will, forming a sword net that swiftly closed in on Su Shi''er.


    Even after this, he wasn''t reassured. He clutched a finger-length White Bone Spike in his palm.


    The spike, gray and dull, was forged from a rib of his original body.


    Years ago, when he was besieged by the seven Peak Lords of the Cloud Song Sect, he left behind a wisp of his soul to possess this ugly hunchback''s body. Upon returning to the battlefield, he only found this rib of his original body.


    The rib of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, though not a Spiritual Artifact, was comparable to a top-grade Ritual Artifact, with astonishing power.


    His gaze fixed on Su Shi''er''s heart, ready for a lethal strike at any moment.


    The sword net gleamed with a cold light, spewing black mist that chilled the air, sweeping towards Su Shi''er.


    Xiao Yue''s face changed slightly, urgently warning, "Twelve, be careful. This sword net is very tricky! The sword''s Evil Aura can corrode the body''s meridians, hindering the flow of True Essence."


    Su Shi''er nodded slightly, his expression unchanged as he focused on the attack, secretly wary of Master White Bone himself.


    He knew well that such an old monster had many tricks and was very insidious, unlikely to rely on just this attack.


    True Essence surged within him as he secretly activated the Ice Shield, simultaneously raising his hand to unleash another treasure obtained from the hook-nosed man, the Sinister Wind Pearl.


    The Sinister Wind Pearl hovered before Su Shi''er, spinning rapidly, unleashing a chilling Evil Aura.


    A gust of sinister wind swept out, filled with countless eerie black sands.


    The sinister wind rolled up the black mist, reversing its direction.


    In the wind, the White Bone Sword, which should have pierced through to Su Shi''er, wobbled unsteadily.


    "What? You actually have Corrosive Sand?!"


    Master White Bone''s face changed drastically upon seeing the sinister wind.


    Without hesitation, he cast a spell to swiftly recall his White Bone Sword.


    When the White Bone Sword emerged from the sinister wind, its blade was pitted and its glow greatly diminished.


    This sight pained Master White Bone.


    Fortunately, such damage was not irreparable for a top-grade Ritual Artifact.


    Taking a deep breath, he eyed Su Shi''er with caution, followed by a murderous intent.


    This kid, so young yet possessing such strength. His Spirit Root must be extraordinary. If I could forge him into a White Bone Sword, it might even become a pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.


    Today, he must not be left alive!


    "Kid, this Corrosive Sand depletes with each use. Let''s see how long you can last," Master White Bone said with a sinister grin, his face turning ruthless as he bit his tongue, spraying a mouthful of blood onto the White Bone Sword.


    Instantly, a thick, bloody aura filled the area.


    Six White Bone Swords lined up before him. The black mist on the blades surged, forming an enormous wraith-like spirit.


    "Howl..."


    The spirit''s aura was overwhelming, letting out a piercing screech that seemed to pierce the eardrums.


    On the ground, Xiao Yue, Han Yu, and Zhu Hanwei, hiding behind a rockery, all showed expressions of pain.


    Su Shi''er was no exception, feeling the Corrosive Sand within the Sinister Wind Pearl depleting rapidly, his heart ached.


    Suddenly hearing the screech, he felt a sharp pain in his eardrums, his mind spinning.


    At this moment, the wraith-like spirit, its claws bared, charged at Su Shi''er as if he were its mortal enemy.


    "Not good!"


    Su Shi''er exclaimed inwardly, gritting his teeth, enduring the discomfort from the screech, and raised his hand to unleash a silver Sword Light.


    "Whoosh!"


    The Sword Light passed through the wraith-like spirit, causing no harm at all.


    What? This thing is immune to attacks?!


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 Chapter 65 - Pit people to death without paying for it

    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, and without a moment''s hesitation, he flung out over a dozen fireball talismans, which transformed into clusters of firelight and flew toward the wraith.


    At the same time, he used Wind Summoning on himself, stepping on the Shadowless Phantom Steps to swiftly distance himself from the wraith.


    Facing the incoming fireballs, the wraith paused for a moment, then opened its mouth and blew out a gust of cold wind, extinguishing the fireballs instantly, and continued its pursuit of Su Shi''er.


    "Hmph! You think you can fight me with such petty tricks?"


    "I''ll kill your fellow disciples first, then deal with you. Let''s see how long you can run today!"


    Master White Bone couldn''t help but secretly praise Su Shi''er for his decisiveness in fleeing.


    This young man, despite his age, had such rich combat experience.


    Unfortunately, he encountered me!


    With a glint in his eyes, he exhaled a powerful True Essence onto the White Bone Swords.


    The six White Bone Swords transformed into streaks of light, flying toward Xiao Yue and Han Yu.


    He wasn''t sure how much Corrosive Sand Su Shi''er had, so aside from the wraith, he dared not use other treasures to attack rashly.


    With a cold sneer, he directly targeted Xiao Yue and Han Yu. In his view, Su Shi''er appeared to save them, and if they were in danger, he would surely come to their rescue.


    Being an evil cultivator, he only cared about achieving his goals, disregarding any notions of righteousness or morality.


    A finger-length white bone spike was held in his palm, ready to strike if Su Shi''er dared to save them.


    After all, rescuing others inevitably divided one''s attention, and even if the opponent activated the Corrosive Sand, he was confident he could kill them.


    Seeing Xiao Yue in danger again, Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted, and he threw out several clusters of flames to block the wraith.


    He immediately changed direction, heading straight for Xiao Yue. Holding the Sinister Wind Pearl in his hand, he infused it with True Essence, sending a sinister wind toward the White Bone Swords before he even arrived.


    At the same time, the Yuanyang Ruler in his sword pouch silently approached Master White Bone under the control of Object Control.


    He knew very well that the opponent''s actions were merely to force him to save others, with the real target being himself.


    And for him, killing Master White Bone was the key to solving the problem.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A flash of insight quickly crossed Su Shi''er''s eyes, but it was soon replaced by urgency.


    Master White Bone noticed this, his lips curling into a slight smile as he focused on Su Shi''er''s movements.


    The white bone spike in his hand, enhanced by True Essence, gleamed with a sharp, cold light.


    "Whoosh!"


    With a sudden hum, the white bone spike shot out, flying toward Su Shi''er at lightning speed.


    "Bang!"


    The white bone spike arrived in an instant, reaching Su Shi''er in the blink of an eye.


    Su Shi''er was prepared, activating the blood light shield, and the Ice Shield gifted by Shen Miaoyin flew out simultaneously, transforming into a large shield in front of him.


    However, the Ice Shield was merely a High Grade Ritual Artifact, and his cultivation was a realm lower than the opponent''s.


    In the next second, the Ice Shield shuddered violently, a finger-sized hole appearing in it.


    The white bone spike continued its momentum, piercing through Su Shi''er''s blood light shield.


    With a "puff," it entered his abdomen and exited through his lower back.


    Su Shi''er''s body stiffened, a wave of intense pain emanating from his abdomen, followed by a surge of sinister energy rampaging within him.


    For a moment, the circulation of True Essence within him became extremely difficult.


    His face turned as pale as snow, his spirit waning.


    "Boy, you''ve been hit by my white bone spike; you''re doomed! This time... let''s see what other tricks you have!"


    Seeing Su Shi''er injured, Master White Bone grinned with satisfaction.


    With a wave of his hand, the wraith, freed from the Fire Control, shrieked and lunged at Su Shi''er, its claws bared as if to tear him apart.


    But just then, an unexpected change occurred.


    Under Su Shi''er''s control, the Yuanyang Ruler smashed down on Master White Bone.


    "Hmm? You little rascal, you''re even more cunning than I thought."


    "Too bad, you''re still too green in front of me!"


    "This Top Grade Ritual Artifact, I''ll take it off your hands!"


    Seeing it was a ruler-type Top Grade Ritual Artifact, Master White Bone was overjoyed and reached out to grab it.


    But in the next second, an unexpected change occurred.


    The Yuanyang Ruler in his grasp suddenly trembled, emitting an orange glow.


    The orange glow flowed like flames, burning fiercely.


    The evil aura-infused True Essence in Master White Bone''s palm recoiled upon encountering the orange flames, emitting a sizzling sound as it burned.


    A sharp pain shot through his palm, and Master White Bone''s expression changed drastically.


    "What? This ruler is actually a supreme yang treasure?!"


    He exclaimed in shock, hurriedly releasing the Yuanyang Ruler.


    However, just as it left his hand, the Yuanyang Ruler suddenly spewed out a wisp of orange mist.


    The mist rolled and transformed into a golden flower.


    The golden flower''s light flickered, burning and dancing like flames.


    "Yuanyang Golden Flower?!"


    "Damn it!"


    Master White Bone, as if facing a formidable enemy, could no longer control the distant White Bone Swords or direct the wraith''s attack.


    He quickly withdrew his True Essence, not daring to touch the golden flower.


    Though his reaction was swift, the proximity was too close to avoid.


    In the next second, the golden flower landed on him with a whoosh.


    The golden flower''s flames were pervasive, rapidly invading his meridians through his pores.


    His evil aura-infused True Essence ignited upon contact with the golden flower''s flames, spreading rapidly.


    In an instant, golden flames engulfed him.


    "Ah..."


    Master White Bone''s face twisted in agony as he rolled on the ground.


    The uncontrolled wraith paused, then turned to look at Master White Bone on the ground, its eyes suddenly filled with intense hatred.


    With a piercing, cursed shriek, the wraith lunged at him.


    "No... don''t! Don''t come over!"


    Seeing the wraith pounce, Master White Bone let out a hoarse, unpleasant cry.


    Rolling on the ground, he tried to evade the wraith.


    The Yuanyang Ruler, being supremely yang, naturally countered evil aura and demonic fire.


    The wraith was no exception, but at this moment, it didn''t care, throwing itself into the Yuanyang Golden Fire.


    Master White Bone, already in excruciating pain, found the wraith''s addition like fuel to the fire.


    "Boom!"


    In the next second, a violent explosion sounded.


    Flames soared into the sky, reaching dozens of meters high.


    Master White Bone''s body was flung high before crashing back to the ground.


    As the flames dissipated, only a charred corpse remained lying stiffly on the ground.


    Clearly dead.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er squinted, beckoning the Yuanyang Ruler back into his hand.


    Holding the Yuanyang Ruler, a surge of warmth flowed through him, instantly clearing the evil aura from his body.


    Feeling his True Essence fully restored, Su Shi''er raised the Yuanyang Ruler again, unleashing the Yuanyang Golden Fire onto Master White Bone''s corpse.


    Under the golden fire''s cover, Master White Bone''s body trembled slightly.


    A cloud of black mist condensed from his body, forming a hideous, aged face.


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 Chapter 66 - Shocked Xiao Yue

    "Kid, you have such a ruthless heart! You... you will surely die a horrible death!"


    Master White Bone, reduced to just a wisp of a remnant soul, roared at Su Shi''er as soon as he emerged.


    He hadn''t expected that even in his weakened state, he could still be discovered.


    Glaring at Su Shi''er, his eyes burned with a fury that could boil the sea.


    In his heart, there was nothing but despair. How could this kid be more cautious than an old monster like him who had lived for hundreds of years?


    Even alive, he couldn''t withstand the Yuanyang Golden Fire, let alone as a mere remnant soul.


    At this moment, he was filled with endless regret and unwillingness. If he had known Su Shi''er possessed such a treasure, if he had known this kid was so insidious, he would never have been so careless and used all his tricks.


    Whether it was the White Bone Sword or the wraith, they could have helped him resist.


    But unfortunately, he was ultimately one step behind!


    "Ah..."


    As the flames approached, Master White Bone let out a final cry, completely dissipating into the heavens and earth.


    He would never have thought that Su Shi''er hadn''t even noticed his presence, just being more cautious than others, needing to confirm he was completely dead and turned to ash before feeling at ease.


    "Die a horrible death? Hmph! If I can avenge my grandfather and the villagers, what does it matter if I die horribly?"


    Su Shi''er snorted coldly in his heart, maintaining an exceptionally calm demeanor.


    He knew very well that this was a cruel world. To survive, he had to remain vigilant at all times.


    Only when Master White Bone''s body turned to ash and dispersed did he finally let out a long breath.


    With a wave of his hand, he collected the storage bag that had fallen from Master White Bone, as well as the six White Bone Swords that had flown into the air and landed on the ground.


    It was hard to say how much was in Master White Bone''s storage bag, but these six White Bone Swords were all top-grade ritual artifacts.


    As for how these White Bone Swords came to be, he didn''t care.


    Without rushing to check the storage bag, after finishing these tasks, Su Shi''er quickly turned to look at Xiao Yue.


    "Sister, how are you feeling?"


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    At this moment, Xiao Yue was dumbfounded, still immersed in shock.


    Shi''er... actually killed Master White Bone?!


    Unbelievable, but the facts were right in front of her, forcing her to believe.


    Hearing his voice, she finally came back to her senses, "Don''t worry, I..."


    As she spoke, black energy appeared on her face, and she spat out a mouthful of black blood.


    "Sister!" Su Shi''er called out, clearly sensing a sinister evil aura surrounding her.


    With a furrowed brow, he held the Yuanyang Ruler and gently pointed.


    A beam of Yuanyang golden light shot out, instantly purging the evil aura from Xiao Yue''s body.


    Her body suddenly felt lighter, and Xiao Yue quickly took out a Healing Pill, crushed it into powder, and sprinkled it on her waist wound.


    "Shi''er, thank you so much! If it weren''t for you today, Han Yu and I would have surely died!" Staring at Su Shi''er, Xiao Yue said gratefully.


    At this moment, her gratitude towards Su Shi''er was beyond words.


    "Sister, we''re fellow disciples, no need to thank me. How could I stand by and watch when you''re in danger?" Su Shi''er grinned slightly.


    Facing Su Shi''er''s smile, Xiao Yue felt an unusual sense of peace.


    Her gaze then fell on Han Yu, who lay motionless, and her pupils shrank, "Hmm? Junior Brother Han Yu?!"


    "Don''t worry, sister, he''s just lost too much blood and passed out."


    Su Shi''er smiled calmly, pointing the Yuanyang Ruler again, releasing another beam of Yuanyang golden light.


    Under the golden light, the evil aura on Han Yu quickly dissipated. However, he remained unconscious on the ground.


    Seeing this, Su Shi''er pulled out the Astonishing Rainbow Sword embedded in him and performed a simple treatment on his wounds.


    With Master White Bone already defeated, he didn''t mind saving one more person.


    After quickly finishing these tasks, he turned and handed the Astonishing Rainbow Sword to Xiao Yue, saying:


    "His injuries are severe. He''ll probably need some time to recover once we return."


    "Yes! As long as he''s okay!"


    "I can''t believe your cultivation realm has reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining stage!"


    Xiao Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief. Han Yu was her grandfather''s most valued disciple and the recognized hope of Luofu Peak.


    If something happened to him, it would greatly affect the entire Luofu Peak.


    Quickly calming herself, she looked at Su Shi''er with an incredibly surprised gaze.


    Feeling the powerful spiritual power emanating from Su Shi''er, she was filled with endless amazement.


    The once-dismissed mixed spirit root had unknowingly grown to such a level?!


    Her long, beautiful eyelashes trembled slightly, and her bright, watery eyes sparkled like stars.


    At this moment, she had so many questions in her mind.


    Taking a deep breath, she quickly asked, "Shi''er, if I''m not mistaken, you must have concealed your cultivation earlier, right?"


    Su Shi''er immediately nodded, having prepared for this question, he smiled calmly and said:


    "During the trial, I accidentally consumed a golden fruit. Unexpectedly, my cultivation surged, reaching the peak of the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage by the end of the trial."


    "However, sister, you know my spirit root aptitude is poor. If this gets out, it will surely cause a lot of trouble."


    "Therefore, I''ve been deliberately suppressing my cultivation aura. In the days to come, I ask that you continue to keep this secret for me!"


    At the end, Su Shi''er clasped his hands together, pleading with Xiao Yue.


    Xiao Yue listened with wide eyes.


    A golden fruit? Could it be the legendary Golden Saint Fruit?


    That''s incredibly lucky!


    But the problem is, while cultivation can be explained by consuming a rare spiritual fruit, what about such rich and seasoned combat experience?


    Thinking of this, Xiao Yue blinked, not fully believing Su Shi''er''s words.


    But she could also see that Su Shi''er was unwilling to say more, so she didn''t press further.


    In her view, Su Shi''er, with a cultivation lower than Master White Bone''s, was willing to risk danger to save her, which already spoke volumes about his character.


    Her thoughts quickly turned, and Xiao Yue nodded, "I never expected your fortune to be so profound. Rest assured, I will keep this matter a secret for you."


    "Oh... by the way, I haven''t had the chance to ask, how did you end up here?"


    Su Shi''er shrugged and smiled, "I came here with Zhu Hanwei on a mission to investigate the situation with the Seven Mysteries Sect. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be related to the evil cultivator you were targeting!"


    "Zhu Hanwei? He came too?" Xiao Yue was greatly surprised. In her impression, Zhu Hanwei''s strength wasn''t remarkable either.


    Could it be that Zhu Hanwei also had some fortuitous encounter?


    Su Shi''er nodded with a smile, not explaining further, and cast a glance toward a distant rockery.


    "Sister Xiao Yue, I''m over here!"


    From behind the rockery, Zhu Hanwei waved his arm vigorously, trembling as he emerged.


    Earlier, seeing Su Shi''er injured, he was truly frightened, and his legs were still weak.


    Now, seeing Master White Bone dead with not even ashes left, his admiration for Su Shi''er grew even more.


    Xiao Yue saw Zhu Hanwei''s state and smiled slightly, immediately realizing he must have come along to make up the numbers.


    "Yes!" Smiling at Zhu Hanwei, Xiao Yue thought for a moment, then took out a mission token and handed it to Su Shi''er, "Shi''er, this is for you."


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 Chapter 67 - Inventory of Harvest, Mysterious Leaves

    "The mission to eliminate the evil cultivator?" Su Shi''er was taken aback.


    In the Cloud Song Sect, anyone who carries a mission token and a token of proof can submit the task and receive a reward.


    Xiao Yue smiled sweetly and said, "Since you killed Master White Bone, this mission should be credited to you."


    "Sister, we''re fellow disciples and friends, there''s no need for this between us!" Su Shi''er quickly shook his head in refusal.


    The task of eliminating the evil cultivator was worth a hundred sect contribution points.


    Su Shi''er was somewhat tempted; if it were a fellow disciple he wasn''t close to, he would have accepted it.


    But Xiao Yue had always taken good care of him, so from the start, he hadn''t expected any reward!


    Xiao Yue''s eyes sparkled with a smile as she continued, "Since you mentioned friendship, then you should definitely accept this!"


    "The Five Element Spirit Beads are very important to you, and you''re surely eager to exchange them. Consider the contribution points from this mission as my sponsorship or a loan to you."


    "Isn''t it natural for friends to help each other?"


    As she finished speaking, Xiao Yue tilted her head, blinking her bright eyes, her smile as radiant as a flower.


    "Alright, in that case, I''ll accept it."


    Su Shi''er was somewhat entranced, as Xiao Yue''s beauty was entirely different from Shen Miaoyin''s.


    Shen Miaoyin was cold, noble, and mysterious, while Xiao Yue was like a kind and warm-hearted girl next door, making people feel as if they were bathed in the spring breeze.


    Nodding, Su Shi''er didn''t insist on refusing.


    Well, he thought, he could make it up to her in other ways in the future.


    With that in mind, he accepted the mission token.


    After some thought, he smiled and said, "Sister, now that the mission is over, I''m planning to return to the sect. Why don''t we travel together? It''ll be good to have someone to look out for each other on the way."


    "Yes, I was thinking the same!" Xiao Yue nodded eagerly.


    She had been planning to suggest the same to Su Shi''er.


    The journey from Linnan City to the Cloud Song Sect was long, and her injuries hadn''t fully healed, not to mention the severely injured and unconscious Han Yu.


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    Even if there weren''t any ill-intentioned cultivators on the road, encountering some formidable demonic beasts would be quite challenging!


    But with Su Shi''er accompanying her, the situation would be vastly different.


    She had witnessed Su Shi''er''s strength firsthand, and it was nothing short of astonishing.


    However, there was a subtle difference between her suggesting it and Su Shi''er bringing it up first.


    At this moment, she felt that Su Shi''er was truly considerate in everything he did, and her fondness for him grew even more.


    "Zhu Hanwei, go into the city and find two carriages. At first light, we''ll set off for the Cloud Song Sect."


    Seeing Xiao Yue agree, Su Shi''er wasted no time and immediately instructed Zhu Hanwei.


    After speaking, he turned his head, intentionally or unintentionally glancing at the highest pavilion of the Lin Mansion.


    Inside the pavilion, a graceful figure was gazing at him with grateful eyes.


    Lin Qiao''er had been chosen by Master White Bone as a disciple in name, but in reality, she was selected as a furnace.


    Even though she didn''t understand cultivation, she knew the other party had ill intentions.


    Now that Master White Bone was dead, she was finally free.


    When her eyes met Su Shi''er''s, she mouthed a silent expression of gratitude.


    Su Shi''er didn''t intend to say much to her, only confirming if there were any other potential dangers. Then, he sat cross-legged on the ground and began to meditate.


    The battle with Master White Bone had consumed a lot of his True Essence.


    Zhu Hanwei, on the other hand, was energized and dashed out of the Lin Mansion.


    The next morning, the group of four boarded the carriages and left the Lin Mansion, heading towards the Cloud Song Sect.


    Su Shi''er and Xiao Yue shared a carriage!


    However, Xiao Yue was injured, and having previously pushed the Astonishing Rainbow Sword to its limits, both her True Essence and energy were greatly depleted.


    With Su Shi''er by her side, she finally felt completely at ease. As soon as she got into the carriage, she lay down and fell into a deep sleep.


    In her sleep, Xiao Yue''s face was peaceful, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a faint maiden''s fragrance filled the carriage.


    Su Shi''er turned his head slightly, unable to resist taking a few more glances.


    At this time, he was just beginning to understand feelings, and he didn''t have many thoughts, only finding her pleasant to look at, so he looked a few more times.


    To him, being with Xiao Yue was entirely different from being with Shen Miaoyin in terms of mood and state.


    After a few glances, he sat upright and took out the Sinister Wind Pearl.


    The Sinister Wind Pearl was now dim, with less than a tenth of the black sand remaining inside.


    "Corrosive Sand? From what Master White Bone said earlier, this Corrosive Sand seems to have quite a background."


    "Unfortunately, the amount of Corrosive Sand is too little, and it decreases with each use. Judging by this, it might only be usable one more time before it''s depleted."


    Su Shi''er shook his head in distress, then looked at the Ice Shield, which now had a small finger-sized hole, but fortunately, the magical light was still intact, and despite the flaw, it was still usable.


    Next, he took out Master White Bone''s belongings and began to inventory them.


    Master White Bone didn''t have much on him, aside from six White Bone Swords and a White Bone Dagger, there was just a pile of ordinary first-grade materials.


    His possessions were not even as abundant as Su Shi''er''s.


    "Alas! Who would have thought that Master White Bone was such a pauper! But then again, he was reborn through body possession, so any good items he had were probably taken by the Peak Lord of the Seventh Peak."


    With a helpless sigh, Su Shi''er took out the White Bone Swords and the White Bone Dagger to examine them.


    "These six White Bone Swords and the White Bone Dagger are quite extraordinary. Although the White Bone Swords are damaged, it''s not a big problem; they can be restored with some nurturing using Spiritual Power!"


    "Refining swords with bones is indeed evil, but this was Master White Bone''s doing, not mine! And those wraiths in the bones perished with Master White Bone in the end, avenging themselves."


    "I would never do such a thing, but using these ritual artifacts as a backup isn''t an issue!"


    With these thoughts, Su Shi''er calmly placed these evil aura-filled treasures into his storage ring.


    For a cultivator, using evil aura artifacts could easily lead to misunderstandings and could also harm one''s own mind.


    But Su Shi''er didn''t care about these things. To him, whether it was a treasure of pure yang or an evil cultivator''s treasure, it didn''t matter.


    As long as it could enhance his strength, that was enough.


    The Great Elder, although he hadn''t taken any other actions, felt like a sword hanging over his head, making him feel very insecure.


    Only by possessing great strength could he resolve crises and avenge his grandfather and the villagers.


    Gritting his teeth, Su Shi''er''s eyes were exceptionally determined.


    Then he gently shook his head and put the rest of Master White Bone''s materials into the storage bag.


    Although these materials were ordinary, even a mosquito is meat.


    "Huh... what''s this?"


    Just as he was about to withdraw his consciousness from the storage ring, he suddenly noticed a gray leaf among the pile of materials.


    The leaf was no more than an inch long, with no trace of Spiritual Power. It looked dull and ordinary, like a mundane object.


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 Chapter 68 - Bloodthirsty Demon Devourer, Sword Bone, Sword Bone Formation

    Su Shi''er found it strange. If it were truly an ordinary item, why would Master White Bone keep it in his collection?


    With a thought, he quickly took out the leaf.


    Holding it in his hand, it felt as light as a feather.


    After examining it for a moment and finding nothing unusual, Su Shi''er attempted to infuse it with True Essence.


    However, when the True Essence touched the leaf, there was no reaction at all, not even a sign of absorption.


    "Could it really be just an ordinary leaf?"


    Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow, a flash of insight crossing his mind. He gathered his True Essence and used the Heavenly Eye technique to take another look.


    "Hmm? Are there words on it?"


    Upon closer inspection, he immediately noticed something peculiar. The leaf was covered in tiny script, smaller than ants.


    Su Shi''er quickly examined it closely, and after reading through it, he gasped in shock, his expression one of utter astonishment.


    The leaf contained three secret techniques of demonic cultivation: the Bloodthirsty Demon Devouring Scripture, the Sword Bone Forging Technique, and the Sword Bone Formation!


    The Bloodthirsty Demon Devouring Scripture was a cultivation technique with methods from the Qi Refining stage to the Foundation Establishment stage. As the name suggests, it involved devouring the essence blood of living beings to rapidly enhance one''s cultivation.


    The Sword Bone Forging Technique used the bones of living creatures as the main material, combined with special secret methods, to forge a White Bone Sword. The stronger the creature was in life, the higher the grade of the forged White Bone Sword.


    If the bones of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator or demonic beast were used, it might even be possible to forge a legendary Spiritual Artifact.


    Lastly, the Sword Bone Formation was a technique to arrange formations using White Bone Swords to fend off enemies. The higher the quality and quantity of the White Bone Swords, the more powerful the formation.


    Holding the gray leaf, Su Shi''er sat in the carriage, his mind racing with information about these secret techniques, momentarily lost in thought.


    "So this is what they call demonic cultivation techniques? Consuming blood and dismantling bones at every turn, it''s truly cruel!"


    "According to this technique, the target for devouring can also be the essence blood of demonic beasts. And for forging sword bones, demonic beast bones can also be used."


    Su Shi''er pondered silently, his heart pounding with excitement, his breathing becoming rapid.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He knew that in his storage ring lay the corpse of a mid-second-tier demonic beast, the Fire Cloud Python.


    If he could use this technique to devour the Fire Cloud Python''s essence blood, his cultivation would surely improve significantly.


    And if he could forge a bone sword from the Fire Cloud Python''s bones, even if he couldn''t create a Spiritual Artifact, he could achieve the level of a pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.


    Such temptation was immense for Su Shi''er.


    But he was also aware of the enormous risks.


    "Although this technique can rapidly enhance cultivation and strength, it greatly affects a cultivator''s mindset. Especially when targeting demonic beasts, the pain endured is immense."


    "If one''s mindset falters, at best, they become a fool; at worst, they perish. No wonder... no wonder most demonic cultivators are so extreme in temperament."


    Silently contemplating the information from the techniques, Su Shi''er''s emotions gradually cooled.


    "No, this technique is too sinister. It''s best not to practice it lightly. Besides, now is not the time."


    "As for the Sword Bone Forging Technique, it doesn''t have much impact. However, my materials are mainly Spirit Plants, so I''ll need to find some other materials."


    "For now, I should focus on mastering the Sword Bone Formation."


    Having made up his mind, Su Shi''er wasted no time, closing his eyes and silently recalling all the information about the Sword Bone Formation.


    The carriage rumbled along, and the journey was uneventful.


    Occasionally, some demonic beasts blocked the way, but Su Shi''er easily dispatched them.


    In no time, the group of four returned to the vicinity of the Cloud Song Sect.


    At this moment, Han Yu also awoke.


    The first thing he did upon waking was to express his gratitude to Su Shi''er. However, facing Su Shi''er, he couldn''t help but feel uneasy.


    He had always been considered a prodigy in the sect, yet he was surpassed by a disciple with a Mixed Spirit Root. It felt like a joke.


    However, upon hearing from Xiao Yue that Su Shi''er might have consumed the legendary Supreme Treasure, the Golden Saint Fruit, he felt somewhat relieved. After all, a person might get lucky once or twice, but not every time.


    Confident in his Spirit Root aptitude and mindset, he believed it wouldn''t take long to surpass Su Shi''er.


    With this thought, he felt at ease.


    Unaware and unconcerned with Han Yu''s thoughts, Su Shi''er focused on his tasks.


    Aside from dealing with demonic beasts, he constantly practiced the Minor Zhou Tian Concealment Technique, keeping his cultivation at the third level of the Qi Refining stage.


    Soon, the carriage sped into the Cloud Song Sect''s mountain gate.


    Upon returning, Su Shi''er immediately parted ways with Xiao Yue and Han Yu, taking Zhu Hanwei to the mission hall to submit their task.


    As usual, the Seven Mysteries Sect''s mission rewards included a share for Zhu Hanwei.


    However, Zhu Hanwei, being quite astute, had already learned from Xiao Yue that Su Shi''er needed contribution points.


    After submitting the task, before Su Shi''er could speak, Zhu Hanwei declined his share of contribution points, claiming he hadn''t contributed much.


    Su Shi''er was happy to oblige and generously shared some Pill Medicine with him. For Zhu Hanwei, cultivation resources were more valuable than contribution points.


    In the days that followed, Su Shi''er focused on cultivation and completing various tasks at the mission hall.


    Most of the time, he worked alone, occasionally teaming up with Zhu Hanwei.


    He left the management of the Discarded Pill Room entirely to Zhu Hanwei.


    Since the trial ended, he hadn''t visited the Discarded Pill Room once, nor had he used the mysterious Pill Furnace he had hidden there.


    He kept a low profile, unnoticed by anyone inside or outside the sect.


    Even the attention he garnered during the newcomer trial gradually faded with time.


    One day, in a red maple forest a hundred miles north of the Cloud Song Sect.


    Su Shi''er stood leaning on his sword, drenched in sweat, panting heavily.


    Around him lay the corpses of three high-level demonic beasts, the Scarlet Flame Wolves.


    "Phew... With my current strength, dealing with three high-level demonic beasts at once is still quite challenging."


    "Fortunately, the contribution points rewarded for this task are substantial. Otherwise, it would have been a huge loss!"


    Glancing at the bleeding wound on his body, Su Shi''er smirked, revealing a satisfied smile.


    Over the past six months, his cultivation hadn''t improved much, but he had accumulated a substantial amount of contribution points through relentless task completion.


    "Once I submit this task, I''ll have enough to exchange for the remaining four Spirit Beads!"


    Su Shi''er muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the Scarlet Flame Wolves before taking a deep breath and collecting the demonic beast corpses.


    After clearing the battlefield, he immediately headed back to the sect.


    Thinking about soon acquiring the Five Element Spirit Beads, which would grant him cultivation speed comparable to a Mid Grade Spirit Root, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement.


    He employed the Wind Summoning technique, riding the wind with a light heart.


    On his way back.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind reached his ears, startling Su Shi''er. A strong sense of danger arose, causing his hair to stand on end.


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 Chapter 69 - A world where the strong prey on the weak

    In the next second, Su Shi''er''s pupils suddenly contracted.


    Dozens of massive fireballs came hurtling from all directions.


    These fireballs were incredibly fast, appearing without any warning, giving him no chance to react.


    "Not good!"


    Su Shi''er inwardly exclaimed that something was amiss. Without a second thought, he summoned the wind, transforming into a whirlwind that carried him upward, soaring into the sky.


    "Boom!"


    In the next second, a loud explosion erupted.


    A shocking storm of spiritual power swept across the area.


    While in mid-air, Su Shi''er looked down and felt his scalp tingle, his eyelids twitching wildly.


    If he had been hit by such an attack, he would undoubtedly have died!


    "Who is it that ambushed me in this place?!"


    "Luckily, I was cautious enough; otherwise, I wouldn''t even know how I died!"


    Thoughts raced through his mind, and Su Shi''er didn''t dare waste any time. As soon as he dodged the attack, his figure drifted away into the distance.


    Before landing, he stepped on the trees in the forest, sprinting in the direction away from the Cloud Song Sect.


    He knew very well that such a massive attack from all directions was impossible for just one person to execute.


    No matter who the opponent was, the best strategy at this moment was to escape!


    And since the opponent set up an ambush here, any ordinary disciple encountering danger would think of seeking help from the sect.


    But since these people came with the determination to kill him, there''s no guarantee they wouldn''t have arranged others behind them.


    The best solution was to get far away from the sect!


    As Su Shi''er fled, more than a dozen figures emerged from the forest.


    The leading blue-robed cultivator with a square face looked surprised and said, "What? Wasn''t it said that this kid was just a Qi Refining stage three novice? How is he at Qi Refining stage seven?!"


    "No wonder Senior Brother Ye insisted we all come together; he must have known this guy''s strength was unusual!"The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The square-faced blue-robed cultivator muttered, staring at Su Shi''er''s retreating figure without hurriedly giving chase.


    Beside him, a round-faced, chubby cultivator sneered, "Hmph! This kid has been completing various tasks for half a year, many of which are obviously impossible for someone at Qi Refining stage three to accomplish."


    "Anyone could tell there''s something fishy going on! Lu Tao, your reaction is too slow, isn''t it?!"


    "You fatso, are you looking for trouble?!" The square-faced cultivator glared, shouting irritably.


    "Don''t, I don''t have time to bicker with you!" The round-faced chubby cultivator rolled his eyes, shrugged, and said, "Isn''t this kid like a rabbit, running so fast?!"


    "Tch, can he escape? Senior Brother Ye, with his brilliant strategy, has already led Zhu Wenqi and others to wait for him in the direction away from the sect!" The square-faced blue-robed cultivator sneered, his eyes flashing with confidence.


    "Senior Brother Ye''s cunning is indeed impressive, worthy of being the Peak Lord''s disciple."


    "But, are you sure you don''t want to hurry and chase? If you delay Senior Brother Ye''s plans, you won''t have a good outcome!" The round-faced chubby cultivator squinted, speaking indifferently.


    Only then did the square-faced blue-robed cultivator say, "You''re right, let''s not waste time. Quickly catch up to avoid any changes in the situation!"


    With that, the two walked side by side, leading people to chase after Su Shi''er.


    Unaware of what was happening behind him, Su Shi''er faced the sudden ambush without daring to be careless. He expended nearly half of his True Essence in one breath, leaping and bounding, already hundreds of meters away.


    He didn''t dare to exhaust all his True Essence in one go, quickly landing and using the Shadowless Phantom Steps to hurry on.


    However, just as he landed.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    In the forest, dozens of ice spikes came hurtling towards him.


    "Not good! I''ve encountered an opponent!"


    Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, immediately realizing that his caution had still fallen into the opponent''s calculations.


    Without thinking, he flung a handful of defensive talismans while simultaneously activating the Ice Shield in front of him.


    Walls of earth, stone, and ice formed in front of him, but were shattered in an instant.


    However, this round of attacks was clearly not as intense as before.


    The ice spike attacks met the Ice Shield and dissipated in the explosion of spiritual power.


    Then, a strange fragrance wafted over, and thirteen disciples at Qi Refining stage six and seven appeared, quickly surrounding Su Shi''er.


    "It''s him?!"


    Su Shi''er''s pupils contracted as he immediately looked at the person directly in front of him.


    That person wore a red robe with mysterious cloud-patterned sleeves, beneath slender phoenix eyes lay two cold, arrogant thin lips.


    His arrogance was like an unsheathed treasured sword.


    It was none other than the inner sect genius of Heavenly Splendor Peak, Ye Liangchuan.


    "Ye Liangchuan, what do you mean by this?" Su Shi''er stared at him, immediately asking.


    Ye Liangchuan looked indifferent, expressionless as he snorted at Su Shi''er, "What do I mean? You stole from our Heavenly Splendor Peak, and you ask me what I mean?"


    Beside him, a man standing eight feet tall, with a jade-like face and delicate features, coldly snorted, glaring at Su Shi''er, "Kid, hand over all your resources, and considering we''re from the same sect, we might spare your life. Otherwise... today, you have no way out but death!"


    This man, clearly handsome, wore a floral-patterned long robe, painted red lips, and held a delicate orchid gesture, appearing extremely enchanting and sinister.


    The unusually strong fragrance emanated from this person!


    Su Shi''er frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over this person, his heart highly alert.


    Among these people, aside from Ye Liangchuan, this person gave him a sense of danger, like a venomous scorpion.


    However, he ignored this person, still locking eyes with Ye Liangchuan.


    "Steal from your Heavenly Splendor Peak? In the newcomer trial, it''s all about skill and opportunity! Heavenly Splendor Peak is the largest peak in Cloud Song Sect, and yet... you can''t afford to lose?" Su Shi''er sneered, retorting unceremoniously.


    As he spoke, his eyes darted rapidly, looking for an opportunity to escape.


    He wouldn''t believe their nonsense; even if he handed over his resources, with so many people here, how could they possibly let him go?!


    "Can''t afford to lose? You''re quite the sharp-tongued fellow, even more cunning than your Luofu Peak''s genius, Han Yu, knowing how to hide your strength and keep a low profile!"


    "But... this is a world where the strong prey on the weak. No matter how much you say, it won''t change your situation today!"


    "Since you''re determined to die, I can only fulfill your wish."


    Ye Liangchuan looked down at Su Shi''er with an expressionless face, his gaze condescending.


    With a wave of his hand, a fiery red longsword appeared in his hand.


    The longsword shimmered with golden light, its brilliance dazzling, clearly a top-grade ritual artifact of excellent quality.


    With the sword in hand, the blade vibrated and hummed incessantly.


    In the air, an invisible sword intent was released, enveloping Su Shi''er overwhelmingly.


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 Chapter 70 - Ultimate move, Exploding Sword Bone

    The power is overwhelming! Is this the strength of someone at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage?


    Feeling this aura, Su Shi''er was shaken to his core, as if he were trapped in a quagmire, unable to move. He couldn''t help but silently curse his luck.


    He hadn''t felt this way even when facing Master White Bone earlier.


    Facing an opponent two realms higher, he didn''t think he stood a chance.


    "Senior Brother Ye, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? This kid is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. I, Zhu Wenqi, can handle him alone!"


    Before Ye Liangchuan could make a move, a man dressed in strange clothes with painted red lips suddenly spoke, pinching his fingers in a delicate gesture and flashing a wicked smile.


    "Hmm? Not good!"


    Almost at the same time the man spoke, Su Shi''er felt a jolt in his heart, his eyelids twitching wildly. Without thinking, he immediately cast Wind Summoning on himself, sliding half a zhang to the side.


    "Whoosh!"


    At the same time, a sound of something breaking through the air came from beside him, but he saw nothing in front of him.


    "Good kid, your reaction is quite fast."


    Zhu Wenqi squinted, his eyes flashing with cold light, surprised that his sneak attack had been detected.


    "Hmph! Let''s see how long you can dodge!"


    With a snort, he flicked his ten fingers lightly in the air.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    In the air, streaks of cold light flashed, and only then did Su Shi''er notice that they were ten needle-like ritual artifacts, woven into a net by silk threads.


    These artifacts were not of high grade, just mid-grade, but they were extremely insidious. Used well, they could exert the power of a High Grade Ritual Artifact or even stronger.


    Squinting his eyes, Su Shi''er didn''t hesitate to activate the blood light shield, urging the Ice Shield to protect himself.


    With the Silver Light Sword in hand, he continuously swung it, slashing out streaks of Sword Light to repel the flying needles in the air.


    However, the needles were nimble and swift, making it hard for him to keep up.


    Knowing that prolonged combat would be disadvantageous, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but feel anxious. Gritting his teeth, he decisively activated the Sinister Wind Pearl, releasing the remaining Corrosive Sand.


    "Whoosh, whoosh!"


    A gust of sinister wind arose, swirling around him.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The flying needles, as they shuttled through the wind, collided with the Corrosive Sand, producing a series of clanging sounds.


    "Damn it! What is this thing?"


    Zhu Wenqi, who was controlling the needle artifacts, suddenly changed his expression, exclaiming in surprise as he hurriedly withdrew the needles.


    Looking at the now dull needles in his hand, his face darkened, his expression so grim it seemed water could drip from it.


    "Hmm?" Ye Liangchuan''s gaze turned cold, and he turned to the others with a snort, "Hmph! What are you standing around for? Attack together!"


    Hearing the command, the others quickly activated their swords.


    In an instant, dozens of Sword Lights crisscrossed in the air, enveloping Su Shi''er with lightning speed.


    "This is bad, I must escape quickly!"


    Su Shi''er''s heart raced, pounding in his throat, a sense of urgency overwhelming him.


    Just Ye Liangchuan alone made him feel a prickling sensation on his back.


    And now, with so many capable disciples joining in.


    With so many powerful attacks, a single misstep could lead to his demise.


    No time to think, he took a deep breath, his expression darkening as he raised his hand, swiftly retrieving six White Bone Swords.


    With a forceful throw, he spat a mouthful of True Essence onto the White Bone Swords.


    Instantly, the White Bone Swords shone brilliantly, hovering in the air.


    At this moment, Su Shi''er felt as if the True Essence within him was flowing out like a flood through a broken dam.


    Gritting his teeth, his eyes flashed with a thousand cold lights.


    His hands danced wildly, leaving afterimages as he formed an incredibly complex hand seal.


    The six White Bone Swords spun rapidly, flying around Su Shi''er, instantly shattering the incoming attacks.


    Then, a chilling Evil Aura enveloped the entire area.


    "What? This guy actually has six Top Grade Ritual Artifact Flying Swords? Are you kidding me!"


    "What kind of artifact is this? Its aura is so sinister and eerie. This guy, could he be an evil cultivator?"


    "Hmph! So what if he''s an evil cultivator? With so many of us working together, as long as he''s not a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he''s dead today."


    ...


    Feeling the Evil Aura, the cultivators present all changed their expressions drastically.


    Many cultivators had a natural fear of evil cultivators.


    In the center, Ye Liangchuan''s gaze turned cold, and with a snort, he urged his True Essence, causing the Flying Sword in his hand to shine brightly.


    A dazzling, scorching Sword Light shot into the sky, carrying a whirlwind as it surged towards Su Shi''er.


    With Ye Liangchuan''s attack, the other cultivators in the field also unleashed their ultimate moves.


    In an instant, the sky was filled with killing intent, like a rolling tide, seemingly about to engulf Su Shi''er.


    Su Shi''er wasn''t too worried about the others'' attacks, but Ye Liangchuan''s sword alone made his hair stand on end, causing his breath to catch.


    "No, I can''t take this sword head-on, it will be deadly! I must end this quickly and escape immediately!"


    A strong sense of crisis washed over him, and he made a decisive decision, biting his tongue and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the six White Bone Swords.


    With the addition of his blood essence, the White Bone Swords'' power surged dramatically.


    With a whoosh, they shot towards Ye Liangchuan and the others like arrows leaving the bowstring.


    "Hmph! Trying to fight to the death? I think you''re courting death!"


    Ye Liangchuan snorted coldly, pouring his True Essence into his Flying Sword.


    Instantly, over ten Sword Lights flew around him, forming a massive sword curtain.


    Seeing Su Shi''er going all out, Ye Liangchuan''s lips curled into a slight smile, a gleam of pride in his eyes.


    He was confident in his calculations.


    After all, he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and a disciple of the Heavenly Splendor Peak Lord.


    Dealing with someone at the seventh level of Qi Refining should be a piece of cake, right?


    But Su Shi''er was determined to leave, and this move was not so simple.


    "Explode!" Su Shi''er gritted his teeth and shouted in a deep voice.


    He knew there was no time to waste, and his move was the strongest of the Sword Bone Formation, the Exploding Sword Bone!


    This was a desperate move, the essence of which was to detonate all the bone swords, delivering a fatal blow to the opponent.


    Gazing at the six White Bone Swords before him, Su Shi''er felt a pang of heartache.


    These were six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts!


    But to leave quickly, he had no choice.


    The six White Bone Swords trembled violently, then exploded with a thunderous roar.


    An incredibly terrifying Spiritual Power storm swept towards Ye Liangchuan and the others.


    "Not good, retreat quickly!"


    "Damn it, what kind of attack is this?!"


    "Ah..."


    As the Spiritual Power storm erupted, the cultivators'' faces changed drastically.


    Each one either dodged or defended.


    Especially Ye Liangchuan at the forefront, whose face turned ashen.


    Damn it!


    Who is this guy?


    How does he have so many Top Grade Ritual Artifacts, and such a terrifying attack?!


    Even he felt the pressure of destruction from this move.


    No, he couldn''t take it head-on!


    Ye Liangchuan made a swift decision, his figure flickering as he dodged to the side.


    But Su Shi''er''s strongest attack, at the cost of six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts, wasn''t something that could be easily evaded.


    The horrifying Spiritual Power storm was earth-shattering, like the apocalypse descending.


    Ye Liangchuan couldn''t dodge in time, about to be engulfed by this destructive force.


    At the brink of life and death, Ye Liangchuan''s gaze turned cold, and his figure flickered as he moved behind Zhu Wenqi.


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 Chapter 71 - Ah, no! Quick, catch me!

    "Senior Brother Ye, you..."


    A surge of True Essence rushed into his back, and Zhu Wenqi turned around in shock to look at Ye Liangchuan.


    Before he could finish speaking, his own True Essence was triggered, frantically dissipating, turning him into a human shield.


    "Ah~"


    A piercing scream echoed, and in the next second, he was swallowed by the astonishing storm of Spiritual Power.


    "Poof!"


    Under the storm of Spiritual Power, Zhu Wenqi felt as if thousands of swords were piercing his body, the pain was unbearable.


    His eyes widened in despair, regret, unwillingness, and a myriad of complex emotions surged in his heart at that moment.


    At that moment, he regretted it immensely.


    He had volunteered to come here, thinking that following Ye Liangchuan would give him a chance to earn merit. But he never expected that at the critical moment, he would become the sacrificial pawn.


    He never thought that death would come so suddenly!


    Zhu Wenqi''s body trembled and was then torn apart by the incredible energy, shattered into pieces.


    He wasn''t the only one to die; three other disciples on either side also perished instantly under the impact of the Spiritual Power.


    The remaining few reacted quickly, realizing the situation was dire, and dodged away, now standing in a daze at a distance.


    Ye Liangchuan was not in good shape either, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his proud posture bent.


    Although he used Zhu Wenqi as a meat shield to block most of the energy impact at the critical moment, he was still injured.


    Su Shi''er didn''t feel well either; that strike had drained almost all his mental energy. At this moment, he appeared visibly exhausted.


    Staring at Ye Liangchuan, he raised his hand and drew out the Silver Light Sword, intending to finish off the culprit in front of him.


    But just then.


    Suddenly, his ears twitched.


    Behind him, more than ten figures were also pursuing him at this moment, each launching attacks before even getting close.


    "Not good! Retreat!"


    Su Shi''er''s expression changed instantly, decisively abandoning his attack, leaping into the air, and continuing to flee into the distance.


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    With the Shadowless Phantom Steps and Wind Summoning, he quickly left Ye Liangchuan and the others far behind.


    In the forest, with the simultaneous detonation of six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts, the ground was devastated, countless giant trees toppled, and the earth was scraped bare for a hundred meters around.


    "Senior Brother Ye... what... what happened here?"


    The square-faced cultivator in blue and the others who had pursued him were shocked by the scene before them, stunned on the spot.


    "Such an attack could only be caused by fully activating Spiritual Artifacts, right?!"


    The square-faced cultivator in blue scanned the area, seeing only fragments scattered everywhere, muttering in fear.


    He knew that Ye Liangchuan initially planned to ambush with him here.


    If it were him, he would have lost his life under such an attack.


    Ye Liangchuan''s face was so dark it seemed like water could drip from it, gritting his teeth, he said hatefully, "Hmph! That kid detonated six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts!"


    "Hiss!"


    At these words, the square-faced cultivator in blue and the round-faced fat cultivator gasped.


    "What? Six... six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts?"


    "Is that kid really that wealthy?"


    "Senior Brother Ye, should we... should we continue the chase?"


    The round-faced fat cultivator frowned, speaking with a stutter in surprise.


    For ordinary formal disciples like them, having one High Grade Ritual Artifact was already considered quite good.


    Ye Liangchuan squinted his eyes, filled with killing intent.


    Beneath the killing intent, there was also an undeniable greed.


    Even he only had one Top Grade Ritual Artifact.


    But that kid, he detonated six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts in one attack?


    That kid is definitely not simple! Could it be... he found some ancient cultivator''s relic?


    Ye Liangchuan speculated wildly, and once this thought appeared, it grew rapidly like a vine.


    If earlier, his actions against Su Shi''er were for resources and dissatisfaction, now he had a very important reason.


    With a snort, he said coldly, "Hmph, why panic! Top Grade Ritual Artifacts aren''t cabbages on the ground. Detonating six at once, that kid probably only has the Yuanyang Ruler given by the Great Elder left."


    "He absolutely can''t launch such an attack again!"


    "Keep chasing! Don''t forget, he still has a lot of Spirit Plant resources on him."


    Ye Liangchuan''s face was indifferent as he ordered coldly.


    After speaking, he decisively led his men to continue the pursuit.


    Seven days later.


    In a cave in the wilderness, Su Shi''er sat quietly in meditation, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes.


    He was cautious, fleeing for two whole days until he was sure he had shaken off Ye Liangchuan and the others, then found this cave to recuperate.


    "I never thought, despite being so low-key and cautious, I''d still be targeted!"


    "Six Top Grade Ritual Artifacts, and my precious Sinister Wind Pearl, all destroyed in one night. Ye Liangchuan, I, Su Shi''er, will remember this grudge."


    Su Shi''er muttered angrily to himself, then got up and walked outside the cave.


    As soon as he stepped out, he instinctively looked up at the sky, frowning.


    Ever since the trial ended, every time he left the Cloud Song Sect, he felt like he was being watched. Because of this, he remained vigilant and cautious at all times, no matter the situation.


    At first, he thought it was people from the Seven Mysteries Sect.


    But Master White Bone had long been dead, his bones turned to dust, so it couldn''t be him.


    As for Ye Liangchuan and the others, that was a possibility, but Su Shi''er thought it unlikely.


    "Could it be... some ghostly thing is secretly following me? But why can''t I detect any trace of it no matter how I probe?"


    "Forget it, the urgent task is to quickly improve my cultivation."


    "With Ye Liangchuan and the others eyeing me, I can''t return to the Cloud Song Sect for now! So, how should I enhance my strength now?"


    Su Shi''er squinted his eyes, walking through the wilderness, his mind constantly contemplating his next steps.


    Returning to the Cloud Song Sect was a must; the Five Element Spirit Beads could enhance his Spirit Root aptitude and couldn''t be lost.


    But right now, Ye Liangchuan''s threat was more immediate than the Great Elder''s.


    With insufficient strength, he had to temporarily avoid confrontation!


    Just then, a series of urgent and heavy footsteps approached.


    Then, a somewhat androgynous voice called out.


    "Hey! You there, move aside!"


    Hmm? Someone''s here!


    Su Shi''er became highly alert, quickly turning his head to look.


    He saw a cultivator in a white robe lying on the back of a mid-tier Demonic Beast, a Wind Patterned Pig.


    The cultivator was petite, with delicate features and bright, lively eyes. The loose-fitting clothes made them look quite peculiar.


    Their cultivation wasn''t high, only at the third level of the Qi Refining stage. They wore a black glove on their hand, punching the beast''s back fiercely.


    With each punch, a wave of Spiritual Power was unleashed. The beast, in pain, was running wildly through the wilderness, heading straight for Su Shi''er.


    The white-robed cultivator attacked while shouting a warning to Su Shi''er.


    Seeing the situation, Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow slightly, having no intention of helping. He quickly stepped aside to let the beast pass.


    But as it passed by him, the beast suddenly braked, shaking its body.


    "Ah, no! Quick, catch me!"


    Caught off guard, the cultivator on the beast''s back cried out, being flung off and landing right where Su Shi''er was standing.


    A figure flashed before his eyes, a faint fragrance wafted over, and Su Shi''er squinted, showing no intention of helping, instead calmly stepping back again.


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 Chapter 72 - Lets be friends, its a win-win!

    "Thud! Ouch..."


    In the next second, the cultivator crashed heavily to the ground, grimacing in pain.


    His gaze swept over Su Shi''er, and a hint of resentment flashed quickly in his eyes.


    Where did this guy come from? How could he be so heartless?!


    He hadn''t expected the other person to just watch him fall.


    Rubbing his sore backside, the cultivator quickly stood up, cautiously eyeing the Wind Pattern Pig demonic beast not far away.


    The beast snorted heavily, its eyes as big as fists glaring angrily at the cultivator.


    Then, it stomped heavily on the ground and charged forward recklessly.


    "Hey! Aren''t you going to dodge? I''m no match for it!" The cultivator was about to leave but hesitated for a moment, quickly turning his head to shout at Su Shi''er.


    He and Su Shi''er were in the same direction. If he dodged, Su Shi''er would be the one in trouble.


    In his eyes, Su Shi''er was just like him, merely a novice at the third level of the Qi Refining stage.


    "Hmm? This person is interesting!" Su Shi''er''s eyelid twitched, surprised by the cultivator''s behavior.


    It seemed that not all cultivators were selfish.


    With this thought flashing through his mind, Su Shi''er focused on the charging beast, stepping forward with Shadowless Phantom Steps.


    Just as he was about to collide with the beast, he shifted to its side. Combining the Eight Trigrams Eight Extremes Fist with Fire Control, he delivered a punch with nearly a thousand pounds of force.


    "Bang!"


    With a dull thud, the beast whimpered, its spine directly shattered, and it collapsed dead on the spot.


    With his strength, dealing with such a beast only required a single sword strike. However, he didn''t intend to reveal his true power, so he used only a very weak amount of True Essence, not exceeding the level of a third-stage Qi Refining cultivator.


    After dealing with the beast, Su Shi''er casually stored its corpse in his storage bag and turned to leave, not intending to engage further with the other person.


    "Whoa! That strong?!" Not far away, the cultivator looked down at the glove ritual artifact in his hand, then at the dead beast, his breath catching in his throat, eyes wide with shock.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    In his view, they were both at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, and he even had a ritual artifact to assist him. But the difference... was just too vast!


    A moment later, realizing what had happened, he quickly hurried after Su Shi''er.


    "Hey! Wait a moment!"


    "Hmm?" Su Shi''er squinted, not hiding his wariness.


    The cultivator approached Su Shi''er and immediately introduced himself, "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your assistance. I am Jiang Feixue... Yun."


    "Jiang Feixue Yun?" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow.


    "No, it''s Jiang Feiyun. Jiang Feixue is my sister." Jiang Feixue''s face turned awkward, quickly shaking his head to explain.


    Uh... Jiang Feiyun? I''m afraid you''re actually Jiang Feixue!


    Su Shi''er sniffed the faint fragrance in the air, immediately realizing the truth.


    Sizing up the other person, he directly asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you need something from me?"


    "I am a refiner from the Jiang family refining shop in Qianshan Market. The bones of that Wind Pattern Pig demonic beast are a material I''ve been searching for to refine artifacts."


    "Could you let me have the beast''s corpse? Don''t worry, I won''t take it for free. I''ll exchange it with this item."


    Jiang Feixue hurriedly said, hesitating for a moment before looking at the black iron gloves in her hand and resolutely taking them off.


    Glancing at the gloves, Su Shi''er was a bit surprised.


    This is... a Mid Grade Ritual Artifact? Is that Wind Pattern Pig really worth that much?


    Qianshan Market? A refiner?


    Could it be that there''s a market nearby?


    Su Shi''er squinted, pondering silently.


    He wasn''t unfamiliar with markets; the sect manual had relevant introductions.


    Markets were places in the Cultivation World where cultivators traded, exchanged, and purchased materials and treasures. They also had refiners and pill refiners who crafted ritual artifacts and pill medicines.


    Markets varied in size, with larger ones often having auction houses where rare treasures frequently appeared.


    The trading plaza he had visited before was a micro-market within the sect.


    Recalling information about markets, Su Shi''er immediately realized something.


    He currently had many spirit plants, but consuming them directly offered limited improvement to his cultivation.


    As for learning pill refining, it required corresponding books and time for refining, which his current situation didn''t allow. Even knowing the value of these spirit plants, he had to consider other options.


    If he could exchange these materials for pill medicines to enhance his cultivation or good ritual artifacts, it would greatly benefit his training and strength.


    Especially the corpse of the Fire Cloud Python in his storage ring; if he could gather the other materials to forge a bone sword, it would at least be a pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.


    If he could have a pseudo-Spiritual Artifact level White Bone Sword, those Top Grade ritual artifacts that exploded wouldn''t matter.


    With this thought, Su Shi''er immediately had an idea.


    With a wave of his hand, he tossed the Wind Pattern Pig''s corpse to the ground and finally spoke, "It was just a small effort, no need to be so polite, Daoist Jiang."


    "I am Zhu Hanwei, a rogue cultivator from Linnan City. From your words, it seems there''s a market nearby?"


    "I wish to trade some materials at the market. Could you tell me its location? As for this Mid Grade Ritual Artifact, it''s too valuable; I can''t accept it!"


    As he spoke, Su Shi''er casually fabricated a false name and identity, quickly addressing the person before him.


    "The market is fifty miles northeast from here. I happen to be heading back and can take you there." Jiang Feixue quickly replied.


    "Thank you, Daoist!" Su Shi''er promptly cupped his hands in gratitude.


    Jiang Feixue collected the demonic beast''s corpse from the ground and led Su Shi''er towards the market.


    At the same time, she scratched her head a bit embarrassedly and said, "It''s not a small matter, no need to be so formal."


    "However, you saved my life, and doing nothing in return doesn''t sit well with me."


    "How about this, if you ever need artifact refining, you can come to our Jiang family refining shop, and I''ll craft a ritual artifact for you for free. Let''s be friends, it''s a win-win!"


    Su Shi''er nodded, not refusing, and followed her forward.


    Along the way, he took the opportunity to ask Jiang Feixue many questions.


    Jiang Feixue, with her straightforward personality, answered almost every question Su Shi''er had, even proactively sharing a lot of information.


    From her, Su Shi''er gained a simple understanding of the upcoming market.


    Though Qianshan Market was a small one, it was quite substantial. Located deep within the Azure Mountain range, it had a large number of cultivators and a wide variety of resources.


    Resources needed by cultivators below the Golden Elixir stage could basically be found there.


    An hour later, the two arrived at a bamboo forest shrouded in dense fog.


    Jiang Feixue took out a guiding talisman and led Su Shi''er forward.


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 Chapter 73 - Qianshan Market street vendor

    Passing through the bamboo forest, Su Shi''er suddenly found his view opening up.


    In front of him was a vast complex covering thousands of acres, resembling a small town.


    The entire town was encased in a glass-like, translucent azure dome.


    At the entrance stood a majestic and imposing archway, with a plaque inscribed with four large characters in a flamboyant script: Qianshan Market.


    Behind the archway, rows of buildings stood in neat alignment, each one a shop.


    At the center of the market was a towering pavilion, intricately carved and adorned with jade.


    In front of the pavilion was a massive plaza paved with bluestone slabs.


    On the plaza, numerous cultivators, much like small vendors, had set up stalls of varying sizes, arranged in a grid pattern.


    The entire market was bustling with people, lively and crowded. The shouts and cries of vendors rose and fell in waves. If not for the powerful spiritual power emanating from each person, one might mistake this place for a mortal city.


    Seeing this scene, Su Shi''er couldn''t help but shake his head, his heart surging with excitement.


    Is this just a small market?


    So many cultivators, most of them at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, far surpassing in number and strength those he had seen in the Cloud Song Sect.


    Everyone here wore different attire, each exuding a rugged aura.


    Among them, there were even a few formidable Foundation Establishment cultivators moving about.


    Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, and he quickly took a deep breath to calm himself.


    He silently reminded himself that perhaps... this was truly the world of cultivation. Here, he must be cautious, extremely cautious. A moment of carelessness, and a more powerful cultivator could easily destroy him.


    "Brother Zhu, this is Qianshan Market! How is it, impressive, right?!"


    "You''ve come at the right time. The next ten days are the market''s annual gathering period, the time when the most cultivators are here."


    "Of course, I must remind you. There are all sorts of characters here, so be careful, or you might end up counting money for someone who swindled you."


    Jiang Feixue grinned, revealing two small canine teeth, and tilted her head as she cheerfully reminded Su Shi''er.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    As they walked together, the two had become quite familiar, already addressing each other as brothers.


    "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Jiang. I''ll be careful!" Su Shi''er cupped his hands in thanks, smiling at her.


    Seeing such a large trading market, he felt more confident in obtaining the resources he desired.


    As they spoke, he followed Jiang Feixue further into the market.


    Jiang Feixue walked with a light step, laughing as she went:


    "However, you don''t need to worry too much. With me... this young master by your side, there won''t be any problems!"


    Jiang Feixue puffed out her chest confidently, patting it with assurance.


    Upon learning that Su Shi''er wanted to trade materials at the market, she had volunteered to help him.


    Su Shi''er did not refuse.


    Jiang Feixue had a somewhat innocent and straightforward personality, and she was warm and generous. In his view, she was a friend worth having.


    Moreover, Jiang Feixue was clearly very familiar with this place, and having someone like her to help would save him a lot of trouble.


    "Brother Jiang, if I want to exchange for some spirit materials and cultivation pill resources, what should I do?" Su Shi''er asked directly as they walked side by side, keeping an eye on their surroundings.


    "Simple, just look at the shops on both sides and the stalls over there. If you see something, just buy it from them!"


    "In the market, the common currency is pills that can enhance cultivation, like Gathering Qi Pills, Gathering Yuan Pills, Condensing Qi Pills, and so on..."


    "Additionally, some people need specific material resources, so you''ll have to barter."


    Jiang Feixue clasped her hands behind her back, her head held high, rattling off information with ease.


    Using cultivation pills as currency and bartering for goods. It seemed the rules here were similar to the trading plaza within the sect.


    Su Shi''er nodded, his eyes reflecting a thoughtful light.


    He carried a lot of resources, all obtained from trials, and those spirit plants could be directly refined and absorbed. However, compared to pills, their effects were significantly inferior. Doing so would be a waste of valuable resources.


    If he were to buy and trade item by item, it would waste a lot of time.


    With that in mind, Su Shi''er continued, "If I want to exchange for a lot of resources, what should I do?"


    "Hmm? A lot of resources?"


    Jiang Feixue gave a soft hum, casting a curious glance at Su Shi''er.


    She found it odd. The other party was just like her, a cultivator at the third level of the Qi Refining stage. How much could he possibly have?


    Thinking this, she still smiled and explained.


    "That''s simple too! One way is to go to the pavilion over there and trade directly with the Treasure Pavilion or the Pill Pavilion. But the things there aren''t great, and the prices are exorbitant, so I don''t recommend it."


    "The other way is to set up a stall, display your items with clear prices, and let others bring the resources you need to trade. Although it takes some effort, if your items are good, you''ll trade them quickly."


    Su Shi''er squinted, glancing at the distant pavilion.


    The pavilion, with its painted corridors and red buildings, was magnificent and resplendent. Just from its appearance, he knew the items inside wouldn''t be cheap.


    Although Su Shi''er had some wealth, he didn''t want to waste any of it.


    However, thinking of the other method, he couldn''t help but feel a bit worried, "But if I set up a stall, won''t I be targeted?"


    He understood the principle of not flaunting wealth.


    "Uh..."


    This Brother Zhu was good in every way, but he was too cautious in his dealings!


    How much could he possibly have to be targeted?


    Jiang Feixue''s eye twitched, but she quickly laughed and said, "Don''t worry, Qianshan Market is overseen by Foundation Establishment seniors, and there''s a dedicated enforcement team patrolling. No one would dare cause trouble."


    "If you''re still worried, this item can help us change our appearance!"


    As she spoke, Jiang Feixue reached into her sleeve and pulled out two wax-yellow human-skin masks.


    The masks emitted a faint glow, clearly crafted from the leather of some special demonic beast, a unique ritual artifact.


    "That''s perfect, let''s set up a stall!" Su Shi''er finally felt at ease, quickly taking a mask and putting it on.


    As soon as he spoke, he transformed into a cultivator with a wax-yellow complexion, appearing to be in his thirties.


    "Alright, I''ll go rent a stall!"


    Jiang Feixue also donned her mask artifact, transforming into a young cultivator with a wax-yellow complexion, and said with a cheerful smile.


    She was lively and curious about everything.


    Hearing about setting up a stall, she was even more interested than Su Shi''er.


    In less than half an hour, the two of them rented a medium-sized stall in a corner of the plaza.


    "Brother Zhu, now you just need to place your resources on the stall and write the resources or pills you want on this wooden sign."


    Jiang Feixue pointed at the stall and then at a small wooden sign standing beside it, hands on her hips, smiling as she spoke.


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 Chapter 74 - Scamming by faking an accident?

    "Alright! Let''s start with a thousand plants!"


    Su Shi''er nodded, and with a wave of his hand over the stall, a thousand Spirit Plants appeared, their rich medicinal aroma quickly spreading.


    Hearing "a thousand," Jiang Feixue initially didn''t think much of it, assuming they were just ordinary resources.


    A thousand ordinary Spirit Materials, though not a small amount, weren''t anything rare.


    After all, she had seen much of the world!


    But when she took a closer look, she was instantly stunned.


    "What?! A thousand second-level Spirit Plants? Brother Zhu, are you... a Spirit Plant Master?"


    Jiang Feixue turned to look at Su Shi''er, her voice trembling.


    A thousand second-level Spirit Plants might not be much to a sect or family, but to a rogue cultivator or an individual, that was an incredibly exaggerated amount.


    Even the top disciples of major sects rarely had access to such resources.


    "A Spirit Plant Master? I''m not. I just happened to acquire these Spirit Plants by chance," Su Shi''er shook his head and smiled.


    He couldn''t help but feel secretly relieved. Just a thousand plants were enough to shock Jiang Feixue; luckily, he didn''t take them all out at once.


    "Ah... this! Brother Zhu, your luck is really something!" Jiang Feixue said with a smile, growing curious about Su Shi''er.


    So many Spirit Plants, just by chance? It seemed this Brother Zhu had an extraordinary background!


    However, this guy was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, probably not a bad person.


    Though innocent and pure, she wasn''t foolish.


    Su Shi''er grinned, about to speak.


    "Boss, how much for this hundred-year ginseng?"


    "I have a piece of Xuan Iron Stone, how about trading it for this hundred-year astragalus?"


    "I''ll offer fifty Condensing Qi Pills for this Xuanqing Ice Lotus, deal?"


    ...


    Voices came from all around as the aroma from the thousand Spirit Plants attracted a large crowd of cultivators.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    In no time, hundreds of figures surrounded Su Shi''er''s stall, each shouting loudly.


    "Everyone, don''t rush. Come one at a time. These Spirit Materials are prioritized for trading Blood Amber Stones, Ghost Iron, Blood Fiend Vines, Fierce Fang Bones..."


    "Next, Pills for enhancing cultivation, at least High Grade. High Grade and Top Grade Ritual Artifacts are also acceptable."


    Seeing the great response, Su Shi''er immediately shouted, listing the resources he needed.


    Blood Amber Stones, Ghost Iron, Blood Fiend Vines, and Fierce Fang Bones were all second-level Spirit Materials with Yin attributes, used for crafting the Spiritual Artifact-level White Bone Sword.


    Beside him, Jiang Feixue quickly jotted down the resources Su Shi''er needed on a small wooden sign.


    "Boss, this Blood Amber Stone for two hundred-year lingzhi!"


    As soon as Su Shi''er finished speaking, a pale-faced man in the crowd held up a fist-sized, blood-red stone and shouted.


    "Deal!" Su Shi''er glanced at it and agreed decisively.


    "I have Ghost Iron, trade for a Luo Han Fruit!"


    "I have Blood Fiend Vine, trade for..."


    ...


    One by one, figures approached, and one by one, resources were traded into Su Shi''er''s hands.


    In no time, more than half of the thousand Spirit Materials were traded away. Su Shi''er not only gathered the materials to forge the White Bone Sword but also acquired many cultivation Pills.


    "This Top Grade defensive Ritual Artifact for your remaining Spirit Plants! Deal or not?"


    At that moment, a loud voice rang out.


    A burly, pockmarked cultivator at the peak of the seventh level of the Qi Refining stage squeezed through the crowd with two others.


    As the three appeared, many cultivators in the crowd glanced over, seemingly recognizing them, and the next moment, they wore expressions of anticipation for a show.


    As soon as they reached the stall, the pockmarked cultivator pulled out a one-foot-long box with a flick of his wrist.


    Opening the box revealed an umbrella-shaped Ritual Artifact glowing with an orange light.


    The entire umbrella-shaped Ritual Artifact shimmered with radiant light, exuding a pure Yang energy.


    Su Shi''er''s eyes lit up with interest.


    A Top Grade defensive Ritual Artifact was extremely precious. He hadn''t expected anyone to actually offer one for trade.


    Taking a deep breath without showing any emotion, he used the Heavenly Eye Technique to confirm the artifact was genuine and immediately nodded in agreement.


    "Deal!"


    A flash of joy crossed the pockmarked cultivator''s eyes, and with a glance, his two companions quickly collected the Spirit Plants from the stall.


    At the same time, the pockmarked cultivator smiled, closed the box, tossed it to Su Shi''er, and turned to leave.


    "Wait!"


    At that moment, Jiang Feixue suddenly called out, her tone annoyed, "Hey! You bring a Low Grade Ritual Artifact and pretend it''s Top Grade, trying to fool us?"


    Low Grade Ritual Artifact?!


    Su Shi''er was startled by her words and quickly opened the box.


    Inside lay an umbrella-shaped Ritual Artifact, but it was clearly not a Top Grade Artifact, but a damaged Low Grade one.


    "What is the meaning of this?!" Su Shi''er glared at the three in front of him, his expression darkening.


    He was sure he had seen a Top Grade Artifact just moments ago, but he had no idea when they swapped it.


    If not for Jiang Feixue''s reminder, he would have suffered a huge loss.


    Damn it!


    No wonder Jiang Feixue had warned him about the market being full of tricksters!


    Su Shi''er''s mind raced, his gaze growing colder. He had been cautious enough, yet he nearly fell for it.


    "What Low Grade Spiritual Artifact? What do you mean?"


    "You two must be out of your minds! I clearly handed you a Top Grade Artifact. Everyone here saw it and can testify."


    "What, are you trying to swap it for a Low Grade Artifact and scam me?"


    The pockmarked cultivator sneered, his face fierce, and immediately turned the tables with his words.


    Hearing this, the others quickly backed away, afraid of getting involved in trouble.


    "Scam? So, you three are determined to cause trouble?" Su Shi''er squinted, his eyes flashing with a cold light.


    Inside, his True Essence began to stir!


    These three were not weak, but if it came to a fight, he wasn''t afraid. He was cautious and careful, but he wasn''t someone who avoided trouble. He wouldn''t take a loss like this!


    "Brother Zhu, don''t be impulsive. Let''s call the enforcement team to handle this."


    Seeing Su Shi''er ready to make a move, Jiang Feixue quickly stopped him and said swiftly.


    "Haha, did I hear wrong? This kid actually wants to call the enforcement team?" The long-faced cultivator beside the pockmarked one glanced at Jiang Feixue and burst into laughter.


    The pockmarked cultivator shrugged, also laughing heartily, as if he had heard something ridiculous.


    Then he said, "Sure, call them. Go get my second uncle. These two dare to slander me; this can''t go unpunished!"


    As soon as the pockmarked cultivator finished speaking, one of his companions turned and headed towards a blue-robed, goateed cultivator in the crowd, who was at the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage and part of the enforcement team.


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 Chapter 75 - The background of Jiang Feixue

    Seeing this scene, the surrounding cultivators shook their heads and cast sympathetic glances at Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue.


    The pockmarked face belonged to Chen San, a ''somewhat notorious'' figure in Qianshan Market.


    Relying on his uncle in the enforcement team, he usually swindled and bullied low-level novice cultivators.


    Over the years, countless people have suffered losses at the hands of this group!


    At this moment, everyone felt that Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue were too young.


    In such situations, it''s best to swallow the grievance and move on, yet they actually called the enforcement team.


    Facing such actions, Jiang Feixue''s lips curled slightly, carrying a faint, ambiguous smile. The reactions of the crowd didn''t concern her at all.


    Uncle?


    Is this guy in cahoots with the enforcement team?


    Su Shi''er''s heart trembled, and his face grew darker. He didn''t notice Jiang Feixue''s reaction but instead focused on the pockmarked cultivator in front of him, a murderous intent brewing in his eyes.


    He didn''t want to cause trouble, but if someone provoked him, he wouldn''t shy away from it.


    At this moment, he couldn''t help but consider quickly killing this person and leaving the market.


    Or perhaps swallow his anger for now and find an opportunity to deal with him once he leaves the market.


    As Su Shi''er was entangled in these thoughts, a blue-clad enforcement team cultivator with a goatee approached.


    "What''s going on? What''s happened?" The goatee asked sternly as soon as he arrived.


    "Uncle, this guy is extorting people!" The pockmarked face sneered and immediately pointed at Su Shi''er.


    "Extorting? Daring to cause trouble in Qianshan Market, you must have a death wish!" The goatee glared, turning to look at Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue with a hostile gaze.


    But as his eyes swept over Jiang Feixue, he noticed a white jade token at her waist.


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    The goatee''s pupils shrank, and he abruptly turned around, delivering a resounding slap to the pockmarked cultivator''s face.


    The sudden slap left the pockmarked face stunned.


    The surrounding cultivators were equally shocked.


    What... what just happened?!


    Could it be that these two have some significant background?


    In the next second, the crowd''s gaze towards Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue changed dramatically.


    The pockmarked cultivator clutched his face, looking at the goatee in confusion.


    "Uncle, you... why did you..."


    "Don''t call me uncle; I don''t have a nephew like you. How many times have I told you, no swindling in Qianshan Market. Did my words go in one ear and out the other?"


    Before the pockmarked face could finish speaking, the goatee righteously reprimanded him.


    "I..."


    "What do you mean ''I''? Hurry up and hand over the goods!"


    Facing the goatee''s stern gaze, the pockmarked cultivator shrank back, not daring to say more.


    With a wave of his hand, a dazzling top-grade umbrella-shaped ritual artifact appeared in his hand.


    The goatee grimaced, clearly pained, but in the next moment, he snatched the artifact and handed it to Jiang Feixue.


    "Fellow Daoists, this is the treasure you traded for. This guy had ill intentions, trying to deceive you. I will ensure he is punished according to the enforcement team''s rules!"


    "Rest assured, you can set up your stall without worry. The enforcement team patrols everywhere in Qianshan Market, and we won''t allow such scoundrels to cause trouble."


    Seeing Jiang Feixue take the treasure, the goatee added a few more impassioned words before turning and leaving with the pockmarked face and his group.


    "Brother Zhu! This is your ritual artifact! The Yuanyang Umbrella is a top-grade defensive artifact with incredible defensive power. You''ve really lucked out this time," Jiang Feixue said with a grin, handing the umbrella-shaped artifact to Su Shi''er.


    "Thank you!" Su Shi''er accepted the treasure with a smile.


    He wasn''t foolish; the goatee''s sudden change in attitude was clearly related to Jiang Feixue.


    However, since Jiang Feixue didn''t mention it, he didn''t ask.


    It seems Jiang Feixue''s background is even more mysterious than I imagined!


    "No need to be so formal with me, Brother Zhu! I''ve always said the security in Qianshan Market is quite good!" Jiang Feixue said with a cheerful smile. Glancing at the empty stall, she added, "Brother Zhu, you''ve sold all your spirit plants. Are you planning to continue setting up your stall?"


    "No, let''s go for a walk together! If you find any treasures you like, I can gift you one or two," Su Shi''er said with a wave of his hand, smiling.


    He still had plenty of spirit plants, but after this incident, even knowing Jiang Feixue''s unusual background, he wouldn''t flaunt them.


    If he attracted the attention of more powerful cultivators, it would be troublesome.


    He was also grateful to Jiang Feixue.


    The Yuanyang Umbrella was a top-grade defensive artifact, more effective than he had imagined. Normally, few cultivators would be willing to trade it.


    "Alright! Then I won''t be polite," Jiang Feixue said with a bright smile.


    She thought Su Shi''er must have reached his limit in offering so many spirit plants.


    With that, she got up and led Su Shi''er for a stroll around the market.


    Meanwhile, in a quaint room in the market''s pavilion, the goatee was drinking tea with the pockmarked cultivator.


    "Uncle, that was a top-grade defensive artifact. How could you just give it to those two?" the pockmarked face asked, bewildered.


    "What do you know? I was saving your life!" the goatee replied gruffly.


    "Saving my life? Who are those two?" The pockmarked face looked tense, quickly asking.


    "That middle-aged man is hard to read, but the young one is from the Divine Forge Manor," the goatee said, squinting.


    "What? Divine Forge Manor?! Uncle, are you sure?" The pockmarked cultivator gasped in shock.


    "Hmph! I''m not so old that I can''t see clearly. That person had the Divine Forge Manor''s token at his waist," the goatee grunted.


    "No wonder... no wonder he could tell at a glance that I swapped the artifact! Uncle, what should I do now?" The pockmarked cultivator looked panicked, as if recalling something terrifying.


    "Don''t worry. Since I took you away, it should be fine. But during this gathering, you better behave."


    "At times like this, there''s no telling if other major sects or family heirs might come in disguise. If you provoke someone else, I won''t be able to save you!" The goatee said calmly, showing some concern for his nephew.


    "Don''t worry, Uncle, I know what to do!" The pockmarked cultivator nodded quickly, looking composed.


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 Chapter 76 - News of the Golden Sacred Spirit Spring

    In the market, Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue strolled side by side, leisurely wandering around without a care.


    Along the way, they encountered various strange and peculiar items, especially books and miscellaneous notes, as well as some special but low-grade pills. Su Shi''er would exchange for these without hesitation.


    He couldn''t easily use the mysterious Pill Furnace for now, so he required high-grade or above pills for cultivation.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to use other pills, not even sparing discarded pills. In fact, he preferred them since they were practically free.


    Once his cultivation improved and he was out of danger, he could refine these into top-grade pills using the mysterious Pill Furnace. By then, he would be rolling in wealth!


    While wandering, Su Shi''er also bought a set of high-grade ring-shaped Ritual Artifacts for Jiang Feixue.


    High-grade Ritual Artifacts were valuable, but compared to top-grade defensive artifacts, they were nothing.


    In the blink of an eye, several hours passed.


    The two of them had almost explored the entire market. Throughout, Su Shi''er continuously took out various second-grade Spirit Plants to trade with different stall owners.


    After several hours, he had traded away over a thousand Spirit Plants, if not two thousand.


    Jiang Feixue was greatly shocked. She had thought the previous thousand Spirit Materials were his limit. Never did she expect Su Shi''er to have so many resources.


    Who exactly was this guy?


    With so many resources, he was almost on par with a small cultivation family!


    Reaching a more secluded spot, Jiang Feixue couldn''t help but ask Su Shi''er, "Brother Zhu, are you sure you''re really a rogue cultivator? Even the top disciples of major families and sects might not be as wealthy as you!"


    "Ahem, I just got lucky and managed to gather these things. That''s all I have left," Su Shi''er grinned, scratching his head.


    "Really?" Jiang Feixue tilted her head, clearly skeptical.


    "Why would I lie to you?" Su Shi''er maintained his composure, smiling.


    Only in front of Jiang Feixue would he reveal so many resources; he wouldn''t show this to anyone else.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Alright then! So, what do you plan to do next?" Jiang Feixue asked, still doubtful, as she looked at Su Shi''er.


    "Hmm?"


    Su Shi''er was about to speak when he suddenly noticed a figure approaching. He squinted his eyes to get a better look.


    The newcomer was a shifty-eyed, scruffy old man, about sixty years old, with a hunched back and wearing wrinkled clothes. He looked rather sleazy.


    His cultivation level wasn''t high, only at the first level of the Qi Refining stage.


    Su Shi''er initially thought the man was just passing by, but as he got closer, he smiled slyly, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.


    "Fellow Daoists, I have a treasure here. Are you interested? I don''t ask for much, just twenty Spirit Plants in exchange!"


    As he spoke, the old man reached into his pocket.


    "Hmm? Have you been following us?!" Su Shi''er squinted, his gaze turning sharp.


    The fact that the man immediately asked to trade Spirit Plants indicated he had been observing them for a while, and Su Shi''er hadn''t noticed at all!


    "Don''t misunderstand, fellow Daoist. I just happened to see you trading resources. This treasure, you''ll definitely need it!" The old man chuckled awkwardly, quickly explaining.


    "Oh? What kind of treasure? Show us!" Jiang Feixue''s curiosity was piqued, and she quickly spoke up.


    Su Shi''er remained vigilant, watching the man without speaking, waiting for his next move.


    Hearing this, the old man hurriedly took out a crumpled sheepskin map from his pocket, holding it as if it were a precious item.


    "What? Just a tattered sheepskin map. I thought it was some amazing treasure!" Jiang Feixue pouted, losing interest immediately.


    "Fellow Daoist, you can''t say that. Whether it''s a treasure depends on what''s recorded on it, right?" The old man wasn''t angry, chuckling mysteriously.


    "Oh? What''s recorded on it?" Su Shi''er raised an eyebrow, directly asking.


    "This is a treasure map, or rather, a route map. It records the location of a Golden Sacred Spirit Spring!" The old man quickly replied, clutching the map.


    "What? A Golden Sacred Spirit Spring?! Are you sure?"


    Before Su Shi''er could react, Jiang Feixue exclaimed in surprise.


    She immediately turned to Su Shi''er, quickly explaining.


    "The Golden Sacred Spirit Spring is a kind of spiritual water nurtured by heaven and earth. A single spring can produce at most three bowls of spring water. One bowl can significantly enhance a cultivator''s cultivation, especially for us Qi Refining cultivators. It''s equivalent to sixty years of hard cultivation!"


    After explaining, Jiang Feixue stared intently at the old man, unable to hide her excitement.


    Su Shi''er was also taken aback, his heart pounding wildly.


    His Spirit Root aptitude was extremely poor, and hard cultivation was useless for rapid improvement.


    Such a miraculous item that could quickly enhance cultivation was incredibly tempting to him.


    A bowl of Golden Sacred Spirit Spring equating to sixty years of hard cultivation?!


    If true, it was indeed a rare treasure!


    Despite his excitement, Su Shi''er didn''t lose his composure. He squinted his eyes and calmly said, "If the Golden Sacred Spirit Spring is such a great treasure, why don''t you collect it yourself since you have the map?"


    "Yeah!" Jiang Feixue quickly calmed down.


    "Alas, to be honest, the location of the Golden Sacred Spirit Spring is a hundred miles north of here in Yunmengze. The place is full of dangers and killing intent. With my limited strength, going there would be suicidal."


    "It''s better to trade for some Spirit Medicine and make a good batch of pills, hoping to advance my cultivation a bit more and live a few more years."


    "But you two are different. You''re strong, traveling together, and young. With the map, even if you don''t go now, you can go anytime once your cultivation improves."


    The old man sighed, first lamenting, then using a persuasive tone to entice Su Shi''er and Jiang Feixue.


    "Seems... reasonable!"


    Jiang Feixue nodded, looking very tempted, and turned to Su Shi''er for his opinion.


    "Not interested, no trade!" Su Shi''er remained unfazed, like a meditating monk, decisively refusing.


    The old man''s words were reasonable and persuasive.


    But being cautious by nature, Su Shi''er couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.


    Treasures that enhance cultivation are indeed tempting. But the old man''s background was unclear, and he feared making a careless mistake that could cost him his life.


    "This..." The old man hesitated, not giving up, and seemed to make a firm decision.


    "Fellow Daoists, I have another treasure I acquired by chance. How about I trade both this and the treasure map for fifty Spirit Plants?"


    As he spoke, the old man reached into his pocket again, rummaging for a while before reluctantly pulling out another item.


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