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Yun Jiuzi listened to the situation carefully, scrutinizing Chuxiong before instructing him to sit cross-legged and placing two fingers on Chuxiong's wrist pulse.
Li Hong was anxious beside them, his eyes reddening.
Cousin Li Xiong, nicknamed Bear Kid, had grown up alongside him. Their uncle had passed away early, leaving Aunt to raise her only son, Li Xiong. Li Hong's father had also died young. The two sisters-in-law shared a deep bond due to their shared grief. The three brothers were close-knit as well. After the eldest brother, Li Wu, was conscripted and their mother passed away, Li Hong treated Aunt as his own mother and cared for Li Xiong as well, sharing clothes and food. Chuxiong was a simple and honest person who only recognized Li Hong in his heart. When their village was ravaged by the Jin Army, if it weren't for Chuxiong risking his life to carry Li Hong out from a pile of corpses, Li Hong would have long been dead.
Thinking about the danger his younger brother was in now made Li Hong feel frantic.
Yun Jiuzi closed his eyes, fingers resting on Chuxiong's wrist pulse as he pondered for a long time. Unable to contain himself any longer, Li Hong urgently asked, "How is it? You must have a way, right?"
After a long while, Yun Jiuzi finally withdrew his fingers. He also had a Cosmic Bag. From it, he took out a small jade vial and poured out a green pill, handing it to Chuxiong. "Take this."
Chuxiong obediently accepted it. However, Li Hong felt a chill run down his spine and shouted, "Wait." Turning to Yun Jiuzi, he said, "He became like this because he took too much Elixir; can he still take more Elixir? Is that okay?"
Yun Jiuzi replied, "It's fine; this pill is called 'Balance Pill.' After taking it, Chuxiong will be temporarily fine."
Chuxiong chuckled upon hearing this and without hesitation swallowed it down, saying, "Thank you, Great-Granduncle."
Seeing Chuxiong's swollen face made Li Hong feel uneasy. He keenly noticed the word "temporarily," which implied there would still be trouble.
Sure enough, Yun Jiuzi said seriously, "But this is only temporary. The medicinal power suppresses the other medicinal power; over time it won't hold. To eliminate future troubles completely, he must take the 'Cosmic Vitality Pill.' After taking the 'Cosmic Vitality Pill,' it can cultivate the heart seed and restore righteous energy, eliminating all impurities caused by the domineering medicinal power in his body so that he won't have to worry about going astray in the future."
He sighed and added, "However, this 'Cosmic Vitality Pill' hasn't been refined for thousands of years." Changing the subject slightly, he asked, "Do you know that Elixirs are categorized?"
Elixirs are categorized? Li Hong had only heard of cultivation levels, spirit beasts' levels, and magical treasures' levels; hearing about Elixirs being categorized was entirely new to him.
"It is said that in ancient times there were Spiritual Roots everywhere among demon beasts. There were Great Deities who took a different path by gathering Spiritual Root herbs and refining them into unparalleled Elixirs. Just one could equal hundreds of years of cultivation; it's not impossible for someone with nine transformations to ascend immediately after consuming one. This rare method of refining such Elixirs has long been lost; perhaps there are some incomplete records in Heavenly Grain. This top-tier Heavenly Grade Elixir is known as 'Heavenly Grade' pill. It is said that when the furnace opens, it attracts nine-turn heavenly thunder—this is known as 'Dan Tribulation,' hence called 'Nine Transformations into Dan'—because it seizes the creation of heaven and earth and invokes jealousy from them. Only by enduring the 'Dan Tribulation' can one succeed in refining the pill. Next comes the 'Earth-Level' pill. Earth-Level pills do not attract Tribulation but require rare herbs that are often difficult to gather; sometimes it may take thousands of years just to find all the ingredients for the recipe. Even if one finds them all, there are various restrictions on refining pills that depend on luck as well. If one is fortunate enough to refine it successfully, it has unparalleled uses." At this point, he looked at Li Hong.
Li Hong's heart sank to the bottom. It went without saying that the "Cosmic Vitality Pill" was an "Earth-Level" pill—a rare treasure in the mortal realm and an extraordinary item in the Cultivation World.
"Yes, the 'Cosmic Vitality Pill' is an 'Earth-Level' elixir. At the lowest level are 'Human-Level' elixirs, such as our highly valuable 'Gongxin Pill' and 'Foundation Pill' in the Cultivation World. Although they are difficult to refine, some are still produced each year. As for others like the 'Supplementary Spirit Pill' and 'Fire Origin Pill,' they are considered inferior. There is a saying called 'Pudan,' which contains many impurities; taking more of it is detrimental to one's cultivation. Initially, it may not show effects, but as one approaches the Golden Core stage, nine out of ten cannot withstand the Heart Demon Barrier. Therefore, anyone with a bit of common sense would advise against taking too much." Yun Jiuzi glanced at Chuxiong and sighed, his meaning clear.
Li Hong felt a growing anger in his heart. Spirit Stone clearly knew that taking too many elixirs was counterproductive and harmful; why would he still let his younger brother take them? A small amount could help him endure the Celestial Sect Grand Tournament, yet he was being given large quantities like candy. Wasn't he afraid of something going wrong? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his fists cracking with tension.
Yun Jiuzi guessed Li Hong's thoughts and patted his shoulder, saying, "Don't blame your master; he might not know. Even if he does, he may still be taking chances. One of the most important competitions will take place in the Ancient Celestial Field. That place is not to be trifled with! If one does not have Initial Stage of Caution cultivation, entering would mean death."
"What?" Li Hong and Chuxiong exclaimed in unison.
Li Hong was aware that one of the competitions would take place in the Ancient Celestial Field; Spirit Stone had informed him long ago. However, hearing Yun Jiuzi's statement that "entering without Initial Stage of Caution means death" was new to him.
"It sounds nice to call it the Ancient Celestial Field, but in reality, it's just another cave heaven with only one entrance. This entrance is located at the Northern Grain of the Heavenly Harvest. For a long time, the Ancient Celestial Field has been claimed by Heavenly Grain. That space is peculiar; there are many terrifying Restrictions left by ancient beings inside, and people often go missing there for no reason. Over the years, Heavenly Grain itself may not have fully explored it; they only know where it's relatively safe and where certain celestial herbs grow. But would they tell you?" Yun Jiuzi sneered. "It is said that this space is currently shrinking strangely; they want to find someone to experiment and investigate the cause. The Immortal Sect's new grand competition has this tradition, and Heavenly Grain is taking advantage of it; otherwise, given the current situation between the Immortal Sect and Demon Sect, why would they even hold a new grand competition? This place is so dangerous that if one cannot wield a sword or magical treasures properly, entering would be tantamount to seeking death. That's why I say you need at least Initial Stage of Caution cultivation to enter."
Li Hong felt even more furious at his master after hearing this. Why send so many disciples into such danger? He had already passed through Emei's clear path and was called upon to participate; why drag along his younger brother and Chu Xi? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, nearly unable to sit still; he wished he could fly back to Nine Vermilion Peaks right now and shout at Spirit Stone.
Yun Jiuzi sat quietly for a moment before slowly saying, "Although the Cosmic Vitality Pill is an Earth-Level elixir, there is still a good chance of refining it successfully. Many years ago, I began collecting the medicinal materials for it because I believed it might help me during my tribulation. Now I have gathered most of them after considerable effort."
Li Hong's eyes lit up.
"But there are two main ingredients said to only exist in Heavenly Grain's Ancient Celestial Field. So far, I haven't been able to gather them because I lack these two main ingredients. That place is one where even I cannot find an opportunity to enter, so..."
"So this is a great opportunity!" Li Hong immediately interjected. Since refining the Cosmic Vitality Pill required those two main ingredients found in the Ancient Celestial Field, there was no question about it—he had to go! He needed to get those two main ingredients no matter what.
Li Hong promptly asked for the names and appearances of those two main ingredients and committed them deeply to memory. With the Cosmic Vitality Pill in hand, Chuxiong's issues would be resolved; it would even benefit Yun Jiuzi. Li Hong decided that regardless of anything else, he must find those two main ingredients. While others might focus on reconnaissance and competition, his goal was singular—gathering herbs!
He was still excitedly planning when he noticed Chuxiong looking very unhappy.
Chuxiong sadly said, "It must be very dangerous in there, big brother; I don't want you to take risks for me." He paused before resolutely stating, "That's how it is! I've made up my mind; life and death are fated—I don't care! I don't want you to take risks for me, even if I end up going mad later!"
"Good!"
The one who praised was Yun Jiuzi. He smiled and said, "I didn't mistake the person; Chuxiong is a real man, so—" He paused and said mysteriously, "It only requires wisdom, no need for brute strength."
He stood tall and confidently declared, "This time I will go. Don't worry, with me here, you will all be safe and can also seize the opportunity to get the medicine!"
Li Hong curiously asked, "How will you get in? It is said that during the competition only our lower-level disciples can enter. Even if you go, you will definitely be stopped by the people from Heavenly Grain."
"The mountain man has his own clever plan. I will soon announce my closed-door retreat, and on that day, you will know." Yun Jiuzi winked at Li Hong mysteriously and chuckled.
********
After returning from Golden Lantern Gorge, Li Hong's first task was to find Spirit Stone. Although most of the issues had been resolved, he still felt angry, a bone stuck in his throat that he couldn't swallow.
Seeing him storm in angrily, Spirit Stone already understood and sighed, "You must be here to scold me."
"Yes!" Li Hong said bluntly, "You are ruthless and have no good intentions towards your own disciples! I knew you were this kind of person when you cruelly killed those experimental disciples. I didn't expect you to use such a harmful scheme against Chuxiong and the others; I really can't stand it. Tell me! Is what you're doing worthy of Old Seven, Old Eight, and Old Nine? It's ridiculous that Chuxiong always calls you master and holds you in such high regard! You don't deserve it!"
Spirit Stone sat there dumbfounded, speechless. Hong coldly said, "I respect you as my master; once a teacher is a father for life. But starting today, don't blame me for ignoring you." With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait." Spirit Stone looked up at Li Hong, his voice surprisingly choked with emotion. "You are right to scold me. I truly do not deserve to be your master." He suddenly raised his voice: "But do you think I wanted this!"
"For the sake of our sect's glory, I have been running around for years, enduring humiliation alongside you Ling Xuzi and Shibo, begging everywhere for favors to bring back Elixirs for the disciples. When have you Ling Xuzi and Shibo ever smiled? When have I ever had time to cultivate? After sitting in this Elder Brother position for so many years, I've only advanced one stage from mid Golden Core to late Golden Core; do you think I'm proud of that? In the current situation where the Immortal Sect and Demon Sect are at odds like water and fire, only your Six Spirit Salty Ritual can counter them. But you're the only one who can handle it! If there were more disciples like you, what would I have to worry about? What would Nine Li Sect have to fear? That plan was indeed proposed by me; it was indeed my fault that they died. But I didn't want this! Do you know that I feel guilty too? Do you know this affects my cultivation and creates a knot in my heart that prevents me from achieving great success in my lifetime? You don't know!"
Spirit Stone erupted; years of pent-up grievances poured out towards Li Hong as his voice grew louder and more agitated, leaving Li Hong stunned.
All he could hear was Spirit Stone shouting: "Look at those people in our sect! You know very well that despite being a ten-thousand-year-old sect, we are just a pile of loose sand; everyone only cares about themselves! Our Nine Li Sect is like this; the entire Immortal Sect is like this! I've exhausted myself over this matter only to sacrifice my own disciples; do you think I'm feeling good about it?"
Spirit Stone paced back and forth, his whiskers twitching and hands trembling: "Everyone knows that this new disciple competition at Heavenly Grain is not for good intentions. Which Elder Brother from Six Veins would willingly send their beloved outstanding disciple to their death? But what can we do with so few participants? You, Ling Xuzi Shibo, are sending one disciple for every three. I! I'm sending four! My heart is bleeding, but how would you know!"
At this point, Spirit Stone plopped down on the ground, tears streaming down his face as he cried out loud.
Li Hong was dumbfounded; he had no idea it was like this. Out of the eighteen participating disciples, five were from Nine Vermilion Peaks, and excluding Ling Xuzi's third disciple, Chu Huai, the other five veins only had twelve participants in total. As he thought about this, his anger gradually subsided.
Spirit Stone continued to sob bitterly, and Li Hong felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. He contemplated stepping forward and bowing deeply: "Master, I misunderstood. Please rise."
Spirit Stone ignored him. Li Hong rolled his eyes and whispered, "The senior brothers have arrived."
Startled, Spirit Stone jumped up in a panic but soon realized that Li Hong was lying; tears and snot still hung from his whiskers, but he could no longer cry.
He couldn't help but smile bitterly: "You little rascal, you actually dared to deceive your master!"
Li Hong leaned in and whispered a few more words.
Spirit Stone was overjoyed: "Indeed, the heavens have not treated me poorly!"
Li Hong smiled without saying a word.
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