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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
It was evident to everyone that although Yunxi, who was usually bold and reckless, spoke with firmness this time, she had compromised. Faced with the survival of the Azure Cloud Sect, she could no longer suppress the envoys sent by the Five Supreme Sects with force, for war was never a matter for one person alone.
After the three envoys left, the Grand Elder said, "Yunxi, come to the back hall. I have something to discuss with you."
"If it's about sect matters, there's no need. I have nothing to discuss with you. As the Guardian of the Mountain of Azure Cloud, I have my own judgment, and I will take full responsibility when the time comes," Yunxi replied coldly as she walked toward the hall's exit. "I am deeply disappointed in you all. If I find out that Zhang Jianzi has been captured by you and not handed over, I will show no mercy to anyone."
Once Yunxi left, everyone fell silent. An elder with gray hair remarked, "How could someone from Azure Cloud Sect possibly detain that menace Zhang Jianzi without handing him over?"
I did not witness what happened next; instead, I climbed along the wall to the top of the great hall and moved toward the Herb Garden behind the Alchemist's Chamber under the cover of night.
According to the rules of Azure Cloud Sect, stealing herbs from the Herb Garden was a grave offense—punishable by expulsion from the sect at best, or crippling one's cultivation or even execution at worst.
The herbs in the Herb Garden were crucial for the future development of the sect. A sect's longevity and its ability to attract disciples largely depended on its alchemical techniques. Mastering alchemy required decades of dedication; familiarity with herbs, expertise in pharmacology, effective combinations of medicinal properties, and precise control over fire could only be achieved by seasoned herbalists who had spent fifty or sixty years honing their craft. Even the legendary Medicine King could not claim mastery over all herbs in his youth.
For this reason, major Daoist sects possessed unique skills in alchemy and medicine production. Entering a sect for cultivation offered far superior resources in terms of cultivation methods and medicinal supplies compared to wandering Taoists without a sect. This is why sects placed great importance on managing their Herb Gardens and Alchemy Rooms without any room for error.
However, because of this strictness, very few disciples dared to covet anything from the Alchemy Room or Herb Garden.
I had no interest in the potions from the Alchemy Room; my sole desire was to obtain Azure Cloud Sect's Holy Medicine—Tai Sui.
Tai Sui, also known as Flesh Spirit Mushroom, took centuries to grow; it had no seeds and could not be cultivated through traditional means.
Tai Sui typically thrived in deep mountain mines but could occasionally be found in areas rich in Spirit Energy. It was remarkably effective for detoxification but its greatest benefit was its ability to prolong life, rejuvenating one's body and filling it with vitality.
In the Taoist Sacred Body Forging Technique, the Holy Medicine Dragon Essence Flower is essential for bone restructuring, the Blood Bodhi Grass condenses blood, and Tai Sui enhances physical strength. All three herbs are indispensable and irreplaceable.
At the entrance of the Herb Garden, two disciples were on guard. I circled around them and approached the side of the Herb Garden. The surrounding wall was about four to five meters high. I climbed up the wall and jumped into the Herb Garden, which was filled with various herbs, including precious materials like Ginseng, Lingzhi, He Shou Wu, and Cordyceps. However, these were merely ordinary herbs to the Daoist Sect; the real treasures were located in the center of the Herb Garden.
In the middle of the Herb Garden was a pool surrounded by iron chains. Inside the enclosure were nine Bronze Toads, each spitting clear water into the pool, nourishing a golden-inlaid Treasure Basin within.
The Treasure Basin is a type of Taoist Artifact that can gather Spirit Energy. Herbs planted within it grow to be twice as valuable as those grown in ordinary soil.
The pool appeared to serve as a sacrificial altar for cultivating herbs, with a stone tablet beside it inscribed with "Tai Sui Medicine Pool," warning that entry leads to death.
Taoists possess unique methods for health preservation, and every major sect's Herb Garden has a treasured plant. It was evident that this Tai Sui was hidden within the Treasure Basin.
I looked around; there was no one in the Herb Garden at this late hour. However, the conspicuous presence of the Tai Sui pool suggested something was amiss. I picked up a stone and threw it at the Treasure Basin. It bounced back with a clang.
"There's definitely something wrong," I murmured to myself just as I heard footsteps approaching.
"What was that sound?" one of the guarding disciples asked.
"There's no one here; you must have misheard," replied another disciple. "We've been watching this Herb Garden for three to five years without any issues. They never let us refine pills here. If it weren't for fearing an elder's sudden inspection, I'd really want to go back to sleep."
The two walked out of the Herb Garden again. I stepped out from behind a herb rack and gazed at the Tai Sui Medicine Pool before me. This treasure could not be taken by force; otherwise, even if I avoided any traps set up around it, I would still attract the attention of Inner Sect elders, making it impossible for me to escape.
I took out my long-unused Zhou Compass. The needle spun as I checked past events in the Herb Garden until three years ago when an elder I had seen outside Azure Cloud Hall appeared by the Tai Sui Medicine Pool. He instructed those following him to retreat and guard around the Herb Garden before twisting one of the Bronze Toads inside the Iron Fence. As he did so, the water level in the pool gradually decreased with a ringing sound.
Then this elder from Alchemist's Chamber twisted four more frogs, causing the enclosure to slowly sink while the water level quickly vanished. He stepped into the Tai Sui Medicine Pool and retrieved a medicinal jar from beneath the Treasure Basin that contained Tai Sui's essence.
The basin of the Treasure Basin had several circular holes, and the flesh of Tai Sui had already been squeezed out. He left the Elixir Pool with the medicine jar and twisted the Bronze Toad according to the original sequence until the Elixir Pool returned to its original state.
I opened the Elixir Pool following the elder's sequence for twisting the Bronze Toad, watching the collected medicinal liquid beneath the Treasure Basin. While this liquid could be used for longevity and potion-making, it was insufficient for the Taoist Sacred Body Forging Technique.
I sensed that the concentration of Tai Sui's medicinal liquid was clearly not at the millennium Holy Medicine level; I needed more Tai Sui. The vitality of Tai Sui was extremely strong; although it was a flesh plant, it wouldn't die even if cut in half. I opened the Treasure Basin, intending to cut the Tai Sui inside into two halves, but all of it had already been squeezed into a mass, making it impossible to proceed.
"I can only apologize!"
I lifted the entire Treasure Basin and stored it within my Qi Sea. The water in the pool immediately began to flow out, and panic surged in my heart. I jumped out of Yaochi, only to see an Iron Fence suddenly spring up, forming a towering iron cage.
"Oh no, I'll be discovered." I realized that taking away the entire Treasure Basin had triggered a latent Protective Medicine Formation. Light flared up, and I climbed as quickly as possible over the high wall of the Herb Garden and leaped outside.
With a loud crash, a massive sound erupted, and I was thrown back by a huge wave, rolling into the mountain stream's grass.
Figures began to fly in from all around the peaks surrounding the sect. Taking advantage of the night’s cover, I returned to Birch Mountain.
Inside the Cave, Lin Jingyu noticed my trembling steps and asked in confusion, "Are you injured?"
I replied, "Just a minor injury; it's nothing serious. How are the medicines I asked you to prepare?"
Lin Jingyu said, "The herbs are ready and placed in your room, along with the Silver Needle you wanted."
"Thank you." I said with a pale face. "If anyone asks, just say we both stayed in the Cave all night."
"Understood, Brother Yang Hao," Lin Jingyu replied respectfully.
As soon as the sound faded, the Azure Mountain Bell of the Azure Cloud Sect rang out. Lin Jingyu looked at me, and I said, "You go ahead; I'll change my clothes and join you shortly."
The bell tolled, summoning all disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect to gather. As we stepped outside the Cave, we saw a hazy light shimmering in the air above the Azure Cloud Sect, enveloping the entire Azure Cloud Mountain.
"Azure Cloud Disciples, heed my command! All must assemble at the Outer Hall. Anyone attempting to leave the Azure Cloud Sect will be executed without mercy!" A commanding voice echoed through the air.
Panic spread among everyone as they struggled to understand what was happening. I made my way along the mountain path to the Azure Cloud Outer Hall, where the leader of the Azure Cloud Sect announced, "Just now, our sect's treasured Tai Sui Medicine King was stolen. This Tai Sui has lived for over eight hundred years; it was a miraculous herb discovered by our seventeenth sect leader on Kunlun Mountain. In another two hundred years, it could become a Millennium Taisui King. At that time, our sect would produce an unparalleled master of the Daoist path, elevating us to become a Supreme Sect. But now, our sect faces this theft, and our Herb Garden has been destroyed. If anyone knows who stole the Tai Sui and provides information, I will reward them with a Transcendence Pill and take them as my first disciple, personally teaching them the Azure Cloud Sword Classic!"
The leader's words ignited a frenzy among everyone present. The Transcendence Pill was notoriously difficult to refine; consuming one would allow those stuck at the Entry-Level Realm to swiftly ascend to the Divine Transformation Realm, becoming core disciples of the Inner Sect. While they might not continue to grow beyond that point, they would at least hold a high status beneath the elders.
Moreover, the sect leader had not taken on a disciple in over twenty years, and the Azure Cloud Sword Classic was a legendary sword technique passed down through generations in the Azure Cloud Sect. It was renowned throughout the Daoist World and rivaled any sect's cultivation methods, even standing shoulder to shoulder with those of Sword Pavilion.
Such a generous reward—who could resist?
At the same time, everyone learned that the Azure Cloud Sect possessed a Tai Sui—a treasure of immense value. Tales spoke of how Emperor Qin sought this elixir of immortality in ancient times. An eight-hundred-year-old Tai Sui was nearing the level of Holy Medicine; its potential after a thousand years would be unimaginable!
Who had the audacity to steal such a treasure?
More importantly, who possessed the ability to take away the Tai Sui?
Lin Jingyu turned back to glance at me; his expression was unreadable as if he had guessed something but chose not to speak.
An elder from the Alchemist's Chamber approached with several disciples in tow. He addressed the Azure Cloud Sect Leader: "Reporting to you, sect leader, we have investigated and found that the Tai Sui Medicine Pool was not forcibly opened. Someone manipulated the bronze toad in sequence to unlock its mechanisms; this person must be an expert in formations."
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader turned his gaze toward one of the elders and snorted coldly: "Arrest everyone from the Dao Artifact Workshop! Search them thoroughly—check their belongings and residences—and scour every inch of Dao Artifact Workshop until we find that Tai Sui!"
"Master!" The elder of the Alchemist's Chamber led a group of disciples toward the Dao Artifact Workshop, while another group began searching the Manager and disciples of the Dao Artifact Workshop.
At this moment, the Grand Elder said, "Master, Tai Sui grows in the Treasure Basin, where the Spirit Energy is abundant. I suggest we summon Jade Ruyi to search for spiritual items."
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader furrowed his brows in thought before nodding. He took out a jade Token from his sleeve, crushed it in his hand, and chanted a spell. Soon after, a green object flew in from the direction of Azure Cloud Hall.
This object resembled the Wealth-Bringing Boy holding a Prosperity Ruyi, which was traditionally associated with the Treasure Basin.
"This is bad. The Treasure Basin is still within my Qi Sea. If there's any connection between the Treasure Basin and Jade Ruyi that leads back to me..." I felt a layer of sweat break out on my forehead.
The disciples of Azure Cloud Sect looked at Jade Ruyi with expressions of astonishment. One of them remarked, "It's said that Jade Ruyi has an exceptional sensitivity to spiritual items and can attract wealth while warding off evil spirits. Among Taoist Sacred Artifacts, Jade Ruyi is considered the strongest."
"Go!" The Azure Cloud Sect Leader chanted a spell, and Jade Ruyi flew from his hand. When it hovered above one boy's head, it radiated brilliant light. The Grand Elder looked at the boy and asked, "What do you have on you?"
The boy was taken aback and quickly pulled out a Spirit Talisman from his pocket. He nervously replied, "Reporting to the Master and Grand Elder, this is a Spirit Talisman I found while searching for Zhang Jianzi in a cave."
"Ah, it's actually a Thousand Li Talisman! Even major sects might not possess one!" exclaimed one disciple.
A young man beside the boy said, "To discover such a treasure and keep it hidden is a serious crime against the sect!"
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader waved his hand dismissively and said, "Never mind. Treasures can be claimed by anyone; you can take it to the Inner Sect to exchange for what you need."
Then Jade Ruyi continued flying over the heads of these disciples, uncovering many coveted items. In the Daoist World, everyone had secrets; even seemingly inconspicuous individuals often held treasures beyond imagination.
When Jade Ruyi reached above my head, it paused briefly before swiftly moving on. I let out a sigh of relief; the Treasure Basin was within me, along with the Dragon Abyss Sword and Zhou Compass. In terms of quality, the Treasure Basin was certainly the least valuable among them, and I had no interest in it. Although Jade Ruyi was a treasure-seeking artifact, it could not compare to my Zhou Compass since Zhou Compass was a Daoist Sacred Artifact while Jade Ruyi was not.
Sacred Artifact possesses a spirit, and even magical treasures with consciousness would not dare to act recklessly when encountering a higher-level artifact. Even if it sensed something unusual, both the Dragon Abyss Sword and the Zhou Compass would suppress it. Moreover, the Zhou Compass might autonomously protect its master, preventing Jade Ruyi from detecting the condition of my Qi Sea.
Furthermore, no one ever thought that someone could be strange enough to conceal things within their Qi Sea.
Jade Ruyi searched through tens of thousands of disciples in the sect but ultimately failed to find any trace of the Treasure Basin. There was also no sign of any flesh or aura related to Tai Sui. A hint of fatigue appeared in the eyes of the Azure Cloud Sect Leader as he handed Jade Ruyi to Song Qianqiu, saying, “Qianqiu, take Jade Ruyi and search every peak where the disciples of the Dragon-Tiger List are located.”
“Disciple obeys,” replied Song Qianqiu, catching Jade Ruyi with both hands. He looked at the gathered disciples and said, “Brothers, I am your eldest senior brother, Song Qianqiu. The sect leader has already used Jade Ruyi to check each one of you. I believe you are all innocent. However, I must emphasize that if anyone knows who stole Tai Sui from the Herb Garden, or has seen any clues, please inform me. The sect’s Mountain Guardian Formation has been activated; the thief cannot escape.”
“This thief is truly despicable for stealing the treasure of the Azure Cloud Sect!” someone exclaimed.
“We must make sure this person suffers a fate worse than death!”
“I had no idea that the Azure Cloud Sect possessed such a precious item as Tai Sui. Sigh, who knows how many secrets the Daoist Sect is still hiding from us.”
Not long after returning to Birch Cave, Song Qianqiu arrived at Birch Mountain. Upon seeing Lin Jingyu, he greeted him, saying, “Jingyu.”
Lin Jingyu bowed respectfully and replied, “Jingyu greets senior brother.”
“There's no need for formalities, Jingyu. Since you are already a core disciple of the Dragon-Tiger List, we are like family. The sect's treasure has been stolen, and I have been ordered to check your Cave. Please don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind? It is my honor to have senior brother visit my Cave. Please come in,” said Lin Jingyu, leading Song Qianqiu inside. He glanced at me, and I also greeted senior brother.
Looking at me, Song Qianqiu remarked, “This junior brother has an impressive appearance and solid cultivation fluctuations; his strength is likely on par with that of Jingyu.”
I replied, “Senior brother flatters me. I am good friends with Jingyu, and it is thanks to his guidance that I have achieved some progress.”
As Song Qianqiu checked every corner of the Cave with his Jade Ruyi, the green light illuminated hidden objects in the shadows. He gently said, "You need not be modest. It is truly rare for someone your age to have such a solid foundation. With the current turmoil in the sect, you two newcomers must protect yourselves. Most of us are orphans, without parents to care for us when we venture out. Finding a true friend is also difficult. I envy your friendship that Jingyu is willing to let you stay in the Cave."
I was surprised by Song Qianqiu's heartfelt words and replied, "For someone as perfect as you, Master Brother, there must be a long line of people wanting to be your friend. I can only imagine how many young girls have a crush on you."
Song Qianqiu smiled and said, "I seek only the path of enlightenment and have not thought about romantic feelings. Please do not laugh at me, Junior Brother."
"I thought you and the Sword Princess were a perfect match," I remarked.
"Not at all. The Sword Princess is a talented individual. We merely rank among the top two on the Dragon-Tiger List, which is why people in the sect pay attention to us. Someone like me, who only knows how to cultivate, does not attract much notice. If you are interested in the Sword Princess, I can help introduce you," Song Qianqiu offered.
I replied, "I am not worthy of someone like the Sword Princess. Besides, while cultivating in the mountains, I do not wish to think about such matters."
Song Qianqiu said, "You should not belittle yourself so much. You seem familiar yet unfamiliar; you must be a newly admitted disciple. May I ask who your master is?"
I explained, "Since entering the sect, I have not taken a master due to the regulations of Azure Cloud Sect; we are unable to take on masters."
Song Qianqiu sighed and said, "There are too few elders in our sect, and not many who can teach effectively. Everyone is eager to cultivate and improve their skills, forgetting the true essence of cultivation. It’s all about fighting and killing these days in the Daoist World. I have discussed this issue with the Grand Elder and the Sect Leader but have yet to find a suitable solution. One-on-one teaching is simply overwhelming. However, there is a saying: 'A master leads one through the door; cultivation is up to the individual.' As long as we put in effort, we will surely gain something."
"Listening to your words has been enlightening," I said.
Song Qianqiu replied, "No need for courtesy. What is your name, Junior Brother?"
I answered, "My name is Yang Hao; 'Hao' as in vast."
Song Qianqiu nodded and said, "Alright, I will remember this name. I have finished checking inside the Cave; everything seems fine. It’s getting late now; I still need to check other peaks' Caves. You should rest."
Song Qianqiu walked towards the door, and both Lin Jingyu and I accompanied him outside. Song Qianqiu said, "You don't need to see me off; time is short. I will use my lightness skill to reach another peak. And Jingyu, as the tenth on the Dragon-Tiger List, I must remind you as your senior brother that being tenth doesn't mean you are a core disciple. There are some secrets of the sect that you have yet to touch upon. You must work hard in your cultivation."
"I understand, Senior Brother," Lin Jingyu replied.
Song Qianqiu nodded at us and then leaped into the forest, swiftly running along the treetops toward another mountain peak.
Lin Jingyu looked in the direction where Song Qianqiu had disappeared and remarked, "Senior Brother's character is truly flawless; he makes everyone else look bad."
I ignored Lin Jingyu's words. Indeed, Song Qianqiu had a gentle demeanor, was tall and handsome, and possessed unfathomable strength. As the top disciple of the Inner Sect, he was highly trusted by both the sect leader and the elder. Most importantly, he was humble and did not look down on anyone. He radiated positive energy and could engage with anyone easily.
I couldn't help but admire him from the bottom of my heart; however, I knew we could never be friends. My experiences were filled with conspiracy, and I carried too much hatred. I didn't want to affect such a good person. Perhaps he would become a legendary figure in the Daoist World, respected by all. All I could do was wish him well; if he ever faced difficulties, maybe I would lend him a hand.
In the Daoist World, elders or powerful individuals typically do not ask for the names of the weak because it lowers their status. Yet Song Qianqiu took the initiative to ask for my name, which certainly made me feel positively toward him. Unconsciously, I began to regard him as a friend.
I called Lin Jingyu into the cave and closed the door tightly behind us. Then I took out all the medicinal materials I had prepared from my Qi Sea. Lin Jingyu was startled to see so many herbs suddenly appear out of nowhere.
I said, "This is my secret; you don't need to ask too much. For these two days, don't let anyone come up to the mountain. You will be my guardian while I concoct a potion that is extraordinary and can greatly enhance our physical strength."
"Our?" Lin Jingyu asked.
I nodded and replied, "Yes, ours. Since I'm using you, naturally you won't miss out on any benefits."
Lin Jingyu inquired, "What kind of potion does Brother Yang Hao intend to brew?"
I answered, "It's for the Taoist Sacred Body Forging Technique."
"Isn't that book already outdated, Dao Jing? The herbs mentioned in it are impossible to gather now. Besides, the Taoist Sacred Body is merely a legend," Lin Jingyu said.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and asked, "Is Tai Sui really here with Brother Yang Hao?"
I nodded, and Lin Jingyu quickly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for sharing such a great opportunity with me!"
Then, Lin Jingyu and I began to set up some formations to prevent Spirit Energy from leaking. Following the method outlined in the Taoist Sacred Body Forging Technique, we prepared a large cauldron and lit a fire beneath it. We added the appropriate amount of herbs one by one. After simmering through the night, the medicinal broth achieved the desired effect. I took a large portion of both the Dragon's Essence Flower and Blood Bodhi, and also dug out a substantial piece of Tai Sui from the Treasure Basin.
Both the Dragon's Essence Flower and Blood Bodhi Grass are meant to be ingested for maximum potency. As for Tai Sui, this miraculous substance cannot be boiled or swallowed directly; it must be placed in the abdomen near the Qi Sea and refined with Dao Qi. This way, when all three medicinal powers are absorbed simultaneously, they will clash and counteract each other to maximize their effects and bring about changes in the body.
"Jingyu, you need to enter seclusion now. Stay outside and guard the door; do not let anyone disturb me. No matter what sounds you hear, do not come in. Success hinges on this moment. If I succeed, I will help you refine your Holy Body," I said to Lin Jingyu.
"Understood," Lin Jingyu replied with a nod before stepping outside.
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