Chapter 64
Translator: T_Fan
Lee Hyun withdrew his divine sense from the jade slip.
“When do we depart?”
“We’re planning to leave ten days from now. Wrap up your current duties and make your preparations in the meantime.”
Song Qiming pointed at the jade slip.
“It isn’t written here, but the Outer Alchemy Court will assign six Qi Refining disciples to work under you. Most of them are experienced in alchemy and handling medicinal ingredients, so you shouldn’t have much trouble working on-site. The formation masters, talisman makers, and artifact refiners from the other peaks have already gone ahead and started working.”
“Will you be staying there as well, Eldest Senior Brother?”
“I plan to stay for about the first month. Once we’ve put the lodgings and alchemy rooms in order and coordinated the work with the local cultivators, I’ll have to return.”
…
After returning to Qingyu Ravine, Lee Hyun looked over the jade slip detailing the assignment once more.
Haimen Port was a harbor roughly sixty thousand li west-northwest of the Danxiao Range. It did not seem particularly far on the map, but actually traveling back and forth would take quite some time.
‘It’s not far from Tunnel No. 3, so that’s not bad. It should also make Two Heavens Society activities easier. But….’
He took the Danxiao Sect identity token bearing the name Li Dongsan from his storage pouch.
He had passed the Special Selection for Skilled Practitioners as a thirty-five-year-old rogue cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 8, received a Foundation Establishment Pill and successfully broken through at seventy-seven, and was now posing as a 117-year-old mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Considering the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would not seem strange for him to remain another hundred years or so.
Still, he was not sure whether merely making himself look older would be enough.
Even if he disguised his appearance with various disguise methods, if his qi and blood and physical condition remained unchanged while his fellow disciples grew visibly old and frail, someone close to him might eventually find it suspicious.
‘Another fifty years at most would probably be best.’
There were still things he would regret giving up if he left immediately.
His Master knew a great deal and was earnest about teaching him. His fellow disciples were decent people as well, and once he finished his routine duties, he was mostly free to do as he pleased.
Finding another place like this would be a task in itself.
Still, he had acquired the pill recipes for Foundation Establishment Pills, Origin-Opening Pills, and Profundity-Penetrating Pills, and had already secured propagation stock for growing the essential medicinal ingredients. He was no longer in the same predicament as before, where leaving the sect would leave him at a loss as to where he could obtain what he needed for cultivation.
‘Demon beasts…. Something about the situation feels suspicious. There’s always a chance I might not make it back from this external assignment, so I should spend my contribution points before I go.’
Over the past fifteen years, Lee Hyun had steadily performed his routine alchemy and auxiliary duties, occasionally taking on additional commissions as well, so he had accumulated quite a few contribution points.
After considering what he ought to obtain with them, Lee Hyun rose from his seat.
…
The Inner Pavilion of the Scripture Pavilion.
While examining the list of inheritances, Lee Hyun stopped in front of a jade slip.
Primordial One-Qi Art: Golden Core Section
It required 320 contribution points to access.
‘So it really is here.’
Strangely enough, the Primordial One-Qi Art was not classified as a cultivation art for personal practice, but was stored alongside inheritances from various fields of craft.
That was because Primordial True Qi could change its nature with relatively few restrictions, allowing some of its mnemonic formulas and principles to be applied to crafts such as formations and talisman crafting.
It was not an inheritance monopolized by the sect, either, and almost no one tried to cultivate it directly, so the access cost was relatively low for a Golden Core cultivation art.
Lee Hyun handed his identity token to the cultivator overseeing the area.
“I would like to access this.”
…
Inside the inheritance chamber.
Lee Hyun pressed the jade slip to his forehead.
The opening section described key formulas for gathering and stabilizing the true essence of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection and harmonizing one’s essence, qi and spirit before Core Formation. It was followed by mnemonic formulas for Core Formation and cultivation methods to use after forming a golden core.
Finally, there was an extensive section dealing with the Primordial Body. Unlike the Foundation Establishment Section, however, it was extraordinarily difficult, making it nearly impossible to understand on the spot. The annotations would make him feel as though he was beginning to grasp a passage, only for the very next section to leave him completely lost again.
‘For now, I need to memorize it perfectly. Once I leave, I can inscribe the contents onto a blank jade slip.’
Lee Hyun calmly committed even the sections he could not understand to memory.
…
After leaving the inheritance chamber, Lee Hyun went through the list of craft inheritances again.
This time, he chose an inheritance titled Record of Marine Demon-Beast Materials.
It covered methods for identifying and processing poison sacs, bile, bones, shells, and other materials harvested from demon beasts found in the sea.
The access cost was only thirty contribution points, so it was not expensive.
Next, Lee Hyun examined the inheritances concerning formations.
The spirit fields in Tunnel No. 3 were continuing to expand. Moreover, the medicine age of the spirit plants was steadily increasing, so relying solely on the fact that they were hidden deep underground made him somewhat uneasy.
Nothing had happened thus far, but there was no guarantee that would remain true forever.
His gaze stopped on one entry.
Spirit-Concealing Formation
It was a Tier-2 formation used to conceal underground cultivation cave abodes.
Lee Hyun read the description beneath it.
It could suppress the fluctuations of spiritual power leaking from a residence, while the formation itself specialized in concealing its aura among the surrounding earth qi. The deeper it was installed within layers of bedrock, the more effective it became. Since it borrowed the power of the local earth vein and terrain, it also consumed almost no spirit stones.
‘This would be perfect for the tunnel.’
The access cost was 140 contribution points.
Lee Hyun asked the managing cultivator,
“Is there anywhere that sells the formation plate and formation devices for this formation?”
“Not within our sect, as far as I know. This formation is only used to hide cave abodes and has weak defensive capabilities, so there isn’t much demand for it. On top of that, its formation plate and formation devices have to be custom-made to suit the local terrain. I doubt anyone sells premade sets. The inheritance contains the manufacturing methods, so you will either have to study the formation yourself using those as reference or commission a formation master.”
Lee Hyun thought for a moment.
Would he have to commission a formation master to make the formation plate and formation devices?
Having someone else make them would mean explaining every detail of the tunnel’s structure and terrain, which made him uncomfortable. And if he made different kinds of tunnels in the future, he would have to ask a formation master all over again.
‘No one has ever discovered the tunnels so far, so it isn’t urgent. I’ll access it for research purposes first and learn how to make the formation plate and formation devices later.’
Lee Hyun held out his identity token.
“I’ll access this one as well.”
…
The inheritance of the Spirit-Concealing Formation covered everything from methods for examining bedrock layers to the materials and artifact-forging methods for the formation devices, along with techniques for engraving restrictions into the formation plate.
Its contents were so extensive and thorough that the contribution points did not feel wasted in the slightest.
Lee Hyun memorized every diagram and annotation without missing anything before leaving the Scripture Pavilion. After returning to Qingyu Ravine, he accurately inscribed the contents of Primordial One-Qi Art: Golden Core Section, Record of Marine Demon-Beast Materials, and Spirit-Concealing Formation onto blank jade slips.
***
It was the fifth day since they had departed from the Danxiao Sect.
A flying boat soared beneath the clouds.
Lee Hyun, Song Qiming, and Ge Tianxiong of the Dharma Protector Court were seated on the deck. The Qi Refining disciples were either resting inside the cabins or checking the supplies entrusted to them.
Ge Tianxiong was a Foundation Establishment Stage 7 cultivator. He looked to be in his mid-forties, with a sturdy build and a short beard.
Setting down his teacup, he said,
“I heard about Fellow Daoist Li from Fellow Daoist Xue.”
“Fellow Daoist Xue Jingxing?”
“That’s right. He seemed rather baffled when he heard I’d be accompanying you as an escort. He asked why anyone would bother escorting Fellow Daoist Li…. He told me you’re probably the most skilled fighter among the Danxiao Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators. Is that true?”
Lee Hyun scratched his head.
“Surely not. Fellow Daoist Xue must simply enjoy praising others.”
“Fellow Daoist Xue? He’s never praised me even once…….”
“….”
“Anyway, hearing that you’re skilled in combat certainly puts my mind at ease.”
…
A few days later.
An endless expanse of blue appeared ahead of the flying boat.
It was the sea.
Lee Hyun walked to the edge of the deck.
The mountain ranges on land gradually sank lower as they stretched toward the sea, and a large harbor lay nestled between them. Inside the long breakwaters, ships of every size were packed together.
Small fishing boats came and went beside enormous merchant vessels with their sails lowered. Long lines of wagons and laborers filled the docks, and cultivators riding magic tools could be seen moving above them.
On the low hills west of the harbor, a long wall built from black stone enclosed the area.
Thick pillars stood at regular intervals atop the wall facing the sea, and a faintly glowing formation barrier stretched between them.
Characters were engraved above the fortress gate.
Jinghai Fort.
Originally, it had been a small stone fort protecting the harbor, but several powers had expanded it together. Inside the walls stood dozens of halls, warehouses, and workshops, connected by roads wide enough for cargo wagons to pass through.
A tall watchtower rose on the side facing the harbor, and several cultivators beneath it were inspecting the wagons entering and leaving.
…
The flying boat descended onto a broad open ground inside Jinghai Fort.
Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Biluo Sect and the Danxiao Sect cultivators who had been dispatched ahead of them came to greet the party. After confirming one another’s identity tokens and assignment documents, Song Qiming headed toward an inner hall with them.
Five Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Danxiao Sect were already staying there.
There was one formation master, one talisman maker, and one artifact refiner from various peaks, as well as one cultivator from the Dharma Protector Court responsible for security and escorts. The remaining person belonged to the External Affairs Court and was tasked with coordinating personnel and supplies while communicating with the local powers.
Including Lee Hyun and Ge Tianxiong, there would be seven Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there permanently.
The Biluo Sect had also sent six Foundation Establishment cultivators. They had not sent any alchemists, but they did have cultivators capable of repairing formations, making talismans, and maintaining magic tools. Including the disciples assisting in each field and the personnel assigned to security, escort, and transport duties, the two sects alone had sent nearly two hundred people.
There were also cultivators from local minor sects and hired laborers staying there.
Lee Hyun led the Qi Refining disciples in unloading supplies from the boat.
“Do not break the seals on the medicinal ingredients. Move them to the inner storehouse as they are.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle Li!”
The disciples hurried into action.
The hall assigned to their group was located in the eastern part of Jinghai Fort.
A signboard reading Pill Refining Pavilion hung above the main entrance. Inside were four alchemy chambers, a Medicinal Ingredient Storehouse, and a spacious workroom for preparing medicinal ingredients. Beyond a small courtyard in the rear stood a row of rooms for the cultivators to live in.
Lee Hyun’s residence was a detached building with its own courtyard, situated farther inside.
The sea was visible through the windows, and the interior had a bedroom as well as a separate study furnished with bookshelves. An adjoining stone chamber even contained a Qi-Gathering Formation for personal cultivation.
‘Not bad.’
…
The next few days were somewhat busy.
First, Lee Hyun installed the Tier-2 mid-grade pill furnace and formation devices brought from the sect, then checked the quantity and condition of everything delivered to the Medicinal Ingredient Storehouse. He also examined the pill recipes previously used locally and the records concerning demon-beast poison.
The formation master and artifact refiner who had arrived earlier inspected the burners and restrictions connected to the pill furnace. There was no earth fire available here, so the burners had to be ignited by inserting spirit stones into their formations, or else an alchemist had to use a fire-element technique personally.
After testing the heat, Lee Hyun designated areas for preparing medicinal ingredients and storing completed pills.
An elderly Qi Refining cultivator who had been working locally handed Lee Hyun a thick ledger.
“This is the current backlog. Most of it consists of Detoxification Pills and Blood-Staunching Pills, along with a smaller amount of pills that replenish qi and blood.”
The elderly cultivator led Lee Hyun into a separate stone chamber.
The jade caskets arranged on the stone table contained poison sacs, dried clots of blood, broken demon-beast bones, and other materials. Each casket had a slip of paper attached recording where and when it had been obtained, along with the demon beast’s appearance.
“We recognize some of the species, but others are ones we’ve only encountered recently. We were afraid that if we processed them recklessly on our own, we might ruin the medicinal ingredients….”
“You did well.”
…
After a few days, Lee Hyun had more or less organized the work under his responsibility.
The local alchemists continued making the pills they were familiar with, while the Danxiao Sect disciples divided the backlog and inspection work among themselves.
The Tier-1 alchemists who had worked in the Outer Alchemy Court were generally capable, as one would expect from disciples of a great sect.
Only Tier-2 demon-beast materials, specimens that were difficult to process using existing methods, and pill recipes that required adjustments to their formulation were brought to Lee Hyun.
As for demon-beast materials he had never seen before, he could compare them against local records and experiment with small quantities until he found the proper method of processing them. No one pressured him to produce an immediate answer. The Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Biluo Sect and Danxiao Sect were effectively kings here, so the local merchant groups and minor sects could not casually rush them.
As long as he met the assigned quota, the rest of his time was his own.
Even so, Lee Hyun intended to do what he could as a Tier-2 alchemist for the local cultivators and mortals.
…
About fifteen days later.
The six disciples gathered in the medicinal-preparation room were staring at the stone table.
In front of Lee Hyun lay a poison sac taken from a demon beast he had never seen before. Fine blue veins crisscrossed its surface like a net, while tiny bubbles continuously formed in the mucus inside.
One disciple cautiously spoke.
“Martial Uncle Li, we have no idea how to process this ourselves.”
Lee Hyun read through the processing notes the disciple had written, examined the poison sac, and then took it into the alchemy chamber.
A low, broad pill furnace rested atop the stone platform.
Lee Hyun first activated the furnace’s restrictions. Then, with a sweep of his hand, the poison sac floated into the air. It split open above the furnace, allowing the thick blue liquid inside to pour down.
Lee Hyun moved his fingers while examining the qi within it using the Aura-Reading Art and Poison-Discerning Art.
Whoosh–
One of the three divided flames unraveled into fine flame threads. The flame threads crossed over one another until they densely covered the top of the pill furnace, while the remaining two flames entered the furnace and began heating the poisonous liquid.
The Qi Refining disciples could only stare openmouthed at the wondrous technique they were seeing for the first time.
As the poisonous liquid swelled, a blue mist rose from it. The moment the mist tried to escape the furnace, the flame curtain linked to the restrictions curved inward and forced it back inside.
A short while later, the material inside the furnace separated into three portions: a clear liquid, a sticky mass, and blackened powder.
Lee Hyun poured the refined liquid and the sticky mass into separate jade bottles.
He examined the remaining powder once more. After confirming that the Poison-Discerning Art detected no lingering reaction from it, he withdrew his hand.
“Seal these two bottles for research. There is no toxic qi left in the powder, so it can be discarded.”
One disciple stood with his mouth open for a moment before bowing his head.
“That was incredible. But may I ask the name of that technique you used to divide the flames into several streams? Could we access it at the Scripture Pavilion as well?”
“Ah, this?”
Lee Hyun shaped the flame above his palm into a crane and made it flap its wings, drawing exclamations from the Qi Refining disciples.
“It’s called the Flame-Threading Art. Only disciples of Yanxia Peak are permitted to learn it. You won’t find it in the Scripture Pavilion.”
“Yanxia Peak….”
“Do not try imitating it recklessly. Fire-element techniques have considerable killing power.”
“Yes!”
The disciples carried the jade bottles out
Someone spoke quietly dozens of zhang away, but Lee Hyun could hear them with his divine sense.
“He blocked the pill furnace with a curtain of flame so the poisonous mist couldn’t spread outside. That really was an incredible technique….”
“But how is he already so good at processing demon-beast poison when he’s only been here a short while? Are all Tier-2 alchemists like that?”
As Lee Hyun listened, he purged the lingering traces clinging to his body with the Detoxification Art and Cleansing Art.
In truth, Lee Hyun was exceptionally skilled at detoxification.
After all, the Bone-Rot Flowers, Purple Poison Orchids, and Yin Soul Grass he had handled for over a thousand years were all poisonous medicinal plants. Of course, he still had to learn the properties of unfamiliar demon-beast poisons from scratch. But separating only the toxic qi little by little while preserving the medicinal potency had long since become second nature to him.
…
When Lee Hyun reached the courtyard in front of his residence, he found a small jade casket sitting on the table. Opening it revealed several round pieces of white flesh inside.
“What is this?”
A disciple in the courtyard answered.
“It’s the meat of an Azure-Shelled Clam, a Tier-1 spirit creature. The merchant group that delivered medicinal ingredients today left some for us. Everyone at the Pill Refining Pavilion shared it, and we set aside your portion, Martial Uncle.”
Lee Hyun picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
After using the Aura-Reading Art and Poison-Discerning Art to check it for poison or any sinister qi, he put it in his mouth. The flesh was tender, with a sweet taste lingering at the end.
“Delicious.”
“I’ll get more the next time I go out to the harbor.”
“There’s no need. Finish your assigned work first, then get some rest.”
“Yes.”
After the disciple withdrew, Lee Hyun leaned back against a long chair.
When he opened his spirit-insect pouch, a small ball of golden fur crawled out. The fuzzbee prodded the clam meat on the table, then, apparently uninterested, crawled into his sleeve. Lee Hyun put the fuzzbee back into the spirit-insect pouch and took a popular novel from his storage pouch.
‘I’ve got it easy.’
He ate another piece of clam meat and turned the page.
***
About a month after their arrival, Eldest Senior Brother Song Qiming returned to the main sect after finishing the work of coordinating their duties.
Before leaving, Song Qiming called Lee Hyun aside.
“If something happens that you cannot handle, report it to the main sect. There is no need to try solving everything with only the people stationed here.”
“Yes.”
Even after Song Qiming departed, the Pill Refining Pavilion continued operating smoothly.
The demon-beast materials whose processing methods Lee Hyun had already organized were handled by the juniors, who added their own annotations to the records as they worked. Only unfamiliar specimens were set aside separately.
Ge Tianxiong would occasionally stop by for tea on his way back from patrolling the area around the harbor or escorting a convoy.
…
A few days later.
Shiwan Market, northeast of Haimen Port.
The cultivator market sat among low, rocky hills. Rogue cultivators traveling to and from Haimen Port came there to buy and sell goods or rest for a while. Old shops lined both sides of the road, while stalls in the open spaces displayed jumbled piles of dried medicinal ingredients, chipped magic tools, demon-beast bones, and hides.
It had originally been a small market in decline, but the recent appearances of Tier-2 demon beasts and the frequent passage of Foundation Establishment cultivators had gradually begun breathing life back into it.
The Dongshun General Store, tucked deep within an alley, was one of the least conspicuous shops there. Cracked medicine mortars and empty jars were piled in front of the entrance, and an elderly clerk dozed beneath a faded signboard.
In the underground stone chamber beneath it, masked cultivators had gathered.
Soon, the floor rippled, and a cultivator in purple robes rose from below. All seven people immediately stood.
“We pay our respects to the Society Head.”
From beneath the Badger mask, Lee Hyun’s gaze swept over them.
Compared to the time a Tier-2 gu warrior from the Black Sun Office of Qianyang Kingdom had infiltrated under the guise of Black Sable, every member attending the central gathering had since been replaced. Though the same masks remained, the voices and mannerisms were different. The previous members had either died of old age or retired after handing their duties over to successors.
Lee Hyun sat in the seat of honor.
“Report.”
First came reports concerning vein seats and contact points.
Afterward, they discussed exchanges and transactions involving various magic tools, talismans, pills, and other goods.
Lee Hyun allowed the members to trade freely among themselves and did not involve himself. His realm and skills had risen considerably, and he now had access to the Danxiao Sect’s various resources, so the items handled by these members were almost entirely useless to him.
The rogue cultivators around this area who made use of vein seats and residual-vein pockets were mostly Qi Refining cultivators. Those at Foundation Establishment or above were rare.
‘Should I raise the caliber of the membership? Well, the information gathered by members moving around in different places is still useful….’
After various matters were discussed, the member wearing the Red Crab mask spoke last.
“Society Head. What do you think about establishing a useful connection in Haimen Port?”
“With whom?”
“I hear there is a Tier-2 alchemist dispatched there from the Danxiao Sect. His name is Li Dongsan.”
“And?”
“If we could recruit him, I believe it would greatly benefit the Two Heavens Society members nearby. With your abilities, Society Head, recruiting a Foundation Establishment cultivator should be nothing.”
Black Crow snapped at him.
“Idiot. He’s a Foundation Establishment alchemist from a great sect. Do you have any idea what could happen if we brought someone like that into the Two Heavens Society?”
“Hmph. The depths of our Two Heavens Society are endless, and our influence spans several cultivation nations. You’re the newcomer here, so it seems you simply don’t understand. Perhaps even the Danxiao Sect is insignificant compared to the Two Heavens Society’s true power.”
Lee Hyun stared gravely at Red Crab.
‘The Two Heavens Society is not that powerful….’
Lee Hyun looked back over his past actions, wondering whether he had cultivated too much of an air of mystery around the organization, but Red Crab seemed to be an exception.
“Red Crab, do not recklessly act in the name of the Two Heavens Society. Our depths may be boundless, but that does not mean they are yours to wield.”
“My apologies.”
“Do not attempt to recruit cultivators from great sects. And report any new developments concerning the nearby demon beasts, Qianyang Kingdom, or anything else of note.”
“Yes!”
***
Fifteen days later.
Ge Tianxiong came to find Lee Hyun while he was studying the formation inscriptions of the Spirit-Concealing Formation in the rear courtyard of the Pill Refining Pavilion.
He held a fragment of blue shell in one hand.
“Fellow Daoist Li, could you take a look at this?”
Lee Hyun accepted the piece of shell.
Its edges were charred black, while dark green mucus had dried along the inner surface.
“The toxic qi is quite strong.”
“I heard a merchant ship was attacked yesterday along one of the nearby sea routes. The attackers were Tier-2 demon beasts called Ironback Sea Crocodiles. Some local Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby tried to drive them off once, but they failed.”
Ge Tianxiong took a map from his storage pouch.
A chain of small islands lay a little over two hundred li southwest of Haimen Port. A red mark had been drawn over the narrow waterway between them.
“They’ve settled around here.”
“How many are there?”
“Three have been confirmed. The largest one was apparently around late Tier 2. Their poisonous mist makes them difficult to approach, and if they get cornered, they dive underwater.”
“Are you going to subjugate them?”
“I’m planning to go tomorrow. One of the local Foundation Establishment cultivators who went there before will guide us, and two Biluo Sect cultivators have agreed to join us in hunting them. Would you come with us as well, Fellow Daoist Li? It would help if you could examine the toxic qi. And of course, if we could borrow those sword skills Xue Jingxing told me about, that would be even better.”
“Very well.”
…
The next morning.
Five Foundation Establishment cultivators left Haimen Port and headed southwest.
The coastal cliffs and small harbors gradually receded behind them.
The once-clear seawater darkened into a deep navy blue.
The cultivator guiding them pointed ahead.
“There.”
A half-destroyed merchant ship was wedged between two small islands.
Then a dark blue-black armored back rose from beneath it, lifting the enormous hull to one side.
Crack–
With the sound of the ship’s bottom splitting apart, an enormous snout emerged above the surface of the water.
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