Chapter Sixty-Three: Returning Once More to Qingyun Hollow

Seeing that Yun Jiezi had already left, Liu Junhuai and his companion had achieved their goal and lost all interest in detaining the others. Wu Wanren said, “Do you think Uncle Yun Jiezi will hold a grudge against us? How about we split the remaining wine in this jar among ourselves and take some back for our master to taste? If more people come, there’ll be nothing left for us. What do you all think?”

The others were secretly delighted; they hadn’t expected Junior Brother Wu Wanren to be so considerate. It seemed wise to cultivate a close relationship with him in the future.

They divided the remaining mulberry spirit and left satisfied.

With the room now empty, Wu Wanren raised his thumb toward Liu Junhuai. “Junhuai, your plan was brilliant. I didn’t expect those fellows to cooperate so well. We’re in the clear now. When dawn comes tomorrow, you can leave safely.”

Liu Junhuai replied, “It’s not that simple. Once Yun Jiezi calms down and thinks things over, he’ll notice the gaps in our story. Uncle Wu, I’ve drawn up a simplified version of the spiritual root restoration technique. Tomorrow you should give it to your master and say I wish to join the sect. This technique is my token of sincerity.”

Wu Wanren stared in surprise. “Junhuai, you’re actually handing over this technique? We’ve already muddled through; you could have kept it as leverage for future dealings with Celestial Mechanism Sect.”

Liu Junhuai shook his head. “Uncle Wu, this is only an abridged version. It’s slow and only somewhat effective, while our own people will have access to the complete one. Handing over the simplified version helps you greatly within the sect, though your master still won’t accept me as a disciple. Altair and the others disappeared because of this technique—possessing treasure invites disaster. Perhaps diverting the trouble will do some good.”

Wu Wanren was puzzled. “What do you mean by ‘possessing treasure invites disaster’?”

Only then did Liu Junhuai realize that the idiom didn’t exist on this continent. Not knowing how to explain, he brushed it off with vague words.

They discussed the matter at length but found no major flaws in their story and decided to let it rest. As for the sect connecting Altair’s disappearance with Liu Junhuai, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, there seemed little risk.

In the end, Liu Junhuai persuaded Wu Wanren to leave the Celestial Mechanism Sect before his own three-year deadline was up, since the day he sought revenge, his true strength would be revealed.

The night passed uneventfully. After agreeing on a way to contact each other, Liu Junhuai left the sect at dawn.

Returning to his cave in Crane-Cap Ridge, Liu Junhuai entered the Myriad Phenomena Tower.

The old steward was already waiting at the storeroom door.

Liu Junhuai took out his spoils from the night before—a cascade of treasures from several storage rings spilled across the floor.

It didn’t take him long to break the rings’ restrictions. When he saw what lay within Altair’s ring, even the old steward couldn’t remain calm.

Picking up a jade box, the steward said, “This is a drop of ten-thousand-year-old stalactite essence. It can break through any bottleneck below the Nascent Soul stage. Of course, it can be used in alchemy, though the effect is less potent and requires more, but the master must be a seventh-grade alchemist to refine it.”

In another jade box lay a stalk of jet-black spiritual herb. Seeing Liu Junhuai’s confusion, the steward explained, “You’re holding a seedling of the Ink Jade Lotus. Its seeds can be refined into Ink Lotus Pills that temporarily grant overwhelming power! The rhizome is an unparalleled material for crafting magical artifacts. This lotus grows only where the five elements’ spiritual energy converges, and the ambient aura must be so dense as to liquefy! The lotus is a dream ingredient for all alchemists, used to make Ink Spirit Pills, which allow anyone below the Unity stage to break through their current barrier instantly! This Ink Jade Lotus is a treasure from root to blossom, but due to its harsh requirements, its existence is but legend.”

Liu Junhuai was overjoyed; he hadn’t expected Altair to leave behind such a precious gift.

“Can the Ink Jade Lotus be planted in the little lake inside the Mountain River Gourd?” Liu Junhuai asked.

The old steward nodded. “It should be possible, but whether it will mature is another matter—this is a legendary treasure, and I’ve never seen any records of its successful cultivation.”

The ring also contained an astonishing amount of spirit stones. Since entering the cultivation world, Liu Junhuai had amassed a considerable fortune by various means, but compared to Altair, he was a pauper.

Altair’s ring held tens of millions of lower-grade spirit stones and nearly a million medium-grade stones. What pleased Liu Junhuai most was the presence of ten thousand upper-grade spirit stones.

Besides these, there were a dozen jade slips, all containing various techniques and sword arts. Liu Junhuai glanced through them; none were particularly unique.

There weren’t many pills—only one Golden Essence Pill of any value, though Liu Junhuai already had several.

The other cultivators’ rings contained more ordinary fare: spirit stones, pills, materials, and such, but in limited quantities.

However, two round eggs among the miscellaneous items caught the steward’s attention. He turned them over in his hands for some time but could not identify them.

“We should set these aside. These eggs are likely extraordinary. Only hatching them will reveal their true nature,” the steward remarked.

Liu Junhuai was puzzled as well. His divine sense couldn’t penetrate them, as though a layer of restriction blocked his perception.

He was also curious about a pouch-shaped artifact among the loot; it was his first time encountering such a treasure.

The old steward explained, “That is a Black Cloud Pouch, a top-grade earth-tier artifact. It’s activated by true essence and requires a period of nurturing after each use.”

There was also a pile of swords and blades, none of particularly high grade, which Liu Junhuai swept up without a second thought.

“Steward, the only matter left in Pingdu City is the Scarlet Fire Nine-Infant. Do you have any good ideas? I’ve racked my brain over the past days trying to subdue it, but to no avail.”

The steward replied, “That is indeed a problem. Your cultivation base is too low; subduing it by force is nearly impossible. You’ll have to find an opportunity in the environment itself. Last time, I asked you to check for stone monuments or identifying markers in the area. If there are any, I suggest refining them. That’s the only method I can think of.”

Liu Junhuai nodded, feeling a bit downcast. He’d offended the Scarlet Fire Nine-Infant badly last time. If he couldn’t prove the cave was truly a fragment of Mount Sumeru, this journey to Qingyun Ravine would be fruitless.

Seeing Liu Junhuai’s furrowed brow, the old steward smiled. “Master, don’t dwell on it. If you miss this chance, there will be others. It’s a stroke of fortune to gain anything at all.”

“Originally nothing, whence could dust alight?” Liu Junhuai thought to himself, reflecting on his mood.

He worked to set aside his worries and felt his heart clear.

After meeting Wu Wanren and learning the Shen family’s general plans, Liu Junhuai felt an urgent need to enhance his combat power. Whether he succeeded or failed in Qingyun Ravine, he would go into seclusion to raise his cultivation afterward.

Taking his leave of the steward, Liu Junhuai exited the Myriad Phenomena Tower and flew by sword toward Qingyun Ravine.

Qingyun Ravine, Dragon Sacrifice Pool.

He recalled his first visit, when he was only at the fifth stage of Qi Refinement, hiding behind the waterfall at the mere sight of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Now, he could kill even early Core Formation cultivators.

That Foundation Establishment cultivator had likely perished in the Dragon Sacrifice Pool’s plot.

The disaster at the pool hadn’t changed the area much; standing at the water’s edge, Liu Junhuai saw nothing particularly different.

He leapt across the pool and slipped behind the waterfall. The stone fissure appeared before him once more.

Feeling a wave of nostalgia, Liu Junhuai closed his eyes and took a moment to calm his mind.

Opening his eyes again, he began his second exploration.

As he advanced into the narrow crevice, he felt how his body had changed. Passages that were once easy now required effort.

At the tightest point, he had to widen the gap with his blade to pass through.

Finally, he reached the opening above the pool. The familiar chill in the air filled him with excitement.

He dared not leap down, fearing to alarm whatever creature lurked below. Instead, he slid down slowly.

The moment the icy water touched his skin, Liu Junhuai knew the true adventure had begun.

The restrictions in the cavern remained. Last time, his divine sense could only reach six feet; this time, it extended to nearly sixty.

He silently swam to the far bank and began searching the cave.

Inside, tension gripped him. The memory of the Scarlet Fire Nine-Infant’s power was fresh. He could only hope the beast remembered that he had spared its life, even if he had stolen the “Devouring Fire Lotus” it guarded.

Suddenly, a troubling thought struck Liu Junhuai.

The steward had said: the Scarlet Fire Nine-Infant was a divine beast born with innate power and could not advance further, so why did it guard the Devouring Fire Lotus? He had never consumed the lotus himself, worrying it would undermine his foundation. If he returned it, might the Nine-Infant forgive him?

With this thought, he left the cave, found a hidden spot, and entered the Myriad Phenomena Tower.

He explained his idea to the steward, who pondered for a while before replying, “Ancient texts do not record the Scarlet Fire Nine-Infant guarding any object. Returning the Devouring Fire Lotus is worth a try, but what if it is guarding the Heavenly Lotus Heartfire? Still, this is your last resort—the Heartfire is even more precious than the Nine-Infant, as I’m sure you realize.”

A flash of inspiration came to Liu Junhuai. With a thought, Azurite leapt into his palm.

As soon as Azurite appeared, it sensed the familiar aura. From its restless movements, Liu Junhuai could clearly feel its excitement and unease.