Translator: CinderTL
The two of them retrieved all the Spirit Herbs for refining the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill and laid them out on the cave floor.
Ye Bing's expression brightened as she gazed at the dazzling array of Spirit Herbs.
Though the journey had taken over twenty years, they had finally achieved their goal.
"Immortal Maiden," Ye Bing said, "now that we've gathered all the Spirit Herbs, when do you plan to begin refining the pill?"
"There's no rush," Ye Bing replied. "After returning to Cloudveil City, I'll need to seclude myself for some time to thoroughly study the refining techniques for the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill. Although I witnessed Jiang Guyun refine this pill firsthand, I've never attempted it myself, so I must proceed with caution. Moreover, we haven't found a trustworthy pill refiner to consult with, so I'll have to rely on my own understanding."
"Immortal Maiden, if you wouldn't mind, I could discuss the pill's refinement with you," Song Wen offered.
A hint of surprise flickered across Ye Bing's face as she looked up at Song Wen.
"You're a pill refiner too?"
Song Wen nodded.
"I never expected you to keep such a deep secret," Ye Bing remarked, then frowned slightly, scrutinizing Song Wen from head to toe.
"Immortal Maiden, why are you looking at me like that?" Song Wen asked, puzzled.
"Something's not right. There's something wrong with you," Ye Bing declared.
"What's wrong with me?" Song Wen asked, his expression genuinely bewildered.
"Your cultivation and attitude are suspicious," Ye Bing said. "When we crossed the Rotting Miasma Ridge together years ago, your cultivation was only at the early stage of Divine Transformation. Yet just days ago, when facing Jin Xun, the aura you revealed was far more profound than that of an early-stage Divine Transformation cultivator. Moreover, you used to show no interest whatsoever in the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill's refinement. Why are you suddenly so concerned about it now?"
During the battle with Jin Xun, Song Wen had intervened several times, but always with stealthy ambushes, prioritizing concealment over unleashing his full power. This made it impossible for Ye Bing to accurately gauge his true cultivation level.
"My cultivation has indeed made a fortunate breakthrough," Song Wen replied, "but I've only reached the mid-stage of Divine Transformation. The Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill is still beyond my current needs. My interest in its refinement stems from a desire to learn the Pill Refinement Technique from the Immortal Maiden, and also..."
His gaze suddenly burned with intensity. "...to seize this opportunity to grow closer to you."
Ye Bing rolled her beautiful eyes and abruptly changed the subject.
"Our immediate priority should be figuring out how to return to Cloudveil City."
The journey to Cloudveil City was long and treacherous, requiring passage through numerous perilous regions.
When she had arrived, she had traveled aboard the Jin Family's Giant Flying Ship. Now, Phoenix Feather City was completely inaccessible, let alone the possibility of boarding another Jin Family vessel.
"Naturally, we'll take a ship back to Cloudveil City," Song Wen said, a jade slip suddenly appearing in his hand. "This slip contains the Jin Family's flight routes between Cloudveil City and Phoenix Feather City. With this map, we should be able to reach Cloudveil City safely."
Ye Bing's eyes lit up. "Where did you get that? Jin Xun's storage ring?"
Song Wen nodded slightly, offering no further explanation.
In truth, the map hadn't come from Jin Xun at all. Chi Pei had obtained it from an unknown source and given it to Shi Man. After killing Shi Man, it had naturally fallen into Song Wen's possession.
After examining the route map on the jade slip, Ye Bing said, "The sooner we leave, the better. Let's depart immediately."
"Agreed," Song Wen replied.
The pair left the cave, retracing their steps through the winding tunnels until they emerged above the river.
Song Wen produced a small flying ship. They boarded, and the vessel sped away.
Aboard the ship, Song Wen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing toward Phoenix Feather City. He murmured, "Immortal Maiden, since entering the Immortal Cultivation World, I've only encountered those who scheme and grovel for their own gain. I've never met someone as genuinely sincere as Jin Xiuqi. Can you truly let him go?"
In his heart, Song Wen still held a sliver of admiration for Jin Xiuqi.
Ye Bing's expression remained impassive, her gaze unwavering.
"Those who walk different paths cannot conspire together. He and I... we're not on the same path!"
Song Wen said, "With us gone, we'll naturally rest easy. But the Jin Family is likely facing imminent disaster."
Ye Bing asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"
Song Wen explained, "The Devouring Soul Array is inextricably linked to the Divine Blood Gate. Once Yun Xinghai begins setting up the array, he'll inevitably launch a massive crackdown on cultivators practicing the Longevity Technique. If word of this reaches the Veiled Moon Hall, the Divine Blood Gate might even send investigators themselves. When that happens, Jin Xiuqi will inevitably be exposed."
"Is this array truly so crucial to the Divine Blood Gate?" Ye Bing asked.
Song Wen replied, "The path of cultivation is fraught with peril at every step, where a single thought can mean life or death. Yet we cultivators still flock to it like moths to a flame. Ultimately, it's all for that illusory dream of longevity, for a few more fleeting years. The Devouring Soul Array concerns extending lifespan—how could it not be crucial?"
"Moreover, the complete Longevity Technique, from the Qi Refining Realm to the Void Refinement Stage, is readily available in markets throughout the Qicang Domain. The widespread dissemination of this technique must be orchestrated by the Divine Blood Gate. They've invested immense effort in cultivating Longevity Technique practitioners, and they certainly wouldn't let others reap the benefits of their labor."
Hearing this, Ye Bing's expression turned wistful, but she remained silent, letting out only a soft sigh.
Several months later, the pair arrived near Cloudveil City, but instead of entering the city, they headed straight for the Withered Desolation Marsh and reached Ice Ling Island.
This island was Ye Bing's cultivation cave, where Song Wen had also planted numerous Bodhi Spirit Cores. As such, the island held great significance for both of them.
They had been away for over twenty years, and the highest-ranking cultivator left to guard the island had only reached the golden core stage. Both Ye Bing and Song Wen couldn't help but worry that something might have happened during their absence.
Fortunately, upon arriving at Ice Ling Island, they found the mist shrouding the island still intact, indicating that the island's grand formation was still operational.
Ye Bing retrieved a formation plate and, after performing a series of magic seals, the mist began to churn, revealing a deep, dark passage.
The pair traversed the long passage and emerged above the island.
The disturbance in the mist barrier naturally drew the attention of the island's inhabitants. A dozen female cultivators soared into the air from various directions.
"Greetings, Senior Ye Bing! Greetings, Senior Gou Jun!" The female cultivators bowed respectfully, their faces lit with joy.
The island's grand formation had successfully repelled external threats, but it had also trapped them here.
If Ye Bing had never returned, they would have been doomed to wither away as their lifespans expired.
Ye Bing's gaze swept across the island, noting its orderly state. She nodded in satisfaction.
"All of you may withdraw now. For your meritorious service in guarding the island these past twenty years, you will receive your rewards shortly."
"Thank you, Senior," the dozen or so female cultivators replied, bowing respectfully before departing.
"Wait a moment, little friends," Song Wen suddenly called out, stopping the departing cultivators. At the same time, a hundred high-grade spirit stones materialized before him.
"You've taken excellent care of the Demon Haze Grass. These spirit stones are your reward."
Song Wen had already inspected the Spirit Field where the Bodhi Spirit Cores were cultivated.
All the Bodhi Spirit Cores were thriving, having already produced seeds and propagated over two hundred new seedlings.
Next, a storage pouch appeared before Song Wen.
"This pouch contains two hundred Demon Haze Grass plants. Plant them in the Spirit Field as well. The pouch also contains spirit stones to cover the cultivation expenses for the Demon Haze Grass. Use them to purchase more spiritual objects that promote the growth of Spirit Herbs and accelerate the Demon Haze Grass's development."
The female cultivators under Ye Bing's command had taken excellent care of the Bodhi Spirit Cores. Moreover, Song Wen's own supply of Bodhi Spirit Cores was dwindling, with only four hundred remaining. He needed to propagate more as quickly as possible.
When the women saw the spirit stones and storage pouch floating toward them, they hesitated, not reaching out to accept them. Instead, they turned questioning glances toward Ye Bing, seeking her approval.
"Since they're being offered as rewards, you should accept them," Ye Bing said.
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner
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