I swung down, killing intent mixing in with demonic energy as the black sword light surged forward, cutting through the ground into a deep gash along the stone floor. I let out a frustrated breath, anger still boiling in my chest. I closed my eyes, taking a breath as I channeled demonic qi throughout my body.
I thrusted forward, slashing diagonally as I stepped back, swinging my other sword in an arc as demonic energy surged forward. I kept slashing, letting demonic qi spiral into sharp waves that cut through the surroundings. One strike after another, my strikes grew sharper as the training ground looked more like a battlefield than a martial hall. With a flurry of quick strikes, the two swords in my hands shattered into metal pieces.
I breathed out, dropping my stance as I tossed the broken blades aside. Looking around the training ground, the walls were cracked and broken with large gashes along the left side, the floor reduced to rubble and stone debris. The other disciples who were there were on the other side of the hall, many taking glances at me with fear obvious on their faces. I frowned, sighing as I retracted my demonic qi before leaving the Martial Hall with quick steps.
Walking back to the disciple residences, I returned to a small thatched hut near the edge of a cliff. I took out the disciples' token, pressing it against the door to unlock it before stepping inside.
Inside, there was a straw bed, a small table in the corner, and a shelf of martial manuals. Closing the door behind me, I sat down on the straw bed cross-legged, taking out the jade bottle from my storage bag before tossing one of the healing pills into my mouth. Circulating the medicinal energy, I felt my internal injuries healing rapidly. After finishing, I got up, stretching my arms and legs before throwing an open-palm fist. The hut slightly shook from the impact, the shockwave throwing a few of the manuals off the shelf. I lowered my hand, opening and closing it with a frown.
Even after healing my internal wounds, I still can't use my full strength. Though, as long as I don't run into any experts, that shouldn't be a problem. Still, I don't like it. Once I enter Boshai territory, I should focus on recovering as soon as possible.
Letting out a sigh, I picked up the fallen manuals, placing them back on the shelf before glancing at the table in the corner. There sat a book with a sheet of paper stuck between the pages. I stood in front of it, brows furrowed as I took out the paper and read it.
I found this manual when I was in the market. The seller said it's a secret manual from a fallen clan. It was cheap, and it might help further your martial arts. If not, you could sell it to another fool for double the price!
I raised a brow, placing the note on the table before picking up the manual. Flipping through, I paused on the second-to-last page. The final page looked torn out, and the rest of the book barely readable. Turning back to the cover, I traced my fingers along the faded words written on it.
The Still Heavens, Changing Earth Technique
From what I could understand, this is a Disguise technique, meant to hide the user's appearance and aura. The grade of this technique is unknown, but a technique that hides a cultivator's spiritual aura are very rare, usually selling at high prices. Even if it's incomplete, selling it could rebuild my lost fortune.
I smiled, the frustration and resentment disappearing as I silently thanked her, a warmth growing in my heart. But soon, that warmth died, becoming a sinking feeling that made me uncomfortable.
Jiě jie is always so good to me. How will I be able to repay her for everything?
After losing the Clear Jade token, I still haven't found a way to apologize to her yet. Now she's given me such a good thing. How could I not give something in return? Of course, Jiě jie isn't that type of person. But if I were to return kindness with nothing, I wouldn't be any better than a white-eyed wolf!
I gripped the manual in my hand, my brows deeply furrowed as my thoughts tossed and turned, the sinking feeling in my heart only falling deeper. I looked around the room, suddenly realizing how empty it was.
Despite living in this hut for most of my life, I never stayed here for long, and anything that would've been here was stuffed into my storage bag for convenience. Other than the discarded manuals, there was almost nothing here.
The corner of my mouth twitched, the frustration from before boiling up again.
Why couldn't I have left something valuable here?
With everything of value having been taken by that hag, I had almost nothing. Let alone anything to give to Jiě jie. The manuals on the shelf were practically useless to her, only ten spirit stones in my storage bag, and nothing she would like.
And before I realized it, demonic qi was pouring out of me, surging with my growing frustration. Just as it was about to cloud my mind, I stopped, forcing it back under control as I took long, deep breaths.
After calming myself, I scanned my body, seeing the demonic energy still restlessly churning within. There, I realized something.
Heart-suppressing pill. Since I followed the ruthless path, I'd take one every month to suppress any emotions that would hinder my cultivation. But, ever since that old fox marked up the price for it, I've been taking it less to save money. After realizing the effects wore off during our mission, I thought I could wait a bit longer, but it seems this is turning into a bigger problem. The pill's side effects are already at their peak; if I don't take the heart-suppressing pill soon, this could cause more problems. But right now, I barely have the funds to buy a qi gathering pill, let alone an auxiliary pill. It's either I try refining one myself, or negotiate with that old fox again.
Thinking back on the last time I tried alchemy, I was banned from the medicine fields and all of the alchemy shops in the market. So refining is out of the question.
But dealing with that old fox is the last thing I want to do in my current state.
After churning my thoughts for a while, I shook my head, sighing in resignation as I tossed the incomplete manual into my storage bag. I walked out of the hut, clearing my mind just in case, before heading to the Medicine Hall on the alchemy peak.
After an incense's time, I arrived at the gate, taking a deep breath before walking in.
There were many disciples around, transporting medicinal plants, pills, or just alchemists stepping outside from refining. The moment I stepped into the outer courtyard, many of the disciples turned to look, the ones carrying herbs immediately drawing at least a twenty-meter distance from me with fear in their expressions, others turning to whisper to each other as they inched away.
My brow twitched, frowning as I continued walking to the main hall.
I walked through the doors, stepping into the main pavilion of the medicine hall. Inside were thousands of shelves along the walls, more disciples going back and forth between drawers as the medicinal scent of pills filled the room. At the head of the room sat a white haired old man with squinted eyes that looked like a fox when laughing. He wore simple gray robes, hair tied in a loose ponytail with a black ribbon.
I stopped in front of his desk, giving the fox a sect salute.
"This disciple greets Elder."
He looked up from his desk, propping his head with one hand as he smiled.
"Disciple Feng Si, it's been a long time since we've seen each other."
I didn't respond, lifting my head to meet his eyes. He let out a laugh, leaning back on his chair.
"Alright, I assume you're here for the heart-suppressing pill, yes? I didn't expect you to come here so late."
"I had matters to take care of."
The old fox nodded, "Ah, yes, Junior sister Chunliang must've sent you to the righteous faction. I heard you caused quite a commotion."
"Mm."
"Haah, juniors these days. Always so stiff," the fox sighed, shaking his head, "You should learn to relax. Being so stone faced at your age will make you age faster."
I remained silent, brow twitching slightly as I let out a quiet breath.
"What do you want?"
The old fox paused, his grin widening, looking even more like a fox.
"Very well, I've long heard that there's an alchemy fire held in the Boshai forbidden grounds. Rumor has it that this alchemy fire will be given as a prize to the winner of this year's Martial competition. I want you to fetch that little flame for me."
My face hardened, raising a brow.
The Martial competition? Isn't that just a gathering event for the righteous sects? If I remember correctly, the competition is only open to sect cultivators. Now this old fox wants me to go steal an alchemy fire that might not be there? Might as well kill me since you want me dead so badly.
"Now now, no need to feel anxious. The rules have changed in recent years. The emperor had decreed that the competition is now open to loose cultivators. He was even so generous to offer treasures from the imperial vault for the top ten winners," the fox explained, pulling out a jade plaque from one of the desk drawers.
The plaque floated up from his palm and placed itself in my hand. I looked it over, noticing a spiritual signature on it.
"That should give you the qualifications to join the competition without suspicion. Once you obtain the alchemy fire, I will personally refine a heart-suppressing pill for you."
I looked at the old fox, then at the plaque.
All I have to do is win the competition. If not, the top ten is fine.
I gripped the jade plaque, turning back to exit the hall.
"Understood."
Once I stepped out of the Medicine hall, the gate quickly closed behind me, sending a small gust behind me, making my brow twitch.
What am I? The plague? It was only one furnace explosion. I understand that I have no talent for alchemy, but this reaction is too excessive.
I let out a breath, turning to the jade plaque in my hand. Judging by the spiritual signature on it, it was most likely taken from a loose cultivator. That someone is definitely dead, so one less thing I'll have to worry about. Will I have to hide under another identity?
No, even if that fox dislikes me, he wouldn't send me on a mission I would fail, so probably not.
Good, the simpler the mission, the less effort I'll have to give.
I tossed the jade plaque into my storage bag, scanning through it to make sure everything was there. Though there wasn't much inside anyway. After checking, I turned away, quickly making my way to the outskirts of the sect.
Just as I stepped past the sect gates, a glowing talisman flew towards my direction. I caught it with two fingers, red inscriptions sketching themselves onto the talisman paper.
Master has given me a mission to go to Xifang province. I'll return in three months. Please take care of yourself and don't cause trouble.
The next moment, the talisman crumpled and faded away into golden flecks.
Watching the lights disappear, I frowned.
What do you mean 'cause trouble'? If anything, trouble finds me.
I shook my head, letting out a sigh before dashing off.
A/N
Heyo everyone. I truly apologize for the late chapter. There were some technical difficulties and I was able to post this chapter on time.
Luckily, everything is fixed now, and hopefully won't cause any problems in the future.