Chapter Seventy-Seven: Red Plum Advances

The Wraith Beast let out a wailing howl toward the sky, its body instantly twisted into a mass of resentful energy. Yet, even as it writhed, it was about to restore itself once more. How could Ge Qian allow it to do as it wished? He was never one to miss an opportunity to strike while his enemy was weak. With another deft execution of “Twisting Peaks,” he hurled a “Fire Python Talisman.”

Fear flashed in the Wraith Beast’s eyes—it was clear this strike could deal it a mortal blow. As a mutant entity born of resentment, the Wraith Beast was nearly immortal in places saturated with such energy. But now, trapped within the formation and deprived of replenishing resentment, its power was greatly diminished. Its only desire was to escape.

Just as it was about to make its move, a ten-zhang-long fire python instantly coiled around it and, with a thunderous boom, ignited. The Wraith Beast was once more reduced to a wisp of resentful energy. By now, Liu Qian could no longer maintain control of the formation—her blood and spiritual power were so drained that she would need months of meditation to recover.

She collapsed helplessly to the ground, profoundly shaken by the strength of the newcomer and the mystical, unfathomable nature of his magic; he had so effortlessly subdued the once-invincible Sima Tu. Most astonishing of all, he had passed through her treasured “Five Elements Sword Formation” as if it were nothing, striking at the Wraith Beast with impunity—a sobering realization that sent a chill through her heart.

Ge Qian, seeing the collapse of the array, understood Liu Qian was spent. He promptly formed a hand seal and summoned the Demon Gourd.

The Demon Gourd could barely restrain itself, having only held back out of obedience to its master’s orders. Now, like a wild stallion broken free, it shot forth and hovered above the Wraith Beast, spewing a dense, chilling mist. The shattered resentful energy was swept up in a whirlwind and sucked into the gourd, robbing the beast of any chance to reconstitute itself.

Inside the gourd was a murky gray space, within which floated a blood-red placenta shimmering with cryptic runes. A mass of resentful energy morphed perpetually—at one moment a ghostly face with green fangs, at another a beautiful, seductive woman’s visage.

The woman’s face, upon absorbing the pure resentment, glowed with ecstatic joy. Her mouth opened wide, inhaling sharply, and the very essence painstakingly cultivated by the Wraith Beast was drawn into her. The beast, regaining a sliver of consciousness, tried to struggle but was instantly suppressed, corroded, and refined.

The human face’s light shimmered, gradually coalescing into a vague humanoid form, runes swirling across its body and vanishing from view.

The woman moved and murmured to herself, “At last, I, Hongmei, have advanced to a second-tier wraith, gaining a spectral form. Cultivating within the Demon Gourd is truly like a fish in water.”

With that, she transformed into a wisp of smoke, emerged from the gourd, manifested before Ge Qian, and bowed deeply. “Your servant, Hongmei, greets her master. Now that I have advanced to a second-tier wraith, I can shoulder a battle on your behalf.”

Ge Qian was delighted; he now possessed another trump card. A second-tier wraith was equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Though Hongmei had just advanced, with the Demon Gourd’s aid, she could stand her ground against a true Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Ge Qian nodded. “Very good. Absorb only a third of the resentment here. This minor domain is fraught with the bizarre—do not be greedy and invite calamity.”

Advancing to second-tier, Hongmei dared not defy Ge Qian’s order. As the gourd’s spirit, her fate was bound to it; a single thought from Ge Qian could consign her to oblivion. She replied dutifully, “As you command, master. Wise as ever—your caution is well-founded. I shall see to it at once.”

With that, she clutched the Demon Gourd to her chest and began devouring the resentment in earnest, swallowing the sea of malice from the Valley of Absolute Resentment as if drawing in all rivers.

Liu Qian was dumbstruck by the scene before her, rendered speechless, while Liu Jie, having clearly recognized Ge Qian, leapt up in joy. With Sima Tu dead and no spiritual power left to sustain the ropes, he was freed from his bonds, barely escaping with his life. Overcome with gratitude, he said tearfully, “Brother Ge Qian, thank you for saving my life! I never imagined your strength was so formidable!”

Liu Qian managed to stand, swallowing a restorative elixir, and offered a deep bow. “Thank you, Brother Ge, for saving our lives. I am deeply in your debt.”

Ge Qian smiled faintly, reached out, and seized Sima Tu’s storage pouch, then tucked it away. “No need for thanks. I only happened to save you while seeking the Soul-Returning Grass.”

Hearing this, Liu Qian realized he was not one to covet fame or gain, and goodwill toward him blossomed in her heart. “My brother often speaks of your remarkable alchemical skills. Seeing you today, I find your strength even greater and your character worthy of respect. He tells me you are also interested in the art of formations?”

Ge Qian nodded. “The study of formations is vast and profound. I am indeed curious about it.”

A look of relief spread across Liu Qian’s beautiful face, as if she had come to a decision. She drew a jade slip from her storage pouch and handed it to him. “Brother Ge, your great kindness cannot be repaid. This jade slip contains many ancient formations I have copied, along with my insights and understanding. If you do not mind, please accept it.”

Ge Qian was touched. Liu Qian was a woman of feeling and loyalty, worthy of friendship. “You flatter me, Daoist Friend Liu. Such a gift honors me greatly; I gratefully accept.”

He accepted the jade slip with both hands. “With Sima Tu dead, the Celestial Confucian Sect will surely not let you both go once you leave this place. What are your plans?”

Liu Jie sighed. “My sister and I suspected Sima Tu’s treachery and made preparations. My sister has reached an agreement with the Beast Taming Sect. Their elite disciple, Tie Lan, will disguise us as their own using secret arts and escort us from this place.”

Ge Qian considered this and replied, “Since you have made arrangements, I am relieved. Still, you should find a safe place to hide and only emerge once the minor domain closes. Take care not to escape the dragon’s den only to fall into the tiger’s lair.”

Liu Qian’s eyes grew moist. Since her family’s decline, she had been traded like an object, with only her brother to care for her—rare indeed was such concern from another. She said softly, “Thank you, Brother Ge. I will be careful to protect myself. The Beast Taming Sect needs my help to repair their long-distance teleportation array; until that is done, I am absolutely safe.”

Looking up, Ge Qian saw that Hongmei had nearly finished absorbing the valley’s resentment, and the air was now much clearer. He drew two Fire Python Talismans and handed them to the siblings. “This place is perilous. Take these talismans for your protection. The green hills will remain, and the rivers will flow; we shall meet again someday. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”

At that moment, Hongmei completed her task, stored the Demon Gourd, and vanished into Ge Qian’s sleeve in a wisp of smoke.

The siblings held the Fire Python Talismans, overwhelmed with gratitude. They had witnessed the talisman’s power with their own eyes—comparable to a full-force blow from a Foundation Establishment cultivator and certainly of great value. It was clear Ge Qian was generous and magnanimous.

After a few polite words, the siblings bid Ge Qian farewell with cupped hands.

Ge Qian turned and disappeared into the lingering resentment.

Leaving the Valley of Absolute Resentment, Ge Qian not only acquired the Soul-Returning Grass but also Sima Tu’s storage pouch, which held hundreds of thousands of spirit stones—a true windfall.