Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Alchemy Chamber

The moment Gu Tian heard it, his heart stirred. Thought-incense was incense born by rare chance from the meditative practice and Buddhist insight of an eminent monk; once refined into incense, it became an ideal treasure for suppressing inner demons.

Though violet-gold essence was precious, he could still refine more of it himself. Thought-incense, however, was a Buddhist treasure one could only encounter by fortune, never seek at will. The value of the exchange was obvious at a glance.

With a flip of his hand, he produced an exquisite jade box and tossed it to Wuchen. “For the sake of our old friendship, I’ll reluctantly make the trade with you.”

Wuchen caught the jade box and put it away without even looking at it. Then he tossed another jade box to Gu Tian and said, “That sounds fine enough, but if thought-incense were not so rare in this world, you would never have traded with this poor monk.”

Gu Tian accepted the box and likewise stored it away without examining it, a display of the trust and bond between them. Then he cupped his hands and said, “Fellow Daoist Wuchen, we have each obtained what we needed. I must hurry back now and report to the sect master that our little training ground has taken first place. Let us see what reward I may earn. Hahaha! This old man will take his leave first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked thoroughly elated. Opening his mouth, he spat out the Golden Dazzle Sword. It grew in the wind until it reached two hundred zhang, twice the size it had been on the way here. His body flashed as he stepped onto his natal treasure, and the disciples, not daring to lag behind, all leapt onto the sword.

Twenty-one disciples on a two-hundred-zhang treasure like the Golden Dazzle Sword made it absurdly spacious—far more than necessary. But Gu Tian was in high spirits. Today was a triumphant return, and there had to be some spectacle to it.

With a movement of his will, the Golden Dazzle Sword shot forth like a meteor from beyond the heavens. After only a few flashes, it had vanished from sight.

Wuchen nodded and murmured to himself, “Gu Tian’s strength still exceeds mine. Only his temperament has not changed—fond of glory, eager to excel and outdo others. The Golden Dazzle Sword can actually expand to two hundred zhang. I only hope the two of us may both break through to the Nascent Transformation stage.”

With that, he cast out a golden alms bowl. It swelled in the wind to twenty zhang, and he sat upon it cross-legged with his disciples before tearing through the sky.

The Golden Dazzle Sword moved swift as the wind, grand in momentum, carrying everyone back toward the Heavenly Star Sect. On the vast blade, over twenty people sat scattered across its length. Ge Qian sat at the tail of the sword, eyes closed, seemingly idle and at ease. In truth, he was comprehending the Six Paths Sword Art. The moment he returned, he intended to enter seclusion and charge for Foundation Establishment.

The other disciples looked at him and wished they could kick him straight off the sword. Coward. By what right had he won the favor of Grand Elder Gu Tian? If only the grand elder had taken notice of me—then advancing to Foundation Establishment would no longer be a dream. But all my fortune has been stolen by that damned Ge Qian. Let him fall into my hands someday, and then he’ll see.

Bai Ruyu sat alone at the sword’s tip in meditation, a bitter smile in her heart. By all logic, as an elite disciple, she should indeed sit at the front of the sword. Yet she felt the place did not truly belong to her. If Ge Qian had been seated here, it would have seemed only natural.

In the end, she cast the thought aside and instead recalled the secret Ge Qian had spoken of regarding heavenly Foundation Establishment, pondering how one might cast off the vulgar dust of the mortal world.

What he said was this: what I cannot let go of, what binds me—that is vulgarity. Purity and cold detachment are not in themselves nobility.

I understand now. Reviving my family is my attachment. If my strength becomes great enough, my family will naturally prosper. Why must I cling to that thought without cease?

Rather than bear the burden painfully every day, better to cast it aside with courage and devote oneself to the Dao.

At that thought, the pressure in Bai Ruyu’s heart suddenly loosened and vanished without a trace. Her mind became clear and bright.

She abruptly opened her eyes and looked toward Ge Qian with a faint smile. I understand now. My spirit has been elevated. It was you who freed me from my shackles. And yet you also took from me the Spirit Fruit King that should have been mine. So should I thank you—or hate you?

With the Golden Dazzle Sword’s astonishing speed, they soon returned to the Heavenly Star Sect. At once they were greeted by several peak masters, each leading disciples to welcome them on both sides of the path. Gu Tian in particular was summoned by the sect master into the depths of Heavenly Star Peak, where no one knew what lavish reward awaited him.

As for the other disciples who had entered the little training ground this time, each received two Foundation Establishment Pills as a reward. Such a thing had never happened before in the sect’s history. It was plain how much importance the upper ranks attached to this victory. Not only had they gained real benefits, they had also restored the Heavenly Star Sect’s former prestige. Naturally, they rewarded the disciples generously.

Bai Ruyu was further honored with the title of chief elite disciple, along with the privilege of cultivating on Heavenly Star Peak for three years. The richness of spiritual energy on Heavenly Star Peak was beyond comparison with other places; to cultivate there for three years would yield twice the result for half the effort.

Bai Ruyu smiled bitterly inwardly, but still accepted it with calm grace.

Ge Qian, too, was delighted. He now had four Foundation Establishment Pills in hand. Once he received the ten promised by Elder Cui, he would have fourteen. Advancing to Foundation Establishment would no longer be a dream.

When he returned to the herb garden, Cui Yun was already waiting there impatiently. His aged face was full of smiles as he said, “Well done, Ge Qian. I was right about you after all. Hiding behind a harmless face while striking like a tiger—silent until the moment you astonish the world. Hand over the spirit herbs.”

Ge Qian smiled faintly and replied, “I was only able to succeed so smoothly thanks to Elder’s Violet Fiend Yin Thunder. I can present the spirit herbs, certainly—but you should release the little white fox now, should you not?”

“That need not be rushed,” Cui Yun said, his expression unchanged. “I still require you to refine pills for me. And if word of this matter were to spread, would we not simply be making wedding clothes for others? Once the pills are refined and I advance to the Core Condensation stage, I will naturally release it. You may rest assured on that point.”

Ge Qian’s thoughts raced. He decided it was best to feign compliance for now and make plans only after advancing to Foundation Establishment. At present, with his meager strength, he was no match for Elder Cui Yun.

So he said, “This disciple understands. The matter is of great importance. I wish to enter seclusion at once and attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.”

Cui Yun nodded. “Very well. Here are the pills I promised you—ten Foundation Establishment Pills. I had originally intended to cleanse your marrow and reshape your meridians, but now it seems that would be superfluous. Take my token and go to my pill-refining chamber on Firewave Peak. The spiritual energy there is abundant, and with my Eight Treasures Spirit-Gathering Array, it is scarcely inferior even to Heavenly Star Peak.”

As he spoke, he tossed Ge Qian a jade bottle and a command token.

Ge Qian caught them and stored them in his storage pouch. Then he obediently handed over the three jade boxes to Elder Cui Yun.

Elder Cui’s brows lifted in joy, and he was beside himself with excitement. Sending out his divine sense, he confirmed there was no mistake and said, “Go into seclusion at once. Remember—you have only three years. If you cannot advance to Foundation Establishment within that time, then do not blame me for being merciless.”

“This disciple understands. I take my leave now.”

With that, Ge Qian turned and departed. Leaving the herb garden behind, he mounted his flying sword and headed straight for Firewave Peak.

In his heart he thought, old fox, since you are giving me three years, I will certainly prepare a grand gift for you. Although he had not seen the little white fox, he knew that before the Life-Renewing Pill was successfully refined, both he and the fox were safe.

Ge Qian knew Firewave Peak well and quickly found the place where the pill-refining chambers were located.

These chambers were cave dwellings carved into Firewave Peak itself, furnished with pill furnaces and earthfire, everything needed in abundance. They were rented out to disciples for refining medicinal pills.

Whether refining pills or forging artifacts, one needed immense firepower. No cultivator, no matter how strong his magic power, could continuously sustain such flames forever. Thus some set down formations to draw out earthfire and use it for pill refinement or artifact forging, achieving far greater results with far less effort.

The fire vein of Firewave Peak was Heavenly Gang Earthfire, of extremely high temperature and exquisitely fine flame, making it the finest possible choice for pill refining and artifact forging alike. For that reason, the Heavenly Star Sect had constructed many pill chambers and forging rooms here, renting them out in exchange for spirit stones.

Ge Qian descended, put away his flying sword, and felt a wave of pure fire spiritual energy rush over him. He could not help but marvel inwardly. The alchemical grounds of Firewave Peak truly lived up to their reputation.