The flickering light from the Moon Sleep Cauldron cast a shifting glow on Leaf's face. His features were soft and delicate, an appearance that would make it hard to believe he was the notorious rascal recently famous in the Shenzhou cultivation world.
Spiritual energy surged through Leaf's 99 flawless meridians, occasionally seeping out to nourish his organs. Five days later, his bones, flesh, and internal organs were glowing with a faint radiance. He smoothly advanced to the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage. In his dantian, the spiritual energy began to pulsate like a developing fetus.
If Leaf chose to break through now, he could easily step into the Fetal Movement stage. However, he had not yet achieved the Great Perfection in the Qi Condensation stage. It was said that achieving Great Perfection required the organs and meridians to glow with a faint golden light, and Leaf was still some distance from this level.
Opening his eyes, Leaf quietly assessed his physical condition before sending a burst of spiritual energy from the command talisman into the formation at the center of the cauldron. The Earth Fiend Yin Fire receded like a tide, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted from the cauldron's vents, accompanied by a crisp, ringing sound from within.
At that moment, Han Yeyue appeared. With a few flicks of her spiritual energy, the cauldron lid lifted, and ten verdant, plump Smoke Spirit Pills floated out, radiating dense spiritual energy.
"Ten pills! And of much better quality than the previous batches," Han Yeyue said, looking satisfied as she collected the pills into a jade bottle.
Turning to Leaf, she tossed him a jade bottle and said, "Here are ten Qi Condensation Pills as your reward. The next batch will be in ten days. You're free to do as you please until then."
Qi Condensation Pills were beneficial for cultivators in the Qi Condensation stage, but for Leaf, the sparse and impure spiritual energy they contained was less effective than directly absorbing the spiritual energy from the world around him.
Leaf soon found himself in the Herb Garden, sitting boldly in what used to be Steward Cui's seat. Steward Cui, now as loyal as a dog, stood humbly by his side.
"Get in touch with Senior Brother Wang Tong from Mingyue Peak. Invite him over," Leaf said to Steward Cui, his eyes gleaming with mischief. It wouldn't be polite not to reciprocate Wang Tong's attentions. Leaf had prepared a special gift for him, one he'd never forget.
"Yes, Master," Steward Cui responded respectfully and immediately went to make contact.
Within half an hour, a beam of light shot straight into the Herb Garden at Wu Yue Peak.
"Steward Cui, what's so urgent that you had to call me over?" Wang Tong asked, frowning at the steward.
"Senior Brother, I happened to acquire a Clear Transformation Pill and wanted to offer it to you," Steward Cui said, grinning obsequiously as he produced an exquisite sandalwood box.
A Clear Transformation Pill! Wang Tong's heart raced. That was a sacred pill for those at the Foundation Establishment stage, capable of increasing the chance of breaking through to the Golden Core stage by thirty percent when taken at the peak of Foundation Establishment. He had only ever heard of such a pill; in Shenzhou, only top-tier sects like the Lotus Sect possessed them.
Wang Tong took the sandalwood box, opening it to reveal a thumb-sized pill radiating a dazzling array of colors. The mere scent of it made his heart pound wildly.
The Moon Sleep Cauldron cast flickering light on Leaf's face, highlighting his soft, almost delicate features. Anyone who saw him now would have a hard time believing this was the same Leaf who had recently gained a reputation as a cheeky rogue in the Shenzhou cultivation world.
Spiritual energy coursed through Leaf's 99 perfect meridians, occasionally seeping out to nourish his organs. Five days later, his bones, flesh, and internal organs glowed with a faint radiance. He had smoothly advanced to the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage. In his dantian, the spiritual energy began to pulse like a developing fetus.
If Leaf chose to break through now, he could easily step into the Fetal Movement stage. However, he had not yet achieved the Great Perfection in the Qi Condensation stage. It was said that achieving Great Perfection required the organs and meridians to glow with a faint golden light, and Leaf was still some distance from this level.
Opening his eyes, Leaf quietly assessed his physical condition before sending a burst of spiritual energy from the command talisman into the formation at the center of the cauldron. The Earth Fiend Yin Fire receded like a tide, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted from the cauldron's vents, accompanied by a crisp, ringing sound from within.
At that moment, Han Yeyue appeared. With a few flicks of her spiritual energy, the cauldron lid lifted, and ten verdant, plump Smoke Spirit Pills floated out, radiating dense spiritual energy.
"Ten pills! And of much better quality than the previous batches," Han Yeyue said, looking satisfied as she collected the pills into a jade bottle.
Turning to Leaf, she tossed him a jade bottle and said, "Here are ten Qi Condensation Pills as your reward. The next batch will be in ten days. You're free to do as you please until then."
Qi Condensation Pills were beneficial for cultivators in the Qi Condensation stage, but for Leaf, the sparse and impure spiritual energy they contained was less effective than directly absorbing the spiritual energy from the world around him.
Leaf soon found himself in the Herb Garden, sitting boldly in what used to be Steward Cui's seat. Steward Cui, now as loyal as a dog, stood humbly by his side.
"Get in touch with Senior Brother Wang Tong from Mingyue Peak. Invite him over," Leaf said to Steward Cui, his eyes gleaming with mischief. It wouldn't be polite not to reciprocate Wang Tong's attentions. Leaf had prepared a special gift for him, one he'd never forget.
"Yes, Master," Steward Cui responded respectfully and immediately went to make contact.
Within half an hour, a beam of light shot straight into the Herb Garden at Wu Yue Peak.
"Steward Cui, what's so urgent that you had to call me over?" Wang Tong asked, frowning at the steward.
"Senior Brother, I happened to acquire a Clear Transformation Pill and wanted to offer it to you," Steward Cui said, grinning obsequiously as he produced an exquisite sandalwood box.
A Clear Transformation Pill! Wang Tong's heart raced. That was a sacred pill for those at the Foundation Establishment stage, capable of increasing the chance of breaking through to the Golden Core stage by thirty percent when taken at the peak of Foundation Establishment. He had only ever heard of such a pill; in Shenzhou, only top-tier sects like the Lotus Sect possessed them.
Wang Tong took the sandalwood box, opening it to reveal a thumb-sized pill radiating a dazzling array of colors. The mere scent of it made his heart pound wildly. With a snap, he closed the box and glanced at Steward Cui.
"Steward Cui, why are you offering me such a precious pill?" Wang Tong asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Senior Brother, I just wish to be transferred from Wu Yue Peak so I can receive your guidance more often," Steward Cui said, bowing deeply.
"You're quite perceptive. With your aptitude, even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage is difficult, let alone the Golden Core stage. This pill is of no use to you. But since you've offered it to me, you will be under my wing from now on. I'll arrange for your transfer in a few days," Wang Tong said, nodding.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Steward Cui said joyfully.
Wang Tong dismissed Steward Cui with a few perfunctory words and eagerly flew back to Mingyue Peak.
"Gah, this is going to be good," Leaf said, emerging from the shadows with a mischievous grin. While his alchemy skills were mediocre and his strength only at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, even a Nascent Soul Daoist might not see through his fake pills.
Back at his residence, Wang Tong opened the sandalwood box again, his eyes glued to the pill inside. He inhaled deeply, savoring the rich medicinal aroma.
"With this Clear Transformation Pill, advancing to the Golden Core stage should be no problem. Then, I can propose to Master and Mistress to marry Junior Sister. They definitely won't refuse," Wang Tong thought, indulging in his fantasy, completely unaware of the subtle oddity in the scent.
Suddenly, Wang Tong felt a surge of heat course through his body, and his mind filled with images of his beautiful junior sister, Mo Qianqian.
"Junior Sister!" Wang Tong muttered, his mind fixated on her curvaceous figure. He felt an overwhelming urge rise from within, uncontrollable and fierce.
His eyes turned red, and he tore open his shirt, stepping outside for some air.
"Senior Brother, Master wants to see you," a young disciple called out, descending from the sky on a green bamboo stick. It was the same boy who had delivered the message to Steward Cui.
In his delirium, Wang Tong saw the boy as Mo Qianqian, calling to him with infinite charm.
"Junior Sister," Wang Tong mumbled, pouncing on the boy like a wolf on a lamb.
"Senior Brother, what are you doing? Senior Brother..." the boy cried out in terror. With only the strength of the second level of Fetal Movement, he was no match for Wang Tong. His clothes were torn away in seconds.
"Let Senior Brother take care of you..." Wang Tong leered.
"Help! No... Ahhh..." The boy's screams echoed through Mingyue Peak.
At the peak, Master Mo Yan, his wife, daughter, and a group of disciples were waiting for Wang Tong. Suddenly, they heard the inhuman screams of their sixteenth disciple, Peng Cheng. Mo Yan's face darkened, and he flew off immediately.
Behind him, Mo Qianqian and the other disciples also took to their flying artifacts, following in a line.
"Unfilial disciple, how dare you!" Mo Yan roared as he arrived at Wang Tong's residence, seeing Wang Tong forcing himself on Peng Cheng. His rage nearly caused his spiritual energy to backfire. He struck out with a palm from mid-air, sending Wang Tong flying with a mouthful of blood.
The sudden attack snapped Wang Tong back to his senses. He struggled to his feet, confused and unaware that he was exposed.
"Ah..." Mo Qianqian and the other female disciples who arrived behind Master Mo Yan quickly turned away, horrified. Wang Tong's image shattered in their hearts, and the thought of what he had done to Peng Cheng made their stomachs churn.
"Master, let me explain..." Wang Tong stammered, his face flushed as he covered himself, filled with shame and confusion.
Master Mo Yan wouldn't listen. He struck Wang Tong with a wave of spiritual energy that felt like a mist of smoke and shouted, "Today, I will seal you in the Wind Chilling Cave for ten years to reflect on your actions."
Wind Chilling Cave!
The other disciples paled. The Wind Chilling Cave was a place for suppressing demonic cultivators, where the cold energy was excruciating. Not only would one's cultivation not progress, but it would also be eroded. Ten years in there could drop Wang Tong's strength from the sixth level of Foundation Establishment to below the Foundation Establishment stage. This punishment was extremely severe.