Chapter 111: Wasted Years, Steadfast Resolve

The alchemy chamber was filled with a scorching, shimmering heat.

The Taoist in black robes sat in the lotus position, his eyes half-closed, his spirit drifting into the distance.

*Water and Fire Lead-Mercury Alchemy (Grand Mastery: 1/1000)*

After days of cultivation, he had finally brought his alchemy to the level of Grand Mastery. He could now refine human-grade two-aperture golden elixirs. Alchemy encompassed heat control, extraction, and the balancing of sovereign, minister, assistant, and messenger ingredients. Each batch of elixir refined increased his proficiency by about five points; the progress was reasonably swift.

Lu Qian finished adjusting his breath; the furnace was at the perfect temperature. The "Spirit-Nurturing Divine Elixir" was used for health preservation and soothing the soul. While not a specialized elixir for condensing *sha* (malignant energy), it could protect the soul during the process.

He took out the meat of a three-headed water snake, the demon core of a red *chi-ru* fish, and five spirit beads. He hesitated, then divided the ingredients into smaller portions. His proficiency was not yet high enough; he didn't want to waste them. He tossed in the lead-mercury gold sand to extract the essence of yin and yang. A golden brilliance flashed within the cauldron.

*Bang!*

A soft sound—it had failed, just as expected. His proficiency was still too low.

What followed was the dull and arduous work of alchemy. Two days later—

*Bang!*

The lid of the furnace flew open. Three round, golden elixirs hovered in the air. Wisps of violet smoke rose from their apertures, carrying a peculiar sandalwood scent. The mere smell of it made one feel refreshed and invigorated.

"Only three pills. The success rate isn't high, but it's enough for me to condense my *sha* to a certain level within two months."

At the Hour of the Rat (midnight), according to Master Leng’s theories, was the optimal time to absorb yin-natured *sha*. Lu Qian held the cool, icy elixir, deep in thought, then swallowed it without hesitation. His yin spirit left his body, a translucent, ghostly-green form encased in a fluorescent white shell. As his yin spirit reached into the sword pouch and touched the Profound Frost Yin Sha, he felt only a faint chill.

"It works!"

Lu Qian immediately began to absorb the Profound Frost Yin Sha with the hunger of a tiger pouncing on its prey. Icy, spiderweb-like patterns gradually crawled across his translucent soul body.

The days that followed were filled with the monotony of cultivation. Immortality required one to endure loneliness and solitude. Year after year, day after day. Often, time would slip away, white hair would sprout, and yet one's cultivation would remain stagnant. Nine out of ten seekers would make no progress at all, squandering their lives in vain. This was precisely why most people in the outside world chose to indulge in pleasure and hedonism.

Though Lu Qian had the aid of his mysterious golden mirror, he still practiced diligently every day. From joining the Lingbo Pavilion to seek the Divine Nurturing, to killing and looting for the River Styx Secret Map—every step was a walk on the edge of a blade. Had he been one to covet pleasure, he would have long ago found a mountain, taken dozens of beauties, and reigned as a local warlord.

After a long while, the Yellow Springs surged wildly in his sea of consciousness. The dragon's horns grew imposing, its golden eyes glinting, and its dark yellow scales took on an icy, bone-chilling cold. It was surrounded by the *Yin-Gui* True Water, which flowed like a long ribbon. The *Yin-Gui* True Water, which had stagnated due to a lack of advanced techniques, began to grow once more.

*Whoosh!*

The dark, yellow spring water surged backward. The dragon clawed and snapped, leaping into the air. At the dragon's head, a slight protrusion appeared, as if something were about to break through. It reached the dark red talisman disk in the air, a hint of a smile flashing in its golden eyes, and then swallowed it in one gulp, letting out a satisfied burp.

Back in reality, Lu Qian opened his eyes. "So, the Fish-Dragon can devour the contract. If that's the case, I can break through the blood curse as well."

This meant he could stall for another two years, waiting for the Water Eye to open, and then seek the inheritance in the River Styx Secret Mansion. With a complete inheritance, the world would be his oyster.

He cultivated like this for another month and a half, pushing his progress to nearly one-tenth of the total. Lu Qian raised his hand, his true water surging with bone-piercing cold, leaving white frost on the ground. "Although the *sha* has not fully condensed, my true energy is nearly twice as strong as it was before."

For some reason, Lu Qian thought of the Taoist of Deer Terrace. If he were to face him now, he suspected he would have only a thirty percent chance of victory. He would need to reach at least halfway through the *sha* condensation process to stand an equal chance.

*Creak.*

He opened the door and stepped outside. He saw Moshou commanding the paper spirit-thralls. Because her back was turned to him, the shapely curves of her figure were faintly visible beneath her robes. Moshou liked to wear apricot-yellow gowns; perhaps due to the improved diet and her life of leisure, she had grown taller and her skin had become much fairer.

Come to think of it, he hadn't practiced the Yin-Yang Union of Vitality in quite a while during his seclusion. Lu Qian walked up and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

"Ah!" Moshou gasped, her mouth opening slightly like a startled rabbit. She relaxed only when she saw it was Lu Qian. Without waiting for her to speak, Lu Qian scooped her up and walked into the inner chamber, his demeanor as upright and natural as if practicing vital energy in broad daylight were the most ordinary thing in the world.

For three days and three nights, they practiced the Union of Yin and Yang.

The next day, Lu Qian awoke from his meditation. The *sha* in his body seemed slightly more condensed. It had indeed increased, though not by much—perhaps because the gap in their cultivation levels was too vast.

He went out, mounted his Wave-Stepping Beast, and traveled along the filthy, foul-smelling waterways of Blackwater City toward the Lingbo Pavilion.

*BOOM!*

Suddenly, a deafening sound echoed from the sky. More than a dozen blood-red rays of light flew in all directions.

"You scoundrels! Prepare to die!" Angry roars erupted from the void, followed by dozens more beams of light chasing the crimson flares.

The cultivators nearby stopped to watch the battle in the sky.

"Tsk tsk, the Demon Thieves are out again. This time it's the Heavenly River Society."

"Rumor has it they hit a hidden warehouse. No one knows how they found it."

"Heaven knows. They’ve struck it rich, though—that was an entire warehouse!"

The two spoke with a mix of envy and jealousy. Watching the fleeing lights in the sky, Lu Qian couldn't help but think of the Taoist in the underground cavern.

...

"Greetings, Daoist!"

At the entrance of the Lingbo Pavilion, two young acolytes stepped forward to welcome him. Led by them, he ascended to the fifth floor, where the various deacons conducted their business.

He pushed open the door. Liu Ding, a man with a bull's head and a third eye in the center of his forehead, looked over. Standing beside him was a bird-beaked Taoist—the very same Taoist of Deer Terrace who was at odds with Lu Qian. The Taoist of Deer Terrace gave him a cold, dismissive glance and said nothing. Behind him stood two cultivators, whether disciples or subordinates, he did not know. The swords at their waists were, in fact, the very ones Lu Qian had obtained at the Envoy Assembly.

The two men noticed Lu Qian’s gaze, their eyes filled with mockery. Lu Qian remained expressionless, sneering inwardly—they were using his things, but there would be plenty of opportunities to get them back later.

"You're here? I'll notify the Master to come over." Liu Ding ignored the animosity between the two.

"I trouble you, Deacon Liu."

Liu Ding stepped forward and burned a talisman paper. As it consumed, a figure stepped out from the flickering green flames. The man looked strange, as if a fish had attained human form.

Fu Bo carried a faint scent of blood. He stared intently at Lu Qian, saying every word with deliberate weight: "Have you thought this through? Once the blood curse is planted, you can never betray me. If you do, a single thought from me will scatter your soul to the winds."

"I have thought it through. I will follow you to the death, Master," Lu Qian said, bowing deeply.

Fu Bo then formed a hand seal and began to chant. A streak of blood-red light flew into Lu Qian's head.

*BOOM!*

His mind reeled as countless illusions assailed him. Lu Qian silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, and his mind cleared. Within his sea of consciousness, a crimson yin-seal slowly solidified. The moment it took shape, the dragon spat out black water, forming a protective barrier that isolated the curse entirely.