Chapter Sixteen: The Essence of Sun and the Radiance of Moon

In the mist-shrouded dense forest, three figures walked together. Specks of light filtered through the foliage, illuminating their faces just enough to discern their features.

Sensing movement, the trio turned their heads. The leading man laughed, “Isn’t this Fellow Daoist Lu Zhiqian? Long time no see. You’re looking quite well these days—seems the fare at the pharmacy suits you.”

This was Xie Te, the very man responsible for Lu Qian’s reassignment to the perilous pharmacy.

To Lu Qian’s surprise, the other two were also acquaintances. Zhao Bao shot Xie Te a glance, nodding toward the bundle of herbs in Lu Qian’s hand.

A flash of delight crossed Xie Te’s eyes—fortune had smiled upon him, and with such a bounty, he’d have plenty to deliver.

He spoke quickly, “Brother Lu, Young Master Li requires your fishweed. Would you be so generous as to part with it? I’ll be sure to speak well of you before Young Master Li.”

Xie Te intended to take advantage, using Li Lin’s name to pressure Lu Qian. To him, a mere novice couldn’t cause much trouble.

“It’s possible. Two coins per stalk—bring the money,” Lu Qian replied lightly, casting Xie Te a disdainful glance. The contempt in his manner infuriated Xie Te.

Xie Te sneered, “Think carefully—Young Master Li’s uncle is the mountain patrol steward.”

Lu Qian couldn’t be bothered to answer. He brushed past the trio.

“Wait! You think you can just take the goods and leave?” Xie Te grew anxious, turning to the others. “Zhao Bao, Ma Er, stop him!”

The two stepped in front of Lu Qian.

Suddenly, Lu Qian spun around, three white talismans flying from his sleeve.

The talismans ignited, each transforming into a ball of verdant flame that shot forward, exploding at their feet.

“Ah!”

“Ah! The pain is unbearable! You little wretch, how dare you strike us!”

The poisonous fire scorched their bodies, skin splitting open and oozing pus.

Xie Te extinguished the flames on himself, rolling on the ground in utter panic and terror. No one expected this youth to be so fierce, attacking without hesitation.

“You court death!” Xie Te, regaining his senses, erupted in rage.

He formed a seal with his fingers, sliced his finger open, and murmured, “Heaven’s law, earth’s law, the patriarch’s decree cannot linger. Summon the Northern Black Fiend, descend in true form for protection. Willow Spirit, appear!”

A sudden gale swept through, trees swaying wildly.

Dark clouds and black mist obscured the light.

From within the gloom emerged a pale-faced man in black, blood streaming from his eyes, his tongue grotesquely long. Weightless, he floated in midair, silently appearing behind Lu Qian. His fingernails lengthened, tongue curling toward Lu Qian’s neck.

Lu Qian stood motionless, seemingly entranced by the sinister mist and ghostly presence.

Xie Te felt a surge of satisfaction. He would kill this brat for daring to strike him. In this remote wilderness, a death meant nothing; later, he’d ask Young Master Li to help clean up, since he’d acted on his behalf.

Suddenly, a blast of fire pierced the black mist.

A two-meter-long fire serpent writhed beside Lu Qian.

The so-called Willow Spirit shrieked as it touched the serpent. Its hands and tongue melted like wax, vanishing in a plume of blue smoke.

At the same time, several green-scaled snakes, their heads ablaze with ghostly fire, slithered from Lu Qian’s sleeve. They bared their fangs, spitting venom that burned with green flames.

When the Willow Spirit encountered the venom, black smoke billowed forth, dissolving like hot water poured on snow, vanishing instantly. With the fire serpent beside it, in less than ten breaths, it was utterly obliterated.

The dark mist and ghostly clouds dispersed.

“My Willow Spirit!” Seeing the ghost destroyed, Xie Te was struck dumb, his soul adrift, his heart wracked with agony.

He had paid dearly to create the Willow Spirit: first, finding a corpse hanged beneath a willow, then burying it to absorb yin energy for forty-nine days. The willow was chopped down and its trunk fashioned into a spirit tablet. Daily offerings of fruit and wine, three recitations of incantations, all to summon the Willow Spirit.

The Willow Spirit was intangible, killing unseen, formidable in the Internal Breathing stage.

Sadly, he faced Lu Qian, who had mastered Internal Breathing and several powerful arts.

The ghost vanished without a trace.

Ma Er and Zhao Bao, shocked by Lu Qian’s terrifying strength, who had just managed to stagger upright, now collapsed back to the ground.

“Is there anyone else?” Lu Qian advanced, step by step, an enigmatic light gleaming in his eyes.

“What are you going to do? Don’t come any closer…” Xie Te was utterly terrified; Lu Qian seemed a madman.

Lu Qian smiled, leaping several times until he vanished into the fog.

Caw, caw, caw…

A flock of cold crows swept across the sky, circling overhead before flying away.

Xie Te, watching Lu Qian’s departing figure, his gaze venomous, knew a death feud had been forged—one would not rest until the other perished.

Lu Qian walked several miles before stopping. He slowed his steps, gazing at the pitch-dark sky.

He had intended to kill the three on the spot. In the wilds, the deaths of a few novice Daoists would hardly stir a ripple; the Hall of Enforcement would pay attention for only a few days.

But just as he prepared to act, he sensed the cold crows.

Like the night patrol soldiers, the crows belonged to the Night Watch Bureau. Any violence would draw their attention.

Lu Qian carried treasures like fish-dragon grass and did not wish to invite trouble, so he refrained.

Once he became a Qi Cultivator, these men would be of no consequence. The status of a Qi Cultivator far surpassed that of ordinary novices.

Returning to Medicine Mountain, under the moonlight, an elderly man past fifty, thin and frail, sat on a stone chair, drinking alone, gazing dazedly at the golden temple in the distant hills.

“Sit,” Li Dutou said without turning, pointing to the chair beside him.

“Master, all the fishweed is collected,” Lu Qian said, bowing as he took a seat.

“Good. Quite fast. Go report to the Hall of Enforcement tomorrow,” Li Du nodded, then fell silent.

Neither were skilled in conversation; they quietly drank.

The wine was excellent, with a faint fragrance. After drinking, true energy circulated more swiftly, filling the body with comfort.

Lu Qian couldn’t help but drink a few more cups.

A crescent moon emerged from the clouds, spilling a silvery veil of light.

Looking up, Lu Qian saw a scene he would never forget.

The moonlight, like scattered fireflies, danced around Li Du. With each breath, the halo brightened and dimmed, flowing into his body, making him appear as if carved from white jade, radiating a gentle glow.

Li Du’s eyes were half-closed, intoxicated, resembling an immortal descended to the mortal world.

After a long while, Li Du opened his eyes, smiled at Lu Qian, and said,

“Those above the Qi Cultivation stage can absorb the essence of sun and moon, nourishing the flesh and strengthening true energy. Typically, moon essence is absorbed at midnight, and sun essence at dawn is optimal. When you break through, you’ll understand.”

Li Du regarded Lu Qian, smiled, and drifted away.

“Thank you, Master,” Lu Qian bowed deeply, realizing Li Du was offering guidance.