Cultivating To Immortality

Chapter 743: Hidden Sect

His face was covered in mud and ash, but his eyes shone brightly, as if he had finally seized a good Opportunity.

"Fellow Daoist, I have what you’re looking for."

Song Yan looked at him in confusion, not saying a word.

His handsome face was now filled with anxiety, and he glanced around: "It’s just Luo Zhen Vine, I have it, I have it, please don’t let them kick me out."

?

Song Yan’s heart jolted, and his brows furrowed. His playful mood instantly vanished.

This person eavesdropped on his conversation with Shopkeeper Zhang?

But at the time, he hadn’t detected anyone prying.

Moreover, this was just a Mortal.

His brows furrowed slightly. Before he could even ask, two stewards from Lanxi Market had already rushed over.

One of them sternly shouted, "Stop right there! You Mortal, how dare you trespass into an Immortal’s domain?"

The other quickly cupped his hands in apology to Daoist Song: "Fellow Daoist, this person is probably a Mortal who got lost in Shouyang Mountain and accidentally stumbled into the market. We stopped him earlier, but we weren’t careful enough and let this kid slip in. We hope you can forgive the disturbance."

With that, he reached out to pull the young man away.

The young man clung tightly to Song Yan’s sleeve, refusing to let go, and said anxiously, "Fellow Daoist, I really have it, I..."

Song Yan raised his hand, signaling the two stewards to wait. His Divine Sense quietly swept over the young man’s body.

His Meridians were empty, and there was no Qi sensation in his Dantian.

Indeed, there was no trace of spiritual power fluctuation; he was just an ordinary Mortal.

But that was precisely the problem.

Luo Zhen Vine was an extremely precious Spirit Medicine. If he hadn’t obtained this "Qian Dan Yi Fang" (Thousand Pill Exotic Recipes), he probably wouldn’t have even heard of it.

Not to mention Mortals, even a low-level Cultivator like himself might not know its name.

How dare he try to deceive him in a place full of Cultivators?

Furthermore, how did this person know he needed this item?

His gaze darkened, and he immediately asked, "Who told you I needed this item?"

Before the Mortal could respond, the market stewards had already grown impatient.

Although they didn’t know what this Mortal had, it was something Song Yan needed.

One of them immediately said, "Fellow Daoist, don’t listen to this Mortal’s nonsense! How could the spiritual items needed by Cultivators be obtained by ordinary people?"

The young man looked at the two stewards but didn’t refute them. He just rolled his eyes and looked at Song Yan.

"It’s fine." Song Yan pondered for a moment, then waved his hand: "How about this, two stewards, I’ll question him for a bit."

"He’s just a Mortal, he can’t cause any trouble."

"If he really has information about Spirit Medicine, then it would be a great help to me, and he can stay or leave as he pleases."

"If he’s talking nonsense and deceiving me... hehe, then there’s no need for him to leave."

Upon hearing this, the young man showed no sign of fear, nodding repeatedly.

"This..."

The two stewards exchanged glances.

However, they didn’t make things difficult in the end. What the other person said was not wrong at all; ultimately, he was just a Mortal and couldn’t cause any trouble.

After a few simple instructions, they left.

Song Yan took this person and temporarily left the market, arriving at a secluded forest.

He casually took out a Formation Plate and set up a sound-insulating Formation.

"What’s your name?"

The young man cleared his throat and bowed respectfully: "My surname is Wang, given name Ke, courtesy name Anning, a native of Yunmeng Mountain."

Yunmeng Mountain?

Was there such a place in Chu Capital? Song Yan hadn’t heard of it.

He stared at the young man in front of him, his voice slightly cold: "You... just eavesdropped on my conversation with Shopkeeper Zhang?"

"Uh..."

The young man seemed a little embarrassed and quickly apologized: "Fellow Daoist, I’m really sorry, I was at my wit’s end, so..."

"How did you do it?"

Song Yan wasn’t interested in his apology and asked.

"Ah?" The young man was startled.

"I didn’t detect anyone monitoring or prying nearby before. How did you, a Mortal, manage it?"

Let alone a Mortal, even a Cultivator, with Song Yan’s current Divine Sense, to eavesdrop on his conversation with someone without being detected, unless the other party also had a special method for Cultivating Divine Sense, otherwise at least a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm would be able to do it.

It was precisely because of this that Song Yan would spend time on a Mortal.

Song Yan absolutely did not believe that he actually possessed Luo Zhen Vine.

In his opinion, this person had played some small trick and accidentally overheard his conversation with Shopkeeper Zhang.

As for the purpose, it was nothing more than wanting to join an Immortal Sect, just like other Mortals seeking the Dao of Immortals.

Once he explained the situation, he would send him out of Lanxi Cave.

The previous threats were just words.

There was no need to get angry and kill a Mortal who was merely trying to take a shortcut.

However, Wang Ke did not answer after hearing Song Yan’s words.

He merely extended a hand, and in his palm, a white chess piece was hidden.

"Hmm?"

Song Yan was about to ask when he saw the chess piece suddenly shatter with a ’bang’.

Immediately, a spiritual light flashed, and the chess piece disappeared.

In its place was a dried vine.

The vine was dark gold in color; though withered, spiritual light faintly flowed within its Between Veins.

Song Yan’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Luo Zhen Vine!?

"You..."

He was extremely shocked, completely unprepared for the scene unfolding before him, and stood rooted to the spot, unable to speak.

Wang Ke chuckled, then explained: "Fellow Daoist, you don’t know, but I am also a Cultivator, from a small, reclusive Sect."

"It’s just that there are some old customs and rules in the Sect. Disciples must Seal their entire cultivation before leaving the Sect to travel."

He said with some helplessness.

Song Yan was surprised and suspicious.

"What kind of rule is that?"

If a Disciple traveled among Mortals and encountered martial artists or bandits, dying such a meaningless death would be too unworthy.

"Who says it isn’t?" Wang Ke also seemed a bit indignant: "They’re all traditional dregs!"

"Then aren’t you afraid that I’ll kill you here and take your spiritual item?"

"Hahahaha." Wang Ke suddenly laughed upon hearing this: "Fellow Daoist, don’t try to scare me. I can tell fortunes, and you are definitely not a bloodthirsty person."

"..."

However, Song Yan didn’t care about anything else. The Luo Zhen Vine was right in front of him, which meant his Foundation Establishment Pill was within reach.

How could one not be excited by this?

"Tell me, what do I need to give you in exchange for this spiritual item?"

"It’s very simple. One month from now, escort me to Bei Ya Mountain to participate in the Go Dao Convention, and then after it ends, send me to Chu Capital. It’s that simple."

"Escort?"

Song Yan frowned.

Escorting implied there would definitely be danger.

"Hehe." Wang Ke chuckled: "I showed off my wealth a few days ago and was targeted by quite a few Cultivators, wasn’t I?"

"But Fellow Daoist, don’t worry, they are all Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators. If they pursue us, you can just kill them all."

"They are all vicious and evil, so consider it punishing evil and promoting good."

Song Yan was a little confused.

Why did this person seem so confident in his strength?

After a moment of silence, a Sword Qi surged into his eyes, and the Insightful Void Sword Eye activated.

Seeing the change in Song Yan’s eyes, Wang Ke was slightly startled: "Fellow Daoist, what are you doing?"

"Your Sect..." Song Yan said, extending a finger: "Doesn’t seem like a small Sect."

Buzz—

A wisp of Sword Qi slowly condensed and pointed before Wang Ke’s glabella.

In the Void Realm, ripples like water appeared, and black and white lines, like a corner of a chessboard, spread out.

The Sword Qi was steadily blocked outside, then quickly dissipated.

"With this level of Restriction, unless several Foundation Establishment Cultivators attack you simultaneously, how could anything happen to you?"

Wang Ke touched his unharmed forehead and gave a wry smile: "I know they can’t hurt me, but they can trap and capture me."

"After all, I’m no different from a Mortal right now and can’t resist. I’m just afraid of missing that Go Dao Convention."

Song Yan grew even more curious: "What’s so special about this Go Dao Convention?"

"Special?" Wang Ke was startled: "Not really."

"Then are there any precious prizes or spiritual items?" Song Yan asked again.

Wang Ke paused slightly, thought for a moment, and finally said, "No, just a chess manual."

"Since there’s no special Opportunity and no rare rewards, why are you taking this risk to participate in the Go Dao Convention...?"

Wang Ke froze, then spread his hands and said, "I just like playing chess."

"..."

Song Yan was speechless.

He found it difficult to understand what people who were obsessed with the art of cultivating the mind were thinking.

But it didn’t matter. The journey from Lanxi Cave to Bei Ya Mountain wasn’t far, and while Bei Ya Mountain to Chu Capital was some distance, it was nothing for a Cultivator.

Just escorting him would allow him to obtain such a precious Spirit Medicine. He had simply gotten a huge bargain.

He had originally wanted to ask Wang Ke, such a wealthy person, why he didn’t ask others for help and sought him out instead, but after thinking about it, he decided not to ask.

What if he asked and the other person found it reasonable and ran off? Where would he get Luo Zhen Vine then?

Actually, Song Yan didn’t know.

Luo Zhen Vine was extremely precious, and Chu Capital was, after all, a remote place with scarce Cultivation resources. As the Chu Capital Cultivation World developed, many spiritual items had long since become extinct here.

The Medicinal Pills that required this item for Alchemy had long been modified by various Alchemy Great Masters, who introduced versions that didn’t require this item.

Over time, almost no Cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage recognized them.

Many people had only seen the name in Alchemy books, and even if it was placed in front of them, they wouldn’t recognize what it was.

And this was already the only item in Wang Ke’s qiankun bag that someone recognized and urgently needed.

Song Yan didn’t waste any time and immediately nodded in agreement. He was about to discuss the terms of the agreement when Wang Ke spoke first.

"I’ll give you a piece first."

With that, he shoved the withered vine into Song Yan’s hand.

"?"

Song Yan stared blankly at the withered vine in his hand, his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.

"When we arrive at Bei Ya Mountain, I’ll give you another piece, and another piece when we reach Chu Capital."

Wang Ke rubbed his hands.

His clear eyes showed no reluctance for the Spirit Medicine, only a fervent desire to play chess with someone.

"You..."

Now, Song Yan was seriously considering the possibility of killing for treasure.

What was this person’s background?

He had originally thought he would only receive a piece after the Go Dao Convention ended and they arrived at Chu Capital.

The preciousness of Luo Zhen Vine goes without saying.

Song Yan had visited so many markets and found no news of it.

Sheng Nian and his group had explored an ancient Cultivator’s Immortal Cave, and even their qiankun bags didn’t contain this item.

Yet, this person produced three pieces at once.

Could he be from a Sect famous for cultivating rare Spirit Medicine?

Song Yan couldn’t recall any such place in Chu Capital.

With such abundant spiritual resources, could he be a Core Disciple of the Profound Origin Sect?

But he had never heard of the Profound Origin Sect having a rule about Disciples sealing their cultivation when traveling down the mountain.

"Alright."

He nodded, indicating his agreement.

Wang Ke couldn’t help but beam: "Ah, Senior Daoist, may I ask your name...?"

"Song Yan, courtesy name Ye Sheng."

"Then I shall trouble Daoist Song."

There was still a month until the Go Dao Convention began in Bei Ya Mountain, and Song Yan didn’t want a stranger staying in the nameless mountain valley.

So, in Lanxi Market, he found an Immortal Inn for this "Mortal" Wang Ke, paid a month’s worth of Spirit Stones, and had him temporarily stay there.

As soon as Wang Ke entered the room, he carefully took out the items from his bag.

They were all things like chessboards and chess manuals.

To be so obsessed with this Dao... Song Yan had agreed on a time with him; they would depart five days before the Go Dao Convention began, allowing them to arrive at Bei Ya Mountain three days in advance.

Afterward, he left Lanxi Market and returned to the nameless mountain valley.

He went straight back to his Immortal Cave, entering the Pill Chamber where the Sword Dao Pill Furnaces were placed.

He took out the piece of Luo Zhen Vine from his qiankun bag and examined it repeatedly.

Although he had never seen Luo Zhen Vine before, the piece in his hand was full of spiritual power, contained and not released, clearly meeting the standards for use in Alchemy.

"How bizarre..."

Song Yan muttered to himself.

He had imagined many scenarios for obtaining this item.

For example, finding it in a lost Secret Realm, obtaining it from a demonic Cultivator’s qiankun bag after killing them, or acquiring it at an auction during his travels.

He had never expected that this item would ultimately be delivered to his doorstep by a strange "Mortal."

"Yunmeng Mountain..."

He thought about it repeatedly but couldn’t find any mention of this place in his mind.

If he couldn’t figure it out, he simply stopped thinking about it. The outcome was good.

"It’s truly a case of finding something without searching, and obtaining it without effort."

This piece of Luo Zhen Vine was about four inches long, and as the main ingredient, it was enough for Song Yan to attempt to refine the improved Foundation Establishment Pill four times.

By the time he sent the other party to Chu Capital and obtained all the spiritual vines, it meant he could attempt it at least twelve times.

"If I can’t make a single pill in these twelve attempts, I, Song Yan, will never do Alchemy again in my life."

He made a vow in his heart.

Then he carefully put away the Luo Zhen Vine, rested for a while, and then laid out the Materials for refining the Wu Xiang Pill.

He was preparing to try refining the Wu Xiang Pill one more time.

Now that the Luo Zhen Vine was secured, Song Yan intended to speed up his progress and accumulate experience for the Foundation Establishment Pill earlier.

He sat cross-legged, his sleeves fluttering without wind.

The ugly Pill Furnace with the toad-shaped lid in front of him rested silently on the ground, its body patterns glowing faintly.

He lightly tapped the Sword Furnace with his fingertip, and a wisp of Sword Qi, like a thread, entered the furnace. A soft hum immediately emanated from within.

The toad opened its mouth and exhaled, and a circular Sword Qi field appeared out of thin air between the furnace top and base, with the dark red Fenru Karma Fire flowing within it.

He held his left hand out, palm up, and formed a Sword Incantation with his right hand. Sword Qi surged from the Zhen Dao Sword Mansion like a tide.

The Sword Qi and the Fenru Karma Fire mutually tamed each other, eventually forming a translucent, crimson-gold Pill Furnace phantom.

Here, one couldn’t help but marvel at Senior Chen Yi’s Genius.

This greatly improved the stability of the Sword Qi input.

And he only needed to concentrate fully on controlling the Sword Qi for the processing of the Medicinal Pill.