After handling the affairs of Flower Medicine Palace, Chen Sanshi returned to Wujiang Hall, stopped the puppets, personally dealt with some state matters, and then summoned Little Zhuzi.
"Reporting to Your Majesty."
Dongfang Jingxing gave a meticulous report. "For the various Dao paths—Alchemy, Talisman Drawing, and Formation—we have already selected personnel for training. The list is here for Your Majesty's review."
"Zhu Chichi."
Chen Sanshi saw Zhu Quan's second daughter. She was now cultivating Puppet Crafting in Tianyong City. The descendants of Zhao Kang, Feng Yong, and others were also in Tianyong City.
However, a greater number were not so fortunate. Either they did not possess spiritual roots, or their martial aptitude was poor, and thus they could only serve in the regular army.
After finishing matters in Tianyong City, Chen Sanshi returned to the rear palace.
It was now May of the 12th year of the Tianwu era, and the Imperial Noble Consort was in her 10th month of pregnancy. If nothing unexpected occurred, she would give birth soon.
Chen Sanshi did not wish to miss the child's birth, so he simply remained in the palace for several days.
Approximately 5 days later.
He was carving a puppet in the sleeping hall when Nianxia suddenly hurried over. "Your Majesty, the Noble Consort is about to give birth."
"Oh? Take me there at once."
Chen Sanshi immediately set down his work and followed the palace maid to Yonghe Palace, where he saw that the Empress was also waiting.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty."
"Rise."
After inquiring about the situation, Chen Sanshi waited quietly.
After the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, the hall doors opened. The palace maid responsible for assisting the birth bowed as she joyfully announced, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Noble Consort has added a princess to our Great Han."
"Excellent."
Chen Sanshi stepped over the threshold and entered with the Empress to visit the Imperial Noble Consort on the bed. He then picked up the princess and, as a matter of course, examined her aptitude.
"She actually has a spiritual root."
He had not expected this. Sun Li herself had no spiritual root, and he had once possessed only an inferior spiritual root, yet the child was born with one.
"Your two elder sisters are named Yunxi and Yunhuan. From now on, you shall be called Yunmei."
Chen Sanshi gave her the name.
He placed the child back on the bed and stayed to help care for her for 2 more days. Once the trivial matters were mostly settled, he bade farewell to his family again and headed straight for Heavenly Water Isle.
"The number of patrolling cultivators has increased considerably."
Chen Sanshi walked through the wilderness of Northern Yang Dao. From time to time, he saw people from the Demon-Suppression Bureau and the Shengyun Sect patrolling in groups, both in the sky and on the ground.
Anyone they encountered was subjected to detailed questioning.
All itinerant cultivators from outside, or those with unclear identities, were taken back for investigation.
Fortunately, Chen Sanshi was disguised as the deceased old Mo Zhu, a genuine local, and thus was hardly troubled.
Such a massive mobilization was due to two matters.
First, it was only upon returning this time that Chen Sanshi learned what had happened inside the Nine Nether Forbidden Land.
After he left, all disciples from Lingji Cavern and Shengyun Sect who had entered the forbidden land to investigate died violently within it—none survived.
More than 100 people in total.
Among them were even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Yet not a single one returned alive.
It had even alarmed a Golden Core cultivator from the main peak of Daze.
Others did not know what had happened, but Chen Sanshi knew perfectly well.
The blind woman had slaughtered over 100 people by herself!
In his mind, he could not help recalling the sense of danger he felt upon first meeting her. Later, however, they encountered the suppression of all techniques, and since she was a spell cultivator, his impression of her had somewhat weakened.
Even he found it rather unbelievable.
Truly, there were all manner of strange things in this world.
Moreover—
Jiang Xiyue had come from Qingxu Sect to Northern Yang Dao. She likely had not come solely for treasure hunting; the matter of the Bai family might also be involved.
In other words, Chen Sanshi was very likely to encounter the blind woman again.
Second, the activities of demonic cultivators had grown increasingly rampant.
Large numbers of people had gone missing among the mortals, especially young boys and girls.
Northern Yang Dao was Shengyun Sect's territory. Therefore, both Shengyun Sect and the Demon-Suppression Bureau were continuously dispatching more personnel to search for traces of Seven Kill Sect disciples.
"It seems that after Falling Cloud Mountain, their preaching has continued. I just wonder what scheme they are plotting."
Before he realized it, Chen Sanshi had returned to Dusk Valley.
He still had an urgent matter to attend to.
Within the Nine Nether Forbidden Land, those who had ambushed the Bai family's ancestor had said they deliberately let him go. Thus, it was inferred that the Golden Essence Clay Embryo had very likely been tampered with in advance.
He had previously sent word to Dusk Valley through his subordinates about this matter, but received no reply. It was necessary to mention it in person.
"Daoist Xiao, what a grand stroke."
Bai Liangbi, the Bai family head, looked at the young man before him and scoffed, "Over 100 sect disciples killed just like that. Aren't you afraid that if those people catch you, you'll be sliced into a thousand pieces?"
"This matter has nothing to do with me. Even if I gathered all the people from Eastern Divine Continent, I still could not accomplish such a thing."
Chen Sanshi did not reveal that the ones who had done the killing were Qingxu Sect disciples whom they themselves had invited to help.
He changed the subject. "As for the Golden Essence Clay Embryo, how does Daoist Bai intend to handle it?"
"So the one who sent word some days ago was also dispatched by Daoist Xiao."
Bai Liangbi pondered for a moment. "It seems Daoist Xiao witnessed what my father encountered within the forbidden land. Thank you for the kind warning. However, there is no problem with the Golden Essence Clay Embryo."
"No problem?"
Chen Sanshi was slightly puzzled.
"Daoist Xiao may not know," Bai Liangbi explained. "The Golden Essence Clay Embryo is a spiritual object naturally conceived by heaven and earth. Its interior is incomparably pure. Any tampering whatsoever would be impossible to conceal.
"Moreover, the Golden Essence Clay Embryo possesses its own consciousness and is simple and honest by nature—it cannot lie. We questioned it carefully. Aside from luring it out with bait, those people did nothing else.
"The bait it consumed also had no issues.
"It is only that my father—"
He gave a bitter smile and did not continue.
"I see."
Chen Sanshi nodded.
Had his speculation been wrong?
Those people had indeed said at the time that they intentionally let Bai Xifeng escape.
Was the problem elsewhere?
In any case, he had done all he reasonably could by speaking up.
"Daoist Xiao need not worry. We will be cautious going forward. And—"
Bai Liangbi paused. "Qingxu Sect has already sent people to Dusk Valley. They are expected to arrive tonight. I have arranged a banquet at Guanhu Tower. Daoist Xiao may join us to meet them, and then consider once more whether to leave this troubled place with us. Please do not refuse."
"Very well."
Chen Sanshi did not reject the invitation and nodded in agreement.
He took out the Phoenix Luan Stone Beast obtained from the forbidden land from his Storage Bag and said, "By the way, I have a spiritual plant here. I would trouble Daoist Bai to use the Divine Wood Spirit Liquid to hasten its maturation."
"This was something I promised Daoist Xiao. Naturally, there is no problem."
Bai Liangbi accepted the spiritual plant. After examining it, he said, "This Phoenix Luan Stone Beast of yours is approximately 800 years old. To hasten it to 1,000 years, even at the fastest speed, it will take nearly 4 years."
"Nearly 4 years."
Chen Sanshi calculated inwardly. The time when the seal loosened would likely be around then as well. As long as he mastered the teleportation array before that, it should still be in time.
Speaking of which, to mature an 800-year spiritual plant to 1,000 years required only 4 years—that meant that accelerating 1 year equaled 50 years of normal growth.
Even if different spiritual plants varied in difficulty of maturation, this speed was astonishing. It meant that century-old medicinal materials could be supplied in large quantities, provided there was enough Divine Wood Spirit Liquid.
"In that case, many thanks to Daoist Bai."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Sanshi took his leave and headed to the alchemy workshop, preparing to refine a batch of pills he would need in the near future.
The Hundred-Source Sacred Martial Pill was specifically for mid-stage True Force Realm martial artists. Not only was it expensive, it was also rarely available on the market.
What he intended to refine was the Thousand-Source Sacred Martial Pill, which he had found among the ancient pill formulas obtained from the garrison commander's cave abode.
Its effects were 50% stronger than the Hundred-Source Sacred Martial Pill, but it required Purple-Gold Sand Essence, an exceedingly rare substance that could not be bought even with spirit stones.
Fortunately, the forbidden land had some—and in considerable quantity.
After taking out all the necessary materials, Chen Sanshi silently recited a calming incantation, then opened the fire vein and began refining.
Ancient pill formulas had been lost not for a single reason, but due to a combination of factors.
Not only were the required materials rare, the difficulty of refinement was multiplied.
Chen Sanshi formed hand seals in succession, using his divine sense to perceive the changes of the Great Dao within the furnace. It felt as though there were a thousand intricate mechanisms intertwined within—nearly impossible to control.
He failed several times in succession, wasting 4 full sets of materials. Even with his current wealth, he felt a pang of heartache.
It was not until the fifth attempt that Chen Sanshi finally managed to grasp the method of refinement.
"Buzz—"
The flames extinguished, and the hand seals dissipated.
The alchemy furnace opened automatically, and a deep-blue pill emerged, hovering in midair like a star.
[Art: Alchemy (Second Rank)]
[Progress: 556/1000]
"It's done."
Chen Sanshi did not delay and immediately returned to his dwelling cave abode. He activated the Spirit-Gathering Formation and prepared to begin cultivation.
A first-rank spirit vein, even with a Spirit-Gathering Formation, could at most reach a pseudo–second rank. Yet now, whether in martial arts or the immortal path, he was a genuine second-rank cultivator and had already begun to feel a shortage.
If he could successfully resolve the trouble at the main peak of Great Marsh, it would be time to change to a different place for cultivation.
Setting aside his thoughts, Chen Sanshi swallowed the pill. Instantly, he felt a surge of dense spiritual energy like fish slipping through his mouth into his abdomen, then dispersing directly and merging into his limbs and bones, washing over the meridians and the Eight Views Gods within him again and again.
As he swung his spear, three kinds of spiritual radiance gradually lit up above his dantian—dark azure, bright yellow, and white jade.
The three-colored auspicious light continuously intertwined until they completely fused into one.
[Technique: Dragon Scripture (True Force Middle Stage)]
[Progress: 437/500]
The Left Yang God, named Fuliuqi, courtesy name Daogui, 2.3 inches tall, clad in robes of azure, yellow, and white!
Of the Eight Lower Scenic Gods, 7 had been opened!
Only the final Scenic God remained before he could break through to the late stage of the True Force Realm!
"The pill refined from this ancient formula truly produces immediate results. If I had obtained it earlier, my breakthrough speed would likely have been advanced by quite some time.
"No wonder cultivators risk their lives to explore secret realms. The benefits gained are truly extraordinary."
Chen Sanshi sighed with emotion.
Unfortunately, most of the formulas recorded were second-rank pills, with only a few third-rank pills.
Upon reflection, this was normal.
When the great battle occurred in the Nine Nether Forbidden Land, it seemed that the Luoxiao Sect had suffered heavy losses. The cultivators of White Jade Capital would certainly have searched the place thoroughly. Only low-rank pill formulas—insignificant to ancient cultivators—had likely escaped notice.
Aside from these, Chen Sanshi's greatest gain was the refinement methods for the Spirit-Extinguishing Grand Formation and the Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation obtained from the Luoxiao Sect's garrison commander.
Though differing by only one word, the Spirit-Extinguishing Grand Formation and the Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation had vastly different effects.
The former directly destroyed a spirit vein, leaving only a small amount of spiritual energy sealed within a Spirit Pearl.
His master, Sun Xiangzong, had used precisely this formation. After sealing the ancestral vein of Nanling Town, the Spirit Pearl contained only the concentration of upper-grade first-rank spiritual energy.
The latter, however, preserved the ancestral vein's spiritual energy to a far greater extent. At the same time, the difficulty of refinement was worlds apart.
Both required an indispensable treasure—the Spirit Pearl.
Namely, the one currently in Tianyong City.
According to the silver-plaque garrison commander of the Luoxiao Sect, these Spirit Pearls were "formation cores" refined by their sect master, containing supreme Dao韵. As long as one obtained a Spirit Pearl and inscribed formations around its source power, one could achieve the destruction or sealing of a spirit vein.
The Spirit-Extinguishing Grand Formation was relatively simple. With sufficient materials and third-rank attainment in Formation and Talisman Drawing, it could be refined.
The Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation, however, was far more difficult.
It required fourth-rank or higher attainment in Formation, Talisman Drawing, and even Weapon Forging, along with powerful divine sense and rare materials, before it could possibly be refined.
A finished Spirit Pearl refined through the Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation could often reach the level of a high-rank spirit vein.
"Fourth rank corresponds to the Nascent Soul realm."
Chen Sanshi felt the distance keenly.
Even third-rank formation attainment was still a challenge for him at present.
[Art: Formation (First Rank)]
[Progress: 485/500]
As for pure proficiency, it would not take long to break through to second rank. However, he possessed no further formation inheritance for what came after.
Moreover, based on his experience with alchemy, if one wished to increase proficiency quickly, it was best to refine different kinds of formations repeatedly.
If one hammered away at a single formation over and over, proficiency would grow very slowly.
"It seems I'll have to find another set of formation inheritance."
Chen Sanshi repeatedly studied the refinement methods, not expecting that his cultivation of multiple arts would one day prove so useful.
If he wished to refine the Spirit-Sealing Grand Formation in the future, Formation, Talisman Drawing, and even Puppet Art would all be indispensable.
With that in mind, he took out the talisman inheritance obtained from old Mo Zhu—the True Talisman Canon.
It appeared to be a somewhat mottled jade slip.
Chen Sanshi held it in his palm and injected his divine sense. Instantly, he felt the ground beneath his feet vanish. When he opened his eyes again, he had already arrived in another space.
The surroundings were pitch-black, like a boundless abyss.
Before him floated enormous talismans radiating golden light—thousands upon thousands of talisman seals suspended silently, resembling banners.
With just a single glance, Chen Sanshi understood that this inheritance was far from as simple as Mo Zhu had claimed.