Chapter 75: The Wuchen Pill
The secret realm held countless rare treasures. After the two Nascent Soul ancestors returned, naturally they were unwilling to let things lie. Once their injuries healed, they gathered all the Nascent Soul cultivators from both sects, intending to re-enter. They even poured immense resources into constructing a dedicated passage within each of the two sects.
But somehow, news of this leaked. The Grand Profound Sect and the Pure Land Sect caught wind of it and promptly came knocking, demanding a share of the spoils, of course.
The Wraith Sect and Ten Steps Court were unwilling to agree, but refusal meant a battle outside the secret realm even before they could enter. At that time, the two sects combined only had three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. The rest were early or mid-stage, while the secret realm held seven fourth-rank demon beasts.
Though the Wraith Sect's poisonous arts provided a slight edge, victory was by no means assured. With the addition of Grand Profound Sect and Pure Land Sect's Nascent Soul elders, however, chances improved.
Considering all this, they eventually agreed to a four-sect joint expedition.
What followed was a grand battle inside the secret realm. But the outcome was far from ideal. Demon beasts were naturally more powerful than human cultivators of the same rank. Though the human side had more Nascent Soul cultivators, once the beasts revealed their true forms, the advantage vanished.
In the end, both sides had to make concessions. Moreover, the demon beasts had little interest in the spiritual energy of the Barren Moon Continent, which was far inferior to that within the secret realm.
It was precisely because of this disparity that many ancient herbs had managed to survive inside the realm.
Since the disappearance of the ancient cultivator who once ruled the realm, the demon beasts within had lost all restraint and formed several powerful tribes. Each sought to dominate the others, but after endless years of bloodshed, none could prevail. Eventually, they called a truce.
Still, they needed trials to hone themselves. But attacking rival tribes would reignite war, so they resorted to covert skirmishes instead.
The higher-rank beasts turned a blind eye to such clashes, unless battles between third-rank or higher demon beasts broke out, they rarely intervened.
But even so, the beasts' innate savagery remained suppressed. Chaos was inevitable. Now that humans were entering the realm, they allowed select areas to be opened, letting humans and beasts clash freely.
Whoever had the skill could claim the treasures and pills within, a mutually exploitative arrangement.
Demon beasts primarily relied on innate talent in battle. Only those of the second rank and above used magical tools or artifacts, and they lacked the ability to refine pills, forge weapons, or craft formations.
The ancient abodes left by cultivators were all protected by formations that the beasts could rarely breach. Only occasionally could they break through using brute strength or unique abilities to obtain the treasures within.
As for rare herbs, most could not be consumed directly. Beyond a few that were safe to eat raw, many brought unpredictable consequences if not properly refined, something the beasts could not manage.
Through these negotiations, both sides got what they wanted.
However, the demon beasts refused to allow additional passages to be built, fearing an increase in risk. After repeated talks, they reluctantly agreed to maintain the two existing passages.
This frustrated the Grand Profound Sect and Pure Land Sects immensely. No one enjoyed watching key entryways built in rival territory, but they had no choice.
Later, the two sects attempted to station their cultivators at the passages. But how could the Wraith Sect and Ten Steps Court ever allow such a thing?
Letting outsiders inside their territory meant inevitable leaks. In the end, they only agreed to let each sect inspect the channels once every five years to ensure their stability.
Even if the other sects wanted to use force, the Wraith Sect and Ten Steps Court would not be intimidated. Two against two, they could hold their own. Ultimately, Grand Profound Sect and Pure Land had to accept the arrangement.
Originally, the secret realm was opened annually for Core Formation cultivators to enter. But over the course of a thousand years, both sides noticed problems.
First, Core Formation cultivators were the sects' main pillars of strength. Centuries of conflict had whittled them down to battle-hardened elites and their opponents, fierce third-rank demon beasts, had also grown savage.
But the war of attrition had weakened both sides.
Second, the continual harvesting of herbs over a millennium had driven many rare species to extinction, an outcome human cultivators dreaded.
Both sides had no choice but to negotiate once more. Eventually, they agreed to open the secret realm once every fifteen years and only permit Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Even then, only segmented areas would be opened each time, giving spiritual herbs a chance to regrow.
Those who entered the secret realm had the opportunity to gain incredible fortunes.
All rare treasures and ancient pills obtained inside belonged to the individual. However, any herbs had to be turned over to the sect. Magical tools and pills not personally useful could be sold to the sect at high prices.
But private trade was strictly forbidden. If discovered, it would bring the harshest sect punishment.
Moreover, the realm's dense spiritual energy offered rare chances for breakthroughs, opportunities not to be missed.
It all sounded wonderful on the surface, but hidden dangers abounded. One had to beware not only of demon beasts, but also ambushes from the other three sects or even betrayal from one's own companions.
Considering all this, Lin Daqiao's reluctance was understandable. Although there are risks, he longed for a great fortune within.
Upon hearing that only the top forty-nine would qualify, the disciples' eyes lit with fierce desire.
Especially Wei Chituo, already in the late Foundation Establishment stage. If he entered the secret realm, he had a real chance to break through to Pseudo Core, even the Core Formation stage itself.
Wei Chongran saw their determined expressions and nodded. Then his gaze turned to Li Wuyi.
"Wuyi, I will be entering secluded cultivation later this month. I may not emerge for quite some time. During that period, the affairs of this peak will be left to you. This is another reason you won't be going."
He chuckled softly and added, "Here, take this 'Wuchen Pill.' Perhaps it will aid your breakthrough."
With a flick of his finger, a small blue-and-white porcelain bottle flew toward Li Wuyi.
Li Wuyi had worn a relaxed expression while listening to his master's instructions. Handling the affairs of Little Bamboo Peak was second nature to him by now. But the moment he heard "Wuchen Pill," his whole body froze.
A delicate porcelain bottle hovered silently before him. It took a long moment before he snapped out of his daze, eyes lighting up as he joyfully grasped the jade bottle in his hand.
He had already guessed why he was barred from entering the secret realm this time. He had made too many enemies in previous trips; once inside, he'd become a prime target. Reaching his current level had been an arduous journey, his master's decision was clearly for his own protection.
Though he showed no emotion outwardly, a faint disappointment still lingered in his heart.
During his past two ventures into the secret realm, he had advanced from early Foundation Establishment to mid-stage, then from mid-stage to its peak.
If he could have entered once more, even if a breakthrough to Pseudo Core or Core Formation wasn't guaranteed, he was certain it would have brought significant gains.
Still, he had always obeyed Wei Chongran without complaint. Whatever his master arranged, he accepted. Thus, he quickly let go of that last trace of desire, never expecting his master to bestow upon him a Wuchen Pill.
The Wuchen Pill was renowned for its powerful assistance in breaking through major realms below the Core Formation stage. It protects the cultivator's heart meridian during the critical moment of advancement, shielding the mind from inner demons and maintaining a pure, unblemished state of clarity.
For cultivators below the Core Formation stage, this pill was invaluable and nearly impossible to find even if one had the wealth to spare.
How Wei Chongran had managed to obtain one was unknown, but he had gifted it so casually, so lightly, as though it were nothing. This gift gave Li Wuyi's chances of forming a Core a significant boost.
And that small increase, those two extra points of certainty, were something no amount of begging could bring.
Flushed with excitement, Li Wuyi's face turned crimson. He had dreamed of obtaining this pill, but it was too rare to ever appear at auction, where he might try to pick it up at a bargain.
Though the Wraith Sect did produce a few Wuchen Pills each year for internal sale, he simply couldn't afford them.
Several breaths passed before Li Wuyi finally calmed himself. Rising to his feet, he swept his robes aside and knelt down, offering six resounding kowtows in utmost reverence.
A warm smile appeared on Wei Chongran's plump face. He didn't stop the gesture, knowing well the effort it had taken to acquire this pill.
There were plenty of late Foundation Establishment disciples in the Wraith Sect, and obtaining this pill required not only a mountain of spirit stones but also considerable connections and favors.
The other disciples looked at Li Wuyi with envy, but none voiced complaint. They all knew he had earned it. Over the years, their kind and dependable eldest senior brother had worked tirelessly without protest.
While others immersed themselves in cultivation, he had still spent long hours managing peak affairs. Were it not for his exceptional talent, he would likely still be stuck at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
Once Li Wuyi rose, Wei Chongran turned to Wei Chituo.
"You must work hard as well."
With those simple words, he stood and strode out of the hall.
Wei Chituo blinked in surprise but gradually nodded with resolve. He understood what his master meant, he was to carve his path through his own strength. But if he truly struggled, his master would lend support.
Still, deep down, he knew: the most his master could provide was a pill. Cultivation was a journey that could only be walked alone.
As Li Yan watched the plump, not-so-tall figure of their master walking away, a faint warmth stirred in his heart. Perhaps… this master truly wasn't so bad.
He had heard tales from other peaks. Most masters did no more than pass on their teachings. To receive such a rare and precious pill from one's master, unless you were a direct descendant or a favorite disciple, was practically unheard of.
Yet this master had poured such vast resources into his disciples without hesitation.
Today, Li Yan saw Wei Chongran in a new light. He suddenly realized he knew very little about the man.
Take his cultivation, for example. This plump master was rumored to be at mid-Core Formation, though others said early Core Formation, because no one had ever seen him take action.
Wei Chongran always wore a smiling face, and his displayed cultivation was only that of early Core Formation, adding an air of mystery around him.
Once the master had walked off into the distance, Li Wuyi murmured softly, "So this is Little Bamboo Peak…"
His eyes grew momentarily dazed, then steadied.
"Well then, today's matters are concluded. I hope all my junior brothers and sisters gain something in the coming year. You may all go."
The gathered disciples respectfully saluted Li Wuyi before departing in groups or alone.
Li Yan walked out of the hall alongside Lin Daqiao, intentionally so.
Lin Daqiao clung to him with exaggerated affection. Cheerful and energetic by nature, he found long periods of closed-door cultivation unbearable.
Fortunately, his spiritual roots were exceptional. A little time spent training yielded the same results others took months to achieve. Even Li Yan couldn't help feeling envious.
As they stepped outside, Li Yan cut off his Seventh Senior Brother's endless chatter.
"Seventh Brother, I've been meaning to ask, how do we receive our peak's missions? You mentioned it before, but I've never actually gone."
Lin Daqiao released his arm and gave Li Yan a curious once-over, examining him from head to toe until Li Yan felt rather awkward.
"You're finally short on spirit stones, huh? Fourth Sister said you receive monthly resources that can be compared to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. And you've never once collected a peak task in all these years since joining? Amazing!"
Li Yan scratched his nose sheepishly. He was beginning to understand just how hard it was to earn spirit stones.
Back when his plump master had given him spirit stones, he'd accepted them so confidently, as though it were only natural. Receiving so much more than others each month, if he were on any other peak, there would have been an uproar by now.
With an awkward laugh, Li Yan replied:
"Heh… Seventh Brother, it's just that I'm lacking in talent, so the sect has been more lenient with me. It's the only reason I've come this far.
"But with my current cultivation, I can't take on external missions yet. For now, I'd best start with whatever work I can manage here on the peak to earn some spirit stones. So, how do I get those tasks?"
"My little junior brother," Lin Daqiao said, still amazed, "I can't believe you've been in the sect this long and don't even know how to reach the task hall. I'm truly impressed!"
He clapped Li Yan's shoulder with a grin. "Well, since we've nothing else going on, I'll take you there myself."
With that, he summoned a boat-shaped spirit vessel, and the two of them stepped aboard and soared into the sky.
(Chapter End)