Ancient Gods - V1C7
Prologue: Farewell, Fourth Elder
1: A remaining mark
2: The Star Emperor Tower
3: Lingxu's Hostage
4: A Bunch of Hypocrites
5: Su Fei
6: The Duel
7: Dao of Divine Pills
8: Beauty Pill
9: Mastering Alchemy
10: Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied
11: No Meat, No Soup, No Cooking
12: The Extraordinary Tianxuan Realm
13: A Salted Fish Turns over
14: Those Elders Have No Shame
15: The Yangchun Pill
Chapter 7
Dao of Divine Pills
As soon as Mo Yang returned to Wood Peak, the Grand Elder followed.
“What, is the Grand Elder here to reward me?” Mo Yang looked at the Grand Elder who appeared at the courtyard entrance, frowning slightly.
Facing this elder, Mo Yang felt a surge of caution. The opponent's formidable cultivation was only one aspect of his threat; it was his skillful cunning and unpredictable nature that truly unnerved Mo Yang. Yet, he was no longer the timid boy who had spent the last decade subjected to bullying and humiliation. The boy who once bowed his head in submission was gone. That pivotal night, when he finally broke through the arduous levels of the Qi Condensation and Spirit Communication realms, a profound transformation occurred within him—not just physically, but also mentally.
With the surge of new power coursing through his veins came an unwavering resolve. He vowed never to be a victim again, committing himself to rising to the pinnacle of strength and becoming the strongest among the strong. Mo Yang understood that the journey ahead would be filled with challenges, sacrifices, and trials. He was no longer alone; the Star Emperor Tower and the Star Emperor Sutra were within him, and no one would be able to take them away. Nevertheless, he had carved out a few clear goals in his mind: to hone his skills, to seek out his past, and to challenge those who would look down on him.
No obstacle would deter him from his path; his confidence now radiated like the warm glow of a freshly ignited flame, unfaltering and steadfast. The desire to reclaim his dignity and carve out his destiny burned brightly within him, and he was determined to seize every opportunity that came his way. In addition to his confidence, he also developed a sense of sarcasm and a straightforward way of speaking.
“Hmph, reward? You want to leave after eating and wiping your mouth, and you still want a reward?”
The Grand Elder's words caught Mo Yang off guard, nearly causing him to spit out blood. What did he mean by "finished eating"? Mo Yang furrowed his brow. Despite the old man's icy demeanor and seemingly anger-filled words, there was no intent to kill behind them. He pondered the elder's motives.
Suddenly, a "whoosh" echoed through the air as the Grand Elder moved, appearing as an afterimage right before him. Mo Yang's pupils dilated, and he promptly engaged the Spirit Void Steps to retreat quickly. However, he couldn't escape in time; the Grand Elder's speed was ghostly. After just a few blurs of movement, the elder's palm struck Mo Yang's chest, sending him staggering backward.
Mo Yang experienced a sharp pain in his chest, and while surprise coursed through him, anger also flared. He shouted coldly, “Old man, I didn't expect you to be such a brute. If this is how you want to play it, then I’ll show you seriousness!”
As he retreated to a distance with a furious expression, a trace of hidden satisfaction flickered in the Grand Elder's gaze. Nevertheless, he advanced again, still pretending to be angry.
Mo Yang, unwilling to hold back any longer, tapped into all of his strength. Golden True Qi radiated from his skin, unleashing a formidable presence.
Noticing the energy from Mo Yang, the Grand Elder hesitated for a moment. He then remarked, clearly displeased, "You're at the Earth Profound Realm, Initial Level, Late Rank? Why didn't you reveal that sooner? You’re so rebellious. I’ll make you submit today!"
"Old man, don’t push me!" Mo Yang bellowed, urging his True Qi to its limits.
"I'm pushing you!" came the elder's reply.
Following that, a fierce wind swept through the small courtyard, and the two figures engaged in a rapid exchange, the sounds of combat echoing repeatedly. Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Mo Yang was knocked back.
After regaining his balance, Mo Yang's chest heaved, and he gasped for air. The brief conflict had drained much of his True Qi due to his constant dodging with the Ethereal Step. He glared at the Grand Elder, realizing that while the old man hit hard, he was careful not to inflict real harm.
"Is that all you've got, kid?" the Grand Elder taunted. "I thought you were destined to conquer the heavens! Look at the prowess you displayed in the training grounds!"
The Grand Elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, casting a sidelong sneer at Mo Yang. Despite his outward demeanor, he felt a churn of unease within. It was the first time in years he had encountered a Prodigy Cultivator like Mo Yang.
Years ago, when the Fourth Elder brought the young prodigy Mo Yang to the Lingxu Sect, the Grand Elder was immediately impressed by Mo Yang's exceptional capacity for Qi Comprehension. His innate talent distinguished him from the other disciples, suggesting a potential for greatness that few in the sect possessed. With the recent lifting of the internal block that had hindered his progress, Mo Yang's abilities began to flourish at an unprecedented speed, capturing the Grand Elder's keen interest even further.
Recognizing the importance of nurturing Mo Yang's talents, the Grand Elder resolved to foster a deeper connection between him and the sect. He identified Su Fei, his own granddaughter, as the perfect counterpart for Mo Yang. The Grand Elder believed that their union could serve as a powerful incentive, giving Mo Yang a sense of belonging and motivation to remain steadfastly tied to the Lingxu Sect. By intertwining their fates, he hoped to instill in Mo Yang a reason not only to cultivate his skills but also to care deeply about the future of the sect that had given him a second chance.
With the Fourth Elder gone, Su Fei was the only person he could think of who might anchor Mo Yang. Over the years, he had observed Mo Yang’s personality, especially the changes in him after the Fourth Elder's passing. He knew that once Mo Yang found something to care about, he would likely remain in touch with the Sect, even if he eventually chose to leave.
Before Mo Yang could respond, the Grand Elder waved his hand, sending a small box flying toward him. "This is a Spiritual Plant I acquired during my travels a few years ago. Your cultivation Breakthrough is happening too rapidly; taking this will help solidify your Dao foundation. The path of cultivation is lengthy—don't rush it!" he said.
Mo Yang opened the box to reveal a withered spiritual ginseng. Internally, he was taken aback; such a rare spiritual ginseng was immensely beneficial for Cultivators. He hadn’t anticipated the Grand Elder would so readily give it to him.
"What’s your real motive, old man?" Mo Yang furrowed his brow, watching the Grand Elder with caution. After all, there’s a saying: "no good deed goes unpunished."
"This is my way of making amends. The Sect has indeed owed you for years, but you must remember that not just our Lingxu Sect, but the entire Xuan Tian Continent respects the strong and discards the weak. Therefore, you must grow stronger and not disappoint the Fourth Elder’s expectations!" The Grand Elder concluded and turned to leave the small courtyard.
Mo Yang gazed at the spiritual ginseng, deep in thought, then frowned. "This old fox is clever. He wouldn’t try to nudge me into pursuing Su Fei to keep me in the Ethereal Sect…"
He looked up at the courtyard entrance and muttered, "Old fox, your intentions are apparent… Dream on if you think I’ll fall for that!"
With that, he quickly retreated into the house, determined to refine this unexpected treasure before the old man could return to claim it back.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
Following the conclusion of the challenge, news rapidly spread throughout the Lingxu Sect, leaving many disciples in disbelief that Mo Yang had actually defeated Senior Brother Qi Heng. Countless speculations began circulating about Mo Yang, and discussions of his relationship with Su Fei became frequent, leading to various theories.
"What a shame that Senior Sister Xu from the main Peak is still in seclusion. With her personality, she would surely have gone to Wood Peak!"
"But Senior Sister Xu hasn't yet reached the Earth Profound Realm. Even if she went to Wood Peak, she likely wouldn't stand a chance against Mo Yang!"
"Did he stumble upon some hidden artifact? How did he become so powerful all of a sudden?"
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
Meanwhile, on Wood Peak, inside the stone pagoda, Mo Yang consumed the spiritual ginseng. The immense spiritual energy transformed into golden True Qi, surging through his Meridians.
What typically would have required him several days to re-cultivate through the initial two Realms was accomplished in merely two hours. To his astonishment, Mo Yang discovered that his cultivation Realm had progressed from the Earth Profound Realm, Initial Level, Late-Stage to the Earth Profound Realm, Middle-Level, Early-Stage. It continued to advance, approaching the Peak Level of the Earth Profound Realm before finally stabilizing, achieving an impressive six stages.
The potency of the spiritual ginseng was tremendous; he estimated it to be at least five hundred years old, as it contained such vast spiritual energy.
"I really owe that old fox!" Mo Yang mused, then resumed his cultivation.
Time slipped by, and as the Star Emperor Sutra Techniques flowed within him, a connection seemed to form with the stone pagoda. Light began to emanate from the pagoda walls, cloaked in an enigmatic aura.
Suddenly, Mo Yang's cross-legged form trembled. Strands of sound waves began to resonate within the stone pagoda, growing grander and echoing throughout, like ancient melodies that gifted him moments of enlightenment.
"Could this be the true essence of the Dao?" Mo Yang's heart stirred. The sound waves resonated in his mind, guiding him toward a deeper understanding of the Star Emperor Sutra Techniques. The light on the walls illuminated mysterious runes, emitting streaks of divine radiance.
At the base of the steps leading to the second floor of the stone pagoda, the barrier shook and then dissipated like mist.
"The barrier is gone!"
Mo Yang was pleasantly surprised to feel a rush of joy. He had thought that he wouldn't be able to access the second floor until reaching the Heavenly Profound Realm, but now it had opened earlier than he expected.
Excited, he stood up and walked toward the stone steps, experiencing a strong sense of anticipation. He didn’t hesitate to step onto the steps and ascended without any hindrance, quickly reaching the second floor.
This level was vastly different from the first. The first thing he noticed was a large dark Pill Furnace, its flames still flickering.
How can this be? Is the fire in this Pill Furnace still burning after all this time?
Excitement surged within him. In the Xuan Tian Continent, Alchemy was a respected discipline, with unique techniques and Pill Formulas that were as profound as cultivation Techniques, seldom shared with outsiders.
Mo Yang endeavored to steady himself and cautiously approached the Pill Furnace, step by step. The area surrounding it was cluttered with aged, decayed medicinal herbs and dust-covered ancient scrolls, indicating it had been untouched for countless decades and exuded an air of antiquity.
Connecting the pieces in his mind, Mo Yang took a careful step closer to the Pill Furnace, bending down to pick up a shabby ancient scroll. After brushing off the dust, he revealed the ancient characters sealed for who knew how long.
Though it was old, the script bore resemblances to modern writing, enabling him to decipher it with scrutiny.
"Dao of Divine Pills!" Mo Yang read softly.
Mo Yang carefully unfurled the ancient scroll, his eyes scanning the old characters as his heart raced and his breath quickened. Within this scroll lay not only Alchemy techniques but also a plethora of over a hundred Pill Formulas. Many of these Medicinal Pills, based solely on their names, appeared to be remarkably extraordinary, and Mo Yang had never encountered them before.
The scroll was significantly yellowed, a testament to its age; many of the recorded Pill Formulas had probably lost their Legacy, yet each one was detailed with its corresponding effects and uses. A slight tremor ran through Mo Yang's hands as he felt a surge of excitement. He never imagined that the second floor of the stone pagoda would conceal such a treasure trove.
For a Cultivator, mastering Alchemy was akin to gaining access to an endless repository of cultivation resources. He fully grasped the significance of the scroll in his possession; with the Alchemy methods and countless Pill Formulas, he could begin practicing Alchemy as long as he could find the necessary medicinal ingredients. The aid of Medicinal Pills would accelerate his growth, allowing him to become stronger much more quickly.
Suppressing his excitement, he closed the ancient scroll and began to search the surroundings. However, he soon felt disappointment when he realized that the Mind-cultivation Technique of the second layer of the Star Emperor Sutra was absent, and the stone pagoda walls remained unchanged. It’s likely because I haven’t yet reached the Heavenly Profound Realm... I’ll focus on mastering Alchemy for now, he thought.
In the following days, Mo Yang focused intently on the Alchemy methods found within the stone pagoda. While these methods weren’t as complex as Cultivation Techniques, each possessed distinct elements to master. Success heavily depended on the precise control of Alchemy techniques and their subtleties—after all, practice is the path to perfection.
Mo Yang decided to bypass two crucial components of Alchemy, the Pill Furnace and Alchemy fire, since he discovered that ready-made versions were already accessible in the stone pagoda. Everything was in place for him; all he needed were the medicinal ingredients.
"Medicinal ingredients... I guess I'll have to visit the Lingxu Sect's Treasure Trove first..." he mused with a frown. While the Spirit Void Sect was not particularly powerful, he believed its centuries-old Legacy meant its Treasure Trove must contain valuable items. Although he could purchase ingredients from apothecaries in nearby cities, Mo Yang felt it would be wasteful to bypass such a rich resource.
However, like the Library Pavilion, the Sect's Treasure Trove was a crucial area guarded by an Elder, making it nearly impossible to access unnoticed.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
At noon that day, Mo Yang was in his small courtyard, meditating and regulating his Qi, when he sensed a familiar presence. Recognizing it was Su Fei, he felt a surge of pleasure. He had been pondering how to gain access to the Sect's Treasure Trove, and it seemed the key was right in front of him.
"Mo Yang, come out, you rascal!"
Unlike her previous sneakiness, Su Fei burst into the courtyard, immediately starting to scold him.
Mo Yang slowly opened his eyes, frowning. "Hey, foolish girl, what brings you here this time? Are you not ashamed of the trouble you caused last time? Do you want to embarrass yourself again by running down from Wood Peak? Why not try in the nude this time?"
"Hmph! I can’t believe you actually dared to propose marriage to my father! Don't even think about it; I'd sooner die than marry you!" Su Fei said, her anger growing at the sight of him.
"I… what?” Mo Yang began, feeling a bit confused. Propose marriage? What on earth? After a brief pause, he remembered the words he had used. Of course, they were only meant to anger Qi Heng.
But as he thought about it, a smile crept onto his face. Looking at the furious Su Fei, he spread his hands and replied, "Listen here, Miss Annoying. You can’t blame me for this. You were the one who insisted I assaulted you and spread it around. If I hadn’t gone along, I would have been labeled a coward who runs away!"
As he spoke, Mo Yang stood up, eyeing Su Fei with a somewhat mischievous grin. "Besides, I’ve noticed you seem quite decent. Your looks may not be breathtaking, but they’re acceptable! And your figure… tsk tsk… not bad at all, curvy enough!"
"If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll gouge out your eyes!" Su Fei retorted, her face flushed with a blend of embarrassment and anger. She turned sharply, glaring at him with icy eyes.
At that moment, she realized Mo Yang was not just some scoundrel she could easily intimidate. His character was steadfast, and his cultivation level was far superior to hers, leaving her feeling helpless.
Regret washed over her; had she known how things would turn out, she would have never thrown a tantrum back then. Now, everyone in the Sect looked at her with odd expressions, as if questioning whether Mo Yang had truly done something inappropriate and if she was willing.
Seeing her enraged expression, Mo Yang coughed lightly and said seriously, "Don't worry, I am not interested in you; first, however, I need a favor from you!"
Su Fei narrowed her eyes in suspicion, retorting coldly, "Do you think I’ll fall for your lies?"
Mo Yang shrugged, feigning helplessness. "Believe it or not!"
Noticing her silence, he added, "My request is quite simple. I need several medicinal ingredients; you can gather them for me, and after that, we’ll leave each other alone."
Su Fei regarded him with skepticism, but Mo Yang was prepared for her reaction and quickly went inside to retrieve a piece of paper. It contained a list of medicinal ingredients he planned to refine into pills, complete with the necessary quantities.
"These are all common medicinal ingredients. You're the Sect Master's daughter; it's just a trip to the Treasure Trove!" Mo Yang said as he handed the list to Su Fei.
With little choice left, Su Fei hesitated for a moment before taking the list and looking it over. She then warned Mo Yang, "If you go back on your word, I'll make sure you become a eunuch!"
Mo Yang watched as Su Fei stormed out of the courtyard, astonished by her fierce demeanor. He was aware of her temper but hadn’t expected her to react that strongly. A chill ran down his spine as he recalled the intensity in her eyes.
"Tsk tsk, I’d better steer clear of this girl in the future!" he muttered to himself before heading into the house to study the Pill Formulas.
He didn’t dwell on Su Fei’s outburst; after all, the whole arrangement was not his concern.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
Things moved more quickly than Mo Yang anticipated. Just two hours later, Su Fei returned.
Upon entering the courtyard, she tossed a storage ring to Mo Yang, haughtily declaring, "Everything you wanted is in here!"
Mo Yang quickly examined the storage ring, and his face lit up with delight. The amount of ingredients inside was significantly greater than he had requested—at least four to five times more. But then he realized it made perfect sense; with Su Fei's nature, she likely hadn’t checked the quantities meticulously and tossed in a bunch of ingredients.
After silently inspecting the contents, Mo Yang felt a surge of joy. He looked at Su Fei and said with a smile, "I keep my promises. From now on, we’ll mind our own business, as long as you don’t seek me out!"
Su Fei scoffed and replied, "Hmph, I'm not trying to find you! I was just curious!"
Mo Yang quickly waved his hand, saying, "Young Miss, do try not to be curious about me, or you might just end up falling for me!"
With another scoff, Su Fei chose not to linger and left the courtyard.
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