Chapter 256 : Legacy Record of Fate
Chapter 256: Legacy Record of Fate
"Thank you for your hard work."
Chen Beiwu took out an Azure Nourishment Pill and swallowed it, then couldn't help reaching out to pat Iron Egg on the head.
Even after a year apart, Iron Egg's personality remained as sincere as the first time they met.
"Gulu."
Golden Egg flashed into view, coiling around Iron Egg and also patting the latter’s head with his tail.
A traitor might be a traitor—
But after being apart for a while, truth be told, it did miss Iron Egg a little.
"Greetings, Daozi."
Seeing this, Hall Master Sun's eyes flickered slightly. He led the alchemists of the Alchemy Hall behind him in a formal salute.
"No need for formalities."
Chen Beiwu waved his hand, signaling the alchemists inside the hall to carry on with their duties.
Then, he turned to Hall Master Sun and asked, "Is Senior Sister in the hall right now?"
"She is." Hall Master Sun took the initiative to lead the way.
After passing by three flame-spouting pill furnaces and two medicine rooms, Hall Master Sun stopped before the Vice Hall Master's pill refining chamber.
"Woof woof!"
Iron Egg rushed ahead as usual, placing his right paw on the gluttonous beast pattern on the left side of the large door.
"Buzz!"
The door opened, revealing a petite figure inside the alchemy room.
"Eh? Junior Brother Chen, you're here too."
Li Wan'er turned her head to look at Chen Beiwu while swiftly forming hand seals, continuously injecting pill formulas into the furnace. Her eyes completely ignored Hall Master Sun.
Hall Master Sun didn’t find it strange. He had long grown used to the Vice Hall Master's disregard for others. After silently offering a respectful salute, he withdrew, leaving the space to the Daozi and the Vice Hall Master.
"Wait a moment, Junior Brother."
After speaking, Li Wan'er's hand seals changed. The nine apertures on the pill furnace before her simultaneously spouted Five-Element Spiritual Qi of different attributes, accompanied by the sound of dragon roars.
"Congeal!"
Senior Sister Wan’er let out a light shout, and the lid of the pill furnace rose completely.
Two streams of light shot out like living creatures, letting out a clear chime before landing in the mutton-fat jade tray before her.
Only when the tray was filled with the mist of pill light did the two streams of light reveal three pill patterns and a coat of bronze-gold pill sheen.
‘These are Third-Tier Treasure Pills, Three-Turn Qi Yuan Pills.’ Chen Beiwu’s eyes lit up, his confidence for this mission increasing.
"Junior Brother, congratulations on becoming the sect’s Daozi."
Li Wan’er looked at Chen Beiwu with a hint of emotion in her heart.
Junior Brother Chen had taken only four to five years to rise from a newly inducted Qi Refining cultivator to become the sect’s Daozi—his status and position were now above hers.
As for strength?
Sensing the fluctuation in Junior Brother Chen’s aura, Li Wan’er felt slightly conflicted.
In order to forge a Top-Grade Golden Core, she had lingered at the peak of Foundation Establishment for a full thirty years, only recently seeing a glimmer of hope to condense a Second-Grade Golden Core – the Longevity Golden Core.
But from Junior Brother Chen, she actually sensed traces of the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors of the Five Directions.
There was no doubt—Junior Brother Chen had met the sect’s patriarch and received guidance from a Nascent Soul Patriarch. In the future, surpassing her to form the supreme Taiyi Golden Core was not mere wishful thinking.
"Senior Sister, I've come to you this time because I need your help with something." After a few pleasantries, Chen Beiwu explained his purpose.
"Why be so polite with me? If you need something, just say it."
Li Wan’er patted her chest, then grabbed Chen Beiwu’s arm, her tone friendly.
"I’d like to ask Senior Sister to help refine a Third-Tier Superior-Grade Treasure Pill – the Molting Flood Dragon Pill," Chen Beiwu said.
In order to successfully form his Title-Golden Core, Chen Beiwu needed to prepare thoroughly.
Even if he had cultivated the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors of the Five Directions to perfection and was confident in refining the Five Elements to forge the Five-Element Radiance himself—
It was still about playing it safe.
After all, being confident in forming the Five-Element Radiance by oneself and doing it without the aid of the Five Qi Vine were two different things.
The former was a necessary choice when the Five Qi Vine could not be contracted. The latter was simply arrogance.
And to subdue the Five Qi Vine, one had to venture deep into the Yuqing Mountains, facing life-and-death trials beyond the imagination of typical Immortal Alliance cultivators, in order to prove their strength, will, and Dao Heart.
Before his cultivation reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and his strength could advance no further, Chen Beiwu didn’t want to waste his precious chance by recklessly venturing into the depths of the Yuqing Mountains in search of the Five Qi Vine.
"The Molting Flood Dragon Pill?"
Li Wan’er looked troubled. "Junior Brother, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help, but the key ingredient for refining the Molting Flood Dragon Pill is the Blood-Dragon Ginseng."
The pill recipe for the Molting Flood Dragon Pill came from the ancient Dragon-Taming Sect. It was used by their cultivators to purify dragon blood after raising Flood Dragon descendants.
But the pill was extremely aggressive. Only a millennium-aged Blood-Dragon Ginseng could suppress its side effects. No other precious herb could replace it—otherwise, the result would be a fatal poison pill.
And Blood-Dragon Ginseng was a rare Third-Tier Superior-Grade Treasure Herb, which only grew where Chi Dragons or Horned Dragons had fallen and took a thousand years to mature.
Even a skilled woman cannot cook without rice.
Such a rare treasure wasn’t even in stock in the sect’s Hall of Mysteries. Even if she wanted to help, she was powerless.
"Senior Sister, I happen to have one."
A flash of light appeared from Chen Beiwu’s storage ring, and a Blood-Dragon Ginseng with crimson skin, golden veins, and five apertures at its top appeared before Senior Sister Wan'er.
"This is the reward for Senior Sister’s hard work in refining the pill."
Chen Beiwu flipped his hand and produced another herb—Moon-Soul Ganoderma.
At the sight of the Moon-Soul Ganoderma, Li Wan’er’s gaze froze, her eyes full of surprise.
Moon-Soul Ganoderma grew in extremely Yin places, absorbing moonlight for a millennium. It was a Third-Tier Yin-Attribute Treasure Herb.
Cold in nature yet harmless to the foundation, it could neutralize the meridian strain caused by the ‘Great Cycle Refinement’ in the Heaven-and-Earth Revolving Longevity Scripture, stabilize one’s divine sense, dispel Dao-illusion hallucinations, and was of great use to her.
"Hehe, thank you for the Moon-Soul Ganoderma, Junior Brother."
Li Wan’er didn’t stand on ceremony. She accepted the Moon-Soul Ganoderma, linked arms with Chen Beiwu, and said affectionately:
"Studying the Molting Flood Dragon Pill recipe will take a bit of time. Give me two years, Junior Brother. By then, I guarantee I can refine a successful batch."
"Then I’ll leave it to you, Senior Sister." Chen Beiwu felt relieved.
Two years—no more, no less—would be just right for him to prepare and perfect Golden Egg’s Flood Dragon Ritual.
…
Southern Wastes, a remote wilderness.
‘Damn it, how could my luck be so rotten that I’d run into a Golden Core True Person of the Heavy Gold Sect!’
Inside a shabby cave dwelling, Shu You slowly opened her eyes, her expression extremely grim.
Fate could not be perceived.
Even though she had encountered a fortuitous opportunity and dual-cultivated an ancient cultivation method remnant, the Secret Record of Fate-Bearing Qi Absorption and Longevity, allowing her to borrow fate to attain the Dao, evade tribulations, and prolong her life—she still could not see others’ fate.
But one thing Shu You could be sure of—Chen Zi’ang, as the Daozi of the Mirror Moon Sect, was without a doubt a peerless genius brimming with heavenly fate. There was no way he couldn’t suppress the backlash of the Secret Record of Fate-Bearing Qi Absorption and Longevity.
What was strange, however, was that despite being under the protection of the Daozi, this time the tribulation she faced hadn’t weakened in the slightest. On the contrary, it had grown even more terrifying, and she had nearly lost her life on the spot.
‘Strange… where exactly did things go wrong?’ Shu You's thoughts spun rapidly.
Even Senior Sister Jiang Yuyan had been able to suppress the backlash of her cultivation method, allowing her to cultivate smoothly to late-stage Foundation Establishment.
Now that she had joined the Daozi’s entourage and used the Secret Record of Fate-Bearing Qi Absorption and Longevity to borrow his fate for protection, she should not have faced such a catastrophe that nearly drained all her hidden cards.
This completely defied her understanding of her own cultivation method.
‘Could it be that the Daozi’s fate is too strong, causing me to suffer a fate backlash instead?’ Shu You frowned slightly, ultimately arriving at this one possibility.
Fortunately, in any case, she had survived this tribulation, and her chances of forming a Golden Core in the future had increased by twenty percent.
As for this Secret Record of Fate-Bearing Qi Absorption and Longevity, Shu You hesitated for a moment before deciding to halt cultivation of it for now, to avoid further mishaps.
‘Enough. Next, I need to carefully consider how to report back.’
Shu You exhaled a turbid breath, her gaze deepening.
To have failed her very first mission for the Daozi—no matter that she had gained some unexpected benefits—it would be difficult to make up for the failure and earn the Daozi’s trust.
…
Three days later, Shu You arrived safely at the sect and immediately headed to Water Moon Peak, where the Daozi resided.
"You’re injured?"
Seeing Shu You’s unsteady aura, Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow.
Though they hadn’t seen each other for a while, this new follower of his now had thick Scarlet Baleful Fate looming over her head, bearing a hint of impending doom.
"Please forgive me, Daozi."
Shu You dropped to one knee, her face pale.
To show that she had done her utmost in the mission and nearly perished, Shu You had deliberately left her attire in disarray, appearing before him still clad in her tattered robe.
After hearing her explanation, Chen Beiwu finally understood what had happened.
It turned out that the person who attacked him in the past wasn’t from the Shen Clan, but rather a black-gloved agent under them, who had now pledged loyalty to a defector elder of the sect.
As for why Outer Sect Elder Hua Buqi had betrayed the sect and involved the Heavy Gold Sect, it was to seek breakthrough via the Golden Palace Pill.
"Something’s not right. A mere Third-Tier Ore Vein—even if it’s a rare Hollow Gold Marrow vein—shouldn’t be enough to stir such a big move from the Heavy Gold Sect," Chen Beiwu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
At those words, Shu You showed a trace of hesitation.
"You can speak freely," Chen Beiwu glanced at Shu You, while Golden Egg looked on with curious interest.
Only Iron Egg lay on the ground, eyes fixed solely on the Alchemy Jade Slips Chen Beiwu had brought back from the Immortal Alliance.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he no longer needed to stay at the Alchemy Hall every day.
If Master Wan’er needed someone to manage the furnace fire, she would notify the master in advance.
"Indestructible Golden Body through Myriad Tribulations, the sect-defining method of the Heavy Gold Sect, is one of the highest legacies of the ancient Body Cultivator lineage. It is said to ‘endure ten thousand tribulations without perishing and forge the golden body to attain the Dao.’ Its cultivation conditions are extremely harsh."
Here, Shu You paused slightly. "Even with so many prodigies in the Heavy Gold Sect, few can cultivate the Indestructible Golden Body to entry level. Most require external aids.
And Hollow Gold Marrow, as it happens, is an essential material for cultivating the Indestructible Golden Body and forging the Glazed Golden Body."
Chen Beiwu nodded slightly.
If that were the case, it would make sense. Yet, he still felt something was off.
"Do you think it’s possible—"
Chen Beiwu’s eyes lifted to look at Shu You. "That the vein discovered in the Biyuan Mountain Range contains not only Hollow Gold Marrow, but deeper still lies a Fourth-Tier Mystic Ore – Hollow-Mystic Gold Marrow?"
At these words, Shu You's expression changed slightly.
If Hollow Gold Marrow was essential for Golden Core cultivators to forge a Glazed Golden Body, then Hollow-Mystic Gold Marrow was necessary for a Nascent Soul Patriarch to forge an Indestructible Golden Body.
If it involved the interests of a Nascent Soul Patriarch, it was no wonder the Heavy Gold Sect was willing to risk everything to secretly seize the Mirror Moon Sect's ore vein.
"Don’t overthink it—this is just my speculation," Chen Beiwu smiled and rose, preparing to head to the Alchemy Hall to meet with the Grand Elder.
With the patriarch in closed-door seclusion and the sect master seat still undecided, the Grand Elder was the one steering the ship of the Mirror Moon Sect.
Whether the sect would wage war or seek peace—this decision lay with the Grand Elder.
Just before leaving the cave dwelling, Chen Beiwu paused and deliberately reminded Shu You, "A great war is approaching. You’d best remain within the sect to cultivate for now and avoid venturing out."
"Yes." Shu You nodded.
Even if the Daozi hadn’t said it, she already planned to enter seclusion and aim to break through to the peak of Foundation Establishment.
…
Alchemy Hall, Main Hall.
"Buzz!"
The hall doors opened soundlessly, releasing a faint scent of sandalwood.
"Enter."
Hearing the voice, Chen Beiwu stepped inside.
The vast hall was deep and quiet, its four walls hung with portraits of successive patriarchs.
At the center of the hall sat an elderly woman, her hair and beard all white, meditating with her eyes closed.
She was none other than the Grand Elder of the Mirror Moon Sect, a Fourth-Tier Lower-Grade Alchemist, and the one who pioneered the ‘Cold-Attribute Alchemy Method’—Mystic Pill True Person Zheng Qianwei.
"Daozi, what’s the urgency?" True Person Zheng’s voice was gentle but carried an irrefutable authority.
Chen Beiwu didn’t delay, directly reporting everything: the Third-Tier Treasure Ore in the Biyuan Mountain Range, and the betrayal of the Outer Sect Elder.
Truth be told, Chen Beiwu would rather cultivate in seclusion and study the Marvelous Method of Companion Beast Landscape from the Immortal Alliance.
But the world rarely conformed to one’s desires.
Now that he was the Daozi of the sect, he naturally had to shoulder the Daozi’s responsibilities and act in the sect’s best interests.
"I understand. Prepare for war," True Person Zheng said calmly.
The Mountain Submergence Realm belonged to the Mirror Moon Sect, and the vein within the Biyuan Mountain Range was naturally the sect’s property.
For the Heavy Gold Sect to dare reach in, the sect had to retaliate fiercely.
Otherwise, the sect’s reputation would be in tatters—and what would cultivators of the Earth Proliferation Territory think of the Mirror Moon Sect?
"What does Daozi plan to do about the Yunhai Shen Clan?" True Person Zheng looked up at Chen Beiwu, probing.
"The Yunhai Shen Clan, as the overseer of the Biyuan Market, bears responsibility for dereliction of duty and must be punished severely," Chen Beiwu replied.
Without the Shen Clan backing him, how could Shopkeeper Feng Buxiu of the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion have dared to ambush cultivators from the market—let alone collude with a traitorous outer sect elder?
In Chen Beiwu’s view, the Shen Clan’s inaction was tantamount to tacit support.
Moreover, there was no way the local power, the Shen Clan, was unaware of the situation.
True Person Zheng nodded slightly and flicked her sleeve.
"Very well. Pass down my order—eradicate all three branches of the Yunhai Shen Clan. Strip three generations of their descendants of their eligibility to enter the sect."
"Order True Person of Myriad Treasures to return from patrol and lead the true disciples of Mirror Moon, Illusory Sea, and Cold Marrow lineages, along with the elite Foundation Establishment inner sect cultivators, to serve as the main force in retaking the Hollow Gold Marrow ore vein."
"Order True Person of Nine Palaces to lead the true disciples of the Deep Abyss, Floating Cup, and Hollow Spring lineages, along with Formation Hall cultivators, to deploy a Third-Tier Grand Formation centered on the Biyuan Mountain Range, cutting off the Heavy Gold Sect’s retreat and reinforcements."
"After this war, those with outstanding merit will be heavily rewarded by the sect."
As True Person Zheng finished speaking, a squad of Foundation Establishment cultivators hidden in the shadows immediately appeared, accepted the command, and vanished.
"Is Daozi interested in participating in this great battle?" True Person Zheng's gaze pierced through the curling incense smoke, landing on Chen Beiwu.
"Naturally, I will not shrink from it," Chen Beiwu replied with unwavering eyes and a voice of conviction.
True Person Zheng slightly raised her brows, clearly pleased.
Chen Zi’ang possessed both immense talent and loyalty to the sect. Though he harbored a few secrets, none were serious—otherwise, the patriarch wouldn’t have allowed him to become the Daozi.
It was no exaggeration to say that the only reason Chen Zi’ang had not yet received the Golden Palace Pill was simply due to a lack of qualifications.
This battle would be the perfect opportunity for Chen Beiwu to establish his reputation as the Mirror Moon Daozi—and solidify his place.