Chapter 28: Righteous Army
Time passed swiftly.
Half a month later, Fang Qing looked with satisfaction at the spirit pool before him.
Refining pills inside his own cave dwelling was truly enjoyable. During this period, he had already tried refining several pools of Jade Splendor Spirit Water, which counted as nourishing the spirit pool. A few days ago, he had also attempted refining Ginseng-Green Spirit Water once, and it had likewise succeeded.
“The condition is quite good. I can try Spirit-Consolidating Powder.”
Fang Qing took out a jade box containing Seven-Star Grass.
Qi Ingestion–path spirit pills were divided into four categories—water, powder, pellet, and pill. Spirit-Consolidating Powder belonged to the second category, being a powdered pill, ranked as a first-tier top-grade pill.
Moreover, because it was an ancient formula, even with prior research, having Five Dragons Child personally refine it might not guarantee success in a single attempt.
He merely held to the idea that failure was the mother of success, accumulating experience through repeated trials.
Gurgle!
As the Seven-Star Grass fell into the spirit pool, Fang Qing circulated the Water-Control Technique. A burst of extreme cold energy surged forth, instantly pulverizing the Seven-Star Grass… Immediately after, the spirit pool began to ripple, forming a vortex.
Within the vortex, specks of medicinal power were flung outward, forming multicolored stratified layers.
“Gather!”
Fang Qing’s expression turned solemn as he formed a hand seal…
Without realizing it, daylight had already arrived.
Pfft!
Looking at the pool of foul-smelling spring water before him, Fang Qing sighed and cast a spell.
Crash!
The valve of the underground water vein opened, and the failed refined spring water instantly drained away.
“Failure on the first attempt was expected… The problem was still in the handling of the Seven-Star Grass. Next time, I’ll try several other extraction methods.”
He sighed, took out some prior research materials from the Five Dragons Society, and added his own insights.
“I’ll rest and meditate for a day, then try again…”
In a daze, another half month passed.
Fang Qing attempted refining Spirit-Consolidating Powder several more times. Without exception, all attempts failed.
Then, all the Seven-Star Grass in his possession was completely exhausted.
“Just in time… Senior Brother Mingling Zhen should have finished refining the artifact. After taking it, I’ll go to the Land of Ancient Shu to restock…”
…
Artifact Refining Peak.
“Junior brother is here, perfect timing… your sea pearl has been successfully refined.”
Mingling Zhen held a wine gourd, took a large gulp, and took out a small box.
Upon opening it, a deep-blue pearl the size of a fist lay inside, with a spirit-sealing talisman affixed to its surface.
“Completely brand new, without a trace of foreign power inside. Once you refine it, you’ll be able to use it as naturally as your own arm…”
Mingling Zhen’s cheeks carried a faint flush, as though he were somewhat drunk. “This spirit pearl artifact ranks as a first-tier top-grade item. Not only can it store one hundred thousand catties of seawater, its body has also been reinforced—it can even be launched to smash enemies. Among offensive artifacts, it’s quite decent.”
Having completed a piece he was proud of, his mood was clearly good. “Junior Brother Fang… you can give it a name.”
“Let it be called the Sea-Transforming Pearl.”
Fang Qing took the Sea-Transforming Pearl into his hand. Threads of Black-Water True Power immediately poured into it, refining it…
He chose the name Sea-Transforming Pearl naturally in the hope that this pearl would continue to advance alongside him in the future, eventually transforming into a true sea!
After once again expressing his thanks to Senior Brother Ming, Fang Qing took out the spirit stones obtained from selling Golden Spear Spirit Fish at the Administrative Affairs Hall, paid the remaining balance, accepted another mission, and left the Azure Sea Sect.
‘The Azure Sea Sect truly deserved to be one of the three great powers of the Small Huan Sea. With a Core Formation Ancestor presiding, at least on Jade Island, disciples were very safe, with no bandit cultivators causing trouble…’
‘Even if there were blood feuds between disciples, they waited until going out to sea to settle them quietly, leaving no evidence behind on the island…’
Reaching a stretch of wilderness, Fang Qing casually opened a cave dwelling. With a flash of light, he arrived in the Land of Ancient Shu.
…
Ba Commandery.
A vast lake.
“What’s going on? Where is the Azure Fall Market great ship?”
Fang Qing, who had come to purchase Seven-Star Grass, stared at the shimmering blue lake, his expression changing.
Although Azure Fall Market was a mobile marketplace, he had already inquired about the time and location beforehand. By all logic, such markets survived on reputation and would not easily change plans.
He stepped onto the water’s surface as though walking on level ground and moved toward the center of the lake to investigate.
Gurgle gurgle!
A string of bubbles surfaced. Fang Qing’s expression immediately changed. A crimson talisman appeared in his hand, while his other hand secretly gripped the Sea-Transforming Pearl as he retreated several steps.
Splash!
The lake water parted, revealing a river clam.
This clam carried a trace of demonic aura along with an unusual artifact fluctuation, seeming to be a refined “living artifact.”
“Fellow Daoist… due to unrest within the cultivation world, Azure Fall Market has suspended trading in Ba Commandery.”
A pleasant female voice came from within the clam. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
‘I’d rather not forgive this, but what choice do I have?’
Fang Qing complained inwardly and asked aloud, “What kind of unrest occurred?”
Previously, Ba Commandery had been plagued by natural disasters and human calamities, yet cultivators had still frequented marketplaces as usual.
Unexpectedly, the clam only repeated those same two sentences.
‘I overestimated this artifact-refining skill. I thought it was a sound-transmitting device, but it’s just a recorder… Does it activate upon sensing cultivator power?’
‘It doesn’t even say when the marketplace will reopen?’
Fang Qing felt things becoming troublesome.
This Seven-Star Grass was also a spirit herb in the Land of Ancient Shu. Relying solely on his own gathering, who knew how many years it would take?
“Azure Fall Market won’t work, Floating Boat Market hasn’t reached its time yet…”
“Do I have to trade with cultivation families? I do know a few nearby Qi Ingestion families, none with Dao Foundation experts presiding…”
After some thought, since Spirit-Consolidating Powder required extensive practice, he ultimately chose a direction and departed while controlling the Green-Leaf Flying Vessel.
…
Red Maple Valley.
This place was the cultivation ground of the Ye Family. Dozens of mortal villages surrounded the valley, clustered around it.
The Ye Family was merely an ordinary Qi Ingestion family, established less than a hundred years ago, with only one late-stage Qi Ingestion ancestor.
All of this was information Fang Qing had gathered through years of navigating marketplaces.
Since he intended to trade with cultivators, he certainly would not seek out overly powerful ones.
This Ye Family happened to be just right.
Whoosh!
A streak of green light flew in, revealing the Green-Leaf Flying Vessel within.
Fang Qing suddenly halted his artifact as the sound of a sword rang in his ears.
“This is…?”
He focused his gaze and was immediately taken aback.
Around the valley, an army of mortals had appeared at some unknown time, slaughtering villages and mountain folk.
Even more astonishing was that cultivators were fighting above Red Maple Valley.
One of them was clearly a sword cultivator, whose aura gave Fang Qing a somewhat familiar feeling.
“Mid-stage Qi Ingestion!”
He murmured, deeply surprised.
And the one fighting against that sword light was actually a late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivator. Unfortunately, his cultivation followed the Wood virtue. Each strike carried the feeling of spring returning to the earth and vegetation reviving, yet it was completely shattered by a surge of Neck Metal energy!
‘That person… could it be the Ye Family ancestor of Red Maple Valley? He’s far too weak, isn’t he? Probably only newly entered late-stage Qi Ingestion. Perhaps even the first mouthful of True Qi he refined back then was of low rank—just the lower third tiers…’
After watching for a few moments, Fang Qing shook his head.
Although this world manifested the Dao through Metal and Fire, the gap of a minor realm was enough to offset quite a lot.
If Fang Qing had established a Dao foundation, he was confident he could blow away quite a few late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivators of Metal or Fire lineages in a single breath.
If he himself reached late-stage Qi Ingestion, he was also fairly confident in fighting mid-stage Qi Ingestion cultivators of Metal or Fire lineages.
Yet the Ye Family ancestor was this incompetent. Aside from his Wood-aspected technique being completely countered by Metal, it was also due to his impure True Power and not particularly high realm.
‘About the seventh layer of Qi Ingestion, at most.’
As Fang Qing sighed inwardly, he saw a sword light where human and blade merged as one slash downward, cleaving the Ye Family ancestor until he spat blood and fell from midair.
Meanwhile, around the valley, the great army bearing the large “Li” banners completed their encirclement.
“My elder brother is destined by Heaven. Your Ye Family should not resist stubbornly… Quickly join the Righteous Army and resist demonic cultivators together. That is the righteous path.”
Several cultivators flew out from the army, led by none other than Guo Tianhong!
“Ancestor?”
“Grandfather?”
Several cultivators ran out from Red Maple Valley, their power even weaker, all at early-stage Qi Ingestion.
Seeing their ancestor vomiting blood and fallen, their eyes turned red, intent on risking their lives.
Yet one of them rolled his eyes about, seeming ready to kneel or find a chance to flee.
“W–wait!”
The Ye Family ancestor hurriedly stopped his clansmen. Up to now, the Ye Family had only this handful of cultivators. If they all died, would the Red Maple Valley Ye Family not be wiped out entirely?
He reluctantly bowed to Li Rulong, who had descended from the sky. “General Li, my Ye Family is willing to submit.”
“Very good.”
Li Rulong stepped forward and personally helped the Ye Family ancestor up. “I have a pill here. Take it to heal your injuries. Since you have joined my Righteous Army, you must strictly observe military discipline. Otherwise, my Army-Stabilizing Sword exists precisely for you!”
“We understand.”
Seeing that their ancestor had already surrendered, the Ye Family cultivators naturally did not resist and followed suit in surrendering.
Only then did Li Rulong look toward another part of the sky. “Who comes there?”
“Haha… Brother Li, long time no see. How did you end up becoming a general?”
Fang Qing’s heart tightened, knowing he had already been discovered. He waved his hand to disperse the surrounding water vapor and guided the Green-Leaf Flying Vessel downward.
Seeing Li Rulong again, he found the man clad in gleaming silver armor, his features far more imposing and dignified.
Even more shocking was his True Power—it had already reached what seemed to be the fifth layer of Qi Ingestion!
‘I rely on pills for support, and my Ji Water True Power has only reached the fourth layer of Qi Ingestion… Could it be that his aptitude is better than mine, along with abundant resources?’
Fang Qing felt puzzled.
“So it is Brother Fang.”
Li Rulong nodded, revealing a sincere smile. “Could it be that you heard I raised the banner of righteousness and came especially to join me? Let me introduce you to several like-minded Daoist friends…”
Fang Qing looked over and saw Guo Tianhong bringing several cultivators over, their cultivation ranging from early to mid-stage Qi Ingestion.
‘A bunch of weaklings pecking at each other?’
He felt speechless inwardly, yet his face showed confusion. “Join you? I was merely planning to find the Ye Family to exchange for some spirit materials. I didn’t expect to run into this…”
“So that’s how it is. Still, meeting a friend today is cause for joy… Issue orders—set a banquet here in Red Maple Valley.”
Li Rulong instructed the Ye Family ancestor, already treating Red Maple Valley as his own territory.
Seeing this, the Ye Family ancestor could only force a smile and agree…