Chapter 163 Refining the Cyan Jade Seal
After tallying the gains at Dongmu Mountain from the Xihe Sword Sect, Jiang Yan ordered Mu Yun to remain behind, overseeing the spiritual grain production within the sect, managing the sale of refined spiritual weapons and pills, and recruiting disciples with excellent innate qualities. He was also tasked with observing, training, and initially selecting new disciples.
Sun Yang, who traveled the world, would, when not spreading the Hua Mountain’s renown across the mortal courts, station himself at Dongmu Mountain. His cultivation remained under Mu Yun’s care.
Ning Qian brought twenty-two Hua Mountain disciples, among whom two had been injured in battle against disciples of the Golden Flame Sect, suffering foundational damage. They had to return to Hua Mountain to polish their meridians amidst the abundant spiritual energy there for a chance at recovery. The rest stayed at Dongmu Mountain, which Jiang Yan decided to establish as a garrison for Hua Mountain’s outer disciples.
Though spiritual energy at Dongmu Mountain was plentiful, it couldn’t compare to the richness granted by Hua Mountain’s special edifices. To support the disciples stationed there, Jiang Yan distributed Qi Gathering Pills and Rejuvenation Powder—twenty disciples each receiving one bottle of Rejuvenation Powder and two of Qi Gathering Pills. Additionally, he imparted higher-grade cultivation techniques, upgrading their previous first-grade upper-level methods to second-grade lower-level ones.
Regarding the three spirit beasts that accompanied Yun Ying down the mountain, after persistent pestering by Mu Yun, Yun Ying finally agreed to leave one with Third Senior Brother. The golden-winged tiger, born with twin wings along its ribs, had not spent much time with Lady Yun, so it reluctantly remained at Dongmu Mountain to serve under Mu Yun and Sun Yang.
With hundreds of pieces of spiritual armor and weapons, countless spiritual pills, and several large bottles of Foundation Establishment Pills, Jiang Yan and his group returned to Hua Mountain.
Upon returning, Jiang Yan intensified supervision over the disciples’ cultivation, reopening the armory and alchemy workshops, and the sect’s main hall. Large quantities of Qi Gathering Pills and other auxiliary pills were distributed. Some of the spiritual armor obtained from Xihe Sword Sect was handed over to the armory and talisman formation dojo for decomposition and rapid reproduction of Hua Mountain’s own spiritual armor.
Hua Mountain had now advanced to a fourth-grade sect, boasting two disciples at the Foundation Establishment Perfected stage, two at late Foundation Establishment, one at mid, and three at early. With Jiang Yan, a second-grade talisman master, firmly stationed, Hua Mountain’s strength surpassed the other three established fourth-grade sects within Tianyue Domain. Recently, the West Gorge Sect sent a group led by Xi Men Shang to Hua Mountain as a gesture of reconciliation regarding Xi Men Na Yan, offering a third-grade spiritual treasure—Sky Blue Original Wood—as a goodwill token.
Receiving the Sky Blue Original Wood, Jiang Yan readily accepted Xi Men Shang’s request. Having accomplished reconciliation with the newly minted fourth-grade sect and being somewhat acquainted with Xi Men Shang, the West Gorge Sect’s leader promoted him to outer elder and entrusted him with Xi Men Na Yan’s position. This was an unexpected boon for Xi Men Shang, thanks to Jiang Yan’s favor.
The other two fourth-grade sects, having learned Hua Mountain’s strengths after the Dongmu Mountain incident—especially Jiang Yan’s power as a second-grade talisman master—immediately sought goodwill with Hua Mountain. Though they didn’t present treasures comparable to the third-grade spiritual artifacts, they did send numerous small gifts like rune-light pillars and rune plaques. Jiang Yan ordered several talisman disciples to install these rune light pillars and plaques in appropriate locations.
Yan Feng’s disciples, originally apprentices skilled in crafting rune light pillars, were quite familiar with setting up such items. Within a few days, the gifts from the South Ming Wuji Sect and the Northern Plain Faction adorned Hua Mountain’s grounds and even the trial grounds. The latter, rich in spiritual energy, quickly became a favored leisure spot for Hua Mountain’s disciples.
Time flew, and the annual demon-hunting season arrived again. As before, a high platform was erected in front of the Great Hero Hall at Huasheng Temple.
On the spacious plaza, Huasheng Temple monks arranged themselves into neat square formations on four sides surrounding the demon-hunting gate's platform, sitting cross-legged and chanting the mantra of the Immovable Wisdom King.
Ning Qian stood alongside the temple’s Monk Kongse on the outskirts, gazing at the distant platform, watching Bai Tong and Xu Mingyuan from the Golden Flame Sect stabilize the demon-hunting gate.
“Ning Qian, what exactly is our master’s intention toward the Golden Flame Sect? After the demise of the Xie family line, will it be left alone, or are we to uproot the Golden Flame Sect entirely from Linqing Prefecture?” Monk Kongse asked emotionlessly, eyes fixed on the demon-hunting gate.
“Master Kongse, how could I, a mere disciple, presume to guess my master's thoughts? Although I am a senior disciple at Hua Mountain, there are many matters even Zisu knows better than I do. If you wish to understand my master’s true intentions, you should ask Zisu,” Ning Qian replied with a mischievous smile. It was no secret at Hua Mountain that Monk Kongse liked Zisu, though the monk took such teasing calmly and never blushed.
Upon hearing Ning Qian’s jest, a faint shadow of disappointment crossed Monk Kongse’s otherwise placid face. He jested, “You know full well that Zisu is in seclusion, breaking through to mid Foundation Establishment. I dare not trouble her. But you, with your rapid progress—it's only been a short time since the Dongmu Mountain battle, yet you’ve already reached mid Foundation Establishment. I’m truly curious how Master Jiang Yan manages his disciples; each advances so swiftly.”
“Eldest Young Master, Master Kongse, the demon-hunting gate is now stable. Can this year’s demon hunt begin?” Bai Tong and Xu Mingyuan finally steadied the gate. Bai Tong descended from the platform, approaching Ning Qian and Monk Kongse.
Ning Qian waved his hand nonchalantly. “Sect Master Bai, this is Linqing Prefecture—your Golden Flame Sect’s territory. Naturally, you have the final say. My master has said that with the deaths of Xie Wenyuan and his son, the Xie family line has fallen. Your Golden Flame Sect remains a third-grade sect. You need not harbor other thoughts. Had my master wanted to destroy your sect, he would have done so at Dongmu Mountain. Hua Mountain acts justly; since my master promised not to trouble your sect, he will keep his word.”
Monk Kongse smiled, palms joined in respect toward Bai Tong. “Sect Master Bai, the task you entrusted has been completed. You may proceed to develop your Golden Flame Sect without worry.”
A trace of gloom flashed in Bai Tong’s eyes, but he bowed respectfully. “Of course, thank you, Master, thank you, Eldest Young Master. I will surely strive to develop the Golden Flame Sect diligently.”
Ning Qian frowned slightly, glancing at the deferential Bai Tong and then at the aloof Xu Mingyuan. He understood that within the Golden Flame Sect, Xu Mingyuan held the highest cultivation, and despite Bai Tong’s position as sect master, having such a senior brother as a check must make his life difficult.
“Sect Master Bai, I heard from my junior brother Wen Song that your eldest grandson Bai Qing is close with Wen Ying. Back when they were slaves in the mine, Lord Bai took good care of Miss Wen Ying. Even then, feelings had begun to blossom between them. Is this true?” Ning Qian asked calmly, glancing toward Wen Song behind him.
Wen Ying had once disfigured her face and served as a slave in the mine. Bai Qing had long admired her, protecting the fragile girl at every turn. Ning Qian had also heard from Wen Song about his sister’s faint affection for Bai Qing. If Bai Qing were to marry Wen Ying, Hua Mountain’s fame would surely solidify Bai Tong’s position within the Golden Flame Sect.
Hearing this, Bai Tong’s face brightened, and he bowed deeply to Ning Qian. “If Eldest Young Master consents to this marriage, Bai Tong will be eternally grateful.”
Wen Ying was an inner disciple of Hua Mountain, sister to Wen Song, who was close to Ning Qian. Should the Bai family establish ties with the Wen family, Bai Tong need no longer fear Xu Mingyuan.
Ning Qian beckoned Wen Song and asked slyly, “Junior brother, you mentioned before that your sister and Bai Qing wish to wed. Allow your elder brother to act as mediator and persuader—convince Sect Master Bai to accept Wen Ying into the Golden Flame Sect. How does that sound?”
Wen Song’s face showed a flicker of discomfort as he glanced at the expectant Bai Tong. “Senior brother, is that really appropriate? Hua Mountain and Golden Flame Sect have had their conflicts. If my sister marries into Golden Flame Sect…”
Jiang Yan suddenly kicked Wen Song from behind, sending him sprawling face-first. Laughing, he scolded, “Enough! Since you don’t oppose it, stop pretending otherwise. Wen Ying isn’t a disciple of Hua Mountain, so our sect’s quarrels don’t concern her. We don’t need Master’s approval, and Uncle Wen has passed away. I will make the decisions here. If Wen Ying consents, I will oversee this good match.”
Bai Tong hurriedly reassured, “Young Wen, rest assured, the Golden Flame Sect will treat Wen Ying well. We won’t allow her to suffer any grievance.”
Wen Song’s expression brightened, joy radiating from his voice. “Senior brother, since that’s the case, I gladly obey your command. Please arrange everything as you see fit.” He knew well of Wen Ying’s affection for Bai Qing but had hesitated due to sect rivalries. Now, with Senior brother’s endorsement, the matter would be much easier.
“Boom!”
A burst of dazzling fireworks erupted above the demon-hunting gate, captivating onlookers. The demon hunt for this year had finally begun.
...
Jiang Yan was now in seclusion. Ever since the mysterious glow appeared from the jade talisman within his Divine Consciousness Sea, he had entered retreat.
This jade talisman was a third-grade spiritual treasure, but according to some information Jiang Yan had acquired, it was not only a spiritual treasure but also a crucial part of a larger spiritual device.
Generally, graded spiritual artifacts form in two ways: one, by human craftsmanship, where many talisman masters and refiners painstakingly forge a spiritual weapon or armor of a certain grade; two, by natural genesis, where some spiritual artifacts with a growth consciousness arise from the environment, stimulated by rare treasures. For example, the Sky Blue Original Wood forms over years or decades from the immense energy within the wood, radiating spiritual force. But these are merely graded spiritual treasures.
The jade talisman in Jiang Yan’s Divine Consciousness Sea originated from an ungraded spiritual treasure stone—the Boundary Stone.
The Boundary Stone divides into four jade talismans; united, they form the complete Boundary Stone.
In Tianyue Domain, the Boundary Stone is split into five pieces: the largest held by the Southern Sword Sect and the other four distributed among the domain’s four major fourth-grade sects.
Recently, for unknown reasons, the Boundary Stone in Jiang Yan’s Divine Consciousness Sea changed. The tranquil jade talisman, once resting at the sea’s bottom, changed color and floated to the surface.
Over time, it began to gradually emit spiritual and conscious energy, the latter growing overwhelmingly potent, disturbing Jiang Yan’s cultivation and forging work. At the same time, Jiang Yan was on the verge of breakthrough, his spiritual energy nearing the peak of the Foundation Establishment Perfected stage. He decided to resolve the jade talisman’s latent threat to avoid it hindering his advancement.
His Divine Consciousness circled slowly, scrutinizing the jade talisman for the first time since receiving it from Monk Kongse. The jade talisman was square, its surface coated with a thin layer of pale green. Bathed in the consciousness liquid, it shimmered faintly, resembling a translucent square box floating atop the green waters, with currents of green energy flowing inward toward the core at the sea’s bottom.
Jiang Yan felt like a tiger confronting a hedgehog—he wished to deal with the jade talisman but was stopped by its prickly defenses, unsure how to proceed.
According to methods he had found, breaking the jade talisman’s outer green shell was necessary to fully absorb it. Jiang Yan sought a way to open it.
After long observation, Jiang Yan steadied his mind, then his Divine Consciousness emitted a sharp slicing sound as it plunged toward the jade talisman, hoping to force it open and release all the spiritual and conscious energy within, thus halting further leaks that disturbed his cultivation.
“Puff…”
His Divine Consciousness felt as if piercing soft bread, not the expected hard shell. He had thought his sharp consciousness would pierce the smooth surface and enter the talisman’s core.
“Buzz…”
Suddenly, a buzzing sound filled his mind. The jade talisman trembled violently, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted, flooding Jiang Yan’s Divine Consciousness Sea.
“Puff…”
His vision blackened, chest burning, and he spat blood.
The jade talisman’s spiritual energy instantly shredded his floating Divine Consciousness, injuring his heart meridian.
“Boom!”
Spiritual energy surged around Jiang Yan’s body, his wide robe instantly torn apart by the overflow from his Divine Consciousness Sea. In moments, the seated Jiang Yan was bare.
“Clatter…”
Within the Master’s Seclusion Chamber, the unchecked spiritual energy rapidly spread, turning scattered pages into dust.
“Puff…”
Jiang Yan spat another mouthful of blood, his vision darkening as he collapsed onto the ground.
Lying prone, he suddenly felt a coolness in his palm as gentle wood-element spiritual energy flowed into his hand.
A smile crossed his heart—the Master’s Seclusion Chamber’s function was manifesting, assisting the master’s cultivation, refining and absorbing foreign spiritual energy, and aiding healing. Its abilities finally revealed themselves during this violent spiritual eruption.
A faint azure glow began to spread throughout the chamber as a massive surge of spiritual energy pressed the errant energy back into Jiang Yan’s body.
Once inside, the spiritual energy collided with the jade talisman’s force erupting within him, immediately merging, absorbing, and transforming into Jiang Yan’s own power.
The inflowing energy surged relentlessly toward the jade talisman’s location within the Divine Consciousness Sea.
“Boom!”
A muffled explosion sounded near Jiang Yan’s ear as the spiritual energy finally penetrated his Divine Consciousness Sea, breaking through to the green talisman floating atop the consciousness liquid.
“Whoosh…”
The energy rushed into the talisman, forcing it downward into the sea’s depths.
“Crackle…”
Within Jiang Yan’s Divine Consciousness perception, the talisman’s surface layer shattered from the impact, the jade talisman breaking into fragments.
“Buzz…”
Though shattered, a translucent image of the jade talisman remained, glowing with ethereal light. It broke free from the consciousness liquid’s pressure, floating midair in the Divine Consciousness Sea, its gentle radiance illuminating the entire space.
“Done,” Jiang Yan exhaled deeply.
The most difficult step in refining the jade talisman had been breaking it open. His accidental success owed much to the Master’s Seclusion Chamber’s auxiliary cultivation effects.
Jiang Yan admired the faintly glowing jade talisman, grateful to have refined it. Now, he could manipulate the earth veins of the Dongmu region, effectively ignoring all but Nascent Soul cultivators within this area.
With the jade talisman broken, Jiang Yan began gathering the rampant spiritual energy within his body. The talisman’s shattering had left much energy lingering inside him.
“Master, the talisman weapon repair is complete.”
Just as Jiang Yan finished consolidating his spiritual energy and opened the seclusion chamber’s door, Yan Feng’s cheerful voice came from outside.
[Author’s note: This chapter was truly laborious to write. Recently, I’ve hit a bottleneck in my writing, so it’s not my best work. Please bear with it for now; I will revise when time permits.]