Chapter 122: Equal Opportunity Annihilation

The purple communication jade talisman whooshed through the air and landed in Qian Dai’s hand.

“Senior sister.”

“Junior brother, I am already on my way back from the secret realm of the Sea King Sect.”

A cold, clear voice emanated from the jade talisman, carrying a hint of breathlessness, as if something was amiss.

“Senior sister, you’re injured,” Qian Dai’s breathing faltered.

“The injuries are nothing serious. A great battle broke out within the Sea King Sect’s secret realm. Yunhai Zhenren of the Mysterious Sea Sect was slain by the Elder of the Sky-Propelling Alliance. Two other False Dan Zhenren were also involved—one dead, one wounded.”

“Following this, the Mysterious Sea Sect is bound to launch a campaign against the Sky-Propelling Alliance. The stable situation in the Myriad Star Sea may change. This is your opportunity.”

“I’ve already passed the news to our master. Perhaps he will contact you soon.”

The spiritual light on the purple jade talisman slowly faded. Qian Dai held the talisman, quietly pondering for a moment before a smile shook his plump cheeks.

“The Sky-Propelling Alliance really is full of surprises.”

As the strongest force in the Myriad Star Sea, the Mysterious Sea Sect boasted the Golden Core Perfected Master Fu Hai, and a total of nine Golden Core and False Dan Zhenren within its ranks.

In sheer numbers of Golden Core Zhenren, it crushed the other three major sects and families.

But the Myriad Star Sea was a barren place; hunting late-stage second-rank demonic beasts required venturing far into the deep sea, and third-rank beasts demanded even deeper ocean expeditions.

The deep sea was the domain of the Sea Clan. While the Mysterious Sea Sect was the dominant sect within the Myriad Star Sea, it held no sway in the deep sea.

The sect had five False Dan Zhenren, and only one third-rank demonic pill they had refined stemmed from a deep-sea hunt. The other four were purchased from the southern sea region.

At least, that was the official narrative.

But Qian Dai knew the truth was different.

The Mysterious Sea Sect’s dominance was due to a faction needing it to keep an eye on the Mysterious Corpse Sect.

Back then, the sect was a minor force with only one Golden Core.

Previously, when the Black Cliff Demon caused trouble, it was merely petty skirmishes. Now, a force openly eliminated a Golden Core elder of the sect.

For many years, the sect’s Golden Core elders had been untouchable.

“Let the battle begin, let the battle begin.”

Qian Dai grew increasingly curious about the true identity of the Sky-Propelling Alliance’s Supreme Elder.

It was known that besides being the strongest in the Myriad Star Sea, the Mysterious Sea Sect controlled multiple secondary Golden Core forces.

The Sky-Propelling Alliance’s predecessor, the Huan Mountain Island Alliance, was merely a secondary third-rank force with one Golden Core.

Just a change of name; yet it now acted so fierce.

The Sky-Propelling Alliance had much more spirit than Huan Mountain.

But no matter what, anyone who stirred up trouble for the Mysterious Sea Sect was beneficial for the Mysterious Corpse Sect; at least the sect’s surveillance could be somewhat relaxed.

Perhaps then, he could secretly carry out some covert activities.

However, for now, it was too early. He needed to see how strong the Sky-Propelling Alliance truly was, whether it could withstand the Mysterious Sea Sect’s first strike.

…

Waves roared, the sea and sky merged as one.

On the sea’s surface, a half-new, half-old spirit boat glided steadily.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged on the spirit boat, sending a thread of divine consciousness to steer its course.

After nearly half a year’s stay on an unnamed island, he had finally nurtured the first and second Tianyan jade talismans.

This trip was mainly to find suitable spiritual creatures for body tempering, to slightly enhance his physical body and internal organs, and to advance to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

He also intended to repay the Joy Pills he owed Qian Dai; after all, a dignified pill master shouldn’t run debts. How would he survive in the pill master circle otherwise?

In the coming time, he would wait to ascend to a third-rank array master, allowing him to craft small teleportation arrays and leave a secret exit when establishing his cave dwelling.

Yuan Yan Immortal City, Feng Lei Pavilion.

With a handful of Tianyan jade talismans in hand, Shen Lian felt his waist no longer ached, his legs no longer pained, and his steps were full of vigor as he entered the city.

He first found a tavern for a meal, then used his divine consciousness to eavesdrop on nearby cultivators’ conversations.

Fortunately, they were all trivial mishaps from nearby sea regions, nothing major.

Inside Feng Lei Pavilion.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, long time no see.”

The steward of Feng Lei Pavilion in Yuan Yan Immortal City was still Qian Mingzhang. Upon seeing Shen Lian, he promptly invited him to a private room on the second floor and had a young female cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Condensation serve tea.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, this Miss Xiaodie is an expert; her shoulder kneading and back pounding are most comfortable.”

Shen Lian took out a storage pouch. “These are pills owed to Brother Qian. Please take a look.”

Seeing Shen Lian had no intention, Qian Mingzhang waved for Xiaodie to withdraw.

The young cultivator, in blue robes and sheer silk, lowered her head, hiding any trace of resentment, and tiptoed out.

After counting the pills in the pouch, Qian Mingzhang nodded. “Pill Master Lu, the quantity suffices.”

The pill maker who crafted the Joy Pills, Lu, surprisingly didn’t cherish them—a rare oddity. Didn’t they say good pills were to be consumed by the pill maker themselves?

“By the way, I need several batches of pill-refining herbs. I’ll trouble you to find them.”

He handed a jade slip to Qian Mingzhang.

“Thorn Tendon Fruit, Silver Jiao…”

Qian Mingzhang glanced over it. “Fellow Daoist Lu, some of these medicinal materials are rare and will take time. I’ll notify you once we have progress.”

“Many thanks.”

Shen Lian nodded. As a high-level partner of Feng Lei Pavilion, he enjoyed the right to buy on credit and without prepaying spirit stones.

The formula was called the Tendon-Tempering Pill, used to strengthen bones.

Among inherited formulas, dozens aimed at enhancing physical strength. After careful examination, Shen Lian found many were useless—previous generations had already stripped the herbs bare.

Currently, only a few remained usable; the Tendon-Tempering Pill was one of them.

He had improved the formula, adding half the quantity of herbs from other formulas. The key ingredient was the Thorn Tendon Fruit.

Silver Jiao was optional; he had some in his collection.

The Thorn Tendon Fruit was a second-rank spiritual plant fruit, covered in sharp backward-facing thorns, thriving in hot, fiery environments.

After leaving Feng Lei Pavilion, Shen Lian planned to explore Yuan Yan City. Though smaller than Ao Shi and Black Whale Immortal Cities, it still boasted many shops.

Before long, Shen Lian changed his appearance and entered the Wanling Pavilion in Yuan Yan City.

A tall, pale-faced cultivator greeted him.

“Fellow Daoist, I am Chen Run. What do you require?”

Chen Run’s voice was hoarse and somewhat grating, with a faint odor of corpse qi. His eyes drooped slightly.

Don’t misunderstand—he was not a corpse puppet, just someone who had spent long years among them, unintentionally absorbing some aura.

“Do you have Moon Spirit Essence Dew?”

“No.”

Chen Run’s tone was icy, as if someone owed him a hundred thousand spirit stones.

Shen Lian was unbothered. Cultivators of the Mysterious Corpse Sect didn’t just treat him like this—they were cold to everyone. If they smiled at you, it was time to cry.

Moon Spirit Essence Dew was a spiritual material needed for body tempering, collected on the full moon night from second-rank Moonlight Spirit Trees. After being nurtured in a cultivator’s dantian, it could finally take form.

This essence was used in many pill recipes. Most famously, the second-rank top-grade Moonlight Containing Perfection Pill needed by ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This pill’s sole purpose was to help ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivators whose vitality and aura felt incomplete after promotion, accelerating their perfection—a supplementary pill for forming the core.

However, the Moonlight Essence Dew required incubation by third-rank Golden Core cultivators; False Dan Zhenren could not do it, as their dantians were too turbulent.

Imagine, aside from close acquaintances, which Golden Core cultivator would waste time incubating essence dew?

Shen Lian didn’t require high quality—just any would do—but unfortunately, none was available.

After gaining nothing at Wanling Pavilion, Shen Lian had just stepped outside when his communication jade talisman lit up.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, there will be an auction soon. The Sea Wind and Thunder will dock at various islands. You may board at the nearest island.”

It was a message from Qian Dai.

During his days in the Yuan Yan sea area, Qian Dai often organized barter and monster hunting activities. Shen Lian had attended only once.

After all, some cultivators returning from hunts would seek him out for pills.

Roughing it out in the wild was no match for sitting comfortably at home tending the furnace and harvesting.

Just as Shen Lian was about to put away the talisman, it lit up again.

“Fellow Daoists, there will be an auction featuring a fragmented Golden Core-level cultivation technique suitable for Water and Wood spiritual roots.”

“There is a second-rank top-grade defensive spiritual treasure: the Black Water Mysterious Shell Turtle Shield.”

“There are three Foundation Establishment pills.”

…

“Also, a small spirit ship.”

“Details on quantities will not be elaborated. These are only some of the spiritual items. Fellow Daoists interested may attend the barter meeting.”

As the spiritual light faded, Shen Lian couldn’t help but marvel at Qian Dai’s deep resources.

Third-rank cultivation techniques, Foundation Establishment pills, second-rank top-grade defensive spiritual treasures—even the Mysterious Sea Sect rarely showed such extravagance.

With so many treasures, it could easily hold an auction attracting countless families and sects from the Myriad Star Sea. The longer the event, the more participants, maximizing spirit stone gains.

Why limit it to this sea region?

Could it be reserving the best items for the family?

Judging by Qian Dai’s style, it was quite possible.

After leaving Wanling Pavilion, Shen Lian wandered the city and eventually rented a cave dwelling to stay.

…

Without obtaining body-tempering spiritual materials, attempting to nurture his body through his Five Elements spiritual power was painfully slow. Yet Shen Lian kept a calm mindset, gradually channeling spiritual power to nourish his body and organs.

With a steady attitude, his insight points increased as well.

By the end of the day, he could gain a dozen or so.

Every few days, a divine insight point would occasionally arise.

Besides slowly refining his body, Shen Lian began pill refining. His spirit stones were few, so high-grade spiritual materials had to be exchanged for pills.

As usual, he kept the top-grade pills for himself, mixed the lower-grade with medium-grade, and gave them to fellow cultivators.

…

On the boundless ocean, waves surged and crashed like thunder.

The battered Sea Wind and Thunder spirit ship flew enveloped in wind and thunder spiritual light, hovering about thirty zhang above the sea.

Just after boarding at Yuan Yan Island, Shen Lian met Qian Dai on the deck.

This time Qian Dai was alone, without his exclusive chair. The plump figure stood with hands behind his back at the front of the ship, gazing at the endless ocean.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, you’ve surely made a fortune these past two years.”

Shen Lian cupped his hands to Qian Dai. “It’s all thanks to Brother Qian’s blessings.”

“Have you done something utterly ruthless, Fellow Daoist Lu?”

“Why do you say that, Brother Qian?”

Shen Lian was suspicious—Qian Dai’s words today seemed off.

“Or perhaps before starting the cultivation path, you suffered some blood feud trauma?”

“None,” Shen Lian replied.

Qian Dai twitched his mouth. “Then why do you seem like the world’s enemy?”

“Every time I see you, you carry some third-rank thunder-fire spiritual item as protection. Aren’t you afraid of blowing yourself up? Have you reincarnated already?”

Shen Lian’s expression remained unchanged. “Better safe than sorry.”

Qian Dai rubbed his big belly, a curious look appearing.

“Do you always carry it, or only when you see me?”

“Better safe than sorry,” Shen Lian repeated.

“Oh, so it’s always with you.”

“I possess the Profound Yang Body, with the clearest sensitivity to thunder-fire attributes. Even if you try to hide it, a special spiritual body harmonizing with the Dao’s rhythm can still be sensed as a burning aura.”

Qian Dai showed a hint of disappointment. “Sigh, I thought I was special. Turns out your mind is so deep, you want to blow everyone up equally.”

“I do not,” Shen Lian said.

Seeing Qian Dai’s disappointed expression, Shen Lian was speechless. Did this fat man have a screw loose? Did he really want to blow him up?

Come to think of it, this was the first time someone sensed the Tianyan jade talisman on him. He needed to upgrade his concealment talisman to guard against these peculiar special physiques.

He had sensed from the start of their dealings that Qian Dai was not simple, his perception keen.

“We’ve talked so long. Do you think I’m qualified to be friends with you now?”

“Of course. Brother Qian is a good friend of mine,” Shen Lian smiled warmly.

“Good. I bear no hostility, but you should guard that thing on you well. Cultivation world resources are ever dwindling; saving one item is saving a lot.”

Qian Dai’s tone shifted. “By the way, that broken third-rank defensive spiritual treasure, the Nine Profound Golden Umbrella, I sold you—it’s actually part of a set. There are four types: Wood, Water, Earth, and Fire. This is the complete refining method.”

“In the future, when you find a suitable artifact refiner, you can forge this treasure.”

Shen Lian was astonished but cautious, not rushing to accept the jade slip.

He truly hesitated.

A free gift.

It seemed cheap but was actually very precious.

Some things were not so easily obtained.

“Are you guarding against me, Fellow Daoist Lu?”

Qian Dai sighed. “This is a gift. I genuinely want to be friends.”

“Having a high-level thunder-fire spiritual item means your divine consciousness must be strong to constantly control it.”

“I admit, I sold you that broken treasure deliberately, to see if you could refine it, to confirm something.”

He squinted his eyes and put on a pitiful look, spreading his hands. “The rest of the refining method is my apology. Brother Lu, please don’t refuse.”

“Rest assured, this item involves no complications. It won’t force you to do anything. I really just want to make a friend.”

Today’s update is two chapters with eight thousand words. I need to organize the subsequent plot; tomorrow will be twelve thousand.

(End of chapter)