Chapter 32 – Show and Tell

  Aboard the Tranquil Mountain Sect’s flying ship, the wind blew gently across the deck while the white sails shone brightly with spiritual light. Powered by Spirit Stones, the vessel cruised through the clouds with such speed that the ground passed swiftly below it.

  Disciples moved around the ship with purpose, some meditating or cultivating, while others were performing small tasks or discussing their adventures inside the Inheritance Site.

  Everyone made sure to give the group of Elders gathered below deck in a well-furnished and large chamber a wide berth.

  Amongst them was Elder Shen, who ran a hand along the length of his grey beard as he studied the black and red flag Jun De carried, whose hand was tightly wrapped around the aged wooden staff. The Flag’s fabric was worn and ancient, while its colours had a malignant feeling that matched its spiritual energy.

  The Elder stared at the sigil woven into the center of the flag, ‘Dominion,’ which had faded nearly to obscurity.

  “This is no common relic. A mid-grade Qi Condensation Artifact, bound to the rules of the Inheritance Site. It was through this flag that you were able to bypass the restrictions on the Pavilion at the Site’s heart.” Elder Shen said, his eyes narrowing.

  “There were other artifacts or methods contained in the Site with similar properties.” One of the other Elders added, and Jun De recognized her from the Nine-Treasure Pagoda. She had been the Elder who had accepted his herbs from the Outer Valley and paid him in Contribution Points.

  “Possibly. Regardless, the connection between the Site and this Flag has been severed. It is doubtful that it is still part of the Inheritance; it should have been rendered inert.” Elder Shen replied.

  “Yet, it remains intact. This can be considered Disciple Jun’s good fortune.” The Nine-Treasure Pagoda Elder responded, giving Jun De a small smile and a nod.

  “Can it be used again?” Jun De asked in curiosity. If not, maybe he could trade it in for a few more Contribution Points at the Nine-Treasure Pagoda.

  Elder Shen’s gaze lingered on the sigil.

  “Yes, but not by you. Not with your current cultivation. Mid-Grade Qi Condensation Artifacts require cultivation between the fifth and seventh level to refine.” Elder Shen explained before he added another comment after thinking for a moment.

  “There is an alternative, although it is more crude. It is possible to use your blood as a medium to forge a connection, but it will take much longer, and the risk of backlash is high if you choose to use the artifact in battle before you fully refine it.”

  Seeing Jun De nod his head thoughtfully, Elder Shen handed Jun De a slender knife from his sleeve that hummed faintly with Qi. Jun De accepted it and pressed the tip against the thumb of his right hand until a small drop of blood welled to the surface.

  Jun De pressed it against the wooden flagstaff, not expecting anything to happen. Elder Shen had informed him that it would take a long time for the connection to form and even longer for it to be refined into a usable artifact.

  There was a brief moment of silence, then the flag stirred.

  Jun De’s breath caught as he felt it, a connection between himself and the Flag. It was as if it had become a part of him, like gaining another limb or a new awareness.

  The black and red colours bled away from the flag-like mist being burned away by the harsh light of the sun, vanishing into the air. What replaced them was brilliant white cloth, untouched by time or the elements and pristine in every way.

  The faded sigil that read ‘Dominion’ blazed into sharp clarity, shifting to a radiant gold that glowed like the midday sun in the sky.

  “I…didn’t expect that to happen.” Jun De stated, startled by the sudden change in the Flag.

  Elder Shen gave him a long, unreadable look.

  “No? You may insist that you are still in the early stage of Qi Condensation, but your efforts to conceal your true cultivation are inadequate, Jun De.” Elder Shen said dryly, his tone holding a hint of amusement.

  He spoke like an adult entertained by the antics of a child.

  Jun De opened his mouth to protest, but he was cut off by the Elder from the Nine-Treasure Pagoda.

  “Disciple Jun, what did you find in the Pavilion? We are all eager to see the Inheritance.” She asked. Her smile widened, and it was clear that she shared in Elder Shen’s amusement regarding Jun De’s supposed attempts to conceal his cultivation.

  ‘But I’m really not!’ Jun De thought with dismay.

  Jun De hesitated for a moment, thinking about the consequences of showing what he had found, but decided to reveal it anyway and trust in the rules of the Sect to protect him. Elder Shen and the others had been nothing but kind and upright with him, and he had no reason to mistrust their intentions.

  He pulled out the small, polished jade pill box from his storage pouch.

  The moment it came into view, the surrounding Elders tensed, and their attention was drawn to it like moths to a flame. He opened the lid slowly, and the air was immediately filled with the aroma of medicine and herbs as a thick spiritual energy was released.

  A low murmur ran through the Elders.

  Elder Shen stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the small, round pill nestled within the box.

  “It’s a Foundation Establishment Pill.” Elder Shen said, and even he couldn’t conceal his longing.

  There was a collective intake of breath following his statement, and the air around them grew heavier as the Elders calm composures were replaced by greed, envy and the barest trace of murderous intent.

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  Jun De’s hand instinctively tightened around the pill box. Although no one moved to take it, he could feel the subtle shifts of Qi and the attention of the Elders sharpening toward him.

  Before anything could happen, Elder Shen’s voice cut cleanly through the tension.

  “The Sect rules apply, and if any among you believes they are above them, I invite you to test the response of the Law Enforcement Hall. You may find their blades sharper than your ambition.” Elder Shen warned.

  The threatening aura dissipated immediately, but traces of hunger remained in their eyes.

  Elder Shen ignored those around him and explained to Jun De why the pill was so important.

  “Foundation Establishment Pills are rare, even in the Tranquil Mountain Sect. The Sect can obtain them, and our Alchemy Hall can refine them if they are provided with the ingredients, but they are costly. The Sect seldom gives a Foundation Establishment Pill to the Outer Sect, and many spend years gathering the necessary merits to purchase one.” Elder Shen stated.

  “We Outer Sect Elders have long passed our prime, but the dream of breaking through never fades. Some of us have never received a Pill, while others have had their chance but failed to break through and long for another opportunity.” The Elder from the Nine-Treasure Pagoda said.

  Elder Shen’s gaze returned to Jun De, and he smiled gently.

  “Place it back in your storage bag, Jun De. This pill was earned by you, and no one in the Tranquil Mountain Sect will take it from you. As members of an Orthodox Sect, such an action would cost us our heads.” Elder Shen said, and it was clear he was warning his fellow Elders.

  Jun De didn’t hesitate; he closed the Pillbox and tucked it away in his storage bag with care.

  “A valuable find, but not something worth placing at the center of the Inheritance Site on its own. Did you find something else?” Elder Shen inquired, and this time, Jun De hesitated even longer before pulling out the other pill box.

  He knew that it was a mistake as soon as he had done so.

  Jun De had faith in the Sect, but even its laws weren’t able to completely stifle human nature. The appearance of another Jade Pill Box, this one releasing a medical scent despite its lid being closed, sent a new wave of emotions through the Elders.

  Elder Shen’s eyes locked onto the box in Jun De’s hand, and his breathing became ragged while the Nine-Treasure Pagoda Elder instinctively drifted closer to it and reflexively reached out with her hand.

  “Have you all forgotten yourselves?”

  Every Elder froze immediately as an oppressive spiritual pressure surged downward, weighing down on them like a tidal wave.

  A figure appeared beside Jun De. Unaffected by the pressure, he turned to look at her.

  She was tall and beautiful, with blue robes trimmed in gold and black hair bound with a single jade pin. Her blue eyes were studying Jun De with curiosity before looking at the box in his hand as well.

  “Inner Sect Elder Mu! Please forgive us; we were unaware of your presence. Thank you for your mercy.” Elder Shen greeted, clasping his hands and struggling to bow.

  The spiritual pressure from the Core Formation Cultivator would have been enough to kill everyone on the ship in the Qi Condensation Stage if Elder Mu decided to. Her actions were a clear warning to the Outer Sect Elders.

  Elder Mu ignored everyone apart from Jun De as she extended a fingertip toward the jade box in his hand and lifted the lid with the barest touch.

  A brilliant gold light spilled out, followed by an intense aroma of herbs and medicines. A new wave of spiritual pressure surged forth but was stifled by Elder Mu with a wave of her other hand as she studied the pill inside.

  Nestled inside the box was a single, perfect pill. Its surface was white with a golden glow surrounding it, and it was pristine in every way.

  “A Core Formation Pill.”

  Elder Mu said softly, identifying the pill immediately. The words dropped like thunder, and the Outer Sect Elders were at a loss of words.

  If a Foundation Establishment Pill was rare for a Sect Disciple to obtain, then a Core Formation Pill was reserved for only the most outstanding talents of the Inner Sect.

  No one, aside from Elder Mu, had ever seen one before.

  “This pill is used when one attempts to break through into the Core Formation Realm. They are rarely seen, even in the Tranquil Mountain Sect.” Elder Mu explained to Jun De, and her eyes revealed an even greater interest in Jun De.

  “To hold such a thing at your cultivation level, it seems you truly are blessed by the heavens. Fear not, Disciple Jun, no one in the Tranquil Mountain Sect will take it from you. But, if you would feel safer, you may leave both pills with me for the time being, and I will protect them until you are ready to break through.”

  “You have my word.” Elder Mu finished, and her face held the barest hint of a smile.

  Jun De’s eyes flickered between Elder Mu and Elder Shen, and the Outer Sect Elder understood Jun De’s concerns.

  “You may trust Elder Mu, Jun De. She is the Vice Sect Master of our Sect. Although we would find those pills to be rare treasures, I doubt they hold much value to Elder Mu.” Elder Shen said softly.

  Elder Mu didn’t react to his words, and Jun De gently placed the box in her hand before pulling out the Foundation Establishment Pill and doing the same. He felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and whatever hostility that may have remained with the Outer Sect Elders evaporated.

  Elder Mu flipped her hand, and the two pills entered the storage ring on her right pinky finger.

  “Was that all?” Elder Mu asked, and this time, the cold tone was completely absent. A hint of amusement had taken its place, something that Jun De recognized immediately.

  ‘Why are all the Elders smiling at me like I’m a toddler just learning to walk?’ Jun De thought in consternation.

  Grumbling in his heart, he pulled out the jade slip from his storage bag and showed it to Elder Mu.

  “I found this as well, but I couldn’t read it. I assumed my cultivation is still too low.” Jun De said as he held it out and bowed respectfully to the Inner Sect Elder.

  Elder Mu took the jade slip between two fingers, her touch light and precise. She studied it for a moment, her expression unreadable, and then she nodded.

  “You’re correct. The message within is sealed with spiritual intent and is meant to be read by a cultivator at the peak of Qi Condensation. That is consistent with the design of the inheritance and the pills you found.”

  She turned the jade slip over in her hand as though weighing something before handing it back to him.

  “This is a message from the Emerald Cloud Pavilion, a Sect from the Central Continent. It will contain information about who they are, their intentions and how to contact them. Do not try to read it yet; wait until you have reached the peak of Qi Condensation. The message will not harm you, but its contents are sealed until your cultivation reaches the required threshold.”

  Jun De accepted the Jade Slip and returned it to his storage bag, his expression solemn.

  ‘Yeah, right, I’m not interested in meeting a Sect that would have such a messed-up way of recruiting people!’ Jun De thought.

  “As for the karmic bond you have formed by accepting the inheritance, do not fear it. It is not a chain, nor is it a shackle. It is a thread of possibility that may guide you toward opportunity, not bind you to obligation.” Elder Mu finished.

  ‘Karmic Bond!?’ Jun De thought in alarm. He hadn’t know that the items on the pedestal had been the inheritance, and he hadn’t realized that just picking them up would have forged a connection between himself and the Emerald Cloud Pavilion.

  “I thank the Inner Sect Elder for her guidance.” Jun De said respectfully, clasping his hands and bowing to her. Jun De was relieved that Elder Mu mentioned that there would be no obligations or restrictions placed on him just by taking the pills and the Jade Slip.

  ‘And thank you for taking those two bombs from me!’ Jun De exclaimed.

  Keeping those two pills was far too risky for him, and he could always find Elder Mu when he was ready.

  ‘And if she decided to keep them, I’m sure I can find some more.’ Jun De assured himself.

  Elder Mu turned toward the Outer Sect Elders, and her face regained its calm and cold expression.

  “I will inform the Sect Master of the events of the Inheritance Site and of the need to increase discipline amongst the Outer Sect Elders.” Elder Mu said.

  She took one final glance at Jun De before disappearing, leaving them alone once more.