The Foundation Realm cultivator of Lingyao Peak froze in astonishment. His normally upright, righteous countenance was suddenly overrun by shock. At that very moment, a torrent of flowing fire cascaded down.
Although such flames were not severely lethal to someone in the Foundation Realm, their overwhelming numbers—and the fact that they carried the very Qi of the Foundation stage—meant that even a relatively resilient cultivator would soon be pelted. Caught entirely off guard, the Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator was instantly drenched in this torrent; while his wounds were not grave, his appearance became embarrassingly disheveled.
"Senior Brother, why did you suddenly attack me?" he demanded.
Fang Jinyu, who had already withdrawn to a safe distance and remained poised to flee at a moment's notice, replied nothing further. Although his Wind-Thunder Guide was a superior cultivation method, the gap in their cultivation was vast—the adversary was already at the third level of Foundation Establishment. Were it a true fight to the death, Fang Jinyu knew he was not the equal of his opponent.
Yet at that moment, Fang Jinyu realized something crucial: he recalled how the book described the fate of that benevolent, "nice guy" Foundation cultivator—one with a mild temperament who was famed among the low-level Tianling disciples. The account suggested that this "nice guy" had been ambushed. Had he read that book earlier, he would have been far more cautious from the start. Although the ambush would likely not have slain him instantly, he surely would not have been caught so unprepared.
"You…" the Foundation cultivator stammered, his face paling further. He had apparently concealed his true abilities impressively before—the first time his subterfuge had worked perfectly—but how could repeating the same scheme have failed now?
At that moment, Fang Jinyu struck again. The Wind-Thunder Guide—a masterful technique for a cultivator of three-attribute spiritual roots—was far more than a single wind-based incantation. Fang Jinyu tossed aside his Flowing Flame Ring and intoned an incantation. Instantly, vast sheets of thunderclouds roiled into existence. This was one of the great divine techniques within the Wind-Thunder Guide, known as "Borrowing the Thunder!" Its execution, however, was costly. Every use consumed one spirit instrument, and reaching proficiency was extremely arduous. Had Fang Jinyu not, just the previous day, unexpectedly refined his cultivation to extract a precious insight, he might have been unable to perform the technique successfully.
The Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator's eyes widened as he saw the sprawling thundercloud. But his shock was not simply due to the spell's raw power—it was the overwhelming aura of its display. He soon realized that at that very moment half of Tianling Sect might be watching. Sure enough, a brilliant arc of light appeared. Then, with terrifying authority, the oppressive presence of a Golden Core Realm grand cultivator descended, and within an instant the thundercloud dispersed.
"Why are you two clashing so fiercely?" the Golden Core cultivator demanded in a cold tone.
Fang Jinyu did not know this Golden Core cultivator personally, but the Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator recognized him immediately. With a mix of relief and trepidation, the latter quickly explained, "Senior Brother, please allow me to report: I intervened because this Junior Brother was attacking a fellow disciple, and I acted to rescue our junior. I intended to take the aggressors to see the Sect Master."
At that very moment, two more arcs of light streaked into view, and the awe-inspiring pressure of two additional Golden Core Realm cultivators descended. One of them said reassuringly, "They are our peak's own disciples." The first of the Golden Core cultivators, nodding in agreement, added, "This matter will be handed over to the Sect Master; I will withdraw from this incident," and he departed without a trace.
By now, the Sect Master had also arrived. The Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator raced to recount his explanation once more.
"Junior Brother Fang, is it truly so?" the Sect Master asked impassively, his expression inscrutable.
"From the very beginning, I activated this Discipline Pearl—and later I respectfully request that you help me close it," Fang Jinyu replied, producing the Discipline Pearl from his possession. Since its issuance, he had refined the pearl but had not yet activated its full potential. Unlike talismans or spirit instruments, once the Discipline Pearl is activated, it records everything in its vicinity, and even Golden Core cultivators, unless perfectly skilled, cannot turn it off.
At the moment Fang Jinyu revealed the Discipline Pearl, the face of the Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator turned ashen, and he cried out in alarm, "How do you have a Discipline Pearl?!" For with such a pearl present, right and wrong would be laid bare for all to see. But then, as if by some twist of fate, the matter fell silent. The Foundation cultivator—and the three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples who had been involved—vanished without further incident.
Even though Fang Jinyu had anticipated something like this, he could not help feeling a twinge of indignation. When the Sect Master returned the Discipline Pearl to him, he had explicitly instructed that the matter not be disclosed beyond the sect.
Soon after, Du Man'er—having long been dispatched to run errands for him—was buzzing about, attracted by the prospect of saving three hundred spirit stones. Naturally, such an advantage made Fang Jinyu's heart skip a beat. But after she had been gone for a while, Fang Jinyu suddenly recalled another matter: the ancient book had mentioned a scandal involving Tianling Sect, suppressed because of its far-reaching details. It was only uncovered when a Tianling disciple, who had barely broken through to Foundation Establishment, mysteriously perished.
"That scandal… it appears to involve the eight Lingyao Peaks…" Fang Jinyu thought, and his heart stirred.
He pondered, "Du Man'er is ambitious yet cautious—not one to be recklessly outspoken. In all likelihood, her role in the matter isn't entirely absent, unless she were to die silently…"
Before Fang Jinyu had presented her with a talisman, Du Man'er had always been measured in her words. Although she wasn't particularly keen on following him, she always maintained a respectful, subservient tone. Only after receiving his gift did her address shift from "Uncle Fang" to "Uncle," and she began to discuss that underground market for spirit herbs. She only revealed that information because she considered him close enough to trust and help him save spirit stones.
"If that underground market is indeed tied to that scandal—and if Du Man'er had, at that time, tried to help that Tianling disciple who barely attained Foundation Establishment—then…" Fang Jinyu's thoughts raced. Convinced that his hunch was correct, he immediately strode out of the alchemy chamber. He recalled that the book had described that particular unfortunate Foundation cultivator: a kind, unassuming person never known to lose his temper, whose gentle personality had earned him widespread acclaim among low-level disciples. Such a person should be someone capable of winning over Du Man'er's favor.
Fang Jinyu himself still hadn't procured a more appropriate spirit instrument. However, after his promotion to Foundation Establishment, Tianling Sect had awarded him a spirit instrument—a low-grade spirit instrument known as the Flowing Flame Ring. When activated, it could project a ring of blazing fire, summoning vast streams of flame and enhancing fire-elemental spells. It wasn't extravagant, but it was serviceable. After all, a better low-grade instrument would cost at least two thousand spirit stones, and a mid-grade one was even beyond his reach. In any event, the Flowing Flame Ring struck a good balance for him.
Within a short time outside the chamber, Fang Jinyu soon caught sight of Du Man'er's graceful figure. Her lithe appearance—so slender that one could barely see her shoes, with elegantly curved legs and a perfectly rounded form—was unmistakable even from behind. Yet, contrary to his expectations, Du Man'er did not appear to be embroiled in danger. Under the lead of a Qi Refinement Seventh-Level cultivator from Lingyao Peak, she had just met with a Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciple. Before long, Du Man'er spoke, and soon another Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciple emerged, handing her a cyan wooden box.
Du Man'er opened the box to inspect its contents. Assured that it contained the medicinal herbs she desired, she then exchanged it for the seven hundred spirit stones—each transmitted in a wooden box, since no other magical storage item existed here aside from the "Hundred Treasure Box." (Different materials produced different capacities. Rosewood boxes were generally used for storing spirit stones, while a wooden box of this sort preserved the medicinal properties of herbs to perfection.)
"Have I misguessed?" Fang Jinyu wondered as he watched Du Man'er retrace her path. It soon became clear: he had not misjudged. For as Du Man'er traversed a narrow valley, she was suddenly accosted by three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples from Lingyao Peak.
"What are you doing, Senior Brothers?" Du Man'er asked calmly, her eyes scanning the three assailants.
The trio sneered as they exchanged glances. One of them chuckled, "Hand over the herbs! Once we're done having our fun, maybe we'll spare your life. But know this—you won't be allowed to remain in the sect. We'll deliver you out, for some mortal dignitaries fancy girls like you."
Du Man'er's expression faltered as she replied, "Aren't you afraid that Senior Uncle might come after you for his medicinal herbs?" Her face fell slightly; she was only sixteen, and even a naturally cautious girl could not help but feel fear.
One of the assailants grinned maliciously, "Just vanish—if you run off with the herbs, who will suspect a thing? After all, you're only a Qi Refinement Level-One cultivator with a five-attribute spiritual root! We've all heard your name, 'Little Beauty Du.' Heh—last time we got you, and you practically walked right into our trap."
Without further ado, the three disciples flung a spirit instrument toward her—a rare formation-type instrument. The moment it was activated, it transformed into a mystical formation, instantly sealing off the area and masking all surrounding energies.
Du Man'er's face went deathly pale; she realized then that the so-called "gathering of sect comrades" was nothing more than a trap. However, just as panic threatened to overtake her, an unexpected voice rang out: "This spirit instrument is rather impressive—a mid-grade one, and of the formation variety!"
Before anyone could react, the freshly formed array was shattered from within by sheer force. Although the spirit instrument was undeniably powerful, its true might depended on the cultivator who activated it. The three assailants, although their total magical reserves were barely comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had not even managed to tap a fraction of its potential. In a single well-placed blow from Fang Jinyu, the formation was obliterated.
It was then that the three disciples noticed Fang Jinyu standing nearby. Without concealing his true cultivation level, his imposing presence caused their expressions to vanish into shock. How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator be present here among them?
Wasting no time, Fang Jinyu raised his hand. An invisible gust of wind coalesced into three razor-sharp wind blades which sliced into the bodies of the three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples, gravely injuring them. Yet Fang Jinyu deliberately held back; he intended to capture them alive for delivery to the sect, not kill them outright.
Just as Fang Jinyu was about to retract the formation spirit instrument and subdue the trio using his wind-manipulating technique, a thunderous shout suddenly echoed:
"Who dares interfere and attack here?"
At that moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator descended from midair. Upon seeing Fang Jinyu, he immediately demanded, "Junior Brother, why did you attack these lower-level disciples?"
"Senior Brother," Fang Jinyu replied with measured courtesy as he clasped his fists in a respectful gesture, "these three were attempting to murder our junior nephew. I happened to be here and intervened; my intent was to escort them to the Sect Master."
At these words, the Foundation cultivator's expression transformed into one of righteous indignation. "Then hand them over to me. I, too, belong to Lingyao Peak, and events like this should be managed by someone such as I."
"Very well—I entrust them to you," Fang Jinyu replied.
"Thank you, Junior Brother."
The Foundation cultivator advanced two paces, appearing ready to take restraint of the injured trio, but as he drew near to Fang Jinyu he suddenly launched an attack against him. Yet, to his surprise, the blow fell harmlessly short.
The shock on the Foundation cultivator's face deepened. How could it be that Fang Jinyu, a Foundation cultivator, was present here? At that moment, Fang Jinyu lifted his hand once more. Drawing upon his Wind-Thunder Guide—a supreme cultivation technique for a three-attribute spiritual root—he was not limited solely to wind spells. Fang Jinyu hurled his Flowing Flame Ring aside and chanted an incantation; in an instant, vast arcs of thunder and lightning surged forth.
This was one of the most potent divine abilities in the Wind-Thunder Guide—a technique known as "Borrowing the Thunder!" Its deployment, however, was costly; every use consumed a spirit instrument, and mastering it was extremely challenging. Had it not been for a previous day's inadvertent success in refining his Qi, he might not have been able to execute it.
The Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator witnessing this display turned pale—not from the inherent might of the spell, but because its overwhelming aura risked drawing the attention of nearly half of Tianling Sect. Sure enough, a brilliant arch of light shot through the sky, followed immediately by the awe-inspiring pressure of a Golden Core Realm grand cultivator. In an instant, the mighty thunderclouds dispersed.
"Why are you two fighting?" the Golden Core cultivator demanded coolly.
Fang Jinyu did not recognize this Golden Core cultivator by name, but the previously injured Foundation cultivator did. Delighted yet cautious, the latter quickly declared, "Senior Uncle, as I reported earlier, I intervened after witnessing this Junior Brother's aggression. My aim was to rescue these three disciples!"
At that moment, two more brilliant arcs of light appeared as the overwhelming aura of two more Golden Core cultivators descended. One of them remarked, "They are your disciples from within the peak, Senior Brother."
"Junior Brother, as you say, we shall leave this matter to the Sect Master; I shall step aside," the first Golden Core cultivator said, nodding and then departing calmly.
By now the Sect Master had arrived. The Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator wasted no time in repeating his earlier explanation.
"Junior Brother Fang, is this truly what happened?" the Sect Master asked, his expression remaining impassive.
"Right from the outset, I activated this Discipline Pearl. Later, please have the Sect Master close it for me," Fang Jinyu said as he produced the pearl once more. Since receiving it, he had refined the pearl but had not activated it. Unlike talismans or spirit instruments, once a Discipline Pearl is activated it records everything within its vicinity—and even a Golden Core cultivator would be helpless to close its function without the proper method.
At the moment Fang Jinyu displayed the Discipline Pearl, the Lingyao Peak Foundation cultivator's face grew ashen with shock as he cried out, "How do you possess a Discipline Pearl?!" With such a pearl present, the truth of right and wrong becomes immediately evident. Yet, miraculously, the entire matter was soon forgotten, as if it had never taken place. The Foundation cultivator—as well as the three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples—vanished without a trace.
Even though Fang Jinyu had been mentally prepared for such outcomes, he could not help but feel a tinge of bitter indignation. For when the Sect Master later returned the Discipline Pearl to him, he had personally cautioned that this incident must never be discussed externally.
Later that day, an indicator—a small directional arrow visible only to Fang Jinyu—suddenly appeared on his vision. As he read the floating text, his eyes widened in disbelief. Everything usually linked to him—his Fate, his inspirations, his Magical Qi, even his appearance—traced back to himself. But this? It had nothing to do with him at all.
Then Fang Jinyu's gaze froze on the second line of text as it began to vanish, which read: "A newly emerging female lead?"
"Could it be… Du Man'er?" he wondered. Reflecting on her modest innate talent, her steady—but ambitious—temperament, and her attractive looks, Fang Jinyu mused that she perfectly fit the archetype of a downtrodden protagonist in a world of cultivation "trash-fallbacks."
"Does this mean that, moving forward, there will be two female leads in this world?" Fang Jinyu's expression grew strangely amused. To recoup his loss of seven hundred spirit stones, it seemed he had, perhaps inadvertently, introduced another female lead into this world. Strangely, this might even work to his advantage. In this world, Fate is a finite resource. The female lead Su Yier already commands an indisputable amount of Fate; if another female lead emerged, wouldn't Su Yier's share be split in half?
"I suppose I'll have to wait and see how quickly Su Yier's cultivation progresses. If, within five years, she fails to form her Golden Core, it could signal that her Fate has indeed been reduced by half," Fang Jinyu mused thoughtfully. With that, he followed the guiding arrow that only he could perceive, venturing off in search of this opportunity. After all, if the opportunity were too remote, how could Du Man'er—despite her status as just a Qi Refinement cultivator with five-attribute roots—ever capture it?
Eventually, in a modest, inconspicuous location, Fang Jinyu unearthed an exquisitely crafted spirit-instrument-grade "Hundred Treasure Box." The box contained little more than two pills that looked exceedingly ordinary, even bearing a resemblance to poisonous black pills. After some thought, Fang Jinyu took only one pill. Once he restored the location to its original state, he departed and began poring over numerous books on elixirs. Yet, among the extant treatises on medicinal pills, he found no record matching the one he now possessed. Although several similar formulations appeared, when compared with Du Man'er's situation none seemed plausible. This, he deduced, was meant as Du Man'er's future opportunity—a secret that should be of monumental use to her!
After two days of relentless research through various legends and treatises on pills, Fang Jinyu finally discovered a match:
"Lifespan-Reducing Transcendence Pill: upon consumption of one pill, one sacrifices half a cycle of lifespan; however, it eliminates the weakest element from one's spiritual roots, potentially transforming a five-attribute spiritual root into a dual-attribute one."
Fang Jinyu swallowed hard. If all went as anticipated, the pill now in his hand was indeed the Lifespan-Reducing Transcendence Pill—a miraculous elixir capable of converting a five-attribute spiritual root into one with only two attributes, albeit at the significant cost of lifespan.