Dusk Valley.
Without even crossing the mountain gate, one could already sense the severity of the recent situation.
From nearly 20 miles away, members of the Bai family had begun patrolling.
"Stop!"
Bai Ange drew two short swords from his waist and warily sized up the three unfamiliar faces, demanding, "Where have you two fellow Daoists come from, and what business do you have here?"
"Little Bai."
Chen Sanshi said calmly, "All the pills you've been taking were refined by me. Your little sister could even be considered half my disciple. Must you be so distant?"
"Refining pills… little sister…"
Bai Ange looked the man up and down, suspicion mingled with surprise. "Senior Xiao? You—you've come back?!"
"It's me."
Chen Sanshi did not conceal it.
Given the current situation, if he came to Dusk Valley as a stranger, he likely wouldn't even be able to enter, let alone discuss cooperation.
On the contrary, Xiao Feng—who had killed the Fifth Master of the Li family and seized a Foundation Establishment Pill—was the mortal enemy of Daze Market and a wanted criminal in Northern Yang Dao. A natural ally.
Moreover, "Xiao Feng" was different from "Chen Sanshi."
"Chen Sanshi" concerned the ancestral vein and might very well attract Golden Core elders, whereas "Xiao Feng" was merely about a Li family cultivator and a Foundation Establishment Pill. At most, only the Li family would go mad over it.
Relatively speaking, the identity of "Xiao Feng" was far more suitable for the current situation in Northern Yang Dao.
"It really is Senior Xiao?!"
Bai Ange still seemed in disbelief. "These past few years… never mind. Please wait here, Senior. I'll report this immediately!"
With that, he turned and entered the mountain gate. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, he returned.
"Senior Xiao, please come in! The family head and the others are discussing matters at the Lake-Viewing Tower. They request your presence."
"Very well."
Chen Sanshi followed him into the valley.
At the top floor of the Lake-Viewing Tower.
The upper echelons of the Bai family had all gathered.
The aged Bai family patriarch sat in a grand chair, while the managers of the seven branches stood on either side.
They all cast scrutinizing gazes toward the three strangers who had entered the hall, then exchanged glances among themselves, as if communicating silently.
"Brother Xiao, long time no see."
Third Master Bai Linxun stood and cupped his fists. "Who would have thought you were not only an alchemist, but also a martial artist of the True Force Realm. Now that you've returned, you must have already reached Foundation Establishment. Congratulations."
More than 2 years ago, they had suddenly received news that the independent cultivator Xiao Feng—who had long cooperated with Dusk Valley—had erupted in violence at Little Bamboo Peak, killed someone, seized a Foundation Establishment Pill, and fled. It had shocked them for quite some time.
"Heh."
Family Head Bai Liangbi spoke up. "What I wonder is why Daoist Xiao, after disappearing for several years, has suddenly returned?"
"For nothing more than seeking cooperation."
Chen Sanshi said, "To be frank, I intend to remain in Northern Yang Dao for some time. I would like to borrow a cave dwelling in Dusk Valley for cultivation. If we can exchange pills through alchemy as before, that would be ideal."
According to the information Zhang Shun had gathered, ever since he left, the Bai family had not had a stable alchemist partner.
Either they coveted the medicine valley, or they were spies from other families. Basically, no one lasted more than 2 months.
Moreover, under isolation, if the Bai family wanted to purchase pills now, they had to travel far to other regions. They were precisely in urgent need of pills.
"Cooperation is certainly possible."
The one-armed old man who had remained silent in the grand chair finally spoke in a faint voice. "But before that, this old man has a few questions for you."
Chen Sanshi answered frankly, "Senior Bai, please ask."
"You must already have a general understanding of the situation in Northern Yang Dao."
Bai Xifeng's voice was hoarse and aged. "At such a time, you come to our Bai family. Are you not afraid of becoming the target of public criticism? What exactly is your identity?"
"My identity is simple: a friend of the Bai family and a mortal enemy of the Li family. The primary reason for my return is to help the Bai family deal with the Li family."
Chen Sanshi replied calmly, "Before I slaughter the Li family to avenge my clansmen, I will not leave. On this point, Senior Bai may rest assured."
What he said was half true.
The matter of the seal lay on the Li family's main peak.
Thus, it was impossible to resolve the issue without confronting the Li family.
Bai Xifeng fell into thought.
These cultivation families had stood for hundreds of years. It was perfectly normal for the descendants of enemies to rise and return seeking vengeance.
Especially the death of Li Shunan—it could not be falsified.
Therefore, at least on this point, they did not need to doubt him.
"Very well."
In the end, Bai Xifeng made the decision. "From today onward, Daoist Xiao Feng shall be an ally of our Dusk Valley. Later, this old man will arrange a second-tier cave dwelling for you. As before, you will be responsible for alchemy. If you have any other requests, you may raise them freely, and this old man will do his utmost to satisfy them.
"However, let me speak an unpleasant truth in advance. Even if Daoist Xiao intends to seek vengeance against the Li family, and this old man is willing to cooperate, judging from the current situation…
"My Bai family may not even be able to protect ourselves. If Daoist Xiao stays long, you may very well face the same catastrophic disaster as we do."
"I came precisely to discuss countermeasures."
Chen Sanshi sat down on the chair that had been brought for him and probed, "Not long ago, Xiao heard that a Golden Core elder from the Shengyun Sect has taken up residence with the Li family. On the road, I also encountered many Demon-Suppression Guards from the Demon Suppression Office. I wonder if this is related?"
"The Shengyun Sect will not act against our Bai family—at least not for now."
Bai Liangbi explained, "They have come because of the seal connected to the Eastern Divine Continent. They are preparing to destroy the Heaven and Earth Seal at great cost. For this, all Seven Great Families of Northern Yang Dao, including us, must relocate within 5 years."
"Relocate?"
Chen Sanshi pressed further. "Family Head Bai means that the matter of the seal will ultimately implicate all of Northern Yang Dao?"
"Who knows what they're planning."
Bai Liangbi said awkwardly, "But even without this matter, we had already been planning how to leave this place. As for that mortal dynasty in the Eastern Divine Continent, I'm afraid it won't be long before disaster befalls them."
"Indeed."
Seventh Master of the Bai family said sympathetically, "During the early ancestral vein war, the one surnamed Chen slaughtered Heavenly Water cultivators like grass, forging a blood feud as deep as the sea.
"A few years ago, after the establishment of the Han dynasty, it is said that Chen Lei even issued a 'proclamation of punitive expedition' to Heavenly Water, calling himself the Heavenly Court and branding the upper sects of Heavenly Water as bandits.
"The various upper sects have long hated them to the bone, simply waiting to break open the turtle shell and grind them to dust."
"Speaking of which,"
Fourth Master of the Bai family interjected, "it's fortunate we didn't listen to Second Brother back then. He once said that if things truly went badly, we could go to the Eastern Divine Continent to lie low. If we had gone, we would now only be waiting to die together…"
"Ahem!"
Bai Liangbi cleared his throat, signaling him to keep silent.
"Attend!"
The Bai family patriarch summoned two juniors. "See to Daoist Xiao's arrangements properly. His presence in Dusk Valley must remain confidential. Under no circumstances may it be disclosed to outsiders."
After speaking, he lifted the teacup beside him.
"I shall take my leave for now."
Chen Sanshi turned and departed.
After he left, the atmosphere in the hall grew solemn once more.
"Patriarch."
Bai Liangbi spoke first. "Are we truly going to keep him in the valley? It is true that he bears enmity with the Li family, but who knows whether he also covets the medicine valley?"
"I do not think so."
Bai Linxun interjected, "Daoist Xiao has not cooperated with us for just one day. He has always been proper in conduct. Moreover, he likely does not even know the inner details of this matter.
"We are indeed short of an alchemist. I fear no one is more suitable than Daoist Xiao. At most, we must guard against him somewhat and prevent him from approaching the medicine valley.
"And if, in the future, we are truly driven to desperation, he would also be no weak fighting force. After all, he is at the early stage of Foundation Establishment and the middle stage of the True Force Realm."
"Let him remain in the valley for now."
The one-armed old man ended the topic and instead asked, "How have recent negotiations with the Demon Suppression Office and the Li family gone?"
"Hmph!"
Bai Liangbi slammed the table heavily. "Just mentioning it makes my blood boil!
"That Zhao Laoba is utterly insatiable. It was not enough to agree to give them half every year—they insist on taking it all. They are determined to exterminate our Bai family!"
"Sigh…"
Fourth Master Bai said through gritted teeth, "Back then, if not for the wolfish ambitions of the Sikou family, our Bai family would have long become a martial sect of the Golden Body Realm or even higher. How would we be trapped in Northern Yang Dao and suffer humiliation from these people? If they truly push us to the brink, we'll release the news—then none of us will live!"
"Fourth Brother, those words are meaningless."
Bai Linxun sighed. "Our Bai family has endured so many storms over the years. How can we allow the ancestral inheritance to be severed?"
"They refuse only because it does not hurt enough. They bully our Bai family for having no worthy successors."
The one-armed old man's gaze swept across the seven sons of the Bai family as he said in frustration, "With the naturally advantageous conditions our Bai family possesses, if you had cultivated more diligently and produced two more at the perfection stage of the True Force Realm, even if the news were leaked, how would we have fallen to a matter of life and death?!"
"Patriarch, calm your anger."
They all rose to their feet. "It is we who are incompetent, dragging down the future of our clan."
"Liangbi."
The one-armed old man looked meaningfully at the current family head and said earnestly, "This old man does not have much time left. After I am gone, as family head, you must shoulder the burden of the Bai family."
Bai Liangbi lowered his head, eyes reddened, and said word by word, "Patriarch, rest assured. Liangbi knows what must be done."
"And you as well, Linxun."
The one-armed old man coughed lightly. "Your aptitude is acceptable. In the future, do not slack off again. Visit places like the Illusory Sound Pavilion less often—those places ruin one's qi and blood. At most 8 years, and you will reach perfection stage of the True Force Realm.
"As for the matter of the Sikou family, it indeed caused a break in our Bai family's lineage and left us without capable successors. We cannot place all the blame on you for the situation today."
"Do your utmost. If it truly comes to it, we can only hand the item over to True Person Yu Ling and request the protection of the Qingxu Upper Sect."
Supporting himself with his single arm against the table, he slowly rose to his feet and disappeared behind the screen under the respectful gazes of the younger generation.
"Senior Xiao."
Bai Ange pointed toward a residence beyond the pool ahead. "This is my Sixth Uncle's cave dwelling. There is a Spirit Gathering Formation inside, capable of reaching a second-tier spirit vein. It will be for Senior Xiao's temporary use."
Dusk Valley was different from Daze Market. There were even fewer areas that could create a pseudo second-tier spirit vein, making them far more precious and never used for rental.
After settling in, Chen Sanshi instructed Sima Yao and Zhang Shun to continue inquiring about the Nine Nether Forbidden Land, while he himself used the second-tier spirit vein to cultivate martial arts.
He had only just successfully reached Foundation Establishment. Advancing to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment would likely require considerable time. In comparison, the progress of the Dragon Scripture would clearly be faster.
With his previous accumulation and several days of seclusion,
Chen Sanshi soon reached another threshold of advancement.
On the surface of his body, intricate streams of light began to flow, circulating until they fused and transformed into nine-colored auspicious radiance. A divine shrine awakened within him.
Cultivation Method: Dragon Scripture (middle stage of True Force Realm)
Progress: 251/500
The God Within the Torso, named Shou Houbo, courtesy name Daoxu, measures 7 inches and 1 fen in height, clad in nine-colored garments.
Of the Eight Scenery Gods of the Lower Region, 4 have been opened.
Chen Sanshi estimated that to break through to the late stage of the True Force Realm, even with a second-tier spirit vein, it would still take several years. With the aid of superior heavenly materials, earthly treasures, or medicinal pills, the time might be shortened somewhat.
5 years.
Earlier, the Bai family had mentioned that the Shengyun Sect required them to relocate in 5 years. That meant even if a great event were to occur, it would be after 5 years. There was still sufficient time in between.
If his martial cultivation reached the late stage of the True Force Realm and his immortal cultivation advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, then aside from Golden Core cultivators, he would no longer need to fear the rest of Northern Yang Dao.
Golden Core…
That was still troublesome.
If it truly came to it…
Chen Sanshi thought of the Qingxu Sect.
The token his master had left behind stated that if he could not find the subsequent martial inheritance, he could go to the Qingxu Sect. Presumably, the relationship would not be poor.
Whether it would work or not could only be tested when the time came.
All he could do now was exhaust himself in raising his cultivation.
After leaving the cave dwelling, Chen Sanshi noticed that the area near the fire vein had become desolate. The locations that were once rented out to outsiders were now seldom occupied by external cultivators.
It was evident that the Bai family was being severely isolated.
He arrived at the alchemy room, where Bai Chaotong had already been waiting for a long time.
Girls change dramatically at 18. Nearly 3 years had passed, and she had already grown graceful and poised. Yet she still behaved as before, clutching a box in her arms with a wary expression.
"Shall we begin?"
Chen Sanshi said.
"Mm… mm…"
Bai Chaotong nodded. Just as she was about to blindfold him, the stone door of the alchemy chamber rumbled open, and a figure strode in.
The newcomer was none other than Bai Liangbi, the Bai family head.
He was also holding a box specially used for storing medicinal herbs and said, "Tong'er, you may step outside. For this batch of pills, your father will assist Daoist Xiao in refining."
"Alright."
Bai Chaotong was momentarily stunned, then left with the box in her arms.
"Daoist Xiao."
Bai Liangbi gestured. "Open the furnace."
The alchemy began.
The initial process was nothing unusual—connecting to the fire vein, boiling spirit river water, adding spiritual grain, and once the heat was sufficient, gradually incorporating the medicinal herbs.
During this process, Chen Sanshi would obscure his vision and follow the other party's instructions, controlling the heat to ensure that the Bai family's pill formula would not be leaked.
This time, 2 furnaces were refined in total. The materials of one furnace seemed extraordinary, making it extremely difficult to control and requiring prolonged tempering to extract the essence within.
After it ended, Chen Sanshi was allowed to regain his sight.
"Thank you for your hard work, Daoist."
Bai Liangbi handed a pill to him. "My Bai family will never mistreat a friend. This Hunyuan Pill will greatly benefit Daoist Xiao in improving his martial realm. You may accept it."
Chen Sanshi took the pill. After confirming there was no issue, he noticed the other several pills that Bai Liangbi was carefully storing away—crimson in color.
He discerned their composition and was slightly surprised.
Generally speaking, for second-tier pills other than the Foundation Establishment Pill, the main medicinal ingredient ranged from 200 to 500 years of age.
But those in his hand…
The materials contained within were all over 1,000 years old.