Chapter 187 – Climbing the Mountain to Inquire, Alchemy to Win Favor

With a flicker in his eyes, Yu Xian didn’t say another word and turned around, once again heading up the mountain.

At this moment, the entire mountain seemed different—perhaps because He Butong had emerged from seclusion.

The protective formation’s power had weakened, dispersing the dense mist and allowing sunlight to shine through, bathing the area in tranquility and peace.

Now standing at the base of the mountain, Yu Xian could already see the pavilions and courtyards halfway up the slope.

Two incense sticks later, Yu Xian returned to the same spot as before.

To his surprise, the young woman from before was already standing there.

Seeing Yu Xian approach, she rolled her eyes and said, “Master guessed you’d return and told me to guide you up. Come with me—don’t want you getting lost in the formation.”

“Many thanks, Fairy.”

Yu Xian smiled lightly and followed her.

With He Butong’s cultivation at mid-stage Golden Core, and Yu Xian currently within his formation, it made sense the man knew of his arrival.

That must’ve been why he had the young woman come out and lead him—so he wouldn’t accidentally step into the inner formation and get hurt.

As they walked the mountain trail, Yu Xian didn’t sense any formations—just a peaceful path.

In less than half a stick of incense, they arrived at the courtyard pavilion.

The young woman pushed open the gate and called, “Master, I’ve brought him.”

“Good. Bring him in.”

He Butong’s voice came from the central hall, carrying a tinge of amusement.

She gave Yu Xian a glance and said calmly, “Go in.”

“Much obliged.”

Yu Xian bowed with a smile, stepped into the courtyard, and walked toward the hall.

Inside was simple and humble—just an incense table, a memorial tablet of a master, and a meditation cushion. Gauzy curtains surrounded the space, and the air was filled with curling incense smoke.

He Butong sat cross-legged on the cushion, appearing calm and composed.

“Junior Yu Xian pays respects to Senior. Congratulations on your successful breakthrough to mid-stage Golden Core. I believe reaching Nascent Soul is only a matter of time!”

Yu Xian bowed sincerely to the elder’s back.

“Nascent Soul, eh? That’s a long way off. If I can reach late-stage Golden Core within two hundred years, I’ll be satisfied.”

He Butong chuckled and turned around.

Yu Xian remained bowed. “Senior is a chosen of the heavens. I firmly believe your path to Nascent Soul will be realized.”

“Heaven’s chosen? Hahaha…”

He Butong was stunned for a moment. Over his two hundred years, he’d heard all kinds of flattery—genius, gifted, extraordinary—but never “heaven’s chosen.” It amused him.

Clapping lightly, he said, “Interesting. Then I’ll take your words as a blessing. Rise—no need for such formality.”

Yu Xian stood up respectfully. “They are not mere words but my heartfelt belief.”

“Enough, I understand your intent. No need to say more.”

Though He Butong waved it off, his pleased expression was evident.

He looked Yu Xian over and smiled. “Now tell me, you came from Mo City seeking me—what is it you want?”

Yu Xian gave a slight bow. “That day I purchased a tier-five wood from you, and it greatly benefited my cultivation. I came specially to thank you.”

“Only to thank me?”

He Butong’s eyes narrowed, as if seeing through him. “You’re here to ask about the wood’s origin, aren’t you?”

“Senior has truly sharp insight!”

Yu Xian quickly bowed again. “I dare not deceive you. The wood’s effect was tremendous—I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and finally came to disturb you. I wonder… do you still have more? I’m willing to pay 1.3 million spirit stones.”

“Heh, I thought so.”

He Butong stroked his beard. “Unfortunately, I acquired that wood by chance and couldn’t use it myself. That’s why I offered it up for trade. You happened to get it. I have no more.”

Yu Xian’s eyes dimmed with disappointment.

But then they flickered. “Senior… could you tell me where you acquired it?”

He Butong’s face darkened slightly.

Yu Xian quickly bowed. “Forgive me. I’ve overstepped. I’m not worthy to ask such a question…”

“Forget it.”

He Butong waved his hand. “It’s no big deal. I traded for it with a fellow Golden Core cultivator from the Blood River Sect.”

Blood River Sect… a Golden Core cultivator…

Yu Xian’s heart stirred.

It had to be one of the Golden Core elders of the Blood River Sect’s branch atop Mount Yunyin!

A major clue!

However, there were more than ten Golden Core cultivators in the branch. Which one specifically? He didn’t know.

So, Yu Xian bowed. “Thank you for enlightening me. I will remember your kindness. If you ever need help, I will come without hesitation. For now, I shall take my leave.”

Having narrowed the suspect pool, he could plan from there.

Once he advanced to Golden Core himself, he could investigate more thoroughly. For now, as a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, seeking out a Golden Core would be suicidal.

“Wait.”

Before Yu Xian could turn to leave, He Butong smiled. “You say you’ll repay me—but why wait? You can repay me today.”

Yu Xian bowed deeply. “Please command me, Senior. If it’s within my ability, I shall not refuse.”

“Oh, it’s within your ability.”

He Butong smiled. “You’re already mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Crafting a tier-five low-grade pill shouldn’t be too difficult now, right?”

“Uh…”

Yu Xian hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “If Senior wants a pill, I’ll give it my all. Though I only succeeded last time by luck at the Golden Scales Pavilion, I’ll try again. If I fail…”

“Hahaha, no need to worry. If you fail, I won’t blame you.”

He Butong chuckled. “Just try it. Surely it’s easier than the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill you made for Fang Jue?”

Yu Xian’s expression grew solemn. “I’ll do my utmost!”

“Good.”

He Butong nodded. “I just broke through. To stabilize my realm, I need a Pure Yang Pill. You came at the right time.”

Yu Xian said, “Then please, give me the pill recipe and materials. I’ll begin immediately and aim to finish before nightfall.”

Pleased with Yu Xian’s attitude, He Butong handed him a mid-grade storage pouch. “Everything’s inside—recipe, herbs, monster cores. Don’t stress.”

Yu Xian respectfully accepted. “I’ll give it my all!”

He sat down immediately and summoned the recipe.

He had considered all possibilities before coming—everything from detention to coercion. Death was unlikely, since He Butong had no reason to kill him.

This was actually the best outcome.

A tier-five low-grade pill—he wasn’t completely confident, but he had a 70–80% chance.

But in front of He Butong, he couldn’t act overconfident.

That would only bring him trouble!

He Butong watched Yu Xian’s focused study with a smile.

This boy knew how to read the situation—very good.

If Yu Xian had refused, He Butong really couldn’t force him. Killing him would provoke Golden Scales Pavilion’s elders, especially since their master was the Nascent Soul cultivator Real Person Teng Long.

But Yu Xian was cooperative—willing, even.

“If he succeeds… I might inquire further about the wood for him.”

He Butong mused.

He had planned to leave soon anyway. A trip to Blood River Sect, to meet that old friend and ask about the wood, would be easy.

If Yu Xian failed…

Those materials were valuable even to a Golden Core. If wasted—well, who could say what might happen?

In the hall, Yu Xian immersed himself in studying the pill recipe. Every new tier-five formula was rare and precious knowledge.

Time passed—half an hour went by.

Outside, the young woman named Qu’er peeked in and asked, “Master, aren’t you going to rest? What is he doing in there?”

He Butong smiled and waved her off. “Don’t disturb him. He’s studying the recipe.”

“Okay…”

She pouted but obediently left.

Still, she wasn’t pleased. Her master had just emerged after more than a year, but he immediately let some outsider in and spent time with him?

Why wasn’t she the one being taught?

In the courtyard, Yu Xian studied the recipe for another hour.

When he finally had it memorized, he raised his head and said, “Senior, I’m ready.”

“Good!”

He Butong laughed, stood up, and left the hall. “The room is yours. I won’t disturb you. Focus on the pill.”

With that, he closed the door behind him.

No one disturbed a pill master during their craft.

Yu Xian sighed in relief and summoned a red pill furnace.

It was his first time using this four-tier mid-grade cauldron, better than the Lian Grass Furnace—it could withstand even tier-six pill flames.

He laid out the ingredients and lit the fire.

Outside, Qu’er greeted He Butong with a bright smile. “Master, congratulations on your breakthrough! You will surely ascend to Nascent Soul and even Deity Transformation!”

“You’re such a sweet talker.”

He Butong laughed and pinched her cheek. “Anyone visit while I was in seclusion?”

Qu’er shook her head. “Only two elders came early on. I told them what you instructed. The only other visitor was that guy inside. Master, who is he? You seem to value him a lot.”

“Jealous?”

He Butong chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not taking in a new disciple. He’s from Golden Scales Pavilion in Mo City. We’re acquainted. He came with a request.”

“Oh…”

She nodded, still puzzled.

“Plenty of time left. Let me see your cultivation over the past year. Show me the Piercing Rock Sword Art I taught you.”

Pill-making would take at least an hour, so he went to the back mountain with Qu’er for instruction.

Half an hour later…

A medicinal fragrance wafted from the hall, followed by a soft sound.

Moments later, the door opened. Yu Xian, sweating and tired, stepped out.

“Oh? You’re done?”

He Butong, sensing the movement, instantly returned in a flash of light.

“Senior, I have completed the task!”

Yu Xian bowed. “It took me four incense sticks of time, but I succeeded. It is a low-grade Pure Yang Pill—I hope you’re not disappointed.”

He handed over a white jade bottle.

“Oh? You succeeded?”

He Butong’s eyes lit up with joy. He opened the bottle, checked inside, and his smile widened.

“Excellent!”

He Butong laughed. “You truly are a pill-crafting genius! For this merit alone, I must help you inquire about that wood!”

Yu Xian’s eyes shone with gratitude. “Thank you, Senior!”

“No need.”

He Butong looked at him like a precious treasure.

If this boy survived to perfect Foundation Establishment, could he craft tier-six pills?

Such talent—any cultivator would want to befriend him!

“I have an idea,” He Butong said. “Why not come with me? I’ll take you to the Blood River Sect. If my friend still has the wood, we can get it right away. No need to make multiple trips.”

Yu Xian’s heart skipped.

Blood River Sect? Isn’t that the same as Mount Yunyin?

If someone recognized him…

“Blood River Sect?”

He hesitated. “To be honest, I once killed several of their Qi Condensation disciples. If someone recognizes me…”

“Pah! Just wear a disguise.”

He Butong waved it off. “Do you want to go or not? If yes, come with me. If not, head back to Mo City and wait. I’ll inform you if I learn anything.”

Yu Xian frowned in thought. Then he bowed. “I can’t wait that long. I’d rather go with you! I’ll disguise myself and make sure I don’t cause you any trouble!”

“Hahaha, good!”

He Butong nodded. “Then rest today. Tomorrow, we depart for the Blood River Sect.”