Chapter Thirty-One: Provocation

“Ding! Sect’s initial construction task completed. Reward: ten Grade One spirit implements, one hundred disciple identity jade tokens, ten Grade One Earth Spirit Pills, ten Grade One array talismans, five hundred Qi Gathering Pills, and one manual of Earth Traversing Golden Light Technique.”

The sect construction task was finished, and the rewards bestowed by the Sect Master system were generous—spirit implements, spirit pills, array talismans, and secret manuals, all included. It was not in vain that Jiang Yan had toiled to complete the task, scrambling here and there, even fighting a fierce battle with disciples of the Tianshan Sect.

Jiang Yan’s mind connected with the Sect Master’s ring, and a small, milky-white porcelain bottle appeared in his palm. He murmured softly, “Earth Spirit Pill, at last you have appeared—the pill that can elevate one to the third layer of Qi Refinement.”

His gaze fixed on the porcelain bottle, and a transparent information interface flickered before his eyes.

Spirit Pill: Earth Spirit Pill
Grade: One
Effect: Raises the cultivator’s power to the third layer of Qi Refinement; alters the cultivator’s constitution

Jiang Yan was delighted; it was indeed the Grade One Earth Spirit Pill he needed, a pill that could raise a cultivator’s realm—truly a heaven-defying medicine. From his past gaming experience, although the Earth Spirit Pill was only a Grade One spirit pill, refining it required an alchemist of Grade Three or above. Grade Four alchemists, after all, were considered genuine mid-grade masters.

Looking across the entire Linqing Prefecture, not a single Grade Four alchemist could be found, attesting to the difficulty of crafting Earth Spirit Pills. Moreover, its effects were limited, only raising a cultivator to the third layer of Qi Refinement, and not beyond. Thus, Grade Four alchemists were often unwilling to produce such pills, whose effects did not match the demanding refinement process, making them even rarer.

Jiang Yan put away the Earth Spirit Pill, secretly calculating. Tang Wan had already reached the third layer of Qi Refinement, Nanmen Luo had arrived at the fourth, and, barring any mishap, after taking the Bone-Easy Pill, his junior brother Mu Yun would also reach the third layer. The last slot for a disciple at the third layer must then fall to little Yun Ying. This Earth Spirit Pill would be given to her; once she refined it, she could then take the Bone-Easy Pill to change her talent.

Putting away the Bone-Easy Pill, Jiang Yan’s palm shifted, and a strange vine appeared in his hand—a Grade One spirit implement, a reward for completing the construction task.

The vine seemed freshly picked, with a few green leaves still clinging to it. The vine itself was translucent, with a stream of green light swirling along its length, vibrant and lush, dripping with vitality.

Jiang Yan gently grasped the vine, releasing a thread of spiritual energy from his palm. Instantly, a blue glow shimmered from the verdant vine. In that moment, the vine was enveloped in azure light—his Green Wood Art spiritual power had entered the vine, the energy manifesting as a visible blue glow.

He watched the vine, now shining with hazy blue light, and the transparent information interface appeared before him.

Spirit Implement: Green Wood Vine
Grade: Grade One, upgradeable
Attached Abilities: Green Wood Archery, Instant Blossoming

A smile rose to Jiang Yan’s ears. This was a Grade One, upgradeable spirit implement—in truth, its future grade was unknown. This wood-type implement, catalyzed by his Green Wood Art, would upgrade automatically as his cultivation advanced. One day, if he established his foundation, this implement might become Grade Two.

“Senior brother, what are you giggling about up there?” Tang Wan’s puzzled voice came from the steps below the hall. She was quite bemused; early in the morning, the sect master was holding a green vine, grinning foolishly, drooling.

“Ah!” Jiang Yan flushed, quickly wiping his mouth. He looked at Tang Wan, embarrassed. “Junior sister, you’re awake. Didn’t expect that, even with the puppet men, building this hall took all night. Now the dawn has come. Would you like to enter and have a look?”

Tang Wan’s delicate face blossomed with a gentle smile, genuinely happy for the sect’s grand new hall. Hearing Jiang Yan’s invitation, she responded with a graceful salute, “As the sect master commands, your junior will obey.”

Jiang Yan led the way into the hall, and Tang Wan followed lightly, quickly catching up, stepping in just behind him.

As he entered, his eyes brightened—the interior seemed even more luminous than outside. The hall spanned over ten yards in width, several yards high, and stretched dozens of meters deep. Facing the entrance, a raised platform stood at the back, not very tall, about waist-high, with several meditation cushions placed atop and wide standing spaces behind.

Before the platform, several rows of cushions were arranged in a straight line, all facing the platform.

Jiang Yan leapt lightly onto the platform, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, setting aside his Green Wood Vine. He gently stroked his ring, and a strange sensation welled up—he felt intimately familiar with every corner of the hall.

Five cushions on the platform; sixteen more arranged in four rows below; Tang Wan, demurely standing at the side; two blue-robed talisman guards respectfully posted at the entrance; the side door behind the platform leading to an inner chamber; the spacious central hall, orderly training rooms, and further back, newly built disciples’ quarters and elders’ chambers…

“Hey, you can’t stop me from going in!” Yun Ying’s childish voice rang from the entrance, mingled with Nanmen Luo and Mu Yun’s confused tones.

The three had just risen and saw the grand, newly finished hall. Yun Ying immediately tried to rush in, but was blocked by the blue-robed talisman guards at the door. Infuriated, the little lady was about to erupt—on Mount Hua, aside from the senior brother, she was the authority, and these newcomers dared bar her way.

Seeing Yun Ying roll up her sleeves, exposing snow-white arms like tender lotus roots, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but smile. With a thought, he signaled the talisman guards, who promptly stepped aside, clearing the way.

Seeing the guards yield, Yun Ying, finding it less interesting, waved her little arms and charged into the hall, looking everywhere. Spotting Jiang Yan seated cross-legged on the platform, she bounced over, climbed up, and sat beside him on a cushion, mimicking his posture with proper solemnity.

“Greetings, Sect Master senior brother.” Mu Yun and Nanmen Luo walked in and respectfully saluted Jiang Yan. They dared not act as freely as little Yun Ying. As the sect’s buildings grew and their own cultivation increased, their reverence for Jiang Yan deepened, his abilities ever more inscrutable.

Jiang Yan waved his hand, indicating they need not stand on ceremony. He looked warmly at Mu Yun. “Junior brother Mu, after taking the Bone-Easy Pill, do you think you can break through to the third layer of Qi Refinement today?”

Mu Yun’s round face lifted, determination shining. He replied earnestly, “Sect Master senior brother, today I will definitely break through to the third layer. You can await good news.”

Jiang Yan chuckled, praising him, then reached over to tousle Yun Ying’s hair, smiling as he addressed the three by the platform. “I’ve decided—today I’ll personally protect little junior sister as she takes the Earth Spirit Pill to advance to the third layer. Junior brother Mu, if you don’t break through today, you’ll fall behind her.”

Mu Yun paused, unsure what the Earth Spirit Pill was, but Jiang Yan’s tone spurred him on. He lifted his round face, slightly dissatisfied, “Sect Master senior brother, just watch. Today I’ll reach the third layer before little junior sister.”

That was exactly the effect Jiang Yan wanted. Seeing Mu Yun fired up, he nodded solemnly. “Good, junior brother Mu. If you break through before little junior sister, I’ll reward you with a Grade One spirit implement.”

Mu Yun’s face lit up with excitement. He bowed deeply to Jiang Yan. “I won’t let you down.” With that, he turned and left the hall, heading to the training grounds.

Yun Ying, her head tousled by Jiang Yan, wasn’t annoyed. Her bright eyes darted around the hall. Seeing Mu Yun leave, she piped up, “Senior brother, what’s an Earth Spirit Pill? Is it tasty?”

Jiang Yan glanced at Mu Yun’s departing figure, flipped his wrist, and produced the Green Wood Archery manual, wrapped it in spiritual energy, and handed it to Nanmen Luo. “Junior brother Nanmen, since you’ve advanced to the fourth layer, I grant you this Green Wood Archery manual. Cultivate it well. Today, as Mu Yun takes the Bone-Easy Pill, you’ll be his protector.”

Nanmen Luo accepted respectfully, inwardly shaken. The sect master had granted him an attack technique—his abilities were ever more mysterious. He saluted Jiang Yan, and with permission, hurried off the mountain to the training grounds in pursuit of Mu Yun, eager to break through to the third layer.

As for the heroine, I won’t say more for now. With female characters present, when affection arises, the heroine will naturally emerge; if not, consider it unspoken.