C29 Another Way!

Upon learning about the effects of these pills, Han Qianxue was even more astonished than Gu Ling'er had been. Coming from the Myriad Treasures Tavern, she always assessed the value of her acquisitions based on their utility.

"Did you refine these as well?" she inquired.

Jiang Fann nodded. "I only have a few left. Use them wisely and sparingly. The Stage Breaking Pill should only be used as a last resort—it's for fighting for one's life."

Han Qianxue carefully stored the pills and appraised Jiang Fann. "There are innumerable pills in the world, yet I've never heard of one like this. Regardless of its origin, if word gets out, it will surely incite a frenzy among the powers that be, especially the Stage Breaking Pill. How revolutionary would it be for a sect?"

Jiang Fann offered a noncommittal smile, choosing to keep some matters to himself. The Stage Breaking Pill, documented in the Chapter of Pill Dao, could be a game-changer for the Jiang Family of Loongze County. In times of turmoil, if the Jiang Family's Innate Stage cultivators took the pill, they would gain the strength of over ten Spirit Refining Stage masters within a quarter of an hour—a brief span, yet ample to turn the tide. Such was the pill's extraordinary potential.

Han Qianxue's smile took on a coquettish edge. "Little Jiang Fann, once we leave the secret realm, would you consider accompanying me to the Imperial Capital?"

Without hesitation, Jiang Fann declined her offer. "I'll maintain my ties with you through the Myriad Treasures Tavern, but that's it. However, I plan to head to Leehuo Academy afterwards. If you wish to see me, that's where I'll be."

Shi Chengtian shifted uncomfortably. "Boss, I'd like to visit my family after we exit the secret realm, and then I'll make my way to Leehuo Academy to regroup with you."

Jiang Fann clapped him on the shoulder, his smile reassuring. "We'll discuss it once we're out. For now, tread carefully in the Black Dragon Cave."

Shi Chengtian nodded, his response measured and silent.

Han Qianxue chuckled, "Leehuo Academy won't be able to hold someone of your caliber. My Myriad Treasures Tavern has connections with Thousand Treasures Mountain—I can introduce you. With your skills, gaining entry there should be a breeze."

Jiang Fann was taken aback at the mention of Thousand Treasures Mountain. "So that's why Myriad Treasures Tavern is as wealthy as a nation—it's tied to Thousand Treasures Mountain."

Both Thousand Treasures Mountain and Myriad Beasts Mountain were colossal powers, their might rivaling the Leehuo Dynasty itself. On this continent, Thousand Treasures Mountain's status was on par with that of Myriad Treasures Tavern within the Leehuo Dynasty.

From Han Qianxue's remarks, it was clear there was some connection with Thousand Treasures Mountain.

In his past life, Jiang Fann had dealings with Thousand Treasures Mountain, a place best described as enigmatic.

Yet, there were other hidden matters within Thousand Treasures Mountain that even he, as the Medicine King, had regarded with a mix of awe and caution.

Jiang Fann replied with a smile, "I appreciate the offer, but I've got unfinished business at Leehuo Academy. We can revisit this when the time is right."

Han Qianxue didn't press the issue. She understood Jiang Fann's disposition well—he responded better to a gentle approach than to pressure.

Subsequently, the trio split up to seek their own legacies.

Han Qianxue opted for the lowest level, venturing straight into the vast cavern.

Shi Chengtian set off in a different direction, while Jiang Fann was the last to leave. He took his time, choosing to explore near the Black Dragon Cave first. Such places were bound to harbor unique herbs and spiritual medicines, all of which Jiang Fann welcomed, regardless of quantity.

Having recently advanced to the Later Period of the Innate Stage, he needed to start gathering ingredients for the Stage Breaking Pill to aid in his ascent to the Spirit Refining Stage.

After a day spent gathering various herbs, Jiang Fann, out of sheer boredom, began to ascend the mountain. From the base, the Black Dragon Cave seemed to cover a modest expanse.

But upon scaling the heights, Jiang Fann realized it was protected by a complex inhibition—the visible part of the Black Dragon Cave was a mere fraction of its true extent.

The higher he climbed, the fiercer the wind became.

Jiang Fann, steady and unhurried, communicated with the fragmented scroll, attuning himself to the surrounding energies. He was determined to secure any spirit medicines he encountered, no matter the difficulty of the ascent.

In terms of resilience, few could match Jiang Fann.

Peering downward, the ground was obscured by mist, invisible to the eye.

Gale-force winds lashed at him, slicing like knives. Despite Jiang Fann's formidable physical strength, he was marked with white lines where the wind had cut into him.

A cave lay nearby, yet Jiang Fann had no intention of seeking shelter; he continued his upward climb.

Looking up, the summit remained out of sight.

The wind grew ever more intense, but with it, Jiang Fann's excitement mounted. The higher he ascended, the more he sensed traces of dragon essence within the wind. What ordinary gust could wield such destructive force?

Jiang Fann harbored a daring suspicion: perhaps the dragon crystal was not located within the Black Dragon Cave, but rather, above it.

In a matter of moments, they had scaled nearly a hundred meters. Jiang Fann's clothes were torn, his body adorned with red welts, a testament to his rough journey.

Yet at this juncture, the search was on for only the most potent of ingredients, which were assuredly spirit medicines.

Within this treacherous hundred-meter stretch, they had harvested two stalks of Dragon Breath Bamboo, capable of being refined into pills that would significantly bolster one's constitution, given their growth amidst such ruinous winds.

...

Jiang Fann and his companions seemed to vanish into thin air.

Nevertheless, the search for the trio never ceased in the outside world.

Only three cultivators from the Myriad Poison Sect remained within the secret realm, now allied.

Among them was one who had attained the Later Period of the Innate Stage. They had ventured to an unnamed valley to recover bodies, nearly certain that their assailant was immensely powerful, likely no weaker than themselves.

This conflict had resulted in the complete loss of Gu Ling'er's trail, costing the Myriad Poison Sect dearly in both resources and personnel.

"We must uncover the identities of these two individuals. Otherwise, once we leave, our master's wrath will be upon us, and we'll be left to face the dire consequences!"

"Senior Brother Gu Tian, we've received some intel. Among the two individuals, one is a demon who departed with a woman. She's quite renowned, yet she remained uninvolved in the skirmish. It's Han Qianxue from the Myriad Treasures Tavern," reported the informant.

Gu Tian, the group's leader, furrowed his brow.

"Han Qianxue of the Myriad Treasures Tavern? How did they get mixed up in this? Well, it's a relief she stayed out of the fray. Nonetheless, those two must be eliminated."

"Understood! We'll ascertain their identities posthaste."

Gu Tian gave a nod of approval, then inquired, "What's become of the Lingloong Pavilion group? They're more familiar with this secret realm. We should track them down and claim their legacy!"

"The word is they've set off for the Misty Forest. It's rumored that the Black Dragon Cave is concealed there, but the area is fraught with peril. Senior Brother, do we dare to venture?"

A smile played on Gu Tian's lips. "Of course, we dare. The Black Dragon Cave was the Black Dragon King's training ground. There's bound to be a legacy awaiting us. We depart immediately!"

The Myriad Poison Sect wasn't the only one monitoring the Lingloong Pavilion's movements. Numerous factions, including a host of young prodigies, were all vying for the ultimate legacy. Who wouldn't want a piece of that fortune?

As soon as the Lingloong Pavilion reached the Misty Forest, the news swiftly reached the ears of these ambitious youths, prompting a convergence at the forest's edge.

Jiang Fann had been perched on the cliffside for several days.

Periodically, he would consume some medicinal pills, and now the wind wasn't as relentless as it had been below. Yet whenever it whipped up, Jiang Fann's flesh would rip open, staining his garments with blood.

He could now make out the summit, shrouded within the clouds, its secrets veiled.

At this altitude, no spirit medicine could thrive, but Jiang Fann's resolve remained unshaken. Having made his choice, he was determined to see it through to the end.

With a pained yet determined grin, he muttered to himself, "This is agony! But it's just a few hundred meters more. I can endure this."

He bolstered his spirits and resumed his ascent. It was a good thing he had packed plenty of healing medicine, making it easy to manage the flesh wounds he sustained.

Yet, Jiang Fann hadn't anticipated that a mere few hundred meters would take three grueling days to climb, leaving him utterly drained with his Qi Sea bone-dry.

When he was just a few meters shy of the summit, Jiang Fann was met with an overwhelming force. Its origin was unknown, but it rendered him virtually immobile.

Finding a protruding ledge, he settled into a cross-legged position.

As he engaged his cultivation technique, Jiang Fann was thrilled to discover a slight enhancement in his physical strength from the climb. His realm was teetering on the brink of a breakthrough, poised to advance into the Later Period of the Innate Stage whenever he chose.

The climb had been draining, yet it doubled as a form of training, a unique aspect of the Black Dragon Cave, it seemed.

Jiang Fann opted for caution, deciding to break through before continuing his climb, ensuring he'd reach the peak in prime condition.

Suddenly, a fierce wind lashed out, slashing his body with dozens of cuts and drenching him in blood.

Swiftly ingesting a Stage Breaking Pill, he invoked the Arts of Pill Dao to accelerate the healing process and staunch the bleeding. In that critical moment, Jiang Fann seized the opportunity to advance.

His aura surged, his Qi Sea whirled into action, voraciously drawing in the ambient Spiritual Strength. Pill after pill disappeared into his mouth, replenishing his depleted reserves.

The breakthrough took a mere thirty minutes, during which Jiang Fann keenly felt the enhancement of his Spiritual Sense and physical form. He absorbed Spiritual Strength relentlessly until his Qi Sea was brimming.

Throughout that half-hour, the gales struck thrice more, reducing Jiang Fann's upper garments to tatters.

Rising to his feet, he tackled the remaining climb. The breakthrough had significantly lessened the oppressive aura's force.

He wasn't soaring, but nothing could halt his progress now—not in these final meters.

Five meters.

Three meters.

One meter.

As Jiang Fann crested the mountaintop, the storm clouds scattered, and the oppressive force vanished into thin air.

The destructive gale that had raged around him finally dissipated. Jiang Fann lay atop the mountain peak, taking deep breaths to steady himself and regain his composure. The sun's rays bathed him in warmth, and he savored the tranquility of the moment.

Opening his eyes, he surveyed his surroundings. The summit spanned roughly a hundred square meters, with a raised area in the center where a cave had been carved out. The peak was bathed in sunlight, a stark contrast to what Jiang Fann had anticipated.

Not far from the cave, Jiang Fann noticed a meditation mat, pristine and untouched by dust, clearly indicating it was no ordinary object. He chose not to pick it up; instead, he sat down cross-legged upon it, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate. The mat's presence here had to signify something important.

Suddenly, a myriad of images flooded Jiang Fann's mind: battles, moments of sudden insight, and more, all flickering before him. These scenes were woven with emotions—joy, sorrow, fury, and detachment—chronicling the life of the Black Dragon King.

To Jiang Fann, these seemed like mere snippets of another's life, offering him no real benefit. As the images intensified, they began to take a toll on his Spiritual Sense. Within minutes, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his complexion grew pale as his Spiritual Sense was drained at an alarming rate.

Yet, Jiang Fann was determined not to stop. He couldn't believe the Black Dragon King would leave behind such a trivial legacy merely to vex his descendants. There had to be other ways to strengthen a descendant's Spiritual Sense—this couldn't be it.

This had to be a test, and Jiang Fann was not one to back down. The images flashed by at an ever-increasing pace, but he persisted. It was a pity that Spiritual Sense couldn't be replenished with medicine; otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a vulnerable state.

As the images in his mind began to fade to darkness, Jiang Fann recognized the signs of his overtaxed Spiritual Sense.