C644 I Am the Descendant of the Medicine God!
Loong Jie, the venerable patriarch of the Nagas, was well-versed in the enigmatic powers of the Life Altar, as was the Desolate God—no further explanation needed. When Chen Liangquan crushed that pellet, he unwittingly unleashed the Life Altar's mystical force, consuming the vestiges of Qi and blood from a Seventh Level Demon. Perhaps it was a test to confirm a suspicion: Did he, in fact, harbor a Life Altar within himself?
In the vast expanse of the Outer Star River, only an elite few among the oldest and most noble races are born with a Life Altar. The current leader of the Blood Devil Clan, a branch of the Outland Devaputra, possesses one such altar, underscoring the rarity of this trait even among the celestial realms.
Yet, he was of pure human lineage, having forged his own Life Altar within the microcosm of his Qi and blood solely by refining pieces of Giant Beast Amber from the Chaos Roc. Could there be an ancient link between the Life Altar and the Starry Behemoth? And might there be a hidden connection to the Aura Altar of the Outland Devaputra?
These perplexing questions swirled in Yu Yuan's mind, creating a tumult that disrupted his inner tranquility and his ability to delve into meditative practice.
After much contemplation, Yu Yuan retrieved an exquisitely crafted mask purchased from the Babel Chamber of Commerce's branch in Spider City. Placing the mask upon his face, he invoked the Evil Body Refining Skill. His bones popped and his muscles subtly shifted, transforming him into a completely different person—a slightly shorter young man with a sallow complexion and dull eyes.
Mastering the secret arts of physical transformation, altering his appearance was as effortless as flipping his hand. With further strength and refined control over his muscle fibers, he would eventually cast aside the mask and reshape his visage to any form he desired.
Securing the Evil Cauldron back into the Violet Palace and sliding the sword sheath into the Mustard Seed Bracelet, Yu Yuan stepped out from the Blue Sky Shrine. Though it was midday, the sky was overcast, heavy with the threat of an impending downpour. Unconcerned, Yu Yuan strode through Luan Bird City, a solitary figure meandering without direction under the brooding heavens.
Beneath his feet, within the inner city, Chen Liangquan had just one request for him—keep out of sight from the Demon Palace, the three upper sects, and the Devil Palace. This aligned perfectly with his original intention for venturing into the Crimson Desert.
After securing the Evil Cauldron and altering his appearance, he navigated Luan Bird City with ease. A touch more cautious, he managed to avoid drawing unwanted attention. As a young cultivator at the Penetrating Stage, he might stand out in other cities, but Luan Bird City posed no such concern. The city was a melting pot, attracting cultivators from various empires and young prodigies from two other continents who had come seeking fame and fortune.
His curiosity was piqued by this towering city on the Profound Sky Continent. He was eager to uncover the secrets behind Luan Bird City's rapid rise to prominence as the continent's largest metropolis within a mere couple of centuries.
For the following days, he paid no mind to the events unfolding in the Crimson Desert, instead exploring the vibrant and sometimes sordid streets of Luan Bird City. Built on the foundations of the Luan Bird Empire, this majestic city ranked first on the continent and was home to a diverse populace.
He encountered individuals from the Divine Might Empire, the Brilliant Sun Empire, the Kingdom of Hantian, and the Rainier Empire, as well as cultivators from various sects and clans within the city. Some sought education, others a mentor, all hoping to embark on their own paths of cultivation.
Luan Bird City was dotted with academies, private schools, and sects dedicated to teaching the ways of cultivation. Even third-rate sects like the Pure Light Sect, the Ghoul Glyph Sect, and the Voodoo Cult openly advertised, drawing in young aspirants with a knack for the mystical arts.
To the mighty sects of the Profound Sky Continent and the Quietus Continent, the Heavenly Source Continent was akin to a vast pasture. The upper sects, along with the Demon Palace and Devil Palace, dispatched envoys and agents to wander the empires, scouting for newborns from renowned families with the potential for cultivation.
Many of the most exceptional cultivation prodigies showed signs of their potential before they were even born. These individuals were highly sought after by the three upper sects: the Demon Palace, the Devil Palace, and another sect of similar stature.
Following in prestige were those like Lim Zhuyun, Su Yan, Yan Lu, and Yuan Lianyao, who caught the attention of the seven lower sects, including the Red Devil Sect, and were subsequently inducted into their ranks.
Sects such as the Pure Light Sect, the Ghoul Glyph Sect, and the Voodoo Cult, considered third-tier, had to make do with those who remained unchosen.
Every so often, a cultivator with exceptional talent would slip through the net and join these lesser sects, potentially altering the destiny of the entire sect.
Luan Bird City stood as the continent's most formidable stronghold, a veritable magnet for talent.
It made perfect sense for the third-tier sects from the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent to converge on Luan Bird City to scout for talent.
Even among these sects, there was a discerning eye for quality, and they were selective in their recruitment.
"Little Clouds Sect."
Yu Yuan paused in front of a Dao House, eyeing the inscription on the signboard, and spoke to himself in a low murmur.
The street was lined with similar establishments, including the Serene Mystic Sect, the Phantom Sect, the Taishi Sect, and the Heavenly Clear Sect.
Most of these sects were unfamiliar to Yu Yuan, likely having been founded within the last three hundred years.
Some, however, stirred faint memories of past grandeur within him.
"Young man, you've reached the Penetrating Stage; surely you've been under the tutelage of a renowned master?" At the Dao House entrance, an old man with a limp leg sat cracking melon seeds, casting a glance at Yu Yuan. "As for our Little Clouds Sect, we're a bit on the modest side, probably not quite the right fit for you."
Nearby, two practitioners from the Serene Mystic Sect and the Dark Illusion Sect, who were also seeking disciples, overheard and looked over, grinning.
The old man with the limp and the other two were all practitioners at the Penetrating Stage.
They were quite advanced in age, having only recently advanced to the Middle and Late Periods of the Penetrating Stage. If they could manage to condense a Yin God in the future, that would likely be their ultimate achievement. The prospect of ascending to the Soul Wandering Stage seemed beyond their reach.
Yu Yuan, on the other hand, appeared youthful yet had already attained the Penetrating Stage at an early age, suggesting a more promising future than theirs.
It was somewhat odd to see such an individual standing before the Dao House established by the "Little Clouds Sect" in Luan Bird City. Typically, those who came to this street seeking to join the sect were at the Pulse Opening or Spirit Accumulating Stages, with cultivators at the Yellow Court Stage being a rarity.
"I've heard that the person responsible for recruiting for the Little Clouds Sect here is named Xie Bin?" Yu Yuan inquired.
The old man with the limp nodded, "Yes, the manager's name is Xie Bin. Are you acquainted with him?"
"I'd like to see him to find out if he's the person I know." Yu Yuan nonchalantly retrieved three pieces of clear Spiritual Jade from his Mustard Seed Bracelet and placed them in the old man's hand, "Thank you for your assistance."
With a grin, the old man with the limp accepted the Spiritual Jade under the envious looks of his two companions and said, "I'll lead you to him."
He hobbled ahead, with Yu Yuan following at a leisurely pace.
The Dao House was a quadrangle courtyard lush with potted plants, each meticulously pruned. An elderly man with snow-white hair was stooped over, attentively watering the plants with a kettle.
"Old Xie, this young man has specifically asked to see you," called out the old man with the limp.
Xie Bin, pausing his watering, turned around with a look of surprise. "Young man, are we acquainted?"
Upon seeing Xie Bin's face as he turned, Yu Yuan drew a deep breath and glanced again at the neatly trimmed plants, his suspicions growing stronger. "Could we find a quiet place to talk?"
Setting down the watering can, Xie Bin motioned towards an open room, "Come with me."
Once inside, Yu Yuan produced several banners and strategically placed them around the room, along with the Spiritual Jade, activating an array that shielded them from any external soul consciousness detection.
Xie Binn silently observed the other's movements, offering no interruption.
Only after Yu Yuan had meticulously ensured their conversation within the room would be shielded from eavesdropping ears and undetectable to soul perception did he speak earnestly, "I am the successor of the Medicine God!"
"Medicine God? Which one?" Xie Binn asked, his frame quivering subtly, yet his expression remained composed.
"The very Medicine God you're familiar with—the one you apprenticed under for alchemy as a nominal disciple," Yu Yuan declared.
Xie Binn inhaled sharply. "He's been gone for over three hundred years."
"Yes, it's been a long while since his death. He arranged his legacy before passing, and I happened upon it," Yu Yuan said, scrutinizing him. "Based on his account, you... were already at the Yang God Stage back then. With three hundred years gone by, shouldn't you have advanced to the Unrestrained Stage, reaching its Middle or even Late Period by now?"
