Chapter 3

Xiaohanshan has five peaks, each separated by a hundred miles. Qingxuan Peak is the main peak among the five, towering ten thousand feet high, piercing through the clouds. The other four peaks surround the main peak, forming a pattern like stars circling the moon. Taibai Peak, one of the five peaks, is the sharpest and most formidable, resembling a giant sword piercing the sky.

At this moment, Wang Tong stood on Wang Huai’s flying magical artifact, the Green Leaf Boat, his legs trembling slightly, but his heart was filled with excitement.

He was flying, really flying. Although he wasn’t flying on his own, standing on a flying magical artifact was a real experience. In the memory of this dead Wang Tong, there were also experiences of being carried on a magical artifact by others, but memories couldn’t compare to the real experience, which was both thrilling and terrifying.

Standing in the air, he looked down at the numerous peaks below, their green hues fresh and vibrant, the surrounding shades of dark green contrasting with the valleys. The rain after the storm created new waterfalls, their sounds deafening, the lush grass and blooming wildflowers, the morning sun casting a warm glow, and the spring scenery was breathtaking, with countless beautiful scenes that were hard to take in.

Among the many peaks, five were the most prominent, the five peaks of Xiaohanshan. The central peak, towering ten thousand feet high, was the main peak, Qingxuan Peak. To its right, a peak shaped like a long sword was Taibai Peak. The other four peaks were surrounded by purple mist, while Taibai Peak had nothing around it, standing like a sharp sword, emitting boundless sharpness, driving away everything that did not belong to it, making it both striking and awe-inspiring.

Around the five peaks, different colored lights flashed, which were the lights of people flying on magical artifacts, similar to their Green Leaf Boat. Wang Tong watched with envy, clenching his fists tightly.

“Damn it, one day, I will also get a flying magical artifact to try, to fly and enjoy it!”

The flying magical artifact, the Green Leaf Boat, was shaped like a small boat, entirely green, no more than two zhang long, and could carry three people comfortably. When it flew, it was enveloped in a layer of green light, moving extremely fast, covering hundreds of miles in the time it takes to eat a meal.

As the Green Leaf Boat approached within ten miles of Taibai Peak, a sharp sword qi rushed towards them. Although protected by the Green Leaf Boat, Wang Tong still felt his skin sting.

“Humph!” Seeing Wang Tong’s condition, Wang Huai coldly snorted, and a wave of invisible magical power spread from his body, like ripples, dissipating the sharp sword qi.

“Wang Tong, finding Senior Master Changyangzi’s Golden Light Fire Sword technique is a great contribution to Xiaohanshan. The Sect Master will definitely reward you. Think about what you want!”

“Ah?!” Wang Tong was first surprised, then said, “Disciple has already thought about it!”

Indeed, he had already thought about it.

He was now an indoor disciple but only had the cultivation of the Fifth Heaven of the Mortal Realm, which was completely disproportionate to his status. However, his talent was only average, not particularly outstanding. In the world of cultivation, where even a fart could knock down a group of geniuses, he had all disadvantages and almost no advantages. Although Wang Huai treated him well now out of respect for their past relationship, if his cultivation and strength did not improve in a few years, Wang Huai would no longer protect him, and he would have no place in Xiaohanshan. This time was a great opportunity. A sect like Xiaohanshan, which is known for its clear rewards and punishments, would naturally offer generous rewards for a great contribution. Otherwise, who would work for the sect in the future? Wang Tong understood that he would definitely gain something this time, and it would not be small. According to tradition, before the reward, the person’s opinion would be asked, so Wang Tong had already decided what he wanted.

Zhu Huang Pill!!!

Yes, the Zhu Huang Pill!

The first spiritual medicine for enhancing cultivation in the Mortal Realm.

Among the countless elixirs in the world, the Zhu Huang Pill is called the first spiritual medicine for a reason.

The Zhu Huang Pill’s strength lies in its high efficacy, good quality, and lack of side effects. Most importantly, it can easily help cultivators advance from the Fifth Heaven to the Seventh Heaven of the Mortal Realm, overcoming the second small bottleneck in cultivation.

Taibai Peak, Taibai Hall

Among the five peaks of Xiaohanshan, Taibai Hall is the most prominent because this lineage is purely sword cultivators, emphasizing that nothing exists beyond the sword.

The head of Taibai Peak, Feng Taibai, is a famous sword cultivator in Liangzhou, wielding the Contending Sword, he has few rivals in Liangzhou. He is now at the Seventh Heaven of the Golden Core Realm, a key figure in Xiaohanshan, and is exceptionally proud. In Xiaohanshan, even the current Sect Master, Yu Taixuan, finds it difficult to control him, except for the old ancestor who has been in seclusion for many years.

Fifty years ago, he lost the competition for Sect Master to Yu Taixuan, harboring resentment, and devoted all his efforts to his disciples. Among the six true disciples of Xiaohanshan, two are under his name, and only the main peak, Qingxuan Peak, can compare with him. However, his eldest disciple, Li Fuyun, successfully condensed a demon a year ago, known as the first genius of Xiaohanshan, and is now the leader of the six true disciples, even surpassing Yu Taixuan’s eldest disciple, Ouboxiong, who is ranked second.

Feng Taibai’s second son, Guan Ziyun, is also a true disciple, ranked fourth.

Among the six true disciples, Qingxuan and Taibai Halls occupy four seats, with the remaining two seats held by Jiurufeng and Nanshengfeng, while Lianyufeng has none, making Lianyufeng in a very awkward position in Xiaohanshan, with the lowest status among the five peaks.

The Five Peaks Competition, held every five years, is a grand event for Xiaohanshan. Such a grand event should be discussed on the main peak, Qingxuan, but it was now moved to Taibai Peak, showing Feng Taibai’s dominance, even the Sect Master, Yu Taixuan, had to give in.

The Green Leaf Boat slowly landed in Taibai Hall, where Lin Shi, who had previously delivered the message, came out to greet them.

With a smile that was hard to tell if it was genuine, he welcomed Wang Huai and his group into the main hall of Taibai.

In the main hall of Taibai, built of green jade, three of the five peak heads were already present, only the Sect Master, Yu Taixuan, had not arrived.

Seeing Wang Huai enter, the head of Jiurufeng, Han Shanlin, and the head of Nanshengfeng, Xiao Rang, both stood up to greet him. Feng Taibai remained seated, merely nodding, his pride evident.

However, his two true disciples, Li Fuyun and Guan Ziyun, came forward to greet them.

After the greetings, all eyes in the main hall focused on Wang Tong.

Before the Five Peaks Competition, the four peak heads and the Sect Master would discuss the competition, and those eligible to participate in the discussion were true disciples. Wang Huai, who had no true disciples, bringing his eldest disciple was not against the rules, but bringing another disciple who had recently disgraced himself was somewhat inappropriate.

“Has the Sect Master arrived? I have something important to report.” Wang Huai ignored the others’ gazes, sat down on a large chair in the hall, closed his eyes to rest, while Wang Tong and Jin Ziyang stood behind the chair.

This scene made Feng Taibai frown slightly, but he did not speak. Although Lianyufeng had been declining in recent years, Wang Huai was the oldest of the four peak heads, over twenty years older than him. When Feng Taibai first entered Xiaohanshan, Wang Huai was already an indoor disciple, then a true disciple, with much more seniority. Even the Sect Master, Yu Taixuan, would call him “Senior Brother” when they met.

After a quarter of an hour, Yu Taixuan arrived, his laughter heard even before he entered the hall.

The four peak heads all stood up to welcome him. After some pleasantries, they each took their seats. As expected, his gaze also fell on Wang Tong, with a questioning look.

“Brother Huai, you have something to report?”

“Sect Master is wise.” Wang Huai nodded, giving a stiff compliment.

“My disciple, although not very talented, has had good luck and stumbled upon a celestial opportunity, obtaining Senior Master Changyangzi’s legacy. Because it is a significant matter, I brought him here.”

“Senior Master Changyangzi’s legacy?”

The atmosphere in the hall became tense, and everyone looked at Wang Tong with strange expressions. Although Wang Tong was thick-skinned and ruthless, being watched by so many people made him nervous, his face flushing, and he lowered his head shyly.

“Is it the Water and Fire Dao Robe or the Golden Light Fire Sword?” Yu Taixuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, trying to keep his emotions in check, but his voice still trembled slightly.

“The Water and Fire Dao Robe has been destroyed, it is the Golden Light Fire Sword!”

“Is it really the Golden Light Fire Sword?” Even Feng Taibai was moved, and Wang Tong felt the gazes on him become even more intense, stepping back two steps.

“Good, very good!!!”

Upon hearing Wang Huai’s answer, Yu Taixuan finally laughed heartily, “Very good, truly very good. After eighty years, Xiaohanshan has finally completed another true transmission technique. Brother Huai, I thank you.”

“It’s not me you should thank, but my foolish disciple.” Wang Huai pointed to Wang Tong.

“Brother Huai, the Golden Light Fire Sword is a true transmission technique of Xiaohanshan. Finding it is a great contribution. If we do not reward him, who would be willing to help the sect recover techniques in the future?” Yu Taixuan smiled and turned to Wang Tong, “Nephew Wang, what reward do you want?”

“Uh…” The question was direct, and Wang Tong was momentarily stunned, answering instinctively, “Disciple wants the Zhu Huang Pill.”

As soon as the words were out, he regretted it. Yu Taixuan’s question was direct, and his answer was also direct, making him look greedy.

“Zhu Huang Pill?” Yu Taixuan raised an eyebrow, “Nephew Wang, although the Zhu Huang Pill can increase your cultivation in a short time, using drugs to enhance cultivation can have many hidden dangers in the future. Have you thought it through?”

Wang Tong’s intentions were not hidden from Yu Taixuan.

Cultivators emphasize wealth, companions, methods, and land. The term “wealth” does not refer to secular money but to cultivation resources, such as elixirs and magical artifacts. Elixirs are one of the most common resources, and their main effect is to enhance a cultivator’s cultivation. However, because of the existence of elixir toxins, they must be used with great caution.

Taking too many elixirs can speed up cultivation initially, but the accumulated drugs in the body can eventually turn into toxins, known as elixir toxins. With elixir toxins, future cultivation will be affected. While short-term cultivation may improve, in the long run, it may not be worth it. The Zhu Huang Pill is said to have no side effects in the early stages of cultivation, but once one reaches the Nascent Soul Realm and beyond, any small problem can become a major issue. Therefore, the correct way to use elixirs is to control the frequency and use them at critical moments, such as when advancing to a new realm.

Everyone understands this, but putting it into practice is another matter.

Not every cultivator can clearly see their future, and not every cultivator has the confidence to walk far on the path of cultivation.

Ninety percent of cultivators are trapped below the Spirit Root Realm, and of those above the Spirit Root Realm, ninety percent cannot condense demons. If taking elixirs can significantly improve your cultivation in a short time, and the hidden dangers only appear when you reach the Spirit Root Realm, or even the Demon Condensation Realm or Golden Core Realm, most people would choose to take the elixirs because they know their cultivation path won’t go that far.

This has led to a very hot market for elixirs.

Wang Tong was only at the Fifth Heaven of the Mortal Realm, unable to see the path to the Spirit Root Realm, so why would he think so far ahead?

His cultivation was already disproportionate to his status, and he was facing the Five Peaks Competition. It was very normal for him to want to improve his cultivation quickly.

So his reaction was not unexpected. Yu Taixuan’s reminder was just a formality.

“Disciple has thought it through.” Wang Tong nodded, his gaze firm, “Disciple wants the Zhu Huang Pill.”

“Fine, I will give it to you. You are currently at the Fifth Heaven of the Mortal Realm. These five bottles of Zhu Huang Pill will be enough to help you cultivate to the Tenth Heaven of the Mortal Realm. Additionally, the Golden Light Fire Sword is a true transmission technique of Xiaohanshan. Five bottles of Zhu Huang Pill are not enough to reward your contribution. Therefore, you can go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and choose a middle-grade magical artifact as a reward.”

Go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and choose a middle-grade magical artifact as a reward!

When Yu Taixuan said this, the hall fell silent, and Wang Tong felt several intense gazes on him.

A middle-grade magical artifact!

He was directly rewarded a middle-grade magical artifact!

There are countless magical artifacts in the world, with various types and categories, divided into nine grades: Miscellaneous, Technique, Treasure, Magical, Spirit, Dao, Immortal, Divine, and Ancestral.

Each grade is further divided into four levels: lower, middle, upper, and supreme.

Miscellaneous artifacts, also known as mundane weapons, are things used by ordinary people, containing no trace of heavenly energy and having no special functions. Cultivators generally do not use them.

Technique artifacts are the first magical artifacts used by cultivators, very common. Their characteristic is that they can withstand a cultivator’s true qi, which, when infused, will not explode. Therefore, a technique artifact is very precious among ordinary people but very common in the cultivation world. Most sects, even independent cultivators, can forge these technique artifacts.

Treasure artifacts are a step further, qualifying as magical artifacts, with some special functions, providing advantages in both attack and defense during conflicts among cultivators. Next are magical artifacts, which are very precious in the cultivation world. Even the lowest-grade lower magical artifacts are hard for ordinary cultivators to obtain, and once obtained, they are cherished like life.

In many situations, a magical artifact can save a life. Having a magical artifact is like having an extra life.

In this world, Immortal artifacts have long become legends, and even Dao artifacts are rarely seen, let alone the even higher Divine and Ancestral artifacts. Only the powerful sects that control the entire Kunxu world might possess Dao artifacts. In ordinary sects, a Spirit artifact can be considered a treasure that stabilizes the sect’s fortune.

Ninety-nine percent of the magical artifacts in the world are Miscellaneous, Technique, and Treasure artifacts.

Xiaohanshan is just a small sect in Liangzhou, one of the lowest in the countless sects in the world. The highest-grade magical artifact in the sect is a middle-grade Spirit artifact, and the number of magical artifacts is not large. The so-called Hundred Treasures Pavilion might not even have a hundred magical artifacts, and if it does, most are likely lower-grade magical artifacts. Middle-grade magical artifacts are not even possessed by all the true disciples in the sect. Was Yu Taixuan’s mind broken, or why did he directly reward a middle-grade magical artifact? What merit did Wang Tong have to receive a middle-grade magical artifact?

Wang Tong himself was also stunned. He had thought about being rewarded by the sect for contributing the Golden Light Fire Sword technique, but he never expected the reward to be so great.

A middle-grade magical artifact, something he had never dared to dream of before!

“What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to thank the Sect Master?” Wang Huai, seeing Wang Tong’s stunned face, couldn’t help but scold him.

Wang Tong quickly bowed in gratitude.

Yu Taixuan waved his hand, and a gentle force sent Wang Tong out of the hall.