Chapter 11: Mutual Destruction!

“Have you not noticed that the spiritual energy in the canyon is fading?” the old man in the black robe suddenly spoke up.

The bearded man and the others were startled, only then realizing that the spiritual energy in the canyon was indeed slowly dissipating. Having fled tens of thousands of miles to escape the pursuit of the Lingxiao Palace, they had finally reached the Northern Liang Kingdom and found this canyon rich in spiritual energy in such a remote place. If this canyon were to become a barren wasteland as well, wouldn't they be forced into displacement once more? After all, as cultivators, they required sufficient spiritual objects and energy to continue their cultivation. Otherwise, if their cultivation stagnated, they would end up like mere mortals, reduced to a pile of withered bones after a hundred years.

“Where there is an anomaly, there must be a treasure. If we don’t go searching now, when will we?” The old man in the black robe took a step, his figure already drifting several yards away.

The blood-dwarf also came to his senses and nodded, “Old Monster Geng is right. Let’s go!”

The old man in the black robe and the other cultivators sped toward the northwest. As they drew closer to the center of the vortex at the cliff, the mist grew thicker.

After traveling for several dozen miles, they saw the massive white mist vortex and were filled with astonishment.

However, an even more surprised sound came from the blood-dwarf. On a small hillside ahead, amidst the green grass, grew two spiritual ginsengs with extremely intense fluctuations of spiritual energy.

“Purple Luo Ginseng!” Judging solely by the spiritual fluctuations emanating from them, these two Purple Luo Ginsengs were at least a hundred years old. The eyes of the group, who had spotted the ginsengs almost simultaneously, instantly turned fanatical. There was nothing else in their sight.

Purple Luo Ginseng was the primary ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. The reason those great sects were able to pass down their legacy was because they held the source of Foundation Establishment Pills, but these pills were incredibly scarce and rarely leaked to the outside world. Thus, for ordinary rogue cultivators like them, achieving Foundation Establishment was an arduous task. With the Purple Luo Ginseng, the other spiritual herbs would be relatively easier to gather. Once they achieved Foundation Establishment, they would gain an additional two hundred years of lifespan.

For cultivators like them who had already reached the late stage of Qi Refining or the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, no treasure was more important than a Foundation Establishment Pill. However, a new problem quickly arose: there were four of them, but only two Purple Luo Ginsengs!

“Old Monster Geng, do you know how to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?” the bearded man asked, stroking the battle-axe in his hand while looking at the old man in the black robe.

“Do you think Foundation Establishment Pills are cabbages? It requires a skilled alchemist to have even a thirty percent success rate. Even for a newly promoted alchemist, the success rate for refining Foundation Establishment Pills is less than ten percent,” the old man in the black robe sneered.

“What? Is refining Foundation Establishment Pills really that difficult?” The young woman in the green dress, the blood-dwarf, and the others were all shocked.

“Otherwise, we rogue cultivators wouldn't be racking our brains to join the major sects,” the old man in the black robe snorted. “However, if refined well and the Purple Luo Ginseng is of sufficient age, one furnace can produce three pills. But there are four of us. Even the most brilliant alchemist cannot guarantee that two furnaces will produce Foundation Establishment Pills; being able to produce one is already good luck. Tell me, how should these two Purple Luo Ginsengs be divided?”

“Naturally, it should be—” The young woman in the green dress smiled sweetly, but her eyes suddenly turned cold.

The old man in the black robe’s pupils constricted, and his figure shot backward.

The young woman’s purple silk ribbon flew out, coiling toward the bearded man.

“Heh, you want to ambush me? It’s not that easy!” The bearded man had been on guard; he swung his large axe, yellow light flickering on the blade, and slashed at the incoming purple ribbon.

*Ssh!* The sharp axe struck the purple ribbon, tearing a large hole in it. At this moment, the blood-dwarf had already thrown his twin wheels, hacking toward the bearded man’s back. The wheels flew out like lightning.

“Old Monster Geng, why aren't you attacking? If they kill me, you won't be able to stand alone!” Seeing that the blood-dwarf had colluded with the young woman in the green dress, the bearded man’s face turned pale, and he shouted in panic.

Old Monster Geng’s expression was uncertain. He stood outside the circle of battle, turning a blind eye to the bearded man’s predicament. Besides, with the blood-dwarf and the young woman launching a sudden attack, it was too late for him to intervene even if he wanted to.

“Even if I die, I’ll drag someone down with me! You stinking bitch, die!” The bearded man’s face turned miserable before filling with madness. A yellow light flashed as he added a defensive layer to himself; earth-element cultivators were known for their defense.

With a *ssh* sound, the purple ribbon was slashed open by the large axe.

The blood-dwarf’s twin wheels slammed into the bearded man’s thick back without the slightest hesitation. *Puff!* The bearded man spat out a mouthful of blood, and the yellow light on his body shattered. At the same time, a needle as thin as an ox hair flew out from the purple ribbon, striking the bearded man’s chest and piercing through it.

A flash of white light, and the flying wheels circled the bearded man’s neck; a head soared into the sky.

The bearded man’s head, eyes still wide with disbelief, rolled onto the ground. Old Monster Geng’s pupils constricted. He hadn't expected the young woman in the green dress to hide flying needles within her purple ribbon. He had never seen her use this trick before; it was truly impossible to guard against.

After killing the bearded man, the young woman in the green dress giggled and looked at the old man in the black robe, “Old Monster Geng, tell me, since you can’t refine Foundation Establishment Pills, is there any need for me to keep you alive?”

The old man in the black robe said indifferently, “Although there are only two Purple Luo Ginsengs, having one more in hand always means one more hope of refining Foundation Establishment Pills. I also feel there is no need to share with you.”

Upon hearing this, the young woman was stunned for a moment. After exchanging a glance with the blood-dwarf, she burst into laughter, as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, “Old Monster Geng, you are only at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Even if you are a level or two higher than us, do you really think you have the strength to take on two people at once?”

“Why waste so much breath on him? Kill him!” The blood-dwarf’s face was full of malice. He flicked his hands, and the two flying wheels swept toward the old man in the black robe.

“Mere petty tricks!” The old man in the black robe didn't take the twin wheels seriously. He patted the jade gourd hanging from his waist with his left hand. A dense swarm of tiny green dots buzzed out. At the same time, he unleashed his golden flying sword, shooting it toward the blood-dwarf’s twin wheels in a tit-for-tat exchange.

“Shadow Ants? No wonder you’re so arrogant. But do you think you can hold me back with these low-level spirit insects? What a joke.” The young woman in the green dress gave a low shout, shook her hand, and the purple ribbon passed through the incoming Shadow Ants, catching up to the golden flying sword in front and wrapping around its hilt.

“Quick, I can’t hold them for long.” The young woman was clearly quite wary of the two hundred or so Shadow Ants; it wasn't as easy as she had claimed earlier.

“Alright! If Old Monster Geng loses his flying sword, killing him will be like killing a chicken!” The blood-dwarf laughed strangely, looking confident of victory.

*Ding—*

With a clear ring, the golden flying sword entangled by the purple ribbon suddenly trembled. Pieces of its golden shell fell off, revealing a pitch-black sword underneath. It was only about a foot long, but its power was several times greater than the golden flying sword. The spiritual pressure it emitted made the young woman in the green dress and the blood-dwarf almost unable to breathe.