Chapter Twenty-Six: Who Is More Powerful

Chapter Twenty-Six: Who Is Stronger

The two of them turned toward the source of the voice and saw a woman standing on a mountain path below. She wore a robe adorned with red flowers and white leaves, her jade-like arms exposed to the sun, as if she had been walking there just moments before.

She appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, her figure full and elegant, with a slender waist that could be encircled by a single hand, outlining a silhouette that could make any man's heart race. Her brows were as dark as ink, her face radiant as a blooming peach blossom—full cheeks, pointed chin, cherry lips, and an upturned nose. Though she wore no makeup, her beauty was luminous as the moon and flowers, a gentle smile resting on her lips as she gazed upward in their direction.

Her eyes shone with a deep, lively darkness, brimming with charm and allure, as if inviting the two of them to lose themselves in her presence. Every glance and smile radiated a captivating enchantment, a beauty that could stir the soul—a woman of unmatched elegance and grace.

Even Fang Junmei, who prided himself on having mastered his emotions, found himself momentarily stunned by her, let alone Song Shedé.

There was no need for further introduction—this woman was Ji Nujiao.

Ji Nujiao's gaze swept over the two, lingering boldly and seductively on Fang Junmei, clearly pleased with his handsome appearance. Her smile deepened as she spoke: “Junior brother, you are quite the handsome man, with an air of righteousness about you. I’ve always liked men like you. If one day your strength surpasses mine, perhaps I’ll reward you with a chance to get close.”

Fang Junmei, startled by her words, flushed and was about to offer an explanation.

“Run!” cried Song Shedé, who, regaining his senses, shouted and frantically summoned his spiritual power to ride his white cloud away toward Medicine King Peak.

With Song Shedé fleeing, Fang Junmei had no choice but to follow.

Why am I running too? Fang Junmei thought, his head dropping in exasperation.

“Two cowards,” Ji Nujiao laughed, her shoulders trembling with mirth as she watched them scurry away. “If you hadn’t added that you were pure as ice and spotless, I’d have made you suffer a little.” Yet she made no move to pursue them.

…

Song Shedé was the very picture of undignified retreat, scrambling away as fast as he could. Only when they caught sight of Medicine King Peak ahead and confirmed that Ji Nujiao was not following did he finally regain his composure.

“Junior brother, what did I tell you? Isn’t Senior Sister Ji a firebrand? Didn’t she make your heart race?” Song Shedé, ever the joker, sidled up to Fang Junmei and grinned lewdly, savoring the memory.

“If you’re so bold, senior brother, why not introduce me to the next one?” Fang Junmei retorted impatiently.

At this, Song Shedé glanced warily around, both with his eyes and spiritual sense, before replying, “Next time, next time I’ll make sure you meet someone worth your while. For now, let’s go see my master.”

Clearly, he wasn’t as daring as he liked to pretend.

Fang Junmei shook his head slightly and asked, “Is something happening in the sect today? Otherwise, why would those two senior sisters have crossed paths with us? They should both be cultivating.”

Song Shedé spread his hands. “Forgive me, junior brother, I have no idea. I’ve been in seclusion cultivating until today.”

Fang Junmei nodded in understanding.

“Let me listen in,” Song Shedé said, extending his spiritual sense once more.

…

“Gu Xijin emerged from seclusion yesterday? Could it be he’s already grasped the second realm of the Sword Dao? Those two must have gone to White Cloud Peak to visit him.”

A dozen breaths later, Song Shedé’s face revealed his shock, and he grew serious.

Starlight seemed to flash in Fang Junmei’s eyes. The realms of the Sword Dao in cultivation were something Linghu Jinjiu had yet to explain to him—perhaps because it was still too early.

“What are the realms of the Sword Dao, and how are they divided? Please instruct me,” Fang Junmei asked, bowing slightly.

Song Shedé looked back at him, noting the eager thirst for knowledge in Fang Junmei’s expression, and smiled meaningfully. “Junior brother, we’ve arrived at Medicine King Peak. Once you’ve passed this trial, I’ll explain it all in detail on the way back.”

Fang Junmei felt a wave of frustration.

Looking up, he saw they had indeed reached Medicine King Peak—there was nothing to do but proceed with the trial.

Descending from their cloud, they entered Windlin Court and paid respects to Chunyu Qian. As expected, Chunyu Qian asked about Fang Junmei’s bruised appearance; Fang Junmei claimed he’d fallen from his cloud, and Chunyu Qian did not press further.

As usual, it was time for the trial by medicine.

This was the fourth of the first six trials.

After a year of experience, Fang Junmei’s heart was now calm.

“Come with me, boy. This pill won’t be tested here,” Chunyu Qian said, unusually solemn. He rose, cast a series of seals at the side of the earthfire pit, and a set of stairs descending below appeared in the pit.

Chunyu Qian led the way down.

Vigilance flickered in Fang Junmei’s eyes, but after brief reflection, he dismissed his worries and followed. As a minor cultivator, he had nothing worth coveting, and this task had been accepted in full view of many—if anything were to happen, all would know Chunyu Qian was responsible.

…

Thud, thud—

Their footsteps echoed one after the other as they descended into the earthfire pit. The deeper they went, the hotter and more oppressive the air became. The steps spiraled downward, the space broadening until it seemed the entire mountain’s heart had been hollowed out. Fang Junmei’s eyes soon made out surging magma below—indeed, a volcano.

Thick, black chains stretched across the magma’s surface, their purpose unclear; in this blazing underworld, only the two of them were present.

Fang Junmei’s gaze was sharp, and he could clearly see sword marks on the surrounding walls—some of which were so fierce as to be terrifying.

“Could this not only be Chunyu Qian’s alchemy chamber, but also his training ground for the sword?” Fang Junmei pondered silently.

After descending a hundred yards, they finally came to an iron door set in the wall. Chunyu Qian opened it, revealing a spacious chamber, a hundred yards on each side.

The space was irregular and empty.

As soon as he entered, Fang Junmei sensed something strange about the walls and floor. They all emitted a golden glow, causing the entire room to seem illusory, as if he’d stepped into another dimension. Even the temperature of the air felt lessened.

“This is the place,” Chunyu Qian said quietly.

Fang Junmei nodded and was about to sit cross-legged.

“No need to sit—you’ll be on your feet soon enough,” Chunyu Qian remarked.

A chill ran through Fang Junmei’s heart; he wondered what kind of ordeal awaited him.

A look of reminiscence came over Chunyu Qian’s face, his voice somber. “Back in the day, your senior brother took the same pill here and was almost driven mad by its power—he nearly killed himself.”

A gleam flashed in Fang Junmei’s eyes, and he couldn’t help asking, “May I ask, Master Uncle, what is special about this pill?”

It was the first time he’d inquired.

Chunyu Qian gave a sinister, almost eerie smile. “Boy, do you know how many ways there are to test a person’s will?”

Fang Junmei thought for a moment. “No more than the body and the mind.”

Chunyu Qian nodded. “That’s right, but not entirely. Beyond dividing into body and mind, there are two further types: pain and desire.”

Fang Junmei immediately understood and nodded.

Chunyu Qian was more talkative than usual today. “The first three pills all tested your will through pain. From this one onward, it’s desire.”

Fang Junmei nodded again. He had to admit, this old man was a master of the alchemical arts—each pill could serve as a trial or, used wrongly, the cruelest of punishments.

“All my life I have observed people through medicine. If you wish to catch up to Long Jinyi, surpass everyone, and stand at the summit, you must pass this trial. Someday, you’ll realize how much this journey of testing medicines has helped you.”

Chunyu Qian looked intently at Fang Junmei. “I have some friendship with your master. Let these trials serve as a gift from me, your master uncle. As for those spirit stones—they’re nothing.”

Fang Junmei, proud and resolute, smiled and nodded.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked, “Master Uncle, did Gu Xijin ever help you test medicines? How far did he get?”

Chunyu Qian gave him an approving look. “Once you pass this trial, you can start chasing after Gu Xijin.”

A flash appeared in Fang Junmei’s eyes. “So you mean my senior brother Long Jinyi was not as accomplished as Gu Xijin?”

Chunyu Qian shook his head. “Not so. Back then, Long Jinyi only needed to test up to the pill you are about to take—there was no need for him to go further, so I don’t know where his limit lay. Gu Xijin, upon hearing of my trials, volunteered. The last pill he took was the one after the one you are about to take.”

Fang Junmei nodded, his thoughts soaring.

What kind of man was Long Jinyi? Was he still alive?

And what kind of person was Gu Xijin, who was even more formidable?