Chapter 51: The Marvelous Effects of the Spiritual Elixir

The sky gradually brightened, and the entire valley was soon shrouded in morning mist. Inside the assembly hall of the outer court of the Danxia Sect, Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun wore expressions filled with worry and impatience as they paced back and forth.

“I wonder if Qi Fei’s mission went smoothly. I reminded him over and over not to confront the master of the Seven Absolutes Sect, but I fear he won’t heed my words and will foolishly try to challenge that innate expert,” Mo Zhanpeng said, his face a picture of helplessness, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

“Qi Fei’s martial cultivation is unfathomably deep, and with that mysterious Daoist evasion technique, I believe he can surely escape from Moonview Peak unscathed. If he returns safely this time, we must find a way to persuade him to reconsider. On Qingyang Peak in days to come, only Qi Fei stands a chance of contending with Yang Zheng for the position of sect master,” Elder Sun sighed softly, his eyes full of resignation.

As they spoke, Luo Dingshan, who had been sent to Moonview Peak to assist Qi Fei, hurried back with an anxious expression.

No sooner had Luo Dingshan entered the hall than Mo Zhanpeng stepped forward anxiously, asking, “Did you learn anything from Moonview Peak? Where is Qi Fei? Why didn’t he return with you?”

A look of confusion flashed across Luo Dingshan’s face as he hurriedly replied, “Tonight, Elder Qi broke into Moonview Peak, throwing the Seven Absolutes Sect into chaos. However, he did not descend the mountain at the agreed time. The disciples of the Seven Absolutes Sect searched the peak thoroughly, but after midnight, all fell silent. Knowing my own strength was insufficient, I dared not venture up the peak and returned at once to report to you and Elder Sun.”

Mo Zhanpeng, anxious for Qi Fei’s safety, frowned and said, “If that’s the case, I fear Qi Fei has fallen into their hands. He must have ignored my warnings and fought that innate expert Sima Yan. Otherwise, with his cultivation and mystical evasion technique, he would have escaped Moonview Peak unharmed.”

Elder Sun tried to comfort him, “Don’t worry, Elder Mo. Perhaps Qi Fei escaped the mountain earlier and didn’t return with Dingshan for fear of implicating him.”

Just then, a piercing sound sliced through the air outside the hall. Before the three could react, Qi Fei, drenched in sweat and looking rather disheveled, burst into the hall.

Seeing Qi Fei return safely, the three were overjoyed, but when they saw his battered figure and bloodied hands, their hearts were seized by a new wave of worry.

“Qi Fei, what happened to you? How did your hands get so badly injured? Did you really fight the master of the Seven Absolutes Sect?” Mo Zhanpeng, both shocked and furious, hurried forward to support him.

Qi Fei, his face pale, forced a smile and said lightly, “It’s nothing. I gained much from this venture. One day, on Qingyang Peak, we will catch that Mysterious Truth Temple completely off guard.”

Mo Zhanpeng and the others could not grasp the deeper meaning in Qi Fei’s words, thinking only that he had successfully framed Mysterious Truth Temple, inciting the wrath of the Seven Absolutes Sect.

Elder Sun took a healing pill from his robe, sighing, “Your injuries are so grave. Even if the Seven Absolutes Sect and Mysterious Truth Temple come to blows, without you by our side on Qingyang Peak, our chances against Mysterious Truth Temple are slim.”

But with the peerless elixir from Pill Cauldron Sect and the world energy within his spirit jade, Qi Fei chuckled, “No need to worry, Elder Sun. Though my injuries look severe, they’re of little consequence. In a few days, I’ll be fully recovered and won’t miss the grand event on Qingyang Peak.”

A flicker of doubt passed through their minds—such grievous wounds should not heal in mere days—but remembering Qi Fei’s various miraculous feats in the past, the three chose to trust his words.

Taking the healing pill from Elder Sun, Qi Fei focused his energy for a moment, slowly gathering the dispersed world energy within him. He expelled the clotted blood from his body and, not bothering to wipe the blood from his lips, quickly assured, “Master, Elder Sun, rest easy. On the day of Qingyang Peak, the Seven Absolutes Sect will not stand idle—they will certainly aid us in contending for the sect master’s seat.”

Mo Zhanpeng frowned, “Was it Sima Yan who injured you? Even if you pinned tonight’s events on Mysterious Truth Temple, how can you be sure the Seven Absolutes Sect will help us?”

Qi Fei, unwilling to explain in detail, thought for a moment before replying, “Yes, I was injured by Sect Master Sima Yan, but by a fortunate turn, I forged an alliance with him. On Qingyang Peak, the Seven Absolutes Sect will join us against Mysterious Truth Temple.”

Though still doubtful, Mo Zhanpeng saw Qi Fei’s condition and refrained from further questioning. He only cautioned, “I trust you, but Sima Yan is cunning and treacherous. Be wary of any agreements you make with him.”

Qi Fei answered solemnly, “Thank you for your guidance, Master. Until now, I’ve had a smooth path in martial cultivation and have been somewhat arrogant. Tonight’s brush with death was a harsh lesson—I will reflect deeply on my shortcomings.”

Seeing Qi Fei’s humility, Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun felt gratified. With the Seven Absolutes Sect now entangled in the conflict against Mysterious Truth Temple, a great burden was finally lifted from their hearts.

Mo Zhanpeng sent Luo Dingshan to help Qi Fei back to his quarters to recover, and then he and Elder Sun remained in the hall to plan for the upcoming struggle for Qingyang Peak, set to take place in half a month.

With Luo Dingshan’s support, Qi Fei slowly left the hall and soon returned to his own rooms.

Luo Dingshan helped him to his bedside, saying, “Elder Qi, if you need nothing else, I’ll stand guard outside. If you require anything, just summon me.”

Qi Fei, somewhat exasperated by the title “Elder” and Luo Dingshan’s deference, managed a wry smile. “Senior Brother, is this really necessary?”

Luo Dingshan replied gravely, “Elder Qi, you are now a sect elder. It is only right that I show proper respect. I was rash before, but I will never trouble you for martial guidance again.”

Qi Fei sighed, “Very well. Once I’m healed, I’ll speak to Master and see if I can help you break through your cultivation barrier.”

Luo Dingshan was overjoyed and said eagerly, “Thank you, Elder Qi. I will repay you with my life if needed!”

“That’s too much, Senior Brother. Still, I’d prefer not to be disturbed while I recuperate—there’s no need for you to wait outside.”

Seeing Luo Dingshan hesitate, Qi Fei showed a hint of displeasure. Alarmed, Luo Dingshan quickly bowed and withdrew.

Once Luo Dingshan was gone, Qi Fei closed the door and took out the bottle of peerless elixir he had seized from Sima Yan. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he gently poured out a single, lustrous, jade-colored pill, instantly filling the room with a faint herbal fragrance.

Though no master alchemist himself, Qi Fei could easily discern the pill’s extraordinary value—far superior to the Gathering Essence Pill previously gifted to him by Lord of Blood Shadow. The elixir from Pill Cauldron Sect was clearly more precious.

Recalling the look of pain and barely contained fury on Sima Yan’s face, Qi Fei couldn’t help but smile. In his pursuit of innate mysteries, he had been injured by Sima Yan, but this misfortune had brought an unexpected windfall in the form of this bottle of rare elixirs. Truly, tonight’s events had been a series of twists and turns, both alarming and delightful.

Yet when he remembered the stunning beauty hidden away in the pavilion, a strange expression crossed his face. He wondered, when he finally faced the cunning and unpredictable Lady Zhuo Jin’er of the Yin-Yang Dao, how would he handle her?

With a long sigh and a shake of his head, Qi Fei swallowed one of the pills. The moment it entered his mouth, it transformed into a warm current, spreading rapidly through his abdomen.

Putting aside all distracting thoughts, Qi Fei immediately began to circulate the world energy he had gathered within, slowly mending his injuries.

Sure enough, as Sima Yan had claimed, the elixir from Pill Cauldron Sect was miraculous. As his energy circulated, the warmth from the pill seeped into the damaged meridians and acupoints within his body.

With the combined effect of the elixir and his own world energy, the fractures in his hands began to heal in no time.

After circulating his energy through a full cycle, Qi Fei managed to merge all the medicinal warmth into his meridians. The elixir’s effects were indeed extraordinary. Under the nourishment of the spirit jade’s world energy, not only did his shattered bones and tendons heal completely, but they became subtly stronger than before.

Opening his eyes, Qi Fei gazed at his scarred hands with a hint of concern.

Previously, while trapped at the Cliff of Reflection, he had inadvertently transformed the Heart-Sword Sect’s sword techniques into a refined fist method, hoping to use this as a disguise in the future. But after encountering Zhuo Jin’er tonight at Moonview Peak, Qi Fei realized how naive that plan had been.

Moreover, though he had cultivated his Martial Soul, it was not the indestructible Golden Martial Soul that could turn flesh into a weapon. The supreme fist techniques he’d devised from various sword skills were powerful, but they were not a long-term solution.

Having faced Sima Yan’s innate Thunderclap Palm tonight—where his hands were nearly crippled—Qi Fei understood that if he ever confronted an innate master wielding a divine weapon, even with limitless elixirs and the spirit jade within, the consequences would be dire.

Remembering Gongsun She’s fierce Yin Fiend Blade techniques back on Clearwind Terrace, Qi Fei felt a surge of longing. Unfortunately, he lacked the strength to seize the Creation Martial Sutra from Sima Yan. Otherwise, his martial cultivation would have reached unprecedented heights.