JSCMU-Chapter 177: Reunion

Each and every medicinal herb was already laid out before her.

Some herbs were in greater supply, while others were so scarce there were only a few stalks, barely enough for two furnace attempts.

If both attempts failed, then there would be no more chances for now.

Even though she had the pill recipe and could try again in the future, she would definitely miss the Grand Sect Tournament.

In Yun Jin’s mind, images from her previous life resurfaced.

Lin Ya, his hair snow-white, drawing his sword with a face full of tragic resolve against the Demon Lord.

She told herself.

She would not allow Heavenly Sword Peak, Lin Ya, or her senior brothers and sisters to fall into such a fate again.

If things were to change, let it begin with this Heaven Mending Pill.

Yun Jin took a deep breath. According to the simplified refining method, she began adding the herbs one by one.

This time, the greatest difficulty in refining the pill was that she needed to sustain a spiritual energy output equivalent to Nascent Soul Stage throughout the process.

Currently, her cultivation was at early Golden Core Stage. After reaching this stage, even with constant pill usage, her rate of progress started to slow down. That was to be expected, the higher the level, the more spiritual energy required. Even with her ‘cheating’ via pills, she estimated that she could only reach mid-stage Golden Core before the Grand Sect Tournament.

This was a bit below her original expectation of reaching late-stage Golden Core.

But she also had an unexpected surprise.

With Shen Yanye’s help, her soul power broke through to Soul Transformation Stage.

This meant her soul strength already surpassed Ruan Jun’s. Stronger soul power translated to stronger mental power, which was a huge advantage in battle.

Golden Core mid-stage cultivation, combined with Soul Transformation soul power were more than enough to defeat Ruan Jun.

Yun Jin wasn’t concerned about the fight with Ruan Jun. What mattered most now was this Heaven Mending Pill.

The moment the herbs entered the alchemy furnace, Yun Jin unleashed her spiritual power with full force.

Right now, she’s at early Golden Core Stage.

In the next moment.

“First Wave.” Yun Jin murmured softly.

Her spiritual power suddenly surged, directly reaching the level of late-stage Golden Core.

But that still wasn’t enough.

“Second Wave.”

She stacked it again. Her spiritual power surged once more, reaching just about Nascent Soul level.

There’s sufficient spiritual energy!

The furnace began to operate obediently and smoothly on its own.

This full-power spiritual output drained her rapidly, but Yun Jin prepared numerous spiritual replenishment pills beside her. Every time her energy dropped past the halfway point, she  immediately took one.

It helped that all her pills were perfect-quality, with one pill equal to ten ordinary ones, and absorption rate was far easier.

Otherwise, her spiritual energy alone might not have kept up.

And this entire process would last roughly three days and three nights.

During this period of time.

She couldn’t afford a single moment of distraction. She had to maintain her spiritual energy output at Nascent Soul level. Even a tiny slip-up would mean a failed pill.

Once again, Yun Jin silently thanked Shen Yanye.

Without the Soul Transformation soul realm, she might not be able to handle such intensive alchemical strain.

Casting aside all other thoughts, Yun Jin devoted herself completely to sword practice.

Spirit Beast Pavilion

Shen Yanye coughed lightly, “Ling Fei, let’s go. I haven’t seen that Yun girl today. Let’s go look for her.”

Ling Fei: “???”

He couldn’t help saying, “Yun girl is busy preparing for the Grand Sect Tournament. I doubt she has free time.”

“Is that so?” Shen Yanye looked a little disappointed. “Her spirit beast is still a bit weak. If it was at Golden Core Stage, I could’ve taught her a few of my custom beast-taming secret techniques. But at the moment, that beast can’t be of much use.”

Which meant, he couldn’t help her much either.

“Then let’s wait patiently,” Ling Fei sighed.

At first, he could tell Shen Yanye had a rather indifferent attitude.

But ever since that day he helped awaken Yun Jin’s beast-taming talent, Shen Yanye’s behavior completely changed. He’s now so eager, it even made Ling Fei feel uneasy.

Still, it’s a good thing his old friend thought so highly of Yun Jin.

At the very least, with Shen Yanye backing her…

Even if she lost the challenge, she’d probably still be able to walk away with her life.

“If we can’t go find Yun girl, how about we drop by Heavenly Sword Peak instead, and chat with the others?” Shen Yanye suggested again. “You said her master is still recovering and can’t appear for long periods, right? Then how about her senior brothers and sisters, we can visit them.”

Ling Fei was helpless, “Brother Shen, they’re likely busy preparing too.”

“I just want to take a look,” Shen Yanye persisted.

He had a plan in mind.

From what Yun Jin said, she seemed to have deep affection for Heavenly Sword Peak.

If he could get her senior brothers and sisters on his side, the chances of successfully taking her as his disciple would be much higher.

Unable to dissuade him, Ling Fei finally agreed.

Heavenly Sword Peak

Now that Qing Yun and Qi Yu posed no immediate threat, Yue Zhao called over Si Wanning and Yu Songnian. He didn’t explain much, only saying the two visitors were senior experts.

Si Wanning and Yu Songnian both recognized Qi Yu, and seeing him bow like a disciple before the other elder, they immediately guessed at his identity.

Even without Yue Zhao explaining, they were incredibly respectful and didn’t dare slack in the slightest.

Qing Yun looked over the two, but his gaze paused on Yu Songnian.

“Hm?” Qing Yun let out a soft sound of curiosity.

“Senior, this is my Third Junior Brother,” Yue Zhao quickly introduced, his eyes flickering slightly.

Third Junior Brother’s strange illness had troubled them for a long time.

It was said that the best alchemists were often the best physicians, and if this senior could tell at a glance…

Qing Yun indeed noticed something, but only smiled faintly, “Quite interesting.”

He didn’t elaborate.

Yue Zhao felt anxious but didn’t dare ask more. With someone of Qing Yun’s status, if he wanted to speak, he would. If not, how could they force him?

So they simply sat quietly, carefully accompanying him for tea. No one dared to say a word too many.

Just as the atmosphere grew slightly tense, Gu Jinghong led Ling Fei and Shen Yanye inside.

“This Heavenly Sword Peak has a really nice view,” Shen Yanye chuckled.

Now that he thought so highly of Yun Jin, even the place she lived in felt endearing to him.

Gu Jinghong had little expression as usual when Yun Jin wasn’t around. Seeing Yue Zhao and the others entertaining guests, he was momentarily surprised but still said, “Senior Ling has brought a guest to visit.”

Yue Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

Under normal circumstances, Ling Fei’s visits were warmly welcomed.

But right now?

He instinctively glanced at Qing Yun.

Qing Yun smiled, “No worries. I’ll just drink my tea quietly, don’t mind me.”

Yue Zhao nodded, forcing himself to welcome Ling Fei and Shen Yanye inside.

At first, Shen Yanye had an easygoing attitude. But the moment he laid eyes on Qing Yun, his expression subtly changed.

This old man’s cultivation was unfathomable. Looking at him was like seeing a normal person.

But how could an ordinary person be here?

The only possibility left was his cultivation far exceeded even Shen Yanye’s.

And Shen Yanye was already at the Tribulation Crossing stage.

So then… this person…