Beastkind Realm.
“Sect Master, we painstakingly refined the Longevity Pills, yet that Jiao guy is taking almost half of the profits. Is this really okay?”
A golden eyeball circled around Xu Bai, spinning continuously. A somewhat resentful voice from Fang Zaiji emerged from within.
“Let me talk to him. I can definitely squeeze some more out of him. Sigh, Old Liu is good at everything, except he’s too honest. Even after getting taken advantage of, he still speaks up for others like a fool.”
Although Liu San had gradually grown accustomed to Fang Zaiji’s blunt nature, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed upon hearing this.
He reached out to grab the [Eye of Shared Vision] that Fang Zaiji was possessing, but the latter nimbly dodged.
“Heh, trying to catch me? Do you really think I’d let myself suffer twice in the same place? I’ve already improved—”
Before he could finish, Xu Bai suddenly caught him in his hand.
A buzzing sound came from the golden eyeball as it struggled, but this time, Fang Zaiji’s voice was absent.
“Besides, Jiao Xiuyuan has countless clones spread across the Xuanhuang Realm, and his strength is unfathomable. Do you really want to argue with him?”
Xu Bai asked with a half-smile.
The golden eyeball immediately stopped struggling.
Xu Bai released his grip, and after a moment, Fang Zaiji’s weak voice emerged, “Sigh, I was just saying. Since you, Sect Master, have no objections, then forget it.”
After a pause, he added, “I heard that in Jiao Xiuyuan’s Qianli Hall, they sell everything? Then if I refine some little trinkets and sell them there, that should be fine, right?”
Liu San snorted coldly. “The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance now mass-produces magical artifacts and treasures in standardized batches, selling them at far lower prices than before. Even if you can refine something, how much could you possibly earn?”
Fang Zaiji’s impatient voice replied, “Old Liu, you don’t understand artifact refinement at all, so stop worrying about it. Sect Master, just give me a straight answer—yes or no?”
Liu San was about to say more, but Xu Bai raised a hand to stop him.
“If Mr. Fang wishes to do so, then go ahead. If you lack materials, you can request them from Elder Liu.” Xu Bai replied with a smile.
“Sect Master, you’re so generous!” The golden eyeball flipped up and down excitedly.
“Just wait for my good news—you’ll be in for a big surprise!”
With that, the golden eyeball turned into a streak of light and vanished into the distance.
“Young Master, you’re too soft-hearted. Always indulging Fang Zaiji like this—who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up in the future?” Liu San sighed.
“It’s fine. Nothing serious will come of it. While Mr. Fang may seem a bit unreliable, he has never neglected my task of strengthening the Medicine King True Cauldron. He just doesn’t show it in front of you, Elder Liu.” Xu Bai explained with a smile.
“Is that so?” Liu San looked slightly surprised.
Not continuing the topic, Xu Bai instead inquired about the progress of refining the Longevity Pills.
Liu San furrowed his brows and said, “The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance has recently lifted restrictions on Maze Zone Exploration, greatly increasing the demand for Longevity Pills among cultivators. Our stockpile has nearly been depleted, and with only me providing Longevity Green Energy, the rate of pill refinement is far too slow to keep up with consumption…”
He hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Young Master, do you think we should consider awakening a few more?”
Xu Bai pondered for a moment and did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked, “Elder Liu, do you have any suitable candidates in mind?”
Inside the Medicine King True Cauldron, there were originally six Dao Integration cultivators in slumber…
Liu San and Fang Zaiji have already been awakened; now, four others remain within the Grand Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation.
After pondering for a moment, Liu San gave his suggestion: “I recommend awakening Jiang Yushan, Elder Jiang.”
He then explained to Xu Bai the reason for his choice.
“The primary reason why we cannot awaken all the cultivators of the Medicine King Sect at once is the restriction of incompatible cultivation methods. If all those who practice the World-Saving Longevity Scripture were to wake up together, a brutal slaughter would likely break out immediately.”[1]
“But if it’s Yushan, I believe such murderous intent would have no effect on her.” Liu San spoke slowly.
It turns out that Jiang Yushan was originally a disciple of Indeterminate Prison, one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
Indeterminate Prison is a rather unique existence among the immortal sects. As its name suggests, rather than a sect, it is actually a prison—one that has suppressed countless cultivators who defied the commands of the Ten Great Immortal Sects ever since their rule over the Xuanhuang Realm began.
These exiled cultivators were confined to the same space, left to slaughter each other at will.
The location of this exile drifts unpredictably, and aside from a select few, no one knows how to enter it.
Thus, it is called Indeterminate Prison.
Jiang Yushan was originally a warden of this prison, tasked with keeping these ruthless criminals from escaping.
After spending a long time in Indeterminate Prison, she inevitably became tainted by the overwhelming killing intent that permeated the place.
Even the most resolute of cultivators cannot guarantee that they will always maintain their clarity of mind in such an environment.
For this reason, the prison rotates its wardens every thirty years.
New wardens are selected through various means. While their cultivation level may not always be the highest, their combat strength must be formidable. Furthermore, they must be ruthless—otherwise, they would never be able to suppress the countless criminals within Indeterminate Prison.
After leaving the prison, Jiang Yushan joined the Medicine King Sect to cleanse herself of the murderous aura lingering around her.
She dedicated herself to healing the sick and saving lives, accumulating merit and virtue—concealing her once bloodthirsty nature.
…
“The near-tangible killing intent within Indeterminate Prison could not shake Yushan’s mind. If it’s just the hostility generated by two people cultivating the same technique, she should be able to withstand it with ease.” Liu San declared confidently.
Xu Bai remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking,
“Then what about you, Elder Liu? The consequences of incompatible cultivation methods affect both sides. Can you guarantee that you won’t attack Elder Jiang?”
Liu San blurted out,
“Even if I were to die, I would never become Yushan’s enemy…”
Xu Bai immediately smiled.
“Very well. Since that’s the case, let’s proceed as planned. However, some preparations are still necessary. Elder Liu, calm your mind first. When the time comes, I will notify you.”
“Good, good.” Liu San seemed somewhat excited.
He conjured a Water Mirror, carefully examining his own reflection.
“Although Jiang Yushan is an outsider and unfamiliar with the internal affairs of the Medicine King Sect, my use of a clone to impersonate Liu Yihang will remain undiscovered.”
“Still, I must be cautious.”
Xu Bai’s eyes flickered with thought.
[TL- The Longevity and Lifespan Sutra/Technique will be translated as World-Saving Longevity Scripture because the former was not really that accurate]