Jiang Yushan looked at Xu Bai.
His handsome appearance did not stir any emotional waves in her heart.
However, the image of “Liu Yihang” flashed through her mind, causing her to hesitate for a brief moment.
From Liu San, she had learned that “Xu Bai” was a clone created by Liu Yihang. Now that Liu Ruchen had fallen, Liu Yihang was the current sect master of the Medicine King Sect.
Her expression softened slightly. After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Yushan finally nodded.
“Since the sect master has said so, we might as well give it a try.”
“However, I once lived in the Indeterminate Prison and have been tainted with an immense and unremovable baleful aura. Are you certain this won’t be a problem?” She frowned slightly, somewhat doubtful.
“Given how desperately the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance seek the Longevity Pill, even if it has some minor side effects, it should still be within an acceptable range. After all, the choice is between dying of old age or suffering some bodily harm—anyone can see which is the lesser evil.” Xu Bai spoke confidently.
At the same time, he briefly explained to Jiang Yushan the origins of the Devouring Essence White Mist and the current policy of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, which encouraged cultivators to explore the mist.
“A thousand years have passed, and such great changes have taken place.” Jiang Yushan sighed almost imperceptibly.
“This is the best time for selling the Longevity Pill—demand far exceeds supply. With Elder Liu alone, he cannot meet the demand. I hope Elder Jiang will lend us your aid.” Xu Bai spoke softly.
“Refining pills… I suppose I can give it a try.” Jiang Yushan nodded in agreement.
A hint of joy appeared on Liu San’s face.
Immediately, within the alchemy chamber of Longevity Valley, they gathered ninety-nine Golden Core disciples and set up the World-Saving Longevity Grand Alchemical Formation.
Liu San and Jiang Yushan sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, channeling their Longevity Green Energy into the core of the formation—the Medicine King Cauldron.
As the two forces were unleashed, Xu Bai keenly sensed the difference between them.
If Liu San’s Longevity Green Energy was like the vibrant vitality of spring, then Jiang Yushan’s carried a faintly chilling aura of slaughter within its vitality.
Moreover…
There was something familiar about this baleful aura.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Xu Bai remained composed and silently waited for the Longevity Pills to be refined.
With Jiang Yushan’s assistance, the formation’s operation speed increased more than threefold. Combined with Liu San’s experienced control, it wasn’t long before the first batch of Longevity Pills was successfully produced.
Three pills were formed. However, on the otherwise flawless, sky-blue pills, an ominous trace of black mist marred their appearance, disrupting their aesthetic harmony.
Even the natural medicinal fragrance of the longevity elixir was suppressed.
Holding the pill in one’s hand did not evoke the usual urge to consume it immediately.
“Sect Master, is this kind of pill really viable?” Jiang Yushan frowned slightly.
Xu Bai did not answer immediately. Instead, he tossed one of the pills into his mouth and closed his eyes to sense its effects.
He paid no attention to the increase in lifespan but instead focused on how the pill dissolved in his body, merging with the Longevity Green Energy and—along with it—the baleful aura that wreaked havoc within his flesh.
“As expected…”
“Heavenly Baleful Qi…”
Xu Bai’s expression turned slightly grave.
“Elder Jiang, could you explain in detail the origin of this baleful aura?” Circulating his spiritual energy, he slowly repaired the damage the aura had caused and then opened his eyes to ask.
Jiang Yushan was briefly stunned but then began explaining.
“In ancient times, cultivators underwent heavenly tribulation before ascending. This tribulation was both a test and an opportunity. Although it carried the risk of death, those who succeeded would be bathed in celestial energy and transform into immortals.”
“However, when the path to immortality was severed, heavenly tribulation ceased to appear. Yet, the killing intent of the heavens still needed an outlet—thus, the baleful aura descended upon the world.”
“This was the original source of the baleful aura within the Indeterminate Prison. Later, as countless heinous criminals were imprisoned there, the boundless killing intent of humanity became intertwined with it…”
“The resonance between heaven and man has made this baleful aura increasingly eerie and persistent. Even though I have distanced myself from it for decades, constantly cleansing myself with a healer’s heart, I still find it difficult to dispel.” Jiang Yushan spoke slowly. “Over time, the damage this baleful aura inflicts on a cultivator’s body is irreversible. This rather unique voice of mine is one such consequence.”
Jiang Yushan’s expression grew slightly dazed as she continued, “The great upheaval in the Xuanhuang Realm… I wonder what has become of Indeterminate Prison now.”
Xu Bai’s face showed a contemplative expression. “Heaven’s Calamity… Heaven’s Slaughter…”
“Elder Jiang, have you ever encountered this person or a sword brimming with baleful energy?” As he spoke, Xu Bai traced an image in the air, depicting the Fisherman and the Heavenly Calamity Sword.
Jiang Yushan stared at the image for a while before shaking her head. “I have never seen them.”
“Then, let’s leave it at that.”
This result was within Xu Bai’s expectations. With a wave of his hand, he dissipated the image of the Fisherman and turned to Jiang Yushan and Liu San. “The two of you need not worry. Though the Longevity Pill you refined together does indeed harm the physical body of cultivators, its merits outweigh its flaws. As long as its life-extending effects remain unchanged, I am certain many will still clamor to buy it. At most, we can lower the price a little.”
Reassuring them, Xu Bai instructed them to focus on refining the pills.
“How many should we refine?” Jiang Yushan asked directly. “I am quite curious about this world after thousands of years and would like to go out and explore.”
Xu Bai was momentarily speechless.
He glanced at Liu San, only to see him staring at Jiang Yushan in a daze, clearly not objecting to her decision.
After a brief moment of thought, Xu Bai said, “Use up half of the raw materials for the Longevity Pill in the Longevity Valley. Otherwise, keeping them unused would just be a waste.”
Clearly, Xu Bai did not have a precise understanding of the quantity of medicinal ingredients in Longevity Valley. Jiang Yushan nodded in agreement without hesitation.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you both.”
With a faint smile, Xu Bai gracefully left Longevity Valley.
“At the very least, she won’t be coming out for the next year or so.”
“However…”
A figure flashed in Xu Bai’s mind—[Tian Jue] Fisherman.
The baleful aura clinging to Jiang Yushan was strikingly similar to the aura surrounding Tian Jue.
Yet, there was a subtle difference.
It was difficult to put into words, but for someone like Li Fan, who had interacted with both, distinguishing between them was easy.
If he were to use an appropriate analogy, it would be like comparing “two bodies of seawater with different salt concentrations.”
Similar yet distinct, as if…
“They come from two different worlds.”
A glint flashed through Xu Bai’s eyes.
Jiang Yushan hailed from Indeterminate Prison and the Medicine King Sect, both of which still had records in the current Xuanhuang Realm.
That meant the answer was obvious.
For a long time, he had harbored a suspicion in his heart.
The likes of Tian Yi, Tian Jue, Tian Yu, and the Cloud-Water Heavenly Palace—these people likely did not originate from the Xuanhuang Realm.
Rather…
They were outsiders.