Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Divine Object Conceals Itself
Throughout the night, Ji Feichen could hear footsteps outside, evidence that many were searching back and forth within the tower.
“Don’t mind them; as long as suspicion doesn’t fall on you for now, it’s fine.” The drought demoness explained the subtle wonders of the Profound Yin Ice Soul Divine Thunder: “Though both are thunder arts of the Profound Yin, the greatest difference between the Five Elements Annihilation Thunder and the Ice Soul Polar Light Thunder lies in speed and efficiency.”
In the cultivation world, thunder techniques are generally divided into three tiers. The most widespread and accessible is the Ten Directions Heavenly Stem Divine Thunder, a thunder art anyone can learn with diligent study. Above that are specialized thunder incantations, superior to the common thunder arts at the same realm. As for supreme thunder arts, at most two or three people in an era may master them—these are the most challenging of all.
“Thunder is the law of judgment, the way of destruction, the most common attack method among immortals and demons. When thunder imbued with the true essence of the Dao strikes an enemy, it can shatter their Dao fruit and kill them. Yet the two Profound Yin thunders have distinctly different marvels. The Five Elements Profound Yin Divine Thunder, upon striking an enemy, automatically unravels their Five Elements foundation, using the elemental energies within their body to strengthen the thunder. This is a lengthy process—the Five Elements Annihilation Thunder clings like a shadow, exceedingly difficult to eradicate. The Ice Soul Divine Thunder, however, excels in speed and targets vitality. It freezes life with ice, dividing life and death in an instant.”
Both thunder arts are equally potent. The Ice Soul Thunder kills instantly, swift and effective. If dodged, the strike fails. The Five Elements Thunder, on the other hand, spreads within the body with even a trace, eventually culminating in a fully formed thunder art that annihilates the target.
“I don’t expect you to master the thunder art in a few days, but follow my incantations and condense at least three Profound Yin Thunder Pearls within your body. Only then can you barely destroy the Water-Fire Pillar.”
Ji Feichen followed the demoness’s instructions, first condensing the Gui Water Divine Thunder, then infusing it with profound energy, further refining it. Over the next few days, Ji Feichen’s understanding of thunder arts advanced rapidly; with ease, he used the demoness’s profound energy to forge three thunder pearls, exhausting all of it.
“Excellent, three thunder pearls are sufficient. Rest well, and wait for the time to help me break the seal.”
The next day, Ji Feichen emerged refreshed and joined Ma Shixin and others for some air; Zhao Shaoming, however, was nowhere in sight.
“Uncle Liu took him to interrogate the prisoners from the Nether Sect,” Ma Shixin explained, with a meaningful look. “Perhaps, as you suspected, his identity is more complicated than it appears.”
“So quickly exposed?” Ji Feichen was surprised, feigning shock on his face. “He really is problematic?”
“Most likely. The person who attacked you last night seems connected to him. Uncle Liu—the one who appeared last night—found members of the Nether Sect three hundred miles away. The culprit was the direct disciple of the Black Pool Demon, a newly ascended immortal.”
Ji Feichen blinked: Black Pool Uncle? Heaven knows, I never intended to harm you. How unlucky that everything seems to collide with me?
When he first arrived, it was precisely the news of Black Pool’s ascension that distracted the attention of the Tai Xiao Palace.
Seeing Ji Feichen lost in thought, Ma Shixin continued, “You may not know, but Black Pool Demon is a major figure in the Nether Sect, just a step away from Earth Immortal. Risking entry here likely concerns his breakthrough.”
Among the imprisoned disciples from the Nether Sect, some held the main ingredient for the “Xuanming Seven Aperture Pill.”
Ji Feichen understood perfectly; only this could explain why Black Pool sent people here despite the risks.
“That Zhao fellow is likely tied to the Nether Sect. Interrogation will reveal his origins and perhaps the location of the crucial item.”
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“That’s good, as long as nothing happened.” Ji Feichen appeared relieved, accompanying Ma Shixin for some air.
As they walked, they inadvertently wandered back to the Immortal Lock Tower’s quarters.
Guo Shaoyang and others were drinking tea, and upon seeing Ji Feichen strolling in, the young man slapped his forehead in frustration, “I’m so used to the route, I ended up back here.”
As he spoke, Ji Feichen tried to leave.
Guo Shaoyang and the others quickly pulled him back, “Since you’ve come, don’t go. Have some tea first.” They held Ji Feichen, curious, “How are things in the Demon Suppression Tower?”
“The three mountains are one; nothing much differs.” Ji Feichen sat down and drank tea heartily. “Only, the facilities inside differ from the Immortal Lock Tower. By the way, is everything fine here? I didn’t get to say farewell to Master Ding. How is he?”
“He’s fine, just hasn’t gone for walks these past two days.” Tu Shan chimed in, sitting beside Ji Feichen. The two subtly exchanged the Heavenly Concealing Talisman and the Jade Mirror.
“Everything goes as planned. Remember to bring out our target for air when the time comes.”
“So I’ll capture, Ji Feichen will rescue, and the drought demoness will distract the attention of the Earth Immortals?” Tu Shan, fully aware, chatted comfortably until Ma Shixin called Ji Feichen back to the Demon Suppression Tower’s quarters.
The following days passed uneventfully; Zhao Shaoming disappeared on the fifth day, and a new prisoner appeared in the cell. Furthermore, in conversation with Ma Shixin, Ji Feichen learned the real purpose behind Zhao Shaoming and his companions’ entry.
Seven-Tailed Phoenix Plume Grass—a golden spiritual herb resembling a phoenix. It is one of the thirty-six major ingredients of the Xuanming Seven Aperture Pill.
The Xuanming Pill, famed as the undying medicine, requires thirty-six major herbs and one hundred eight minor ones. The Phoenix Plume Grass is extraordinarily precious, growing one tail every five hundred years; a seven-tailed one means three thousand five hundred years of cultivation. Scouring all of Xuanzheng Continent, one might not find more than a handful.
“No wonder, no wonder he was so desperate. Perhaps Zhao Shaoming’s real goal was not to rescue anyone, but to get the herb.” Ji Feichen then asked Ma Shixin, “Did you find the Phoenix Plume Grass?”
“No, though the demon carrying it was found. It’s said Zhao Shaoming already transferred it.”
“Transferred? Where is Zhao Shaoming now?”
“He’s imprisoned, hasn’t spoken, probably bound by a blood oath or something similar.”
“Oh,” Ji Feichen ceased his inquiries, shifting to other topics. That night, he managed to exchange the Heavenly Concealing Talisman back with Tu Shan and asked the drought demoness, “Do you recall traces of Zhao Shaoming’s night roaming on the first day?”
“You want the Phoenix Plume Grass too?”
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“That’s a treasure—I naturally care.”
“That thing counters your Dragon Demon arts; why do you want it?” For those cultivating dragon transformation, Phoenix Plume Grass is a deadly poison, capable of erasing thousands of years of cultivation.
Ji Feichen merely smiled in silence. He could not use it, but it didn’t mean it couldn’t be used to negotiate.
Seeing this, the drought demoness did not press. Instead, she asked, “When Zhao Shaoming appeared before us on the first day, where was it?”
“The third floor?”
“Right. The Phoenix Plume Grass is beside the cell where we met Zhao Shaoming.”
“Impossible. If it were that simple, Ma Shixin and the others would have found it long ago.”
“Who said the Phoenix Plume Grass must be a herb?”
“It looks like a phoenix, has seven tails, and is spiritual—what else could it be?”
“Indeed, Phoenix Plume Grass is a herb. But when used, its essence must be extracted.”
Ji Feichen was taken aback, then realized, “You mean, the Phoenix Plume Grass has changed form?”
“More than that. Simple disguise would never suffice. After extracting its essence, a wisp of phoenix soul was infused into the moss in the cell’s crevice. How many would think to check the moss?”
At noon, flames rage; at midnight, temperatures drop. The Demon Suppression Tower is hardly a place for plants. Yet plants are resilient, and some moss and algae thrive in wall crevices. After burning the Seven-Tailed Phoenix Plume Grass, Zhao Shaoming hid its essence in a crevice. Only a bit of moss transformed into the new “Phoenix Plume Grass.” Because divine objects conceal themselves and moss is unobtrusive, it remained undiscovered.
“So, will you fetch it now?”
“No. At midnight tomorrow, when I rescue you, I’ll retrieve it.”
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