Stealing Immortal

The spring day was bright and beautiful.

A warm breeze swept through the Spirit Wood in the mountains, coaxing the Spiritual Buds on the branches to bloom one after another. The small courtyard was a scene of pure harmony, a perfect time for cultivation and seeking the Dao.

Xu Baoling was dressed in simple clothes. As her Cultivation progressed, her posture and bearing grew more and more human. Below her sat three youths, learning to identify Spirit Grass and recognize Elixirs in the courtyard.

Whether it was Cultivating Plants or Cultivating Pills, the two paths had much in common.

“Immortal Grass is born from the creations of heaven and earth. It contains a multitude of things, and by taking its essence, we can advance our Cultivation and attain longevity… The art of the Alchemy Dao is to use human effort to extract that essence once more. Therefore, understanding its medicinal properties is of utmost importance…”

“As of today, you have all been processing raw materials for Senior Brother Chen for three years. Three years is enough to be considered initiated…”

The three youths were split into two groups.

One group was Cultivating Pills, while the other cultivated the path of the Mountain and River Daoist. They had already cleared a good deal of forest for fields, and Li Sheng was beginning to learn about a different kind of Elixir.

The greatest benefit of Cultivation here was that there was always an ample supply of all necessary resources.

Sitting in meditation inside the Alchemy Room, Chen Qingyang heard the noise and slowly opened his eyes. A breath of Dense Qi rose from his Dantian, passed through his Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels, circulated through his Dongming Mansion, and when he finally exhaled, his breath was long and steady…

Refining Essence into Qi.

The Refinement of the Essence of Five Grains and the Essence of Essence Blood, transforming them into formless qi—this process was also known as Purification and Refinement. No matter what level one’s Cultivation reached, this fundamental principle would never change.

Tomorrow was the Tai Xu Elemental Separation Conference on Sun-piercing Peak. He had rested for a night and gathered his strength, but before that, he still had to make a trip to Four Golden Peaks to see Master Yun Ci.

‘I’m not sure if this is a good deal or not,’ he thought, ‘but for now, it seems like I’m getting the short end of the stick.’

Using his Universe in the Sleeve technique, he gathered up the Elixirs, bid farewell to everyone in the courtyard, and vanished in an instant. When he reappeared, he was at the Four Golden Peaks Pill Institute.

It had been high summer the last time he came, and now autumn was approaching. ‘Time sure has flown since I became an Inner Sect Disciple.’

Liu Tao wasn’t in her room, so he sat by himself and waited. A short while later, he saw his Senior Sister enter from outside.

He carefully examined her Cultivation. Just as she had said last time, she was indeed on the verge of a breakthrough. ‘If only I could sneak some Earth Deity to her, she would surely break through…’

‘What a pity,’ he thought. ‘In this strictly hierarchical Immortal Cultivation World, only Masters are allowed to enjoy such a thing.’

Seeing it was Chen Qingyang, she was naturally overjoyed. A smile bloomed across her face, like a spring peach blossom in the autumn sun.

She had always liked to wear light pink dresses that delicately outlined her slender waist, and her chest was quite full. Though she didn’t have the exaggerated curves of Xu Baoling, hers were perfectly and pleasingly proportioned.

“Senior Sister, is your Cultivation about to break through?”

Liu Tao said, “Of course, it’s all thanks to you, Junior Brother. My Alchemy skills have also improved recently. I am now the head of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute here, and like you, I can be considered a Pill Master of the Pill Institute. I can even go to the main Pill Institute to cultivate…”

She was truly overjoyed as she said this, because she felt she could keep up with Chen Qingyang’s pace again.

Though the position of institute head was at Four Golden Peaks, it was a stepping stone into the Separation Dragon Pill Institute.

Chen Qingyang was happy for her. “Aiya, looks like it won’t be long before I’ll be under your care again, Senior Sister. Back when I was at Four Golden Peaks, I relied on you for everything!”

Liu Tao slapped him playfully, her gesture intimate. “Oh, stop it. Even if I spurred my horse to a gallop, I could never catch up to you!”

“What kind of Elixir are you refining, Senior Sister?”

“The Tier Three Earth Root Biochemical Pill, from the Pill Formula you gave me back then. I never gave up on studying this Elixir. Once my Cultivation breaks through, I’ll be able to Refine the Tier Four version. What do you think?”

‘That’s truly no small improvement,’ Chen Qingyang thought. This particular Elixir required exceptional Fire Control skills. To be able to refine the Tier Three version meant her entire Alchemy Dao had advanced.

Before Chen Qingyang could reply, she shot him a look and added, “Of course, this is all thanks to you too.”

The two chatted for a while, catching up on recent events. Then, Chen Qingyang flicked his sleeve and produced ten Elixirs. They were Tier Five Earth Root Life Transformation Pills.

“Once you’ve taken all of these, I expect your Cultivation will break through, Senior Sister. Cultivate well in the Pill Institute, and you’ll be able to advance even further in the future.”

“Also, don’t waste any more time studying this Earth Root Biochemical Pill. Focus your efforts on the Mingtang Hall. If you can’t find a Pill Formula, I’ll get one for you. Understand?”

Unexpectedly, Liu Tao didn’t seem to hear a word of his earnest advice. Her gaze drifted to his sleeve. She grabbed his arm and examined it closely.

“Could it be… Universe in the Sleeve?”

Chen Qingyang saw no reason to hide it from her. “That’s right.”

Liu Tao asked again, cautiously, “The Sixth Realm of Dongming?”

“Yes.”

She looked up at Chen Qingyang, her eyes glistening and wide, as if she were trying to see right through him.

“You know, sometimes my mind wanders back to when you were an old man and I was an old woman. It doesn’t feel that long ago. Do you ever feel that way?”

She wasn’t nostalgic for being an old crone, but for a time when she and Chen Qingyang were on the same level. To be honest, Chen Qingyang didn’t think about it much. He had always been one to look forward.

That slight pause was all it took for Liu Tao to jump in. “You don’t have to say it, I understand. You’re not one to look back… Oh, Chen Qingyang, you’re really something else!”

Tears welled in her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. She was truly, completely happy for him.

Involuntarily, an image surfaced in Chen Qingyang’s mind.

On that day, he had been an old man in the small courtyard on the mountainside of Four Golden Peaks. He had watched a Fairy in a pink dress, who had just had a breakthrough in her Cultivation, descend from the sky and land in front of the old Locust Tree. “What,” she had asked, “you don’t recognize me?”