Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Blocking the Way
The Moon-Inquiry Token felt cool in Shao Heng’s palm.
This was Elder Zhao’s investment in her.
Body entry in the Qi Induction Realm within 10 days, complete mastery of the basic spells recorded in the booklet, questions about cultivation that struck straight at the crux, insights sharp enough to stump a Third Realm cultivator… Elder Zhao had watched Shao Heng for three months and felt no doubt at all. This girl would be an inner sect disciple. Even after entering the inner sect, with such astonishing comprehension, she wouldn’t be mediocre.
Elder Zhao had taught the outer sect for over 20 cohorts. Shao Heng was the most talented disciple she had ever seen.
“As an exchange,” Elder Zhao said, “this old woman wants you to obtain a treasure that only the inner sect can access within 60 years.”
“A fourth-grade pill: the Life-Extending Azure Pill.”
Shao Heng had seen it recorded in an alchemy tome. A cultivator could only take one in their lifetime—and it extended lifespan by 60 years.
She lowered her lashes, thoughts flickering. Elder Zhao was only a little over 300 this year. A Third Realm Purple Palace cultivator had a lifespan of 500. Why would she want the Life-Extending Azure Pill?
But Shao Heng didn’t ask. She didn’t need to.
She only needed to weigh gain against loss.
Compared to the Moon-Inquiry Token, the Life-Extending Azure Pill was also something the inner sect could obtain. Yet Elder Zhao could get a Moon-Inquiry Token, but couldn’t simply ask for a pill. Which was more valuable?
Shao Heng already had a rough answer.
And yet—
“Deal.”
The first condition for a deal to succeed was never equal value. It was whether both sides could get what they wanted.
Shao Heng desperately wanted to understand what that strange vision truly meant.
A Shattered Moon held both stellar power and Tai Yin power. By all logic, it should be the most suitable cultivation treasure for her right now—and it might help her pry open the mystery of her own aptitude.
“Good.” Elder Zhao drew a thin sheet of paper from her sleeve.
Shao Heng recognized it at once: a contract curse, something only high-level cultivators could refine.
The Great Dao was long and endless. A contract curse contained a trace of Dao resonance. Once cultivators signed it, if either side failed to fulfill the contract, that resonance would entangle them endlessly and obstruct their path.
Shao Heng said little. She took the contract curse, examined every word, and after confirming there were no traps hidden in the phrasing, she used spiritual power as the pen and blood as the ink to sign her name.
The paper burned into ash in a sudden burst of blood-colored flame. Somewhere unseen, a restraint settled upon her.
Elder Zhao wasn’t surprised. A few exchanges over three months were enough for her to understand Shao Heng’s nature.
She took out a jade slip and pressed it into Shao Heng’s hand.
“The Mystic Moon Secret Realm is full of danger. Even if they are also One Yuan Sect disciples, they may not show you any kindness. They are all opponents fighting for opportunities.”
“So this lower-grade immortal art—whether you can grasp its mysteries and keep yourself alive will depend on your own ability.”
With that, Elder Zhao said no more and turned to leave.
Shao Heng put the Moon-Inquiry Token and the jade slip into her storage ring and followed out of the lecture hall.
Elder Zhao moved quickly. She must have used some spell, because she vanished in a blink.
When Shao Heng stepped through the Wondrous Dharma Tower’s main gate, she found people waiting for her outside.
She stopped, arms folded, and swept her gaze over the group.
They were all from the same intake—people who had clearly already left the lecture hall.
Besides Lu Shao Jing, Lu Shao Jia, Yan Ning, and Qin Ji—four familiar faces—there were three others she didn’t know well.
The moment she stepped out, the seven of them surrounded her.
Lu Shao Jing couldn’t hold back. “Did Elder Zhao give you special tutoring just now?”
“What did she tell you? She even set up an isolation spell so we couldn’t get close!”
Their eyes pinned her in place. One girl—pale and pretty, with a lingering childishness—spoke up with a careful smile. “Senior Sister, we cultivators act openly. There’s nothing we can’t say in front of others. Why not tell us what Elder Zhao said just now?”
Shao Heng recognized her as Gu Yu Sui.
A young man with neat brows and eyes—Zhao Chuan Zhen—added, “Junior Sister Shao Heng, you might as well tell us. If there’s anything you don’t understand, we can discuss it together. Many minds make light work, and we can give you advice.”
The others didn’t speak. But silence was its own pressure.
Shao Heng let out a soft, contemptuous laugh.
“A bunch of trash, and you still want to know what Elder Zhao told me?”
“You’re not worthy of hearing it.”
Seven faces darkened at once. Zhao Chuan Zhen’s eyes flared. “What are you being arrogant about? Even if you entered body entry faster, low-grade aptitude is still low-grade aptitude! We’ve all completed body entry now. Our cultivation speed isn’t that different. How strong can you be? What right do you have to call us trash?”
“You really think your cultivation is profound? I’ve cultivated since childhood. I reached the Qi Induction Realm at eight. I was ahead of you long ago!”
Shao Heng glanced over him. His aura was indeed the strongest here, hovering between 40 and 50 cauldrons. Gu Yu Sui had a little over 30. The other five sat around 10.
Zhao Chuan Zhen kept talking, voice rising as if volume could make truth.
“We only wanted to discuss together and gather ideas. What you’re doing is selfish.”
Shao Heng lifted a brow. “Selfish?”
“I just didn’t let you take advantage of me.”
Gu Yu Sui’s face reddened. “We absolutely didn’t mean that. Senior Sister Shao Heng, you’re being too sensitive.”
“Sensitive?” Shao Heng’s smile sharpened. “Or did I guess your thoughts exactly?”
Yan Ning glared and huffed. “You’re still as nasty as ever. Completely unreasonable.”
“Of course it sounds nasty,” Shao Heng said lightly. “I hit your sore spot. Of course you think it sounds nasty.”
“As for me being unreasonable—if you can’t beat me with reason, then all you have left is mud.”
She didn’t give them time to breathe.
“Even if Elder Zhao didn’t give me special tutoring, so what? And even if she did, so what?”
“I’m talented and quick-witted. If she doesn’t help me, should she help you instead?”
“Would you even understand it?”
“If you’re unhappy, come with me to the Dueling Arena and settle it. All seven of you can come at once.”
Her stance was hard as iron.
Qin Ji stepped forward, voice gentle, as if soothing a temperamental beast. “Sister Heng, why push yourself? There are seven of us, and you’re alone—”
A sudden, vicious gust cut him off.
Qin Ji flew backward like a rag doll. He slammed into the ground and skidded, drawing a bright arc of blood across the stone.
Disgust flickered across Shao Heng’s face. “Ugh. Filthy things really do love to gather.”
“Get far away from me.”