Chapter 102: The Overflow of Pill Dao!
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The Red Furnace…
After returning from the Medicinal Pool to his quarters, Bai Ru Long kicked off his boots and climbed onto the kang bed, while Ji You sat cross-legged on the couch, a slight frown etched between his brows.
The notion that the Seven Great Immortal Sects each possessed a Sacred Artifact of the Heavenly Dao was not new to Ji You. He was aware that the Mystic Origin Immortal Palace held the Xuan Yuan Pearl, while the Heavenly Script Academy safeguarded the Heavenly Tome. Then there was the Spirit Mirror, wielded by Yan Shu Yi, and the Red Furnace, belonging to the Pill Sect.
What Ji You couldn’t be certain about, however, was whether what he saw amidst the fragmented and shifting void last night truly was the Pill Sect’s sacred artifact.
But…
It was rusty.
[It seems that the Heavenly Dao of the human race is genuinely faltering.]
Yet another unsettling question lingered in his mind: why was he able to see it?
Tsk, he mused. [I saw far too much last night.] First, the exposed state of a sacred artifact, and then the equally bare figure of someone’s daughter.
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Ji You sat upright once more and attempted to project his Spiritual Consciousness into the heavens. However, he could no longer catch a glimpse of the Red Furnace, only the boundless, distant sky that all cultivators could see.
[It seems, like the Field of Enlightenment at the Heavenly Script Academy, not all locations allow one to observe sacred artifacts. The Medicinal Pool of Yuan Cai Wei is a unique place, similar to the Enlightenment Grounds.]
The following morning, breakfast for the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy was served in the Jade Balance Hall. During the banquet the previous night, You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu had mentioned their departure plans for today.
Their journey to Spirit Sword Mountain to seek the Dao was supposed to be swift and decisive: ascend the mountain, draw their swords, achieve victory, and magnify the reputation of the academy. Prolonging their stay at the Pill Sect might give outsiders the impression that they lacked confidence.
However, the master of the Pill Sect, Yuan Li, was extremely hospitable. He had arranged for a demonstration of Pill Alchemy, ostensibly to showcase the Pill Sect’s profound heritage to the academy’s disciples.
Still, Yuan Li was probably unaware that his daughter had displayed even more last night to a certain disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy.
“This atmosphere feels rather odd today in the Pill Sect,” remarked He Ling Xiu, glancing around.
“Indeed, there seem to be fewer disciples than usual,” replied You Bu Yu.
“When I arrived earlier, I saw some of them heading up the mountain.”
“Do you think it’s related to the mystical Pill Radiance that illuminated the Hall of Resplendent Glow last night?”
As they conversed, they noticed a group of Pill Sect disciples whispering among themselves before hurrying out of the hall.
Moments later, Ji You and his companions, having come from the rear courtyard, entered the Jade Balance Hall for their meal.
He Ling Xiu, who had observed Ji You’s dramatic changes in demeanor and vitality over the past few days, couldn’t resist examining him more closely again. Her gaze lingered, her thoughts briefly frozen.
This time, it wasn’t just Ji You who had changed. The entire group—including Ban Yang Shu, Pei Ru Yi, Wen Zheng Xin, and even Bai Ru Long—seemed to exude a newfound vigor.
What caught her attention most, however, was Ji You’s skin, which now appeared as smooth and radiant as polished jade, like that of a refined scholar.
[Though cultivators value spiritual freedom above all, it’s still hard for female cultivators to avoid stealing glances at good-looking men.]
What had this group done in just one night to bring about such changes?
Noticing He Ling Xiu’s questioning look, Ban Yang Shu and the others averted their gazes, attempting to maintain an air of composure as they sought seats in a far corner of the hall.
They dared not meet the eyes of You Bu Yu, lest the memory of his pitiable state last night resurface and cause their resolve to crumble.
The meal was quickly served by disciples of the Pill Sect, who ladled food into the bowls of the guests. Ji You requested only a plain bowl of rice and began eating quietly.
Ban Yang Shu took the opportunity to glance around and remarked, “There were so many disciples coming and going in the Jade Balance Hall yesterday, but today there’s noticeably fewer.”
Wen Zheng Xin nodded. “They’ve likely gone up the mountain. I overheard some disciples mention that the highest Hall of Resplendent Glow emitted a sudden burst of Pill Radiance last night. This led to an Overflow of the Pill Dao, causing alchemical qi to envelop half of Cinnabar Mountain. Many of the inner disciples went to seek enlightenment, while the outer disciples headed for the Medicinal Pool.”
“Medicinal Pool?” Ban Yang Shu asked, his curiosity piqued.
“The Overflowing Pill Dao”
“The effects of the Medicinal Pool seem similar to the Field of Enlightenment at the Heavenly Script Academy,” commented Wen Zheng Xin, her gaze involuntarily drifting toward Ji You, who sat silently at the side.
Ji You was deep in thought, his expression contemplative. [Judging by the reactions of these Pill Sect disciples, the phenomenon of Pill Dao Overflow must be rare.] He recalled the furnace he observed last night and pondered its connection to this anomaly. Though both Pill Dao and the Immortal Way originate from the Heavenly Dao, they remain fundamentally distinct.
Seeing the solemn look on Ji You’s face, Ban Yang Shu couldn’t resist breaking the tension. “Today’s dishes seem richer in flavor than yesterday’s. Junior Brother, aren’t you going to have more?”
Ji You snapped out of his reverie, his face still serious. “No, just some rice will suffice. I’m afraid if I eat too much, I’ll end up fainting from Yuan Chen’s concoctions and find myself dumped in the Medicinal Pool again.”
Ban Yang Shu froze, holding back a laugh. [Does Junior Brother really think he was the one who suffered the most last night? Doesn’t he realize it was You Bu Yu who truly bore the brunt?]
Wen Zheng Xin and Pei Ru Yi exchanged knowing smirks, while Bai Ru Long looked utterly baffled, as though the conversation had shifted to another realm beyond his grasp.
At that moment, You Bu Yu strode past them after finishing his meal, casting a sharp sidelong glance at the group. “This is the Pill Sect, not the outer court of the Heavenly Script Academy. Stop wandering aimlessly. I don’t want the Pill Sect thinking we lack discipline. Don’t disgrace me.”
Shortly after, the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy were led by Pill Sect members to the alchemy chamber to witness the pill refinement process.
To You Bu Yu’s disappointment, Yuan Cai Wei did not make an appearance. Instead, a Pill Sect disciple was tasked with demonstrating the intricate art of alchemy: presenting the formula, selecting ingredients, and casting them into the furnace, accompanied by a display of the Mystic Jade Alchemical Hands.
Contrary to external speculation, the profoundness of the Pill Sect’s Alchemical Arts did not rely on furnace quality, temperature control, or even the ingredients. The secret lay in the mystical power of the Mystic Jade Alchemical Hands.
It was reminiscent of how Yuan Chen had treated refugees outside the city with Pill Qi and Pill Radiance, catalyzing the efficacy of the medicine. Similarly, during the refinement process, the alchemist used the Mystic Jade Alchemical Hands to manipulate the properties of the ingredients within the furnace, alternately releasing or suppressing their essence.
Under this technique, even two ordinary herbs could produce countless variations. Poison could be extracted while retaining medicinal properties, or toxicity could be neutralized to leave only the essence of the remedy.
Ji You observed the process for a long time. [No wonder the sect master of the Pill Sect specifically arranged this demonstration. It’s meant to convey that the Pill Sect possesses irreplaceable expertise.]
Suddenly, a loud clang echoed through the chamber. The towering copper furnace trembled as if something within had exploded. The alchemist in charge shuddered, and the jade-like glow on his hands began to fade.
“Did he fail?”
“The alchemist seemed distracted…”
“It’s like when someone’s Dao Enlightenment is interrupted by stray thoughts.”
“Junior Brother, what do you think caused it?”
“Perhaps the Pill Radiance from the inner sect is to blame.”
The alchemist, Wen Bin, was a talented outer-clan disciple of the Wen Clan from Liang Prefecture, well-versed in Pill Alchemy and ranked in the upper fifth tier. However, his momentary lapse in concentration was indeed due to the Pill Radiance emanating from the Grand Furnace, which had been overflowing with Pill Dao since last night.
The phenomenon had begun during the Hour of the Dog the previous night and had shown no signs of subsiding. None could predict when it might end. This rare event was a major draw for the disciples of the Pill Sect, as it hadn’t occurred for centuries.
It was said that those who had witnessed such an occurrence in the past were long gone, and anyone missing this opportunity might never encounter it in their lifetime.
As an outer-clan alchemist, Wen Bin couldn’t help but overthink his position within the sect. Even so, he had been chosen the previous afternoon to showcase Pill Alchemy to the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy, given his high success rate in pill refinement. The Pill Dao Overflow coinciding with this event was purely a matter of timing, unrelated to his status as an outer-clan member.
In moments of urgency, the mind often becomes chaotic, leading to unintentional errors. Such was the case with Wen Bin, whose complexion was pallid with distress. The sound of approaching footsteps caught his ear just as his control over the copper furnace began to falter.
Yuan Chen stepped forward silently, his expression calm. Without saying a word, he extended his hand, taking over the process with the Mystic Jade Pill Hand. The furnace, teetering on the brink of collapse, slowly stabilized under his precise control. In truth, Yuan Chen had been observing from the shadows all along but had hesitated to intervene—his actions from the previous night weighed heavily on his conscience. Nevertheless, the reputation of the Pill Sect was at stake, and he could not idly watch as his senior brother Wen ruined the alchemical batch. With a flick of his hand, Yuan Chen discharged a beam of pill radiance, harmonizing the volatile medicinal properties. Using the same ingredients, he refined a different kind of pill entirely.
Time passed, and the radiance from within the alchemy furnace began to overflow. A surge of alchemical qi erupted as the furnace opened, releasing a dazzling display of light.
“The pills are complete,” someone remarked in awe.
“No wonder he is the Pill Sect’s direct disciple…”
At that moment, Yuan Cai Wei entered the hall. Her gaze fell on the dense pill radiance emanating from the furnace, and she finally exhaled a breath she had been holding. Her sleep the previous night had been plagued by unsettling dreams she could not speak of, and she had not intended to visit today. However, upon learning that her younger brother Yuan Chen had gone to the Jade Balance Hall, she had hurried over, fearing he might stir up more trouble.
Seeing the completed pills now, her heart was somewhat relieved. [Though he’s usually idle and full of strange ideas, he can rise to the occasion when needed,] she thought.
Standing with hands clasped behind her back, Yuan Cai Wei inspected the furnace with a composed expression. Occasionally, she leaned toward Yuan Chen to exchange a few whispered words, yet she avoided looking at the delegation from the Heavenly Script Academy altogether.
Ban Yang Shu, standing in the rear, observed Yuan Cai Wei’s demeanor. Her composed manner made him question whether the events of the previous night had been merely a figment of his imagination.
“Miss Cai Wei,” You Bu Yu called, stepping forward.
“Hmm?” Yuan Cai Wei turned to face him, her tone polite but distant. “What is it, Young Master You?”
You Bu Yu hesitated, surprised by the increased coldness in her demeanor compared to before. “Well, we’ll be departing today. I’m not sure when we’ll meet again, so I came to bid you farewell.”
“Then I wish you all a safe journey,” Yuan Cai Wei replied, her gaze shifting toward the left.
“?” Following her line of sight, You Bu Yu noticed she was fixated on Bai Ru Long. Beside him, Ji You also noticed her expression, and his eyes narrowed. [So it’s true. Whether or not this was Yuan Chen’s scheme, Yuan Cai Wei clearly harbors designs on me.]
The atmosphere of the Pill Sect was overwhelming. Ji You had initially planned to take some items of value but now felt he had barely escaped leaving more of himself behind. [If I go to Spirit Sword Mountain, I’ll probably get hacked to pieces.]
“Brother Ji, did you notice?” Bai Ru Long whispered. “Miss Cai Wei seemed to be staring at me just now.”
“Mm. That’s why you’re the happiest among us,” Ji You muttered dryly.
The group soon departed the Jade Balance Hall, heading to the rear courtyard to pack their belongings. Yuan Chen also left the pill room, trailing behind them like a quail as he entered the T-shaped chamber. His restlessness from the previous night had left him sleepless. He had resolved not to face Ji You before the Heavenly Script Academy delegation departed. Yet, despite himself, he followed them here.
“Brother-in-law, my sister asked me to wish you a smooth journey and to deliver her regards to Sister Yan Shu Yi,” Yuan Chen offered hesitantly.
Ji You turned to him, deliberating for a moment before speaking. “You should accompany me to Spirit Sword Mountain.”
“To Spirit Sword Mountain? Why?” Yuan Chen looked up in confusion.
“Perhaps I’ll suffer fewer injuries if you’re there,” Ji You replied.
“No, no, I’ll stay in the Pill Sect. I love the Pill Dao more than anything,” Yuan Chen quickly declined.
Just then, Ji You’s brows furrowed as he sensed something unusual. His gaze turned toward the outside. The winds on Cinnabar Mountain had suddenly risen, and in mere moments, a fierce gale surged toward the summit.