CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: DISCIPLE OF THE GREAT TEACHING

The brightly lit main tent in the army camp.

Yuan Baiyi, his armor shed and upper body bare, had a solemn expression, seemingly deep in thought. His entire right shoulder was a blur of flesh and blood.

Next to him, Nie Xun held a small knife. He was cutting away the rotting, stinking flesh from Yuan Baiyi’s wound, which had been poisoned by the demon, while sprinkling light-red medicinal powder on it.

However, the powder’s effectiveness seemed lacking; it couldn’t effectively halt the poison’s spread. The area of rotten flesh continued to grow, and even the surface of the bones faintly turned black.

Nie Xun, anxious as he applied the medicine, was sweating profusely, his hands starting to tremble.

"Lv Shuai, this demon poison is extremely fierce. The medicinal powder we brought can’t stop it," he said.

"The powders we carry are intended for demons with scales, fur, and feathers. The one that wounded me wasn’t a living creature turned into a demon. Its poison naturally cannot be resolved by the powder."

Glancing back at the wound, Yuan Baiyi contemplated for a moment. Though the spreading poison wouldn’t take his life, the persistent injury would surely slow his pursuit of the two Demons. If too much time was lost, those two Demons might escape far away.

"How about... I give it a try?" Qi Xiu, who had been sitting quietly to one side since being invited, finally spoke.

Surprised, Yuan Baiyi looked up at Qi Xiu and smiled faintly. "The young Daoist seems to know quite a bit. Please, I would be in your debt."

Nodding, Qi Xiu walked over to Yuan Baiyi’s side, took out a Suppression Talisman from his robes, and slapped it onto the wound with a smack.

HISSS—

Threads of golden light vibrated, and wisps of white smoke rose.

On Yuan Baiyi’s wound, black, sticky demon poison, wriggling like maggots, was forcibly expelled and dissipated into black smoke.

With the poison cleared, the flesh at Yuan Baiyi’s wound immediately revitalized. Rotten flesh fell away, new buds of flesh grew, visibly improving at a rapid rate.

Good heavens. Vajra Wolverine. Witnessing Yuan Baiyi’s astonishing healing rate, Qi Xiu’s eyes showed amazement.

"You may step down now," Yuan Baiyi said, putting on a light shirt and gesturing for Nie Xun to leave with a wave of his hand.

"Today, I am fortunate to have the young Daoist’s assistance, sparing my men from injury and death. I, Yuan Baiyi, thank you from the bottom of my heart." Standing up and giving a formal bow to Qi Xiu, Yuan Baiyi’s tone was sincere.

He had invested considerable effort into building this division of the West Wind Army. He felt the pain of every single loss. If it weren’t for Qi Xiu’s help tonight, he feared at least a dozen or more would have perished in the battle at the city gates.

"Lv Shuai is being too courteous. Suppressing demons and eliminating fiends is one’s duty," Qi Xiu replied, his eyes shifting slightly. He still couldn’t figure out who Yuan Baiyi mistook him for, so he simply went along with Yuan Baiyi’s manner of speaking.

"The young Daoist appears quite young, yet his skills in talismanic techniques are exquisitely profound. May I ask who is your esteemed master?"

Upon hearing Yuan Baiyi’s question, Qi Xiu instantly understood.

I see. He’s treating me as a disciple from one of those major sects or great schools.

A flurry of thoughts ran through his mind in an instant, and Qi Xiu promptly responded, "It’s rather embarrassing to say, but my master finds my talent mediocre and only accepted me as a lay disciple of the Outer Sect. He also instructed me not to mention his esteemed name, lest I tarnish his reputation. I’m not even fit to be called a Daoist; Lv Shuai, please simply call me Qi Xiu."

A lay disciple of the Outer Sect?

Recalling the qinggong and talismanic techniques Qi Xiu had demonstrated, which clearly followed the path of dual cultivation of martial and talismanic arts, Yuan Baiyi looked baffled.

This is considered mediocre talent? Since when did the Illuminating Treasure Sect become blind? No, that’s not right. Although people of the Illuminating Treasure Sect are not quite sane, they aren’t foolish. Such talent, even among the great Sects and the Sect Aristocracy, is a treasured prodigy that would be eagerly sought after. How could the Illuminating Treasure Sect possibly only accept him as an Outer Sect disciple? In my view, this young man must be the disciple of some Illuminating Treasure Sect powerhouse wandering the outside world. Given the Illuminating Treasure Sect’s peculiar way of thinking, it wouldn’t be strange for them to conceive the idea of letting such a genius fend for himself for a few years in the outside world to hone his temperament.

Having, as he thought, figured out Qi Xiu’s identity, Yuan Baiyi revealed a look of confident understanding, his gaze towards Qi Xiu tinged with sympathy.

What is that expression? What did he understand? Seeing Yuan Baiyi’s ’I’ve got it all figured out’ expression, Qi Xiu felt he might have successfully led this Lv Shuai astray.

"Qi Xiu, a good name. Actually, the reason this commander invited Brother Qi here was to seek your assistance in completely annihilating those two Demons and restoring peace to the common people here."

"Lv Shuai, you must be joking. How could I... Wait, two of them?!" Qi Xiu’s expression froze.

Wasn’t there just one Fox Demon? Why is there another one now?

"Yes. When I was fighting the Fox Demon earlier, another Demon ambushed me. This injury is its doing."

Qi Xiu furrowed his brows upon hearing this.

You couldn’t defeat them, and you want me to go get us both killed?

Noticing the change in Qi Xiu’s expression, Yuan Baiyi explained, "Although those two Demons managed to injure me, they were hurt even more severely. I cut off two of the Fox Demon’s tails; its demonic miasma dispersed, and it is gravely wounded. The other one, a stone Demon that resembled a Bodhisattva statue, was also struck by my sword, and half of its body shattered. These two Demons are heavily injured and couldn’t have fled far; they must be hiding somewhere nearby. But if the army searches the mountains, they will surely sense it and flee. That’s why I wish to invite Brother Qi to join me. Help me engage one of the Demons. Once I slay it, I will join you, and we can eliminate the other one together."

"This... doesn’t seem like a good idea." With a troubled expression, Qi Xiu shook his head, declining.

This isn’t about increasing goodwill anymore. This is about betting his life.

"Name your price." Leaning slightly back in his chair, Yuan Baiyi’s expression was calm, but his words revealed a trace of imperiousness.

"Anything?" Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered, and he couldn’t help but ask.

"Anything."

"Including True Cultivation Power?" Qi Xiu had been concerned about True Cultivation Power all along. Yuan Baiyi, as an official of the Imperial Court, should have good connections.

"True Cultivation Power? What do you need that for?" Yuan Baiyi looked puzzled.

"My master considered me too dull. He didn’t teach me any Cultivation Techniques and only imparted some talismanic techniques for me to cultivate on my own." Following his earlier lie, Qi Xiu effortlessly spun his tale further.

"Oh~" Yuan Baiyi nodded with enlightenment, even more convinced of his earlier guess. This inexplicable behavior... it indeed fits the style of the Illuminating Treasure Sect. "How many copies would you like?"

"How many... copies?" Qi Xiu was taken aback. What does he mean? Isn’t True Cultivation Power supposed to be rare? The way he talks about it, it’s like he’s wholesaling furniture in a bulk market.

Seeing the astonishment in Qi Xiu’s eyes, Yuan Baiyi smiled and explained, "Such a pitiful disciple of a great sect; probably only the Illuminating Treasure Sect would produce one. True Cultivation Power is precious to mortals below the Initiate Realm. But for those at or above the Initiate Realm, it’s no different from waste paper. If you want them, our army has a few transcribed copies. You can take and read them, just don’t circulate them externally. However, there is one thing I must remind you. True Cultivation Power is key to unlocking the door to the Initiate Realm. Disciples from a great sect like yours would all learn the True Cultivation Power passed down within your lineage. That way, after entering the Initiate Realm, you can smoothly inherit the fundamental law. If you carelessly cultivate True Cultivation Power of other schools, it might impact your Dao Path after entering the Initiate Realm. You must think it over carefully. Don’t jeopardize your own great sect’s heritage."

What great sect heritage? I don’t have any. Muttering to himself, Qi Xiu then cupped his hands and said, "Then I’ll trouble Lv Shuai to lend me those copies of True Cultivation Power to review."

Seeing Qi Xiu’s determination, Yuan Baiyi no longer tried to dissuade him. "Alright. Nie Xun, go fetch the copies of True Cultivation Power from the army’s collection and hand them to Brother Qi."

Hearing Nie Xun’s acknowledgment from outside the tent, a surge of relief and ease unexpectedly rose in Qi Xiu’s heart.

Who would have thought? The True Cultivation Power I had been brooding over and seeking for so long... obtained so easily! And several copies at once! Being dragged into this was totally worth it!

...