Nan Yan carefully examined the Shared Fate Lock technique, frowning as she realized its ruthless nature. It could be imprinted on others to make them die in one’s place or reversed to sacrifice oneself for another. The technique bordered on demonic cultivation methods.
There were only two ways to break this technique: either the recipient’s cultivation surpassed the caster’s level at the time of casting, or the original caster had to remove it. Nan Yan worried that if cruel demonic cultivators obtained this technique, they could harm innocents, using them as living talismans.
Fortunately, the technique pushed the boundaries of this realm’s rules, consuming vast amounts of life force. One could only use it three times in a lifetime before depleting their vitality.
Sighing inwardly, Nan Yan looked around. Yun Nian was enveloped in a strange starlight, eyes closed in deep meditation, undisturbable.
Turning to Mu Zhanting, she was startled. He faced a city-burning scene, the most extensive and brutal in the entire scroll—likely the Red Emperor’s signature move. Mu Zhanting’s eyes were bloodshot, seemingly enduring great pain. As Nan Yan watched, a line of blood trickled from his right eye.
Alarmed but knowing better than to interrupt a cultivator’s enlightenment, Nan Yan sat behind Mu Zhanting and began chanting the Heart Sutra. Her Buddhist chants, like a clear stream, filled the hall. Though unable to wake Mu Zhanting, it offered some solace.
After two hours, Yun Nian, aided by the chants and his naturally calm disposition, finished his contemplation. Pleased with his newly acquired secret technique, he rose to thank Nan Yan but was shocked by Mu Zhanting’s state.
“What’s happening to Daoist Mu?!” Yun Nian transmitted silently, not daring to disturb.
Nan Yan replied, “My brother seems to be forcefully trying to comprehend this city-burning divine ability. He’s become obsessed. I’m trying to help with Buddhist chants, but I can’t pull him back.”
Yun Nian exclaimed, “This… this is the Red Emperor’s ‘Coiled Fang Heaven Fire’! Only those with extraordinary flames can attempt to comprehend it. Without such a flame, one risks being trapped in the painting’s illusion, their soul burned away!”
Though aware of Mu Zhanting’s previous mastery of the Great Sun Fire Essence, Nan Yan worried, “Can’t he give up midway?”
Yun Nian answered, “Forcibly interrupting would still damage his soul.”
“What would happen?” Nan Yan asked.
“He might be left with the mental capacity of a three-year-old,” Yun Nian replied.
Nan Yan sighed in relief, “That’s better than I expected. If he’s near death, I’ll interrupt him.”
Yun Nian was bewildered by her response.
After another half hour, Mu Zhanting’s pupils turned flame-like. Yun Nian, still concerned, suggested, “Should I ask for help from a Nascent Soul elder of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace? They might have other solutions.”
“Well, if it comes to that—” Nan Yan began, but suddenly felt the hall’s temperature spike. She pulled Yun Nian to the edge of the hall. Flame streams emerged from the painting, approaching Mu Zhanting. His Golden Core, unlike others, was wrapped in flickering flames with an eye at its center, greedily eyeing the Coiled Fang Heaven Fire.
“What an unusual Core flame!” Yun Nian marveled. The fire-eye suddenly inhaled sharply, engaging in a tug-of-war with the Coiled Fang Heaven Fire. Mu Zhanting began bleeding from seven orifices.
Nan Yan, wondering if the Red Emperor’s relic would recognize her bloodline, bit her thumb and sent a blood thread toward Mu Zhanting. Upon contact, the flame streams calmed, allowing the fire-eye to absorb them. The painting’s red flames gradually faded.
Yun Nian, surprised, began to suspect Nan Yan’s identity. As Mu Zhanting finished absorbing the flames and fainted, they rushed to support him.
Checking his pulse and spiritual consciousness, Nan Yan sighed, “His soul is burned by the Heaven Fire. He’ll need soul-healing pills.”
Yun Nian offered, “I’ll ask the Imperial Consort for spirit medicines later.”
While Nan Yan appreciated Yun Nian’s innocence and kindness, her experience in the cave made her wary of trusting the Imperial Consort. Moreover, as a prince himself, Yun Nian was Mu Zhanting’s competitor. Revealing this incident could lead to complications, and the Imperial Consort might become wary of Mu Zhanting obtaining the Coiled Fang Heaven Fire.
Nan Yan fabricated an excuse, lowering her gaze, “It’s just some soul damage. We can handle it ourselves and wouldn’t dare trouble the Imperial Consort. Moreover, with the Chen and Si States at war, my brother’s well-being as a prince could affect the conflict. If you’re willing, Daoist Yun, please keep his current condition secret for now.”
Understanding that secrecy would benefit both sides in the Mountain and Sea Forbidden Decision, Yun Nian agreed, realizing that keeping their newly acquired techniques to themselves would increase their chances of success.
Upon leaving the secret hall, onlookers assumed Mu Zhanting’s pitiful state was due to failed comprehension and mostly dismissed it. Nan Yan simply stated he had injured his soul through forceful enlightenment.
Back with the Dragon Capital cultivators, they found they lacked soul-nourishing medicines, which were rare across all States. Nan Yan decided to consult Mo Xingzheng, the seventh-grade alchemist.
“Soul-related medicines? What a coincidence. I have some, but I didn’t bring them on this short trip to Yin State,” Mo Xingzheng replied enthusiastically despite his busy schedule. “If we had Spirit Force Flower, I could directly refine a Soul Bathing Pill.” After inquiring with the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace staff, he added, “There’s an auction at the foot of the mountain today that will have Spirit Force Flower.”
Despite her bias against Dao Sheng Tian, Nan Yan had to admit their disciples were exceptionally capable in various fields. She thanked Mo Xingzheng profusely and hurried down the mountain to the auction house location he provided.
The Western Emperor Mountain was surrounded by four mountain ranges, each hosting a massive city that contained half of Yin State’s prosperity. While Zi State emphasized learning and Chen State wealth, Yin State was known for its numerous secret realms and was a treasure hunter’s paradise.
Nan Yan landed in the city northwest of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace. Just three streets in, she was dazzled by the shops’ exotic offerings: horned monkeys, two-headed ravens, and feather-woven dresses that could perform over twenty dances when worn. It took her half an hour to find the auction house.
The auction house backed against a small mountain, appearing as if carved into it. Its entrance was lavishly decorated with green jade, staffed by red-robed, barefoot female cultivators with golden bells on their ankles.
Expecting a female greeter, Nan Yan was surprised when a handsome, bare-chested-male cultivator approached her. His aura exuded the unique fragrance of a furnace vessel. Mindful of her Buddhist status, he bowed respectfully, “Venerable one, is this your first visit to our establishment?”
“Yes, I’m looking to purchase some rare spirit herbs,” Nan Yan replied, calculating her spirit stones. “And to consign some Frost Origin Fruits.”
The furnace vessel cultivator’s eyes lit up at the mention of Frost Origin Fruits, a key ingredient in Core Formation pills. “Please follow me, Venerable one.”
As Nan Yan entered, three Foundation Establishment cultivators riding exotic beasts appeared on the street behind her. The leader, wearing a golden crown and at the peak of Foundation Establishment, rode a red-hoofed dragon horse, drawing admiring glances.
A horse-faced cultivator beside him fawned, “Senior Brother Lei, have you emerged from seclusion to prepare for the Mountain and Sea Forbidden Decision?”
The golden-crowned cultivator, Lei Tai, replied haughtily, “Indeed. Though Yin State hasn’t officially named a prince, my name will be in the Mountain and Sea Forbidden Decision. Dong Jintang, I heard you were beaten recently?”
The horse-faced cultivator’s mouth twitched. He was the one who had trouble with Mu Zhanting and was punished by a Nascent Soul cultivator. Recalling his punishment, his eyes filled with hatred, “Those Chen State people are too arrogant! They dare bully us in Yin State’s territory, even in the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace. I was merely upholding the palace’s dignity, but that prince from a backwater place relentlessly oppressed me!”
As Lei Tai frowned, the horse-faced cultivator, sensing his mood, added, “How could a female cultivator at an early Foundation Establishment defeat a prodigy of the Lei clan? I suspect she used some underhanded technique. Perhaps she’s using her Buddhist identity as a cover while secretly practicing seduction arts!”
Lei Tai nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I’m bored with this street. When does today’s auction begin?”
“I’ve arranged for the Spirit Force Flower you wanted to be auctioned. Don’t worry, Senior Brother.”
Lei Tai grunted in satisfaction, “My Lei family’s technique requires Spirit Force Flower to stabilize spiritual consciousness before refining lightning. I think—”
Before he could finish, the horse-faced cultivator let out a startled cry.
“What is it?” Lei Tai asked, displeased.
“That female cultivator who just went in!” the horse-faced cultivator exclaimed excitedly, seeing an opportunity for revenge. “Senior Brother Lei, it’s the Buddhist cultivator we were just talking about!”
Lei Tai looked in the direction indicated, seeing a woman in simple, loose Buddhist robes that couldn’t entirely conceal her graceful figure. Intrigued, he said, “Only early Foundation Establishment, but her figure is far better than the concubines in my courtyard. Let’s go invite her for tea.”
Meanwhile, inside the auction house, Nan Yan was led to a small private box with a light screen in front, presumably to be dispelled when the auction began.
The furnace vessel male cultivator who escorted her remained, attentively serving tea, fanning her, and offering spirit fruits. His gaze was filled with obvious intent.
Uncomfortable with his staring, Nan Yan finally spoke up, “Do you have something you wish to confide, patron?”
The man’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Venerable one, you’re an esteemed guest, offering ten Frost Origin Fruits. According to our establishment’s rules, for transactions over 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones, the client may take home the serving furnace vessel after completing the deal.”
Take home? Are you a gift?
Nan Yan thought this city was indeed different, with the auction house’s service being overly attentive. She politely refused, “As you can see, I’m a Buddhist cultivator. If you’re interested, perhaps you should seek other cultivators who can treat you well.”
The furnace vessel cultivator, only at the peak of Qi Condensation, knelt and pleaded, “Venerable one must be from another State. In our Yin State, it’s common for female cultivators to keep male companions. Even the Imperial Consort has several confidants. If you don’t believe me, you’ll understand the pleasure after using me—”
What? What did you say? The Imperial Consort has what?
As Nan Yan was struck speechless, a loud knocking came from outside, followed by Yin Que’s voice.
“A Yan, I smelled your Buddhist incense! I bought you new lip rouge, come see the color—” Yin Que, who happened to be at the auction house, pushed the door open. She immediately saw a male cultivator kneeling at Nan Yan’s feet and turned pale. “By my Demon Emperor ancestors! Two days apart, and you’ve made such progress?”