Bao Gu extended her divine sense toward Jun Ye, intending to examine his condition, but a powerful protective force enveloping him cut her off. She could only reach for the pulse at his wrist. The moment she extended her hand, Nanshan Yijian called out:
“Don’t!”
Confused, she looked up at him.
“What happened?”
Nanshan Yijian said, “Brother Jun has already become a True Immortal. The immortal power within him is beyond what ordinary cultivators can withstand. Even with my Mahayana cultivation, I find it difficult to endure his power when I touch him. You are only at the second stage of Tribulation Transcendence. Be careful not to injure yourself.”
“Thank you for the warning, Senior. I’ll be fine.”
Bao Gu rested a finger against Jun Ye’s wrist. The instant her fingertip made contact, she felt a tremendous force surging beneath it, as if trying to fling her hand away. At the same time, she sensed that the energy was firmly protecting Jun Ye and locking down every trace of power within his body.
With flawless precision, she placed her finger on Jun Ye’s pulse and sent her divine sense inside.
His internal organs and meridians all radiated breathtaking immortal light, resembling a vast and magnificent cosmic galaxy. His heart was a vivid red with the sheen of flowing crystal, while the energy surging through his blood was incredibly powerful.
In terms of physical structure, his body appeared no different from that of a mortal or a cultivator at first glance. However, the “materials” that made up his blood, flesh, bones, and meridians had undergone a fundamental transformation. They were no longer substances belonging to this realm.
Jun Ye’s body was immensely powerful, yet he was also incredibly weak. His heart beat extremely slowly and faintly, while the blood throughout his body was almost stagnant. It was a clear sign that his life activity had fallen to its absolute minimum.
Bao Gu withdrew her hand, only to find Nanshan Yijian looking at her with an exceedingly rare expression of shock.
“Senior Nanshan, what is it?”
“Ten years ago, I heard that you possessed the power to fight an Earth Immortal. I assumed it was an exaggeration spread by the cultivation world. Now, it seems that was no empty rumor. At the second stage of Tribulation Transcendence, you possess strength comparable to a True Immortal. That is truly astonishing.”
Bao Gu looked sheepish.
“My strength is entirely thanks to the Xuantian Sword. It is an immortal weapon from the Upper Realm. Only after I fused with it and gained the protection of its power did I acquire this combat strength. Now that Senior Jun has become a True Immortal, he is suppressed by the laws of the Heavenly Dao just like the Xuantian Sword. He has not been suppressed quite as severely as the sword, but his own strength has still been greatly weakened. On top of that, Senior Jun seems to be far weaker than should be possible. That is why I was able to approach him so easily.”
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered the cauldron Qingying had been refining five days earlier. A bolt of lightning from beyond the heavens had struck it and turned it into an immortal artifact. Bao Gu instantly understood what had happened. Her eyes widened, and she murmured:
“Senior Jun really has terrible luck…”
She stopped halfway, realizing that the remark was rather inappropriate, and swallowed the rest of her words.
Seeing her expression, Nanshan Yijian realized that she might know the reason.
“Do you know why?”
He knew that the Heavenly Dao laws of this realm severely suppressed any existence that reached the True Immortal realm or higher, but that suppression should never have been enough to render someone unconscious. Otherwise, how could Senior Xuantian of old, the Demon Emperor of the Demon Realm, and the figure currently active in the Demon Realm have ever been able to move about?
They had all come from the Upper Realm, and their cultivation levels were far higher than that of a True Immortal. The suppression they suffered should have been even more severe.
“Five days ago, Qingying was refining a cauldron in the rear courtyard. She had originally intended to make an artifact that was only half a step away from becoming an immortal artifact, but a bolt of lightning came from beyond the heavens and struck it, turning it into an immortal cauldron. Qingying was furious at the time. She pointed south and said that someone there was undergoing an Immortal Ascension Tribulation—and had successfully passed it.
“Seeing Senior Jun’s condition today, I suspect that he successfully became an immortal at the exact moment the cauldron finished refining. Somehow, that cauldron must have stolen some of his good fortune.”
Yu Mi was completely confused.
“What good fortune? The fortune of becoming an immortal? Senior Jun has already become a True Immortal, hasn’t he?”
Bao Gu explained, “It is common knowledge that although a heavenly tribulation is a calamity, it always leaves behind a thread of life. The final tribulation contains that thread. The last tribulation strike that should have fallen on Senior Jun struck the Divine Metal Treasure Cauldron instead, turning it into the Divine Metal Immortal Cauldron. As a result, he lost the tremendous infusion of vitality that the heavenly tribulation should have given him.
“If he were in the Upper Realm, he could replenish himself with immortal qi and slowly recover and consolidate his foundation. But here, he has no immortal qi to draw upon and is also suppressed by the laws of the Heavenly Dao. He can no longer sustain himself and has no choice but to seal himself away and reduce his energy consumption.”
She paused before continuing, “There is still one thing I do not understand. Although this realm cannot tolerate immortals, Heaven never closes every path. When Senior Jun successfully passed his tribulation, the Heavenly Dao should have manifested some unusual phenomenon. It should have briefly torn open a passage to the Upper Realm. The passage might have been unstable, but it should have been enough for Senior Jun to leave this realm and find a way to survive.
“Why didn’t he ascend then? Why did he stay behind?”
Nanshan Yijian sighed.
“Brother Jun wanted to wait until I became an immortal so that we could ascend together. Bao Gu, is there anything we can do for him now?”
“There is a way, but it will take time—and we do not know how long Senior Jun can hold on.”
Nanshan Yijian motioned for her to continue.
“If someone else succeeds in passing their tribulation, Senior Jun could accompany them when they ascend to the Upper Realm. He should recover naturally before long. Senior Nanshan, when do you think you will be able to undergo your Immortal Ascension Tribulation?”
Nanshan Yijian shook his head.
“Although I am in the Mahayana stage, I have never attained the necessary insight and cannot take that final step. If enlightenment suddenly comes to me, it could happen as soon as tomorrow. If I never gain that insight, I may remain stuck here for the rest of my life. Is there any other way?”
“You could travel to the Upper Realm through the realm-breaking portal. However, construction is proceeding extremely slowly. Most of the Five Elements Immortal Stones needed for the portal are still raw ore. At the current pace, it takes two days to cut a single stone platform, and at least ten days to inscribe it with talismans. Building one realm-breaking portal requires ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Five Elements Immortal Stone platforms.
“Even if construction speeds up later and all the stages proceed simultaneously, it would still take at least one or two thousand years. Senior Jun cannot wait that long. If he does not mind being sent to the territory of the demon race in the Upper Realm, I may be able to arrange for him to use the Demon Realm’s realm-breaking portal.”
Nanshan Yijian fell silent, weighing the options. The first method was too slow to save someone in immediate danger, while the second was far too risky. Sending Jun Ye to the Upper Realm’s demon territory in his current condition would be no different from throwing a Qi Refining cultivator into the present-day Demon Realm.
Bao Gu connected to the Xuantian Library with her divine sense, retrieved a jade scroll, and handed it to Nanshan Yijian.
“This is the Grand Sealing Formation. Find an Immortal Burial Ground with exceptional feng shui and seal Senior Jun inside. The geomantic power of the burial ground, combined with this formation, should preserve him until the realm-breaking portal is completed.
“However, I cannot say how long Senior Jun can hold on, and there is little I can do to help him. My Saint Aunt may have a way to buy him some additional time—enough to wait for the Grand Sealing Formation to be completed.”
Nanshan Yijian asked, “May I ask whether the Demon Saint is available now? I hope this will not disturb her.”
He had long heard that the Demon Saint was overseeing the construction of the realm-breaking portal at the Immortal Stone Palace. He had assumed she would be too busy to disturb, which was why he had come to Bao Gu instead.
“It is no trouble. Although she is overseeing the realm-breaking portal, she is not particularly busy. Otherwise, Qu Yirou would not be able to drag her out for morning tea and sightseeing every so often.”
Nanshan Yijian thanked Bao Gu, then slung Jun Ye over his back again and hurried toward the Immortal Stone Palace.
Yu Mi rose to see them off.
“Do not trouble yourself. The Immortal Stone Palace is not far from here. I can go on my own.”
“It is only one street away. It will take just a few steps. I will walk you there, Senior Nanshan.”
She gestured for him to go ahead.
Yu Mi had originally wanted to keep Jun Ye and Nanshan Yijian at the residence, but if Qingying learned that the True Immortal responsible for her lightning strike had come there, she would certainly settle accounts with the two of them. Although Bao Gu could keep things under control, restraining Qingying would inevitably cost her a huge pile of spirit treasures and precious medicines.
Yu Mi remembered the news that had spread from Xuantian Sect a few days earlier: Qingying had actually used high-grade elixirs and high-grade demon-beast meat roasted in a sauce made from boiled spiritual herbs to cook noodles. Her heart ached deeply at the thought of the spirit treasures and precious medicines Qingying would make off with.
Bao Gu escorted Yu Mi and Nanshan Yijian to the gate. Just as she was about to turn back, a squad of dozens of Crimson-Gold Feather Guards came running from the end of the street. Leading them was a young woman in the early Nascent Soul stage, her entire body shining with treasure light.
She wore an exquisite and luxurious set of spirit-treasure robes beneath a snow-white cloak trimmed with fur. Wrapped up so thoroughly, she looked like a fluffy, noble little creature. Seeing someone dressed so warmly in the scorching midsummer heat made Bao Gu unable to hold back a smile.
Fortunately, the girl was pretty enough to pull it off. Her skin was as delicate as the finest jade and porcelain, while her eyes were especially pure, like a clear, crystalline spring illuminated by the morning sun. Sunlight rippled across them, filling her with vitality and brightness. Simply looking at her was enough to lift anyone’s spirits.
In the blink of an eye, the girl led the Crimson-Gold Feather Guards to the gate. Behind them came a large carriage forged from Great Luo Crimson Gold. A qilin demon beast was tied to it with Immortal-Binding Ropes.
The beast was bound like a rice dumpling. All four limbs had been tied down to the carriage, and even its mouth was bound shut. A black, specially crafted artifact sack had been pulled over its head, sealing both its divine sense and its vision.
The group stopped outside the residence. The girl leaped down from her war chariot, swept out a sleeve, and used a Universe-in-the-Sleeve storage artifact to put the vehicle away. Then she turned and ordered:
“Take it to the Demon-War Hall.”
She hurried over to Bao Gu with a beaming smile.
“Master! How could I let you trouble yourself by personally waiting at the gate to welcome me? This disciple is overwhelmed by your favor. I truly do not deserve it.”
As she spoke, she cautiously peeked into the residence.
“Senior Sister Qingying isn’t here, is she?”
“No. She went off to play with your Senior Brother Yu.”
Bao Gu turned and walked inside.
“You didn’t lose any men, did you?”
Bao Nianhui followed behind her.
“We prepared a formation in advance, lured it inside, trapped it, and captured it alive. It was no trouble.”
She paused before continuing, “I also looked into the matter. This Ice Qilin normally roamed around the Snow Region. A group of cultivators went deep into the Snow Region to hunt demon beasts and provoked it. After becoming enraged, the Ice Qilin chased them all the way into human territory. It lost their trail there, then began rampaging through the area and injuring people.
“I investigated those cultivators as well. They were all rogue cultivators. Rogue cultivators entering demon territory to hunt demon beasts are normally none of our concern, but they caused trouble that harmed innocents. So I tracked them down and handed them over to the local victims to decide their punishment.”
Bao Gu nodded lightly.
“Mm.”
Bao Nianhui asked, “I heard from Senior Brother Yu that Senior Sister Qingying forged an immortal cauldron and gave it to him?”
Bao Gu turned to look at her.
“Would you like me to ask her to forge one for you too?”
Bao Nianhui sucked in a sharp breath and hurriedly shook her head.
“Please don’t! I would be grateful if she would simply stop sealing me inside that cauldron of hers and refining me in it like a cat playing with a mouse.”
Bao Gu smiled faintly.
“Getting sealed inside Qingying’s Heaven-Refining Cauldron for a little refining whenever she feels like it, then being dragged into the void by the Old Tea Tree for a round of tempering—those are opportunities other people could only dream of.”
Bao Nianhui gave Bao Gu a sidelong glance.
“I’m going back to my room.”
She hunched over and tried to sneak away.
“Come back!”
After slipping only a few steps away, Bao Nianhui obediently returned to Bao Gu. She lowered her head, stood there dejectedly, and asked:
“What does Master need?”
Bao Gu looked her up and down.
“Aren’t you hot wearing so much? Aren’t you afraid that everyone else will feel hot just looking at you?”
“Uh, I just came back from the Snow Region!”
Bao Nianhui quickly untied her cloak and put it into her storage artifact.
“If that’s all, I’ll take my leave.”
She clasped her hands in a salute and tried to sneak away again.
“Young Gang Lord, after you left, I had the jade scrolls and documents submitted from below moved into your East Hall. Rest for a while, then go through them. It has been three months since we last held a council meeting, and quite a backlog has accumulated. Find some time in the next few days to arrange a council and deal with everything that needs handling. Letting the matters pile up for too long is affecting the Chop Gang’s operations.”
Bao Nianhui asked quietly, “Master, don’t tell me that while I was away, you didn’t handle a single matter of the Chop Gang’s, large or small?”
“I finished reviewing the ledgers and approved the cultivation resources that need to be allocated next quarter.”
With that, Bao Gu drifted away.
Bao Nianhui stood there in silence.
The Gang Lord and the Chief Enforcer spent all day idling around the residence, leaving a huge pile of Chop Gang business untouched and waiting for their Young Gang Lord, whose feet barely touched the ground, to return and deal with it. They were getting more and more outrageous.
At least in the past, they had handled some of the case files before dragging her to the Main Hall to finish the rest. Now they had dumped every last one of them on her. How could two Tribulation Transcendence powerhouses have the nerve to eat into the cultivation time of a poor little Nascent Soul cultivator like her?
And take Senior Brother Yu. As Sect Master of Xuantian Sect, he was so idle that he spent all day rolling up his sleeves and planting “vegetables” in the garden, while she raced everywhere, busy with everything. Was she even their real disciple?
When she was seventeen, her Master had set a small table beside the seat of honor in the Main Hall. Whenever she was not in seclusion, Master brought her along to meetings and had her sit nearby to listen to everyone’s discussions and broaden her horizons. After every meeting, Master would carefully explain and teach her about everything they had discussed. Afraid that she might not understand, Master even gave her Chop Gang affairs to practice on.
She had been young then and too naive to think that deeply. Seeing her Master hold nothing back and teach her everything personally, even passing on the countless supreme arts and treasured classics in the Xuantian Library, she had been moved beyond words. She had wanted to repay her Master even with her life.
She studied with astonishing diligence, day and night. She begrudged herself even sleep and filled every moment of every day with study. Gradually, she became able to help her Master handle some affairs. She had been so proud and happy, feeling that she could finally be useful and was no longer merely freeloading.
Whenever her Master assigned her a task, she gave it one hundred and twenty percent of her effort and made sure to complete it perfectly. Then her Master began assigning her more and more work. She was busy from morning until night. Worried that she would have trouble handling matters outside, her Master even arranged for her to take on the position of Young Gang Lord.
Once she had that status, the Chop Gang’s branch leaders and hall masters began coming to her whenever they had problems instead of going to her Master. Whenever she reported to her Master, the answer was always the same:
“You handle it. Treat it as practice. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility.”
The foolish Bao Nianhui never questioned her Master’s words. She took every matter, large or small, and handled it as “practice.”
During one of those practice assignments, she even launched a faction war, mobilized an army of three hundred thousand, and fought for half a year.
Her Master told her:
“Combat strength has to be raised on the battlefield. Go get some experience there.”
So she went to the battlefield as an ordinary soldier. After hacking down enemies for a month, she worked her way up to become a centurion.
Then her Master said:
“I have seen how well you fight the enemy, and you have had enough training. Take the title of military supervisor and deputy commander, and learn how to command troops while you are at it.”
Whatever her Master said, she believed. Wherever her Master sent her, she went.
Later, the commander-in-chief was wounded. Her Master told her:
“You have studied beside the commander-in-chief for so long, so you must have learned quite a bit. Take over as commander-in-chief and use it as practice. If it does not work, I will replace you.”
And just like that, she became the commander-in-chief.
Her cultivation was too low. Even with all the spirit treasures on her, she did not dare charge the front lines, so she stayed in the rear and directed the generals. With great difficulty, she managed to win the battle.
The opposing side surrendered and sought peace. The disputed mountain range was ceded to the Chop Gang, and Senior Sister Qingying later moved it to the Desolate Ancient Desert to build the realm-breaking portal.
Only afterward did Bao Nianhui realize what had really happened. The war had begun because negotiations between the two sides had broken down. From the initial talks to the end of the war, she had handled everything. She had even conducted the peace negotiations herself.
When it was time to make the final decision, she reported to her Master. Her Master asked for her opinion, then merely said:
“Mm. Do as you say.”
And handed the matter back to her.
After that, her Master frequently hauled her to the Main Hall to deal with the Chop Gang’s files and documents, gradually letting her handle almost every matter in the gang. Now things had reached the point where, whenever she went out to handle business, her Master simply piled the files into her East Hall and did not even bother calling a council meeting.
She was only twenty-three years old! She was still merely a young Nascent Soul cultivator. Looking across the entire cultivation world, what faction would entrust all its affairs, from top to bottom, to someone her age and cultivation level?
But then she remembered that her Master and the others could settle something as important as choosing a sect master by drawing lots. Faced with their decision to hand the Chop Gang over to her, she truly had nothing left to argue about.
Bao Nianhui could only silently return to her East Hall and deal with the mountain of jade scrolls and documents waiting for her.
She simply could not understand it. Everyone said that children from poor families had to become heads of the household early. Her household was practically the richest in the cultivation world, so why did she also have to take charge at such a young age?
If the reason was that her Master was lazy, then her Master had practically built everything from nothing. Could laziness really have created such a vast foundation?
Was this supposed to be nurturing her? They did not have to hand such a huge enterprise over to her through coaxing and trickery while she was still this young!
