Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Ruin Garrison (4)
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"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. With the asses of those so-called elders from the three great sects being so heavy, days like this where I get to see your faces don't come often. I'm thrilled!"
His resounding voice spread through the surroundings, shocking the disciples who had dared to eavesdrop on the elders' conversation.
Disciples at the Gathering Qi Realm and below collapsed from Elder Shangguan's voice or spat up blood.
Elder Han and the Complete Dao Sect's minor elder frowned as they shielded the disciples from his voice.
Elder Han blew a single breath through his face veil, granting the disciples a mystical coolness that dispelled Elder Shangguan's thunderous roar, while the minor elder scattered a wisp of cloud from his sleeve to aid their recovery.
Thanks to the elders' help, many disciples were able to catch their breath.
Confirming the disciples were safe, Elder Han and the minor elder glared at the ruthless Elder Shangguan, who had struck at their juniors without hesitation.
In the cultivation world, laying hands on juniors was seen as utterly cowardly.
But would a demonic fiend like Elder Shangguan care about such taboos?
This was why the righteous orthodox sects scorned demonic cultivators as shameless, while the demonic cultivators in turn pointed fingers at the righteous sects as hypocrites.
Elder Han whipped his head away as if even looking at Elder Shangguan was unpleasant.
The Complete Dao Sect's minor elder also seemed thoroughly displeased with him but, being in the same Core Formation Realm, couldn't outright ignore him.
The minor elder asked Elder Shangguan,
"What brings the Four Blood Sect here? This is the border between Radiant Moon Sect and Complete Dao Sect. Leading your people into the territory of both sects—do you mean to start a war?"
The old monster Shangguan replied savagely. His gravelly voice carried an unmistakable aggression.
"War? If we could, we'd have started it a hundred times over. I'm here to make sure we get a foot in on that ruin too. Why are we the three great sects? Aren't we supposed to share the good fortune?"
At that moment, Elder Han cut in.
"This is Radiant Moon Sect territory. Are you saying we should divide up Radiant Moon Sect's possessions right now?"
The Complete Dao Sect's minor elder frowned at Elder Han's firm words. No cooperation even with the Four Blood Sect here? The righteous sects wouldn't unite their strength?
"It's not just Radiant Moon Sect's territory. Why do you say it's Radiant Moon Sect's?"
"It's deep inside Radiant Moon Sect's borders. Of course it's our territory."
The minor elder, who had just clashed hands with Elder Han moments ago, felt his lingering excitement surging back.
Did they want to go at it right now?
"Does Radiant Moon Sect truly have no need of Complete Dao Sect's aid?"
"What aid? Radiant Moon Sect never wanted any help from the start."
From Elder Han's perspective, it didn't matter if it was Complete Dao Sect alone or both Complete Dao and Four Blood Sect. One-on-one or a three-way battle—it made little difference to Radiant Moon Sect.
All three factions couldn't ignore the Gathering Qi Festival anyway.
With their main forces tied up at the festival, only surplus resources could be spared for the ruins.
The three factions' strengths were roughly equal in any case. Radiant Moon Sect might even be the least prepared, having been caught off guard.
In this situation, dragging it into a three-way contest to keep Four Blood Sect and Complete Dao Sect in check was the best move Radiant Moon Sect could make.
The three elders talked at length before dispersing back to their respective factions.
Elder Han dropped a bombshell on his disciples.
"All three great sects will enter the ruins."
All three great sects?
The disciples were stunned.
This place was arguably Radiant Moon Sect's border territory, where they could claim priority rights, yet the other two great sects were trying to muscle in. How thick-skinned could they be?
But everyone knew there was no helping it.
Why were they called the three great sects?
Because of the balance of power among the three.
With two sects pressuring them, they had no choice but to yield.
If it was unfair, Radiant Moon Sect should have been the one great sect instead.
The Radiant Moon Sect disciples ground their teeth in frustration. On the plus side, things had gotten easier—with all three sects entering jointly, Complete Dao Sect and Four Blood Sect had agreed to share the workload.
They would still work together in monitoring teams since neither faction could be trusted not to pull tricks, but it lightened the load for Radiant Moon Sect disciples nonetheless.
How much time passed?
One disciple, thrusting a probing rod into the ground, shouted,
"We've found the entrance!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The entrance leading into the ruins opened.
The ruins' entrance, located beneath a triangular roof, was blocked by a firmly sealed iron gate. To a cultivator, an iron gate was just a door to push open, but this one was protected by formations, making it impossible to breach easily.
The three elders gathered before the gate murmured among themselves.
No disciple could hear what was being discussed.
However, with all three elders maintaining a calm atmosphere, it seemed the talks were progressing without issue.
Separately from that, the mood in front of the ruins was hectic. Despite the elders' mild conference, the staring contest between disciples of the three sects was fiercely heated.
"Those pathetic Complete Dao Sect weaklings. Aren't you ashamed as a righteous orthodox sect?"
"Radiant Moon Sect bastards are so stingy. Can't fellow righteous sects share the profits?"
Even as Complete Dao Sect and Radiant Moon Sect bickered, they made no effort to hide their contempt for the demonic cultivators. On that point, at least, the Complete Dao Sect and Radiant Moon Sect disciples were in full agreement.
"Four Blood Sect? Those filthy demonic scum aren't even worth our time."
The Four Blood Sect disciples stood there impassively, unafraid of their united front, not even bothering to glance their way.
Yuk-gyeong squeezed into the crowd, observing the Complete Dao Sect and Four Blood Sect disciples.
It was fascinating to see disciples from other sects for the first time. The Complete Dao Sect ones were all wearing jade-green robes. Not much different from Radiant Moon Sect? Why were the Four Blood Sect disciples so grim and shadowy? Dark circles under their eyes like they hadn't slept, covered in scars—looking downright ferocious.
Then someone approached Yuk-gyeong.
Judging by the fluttering green robe adorned with herb patterns, it was a Radiant Moon Sect Herb Hall inner disciple. That robe was the standard uniform inner Herb Hall disciples wore outside to show affiliation.
"Disciple Yi Yuk-gyeong."
"Yes."
The Herb Hall inner disciple approached and handed him a small vial. Yuk-gyeong took it in a daze.
The Herb Hall inner disciple explained to him,
"This is a Gathering Pill."
Ooooh, a Gathering Pill? A real Gathering Pill? But I'm not even going to the Gathering Festival?
Yuk-gyeong jolted in surprise, inspecting the ground, the entrance, and even sniffing it. The watching Herb Hall disciple smiled as if finding it adorable and said,
"This is a Gathering Pill issued by the sect. It's to commend your rapid growth and encourage the single spiritual root bearer. The sect leader said you could consume it anytime to achieve acquired gathering qi, but to always keep innate gathering qi enlightenment in mind as well."
Of course, of course. Innate gathering qi sounds good too. I'll keep that in mind.
"This disciple receives your teaching."
"Good. Looks like I can't stick around here long. We'll meet back in the sect. Keep up the good work."
The atmosphere was indeed menacing. With the entrance open, the full ruin scramble among the three sects was about to begin—everyone looked on edge.
Yet amid the tense mood, Yuk-gyeong reveled with his free spirit. A Gathering Pill— an actual Gathering Pill! Acquired gathering qi was basically guaranteed now.
"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"
"Haha, just call me senior brother. You've got a Gathering Pill now, so you're practically an inner disciple anyway. Next time we meet, we'll be martial brothers."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
The Herb Hall disciple said that and swiftly departed.
Only after watching him leave completely did Yuk-gyeong open the vial to look at the pill.
Opening it released a refreshing herbal aroma that cleared his sinuses. Mmm, the scent of medicine. So nice? Gathering Pills really are something else. The aroma feels richer than any pills I've seen so far.
There were ten Gathering Pills in total. More than enough to achieve acquired gathering qi—in fact, overflowing.
To reach acquired gathering qi, which shocks one into the Gathering Qi Realm via medicinal power, three to seven pills were typically needed. The sect had provided more than enough, accounting for that.
Long live Radiant Moon Sect!
Today, his love for Radiant Moon Sect welled up like a fountain.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With the elders' meeting concluded,
the three great sects gathered their disciples before entering the ruins.
Radiant Moon Sect disciples huddled together, awaiting entry into the ruins. Each wore a grim expression as they checked their weapons, talismans, and spirit stones.
Now, the looks they exchanged held no particular emotions.
Before ruins and opportunities, whether righteous or demonic, friend or foe—all faded into insignificance.
Only raw power would determine who claimed the fortune.
Amid them was a man with a somewhat lax and relaxed expression—Yuk-gyeong. He was still beaming from receiving the Gathering Pill.
There, Yuk-gyeong spotted a welcome face.
"Yeong-yeong!"
"Yuk-gyeong!"
Yu Yeong-yeong. His entry cohort and close friend.
She was still radiating her bright beauty, illuminating those around her. The male disciples nearby stole glances at her; her looks were well above average.
Yuk-gyeong greeted her warmly. Memories of the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter came flooding back. While everyone else took missions, I'd slack off and train.
It hadn't been that long since then.
"It's been ages. Already at Response Qi 2nd Star? Your growth is impressive."
Yuk-gyeong was genuinely surprised. For someone with three spiritual roots to reach Response Qi 2nd Star already—it was remarkable. Normally, it took years just to hit 1st Star.
Of course, it was nothing compared to Yuk-gyeong.
Yeong-yeong shot him a sideways glance in reply.
"Coming from the guy who hit Response Qi 8th Star in a week, that praise sounds kinda grating. Feels like you're teasing me."
"Yeong-yeong, you know I'm sincere."
Yuk-gyeong was a total outlier, so cases like Yeong-yeong's should be compared to normal ones.
Comparing to Yuk-gyeong would make countless geniuses look dull. People might even question if they were really geniuses.
To preserve self-esteem, comparisons to Yuk-gyeong were best avoided. Yeong-yeong knew that full well.
"I know. You doing well? Heard you're thriving at the Herb Hall. Saw you at the sparring tournament and magic contest. Cheered for you—didn't know I was there?"
"Oh, really? You came to see me. Why didn't you say hi?"
"Gonna greet a famous busybody and get trampled in the crowd? Nah. Good seeing you like this. Thought about dropping by the Herb Hall sometimes, but I've been swamped too."
"What division are you in, Yeong-yeong?"
"Iron Citadel Peak. Same as my big sister."
"Ah, Iron Citadel Peak."
Iron Citadel Peak, home to the Merit Hall, needed plenty of hands. And with her sister there, it made sense.
As Yuk-gyeong chatted briefly with Yeong-yeong, he noticed a woman gazing at the sky beside her.
It was a face Yuk-gyeong knew.
He knew it very well.
They'd even tangled bodies.
Though she didn't know that.