Chapter 21: Seizing Victory Amidst Peril

Hu Ye hurriedly stowed the spiritual herbs into his storage pouch, his eyes cold as he observed that no one was paying attention; Red Plum had already departed. With a chilly smile, he slipped away unnoticed, taking a shortcut to get ahead of Ge Qian. On his anticipated route, Hu Ye found a secluded grove—a blind spot where few ever passed.

Nodding to himself, Hu Ye took out five small flags and, according to their different orientations, planted them into the ground. Next, he produced five low-grade spirit stones, tossing them beneath the flags, and then brought forth a dish inscribed with swirling runes, upon which he performed a series of incantations.

Instantly, the grove was cloaked in a layer of white mist; the scenery shifted, transforming the woods into a narrow path. Hu Ye muttered, “My Concealing Trap Array may not be powerful, but it’s more than enough to deal with a second-layer Qi Gathering weakling.”

With that, he stepped into the middle of the road and waited in silence. Not long after, a tall youth with ordinary features appeared in Hu Ye’s sight.

Hu Ye quickly strode forward, smiling, “Brother Ge Qian, I’ve been waiting for you for some time.”

Ge Qian frowned, “What brings you here, brother?”

“I’ve been thinking. If you truly have the confidence, I’ll let you refine my spiritual herbs.” Hu Ye spoke.

Ge Qian replied calmly, “It’s an honor that you trust me, brother, but let’s discuss alchemy another time. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be on my way.”

Ge Qian didn’t believe Hu Ye would change his mind so suddenly. Normally, if one didn’t trust someone, they wouldn’t switch so abruptly—he would wait until Sister Red Plum succeeded in refining the pills before deciding. Who knew what trick Hu Ye was playing?

Hu Ye’s expression darkened. “Brother, I’m showing you respect. Don’t push your luck—you really think you’re something special? If you don’t agree, forget about passing through here.”

Ge Qian realized Hu Ye was picking a fight. A flash of murderous intent crossed his mind, but he knew he wasn’t a match yet. Plus, refining pills for Sister Red Plum was a rare opportunity; he couldn’t afford to lose it over something trivial.

Suppressing his anger, Ge Qian turned toward the nearest path.

Hu Ye’s lips curled into a smug, cold smile.

Ge Qian quickened his pace, activating his Wind Command. With his second-layer cultivation, his speed was extraordinary.

Suddenly, the scenery shifted—the mist swirled and the grove returned to its original state.

“Damn, it’s an ambush—Hu Ye, no doubt.” Ge Qian’s mind raced, searching for a way to escape.

A burst of raucous laughter echoed as the mist churned. Hu Ye entered, holding an array disk, his face full of glee.

Ge Qian reached into his sleeve for five fireball talismans, slowly channeling his spiritual power. He’d read about arrays in the Chronicles of Cultivation Oddities, and today’s encounter matched the descriptions.

Arrays are divided by function: defensive, offensive, illusion, trapping, and composite. The study of arrays is vast—array masters craft flags and disks, with materials varying greatly, and each must be infused with restrictive incantations.

The array at the herb garden was defensive, constantly consuming spirit stones. Over the years, the cost was considerable—no ordinary cultivator could afford it.

To break an array, one could simply locate the array’s core, but aside from array masters, outsiders were helpless. Another method was force—overwhelming power could shatter the array instantly.

Ge Qian could do neither. Thankfully, this wasn’t an offensive array, just a trapping illusion. The only real threat now was Hu Ye, a fourth-layer Qi Gathering cultivator—far beyond his own abilities.

Ge Qian dared not be complacent and prepared to activate all five fireball talismans at once. Though fireball talismans don’t consume much spiritual power, firing five together required considerable strength; most second-layer cultivators could barely manage three. Ge Qian, however, was unusually robust.

Still, he couldn’t activate them instantly, so he slowly channeled power and, to buy time, feigned panic, “Brother Hu, what are you doing?”

Hu Ye ceased laughing. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to kill you. What else?”

“Brother, we’ve never had any grievances—surely you’re mistaken?” Ge Qian stepped back, trembling.

Hu Ye spat contemptuously. “Murder needs no reason. But I’ll let you die knowing why.

First, you’ve taken Red Plum’s spiritual herbs. They’re vital to her. I want them, and once I have them, I can make her do whatever I wish.

Second, I stumbled upon a demonic treasure while gathering herbs in the mountains. I’ve been refining it, but it requires a cultivator’s flesh and blood to temper its demonic energy. You’re the perfect material. After I finish, I’ll advance to the Foundation Establishment stage and switch to demonic cultivation. My progress will soar. Aren’t these reasons enough?”

He produced a pitch-black gourd covered in demonic runes, holding it with pride. Before killing his prey, he delighted in breaking their spirit.

Ge Qian said, “Brother, harming a fellow disciple is a capital offense. And cultivating demonic arts is despised by the orthodox sects. Why not spare me? I swear to keep your secret, and I’ll give you all my spiritual herbs—even those from the herb garden’s five-hundred-year-old plants. If you do kill me, I won’t go down without a fight; the commotion could attract other brothers, which won’t be good for you.”

Hu Ye’s eyes darted, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his face. “If I kill you, everything you own is mine. The herbs are tempting, but I don’t trust you. You know too much—only the dead keep secrets forever. Besides, trapped in my array, dealing with you is much easier.

Don’t waste your efforts. My array conceals everything—no matter what happens inside, nothing can be seen outside. Fool, ready to die?”

Suddenly, Hu Ye noticed a faint surge of spiritual pressure from Ge Qian’s sleeve, alerting him. He realized Ge Qian was stalling for time. Though he didn’t take Ge Qian seriously, being toyed with by his prey enraged him.

He performed an incantation. The gourd instantly expanded to three feet, its demonic runes flashing. The lid snapped open, releasing a wave of nauseating, bloodthirsty demonic energy that surged toward Ge Qian.

Seeing the demonic energy approach, Ge Qian hurriedly shut off his six senses and flung the five fireball talismans at the wave.

Five fireballs, each as large as a bowl, soared forth with scorching heat and collided with the demonic energy.

Though the demonic aura was overwhelming, demonic entities fear thunder and fire most. The combined blaze of five fireballs burned the demonic energy to tatters.

The gourd, seemingly sentient, drew back the remaining demonic aura like a whale sucking water. Four fireballs canceled out the demonic energy, while the last slammed into the gourd, engulfing it in flames.

The demonic runes flickered, barely repelling the fire before the gourd slipped from Hu Ye’s grasp and rolled aside, motionless, its vitality greatly diminished.

The gourd was linked to Hu Ye’s mind through ritual refinement. Its injury affected him directly—he spat a mouthful of blood, his spirit flagging, face aghast.

He never dreamed that a supposed weakling would be so well-equipped. Each fireball talisman was worth at least twenty low-grade spirit stones—five meant over a hundred. Five fireballs were beyond his ability to withstand; without the Demonic Ghost Gourd, he would’ve been reduced to ashes.

Stunned, Hu Ye was vulnerable. Ge Qian was not one to miss such an opportunity. He was ruthless and never hesitated.

He leapt forward, seized Hu Ye by the neck, and with a single squeeze—crack—the cervical vertebrae were crushed. Then, with a vicious kick, he shattered Hu Ye’s dantian.

Hu Ye, like a severed kite, crashed into the array, then bounced to the ground.

Ge Qian looked at the corpse, wiped his sweat, and cursed, “Damn, if I hadn’t been quick-witted, this would’ve been the end of me. Clearly, I still need to be more cautious.”

The Mortal Path to Immortality, Chapter 21: Seeking Victory Amidst Peril—update complete!