Chapter Thirty-One: Sinister Intentions

After the little fox left, Ge Qian deactivated the formation, exited the medicinal garden, and headed straight for the market at the back of the mountain.

Today, the market was crowded with cultivators—there were even many late-stage Qi Absorption disciples among them, making for a gathering of over a hundred people. Among the crowd was Plum Blossom, who, after taking the Water Spirit Pill, had advanced to the Great Perfection of Qi Absorption over the past year, reaching the first major threshold in a cultivator's journey. Only after crossing this barrier could one be considered a true contender on the great path.

Barring those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, advancing past Qi Absorption to the Foundation Establishment stage was nearly impossible without a stroke of extraordinary fortune, unless one possessed a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Plum Blossom had tried to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill from Lü Xin, but learned he was already in seclusion attempting his own breakthrough—a time when any disturbance was strictly forbidden. If she made a scene, the Lü family might accuse her of disrupting a crucial seclusion and kill her for it.

Frustrated, she left, thinking, “I’ll find another way. In four years, the sect’s elite competition will be held. Ten Foundation Establishment Pills will be awarded then. I’ll work hard to earn a good place!”

After much inquiring and studying ancient records, she learned that the best place to attempt foundation establishment was somewhere with dense spiritual energy. Having a few Restoration Pills on hand could further increase the chance of success. No wonder Bai Ruyu had stood up for that useless disciple last time.

After exhausting every means, she barely scraped together the necessary herbs for Restoration Pills, spending her last low-grade spirit stone. Only Ge Qian could refine the pills for her without charge, but she had tried to scheme against him before, though unsuccessfully.

Yet this “good-for-nothing” was cunning, seemingly aware of her intentions in advance, which was why he’d invited Bai Ruyu.

Regardless, she would swallow her pride and ask him to refine the pills, so she often came here to gather news about Ge Qian.

In fact, most of the cultivators at the market today were seeking Ge Qian’s pill-refining services. How could one hope to advance without pills?

Suddenly, a stir rippled through the crowd. Many cultivators surrounded an unremarkable youth, who was at the third level of Qi Absorption.

“Junior Brother Ge Qian, you’ve finally come out of seclusion! I’ve been waiting for you. Congratulations on reaching the third level—your achievements will surely surpass mine in the future!” said a fourth-level Qi Absorption cultivator, flattering him.

Ge Qian cupped his fists. “Senior Brother, you’re too kind. How could I compare to you? Here’s your medicine. Please take it.”

He tossed a small jade bottle, which landed precisely in the man’s hand. The man uncorked it, sniffed, and his face lit up with joy. He quickly put it away and said, “Thank you, Junior Brother, for your pill. I’ll head back to cultivate.”

Ge Qian smiled. “Please, Senior Brother.”

Now, everyone treated Ge Qian with deference. No one dared call him a useless disciple behind his back.

No one was foolish; Ge Qian was a fifth-rank, low-grade alchemist. Anyone who gathered herbs in the future would have to rely on him. Offending him meant losing free pill refining, and if they had to go to Five Peaks City, the journey was fraught with danger—one might lose their life for nothing.

One after another, cultivators politely collected their pills.

From a distance, Plum Blossom observed, thinking, “Since he started refining pills, this ‘good-for-nothing’ has advanced to the third level. Though he’s not as outstanding as some prodigies, he’s much stronger than average disciples. Perhaps he’s a fourth-rank, low-grade alchemist who can produce six pills per batch. That explains how he advanced—he must have had plenty of Marrow Cleansing Pills.”

With this thought, her plan was set. She continued to watch from nearby, waiting for the crowd to thin before approaching him to discuss pill refinement.

Ge Qian was busy for a long time, distributing the prepared pills and collecting more than a dozen new batches for refinement. He also learned that in four years, the once-in-a-decade competition for lower disciples would be held, with each of the top ten receiving a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The first place winner would receive a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill as a grand prize, greatly motivating the lower disciples. Everyone was now training harder, striving to improve their cultivation and mastery of the arts.

Participation required reaching the Great Perfection of Qi Absorption, but the rare spectacle of the competition benefited even those at lower levels, who also eagerly anticipated the event.

Ge Qian pondered. With four years ahead, if he continued at his current pace, he might reach the Great Perfection of Qi Absorption. If he found no better way to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, he would have to stake everything on the competition.

Just then, Plum Blossom approached with a spring breeze in her eyes and said, “Congratulations, Junior Brother, on reaching the third level! Your speed is truly impressive.”

Ge Qian looked her over. She seemed more mature than before, and her fair face had gained a special charm. He cupped his fists and replied, “Senior Sister, you flatter me. We joined the sect at the same time, yet you’ve already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Absorption while I’ve only just advanced to the middle stage. Are you perhaps preparing to go into seclusion for your Foundation Establishment breakthrough?”

Plum Blossom’s expression changed as she thought of Lü Xin, whom she both hated and resented. But she quickly regained composure and said, “Breaking through to Foundation Establishment isn’t so easy. Many progress quickly at first but end up stuck at the final stage, turning to dust after a hundred years. One only gets three attempts in life to break through major bottlenecks, and each is harder than the last. Without absolute confidence, I won’t risk it.

“To be honest, I know a secret method for advancing to Foundation Establishment that greatly increases the chance of success. Junior Brother, you will have to face this barrier one day, too. If you agree to help me refine pills, I’ll share the method with you.”

Ge Qian felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. If even someone as talented as Plum Blossom was so uncertain, what hope did he have?

Still, his resolve was firm. He quickly set aside his disappointment and, eyes shifting, said, “Very well, but let me be clear: if your pill is too difficult to make or the requirements are too strict, I’ll have to ask you to find someone else.”

“Don’t worry, Junior Brother. Not only can you refine this pill, your technique is already well-practiced. It’s the Restoration Pill,” Plum Blossom said slowly.

Ge Qian nodded, suddenly understanding. “Senior Sister is right. I’ve refined this pill for Senior Sister Bai before and have some experience. Is the secret method for Foundation Establishment really related to the Restoration Pill?”

Plum Blossom smiled. “You’re clever, Junior Brother. Indeed, taking the pill at the right moment during breakthrough gives you a sliver of extra chance. Without it, you’d be missing that edge. Will you agree now?”

Ge Qian replied, “All right, give me the herbs.” Once he understood the new use for the Restoration Pill, he agreed immediately.

Plum Blossom, having achieved her goal, handed over the herbs and departed swiftly on her sword.

Ge Qian thought to himself, “After being cast aside by Lü Xin, she’s come to me for pills. The final hurdle to Foundation Establishment—a trial of inner demons, according to the ancient texts. From her eyes, I could see her hatred for Lü Xin. That’s her heart demon—she’ll likely fail at the breakthrough because of it. The best way to resolve it is to remove Lü Xin.

“But how could she possibly do that? Without it, she’ll never advance. Lü Xin is truly ruthless. What can Plum Blossom do? Transfer her hatred, perhaps—if not Lü Xin, then maybe me, since this all started because of me. If she kills me, it might resolve her heart demon. So that’s how it is.”

Ge Qian’s gaze turned cold as he muttered to himself, “If that’s the case, then don’t blame me for being ruthless.”