Chapter Fifty-One: The Fate of Red Plum

Ge Qian pondered for a moment. Hong Mei had already reached the pinnacle of the Qi Accumulation stage; her strength was evident. If he went, the odds were not in his favor, yet refusing would tarnish his reputation as an alchemist. After much deliberation, he realized that his grievances with Hong Mei would have to be resolved sooner or later. He possessed the superior-grade Purplewood Ruler, and with the little white fox—now at the peak of the first tier, just a step away from the second—his confidence grew.

With this thought, Ge Qian rose and stepped outside his cave abode, summoning the little white fox. “Today, we’re likely to face a tough battle. You’ll go with me. If she means harm, we must not hold back. Do your utmost to defeat her.”

The little white fox extended its front paw and wrote: Of course. My cultivation resources all come from you, so I’ll give it my all.

Ge Qian smiled slightly. “Recently, I’ve been preoccupied, so I’ve made fewer Spirit Beast Pills. But soon, things will return to normal. Hide in the spirit beast pouch, and surprise her when the time comes.”

With that, Ge Qian took the spirit beast pouch he’d seized from the Beast Tamer Sect, cast a spell, and a white light shot forth, drawing the little white fox inside. If it weren’t for Mei Die managing the herb garden and tempering its mind, it would have been unwilling to enter the pouch. But times had changed, and for its own plans, it wouldn’t fuss over such matters.

Ge Qian stowed the pouch, feeling deeply satisfied. Beast Tamer Sect cultivators were known for using spirit beasts in combat, and now he could test the white fox’s strength for himself.

As evening fell, Ge Qian appeared in the dense forest behind the mountain and spotted a flash of red in the distance.

No doubt, it was Hong Mei. Ge Qian invoked Cloud-Stepping, and in a blink, appeared behind her. Sensing movement, Hong Mei turned.

She wore tight red clothes, her face cold, but she managed a faint smile. “Junior Brother Ge, you truly keep your word. Have you finished refining the pills?”

Ge Qian replied calmly, “Of course. Otherwise, why would I be here?”

Hong Mei’s expression brightened. “Hand them over, then,” she said, extending a jade-like hand.

Ge Qian gave an awkward smile. “In my haste to see you, I forgot to bring them. I see you’re not ready to enter seclusion yet. Give me a little time, and I’ll place them in your hands.”

“What? Are you toying with me? Don’t blame me for showing no mercy,” Hong Mei snapped, her eyes blazing. A chilling aura radiated from her.

Ge Qian was unperturbed, as if he’d expected this. “Senior Sister, you called me here not just for the pills, did you? If you have something to say, speak plainly.”

Hong Mei was startled and scrutinized Ge Qian. He appeared calm and confident, as if he’d seen through her intentions. She was here to confront her inner demon; so what if he knew? Her expression darkened. “You’re quite clever. Tell me, why do you think I summoned you?”

“You’ve always regarded me as the inner demon blocking your progress to the Foundation Establishment stage, eager to eliminate me. But even if you kill me, it won’t help. Your true inner demon is Lü Xin,” Ge Qian said, enunciating each word.

Hong Mei shuddered. How could he know? What kind of mind did he possess? “You’re just a useless fifth layer cultivator. Even knowing, you still dared to come. Aren’t you afraid of dying here?”

Ge Qian sneered, “I have no choice. If I don’t come, this matter will fester, and you’ll become my inner demon. It’s time to settle things.”

With that, he tossed several formation flags around, and instantly, a gray mist enveloped the area. The improved formation deployed much faster and its power was on a different level.

Hong Mei felt a sense of foreboding. “So you came prepared. But a mere formation is nothing to me.”

Ge Qian didn’t respond. He threw out the Purplewood Ruler, which transformed into a seven-foot purple streak, slashing downward.

Hong Mei produced a mid-grade flying sword, cast a spell, and sent it to meet the Purplewood Ruler.

In terms of cultivation and power, Hong Mei had the upper hand, but Ge Qian wielded a superior-grade artifact and possessed uncanny sword techniques.

They battled fiercely, neither gaining the advantage.

Hong Mei now truly regretted her actions. She had thought subduing a fifth-layer weakling would be trivial, but the reality was quite the opposite. Ge Qian proved himself capable, even owning a superior artifact; acquiring her own mid-grade artifact had cost her dearly.

Ge Qian affixed several Vajra talismans to himself, then unleashed three Fireball talismans at Hong Mei. He shook the spirit beast pouch, and the little white fox flashed onto the ground, leaping behind Hong Mei and slashing with its paw.

Hong Mei gathered her strength, preparing a full-force attack, but three fireballs hurtled toward her. She had no choice but to counter with three Fireball talismans. Six fireballs collided, heat surging, sparks flying.

Hong Mei silently rejoiced that she had three Fireball talismans; otherwise, she would have been thrown into disarray.

Suddenly, a gust rushed from behind. Alarmed, she poured all her energy into dodging, but was a moment too slow. Blood spurted from her left shoulder.

With a scream, Hong Mei staggered out of the encirclement, her left arm nearly broken at the root, blood flowing freely. Gritting her teeth, she applied a blood-staunching talisman.

Furious, she glared at Ge Qian and the little white fox. “I truly miscalculated this time. Who would have thought you’d possess such wealth, and a spirit beast rivaling the peak of the Qi Accumulation stage? Such is my fate. Though you’re a so-called weakling, luck favors you, and I’m doomed to fail. But this cannot shake my resolve to pursue the Dao.”

Ge Qian shook his head. “What is fate? I struggled from nothing to where I am now. You’ll never understand the price I paid. One’s destiny is determined by one’s own hand.”

Hong Mei gave a tragic smile. “Today is my death day, but Ge Qian, I can still cultivate. I’ll become a vengeful soul, enter the Dao through resentment, wandering as a lonely ghost outside the cycle of reincarnation. One day, I’ll settle today’s score.”

She cast a spell, her entire body igniting into flames, burning fiercely. Hong Mei laughed coldly as she turned to ash. From the ashes, a gray-white figure floated heavenward.

Ge Qian was startled. Clearly, Hong Mei’s resolve to pursue the Dao was unyielding. Even Mei Die, with her experience, would be moved, her own wounds touched.

Suddenly, he sensed agitation from the Yin Demon Ghost Gourd in his storage pouch. Ge Qian immediately took it out. The gourd floated up, sprayed black mist, and wrapped the gray shadow, drawing it inside before retreating.

The Yin Demon Ghost Gourd’s magic patterns flashed, slowly forming a strange, terrifying, beautiful, and resentful ghost face, bearing a remarkable resemblance to Hong Mei.

Ge Qian, connected to the gourd, immediately sensed the changes. In the core of the gourd, a blood-red placenta formed, writhing ceaselessly. Pure demonic energy surged in and out, its power greatly increased, as if it might break free of its restraints. He knew he’d have to properly refine it once he returned.

All this was, naturally, related to absorbing the resentment Hong Mei had become. In this world, such resentment only forms when one dies with deep unwillingness and hatred, the moment of death infusing the soul with grievance.