Chapter 8. Heavenly Treasure
With a fluttering heart, I slipped the subspace ring onto my finger.
The cold touch of metal.
Then a faint pain followed.
The ring immediately burrowed into my finger.
Leaving behind a red mark, it vanished.
From the finger where the mark remained, not a trace of spiritual power could be felt.
Something about this felt off.
A slight unease crept in.
My heart thumped ominously.
Is this really okay?
What if there's some kind of side effect?
In the game, it had been nothing more than a quest completion reward.
But this place was reality.
All kinds of horrifying imaginings flashed through my mind.
The sense of relief I'd felt earlier began to fade.
Becoming a slave to the altar.
Poison spreading and paralyzing my entire body.
My personality changing.
Suddenly going insane.
Being driven to slaughter.
My intelligence dropping...
The instincts of a true man sounded a warning alarm.
[...You have quite a vivid imagination. Nothing like that will happen.]
Unable to watch any longer, the system scolded me.
Ah, right.
Way to make things awkward again.
Ahem.
Well, as long as that's the case.
What's wrong with being cautious?
I only have one life, after all.
With my heart lightened, I started moving.
I wanted to hurry back to the cave and check the subspace as soon as possible.
I gathered spiritual power at my toes and leapt upward.
With just a few bounds, I landed atop the cliff.
To think I'd gone through all that suffering to climb down when this was so easy.
I'd become someone who couldn't live without spiritual power anymore.
The bizarre wind had already ceased.
The bone-chilling cold was gone as well.
It seemed that when the altar vanished, it took its sinister aura with it.
The valley below no longer felt ominous.
A faint sense of regret surfaced.
The subspace ring would never again appear in this world.
***
At that same moment.
At the pinnacle of the Qingxiu True Realm, within the sect that reigned supreme—Heavenly Palace—an unusual aura was stirring.
Heavenly Palace was a great sect that had occupied the summit of Spirit Cloud Mountain for thirty thousand years.
Thousands of peaks rose above a sea of clouds, each crowned with crystal-tiled halls that displayed resplendent majesty.
Deep within the palace grounds.
Inside the Hall of Heavenly Secrets, where entry by outsiders was strictly forbidden.
Thick walls sealed off all sides, allowing not a single ray of light inside.
Yet the bizarre patterns carved into the walls and ceiling glimmered on their own, dispelling the darkness.
At the center of the hall.
A bronze mirror as tall as a man, enshrined atop a massive obsidian pedestal, was emitting light.
It was the Heavenly Treasure Essential Mirror.
Upon the surface of the mirror floated a ring resembling a crimson lotus, while deep blue ripples shimmered faintly around it.
The blue light spread outward like ripples, filling the Hall of Heavenly Secrets with an enigmatic hue.
An old man who had been sitting cross-legged before it opened his tightly shut eyes.
He was an elder with white hair and beard flowing to his chest, bearing the air of an immortal sage.
He was the Supreme Palace Lord of Heavenly Palace, and one of only four cultivators in the Qingxiu True Realm who had reached the Spirit Severing realm—Qing Xianzi.
"Huh…."
A low exclamation escaped Qing Xianzi's lips.
His brow furrowed slightly, his snow-white eyebrows lifting upward.
At his side, a middle-aged cultivator standing at attention could not hide his shock either.
He was the current Palace Lord of Heavenly Palace, a Nascent Soul cultivator named Xuanjin.
"Senior Brother! That blue light…!"
Reverence and excitement were mingled in Xuanjin's voice.
Without taking his eyes off the mirror, Qing Xianzi murmured in a low voice.
"That's right. Another heavenly treasure has revealed itself to the world. And one that contains the power of space and time."
Despite his calm tone, subtle ripples stirred deep within his eyes.
Xuanjin swallowed dryly, unable to calm his excitement.
"A heavenly treasure imbued with the power of space and time… its value is beyond words. The entire cultivation world will be thrown into chaos."
Qing Xianzi let out a long sigh.
"That's right. Another storm of bloodshed will blow. All those old monsters who've been lying low will come crawling out again."
He clicked his tongue with a bitter expression. Having long since given up on Ascension, heavenly treasures held little meaning for him now.
What worried him was the turmoil and gale of greed they would unleash.
Even Xuanjin beside him was proof of that. At the late Nascent Soul realm, he was already shaken by the appearance of a heavenly treasure, flames of desire flickering in his eyes.
Pretending not to notice his disciple's state, Qing Xianzi slowly closed his eyes once more.
A new heavenly treasure has appeared in the Heavenly Treasure Essential Mirror.
That astonishing news spread across the cultivation world like wildfire.
As though a massive boulder had been cast into a tranquil lake, the once-quiet cultivation world began to roil in an instant.
Every sect and clan, as well as reclusive old monsters, began to move in their own ways.
Those connected to them became frantic as well.
Wherever sudden abnormal weather or surges of spiritual energy were reported, cultivators gathered like clouds.
In the process, clashes large and small broke out, and innocent victims emerged.
Of course, none of that had anything to do with Yun Xian.
Whether others fought and killed each other or not.
***
Well then, shall I head back?
My steps toward the hideout felt unbelievably light.
The cave was quiet and peaceful.
The rabbits locked in the herb cultivation chamber were sleeping soundly.
Their fire-scorched appearances were pitiful beyond words.
I should hurry and move them into the subspace so they could live comfortably.
Heh heh. Become slaves of my farm!
The baby rabbit was asleep as well.
It lay sprawled across my bedding, belly plump and exposed.
…This little bastard's got some nerve, huh?
Fine, sleep away.
Leaving it behind, I headed to the cultivation chamber.
After closing the door, I sat down in a cross-legged position.
Only a faint red mark remained where the ring had vanished.
I'd been worried it might stay like that, but thankfully it was fading as time passed.
I stroked my left ring finger and focused my mind.
When I opened my eyes a moment later, the scenery around me had completely changed.
Dense spiritual energy rose from all directions.
My mind cleared.
A soft sensation came from beneath my feet.
Grass similar to turf covered the entire space.
The sky was high and clear.
To one side, a well-tilled field came into view.
The soil was exceedingly fertile.
Beside it stood a small hut.
In front of the hut, a spiritual spring bubbling with clear water caught my eye.
Yes, this was it.
It was exactly the same as the subspace from the game 'Fresh Immortal.'
A space where one could plant herbs and raise spiritual beasts.
Players used it to decorate gardens or create small spirit zoos for simple enjoyment.
I was no different.
But this was reality.
There were bound to be differences from the game.
I slowly surveyed the subspace.
Its rough size was about a thousand square meters.
Of that, only about five hundred square meters was suitable for farming.
It wasn't as spacious as I'd expected.
Was there no way to expand this space?
In the game, it had been possible through microtransactions.
The system answered immediately.
[Expansion using points is possible. The space will also expand if spiritual beasts or spiritual herbs are cultivated, or if items rich in spiritual energy are placed inside the subspace.]
So the spiritual energy emitted from those things was absorbed by the space?
That's pretty useful.
My grand dream of building a rabbit farm had indeed been the right choice.
I should plant all the spiritual herbs I had.
The ones I got from the Village Head, and the ones my parents left behind.
In the game's subspace, time flowed at about four times the normal rate. Would it be the same here?
[Spiritual herbs inside the subspace grow at four times the normal speed. Spiritual beasts are likewise subject to the same temporal rule.]
Oh ho. That's excellent.
With a happy heart, I approached the hut.
The clear spiritual spring came into view.
The water was transparent and pristine.
I scooped some up with the gourd hanging at my waist.
"Ahh, this is the stuff!"
It was truly incredible.
It couldn't even be compared to the bland water created with Water Nurturing Art.
This refreshing sensation coursing through my entire body!
My depleted spiritual power filled up in an instant.
Eyes shining, I took another sip. Unfortunately, there was no further effect.
This, too, was just like the game.
It seemed to work only once per day.
Just in case, I'd test it again tomorrow.
I headed toward the hut.
Made of wood and yellow earth, the hut was small and tidy.
Inside were a small table, chairs, and a bed.
Could I eat and sleep here?
[Qi Refinement cultivators may use the subspace for two hours per day. Cultivation inside the subspace is not permitted.]
Tsk. In that case, there was no real need to stay here.
Two hours would be more than enough to plant herbs and tend to rabbits.
A bit regrettable, but it couldn't be helped.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.
If my guess was correct...
I hurriedly exited the subspace.
Focusing my mind and touching my ring finger, I returned to the cultivation chamber in the blink of an eye.
My chest swelled with emotion.
If things worked as I thought, this would grant an enormous advantage.
I slowly took a deep breath.
Don't get excited—confirm it calmly.
This was directly tied to safety.
After some thought, I removed the gourd from my waist and set it on the floor.
I also took off one of my shoes.
Then I stepped back into the subspace.
As expected, the gourd and the shoe were nowhere to be found.
But that alone wasn't enough to be certain.
It might simply be recreating the appearance based on my memory.
Just because herbs and beasts could be transferred didn't guarantee that people worked the same way.
I needed a more definitive experiment.
What would be best?
After pondering deeply, I came up with one method.
I needed to steel myself.
"Haah… hss."
After preparing myself, I gathered spiritual power in my teeth.
Then I bit down hard on my left index finger.
"Ugh!"
A sharp pain shot through my finger and spread throughout my body.
I nearly bit my finger off.
Next time, I should bite a little more gently.
The effect was too good—way too good.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
I clenched my teeth and let the blood drip onto the floor.
After some time passed, I measured the size of the bloodstain pooling on the ground.
If only my consciousness moved, then the stain would grow larger.
My body left behind would keep bleeding.
If my entire body moved, it would remain the same.
After memorizing the size of the stain, I entered the subspace.
Now I just had to wait ten minutes and then return.
Watching my finger drip blood made me dizzy.
What kind of suffering was this, seriously.
But for safety's sake, it couldn't be helped.
A moment of pain could decide a lifetime!
Ten minutes passed.
Taking a deep breath, I returned to reality.
I examined the bloodstain on the floor.
Roughly three centimeters wide and five centimeters long.
There was not the slightest change.
My heart swelled with emotion.
It was certain.
My entire body moved.
Which meant—
I now had another means of saving my life in a critical situation.
My mouth stretched wide in a grin.
It couldn't get any better than this.
Suppressing my pounding heart, I entered the subspace once more.
Then I opened my storage pouch and laid out talismans, jade slips, spiritual herbs, and formation plates on the ground.
When I went back outside, the items I had taken out inside the subspace were nowhere to be seen.
That meant I could safely hide items I didn't want others to discover.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Laughter burst out naturally.
How could this be so good.
With a pounding heart, I headed to the herb cultivation chamber.
Then I began transferring the Jade Ear Rabbits into the subspace.
One, then two.
Each time a rabbit entered the subspace, a system notification sounded.
[Jade Ear Rabbit x1 registered successfully]
[Jade Ear Rabbit x1 registered...]
[All Jade Ear Rabbits manageable within Yun Xian Garden: 35]
Hmm. So the subspace was called Yun Xian Garden?
I liked it.
I began transplanting the spiritual herbs.
[Fengbai Grass x7 registered successfully. Currently manageable Fengbai Grass: 7]
[Congming Grass x3 registered successfully. Currently manageable Congming Grass: 3]
[Yunxia Grass x2]
[Changbai Grass x4]
[Flying Immortal Grass x357...]
All the spiritual herbs were transplanted.
The older a spiritual herb, the better its medicinal effect.
The same went for spiritual beasts.
Aged spiritual beasts were valuable.
Good for the body, delicious, and they boosted spiritual power.
Now all that was left was to sit atop a pile of money—no, a pile of spirit stones.
Of course, they'd all disappear as I cultivated....
Thinking about that brought tears to my eyes.
The path of cultivation was truly long and arduous.
Perhaps because I transferred the Jade Ear Rabbits and spiritual herbs, the land boundary that had been shrouded in mist expanded.
About 150 square meters, maybe?
Wasn't this efficiency kind of terrible?
Letting out a sigh, I exited the subspace and picked up the baby rabbit sprawled across my bed.
Then I moved again.
The little guy woke up and stared at me with blank eyes.
A system notification appeared.
[Spirit Beast (1 registered successfully]
I lifted the corner of my mouth slightly and met its gaze.
Then I asked softly.
"Hey. You're not a rabbit, are you?"
Chapter 9. Spirit Mouse
Got you, you little bastard.
At my icy voice, the baby rabbit cradled in my arms—no, the little rat—trembled violently.
It looked up at me with wide eyes, fear filling them to the brim.
Snow-white fur gleaming with a silky sheen.
A tiny, delicate nose.
Pink lips that twitched as it chewed the air.
An innocent expression, as if it knew nothing at all.
I won't be fooled anymore, you punk.
As it struggled to escape my embrace, I held it even tighter.
What exactly is this little rat?
Why did the Jade Ear Rabbits protect it so fiercely?
A rat being protected by a herd of Jade Ear Rabbits.
Doesn't that sound strange?
I calmly traced the chain of cause and effect.
Observe the phenomenon, and the cause reveals itself.
I pieced together fragmentary information like fitting together puzzle pieces.
A spirit beast…?
This thing was a spirit beast.
And one hiding some special secret, at that.
On one side of Yun Xian Garden, the Jade Ear Rabbits had gathered, standing on their hind legs and glaring at me.
If I weren't holding this thing, they might've already charged.
So that insane chase earlier had been because of this little guy.
But why?
No matter how rare a spirit beast was, what kind of value did it have?
It kept squeaking nervously, watching my expression.
I narrowed my eyes and studied it carefully.
I needed to confirm exactly what this thing was.
First, I left the subspace.
If I interrogated it here, a slave rebellion might break out.
After placing it on the bed,
I retrieved the jade slip my parents had left behind.
I found what I was looking for almost immediately.
The True Hundred Records.
A jade slip compiled by a bored old Nascent Soul monster.
It was packed with information about the specialties, spirit beasts, and various oddities of the entire Qingxiu True Realm.
I searched through the vast trove of information for anything related to Spirit Mice.
『Spirit Beast Section』 Volume 27.
Name: Spirit Mouse
Classification: Low-grade spirit beast
Habitat: Entire Qingxiu True Realm
Disposition: Gentle and timid
Basic physique: Palm-sized body, round eyes, soft fur
Primary use: Emotional stabilization, pet spirit beast
Special notes: There exists a mutant known as the Void-bodied Spirit Mouse. Upon reaching adulthood, it can become completely transparent—far beyond mere concealment. Highly sensitive to the fluctuations of natural treasures, spiritual herbs, and divine objects, it is also called a "treasure-seeking mouse." After the first specimen was discovered, none have been found since.
Could it be…?
I looked at the creature's ears, which shimmered faintly. At first glance, I'd thought they were jade-colored.
But now that I looked closer, they were closer to transparent crystal.
Had it not yet reached adulthood?
My hands began to tremble.
My face flushed red with excitement.
Startled, the creature grabbed my hand with its forepaws and flattened itself against the bed.
Its large eyes were filled with terror.
Hoo. Calm down.
Nothing was certain yet.
As I stroked its head, I thought.
I needed to form a contract while it still knew nothing.
Once a spirit beast contract was formed, it wasn't easily broken.
It was a contract between souls, after all.
"I don't care what you really are. But you're going to have to prove your worth. I don't raise freeloaders."
Was I being too harsh?
Not at all.
I was timid myself, so I knew exactly how timid types reacted.
You had to push this kind hard.
…Besides, I could treat it well after the contract, right?
Understanding my meaning, the Spirit Mouse shrank even smaller.
"If you want to live, prove your ability. Show me that you're useful."
Hurry up and prove your worth as a slave!
Treasure! Bring me treasure!
The Spirit Mouse rolled its eyes around, gauging my mood.
It seemed to want something.
With an endlessly pitiful expression, it pointed at its own bulging belly.
…Was it hungry?
Haa…. This was why raising spirit beasts was scary.
Spirit beasts grew by consuming spiritual power.
Still, if it really was a mutant Spirit Mouse, it would be worth it.
I took out a spirit stone from my storage pouch.
The Spirit Mouse's eyes widened.
Greed surfaced in its gaze.
It was showing immense interest.
I tossed the spirit stone up and caught it repeatedly, teasing the creature.
Having lost its identity and grown up among Jade Ear Rabbits, this was probably its first time seeing such a thing.
Watching its head bob up and down following my hand was pretty entertaining.
I leaned close to its ear and whispered softly.
"I'm a man of clear rewards and punishments. Prove your value, and I'll give you this and guarantee you a happy life as a spirit beast."
First, promise a sweet reward.
Then I lightly pinched its ear.
"But… if you try to deceive or fool me, I'll show you exactly what hell is like. Don't forget. You already tricked me once."
…It might look a little cruel, but it couldn't be helped.
I said I'd treat it well after the contract, didn't I?
The Spirit Mouse's eyes trembled violently.
It looked deeply wronged.
Ahem. Come to think of it, it hadn't really deceived me directly...
But the situation had been way too coincidental.
The Spirit Mouse opened its tiny mouth wide.
As if telling me to look closely, it shoved its face toward me.
It even stamped the ground with its hind legs.
Looking more closely… it was definitely closer to a guinea pig than a rabbit.
Mm….
I quietly looked away.
"…You don't want this?"
…Why are you looking at me like I'm pathetic?
Letting out a deep sigh, the Spirit Mouse trudged forward pitifully.
It took one step, glanced at the spirit stone, took another step, glanced again.
…It was definitely cute.
But I couldn't be swayed.
I was a cat person through and through.
As I followed it, I sank into thought.
Was it really a mutant Spirit Mouse?
If it truly was, I couldn't let anyone see it before it reached adulthood.
Until it completely erased its fluctuations, someone might notice its true nature.
I sighed.
Raising a high-bloodline spirit beast required enormous expense.
Thinking that way, my actions felt completely justified.
Making it find treasures was only natural.
In the harsh cultivation world, you had to earn your own keep.
Ahem.
People had to be shameless to live well.
Startled by my persistent gaze, the Spirit Mouse began moving briskly.
It was quite sharp.
Once outside the hideout, it stood on its hind legs and sniffed the air.
Its focused expression was surprisingly serious.
Then it began waddling off toward somewhere.
Where was it going?
I followed while staying alert.
It wouldn't be able to run away or lead me into a trap.
It was already registered in Yun Xian Garden, after all.
And it seemed to have a strong bond with the Jade Ear Rabbits.
More importantly…
I had already taken certain measures.
The moment that tiny body betrayed me, it would be engulfed in scorching flames.
No matter how good its ability was, I had to be able to control it.
I didn't want variables.
…Was that too much?
What could I do?
It knew the location of my hideout—loose ends had to be dealt with.
Remember, this was a ruthless, unforgiving cultivation world.
I carefully followed behind the Spirit Mouse.
I activated Concealment Technique and Soundproofing Technique, expanding my Divine Sense.
After sniffing around and running for a long while, the Spirit Mouse stopped.
It stretched out a forepaw toward a crevice between rocks in the valley.
"What's there?"
Excited, the Spirit Mouse squeaked enthusiastically and nodded fervently.
Then it began gnawing diligently at the vines blocking the rocks.
I approached cautiously.
Beyond the half-chewed vines, an unusual wave of spiritual energy leaked out. I stuffed the Spirit Mouse—still wrestling with the vines—into my pocket and observed the surroundings.
Where the vines had been cleared, traces of a formation appeared.
It looked familiar.
Don't tell me…?
I immediately placed my right hand against it.
The faint pattern on the back of my hand glowed. An invitation and a formation pass all in one—truly versatile.
With a familiar sensation, I moved into the formation.
As expected, it was our old man's formation.
…Just how many spiritual herbs had he planted?
Well, I wasn't complaining.
"Ah, thank you, old man."
He really was an old fellow who gave without holding back.
Inside the formation was a paradise unto itself.
Clusters of spiritual herbs glowed with radiant light.
Stems branching into three swayed gently in the breeze.
Leaves arranged in sets of seven shone brilliantly in different hues.
Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass…!
And one that had easily aged over three thousand years at that.
My hands trembled uncontrollably.
It was the very spiritual herb I'd seen countless times through the game window.
One of the core ingredients of the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Even in the game, it sold for a high price.
How much would it be worth here?
I vigorously patted the Spirit Mouse, which was standing proudly with its head held high.
Oh, you adorable little thing.
It really was a mutant Spirit Mouse.
No wonder the Jade Ear Rabbits revered it like a treasure.
They must've survived by eating the herbs it found.
No wonder every one of them was unusually robust.
My gaze toward the Spirit Mouse softened like melting spring snow.
With a Buddha-like smile, I stroked its head.
Then, as if being generous, I handed it a spirit stone.
"Go on, absorb it to your heart's content."
The Spirit Mouse's eyes sparkled.
Gripping the spirit stone tightly with its forepaws, it began happily gnawing on it.
…It wasn't absorbing it?
…Uh, well. As long as you're enjoying it, sure...
Leaving it behind, I approached the Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass.
I had to harvest it carefully and move it into the subspace with minimal loss.
All the Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass was transferred into the subspace.
Beyond the herb field, rabbits were drooling.
Heh heh, no chance.
The field was protected by formations.
The rabbits looked extremely healthy.
Their scorched fur had completely recovered.
Some were even busily mating.
…Yeah. Breed lots of offspring.
Having eaten its fill, the Spirit Mouse was sleeping inside my pocket.
I needed to prepare quickly and form the contract.
I couldn't let a cornucopia like this slip away.
***
The contract concluded smoothly.
Don't worry.
I'd used the standard spirit beast contract my parents had kept.
They must've carried it around with the firm intention of raising a spirit beast someday.
Once again, I prayed for their souls to rest in peace.
I looked at the Spirit Mouse, now slumped in exhaustion after the contract.
No—now I should call it Baizi.
Its characteristically round backside resembled a moon jar, so I gave it that name.
Baizi was sleeping soundly.
I gently stroked its head.
This wasn't a bad deal for it either.
Better than being caught by some cruel bastard and digging dirt for life until it died.
Reacting to my touch, the exhausted Baizi squeaked softly.
Watching that, Ginger came to mind.
What was Ginger doing now…
***
United States, California.
Detective Roger of the Major Crimes Unit was left devastated by the disappearance of Peter, someone he had long looked after.
Peter vanished from inside his home after getting off work from a convenience store.
A perfect locked-room disappearance.
After receiving a call from the store owner saying the kid hadn't shown up for work, he went to the house.
The place boasted airtight security.
There were no signs of forced entry.
No record of entry or exit on the CCTV either.
Detective Roger recalled the emptiness he'd felt back then.
After barely forcing the door open, he found Peter's cat wailing pitifully as it looked at him.
He knew the cat well.
It was in an extremely agitated state.
Most likely because it had witnessed Peter's disappearance.
That guy wouldn't just vanish and leave this one behind…
The bond between Peter and his cat had been exceptionally strong.
After his parents were murdered, only the two of them had survived together.
No matter how much relatives urged him, Peter had refused to part with the cat.
With worries weighing on his mind, Detective Roger lit a cigarette.
Where the hell did you go…
For now, he had taken Ginger to his own home.
His daughter was delighted by the sudden appearance of a cat, but Detective Roger's heart felt heavy.
Ginger sat atop the cat tower on the balcony, staring outside.
As if waiting for Peter.
With a cigarette in his mouth, he ruffled his hair roughly.
Please… just come back safe.
***
The gloom that had briefly overtaken me soon lifted.
This wasn't the time to be like this.
After tucking a blanket over the sleeping Baizi, I headed to the cultivation chamber.
Right now, my cultivation resources were severely lacking.
I had no proper cultivation pills, and only one technique to rely on.
Thankfully, the technique suited me well, but it was still just a low-grade art.
The one saving grace was this.
I now had a source of protein and spiritual power, and I'd obtained a Spirit Mouse.
The spiritual spring and herbs in the subspace would help with cultivation as well.
I'd have to chew spiritual herbs and gulp down spiritual spring water while focusing on training.
Life's fucked…
My earlier excitement cooled a little.
I slapped my cheek hard.
Ow, that hurt like hell.
But my mind snapped into clarity.
Right. This wasn't the time to slack off.
I needed to start cultivating right away.
Everything that needed to be done was done.
So what if cultivation resources were lacking?
All I had was time.
With hardened resolve, I plunged into cultivation.
And then, ninety-seven years passed.
Chapter 10. Identity Token
Ninety-seven years of time had been nothing short of brutal.
Endless cultivation and absorption of spiritual power.
And study.
The knowledge Yun Xian originally possessed had been far too shallow.
Even the information obtained from games had been nothing more than skimming the surface.
I devoted myself to cultivation all day, and in the remaining time, I read the Cultivation Encyclopedia.
Because knowledge was power.
Thus, for ninety-seven years, I did not rest for a single day.
…Well, it wasn't like I had anything else to do anyway.
The rabbits and spiritual herbs I released into Yun Xian Garden grew vigorously.
Time in the subspace flowed four times faster than outside, after all.
By the time fifty years had passed, I could hunt and eat one rabbit a week without issue.
It was perfect for replenishing spiritual power.
It tasted good too.
Baizi, who had shown resistance at first, had now become a Jade Ear Rabbit fanatic in a different sense.
What a hypocrite.
I continued learning formations as well.
Based on the formations recorded in the jade slips, I researched and dismantled every formation I possessed.
As I designed new formations, I felt grateful for my talent in Formation Art.
The process of fitting everything together was truly fascinating.
Proficiency and levels rose with each passing day.
…Limited to Dao Arts and formations, though.
Strangely enough, my basic level did not increase.
It did rise little by little, but it was still only Level 1.
Well, it didn't matter.
My spiritual power had increased smoothly, and the levels of my Dao Arts and formations had risen just fine.
…I also had a rough idea why.
And now.
I was finally about to advance to the next stage.
Hoo…
After taking a deep breath, I fixed my gaze on the Human-Faced Flower in front of me.
This grotesque monster used illusions.
To advance to the next stage, it was something I absolutely had to kill.
To hide the fact that I was immortal, I needed the item this thing possessed.
My hands began to tremble.
But I couldn't avoid it.
For the sake of safety, no matter how arduous, I had to do it.
The Human-Faced Flower let out a shrill scream.
-Guueeeek!
I screamed back.
"Waaaaaagh!"
I could see the Human-Faced Flower panicking.
That was only natural.
It was a condensed roar containing all the stress I had built up over the years.
The Human-Faced Flower spewed out five-colored clouds.
I bit my finger and squeezed out blood.
The pain made my scalp tingle.
I repeatedly stimulated the injured finger while chewing and swallowing Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass.
Maintaining consciousness was more important than anything else.
The five-colored clouds persistently chased after me.
It was the Human-Faced Flower's specialty—illusion.
The scene of my parents being murdered appeared before my eyes.
Within it, I was being brutally attacked together with Ginger.
My eyes widened.
I bit down on my injured finger until a crunching sound rang out.
Pain dragged me back to reality.
"…That won't work. I see that scene every day in my dreams."
I sneered as if mocking it.
When the illusion failed, the Human-Faced Flower advanced directly.
Its massive body writhed as it moved.
The first change.
Phase One had begun.
Entangled stems and vines lashed out toward me, shaking the ground.
Petals covering its hideous face flew in like daggers.
Standing in place, I scattered the pre-drawn protective talismans in all directions.
I blocked the front with the enlarged jade slip.
Please, jade slip!
The sturdy jade slip did not disappoint me.
It endured the Human-Faced Flower's ferocious attacks well.
The protective talismans also shone with light as they absorbed the impacts.
"That's it? Is that all you've got?"
A provocation.
Words I would normally never say.
The enraged Human-Faced Flower charged forward.
It began transitioning into Phase Two.
This too was exactly like the game.
Of course it was. I was the one who had summoned it.
This was the second beginner quest, following the altar that had given me the Subspace Ring.
Unlike before, when offering sacrifices had been enough, this time I had to kill it.
The fortunate part was that it had a clear weakness.
-Guueeeeee!
The Human-Faced Flower leapt into the air, trying to crush me beneath its weight.
I stared straight into its eyes and grinned.
Sensing something wrong, the Human-Faced Flower trembled.
But it was already too late.
-Kkyu!
Baizi stood upright on two legs with imposing dignity.
It firmly grabbed the exposed roots of the Human-Faced Flower with its front paws.
And then, it began gnawing at them at a ferocious speed.
The Heart-Eye, the very core of the Human-Faced Flower.
As its Heart-Eye was eaten away, the Human-Faced Flower twisted its entire body.
-Kyaaaaaaagh!
A scream that felt like it would tear my eardrums apart.
Its body writhed violently as petals cascaded down.
Bloody tears streamed from its eyes.
But there was nothing it could do.
After devouring the Heart-Eye, Baizi belched with a satisfied expression.
-Gurp
…It must have been delicious.
The Human-Faced Flower's stems and roots turned to ash and scattered away.
Ash-gray rain fell from the sky.
If I hadn't known its weakness, I'd be the one dead.
All hail the game!
Clutching my aching hand, I approached.
Atop the piled ashes lay a mask.
A repulsive mask that looked as if it recreated human skin.
It resembled the Human-Faced Flower.
"…I finally got it."
My body trembled so hard with joy that I could barely stand it.
And then.
[You have defeated Lv. 19 Human-Faced Flower.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
As if it had been waiting, my levels began to rise.
Holding the mask, I returned straight to the cave.
***
I was unbelievably happy. My level had become 6.
I had gained five additional points as well.
This was why leveling up was so addictive!
I rewarded Baizi, the hero of the victory, with two spirit stones.
Baizi hugged the spirit stones tightly and ate with relish.
Leaving that sight behind, I put the mask on my face with a trembling heart.
The moment it touched my skin, the mask melted smoothly into it.
I focused my mind.
An ordinary face, an ordinary build. Late twenties. A low, husky voice. Realm: Qi Refinement 6th Stage. Quadruple Spiritual Roots.
My body began to change.
My bones shifted and my muscles rearranged themselves.
It hurt a little.
But it was bearable.
Even my cultivation, which had reached Qi Refinement 8th Stage, was lowered to match the 6th Stage.
No matter where you went, hiding one level of strength was necessary.
From now on, I planned to always pretend to be at a lower realm.
Baizi, who had been sitting on the bedding, sprang up in shock.
Its whiskers stood straight, claws fully extended.
Seeing that, I was certain.
Even my appearance and aura had completely changed.
"It's me, you idiot."
I lightly tugged on the soul bond.
Baizi's small mouth fell open.
It cautiously approached and rubbed its face against my feet.
It even let out a sigh of relief.
I picked it up and put it into my pocket.
"Let's go."
I looked back at the familiar hideout.
Ninety-seven years flashed by like a panorama.
My personal sanctuary.
My beloved nest.
I had to leave this safe place.
There was no choice.
My cultivation had stagnated long ago.
After reaching Qi Refinement 8th Stage, I could no longer advance.
I had hit the limit of solitary cultivation.
It had been expected.
With Quadruple Spiritual Roots and almost no cultivation resources, it was inevitable.
If not for immortality, my cultivation life would have ended here.
Foundation Establishment pills only worked before the age of seventy.
But I had infinite lifespan.
Time was on my side.
Still, it was time to use other methods.
And there was Elder Haoranzi's warning as well.
I glanced at the mark hidden on the back of my hand.
The timing to move was perfect.
Despite living in the cave for ninety-seven years, I had almost no luggage.
Everything I owned—spiritual herbs and Jade Ear Rabbits—was inside Yun Xian Garden.
Leaving behind my lingering attachment, I exited the cave.
There was a lot to do.
I left Sacred Spirit Mountain and headed toward the cultivation village.
Thanks to the mask, my appearance and aura were completely different, but I had no intention of showing myself to others yet.
After leaving the mountain range, I took Baizi out of my pocket.
"Do as I explained. You understood, right?"
It just squeaked with a sulky face.
…This bastard was pretending not to understand.
I had no choice.
I took out a spirit stone from my pouch.
Seeing it eat the spirit stone like a snack made my heart ache.
This thing had already surpassed Qi Refinement 9th Stage.
And it still ate spirit stones like that.
***
Damn bloodline advantage.
I had 345 spirit stones left.
I'd used many during cultivation.
Baizi had taken a good share too.
With this, it'd be hard to buy even one proper artifact.
I'd have to sell spiritual herbs once I reached the city.
That made the upcoming operation extremely important.
After devouring the spirit stone, Baizi eyed my pouch.
"Hey, no more. You'll turn into a pig."
It pointed at its own belly with its front paw and shouted.
So it knew its belly was bulging.
After grumbling, Baizi vanished toward the village.
It became completely transparent, invisible to the naked eye.
After sending Baizi off, I used Earth Escape Art to burrow underground.
The level of my Earth Escape Art had reached 7 before I realized it.
Its speed was incomparable to before.
After burrowing deep underground,
I observed the village through the mental link connected to Baizi.
Information poured in from all directions.
The cultivation village I saw for the first time in ninety-seven years felt familiar yet strange.
The people I used to know were nowhere to be seen.
Well, Qi Refinement cultivators lived at most around 150 years.
All the adults I knew were either dead or senile by now.
Still, people who looked similar to my old neighbors lived in the same houses.
They must be their descendants.
Their cultivation levels were all mediocre.
Few had surpassed late-stage Qi Refinement.
I let out a sigh.
Becoming a true immortal by entering Foundation Establishment was indeed difficult.
Baizi soon arrived at the destination.
The largest and most luxurious house in the village.
A skinny old man with a goatee was sitting in the courtyard, playing with a child.
The Village Head? No… his son, I suppose.
Time really was merciless.
That once-ambitious Village Head was gone, and his son had aged like this.
A plain-looking woman approached the old man.
"Husband, Qingyun Sect sent word. They say another Heavenly Treasure has appeared."
Village Head the Second replied casually.
"What? Didn't one appear once when Father was still alive? Heavenly Treasures don't grow like wild vegetables."
"I don't know. I'm just passing along what I heard."
Twisting his goatee around his finger, Village Head the Second sighed.
"Fine, fine. I'll gather the people again. Sigh."
"Will it be chaotic again this time?"
"Of course. But there haven't been any strange phenomena around here, so the trouble probably won't reach us. Still, we should be careful. When those high-ups so much as cough, it's chaos… Tch."
Village Head the Second stood up.
The woman followed him out.
Only the child remained in the courtyard.
Hurry, Baizi!
At my urging, Baizi sped up.
The interior of the house was protected by a defensive formation.
But it was crude beyond belief.
Heh, dismantling something like this was easy.
When I sent the signal, Baizi placed its claws beneath the formation.
Watching it dismantle the formation with its short front paws was oddly endearing.
Soon, a small hole appeared at the edge of the defensive formation.
At a glance, it was nearly impossible to notice.
Baizi darted inside.
A moment later.
Baizi emerged from the hole with a small jade token in its mouth.
Only the end of the token floated in midair, which looked bizarre.
Swallow it, idiot!
After hesitating, Baizi squeezed its eyes shut and gulped down the jade token.
Since I'd told it to protect it with spiritual power, it wouldn't be digested.
It thumped its chest as if uncomfortable.
Then it came hopping toward me.
You fool… go around a bit. Why do you always like moving in a straight line?
Baizi circled the village once.
Never mind.
After finishing its village tour, Baizi returned.
It surfaced from underground and deactivated its invisibility.
It panted heavily, clearly exhausted.
"Good work. Here's your payment."
When I offered a spirit stone, it lunged immediately.
"Hey, give me the item first."
It gagged and spat out the jade token.
I cleaned it using Water Nurturing Art.
It had been protected by spiritual power, so nothing was actually on it.
Still, it felt unpleasant anyway.
I narrowed my eyes and examined the token.
No doubt about it. It was an Identity Token.
A blank Identity Token with nothing engraved.
This was enough.
Village Head the Second wouldn't report the loss of a single Identity Token to Qingyun Sect.
That'd be like spitting on his own face.
A household that took bribes and exploited orphans wouldn't have any conscience.
While staying underground, I analyzed the formation engraved on the token.
The Identity Token checked two things.
Whether pure spiritual power was infused.
And whether the spiritual power matched the owner.
This was to verify that cultivators entering the city weren't demonic cultivators.
It was an era of frequent wars against the demonic path.
Entering a city without an Identity Token would invite all kinds of investigations.
There was nothing good about drawing attention.
If one clean theft could guarantee safe city life, it was a massive win.
…City life. Not that kind of misunderstanding.
I infused my aura and spiritual power into the Identity Token.
A completely different aura emanated from the jade.
The mask's effect was perfect.
That was it.
From now on, my name was Xuanyuan.
I put Baizi, stuffed full of spirit stones and sprawled out, back into my pocket.
It was time to head to Qingliu City.