Bang!
With a dull, disappointing thud, the pill furnace before Su Min exploded into sharp, smoking fragments once again. Being the closest to it, she was left with a face full of black soot, her pristine features completely obscured, making her look like a panda that had been caught digging coal.
A moment later, a summoned stream of clean water soon washed over her, restoring her jade like skin and white robes to their pristine appearance.
"Failed again. I have almost blown through all my stockpiled materials. I can't keep wasting them like this." Staring at the pile of useless, charred ashes inside the shattered furnace, Su Min rubbed her temples in sheer frustration. Becoming an eighth grade alchemist was no easy feat, and she had already exhausted most of her relatively cheaper, experimental materials.
The core problem she faced now was simple and frustrating: her soul power and spiritual control were not strong or refined enough to handle the profound complexities of eighth grade fusion.
"Damn it all! I can't afford to waste any more. Even though these materials are considered relatively common for our level, those truly suitable for refining eighth grade pills are ultimately rare and precious." Grumbling under her breath, she cleaned the fragments of her furnace and put it away before leaving the sealed chamber. As for her disheveled appearance moments before, she had not cared about it from the start. At this point in her life and power, there was no need to fuss over such trivial things.
However, as soon as Su Min stepped out into the sunlight, a powerful, familiar aura, no weaker than her own, approached from the distance and landed gracefully in the sect's main hall.
"She is back."
The owner of that aura was Xie Yingying. Since Su Min had been in seclusion, Xie Yingying had attended the grand sect conference in her place. With her formidable strength and status, no one dared to look down on the possessor of the Lunar Sovereign Body.
Su Min immediately transformed into a streak of light, flashing into the main hall in an instant.
"How did the conference go? These kinds of large meetings, involving so many complex factions and matters, tend to drag on for a long time." After all, they were all high level cultivators. In some ways, they could be considered long lived beings, so their inherent sense of time was fundamentally different from that of ordinary people.
Especially when it came to disputes over interests and authority that could not be immediately resolved through simple force, it was not uncommon for arguments and negotiations to stretch on for decades.
"It is settled. According to the latest reports, three more mid tier sects were completely wiped out during this period. That finally forced them to reach a basic agreement and stop squabbling over trivial matters." Xie Yingying reported, a hint of relief in her voice.
"That is good." Su Min was slightly surprised by the swift resolution, but Xie Yingying seemed rather relaxed about it now.
"What about the Immortal Sect's role in this alliance?"
"Well, the Immortal Sect... is a bit special."
"Oh?"
"Because of you."
"Huh?"
"Almost every major sect wants a direct, privileged connection with us so they can interact with you more easily. They almost came to blows over the rights to our trade routes and communication channels. The scene was... quite undignified." At this point, Xie Yingying could not help but laugh wryly. Of course, not all sects were in a desperate hurry.
For example, the Immortal Sect itself was not particularly anxious; their foundational strength was overwhelming. With Su Min's return, they could now field several Dao Comprehension stage experts, including one at the late Dao Comprehension stage and two with incredibly rare supreme physiques. None of the other sects dared to make any moves near their territories.
Of course, if anyone was foolish enough to cause trouble in Su Min's direct domain, she would not hesitate to lead a team to hunt them down personally.
"So how was it resolved in the end?"
Su Min merely shrugged, a faint, wry smile on her lips. "Heh, I am just that charming, it seems. I have long since gotten used to it."
"Three superpower level factions will establish direct, permanent spatial links with us. They happen to be located in the other three corners of this vast continent, so they can serve as fast transit points for people and goods. I have already ordered our formation masters to begin preparations. This agreement is very favorable for us. In the future, more rare treasures and resources will naturally pass through Eastern Mulberry Province to reach various parts of the continent, which means you will have first access to more and better medicinal ingredients."
"That is great." Su Min nodded in satisfaction. When one's personal strength and political influence reached a certain apex, there were often only two choices left for others: a big win win cooperation or a small, managed concession. It was not something she actively sought; it just happened naturally as a consequence of her power.
"By the way, I heard some interesting news while I was there. Would you like to check it out?" Xie Yingying quickly changed the subject, bringing up something else she had learned.
"What is it?"
"The Damo Secret Realm is about to open. It is said that there is an unowned Emperor tier artifact inside. The major Buddhist sects want to claim it, but they have all failed so far. Would you like to take a look? After all, you do have some... connections with them."
"Those monks again?" Su Min's expression was complex.
"Yep, those bald donkeys." Xie Yingying confirmed with a slight smirk.
"Uh... any specifics?"
"Do you remember when we destroyed the Future Maitreya Mountain? Their resistance was desperate, but the overall intensity was lacking. The damage to their foundational Collective Vow was one thing, but they never even brought out their Emperor tier artifact for a final stand."
"Wait, would it not be bad if I went? What if the artifact's spirit goes completely berserk when it sees me, the one who destroyed its sect?" Su Min shook her head vigorously. Was not this just asking for trouble? She was the one who had annihilated their sect. Going into their sacred secret realm felt like walking directly into a trap.
"Don't worry. Thanks to your actions back then, none of the major Buddhist branches can claim to be completely clean or righteous. Besides, the power and consciousness of an Emperor tier artifact far surpasses your imagination. Back then, it did not intervene probably not because it was unaware, but because it deemed the Future Maitreya Mountain of that time no longer worth preserving. Plus, it seems like you have hit another bottleneck in your alchemy."
"Alright, I have got nothing to say to that." Su Min covered her face with her hands in mock despair. Indeed, if she continued cultivating her alchemy normally through trial and error, it would take her at least a thousand years to reach the stable eighth grade realm. But her alchemy progress was stuck, and this bottleneck might even delay her own personal breakthrough to the Unity stage.
"What is actually inside the Damo Secret Realm?"
"No one knows for sure. The Buddhist sects are notoriously secretive about their core inheritances. This specific information came from Kong Hui himself; they must be truly desperate to ask for your help. You might find some completely unexpected gains there."
"Fine, I will go take a look." After some thought, Su Min realized she did not have a better alternative at the moment. If she stuck to conventional cultivation and alchemy practice, who knew how long it would take or what the future held?
In the original game's storyline, there were no supreme experts like Yao Xian'er or the little monk to rely on for shortcuts. But now that both of them were mysteriously missing, it was clear this real world was far more complicated and dangerous than it had appeared in the game. Since this opportunity had presented itself, she might as well take it. Perhaps she could even learn something new from the Great Thunder Temple's methods.
"Alright, I will set off now." With that, Su Min simply nodded and transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the horizon without any further preparation. Her characteristically impulsive departure left Xie Yingying standing alone, shaking her head in amusement.
She knew Su Min's chosen path was fundamentally different from her own, more arduous and full of unpredictable challenges. So this kind of proactive running around was actually beneficial for her growth, far better than idly staying in the sect waiting for inspiration.
Besides, there was not much for her to worry about now. The fallen ones' organization, the Black Seal, remained deeply hidden, with no trace of their main stronghold, if they even had a fixed one.
"First, I will head to the Great Thunder Temple. From there, I can get proper directions to the secret realm." The journey from Eastern Mulberry Province to the Great Thunder Temple only involved crossing a narrow strait and passing through the allied Wei Wu Province. At her current flight speed, it would not take long at all. However, as she officially entered the Great Thunder Temple's territory, marked by golden stupas and chanting sounds, she consciously slowed down her approach.
A Dao Comprehension stage expert arriving without any concealment was no small matter. Almost instantly, several golden skinned Arhats appeared in the sky before her, blocking her path.
"Amitabha. May this humble monk ask why the benefactor has come to our pure land?" The Arhats spoke with cautious politeness to the young woman before them. Though their own cultivation was decent, at the Nascent Soul stage, they were utterly no match for the aura Su Min casually radiated.
"Oh, you do not recognize me? Well, it has been a few hundred years. You must be recent disciples." Su Min remarked, not surprised.
"That is correct." The Arhats exchanged uneasy glances before nodding in unison. As long as they could communicate and she was not immediately hostile, it was fine. They just needed to wait for a stronger presence from the temple to arrive and handle the situation.
Sure enough, the next moment, a brilliant golden light flashed across the sky. A massive, serene Buddha phantom appeared, gazing down at Su Min with ancient, knowing eyes.
The Collective Vow. Unlike the shoddy, damaged version used by the defunct Future Maitreya Mountain, this was the complete and spiritually undamaged version of the great Buddhist oath. Su Min frowned slightly; even she, with all her power, found this thing troublesome and genuinely dangerous. The combined power of these orthodox monks was no joke. She idly wondered how they had been wiped out in the original game's history.
"Benefactor Su, it has been a long time. You may leave now." At that moment, a familiar, calm voice rang out. A figure descended from the sky and landed gracefully before Su Min, waving a hand to dismiss the Arhats.
"It really has been a while. My cultivation has finally caught up to yours." Su Min smiled faintly at the monk before her, Kong Hui, the second-in-command of the Great Thunder Temple. Sensing her unmistakable aura, he had rushed over immediately.
"This person is the legendary Master Su Min?" The surrounding Arhats were stunned. They were first generation disciples, talented individuals who had emerged in the past few centuries. None had seen Su Min in person, but her name and deeds were legendary. Their territories bordered each other, making them close neighbors. The Great Thunder Temple had strictly restrained its followers from causing any trouble, no matter how minor, in the Immortal Sect's domain. They did not even send out Golden Core stage cultivators for patrols near the border, exercising extreme caution.
"You may all leave. I have important matters to discuss with Benefactor Su." Kong Hui dismissed the onlookers with a wave. The Arhats did not dare protest, bowing respectfully before departing swiftly. Matters of this level were far beyond their Nascent Soul stage capabilities and pay grade.
"Please forgive their ignorance. This border area is relatively safe, so we have stationed many of our promising first generation disciples here. If anything... unfortunate happens, they can quickly retreat to your territory for sanctuary."
"Seeking refuge?" Su Min rolled her eyes. So they were here essentially as potential refugees? Kong Hui's bluntness was almost refreshing. Though it was a worst case scenario plan, they had clearly made concrete contingency plans. Given their past ties and the lack of bad blood, Su Min would likely offer them shelter if a true catastrophe occurred.
As for them causing trouble on her turf? Impossible. What could a bunch of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, even Buddhist ones, realistically do against her?
"Benefactor Su, your strength and fortune are truly exceptional. This humble monk is only at the mid Dao Comprehension stage. Advancing to the Unity stage is proving extremely difficult." Kong Hui smiled ruefully. His own cultivation had also hit a seemingly insurmountable bottleneck.
The Great Thunder Temple's secret reincarnation method was formidable, allowing for accumulated wisdom, but its effects diminished significantly at the Dao Comprehension stage. Their so called reincarnation did not perfectly preserve the original soul's core identity, so the laws of the Great Dao one could comprehend would inevitably change between lives. Even minor deviations could drastically slow cultivation progress in the new incarnation.
Thus, like Su Min, Kong Hui was effectively stuck at the mid Dao Comprehension stage, searching for his own breakthrough.
"What was the peak cultivation of your past lives?" Su Min couldn't help her curiosity. This was a deeply personal question, but she felt their acquaintance allowed it.
"Mahayana stage. But that pinnacle was only achieved in one particularly fortunate lifetime. Each incarnation is different; some never even reached the Mahayana stage at all."
"I see." Su Min nodded thoughtfully but quickly moved the conversation on. This was their internal sect affair, none of her business. What she really cared about was something else entirely.
"What is the real deal with the Damo Secret Realm?"
"It is the legacy realm of the Future Maitreya Mountain. Though the sect was destroyed, its roots ran deep for millennia. Many of their hidden remnants and secret inheritances likely remain there."
"Uh..." Su Min's eyelid twitched. This was clearly and directly related to her; she was the one who had annihilated them. Would this history count heavily against her inside the realm?
"Benefactor Su, there is no need for concern. I once entered the periphery with an Emperor tier artifact for reconnaissance. When the two Buddhist artifacts drew near, their artifact spirits briefly awakened and communicated."
"And then?" Su Min pressed, her interest piqued.
"I told them about you." Kong Hui said calmly.
"Seriously?" Su Min wanted to curse out loud. This was too much! Was he trying to get her killed?
"It wishes to meet you."
"What? Meet me, not kill me on sight?" Su Min was genuinely shocked.
"No. The Future Maitreya Mountain's artifact is called the Seed of Future Maitreya. The name alone should hint at its unique abilities. There is one more thing you should know before you decide." Kong Hui's tone was serious.
"What is it?" Su Min's brow furrowed. This was getting more complicated and mysterious than she had ever expected.
"The founder of the Future Maitreya Mountain was fundamentally different from the founders of our Great Thunder Temple and the Ancient Lamp Temple. That particular Buddha trained in severe austerities in our very temple for many years before achieving a unique Buddhahood across ten successive lifetimes and finally establishing the Future Maitreya Mountain."
"What?" Su Min was taken aback. "Ten lifetimes to Buddhahood" typically meant using ten full reincarnations to reach the Ascension stage, the so called Great Emperor realm. But how was that even possible? Normally, if one reached their limit in one life, breaking through in the next life would be just as hard, if not harder due to the soul's wear.
"That is because that Buddha spent all ten lifetimes solely focused on reaching the Dao Comprehension stage. The single, ultimate Great Dao he sought to comprehend across all those lives was the legendary Law of Time."
"..." Well, that was a path Su Min had never even considered possible. And this was clearly top secret, foundational information she had never heard before.
"In his final lifetime, upon finally reaching the Dao Comprehension stage and touching the Time Law, he incurred immense, irreversible karmic consequences. Thus, he lived the rest of that life very modestly and passed away peacefully at ten thousand years of age, utterly unable to reincarnate again." Kong Hui finished, giving Su Min a deeply meaningful look. Clearly, her own mastery and use of the Time Law had not gone unnoticed; she had used it too many times in high profile situations to hide it anymore.