"Puppet Ancient Emperor, are you serious?"
Upon hearing Su Min's words, Xie Yingying's brows furrowed deeply, a clear line of worry forming between them.
"Correct," Su Min confirmed, her voice steady.
"An emperor's tomb is no joke," Xie Yingying pressed, her tone grave. "The dangers are legendary."
"I know," Su Min replied, her gaze unwavering. She understood the risks better than anyone.
"Since you've already made your decision, I won't say anything more," Xie Yingying finally conceded, letting out a soft breath. "You've always been cautious, you know better than I do what you're getting into."
In the end, Xie Yingying chose not to press further. Su Min had ventured into countless secret realms and forgotten ruins over the years. Though an emperor's tomb sounded utterly terrifying, if she was this confident, then the risks must be somehow manageable. There was no point in arguing; they had long passed the stage where they needed to coddle each other.
"Also," Xie Yingying added, her tone shifting to one of stern reminder, "don't you casually refine any more of those high-level pills. That lightning tribulation is extremely dangerous. I'm not joking, even many newly advanced Dao Comprehension-stage cultivators can't withstand a full strike. If I hadn't been there last time, it would've been an absolute disaster for you and the entire mountain."
"I know, I know," Su Min nodded, acknowledging the point. "Right now, the only eighth-grade pills I can reliably refine are the basic healing pills and the spirit-recovery pills. But to be honest, for someone already at the Dao Comprehension stage, the practical difference between an eighth-grade and a seventh-grade version of those isn't that significant."
She didn't need those two types herself, and there was no burning urgency to refine anything more complex right now, especially not something as critically difficult as the Unity Pill. She privately estimated that she wouldn't be able to successfully refine one until she herself reached the late Dao Comprehension stage.
"You're leaving for a long while again, aren't you?" Xie Yingying asked, though it sounded more like a statement.
"Yep," Su Min confirmed. "So if you need any specific pills, speak now or forever hold your peace. Once I leave, who knows how many decades it'll be before I'm back? A mortal's entire lifetime is just a blink for people like us."
Xie Yingying let out a quiet breath, neither a sigh nor an exhale, just a soft release of air. "Nothing for now. Just go and come back soon. In one piece."
She didn't plead, didn't ask her to stay. That was never how they worked. They'd both lived long enough to outlast fleeting infatuation, cheap sentimentality, and the dramatic performance of goodbyes. What remained between them was a deeper trust, measured, silent, and absolute.
It was a far cry from those exaggerated ancient dramas where immortal lovers fell apart over every separation, weeping and pining as though they hadn't already lived through a thousand such farewells and a hundred lifetimes.
"Fine," Su Min said, pulling a small jade vial from her sleeve. "Here are some miscellaneous pills I refined in my spare time. Take them. Also, keep gathering intel on the Black Seal for me. I need a rough estimate of their upper-level strength. If my calculations are correct, by the time I return, they'll probably have Unity-stage cultivators making moves."
"Got it," Xie Yingying said, taking the vial without another word.
Su Min didn't elaborate further. In her estimation, unless something completely unexpected happened, the Skeleton Emperor would likely awaken soon. That guy had undoubtedly left himself a sophisticated backup plan. Unless she got absurdly lucky like she had with the Kirin Clan, stopping his return would be nearly impossible.
She wasn't even considering a full-scale preemptive strike; there was still plenty of time before the final showdown, and she needed to be much stronger.
Su Min stayed a while longer in the sect. Not for anything specific, not for long conversations, just long enough to make the silence between them feel complete and unreserved.
Then she left.
No grand farewell, no dramatic turning back for one last look.
She and Xie Yingying were on different roads, pursuing different forms of power, but they were headed in the same direction in the grand scheme of things. Sooner or later, their paths would converge again. That much was certain. For people like them, who spent most of their long lives walking alone, just knowing someone would still be there in the end, understanding and unwavering, meant more than any flowery words of affection.
"Where exactly is this place?" Su Min asked, once she was well outside the Immortal Sect's gates. She glanced at the small cauldron floating beside her shoulder.
According to the agreements made during the last Sect Alliance Conference, the Immortal Sect, as one of the most powerful super sects, now had access to spatial teleportation networks spanning the entire continent. This allowed for rapid reinforcements and travel even across vast distances.
It also served as a powerful deterrent against the Black Seal, discouraging them from reckless, large-scale actions. Of course, the economic benefits were numerous; the sect had become a massive trading hub. Countless rare treasures circulated here, all backed by the Immortal Sect's overwhelming martial strength. Few dared to cause trouble in their markets.
With Elder Zhu now firmly at the Dao Comprehension stage, he was the one usually overseeing the day-to-day security and administration.
Naturally, if she wanted to go somewhere far away, these teleportation channels were the fastest way. The game world and reality were completely different, so once Su Min stepped out of her familiar territory, she realized she was practically blind without guidance.
"The location is in the Tianming Mountain Range," the Medicine King's Cauldron informed her.
"Tianming Mountain Range… Ugh, that means going right through the heart of the Heavenly God Sect's territory. Damn it," Su Min grumbled, scratching her head irritably. "Guess I'll have to negotiate passage with them, then."
She was, of course, carrying an emperor's artifact, the Future Maitreya Bell.
But the artifact spirit, worried she might become overly reliant on its power, had placed a seal on it. In her current state, she could only activate its full power once a month. Still, that one activation was enough to guarantee her safety in most situations.
Not that she thought the Heavenly God Sect would risk a full life-and-death confrontation with her over simple passage; the political and material cost would far outweigh any possible benefits.
As for the Puppet Ancient Emperor's own emperor artifact? It was rumored to be the ultimate puppet he had crafted from his own body. The man had been utterly ruthless, nearly turning himself into an artifact spirit for his creation.
While that could grant a form of longevity, the restrictions on artifact spirits were severe; even one's own freedom was heavily curtailed. No one in their right mind would willingly choose that path.
Since the tomb itself wasn't located in the Heavenly God Sect's core territory, she could theoretically sneak in quietly. But using their major teleportation network? That was impossible to hide. It was like crossing a national border; there would definitely be checkpoints and official records.
Getting caught sneaking in would be more embarrassing than anything else. Better to just be upfront and official about it.
"So, what's the procedure if I want to pass through?" Su Min asked politely, though with a hint of genuine curiosity, as she looked at the young Golden Core-stage disciple in front of her, whose legs were visibly trembling under her gaze.
"Grandmaster Su! This way, please! I'll immediately summon our Supreme Elders to personally welcome you! It would be our greatest honor!" the disciple stammered, bowing deeply.
"No need for such formality," Su Min waved a hand. "I'm just passing through for some personal business, not an official visit. No need for a grand reception."
"Grandmaster Su's presence alone brings glory to our humble sect! We ask for nothing, just a cup of tea and a moment of your time would be an honor for our elders," the disciple insisted, practically quaking.
"Fine," Su Min relented, massaging her temples at their excessive enthusiasm. This was exactly what she had wanted to avoid.
Cultivation wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was also, unfortunately, about social maneuvering and politics. If that was the case, she might as well spare a day or two to make polite chatter. She'd just deflect everything and agree to nothing substantive.
Three days later…
"Fuck, that was more exhausting than fighting a battle. From now on, leave this diplomatic crap to Elder Zhu. My head is pounding," Su Min grumbled the moment she was safely outside the Heavenly God Sect's territory, reverting to her usual grumbling self and rubbing her sore face for good measure.
At home or in private, she could curse and complain all she wanted. But in front of outsiders, she had to maintain at least a veneer of politeness and a fixed, pleasant smile.
Now her facial muscles were sore from the strain, though the act had unintentionally charmed quite a few of their younger disciples. Su Min could only sigh helplessly. After all this time, she was used to the effect she had on people.
No matter how infatuated they were, none of them would dare say anything improper to her face. If they tried, their own elders would likely beat them senseless before they could even finish speaking.
"Those old foxes kept trying to subtly figure out where I was going, probably hoping to get a piece of the action. As if I'd tell them. Time to head to the actual destination."
Muttering to herself, Su Min turned and flew away from the main routes.
The elders had only dared to probe in indirect, roundabout ways; none had the guts to ask outright. Between her status as an eighth-grade alchemist and her well-known combat prowess, they wouldn't dare underestimate her or treat her with disrespect.
Not to mention, they had undoubtedly analyzed the footage of her battle with Yao Xian'er countless times and still couldn't decipher the strange power she had used at the end. That mystery alone made them even more wary of her.
Actually, it wasn't just them; every major sect was the same, treating her with a mix of reverence, fear, and intense curiosity.
With that thought, Su Min retracted her gaze from the direction of the Heavenly God Sect and vanished in a streak of light, heading deeper into the mountain range.
Though the Heavenly God Sect was undoubtedly curious, not a single person followed her. An eighth-grade alchemist was someone they might need to beg for favors from in the future; antagonizing her over a unknown opportunity would be incredibly shortsighted.
Besides, Su Min had a stellar reputation for fairness in her dealings. Even back when she was relatively weak, the pills she refined for the old demon queen had been flawless, with no hidden impurities or shortcuts.
"What a shame she left so soon," one of the Heavenly God Sect elders mused aloud after she was gone. "If she'd stayed longer, we might've pooled enough resources to ask for her help with a pill."
"Don't even think about it," another chided. "An eighth-grade alchemist's lips and services aren't so easily pried open. Unless she's desperate for something or needs a specific favor from us, forget it. We did help during the assault on Future Maitreya Mountain, so we've got some goodwill stored up. But as for seizing opportunities from her… let's be real, whatever she's after, it's best we stay out of it. Unless you've got a death wish."
"Oh?" the first elder responded, prompting further explanation.
"You've seen her combat prowess firsthand from the recordings. I've heard from other sources that she single-handedly killed a late-stage Dao Comprehension expert in the Darma Secret Realm, and that guy was a fully-fledged Fallen One. That should tell you everything you need to know. If a place makes her act with visible wariness, anyone below the Unity-stage going there is just asking to die."
"But what if we went together, with an emperor's artifact for support?" another ventured.
"You think she doesn't have one?" the second elder retorted. "Remember, the Golden Crow Bell is practically at her disposal. And judging by her expression when she was questioned, she's treating that place with extreme caution. It's not a simple matter."
"What a pity," the first elder sighed, the greed in his eyes finally fading, replaced by resignation.
As they watched the streak of light that was Su Min disappear into the horizon, the four Dao Comprehension-stage elders of the Heavenly God Sect exchanged glances. Though they deeply coveted whatever opportunity she was chasing, their day of subtle probing had revealed one crucial thing: wherever she was going was dangerous enough to make her wary. That was enough of a warning.
None of them dared to actually follow.
Super sects might be roughly comparable in overall strength, but individual cultivators were a different story. Though these elders were all prodigies in their own right, they had enough self-awareness to know they paled in comparison to a monster like Su Min.
"By the way," one elder said, changing the subject, "keep that brat of yours in check. He actually dared to openly proposition Grandmaster Su! Who does he think he is? Just because he survived the Ninety-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and reached the Nascent Soul stage before a hundred? Pathetic. He's not even fit to carry her shoes."
"I already hung him upside down and beat him half to death," another elder replied, his face dark with embarrassment. "The little shit kept spouting nonsense like 'I control my own destiny' and 'Just give me time, and I'll surpass her.' Almost gave me a stroke hearing that delusion."
While the elders were chatting, Su Min arrived at her destination, an unremarkable, quiet valley deep within the Tianming Mountain Range.
"Is this really it? The entrance to the Puppet Ancient Emperor's tomb?" Su Min asked, skepticism in her voice.
Staring at the ordinary-looking valley, with its common trees and chirping birds, she immediately understood; the real entrance was hidden within a pocket dimension. For an emperor-level cultivator, creating such a feint was trivial.
"Correct," the Medicine King's Cauldron confirmed. "This is the jade slip left behind by the Medicine Buddha. It contains a detailed map of the entire tomb's interior and the distribution of its puppet guardians. The innermost chamber houses the special puppet workshop you seek. However, extreme caution is required. Even with an emperor's artifact in hand, it can only ensure your survival, not grant you a second chance if you make a fatal error. And…"
The Medicine King's Cauldron suddenly fell silent, making Su Min glance at it curiously.
"And what?"
"And this place is essentially the Puppet Ancient Emperor's final legacy ground," the cauldron continued, its tone thoughtful. "If you can earn his lingering will's recognition, obtaining what you need will be all the easier. Perhaps you will gain even more."
"Uh…" Su Min blinked, a wry smile touching her lips.
Truth be told, she already had multiple emperor-level legacies crammed into her brain. The Five Elements Emperor, the Medicine Buddha, the Sinful Buddha… that made three full emperor inheritances. The first was due to her unique physique, but the other two?
Now that she thought about it, her connection to Buddhism ran deeper than she'd ever realized. Life was strange.
"What are you sighing about?" the cauldron asked, sensing her shift in mood.
"I was just thinking that I currently possess three complete emperor legacies," Su Min chuckled. "Aside from the Five Elements Emperor, the other two are both Buddhist emperors, the Medicine Buddha and the Sinful Buddha. If word of that ever got out, it'd drive people completely insane with jealousy."
Su Min chuckled again. A single emperor's legacy was enough to spark continent-wide madness and war; having three was downright absurd, an unprecedented fortune.
"Your actions, in their own way, align with the Buddha's path," the cauldron stated. "The Medicine Buddha once said that the true Mahayana teachings weren't about chanting sutras all day but about embodying compassion and taking action to save all living beings from suffering."
"That's giving me far too much credit," Su Min said, shaking her head. "I don't think about any of that. I just want to survive, and I want the people I care about to survive with me. It's really that simple."
Shaking her head clear of philosophical thoughts, Su Min activated the jade slip. A shimmering, man-sized door of light materialized in front of the valley's rock face. She took a deep breath and stepped through without hesitation.
Then, as her eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, her lips twitched.
"Huh. Why does this feel like that one modern story, Ghost Blows Out the Light or The Grave Robbers' Chronicles?"
Her lips twitched as she took in the grand, cavernous hall and the rows of ancient, ornate stone coffins laid out before her in neat, ominous rows. She half-expected a horde of movie-style zombies to come crawling out from behind them.
Not that she was afraid, of course. Given her current strength, such low-level undead were trivial. But the sheer creep factor was undeniable. It was like how mice were objectively harmless to humans, yet some people still screamed at the sight of them.
Su Min wouldn't scream, but she was feeling a bit unsettled, a primal distaste for the tomb's atmosphere.
And as if responding to her thoughts, a series of sharp, cracking sounds echoed through the silent chamber.
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
In the next instant, the lids of over a dozen coffins were violently thrown aside from within, clattering onto the stone floor.
"This is just a side chamber of the tomb," the Medicine King's Cauldron quickly informed her. "It houses over a dozen Dao Comprehension-stage puppets. Oh, sh*t, I forgot to mention, they're motion-activated!"
Su Min quickly pulled out the jade slip to review its contents, but her expression soon turned grim. Just as expected, over a dozen humanoid figures, cobbled together from polished bone, dark metal, and glowing crystal, climbed out of the coffins, their hollow eye sockets fixing on her as they moved to surround her.
"All of them are modified from original fleshly bodies," the cauldron observed. "Unfortunately, the flesh has long since rotted away, leaving only the reinforced bones and core constructs. But their combat power is still on par with early Dao Comprehension-stage cultivators. Well, fine by me…"
Cracking her knuckles, Su Min willed her silver-black armor to manifest from its storage tattoo, letting the liquid metal encase her body in a familiar, protective shell.
"It's been a while since I've had a good, straightforward stomp," she muttered, a fierce grin spreading across her face. "No tricky laws, no convoluted schemes. Today, I'm just going to enjoy myself."
In the next instant, she shot forward like a bolt of lightning, crashing into the center of the puppet army with brutal, overwhelming force.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The cavernous chamber shook as explosions rang out one after another. A metallic juggernaut rampaged through the mechanical horde, her fists and feet tearing through enchanted bone and metal with terrifying, efficient violence.
In less than half a day, the once-formidable puppets had been reduced to scattered piles of scrap and shattered crystal, littering the floor of the silent tomb.
===
Author, this time the candy also taste sweet~
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Okay, so I'm rewriting this and rereading the novel from the start, and when I reached the part where the cauldron says, "The Medicine Buddha once said that the true Mahayana teachings weren't about chanting sutras all day but about embodying compassion and taking action to save all living beings from suffering," I just froze for a moment.
Because it connects perfectly with the extra chapter I wrote myself back in Chapter 102, Extra 2: Moonlit Fragrance. In that scene, Xie Yingying says basically the same thing the cauldron says here, and Su Min's answer lines up exactly with this too.
Like, WOW. This chapter is around the two-eighties, and that extra chapter was in the early hundreds, and I wrote that way before I ever translated this part. My instinct was really on point, huh? I feel kinda smug about it.