Xuantian Immortal Cultivation Record

"Brother Ape, are you ready to leave with me now?" Zhang Yuanjing, concerned about Zhangjiawan Village, spoke with Ape Thirteen on the cliff for a good quarter of an hour before eagerly asking.

Ape Thirteen conveyed his thoughts, "Brother Yuanjing, if you have a significant quantity of those Essence Enhancing Pills, please give me one more. I need it to settle my clansmen."

Without asking further questions, Zhang Yuanjing retrieved a porcelain bottle from his storage bracelet containing five Essence Enhancing Pills—two mid-grade and three low-grade—and tossed them all to Ape Thirteen. "Take these for now. I’ll give you more when I refine more Essence Enhancing Pills in the future."

Overjoyed, Ape Thirteen repeatedly clasped his fists in gratitude, then opened his thick lips and let out a loud "Aowu wuwu."

Before long, a chorus of "Squeak squeak" sounds echoed through the forest. A hundred or so golden-backed giant apes climbed over, quickly reaching the protruding rocks below the cliff. They prostrated themselves, respectfully paying homage to their chieftain.

Zhang Yuanjing observed carefully, discovering that over thirty giant apes had reached the Spiritual Awakening Realm, with six of them at the late stage and one already at the Great Perfection stage.

Ape Thirteen emitted "Squeak squeak squeak" sounds, likely explaining that he had obtained an opportunity and would soon be leaving Misty Spirit Mountain with the cultivator beside him, perhaps never to return in this lifetime. Now, he would choose the next chieftain and bestow divine pills.

As soon as his voice fell, all hundred-plus giant apes stood up, pounding their robust chests and emitting "Aowu aowu" cries. The sounds merged, forming a powerful wave that echoed through the valley, possessing a majestic aura and a deterrent force.

Subsequently, Ape Thirteen extended his palm, pointing to the six giant apes in the late stage of the Spiritual Awakening Realm, and "Squeaked" several times. The six giant apes immediately jumped out, pairing off to engage in fierce combat among the rocks.

During the battle, all six giant apes were injured. Two fell off the cliff, and one was severely wounded, appearing unlikely to survive. Ape Thirteen remained a cold observer throughout, offering no assistance to the losers, allowing them to die. The three victors were almost entirely covered in wounds, but their eyes held no fear or pain, only a higher fighting spirit.

Ape Thirteen roared, creating sonic booms that silenced all the giant apes. He spoke a few words, then summoned the three victorious giant apes and the one at the Great Perfection stage of the Spiritual Awakening Realm to step forward together. He took out the porcelain bottle containing the Essence Enhancing Pills, giving each of them a pill—low-grade to the three in the late stage of the Spiritual Awakening Realm and mid-grade to the one at the Great Perfection stage. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dispersed the apes.

"Have you chosen the chieftain?" Zhang Yuanjing watched in shock. Each giant ape in the late stage of the Spiritual Awakening Realm possessed extremely strong frontal combat abilities, unmatched by ordinary cultivators, yet one had died in battle, which was truly a pity.

"Not yet. If that clansman at the Great Perfection stage of the Spiritual Awakening Realm breaks through to False Core, the position of chieftain will naturally be given to him. If he fails to break through, we’ll have to see if the other three at the late stage can advance to Great Perfection. That's how we've always chosen in the past."

"How much longer will it take?" Zhang Yuanjing asked.

"I can't say for sure. It will definitely take ten days. Brother Yuanjing, if you're in a hurry, you can leave first. Just tell me your general location, and I'll find you myself."

Zhang Yuanjing pondered for a moment and said, "I still need to catch a few blue-faced sables in Misty Spirit Mountain, so I'm not in a hurry to leave."

He took out the sound transmission jade slip he had obtained from Qin Wutong from his storage bracelet, explained its function and how to use it to Ape Thirteen, and agreed that once the clan matters were settled, Ape Thirteen could send any sound to him, and he would come to meet him there. If he had to leave beforehand, he would notify Ape Thirteen with it.

Before leaving, he thought for a moment and gave Ape Thirteen a low-grade magical flying sword and a storage bag from Qin Wutong's storage bag, teaching him the methods to operate and control them.

He flew up on his sword, rising into the high sky. The mountains surrounding this valley were very high, all exceeding 2,500 zhang, and were shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, completely concealing the valley, making it difficult to discover. Between the peaks, there were only narrow paths winding along the sides of the cliffs, allowing passage in and out of the valley.

On this particular day, the sky was clear for thousands of miles, and the valley was bright and clean. He gazed around, realizing that this was the central region of Misty Spirit Mountain. The surrounding mountains, nearly 3,000 zhang high within a few hundred miles, were all territories of the golden-backed giant ape clan. Naturally, there would be no blue-faced sables there.

He recalled the place where he had separated from Han Ji, which was a majestic mountain nearly 4,000 miles north of here, and immediately flew towards it on his sword.

Along the way, whenever he saw a red glory fruit forest, he would go down to search, usually harvesting one or two blue-faced sables. By the time he reached two mountains 2,000 zhang high, he had obtained nine blue-faced sables. Adding the three from half a year ago, he had twelve, which would be enough to lure many large fish.

He had come here specifically to find Han Ji, not just for a few more blue-faced sables, but for another purpose.

At this time, six days had passed since he left the golden-backed giant ape's valley, and there was still no movement from Ape Thirteen. He prepared to stay near this mountain for a few days. Once he received news from Ape Thirteen, he would turn back to find him and return to Zhangjiawan Village together.

He searched the red tree forest in this mountain for three days, but he did not catch a single blue-faced sable, which was beyond his expectations.

On the morning of the fourth day, he was meditating in the largest red glory fruit forest in this mountain when he suddenly saw a sword light flying from the foot of the mountain. Judging from the speed and height, it must be a Qi Refining cultivator. His heart stirred, and he focused his magic power into his eyes, looking closely. The outline resembled Han Ji, so he launched his flying sword to meet him.

The person who came was indeed Han Ji, a Qi Refining cultivator from Crimson Cloud Palace. In half a year, his cultivation had improved, reaching the eleventh level of Qi Refining.

"Senior, you've come!" When Han Ji saw Zhang Yuanjing flying from the mountain, seemingly welcoming him, his heart tightened, but his face showed an expression of great joy.

In the past six months, he had learned from a familiar junior brother that a Daoist had defeated the Grand Elder Ling Jianzi outside the palace. The described appearance closely matched the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator in front of him, so he couldn't help but feel a bit of fear.

"Hehe, not bad. Your cultivation has improved by one level in half a year. It seems the Hundred Spirit Pill is quite effective!" Zhang Yuanjing said with a smile.

Han Ji quickly nodded and thanked him, "It is indeed thanks to the Hundred Spirit Pill given by Senior. Otherwise, my cultivation progress would still be out of reach."

In fact, this was precisely why he was clearly afraid of this person and had been missing for half a year, yet he still wandered around this area every few days. He had become accustomed to the feeling of cultivation increasing rapidly, like a flood entering a shallow pond. How could he endure returning to the snail's pace of the past? To obtain the Hundred Spirit Pill from this person, he decided to take a risk, even if it meant betraying Crimson Cloud Palace.

"Is Crimson Cloud Palace still operating its stronghold in Misty Spirit Mountain? I wonder which elder is in charge?" Zhang Yuanjing casually asked.

"What do you mean by that, Senior? The dozens of disciples in my palace are still searching for blue-faced sables in the mountains in an orderly manner, without any slack. The elder in charge has changed; it's now Elder Ling Wu," Han Ji said with some surprise.

"Hehe, it seems your palace has blocked the news. Half a year ago, your palace's four Foundation Establishment Realm elders besieged a False Core Realm blue-faced sable king and unfortunately three of them died on the spot. Don't you know about this?" Zhang Yuanjing shook his head, somewhat disapprovingly.

"Three elders died on the spot?" Han Ji was dumbfounded.

"Yes, it should be Ling Yan, Ling Yu, and Zhen Que. Is Zhen Que an elder?"

Han Ji remained silent for a long time, his expression changing uncertainly. Even though he had always been calm and did not reveal his emotions, he was now somewhat flustered. The sudden change of leadership at the Misty Spirit Mountain stronghold, Elder Ling Qian, whose alchemy skills were not outstanding, presiding over the Crimson Cloud Pill refining, and Senior Brother Zhen Que announcing his seclusion...

A series of events flashed through his mind, and what this person said might be true! The other two were fine, but if Ling Yu had fallen, the lower-ranking disciples of Crimson Cloud Palace would be miserable. Half of the pills needed by the Qi Refining disciples of Crimson Cloud Palace relied on purchases, and the other half relied on Ling Yu's refining. Without the latter half, ordinary disciples like him would probably find it difficult to obtain pill supplies in the future.

"Zhen Que is not an elder. The five elders are Ling Wu, Ling Yan, Ling Shu, Ling Yu, and Ling Qian," Han Ji said dryly.

"You don't believe me?"

"I dare not believe it!"

"Good one, 'dare not believe it'! Haha! It doesn't matter. As long as you still need the Hundred Spirit Pill, our transaction can continue." Zhang Yuanjing somewhat liked this thoughtful kid and turned the topic back to pills.

"Of course I need them, the more the better." Han Ji was, after all, a quick-witted person. He didn't ask whether the deaths of the three elders were related to Zhang Yuanjing, only asking for pills.

"How many blue-faced sables do you have?" Zhang Yuanjing asked.

Han Ji replied, "A total of eight, all here." With that, he took out a spirit beast bag and offered it with both hands.

Zhang Yuanjing took it and saw that there were indeed eight. He immediately nodded and said, "Not bad, well done. I said before that I would give you another bottle of high-grade Hundred Spirit Pill for more than five. Since there are eight, I'll give you two bottles."

He immediately took out two jade bottles from his storage bag and tossed them to Han Ji.

"Senior, do you always need these blue-faced sables?" Han Ji took the jade bottles, his face filled with excitement, and quickly asked.

"Of course, I'll take as many as you have. As long as you catch blue-faced sables, you can exchange them for pills." Zhang Yuanjing had very few high-grade Hundred Spirit Pills left, but since he had the pill formula, the medicinal materials, and the notes of several alchemists, he could just spend some effort to refine them himself.

"Take out your sound transmission jade slip!"

Han Ji's face showed joy, and he quickly took out his low-grade sound transmission jade slip, presenting it to Zhang Yuanjing with both hands. Zhang Yuanjing brought his sound transmission jade slip close to it, then communicated with his divine sense, established a connection, and returned Han Ji's sound transmission jade slip to him, saying, "You can contact me through this in Crimson Cloud Palace. At that time, I will tell you the location of the transaction."

Han Ji nodded in agreement and immediately asked, "Senior, is it still five blue-faced sables for a bottle of high-grade Hundred Spirit Pill?"

"Of course!"

Han Ji received an affirmative answer, a determined look appeared on his face, and he respectfully bowed, saying, "If Senior has no other instructions, this junior will leave now."

"Wait, let me ask you, do you want a Foundation Establishment Pill?" Zhang Yuanjing reached out to stop him, asking with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Foundation Establishment Pill? Se...Senior, do you have a Foundation Establishment Pill?" Han Ji was caught off guard, his mind was a little confused, and he subconsciously asked a useless question.

"Of course, I do."

"How can I trade for it?" Han Ji immediately put aside all his concerns and asked directly.

Zhang Yuanjing took out a porcelain bottle from his storage bracelet, the one he had obtained from Ling Shu, and handed it to Han Ji. "Do you recognize this pill?"

This time, he deliberately revealed his storage bracelet.

Han Ji was stunned, shocked in his heart, realizing that the ordinary-looking middle-aged Daoist in front of him must have a great background, and the good things on his body were probably countless, definitely not something that a small Crimson Cloud Palace could compare to. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, there was only one, and that was that he must not miss this opportunity and must find a way to cling to this person.

He only quickly glanced at the style of the porcelain bottle, did not reach out to take it, and said, "I recognize it. This is the Crimson Cloud Pill of my palace, the most precious pill, always used to pay tribute to the upper sect, Crimson Blood Valley. Only a few elders in the palace have a small amount in reserve."

"Oh, so it's called the Crimson Cloud Pill. How is it refined? Do you know anything about it?"

"I heard that it's refined mainly with crimson-finned fire-striped fish from the Crimson Stream River, but I don't know anything else."

Zhang Yuanjing was overjoyed when he heard this. If it was mainly made with crimson-finned fire-striped fish, it would be easy to obtain. He immediately said, "Bring me the pill formula for this pill, and I'll give you a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Ah!" Although Han Ji was prepared, he still exclaimed.

"What's wrong? Is it difficult? Or are you unwilling?" Zhang Yuanjing asked calmly.

"This...Senior, this matter is indeed difficult, please allow this junior to think about it," Han Ji said slowly after hesitating for a long time.

"It doesn't matter, you can consider it, just give me the answer next time we trade."

Zhang Yuanjing saw his expression, knew that he was already tempted, so he smiled and said nothing more.