Chapter 59: with translation of chapter title

Ha—

This is an exhalation sound, best rendered as "Ha—".

After taking several healing elixirs in succession, and after a period of rest and adjustment, his injuries finally recovered to about seventy or eighty percent.

After taking several healing elixirs in succession, and after a period of rest and adjustment, his injuries finally recovered to about seventy or eighty percent.

The scene of facing the thousand‑mustache worm flashed through his mind, and his eyes turned slightly cold.

Translate: "The scene of facing the Qian Xu Yin flashed unbidden in his mind, and his eyes turned slightly cold."

My demonic body has been tempered fairly well; otherwise those two blows would have been enough to kill an ordinary late‑stage first‑rank demon beast.

Translate: "It's just that my demonic body has been tempered fairly well; otherwise those two blows would have been enough to kill an ordinary late-stage first-tier demonic beast."

This encounter gave Yunhe a deeper understanding of the Three Yang Heavy Water and the Leaning Against Mountain Chapter.

Translate: "This encounter gave Yunhe a deeper understanding and comprehension of the Three Yang Heavy Water and the 'Yi Shan Pian'."

Note: 'Leaning Against Mountain Chapter' is a title, so we translate it as such.

Fortunately, the thousand‑mustache worm was also seriously injured, its cultivation greatly diminished, and it is unlikely to recover in the short term.

Translate: "However, fortunately the Qian Xu Yin was also heavily wounded, its cultivation base greatly diminished, and it likely cannot recover in a short time."

I feel that once I reach the perfected late stage of the first rank, I should have a chance to fight.

Translate: "I feel that once I reach late-stage first-tier perfection, I should have a chance to fight."

Of course, the safest option is still to wait for him to break through to the second rank.

Translate: "Of course, the safest option is still to wait for him to break through to second tier."

This incident also teaches us that the Earth Escape Technique isn't foolproof when burrowing underground; one might otherwise encounter subterranean demon beasts like the thousand‑mustache worm.

Translate: "This incident also requires us to learn a lesson: the Earth Escape Technique isn't omnipotent when burrowing underground; otherwise we might run into underground-dwelling demonic beasts like the Qian Xu Yin."

He lay silently in his cave dwelling, recalling how his recent outing had been insufficient and his preparations lacking.

Translate: "He lay silently in his cave dwelling, recalling the shortcomings of this outing—where he hadn't been thorough enough and his considerations weren't detailed enough."

After a while, he considered his self‑summary complete.

Translate: "After a while, he considered his self-summary complete."

He untied his storage bag.

Translate: "He undid his storage bag."

What he looked forward to next was taking inventory of his gains.

Translate: "What came next was the part he most looked forward to: tallying up the harvest."

First.

Translate: "First."

It was the large portion of the thousand‑mustache worm's body.

Translate: "It was the major portion of the Qian Xu Yin's body."

However, this portion of the body now looks miserable, not only because the worm had drained most of its demonic power before employing its 'break‑tail survival' tactic, but also because the Three Yang Heavy Water had corroded it into a wreck.

Translate: "However, this portion of the body now looks miserable—not only because the Qian Xu Yin had drained most of its demonic power prior to its 'severed-tail survival,' but also because corrosion from the Three Yang Heavy Water has left it tattered and broken."

Regardless, this is still the greater part of a second‑rank demon beast's body, and it hasn't gone anywhere.

Translate: "But no matter how you say it, this is still the major part of a second-tier demonic beast's body, and it hasn't run away."

Even though its demonic power is greatly reduced, the sheer mass of its flesh remains considerable.

Translate: "Even though its demonic power is reduced by half, its sheer bodily mass remains considerable."

Whether he eats it himself, sends it to his cultivator self for body refinement, or feeds it to the red‑patterned spirit bees, it's all good.

Translate: "Whether I eat it myself, send it to the Cultivator Body for body refinement, or feed it to the Red Pattern Spirit Bee, it's all good."

Next came several dozen spiritual plants.

Translate: "Next were several dozen spirit plants."

The tallest among them is a three‑hundred‑year‑old ice‑cold vine, while most of the others range from one to two hundred years old, with the most numerous being the water‑holding grass.

Translate: "The tallest among them was a three-hundred-year-old ice-cold vine; the rest mostly ranged from one to two hundred years old, with the most numerous being water-containing grass."

There are also some ores—cold iron ore, glacial stone, water spirit essence, and the like—excellent materials for crafting magical implements.

Translate: "There were also some ores: cold iron ore, ice crystal stone, water spirit essence, etc. —excellent materials for refining magical artifacts."

If he gives these spiritual plants and ores to his cultivator self, they could fetch a considerable number of spirit stones.

Translate: "If these spirit plants and ores were given to the Cultivator Body, they could probably fetch a good number of spirit stones."

He is unsure whether, with his two bodies' current spiritual sense, he can transmit these spirit‑infused materials.

Translate: "He was just unsure whether these spiritually imbued materials could be transmitted using his current two bodies' spirit sense."

But there's no need to worry; if he can't transmit them, he can simply plant them first.

Translate: "But there's no need to worry; even if it can't be transmitted, he can just plant them first."

Originally, even if Yunhe had mastered some transplanting techniques for spiritual plants, he wouldn't dare guarantee that he could successfully relocate all these precious specimens.

Translate: "Originally, even if Yunhe had mastered some spirit-plant transplanting methods, he wouldn't dare guarantee that he could successfully transplant all these precious spirit plants."

But now he has over an eighty percent confidence.

Translate: "But now he has over an eighty percent confidence."

The reason, naturally, is that the Gathering Spirit Pearl!

Translate: "As for the reason, it's naturally because of that Gathering Spirit Pearl!"

Yunhe took from his storage bag the pearl that emits a faint halo; it is nearly transparent, yet seems to have a subtle flowing light, and at its center a wisp of air as fine as a silk thread drifts about.

Translate: "Yunhe took from his storage bag that pearl emitting a faint halo; it was nearly transparent, yet seemed to have flowing light flickering in and out, and at its center drifted an extremely fine, thread-like current of air."

As he withdrew the Gathering Spirit Pearl, Yunhe could clearly feel that the spiritual energy in his cave dwelling instantly became much richer.

Translate: "As he took out the Gathering Spirit Pearl, Yunhe could clearly feel that the spiritual energy in this part of his cave dwelling instantly became much richer."

He closed his eyes and sensed it for a moment; even though he had already confirmed what it was, he couldn't hide his delight.

Translate: "He closed his eyes and sensed it carefully for a moment; even though he had long confirmed what it was, he still couldn't contain his joy."

Regarding the Gathering Spirit Pearl, he had seen it mentioned in a travelogue collected in the archives of the Azure Green Sect's library.

Translate: "Regarding the Gathering Spirit Pearl, he saw it in a travelogue collected in the Qingzong Sect's library."

Speaking of the Gathering Spirit Pearl, one cannot avoid mentioning the concept of spirit veins in the cultivation world.

Translate: "Speaking of the Gathering Spirit Pearl, one cannot avoid mentioning the concept of spirit veins in the cultivation world."

Spiritual energy between heaven and earth is not evenly distributed; due to various factors, some places are rich in it while others are relatively thin.

Translate: "Spiritual energy between heaven and earth is not evenly distributed; due to various reasons, some places have rich spiritual energy while others are relatively thin."

Over time, in areas where spiritual energy is relatively abundant, spirit veins of various sizes and levels form.

Translate: "Over time, in places where spiritual energy is relatively rich, spirit veins of various sizes and levels form."

For example, Hejian Fangshi has a first‑rank spirit vein underground, whereas in the Azure Green Sect the spirit vein has reached second rank, its spiritual energy concentration nearly double that of Hejian Fangshi!

Translate: "For example, the River Stream Market has a first-rank spirit vein underground, while in the Qingzong Sect the spirit vein has reached second rank, its spiritual energy richness nearly double that of the River Stream Market!"

And the Gathering Spirit Pearl is one of the special products formed when spiritual energy gathers and condenses into a spirit vein.

Translate: "And the Gathering Spirit Pearl is one of the special products formed when spiritual energy gathers and condenses into a spirit vein."

It is extremely difficult to form, requiring vast amounts of time—thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

Translate: "It is extremely difficult to form, and its formation requires vast amounts of time—measured in thousands or even tens of thousands of years."

Yet its effects are tremendously powerful.

Translate: "Yet its effects are also extremely powerful."

It possesses the ability to attract and gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Translate: "It possesses the function of attracting and gathering heavenly and earthly spiritual energy."

If a cultivator can carry a Gathering Spirit Pearl while practicing, there is no doubt that their cultivation speed will receive a significant boost.

Translate: "If one can carry a Gathering Spirit Pearl while cultivating, there is no doubt that one's cultivation speed will certainly receive a considerable boost."

The Gathering Spirit Array, a special auxiliary formation for cultivation, derives from the Gathering Spirit Pearl.

Translate: "The Gathering Spirit Array, a special auxiliary cultivation formation, derives from the Gathering Spirit Pearl."

Furthermore, the travelogue Yunhe read also notes that if a Gathering Spirit Pearl is left in one place for a sufficiently long time, that location may give rise to a spirit vein.

Translate: "Furthermore, the travelogue Yunhe read also mentions that if a Gathering Spirit Pearl is left long-term in a place, after sufficient time that location may give birth to a spirit vein."

If placed in an area that already is a spirit vein, it could increase the vein's spiritual energy content, possibly even raising its rank.

Translate: "If placed in a location that already is a spirit vein, it may even increase the spirit vein's spiritual energy content, possibly raising its rank!"

Naturally, this 'sufficiently long time' is enough to deter the vast majority of cultivators.

Translate: "Of course, this 'sufficiently long time' is enough to deter the vast majority of cultivators."

Thus, the author of the travelogue could only speculate, without being able to confirm it.

Translate: "Thus, precisely for this reason, the travelogue's author merely speculated and never obtained confirmation."

But regardless, possessing this Gathering Spirit Pearl and placing it in one's own cave dwelling can greatly increase the spiritual energy concentration there.

Translate: "But no matter what, possessing this Gathering Spirit Pearl and placing it in one's own cave dwelling can greatly enhance the spiritual energy concentration inside."

This not only accelerates his cultivation but also creates favorable conditions for transplanting spiritual plants.

Translate: "This not only accelerates his cultivation but also creates favorable conditions for transplanting spirit plants."

However, the author of the travelogue mentioned that he had once seen a fist‑sized Gathering Spirit Pearl; mine is only thumb‑sized, so its gathering effect should be somewhat weaker.

Translate: "However, the author of the travelogue mentioned that he had fortunately seen a fist-sized Gathering Spirit Pearl; mine is only thumb-sized, so its spirit-gathering effect should be somewhat weaker."

Of course, for Yunhe at present, it is more than sufficient.

Translate: "Of course, for Yunhe as he is now, it is more than sufficient."

Even if he were given a fist‑sized Gathering Spirit Pearl, its effect would be roughly the same as that of this pearl.

Translate: "Even if he were given a fist-sized Gathering Spirit Pearl, its effect would probably be roughly the same as this one."

After all, for a cultivator, abundant spiritual energy is beneficial, but if it becomes excessively dense, it may lead to 'spiritual energy poisoning'.

Translate: "After all, for cultivators, dense spiritual energy is good, but if it becomes too dense, it could possibly cause 'spiritual energy poisoning.'"

Anything taken to excess goes too far.

Translate: "In anything, excess is as bad as deficiency."

If he could 'transmit' it to his cultivator self and sell it, it would likely be snatched up in a frenzy.

Translate: "If it could be 'transmitted' to the Cultivator Body and then sold, it would probably be snatched up madly."

He's just wondering who would be willing to part with such a top‑tier treasure that aids cultivation.

Translate: "He was just thinking—who would be willing to part with such a top-tier treasure that aids cultivation?"

Yunhe, lightly rubbing his chin, gazed around his cave dwelling, considering where best to place the Gathering Spirit Pearl.

Translate: "Yunhe, lightly rubbing his chin, scanned his cave dwelling, considering where to place this Gathering Spirit Pearl suitably."

"Huh?"

Translate: "Hmm?"

Yunhe suddenly froze.

Translate: "Yunhe suddenly froze."

Scales?

Translate: "Scales?"

He waved his claw, summoned a water mirror, held it up to look, saw the dark color on his chin, and his expression became somewhat strange.

Mutated?

Ding-ding—

He lightly tapped it, producing a clear sound.

When did it start?

Yunhe fell into contemplation.

Did it start from when he obtained the skull of the Mount-bearing Giant Turtle?

Or did it start from when he ate that golden carp?

Yunhe was unsure about the origin, but he still remembered when it stopped itching.

It was after he found that cavern beneath the riverbed.

"Could it be that it's also related to this thing?"

He carefully scooped out that strand of dark red unknown liquid from his storage bag.

Thump-thump—thump-thump—

The familiar heartbeat sound rang again; the liquid's pulsation frequency almost completely matched his heartbeat, as if it were naturally part of his body.

"Could this be..."

Yunhe's eyes gradually widened, and he murmured: "A strand of the Mount-bearing Giant Turtle's essence blood?!"

It's not impossible!

For low-ranking demon beasts and even ordinary wild animals, the essence blood of high-ranking demon beasts is both a supreme treasure and equally a deadly poison.

It's called a supreme treasure because if the essence blood of a high-ranking demon beast can be fully absorbed, and if the species, attributes, cultivation method, etc., are relatively compatible, then the absorbing demon beast can gain great benefits.

Including but not limited to: cultivation base increase, intelligence enhancement, inheritance of techniques, species evolution, mutation, etc.

But in most cases, low-ranking demon beasts differ too greatly from high-ranking ones to absorb their essence blood; exploding and dying may be the most likely outcome.

Thus calling it a deadly poison is not an exaggeration.

Of course, if like before in the cavern, the essence blood automatically dissipates and is absorbed in small amounts by the demon beasts, it could possibly accelerate the opening of their intelligence.

Yunhe doesn't know why this strand of essence blood was placed together with the Gathering Spirit Pearl in that cavern, how long it has been there, why it hasn't lost its spirituality after so long, or even whether this essence blood truly belongs to the Mount-bearing Giant Turtle; he cannot be certain.

Given his current strength, he actually lacks the qualification and means to figure it out; he can only guess that it's likely related to a formation deep underground.

But he knows.

Gazing at this strand of dark red essence blood, a thought arose in his heart.

Eat it!

Digest it!

This is the instinct of a demon beast.

The instinct to obtain benefits and gains.

Yunhe licked his slightly dry lips, with difficulty averting his gaze.

If it were an ordinary-intelligence demon beast, perhaps as soon as that thought arose, it would have pounced.

Fortunately, his will is still fairly resolute.

Mainly because he fully understands the pros and cons.

He took two deep breaths.

After calming his racing heart, he then looked again at that strand of essence blood.

A flicker of greed flashed in his eyes, then quickly cleared.

He opened his mouth.

That strand of essence blood seemed to be drawn to something and slipped into Yunhe's mouth on its own.

However, what greeted it was a mass of warm-emitting Three Yang Heavy Water.

Given his current level of refinement of Three Yang Heavy Water, it's not yet capable of corroding this strand of essence blood.

But wrapping it and simultaneously isolating it from contact with himself is still doable.

Since Yunhe cannot and dare not absorb the whole drop of essence blood recklessly, he'll use the simplest method.

Bit by bit.

After all, many demon beasts have unknowingly absorbed the scattered portions of this essence blood without any incident.

Having a large number of samples is the main reason Yunhe dares to try absorbing it.

As a strand of dark red liquid, many times finer than a hair, left the Three Yang Heavy Water and contacted his body.

Yunhe instantly felt his blood boiling throughout his body.

At the same time, he felt his mind become extremely active, with myriad thoughts, yet without any confusion, his mind unusually clear.

Some obscure and difficult points he encountered while cultivating the Mount-bearing Technique suddenly became clear.

Even some unclear aspects of the talisman Dao, he faintly grasped the answers.

His whole body felt as if his apertures had been opened.

However, as the boiling blood drove demonic power to surge, Yunhe hurriedly calmed his mind and fully exerted the Source Refining Method.

The movements in the cavern gradually faded.

Only a large turtle lying on the ground remained, along with the Gathering Spirit Pearl hanging at his side.

Although he appeared tranquil, his inner body and thoughts were extremely active.

And as his thoughts moved, his demon sense also slowly grew without him noticing.

Half a year later.

Spring passed, summer solstice arrived; although the scorching sun didn't shine into the Qingzong Sect, it still made people instinctively seek shade in the cool bamboo groves.

"Three-leaf clover plus golden lotus seeds, the dosage is fine, the timing should be fine too—why did it fail?"

In the bamboo grove, Qian Dajiang held a handful of black ash, clutching his head with a troubled look.

This was the task his master gave him: to refine a furnace of Nourishing Qi Pills. He believed his procedure was sound, yet he had already failed twice.

Try swapping the firewood for golden nan wood?

Golden nan wood? The fire of yin wood and yang metal harmonizes yin and yang—makes sense, eh?

Qian Dajiang's eyes lit up, then he suddenly froze, following the sound to Yunhe sitting cross-legged in the bamboo house, meditating.

He saw Yunhe slowly open his eyes, tugging at the corners, his face full of speechlessness.

Others study alchemy; they do so eagerly and willingly.

Only he is this exception—he learns passively!

Who let Qian Dajiang, whenever he comes here, constantly mutter about medicinal properties and theories?

Originally, Yunhe thought they were useful things that could aid the transplantation of spiritual plants.

But after hearing them for a long time, it's hard not to remember them.

Especially, when doubts arise in his heart about medicinal compatibilities, he can't help but get curious and want to go to the Scripture Library to look up materials.

Gradually, although he hasn't yet refined a single pill, he has gained a certain understanding of the properties and theories of common spiritual plants.

He ignored Qian Dajiang's surprise.

After his speechlessness, Yunhe suppressed the delight welling up in his eyes and closed them again.

Even though his vision ahead was dark, he felt as if an extra eye had appeared on top of his head.

Under this 'eye', even with his eyes tightly shut, he could still clearly see everything within one zhang around his body—including the dust motes in the air, the degree of compression of the cushion beneath him, and the grain of the bamboo slats.

The image that surfaced in his mind was so clear, far surpassing what the naked eye could perceive.

Moreover, he could also inspect himself from every angle.

From outside to inside, then from inside to outside.

Meridians, blood, spiritual energy, hair follicles, strands of hair—all were as clear as the palm of his hand.

"This is divine sense?!"

I'll post the updates later; please fellow cultivators, be patient!

(End of chapter)