At the jade table, Wei Wuyin was beside himself with amusement, feeling nostalgic for the past and appreciative of this daring woman. Observing from her room, Qing Qiumu's eyes glittered with a warm, nostalgic light. While the others were unaware of Wei Wuyin's past in the Myriad Yore Continent, she had some knowledge regarding his activities, especially after the joke he told her all those years ago, diffusing her heavy and fear-laden heart.
She remembered each word clearly: "Just like that, with a single sentence, the Saber Ascendant, have made the Ji Clan eat their own stinky shit!" Back then, she hadn't expected it, and the feeling of relief washed over her soul, and she had laughed almost to the point of snorting out loud. She hated the Ji Clan back then, and she was worried about implicating innocents, but after that sentence, she realized that Wei Wuyin wouldn't unfairly judge, and she didn't know exactly why either.
She just knew. The Ji Clan's fate was as she expected. They were exposed for having performed various vile acts, at the time considered 'evil' methods, and those who were responsible were punished while the rest were given exile, a soft punishment. Perhaps that was the moment when she realized that Wei Wuyin understood her heart.
Unbeknownst to her, she had made a promise that day that forever linked their souls and hearts, one that Wei Wuyin had made years prior. She sought to find her own path, not just follow, but choose to traverse of her own free will and find some degree of independent identity before setting down.
Back then, Long Chen's life felt as if a rope was tugging her here and there without her choice. Now, Wei Wuyin allowed her freedom and granted her the means to make her choices as she wished. She chose to follow him across the starry skies!
If looked at from an outsider's perspective, it might seem as if she had traded one rope for another, but she knew that wasn't the case; she had traded a rope for a pair of wings. She was learning, growing, and making choices. Meanwhile, Wei Wuyin's life was inexplicably connected to her, yet it wasn't her entire existence, unlike before when she was just a young, rebellious, and naive princess escaping her kingdom.
Her eyes exuded an extreme warmth as her emerald gaze reflected Wei Wuyin's unearthly handsome visage and those starry eyes that seemed to possess the ability to hold all of creation. She found herself lost, her heart pounding, and her breathing slightly accelerated. Just then, someone's hand interlocked with her own. She saw Yue Songli smiling at her.
Not only did Wei Wuyin and her share a natural kindred spirit that was as unexplainable as could be, but she also found a best friend who not only shared her experiences in life but allowed her to find ways to express her pain and happiness through a healthy medium—art. She never realized it, but she...was this happiness? Not only did Wei Wuyin and her share a natural kindred spirit that was as unexplainable as could be, but she also found a best friend who not only shared her experiences in life but allowed her to find ways to express her pain and happiness through a healthy medium—art.
She never realized it, but she...was this happiness? Back at the jade table, the five other players were keenly observing the initial stages of the other players. More importantly, they were cautious of Grand Seer Rippledark's hidden card and Wei Wuyin's Dao Card. And when they saw Wei Wuyin descend as a Spiritual Entity, all five of them were shaken and solemn!
DESCENT!
It was a Descent subtype of Dao Guiding! Su Yi wasn't an exception in these tumultuous emotional upheavals at the discovery. That Dao Card was superb in the early stages, and the Descent subtype was the best for variations of the game of Mystics like Royale. To add on top of that, they were unaware of how long it would last or what grade the card was.
It could be Man, Earth, or Heaven. If it was Heaven-grade, this would be an incredible obstacle to overcome. The Mystic Cards were all random; there was no way to manipulate the odds or extract a different card given the process of drawing and the Mythical Oaths that were established. If Wei Wuyin's Mythical Contract had been shredded and destroyed, they would have suspected cheating of some form.
Regardless, they couldn't focus too heavily on Wei Wuyin's game. There were considerable restraints to the Descent subtype of Dao Guiding, so they simply needed to develop their Chosen, draw more cards, and play their best. They had trump cards to deploy as well, and this was only a small advantage in their eyes. -----
On Day 31, Tianshi Ya: In the Southeastern Gorg Tribe, a young tribal boy named Gorg Fifth Feather, embarked on the path of cultivation using the ancient Sandstorm Desolation Cultivation Method that was abnormally linked with the Windy Temple Mental Incantation, as per her directive. A young boy from the Wuxian Kingdom, actively warring against the Zihan Kingdom, was chosen as he was conscripted into war after the kingdom suffered a heavy loss of forces and needed replenishment.
He had the budding signs of Battle Intent with a unique set of meridians suitable for cultivating Blood-type Cultivation Methods such as the Bloodforging Mystic Method that Zuhei had cultivated of the Bloodforge Emperor—Xue Yifei's ancestor and Wu Yu's trusted subordinate. With a steady heart to provide for his family, he marched out for military training.
A rogue-like orphan in the Hongli Kingdom possessed a unique pair of eyes and psyche that granted incredible spatial awareness and high-level perception. He had stolen from a wealthy noble, finding an item that was a puzzle. After solving it, he discovered the Veil of Space and Substance Cultivation Method and embarked on his path of cultivation several days prior.
-----
On Day 31, Su Yi: The young six-year-old boy named Su Jianqi found the initial stages of the Horizon Sword Cultivation Method and spent a few hours each day executing the physique-nourishing and developing techniques detailed within. He didn't slack off nor neglect his priorities, taking care of his adoptive mother and maintaining a steady stream of copper coins to pay for their living situation. He was stronger, finding collecting herbs and hunting for game in the Suxi Kingdom to be significantly easier than before, fueling his desire to cultivate further. -----
On Day 31, Qin Yingyin:
The young female assassin was on the run. She had completed her mission, but her employer had betrayed her, wanting to sever all loose ends, her included. Within a home that wasn't hers, she was reading a manual she had obtained from the corpse of her aspiring murderer who had failed at their task. It was titled: "The Secrets to the Art of Assassination and Escape." Moreover, it contained the secrets to cultivation, and her eyes were glittering brightly as she delved into its contents.
Cultivation was a legendary path in the Baiyou Kingdom, and while everyone who could cultivate was at the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, sometimes even higher before being born, she was not privy to any manual that was held by the strongest and wealthiest. Even though she was exposed to it at times, many of these Cultivation Methods never delved into the profound aspects of Qi Condensation or birthing a Heart of Qi, only improving the body.
This method, however, was magical. She moved her knife which was dripping with blood, sniffing her nose as the smell pervaded the air. "I should have been cleaner," she said before raising and moving the cold corpses of a young woman and man with her feet as if pushing around trash. They seemed to have been married. This was their home.
She didn't have a specific name, but she liked to call herself Lady Nightshade. A young girl named Lin Yu who was formerly imprisoned and abused by bandits was on the run with a bandit who had a change of heart spurred by love, helping her escape her captivity. As he led her here and there, he was unaware of the coldness in her heart as she dreamed of plunging a cold blade into his heart and watching the life snuffed out of his eyes.
But whenever he looked at her, she would look helpless and smile. At times, especially at night, while he made a fire to warm them, she would feel disgust and revulsion as she was thinking of what she had to do to satisfy the one who helped murder her parents. She just had to wait until she got to the location that her father had told her about in Zihan Kingdom's southern lands—a hidden abode of a cultivator.
A young swordswoman in her mid-twenties was covered in blood. None of which were hers, as she wielded a demonic blade that bolstered her physical strength to inhuman levels despite not reaching the Qi Condensation Realm. Beneath her feet were numerous maimed bodies and their severed pieces from a sect within the Landao Kingdom known as the Savant Sea Sect and their leader, an External Flow Phase Cultivator's severed head was looking at her with fearful and disbelieving eyes. From afar were a crowd of individuals dressed in similar attire. She looked their way and they gasped in fear.
They were wiped out. "From today on, I, Hai Rulin, will be the new Savant Sea Sect's Sectmaster! Any objections?" "..." "Good," she stomped on the head of the former leader's head and pressed down, crushing it like a bloody berry, with brain matter and bone fragments flying everywhere. A bloody scent tainted the air.
-----
Wei Wuyin only briefly inspected the progress of the other players. He was intrigued by Qin Yingyin, and his eyes glowed as he observed Lady Nightshade. The Shadow Veil was quite extraordinary to plan so far ahead. No wonder they were so confident. Unfortunately, nurturing a Sinner as your trump card against a Blessed who was guiding another Blessed was an uphill battle.
Su Yi had chosen a Blessed, as expected. Meanwhile, Tianshi Ya was selecting only insanely talented Chosen without regard for their character. They each approached the game with different playstyles, and he found himself intrigued. What type of challenge will they present?
After Wei Wuyin introduced himself to Jiang Ling as the Saber Ascendant with such a glorious title, her cautious and protective nature went to an all-time high, and she was reluctant to listen. It took some convincing, but she eventually relented to his charms and was rather open with his intentions.
The Spiritual Entity was introduced as a fragment of his true self containing a secret that he had to return with that could bring about great world change, both of hers and his from beyond the cloudy skies. She was skeptical, but after explaining that he needed to acquire the rest of his fragments to obtain the complete secret, which was scattered throughout the world, her heart wavered.
This was within the limits of his authority using the Guiding Dao Mystic Card, but pushing it to the very edges of what was allowed in terms of story. After three days, she finally relented. He didn't hold back playing his advantages: (Heaven) Alchemic Blessing, Foundation - Bestow a Chosen with a Blessing of seven Alchemical Products less than or equal to the world's strongest cultivation base[Current: World Sea Phase; Blessing Limit: Seventh-Grade].
Must be a Foundation-type Product.
He told her that he had noticed the presence of a former cultivator's abode, potentially an Alchemist, and this should assist her in her initial stages of cultivation. It was a trek, but she would have to do so with a newborn. It might be dangerous, but if she began her path to cultivation, she could be fearless of simple beasts, especially since his spiritual energy was tapped out.
She was initially hesitant, but after learning that the protections that Wei Wuyin had offered were no more, looking at Jiang Qianjue, she steeled her heart and carefully traveled. It took her three days. She had even encountered a vicious wolf that she had beaten back with monstrous motherly protective strength, sending it scurrying away. Wei Wuyin didn't interfere, but this fueled her desire to make it to the abode if only to find safe shelter for her child. Jiang Ling was a good mother, and Wei Wuyin cheered for her openly, his attitude somewhat flippant.
He wasn't too mysterious and quite talkative. If she asked a question, he answered within the limits of his ability or dismissed it as his Sea of Consciousness was incomplete, and needed his other fragments to recall such things. She could only accept his answers due to her ignorance. Hao Chengxue and Imentet announced each card being used, including Wei Wuyin's alchemical card, yet the others couldn't figure out the subtype or grade, only capable of observing until the arrangements of the Mystical Judges creating the abode was completed.
Then, Wei Wuyin began to interface with his spatial ring, attracting all the players' attention. There were a few alchemical card subtypes, and they were Foundation, Progression, Protection, and Value: Foundation granted foundation-type products, the most usable for early to mid-game that related to talent or cultivated foundation-modifying means; Progression bestowed cultivation-type products such as the Everlore Ascension Pill that assist breakthroughs; Protection gave pills, elixirs, paste, or pellets that or poisonous, an antidote, offensive, defensive, or escape-oriented like the Ever-Starlight Pellet; Value was unable to be used by cultivators, but could assist in the growth of precious resources by establishing treasured lands or could be sold to an organization for a great price.
Wei Wuyin brought out seven products. They were all foundation-type products. And, they were ALL Transcendent Products! They were all seventh-grade products, extremely suitable for Foundation Establishment Realm or Qi Condensation Realm cultivators!
Instantly, Grand Seer Rippledark rose from his seat and directly exclaimed. "That's utterly ridiculous!" The Dao Card, Guiding Dao with the Descent subtype, and then an Alchemic Card, and it was the Heaven-grade? What type of bullshit was this?! Additionally, Wei Wuyin just had seventh-graded TRANSCENDENT products of the foundation-type readily available?! While his display earlier was incredible, this was different! Some Alchemists could concoct Mystic-World grade products and not be able to concoct a single transcendent-quality product. It required either a COMPLETE understanding of the Mortal-Rank of Alchemical Products with a great depth of comprehension of the Mystic Dao or extreme luck during the concoction process. At least, to their knowledge.
Tianshi Ya and Qin Yingyin's expressions visibly darkened. Su Yi was in disbelief. This was a little too lucky and coincidental, no? While he didn't doubt whether Wei Wuyin could concoct transcendent products, he doubted that Wei Wuyin had them prepared. Even he was skeptical.
Wei Wuyin raised his hand and on the back, a faint Mythical Mark appeared. Within which was the contents of their agreement that could be freely sensed. This was a Dao Seed without a Dao Seed, unable to be removed unless the contract was destroyed. That eternal smile remained.
"..." Grand Seer Rippledark's brows furrowed so deeply they looked as if they were about to bury into his eyes. He took a deep breath, regained his composure, and sat down quietly as if his previous outburst didn't happen. There were certain rules relating to Alchemical Cards, and one of them was that products had to be made by the players. Moreover, it was almost impossible to determine what card you'd draw beforehand. Sun Jiazhen had Lady Missulena inspect the products, and despite her shocked eyes, she verified that they were made by Wei Wuyin and were within the seventh-grade. It was rather difficult to find a Concoction Method in the seventh-grade for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but here they were. All of a different variety. Unfortunately, earlier, Wei Wuyin was excited about the challenge that he would receive from the group when his eyebrows twitched. Jiang Ling found the abode and began refining the products without understanding them too well, not very knowledgeable of alchemy, and after spending a few days refining them with his great ease of refinement, not only was her physique, psyche, and meridians reforged, her innate talents skyrocketed, and her cultivation naturally reached the First Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, the Qi Creation Phase.
She had birthed a Heart of Qi! It was incomparably pure in quality, substantially greater than most that had just been cultivated. Meanwhile, her mental energies were naturally elevated due to Eden's alchemical energy and Soul Light properties. She was already on the verge of reaching a qi state where externalizing the qi was possible—the Second Stage, the External Flow Phase.
Then, Wei Wuyin drew his fourth Mystic Card.
(Heaven) Alchemic Blessing, Progression - Bestow a Chosen with a Blessing of seven Alchemical Products less than or equal to the world's strongest cultivation base[Current: World Sea Phase; Blessing Limit: Seventh-Grade]. Must be a Cultivation-type Product.
"..."

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