Chapter 723: Black Fox
After the birthday banquet ended and they finalized the pact with the treefather, Li Qiye and Madam Zi Yan left Allpine Mountain for the Alchemy Kingdom. Old Demon Tie Yi also accompanied them. Of course, he was anxious the whole time on this journey. If it wasn't for Li Qiye dragging him along, perhaps he would have fled long ago.
After entering the kingdom's territory, Tie Yi became even more cowardly. He was willing to drill underground along the way instead of showing his face.
Even the madam couldn't help but ask after seeing Tie Yi's demeanor: "Did you do something wrong? Why are you so scared? Don't tell me you stole the kingdom's defining treasures?"
"No, absolutely not." Tie Yi immediately vowed: "I am a good person, a law-abiding cultivator, how could I possibly commit an evil act like stealing?"
Li Qiye leisurely glanced at him and said: "If you are a good person, then I am a saint."
"Haha, Young Noble's words are too hurtful." Tie Yi laughed drily. Perhaps he could fool others, but not Li Qiye.
"Okay, stop skulking. Properly lead the way for me since we will need to go to many places for the materials you require." Li Qiye told Tie Yi.
Tie Yi didn't quip this time and immediately went to the front. This material gathering trip was extremely important to him, so he even put aside his fear of the Alchemy Kingdom.
The group traveled and gathered herbs along the way. Tie Yi required a few extremely rare ingredients, so eventually, Li Qiye released the Alchemy Fowl in order to hasten the process.
The Alchemy Fowl was a spiritual creature adept at finding medicines. It didn't matter if the medicines were tens of thousands of miles away, the fowl could still pick up the fragrance of the medicines and instinctively find where they grew!
The Alchemy Kingdom was vast and situated above the Alchemy Vein, one of the three ancestral veins of the Stone Medicine World. With the help of the fowl, finding medicines became very easy. This gave the group ample time to make it to the alchemy conference.
It was more appropriate to call the Alchemy Kingdom an ancient lineage than an old country. Although it was named a kingdom, it had not ruled over this vast land for a very long time.
This was not to say that it lacked the ability to govern this territory, the kingdom simply didn't try. The core of the kingdom was essentially focused in its ancestral ground.
Legend states that during the Desolate Expansion Era, the Alchemy Kingdom had ruled over all of this land and created an unparalleled kingdom that greatly prospered.
However, for some unknown reason, the Alchemy Kingdom gave up on governing this vast land during a particular generation of the Emperors Era. From then on, its imperial family became reclusive and rarely showed themselves.
The outside world was not privy to the cause, and neither were future generations! To sum it all up, from that point on, the Alchemy Kingdom became very mysterious, and its disciples rarely left their ancestral ground.
Though its direct branch, or the imperial family, gave up on ruling over this vast kingdom, the kingdom still belonged to them historically. No matter how many lineages and sects there were, they all pledged allegiance to the Alchemy Kingdom. Moreover, many of them were branches from the imperial family as their ancestors were inextricably linked together.
Despite the imperial family not ruling over the lands, the monarchs chosen by the Alchemy Kingdom still managed the various regions. After many years, no one had ever heard of a king daring to seize the land to form an independent country!
This was the formidable aspect of the kingdom, as well as its charm. One sect with three Immortal Emperors and four Alchemy Emperors — who in this world actually knew their true strength?
It was also built on the Alchemy Vein, one of three grand ancestral veins in this world! The legendary Alchemy Vein left behind many legends. One of them told that True Immortal Medicines were grown near it. Another told that there was a race with the bloodline of a True God living on it. One more told that there were secrets of True Immortals in that area…
Just this one grand vein was full of secrets. It spanned for millions of miles, so it was difficult to calculate all of its territories; after all, it spanned more than half of the Alchemy Realm! Thus, half of this realm belonged to the territory of the kingdom. On top of all of this, the kingdom's extremely vast ancestral ground was built in a mountain pass that could reach the source of the grand vein.
Keep in mind that the Alchemy Vein was not just in name. Among this land of rolling hills were countless spirit medicines, and this was especially true for the mountain pass being used as the ancestral ground. Many people heard that many King Medicines grew there.
This vein was the sacred ground of spirit medicines. Someone had even calculated a statistic stating that seventy to eighty percent of all the spirit medicines in the Stone Medicine World had come from the Alchemy Vein. Just from this alone, one could easily understand just how many spirit medicines there were.
Because of all of this, the Alchemy Kingdom had the most precious of resources in the form of the grand vein. Both the vein and its vast territory left countless lineages and cultivators salivating with greed. However, despite their covetous intent, no one in the recent millions of years had dared to actually maneuver against the kingdom.
Without even mentioning territorial disputes, not many dared to steal spirit medicines from the kingdom unless they felt extremely bold.
Normally, due to its vast territory, the imperial family did not mind those who plucked medicines above the Alchemy Vein. As long as one was capable, then they were allowed to do so. However, spirit medicines on their ancestral ground were off limits. Moreover, one couldn't even step inside this mountain pass!
Of course, many powerful cultivators — for generations — had been interested in the sceneries inside the mountain pass. They tried to sneak into the ancestral ground to steal King Medicines and Immortal Medicines.
However, for millions of years, very few were successful. The majority of these people couldn't even take a step inside the mountain pass before they were killed. There was even a story about a God-Monarch dying miserably at the entrance!
It was precisely because of the imperial family's strength that in later generations, fewer and fewer people dared to peep into this ancestral ground or had thoughts of stealing from it.
Naturally, there were always daredevils. In recent years, there was a person whose courage was as vast as the heavens known as Black Fox!
Black Fox appeared several thousand years ago. No one knew where this person came from or what his race was. Outsiders didn't even know whether the person was male or female.
In the beginning, Black Fox did not attract much attention. Although this person stole the treasures of several countries and sects, it did not cause a big commotion. It wasn't until one year later that the fox actually infiltrated the Radiant-Sea Sect and stole several treasures. This news caused quite a shock after it was spread!
At that time, the Radiant-Sea Sect even had a sky-high bounty for Black Fox. Many experts pursued Black Fox for the reward, but none of them had seen their true face.
After the successful heist, Black Fox rested for long periods of time before carrying out another heist, focusing their attention on the most powerful sects for their next move! The Kingdom of Cao, the Stone Insect Ravine, the Stony Peak Kingdom… All of these powerful lineages were robbed by him. The most sensational victim was the Heavenhoof Ravine, a sect with two emperors; one of their divine grasses was stolen by Black Fox!
The Beast Realm was nearly flipped over after this incident. The ravine released a heaven-shattering price for Black Fox's head! However, no one ever succeeded.
Rumor has it that Black Fox tried to sneak into the Jianlong Clan as well. However, then came news that although the infiltration was successful, the fox couldn't steal any treasures since they were found out by the clan. Nevertheless, the person still escaped unscathed. 1
After this failure on top of having made so many enemies, people thought that Black Fox would stop here.
In fact, the fox did not appear before the world again for another long period of time! However, an earth-shattering event happened later on.
Black Fox had snuck into the Alchemy Kingdom's ancestral ground and stole a supreme immortal treasure from the imperial family. However, the fox was detected and surrounded by many ancestors of the kingdom!
The legend stated that Black Fox wanted to escape from the ancestral ground by using a peerless art, but this ended in failure. After being detained, the fox was eventually killed by the elders!
Afterward, there was even a rumor stating that the elders ground the fox's bones to dust and spread it around the Alchemy Kingdom as a warning to those who had malicious intentions against them.
Regardless of whether this was true or not, one thing was certain — Black Fox never appeared again.
The fox became a cautionary tale for many experts who coveted the kingdom's ancestral ground. If the person who could escape from the Jianlong Clan and also stole a treasure from the ravine died in the Alchemy Kingdom, then those who wanted to try better reflect on their own abilities first.
723 TeaserAfter the birthday banquet ended and they finalized the pact with the treefather, Li Qiye and Madam Zi Yan left Allpine Mountain for the Alchemy Kingdom. Old Demon Tie Yi also accompanied them. Of course, he was anxious the whole time on this journey. If it wasn't for Li Qiye dragging him along, perhaps he would have fled long ago.
After entering the kingdom's territory, Tie Yi became even more cowardly. He was willing to drill underground along the way instead of showing his face.
Even the madam couldn't help but ask after seeing Tie Yi's demeanor: "Did you do something wrong? Why are you so scared? Don't tell me you stole the kingdom's defining treasures?"
"No, absolutely not." Tie Yi immediately vowed: "I am a good person, a law-abiding cultivator, how could I possibly commit an evil act like stealing?"
Li Qiye leisurely glanced at him and said: "If you are a good person, then I am a saint."
"Haha, Young Noble's words are too hurtful."
[collapse] This whole passage is really frustrating when the sex is unknown. Chinese has a singular gender-neutral pronoun, but we don't have that in English. ↩Chapter 724: White Cloud Master
After they entered the kingdom, Li Qiye released the Alchemy Fowl to find the herbs that Tie Yi required. The kingdom was the biggest natural garden in the Stone Medicine World, so it could be said that the whole process was quite easy with the chicken's help.
However, the chicken did cause trouble for Li Qiye. It was a supreme species and a priceless treasure, especially to alchemists. A chicken like this would cause countless alchemists to drool.
And so, on a particular day, the Alchemy Fowl climbed up Mysterious Mountain to pluck a Serpent Spirit Root. The moment it flew back to stand on Li Qiye's shoulder, a team could be found chasing after it from the mountain.
This team had around one hundred people; all of them were experts with surging blood energies like rivers. All of them wore daoist robes, and among them were golems and demons in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The leader was a demon with round eyes and a tiger's forehead. It was clear that he was a demon tiger. He was adorned with a golden daoist robe and had a whisk in his hand. The tiger image behind his robes emitted a howl as if it could destroy all things.
This Demon Monarch had reached the Era Sovereign realm. This was the apex of the Heavenly Sovereign realm, and he could step into the Heavenly King realm at any moment.
The tiger daoist, with his hundred disciples, quickly descended the mountain. The moment he saw the Alchemy Fowl standing on Li Qiye's shoulder, his eyes became fierce. Although they didn't surround Li Qiye's group, a formation was already formed so they could entrap them at any time.
"Infinite blessings to you…" This tiger daoist cupped his hands and greeted Li Qiye with a daoist phrase. While approaching, he added: "Fellow Daoist, I am the master of the White Cloud Temple. This Alchemy Fowl was found by us first so Fellow Daoist, please return it to us. We will surely repay you."
"Return it to you?" Li Qiye smiled and said: "This chicken is my pet. Me not bickering with you all for chasing my chicken is already considered a blessing."
"What proof do you have that it is your pet? This chicken was first tamed by us, but due to our carelessness, it managed to escape. As a result, you happened to pick it up just now." An expert behind the White Cloud Master sneered.
Without a doubt, the experts from this temple wanted to take the chicken. This was not strange at all. Anyone would salivate over a supreme bird like the Alchemy Fowl.
The master looked at Li Qiye. In his eyes, Li Qiye was ordinary without anything special. He then looked at the madam and noticed that she was hiding her blood energy. He predicted that this woman ahead was not necessarily stronger than him.
Next was the carriage that Li Qiye was on; it couldn't be any more shabby. The master became confident and felt that Li Qiye's group must have come from a little sect and wouldn't be powerful at all.
Since the master was not as strong as the madam, it was not surprising that he couldn't see through her cultivation when she was hiding her energy.
"Fellow Daoist, whether this chicken is your pet or not, our White Cloud Temple will not take advantage of others. As long as you are willing to part with this chicken, the price is negotiable." The White Cloud Master said slowly.
It wasn't easy to meet an Alchemy Fowl, so the White Cloud Temple would not give up. Because of this, the master wanted to force this transaction regardless of whether Li Qiye wanted to or not.
However, Li Qiye didn't bat an eye and dismissively said: "Not for sale."
The master's expression immediately darkened after hearing this response. At this time, the disciples of the temple quickly encircled the group. Their actions made it very clear that if Li Qiye didn't sell, they would resort to violence.
Such a threatening stance would cause a cultivator from a small sect to tremble and most likely hand over the Alchemy Fowl.
The master's intimidation tactic was far from just this. He deepened his tone: "Fellow Daoist, you should know that the Alchemy Fowl is a spirit bird and should only be owned by a virtuous master. I am not trying to benefit from buying the chicken, I am simply obeying the orders of Celestial Being Ye Qingcheng. Under his orders, our temple is here to pick herbs from the Alchemy Kingdom…
"… Today, we saw your Alchemy Fowl and remembered Young Noble Ye's orders; he had once told all the heroes in this world to help find him one! This old daoist is buying it as a tribute for Young Noble Ye, so please let it go. When you visit the Stone Realm in the future, Young Noble Ye will surely repay you." The master finished in an aggressive tone.
The message was very clear. One could afford to not give him face, but not Ye Qingcheng.
Even the most uninformed person in the Stone Medicine World knew that Ye Qingcheng could become the future Immortal Emperor. Many people in this world held him in high regard, and countless powerful cultivators and lineages pledged allegiance to him!
Just bringing up the name "Ye Qingcheng" was enough to scare others into giving face! Someone described Ye Qingcheng as having one hundred great generals under his banner. Although this type of claim was a bit exaggerated, from it, one could see just how irresistible Ye Qingcheng was to have so many big shots from the previous generation working for him!
The White Cloud Temple was also a first-rate sect in the Stone Realm, yet it was still willing to work for Ye Qingcheng and travel the world to find him medicines.
"None of my business." Li Qiye met the master's threat unperturbed.
"This thing does not know life from death!" An expert from the temple shouted and said: "Young Noble Ye is the supreme celestial being. Many people want to seek his favor but failed! Today, Young Noble Ye values your Alchemy Fowl — this is your honor. Obediently hand it over or else there will be no place in the Stone Medicine World for you!"
At this point, the temple was ready to let go of the facade. If Li Qiye didn't sell, they would just rob him.
Li Qiye was too lazy to look at them. He gently waved his sleeve and told the madam: "Zi Yan, get them to scram. If not, slay them all!" He didn't have the patience to tangle with the White Cloud Temple.
The madam got off from the carriage, focused her gaze on the group, and told them: "Do you all want to leave on your own volition, or do you want to be carried away?" 1
Another expert from the temple shouted: "Such a big tone, ignorant fool—"
"Pa!" However, before this expert could finish his words, he was blown away by a slap, causing his blood to crazily spurt everywhere. In the blink of an eye, the madam's blood energy soared to the sky along with her Heavenly King aura. This was a great Demon King capable of looking down on the crowd. With an ethereal bamboo image behind her, she caused others to feel as if they were lost in a bamboo forest.
"Heavenly King…" The experts of the temple were shocked after the madam's aura erupted. All of them took several thumping steps back, especially the White Cloud Master. His face paled and knew that he was mistaken, a frog at the bottom of a well. However, he was still the lord of a temple, so he quickly regained his composure and cupped his hands together towards the madam to say: "So it turns out that this lady is the legendary Giant Bamboo Country's Demon King Zi Yan. I have eyes but could not see and have offended you. Please forgive our transgression, let us make amends!" With that, he bowed deeply.
"It is a small world, so may we meet another day. Goodbye, Your Majesty Zi Yan." After the bow, he immediately turned around to leave with his disciples.
The master was indeed a sly fox and was able to discern the situation very quickly. The moment he met someone stronger, he immediately gave up and accepted his defeat to withdraw. This was a person capable of bending if necessary.
However, Li Qiye coldly shouted: "Stop!"
The group who wanted to escape had to halt their steps, not daring to run. After all, there was a Heavenly King here, so they were very afraid.
"Young Noble, we were frogs at the bottom of a well and couldn't see someone great, so we apologize. I hope that even if Young Noble doesn't care for the monk, please show consideration for Buddha, consideration for Young Noble Ye…" The master said apologetically.
Li Qiye waved his sleeve and dismissively said: "I don't know this Ye Qingcheng. However, since you all want to bring him up, shut up and I will spare your lives so that you can send a message to him. Tell him that wherever I, Li Qiye, am located, scram as far away as possible! If he or his hounds dare to provoke me, sooner or later, I will personally visit the Stony Peak Kingdom and trample it!"
Li Qiye's words caused the master's expression to greatly change. However, he was an adaptive sly fox, so he cupped his hands and said: "I will remember Young Noble's words and personally inform Young Noble Ye." Having said that, he didn't dare to linger any longer and left with his disciples.
"What an old fox. He fled so quickly after seeing the situation taking a turn for the worse. With no need for face or honor, such thick-skin really puts others to shame." At this time, Tie Yi crawled out from the ground and commented.
"Knowing when to advance and when to retreat is not necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, he will be able to preserve his life." Li Qiye responded with a smirk.
Tie Yi asked Li Qiye: "Does Young Noble really want to oppose Ye Qingcheng?"
Li Qiye looked at him and responded: "Why not? Those who block my path shall be killed without mercy, regardless of who they may be."
"I heard that Ye Qingcheng's dao protector is an extremely unfathomable monster. Rumor has it that he is an invincible giant that's even more frightening than the Allpine Treefather." Tie Yi contemplated for a moment before telling this very important news to Li Qiye.
It means that they will be too injured to walk or might even die. ↩