Chapter Sixty-Five: Planting the Seed

The Spirit Gathering Pill is an auxiliary elixir essential for advancing to the Golden Core. Consuming it increases the probability of forming the core and is a coveted treasure for both ordinary cultivators and wanderers. Upon hearing the mention of the Spirit Gathering Pill, Steward Liu nearly lost his composure in excitement; this very pill was the reason he remained with the Zi family. Only a faction like theirs possessed the wealth and power to refine such precious medicine.

“I don’t need you to do much. Simply open your sea of consciousness, and it’ll be over soon,” Dao Sansheng said, repeating word for word what the Soul Butterfly had transmitted to him.

“Very well, I’ll open it right away.” Steward Liu stood still, closed his eyes, and his spiritual consciousness became accessible. Dao Sansheng signaled to the Soul Butterfly, which fluttered over.

The Soul Butterfly danced around Steward Liu, its wings shimmering with specks of starlight. Shortly after, a miniature green version of the Soul Butterfly, wings gently beating, flew into Steward Liu’s head, reaching directly into his sea of consciousness. With closed eyes, the Soul Butterfly recited softly:

“Dear friend, I welcome you into my dream. Listen to me hum a melody from the jungle.”

Having finished, the Soul Butterfly returned to Dao Sansheng’s side, and Steward Liu slowly opened his eyes.

He felt nothing unusual—only as if he’d just had a brief dream, recalling his childhood when his mother chased him with a bowl of rice.

“Master Dao, since I’ve done as you asked, will you release the young lord now?” Steward Liu pleaded, his tone humble.

“I did promise, but I never said there was only one condition. Isn’t that right?” Dao Sansheng responded.

Steward Liu felt mocked, his anger rising as he pointed at Dao Sansheng. “I knew you wouldn’t let the young lord go so easily, but you shouldn’t toy with me. State your terms, and the Zi family will surely satisfy you.”

Dao Sansheng smiled wickedly, blade tracing across Zi Chenyu’s neck, silencing Steward Liu, who dared not utter a word nor even breathe loudly.

“I haven’t finished. Your young lord must do as you did—agree to one condition, and open his sea of consciousness.”

Steward Liu’s anger flared as soon as Dao Sansheng finished speaking.

“No, absolutely not—” he protested, but Zi Chenyu hastily interrupted.

“I’ve already opened it. Do whatever you must, as long as you don’t kill me.”

Zi Chenyu, having been under control for so long, could barely endure it anymore—almost frightened to the point of losing control. He closed his eyes, and the Soul Butterfly flew over. Just as before, a miniature Soul Butterfly entered his sea of consciousness, reciting the same incantation:

“Dear friend, I welcome you into my dream. Listen to me hum a melody from the jungle.”

Afterward, Dao Sansheng released Zi Chenyu and retreated. At that very instant, Steward Liu launched an attack—but it was utterly futile.

The Soul Butterfly, having just stopped, recited the incantation once more:

“Dear friend, I welcome you into my dream. Listen to me hum a melody from the jungle.”

Steward Liu’s spiritual energy ceased to flow; he collapsed onto the ground and soon began to snore.

Zi Chenyu opened his eyes, feeling as if he’d been transported to childhood, standing at the gates of the Zi Mansion, encountering a child clad in patched clothing. The child offered a white morsel, which Zi Chenyu popped into his mouth—cool, sweet, lingering on his tongue. It was a secret he’d kept for over a decade. Since that day, he’d never tasted it again, but he remembered the child was a girl with unusually large eyes.

Reminiscing about the dream, Zi Chenyu saw Steward Liu lying on the ground and rushed over to call him.

“Steward Liu, Steward Liu…”

He called several times, but there was no response; his anxiety grew. Though the blade was no longer at his neck, Steward Liu’s unconsciousness made Zi Chenyu realize the youth was far more terrifying—a foe beyond his ability.

Turning, Zi Chenyu was so startled he nearly tumbled over.

“It’s nothing. He was disobedient, so I taught him a lesson. But rest assured, as long as you both obey, I won’t harm you and may even surprise you with unexpected rewards.”

The prospect of “surprises” frightened Zi Chenyu more than threats. The youth’s methods were unfathomable, and the human-shaped butterfly beside him was even more terrifying—able to render a peak Foundation Establishment expert as powerless as the dead.

With a wave of Dao Sansheng’s hand, a flash of light passed over the Soul Butterfly, and Steward Liu quickly awakened. He stared in terror at the Soul Butterfly behind Dao Sansheng, eyes filled with fear.

“Don’t worry. As long as you behave and follow my instructions, I won’t make things difficult for you—and will even reward you.”

Hearing this, Steward Liu knelt at his feet.

“I am willing to follow my master, obey your commands, through fire and water.”

Dao Sansheng inwardly dismissed his words; the man was clearly a seasoned schemer, speaking whatever suited his audience, lies upon lies. If not for controlling his life and death, Dao Sansheng would surely have met his end.

Zi Chenyu listened to Steward Liu, uneasy but unable to grovel as he did and call Dao Sansheng “master.”

“If I need you, I’ll summon you. For now, you may attend to your affairs.”

No sooner had Dao Sansheng spoken than Zi Chenyu rushed into the courtyard, finding a corner to relieve himself.

“Dao Sansheng, Dao Sansheng, I have big news for you! The Zi Immortal Palace just issued a notice—anyone who finds the Zi family’s young lord Zi Chenyu and delivers the news to the Zi Mansion will receive a Soul Gathering Pill and can even make a request. Isn’t that a bold gesture from Zi Mansion?”

Chao Xiong ran over in high spirits, but seeing Dao Sansheng unmoved and Li Zihong listless, he checked the announcement again—no mistake.

Such explosive news, yet not a single reaction. He glanced around: there was a middle-aged man, and overhead, a strange butterfly-like girl was fluttering about.

The girl noticed Chao Xiong looking at her and gazed back.

Chao Xiong saw her dressed in a green gown, her stunning beauty leaving him momentarily dazed—he hadn’t imagined such a girl existed in the world.

The city of Zi Immortal was in chaos; the same notice was posted everywhere, depicting the portrait of Zi Chenyu, the runaway youth. Below, it read:

“Zi Chenyu, possibly captured by demon clan spies. We are seeking Zi Chenyu. Anyone providing clues or locating him will be rewarded by Zi Immortal Palace: one Soul Gathering Pill and a promise to fulfill a request.”

The citywide announcements had stirred the spirits of wandering cultivators. Disciples of Zi Immortal Palace guarded every exit, while the wanderers conducted exhaustive searches—even scouring sewers and alleys. Anyone resembling the youth was seized and brought to the Zi Mansion for rewards.