Chapter Thirteen: Subjugation

Each session of cultivation lasted a whole day without interruption, and in such an environment, Li Mu did not wish to give up easily.

But now was the time to fetch food rations.

When Li Mu stepped out, the young attendant waiting outside the door was stunned. He had waited for two days, assuming Li Mu inside had died during cultivation and that he could obtain some spirit crystals. Never did he expect to see Li Mu walk out lively, transformed into a cultivator.

A blue-robed cultivator ran up behind him. “Ha, congratulations, young brother! From now on, you are a cultivator.”

Li Mu smiled faintly and shook his head, walking out slowly.

“Serves you right, I didn’t get the spoils either,” the blue-robed cultivator grumbled with resentment, glaring a few more times. “Go on, go on! Back to work.”

The young attendant hurriedly cradled his head and rushed off.

At the entrance, Sun Qi stood under a large tree, holding two food rations in his hands—one from yesterday, one from today. His face showed some puzzlement, though not a hint of gloom.

Li Mu saw him from afar and nodded quietly.

“Sun Qi, have you been waiting long?” Li Mu smiled, taking one of the rations. Such food, though the taste might change with prolonged storage, was still edible.

Sun Qi looked at Li Mu, unable to speak for a long while.

“What are you staring at?”

Sun Qi composed himself and sighed admiringly, “Mu, you truly have extraordinary talent. In just two days, your cultivation is already better than mine.” It was true; he had tried to look after his younger brother and had no time for his own cultivation. Moreover, he only practiced at home, without the aid of spirit gathering arrays or five-colored stones, so his progress was poor.

Li Mu shook his head. “There’s still a long way to go. Tomorrow, remember to bring the food ration. I must go now.”

Sun Qi nodded in agreement, watching Li Mu leave.

His heart ached somewhat, seeing an ordinary acquaintance become a cultivator stronger than himself in just a few days. Such feelings were hard to bear. But what could he do? Others had spirit crystals, he did not; it was as simple as that, and he could not change it.

Returning to the cultivation chamber, Li Mu shared the food ration with Li Ying and resumed his cultivation.

Twenty-two days passed swiftly.

By now, Li Mu was utterly changed from before.

Sun Qi gazed at Li Mu for a long time, shaking his head and sighing. “Mu, I’ve seen it. It’s not just the effect of spirit crystals; your talent is truly exceptional.”

Li Mu smiled, “How so?”

“Mu, I’ve read many cultivators’ journals. Some take over five months to reach the middle stage of the Qi condensation realm, even with second-tier spirit gathering arrays it takes over two months. Yet you, Mu, took only twenty-two days to reach the middle stage. At this rate, you’ll reach the Foundation Establishment realm in less than a year.”

Sun Qi’s tone grew more respectful; before, it was merely about the spirit crystals, but now, Li Mu’s cultivation was the main factor.

“A year?” Li Mu shook his head, a faint look of disappointment crossing his face. “That’s too long.”

He knew the Foundation Establishment stage was the true beginning of cultivation; the difficulty increased greatly, but the Qi condensation stage was merely the foundation. His goal was to reach the Vein Refining stage within three years, for only then could he accomplish what he intended. At his current pace, it seemed far too slow.

He needed the aid of pills.

“Lead the way ahead, take me to the best material shops,” Li Mu said coolly.

“I’m sorry, Mu,” Sun Qi stood straight, “I found work with a guard team. Soon I’ll follow them outside the city. Three days have passed, and I can’t delay any longer.”

The Cloud Mountain Realm was newly established; the city was safe, but the outskirts were chaotic, and sect guard teams needed escorts outside.

Li Mu smiled, “Guard team? With your cultivation, you’re courting death?”

Sun Qi replied bitterly, “Perhaps. They offer each person a hundred low-grade spirit crystals. In the city, they recruit many like me, wandering cultivators. Maybe it is courting death. But what can I do? Either drag life out slowly, or fight for a bit more.”

His face showed determination, as if he had already made up his mind.

Li Mu said little, slowly pulling out a nearly water-colored bottle from his robe. Inside, a pale green egg-shaped pill rolled gently.

It was the Bone-Cleansing Pill he had exchanged for earlier with the five-colored stone.

“Ah!”

Sun Qi seemed as if something had caught in his throat, unable to breathe.

He had seen this pill many times in the pill chamber’s front display, and many times had wanted to take it, but he knew the restriction array on it would turn him to ashes with a glance.

Sun Qi stretched out both hands, his throat emitting whimpering sounds, tears threatening to spill from his eyes but unable to, so full of yearning yet unable to ask, a sight that evoked pity.

Beside them, Li Ying, though not understanding what was happening, felt sorrow, covering her eyes with both hands, lips trembling, on the verge of tears.

Li Mu sighed, walked over, and placed the pill in Sun Qi’s hand. “Sun Qi, keep it well. From now on, forget everything else and follow me.”

Sun Qi held the bottle as if it contained his heart, his whole body trembling until he could finally control himself.

With a thud, he knelt straight to the ground.

Everything he had done was for this pill that could save his younger brother. Now that he had it, he had no other thoughts, even willing to abandon himself.

“Mu, from now on, whatever you do, I will follow.”

Li Mu helped him up. “First of all, don’t call me ‘Mu’ anymore. Just use my name.”

That title was uncomfortable for him; before, he couldn’t force others to change, now he could.

“Yes, yes, Mu... Li Mu.” Sun Qi replied.

“Good. The rest can be discussed later. First, let’s find a material shop. Herbs are the priority; there are many varieties.” Li Mu pulled the bewildered Li Ying along and instructed.

Sun Qi nodded, walking ahead. “There are several material shops nearby, but the best for herbs is the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.”

Li Mu smiled and nodded, somewhat satisfied. This time, Sun Qi would be useful.

Inside the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

The shopkeeper enthusiastically introduced all kinds of herbs.

“This silk vine is very rare and top grade, at least a hundred years old. Look at these veins, see how green the leaves are, its potency is assured—essential for alchemy.”

“And this Tungwood Spirit Orchid: it blooms only once every fifty years. It must be picked at its most radiant moment and immediately stored in isolation to preserve it. Otherwise, it’s lost forever.”

“This dog tongue herb isn’t expensive—one hundred stalks for thirty low-grade spirit crystals. Tell me, where else could you find such a deal?”

Li Mu waited for the shopkeeper to finish, then asked, “How many spirit crystals for all these?”

The shopkeeper paused, then beamed with joy, gesturing with his hands. “Seventy-three kinds of herbs, a total of nine hundred seventy-three low-grade spirit crystals.”

Sun Qi watched for a long time, unable to bear it, and asked, “Li Mu, why are you buying so many herbs?”

“Ah?” Sun Qi was stunned. “Do you have a recipe?”

“Recipe?” Li Mu’s eyes widened, caught off guard.

He had completely forgotten about recipes. Clearly, no matter how strong one’s fusion ability, you couldn’t just throw any herbs together and make a pill; there had to be strict rules. To succeed, he needed a recipe.

The shopkeeper, seeing the sale slipping away, quickly changed his expression and shouted at Sun Qi, “Hey, don’t disrupt the deal!”

Sun Qi looked on unafraid.

“We’ll take them first,” Li Mu decided, pulling out a mid-grade spirit crystal. “Give me several storage bags.”

The shopkeeper would never refuse; ordinary storage bags cost only twenty low-grade spirit crystals.

He quickly took the spirit crystal, instructed his assistants to bring out several storage bags, filled them with herbs, and respectfully sent Li Mu out.

Following Li Mu outside, Sun Qi’s face still showed confusion.

“Li Mu, without recipes, how can you make pills? You must have recipes first, then use them to combine the herbs. Otherwise, the herbs can only be used singly, with poor effect.”

Li Mu walked a few steps. “Where can recipes be bought?”

“They’re extremely rare. Recipes vary greatly, and every sect treats them as treasures, never letting them out. Even those found outside are expensive. As far as I know, even a basic recipe for a first-grade pill, like the Spirit Nurturing Pill, sells for ten mid-grade spirit crystals. Let alone other recipes of the same tier.” Sun Qi shook his head, his face showing worry.

In his eyes, Li Mu’s actions seemed a waste of spirit crystals.

“Are pills very expensive?”

“Very. Even first-grade pills usually cost ten low-grade spirit crystals each.”

“Without recipes, is it possible to make pills?” Li Mu knew Sun Qi wasn’t lying, but he was still somewhat unwilling.

According to Sun Qi, the recipe for the Purifying Qi Pill was something he wouldn’t be able to obtain for a long time.

Sun Qi shook his head. “It’s very difficult. Identifying herb types is easy, but matching them according to recipes is hard. Even a small mistake and the pill won’t form.”

Li Mu nodded in silence; it was indeed so, the combination was crucial.

“Sun Qi, you seem quite knowledgeable about alchemy. Do you practice it yourself?” Li Mu was a bit curious, given Sun Qi’s familiarity.

Sun Qi sighed softly, “It’s not me, it’s my younger brother, Sun Jiu. Before he was injured, he worked as an apprentice for an alchemist. When he returned, he would tell me about it.”

Li Mu seemed to understand. “When your brother recovers, let me see him.”

Sun Qi nodded eagerly. “Of course. My brother’s life depends on your pill, Mu.”

Hearing “Mu” again, Li Mu frowned. But Sun Qi slapped his own head, showing regret, and said no more.