Chapter Twenty: Li Mie

After returning from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Li Mu found his spirit crystals nearly depleted and headed straight back to the Jade Wood Hall.

He wore a ring on his hand called the Ice Crystal Ring. When filled with sufficient true energy, it could unleash the Ice Crystal Spell up to four times. However, it required a great deal of true energy—Li Mu’s entire reserves could only fill it a little over halfway.

The Ice Crystal Spell was a technique one could only learn during the Spirit Foundation stage; it could emit a chilling aura, transforming into massive ice crystals to temporarily freeze an enemy in place. Even though Li Mu was still at the Qi Condensation stage, when facing a Spirit Foundation cultivator, it could hinder the opponent’s movements for a short while—making it a truly valuable treasure.

While the Ice Crystal Ring was considered an entry-level magical item, it was still quite rare, available only at shops like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

This ring cost forty medium-grade spirit crystals, a sum most Qi Condensation cultivators could scarcely afford.

Even more spirit crystals were spent on Li Ying. Around her neck hung a small jade pendant, which required no true energy to activate and could automatically block two attacks from a Spirit Foundation cultivator.

Though the jade pendant was a one-use treasure, it cost just fifty medium-grade spirit crystals.

So Li Mu purchased it without hesitation.

Once Li Ying wore the pendant, he felt much more at ease. Li Ying herself was so delighted that she stroked the pendant for a long time, even giving Li Mu several rare kisses, stirring feelings in him that were difficult to come by.

Back at Jade Wood Hall, he followed the instructions on a jade slip to set up a flawless protective formation, and only then did he resume his cultivation with peace of mind.

He couldn’t afford to waste any time—he had to reach the Spirit Foundation stage as soon as possible.

Three days later, Li Mu raised the sales limit for Panacea Pills to several dozen per day. Now that he had the protection of the defensive array, he should strive to earn more spirit crystals, though his expenditures would certainly increase as well. However, he was extremely cautious when purchasing herbs, instructing Sun Qi to buy from different shops and to keep the transactions discreet.

Just as he was about to return to his training, a somewhat familiar voice came from outside the door, “Brother Li!”

Li Mu looked up at the sound. It was indeed Li Si, whom he hadn’t seen in over two months. Li Si now looked much stronger than before, dressed in a sky-blue uniform that gave off an imposing air.

“Ah Si, what brings you here today?” Li Mu greeted him with a smile. Since Li Si had joined the Iron Jade Sect, he had only visited Li Mu’s residence once, and Li Mu hadn’t been home at the time.

Li Si, with that same stubborn expression, said sternly, “Brother Li, I go by Li Mie now.”

“Li Mie?” Li Mu nodded. “A fine name.” The name was clearly tinged with vengeance, but he said nothing more. It was clear that Li Si had changed a great deal—no longer the child he once was. The devastation of their village, coupled with the training in the Iron Jade Sect, must have altered Li Mie’s heart in ways Li Mu could only vaguely sense, and he felt a touch of concern.

Li Ying bounced over, “Fourth Brother, why are you only visiting us now?” She tried to grab Li Mie’s hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, he let her.

Yet, Li Ying seemed unaware of the changes in him, pestering him with questions as she always had.

After a while, Li Mie withdrew his hand and came over to Li Mu, bending down to cast a sound-isolating spell.

With a grave expression, he said, “Brother Li, I’ve accepted a sect mission. It’s my first, but I’m worried I can’t handle it alone. I’d like you to come with me.”

“A mission? What kind?” Li Mu asked, curious.

“Bandits. Extermination,” Li Mie replied coldly. “A group of bandits has been burning and pillaging villages. Among them is a heretic at the Qi Condensation stage. The survivors sought help from the Iron Jade Sect, and my master assigned the mission to me.”

Li Mu studied Li Mie, focusing his thoughts.

“Well, what do you say, Brother Li?” Li Mie was a bit anxious. “Have you forgotten our village, Brooklet? Bandits are nothing more than mountain scum—if we can destroy them, we must. And there’s a heretic among them. I know you’ve reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation. As cultivators, it’s our duty to hunt down heretics.”

Heretics, after all, were cultivators who had taken to evil paths—either joining rogue sects or wandering alone. Their practices, however, went against the very order of the heavens; they killed and plundered with cruelty. Among the bandits who had destroyed Brooklet Village, there had been one who strengthened his magic by collecting blood.

Li Mu nodded. “Very well, I’ll come with you. But you must follow my instructions.”

A smile flickered across Li Mie’s face. “Of course, Brother Li. It’s getting late—let’s go quickly.”

“No need to rush.” Li Mu stepped out of the isolation spell and summoned Sun Qi, handing over the formation tokens and giving him careful instructions. Sun Qi’s face tightened with seriousness and he agreed to everything without complaint.

“Ying’er, your fourth brother and I have to go out. You must stay here in the Jade Wood Hall, rest upstairs, and don’t wander around—understood?”

Li Ying pouted, “You two are just going off on your own. Fourth Brother comes and immediately leaves again. You’re both awful—I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

Li Mu laughed, patting her gently on the head. “Be good. I’ll bring you something fun when I return.”

With that, the two of them left the shop.

Originally, Li Mu had no intention of leaving the city—ever since the Panacea Pills had caused such a stir, he couldn’t be sure what dangers might await him outside. But he couldn’t refuse Li Si’s request. Li Si had called him “elder brother” since they were children and had followed him from their small village to Deyang City. Now, even though Li Si had joined the Iron Jade Sect, Li Mu still felt a sense of responsibility for the barely fifteen-year-old. It was simply a man’s duty.

One cannot forsake responsibility in the face of unknown danger.

“How far is it from Deyang City?”

“About two hundred and fifty li,” Li Mie replied, leading the way.

Li Mu nodded. “How many bandits?”

“More than thirty, plus one heretic. My master estimates he’s at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation. That’s why I was sent.”

“How have you been lately?”

“It’s been tough, but worthwhile. My master treats me well, lets me train with top-grade rainbow stones. Honestly, Brother Li, your progress has been remarkable.” Li Mie seemed to recall something and shot Li Mu a curious glance.

Li Mu replied, “The harsher the struggle, the faster the growth. Besides, I’ve been using pills all along.”

Li Mie nodded and turned away. “Oh, so plenty of pills—Brother Li, you’re truly capable. Even without joining a sect, you have so many.”

Li Mu simply smiled and glanced at the ring on his hand—a ring crafted from top-grade rainbow stone. Though its dull black sheen made it seem unimpressive, it allowed him to absorb pure spiritual energy at all times, which was part of why his cultivation advanced so quickly.

But in the end, it is steadfast will and endurance that form the foundation of cultivation. Without these, nothing else matters. Cultivation is not a game—it is filled with hardship. No matter how many resources one possesses, without strong resolve, one could still end up as nothing. That, too, was why the Panacea Pills were in such demand.

Shortly after the two left the city, several shadows emerged, following in their wake.