The young girl stared at the pill in her hand, sensing it was sohow different from the ones before. But she knew that any gift from an immortal was sure to be a treasure.
Without hesitation, she picked up one and swallowed it. Instantly, her face contorted in pain.
Though the Scarlet Jade Pill was only a Tier 2 pill and considered one of the milder types in terms of dicinal strength, for a girl still in the Qi Refining stage, it was still far too potent.
Very soon, intense heat began to radiate from her body—evidence that the dicinal power was tempering her flesh. However, because the energy was so overwhelming, the tempering process beca overly intense, producing scorching heat.
Splash!
Just then, a water sphere fell from above, extinguishing the searing heat engulfing her body. Gu Mo had naturally anticipated the burden a Tier 2 pill would place on a Qi Refining cultivator. That was why he had sent Little Carp to deliver the dicine and cool the girl down.
As long as she could endure the process, her strength would undergo a massive leap forward.
"She still fell a bit short."
Watching the now-unconscious girl, Gu Mo gently shook his head. She hadn't made it through the entire process, resulting in a significant amount of dicinal power being wasted. Still, the improvent she had gained this ti was nothing to scoff at.
At the sa ti, it was proof that Gu Mo's alchemical skills were far from diocre. The Scarlet Jade Pill's potency becos gentler with quality—so much so that it's said a top-grade Scarlet Jade Pill could be perfectly refined and absorbed even by a Qi Refining cultivator.
Though Gu Mo's version hadn't reached that level, it likely approached high-grade quality. Satisfied with the confirmation, he withdrew his spiritual sense.
He resud studying the art of alchemy. Reaching Tier 2 was never his goal—his sights were set on Tier 3. The Torch Stump, at the very least, could help him break through to the Tier 3 alchemist realm.
And if the Torch Stump could soday be upgraded to Tier 4, then fully mastering the alchemical inheritance wouldn't be out of the question. He might even beco a revered Tier 4 alchemist.
One day, while Gu Mo was cultivating, his spiritual sense detected a group approaching the island—it was the sa group who had delivered the girl a year ago.
In the blink of an eye, Gu Mo vanished from his hut in a gust of azure wind. It was the Wind Escape Technique he had recently comprehended, allowing his form to ld with the wind—wherever the wind reached, he could arrive.
Beyond the Island
A small boat carrying a few people reached the shore. They unloaded a box onto the beach. The only cultivator among them scanned the area warily, as if expecting a beast to pounce at any mont.
His vigilance was justified. Many who had co to deliver offerings in the past had been devoured by the giant lizard beast that lived on this island.
Last ti, they'd been lucky to escape unhard—but there were no guarantees they'd be so lucky again.
"If I make it out alive this ti, I swear I'll never co back." The cultivator glanced around nervously, heart pounding. He had already made up his mind—this kind of gamble with death was not worth it.
If not for the pill promised to help him break through, he would never have dared a second trip.
"Let's go!"
As soon as the offering box was placed on the sand, the cultivator called for a retreat. However, the mortals with him suddenly froze, eyes wide with terror as they stared behind him.
"What the hell are you all doing?!"
Their expressions sent a chill down the cultivator's spine. He barked at them, but when no one responded, he slowly turned his stiff neck to look behind him.
There, standing silently on their small boat, was a figure.
"Who are you people? Why have you trespassed on my cultivation grounds?" Gu Mo looked at the cultivator, voice calm.
"Ahhh!!"
The cultivator was stunned. He glanced around in panic, fearing they'd co to the wrong place. But this was unmistakably the lair of the giant lizard beast—they had been here before. It couldn't be a mistake.
So when had this place beco the cultivation ground of a human cultivator? And where had the giant lizard gone?
His curiosity overca his fear, and he blurted out the question, knowing the answer could change everything for the Crimson Coral Archipelago.
"That beast has already been slain by . You no longer need to deliver offerings. And as for the one you sent last year—take her back with you." Gu Mo could see the changing expression on the cultivator's face and guessed there was a deeper story behind it, though he wasn't particularly interested.
Anyone who couldn't even deal with a giant lizard was no threat to him.
"Se-Senior, please wait a mont. This matter is beyond ." The cultivator trembled with excitent upon hearing that the fearso Tier 3 giant lizard had been slain. But he quickly composed himself. This situation was far beyond his authority—he would need to report to the Crimson Coral Archipelago's leadership.
"Then go fetch soone with authority."
Gu Mo also needed to make contact with the local cultivation factions to understand the regional power dynamics. If things aligned, he was willing to work with them.
To improve his alchemical skills, Gu Mo needed a large quantity of spiritual materials. Relying on Little Carp alone was far too slow. But if he could enlist the help of local cultivation powers, he could amass materials much faster. With enough resources and the aid of the Tier 3 Torch Stump, Gu Mo could attempt a breakthrough to Tier 3 alchemist in a short ti.
The Crimson Coral Archipelago
True to its na, the archipelago was ford from an imnse collection of crimson coral reefs—thousands in total. Crimson coral, though a low-grade spiritual material, gave these islands rich spiritual energy, rivaling many Tier 1 and Tier 2 spirit veins.
Naturally, such conditions gave rise to many cultivation factions. Initially, these powers fought over territory, but eventually, they ford the Crimson Coral Archipelago Alliance. The strongest clan leaders ford a council of elders to jointly manage the islands.
The catalyst for this unification was the sudden appearance of a Tier 3 giant lizard more than a decade ago. It seized the archipelago's only Tier 3 aquatic spiritual vein and even rampaged across multiple islands, devouring both mortals and cultivators.
Faced with an overwhelming threat, the factions set aside their differences and ford the alliance. Together, they barely managed to drive the beast away—but they couldn't kill it or force it to leave the archipelago entirely.
When the beast attacked again, the alliance paid a hefty price to hire a Core Formation cultivator.
Unfortunately, even that cultivator failed to drive it off. Perhaps recognizing the strength of its opponent, the beast agreed to a deal: as long as the alliance delivered one high-quality offering each year, it would not attack.
By "high-quality offering," the beast ant a child with spiritual roots. Such a demand was tantamount to severing the cultivators' future.
Initially, the alliance refused. But after the beast destroyed several islands, no one dared to object anymore. Reluctantly, the major factions began offering one spiritually gifted child each year. At this rate, their lineages would be completely severed within a century.
Today was the annual offering day. All the alliance elders had gathered on Red One Island—the largest of the archipelago and the alliance's headquarters.
"Everyone, we can't just sit and wait for death," said a dark-skinned man, his gaze sweeping across the room. Losing even one child with spiritual roots each year was devastating. Such children were exceedingly rare among mortals—and many of the sacrifices ca from their own families.
This year's offering ca from his faction. It was his most beloved granddaughter. No wonder he was so agitated.
"Then why don't you go fight the Tier 3 lizard yourself?"
An elderly man responded coldly. Everyone knew this was slow death, but challenging the beast outright ant instant death.
Sure enough, the dark-skinned man fell silent.
Scenes like this played out every year, yet nothing ever changed. The alliance had once boasted a few pseudo-Core and external-Core cultivators, but they had all been slain by the lizard. A Tier 3 beast had power equivalent to a Core Formation cultivator—pseudo and external Core cultivators stood no chance.
Especially here, where the archipelago's ocean setting gave the beast an edge—it was practically a sea monster. With their stronger combat ability in water, the factions now had no ability to resist.
"What about next year's offering?"
The question ca from the man seated at the head of the room—Shi Yunjie, the alliance leader and currently their most powerful cultivator.
Unfortunately, even he was only at peak Foundation Establishnt—not yet Core Formation, and thus no match for the beast.
His question drew silence. Every year they gathered to determine who would provide next year's offering.
Of course, if a spiritually gifted child were born among the mortals, the burden could be delayed another year. But such births were rare. Just two years ago, they found a mid-grade spiritual root child—arguably the most gifted mortal-born cultivator in decades.
Sadly, that child had already been sent as a sacrifice last year—likely reduced to bones by now. Without the lizard, factions would've fought fiercely to claim that child.
Because such prodigies were so rare, the factions had to plan in advance. If no gifted mortal erged, they would have to offer soone from within their own clans.
"Elder Huang, it should be your family's turn next year, yes?" Shi Yunjie asked, breaking the silence.
"Alliance Leader, we have no suitable candidates," Elder Huang replied with a shrug. The lizard had strict requirents—not only must the sacrifice have spiritual roots, but they had to be within a certain age range.
"Co on, Elder Huang, we all know each other well. Don't pretend. Didn't your family recently have a new addition with spiritual roots?"
Another elder chid in. If Huang's family dodged responsibility, his own family would be next.
Even if they all had to take turns eventually, delaying the sacrifice was still a reprieve.
"Bullshit! Where'd you hear that rumor?!"
At the ntion of his hidden grandson, Elder Huang jumped as if soone had stepped on his lifeline. That child, born with a mid-grade spiritual root, was the hope of their entire clan. No way would he hand him over.
"Is it a rumor? You know the truth better than anyone," the other elder sneered. He understood Huang's pain—but who would understand his if his family were forced to sacrifice soone?
"What, you want to spar with ?" Elder Huang glared, ready to settle the dispute with force, knowing he was in the wrong.
"Enough!"
Just as a fight was about to break out, Shi Yunjie had no choice but to intervene. This sa scene played out every year, and he was starting to feel weary of it. Worse still, there was no telling how much longer it would continue.
At this mont, Shi Yunjie truly wished that giant lizard would simply vanish—then everyone could finally be free.
"Alliance Leader! Alliance Leader!"
A panicked voice rang out. Monts later, a figure rushed into the council hall. Upon seeing who it was, the elders present all felt a jolt of unease. This person was responsible for delivering the sacrificial offerings—judging by his expression, sothing had clearly gone wrong.
"What has you in such a panic?"
Suppressing the unease in his heart, Shi Yunjie asked calmly.
"Alliance Leader, good news! That giant lizard has been slain by a senior cultivator. We won't have to make annual offerings anymore!" The cultivator dropped to his knees, voice trembling with emotion. They had been suffering under the oppression of that Tier 3 giant lizard for far too long.
"What did you just say?! Say it again!"
Shi Yunjie shot to his feet, eyes wide with shock. Had he not reached the peak of Foundation Establishnt, he might've thought a deity had heard his prayers and descended to eliminate the creature.
"Yes, sir!"
The cultivator took a deep breath and recounted what he had witnessed on the island.
"Everyone—does anyone recognize this senior cultivator?"
After hearing the full account, which included a description of the powerful stranger, Shi Yunjie looked to the others, hoping soone might know who this expert was.
Anyone capable of killing a Tier 3 giant lizard had to be a Golden Core cultivator. As for the possibility of a Nascent Soul elder, that was clearly out of the question—no Nascent Soul expert would bother with a re Tier 3 spirit vein.
"No one cos to mind. He's probably a Golden Core cultivator from another region. Maybe he saw the Tier 3 spirit vein here and decided to stay for a while—slaying the lizard in passing."
None of the elders recognized the Golden Core cultivator described by the Foundation Establishnt disciple, so they ca to this conclusion.
Seeing that no one knew the identity of this mysterious expert, Shi Yunjie didn't wait any longer. He imdiately made preparations to pay his respects. Regardless of where the man ca from, he had destroyed the giant lizard and saved the entire Coral Archipelago. That was a debt they would never forget.
"Alliance Leader, I'm coming too!"
The dark-skinned man quickly followed. Now that the giant lizard had been slain by a Golden Core cultivator, didn't that an his beloved granddaughter no longer had to be sacrificed?
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