Five days later, the First Elder and Second Elder quietly arrived at Wood Peak in the evening. Even Mo Yang was somewhat surprised that they had actually managed to gather all the medicinal ingredients for the Universe Pill and the Spring Sunshine Pill.
The moment they handed over the ingredients, both men looked as if they were in physical pain, their hearts bleeding. To secure these herbs, they had practically sold everything they owned.
"Come back for the pills in three days," Mo Yang said after taking the ingredients and glancing over them.
"Mo Yang, everything is in your hands!" The two repeated their request four or five times before finally leaving the small courtyard.
That same night, Mo Yang meditated for a moment on the second level of the Star Emperor Pagoda and began refining. In less than half an hour, both types of pills were complete.
Mo Yang had refined one batch of each, producing seven Spring Sunshine Pills and five Universe Pills. This exceeded his expectations, and he hadn't even used a tenth of the ingredients the elders had provided.
"Well, I suppose I’ll give them two of each when the time comes. Sigh... it’s my own fault for being so kind-hearted," Mo Yang muttered to himself.
After storing the pills, Mo Yang returned to the first level of the Stone Pagoda. He constantly fiddled with the walls, studying the ancient divine runes carved into them. He had already mastered one, which he could just barely manage to scribe; carrying it with him helped mask his cultivation aura.
The Fourth Elder had once warned him that he should never reveal his full capabilities and must always keep a few cards up his sleeve. In Mo Yang's view, concealing his cultivation was the best such measure.
"What kind of stone is this pagoda made of, anyway? It looks just like ordinary rock, yet it’s incredibly hard." Mo Yang exerted his full strength to scratch the wall, but he could barely leave a mark.
Usually, the interior of the Stone Pagoda was deathly silent, like an entirely independent space.
The first level was chaotic, littered with broken stones and many skeletal remains. Mo Yang had already cleared away quite a few; after all, knowing that the pagoda was inside his own dantian made the presence of those corpses send a chill down his spine.
Mo Yang had hoped to find some discarded weapons or other items, but the few remaining fragments had long since rotted into nothingness, and there were no signs of storage rings or similar objects on the remains.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The First Elder and Second Elder arrived at Wood Peak early in the morning, where Mo Yang had the pills ready.
The two nervously accepted the white jade bottles Mo Yang handed them and immediately popped the stoppers to check. Upon seeing two pills in each bottle, they were overcome with joy; the pain in their hearts and the sting in their wallets vanished instantly.
"I did my best. I used all the herbs provided, and this is all I could refine," Mo Yang sighed.
"Haha! You’ve been gifted since childhood; I knew you were destined for great things. You truly haven't disappointed us!" The First Elder’s remark left Mo Yang speechless.
*This old guy really doesn't know how to talk,* he thought. *Is that even how you compliment someone?*
"Exactly, exactly! Mo Yang is a rare talent seen only once in a century at our Lingxu Sect. Not only is he a fine young man, but his cultivation talent is peerless, and he possesses such astonishing alchemical skills. I knew all along he was no ordinary person!" the Second Elder chimed in, nodding eagerly. Now that the pills were in his hands, he was ecstatic and didn't care about laying the flattery on thick.
"More than that, he is destined to have a place of his own across the entire Xuantian Continent!" The First Elder held the jade bottle to his nose, sniffing it repeatedly, his face crinkling into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Watching these two old men lose all sense of decorum, Mo Yang felt the urge to curse them. Back when he couldn't cultivate, these same elders wouldn't even look at him, terrified that he might soil their sight.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Mo Yang never would have believed these two elders were such masters of sycophancy.
After finally sending them off, the Supreme Elder arrived.
Mo Yang immediately felt a headache coming on. He knew from experience that the Supreme Elder was more troublesome than anyone else.
"Kid, what’s with that look? Not happy to see me?" The old man squinted at Mo Yang the moment he stepped into the courtyard.
"Wait, what is your cultivation level now? Why can't I sense it anymore?" Before Mo Yang could speak, the Elder let out a surprised cry, his face clouding with confusion.
In the past, even if Mo Yang deliberately suppressed his aura, the Elder could always detect it. But today was different; it was as if Mo Yang had no cultivation at all.
"Your cultivation didn't... disappear again, did it?" His expression shifted. For ten years, Mo Yang had been unable to cultivate normally; if he had lost it again, then...
He blurred into a shadow and lunged toward Mo Yang, clearly intending to inspect him directly. But Mo Yang was fast; with a slight retreat, he moved several meters back, nimbly dodging the Supreme Elder’s palm.
"Good kid! Looks like you’ve made some progress!" A flash of shock crossed the Supreme Elder’s face. He flashed forward again, using the Lingxu Steps to try to grab Mo Yang.
However, after a dozen dodges, the Elder stopped, his face full of astonishment. Mo Yang was actually faster than him, avoiding his grasp at impossible angles each time.
"What movement technique is this? It's actually..." He couldn't help but ask, still unable to believe it. In the entire Lingxu Sect, not to mention the disciples, even the Sect Master wasn't faster than him.
Mo Yang remained calm inside. He was naturally using the Word of Travel. Only while sparring with the Supreme Elder did he realize this secret movement technique was even more incredible than he had imagined.
As for the Word of Travel, it was an inheritance from the Star Emperor; he certainly wouldn't mention that.
"Good kid, I knew you must have encountered a master! No wonder you suddenly broke the curse of your cultivation and learned alchemy. It all has to do with that master, doesn't it?" The Supreme Elder spoke as if confirming his own suspicions.
Mo Yang frowned slightly. He knew the elders would be suspicious, so he feigned hesitation for a moment before nodding.
"Kid, which expert is this?"
Mo Yang shook his head: "He told me not to reveal any information about him. He just said he found me familiar at first sight and that we were fated, so he decided to give me a helping hand!"
**Chapter 23: The Uncrowned King**
The Supreme Elder pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Many experts do have eccentric personalities. Since he told you not to reveal it, then don't. We wouldn't want to offend that senior and bring trouble upon you."
Mo Yang changed the subject: "Old man, just say what you came here for."
The Supreme Elder’s eyes widened. In the entire Lingxu Sect, no one dared to address him this way, yet Mo Yang was incredibly smooth with his "old man" and "old guy," and it had only become more habitual lately.
"Kid, do you even know what respect for your elders means?" He glared at Mo Yang with a scoff.
"Out with it, don't disturb my cultivation!" Mo Yang replied impatiently. He knew this old man never visited without a reason; showing up at the crack of dawn definitely meant trouble.
"Kid, the martial arts tournament of the four sects is coming up..."
Before the Supreme Elder could finish, Mo Yang shook his head: "What does that have to do with me? I'm not going."
"Kid, you... don't forget you're a member of the Lingxu Sect. Besides, you know how it is—every year the Fourth Elder led the team himself. For the past five years, the other three sects have been mocking us behind our backs. If the Fourth Elder were still alive..."
The Supreme Elder sighed, trailing off. At the mention of the Fourth Elder, Mo Yang’s expression dimmed.
Although he knew the Supreme Elder was deliberately using the Fourth Elder to provoke him, what he said was true. Every year, the Fourth Elder would lead the disciples to the tournament, and Mo Yang remembered the disappointment on the old man's face upon their return each time.
Besides, the hundred-day mourning period was almost over. He probably wouldn't stay in the Lingxu Sect much longer anyway.
"Fine. I'll go to make up for my master's regrets," Mo Yang said, then turned and walked into the house, slamming the door shut.
"You brat..." The Supreme Elder paused, cursed under his breath, and then turned to leave. However, his heart was finally at ease. Although he hadn't managed to gauge Mo Yang’s specific cultivation, he felt that the boy had become much stronger—at least reaching the peak of the Level 3 Earth Profound Realm.
With Mo Yang participating, the Lingxu Sect had a great chance of winning. After all, many disciples had recently made breakthroughs due to the pills Mo Yang provided. Even Xu Xin had reached the Earth Profound Realm; the strength of the Lingxu Sect’s disciples had increased significantly.
Two days later, the Second Elder actually made a breakthrough, stunning all the other elders.
The Second Elder hadn't seen a breakthrough in over a decade, and given his advanced age, his cultivation had been showing signs of declining rather than progressing.
What shocked the elders even more was that, less than two days after the Second Elder’s breakthrough, the First Elder, who had gone into seclusion at the same time, also broke through.
The elders of the Lingxu Sect were thoroughly shocked. The First Elder’s cultivation was two minor realms higher than the Second Elder’s, but their circumstances were identical. Breaking through within days of each other clearly wasn't a coincidence.
"Those two old guys must be tickled pink. They definitely went to Mo Yang in secret to exchange for pills. How else could it be such a coincidence? They used to look down on Mo Yang all the time; I wonder how they managed to swallow their pride," the Fifth Elder remarked in the main hall.
"Tsk, tsk. I can't wait anymore. I'm going to trade for a few myself to try. I feel like my cultivation can still be saved. That little guy’s pills are actually that strong! I can't miss this opportunity!" The Third Elder looked moved, clearly eager to give it a try.
Days passed, and the martial arts tournament was fast approaching, with only ten days left.
That day also marked one hundred days since the Fourth Elder's passing. Mo Yang prepared wine and food early in the morning and donned plain white robes before heading to the back mountain.
A hundred days had passed, and the cenotaph was already covered in green grass, with vines creeping over the tombstone.
Mo Yang stood before the monument, his mood heavy. They say that when a person is gone, it's like a lamp being extinguished. Now, the Fourth Elder’s presence had vanished from the Lingxu Sect; all traces were fading, leaving only this small, lonely mound of earth.
"Master, the four-sect tournament is almost here. You can't go this time, so I will go in your place."
"You always returned in disappointment these past years. Don't worry, I will fulfill your wish and make up for your regrets..."
"Master, I have already reached the Heaven Profound Realm... After the tournament ends, I will leave the Lingxu Sect. You used to say you never truly saw the brilliant world outside. I will go see it for you. Once I have avenged you, I will surely return and tell you all about it..."
"Don't worry, I will protect myself..."
...
After returning to Wood Peak, Mo Yang began his preparations. With only a few days left, he planned to settle down and comprehend the Word of Travel and the remnant sword technique he had been practicing. Although it only consisted of one level, its power was enough to serve as his trump card.
He wanted to participate in the tournament not only for the Fourth Elder’s sake but also to gauge the strength of the geniuses from the other sects. Since he had never attended before, this would be his first time.
The elders began the busy process of selecting participants, and the atmosphere within the Lingxu Sect grew tense.
Besides Qi Heng and Xu Xin, who had both reached the Earth Profound Realm, Su Feier—whose cultivation had recently surged to the peak of the Level 3 Spirit Awakening Realm—was also selected, along with six others, all at the Level 3 Spirit Awakening Realm.
Qi Heng was slightly puzzled. Usually, they sent ten people, but this time only nine were chosen. He vaguely suspected the tenth spot was reserved for Mo Yang, but he asked anyway:
"Third Elder, why have we only chosen nine people this time?"
Although others looked confused, they all knew in their hearts that there was an "uncrowned king" among the disciples of the Lingxu Sect.
He had long been known as a wastrel, unlike Qi Heng and Xu Xin, who were called the first and second of the main peak, yet even Qi Heng had been defeated by him in a casual exchange.
"Since you've already guessed, why ask? Mo Yang will be joining you this time," the Third Elder replied. He was usually easygoing and didn't stand on ceremony with the disciples.
Su Feier was secretly delighted. She now believed Mo Yang was stronger than anyone else; if he hadn't been chosen, she would have been the first to object.
Qi Heng fell silent. To him, although Mo Yang was powerful, his personality was unfathomable. He worried that Mo Yang’s presence might backfire, especially since Mo Yang had clashed with the elders three months ago and even threatened to defect.
Xu Xin frowned slightly. Mo Yang felt mysterious to her—a seemingly ordinary disciple shrouded in mist. She had reached the Earth Profound Realm in such a short time only because of the pills she’d traded from him.
Hearing that Mo Yang would be joining them, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
**Chapter 24: You Lack Experience**
In a blink, only two days remained until the tournament. At noon, the Sect Master personally visited Wood Peak to give Mo Yang instructions.
"The tournament is in two days. The Third Elder will lead you to Xuantian City. Since it's your first time, rest well once you arrive and keep your spirits up. Don't feel too much pressure!" the Sect Master advised.
Mo Yang said nothing, only nodding.
"I heard from the Supreme Elder that you've reached the Mid-Level 3 Earth Profound Realm. Under normal circumstances, the strength gap between you and the top disciples of the other three sects shouldn't be too vast. However, you lack real combat experience. Try to go up on the arena later, and observe your opponents' habits and techniques first."
"But above all, ensure your own safety. Winning or losing doesn't matter!"
The Sect Master spoke at length, continuously cautioning Mo Yang.
Mo Yang sighed: "Don't worry, Sect Master. Usually, my master led the team. Since he can't go, I will make up for his absence."
The Sect Master looked at him with surprise, seemingly wanting to ask something, but held back.
He couldn't detect Mo Yang’s cultivation level. He had wanted to ask, but recalling the Supreme Elder’s words, he decided against it.
"We set off early tomorrow morning. Prepare yourself!" The Sect Master turned to leave, but stopped after a few steps and added: "Feier is going with you all this time. Please keep an eye on her for me."
Mo Yang nodded. With the Third Elder leading the team, he wasn't worried about any trouble.
...
The next morning, Qi Heng and the others were ready at the training grounds. Mo Yang, as expected, was late.
This wasn't intentional; he had been busy comprehending the ancient runes in the Star Emperor Pagoda and had lost track of time.
"This guy, he’s like this every time. I really can't count on him for this tournament," one of the disciples remarked. He was close to Qi Heng, and he remembered how Mo Yang had kept everyone waiting during their duel.
Qi Heng’s expression darkened, but he said nothing.
Su Feier, however, was beaming. Seeing Mo Yang, she waved: "Brother Mo Yang, over here!"
Xu Xin cast a look of frustration at Su Feier, thinking the girl must be under some kind of spell.
Besides, although Mo Yang was mysterious and strong, he didn't seem very upright and was full of devious ideas. Su Feier had once asked her about "men standing up again," and it turned out to be something Mo Yang had told her.
"A girl should be modest. You’re the Sect Master’s daughter, what does this look like? Stay away from him; he's no good, researching all those improper things at his age!" Xu Xin pulled Su Feier away.
"Sister Xu, Brother Mo Yang isn't bad at all!" Su Feier muttered.
When she had accidentally exposed herself in front of Mo Yang, he hadn't done anything and instead fled in a panic. Had it been someone else, the outcome would have been very different.
Xu Xin shook her head, speechless. The girl was hopeless.
"Morning, brothers and sisters!" Mo Yang said with a smile as he walked up.
Everyone was stunned. They didn't know how to describe him. He was half an hour late, and yet he still had the nerve to say "good morning"!
The Lingxu Sect was over a hundred miles from Xuantian City. They were traveling on domesticated flying rocs—massive creatures that could easily carry several people on their backs with wingspans of nearly ten meters.
"Since everyone is here, let’s set off. Reaching Xuantian City early will give you time to get settled," the Third Elder said.
By the time Mo Yang realized what was happening, the backs of the three rocs were already full. The other disciples clearly didn't want to share a mount with him.
Three disciples were already on the roc led by the Third Elder, while Qi Heng was steering another with three people behind him. The last one was shared by Xu Xin and Su Feier.
"Brother Mo Yang, hurry up and get on..." Su Feier patted the space in front of her.
Xu Xin’s expression immediately soured, though she couldn't crowd onto the other rocs.
"Mo Yang, you take the helm. Feier and Xu Xin are girls, so take it easy!" the Third Elder had to intervene.
"Uh... alright." Mo Yang was speechless. A few days ago, when these disciples were trading for pills, they acted like he was their own son—almost calling him 'Dad'—and now they were all keeping their distance.
Mo Yang leaped and landed steadily on the roc’s back. He was very familiar with this, as the Fourth Elder had often taken him on these rides.
Su Feier’s eyes sparkled. She realized then that even Mo Yang’s movements were different—elegant and cool.
But the other disciples grew annoyed seeing this. Two beautiful women crowded in with Mo Yang while they just watched—didn't that mean Mo Yang was getting the best deal for nothing?
With several sharp cries, the three rocs took to the sky.
The one Mo Yang steered surged ahead, leaving the others in the dust before long. Su Feier grabbed Mo Yang’s robes tightly, shouting in excitement.
Xu Xin secretly regretted her choice and cursed Mo Yang as a lunatic. The wind whipped past her ears with a whistling sound. She was truly frightened and didn't dare look down at the scenery. Had she known, she would never have shared a mount with him.
"Mo Yang, can't you slow down? The Third Elder and Senior Brother Qi are still behind!" Xu Xin finally couldn't help but complain.