Chapter 49: Seven Domains – He’d Rather They Be Used as Laborers

Main Peak, Assembly Hall.

“I heard you took those kids to Cold Arrival Peak and made them stand as punishment for two hours?”

On the sandalwood seats, several elders in long robes sat. Among them, an Artifact Refiner elder who appeared middle-aged glanced at Murong Yi below and spoke in a deep voice.

Murong Yi replied with a smile, “It was just a minor mistake. Two hours should be enough for them to reflect.”

That Artifact Refiner elder was Ling Shu. “…You’re too indulgent with them. This time, it was just that Wunian Sect didn’t find out. But if they cause a bigger problem in the future, Wunian Sect won’t let it slide.”

Qin Yuan, standing beside Murong Yi, said, “Wunian Sect has always been hostile to us. Even if this incident didn’t happen, they wouldn’t treat us any better. Those who rely on backing to act arrogantly sometimes need to be taught a lesson.”

“But no matter what, the Sect Master of Wunian Sect is related by blood to the Second Elder of Chixiao Sect. If this matter reaches Chixiao Sect…”

“I know what kind of person Wunian Sect’s Sect Master is,” Murong Yi said. “He is devoted to the Dao and hasn’t managed sect affairs for hundreds of years. Moreover, in recent years, Chixiao Sect has been inclined to befriend Qingxuan Sect, and they’ve rarely interfered with Wunian Sect’s matters.”

Elder Ling Shu sighed. “Forget it, do as you please.”

“Elder, Xu Xianxing from Qianling Peak seeks an audience.”

An Artifact Refiner entered to report. Ling Shu, who had been about to leave, paused. “Let him in.”

The doors of the assembly hall opened, and Xu Xianxing walked in with two Artifact Refiners, holding a vermilion box in his hands.

Seeing his own disciple, Ling Shu’s expression softened. He asked gently, “Xianxing, what is it?”

Xu Xianxing frowned and presented the vermilion box. The elders watched his actions, puzzled.

Ling Shu narrowed his eyes and opened the box, revealing an unreforged piece of melted spiritual material inside. His expression immediately changed. “Where did you find this?”

Xu Xianxing replied, “Yesterday, a few senior and junior brothers and I found it in the Spirit Tower. After the Tower-Sealing Stone loosened, some damaged artifacts suddenly began emitting demonic aura.”

Demonic beings, like Magical Beasts, were a scourge upon the world. Unlike the latter, demons were cultivators corrupted by tainted spiritual energy. They retained human consciousness, but their minds were filled only with killing intent.

Before Magical Beast materials could be forged into artifacts, they had to be purified, or the resulting artifacts would carry tainted spiritual energy. All the artifacts in the Spirit Tower were crafted by orthodox sect Artifact Refiners and should have been clean.

If the issue wasn’t with the artifacts themselves, then that could only mean one thing—demons had entered the Spirit Tower, contaminating the artifacts with their tainted energy.

“Could it be Black Abyss again?” Murong Yi’s face also darkened. “Five years ago, they stirred up trouble at the foot of Gui Xian Sect’s mountain and broke the Cold Water Pool’s seal… It seems they’ve set their sights on Gui Xian Sect.”

Gui Xian Sect was now the weakest of the Four Great Sects and was looked down upon by the others. Even demons seemed to think they were easy prey.

Qin Yuan said, “The demons who broke the seal before were already slain by Jin’er and Minghe. There were never many demons to begin with. Ever since Penglai Sect perished together with them a thousand years ago, they haven’t resurfaced. Yet now, in just five years, two incidents have occurred… What’s going on?”

Elder Ling Shu fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he said, “It might have something to do with Chixiao Sect. I’ll take a trip to Qinglong East in a few days.”

“What should be done with these artifacts?” Xu Xianxing asked.

Murong Yi and Qin Yuan remained silent. They were both sword cultivators and unfamiliar with such matters. Another Artifact Refiner elder spoke up:

“Collect them all and throw them into the Molten Fire Cavern. All disciples of Qianling Peak, follow me to Yuqing Mountain immediately.”

Murong Yi added, “Wait, since there’s news of Black Abyss demons, shouldn’t we inform that Ji family child?”

“No.” Qin Yuan refused outright. “Now is not the time. We don’t have enough information yet. Not a word of this should be leaked. That Ji family child is still young and shouldn’t be involved. We’ll explain everything to her once we’ve investigated thoroughly.”

“With the Grand Sect Tournament approaching, and this happening now…” Ling Shu closed his eyes for a moment. “Xianxing, after you return from Yuqing Mountain, don’t come back to the sect just yet. Take a trip to Vermillion Bird South.”

Xu Xianxing lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. “Yes, Master.”

—

—

In the afternoon, Lian Mu walked out of the library Pavilion, tucking her notes into her Spatial Pouch as she prepared to call someone to eat with her.

She hadn’t been to Star-Picking Tower lately. Ji Mingyue had told her to rest properly—her future was long, and she couldn’t ruin it by rushing things. So, she had put artifact refining on hold for now.

She had enough money for the time being, so she spent her days reading in the Scripture Pavilion. Since she had previously found a way to refine pills using Magical Beast inner cores, she felt that the lower levels of the pavilion must hold more hidden treasures. If she searched carefully, she might make another surprising discovery.

She had already finished several books on alchemy. Just as she had done when learning artifact refining, she took notes on anything she didn’t understand, planning to ask Ji Mingyue about them later.

Studying without practicing didn’t consume spiritual energy, and it was a good way to pass the time. Lian Mu quite enjoyed her current routine.

On her way to Autumn Peak to ask Bai Li Que to eat with her, she saw many silver kites flying through the sky. The people riding them all wore long robes—only Artifact Refiners wore long robes in Gui Xian Sect.

Lian Mu asked, “What’s going on today? It looks like all of Qianling Peak’s people are out.”

Bai Li Que glanced at the sky. All the silver kites were flying in the same direction—toward Yuqing Mountain.

“It’s probably related to the Spirit Tower,” Bai Li Que said.

He wasn’t sure of the details, but his instincts told him that this was no simple matter.

As the two conversed, Ji Mingyue found them. She had come to deliver medicinal pills to Lian Mu.

“The Spirit Replenishing Pills you wanted—there aren’t enough spirit plants in the Spirit Plant Garden right now. The new batch hasn’t grown yet; it’ll take two more days. For now, this is all I have.”

“Thanks.” Lian Mu handed over the payment and asked, “Do you know why the people from Qianling Peak suddenly left?”

Ji Mingyue paused, then shook her head. “I’m not sure. I noticed it this morning too, but when I asked my master, he wouldn’t say a word.”

After speaking, she furrowed her brows slightly.

Lian Mu didn’t notice her change in expression. Since no one knew the reason, she decided to eat first.

When she arrived at the dining hall, she found that not a single artifact refiner was present—not even Xu Xianxing, who usually came early to snatch food.

The only familiar face in the entire dining hall was Wen Yun. Bai Li Que went to pay for the pastries, while Lian Mu plopped down beside Wen Yun.

“The path down the mountain has been sealed,” Wen Yun said calmly.

Lian Mu frowned. “Hasn’t it always been?”

“No, I mean our path down the mountain.”

Lian Mu finally understood. She was silent for a moment, recalling the first time she had secretly snuck out and accidentally bumped into someone.

It must have been Wen Yun.

“Did the elders find out about us?”

Wen Yun lowered his voice. “No. If they had, they would’ve come after us already. It seems something happened within the sect, which is why the elders ordered the road to Suiqiu Peak to be completely sealed… I heard Xu Xianxing is heading to Qingxuan Sect, and the other artifact refiners are going to Yuqing Mountain for a bath.”

“A bath?” Lian Mu was stunned. “Artifact refiners live such a comfortable life?”

“More or less. Yuqing Mountain only has tea trees and spirit springs. What else would they be doing there? They’re certainly not going to pick tea leaves like laborers.” Wen Yun thought about it and actually wished they were being made to do labor.

“Looks like there won’t be any money to make from Zhaixing Tower for a while,” Lian Mu said regretfully.

Wen Yun asked, “Why are you even making money there? That little bit of money—what’s it worth?”

Lian Mu shot him a look. “You call that a little?”

“What else? It’s barely enough to buy a spatial pouch.” Wen Yun was utterly perplexed.

Lian Mu: “……” The disparity in this world is too much.

“Then why do you go to Zhaixing Tower?”

Wen Yun replied, “I went with Ji Mingyue. She was looking for spirit plants, and I had nothing better to do, so I hunted some magical beasts.”

“Doesn’t Gui Xian Sect have a whole Spirit Plant Garden?” Lian Mu was puzzled.

As a Heavenly Spiritual Root Alchemy Cultivator, Ji Mingyue had near-unlimited access to the entire Spirit Plant Garden.

“It’s different.” Wen Yun considered for a moment before explaining, “The plants she needs only grow in the Seven Domains. Zhaixing Tower controls the Third Domain, so that’s where she had to go.”

Lian Mu had heard of the Seven Domains. Aside from the Shifang Nether Soil, they were also areas infested with magical beasts. However, the Seven Domains were in a unique position—each of the Four Great Sects controlled one domain, while the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Domains were in private hands.

“Are the spirit plants in the Seven Domains better than those in Gui Xian Sect?” Lian Mu asked.

“Of course. The best spirit plants grow in places untouched by humans. The seeds that Master Feng brought back all came from the Seven Domains.”

Lian Mu fell into thought. “I see.”

Next time she went to Zhaixing Tower, she’d have a new gig.

After finishing her meal, Lian Mu thickened her skin and went to Yinxing Peak to seek out Ji Mingyue. She found her digging near the Hundred Flowers Garden.

Ji Mingyue was holding a hoe, digging furiously, before placing a jar into the hole.

“What are you doing?” Lian Mu approached, clutching a book.

As she got closer, the scent of alcohol filled the air.

Ji Mingyue began covering the jar with soil and explained, “Burying wine. Gui Xian Sect’s dining hall doesn’t sell alcohol, so I have to bury a few jars myself to save for after the Grand Sect Tournament.”

“You’re here to ask about medicinal pills again?” Ji Mingyue had already guessed her intention.

Lian Mu admitted, “Yep, asking for a friend.”

Ji Mingyue finished burying the jar, clapped the dirt off her hands, and said, “Stop pretending. That ‘friend’ is you, isn’t it?”

Lian Mu: “……” She figured it out that fast?

“I had a hunch after your third visit,” Ji Mingyue said. “You don’t seem like the type to care that much about a friend’s issues—unless they paid you a ton of spirit stones.”

Realizing she couldn’t hide it any longer, Lian Mu confessed, “Yeah, it’s me.”

Ji Mingyue gave her a knowing look. “I thought so… Well, since we’re friends, I’ll take a look at you. Give me your hand.”

Lian Mu immediately stretched out her hand. Ji Mingyue’s fingertips glowed green as she pressed them against Lian Mu’s palm.

After a moment, she said, “Come inside, I’ll write you a prescription.”

Lian Mu was surprised. “You know how to diagnose illnesses?”

Ji Mingyue sighed. “What do you think? Your problem isn’t just an illness.”