The Legendary Spirit Pill

And now...

Compared to him, how could he not feel ashamed and embarrassed?

Cold sweat drenched his back, and he grew even more apprehensive.

"What is he doing?"

Though a thick mist separated them, it did nothing to obstruct Lin Xiaoyao's view.

He could see Master Green Feather's expression and every reaction clearly, and he was genuinely surprised.

Though he possessed the Saint Fruit Position, he naturally couldn't guess what the other man was thinking at that moment. Even less had he expected that his simple remark—when he'd only meant to show off a little—

would make this kind and benevolent sect master imagine so much upon hearing it.

This was only a test. He'd better not let it drag on too long.

He'd make his point and leave it at that.

He'd already figured out how it worked. If he wanted to communicate with the other man again later, it would be easy.

Whatever the other man was thinking, Lin Xiaoyao had already made his decision.

His little display of bravado seemed to have frightened the sect master. So next, he'd better get down to the business he'd already decided on.

Without further delay, he clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in a manner befitting his station. "Are your injuries severe?"

"Your disciple—this junior..."

Master Green Feather had already taken the mysterious figure in the spiritual glow for one of the sect's ancestors. His tone grew even more respectful, but as soon as he began speaking, he changed his words.

Though he was now certain that the person before him was one of the sect's senior ancestors, the other man hadn't admitted as much.

Naturally, he didn't dare presume.

He might provoke the other man's anger or displeasure, and that would be a terrible loss.

So he continued to address him as a senior.

Now that the other man had asked about his injuries,

he felt ashamed, and a bitter smile rose in his heart.

Though he'd kept up appearances in front of others, the injuries he'd suffered when Old Demon Jia ambushed him were indeed severe.

His internal organs had been injured.

Most crucially, demonic energy had congealed in his meridians, winding through them like a maggot burrowing into his bones...

He had tried every method to purge it and taken no shortage of miraculous pills and medicines, but none had helped.

And as time passed, his injuries wouldn't heal. If anything, they would only grow more severe.

He wouldn't lose his life, but he would be plagued by illness. His strength would be greatly diminished, and his path to immortality would likely end there.

Master Green Feather knew all this.

But what could he do?

He was helpless.

As sect master, he couldn't show weakness in front of others. After all, the sect had only just emerged from a crisis and begun to settle down.

If word got out that he, the sect master, was gravely injured and not recovering, it was easy to imagine what kind of blow that would deal to the Feathering Sect.

The entire sect would be thrown into a panic.

And some petty troublemakers outside might seize the chance to strike while the sect was weak.

So despite his serious injuries, he'd kept them hidden from everyone except the Head of Treasure Pill Valley—not even his fellow senior and junior brothers knew.

For one thing, he didn't want them to worry. For another, he was afraid someone might let the secret slip. If the news reached his disciples and their younger kin, it could spread from there...

For now, all he could do was force himself to carry on, putting on a show of having recovered in front of everyone.

Yet this senior had seen through him with a single glance and exposed him with a single sentence.

Master Green Feather was amazed by his ancestor's insight. After all, he had hidden his injuries extremely well.

At the same time, he couldn't help feeling helpless and bitter.

So when the other man asked about them, he didn't know how to answer.

"Take this."

Lin Xiaoyao had no intention of making him answer. He flicked his sleeve, and a streak of azure light shot forward.

Master Green Feather didn't know what it was, but he accepted the flying object without hesitation and with utmost respect.

The spiritual glow faded, revealing a small porcelain bottle.

"What is this?"

Suspicion stirred in his heart. Then he applied a little force with his left hand and opened the bottle.

At once, a strange fragrance filled the air. Just one breath left him feeling refreshed from head to toe.

For some reason, Master Green Feather's heart began to race.

With a trembling hand, he tipped a spirit pill out of the bottle.

It was about the size of a longan, crisp and emerald green. A layer of spiritual light wrapped around its surface, and tiny runes the size of grains of rice shimmered into view.

"This is..."

Master Green Feather could hardly believe his eyes.

He examined it several times before finally speaking, his voice trembling with excitement and elation. "This is... Mystic Heaven Green Spirit Powder?"

Though he had recognized it, he still found the scene before him hard to believe.

Mystic Heaven Green Spirit Powder was a legendary spirit pill.

It couldn't be used for cultivation or to increase one's magical power, much less to break through a bottleneck.

Yet it was even more precious for that.

This pill was a legendary sacred medicine for healing injuries.

It might not be able to bring the dead back to life or regrow flesh on bare bones, but old tales passed down through the cultivation world claimed that no matter how severe the injury, taking a single pill of Mystic Heaven Clear Spirit Powder would restore the patient to perfect health with ease.

And the stories were told with such certainty that they could not be dismissed as exaggeration.

"Thank you, Ancestor."

Overcome with excitement, Master Green Feather forgot to watch his form of address. He clasped his hands, then started to bow to Lin Xiaoyao.

Lin Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow.

The other man was the sect's sect master. What sense was there in having him pay respects like this?

Though he liked showing off, he didn't want to accept this bow.

So he flicked his sleeve.

Before Master Green Feather could bow, a gale enveloped his body. His consciousness grew hazy, and his hands and feet seemed to slip beyond his control.

"This is..."

When he woke again, he found himself still in the Founder's Shrine.

He was even still in the middle of bowing.

Everything that had just happened seemed like a dream of millet yellowing in a flash.

And yet it had all felt so real.

No, that definitely had nothing to do with a dream.

He abruptly turned his head and looked at his left hand.

Sure enough, a porcelain bottle was still clutched in his palm.

He opened it. Inside lay the emerald-green Mystic Heaven Green Spirit Powder.

So... it had all been real.

Master Green Feather breathed a sigh of relief.

His face lit up with delight.

Then, facing the ancestral tablets before him, he bowed deeply and paid his respects once more.

Only then did he hurry away.

When he stepped out of the Founder's Shrine, he saw that the young disciple he'd ordered to leave earlier had returned at some point. The young man now stood outside, respectfully waiting.

Master Green Feather was in such a good mood that he even nodded to him.

He instructed, "Though sweeping the Founder's Shrine is a humble and difficult task, it is extremely important to our sect. You must never neglect it. See to this daily duty carefully every day."

"This disciple understands. I will obey the sect master's instructions."

Lin Xiaoyao bowed respectfully.