Among the Mountains

Essentially, the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror was a treasure with an extremely strong exclusivity.

Whether it was ordinary true qi or the baleful energies possessed by Core Formation cultivators and above, so long as it did not meet the requirement of resonating with its aura, no matter how much was poured into it, it could only activate the outermost layer of cyan light guidance, perhaps along with functions such as storing talismans. Its deeper functions could never be opened.

Even if one met the requirement of resonating with its aura, there was still a prerequisite to further refine it and enhance its artifact nature: the Zhaoshen Map.

For one who possessed the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror, the Zhaoshen Map was not merely one of the bronze mirror's deeper functions. It was also the bond that truly established a connection with the mirror.

The first step in refining the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror was to shift one's thoughts onto one's own image at the very center of the Zhaoshen Map. This image had a name: the "soul image." According to the refinement formula, it was the projection of the soul and the crucial node through which the owner's soul connected with the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror.

Only through the "soul image" could the soul truly link with the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror, open the "vital apertures" within the mirror, and make it actively draw in the owner's vital essence to begin the refinement process.

The more Yu Ci refined it, the more he felt its benefits.

"Spirit and qi embraced each other, turning and transforming into qi. This qi was not that qi—it was astral energy, it was Baleful Intent, it was Innate Qi..."

That was what Ye Tu had said in the Sky Rift that day. According to him, "Innate Qi" should have been the exclusive domain of Core Formation cultivators. It was the flow of energy that replaced true qi and circulated within a cultivator's body after they had succeeded in cultivating the art of longevity and attained Core Formation. It was the foundation upon which cultivators moved mountains and filled seas, flew through the heavens and burrowed through the earth. In terms of quality, it stood far above true qi.

Yu Ci had naturally not reached the Core Formation realm. Yet after verifying it over the past several days, he vaguely felt that after that accident half a month ago, the true qi he had accumulated over more than ten years had first condensed into pearls of vital essence within the mirror, then merged and embraced his spiritual intent, somehow transforming into the likeness of "Innate Qi."

Of course, this was purely a feeling. After all, Yu Ci had never truly seen "Innate Qi." Come to think of it, he had indeed come into contact with cultivators at the Core Formation realm and beyond. But when he had served the Twin Immortals in his youth, he had possessed no corresponding understanding; and the Immortal Ye Bin he had encountered some days ago was such an extraordinary figure that, despite her several attacks, Yu Ci had been unable to grasp their mysteries at all.

His only experience was the memory of that sensation when his Primordial Spirit controlled the sword, spirit and qi joining into one and blending together. According to Ye Tu, that was the state closest to the power of astral and baleful energies. For many days now, the circulation and transformation of vital essence within his body had distinctly carried that same sensation, stable and clear, no longer the fleeting instant it had been when his Primordial Spirit controlled the sword. That was precisely why he had been able to calmly unleash that sword finger that day and initially touch upon the mystery of Ye Bin's light-mist sword intent.

"Innate Qi... Fine, I'll treat it as Innate Qi!"

Though he had no proof, Yu Ci could be certain that the nature of the vital essence in his body had indeed undergone a qualitative change. At his level of cultivation, after such a transformation, what else could it become besides "Innate Qi"?

Once he cast off that doubt, another very practical problem appeared before him:

He discovered that apart from the wave transformed through the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror that day, the qi naturally generated during cultivation over the following days was still the true qi of old. This true qi was utterly incompatible with "Innate Qi," like oil and water. As it circulated through his body, it made him deeply uncomfortable.

This was probably the result of his not having truly entered the Core Formation realm. If he did not change it, then in the long run, his bodyful of Innate Qi might be tainted once more by acquired qi, causing all his previous efforts to come to naught.

Fortunately, he had the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror.

When he began refining it according to the newly acquired formula, his spiritual intent naturally poured into it, drawing in vital essence and working the refining fire. Every time, it took tremendous effort and consumed more than half his strength. Yet through this process, like quenching and hammering steel, it improved the bronze mirror's performance bit by bit, while also refining away the impurities in his own vital essence, raising it toward the level of "Innate Qi."

Thus, even if he could not cultivate the art of longevity, he could still preserve the purity of his "Innate Qi" and advance gradually. It had to be said, the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror truly was...

Such a good treasure!

The more he refined it, the more Yu Ci could not bear to put it down. Every day, he had to spend several hours diligently at work, and his mastery of the refinement fire improved by the day. It was easy to imagine that so long as he followed this method, proceeded step by step, and persisted without fail, then in the near future, as his cultivation advanced and his refinement level rose, he would be able to unlock every secret of the precious mirror. Moreover, this treasure would belong to him forever. No one would be able to take it from him!

Whenever he thought of this, his heart surged with excitement.

By the time he finished his day's cultivation, night had already fallen. Yu Ci drifted from his hiding place like a ghost and, by the light of the stars, darted toward the depths of the southwestern wilderness.

The information Lu Yang and Jin Chuan had revealed concerned him greatly. With Bai Ri Mansion's ability to cover the sky with one hand in Juebi City, even they had unconsciously placed themselves in the weaker position when speaking of the Li Chen Sect. One could imagine just how powerful that unfamiliar sect was. It was only inevitable that he make plans in advance.

Yu Ci activated a Divine Movement Talisman, and wind rose beneath his feet. He covered three hundred li in just over an hour, nearly twenty percent faster than his original speed.

After coming to a stop, his breathing was slightly hurried, but after only a few breaths, he had recovered. He did not continue deeper. Instead, he opened the Zhaoshen Map nearby, spent a short time confirming his bearings, and quickly found a cluster of man-made buildings in the mountains.

In the faint glow, every blade of grass and every tree beneath the night sky entered his sight. This was a Daoist temple, quite large in scale, divided into eastern, central, and western courtyards. The central courtyard had three sections from front to back, its halls grand and imposing, with over a hundred Daoists inside.

There was little human habitation within ten thousand li, so this Daoist temple clearly did not survive on incense offerings. Without question, this was the destination of Jin Huan's party.

"An external affairs Daoist temple... so it's a place for handling miscellaneous matters." With such thoughts in mind, Yu Ci shifted his perspective one by one, preparing to sort through the inside and outside of the temple in order to prepare for any changes that might arise tomorrow. His gaze began with the eastern courtyard where the Daoists slept, slowly moved to the halls of the central courtyard, then shifted to the gardens in the western courtyard. For the moment, he had discovered no problems.

But at that moment, fog rose, and even the compact garden became hazy and indistinct.

Several dozen li away, Yu Ci's eyes widened. "That is..."

The next day, following the plan, the people of Bai Ri Mansion set off at the first quarter of the hour of the ox. Sparing no effort for their horses, they arrived at the foot of a lush green mountain by dawn. The mountain was not particularly high, but it had forests, streams, springs, clear mountain mists, and strange rocks in full abundance, carrying quite an immortal air. Jin Huan stopped the carriage at the foot of the mountain, leaving only one warrior behind to guard it, while the remaining nine climbed on foot.

Among them, Jin Huan and Lu Yang were accustomed to coming here, while Jin Chuan and Kuang Yanqi were visiting for the first time and could not help being curious. Lu Yang therefore instructed his own disciple, "This is already Zhixin Temple territory. Though it is the outer gate of the Li Chen Sect, great cultivators often pass through. The temple's old master, Daoist Yu Zhou, has remained in this world for three hundred years. He is an extraordinary senior master. You must not harbor the slightest disrespect here."

This was already who knew how many times he had said it. These two youths possessed excellent talent and were greatly favored in the mansion, especially Jin Chuan, who had always regarded himself as the next Mansion Lord of Bai Ri Mansion. That was nothing within the mansion, but here, they had to restrain themselves.

There was no need to conceal such thoughts. Even the accompanying warriors understood. Amid Kuang Yanqi's repeated assent, Jin Chuan glanced at his granduncle, then obediently lowered his head.

Jin Huan's group walked along the mountain path. The scenery all around was pleasant, yet their steps were hurried. In the blink of an eye, they had passed the mountainside. In the distance, upturned eaves and layered brackets on the mountain appeared and vanished before their eyes, occasionally hidden by the forest. After rounding several li, they came into view again. Zhixin Temple was close at hand.

Just then, the sound of feet stepping on branches and leaves rang out, and a Daoist emerged from the maple forest beside the mountain path.

The Daoist's appearance was abrupt, and the five accompanying warriors reacted swiftly. Their bodies tensed at once as they stared at him. Still, they knew this was not Bai Ri Mansion territory. Even if they were hostile, they had to hold themselves somewhat in check.

The Daoist was fair-faced and beardless, looking very young. He wore a jade-colored Daoist robe, and his tall figure stood straight. His black hair was gathered atop his head beneath a star crown, every detail above and below impeccably arranged. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked over with an air of leisure and composure. Jin Chuan and Kuang Yanqi were both outstanding young men of their generation, but before their elders, they appeared constrained and awkward. They could not compare to the newcomer's easy grace.

When the Daoist saw Jin Huan's party, he was also briefly startled. Yet he immediately smiled. He seemed entirely unresponsive to the bearing of the accompanying warriors and had no intention of approaching to make conversation. He merely made a distant Daoist salute, then stepped aside and invited them to pass first. His calm and humble posture naturally inspired goodwill.

Though Jin Huan was arrogant, Zhixin Temple was close by, and this Daoist might well be a cultivator from within. Thus, he gave a slight nod. Given his status, that was already a considerable show of respect. Seeing the Mansion Lord's reaction, the accompanying warriors finally relaxed and lowered their heads.

The two parties passed each other. Once they had gone some distance apart, Jin Huan suddenly asked, "What do you think?"

Lu Yang frowned and replied quietly, "Strange. This man's true spirit is radiant, and he has not condensed an Yin Spirit. His cultivation seems to be only between the early and middle stages of the Spirit Communion realm, yet the aura around his body is solemn and sharp, as though he has..."

"As though he has formed astral energy and condensed Baleful Intent, correct?"

"Could that truly be so? Wouldn't that mean he has achieved Core Formation?"

Lu Yang was startled, and the two youths behind him turned back to look as well. Yet the handsome Daoist continued walking neither hurriedly nor slowly, as though admiring the maple leaves by the roadside that were gradually turning red. Once he passed a bend, he slipped from their sight.

At this moment, Jin Huan instead praised Lu Yang. "For you to perceive the subtlety of that aura shows that you have already sensed astral and baleful energies. Even ordinary late-stage Spirit Communion cultivators cannot do that. Your cultivation has continued to improve over these years. That is quite rare. Given ten more years, you may attempt Core Formation."

Lu Yang hurriedly responded with modest thanks. As they spoke, Jin Chuan, whose composure was somewhat lacking, could not help asking, "Granduncle, was that Daoist truly a Core Formation cultivator?"

Jin Huan did not answer directly, saying only, "He revealed himself several li away. He likely bore no ill intent. Do not treat him lightly."

The two juniors merely felt that the Mansion Lord was unfathomable and did not dare ask more. But Lu Yang had followed Jin Huan for many years, and upon hearing this, he knew that Jin Huan himself could not quite make out the truth, which was why he had adopted such an attitude.

But was it truly so difficult to determine whether a cultivator had formed astral energy and condensed Baleful Intent?