Qilin's Past

The Heavenly Wolf Sect has been quite lively lately.

That day, thousands of Rogue Cultivator entered the Heavenly Wolf Sect, and within moments, they had amassed countless riches.

They naturally benefited, and the Heavenly Wolf Sect was indeed unable to punish so many people.

However, the Heavenly Wolf Sect did not intend to blame anyone; instead, they took the opportunity to include everyone on the roster, saying it was as a reward.

At that time, the entire Heavenly Wolf Sect was eyeing them covetously. Those rogue Rogue Cultivator who had stolen benefits were somewhat guilty. Regardless of whether they used aliases or not, at least they were all registered on the roster.

The disciples of the Heavenly Wolf Sect sketched out his approximate appearance, physique, and features of his magical artifacts.

The three leaders of the Heavenly Wolf Sect personally arranged accommodations for them, and in the following days, they actually distributed some gifts as a token of their appreciation.

It's basically a recipe for an elixir and a few pages of blueprints for refining small magical artifacts.

Those restless Rogue Cultivator immediately realized that some of the medicinal ingredients in the pill formula were the ones they had secretly kept that day, and some they had even already ingested.

The blueprints for the ritual implements were also the small ritual implements that were stolen.

The prescription mentions that even if some of the medicinal herbs have been swallowed raw and eaten very roughly, the medicinal effects will still accumulate in the body for a period of time.

As long as other medicines can be prepared and refined into the body in the correct dosage during this period, it can have the same effect as taking elixirs.

The drawings for ritual implements often contain unclear or ambiguous language.

This allows people to see the strengths that can be brought into play after the magic weapon is refined according to the diagram.

It can feel like scratching an itch through a boot, leaving one feeling like they can't reach their full potential.

"Oh? Someone is openly or secretly inquiring about how to quickly gather the medicinal formula and detailed blueprints?"

Yue Chunfeng listened to the elder's report in a large hall behind the Heavenly Wolf Sect, stroking his beard and smiling.

"Among the wandering Rogue Person, there are indeed many astute individuals. It seems they have already guessed that our deliberate sending out of these pill formula blueprints was not to hold them accountable, but to use them."

The elder was still somewhat indignant upon hearing this.

"Second Master, although this will make them incredibly eager, assigning them tasks is a way of compensating them for what they stole with their rewards."

"But our Heavenly Wolf Sect originally had to carefully select its Rogue Cultivator. Not just anyone can serve our Heavenly Wolf Sect and become a disciple."

"Doing this now is tantamount to indirectly making those with dirty hands also members of the Heavenly Wolf Sect."

"Wouldn't that be letting them off easy?!"

Yue Chunfeng stroked his beard and sighed deeply, his face full of bitterness.

"Elder, Elder, I am well aware of what you are saying, but there was nothing we could do. No one expected that the arrival of the Qingyun Sect disciples for the meeting would cause the medicine furnace to explode."

The second sect leader wore an expression of deep regret.

The elders and disciples present could all feel the intense self-reproach emanating from the Second Sect Leader.

One of the elders thought to himself.

The sect's slight unrest, forcing it to accept these Rogue Cultivator, is a minor matter. What the Second Sect Leader truly regrets is that the explosion of the medicine furnace revealed the existence of the Qingyun Sect disciples and the Legend of the Four Stones.

Alas! Such a top secret should have been kept to myself, never to be known by outsiders, so that I could secretly plot against it.

"Second Master, this matter is really not your fault. The Legend of the Four Stones is ancient and mysterious. No one could have predicted that Qingyun Sect disciple would have clues about the Heavenly Fire Divine Stone."

An elder with completely white hair and beard, the most senior in the family, offered words of comfort.

Yue Chunfeng was startled upon hearing this. "Uncle-Master, you all know so much about the Legend of the Four Stones?"

The elders looked at each other and smiled.

"Second Master, this matter has already spread far and wide. A Rogue Cultivator unearthed records from ancient texts—"

Yue Chunfeng stammered, "After all, it's just a legend, and it may not be true."

The Grand Elder solemnly said, "But the outside world already knows that we possess two of the strange stones, and even have clues about the Heavenly Fire Divine Stone. At this point, it's no longer time to hide anything. If the clues are truly useful, we must do everything in our power to uncover them."

Before he could finish speaking, Yue Gude and Yue Tianchi walked in from outside.

"Second brother, the eldest elder is right, you don't need to hide it anymore."

Yue Gude bowed to the Grand Elder, "To be honest, since the night the furnace exploded, we have been secretly leading the Qingyun Sect disciples to search for the whereabouts of the divine stone every night."

"I had initially hoped to keep it a secret and therefore did not mention it to the elders. However, I never expected that Rogue Cultivator would possess such an ancient book in his home and expose the matter."

The elders all nodded in agreement.

They are not afraid that the sect leader might occasionally act first in secret.

It's unrealistic for a major sect leader to have absolutely no secrets.

What they feared was that the sect leader himself lacked responsibility, failed to make decisions, and always had to consult with the elders first to share the responsibility for everything.

When that happens, everything will proceed slowly, and when it comes to holding people accountable, no one will be found to be responsible.

With clear rewards and punishments, internal and external management, and a clear division of powers and responsibilities, the Heavenly Wolf Sect has been able to cultivate such an atmosphere, which is the fundamental reason for its increasing prosperity over the past century.

Seeing the understanding looks in the elders' eyes, Yue Gude felt both joy and shame.

The good news is that the elders are indeed reasonable.

However, things are done in secrecy, and sometimes it's best to lie first and not let too many people know.

After discussing the matter for a while, Yue Gude instructed the elders to keep a close watch on both internal and external affairs and to be prepared for any eventuality.

Once the clues about the divine stone are clear, the Heavenly Wolf Sect must act immediately. If the Demonic Sect tries to spy on them, they must be prepared for battle.

As the elders dispersed, Yue Chunfeng could still be faintly heard sighing in the hall.

"--I had always known that many Rogue Cultivator in the martial world loved reading even more than disciples of major sects, and were better able to uncover the secrets hidden in ancient books. Today I have truly witnessed that."

Yue Tianchi kept a straight face and didn't say much throughout.

But with his ruddy face and often harsh demeanor, no one found it strange that he remained silent during internal meetings.

After the elders had all gone far away, he finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Second brother, everyone else has left, and you're still acting."

Yue Chunfeng stroked his beard and said, "This is the kind of refinement a strategist should have."

Chu Tianshu, leading Fang Wuchen, walked out from the back of the hall and said with a smile, "Not bad, if you're going to act, act the whole thing."

"I have guided Wuchen as much as I can, and she has learned some of the secrets of my technique. Now she can condense a fire seed on her own."

Fang Wuchen raised his palms and rubbed a ball of air together. A bluish-green light gradually appeared in the air, eventually turning into a small flame.

Although the power of the fire was far inferior to that of Chu Tianshu, the artistic conception was quite refined.

The Yue brothers read it and nodded in approval.

They were looking at Fang Wuchen, but Chu Tianshu was looking at them.

Especially when looking at Yue Tianchi.

The more the plan progresses, the more cautious we must be.

Currently, only five people know the inside story.

Two of the three Yue brothers conspired with Chu Tianshu to devise this plan.

However, Yue Tianchi returned unexpectedly halfway through the plan, and Yue Gude trusted him too much, so he went up and briefly explained the matter.

Chu Tianshu had to be extra careful.

Upon closer inspection, something seemed amiss.

Yue Tianchi was extremely perceptive and suddenly turned his head to look.

Chu Tianshu did not avoid his gaze, but smiled and said, "The Third Master's red face is not natural, is it? I don't think the Heavenly Wolf Sect's techniques should cause such an unusual complexion?"

More than just a red face, Yue Tianchi's hair had a metallic sheen, his eyes had bloodshot veins, and he inhaled like a jackal and exhaled like an owl.

Numerous details, too many to list.

Chu Tianshu was able to assert, based on his medical skills, that this person likely had an innate tendency towards mania.

Moreover, it's not the kind of manic disorder that ordinary people experience, but rather a manic aptitude extensively recorded in shamanic medical texts—a kind of extraordinary talent.

Therefore, most doctors simply cannot tell that this is a disease.

Ordinary cultivation cannot suppress this mania; on the contrary, it will only deepen this talent through practice.

Only a few targeted and tailor-made cultivation methods can harmonize one's state of mind.

According to Chu Tianshu's observation, the Heavenly Wolf Sect's techniques focus on cultivating Qi, and obviously do not have such a remarkable effect on mental cultivation.

However, Yue Tianchi only appears irritable to outsiders; in reality, he can even give off a somewhat kind and gentle vibe.

That's very strange.

Yue Tianchi snorted, "When I was a kid, I liked to hold my breath until my face turned red. Fellow Daoist Chu, do you even care about that?"

"You may be a distinguished guest, but aren't you being a bit too nosy?"

Yue Gude scolded, "Third brother, speak properly!"

Yue Chunfeng was meticulous and had a vague idea of Chu Tianshu's concerns.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, could it be that you are also well-versed in medicine and able to diagnose my third brother's illness?"

Chu Tianshu nodded.

Yue Chunfeng glanced at the third brother, about to say something, when he suddenly changed the subject and said with a smile, "Then, Fellow Daoist Chu, please take a look at me. Do I have any illness?"

Chu Tianshu felt puzzled and focused his attention on it.

Yue Chunfeng looked very healthy; there was no sign of illness in his physical body, blood, or spirit.

"Just by looking, we can't tell what illness the Second Master has."

Yue Chunfeng laughed heartily, "It seems that although Fellow Daoist Chu is highly skilled, his methods are ultimately different from the secret teachings of my Heavenly Wolf Sect."

"Actually, I'm also sick and take medication regularly. My third brother is in a similar situation, except our symptoms are in different directions."

Although he felt the need to dispel the concerns of his ally Chu Tianshu, he also had to consider the feelings of the third brother.

He first mentioned that he was ill before bringing up the topic of his third child.

"A hundred years ago, the Master of Wind and Moon Cave made a drinking contest with our master and lost the Mountain and River Dharma Stone. He was unwilling to accept this and, before leaving, asked to have his fortune told by someone from my sect."

"To my shame, at that time, my two brothers and I had already distinguished ourselves among our peers and were regarded as the future pillars of the sect."

"The Master of Wind and Moon Cave mainly divined the fates of the three of us—"

Yue Chunfeng's expression turned serious, and his eyes revealed a look of reminiscence.

He said that his elder brother was steady and kind, which was fine, but he was too trusting of relationships. Although he might be wise to outsiders, he would easily be seen as being fooled by even his closest relatives in the future.

He said that although I seemed knowledgeable and talented, I was actually indecisive, prone to procrastination, unable to prioritize tasks, and even in the face of life-or-death crises, I couldn't shake my procrastination habit, making me unfit for great responsibilities.

He said his third brother was cunning and ruthless, with an uncontrollable madness that was growing stronger every day. He was arrogant and domineering, and would surely plot against the two of us sooner or later. He was definitely not a good person to lead the Heavenly Wolf Sect.

Fang Wuchen's expression turned strange upon hearing this.

This Master of Wind and Moon Cave truly deserves to be called a master; he said such things in someone else's mountain gate and wasn't beaten to death.

Yue Tianchi sneered, "I was thinking of stabbing him and showing him what a treacherous and vicious hand really is."

Yue Chunfeng smiled faintly, "If you really go and kill him, you won't be able to defeat him, and what he said will also come true. How can that compare to the satisfaction of your master's counterattack?"

Chu Tianshu was also curious.

How did your master retaliate?

When Yue Tianchi spoke of this, his expression softened.

"Our master, who was known as the Qilin True Person back then, was round and plump, kind and approachable, and devoted his life to peace. Of course, he wouldn't easily lay a hand on that disrespectful old Master of Wind and Moon Cave."

"He only said to the Master of Wind and Moon Cave, 'Poor thing, poor thing, he deeply believes in fate and thinks that destiny cannot be changed. He is both obsessed and delusional, and can be called superstitious.'"

"But we, the Heavenly Wolf Sect, are not superstitious people."

Yue Chunfeng smiled and opened the book, "Although we don't understand the art of fate, we do have medical skills."

Yue Gude believes in friendship; it's not a disease, so he doesn't change.

Despite possessing a wealth of knowledge, his habitual procrastination prevented him from making a decision even in life-or-death crises.

Is it a medical condition to be so manic that one can't even control the urge to kill one's own brothers?

The Qilin True Person's medical skills are divine.

In the last ten years of his life, he devoted all his energy to training his two apprentices.

His last words to the Master of Wind and Moon Cave were. "Thank you."

Chu Tianshu suddenly realized something and looked at Yue Tianchi again.

"Third Master, may I take your pulse?"

Yue Tianchi walked over and extended his hand.

Chu Tianshu's pulse diagnosis technique possesses the ability to calculate fluctuations using the Mountain Collapse Combat Calculation.

Once you place your hand on it, the calculations become clearer and more detailed than anything you can see with your eyes.

Indeed, traces of medicine were found in Yue Tianchi's body, and the medicine was of extremely high quality.

Manic talent is not ordinary mania. Its cause is not hormones in the body, but is often due to interbreeding between ancestors and Gods and Devils and monsters.

The medicine Yue Tianchi took was actually able to tame his atavistic bloodline.

In other words, Qilin True Person's medical skills have become so powerful that he can heal a mouse into a cat and a shark into a whale.

It alters the bloodline without harming the essence of life.

This is similar to the pursuit of the Heavenly Silkworm Divine Art.

The difference is that the results of the Heavenly Silkworm Divine Art require one's own cultivation. Even if the skill is bestowed upon one as a form of empowerment, one still needs to understand it on their own.

And medical skills at this level can be used on others; at least it's easier than mastering the Heavenly Silkworm Divine Art Skill to its fullest extent.

"Such medical skills—"

Chu Tianshu felt a sense of admiration.

He underestimated the Heavenly Wolf Sect Heavenly Wolf Sect. Although their martial arts were good, they paled in comparison to their medical skills.

He really wanted to look at the medical manuals of the Heavenly Wolf Sect, but now it seemed that it wasn't the right time.

Chu Tianshu's lips moved slightly. "I wonder if I may pay my respects at the mausoleum of the medical sage, Qilin True Person?"

Even if you can't find the most advanced medical books in the field, it's still good to pay respects to this senior.

The three Yue brothers looked rather strange upon hearing this.

Chu Tianshu quickly said, "Wasn't that a bit presumptuous?"

"That's not it."

Yue Gude said, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, Master's mausoleum is a cenotaph. Inside, there is only a gold and red cotton robe that Master often wore. He told us to announce that he died at the age of over three hundred, but before he died, he went on a journey, and we don't know where he went."

Yue Chunfeng added, "My master said that while there are records of the Qilin in ancient books, and many strange and wondrous beasts exist in the world, the Qilin is the only auspicious creature that is not found. This is to ensure peace and tranquility in the world. He named it after the Qilin and wants to spend the rest of his life searching for traces of the Qilin."

"If there really are no Qilin, then perhaps—"

Yue Chunfeng hesitated for a moment before speaking.

My master's words back then were a bit strange. He said something about Qilin, which might have been transformed by Keyi.

But a century has passed, and there has been no trace of the Qilin anywhere; it must have been a failure.

Chu Tianshu felt deeply regretful.

However, this conversation also eased some of his worries.

Therefore, Yue Tianchi should not be a traitor or a spy; the profound mysteries of the medicine within his body cannot be faked.

"Fine."

Chu Tianshu said, "Recent news has been fueling the fire, and things are ready to unfold. It's time to find a good battlefield and lure the Demonic Sect into making their move."

Since it's not possible to meet with the senior I'd like to discuss things with right now.

Let me start by tricking the Demonic Sect to soothe my soul.