A Formation of Hearts Surpasses Mysterious Yellow

As the sun set and warm rays of sunlight fell upon Yangming Mountain, the atmosphere felt less somber than in previous days.

The bloody stench of the spirit soil, which had not yet regained its original color, became even stronger than it had been a few days ago. Under normal circumstances, many Demon Beasts would have come to explore and seek sustenance.

However, Yangming Mountain has now become a battlefield of carnage. Not to mention ordinary small beasts, even Third Tier Demon Officer passing by would be extremely wary.

This period of rest is truly precious; no one knows when Preceptor Huang Mi and his Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall will be able to heal their wounds and make a comeback.

Therefore, Duan Yunzhou and his newly recruited followers naturally seized every minute to hone their skills. Among them, many lamented that their future of wealth and honor was not as easily attainable as they had imagined.

Even so, there was no reason to be perfunctory or spare any effort, after all, at this moment, they were fighting for their lives.

You must understand that even if you are a fake alchemist, you might not be able to protect yourself in this battlefield of ten thousand people.

It's lamentable that the swordsman who drew his eyebrows, whose skills Xiu Ming no less than Yuan Buwen's, was wounded, trapped in the formation, and killed by Kang Rongquan and his troops.

Even a fake alchemist like myself is like this, let alone an ordinary cultivator? How can one master the formation when it concerns one's life? How can one be careless?!

The deputy generals of the Crimson Zhang Guard were equally serious. They knew that many of the volunteers were newly recruited and had not even taken many lives, but they still showed no sympathy whatsoever.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the runic barbs on the whip only injure flesh and blood. If an ordinary cultivator were to be struck naked by the whip, even their soul would tremble. This would be enough to teach some lazy and dull-witted people a lesson.

In Kang Dabao's view, the training methods of the Imperial Guards, which were passed down from the Patriarch Zhang Yuandao, could be described as "cruel and ruthless." Unless absolutely necessary, the usually benevolent and lenient Sect Leader Kang Da would not resort to such methods.

The array masters all crowded together. Wei Gu's notes contained no secrets, and even though many Second Tier array masters, including this False Core, were not as skilled as him, it was not difficult for them to restore the great array to half of its original power by following the instructions.

The Alchemist were even busier than the array masters. Qi Ke, Gun Fangmu, and Chen Zihang hadn't had a moment's rest and were always covered in dust and dirt, showing no trace of their otherworldly appearance.

While the Double Brightness Merchant Alliance had painstakingly transported and acquired a considerable amount of spirit medicine, it was still insufficient to support the wounded soldiers scattered across the mountain. For these young Alchemist, figuring out how to manage their resources wisely was a matter of considerable concern.

Apart from these two important matters, the other cultivators still rarely get a break.

The Law Artifact need repair, the puppets need mending, and the talismans need drawing. There's plenty to do on Yangming Mountain; the whole mountain is bustling with activity.

Only in the clinic were there some leisurely people.

There is a limit to the number of spirit medicine available, and life itself has its limits. This principle may be crude and straightforward, but it is an indisputable fact.

Knowing which people cannot be left unsaved, which can be saved or not, and which should not be saved at all, and how to strike the right balance, is a lesson that these emerging young Alchemist in the Chongming Sect should learn.

Even if the spirit medicine were in short supply, there wouldn't be a shortage for Yuan Buwen, the head of the Xuanlin Yuan Household.

This seasoned Pill Master is currently lying on a Second Tier ice jade bed, with a foot-thick wound on his leg that runs from his ankle to the root of his thigh.

The newly formed flesh was constantly being torn apart by the residual ferocity from the wound, a truly horrifying sight. Only after Qi Ke applied the medicine did Yuan Buwen's grim expression soften slightly.

Despite Yuan Buwen's advanced age of nearly three hundred, since he began his cultivation, he has only experienced a few bloody battles like the one between the Double Brightness Alliance and the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall at Yangming Mountain, back when Shen Lingfeng recruited righteous followers and the Imperial Guard to fight against the Mountain Barbarians army in Cloud Horn Prefecture.

He is now considered one of the most outstanding figures below the Golden Core, yet there have been many times when his life hung by a thread. Even the injury on his thigh is unknown, as he doesn't know which opponent inflicted it, demonstrating just how dangerous the situation was.

This was extremely rare in Yuan Buwen's previous experiences. Even though several days had passed, he was still terrified when he recalled it.

The casualty log of the Xuanlin Yuan Household had been recorded by the younger members of the clan and placed on Yuan Buwen long ago. However, although the old man was heartbroken, he had no intention of reading it.

After all, the Yuan Household has no way back now. Even if all the Yuan Household members that Yuan Buwen brought to Yangming Mountain have died, he still needs to write home on his deathbed to continue recruiting members of the clan to fill the vacancies.

These past few days have been a rare opportunity for him to be alone. After Qi Ke, who administered the medicine, left the tent, Yuan Buwen, who was left alone inside, closed his eyes and began to meditate.

During the years that the Yuan Household Jingnan Yuan Household family to the Xuanlin Yuan Household, the Sect Leader Kang Da, who was somewhat related to Yuan Feng's death, also became friends with Yuan Buwen and formed an alliance.

Even because Kang Dabao obtained the Middle-Grade Golden Core, Yuan Buwen quickly abandoned his senior status and became a subordinate.

This might seem like a loss of face to some muddle-headed people, but Yuan Buwen found it quite enjoyable.

Even disregarding the connection with Yuan Xiyue, the Yuan family of Xuanlin Yuan Household has been living much better since they moved north than they did in Jingnan Prefecture.

Sect Leader Kang Da, was a generous man. Not only was he open to preaching and expounding the Dharma to the Yuan Household family members, but he was also happy to share in the great fortuitous opportunity with the sects under his jurisdiction.

In border regions like the Yuan Household, a distinguished clan with a rich heritage, once they obtain the true Dharma, the cultivation of their descendants progresses rapidly. Even disciples who break through to the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator using spiritual objects are emerging, truly a scene of flourishing prosperity.

The Yuan Household, who had Foundation Establishment for years, were still uneasy. However, after listening to several lectures, they became somewhat eager to try forming False Core. Yuan Buwen, a sentimental head of the family, was naturally overjoyed by this.

Compared to the good relationship with the Chongming Sect, the Yuan Household, despite operating under the Two Instruments Sect for so many years, also met a bad end.

In fact, Yuan Buwen not the only one who felt this way.

The Yue Household patriarch, Yue Lin, was forced to abandon his promising future of forming the True Elixir with Yuan Buwen because of the control exerted by the Two Instruments Sect, and thus became subject to their command.

Despite their formidable reputations among those who have reached the Golden Core Pill Master, the bitterness within their hearts is something outsiders can hardly comprehend.

However, unlike Yue Lin, who chose the wrong person, Yuan Xiyue, the eldest daughter of the clan who was not valued by Yuan Buwen in the past, had some connections with the Sect Leader Kang Da. Therefore, in Yuan Buwen's own view, it would only take some time for the Yuan Household to regain its glory.

Thinking of this, Yuan Buwen flicked his finger, and the curtain opened by itself without wind, landing on Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao, who were running around assisting a group of Alchemist.

To be honest, this place is indeed a good training ground. Although Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan may not have taken many lives on the battlefield, their air of being spoiled young masters has faded considerably.

Seeing this, Yuan Buwen was genuinely pleased, as improving one's temperament is certainly a good thing for cultivators of average talent like the two of them. Otherwise, even if they had the resources to prepare for Foundation Establishment, it would be nothing but a mirage.

However, whether Sect Leader Kang Da truly possesses the ability to confidently ensure the safety of the two illegitimate sons, or whether he genuinely doesn't care much about Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao, is a question that Yuan Buwen, the head of the family, should seriously consider.

Outsiders often say that those who sit on the throne in the Mystic Firmament Palace are all heartless and ruthless people. If emperors are like this, then those who become kings and nobles may very well be the same.

In Yuan Buwen's view, the presence or absence of Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao might not be very important to Kang Dabao, but it was not so important to his Xuanlin Yuan Household.

Therefore, even if the two of them achieve little in their cultivation in the future, they may find it difficult to live the "stable and wealthy" life envisioned by Sect Leader Kang Da.

With the current wealth accumulated by the Xuanlin Yuan Household, as long as Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao are not afraid of the dangers of Foundation Establishment, it would not be difficult for Yuan Buwen to produce one or two True Cultivators.

If this money can be used to ensure the wealth and prosperity of the Xuanlin Yuan Household for another sixty years, then it would be worthwhile.

Kang Changzhao was unaware that Yuan Buwen was thinking of his brothers; he was squatting in the corner of the Alchemy Chamber, pounding medicine, with fragments of Qingling grass splattering all over his face from the stone mortar.

He raised his hand and wiped it, the grass juice on his fingertips drawing a few green streaks on his cheeks. Having inherited his birth mother's features, he now looked less adorned, but more vibrant than when he was usually adorned with gold and jade.

Kang Changyan, standing nearby, held a medicine sieve. Small pieces of pills fell through the sieve, a few rolling to his feet, which he hurriedly picked up. These were the Rejuvenation Pill that had been ruined this morning. Qi Ke said that although they couldn't save lives, they could relieve pain, and at this time they were more valuable than Spirit Stone, so not a single one could be wasted.

"My two senior brothers, please hurry," Chen Zihang urged from outside the Alchemy Chamber. "More than a dozen more patients in the medical clinic are succumbing to the poison, all suffering from bone-corroding voodoo!"

Kang Changzhao was in a panic and stood up abruptly. His knee slammed into the hard stone mortar, which was as hard as refined steel. The bone, which had not been tempered by body training, made a crisp sound. Although he was in pain and grimaced, he still endured it without showing any sign of pain.

He grabbed a handful of charred medicinal dregs and poured them into the bottom of the Pill Furnace: "Third Brother, hand over that jar of First Tier yellow tiger bones."

Kang Changyan handed it over, and when his fingertips touched the back of his younger brother's hand, he found that his hand was covered with scabs, completely losing its previous slender and handsome appearance.

The two were busy with their own things when Yuan Buwen's tent flap was lifted by the wind again, and this time he saw Kang Dabao.

The Marquis of Martial Peace was standing at the edge of the clinic, toying with a high-grade Spirit Stone that he had pulled out of some Storage Bag, his gaze fixed on the brothers Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao.

Yuan Buwen could see clearly that at this moment, only a rare hint of approval appeared in the eyes of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

"What does Senior Yuan think of these two lads?"

Yuan Buwen's Divine Sense was no match for Kang Dabao's. As soon as the latter sensed the movement, he went straight into the tent and Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd against the tent pillar.

The Law Treasure that Sect Pill Master Sect Leader Kang Da had just acquired must have taken countless lives. The Sha Qi emanating from the tip of the halberd sent a chill down Yuan Buwen's spine, and the flesh and blood in his wounds began to writhe slowly.

The former's golden glint flashed briefly, which he keenly noticed. He then reversed the direction of the Law Treasure before Yuan Buwen responded, "It's certainly more presentable than before, but..."

The old man paused for a moment, then asked, "Is Marquis of Martial Peace really not afraid that something might happen to them?"

Kang Dabao smiled and took out a brocade box from his pocket. Inside were two jade pendants engraved with the characters "An" (peace) and "Ning" (tranquility): "These are items that I recently acquired from one of the hall masters of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall. They are strong enough to withstand a blow from False Core. Although I can't guarantee they'll be completely foolproof, they should at least stand the test of time."

He placed the jade pendant on Yuan Buwen and gestured for the latter to examine it before saying, "The blood from Yangming Mountain, if it can wash away the impurities from their bodies, is indeed more valuable than any spiritual object."

Looking at the two jade pendants, Yuan Buwen suddenly understood that Kang Dabao wasn't indifferent; he had hidden his concern in the midst of battle. This couldn't be described as ruthless; he simply hoped that future generations would have some ability to stand on their own two feet.

The Sect Leader Kang Da, was busy with many matters and did not stay long. The fact that he took the time to explain things to Yuan Buwen showed that he had not forgotten his original intentions, which was enough to satisfy Yuan Buwen greatly.

The rosy glow of the setting sun gradually slanted, and the fragrance of newly brewed medicine wafted from the Alchemy Chamber.

Qi Ke emerged carrying a batch of pills, his face smeared with ash, but his smile was bright, "It's done! This batch might save twenty!"

At the same time, the array masters cheered, the star map at the bottom of the lake lit up completely, and the light screen of the Xuanhuang Remnant Array rippled outside the mountain. Although it was not as powerful as it was at its peak, it still had three-tenths of its former might.

The whips of the deputy commanders of the Crimson Zhang Guard were finally put away for the time being. Although the spear formation of the righteous soldiers was still not very orderly, it had become more fierce, and the murderous Sha Qi the spear tips seemed to add color to the sunset.

This scene reassured Yuan Buwen, and this time, without hesitation, he reached for the book beside his pillow.

He wrote a letter to the Yuan Lineage, without mentioning any casualties or requesting aid. He only said, "Changzhao and Changyan have both made progress. Although Yangming Mountain is dangerous, it is a place where true gold is refined."

After finishing writing Yuan Buwen suddenly laughed, as if even his old bones had been warmed by the blood and fire of the mountain. Suddenly, he heard a long horn sound from the mountaintop, echoing in the blood-scented wind.

Yuan Buwen smiled again, thinking that tomorrow at sunset, the rosy glow of Yangming Mountain would be filled with the cold glint of spear tips.

Outside the tent, Kang Dabao was gazing at the light screen of the Xuanhuang Remnant Array.

The clear light of the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd blended with the light curtain, casting a long shadow on the ground, seemingly lessening its Sha Qi.

He knew that Preceptor Huang Mi's counterattack was not far off, but looking at the busy figures all over the mountain—the righteous soldiers practicing spears, the Alchemist masters repairing the array, the alchemists refining medicine, and the two illegitimate sons clumsily working in the Alchemy Chamber —he suddenly realized that Yangming Mountain was no longer a mountain protected by arrays.

This statement is somewhat naive and laughable, but the concept of human nature is by no means useless.

At this moment, the Mysterious Yellow Encircling Veins Formation on Yangming Mountain has not been restored, and there are very few spirit crossbows left. But those hands that have been tempered in blood, waists that have been hardened in pain, and eyes that have turned red before the Book of the Dead are more solid than any formation.

The last rays of sunlight fell on Kang Changzhao's mortar and pestle, and the yellow tiger bone fragments in the medicinal paste shimmered with tiny sparkles in the light, like a handful of stars scattered.

He straightened up, rubbed his sore arms, and happened to meet Kang Changyan's gaze. The two brothers suddenly smiled.

In the distance, the chanting of the warrior monks could be heard faintly, tinged with resentment.

But in the winds of Yangming Mountain, there were other sounds—the clash of spears and halberds, the boiling of Pill Furnace, the fluttering of battle flags, and the breathing of the young men, no longer timid. These sounds, mixed together, were more like a protective barrier for the mountain than any formation.