Chapter 160: Profound Capital Yang Fire

As Yuan Shun finished speaking, silence fell over the Council Hall. Everyone present was well-acquainted with the Blood Sea.

For years, cultivators from the Profound Pill Sect had tirelessly studied the Blood God Sect. The Blood Sea held the same significance to the Blood God Sect as Profound Pill Peak did to the Profound Pill Sect—its importance could not be overstated.

Consequently, the cultivators present possessed an exceptionally deep understanding of the Blood Sea, perhaps even surpassing that of some members of the Blood God Sect itself.

The Blood Sea originated in the far northwestern reaches of the Jade Balance Realm, bordering the Northern Wilderness. From there, it flowed through the Western Desert, Great Qin, and finally reached the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom.

Strictly speaking, the segment of the Blood Sea guarded by the Blood God Sect represented merely its tail end. The headwaters and central stretches were managed and suppressed by forces outside Great Qian.

Yet even at this terminal section, the demonic creatures within the Blood Sea, though the weakest and fewest in number, still posed an immense danger, requiring the full might of a Golden Core Sect to contain them.

This Blood Sea was but a branch of the true Blood Sea of the Nether River Immortal Realm.

In theory, one could trace this branch upstream to its source in the far northwest of the Jade Balance Realm, then breach the boundary between realms to reach the Nether River Immortal Realm itself.

Legend had it that tens of thousands of years ago, a Transformation God Stage Great Power, nearing the end of their lifespan and lacking the strength to ascend to the Immortal Realm, attempted this perilous path.

However, after breaking through the barrier between the Jade Balance Realm and the Nether River Immortal Realm, the Soul Tablet they had left behind in their sect shattered within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. This signified that the Transformation God Stage Great Power had ventured upstream to the true Nether River, only to perish within moments.

The immense danger served as a stark warning to future generations, and since then, no Transformation God Stage Great Power had dared to repeat the attempt.

Han Yi, seated at the back of the assembly, felt a slight shift in his expression. While he understood the inherent dangers of the Blood Sea, his concerns ran deeper.

First, guarding the Blood Sea would undoubtedly hinder his cultivation progress. The environment there could never match the tranquility of the Profound Pill Sect, requiring constant vigilance and battles against Blood Sea Demonic Creatures. This would leave little time for true cultivation.

Second, though the Profound Pill Sect had won this battle, they had failed to completely annihilate the Blood God Sect and Heavenly Soul Sect. The sect's Golden Core cultivators had dwindled to just five, losing over half their original number, while Foundation Establishment Elders numbered only forty-odd, suffering even heavier losses.

If the Profound Pill Sect were to dispatch a portion, or even the majority, of its forces to guard the Blood Sea, those sent would undoubtedly face immense danger. The Blood Sea Demonic Creatures themselves posed little fear; the true threat lay in the remnants of the Blood God Sect and the Heavenly Soul Sect.

The Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators who had fled, along with those who had remained at the Sect's headquarters during the battle for annihilation, would undoubtedly scatter upon learning of the near-total destruction of their Sect's leadership.

This was precisely why Great Qin's Marquis of the Northern Garrison had urged the Profound Pill Sect to send forces to the Blood Sea—the Blood God Sect was now effectively defunct.

Among the fleeing cultivators, some would escape to distant lands, while others would lie low, waiting for opportunities to exact revenge by assassinating Profound Pill Sect cultivators.

Han Yi calculated that this possibility was extremely high.

Furthermore, with Yuan Shun confined to guarding the Profound Pill Sect and unable to leave, the cultivators sent to the Blood Sea might be sufficient against the demonic creatures, but they would be woefully inadequate against other cultivators. A single misstep could result in their complete annihilation.

For the remnants of the Blood God Sect and the Heavenly Soul Sect, now reduced to rogue cultivators with no allegiance, the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom's authority held no sway. They could commit any act within the kingdom and flee beyond its borders, disappearing into the vast sea of humanity beyond the Great Qian's reach.

In short, the Profound Pill Sect had won. However, venturing outside the Sect was now more dangerous than ever. Only by remaining within its protective boundaries, under Yuan Shun's guidance, could they rest assured, even with the Celestial Cycle Profound Astral Formation still unrepaired.

Han Yi had grasped these points, and the other Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators in the Council Hall had likely reached the same conclusions.

They weren't afraid to fight to the death for the Sect, but they had no desire to die meaninglessly outside its walls. Thus, after Yuan Shun finished speaking, the cultivators fell into silence.

This silence only deepened Yuan Shun's sense of helplessness.

Zhuge Wuyou, seated to the side, scanned the assembled cultivators and took the initiative to speak.

"For this mission to the Blood God Sect, Junior Brother Huo Ming and I will lead the expedition. In addition to us, we require fifteen more Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators."

"However, this deployment won't involve continuous garrisoning of the Blood Sea. We will operate on a rotation system."

"Each rotation will last ten years. After a decade, the Golden Core cultivators will reconvene to reassess the situation, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators will be rotated back to the Sect."

"Moreover, the fifteen Foundation Establishment Elders who volunteer will receive substantial Cultivation Resources from the Sect as compensation. I guarantee you will be satisfied."

"Any volunteers?"

"If no one volunteers, we'll follow the old tradition and let the Heavenly Secrets Diagram decide," Yuan Shun said.

The assembled Elders remained silent.

At that moment, Qin Wuxian, standing beside Yuan Shun, added, "This rotation system is only temporary. The ten-year term is just a provisional measure. Perhaps the Sect will issue new policies sooner than that, and you might all be able to return sooner than expected."

Han Yi's gaze flickered slightly, but his body remained steadfastly still.

Then, a voice rang out:

"I'll go."

Li Wenbin, the volatile Late Foundation Establishment cultivator from Zhurong Peak, was the first to rise and answer the call. True Person Huo Ming nodded in approval.

Next, four more cultivators stood up, volunteering to join the team. Han Yi recognized two of them: Gu Yu, seated nearby, whose unwavering loyalty to the Sect Han Yi deeply admired, and He Fengdi from White Tiger Peak. Han Yi wasn't surprised by either's decision.

Years ago, after You Wu's death, Han Yi had realized that He Fengdi's unwavering devotion to the Sect far surpassed his own.

Over the years, He Fengdi had risen to become an Elder of White Tiger Peak, leading countless campaigns. His aura had grown increasingly formidable, surpassing even Gu Yu's, and he was nearing the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

This Senior Brother, with whom Han Yi had once ventured into the Myriad Demon Mountain Range on a mission, now appeared to have forged a path more solid and far-reaching than any of their peers.

Apart from these five cultivators, no one else stood up.

Zhuge Wuyou observed this with an unchanging expression. With a gentle wave of his hand, a Magic Treasure materialized and floated above the crowd.

The treasure was an ethereal diagram of the Eight Trigrams. Minute characters, so small they resembled fly wings, shimmered on its surface, swirling and rearranging themselves into intricate patterns.

"This is the Heavenly Secrets Diagram, a mid-grade Magic Treasure purchased by the Sect from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, a Nascent Soul Sect in Qian Prefecture," Gu Yu whispered to Han Yi. "It's said to possess a limited ability to divine fortune and misfortune."

"Though its divination ability isn't strong, having some is better than none."

Hearing this, Han Yi's heart skipped a beat, and a sudden sense of foreboding washed over him.

However, the feeling didn't last long. Above the heads of everyone in the Council Hall, the Heavenly Secrets Diagram, its intricate patterns of tiny characters now fully formed, revealed its message.

Ten names. One for each person present in the hall.

Han Yi's eyes snapped into focus as he recognized the names. His head reeled, and he nearly leaped to his feet. The ominous premonition had materialized into reality: his own name was prominently listed first, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Damn it all!" Han Yi cursed inwardly, forcing a smile onto his face that looked more like a grimace.

"Haha, Junior Brother Han, did you see? You're coming with us too! Senior Brother is counting on you this time!" Gu Yu slapped Han Yi on the shoulder, oblivious to the strained smile, and burst into hearty laughter.

Yuan Shun, seated at the head of the Council Hall among the Supreme Elders, raised a slight eyebrow and glanced at Han Yi but remained silent.

He Fengdi, seated on the opposite side, also nodded politely to Han Yi.

Moments later, the council meeting concluded. Han Yi, about to leave with Gu Yu, suddenly stopped. Yuan Shun's Divine Sense had instructed him to remain behind.

As the others dispersed, only Yuan Shun and Han Yi were left in the Council Hall. Yuan Shun looked at Han Yi, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Over a decade ago, when Han Yi exposed the internal traitor within the Blood God Sect, Yuan Shun recognized him as a discreet, cautious cultivator who prioritized self-preservation above all else. After Han Yi's return from the Demon-Slaying expedition in the Myriad Stars Sea, Yuan Shun had even promised him four years of uninterrupted cultivation.

However, today's divination from the Heavenly Secrets Diagram had singled out Han Yi. Such heavenly secrets were unfathomable, and even Yuan Shun dared not interfere.

"To begin with, I must thank you on behalf of the Profound Pill Sect," Yuan Shun said. His opening words carried such weight that Han Yi couldn't help but take them seriously.

"Sect Leader, you honor me beyond measure! This disciple merely fulfilled his duty. It is the Sect that deserves gratitude for its nurturing."

Yuan Shun raised a hand, signaling Han Yi to listen. "Allow me to explain in detail."

"You've likely surmised by now that the Ninefold Soul Tower you cultivate is no ordinary inheritance."

"This is one of the Soul Hall's core inheritances, a supreme tradition that directly points to the Immortal Path."

"Sixty years ago, I obtained this inheritance by chance from Great Qin and brought it back to our Sect. Since then, only five individuals have attempted to cultivate it."

"Of those five, only Elder Qin and I managed to grasp its fundamentals. The other three Foundation Establishment Elders couldn't even begin. The Soul Tower within this inheritance only slightly enhances one's Divine Soul, and if they fail to condense the First Heaven within their Sea of Consciousness Space within a year, the tower vanishes without a trace."

"Furthermore, over the past sixty years, five Legendary Qi Refining cultivators from our Sect have obtained the inheritance and attempted to cultivate it, but they too failed to gain entry."

"Only you."

As Yuan Shun spoke, his gaze settled on Han Yi, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Han Yi, only you, as a Legendary Qi Refining cultivator, have managed to condense the First Heaven. I can only say, this is fortunate for the Profound Pill."

Han Yi frowned slightly. He understood Yuan Shun's words perfectly: the Ninefold Soul Tower's cultivation difficulty was immense, even gaining entry felt like crossing an insurmountable chasm. Yet this wasn't the crucial point.

Noticing Han Yi's confusion, Yuan Shun waved his hand.

"Don't be hasty. I'll tell you everything you want to know, but first, you must swear upon your Dao Heart not to reveal this to anyone. This matter is of immense significance, far beyond our personal concerns."

Han Yi's expression turned solemn, and he immediately swore the oath upon his Dao Heart. Only then did Yuan Shun continue.

"I've cultivated this inheritance for sixty years, reaching the peak of the Golden Core Realm and condensing the Triple Heaven. Yet, after the Triple Heaven, I've been unable to grasp the Fourth Heaven."

"The missing key became clear to me only when you broke through to Foundation Establishment and forged a First-Grade Immortal Foundation."

"The Ninefold Soul Tower isn't about building towers; it's about cultivating the Divine Soul. The true mark of mastery isn't how many Heavens you condense, but whether you possess the iron will to shatter your Divine Soul and merge it with the Soul Tower into a unified entity. Only then have you truly grasped the essence of this inheritance."

"Before that, though I had forcibly condensed the Triple Heaven, I had merely skimmed the surface. The foundational first step remained incomplete."

"Watching your breakthrough, I finally realized the crucial step I had overlooked."

"Only then did I realize that although I had condensed the Triple Heaven, those Triple Heaven Soul Towers were merely illusions, like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water."

"After returning to Profound Pill Peak, I used a Secret Art to shatter my Divine Soul, fusing the Soul Towers into a single entity. Only then was I able to condense the Fourth Heaven, allowing me to advance to the Nascent Soul stage."

"The intricacies of the Nascent Soul are something you will naturally understand once you reach that cultivation realm."

"Of course, my method was merely a shortcut. I suspect that without extraordinary Immortal Opportunity, condensing the Fourth Heaven would have been my limit. Though I reached the Nascent Soul stage, I remain trapped within its confines."

"But you are different. You condensed the First Heaven while still in the Qi Refining Realm—the orthodox path of this Inheritance. Barring unforeseen circumstances, you can cultivate all the way to the Transformation God Stage and attain the position of Dao Lord."

As Yuan Shun spoke, his gaze towards Han Yi shimmered with fervent light. Realizing he might have exaggerated too much and given Han Yi unrealistic expectations, he abruptly shifted his tone and said gravely:

"Of course, my mention of reaching Dao Lord is purely theoretical. Even the fastest Immortal Path would require at least a millennium."

"You must not become complacent or careless."

"As for your assignment to patrol the Blood Sea, that was decided by the Council Hall. The Heavenly Secrets Diagram publicly designated ten individuals, and even I couldn't object—it's Sect policy. However, with Elder Zhuge and Elder Huoming accompanying you, you should be safe."

"Moreover, this is a rare opportunity for cultivation experience. Now that you've reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, the methods of the Qi Refining Stage are no longer applicable. Slaying Blood Sea Demonic Creatures will swiftly enhance your combat prowess. It's hardly a miserable task."

Only Gu Yu knew about Han Yi's slayings of Mo Wen and Yu Ming outside Red Phoenix City. Gu Yu wasn't one for idle talk, and since no one inquired, he kept the matter to himself.

Thus, Yuan Shun remained unaware that Han Yi, newly ascended to the Foundation Establishment Stage, had single-handedly slain two Early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Mo Wen was already a top-tier cultivator among Early Foundation Establishment experts, while Yu Ming was an elite from the Heavenly Soul Sect. His soul techniques were so formidable that even Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could fall prey to him with a single misstep.

"Lastly, you've rendered great service this time. State any cultivation resources you require, and the Sect will spare no effort to provide them," Yuan Shun concluded with a solemn promise.

Han Yi pondered, an idea stirring in his mind. Since advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he realized his sword artifacts were no longer adequate.

The Green Ripple Sword was a special case. He had sensed something peculiar about it from Mo Wen's memories, but after thoroughly examining it last night, both visually and with his Divine Sense, he found nothing unusual. For now, he set it aside.

The Clear Spring Sword, obtained from the Myriad Stars Sea, was ultimately a gift for a Legendary Qi Refining cultivator. While quite formidable at that level, it struggled against Foundation Establishment cultivators. Against weaker Early Foundation Establishment opponents, like the elderly cultivator outside Red Phoenix City, it could still hold its own. But against a powerhouse like Mo Wen, who was exceptionally strong even among Early Foundation Establishment cultivators, its limitations became glaring. Moreover, after several battles, the sword was nearing irreparable damage.

As for the Blood Sword, acquired from Xue He, its quality was even lower than the Clear Spring Sword's. It had survived the skirmishes outside Red Phoenix City only because it was used as a hidden trump card, not as a primary offensive weapon. If relied upon for direct assaults, it would undoubtedly deteriorate even faster than the Clear Spring Sword.

Of Han Yi's three sword artifacts, only the Green Ripple Sword was usable, but its power amplification was limited. He desperately needed a stronger blade.

With this in mind, Han Yi voiced his request. Yuan Shun nodded thoughtfully, then his expression shifted as he retrieved a brocade box from his Cosmic Ring.

The black box, roughly a meter and a half long, suggested it contained a longsword. Han Yi's eyes lit up in anticipation.

This sword artifact, drawn from Yuan Shun's personal collection, was likely of exceptional quality. As a Peak Golden Core expert now advancing to Nascent Soul, Yuan Shun's hoard would undoubtedly be impressive.

However...

Han Yi's gaze sharpened as the box opened to reveal not a complete sword, but a broken one.

Yes, not a longsword, but a broken sword.

Only half the blade remained, both the hilt and the blade black. The tip had snapped off cleanly at an angle, leaving a smooth, sloping edge rather than a straight break.

"This sword is called the Blacklight Sword," Yuan Shun said, his tone turning solemn as he met Han Yi's eyes. His next words made Han Yi's heart skip a beat.

"In its original form, it was a Spirit Sword of Magic Treasure grade."

"During my travels through Great Qin, I encountered its master—a Golden Core Stage Sword Immortal from Sword Cliff. However, that Sword Immortal was slain in battle with another cultivator, and his Spirit Sword suffered the same fate: its tip was broken off, causing it to lose its spiritual essence."

"Even without its spiritual essence, the sword's material remains exceptional. Though no longer a Magic Treasure, it surpasses all other Top-Grade Magic Artifacts."

Yuan Shun closed the brocade box and tossed it to Han Yi, who caught it swiftly.

"If you were just an ordinary Early Foundation Establishment cultivator, I wouldn't entrust you with this broken sword. But you're different. You've cultivated the Ninefold Soul Tower, making your Divine Soul power stronger than that of most Mid Foundation Establishment cultivators. You're more than capable of wielding this blade."

Han Yi clutched the box, his eyes blazing with excitement. He knew firsthand the terrifying power of Magic Treasures. The Heavenly Soul Sect Leader's whip-like Magic Treasure, even with a severed fragment, had crushed a small Immortal Peak, causing it to sink three meters into the ground. That fragment's impact alone demonstrated the terrifying might of Magic Treasures.

Though the broken sword in the box was no longer a Magic Treasure, Han Yi was certain it could effortlessly cleave through any Top-Grade Magic Artifact it faced.

This was undoubtedly a trump card.

How could Han Yi not be overjoyed?

"Thank you, Sect Leader," Han Yi said, bowing in gratitude.

Yuan Shun nodded. "Very well, this broken sword is sufficient for your current needs."

"However, it's far from adequate compensation for your contributions."

He paused, falling silent for three breaths, before retrieving another item from his Cosmic Ring.

"How about this? I have a Third-Tier Spirit Talisman here called the Profound Capital Yang Fire Talisman."

"This talisman seals within it a Dao of extreme yang fire, capable of unleashing a strike equivalent to that of an Early Golden Core cultivator. During the Foundation Establishment Stage, virtually no one can withstand it. Consider this half the reward for your merits."

"If you require anything else, come find me directly at Profound Pill Peak. Now go."

Yuan Shun handed the talisman to Han Yi, who accepted it with growing delight.

The talisman was pure white, its front adorned with two intricate symbols Han Yi couldn't decipher. He speculated they might represent "Profound Capital" or "Yang Fire."

But such details paled in comparison to the talisman's significance: a Third-Tier Spirit Talisman, a far more potent life-saving measure than the Black Light Broken Sword.

While the broken sword merely enhanced his existing magic artifact, this Third-Tier Spirit Talisman represented an absolute surprise ten times greater in magnitude, surpassing all of Han Yi's current combat skills.

Moments later, Han Yi emerged from the Council Hall, his heart brimming with joy. The lingering dissatisfaction from being assigned by the Heavenly Secrets Diagram to guard the Blood Sea for the Blood God Sect in Taibai County had vanished without a trace.

A Half-Step Magic Treasure: the Black Light Broken Sword.

A Third-Tier Spirit Talisman: the Profound Capital Yang Fire Talisman.

And Yuan Shun's verbal promise.

All these were tangible benefits, enough to send Han Yi into a frenzy of elation.

He mounted his sword and soared into the sky, piercing through the Profound Pill Sect's protective mist. As he turned back, the mist still shrouded Profound Pill Peak, its mysteries as profound as ever. It felt as if he had punctured a thin membrane.

Instead of leaving, Han Yi hovered in mid-air, a series of questions flashing through his mind.

"The mist... sixty years... the Ninefold Soul Tower... Profound Pill Peak..."

"Even the Sect's Death Tribulation couldn't disperse this mist. The secrets it holds must be truly extraordinary."

"Ultimately, the Heavenly Soul Sect and Blood God Sect's attempts to destroy the Profound Pill Sect hinge on the secrets of Profound Pill Peak."

"What exactly happened sixty years ago? What did Yuan Shun obtain upon returning from Great Qin? Why was Profound Pill Peak sealed off then, and what secrets have been hidden within ever since?"

Suppressing these sudden doubts, Han Yi turned and soared away, not toward Azure Dragon Peak, but directly to Little Spirit Void Peak to find Zheng Hai. Zheng Hai's courtyard was eerily silent and empty. After inquiring with the new Peak Lord, Han Yi received no news of Zheng Hai's whereabouts, causing him growing concern.

However, searching for someone in the vast sea of humanity after descending the mountain was impractical, so Han Yi reluctantly abandoned the idea.

After a moment's thought, he returned to Azure Dragon Peak and entered Azure Dragon Palace.

That day, Azure Dragon Palace officially recognized him as an Elder, granting him all the associated privileges. They also assigned him a secluded meditation chamber in one of the former Elders' towers. Han Yi accepted without complaint and moved in.

The next day, Han Yi took some time to visit the Scripture Pavilion at Azure Dragon Palace and selected a spell: the Spirit Flame Art. He had initially considered choosing two spells, but ultimately decided against it, remembering the saying, "Greed leads to indigestion."

The Spirit Flame Art differed significantly from the Spirit Void Finger. While the latter was a single-target offensive spell, the former was a wide-area crowd control technique. When mastered to its peak, the Spirit Flame Art unleashed overwhelming power, scattering countless spirit flames that radiated a deathly glow, ensuring certain doom for anyone they touched.

Han Yi chose this technique specifically for his upcoming duty guarding the Blood Sea. The demonic creatures there were most vulnerable to spirit flames, and with their overwhelming numbers, a crowd control spell would be most effective. Furthermore, each slain demonic creature would directly contribute to mastering the Spirit Flame Art, making it a win-win situation.

On the third day, Han Yi followed his summons, emerging from his meditation chamber. He mounted his sword and soared to an Immortal Boat hovering above Azure Dragon Palace, where others were already arriving.

An hour later, Zhuge Wuyou and True Person Huo Ming led the expedition. Fifteen Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators and over a hundred Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators boarded the Immortal Boat, which then sped toward the Blood Sea.