59: Chapter 59 Surviving a Cliff Climb, Escaping the Wolf's Mouth

Climb that steep, slippery, moss- and vine-covered rock face!

The Rock-Armored Earth Dragon is huge and would find it extremely difficult to climb.

Although the Miasma Wolves can climb, they are inevitably restricted on steep surfaces, and being in a high position might offer room for maneuvering!

With this thought flashing through his mind, Lin Ye moved!

The moment the Miasma Wolf lunged with a low growl, he unleashed the power of the 'Mystic Jade Body' under his feet, kicking off the ground with force.

His body darted out like a nimble ape—not forward, but toward the nearly vertical rock face on his left!

His right hand's five fingers hooked into a rock crevice, his left hand grabbed a sturdy, hanging vine, and with strength from his waist and abdomen, he clung to the cliff like a gecko, climbing rapidly upward!

"Awoo—!"

The pack of Miasma Wolves seemed not to have expected their prey to suddenly climb the cliff.

They froze for a moment, then let out angry roars.

A few agile Miasma Wolves attempted to climb, but the rock face was slippery.

Although their claws were sharp, they were far less agile than Lin Ye.

After climbing less than two zhang, they slipped and fell, forced to circle beneath the cliff, looking up and letting out frustrated hisses.

Lin Ye dared not pause for even a second.

Enduring the tearing pain from his left shoulder wound caused by the exertion, he used both hands and feet to climb rapidly.

The cliff was over a hundred zhang high.

The higher he went, the thinner the mist became, but the cliff also grew steeper and slipperier, with loose rocks occasionally falling.

When he climbed to a height of about fifty zhang, the roars of the Miasma Wolves below were barely audible.

However, Lin Ye's heart tightened—at this height, the cliff was nearly vertical and covered in thick, slick moss, leaving almost nowhere to get a grip.

He looked down; the mist below was churning, bottomless.

He looked up; there was still nearly half the distance to go, and a huge, protruding rock ledge blocked his path.

Must go around, or... pass beneath the rock ledge?

He scanned with his eyes and discovered a very narrow crevice on the left side of the rock ledge, obscured by vines.

Perhaps it could lead to the other side of the cliff?

He carefully moved horizontally to the left.

Every inch of movement required digging his fingers deep into the rock crevices and finding tiny protrusions for his feet.

Sweat mixed with the moisture of the cliff, soaking his clothes.

Finally, he reached the edge of the crevice.

The crevice was only a foot wide, bottomless, pitch black inside, with cold wind blowing out.

Should he risk entering the crevice to find a way out? Or continue upward to challenge that smooth rock ledge?

Just then, from far below, came the heaven-shaking roar of the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon, along with the thunderous sound of Spells exploding.

It seemed the battle was not yet over and was moving in this direction!

No more hesitation!

Lin Ye gritted his teeth, pushed aside the dense vines at the crevice entrance, and squeezed in sideways.

The interior of the crevice was narrow and deep, only wide enough for one person to pass sideways.

The light was dim, and there was slippery gravel underfoot.

He took out the 'Water-Avoiding Pendant' he had obtained earlier at the Green Wave Pool residence; this object could emit a faint light, barely illuminating the path ahead.

He pressed against the cold rock wall and moved slowly inward.

The crevice twisted downward, seemingly leading deep into the mountain.

After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the space ahead suddenly opened up, and he arrived in a small, naturally formed cave.

The cave was about three or four zhang in circumference.

There was a crack in the ceiling letting in daylight, which, while not bright, was enough to see by.

The cave was dry, the floor was flat, and there was even some hay in the corner, suggesting a Yao Beast had once lived here, but there were no living creatures at the moment.

Temporarily safe.

Lin Ye let out a long breath, slid down to sit with his back against the rock wall, and gasped heavily.

The wound on his left shoulder tore open again, and blood seeped out.

He hurriedly took a Medicinal Pill to treat the wound.

After resting for about half an hour and recovering some strength, he began to examine the cave.

There was nothing special in the cave, only the pile of hay in the corner seemed suspicious.

He used a short stick (which he had picked up earlier) to push aside the hay.

There was nothing underneath, but some blurred writing was carved into the rock wall, seemingly carved by a predecessor using a Sharp Weapon:

"To avoid the calamity of the 'Earth Dragon', I fled into this crevice.

Severely injured and unable to move, my life is nearing its end.

I leave this cave to those who come after.

At the bottom of the cave is an undercurrent leading to the 'Underground Dark River'.

Follow the current downstream, and you may reach the other side of the 'Mist Valley'.

However, the undercurrent is turbulent and dangerous.

Be cautious.

— Last words of the Loose Cultivator, Wu Ming."

Underground Dark River?

Leading to the other side of the Mist Valley?

Lin Ye's spirits lifted.

This might be a way to survive!

He immediately went to the bottom of the cave and indeed discovered an inconspicuous cave entrance, half-covered by gravel, with the faint sound of water coming from within.

Moving the gravel aside, a small hole only large enough for one person to crawl through was revealed.

Inside was pitch black, with cold wind whistling and the sound of rushing water.

There was no other choice.

Lin Ye took a deep breath, bent down, and crawled in.

Behind the entrance was a steep, downward slide.

At the end of the slide, the sound of water was deafening.

Unable to control his body, he slid down rapidly and finally, with a 'splash', fell into an icy, turbulent underground dark river!

The dark river was wide, and the current was turbulent, sweeping him away instantly.

Lin Ye struggled to stabilize his body to avoid hitting the reefs in the river.

The sides of the dark river were smooth rock walls with no place to stand, so he could only drift with the current.

After drifting for an unknown amount of time, light appeared ahead in the dark river, and the current became calmer.

He surfaced and discovered he had arrived in a huge underground karst cave.

One end of the karst cave was the entrance to the dark river, and the other end was an open exit filled with stalactites, with bright daylight outside and the sounds of birds and flowers.

Swimming out of the karst cave, before him was an unfamiliar valley.

The valley was lush with flowers and grass, rich in Spiritual Qi, completely different from the gloomy, deathly silence of the Mist Valley.

This must be the other side of the Mist Valley.

Lin Ye climbed ashore, wrung out his clothes, determined the direction (according to the sun), and walked toward the outside of the valley.

Two days later, he walked out of the range of the Mist Mountains and stepped onto the official road returning to Tianyong City.

Three days later, a dusty Lin Ye, his injuries not yet healed but his aura calm and steady, finally returned to Tianyong City and returned to the Hundred Herbs Hall.

In the back hall of the Hundred Herbs Hall, Alchemist Hu's quiet room.

"Master, this Disciple has returned." Lin Ye bowed, his face showing exhaustion and shame.

Alchemist Hu looked at Lin Ye's pale but determined face and the wounds on his body that had not yet fully healed.

He sighed and gestured for him to sit down: "It is good that you have returned.

Elder Chen returned severely injured, the Wanbao Tower and Divine Weapon Pavilion lost several people, and only the two of you returned among the apprentices.

It is already not easy for you to have survived.

Tell me the details."

Lin Ye omitted the details of climbing the cliff, the crevice, and the dark river, only saying that after being separated by the Rock-Armored Earth Dragon, relying on his familiarity with the terrain and knowledge of medicinal properties, he used some beast-repelling herbs to luckily escape the Yao Beast's pursuit.

He hid in the mountains for several days and only found his way back after the Earth Dragon had left.

After listening, Alchemist Hu nodded without digging deeper: "The failure of this mission is not your fault.

That you could remain calm in the face of danger and use what you have learned to escape shows your Heart-Nature.

It is just a pity about that 'Jade Marrow Ganoderma'..."

"This Disciple is incompetent." Lin Ye lowered his head.

"Enough.

Go and rest well.

Although this mission was not successful, your performance in the face of danger was acceptable, and your contribution points will be issued as usual.

When your injuries are healed, come find me again." Alchemist Hu waved his hand.

"Thank you, Master!" Lin Ye bowed again and retreated.

Returning to the apprentice's quarters, Lin Ye took a Medicinal Pill and began to seclude himself to heal.

This trip to the Mist Valley, although extremely dangerous, gave him a clearer understanding of his own strength and situation.

With his cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage 5, he was far too low in this crisis-ridden world of cultivation.

He must improve his strength as soon as possible!

After his injuries healed, Lin Ye became even more diligent.

During the day, he completed his apprentice tasks and studied the Dao of Alchemy; at night, he bitterly cultivated the 'Ice Soul Sword Art' and 'Mystic Jade Body', and attempted to fuse his insights on ice and fire to deduce the incomplete 'Starfall Ice Soul Sword'.

With the stable supply of resources from the Hundred Herbs Hall and his own efforts, his cultivation improved steadily, and his Alchemy skills became increasingly proficient.

He was already able to stably refine several types of first-tier Medium Grade Medicinal Pills, and occasionally he could even refine High Grade ones, ranking him among the best of the apprentices.

Alchemist Hu valued him more and more and began to teach him some deeper knowledge of the Dao of Alchemy and unique techniques.

This day, Alchemist Hu summoned Lin Ye to the Alchemy room, his expression serious.

"Lin Han, do you know that the preliminary selection for the 'Immortal Ascension Assembly' will begin in one month?" Alchemist Hu asked.

"This Disciple is aware." Lin Ye nodded; he had been paying attention to this matter.

"With your current cultivation (Late Stage of Qi Refining Stage 5) and your talent in Alchemy, you have a good chance of passing the preliminary selection and joining the outer Sect of the Lingyun Sword Sect." Alchemist Hu said slowly,

"However, our Hundred Herbs Hall also has the responsibility of nurturing Disciples.

The Hall Master has ordered that this time, any apprentice in our hall who can successfully refine the 'Pseudo Jade Marrow Pill', a substitute medicine for the 'Jade Marrow Ganoderma' which is one of the three main ingredients of the foundation establishment pill, before the preliminary selection, can directly obtain a recommendation quota for an Inner Sect Disciple without needing to participate in the preliminary selection, and will be focused on by the hall."

Pseudo Jade Marrow Pill?

Lin Ye's heart stirred.

He knew of this pill; it was a first-tier High Grade Medicinal Pill that was extremely close to a second-tier pill.

It was extremely difficult to refine, and although its medicinal effect was far inferior to the real Jade Marrow Ganoderma, it could barely be used as a substitute in the formula for the foundation establishment pill, and it was of great value.

Anyone who could refine this pill could be said to have exceptional talent in the Dao of Alchemy.

"The jade marrow ganoderma is hard to find, but the hall's warehouse still has reserves of the main ingredients for the pseudo jade marrow pill. The Hall Master is willing to provide three sets of Materials for aspiring apprentices to attempt. If you succeed, you will ascend to the heavens in a single step; if you fail, you must compensate for the loss of Materials with contribution points or Spirit Stones." Alchemist Hu looked at Lin Ye, "Are you willing to try?"

An Opportunity! A massive Opportunity!

If he could refine the pseudo jade marrow pill, not only would he gain a higher status and more resources in Hundred Herbs Hall, but he would also directly obtain a spot as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sect, saving himself from the many twists, turns, and risks of the preliminary selection and trials.

But the risk was also immense. The three sets of Materials were worth a significant amount; if he failed, his meager savings would likely be wiped out, and he would disappoint his Master, who valued him.

To gamble, or not to gamble?

Lin Ye pondered for a moment, then raised his head, his gaze firm: "This Disciple is willing to try! Please, Master, grant me this chance!"

"Good! You have courage!" Alchemist Hu clapped his hands and smiled, taking out a Storage Pouch and a Jade Slip. "The Materials and the Pill Formula are here. You have ten days to prepare. In ten days, you will open the furnace and refine it here in public. The Hall Master and several Elders will personally observe."

"Yes!" Lin Ye accepted them with both hands, feeling as if they weighed a thousand jin.

Over the next ten days, Lin Ye entered a near-manic state.

He repeatedly studied the Pill Formula and refining key points in the Jade Slip, simulating the process countless times in his mind. He also consulted Alchemist Hu about all the difficulties he might encounter. He even used his apprentice permissions to review all the Alchemy insights in the hall regarding similar Medicinal Pills.

He discovered that the key to refining the pseudo jade marrow pill lay in the precise grasp of the medicinal properties of several main ingredients and the control of the timing of their Fusion, especially an auxiliary ingredient called "geocentric fire lotus," which was fierce and volatile. A slight carelessness would trigger an energy imbalance within the Pill Furnace, leading to an explosion.

And his insight into "ice and fire complementing each other," as well as his fine and meticulous control over Spiritual Qi, might perhaps play an unexpected role in this regard.

Ten days later, in the core Pill Furnace room of Hundred Herbs Hall.

In the center of the room, a high-quality High Grade Pill Furnace had already been preheated. Sitting around it were the Hall Master, three Elders, and Alchemist Hu, the atmosphere solemn. Many formal alchemists and apprentices who had heard the news also gathered outside the door, whispering.

Lin Ye took a deep breath, walked to the Pill Furnace, bowed to the Hall Master and the Elders, and then began.

Lighting the fire, warming the furnace, adding the ingredients...

Every step, he strove for perfection, his mind completely immersed within the Pill Furnace. A pale blue, watery flame stably and gently enveloped the Pill Furnace.

The moment the geocentric fire lotus was added, the energy inside the Pill Furnace suddenly became violent. Lin Ye's gaze narrowed; he immediately turned the flame to extreme softness and yin, while simultaneously splitting off a wisp of icy Spiritual Qi, like the most dexterous fingers, to gently smooth out the restless fire Qi of the geocentric fire lotus, guiding it to fuse with the other medicinal liquids.

Ice and fire, under his exquisite control, did not conflict but instead formed a subtle balance and mutual promotion.

Time passed bit by bit; the medicinal fragrance inside the room grew thicker and thicker, gradually transforming into a strange, refreshing fragrance that was soothing to the heart.

The Hall Master and several Elders all showed expressions of surprise and anticipation in their eyes.

Finally, it was the critical moment for pill condensation!

Sweat appeared on Lin Ye's forehead, but his eyes remained calm. Following the description in the Pill Formula, he cast a series of pill condensation techniques, while infusing his own insights into "vitality" and "harmony" into his Spiritual Qi.

The Pill Furnace vibrated violently, and the lid buzzed.

Success or failure, it all depends on this one moment!

A sharp light flashed in Lin Ye's eyes, and he shouted in a low voice: "Condense!"

Hum—!

The Pill Furnace jolted fiercely, and the lid shot into the sky!

A medicinal fragrance so rich it could not be dissipated instantly filled the entire room!

At the bottom of the furnace, three Medicinal Pills the size of dragon eyes, pale gold throughout, with cloud patterns flowing on their surfaces, lay quietly, emitting a soft yet powerful fluctuation of Spiritual Qi.

The pseudo jade marrow pill, success! And three pills in one batch, all of High Grade quality!

"Good! Good! Good!" The Hall Master stood up abruptly, saying the word 'good' three times, his face full of excitement. "Three pills in one batch, all High Grade! Such a yield rate and quality, even some veteran first-tier alchemists might not be able to achieve! Lin Han, you truly did not disappoint this old man!"

Alchemist Hu also stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of gratification.

Waves of exclamations and envious whispers came from outside the door.

Lin Ye let out a long breath, feeling completely drained, but his heart was filled with joy and ambition.

This step, he had won the gamble!

"Effective immediately, Lin Han is promoted to a formal first-tier alchemist of our Hundred Herbs Hall, enjoying the treatment of an alchemist. And I specially recommend him to participate in the Lingyun Sword Sect Inner Sect Disciple assessment in one month!" The Hall Master announced loudly.

"Thank you, Hall Master! Thank you, Master! Thank you, Elders!" Lin Ye bowed and saluted.

From this day on, he was no longer an unknown Loose Cultivator or apprentice, but a formal alchemist of Hundred Herbs Hall and a prospective Inner Sect Disciple of the Lingyun Sword Sect!

A new world had already unfolded before his eyes.

After being promoted to an alchemist and receiving the Inner Sect recommendation, Lin Ye's status in Hundred Herbs Hall rose with the tide. He was allocated an independent pill room and a small courtyard, with a generous monthly stipend and priority access to resources.

Using his alchemist permissions, he reviewed more Dao of Alchemy classics and Cultivation Technique Materials, further advancing his deduction of the Ice Soul Sword Art and the Starfall Ice Soul Sword. His cultivation also successfully broke through to Qi Refining Stage 6.

What surprised him even more was that while organizing some Alchemy insights privately gifted to him by Alchemist Hu, he discovered it mentioned a second-tier Low Grade Medicinal Pill called the "Ice Heart Flame Spirit Pill." This pill required mystic yin true water and geocentric fire essence as the main ingredients, supplemented by various precious auxiliary ingredients. Once refined, the pill possessed both ice and fire attributes, could harmonize exotic energies within the body, nourish Meridians, had miraculous effects on breaking through small Bottlenecks, and could even slightly improve affinity for ice and fire attribute Spiritual Qi!

Wasn't this the exact Medicinal Pill tailor-made for him?!

He still had a trace of mystic yin true water in his bone ring. As for geocentric fire essence, he happened to have a piece! Although the other auxiliary ingredients were precious, with his current status as an alchemist and his savings, he could slowly gather them.

If he could refine this pill, not only would it completely resolve the hidden dangers in his body, but it would also allow his cultivation to advance further, and even lay a more solid Foundation for Foundation Establishment!

However, the Ice Heart Flame Spirit Pill was a second-tier Medicinal Pill, and its refining difficulty far exceeded that of the pseudo jade marrow pill. With his cultivation and experience as a first-tier alchemist, attempting to refine it would result in an extremely low success rate and immense risk.

Should he play it safe, continue to accumulate, and wait until his cultivation and Dao of Alchemy improved before trying?

Or should he take a risk, take advantage of the fact that he had all the Materials on hand and still had time to prepare for the Inner Sect assessment, and try to challenge the second-tier Dao of Alchemy and refine the Ice Heart Flame Spirit Pill?

Just as Lin Ye was weighing his options.

On this day, while he was in the pill room studying the Pill Formula, a steward suddenly came to report that the Hall Master requested his presence.

Arriving at the Hall Master's quiet room, besides the Hall Master and Alchemist Hu, there was an unfamiliar Elder. The Elder was dressed in the Inner Sect attire of the Lingyun Sword Sect, his aura as deep as the sea; he was impressively a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator!

"Lin Han, this is Elder Liu from the Danxia Peak of the Lingyun Sword Sect." The Hall Master introduced.

"Junior Lin Han greets Elder Liu." Lin Ye's heart tightened, and he hurriedly saluted.

Elder Liu's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over Lin Ye, lingering especially on his hands and eyes for a moment, before nodding slightly: "Not bad, the Foundation is solid, the Spiritual Qi is pure, and the eyes are clear; he is a good seed for Alchemy. I heard that with your Qi Refining Stage 6 cultivation, you successfully refined a High Grade pseudo jade marrow pill?"

"Junior was just lucky." Lin Ye said modestly.

"Luck is also strength." Elder Liu said indifferently, "My Danxia Peak is currently lacking a medicine boy to be responsible for tending to several important medicinal gardens and doing some miscellaneous tasks to assist in Alchemy. Although it is a medicine boy position, you can audit Inner Sect Dao of Alchemy courses, and those who perform excellently have the Opportunity to become a Named Disciple. Are you willing to return to the Sect with me?"

A medicine boy? It seemed like a low status, but being able to enter the Inner Sect of the Lingyun Sword Sect, access more profound Dao of Alchemy, and solve his identity problem was exactly what Lin Ye needed at the moment.

"This Disciple is willing!" Lin Ye did not hesitate.

"Good. In three days, we depart." After Elder Liu finished speaking, he closed his eyes to rest.

The Hall Master and Alchemist Hu gave Lin Ye some parting advice, nothing more than to work diligently and seize the Opportunity, and so on.

Three days later, Lin Ye bid farewell to Alchemist Hu and the people of Hundred Herbs Hall. Following Elder Liu, he boarded the Lingyun Sword Sect's flying Magical Artifact, left Tianyong City, and flew towards the direction of the Lingyun Sword Sect's mountain gate.

Standing at the edge of the flying Magical Artifact, looking down at the mountains and rivers flashing past beneath his feet, Lin Ye felt a myriad of emotions in his heart.

From a servant at the Qingyun Sect, to a Loose Cultivator in the North Ming, then to an alchemist at Hundred Herbs Hall, and now about to step into the Inner Sect of the Lingyun Sword Sect... The journey had been fraught with crises, but also filled with constant Opportunities.

A new journey was about to begin.

What kind of world would the Lingyun Sword Sect and Danxia Peak be?

Flying for several days, amidst the mist-shrouded mountains ahead, a majestic group of palaces appeared, with Sword Qi piercing the sky and Spiritual Qi forming clouds.

The Lingyun Sword Sect had arrived.