587: Chapter 587 Fighting for the Elixir of Immortality

[After flying for three days, you stand on the deck, gazing at the endless sea of clouds.]

[Qin Han, on your shoulder, suddenly speaks: "Daddy, this broken boat is so slow."]

[Xuantian, inside your body, interjects: "Clumsy, you don't understand; Master is being cautious."]

["Daddy, you're already so strong, why are you still being cautious?" Qin Han says with a serious face. "If you ask me, we should just charge straight into the Heavenly Palace."]

["Clumsy, you've certainly got an imagination," Xuantian's voice carries a hint of nervousness. "Do you know what that Divine Beast in the Heavenly Palace is? You wouldn't even be enough for one mouthful."]

["Have you seen it?" you ask.]

["I haven't. It's said to look like a fierce tiger with wings on its back, its whole body crimson like blood, and possessing a monstrous, murderous aura. Once swallowed into its stomach, even a Mahayana Cultivator cannot escape." Xuantian's voice lowers slightly.]

[Qin Han shrugs, completely indifferent: "Fine. When I get stronger, Daddy, I'll help you eat it."]

["Clumsy, you're a Divine Beast too, right? Haven't you ever awakened any memories?" Xuantian asks.]

["I don't know," Qin Han says, blinking his eyes.]

[You chuckle and interject: "He's still small. Once he reaches the Mahayana stage, he'll likely awaken some of his memories."]

["Alright."]

["Xuantian, you're an Innate Spirit Treasure; do you still remember the place of your birth?" you continue to ask.]

["Of course I remember."]

["Where?"]

["The center of the Chaos Sea. There was a mass of light there, and I slowly woke up within it."]

["The Chaos Sea? Then how did you leave?"]

["It's been too long..." Xuantian's voice trails off. "I only remember waking up in the Chaos Sea, then falling back into a slumber for an unknown amount of time. I can't remember what happened after that."]

[You nod and ask no further questions.]

[For the artifact spirit of an Innate Spirit Treasure, slumbering is a common occurrence—for instance, the artifact spirit of the chaos cloak is still asleep to this day.]

[Time passes imperceptibly.]

[Three days later, you arrive at a cliff and look down upon the valley below.]

[The valley is not large. In the center, an immortal medicine is emitting a seven-colored spiritual light, its medicinal fragrance assailing the nostrils.]

[This immortal medicine is about two hours away from maturity.]

[Two groups of people stand in two rows, at each other's throats.]

[On the left, a bald monk has his palms pressed together, chanting something under his breath as if reciting sutras. Beside him, Gu Lingshuang stands with her hands on her hips, flicking a whip, her face full of impatience.]

[On the right, Tang Zhan stands with his sword drawn, his white robes fluttering, looking awe-inspiringly righteous. Chu Yiyi stands by his side, hands folded in front of her, head slightly bowed with an innocent expression.]

["Jingkong, are you done chanting yet?" Gu Lingshuang cracks her whip near the monk's feet, sending dust flying. "It's like this every time we go out. Are you here to recite sutras or to snatch the medicine?"]

[Jingkong opens his eyes and turns his head with a grin: "Don't be in such a hurry, Young Miss Gu. This poor monk was just praying for you. Praying that you'll win from the very start and achieve instant success, and while I'm at it, praying for those two opposite us..."]

["Praying for what?" Gu Lingshuang glares at him.]

["Praying that they'll see reason sooner and withdraw of their own accord," Jingkong says solemnly.]

[Gu Lingshuang rolls her eyes, not bothering with him, and turns to the opposite side: "Tang Zhan, what are you two just standing there for? Waiting for this Young Miss to treat you to dinner?"]

[Tang Zhan points his sword tip forward, righteous and stern: "Gu Lingshuang, stop with the Yin and Yang sarcasm here. I saw this immortal medicine first. If you know what's good for you, leave now."]

["You saw it first?" Gu Lingshuang sneers. "Are your eyes on the back of your head? Clearly, it was this Young Miss who arrived first."]

[Chu Yiyi gently tugs on Tang Zhan's sleeve, her voice as soft as a spring breeze: "Young Master Tang, don't argue with Sister... We're all here for the medicine, why ruin the harmony?"]

[She looks at Gu Lingshuang and smiles slightly, "Sister Lingshuang, this immortal medicine is truly important to Young Master Tang. His elder is heavily injured and desperately needs this medicine to save their life. Could Sister..."]

["Stop right there!" Gu Lingshuang cracks her whip against the ground. "Who's your sister? Stop acting. You said the exact same thing last time at Sunset Mountain, and in the end, you took the medicine and let Tang Zhan take a blade for you."]

[Chu Yiyi's eyes redden slightly as she lowers her head, her voice tinged with grievance: "Sister... how can you say that about me... that time was an accident..."]

["An accident?" Gu Lingshuang sneers. "When is it ever not an accident with you?"]

[Tang Zhan immediately flares up, glaring at Gu Lingshuang: "Gu Lingshuang, don't go too far! I know what kind of person Yiyi is better than you do! If you dare slander her again..."]

["You know jack shit!" Gu Lingshuang interrupts him rudely. "Tang Zhan, you'll be ruined in this life by your soft heart; you're the type to help someone count the money after they've sold you out."]

["Exactly, exactly," Jingkong nods repeatedly from the side, but after Gu Lingshuang lashes her whip at him, he quickly changes his tune, "Amitabha, this poor monk meant to say... Benefactor Tang's benevolence is a good thing, a good thing..."]

[Chu Yiyi lowers her head, a faint, imperceptible smile curling the corners of her mouth.]

[She leans close to Tang Zhan's ear and whispers: "Young Master, Senior Brother Jingkong's cultivation is not low. How about... we feign weakness first and strike when the immortal medicine matures?"]

["No!" Tang Zhan's voice is loud and clear. "I, Tang Zhan, act openly and uprightly. How can I stoop to such petty tricks? If we must fight, then let us fight!"]

[Chu Yiyi sighs, a flash of helplessness in her eyes, yet her voice grows even softer: "Young Master... I will listen to you."]

[Watching this scene, Gu Lingshuang can't help but shake her head, whispering to Jingkong: "See that? That woman is feeding him her bewitching soup again."]

[Jingkong scratches his bald head and murmurs: "Young Miss Gu, how about we withdraw first? This murky water..."]

["Withdraw? For what?" Gu Lingshuang lashes her whip across his back. "Any more nonsense and this Young Miss will deal with you first!"]

[Jingkong shrinks his neck and presses his palms together, chanting under his breath: "Amitabha, what sin did this poor monk commit to be stuck with such a Young Miss..."]

[Standing on the cliff and watching the farce below, you can't help but shake your head.]

[It seems these four all come from the same place and know each other inside out; their bickering is all over old scores.]

[Unfortunately, the immortal medicine is still two hours away from maturity.]

[You only hope that within these two hours, no one else comes to disrupt the situation.]

[Fortunately, as time ticks by, no one else arrives.]

[When only fifteen minutes remain, you stop concealing yourself, put away the void-breaking boat, and slowly descend.]

[The four of them look at you in unison, and the air seems to freeze for a moment.]

["Another one." Gu Lingshuang flicks her whip and looks you up and down. "Monk, ask him what his background is."]

[Jingkong presses his palms together and looks at you with a grin: "Greetings, Benefactor. May I ask where you come from, where you are going, and for what purpose you have come here?"]

[You glance at him and say flatly: "I've come for the medicine."]

[The smile on Jingkong's face freezes for a moment; he turns to Gu Lingshuang and shrugs.]

[Gu Lingshuang rolls her eyes and ignores him.]

[Tang Zhan slightly turns the tip of his sword toward you, righteous and stern: "Fellow Daoist, everything has an order of arrival..."]

["Order of arrival?" You smile. "Which of you arrived first? You haven't even settled that among yourselves, so who are you to talk about the order of arrival?"]

[Tang Zhan's face stiffens.]

[Chu Yiyi gently pulls on his sleeve, but her gaze lands on you as she speaks softly: "Young Master, we are all here seeking the medicine, why ruin the harmony? Why don't we wait until the medicine matures and then discuss how to distribute it?"]

["Distribute?" You look at her and laugh. "Five people sharing one plant—is there even enough to go around?"]