Chapter 754: Medicine of the Legends

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

Bang bang bang—Before their fists even collided, the exploding air created a huge ravine between them.

Crack—Ye Mo’s fist finally met the old man’s, and a searing pain shot through his hand. He knew his bones were shattered.

But Ye Mo knew the old man wasn't faring much better. His inner qi was strong, but it lacked the essence of dao cultivation. Age and a weakened body had taken their toll; the old man likely suffered a greater blow. Ye Mo sneered, took a Lotus Life Pill, and prepared for another attack.

“Wait,” the old man waved a hand. “I’m old, and I must concede. Continued fighting will cripple my hands.”

Ye Mo stopped and smiled. “So, I can burn this palace down without objection?”

The old man smiled bitterly. “I had no objection to your annihilation of the Tai Yi Sect, but I urge you to spare this palace. It doesn't belong to Tai Yi; it’s a heritage of the Magical Continent. It holds a glorious, albeit distant, past.”

He paused, then looked at Ye Mo. “You don’t cultivate ancient martial arts, do you? I believe you practice a truth cultivation method. In other words, you cultivate the supreme dao, making you countless times stronger than we ancient martial arts cultivators.”

Ye Mo was stunned. The old man’s earlier unconcern about the Tai Yi Sect’s destruction had been shocking, but these words were even more so.

“You know about truth cultivation?” Ye Mo asked instinctively.

Surprise and joy flickered in the old man’s eyes. “So, it’s true! You’re a truth cultivator, not an ancient martial arts cultivator. Wonderful! It’s been nearly 100 years since I last found a true truth cultivator.”

Seeing Ye Mo’s confusion, the old man said, “I am Li Cheng. If you’re willing, please join me for a chat at my home.”

“Sure,” Ye Mo readily agreed. He sensed no killing intent from Li Cheng, and even if there were, he wouldn’t care. Besides, he had much to ask Li Cheng.

Ye Mo didn't mention burning the palace again, and Li Cheng didn't bring it up. He understood Ye Mo's unspoken consideration and his decision to spare the palace.

Li Cheng lived in a peaceful valley behind the mountain at the rear of Tai Yi. The valley resembled a small farmer’s home, the air fresh and calming.

This was spirit chi! Ye Mo was astounded. He hadn't expected such superior spirit chi. He sent out his spirit sense and immediately detected a simple, albeit aging, spirit chi gathering formation, still somewhat effective.

“Please, have a seat,” Li Cheng indicated a stone stool.

Ye Mo sat, and Li Cheng went into another room, returning with two cups of milky white liquid. He offered one to Ye Mo.

Ye Mo took the cup and inhaled the aroma. His hands trembled. “Is this 10,000-year-old stalagmite marrow?”

Li Cheng sighed. “As I suspected, you know what it is.”

Ye Mo nearly wept. How could he not? This was invaluable in the cultivation realm—legendary!

A stalagmite marrow pill far surpassed a Lotus Life Pill, but it was rarely used for wound healing. Its primary use was in crafting the Five Essence Pill.

The Five Essence Pill’s value was unimaginable, even legendary on Luo Yue Continent. It could give birth to a spirit root! Only five herbs in the cultivation realm could achieve this.

Those already possessing a spirit root could upgrade it with their first Five Essence Pill.

This precious substance was being used as a common drink by this old man! Ye Mo was heartbroken.

Seeing Ye Mo’s stunned expression, Li Cheng went inside and carried out a five-liter bucket. “This is all the 10,000-year-old stalagmite marrow I have. I have no use for it; it’s yours.”

Ye Mo shakily accepted the bucket. This was the most extravagant gift of his two lifetimes.

“This is too precious,” Ye Mo reluctantly admitted. It truly was.

Li Cheng waved a hand. “It may be important to you, but to me, it’s merely a thirst quencher, at most improving my health. I’ve cultivated ancient martial arts for 120 years, and while my body weakens, it’s still sufficient; I have little need for it.”

Ye Mo, hearing this, accepted the gift. He took everything, including the cup, and placed it in his storage ring.

“Spatial ring. Such things actually exist,” Li Cheng was startled, though not completely overwhelmed.

Ye Mo then offered Li Cheng a Lotus Life Pill. “Li-Qianbei, this pill is not worth one ten-thousandth of the 10,000-year-old stalagmite marrow, but it cures all non-soul-related injuries. It’s yours.”

“Good, good, that is useful,” Li Cheng accepted it without hesitation.

Ye Mo asked, “Li-Qianbei, I’ve been here some time. Why do you know about truth cultivation when others don’t?”

Li Cheng sighed. “A hundred years ago, I was under thirty when I reached the Earth Level peak. One step from what they now call the Great Heaven stage, I could easily kill Great Heaven masters. This bred arrogance. Then came the Hidden Sects Tournament. I represented Tai Yi, defeating over ten Ice Lake and All Heaven Sect disciples, securing Tai Yi’s special-grade ranking. I became the sect’s youngest elder, the only one not yet at the Great Heaven stage.”

Ye Mo nodded. Reaching the Earth Level peak before thirty was indeed genius. No wonder he helped Tai Yi achieve its special-grade ranking.

But Li Cheng shook his head, a wistful tone entering his voice. “This place was originally the base of a small sect, but Tai Yi, after becoming a special-grade sect, took it over. I disliked abusing the weak, so I was unhappy. But after time in Tai Yi, I learned my victories over Ice Lake and All Heaven disciples were due to Tai Yi and Kun Qian’s foul play. Two of their genius disciples were sabotaged before the tournament. Tai Yi and Kun Qian also instigated internal conflict within Ice Lake and the All Heaven Sect. Ci Hang Jing Mosque was hard to meddle with internally, but Ice Lake’s internal conflict led to its demotion to a third-grade sect.”

Li Cheng then drank the remaining 10,000-year-old stalagmite marrow. Ye Mo’s heart ached, fearing Li Cheng would ask for more. He quickly produced several bottles of Maotai wine. “Qianbei, try some wine; it’s better than stalagmite marrow.”

“Hmm, Maotai. I drank this thirty years ago. Good, good!” Li Cheng took a bottle and effortlessly sliced off the top with his hand.

He poured a cup and said, “I was displeased with the sect’s machinations, so I reproached the sect leader and was imprisoned here.”

“Imprisoned here?” Ye Mo gestured at the beautiful paradise, thinking, ‘This is no prison, it’s a resort.’

Li Cheng smiled. “It became this way later. Initially, it was a dilapidated valley. Behind it was an extremely cold cave where I found the marrow. I found buckets of it, but I drank it all. This is what remains.”

Ye Mo’s jaw dropped.