“But that’s what the pill recipe says!” Tian Yi instinctively retorted

　　“The recipe only says that Thousand Leaves Spirit Flowers are required for Demon-Breaking Pills, but it doesn’t say that other spirit herbs are not able to produce the same pill,” Lonemoon replied firmly. “What’s more, aren’t the inheritance and all of these recipes created by the ancestors? If even those ancestors could think about it, why is Brother Tian Yi – a tenth-stage alchemist – confining yourself to their thoughts?”

　　Tian Yi stared blankly at Lonemoon. He was at a loss for words. It was almost as if he had never thought about things this way before. There was shock in his eyes, then confusion, realisation, and excitement. Finally, he looked eager to try new things. That’s right! Why hadn’t he thought about it this way before? The pill recipe was created by another cultivator as well. If others could come up with this, why couldn’t he? If he didn’t have the Thousand Leaves Spirit Flower, he could always look for other methods of doing things. For all he knew, he would be able to come up with a new recipe for the Demon-Breaking Pill.

　　Tian Yi jumped to his feet, as if he had finally figured something out. The spirit Qi in his body was stirring in his excitement. He eagerly said, “Thank you for this reminder, Brother Lonemoon. I have to make a move first.” With that, Tian Yi turned and began his journey back down the mountain..

　　The moment he left the pavilion, something came up in his mind. H turned back around and retrieved several bottles of pills from inside his robes. “That’s right – I nearly forgot to tend to proper matters. These are pills that I refined for Brother Lonemoon.Please hold on to them. If these aren’t enough for you, feel free to come up and look for me,” he said warily. He recalled something else, and shot Lonemoon a complicated glance.

　　Lonemoon stared blankly back at Tian Yi before taking a closer look at the pills in his hands. “Gold-Gathering Pills?” Aren’t these supposed to be used when one is forming his core? Why would he hand these to Lonemoon!

　　“Although Zuo Shuming is ahead of you by one stop, in my eyes, you are better than every last one of them. One day, you will surpass that brat for sure!” With that, Tian Yi held up his fist encouragingly, then turned to fly down the mountain..

　　Lonemoon, who had a ton of pills in his hands now: “…”

　　So… He was afraid that Lonemoon would fall behind Zuo Shuming in forming his core? Was that why Tian Yi handed him all these pills?

　　What the hell? !

　　(⊙_⊙)

　　———————

　　Zuo Shuming was finally done with forming his core. What’s more, because of what Shu Yi said to him, he was seeing his sword technique clearly for the first time. He began showing signs of developing sword intent. Even the sword Qi around his body was thickening.

　　His training was progressing at a shocking rate. In the beginning, when he first joined Gui Yi Sect, he was only at the seventh stage of Qi Refinement. What’s more, he only had a slightly below average Triple Spirit Root. In just a few years, he was forming a core. Not even people with the celestial spirit root would be able to achieve this pace. Thus, Yu Luan came to visit them and expressed his wish for Yi Qing to accept more disciples once again, in order to raise Gui Yi Sect’s standards.

　　Lonemoon already knew this was going to happen. Thus, he told Yi Qing to agree immediately. In any case, Lonemoon was already done with setting up the sword array. There was no difference between throwing one disciple in and throwing a group of them in. They would leave the choosing of disciples to Yu Luan.

　　In any case, Nameless Mountain was big enough. Lonemoon thought about Chef’s unreliable character. He wanted to prevent the disciples from coming in and catching him hanging around in the kitchen all day. Thus, Lonemoon set up an array to split Nameless Mountain into two portions. The few of them would remain at the peak of the mountain. The base of the mountain would be set aside for the disciples. They were free to build their houses wherever they wanted to.

　　As for teaching, Lonemoon was prepared to leave everything to Zuo Shuming. Zuo Shuming would be instructed to teach the disciples in the same way that Lonemoon had taught him in the beginning. If they failed to learn, Zuo Shuming was free to throw them into the sword array to be tortured.

　　The Sect Masters and various Mountain Masters were satisfied with Yi Qing’s decision. All except… Tian Yi! He was mainly concerned about the spirit herbs. There were many spirit herbs all over Nameless Mountain after all!

　　If those disciples were allowed to enter Nameless Mountain, the spirit herbs would suffer. Lonemoon and the others were not too concerned about this, but Tian Yi’s heart was bleeding for the spirit herbs. He had put off this matter of selecting disciples for several months so that he could bring his Dan Xia Mountain’s disciples to buy the herbs over in several days and nights.

　　The usually cold Nameless Mountain was now becoming more and more crowded. Everybody in Gui Yi Sect was kept busy by this sudden change in arrangements. Yet, the people who lived in Nameless Mountain themselves were sitting back, collecting spirit stones. Even Zuo Shuming was taking these few months to stabilise his core. He even managed to make it to the second level of the sword array. He was now on the third.

　　When he emerged, he seemed to be floating. The first thing he did was pull Lonemoon aside and discuss, “I was able to form my core successfully this time because of the guidance I received from Senior Sister Shu. Brother Lonemoon, do you think I should go and thank her? When is a suitable time?”

　　Lonemoon scanned him from head to toe and patted his shoulder, at a loss for words. “I say, Two Bucks… Do you know what it means to leave someone a back road?” Was he unsatisfied with how badly he has hurt her already? Was he trying to cause her even more hurt?

　　“Eh?” Zuo Shuming did not understand what Lonemoon was referring to. Innocently, he responded, “Shouldn’t I go and thank her?” A moment later, he seemed to have recalled something. He nodded vigorously and said, “Brother Lonemoon, you are right. It’s too insincere if I go just like that. I should prepare some gifts!”

　　Lonemoon pursed his lips. “Heh heh, it’s fine as long as you’re happy!” He just hoped that Zuo Shuming would not get beaten to death.

　　His eyes brightened. He became more excited. “I have to choose this gift properly. It’s a pity I don’t know what Senior Sister Shu likes?” Zuo Shuming frowned. A moment later, he said, “That’s right – Lady Shen is a woman too. Let me ask her. She’ll know for sure.” He turned around and headed to the peak of the mountain.

　　“Come back!” Lonemoon snatched him back immediately. “Do you have a brain at all? Stop going to Shen Ying with your troubles if you have nothing better to do!”

　　“Why not?” Zuo Shuming hesitated.

　　Nonsense! Was he blind? Could he not see that there was a whole pail of vinegar following Shen Ying around all the time? He might get beaten to death if he went to look for Shu Yi, but he would surely live a life worse than death if he went to look for Shen Ying!

　　Lonemoon rolled his eyes and sighed, “Do you think Shen Ying is good for anything other than eating?” If you want to ask her, you’d better be prepared with a whole table of food.

　　“Then what should I do?” Zuo Shuming racked his brains. Even after a long time, he could not think of a proper present to give to her. He could only say, “Why not I ask around tomorrow what Senior Sister Shu likes before I go up to her and thank her?”

　　Did he still plan on going?! Lonemoon frowned, but he said nothing more. For all he knew, Zuo Shuming would really help to anger the invader so much that she went back to where she came from.

　　Lonemoon just did not think that before Zuo Shuming could think about a gift to bring to Shu Yi, Tian Ji came knowing on their door. He brought a sword with him – the kind that helped him get through all the obstacles to appear at their doorstep.

　　“A simple golden core cultivator dares to crush on my disciple!” Tian Ji shouted, waving his sword at the disciples at the base of the mountain. There was a strong typhoon, carrying with it several wind blades. None of the disciples could dodge the impact – they were thrown back by the wind. The wind blades all flew toward Zuo Shuming.