Chapter 190: Crimson Starlight
After exiting the Vault of Scriptures, Xiao Nanfeng began to cultivate in the nearby cottage in which he had once resided.
Perhaps because of the similarity and connection between Body of Yin and Taiqing Yin Body, Xiao Nanfeng's cultivation of the technique proceeded at a rapid clip. Within two days, crimson starlight began to appear in the stellar lake in his mindscape.
The silver starlight that had filled his stellar lake seemed to clash with the new crimson starlight that had formed, as though the two colors of starlight were attempting to stake their claim over contested territory. As a result, ripples and waves formed within the otherwise placid lake.
"Condensing the crimson starlight is taking too much of my spiritual power." Xiao Nanfeng frowned.
He could sense that the technique was unlikely to result in any bottlenecks, and would eventually allow him to condense a red Taiqing moon, much like the one he had witnessed. However, the required spiritual power to do so would be immense.
Xiao Nanfeng quickly opened his eyes. "I need to excavate another draconic vein in order to nourish my spiritual power. I have to advance this cultivation technique as much as possible."
He had the unusual feeling that the Taiqing Yin Body would be particularly important to him.
He got out of the cottage to see Elder Ku seated in the distance, playing the guqin. Xiao Nanfeng immediately walked over, stood beside his master, and waited patiently.
"How goes your cultivation of Taiqing Yin Body?" Elder Ku suddenly asked, abruptly cutting off his tune.
"My foundations allowed me to progress rapidly, Master. I've managed to condense a few motes of crimson starlight," xiao Nanfeng reported.
"The Taiqing Yin Body is remarkable and exceptional among spiritual cultivation techniques because the crimson starlight it generates can absorb whatever starlight exists from any other spiritual cultivation technique and elevate the quality of your spiritual energy," Elder Ku informed him confidently.
Xiao Nanfeng gave him an odd look. The silver starlight in his stellar lake showed no such signs of absorption.
"Master, I can sense that I need an immense source of spiritual power to further my cultivation. Fortunately, I recently learned of the locations of draconic veins around the Eastern Sea, and intend to excavate them to further the technique. Master, would you like to accompany me to absorb draconic aether?"
"I have no need," Elder Ku replied, shaking his head. "I recently broke through and received a heavenly boon that I still have to digest fully. Furthermore, at my stage of cultivation, advancement by pure energy alone is all but impossible. I thank you for the invitation, but it will be best if you head there alone."
"Yes, Master!" Xiao Nanfeng nodded, then continued, "Master, I'd like to invite my fellow disciples to join me, but the Isle of Xiao may be understaffed for defense in that case. I'm worried that others will attempt to attack or otherwise undermine it in my absence. Would you be willing to keep an eye on it?"
"With me around, nothing shall happen to the Isle of Xiao. Go with ease," Elder Ku replied.
Xiao Nanfeng bowed and departed. He immediately had Ye Dafu put up a recruitment notice for raiding bandits and excavating draconic veins. The news of the notice spread remarkably quickly throughout Taiqing Island, causing an uproar among all sect disciples.
Dozens of Taiqing disciples stood outside a hall on Taiqing Island, all waiting for Zhao Tianheng and two elders within.
"Division Leader, everyone has gathered and is ready to set off, but why are we leaving so quickly?" one elder asked.
Zhao Tianheng had a sour look on his face. "I thought that Mr. Wen would only give a map to me, but some other elders of the Mortal division received it too. These last few days, Mortal elders have been leaving with their trusted disciples in tow. Why have none of you informed me of this?"
"We didn't know either." The two elders looked glumly at Zhao Tianheng.
"Forget it. We'll set off for the draconic palace immediately," Zhao Tianheng commanded.
"Division Leader, are we going to give up on the Immortal's Destruction?" one elder asked.
"Xiao Nanfeng's a sectstarter now, and Ku Jiang's shielding him protectively. How do you intend to obtain the Immortal's Destruction? Don't cause problems for me," Zhao Tianheng spat out.
"Xiao Nanfeng just sent out a notice about recruiting disciples for another bandit raid. Many disciples claim that he's headed to Bloodkill Island to get rid of the Bloodkill bandits," the elder reported.
Upon hearing about Bloodkill Island again, Zhao Tianheng grew furious. He had waited around Bloodkill Island for days on end, exposed to the elements, for Xiao Nanfeng to strike—only to have Xiao Nanfeng head somewhere else entirely!
"He's very tricky," Zhao Tianheng spat out. "Or have you forgotten his misdirection from last time? He's not going to be heading to Bloodkill Island. It's all a ruse."
"Of course, Division Leader. Without your foresight, we might have been tricked and wasted our time."
"What's more, wouldn't Ku Jiang join him on this expedition to excavate draconic veins? Don't dream of it. We'll head straight to the draconic palace," Zhao Tianheng reiterated.
"Yes, Division Leader!"
Five days later, Zhao Tianheng's ship slowly sailed through a wide expanse of sea toward a region covered in thick fog.
"Division Leader, does the entrance to the draconic palace lie ahead?" one elder asked.
"It's right here. We'll head in immediately," Zhao Tianheng said expectantly.
"My junior brother hasn't yet returned from delivering a message. Should we wait for him first?" an elder asked.
Just then, a figure flew through the air and slowly landed on deck.
"What took you so long to deliver a message?" Zhao Tianheng seemed somewhat displeased.
"Division Leader, I was sending word to the Taiqing Demonic Sect, and happened to pass by Xiao Nanfeng and his group at sea," the elder reported.
"Oh? What a coincidence. Where did they head this time, then?" Zhao Tianheng asked curiously.
"To Bloodkill Island, Division Leader. When I passed by, they were raiding the Bloodkill bandits."
Zhao Tianheng: ...
"Didn't the Division Leader claim that they wouldn't be going to Bloodkill Island?" one elder gasped.
"It seems like they were forthright about their intentions this time, and Elder Ku didn't join them."
Zhao Tianheng's face puckered. He was so mad he felt as though he could spit out blood. Although he couldn't make a move against Xiao Nanfeng directly, he could do so covertly. If he had known that Elder Ku hadn't accompanied Xiao Nanfeng to Bloodkill Island, he could certainly have snuck over. It would have been a tremendous opportunity to claim the Immortal's Destruction for himself—but he had missed it!
On an island at sea, Tang stepped off a ship and onto the harbor. When the gathered demonic disciples saw Tang, they blanched.
"That omen of calamity is back!"
"How dare he show himself?"
Tang walked up to a suite of halls on the island. Along the way, all the demonic disciples that passed by gave him identical looks of shock and terror. They fled as though treating him like a leper.
"Senior Brothers, please listen to me! This doesn't have anything to do with me!" Tang cried out.
However, no one paid any attention; they were too busy running away.
"Calm yourselves down!" the Pestilence Sage thundered from the central hall.
The surroundings immediately quieted down.
Tang took a deep breath, then ran into the hall.
"Sage, I have returned," Tang said apprehensively.
The moment he entered the hall, he saw the Pestilence Sage seated at the front, looking toward him with cold eyes and an even colder gaze. The demonic disciples all around gave him a disdainful look.
"How dare you return," the Pestilence Sage spat out.
"Sage, I believe that Xiao Nanfeng must have released me in order to destroy my relationship with you. With your foresight and magnanimity, Sage, I'm sure you won't fall prey to his evil plans!" Tang replied.
"I certainly don't intend to implicate others in my vendetta against Xiao Nanfeng. You, on the other hand, really do seem to be sinister." The Pestilence Sage gave Tang a complicated look.
"Sage, it's clear that anyone who forms a team with Tang will suffer greatly. He's an omen of calamity, and we can't allow him to stay in the sect!" one demonic disciple cried out.
"Quiet! When have I ever asked for your opinion?" the Pestilence Sage retorted coldly.
The demonic disciple quailed and fell silent.
"All of you, listen up. From today onwards, Tang will be my disciple, the disciple of the Pestilence Sage. I do not intend to spare any who make up rumors about him." The Pestilence Sage glared at everyone in attendance.
"Yes, Sage!" the demonic disciples replied in shock.
"All of you can leave. Tang, stay behind," the Pestilence Sage continued.
The disciples quickly left the hall, leaving just the Pestilence Sage and Tang behind.
"Sage? Why did you suddenly decide to take me as a disciple?" Tang cried out.
"Isn't that what you always wanted? What, are you unwilling to do it now?" the Pestilence Sage asked coldly.
"Of course not, Master. Please allow me to kowtow to you." Tang bowed and kowtowed, but he had an uneasy premonition.
"Your cultivation is too weak. I'll hand you a pill to raise it for the time being. Two days later, we'll head to the draconic palace and fight over Immortal weapons."
"To the draconic palace?" Tang cried out.
"No nonsense. Eat your pill first," the Pestilence Sage commanded.
Tang had no choice but to consume the pill. As he swallowed it, a gust of energy shot toward his dantian, turning his skin a ghostly blue.
"This pill is too potent! I can barely handle it," Tang cried out in pain.
The Pestilence Sage slapped at his lower back to help dissipate the excess medicinal energy. Not long after, Tang's body bubbled with energy. His cultivation had improved by an immense degree.
"Thank you, Master!" Tang cried out.
"Go rest. We'll head off in two days, so don't run around," the Pestilence Sage instructed.
"Yes, Master!" Tang replied, then left the hall.
As he saw Tang leave, the Pestilence Sage's lips widened in a malevolent smile.
Tang returned to his cottage and closed the door. His excitement vanished. He rubbed at his skin, but the ghostly blue color refused to come off.
"I'm doomed. The Pestilence Sage really thinks I'm an omen of calamity, and he's trying to take over my physical body. He wants to claim it for himself! What should I do?" Tang fretted.
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