The week Li Yu spent in Jade Moon Vale was a time of mutual learning where both parties had benefited greatly. While he was learning, he was also figuring out what to do with his explosive growth in strength. He had chosen to hide it to keep his 2nd level of Foundation Establishment. He sighed at having to go back to hiding his true cultivation but his 4th level was just too power.
On the morning of their planned departure, as Li Yu and Brother Kai were sharing a final cup of tea with Clan Head Feng at the main pavilion, a commotion arose from the clan's main training grounds. A group of cultivators in fiery red robes, their expressions one of displeasure, were arguing loudly with some of the Carp Clan's disciples.
"Those are the 'experts' from the Crimson Cauldron Sect," Clan Head Feng sighed, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. "They are a sect famous for their alchemists. We hired them a month ago to solve our problem. They failed spectacularly, yet they have lingered here refusing to admit defeat. It seems they have heard of your success."
The reason he hasn't made them leave was because he wanted to maintain proper relationships with such a sect. Skilled alchemists were always in demand and while they were not able to help them this time around, it wasn't wise to offend.
As they watched, a tall young man with sharp features stepped forward. This was Wang Chen, the chief disciple of the Crimson Cauldron Sect's alchemy division, a genius at the Sixth Stage of Qi Condensation.
"Clan Head Feng," Wang Chen's voice was loud and challenging, clearly meant for everyone to hear as he approached the pavilion. "We have heard that some junior from another sect has 'cured' your ancestors with a simple touch. Surely you do not believe such a fisherman's tale? My masters and I studied your carp for weeks. The problem is a complex bloodline degradation, a problem that requires years of careful alchemical refinement, not a lucky trick from a boy."
It was clear that they were trying to get the clan into a long commitment to purchase their pills and skills to cure their fish. Whether or not they actually believed in their prescription or if they were just saying lies, no one knew.
Before the upset Clan Head Feng could respond, Li Yu stood up from the pavilion, a calm, placid smile on his face. He made his way down to the training ground. "Senior Brother Wang's caution is understandable. A healthy dose of skepticism is a virtue in our world."
"So you are the one," Wang Chen said, his gaze sweeping over Li Yu with clear disdain. "You look more like a fish farmer than a physician. I do not believe in luck. I believe in skill. If your skill is as profound as the rumors say, then prove it."
Li Yu simply smiled and gave a slight bow. "My business with the Clearwater Jade Carp Clan is concluded. I have no need to prove anything to you, Senior Brother. We will be taking our leave." He turned, preparing to walk away. He had no time for the pointless posturing of an arrogant alchemist.
Wang Chen's face turned red at the public dismissal. He had come here to challenge and expose a fraud, not to be ignored. "Coward! Are you afraid your tricks will be exposed?"
"My time is valuable, Senior Brother," Li Yu replied without turning back. "I see no benefit in wasting it here."
"Benefit?" Wang Chen sneered, a vicious, cunning light in his eyes. He had found his angle. "Very well. Let us make it beneficial." He reached into his storage ring and produced an ornate, jade bottle. The moment he uncorked it, a rich, earthy aroma and a powerful wave of physical energy washed over the training ground.
"This is a Stone-Marrow Tempering Pill. It is a peak, Grade Four pill refined by my own master, a treasure that can greatly strengthen the bones and marrow, a treasure for any body cultivator."
He held the pill aloft. "I will make you a wager. Here is the problem." He gestured to a large, ornate cage that had been wheeled onto the training grounds. Inside was a large ferocious-looking Rank 5 Jade-Clawed Rock Lizard, currently in a state of absolute, maddened fury, slamming its armored body against the bars of the cage, its eyes a burning, hateful red.
"This is my companion beast," Wang Chen declared proudly. "Last month, it consumed a rare, volatile earth-fire ore by mistake. Since then, it has been in this state, unable to control its own spiritual energy. Our sect's alchemists have been unable to soothe the chaotic energy within it. If you can cure it, this Stone-Marrow Tempering Pill is yours. If you fail, you will kowtow before me and admit that you are a fraud who relies on cheap tricks."
He had said his sect's alchemists but in truth that was a lie. Only he himself had tried to cure it without success. Since he couldn't figure it out, he felt there was no way this young boy in front of him could.
Li Yu finally stopped and turned, a thoughtful, calculating light in his eyes. A pill specifically designed to strengthen the body. It was a good resource to aid his advancement to the next level of his «Abyssal Leviathan Physique». The potential reward now far outweighed the risk of wasting his time.
"An interesting problem," Li Yu said, his voice calm. He walked towards the cage, the furious roars of the lizard washing over him without effect. He stood before the raging beast, his spiritual sense extending not to communicate but simply to observe. He could feel the chaotic, fiery energy rampaging through the lizard's meridians, a volcano on the verge of a catastrophic eruption.
He did not need to speak to it. The problem was one of pure, elemental imbalance. Li Yu turned to the stunned alchemist. "Your solution was to try and suppress the fire with water- and ice-attribute herbs or pills, was it not?"
Wang Chen's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"It is the logical, alchemical solution," Li Yu replied. "But it is also the wrong one. You are trying to extinguish a fire but the fire is the beast's own life force. To extinguish it is to kill it. The solution is not to fight the fire but to guide it."
He looked at Wang Chen. "Do you have a piece of high-grade, Sun-Aspected Spirit Jade?"
The young man, confused, nodded and produced a small fist-sized piece of the glowing warm jade.
"Give it to me," Li Yu commanded. He took the jade and to everyone's shock he simply tossed it into the cage.
The Jade-Clawed Rock Lizard, in its mindless fury, immediately devoured the jade.
"What have you done?" Wang Chen shrieked. "That is pure Yang energy! You will make it explode!"
"Patience," Li Yu said calmly.
Inside the lizard's stomach, the Sun-Aspected jade began to release a steady, warm and incredibly pure Yang energy. It was like adding a steadying hand to a raging inferno. The chaotic, violent fire-earth energy in the lizard's body, drawn to this pure, stable source, began to calm, to coalesce around it. The violent uncontrolled explosions in its meridians began to even out, flowing into a steady powerful current.
The lizard's furious roars softened into a low, confused rumble. The hateful, red glow in its eyes faded, replaced by its natural reptilian yellow. It stopped slamming against the bars and laid down, a wave of relief washing over it. The storm in its body had been guided not extinguished.
Wang Chen stared at his now-calm companion, his face a mask of disbelief. He had presented a problem he couldn't solve, and this boy had solved it with a single common spiritual jade and a piece of logic that was simple.
"Now do you see?" Clan Head Feng's voice was a low, dangerous rumble. He strode forward, his Foundation Establishment aura flaring. "You have lost your wager. Now, get off my mountain before I lose my temper." Clan Head Feng was done with dealing with these people and them being rude to their sect benefactor was something he couldn't tolerate.
Wang Chen, his face pale and his body trembling under the immense pressure. He looked at the jade bottle containing the Stone-Marrow Tempering Pill, his face a mask of pure, bitter regret. He had only wanted to disprove this boy so his sect could continue to treat the fish but he had made a bitter mistake.
He could only sigh at himself for losing sight of things in his arrogance. He had been so used to being right all the time, of being admired by other disciples that he forgot how he got to his current position in the first place. He needed to control himself and his emotions better, to focus on just the alchemy. This is something he would reflect on when he got back to the sect.
He placed it on the ground, kowtowed once, his forehead touching the cold stone and then fled with his fellow disciples.
Li Yu simply walked over and picked up the jade bottle. "A fine pill," he said, a quiet, satisfied smile on his face. He looked at the crowd of disciples. "The dao of beasts is not so different from the dao of alchemy. It is usually not about suppression but about balance."
He gave a final, polite bow to the elders and the crowd, then turned to his own party. "Clan Head Feng, Brother Kai. Our journey home awaits."
He walked away, a pill in his storage ring, leaving behind a grateful clan.