Chapter Ninety-Seven: Nirvana Golden Pill

“By the way, senior, you mentioned the Dust Pearl earlier. May I ask, what exactly is its origin?”

After a long while, Li Yang finally came to his senses, recalling that the reason Elder Zi Xiao had spoken up was entirely because of the Dust Pearl.

Li Yang didn’t claim to thoroughly understand Elder Zi Xiao’s temperament, but after several months together, he had learned a thing or two. Since it was worth Elder Zi Xiao’s warning, the item’s history must be extraordinary.

“This Dust Pearl, if I am not mistaken, is the essence left behind after a phoenix fails its nirvana, absorbing the energy from the earth’s veins.”

“The essence left from the phoenix’s failed nirvana?” Hearing Elder Zi Xiao’s explanation, Li Yang was at first confused, then seemed to recall something and asked, “Could it be the divine nature of the phoenix?”

“You’re thinking too kindly. The phoenix is dead, so how could its divine nature remain? That trace of divinity has long been worn away by the river of time. The Dust Pearl is the essence formed from the phoenix’s nirvana energy, having absorbed the earth’s veins. It can be used to refine a rare golden pill—the Nirvana Pill!”

As he spoke, a beam of clear light shot out from Elder Zi Xiao’s primordial spirit, sending a string of complex information into Li Yang’s mind.

“This… senior, the ingredients needed for this ancient pill are simply too many, aren’t they?”

Pondering the information in his mind, Li Yang’s expression fell, and his voice weakened instantly.

“Boy, don’t fail to appreciate good fortune. The Nirvana Pill is a divine pill used to help one transform into an immortal body. Even in ancient times, it was hard to obtain a single pill. You’ve already found this Phoenix Gall in these times, which is a stroke of great luck. If you want to quickly digest the six-winged golden centipede within you, the Nirvana Pill is a fine choice. If fortune smiles, it will be enough to let you ascend in a single step and forge your immortal body.”

Elder Zi Xiao glanced at Li Yang, scolded angrily, and then closed his eyes.

...

Three days later, at dawn, the sun rose.

At the center of the floating island, in front of a small thatched hut, Li Yang sat cross-legged atop a protruding green stone. His chest heaved, and from within issued the sound of roaring waves.

Through his skin, as pale as jade, one could faintly see golden-red blood coursing swiftly through his veins. A scorching wave of energy radiated from his body, sending ripples through the air.

“Breathe… breathe… breathe…”

As time passed, Li Yang’s breathing grew more rapid, his chest rising and falling. If one looked closely, one could see the muscles throughout his body writhing swiftly, his whole body maintaining a unique tremulous rhythm.

“Ah…”

“Huff…”

After half an hour, once the trembling reached a certain limit, Li Yang’s face flushed red as he spat out a mouthful of dark blood. Exhaling a long, turbid breath, the unnatural blush on his cheeks gradually faded.

He drew a handkerchief from his breast to wipe the blood from his mouth, a flicker of light in his eyes as he looked toward Chen Yulou and the others, who were packing their things not far away.

“Brother Li, are you truly all right? Should I leave a few brothers here to tend to you?”

Noticing Li Yang’s gaze, Chen Yulou came over, his expression tinged with hesitation and concern.

“No need, Chief. I know my own injuries. At this point, I’m fine. Everyone has already stayed here for several days, and supplies are running low.”

“Besides, you should return quickly to report, so that the brothers on Changsheng Mountain aren’t worried. As for me, this place is rich in spiritual energy—a perfect place for cultivation. If I have leisure in the future, I’ll be sure to visit Changsheng Mountain and see everyone.”

Li Yang smiled and patted Chen Yulou’s arm to show he was truly well.

“Brother Li, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate. I, Old Luo, am a rough man, but I admire experts like you. We’ve been through thick and thin together, so don’t force yourself.”

At this moment, Old Luo also stepped forward, sizing Li Yang up for a while before speaking boisterously.

“Old Luo, can’t you say something nice? What do you mean ‘force yourself’? Brother Li is fine, so shut your crow’s mouth.”

Chen Yulou rolled his eyes at Old Luo and rebuked him.

“I’m just worried about Brother Li. Brother Li, forgive my loose tongue.”

“Don’t mind, Luo Shuai. I know you’re straightforward. I appreciate your concern, but truly, I’m well. I don’t want to delay you all; after all, you’re men of great deeds. I’m but a drifting cloud and wild crane—how could I hold you back?”

Li Yang patted Old Luo’s shoulder and smiled, showing he did not mind.

“Fellow Daoist Li, I’ll return the Dust Pearl to you as it was. Your kindness will forever be remembered by me, Partridge Whistle, and by the Zagramma tribe for generations to come. If you ever need me, just give the word—through fire and water, I’ll obey!”

Watching Li Yang, Partridge Whistle cupped his fists solemnly and spoke with conviction.

“I see your wounds have not fully healed. If you don’t mind, let us three siblings stay and help care for you, handling some chores. We’re not like Chief Chen or Luo Shuai—time is on our side. What do you think, Daoist Li?”

“I appreciate the kindness, Brother Partridge Whistle, truly. But your lady is pregnant, and you’ve been away a long while. I’m sure she misses you dearly. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. We cultivators don’t fuss over such things!”

Seeing Partridge Whistle’s earnest expression, Li Yang shook his head, insisting he was fine.

“Then how about this—let Hua Ling stay to care for you. When you’re healed, send her to Changsheng Mountain, and we can all meet again. What do you think?”

Hearing Li Yang mention Lady Hong, a flicker of hesitation crossed Partridge Whistle’s face. After some time, he proposed this.

Li Yang understood Partridge Whistle’s wish to repay his debt. Though wounded, he was fully capable of caring for himself.

He wanted to refuse, but seeing the repeated good intentions from Chen Yulou and the expectant look in Hua Ling’s eyes, he finally nodded in agreement.

He had planned to visit Changsheng Mountain after recovering, to gather cultivation resources along the way and refine some pills for Chen Yulou and the others, who could trade them for more resources inland.

Some rare spiritual materials couldn’t be bought with money, but precious pills had much greater allure.

Li Yang intended to turn Changsheng Mountain into a resource gathering site for cultivation. Since he couldn’t stay inland long-term, the mountain would be a perfect base.

“This time, I have nothing much to give you all. These cultivation manuals are a token of my regard.”

With that, Li Yang took out three small booklets, prepared earlier, and handed them to Chen Yulou, Partridge Whistle, and Old Luo.

These booklets contained three relatively complete cultivation techniques collected by Li Yang’s family in his previous life. Old Luo’s was a health-preserving qigong, Chen Yulou’s an internal refinement method for human immortals, and Partridge Whistle’s a method for earth immortals to construct blessed lands.

Li Yang had complete versions, and Elder Zi Xiao had many more, but these three were already advanced in years, and even the best techniques would yield limited results. Secret methods were best reserved for the future; Li Yang would not give them away lightly.

“…Well then, we gratefully accept.”

The three exchanged glances, a hint of struggle on their faces, but ultimately couldn’t resist the allure of such cultivation techniques and took them.

Especially after witnessing Li Yang’s miraculous powers, they had long yearned for such strength, but knew how precious these methods were, and so had not dared to ask.

“Chief Chen, Luo Shuai, please come with me. There’s something I wish to discuss with you both.”

Seeing them accept the manuals, Li Yang glanced at Chen Yulou and Old Luo, signaling them to follow.

The three walked to the edge of the floating island. Li Yang gazed at the mist-shrouded beauty of the valley, took a moment to gather his thoughts, and began, “The current situation, I’m sure you both understand. Since ancient times, a united realm always breaks apart, and a divided realm always reunites.”

“But this disaster upon the Divine Land is unlike any before—it’s an invasion from foreign tribes. You are both heroic men, and in this turbulent age, surely wish to build your legacy and unify the world.”

“Yet those who accomplish great deeds never fuss over trifles, and those who claim the realm must be ruthless, discarding the bow once the birds are gone. You two are loyal and righteous, not cut from that cloth. I offer this sincere advice: if you seek your fortune, Taiwan and the borderlands are fine choices. Both are far from the emperor’s reach, perfect for you to reign and establish your domain.”

“As for matters inland, I advise you to keep your distance. I know you are bold heroes, and don’t see yourselves as less than anyone. But throughout history, those who seize the throne are never heroes, and heroes meet tragic ends.”

“Think of Xiang Yu, the peerless hero, yet he lost to Liu Bang. In life, you can lose a hundred or a thousand times, but you must win the last time. The hardest thing to fathom is the human heart. Relying on righteousness alone, you may not succeed.”

“The heart must be governed, wielding both kingly and tyrannical means. This is called ‘revering heaven and controlling men.’ Can you be like Liu Bang—unyielding through a hundred setbacks and able to master the hearts of all?”

With these words, Li Yang looked deeply at Chen Yulou and Old Luo, then departed on his own.

He knew these two were wise. Today’s words were his utmost sincerity, befitting their friendship.

Whether they listened or not, Li Yang would neither intervene nor dare to intervene. How far they could go depended on themselves.

Chen Yulou watched Li Yang’s departing figure, his face expressionless, lost in thought.

“Chief, Brother Li’s words… I feel as if…”

After a while, Old Luo, deep in contemplation, turned to Chen Yulou, hesitating.

“He doesn’t think much of us, right? Brother Li is profound and mysterious. Since we met, he’s never made a misstep. Today’s words were meant to warn us.”

“But Brother Li’s insight is sharp. We truly aren’t like Liu Bang.”

After a while, Chen Yulou forced a bitter smile, hinting at something.

“Then, according to your meaning, Chief…”

Old Luo hesitated, looking from Li Yang’s direction to Chen Yulou, as if unable to express his thoughts.

“We’ll discuss this again when we return to Changsheng Mountain. I need to consult the old man and carefully consider Brother Li’s advice. This concerns the future of our thousand brothers. We must be prudent.”

With a grave look, Chen Yulou glanced at Old Luo, then turned and hurried after Li Yang.