Immortal Sword Master

A Celestial Pill is an object of incredible value.

For it is something that only comes into being after the death of a Celestial Martial Realm King.

While a Celestial Martial Realm King is alive, a Celestial Gate forms within their Dantian. They use this gate to absorb immense amounts of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, which they then convert into Magical Power.

Upon their death, the very essence of their life's Cultivation converges, crystallizing into a Celestial Pill.

This pill is also sometimes called a Relic.

However, only a Celestial Martial Realm King who dies a natural death will leave behind a Celestial Pill.

Take Xie Liuyun, for example. He and the Blood Demon King were annihilated together, leaving not even a body behind. Naturally, there was no Celestial Pill.

Generally speaking, a single Celestial Pill is enough to extend a Celestial Martial Realm King's life by a thousand years.

The Wuliang Palace Master's lifespan is running out. The object of his scheme must be the Celestial Pill!

"You want the Celestial Pill?" Ning Jiang said slowly.

Surprise flashed across Mu Yunhe's face again. "I didn't expect you to know about such a thing."

The existence of Celestial Pills is a major secret known to very few. He found Ning Jiang more and more inscrutable.

"But I imagine all the great Kings want something like a Celestial Pill, don't they? What use am I to you?" Ning Jiang asked.

For a King, a Celestial Pill not only extends their lifespan but also benefits their own Cultivation.

Once a person reaches the Celestial Martial Realm, their progress in Cultivation slows to a crawl. A thousand years could pass with little to no advancement. Therefore, no King would ever pass up a Celestial Pill.

"You are right. The Kings of the Seven Great Super Sects do indeed all want this Celestial Pill."

Mu Yunhe continued, "But as you know, with the power these Kings wield, a war over a single Celestial Pill would cause unimaginable destruction. None of the great Kings wish to completely sever ties over this, so they've devised a compromise."

"The method is to have the younger generation compete for the Celestial Pill on their behalf. This way, no one loses face and relations aren't soured."

"I see."

Ning Jiang nodded.

If the Kings were to make a move, the impact would be too great. Moreover, the Kings didn't want to create enmity among themselves, so the younger generation became the pawns in their game.

"Let's be direct. If I agree to this, what's in it for me?"

Ning Jiang said. How could he possibly agree to become a pawn for Wuliang Palace so easily?

"As long as you can obtain the Celestial Pill, you may make any request you wish. Magical Treasures, Cultivation Techniques... anything within the power of my Wuliang Palace, we will make it a reality for you," Mu Yunhe said.

"These things are far from enough."

Ning Jiang shook his head. "If I help you obtain the Celestial Pill, I fear the Kings of the other six Great Super Sects will come to resent me. I would be making enemies of all six of them at once!"

Astute as he was, Ning Jiang saw the heart of the matter in an instant.

"Then what do you want?"

Mu Yunhe frowned. He knew convincing Ning Jiang would not be easy.

"Wuliang Palace possesses nothing that tempts me. Therefore, I refuse."

Ning Jiang said flatly. 'How could a game between Kings be as simple as it looks on the surface?'

'Getting rashly involved in such a game... one careless move could get me crushed to pieces.'

'Who's to say that if I actually get the Celestial Pill, the other great Kings won't take out their anger on me?'

'And at that point, would the Wuliang Palace Master really be willing to offend the other six Kings for my sake?'

'It's all a big unknown. The risk isn't worth it.'

"Young friend, you really refuse?" Mu Yunhe's brow tightened. "Regarding the incident at the Demon Cave, you could say I did you a favor, couldn't you? Are you not going to show some consideration for our past acquaintance?"

"A favor?"

A sneer appeared on Ning Jiang's face. "I thought it was strange back then. Why was a mere wisp of the Blood Demon King's remnant soul able to grow so powerful? Now I think I know. You were the one who planted those Blood Bell Flowers in the Demon Cave, weren't you?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Mu Yunhe's expression changed.

"Those Blood Bell Flowers lured countless Martial Artists into the Demon Cave, leading them to their deaths. The Blood Demon King absorbed their blood and grew stronger. You deliberately nurtured that wisp of the Blood Demon King's remnant soul, didn't you? You planned to wait until it was powerful, then devour it and absorb its Power. A pity things didn't go as you expected. The Blood Demon King grew beyond your control, leaving you no choice but to cooperate with me to destroy it."

"Don't rush to deny it. The aura about you is complex, made of several different strands. That's likely because you've devoured many different kinds of Power, isn't it?"

As Ning Jiang's words fell, Mu Yunhe's eyes filled with disbelief.

Ning Jiang had just laid his deepest secret completely bare.

"Just who are you?" Mu Yunhe stared at Ning Jiang gravely.

Ning Jiang said flatly, "You may have devoured multiple types of Power, but it's a shame those auras can't merge into one. That's why you need to enter seclusion, isn't it?"

There are many Cultivation Techniques in this world that devour Power.

Ning Jiang's Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, for instance, is a top-tier devouring Technique, capable of consuming anything. The one Mu Yunhe cultivates, however, is of a lower tier. Otherwise, he wouldn't be radiating several different auras.

"Good. Very good. You are far from simple, to see things so clearly."

"Enough. There's no point in saying more. I will not go back on my decision. If there's nothing else, you may leave." Ning Jiang's tone was utterly dismissive.

He had given the order to leave.

But Mu Yunhe stood his ground, unmoving. A cold glint entered his eyes, making him seem like a completely different person from the amicable man moments before. "Since my Wuliang Palace has sought you out," he said, "do you truly believe you have the option to refuse?"

"Hmm?"

Ning Jiang's eyes narrowed. Just then, he heard a voice.

"That's enough, Yun He. Step aside. Allow me to speak with him."

A figure strode forward. He was white-haired and dressed in a Daoist robe. His eyes seemed to hold endless voids, as if they could swallow heaven and earth.

A boundless presence radiated from him. Under this immense pressure, Ning Jiang felt minuscule, as if he were facing the entire world with the old man at its very center. It inspired an uncontrollable urge to fall to his knees and worship.

'It's all an illusion.'

Ning Jiang fortified his mind. He knew this was the aura of a Celestial Martial Realm King interfering with his psyche, creating a powerful illusion.

"Oh?"

Mu Yunhe was slightly startled.

Any ordinary person would have long since fallen to their knees, yet Ning Jiang was somehow able to resist.

"Wuliang Palace Master!" Looking at the old man who appeared before him, Ning Jiang had already guessed his identity.

This was a true Celestial Martial Realm King.

The presence of Extreme Heaven Monarch was less than a tenth of this man's.

He knew in his heart that this matter would not be resolved so easily.

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