Entering the Path of Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts: Chapter 23 - Kunyuan Pill

A flying sword transformed into a blur, hacking incessantly at the light barrier.

The reactions of both parties were instantaneous.

The *ding-ding-dang-dang* sounds of the strikes echoed against the thick barrier, yet failed to shake it in the slightest. Seeing her sneak attack fruitless, the woman grew secretly infuriated, while Li Feng felt a wave of secret relief. It was fortunate he had kept his guard up; otherwise, he would have perished on the spot.

"Fellow Daoist, to commit such an act of ingratitude—are you not afraid of dragging the reputation of the Blood Cloud Sect through the mud?"

"Hmph, you mere Qi-refining ant, you talk too much. I want to see just how many turtle shells you have."

The woman ignored him, her killing intent clearly set. She channeled the power of her blood spirit into the flying sword, causing the originally silver-white blade to be coated in a layer of crimson, its power multiplying several times over.

The protection charm’s barrier could only withstand so much. Under the renewed onslaught, it cracked from the outside in, shattering into countless points of light that vanished into the passageway.

Li Feng dared not be careless. He pulled every defensive measure he had from his storage bag, deploying them in rapid succession. Talismans exploded in the air—red, blue, and green—creating a dazzling display that effectively slowed the flying sword. Simultaneously, he layered trap formations within illusion formations, and illusion formations within lethal arrays, trapping the woman deep within the mire.

Li Feng raised a stack of Myriad Ghost Talismans, threatening, "I was able to erase the markings, and I can just as easily curse you again. If you don't believe me, feel free to try."

The woman recalled her sword. After using brute force to shatter all the formations, her reason finally returned. This exchange had been a stalemate in appearance, but in reality, the woman had exhausted most of her spiritual power. Li Feng, by contrast, had endless defensive tricks up his sleeve, leaving her dazzled. She had never seen such a "quantity-over-quality" combat style before; she was deeply shocked. When did talismans become so cheap?

Seeing the woman remain silent with an unreadable expression, Li Feng grew wary. He grabbed a handful of Spirit Recovery Pills and began chewing them, ensuring that if a war of attrition broke out, he would not be hindered by a lack of spiritual power.

Seeing this, the young woman weighed the pros and cons, and her killing intent dissipated.

"Fine, fine. I’ll spare your miserable life. If you dare tell anyone what happened here today after we leave, I will refine you into a puppet while you are still alive."

The flying sword, which had been hovering quietly in the air, was retracted into her storage bag. She took the initiative to produce the remaining half of the pill formula and tossed it toward Li Feng. He did not catch it, letting it fall to the ground; he waited a moment to ensure it was safe before picking it up.

"Coward!"

Seeing him so cautious, the young woman sneered. Li Feng didn't care in the slightest; he even applied nearly a hundred more protective charms to himself before daring to examine the formula.

"I never lie. If you refine the pill according to this formula, it will extend your life by two and a half years."

As she spoke, she reached into her bodice with no concern for modesty to rub off the irritating spiritual ink. Once the charms were erased, the ink was just waste material, useless now. Li Feng had briefly considered offering to help her rub it off...

Li Feng remained silent, deducing for a long while until he finally confirmed the formula was genuine. It was exactly as the woman said: it could indeed extend one's life by two and a half years. It was a pity such a fine formula lacked a name.

"Hey, are you done looking? If you are, hurry up and return it. Don't make me use force."

Li Feng frowned, his eyes sharp as he looked at her: "Thinking of going back on your word?"

"If I wanted to go back on my word, I wouldn't have given you the second half. This formula is just a record of the refining process. Memorize the contents and return the original to me, or I won't be able to answer to my master."

Li Feng was somewhat reluctant; the original manuscript had collector's value. However, considering the potential for further conflict, he suppressed his attachment.

"Returning it is fine, but you must offer something else in exchange as compensation."

When he had saved her, there was no mention of returning the original copy. This woman was clearly playing a game of fraud.

"Have you no shame? A second-tier formula isn't enough, and you want to take advantage of me?"

On the Immortal Spirit Continent, anything related to longevity doubled in value. Although this formula was only a second-tier low-grade, its commercial value was comparable to a second-tier high-grade formula.

"If you don't want to trade, then so be it. At worst, we fight again. You will simply become the tenth Foundation Establishment cultivator I've killed."

The woman realized in a flash why this guy had such deep pockets—he had made his fortune as a bandit.

"This is a secret technique for puppet refinement." The woman produced a blue bound volume.

Li Feng took it and glanced at the title: *The Encyclopedia of Puppetry*. This was hardly a secret technique; at best, it was a primer on common knowledge regarding puppets. Even so, such encyclopedias of immortal arts were rare on the market. Li Feng accepted it reluctantly and returned the formula.

Once she had the formula back, she asked casually, "You are a dual cultivator of alchemy and talismans, aren't you?"

Judging by the signs from their previous clash, this guy clearly dabbled in other immortal arts. Dual cultivation of alchemy and talismans was rare in the Guiyuan Kingdom, though not unheard of. It required a high threshold—possessing four types of spiritual roots and exceptional talent in the arts. A few hundred years ago, the Guiyuan Kingdom had produced a genius who was a dual practitioner of talismans and formations.

Li Feng did not answer, which the woman took as confirmation.

"Since you’re an alchemist, why don't you name this nameless formula? It's awkward to keep calling it that."

"You want me to name it?" Li Feng pondered for a moment.

"In my hometown, there is a unit of time measurement: two and a half years is called a 'kun'. Since this pill extends life by two and a half years, why not call it the 'Kunyuan Pill'?"

"Kunyuan Pill?" The young woman savored the name; the more she said it, the smoother it felt. She approved. "Kunyuan Pill—that's a good name. From now on, it shall be called the Kunyuan Pill."

With the agreement settled and no further topics, the passageway fell into a heavy, awkward silence.

"Why haven't you left yet?" The woman couldn't help but urge him when he lingered.

Li Feng, quick-witted, concocted an excuse: "Actually, this is my ancestor's tomb. I came to pay my respects, never expecting to run into a fellow Daoist."

"Pay your respects? That's not what you said before." The woman found that this man lied as easily as he breathed; she had no idea what was true.

"If you don't believe me, I can prove it. There are three paths in this tomb: the left and right hide cultivation insights on talismans and formations, while the central main chamber is where my ancestor rests. My skills in talismans and formations were inherited from my ancestor."

"So, the various traps at the entrance to the main chamber were designed by you as well?" The woman's face darkened; she suddenly felt she had been cheated.

Li Feng gave an awkward smile and decisively shook his head: "It’s shameful to admit, but my cultivation is low, and I could not protect my ancestor's tomb. I don't know which heaven-forsaken thief broke in and set these traps."

The woman retorted with disdain: "Just a moment ago, you said I would be the tenth Foundation Establishment cultivator you killed."

Li Feng felt so embarrassed he could have crawled into a hole, but he brushed it off: "I was just boasting to scare you away."