Chapter 065: Blood of the Three-Spirit Deer

Deep in the mountains, after a session of intense and exhilarating cultivation, Xu Xuan finally soared back home. The house was still aglow with lamplight. When he returned, the whole family let out a long sigh of relief, their faces filled with comfort and joy.

After a day of lively commotion, the late night brought a rare, peaceful moment for the four of them to gather, reminiscing quietly under the dim candlelight. At the crucial points of the conversation, their eyes shone bright—sometimes with excitement, sometimes with emotion—creating a scene of warmth and intimacy.

Xu Xuan’s father and mother were radiant with pride and gladness. Xu Huilan’s eyes, pure as gemstones, sometimes remained wide and unblinking as she listened to tales of what her brother had seen and heard in the immortal sect, yearning and full of hope for such a world.

Naturally, when recounting his experiences in the sect, Xu Xuan glossed over the perils and hardships, mentioning them only lightly and in passing.

When he spoke of eradicating the Blood Spirit Thieves, Xu Huilan giggled, “Those blood thieves were truly reckless, daring to ambush disciples of the immortal sect, only to be wiped out in the end… Who would have thought my brother would be a hero, ridding the world of evil?”

Only Xu Xuan’s father wore a slightly grave expression, giving his son a long, meaningful look. The name of the Blood Spirit Thieves was well known throughout Pinghua Town; many a cultivator had lost their life in the campaigns against them.

It was easy to imagine how brutal such a battle must have been.

In truth, even now, Xu Xuan still hadn’t figured out why the Blood Spirit Thieves dared to provoke the immortal sect. Was the “Cao Fei” he killed last time truly someone of great importance among their ranks? Later, he had thrown the stolen items toward Xingyu Mountain, fearing they might bring disaster upon Yangmu Village. Could it be that the Blood Spirit Thieves, seeking revenge, really dared to ambush the sect’s disciples—even twice?

Of course, Xu Xuan could not be certain. Perhaps this would remain an unsolved mystery, or perhaps one day in the future, its secrets would be revealed.

As the night grew deep, his mother and sister drifted off to sleep.

His father stepped into the courtyard, gazed long and hard at his son, his face complex. “Your days in the immortal sect must be ten times more dangerous than life outside.”

Looking at his father’s weathered figure, Xu Xuan knew that his attempt to conceal the true dangers of his sect life could not fool him.

“Yes, it is perilous beyond measure. But only such a path will lead me into the truly magnificent and boundless world of cultivation.”

Xu Xuan met his father’s gaze with confidence and fighting spirit.

At the same time, he offered comfort: “But don’t worry, Father. I am now an inner sect disciple and have already passed through the sect’s most dangerous trials.”

“That is good,” his father replied, finally relaxing a little. With his experience as someone who had once reached the fifth or sixth stage of body refinement, he understood far more than most.

Xu Xuan’s gaze fell upon his father’s lame leg, and his heart filled with regret, as if burdened by an irreparable flaw.

Now that he was a formal disciple of the immortal sect, with a limitless future, many things once beyond his reach might now be possible.

After persistent questioning, his father sighed. “My leg is not beyond healing—unless one could obtain the rare ‘Three-Spirit Deer Blood’ of the cultivation world. This blood possesses miraculous powers, able to restore dead flesh to life. But even for cultivators, it is invaluable. Don’t trouble yourself over this. Even crippled, I can live on; you must never risk yourself for it.”

“Three-Spirit Deer Blood?” Xu Xuan nodded, remembering the name well. It must be an extraordinarily precious material—he would look into it when he returned to the sect.

Late that night, Xu Xuan once again attempted to break through the ninth level of the Breathing Technique. There was still considerable resistance, with only slight progress. Yet, in dreams, within the starry sea of memory, he continued cultivating with his consciousness, finding the effect even better.

The next morning, as soon as he rose, he secretly called his sister into his room.

Xu Huilan sensed that her brother was more solemn and cautious than ever before.

“This ‘Marrow Cleansing Pill’ is an invaluable treasure for body-refining mortals. Today, I am entrusting it to you,” Xu Xuan said, taking a deep breath and producing a small jade bottle the size of a thumb.

“Marrow Cleansing Pill…” Xu Huilan’s lips parted in disbelief. “Didn’t you use this pill yourself to reach the seventh level of body refinement?”

“This is a secret—tell no one! After you take it, you’ll undergo a complete transformation, and may reach the seventh level of body refinement within a month or two. I am already at the seventh level and no longer need it,” Xu Xuan cautioned her repeatedly.

Xu Huilan, bright and perceptive, understood the gravity of the matter and dared not take it lightly.

At once, Xu Xuan had her swallow the Marrow Cleansing Pill and personally stood guard as she absorbed its effects.

The power of the pill was wondrous and potent, greatly enhancing the physical constitution of any body-refining mortal and helping them reach or approach the seventh level in a short time.

Within just one day of taking the pill, Xu Huilan broke through to the fourth level of body refinement—leaping over a chasm most mortals could never cross.

And this was only the beginning; the pill’s effects had only half unfolded, and the transformation was ongoing.

Xu Xuan, unable to spare more time, sent Song Heng to town to purchase auxiliary elixirs and spirit liquids to help assimilate the pill’s power.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Xu Huilan’s constitution was now nearing the fifth level of body refinement.

Xu Yuan and Yang Xiaoqian had already returned to the Windfeather Immortal Sect. As an inner sect disciple, Xu Xuan was permitted a maximum of five days leave.

For these three days, he had devoted himself to guarding his sister, unable to think of anything else.

Fortunately, by then, the Marrow Cleansing Pill’s effects had fully settled within Xu Huilan. The residual power would continue to work for another month or two.

Xu Xuan urged her to keep her true cultivation hidden at all times and taught her several powerful techniques from his previous life for concealing her aura.

“At this rate, she’ll surely reach the seventh level within two months. Could it be that her spiritual root is truly impressive?” Watching his sister meditating, Xu Xuan’s eyes shone with speculation.

With that thought, he decided to orally transmit to her part of the “Thirteen Explanations of Immortal Arts,” a precious foundational cultivation method from his previous life. This technique was superior by several degrees even to those taught to core disciples of the Windfeather Immortal Sect, and he dared not even commit it to paper.

After settling these matters, Xu Xuan left behind many spirit stones and told Song Heng to help his sister buy formation materials in town when possible.

Over the next day or two, Xu Xuan returned to the mountains to train in the eighth form, the “Howl” Technique. Session after session of intense cultivation further stabilized his eighth-level body refinement.

After all, the “Howl” Technique was so formidable that it could not be easily practiced within the sect.

At last, the day came for his leave to end. Bidding his family farewell, Xu Xuan set out for Xingyu Mountain.

On that very day, thanks to the precious Marrow Cleansing Pill and the advanced technique, Xu Huilan broke through to the fifth level of body refinement. At this pace, reaching the seventh level within two months was all but assured.

Following her brother’s instructions, she used a special method to conceal her aura. Ordinary mortals would see her as only at the second or third level, and even cultivators could not discern her true strength without special techniques.

“Brother, I will not let you down. I will become a masterful formation cultivator.”

In Xu Huilan’s bright eyes shone a will of steel and anticipation.

…

When Xu Xuan returned to Xingyu Mountain, he immediately sensed a tense and urgent atmosphere unlike anything before.

Even in daylight, the number of patrolling cultivators and disciples had more than doubled.

He had barely sat down in his northern cliff pavilion before Wan Fushan, belly protruding, waddled in with a beaming smile. “Junior Brother Xu, I’ve actually missed you a little after these two months apart.”

Missed him?

Xu Xuan sat calmly, his tone indifferent. “If Senior Brother Wan has something to say, just say it.”

The two of them were now both inner sect disciples, equals in status. Xu Xuan saw no reason to be polite.

A shadow flickered across Wan Fushan’s face, quickly suppressed, as he forced a genial tone. “The sect has been on high alert these days, and we’re short-handed. More inner sect disciples are being assigned to patrol duty—most of us have to take a turn.”

“It’s just patrol duty, isn’t it?” Xu Xuan sipped his tea unperturbed.

Wan Fushan grew all the more annoyed at his composure, his resentment simmering.

But his oily face managed a smile. “As fate would have it, you and I are in the same patrol squad this round. Your senior brother here is only a deputy squad leader, and I’ve come to inform you of the details…”

Wan Fushan rambled on about patrol arrangements and enforcement.

Xu Xuan just drank his tea, expressionless, leaving Wan Fushan puzzled and frustrated. Does this boy feel nothing? Is he scared stiff?

“…I trust you understand what I mean, Junior Brother Xu.” Wan Fushan finally finished, licking his dry lips, his smile carrying a hidden chill. “Just wait until we’re in the same squad—see how I deal with you!”

He looked at Xu Xuan expectantly.

“Mm, I understand.” Xu Xuan nodded absentmindedly, put down his teacup, then seemed to remember something. “By the way, Senior Brother, weren’t you here to tell me about the patrol?”

Wan Fushan’s face twitched violently, turning livid.

(First chapter, seeking recommendations)