Chapter Eighty-Six: The Escape Pill

It was exactly as Chu Youcai had said earlier: among heaven and earth, there are those born of talent who, knowing the thing cannot be done, still do it.

Just as he had said before: though there be a thousand men against me, I go forward.

At this moment, no one found it laughable, and no one thought Chu Youcai insignificant. On the contrary, all of them felt that his will was as hard as iron, his voice like a great bell, and that he possessed a spirit of fearless grandeur.

“Hah hah hah!” Chu Yuwei had never imagined that Chu Youcai would have such courage. One must know that after a battle of life and death, one side must inevitably be decided by death, and whatever was on the dead man’s person would naturally be dealt with entirely by the survivor. In essence, Chu Youcai was wagering with the fish-scale blade in hand.

A cold smile appeared at the corners of Chu Yuwei’s mouth as he said, “Since you insist on throwing your life away, then do not blame me for being ruthless. I will give you three months. Though, with your current cultivation, I fear that by then you may not even qualify for the martial examination at the Prince of Chu’s residence, much less anything else.”

Chu Youcai said coldly, “If by then I do not even have the qualifications to take part in the Nine Provinces Sacred Trial of Yan and Cloud, then I shall count that as my defeat.”

“Good! Then let me see, at that time, just how far you can turn things around!” Chu Yuwei laughed out loud. “Your courage is commendable. Knowing the thing cannot be done and still doing it—quite admirable! But defying the heavens is not something accomplished by words alone!” At once, he returned to the old man, Yan Nantian’s side, bowing his head as though nothing at all had happened.

Only then did Yan Nantian carefully study Chu Youcai. It seemed that there was also something about him that even Yan Nantian could not fully see through.

Then, with the immortal sword in his hand, he drew out a rainbow. He stood upon it and employed the art of crossing immeasurable distance in a single step. In only one breath, he and Chu Yuwei were already a thousand paces away.

After watching them leave, everyone’s gaze turned cold.

Just now, the bones of Master Liu had not yet grown cold, and Chu Yuwei had already done such a thing. This had filled them with anger. Chu Youcai’s response was exactly the conduct of a man of righteous heart and gallant bones, and it made them admire him deeply.

At the same time, however, worry also rose in their hearts. Chu Yuwei was a genius, renowned not only in Yan Province, but throughout the Nine Provinces of Yan and Cloud, and even within the Kingdom of Loulan. Countless people had once sought to challenge him, only to be defeated by him despite their superior realms. Yet Chu Youcai’s current cultivation was no different from striking an egg against a stone.

If Chu Youcai wanted to take part in the Nine Provinces Sacred Assembly of Yan and Cloud, he would first have to win qualification in Yan Province. And now, half a month from then, the Prince of Chu’s residence would hold a martial examination, and only the first-place winner would be eligible. As for the second young master of the Prince of Chu’s residence, he had learned the Dao arts years ago, and by now had three or four years of Dao cultivation. In the eyes of others, his taking first place was almost without suspense. It could be said that for Chu Youcai to overturn the second young master at the Prince of Chu’s martial examination would already be exceedingly difficult.

Moreover, at the Nine Provinces Sacred Assembly of Yan and Cloud, countless prodigies would emerge one after another. There would even be young unicorns carrying mysterious inherited bloodlines, some with thirty years of Dao cultivation or perhaps more. To break through such a siege was no easy matter.

Of course, the martial champion of the Nine Provinces Sacred Assembly of Yan and Cloud would not only receive the qualification to be tested by the Immortal Slaughter Academy, but would also obtain generous rewards. The top ten could each be bestowed all manner of immortal medicines, and the first place could even be rewarded with a cursed treasure.

That was something countless people longed for.

Yet to seize first place, even Chu Yuwei himself would only have a fifty or sixty percent chance. How difficult it would be.

At this moment, everyone who looked at Chu Youcai did so with a trace of pity.

Though a genius, he had been born at the wrong time.

Then, Yang Ridan suddenly walked up before Chu Youcai and said, “Brother Chu, I believe in you.”

Chu Youcai was taken aback. At that moment, he remembered that Yang Ridan had originally also been preparing to take part in the Nine Provinces Sacred Assembly of Yan and Cloud. But because his master, Yan Yunfei, had been punished, Yang Ridan had been confined as well, and he likely no longer even had the qualifications to participate.

A faint look of regret appeared in his eyes, but at the same time there was also a trace of curiosity. Why had Yang Ridan said this?

Yang Ridan said solemnly, “Chu Yuwei was fully cultivated the moment he entered the Yan Sect. His seniority is even on the same level as my master’s, so one could say he is a genius once in a hundred years. Moreover, his ten-finger sword control is continuous and inexhaustible; his swordsmanship is incomparably sharp, yet consumes very little. His style of combat is terrifying, and no one of the same level can match him. By the speed at which he has grown, he may even one day become the new generation’s head of the Yan Sect.”

Hearing this, everyone’s hearts jolted. None had imagined that Chu Yuwei would be so formidable.

Chu Youcai was likewise shaken.

Then Yang Ridan looked straight at Chu Youcai and said, “But Brother Chu, you have the talent of a unicorn! Though you have not yet learned any Dao arts, you possess the foundation of both poetry and the Dao, and the two do not conflict. If you can obtain Dao arts, you can absolutely overtake him in a very short time! As for Chu Yuwei, though strong, he has not yet become the future head of the Yan Sect. His path has been too smooth. He has never encountered setbacks, and therefore lacks the fearless spirit that you possess. That is why his Dao still has flaws!”

After a pause, Yang Ridan continued, “I used to think that among the younger generation I was already considered outstanding. But after seeing you, I have only then understood that your courage and your spirit are beyond my reach. And I believe that you will soon encounter the immortal fate of Dao arts! As long as an opportunity appears, you will be able to rise like a dragon from the abyss and roam beyond heaven and earth!”

At once, Yang Ridan handed Chu Youcai a bottle of immortal elixir in his hand and said, “This is a One-Escape Pill. Keep it safe.”

Chu Youcai took it, and instantly felt that even through the bottle he could sense the fragrance of the pill. With only one breath, the weariness in his body suddenly vanished, replaced by an indescribable feeling of ease and clarity.

Chu Youcai was inwardly startled. That terrifying sense of depletion he had suffered before had not subsided even after taking medicinal broth, nor after receiving the immortal power infusion from Yan Nantian. Yet now, with only a whiff, he had fully recovered.

This pill was actually this powerful!

Chu Youcai even felt that if he took it, his progress would instantly become miles in a single day. He also sensed that this pill seemed capable of elevating the level of cursed treasures.

Unable to help himself, Chu Youcai said in a daze, “Such a pill must be extremely precious. Brother Yang, you...”

Yan Yunfei suddenly burst out laughing with heroic warmth as he walked over. “You little rascal, Yang Ridan! When I first took you in as my disciple, I gave you this immortal pill, and you actually kept it all this time? I thought your cultivation had reached this level because of that pill. But now it seems you have great prospects for the future!”

Yang Ridan respectfully said, “A gift from my master is something this disciple has always treasured deeply. It’s just that this disciple felt that learning the Dao should not rely on the power of immortal medicines, so I never could bear to use it.”

“Good! Good!” Yan Yunfei then turned to Chu Youcai and said, “This medicine is extremely precious. As the Yan Sect’s wandering representative to the world, in ten years I have only ever been gifted one. Since Yang Ridan is willing to give it to you, that means it is your fate. Keep it well!”

At that moment, Chu Youcai’s heart could not help but tremble.

He had been pressured to the brink of despair, and Yan Yunfei had even been willing to strike the South Heaven Bell to protect him. As for what Yang Ridan had given him, it was a treasure coveted in the hearts of countless people. Such kindness, like charcoal sent in snow, warmed him profoundly.

Just as he was about to say something, Yan Yunfei patted his shoulder and rose into the air. Yang Ridan followed close behind, and from the horizon came Yan Yunfei’s voice: “Among heaven and earth, there are those born of talent. Though there be a thousand men against me, I go forward. Chu Youcai, do not disappoint us!”

The voice was bold, carrying a surging and unrestrained fervor.

Watching their figures disappear, Chu Youcai clenched the One-Escape Pill tightly, his gaze like iron, and silently vowed, “Senior Yan, Brother Yang, I will repay this kindness no matter what.”

I think this turned out very well, even beyond my own expectations. Although I cut quite a few scenes in the middle, I still managed to keep the parts I personally think are the most enjoyable for everyone. One-eighth of the iceberg is above water, and those are the most distinctive parts.

From here on, this should be the point where the book truly sets sail. The subsequent plot has already been arranged, and I believe it will only become more exciting.

Let us, who love this book, chase the distant light and shadow, split the ice, and see the dawn. So long as our destination is vast enough, one day we will reach the far shore.

With love,
Nangong