Nameless District Arc Chapter 61: An Unspoken Understanding Among Men

With the closure of the World Pearl, the trial finally came to an end. News of the trial’s brutality spread swiftly, provoking astonishment and becoming a hot topic in the nearby cultivation realms. The Formative Sect publicly condemned the Five Spirit Pill Valley and the Yin Corpse Sect for their disciples’ collusion within the secret realm, declaring their actions shameful and announcing the rupture of their alliance with Five Spirit Pill Valley. As a result, the Formative Sect’s standing in the cultivation world began to decline, and a silent upheaval was brewing within its ranks.

Shortly afterward, the three major sects—excluding the Song Mountain Sword Pavilion—secretly visited the Beast Pavilion in Carefree City, reaching some sort of agreement with the mysterious figure there. This stirred the attention of the smaller cultivation factions, who learned that Carefree City harbored a hidden dragon in its depths.

Within the Formative Sect, daily life continued, but the comings and goings of disciples dwindled noticeably. Losses first came among the inner disciples, then the outer, with nearly a hundred disciples lost in the trial, leaving the sect depleted and its once vibrant energy diminished. The twilight that day seemed to mirror the sect’s melancholy.

Zhou Xuanhong and the siblings Kong Xiaori and Kong Xiaoyue enjoyed a meal of spirit cuisine at their usual spot, prepared from the beasts slain in the World Pearl. The aroma filled the air, tempting the appetite.

This time, another woman joined them. Since the alliance between Formative Sect and Five Spirit Pill Valley had fallen apart, Xu Yuhan could no longer spend long periods at Five Spirit Pill Valley. She took her leave, severed her master-disciple bond with Wei Cangyuan, returned all cultivation resources he had given her, and, relying on Formative Sect’s support, paid back what she owed.

Xu Yuhan threw herself into the Pill Hall of the Auxiliary Pavilion, becoming its deputy master and teaching disciples with pill-making talent the techniques of Five Spirit Pill Valley.

She sighed, “It’s so frustrating. Those with talent don’t want to learn, and those without talent can’t learn at all. I feel like such a failure. I hoped I could elevate the Pill Hall’s reputation!”

Zhou Xuanhong comforted her, “Don’t worry, take it slow. When next year’s recruitment arrives, the sect will surely bring in many new disciples. If you personally scout them, you’re bound to find some extraordinary talent.”

Xu Yuhan nodded, “Yes, may your words come true. By the way, Hong, if you don’t train harder, Xiaori and Xiaoyue are going to catch up to you. They’ve both reached the peak of Qi Refining, and I feel I’m on the threshold of the late Foundation Establishment stage myself. Yet you still have time to sit here and indulge your appetite.”

Zhou Xuanhong smiled gently, “It’s alright. Cultivation is also about cultivating the mind. I won’t compare myself to geniuses, or else I’ll eventually breed inner demons. I just need to focus on myself; the future holds promise.”

“Hehe! I love chatting with you, Hong. Yes, the future holds promise, so why chase after fleeting achievements? I’m determined to make the Pill Hall flourish, surpass Five Spirit Pill Valley, and make my former master seek me out for pill-making techniques!”

Zhou Xuanhong smiled silently, his eyes occasionally flickering with sorrow, always maintaining the demeanor of a devoted soul, which made Xu Yuhan feel both pain and pity.

Kong Xiaori, who had finished preparing the spirit cuisine, pursed his lips, “Alright, enough chatting. You two moochers can hurry up and leave after eating. If you keep eating like this every day, you’ll turn into fatties sooner or later.”

Xu Yuhan stood, dusted off her clothes, bounced over to taste the food from the pot, and savored it blissfully. “If I become fat, so be it. It’s your fault for making it so delicious. Now, whenever I see Fasting Pills, I feel sick—that’s on you.”

Kong Xiaoyue stuck out her tongue. “Then you should eat more and become so fat that no one will want you. I’ll eat less and outdo you!”

Kong Xiaori gently flicked his sister’s delicate nose and spoke affectionately, “Silly girl, you need to eat more. The only reason I became a spirit chef was for you. Even if you turn into a three-hundred-pound fatty, I won’t abandon you.”

Zhou Xuanhong teased while eating, “Tsk tsk, Xiaoyue, don’t believe a man’s words. I saw your brother ogling a big-bosomed lady today!”

Kong Xiaori glared at Zhou Xuanhong and hurried to explain, “No, no, listen to me, sister…”

Kong Xiaoyue interrupted, taking a big bite of meat. “Hmph! What’s so interesting about big chests? If I grow up, no wildflower could compare to me!”

“Uh…”

The three fell silent. Kong Xiaoyue, usually reserved, had spoken out, and they could all sense the jealousy in her tone.

But she certainly had the right to say so. Though young, Kong Xiaoyue’s beauty was already striking, her skin as fair as jade. Many disciples in Formative Sect admired her, and once she matured, her allure would rival Bai Youxuan’s—she was destined to be a peerless beauty.

After finishing their meal, Zhou Xuanhong headed to the library pavilion. At the entrance, the old mountain macaque had just finished his afternoon nap, yawning as he saw Zhou Xuanhong arrive. “You again, boy. What are you here for this time?”

Zhou Xuanhong bowed in greeting. “May I ask what you mean, elder?”

“Stop, stop, enough! I surrender. You’re addicted, aren’t you? You’ve come to borrow books from the pavilion time and again, and I haven’t seen you return any. Are you planning to empty my library?”

Zhou Xuanhong smiled, “You misunderstand, elder. I’m borrowing books on formations to study on my own, as they say, ‘a man can never have too many skills.’ You know how difficult formations are, so I hope you’ll understand.”

The old mountain macaque’s eyes snapped open, staring at Zhou Xuanhong intently, and he chuckled, “Are you sure that’s all?”

Zhou Xuanhong met his gaze, perceiving the sharp probing intent behind those eyes, as if to peer into his emotions and thoughts. He activated his innate ability—Emotion Control.

Yet, the old mountain macaque was destined for disappointment. Zhou Xuanhong’s eyes were clear, showing neither panic nor fear, only a hint of confusion and discontent.

“Why, elder? Have I offended you? If you object to me entering the library, please say so directly!”

The old mountain macaque’s eyelids drooped again, waving his hand. “What are you saying? I’ve lived nearly two thousand years; I’m not so petty. I just used my ability to see if you’d done anything against your conscience—just a bit of fun, don’t take it so seriously!”

“Hmph!”

Zhou Xuanhong walked straight into the library, leaving the old mountain macaque standing there, smiling awkwardly.

Suddenly, a divine sense transmission entered the old mountain macaque’s mind. “Well, any issues?”

He replied, “No issues, but no issues is an issue.”

Xuan Qizi’s voice sounded impatient. “If you have something to say, spit it out!”

The old mountain macaque bristled. “Is that how you speak to your elders? I’m older than you!”

“Fine, fine, speak your mind!”

Satisfied, the old mountain macaque replied, “This boy is too normal—so normal it’s abnormal. Not only is his conscience clear, he doesn’t even have a trace of negative emotion. That means either he truly has nothing to hide; or his psychological strength is so great he can deceive even himself; or he has some secret treasure in his sea of consciousness protecting his soul from my innate ability.”

Xuan Qizi pondered a moment and transmitted, “Which do you think it is?”

“I think the first is most likely, though the second isn’t impossible. As for the third, I’d need to see for myself.”

Xuan Qizi replied wryly, “Listening to you is like listening to nothing. Forget it, let him be; the ancestor is watching over this matter anyway.”

After cutting off the divine sense connection, the old mountain macaque settled back into his rocking chair, musing idly, “Is this your final choice? I don’t think highly of it; that child is not ordinary!”

Soon, Zhou Xuanhong left the library with three jade slips and two books. He had the old mountain macaque inspect them before putting them in his storage pouch, saying casually as he departed, “So many disciples died in the World Pearl. Life is fragile; though they had years ahead, they still perished in pursuit of resources that didn’t match their fate. Elder, you understand cultivation—may you live to see two thousand years!”

After Zhou Xuanhong left, the old mountain macaque opened his eyes, then closed them again, pondering the words carefully before shaking his head.

“Some things must be done, some things cannot be avoided. Was that a threat? But I have no choice!”

Leaving the library, Zhou Xuanhong flew on his sword to the outside of Sect Leader Peak, where a figure had been waiting.

When Luo Tuan saw Zhou Xuanhong, he slung an arm around his shoulder, waggling his eyebrows. “Ahem, Brother Zhou, I’ve got the second-grade formation studies you wanted, as repayment for our earlier exchange. Are you satisfied?”

Luo Tuan took five jade slips from his storage pouch—the quality showed the content inside was anything but simple.

Zhou Xuanhong infused his divine sense, nodded with satisfaction. “Thank you, Brother Luo. That was a win-win, not a favor. By the way, I have something you’ll love. Come with me.”

He led Luo Tuan to his wooden residence at Sect Leader Peak, where knee-high green spiritual herbs flourished on the ground, vibrant and healthy.

“What are these? Their vital energy is thick.”

Zhou Xuanhong explained, “These are Blood Vitality Rising Grass seeds I bought from a vendor, only half spiritual grade, so it’s no surprise you didn’t recognize them. I spent over a month carefully cultivating them, using lots of beast blood, and they’ve now reached spiritual herb grade. They greatly boost vital energy, especially in that area—you know what I mean.”

Luo Tuan was amazed. “You’re talented, Brother. To raise half-grade seeds to spiritual herb grade is impressive. Are you sure about their effects?”

Zhou Xuanhong cut a bundle with his spirit sword and handed it over confidently. “Rest assured, if they don’t work, I’ll eat them raw myself!”

Luo Tuan stored the bundle, coughed, “In that case, I’ll give them a try, but let’s keep this matter secret—bad for reputation. I’ll take my leave now.”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded, giving a knowing look. “Understood, Brother Luo. Let me see you out.”

After escorting Luo Tuan from Sect Leader Peak, Zhou Xuanhong returned to his wooden house, casually cut a batch of Blood Vitality Rising Grass and chewed it. The taste was decent, though with a strange tang.

“I need Xiaori to prepare this for me—cold mixed like chives would taste great. I don’t need its effects yet, but I must prepare for the future. Wait for me, my love; I’ll come for you soon!”