Volume 1, Chapter 25: Entanglement

With that, Elder Wu Qingshan placed a crimson medicinal pill into Zhao Feng’s hand.

Looking at the blood-red pill, which radiated a surging and volatile energy, Zhao Feng couldn't help but ask, "Elder Wu, this is..."

Wu Qingshan gave a dry, hollow laugh before explaining, "This is a pill I refined myself, known as the Yaksha Pill."

"Once consumed, it will grant you a short-term surge in power. Given your current level of strength, if you take this Yaksha Pill, your cultivation will be boosted to at least the Spirit Severing Stage."

"With the power of the Spirit Severing Stage, killing Lin Hongye will be as easy as turning over one's hand."

Zhao Feng stared at the pill in his palm, but he felt no joy. He understood the simple truth that all power exceeding one's own limitations must be bought with a price.

Swallowing hard against his growing nervousness, he asked, "Elder Wu, if I take this pill, will there be any side effects?"

Wu Qingshan nodded, his tone light and indifferent. "Naturally. Once the effects of the pill wear off, your lifespan will be halved, and your cultivation level will regress."

"However, thanks to my alchemy skills, I have managed to mitigate the side effects. I have calculated that the cost for you will be limited to your cultivation dropping back to the Golden Core Stage, and your lifespan being reduced by only one-third."

Hearing of such severe consequences, Zhao Feng’s face turned deathly pale. He had spent over twenty years in the sect, clawing his way up through hardship to reach his current position and cultivation level. If he took this pill, years—perhaps even over a decade—of his hard work would vanish in an instant.

As he pondered this, Zhao Feng began to weigh the pros and cons. Was all of this truly worth it?

Seeing the pallor on Zhao Feng’s face and his trembling pupils, Wu Qingshan knew exactly what he was thinking. He patted Zhao Feng on the shoulder and offered a hollow comfort.

"Don't worry. Once you kill Lin Hongye, I will bring you back to the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect."

"When we return, I will personally petition the Sect Master to reward you, and I will have him use his own power to eliminate these side effects. Does that put your mind at ease?" Wu Qingshan asked with a chuckle.

Zhao Feng’s expression remained troubled, his thoughts unreadable. Seeing this, Wu Qingshan’s eyes sharpened, and his tone took on a menacing edge.

"Little Feng, you must never forget how you came to be where you are today."

"If the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect hadn't rescued you back then and given you a meal, would you have achieved anything at all?"

"Without us, you would be nothing but a rotting corpse in a pile of the dead, rather than the senior brother respected by everyone today."

Zhao Feng finally lowered his head, his hand gripping the Yaksha Pill tightly.

"I dare not, and will not, forget the teachings of the Sect."

"I only hope that upon our return to the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect, Elder Wu will speak for me and ask the Sect Master to treat my injuries, in light of my many years spent in deep cover."

Hearing this, Wu Qingshan finally nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, very good. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"For many years, rumors have circulated in the sect that you have spent so long undercover at the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect that you have forgotten your roots and no longer hold the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect in your heart."

"But looking at you now, I see you still hold the sect dear. Very well, I shall return to prepare for tomorrow’s events. I look forward to your performance."

With that, Wu Qingshan left the back mountain. Zhao Feng stood alone, a look of profound desolation on his face. After a long while, he tucked the pill into his robes and departed as well.

He returned to Sword Peak, but as he reached the entrance of his cave dwelling, he found Wang Zide waiting for him in silence.

Seeing his master, Zhao Feng felt a pang of anxiety, wondering if his cover had been blown. He composed himself and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Master."

Wang Zide looked at him, his tone impossible to read. "In tomorrow’s match against Lin Hongye, do you believe you will win?"

Zhao Feng’s heart sank, but he quickly cupped his hands. "Disciple will give his absolute best!"

As he bowed, Wang Zide used his spiritual energy to gently lift him up. With a sigh of reflection, Wang Zide said, "Ah, every generation produces its own talents."

"Looking back twenty years, you were the most brilliant genius in our sect. Now, we have Lin Hongye, and we have Lu Chen."

"I did not come here to cheer you on. I don’t know how strong Lin Hongye is, but I know my own disciple’s capabilities well enough."

Zhao Feng was momentarily stunned, unsure of what his master intended to say.

Wang Zide gave his shoulder a firm, heavy pat, his face softening in a way rarely seen.

"You must have heard the rumors of the wager between Lin Yang and us old fools."

"I only want you to know: do not put too much pressure on yourself. Fight if you can, but there is no shame in losing."

"In truth, if I really think about it, I don't even care that much about taking Lin Hongye as a disciple."

"In this life, I am already satisfied to have raised someone like you—a talent of such exceptional ability and character."

As Wang Zide spoke with warmth, the long-frozen depths of Zhao Feng’s heart rippled with emotion. He looked at his master with a dazed expression, but Wang Zide had already turned to leave.

"Remember, if you cannot win, step down early. I have already instructed your junior sister to prepare a victory banquet."

Wang Zide’s figure faded into the distance, but his words continued to echo in Zhao Feng’s heart. A moment later, Zhao Feng entered his cave, tears streaming down his face, carried away by the wind toward the direction his master had departed.

The next day, the sun hung high in the sky. The sect tournament had reached its final stage.

Every disciple in the sect awaited the match with anticipation, eager to see whether the established prodigy Zhao Feng or the rising star Lin Hongye would prevail.

Lin Hongye was already on the stage, waiting quietly, but Zhao Feng was nowhere to be seen.

The crowd began to whisper. "Why hasn't the Senior Brother appeared? Is he going to forfeit?"

"That’s impossible. Knowing the Senior Brother’s character, he would try his best regardless of the odds. Perhaps something has delayed him?"

"If he doesn't appear soon, he will be judged as having lost. Where on earth is he?"

As the crowd murmured, Lin Yang, sitting in the peak masters' gallery, teased Wang Zide, "Tell me, Peak Master Wang, your disciple has yet to appear. Could it be that he is too afraid to fight?"

"Though, that would be understandable. Lin Hongye is simply too strong."