Soon, the roar of rushing water reached the group's ears.
But it didn't sound like an ordinary waterfall.
This was deeper, heavier—like the rumble of a ten-thousand-ton boulder crashing down, shaking them to the core.
They turned a few more bends in the mountain path.
And then, it came into view.
A massive waterfall plummeted straight down from the sky. Its peak disappeared into the clouds above, as if it poured directly from the heavens themselves.
The closer they walked, the more thunderous the sound became—like war drums pounding directly on their hearts.
Even Gu Chenyuan, a cultivator who had stepped into the Immortal Lord Realm, turned pale. He immediately circulated all the spiritual energy in his body, desperately resisting the crushing pressure generated by the waterfall's sonic vibrations.
Despite his strength, his breath came ragged and shallow—as though he were on the verge of collapse.
Xiao Huohuo and the other two disciples, along with Xu Wen, were unaffected. Their sect tokens shielded them from the oppressive sonic waves of the Body-Refining Waterfall.
But Shao Fei and his two disciples were not so fortunate.
With their weaker cultivation levels—and having yet to officially join the Star-Moon Sect—they were hit full force by the waterfall's suppressive energy. Blood spurted from their mouths and noses as they collapsed onto the ground, unable to even remain standing.
With a wave of her hand, Tara York dissolved the oppressive pressure.
The thunderous roar of the waterfall seemed to recede into the distance—as if it were now thousands of miles away.
Then, she flicked three glowing pills through the air. They landed gently before Shao Fei and his two disciples.
"Take these," she said. "They'll heal your internal injuries."
Shao Fei was still in a daze from the overwhelming experience. His eyes were unfocused, his body stiff.
Xu Wen discreetly pinched him on the arm.
Shao Fei nearly howled in pain, the spot surely turning a vivid purple already.
But he didn't dare complain. With trembling hands, he cupped the pill and stammered, "T-Thank you, my lady."
His two disciples, Da Pang and Er Pang, hurriedly bowed in unison. "Thank you, my lady!"
As the pills melted in their mouths, Shao Fei's eyes widened in astonishment.
Not only were his fresh internal injuries rapidly healing—even the old wounds he had carried for years vanished without a trace.
Er Pang let out a hoarse, raspy shout. "My finger—it's grown back!"
Years ago, he'd sliced off half a finger while chopping vegetables, too absentminded to notice. He had an unusually high pain tolerance and strong healing constitution, so he hadn't realized anything was wrong until he found a bone fragment in the stir-fry during dinner.
By then, the finger had been fried with spices. No hope of reattachment.
Shao Fei had crafted a small metal cap to replace it.
Now, that metal finger-cover was lying on the ground. In its place was a fully regrown finger—perfectly formed, flexing naturally.
The only issue was…
Er Pang was built like a walking fortress: tall, broad, and rugged.
But the new finger was pale, smooth, and baby-soft. It looked absurdly out of place—like someone had glued a newborn's hand onto a war general.
He stared at it with fascination, pinching it and poking it like a shiny new toy. Within seconds, he'd pinched it so hard it turned purple.
Shao Fei smacked the back of his head. "Stop playing with it!"
Xu Wen turned toward Tara with admiration. "Sect Master, that pill was incredible."
"I've seen many things in my years," he said, "but I've never witnessed bone regrowth."
"May I ask—what is this miraculous pill called?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward Tara, filled with awe and curiosity.
"Just a minor Rejuvenation Pill," Tara said casually.
Gasps swept through the group.
Mi Wenqi, an alchemist elder from the Misty Sect, nearly shrieked like a duck. "A n-ninth-grade Rejuvenation Pill…?"
Just a minor pill?
Ancient texts described the Rejuvenation Pill as a ninth-grade elixir, capable of restoring flesh and bones—even reviving the near-dead.
Only a ninth-grade alchemist could attempt to craft one. Even then, the success rate was no better than one in a hundred.
As of now, not a single ninth-grade alchemist existed in the entire Northern Wilderness. The highest known was eighth-grade.
That alone was enough to show how rare and precious such a pill was.
Shao Fei's face turned pale as he tried to force himself to throw it up.
This—this kind of god-tier pill, and he'd used it on a little bruising and a few cracked ribs?
What a waste!
But it was too late.
The pill had dissolved the moment it hit his tongue. There was nothing left to spit out.
"A mere Rejuvenation Pill. Nothing worth fussing over," Tara said with a wave of her hand, shifting her gaze to Shao Fei.
Xu Wen quickly pulled his friend forward. "Sect Master, this is my old friend Shao Fei, and these two boys are his disciples."
"His cultivation might not be top-tier, but his culinary skills are unmatched."
"He's mastered every cuisine across the Five Continents. No exaggeration—he's a culinary champion."
Fearing his friend was overselling him, Shao Fei quickly bowed with humility. "My name is Shao Fei. I greet you, my lady."
"It's true I have a passion for food and have traveled widely. I've picked up quite a few cooking techniques along the way…"
"But to be called a 'champion'—that's too much."
"If you don't mind, I'd be honored to prepare a meal for you, as a humble offering."
"Very well," Tara nodded. "The Outer Sect kitchen is fully equipped."
"Elder Xu, assist him."
With Shao Fei's limited cultivation, he wouldn't be able to process spiritual beasts on his own.
Shao Fei started to protest, but Xu Wen tugged on his sleeve. Taking the cue, Shao Fei changed his tone. "Then I'll trouble you, Elder Xu."
Tara waved her hand again, enveloping the three of them in a light barrier. With a shimmer, they vanished into the void.
Gu Chenyuan wiped sweat from his forehead.
Even after all he'd seen, he still found Tara York's power utterly overwhelming.
He bowed low. "Sect Master, I was reckless during our Central Continent mission and ended up provoking a Saint from Tianyi Sect."
"Were it not for your intervention, we might not have made it back alive."
"I thank you for saving our lives. I vow to never repeat the same mistake."
"If punishment is due, I accept it willingly."
"No punishment," Tara said. "When our people are bullied, of course we go and settle the score."
"If you lacked even that courage, I would be disappointed."
"We of the Star-Moon Sect protect our own."
"But that said," she added, "we don't provoke others without reason."
"Yes, Sect Master," Gu Chenyuan replied, relief washing over him.
He had feared a harsh reprimand, especially since he'd acted before gathering full intel—endangering Xu Wen in the process.
Tara continued, "Your cultivation may be exceptional by Northern standards, but in the Central Continent, it's far from enough."
"When you encounter stronger opponents, it's only natural that you fall short."
"You must cultivate harder. Push beyond your current limits."
"Yes!" Gu Chenyuan nodded solemnly.
Tara flicked her finger and sent a golden talisman into his hands.
"This holds ten protective strikes. Use it for self-defense."
Gu Chenyuan's face flushed with excitement. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
He'd heard of this talisman from Xu Wen—Jiang Huai in Yong'an City had one just like it.
And now, it was his.
Tara turned to Xiao Huohuo. "Go stand beneath the waterfall. Do not use any spiritual power. I want to see how long you can endure it."
"Yes, Sect Master," Xiao Huohuo responded immediately.
She flew toward the side of the waterfall.
Though it was only a short distance across the pond, the force of the waterfall created immense pressure in the air.
It took her nearly a full incense stick's time of flight just to reach the opposite side.