"Looks like I need to speed things up. The court has already taken notice of this place—and after I killed two late-stage Body Refining operatives, the next ones they send will likely be Qi Refining puppets. That Demon Queen definitely has the means to create them."
Emerging from her meditative state, Su Min silently assessed the situation, her expression cold.
In this world, combat prowess encompassed many aspects: cultivation methods, martial skills, spiritual treasures, rare artifacts... The more complete one's arsenal, the stronger one became. A truly complete system even allowed the impossible—to challenge and defeat enemies of higher realms.
In this regard, Su Min was far from perfect. Her spiritual treasure was still under refinement, and rare artifacts could only be acquired through fate. The nascent spirit gourd she was nurturing was one such example. Thus, for now, she could only rely on her innate divine abilities.
At that thought, Su Min summoned her personal panel into view. Displayed upon it were three paths:
[Path of Longevity (To Survive Against All Odds)][Path of Slaughter (To End Conflict Through Bloodshed)][Path of Salvation (To Aid the Suffering and Helpless)]
She had just strengthened her divine ability under the Path of Slaughter. As for the Path of Longevity, there was little use in rushing it. As for the Path of Salvation, it was more abstract—she had already distributed countless medicines, yet it teetered on the brink of advancement.
Both the Path of Longevity and the Path of Salvation were fundamentally gentle and passive approaches. Su Min recalled the player forums where routes had been analyzed—the Path of Merit, which emphasized enlightenment through teaching and guidance.
Originally, her plan was simple: once the spirit gourd matured, she would roam the lands of Great Wei. On one hand, it would further her progress along various paths; on the other, it would allow her to seize rare artifacts before the ancient powers yet slumbering in the world fully awakened.
But now, circumstances had changed. She would need to unlock a new path immediately. Yet taking in students and teaching them personally? Su Min immediately rejected the idea. She had neither the patience nor the luxury to slow her own cultivation for others. Fortunately, there was a faster and simpler method: alchemy.
While she still had a single Qi Induction Pill left, she wouldn't part with it lightly. If someone wanted it, they'd have to pay a steep price. But the Body Tempering Pill was another matter. A Grade One pill, yes—but difficult to craft, no less than a Grade Two in complexity.
Moreover, the ingredients for it were rare in these southern mountains. And since Su Min had already stepped into the Qi Refining stage, the Body Tempering Pill had become useless to her personally. Thus, she had never prioritized making it. But now, it was different.
Among the vast stockpile of herbs gifted by the Fuding Merchant Guild, there were just enough materials to concoct a furnace or two of Body Tempering Pills. No matter how difficult it was, it could not compare to refining a Qi Induction Pill.
Thus—
"Body Tempering Pill."
Narrowing her eyes at the glittering pills in her palm, Su Min began to ponder how to best put them to use. If you imagined a world of a hundred people, perhaps only one could naturally enter the Body Refining realm through sheer effort. Such individuals wouldn't even need the pill. For the remaining ten or so with potential, however, the journey was arduous. They would need to relentlessly temper their bodies and cultivate foundational techniques, awaiting the elusive chance to break through.
For them, a Body Tempering Pill would be like a key to the gates of higher cultivation—massively increasing their odds. Still, selecting the right recipients was crucial. The villagers deep within the mountains, while sturdy, were nutritionally stunted and few in number. The impoverished lands and harsh environment had left lasting marks on their bodies. If she was to recruit candidates, it had to be within the greater cities of Great Wei.
"I'll go to the Fuding Merchant Guild. They're like a shadow empire thriving under the dynasty's nose. They should have access to suitable candidates—ones the court can't easily exploit. Time for a trip."
With that, Su Min swiftly left her bamboo grove and headed toward the city. This was only her second visit to a Great Wei-controlled city since arriving in the southern borderlands. However, before she even reached the city proper, Su Min stopped in her tracks. Her eyes darkened.
The once half-fortress city, nestled at the mountain's foot, had fallen into complete ruin. Dense miasmas of death hung heavy in the air. In an ordinary kingdom's fall, this might have been expected. But in this mysterious world, such decay heralded disaster—
When the human spirit weakened, paths of ghosts and demons would run rampant. Su Min's heart twisted slightly at the sight. It should have been a treasure trove of experience, but she found no joy in the notion.
"First things first. I'll finish my task, then deal with whatever's left behind."
No matter how dire the situation, the Fuding Merchant Guild had continued supplying her without interruption. Suggested they had not fallen—at least not completely. But the moment she stepped into the city's broken streets, several predatory gazes locked onto her without hesitation.
In the past, such scavengers only dared to act once she left the city limits. Now, emboldened by chaos, they stalked the streets in broad daylight—and it wasn't just one or two. Su Min's lips curved into a cold smirk.
"First, the guild's headquarters." Having made her decision, she strode deeper into the city's decaying heart.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Soon, at the heavily-guarded gates of a luxurious compound, Su Min—carrying a bloodstained saber—was stopped by wary guards.
"Deliver this token to your steward."
Su Min spoke indifferently, tossing aside the battered blade still dripping with blood. She then leaned casually against the gate, arms crossed, waiting. Upon seeing the token, the guards stiffened, no longer daring to slight her. One immediately bolted into the estate. Barely three minutes passed before a rotund merchant, panting heavily, came rushing over.
At the sight of Su Min—who radiated the sharp aura of one fresh from slaughter—he instinctively stumbled back a step. Given the current state of the world, his reaction was understandable. In the short distance from the city's edge to the compound, Su Min had already been ambushed six or seven times. Those desperate thugs, seeing her alone, had tried to capture and sell her.
She had no patience for their antics—each attempt had been answered with swift, merciless death. To a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage, such rabble were little more than weeds to be cut down.
"Long time no see," Su Min said lazily, her voice carrying an edge. "Didn't expect you to be the one holding the reins here."
The merchant sighed heavily. "Chaos reigns in Great Wei. Ironically, these southern borderlands are safer in comparison. To better serve you, I chose to settle here. Old as I am, I no longer have the strength to venture into the mountains."
"Let's talk inside." Su Min didn't waste breath outside. Under heavy escort, she was led into a reception room. The moment they sat down, Su Min dropped a bombshell that nearly made the merchant spit out his tea.
"Just now, some men from the Demon Slaying Bureau attacked me. I killed them all. Of course, it would be rude to not return the favor— I plan to give the emperor a little... surprise."