Chapter 115: The Interview, the Timewheel Pill

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Placing the spirit crane egg into the jade box on the floor, a slender finger wrapped in scaled skin gently closed the lid. Although the spirit crane egg obtained from the blue-eyed female Taoist still retained vitality, the mother crane who laid it was nowhere to be found.

Though Ji Ming’s “Wet Egg Fetal Transformation Eye” had revealed the character [Egg], it could not directly influence the spirit crane egg without the presence of the mother, let alone use the Huangliang Dream Pillow to assist in testing the reincarnation dream.

He sought out Elder Yuan and spoke of the pair of demon cranes—not truly intending to capture them as a gift for the old Taoist. These demon cranes had cultivated in the sacred site of Lady Huo De of Nanhua on Jixuan Mountain. Such a feat was impossible without genuine ability or strong backing.

Ji Ming’s words to Elder Yuan were merely a cover for his true purpose—to meet the pair of demon cranes. He had already learned that the pair had nested and laid eggs on Liuxiang Peak, a rare opportunity to apply his precious eye technique.

Now, Ji Ming’s heart was tainted with demon essence; any surge of negative emotion could trigger tremors in his demonic heart, accelerating the regression of his physical body. His body’s regression had already reached forty percent.

Before his body fully regressed and he became a demon among men, did he have confidence in mastering his cultivation methods? His answer was yes. Yet prudence dictated he proceed cautiously.

To experiment with the precious eye assisted by the Huangliang Dream Pillow, he needed to expedite the plan, and the pair of demon cranes were the key.

Outside the curtain, Elder Yuan clasped his hands and scratched behind his ears. He knew the pair of demon cranes on Liuxiang Peak—not as close friends, but acquaintances who occasionally gathered.

“Doesn’t your master already have an immortal crane mount?” Elder Yuan had seen the flying crane many years ago, an impression tied to the immortal Zi Ming. But that image faded because the old Taoist flying crane had lost momentum, stagnating in the foundational realm, fading into obscurity.

“Elder Yuan, is there a problem?” Ji Ming asked.

“To be honest, that pair of demon cranes are guarding a three-hundred-year-old 'Three Worms Resurrection Grass' on Liuxiang Peak. They’re not likely to leave easily.”

Seeing Elder Yuan hesitate, Ji Ming pressed, “Whom are they guarding it for?”

Elder Yuan pondered briefly, then awkwardly smiled, “Naturally, it’s for Lady Huo De of Nanhua. After all, Jixuan Mountain is her sacred ground.”

Ji Ming sighed behind the curtain. Although Jixuan Mountain was indeed the lady’s domain, she would not control every blade of grass, even a rare three-hundred-year-old herb.

For her, whether three hundred or three thousand years, she might pay special attention to the latter, but guarding a single herb was likely just a pretense Elder Yuan offered to appease outsiders. He used it to stall Ji Ming.

Seeing Elder Yuan’s evasiveness and unwillingness to reveal the demon cranes’ true background, Ji Ming shifted to a more conciliatory tone.

“Elder Yuan, since you are familiar with these spirits, please bring them to the Feibai Tower outside the Fire Ruins Cave. Let me meet them, talk with them. If they’re willing, it would be a good place for them. If not, I won’t force it.”

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Elder Yuan scratched his head outside the hut, revealing a few simian traits, clearly troubled. He wanted to explain more but realized his earlier efforts to help had already been stated. Further explanation might seem like evasion.

“Very well!” Elder Yuan agreed and went to summon the demon cranes.

Watching Elder Yuan leave, Ji Ming knew the acceptance wasn’t out of favor but because of the value he presented. Elder Yuan valued potential and the future favor he might gain.

Recognizing this was key for Ji Ming to continuously extract valuable resources from Elder Yuan.

“Qianshou!” Ji Ming called out.

Outside, the narcissus boy held a bag of poisonous seeds. A small shadow darted out and slipped inside, pulling the curtain aside slightly.

On the floor, a pea-sized, red-headed, black-backed centipede scuttled its many legs. Suddenly, in a blink, it grew to half a person’s height, raising its upper body and vigorously shaking its two rows of scythe-like legs, antennae excitedly waving.

Ji Ming gazed at his creation with satisfaction.

This centipede was the only one among four to five hundred eggs in the Stone-Freezing Box to hatch carrying a trace of flying centipede bloodline. He named it ‘Qianshou.’

Over three years, it had been fed poisonous water to barely activate its bloodline, turning the flying centipede’s wings from recessive to dominant traits.

“Hungry,” it mumbled indistinctly through its ruby-like mouthparts.

Though Qianshou had been taught the “Moon Worship Technique,” setting it on the path of demon refinement, its sternum remained unrefined, preventing it from speaking full sentences. After all, it was only three years old, still unfamiliar with characters and unversed in sage texts. Ji Ming was somewhat impatient for progress.

In a corner of the inner room stood a large round vat, half-filled with black poisonous water.

This concoction was Ji Ming’s own blend: pure rootless water combined with a single drop of Zhenxing Immortal Wine. Though only one drop, its toxicity was fierce—too much for a newborn centipede to endure—thus diluted in water.

Over three years, Qianshou had consumed half the vat.

Ji Ming scooped a small half spoonful. Despite three years of poison intake, each dose was strictly limited.

Seeing the water, Qianshou shrank segment by segment, then immersed itself happily, drinking deeply.

Ji Ming crossed his crane-like legs and watched Qianshou in the spoon.

He marveled at Qianshou’s effortless mastery of the tiny Ruyi technique—skillful and practiced without effort.

This demon art was not taught by Ji Ming but innate, likely inherited from his previous life’s ancestors.

Only the “Shadow Fan” technique had not been passed down.

Ji Ming thought to find time to teach it; he had memorized the true form diagram of the Shadow Fan demon art.

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After feeding Qianshou, he flew back into the poisonous seed bag in the narcissus boy’s hand.

Now, the narcissus and skylark boys, besides their routine duties, also had the extra task of “herding” Qianshou.

In the deep night, as Qianshou practiced its Moon Worship Technique, breathing the Yellow Heaven’s spiritual energy, the two boys had to keep watch.

Fairy practitioners often flew about Purple Fusion Peak; it was possible an unwary one might mistake Qianshou for a demon to be subdued.

During the day, Qianshou liked to absorb toxic miasma in the garden, tempering its poisonous breath, allowing the boys some rest.

Though burdened with extra duties, the boys enjoyed it. Besides the monthly stipend from Ji Ming, rare ancient exotic creatures like Qianshou were not accessible to everyone.

Having been by Ji Ming’s side for so long, they trusted their master, knowing that given time, even the lowest might rise.

A crane’s cry awakened Ji Ming from meditation.

“So soon!” he thought, surprised. He had expected Elder Yuan to bring the two cranes from Liuxiang Peak but instead saw a familiar figure.

“Master.”

Ji Ming called out.

The old Taoist Flying Crane hurried in, face beaming with joy.

After entering the curtain and seeing Ji Ming’s reverse-transforming immortal crane body, the joy on his face dimmed somewhat.

It had been a long time since seeing the master of the flying crane; Ji Ming felt no estrangement. Their occasional meetings had become routine.

After some pleasantries and the old Taoist inquiring about Ji Ming’s cultivation progress, Ji Ming asked, “Master, what joyous news brings you with such haste?”

“The Stone Tai Sui is real,” the old Taoist stroked his beard, smiling. “By chance, I obtained a small piece of Tai Sui flesh in the Orchid Shade Square and refined two ‘Year Wheel Pills’ from it.”

He opened his palm, revealing two pill-like lumps resembling small pieces of fat, glistening with oil.

“The Year Wheel Pill is a rare and foundational elixir, often used to practice the ‘Year-Pacing Fist,’ a secret technique from the Tai Sui Star Palace.

Though this white pill is basic, taking it can save you at least one to two years of arduous training.”

The old Taoist pressed a Year Wheel Pill into Ji Ming’s claw, embarrassed: “Since teaching you, I have given you nothing. Please accept this pill; may you further refine your Great Cycle Qi Refining technique.”

Ji Ming was moved and happy for the old Taoist.

He sensed the hope and vitality radiating from the Taoist, the immense longing to live another lifetime.

Yet, as Ji Ming had cautioned before, the old Taoist was well aware of the risks.

In this joyful moment, though Ji Ming harbored some concerns, he did not wish to spoil the celebration.

The old Taoist settled in the room, dusty from travel. After gifting the Year Wheel Pill, he began seriously: “Take this pill, gather the three flowers at your crown, sink it into your dantian to refine your qi.

I will first observe your true qi circulation, then teach you the 'Mountain Sitting Strongman Classic.'"