Nameless District Arc Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Younger Generation

Li Li was a well-known figure in the Form Shaping Sect, famed for his formidable strength. As a sword cultivator, he maintained a neutral stance within the sect, refusing to join any faction. According to his own words, it was to preserve the unwavering clarity of his sword heart.

His cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, evenly matched with Luo Tuan. He spent most of his days training outside, weary of the sect’s petty intrigues. Even when summoned back by the sect, he simply remained secluded in his quarters, avoiding all.

He was also among the disciples who had participated in the previous campaign to eradicate the Ghost Sect. Sword cultivators like him naturally gravitated toward the scent of bloodshed; even after the unexpected events, he survived with only minor injuries.

He fully intended to participate in tomorrow’s likely conflict, but the sect could not approach him directly due to his unique status. Instead, they had Luo Tuan act as a messenger.

“Hm? Not in his cave residence—where could he have gone?” Upon arriving at Luo Tuan’s quarters and triggering the warning array with his divine sense, Li Li received no response. It was clear Luo Tuan wasn’t there.

“I’ll handle it!” came a melodious voice. It was Qiao Yixue, the Third Elder’s personal disciple. True to her name, she was fair-skinned and exceedingly beautiful, untouched by the mundane world’s smoke and fire. Her gaze rippled like water, exuding a seductive allure for any man.

She produced a communication talisman and explained to Luo Tuan, “Senior Brother Luo, Senior Brother Li once saved me from a demonic cultivator of the Corpse Sect. He left me his communication talisman.”

Such talismans required a link between subsidiary and primary charms to reach the intended recipient; otherwise, they would be no more than tracking devices. Qiao Yixue’s explanation felt somewhat deliberate, as if she wished to clarify her relationship with Li Li in Luo Tuan’s presence.

But Luo Tuan merely shook his head. “No need to explain. If you have his talisman, all the better. Let’s go find Xu Yuhan. That girl has a knack for fire magic, but she’s far too reserved and timid, wholly devoted to alchemy. We must drag her along as a laborer!”

Before long, a fierce figure arrived. The newcomer’s features were ordinary, but his piercing eyes gleamed with sword light. Li Li, though not carrying a sword, bore a sword mark between his brows and radiated a formidable aura. As he approached Luo Tuan and the others, his presence was entirely subdued, especially before one particular person.

“Yixue, what brings you to me?” Li Li greeted her warmly, but Qiao Yixue responded with a faint smile. “Senior Brother, the talisman’s message says tomorrow’s battle will require your help.”

Li Li scratched his head and grinned. “No problem, no problem. Since you’ve asked, Sister, not only the Corpse Sect—even if it were the Mount Song Sword Pavilion, I wouldn’t fear them. However many come, I’ll defeat them all!”

Qiao Yixue chuckled softly and said nothing more.

Li Li remained enthusiastic. “Yixue, tomorrow’s business can wait. How about I take you for a stroll by Lotus Lake in Chaoxian Town?”

She shook her head. “I still have tasks to attend to. Let’s discuss it another day.”

“I see. Well, you’re recruiting people, right? Count me in!” Li Li declared.

Luo Tuan cast a disdainful glance at Li Li but said nothing, waving his hand. “Let’s go then. Xu Yuhan is probably at Five Spirits Pill Valley, participating in the alchemy contest. Let’s move!”

Along the way, Li Li, who should have been as cold as a sword, was instead ablaze with enthusiasm. Qiao Yixue, however, acted indifferent, prompting Zhou Xuanhong to think of a term—bootlicker.

This was no ordinary world; in the cultivation realm, bootlickers risked being used as mere tools. If they died, it would be blamed on their failure to fulfill their beloved’s wishes. Such behavior sharply contrasted with Zhou Xuanhong’s ideal of a sword cultivator like Li Li.

Zhou Xuanhong could see through it: Qiao Yixue treated Li Li as a backup, while her real target was Luo Tuan, the senior brother of the Form Shaping Sect who barely acknowledged her.

Such is the way of emotions—without mutual affection, the devoted party will always bear disappointment and heartbreak.

You like me, but I like him; he doesn’t like me, yet I still like him, and never you. Unless absolutely necessary, even if “he” changes a dozen times, you still won’t have your chance.

Zhou Xuanhong found amusement in this situation. What could be more entertaining than watching a master cultivator play the fool for love? He wouldn’t be so foolish as to warn Li Li. Not only was he enjoying the show, but he had already considered Li Li a chess piece, plotting to turn him into his own sword—a sword meant for killing.

“How interesting—a sword cultivator, proud and lofty, becoming a bootlicker. When the Form Shaping Sect erupts into conflict, you’ll likely be betrayed by Qiao Yixue and still count money for her. In that case, I’d truly relish the scene. Who could refuse the body of a gifted sword cultivator?”

As Zhou Xuanhong schemed over Li Li’s potential, the group arrived at Five Spirits Pill Valley—a genuine valley, its floor at least a thousand meters below ground.

The valley’s location was perfect: abundant spiritual energy, beautiful scenery, green mountains and waters, with colorful pill clouds swirling in the sky. Spiritual beasts occasionally appeared in the ravines, only to vanish into the woods at the slightest hint of cultivators—a true immortal’s paradise.

Most importantly, the valley was thick with pill fragrance, all beneficial. A single breath brought unparalleled comfort, as if one’s body had been cleansed, with a slight boost in cultivation. If mortals lived here, all would enjoy longevity; those reaching two or three hundred years would not be rare.

In such a celestial landscape, the visitors were all ethereal talents and beauties, their appearances universally stunning, their auras gentle as the wind, light as immortals, filling the heart with joy and ease.

“Hey, isn’t that Senior Brother Luo Tuan? What’s he doing at our Five Spirits Pill Valley?”

“Besides Senior Brother Luo, the others seem to be direct disciples of the Form Shaping Sect. Could this be related to tomorrow’s opening of the minor world?”

“Forget it. Senior Sister Xu and Senior Brother Niu are about to start their pill contest. If we don’t hurry, there won’t be any seats left.”

...

Five Spirits Pill Valley was a sect focused on alchemy—such sects were common in the cultivation world. They took auxiliary professions as their main cultivation, with spiritual power supporting their craft, so their combat strength was often weak; yet their network and influence were unrivaled, commanding instant responses.

Two disciples from the valley reported Luo Tuan and his party’s arrival to the sect leadership, received permission, and led them inside.

“Senior Brother Luo, Senior Sister Xu is currently representing the Supreme faction in the pill contest, and probably can’t leave with you all for a while. You’ll have to wait until the contest is over,” said the twin boys who greeted them, both at the peak of Qi Refining and exceedingly handsome.

Both were the sect leader’s personal disciples. Having them greet Luo Tuan’s group both demonstrated trust and respect, and gave the twins a chance to become acquainted with them—more connections meant more opportunities, which was the valley’s way of survival.

At the central square of Five Spirits Pill Valley stood a colossal pill furnace, over thirty meters tall, jade green and imbued with spiritual charm. From within came waves of heat, marking it as a treasure of the alchemy path.

Beneath the furnace, a crowd had gathered, all eyes wide and unblinking, watching the two figures beside it—a man and a woman. The woman was petite and charming, bearing a resemblance to Xu Yuan. The man was bald, but handsome enough that with hair, he would have been a striking figure.

Despite the crowd, not a sound was heard—only the sizzling of the pill furnace as the two contestants worked.

Luo Tuan’s group was ignored; for the disciples of the valley, learning from master alchemists was far more important than paying attention to guests, even those from mightier sects.

“Look, Sister Xu Yuhan has made a breakthrough! Last time I saw her, she had just reached second-grade alchemist, and now, after nearly a year, she’s reached third grade. Remarkable talent—worthy of the Xu family,” Luo Tuan praised generously, his affection for Xu Yuan extending to all members of her family.

Qiao Yixue, ever observant, noticed the look in Luo Tuan’s eyes and felt a pang of jealousy.

“Does Senior Brother Luo like Xu Yuhan? I’ve rarely seen that expression from him—could he prefer the gentle, delicate type?”

Li Li, oblivious, continued to fawn over Qiao Yixue, unaware that the woman he liked was jealous of another woman for another man.

Half an hour passed before Xu Yuhan and Senior Brother Niu finished their contest. The judge announced the results:

“Xu’s pills: three in total, two green and one blue—excellent quality! Niu Ming’s pills: four, all green—excellent quality!”

The crowd erupted in lively discussion, a stark contrast to the earlier tense silence.

“A blue pill! She’s truly the new rising star of alchemy—such talent is enviable!”

“Well, her master is Elder Kong—she lacks for nothing.”

“You all just envy her. Pay attention to Sister Xu’s techniques and secrets; those are what we should learn.”

“Senior Brother Niu is impressive too. That’s third-grade Spirit Gathering Pills—simple to make, but still third grade. Four pills at once is a qualitative leap. He’ll soon break through to third-grade alchemist.”

The judge, an elderly man with an immortal air, was neither as sinister as Old Ghost of the Corpse Mountain nor as imposing as the Grand Elder or Xuan Qizi. He radiated only calm and serenity, matching the mortal world’s ideal of a cultivator.

“After careful consideration, the winner of this round is Niu Ming. Though Xu produced a blue Spirit Gathering Pill, it wasn’t pure—impurities remained, indicating her fundamentals need work. Xu, do you have any objections?”

Xu Yuhan rose and bowed respectfully. “Master, I have no objections. Clearly, I need to work harder!”

She clenched her small fist, determined to improve, which pleased the old man.

“Good, go rest. By the way, your senior brothers and sisters from the Form Shaping Sect have come to see you. Go on.”

Xu Yuhan looked over and spotted Luo Tuan’s group atop the nearby hill, especially one seemingly ordinary person. She exclaimed with delight, “Master, I’m going now!”

“Go ahead,” he replied.

As Xu Yuhan left, many disciples gathered around Niu Ming. Winning the contest meant gaining quota for entering the minor world, and all sought a share of those slots to access its resources.

As a master alchemist with authority over the quotas, he could allocate sixty percent of the proceeds from the minor world as he saw fit—forty percent was taken by the sect, while the remaining sixty percent was freely negotiated between the alchemist and the chosen entrants.