Rising Winds Overseas – The Void Heaven Cauldron, The Heaven-Mending Pill

“That’s not certain. I’ve heard that disciples of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect were searching everywhere for ‘Golden Silk Silkworms’ a few years ago, but then the search suddenly stopped. Whether they found one or not is unknown. If they have obtained such a rare creature, then perhaps Sect Leader Wan really is setting his sights on the Void Heaven Cauldron.” Extreme Yin Patriarch spoke with furrowed brows, his eyes unconsciously drifting toward Wan Tianming and the others, wearing an expression of deep concern.

At that moment, the three Nascent Soul cultivators of the orthodox path were sitting cross-legged on a stone pillar, seemingly paying no attention to the conversation.

“Hmph! It’s not just Wan Tianming who might have a Golden Silk Silkworm. I heard you, Extreme Yin, picked up two Mutant Fire Pythons on Lihuo Island. Looks like your ambitions are just as grand this time!” Man Brutal Beard swept a glance at Extreme Yin Patriarch, speaking without restraint.

He seemed rather contemptuous of Extreme Yin’s secretive maneuvers.

Extreme Yin’s expression changed several times, then quickly returned to normal, but inside he was cursing furiously.

No doubt about it—one of his trusted confidants had let something slip, and it had reached Man Brutal Beard’s ears.

That old fiend probably came to the Void Heaven Palace this time for the Longevity Fruit as a side trip—his real purpose was to keep an eye on Extreme Yin’s movements.

Annoyed as he was, Extreme Yin recovered his composure after a brief pause and said with an unchanged face:

“Brother Man, you flatter me. I did indeed bring two Mutant Fire Pythons this time. But their cultivation is still quite shallow; the chance of success is really slim. I’ll need Brother Man and Brother Qing to lend a hand.”

“Help you? What’s in it for us?” The Confucian-robed elder’s heart stirred, but he spoke hesitantly.

Hearing this, Extreme Yin smiled faintly and stopped speaking openly, switching to voice transmission:

“According to the information left by the master of the Void Heaven Palace, aside from the most important ‘Heaven-Mending Pill,’ the Void Heaven Cauldron contains several top-grade Primordial Ancient Treasures left by ancient cultivators. Their power is nothing to scoff at. Other than the Void Heaven Cauldron and one Heaven-Mending Pill, I’m willing to split everything else evenly among you. What do you say?”

A flash of greed flickered in the Confucian-robed elder’s eyes, but after a moment’s consideration and a glance at Man Brutal Beard, he replied via transmission:

“I have no problem with that, but it depends on Brother Man’s opinion. Without Brother Man to hold off Wan Tianming, I won’t take the risk.”

Extreme Yin’s face showed no surprise. He knew that this Confucian-robed scholar, known as “Green Ease Hermit,” was a crafty old fox. Without pulling in Man Brutal Beard, he would never agree to a venture with uncertain odds.

So Extreme Yin turned to Man Brutal Beard, transmitted his terms with a smile, and then asked:

“Brother Man, what do you think of my proposal? Interested in cooperating? The value of the Heaven-Mending Pill—I need not explain it, you know it well. Something that can compensate for a person’s Five Elements spiritual roots—I believe there is no other source in the cultivation world. Perhaps after taking it, Brother Man will find it easy to make a breakthrough and extend your lifespan again.”

Extreme Yin seemed unfazed by the earlier rudeness, whispering persuasively in his ear.

“Hmph! Relying on two Fire Pythons to target the Void Heaven Cauldron? I think you’re light-headed! How many Nascent Soul cultivators entered the inner hall over the years and all returned empty-handed? Do you really think you have a chance? You should know that the danger level of the inner hall is completely different from the outer hall. Even we Nascent Soul cultivators can’t guarantee a safe retreat. In every opening of the Void Heaven Palace, it’s not just one or two Nascent Soul cultivators that perish inside the inner hall.” Man Brutal Beard snorted, speaking with a mocking tone.

“Don’t worry about that, Brother Man. I only ask: if Wan Tianming’s group really intends to go after the Void Heaven Cauldron, wouldn’t you want to go inside and have a look?” Extreme Yin said impassively.

The sneer on Man Brutal Beard’s face gradually faded at those words.

He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing, before speaking slowly:

“If Wan Tianming is really willing to take the risk and enter the inner hall, then you don’t have to tell me—I’ll naturally follow. Even if we demonic cultivators can’t obtain the Void Heaven Cauldron, we can’t let the orthodox path have it either.”

He said this with absolute certainty.

“Heh, with Brother Man’s word, that’s enough. As long as Brother Man is willing to act, my earlier proposal will naturally include Brother Man. And if Madam Wen is also willing to lend a hand, I’d welcome that even more.” Extreme Yin chuckled lightly, glancing at the beautiful woman.

“I came to gather some spirit herbs. The inner hall is too dangerous; I won’t go.” Madam Wen refused coldly, not even listening to Extreme Yin’s terms.

A flash of disappointment passed over Extreme Yin’s face.

Although this woman was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, her husband, the ‘Six Paths Saint,’ was the preeminent demonic overlord, before whom even Man Brutal Beard considered himself inferior. Not being able to bring her to his side was regrettable.

But of course, he didn’t dare force her into the inner hall, so he simply smiled and let the matter drop.

With the three of them on their side, they already held the advantage over the orthodox cultivators. There was no need to provoke the woman unnecessarily.

The demonic group finished their discussion, while Wan Tianming and the others on the orthodox side remained silent, eyes closed in meditation. Either they were confident in their own plans or had already prepared countermeasures.

Han Li, in the corner, observed everything.

Although the distance was too great, and most of Extreme Yin’s conversation was conducted through voice transmission, the hostile glances they occasionally cast toward the orthodox cultivators made it clear they were planning countermeasures against Wan Tianming.

This secretly pleased Han Li.

Only when these old monsters of the Nascent Soul stage were entangled in their own conflicts could he safely fish in troubled waters.

It would be even better if Extreme Yin became too preoccupied to pay attention to him.

Han Li was just thinking about how to stir the pot even more when two white-robed old men entered the hall through the doorway.

Their hair and beards were silver-white, their robes billowing, making them appear like celestial beings.

The moment the cultivators inside saw them, their gazes snapped to the two men, then expressions of understanding and respect appeared.

More than a few cultivators who had been on edge finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The old monsters of the orthodox and demonic factions, however, showed complex expressions—admiration mixed with disgust and helplessness.

One of the white-robed elders, with a kindly face and gentle eyes, smiled as he saw everyone watching them, then spoke amiably:

“For this opening of the Void Heaven Palace, our two Saintly Masters are in seclusion, so they cannot preside over the treasure hunt personally. The two of us Law Enforcement Elders represent the Star Palace to supervise this grand event.”

“The rules for the treasure hunt remain the same as usual. Anyone who deliberately bullies the weak or kills for treasure will be stopped by us, and will also be pursued and eliminated by the Star Palace. However, our Star Palace’s supervision is limited to the outer hall of the Void Heaven Palace. We will not enter the inner hall, nor will we interfere in anything that happens inside. Therefore, if you feel unprepared, I advise you to stop at the entrance of the inner hall. Additionally, we will not lend a hand to any fellow cultivator who encounters danger from the Void Heaven Palace itself. Even if someone is about to perish right before our eyes, we will not blink. I believe I have made myself clear; everyone understands our position.”

After speaking, the white-robed elder swept his lightning-like gaze across the hall. Most cultivators lowered their heads or averted their eyes under that stare. Only Wan Tianming and Man Brutal Beard met his gaze directly without flinching.

This made the white-robed elder pause briefly, then frown, muttering under his breath:

“How did those two monsters show up? This is going to be troublesome.”

The cold-faced elder beside him also showed a flicker of reaction, then let out a cold laugh before returning to his frozen expression.

Thereupon, these two Law Enforcement Elders from the Star Palace sat down cross-legged on either side of the hall entrance, ignoring the stir their words caused in the room.

The other Core Formation cultivators showed various expressions of joy or worry.

Han Li found this strangely intriguing.

He wondered what the Star Palace hoped to gain from this thankless task. Was it merely to uphold their authority in the Chaotic Star Sea?

Just then, the voice of Profound Bone Saint rang in his ear.

“Brat, be careful. The Star Palace people are no friends. From what I know, when the demonic faction grows too strong, the Star Palace suppresses them. When the orthodox faction gets powerful, they suppress them instead. They never let either side gain the upper hand. Furthermore, in every Void Heaven Palace expedition, a few cultivators from both the orthodox and demonic sides die under mysterious circumstances. It’s entirely possible that the Star Palace had a hand in it. You don’t belong to either faction, but still, take care of yourself. I don’t want to lose a hard-won helper so pointlessly.”

Profound Bone Saint’s tone was cold, but the content made Han Li’s heart sink.

(Another chapter tonight—please send more recommendation tickets! Wang Yu really needs them.)