Volume 1, Chapter 45: The Stone Fate of Stone Fate

The peerless and heartless Fairy of the Heartless Valley.

She was the dream of countless talented young cultivators throughout the profound heavenly realm. Countless young men had squandered their family fortunes just for a single glimpse of the Fairy of the Heartless Valley.

An even greater number of proud prodigies had begged the elders of their respective sects to approach the Heartless Valley, hoping for a matrimonial alliance so that the fairy might become their wife.

Yet, without exception, all such proposals were ultimately rejected by her.

The "Oblivion Song" of the Heartless Valley was a supreme mental cultivation technique, requiring practitioners to sever all seven emotions and six desires; otherwise, it would be impossible to attain the supreme Dao.

As someone destined to contend for heavenly providence in the future, the Fairy of the Heartless Valley naturally could not afford to waste her energy on trivial matters of mortal romance.

However, the more indifferent she remained, the more suitors she attracted.

Therefore, upon hearing that the Heartless Valley would come to issue a challenge tomorrow, the entire plaza was sent into a frenzy. Who would not wish to witness her peerless beauty?

Moreover, the reputation of the Heartless Valley was extraordinary, and everyone was eager to see just how formidable this rising star of the younger generation truly was, and whether the valley could defeat Liu Dongyue.

A collective premonition hung in the air: the gambling market in White Cloud City would surely be exceptionally lively tomorrow.

"Everyone, since tomorrow's match involves the Heartless Valley and a large crowd is anticipated, advance tickets for tomorrow will go on sale tonight at the entrance of the Hundred Flowers House in White Cloud City. Your enthusiastic support will be greatly appreciated," Li Hanzhou announced as he stepped forward.

"Advance tickets?"

"They'll be sold at the Hundred Flowers House tonight?"

Hearing this news, though slightly puzzled as to why advance ticketing was necessary, the crowd gave it no further thought and gradually dispersed.

The young maidens of the Hundred Flowers House also received their share of the earnings.

"Thank you, Brother Hanzhou." Their words were sweeter than honey. Having accompanied Li Hanzhou over the past few days, they had earned more than what they used to make in several years.

Each and every one of them regarded Li Hanzhou as their ultimate sugar daddy.

They even cast lingering, flirtatious glances his way repeatedly.

"Do you remember the instructions I gave you?" Li Hanzhou asked at this moment.

"Rest assured, Brother Hanzhou. Everything you asked us to do has been handled impeccably," Lin Xiaoxian said with a giggle.

"That's good. Off you go back now," Li Hanzhou said with a smile.

Once all the maidens had departed, the sect master of the Azure Cloud Sect approached with a mournful expression and handed over the wager to Li Hanzhou.

"Sect Master Qin, I accept your concession." Li Hanzhou took a box from the hands of the Azure Cloud Sect Master.

Upon opening the red wooden box, an inner core of a demonic beast lay resting inside.

This was the inner core of a powerful demonic entity, a tremendously precious treasure.

Whether one was refining medicinal pills or forging magical artifacts, such an item was immensely useful.

"Alas, we were just a hair's breadth away," the Azure Cloud Sect Master muttered, lifting his head to gaze at the Autumn Burial sword stuck in the pillar, his face etched with profound regret.

The disciples of his Azure Cloud Sect had driven Liu Dongyue to the brink of desperation, yet at the very final critical moment, Liu Dongyue relied on his last breath to knock all four of their utterly exhausted disciples off the arena stage.

The pain of this defeat wrung the heart of the Azure Cloud Sect Master so fiercely that even breathing hurt.

"Next time, you will surely win next time. You are welcome to register again," Li Hanzhou said cheerfully.

"Sigh."

The Azure Cloud Sect Master left, sighing heavily.

Upon returning to his small courtyard, Yun Qianzhu was still sitting cross-legged under the parasol tree, immersed in her cultivation. Li Hanzhou walked over, circulating the spiritual energy within his body and channeling it from afar into Yun Qianzhu's system, helping her purify her internal organs with her own spiritual energy.

Li Hanzhou had read about such a condition in ancient texts: Yun Qianzhu's meridians had been altered purely by medicinal pills containing spiritual energy, which made her cultivation speed appear exceptionally rapid in the short term, yet over the long run, it posed certain hidden flaws for her body. Therefore, it was imperative to frequently cleanse her body with spiritual energy, bringing her internal organs to a state imbued with spiritual essence. Furthermore, the physical strength of her mortal vessel had to be forged to a much higher degree.

Otherwise, once her realm advanced further and her true qi became too potent, her physical body might fail to sustain it.

For Li Hanzhou, this was hardly a troublesome task.

As for body-refinement techniques, the Longevity Temple currently possessed some; the "Nine-Aperture Golden Body" from the previous Yan family perfectly met the criteria. However, Li Hanzhou still yearned for Buddhist martial arts like the Buddhist Golden Bell. Unfortunately, the Buddhists resided far away in the Southern Ocean and had not traveled to these parts, leaving Li Hanzhou no choice but to let Yun Qianzhu practice what was available first, while hoping to acquire the Buddhist Golden Bell technique for her in the future.

Presently, Yun Qianzhu represented Li Hanzhou's greatest hope.

Liu Dongyue's improvement had also been less than ideal, not to mention Shi Ming. Despite trying various methods up to this point, Shi Ming's cultivation speed remained as slow as ever, showing not the slightest sign of transformation.

Truly living up to his name, he possessed the destiny of a stone.

Li Hanzhou had once considered giving up on Shi Ming, feeling it might be wiser to pin all his hopes solely on Yun Qianzhu.

Yet over these past few days, seeing Shi Ming diligently and painstakingly cultivating after finishing his chores, Li Hanzhou had taken note of it all. Although the boy lacked outstanding natural talent, that stubborn tenacity deeply moved Li Hanzhou.

Li Hanzhou decided that he could not abandon Shi Ming.

"Shi Ming."

Seeing Shi Ming return from chopping firewood, Li Hanzhou called out.

"Uncle-Master, do you need something?" Shi Ming put down the Prajna axe and walked over.

"I heard that the Miraculous Physician of the Nine Fingers from the Valley of Medicine Kings has also arrived in White Cloud City. Make a trip to White Cloud City and invite the people from the Valley of Medicine Kings to my Longevity Temple," Li Hanzhou instructed young Shi Ming.

"Understood."

Shi Ming went to change his clothes and prepared to leave, but Li Hanzhou stopped him, saying, "Don't go looking like that. Let me disguise you a bit."

With that, Li Hanzhou covered Shi Ming's face with a veil, leaving only a pair of small eyes visible.

Immediately afterward, he stripped off Shi Ming's Daoist robe and replaced it with an ordinary set of commoner's clothing.

Seeing himself dressed up in such a manner, Shi Ming felt somewhat bewildered, yet he asked no unnecessary questions. Whatever Li Hanzhou told him to do, he would simply do.

At any rate, Shi Ming now knew that Li Hanzhou meant him no harm.

Once Shi Ming had departed, Li Hanzhou also donned a disguise and prepared to venture out.

"Is the Uncle-Master going out again?" Watching Li Hanzhou leave, Yun Qianzhu always suspected that her Uncle-Master was up to no good.

An hour later, Shi Ming arrived in White Cloud City. After inquiring about where the people from the Valley of Medicine Kings were staying, he headed straight for the Qingyang Inn.

The Valley of Medicine Kings had not come for matters concerning the Longevity Temple this time; they were merely passing through on other business.

Moreover, Sun Yaoxian, the Miraculous Physician of the Nine Fingers, carried a renowned reputation and naturally attracted attention.

Consequently, the news of the Valley of Medicine Kings' presence in White Cloud City had spread far and wide.

The Qingyang Inn was located on the liveliest street in White Cloud City. Shi Ming's furtive and suspicious appearance as he walked along drew the gaze of many onlookers.

Dressing in such a manner in broad daylight was indeed somewhat conspicuous.

However, strange people and bizarre occurrences were commonplace in the martial world, so no one paid the matter too much mind.

Just at that moment, from a tavern not far away, Li Hanzhou's figure appeared by the second-story window. As Li Hanzhou sipped his wine and looked outside, upon spotting Shi Ming's figure, he slowly raised his palm, spiritual energy converging within his palm.