Forced Maturation

Afterward, the four of them departed Mount Cuiming and sped along the Wuling River for a time until they reached Li Yufu's cave dwelling. The cave dwelling lay secluded deep within the mountains, gathering all the spiritual grace of the surrounding peaks and waters. Having reunited with an old friend and learned that Yunyouzi and Mu Yifeng were safe and sound, Qin Sang was in high spirits. To think such a fine spirit vein lay hidden in this barren land, capable of sustaining a golden core cultivator's cultivation. Once he retrieved the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid, coming here to enter secluded cultivation while waiting for Yunyouzi would be an excellent choice. With that in mind, Qin Sang gave a few instructions to Li Yufu and the others before departing alone to continue south. The Yuncang Great Marsh... Qin Sang would never forget the place where he had hidden the spirit herb all those years ago. His thoughts were far from calm. The good news was that Sin Abyss's spearhead had been checked in the Tianxing Alliance, so the Yuncang Great Marsh had been spared the devastation of war. He had hidden the spirit herb very deep underground. Barring any unforeseen mishap, it was bound to still be where he had left it! Without a moment's pause, he reached the edge of the Yuncang Great Marsh and flew alone into the boundless expanse of water. The spirit herb he had yearned for day and night was now within arm's reach. Qin Sang slipped into the silt and dove straight down. Plunging deep underground, he finally felt resistance. The Xuanming Tortoise Shell Formation was intact! A sudden wave of relief washed over Qin Sang. A flash of delight appeared in his eyes, and with a wave of his hand, he opened the spirit formation. A dense wave of spiritual energy rushed out to meet him. Qin Sang hurried into the cave dwelling, subconsciously holding his breath. The spirit spring object was still there, and spiritual energy filled the cave dwelling in extraordinary abundance. In the center of the spirit spring stood an orchid, slender and graceful, instantly captivating Qin Sang's gaze! Its petals were split into eight. Every trace of color had drained from the orchid, leaving behind a pure, immaculate white. Simple and elegant. Tranquil. Yet utterly entrancing. The Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid had long since completed its eighth metamorphosis! Qin Sang stared blankly at the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid, speechless for a long time. This orchid had witnessed his escape from the Yuanzhao Sect, his entrance into Shaohua Mountain, and his journey through Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation. After parting for so many years and being separated by countless tens of thousands of li, they were finally reunited. Qin Sang walked slowly to the edge of the spirit spring. Thinking back on everything he had endured over the years, he fell into a long daze. Snapping out of his reverie, he took out the Three Lights Jade Liquid. Now, the most important matter for him was forming a Nascent Soul. Once he dealt with all the minor details, he would find a place for secluded cultivation and cultivate straight to the peak of the Core Formation stage. Ten years of tempering in the Demon Sea, along with several fierce battles in the Hall of Seven Kills, had given him ample accumulation; he likely would not need to seek out opponents for mortal combat again. The True Killing Talisman could continue improving his talent, and he had purchased a batch of medicinal pills to aid his cultivation at Yinshan Pass, making his cultivation speed even faster than before. Before long, he would be able to prepare for his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage. To prevent any unforeseen complications, Qin Sang prepared to force the maturation of the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid on the spot and take it with him. "I hope the effects of the Three Lights Jade Liquid are genuine and nothing goes awry..." Now that he was on the verge of accelerating the orchid's growth, Qin Sang felt an inexplicable surge of worry. He had tested it before: the spirit fruits matured with the Three Lights Jade Liquid were mere empty shells lacking the corresponding medicinal efficacy. The Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid had originally grown in Xuanpu Palace, nourished by immortal restrictions, but having been moved out of Ziwei Palace for so long, there was no telling whether unknown changes might have occurred. *Snap!* Qin Sang lifted the restriction over the spirit spring and uncorked the jade bottle. Sensing the aura of the Three Lights Jade Liquid, the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid gently leaned toward the mouth of the bottle, faintly radiating an eager longing—almost impatient. Seeing this, Qin Sang immediately drew out a droplet of the Three Lights Jade Liquid and guided it toward the orchid. *Drip!* The droplet fell into the stamen and was absorbed completely in an instant. In a flash, boundless vitality burst forth and flooded the cave dwelling. The Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid unfurled with abandon, its stamen, petals, and entire body dancing with joy. The spiritual mist radiating from the orchid gathered and dispersed unpredictably, transforming into all manner of wondrous illusions that dazzled Qin Sang and drew murmurs of marvel. Qin Sang kept his eyes fixed on the spirit herb, holding his breath. Finally, his sharp perception detected that the aura of the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid was shifting at breakneck speed. The spirit liquid worked! Witnessing this, Qin Sang finally set his mind at ease. He still remembered that around the time he had first returned from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid had begun its eighth metamorphosis. Each metamorphosis required five hundred years. By that calculation, it would have taken over three hundred more years to complete its ninth metamorphosis and reach full maturity. Four drops of Three Lights Jade Liquid at most would suffice. In the Canglang Sea, Qin Sang had faced danger several times and used quite a bit, but he still had more than enough to mature the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid. A few days later, the spiritual mist finally stabilized. The medicinal efficacy had been completely absorbed. The outer appearance of the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid did not change noticeably; its form would only undergo a drastic shift during a metamorphosis. Qin Sang continued to draw out the Three Lights Jade Liquid, watering the spirit herb. It was only when the third drop was consumed that an unexpected scene unfolded. Having absorbed the medicinal power, the petals suddenly drew tightly together, forming a bud. Not long after, it slowly bloomed before Qin Sang's eyes. At this moment, the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid shed all its magnificence. Even the spiritual mist dissolved, leaving behind a simple, unadorned orchid! A return to original purity! To the naked eye, it looked no different from an ordinary mortal orchid. *Using only three drops of Three Lights Jade Liquid was enough to mature the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid. It seems each drop advancing an herb by a century isn't a fixed rule. Saving a drop is good, seeing as I barely had any left to begin with...* Qin Sang thought to himself. Watching the Nine Illusion Heavenly Orchid he had yearned for finally reach full maturity, Qin Sang could hardly conceal his delight. He carefully lifted it from the spirit spring, admiring it with fond reluctance. After a long while, Qin Sang took out a jade box he had prepared long ago, placed the spirit herb inside, and sealed its medicinal power with restrictions. A look of deep emotion crossed his face. He cast one final glance at his former cave dwelling, took the spirit spring object, and flew out of the water. The supreme treasure was back in his hands. A great weight lifted from his heart. Qin Sang flew low across the water's surface, keeping a low profile as he considered what remained to be done. Previously, he had planned to slip near Shaohua Mountain to inquire about Mu Yifeng's whereabouts. Since Mu Yifeng had not suffered Dongyang Bo's wrath, there was no need to take that risk. Although he dearly wanted to visit his old sect friends, Dongyang Bo's threat hung over him like a suspended blade, forcing him to act with the utmost prudence. *I will lay Senior Qingzhu to rest, gather some information on the recent situation, and then head back into secluded cultivation.* Having made his decision, Qin Sang banked his escape light and turned west. *Peach Blossom Valley—that should be Senior Qingzhu's homeland! If there are Red Jade Peaches in Peach Blossom Valley, they must be the superior flavor Senior Qingzhu spoke of. I wonder just how sweet they are?* Peach Blossom Valley lay on the edge of the Yuncang Great Marsh, between Shaohua Mountain and the Yuanshen Sect. According to Senior Qingzhu, it was neither the seat of a cultivation sect nor the territory of a cultivation clan. The place was not difficult to find. Without much effort, Qin Sang soon pinned down the location of Peach Blossom Valley. Not long after flying out of the Yuncang Great Marsh, Qin Sang entered the mountain ranges. After speeding along one of the ranges for a while, he abruptly pulled up his light. At this moment, the morning sun was just beginning to rise. Morning mist drifted through the mountains, veiling several surrounding peaks. Peach Blossom Valley lay right below. Qin Sang dropped down onto a mountain peak, circulated his true essence, and struck out the talisman seal Senior Qingzhu had passed down to him. To his surprise, though the mist rippled, the spirit formation did not open. Just then, a graceful red silhouette suddenly flashed out from within the formation. "Huh? You're not dead?"