Chapter 135: Superior Sanmiao

This is the Canhai Hall of our humble sect. Since outsiders rarely visit, Fellow Daoist Jiang, you are indeed the first guest to set foot here in nearly a hundred years.

As the group arrived at the plaza halfway up the mountain, a majestic building crouched in the center like a giant beast. The surroundings were embedded with moonstones, which were virtually unseen in the outside world. The soft glow they emitted completely chased away the nearby darkness, making it as bright as day.

Then Jiang Mou is deeply honored, Jiang An replied indifferently.

Then please enter. Our sect master is right inside.

Black Lion Sage reached out his hand, inviting him with a half-smile.

Even a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, what can it do to me?

Jiang An's expression remained unchanged as he strode directly into the resplendent Canhai Hall.

The interior was vast and spacious. In the very center stood a huge, unknown deity statue. Beneath the statue, an elderly Daoist wearing a Daoist robe and holding a feathered fan was meditating. Upon seeing Jiang An enter, he opened his eyes and said with a calm, untroubled expression: You must be Fellow Daoist Jiang An. I am Sage Sanmiao, undeservedly occupying the position of the Mountain Master of Divine Medicine Mountain. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar. Please, take a seat!

Jiang An sat down in the seat of honor opposite him. At that moment, Sage Sanmiao reached out, picked up a teapot resting on an exquisite purple-gold stove beside him, and poured hot water into two teacups. Immediately, a refreshing fragrance permeated the air.

This is the unique Cloud Mist Spiritual Tea of Divine Medicine Mountain. Fellow Daoist Jiang might as well taste it and see how the flavor is.

Sanmiao controlled the teacup through the air, making it float right in front of Jiang An as he spoke softly.

Jiang An took the teacup without hesitation, elegantly blew on it, took a sip, and then nodded, Refreshing to the heart and spleen. Good tea!

Fellow Daoist Jiang's praise seems rather casual, Sanmiao teased. However, he did not pursue the matter further and instead asked, How does Fellow Daoist feel about this foundation of Divine Medicine Mountain?

Very good! Jiang An put down the teacup, smiled, and said, The outer perimeter spans a radius of two hundred miles, shrouded by natural dense fog year-round, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to enter. Within the true mountain gate, it is even more extraordinary; the concentration of spiritual Qi surpasses the outside world by fivefold! If my eyes do not deceive me, there is also a minor spiritual vein hidden underground here, am I right?

Fellow Daoist Jiang has eyes like torches. Sanmiao lowered his head to drink his tea, concealing the sharp glint that flashed through his eyes. He then raised his head and asked again, Alright, let us discuss the main business now. Fellow Daoist Jiang has gone to great lengths to sneak into the mountain gate of Divine Medicine Mountain. May I ask what brings you here?

Very simple. I simply wish to make a deal with Divine Medicine Mountain.

Heh, what a joke. Setting aside the fact that Divine Medicine Mountain has no need for anything you possess, even if we did, Fellow Daoist is an enemy who has killed members of our sect. Why on earth would I trade with you?

Sage Sanmiao is mistaken. The conflict between myself and Divine Medicine Mountain arose merely from a misunderstanding, nor is it an irreconcilable blood feud. Anyone else might only wish to kill Jiang Mou for revenge, but the Sect Master is surely not so short-sighted. After all, grievances are better resolved than knotted, and mutual benefit comes first. As for what Sage Sanmiao said about Divine Medicine Mountain needing nothing, Jiang Mou believes otherwise. For example, your esteemed sect's spiritual Qi clearly shows signs of exhaustion. Without a remedy, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Jiang An said leisurely.

Sage Sanmiao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, Why must Fellow Daoist resort to alarmist talk? Am I not fully aware of the situation at Mount Divine Medicine?

Hahaha! Sage Sanmiao need not deceive me with empty words. Although Jiang Mou lacks talent, I still know a thing or two about observing mountains and reading terrain. Your esteemed sect's spiritual vein has only seen depletion without replenishment for hundreds of years, resulting in massive consumption. Although you use spiritual-binding techniques to prevent the leakage of spiritual Qi and scavenge spiritual stones from the outside world to supplement it, it is merely a drop in the bucket and cannot hold back the grand trend of decline. Jiang An can assert that within twenty years, your esteemed sect's spiritual vein will be completely exhausted! When that time comes, it will spell utter disaster.

Jiang An's resolute and decisive words finally caused Sage Sanmiao's expression to change. He stared at Jiang An for a long time before sighing: As expected of the renowned master of magic, I am impressed! That being the case, the possibility of a transaction between us truly exists. I wonder what remedy Fellow Daoist has in mind for this situation?

The Heavenly Dao has its rises and falls, and the decline of a spiritual vein is inevitable. As for countermeasures, Jiang Mou has two schemes here. The first is the 'Nourishing the Vein' method: immediately seal the spiritual vein and allow it to recover on its own. The second is the 'Transplanting the Vein' method: relocate and connect a spiritual vein from elsewhere. Other than these, there are no other ways.

Fellow Daoist Jiang truly possesses profound knowledge of heaven and earth, but neither of these methods will work. We could also think of the 'Nourishing the Vein' method, but it requires sealing the spiritual vein for at least a century or more. How are the disciples of Divine Medicine Mountain supposed to cultivate during that century? As for the 'Transplanting the Vein' method, it is out of the question. First, it is difficult to find a suitable spiritual vein in the outside world; second, such a massive engineering project is likely not so easily accomplished, Sage Sanmiao said with a trace of sarcasm in his tone.

Jiang An remained unperturbed and smiled: Actually, Jiang Mou has yet another method—one that yields quick results and can resolve this issue swiftly. It is simply rather detrimental to heavenly harmony, which is why I did not mention it earlier. I wonder if Sage still wishes to hear it?

Sage Sanmiao's expression turned somewhat peculiar as he said, I am all ears!

Jiang An possesses a secret technique known as the 'Green Withering' art. It can drain the vital essence of all vegetation within a radius of several hundred miles and inject it directly into the spiritual vein, instantly restoring its vitality!

Is this true?!

Why would Jiang Mou lie? However, limited by my current cultivation level, I cannot execute this divine ability right now. Of course, Jiang Mou can achieve the exact same effect using an array formation, which is why I brought it up. Only, if we do that, the hundreds of miles surrounding Divine Medicine Mountain will be reduced to a barren wasteland where not a single blade of grass grows!

Truly detrimental to heavenly harmony indeed, Sage Sanmiao sighed with a look of reluctance. Allow me to ponder this matter. Such a major decision cannot be made carelessly. However, what I am curious about is this: the exhaustion of the spiritual vein should be something Fellow Daoist only realized after entering the mountain gate, right? Then before that, what did Fellow Daoist intend to use to trade with our side?

Oh, originally Jiang Mou intended to exchange genuine immortal-cultivation methods for your esteemed sect's spiritual herbs, Jiang An replied casually.

Is that so? Sage Sanmiao showed not the slightest bit of surprise.

Both fell silent, as the conversation seemed difficult to sustain. The atmosphere abruptly turned somewhat eerie.

I wonder if Sage has considered it yet? Will Jiang Mou's method be adopted? Jiang An asked suddenly.

Sage Sanmiao's expression turned unpleasant as he said, Did I not say that such a major matter requires consideration? How can I give Fellow Daoist an answer in haste? Indeed, the exhaustion of the spiritual vein is my greatest heart's affliction, but even if your method is genuine, it is far too detrimental to heavenly harmony, making it very difficult for me to choose.

Haha, Hahaha!

Hearing this, Jiang An threw his head back and laughed loudly, as if he had been amused by something.

Slap!

Audacious!

Sage Sanmiao slammed the palm of his hand against the table and said angrily, What did I say that was so amusing? Fellow Daoist Jiang is looking down on Divine Medicine Mountain far too much!

Sage, calm your anger. Jiang Mou simply could not help himself. Who asked Sage to speak of my method harming heavenly harmony, while simultaneously committing even more heinous and infuriating atrocities? How could Jiang An not laugh?

What do you mean by that?! When have I ever committed any heinous and infuriating atrocities?!

Do you really take Jiang An for an ignorant child?! Ever since I stepped inside, not only did I perceive the trend of spiritual vein exhaustion, but I could also sense that your esteemed sect's spiritual Qi faintly conceals a trace of bloody resentment. Hmph, this is clearly an abnormal phenomenon that only appears when spiritual veins are irrigated with the flesh and blood of countless living beings! Am I right, Sage?!

Jiang An said coldly.

This could be described as earth-shattering and piercing straight to the heart. Sage Sanmiao's hypocritical mask was instantly torn away. He abruptly stood up and cried out in dismay, Impossible! How could you know?!

Any person would lose their composure upon having such a deeply hidden secret exposed to their face.

Jiang An naturally knew. In this world, there are no inexhaustible resources. If it were a major sect of the Immortal World, relying on vast territories and a profound foundation to seal the mountain for hundreds or even thousands of years would be nothing. But Divine Medicine Mountain is merely a small, mortal-world sect with a radius of barely a hundred miles, and moreover, it exists in the Age of Dharma Decline. By what right could they rely on a single minor spiritual vein to seal their mountain year after year and endure for hundreds of years? If Jiang An had still harbored a shred of doubt before arriving, the moment he stepped inside the mountain gate, his vast experience immediately revealed the underlying reason.

Therefore, facing Sanmiao's question, Jiang An merely responded with a cold sneer.

Good, very good! Originally I intended to spare your petty life, but since you know this secret, I can no longer tolerate you.

Sage Sanmiao had already regained his calm, though his expression was chillingly dark. As he spoke, he took a slight step backward and unexpectedly melted straight into the deity statue behind him, disappearing without a trace like a drop of water falling onto a water surface.

At the same time, the surrounding space hummed vibrantly. A red-and-white barrier suddenly materialized around the hall, with esoteric runes flowing across its surface, completely trapping Jiang An within. He truly had no path to the heavens and no door into the earth.

Fellow Daoist Jiang, you will pay the price for your arrogance! Knowing full well it was a trap, you still dared to step inside. I truly admire your courage. You spoke the truth; in fact, this minor spiritual vein should have been completely exhausted fifty years ago. How could I allow the foundation of our ancestors spanning hundreds of years to be buried in my hands? Driven by necessity, I had no choice but to adopt the method of nourishing the vein with human beings. At first, it only required the flesh and blood of ninety-nine people each year; by now, it takes the flesh and blood of three hundred people annually. At this rate, the number will only increase in the future. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Jiang, you shall become the finest fertilizer for the spiritual vein. This is the reward for your ignorance, arrogance, and self-sacrifice!

Outside the array, the icy voice of Sage Sanmiao resounded.

Sect Master, why waste so many words on him?! Eliminating him immediately is what matters most!

Another voice rang out—it was Black Lion Sage.

Indeed, kill him at once to avenge Black Tiger!

Kill him! Let's avoid any complications that might arise from dragging this out!

Several more bloodthirsty voices chimed in.

Do not be impatient, fellow junior brothers. Your older brother still has one crucial question to ask Fellow Daoist Jiang, Sage Sanmiao said full of vigor.