Return to Pill Cauldron Sect
Owing to the elemental demons’ activity, every sect erected barriers at their sect perimeters. As a result, potent spiritual energy monopolised the plants, earth and water outside. Needless to say, that prohibited Mu Yu from fusing with plants or passing through the formation. Stumped, he was reminded of Ku Mu’s efforts to carve a path for him into Pill Cauldron Sect.
“How are we going to enter?” Xiaoshuai asked.
“Slow down. Let’s figure this out.”
The plains were but an illusion that Pill Cauldron Sect cast. Even if one could fly into the flat plains, they wouldn’t find any trace of the sect. There was a carefully-crafted pavilion constructed underneath a tree at the end of a small path – presumably for people to take breaks in.
The four individuals easily mistaken for guests passing by were actually disciples from Pill Cauldron Sect, charged with guarding the formation and scrutinising all visitors. The four Primordial Infant Realm cultivators weren’t the only line of defence; more guards waited inside.
Mu Yu hid inside his wood spirit to monitor the activity at the pavilion. The four were enjoying life in the pavilion, but once one activated the formation after returning, he’d have a chance of infiltrating. It took two hours of waiting, but a twenty year old disciple landed and headed over to the pavilion.
“Senior Brother Zhao, are you all on duty today?” greeted the disciple who returned.
Zhao Bin was the leader of the four assigned to guard duty for the day. Every Primordial Infant Realm disciple was assigned a shift – no exceptions.
“Brother Lin Liang, please sign in.”
The sign in process required members to touch inscription cauldron – a hand-sized, golden cauldron decorated with patterns. The cauldron kept a record of every disciple’s blood sample, allowing them to identify imposters.
“Ooh, you think I’m an imposter, Senior Brother?” kidded Lin Liang.
“Elder Shi wants us to strictly adhere to the rules. I can’t help even though we know each other well. It’s wiser to not question him.”
“Why would he give that order?”
Zhao Bin held his index finger up to his lips. “You’re asking the obvious. He’s so furious about Shi Minghui’s demise that he’s harshly punishing disciples for the trivial mistakes. I don’t want to end up on his bad side.”
“He must be trying to prevent Mu Yu sneaking back in. Speaking of which, damn he has the luck of the devil.”
“We’ve been told to report to Elder Shi himself as soon as Mu Yu shows up. His blood hasn’t been recorded in the cauldron, which is why we’re using it to identify him. If other sect members want to enter, they need to show identification.”
Lin Liang’s finger made Inscription Cauldron glow red, verifying his identity.
“Okay, you can enter now.”
Lin Liang crossed through the pavilion. Standing on a rock, he performed hand seals to open an entrance to the mountains.
“Now!” Mu Yu hurled an explosion pill over to the pavilion.
Boom! The explosion’s shockwaves sent the disciples flying, though the four were skilled enough to quickly regain their balance.
“Who goes there?”
The pavilion remained unscathed as it was built to withstand assaults from even Body Severing Realm cultivators. There was a smoke screen produced.
“That was an explosion pill. Who threw it?” exclaimed Zhao Bin.
Everyone knew only alchemists were in possession of explosion pills. Everyone shook their heads. Lin Liang coughed as he crawled to his feet and mentioned, “Senior Brother Zhao, none of us would have a rank five explosion pill. We’re only level four alchemists. Hey, only Body Severing Realm elders could use rank five explosion pills, but none of them would be so careless. Do you reckon it’s…”
It hit Zhao Bin’s mind as a flash of lightning strike. He flew back to the mountain at top speed. On his way back, he bumped into Captain Liu, who was leading the guard squad at the doors to the mountain.
“What happened?” asked Captain Liu.
Zhao Bin reported, “Someone just hurled an explosion pill. We suspect it is Mu Yu.”
Captain Liu needed a tick for it to register. He commanded, “Hurry and conduct a search around the area for his tracks. I will report to Elder Shi!”
Little did they know Mu Yu had already sneaked in and took cover inside a tree by the small hill inside.
The trees inside Pill Cauldron Sect weren’t restricted with barriers, allowing Mu Yu to travel between them as he desired. Once the guards passed by, he slipped his way toward the desolate mountain Ku Mu was on.
“Mu Yu, you heard their conversation, right? Shi Dengtian is lying in ambush for you!”
“I don’t have the luxury to choose. I must find Gramps. If only I butchered Tian Yun back at Second Heaven, too!”
Bamboo Peak was more barren than expected – dead wouldn’t be an exaggerated description. Mu Yu assumed Ku Mu was still on the mountain, which was why he chose to go there first. He landed and raced to the bamboo house. As he approached it, though, he sensed an active formation.
A suffocating pressure burst into the atmosphere. If Mu Yu was to return to Pill Cauldron Sect, where was he most likely to go? Bamboo Peak. Where, then, would be the best place to set up an ambush for him?
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