Chapter 140 – Ironvein Quarry Sect

  The massive, flying Pill Furnace descended from the sky in a slow spiral as the landscape of the Ironvein Quarry Sect came into view. The air simmered around it from the heat, and the terrain looked like a patchwork of scarred hills and gleaming veins of ore that cut through the earth.

  Sparse shrubs clung to the dusty slopes of the hills, their roots twisted around chunks of the metal-rich stone. The air was heavy with metal and earth elemental essence, thick enough that Jun De could almost feel it clinging to his skin.

  But underneath those elements were another that was sharper. Fire essence pervaded everything, carried on the waves of heat that rose from the ground. Even before they landed, Jun De could spot the source.

  Dozens of hot springs and steaming fissures were scattered across the rock outcrops. Steam curled into the sky, and a red-orange glow glimmered between the cracks of the earth, hinting at the veins of magma deep below.

  “This place has as much heat as an Alchemy Furnace.” Jun De murmured, half to himself. He could see how cultivating in this place would be beneficial; the harsher the environment, the stronger the gains could be.

  Elder Wen nodded as he guided the Pill Furnace to land on a broad stone platform carved directly into the hillside.

  “You will find that is precisely why the Ironvein Quarry Sect has prospered here. Their forges and refining workshops are profitable, making up for the fact that the Spiritual Vein here is much weaker than one would expect from such a valuable location.”

  Jun De immediately understood what Elder Wen was talking about. The Spiritual Energy here was even weaker than the Outer Sect of the Tranquil Mountain Sect, putting it on par with the outskirts of Tranquil City.

  The Ironvein Quarry Sect supplemented the weak Spiritual Energy with pills, and resources purchased using the materials they dig from the mines or refine in their forges.

  As the Flying Pill Furnace settled onto the ground with a hiss of escaping steam, Jun De’s eyes swept across the Sect grounds.

  The Ironvein Quarry Sect was small compared to the sprawling Tranquil Mountain Sect, with no more than ten thousand Disciples in total. Most of their cultivators worked in the mines or refined the ores collected.

  The few Disciples he could see wore practical, short-sleeved robes that were grey to better hide the soot and dirt that came from their work. But the value of their experience was easily seen. Many of them were as broad and muscular as Zhao Wuxian, or wiry and fit.

  Instead of grand pavilions and floating platforms, the Sect’s buildings were carved directly into the rocky hillsides. There were squat, rectangular halls and stone residences, along with a fair amount of immortal caves that appeared to be converted from old mines that were no longer useful.

  There were at least three separate quarries visible from where Jun De stood, and he could see a steady line of Disciples coming and going from the mines, their gains carried in storage bags or rings.

  Zhao Wuxian stretched and flexed his muscles as he leapt off the furnace, a grin splitting his face and revealing his white teeth against his tanned skin.

  “Now this is a Sect worthy of my presence! The air itself feels like it is trying to temper my body!”

  Bai Xuelian, standing with her arms folded after she gracefully glided through the air to land on the ground, gave Zhao Wuxian a flat look and shook her head.

  She was clearly struggling in the high temperatures, her Pure Yin body preferring the cold instead of the humid heat that surrounded them. Beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead, and she was using her Qi to cool herself and drive back the warmth.

  “Are you alright?” Jun De asked when he jumped from the furnace and stood beside her.

  “Yes. Master said this will be a good place to temper myself before my attempt at Foundation Establishment. I had thought that he was embellishing the effects, but now I can see that he was correct.” Bai Xulian replied, her voice soft so that it didn’t carry far beyond them.

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  Elder Wen soon joined them, shrinking the Pill Furnace with a wave of his hand and placing it back in his storage ring.

  “The Ironvein Quarry Sect may not look as impressive as our own Tranquil Mountain, but they have an abundance of spiritual ores and the experience to refine them. It is a good opportunity for you all to be exposed to an environment much different from what you are accustomed to.” Elder Wen explained.

  Their conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of a Core Formation Cultivator and two younger Disciples in the Qi Condensation Stage.

  Sect Master Feng Jianyu was unmistakable with his broad shoulders and bronzed skin. His sleeveless grey robes exposed his powerful arms, marked faintly by scars earned in both combat and his efforts in Artifact Refinement.

  The Sect Master’s cultivation was steady and fierce, like the heat from a forge, and was firmly in the Middle Stage of Core Formation.

  Elder Wen Hailin stepped forward and greeted the Sect Master civilly, although he spoke as though they were equals. Elder Wen’s own Cultivation at the middle of Core Formation, combined with being an Elder of a much bigger and powerful sect, made their status roughly the same.

  “Sect Master Feng, it is good to see you again. The mines and forges seem as lively as ever.”

  Feng Jianyu laughed, a booming sound that matched the rough terrain around them.

  “Brother Wen, you flatter me. You have arrived just in time. I was beginning to despair that we would not be able to refine the Black Iron Quartz before this month’s end. With your assistance, we will have enough materials to make the Tranquil Mountain Sect pleased with your efforts.”

  “Sect Master Lu Qingchen will be happy; he has mentioned a need for the Black Iron Quartz to repair his Spiritual Artifact.” Elder Wen replied. Feng Jianyu’s expression turned slightly subdued as he nodded.

  “Indeed. I had heard that the Heaven-Supressing Bell suffered some damage. Do not worry, now that you are here to refine the pills required to combat the toxicity around the Black Iron Quartz, we will have plenty to spare.”

  Having exchanged their greetings, Feng Jianyu gestured to the pair behind him to introduce themselves.

  The young woman on his right immediately drew their attention. She was tall and muscular, with a fierce physique that is rare amongst female cultivators. Her dark hair was tied into a braided knot, and her arms were nearly as toned as Zhao Wuxian’s.

  Her cultivation was at the 9th Level of Qi Condensation, which was impressive for someone of her age in a smaller Sect. Jun De judged her to be a few years older than Bai Xuelian, but her Qi indicated she had just entered the 9th Level and was not near a breakthrough.

  She bowed deeply to Elder Wen, and when she spoke, her voice was surprisingly pleasing, like the chiming of a bell.

  “Han Lian greets the esteemed guests of the Tranquil Mountain Sect.”

  Next to Jun De, Zhao Wuxian made an odd sound, prompting him to turn and look at the muscular young man.

  Zhao Wuxian was transfixed by the young woman, and his expression was a mixture of awe, shock, and a dozen other emotions.

  ‘Love at first sight.’ Jun De thought wryly. He just hoped it wouldn’t be the same as when Zhao Wuxian had seen Bai Xuelian, which had caused Jun De to fight her.

  Beside her was a young man with a slimmer build, his features sharp and foxlike. His smile was polite, but his eyes carried a glint of coldness. His grey robes were neatly kept, without a trace of dust or dirt.

  The young man’s cultivation was weaker, just at the 6th Level of Qi condensation, and it had an odd aura. Jun De wasn’t too familiar with it, but after working in the Alchemy Hall for so long, he could piece together what was going on with the young man.

  ‘He’s using pills and external methods to push his cultivation higher.’ Jun De thought. It wasn’t uncommon to use pills to cultivate, but the Tranquil Mountain Sect frowned on their reliance. If a person was talented enough to be accepted onto the Tranquil Mountain, they shouldn’t require the use of pills to excel in cultivation.

  But for a small Sect like Ironvein Quarry Sect, Jun De wasn’t overly surprised to see it.

  “Disciple Luo Feng greets Elder Wen and the honoured guests.”

  Luo Feng’s eyes weren’t fixed on Elder Wen, but on Bai Xulian as he said his greeting. His gaze was too intense to be polite, and it carried a heat that conveyed his intentions to her. The faint smirk on his face made it clear that he knew exactly how brazen he was being.

  Bai Xuelian’s composure didn’t break, but Jun De noticed that she shifted her stance uncomfortably next to him, and her expression grew even colder.

  Elder Wen politely praised the Sect Master’s Disciples as was expected, and gestured to Jun De and the others to introduce themselves. It was etiquette for the Inner Sect Disciples to speak in order of their cultivation, with Bai Xuelian going first, but Zhao Wuxian was already hurriedly stepping forward.

  His eyes were locked onto Han Lian, and he was swaggering more than Jun De could ever recall seeing before.

  “I am Zhao Wuxian of the Tranquil Mountain Sect! I am the foremost talent of the Inner Sect, and my Clan, the illustrious Zhao Clan, has long produced geniuses. I am honoured to continue that tradition!”

  Just when Jun De thought Zhao Wuxian was finished, the man continued.

  “We have come to broaden our horizons and strengthen the ties between our great Sect. I look forward to learning more about you.” The last part of his sentence was directed at Han Lian, who blinked in surprise.

  Shockingly, she looked Zhao Wuxian up and down, taking in his physique, before nodding.

  Next to her, Luo Feng’s smile turned amused as he gave Zhao Wuxian a measuring glance before dismissing him from his eyes. He returned to staring at Bai Xuelian with a hunger that made even Jun De uncomfortable.

  ‘This is going to be trouble.’ Jun De thought, looking at Luo Feng and resisting the urge to shake his head. He took some comfort in knowing that, for once, he wasn’t the center of the storm of conflict that was brewing.