Loyal Guard

CH4: The Test of Loyalty through the Corrosion Pill

The majestic Taocang Peak was enveloped in an eternal expanse of clouds, with verdant mountains piercing the heavens. Suddenly, the grand entrance of the main hall came into view—a structure that had withstood the test of time for a millennium, preserved by the blessings of successive masters.

The expansive green stone plaza stretched endlessly, flanked by countless disciples in uniform. Layers of pavilions and palaces, adorned with crimson walls and golden tiles, gleamed brilliantly under the sun. The main hall stood in majestic grandeur, with upturned eaves and intricate carvings. At the entrance, a peculiar stone bore three large, flowing characters: "Zhaohui Hall."

Inside the hall, colossal pillars were entwined with golden dragons, their whiskers fluttering, appearing almost lifelike. The pillar surfaces were engraved with complex array patterns, designed to sustain the formidable protective mountain array, exuding an aura of immense power.

Ji Zhiyan occupied the central seat, his hair simply tied back, clad in a long green robe. Today, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes were particularly striking, his visage handsome and his gaze profound and enigmatic.

Tian She knelt directly below the dais, meticulously recounting the events of his mission and presenting the captured individual for review.

Observing Tian Quan, who also knelt straight but kept his head lowered, Ji Zhiyan inquired, "You mentioned that after three months of covert investigation, you suspected Zhao Jin, the leader of Jifeng Hall, to be a long-concealed spy."

Tian She affirmed, "Yes, Master." He then glanced at Tian Quan, who buried his head even deeper. The twelve palace shadow guards were all under his jurisdiction. Tracking spies and executing assassinations were tasks based on their individual capabilities. They would report and claim rewards upon completion. There had been multiple instances where several shadow guards simultaneously uncovered the same spy, but Zhao Jin was exceptionally well-hidden. Tian She had only harbored suspicions and planned to investigate further that night. Unbeknownst to him, Tian Quan had already eliminated the individual and secured evidence.

Tian She regarded Tian Quan with suspicion. Could this Tian Quan be the most deeply embedded spy? How could he be so precise? Why did he engage in combat with those individuals? Was it to confound the enemy or to ascend to a higher position through this merit?

Ji Zhiyan's lips curled into a subtle smile, "Your subordinate surpasses you in capability. As the leader, you should aspire to his level."

"Thud!"

Tian Quan's head struck the ground with force, his voice quivering with fear, "I am at a loss for words, Master. My loyalty to you is absolute. Please administer the Corrosion Pill!"

The Corrosive Dan Pill, as its nomenclature implies, induces corrosion within the dantian. It necessitates the monthly administration of an antidote; failure to comply results in the erosion of the dantian, culminating in mortality. For cultivators pursuing the path of immortality, the dantian serves as the repository of true essence, constituting the fundamental source of their power. This vital organ is alternatively referred to as the sea of qi or the sea of energy. In contrast to individuals whose dantian remains intact post-mortem, enabling their souls to transmigrate and seek new hosts, the shattering of the golden core invariably leads to the cultivator's demise.

This potent elixir was formulated by the former sect leader, Shen Qingjun, as a mechanism to regulate high-ranking cultivators within the sect. Following Ji Zhiyan's ascension to leadership, its utilization was discontinued. For a century, knowledge of its existence was confined to a select group of high-level cultivators and the four hall masters.

Ji Zhiyan's lips, full and elegantly shaped, curved into a subtle smile. "Your knowledge is remarkably comprehensive," he remarked, subsequently gesturing for a servant to retrieve the long-sealed Corrosive Dan Pill. His gaze remained intently fixed upon Tianquan, who experienced an acute sensation akin to a sharp thorn piercing his back.

Tian She found himself increasingly perplexed. While the sect leader was known for his decisiveness and ruthlessness rather than benevolence, the notion of employing a life-controlling substance like the Corrosive Dan Pill on a Spirit Formation stage Dark Guard seemed incongruous. The scenario evoked the image of a languid feline, idly swishing its tail while permitting a rodent to advance, only to pounce and seize its neck at the critical moment. Tian She shuddered, silently beseeching forgiveness for his irreverent thoughts.

The servant demonstrated remarkable efficiency, returning within the span of less than an incense stick's burning time with a wooden box, from which he extracted a white porcelain vial. Though unassuming in appearance, the container exuded a subtle, persistent medicinal aroma. With Ji Zhiyan's tacit approval, the servant procured a pill and presented it before Tianquan.

Without hesitation or verbal exchange, Tianquan promptly ingested the pill.

Ji Zhiyan observed the black-clad figure below the platform and gestured dismissively to Tian She. "From which palace do you originate? For the present, you shall serve as a personal guard in Zhaohui Hall," he decreed, recognizing the strategic advantage of maintaining proximity to a potential secret.

"I am Tianquan of the Yin Palace, at your service, revered one," Tianquan responded with a profound bow, his voice quivering with restrained fervor. From an angle concealed from Ji Zhiyan's view, his eyes were visibly bloodshot.

The nomenclature of the twelve palaces was established by Ji Zhiyan's father, who held a predilection for divination: Zi Palace - Heavenly Treasure, Chou Palace - Heavenly Disaster, Yin Palace - Heavenly Power, Mao Palace - Heavenly Grace, Chen Palace - Heavenly Like, Si Palace - Heavenly Astronomy, Wu Palace - Heavenly Blessing, Wei Palace - Heavenly Messenger, Shen Palace - Heavenly Solitude, You Palace - Heavenly Secret, Xu Palace - Heavenly Art, and Hai Palace - Heavenly Longevity.