“Now that you put it that way, it’s certainly feasible.” Yun Zhi nodded slowly after careful consideration.

“Right?” With Yun Zhi’s support, Lu Yang grew more animated. “In the past, we only refined prisoners’ bodies into artifacts and their souls into artifact spirits. But in recent years, there have been more and more prisoners in Incarceration Peak, and our sect already has enough magical artifacts; we don’t really need to refine more artifacts for now.

“The timing is perfect. We can make use of the prisoners who still have their bodies intact and use their blood to refine pills.

“Besides, they’re all at the Fusion or Transcendent Tribulation stages; their self-healing abilities are amazing. A couple of breaths of spirit qi, and the blood they’ve lost will be restored.”

One of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s main sources of income was pill concoction. However, even the Dao-Seeking Sect couldn’t mass-produce pills suitable for Fusion cultivators. Those were crafted by the Seventh Elder and a few of his disciples.

Now, things were different. Refining the Emotion-Forgetting Pills required no pill furnace at all. We just have to administer the raw materials and draw blood—pretty convenient.

Depending on the degree of blood dilution, the pill can be used by everyone from Fusion experts down to ordinary commoners.

“And one more thing. While searching for traces of the Heartless Creed in the Buddhist Kingdom, Meng Junzi encountered the Gray Immortal Fairy.”

“Ah?” Lu Yang was startled. He had heard that Meng Junzi fought an immortal in the Buddhist Kingdom, but he had assumed it was against the Midheaven Emperor-Lord or the Fate Arbiter of the Great Yu Dynasty. So he had battled Hui Doudou.

“And he’s still alive?” Hui Doudou’s combat prowess was beyond doubt. Even if the Four Ancient Immortals joined forces, they might not gain the upper hand. In a one-on-one fight, it would be a life-or-death crisis.

Just look, the Heaven Mandate Immortal was forced to abandon his physical body just to escape. The Qilin Immortal and the Nine-Layers Immortal haven’t shown themselves, probably because they’re also hiding from Hui Doudou.

“He’s still alive. Based on Meng Junzi’s account, the Gray Immortal Fairy deliberately let him off.”

Yun Zhi recounted the battle between Meng Junzi and Hui Doudou, speaking primarily to the Everlasting Immortal Fairy. Lu Yang was just listening by the side.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy emerged from behind Lu Yang, arms crossed as she nodded. “Those who’ve met her forget her existence. I’ve never seen any other immortal possess such a trait. It doesn’t sound like any divine ability or spell. It should be a sign of nearing ‘Transcendence.’

“It seems that she has taken the right path. To achieve Transcendence, one must sever karmic ties and erase one’s sense of existence.

“She fabricated an identity to deceive that Meng guy. Does this mean that ‘falsifying one’s identity’ prevents karmic connections with others?”

This was also something the Everlasting Immortal Fairy didn’t know. No immortal had ever reached the cultivation realm Hui Doudou was at. This method of circumventing karma was likely something that Hui Doudou had devised herself.

“Then I’ll go look for Seventh Elder first and discuss the specifics of refining the Emotion-Forgetting Pill.”

Watching Yun Zhi walk away carrying the three spatial cages, Lu Yang furrowed one eyebrow.

“Strange, I keep feeling like I’ve forgotten something.”

But that shouldn’t be the case, though. I’ve found Tang Chuanwu and captured the Heartless Creed’s vice creed leader. This trip to the Buddhist Kingdom has been a complete success.

Hearing that Lu Yang had returned, Yun Mengmeng immediately rushed over and said, “Second-in-Command, you’re back from the Buddhist Kingdom?"

Lu Yang inwardly groaned. He finally realized what he had forgotten. I’ve forgotten to bring back local specialties from the Buddhist Kingdom! 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

But then again, the Buddhist Kingdom didn’t really seem to have any local specialties worth bringing back.

Paste?

“Where are the local specialties?” Yun Mengmeng asked, rubbing her hands together excitedly.

Lu Yang’s head was soaked in cold sweat. He tried to phrase it more indirectly. “Well, Sister Mengmeng, here’s the thing. I originally intended to bring some local specialties back for you, but there was a little mishap on the way...”

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy, ever kind and understanding, stepped forward to cover for Lu Yang. “There are local specialties, of course, just not physical objects. It’s a special cooking technique from the Buddhist Kingdom—paste.

“Xiao Yangzi specifically told me to learn this cooking technique and show off to you, Third Boss.”

“Immortal Fairy, I...”

“Xiao Yangzi, no need to say more. I understand your concerns. Don’t worry. You know my learning ability best. I guarantee the paste I make will be authentic.”

“Second-in-Command, is that true?” Hearing that both the First-in-Command and the Second-in-Command were looking out for her, Yun Mengmeng looked at Lu Yang with sparkling eyes.

Faced with Yun Mengmeng’s innocent gaze, Lu Yang couldn’t bring himself to deny it. He could only nod.

In that moment, no matter how unpalatable the Buddhist Kingdom’s paste was, Lu Yang hoped the Everlasting Immortal Fairy would make it authentic.

May the World-Honored One bless... Oh no, may Big Senior Sister bless us.

The kitchen that the Everlasting Immortal Fairy had used in ancient times was on Heaven’s Gate Peak. Yun Zhi had even thoughtfully stocked it with many ingredients.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy told Lu Yang and Yun Mengmeng to wait outside. She strode into the kitchen with high spirits, ready to show off her gamut of skills.

Her soul was powerful enough to touch physical objects.

“Second-in-Command, what did you all do in the Buddhist Kingdom?” Yun Mengmeng asked as she grew bored waiting for the Everlasting Immortal Fairy to cook.

Lu Yang replied earnestly, “On the surface, I went to the Buddhist Kingdom to have fun. But in reality, I had received intelligence about the Heartless Creed’s presence there. Using that as cover, I conducted a comprehensive and detailed investigation...”

Yun Mengmeng listened attentively, surprised that Lu Yang had considered so much on his trip. At the mention of his ingenious strategies, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “So impressive!”

“Here, here, here, my special paste is ready.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy drifted out, using her thought to carry two plates of paste.

“So fragrant!” Yun Mengmeng sniffed, her nose twitching. I've been in the outside world for over three years now and have tasted many delicacies, but none smelled as good as the First-in-Command’s paste.

“Of course. This immortal made it. The Heaven Mandate Immortal and the others have all praised my skills.”

“Xiao Yangzi, you eat too.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy served the other plate of paste to Lu Yang.

She had always been fair and impartial. Since I’ve made some for Yun Mengmeng, I can’t neglect my Second-in-Command.

Lu Yang trembled. Why is there a serving for me too?

A fierce battle raged within Lu Yang’s heart. He dared not eat immediately and stole a glance at Yun Mengmeng beside him.

Yun Mengmeng ate a spoonful of paste with a smile and let out a deeply satisfied sound. Then she continued eating, spoonful after spoonful.

Lu Yang was flabbergasted. Could it be that the Immortal Fairy has outdone herself this time, and the paste is actually delicious?

He finally steeled himself and took a spoonful. Instantly, a blend of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors flooded his senses. He grew dizzy.

With a thud, Lu Yang’s head hit the table. He saw Yun Mengmeng rise unsteadily as if drunk, grinning as she pointed at him.

“Hmm? Why are there three Second-in-Commands?”

Sister Mengmeng, so you’ve been poisoned. Why didn’t you say so earlier? If you had, I wouldn’t have eaten...

It was unclear how much time had passed before Lu Yang regained consciousness. His mind was hazy and throbbing painfully. “What just happened?”

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy was concerned for her important minister. “Xiao Yangzi, you were exhausted from your trip to the Buddhist Kingdom and fell asleep halfway through your meal.”

“Oh. Then I’ll continue eating...”

~~~

“What just happened?”

“Xiao Yangzi, you were exhausted from your trip to the Buddhist Kingdom and fell asleep halfway through your meal.”

“Oh. Then I’ll continue eating...”