Chapter Fourteen: The Alchemist of Soul and Essence

After the Wang family fleet offered sacrifices to the River God and cast flower-colored tokens into the water, the sails were finally raised and the ships set off. The Hun River was immensely wide; more than a dozen massive ships were lined up in a row, prow to stern, gliding swiftly along the current. Yang Nan, having cultivated his internal energy for quite some time, felt the ship beneath him darting like an arrow, flying across the boundless waves. The river and sky melded together at the horizon, and the vast expanse before him refreshed both mind and spirit.

Dieyi, seeing they had just finished their cultivation, brought in the meal prepared by the ship’s cook. As Yang Nan ate, he asked, “Where is Brother Chiyang?”

In a gentle voice, Dieyi replied, “Immortal Chiyang said he wanted to patrol the ship and see if anything was amiss. He’ll be back shortly.”

Yang Nan nodded. Chiyang was seasoned in the ways of the world and knew much about the tricks of the unruly; though cultivators did not fear such mundane threats, caution was the better part of valor.

Both Baiyi and Dieyi, untouched by mortal fare, were clearly well cared for by the shipmaster on account of “Miss Yang.” Every dish was exquisitely prepared—even on the river, the table was laden with fresh fish and shrimp. Yang Nan, accustomed to the finest delicacies at the Duke’s manor, found himself indulging heartily in the river’s bounty.

The two girls watched him eat with gusto, his voracious appetite at odds with his delicate appearance—a sight so peculiar it made them giggle uncontrollably. Yang Nan, having swept the table clean like a tempest, put down his chopsticks and glared at them. “What are you two laughing at? That’s how men eat—a real meal! Not like you girls, all dainty and reserved!”

Normally, Yang Nan ate with refinement at the Duke’s manor, but after a day’s fasting due to intense cultivation, his hunger had gotten the best of him. Being laughed at by the two young girls, he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Baiyi stuck out her pink tongue and grinned. “Young Master, you are ‘Miss Yang’ now! Look—your lips are all greasy; you’ll need to reapply your powder and rouge!”

Yang Nan glanced at the mirror and, sure enough, his cherry lips were slick with oil—hardly befitting a noble lady of the court. He groaned, “Forget it! Maybe I should just take off these women’s clothes and go back to being a man?”

Baiyi, stifling her amusement, shook her head. “No can do. Immortal Chiyang said you can’t change back until we reach our destination. Think about it: you boarded as a lady, and if you became a young man within a day, wouldn’t people think you were some kind of monster?”

Yang Nan thought it over; being mistaken for a monster was one thing, but if he attracted the attention of soldiers or assassins, it would be a disaster. It seemed he was destined to play the role of “Miss Yang” for the time being...

This journey to Kunlun was long and arduous—even if he stayed in the cabin the entire way, he would have to keep up the disguise!

He lamented inwardly, “Heavens! I’d rather be dead!”

Lost in thoughts of his pitiful fate, Yang Nan suddenly found the food before him had lost its appeal. Chiyang entered just then, seeing the lively conversation, and interjected, “What are you all chatting about? You seem in such good spirits.”

Yang Nan, noting Chiyang’s relaxed expression, asked, “Brother, is everything alright with the ship?”

Chiyang smiled. “The shipmaster is trustworthy, but the ship itself has problems.”

Yang Nan was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Chiyang pointed quietly toward the lower deck. “This fleet has caught the eye of river pirates. There are spies among the crew, and the ships bear the pirates’ secret marks. I suspect it won’t be long before those bandits come looking for trouble.”

“River pirates? Aren’t the naval soldiers here to protect us? Who would dare risk their lives?” Yang Nan was astonished.

Chiyang sneered. “The soldiers can frighten off petty thieves, but these river pirates dominate the Hun River. They come from all manner of martial sects, skilled in the arts of war—no match for regular troops. Besides, they know every twist of the river better than anyone. Dealing with them is no simple matter.”

Even in the so-called peaceful era of the Great Yuan, bandits and pirates could never be fully eradicated. For these pirates to target the Wang family fleet, they must be numerous indeed.

Yang Nan pondered for a moment, then said coolly, “The shipmaster seems a decent sort. If we can, let’s help him.”

Chiyang nodded. They needed this fleet to reach the Seekers’ Court at Kunlun, and if pirates ruined their journey, their plans would be delayed. Whether for personal or practical reasons, both Yang Nan and Chiyang had no choice but to lend a hand.

The Wang family fleet pressed onward day and night, the crew working in shifts. After just a day and a night, they had traveled several hundred miles. After making offerings, the river remained calm and smooth—the River God, having received his gifts, caused no disturbances. The journey was peaceful, without incident.

Yang Nan spent his time in the cabin, drawing the water essence from the Hun River into himself. The river was ancient and mighty; its crystalline, cool energy poured ceaselessly into his dantian. With this endless support of water, the azure dragon within him finally awakened. Stretching its five claws, it shattered the surrounding droplets, and within his dantian—a vast pool—the dragon swam joyfully, brimming with vigor and spirit.

With the manifestation of this azure dragon in his dantian, Yang Nan felt a surging current coursing through him. Every movement felt lighter, and the water energy in the world resonated with the dragon within, as if he could summon wind and rain at a mere gesture.

Only now did his cultivation of the Profound Yi Blue Water Formula reach a new realm—the first stage of the Law Sect, known as “Law Adept.” When the water energy converged between his eyes, a faint spiritual light appeared: the first supernatural ability of cultivators, “Spirit Sight.” With Spirit Sight, he could perceive the flow of spiritual energy; unless faced with monsters or masters far above his level, ordinary cultivators could no longer conceal their strength from him.

With this azure dragon soul in his dantian, Yang Nan could command its image to gather the water’s essence. The dragon would swallow the boundless water energy, refine it, and transform it into droplets of pure essence. These droplets would merge into his dantian, forming a small pool—the wellspring of his blue water power.

Having achieved this breakthrough, Yang Nan opened his eyes. The two demon girls immediately stepped forward to offer their congratulations—cultivating in human form truly had its advantages. Both Yang Nan and Baiyi practiced the Profound Yi Blue Water Formula, but despite Baiyi’s two centuries of cultivation, she couldn’t match Yang Nan’s speed, which left her in awe.

With a single thought, Yang Nan summoned an azure dragon phantom into his right palm. It soared out the window and began to draw in the river’s water energy, refining it and sending the pure essence directly into Yang Nan’s body—his cultivation advanced all the more swiftly.

Yang Nan’s gaze grew ever clearer. When he looked at the two girls, he saw faint white vapor rising above their heads—surely the “demon aura” Chiyang had mentioned. Monsters could only truly take human form and shed their demon aura upon reaching the realm of greater demons; otherwise, those of higher cultivation could see through them at a glance.

Of course, many monsters concealed their demon aura with various spells and talismans. Yet, compared to humans, monsters always lacked a certain natural advantage. As Yang Nan continued channeling the azure dragon to draw in water energy, he began to practice the water arts described in the scroll.

The Profound Yi Blue Water Formula contained many water techniques suitable for the Law Adept realm. The first he practiced was the Water Evasion Art. Each of the five elements had its mysteries; the Water Evasion Art did not make one immune to all water. Legend had it that in the polar regions, there was a kind of yin-shaded soft water, the most baleful of all, capable of dissolving souls and damaging the very essence of a cultivator. Even the most skilled avoided it. With so many strange waters in the world, this beginner’s Water Evasion Art could only be used in ordinary rivers and seas.

Water techniques were gentle by nature, but when transformed into ice spikes, they could be fiercely destructive. The softest could become the hardest—such mysteries could only be grasped through practice. Excited by his newfound abilities, Yang Nan tested all sorts of water arts in the shadows of the third deck—parting water, forming ice, shaping water into blades, spears, swords, and halberds—the wonders were endless and quite entertaining.

The two demon girls were delighted to see their master step so firmly into the world of cultivation. For demons, the stronger their master, the greater their own prospects; naturally, they wished for him to become ever more powerful.

Yang Nan understood their motivations well—absolute loyalty was a myth. Demons, though simple-minded, understood the law of the jungle. Nevertheless, Yang Nan had great prospects ahead of him. Once he entered the Kunlun Sect and learned the true arts of the Soldier School, his future achievements would be beyond measure. The two girls were all the more determined to follow him.

After practicing until all the arts were second nature, Yang Nan finally stopped. Just then, Chiyang entered, dragging a man behind him. Seeing the water energy swirling about Yang Nan, the faint glimmer of spiritual protection, he immediately understood and exclaimed with joy, “Anan, you are truly remarkable—to reach the Law Adept realm in less than a month is cause for celebration!”

As a master of martial cultivation, Chiyang’s realm far surpassed Yang Nan’s. He could tell at a glance that Yang Nan’s eyes were clear, his spirit steady, his body shrouded in spiritual light—the sure signs of successful cultivation.

Yang Nan chuckled. “Don’t flatter me, brother. Reaching the Law Adept stage in a month is nothing. Didn’t you say some geniuses manage it in three days?” As he spoke, he noticed Chiyang holding someone and asked curiously, “Who did you bring back? Is this a river pirate?”

Chiyang shook his head and tossed the man to the floor. The fellow wore a sailor’s garb, was burly and rough-looking, with a jutting brow and a wide mouth flanked by three long whiskers. Short-necked and scaled at the throat, he was quite a strange sight. Yang Nan was startled—focusing his Spirit Sight, he saw a plume of white vapor atop the man’s head. He was a monster!

But since Yang Nan could see through him so easily, he was clearly not a powerful monster. Yang Nan laughed, “You certainly have a keen eye, brother. Where did you catch this little demon?”

Chiyang pointed with a grin. “I was patrolling the cabins when this little monster crawled up from the river and started gorging himself among the crew, drinking his fill. I was afraid he’d reveal his true form in a drunken stupor and frighten the others, so I brought him here. He’s weak, but if he transformed among the people, it would cause a panic. I thought I’d ask him about the situation on the river.”

The monster stood up, shrinking back fearfully as he glanced at Yang Nan and the others, stammering, “I... I was just... just drinking quietly, why did... did you grab me?”