Chapter 47: Unfortunately, You Are Not a Fairy

Just as Protector Zhou Ge expected Cao Xuan to haggle, Cao Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trust, Protector. I will do my utmost. Even if there is no reward in the end, I will treat it as a valuable alchemy experience!"

The classic words of a recent graduate, willing to work for experience rather than profit, made Elder Zhou Ge’s eyes light up—this young man was not bad at all.

With that thought, Zhou Ge’s tone softened somewhat. "Come with me."

As he spoke, he summoned a flying vessel and took Cao Xuan away from Qingyun Square, drawing exclamations from many disciples.

As he was leaving, Protector Zhou Ge sent a voice transmission into the air, "Elder Li, I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be leaving for a while. I’ll forgo the contribution for this assessment task."

Elder Li, responsible for organizing the Ladder Competition, frowned slightly. But since it was a Foundation Establishment Protector, he couldn't say much—and besides, they had already flown off.

“Zhou Ge, that guy, taking a disciple away with him—could it be he’s found some promising talent and is afraid we’ll snatch him?” one of the Protectors joked, but paid it little mind. They were each responsible for their own areas, but as Foundation Establishment cultivators, they still kept an eye on the surroundings.

None of them recognized Cao Xuan’s face; he didn’t resemble any of the outstanding candidates on Qingyun Square that day, so they let it go.

...

Soon, Cao Xuan and Protector Zhou Ge arrived at the Sect’s Demon Subjugation Peak—his first time here.

To be accurate, which upright cultivator would ever come to Demon Subjugation Peak?

"Roar! Roar—!"

"Let me out! I’m innocent! So what if I wiped out a village? They volunteered to help me cultivate! You can't torture me like this!"

"Spare me, Immortal! I’ve never harmed a soul since I emerged, only eaten a few children—I’m being wronged!"

...

Cao Xuan felt uncomfortable as the wailing and shrieking assailed his ears.

Especially at all those cries of innocence. Instinctively led astray, he asked, "Is there really no one innocent in here?"

At these words, the wails within Demon Subjugation Peak grew even louder.

Protector Zhou Ge gave a dry laugh. "As the overlord of Yun Prefecture, Qingyun Sect must maintain order."

"And if we let the demons run rampant, the population of mortals would dwindle, which would in turn affect the growth of our sect."

"None of those imprisoned here are innocent!"

Cao Xuan nodded. "Then why not just kill them all? Why bother keeping them locked up?"

The entire Demon Subjugation Peak fell silent!

Elder Zhou Ge was momentarily taken aback. He’d thought, from Cao Xuan’s earlier question, that the boy was some bleeding-heart saint. He hadn’t expected such a merciless response.

Elder Zhou Ge explained, "We do execute a batch of demons at regular intervals, but to uphold the law, some whose crimes are unforgivable are kept here."

"Imprisonment serves two purposes: to make them atone for their sins and to serve as a warning to demons everywhere."

He spoke righteously, then added in a lower voice, "Some of the resources on these demons are useful for our cultivation—consider it compensation for their crimes."

Cao Xuan understood at once—a labor camp, essentially!

But unlike his past life, these demons were doomed, the only question being when they would die.

Demon Subjugation Peak stood as a beacon of justice. Any demon contemplating evil deeds had best think twice; sometimes, death would be a release, for imprisonment here was a fate worse than death.

There were also some mindless beasts and spirits kept here—if left unchecked, they would wreak havoc, so they were penned up as resources for cultivation as well.

Upon entering Elder Zhou Ge’s abode, Cao Xuan found none of the Demon Subjugation Peak’s usual gloom; it was even somewhat warm and inviting, with small flowers kept on a cabinet.

He knew that for established cultivators, there was a distinction between a residence and a cave-dwelling: the former for family, the latter for secluded cultivation.

Zhou Ge’s two juniors were already grown, so naturally they no longer lived together.

"Here is the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe. Take a look. If you’re not confident now, you can study it further. There’s no rush."

Protector Zhou Ge retrieved a recipe from his storage pouch and handed it to Cao Xuan.

He’d acted on impulse before, but seeing that Cao Xuan knew his limits, he didn’t want to set him up for failure.

Though eager to turn his spiritual herbs into Foundation Pills, he now felt at ease.

If Cao Xuan took more time to study, he would be all the more likely to succeed—and might even manage to refine ten pills of good quality for him.

"Here are ten sets of ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills—keep them safe."

"Take your time. I’ve placed a tracking spell on your identity token. When you’re done, just activate it and I’ll come to you."

"But I’ll only give you six months. If you’re still not ready by then, I’ll take the ingredients back. Think it over carefully."

Cao Xuan’s heart tightened. Although Protector Zhou Ge seemed unconcerned, he had placed a tracking spell on his identity token.

If Cao Xuan tried to abscond with the ingredients, Zhou Ge would easily track him down after six months.

Cao Xuan hurriedly cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Uncle Zhou. I feel I’m almost ready—just need to study a bit more and I’ll be able to start refining."

In fact, upon reading the recipe, he was already confident.

Though the ingredients were many and the process complex, it was still easier than refining the Purification Pill.

Of course, he wouldn’t admit he could start immediately—otherwise, he wouldn’t have an excuse to keep any leftover ingredients for himself.

Protector Zhou Ge had asked for ten pills, believing that was the most Cao Xuan could possibly manage.

Although Cao Xuan's impression of Zhou Ge was good, it always paid to be cautious.

Wealth could tempt the heart; if he produced dozens of pills, Zhou Ge’s greed might be aroused, and that would bring trouble upon himself.

"Alright, I see you’ve a ruthless streak. Any interest in joining Demon Subjugation Peak?"

"Don’t be fooled—while alchemists seem to make money fast, we have plenty of ways to get rich here too."

"And most importantly—a real man knows the thrill of battle!"

Protector Zhou Ge laughed heartily, clearly not taking Cao Xuan’s claim of confidence in refining Foundation Pills seriously. He just saw it as a boast from a junior eager to impress.

...

After Cao Xuan left, Protector Zhou Ge shook his head. "What a pity—a grown man, uninterested in fighting, instead learning that dainty craft of alchemy."

Cao Xuan had his own cultivation plan and would never choose to join Demon Subjugation Peak.

Most crucially, Senior Sister Ye Caixuan, with her fiftyfold luck, was at the Alchemy Peak—now that was the greatest opportunity of all.

As for the hint in Zhou Ge’s words about accepting him as a personal disciple, Cao Xuan had noticed.

But honestly, with the Foundation Pill recipe in hand and on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he wasn’t tempted by the prospect of having a mid-stage Foundation Establishment master.

“If she were a beautiful master with great luck, maybe I’d consider it!”