Xu Wanci lowered her head, her entire being exuding an air of melancholy and sorrow, yet her heart remained eerily clear:
Xie Tingbai’s innate talent was not exceptional, nor did he come from a prestigious background.
He had climbed his way to the position of Taiqing Sect elder solely through his keen understanding of human nature and his unparalleled skill in alchemy.
Yet, it was a pity—he had already exhausted every spirit-root-refining elixir available. While these potions had elevated his talent and allowed him to break through to the Great Ascension realm, the residual toxins in his body now trapped him at the early stage of that realm.
The Thousand Returns Pill was what he needed most now.
In the original records, the appearance of the Thousand Returns Pill was still far in the future.
Xie Tingbai had tried every method imaginable but still failed to refine the pill. So, he turned his attention to the protagonist, Chu Qingchuan.
By then, he had already recognized the overwhelming fortune surrounding Chu Qingchuan. Through careful scheming, he delivered the pill formula into the young man’s hands.
As expected, a twist of fate led Chu Qingchuan to use a newly ascended Rainmist Epiphyllum, ultimately succeeding in refining the Thousand Returns Pill—
A pill of unimaginable bitterness, yet astonishing efficacy.
At this thought, Xu Wanci slowly blinked her eyes.
The book never mentioned any connection between the pill formula and Immortal Venerable Qingyan.
But neither did it deny one, did it?
Her one-sided devotion had always resembled a solitary performance—beautiful, moving, yet inevitably raising questions:
Why did the other always remain shrouded in darkness?
To truly solidify the lie, the person she supposedly loved so deeply must also appear equally devoted to her.
Devoted enough that even a century later, she could never forget his shadow.
He had once earnestly guided her swordsmanship, smiling indulgently as she slacked off.
He had once traversed countless secret realms in search of the pill formula, refining the Thousand Returns Pill himself just to smooth her path of cultivation. And when she complained of its bitterness, he set the pill aside without hesitation, soothing her with a gentle pat on the head before offering a candied fruit.
From that moment on, no pill with even a hint of bitterness ever appeared before her again.
Xu Wanci lowered her gaze slightly, ignoring the hollow ache in her chest as she meticulously perfected the legend of Immortal Venerable Qingyan—every detail of their shared past.
Just as she had anticipated.
Whether it was Xie Tingbai, Ning Menglan who had just arrived at Qingzhu Peak, or the two elders present—the moment she uttered the word "bitter," they all realized:
Not only did Xu Wanci know the true formula, she had once taken the Thousand Returns Pill.
Perhaps a century ago, she had personally witnessed that man refining it.
Perhaps the moment the pill was completed, she had eagerly taken one, only to scrunch her face in disgust at its overwhelming bitterness.
The Second Elder sighed quietly, his gaze filled with pity as he looked at Xu Wanci standing not far away—her face pale, her entire being weathered by hardship.
The girl who had once found even a pill too bitter to bear…
After that man’s departure, had already tasted the deepest sorrows of life.
Beside Xu Wanci, Jiang Ze stood amidst the bamboo forest, his presence as cold as frost.
The moment his spiritual sense detected her awakening, he had instinctively appeared at Qingzhu Peak.
He watched as she walked step by step toward Xie Tingbai, as she spoke of the true pill formula with sorrowful determination, as she lamented the pill’s bitterness with an air of utter loneliness…
Jiang Ze pressed his lips into a thin line, all emotion buried beneath a layer of icy detachment:
As foolish as ever.
Just a pill.
Just one pill—he could have—
He abruptly closed his eyes, veiling all traces of emotion.
Hah.
Love…
Ridiculous.
His expression was the picture of indifference, yet the bamboo around him had already begun to frost over.
Xie Tingbai cast a faint glance at Jiang Ze, whose spiritual energy had begun to fluctuate uncontrollably.
With Jiang Ze’s innate talent, he had no need for the Thousand Returns Pill. So then…
He turned slightly, his gaze settling on Xu Wanci—clad in blue robes, her entire being radiating solitude.
The moment Xu Wanci mentioned the Rainmist Epiphyllum, he had already begun to suspect.
Her subsequent reactions only confirmed his suspicions.
And yet…
Recalling the bitterness in her voice earlier, Xie Tingbai’s movements paused almost imperceptibly before he calmly transferred the three Thousand Returns Pills from the cauldron into separate vials.
He looked down at the vials, his voice gentle yet tinged with a sigh:
"Among the herbs required for the Thousand Returns Pill, there is the Void-Realm Lingzhi. In the entire cultivation world, only the Xuanyun Sect possesses a single specimen, from which only one strand can be harvested every three hundred years."
"After numerous failures, this was the last set of ingredients remaining. Had Wanci not reminded me today, I might have had to wait centuries more."
"Who knows how long it would have taken for the Thousand Returns Pill to see the light of day again?"
With that, he sent one vial floating gently toward Xu Wanci on a wisp of spiritual energy:
"If Wanci does not accept this pill, I would never forgive myself."
Hearing his words, Xu Wanci lifted her head. The melancholy and bitterness from earlier had vanished, replaced by the serene detachment of still waters.
A century had honed her mask of calm. Only when matters related to that person arose could others catch the barest glimpse of her true emotions beneath the facade—
And even then, only for a fleeting moment.
Xie Tingbai met her gaze, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly before smoothing again.
By now, more and more figures had gathered on Qingzhu Peak.
Without seeming to notice the crowd drawn by the alchemical phenomenon, he flicked a finger subtly.
He acted as though the onlookers were invisible, his tone gentle yet unyielding as he addressed Xu Wanci:
"If Wanci truly dislikes its taste, you may still take it and repurpose it later."
Before she could refuse, the spiritual energy of a Great Ascension cultivator lifted her left hand with deliberate care.
Xu Wanci stared at the jade vial now resting in her palm, her lashes lowering to conceal all emotion:
Truly, Xie Tingbai.
Knowing he couldn’t conceal the alchemical phenomenon on Qingzhu Peak, he had thrown the doors wide open—letting the entire world witness his successful refinement of three Thousand Returns Pills.
While "comforting" her, he had also made sure everyone understood: today, and for the foreseeable future, there would only ever be these three pills.
Xie Tingbai would naturally keep one for himself, leaving just two remaining.
Given her current persona of a woman who had lost all hope, she couldn’t force the pill back into his hands.
Now, everyone had seen her holding one—a pill she would never consume.
Obtaining the Thousand Returns Pill from her would be far easier than taking it from Xie Tingbai.
Sure enough, the moment the pill landed in her palm, every gaze directed at her burned with sudden intensity.
In the cultivation world, who wouldn’t desire the Thousand Returns Pill?
Even those born as prodigies, never needing to refine their spirit roots or suffering from pill toxins—what of their descendants? Their disciples? Could they claim no need either?
And for the vast majority of cultivators without supreme talent…
If one could obtain the Thousand Rebirth Pill, they would undoubtedly ascend another step in cultivation! Moreover, after taking the pill, they could further refine their innate talents and cultivation!
At this thought, the gazes of everyone present toward Xu Wanci grew increasingly fervent.
After all, this was a pill Xu Wanci would never consume herself. Wouldn’t it be perfect to use it to curry favor or exchange it for spiritual treasures she desired?
Not only the observing Peak Masters but even Ning Menglan and the elders shared similar thoughts.
Since Xu Wanci had no need for the Thousand Rebirth Pill, it was only natural to trade it for spiritual artifacts or treasures she might want.
The Grand Elder, thinking of his own incompetent descendant, took an imperceptible step forward, already calculating what valuable treasures he could offer from his private collection.
If even a Tribulation Transcension expert like the Grand Elder was tempted, how could others resist?
Xu Wanci had always been sensitive to the gazes of others.
Holding the Thousand Rebirth Pill in her hand, her expression remained calm, but inwardly, she already regarded it as a hot potato.
The simplest solution would be to take the pill right now.
But after her earlier dramatic performance, that path was completely sealed.
Besides, her body had already been refined by the Inkfrost Sacred Orchid, making the Thousand Rebirth Pill entirely unnecessary for her.
Yet, she couldn’t keep it either.
If she did, her quiet courtyard would soon become a bustling thoroughfare.
Her only choice was to give the pill away—immediately.
But gifting it to anyone present would be problematic.
These individuals all held high status. If she gave it to one without accepting anything in return, it would inevitably be seen as an attempt to gain their favor.
And she had no need for such favors. The identity she had fabricated for herself already encompassed all the karma she required from them.
Xie Tingbai had truly played a masterful move, leaving her trapped in a dilemma.
As she lowered her eyes, lost in thought, a figure starkly different from the surrounding cultivators approached her, carrying a food box.
Duan Ziwei’s cultivation was merely at the Golden Core stage, artificially elevated by medicinal supplements. Under the scrutiny of so many powerful experts, his heart pounded with anxiety.
Though his steps were nearly stumbling over themselves, he forced an air of nonchalance and composure.
Not daring to meet the eyes of the onlookers, he focused solely on making his way to Xu Wanci.
Carefully, he presented the food box to her. Seeing her even paler and more frail than before, guilt crept into his voice as he said,
“I promised to bring you spiritual meals every day…”
But over the past few days, the Seventh Elder had declared she needed rest, and the Qingzhu Peak had been sealed. He had searched for days at the base of the peak but found no way in.
Today, he had tried again on a whim—never expecting to actually succeed.
Recalling the scene from the sect competition, Duan Ziwei’s gaze held a mix of worry and an unconscious intensity.
He was concerned for her injuries, yet the memory of Xu Wanci cleaving through the violet flames with a single sword strike had left him awestruck.
So resolute. So formidable. So unyielding.
It was the kind of strength he yearned for but knew he could never achieve.
Thinking of his own unstable, pill-forged cultivation, he blinked slowly before lifting his head, his expression as brash yet considerate as ever.
He didn’t ask about the Three-Leaf Lotus, the subject of speculation among Taiqing Sect disciples for days. Nor did he inquire about the pill in Xu Wanci’s hand.
Instead, he carefully opened the lid of the food box and looked up at her earnestly.
“This is a special spiritual meal I had a culinary cultivator prepare—perfect for healing fire poison!”
“This is Danshen Phoenix Pigeon stew, simmered for hours. It clears heat and detoxifies.”
“These are ice-woven pastries, made from spiritual plants—cool and refreshing.”
“And these are Frostjade Cakes, crafted from Frostjade Fruit—sweet with a hint of tartness.”
“Oh, and this bottle of Clearspring Wine! Crisp and refreshing, it also replenishes spiritual energy. You should try it!”
Xu Wanci watched as Duan Ziwei enthusiastically introduced each dish, her fingertips twitching slightly.
She knew Duan Ziwei approached her not for karma or gain, but simply because it was his nature.
She also knew that none of what he offered would be of use to her—someone who gambled with death for survival.
And yet…
Xu Wanci blinked slowly, suddenly recalling Duan Ziwei’s fate in the original story:
In the original plot, only three Thousand Rebirth Pills had been successfully refined, and none would go to Duan Ziwei, who had fallen out of favor with Chu Qingchuan.
A few years later, when the Jiang family’s patriarch stepped down, the new head severed all ties with Duan Ziwei without hesitation.
The once-celebrated young master of the Duan family eventually became an ordinary cultivator, forced to scrape by for even a single spirit stone.
At this thought, Xu Wanci’s long lashes trembled faintly.
She glanced down at the exquisitely prepared dishes in the food box, then lightly picked up a Frostjade Cake and took a small bite.
Though the pastry was sweet, her gaze seemed tinged with something bittersweet.
Expressionlessly, she finished the cake, then with a flick of her left hand, placed the Thousand Rebirth Pill inside the food box.
Her voice was soft, devoid of any discernible emotion, as she said simply,
“A token of thanks.”
Duan Ziwei’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at her, dumbfounded.
The onlookers erupted in disbelief—
How could a mere piece of pastry be worth exchanging for the Thousand Rebirth Pill, a treasure lost to the cultivation world for centuries?!
This was one of only three remaining pills in existence!
Many turned to scrutinize Duan Ziwei from head to toe.
No matter how they looked, he was just a moderately privileged young master from a wealthy family—mediocre in cultivation, unremarkable in talent, someone they wouldn’t spare a second glance for under normal circumstances.
As for the Duan family, they were merely rich, with a single Tribulation Transcension expert backing them. Right now, Qingzhu Peak alone had several such experts present.
What was Xu Wanci thinking? Why would she give the Thousand Rebirth Pill to a useless fop who could offer her nothing in return?!
The Peak Master of Ten Thousand Swords Peak couldn’t hold back, his voice trembling as he cried out,
“That’s the Thousand Rebirth Pill! And you just gave it to him?!”
Beside him, the Five Elements Peak Master reacted even more dramatically.
“If you like Frostjade Cakes, I can gift you an entire storage bag full of them!”
Though the Grand Elder remained silent, the Alchemy Peak Master beside him spoke earnestly,
“The Thousand Rebirth Pill is beyond rare. If this was a momentary impulse, it’s not too late to take it back.”
“It’s just a pill,” Xu Wanci took half a step back, her eyes weary as she left the rest unsaid.
It wasn’t as if he had refined it himself.
Her voice carried exhaustion as she added,
“Why would I regret it?”
Hearing her words, Duan Ziwei finally snapped out of his daze. His gaze trembled as he looked at her.
This… this was the Thousand Rebirth Pill!
Of course he knew how precious it was.
A pill lost to the cultivation world for a hundred years.
Back when he used the Millennium Cold Marrow to temper his spiritual roots, they improved from lower-grade dual spiritual roots to mid-grade and upper-grade dual spiritual roots.
When his father saw the tempered spiritual roots back then, he sighed and said, "If only we had the Thousand Return Pill..."
From that moment on, bound by his limited talent, he lost all qualifications to inherit the Duan family.
His father began selecting a few exceptionally talented and virtuous youths from the Duan family's branch lines to groom as successors.
As for him, the spirit stones and treasures he possessed were nothing more than the most ordinary items the Duan family had to offer.
The true treasures of the Duan family were no longer within his reach.
His fondness for Jiang Qiuning stemmed from how much she resembled the idealized version of himself—gifted with exceptional talent, bearing the status of a young mistress, and revered by countless members of the Jiang family.
But today—
Staring at the Thousand Return Pill in the food box, he raised his head and fixed his gaze on Xu Wanci, his voice hoarse:
"Why... give this to me?"
He was no longer valued by the Duan family. He couldn’t offer her anything in return. He... didn’t deserve this Thousand Return Pill from her.
Xu Wanci paid no heed to his thoughts.
She merely glanced quietly at the Jade Frost Cake, her voice so soft it seemed it might dissolve into the wind at any moment:
"The Jade Frost Cake... is delicious."
Just as delicious as she remembered.
Hearing her reply, Jiang Ze’s face darkened as he flicked his sleeve and left.
Those who knew the truth behind the matter also sighed in sympathy:
Only that person.
Could move Xu Wanci so deeply.
Duan Ziwei stood frozen, watching Xu Wanci’s retreating figure, his grip on the food box tightening slowly.
At this moment, the pampered young master of the Duan family seemed to have made up his mind. Under the envious and hostile gazes of the onlookers, he stepped away from Qingzhu Peak, one deliberate step at a time.
Hundreds of meters away, even though she could no longer feel the stares of others, Xu Wanci’s expression remained unchanged.
She walked lightly, her gaze calm and distant, concealing all her true thoughts:
The Jade Frost Cake—
Truly was as delicious as described in the original story.
In the Bamboo Jade Forest.
Xu Wanci sat quietly by a bamboo table, her eyes lowered as she stared at the Three-Leaf Lotus in her hand, her gaze hollow yet unwavering.
Xie Tingbai glanced at the untouched Jade Frost Cake on the table and remarked casually:
"Sometimes, people romanticize the flavors of their memories."
"Perhaps the Jade Frost Cake isn’t as exquisite as you remember."
His eyes subtly observed Xu Wanci’s expression as he continued, "The same goes for people."
Xu Wanci remained unresponsive, not even the slightest shift in her aura betraying any reaction.
It had been like this for days.
Ever since obtaining the Three-Leaf Lotus refined by that person, she seemed to have lost interest in everything—cultivation, even the Jade Frost Cake from that day.
She simply sat in silence within the Bamboo Jade Forest, offering no response no matter what he said.
Xu Wanci listened to the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind, effortlessly tuning out Xie Tingbai’s voice.
Now that she was recuperating on Qingzhu Peak under Xie Tingbai’s watch, she had to spend every day in his company.
A single word exchanged with him required her mind to twist through countless turns, lest he detect any loophole in her words.
Rather than exhausting herself like that, it was easier to ignore him outright.
After all, given that she had just obtained the Three-Leaf Lotus, her indifference toward everything around her was only to be expected.
Xie Tingbai’s eyes darkened slightly as he studied Xu Wanci’s delicate yet vacant profile.
Just then, he sensed a faint ripple of spiritual energy behind him.
Turning around, he greeted the newcomer with a gentle smile.
Ning Menglan returned the smile apologetically. "Forgive my abrupt visit. I hope you won’t fault me for my lack of courtesy."
Xie Tingbai shook his head. "You flatter me, Sect Leader."
Chu Qingchuan, standing beside Ning Menglan, bowed to Xie Tingbai before his gaze instinctively drifted toward Xu Wanci.
This was the first time he had seen her since their duel that day.
She seemed even thinner now, her complexion paler...
That day, he had wounded her.
He had always known the destructive power of the Thousand Silence Flame—yet he hadn’t held back.
Clenching his fists, his eyes filled with unprecedented complexity as he recalled the purpose of their visit.
Beside him, Ning Menglan spoke softly:
"Qingchuan is my only disciple. The cultivation technique he practices, the Thousand Pill Transformation, only has an upper volume. The sect has searched far and wide but failed to find the lower volume."
Pausing briefly, he looked at Xu Wanci with a glimmer of hope. "Might Wanci know of its whereabouts?"
Tempered by the Blood Twilight Spirit Flame, Chu Qingchuan stood just one step away from reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
But with only the upper volume of the Thousand Pill Transformation, his cultivation was confined to the Golden Core realm, unable to advance further.
The Thousand Pill Transformation was a supreme technique that disregarded innate talent—yet even with his profound cultivation, Ning Menglan was powerless to help.
Initially, he hadn’t placed much hope in Xu Wanci.
Even if she shared a close relationship with Immortal Venerable Qingyan, he assumed she would only know the name of such a secretive technique at best.
But after the incident with the Thousand Return Pill, he realized he might have underestimated her standing in the Immortal Venerable’s heart.
After much deliberation, he had finally brought Chu Qingchuan to Qingzhu Peak.
Hearing Ning Menglan’s question, Xu Wanci’s mind stirred:
In the original story, around this time, Chu Qingchuan was on the verge of a breakthrough but still had no leads on the lower volume of the Thousand Pill Transformation.
So Ning Menglan sought out the Fifth Elder, who was still in seclusion, hoping he could divine an answer for Chu Qingchuan.
Unfortunately, even the Fifth Elder failed to uncover anything.
Recalling this, Xu Wanci blinked slowly:
Though most elders of the Taiqing Sect now believed in her connection to Immortal Venerable Qingyan, she still needed to tread carefully.
The Fifth Elder was a diviner who had never witnessed her previous performances. If he grew suspicious and decided to conduct a divination...
For her, the later the Fifth Elder emerged from seclusion, the better.
Thus, today, she had to give them an answer.
Xu Wanci carefully reviewed the original plot.
Perhaps to emphasize the male lead’s brilliance and strength, or perhaps to allow him to step out of Immortal Venerable Qingyan’s shadow—
Throughout the entire book, no one ever found the lower volume of the Thousand Pill Transformation.
In the end, it was the male lead, Chu Qingchuan, who relied on his unyielding will to comprehend the Dao himself, completing the lower volume and forging his own unique path with the Thousand Pill Transformation.
Xu Wanci felt a flicker of relief: No one... ever found it?
After a long silence.
Just as Ning Menglan was about to give up hope, a voice spoke softly:
"There is no lower volume."
Chu Qingchuan’s head snapped up, his voice strained. "How can that be?"
Ning Menglan also frowned. "How could such a peerless technique lack a lower volume?"
Xu Wanci didn’t look up. Her eyes remained fixed on the Three-Leaf Lotus as she murmured, so faint it was almost inaudible:
"Because... it’s no longer needed."
Chu Qingchuan froze.
In that instant, everyone understood the meaning behind her words.
Whether it was the Thousand Returns Pill or the Thousand Transformations Elixir,
their existence stemmed solely from Xu Wanci's initially ordinary spiritual roots and innate talent.
Yet the Thousand Returns Pill was bitterly harsh, and the Thousand Transformations Elixir scorched the meridians, its agony unbearable.
Thus, the Immortal Venerable Qingyan had locked them away, untouched.
Thus, the Inkfrost Sacred Orchid took root within Xu Wanci's body—
the very orchid all believed extinct, one none had ever found.
But with the Inkfrost Sacred Orchid, Xu Wanci no longer needed to fret over talent.
Ning Menglan closed his eyes heavily, a weight settling in his chest.
Only now did he realize—
the depth of the Immortal Venerable Qingyan's... regard for Xu Wanci
far surpassed what he had imagined.
