"If those three Qi Refining cultivators can't even handle that, they might as well just kill themselves."
Su Min quickly found an excuse. She wasn't sure about others, but those three should still be alive. Those lingering spirits shouldn't pose too much of a threat—though they were undoubtedly troublesome.
Some things couldn't be resolved by brute force alone. Take the monster she'd encountered in the desert—while it had possessed one of the five elemental treasures, its origins were no less extraordinary.
And the death toll had been staggering. After the war, she'd lingered for a few days and witnessed the carnage firsthand. The Fire and Earth Elders had brought their entire force, not just cavalry but also countless support personnel—who'd borne the brunt of the chaos.
Without horses to escape, they'd been trampled in the stampede.
Rough estimates put the death toll at no less than 200,000, with over 90% killed by their own side. Left unresolved, such resentment could indeed birth something monstrous.
"You, always eager to kill, never bother to clean up the mess afterward."
"Well, the two Elders of Flame and Earth are gone—body, soul, and all. Without their remains as a medium, nothing at the Foundation Establishment stage should be able to manifest."
Hui Ming sighed. "I'm not here to argue. The spread of Buddhism in Great Wei owes much to you, Senior."
"Mn."
Su Min smirked. It had been a mutually beneficial arrangement—with lasting perks. She'd profited handsomely.
"Master has already consolidated the major temples in this region. Your deeds, Senior, even I can't help but admire."
It was clear Hui Ming's admiration was genuine. Without Su Min, the southern people would've been wiped out, perhaps even eradicated. And the county by the East Sea—had that clam demon been left unchecked and managed to reach Foundation Establishment, it would've brought a true catastrophe. There was also the desert, and more...
Unknowingly, Su Min had already protected many lives across this realm.
"No wonder... well, this makes things easier. I'll just come here to collect incense offerings from now on. By the way, you still haven't told me why you came to find me?"
Su Min seemed pleased. It was obviously a unique Buddhist technique. As a religious sect, they certainly possessed mysterious arts. Though they hadn't explained the specifics to her, it was enough that they'd helped organize such troublesome matters.
"That's because three years ago, a Foundation Establishment-stage demon beast appeared in the east."
"A Foundation Establishment demon? What's its origin?"
Su Min paused, surprised. Something at that level surely had a backstory.
"It was a spirit beast that happened to find a rare crystal to seal itself away. You know Master's situation—what appeared was merely an avatar, lacking true combat strength. Naturally, we summoned a young monk from the grasslands. I originally planned to reach Foundation Establishment through the Path of the Earth, but the situation was urgent. To protect the people, I had no choice but to break through directly."
"That truly commands respect."
Su Min nodded with rare sincerity. She herself was unwilling to give up on the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment. It had already been twenty years since she last gathered a complete set of materials—surely, new elemental treasures must have started to appear by now.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Achieving Foundation Establishment through the Heavenly Dao was no small feat. She wasn't even certain she was qualified. Still, with Prince Yong's intelligence network, helping someone walk the Path of the Earth should've been manageable. The fact Hui Ming gave up that opportunity... Su Min was genuinely impressed.
"The desert has now allied with Prince Yong. The newly crowned King U'er has two of my disciples stationed there to watch over things. The land is barren, so demons and spirits are fewer. That's why I've come to this place—to help establish a Buddhist foothold. But the realm grows ever more chaotic. Prince Yong's Eight Prefectures remain the only bastion of stability."
"Is that so…"
Su Min sighed. If it weren't for that demon queen's protection, she would've long overturned that so-called government. "Why should kings and nobles be born to rule?"—that kind of defiance was etched into her very bones.
"My master's Dharma Assembly was originally temple-bound, but Prince Yong requested a public venue."
"Hmph. That old fox is desperate for power."
Su Min chuckled wickedly. Religion, left unchecked, could become a calamity. It had to be bound by discipline.
"It's just cooperation. We no longer spread the faith aggressively. Master's teachings now focus on cultivation techniques and spiritual insights. Oh, and the old Prince Yong passed ten years ago. The current Prince Yong is his successor. Would you like me to introduce you?"
"Sure. Lead the way."
Su Min nodded. She could've revealed her identity and gotten in directly—but that would attract too much attention. She wasn't in the mood to stir up a commotion. The moment word spread of her return, she'd be swarmed by pests, clutching herbs and begging for pills. She couldn't kill them all… well, she could, but that would be a bit much.
With Hui Ming's introduction, she could quietly meet the new Prince Yong. Though the old one had passed, surely the new lord wouldn't deny her. She also needed to tap into the royal intelligence network for a few personal matters. Before long, guided by Hui Ming, Su Min slipped through a small, inconspicuous path behind the temple, leading directly to the rear entrance of the Prince Yong's residence.
"Any closer to rebellion and they might as well just hang a banner," Su Min muttered, rolling her eyes. "Can't they just act with a little more dignity?"
Hearing her blunt remark, Hui Ming could only smile helplessly. Not everyone was as carefree as Su Min. And how could he not know what she had done in this city? Though two decades had passed—a full generation—her influence still ran deep. After all, many who fought in that war were still alive.
As those people aged and rose in rank, Su Min's name had only grown in weight. In the Eight Prefectures of Prince Yong, she was a figure of terrifying renown. Even the Prince himself had to take her seriously. Of course, this was a world of cultivation. In the mortal realm, someone like her might have been suppressed—or even arrested.
Despite their casual tone, both were cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level. Their steps were swift. In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the palace and, with little obstruction, were granted audience with the current Prince Yong—and the very son who had once received her alchemical gift.
"How time changes all..."
Gazing at the middle-aged man before her and the now-aged Prince Yong, Su Min couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. Twenty years had passed. For them, much had changed. But in Su Min's memory—it all felt like yesterday.