"By the way, Senior... may I ask how far you've progressed in cultivating the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra?"
Along the way, Hui Ming finally gave voice to the curiosity gnawing at him. This task of delivering messages wasn't originally his to handle, but Su Min had piqued his interest—especially after the golden light she released earlier, which he had witnessed clearly.
His master had once told him: "Su Min sees through illusion to grasp truth". Back then, he had struggled with how to save the suffering masses of this world—until Su Min cut through his confusion with a single pointed remark.
What's more, she cultivated their sect's supreme mental technique—the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra. Hui Ming himself had never touched it. Not because he was unqualified, but because the Vajra Arhat Sutra was better suited to his path. Still, though he couldn't practice it, he couldn't help but feel curious.
"I've formed the swastika mark," Su Min replied, "but I haven't yet condensed the Golden Body."
She sighed slightly as she spoke. The Tathāgata Golden Body and the Arhat Golden Body were fundamentally different in both form and essence.
"The swastika…"
Hui Ming's expression shifted to one of open envy. To cultivate the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra, one had to pass through a trial of the heart—a test few could overcome. He wanted to ask how she managed it, but he knew better. Some things could not be questioned.
The swastika was the unique hallmark of that scripture—an esoteric glyph accessible only to those who had truly stepped onto that path. In terms of strength and utility, it rivaled the terse, cryptic techniques found in ancient proclamations—the fewer the words, the mightier the effect.
"Senior, it's only been a few days, but your cultivation has progressed again."
Just then, a man in his mid-thirties strode over briskly. It was none other than Sect Master Mo—clearly impatient to meet with Su Min.
"This humble monk will take his leave," Hui Ming said with a bow. "His Highness the Prince is inside as well."
With that, he turned to go. In truth, his position was rather awkward. Su Min sought only one thing: wealth. Her cultivation path demanded vast resources. She had no interest whatsoever in supporting Prince Yong's bid for power. The Buddhist sect, however, had other goals.
This land was not yet a desert; they still had time. Unlike the other sects that remained buried in their own plots of land, Buddhism spread its teachings, healed the sick, and gave to the needy. They had no ambitions for the throne—but that very disinterest could spark suspicion.
Naturally, Hui Ming had no desire to invite unwarranted trouble. He turned and left without further fuss.
—
"Heh."
Su Min chuckled inwardly when she saw the sect master approach. She said nothing. To her, pill refining was just another form of cultivation. More importantly, she needed materials. If she was going to clash with that old hag again, it would be best to advance to the Mystic-rank first. But crossing that threshold would be slow… painstakingly so.
Still, there was time. She could gather what she needed at her own pace. When she entered the chamber, she paused briefly and scanned the room. Quite a few people had gathered—Prince Yong and his brother, a desert kingdom prince, and two men who were likely alchemists.
"So everyone's here. What are we discussing? Surely you haven't all been waiting for me?" she teased with a light smile. "Hm… you've reached the Foundation Establishment stage."
Her eyes landed on Cao Yuanmu.
"I have," he replied, nodding. "I consumed some spirit stones and used a Foundation Establishment Pill to assist the breakthrough."
"The state of Great Wei is in chaos," said Prince Yong grimly. "We've been discussing whether it's time to raise the banner of rebellion. Our main concern is that the old witch might strike first… and kill us before we can move."
His words made the room fall silent. It was shocking how candid he was with Su Min. After all, she had no ties to the imperial court. But only Prince Yong knew—Su Min bore a grudge against the court. That was the only reason he dared speak so directly.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Their greatest fear was why the old witch had never left the palace. For decades, countless assassins had tried to kill the Dog Emperor. None had succeeded.
"She probably won't make a move just yet," Su Min said lightly. "In any case, this kind of thing won't be decided in a day or two. Since I've come out, I may as well ask—do any of you have ingredients? I'm preparing to open the furnace."
"Hm?"
The two younger alchemists perked up instantly, their eyes gleaming with admiration. After all their years of effort, they were still stuck at Tier One. Even crafting basic Body Refining Pills was a struggle. As for Tier Two formulas? Almost impossible.
But Su Min—she was a legend. The very foundation of their alchemical knowledge came from the manuals she'd left behind. Naturally, everyone else looked eager as well. There was no such thing as too many pills.
"Senior, I only ask for a single Foundation Establishment Pill. Please accept this as our offering. Kindly inspect it."
Without hesitation, Sect Master Mo produced a storage ring and handed it over with both hands, his manner utterly respectful. He knew he hadn't contributed much last time, and he wasn't in any position to negotiate like that mysterious black-clad woman had. So he chose the simplest method—money.
Su Min accepted it without protest. A sweep of her divine sense revealed a sizable stockpile of rare herbs and high-grade materials. Her brows lifted slightly in surprise, but she said nothing. With a flick of her wrist, she transferred everything into her own pouch.
After a brief moment of thought, she retrieved several porcelain bottles and tossed them toward Sect Master Mo.
"These materials… must be two decades' worth of your sect's hoard. Here—one Foundation Establishment Pill, one Qi-Gathering Pill, and two Qi-Inducing Pill."
"Wait, weren't the ingredients only enough for one batch?" Prince Yong asked, startled.
Su Min had just handed over three pills—how had she done it?
"One batch usually yields four or five pills. I can't keep a few for myself?" she replied with mild disdain.
The moment she spoke, all eyes turned toward the two young alchemists huddled in the corner. They bowed their heads, faces burning with embarrassment.
"…?"
"…Forgive us. It takes us four or five furnaces just to produce a single Body Refining Pill…"
"Ahem. I'm the exception—you two are the standard," Su Min chuckled, scratching her head. Prince Yong and his brother silently cradled their foreheads. After seeing what a real alchemist could do, they no longer thought Su Min's price was excessive. In fact, it now seemed like a bargain.
"I'll take my leave. I must enter seclusion immediately."
Sect Master Mo didn't waste another breath. After confirming the pills were genuine, he nearly wept with joy. With a deep bow to everyone present, he rushed out. His breakthrough was within reach—and he had no time for talks of Heaven or Earth.