Book 3 Chapter 15: Abduction - Martial God

**Chapter 15: Abduction** While the western countries are vast, they still pale in comparison to the distant Da Shen in terms of scale. This disparity manifests not only in the size of the territory and the standard of living but seemingly also in the practitioners' levels between the two regions. As a result, the official language of Da Shen is highly regarded among the prominent families in the northwest. In those families with a legacy spanning over a century, instructors specifically teach this language. In contrast, the He family fortress in Taicang County lags significantly behind. Although He Yiming's skills are lacking, Yuan Lixun displays some competence. When He Yiming transcribed the words from the blueprint and handed them to Yuan Lixun, she effortlessly translated the content. Hohhot Mountain... This was the name of the most significant peak on the map. The library at Hengshan boasts nearly a hundred thousand volumes. It's astounding how the venerable predecessors of Hengshan managed to collect these books. Unexpectedly, Yuan Lixun found legends about Hohhot Mountain and maps of its surroundings there. When she presented the map to He Yiming, his eyes lit up instantly. The terrain depicted was remarkably similar to the map he received from Lü Xinwen. Of course, there were considerable differences due to varying scales and different cartographers. Nonetheless, He Yiming was convinced that Hohhot Mountain was the destination he sought. This colossal mountain belongs to a remote region of the Kai Rong Kingdom, much like Hengshan, nestled within seemingly endless mountain ranges. He Yiming meticulously recorded all the place names from the map and successfully translated them, forming a rough concept in his mind. He only awaited the day to venture to Kai Rong to explore it deeply. "Young master, shall we begin today's lessons?" Yuan Lixun asked with a gleeful smile as she put away the books. He Yiming sighed softly and nodded slightly. Yuan Lixun drew out a book she'd long prepared, her slender fingers brushing over the cover, and commenced teaching the Da Shen language. Time with Yuan Lixun was always joyful, and like all joyful times, it passed swiftly. Soon, he finished the day's lessons and learned a few new phrases and expressions. When all was done, He Yiming escorted her back to the Lingyao Peak. Though Lingyao Peak was beside the main peak, Yuan Lixun's pace meant it would take her some time to return; in He Yiming's embrace, however, the journey was much quicker. After delivering Yuan Lixun to the courtyard, He Yiming continued to the mountaintop to meet with the Medicine Sage. Meanwhile, Yuan Lixun entered alone to prepare the evening meal, unable to always remain by He Yiming's side. Moments later, He Yiming reached the cave on the peak. Scanning the area, he quickly noticed an open stone door. Upon entering, he immediately saw the prepared herbs on the ground. These herbs had been prearranged by the Medicine Sage for him, allowing him to start concocting immediately upon arrival. Examining the herbs, he picked up the topmost sheet of paper. It was the assignment from the Medicine Sage. The potion he needed to concoct today, although not time-intensive, posed a higher difficulty than past potions. The name of this potion was simple: Insect Repellent Pill. When used, just a drop in water, applied on the body, would keep most mosquitoes at bay. Though seemingly simple, concocting this potion wasn't easy. Mistakes in a few floral essences could result in an ominous stench — effective against mosquitoes, perhaps, but unbearable for human use. He Yiming crouched down to meticulously inspect the herbs, a satisfied smile crossing his lips moments later. While his abilities in discerning herbs couldn't compare to a true apothecary due to his limited experience, he had his own unique method. A mere touch allowed him to sense the vitality within the herbs. Assessing herb quality with this method was a privilege exclusive to a wood-element innate master like himself, aided by his unique constitution — even the Medicine Sage couldn't rival him in this aspect. The herbs prepared by the Medicine Sage were top-notch, brimming with vitality, unmatched among similar herbs. Gathering the herbs, he followed specific steps to place them into the bronze cauldron in the alchemy room. Under the dew's immersion, the herbs began to undergo delicate blends. After a moment, he nudged open the earth-fire gate with his foot, unleashing the blazing earth-fire's power once again within the alchemy room. Once alchemy commenced, He Yiming's carefree smile vanished, focusing all his attention. Two different cultivation techniques operated in tandem within him: the Innate Withered Wood technique and the Innate Fiery Fire technique. The Fiery Fire technique wielded unstoppable power, akin to a spark igniting a prairie, crucial for controlling the earth-fire effectively. Employing this technique, the earth-fire's temperature adjusted precisely to his will, a red energy radiating from his acupoints, seemingly illuminating even the chaos-like darkness. This method, utilizing acupoints and techniques to regulate the earth-fire's temperature, he learned from the Medicine Sage. Though observed a few times and questions asked, today marked his first alchemical application of this knowledge. Previously, the Medicine Sage's assignments were so basic they required no precise fire control — the alchemy room's tiered settings sufficed. The advanced insect repellent pill today served as the perfect practice. Besides the Fiery Fire, the Withered Wood technique also operated simultaneously, complementing each other perfectly. An hour later, He Yiming beamed with delight. Kicking to halt the earth-fire, he called out, "Elder Yao, how did my task fare?" From the stone door, the Medicine Sage ambled in, not looking at the cauldron but sighing deeply. "Elder He, your fire control method resembles mine. How did you learn it?" He Yiming smiled, "Naturally from observing you." The Medicine Sage, puzzled, asked, "Yet I never taught you, did I?" A startled He Yiming replied, "You jest, elder. Didn’t I consult you on this after observing your alchemical process with the Innate Golden Pills?" The Medicine Sage's expression wavered before he said, "Elder He, you grasped the knack just from observing and asking those questions?" Blinking earnestly, He Yiming replied, "It's rather straightforward, no secret to it." Pausing, he added kindly, "Like chopping wood and making a fire, a single demonstration should suffice." The Medicine Sage's face twitched slightly, his youthful face turning various shades. Comparing the Innate Fiery Fire technique to chopping wood left him unsure whether to feel angered or saddened. By the Medicine Sage's estimation, even with full disclosure, He Yiming would need decades to grasp the fire control technique. Yet today, He Yiming's mastery was evident — though his technique seemed a bit raw and lacked the finesse and intuitive precision of the Sage's own method. With practice, matching him was merely a matter of time. After a long pause, the Medicine Sage sighed, "Elder He, such remarkable talent should not be wasted outside the path of alchemy." He Yiming chuckled. Seeing the Medicine Sage's expression, he realized his unintended success in mastering fire control might have been disheartening for the elder. Silently reflecting, He Yiming thought if he’d anticipated this, he might not have used the Innate Fiery Fire technique. Opening the cauldron's lid, a dozen pearly-white pills spun within. The Medicine Sage glanced, declaring, "Flawless." He Yiming nodded with satisfaction, a smile playing on his lips. Being an innate master with both wood and fire techniques truly gave him an immense advantage in alchemy. However, what he didn’t know was that while most dual-element wood and fire masters had greater potential in alchemy compared to ordinary practitioners, none could boast capabilities as exaggeratedly profound as his. After receiving the Medicine Sage’s evaluation, He Yiming asked several more questions before leaving with joy. Behind him, the Medicine Sage couldn't help but sigh deeply. Spending time with a true genius can make many others feel utterly inadequate—especially those who once prided themselves as geniuses. --- Returning to the courtyard, He Yiming noticed something amiss. Entering his house, everything appeared normal, yet an intense unease gripped his heart. His earlier smile had vanished completely, replaced by a grave expression. His eyes scanned the room while his ears twitched slightly, attuned to any anomaly. Only then did his face change. Yuan Lixun was nowhere to be found in this courtyard. In recent times, apart from visiting the library at the main peak, He Yiming had spent his days in the Lingyao Peak cave, crafting potions as assigned by the Medicine Sage. Afterwards, he'd return home, sharing meals and practicing martial arts with Yuan Lixun. This routine had become a fixed pattern; every day when he came back from the alchemy room, Yuan Lixun would greet him with her smiling face and dishes catering perfectly to his tastes. Today, however, when he returned earlier than usual, all that was missing. In a blur, he darted like lightning through each room, and after a thorough check, his expression grew even darker. Several rooms bore signs of tampering. The intruder had been extremely cautious, leaving little evidence, but He Yiming's keen eyes discerned subtle clues from barely noticeable disturbances. Irrespective of who had meddled with these rooms, it couldn’t be a good omen; worry gnawed at He Yiming’s mind. Deciding quickly, he slung his large guandao over his back and left the courtyard, swiftly heading toward his grandfather’s residence on Lingyao Peak. Seeing He Yiming's unexpected arrival, He Wude greeted him with a warm smile. Despite the slightly eerie entrance, the elder's affection for He Yiming was undiminished. Alone now, as He Laibao had been dispatched to Hejia Village on his orders to bring He Quanxin to Hengshan and expedite his advancement to the innate realm, He Wude awaited his grandson. Upon receiving the innate golden pill, the elderly pair had been eager to waste no time in progressing toward the innate realm, essential to do as early as possible. "Grandfather, has Lixun been by here?" "No," He Wude replied definitively. "What happened?" "Lixun is missing," He Yiming said gravely. "I have a foreboding feeling." He Wude's demeanor became serious. If Yuan Lixun simply wandered off, it wouldn't be concerning, but He Yiming's apprehension was too significant to ignore. After all, innate masters, who can connect with the natural energies, often find their hunches on such matters alarmingly accurate. "Yiming, calm yourself," He Wude advised. Since last meeting, he realized Yuan Lixun held a substantial place in He Yiming's heart, far beyond that of an ordinary concubine, and any mishap concerning her wouldn't sit lightly with his grandson. He Yiming nodded slightly, taking a deep breath of the mountain's cool air, settling his somewhat agitated heart. At that moment, he achieved a wonderous, indescribable state of clarity. Whether due to anxiety or anger, He Yiming's focus reached an unmatched intensity. He Wude, noticing this transformation, found his grandson different yet couldn't articulate exactly how. He Yiming's ears twitched subtly, a slow rhythm yet sharply attuned. Only then did he realize untapped potential within his practices, a larger reservoir of power than he'd understood before. However, at present, such musings took a backseat as he directed his full concentration towards his hearing. Gradually, every sound carried by the breeze entered his ears, his range expanding at an alarming rate. For the first time since arriving at Hengshan, he applied his full abilities. Prior constraints from the Medicine Sage and others had kept him reserved, but now there was no holding back. To his astonishment, he surpassed the limits previously reached in Tianluo's capital. He understood now this was the fruit of his prior enlightenment. Unconsciously, through the natural breeze, his hearing enveloped the entire mountain. He picked up on various sounds: the Medicine Sage's puzzled murmurs, a couple's whispered sweet nothings, even the faint rustle of earthworms in a vegetable patch reached his ears. In that instant, he felt an uncanny, god-like perception, realizing nothing could elude his knowledge if he chose. Finally, a distant whisper reached him. The voice was soft, nearly an ear-whisper, yet its veiled meaning struck He Yiming like thunder. "The Yuan girl has been secured, settled in the cave. We must hurry; if we wait for his return from alchemy, things might change." He Yiming’s eyebrows lifted slightly, drawing He Wude’s attention. The old man, ever alert, inquired, "Found something? Lead me." He Yiming nodded, passed a stream of energy to lift He Wude, and like two great birds, they took flight. Even carrying He Wude, He Yiming moved with lightning speed, his movements gentle, as imperceptible as a passing breeze. Moments later, they landed silently at the mountain's base. Reassured now, He Yiming detected Yuan Lixun's familiar breathing within a cave, though her breaths suggested unconsciousness. Confident she was unharmed, his concerns eased somewhat. Hearing two stable footsteps, He Yiming and He Wude approached the cave, He Yiming hesitating to act for the moment, choosing instead to memorize their captors' appearances. Two women in their forties or fifties stood there, one possessing a martial cultivation of post-heaven stage ten—near He Wude's level, if not peaking yet close.