Chapter 15

Page 1/3

It turned out that these three jade locks were called the Three Pure Locks, named after the concept of “One Qi transforms into the Three Pure Ones,” and were ancient treasures. Originally, it was a single jade lock containing a personal space that included a courtyard, a spiritual field, and a sacred spring. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was forced to split into three separate locks, dividing the courtyard, spiritual field, and sacred spring into independent personal spaces.

Whether separated or combined, the Three Pure Locks appeared no different from ordinary objects. Only those with keen insight or the ability to perform special rituals, or those who possessed two or three locks simultaneously to trigger their resonance, could unlock the space and claim ownership.

This explained why Le Li had worn one jade lock all her life in a previous incarnation but it remained just an ordinary lock—she neither understood the ancient ritual methods nor had ever obtained the other two locks.

In this life, she was fortunate to acquire another lock. An unexpected bout of coughing blood triggered their resonance, causing the two locks to merge and form the current space.

Clearly, the locks she had contained the courtyard and the spiritual field. If she had gotten the locks containing the spiritual field and the sacred spring, the space would lack the courtyard and consist only of a spiritual field and a spring. Similarly, if she had locks containing the courtyard and the sacred spring, the courtyard would have no spiritual field, but a deep pool would form with a spring bubbling forth.

Only by gathering all three jade locks simultaneously could the complete spatial courtyard be restored, with rooms, a spiritual field, and a sacred spring.

During the splitting process, the courtyard, field, and spring had all suffered various degrees of damage, making the space appear dilapidated and dusty. Each new master required a large amount of spiritual energy to repair it.

When she first entered, the space had not used any spirit stones because the inferior spirit stones in her storage pouch were far from sufficient. This time, seeing enough spirit stones, the space silently took them all at once.

At the end of the introduction, Le Li saw the method to refine and consecrate the jade lock. Previously, the blood ritual was just a rudimentary way to claim ownership; true possession required secret rites, after which she would no longer worry about the space using items from her storage pouch without permission.

With this knowledge, Le Li finally felt relieved. She immediately exited the jade lock space, sat cross-legged, and, focusing her mind, manifested the jade lock in her hand. Following the instructions in the illustration, she performed the spirit incantation to consecrate it.

Meanwhile, on Qingxuan Peak, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment stage female cultivator entered a cave dwelling. The scene shifted to reveal Yan Yueheng reclining by a jade couch, sipping spiritual tea. Sensing the visitor, she did not lift her gaze but softly asked, “Have you offered congratulations? Have you seen Le Li?”

“Yes, Immortal, I have seen Le Li. Her cultivation is at mid Qi Refining stage, still some distance from late stage. It seems Master Han is quite satisfied with her and keeps her close,” the Foundation Establishment female replied respectfully but cautiously, raising her eyes to gauge Yan Yueheng’s expression. Her voice grew louder, tinged with grievance, “Le Li has betrayed Master’s intentions, refusing to accept Master as her teacher. Why does Master still care for her? So many would beg to become Master’s disciple. Among the newly accepted, how many have outstanding Fire Spirit Roots? The next trial begins in three or four months; no doubt Master will recruit disciples of exceptional talent. What is Le Li worth? Ice and fire coexisting—whether she can even reach Foundation Establishment is uncertain. Only Master Han treasures her so.”

“Silence,” Yan Yueheng glared fiercely at the cultivator. “A Golden Core Immortal is not someone you can fabricate stories about. Speak another word of nonsense and I will not forgive you. Leave.”

“I dare not, I take my leave,” the cultivator feigned fear and hastily withdrew.

A sharp crack sounded as the tea cup in Yan Yueheng’s hand shattered to dust, falling silently through her fingers.

“Nearly two centuries of silence, and in less than three years since Le Li’s discipleship, he has advanced. I refuse to believe it is unrelated. Le Li must carry something beneficial to Han Yongnian. My intuition long ago may have pointed to this matter. Had she been my disciple, the benefits would be mine. The cunning old man Han has not only taken my disciple but also my opportunity. Le Li, truly ungrateful!”

Recalling the events in the sect’s main hall, Yan Yueheng’s expression darkened further. A faint, fleeting glint of cold light flashed in her eyes. She swept the powdered tea away with a wave, then swiftly left the cave dwelling and the sect.

As she departed, Lin Pei also left Han Yongnian’s cave, which then sealed its door.

Le Li had just completed consecrating the jade lock and stored it in her soul when she heard Han Yongnian’s voice transmitted to her, “Li, I will enter seclusion to consolidate my cultivation, lasting two to three years. You must train diligently and not slack off. If you encounter difficulties or confusion, seek your Master Uncle; he will resolve matters on my behalf.”

“Yes, disciple will obey Master’s command!” she replied softly.

Page 2/3

Le Li’s voice was gentle as she responded, then she extended her divine awareness to re-enter the jade lock space, clearly feeling her soul’s connection to the jade lock’s space growing ever stronger.

Standing in the courtyard, she began planning. There was no need to enter the jade lock space for cultivation within the sect, as the spiritual energy concentration inside was no different from outside. However, the half-acre spiritual field had to be used well. She would buy seeds for spiritual herbs at the back mountain market to earn spirit stones early.

She would start with ordinary spiritual herbs to test the waters; if successful, she’d switch to herbs with longer growth cycles and higher value. By calculation, twelve thousand spirit stones would take eight or nine years to recover.

The deep pool couldn’t be left idle either. She planned to fill it with water, plant spiritual lotus, and raise spiritual fish. The spiritual lotus, lotuses, and fish could be sold for spirit stones, with some kept for personal use. With this, she might earn twelve thousand spirit stones in six or seven years instead of eight or nine.

At this moment, Le Li’s mind was completely at ease. Owning a personal space made her smile so broadly it nearly stretched to her ears.

Suddenly, her eyes flickered as her smile vanished, and she grew serious.

“One Qi transforms into the Three Pure Ones. I only have two of the three jade locks. Where is the third lock now?”

Le Li recalled the past; her mother had told her the origin of the jade lock. When she was about to turn one, her father intended to custom-make a jade lock at a jewelry store to bless her with health and protection from illness. But upon seeing the jade lock she already wore, he was instantly captivated. Finding it simple but of exquisite quality, he changed his mind and bought that very jade lock to place at her naming ceremony. That day, she was the only one to grasp it.

Later, her mother said, “Your father, seeing such fate, went back to the jewelry store to ask if there were more jade locks like this. The shop owner said this was the only one. Your father thought it fine to have the luck alone.”

On the surface, the jade lock was nothing extraordinary. The shop wouldn’t lie—it was probably truly unique. That jewelry store had long since become a cloth shop due to relocation years before she entered the sect. Over a decade had passed, making it difficult to verify.

Two years ago, the second lock had appeared in Quansu City. Could the third also be there, perhaps in the hands of the jewelry stall owner?

Such a priceless treasure had to be acquired quickly. But two years had already passed, and the light in Le Li’s eyes dimmed. Tomorrow, she would go to Quansu City to confirm once and for all.

With the jade lock matter weighing on her mind, she barely managed to enter meditation that night after lighting calming incense. At dawn, she set off directly from the mountain gate, attaching two swift wind talismans to her legs. She became a streak of shadow, heading to Quansu City.

Anxious, as if she wished to sprout wings and fly, she combined the flying smoke and swift step talismans, arriving nearly half an hour earlier than usual.

Far from the city gates, she calmed herself and entered the city with a composed expression. She sold some spiritual incense at Chunhe Hall, then eagerly turned to the market stalls behind.

Suppressing the urge to search directly, she wandered past a dozen stalls without focusing on their wares, waiting for the moment to reach the jade jewelry stall.

“Shopkeeper, are these all your jade ornaments? Any other styles?” she asked.

The shopkeeper opened two large packages from his storage pouch, spreading them out. “All the jade ornaments are here. Feel free to browse.”

Le Li scanned them with divine sight and immediately felt disappointment—no jade lock.

“Just these? Nothing new or different? These jade pendants and amulets lack any creativity. The jade lock I bought last time was truly unique, though sadly it was broken. Shopkeeper, these aren’t magical tools. If you have good items, bring them out. You’re not saving spirit stones, are you?”

The shopkeeper laughed, patting his thigh. “Hey, Daoist, you said it yourself: keeping them doesn’t generate spirit stones. So why keep them? They’re all here. The jade lock hasn’t sold many times, not as well as pendants and amulets. I haven’t sold one in over a year.”

Le Li’s heart sank, fearing the third jade lock had already been sold. She blamed herself for awakening the fate too late and missing it.

She forced calm, picked a few pieces from the jewelry, paid, and wandered the market aimlessly before leaving Quansu City with a tangled mind.

Page 3/3

She ran at full speed all the way, venting her frustration. By the time she reached the mountain gate, she was gasping for breath, but her mind was clear and open.

The journey was enough for her to realize that opportunities were fleeting and no one could claim them all. Having two of the three jade locks was already a rare blessing. If fate allowed her to obtain the third someday, that would be fortunate; if not, she would not force it. The key was to manage well what she already held.

Only then did Le Li remember she had been so focused on the jade locks that she had forgotten to buy spiritual herb seeds. Looking up at the high sun, she decided to visit the back mountain market.

The jade lock space had half an acre of land, which could be divided to grow two kinds of spiritual herbs. Le Li first bought seeds of Zhukui, and after careful consideration, chose the main ingredient for calming incense—the serenity flower. Growing her own meant no longer spending spirit stones to buy them, effectively saving money.

“Junior sister, long time no see!” greeted an outer disciple selling incense, remembering her after all this time. “How is your incense making coming along? I’ve added a second-rank calming incense with a lighter, more elegant scent that’s very popular. Would you like to try some?”

“Senior brother, you can already make second-rank incense. Impressive! But I still prefer my own blends. Thank you for your concern,” Le Li smiled and nodded, passing by his stall.

She thought the matter was over, but on her way back, she saw him again by the roadside. Le Li pursed her lips slightly. “Senior brother, are you waiting for me?”

He cupped his hands and smiled smoothly. “I am Li Xiuping. May I ask your name, junior sister?”

Le Li lowered her gaze. “Qianyuan Peak, Le Li.”

Li Xiuping inhaled sharply, immediately becoming especially polite. “So it is Senior Sister Le! I heard Master Han advanced yesterday. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Senior Brother. May I ask what you wanted to see me about?” Le Li raised an eyebrow.

Li Xiuping laughed awkwardly. “Not at all, not at all. I was going to recommend my incense again to Senior Sister Le. I was presumptuous. Farewell, farewell!”

With that, he quickened his steps and hurried away, as if someone were chasing him.

Li Xiuping’s waiting was not as innocent as he claimed. After more than two years, seeing Le Li still at mid Qi Refining and apparently not much improved, he assumed she was also an outer disciple. Seeing her delicate beauty, he entertained some special thoughts.

Confident in his looks and somewhat known among outer disciples for his incense-making skills, he had tried to get close to her, hoping she might reciprocate.

Only when he registered did he learn Le Li was a direct disciple, and her master Han had just advanced yesterday. As an outer disciple, he considered himself lucky to avoid provoking a direct disciple and promptly found an excuse to slip away.

Le Li snorted softly at his retreating figure. Having lived long enough to be his grandmother, his petty thoughts were practically written on his face. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned her peak before giving her name. As predicted, he fled without a word.

Page 3/3