Mo Tiange next heard several startling pieces of news.
First, the cultivators at Falling Goose Cliff were about to disperse. Because the demon beasts had repeatedly failed to breach their defenses, the not-too-stupid high-level demon beasts had scattered to cause destruction elsewhere. With no other choice, the cultivators had to split up to hunt them down.
Second, news came from East Kunwu that the Danding Sect had been unable to activate their full mountain-protecting formation in time before a ninth-rank demon beast broke through. They had suffered significant disciple losses and were now requesting aid.
Finally, she heard that Uncle-Master Shoujing had been severely injured and could no longer hold out, forcing him to return to Taikang Mountain to recuperate.
Hearing the first two pieces of news, Mo Tiange realized just how severe the demon beast turmoil had become—even a ninth-rank demon beast had appeared, equivalent to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator's power. The last piece of news gave her a strange feeling, and a thought flashed through her mind.
However, before she could ponder it further, Uncle-Master Xuanyin notified her that they had other urgent business. She and Luo Fengxue were to follow him to the Danding Sect immediately.
Mo Tiange hadn't expected the task of supporting the Danding Sect to fall to them. Feeling somewhat uneasy, Luo Fengxue quietly told her in private that after the Danding Sect was attacked, many sects would send people to support them. The demon beasts wouldn't dare to continue attacking for the time being, making it relatively safe.
Mo Tiange thought about it and realized this made sense. Besides, the Danding Sect itself had Nascent Soul cultivators; they had just been breached by surprise.
It was just that since that day she emerged from the Void Heaven Realm, she hadn't had another chance to enter. Throughout this journey, Luo Fengxue had been with her constantly. Although she had a good relationship with Luo Fengxue, the Void Heaven Realm was, after all, a heaven-defying treasure, and she was determined not to tell anyone.
However, the next part was just travel, which didn't count as wasted time.
The Danding Sect was located in the central part of West Kunwu, not far from the Xuanqing Sect. From Falling Goose Cliff, traveling on a Core Formation cultivator's flying treasure would only take about three to five days.
Several days later, Uncle-Master Xuanyin brought their group of Foundation Establishment disciples to Tianhuo Mountain of the Danding Sect. From afar, Mo Tiange saw a peak towering into the clouds, with fierce Earth Vein Fire erupting from the volcanic summit. It was said the Danding Sect established their sect here precisely because of this, the largest volcano in Kunwu. Besides technique, the alchemical fire was extremely important for pill refining. Aside from dantian fire, Earth Vein Fire was also an excellent alchemical fire. Particularly high-quality Earth Vein Fire could almost compare to Sun True Fire, far superior to the dantian fire of low-level cultivators. The reason Tianhuo Mountain was called Tianhuo Mountain was reportedly because the Earth Vein Fire here was of exceptionally high quality.
Blazing red flames occasionally shot out from the volcano, drawing the attention of many disciples. Suspended in the center of the volcano was a massive cyan cauldron—the sect emblem of the Danding Sect. All Danding Sect disciples bore this emblem on their clothing.
However, from a distance, they could already tell the Danding Sect had suffered severe damage this time.
The tall mountain gate had collapsed. Clusters of buildings surrounding the volcano lay in ruins. The plaza was littered with broken bricks and shattered jade. Danding Sect disciples in cyan robes hurried back and forth. There were also a considerable number of cultivators wearing the attire of other sects busily working. Mo Tiange looked around; most were Qi Refining disciples, with a number of Foundation Establishment cultivators, but not a single Core Formation cultivator.
This wasn't surprising. Qi Refining disciples were always the most numerous in any sect. If the Xuanqing Sect hadn't closed its mountain gates, the ones sent out would definitely have been Qi Refining disciples, led by Foundation Establishment cultivators.
As for Core Formation cultivators, medium and small sects simply didn't have many. Protecting their own sects and families took priority; where would they find people to send to support another sect? Only the Xuanqing Sect, which had sealed its mountain early, could afford such a gesture.
Before they even reached the Danding Sect's mountain-protecting formation, a streak of light rose from Tianhuo Mountain. Then the mountain-protecting formation opened, and a Core Formation female cultivator led several disciples forward to greet them.
"Senior Brother Xuanyin, your esteemed presence honors us. We failed to welcome you properly."
Perfected One Xuanyin cupped his hands in greeting and smiled. "Junior Sister Mo, there's no need for such formality. This is only right."
The female cultivator shook her head with a bitter smile. "Others are all preoccupied with their own troubles. Only your Xuanqing Sect has sent a Core Formation cultivator. Senior Brother Xuanyin, to be honest with you, we are severely lacking in high-level cultivators right now. We are truly grateful you could come."
Perfected One Xuanyin still wore a slight smile. "Our two sects are friendly allies; we should assist each other. Junior Sister Mo, there's no need for that—by the way, what's the current situation?"
"Ah, the situation isn't great, Senior Brother Xuanyin. Please follow me." She then said to the Foundation Establishment disciples behind her, "You all arrange accommodations for our fellow disciples from the Xuanqing Sect. Do not neglect them."
"Yes, Master."
This Cultivator Mo led Perfected One Xuanyin into the main hall, while Mo Tiange and the other Foundation Establishment disciples were assigned to temporary cave abodes by other reception disciples. Because many cultivators had arrived, she, Luo Fengxue, Han Qingyu, Wei Jiasi, and others were all assigned to stay together.
Mo Tiange inspected the temporary cave abode and was quite pleased to find it included an alchemy room with Earth Vein Fire channeled inside. While staying here temporarily, she could opportunely practice her alchemy.
Additionally, this was the Danding Sect, so naturally there were many pill recipes. She found an opportunity and went out with Luo Fengxue.
"Tian Ge, if you want pill recipes, you can just ask Master. Our Xuanqing Sect also has many pill recipes in its collection."
Facing Luo Fengxue's question, Mo Tiange replied, "Senior Sister Luo, when I focus on something, I become single-minded. Right now, I'm learning alchemy and really want to collect as many pill recipes as possible. Although our Xuanqing Sect certainly has many, the Danding Sect is, after all, famous for alchemy. They must have something special. We might find something good."
"That's true..."
Despite having just experienced a great calamity, the Danding Sect's internal market was still operating as usual. Because many disciples had suffered casualties and lost numerous magical tools and spirit talismans, it was actually quite bustling.
Mo Tiange had already inquired with Danding Sect disciples. Without browsing much, she directly pulled Luo Fengxue into a shop.
"Ah, two Senior Sisters from the Xuanqing Sect! Please come in!" As soon as they entered, the shop assistant greeted them warmly. Probably because many disciples from other sects had come recently, he expertly recognized their attire and quickly served tea. "Two Senior Sisters, how may I assist you?"
Mo Tiange had never experienced such enthusiastic service before even stating her purpose and felt somewhat uncomfortable. Luo Fengxue, however, was completely at ease. Having been an elite disciple since childhood and a managing disciple, she was used to all sorts of flattery. This kind of treatment was taken for granted. Seeing Mo Tiange remain silent, Luo Fengxue took over: "Do you have any good items here? We'd like to buy some in preparation for demon-slaying."
Hearing this, the shop assistant's smile brightened further. "Two Senior Sisters, to thank you for your aid, our sect leader recently ordered that all sect shops offer a twenty percent discount. In our shop, we have everything you need—magical tools, spirit talismans, pills... Whatever you find useful, we can bring it out."
"Oh? Magical tools aren't necessary for now; we can't use them immediately. For spirit talismans and pills, bring them out. Spirit herbs are fine too, but they must be over two hundred years old."
"Yes, yes. Please have a seat here for a moment."
As the assistant walked away, Luo Fengxue smiled. "This is a good opportunity. The Danding Sect has quite a few good medicinal materials that are usually hard to find. With a twenty percent discount, let's buy as much as we want."
Having the Void Heaven Realm, Mo Tiange looked down on these ordinary spirit herbs, but she still nodded with a smile.
The assistant was very quick. Moments later, he returned carrying a cloth bag. This bag was also a type of Qiankun Bag, but with small capacity and very cheap, used by shops for moving goods.
The assistant laid out items one by one on the table, smiling at the two. "Two Senior Sisters, please look. These are Foundation Establishment stage spirit talismans. They were all made by our sect's Core Formation elders. Originally, they were our shop's signature items. Given the urgent need for spirit talismans now, we've brought them all out."
Mo Tiange picked up a talisman. It was indeed a high-level spirit talisman, "Falling Leaves Rustle." There were also several like "Frozen Heaven Snowy Earth" and "Sword Light Flickering Shadows." They emanated a dense spiritual aura, made from the skin and blood of third or fourth-rank spirit beasts, not ordinary talisman paper and cinnabar.
"These are a few special magical tools. They don't require refining. Perhaps the two Senior Sisters will find them useful."
The assistant opened a jade box, inside which dozens of crystal-clear flying needles were neatly arranged. Mo Tiange picked one up. It was thin as if weightless, and no spiritual aura could be detected. However, holding it in her hand, she could still feel sealed spiritual energy at the needle's tip.
"And here are the spirit herbs. If the two Senior Sisters have any specific requests, please feel free to ask. Our Danding Sect's inventory of other things might not be impressive, but our spirit herbs are among the best in Tianji."
Listening to the assistant's proud introduction, Mo Tiange and Luo Fengxue each lowered their heads to inspect.
Indeed, Snow Ling Flower, Purple Yin Grass, Jade Containing Green Pearl, Splashing Snow Lingzhi... These were all relatively rare spirit herbs, and those on the table were all over two hundred years old.
Mo Tiange and Luo Fengxue exchanged a glance. "Senior Sister Luo, what do you think?"
Luo Fengxue smiled. "How about we buy them together and split them later when someone needs them?"
"Mm." Mo Tiange nodded and said to the assistant, "We'll take all these spirit herbs. Calculate how many spirit stones they cost."
The assistant's face showed surprise. These rare medicinal herbs, even if not of very high age, were quite expensive. Moreover, there were at least ten plants here, which would easily cost five or six thousand spirit stones. That amount was a significant fortune. An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator's annual allowance was at most a little over a thousand spirit stones. However, he quickly recovered and, after a simple count, replied, "Two Senior Sisters, the total here is five thousand seven hundred and sixty spirit stones. After the twenty percent discount, it's four thousand six hundred and eight. We'll round off the odd amount—let's call it four thousand six hundred."
"Good, pack them up." Luo Fengxue instructed, then asked Mo Tiange, "I only want these spirit herbs. Do you want anything else?"
Mo Tiange pondered for a moment, then pointed to the flying needle-type magical tools. Back when she competed for the Foundation Establishment Pill at the Yunwu Sect, she had obtained a set of flying needles from Murong Zi. However, she had used them until there were very few left, and after reaching Foundation Establishment, they weren't very useful anymore. These things were excellent for sneak attacks. Keeping some on her would be useful for unexpected situations.
"By the way," Mo Tiange asked, seemingly casually, after the assistant had packed everything and accepted the spirit stones Luo Fengxue paid, "since this is a Danding Sect shop, do you sell good pill recipes?"
The assistant immediately replied, "Of course! Our Danding Sect is most renowned for alchemy. We have ordinary pill recipes, and even some rare ones. However, it depends on what kind of pill recipe Senior Sister wants. Some special recipes we cannot sell separately; they require authorization from our sect's Core Formation elders."
As the number one sect in alchemy, the Danding Sect naturally had some unique techniques outsiders didn't possess. Mo Tiange wasn't surprised by this statement and simply said, "What about ancient pill recipes?"
"Ancient pill recipes?" The assistant was taken aback and asked, "What does Senior Sister want ancient pill recipes for? Many spirit herbs in ancient recipes are already extinct, so they've lost their value."
Mo Tiange had already prepared her explanation and said calmly, "I've done some research into alchemy. Some ancient pills have excellent medicinal properties. I want to try substituting with common ingredients to see if I can refine the pills."
"Oh, so Senior Sister is also a fellow enthusiast!" The assistant's face broke into a smile, and he became even more friendly toward Mo Tiange. "That's not a problem. Our sect is also researching that. The recipes can be shared externally, but the price is slightly higher."
Mo Tiange said, "That's fine. Just bring out the good ones."