Bab 11: Jin Boqin is dying?

The 11th day marked a new chapter for which the destiny of everyone involved changed drastically.

It began when Jin Boqin was in a heightened crucial situation of Insight Interrogation.

He was writhing in pain, his long jet-black hair turned white, his body emitting a foul odor, and his face wrinkled and pale.

Outside the barrier formation were the worried Grand Elder Meng Buyan and Fairy Xi Niu. Their atmosphere is dumped and solemn.

They didn't bring their disciples on the grounds of Jin Boqin's current condition.

"What happened, Grand Elder Meng Buyan?"

Fairy Xi Niu asked worriedly as she watched Sect Master Jin Boqin writhe in pain while enduring the harsh treatment of Insight to his body.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan sighed in exasperation, not because of Fairy Xi Niu's questioning but because of his own lack and negligence.

Fairy Xi Niu noticed. "Grand Elder Meng Buyan don't be harsh to yourself. You did your part as well as Sect Master Jin Boqin. Maybe the Sect Master misstepped on the process…"

Grand Elder Meng Buyan shook his head. "I don't know. It might be seen as the Sect Master's body is not used to efficiently utilize the pure Spiritual Qi. It could be the treasures were faulty. I'm not so sure…There were a lot of factors to consider. Only Sect Master can tell us what happened."

Fairy Xi Niu didn't hesitate and brought out the Special Elixir she found on the first day of their visit to the Dungeon.

"Do you think this could help?"

Grand Elder Meng Buyan still his back faced Fairy Xi Niu, he gave his response. "There's nothing we can do to help the Sect Master. The root of his cultivation is now severely damaged. There is no going back from that in the physical realm we live in." He paused and turned around.

With gloomy eyes directed to Fairy Xi Niu, he continued. "Facing Insight Interrogation is the harshest there is aside from Heaven Tribulation. It punishes the cultivator on the process of…W-what is that?"

Grand Elder Meng Buyan stopped midway as his eyes caught the faint glow of some kind of elixir.

"I found this after I exterminated a beast in the eastern sector. I thought this could serve as our saving grace if the Sect Master faces difficulty during Insight Interrogation."

"This is not possible, just its existence alone…The amount, the density, both Spiritual Qi and Insights is securely harmonized! Although it could help him prolong his life, I am not so sure how it could help the Sect Master entirely since the elixir doesn't have anything to do with fixing the damage that has been done. Nevertheless, it's worth trying!"

Exhilarated, Grand Elder Meng Buyan paved the way for the two of them and formed a barrier to protect themselves from the turbulent Spiritual Qi isolated inside the barrier formation.

He stopped midway though.

"Wait…Are you sure? Do you want to give this elixir to Sect Master?"

Fairy Xi Niu smiled and nodded her head.

"Sect Master is glad we have you as our Great Elder! Your action is praiseworthy! It won't go unnoticed once we brought out the Sect Master from his predicament!"

About to enter the barrier formation, they halted upon hearing the voice they hadn't heard in for days.

They were hesitating to ask for his help since Jin Boqin's reminder not to disturb him no matter what the situation even if it's his life at stake.

"It won't be enough but you are welcome to try." Akira in his usual apathetic face and cold tone.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan and Fairy Xi Niu's hope was ignited.

"Greetings. We are terribly sorry if the vibration of the barrier formation inconveniences you. May we know if his…his---"

"Dungeon Master. Yet this name should not be utter outside the Dungeon."

"Of course. We understand. As it should be. May we know if the Dungeon Master knew a way to help our Sect Master?"

Akira didn't directly answer the question, instead, he said, "The turmoil in your Sect Master's body disrupts the harmony of his Spiritual Qi and the Insights he gained. Even with how pure the Spiritual Qi in the dungeon is, it would be a stretch to help him return to once he was."

You must solve first the turbulence and dissonance of his cultivation state. Akira wanted to disclose but decided not to.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan and Fairy Xi Niu were thrown into contemplation, trying their best to comprehend what had been said.

Wasn't the reason why cultivators failed through facing the Insight Interrogation accounted to lack of harmony between the Spiritual Qi and the Insights? This dense amount of harmonized Insight and Spiritual Qi will solve most of the problems. And what is this turmoil?

Moreover, he seemed to imply consuming the elixir in this state was not dangerous.

There was no time to think about something obscure to them.

"We don't understand but we are thankful for the reminder. Even so, may you advise us on how we help our Sect Master?"

Grand Elder Meng Buyan pleadingly asked.

"Learn to take chances."

Akira indifferently responded. "I'll await the result."

Fairy Xi Niu felt wronged about his attitude and demeanor.

Cold and robbed of emotion. Placing himself above all others and seeing others below him as inconsequential.

Was Immortal like this? Conceited!

"We understand. Thank you."

Grand Elder Meng Buyan thanked Akira and eyed Fairy Xi Niu to move on.

The two went inside the barrier formation after securing their precaution.

The turbulent Spiritual Qi drummed their barrier.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan and Fairy Xi Niu needed to take one of their treasure to fill the barrier with a hint of Law, increasing its durability.

"Don't take it to heart. We all had a share of same sentiments, both points of view." Grand Elder mumbled to calm Fairy Xi Niu.

Close enough, the two took a glimpse of pity on the sight of their respectable Sect Master.

Jin Boqin was not writhing anymore but was kneeling, his forehead on the ground.

His eyes wide opened and reddened.

Hands clenching the dirt.

The upper garments of his hanfu were gone.

He is breathing through his mouth, not through his nose, and there is no sign of movement.

Sign of severe pain experienced by his now numb body.

Their chests tightened seeing Jin Boqin's situation up close.

The hope of helping him through the elixir dampen.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan called out.

"Sect Master. We brought something for you, Fairy Xi Niu found this special elixir. We thought this could help you."

Fair enough, Jin Boqin's pupil moved and stared at them.

Grand Elder Meng Buyan kneeled on the ground and broke the glowing elixir into small pieces.

The appetizing smell of the elixir wafted across Jin Boqin's face prompting him to nimb on it.

Alas, the elixir was consumed.

They waited to see if changes would occur.

"Grand Elder Meng Buyan. Are there no reported ways to help someone suffering from failing the Insight Interrogation?"

"There's none. In the world we live in with ever-decreasing and non-existent pure Spiritual Qi, we cannot. Even if the Spiritual Qi outside is pure, there is no way we can. Probably only the same elixir you found can help. Though I believed before the catastrophe struck, many elixirs had been nurtured by dormant pure Spiritual Qi for eons helping it to harmonize the Insight to pure Spiritual Qi. Hence, many cultivators through the Insight Interrogation."

"And it helped them solve the decaying of their cultivation root?"

"No, it's another problem that must be solved afterward. No elixir can cure the decaying cultivation root."

"I see. Only the ambrosia can heal the severe damage and prevent the decaying of cultivation roots. We are accursed, then?"

"I cannot retort to that but isn't our destiny to go against Fate? If we can endure, that's one step closer to longevity. Ambrosia from Heaven is just now a relic from the past though."

"Not when the Heaven Gates' opens."

Grand Elder Meng Buyan let out a wry laugh. "Indeed. Indeed."

Their conversation was interrupted when they heard Jin Boqin scoffed at them.

"Are you guys going to marry? The resemblance of your tone, the way you two talk, the atmosphere is as uncanny as those going to wed."

"Sect Master!" The two elders of the Sky Heaven Piercing Sect were elated to see Jin Boqin up and walking.

Even with his upper garments missing, the rest of his pitiful state returned to what it was before he faced the Insight Interrogation.

"So, not denying it? We should go home and celebrate your wedding, then!"

"HA?! Never in my life! Hmph!" Fairy Xi Niu scoffed at Jin Boqin.

"Sect Master, you jest…ha-ha." Grand Elder Meng Buyan let out a forced laugh. Feeling wronged thanks to Fairy Xi Niu's overreaction of rejecting the thought.

After a hearty banter between the three, Jin Boqin's expression turns sullen.

"I failed and even took your most prized possession. I apologize and am forever indebted to you, Fairy Xi Niu."

It is indeed my most prized possession. "It's fine. We need you to lead our Sect."

Jin Boqin wryly smiled and shook his head. "For a mere 10 years."

The atmosphere turned solemn.

"Nevertheless, I am grateful and will be sure to strengthen the foundation of the Sky Heaven Piercing Sect before I perish!"

Jin Boqin immediately changes the subject. "I am astonished you found an incredibly one of its kind!"

"Me too. I just happened to stumbled upon it thanks to our disciples." Fairy Xi Niu responded and recounted to them what had transcribed.

Jin Boqin turned to Grand Elder Meng Buyan.

"Starting from now. Make sure to keep an eye out for the same beast. Grand Elder Meng Buyan should be stationed there. We cannot find the same elixir in the Earth Realm even if we turn the world upside down. And be sure not to mention this outside! It would create unnecessary chaos if it spread!"

The two elders nodded their heads.

"Let's go. We should go home and prepare for my arrangement. 10 years is just meek compared to our lifetime."

On account of the fact the Insight Interrogation was interrupted and halted, the turbulent Spiritual Qi immediately ceased, and peace returned. Grand Elder Meng Buyan rescinded the treasure inducing the barrier formation.

When the three saw Akira waiting, they hastened their movement and bowed at 90 degrees, except for Jin Boqin groveling on the ground.

"I am forever indebted to you! We may not be rich compared to you but pray tell, what would the Dungeon Master want in return?"

"Nothing of the sort. I just happened to be here, if you wanted to thank someone, thank the person to your left. What she did is remarkable." Simply responded in his usual demeanor and tone.

I was surprised too that the elixir helped you this much. Akira thought.

Jin Boqin, Grand Elder Meng Buyan, and Fairy Xi Niu were rendered speechless and stunned.

"I-I-We, couldn't. We wouldn't dare. My conscience tells us we need to repay you." Jin Boqin persuaded.

Akira just stared at them. The time seemed to slow down and Jin Boqin's heart pumped wildly.

"All right. Tell me everything you know about from your pursuers on the day you fated to stumbled upon my Dungeon."

"Got it! The Dungeon Master will receive all the information about the Snake Devouring Sect first thing in the morning." Jin Boqin immediately stood up and blurted out.

"In return, I will offer my assistance in fixing the dissonance in your cultivation realm and bestow you the healing essence that may help alleviate the decaying effects of your cultivation root and prolong your life which will be paid for by you."

The three were rendered speechless once again.

They only have one thing on their mind.

Ambrosia!

He was indeed one from the Heaven Realm!

This brought up the question of what was he doing here. Was he trapped here when Heaven's Gate suddenly closed? Nevertheless, they saw the Dungeon Master in a new light. Albeit indifferent, he respects equal exchange.

"If I may, why help us?" Jin Boqin politely asked. No one in the cultivation world would help him to this length like the Dungeon Master did.

"I adhere to my principle. Equal exchange." Akira simply answered and turned around, leaving the three stunned and grateful.

The tree went home with a smile on their faces.

They were once again amazed and mystified by the Dungeon Master's existence.