### Section 22: Daoist Battle, Ascension Pill
**Author:** Gu Zhenren
Chu Yun accepted the pill bottle and tucked it into his embrace. Wu Datou was slightly surprised, as the scene he expected, Chu Yun refusing the gift, did not materialize. He thought it over and felt uneasy, about to urge Chu Yun to administer the pill on the spot.
However, Chu Yun spoke first, “Come, this time we’ll launch consecutive water bullets, one wave every ten seconds. Begin.”
“Oh.” Wu Datou blinked, swallowing the words he had almost spoken. He decided to find another opportunity.
The training continued until sunset, when the three elders returned.
“Well, why is Datou here?” Old Red Spear arrived at the training grounds and burst into laughter upon seeing Wu Datou being used as a sparring partner by Chu Yun.
“Greetings, Centurions!” Wu Datou’s expression turned respectful upon seeing Old Red Spear and the others, his face filled with genuine admiration.
When he was a mere soldier, he had greatly admired the three elders’ might. The three elders had also often looked out for him. Now that he was a centurion and they had retired, his respect and affection for them remained unchanged.
“What centurions? We’re just retired old fogeys,” Elder Qiao Monkey waved dismissively.
“Indeed, Datou, you’re doing a good job as a sparring partner.” After understanding Wu Datou’s purpose, Old Fish King patted his shoulder in approval.
Old Red Spear, however, reached out to Chu Yun, “Madam Shu sent a Foundation Strengthening Pill? Let this old man take a look.” He felt something was amiss with Madam Shu’s change of heart, thinking that the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
Chu Yun handed him the Foundation Strengthening Pill. The three elders examined it in turn but could find no fault.
“It is indeed a Foundation Strengthening Pill. It seems Madam Shu doesn’t want the Island Master to blame her upon his return. Foundation Strengthening Pills are very beneficial for mutated Demonic Beasts. Chu, quickly feed your Fire Fox,” Old Red Spear returned the pill.
Chu Yun glanced at it. Based on his experience, he saw no issues. This Foundation Strengthening Pill was neither poisoned nor a fake. Its medicinal fragrance was pure, and it was perfectly round.
“Yes, I’ll feed it after the eggshell is gone,” Chu Yun said, tucking it back into his embrace. Though he spoke this, he sneered inwardly.
The items sent by Madam Shu were not as safe as the Demonic Yuan Pills and Blood Qi Pills he had seized from pirates. In his past life, he might have believed this “goodwill.” But reborn in this life, Chu Yun understood Madam Shu’s true colors long ago. Words like “vicious woman” were made for her!
Furthermore, the Sky Fox was not a mutated Demonic Beast. Chu Yun wouldn’t be foolish enough to feed this pill to the Sky Fox. However, the three elders and Wu Datou had yet to see through Madam Shu’s nature. Chu Yun did not refuse, pretending to agree and thus seeing through the situation.
“Datou, come back tomorrow to be my sparring partner. That’s all for today, you can go now,” Chu Yun continued.
“Oh.” Wu Datou nodded and stumbled out of the manor, still confused. It wasn’t until he returned to Shu Family City that he suddenly slapped his forehead, exclaiming, “Aiya!” Madam Shu had instructed him to urge Chu Yun to take the pill on the spot, yet he had forgotten.
“Damn it, my memory…” He regretfully slapped his forehead, unaware that, from the very beginning, Chu Yun had been leading him by the nose, putting him in a completely passive position. It wasn’t that he had forgotten; it was that Chu Yun had maintained complete control.
“Never mind, I still have to be a sparring partner tomorrow. There’s still a chance,” he thought, feeling somewhat relieved.
However, when he went to the Salt Field Manor the next day, Chu Yun informed him that he had already taken the Foundation Strengthening Pill. Wu Datou was dumbfounded.
He stared at Chu Yun for a long time without a word. He had many doubts, but he couldn’t directly question him. Even if he did, what could he do if Chu Yun insisted on his story?
“What are you still standing there for, Datou? You seem absent-minded,” Chu Yun seized the opportunity and reprimanded him instead. Wu Datou was straightforward and honest. Many years later, he would recall how strange it was that he had so readily obeyed Chu Yun without question.
In the blink of an eye, another two days passed.
On the fourth day, early in the morning, Chu Yun brought the Sky Fox and once again came to the Altar. The Altar was a white stone structure, covering six mu of land and standing over two zhang tall, about the height of three or four adult men stacked together. The Altar was circular in structure, simple yet magnificent, without excessive carvings or decorations. Viewed from above, it resembled a white jade disc situated between green mountains and blue waters.
The first assessment of the coming-of-age ceremony took place within the spiritual pressure corridor in the center of the Altar. The second assessment, however, was held on the spacious plaza atop the Altar.
The morning sea breeze blew, the sky was clear, and the morning sun cast its rays, bathing the Altar in a solemn and majestic light. The Altar’s Monster Tamer stood in the center of the plaza, facing Chu Yun and the two youths, Shu Da and Shu Er. In addition to them, people filled the space around the plaza. The second assessment was a Daoist battle, testing the Monster Tamer’s ability to train Demonic Beasts. Spectators were allowed.
Among the spectators were, of course, Madam Shu and Old Red Spear. Most of the others were from Shu Family City and Xianyan Fishing Village. However, there were also many people who had traveled from afar, such as from Jiuzao Fishing Village and Tengjian Mountain Village. In the Archipelago, coming-of-age ceremonies were lively festivals. During grand ceremonies, dozens of youths would participate together, competing with each other. The competitions would last for several days and nights, creating an unprecedented spectacle. The fervor of the islanders would continue for a month or two afterward. Topics such as which family’s youth won first place, or which youth lost so pitifully, would be widely discussed.
This year’s situation was somewhat unusual. There were only three youths aged 13 who possessed Monster Tamer qualifications. However, the islanders’ enthusiasm was even higher because these three were all sons of Island Master Shu Tianhao, and the future Island Master would undoubtedly be chosen from among them. The question of which brother was superior or inferior ignited the public’s gossip.
“General Wu, how did you proceed with what I instructed you to do?” Madam Shu sat on a wide-backed red sandalwood armchair, her expression somewhat tense. Four Monster Tamers surrounded her, each occupying a side, carving out a spacious area of fifty paces in radius amidst the crowded Altar.
“Reporting, Madam, everything has been handled. I personally tutored young master Chu Yun for three consecutive days. Young Master Chu Yun is intelligent and self-disciplined. The training of his Demonic Beast, the Fire Fox, was intense, and it has made great progress,” Wu Datou reported meticulously.
Madam Shu inwardly sneered, her tension easing considerably. She knew Wu Datou’s character, and it seemed her plan had succeeded. “Coupled with the Ascension Pills I’ve given my sons these past three days… with this advantage, why should I fear that brat Chu Yun causing trouble?” Thinking this, a slight, sinister smile crept onto Madam Shu’s lips. She adjusted her sitting posture slightly and felt the wide-backed sandalwood chair was quite excellent – comfortable and stable.
“First match, Chu Yun versus Shu Da,” at this moment, the Altar’s Monster Tamer loudly announced the draw result. The surroundings immediately fell silent.
In a flash, only Chu Yun and Shu Da remained in the center of the plaza.
“Kid, you can still beg for mercy now. Otherwise, my Sea Burst Crocodile will bully the small and blast your little fox into mincemeat. Hahaha!” Shu Da crossed his arms, his tall and robust physique exceeding his age. His gaze towards Chu Yun was filled with condescension, disdain, and contempt.
The Sky Fox was extremely sensitive and immediately sensed Shu Da’s hostility. It flicked its tail, revealing sharp teeth, its dark eyes fixated on Shu Da.
“Very good, burning with fighting spirit,” Old Red Spear nodded inwardly from the crowd. The Sky Fox’s fighting spirit was ignited like this, showing it was inherently warlike and possessed combat talent.
“Strange, why is this Fire Fox still so energetic?” Madam Shu frowned slightly.
Shu Da glanced dismissively at the Fire Fox, patted the Immortal Pouch at his waist, and roared, “Come out, Sea Burst Crocodile!”
Roar!
A blue light flashed, and a large Sea Burst Crocodile appeared on the plaza, roaring. Its sharp claws and teeth, along with its robust demonic body, exuded a brutal aura.
The surroundings fell silent, then erupted into an uproar.
“How did this Sea Burst Crocodile get so big? That Fire Fox is like an infant compared to it!”
“How could it grow so fast? It has 15 years of cultivation. How is that possible?”
Astonished exclamations spread from the crowd. Chu Yun’s eyes also narrowed. After observing for a moment, he chuckled, “No wonder you’re so confident. So you’ve fed it Ascension Pills.”
“Hahaha, your dog eyes are quite sharp. That’s right, a full 10 Ascension Pills! My Sea Burst Crocodile has now passed the Lesser Demon Tribulation, escaped infancy, and successfully advanced to Lesser Demon status! Chu Yun, you’re finished. This time, I will defeat you in full view of everyone!” Shu Da laughed maniacally, feeling he had victory within his grasp, his demeanor arrogant.
The clamor from the surrounding crowd immediately escalated.
“Ascension Pills, 10 Ascension Pills, did you hear that? My heavens, did we hear that correctly?”
“One Ascension Pill is 1000 Disha Stone Coins. A total of 10 pills is 10,000 Disha Stone Coins! Such wealth, such wealth!”
“The Sea Burst Crocodile has gained a full seven years of cultivation, simply smashed into existence with money. Madam Shu truly is someone who married from Ning Family Island; she’s incredibly wealthy.”
The surrounding people sighed, but they didn’t find anything unfair. Using pills to enhance Demonic Beasts’ cultivation was permitted in the coming-of-age ceremony. The Archipelago was a place where strength was paramount, and wealth was a form of strength. The islanders saw nothing wrong with it. They merely marveled at Madam Shu’s extravagant methods, throwing away a full ten thousand Disha Stone Coins.
“10 Ascension Pills for her own sons, but only 1 Foundation Strengthening Pill for young master Chu Yun. Madam Shu you… alas, it seems the rumors were indeed true!” Wu Datou glanced at Madam Shu beside him, finally seeing her true colors, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He had held out hope for Chu Yun’s Fire Fox to win, but now, that hope seemed slim.
“Oh no, Chu Yun’s Fire Fox only has 8 years of cultivation and is still an infant. Shu Da’s Sea Burst Crocodile, however, already has 15 years of cultivation and is a Lesser Demon! A rank suppression, damn it!” Old Red Spear exclaimed in shock.
