Calamity Physique

Having grown immune to the numerous eyes fixed on her, Shi Yu lowered her gaze and directly ignored them.

Seeing customers arrive at the entrance, a waiter at the restaurant hurriedly pulled a white towel from his shoulder and stepped forward with a warm smile.

Recognizing that these were Shi Yu and her companions, who were currently making waves, his smile turned even more enthusiastic. “Please, right this way, everyone!”

President Song glanced at the main hall, where few empty tables remained, and waved a hand. “Give us an elegant private room.”

To their surprise, the waiter offered an apologetic look. “You’ve come at an unfortunate time, sirs. The City Lord’s Mansion is hosting a banquet today, and all the private rooms upstairs have been booked out.”

He tentatively asked, “There are still open tables in the main hall that can accommodate your group. What do you think...?”

Since it was just a quick meal, President Song frowned slightly, giving a begrudging agreement. “The main hall will do then.”

The waiter bowed with a hearty nod and gestured for them to follow, leading them to a clean table. He then brought a pot of spiritual tea and attentively poured a cup for each of them.

After ordering their food, as they waited, many glances continued to drift their way from all around. The group had originally wanted to discuss the competition further, but with so many eyes and ears present, they dropped the idea and settled for casual chatter instead.

However, even though they had no desire to talk, they couldn't stop the surrounding diners from buzzing with hushed chatter.

“There are rumors that Miss Shi’s Dao Foundation has been ruined. I wonder if it’s true?”

“I heard from a friend of mine from an influential family that during the competition that day, all the Golden Core seniors present could tell her Dao Foundation was unsalvageable. It’s almost certainly true.”

“Haven't the members of the Lingtai Prefecture Alchemist Association been running around outside these past few days searching for things to repair a Dao Foundation? I heard they were turned away at every turn...”

“Which proves Miss Shi’s Dao Foundation really is ruined beyond repair, with little hope of recovery. Otherwise, why wouldn't those prominent families seize the opportunity to offer timely help and win her over?” A bystander commented with a tinge of mockery. “Once you lose your value, what’s the point of winning first place? Foolish, utterly foolish.”

“Still, the Fang Clan wanted to take a gamble and presented a seed of the Celestial Lotus. I really don't know what they were thinking...”

In the mortal realm, scholars looked down on one another, while in the Origin Realm, cultivators fought ruthlessly amongst themselves. When it came to the fall of a genius, there was some regret, but far more delight. Opportunities in this world were generally limited; on the path of cultivation, the fewer people competing with oneself for opportunities and resources, the better.

Someone could not help but scold in a low voice, “Enough, stop talking. Miss Shi brought honor to Changyuan Prefecture this time, ensuring the championship didn't fall into the hands of that evil cultivator. She holds great prestige in the city, so I suggest you all show some restraint with your words.”

...

President Song and Master Ji were infuriated by these remarks, yet terrified that Shi Yu would feel hurt hearing them. But since the mouths belonged to others, they couldn't possibly force everyone to shut up.

If I knew there were no private rooms, we would have switched to another restaurant, President Song thought secretly, unable to resist glancing at Shi Yu's face. To his surprise, her expression was calm, devoid of any regret or grief. Instead, she was looking toward the restaurant's kitchen from time to time, her eyes faint with excitement.

President Song: “...” It was clear her calm demeanor was not an act.

Shi Yu truly did not care. It was true that her Dao Foundation was damaged from burning her essence blood during the competition, and the Golden Core seniors' judgment of her condition was not wrong either. If it had been anyone else, their Dao Foundation would indeed be beyond saving.

However, the Life Spring water possessed boundless wonders, and her own bloodline possessed the unique trait of rising anew from death...

Seeing the waiter respectfully carry over a bowl of Nine Azure Lotus Soup, which she loved, Shi Yu's eyes lit up.

Each person received a bowl, and knowing Shi Yu enjoyed it, President Song had ordered an extra portion for her.

“Thank you, President!” Shi Yu accepted it, eager to reward her insides, which had suffered for days.

Now that outsiders think my Dao Foundation is ruined and no longer bother trying to court me, it actually grants me peace and quiet, she thought to herself, dipping her spoon into the bowl without pause.

Shi Yu was used to being free and unfettered; she had never liked dealing with these factions anyway.

However... as for that Fang Clan, who delivered a precious Celestial Lotus seed despite everyone else writing off her injuries, regardless of their motives, Shi Yu was not one to owe favors. I should make a trip there.

...

Aside from the frequent glances and less-than-friendly chatter from their surroundings, the meal was quite pleasant.

Having eaten and drunk their fill, Shi Yu brought up the matter to President Song and the others. “I would like to pay a visit to the Fang Clan.”

Knowing her temperament, President Song and Master Ji were not surprised. After a moment's thought, President Song said, “That’s fine, it’s only right that you go. We will accompany you.”

Shi Yu nodded. Accompanied by President Song and Master Ji, the three mounted riding beasts and set off along the dedicated beast thoroughfare toward the Fang Clan.

Shi Yu had little knowledge of the sects and prominent clans in Hengze Prefecture, and only gathered a rough idea about the Fang Clan from the brief conversation between President Song and Master Ji along the way.

“We aren't too familiar with the Fang Clan’s affairs either, only knowing that they were originally a first-rate clan in Hengze Prefecture with deep heritage and a long legacy, occupying a prominent place in the center of the main city. But starting seven or eight years ago, they suffered consecutive misfortunes and suddenly declined.”

After riding for over an hour, a manor gradually came into view ahead.

“Even their residence was relocated to this remote area.” President Song shook his head slightly, pulling the reins to bring his riding beast to a stop before dismounting.

Shi Yu dismounted as well and looked at the manor in front of them.

The residence was built mainly of wood and stone, without excessive carvings or decorations. It seemed to have been neglected for a long time; the dilapidated walls were dull and faded, pale moss covered the stone steps, and weeds grew from the cracks between the blue bricks, burying the estate in lush overgrown greenery. As for the trees around the manor, they were similarly crisscrossed with cracks, their leaves yellowed and sparse.

A quiet silence shrouded the Fang Clan’s manor, making it look like a haggard, lonely bird standing in a desolate wasteland.

Master Ji remarked, “The Fang Clan’s original residence was located in the center of the main city. I heard it covered nearly a thousand mu, with walls three zhang high and two massive, gilded Liuxian stone lions in front of the gates. The interior was luxurious beyond measure, filled with all kinds of rare treasures. The Fang Clan descendants wore fine silks and embroidery, riding prestigious beasts, exuding boundless glory whenever they went out.”

Listening to Master Ji’s description and comparing it with the scene before her eyes, Shi Yu could not help but ask in surprise, “Then... how did the Fang Clan fall to this state in just seven or eight years?”

Master Ji and President Song were unaware of the inner details, both sighing and shaking their heads.

Shi Yu looked at the Fang Clan residence once more, feeling that its dilapidation was strangely peculiar. If the Fang Clan was once a first-rate clan in Hengze Prefecture as President Song and Master Ji said, even if they declined, how could they fall to such a degree in just seven or eight years?

Before she could dwell on it further, the guards at the entrance noticed them and instantly recognized their identities, saying in pleasant surprise, “Sirs, Miss, please come inside!”

Leading the three into the estate, the guard summoned someone to settle them in before hurriedly running off to report.

The three sat in the main hall. Before long, a middle-aged cultivator with graying hair at his temples and a weary look on his face walked in, holding the hand of a thin, small girl who appeared to be only seven or eight years old.

“You have traveled far to get here; it must have been exhausting,” the middle-aged cultivator said, cupping his hands in greeting.

President Song introduced him to Shi Yu: “This is Patriarch Fang. While you were unconscious, it was Patriarch Fang who personally delivered the Celestial Lotus seed.”

Shi Yu’s gaze shifted to the girl Patriarch Fang was holding.

This young girl... something felt off about her aura.

Standing there, she was like a withered flower, almost completely devoid of vitality. Her frame was small and frail, her skin sallow, her hair dry and coarse, looking as if a gust of wind could knock her over. Her eyes in particular were deep and hollow—though she was only a few years old, she seemed to have witnessed a lifetime of suffering and grief.

Shi Yu possessed sharp perception and did not miss the indescribable, strange aura surrounding the girl.

Her observation lasted only an instant before Shi Yu quietly withdrew her gaze and looked toward Patriarch Fang. “Thank you for the lotus seed you provided, Patriarch Fang. My injuries have improved significantly.”

“It’s good that it was useful, good that it was useful.” Hearing her words, Patriarch Fang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Shi Yu was not one to be dense. Smiling, she said, “I am deeply grateful for the Fang Clan’s assistance this time. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to speak plainly, Patriarch Fang.”

Patriarch Fang showed a look of hesitation before sighing after a long pause. “Miss Shi, I am truly ashamed. My Fang Clan indeed has a request...”

Shi Yu: “Please go ahead.”

“Your injuries have not fully healed, and your Dao Foundation is unstable. It is truly brazen of me to raise this matter, but...” Patriarch Fang looked somewhat ashamed. After a pause, he led the silent young girl to stand before Shi Yu. “If possible... once Miss Shi’s injuries improve, I would like to ask you to refine a pill for my youngest daughter.”

Refine a pill?

Shi Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. Hengze Prefecture was the central prefecture of Changyuan Prefecture; the alchemists in the Alchemist Association here were far superior to those in other places, with several Tier-4 alchemists alone, and President Yin Shixiu was even a Tier-5 alchemist.

As for herself, without the assistance of the Lesser Extreme Devouring Pill, she could only refine Tier-3 pills. Why would a request for pill refinement fall upon her?

With a turn of thought, Shi Yu guessed the reason. “Does this pill... require Heavenly Fire to refine?”

Patriarch Fang looked at Shi Yu in surprise, not expecting her to deduce the underlying reason so quickly. He nodded and said, “Yes. That pill must be refined with Heavenly Fire to take effect.”

Havenly Fire was an exceedingly rare and hard-to-find treasure; not a single person in the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association possessed one.

What Patriarch Fang had originally hoped for was that, as rumored on the streets, if Yin Wenzhou could successfully earn the recognition of the Yanyang Xuancang Flame and subdue it, he would spare no expense to entreat Yin Wenzhou for help.

However, right now, whether Yin Wenzhou could subdue the Yanyang Xuancang Flame remained uncertain, while Shi Yu genuinely possessed a type of Heavenly Fire.

It was just that... with Shi Yu’s Dao Foundation damaged, Patriarch Fang was also uncertain whether she could still refine high-tier pills in the future. Presenting the lotus seed had been a huge gamble on his part.

Beside them, President Song and Master Ji exchanged glances, wondering to themselves, What kind of pill requires Heavenly Fire to take effect?

Although Shi Yu had guessed that it involved Heavenly Fire, she did not know what specific pill it was.

Patriarch Fang’s next words answered the doubts in the trio's minds. “Sheng’er... possesses the Calamity Physique.”

“Only by using a flame imbued with the power of laws, like Heavenly Fire, to refine the ‘Mengtian Pill’ can her presence be truly concealed from the Heavenly Dao after consumption, freeing her from the suffering of this physique.”

Calamity Physique...?

Shi Yu frowned slightly and looked once more at the girl named Fang Sheng.

Fang Sheng raised her head, looking up at her with timid eyes as well.