Episode 15: Cloud Step Shoes
The invasion of the Black Phoenix Tribe had left Present Ghost Peak with no small amount of damage. Three disciples were dead, dozens were injured, and the newly built Refining Room in Wuji Hall had been destroyed. Fortunately, the Pill Furnace remained unharmed, but a significant amount of medicinal herbs stored in the Law Enforcement Hall had been burned and ruined.
Wuji Perfected One gathered the disciples in the meeting room to discuss their next steps. Since this place was no longer safe, there was a suggestion to relocate to the Guardian Fortress.
"Master, I agree with you. Now that the enemy has used the Teleportation Divine Skill to disrupt our rear, Present Ghost Peak is no longer a safe zone. Besides, with the Refining Room destroyed, there's no reason for us to stay here any longer."
"That's right. There are even Void Refining Stage experts in the Guardian Fortress, so it's much safer there."
"If that's what you all think, then let's not hesitate any longer and move to the Guardian Fortress. Fortunately, there's a hall there where we can stay, so there's no need to worry about accommodations."
"Will Elder Jang Mun allow it?"
"Once we inform him of our situation, he won't refuse. I'll go to the Golden Palace to get Elder Jang Mun's permission. In the meantime, pack up your personal belongings. Be sure to take all the herbs and medicinal ingredients, and only select the most important items to store in the Heaven and Earth Pouch."
"Understood."
"And So-cheon, you take care of the books, the Pill Furnace, and the remaining herbs in Wuji Hall. I'll handle the rest after I return from the Golden Palace, so don't touch anything else."
"Yes, Master."
After giving further instructions to the Herbal Hall Master Chae and the Law Enforcement Hall Master, Wuji Perfected One soared into the sky like a great roc, heading for the Golden Palace where Elder Jang Mun resided.
Negotiations with Elder Jang Mun went smoothly. He had already planned to move everyone to the Guardian Fortress, leaving only a small force behind, so having Present Ghost Peak act as the vanguard made things much easier.
Thanks to Elder Jang Mun's support, the relocation proceeded without issue.
Whoosh—
Riding a Flying Magic Device, Wuji Perfected One led the group to a large hall on the outskirts of the Guardian Fortress, assigning each disciple their quarters. He then hung a plaque reading "Wuji Hall" on the main building. After setting up the Pill Furnace and organizing the herbs, Wuji Perfected One praised the disciples for their hard work and told them to rest.
Outside their lodgings, Jang So-cheon asked Makjang, "Makjang! Do you know what weapon Master used to strike down the Black Phoenix Tribe expert at the end?"
"Why? Jealous?"
"Not exactly... I just didn't know Master had such a powerful weapon. Was that a magic device?"
"It's not a magic device, it's a Dharma Treasure. Do you know the biggest difference between a magic device and a Dharma Treasure?"
"Well, I know magic devices are easy to make and not too hard to use, so even Qi Refining Stage cultivators like us can use them easily..."
"And Dharma Treasures?"
"Dharma Treasures can only be made from Heaven and Earth Treasures. After shaping them, you have to place them in your Spirit Realm and pour your will into them for a long time to become one with it."
"Exactly. That's why Dharma Treasures are so powerful, and to make one, you need to be at least at the Spirit Refining Stage. The Dharma Treasure Master made is called the Throwing Moon Ring."
"Wow! If you have that, there’s nothing to fear in the world!"
"Not quite. Using a Dharma Treasure drains your Law Power so much that even Spirit Refining Stage cultivators can only use it a few times."
"What about Void Refining Stage experts?"
"Void Refining Stage experts are on a whole different level from Spirit Refining Stage. Their Law Power is worlds apart—they could probably use it hundreds of times."
"That much of a gap?"
"It's bigger than you think."
"Sigh! Forget Dharma Treasures, I'd be happy with just a decent magic device."
"My thoughts exactly."
Makjang suddenly stood up from where he was sitting with Jang So-cheon. "I'm off to make some talismans. If I make anything good, I'll send you a few."
"Go ahead."
Jang So-cheon waved him off and entered his own room, which was right next to Makjang’s.
Click!
Once inside, Jang So-cheon locked the door and opened the Heaven and Earth Pouch taken from the Black Phoenix Tribe woman. As he peered inside with Divine Sight, his brow furrowed unconsciously.
It was filled with cosmetics, jewelry, clothes, and mirrors—nothing but personal items.
Ahem.
There were even piles of undergarments.
He had secretly hoped, since she was from the Black Phoenix Tribe, that there might be some spatial technique hidden inside... but it was all for nothing.
"What the heck? Nothing but this stuff? Not even a single Spirit Stone? Seriously? At the very least, there should be a Spirit Stone fragment in here!"
Annoyed, Jang So-cheon recalled the image of the Black Phoenix Tribe woman who had died by his hand. She had looked like someone of high status, yet there wasn’t a single Spirit Stone or treasure to be found. It didn’t make sense.
Deciding something was off, Jang So-cheon dumped everything out of the Heaven and Earth Pouch onto the floor, then put all the useless items back in. After checking thoroughly, only one thing remained.
A bronze mirror.
On the back, a phoenix was depicted soaring through the sky with its wings spread wide.
"What’s this? Could it be a magic device?"
Jang So-cheon picked up the bronze mirror and infused it with Law Power. If it was a magic device, it should react. But strangely...
The bronze mirror showed no response at all.
Even when he tried infusing it with Spiritual Energy, nothing happened.
He wondered if he was missing something. Then he remembered that some magic devices were branded so only the owner could use them. You had to erase the brand before you could use it...
‘But how do you erase a brand...’
After pondering for a while, Jang So-cheon put the bronze mirror into a new Heaven and Earth Pouch and went to find Sanggwan Cheonse, who was well-versed in spells.
"What brings you here?"
"I have something to ask."
"What is it?"
"You know how the Black Phoenix Tribe attacked Present Ghost Peak recently?"
"Yeah."
"I managed to get a Heaven and Earth Pouch from one of their women."
"Did you?"
"Yes. But there was nothing inside. The only thing I found was this mirror. Can you check if it’s a magic device?"
"A magic device?"
Jang So-cheon took out the bronze mirror and handed it to Sanggwan Cheonse, who examined it for a long time before shaking his head and handing it back.
"It’s not a magic device."
"Could it be branded inside?"
"It’s neither a magic device nor a Dharma Treasure, so why would it be branded? Was there anything else?"
"Other than the mirror, nothing useful. Not even a Spirit Stone fragment."
"That is odd. But I can say for sure it’s not a magic device."
"So it’s probably just an ordinary mirror?"
"I can’t say for certain."
"Squad Leader, where do I go if I want to buy a magic device?"
"Why? Planning to get one?"
"I think I need one."
"Then let’s go to the Magic Market tomorrow. Many of the top sects from Taehyeon Kingdom are gathered here in the Guardian Fortress, so I’ve heard there are plenty of places selling treasures, Heaven and Earth Treasures, Elixir Pills, and magic devices. Do you have enough Spirit Stones?"
"I still have the money you gave me when I collected the Heavenly Fragrance Immortal Herb. Forty medium-grade Spirit Stones."
"That should be enough."
The next morning.
Jang So-cheon went to the Magic Market with Sanggwan Cheonse and discovered that there weren’t many places actually selling ready-made magic devices. Most shops bought and sold rare materials, and quite a few offered to make magic devices if you brought your own materials. In the end, there were fewer than ten shops selling finished magic devices.
Only three shops had decent magic devices on display. The largest among them had a sign reading "Heavenly Treasure Pavilion."
As the two entered, a young girl greeted them with a polite bow.
"Welcome! Here at Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, we offer both offensive and defensive magic devices, as well as magic devices imbued with Divine Miracles, all at affordable prices."
"Is it true that your prices are affordable?"
"Of course. And if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, we offer returns, so please feel free to browse."
Jang So-cheon asked, "I’d like to see only the magic devices worth forty medium-grade Spirit Stones. Explaining everything would take too long."
"Forty medium-grade Spirit Stones?"
The girl’s eyes widened. That was enough to buy a very good, if not the best, magic device.
"Understood. Let me first show you our offensive magic devices. This is the Mountain-Splitting Axe. You can adjust its size with Law Power, and if you infuse it with Spiritual Energy, it can slice through steel like tofu. Also..."
After explaining the offensive magic devices, the girl led them to the defensive ones, and finally to those imbued with Divine Miracles. Midway, Jang So-cheon stopped in his tracks.
Sanggwan Cheonse chuckled and asked, "Are you interested in those Cloud Step Shoes?"
"You heard the explanation, right? This magic device barely consumes any Law Power and can instantly boost your attack speed. It’s perfect for surprise attacks or escaping."
"I agree, it seems like a good choice. Let’s go with that."
"Understood."
When they asked the price, the girl replied, "It’s thirty-eight medium-grade Spirit Stones."
"Excellent choice, sir! That’s a rare item—you won’t find it just anywhere. It’s Water and Fire Non-Penetration, highly durable, and the size adjusts automatically when you put them on."
"This is my first magic device, so could you explain how to use it in detail? Including how to brand and unbrand it."
"It’s all in the instruction manual, so don’t worry."
"What if I lose the manual?"
"Even then, you don’t need to worry. All magic devices display their name and basic instructions when you infuse them with Law Power."
"That’s a relief."
Jang So-cheon handed over the Spirit Stones, and the girl gave him the magic device and a small booklet. The booklet contained detailed instructions on how to use and maintain the Cloud Step Shoes.
Leaving the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, the two returned to their quarters.
On the way back, Sanggwan Cheonse asked, "Expensive, isn’t it?"
"Yeah. I just bought a pair of shoes, but all my Spirit Stones are gone. I don’t even have three left now."
"That’s still not a small amount. Most Qi Refining Stage cultivators don’t even have that much."
"Thinking about it that way, I guess I spent a fortune today."
"It’s not wasted. That magic device could save your life. If you think of it that way, it’s worth every stone."
"I suppose so."
"Of course. What are your plans for the afternoon?"
"I’m going to see Master. There’s probably a lot to do since we just moved in."
"Go ahead, then."
"Thank you for your help today."
Sanggwan Cheonse waved him off and returned to his own quarters.
Jang So-cheon watched his kind senior’s back for a long moment, then hurried to Wuji Hall.
His Master and Squad Leader Gwak were busy refining pills. Jang So-cheon found Dao Attendant Gong Secheon and asked what water Master used for pill refining.
"Why not come see for yourself?"
"Let’s do that."
Gong Secheon took Jang So-cheon to the back of the hall, where spring water gushed from a crevice in the rocks. Fortunately, the water was free of lime and was of better quality than the bedrock water they’d used at Present Ghost Peak.
"This water looks good. I’ll use it for pill refining from now on."
"Shall I fetch some for you?"
"Haha! No need. I’ll collect it myself when I refine pills. Don’t worry about me."
"Understood."
Back in the Refining Room, Jang So-cheon watched his Master at work for a while, then went to his own Pill Furnace and began making Yellow Essence Pills.
For a Pill Alchemist, Elixir Pills were proof of their worth. The more high-quality Elixir Pills they produced, the more they contributed to their sect and improved their own skills. There was no room for laziness in pill refining.