Ink-Clad Creator

Peach Blossom Valley is nestled in the folds of the mountains in the southwest of Tonghai Prefecture. At its entrance are two ancient banyan trees that have been intertwined for hundreds of years, their branches overlapping to form a natural archway. Passing through the tree hollow, the view suddenly opens up—the valley covers about a hundred acres, with a hot spring in the center emitting white steam, and a dozen or so half-rotten wooden houses scattered around, clearly the ruins of some abandoned mountain stronghold.

"This is it." The superhuman drone hovered in mid-air, its robotic arm unfolding a holographic projection displaying a 3D scan of the valley. "According to geological analysis, two underground rivers converge here, and the hot spring water is rich in minerals, making it suitable for recuperation. The surrounding mountains are steep, with only three entrances and exits, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."

Standing at the valley entrance, Li Xian watched the twenty-eight Linghan Palace women curiously gazing at their new surroundings, and a smile finally appeared on his tired face.

"Clean the house, clear the grounds, and build fortifications," he said, turning to the crowd. "We need a place to live before nightfall."

The women, all of whom had experienced hardship, immediately sprang into action upon hearing the news. Some gathered firewood to start a fire, some repaired the roof, and some went outside the valley to pick wild vegetables and fruits. Miss Chunmeng rolled up her sleeves and, leading several women who appeared to have martial arts skills, began to survey the terrain of the three entrances.

Binglan walked towards the hot spring, squatted down, scooped up water to test the temperature, and turned to Li Xian, saying, "The water temperature is suitable; we can set up a medicinal bath. Many of the sisters have accumulated cold toxins in their bodies and need to soak in it daily to dispel the cold."

Xiao Lingshan didn't participate in any of this. She walked alone to a clearing on the east side of the valley, took out the small pine tree from her bosom, and carefully placed it on a flat stone. Under the sunlight of the valley, the tender buds seemed to perk up a bit, gently unfurling.

Li walked over and asked, "How is it?"

"It's much better than in the cave." Xiao Lingshan gently stroked the leaf. "The wood-elemental energy here is abundant, which will help it recover. But..." she paused, "it will also help your meridians recover, if you'd like..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Mr. Li understood.

The pine tree is a pure energy entity, capable of resonating with wood-type spiritual media and transmitting energy. Xiao Lingshan intended to use the pine tree to heal Li Xian's injuries.

"Thank you." Li Xian did not refuse. He did need to recover his internal energy, otherwise he would not be worthy of the title of Master of the Holy Gate.

The two sat cross-legged on either side of the pine tree. Xiao Lingshan placed her hands lightly on the rim of the basin, closed her eyes, and concentrated. Gradually, a pale green halo emanated from her body, seeping into the small pine tree like silk threads. The tender pine buds swayed gently, transforming and purifying the green light before transferring it into Li Xian's palm.

Gentle wood-elemental energy flowed slowly along the meridians in Li Xian's arm. His shattered meridians, like parched land receiving rain, greedily absorbed this life force. Although complete repair was still a long way off, at least the weakness that threatened to dissipate his power at any moment had lessened.

After an incense stick had burned, Xiao Lingshan finished her practice, her forehead beaded with sweat.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Much better." Li Xian flexed his wrists. "At this rate, I might be able to recover to the initial stage of the Earthly Realm in three months."

"Too slow." Xiao Lingshan frowned. "If we had more wood-type spirit creatures to assist us, or..."

"Or what?"

"Or we could find the legendary 'Wood Source Crystal'," Xiao Lingshan said. "My father said that three hundred years ago, a wise man from beyond the heavens descended, and after his chariot, the 'Star Chariot,' crashed, seven wondrous objects were scattered in all directions. One of them landed in Tonghai Prefecture, capable of bringing withered trees back to life and making barren land grow into forests. It was called the 'Wood Source Crystal' by our ancestors. However, due to the passage of time, no one knows its exact location anymore."

Another relic from the Star Chariot.

Li Xian understood immediately. This so-called "Wood Source Crystal" was most likely a module in the Star Chariot's ecological cycle system responsible for promoting plant growth or synthesizing organic matter. If he could find and repair it, it might truly have a miraculous effect on his injuries, and even be crucial to the future development of the Holy Gate.

"That's a clue," Li nodded.

"Let's take our time looking." He stood up. "Let's solve the immediate problem first—we need to feed over thirty mouths."

As evening fell, smoke rose from the chimneys of Peach Blossom Valley.

A makeshift stove had been set up by the hot spring, and several women were cooking a large pot of wild vegetable soup. The ingredients were ferns, mushrooms, and wild onions picked outside the valley, as well as a few small fish that Superman had caught in the stream outside the valley with a miniature fishing net.

"Salt! Who's going to get salt from Superman?" a round-faced girl shouted.

"Coming, coming!" The Daya drone flew over from the wooden house, its robotic arm carrying a small jar of salt. "This machine just came back from Tonghai Prefecture! Besides salt, there's rice, flour, oil, and—ta-da! Three jars of pickles!"

The women cheered.

Miss Chunmeng walked over, lifted the pot lid, looked inside, and frowned: "Is this all there is? Who's going to eat?"

"Don't worry, Madam Meng." Binglan came out of another wooden house, carrying a cloth bag. "I just found some wild yams and kudzu roots on the west side of the valley, and I've already sent people to dig them up. With these, we can barely last for two days."

"What about two days later?" Miss Chunmeng asked Mr. Li.

Li Xianzheng was discussing the valley reclamation plan with Superman when he heard this and looked up: "Two days later, we'll go 'borrow' grain."

"Borrow?" Xiao Lingshan asked, puzzled.

"Within Tonghai Prefecture, there are several wealthy and unscrupulous local bullies who have been oppressing the people for years." Li Xian pulled up a document and projected it. "We 'borrow' their grain and money, using some ourselves and distributing the rest to the poor. This solves their livelihood problem, and it can also be considered...acting on behalf of Heaven?"

These words sounded grand and dignified, but all the women understood—he wanted to become a bandit.

Miss Chunmeng laughed: "I'm familiar with this. The Demonic Sect used to do this all the time, calling it 'robbing the rich to help the poor'."

"We are different from the Demonic Sect," Li Xian said solemnly. "First, we only take money and food, without harming the innocent. Second, we take 30% and keep 70%, ensuring no one goes hungry. Third, before each operation, we must thoroughly investigate whether the target truly deserves to be robbed."

As he spoke, he looked at the women who were busy at work: "Most of them have been oppressed and know the pain of being plundered. What we are going to build is not another evil cult, but... order."

These words caused the women to stop what they were doing.

The round-faced girl asked timidly, "Holy Lord...so from now on, we'll be... chivalrous thieves?"

"I guess so," Li Xian laughed, "but we need to fill our stomachs first. Let's eat!"

The first meal was simple: wild vegetable and fish soup, roasted yam, and kudzu root porridge, served with pickles. But everyone ate with relish—this was the first meal they had eaten since leaving Linghan Palace, a meal they didn't have to live in fear or force a smile, a meal that was entirely their own.

After the meal, Li called a meeting with everyone.

A bonfire was lit in the center of the valley, and twenty-eight women sat in a circle around it. Miss Chunmeng, Binglan, and Xiao Lingshan sat beside Li Xian, while the drone team hovered in mid-air, ready to go.

"From today onwards, we officially establish the 'Sacred Gate of Creation'." Li Xian looked around at everyone. "The Sacred Gate will temporarily be divided into four departments: Miss Chunmeng will be in charge of the 'Martial Department,' responsible for defense and martial arts instruction; Miss Binglan will be in charge of the 'Internal Affairs Department,' responsible for logistics and daily management; Miss Lingshan will be in charge of the 'Wood Spirit,' responsible for healing and resource cultivation; and I will oversee the overall situation and also manage 'Creation'—that is, mechanical devices, holy water research, etc."

He paused for a moment: "You can choose which branch to join based on your interests and strengths. But there is one thing you must remember—the first rule of the Holy Gate: Do not bully the weak, do not harm the innocent. Those who violate this rule will be expelled from the Holy Gate."

The women whispered amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming. This was the first time they had the opportunity to choose the direction of their own lives.

"Holy Lord," a tall, slender woman raised her hand, "I...I want to learn the art of mechanisms. Back in Linghan Palace, I loved disassembling locks and mechanisms..."

"Okay." Li nodded. "Starting tomorrow, Superman will be in charge of basic instruction."

"I want to study medicine!" another woman said. "My mother was a doctor, but she passed away young..."

"Find Peng Shitao, she will teach you."

"I...I want to learn swordsmanship! I want to protect my sisters!"

"Go to the military headquarters to register."

The atmosphere gradually warmed up. These women, who had once been numb and desperate, were now like tender buds in early spring, desperately absorbing the sunshine and rain.

The meeting lasted until late at night. In the end, the twenty-eight people each found their direction: eleven joined the Martial Arts Department, eight joined the Internal Affairs Department, six joined the Wood Spirit Department, and three, interested in creation, decided to follow Li Xian to learn.

After the meeting, Mr. Li walked alone to the hot spring.

Under the moonlight, the water shimmered like silver scales. He squatted down, scooped up water to wash his face, and suddenly heard footsteps behind him.

It's Binglan.

"Why haven't you rested yet?" Li asked.

"I can't sleep." Binglan sat down beside him, remained silent for a moment, and then said softly, "Looking at them today... I suddenly thought of my sister."

"Bingwei?" Li Xian remembered Binglan mentioning it.

"Hmm." Binglan nodded. "She wasn't in the palace for this operation. I heard she was sent by Aunt Xiao to carry out some mission. I'm very worried... She's stubborn and has been poisoned by Gu. If she finds out that Linghan Palace has been destroyed, I don't know what she might do."

Li Xian recalled Bingwei's parting words, "She might be standing on the other side," and his heart sank.

"I will find a way to find her," he promised.

"Thank you." Binglan looked at him; in the moonlight, her profile was exceptionally beautiful. "Young Master Li... no, Holy Lord, I have a question for you."

"you say."

"Those three days...who exactly were you?" Binglan's eyes were clear. "Were you Li Xian, or the manager? Or...were you all one entity?"

Xiao Lingshan had asked this question, as had Miss Chunmeng, but Binglan asked it most directly.

After a long silence, Li Xian finally said, "I am Li Xian, a transmigrator from Earth. The administrator is an alien consciousness residing within me; we coexist, yet remain independent. Those three days... the body was mine, the senses were mine, but it was he who dominated the actions."

"Do you hate him?" Binglan asked. "Hate him for controlling your body and doing...those things?"

"I used to hate," Li Xian admitted, "but now... I feel more helpless. It's like two drowning people clinging to a piece of driftwood; who leads and who follows is no longer important. What's important is that we both want to survive."

Binglan smiled, a smile of relief in it: "I understand."

She stood up, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly leaned down and gently kissed Li Xian on the cheek.

Good night, Holy Lord.

After saying that, she quickly left, leaving Li Xian standing there stunned.

"Tsk." The manager's voice echoed in his mind, "This girl certainly dares to love and hate."

"Shut up," Li said irritably.

"But seriously," the manager said earnestly, "you need to improve your strength as soon as possible. Right now, the Holy Gate is in its early stages and can still rely on drones and my knowledge to keep going. But once the imperial court, the Demonic Sect, and the remnants of the Linghan Palace react, these petty tricks alone won't be enough to stop the real powerhouses."

"I know." Li Xian looked at the moon's reflection in the water. "So... starting tomorrow, special training."

The tranquility of Peach Blossom Valley was broken by a whistle the next morning.

Miss Chunmeng, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and holding a bamboo whip, stood in the center of the valley. Eleven female members of the martial arts department stood in two rows, their postures somewhat haphazard, but their eyes were earnest.

"Starting today, get up at 5 AM every day and practice for one hour." Miss Chunmeng's voice was cold and stern. "First, practice the basics: horse stance, push-ups, and sit-ups. Then practice grappling and fighting, followed by light footwork. After lunch, theoretical study: human acupoints, common poisons, and tracking and counter-tracking."

She paused. "I know you all learned seduction techniques and how to please men. Forget all that from now on! What we need to learn is the art of killing, the art of self-preservation!"

The women responded in unison, "Yes!"

Meanwhile, Binglan, along with eight women from the Internal Affairs Department, was inventorying supplies and planning the valley's development. Xiao Lingshan from the Wood Spirit Department, on the other hand, was leading six people to cultivate a medicinal herb garden by the hot springs, planting herbs brought from Han Family Fortress.

Li Xian was sitting around a simple wooden table with the three women who were interested in creation.

On the table were a magnetic beam knife, a sonic oscillator, a sound array disk, and a bunch of "junk" that Superman had picked up from the Star Trek's remains—rusty gears, broken energy conduits, and half-melted crystal pieces.

"These are all 'technological creations'." Li Xian picked up the magnetic blade. "Their principles are completely different from what you know about martial arts, formations, and talismans. For example, this blade—"

He pressed the switch on the hilt, and the purple light blade popped out.

"It is not driven by Xuan Qi, but by an internal high-frequency magnetic field. The magnetic field can interfere with the energy structure, so it can break Gu, break formations, and even... break skills."

The three women stared in disbelief.

A girl with braided pigtails asked timidly, "Holy Lord, can we learn to do this?"

"Not now," Li Xian said frankly. "But you can start with the basics: mechanics, electricity, materials science, principles of energy conversion... I'll have Superman compile these into a book, and you can learn them slowly."

He looked at the three of them: "The Creation Department is the future of the Holy Gate. No matter how high your martial arts skills are, you are afraid of firearms; no matter how strong your formations are, you cannot stop missiles. We are going to take a completely new path."

A flame ignited in the girls' eyes.

In the days that followed, Peach Blossom Valley settled into a regular and fulfilling rhythm.

During the day, each department trained, studied, and built in an orderly manner. At night, everyone sat around the campfire and listened to Li Xian tell "Earth stories"—there were carriages that didn't need horses, machines that could transmit sound over long distances, and iron birds that could carry people into the sky.

These stories were like myths to the women. But looking at those real creations, they couldn't help but believe.

Seven days later, Peach Blossom Valley began to take shape: the wooden houses were newly renovated, the herb garden was lush and green, and a watchtower and simple traps were built at the valley entrance. The women of the Martial Arts Department were already able to perform a set of military boxing exercises quite well, the Internal Affairs Department had compiled a detailed inventory of supplies, and the Wood Spirit Department had grown its first batch of herbs.

Meanwhile, the Creation Department... is still learning the multiplication table.

"Take your time," Li Xian comforted the three girls who were on the verge of tears. "It took me more than ten years to learn these things."

That evening, the Batman drone flew back from outside the valley, bringing the latest intelligence.

"Boss, there's movement in Tonghai Prefecture." Batman hovered in front of Li Xian. "Three days ago, Chu Huaizhou received an imperial envoy from the capital, an old eunuch surnamed Zhao, who is said to have a high-level Earthly Realm cultivation. They had a secret meeting in the prefectural government office for two hours. Afterwards, Chu Huaizhou mobilized all the Green Eagle Guards, seemingly looking for someone."

"Looking for me?" Li raised an eyebrow.

"Not sure," Batman said, "but a bounty notice has been posted at the city gate: anyone who provides clues about the 'successor of the extraterrestrial sage' will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver. Anyone who provides the exact location of the hideout will be rewarded with five thousand taels of silver and granted the position of 'Guest Elder of the Heavenly Crafts Institute'."

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

Li Xian frowned: "Have our whereabouts been exposed?"

"Not for now," Superman replied. "Peach Blossom Valley is secluded, and our entry and exit are disguised. But over time, it's hard to guarantee we won't be discovered. Especially since we need to go out of the valley regularly to purchase supplies..."

This is a problem.

The Holy Gate currently has over thirty members, and their daily food consumption is not insignificant. Although Li Xian plans to "rob the rich to help the poor," the first operation has not yet begun, and they are currently relying entirely on the small amount of silver he brought from Linghan Palace.

"We must have our own source of income," Binglan said. "Living off our savings is not a sustainable solution."

"I have an idea," Miss Chunmeng suddenly said. "There's a black market in the south of Tonghai Prefecture that deals in things that are not meant to be seen in the martial arts world: manuals, elixirs, intelligence, and even... human lives. We can take on some 'commissions' there, which will not only make money but also train newcomers."

"The black market..." Li hesitated, "The risks are too great."

"But it's a quick way to make money," Miss Chunmeng said. "Besides, the black market is well-informed and might be able to find out Bingwei's whereabouts."

When Bingwei was mentioned, Binglan's eyes flickered.

After weighing the pros and cons, Li Xian finally nodded: "We can go and take a look. But for the first time, I will personally lead the team, with only three people."

"Who should I bring?"

"Miss Chunmeng, Binglan, and..." Li Xian looked towards the martial arts department, "...that round-faced little girl—what's her name again?"

"Xiaoman," Binglan said, "her surname is Su. Her family originally ran a teahouse, but they were driven to ruin by local bullies and were sold into Linghan Palace."

"Let's choose her," Li Xian said. "We'll leave tomorrow night."

South of Tonghai Prefecture, in Yulong Lane.

This is a no-man's-land; the cobblestone streets are perpetually damp, reeking of a mixture of cheap cosmetics and the stench of blood. On either side of the alley, shops with lanterns hang half-open, and from the shadows behind the doors, people always scrutinize passersby with a critical eye.

Li Xian and his three companions changed into inconspicuous gray cloth clothes and smeared coal ash on their faces, making them look like ordinary江湖客 (jianghu ke, wandering swordsmen).

Miss Chunmeng, familiar with the place, led them into a pawnshop. Behind the counter was a one-eyed old man, polishing a jade pendant by the light of an oil lamp.

"Pawn it or redeem it?" The old man asked without looking up.

"Looking for someone." Miss Chunmeng pressed a copper coin onto the counter—the coin was specially made, with the Demonic Sect's hidden patterns engraved on the front.

The old man glanced at it, then put away the copper coins: "Backyard, second room on the left."

Passing through the backyard of the pawnshop, I pushed open a hidden door and was greeted by a cacophony of noise.

This was an underground hall, roughly the size of a basketball court, crowded with all sorts of people: masked swordsmen, jewel-encrusted merchants, sinister-looking old men, and even a few people wearing official boots but no official robes. Around the hall were a dozen or so stalls selling all sorts of strange and unusual things: yellowed ancient books, poisonous insects in glass bottles, and rusty swords.

"The black market sells everything," Miss Chunmeng whispered. "See that guy in the straw hat? He's a spy for the imperial court, specializing in collecting 'exotic treasures' here for the Imperial Crafts Academy to study."

Li Xian looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw a man in a straw hat playing with an energy crystal in front of his stall—the crystal's color was very similar to a stardust energy ball.

"Let's take on the commissions first," Binglan reminded.

In the center of the hall was a wooden wall covered with slips of paper, each a request. The contents were varied: escorting caravans, assassinating enemies, finding lost items, and even a sordid transaction like "seeking to buy a female disciple of Linghan Palace."

Li Xian looked through the slips of paper one by one, finally stopping at the one in the far corner.

The note was new, and the handwriting was neat and beautiful:

"Missing Person: Linghan Palace Bingwei. A reward of five hundred taels will be given to anyone who provides accurate information about her whereabouts. Also: If she agrees, please tell her that her younger sister is waiting for her in Peach Blossom Valley. Signed: Binglan"

Li Xian looked at Binglan.

Binglan whispered, "I secretly came and posted it three days ago. I didn't expect... it's still here."

This means that Bingwei has not yet been found.

"Take this." Li Xian peeled off the note.

Just as she turned around, a sarcastic voice rang out: "Oh, isn't this Miss Binglan from Linghan Palace? What, the palace's gone, and you've become a bounty hunter?"

The speaker was a slick-haired, finely dressed young man, followed by four burly men. He fanned himself with a folding fan, his gaze sweeping over Binglan with undisguised greed.

Miss Chunmeng frowned: "Zhao San, keep your eyes to yourself."

"Madam Meng is here too?" Zhao San feigned surprise. "Tsk tsk, two beauties gathered in the black market, truly a rare sight. What's wrong? Your new master—what's his name again? Li Xian? Didn't he come?"

He deliberately raised his voice, and the hall immediately fell silent, with countless eyes turning to him.

Li Xian felt a chill run down his spine. This Zhao San clearly knew their identities.

"What advice does Young Master Zhao have for me?" He stepped forward, blocking Binglan's path.

Zhao San sized him up, then suddenly laughed: "You're Li Xian? You don't look like much. I heard you inherited the legacy of a celestial sage and can make holy water? Come on, show me your skills, and if I'm in a good mood, I'll reward you with a few copper coins."

The man behind him laughed.

Li Xian was not angry, but calmly said, "If Young Master Zhao has nothing else, we will take our leave."

"Leave?" Zhao San closed his folding fan. "You think you can just leave the black market without leaving anything behind? I've heard you're surrounded by beauties, how about... lending me a couple to play with?"

Before she finished speaking, Miss Chunmeng's sword was already half an inch out of its sheath!

But someone was faster than her.

A white shadow flashed by, and Bing Lan was already in front of Zhao San, her right hand like a knife, aimed straight at his throat!

"Insolence!" A burly man behind Zhao San roared, throwing a punch at Bing Lan's face!

Binglan neither dodged nor evaded, lightly blocking with her left hand while her right hand changed from a slice to a strike, landing a blow on the burly man's chest. The man grunted and flew backward, crashing into two stalls.

His strength as a mid-stage Tianyuan cultivator was on full display.

A collective gasp filled the hall. No one had expected this seemingly delicate woman to be so ruthless.

Zhao San's face turned pale: "You...you dare to lay a hand on me? Do you know who my father is?!"

"I know," Binglan said coldly. "Zhao Dezhu, the salt commissioner of Tonghai Prefecture, is corrupt, lawless, and disregards human life. He deserves to die."

She turned to Li Xian and said, "Your Majesty, let's go."

Just as the four were about to leave, the government spy wearing a straw hat suddenly stood up: "Please wait, gentlemen."

He walked up to Li Xian, removed his bamboo hat, revealing an ordinary face: "I am Zhou Mo, a seventh-rank appraiser from the Heavenly Crafts Academy. I have been waiting here for Young Master Li for quite some time on the orders of Lord Chu."

Li Xian narrowed his eyes: "Chu Huaizhou?"

"Indeed." Zhou Mo took out an invitation from his pocket. It was edged with gold thread and stamped with the seal of the Tonghai Prefecture Inspector. "Three days from now, the prefectural government will host a banquet and specially invites Young Master Li to attend. Lord Chu said... he has important matters to discuss, which concern the life and death of the Holy Sect."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, Lord Chu asked me to pass on a message: the people in the capital are growing impatient. If Young Master Li continues to avoid us... the next time they'll arrive won't be with an invitation, but with a large army."

The invitation was handed to me.

Li Xian stared at the large, gilded characters for a long time before reaching out to take it.

"Tell Lord Chu that I will consider it."

After saying that, he took the three women and turned to leave the black market.

Behind him, Zhao San's voice, filled with gritted teeth, rang out: "Li Xian...you just wait!"

No one paid any attention.

It was late at night when I left Yulong Lane.

Miss Chunmeng suddenly asked, "Are you really going to the banquet?"

"Not necessarily." Li Xian looked at the invitation in his hand, "but at least we should know what Chu Huaizhou... or rather the imperial court, really wants to do."

He looked up and gazed north—the direction of the capital.

Under the moonlight, his eyes were exceptionally deep.

(End of Chapter 43)