At least the Blood River Ancestor seems unaware of the stage of Divinity Transformation.

Thus, from inside out, Zheng Fa has already become a pure and true Chongxuan Golden Core.

Upon stepping onto the Divine Fire Mountain, Zheng Fa felt the Yin Yang Jade Pendant in his divine soul tremble slightly, as if someone was observing him. However, the pendant quickly returned to normal.

He realized then that he had passed the first inspection.

Zheng Fa's expression remained unchanged as he steadily walked up the mountain path.

It was evident that this mountain path had just been widened; the soil by the roadside still emitted a fresh fragrance.

As he journeyed, many Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation disciples greeted him.

From Li Hao's memories, the original situation of the disciples in Chongxuan Sect was similar to his sect, Jiushan Sect:

Qi Cultivation disciples accounted for ninety percent.

There were only about twenty Golden Core disciples.

Zheng Fa's current status, in days past, could be considered a pillar of the sect...

Of course, not anymore.

According to Li Hao's memory, recently, there were suddenly seven more elders in the sect!

And they were all above the Divinity Transformation stage!

The original First Elder, Lady Xuanhua's foe, didn't do anything and now has humbly become the Eighth Elder—directly demoted from being the stabilizer of Chongxuan Sect to just another cornerstone.

Those newly arrived Divinity Transformation elders naturally brought some followers, though not many, but it still doubled the number of Golden Core members in Chongxuan Sect.

Their masters were more powerful, naturally more domineering, and occupied many high-yielding positions.

Thus, Li Hao took up the buying job as a Golden Core True Inheritor.

Zheng Fa, carrying the purchased supplies, walked into a cavern.

This cavern was also newly carved, but it was large with three rooms inside.

On the wall at the entrance, there were three large characters formed with green stones: "Communication Cave."

This Communication Cave in Chongxuan Sect was equivalent to the Affairs Hall, used for assigning tasks and rewards to disciples.

In the first room of the cave sat a gaunt middle-aged Golden Core cultivator, who was meditating.

Zheng Fa said nothing, simply handing over a storage bag filled with purchased supplies.

The other party opened his eyes, gestured, opened the storage bag, and played with the pills and spirit grass inside for a long time, seemingly waiting for something.

Zheng Fa did not immediately react.

The middle-aged Golden Core cultivator's face darkened, hissing, "Li, this Green Cloud Pill, its quality seems lacking..."

Zheng Fa blinked and looked at the Green Cloud Pill. Logically, this item was personally provided by Song Sect Leader.

The quality was naturally good.

Slightly bewildered, he suddenly recalled something, took three Spirit Stones from his sleeve, handed them to the middle-aged cultivator, and whispered, "The pills are cheaper these days... I even have extra Spirit Stones."

Upon seeing the Spirit Stones, the middle-aged cultivator's face cleared up, lightly nodding but coolly saying, "Li, you should be more observant."

After exiting the Communication Cave, Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled.

In Jiushan Realm, he had nearly eradicated such behaviors, and he found himself somewhat unaccustomed to it.

However, Chongxuan Sect didn't seem this blatant before, but the disciples under the seven Divinity Transformation elders were of mixed quality—perhaps uniformly low in ethical standards.

Chongxuan Sect's influence was never as strong as Jiushan Realm, and has only declined further now.

Thinking of this, Zheng Fa felt some nostalgia for Jiushan Realm, gazing towards the mountain's misty summit along the mountain path.

In Li Hao's memories, those mist-engulfed peaks were where the seven new elders resided, but no ordinary disciple, not even the original Chongxuan Sect leader and two elders, could ascend without urgent matters.

He refrained from acting rashly and instead returned to his own cultivation cave to further investigate and strategize.

...

Zheng Fa spent two days probing around Divine Fire Mountain and discovered that most Chongxuan Sect disciples did not know what was on the mountain; those aware were mainly disciples of the Divinity Transformation elders.

They were not aligned with Li Hao's group, and there were competitive rivalries for resources.

The information obtained was minimal, proving Chongxuan Sect's caution.

Zheng Fa stood at the cave entrance, frowning while gazing at the mountain top, pondering how he could discern the truth.

A disciple suddenly approached from outside, cupping his hands in respect, "Second... Ninth Elder summons Senior Brother for a discussion."

Ninth Elder was the original Chongxuan Sect Second Elder, Li Hao's master.

This piqued Zheng Fa's interest—since Golden Core disciples didn't know about the mountain top, this Nascent Soul Elder might know more, right?

With this thought, he did not delay and made his way to Li Hao's master's residence.

Upon reaching the doorway, he encountered three familiar Golden Core cultivators, Li Hao's three senior brothers, and one senior sister.

He was ranked fourth, so they all respectfully addressed him as Fourth Junior Brother or Fourth Senior Brother.

Zheng Fa also greeted them simply, saying little—Li Hao was inherently simple and quiet, not particularly favored under Ninth Elder, with distant relations with his senior brothers and sister.

The five stood silently for a moment before a voice inside instructed, "Come in, all of you."

As Zheng Fa entered last, he surveyed the residence; compared to his meager cave, this master's abode was extremely lavish—with a three-section cavern and even a courtyard with a small pond.

They moved past the pond to the largest cavern, bowing, "Greetings, Master."

A Cold Jade Couch was placed in the cavern, and in the steamy Divine Fire Mountain, it looked very comfortable.

A female cultivator with deep brows and eyes and a cold gaze sat upon it.

She nodded gently at the five, her eyes sweeping over them, suddenly fixing on Zheng Fa, frowning.

Zheng Fa was startled, this Ninth Elder of Chongxuan Sect had such keen eyes?

Had she seen through him as a counterfeit?

"Li Hao, you…" Ninth Elder frowned deeply, slowly asking, "Have you made a breakthrough in the 'Burning Heaven Great Method'?"

Ah?

Zheng Fa suddenly understood the issue:

Good news: The Heavenly Spirit and Earthly Fiend Transformation mimicked the Burning Heaven Great Method very faithfully.

Bad news: Too faithfully!

"Disciple has had some insights,"

Zheng Fa answered.

Ninth Elder scrutinized Zheng Fa closely, her eyes showing a hint of satisfaction, "Your aura is so pure, must have worked hard... there's hope for you to form a Nascent Soul in the future."

The other four disciples were surprised, looking at Zheng Fa with newfound respect.

Evidently, they did not expect this unremarkable Fourth Junior Brother to be so highly regarded by the Ninth Elder.

Ninth Elder herself was not overly excited about it and continued, "Do you know why I have summoned you all?"

They all shook their heads.

"I intend to send one of you to Haori Mountain…"

"Haori Mountain?"

Zheng Fa was also taken aback.

The Ninth Elder went on, "I was originally going to send your Second Senior Brother."

This came as no surprise, as the Second Senior Brother was likely the most favored under Ninth Elder.

Zheng Fa paid little mind to this matter, being more curious about what was on the mountain top. But the Ninth Elder mentioned his name again:

"But you, Li Hao... your…" Ninth Elder's brow furrowed as she continued, "Burning Heaven Great Method is so pure."

Zheng Fa secretly grinned, what on earth was going on? Naked immortals?

He thought for a moment, realizing that the seven Divinity Transformation elders were probably prepared to die for something and intended to leave their Lifebound Magical Treasures behind for revival.

He sighed to himself, racking his brain to figure out how to refuse. After all, being sent to Haori Mountain wasn't for the faint of heart.

How would he refuse? After all, this was an opportunity to join the Five Sects!

But why wasn't this a good idea? It was bizarre...

With a deep breath and quick thinking, he decided to head to his master's dwelling where the Ninth Elder resided.

"""

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