What a pity.

The imagination is beautiful.

The reality is cruel.

Originally, when Daoist Qing Yuan performed the Great Success Level , the flow of water in front would automatically part into a waterway.

Unexpectedly, just as the waterway parted, the flow gathered again.

A figure in azure stood in the sea ahead.

Fingers rapidly changing spell techniques.

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

By the time Daoist Qing Yuan parted the waterway again with the ,

Shen Xuan had already completed casting his spell.

On the Bishui Sword, spiritual light shone brightly.

"Speed!"

With a clear shout,

The combination of eight techniques, a terrifying Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Sword Qi, carrying an indestructible aura of destruction, shot directly towards Daoist Qing Yuan.

"No!"

Daoist Qing Yuan let out a startled roar, simultaneously raising the Cyan Nether Sword and Shadow Sword, and cast the , adding over a dozen layers of spiritual power shields to himself.

Not only that,

He also activated several tier two defensive talismans, continually reinforcing the spiritual power shield.

"Ding!"

The Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Sword Qi knocked away the Cyan Nether Sword and Shadow Sword, striking Daoist Qing Yuan's spiritual power shield, instantly piercing through several layers.

"Shen Xuan, stop! I have something to say!"

Within the spiritual power shield, Daoist Qing Yuan's face looked withered, his vitality declining, his features oozing blood, and he hurriedly said in a desperate voice.

As a middle stage Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Bishui Sect, he never expected to be beaten so badly by Shen Xuan.

Originally, he had barely broken through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment using a Rank-Breaking Spirit Pill.

Among many middle stage Foundation Establishment elders of the Bishui Sect, he was one of the weakest.

Otherwise, why would he always be sent out to handle thankless tasks?

Shen Xuan paid him no heed.

He summoned the Heavy Water Seal, absorbing the abundant water spiritual power from the East Sea, heavy as a thousand tons, fiercely smashing towards Daoist Qing Yuan.

Breaking the spell with force!

"Crack!" a sound was heard!

Under dual attacks, Daoist Qing Yuan's spiritual power shield continued to dim, with cracks widening.

Shen Xuan pointed at the Bishui Sword, using his divine thought to guide and increase the output of spiritual power.

The Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Sword Qi surged, glistening with a cold light.

Daoist Qing Yuan cast a Great Success Level to try to dispel the Water Spirit True Qi on the Bishui Sword.

The attempt was futile.

His spiritual power shield could no longer withstand it and collapsed in an instant.

Despair filled Daoist Qing Yuan's heart.

The Shen Xuan in front of him was merely at the Perfection stage of Qi Cultivation, far surpassing his expectations.

He attempted to seize Shen Xuan's opportunity.

Having schemed too much, he ended up losing his own life.

The sharp Water Qi Sword Qi shredded Daoist Qing Yuan's heart, tearing apart all his internal organs.

Daoist Qing Yuan's body collapsed over the sea, barely alive, floating along with the waves.

"Shen Xuan, you did it on purpose..."

In the final moment before his death, Daoist Qing Yuan finally realized.

From beginning to end, Shen Xuan was absolutely confident in killing him.

A flash of sword light decapitated Daoist Qing Yuan.

Daoist Qing Yuan, a senior elder of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment from the Bishui Sect, due to greed, ambushed Shen Xuan, and paid with his life.

"Actually, I didn't want to!"

Shen Xuan's expression was calm.

Skillfully retrieving Daoist Qing Yuan's storage pouch and two flying sword treasures from his body.

Now, he had no qualms.

After all, in the short term, he wouldn't be entering the Bishui Sect's territory.

This ambush by Daoist Qing Yuan was not part of his plan.

If Daoist Qing Yuan hadn't come, he would have feigned ignorance.

After Foundation Establishment, he would make his move.

Ruan Siting did not invite him to the Foundation Establishment celebration.

Shen Xuan suspected it was Daoist Qing Yuan's doing.

With ill intentions, harboring ulterior motives.

But without absolute evidence.

As long as Daoist Qing Yuan didn't target him again,

Shen Xuan had no way to deal with him.

After all, he was an Elder of the middle stage Foundation Establishment from the Bishui Sect.

Shen Xuan was unwilling to offend these sect cultivators.

However, Daoist Qing Yuan overestimated himself.

Shen Xuan's years of planning for Foundation Establishment and gathering materials did not escape his notice.

Daoist Qing Yuan was aging.

Without another breakthrough, his lifespan was nearing its end, unable to wait any longer.

After investigating Shen Xuan's background, Daoist Qing Yuan lay in ambush at the converging point of the East Sea and Longze River.

This was the best route for Shen Xuan to reach the Cyan Cloud Sect.

In fact, Shen Xuan really did not want to encounter Daoist Qing Yuan here.

Having just killed Zheng Jinyi, another Foundation Establishment cultivator, he needed some respite.

He wasn't a killing demon.

If confronted, he had no choice.

With the truth revealed, there was no need for pretense.

Only one of them could survive.

Back when Shen Xuan was at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, he killed Bai Xinghe of the Red Rainbow Sect.

Now, at the Perfection stage of Qi Cultivation, he acquired and , two high-tier talents.

Along with the , a sect's water technique.

His strength increased more than tenfold!

Against a sect's weakest middle stage Foundation Establishment, victory was assured!

…

"Low-grade magical treasures, Cyan Nether Sword, Dark Sword!"

"Seven thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Tier Two Spirit Pills and Talismans!"

At the bottom of Longze River, in a submerged cave.

Shen Xuan checked Daoist Qing Yuan's storage pouch, feeling pleased.

No wonder he was a senior middle stage Foundation Establishment elder of the Bishui Sect.

Wealthier than Elder Wei of the Five Poison Sect and Bai Xinghe of the Red Rainbow Sect.

"Oh, there are materials for Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Good quality, they're mine now!"

Seeing the medicinal herbs in the brocade box, Shen Xuan was overjoyed.

Some of these herbs were even better than what he had gathered.

He suspected that Daoist Qing Yuan intended to use these herbs to lure and kill him.

Otherwise, having been at Foundation Establishment for years.

Why gather these Foundation Establishment materials!

After accounting for the spoils,

Shen Xuan exited the water cave.

Not resurfacing.

Instead, he moved underwater like a green-feathered fish, navigating with Water Control.

In theory, Daoist Qing Yuan's ambush should have been kept secret.

Even if his soul token left in the sect shattered,

It would take time to trace it back to Shen Xuan.

But just to be safe.

Shen Xuan hurriedly left the Bishui Sect's territory.

When passing by the Cyan Dragon Bay Market,

He deliberately avoided it.

The most urgent task was Foundation Establishment.

Once he successfully established his foundation.

All problems would be easily solved.

…

Half a month later.

Shen Xuan surfaced from the bottom of Longze River, changed his appearance, and arrived again at Dragon Gate Market.

According to the previous plan, Ding Yuyao had already arrived, escorted by Yu Zhenxiao, following the Celestial Blessing Commerce Alliance.

Shen Xuan went to Juxian Tower and found Wang Fugui.

Indeed, Ding Yuyao had been arranged at the Sect Inn by him.

Now, with Lv Zhengying as a backer, Wang Fugui had become quite a figure in Dragon Gate Market.

Seeing Shen Xuan arrive as promised, Ding Yuyao burst into tears of joy.

"Husband!"

The hardships had left their mark on Ding Yuyao's face.

From the day they were united in marriage, twenty-four years had passed.

The sixteen-year-old girl was now forty.

Even with the Youthful Appearance Pill and the Jade Maiden Scripture, she could not resist the erosion of time.

Ding Yuyao gazed at Shen Xuan, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern.

"My lady, everything is well!"

Shen Xuan smiled, holding Ding Yuyao's hand, and checked into the Sect Inn.

The constant travels and vigilance had exhausted Shen Xuan.

That night, Shen Xuan embraced Ding Yuyao, listening to her dream-like muttering.

As she spoke, tears began to flow from Ding Yuyao's eyes.

"Husband, are you going to establish the foundation?"

"Yes."

"I wish you a long and prosperous path!"

Ding Yuyao's eyes were full of confusion.

"Once you establish your foundation, I, an ordinary mortal, cannot follow you any longer!"

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