Shen Xuan was in a great mood.

This time, he followed his heart's guidance and went to meet Murong Jun.

He intentionally exposed a bit of his strength to warn Murong Jun.

It was not just for the Cyan Cloud Sect and Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Primarily, it was to dispel the shadow of fear and stabilize his Dao heart.

Otherwise, being constantly troubled by the fear of Murong Jun's shadow would be detrimental to his cultivation.

Now, with his mind clear, he felt at ease.

Murong Jun no longer posed a fatal threat to him.

This also meant that Shen Xuan's strength was not below Murong Jun's.

If it came to a fight, his chances of winning were greater.

He should be able to seriously injure or even kill Murong Jun.

"If he's smart, he'll restrain himself!"

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

He did not want to have a direct confrontation with Murong Jun.

They were both Sect disciples.

The connections behind them were complicated.

Who knew what kind of connections Murong Jun had.

Besides, Shen Xuan was not that interested in the Demon Sect's resources.

Moreover, Cyan Yang Prefecture wasn't his.

In an emergency, Shen Xuan would retreat without hesitation.

Preserving his useful body for the future.

...

Returning to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

After Su Xue'er served him diligently.

Shen Xuan told her that he would be going on a long trip soon.

"Will my husband come back?"

"What a thing to say!"

Shen Xuan reached out and gave Su Xue'er's pert bottom a firm slap.

"Master has ordered me to return to the Sect to handle matters. It could be three to four months, or as long as a year, but I will definitely return!"

In fact, the Rain Listening Pavilion didn't house anything of great value.

Aside from a few arrays like the Spirit Locking Array, there were only some Spirit Plants planted four years ago.

The Rain Listening Pavilion was located in the Su Clan Territory.

Unless the Su Family perished.

Otherwise, the Rain Listening Pavilion was as stable as a mountain.

There was nothing to worry about.

The next day.

Shen Xuan went to the Su Patriarch to request a leave of absence.

Upon hearing that Shen Xuan was returning to the Sect.

The Su Patriarch looked surprised and inquired about his return date.

Learning it would only be a year or so, the Su Patriarch's face slightly relaxed.

Shen Xuan asked the Su Patriarch to take care of Su Xue'er and her siblings.

"Rest assured, Mr. Shen the Talisman Master!"

The Su Patriarch readily agreed.

Secretly feeling a bit regretful.

During this year and a half, the Su Family's income from Thunder Talismans would be lost.

He could only hope Mr. Shen the Talisman Master would return soon.

The sooner he returned, the more Spirit Stones the Su Family would earn for each day.

...

Finally.

Shen Xuan left a message with the Communication Talisman for the White Lotus Fairy.

"The Sect has summoned me, I'll be back in a year or so."

He did not offer much explanation.

He and the White Lotus Fairy were purely friends.

Both had a mutual understanding.

Complementing each other's strengths and using one another wisely.

Shen Xuan knew the depths of the White Lotus Fairy.

The White Lotus Fairy knew the strengths and weaknesses of Shen Xuan.

They were honest with each other.

They would not interfere in each other's lives.

A relationship that started with fate would end with fate.

What the future held depended on fate.

...

A few days later.

At the Dragon Gate Market.

Shen Xuan, dressed in a green robe, concealed his aura, disguising himself as a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer cultivator, arrived at the Juxian Tower.

The shopkeeper Wang Fugui was even more prosperous than ever.

The sight of his three hundred jin of fat was truly awe-inspiring.

"Brother Shen is here! Please, come in!"

After leading Shen Xuan into the VIP box.

Wang Fugui sent a communication to Lv Zhengying.

Soon after, Lv Zhengying hurriedly arrived.

"Senior Brother Shen!"

After drinking some Spirit Tea, Lv Zhengying motioned for Wang Fugui to leave the room.

After casting a Spirit Shield.

Lv Zhengying took out a Storage Pouch.

"This is the Essence Blood of the Shadow Octopus, please take a look, Senior Brother Shen."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xuan felt pleased.

The Phantom Octopus, living in the deep sea, is a Tier Two Water Attribute Demon Beast.

"Is the quantity sufficient?"

"It is! I personally checked it!"

"Then that's good! Thank you, Junior Brother Lv!"

Four years ago, when Shen Xuan established his Foundation, Lv Zhengying was a significant help.

Later, Shen Xuan wrote to Lv Zhengying, asking him to keep an eye out for Tier Two Water Attribute Demon Beast Essence Blood.

As long as the price was right, he should acquire it.

To this day, Lv Zhengying still owes him seven thousand Spirit Stones!

After learning that Shen Xuan has become a disciple under Master Gu Feng.

Lv Zhengying immediately changed his tone.

Addressing Shen Xuan as Senior Brother.

He is a smart man.

What kind of person is Master Gu Feng!

To take Shen Xuan as a disciple.

Even if it's just as a Registered Disciple, it surely isn't just because of Qin Yuehan.

The bond between master and disciple runs deep, with many karmic ties.

Shen Xuan must have exceptional qualities, warranting Master Gu Feng's investment.

Thirty years later, if all goes well, Shen Xuan can return to the Sect and become Master Gu Feng's Direct Disciple.

This would make him Master Gu Feng's only male disciple to date.

Before, he looked down on Shen Xuan.

Because Shen Xuan was only a Qi Cultivation Realm Cultivator.

Their statuses and positions were different.

Now, the situation has reversed.

He is still a Miscellaneous Elder without a foundation in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

Shen Xuan, however, is about to become Master Gu Feng's Direct Disciple.

Therefore, upon receiving Shen Xuan's letter.

Lv Zhengying was quite diligent.

Went to great lengths, and finally managed to acquire a decent Tier Two Demon Beast Essence Blood.

Shen Xuan safely stored the Shadow Octopus Essence Blood.

Planning to refine and dominate it after returning.

"How many Spirit Stones?"

"A bit expensive, five thousand Spirit Stones."

Shen Xuan nodded.

This price is acceptable.

After all, the Shadow Octopus lives in the deep sea, with considerable strength, making it extremely difficult to hunt.

"Junior Brother Lv, continue to help me acquire Demon Beast Essence Blood."

Shen Xuan thought for a moment.

Took out a brocade box.

Inside it contained Tier Two Thunder Talismans and Poison Talismans.

He counted ten of each.

Handed them to Lv Zhengying.

"These are [Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talismans] and [Silver Hook Snake Poison Talismans]. Junior Brother Lv, take them as self-defense items."

Lv Zhengying looked at Shen Xuan with astonishment.

The Poison Talismans, that was fine.

He had known about them before.

But how come Tier Two Thunder Talismans?

Could it be that he actually managed to create Tier Two Thunder Talismans?

Lv Zhengying couldn't believe it.

Yet, he had to believe it.

The facts were right in front of him.

He knew Shen Xuan's character well.

Always cautious and discreet.

Not the kind to seek attention.

"Is this a [Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talisman]?"

"A Secret Technique from the inheritance of the Flying Cloud Su Family. One [Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talisman] can reach thirty percent of the power of an Early Stage Thunder Cultivator."

Shen Xuan explained.

Lv Zhengying's face lit up with joy as he quickly put it away.

Thirty percent of a Thunder Cultivator's power is almost equivalent to the full effort of an ordinary Cultivator!

This is a valuable item!

Especially effective against Demon Cultivators, Evil Cultivators, and Demon Beasts.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen, I won't stand on ceremony."

Shen Xuan smiled slightly.

"Is there a need for formality between us? Junior Brother Lv vouched for my alchemy and protected my Foundation Establishment. Shen always remembers this."

"Where, where. As Senior Brother Shen said. We come from the same Master Yan and have been acquainted for seventy years, so we should support each other."

Lv Zhengying's attitude was very humble.

He did not dare to wield favors expecting gratitude.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator capable of producing Tier Two Thunder Talismans would be a talent nurtured in any sect.

Not someone a Miscellaneous Elder like him could compare with.

No wonder Master Gu Feng accepted him as a Registered Disciple, promising to make him a Direct Disciple in thirty years.

Undoubtedly, these exalted Core Formation True Masters have foresight!

Easily identifying talents and beautiful jades at a glance.

Afterwards, the two chatted for a while.

Shen Xuan asked about Ding Yuyao's life in Hongcheng County.

Before leaving Cyan Cloud Sect, he asked Lv Zhengying to look after them in secret.

"Sister-in-law and the two children are doing well."

Ding Yuyao herself was a top martial artist.

Coupled with Shen Xuan's status.

The Guardian Immortal Master of the Celestial Skill Sect cared for Ding Yuyao especially well.

Everything is good.

Interestingly, Old Liu, the former carriage driver, has aged.

He simply joined the Shen Mansion, becoming the Chief Steward.

"He's a smart man!"

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

He then inquired about matters at Cyan Dragon Bay.

As a result, after the division between Red Rainbow Sect and Celestial Skill Sect, though there was no major conflict, minor skirmishes persisted.

Ding Yijin has been stationed at Cyan Dragon Bay, gathering some Ding Family Cultivators.

His younger brother Ding Yixuan had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The brothers joining forces showed a faint sign of the Ding Family's revival.

While they were chatting.

Someone cast a spell outside the private room.

The protective Spirit Shield silently dissipated.

A familiar silver bell-like voice came over.

"What are the two Senior Brothers talking about?"

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